and now, the weather | video | un: deku

[wannasmash]

Deku here. This is a safety advisory. The Farther Shores are hazardous due to thunderstorms and unusual Pthumerian presence. For those who don't know, The Reckoning punishes wrongdoings. Please don't do anything that might catch her attention, especially at the beach. Her sense of justice doesn't show mercy, and she will kill.

I'd rather you have to deal with me than her.

[ Anyone with a keen eye can see a subtle shiver passing over Midoriya despite him being well-covered in his green jumpsuit and hero gear. ]

For anyone who needs help leaving the beach after getting too close, just give me a call. But it's better to stay away from the area altogether.

Travel to Riteior's former city, the village of The Slumbering One, and The Outpost has been increasing. I'd like a little help coordinating my shifts on the roads and getting messages to the Hunters and other protectors at these locations.

That's it for important announcements. Please stay safe.

[ He bobs his head and looks about ready to end the video. Then his eyes dart to something (or someone?) offscreen, breaking the square-shouldered civil servant vibe. He looks back at the viewer again, looking more like the shy freckled teenager he is. ]

Umm, on a personal note... It's my birthday soon, and [ oh gods, oh gods, ] I'd l-like to invite everyone to a party. We come of age at 18 where I come from... It used to be 20, but they lowered it... Anyway, I was hoping to use the beach, but, well...

[ He gestures vaguely. ]

Let's figure out somewhere else... Please tell me if you can make it. There'll be food, drinks, party games, and music for sure. If you can see this--or hear it or whatever--you're invited.

Comments

[terriblepurpose]

People like you. They'd rally to it.

[ And if they refused, he'd simply persuade them -

No. He won't be the source of a party issue, this time. ]

I'm worrying too much again, aren't I? I'm sorry.

[wannasmash]

You sound like my mom, and I shouldn't ignore your feelings.

[ Most people who say someone sounds like their mom mean it in a derisive way, but not Midoriya. He loves his mom and shows it more than other people. He already bore the consequences of ignoring her feelings about his safety. ]

I'd end up wanting to meet these people at the party instead of putting them on guard duty. Ah--we could talk about setting up some shifts along the roads...

[ He didn't consciously want to throw a party to arrange team-ups, but he can't pass that up either. Getting him to relax is an arduous task. ]

[terriblepurpose]

[ It's always a high honor to be compared to a mother in Paul's unbiased opinion. Fondness seeps into his voice. ]

If I say I can handle that, would you promise to let me look after it while you enjoy yourself?

I think that would help distract me, ease your concerns about my worries.

[ He's shameless. ]

[wannasmash]

Um, well... I'd like you to enjoy the party too, Paul-kun, not be busy scheduling Riteior City stuff...

[ Midoriya is starting to see the flaw in his own plan. ]

[terriblepurpose]

We could put a sign up sheet near the door? Then we could relax and follow up later.

[ He only sounds a tiny bit self-satisfied. ]

[wannasmash]

That's a great idea! You're much better than me at these things. And I guess I'll be busy making sure everyone's having fun at the party.

[ That? That is the sound of something going completely over his head. ]

[terriblepurpose]

Mm. No.

[ There's a tiny ripple of laughter quickly muffled by a cough. ]

You're going to be having fun at your party, and the fun will flow from you enjoying yourself. Believe me. I studied party theory extensively.

gagtag

[wannasmash]

'The fun will flow.' Oh, like spice.

[wannasmash]

[ Paul didn't have any friends his age until he came to Trench, and the parties he would have studied would have been ones wherein he was expected to gain a political advantage, but Midoriya fails to remember or point this out. ]

I guess that's true. Uraraka-san's always trying to get me to socialize instead of doing stuff off to the side. And Kaworu-kun had to trick you into a party for you.

[terriblepurpose]

[ That's exactly what Paul was banking on, although Paul would prefer Midoriya not remember about his failure to follow his own advice. Still, he's nothing if not adaptable. ]

That's right, he did, and look at how that worked out for us.

Let us look after you for a while. It would make all of your friends happy to do that for you.

[wannasmash]

I'm still not used to... I mean, I'm used to having friends now, it's been long enough, but... It just feels strange sometimes, when I stop to think. I can hardly believe it. I'm really grateful.

[terriblepurpose]

And we're grateful for it, too.

[ Being boyfriends is inclusive of still being friends. ]

I know how you feel, though. It's...not a bad strange. Just strange.

So we remind each other sometimes, right?

[wannasmash]

[ He almost says That I am loved, but what he says instead is something that is easier for him to say out loud. ]

I love you. Thank you.

[ Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, far be it for him to presume, to speak for someone else's feelings. Not when Paul sometimes becomes downright saccharine in one of his sentimental moods, or when Kaworu cannot stand to be without their company... No, Midoriya must not presume! ]

[terriblepurpose]

I love you too.

[ The reluctance to presume, in spite of all evidence, is one of the qualities they share. Their saving grace is that it's no longer a reluctance to confess. ]

I'll try to work on worrying so much before the party.