The Thirst Trap and the Training Arc

The joint training exercises were becoming more frequent as the Commission pushed for higher integration between schools, but today was different. Instead of the sterile, high-tech gyms of the Endeavor Agency, they were out in a simulated urban disaster zone—a sprawling maze of concrete shells, rusted rebar, and narrow alleyways. The heat was oppressive, the kind of mid-summer humidity that turned every breath into a lungful of warm soup.

Izuku wiped a bead of sweat from his chin, his green curls matted against his forehead. He was currently crouched behind a pile of rubble, waiting for the "villain" team—Bakugo and Seiji—to make a move. Beside him, Camie was leaning against a jagged piece of concrete, looking entirely too unbothered by the heat. Her Shiketsu hat was pushed back, and she was fanning herself with a gloved hand.

"Izu-kun, I am literally about to evaporate. My skin is losing its glow, and that is a direct threat to my brand," she whispered, though her "whisper" was still loud enough to carry.

"Shh! Camie, they’re going to hear us," Izuku hissed, his eyes darting around the perimeter. "We need to stay focused. If Seiji catches us off guard, he’ll turn us into meatballs before we can even blink."

"Ugh, Seiji is such a buzzkill. He has, like, zero aesthetic sense," Camie pouted. She shifted her weight, and the movement caused the zipper of her black catsuit to migrate just a little further down. She didn't seem to notice—or if she did, she didn't care. "Anyway, the vibe in this alley is totally rancid. Let’s spice it up. I’m gonna drop a glam and you do your zoomy-zoom thing, okay?"

Izuku turned to nod in agreement, but his words died in his throat. Camie had shifted into a low crouch, prepping her quirk, and the angle was... devastating. The way the suit pulled across her chest, combined with the zipper’s precarious position, left a generous view of her cleavage that felt like a tactical strike against Izuku’s nervous system.

His brain, usually a finely tuned engine of hero analysis, stalled out. He stared for a second too long—the kind of second that feels like an eternity when you’re a teenage boy with a crush on your best friend.

Camie didn't look up, but a playful smirk tugged at the corners of her glossy lips. "Izu-kun? You’re buffering again. Are you checking out the hardware or the software?"

Izuku jumped, his face turning a shade of crimson that was practically glowing. "I—I was just... checking for... injuries! The rubble is very sharp, and I wanted to ensure your costume hadn't sustained any structural compromises!"

Camie let out a delighted giggle, finally looking up at him. She didn't pull the zipper up. Instead, she leaned forward even more, resting her chin on her hand, making the view even more prominent. "Structural compromises? You are so creative with your excuses. It’s actually high-key adorable. But babe, if you want a better look, you could just ask. No need to be a thirsty little ninja."

"I'm not thirsty! I'm a hero! I'm focused on the mission!" Izuku squeaked, his hands flying up to cover his eyes, which only made him look more guilty.

"Sure, Jan," Camie teased, using a meme he only vaguely understood. She stood up, stretching her arms over her head. The movement emphasized every curve of her figure, the dark fabric shimmering in the harsh sunlight. "But for real, keep that energy. It’s cute when you’re flustered. It gives 'main character in a rom-com' vibes."

Before Izuku could attempt to defend his honor, a massive explosion rocked the nearby building. Bakugo had found them.

"DIE, YOU DAMN NERDS!"

"Speak of the devil and he appears with an explosion," Camie sighed, instantly snapping into hero mode. She exhaled a thick, shimmering cloud of mist that smelled like vanilla and ozone. "Go, Izu-kun! Give 'em the razzle-dazzle!"

Izuku didn't need to be told twice. One For All crackled to life, green lightning dancing across his skin as he launched himself into the fray. He moved with a speed that blurred the world around him, but even in the heat of battle, a part of his mind was still reeling from Camie’s teasing.

The training session was intense. Bakugo was a relentless force of nature, and Seiji’s flesh-manipulating quirk made the terrain dangerous. Izuku and Camie worked in a strange, chaotic harmony. She created illusions of multiple Midoriyas, confusing Bakugo’s aim, while Izuku used the distractions to land precise, non-lethal strikes.

At one point, Seiji managed to corner Camie, his floating fingers closing in on her. "Your frivolous attitude is a disgrace to Shiketsu, Utsushimi!"

"And your hat is two sizes too small for your ego, Seiji-kun!" Camie retorted, blowing a puff of smoke directly into his face.

An illusion of a massive, terrifying monster appeared out of the mist, causing Seiji to flinch just long enough for Izuku to swoop in and carry Camie to safety. He caught her bridal-style, landing on a nearby rooftop.

"Nice save, Izu-kun," she whispered, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. She didn't let go immediately, even after he set her down. She stayed close, her breath warm against his cheek. "You’re like, really strong. It’s kind of a flex."

Izuku’s heart was hammering against his ribs, and he wasn't sure if it was from the fight or the proximity. "I—it’s just the training. We should get back down there."

"In a sec," she said, her voice dropping to a lower, more intimate register. She reached out and straightened his mask, her fingers lingering on his jaw. "You’ve got a smudge on your cheek. Hold still."

She didn't use a tissue. She used her thumb, rubbing the dirt away with a gentle, slow motion that made Izuku’s breath hitch. Her eyes were locked onto his, and for a moment, the sounds of the battle below faded away.

"There," she said, her voice a soft purr. "All pretty again. Now let’s go finish this. I want to get out of this suit before I actually turn into a puddle."

The exercise ended shortly after, with Aizawa calling a halt as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The students gathered in the debriefing area, exhausted and covered in dust.

"You two were... adequate," Seiji grumbled, adjusting his hat. "Though Utsushimi’s tactics remain disturbingly unorthodox."

"Unorthodox is just another word for 'iconic', babe," Camie chirped, pulling a water bottle from her belt. She took a long drink, and Izuku—despite his best efforts—found himself watching the way her throat moved as she swallowed.

She caught him looking and winked over the rim of the bottle.

Later that evening, after the bus ride back to UA, Izuku was sitting in the common room, his legs feeling like lead. His phone buzzed on the coffee table.

*Camie [7:42 PM]: omg Izu-kun, look at this. Seiji caught a pic of us on the roof. total movie poster vibes. [Image Attached]*

Izuku opened the photo. It was the moment he had been holding her on the roof. The sunset was behind them, casting them in a golden glow. Camie was looking up at him with an expression that was surprisingly soft, and Izuku looked... well, he looked like a hero protecting something precious.

*Izuku [7:44 PM]: It’s a really good photo. Seiji-kun has a good eye.*

*Camie [7:45 PM]: he’s a hater but he knows a vibe when he sees one. anyway, i’m in the bath right now and i literally cannot move. my legs are ded.*

*Izuku [7:46 PM]: You worked hard today! You should rest.*

*Camie [7:47 PM]: [Image Attached]*

Izuku clicked the image and nearly dropped his phone. It was a selfie of Camie in the bathtub. It was mostly bubbles, but her bare shoulders were visible, and she was making a kissy-face at the camera, her hair damp and clinging to her neck.

*Camie [7:48 PM]: wish you were here to give me a shoulder massage, nerd-kun. you’ve got those strong hero hands. 🫧😏*

Izuku stared at the screen, his brain short-circuiting for the tenth time that day. *Shoulder massage? Strong hero hands?* He buried his face in his hands, his ears burning hot. She was teasing him. She had to be. This was just Camie being Camie. She was "physically intimate" and "flirtatious," but this felt like she was turning the dial up to eleven.

*Izuku [7:52 PM]: I think I would probably pass out if I tried to do that. I’m not very good at massages anyway! I’d probably accidentally use 5% and break something!*

*Camie [7:53 PM]: lol you’re so dramatic. i’d take the risk. anyway, i’m gonna go prune now. call me? i want to hear your voice before i pass out. texting is so mid right now.*

Izuku hesitated. Calling felt... different. It was more personal. But he couldn't say no to her.

He hit the call button, and she picked up on the first ring.

"Hey, bestie," her voice came through the speaker, low and relaxed. He could hear the faint sound of splashing water. "You survived the thirst trap, I see."

"Camie! You can't just send photos like that!" Izuku whispered, even though he was alone in his room. "What if someone saw?"

"Then they’d be blessed," she laughed, a warm, melodic sound. "Don't be such a prude, Izu-kun. It’s just skin. We’re heroes, we see worse every day. Besides, I only send the spicy ones to you. You’re my favorite audience."

Izuku laid back on his bed, staring at the All Might posters on his wall. "Why me?"

There was a short silence on the other end. "Because you’re real," she said, her voice losing its playful edge for a moment. "Everyone else either looks at me like I’m a ditzy airhead or like I’m a piece of meat. But you... you look at me and you actually *see* me. Even when you’re blushing like a tomato because you caught a glimpse of my cleavage, I can tell you actually care about what I’m saying."

She sighed, a long, weary sound. "My house is a mess, Izu-kun. My parents are screaming again. I can hear them through the door. I just... I needed to talk to someone who makes me feel like I’m more than just a girl in a tight suit."

Izuku’s heart ached for her. The contrast between her public persona and her private reality was so sharp it was painful. "I'm sorry, Camie. I wish I could do more."

"You’re doing plenty," she whispered. "Just stay on the phone for a bit? Tell me something boring. Tell me about your hero notes or whatever. Just... keep the bad vibes away."

So, Izuku talked. He talked for over an hour, rambling about the technicalities of quirk evolution and the history of hero costumes. He told her about his favorite childhood memories of watching All Might videos, and he even tried to explain the plot of a complex sci-fi movie he’d seen recently.

As he talked, he heard her breathing slow down. The splashing stopped, and he heard the sound of her rustling into bed.

"Izu-kun?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

"Yeah?"

"You’re a total king. No cap. Goodnight, bestie. Love ya."

"Goodnight, Camie. Love you too."

He hung up and stared at the ceiling for a long time. The words "love you" felt natural now, but the context was shifting. It wasn't just a casual sign-off anymore. It was a lifeline.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity. They met up for "study sessions" that usually devolved into Camie trying to teach Izuku how to dance for TikTok or Izuku trying to explain the importance of disaster relief logistics.

During one of their hangouts at a local park, Camie was sitting on a bench, her legs draped over Izuku’s lap as he read a hero manual. She was wearing a tiny sundress that made Izuku’s heart do backflips every time the wind caught it.

"Izu-kun, look at this," she said, holding up her phone. It was a news report about a minor villain attack they had helped stop a few days prior. "We’re trending as 'The Emerald Illusion' duo. The fans are literally obsessed with us. They think we’re dating."

Izuku choked on his water. "Dating? But we’re just... we’re besties!"

"I know, right?" Camie giggled, poking his cheek. "But honestly, can you blame them? We have major chemistry. Look at this photo of you looking at me during the press conference. You look like you want to eat me up."

She showed him a candid shot of them standing together. Izuku was indeed looking at her, a soft, dazed expression on his face while she was waving to the cameras.

"I don't look like I want to eat you!" he protested, though his face was betraying him.

"You totally do. It’s okay, I’m a snack, I get it," she teased, leaning over and biting his shoulder playfully through his shirt.

Izuku yelped, nearly dropping his book. "Camie!"

"You’re so easy to tease," she laughed, leaning back and stretching like a cat. "But seriously, Izu-kun. I like being 'The Emerald Illusion' with you. It feels right. Like we’re a team. A collab that actually works."

She reached out and took his hand, her fingers interlacing with his. Her grip was firm, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they were building.

"Me too," Izuku said softly, squeezing her hand back. "I like it a lot."

As the sun set over the park, Izuku realized that while he might still get flustered by her jokes and her outfits, the person underneath it all was someone he would do anything for. She was loud, she was "extra," and she was entirely confusing, but she was his. And as they sat there in the fading light, he knew that no matter what the future held—war, villains, or family drama—they would face it together.

Because that was the vibe. And the vibe was, as Camie would say, absolutely Gucci.

But as they walked back toward the station, Camie leaned in and whispered, "By the way, I saw you looking at my legs just now. Ten points to Gryffindor for the effort, but you gotta be more subtle, babe."

Izuku just groaned and covered his face, and Camie’s laughter echoed through the evening air, bright and beautiful and full of life.