Chapter Text
Izuku’s chest felt like it was about to burst. Every word Todoroki had just said was echoing in his mind, looping over and over, each repetition heavier than the last. His heart beating louder and louder, loud enough that he feared Todoroki could hear it.
Todoroki’s gaze didn’t waver, staring right at Izuku; steady, unguarded, cheeks flushed. Izuku could see it clearly, all of Todoroki’s true emotions.
Without thinking, almost instinctively, Izuku reached out. His fingers brushed against Todoroki’s.
For a moment, it felt like time was frozen. Then, carefully, Todoroki entwined his fingers with Izuku’s.
Heat flared across Izuku’s face, stomach twisted. Chest pounding like it could burst through his ribs at any moment. And yet, amidst all the panic, a strange warm feeling settled around him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Say something. Just say something. Anything.
Do I...? No, wait. Am I reading this wrong? Maybe I’m hallucinating this whole thing. No—he wouldn’t look at me like that if he didn’t mean it. He wouldn’t do any of this, if he didn’t mean it. But... what if I’m overthinking it?
Todoroki’s thumb brushed lightly over Izuku’s hand. Small and gentle. That tiny movement made Izuku’s breath hitch. His thoughts scattered.
I.. He’s really doing this. He really is. But what do I say? I know I like him too, but how do I even respond properly?
“I... I...” he tried, voice trembling. He swallowed hard. “I—”
Todoroki’s eyes softened, but there was a faint shadow of sadness in them, just for a moment, as if he feared Izuku didn’t feel the same. “You don’t have to force youself,” he said gently, his thumb still brushing over Izuku’s hand. “Say what you truly feel, when you’re ready.”
Izuku froze. His heart jumped. Force myself? No, no, no, no! I’m not forcing anything. I just... I don’t know how to put this into words. I don’t want him to think I don’t feel the same. I can’t...
He blinked, thoughts spinning, panic rising, chest hammering.
In that moment, all the careful overthinking, all the hesitation, all the ‘what ifs’ faded. He decided to let instinct take over.
Before he even realized what he was doing, he leaned in softly. Their lips met.
It was light. Gentle. Warm. Electric in a way words could never describe. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, and for the smallest moment, the entire world seemed to vanish.
Todoroki froze, surprised, but then leaned in, matching the softness, letting the kiss deepen just a little. Fingers tightened in each others, grounding them in this new closeness.
When they finally pulled back, breathing hard, Izuku’s cheeks burned hotter than he thought was possible. He stared at Todoroki, flustered and flailing internally, but somehow managed to keep his composure.
“I—I think... I feel the same,” he confessed finally, voice shaking, but steady enough. “More than just... friends.”
Todoroki’s lips curved into a soft, genuine smile, the kind that made Izuku’s heart sutter and melt all at once.
“You do” Todoroki asked quietly.
“Yes,” Izuku breathed.
A small flicker of heat suddenly danced along Todoroki’s shoulder. Izuku’s eyes widened. “Todoroki!” he gasped, panicking. “Your, your quirk—”
Before he even had a moment to think, Izuku grabbed the nearest object, a towel, from the corner of the room and started smacking at Todoroki’s shoulder. “I-I’ve got it! Don’t worry!”
Todoroki froze, eyes widening in shock for a fraction of a second before letting out a small laugh. “Izuku...stop...”
Izuku panicked flailing continued, completely missing the fact that the quirk flames had already died out. “S-sorry! I—Oh no, I—what if—”
Todoroki gently placed his hands on Izuku’s, stilling him. “It’s fine. The fire’s already gone,” he said quietly, though a small smile tugged at his lips. “You don’t need to panic.”
Izuku froze mid-swing, eyes widening. “I—I... I didn’t realize...I’m so sorry!”
Todoroki’s smile softened even more, warm and teasing. “You can make it up to me,” he said quietly, tilting his head.
Izuku blinked, “H-how?” he stammered, cheeks flaming fumbling with his words.
Todoroki tilted his head, expression mischeievous, though still tender. “Then... can I have another kiss?” he asked softly. “That was the best one I’ve ever had.”
Izuku‘s eyes went wide. His brain stuttered. Did he just...ask me...?
“W-wait... you’ve... kissed other men?” Izuku blurted uot, half-teasing, half panicked.
Todoroki’s grin only widening, soft and confident now. “You’re the only man I want to kiss, Izuku,” he said, voice low and intimate. “Only you.”
Izuku froze. His cheeks heated all over again. “C-Call me by my first name again... please?” he murmured, barely daring to hope.
Todoroki’s smile softened into something genuine. “Alright, then. You can call me Shoto,” he said quietly, voice steady and full of affection.
A nervous laugh bubbled out of Izuku, equally relieved and filled with joy. “Shoto...”
And with that, they leaned in again. This time, the kiss was slow, and shared. Full of all the unspoken feelings that had been building for weeks. Fingers entwined, hearts pounding in sync, breaths mingling.
They finally let themselves feel the happiness they had both been holding back for so long.
When they finally pulled away, they stayed close. Izuku’s chest felt full, overflowing with warmth. Shoto’s smile was soft, steady and utterly content.
Shoto’s fingers brushed a stray strand of hair from Izuku’s face.
Izuku blinked, and before he could put a word out, Shoto leaned in just slightly, voice teasing. “Don’t make me wait too long for another kiss.”
Izuku laughed, embarrassed and happy all at once, hiding his face in Shoto’s shoulder. “The same goes to you.”
The once quiet room felt warm and alive, filled with soft laughter and the comfort of being exactly where they were meant to be.