~ Third Person P.O.V ~

"We leave you, idiots, alone for two hours! Two. Fucking. Hours!" Katsuki scolded them, "And it all goes to shit,"

They were all currently on the outskirts of town where they just located Kaminari and Shinsou both hanging upside down from a Willow Tree, dangling above a larger than average creek. Apparently, they had all met up a few minutes after Izuku, Shoto, and Katsuki went to the gas station, in which they got into all sorts of trouble. Such as dining and dashing a plethora of restaurants and bars, Ashido almost became a prostitute and Monoma nearly shot a man for stepping on his shoes.

Shoto was seriously beginning to regret this whole, 'Being nice thing', entirely. He wasn't used to it, seeing as though he had come to this new revelation earlier this morning, yet so far it did not seem to be working out for him. All eyes were on him now as he stood in front of the soldiers, who all sitting on the floor with doe-eyed expressions as they awaited some form of anger from their other Master Sergeant. But he was a blank canvas as he stared at them; his typical iced over glare piercing into each and every one of them with scrutiny.

This was probably the hardest part of his job, having to hand out some form of punishment no matter where they were or the circumstances. He told them not to get into any trouble, he specifically told them what not to do, yet they still did it. Like disobedient, adolescent, teenagers. But just as he was about to reach a verdict, Izuku's words from before struck him again; sticking to the walls of his subconsciousness like glue.

You just need to find that someone.

"Damn it all to hell," Shoto muttered under his breath, "None of you are in trouble . . . I'm letting you off with a warning,"

"What?" Katsuki scoffed, pivoting on his heel to gape at the man. "You're shitting me, right?"

However, his question fell upon deaf ears as the duel-haired Sergeant continued his speaking. "Except for Monoma," he smirked, "Seeing as though you unnecessarily put the life of a civilian in danger, I'm going to have to report that to the Captain."

"Are you kidding me?" The blue-eyed blond exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

Shoto ignored everyone's input on what he had to say about the ordeal, however, he didn't miss the fond light-lipped smile resting on Izuku's face as he walked over to where both Jeeps were parked. Knowing that they couldn't afford to lose any more time on the road than need be, he walked to the trunk of the jeep and retrieved two long metal chains with hooks attached to them.

"What're those for?" Sero drawled out, his eyes hooded as he nodded off every now and then.

"You all are drunk off your asses so we have nobody to drive this Jeep, we'll just have to hook it onto the back of mine. We can't waste any more time guys," Shoto explained as he got to work securing the cars together, "And before you ask Ashido, no none of you can ride in the back car you'll stay up here with me . . . you're all liable to fall out,"

Ashido, who had her mouth open to speak instantly shut it, a drunken pout formulating on her lips as she swayed from side to side. "Meanie," she mumbled lowly.

"You do realize I could always drive one," Katsuki pointed out, leaning against the abandoned Jeep while his friend worked. "It's not that hard," he added with a long yawn.

Cocking up an eyebrow, Shoto gave him a dismissive look. "You fell asleep standing up . . . while peeing Bakugou, I don't trust you to drive this late at night." he chuckled, "Midoriya and you can ride in the back Jeep if you want,"

As they all climbed into their respective places, the engine of the front Jeep started, pulling the connected one along at a nice pace as they continued on the backroad. The air in the back Jeep was quiet between the two, both of them sitting across from each other, neither know what to say.

The raw Louisiana breeze cut through them, as they rode in their seats. Dark oak trees went on for miles and miles on either side of the twisting road they were on, that combined with the dull, black of the sky; it was almost like an unlit tunnel. Fun to anticipate where it'd lead you, for you could barely see a thing, yet scary all at once— meaning you'd have to put all your faith in the driver. In spite of the picturesque aesthetic of the wilderness and sights around them, the tension was anything but.

It felt odd now, something the two hadn't expected to feel at all. They had finally seemed to have a breakthrough within their relationship, whatever that may be. It went from being at each other's throats for the longest to finding a new friend, and now to this . . . awkwardness. Izuku distasted the feeling altogether with vehemency, he had got to know a little more about Katsuki and Shoto a few hours ago; sure not as much as he would have liked, but enough.

Or so he thought at the time. But this . . . delicate, and thorny atmosphere that was being shared between them was something that had to go; and they both silently agreed. So Izuku was the first to speak.

"What are you thinking about?" he queried.

It seemed like the safest question to ask right about now.

"I don't know," Katsuki replied softly, voice far off and distance as he kept his tone light. ". . . anything, everything,"

Still not pleased with his answer, Izuku leaned forward on his knees with a perusing stare. "Yeah, like what?" he probed, tilting his head to the side, "Because that answer you gave me was pretty shitty,"

Somehow, someway, Izuku had managed to pull a soft snort out from the blond, which in return made him feel fairly satisfied with himself. But only for a moment as he went back to patiently waiting for a preferable reply than the previous one Katsuki had given him.

"I guess . . . I'm kind of scared, you know?" The elder admitted, knitting his brows together as he licked his lips; which were beginning to grow raw from being nipped and wetted so much. "Of what we're walking into,"

"You're scared?" Izuku scoffed, "I don't even know what the hell we're supposed to be doing . . . At least you do,"

Katsuki's features softened at his sudden realization. Back then, which was really only a few days ago, he and Shoto never felt the need to give Izuku the common courtesy of telling him all the details of the mission. That was all different now. Getting up with a wobble, the older male made his way over and sat next to Izuku heaving a light sigh as he did so. Without hesitation he placed a comforting hand of the boy's knee, leaning back into the seat before speaking.

"You already know about intercepting the comms right?" he double-checked, to which Izuku nodded his head too. "Look, worst-case scenario they may figure out about you and send spies to kill you . . . Of course, we won't let that happen but it's a possibilty— and depending on how this all goes you may have to go undercover a few times."

"And you're telling me all of this scary shit because . . . ?" Izuku questioned, the new information doing nothing to ease his pent up nerves.

The red-eyed teen allowed a soft smile to slip onto his lips as he dug around in his pocket. "It's obvious you have some form of physical strength, yet something tells me you might now be able to take a hit, so here," And with that, he hands Izuku a small pocket knife.

It was petite, the hand of it weighted and embroidered with faux red crystals, said fragments twinkled in the moonlight. However, when pressing down onto the metal button on the side, the blade was anything but little— nearly scaring the Japanese-American with its length. Two initials were carved on the side in victorian lettering, M.B.

"My father gave that to me," Katsuki explained, scarlet orbs trialing up to the sky as he spoke. "Now I'm giving it to you,"

"Are you sure?" The curly-haired male mouthed, looking back down to inspect the weapon resting in his palms. "I know if my father ever gave something to me, I'd want to hold onto it."

Katsuki shrugged his shoulder, the thought of his father causing his mind nothing but grief and pulsing anger; which he didn't allow to fully shine through. "That bastard left me a lot of things, besides you need it this more than I do," he assured, giving Izuku a playful look as he flexed his muscles.

Before the younger could reply with a witty comment of his own, a shiver pulled through his trembling lips as the arctic air only seemed to get colder by the minute. "How are you not freezing?" Izuku shivered, gaping at the perfectly calm blond.

"Because," Katsuki started, shrugging off his army fatigue jacket. "This is designed to withstand the harshest of weathers, he finished, pulling the jacket around Izuku.

"Now you'll be cold," Izuku pointed out, hugging the Katsuki scented piece of clothing closer to his body.

What? He smelled really good.

"Yeah, but at least you won't,"