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You had hoped today was going to be a good day. It started out that way until homeroom. Staying up at odd hours of the night, you finally finished the report and analysis of different fighting tactics from all around the world. The research was extensive and in-depth, clutching it in your hand, now proud to turn something in and show it off to Mister Aizawa. You ran to class, stopping by to say good mornings and hellos to your friends: Momo Yaoyorozu and Mina Ashido.
“Yaoyorozu, can you read my essay? I spent all night on it” You whined with big, pleading eyes.
“Sure, I’d love to read it,” The taller girl took the piece of paper from you, eyes scanning line after line. She paused for a moment, turning back towards your shrinking stature, obviously worried about the feedback, “I think this is the best essay you’ve written yet. I think you’ll even get a higher grade than me!” She joked, walking into the 1-A classroom ready for the day.
With newfound confidence, bouncing to your seat, you gave a small wave to your neighbor in front. Usually not expecting anything in return, but you always knew Todoroki is reserved and alone. However, today he smiled, he actually smiled! You knew today was going to be the best day. You worked hard on your essay AND your handsome classmate smiled at you. Pausing, realizing what you just thought. Handsome ? No, he was just your classmate, nothing more. You guessed there was nothing wrong with finding him handsome, no one had to know what you thought. He was just being nice, you had to sit behind him after all. You stopped further thoughts of the two-toned-haired boy when Aizawa announced that class had started.
“Please pass your homework up to the person in front of you and so on,” He instructed. You stared blankly at the back of Todoroki’s head, waiting for him to turn around and take your paper. Another second knowing Aizawa didn’t want to wait, you shifted forward, tapping his shoulder, feeling some heat radiating off of him.
He twisted his head around, “Sorry, y/n, sorry” shaking his head, forgetting what he was even doing.
You furrowed your brows, “Take my paper!”
He repeated, mind going blank, “Sorry y/n!” feeling everything growing hot. It was like slow motion, seizing the paper and it went up in flames. His eyes went wide and suddenly everyone was looking at them. He had gotten too nervous and burnt your paper by accident, the one you worked so hard on.
You stood up, the wooden chair now scratching the floor, “Todoroki! My paper!” You knew it was a mishap, never bad intentions with him, he didn’t mean it. However, you thought today was going to be good until it wasn’t. Your blood boiled, you couldn’t help it, after all, maybe hotter than he had felt.
Before Todoroki could apologize, Aizawa cut off his quirk, stopping the flames, “It’s too early for this, we’ll figure all this out later Y/N, please sit down so we can continue.” With a huff, you brought your chair back behind you and sat down. Staring daggers at the back of Todoroki’s head, not knowing how you’ll forgive him soon.
-
When class was finally over you ignored Todoroki advancing, not yet able to accept any forgiveness, he was going to have to try harder than that. You stopped by Aizawa’s desk, seeing what he was going to do about your now burnt homework. Saying that he would work it out later, you went on your way to the next class, admittedly ignoring the culprit.
Math class was dragging on, it was only getting worse when Ectoplasm told everyone to get into groups and Todoroki immediately claimed you. Still not wanting to talk, you silently did the questions, eventually getting one wrong five minutes before it was due.
Todoroki looked over, “Here let me help,” face now glowing red from embarrassment. He grabbed your hand gently, trying to see your work better. However, to you, it was everything but gentle, it was hot to the touch. Retracting your arm in pain, you glared at the man, guessing that he really never knew how to control his quirk.
“Y/n, I didn’t mean to,” He started, never even noticing his temperature rise, “I really didn’t mean-”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” You started callously.
Todoroki opened his mouth to finish, but Ectoplasm cut him off, now wanting everyone to turn in their work, with the bell following suit. You got up without another word, handing your paper to the teacher and making your way out the door.
-
You ran out of the class, clutching where Todoroki had seared you, basically sprinting to the closest bathroom. You knew he didn’t mean it, but red couldn’t escape your vision. Entering the women’s bathroom, making a beeline to the sink you ran the minor burn under cold water. Once looking at it longer, you noticed it wasn’t as bad as you made it out to be. Maybe overreacting a bit and taking it further than it was going, he was just trying to help, maybe with everything he’s going through, his quirk has really gone out of control. You concluded you could forgive him, just not wanting the confrontation right now, you would ignore him and talk tomorrow.
With a nod, you left the bathroom, now entirely ignoring the minor burn, and headed to your next class. Upon entering, you took the open seat next to Mina, knowing that this would enable you to work with her in class and not Todoroki this time. Once class began, you could pick your partner.
She turned, finally smiling at you, “I saw what happened to your paper, who knew Todoroki had power like that!”
You sighed jokingly, “All my hard work, gone!” Putting your head in your hands.
Mina shoved you softly, “Who knows, maybe Todoroki will have to do your homework for a week!”
You chuckled, “That would be nice actually, he is pretty smart. However, why me! I didn’t even do anything to him,” ending with a frown.
“I think he likes you,” She playfully whispers, “I mean why else would he act so shy and temperamental around you!”
“You sound like a middle schooler,” You groaned, doodling on your paper.
“Look,” Mina quickly motioned, “He’s staring at you.”
You glanced, noticing as he looked away at the last minute, “Maybe thinking of a way to burn me at the stake.”
Your friend rolled her eyes, “I doubt it, just wait.”
You hummed, not wanting to talk about Todoroki and forgetting about what happened this morning. You continued with your work, looking forward to training next period. Maybe you could jokingly get back at the icy-hot boy while sparing. He was always nice to you, so it was a surprise to see that he would do these things to you specifically. Wanting to forget about Todoroki, you couldn’t help but think about what past events could’ve led up to this. The last time you had seriously talked with him was during class, working together on a team while training. Reminiscing, you two had worked together pretty well. He would listen intently to your suggestion for a successful battle, and you did the same in return. You two were teamed up randomly, against Iida and Ochako. You were worried that you would not win at first before getting placed with Todoroki, but you remembered his kindness that day and reassuring that he wouldn’t let you down. When he told you this, you thought nothing of it, thanking him and saying the same, but now it felt different. You were the one afraid of losing, scared that you were going to let him down.
You brushed off the feeling, maybe he felt bad for you or that he was just trying to be a good teammate, you never had bad blood with him, so why would he start something now? You had never hung out with him alone, it was always in groups, barely outside of school. Todoroki was always quiet around you, when you tried to talk to him multiple times he would give one-word responses and always give you a nervous look. At first, it hurt you, trying to be Todoroki’s friend and getting rejected, but as time went on, you realized he did this with almost everyone, so after a while, it didn’t hurt as much. The teacher’s dismissal had broken your thought, wanting to try even hard to forget about the reserved fiery-cold boy. Mina had risen from her seat and beckoned you to come with her to your next class, you obliged but didn’t spare her a glimpse, watching the boy in mind get up and walk out of the small classroom.
-
“Aren’t you excited!” Mina yelled, “We’re doing another competition, we have to head to gym gamma”
You turned to her, “Will you be on my team? I don’t want Todoroki to bother me again,” you sighed, giving her a pleading look.
“If we can choose our partners, I’ll definitely work with you, but who knows,” She gave you a playful shove, “You might get put on Todoroki’s team.”
You scoffed and pushed her off, “You’re literally acting like he has a crush on me or something”
“I never said that but who knows, maybe he does…” Mina trailed off, you glared at her, “Or maybe he doesn’t. I think you should accept his apology”
“I did…” You confessed, “In my head, I just want him to leave me alone for now”
You walked beside your friend, she stayed silent as she opened the door so you both could walk outside, despite the sour morning, the afternoon sun shined bright. You thought about what Mina said, if Todoroki had a crush on you or not. If Todoroki had burned Ochaco or even Mina, he probably would’ve let it go, but he was so adamant about getting forgiveness. It might be the fact that you two weren’t as close and he might want to be your friend, and burning you by accident probably ruined his chance.
You forgave him, you also wouldn't mind being his friend, he was always so thoughtful and kind to others. While training, he would always lend a helping hand, you’ve been wanting to ask him for advice on technique but was consistently too afraid to approach him. At the beginning of school, you paid no attention to him. He didn’t have an inviting personality and wasn’t fond of people, but over time you took more notice of him, he had changed. He even looked different, or maybe you saw him differently, you admired him, he was hardworking, courageous, and his new hero costume really made him look better than he did. His hair always looked soft and whenever he passed by you with a smile, he had a distinct smell of cologne with hints of cinnamon and wood. It smelled like outside, a forest with waterfalls, somewhere you’d want to be. You exalted him, but a crush? No way.
You blushed at the thought of smelling him before, wondering if he noticed and thought you were weird, but nothing can be more embarrassing than lighting your paper on fire and burning your skin multiple times by accident. So, he was the winner in the weird department for today; you concluded.
Mina nudged on your uniform, “Earth to Y/N! We have to go put on our hero costumes”
You broke from your thoughts of Todoroki, “Oh yeah, sorry, I was just… Thinking”
Mina gave you a questioning look, “Yeah, thinking, well you can think while getting dressed before we’re late for class”
“Right,” you said, more to yourself than her. You followed close behind, grabbing your briefcase from the wall and going to get dressed in your hero costume. Walking into the gym arena with Mina, all of your other classmates were there too, including All Might and Professor Aizawa who informed everyone that training would comprise everyone having one partner and to go against a rival team and begin at ground beta.
You nudged Mina, walking next to her. “Great, more walking”
She giggled and continued walking next to you, not saying a word.
-
The class gathered at the entrance of ground beta, eagerly waiting to be put into teams and start training. Professor Aizawa explained the rules: defeat the enemy and get them into the capture zone, and the last team standing wins. He started listing off partners and as the list dwindled down, not mentioning your name or Todoroki when Mina got paired up with Bakugou, you gave her a concerned look to which she smirked back. When the professor finally announced the pair of Todoroki, your stomach dropped when your name came after. You couldn’t wait to get hounded with apologies from your teammate.
Walking to him and stood beside the taller boy without saying a word. Glad that your team was up to second and Todoroki usually stayed quiet while other teams were training. You watched him basically staring at the big screen that housed the live feed of classmates. You didn’t even think he blinked once. Once the first two teams finished with training, Todoroki stood up, letting his hand out for you to grab. You took it with hesitance, standing up to join him. Brushing off your suit, you walked with the two-toned-haired boy, watching his back intensely. You waited to talk to him, hoping you both would communicate better once the training segment had started. You got into position with Todoroki on your right, also getting ready. Once the horn went off to start the training, you began walking again with Todoroki, knowing it’ll take a couple of minutes to find the other team.
“Y/N,” He started, you stopped to glance at him from the sudden noise, “We need to talk”
You sighed, already knowing what it was going to be about, “Go on”
You noticed him relaxing a bit, giving a softer look, “I’m sorry I accidentally burned you earlier… it’s just…” He trailed off, leaving you confused.
“Todoroki, this is timed, spit it out, we gotta go kick ass!” You exclaimed, throwing your hands up dramatically.
“It’s just, you make me nervous… you know when you get so nervous your body feels like it’s on fire, that's how you make me feel.” He explained sheepishly.
You stared at him, he probably didn’t mean it in the way you thought, he couldn’t like you, he was one of the top students at UA, and you… well, weren’t.
“In, like, an angry way? Like the burning fire that Bakugou feels?” You asked feebleminded.
He gave you a nervous chuckle, “No, I’m not angry with you, far from that really.”
“ Oh ,” You were at a loss for words, maybe he did like you, “In what way then?”
“I like you, I know we have never really talked, but I just think you are amazing,” He confessed, “And I want to get to know you more,” Todoroki stopped and moved towards you, grabbing your hand, “I want to have you on my team.”
You looked down at your hand grasped in his much bigger one, giving off a slight warmth, not burning your hand this time, “Todoroki, I’ve always admired you, not only because of your skills but of your kindness and willingness to help other people… and your cuteness.” You whispered the last part out of embarrassment.
He laughed in return, obviously hearing your last comment, “I could say the same” He smiled at you, “Now, we got a team to beat, wanna go kick some ass and then get dinner tonight?”
“Sounds like a perfect day to me,” you agreed.