Chapter Text
January 4
Todoroki Shouto
The thing about being quiet is that no one really notices you unless they’re actually looking for you.
That's what sets the sirens off in Shouto’s mind. one of the ‘popular’ kids was currently approaching his lunch table. He recognizes him– just a bit. The shoulder length black hair, cheeky grin and slightly tanned skin. There’s no doubt, it’s Sero Hanta.
He's seen this guy before, in and out of school.
Sometimes, it was on the way home from school on the train. He'd spot Sero and his friends on the other end of the train car they were in, either on their phones or reading something for school while chatting. Other times it was at the library. He'd see Sero there, hidden away in one of the further corners, headphones up, diligently studying.
The first time he saw him there, Shouto almost didn’t recognize him. He had his hair up, piercings in, dressed in loose clothing with colours that complimented his skin tone beautifully.
He’d be lying if he said Sero wasn’t attractive. both personality wise and with his looks. If the rumours he had heard were anything to go by, he was a sweetheart to everyone at school, and even kinder to the strangers he met on the street.
And as intimidating as his group of friends seemed, none of them had a bad track record, all of them were well versed with their knowledge.
But they’ve never spoken before, so Shouto doesn’t know why he’s approaching him today. He doesn’t know why his friends are jeering him on from their table, or why Sero actually looks nervous for the first time in the three years Shouto's known of him.
He greets Shouto, and asks if he can have a moment of his time before sitting down across from him.
His hair’s up today, braided back with little loose strands framing his face. They've never been this close before, Shouto thinks to himself, noticing little beauty marks around his eyes and lips. Sero says something, but Shouto doesn’t hear because he’s too busy staring.
“...Todoroki? Are you listening?”
He snaps out of it, apologizing in that same old monotone voice, “Sorry. I got distracted by… something. Could you repeat that?”
Sero takes a deep breath, rubbing at the back of his neck as he asks, “Would you like to go on a date with me?”
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January 4
Sero Hanta
Hanta’s been waiting for this day for a long time. His friends have chided him for being a wimp, his siblings have told him to just go for it– but he always wanted to wait for the right moment.
The first time he saw Todoroki was when he walked into their English class five minutes past the lunch bell, apologizing to the teacher and scurrying to his seat in the back.
That was probably the moment he fell in love with him.
Todoroki was beautiful, in simple terms. The scar on his face was the most notable part of his face, but didn’t signal him out more than it should’ve. It accentuated his different eye colours and somehow made him look like an angel.
After that day, he began looking for Todoroki more often. He'd scan the classroom to make sure he was there, look for him when he was out. When he saw him on the train to Shizuoka his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. When he saw him get off two stops before Bakugou’s house, he nearly died on the spot. And when he found out they frequented the same library just south of their school, his soul sang with joy.
He never realized how often their paths collided until he started seeking Todoroki out in the crowd.
He wished he could talk to Todoroki about things. about life. About stupid shit that only the closest of friends talk about, but he had never managed to gather the courage to approach him.
That was until today.
Bakugou had mentioned that Todoroki was sitting alone today– his friends probably off doing things for teachers or busy with club activities. Hanta decided he needed to take the chance, so he did.
Todoroki didn’t hear him the first time though. He just stared at Hanta, his eyes wide. and when he repeated himself, todoroki’s face flushed, a total contrast to the questioning yet somehow still flat tone of his voice.
“A date? With me?”
Hanta nods, smiling, “Yeah, if you want!”
Todoroki hummed, sipping at his strawberry milk, “Why though? We’ve never spoken before… don’t people usually get to know each other or are friends before dating?”
He can't help but chuckle at Todoroki's question.
“I mean, most of the time, yeah. But some people go on the date before deciding whether or not they want to be official.”
Shouto nods, contemplating his words. He puts his milk carton down and picks up one of his snacks, “I'll go on a date with you.”
Hanta cheers inwardly.
“But I want to get to know you better first,” Shouto adds.
“Oh? How so?”
Shouto shrugs, biting his pocky stick, “Your interests… Hobbies, do you have siblings–”
“Yes.”
“Oh, so do I.” He smiles, “See, I just wanna know what we have in common before we go on a date.”
“Alright. How do you suggest we do this?”
“We study at the same library, right?” Hanta nods, happy that Todoroki did recognize him from there. “Okay… so, every Thursday and Friday for the next three weeks, let’s study together. We’ll meet up there, study, then we can go out.”
Hanta laughs, “Isn’t that already a date?”
“Maybe to you, but my definition is different. That’s just us studying and hanging out.”
Hanta realizes that Todoroki kind of looks like a fish with his wide unblinking eyes, it’s sort of cute.
“Sure. Let’s do it.”