“So do you come here after school every day?” Jackson asked quietly as he rounded the corner of the last bookcase in the library.

 

Mark was sitting in his usual spot reading a book, but when he heard Jackson speak he looked up, “Ok, now you’re officially stalking me.”

 

“What? No,” Jackson joked and walked over to Mark, leaning against the wall leisurely, “So what exactly do read? I mean, I see you in here practically every day…”

 

“Everyday? Jackson, the the last the last time you were in here was like five days ag--you little creep!” Mark had been squinting up at Jackson (honestly, he is too cute when he’s confused), but then realization struck and his eyes blew open wide, “You’ve been hiding in here haven’t you! Oh my gosh, Jackson! You’re still spying on me!?”

 

“What? You think I’d let you catch me after the first time? Hey, a guy can learn,” Jackson defended himself, raising his hands in the ‘I surrender’ position. “Plus I wasn't sure if we're still buddy - buddy or…”

 

Mark looked up at the blonde mock-angrily, “Well, I can’t say I’m not impressed. And yes, unfortunately we are friends now. I gave up on that after you after you attacked me after class Monday.”

 

Jackson just quietly chuckled at the disgruntled red head, they were in a library, of course.

 

“But to answer your question, “ Mark quickly changed the subject, “I’m studying.”

 

“Studying what?” Jackson prodded.

 

“What does it matter?” Mark laughed and shifted away from the other boy’s gaze, “Why are you so curious today?”

 

“Well, I was just thinking-”

 

“That’s dangerous.” Mark spoke under his breath.

 

Jackson gave him an unappreciative smile before continuing, “I was just thinking that whenever we hang out, I do most of the talking, ya know? Like I get it, you’re a quiet person and all, but I want to -like- get to know you better.” Jackson shrugged and sagged against the wall, pulling up one leg to brace the foot against it.

 

Mark looked up at Jackson curiously before smiling devilishly, “Ooh. I get it. You want to get to know me.”

 

“What! NO!” Jackson gasped and got up from the wall, “I mean- I don’t- it’s not just that. I-”

 

“SHHH!” the librarian suddenly appeared scaring the loud boy.

 

Jackson ducked his head and closed his mouth, nodding guiltily. The librarian glared at him one more time before walking off. Jackson turned to Mark who was now on the floor, face red from trying to keep himself from laughing. Jackson growled and lightly kicked the boy. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

 

------------

 

“I can’t believe you, out of all people, got us kicked out of the library,” Jackson grumbled as he and Mark walked across the courtyard.

 

“ME!? You were the one that made me laugh!” Mark fought back, shoving his shoulder against the other.

 

“Oh, come one. I can’t be that funny,” Jackson countered, pushing Mark back.

 

“Oh ho ho ho ho, it’s on buddy!” Mark growled playfully, dropping his books in the grass and holding up his hands in a fake karate stance.

 

“Ooooh, what are you going to do? Suppress me?” Jackson teased with an obscene hand gesture.

 

“Even better, “Mark smirked and pushed a palm towards Jackson.

 

Suddenly, a force washed over Jackson and he found himself on his in the grass. He looked up at a confident Mark with an utterly surprised expression, “What the heck was that!?”

 

“Force field,” Mark replied like it was obvious and walked over to Jackson and held out his hand.

 

Jackson took the offered hand and let Mark pull him up, “Where did you learn to do that?”

 

“New trick, “Mark brushed some dirt off the other’s (and received a suggestive look in the process).

 

“Show me.”

 

-------

 

Jackson and Mark stopped by the latter’s dorm to put away his things before they made their way to the hiking trails that ran through the woods behind the courtyard. These trails were known to students as a secluded area that teachers rarely went to. Not to mention, it was full of trees and hiding spots and was full of little alcoves or clearings to practice quirks (as long as you didn't burn the forest down in the process). Mark led Jackson through the paths until they reached one of these clearings. It was a nice grassy area surrounded by tall trees; it size was similar to about half of a volleyball court and the trees weren't so dense to no one could see through the foliage.  

 

“I'm come here whenever I want to get away for a while,” Mark informed with a content tone.

 

He practically floated into the clearing, bright smile on his face. Jackson trailed behind with a small smile on his own face, except his was for a different reason.

 

‘Man he's so beautiful,’ Jackson thought fondly as he watched Mark inspect around the edge of the clearing.

 

Mark’s hair shone a bright pinkish color in the sunlight and his skin glowed. Jackson couldn't help but stop and admire the power student in front of him. Mark turned towards Jackson and beckoned him closer with a finger and a silly expression. Jackson rolled his eyes and chuckled before slowly walking towards the other boy. When he stood a few feet away Mark held up his hand in a ‘stop there’ gesture.

 

“ Ok, now watch,” Mark commanded as he held both hands out.

 

Suddenly the air around them crackled to life. A high pitch hissing sound pierced the air and white noise fuzzed around. The air around Mark's hands began to glitch and jerk, but then Jackson saw it. Tiny streaks of white electricity fuzzed from Mark’s hands and streaked outwards.

 

“Woah,” Jackson gasped. He felt rooted to the spot, but at the same time wanted to move forward.

 

“That’s Kim Jongdae,” Mark Informed before closing his hand and making the lightning disappeared, "We were practicing sparring yesterday and the little devil thought he'd be clever and use his quirk on me.”

 

“You could have just suppressed him,” Jackson replied.

 

“I could, buuuut,” Mark dragged out the ‘u’ to prompt Jackson to continue the statement.

 

“But you don't like taking power away from people,” Jackson grumbled half - heartedly, “You know, you're too nice for your own good.”

 

Mark shrugged of the compliment and smiled sheepishly, “But hey, I did what you told me to do. I copied his power and used it to nullify his quirk. He still used it, but-”

 

“-It wasn't effective,” Jackson finished with a smile, “Nice. What else you got?”

 

Mark excitedly showed Jackson all the new quirks he had learned and told Jackson how he had been excelling in his classes now rat Jackson was helping him. Mark was so grateful for the other boy’s help and made sure he knew that. Jackson was glad that he could understand Mark so well. He hadn't known it at the time, but he really needed someone like Mark in his life. Someone that would be content just listening to him talk and  the perfect friend...but why wasn't that enough for him?

 

“JACKSON!”

 

Jackson blinked in surprise when a weight suddenly slammed his body, knocking him to the ground.

 

“Oww,” Jackson whined, feeling his head throb from where it had hit the ground.

 

“Ha ha...oops.” Jackson heard Mark chuckle from above him, “Couldn't control that one…”

 

“Ya think?” Jackson groaned and tried to sit up but the weight was still there. He looked down his chest to see Mark braced above him, face inches away from his own, “Well, hello there.”

 

Mark smiled guiltily, but made to attempt to move. If Jackson could have thought anything at the moment, he would have thought that Mark moved closer.

 

“Are you ok?” the redhead asked shifting his weight to one arm while the other massaged over his face and head.

 

Jackson couldn't help the warm blush that spread across his face at the soothing ministrations, “Uh yeah, fine.”

 

Mark frown and gave Jackson a hard look to make sure he was telling the truth. Jackson just smiled to further convince the boy. He lifted his arms and pushed at Mark’s sides a little.

 

“Oh! Sorry!” Mark tried to get up but Jackson grabbed him by the waist, refusing to let the other up, “What?”

 

“You're pretty cute,” Jackson stated, causing Mark to blush.

 

“WELL, I guess that's enough for today, huh?” Mark squeaked and pushed himself up.

 

“Yeah,” Jackson frowned and brushed dirt off himself for the second time that day.

 

“Guess we need to get back to the dorms…” Mark added hesitantly.

 

“It is getting dark,” Jackson sighed, looking up to see an orange sky.

 

“Yeah,” Mark nodded almost dejectedly.

 

Jackson wasn't sure what to do. He didn't really want to leave yet. Spending more and more time with Mark had him realizing something, but he needed more time to figure out what exactly that was. Plus, he still had something to ask the older boy.  But, the sky was getting darker by the minute and they still had a curfew and Jackson hadn't even started on homework (he had been told busy staring at Mark in the library). So, Jackson just wrapped an arm around Mark's shoulders and started walking back towards the path. The two continued like that all the way through the forest and into the courtyard. However, Jackson surprised Mark by turning towards the latter’s dorm instead of his own.

 

“Jackson, what are you doing? You're dorm’s on the other side of the campus,” Mark asked,  stopping them from walking further.

 

“What? I can't walk you to your dorm?” Jackson replied nervously.

 

“I can walk myself. I'm older than you and I'm not a girl,” Mark grumbled, but Jackson knew he wasn't serious.  So, Jackson rolled his eyes and continued walking.

 

When they reached the Power Dorm Jackson let go of Mark.

 

The redhead walked a few steps before turning around and waving slightly, “See you tomorrow?”

 

“Yeah, I might come bother you at lunch again, “ Jackson smiled when Mark snorted at his answer.

 

“You bother me at lunch every day.”

 

“Then it shouldn't be a question,” Jackson winked.

 

Mark shook his head at the boy before turning and walking up the stairs to the dorm. When he reached the door Jackson suddenly shouted his name.  Mark turned around in confusion.

 

“Hey, so I was thinking. I know the competition is still in like two months, but I was wondering if...well, would you like to be my partner? For the competition.” Jackson asked nervously, eyes looking anywhere but Mark.

 

Mark frowned slightly before replying tersely, “I'll think about it.”

 

With that Mark turned swiftly and walked Into the dorm without another word. Jackson stood frozen at the end of the stairs with a dumbfounded expression on his face.  He couldn't believe it.  Really, everything in his mind said that Mark would answer yes. He had analyzed the situation perfectly! Granted, the timing would have been perfect in the clearing, but then he had to open his stupid mouth and make Mark all embarrassed.  Well, maybe his reaction was worth it, but still. He had weighed every option.  He and Mark were friends now. The two of them blended perfectly. Mark's conversation and about his combat class was a testament to that. Mark didn't like many of the other students. Not that he would choose Jackson just because because he was the only guy--wait. Had he even asked Mark if he even wanted to be In the competition?

 

“Hey!”

 

Jackson heard a shout from above him. He took a few steps back as had titled his head up,  looking up as had where the sound came from. Suddenly,  his face was assaulted by the coarse but light weight of a ball of paper.

 

He heard a laugh and looked up to see Mark hanging out of a window.

 

“What the hell are you doing!?” Jackson shouted crossly.

 

“Just open it!” the redhead shouted back.

 

Jackson frowned and looked down to the ground. He turned in a circle to find the wad of paper that had previous greeted his face. He eventually found it, after a couple turns, under a bush. He bent over and grabbed it. Unfolding the paper as he stood, Jackson’s body buzzed in anticipation. He finally unfolded the paper and smoothed it out. Written across it in scrawling, messy, black sharpie was the word ‘yes.’

 

“You big idiot, of course I will!” Mark laughed.

 

“Really? Like, really really?” Jackson shouted back  to make sure that he heard correctly.

 

“Yes!” Mark shouted down.

 

Jackson smiled widely up at the boy and did a happy dance, unable to control himself.

 

“Well, see you tomorrow then,” Mark chirped, waving down at Jackson's blonde hair.

 

“Yeah, tomorrow.” Jackson waved as Mark duck back into the building and closed the window.

 

The redhead waited a moment and waved through the closed window before walking away. Jackson waited a moment in the darkness and looked around to make no one was watching before he fist bumped the air.

“WOO!”