Snow fell gently, layering the world in a soft white glow, not yet an inconvenience to those basking in its beauty.

Exams had ended. The students of U.A. would not find out the results of the exams until after the winter break.

With exams over at least everyone could step back and enjoy the last days of the year with friends and family. The stress of cramming in loads of information in a short period of time was finally lifted enough to make going into the next year tolerable and almost exciting.

Izuku had spent the holiday with his mother, naturally.

The break allowed him to compose himself and take a couple steps back.

A step back from lessons. A step back from training. A step back from the looming dread of the League of Villains. A step back from Katsuki Bakugou.

These moments allowed Deku to remove the haze from his clouded mind.

There was so much going on in his life, from attending U.A to being the heir to All Might's incredible power. There wasn't room in Izuku Midoriya's life for complicated relationships and he knew Bakugou felt the same.

On New Years Eve Iida, Uraraka, and Izuku had gathered at a semi-close shrine to bring in the New Year.

The buzzing chatter, the smells of warm teas and food, the warmth of excited children running around, bells ringing, and of course that thin layer of pure white snow, it was all so atmospheric and nostalgic.

"My grandmother makes the BEST soba, I hope one day you guys can come over and try it sometime!" Uraraka clapped her hands together, only to have the sound muffled by a pair of pink gloves, "She lives a little far away though so she doesn't come visit very often."

"That sounds lovely, Uraraka, maybe I can bring some of my mother's home made sweets." Iida responded, a soft smile worn on his face as he looked down at the bubbling brunette next to him.

Izuku shook his head quickly in agreement, enjoying the idea of spending an evening with his friends and delicious food, "My mom is a great cook too! I can't believe how much I miss her cooking when we live on U.A campus." Which was true. It was a crime to be separated from his mother to begin with, but he often would daydream about the colorful bentos she would make him for school lunches.

The three continued the light hearted conversation as they waited in line to pray for a successful future, the air was happy and carefree.

Even if it took an hour to get completely through the line to the shrine the time had passed quickly and the energy the three Heroes-in-training had never faltered.

As Izuku stepped up to the front, he proceeded to work his way through until he stopped and thought of his year and the year to come.

"I want to be the best hero I can be." The young man first though, emotion welling up in his chest, "Whatever it takes."

Iida and Uraraka joined back up with Izuku as they finished up, Uraraka holding some sort of hot beverage that steamed up into the dark sky.

The three decided that was enough for the night, especially when Iida mentioned the route back home may be busy and it would be best not to get home too late, school was going to start soon and they all needed to get back on a normal sleeping schedule.

As they parted Deku allowed a smile to stay on his face, the warm feeling lingering, feeling good. The walk home was luckily short and he was sure his mother would still be up, so he picked up his pacing, hands in his pockets to keep warm.

A small buzz in his pocket caused him to pull out his phone, the bright screen glaring, causing him to squint as he looked at the screen. It was a text from All Might wishing him a good New Year, which made Izuku beam even more.

Suddenly a strong force knocked him to the side, causing him to drop his phone. It shouldn't be busy in this area, he had walked some distance from the shrine now. . .

Izuku looked over to where he got hit, his heart leaping when he realized who it was.

"Kacchan. . . " The green haired youth whispered, his smile vanished and a small frown traced its way to his lips.

Katsuki had stopped walking and had turned to face Izuku, his hands in his own pockets, posture slouched.

The two stood in silence for a moment, eyes locked, the air was so heavy it made it hard to breath.

It was Bakugo who broke the eye contact, being the first to move, he turned his back and briskly walked away.

This was for the best and they both knew it.

END

PLEASE DON'T HURT ME. THIS WILL BE CONTINUING IN A TIME SKIP I PROMISE.

I am working on a part two, a time skip!

Thank you to everyone who has left reviews, favorited, or even just read! You guys are the best and I can't wait to post PART TWO.