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The winter had been more intense that season, bring whipping winds and strong snowstorms, but the city persisted through it all…. But one night the campus of the UA was struck particularly hard.
It started off as a normal evening in the dorms. Each student in their respective groups, laughing and talking with their friends as they finished up their dinners. Todoroki was contentedly sat in a circle with Midoriya and his friends, pleasantly chatting about heroes and upcoming assignments. The boy was currently arguing with Uraraka about something involving Present Mic, whether his high volumes affected himself too or only others. Todoroki wasn't really listening nor caring about the points brought up by either party. He was simply glad to be apart of something so relaxing. He closed his eyes and sighed, letting himself smile ever so slightly, before there was a sound of distress across the room. Todoroki opened his eyes again and blinked into darkness once more.
“Midoriya, I can't see. I think I've gone blind.” he said in his usual deadpan. His friend sputtered.
“No one can!” he finally replied. “The power's gone out!”
There was a brief panic in the room as people scrambled for the emergency flashlights. Todoroki briefly ignited a spot on his palm like a candle and helped Kirishima pass out the flashlights from under the kitchen counter before he tore something out of place. Soon each student had their own light and began to calm down, settling back into their cliques in anxious murmurs. A rush of cold air followed by dragging footsteps sent a nervous chill down everyone's spines until the artificial lights were pointed towards the source, revealing their teacher, Aizawa, shuffling into the common area. His students crowded around him, badgering him with questions. He let out an irritated huff and the teens fell silent.
“You can all calm down. Nothing bad is happening.” he assured them, lifting some tension. “The wind blew down a tree, knocking down a powerline. We can't go out and fix it until the wind eases since someone might get hurt. We don't recommend anyone leaves for that reason.” Everyone blinked at Aizawa.
“So what do we do without any power for heaters?” Toru called from the back. The class voiced their agreement.
“Bundle up with extra blankets. Stay warm however you can. Maybe small electric heaters. Either way, you're going to want to keep warm. Tonight is going to get cold.” He turned away and rushed outside as soon as he opened the door, his figure hurrying back to where he was before. The students stood in silence for a while before, as if it was planned, everyone began rushing to either Bakugou, Kaminari, or Todoroki. Some of them lifted up mini electric heaters in need of power, some were throwing around blankets, some were shouting reasons why they needed heat the most. Flashlights were dropped, some were waving like a rave before pointed at one of the aforementioned three.
“It's just a small heater, it doesn't need much power!” Sero insisted, rushing towards Kaminari with a handheld heater.
“C'mon bro, being cold all night isn't good for sore muscles!” Kirishima yelled practically right in Bakugou's ear.
“Tsu needs to stay warm so she doesn't sleep all month!” Uraraka shouted, levitating the sleepy frog girl above the crowd around Todoroki.
Todoroki looked around the small crowd around him, taking in small glances at each individual. But he noticed Midoriya wasn't in any of the flocks of classmates. He noticed him sneaking towards the stairs, and Todoroki raised a hand, shoving through his peers to get to him.
“Midoriya!” he called out, getting his attention. The former horde of teens surrounding him turned to Kaminari, Tsu whizzing through the air. Midoriya turned to him, his flashlight’s beam landing right on his face. Todoroki shielded his eyes and Midoriya lowered the light, apologizing.
“Where are you going? Didn't you hear? It's going to get cold.” Midoriya nodded vigorously.
“Of course I heard! But…” He looked at his socked feet, curling his toes again and again. “I talk in my sleep and I… I don't wanna wake anyone up.”
“Midoriya, I-”
“Kirishima!” Bakugou's voice raised above everyone else's. Everyone pointed their lights towards the ash blond and redhead, who was grinning almost painfully wide and following his friend towards the stairs.
“No fair! He gets boyfriend privileges.” Mina yelled after them. Bakugou whipped around and gripped Kirishima's hand, nearly breaking it.
“Come the fuck on, we gotta talk now, shithead.” he growled through gritted teeth, stomping between Todoroki and Midoriya, his furious shouts echoing in the stairwell. Todoroki sighed and turned back to his friend.
“I'm a heavy sleeper.” he said in an persuasive tone. Midoriya's eyes grew wide and he chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.
“Ah, you don't have to do that! I'll be fine.” He smiled. But the way his body was shivering gave Todoroki the sneaking suspicion that, if he really did plan on sleeping by himself, he'd be stuck in his bed for a week with a pile of tissues at the side of his bed. Todoroki wasn't sure how to express his concern except for a slow blink.
“You'll get sick.” he pointed out. That seemed to be what got him scared of any impending consequences lying ahead of his choice, and so he sighed, defeated.
“You… you realize how close we'd have to be… all night, right?” he mumbled.
Behind them, Kaminari said something that must've been good, because it invoked a loud uproar amongst the crowd.
The cheer was almost muffled in Todoroki's ears as he realized what he was really getting into. Sharing a bed. With Midoriya Izuku. It'd be hard to keep any feelings to himself at such a close proximity for so many hours. Except he'd already committed to inviting his friend. He punched himself internally but nodded to Midoriya. He chanted a silent beg in his mind, hoping he wouldn't blurt out some stupid shit as soon as they got into bed. The stairwell was much quieter without Bakugou's yelling but the inevitable fate Todoroki had signed himself up to seemed to be filling his senses with a dull ringing. He shouldn't pine over who was declared his “rival”. But did it really count? He never saw him as a rival, only his father did…
“Todoroki-kun!” Midoriya's voice snapped him back from his little thought tangent. He turned until he saw Midoriya in a doorway a few steps down, his flashlight bright and pointed at his feet.
“Your floor?” he pointed at the floor number, a five painted black on a slate. Todoroki cleared his throat.
“Sorry. Must've zoned out.” he mumbled. He went back down the few extra steps he'd made and led Midoriya down the dark hall towards his room.
“Hey, didn't you redo your room?” Midoriya spoke up, adding a bounce in his step. Todoroki looked down at what he could see of his bright green eyes.
“A little. I made it look a little more… modern I suppose. Not as traditional.” He shrugged. The entire look of his room felt too much like… home. Where his father was. He didn't like that. He changed it to fit his own tastes, not his father's. He was starting a new chapter in his life that would involve as little of his parent as he could help. Even if it's just the decor.
They arrived in front of his door and he opens it to Midoriya, who hastily moved his light to every corner as quickly as possible. The traditional look was replaced with something more like Izuku's old room back at home… without all the All Might merchandise. The most noticeable things were his bed, which was tucked into the top right corner, his curtains, colored a plain jade green but looked soft and velvety, the floor with its neat gray rug, and a small houseplant sat near the balcony door. There was also a desk for schoolwork and a nightstand next to his bed, as well as a half filled bookshelf on the left, next to a cubby space that had baskets, presumably carrying Todoroki's clothes. The room was considerably tidy and his bed was already made neatly, the cloudy light gray covers spread corner to corner, and the pillows in their place. Midoriya carefully stepped in, smiling genuinely.
“You like muted colors, huh?” he mused, looking at the room again. Todoroki didn't really answer, instead just sitting on his bed and running his fingers over the sheets. They were soft and still smelled new, like the inside of a clean shop, but also faintly of a peppermint-candle smell that Midoriya could only think to be the scent of Todoroki. Midoriya spent some time exploring his room, admiring how he decorated his space before looking at the bed where he sat, anxiety seeping into his expression as he remembered why he was there in the first place. He seemed to almost regretted being there, like he was somewhere he shouldn't be. But Todoroki invited him. He was just trying to help his friend. Surely that's okay, right?
Midoriya looked at him for a moment before rubbing the back of his neck. “Did… do you want first?” he asked slowly, surveying the sheets.
“You're my guest. I'd rather you be more comfortable than I.” Todoroki said. He urged Midoriya to take a spot, gesturing a welcoming to his bed. Midoriya nodded.
“Right, right okay…” He set his light down on the nightstand, flipping it off, before he began to wiggle under the blankets. As he moved over to make room for Todoroki, the taller heard him say to him, as if ordering him, “But if I get to be too much then feel free to tell me.”
Todoroki sighed and made his way under the covers. Midoriya awkwardly shuffled out of the way to make room, until he was nearly squished against the wall. Todoroki looked at him with concern.
“Is that okay?” he asked to reassure himself. Midoriya hummed his affirmation and the two sat quietly… awkwardly under the covers in the dark room. Midoriya shuffled and looked around, as if searching for a way to escape the moment. Todoroki glanced at him before facing his barely visible face.
“This is awkward, isn't it?” he whispered. Midoriya laughed loudly like he was trying to cover up the fact his friend had just said that.
“I'm going to sleep!” he declared with a turn on his side, back towards Todoroki's. “Goodnight!” The other bid him a goodnight too before turning away from Midoriya and activating his Quirk to start creating heat. On his side, under the blankets was warm and toasty, even with his head poking from out of the covers, he was as warm as he could be without setting the fabric alight. But he could hear Midoriya whimpering and shuddering on the other side, the mattress and blankets shifting as he tried to keep whatever remaining body heat he had with himself.
“T-Todoroki-kun?” he voiced weakly, teeth chattering as he shivered. His friend sat up and looked at him.
“Are you not getting any heat?” Midoriya turned to him and shook his head no. The heat emitting from the taller's body grew from being a pleasant radiation to billowing clouds of steam as he coughed.
“I… I think we'll need to be closer.” he nearly choked out. Midoriya shuffled like he was uncomfortable but he also seemed to be holding back. Maybe he wanted to be closer to the warmth but didn't want to seem to eager. Or maybe he really didn't mind being so close and…
No, no. Midoriya didn't like him like that.
…Midoriya was too good for him.
“I…” His friend began, his voice raspy before he cleared it. “I wouldn't mind it.” he finally admitted. They were still for a moment, small licks of fire emerging from Todoroki's skin. Midoriya squeaked in fear and started to lean over to help pat it out. But Todoroki reared back and controlled himself, slowing his erratic heartbeat before lifting the blanket on his side up, welcoming Midoriya closer. The shorter slowly tottered towards his open arms, feeling the air become warmer and warmer only partly because of the Quirk. He was eventually pressed against his almost melting-hot chest and was pulled even closer when Todoroki lowered his arm and hugged him with the hem of the blanket in his hand. As close as Midoriya was to his thrumming heart, he barely noticed it over his own blood roaring in his ears and his excited, but nervous, shaking.
“Goodnight.” Todoroki whispered, using every ounce of effort in his body to resist burying his nose in Midoriya's silky green hair. His concentration was nearly broken when Midoriya nuzzled into his chest and mumbled a “goodnight” back. The combination of his heat and Midoriya's own was already enough to lull him to a deep sleep, but the sweet green apple smell that clung to the greenette was almost like a spell to knock him out for one hundred years. He was out practically the moment after he said goodnight.
---
He didn't know how long he was asleep or what time it was when he woke up, but it was still dark and cold outside of the covers. Midoriya was quietly mumbling his name, his words slurred, clinging to Todoroki's shirt. Was he okay? Todoroki sat up, huffing as he failed his first attempt with Midoriya unexpectedly continually holding onto his shirt.
“Midoriya? Are you- ?”
“Todoroki-kun…” he murmured again, his breath tickling his neck. Todoroki froze for a good minute or so as there was a feather-light kiss pressed to his throat accompanied by his name softly whined onto his skin. His heart wasn't even beating anymore, it was only a rapid hum that threaten to break through his chest. He soon shook himself conscious again and slowly leaned back, taking a look at his friend.
He wasn't even awake. He was dreaming.
He was dreaming about… him?
He was nearly bowled over as Midoriya continued to pepper his skin with sleep-kisses, his name endlessly repeated with each one. His arm shook from supporting himself and holding Midoriya to his chest with the other. He had… mixed feelings about the revelation and was still once more as his thoughts sped to a million miles an hour before he desperately tried to slow them and decide what to do with the newfound information.
On one hand, Midoriya was his friend and only his friend. Not only that but his first ever friend. The only reason he was in his bed with him was because he had insisted that he did. But on the other hand, he did have feelings for him. And his kisses were so soft and warmer than the heat dwelling in the air. Besides, he was asleep. Surely Midoriya wouldn't know if he just pretended to sleep and let him kiss him, right? He felt like it was a bad decision but he flopped back onto his mattress, barely giving it another thought. However he was nearly startled completely awake to see Midoriya pop up from his arms with a squeak. He looked up at him and their eyes met.
“Todoroki-kun?” His voice was high pitched and cracked halfway through his question. “Have you been awake this entire time?”
“Yes.” he answered quietly. Midoriya let out a strained, shy half-laugh half-groan.
“Uh… d-did I talk?” He rubbed the back of his neck and tore his eyes away from Todoroki's. He hesitated to reply for a heartbeat.
“…yes.” he said slowly. Midoriya flinched with an embarrassed cry, burying his face in his hands.
“What did I say? Did I do anything? Did I kick you or…?” Midoriya's mutters became incoherent due to the palms of his hands muffling his voice. Todoroki contemplated answering again. Maybe if Midoriya asked why he didn't stop him he could just say he woke him up.
“You were saying “Todoroki-kun”.” Midoriya’s face launched from his hands and swerved towards him so quickly he was sure he heard the air whizz past his head. Even in the dark, he could almost see the flush creeping up his friend's face. Midoriya fell back and groaned into the pillow his head landed on. Todoroki watched him before continuing. “And…”
Midoriya pushed himself up and was nearly screaming in exasperation.
“What else could I have done?” Todoroki looked at him with wide eyes. He was getting so worked up. Was it a good time to tell him he kissed him more than once? He'd already started so there wasn't really a choice to turn back.
“You kissed me.”
Silence heavier than anything either of them had ever experienced hung in the room.
“I…” His mouth moved without a sound as he tried to formulate words. But he gave up and collapsed on the pillows again with a defeated sigh. “I give up.” Todoroki looked down at him in bewilderment as he rested his chin on his folded arms, looking away with a dejected expression.
“I like you. More than a friend should like their other friends.” he mumbled, his voice only a little more than a breath. Todoroki stared at him with wide eyes before blinking away his surprise, unable to control the returning small fires that harmlessly licked and just barely lit their corner of the room. He settled on his stomach next to Midoriya, propping up his upper body with his elbows as he stole a glance from the other. He began to slowly lean in towards his head, stopping in hesitation for the slightest second, before closing his eyes and pressing his lips against the green mop of Midoriya's hair. The boy gasped and was motionless under the warm touch.
“Midoriya.” he whispered, his soft skin resting cozily on Midoriya's head before he pulled away to look into his bright green eyes. “I'm flattered.” Midoriya's eyelashes fluttered as if he were blinking away his shock. His words floundered for a moment before he became functional again.
“You are?” he sputtered. Todoroki chuckled, his head swinging down and looking at his own hands, and Midoriya could feel his heart skip a beat at the foreign sound.
“Of course I am. It's… it's a compliment to be cared by so much by someone like you.” Midoriya tensed and his pursed lips let out a quiet squeak. He sat up and thrashed his arms in a panicked manner like he didn't know how to use them.
“It really isn't! I'm not so special and it's a wonder that I even got to meet you, Todoroki-kun!” he insisted. But Todoroki sat up with him and grabbed Midoriya's hands, earning a twitch in his fingers.
“Midoriya, there's no doubt that you are indeed special. You're at least special to me. And the only reason I've become who I am is because of you.” Each word was strong and genuine, each syllable was determined to make a point to their receiver. Todoroki was trying his best to put his all into the mini speech and at the end he squeezed the hands in his own like it was a sort of emphasis. When Midoriya only stared at him he continued, more softly, “I would be honored to be called yours. And I would enjoy every second of it. As long as you'll have me that is.”
Midoriya choked out a teary laugh before looking down at their hands, rubbing the back of Todoroki's hands with the pad of his thumbs.
“That uh…” He sniffled. “That definitely means a lot, thank you.” Todoroki smiled and all Midoriya could really do was stop his crying so he could admire the rarity. Such a soft little smile… his mouth only barely curled up to create the expression, his eyes were lidded but brimming with absolute affection, the little orange flames adding a flickering golden light to his skin. He wanted to kiss him… so badly.
“You can if you want to.” Todoroki said. Midoriya looked at him in confusion but then felt a rush of embarrassment.
“Did I say that out loud?” His fingers held onto Todoroki's hands more firmly as his brain’s anxiety switched on. He fumbled for an excuse but came to a halt when he felt soft lips pressed against the back of his right hand. His heart hammered in his chest and he bit his lip to stop his nervous muttering.
“Do you want to kiss me?” Todoroki asked. Midoriya nodded slowly. “Can I kiss you?” Midoriya nodded quickly and Todoroki smiled again. He closed his eyes and leaned in, the blazes growing on his left as he neared closer and closer. Midoriya wanted to move in as well but was mesmerized by the pretty sight. But he eventually became too needy and leaned in for the kiss he'd longed for for countless months.
At first, their noses bumped and they moved their heads in the same direction when they tried to fix it. The boys giggled at their mistake and redid their brief contact. Their hands were starting to separate from each other as the real kiss began, moving slowly and delicately to really make the moment count. Midoriya's went to Todoroki's jawline and Todoroki's wandered into the green fluff that pointed in every direction. Midoriya gasped as the hot and cold sensations ran down his neck and spine like electricity, pressing against Todoroki more and more every second. Eventually the taller allowed himself to relax and let Midoriya kiss him as he wanted. He was nearly leaning on him as he searched for more of that Todoroki taste, humming with satisfaction as he found a new spot that had been untouched by his lips.
“You're stunning, Shouto.” he whispered as he kissed deeper and deeper… Todoroki smiled at the use of his given name.
“You're a masterpiece, Izuku.” Todoroki murmured in return, savoring the feeling of Midoriya pressed so close to him. Midoriya retracted from the kiss, a flushed mess, his eyes dilated as if he were high on his joy.
“Toasty.” he remarked, giddy. Todoroki nearly singed his covers at such an innocent compliment. But, that was Midoriya for you. He took another look at the boy's face before he controlled his flames again. His lips were glossy and a little swollen, his freckled cheeks were redder than any fire Todoroki could conjure up, and his eyes were hazy with sleep.
“You should sleep.” Todoroki suggested. He scoffed when Midoriya motioned grabby hands for him but still snuggled under with him, less awkward than before. Their legs tangled and Todoroki's arms held them together. Midoriya purred and ran his fingers along Todoroki's scar, trailing down to his smooth cheek after taking note of the flinch.
“You're so pretty…” he mumbled with the most childish smile Todoroki had seen in years.
“We can talk more in the morning.” Todoroki kissed his forehead with a goodnight despite the smaller's whines and weak shoves of defiance. Todoroki only hugged him closer and planted his nose in Midoriya's curls. He finally gave up and sighed his own goodnight before melting into his lover's warmth. Todoroki wasn't out as quickly as last time. He was addicted to watching Midoriya, relaxed and huddled up against him. His hands were, once again, holding onto the front of his shirt, his knuckles rested on his bottom lip as he quietly snored, his mouth partly agape. Todoroki smiled and closed his eyes, drifting away into a dream of him and Midoriya alone together, warm when the rest of the world was colder.
In many ways, that dream was a reality. They were a couple more loving than most, learning from each other to be more confident in themselves, endlessly devoted to making the other happy, trying to find solutions to every problem that might arise. They had both let the other in from the cold world and built a warm home in the middle of it all.
Even if that was the coldest night of their lives, it was the beginning of the warmest rest of their being.