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Todoroki doesn't miss the way Midoriya seems to be acting a little bit off.
They're sitting together at lunch, along with Iida and Uraraka, who are both wrapped up in their own conversation—something vaguely fascinating about quirk applications during house fires. It’s a conversation that Midoriya surely would have jumped at the chance to participate in, but strangely enough, he offers no opinion of his own. Instead, he focuses on listlessly pushing around the last remnants of rice in his bowl with his chopsticks, face downturned, eyes droopy. Every movement he makes is slow, deliberate. Todoroki discreetly studies him from the corner of his eye.
“Hey. Midoriya.”
No answer.
“Midoriya. Midoriya Izuku.”
The other boy emits an indistinct sniff. Todoroki sighs, wondering if it’s even worth it to catch his attention. Then, an idea blossoms in his mind—
Todoroki exaggeratedly clears his throat: “ Deku .”
In that instant, Midoriya suddenly whips his head around so quickly, Todoroki can only capture a green blur before processing the sight before him. “Deku,” Midoriya whimpers, eyes wide and glassy. “Todoroki-kun, why .” Midoriya slumps forward, groaning in misery, and his head slowly lolls from side to side.
Uraraka and Iida have long since stopped their conversation by now, worry painting over their faces as they take in the image of their poor friend. “Midoriya-kun, are you well?” asks Iida. “If you are in pain, we must bring you to Recovery Girl at once!”
“No!” Midoriya shoots up from his seat, wildly waving his hands around. “I-It’s nothing like that!”
Todoroki raises an eyebrow. “What has you so worked up today? You were acting strange during class, too.”
“It’s true,” Uraraka decidedly chimes in. “What’s wrong, Deku-kun?”
Midoriya drops back down onto his seat. “ That . That is exactly what’s wrong, and I don’t know what to do or think anymore!”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s... well, it's about Kacchan.”
"Bakugou?" Todoroki inquires. "What about him?"
Midoriya scratches his chin and his eyebrows are scrunched together, as if he's having an internal debate as to whether or not he should delve into the subject. There's a blush building up in his freckled cheeks—which, if Todoroki's own deductive skills are anything to go by, are the dead giveaway to the fact that there is definitely something amiss.
And Todoroki is quite correct to think that way, because what Midoriya says next stuns the entire table to silence.
"Kacchan confessed to me."
Uraraka promptly begins to choke, leaving Iida to frantically push water and napkins to her across the table.
Todoroki feels...unnerved, to say the least. He can’t think up anything coming out of Bakugou’s mouth that would even remotely line up with such a shoujo manga scenario (to his own horror, he momentarily conjures a vivid image of Bakugou smiling, like genuinely smiling, and it shakes him so terribly that he stabs his thigh with his plastic fork). “Maybe you just misheard him,” Todoroki reasons, attempting to soothe Midoriya’s troubled mind.
Midoriya perks up at the suggestion, though there is something else there that Todoroki notices, some sort of development. “Really—? I mean, y-yeah! That’s what it was. A simple misunderstanding, huh.” He sheepishly tugs at the curled strands of his hair, forcing a smile. “That’s all it was,” he muses, trying to reassure himself, although he's twiddling his thumbs in obvious anticipation.
Iida helpfully supplies some of his own wisdom: "Don't fret too much over this. The matters of the heart are too often misconstrued."
Amen to that, Todoroki privately notes.
"Maybe," Uraraka agrees. "But Deku-kun, do you like him that way?"
Midoriya hunches over slightly. "Um, I guess it may have crossed my mind, more than once—but like, what if it really is all a misunderstanding and he just likes me a lot as a closer friend nowadays, I mean—"
"Did he ask you on a date?"
"N-No..."
"Things will be cleared up in no time, I'm sure of it!"
"Yeah. Yeah, you guys are right," Midoriya says.
The table lapses into an amiable atmosphere.
The momentary peace is broken, however, by one unsuspecting blond passing by their table. Loud and clear as crystal, Bakugou Katsuki slams a hand down onto their table and speaks.
“ Oi, Deku . Wipe that stupid look off your face and go on a date with me.”
Right on cue.
And Uraraka faints.
(Midoriya, having been reduced to a bright red mess, swiftly accepts Bakugou's invitation in a manner that Todoroki can only describe as ecstatic.)
Todoroki doesn’t expect to be confronted back at the dorm kitchen by Bakugou of all people, but he figures it’s a small price to pay for being one of the few who were present and within close enough range to hear him ask out Midoriya. Bakugou looks pissed as all hell, even more than usual. He doesn’t spare Todoroki a single glance, flat-out ignoring him as he walks past to open the fridge.
Now is as good a time as any.
“Bakugou,” Todoroki acknowledges him benignly, “Whose idea was it?”
Bakugou freezes midstep and bristles, promptly swinging around to leer at his classmate. “The fuck are you on about?”
“Midoriya,” Todoroki says, plain and simple, purposely drawing out the syllables to get a rise out of his classmate. And it works.
“ Hah ? Are you making fun of me, Half-and-Half?”
Todoroki shrugs him off. “No, I’m just asking if it was your idea or not—the date and all.”
“So what?” snaps Bakugou. “It’s none of your goddamn business! Also, what are you implying, huh?”
Todoroki gives him a good once-over, taking in the heightened defensiveness and terse expression. “I'm just making sure that there's no cruel intent involved. Did you actually mean to ask him out?"
"What the hell do you take me for, why would I waste precious fuckin' energy on lying about something like that!"
He does have a point there.
Even so, Todoroki persists. “So from what I gather, you really do like Midoriya? In a romantic context?”
Bakugou sneers at him. "I'm not going to have this conversation with you, asshole."
"Since when have you liked him?"
Bakugou furiously kicks the side of the kitchen island, the resounding thud making Todoroki's seat shake. "I'm figuring shit out, okay?"
"...I see."
It's not that Todoroki, or anyone else in Class 2A for that matter, didn't see this coming. It was always within the realm of possibility, something that had been brought up numerous times in covert conversations among the student populace. Bakugou and Midoriya have known each other since childhood—naturally, that kind of relationship would typically give strong leeway into a budding romance.
It's not that they were on malicious terms anymore, either, at least from Bakugou's end. The torrential downpour that was Bakugou's and Midoriya's rocky relationship had dwindled down to a mostly peaceful symbiosis. They'd always been in tune, but in recent months, the two had been remarkably entwined.
Todoroki rarely ever partook in such discussion, but he did entertain certain ideas. Now, he finds himself looking back on all the evident signs of Bakugou and Midoriya's evolving affections: passing glances in the hallways, hands that lingered for a bit too long, arguments that touted undercurrents of a different kind of passion.
All in all, this is a surprise that held no surprise whatsoever.
Todoroki nods towards Bakugou, who still appears to be contemplating Todoroki's demise. "Well, Bakugou, I guess I should wish you luck. You'll probably need it, especially with that temperament."
“Wha—I don’t need you to tell me that. Fuck off.”
The tips of Bakugou’s ears are mysteriously red as he hastily stalks out of the kitchen. Todoroki takes an inconspicuous sip from his tea mug, staring after him with mild curiosity.
Interesting.
The details of Midoriya's and Bakugou's pending date eventually reaches the class's grapevine lore, courtesy of Uraraka. In the minutes before the start of homeroom, all of Class 2A is abuzz with gossip.
"Deku-kun mentioned something about going to the local ice rink this weekend!" Uraraka whisper-shouts, practically singing.
Mina gasps aloud. "No way! So that's their date location?"
"This is crazy," Kaminari cuts in. "That's too romantic!"
Kirishima flings himself into the conversation with gusto. "It's true! I saw rental tickets in his pocket yesterday!"
"What!"
"It's true, I'm telling you!"
"Who knew Bakugou would choose such a place?"
"I vote we follow them."
"We're not going to follow them, Kami."
"This is so cute, I just can't—!"
"Could you just imagine—"
The door of the classroom suddenly swings open, colliding into the wall, the thunderous sound making the gossip cease.
In walks Bakugou, his trademark scowl on his face, with a red-faced Midoriya in tow. "What are you extras talking about?" he snarls. A chill passes over the classroom.
"N-Nothing."
"That's what I thought."
Not a moment later, Aizawa walks into the room, and the excitement fully deflates.
Todoroki, once again, has a run-in with Bakugou in the kitchen.
Is this going to become a regular thing? he wonders dryly, nursing another cup of green tea.
Bakugou slinks over to the fruit bowl on the counter, snatching up an apple and taking a vicious bite from it. Todoroki clears his throat.
Naturally, he is as fascinated by the recent turns of events as anyone else.
"So an ice rink? I never pegged you for the type."
"Don't talk to me, bastard."
"May I ask why you chose that?"
"Fuckin' hell," Bakugou grouses. "Why are you all so invested in our business?"
Todoroki allows a miniature smile. "Because it's entertaining."
"So we're some kind of freak show? Is that it?" Bakugou looks significantly ruffled. "None of you could ever understand!"
Todoroki could admit that he almost feels bad for prying. For the most part, Bakugou seems quite serious about getting together with Midoriya in a way that doesn't involve a fistfight (though that could also be just another aspect of their unique relationship).
He gives Bakugou an apologetic nod. "I'll stop asking you about it."
"Finally," Bakugou grunts.
"Kacchan?"
Both Bakugou and Todoroki turn their heads at the voice. Midoriya is standing at the kitchen entrance, a sheepish smile painted on his face. "Kacchan, I have the console set up, so are you all set to come up?"
"Yeah. Here," Bakugou grabs another apple from the bowl and tosses it towards Midoriya, who catches it with relative ease.
"Ah, thank you."
To Todoroki, the whole exchange is so jarring to see, and yet, it's so natural at the same time. It was kind of sweet to see them like this.
"Oh, hi there Todoroki-kun!" Midoriya sends him a little wave.
"Hey," Todoroki smiles back. He makes a subtle gesture towards Bakugou, who is already inching his way out of the kitchen. Midoriya makes a small, strangled noise and pulls a shaky thumbs-up, as if to say, we've got this!
Bakugou grabs Midoriya by the end of his sleeve and tugs him away.
The day before the infamous date, it's Bakugou who seeks out Todoroki first.
He's standing in the doorway of Todoroki's room, hands shoved deep into his pockets. Bakugou clicks his tongue in annoyance, but stares Todoroki dead in the eye. His eyebrows knit together, a strained expression overtaking his face, almost looking like he wants to bolt the moment Todoroki opens his mouth.
"Bakugou," Todoroki calmly greets. "Do you need something?"
At first, Bakugou shows signs of hesitation, but stands his ground. "Can you..."
Todoroki waits patiently, arms crossed.
Bakugou's tapered eyes gleam with a subdued determination.
"Can you...makeafuckin'icerinkformeandDeku."
Todoroki raises an eyebrow at the slurry of words.
Oh?
"Can you repeat that?" Todoroki slyly presses.
Bakugou stomps closer in frustration, simmering. "Make a fucking ice rink for me and Deku."
"That's something I can certainly fulfill, but I was under the impression that you and Midoriya were going to the local ice rink, so why—"
"The rink is closed," Bakugou snaps. "Four days tops, I just got the notification. Broken pipes or some shit." Bakugou heaves a sigh and scratches the back of his head. "So we can't go."
"That's a shame," Todoroki says sympathetically. "But can't you just do something else, then? Why do you want to do an ice rink date so badly?"
Bakugou looks off to the side. "Because it's important."
"Important?"
"I just—fuck. Fuck, maybe this is a bad idea after all—"
"Running away from this, are you?" Todoroki posits.
Bakugou slams his fist into the door frame. "Like hell I am! I'm not running away from anything!"
"But you look scared. Not that there's anything wrong with that."
Bakugou gapes at him in disbelief. "What...what could you possibly know?"
"I do know that this is a big step in the development of your relationship with Midoriya. From what I can already tell, you're scared of this falling through and that everything you've done to rebuild what you used to have will go back to ruin."
Bakugou scoffs, but doesn't seem too perturbed. "Are you a therapist now?"
"Nope," Todoroki intones. "Just observant."
It's strange seeing Bakugou like this. Wavering confidence is a new look on him.
Todoroki continues. "I'll make you the ice rink. There should be enough space in the yard. I'll tell everyone not to bother you guys."
"It's from when we were kids," Bakugou suddenly speaks.
Todoroki, confused, cocks his head to the side. "Excuse me?"
"Me and damn Deku," says Bakugou. "It was around this time of year at the local rink, when we were kids, I used to...used to leave him behind and skate ahead. I didn't care if he fell. But, now—"
"Now is your chance," Todoroki finishes. "To skate beside him instead."
Bakugou says nothing in response.
Todoroki regards him with a newfound understanding and shared determination. "I'll make you that ice rink."
(The next day is filled with a softness of heart, as Todoroki creates the ice rink for them with great care, leaving Midoriya in awe as soon as they lay eyes upon it. Before Todoroki retreats to his room to give them some privacy, he stops and looks back one last time at his classmates, whose hands are intertwined with the same impassioned strength they use to duel. Bakugou keeps his secret promise: as they move along the ice, not once does he dare to let go of his childhood friend, now his budding love.)
Later on in the evening, a small slip of paper forcefully rustles through the slot beneath the door of his bedroom. Todoroki takes notice, setting down his book and bending over to pick it up. In simple, neat script, the note reads:
Hey fucker.
Thanks.