Chapter Text
Bright orange and yellow hued rays of light danced gently around the young male's room, kissing long lines of sunlight upon his neck with the same tenderness of a mother. Muscles flexed and relaxed as the male roused from sleep and stretched, a quiet groan following up and out of his throat. Large emerald orbs opened, much to their dismay, and just as soon closed, eyes sensitive and itchy to the new light.
Forcing himself to move from the nest he had formed during the night, he propped himself up on the elbow and batted his eyes a few times before glaring at the reflecting light off of his bedroom walls. He stretched his arms above his head and winced lightly feeling the stretch of overly tight muscles in his back and arms.
I knew I shouldn't have overworked myself last night, but it was just an extra 2 sets, I shouldn't feel this tight after just a little extra, maybe I'm not working out enough lately . Disappointed in his own lack of caution, he rolled his shoulders lightly and climbed out of bed. He quickly made his bed, or at least tried, pulling the covers over his pile of pillows was all he really felt like doing. As he looked around his room for a pair of sweatpants, he grabbed his phone and noticed the faint smell of chicken that was wafting through the apartment. Intrigued, he picked up a pair of bright blue sweatpants with the words 'ALL MIGHT' written down the leg in bright yellow letters.
Just as he was about to leave his room he caught a glance of himself in the mirror and laughed at his reflection, noticing just how much of a fanboy he looked like right now, adorned in All might sweatpants, an All might sweatshirt, and an All might scrunchie he had on his wrist, having worn it last night to keep the overgrown mess he called hair, out of his face. His whole outfit was tied together with the All might phone case that he had on his device, adorned with a special addition All might keychain dangling happily from his phone, classic bright smile and all.
Walking through the small apartment, he made his way towards the kitchen, curious as the smell of chicken increased more and more the closer he got. He entered the small kitchenette and let a soft grin form on his face as he saw the source of the heavenly smell.
Fluffy blanket wrapped around the both of them, his fellow roommate Ochako Uraraka stood there, arms lazily hugging her girlfriend Asui Asuu from behind as they rocked side to side slightly to the faint sound of music playing from Tsuyuu's phone. Tsuyu was cooking food, walking back and forth between the stove and the nearby countertop, slowly preparing what appeared to be the chicken he smelled just minutes before, as well as rice and miso soup. Tsuyu said something quietly that the male could not understand, which resulted in Ochako moving her head from Asui's shoulder and moved forward to turn and press a light kiss to her girlfriend's lips.
Having her head turned to the side, Ochako caught sight of him and beamed happily, moving one arm from her girlfriend's waist to beckon him over.
"Morning Deku!" She said, voice bubbly and bright as ever. She returned her hand back to Asui's waist and the green haired girl turned her head from the food for a moment, heavy-lidded eyes focused on Deku's form for a second, a quiet "Good morning, midoriya-chan," coming out as she returned to the final pieces of food the had still grilled.
"I was going to ask you if it was alright for Asui to stay the night last night, but by the time we got home you were already asleep and I didn't want to disturb you," Ochako said, voice sounding slightly guilty as her head bobbed up and down on her girlfriend's shoulder.
"You know it's always alright for Tsuyu-chan to stay over." Midoriya said laughing lightly as he moved to the cupboards to grab plates and bowls for the food, placing them next to Tsuyuu's 'workstation', then moved to make tea for the three of them.
"Remind me again, what time do you have to go to open shop?" Ochako gazed over at the grassy haired male, eyebrow raised.
"9:00." He replied, mindlessly pouring the now near boiling liquid into individual cups. “So we still have probably 45 minutes before I need to get ready.” It didn’t take Midoriya very long to get the shop ready, he was organized enough that he typically had most things prepared each night before he closed up, and all he really had to do in the mornings were set up food and with the help of Ochako and Shinsou who usually arrived at 8, and possibly Tsuyu if he could convince her to help, it would only take an hour to get that prepared. Plus living right above the cafe had its benefits, so getting there in time was no problem.
“Also remind me again why I agreed to help you in doing all of this because waking up at 5:30 is not very fun.” She said groaning as she tilted her head back to jokingly emphasis her distress.
“Because it gives you free time to pet cats when you're not doing hero work.” He said in an inquisitive tone.
“Hmm you’re probably right, where else can I go that I get to live with my best friend, as well as cats.”
Midoriya laughed lightly at her response and went to set a platter of chicken, as well as individual bowls of freshly steamed rice on the table as Tsuyu, with Ochako still wrapped like a sloth around her waist, brought the Miso soup over. After setting the plates in their correct spots, Izuku grabbed their cups of tea and set them down, moving around the table to sit in ‘his’ seat.
“You’re lucky I love you,” Tsuyu said in her usual straight-to-the-point fashion, “because it is very difficult to move around with you connected to me at all times.” She turned around in Ochakos arms, looking straight up at her girlfriend. Ochako laughed brightly as she unraveled her arms from the shorter girl. Before the brunette could move away, Tsuyu pressed their lips together for a quick kiss.
Midoriya looked up at them smiling lightly at their eternally lovey-dovey antics. He always thought they were a cute couple, but having been single for at least 2 years now, seeing their daily love testimonies, Midoriya was quickly realizing how much he missed being in a relationship. Sure he had been given the chance a couple times, but random hookups with guys that he had barely talked to for more than 2 minutes were neither fun-sounding nor did he want something only temporary.
Exhaling with a somewhat sad undertone, Midoriya turned to his food and began to eat the fresh meal as Tsuyu and Ochako sat opposite of him, holding hands under the table.
Midoriya grinned lightly, scratching harder at the cat nuzzling his hand. The small feline let out a high pitched mewl before falling to his side and exposing his belly for the male to scratch. "You're something else, Shou-chan," He muttered under his breath, scoffing at the mixed colored cat's need for attention.
"Hey Midoriya, can you help me in here." Midoriya looked up to the noise and saw Shinsou standing the in the kitchen doorway, with one arm in his pocket and the other grasping the door handle.
"Sure Shinsou, what do you need?" Midoriya stood up and brushed the cat fur off of his apron as he walked over the purple haired male.
"I need to run to the store, were out of a few things, both ingredients plus some non-food items, and I'm not sure how long I will be gone. Some dishes need cleaning and I would just do them when I got back, but you seem available. Also, there are some things in the oven, they should be done soon so just take them out when you're done?" Shinsou walked into the kitchen and Midoriya followed and made his way to the stack of dishes next to the large industrial sink.
"Sure, of course, but are you sure you don't want me to do the shopping?" Midoriya looked back at Shinsou and raised one eyebrow slightly as the other male took off his apron, replacing it with a light black jacket.
"It's no trouble, plus I wanted to get some fresh air." Midoriya laughed lightly at the males answer and nodded, mutter a quick ok. Seeing Shinsou yawn widely, Midoriya tried to suppress one himself, wishing he could go back upstairs to bed or at least get some small sleep in momentarily.
Shinsou turned towards the door, raising his arm to wave quickly as he exited the hot kitchen and mumbled a quick goodbye. Turning towards a tall stack of dishes, Midoriya grabbed the rag next to the sink and turned on the water. He moved over to the counter next to the sink and turned on the small radio that sat there. Letting the upbeat music wash over him, he returned to the task at hand, falling into a rhythm of cleaning the dishes as he danced lightly in front of the sink.
He was so immersed in his dancing and dish-cleaning that he almost missed the faint ringing from the oven. He placed the dish in his grasp down and walked over to the oven. Opening the door, he quickly stepped back to avoid the hot steam coming from the inside. Glancing inside, he saw a large tray fresh golden muffins.
He picked up a small toothpick from their box that sat beside the oven and stuck it into the closest muffin. Noting they were done, he threw the toothpick away and then grabbed oven mitts to protect his scarred hands. He placed them in his hands, and then grasped the edges of the pan and brought it out of the oven, turning to the side he bumped the door to shut it.
He moved away from the oven and placed the tray down, trying to avoid the other pans stacked up beside him. As he took off the oven mitts, he leaned in towards the muffins and smelled them to see what they were. They were cranberry with walnuts, which Midoriya recalled were a new edition to their menu.
To give the muffins time to cool off, Midoriya returned to the remaining pile of dirty dishes and finished them off. He finished the final batter-covered bowl just as his favorite song came to an end. Remembering the cooling muffins, he went over and tentatively pressed his forefinger to the surface of a muffin, determining they were cool enough to go out.
Midoriya took the muffins out of their pan and placed them on a tray to place the final touch of adding the small fondant cat faces upon each one. After he finished, he went to shut off the radio and then grabbed he the tray, carefully balancing it as to not drop any of the baked items. Lightly kicking the door open, he made his way to the display case, sliding each muffin individually in with the other existing baked goods.
He was almost finished with setting the items up when he noticed someone in the corner of his eye. When he turned to face the customer, he felt the air flee from his lungs for a moment, amazed that this man was standing here right at this moment, in hiscafe.
Shouto? Wait is that really him? As in #4 hero Shouto? Shit shit calm down just pretend you don’t know him. Midoriya placed the empty tray down on the floor and moved over to the counter, praying to god the hero couldn’t see his nervousness, as well as borderline internal fanboying, through his cheery facade.
“ I'm so sorry I didn’t see you there, I hope you weren’t waiting long. What can I get you?” He placed a bright smile on his face and prepared to plug in Shouto’s order. He waited to hear an answer but as he looked up from the register, the male was not answering, mouth slightly agape looking surprised and was- i-is he…. blushing? Midoriya shook his head getting the absurd idea out of his head, he’s probably just tired or hungover or something, but why would he be drinking? And then go out hungover?
He tried to come up with a logical answer, but when he found none, he returned to the real, world and questioned the man again.
“Sir?” He cocked an eyebrow up ever so slightly and hoped the tall hero would answer so Midoriya would not have to embarrass himself more than he believes he already has.
“I- oh- um- yes?” The male shifted his stance awkwardly as his gaze returned to Midoriya’s face. His voice is so deep and soothing but so monotone even for someone... stuttering? It didn’t add up, but he resigned himself to believing the male was just tired.
“I had asked you what you wanted to order?” Midoriya prepared to enter Shouto's order once again.
“Oh uh, just a Latte.” Midoriya entered the order.
“And is that all?” He looked back up to the male.
“Yes,” The hero averted his eyes from Midoriya’s questioning gaze. Shouto reached into his pocket and pulled out the needed change as Midoriya handed him his check and then proceeded to go to the back counter to make the drink.
He fell into the familiar routine of making a latte, all the while attempting to calm down his racing heart and ever-increasing body temperature.
He had met a number of top-ranking heros in his life, but he had never actually met Shouto in real life before, only ever seeing him through a TV screen. Except there were the few times that he had watched excitedly in the stands of UA during their world famous sports festival. Seeing the young boy at the time, destroying almost all the competition, shattering all expectations year after year, was something Midoriya had looked forward to many times. (Call it obsessive, he calls it a healthy admiration for the man)
But here the man was.
Wearing fucking plain jeans, and a v-neck t-shirt, The Number 4 Hero, Shouto.
Some hero’s Midoriya had met in real life were quite underwhelming compared to their in-action counterparts, sure he still fanboyed like a madman whenever they came within 5 feet of him, but they were not as amazing or earth-shattering powerful as he had imagined. Shouto, on the other hand definitely did not have that problem.
Heck, Midoriya would be lying if he said he wasn’t the least bit attracted to the man. Crimson hair blended smoothly into pearl white on top of light skin. His skin looked smooth but still rough from years of battle. One dark grey and one striking blue eye stared with a gaze that was borderline threatening, he gave off such a powerful aura.
The ever so famous scar, partially hidden by wispy strands of hair. Some thought the blemish was ugly, some even have claimed it was ‘hideous’, especially up close. Midoriya personally, never thought much of it, barely registering it in his mind the first time he ever got a good look at the male from behind a TV screen.
Was he staring at me? I could have sworn I saw him staring at me for a few seconds there, oh god is there something on my face. He reached his hand up and brushed over his face, hoping to catch anything embarrassing possibly stuck on his face.
Oh God, I was probably staring at him, geeze the way I stared at him he probably thinks I'm some weirdo freak who’s going to bombard him with questions or ask for an autograph. I can’t do that. He sighed deeply, and cleared his mind for a moment, swaying his hips to the calming beat of whatever song was playing overhead, he didn’t know what it was but it sounded like something popular in America most likely.
It would be cool if I could get him to sign something though? Maybe just a napkin? Wait no what the hell that would be way to weird, he’d probably think I was going to keep it for some shrine or some weird shit, I mean a napkin? That’s just beyond strange, I could ask for him to sign a photo? I bet I have one upstairs. Wait no that's worse if he knew I had a photo of him he would probably leave before I got the question out.
He’s probably used to getting asked for autographs or photos in public, he is pretty popular, he probably gets asked by dozens of people.
But he looks tired and he probably doesn't want some random barista-fanboy asking for an autograph when he’s just trying to get coffee. Ugh, you’re worrying about it too much it doesn't matter just ignore it don’t ask for an autograph just make the latte.
It sounds stupid for him to be worrying about such trivial things. He had met many famous heroes in his life anyways, heck he knew a few from childhood.
The angry face of Bakugou flashed through his mind as he went through his mind, remembering all the hero’s he had met. His smile dropped from his face as he remembered his monumental meeting with All Might.
The sting he felt in his heart when his idol told him he could never be a hero was still felt to this day. The way he left the second he said that not wanting to accept that his idol said that. He still remembers his warm embrace when Midoriya arrived home after the incident, having held his tears in the entire walk home, only for his heart to shatter when he entered the door. Large fat tears rolling down his cheeks as he sobbed into his mom’s shoulder.
“I could become a policeman, he said, or a firefighter! But I want to be a hero mom! I want to help people! I can still be a hero right?” He remembered his mom’s sad face when he asked that question, having uttered those words many times in the past.
“Oh of course you can Izuku, you can become the best Hero to ever walk the earth.” If only his mom had been right about that.
I need to stop pitying myself, I can still help people, coffee can help right? So can cat’s, I can take cats in and give them home, and people get to pet the cats, it all works out.
He was pulled from his mind by the tapping of a hand on his shoulder. Turning around he saw Ochako standing next to him. He looked towards the counter and the around the shop, trying to find Shouto but saw he was nowhere to be found.
“Midoriya, you do realise you started to mutter right?” A look of concern furrowed in Ochakos brow as she moved to give Midoriya space.
Midoriya felt his face heat up worse than before, hands waving around frantically, he prayed Shouto wasn’t close enough to see him or hear his sputtering.
“Wa-wait n-o I di-didn’t, I was compl-completely normal, I wasn’t mumbling.
Was I? Oh god Ochako I was mumbling, I probably just embarrassed myself in from of a number 4 hero.” Midoriya slumped his shoulders and returned to making the drink Shouto ordered.
“Wait as in Shouto, Shouto number 4 hero? Fire and Ice hero, and complete hotty Shouto?” Ochako face brightened more and more with each word as her eyes widened to the size of saucers.
Midoriya fake-gasped at the brunettes response as he hit her lightly with a towel he had in his apron pocket. “Ochako you are gay , How dare you talk about men . You have a girlfriend ” Ochako laughed at his joke, blocking the towel from hitting her face.
“Oh please you know, I’m joking,” noticing the drink he was making, Ochako gasped and moved Midoriya out of the way, grabbing the frothed milk midoriya was about to pour inside.
“Ochako what are you doing, give me that back,” He tried to push her out of the way but she started pouring the liquid into the cup until it had reached ¾ the way up.
“Oh you’ll see, I saw the way you were drooling at the man,” Midoriya narrowed his eyes at the bubbly woman and rubbed at his mouth, seeing if he truly was drooling.
“I was not drooling,” he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on the counter, watching Ochako take spoonfuls of frothed milk, and delicately place them on top of the drink. “What on earth are you doing, Ochako?” He moved to get a closer look at the small details she was making on the blob of milk on top.
“Making a cat.” She smiled and continued making her weird latte-art.
“A cat? Why the hell would you put a cat on there? It’s just a latte.” Midoriya raised an eyebrow at her and returned to his spot leaning on the counter.
“Oh geez you’re so dense sometimes Deku,” Midoriya blushed at her being so blunt. “Put a cute cat on top with milk, it’s like telepathic flirting or something. Trust me, I know men.” Ochako stood back, looking proudly at her work. A small cat lying asleep on top, small whiskers added with the espresso-milk mixture from the cup.
“I don’t think you’ve even held hands with a man, Ochako?” Atleast it’s kinda cute, wait he’d probably think it’s weird that some dude is putting a cat on top of his latte.
“Oh hush, just let me do this, he’ll know what you're putting down Deku, he’ll know.” Ochako winked at Midoriya and then went back to sit down with Iida who was currently fiddling with his glasses.
“I am putting nothing down Ochako, nothing!” Midoriya called over to Ochako and muttered to himself as she turned back towards him, and smiles slyly. I’m not flirting with a customer, I am not flirting with a customer, I am not flirting with a customer.
Sighing he turned back towards the drink, “ I know men, he’ll know what you’re putting down Deku, he’ll know, just flirt with him” he muttered to himself in a mock-Ochako tone. I am not trying to flirt with him, sure he's attractive, and I wouldn’t mind seeing him more but I barely know him i've only seen him in action that means nothing, i'm no different than any other fan.
He carefully picked up the small drink and placed it onto a small plate. Looking around the store once more, he brought the drink up to counter, looking around the corner trying to find a flash of white and red.
“Oh there you are! I thought maybe you fled the place when I didn’t see you.” He laughed nervously and then pushed the cup forward, flashing a quick smile to distract Shouto from his awkward half-laugh. “One simple latte for-.” Shit don’t say his name won’t he think it’s weird that you know his name? Wait a lot of people know his name it wouldn’t be that weird?
Midoriya looked back up at the man, “I- I don’t recall ever actually getting your name?” He laughed awkwardly once more. The man’s eyes widened a small amount at the question, maybe it wouldn’t have been so weird to just say it?
“Oh it’s Shouto,” Oh I know, I know, “Shouto Todoroki.” Midoriya let out a breath that he hadn't realized he was holding in from anxiety.
“Ok, well Shouto, Shouto Todoroki, here is you’re latte.” He slid the drink foreword, mentally punching himself at the stupid attempt of a joke. Well Shouto, Shouto Todoroki, here is you’re latte. He just looked uncomfortable god i'm so embarrassing.
Quickly he turned around, hoping to avoid having to look the man in the eye in fear of saying something he would regret, or just breaking out into a full blush. Looking towards the door he saw Shinsou standing in the open doorway, a smug smile plastered on his face.
Pushing past the purple haired man, he tried to hide his face as Shinsou muttered “Someone’s a little happy to the customers aren’t we?” in his ear and then laughed loudly as he followed Midoriya back into the kitchen.
“Oh shut up you,” Midoriya turned towards the still-laughing male and threw a pen, stifling a laugh as it hit him straight in the forehead in attempt to try and act serious. Shinsou laughed harder at Midoriya’s reddening face.
“Both you and Ochako are getting on my last nerves. Midoriya huffed loudly and looked away from Shinsou, focusing on a small speck of dirt on the floor to ignore the man.
“Oh come on Midoriya, were just trying to get you a man .” Shinsou said, eye wiggling as Shinsou gave him a sly look.
Midoriya threw his arms in the air and whisper-yelled at Shinsou, hoping no one outside could hear their banter, “He’s just a customer! We talked for 3 seconds! It’s not like I’m acquainted with him! Heck even being a bar and having been talking with him for a while would give you two more reason to be teasing me about it than this.”
“Oh ya, ‘just a customer’ as in a customer that is a number 4 hero that I know you have talked about on more than 1 occasion, try more than 10-20 occasions, heck maybe even more than that, I know you have a think for that red and white hair. With your Green hair it could be like watermelon .” Midoriya lost it at that, feeling his face grow impossibly hotter, he shrunk down towards the ground, curling in on himself he tried to make himself disappear into the ground, fearing if he took up any space he’d burn a hole through the ground with the heat from his face.
“You are thinking way to far into a future that will never happen you Asswipe . I don’t know where either of you thought this was anything more than a friendly customer-barista interaction, but I care. I’m leaving I swear.” Midoriya stayed in his spot on the ground, wishing either he or Shinsou would just dissaparate into the abyss.
“Oh I wouldn’t be so sure it would be that impossible if a certain green haired man went and, oh I don't know, flirted with a certain dashing man.” Shinsou tried to hide a laugh as he offered the idea to Midoriya. He crossed one arm over his chest and rest the other on top, hand waving around gesturing to the air.
“Nope, no, not gonna happen, never, I am never speaking to that man again, he will never be in here again, so it doesn't matter.” Midoriya shook his head and burrowed deeper into himself.
“Well I wouldn’t be so sure it would never happen if a certain person with a certain quirk made you do it?” Shinsou’s tone changed to slightly more ominous but still flirty one. He leaned down towards Midoriya, now only a few feet from his face.
Midoriya’s gaze snapped up to the purple haired man, “You wouldn’t ,” Midoriya said quietly, eyes narrowing to almost shut. Shinsou laughed and stood back up, and raised his arms toward the ceiling to stretch and crack his knuckles loudly.
“You’re right I won’t, but if you don’t go and at least strike up a conversation yourself, im’a do it myself for you.” Shinsou turned towards the door, preparing to exit the kitchen. Frantically standing to his feet, Midoriya grabbed the bottom of Shinsou’s shirt to prevent the male from exiting.
“Wait- wait I- I’ll talk to him or whatever just don’t do anything stupid.” Midoriya let go of Shinsou shirt and stared at the ground, waiting to see if the man will leave.
“Oh it’s not that big a deal, I won’t do anything, just go out there and say you like his shirt or something? That’s always a nice conversation starter right?” Shinsou looked over his shoulder at the sulking male. Midoriya rolled his eyes and popped his hip to the side, giving Shinsou an annoyed look.
“It’s a plain v-neck what am I supposed to say? ‘Nice shade of black on your t-shirt there, compliments your face’?”
“Well then maybe don’t compliment the shirt,” Shinsou looked up at the ceiling, trying to think of what to say, “I don’t know, compliment his pants? Wait no that's weirder.” Shinsou rubbed the back of his neck giving Midoriya a half smile. “Maybe just ask how he is? That’s a pretty versatile conversation starter right?”
“Why do I even have to do this? He’ll probably just answer with small answers all the while hoping I’ll leave soon. Why do you even care? Just let him drink his coffee in peace.” Midoriya turned away from Shinsou and moved to the refrigerator to busy himself with something other than their conversation.
Shinsou moved with Midoriya, quickly closing the refrigerator as soon as the shorter male opened it.
“Nope, you’re going out there right now, and you're gonna flirt your ass off even if I have to force you too, and I will not hesitate to.” Shinsou’s eye’s narrowed as they searched Midoriya’s face for any sign of opposition. “You’ve been single for like what? 2 years?” Shinsou grabbed Midoriya’s arm and pulled him towards the kitchen door. “Now go out there and work your cuteness magic.”
“My what? Shinsou no-wait.” Shinsou pushed the door open and pulled Midoriya through it, eyes darting over to the red and white haired male calmly sitting with a familiar two-toned cat in his lap, two women unfamiliar to Shinsou.
“See!” Midoriya whisper-yelled at Shinsou, trying to sound angry but not draw attention to himself, “One of those Women are probably his girlfriend or something, he’s probably not even into men.” Midoriya tried to push past Shinsou, but he held him in place. He turned Midoriya around and pushed him forward towards the exit of the counter.
Midoriya knew who the two women were, Momo Yaoyuroza and Kyoko Jirou, but he his knowledge of them beyond their names was sparse. He knew that the two women were dating, which crossed off that fear off the list, but he still mentioned it to Shinsou hoping that he would let it go. But Midoriya didn’t know their relationship to Shouto. He knows hero’s are sometimes friends, and Yaoyuroza was a smaller hero but still fairly well known, but he wasn’t sure if they knew each other or were possibly just conversing because of their similar relations.
“Just go talk to him, you’ll be fine, just say hi or something I don’t know.” Midoriya stared at Shouto as he talked with the two women, smiling lightly at the conversation they were having. Stop doing that you’re gonna hurt my heart, you’re holding a cat oh my god.
His heart grew two times the size it was seeing the small feline curled up in his lap breathing slowly as Shouto stroked its ear lightly. He shook his head quickly focusing back on Shinsou.
“I don’t want to interrupt their conversation, I’ll just say bye to him when he leaves ok?” Midoriya pushed past Shinsou and made his way back into the kitchen.
“Ugh fine I give up on you.” Shinsou rolled his eyes and went up to the register to busy himself.
Walking back into the kitchen, Midoriya decided to bake more cookies to concentrate on anything other than the sight of a certain kitten named Shouchan curled up in the lap of a certain red and white haired man.
Anything other than the sight of large hands petting the smallest cat he'd ever seen.
And most definitely not the thought of how those same large hands would feel intertwined with Midoriya’s own crooked, scarred hands.