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The cave they were trapped in for their survival adventure was in all ways dark, dank, and COLD.
When they saw the location for their multi night survival camping trip, Izuku was already analyzing and muttering about suspicions of everyone getting one location where it would make one member as weak as possible, and be something the other would be able to help them stand strong against.
Unfortunately knowing the logic behind their location choices didn't get them through the next few days WARM, and certainly wouldn't make sure they were comfortable.
While they were progressing by leaps and bounds with their quirk training and strengths, it still didn't always address the reality that they might need to take care of themselves and possibly others for an extended period of time without help, and possibly in remote locations. That was what the latest discreet exercise was for.
They were given one week's time. They had to survive and be in good shape when they were extracted from their locations. They would have no contact, and no way to bail out if things got harsh, save one emergency button (and pressing that was a guarenteed failing grade) It was given as a back up in the case of life or death emergencies, or another villain attack.
After everything that they had been through the staff was being extraordinarily tight lipped. Each pair was given their locations only as they were dropped off at them. Even the teachers were compartmentalized. If someone was going to leak information it would be from very fragmented sources, and they would know exactly where it came from. The only way to know who was out was to know who was missing at a time.
One strong, with one weak to the area was a good theory but it would test how they could rely on their partner. Teamwork and survival skills would make or break this grade, as well as their confidence in themselves, and their ability to lean on another if they weren't the most suited for the task.
Izuku wasn't too upset at his partner choice but he was a bit worried how they would faire for a full week with just the two of them.
He liked Todoroki, but he wasn't entirely sure how this week would go. It was obvious this time he was the weak link. Everything about the set location screamed that this was Todoroki's trial to face. Perhaps because he'd already proven himself and Todoroki needed the experience? Or it was possible that this was only part one and he'd have another week somewhere where he was going to be the strong link (the more he thought about that the more that seemed more likely. As he continued muttering to himself Aizawa held out a small bag to the both of them. Just one small bag for everything that they would be allowed to bring and they weren't even able to have chosen it themselves.
They were given a bag of supplies - neither of them knew what it contained until they got to their locations and were able to dig into it. It was something that was part of their test. it could be vital help? Or it could be something that would be useless. Or only useful for one of them and then only if you knew how to use it. Yaoyorozu would likely have the best chances with this part but would she be able to utilize much of her creation options without her encyclopedia. Even she'd be limited by what she'd memorized. They also weren't allowed to bring their hero costumes with them. It was part of learning how to handle anything, anywhere, whether they went into a situation prepared to do so or not. So they weren't equipped with things to help them utilize their abilities to their maximum effect.
He wondered what they would be able to do for food. The cave was freezing. His breath already visible and they hadn't even been left all the way inside it. The zone given was that they were to stay within. It made sense that it would be a zone that he would have to almost completely rely on Todoroki's help.
He heard Aizawa waving his goodbye and wishing them luck and then that was it. One week. That was all they had to make it through.
He looked over to Todoroki hoping that he wouldn't be too much of a burden on him.
"T-todoroki-kun. Let's do our best" He got a soft nod in return.
Todoroki made a small light with his flames and they set out into the cavern. Frozen wood littered the area so at least they would have a steady fuel source. Izuku was well aware that Todoroki's flames were more than sufficient enough to dry out and keep even frozen wood lit.
It was far too cold in here but he'd try and see how long he could handle it before turning to his friend for help. He had a feeling that he'd be relying on Todoroki for far more than he would be needed - more than anything for the heat he'd have to generate but there had to be some limit to his ability to generate warmth. And enough warmth for the both of them.
He hoped they would have some way to locate food deeper in. They would need all the energy that they could muster to stay strong enough to make it through. And he would need to in order to basically be a human heater.
"Are you sure? If you want you can try and radiate the heat a bit farther" Deku muttered under his breath "but that would expend more energy and likely be a waste of strength"
Todoroki noticed Izuku trying to stay close without invading his space too much and eventually lifted an arm and stammered out "You have to be freezing. You can't keep up working in this chill for this long." The dusting of blush across his face was strong enough to be seen despite the low lighting.
Izuku wasn't entirely sure what to think about that, but he did recognize the logic in conserving body heat. It was just... this was TODOROKI. And he had never really gotten all that close to anyone that wasn't his mother and he was overthinking things and freezing.
He moved closer to the warmth radiating off of Todoroki's left side and tried not to think about the arm that came down on his other side pulling him closer, or of the blush that was starting to spread across his own face as it heated up along with his body. The much needed warmth radiated over him and he realized he hadn't even recognized just HOW cold, the cold was until he was finally feeling warm again and was grateful Todoroki was willing to stand with him cuddling against his side. He had a feeling this was just the first of many close moments and hoped things didn't end up awkward after the trip.
The thought swept past his mind before he realized it was there that of all their classmates he didn't entirely mind being forced to stay close to Todoroki for a week and when he comprehended what it was he just thought his blush got bright enough he was sure he was radiating heat of his own.
Making their way to the back of the cavern they found a water source, and also a small stockpile of food in their bag so there would be no worry about starving. If they were able to find more to supplement their stocks with that would be even better. Which meant that this trip was likely to mean that all they had to do was explore a bit and conserve their strength. Of all the tasks for survival this was looking to be both the simplest and most awkward of the tasks he expected but he was starting to feel grateful to whoever had paired them up for this.
"We should see what else is around and set up camp" Izuku suggested, and moved out of that comforting blanket of warmth for a moment. He was reluctant to do so and he wouldn't likely be able to do so for long but setting up camp would go far faster with the both of them working as a team. He would just have to be sure to judge his stamina properly.
He didn't notice the watchful eyes following him around as he helped tidy their campsite, and in no time at all they had a stock of wood that could be burned for light, and a space cleared of everything that they could turn into their personal fire pit.
He was starting to lose a bit of feeling in his hands when he felt them swept up and before he realized what was going on they were being gently rubbed between very warm hands. Todoroki was looking off to the side as he did it and Izuku could hear a gentle admonishment to take better care of himself. "I don't want to have another hand injury nearby when I can help it" Or at least that was what he seemed to be telling himself. His cheeks were suspiciously bright, and Izuku stammered an apology "I'm sorry Todoroki-kun. I should have been a bit more careful. I didn't mean to make you worry."
"It's ok. Come on let's sit." The ground was still cold but they'd spread out their bag and the emergency blanket that was within it. Izuku was realizing just how close he was going to have to stay to Todoroki if they had such minimal supplies and wasn't sure if he was hesitant about the closeness they'd be needing or starting to look forward to it.
The idea of spending that much time that close to another person was not something he was really prepared to think about and as he settled in against Todoroki's shoulder and leaned closer into the warmth the realization that he was about to spend a week with his quiet classmate as his personal space heater struck him and he couldn't help but start chuckling.
The motion startled Todoroki and his arm tightened around Izuku until he realized it was just a fit of laughter. Before he could even ask just why he was laughing so much Izuku hurried to explain even though he realized as the words were coming out of his mouth that Todoroki might not take it as well as he meant it.
"I never thought when we got our assignments that I'd be entirely useless, and you'd be a space heater" Todoroki stayed silent for just long enough for Izuku to worry when close as he was he started feeling the tremors of laughter. Soon enough they were setting each other off, laughing hysterically at the unexpected situation they were landed in. It felt good to just let loose and laugh, the soft light making everything have an ethereal glow to it. "We should sleep while we can. It'll help the time pass." Izuku said after they finally calmed a bit down. The thought of their laughter helping break the ice set him off again though, and it was a while before they wound down enough to actually curl up to sleep.
"Should we set watches?" Todoroki was right to be cautious but it seemed they were alone in the caves. From everywhere they'd looked it seemed as if nothing living ventured far into this cave which made sense if it was a frigid wasteland. If they both slept lightly then they should be able to rest at the same time. The more rest they got the more energy they would both conserve.
"Good night" Izuku muttered, still a bit self conscious and nervous about being pressed close against Todoroki. He was completely encircled in warm arms, and the warm bubble he was encased in was more than enough to sooth him into a fast sleep.
Three days had passed since they entered the cave, and it looked like their food was going to hold out. Izuku breathed a sigh of relief. They had started to get a bit bored, talking only amongst themselves. He knew more than he'd ever expected to about Todoroki's family, and he had shared everything he could think of about his mother, and himself. He found himself still wanting to know more.
That night when he curled up in what was starting to feel a bit normal one of Todoroki's hands brushed against his arm and he felt a chill that had nothing to do with the cold. Blushing deeply he hoped that Todoroki hadn't felt it but there was no way that as close as they were it wasn't obvious, and the question that came a moment later proved that it was noticed. "Are you cold? I can try and make the air a bit warmer."
"T-that's ok" He was able to stammer out a reply. If anything he was feeling too warm, and it had nothing to do with the heat radiating off of Todoroki. He wasn't sure when he had gotten so ok with being so close but he was starting to dread the end of the trip coming to them. He must have been worrying Todoroki because he had shuffled a bit closer arms still locked around and heat pouring across them both.
It was probably just his luck, but he would never regret the moment looking back. He'd gone to say something and looked up to find Todoroki's face inches away from his own, and blushing wildly. The pair of them probably resembled tomatoes was all he could think, followed closely by the urge to lean farther in and capture the lips just beyond his reach.
He probably was as transparent as the ice around them. "I - er" Thoughts spiraled into each other, as he worried that something like this was the last thing they needed. If he was that transparent what could that do to their team work? Would they spend the rest of their days awkward around each other trying to forget this had happened? How could he apologize to
And then he realized that he didn't need to think at all. He hadn't moved but his lips were against surprisingly soft lips, moving gently against his own, and before he realized he’d even stopped thinking he was kissing Todoroki back.
Minutes passed, and he couldn't help but think they'd need to talk about this whatever it was, but that was definitely in the future. For now his world had become the body against him, and the warmth and comfort that he had been seeking all along.
It probably had been since that first fight. Something within his classmate drew out his need to protect him, to help him work his way out of the shell he'd been withdrawn in, but he hadn't really analyzed what that draw could be until he was forced to confront both his feelings, and how his body felt responding to the warmth offered.
Breaking for breath the two were somehow even redder than before, flushed and craving more of what they'd just experienced.
"How long?" was the only thing Izuku could think to say and as Todoroki admitted that he'd been fighting back a crush well before this excursion dating back to the sports festival when he'd made it his mission to break through the fog surrounding him.
"If you hadn't gotten through to me I don't even know if I would have been comfortable enough with my fire to make this lesson possible. I'd done my best never to use it unless I had to until you made me see that it was a part of me, and not him." It shouldn't have been possible for him to blush harder, but he managed it. "It was probably around then I started thinking about you more."
"So... I.... this..." He cleared his throat and tried again. "Todoroki-kun, do you want to try and maybe, with me..."
A gentle kiss answered the question he couldn't quite stammer out.
Izuku snuggled into the warmth that was Todoroki and realized that this meant that they could definitely keep cuddling after this trip was over, and when the last few days passed by in a blur of kisses, and warmth he was more than grateful for whoever chose their trip location.