Mending the Battle Wounds (TodoBakuDeku)

Chapter 9

"It's your power! You're quirk, not his!" Izuku shouted across the training field Shoto and him were sparring in.

Shoto seemed stunned for all of two seconds before his entire left side erupted into flames that just kept spreading high and high. Izuku's eyes widened at the sight.

"Well shit."

~Earlier~

"I haven't trained in so long." Izuku whined as they walked out into the empty training field. It was Friday and most students just wanted to relax over the week and begin training again on Saturday.

Shoto watched him from behind, noticing the slight tilt of his head as he took in a deep breath of fresh air. "What's training like for you guys?" He asked, letting curiosity get the best of him. He found that it was happening more and more with Izuku.

Izuku seemed to muse over the answer for a few seconds as the finally reached the center of the field. "Intense I guess. I can't really compare it to here because we've conveniently not been training at all this week." He explained, humor making it's way into his voice.

Shoto nodded in response. "Want to just spar without quirks first? As a warm up of sorts?" He suggested.

Izuku raised his fist up as he got into a fighting position. "Sounds good to me."

They circled each other, both trying to find the perfect opportunity to strike. Shoto decided to keep up the conversation. "Can you really blame the teachers for not fully trusting you yet?" He asked as Izuku flung his fist out, aiming for Shoto's face. With a quick dodge they were now fully amerced in a fake battle.

Izuku shot his leg out next, hoping to catch Shoto off guard. "No, but- Whoa!" Shoto had caught his leg and twisted it to send him flying through the air. He landed with a huff on the ground.

"You're not as intimidating without your quirk." Shoto observed, bending down to offer Izuku a hand.

His offer was blatantly ignored as Izuku stood up b himself, brushing off a few specks of dirt. In a matter of two seconds he had managed to get a hand on Shoto's chest as he swept his feet out from under him, knocking him flat on his back in the dirt, Izuku's hand still holding him down. "I'm sorry, what was that?" He asked in a sickly sweet tone.

Shoto coughed as he stood up, accepting Izuku's hand. "Point taken." He said, trying to regain his breath.

"You never underestimate the little guy." Izuku said in a mock-scolding tone.

Shoto help his hands up in surrender. "Never again." He promised, feeling his small smile slip onto his face. Izuku didn't seem to notice, seeing as he was to busy trying to rub out a grass stain on the knee of his pants.

Shoto took the chance to sweep his foot under Izuku's, knocking him off balance. As he was falling backwards, he reached out and grabbed a fist full of Shoto's shirt, dragging him down as well. They landed with a groan as Shoto's weight pressed down on Izuku. It didn't seem to bother him for long, as he started to laugh a few seconds later.

Shoto braced his arms on either side of Izuku's head. "How was that funny?" He asked, letting his curiosity shine through again.

"I dragged you down with me. You're surprise attack backfired." Izuku explained, cutting his laugh attack short.

Not seeming bothered by the short space in between them, Shoto stayed where he was. He looked like he was trying to find something in Izuku's face, a hint of what was really going on inside his head.

Izuku, on the other hand, was definitely bothered by the small distance. His cheeks had gone a soft shade of pink as he tried to figure out what Shoto was doing. Not being able to take it anymore, he quickly flipped them. Shoto was on his stomach, his arm bent back in between his shoulder blades and being held there by Izuku.