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Izuku isn’t following Todoroki.
Okay, sure, so he keeps going to Akihabara the same time Todoroki does, but that’s because obviously they have the same free times in their U.A. schedules, and Akihabara is the mecca of pro-hero merch! And if he happened to one time spot Todoroki’s distinctive hair and see him walk into a nice brick and ivy storefront with a friendly looking maid waving him in—
Well, that first time was probably acceptable.
Every time after that though was harder to explain.
Based on his surveillance from the ramen shop nearby (okay yes, he will acknowledge, this was veering dangerously into stalker territory—but he only ever came here after his own pilgrimage to his favorite figure stores, the ramen here was very good, and he was watching out for his friend! Poor Todoroki hadn’t even known how to use a gaccha machine before Izuku had shown him how, and some parts of Akiba could get seedy sometimes), Todoroki comes every other weekend at around the same time, seems to spend about three hours there (not cheap based on his googling of the store), and leaves with the exact same expression on his face as usual.
So—it seems as though there is some maid who works there and has managed to capture Todoroki’s attention so thoroughly that he’s willing to burn up precious free time and money (probably using Endeavor’s credit card, but still) to see her.
(Why should it bother him?
It’s not like—obviously Todoroki doesn’t see him that way.
Todoroki is hands down the hottest guy in their year—possibly in the whole school in Izuku’s opinion—and he’s even been invited to do some photoshoots for magazines, while Izuku is—
Well, girls had been dared to ask him out back in middle school, and had laughed in his face when he had eagerly accepted, so there isn’t much to talk about there.)
But besides his unreasonable, burning jealousy—there’s also the simple fact that they are friends, and yet Todoroki has mentioned not even a hint of this to him.
He had even tentatively brought up the subject of Akihabara one time at school, mentioning that he liked to go there, and all Todoroki had done was nodded and said mildly, “You should show me around sometime.”
Which—he’d love to show Todoroki around to all the best places in Akihabara to buy figures and other rare pro-hero merch, he already has an idea in mind about the best route and which stores to take him to—but that’s not the point, the point is that Todoroki isn’t confiding in him, and that—kind of hurts.
He had at least thought they were better friends than that.
Also—also if Todoroki never mentions or describes this girl, Izuku has no way of knowing what this girl is like and if she fully appreciates how lucky she is to have Todoroki interested in her.
Like, throughout all their years at U.A., Izuku has yet to see Todoroki interested in anyone. His reaction to the love letters, love confessions, and Valentine’s Day chocolate he receives has always been a blank expression and the simple rebuttal that he doesn’t know this person and isn’t interested in them.
(Another reason why his crush on Todoroki-kun is hopeless: if Todoroki-kun could even turn down beauty pageant winners, sleek business students, genius Support students, and powerfully gorgeous hero students—exactly what chance does he have?)
But that is an important point—whoever Todoroki is interested in now really should know him.
Not just all the superficial details that everyone knows like his two quirks, his family’s troubled history, or how terribly hot he is, but all the little stuff, like—
Like his nearly fanatic love for cold soba, his extremely subtle, deadpan humor, his complete inability to cook, his insistence on traditional Japanese furniture, his conflicted but still stubbornly held desire to have some kind of reconciled bond with his eldest brother, his plan to start his own hero agency that will try to focus on reforming villains rather than just straight up locking them up forever—
Those are all things that are really important to understanding Todoroki, and Izuku has to make sure this maid knows not to treat him as some kind of celebrity but a person—after everything with Dabi’s broadcast and reveal, his father’s disgrace, all the family turmoil and fighting and trying to make sure Touya’s story didn’t get buried—Todoroki deserves someone who understands all that and will care for him properly.
And that’s why Izuku is steeling himself to go into the maid café, not because he’s a stalker or anything.
(Or even if he kind of is—he’s not going to try and break them up or anything, he just—he just wants to know what kind of person Todoroki-kun actually likes.
He’ll write it down, see exactly how far off he is from her, feel like he’s been stabbed, and then—
Well, he’ll try his best to make sure she treats Todoroki-kun right and swallow down his feelings the way he’s been doing for years now, it’s fine.
Now if he could just convince himself that no one is going to throw him out of the maid café as soon as he walks in.
Lots of nerds go to maid cafes! They must be totally used to generic looking awkward people like him!
Besides, their job is to be nice to customers, right?)
Armed with that somewhat reassuring thought, Izuku takes a deep breath, pushes open the door, and walks inside.
The first thing he notices is that there’s bookshelves stretching up all around the space, some black and white and minimalist, some heavy and wooden, but all packed with a variety of books, manga, and boardgames.
(This place actually looks really cool.)
The second thing he notices is the receptionist in a black and white maid outfit, frilly lace headband on her head, and what look like real cat ears swiveling towards him.
She curtsies prettily, “Hello master. What can we do for you today?”
“Um—er—” he can already feel a blush creeping up his cheeks as he ducks his head, “I’m um—looking for a friend? Pretty quiet, tall, very good-looking—”
“Likes to read?” the receptionist grins at him, her ears standing straight up. “I think we have someone for you.”
“Oh—no, that’s not really—”
“Shouko,” the receptionist calls out, “We have someone here to see you!”
A very tall girl with long black hair hanging down her back nods, then walks over gracefully, saying in a low, husky voice, “Welcome master—”
The girl freezes mid-sentence staring at Izuku, and all Izuku can do is stare back at this Shouko because unless he has gone completely insane—that’s Todoroki.
He’s wearing a long glossy black wig, his voice has been pitched slightly higher, and his scar has been expertly covered up with makeup, but that’s his brilliant turquoise blue and soft gray eyes staring back at him in horror, those are Todoroki’s delicate facial features, and those are Todoroki’s long and rangy legs covered in white stockings that stop right before the hem of his black maid skirt and reveal a sliver of pale, tender skin—
(Eyes up Izuku, don’t be creepy!
Don’t stare at his lips glossy with lip-gloss either!
And don’t focus on the fact that Todoroki-kun just called you master —it’s what all maids have to do in maid cafes!
Just focus on—just focus on—just focus on not embarrassing Todoroki-kun here or causing a scene!)
“Shouko?” the receptionist prompts with a frown.
Todoroki glances at Izuku and then back at the receptionist, then back at Izuku with a slightly pleading expression on his face, his lips pressed tight together. “I—”
“N-n-n-nice to meet you, S-S-Shouko-san,” Izuku manages to stutter out, holding out his hand awkwardly. “U-um—I’ve never been to a maid café before, so—um, how does this work?”
“Awwww, you’re a first-timer!” the receptionist coos, then laughs. “Well that’s fine, Shouko-chan here is new too! You guys will suit each other fine, I’m sure.”
“…yes,” Todoroki says finally, glancing over at Izuku. “Well, then—master, please follow me.”
Izuku follows meekly behind Todoroki, trying to distract himself from staring at him (maid Todoroki—Todoroki in a skirt and makeup—oh god, he was going to expire because somehow that made Todroki-kun’s already insane levels of hotness now positively incendiary) by glancing around the café. It’s actually much calmer than he had expected—there are some maids who are giggling with patrons sitting at some tables, but there are also tables where people are just peacefully reading books or manga, and there’s even a space set aside with wider tables where some people are cheerfully playing board games.
“Here is your table, master,” Todoroki’s quiet voice breaks through as he moves the chair out and gestures for Izuku to sit. “If you would like to order any food or drinks, please let me know. And if you want to play any board games—I’m not very good at many yet, but I can call over some of the other maids if master would like—”
“Um, are you allowed to just—sit here with me, and—and talk?” Izuku rushes out, dumbly holding the menu just so he has something to do with his hands. “I—I can order some food too—can you eat right now?”
Todoroki pauses, regarding Izuku with his mismatched eyes before shifting in place and saying quietly, “I—I can stay and talk but—I think this is a conversation we should have elsewhere.”
(Right—right that makes sense—this is Todoroki-kun’s workplace after all—even though he didn’t realize Todoroki-kun’s money situation was so tight now—
But maybe he should have, it’s not like Endeavor royalties pay out much money these days.)
“Um—then food?” Izuku suggests, holding out the menu hopelessly.
“The katsudon isn’t bad, I can draw master a heart with the omurice, and the sweets are all quite good,” Todoroki recites tonelessly.
“Um,” Izuku stutters, manfully trying to keep from a heart attack at the thought of Todoroki drawing a heart with ketchup on his omurice (it’d be super cute and maybe he could take a photo of it—but no, Todoroki probably doesn’t want any proof of him working here…). “I’ll—I’ll get the um—cream puff? But um—do you want any?”
Todoroki seriously writes down his order on a notepad then shakes his head, “I can’t eat without smearing the lip gloss. I will get your cream puff, master.”
As Todoroki leaves, all Izuku can do is slump back in his chair and attempt to remember to breathe.
(So—so Todoroki-kun works here.
He works here, and he isn’t meeting up with some girl here—
And he shouldn’t focus on how happy that makes him but focus on trying to figure out how to talk to Todoroki-kun about this.
They obviously can’t talk here, so—so he should text him and figure out where they should meet up next.)
Izuku quickly takes out his phone and starts typing.
Izuku: can we talk when youre done with work?
There’s a very long pause, punctuated only by Todoroki dropping off the cream puff and some tea in a pretty cup and saucer before rushing off again, before Todoroki finally replies.
Todoroki-kun: Yes.
Todoroki-kun: At the ramen place across the street.
(Well, at least he knew where that was.
Although exactly what to say to Todoroki-kun—
He’d have to think through that carefully.)
He takes out his notebook and mumbles and scribbles through about three pages, eating the cream puff and sipping on the tea the whole time (it really is good—not overly sweet, light and fluffy, and the tea also sets it off nicely), but at the end of his hour, all he has to show for the whole brainstorming session is three pages of crossed out words, and he’s no closer to really knowing what to say except to tentatively skirt around Todoroki’s family situation.
(Maybe he should just let Todoroki-kun talk first?
After all, Todoroki-kun was the one who agreed to talk so maybe—maybe they wouldn’t end up sitting there in awkward silence.
He’ll—he’ll just try to let Todoroki-kun take the lead first.)
He pays and leaves the café, although not before trying to catch one last glimpse of Todoroki again (he probably won’t get to see him like that again—is it creepy that he wants to remember?), then takes his usual spot at the ramen store, laughing awkwardly as the owner greets him and immediately puts a bowl of tsukemen in front of him.
After another hour or so, Todoroki steps into the store, dressed in his usual casual clothes, with a ball-cap pulled over his head, and a serious expression on his face as he sits down across from him.
“I assume you have questions,” he says simply, looking directly at Izuku.
Izuku bites his lip as he scrambles to remember anything that he had written down (Who had done his makeup—no, that wasn’t important, what was important here was Todoroki-kun and whether or not his family situation was worse than Izuku had thought). “Um—so—so you’re working—there?”
Todoroki nods, not taking his eyes off of Izuku. “Part-time. Every other week, just for a few hours.”
“D-do you like it?” Izuku asks, then wants to kick himself.
(Great going Izuku, go ahead and ask Todoroki if he likes working at a job where for some reason he has to pretend to be a girl and wait on people and call them master—)
“I do,” Todoroki says calmly, his clasped hands in front of him gripped tight. “It’s—relaxing.”
Izuku blinks. “Relaxing?” he echoes.
Todoroki nods jerkily. “No one knows who I am when I put those clothes on and get made up. It’s—like I get to be someone else for a bit. It’s nice.”
(Oh—
That makes sense.
Todoroki-kun is so recognizable and distinctive, and it must be exhausting for people to recognize him all the time.
Izuku has been with him at the mall before when people realize Todoroki-kun is really there—he was nearly stampeded by fans and photographers in the ensuing chaos.
There’s one upside to having a fairly generic face he supposes.)
“If—if you’re uncomfortable with that—with me,” Todoroki takes a deep breath, his brow furrowing a bit on his otherwise impassive face. “I can—I can move my shift around so you don’t have to see me when you go there—”
“No,” Izuku interrupts hastily, “No—it—it doesn’t make me uncomfortable, Todoroki-kun! I was just—surprised to see you there—you looked really good—”
He snaps his mouth shut, his face on fire as he desperately wishes that the ground could just swallow him up and make him disappear.
(Yes Izuku, go ahead and tell Todoroki-kun exactly how good he looked in that maid uniform and how much you loved it, that won’t be creepy at all.
He probably already gets enough of that at work—although he said he likes the job? So hopefully not?
But definitely Izuku shouldn’t act creepy just because Todoroki-kun might not get hit on at work.)
He peeks up while he is berating himself, only to see a slight smile on Todoroki’s face, as well as what seemed just the slightest flush of color on his pale cheeks.
“You think so?” Todoroki asks in a quiet, almost shy voice. “I’m a bit too tall—they only asked me to substitute in because they had a leftover uniform from an employee who also worked as a model.”
“You look perfect ,” Izuku says, then scrubs his heated face in embarrassment (Todoroki-kun is pretty oblivious, but even he might notice something is off now—although Todoroki-kun is nice, so maybe he will just gracefully ignore Izuku’s embarrassing crush on him?). “Um—can I ask—you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to but—how did you start working there?”
Todoroki leans forward, a small smile still playing on his lips. “Well—I heard that Treasure Box was a good place to learn how to play boardgames, so I went there a few times. They were really nice to me—and then one day they were short-staffed, and Keiko-san thought she could make me up so that no one would recognize me, and—I accepted. And then—it felt like a nice break every once in a while, and Keiko-san said I was doing an alright job, so I could come in when I liked.”
“Oh then—have you been stressed lately?” Izuku asks worriedly. “You’ve been going so often—”
(Oh shit, well now Todoroki-kun was definitely going to think that he was creepy, why else would he know how often Todoroki-kun had been going to that maid café lately?)
“It’s been—a little rough lately,” Todoroki admits, looking a bit quizzically at Izuku who was trying to sink into the table. “What with graduation being around the corner and Touya agreeing to see us more often. Still—I didn’t realize my absences over the weekend had been so obvious, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for, Todoroki-kun!” Izuku quickly reassures him (oh thank god Todoroki-kun hadn’t picked up on Izuku’s creepy stalker behavior). “I’m the one who—I didn’t realize you were so stressed recently.”
“Coming here has helped,” Todoroki admits, looking down at the menu.
“They do soba here too—I already put in an order for you,” Izuku quickly mentions as the server comes by smiling with a bowl of cold soba. “Um—they also have some takoyaki from next door that’s pretty good, if you want some of that too…”
“This is already perfect, thank you Midoriya,” Todoroki says, taking the soba and giving him a soft smile that sends him reeling.
(If Todoroki-kun ever wanted to switch from being a pro-hero to being an idol, he would probably make a killing.
Also there’d probably be so much official merch of him—not that there isn’t already a decent amount of fan-made merch for Todoroki-kun already—Izuku may have already bought some—
But that’s a dangerous train of thought to go down, so he probably needs to change the subject stat.)
“Um—what games did you want to learn?” Izuku brings up, leaning forward. “I have a lot—although um, I’m sure that a place that is mostly known for that may be better…”
Todoroki slurps up some soba then rubs the back of his neck, ducking his head down. “…I wanted to learn that haunted house one on a hill that you had,” he says very quietly.
Izuku’s brow furrows. “Betrayal at House on the Hill?’ he ventures.
Todoroki nods, tapping his chopsticks against the side of his bowl. “You said that it was kind of complicated but really fun, and you wished more people knew how to play it, so I—I wanted to surprise you.”
(Oh.
Oh wow.
Todoroki-kun had ended up at that maid café in the first place because of him.
That was—kind of amazing.)
“That’s—wow Todoroki-kun, that’s like one of the nicest things anyone has tried to do for me!” Izuku manages to squeak out, his hands clutching around his glass of water. “I’d—I’d love to play Betrayal with you—I think Iida-kun wouldn’t mind playing if we can figure out a time when everyone’s free, Shinsou-kun would be pretty into it, and I think Uraraka and Tsuyu-chan will have fun too—it’s more fun with more people you know. There’s a great many different scenarios that can happen, so every game is different, but if you want to explore the house more, more people is generally better—I also own the expansion pack that gives even more scenarios, it’s really, really cool—”
(Oh, he’s babbling again.
That’s not cool, would Todoroki-kun be annoyed?)
Izuku’s mouth clicks shut as he glances over anxiously at Todoroki. Todoroki simply regards him calmly, an amused smile on his face. “How many expansion packs are there?” he prompts.
“Oh—well there’s just one basic expansion pack for the regular game, but there’s also another game called Betrayal Legacy, which becomes a much longer game—it’s more like a campaign at that point, with a 13 chapter story to get through and players all playing members of a family over the years—that’s probably too much though, we should just start with the basic game, right?” Izuku asks, fiddling with his straw nervously.
“Yes, so that everyone can make sure to understand the rules,” Todoroki replies seriously. “Keiko-san and Honda-san taught me the basics, but I’m sure it’ll be different playing with you guys. Although—I wouldn’t mind playing the longer game with you. I’m sure you’d make it really fun.”
Izuku eats some of his ramen so he doesn’t make some embarrassing high-pitched noise of excitement (but Todoroki-kun actually wants to play a campaign with him! He had been worried about saying something like that because it seemed so very nerdy—but Todroki-kun didn’t seem to mind at all!). “I—I definitely have ideas, and I’ll let you know about them, if you’re interested!”
Todoroki nods, a smile on his face as he props his head on the back of his hand. “Looking forward to it.”
(Who knew that Todoroki-kun would be interested in role-playing games!
This is so great—there’s so many cool family curses and creepy gothic plotlines he could create—
But he shouldn’t get sidetracked right now—this is a rare chance meal alone with Todoroki-kun!
Alone with Todoroki-kun at Akiba!
If he pretends a bit, they could nearly be on a date—
But no, he was trying to not be creepy towards Todoroki-kun.)
“So um—besides the maid café and this place, have you gotten to see much of Akiba yet?” Izuku asks curiously, finishing off the last of his ramen.
“Not really. It’s pretty big, and I’m not really sure where to start,” Todoroki replies, gracefully slurping up the rest of his soba noodles.
“Oh, I could make you a guide!” Izuku says enthusiastically, already taking his notebook out of his bag. “There’s some really cool pro-hero merch shops that sometimes have limited edition All Might stuff—you have to visit those—you’re not all that interested in electronics, so we can cross those out—you liked gaccha machines last time I showed you how, right?”
“Yes,” Todoroki replies, watching his pencil fly across the paper. “Although—would it be too much trouble to ask you to show me around yourself?”
Izuku freezes in the middle of trying to map out the optimal path between pro-hero merch shops with the Treasure Box as the starting point. “You—you want me to show you around?” he squeaks out.
“You really seem to know your way around, and I think—it’d be really great to see all your favorite places,” Todoroki says calmly before adding in a slightly more worried tone. “If—if you’re worried about me being recognized and being mobbed like at the mall—I could ask Keiko-san if I can just borrow the whole maid outfit and walk around in that? I don’t think maids get that much notice around here.”
(While that’s true to some extent, Izuku is fairly sure with Todoroki-kun’s supermodel height and looks, he’s going to get some double-takes.
Although probably no one would recognize Todoroki-kun unless they already knew him pretty well and got a close look—even Izuku had had a second where he had to think about it.
Getting to show his favorite parts of Akiba off to Todoroki-kun while Todoroki-kun is dressed as a maid— this is veering awfully close to the plotline of one of the doujinshi he bought of Todoroki-kun and then felt terribly guilty about—
But—but even if it veered so closely to dreams Izuku tries not to dwell on—if Todoroki-kun was the one offering—that didn’t make it creepy right?)
“Are—are you sure? Would—would you be comfortable like that, Todoroki-kun?” Izuku asks, peering at Todoroki.
Todoroki cracks a rare grin. “No reporters and no pictures, and you showing me cool stuff? It’ll be like a vacation.”
Izuku helplessly smiles back at him but can’t help but also bring up, “I-I would really like that but—won’t it be bad for you if you get recognized while wearing—wearing a maid outfit?”
“I don’t think that will happen. Keiko-san is quite good—her quirk is makeup manipulation,” Todoroki replies, setting aside the bowl. “Besides—no one is expecting me to be dressed up like that, so I doubt anyone will manage to realize what is going on.”
(Todoroki-kun is probably right, although this was definitely going to be a test of Izuku’s self-control.
Oh god, he wasn’t going to call him master the entire time was he?
Izuku is pretty sure that he would literally implode.)
“…As long as you don’t—feel like it’s weird or something,” Todoroki says hesitantly, ducking his head and looking up through his long eyelashes at Izuku.
“It’s not weird!” Izuku immediately replies. “You can wear whatever makes you most comfortable, Todoroki-kun! What I think doesn’t matter—but I-I do want you to know that—I’m not uncomfortable! I’m just—it’s a surprise, and you look really, really good—um, forget I said that part—I know I’m getting repetitive—but the point is—um, the point is that you wear what you like! And just—if anyone gives you a hard time about it—well first off, they’re jerks, secondly, you’re definitely better than they are, and third, I will go and punch them for you if you think it’ll blow your cover for you to go do it.”
Todoroki smiles fondly at him, his shoulders relaxing. “Thank you, Midoriya. …it means a lot to me—I did want to tell you about—this place, since I thought you’d really like it, but then I started working there, and I thought it would be a bit strange…but you found me anyway, as you always do.”
(How does Todoroki-kun just say stuff like that with a completely straight face???
If Izuku-kun tried to say any of that, he’d be a stuttering, blushing mess two sentences in.
Then again—Todoroki-kun doesn’t have a crush on him, so that probably helps a lot in terms of managing to keep his cool.
That’s a depressing thought.)
Izuku coughs, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head. “I—I guess so! So um, for our date—outing! Friendly outing! Would—would next week work? Or no wait—that’s your photoshoot isn’t it—and our math exam—the week after maybe?”
“Sure,” Todoroki answers, a bit of excitement actually showing in his eyes. “Already looking forward to it.”
(Well that just means Izuku has to make sure this trip blows Todoroki-kun’s mind.
Thank goodness he’s given himself two whole weeks—now he can thoroughly plan out their itinerary while also attempting to acclimate himself to the idea of Todoroki-kun in a maid outfit so that he’s not on the verge of popping a nosebleed like a pervert as soon as he sees him.)
--
Izuku fidgets in place while checking his watch and second-guessing what he’s wearing for probably the tenth time that day.
(Uraraka-chan had taken pity on him and reassured him that he looked great, but Izuku keeps feeling as though next to Todoroki-kun’s supermodel good looks, he’s going to look like a slob.
He’d taken a page from Iida-kun’s book and ditched his usual T-shirt in favor of a polo and some slightly nicer jeans that had even garnered Shinsou-kun’s approval, but he still feels—
Well, like his awkward self really.
Still—it wasn’t like Todoroki-kun had ever seemed to mind normally what he was wearing? For that matter, Todoroki-kun may not even notice—he’s probably overthinking things, as per usual.
At the very least, he’s 97% certain that after going through a whole notebook, he’s mapped out the perfect itinerary for Todoroki-kun to properly tour Akiba.)
“Midoriya,” Todoroki’s voice comes floating over, and Izuku takes a breath, then turns around.
It’s maybe not quite as startling this time since he was expecting it, but Todoroki is still completely gorgeous—the long black hair of the wig today done up in an elegant bun that still leaves two long strands of hair to perfectly frame his delicate face, the ruffles on his dress disguise his lack of curves, the way the waist of the dress nips in makes him want to sling an arm around it, and the stockings covering his legs are white and pristine, again just revealing that sliver of skin at his thigh—
(Okay, so—so try not to look too much at Todoroki-kun right now, got it!
Otherwise his poor heart won’t be able to take it…)
“You—you look really good, Todoroki-kun!” he says in a too-high-pitched voice, his face burning.
“Thank you,” Todoroki inclines his head, “As do you. Although—when we’re out there—maybe you shouldn’t call me by my last name?”
“Oh that’s true,” Izuku’s brow furrows. “Then—what should I call you?”
“….Shouko-chan?” Todoroki suggests, an oddly hopeful tone in his voice.
Izuku chokes (that name is so similar to Todoroki-kun’s real first name—but of course he picked that, it was probably easier for him to respond to). “That’s—okay, um—Sh-Sh-Shouko-chan?”
Todoroki smiles at him, his face sunny and bright. “Yes, master?”
Izuku closes his eyes (good lord). “…To—Sh-Shouko-chan, please don’t call me that. My poor heart can’t take it.”
Todoroki blinks, a somewhat pleased quirk to his mouth before his face smoothes again. “Alright. Then—Izuku-kun?”
(No wait no, that’s even worse for his heart.
But it’s not like he can explain why , that’s his actual name after all.
So he’ll just—he’ll just paddle frantically through, with the power of pro-hero merch on his side.)
“S-s-sure,” he replies weakly before taking out his notebook. “So I thought—the first thing we should do is go to Heroes’ Vault. It’s close to here, and it’s got a lot of rare pro-hero merch—they even have some stuff pro-heroes actually owned . They even have some of All Might’s actual golden age costumes there!”
Todoroki’s eyes widen. “That would be really cool.”
“Right?” Izuku beams at him (of course Todoroki-kun gets it). “And then from there, I picked out this really cool figure store, and then a gaccha machine place, and lastly, I think we’ll have time to stop by a café or something, and then we’ll make our way back here for you to change your clothes back?”
“At the end, if you don’t mind, we can go by Natsu’s apartment?” Todoroki suggests, hitching his bag higher on his shoulder. “He lives pretty close to here.”
“Oh sure—then should I bring a housewarming gift—and, so he knows that you’re—working here?” Izuku asks awkwardly, gesturing at the maid café.
“Yeah, they all know,” Todoroki says, looking completely unperturbed. “Natsu was a little confused, but he said that it was probably fine since if I met any perverts, I could ice their hands off.”
“Have you met many perverts?” Izuku asks anxiously, his fists already clenching at his side.
(If anyone dared—)
“There was one, but Keiko-san has a very firm no-touching policy,” Todoroki replies calmly. “She wrote pervert all over his face, slapped on some setting powder, used her quirk to make it more permanent, and then Honda’s robot dumped him outside with the garbage.”
“…you guys have a robot? ” Izuku demands, his head whipping around to stare at the maid café.
“It’s like a drone that zaps things. Honda apparently used to be a Shiketsu Support student,” Todoroki replies, hitching his bag up again. “And as for the gift, don’t bother, he’s probably not even there. Pre-med is pretty rough—he’s almost always on campus now.”
Izuku nods. “Still—could leave something on the table for him maybe—also, do you want me to hold your bag for you? It probably clashes less with me than with you right now?”
Todoroki blinks, considers his dark blue backpack for a second, before dipping his head and handing the bag over to Izuku. “That makes sense. Thank you, Izuku-kun.”
Izuku just barely manages to keep a whimper from escaping his throat.
(Come on Izuku—you pushed yourself to use 110% of One For All one time, surely this is nothing!
….who is he kidding, he’s doomed.
Well at least—before Todoroki-kun figures out all his gross feelings, they can have a fun Akiba date of sorts?)
He slings the backpack easily over his shoulders, and they’re off to Heroes’ Vault where they both goggle and talk in whispers over the display of All Might’s golden age costume shipped in straight from America and one of Mirko’s actual prosthetic arms, purchase the latest All Might hoodie design, and peruse the many posters, wall-scrolls, acrylic stands, pins, washi tape, keychains, and other fan merch.
“Oh, what’s that?” Todoroki asks, pointing at a corner of the store marked out with a big red 18+ sign.
Izuku turns red and starts laughing nervously. “Uh—that? Um—you probably don’t want to go over there, Todoroki-kun—”
“Is that me ?” Todoroki asks, pointing at a white and red daikamura poking out of a shelf and walking over there.
(Oh no.
Oh my god, why didn’t he remember that Heroes’ Vault had an 18+ section that also featured doujinshi of familiar people—
Possibly because he had tried to wipe his memory over the mortification of actually buying a few doujinshi that were shipping him and Todoroki-kun together.
It’s—okay, he can’t even deny how creepy that is.
He feels deeply ashamed, but he still keeps them in a secret locked box at the very top shelf of his closet.)
“Hm,” Todoroki says, his face impassive as he actually moves aside the rest of the daikamuras and takes in his own lewd, barely covered up form. “People use these as pillows?”
“Y-yeah,” Izuku replies, fixedly not staring at either the daikamura (at the very least, he hadn’t sunk to the depths of depravity to buy one of those of Todoroki-kun) or at Todoroki in his lovely maid outfit.
“Hm. Seems strange,” Todoroki says simply before turning to the shelves of doujinshi. “And these are all fan-made?”
“Uh—yeah!” Izuku squeaks as Todoroki just starts taking out different volumes and casually examining the covers. “They’re—well they’re really talented—just um—very focused on—uh—r-r-relationships.”
“I can see that,” Todoroki comments dryly, setting aside a volume featuring what looks like All Might in a very compromising pose with Sir Nighteye.
(He does wonder if those two were ever that close, but it’s not exactly something he can just ask All Might—also probably not something he should be focusing on during his date—outing with Todoroki-kun).
By the time he snaps out of his reverie, Todoroki has flipped past several volumes and stopped at what looks like a section of Dabi/Hawks doujinshi.
“Ah—I guess—even though Hawks is disgraced—he and your brother are—popular subjects?” Izuku attempts to explain. “Because I guess—they ran off together and all—”
“Makes sense, they’re not that far off. Although slightly less dramatic maybe. I think I’ll buy this,” Todoroki says decisively, holding up the doujinshi that has what looks like a demonic looking Dabi holding a swooning, glowing Hawks.
“Really?”
Todoroki nods, his face completely expressionless. “Touya will find it funny.”
(….maybe it’s a bonding thing between siblings, Izuku wouldn’t know.
As long as Todoroki-kun thinks it’s okay, he guesses?)
“…well, it’s a good thing you’re in disguise right now,” he jokes, trying to push Todoroki faster down the long shelves of doujinshi and out of the 18+ section.
“Mm, wouldn’t want to get photographed with this,” Todoroki agrees, his long stocking-clad legs striding forward before he suddenly stops again and reaches towards a very familiar doujinshi featuring him and Izuku in an embrace in a locker room.
(Oh god.
He definitely can’t let Todoroki-kun get his hands on that one—
If he has to listen to Todoroki’s dry voice mocking how unrealistic it is, he might actually cry.)
Before he can even think, he’s grabbed Todoroki’s hand and pulled him forward bodily. “Uh—there’s a lot of weird stuff here, you know!” he babbles, tugging him forward, “Lots of people drawing whatever they can imagine—and they’re all great and talented and enthusiastic really! Just—um—very—very imaginative…”
“I can see that,” Todoroki replies, glancing down at their joined hands and then giving him a smile that looks somewhat amused, his hand tightening in Izuku’s. “So people draw us together?”
“Y-yeah—but they draw all of us together! Ever since we all turned 18, it’s like a big free for all,” Izuku quickly says, feeling his face burn.
Todoroki glances back at the section. “So you look through their selection a lot?”
“No! Just—after my birthday—I was—I was curious, that’s all!” Izuku stutters shamefacedly.
“Did you buy anything?” Todoroki asks, tilting his head.
Izuku chokes (he definitely cannot let Todoroki-kun know). “Just—um—just—nothing really—one or two—anyway, we—we need to check out and head over to the figure store, or we won’t have enough time to browse!”
Todoroki allows himself to be tugged along, his glossy lips hooked up in an expression that shows how thoroughly he’s enjoying himself. “Alright. Although, will they want ID for the doujinshi?”
Izuku glances down at the torrid cover, sighs, and simply takes it into his own basket. “I’ll use my ID, since you can’t use yours,” he says bravely, trying not to blush.
Todoroki’s smile goes warm as he squeezes his hand. “Thank you, Izuku-kun.”
And that makes it all worth it, even the weird look the cashier gives him when he scans the doujinshi to hand to him before his eyes flick over to Todoroki and widen.
“Oh, for your girlfriend,” he comments lightly, smirking at Todoroki.
Todoroki simply smiles back, not letting go of Izuku’s hand. “Yes. Let’s go, Izuku-kun.”
“R-r-right, Sh-Sh-Shouko-chan!” Izuku manages to say, stuffing the doujinshi into Todoroki’s backpack while trying to stop his thoughts from spinning wildly out of control.
(Just because Todoroki-kun was pretending to be his girlfriend, that didn’t mean Izuku could make any assumptions or let himself get carried away, no matter how much this is like a real date, and how much Izuku desperately wishes they really were going out—
He should just focus on making sure Todoroki-kun is having a good time and try not to embarrass himself here.
At the very least, he thinks he’s getting more used to Todoroki-kun wearing the maid outfit—)
Todoroki turns towards him, flicking the bangs of the wig out of his eyes and looking at him with his beautiful gray and blue eyes dancing. “Where to next?”
“A-Astop, it’s in the Akiba Culture Zone,” Izuku replies, inwardly clutching at his chest (Todoroki-kun is just so pretty —and that’s just like normally, what is he supposed to do right now when he’s even wearing makeup to emphasize his prettiness?). “It’s pretty cool—they’ve got over 2000 showcases for people to rent and display the figures they have—it’s amazing, there’s so many, and they give you a piece of paper for you to note down all the display case numbers or else you would really get lost—I really have to keep track of budgeting when I’m in there.”
“Not exactly a problem you need to worry about today,” Todoroki says, flashing his father’s credit card.
Izuku quickly shakes his head, “I couldn’t possibly—”
“You’re the one taking me on a tour, so it’s the least I can pay you back with,” Todoroki replies reasonably. “And even if he’s in disgrace, the agency still makes money—”
“And you’re taking it over after graduation, so you shouldn’t drain the coffers right now,” Izuku says firmly, pushing Todoroki’s hand back. “Besides—I’ve saved up for this! And you don’t have to pay me back for this tour To—Shoko-chan, I—I’ve always wanted to show you Akiba.”
Todoroki regards him for a long moment, not saying anything, before he nods, and tucks the credit card away. “Alright. I’m glad—I’ve always wanted to come here with you too.”
“Really?” Izuku can’t help but ask eagerly.
Todoroki smiles. “Yes. You love it so much—I was sure it’d be really fun.”
(He’s as warm as if he had drunk a whole mug of tea.
It’s so nice that Todoroki-kun understands and is so accommodating.
Even if they can’t be what Izuku desperately wishes, he’s still so, so happy to have Todoroki-kun as a friend.)
He’s pretty sure he has a dopey smile on his face, but Todoroki doesn’t seem to care, and they make their way to AStop without any troubles, besides one or two people taking photos of them with their cellphones (Todoroki is stunning so that makes sense, he just hopes it doesn’t get published in a street fashion magazine somehow).
When they get to AStop, with its maze of plastic cubes, Todoroki’s eyes widen, and he gets as into it as Izuku, carefully noting down box numbers on the slip of paper provided and totaling up the prices.
Todoroki gets it narrowed down to a Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye figure (classic, and he’s so happy he got to introduce Full Metal Alchemist to him) and a Gundam 00 figure, while Izuku’s careful budget is upended by the discovery of a figure of L.A. All Might .
“Oh my god, ” Izuku breathes, his nose practically stuck to the cube where the figure stands proudly. “These were discontinued! They never made more than 200 of these, I’ve been searching for such a long time—but they’d take up all of my budget, and I really also wanted this Taizi Dianxia figure and these limited-edition All Might chibis…”
“I could buy it,” Todoroki offers, already writing down the cube number on his slip of paper.
“T—Shoko-chan, we talked about this—”
“I’m a big fan of All Might too,” Todoroki points out, a stubborn set to his mouth. “And—whenever you get the chance, you can just buy it back from me? Otherwise what if someone else buys it from here while you’re saving up money?”
(Todoroki-kun does have a point—surely there are other die-hard All Might fans who will somehow hear about this find and rush over here to buy it before Izuku can make his way back here.
And—as long as he pays back Todoroki-kun, it’ll be fine right?
It would actually be fine even if Todoroki-kun kept it—he is one of the few people Izuku would trust to appreciate exactly how rare this model is, and he could definitely teach him how to properly care for it.)
“Alright,” Izuku says slowly, but quickly points at Todoroki, “But I am definitely paying you back! And no sneakily trying to gift it to me somehow!”
“Does that sound like something I would do?” Todoroki asks innocently, a slightly pleased tilt to his mouth as he tucks his slip of paper into the pockets of his skirt.
Izuku gives him a look. “Last Secret Santa, you gifted me the limited edition All Might hoodie you knew I wanted. And you weren’t even my Secret Santa.”
Todoroki shrugs, “You know that I’m not all that familiar with heartwarming holiday traditions—”
“That was the third Secret Santa we’ve done at the dorms! And you get me something every year!” Izuku protests.
“Well, we’re friends. And you do too,” Todoroki points out.
Izuku flushes, rubbing the back of his head. “That’s—! That’s a—friendly Christmas gift! And mine really can’t compare to yours—”
“I liked all the manga you gave me, I’d never read any of them before,” Todoroki interrupts, a familiar stubborn look on his gorgeous face again.
(There are many, many tragic things about the way Todoroki-kun was brought up—and Izuku can’t really make up for most of them, but at the very least, basic anime and manga he can introduce to Todoroki-kun when they have the time.
Obviously it’s not a hardship for him either—they’ve basically managed to form an unofficial anime club that he never got to make in middle school, since Iida-kun also has seen very few titles, and the rest of them are game to change that.
Still, there’s a special joy to showing Todoroki-kun specifically things that he loves—much like today’s not-date.)
“Well—as long as you liked them, I guess,” Izuku huffs out, smiling at Todoroki. “I’m glad you liked Full Metal Alchemist enough to get a figure though!”
“They’re very cool,” Todoroki says seriously as the two of them walk over to give a shop attendant their slips. “They’re….what’s that word Utsushimi uses…hashtag relationship goals?”
(On the one hand, of course Roy/Riza are #relationshipgoals.
On the other—what is Izuku supposed to do with this information???
Does Todoroki-kun see himself as Roy or Riza?
It must be Roy right, because of the fire?
Or is he Riza since he’s quiet—)
He snaps out of his spiraling thoughts briefly as the attendant delicately takes the L.A. All Might figure out of the cube with gloved hands and proffers it to Todoroki to examine. Todoroki directs him towards Izuku, and it’s in mint condition of course (who would ever desecrate an L.A. All Might figure).
They check out, and of course he carries all their bags over to the gaccha place because that’s what a guy with a girlfriend as gorgeous as this would do (and—it’s what he would do if he was really going out with Todoroki-kun—).
When they draw near some Pokemon machines, Todoroki idly mentions that Natsuo likes them, and so Izuku spends a great deal of his time when he’s not helping Todoroki out attempting to get a full set of seasonal Pokemon as a housewarming gift.
Not that Todoroki needs much help—his luck is pretty good as he manages to not only score some rare cute cat gacchapon, but even a real pearl necklace from one of the machines.
“I guess Nee-san will like it,” he comments, holding it up to the light. “Is it really real?”
“Yes it’s real—it’s the grand prize! My god—let me touch your hands so that some of your luck will rub off on me for the Pokemon machine,” Izuku demands. “I nearly have a full fall-leaf set here…”
Todoroki easily reaches out and grabs Izuku’s hand, his calloused palm warm in his own. “You don’t have to ask for that,” he says simply.
(….what is that supposed to mean???
It sounds like Todoroki-kun is fine with him holding his hand at any given time, but—
Maybe Todoroki-kun just doesn’t see it as a big deal?
Izuku is probably freaking out a bit much, it is just holding hands—
But still.
This is Todoroki-kun .)
He somehow manages to turn the knob on the gaccha machine while holding onto Todoroki-kun’s hand, and of course, the last of the fall set, an Eevee happily gamboling about in the leaves, slides out.
“Thank you so much Todoroki-kun! I really hope your brother likes it,” Izuku says anxiously as they climb the stairs to Natsuo’s apartment.
“Oh he will. And even if he doesn’t, I’ll be happy to take them,” Todoroki says, unlocking the door and stepping inside.
Izuku also steps inside, carefully untying his shoes. “Still, I really hope that—”
He freezes as he sees Dabi sitting on the couch with Hawks’ head pillowed on his thigh, the winged man snoring as Dabi’s hand stops stroking through his blonde hair, and the former villain turns to look at them.
(Oh shit—
He didn’t realize Dabi would also be here—and with Hawks ?)
Dabi’s eyes flicker across Todoroki and then to Izuku before back to his youngest brother, and he says languidly, “Well, Honda and Fuyumi showed me pictures, but it really does suit you. Didn’t realize you were going out on dates in it though—kinky.”
“It’s not like that!” Izuku hastens to say before Todoroki can even open his mouth. “It’s just—”
“Shh,” Dabi shushes, holding a finger up to his mouth while gesturing down at the sleeping Hawks. “He needs all the sleep he can get.”
Todoroki just rolls his eyes, unzips the backpack on Izuku’s back, takes out the doujinshi, and walks over and offers it over to his big brother. “Here.”
“For me?” Dabi takes the doujinshi over, and the smirk across his face transforms into a genuine smile of delight when he sees the cover. “Oh my god—is that supposed to be Keigo? That’s hilarious—when he wakes up, I have to show him this.”
“Glad you like it,” Todoroki says seriously.
Dabi slants a look over the pages he’s flipping through at Todoroki. “Bribing me with smut of myself is an interesting move to be sure. Well anyway—change in Natsu’s bedroom I guess, but don’t mess around in there, Natsu was mad enough when he caught me and Hawks on the couch. And someone’s already given you the safe sex talk before right?”
Izuku doesn’t know where to look (and is seriously considering just sinking into the floor from sheer embarrassment) as Todoroki blandly replies, “Yes,” and just leads Izuku straight into what must be Natsuo’s bedroom then closes the door.
“I—um—your brother—Dabi—”
“Doesn’t want to kill me any more, but still tries to make me uncomfortable sometimes,” Todoroki shrugs, starting to pull out hair pins from the wig. “It’s progress, I guess.”
(Certainly Dabi deciding to no longer try to murder his little brother and just needling him sounded much closer to sibling behavior but—
Did that mean that getting paired off with Izuku made Todoroki-kun feel uncomfortable?
That’s—well, that’s not unexpected really.
Of course it would.
He just—he just needs to keep being a supportive friend, that’s all.
It’s enough.)
Todoroki winces as he tries to pull out some of the hair pins in the back. “Izuku-kun—Midoriya, would you mind helping me?”
“O-oh, sure,” Izuku says, coming forward and carefully sliding out the hair pins keeping Todoroki’s silky white and red hair secure against the wig, and Todoroki sighs in relief as he sets the wig over to the side and shakes his head a bit.
“That’s better,” he says, taking over the backpack and pulling out a change of casual clothes and a packet of makeup wipes that he immediately opens.
“You—does it hurt?” Izuku asks worriedly, awkwardly holding a bunch of bobby pins in his hand.
“Not really, but it’s a bit hot,” Todoroki says mildly, wiping the makeup wipe across his face and revealing his burn scar. “The most uncomfortable part is really the stockings, but Keiko-san says they’re a must.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Izuku looks down at Todoroki’s legs and mumbles before freezing, his eyes wide.
( Why did he just say that out loud ?)
When he inches up his gaze, Todoroki is simply regarding him with a tilted head, a considering look on his face.
“…you like them?” Todoroki asks, extending his leg out a bit.
“I—I—I mean—your legs are always nice, Todoroki-kun—that’snotwhatIwantedtosay,” Izuku stumbles, mentally kicking himself (great, just freaking great Izuku, at this rate, Todoroki-kun won’t even want to be your friend anymore), turning towards the door. “I—it’s just—I should go, obviously I’m being super weird here and—”
Todoroki grabs his wrist, his brow furrowed, and his voice containing a trace of panic. “Don’t go, I—look Izuku—Midoriya, I’m sorry.”
Izuku goggles at him. “What do you have to be sorry for?”
Todoroki looks away, down at the floor. “I—I really wanted to go out on a nice date with you. So I thought that if—if I dressed like this—maybe you’d be more likely to want to go with me, and I could just pretend that it was real. It’s—I’m sorry for deceiving you, Midoriya.”
All Izuku can hear is white noise at this moment.
(Todoroki-kun—wanted to go out on a nice date with him ?
Had been pretending this entire time just like he had that they were out on a real date?
Then—
Then that had to mean—)
“Todoroki-kun are you—do you like me?” Izuku asks, unable to keep his voice from going shrill.
Todoroki flinches. “Yes. It’s—pretty obvious, isn’t it?”
“How is it obvious?” Izuku demands, flapping his hands around. “You don’t—Todoroki-kun, I’ve seen you reject so many people before—”
“They’re not you,” Todoroki simply pronounces.
(This is like straight out of one of his more ridiculous daydreams.
But no—it’s definitely real because he would have never imagined Todoroki-kun towering over him in a maid outfit while saying that and also because he keeps pinching himself, and he’s bruising but he’s still not waking up.
So—
So somehow this is real ?)
“But why me ?” Izuku asks helplessly.
Todoroki blinks. “You’re the one who has always accepted me, and the one who has always pushed me to pursue my own dreams and become my own person. How could I not fall for you?”
“But I—I’m me , and you’re—you’ve done photoshoots!” Izuku gestures across Todoroki’s body.
Todoroki only looks more confused. “I don’t see what that has to do with anything. I mostly get modeling jobs I think because magazines like the notoriety I bring and I’m also tall.”
“And you’re gorgeous ,” Izuku emphasizes.
Todoroki blinks again, this time his eyes brightening a bit. “You think I’m gorgeous?”
“Todoroki-kun, it’s an objective fact that you’re gorgeous,” Izuku says despairingly. “Even without my massive crush on you, I’d have to say that!”
(Oh god, did he really just say that out loud?
But—but—maybe it’s okay?)
Todoroki’s mouth just opens a hair, which means that he’s basically gaping at him. “Massive crush on me?” he repeats faintly, his hand tightening around Izuku’s wrist.
Izuku knows his face is tomato-red by now but well, he still has to soldier on (because this may be one of the most important moments of his life), so he takes a deep breath and nods. “Yes, I—so massive. Gigantic. Um—Iwasasloimaginingwewereonarealdatethiswholetime.”
A bright smile breaks out across Todoroki’s face as he slowly draws a bit closer. “Then—then, Izuku-kun, will you go out with me?”
(Oh my god.
Today officially rivals the day that All Might decided he was worthy for One For All.)
He can already feel tears welling up in his eyes, and he barely manages to choke out, “Y-y-yes!” before throwing his arms around him and just bursting out crying.
(It’s embarrassing but—
But right now for once, he thinks it might be okay?)
Todoroki pats his back, smiling at him while trailing his fingers across his cheek. “Are you—those are happy tears, right?”
“Of course,” Izuku sniffles, wiping at his eyes and trying not to get any snot on Todoroki’s lovely uniform. “I—I’m just so happy— I can’t believe—I never imagined—”
“Really? Even when you bought doujinshi of us?” Todoroki murmurs, his eyes dancing.
Izuku chokes. “I—! Maybe—maybe a little—but I felt guilty while reading it and imagining—that.”
“Don’t feel guilty,” Todoroki says, looking him straight in the eye. “You don’t know how much I’ve imagined about you.”
(He has no idea what to say to that.
This is so far outside his experience—
His entire body feels like it’s on fire, and it’s not helped by how close Todoroki-kun is to him.)
“I—canIkissyou?” he rushes out with.
Nearly before he’s finished asking, Shouto’s glossy lips collide with his own, and amidst the fireworks going off in his head, he registers that they really are as soft and smooth as they looked.
He is very shyly slipping his tongue into Shouto’s mouth when there’s a knock, and Natsuo’s voice sounds out, “Hey Shouto, I need to get some earphones, so I’m coming in— oh my god, you two! At least Touya and Hawks were on the couch and not in my bedroom !”
Izuku and Todoroki break apart, Todoroki still holding Izuku firmly around the waist as Izuku attempts to bow and apologize, “I’m so sorry—it definitely won’t happen again here—it was my fault, we just got a bit carried away—”
“It was definitely mainly my fault,” Todoroki interrupts, his hold tightening around Izuku’s waist. “I kissed him first.”
“But I was the one who asked you first—”
“I don’t actually care who kissed who first, I just don’t want people making out in my bedroom,” Natsuo says, holding up his hand and rolling his eyes. “Shouto—you get changed. Izuku-kun—you go stand outside because while I support you guys, I think for the sake of my bedroom, Shouto better change alone.”
Despite Todoroki’s frown and clingy arms, Izuku does manage to untangle himself from him, although not before Todoroki presses a kiss to his forehead and says, “I’ll wear this outfit later for you if you want—”
“It’s not the outfit that I’m attracted to,” Izuku interrupts before blushing, “Or at least—I mean it definitely doesn’t hurt but—I’m—I really like you , Todoroki-kun. I—I went to that maid café at first because I thought you were interested in someone there…”
“Oh. Well—no, I’ve only ever been interested in one person, and I think you can call me Shouto now, don’t you?” Todoroki asks, kissing the back of his hand.
“Sh-Shouto,” Izuku whispers, flushing all the way up to the roots of his hair.
“You guys are so sweet, but oh my god, out, ” Natsuo says, gesturing at the door.
Izuku finally stumbles out the door, Natsuo following him out and closing the door behind him before turning to Izuku and saying seriously, “I don’t even need to tell you that you better not hurt him, right?”
Izuku nods, clenching his fist at his chest. “Yes. I would never hurt Todo—Shouto.”
“You two are nauseatingly sweet,” Dabi calls over from the couch, where Hawks seems to have woken up and is blinking sleepily at them. “And Natsu—you owe me hot soba.”
Natsuo rolls his eyes and sighs, looking at Izuku, “You guys couldn’t have figured it out earlier or something?”
“Um—um—sorry?” Izuku offers, digging through his bag for the Pokemon gacchapon. “Also—we got you this?”
“Aw, you didn’t have to do that—I’m just messing with you, no worries,” Natsuo says, taking the gacchapon and giving them an appreciative look. “I’m glad you two got together, you guys are very sweet.”
Hawks perks up, his eyes drifting over to Izuku, “Oh, did you finally get together with Shouto-kun? Congrats! I’d make you guys a cake, but it would be terrible—I’ll get Dabi here to make it for you.”
Dabi pokes Hawks’ side. “Really? Just volunteering my baking services out like that?”
“You know you love baking, hot stuff,” Hawks says serenely before noticing the doujinshi in his hands. “Wait—is that supposed to be me ?”
“Yeah, Shouto got it for me,” Dabi says with a pleased smirk on his face as Hawks flips through it.
Hawks looks up from one of the pages at Izuku, clearing his throat and using a more professional sounding tone, “Just so you know, I wouldn’t recommend you guys trying positions from doujinshi—you need to be a bit more flexible. Also, the more lube the better. I’m pretty sure self-lubricating asses are not a real secondary quirk.”
Izuku starts choking, and Natsuo pounds his back with a grin. “No worries, Izuku-kun! I’m sure you guys will be cute and great—although not in my bedroom, and also, Hawks is right, self-lubricating anal canals are not a thing, so definitely use lube. You guys already had the safe sex talk, right?”
“Why does everyone keep asking us that?” Todoroki asks, coming out of Natsuo’s bedroom.
“Very important with horny teenagers,” Dabi comments, standing up and walking towards the kitchen. “You of course want your grotesque mockery of soba, cold soba, and your new boyfriend wants…?”
Todoroki turns and smiles at Izuku. “Do you want katsudon? Touya’s is pretty good.”
“Uh—sure!” Izuku says (even though the idea of eating food made by former villain Dabi seems pretty strange), and he reaches out to take Todoroki’s hand.
Todoroki flat-out beams at him, and it’s all Izuku can do to keep melting straight into the floor.
So even if Todoroki’s brothers and Hawks tease the two of them, Izuku is pretty sure this meal is the best meal he has ever had, and he has a boyfriend now.
A boyfriend who makes plans with him to see him at the maid café and play board games with him and friends in the big board game space in the cafe.
He is truly, far too lucky.