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The small town of Jefferson was bustling this time of day. Those who worked nine-to-five were getting lunch and rushing down the sidewalk back to their jobs. Others were picking up their young children from daycare, or having a meal with longtime friends. There were even some teenagers who were obviously skipping classes and roaming the town in search of something to do that would be far more interesting than classwork.
Todoroki Shouto sits on a bench outside his favorite book store, reading a story that had just come in that morning. The clerk recognized Shouto, and offered him to try it out for free. Incredibly thankful, Todoroki took the book and his cup of coffee and decided to read outside since the day was so beautiful.
Shouto sighs in content and returns to the words on the page, scanning for the spot he left off. Just as he finds it, the presence of another body sits beside him. A flowery scent wafts through the air, and Todoroki peeks out of the corner of his eye to study the person beside him. He’s pleasantly surprised to find a green-haired male, with a wide wobbly grin and freckles covering his cheeks. He’s looking at his lap and Shouto follows that line of vision to see what he may be looking at.
Todoroki holds in a short gasp as he notices the same book he was reading, open on this stranger’s lap.
As if he could feel eyes on him, the newcomer looks up at his bench buddy, finding the handsome man staring at the book he recently purchased. Shouto looks up at that moment, and the two make eye contact. Todoroki can’t hold his breath this time, as he stares into vibrant green eyes that hold a sparkle in the corner.
They’re silent for a couple moments, just staring at each other. The trance is finally broken when a group of young teenagers walk by, talking obnoxiously loud. The stranger jumps at their voices, causing Shouto to flush and look away. But then, the other male speaks up.
“Love in Spring Rain?” Shouto jumps slightly at the velvet voice to his left. He looks up at the stranger, then down at his book, then back up again, before silently nodding. A bright smile etches across the other’s face, and Todoroki finds himself falling in love with that expression alone. “Me too!” He holds up the book in his lap, showing the familiar cover.
Shouto smiles shyly and nods, before returning to his book, though he can’t focus on the words in front of him.
“My name is Izuku,” The stranger’s voice reaches Shouto’s ears again, and he looks up to find a hand stretched out to shake. Hesitantly, Todoroki reaches out his own hand and grasps the other. So warm.
“Shouto,” His voice comes out rough, this being the first time he’s spoken all day. The man, Izuku , grins so wide his eyes scrunch close. Both hands drop to their laps.
“It’s nice to meet you, Shouto!” Izuku looks back down at his book, using his right index finger to scan the pages, looking for the spot he left off on, before letting out a nearly silent “ahh” and continues reading.
But Shouto doesn’t want to stop talking to the attractive man.
“Um,” He starts. Izuku jerks, not expecting the other to speak up. “Oh, sorry.” Shouto flushes, embarrassed for scaring the other.
“Haha, it’s okay!” Izuku beams. “What’s up?”
“I just, uh, wanted to ask what you thought of the book so far?” Shouto gnaws at his bottom lip, fingers twitching in anticipation. Jeez, I haven’t felt this nervous in years.
“Oh!” Izuku picks up the book, holding it in front of his face. “I’m enjoying it quite a bit! The descriptions of the weather are amazing. And the characters are easy to relate to, but also their own person, ya know? And the plotline is really good, even if it is a bit cheesy, haha. This author really knows what they’re doing, I wonder if they have more books…” Izuku trails off, looking over at Shouto again. “I-I’m so sorry, I ramble sometimes.” Izuku blushes, rubbing a hand at the back of his neck.
“No, no,” Shouto assures him. “It’s okay, I kind of like hearing you talk,” Todoroki’s eyes widen in surprise at his own words. Izuku giggles anxiously.
“Really?” He asks, and Shouto only nods, afraid of what else he may spew without his own consent. “Well, what do you think?”
The two go back and forth for another hour, books forgotten, as they talk about different novels and authors. They seem to inch closer to each other as their bodies turn inward. At one point, Izuku gets so excited about a story he recently read, his whole body bounces in excitement, and his knee lifts to rest on the bench, where Shouto’s already was. Their legs touch, and Shouto has to focus really hard on Izuku’s words, and ignore the warmth radiating off the other.
Just as Shouto is working up the courage to ask for Izuku’s number, he feels a raindrop hit his nose. He blinks wildily, and Izuku giggles, but abruptly stops when he feels the same wetness. In sync, the two look up just in time for several drops to fall. Shouto gasps, while Izuku squeals, and the two quickly close their books and stand, searching around for cover.
The green-haired man is the first to notice a small awning in front of a cafe, and grabs Todoroki’s hand. “C’mon, over here.” Shouto doesn’t have time to blush before he’s pulled towards the shelter. Izuku chuckles loudly, shaking his hair free of water, promptly hitting Shouto in the face, wetting it even more.
Todoroki sputters and squeezes his eyes shut, then hears Izuku gasp. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” His laughs still haven’t subsided as Izuku reaches out to wipe the splashes from under Shouto’s eyes.
The shy man sucks in a harsh breathe when he opens his eyes, finding Izuku incredibly close, face cradled in soft palms. Green eyes widen in shock, scanning all over Todoroki’s face. And although they are the same height, Shouto feels small under the intense gaze, face heating up furiously.
“You, uh,” Izuku starts, flitting between Shouto’s eyes. “You have really nice eyes,” A red tint graces Izuku’s face, and it’s the first time today Todoroki has seen the man even remotely flustered.
“Th-Thanks,” Todoroki stutters. “But I mean, they’re k-kinda weird. Ya know, being two different colors and all, heh.” Shouto laughs nervously, trying to look down, but finding it difficult because of Izuku’s hold.
“I don’t think they’re weird,” Izuku mumbles, and Shouto looks back with honest surprise. “I think they’re incredibly beautiful and unique.” Izuku’s face flushes even more, but he doesn’t stop. “It’s like there are two distinctly different parts of you, and your eyes tell it’s story. And although I don’t know what those stories are, I want to find out.” Izuku’s green eyes pour deeply into Shouto’s heterochromic ones, before widening in realization. “I-I’m -” Izuku starts apologizing.
“That’s really sweet,” Shouto interrupts. “No one’s ever spoken to me like that, let alone describe my eyes to me.” He gives a shy smile, which Izuku returns. It’s silent for a moment before Shouto speaks again. “You really do ramble unknowingly, don’t you?” Izuku chuckles, dropping his hands from Todoroki’s face, who struggles to hold back a pout.
“Yeah, I’ve always had issues with it. No filter, I guess.” Izuku runs a hand through wet, green curls.
“I don’t mind that,” Shouto says before thinking, which he seems to be doing a lot of today. Izuku laughs.
“Well, that’s good I guess.” His flush has decreased, but it’s still there, and Todoroki can’t help but love the way Izuku’s freckles look across red cheeks. “Maybe I could take you out? Ya know, to keep rambling about nonsense?” Shouto blinks twice, letting those words sink in. Apparently, he waits a moment too long, because Izuku starts mumbling again. “O-Or not, we don’t have to. I-I know I can get pretty annoying. I just keep talking to fill a void I guess, and I don’t really know how to stop, haha. So, we definitely don’t have to, I don’t want to steer you away or anyth-”
“I’d love to.” Shouto interrupts Izuku’s crisis with a grin. The greenette looks up surprised, hand frozen behind his neck. “I’d love to go out with you.” His smile stays wide, though the blush from his cheeks flow down his neck. Izuku beams brightly.
“Perfect,” Izuku whispers.
The rain continues to fall around them, pit pattering against the concrete. They don’t really notice as their eyes meet and everything around them fades away. Books gripped tightly in nervous hands, they can’t help but think the novel is telling their story before they even knew it, for their love blooms from spring rain.