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Todoroki’s been dating Midoriya for about seven months now, and they haven’t kissed once.
You know when you like someone so much, the idea of doing just about anything with them is an overload? It’s like that with Midoriya. Actually, it’s always been like that with Midoriya. It’s unexplainable and enigmatic. And it’s only thanks to the spiked punch at their last school dance that Todoroki even acted on his four-month-old pent-up feelings and then sent Midoriya into shock.
Compared to before they got together, dating wasn’t much of a change. Except, now, Todoroki’s allowed to meet Midoriya’s eyes from across the classroom instead of faking disinterest and looking away. Now he’s allowed to sit next to Midoriya in the common room for no good reason, allowed to slip into Midoriya’s room to hear him chatter about the next upgrade for his costume, allowed to bake him cookies just cause, allowed to ask him how his day was with a smile.
Through it all, Todoroki has been unbelievably nervous. Midoriya, with his splatter of freckles and his affinity for heroes and storytelling, is completely content with retelling his analyses and explaining incidents to Todoroki, who is completely content to listen in the palm of his hand, asking questions and insight when Midoriya pauses.
Holding hands is difficult, because Todoroki’s are always shaking. He’s always worried he’s accidentally going to activate his quirk.
When scared hands slip into his, his heart flickers, ripples, and then sighs.
Holding hands is such an overload, Todoroki can’t even think about kissing Midoriya.
i.
“Is it the honeymoon phase?” Yaoyorozu asks after she and Uraraka corner Todoroki in the deserted common room. The two girls have been partners in crime, deeply invested in this “coming of age love story,” as they call it.
“But it’s been about six months, right Todoroki-kun?” Uraraka asks. “The honeymoon phase is only supposed to last three.”
Todoroki adjusts his tie, and nods. “Seven months. Actually, almost eight.” He glances around, but knows Midoriya’s still sparring with Bakugou in the training room.
“Maybe it’s a first love thing.” Yaoyorozu sips her tea, while the three of them take a seat on the deserted common room couches.
First love thing?
“Maybe.” Uraraka bites her lip. “It’s not like Deku-kun’s asking you to do anything more, is he?”
“No, not at all,” Todoroki says. Midoriya also seems completely okay with their pace, blushing after light touches and returning them with bright smiles.
“Huh.” Yaoyorozu shrugs with a grin.
“Then,” Uraraka giggles, “You want to?”
“No—well, yes, but—” Todoroki presses his lips together. “I’m happy with what we have now.”
It’s not like Todoroki doesn’t want to do more with Midoriya, he wants to, but he just gets overwhelmed. In a good way. He’s not sure he’d be able to do anything with Midoriya without combusting, metaphorically and physically.
“Maybe they’re inexperienced?” Uraraka theorizes out loud.
“Maybe. Or they're both too shy.” Yaoyorozu twists her hair.
“Too busy?”
“And they are around everyone all the time.”
Uraraka nods like they’ve hit the jackpot.
“I’m right here,” Todoroki says.
The girls blink. Yaoyorozu turns to him in concentration, like she needs to get to the bottom of this. Todoroki glances at Uraraka, she’s waiting expectantly, rocking between her heels and toes.
“It is a first love thing,” Yaoyorozu declares. “I can see it on your face.” She smiles.
Uraraka laughs. “Yep.”
“Uh, okay,” Todoroki says because they’re smiling at him a little weirdly.
“Ah, do you want some tea?” Yaoyorozu takes a step back, hands running over her shirt. “I’ll go make you two some.”
“Okay,” Uraraka calls, seemingly on Todoroki’s behalf too.
“Don’t worry too much, Todoroki-kun.” Uraraka smiles warmly with bright eyes. Her smile reminds Todoroki of Midoriya’s—wide and as bright, as if they harvested the stars just for that. “You make Deku-kun happy.”
Todoroki’s heart stalls and blooms at that. “I’m glad.”
“Then it’s all good.” Uraraka squeezes his arm gently. “I mean, I will come for your head if you do anything to Deku-kun, but for now, you’re in the clear.”
Todoroki does not want to see an angry Uraraka come flying at him. He nods, it's not the first time he’s been warned. Iida gave him a very stiff warning four months ago when he determined Midoriya and Todoroki were serious about being together.
“Okay,” Todoroki says.
Uraraka smiles as they head towards the kitchen where Yaoyorozu is making tea. “It’s the same for him, just to let you know. I’ll also go for his throat if he hurts you.” Uraraka’s a force to be reckoned with.
Todoroki grins slightly. “Okay.”
“If you hurt each other, both of you will end up dead.”
“I’m not sure you could kill us both.” She definitely could.
“Momo-chan would help.” Uraraka crosses her arms in defiance. “Don’t tempt me.”
Todoroki nods, avoiding the edge of the common room couch. Midoriya should be done sparring soon.
“Uraraka-san,” Todoroki says softly. “He makes me happy, too.”
“Good. Then I won’t worry.” Uraraka grins as Yaoyorozu comes out with steaming green tea, balancing the cups perfectly.
ii.
“Todoroki, bro, you okay?” Kirishima waves a hand in front of Todoroki’s face. “You look really out of it.”
“Oh, yeah.” Todoroki straightens. 1A’s doing a drill on Ground Beta, simple capture the flag with quirks and the raised stakes of their pride. They’re split into two teams with measly frisbees as flags hidden somewhere in the metal city. “Sorry.”
He’s on lookout. Asui, their strategist, is banking on the tactic that the other team will assume they’re placing Todoroki and Kirishima near the flag to protect it. But they’re just a diversion, on lookout and shoring up the left defence system. The flag’s nowhere near them.
“No worries,” Kirishima says easily, kicking the edge of the rooftop. “What’s up?”
“I’m just—” Todoroki spots Dark Shadow in an alleyway about a kilometre away. “There,” he says, pointing at Tokoyami.
“Yeah, noted.” Kirishima nods. “Incoming enemies.” Bakugou’s also ripping up the main road a few buildings over, screaming at the top of his lungs. If the other team is smart, they’re using him as a diversion since he won’t work with anyone anyway.
“Don’t,” Todoroki says to Kirishima when he pivots course. “Midoriya’s counting on you to go to him.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Kirishima shifts, resigned. “Midoriya’s too good of a strategist, man.”
“He is.”
“Is that what’s bothering you?” Kirishima grins like he’s hit bingo.
“What?” Todoroki feigns ignorance.
“Is Midoriya bothering you?” Kirishima’s good with everyone, he’s the glue of the class. He sticks his nose in people’s business to be helpful. Since he sounds so genuine, Todoroki doesn’t bristle and turn away.
“No,” he says, obviously. Midoriya’s never bothering him.
“Are you sure?” Kirishima eyes Tokoyami sliding along the alleyway, back to them. “I’m the best advice giver in this class, so, y’know.”
“I know.” Todoroki knows.
Kirishima looks surprised, and then eager to help.
“I don’t know if it calls for advice.” Todoroki caves a little, speaking reluctantly.
“Yeah?” Kirishima’s all ears.
“What would you—” Todoroki cuts himself off. “Nevermind.”
“Todoroki, brooo, no.” Kirishima grins at him. “You’re never distracted in training, much less by Midoriya. Let me help.”
Todoroki doesn’t know how to ask for advice. Or if he wants advice. Or what he’s doing.
“Well, we’re dating.”
“Really?” Kirishima deadpans. “I didn’t know.”
Todoroki’s eyes shift back to Bakugou a few buildings over. It looks like he’s trying to eat metal.
“Sorry, sorry, yes, the two of you are dating, and?” Kirishima breaks off a chunk of pipe using Unbreakable.
“I still get nervous around him.” That’s the best way to preface what Todoroki thinks he wants to say.
“Nervous? Like the stomach jitters?” Kirishima throws the pipe down the alleyway to throw Tokoyami off. Tokoyami jumps and Dark Shadow rears up.
“Yeah,” Todoroki says. “That.”
Kirishima laughs, bright as daylight. “You’re whipped, dude.”
Todoroki frowns. “Whipped?”
“Heart eyes.”
That does not clarify anything.
Kirishima laughs again at Todoroki’s confusion. “You just really like him.”
Todoroki flushes. “I know that.”
“So what’s the problem?” Kirishima asks. He gestures towards Sero, who just appeared next to Tokoyami. Todoroki nods and the two of them start that way. “That’s pretty normal, I think.”
“You think?”
“Yeah.” Kirishima shrugs. “I mean, the two of you are dating. Midoriya’s hella whipped too.”
“He is?”
“Dude. How dense can you be?” Kirishima heads to the south, behind Sero and Tokoyami, and Todoroki moves to the north. They’ll be trapped around the next corner.
“Just be honest,” Kirishima says “The jitters never leave, so get used to them.” He hops over the side of the railing, and Todoroki stands there, momentarily suspended.
He shakes his head. It’s not the time to think about that, it’s not time to think about Midoriya and the so-called jitters. Not time to think about kissing.
Todoroki launches an ice wall in front of Sero.
iii.
“Todoroki.” Aizawa rubs his eyes at the front of the classroom as everyone files out. “Come here.”
Todoroki steps over to his desk, wondering if it’s about interning or the fact he was on the scene of Mina and Asui’s hardcore fight. He had turned a blind eye to that.
“You’re supposed to face the front of the classroom.” Aizawa shuffles through their class assignment papers with disdain. “Stop turning around.”
“I’m sorry. That won’t happen again.” During class, Midoriya sits diagonally behind him.
“Being young means you have to focus on studying.”
“I understand.”
“But.” Aizawa hesitates. “Spend time with him outside of class.”
“I’m sorry?” Is Aizawa trying to give him romance advice?
“Don’t let him slip away.”
Todoroki’s learned a few things working aside pro heroes and seeing them in the field. When they give him advice, it’s because they saw someone mess up. Or because they messed up in the past.
“I won’t."
“Good. Dismissed.” Aizawa shuffles back towards his banana sleeping bag.
Todoroki leaves feeling lightheaded. It’s a day for soba.
iv.
Todoroki heads over to the kitchen to make tea for him and Midoriya. The two of them are studying for a biology test, the function of cells and cytoplasm nipping at his brain. Two hours deep in notes, they’re taking a break.
“Hey, Todoroki.” Kaminari’s crouched near the freezer, digging through the ice trays. He grins widely.
“Hi, Kaminari.” Todoroki smiles a little, opening the upper shelf for the tea Yaoyorozu supplies them with.
“Can you—” Kaminari rubs the back of his neck. “Can you make me some ice?”
“Yeah.” Todoroki activates Half Hot Half Cold, holding out his hand. When Recovery Girl’s a little too tired of Class 1-A or Kirishima buys bulk ice cream for no reason at all, Todoroki makes ice for them.
“Ah—actually—” Kaminari throws his hands up, standing up and nudging the freezer closed. “Can you make it like this shape?” He makes a curved stripe with his hands.
“What’s it for?” It’s easier to make shapes when he knows their purpose.
“Uh,” Kaminari laughs doggedly. “My neck.”
“From training? Recovery Girl would be able to help better than I could.”
“Yeah but…” Kaminari gestures ambiguously to his flipped-up collar. “Y’know.”
Todoroki does not know.
“Well, sure.” Todoroki examines Kaminari’s neck. “What hurts? The back?”
“The side. It doesn’t hurt too much.” Kaminari’s collar shifts and Todoroki freezes.
Ah. Todoroki now knows.
If Kaminari’s not going to Recovery Girl for bruises on his neck—
Todoroki knows there are people that jump into relationships and get physical right away. People who get physical first and then decide on trying a relationship. Like a thirty-day trial or something. Todoroki also knows Kaminari’s trying that with someone from Class 1B—Shinsou—or something. He heard it in passing from Jirou and Yaoyorozu.
Todoroki doesn’t have a problem regarding friends with benefits. He understands commitments are hard to make on top of training and interning, and that some people want to feel wanted without the strings; or that some just want an outlet.
Maybe since he hasn’t had many friends or, per se, benefits in his life, he can’t imagine how it would work. Wouldn’t feelings just make it messy? From the look on Kaminari’s face whenever they walk by Class 1-B or the class vs class exercises Aizawa establishes, it seems messy for him. Or maybe it was always messy.
Not to mention the fact Todoroki’s never kissed anyone.
“Todoroki? I can just—” Kaminari’s flustered.
“No, no, I can do it.” Todoroki makes a band of ice, curved so it’ll fit Kaminari’s neck better than a normal flat sheet. Bruises are bruises. “Here.”
“Thanks, dude. You’re a lifesaver.” Kaminari wraps the ice in a towel.
“Of course,” Todoroki says mildly. “Let me know if you need more.”
“Will do.” Kaminari grins. “Damn, this is like perfect. You have experience or something?”
“What? No.” It comes out a little more aggressive than Todoroki intended. “I mean, no, I don’t.”
“Alright, lover boy.” Kaminari’s smiling hard. He winks.
“I don’t.”
“Mhmm.”
“I do not.”
“At least not yet.”
“Kaminari—”
“You two have been dating for years at this point.” Kaminari looks at him pointedly.
“So?”
“So things happen.”
“I made you ice. We are not here to discuss—” Todoroki gestures to Kaminari’s neck. “Whatever the nature of that is.”
“No, we’re discussing you and Midoriya.”
“We are not.”
Kaminari shrugs. “Alright, whatever floats your boat. Just saying, if nothing has happened, think about it.”
Todoroki literally can’t think about it without heating up. He’s tried. That’s another reason why he can’t understand the friends with benefits package. The very notion of kissing his boyfriend of seven months is overwhelming. And since Midoriya’s toppled his way into Todoroki’s life, he can’t look at anyone else in that light.
“Who forgot to return the ice packs?” Todoroki asks instead, unsteady.
Kaminari shrugs. “I dunno.”
“Whoever did it needs to stop, so Iida doesn’t lecture us again.” Todoroki appreciates rules as much as he should, but he doesn’t need another fully armed lecture that Bakugou will blow up in the middle of.
Kaminari nods, pivoting towards the hallway. “Well, thank you for the ice.”
“You’re welcome.” Todoroki feels like this went beyond ice transactions.
“Don’t forget your tea!” Kaminari calls with a wave.
Todoroki turns to the counter, neglected mugs waiting and a box of herbal tea that stares back at him.
v.
Bakugou doesn’t beat around the bush. The two of them are ahead of the pack, racing around the school. A few of them tend to go for runs in the evening, and today Bakugou’s decided Todoroki is his target.
Midoriya’s a block ahead of them, limber strides turning corners, and pacing himself. Even without his quirk, he’s strong. He was strong before his quirk. Todoroki knows Midoriya doesn’t rely on his ability, he’s top of the class because of his dedication and almost dangerous drive.
And he’s kind. Even to his opponents and random children and the grandma crossing the street. He’s undeniably, under everything, good-natured and sweet, and Todoroki’s heart aches just thinking about him.
Midoriya tends to make his heart ache. Todoroki sighs, even though he’s out of breath. He’s gotten somewhat used to Midoriya always stealing it.
“Fucking kiss him, already,” Bakugou spits as they jump over a curb.
Todoroki blinks in surprise.
“Are you giving me romance advice?” Todoroki evades a sharp elbow thrown at him. Their words are breathy from running, half gasps that Todoroki fights to regulate.
“There a fucking problem with that?”
“Have you ever dated anyone?”
“That’s irrelevant.”
“How.”
“Listen here, Icy Hot, I’m tired of watching you two make moony eyes at each other instead of doing something because both of you are too cowardly to actually do anything—”
“Midoriya isn’t a coward.”
“Yes, he is. He wants to kiss you so bad it makes him look stupid.”
Todoroki blanches, and almost runs into a fire hydrant.
“Yeah, like that.” Bakugou ups his speed.
Todoroki tries to fall back into step with him, extending his legs a little further. Bakugou’s got insane stamina.
“I didn’t think you kept tabs on Midoriya’s love life.” Todoroki keeps his voice neutral.
“I don’t want to. But it’s fucking hard with you two. You’re in a shitty relationship, and still pining for each other all the time. It’s gross.” Even though it’s dark, Todoroki can make out the sneer on Bakugou’s face.
“Pining?”
“Yes, fucking pining. Pining.” Bakugou’s upper lip curls up. “Get your damn act together or I’ll lock you two in a broom closet tomorrow.”
Todoroki sputters.
“I’m not pining.”
“That’s funny.” Bakugou isn’t laughing.
Todoroki flicks a glance left and right before crossing the road, even though there won’t be any cars.
“Why aren’t you talking to Deku about this?” Todoroki’s confused as to why Bakugou would ever come to him first. He’s made it pretty clear he has a vendetta against Todoroki, constantly battling against him for top places in the class.
“I don’t fucking know. Because he’s even stupider than you.”
“He's not—”
“Shut up.”
Todoroki doesn’t understand how Midoriya bore all of middle school with this walking headache.
“Just do something.” Bakugou eyes Midoriya’s back, a steady beacon in front of them. He kicks up his pace. “And eat dust.”
Bakugou speeds away, probably to harass Midoriya in his usual manner, and Todoroki turns towards the sky. It’s dark enough to see the stars.
Who knew Bakugou would give two shits about other people’s relationships? Or maybe Todoroki’s just obvious about his own.
Todoroki doesn’t know, but he does avoid broom closets the next day.
+ i.
Todoroki’s heart is so loud. Every time Midoriya enters his orbit, it strains out of his chest towards Midoriya, thumping against his ribcage and his lungs. Before realizing it was because he had feelings for his now-boyfriend, he had entertained the idea it was just his anxiety, or a cold.
It was not. It is not.
“Todoroki-kun? Are you okay?” He and Midoriya are watching parts of a history documentary for class. But Todoroki might have to rewatch it, because he can’t focus. Midoriya’s running his thumb unconsciously over the back of Todororki’s hand and the knuckle of his pointer finger and god, he can’t even believe he thought about kissing Midoriya without falling apart.
‘Yeah.” His voice sounds strained.
“Are you tired?” Midoriya’s watching him with such caring eyes. They’re shoulder to shoulder on Midoriya’s bed, the laptop propped up on their legs.
“No, sorry, I’m okay.”
Midoriya squeezes his hand. “You sure?”
Yes, always, with you.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” Midoriya stills, and then impulsively places his lips on Todoroki’s cheek. Under his cheekbone, just the lightest brush. “Let me know if you need anything.”
Todoroki’s blood is singing. His heart is raring, and jitters climb through his stomach and into his vocal cords and the tips of his fingers.
Midoriya pauses the documentary and closes the laptop.
“What’s wrong?” Midoriya holds up their interlaced hands. Todoroki’s hand is unsteady, shaking ever so slightly.
Midoriya frowns. “Is it the documentary?” It’s literally a documentary about David Shield and costume development in the Bronze Age.
Todoroki shakes his head.
“I’m just—” he doesn’t want Midoriya to worry. In the shadowed room, Todoroki can see the furrow of his brow, the concern in his eyes. “Nervous?”
Midoriya’s eyebrows raise, and maybe Todoroki shouldn't have said that, and then Midoriya smiles. His smile digs into Todoroki’s heart and personally ensures it does acrobats.
“About what?”
Todoroki’s already dug a hole and put himself in it.
“Is it cause...” Midoriya glances at his cheek, a little unsure.
“No—uh—Midoriya.” Todoroki’s words feel uncertain and sloppy. “Well, yes?”
Midoriya’s patient with him, squeezing his hand gently. It would be helpful if Todoroki wasn’t so completely gone at the movement. “Mhmm?”
“It’s—” Todoroki’s malfunctioning. “I don’t know.”
“But you didn’t mind it, right?”
“I didn’t mind it.”
“Okay.” Midoriya leans over, this time with more certainty, and presses his lips to Todoroki’s cheek. It’s only a glimmer of lips, and a heap of affection.
Half Cold Half Hat becomes mostly cold. Tingling runs up his arm, glacial explosions going off over his arm.
“Hey, you’ve got goosebumps,” Midoriya teases, watching his hand.
Todoroki wills Half Cold Half Hot back into a dormant state. Luckily he didn’t freeze Midoriya’s room, let alone his hand. He can add that almost-incident to the ever-growing list of almost-incidents due to Midoriya.
“Sorry,” Todoroki says, hoping his cheeks aren’t flaming from the kiss, or from the Half Hot part. “I didn’t mean to.”
Midoriya grins playfully. He plants another kiss on Todoroki’s cheek, this time holding it for a little longer. Todoroki’s melting into the linen of Midoriya’s bed, falling into his net of affection and adorable freckles.
“All good.” Midoriya’s lips tickle Todoroki’s skin. Todoroki’s heart is in jeopardy.
“Are you sure this isn’t why you’re nervous?” Midoriya tilts his head, a teasing lit to his voice.
Todoroki clears his throat. “No,” he says. “That’s not why.”
Midoriya’s watching him skeptically, a smile gracing his lips, and Todoroki wonders faintly if he could just kiss them.
But the gap in between their lips feels so large. Midoriya’s right in front of him, eyes on him in full concentration and attentiveness and Todoroki thanks the gods that looks can’t kill. The gap is less than a foot, only a few inches, and yet it looks monstrous. A chasm of space that Todoroki wants to cross so bad, to just press his lips to Midoriya’s because he wants to show his affection. He wants to put Midoriya’s heart in jeopardy the same way his is.
And because—
It’s Midoriya.
“Todoroki, you’re steaming.”
This time, Todoroki doesn’t bother with neutralizing his quirk fully. He’s not sure if he can.
“Midoriya,” Todoroki tries although his voice sounds off. “Midoriya.”
“Yeah?”
Words crumble under his hold.
“Can I—” He’s watching Midoriya’s lips. “I want to—”
That doesn’t sound right.
“Can I kiss you?”
For a brief eternity, Todoroki’s worried Midoriya’s going to say no, and his stomach freefalls. But then Midoriya laughs once, a firework of excitement. His pink lips curve up and Todoroki knows, furiously, that in that moment, he wants to kiss the laugh from Midoriya’s mouth.
“Yeah, yeah.” The tips of Midoriya’s ears are pink, and he ducks his head. His smile is made of galaxies. Todoroki’s heart palpitates. It’s so loud, even louder now that Midoriya’s agreed. His stomach is still falling through clouds of nerves and bundles of inexperience.
The gap between them still feels large, and charged, but Todoroki leans forwards to close it.
This is Midoriya. Everything is inexplicable and enigmatic, but—
Midoriya. Todoroki’s never going to need any less or any more of a reason to want to kiss him.
Midoriya Izuku.
Torodoki’s boyfriend, who he’s been with for seven months, and the one and only reason he’s in love.