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“Don’t fall asleep. You wanted to watch the meteor shower with me, right?” Shouto asked, poking at Izuku who looked dazed and seemed to be falling asleep.
Izuku blinked furiously.
“I’m so sorry,” Izuku apologized as he wrung his hands nervously.
“You’re fine, ‘Zu. Now go back to telling me about the stars,” Shouto said gently.
Izuku resumed prattling about the constellations and the stories behind them and Shouto tried to relax back into the constant chatter yet something was off. Shouto didn’t say anything until Izuku trailed off again, growing quiet.
“Izuku,” Shouto sat up. “Izuku!”
Izuku finally looked up at Shouto.
“I’m sorry,” Izuku whispered, turning away from Shouto.
“It’s okay, Izuku. Will you tell me what’s wrong?” Shouto asked softly, trying not to scare Izuku.
Izuku was very strong willed when it came to saving other people, but when it came to the vulnerable things he was easily spooked, like a rabbit.
Shouto knew it had to do with his childhood. He tried to help Izuku work on his self confidence and understand that not everyone was out to hurt him anymore. Shouto struggled with emotions as well so he really tried to be careful not to say the wrong thing; causing Izuku to get hurt or be more guarded when Izuku got like this.
“I don’t know,” Izuku said, sitting up as well. “It’s stupid and complicated.”
“I doubt it’s stupid. I want to hear about it.”
“I don’t know,” Izuku repeated. “I don’t want to ruin our night. It’s not every day that you can see a meteor shower. Very rare in fact.”
“Then how about we lay back down and we watch for the meteors to start while we talk,” Shouto suggested. Izuku froze.
“Unless missing the meteors isn’t the only thing you’re worried about.”
Izuku looked away from Shouto.
“You are right, like always.” Izuku sighed before falling silent for a while. “I’m afraid. Afraid of my emotions and afraid you will hate me or be mad at me or something. I don’t know.”
“Izuku, I don’t think I could ever be mad at you, and I certainly could never hate you. I may be mad that something happened, or lash out because I am scared or upset, but I doubt there is very little that would cause me to be mad at you,” Shouto comforted.
“Now lie back down and cuddle with me. Then you can tell me what’s wrong.”
Izuku hesitated but laid back down with Shouto, the latter pulling Izuku’s head onto his chest. Shouto started running his hands through Izuku’s hair.
“We’re aromantic right?” Izuku asked.
“Yeah?” Shouto confirmed, confused..
“And we love each other in our own way?”
“Um, yeah, that’s basically the definition of queerplatonic.”
“And I thought I couldn’t feel romantic attraction?” Izuku continued.
Shouto stilled. “Yeah?”
“I think I have been feeling some romantic feelings, Shouto,” Izuku breathed anxiously.
Shouto started running his hands through Izuku’s hair again. “That’s okay, Izuku.”
“But I thought for sure I was aromantic. Now out of the blue I’m suddenly not? And I don’t feel them towards you. If it turns out I can feel romantically shouldn’t I love you? Yet I still feel the same way about you. I’m so confused Shouto and scared,” Izuku pushed out, breathing becoming erratic.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Breathe,” Shouto instructed, pulling Izuku closer to him. “Izuku it’s okay that you’re feeling this way. Brains don’t always make sense or give reasons. You don’t need everything figured out. I’ll be here with you no matter what,” Shouto expressed.
Izuku started to cry softly, pulling Shoto’s arms closer to him.
“So you’re not going to leave me?” Izuku asked through his tears.
“Of course not.” Shouto huffed. “I’m sticking around until you decide to get rid of me.”
Izuku made a disgruntled sound. “I’d never get rid of you.”
“Glad we are in agreement.” Shouto smiled, poking Izuku’s side.
Izuku giggled and Shouto started to tickle him. Izuku laughed, wiggling around trying to escape Shouto’s fingers.
“Shouto, stop, look,” Izuku struggled out, pointing up at the sky.
Shouto paused to look up. The meteor shower had started. Izuku’s body relaxed and he snuggled back up to Shouto.
“Don’t forget to make a wish. People say you always need to make a wish on a falling star,” Izuku told him.
“But they aren’t falling stars? It’s just rock burning up in the planet’s atmosphere,” Shouto argued.
Izuku shushed him. “Just make the wish.”
Shouto rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay, I wish-”
“Not out loud! That would make the wish not come true.” Izuku interrupted before Shouto could finish his sentence.
Shouto rolled his eyes again but fell silent.
“So? What did you wish for?” Izuku probed.
“Wouldn’t that be saying the wish out loud?”
“I guess, but I want to know.” Izuku whined.
“No, I don’t think I will tell you.” Shouto decided to wrap his arms around Izuku’s torso.
“Fine. Then I won’t tell you my wish.” Izuku pouted.
“Okay. I guess we will have to live without knowing each other’s wishes then.”
Izuku twisted and punched Shouto lightly on the shoulder.
“Shouto!” Izuku complained, causing Shouto to let out a laugh.
“If there is a chance that this wish will come true, I’m not doing anything to jeopardize that.”
Izuku blushed. “That’s fair. I’ll stop bugging you about it.”
The pair cuddled on the blanket and continued watching the meteors burn up.
When a minute had passed without another streak across the sky, Shouto sat up, displacing Izuku, much to the latter’s disdain.
“I’m thinking the meteor shower is over so let’s talk some more.” Shouto decided.
Izuku took his time to readjust, avoiding Shouto’s gaze.
“It’s not a bad conversation, Izuku.” Shouto promised, reaching out to pull him close.
Izuku relaxed into Shouto and took a few deep breaths.
“So, who is it you like?” Shouto asked, watching to make sure Izuku didn’t tense.
“Hitoshi.” Izuku whispered.
“That makes sense.” Shouto said, “Well he already knows about us so that makes it easier on you.”
“What, to be rejected?” Izuku asked defensively.
“No, to date him.” Shouto deadpanned.
Izuku made a shocked noise.
“What about us?” Izuku sniffed, trying not to cry.
“Nothing has to change with us. Well except I would have to come to terms with spending a little less time with you. But I can do that easily. I want you to be happy, Izuku. If he’s ok with it I don’t see why there would be a problem.” Shouto comforted.
“Okay.” Izuku breathed. “As long as I don’t lose you.”
“Never.”
The two sat in silence for a bit before Izuku spoke again.
“That’s a big if.”
Shouto looked at him in confusion. “What is?”
“If he wants me, if he is ok with us.”
Shouto frowned. “I don’t think so. Anyone would be lucky to have you. Plus you don’t see the way he looks at you. I do because I look at you the same way.”
Izuku blinked, shaking his head.
“What way is that?”
“Like you hung the stars in the sky.” Shouto nuzzled into Izuku’s neck.
“But I-” Izuku started but he was stopped by Shouto putting a finger on his lips.
“There we go. Now stop thinking so hard and trust me.”
Izuku hesitated for a minute before nodding quietly. He rested his head against Shouto’s shoulder and breathed deeply.
“Look,” Shouto whispered, pointing up at the sky in the same way that Izuku did earlier.
“They started again,” Izuku said in awe.
“Make another wish.” Shouto smiled, grasping Izuku’s hand.
“Yeah, okay.” Izuku snorted, relaxing back against Shouto.
Izuku knew in the morning he may regret staying up as late as they are, but he could never regret spending time with Shouto. He would never forget this night for as long as he lived.