Chapter Text
The holiday season. For most, it would be a relatively cheerful time of year, but as far back as Todoroki could remember, it only ever meant another boring reception with adults he didn’t like or didn’t know. It was a time of expectations, when his father would show him off to the world. A time that was just as clinical and callous as the rest of his life.
Of course, this year was different. This year, he was no longer under his father's rule. This year, he was at a local mall with his new college friends shopping for their (not so) secret Santa gift exchange. Nearly the entire class was in on it, and admittedly, he was peer pressured into participating. Though the concept was simple enough in theory—pick a name, buy a present for that person—he would’ve been completely lost if it weren’t for Deku. Having never actively tried to befriend his classmates before, he appreciated the second opinion—or in this case, second, third, fourth, and fifth opinions.
“Hey, what do you think of this one guys?” Deku held up a bag of dark roast coffee beans.
“That’s for Shinsou, right?” Uraraka questioned.
“Yeah, I’m not really sure what he likes, but he seems like the type to appreciate some good coffee, ya know.”
“Y’all have it so easy. I wish I just got Todoroki instead. I could prolly just get you a bucket of cold soba and you’d be thrilled. How the hell am I supposed to know what Hagakure likes?” Kaminari whined, about to go on another overdramatic rant about how his life is oh so difficult.
Jirou cut him off before he could get too far into his rant, a skill she’d been honing ever since they started dating last year. “Sucks to suck, buddy.”
“How cruel. You break my heart, Jirou. I don’t know how I'll ever recover.”
“Oh no,” Jirou replied sarcastically, still looking at her phone. Kaminari continued to fake cry until eventually she gave in and offered to buy him a milkshake later.
“Well anyways, I think I’m gonna get this. Why don’t you guys go to some other stores in the meantime. I’ll text you when I’m done.” Deku said before getting in line.
“Roger that."
…
The rest of them proceeded to wander around the mall, idly chatting about school and their plans for Christmas. Todoroki was zoning out, but not because he didn’t enjoy their company. It was quite the opposite actually; the fact he was able to drift off only proved he was comfortable around them. The entire experience was a nice change of pace considering this group was much more energetic and friendly than what he was used to during the holiday season: mostly businessmen and their snobby, competitive sons. But why would the holidays be anything more than a networking opportunity for Todoroki Shoto, son of the CEO of Endeavor Corp, Todoroki Enji.
His eyes mindlessly drifted around the mall, first admiring all the little Christmas trinkets on display before wandering past the large central Christmas tree and eventually landing on a man in a red coat. The man was stationed right beside the tree and partially obscured by a large golden chair. Seemingly, he was just another mall Santa, but something about him stuck out to Todoroki: he was hot. Like really hot.
He was surrounded by three people struggling to adjust his costume while a line of children formed a little ways away. One person had pink hair and was forcing "Santa's" spiky blond hair into a silver wig; someone else with purple hair was shoving a pillow into his shirt (presumably to replicate the body of a man that eats millions of cookies in a single night). Doing this out in the open may have ruined the magic of “Santa Claus,” but Todoroki was by no means complaining. Even from here, he could tell the man was handsome—and probably quite fit considering how many pillows it took to fill out the suit.
Too busy ogling this unreasonably attractive man (who was now completely dressed and sitting on his Santa throne), Todoroki stopped walking. It was only then that the rest of the group took notice. Following his glaze, they spotted what he was so focused on.
“Oh ho ho, somebody seems awfully intrigued,” Kaminari teased.
Todoroki's head immediately snapped to face him. “How do I get his number?” he asked, not a hint of shame on his face. He’d never actually asked anyone out before, and even if Kaminari was almost always rejected, at least he had some experience.
Uraraka and Jirou looked at him with a mixture of confusion and shock. They never seriously expected him to be interested in Santa of all people (keeping in mind, they didn’t see the hot, beardless blond Todoroki was referring to). I mean, the man had rejected plenty of guys and girls who were arguably much more attractive than Old St. Nicholas. In fact, Kaminari assumed he was kidding.
“Well, you could always get in line and ask Santa yourself,” he responded jokingly. “Might even let you sit on his lap.”
“Ah, I see” are Todoroki's last words before silently wandering to the end of a long line of children. Sarcasm and Todoroki have never been a good mix, and that fact was made crystal clear that day.
After overcoming the initial shock, the three of them made bets on whether Todoroki could actually pull through and get Santa's number. Kaminari said ‘hell yea’ but the girls were less optimistic given the scowl present on "Santa’s" face even through the beard. They would’ve stayed to watch the whole thing, but the line was long enough to stop by another store first.
By the time Todoroki checked his phone again, he'd already received several messages from Kaminari— all of which were cheesy pickup lines that would supposedly increase his odds.