Chapter 6
Mina woke up about five hours later. It was still super dark, with no sign of the sun and yet and Hanta's toes were completely asleep. Hanta jerked when Mina put her hand on his shoulder, and he cranes his neck back to see her. She still looks tired with dark bags under her eyes, but more awake than Hanta feels. There's a space blanket wrapped around her shoulders and a butterfly knife in her hand.
"Morning, Hanta. Go get some sleep." She smiles down at the sleeping form of Todoroki, and waits patiently as Hanta rouses the other just to the brink of consciousness. Todoroki groans softly, and seems sleep numb when Hanta loops his arms around his neck. They stand, and Hanta shakes the pins and needles from his leg as they stumble towards the bathroom Mina was in. He hears her sit down, and the sound of her playing with the knife starts. He does snatch his jacket from his bag before they get too far, and keeps a hold on the blanket that was on Todoroki. Midoriya had moved to his bathroom cubby sometime after Todoroki fell asleep, eyes half closed in a way that reassured Hanta that he hadn't heard any of their conversation.
Hanta opens the door, and lays the space blanket down in the middle of the bathroom. He folds his jacket and guides the other down, before settling beside him. Todoroki blinks blearily at him, but must not be worried enough to pull himself to full consciousness because he mumbles something incoherent and tucks himself into Hanta's chest. His leg slides between Hanta's knees, and Hanta wraps an arm around his shoulders to pull him closer.
Sleep was already teasing at the edges of Hanta's mind before Mina woke up, so it's easy to fall into slumber while wrapped around the boy he loves.
Hanta stops.
Loves?
Loves...
That's a thought for later.
---
It's getting later into the fall, and even if they're away from everyone else, there's less of a rush compared to yesterday. They know approximately how long it takes to get to the rest stop now, and they have plenty of time to go through the cars and move them around today. At least, that's Hanta's reasoning for not getting up until the skylight above him fades into a yellow-blue and not the early red glare of sunrise. He woke up a few times, either by a forgotten dream or his body fighting against him, but every time he was pulled back under by the steady breathing of Todoroki, and the fingers that were threaded through his own. He's sure that Todoroki was awake a few times as well, as neither of them felt comfortable falling into a deep sleep in a strange place, but Hanta's memory of those times are fuzzy but warm. Always warm.
Hanta sits up, leaning back on his hands and stretching his neck up at the ceiling. He can vaguely hear Midoriya and Mina chatting outside the door, and there's birds outside that are singing their daily tune. Todoroki lays beside him, head on Hanta's jacket, and is somewhat awake, if the disgruntled blinking is any consolation. Hanta huffs in amusement, and feels the urge to pat his head, and then remembers that maybe he can.
So, carefully, Hanta runs his fingers through the smooth mess on Todoroki's head, his heart pounding in his chest. Todoroki doesn't move to stop him, only grumbles out, "If you're trying to convince me to stay awake, that definitely isn't helping."
Hanta chuckles louder now, knowing that since he spoke, he's well on his way up. "Good morning, sleepy head."
"Good morning." Todoroki hauls himself up and smacks his lips, sitting in the same position as Hanta. His hand falls from his head, and lands somewhere close to his fingers on the space blanket. Todoroki yawns, and makes a face at himself. "Did we bring the toothbrushes?"
Regardless of the slow start, they get into motion pretty quickly. Midoriya pulls out a couple pillowcases-turned-drawsacks that they put the food they found in the vending machines in, and they fill two of them right away. They leave the more unhealthy stuff, taking all of the trail mixes and Nature Valley bars and water bottles and packing a chocolate bar each for everyone at the house. They debate over taking the sodas, but end up leaving them for fear that they'll explode in the bags.
It's maybe an hour later when they're ready to check the cars; most of the bags are packed, and things are in place to be grabbed at a moments notice. They pile it by the door, ready to head back in if there's a problem, and armed with knives and guns alike, each of them pick a car to start going through. After making sure they're empty of useful supplies, the plan is to move them to create a barricade of sorts that will hold back lurkers. Definitely not humans, but maybe it will help with damage control if more come through here.
Todoroki picks an older pickup truck beside the bus, and climbs into the backseat. Hanta pops the trunk on his own car, and makes a face at the sheer emptiness of it. There's a tire iron, and he picks it up to study it before tucking the hooked end through his belt. Nothing like a good basher.
Todoroki jumps down from the truck, and when Hanta glances up at him, he shakes his head. "Nothing? That's alright, c'mere and help me with this car. Mina! Let's move this one."
Hanta closes the trunk and moves around to the front seat. He sits down just as Mina gets close, and uses all of his tiny knowledge of cars to wedge a flat screwdriver in the ignition long enough for him to pop it into neutral. Todoroki and Mina stand behind the car, and Hanta closes the door as he lets up on the brake. It starts rolling, and Hanta yelps as it moves a little faster than planned.
Dios mío, is it hard to steer.
Hanta peers out of the dusty windshield and tries to turn the wheel to where Midoriya is pointing. They have two or three cars already lined up, starting from where the bus is, and Hanta steadily presses harder on the break. The already bashed up front end gives the front of a red car a little love tap, and Hanta yanks on the hand break. He grins at Midoriya through the windshield, and gives him a thumbs up. Success! Now for the rest of the cars...
It takes up nearly two hours, and the sun is decently high in the sky by the time they deem themselves somewhat finished. The cars form a barrier around the front of the building parking lot, not very secure but still there and able to slow down walkers. It also let's anyone know that this place has been checked before, by people. Also, lining them up is easier to check for gas. There's hardly any keys to be found, and they aren't totally sold on the road that looked to lead in the direction of the house. There's still gasoline stinging Hanta's mouth when they finally fill two smaller jerrycans that were in the back of the pickup truck.
Their little group is sweaty and tired already when Midoriya brings up the idea of heading back. Hanta is sitting on the hood of a barrier car, sipping at a warm water bottle and fanning his face. His hair is tied up off his neck and is turning into a proper mullet. The sides are getting long too, so maybe he'll bug Mina for a haircut when they get back to the house. Mina is leaning against the same car, and reaches for the water bottle from Hanta.
"If we're leaving, we better go now. I don't want to waste daylight," Mina says, and Todoroki nods. He was just snooping in the trunks again, even though anything useful was taken out. They found two guns, one a rifle and one a shotgun, and some bullets and shells to go with. Todoroki has the rifle strapped to his backpack, secured safely, and Hanta almost started drooling. Now, remember he's not a fan of guns? Well, he would much rather ogle someone else handling one any day. Mina has the other gun, strapped over her shoulder in the bag it was in.
Todoroki looks up over the trunk edge when Hanta jumps off, and he closes it with a bang. "Hanta."
Hanta turns. "Hm?"
"Catch."
Todoroki throws something tiny, and Hanta bounces it off his palms a few times to settle it. He looks down, and sees a little soot sprite keychain. He smiles, and looks back at Todoroki. "Where did you find this?"
Todoroki scratches the back of his neck, and follows the others as they slide over car hoods to get to the other side. Todoroki hauls a pillowcase full of food up in one hand and a jerrycan in the other, and Hanta does the same with only a smaller bag that holds some decent first aid stuff. Turns out that most vehicles have an emergency first aid kit. If they have a few people carrying things, then they need some available to take down lurkers. "I saw it on the floor of a car. I think the original bag got ripped."
The bi-colored boy grins soft and sweet, and Hanta's heart constricts. He blushes, and thrusts it back at Todoroki. "Put it on my bag?"
The soot sprite jingles next to the kodama, and Hanta's cheeks flame at the look Todoroki sends him. He saw the keychain, and thought of him. Granted, it was probably off some kids backpack, but those are just schematics. Hanta just got a present, without a real purpose to feed or heal and just to enjoy. Just pleasure and fun. Hanta smiles at the ground and the back of Todoroki's heels as they start towards the tree line again. God, this boy is going to be the death of him.
The walk back seemed longer than the walk there, but there was less lurkers along the trail. They wrap plastic bags tied to each other around every odd tree, and Mina marks different landmarks on the floppy napkin. Todoroki readjusts the jerrycan in his hand multiple times, and Hanta switches with him just before they get to the bridge. Todoroki doesn't let him see his palm but with the way the plastic scratches at the parts of Hanta's hand not protected by leather, he can only imagine the damage. Midoriya wrapped his own can with an ace bandage and doesn't seem to be having the same issue.
They struggle to cross the makeshift bridge; it didn't wash away overnight, and the ice formed around it seems to have helped keep it in place. Now, it's slippery and even more dangerous. They suggest throwing things across, but they don't want to risk dumping the gas. Mina crosses with a food bag, shaky but unhurt, and Hanta tosses the tied bag of medical supplies to her. Todoroki does the same with his bag. Midoriya crosses after, one foot on the logs and one on the bank. The frozen sand crunches under his foot as he balances the bridge. Hanta crosses then, carefully distributing his weight to stand in the middle of the frozen logs. He wobbles, and Todoroki makes an aborted reach for him. He's just too far away to touch.
"It's okay, I'm okay." Hanta doesn't look down, and reaches out a hand for a can. "Pass me the first one."
Todoroki puts one foot on a log and extends the can, holding the bottom. Hanta leans, wobbly, and wraps his fingers around the handle. His nervous breaths mingle with the water under his feet, and Hanta quickly but carefully transfers the can to his other side so he can hand it off to Midoriya. Midoriya takes it and doesn't step off the logs, for fear of shaking Hanta, probably.
Hanta inhales sharply and looks back at Todoroki, who's brow is scrunched and is tightly clenching the other jerrycan. Hanta doesn't say a word, but he reaches just as Todoroki does and the second container is across before he knows it. Now, just for them.
Midoriya slowly steps off but stays close on the bank. Hanta shuffles closer, boots sliding on the frozen wood, and jumps off as soon as the bank gets close. Ice crunches under his feet and he's already turning around to see Todoroki get off. He must have been right behind Hanta, because as soon as Hanta straightens up Todoroki is crashing right into him. He catches Hanta around his shoulders before they slip down the bank wall, and Hanta can't stop the snort that escapes him. Adrenaline rushes through his veins from the river jumping experience and now it's being released suddenly.
"Easy, menta, don't go falling in now." Todoroki has the gall to look sheepish, even if his sheepish is only the tinge of his cheeks and a small simper. Hanta chuckles at him as he crouches down to lift Hanta out by the foot; the tips of his ears are red. With Hanta out of the bank steep, he reaches down for Mina, who's boosted by Midoriya. Together with Todoroki, they haul up the rest of the supplies before reaching Midoriya's hands. Then, Todoroki jumps and Hanta and the greenette yank him up the bank. Muscle is heavy, man.
With the bit of noise they made, some lurkers are attracted but quickly dealt with. Now there's a bit of blood soaking into Hanta's elbow and it's gross, he just got this shirt. Todoroki insists on carrying the jerrycan back, but Hanta refuses when he eyes the raw state of his palm. Todoroki says he doesn't know what he's talking about, and Hanta tells him to find some new eyes. Midoriya laughs at them, and Mina calls them an old married couple. Both Hanta and Todoroki turn red, and Hanta desperately wants to scratch the back of his neck.
The sun is setting when they finally see the house, creating a long shadow that Hanta embraces. Exhaustion tugs at his limbs and he just wants to curl up and sleep for a million years, but as Mina and Midoriya chat in front of him, and with every odd step Todoroki's hand brushes over his on the med bag, he finds it in himself to keep walking. It just means that he stumbles over a stick a few times, but all of them have done that at some point.
Hanta yawns, and he sees his breath float in front of him before he walks into it. It's getting colder, and he might be needing his jacket in the evenings. It's in his bag right now, the bag that now has a new keychain on it, and he can't stop the tug at his cheeks. Todoroki stifles a yawn beside him with his hand, and Hanta bumps his arm.
"Getting tired already?"
Todoroki side eyes him, and raises an eyebrow in a pointed look. Hanta grins wider, and rolls his eyes. "Fair enough. Just make sure you take your boots off before you fall asleep, alright menta?"
Mina glances over her shoulder. "Why do you call him that, Hanta? Men-ta."
Hanta chuckles and feels his cheeks heat up. "It's just a nickname, it kind of means mint in Spanish. Or, I guess peppermint. Shouto is like a candy cane, you know?"
"Shouto?"
"Oh, like how he's sweet but spicy and you would love to just eat him up?"
Hanta blushes and he nearly trips, ignoring Midoriya's questioning tone. "M-Mina!"
Todoroki has a hand over his face, and Hanta can see how red his ears are. Mina just laughs, teasing but not malicious and skips ahead, a bag of trail mix and other goodies bouncing against her thigh. "C'mon, losers. The faster we get rid of these biters, the faster we can clean up and sleep. Last one in has to debrief with Katsuki!"
"No fair!"
"Mina, wait!"
---
Poor Mina ate her own words and talked to Kirishima and Bakugou when they got in. Denki was overjoyed to see Hanta, but refused to hug him until he got clean, which was fair. The four of them hauled their findings to the kitchen, except for the gas, which Hanta and Midoriya put in the shed. It was pretty much dark out now, and the house was lit up with different smelling candles that someone pulled out of the closet. As soon as Hanta stepped in the house, he relaxed and nearly sagged to the floor if it wasn't for Todoroki beside him, gently touching his forearm with a quiet affirmative to move to the kitchen. They had relinquished the guns to Iida, who put them somewhere safer than just a kitchen.
Hanta drops the bag down, cringing as something like scissors scrapes against the counter. He feels sweaty and gross, and a little chilled from the walk back. Todoroki doesn't look any better, and he yawns widely as Uraraka comes into the kitchen. She's hardly limping, and smiles when she sees the two boys.
"You're back! How was it? Anything fun?" Hanta smiles tiredly, and gives her a rundown of their trip. Nothing too exciting, not really. Todoroki sits down on a stool but faces Hanta, who's standing, and Hanta ends up standing between his spread knees. They aren't touching, and Todoroki is leaning his head on his hand on the counter, eyes closed, but Hanta feels warm at the casual show of something. Possessiveness? Protectiveness? Both? Hanta doesn't find himself caring, and he doesn't move away or closer.
"Jeez, you even had to make a bridge? Maybe that can be the next project. Kaminari was talking about how he was looking at the fuse box, and thinks that if we could rig up a generator from something-" (Hanta yawns.) "-we would be able to power the house! We could divert power and unplug anything not essential, like the fridge and microwave and whatnot-" (Todoroki's head slips off his hand, but he catches it with a bob.) "-and maybe figure out the plumbing! Oh," Uraraka stops, her hands clasped together in front of her. Her brow pinches at the sight of the two, and the candle on the table flickers. "You both look exhausted! Tsuyu found makeup wipes in a bathroom. She left some in yours, use them to clean up and then go to bed!"
Uraraka shoes them in the direction of the stairs, and Hanta eyes them with distain. His stomach growls, and he's reminded that he hasn't eaten since lunchtime and neither has Todoroki. Hanta snatches two packets of trail mix from the bags, and a water bottle along with dehydrated apricots, and nudges Todoroki's knee. The dark corduroy fabric is warm under his touch, and Todoroki blinks at Hanta when he lifts his head. Uraraka waves at him, and Todoroki lifts himself up from the stool with a quiet groan.
Hanta didn't move away from between his legs, so when he straightens, Todoroki is super close. Hanta barely has an inch on the boy, but it feels like Todoroki is towering over him as he speaks, "Can we go to sleep yet, Hanta? I can't hear Bakugou complaining anymore."
Hanta huffs out a laugh and wraps an arm around Todoroki's waist in a move that looks more confident than he feels. He throws a look over his shoulder at a grinning Uraraka. "Goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, you two!"
Hanta coaxes Todoroki up the stairs, a couple more farewells shouted from the living room direction. Todoroki yawns again when Hanta steers him away from the bed. He makes a questioning noise when Hanta directs him into the bathroom and seats him on the toilet. "Oh, no, we are not going to bed while you and I stink and there is blood on my clothes. No way."
Turning on his flashlight, Hanta sets it on the counter and aims it at the wall so it reflects and lights up the bathroom. Todoroki sighs and stands up, grabbing the light colored plastic package in the counter. He eyes it, and squints at the label. "All purpose grime remover wipes?"
Hanta shrugs, and Todoroki opens the package by a small sticky circle on top. "Guess so. They're better than nothing, and it's not like we can wash the sheets easily." Todoroki hands him a wipe, and it's cold against Hanta's fingers. He wipes it over his face, and sticks his tongue out when it comes away grimy. His cheek feels cleaner, though, and he definitely needs to shave. "At least they smell nicer than plain water."
Todoroki nods, and wipes down his neck. He sighs again, and pulls the neckline of his shirt away from his skin. "Can I...?"
Hanta glances over, leaning closer to the mirror with his wipe. He's going to have to change it soon. "Hm? Oh, yeah, go ahead, man. It's not like we're strangers." The last part is said with a tease, and Todoroki shakes his head with a small smile as he sheds his shirt. The fabric hits the floor, and Hanta can't stop the way his gaze drops in the mirror. hard muscle, not totally defined like a gym rat would be, but definitely there and loud. His skin is dirty, but as the wipe makes another pass down his abdomen, Hanta follows it. Todoroki is so beautiful, it makes Hanta want to get on his knees and-
"Hanta?"
"Hm?"
"Pass me another wipe?"
"Oh, sure."
Hanta scratches the back of his neck, and remembers that he should probably wipe down there too. He takes off the bandana, and strips his gloves off. They hit the counter, and Hanta fiddles with the hem of his shirt. He glances at Todoroki, who's rubbing a grimy wipe at a spot of blood on his forearm. He's not looking, and the tendons in his wrist flex as he moves. Todoroki knows about the scars. He knows. Hanta blows out a shaky breath, and pulls his shirt up and off.
He knows, but he's never seen them.
Hanta knows the moment that he does, the moment they register, because something soft hits the floor and Todoroki chokes on his next breath. "H-"
"It's okay," Hanta manages. There's gooseflesh rising on his skin; it's colder in the house at night. "They don't really hurt anymore. You can touch, Sho... I trust you."
Todoroki swallows, and Hanta sees him move in the reflection of the mirror. He doesn't touch his back first, no, Todoroki reaches forward past his spine and tangles his fingers with Hanta from behind. Hanta shudders, half from the cold and half from the cool breath he can now feel at the top of his spine. Todoroki is so close.
Hanta still startles slightly when something soft brushes his neck, just over the chain around his neck. Todoroki's mouth, he realizes, and the touch is just a faint brush as it lowers slightly. Todoroki's hand starts at the middle of his spine, and Todoroki carefully, trembling, spreads his palm out and gently places it on Hanta's back. Hanta doesn't have a thin waist, not by any real means, but Todoroki's hand feels so big. His lips don't leave his skin, and instead slide around the side of his neck as his touch moves. Hanta squeezes his fingers when the hot line of Todoroki's chest presses against his back. He mourns the slightly numb spots where the heat is less, but as Todoroki sighs into his ear, he finds his attention moving elsewhere.
"You trust me," Todoroki murmurs, and this time Hanta knows his shiver isn't from the cold. A large hand slides around the front of his abdomen, and Hanta catches a whimper in his throat when that hand slides up, up, up, and then down.
His heart is pounding; he can feel Todoroki's against his shoulder blade and his stomach has never been hotter in his life. Hanta lets his head fall sideways and back and makes eye contact with himself in the mirror. They're standing sideways, Hanta's and Todoroki's hip pressed to the counter. Now, Hanta can see the way Todoroki's fingers flirt with the waistband of his pants, the edge of his boxers that peek just over. Hanta's fingers tremble the same way as his breath and Todoroki kisses the side of his neck with more pressure. Hanta can't see his face, but he can see the way his own cheeks flame at the touch.
"You're so much, Hanta. So much, and I want all of it," Todoroki mumbles into his ear, breath hot and like hot ice. Hanta can't stop his gasp, and Todoroki has the audacity to chuckle. He pulls back, and Hanta finds himself leaning back with him, chasing that warmth. He meets Todoroki's gaze in the mirror and feels molten all over again. Todoroki's voice is so quiet, it's just a vibration through Hanta's chest. "Let's get clean, and then go to bed."
Todoroki's hand slips back around to his spine, and Hanta reaches for the packet of wipes. His hand is trembling, and he knows Todoroki sees it by the small tick up at the side of his mouth. "Shut up," Hanta mutters, the amusement clear in his voice regardless of the embarrassment. Todoroki doesn't say a word, and grabs his own wipe. Hanta startles slightly when the cold traces up his back, gentle and cleansing.
Hanta hums softly, a wordless song that falls slow and easy as he cleans up his arms. He rubs in the callouses between his fingers as Todoroki wipes his scars, and Hanta smiles into his song as lips follow the now clean trail. It buzzes, and Hanta lets his head fall back again. Todoroki lowers his hands, and Hanta grabs a new wipe before turning the other around, and returning the favour. Todoroki's back is broad and strong, and even is Hanta is taller, he knows that Todoroki would have no problems picking him up. Hanta keeps humming, and with his heart in his throat, leans forward to press a kiss to the top of Todoroki's spine.
Todoroki shudders under the touch. "Hanta..."
Hanta smiles against his skin, loving the taste that picks up from his lips when he pulls away. "Let's go to bed, Sho."
Todoroki dumbly nods, and all of the wipes are discarded in the trashcan. Hanta turns the flashlight off, and the two trail out of the bathroom. Their fingers are linked.
Hanta crawls into bed, and quickly kicks his shoes off before diving under the covers. The air out here is colder than in the small bathroom and thrills against the damp but drying parts of Hanta's back, but he doesn't have to wait long as Todoroki slides in next to him. He settles on his back, and Hanta watches him with unbridled fondness as he kicks around the blankets until they're to his satisfaction. Then, Todoroki looks at Hanta and takes his arm, pulling him in close. Hanta goes willingly, and settles himself on Todoroki's chest. The boys heart is racing under Hanta's cheek, and hanta curls his hand up beside his face.
A large hand settles on the small of Hanta's back, underneath the worst damage on his skin, and the thumb gently strokes over a small dimple. Hanta sighs, and when he inhales, it's the musk and smoke that he's fallen in love with. Todoroki hums above his head, and Hanta yawns wetly.
"Goodnight, menta."
"Goodnight, Hanta."
---
There's peaches opened for breakfast again, and Mina is sharing a trail mix bag with Iida. They seem to have an easy but strange friendship going - you would need to, after sleeping in the same bed for days - and Asui and Uraraka are both chowing down on dried fruits from the trip. Denki is nowhere to be seen, and when Hanta walks into the kitchen in the early light, Midoriya tells him that the blonde is nose deep in electrical parts in the cellar. Fair enough.
Katsuki and Eijirou are outside checking the fences, which are holding nicely, and Hanta steals a peach from the table before he sits down. He checks Uraraka's leg, which is pretty much healed now, and gives her as clean of a bill of health as he can without a degree. Todoroki is still asleep, and was snoring into the pillow that smells like smoke and barley when Hanta slipped downstairs. Hanta swears that his skin is still lit up with the feel of Todoroki's mouth against it and he would give anything to feel it again.
It seems to be a slow morning again; the day after a run, and there is no urgent need to collect things. Jugs of water sit on the counter, collected from the pump outside, so that they don't have to do it later. More bottled water is in the cellar, and this is the first time in a while where Hanta doesn't have the underlying anxiety that they'll run out of food. He has to admit that it's nice, even if that food is made primarily up from trail mix and canned vegetables. At least they can make soups from it.
Hanta yawns into his palm and eats another peach. It's soft on his tongue, like it's just this side of overripe, but Hanta finishes it anyways. Asui twirls her hair absently around her finger, and that reminds Hanta of his own situation.
"Mina, would you mind giving me a trim?"
Mina glances up from where she's picking peanuts out of her bag. "What, you wanna leave the party so soon? It was just hitting farmer boy lengths," she teases, but brushes her fingers off and quickly retrieves a pair of thin scissors from the bathroom. She snags a plastic bag that's hanging in the pantry and rips it slightly, and drapes it over the back of Hanta's neck. It's easier when his hair is wet, but he doesn't feel like getting up nor going through the effort of drying it afterwards. Mina's hands are warm against his neck when she brushes his hair back.
"How short do you want to go?" She combs through his hair with her fingers, and Hanta eats another peach. Uraraka and Asui look on and watch with curiosity.
"Uh, long enough that I can still get it in a ponytail."
Uraraka blinks as Mina makes the first snip. "Have you always cut hair, Mina?"
Mina hums from behind Hanta and a few more metallic snips ring out. "Not always, but Hanta and I used to offer haircuts and makeovers to the seniors after they sold us weed. For some reason, lots of them needed help blending or shade matching and Hanta was a pro at it. Brownie points, you know? Also we were first years and didn't know what else to do." Mina laughs, and Hanta groans at the memory.
"The amount of times I fought with that one senior-"
"-Over the orange blush, I know, Hanta. It was never a battle you could win."
"She did roll like a champ."
"That she did."
Asui snorts and Uraraka smacks her. "The last time we smoked weed, Ochako was convinced that she could make the rocks in her fish tank move. I think she spent three hours trying before the high finally ran out."
Uraraka gasps. "Tsu! You promised!"
Asui shrugs her shoulders and pokes at her girlfriends ribs. "Sorry, sorry."
Mina brushes the cut strands of hair off the back of Hanta's neck and into the cup of the plastic bag. "Alright, scooch back and let me get your bangs, garbage man."
Hanta rolls his eyes but complies, and Mina quickly evens and shortens the hair in front. He trusts her not to cut them too short, and too uneven (not like the first time she practiced on him - he told her she should have used the wig first) and he closes his eyes as she blows quick and hot in his face. When he opens them, she wiggles the scissors teasingly at him. "You want an eyebrow slit?"
Hanta groans and pushes her face away with his palm, and then yelps when she licks a slobbery line up his fingers. "You nasty devil!"
"Tell me something I don't know," Mina shoots back, and pulls the plastic bag off his neck. She shoves it in a garbage can, and Hanta runs his fingers through his freshly cut hair. It's shorter now, but still long enough that he can tie it back. She looks pleased with herself, arms crossed over her chest appraisingly. Her gaze darts towards the staircase, and a smug look crosses her face. "Now we need to put it to the test. If he still likes you after a haircut, he's loyal. Whaddya' say, Hanta? Is your boo still gonna be madly in love with you?"
Hanta flushes, and as he rubs the back of his neck, remembers the lips that were pressed there less than twelve hours ago. He can't stop himself from cracking a grin, hot with the memory of Todoroki pressed right behind him.
"He's blushing!"
"Ooh, Sero! You need to tell us everything!"
"Let's not jump to conclusions, let him speak!"
Even Iida was in on this? Jesus. Mina's corrupted the man.
Hanta opens his mouth, but nothing comes out except a small bit of laughter. He scratches his jaw with a finger. "Well, we haven't kissed or anything-"
"Yet!"
He shrugs. "Yet. Um." Hanta fumbles for words, four pairs of eyes drilling into him. He almost eats another peach slice to keep from talking. "He's super nice? And sweet?"
Mina leans her head on her folded fingers. She's halfway on the counter, legs kicking behind her like it's her love life. "And?!"
"Uh... and he smells like wood smoke?"
"C'mon, Sero, give us the juicy details!"
Hanta feels his cheeks warm. He feels oddly like he's in an interrogation room, all that's missing is the blinding light in his face and the good cop. "Jesus, what are you guys, animals?! There's nothing to tell, go find your own love life."
Mina latches onto his little slip. "So there is a love life, huh?"
"Oh my god." Hanta sags onto the counter, and stretches his arms out in front of him. They collide with Mina's ribs and she squeals, nearly falling off the counter. "If I'm a garbage man, you're a raccoon, so find your own scraps." Hanta jabs a finger in her direction without looking, and Uraraka chuckles at him.
"It's okay, Sero, we're just teasing. You look handsome, I'm sure Todoroki would say the same."
As if summoned, the staircase creaks as Todoroki shuffles down. His boots are in one hand and his socks are mismatched and Hanta's heart squeezes as the boy seeks out the stool right beside Hanta. The kitchen falls silent as Todoroki sits down, and plops his head on the counter in the exact same way as Hanta. Hanta doesn't even think Todoroki saw his position; he's just tired.
"Good morning, Hanta." Todoroki mumbles into the counter, and the kitchen quietly implodes.
"He calls you Hanta?!" Mina whisper shouts, waving her arms frantically. Uraraka seems to be in a similar state, but her eyes are knowing and she smiles widely as Hanta just says a quiet 'good morning' back.
Todoroki sighs into the counter, breath fogging just the slightest. He cracks his eyes open: "I like your hair," and seemingly goes back to sleep. Hanta could snort, but then that would be right in Todoroki's face and he thinks that it's a little rude. Hanta picks his head up and glares halfheartedly at Mina, who's looking way too smug for her own good. Uraraka is laughing behind her palm.
"I bared my soul to the guy, I think he gets first name privilege's."
At that, Mina's eyes dart to Todoroki and back, and her expression changes just the slightest amidst Uraraka's teasing. Hanta just smiles at her, and gently plays with Todoroki's bangs that have fallen over his eyes. Maybe he needs his own haircut. The boy doesn't stir, but Hanta looks back at Mina and smiles softly. Mina relaxes, and with a hint of respect and trust in her eyes, goes back to flaming Hanta for being a stupid gay disaster. Typical.
---
Denki needed parts. Hanta was pretty sure that was what started the fight, but then again, he never knows for sure.
"Dude, if it works I can literally put it back-"
"If it works?! You don't know for fucking sure-"
"Well, no but it's-"
"Fuck no!"
"Dude!"
Bakugou is standing with his arms crossed in front of the van, actively intimidating instead of passively intimidating (there's a difference). Denki is arguing with him; there's an open compartment on the back of the van that Hanta assumes is where the engine is. Denki rattles something off about car parts and how he can use some of them for the fuse box in the cellar. Hanta doesn't know what the point is, but somehow Denki thinks there might be a bit of electricity left that he can coax through the lines. Kirishima is standing between the two of them, trying to act as a mediator as Bakugou growls menacingly.
"You want to take apart the only working vehicle for a fucking chance?! No way, Pikachu. Find your own vehicle," Bakugou snarls, but Hanta knows just as much as Denki that it's a front. It's a risk, what Denki wants to do. Hanta knows that he knows some of his stuff but that van is their only way of transportation for everyone. Most people are fast on their feet but running will only get you so far.
Hanta is standing beside the front door, leaning back and simply spectating. He doesn't have enough knowledge on vehicles nor electrician business to input a useful comment. Midoriya and Asui are walking along the fence line, clearing lurkers attracted by the yelling. Hanta frowns, and the door opens beside him. Uraraka pokes her head out.
"Are they fighting?" The door latches behind her as she steps onto the front deck portion. Hanta shrugs, and rubs his neck.
"A bit. Denki means well but Bakugou is right, we can't risk the van right now."
Uraraka glances at Hanta. "Izuku was telling me about the cars you guys moved at the rest stop. Could you not find one there?"
"We probably could, but we have no idea where that highway is and what it looks like," Hanta sighs, frustrated with the lack of knowledge, "We could always walk, but that's a longer way than cutting through the forest and river, and that brings us back to the gas issue."
The girl nods, understanding crossing her face. Suddenly, she lights up and grabs Hanta's arm. "Bicycles! There were two of them in the shed!"
Hanta looks at her, surprise written all over his face. "There were?"
"Yes! Tied to the wall!" Uraraka drags him off the shed, and Hanta stumbles after her. Denki and Bakugou don't spare them a glance, but that's fine because they reach the shed in seconds. Uraraka throws open the door, wood dust flying into the air. She pushes through it and points at the wall. Hanta pokes his head around the corner, and sure enough, there's two medium sized bicycles pinned to the wall behind a large sheet of plywood. Said plywood has holes and shapes cut in it - probably a piece of a home project - and Hanta can see that both of the bikes have inflated tires and pedals. Him and Uraraka share a grin, and Hanta steps forward to pull the plywood away from the wall.
Bakugou yells somewhere behind them and the sound echoes, but it's overshadowed by the thump of wood against wood. Hanta lifts one bike up and unhooks it, and it bounces on its tires when he sets it down. It's blue, and the other one is black. Uraraka wheels it out, and Hanta brings the other one onto the grass. They're dusty and have dried mud caked onto the seats, but Hanta swings his leg over and tests the thing out; he circles around Uraraka, who laughs and bounces the bike she's holding. Hanta turns the handlebars sharply and brings his leg over, skidding just the slightest and landing back on his boots.
The pair make eye contact, and let out a collective whoop that soon draws the attention of the rest of the group.
They gather beside the shed, different expressions from each of them. Some are mixed with confusion, but when Uraraka quickly explains the small conversation her and Hanta had on the porch, an understanding is met. Denki elbows Katsuki in the ribs with a grin, who then locks the smaller blond in a headlock until he begs to be released. Kirishima chuckles behind him, patting his hands at Bakugou's back until he releases his victim. Hanta sees Todoroki come around the side of the house, Iida following, and Hanta waves at him from where he's still holding the bike. Todoroki's expression doesn't change, but he does give a small wave back.
"Does this mean we can go for a run soon?" Uraraka is nearly vibrating in place, and Hanta can't blame her; she just wants to help and be useful, and sitting down and healing for over a week can't be fun for anyone. Hanta enjoys the freedom that comes with going on supply runs, and he knows what it's like being tied down to recuperate. "We could send two people, and they can check out the highway and see what it's like!"
"Slow down, Pink Cheeks," Bakugou grumbles, and jerks his head back towards the house, "Let's get everyone and talk it out. This isn't a one-man party."
Kirishima waves at Midoriya, who is observing the exchange from his place at the fence. The greenette waves back, and turns to Asui. Hanta props the bike against the side of the house and walks over to Todoroki, who's waiting for him by the steps. Hanta grins widely, excitement thrumming under his skin at the prospect of a new find. Todoroki's eyes are lit up, something Hanta couldn't see at his distance before, and the boy reaches out to lace his fingers with Hanta.
He startles slightly, and blushes as he looks down at their hands. They're in full view of everyone, and even if most of them are heading back inside, it's easy to see Hanta's cheeks redden. Todoroki tilits his head, and gently pulls Hanta by his hand. "Is this not okay?"
Hanta shakes his head quickly and tightens his grip, afraid that his hesitation will make the other draw back. "It's okay! It's good, I promise." Hanta swings their arms between him as they head around the porch, loving the feel of callouses scraping against his. If this was before everything, he would have hated it. Now, that toughened skin is a reminder that they're alive.
They have to let go when Hanta holds the door for Todoroki, but not soon enough that Midoriya doesn't see, and Hanta gets the pleasure of seeing the tips of his ears darken.
The kitchen is cool when they all pile in; the map is spread out again, and Mina's napkin rendition sits on top of it. Bakugou is looking at it, and Uraraka is talking at a rapid speed, like if she doesn't get the words out now she'll lose them. Hanta doesn't sit, but stands behind Denki and Todoroki files next to him. Kirishima is sitting on the counter beside Bakugou, and Iida is studying the map like his plan is to memorize it. Midoriya and Asui walk in behind Hanta, and Midoriya falls in next to Hanta. "The bikes were in the shed?"
Hanta glances at him and nods. "Yeah, apparently Uraraka remembered seeing them. I don't blame her for not telling anyone faster, though, it's easy for that to slip a mind."
Midoriya nods back, and quirks his brow up at Hanta. "So, how long is it going to take for Uraraka to bully her way onto this run?"
Hanta stifles a snort, and earns a confused look from Todoroki. He leans towards Midoriya so that Bakugou - who's arguing about something to do with daylight - doesn't hear him. "Oh, no time at all. Bakugou stopped her from the first mission and he spent all his coins. There is nothing stopping her now. Asui, on the other hand..."
Midoriya winces. "That's true, but Asui didn't seem very worried when we looked at it last. It did heal nicely, thanks to you."
"I'm a terrible doctor."
"She didn't lose the leg, though."
"Fair. I'm an amazing doctor."
Bakugou slams his hand on the table. "There is no way you're fucking going overnight! There's no point!"
Uraraka gets in his face, flushed and ready to rumble. "You can't stop me if I run out of time!"
Hanta scratches his neck, and decides it's time for a little housekeeping. "Guys-"
Both Uraraka and Bakugou snap their necks towards him, "What?!"
"Jesus, that was scary," Hanta mutters, and then raises his voice, "Why don't you go together? Bakugou, you can be the bodyguard detail, and Uraraka can get off the property for a bit. It doesn't have to be anything but checking the area out. There's nothing but road for miles, anyways, and we just want to know what it looks like. Cool?"
The two blink at him, and let out twin 'hmphs!' before turning away.
"I guess that would work."
"No need to be so fucking logical, Flex-Tape."
Kirishima laughs from his spot on the counter, and Denki reaches back to give him a blind high five. Hanta connects their palms, and Katsuki decides he's had enough of being passive.
"Alright, now get the fuck out of my kitchen, extras! Find something useful to do, and maybe I'll feed you!"
Lunch ends up being pickled beets and carrots, with a side of plain jerky from a rabbit that Kirishima caught in a trap. Hanta ate it outside on the porch, crosslegged and playing a small game of Go Fish with Todoroki. Denki is passed out on the bench beside them, a napkin over his face that flutters with every breath. There's a few lurker shadows in the trees; Hanta can see them and when one trips over something, hear them, but they aren't close enough to be a threat so they don't bother getting up. They're slowly patching the fence higher, making a small wall out of the fallen logs and sticks that are close to the tree line. It isn't pretty, held together with twine and whatnot, but it's functional and is safer than a picket fence with big holes.
"Do you have a five?"
"Go fish."
Hanta adjusts his cards to add a new one to his handful. Somehow, out of a children's game of simple matching, Todoroki has only a few cards left and he's got a bunch beside him in pairs. Hanta has a measly two. Stupid deck wasn't shuffled properly.
"Do you have a seven, Hanta?"
Hanta grumbles, and offers the card to the other without a word. His loss is worth the sly smile that spread over Todoroki's face as he adds another trophy to his pile, and refills his hand from the dwindling middle pile. A bird flies overhead, and the wind picks up just enough to dislodge the napkin on Denki.
"It's getting colder, isn't it?" Hanta muses, and Todoroki shrugs.
"I like colder weather, so this doesn't bother me," Todoroki eyes his new handful of cards. "Do you have a three?"
"You're terrible. Robbing me of house and home."
The card is passed over, and Hanta yawns. It can't be later than noon, and Denki has the right idea. There isn't much to do; Bakugou and Uraraka are going to head out tomorrow morning, and see how far they get in half a day. The distance they go, they have to come back, after all, and the daylight only lasts so long. Kirishima is organizing the basement with Asui, readying the cellar for anything else as Uraraka shares her knowledge on preserving foods. Midoriya was looking at the living room's fake fireplace when they walked outside before, and Hanta is wondering if he's got ideas on how to turn it into a real one. If they can get the inside of the house warm, they might stand a chance if they stay here during winter.
Iida had the guns spread out on the table after Katsuki cleaned up, and Hanta thinks he was cleaning them. He didn't know you had to do that, but before everything went down, Hanta had never touched a gun before so you can't blame him.
"You got any kings, Sho?"
Todoroki hands over a card, and Hanta does a small victory dance. He sets the pair down, and asks for a two, which Todoroki doesn't have.
"It's nice out here, but-" Todoroki cuts himself off, frowning with a scrunch between his brows. Hanta doesn't say anything, and instead pretends to study his cards as he waits for Todoroki to collect his words. For someone who really doesn't care about public actions and mannerisms, he cares an awful lot about how he says something. Hanta wonders if he's been told a thing or two about how his message comes across, but if you really knew the guy, you would know he didn't mean any harm. He's just blunt.
"It's nice, but I want to do the same as Denki." Todoroki finishes, words slightly stilted. Hanta blinks, and lowers his cards with a slight smile. He squashes it down, just for now.
"You want to take a nap?"
Todoroki swallows and nods softly. Hanta grins at him fully now, and gathers the cards in his hands, offering his hand out for Todoroki's. "See if you can get Midoriya to come and keep watch, and I'll meet you upstairs."
A small smile is shared, and Hanta finds himself laughing giddily as Todoroki slides the door open and slips inside. Hanta puts the cards back in the package, praying that Midoriya will help a guy out so he can go snuggle with his - crush? Lover? Boyfriend? - buddy for a while. He doesn't wake Denki, and the blond looks dead to the world where he's laying. Please, Midoriya, please...
The door slides open and the greenette slips through, answering all of Hanta's prayers. He looks slightly smug, and Hanta can't even stop the guilty grin and chuckle that escape him. "Hombre, you're amazing. I won't forget this."
Midoriya laughs softly, and glances at the sleeping Denki. His expression is undecipherable. "Todoroki said that he'd be upstairs... um, have fun, I guess?"
Hanta chokes at the insinuation as Midoriya settles down on the porch beside Denki, leaning his back against the bench. Hanta fumbles for words, trying to find a way to say he's not trading guard duty to get railed (oh, but that's a nice, nice thought-) but Midoriya just waves him on with a teasing face and Hanta flips him off with red cheeks. He can see why him and Katsuki must have gotten along as kids, now. They're both smug assholes, and Bakugou just decides to let you know early. Figures.
He finds himself caring even less when he sees Mina sleeping on the pullout couch, tangled in blankets and when did everyone decide it was nap time? Whatever, as long as someone is on watch, and Hanta knows Midoriya is somewhat responsible. He creeps up the stairs, wincing when his boots make the steps whine, but the door to their bedroom is cracked and Hanta doesn't know when it when from the bedroom to their bedroom but he's not complaining. Hanta gently pushes it open and Todoroki's boots are lined up by the door, and the corner of the blanket is pulled back for him. Todoroki has his head on the pillow but his eyes open when Hanta closes the door, latching and locking it.
Hanta chuckles at Todoroki, who looks for all his sakes like a disgruntled kitten under the blankets. He toes his boots off and doesn't bother straightening them before he jumps on the bed, bouncing Todoroki and laughing at his expression. He's not under the comforter, just the thinner fleece blanket that's super soft. Todoroki grabs his arm and yanks him down, making Hanta laugh louder into his chest. Todoroki huffs and smiles, and Hanta gets comfortable against Todoroki's collarbone.
A large hand tucks itself under Hanta's shirt and rests on the small of his back, and Hanta sighs into Todoroki's neck. He isn't totally on top of him, but just enough to make the weight comfortable and for Hanta to quickly float off from consciousness. He presses a small kiss to the base of Todoroki's throat, where the shirt is just tugged down, and Hanta relaxes to the heartbeat against his cheek. The bedroom is quiet, and Hanta counts his breaths, rising slightly with each of Todoroki's.
He's just barely on the edge of falling asleep when a kiss is pressed to the crown of his head and Todoroki moves them, rolling onto his side and wrapping himself around Hanta. Wood smoke envelops his senses but he doesn't come away from that edge, and Hanta fades into darkness with the feel of hands under his shirt and words pressed into his skull.