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There’s something you should know about Todoroki Shoto. Despite any assumptions you might have about the half-and-half boy, he didn't have problems with either over or under -cooking food. Despite the rumors which he would neither confirm nor deny, (on the basis that they were at least a little true ), Shoto didn't have temperature problems in the kitchen. That wasn't to say that he was entirely problem-less , however.
Now let's be clear: it wasn't that he was bad at cooking or baking. It was really more of a “Was it two or three cups of flour?” or a “Wait do I let it sit for 10 minutes or 20?” situation. And then those situations usually turned into an “accidentally-turning-the-food-into-an-inedible-rock” situation.
Baking wasn't usually as disastrous as cooking, but seeing as he was too prideful to just read a recipe off of a piece of paper or his phone, any recipe Shoto didn't have memorized was basically a lost cause.
After an incident with an absolutely horrid surprise cake in their second year at UA, ( It was meant to be a surprise for Midoriya’s birthday, and while that was definitely the outcome, no one liked his crunchy cake ), Shoto was indefinitely banned from the kitchen without ‘adult’ supervision. Basically, if Satou wasn't available to babysit, no kitchen for Shoto.
There was, however, one particular exception to the rule: Cookies.
For some reason, Shoto could make some pretty tasty cookies, and seeing as they were apparently one of the few things he could actually make without ‘assistance ,’ the bi-colored boy had made it his mission to memorize as many different easy recipes as he could.
Thanks to a gifted cookbook from Bakugou, ( Thrown at him one day with a grumbled: “If you're going to be such a stubborn bastard, might as well make it less painful for the rest of us.” ) Shoto had almost 10 different recipes that he could recite off the top of his head.
Some examples included: Chocolate chip, peanut butter, and sugar cookie. His most recent addition, double chocolate, was a well-received and invaluable addition to his arsenal. They weren’t the most jaw-dropping treats, but at least they had been deemed tolerable, and Shoto took unmitigated pride in that.
Humming to himself in the quiet kitchen, Shoto found the process almost therapeutic. When he got the chance to bake, it was arguably the most relaxing part of his week.
Well...usually.
Here’s another thing you should know about Todoroki Shoto: he loves his boyfriend, he really does.
Sero Hanta was wonderful. Patient, kind, gorgeous, ( and most importantly a manga lover ), he was perfect boyfriend material, and Shoto was constantly thanking Kami that he had been the lucky boy to snatch the tape-wielder off the market. The height difference could sometimes be annoying, but the amazing hugs that Shoto received were worth it.
Yes, Shoto loved his boyfriend, but while he usually admired the taller boy’s persistence in training, he now was starting to see the downside.
With Hanta hovering over his shoulders, it was getting increasingly harder for Shoto to zone out and lose himself in the process of cookie-making.
No, literally.
Peeking around and over Shoto’s shoulders was his one and only bright-eyed boyfriend. Shoto knew, from when the dark-haired boy had originally entered the room a little while ago, that his arms were clasped behind his back.
Hanta had managed to stay fairly quiet, and for the most part, had kept his distance while Shoto worked. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Seeing as Hanta had inevitably gravitated closer as Shoto worked, his peace and quiet was now ruined.
The warm breath of his boyfriend now tickled the back of Shoto’s neck and every rustle of clothing felt inconceivably loud. Shoto sighed loudly, no longer able to ignore the taller boy’s presence, and no longer willing to tolerate it.
“Hanta, I’ll call you when they’re done.”
In surprise, the lithe boy let out the breath he had apparently been holding, but Shoto didn’t turn around. Even as Shoto shivered at the sensation, he was still trying to focus on getting rid of the large clumps in the dry mix. The room was silent as Shoto added the wet ingredients, cracking eggs and pouring oil, and it remained silent as he did so...until it wasn't.
Shoto heard the rustle of clothes again, just as it had seemed Hanta was going to listen and leave him in peace. The boy in question inhaled sharply, signaling that he had indeed not listened and that the conversation was apparently not over.
Shoto huffed and set the mixing bowl and whisk on the counter, turning on his heels and doing a 180 turn to face his boyfriend with a small scowl.
“Hanta…” he chided, a hint of a warning in his tone.
The raven-haired teen startled at the sudden movement, but upon seeing the look on his boyfriend’s face, brought his hands up in a placating manner. “Can I just lick the-“
“No.” The puppy dog eyes that followed were a good effort from Hanta, but Shoto was too stubborn for his own good, and as the bi-colored boy planted his feet firmly and stood his ground, crossing his arms and frowning pointedly in his boyfriends direction.
Sensing the end, Hanta bowed his head and silently shuffled out of the kitchen. Shoto sighed exasperatedly as he turned back towards the counter, picking up the bowl and continuing to stir the wet ingredients into the dry mix.
A small slurping sound reached his ears, coming from the side of the room, next to the door but out of sight, and the rolling of eyes that followed from Shoto was so loud that I-Island could have heard it, loud and clear.
Shoto turned to see Hanta with an almost empty glass of water.
That by itself wasn't unusual or concerning, hydration was very important, and as hero students, they had to take care of themselves and their bodies. No, it wasn't the cup that irked Shoto, it was the fact that Hanta was drinking from a straw. Loudly.
He tried to ignore the sounds, but his patience could only go so far.
Shoto took in a deep breath, holding it for a moment before letting it out in a short breath, and as his shoulders slumped in defeat, he reached for a spoon. Ignoring the cheer that followed his action, Shoto dipped the utensil into the bowl holding the newly-mixed batter.
As he does so, his ears are met with another sound from behind, this time in a whispered “Yessssssssss,” and Shoto had to fight back a small smile. When he’s schooled his face into an appropriate expression of annoyance, Shoto turns, and is immediately greeted with a view of what was apparently supposed to be a victory dance.
Hanta was jumping around, dancing a wild, crazily uncoordinated dance. His hair is swinging through the air, and his arms are flailing wildly. He’s effortlessly beautiful, and Shoto’s earlier attempt to hide his smile almost fails. Almost. Rather than letting it through, however, he instead opts for a deadpan tone and a face that hopefully conveys how very done he is with the whole thing.
Noticing his boyfriend’s presence, Hanta’s silly not-quite dance stops and Shoto mourns the loss of Hanta’s goofy smile as the tape-wielder stares blankly at him in surprise. A faint blush covers the taller boy’s cheeks as he realizes he had an audience, and Shoto has to fight back a smile again , for what feels like the hundredth time that night.
When Hanta makes no move to come to get the utensil from him, Shoto rolls his eyes and shifts his weight to his back leg. He crosses his arms expectantly as he holds out the spoon, and shoots his boyfriend a pointed look as he shakes it a bit.
“Hanta Sero, if you don’t take this spoon from me within the next 5 seconds, I will be throwing it at your head with my full strength.”
Hanta shakes himself out of his surprise and scurries over.
The spoon now removed from his hand, Shoto returned his attention to stirring the already stirred cookie batter, pretending to ignore the soft kiss pressed to his cheek, and pretending not to notice how his heart swells at the simple, domestic action.
“Love you, babe.”
“I know. Now get out of the kitchen and let me get back to work.”
I love you too, Hanta Sero.