a perfect match

Shouto tries not to think too hard on how he feels about Midoriya. They're friends, he's sure of that, and that's where he tries to leave it. He knows it's not normal to know the exact shade of your friend's eyes from memory or to fall asleep dreaming of them. He knows it's not normal to be so distressed about your friend liking somebody. Or to notice every little change in their appearance. But Shouto isn't normal in the first place, so he's definitely content to ignore it. It'll never happen anyways, right? So what if Uraraka is convinced it will?

or, shouto notices little things, like how uraraka paints his nails, so he asks momo to paint his and makes them match izuku's eyes. obviously this is totally one sided and izuku likes girls and probably uraraka, right? (famous last words, pining and quests ensue)

Notes:

HAPPY LATE VALENTINES.

i know. me, samuel, the president of Shindeku Inc., writing tododeku? i cant help. theyre stupid and cute and in love. and i see really cute pins about them.

EMJOY THIS MOSTLY WHOLESOME AND SLIGHTLY ANGSTY FIC!!!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Shouto squints at the glass bottles, cautiously tilting them and watching the viscous liquid move. There's a lot of colors, possibly too many. How he's meant to pick a shade is beyond him. He also questions why Yaoyorozu has so many colors. He only sees her with white on the tips of her nails or reds. Sometimes red and gold.

She could probably start a salon, now that he thinks about it. Maybe she does run a sort of mini-salon among the girls.

"Have you ever painted your nails?" she asks, all but bouncing in place. She's always so excited to share things with her friends. It's mildly infectious and very endearing.

"I haven't. I noticed Midoriya lets Uraraka-San paint his sometimes and it looks nice on him, so I want to try it. Also I think my father would disapprove."

He likes Midoriya's nails this weekend. They're blue, a few shades off from All Might's suit. Maybe he'll keep an eye out for a more accurate color to get his friend.

Yaoyorozu nods. He's glad his friends don't lecture him on respecting elders when it comes to his father. Even Iida agrees with him.

She leans over herself, picking up colors here and there. She has them in rainbow order, which is making it a bit easier to decide. He sets down the silver he'd been eyeing. He likes silver, but it doesn't quite feel right. It's not perfect.

"Do you just want a solid color? Oh, multiple colors? I can try French tips!"

Shouto has no clue what French tips are. "Maybe… Two colors?" he suggests, eyeing the greens. A few are close in color to Midoriya's hair or eyes. That's a nice idea, he thinks.

He likes that Midoriya's eyes aren't completely green. There's traces of blue that shift the color closer to emerald than something like jade or peridot. It almost bothers him when people call Midoriya's eyes green. They're so much more than green. There's so many shades of green.

Midoriya's eyes shift in the light like they really are gemstones. Sometimes they're practically teal, sometimes they're the color of forest leaves in moonlight. It depends on the moment, on the way he feels. It's something he still doesn't, how Midoriya wears his feelings so easily for people to see.

He's heard that the eyes are the window to the soul. He never understood what that meant until he met Midoriya.

Now he has no idea how anyone could look anywhere else. What was the point in watching a movie or reading a book when Midoriya's eyes were their own vibrant story of heartbreak and resilience?

Shouto shakes his head and carefully inspects each color between blue and green, tilting the bottle in the light of his friend's dorm. He appreciates that she doesn't rush him or try to find the color for him. She's patient.

Sometimes he still isn't sure what to do with patience. All his friends are patient in their own ways with him. Uraraka offers her snacks at every turn but never pushes when he declines. She doesn't hover next to him like a bird the way she does Midoriya. Iida moves a little slower around him, speaks a little softer. It's a lot of little things.

Yaoyorozu and Midoriya take the win, though. He doesn't know how to explain how patient they are, how kind and understanding. He doubts he'll ever be used to it.

Eventually he finds a color that's something close to metallic, shifting subtly in the light. He sets it aside and finds the right vibrant green that matches the lightning streaks of Midoriya's quirk as best as possible.

His friend claps her hands together joyfully. "Wonderful! Do you know which color you want where?"

Shouto shakes his head. "I trust you to decide. You know more than I do about this, so I'm sure whatever you do will look nice."

"If you say so!"

She directs him to sit down, gently splaying his hands flat on the desk while shoving nail polish bottles out of the way. She takes the darker color first, twisting off the cap and carefully wiping excess polish on the rim of the bottle. It smells horrible, like rubbing alcohol on steroids, but he's already made his mind up. A bit of chemicals aren't going to kill him. Probably. Nail polish isn't deadly, right? People wear it all the time. Surely it wouldn't be bad.

Yaoyorozu swipes the brush over his pinky first, then ring finger, then middle. She skips his index and paints the thumb, then repeats the same process on his other hand. She pulls something that looks vaguely like alien technology to him and directs his left hand under it. She clicks a button and the device lights up purple.

"It's a UV lamp," she explains cheerfully. "It cures the gel."

"I see."

It doesn't take very long before she has him swap hands, curing the polish once more. She puts the device to the side and repeats the process from start to finish. Then she grabs the bright green, the one that matches Midoriya's quirk. She brushes it over the entirety of his index, but only the tip of his middle finger. She grabs a normal brush, carefully swiping the color down until it forms a gradient effect.

Shouto watches it cure under the lamp, smiling softly. The fade between colors reminds him of the light of Midoriya's quirk reflecting in his eyes and highlighting his hair. He likes the color of Midoriya's hair. It's a beautiful shade.

Yaoyorozu pulls out a small tube and a box of rhinestones. Shouto debates protesting, but she pulls out a pack of gems that match the lightning polish perfectly, so he lets her take his hands again, ever so gently, and dot whatever is in the tube on the darker nails, placing a diamond shaped gem on each. He puts his hands beneath the lamp once more.

"All done! What do you think?"

Shouto inspects his nails, tilting his hand to watch the light reflect. "They're lovely. Thank you, Yaoyorozu-San."

She beams, entire face lighting up. "Of course! It was my pleasure!"

Her smile is nice. It's softer than Midoriya's and it doesn't warm his heart and make his head fuzzy like his, but it's still infectious and soothing.

"Oh, it's getting kind of late. You should probably head back to your own dorm. Goodnight, Todoroki-Kun."

"Goodnight," Shouta parrots, prying his eyes away from his nails to grab his jacket, making his way back to his own dorm.

He wishes his was next to Midoriya's. It would be more convenient, since they study together so much. It's definitely just that, he's sure of it. He and Midoriya are good friends. And he feels bad that his friend's dorm is next to Mineta's, of course.

That night, Shouto lays on his side, staring at his nails in the darkness until he falls asleep dreaming of a hundred shades of green.

|XxX|

Shouto finds Midoriya in the common room the next morning, face hidden by curls as his head rests on Uraraka's shoulder. Shouto's eyes linger longer than they should. His quirk must be acting up, because he feels colder than normal. Weird.

He isn't surprised. Uraraka is nice and bubbly, but she has the same resounding conviction that Midoriya does. They go together well.

"Todoroki-Kun!" Uraraka calls out, waving. Midoriya sits up quickly, flashing him that blinding smile. Shouto stubbornly ignores how his face gets warm.

"Good morning," he greets.

Midoriya tilts his head at him, frowning like he does when he thinks, before he blinks. "You painted your nails?"

"Yaoyorozu-San did."

"I like them!" Midoriya states, grinning once more. "I would've thought you'd so something like silver or blue, though!"

"I like these colors more," Shouto says without thinking.

It gets very quiet for a moment. He sees Uraraka cover her mouth like she's holding back a giggle out of the corner of his eye. Shouto isn't quite sure why, but he supposes if she's amused it's nothing bad. Midoriya looks like he's trying to solve a puzzle, squinting at Shouto's hands. That probably isn't good for his eyes.

Shouto makes his way over and holds out his hands. Just so Midoriya can see his nails better. Definitely. It's just being polite.

Midoriya takes his hands gently, moving them around to see the shifting colors. Uraraka leans over his shoulder, grinning about as wide as Midoriya does. But her smile is always more sweet than heart attack inducing. Not to say he doesn't like to see her smile, because he does. It's just not the same.

"They're really pretty!"

"Thank you. I like yours as well."

Unsurprisingly, Midoriya flushes. He always does that when people compliment him. "Ah, they're just plain blue! It's not even the right shade, honestly!"

"It's supposed to be All Might blue, right? I think it's close. And it looks nice."

Midoriya looks at his own hands, still loosely holding Shouto's, for a few seconds, a frown on his face. Midoriya is pretty when he frowns. Shouto can't decide if his frowns or smiles are better. When he frowns, he's being himself. But he's himself when he smiles too.

Different parts of himself, maybe. The frowns are all the things he never says, the exhaustion and hurt seeping through his cheerful exterior. He frowns when he thinks, too. When he retreats into his head and doesn't emerge for hours. The smiles are every bit of his strength and selflessness. Fighting past everything horrible to make people feel safe. It works on Shouto every time.

After a moment, Midoriya lets go of Shouto's hands, smiling again. "Something like that!"

"The color is similar to your costume, Todoroki-Kun!" Uraraka comments. Midoriya turns to give her a look that Shouto can't quite read, but she just grins a little wider. "Your nails kind of match Deku-Kun's costume too! You guys are matching!"

"I really don't think Todoroki-Kun meant to do that. He probably just likes green!"

Shouto does like green, but the way Midoriya says it so firmly and quickly… bothers him. He likes green because of Midoriya. Does Midoriya know that? Shouto always thought he was good at keeping his feelings locked up, but maybe Midoriya realized. Maybe it made him uncomfortable and he was just acting normal not to cause any tension.

It was highly unlikely Midoriya felt the same, after all. Even if he liked boys, which was also unlikely, the chances of Midoriya (bright, cheerfully, all around joy to be around) liking Shouto (brooding, quiet, not so fun to be around) are astronomically low.

Besides, Midoriya obviously has feelings for Uraraka. Even Shouto could see that. And she definitely felt the same. It was only a matter of time before they got together. They were really quite perfect for each other. Both unwaveringly kind and absurdly stubborn. Determined to do whatever it took to become heroes. They were happy people, the kind of people to say everything will turn out fine and then do whatever they needed to to make sure it did.

Like a perfect match.

Midoriya bursts out laughing, giggling so hard he doubled over on the sofa, falling back against Uraraka. Shouto had spaced out.

And Uraraka doesn't even hesitate. She puts her arms around his shoulders and hides her own laughter in his curls. He doesn't know what was said. He doesn't know who said it. He can't even take a guess, because that's just how they are. They're so in tune with each other.

Shouto needs to go.

He doesn't say anything when he turns and gets to the stairs as quickly and quietly as possible, taking them two at a time before either of them notice he's missing. They're too caring for their own good. They'll drop everything to make sure he's okay. He can't do that to them. Can't interrupt them when they're always so happy with each other.

Bakugou is stomping his way down the stairs when Shouto gets to the third floor, unceremoniously smacking his shoulder into his. Shouto can't tell if it's on purpose or not at this point.

"Tch, get out of my way."

"I'm just going to my dorm," Shouto mutters, careful not to let the overwhelming ache in his chest show in his voice.

Apparently he does a terrible job. "The hell is wrong with you, Icyhot?"

"Nothing. Can I go to my dorm, or are you going to drag me back?"

Bakugou narrows his eyes. "What'd Deku do?"

"Midoriya didn't do anything. What makes you think he did?" Shouto doesn't particularly like this conversation. Bakugou probably knows Midoriya better than anybody in the class. Except maybe Uraraka.

"Tch, do I look stupid to you!?"

Yes, Shouto thinks. He isn't sure that'll end well though, so he shakes his head very slowly and hopes Bakugou still understands that he thinks he's an absolute idiot. Mostly for how he talks to Midoriya. So what if the boy himself doesn't seem to care? Shouto can care enough for both of them.

"So answer the damn question, Bastard!"

"I told you. He didn't do anything. I don't know why you think he did or what made you think something upset me, but you've clearly misunderstood. So could you leave me alone?"

Bakugou scowls and stomps off, grumbling about idiot bastards and 'stupid Deku'. Bakugou is annoying. Really, really annoying.

Shouto admires him in a way, to lash out so brazenly without fear, but it's annoying. Sometimes it reminds him of things he doesn't want to remember. Shouto gets up to his dorm and locks his door behind him with a sigh.

He doesn't know what to do with these feelings.

They suck.

Shouto never had to deal with these before. He's never had people around him before. Not until Midoriya. It's always Midoriya. It always comes back to him, to his smile and his self sacrificial determination to save everyone. He's never met somebody with such a hero complex. Shouto told his mom he wants to be a hero like All Might, but it's not true.

When he thinks of a hero, he thinks of Midoriya.

Growing up, people are told heroes save people. Shouto, and most people probably, always imagined them saving people from villains and collapsing buildings. External things. The sort of things you see in comic books. Heroes rescue people from immediate threats, from the physical. The things you can see. And Shouto was okay with that. He wanted to save people from those things. He didn't think he needed to be saved.

Then Midoriya came along.

And suddenly he learned what a true hero is. Midoriya showed him there's more than villains and disasters to save people from. The heroes he's always seen on TV save people's bodies. Midoriya Izuku saves peoples hearts. Their souls. He saves the little pieces of the scared child in their heart. He saves people from themselves, from despair.

He saves people.

It's what Shouto wants to do. He wants people to see what he saw. That the ache in their heart isn't forever. There's hope if only they can find the strength to reach out and take it. And if he has to, he'll hold their hand and guide it. Like Midoriya did for him.

Everything changed when Midoriya barreled into his world. He smiles now. Maybe not often or wide like Midoriya, but it's more than it was before. He never had reasons to smile before. Now he has so many he doesn't know what to do with them.

Reasons to smile bring reasons to cry too. Shouto doesn't cry easily. It was drilled out of him as a small child. And what's whatever pain he endures compared to his skin scalding off and his mother's terrified, sunken eyes?

This might be worse.

He can't explain how. Maybe it's because he can't blame anybody. There's no anger to soothe and overtake the sadness. There's no rage festering in his heart. There's just a hollow ache and a stinging in his eyes.

He's never felt like this before.

It's something he thinks a lot when it comes to Midoriya. In so many ways he's lost count. This is the first time it's hurt so bad in a way he doubts anybody in their class understands. The fear when Midoriya runs into danger, when he gets hurt, is something they all get. This is different.

Maybe it's what heartbreak feels like.

Shouto always thought it'd be more… break like. More like a stab through the organ, like his ribs shattering. It's not. It's just empty and cold. He wants to cry. He won't. He refuses to. It's not fair to cry about it when Midoriya is so happy lately.

Maybe he should study for a while. Or see if he can go visit his mother. Aizawa-Sensei might be willing to take him. The man is stern, but he's fair. He could ask her what to do. Then again, he isn't sure if she's the person to ask about this.

There's Fuyumi. He could call her. She always answers, always does her best to help. Maybe she'll have some wise words that'll help. He should probably message her first to make sure she's not busy. Or around their father. He doesn't know how Endeavor would react to him liking a boy, but he's not holding his breath.

Fuyumi
7:21 AM

You: Are you busy?

Fuyumi: Not at the moment!!
Fuyumi: What's up?

You: Is our father around?

Fuyumi: Yes… is everything okay?

You: One moment, I need to ask my teacher something.

Aizawa-Sensei
7:22 AM

You: Can I leave campus to see my sister?

Aizawa-Sensei: she has to pick you up
Aizawa-Sensei: dont get into any trouble

You: Thank you, Sir.

Aizawa-Sensei: dont tell midoriya. hes still not allowed to leave campus without adult supervision or two sensible classmates. minimum.

You: Noted.

Fuyumi
7:25 AM

You: Could we meet up? You'd have to come get me.

Fuyumi: Of course! I'll be there in half an hour and we can go to a cafe?

You: Okay. Thank you.

Fuyumi: Of course! It's what I'm here for :))))

|XxX|

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Fuyumi finally asks, worrying her hands on the table.

Shouto likes this cafe because it's small, but not so small that he can't find a table tucked away out of sight. He thinks Midoriya would like it.

The journey here had been a bit tense. Fuyumi made awkward small talk the whole time. Now they're here, with her plain latte and Shouta's vanilla one. He likes Vanilla. It has nothing to do with Midoriya dragging him to a cafe when they first became friends and ordering Shouto a vanilla coffee. Nothing at all.

"You remember the friend I've told you about? Midoriya?"

Fuyumi lights up, smiling brightly. "Yes!" And then her smile falls. "Did something happen? Did you two fight?"

"No." Shouto taps his cup. It's not like Fuyumi doesn't know. She definitely does, because Natsuo definitely does and they're both so close. He can't even remember how Natsuo knows. He thinks it may have been something he said when he was younger a little more vulnerable.

He's never talked about it in depth with either of them. He knows Natsuo is queer but he doesn't know in what way. He also knows Fuyumi is one of the kindest people to ever breathe and possibly incapable of being cruel to anyone. It's just different to go from knowing they know to talking to his sister about his feelings for a boy.

"Earth to Shouto?"

"Do you think you've ever been in love?" Shouto asks, rushing the words out before they can get stuck. Is he in love with Midoriya? Truly in love? He likes him, he cares about him, he wants to be in his life until the day he dies. Is that love?

He wants forever with him. He needs forever with him. Whether Midoriya is his or not doesn't matter. He wants to be by his side however he can be and breathe him in until he's dead.

Yeah, he's probably a bit in love.

Fuyumi blinks, cheeks turning red. "Oh… I… I think so. When I was in university. But she and I haven't spoken since. She wanted me to move to Romania with her."

It takes Shouto a minute to clamp down on the urge to laugh.

All your kids are gay. Take that, Dad.

Once he recovers from that delightful revelation, he actually processes what she said. "Why didn't you go?"

"Well Japan is my home, Shouto. And you're here. Besides, I didn't speak any Romanian. It would've been a big adjustment. She didn't want to stay in Japan. Why do you ask?"

Shouto stares very intently at his coffee. This feels like a bad idea now that he's thinking about it. But he can't talk to his classmates about it. It's not that he thinks they'd react poorly, in fact they'd probably be ecstatic, but he doesn't trust them not to let it slip.

"Did she ever like somebody else?"

"She had about ten boyfriends since we met, actually. I didn't get the courage to tell her how I felt until we were about to graduate."

The coffee lid is really interesting. "How did you… handle it?"

"Is this about Midoriya..?"

"Maybe."

Fuyumi picks his drink up and puts it on her side of the table. Shouta looks up indignantly, because he is going to drink that, but she just raises an eyebrow. "Todoroki Shouto."

"…Yes."

"So you like him?"

"Yes."

"And he… likes somebody else?"

Shouto hesitates. "I'm fairly sure."

She slides his cup back over, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"He and our friend Uraraka are really close. And they get along so well. They're perfect for each other."

Her face gets sad in a way Shouto hasn't ever seen. She leans forward and takes his hands. She hasn't done that in so long that he'd forgotten how gentle she was. Like she was afraid of hurting him. "Have you asked him?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Because you're making assumptions. You should ask one of them before you assume they like each other."

When Fuyumi puts it like that, Shouto feels like a jerk.

Has he just been assuming they like each other because Uraraka is a girl and Midoriya is a boy? Uraraka acts the same around Midoriya as she does Ashido or Asui, doesn't she? And Midoriya is Midoriya. Shouto groans, hiding his face in his hands.

He worked himself up over possibly nothing. And he's dragged his sister out over nothing.

Fuyumi chuckles. "It's okay, Shouto. There's nothing wrong with being upset about things. As long as you don't lash out at people over it, you aren't doing anything wrong. You don't get to decide how you feel."

"…Do you really think I was just assuming?"

"I wasn't there, so I can't really say. But if you haven't asked and they haven't said, then it is an assumption."

Shouto looks up, sighing. "This is too complicated."

"Not really. Just give it a go! It can't go too horribly, right?"

He isn't so sure about that, but Fuyumi is being nice, so he nods along. He'll talk to Uraraka. She's nice, so he doubts she'll react badly. He isn't sure it means anything. Even if he is wrong, he still finds it unlikely that Midoriya would like him. They're not much alike. And Midoriya is so… good. He has a family who's so loving it hurts. He gets along with people, he inspires people. Shouto knows he's aloof. Cold.

It's not like he tries to be, he just doesn't understand his classmates.

He and Fuyumi finish their coffee and she moves the topic onto school and work. She asks if he's coming home for the holidays and Shouto dodges the answer. He probably will, even if he wants to be as far away from Endeavor as possible. Everyone else will, right? It'd be too empty in the dorms.

Eventually they leave and Fuyumi brings him back to UA, smiling cheerful as she waves him off. She's so happy sometimes and he doesn't know how. She's gentle and sweet and all the things Shouto will never be and he can't even blame their father.

Because she's okay. And he isn't. And there's no reason why.

|XxX|

Uraraka bounces up on the balls of her feet, staring up at Shouto like this is normal. This is not normal. He pulled her aside as soon as dinner was over to talk in the courtyard and she apparently has no problem with this, even though it's cold out and she's only in a t-shirt.

"What did you need, Todoroki-Kun?"

Shouto frowns when she shivers, even though she keeps smiling. She's so odd. He's not really cold, but he has on a sweater anyway. And his quirk usually keeps him from getting too cold or hot. "I wanted to ask you something. It's a bit personal, so I understand if you'd rather not answer."

She beams at him and he cannot for the life of him figure out why she's like this. "Hit me with it!" she challenges brightly, playfully crossing her arms in a way that may have been intimidating if she weren't so much shorter than him. (Then again, she is pretty terrifying in fights.)

He notices her cross her arms a little tighter as the breeze picks up. He sighs, pulling off his blue sweatshirt and holding it out in front of her.

"Oh, you don't need to-"

"You can return it later if you want, but please take it. You'll catch a cold and I'm the one who asked you out here without considering the weather or giving you time to grab a coat."

Uraraka smiles bashfully, pulling the sweater over her head and wringing her hands together. "Thanks, Todoroki-Kun."

"It's no problem."

She tilts her head, smile softening again. She's always smiling. He can imagine when they all get older that there will be smile lines etched into her face. He thinks they'll suit her. "You know, at the start of the year, you seemed kind of mean. But you're actually a really sweet guy!"

Oh.

Shouto isn't sure what to do with that information. He tries to be kind, but he's never considered himself to be sweet. He didn't give her the sweater to be sweet, he just doesn't want her to get sick. Is that sweet? He feels like it's basic human decency.

"So, what'd you need to ask me?"

There's no point in back pedaling now, so Shouto decides to just get it out. "Are you and Midoriya dating?"

Uraraka blinks. Once, twice. Then she snorts so loudly into her hand he thinks she might be choking. "No! Not at all!"

"But you like each other?"

After a minute of barely restrained giggling, Uraraka straightens back up, looking at Shouto almost fondly. "I definitely did at the start of the year, but he's more like a brother to me. I just thought he was amazing- and I still do! But once I got to know him more, I realized I didn't like him, like him. Does that make sense?"

Shouto doesn't think it makes sense at all, but he nods anyways. "Thank you for answering. I apologize for asking such an invas-"

"None of that! You were just curious! And, for the record, Deku-Kun definitely doesn't like me either."

"Really?" Shouto can't help but ask.

"Really! I'm absolutely sure! So you totally have a shot!"

What?

"Uraraka-"

She stops him with a hand on his shoulder, though she has to reach up, and a knowing smile. "Just because Deku-Kun is blind doesn't mean I am. You look at him like he hung the stars in the sky. It's really sweet. And trust me, you definitely have a shot. Don't wait around forever just because you don't want to mess things up. We're heroes, our entire job is going to be taking risks. Better to take it now than wake up in ten years and realize how much you regret not trying, right?"

Never has Shouto thought of Uraraka as wise. She's kind and she's not dumb by any means, but she's never been a person Shouto would think to turn to for advice. He supposes they've all been going through this insanity together, though. She's seen her friends almost die as much as he has. She was one of the ones at the USJ left to watch Thirteen get ripped apart by their own quirk. Uraraka is so sweet he's never noticed how much older she seems now.

They're all growing up too fast.

"You're… probably right."

Uraraka winks. "I'm 100% sure! And you're nails match each other, right?"

"Huh?"

"Yours are green like his hero costume and his are blue like yours. He spent forever going through all my blues to find the closest one he could. Not that I have that many…"

Shouto stares at the floor and mentally makes a note to get Uraraka more nail polish than she could ever dream of. "I see."

"Talk to him soon. He still thinks he upset you this morning. He's been beating himself up about it for approximately… all day."

"Why would he think he upset me?" Shouto asks, frowning. It makes no sense to him.

His friend only shrugs. "I don't really know. I mean, I was worried you were upset, but I'm not so good at reading you as I am Deku-Kun! And I couldn't figure out why it'd be his fault, but you know him. He always thinks it's his fault."

She isn't wrong. Midoriya does have a horrible habit of blaming himself for everything and anything. "Of course he does. I'll talk to him about it. I don't want him to think I'm mad at him."

"You were pretty grumpy during dinner!"

"I was not."

"You were all-" she makes a face resembling some kind of cartoon monster, with an exaggerated scowl- "and then all-" she makes another face with watery eyes, crossing her arms- "all through dinner!"

"That's not true."

"Yeah huh! And then you pulled me aside all mysteriously and urgently!"

"It wasn't mysterious," he corrects, even though it definitely was.

"Yes it was."

"I was not grumpy and mysterious!" he presses.

Uraraka shakes her head, smiling a little too proudly. "Yes, you were!"

"No."

"Yes!"

"You have no proof," he declares, a treacherous smile tugging at his lips.

Uraraka jumps into a hero pose of sorts, a hand on her hip with her head held high while she points at him. "Got you! You're smiling! That means I'm right!"

"Do you have a study to back that up?"

"Don't make me take a vote with the class!"

Shouto isn't sure how that'd go, but he doesn't think it'd end in his favor, so he sighs and tries to fight back the smile on his lips. "Whatever you say, Uraraka-San."

She hesitates for a moment, playful smile slipping away as she stares her hands, encapsulated in the soft blue fabric of his sweater. "You know, you can call me Ochako if you'd like. I know we're not really as close to each other as we are to Deku-Kun, but we're still friends. And I want you to remember that."

"Then you can call me Shouto," he offers in return, trying to place the fuzzy feeling in his chest.

"Shou," she corrects, grinning mischievously. Sometimes he thinks she's actually a tiny minion of mayhem sent to make his life slightly more chaotic with nothing but her undefeatable joy and whimsy.

"Shou it is, then."

Ochako beams. She has a very particular smile that makes her cheeks puff out and her bottom teeth visible behind her overbite. It's endearing. "Yippie!" she exclaims, punching the air enthusiastically.

The entire class very, very conspicuously turn their heads when they walk back inside, especially Ashido and Kaminari. Those two are never subtle.

Almost the entire class.

Midoriya isn't anywhere in sight. He's probably back in his dorm studying or writing in his notebooks. One day Shouto wants to read those notebooks.

"So… what'd you need Ochako for?" Ashido asks, trying and failing to look casual.

"It's personal," Shouto answers dryly. Ashido groans and flops back onto the couch, and by proxy Kaminari who lets out an 'oof'.

He doesn't particularly feel like entertaining his classmate's antics today, so walks past them and heads up the stairs.

It's helpful that Midoriya is on the second floor. He doesn't need an excuse to visit his friend, but he knows it'll make Midoriya feel better if Shouto were dropping by on his way to his own dorm instead of going out of his way. It doesn't make much sense to him considering they're all in the same building, but if it makes Midoriya feel better he doesn't mind.

Though he really does wish he weren't on the top floor. It'd be nice to be on the same floor of at least one of his friends. Sero is alright, but he wouldn't say they're friends. It's better than sharing a floor with Mineta though. Or Bakugou. He doesn't care how many times Kirishima says Bakugou isn't that bad. He and Midoriya can defend the blonde all they want. Shouto still thinks he's way too loud.

Shouto reaches Midoriya's door, various stickers of pros scattered on it, and knocks. Something thuds on the ground and Midoriya curses, which isn't like him, before the door swings open.

His eyes are rimmed red and glossy, but Shouto isn't sure that means much of anything. He's seen Midoriya cry over a particularly cool lizard once. He's never met somebody who wears emotions so openly.

"Todoroki-Kun! Do you need something?"

"I was hoping we could talk for a bit. If you're busy I could come back later."

Midoriya shakes his head and steps to the side, gesturing for Shouto to come in. He spends enough time in Midoriya's dorm that it's familiar. His friend shuts the door and closes his laptop. He must've been watching a movie. That explains the tears.

Shouto sits on the edge of the bed, sparing a brief thought of appreciation for how much his father would hate Midoriya's dorm. It's truly an art piece.

The bed dips as Midoriya sits at the head of the bed, fiddling with his hands. Shouto traces the scars with his eyes. "What… what did you need to talk to me about?"

Shouto looks around, eyes landing on an All Might plushie in the corner of his desk. "I was talking to… Ochako, and she mentioned that you think you upset me this morning."

"Oh. Uhm-"

"You didn't," Shouto says, narrowing his eyes at the other. "I left abruptly because I was meeting my sister for coffee and I forgot to clear it with Aizawa-Sensei. And I had to get ready to leave."

"Oh…"

Midoriya looks down, face flushing red. It's cute. He's always looked nice in reds and pinks. Shouto almost feels bad for lying, but he can't exactly tell Midoriya the truth. Not yet. He will, he just needs a few days to figure it all out. And maybe talk to Fuyumi again.

"It's okay. I just didn't want you to think you did something."

"You're too nice to me sometimes, Todoroki-Kun. You didn't have to come by just for that…"

"I think Ochako would've floated me into Saturn if I didn't," Shouto mutters. She was sweet the entire conversation, but that girl is terrifying. He's seen her throw Kirishima in sparring matches. He doesn't care if his quirk could total her. She's scary.

Midoriya sits up, tilting his head like a curious puppy. "You call her Ochako?"

"She asked me to."

His friend (crush) nods, lips twitching. "Right. Mr. "I don't need any friends"…"

"I don't. But they're nice."

"Everybody needs friends."

Shouto shrugs. "It wasn't that bad without any. Not that I'd go back now, but I never particularly wanted friends growing up."

A sigh slips from Midoriya. "I guess. It's probably easier when you didn't have any in the first place, huh? Not- not that I'm saying you've never had friends before! But- Well, you've said that! I'm sure it's hard both ways!"

He blinks. "You didn't have friends before UA?"

"…Not really," Midoriya mutters, casting his eyes down.

It gets quiet for a long minute. He doesn't know what to say to that. Midoriya isn't a quiet person. He's rarely ever anything but energetic. There's always so much energy around him, whether it's nervous twitching or righteous fury. But right now, he's just quiet. For all he's talked about his own past, he's never heard much about Midoriya's. He never thought too much about it.

He talks about his mom so much and Shouto knows he went to school with Bakugou. His quirk is so powerful and he's always so… happy. Shouto's always assumed he's always been happy.

"What happened?" Shouto asks, staring intently at his friend. He needs to know. Midoriya knows so much about everyone. He pays so much attention to the little things. He remembers what Ochako's parents do for work, he knows the names of most of their parents. He knows who doesn't like certain things and who's allergic to what. Shouto wonders how many people in the class know those things about him. Is it just Bakugou? That's not right.

Midoriya picks at the skin around his nails, chewing his lip. Shouto flicks ice at his hands. "Hey!"

"Don't pick. It'll hurt later."

Midoriya winces. "Sorry."

Another few minutes of silence pass. Midoriya rubs his hands together, cracks his knuckles.

Eventually he says, "Middle school sucked for me, I guess."

"How so?"

Midoriya sighs again, drawing his knees up to his chest and resting his chin on them. "I just wasn't very popular. It was the same in primary school, actually, but most of the teachers made my classmates act nice to me. I was just small and easy to pick on, y'know? Kacchan and I used to be friends before that, though. When we were little. I just meant that, like, it's hard, I guess? I didn't have friends growing up but I knew what having friends was like. And I'd see my classmates being friends and stuff."

There's no world where Shouto can imagine people being cruel to Midoriya. He's too nice, too good. It's not fair. The world isn't fair, but this feels a step too far. Like some invisible line he had drawn in his head is crossed by this. Maybe for broken people, the world isn't far. But for people like Midoriya, kind to a fault and always putting others first, the world should be kinder.

"I never knew that," Shouto settles on saying.

Midoriya shrugs. "I never talk about it. It's in the past, right?"

'In the past' doesn't feel right. Little pieces are clicking into place and painting a picture he wants to forever erase from his mind. Midoriya isn't some infallible god. Shouto has seen him scared, seen him beaten down, but that's by villains. By people Midoriya can fight against. People Shouto can fight. The idea of Midoriya, beautiful and bright Midoriya, being treated horribly for no discernible reason… it scares him. He can't fathom why anybody would be cruel to him.

"Was Bakugou cruel?" he eventually asks. He knows they went to school together.

"…I guess. He was just doing what everyone else was, though. It's not like he knew better."

Shouto thinks of the training exercise as the start of the year. Of how volatile Bakugou was, how hellbent on hurting Midoriya.

Maybe he'll freeze him a little. Just a bit.

"Don't freeze Kacchan," Midoriya chides as though he read Shouto's mind, smiling fondly. "He's really gotten better!"

"I believe you, but I still don't like him." That might not be entirely true. He admires certain parts of Bakugou. It's just all rather dull when he compares it to Midoriya.

"Why don't we talk about, uh… anything else?"

Shouto doesn't argue. Midoriya looks tired and nervous, picking at the skin around his nails again. He barely refrains from grabbing the other boy's hand, eyes lingering longer than what's probably considered normal. The past few times he's seen Midoriya with his nails painted, the polish is usually chipped most of the way off within a few days. He's fairly sure his friend picks it off, because he seems to pick at everything.

Not this time, though. The blue polish (it really does match Shouto's hero suit quite closely) is almost entirely intact. Shouto isn't sure what that means. Maybe Midoriya just likes that shade of blue. But it's nearly perfect. Picking habits aside, they're hero course students. Nobody's nail polish tends to last long.

He's probably reading too much into it. Ochako could still be wrong.

"Okay. How's your mom?" Shouto likes Midoriya's mom. She's very nice and always asks how they're all doing. And she sends cookies.

Midoriya lights up, immediately descending into a detailed account of what he's mother's been up to as of late. Apparently she's gotten back into crochet and made a tiny egg plush. Shouto can't imagine how a plush egg could be cute, but if anybody could manage it would be Midoriya's mother.

The conversation carries on, switching between topics. Shouto doesn't say a lot. He's content to just listen to Midoriya talk. The boy always has so much to say. Shouto wants to commit every last syllable to memory.

If he could, he'd probably get Midoriya's voice tattooed on his skin. Maybe his handwriting, not that Shouto can read his handwriting. It's chaotic and messy, like Midoriya. He writes so fast.

"Oh, didn't you say you saw your sister today?" Midoriya points out abruptly.

"I did."

"How'd it go?"

Shouto shrugs. "It was okay. I just needed to ask her some things."

Midoriya tilts his head, curls falling into his face. Shouto barely refrains from reaching out to brush them away. His hair is getting longer. If he doesn't cut it soon, he'll have to start clipping it back to keep it out of his face. Shouto isn't sure which one would be better, but he does know if Midoriya starts clipping his hair back it'll be easier to see his eyes. That's hard to complain about.

"Like what?" he asks, cheek resting on his knees and big green eyes blinking up at him. Even in the plain light of his room, his eyes are beautiful.

"About dating," Shouto says absentmindedly. Midoriya's eyes are so pretty. Shouto isn't sure how he's meant to think about anything when his friend's eyes are staring up at him, fixed just off from Shouto's own. It's look looking into a gemstone in a cave. Deep viridian with glints of something brighter. They practically glitter in any light. Shouto's sure even in the dark they'd look beautiful.

"Oh," Midoriya mumbles, eyes darting away, looking off toward the ground. He can still see the glittering green beneath Midoriya's lashes. Why are his eyes always so pretty?

His friend shifts away. Shouto blinks, frowning when he clenches his hands into fists and turns his head away. "It's getting late. You should go to your dorm."

Shouto doesn't know what to do with this tone of voice. It's even, but there's something strained to it. It doesn't sound like Midoriya.

"Are you sure?" Shouto asks against his better judgment. He can't figure out why Midoriya is suddenly so quiet. He doesn't even turn to look at Shouto. He was perfectly fine a minute ago.

"Yeah. I'm tired anyway. See you tomorrow, Todoroki-Kun."

He hesitates, trying to find something to say. Midoriya doesn't seem tired, but Midoriya is also ridiculously good at covering those things up.

"Okay. Sleep well," Shouto says finally, standing up and walking out the door. Maybe Midoriya just doesn't feel well. Shouto can always ask him tomorrow.

|XxX|

Fuyumi
9:21 PM

You: how do you ask somebody out

Fuyumi: Is this about Midoriya? It really depends on the person!

You: so i should ask one of our friends?

Fuyumi: Probably! Good luck Shouto!! Sending you love <3

You: thank you neesan

Fuyumi: You're welcome :]

You: ill let you know how it goes when i ask

Fuyumi: Are you doing it tomorrow?

You: probably saturday in case it goes horribly wrong and he wants to avoid me the rest of the day and/or forever.

Fuyumi: Oh!

You: i think i'm joking
You: goodnight fuyumi

Fuyumi: Goodnight Shouto!

Uraraka
9:27 PM

You: ochako
You: hypothetically how should i go about asking midoriya out

Uraraka: WELL IM GLAD YOU ASKED

You: should i be concerned?

Uraraka: okay see deku-kun is the ceo of silly goose inc. so
Uraraka: hes a little silly
Uraraka: i think he does better with direct communication but also
Uraraka: youre rich and he deserves all the love in the world right

You: yes

Uraraka: SO GLAD WE AGREE
Uraraka: anyways his favorite flowers are lilies and daisies. i say ignore whatever flowers are meant to be romantic and get him flowers he likes.

You: wont they just wilt? i think it'd make him sad

Uraraka: oh thats a good point
Uraraka: GET A PLANT PLANT!

You: okay good idea

Uraraka: and snacks

You: is it over the top to make chocolate covered strawberries?

Uraraka: see what do you even need me for
Uraraka: DO IT SHOU!
Uraraka: ITS GONNA BE AMAZING!

You: okay
You: so
You: flower plant, chocolate strawberries, and his own nail polish
You: how am i supposed to do this
You: if it doesn't already go horribly he'll start crying

Uraraka: you and iida man…
Uraraka: i just cry with him usually
Uraraka: it works great

You: i don't cry
You: i also don't like seeing him cry
You: i also don't know how to handle crying

Uraraka: maybe just leave a note
Uraraka: leave it outside his dorm or something
Uraraka: when are you doing it?

You: saturday

Uraraka: we can ask aizawa-sensei if we can go out on thursday or friday and i'll help you get everything. we can leave it outside his dorm on friday night or something!

You: wont he see it when we come back?

Uraraka: ill just make kaminari distract him
Uraraka: or sero

You: will that really work?

Uraraka: good point
Uraraka: aoyama it is

You: you're cruel

Uraraka: drastic times call for drastic measures, shou…

You: you're a brave woman.

Uraraka: i know!
Uraraka: take a deep breath. deku-kun worries enough for all of us. it'll be fine!

You: i hope you're right

Uraraka: see you tomorrow shou!

You: don't tell the others

Uraraka: who do you take me for!? MINA!?

You: sigh.

|XxX|

This week week feels off.

Ochako can't figure out how, because Deku seems 100% fine to her, but something is just off. When she looks at Shouto, it's clear he feels it too. Everything is supposedly normal. They all sit together at lunch. Except Deku sits next to Tsu instead of Shouto.

When they spar, he pairs up with Ojiro. He's never done that, but he tells her he wants to work on his actual martial arts skills. It makes sense and it's a very Deku thing to do, so she doesn't say anything.

But she does notice how Ojiro is almost always far away from Shouto because he spars with Tsu so often.

The entire week is like this.

Entirely normal, but Deku is always finding ways to keep his distance from Shouto. She tries not to worry. Deku is still Deku, after all. He's kind of odd and Ochako doesn't always totally understand him, but she knows how he feels about Shouto. Sometimes he just gets in his head and she doesn't know how to pull him out.

Shouto told her he cleared things up about the other day, so it can't be that. She can't imagine Shouto did anything to Deku either. And It's not like her best friend is even ignoring him! He still says hello every morning and smiles at him. She swears his smile is off, but he is smiling.

Whatever is wrong, she can't figure it out. By Wednseday, she's debating staging some kind of intervention. Every time Shouto suggests they hang out, Deku finds a way to either drag somebody else into it (usually Iida) or makes up a lame excuse that they can't prove is a lie.

She still has solid faith in their plan for Saturday, but she's also beginning to panic just a little.

Shouto is panicking more than a little.

"I can't figure out what's wrong," he stresses for the hundredth time since he showed up at her dorm an hour ago. He's pacing a hole into her floor, but he did bring a peace offering of snacks, so she's pretty content to eat her chips from her position on her bed. Comfy.

"I don't think my floor is going to help you," she says not so helpfully.

It's not that Ochako doesn't feel bad for Shouto. She really does. It's no secret in their class that Shouto's favorite person is Deku. Even Momo doesn't really come close. She thinks it's not asking Deku out that has him worried about his behavior, but just the distance.

Nobody else has noticed though. It's just them, who both read way too much into how Deku acts around Shouto. It's not like Ochako's own love life is very interesting. Hatsume is kind of cool, but she's still not over the support student tackling and borderline caressing Deku, so she refuses to acknowledge that she's actually cool.

"What are we going to do?"

"Hope he tells me what's wrong by Saturday so I can do damage control?" Ochako suggests. She wishes he would tell her now. He always tells her things.

Shouto gives her a look. "That's it?"

"Well what am I supposed to do!? Smack it out of him? Have you ever tried making Deku-Kun do anything? It's like trying to boss around Bakugou-Kun! They're both so stubborn!"

"Should we ask Bakugou, then?"

Ochako wonders if maybe Shouto hit his head earlier. Or maybe she did and the entire situation is a hallucination. "Ask who now? Are you crazy? He'll blow us up! He hates Deku-Kun!"

"But he knows Midoriya best."

"Yes, which he uses to try and murder him! Regularly!"

"Do you have any other ideas?"

Ochako stuffs chips into her mouth in lieu of a response. "You owe me if we're going to be talking to Bakugou," she grumbles around her mouthful of chips.

Her friend stares at her in vague disgust. "Please swallow before speaking. I'm begging you."

Ignoring him, Ochako pulls out her trusty flip phone.

Boom Boom
4:12 PM

You: shouto and i need you at my dorm STAT
You: dont COMPLAIN

Boom Boom: fuck no

You: its about deku-kun
You: cmonnnnnn PLEASE YOURE OUR ONLY HOPE
You: heroes HELP PEOPLE BAKUGOU

Boom Boom: dont GUILT TRIP ME ROUND FACE

You: LISTEN UP BOOM BOOM BOY
You: ITS THIS OR I GET BABY PICTURES FROM MAMADORIYA BC I KNOW SHE HAS SOME OF YOU
You: AND I SEND THEM TO THE ENTIRE CLASS
You: ESPECIALLY THE CUTE ONES.

Boom Boom: which floor are you on

You: same as you
You: opposite end of the hall
You: THANKS BAKUGOUUU

Boom Boom: dont thank me
Boom Boom: is this about him avoiding icyhot

You: so we arent INSANE

Boom Boom: icyhot is insane for liking him
Boom Boom: tch

You: JUST HURRY UP

Ochako flicks her phone shut. "He's on the way!"

"How did you do that?"

"Blackmail," she answers cheerily.

Shouto shakes his head and finally sits down with her on the bed. It's barely two minutes later when Bakugou swings her door open. He locks it behind him and stomps over, dragging her desk chair in front of her bed backwards.

"Didn't even lock the door, amateurs."

Ochako ignores that. "Okay, so we're all on the same page, right?"

"That Deku is acting fucking weird? Obviously. So what'd Icyhot do?"

Shouto sighs. "I don't know. He was perfectly fine on Sunday night."

The blonde snorts. "Well clearly not, idiot. What did you say before you left?"

Her first instinct is to defend Shouto, but one look at his face stops her. His eyes are wide, mouth forming a little 'o'. She's surrounded by absolute idiots. She thinks her and Bakugou being the smartest in the room bodes horribly for this plan.

"He asked what I visited my sister about and I said dating advice."

Ochako smacks him on the back of the head. "Shouto!" she reprimands, ignoring his outraged cry. "Why the heck would you say that!? You told me you didn't tell him how you felt!"

"I didn't," Shouto says, rubbing the back of his head. "Did you have to hit me so hard?"

"Yes she fucking did, Icyhot! Jeez! Why the hell did you say that!?"

"I wasn't thinking!" he complains, shrinking away from the other two. Ochako almost feels bad. Almost.

"Obviously not! I thought you were smart!"

"I was distracted!"

"By what!?" she demands.

"…His eyes," Shouto mumbles.

Oh for fuck sake.

He's so hopeless it hurts.

She sends Bakugou a see what I deal with? kind of look and is met with a disgusted look of his own. How she and Bakugou are the ones dealing with this is beyond her. She wants a raise. And more snacks.

At least it'll be resolved by Saturday.

"You're so fucking stupid," Bakugou growls. "Now he probably thinks you like, I don't know, Ponytail or some shit!"

"I'm gay."

"Does Deku know that!?"

"…No?"

Bakugou smacks his face straight into the back of her chair. Ochako is tempted to do the same. "So now he thinks you like somebody else, dumbass. This isn't getting fixed until you tell him."

"But I'm not ready," Shouto stresses, eyes suddenly wide with panic.

"It'll be fine!" Ochako says before Bakugou can keep running his mouth. "Look, we'll getting everything tomorrow. We can just do it Friday night, right?"

Shouto still looks way too stressed, but a little calmer. "I thought the plan was to leave it Friday night anyway?"

"No, like, earlier. We'll leave it and knock."

"Then I'll be there."

"I'll ask Tooru."

"Then-"

Ochako smacks him again for good measure. "Shouto! We're trying to help you!"

Bakugou scowls. "He's dumber than Dunce Face. Either you fess up sooner or let him stress out longer, your damn choice."

"It can't be that bad. And it's only a few extra hours if we're leaving it at night," Shouto mumbles, though he doesn't look convinced.

"Yeah, 'cause Deku is definitely gonna sleep while stressed out. Have you met him!?"

"Okay, fine. You're right."

"And Tooru can keep a secret!"

Shouto stares at his hands for a moment, brows furrowed. "Midoriya will still be worrying, though. Assuming that's even why he's worried."

Ochako is not paid enough. She would very much like to grab the boy next to her and shake him until he drops for being so dumb and she thinks Bakugou isn't far behind. Still, she can't help but smile fondly.

It's just so Shouto. He acts so aloof but he's really a caring person. She keeps catching him staring at his nails when he thinks nobody is around. The color is so close to Deku's eyes that she wonders if he had a picture in front of him when he picked it.

They're really perfect for each other, aren't they?

Bakugou scoffs, interrupting her thoughts. "Round face can fix it. She's always fixing your guys' problems anyway."

Ochako is glad somebody recognizes her efforts. She feels like a mom half the time trying to keep these two from spiraling out. Once a week she has to console Deku that he definitely has a chance with Shouto. Of course, he hasn't mentioned Shouto once this week.

Which is impressive when her best friend usually talks about his crush about as much as he does All Might. Sometimes she thinks they're the only people in the world who aren't aware of how stupidly in love they are.

Even Iida has probably noticed. Hell, she's pretty sure Mineta's figured it out.

"Sorry, Ochako."

"No need to apologize. Just buy me more snacks and we're even!"

Shouto smiles softly. "And they say money can't buy happiness."

"They've never had mochi, clearly."

"Can I go now?" Bakugou groans. "Before you two start braiding each other's stupid hair and painting each other's nails."

"I don't think he'll let me touch his nails. They're Deku-Kun flavored."

Shouto and Bakugou both make a face. "That sounds like his blood is infused in them…"

"More like his damn tears."

"Hey, I'd lick Deku-Kun flavored nails! I bet they taste like matcha!"

"Oh, now I want Matcha."

"Of course you drink that shit, Icyhot."

"So do you."

"Yeah but I do it right!"

"Okay, you can go now! Bye Bakugou-Kun, thanks for your help!"

The blonde wastes no time getting up and heading for the door. She waits for him to leave, but he hesitates, lingering in the door.

"It was fucking obvious, you're both just too dumb and trusting or whatever to have figured it out. Just because it seemed like nothing to you doesn't mean it seemed like nothing to Deku, alright? He takes everything to heart or whatever. It's fucking annoying."

Ochako thinks maybe 'annoying' is code for 'I find this upsetting and wish I could fix it' in Bakugou Speak, because he doesn't sound annoyed. Just sort of frustrated.

Okay, maybe Bakugou doesn't totally hate Deku.

She still doesn't get their relationship. But she can see his words for what they are; a warning. 'Think before you speak or you'll end up hurting him' and she's pretty sure it's directed at Shouto.

Is this…

Bakugou's version of a shovel talk?

This is gold. She needs to tell Mina. She can't tell Mina.

Maybe this is actually divine punishment…

"Welp, time to go figure out how I'm gonna make Izuku feel better. Not sure how." Unless… Oh, she is a genius! "Hey, who in our class definitely likes somebody else in our class!?"

Shouto blinks. "Besides Bakugou and Kirishima? I don't know."

"C'mon, think!"

"Shouldn't you know!?"

"I'm always too busy dealing with Deku-Kun, alright! Who do you think is running the betting pool!?"

"The what?"

"Shh! That's- uh- not important!"

Shouto sighs. "I'll ignore it. I suppose… Yaoyorozu-San talks about Jirou-San often? I get the impression they like each other."

"You're a beautiful genius, Shouto."

"Thank you..?"

Yaomomo
4:41 PM

You: DO YOU LIKE JIROU IN A GAY WAY MY QUEEN

Yaomomo: !? What prompted that question? That's silly!

You: I HAVE NO TIME FOR DENIAL, IM TRYING TO STOP DEKU-KUN FROM CRASHING SO I NEED A VIABLE SUBJECT FOR SHOUTO TO HAVE ASKED DATING ADVICE FROM HIS SISTER FOR

Yaomomo: I'm confused?

You: MOMO DO YOU WANNA KISS JIROU OR NOT

Yaomomo: Well, maybe not kiss, but… Well, yes… You're correct.
Yaomomo: But tell Todoroki-Kun not to go around sharing that!

You: he just said you talk about her a lot its okay

Yaomomo: Oh!
Yaomomo: You can use me as your excuse, but please don't go around telling people.

You: 1,000 yen that shouto asks deku-kun out before you and jirou

Yaomomo: I will… not take that obviously rigged bet.

You: who would

Yaomomo: Mina.

You: tysm queen
You: ill change it to izuku vs. you dating somebody first

Yaomomo: Todoroki-Kun makes more sense for that bet. Thank you!

You: YOURE SO RIGHT THANK YOU FOR HELPING A GIRL MAKE HER BANK

"Ochako, what are you doing?"

"Getting that bag! Shush!"

Mina
4:49 PM

You: 1k yen that todoroki gets with somebody before momo does

Mina: pfft, bet TAKEN.
Mina: MOMO HAS JIROU WORSHIPING THE GROUND SHE WALKS ON, NOT TO MENTION HALF THE GUYS IN THE SCHOOL
Mina: plus todoroki is like so not social
Mina: and busy staring at midoriya all day LMAO

You: tell me about it girl
You: okay GTG THANKS GIRLY

Mina: can i bring the bet the rest of the girls?

You: sure

Mina: ill let you know what they say since ur busy girly dwdw

You: a true icon

"Ochako, what are you doing?" Shouto asks again.

"I told you! Making bank!"

"I thought you were supposed to be taking care of Izuku!"

"Ha, you called him Izuku. And I am!"

Shouto frowns at her, leaning over her shoulder where she does indeed have her phone open to her contacts.

"…How come he gets a heart and I don't?"

"That's your concern?"

"Yes."

Ochako dutifully edits Shouto's contact name to include a heart, because she's a good friend.

DEKU<3
4:53 PM

You: deku-kun… mother has a present

DEKU<3: last time i heard that hatsume tried to blow me up pls dont blow me up :(

You: so after an Interrogation (i revealed NOTHING) i determined YOU my darling little broccoli stir fry didnt have the FULL PICTURE

DEKU<3: i love you but im scared AND HEY I DONT LOOK LIKE BROCCOLI AND WHY AM I COOKED BROCCOLI

You: youre worried about the wrong thing in that sentence deku-kun

DEKU<3: i know

You: anyways shouto was asking about dating advice on momo's behalf
You: on her behalf about jirou
You: wlw for the win

DEKU<3: oh
DEKU<3: hahahaha

You: are you crying

DEKU<3: WHAT NO PFFFT THATS CRAAAAAAZY AHAHAHAH MY EYES ARE JUST SWEATING IT WAS AN EYEWORKOUT YEAHHHH

You: sometimes i think you're bad at lying on purpose for the joke of it
You: but then i remember you really just cant lie
You: BUT YEAH STOP YOUR MOPING AND BEING WEIRD CUZ I SURE NOTICED
You: and so did shouto….

DEKU<3: oh fuuuuck

You: LANGUAGE

DEKU<3: i grew up with kacchan
DEKU<3: i know bad words

You: i, mother, demand you cease that

DEKU<3: lets be clear: yaomomo is mother around here

You: FINE
You: i, homegirl, demand you cease that

DEKU<3: LEAVE ME BE AND GO EAT YOUR SNACKS URARAKA

You: cant you call me a cool nickname too

DEKU<3: deku isnt really COOL but i can call you koko

You: no
You: ochako it is

DEKU<3: ochako then cool awesome hahahjadf

You: alexa find social skill classes near me, cuz this is hopeless

DEKU<3: IM SORRY OKAY
DEKU<3: ASIDE FROM TSU, WHO TELLS EVERYONE TO CALL HER TSU, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANYBODY'S ASKED ME TO USE THEIR FIRST NAME

You: well theres bakugou

DEKU<3: i have never called him by his first name he is just simply Kacchan

You: okay fair
You: GTG MINA NEEDS MEEEE

"Problem solved. Now let me make my bank!"

"Thank you, Ochako."

"Anytime."

Mina
5:03 PM

Mina: scores are IN
Mina: ON YOUR SIDE IS TSU, KENDO, TOORU, AND JIROU
Mina: EVERYONE ELSE IS WITH ME THOUGH HAHA
Mina: I GOT 1-B IN ON IT

You: more money for ME THEN CUZ IM SOOOO GONNA WIN

Mina: KEEP SAYING THAT GRAVITY GIRL

Sometimes Ochako wonders when her peers will learn. Never bet against her.

"I can't wait for Friday…"

"I'm scared," Shouto mutters.

|XxX|

"So you two want to go to the store this afternoon?" Aizawa-Sensei clarifies, raising his eyebrow at Shouto and Ochako.

To be fair, he would also be suspicious.

"Yes!" Ochako affirms cheerfully.

"Right… Take Iida with you."

"But-"

Aizawa-Sensei holds up a hand. "Nope. If you're going out, he's going with you. Not because he's responsible. I just trust him to keep you two on target so you get back in a timely manner."

Ochako nods quickly. "Yes sir! we'll be super careful!"

"Alright. Have fun I guess."

"Thank you, Sensei," Shouto says politely before immediately getting dragged away by Ochako to find Iida.

She, apparently allergic to subtlety suddenly, takes one step into the common room and yells for their class president until he emerges. Midoriya in tow.

"Hey Todoroki-Kun, Ochako. What's up?"

Ochako grins. "I'm getting rich."

"In snacks."

"So many snacks."

He did promise to buy her all the snacks she wanted for all her help. "And Aizawa-Sensei told us to bring Iida."

Predictably, Iida straightens up, adjusting his glasses. "He's entrusted me with ensuring you both have a safe trip? I see! Well, we should have a list-"

"We're shopping on vibes, Iida-Kun," Ochako interrupts quickly.

"I really wouldn't interrupt Ochako's snack adventures, Iida-Kun," Midoriya mutters, eyeing his best friend like she's some sort of she-devil. "It's scary."

"Ah… Good point. What time do we need to be back?"

"We have two hours."

"Oh. Are we still going to have time to study tonight?" Midoriya asks, smiling like normal. Whatever Ochako said definitely worked.

"Yes. We should only really take an hour, right?" He gives Ochako a pointed look.

She nods quickly, bouncing up on her feet. "Yep! We'll be so fast! 'Cause we have Iida-Kun! So let's go!"

Midoriya smiles fondly as Ochako begins literally pulling Iida toward the door until he reminds her he has to grab his things and put on shoes. It only gets her to relent for two minutes before she starts trying to shove his shoes on faster. At least she's excited.

"Sorry if I seemed off this week, by the way," Midoriya says while they both watch their friends start bickering. "Er, I was just overthinking again, y'know?"

Shouto nods. "It's alright. You do that a lot, though."

"If I could stop I would," he says wryly, smile turning a little more self-deprecating. "I'm glad to see you getting close with more of the class though."

"I'm a bit surprised by it myself."

Midoriya laughs. Shouto can't figure out what he said that was funny, but Midoriya laughs. It's nothing big, just a quiet little chuckle, but it makes his chest feel fuzzy and his head spin a little.

Maybe he should've asked Fuyumi what falling in love feels like. Maybe it's this. Lightheaded and warm, like swaying in the sun after being in a cold darkness for your whole life.

"Todoroki-Kun? Are you okay?"

"Hm?" Shouto hums, suddenly aware that he was probably, once again, staring at Midoriya. What if that was what actually bothered him the other night? Maybe he caught on to how Shouto feels and the reason he's acting normal again is because whatever Ochako said made him think he was wrong?

Really it makes more sense than Midoriya being upset about Shouto liking somebody. He avoided being alone with Shouto pretty fervently those few days. And sat farther away from him.

"You spaced out. Twice. Maybe you shouldn't go out." Midoriya sounds genuinely concerned. Maybe Shouto is reading into things again.

"I'm fine. I was just… thinking about how annoying it'll be to carry all of Ochako's snacks back. Yeah."

"Are you sure?" Midoriya pushes, chewing his lip.

Shouto flicks ice at him. "You'll end up bleeding, Midoriya."

"Sorry!"

"Don't apologize."

Maybe he should add some kind of fidget toy to the list.

Midoriya looks away sheepishly, hair falling into his face. The boy doesn't do anything to move it, but Shouto sees his nose scrunch up like he finds it annoying.

Don't do it, Shouto.

Ochako is still harassing Iida. Nobody else is paying attention.

That would be really awkward. It'd probably make him uncomfortable.

He really looks bothered by the hair. He shakes his head like he's trying to get it out of his face and it just makes it worse. He'd be a pretty lousy friend if he just let hm suffer, right?

Maybe Ochako was right when she said I'm an idiot.

Shouto puts a hand on Midoriya's shoulder to stop his efforts of shaking the hair off his face and carefully brushes it out of the way, tucking what he can behind the boy's ears. "You should get some hair clips."

Midoriya says nothing, face red. Shouto steps back. He really should remember that he has a temperature quirk before he gets so close to people. If it were Asui he could've made her too cold or dried out her skin. She'd be fine with how minor it was, but he'd still feel bad.

"Finally!" Ochako cheers before Shouto can apologize, running back up to him with Iida in tow and punching the air. "Let's go! Snacks!"

He gets no time to argue before she drags them all out the door, barely able to squeeze in a quick wave to Midoriya.

She calms down on the walk to the nearest store, but not by much. He can't tell if she's using snacks as her cover for how excited she is to help Shouto pick stuff out or if she's just really that excited about snacks. Either could be true.

The store isn't overwhelming, exactly, but there's a lot of choices and he doesn't know what he should get. He only has a loose list in his head. He isn't sure if he should even get anything at all. Is it too late to give up and just get Ochako her snacks?

If Midoriya really is uncomfortable with the thought of Shouto liking him (and the hair thing certainly won't have helped) then this might just be a step too far…

"Shouto. Stop that."

"What?"

Ochako sighs. "You're doubting the mission. No can do! I promise you he likes you, okay? He never shuts up about you. Just trust me, the very real person, and not your silly brain." For emphasis, she pokes him. Very hard.

But she's right.

She's real, right here and tangible, and telling him he has a chance. That it's not just one-sided. That should mean more than things he can't get anyone else to confirm.

He can do this.

Picking an aisle at random, Shouto leads Ochako over. It luckily happens to be the candy aisle, so they're both set. Iida is following behind at a much slower pace, thoroughly confused.

"Look for strawberries!" she instructs, also… looking at strawberry candy.

Those two really are similar, aren't they?

|XxX|

Shouto may have gone overboard.

Not as bad as Ochako, who somehow has convinced Iida to carry all ten of her bags which are nothing but snacks, but Shouto isn't much better off. At least he has an excuse that he needs a whole plant. And can't just give Midoriya a plain pot, either.

…Hopefully he can get somebody to help him. He's no good with plants. Maybe Koda. He's not dragging 1-B into this even if they have a girl who is basically half plant.

"Did you tell Aoyama?"

"Yep! Are we making the strawberries tonight?"

Shouto eyes Ochako. "You can't eat them all."

"What are doing with the strawberries?"

"Making chocolate strawberries. For Midoriya. It's a surprise." He doesn't feel like lying to Iida. Plus, his friend takes surprises very seriously.

The trio make it back the dorms before the two hour mark and all but scurry up to Shouto's dorm, Iida included.

Ochako immediately opens a bag of candy, politely offering one to both boys. Iida, who is too polite, agrees. Shouto watches the pain overtake his face as he forces a smile. Ochako, the little sadist, is grinning. Poor Iida.

Never take candy from somebody who likes sour. Shouto learned the hard way.

Ignoring Iida's suffering, Shouto frosts a spot in the corner to put the strawberries until he and Ochako cover them in chocolate later. Iida helpfully hands him stuff, face looking somewhere between 'just been stabbed' and 'about to throw up'.

He starts arranging everything else in the All Might basket he found. He figures Midoriya can store his smaller plushies in it. Or maybe the inevitable influx of tiny crocheted foods. (Apparently his mom has now added a broccoli and pear to her collection.)

It might be too much. He considers now that Midoriya tends to think any gift to him is extremely unnecessary. It's… too late now. At least if this all goes wrong, Midoriya has snacks. And a few drinks. And a plant that Shouto needs to repot. And a letter that shouto needs to write. And then it'll all bet set.

Tomorrow night.

|XxX|

Dear Midoriya,

I apologize for not being brave enough to tell you this face to face. However, if you feel like ignoring me after this then it'll be easier this way. (I also apologize for going a bit overboard on the stuff. You deserve it all, though, so I don't really feel that bad.)

Ever since the Sports Festival, you've become a permanent fixture in my life. You were the first person since my mother to believe I could be my own hero. I forgot how to be my own person outside of spiting him. If it weren't for you, I'd live a miserable life. You showed me that I didn't have to be alone anymore, that I was deserving of care.

You mean more to me than anybody else. That's what makes this hard to do, so I've put it off. I tried to ignore it, but it didn't work as you can probably tell. I don't know how to explain the way I feel about you, but I know it's not how friends feel about each other. It's become exceedingly apparent this past week.

Being around you, talking to you, feels like standing in the sun. It feels natural, like it's where I'm supposed to be. I don't except you to feel the same, but I want to hope you do. Even if you don't, I still want to be friends. As long as you're in my life I'm alright.

What I'm asking is: will you be my boyfriend?

Sincerely,
Shouto.

PS - The strawberries are homemade! By me and Shouto! -Ochako

|XxX|

Shouto has never felt more restless. Hagakure left the basket approximately fifteen minutes ago. His phone hasn't gone off at all. Maybe Midoriya really is ignoring him.

Then there's a knock at his door.

His door.

Maybe I don't want it to be Midoriya, actually, he thinks suddenly, a spike of panic shooting through his chest.

He gets up anyways, taking a deep breath and quickly melting the frost that's formed on his skin. It might not be Midoriya. It could be Ochako, seeing how things are going. Or maybe Sero needs something. It could be anybody. Except nobody else ever comes to his dorm. The only person who visits him regularly is Midoriya.

One more deep breath, and he pulls the door open.

Like he thought, it's Midoriya. Red rimmed eyes, glossy with tears. Face flushed, hair clipped out of his face with star clips he recognizes as Ashido's. Shouto silently steps to the side. It seems to jolt Midoriya enough for him to step into the room. He's already in his pajamas. Shouto probably interrupted him getting ready to get comfortable in bed with a manga or movie.

"Hi," Shouto says stupidly. He doesn't know what to say.

Midoriya opens his mouth and closes it a few times, brows furrowed. He isn't smiling. Shouto doesn't know if that's a good or bad sign. He just waits for him to figure out what it is he's trying to say.

"Did… did you mean it? What you wrote," he manages eventually, voice cracking.

"I did."

His lower lips trembles, like he's trying not to cry again. "I didn't- I never realized you- I- I thought- I'm- I just-"

"Breathe," Shouto reminds him, hesitantly putting a hand on his shoulder. "Take your time. I'll be here."

Midoriya takes a breath, though it's shaky, and closes his eyes. "I didn't… think you felt the same. I'm just- I'm trying to wrap my head around it, because you're so much stronger and smarter and you're- well, you're you and I'm me."

All Shouto can hear is those two words, the same, looping in his head.

Midoriya feels the same. He was so anxious over nothing. This entire time.

I owe Ochako so many snacks.

Then the rest of what Midoriya said catches up and Shouto frowns. He wouldn't say he's stronger than Midoriya. Or smarter. Far from it, actually. He thinks anybody who would pick him over Midoriya is insane.

"I disagree. You're easily one of the strongest people I know."

Midoriya flushes more. "I-"

"It's true."

"Fine," Midoriya acquires, looking suspiciously like he wants to chew his lip. "Thank you. For, uhm. For everything. You didn't have to do all that."

Shouto shrugs, the tension slowly draining from his body. "I wanted to. Ochako helped."

"So she's known this whole time!?"

"Only since Sunday, actually," Shouto corrects. "Although she definitely suspected it before that."

Midoriya sighs. "I'm never telling her anything again."

Oh.

He told Ochako. Outright.

No wonder she was so damn confident.

"So… what now?" Shouto asks, suddenly aware of his hand on Midoriya's shoulder. He can't decide if they're too close or not close enough.

"I, uh… I don't know. I sort of just ran up here. Once I stopped crying, I mean."

Shouto's lip twitch up to a smile. "You haven't really stopped, Midoriya."

"Izuku. You can call me Izuku."

There's a brief pause. Shouto sounds the name out, mouths it to himself. He's known Izuku's- Izuku, Izuku, Izuku- first name. It's slipped out occasionally. But this is different. He thinks he might treasure it forever. Like it's a precious gift.

"Are you cold?" Shouto asks suddenly. He's not, but Izuku always tends to be cold. Even if he's in a hoodie. Shouto's been told his room is cold. He thinks. Maybe once or twice by Yaoyorozu.

"A bit?"

Shouto takes a breath, barely noticeable, and tugs Izuku over to his bed. Be brave, Shouto, he tells himself, pulling Izuku sit on his left side. Not too close, but closer than normal. Izuku somehow goes even redder. It's getting impressive.

Then he turns, hiding his face against Shouto's shoulder, and it's very possible they're both red now.

"Better?" Shouto forces out, almost regretting this.

"Mhm."

"You didn't answer my question, by the way."

Izuku lifts his head up, leaning back to blink at Shouto. "What?"

Shouto stares very intently at his blankets. "From the letter."

"Oh."

Maybe he shouldn't have brought it up. Maybe this is actually just a dream. Or a nightmare. He can't tell which is more accurate. And then he'll wake up and none of it actually happened and everything goes back to before. If not then maybe there's still time for him to run away before Izuku can answer and start a new life somewhere in Europe. France sounds kind of nice. He doesn't speak much French, but he can learn. Maybe he'll go to California and be a model or something. Yes, these sound like much better ideas than whatever it is he's doing right now. At least his father would definitely hate this.

If worst comes to worst, maybe he can convince Natsuo to run away with him. Fuyumi wouldn't approve of Shouto abandoning his life to become a hermit in the woods somewhere. Maybe he'll become one of those party princesses. Yes, he could be a very good Elsa.

Izuku pokes Shouto in the face.

Reluctantly, he looks up to be met with Izuku's worried eyes. "Shouto?"

"Yes?"

Izuku looks at him for a few moments, brows furrowed in concern. He's beautiful when he's focused. Maybe Shouto shouldn't be focusing on that actually. He still has to figure out where he's running away to. Maybe Las Vegas. Or Romania, and he can find Fuyumi's long lost college love to reunite them. That's a noble quest. She can't be disappointed in him for that.

The boy beside him straightens up, a determined frown on his face. Maybe that's even prettier. Is Izuku allergic to not being perfectly beautiful at all times? Shouto's starting to think so.

Izuku shuffles closer, squeezing his eyes shut, and leans forward.

Oh.

Shouto has no clue what he's supposed to do. Maybe he should've asked Fuyumi about this. Or Ochako. Or literally anybody. Maybe it's not real. Maybe he's totally misunderstanding, because there's no way in any universe that Midoriya Izuku wants to kiss Shouto. Shouto, whose face is half covered by that wretched burn scar. Shouto, who has the most dysfunctional family in their entire class. Whose father put his mother in a mental hospital for pouring boiling water on his face. There's just no way-

"Ow-"

"Fuck!"

Both boys reel back, Izuku burying his face in his hands while Shouto presses his fingers to his nose to make sure it isn't broken from where Izuku's had crashed into his.

"I'm so sorry," Izuku cries, voice muffled by his hands. "I- I've never done that before and I- I probably should've thought that through, uhm. Maybe I should just go-"

Shouto can't help but laugh. Izuku's hands fall from his face, green eyes blinking owlishly as Shouto doubles over, tears prickling his eyes. It's just so Izuku. He's so smart and thoughtful about so many things, but then he charges into things with no clue what he's doing.

When he finally recovers and looks back at Izuku, the boy is red to the tips of his ears and making increasingly desperate efforts to hide himself entirely in his hoodie.

"I'm not laughing at you," Shouto clarifies, which is mostly true, with a lingering smile.

Izuku slowly lifts his face from his jacket, pulling his knees up to his chest. "So you… don't want me to go?"

"No," Shouto says firmly, grabbing Izuku's hand. "Not at all."

This is nice. Izuku's hand is rough and lined with scars, but it feels right in his. Like this is how it's supposed to be. Maybe it is. Their hands fit together nicely. He feels braver now. Maybe it's the absurdity of the situation. Maybe it's because he knows Izuku wants this too. Either way, he's going to hold onto this as long as he can.

"Okay. What… now?"

"You still haven't answered my question," Shouto prompts hesitantly.

Izuku smiles, albeit awkwardly. The flush that had finally begun to fade makes its return. He's starting to wonder if Izuku will be permanently red soon. "Yeah. I'd like that."

"That's good."

Idiot, he can hear Bakugou say in his head. That's the lamest fucking response!

It doesn't seem to bother Izuku, who's staring at their interlaced fingers with something like… awe. Shouto doesn't understand why Izuku is so surprised. How could Shouto not be madly, stupidly in love with him?

"I'm sorry for, uhm, earlier this week. I guess Ochako probably told you why I was actually upset?"

Shouto nods. "She did. And Bakugou, technically."

"Kacchan?"

He sighs, running his thumb along the back of Izuku's hand. "He was helpful. I guess he really does care about you in his own way."

Not that Shouto understands it at all. Izuku deserves all the gentleness and love in the world.

"I guess," Izuku mumbles. "He has a weird way of showing it."

"Tell me about it."

His boyfriend (Shouto is never going to get used to this) lets his head rest against Shouto's shoulder, soft curls tickling his face. "How long have you known? About- about how you felt, I mean."

Shouto looks at their joined hands. Izuku's chipped blue polish and his own that's beginning to chip as well. "I think… not long after the Sports Festival, I realized. Around the Stain incident."

"It was a lot later for me. I'm, uhm, not great at- at figuring out my feelings for people. I guess it was Kamino? It meant a lot to me that you went with us."

"I didn't want you to get hurt," he confesses softly. "It wasn't really about saving Bakugou for me. Not to say I didn't want to save him, but it wasn't my main motivation. I knew you would go no matter what."

"Oh," Izuku says smartly.

"It's a bit late," Shouto says. It's not even 8PM. "And your dorm is far away. You can… stay here tonight. If you want."

Izuku squeezes his hand. "Sure."

Even though he can feel the weight of Izuku against his side, he still feels like this has to be some kind of dream. A very, very realistic dream.

Then again, he doesn't really care. So what if it's a dream? It's a good one. Izuku's hair is soft against his skin, his breath a gentle background noise. It's perfect. He wouldn't give it up for anything.

"We should probably try the whole… kiss thing again. Maybe. If you want to, I mean. We don't have to-"

"Okay."

"Oh."

Shouto moves first, angling himself to be facing Izuku. His heart is thudding in his chest and he wonders if his own face is red by now. The other boy hesitates, hand hovering for a moment before it settles on Shouto's shoulder.

For a moment, they're perfectly still. He can see Izuku's eyes clearly, the shimmering waves of a green ocean. All the freckles on his face scattered like constellations. He wants to count them all. Maybe for the rest of his life. Being a hero feels so insignificant when faced with the promise of counting stars until he turns to ash. He'd be content with a mundane life like that as long as it were with Izuku. He'd be content with the boring and tedious if it meant he could be gentle enough to make up for the years of pain this boy has endured. To make up for all the pain Shouto's ever felt by kissing Izuku's away, one star at a time.

Izuku leans in and Shouto closes his eyes. He still doesn't know what to do, but he knows he this to happen.

And it does.

And it's soft. It's so soft, lips barely brushing together before Izuku shifts back. His fingers are squeezing Shouto's so tight it hurts, like he's scared of this. Is he scared of doing it wrong?

Shouto moves forward before he can second guess himself, steadying himself with a hand on Izuku's knee. It's still soft, like snowfall in the beginning of winter and flower petals in spring, but there's something more intentional behind it.

A scarred hand moves to cradle Shouto's jaw, thumb brushing his cheekbone. It's objectively a clumsy kiss, but it feels perfect. Like sunshine and warm blankets and he never wants this feeling to end, but inevitably one of them pulls away. He isn't really sure who ends the kiss, but when it does end he can't help but smile.

Izuku is smiling too, giggling nervously. "I- I don't… know what I expected. That was nice? Yeah. I- I think it was good. I hope. Better than almost breaking your nose though!"

"It was perfect," Shouto mumbles, letting his eyes flutter closed against as he leans his face into Izuku's hand.

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

Eventually they put on a movie with an orange fish and a human boy that Shouto's never seen but Izuku loves. By the time they shut up and put the movie on it was already well into the night, so Shouto turns out the lights before crawling into bed, Izuku slightly too far away. At least their hands are still intertwined.

The movie is cute. And probably sad if Izuku's sniffling is anything to go by. At some point Izuku rolls over, nestling into Shouto's left side and tucking his head into the crook his neck. Yesterday this would've seemed impossible, but here they are.

Shouto manages to get his arm under Izuku's shoulders to card through his curls, which feels like the biggest win of all. His hair is soft. Whatever Ashido's been doing since she got her hands on Izuku's hair when they moved to the dorms is working. Really he should just take all the girls in the class out for food one of these days. They're all godsends.

"Night, Shouto," Izuku mumbles halfway through the movie, voice sleepy.

"Goodnight," Shouto parrots, smile still playing on his lips.

All the worry and doubt of the last week has slipped away, replaced by the comfort of Izuku next to him. He doesn't know how he went his whole life without this. It feels safe. Like for once, nothing can hurt either of them when they're not looking. As long as they're here, together, it'll be okay. They'll keep each other safe.

A perfect match.

|XxX|

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
9:21 AM

Ochako: [Image: Izuku and Shouto asleep, cuddling.]
Ochako: pay up

Mina: WHAT!?

Notes:

leave a kudos and comment if you enjoyed! :)

Actions

Kudos

Sharky_0207, geminiiixoxo, xi_phos, Asteria03, xuan_phung, Stationery_Queen, Wutzsleep_neverheardofhim, Sparks_sparks, pmac_daddy, Tantantantan999, Shadowblaze05, Qweasdfop, msqbsflora, GL1STEN, id_rather_read, KrisAholic, Kandy_Kane, Dionysussi, Angels_b4sket, everything_bagle, palomanga, paop090, Ara_Picasso, Universal_dork, suckpr, Uglylilducky_21, corazondetinta29, Deathsecretary, lymin_2, Private_Skittles, Beau_39, SeraphicSands, Sw33t_N0th1ng, bagofkoih, Isacchan, vextGA, Hildegardvonbingen, BananaSpliitz, hopelessromanticgut, GoodTimesWithChloe, archiveofourownaccount, Obsessedmonkey00, Alex_lxxser, Teacoo, HallowAlex, pinkasterflower8709, Rosamarina, Infpvee, The_Real_Link, andimnevergonnaloveagain, and 117 more users as well as 31 guests left kudos on this work!

Comments

Sorry, this work doesn't allow non-Archive users to comment. You can however still leave Kudos!

Archive of Our Own

Actions

Work Header

a perfect match

sam_in_the_trees

Summary:

Notes:

Work Text:

Notes:

Actions

Kudos

Comments

Footer

About the Archive

Contact Us

Development