Work Text:
Shouto was not a liar. If anything, he was brutally honest if how others reacted was anything to go by. He didn’t mean to be, really, but niceties and sugar coating had just never made it into his repertoire.
All that said, Shouto would never intentionally lie to his friends or classmates for the sake of deception.
But with moving his mother out of the hospital and into their new house, spending more time with his family, and moving into the 3-A dorms, a lot of things slipped Shouto’s mind. Like what was public knowledge after the trial against his father.
Genuinely, Shouto had forgotten that Touya being Dabi wasn’t common knowledge. He hadn’t meant to lie.
Especially not to Midoriya.
I --- I
It’s their last Sports Festival, this time next year Shouto and his class will either be opening their own agencies or working as sidekicks. For the last week, Midoriya’s been muttering strategies to himself, Bakugou’s been dragging him off to spar, and Tokoyami and Dark Shadow have helped him work on his fire. According to his classmates, this year was shaping up to be a legendary Sports Festival for UA’s history.
Shouto understands, even with the dissolution of the HSPC and their ranking system, public perception of heroes is incredibly important. So this show of growth and skill is vital.
But unlike his classmates, Shouto’s attention isn’t on the speech Bakugou is giving once again before the events begin. No, his eyes are rapidly tracing the VIP boxes for a familiar sea of white interrupted by crimson red wings. It shouldn’t be that hard- ah, there they are.
They’re too far for Shouto to properly make out but, knowing his family, Shouto has an idea of what’s happening in the box. Keigo and Natsuo are the most likely to be standing, straining to see if they can catch sight of him and Tokoyami in the sea of third years. While his mother, Fuyumi, and Touya sit, most likely saving their energy for when something actually happens.
Touya is probably also shit talking Bakugou and his speech, now that Shouto thinks about it.
“What’re you looking at, Todoroki-kun?” Midoriya’s curious green eyes look over at him, twitching out to try and find what has Shouto’s attention.
Forests- never ending fields- emeralds- Get it together-
“Ah… I found my family in the crowd. I can’t make them out from here, but our hair is distinct enough...” What should Shouto do with his hands? What was he doing with them before Midoriya whispered to him?
Midoriya grins at him, “I’m glad they were able to come! Do you think we’ll get to see them between rounds?”
Touya’s surgery wasn’t scheduled for another month or two, his scars and staples still prominent features. Keigo insisted that it wouldn’t be as big a deal if Touya didn’t insist on covering them up with ‘edgelord’ clothes when Isamu wasn’t able to use his quirk on him. Like today, Shouto knew from the picture Natsuo had sent him that Touya was covered in black from his sunglasses and face mask, to his weird strapped boots.
He’d want to convince Touya to dress a little more like a reasonable person before he reintroduced Midoriya to him. And have a serious conversation with his brother… no, a serious conversation with all of his siblings and Keigo about not mentioning his crush at all.
After a moment of silence, Midoriya still smiling at him, Shouto shook his head, “Touya doesn’t want anyone recognizing him after the trial… So they’re going to be staying in the VIP booths…”
His friend nods in understanding, “That makes sense… and we can’t really go to them, since we’ll be swarmed by people. We’ll just end up making more of an issue for him.”
Shouto smiled, Midoriya was so smart, “Yes. I’ll let them know you’re glad they’re here, after the second round.”
He’s so cute when he blushes… Midoriya waves a hand, “N-No I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything to them- I mean I’ve met Fuyumi-san and Natsuo-san, but your mother and Touya-san…”
Out of instinct, Shouto looks back up at the box his family is in and narrows his eyes, “... No, Touya… likes you. He’s always talking about how he’s glad we’re friends. Mother also likes you, since I told her about our first Sport Festival.”
Midoriya sputters and flushes, his hands waving. Whatever he was going to say, however, is cut off by the announcement of the beginning of the first round.
--
On their way back from grabbing lunch before the third round, Shouto, Midoriya and Bakugou run into Natsuo. Shouto does his best not to pout in front of his friends as Natsuo scrubs his hand through his hair, quickly shoving his brother’s hand off, “Natsu-nii.”
Natsuo grins, “Shou, Midoriya, Bakugou. Good to see you guys! You’re doing awesome out there!”
Bakugou puffs out his chest as Midoriya bows his head in thanks. Shouto just eyes the pile of food cradled in Natsuo’s other arm, “You were sent to get lunch?”
“Ugh yea, Yumi-nee and mom don’t particularly like the crowds at things like this,” Shouto nodded, their mother was doing better but her anxiety still had bad spikes. Shaking his head, his brother sighed, “And you know Touya-nii and Keigo-kun, they both milk the fact that they can’t go.”
“Once things calm down for them, we should make them get their own food,” even as he said it, Shouto knew the chances were slim to none. Keigo would always draw attention, and Touya would always pull eldest brother privileges.
“Uhm, Todoroki-kun…” glancing over, Shouto noted the curious look on Midoriya’s face and that Bakugou had already stomped off.
“Yes? Midoriya?” Shouto narrowed his eyes at the grin growing on Natsuo’s face. If any of his siblings could control themselves for a second about his feelings, that’d be great in his opinion.
“Do you have a… well, rather… Who’s Keigo-san? Do you have a third brother?” His confused face is super cute too …
Kicking at Natsuo as he laughs, Shouto shakes his head, “No, Keigo is Touya’s boyfriend.”
“Mother has already been calling him her son-in-law, though. So not far off, Midoriya!”
Midoriya blushes, his freckles sticking out in contrast, “O-Oh! Y-Your uh-uhm, your brother has a b-boyfriend? They m-must be long term if your mom is already calling him son-in-law…”
Shouto’s head tilts, “Yes. They’ll be going on… two years, I believe this fall?” Natsuo nodded in confirmation, matching smiles twitching over their faces, “... Keigo is, in part, why Touya was able to come back to us.”
“I’m glad…” Midoriya’s smile is soft, his head tilting to glance at Natsuo for a second, “W-Why uhm… can’t Keigo-san come help you, Natsuo-san?”
Keigo and their family had all agreed that even with the dissolution of ranks and Touya’s pardon, telling people outright that ‘Hawks’ was dating ‘Dabi’ was a poor idea. They would be able to properly explain to Midoriya who Keigo was some other time, probably not in public like they were right now.
Shrugging, Natsuo hummed, “Keigo-kun’s got a distinct mutation and he doesn’t like the attention he gets in crowds. Especially since people don’t know how to act around them.”
It was true, Shouto was always appalled by how carelessly people would just grab fistfuls of Keigo’s wings.
“O-Oh! Well, I look forward to w-when I-I might get the chance to meet them!”
Shouto kicks at Natsuo as he snickers again, smiling at Midoriya, “I’m sure you will, Midoriya.”
II --- II
The final exams of their first semester was next week and Shouto really should have been studying. Ostensibly, that was what he was doing, sitting in the common room with Midoriya and Tokoyami with their notebooks spread out between the three of them. In all honesty, with how often Shouto was stealing glances at his quiet phone, he knew he was getting no studying done today.
Dark Shadow draping himself over Shouto’s shoulders and cooing soothingly in his ear was also a rather solid indicator.
As he glanced one more time at his phone, Midoriya looked up from his notebook with a concerned expression, “Is everything alright, Todoroki-kun? Are you expecting a call?”
Technically, nothing was wrong. Shouto had no reason to worry, seeing as there was nothing he could do to change the situation. Even still… sighing, he placed his pencil down, “... My brother is in surgery.”
Shibuya had explained the procedure to him over the phone, going over how long it would take and what was going to be done to Touya in order to help his pain. She’d made a point of not sugar coating anything, telling him all the risks that came with the surgery. By every logical thought, he should have no worries about Touya right now.
Even still, he was incredibly anxious.
“Oh-! I’m so sorry, Todoroki-kun! Is he- Is it Natsuo-san? Touya-san? Ahh, no that doesn’t matter, is he alright? Do you need to go to the hospital he’s in?”
Despite his worry, a small smile twitched over his face, “It’s Touya. I may have misconstrued the situation… It’s not an emergency surgery, we’ve known about it. I’m still… worried for him.”
Dark Shadow squeezes Shouto’s shoulders as Tokoyami gives him an understanding nod. Shibuya had given him a more condensed explanation, to clarify why she wouldn’t be in the agency during Touya’s recovery.
Midoriya fidgeted with his notebook, looking between them, “Do you… Do you think talking about it would help? Like, get it out of your head?”
Honestly, Shouto thought it was rather obvious what Touya needed to be done, they’d all seen the mottled purple scars and staples. But, perhaps Midoriya was being polite, so Shouto can get his anxiety out.
How considerate…
“Touya… when he left home, he was severely wounded. Most of his body is burn scars and dead nerves. He’s lived with a lot of chronic pain, the last decade.” Shouto sighed, rubbing his eyes, “Because he’s back home, we finally… Rather, it took a lot of convincing, but he finally agreed to get a procedure, so maybe he’ll be in less pain.”
Midoriya nods thoughtfully, as Tokoyami inclined his head to Shouto, “Shibuya-sensei is incredibly skilled, Todoroki. She shall guide him through this mad banquet of darkness.”
“Thank you, Tokoyami. My fears are unfounded, I know Shibuya-sensei will take good care of him,” the sharp look in the doctor’s eyes when Yoneda had jokingly doubted her skills had removed any possibility of Shouto not believing in her.
An odd look passed over Midoriya’s face, “Oh, you know the surgeon, Tokoyami-kun?”
Tokoyami gave a soft warble, his head tilting, “Yes, Shibuya-sensei is the doctor on staff at Hawks’ agency. She was a friend of Touya-san’s when he first ran away. She complained very loudly in the agency last time that Touya-san only agreed to the surgery because she would be leading the procedure.”
“Natsu-nii will also be present. He’s only a med student, but he offered to stay down in Fukuoka while he recovered. Since Keigo’s schedule is busy,” No matter how much Keigo had complained about not being there for his boyfriend, Shouto was sure that the attention the hero would draw would not be helpful to Touya’s recovery.
Midoriya’s expression smoothed out, a soft smile growing over his lips, “I see… I’m sure everything will work out, Todoroki-kun. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for his recovery.”
“Thank you, Midoriya,” in Shouto’s opinion, he kept his expression at its usual level, even with the heat under his skin over Midoriya’s kind words. But, if Tokoyami’s knowing look and Dark Shadow’s croaked croon were anything to go on, he was not successful.
--
Three days later, it’s just Shouto and Midoriya studying. In Shouto’s room. Alone.
Shouto’s fine. He’s good. He’s so relaxed. He hasn’t lost track of studying by counting the freckles on Midoriya’s left ear. Definitely not at all.
The peaceful silence between them abruptly comes to an end with the sound of Shouto’s phone vibrating on the table. He and Midoriya stared at it, Touya’s name flashing with each buzz.
“Ah, if you need to take that, I can leave, Todoroki-kun…?” Midoriya stared at him, chewing his lip.
Shouto just shook his head as he picked up the phone, “It’s fine. You can stay, Midoriya.”
“If you’re sure…?”
Nodding, Shouto clicked ‘answer,’ “Touya.”
“Hey, Shou,” he can hear the lazy smirk in his brother’s voice, “Heard from a birdie you were worried ab’t me.”
Damn Keigo , “I’m never asking Keigo anything about you, ever again.”
“Kei…? Ah nah I see what you thought. Nah, that was Natsu-kun. Kei hasn’t come by yet, H’soka said he’d be ‘detrimental to my recovery.’”
Shouto nods in understanding, even though Midoriya’s the only one who can see, “That is fair, Keigo is very loud. You’re perfect for one another.”
Midoriya’s eyes widened as Touya snorted over the phone, “You’re gonna have to come up with new material, Shou. Without my scars, you can’t default to calling me ugly anymore.”
“I’ve got at least a month of calling you a mummy to come up with something else.”
“Ah, so creative, Shou. Like Natsu-kun hasn’t called me that five times since I came down from the drugs,” Shouto can heard Natsuo’s distinct laugh in the background as Touya grunts. “Y’doin’ anythin’ right now? Natsu-kun wants to facetime so you can laugh at your bandaged brother.”
Shouto hums, glancing at Midoriya, “No, I’m studying right now with Midoriya, our finals are next week-” Shouto’s eyes widened slightly as laughter builds from the other end of the line.
Oh no, I fucked up.
“Oh-hoho! Just with Midoriya? Don’t let me keep you-”
“Touya-”
“Your study date is very important, we understand-”
“Shut up- ”
“Just don’t forget your family when he carries you off to the sunset-”
“Have a day, Touya!”
Touya and Natsuo’s laughter echoes in Shouto’s ears, even after he ends the call, his face burning.
Midoriya’s staring at him wide eyed- please don’t let him have heard, please please - as he tilted his head, “Is… Touya-san alright?”
Shouto growls softly, “He’s fine. I hope he chokes on hospital jell-o.”
“I-I see.”
III --- III
That summer, after the training camp had ended, Shouto’s at home with his family except for Touya and Keigo. Since home no longer meant living in the paralyzing silence of their father, or the stifling walls of the traditional estate, it was actually nice to be there.
Well, it would be if they all weren’t taking turns being glorified air conditioners for each other. And if it wasn’t currently Shouto’s turn to lay behind the fan and cover his right side with ice, while Fuyumi sluggishly worked on lesson plans and Natsuo laid on the floor next to textbooks.
As the only one in the house that could self regulate their body temperature, and biologically wasn’t over sensitive to the heat, he knew it was fair that he do this for them.
That being said, when his phone buzzes with a call from Midoriya he doesn’t hesitate to quickly sit up and defrost to answer, “Midoriya.”
“Ah, Todoroki-kun, is this a good time?”
Ignoring the disgruntled noises from his siblings, Shouto nods, “Now’s fine. What is it?”
“Ah well… A-Are you uhm…” Shouto waits as faint muttering comes from the background of the call before Midoriya speaks again, “T-This weekend, are you free?”
A foot digs into Shouto’s back, Natsuo’s voice whining behind him, “Shooouuu, the iceeee…”
Rolling his eyes, Shouto makes a small spike of ice on the floor where he’d been laying, “I’m free. Do you need help with something?”
From the table Fuyumi mumbles softly, “Mother’s not going to be happy about the ice on the floor…”
Shifting noises come from the phone and more muttering before Midoriya comes back, “U-Uhm no, not exactly. I-It’s uhm… Well, the Musutafu Tanabata festival is this weekend and uhm, I w-was wondering if you wanted to come?”
Shouto blinks, waving his siblings' complaints away, “Y-Yes.” Clearing his throat, he tried again, “Yes, I’d like to. Where do you want to meet?”
“U-Uhm! Great! I-I’ll text you the details!”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll… I’ll see you then?”
“Mm. H-Have a good day, Todoroki-kun.”
“You too, Midoriya.” Ending the call, Shouto looked up to the piercing stares of his siblings. Grumbling, he moved to replace the ice spike he’d made, “I’m getting back to it, stop complaining…”
Fuyumi’s grin makes him think of Touya as she leaned over the table, “What did Midoriya-kun want, Shouto?”
Natsuo nodded eagerly, “Yea, what’s up?”
“... He invited me to go to Tanabata.” Shouto’s phone pings with a text, the details Midoriya promised showing in the notification bar, “What do you do at Tanabata…? I’ve never been.”
His brother pulled out his phone, “Oh man Touya-nii is going to be so mad he wasn’t here for this…”
Pressing a hand to her mouth, Fuyumi fought a smile, “Oh… Shouto’s first date… It’s short notice but I’m sure we have a yukata you can wear…”
He frowned at them, his brow furrowed, “I’m… no, I’m sure it’s not a date. Right? He would have said that…”
His brother and sister remain unconvinced.
--
After tying their tanzaku to the bamboo, Midoriya pulls Shouto back through the streets away from the other wishmakers. His smile is so blinding, Shouto’s trying to not drown under the undiluted attention.
He thought this was going to be a group activity. But when he had gotten to the meeting spot, it had just been Midoriya in his own yukata, smiling and asking if he was ready to go.
Midoriya squeezes his hand, head tilting with a smile, “What did you wish for, Todoroki-kun?”
The red paper crinkling in his hand, careful strokes of kanji, a solid idea in his mind. Shouto hummed softly, “I wished for the continued health of my family. I thought I could make a career wish… but decided to save that for the first shrine visit.”
Humming, Midoriya swung their hands and Shouto tried not to lose his mind, “That makes sense. How’s everyone doing? Touya-san’s back home from the hospital by now right?”
Shouto nodded, “He’s mostly out of all his bandages now, except his torso. Shibuya-sensei says he should be more or less alright next month. Everyone else is doing alright, as well. Mother likes our new home.”
He smiles at Shouto so widely, green eyes scrunched adorably, “That’s great.” Warm silence settled between them, a curious look flickering over Midoriya’s eyes, “You can say no, o-of course, but what did Touya-san have done? I know you said burns and nerves…”
“Mm…” Midoriya was a very analytical person, it made sense he’d want to know about the surgery, “Shibuya-sensei’s adoptive father knew people with various regenerative quirks. That coupled with stem cells and such…” ah, what would Midoriya like to know… “I think you’d like Shibuya-sensei’s quirk, Midoriya.”
Wide green eyes blink at him, a light pink blush on his cheeks, “R-Really? We… We don’t have to talk about quirks, I-I know I can go on and on about them…”
Shouto’s head tilted, “Yes, you do. But you have interesting insights… Also I, ah, enjoy listening to you.”
Midorya’s face is almost as red as Shouto’s hair, his free (twisted- scarred- “It’s your power”-) hand pressed over his face, “O-Oh, okay… U-Uhm, I’m… I’m glad you uhm… l-like listening to me?”
Glancing away, he fights down his own blush. In hindsight that was more than he had intended to say, “Mm…”
As they walk, Shouto chews his lip and glances at Midoriya. They had known each other for nearly three years now, he was Shouto’s first friend… Bracing himself, he cleared his throat, “... You know, Midoriya it… feels odd for you to call all my family by their first names, but I’m still Todoroki to you. You can… ah… call me Shouto. If you want, that is…”
Midoriya squeaked, a blush high on his cheeks, “A-Are you sure…? I-I mean I-I’d be f-fine to- That is, if you want me to I c-can call you that…?”
“Mm… You haven’t even seen Touya and you call him by name…” Shouto would sooner die than admit that he was jealous, but it still sat wrong with him.
“A-Ah… a-alright, S-Shouto-kun…”
Oh- that’s… dangerous… Closing his eyes, Shouto focused on his left side, tamping down his fire.
“Y-You could, uhm… call me, uhm, Izuku. If you want to…”
“Alright… Do you want to go get some somen, Izuku?”
Maybe Izuku was getting heatstroke, with how much he was blushing. It was August after all.
IV --- IV
Izuku
Izuku: Shouto-kun, do you want to go see a movie after school on Saturday?
Me: I’m going to Fukuoka after class, sorry.
Izuku: Oh? Your work study with Hawks?
Me: No.
Izuku: ???
Me: Ah, Touya and Keigo are moving, now that Touya is better. We’re all going down to help them move.
Izuku: Oh! That’s great! Are they getting a new apartment?
Me: No, they bought a house. So they’d have more room for visitors. They bought it back in March
Izuku: ? They’re only moving in now?
Me: Touya wanted to have his surgery done before he moved in, he said something about a ‘new chapter.’ They had to wait anyway, so it worked out.
Izuku: Did the house need work?
Me: Yes. They needed accommodations for Keigo’s mutation. They also needed to fireproof it, for Touya.
Izuku: Touya-san uses his quirk a lot?
Me: More like he does on accident. Our fire responds to our emotions.
Izuku: Oh that makes sense!
Me: If the movie you wanted to see is still playing, we can go next week to see it, Izuku?
Izuku: Yes! Sounds good! Have a good time with your family!
enji dis track
freezerburn: Tou
phoenix down: Shou
freezerburn: I’m missing a movie with Izuku to help you move, you owe me
phoenix down: I don’t owe you shit
Mother’s Favorite: Shouto, Touya stop fighting
put the I in R.I.C.E: Wait no, rewind. 👀 ‘Izuku,’ Shou?
phoenix down: 👀
Mother’s Favorite: 👀
freezerburn: not you too, Yumi-nee…
Mother’s Favorite: answer the question, Shouto
freezerburn: I refuse
put the I in R.I.C.E: c’mon Shou, you can talk to your three favorite siblings
freezerburn: I’m going to disown myself
phoenix down: Now you’re just copying me
--
When Shouto’s phone buzzed in his pocket, he held up a hand to Touya as he fished it out, “Hold on.”
“Don’t tell me to hold on, brat-!”
“Just one second, Touya.” His brother waved the knife he’s holding and scowled as Shouto answered the call, “Izuku?”
“Shouto-kun! Are you free to talk? With the time, I thought you might be done unpacking…”
“Yes, I’m free. We took a break to order dinner.”
Touya presses closer with the knife, “Your priorities are fucked up, Shou.”
“Huh? Who’s that, Shouto-kun?” Izuku’s concern made Shouto smile, as he lazily pushed the knife away from his neck.
“Oh, it’s just Touya.”
“Ah I thought it was… well, that makes more sense anyway. Why is he upset…?”
Shouto watched as Keigo tried to pry the knife out of Touya’s hand with his feathers, “I told him we should get zaru soba instead of sansai soba.”
He can hear the soft confused sound Izuku makes over the phone, ah… cute…, “He must really care about soba if he got mad at you over that…”
“Mm, he has a knife pointed at my neck right now.”
“W-What-!?”
“C’mon, firefly, stop threatening your brother-”
“He wants the first meal in our house to be fuckin’ zaru soba!”
Shouto nods to Keigo as he finally leads his brother away, moving out of the kitchen, “It’s fine, Keigo pulled him away.”
Izuku made a distressed noise, “Are you sure? A knife…”
“Mm, Touya wouldn’t use it. It’s not his style,” pausing, Shouto watched as Aya ran past him, her hooves clicking on the hardwood floor. Absently, he pulled the receiver slightly away, “Be careful, Aya. Don’t slip.”
The eight year old waved as she rounded a corner, calling out, “Ok, Shou-nii!” Before she disappeared.
“Aya?”
Shouto blinked, ah he could still hear, “Keigo’s little sister. His family is also here to help.”
“Oh! Then it must have gone pretty quickly, huh?”
The memory of Yoneda, Shibuya and Touya getting into an argument in the living room over how to build a couch while Fuyumi lectured Keigo in the kitchen about where everything should go. All while Shouto stood there with a box of books with no idea where to bring them.
“No.”
“H-Huh?”
V --- V
The week of Shouto’s birthday finds both him and Izuku in Fukuoka for their work studies. Ever since Miruko took Izuku on as her first intern, where the pro would drag him next was rather unpredictable. So, the fact that they were together this week was an unexpected but welcome surprise.
Especially since Miruko and Keigo were friends, and had happily announced they’d be patrolling together that week.
As they walked the streets, Keigo making the rare concession to walk for the start of their patrol, “I’m surprised you took an intern, Rumi! I’d think that was too close to agency work for your liking.”
Miruko smirks as she punches Keigo’s shoulder, “Yea, but then I saw the kid move!” Turning around, she pointed at Izuku, “Have you seen Deku’s mobility!? And he kicks! Like me!” Bouncing on her heels, she motioned wildly, “And his hood! They look like rabbit ears!”
“Yea, ok, you can’t judge me for taking Tsukiyomi anymore if ‘rabbit ears’ was one of your requirements,” Keigo sniffed, sending a reassuring grin over to the interns.
Izuku laughed, rubbing his neck, “I was surprised Miruko asked me too… But, well, she’s taught me a lot!”
The rabbit hero laughed, pulling Izuku into a headlock, “Ya better say that! After all I’ve done for you-!”
Blushing wildly, Izuku pushed her off and pulled his hood over his face, “Miruko…”
Snickering, Keigo shot Shouto a wink before spreading his wings, “Well let’s put that mobility to the test!” Without another word, Keigo took off.
Laughing, Miruko waved to them, “C’mon, interns! Get moving!” as she leaped after Keigo.
The familiar crackle of Izuku’s quirk filled Shouto’s ears as they followed after their mentors.
--
As patrol ended on Shouto’s birthday, Izuku caught his hand in the locker room. Tokoyami had left already, having left with Takashi to pick something up before they went to Touya and Keigo’s house. Blushing, Izuku smiled softly at him, “U-Uhm, Shouto-kun, it’s your birthday today right?”
Tilting his head, Shouto nodded, “Yes. I turned seventeen today.”
Blushing, Izuku gulped, maybe he’s thirsty? We did a lot of work today, “Y-Yes! Congratulations! I-I was just wondering if you, uhm, wanted to g-grab dinner with me? To celebrate?”
Shouto blinked. He wanted to. He definitely wanted to have dinner with Izuku. Except… with a sigh, Shouto frowned, “My family…”
Izuku’s eyes widened, “O-Oh… are they having dinner for you?”
“Mm… We’re going to Touya and Keigo’s place… It’s Touya’s birthday in a week too, so we’re celebrating both of our birthdays.”
“W-Would it… is it family only, or…?”
Shouto’s brows furrowed in thought. His siblings could barely behave themselves when they expected to see Izuku, gods forbid if he surprised them with him. Plus, he knew that Keigo’s family would be there, and then he’d have to explain Hawks’ presence as well as most of the employees of the agency.
They’d be so annoying to deal with…
Shaking his head, Shouto gave Izuku an apologetic look, “Even with their house, it gets crowded with everyone there… If you… ah…” clearing his throat, Shouto looked to the side, “... If you want, we could grab lunch together? Or dinner? Tomorrow, that is? I’d still like to spend time with you…”
Looking back, Shouto only catches the end of whatever expression flitted across Izuku’s face. All he knew was that it settled on a warm blush as he smiled at him, “Y-Yea! Definitely! D-Do you have a place you like around here that we can go to?”
Blinking, Shouto smiled, “...There’s a place, in Hakata Ward, when I saw it I thought you’d like it. They do tonkatsu, I’ve heard good things about their katsudon…”
Izuku blushed even more, somehow, waving his free hand (he’s still holding my hand- he’s still holding my hand-), “I-It’s your birthday, Shouto-kun! W-We should go somewhere that you’ll like…”
“I’d like to bring you there.”
A soft smile, green eyes glittering, “A-Alright, Shouto-kun.”
Despite his siblings’ best attempts, later Shouto’s able to get a clear picture of the birthday cake to send to Izuku.
+1 --- +1
The excitement of all his peers is infectious as Shouto and his class finally graduate from UA. Shouto coasts through everything, all the speeches fuzzed in his ears as he realizes that they’re done. After today, there would be no more homeroom or classes, no more dorms, no more tests.
In two weeks time, Shouto would be moving down to Fukuoka to start as a sidekick at Hawks’ agency along with Tokoyami.
Looking over to where Izuku stood, Shouto chewed the inside of his cheek. He didn’t have many regrets in the last three years, but one was definitely how he never told Izuku about his crush. And now, he was moving and had no idea when he’d next get the chance to see him again.
Nedzu finishes his speech, white fur shining under the lights as he announces the end of the ceremony. Announces that they’ve all managed to graduate.
Everyone’s cheers are deafening, Izuku pushing his way through the crowd and pulling Shouto into a hug. After a second of delay, Shouto wraps his arms tightly around him, squeezing his eyes shut.
I’m going to miss him.
Pulling away slightly, Izuku smiled up at him, “Your family is here, right? Let’s go find them and my mom!”
Of course Shouto agreed, it’s near impossible for him to say no to Izuku by now.
It’s Keigo’s wings, as always, that makes finding his family easy. The sea of white hair is never far in crowds like this, even with Keigo and the rest preoccupied by congratulating Tokoyami. To the side, Fuyumi’s waves excitedly at him as his mother stands next to her with Midoriya’s mother. Touya and Natsuo laugh and shove at each other, and Shouto can’t help but smile at his family-
Izuku’s hand tightened almost unbearably so in Shouto’s hand, his voice a sharp whisper, “Shouto, do you see- Dabi’s with Natsuo-san-”
Shouto looked at Izuku in confusion, his brow furrowing, “... Yes?”
Wild green eyes stare up at him urgently, “What do you mean-?! No one’s heard about him since the League was taken down-! I thought he was in jail-!?”
What?
“...No he’s in a rehab program? Since he defected?” Shouto’s head spun in confusion, “Why are you calling him Dabi? He hasn’t gone by that in years.”
“W-What do you mean, Shouto-kun?”
“...? My brother, Touya. He hasn’t gone by that for awhile. You’ve been calling him Touya all this time, so I figured you knew…?”
Izuku stared at him, muttering quietly as he thought. Shouto waits, watching as he works through the information, “Shouto-kun… did you think I already knew…?”
Shouto tilted his head, “Yes. You said you were keeping up with my family’s trial.”
Letting out a slow sigh, Izuku closed his eyes, “... They didn’t publicize any information about Touya-san… I had no idea.”
“Oh…” blinking, Shouto nodded, “That makes sense. Some of your questions felt obvious, but I thought you were helping my anxiety.” Shifting his weight, he frowned, “Do you… no longer wish to meet him again? He is being rehabilitated, he’s just an asshole of an older brother now.”
An odd look flickered across Izuku’s face, “Of course I do! I just… would have psyched myself up differently if I’d known…”
Their families had noticed their pause, but as they finally made their way over, Touya smirked at Shouto, “Aww, didn’t want to introduce your boyfriend to your family, Shou?”
Shouto blushed, glaring at Touya, “Touya-!”
Covering his face, Izuku looked away, “O-Oh-!”
Touya laughs, their siblings snickering as his mother and Midoriya’s hid their smiles behind their hands, “C’mon, you’ve been keeping him away from us for months !”
Hissing, his eyes darted between Izuku and his family, “I haven’t even told him-!”
“I-I mean, it has b-been eight months, Shouto-kun-”
Shouto freezes the same moment Izuku does. Blinking, he turned his gaze to him, “It’s been what?”
Shaking his head, Izuku furrowed his brow, “What do you mean you haven’t told me…?”
“... I haven’t told you that I like you?”
“Shouto-kun… we’ve been dating since August?”
“We have?”
Shouto’s family’s laughter fills his ears as Izuku’s lips twitch into a small smile, “... We really need to work on your communication skills, Shouto-kun.”
“Yes… We probably do.”