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It was one of those common nights when one wasn't able to fall asleep even with the lights out, lying down under the plush covers, cozy from the cold night. It was relatively quiet as well as the dorm was asleep. The singing crickets from outside gardens served as a therapeutic ambiance to sleep through. However, Midoriya Izuku found himself in those tireless nights. His mind wasn't running on its engine too when he would overthink things and recall embarrassing moments that he thought were centuries forgotten. Instead his mind was as blank as a plain paper, he was thinking of nothing in particular.
Staring off in his slightly dark room where the night stars illuminated between the peaks of his curtains. He sighed. It was a rather tiring day of class, nothing they had done was practical but theory subjects were just as brain wrecking. The next day was a saturday, which meant there won't be any classes until monday so he was in no rush to sleep either. Thoughtlessly, he sat up and looked around his room. It was one of those reflexes that one has no idea what they are to do. Ah, yes. Boredom . Midoriya knew he was bored out of his mind. So he did the most reasonable thing to do.
Midoriya gently peeled the covers off as his bare feet touched the cool wooden flooring and shuffled them to his drawer by his desk where he kept his stash of snacks. That's right, Midoriya Izuku was going to snack his boredom away. It didn't take even five seconds for Midoriya to pick the bag of chips. The famous yellow and blue bag of chips with All Might's mighty signature smile, All Might honey butter chips. 'Taste the hero!' written on the package. Oh yeah, good stuff, now in Endeavor flavor. "Mm, they say it's ghost pepper flavor." Midoriya hummed in delight. He plopped his bottom right down on the flooring where he stood like a childish hooligan he was and made his attempt to tear the bag apart right in the middle. He huffed miserably. "Holy Might! Even the bag itself is mighty tight." Haha, nerd! was the voice of Bakugo in his head, there was some hilarity in it.
"Then here comes. Two percent!" With that said, he popped the bag of chips open and the savory flavor of butter and chilli filled his nose and he was close to sneezing in return but didn't. Curiously, he dug one out for a bite. After an experimental chew, he chirped at its flavor and began to delightfully devour the rest of it. One after one, he smiled so widely at every bit of it. "It's so good." He said between chews and chomp another one down.
Just as he was about to dig the very few pieces, there came an unexpected knock on his door and his hand came to a sudden halt in the bag. He blinked at the closed door.
Todoroki Shoto didn't know what to expect when Midoriya answered his door, maybe just a plain Midoriya in his baggy jammies and more than his usual ruffled curly hair, emerald green eyes probably dreaded with sleep. What he did not expect was a wide awake Midoriya whose eyes were wide as doe, shining back with confusion and innocence, outlines of his mouth dusted with what looked like orange and red, tiny specs of crumbs stuck on his indeed baggy jammies, in his hand was an opened bag of the famous All Might butter chips, and at the corner with a face of his hero father, Endeavor. He looked back at Midoriya, speechless as he was, he was glad Midoriya was the first to break their silence.
"Ah, Todoroki." Midoriya beamed, his smile was bright as always. For some odd reason, despite living under the same roof and being his friend and hung out often as well, it never ceased to amuse Todoroki how his heart can magically skip a beat at that very smile. Midoriya's gleeful smile turned confused as he looked left and right of the dark hallway. The rest of the rooms were closed too, it was quiet, meaning everyone else was asleep. Todoroki doesn't stay on the same floor as Midoriya, but then he remembered that Todoroki prefered to take the stairs. "What are you doing up here this late?" He asked and Todoroki only shrugged as he came to realise, he had no idea was he even up and about out of his room.
"I was just walking around the house." He replied nonchalantly and then to realise how stupid that sounded. Why was he doing something so stupid and creepy at such an hour? Despite his stoic front, he was internally face palming himself. The soft laugh of Midoriya snapped him out of his internal barrage of self-inflicted embarrassment. Incredible . Truly it was. How Midoriya's bundle of sunshine could bounce off here and there and make a delight out of everything, was indeed incredible. Todoroki was staring again, it wasn't something he wanted to turn away from if ever.
"You must be bored too, huh?"
Todoroki shifted his eyes away just as Midoriya looked back at him with those innocent doe eyes of his. "I guess so," he tried not to stutter as he replied unsurely. Midoriya laughed softly and Todoroki chuckled in his throat. It wasn't something he thought of often whenever his mind was just blank. "I guess that's what you do when you're bored, not a surprise there with your personality." Todoroki nodded, as something as small as that was like an answer from the universe to Todoroki. However his simple reply of a quiet "Oh" gave Midoriya a small panic which he needn't need to worry in the first place "No-not that it's a bad thing! I mean your personality, you're really cool is just that sometimes our body just goes on autopilot when our minds just slack off." Midoriya said quickly as to not cause any misunderstanding between the two friends.
Todoroki eyed the bag of chips in Midoriyaya's hands before replying "My guess is you eat when you're feeling bored?" With that Midoriya's nervous laughter stopped abruptly before he burst out an awkward laugh "I guess, now this is bad."
Todoroki laughed softly, unable to contain a smile himself. "I just heard a lot of crunching and sounds from your room while I was passing by. I thought I Should just check up on you. Sorry if I was disturbing you."
Midoriya scratched the back of his head with his clean hand "Ah-hah, not at all. Todoroki, I was just bored. I couldn't sleep." he said in embarrassment. "Want some? I might have overindulged myself, but there's some more left." Midoriya offered. Todoroki stared at the bag of chips. He hadn't had any of it, not even when he was little. Strange enough, it was only until high school and when he became friends with Midoriya, did he get a taste of the crispy famous butter chips, he liked it, he liked it a lot. He hadn't had a try on the newest Endeavor flavor though.
Kindly he smiled and shook his head "No, thanks, Midoriya."
Midoriya stared confusingly and realised that he was offering a flavor of Todoroki's father, how insensitive that might have been, quickly he apologised for the second time that night. "So-sorry! I didn't mean to. Umm, I do have the original flavor in my drawer if you want." Todoroki only blinked back at him. "What do you mean?"
"It's just, I know you might not want it because it's your— Endeavor's flavor. I know the still tension between you and him, it just slips my mind sometimes. Sorry, Todoroki." he said apologetically. Todoroki stared at him and he was surprised himself that it wasn't the reason at all as to why he rejected the offer, as though he had forgotten the pettiness he once had for his father. "Actually " Todoroki began, voice calm with no hint of resentment "I just can't eat spicy." Midoriya blinked up at him, Todoroki continued to explain. "I'm not that petty with hot food anymore. Your mom's pork cutlets were really good when it's steaming hot, and I still love soba. But my tongue can't seem to accept spicy flavor. And I heard that the Endeavor flavor is really spicy."
"Is that so?" Midoriya laughed. Incredible. It was as though his world was peaceful because of him. Todoroki only smiled gently. "Yeah." He took a step back "I'm going to my room now."
"Oh, OK." Midoriya beamed "Goodnight, Todoroki."
There was fondness in him and not that he could even control himself from returning the bright smile "Goodnight, Midoriya." He turned away towards his room and stopped just as Midoriya was close to shutting his door, he called out.
Todoroki turned back to Midoriya who was waiting for what he was going to say "Are you still hungry?"
It was strange. Todoroki had no idea why he even suggested it. Midnight boredom on autopilot, huh? That might be the answer . Midoriya was sitting at the high stool, elbows rested on the marbled kitchen counter. The rest of the house was dark and only the warm yellow light was turned on in the kitchen. Todoroki collected the raw ingredients from the kitchen shelves, along with a steel mixing bowl and a whisker. Midoriya watched Todoroki with childlike wonder as the ice and fire wielder began mixing ingredients and whisk away, adding other pinches of flavorings as well.
"Wow, you look so cool, almost like a professional. I wished I knew how to cook." Midoriyaya comments delightfully. Todoroki smiled, eyes remained onto the mixture in the bowl "I help my sister in the kitchen sometimes."
Midoriya let out a delighted sound of anticipation "I can't wait to taste your cooking!" Todoroki smiled at that. There goes the beat of his heart, it was a wonder he hadn't gotten into a cardiac arrest, his heart seems to be doing a lot of that lately, mainly whenever it involves Midoriya.
While the cheerful Midoriya hums to himself, Todoroki who was busy with the ingredients had his mind drifted. He was wide awake that night, he was not tired and his mind was not as blank as paper though, perhaps it was canvas like with colors of a shade of green which he found to be a very delightful and beautiful color. At first it didn't make quite sense as to why, and he didn't realise it either so he couldn't recall when these images of 'him' started to flounder in the back of his mind. It just happens from time to time, even when he was busy, even when he was just eating and it progressed to when he was about to sleep, that was when the image of him was the most prominent. Those freckles were like kisses from fairies and when he realised who he had been thinking of and felt himself smiling, his heart skipped at least twice. It was crazy, and he felt bad. Was it really bad to think of your friends? That was the problem. Midoriya wasn't his only friend and yet, he only thought of him.
"This Should do it." Todoroki said as he wrapped the dough in clear plastic and placed it in the fridge. "It'd be easier to knead and roll them once they're quite chilled"
"Wouldn't it be faster if you chilled them yourself?" Midoriya asked.
"That'll turn out too cold and it'd be harder to roll them." Todoroki wince and glared down at his hand which wields the ice "Not convenient for something so simple."
Midoriya laughed "The natural way always seems best with food, I guess."
Todoroki found himself smiling up at him. Does Midoriya do this on purpose to kill him? Or was he not even aware of it himself? "Maybe. It'll give me time to prep the other ingredients while the fridge does its thing."
Midoriya laughed again "Stop glaring at the fridge, Todoroki. It's just a machine." Todoroki clicked his tongue in spite which caused Midoriya to laugh some more.
Midoriya did offer to help with the other ingredients but Todoroki insisted that he did everything. The kitchen was silently calm with the sound of the knife gently meeting the wooden cutting board through every slice of ingredient. The echoes in the process of making food were cozy to his ears, it reminded him when he was just young and how he would run around in the kitchen and goes on about All Might and his recent heroics while his mother busied herself to make them dinner. He smiled to himself, it was calming and watching Todoroki quietly making food was just that. Although there was some difference to that calmness. The soft ambiance from the kitchen light, the one he watches, the feeling in his chest and stomach. It was romantically therapeutic. With that subconscious theory, his face went hot red and quickly buried his face in his hands.
Todoroki looked at him in mild confusion. "What's wrong?"
"It's the onions!" Midoriya felt like crying. His whole body was heated up. Lord, have mercy.
Todoroki looked down at the chopping board "There are no onions."
Midoriya squeaked in his maximum embarrassment level "I'm fine!"
About twenty minutes in, Todoroki took the chilled dough from the fridge and began rolling them with flour. After that he placed the flattened pasta dough into the dough extruder. It was nice of the school to equip their dorm with so much expensive equipment to make food. Midoriya watched with sparkling eyes as Todoroki rolled the dough to long thin shreds. "Oh, you're making noodles!"
Todoroki chuckled "Close. I'm making pasta." he smiled a little more when Midoriya awed in excitement.
As Todoroki busied himself onto the stove. The pasta was boiling just nicely while Todoroki prep for the sauce with the other ingredients. Fumes of fresh herbs and butter filled the cold air, it was so sweet and mouthwatering that Midoriya had to check his mouth in case he was drooling. After Todoroki had turned off the stove and transferred the cooked recipe into one white plate, he placed the dish onto the counter where Midoriya sat.
The long awaited anticipation had arrived and Midoriya was filled with joy. "Wow! This looks so good, smells good too!"
Todoroki smiled and brought over two forks. "Mind if we share?"
Without thinking Midoriya nodded and pushed the plate to the middle where Todoroki sat across from him. "Thank you, Todoroki. Let's eat!" Midoriya announced and the two shared the meal between them. Midoriya was making all sorts of delighted noises from its delicious taste, it made Todoroki smile. Midoriya was too indulged in the homemade meal to notice Todoroki staring up at him. Which was good because Todoroki was as stiff as a doll because he forgot how to actually breathe. Breathing was automatic no? So why was he not breathing? How did this happen? All Midoriya did was smile and now Todoroki was breathless?
From head to toe, Todoroki's heart hears him. His laughter filled his chest and it was twisting in his gut in result. How do Todoroki stop this? Why don't Midoriya stop?
Don't stop. Todoroki's mind echoed as his eyes stared at the boy in front of him. Your smile is so beautiful.
"You're quite a messy eater, Midoriya." Todoroki said gently. Midoriya only stared back at him whose heterochromatic eyes stared not to his eyes but the corner of his lips where a sauce had strayed. Quietly and unexpectedly, Todoroki reached a hand out and brushed the cream sauce out with his thumb.
The two comically froze at the same time. "I forgot we have napkins." Todoroki said first. There was some truth in it. Midoriya laughed and the two continued eating.
Blessed by the Heavens, Todoroki did not go into a cardiac arrest, and he found out that no, it was impossible to have coincidentally shared the same strand of pasta as shown in the legendary cartoon 'Lady and the Tramp' because it would just break off and neither would have noticed.
"Thank you, Todoroki. It was really delicious." Midoriya said with a satisfied hum. They were in front of Midoriya's room where Midoriya held the door open, smiling up at Todoroki.
"Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it."
Midoriya giggled "Goodnight, Todoroki. This time for real." The two laughed. Todoroki nodded "Yeah, goodnight." And they stayed where they stood, staring at one another, not even noticing that the other was staring back.
It was though his body moved on its own, on instinct, just naturally. Todoroki moved in on Midoriya, chin taken just gently between his fingers before his lips met tenderly with Midoriya's, surprisingly plush and warm. It was even a peck as he caught Midoriya's bottom lip between his own. Cream and herbs could be tasted. When he pulled away after the brief kiss, Midoriya sighed as though he had been exhumed. Both their eyes met in dazey cloud nine.
"Goodnight." Todoroki whispered as his fingers released the other. Midoriya hummed, smiling "Mm. Goodnight." He whispered back.
Todoroki turned away and Midoriya shut the door after. Just after three steps Todoroki dropped face flat onto the floor. Todoroki was snapped back into reality. Holy!
Might! Midoriya broke into emotional spasms on the floor, back pressed against the door, hands clasped on his mouth. Eyes wide in realisation: Todoroki kissed me!
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The following morning, the dorm was filled with noise of the class 1-A. The sun was up and bright, the air was fresh and the first weekend always felt good. The enthusiastic knock came to Midoriya's door followed by Iida's voice "Midoriya, are you awake? Get up and brush your teeth! Breakfast is almost ready, late birds get no worms!"
Midoriya yawned "Yea, I'll be down soon." After his reply, he could hear Iida's voice marching to the next room to awake the next sleepy head. Iida wasn't only a devoted class rep, but he was a caring one too.
After Midoriya had washed his face and brushed his teeth. He headed down to the kitchen where the noise of 1-A was chirpier. When Uraraka saw Midoriya she greeted him cheerfully "Good morning, Deku!" Midoriya smiled back "Good morning, everyone!"
The long dining table to fit all twenty of them were filled with plates and cups, drinks of a few varieties and large serving bowls and plates of food. The morning smelled fresh with cool air and good food. Bakugo and Yaoyorozu came out from the kitchen with two more servings of bacon and sausages. "Eat up and don't wait, we're almost ready." Yaoyorozu said she placed the plateful of sausages. The classmates take turns with daily chores and duties, on that morning it was Bakugo, Yaoyorozu and Uraraka's turn to prep breakfast.
"No!" Bakugo exclaimed "They hafta' wait!" Bakugo Shouted, almost slamming the bacon and threatened them with warning glares which looked more fatherly than they dared to admit. Kirishima was heard cheerily from the other end of the table "But I'm an exception right?"
"I filled your plate first for a reason!" Bakugo Shouted back, despite what sounded like a threat was more like forcing his affection with anger. Everyone else booed and called out on him "Bias Bakugo!" and the other yelled back for them to die and eat poison.
Midoriya pulled the chair beside Todoroki, laughing lightly at their common charade. "Morning, Midoriya." Todoroki smiled, he was the only few who was quiet from the noise. Midoriya smiled and greeted back.
It was a cheerful morning, everyone was chattering and bickering, all were freed from the stress and brain wrecking. Yaoyorozu helped the others to serve and pour drinks, like a mother hen, she was trying to make sure everyone had a fair share of good food. Uraraka was making sure everyone had what they needed, lastly Bakugo came out from the kitchen with the last dish while everyone was already seated. "Stuff your stomachs, like the hooligans you are. But they're really hot." He said gruffly and sat beside Kirishima. Kaminari giggled "Someone's really soft for telling us to eat poison."
Bakugo glared "We do have rat poison in case you need a dip for that sausages!" Despite the threat, the rest laughed to their heart's content. Causing Bakugo to twitch in his pulsing irritation. Iida was diligent in making sure everybody played nice "No. Stop. We do not have rat poison dipping and we certainly do not have rat poison!"
Ashido sighed "I was really hoping for something else, we have been eating sausages for days now!" She complained. "Ashido! We only have sausages in the morning! Do not complain in front of the ones who made you food!" Iida chided. Asui looked at Ashido "If you want, I can whip a quick pasta for you." At that, Todoroki's eyes bulged like the saucers in front of him and a bacon was caught suddenly in his throat. Midoriya accidentally bit off the piping hot sausage, his eyes were just as wide, and his face was increasing in temperature.
Todoroki coughed and wheezed hysterically, slapping the table while he was at it. While Midoriya fell off the chair, shrieked and cried "It's so hot!"
Everyone on the table stared at the two in both shock and concern. "I fucking told you it was hot, you amoeba head!" Bakugo yelled at him.
It was no dream. Todoroki and Midoriya remembered the pasta they shared and the kiss they shared. Neither dared to look at each other. The rest were oblivious to their midnight scandal.
The morning Autumn had indeed a nice breeze. The leaves were turning and it had painted nature in such warm and cozy colors. Midoriya sat on the porch and looked at the trees, the grass was still green but the colorful leaves were scattered on the ground, he chuckled when he saw a squirrel sprint by, scavenging for food for the approaching winter.
"Hey," Midoriya didn't flinch, but the soothing voice brought heat to his ears. He smiled and tried not to let it show. "Hey." Midoriya smiled and his eyes followed as Todoroki sat beside him.
"How's your tongue?" Todoroki asked and Midoriya chuckled "It's fine. Still stings." He laughed, although Todoroki found no humour in it with his concerned eyes staring back at him. He created a tiny ice cube from his chilled hand and handed it to Midoriya. "Here, this will help you feel better."
"Tha-thank you." Midoriya's eyes fluttered just shyly as he accepted the small uneven shape of the ice cube and popped it in his mouth. The two sat in comfortable silence. It was no oddness between them, not even a wordless tension. Surprisingly, at least it was not how Midoriya expected it to turn out. Neither said a word of the night before.
Midoriya was not oblivious to his feelings. He knew he admired Todoroki a little too much, and not in a heroic sense, nor even as a friend. He knew the feelings he harboured out of nowhere was romantic. He had been shy with girls and embarrassed with Uraraka especially, but as he interacted more and got to know himself a little further, he found himself to be crushing on Todoroki Shoto. Well, who could blame him? Todoroki was one of the hottest students, but Midoriya didn't see him only in that sense. Midoriya saw him more and the deeper he got to know him, the more he found himself to be falling a little more in-like than he Should be.
The comfortable silence between them was sliced by a stomping Bakugo "Move. I'm going on a date." he groaned irritably as he made his way between the two who were forced away from each other.
"Whoa, Kacchan, you look good." Midoriya said fondly to his now friend, who refused to admit that they are indeed, bestfriends. "Shut up. I know that." Bakugo replied rather proudly. Midoriya chuckled back. Kirishima and Bakugo's relationship was no secret, if anything it was something Bakugo rather flaunt about more often than he admits to.
While waiting for Kirishima, Midoriya and Bakugo were chatting over some training that Midoriya had recently suggested. While the two were discussing, Todoroki observed the way they address one another. Although Bakugo had been less spiteful with Midoriya, he was still aggressive, their friendship was something Todoroki admired. But there was something that sat him on edge, Midoriya and Bakugo had a language which only they spoke to each other, the informality was comfortable. Todoroki understood it was because they grew together, but it was not only that.
"Hey." Kirishima finally came out of the house. Grinning ever so brightly. He noticed Midoriya and smiled at him.
"Finally. Can we go now?" Bakugo grumbled, Kirishim laughed at this and nodded. "Yes, yes." He then turned to Midoriya "By the way, what's with Todoroki?" He asked. Midoriya looked up quizzically then he realised that Todoroki was no longer beside him. Strange, I never saw him getting up.
Before Midoriya could answer Kirishima was rambling over. "Maybe it's just me. He didn't look angry or anything but he just passed by me and he didn't even look up at me." Kirishima shrugged "He has this… aura . I don't know, he's so hard to read."
"Oi! Is it Icyhot day or me day?" Bakugo threw a tantrum, jealousy fumed with him. Midoriya and Kirishima laughed at this. Kirishima waved to him and approached Bakugo's side. "It's probably nothing. See ya, Midoriya." Midoriya nodded and waved back, he watched as the couple made their way together side by side.
Midoriya looked over his Shoulder and felt a certain unease within him. Todoroki may be a few words and expressions, but he was not one to disappear without saying anything.
Todoroki stared up to the ceiling as he laid on his back on his futon. The unease was still within him. He was uncertain what it truly was and deep down he felt bad for walking out on Midoriya and Bakugo like that. Knowing Midoriya, he might have gotten worried and wondered why Todoroki was acting strangely. Not that Todoroki was readable, Midoriya just knew how to read people. How was he to explain to Midoriya if he ever asked? Scratch that, he will ask. And Todoroki had been avoiding Midoriya since then solely for that reason.
"Kacchan" Midoriya's voice echoed in his mind. A name address informally that was not his. A tone used so fondly that was not directed to him.
"Todoroki" Midoriya's voice echoed in his mind. A name addressed so formally to him. Ah. That explains it. As though his mind had made up, he sat up and got up towards his door.
That night was just as silent and as peaceful as it was. Boredom took over him like a veil once more. Midoriya toyed with his phone with a mini game before putting it aside for a midnight snack. As he was browsing over his stash, a knock came over his door.
Midoriya was not sure what came over him, but he had a feeling of relief when he saw Todoroki. His ears heated to tip when he felt embarrassed once he realised that he had been hoping to see Todoroki for the night. "Hey." He smiled at him.
"I see you're snacking again." Todoroki said. Midoriya followed Todoroki's line of sight which brought his eyes to his opened drawer of snacking stash. In embarrassment he turned to Todoroki with an anxious laugh "I-I was about to." He admitted shamefully. Todoroki smiled invitingly. "Do you like Mabo Curry?"
It was the second night Midoriya and Todoroki spent in the kitchen. The same ambiance, just the two of them for company while everyone was asleep. Midoriya watched Todoroki fondly while he prepared the ingredients for the anticipated dish.
In their comfortable silence, Todoroki broke it with a question "Midoriya." Midoriya looked up, with eyes so innocent with great curiosity, it was no wonder that Todoroki couldn't tear his eyes away from him. But with the question in mind, his heart was in no great position to handle that. "We're friends, aren't we?"
Midoriya blinked quizzically and nodded "Of course we are." He paused and quietly he asked "W-why do you ask?"
Todoroki was silent for a moment before answering with another question. "Then why do we address each other so formally?"
Midoriya was surprised as he was speechless. Todoroki continued. "You call Bakugo, Kacchan . But that case aside, you two were only truly friends only recently. But we were already friends earlier." He then looked at Midoriya with a little determination and if Midoriya squinted enough, Todoroki's brows furrowed. "Why do I only get a Todoroki ?"
Midoriya then laughed. Todoroki was found to be frowning. "I'm not joking."
It was a mask to his flustered appearance. It was nothing to address your friends informally, however it gave a certain feeling when thinking of addressing Todoroki to his first name. Midoriya had to keep his head low in case his reddened face could be easily read.
"Shoto." Todoroki said "You know my name is Shoto. You can call me that too." It was an open invitation and Todoroki had always been straight with what he wanted, and in general at that. It had a lot to do with his dense socializing skills.
Midoriya felt his cheeks warming up. It would be a lie to say that he was not blossomed with internal excitement though. With little courage that he had to pull through he uttered out softly enough for Todoroki to hear "OK. Sho...Shochan"
Todoroki's heart might have momentarily stopped before beating again. With that heard, he turned to the stove. Eyes wide in surprise that he was even capable of feeling this sort of embarrassment.
Their midnight snack went quietly, after probably felt like eternal years of flustered silence between the boys. When Todoroki had finally served a plate of Mabo Curry with little rice on the side. Midoriya was bursting with excitement. They shared and ate, Todoroki found himself staring at Midoriya's bright smile once again. Just like that, their comfortable warmth washed over them like nothing in the world existed in the night.
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Morning came and the dormitory of 1-A was bursting to life again. While a selected three busied themselves in the kitchen the rest chatted and joked around the dining table. Midoriya was the first to notice Todoroki when he came in, he smiled widely before he could greet, Todoroki made it first, with a rare smile that was so soft, Bakugo might be able to gag explosions "Morning, Izuku."
Midoriya's breath hitched. The tone of his name being called like that made him want to swoon and pass out in all his glorious heart could happily die for. Most heads turned to Todoroki, never had he ever addressed anyone with their first name and smiling like that. Todoroki paid no mind to them as he slid to the seat beside Midoriya.
"Mo-morning, Shochan." Midoriya said rather softly with obvious shyness that Bakugo might actually throw up explosives. Nobody actually mentioned it though, they rubbed it off that just them being close as Todoroki was rather selective with whom he associates with and they do know the mutual respect Todoroki and Midoriya shared but something told Bakugo that Icyhot and the nerd have something else going on. "Not that I fucking care!" Bakugo retorted to his boyfriend one night when they were alone together and Kirishima only laughed that Bakugo actually had interest in his friend's love life.
The dormitory was quiet and so was Kirishima who had fallen asleep in the midst of their movie. Bakugo only shut the laptop sitting on his lap and sat up to put the laptop away on Kirishima's desk. The redhead was a deep sleeper, he wouldn't even budge if Bakugo blew up the entire house down. So he only gently carried Kirishima's head onto the pillow properly before tucking the blankets around him. Yeah, he was soft not that anybody would witness his natural affectionate habitat though.
When he got out of Kirishima's room and softly closed the door after himself, two soft laughter could be heard somewhere from down the hall. It was very late and he was sure that everyone was asleep at this hour. Bakugo was not one to stick his nose up in other people's businesses and his room was only next to Kirishima, but he was curious.
Bakugo made his way across the hall and down the steps, on the way to the first floor he stopped when he recognised Midoriya's soft laughter followed by Todoroki? Bakugo has never heard Todoroki laugh like that. After he had discovered who had been out at such an ungodly hour, he was not about to stomach the presence of Midoriya and Todoroki in the kitchen sounding all chummy and mushy. That explains the sudden formality between Todoroki and Midoriya. And he had his suspects but that discussion was kept between him and his partner.
Quietly, Bakugo headed back up the steps and into his room. Neither of the boys in the kitchen were aware of any lurking shadows as their eyes fixated on each other. The world was asleep.
"Goodnight, Izuku." Todoroki said and Midoriya yawned, smiling up to his friend as he turned the knob of his door. "Goodnight, Shochan." Midoriya said softly. The way Midoriya said his name was so natural and full of warmth.
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“Cherries?” Midoriya peaked his head over Todoroki’s shoulder. Todoroki began to saute the sliced cherries into the heated pan, without looking away he replied “Mm-hm. It’s a school night, I thought we’d rather have something fruity. Cherries are nice to have before bed.” Midoriya oh’ed and nodded.
The dish for the third night was rather small and quite pricey because Todoroki had lightly pan fried a salmon filet which he so professional hid it somewhere behind the freezer so no one would try to chomp it down. Midoriya learnt a new thing about his crush friend, is that Todoroki liked to keep his favorite food to himself but he was generous if it regards his friends. Midoriya was hesitant at first to eat their midnight dish, but Todoroki insisted.
They shared a filet of salmon with caramelised cherry. Sweet and savory fish was indeed the best dish to have before bed. After the boys bid their goodnights and went to their respective rooms, Midoriya found himself staring up at the ceiling.
The cherry taste still lingered in his mouth and when he licked his lips, they were moist and the cherry flavor stuck like candy. He wondered then how it would have tasted like if he and Todoroki had shared another kiss. Soon, his face heated up, red to the tip of his ears, hot to his neck. In embarrassment he ended up screaming into his pillow, mumbling incoherently about kissing a friend.
Aoyama woke up with a shock, wondering what sorts of weird dreams Midoriya have at night?
Todoroki did not fare any better himself. Barely just five minutes into his slumber, he woke up with a flustered swell in his chest; a dream of a far away land, whom he as a Prince, traveled long to reach the highest of tower and captured the lips of another sleeping Prince. As a result of his awakening, he accidentally set his pillow on fire. Furious pink dusted his cheeks.
☆○●☆●○☆
“Todoroki” Todoroki , who had his head hung low, looked up to Iida. The class rep of 1-A had a look of concern. Everyone just began to pour into the class “Are you alright? Are you in pain?” he asked and Uraraka stood beside Iida and observed Todoroki. His expression was unchanging but his body language was different, albeit not as obvious.
“You’re right Iida. Are you feeling OK?” Uraraka asked concernedly. Todoroki gave a weak smile.
“Yea.” he rubbed the back of his neck “Just got up the wrong side of the bed.” he reasoned, which was half a lie, he did sleep without a pillow after his short circuit dream. When Midoriya joined Uraraka and Iida’s side, Todoroki had to touch the left side of his face to assure that he was lighting himself aflame.
“Shochan, what’s the matter?” Midoriya asked before Todoroki could explain, Iida jumped in for the answer, already suggesting that they take Todoroki to a chiropractor if Recovery Girl was too busy. Todoroki appreciated Iida’s kind consideration, because he would most probably set the school on fire remembering the dream he had the night before.
It was as though Midoriya was expecting as he sat up on his bed, casually scrolling through some articles on his phone to pass the time. It was late, very late and he should be sleeping but he wasn’t. When he heard the knock on his door, he grinned and hopped off the bed to the door.
Zaru Soba. Also known as Todoroki’s soulmate. The night was chilly than it was days prior, a good indication that a warmer set of clothing would be needed soon, and Midoriya wasn’t going to complain about having a cold dish on a cold night like this. With the fact that Todoroki was to prepare the dish of life was not something Midoriya was going to pass.
“Not only did I love eating it, but I loved watching my mother making it for me.” Todoroki said as he strained the soba noodles. There was something different coming off from Todoroki that Midoriya noticed: The way he talked about his past, reminiscing the sweetest of times he had after the bad. He was calm and warm, his voice was soothing to listen to.
After all was done, Todoroki placed the dish of cold soba and its chilly dip in a seperate cup filled with tiny chopped condiments. This time, they were sharing the noodles but with seperate dipping cups. Todoroki had a smile, it was barely there but Midoriya saw it. “I’ve never shared this to anyone before.” Todoroki said and Midoriya knew exactly what he meant.
At least he hoped so.
Midoriya was one to start phasing his mind into an overdrive about what people actually thought of him, it was an immunity. Thanks a lot, Kacchan . Romance was not something that Midoriya pondered about, he was aware of his special feelings for Todoroki Shoto, yes. Not that he actually planned to do anything about it. Well, what am I going to do about it? Midoriya’s mind rang like those wind chimes. As much as it was so soothing, it also lit up something in him. A temptation. Midoriya buried his face in his hands.
Midoriya had given into his deep harboured feelings for Todoroki.
Past two thirty, and Todoroki was wide awake still. In his dark room only the light from his laptop glowed at his face. Todoroki was not exactly one to indulge in late night movies, he would rather read a book than stare at a screen for hours and especially not romance (Honestly, he’d actually rather sleep than doing anything). ‘Lady and the Tramp’ was his first, it was a classic animation but it wasn’t something exactly in a realistic premise. It didn’t even cross Todoroki’s mind to why he was suddenly watching ‘The Pride and the Prejudice’ all of a sudden. He had read the classic pages some years before.
However, watching it on screen, with the emotions cast by the characters. 'I love you most ardently' the male lead on the screen confessed. Todoroki suddenly had this urge to slumber for a dream that was similar to the one he had of Midoriya Izuku. Romance had never looked so good.
☆○●☆●○☆
Todoroki went through the night, and another night, and another night. In his mind had only been filled with Midoriya Izuku and none other, everything else seemed to be a blur. He could not drive them off and to say the least, he would really rather not. It was a pleasant thing in the back of his mind, and as the night came and the city was quiet. His mind wandered off to Midoriya, then he would get up and go two floors down to Midoriya’s room and invite him for a midnight dish.
Midoriya was found wide awake in all those nights, from days turned to weeks and a month on and winter was already approaching. Midoriya had been so delighted with all those midnight invites. Midnight boredom was what drove them these nightly innocent scandals. Then when morning came, neither talk about the night. Neither acted as though they had kissed on the first night, neither had hinted their desire for something more. Then when night came, both were joyous, laughter filled around him in the warm lighting of the kitchen and long chatter over their shared meal and last sweet goodnight.
This was supposed to mean something. Was it not? Todoroki had pondered. He had been open and bare while the world was asleep and only the two boys were up in a world of their own. Telling one another of things that no else knows. It surely was not something they had done with anyone. As though it was all reserved for themselves.
Two quiet knocks were heard and Todoroki was still for a moment before he hesitantly opened the door. To his surprise, it was Midoriya standing at the doorway in the dark hall. The greenhead wore a dark turtleneck and baggy jammies with two fluffy socks. The Autumn night had gotten much colder.
“Izuku” Todoroki blinked at him. Midoriya smiled sheepishly, scratching at the back of his green curls. “Shochan, was I disturbing you?”
“Not at all.” Todoroki breathed out “I was actually thinking of going to your room soon.” he said a little thoughtlessly, and the straightforwardness made Midoriya grin wider, having no time to hide his flustered face. It was not something that should be surprising, considering that they had been hanging out late every night. That’s right. “Every single, fucking night!” Bakugo had once said to Kirishima while the couple was alone “You counted?” the redhead was taken by surprise “I was not stalking them! They just existed in the kitchen!” Bakugo shouted in defense.
It was however, the first time that Midoriya took the first approach to their nightly date.
Date? Midoriya bit his inner cheeks.
“I was thinking, r’you up for some desserts?” Midoriya beamed.
“Isn’t it cold for that, Izuku?” Todoroki asked as it was his time to sit on a high stool by the kitchen counter while Midoriya dug into the fridge. Midoriya swirled around “Would it be too cold for you?” he asked worriedly and Todoroki shook his head “No. Doesn’t affect me. But you, wouldn’t you catch a cold?”
Midoriya laughed it off and turned back to the large refrigerator and collected a packet of frozen berries “Nope, I rarely get sick, I have good immunity, thanks to my mom.” he said cheerily.
“But you break a lot of bones.” Todoroki retorted, when Midoriya looked at him, he laughed unsurely “I can’t tell if you’re joking or you’re being serious. That hurts.”
Todoroki took Midoriya’s words literally that his face looked guilty. “So-sorry” Midoriya laughed over him, a smile so bright up to his eyes and his freckled cheeks seemed to blossom like starlights. “Nothing a good dessert can fix.”
Todoroki’s expression soften to that effect. Midoriya was right, nothing a cold dessert can’t fix. His mother and sister had treated him ice cream to make him happy again, it always worked.
“What are you making?” Todoroki asked, finding some humour in it that now he was the one to ask and watch Midoriya do the thing in the kitchen.
“Parfait.” Midoriya chirped “My style!”
One large mug filled with layers of frozen berries, ice cream, jelly pudding, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream. “Lots of whip cream!” Midoriya sprayed the can of cream with such delight, he almost looked like an evil child on an evil deed.
The two shared the large dessert. Despite the chill of the season, having a sweet and frozen dessert was something else. It gave off a different kind of cooling effect, almost comforting. Todoroki may be the wielder of ice, but he was no immune to the coldness that stiffen his tongue and inner cheeks, although not as frozen as Midoriya was whose nose was already red. The two laughed.
“I can’t… feel my tongue.” Midoriya laughed, unsure if his tongue even rolled the words as it was supposed to, he couldn’t tell, it was stiffen “But I can’t stop eating.” Todoroki laughed along.
“Shame.” Todoroki said with much fluency. “With my Quirk, I’m able to regulate back my taste buds.” Todoroki teased.
“That’s not fair.” Midoriya cried, laughing hard after another mouthful.
“Let me,” unexpectedly, Todoroki brought his hand up to the side of Midoriya’s face. Cupping his cheek gently, Midoriya was stiffed by the intimate contact. It was not just the close proximity that they have that they were sitting side by side to share the dessert, it was that soft gaze Todoroki had while as his left hand that was warm, he could feel the steady increase of temperature on the side of his face. Todoroki wasn’t setting him on fire, but boy was he being set on fire.
Heterochromatic eyes shifted directly to meet green tender eyes. So soft and warm. Like an enigmatic pull, the boys closed in their proximity. Warm hand still on soft cheek, eyes fluttered in unison until the tip of their nose brushed just featherly against each other, their breath both hot and cold. Sweet scent from their dessert. When their lips brushed, neither pulled away, lips so soft, plush and cold at the same time met in a quiet kiss.
The cold and warm tenderness filled all the way to their chest, as though it was a song that they had been longing for. Once they pulled, foreheads touching, nose still in contact, lips just barely touching, Todoroki whispered “Izuku”
Both boys were in daze, cloudnine swarmed their heads and all Midoriya managed to do was hum in response. “I like you.” Todoroki breathed out without a hitched. Midoriya broke into a wide grin, face flushed, red to the ears and his freckles were like fireworks at this point but he didn’t stop there either “I like you too” he chuckled “A little too much.”
☆○●☆●○☆
When Saturday morning rolled in, neither had said a word the night before.
“I’m bored.” Uraraka sighed as he lay stretched on the sofa. “Ochaco, let’s go out?” Asui suggested and the bubbly girl bounced up with a cheer “I’ll go get ready.” she said as she sprinted up to the girl’s dormitory wing.
“Bored, huh.” Todoroki said to himself. He watched Kirishima and Bakugo on their sofa by one of the windows which they had already claimed exclusively for themselves and the class knew it as their spot and anyone who goes there gets blown up to bits. Bakugo takes his territory seriously, he must have liked the sun so much. Bakugo’s back rested against the armrest while Kirishima laid on the floor with his legs tangled with Bakugo’s on the sofa, playing with his switch.
Everyone else was onto their own business, some were going up to their rooms, and very few were lounging in the living room watching T.V. Midoriya was nowhere to be seen and something in Todoroki’s chest was tugging at him.
Todoroki knocked on Midoriya’s door. There was no answer and it was extremely silent on the other side, so he went back down and searched the kitchen and living room. When Midoriya was nowhere to be found inside, he went outside.
When Todoroki found Midoriya, he was at the back in the gardens under the tree surrounded by multicolored fallen leaves. When Midoriya met eyes with him, Midoriya waved to him, face dusting with pink but Todoroki waved it off as a sign of approaching winter.
“Izuku.” Todoroki called. When they stood face to face, they only stared at each other. Todoroki with a serious look and Midoriya, who was trying not to shift his eyes all over the damn place. Neither spoke about the night before, and the night before that and before that, not even a sign of its existence. Except that they have already established a first name basis but even that did not seem like an imprint.. However this time, it was as though the night they had was only a second ago.
“About last night,” Todoroki began and Midoriya swallowed, nerves were not his forte.
“You weren't lying about what you said, were you?” Todoroki asked and made Midoriya look up to him on an instant with eyes so genuine, also he was burning with bright passion, he might actually have a fire Quick that way. “No” Midoriya said with no hesitation.
“Of course not.” Midoriya said softly after, eyes shifting away. His fingers fidget together and his heart was thumping so loud, he was sure Jirou might even have heard it.
“Ah, I-I’m… I’m not sure what to say, I mean, I like you, I like all my friends, I like everyone, and I think everyone is so cool but the way I like you is totally different. You’re so much cooler and-and I like looking at you, a little too much,” Midoriya laughed “I think I might have even stare more than I’d normally would with anyone, and everytime I look at you, you give me this strange feeling. I guess I kinda like it, and I like being around you, I like being with you—”
“Izuku, I have struggled in vain and can bear it no longer. These past nights have been torment, I woke up every night to you and made you food because I just had to see you, even if we spent time everyday together in school but it just wasn’t the same as the nights we had. We might have been bored but what I have said to you what we have shared was no mere boredom, Izuku. So please, end my agony. I like you most ardently, would you do me the honor of accepting my hand?” Todoroki confessed and held an offering hand out. There was a certain squench to his face and Midoriya was not sure what to make of it. Was Todoroki… Nervous?
“See I told you!” it was Bakugo’s voice, yapping from the top of his lungs. There stood Bakugo and Kirishima just outside from the dormitory. “I told you he would do that!” Bakugo shouted some more, a little more proudly as though he had won a trophy, he was never even excited for his win on the UA Sports and yet there he was, full of pride. “You have been watching Pride and the Prejudice haven’t cha’? Hah? Icyhot?” Bakugo cackled while Kirishima was trying to tame his boyfriend but he was no man to tame when he got excited “Haha! You dense motherfucker!”
“Hold up, does that mean Bakugo also watches Pride and the Prejudice?”
Bakugo yelled back behind him at the one in the house “Shut up dunce face! It’s a good movie!”
A soft chuckle and warm contact to his outstretched hand brought Todoroki’s attention back to Midoriya, he was smiling up so brightly at him as he squeezed Todoroki’s hand. “Let’s spend more time together, Shochan?” Midoriya replied and that brought a smile to Todoroki’s face, then his face fell into confusion.
“Does this also mean we’re boyfriends now?”
Midoriya gave a sheepish smile “That’s… that’s why you’re confessing. Right?”
“Right.”
☆○●☆●○☆