Chapter Text
The first time it happens is when we are in third grade and have finally fallen into a routine of after school homework/hangout sessions. At first my okaasan is worried sick at the prospect of her anxious son (me) hanging out with a classmate, much more ‘that blonde kid with the eyes’ again. Yet, I am insistent and even more so is the ‘blonde boy’ who charms his way into my sister’s good graces and my father’s much more phlegmatic demeanor. How Mirio manages to make any and every person he comes across laugh so hard their cheeks hurt will always be a puzzle to me, but in this particular case I am grateful.
“You think your mom will ever warm up to me?” Mirio thoughtfully asks, as we lay out our textbooks, brightly colored pens (thanks to Mirio’s plea for more color to keep himself focused on his notes... not that it really works ), and papers.
“She likes you! She just---worries about me too much” I quickly dismiss his doubts, since it is unlike Mirio to overthink about something and honestly, I'm nervous enough between the two of us for him to suddenly start.
“Hmm--- I guess you’re right. I just can’t help wondering how my mom would think of me now if my parents didn’t get a divorce. And since your mom is the closest motherly figure I know of, I have this weird feeling that insists she has to like me, too” Mirio flat out replies without any harbinger of hesitation that I freeze in the spot unable to grasp how easy it is for him to be so vulnerable in front of someone anyone . Meanwhile, I can't even introduce myself in front of my class without stammering on every. single. syllable. I am trying to say.
I scramble my brain for something to say that isn’t a lame I’m sorry or of course she loves you fake-ness, because Mirio doesn’t deserve some half ass reply. He deserves the honest to All Might truth and I can at least do this much for him.
“I think she’d be--” I don't finish this heartfelt monologue I go over and over in my head to reassure Mirio how he is the nicest kid ever for even acknowledging and befriending a loser like me because suddenly Mirio is screaming my name and his body is slowly disappearing into the floor. “MIRIO!” I yell back trying to grab a hold of his flailing arms as his lower half vanishes, white shirt flies up to the ceiling and for the first time in my life I feel like I’d actually pass out from fear.
“TAMAKI!!” Mirio cries even louder and somehow manages to hold onto me. I immediately pull him up and in the midst of his panic, Mirio deactivates his quirk. We crash on the floor hard with Mirio’s arms wrapped tightly around my waist and a loud thud echoes throughout the living room, reassuring me that Mirio isn’t going anywhere he shouldn’t.
I huff out loud, trying to bring some needed oxygen in my lungs and hold onto Mirio’s arms for dear life. It is then I hear muffled cries and realize Mirio is in tears. I quickly sit up and encircle Mirio with my arms just like he would when those older kids would keep pestering me about my quirk. Nothing feels safer than a warm hug and Mirio, bright as the sun always gives the best ones. So naturally, it is my turn to return the favor and give him at least a dose of the comfort he usually shares with me.
“Mirio it’s okay. Everything is going to be alright. I’m here” I pat his head like my mom would when I'm crying and suddenly a snotty chuckle fills the tense room. I loosen my hug a bit and look at Mirio. He is wiping the tears away and starts to laugh even harder when I stare at him. Confused, but relieved Mirio is okay, I start catching the laughing bug especially with a laugh as boisterous as his and the crazy tension from the accident just drifts away.
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“Tamaki sounded just like All Might did that I couldn’t stop laughing!” he explains much later to his dad after he comes back from work. Meanwhile Mirio’s dad holds onto him so tight, afraid he’ll lose Mirio again by some freak accident.
Then, he does the same to my parents as he walks them to the gate. He reanimates the story of how I saved him full with descriptions that are unlike me in any setting, but Mirio is so happy and my stomach feels like it is twisting itself into tiny knots of flutters. I just want to make him stop, but when I look up, my mom is beaming at Mirio and I guess I could live with this knotty feeling for a while longer.
My dad walks to the car, while my mom crouches down to pat Mirio’s head and tells him to be more careful next time. Then, she waves me over as she walks to the passenger’s seat. Absolutely glowing, Mirio runs to me and hugs me again.
“TAMAKI, did you see that? Your mom doesn’t hate me!” He yell-whispers in my ear, which is frightening and supposedly impossible, but apparently nothing is with Mirio. I smile back and feel that same warmth and relief to have my friend back, in one piece and next to me.
“I told you she likes you! Everyone does, Mirio. You’re--you’re the best person I know and-- And people would be stupid not to like you” I ramble feeling stupid and out of control, but the words keep spilling out before I could stop myself.
“Really? Even you?” Mirio asks letting me go and then, he gently pulls my face so close to his I almost want to have his quirk and let the ground swallow me instead. Oh. My. God. My throat dries up and I desperately try not to think about how red my cheeks are getting or how blue Mirio’s eyes are when he is excited about something.
“Um--er---Mi---mirio, you’re my friend. Of course-- I--- I *cough* like you” I stutter to get the words out and feel the heat on my face spread to my chest. This is so embarrassing! Why does this always happen to me?!
“YABAI! I’m so glad! You aren’t just my hero-- literally, but my bestest friend and I’m just happy you like me, too” Mirio declares hugging me so tight I forget how strong he really is. I feel foolish for the way my stomach is fluttering with his words and sunny embrace, but then it is all I could think about on the whole ride home and the rest of the damn week.
He likes me too.