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Midoriya Izuku was weak.
Midoriya laid on the couch, sprawled across his friends. He didn’t start out this way but, at some point, he ended up with his legs in Uraraka’s lap and his head in Todoroki’s. He did honestly watch the movie, though his eyes would fall shut or his focus would waiver whenever a warm hand would card through his hair, fingers soothingly pressing into his scalp or twirling around the curly green hair. Midoriya felt a slight squeeze on his leg after one particularly blissful moment of Todoroki scratching his scalp, fingers going up a few degrees. Uraraka shot Midoriya a knowing look before looking thoroughly unimpressed.
So he was weak and perhaps continued to dance around his feelings for the dual quirk user. So maybe he let moments like these continue without a confession.
“I think I’m going to go to bed, sorry guys- ribbit.” Tsuyu stood, which finally pulled Uraraka’s judgmental gaze away from Midoriya. He relaxed just a bit. Uraraka lifted Midoriya’s feet as she stood before setting them back down.
“I’ll come with you,” Uraraka said cheerily. Tsuyu smiled and offered out her hand for Uraraka to take. “Night guys! Don’t stay up too late.” Uraraka shot Midoriya one more pointed look before heading off to the stairs with Tsuyu in tow.
Todoroki looked away from the screen to wish them both a good night. His gaze finally landed down at Midoriya rather than the movie that was still playing. They weren’t the only ones downstairs in the common room, but everyone else was busy with their own things at this later hour. It was the weekend after all. Todoroki typically would have been one of the firsts to head to bed, but over the past year or so he had made quite a few exceptions to stay up with his friends.
“Are you going to bed too, Shouto?” Midoriya asked, not bothering to sit up yet. He’ll take what he can get and it’s not like Todoroki ever seems to mind.
“Maybe.. I think I’ll stay up a bit longer with you though,” he said after a moment of thought. Midoriya shot him a wide grin which got a soft smile from Todoroki in return.
“Are we still going out tomorrow?” Midoirya asked. His eyes fell shut once again as Todoroki returned to playing with his hair and scratching his scalp. Per usual, Midoirya ignored the little Uraraka in the back of his mind that reminded him that they’re basically dating at this point so just ask him out officially already.
“Yeah, also Fuyumi and my mom wanted me to ask you if you wanted to come have dinner with us on Sunday.” Midoriya hummed a bit with a slight nod.
“Of course, I’d love to,” he said happily.
Yeah, totally a friend thing to have dinner with each other’s family and go out to cat cafes alone together. Definitely not a boyfriend thing.
“Good,” Todoroki said softly and fell silent as Midoriya assumed he returned to watching the movie.
The two of them remained like that for a while until Midoriya let out a yawn, attempting to stifle it some but failing. He blinked blearily up at Todoroki who was looking down at him once again.
“Tired?” Midoirya hummed and rubbed his eyes.
“I’m surprised you weren’t the first to yawn… I think I’m going to go to bed.” Despite his words, Midoriya made no move to sit up and do just that.
“I’ll walk with you,” Todoroki said, warm hand carding through Midoirya’s hair one last time. It was unnecessary for Todoroki to see Midoriya to bed but.. It was just one of those things they did.
It took Midoirya a moment but he did sit up, hair even more of a mess than usual no thanks to Todoroki. A soft snort came from the culprit and Midoriya ignored him in favor of standing up to stretch. If Todorok’s gaze flickered down to the exposed strip of skin as Midoriya’s shirt rose up, Midoriya was none the wiser. Todoroki got up a moment later and turned off the TV. They both moved in silence, walking to the stairs and then up to Midoriya’s floor. Their shoulders bumped and hands brushed as they went but neither pulled away when this happened. Finally, they reached Midoriya’s door. He opened it but remained in the doorway. Todoroki folded his arms and leaned against the door frame.
“I’ll meet you outside after breakfast?” Todoroki asked as if the plans hadn’t already been settled.
“Yeah. Are you going for a run too?” Todoroki glanced up in thought before nodding.
“I’ll come, yeah.” They both fell silent for a moment. Midoriya covered another yawn and gave Todoroki a sleepy smile.
“Alright.. Well I guess I’ll see you in the morning.” Todoroki nodded and offered him a small smile as he pushed away from the doorway.
“Sleep well, Izuku.”
“You too, Shouto.”
Ochako: you two make me sick. just kiss him already. >:\
The next morning after their run, breakfast, and a shower, Midoriya waited for Todoroki outside. He had just stepped out and adjusted the hat on his head before slipping on his gloves. Winter was already very much settling in. He could feel the sting in his lung that morning and the numbness of his limbs once he was done running. The soft winter clothes were a warm (hah) welcome today. He wasn’t waiting long out in the cold thankfully as Todoroki stepped out. He was dressed down compared to Midoriya and it was clearly due to his quirk. Lucky. Todoroki came up and bumped shoulders before they set off.
“You know, it’s unfair you have such a convenient quirk,” Midoirya whined though it was all in good fun. Todoroki smirked a bit.
“Yeah, and you like to use me as your personal heater and cooler,” he teased which caused Midoriya to huff. He was already drawing closer to Todoroki’s left side which was radiating heat.
“You don’t complain.” Todoroki shrugged and offered out his arm. Midoriya flushed a bit (totally due to the cold) and snaked his arm through Todoroki’s.
They chatted idly for a bit as they walked, Midoriya clinging to Todoroki’s arm all the while. The heat that came through their jackets was nice, but didn’t do enough to keep the cold completely at bay. By the time they reached the train station, Midoriya was half tempted to take off his gloves and take hold of Todoroki’s to warm up his cold fingers. He in fact did NOT do that though. He had some decency even if they were very touchy and clingy friends. When they got on the train, they remained close even with Midoriya having let go of Todoroki’s arm.
“So, I was going to ask if I should go get your mom something like flowers while we’re out today to bring her tomorrow, but,” Midoriya paused to chuckle a bit, “I think she can easily get flowers if she wants.”
It was true. After the divorce and Endeavor’s conviction, Rei moved with her children and began work at a flower shop. It wasn’t long before the elderly woman who ran the shop passed the ownership over to Rei to retire as she lived with her son and his family and saw Rei fit to run the place. Shouto still came to work in the shop on breaks and some weekends or at least help with bigger orders or new shipments. While Natsuo was off at college and Fuyumi became a teacher, Touya was the only one to remain at the shop working full time with their mother.
Todoroki shrugged a bit. “I guess, yeah. Honestly though you don’t have to bring anything, Izuku.” Midoriya frowned a bit.
“I guess… Next time though I’ll have my mom help me make some food to bring.”
“Alright fine…”
The conversation shifted to other topics as they rode the train and, once they reached their destination, Midoirya grabbed Todoroki’s hand to pull him out of the crowded space. They spent some time at their first stop, the mall, browsing and picking up different items they needed. Midoriya tried more times than once to get a gift for Todorki’s mom only for the other to shoot him a look. They left with a few bags of items which varied between necessities to little splurges like the hero merch Midoriya had gushed over and bought without a second thought or the hero mangas tucked away in Todorki’s bag. They once again boarded the train and headed off a bit further in the city to the cafe they’d have lunch at.
Midoriya set his bags aside as they settled down in the cat cafe. He took off his hat and gloves and stripped off his coat, letting out a happy sigh at the warmth of the cafe. Todoroki neatly folded his own jacket and set it on top of his bags. A few cats were already approaching them curiously. Cats seemed to love Todoroki, and while Midoriya loved cats he tended to be used as a springboard.
It wasn’t long as they looked over the menus for a fat tabby to approach Todoroki. He smiled softly and scratched behind its ears. Midoriya grinned, cheeks warming up (because it’s warm in here duh) as he watched the interaction. The tabby bumped its head into Todoroki’s warm left hand before rubbing against his side. Midoriya already had countless photos of Todoroki with cats but damn it if he didn’t itch to take more.
“See, even the cats like your warm side,” Midoriya said and offered out a hand to be sniffed as the tabby came over towards him. It happily headbutted Midoriya’s hand as well.
“Yeah, I guess they do,” Todoroki said with a hum. Another cat was already approaching, drawn to the warmth and curious about the new patrons.
They ordered and continued to just enjoy their time there, petting cats and idly chatting. Midoriya bit his lip as he watched Todoroki pet the cat that had cuddled up to him. He couldn’t help himself as he pulled out his phone to take a picture. He was about to snap another when Todoroki looked over to him. A small smile graced his lips and Midoriya’s heart jumped as he quickly captured the moment. The smile didn’t leave his face, only growing with amusement now, as Midoriya set his phone down.
“Let me see,” Todoroki said, hand still stroking and idly scratching the cat in his lap. Midoriya fumbled for a moment with his phone before turning it around to show Todoroki.
“You’re cute- I mean like.. It’s cute y’know… With the cat.” Midoriya stumbled over his words. He tended to do much better around Todoroki but he still fumbled even now.
“It is cute,” Todoroki said softly, gaze now on Midoriya rather than his phone. Ah okay this blush he can’t play off on the temperature, though he’s sure his did go up a few degrees.
The moment is broken when their drinks and food are brought out. Midoirya thankfully averts his attention to his tea, happily holding onto the warm cup. Todoroki follows suit and sips on his tea as well. Once again, things fall into a comfortable routine as they eat and drink and, again, pet cats. The tiny Uraraka in his mind returns to remind him that this is a perfect date and he promptly lets her know that if this were a date that it would be different. And there would be kissing and hand holding involved… BUT if he did take Todoroki out on a date this would be a great spot. He always loved it at the cat cafes.
Their return to the chilly outside wasn’t fully welcomed by Midoriya. The second the cold air hit, a shiver shook his body. Todoroki switched his bags over to his right side before, once again, offering up his warm arm to Midoriya. There was no hesitation as he curled into Todoroki’s side, still trembling.
“Hey, before we go back I wanted to walk around this park,” Todoroki said, nodding over to the place in question. Despite how cold he was, Midoriya agreed pretty easily.
They walked down the path, passing by a few people as they went. It was pretty empty even for the early winter, but Midoirya wasn’t complaining. They both remained pretty silent as they looked around, enjoying the scenery. Eventually they came to pause on a bridge that went over a narrow part which connected two halves of the pond. Midoriya made a noise of questioning in the back of his throat as they stopped and Todoroki pulled away. His curiosity turned into slight concern as he saw Todoroki fidgeting. He looked nervous.
“Shouto, are you okay..?” He asked softly, giving the other a concerned look.
“Yeah, just-...” Todoroki sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets, gaze firmly on the ground some distance away from them. “I’m sorry… Sorry if this changes things between us,” he began. Midoriya frowned deeper. “I’ve liked you for… Quite a while now, and I wanted to ask for today to be.. A date . I- Hmm… I know I’m not great with words and these things , but I at least wanted to ask you to come to dinner with my family tomorrow as… As my boyfriend.”
Todoroki’s gaze meets Midoriya’s at the end. He missed the face journey that Midoriya underwent which has finally settled on awe, face red as can be. Todoroki shifted on his feet some, not knowing what that even meant.
“Yes,” Midoriya said, voice cracking over the word. He buried his face in his gloved hands and let out a groan in embarrassment. He looked up sheepishly after a moment. “Yes, I want to go as your- your boyfriend .” Oh god that was new and he was no longer cold. The smile that Todoroki gave him after those words melted his heart.
Todoroki took his hands out of his pockets and there was a brief moment of not knowing what to do with them. Eventually, as Midoriya’s fell back down to his sides, he settled on grabbing onto his hands. He gripped Midoriya’s hands tight and shifted once again.
“Can I kiss you?” Todoroki asks after a moment. Not trusting his voice after that betrayal, Midoriya nodded his head. They had an awkward moment of trying to figure things out but they met halfway in a chaste kiss. It was a sweet thing and Todoroki’s warm lips against Midoriya’s cold ones were more than welcome. If Midoriya wasn’t sure he was quirkless, he would have sworn he also had a fire related work at how hot he felt.
After a brief moment of blissful silence, they met again for a few more kisses, some quick and feverish and others languid as they got used to the action. Their hands unclasped at some point and Midoriya’s arms came to rest around Todoroki’s neck as Todoroki’s were wrapped around his waist. After a longer kiss, Midoriya pulled away and dropped his head into the crook of Todoroki’s neck with a groan.
“Now I really need to figure out what to bring tomorrow.”