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The atmosphere was cluttered with nervous, excited energy.
Most of the students in class 1-A were bouncing in their seats. Thrilled for the day’s special ‘class opportunity,’ or so Aizawa-sensei had said.
“Oh my gosh, do you think Aizawa-sensei will let us do a joint mission again? But with real heroes?!” Hagakure all but squealed. Jumping up and down near Yaoyorozu’s desk, surrounded by the rest of the girls that also squealed in unison.
Shouto had brought this up to his sister once, out of confusion. Fuyumi had said it was just a normal session of gossip/speculation.
Shouto already knew ahead of time what the opportunity was. Still, he was told to keep quiet. Mostly because he didn’t want to be bothered with too many, maybe possibly, unglorified questions about his annoying elder brother.
His eldest brother, Touya Todoroki. Or better known to the world as ‘Inferno’, the fiery hero who’d broken records and accomplishments society didn’t think was possible. The same guy, who was a complete dork and pain in the ass outside of his professional profile.
Shouto (reluctantly) thinks he’s cool—better than their father, anyway. If he’s going to strive as a hero, he’d rather be aspiring to be like his cool elder brother instead.
His classmates went on and on about what their homeroom teacher had planned for the day, and Shouto had to fight a grimace on every ridiculous theory. Although, he supposes that this entire ordeal is ridiculous to begin with.
“Maybe we’ll do another practice interview?”
“Or meet the Big Three again!!”
“Fat chance, dude.”
“I’m honestly afraid of what Aizawa-sensei might be plotting…”
“Same. Nothing is ever chill anymore, bro.”
Shouto stayed quiet in his seat in the back, as usual. He didn’t mind it. He wasn’t used to talking or socializing with others. And he never knows what to say when they try to include him in conversations—It’s not that he wants to be excluded, but he struggles to find the right words to say. He's better off not saying anything at all.
Fortunately, the discussions all around immediately disappeared when they heard the door creak open.
Everyone had already dispersed and sat in their proper seats at alarming speed before Aizawa-sensei had even fully opened the door. Shouto finds it amusing.
Aizawa-sensei walks to the front of the class, as everyone greets him.
“GOOD MORNING, AIZAWA-SENSEI!!”
“Morning, problem children.” Aizawa-sensei says tiredly. Shouto can see everyone holding their breath for the announcement.
He glances over at Midoriya almost instinctively. He has been staring at his friend far more than usual, though, he's not quite sure why.
His friend, Midoriya, who as of now looks close to fainting from anxiety… Or maybe anticipation? Shouto can’t tell. There’s nothing exciting about his elder brother—certified part-time hero and part-time asshole.
Then again, his classmates aren’t used to meeting top heroes often. Shouto supposes he can’t relate, living with two people that are well-known heroes and all.
Aizawa-sensei clears his throat, “As I have said, today all of you will be having a special opportunity.”
An arm suddenly rises, Iida’s. Of course. “Sir! May we know what this special opportunity is?! Will we be doing another emergency mission?”
“No. Today, you'll be meeting with a hero.” Aizawa-sensei says, rubbing the side of his head.
Everyone gasps, then they start cheering.
Aizawa-sensei lifts a hand, a motion that instantly settles everyone down.
“This is a rare opportunity, so don't get careless.” He says sharply, “Ask questions, advice, or whatever else. Just make sure it's information worthwhile, as heroes, you're expected to be able to gather information and quickly adapt to it.”
The class nods enthusiastically. “Yes sir!!” They all shout in unison.
With a curt nod, Aizawa-sensei turns to the door. “Come on in.”
The door opens, and everyone gasps even louder. Some shrieked. Shouto sighs, avoiding the surprised glance Yaoyorozu’s throwing his way.
Clad in dark blue, combat attire, his elder brother steps in—confidence radiating all around him in the way he moves. Shouto has to admit, it's really admirable. Whereas their father’s presence is deeply tied to fear and power, Touya's steady presence easily makes people eager and curious to approach him.
“Everyone… Scorch hero: Inferno.”
Aizawa-sensei then steps aside for Touya to stand in the front of the room. Touya’s gaze instantly finds Shouto’s, and he can see the mischief swirling in those blue irises. Shouto scoffs under his breath.
“Good morning, UA, Class 1-A. You all already know who I am, yeah?” Touya asks, bowing his head slightly in greeting. Before he stares at the entire pool of students watching him eagerly.
He smiles, “Let's skip the pleasantries and get straight to it then.”
“Bro, Todoroki, you didn't tell us your brother was visiting!”
“Oh… I didn't think it was necessary—”
“Still, this is absolutely sweet! Inferno's like, so awesome. Especially his advertisements! I wonder if modelling agencies can make us look that hot too.”
Shouto furrows his brows. “He's really not that good-looking…”
Jiro snorts. “No amount of make-up will fix your face, Kaminari.”
“OHHHH!!”
Kaminari places a hand on his chest, dramatically falling on his knees. “So harsh!”
“EVERYONE, SETTLE DOWN!” IIda shouts so loudly, three other classes probably heard it.
Shouto should've just skipped.
He didn't think anything could be worse than seeing thirst traps of his brother on social media, but he can say that his classmates gushing over Touya is a close second.
Shouto had mostly tuned them out, and only started listening in when his classmates began asking proper questions.
“Is it difficult to establish an agency, Inferno-san? I've been thinking about it, but I'm not sure if I'm fit to run one…” Jiro mumbles, fidgeting with her earjacks.
Touya softens his gaze, “What's difficult about starting an agency are the piles of paperwork, but other than that? It's easy. Just remember: You're in charge. You don't have to be overly good at leading others, as long as you're assertive and confident, running an agency becomes second-nature.”
“I’ll… I'll take note of that. Thank you!”
“I have a question!!” Midoriya raises his hand. Like he didn’t just ask the most questions for the past hour. He'd been asking Touya about his quirk… his costume… and other stuff. Shouto was relieved that he didn't ask anything too personal, he knows how his brother’s mood can easily sour, no matter how hard he tries to mask it.
Touya nods at Midoriya, “Shoot.”
“What kind of missions do you usually take? I mean, with your quirk, it's probably major crimes or maybe undercover work…? Both are equally dangerous so…” Midoriya mutters, already getting lost inside his train of thought.
Thankfully, Touya gently cuts him off before it could escalate further.
“Mostly undercover work, it's what I excel in.” He waves his hand dismissively, “Word of advice: don't take missions that you aren't used to or don't specialize in. If you specialize in Rescue, best to avoid covert work. Or if you specialize in Covert, avoid Public Major Crimes.”
The younger Todoroki watches Midoriya scribble furiously on his notebook, nodding along as Touya continues to speak his words of ‘wisdom.’ Or whatever.
Shouto continues to watch Midoriya, the way those green eyes brighten in satisfaction and unadulterated joy, the subtle widening of his smile, the flush on his cheeks…
Shouto's so caught up in watching his friend that he doesn't hear the rest of the room.
His first mistake.
“—bout you, little brother?”
He blinks, tipping his gaze up in alarm. Did Touya say something?
His brother sighs, shaking his head in mild disappointment. Although his lips curve in the corners.
“I asked, if you had anything to ask me?”
“No.”
“You sure? I won't be here all day, y’know.”
“I can just text you.”
Touya narrows his eyes. A clear challenge.
Shouto lifts an unimpressed brow right back. Mind your own business.
Somehow, the message got across successfully because his elder brother caves. Almost too easily.
“Fine fine,” Touya huffs, switching his attention back to the rest of the students. “Anybody else got questions?”
The questions come flooding in. Not as many as earlier, but it's still several nonetheless.
While answering every individual question as precisely as he could, Shouto could feel the piercing gaze of his brother—carefully observing him from time to time.
Shouto doesn't lift his head for the rest of the period. Ignoring the prickle of sweat forming on his nape.
Touya very much cares for his siblings, that's no lie.
One of Shouto's classmates is rambling to him, and he's only half-listening. It's shameful, but he can't really bring himself to care.
Subconsciously, his attention drifts over to his youngest brother. Sitting in the corner. Alone.
Staring, occasionally, at the green-haired kid.
Touya knows that his brother has an uncanny tendency to observe the people around him, Natsuo pointed out once that Shouto's stare was creepy. (Fuyumi took his gaming console away for that.)
In that split-second, Shouto notices him. Those bi-colored eyes immediately drop to his desk.
Hm. Interesting.
He has to admit, watching his youngest brother pining over his classmate is quite amusing. If not, a tinsy bit weird.
Touya should've guessed his brother would be the type to pine away from a treacherous distance. Too afraid, or unaware of the feelings blossoming in that sheltered heart of his.
Much like Touya himself.
Fuyumi had jokingly mentioned before, how Shouto could be mistaken as a carbon copy of Touya. A thought he didn't entertain—but looking at his brother now, he supposes Fuyumi has a point.
The clock continues to tick in his head, counting the minutes he has left before this QnA shit is over. It's better than a public interview, though.
So he tolerates it, answering Class 1A’s questions as best as he could; dealing with a loud blonde kid with a huge ego—
“How'd a guy like you get in the top 4, huh?”
“Wha—Oi! You can't just say stuff like that, Bakugo!”
“What?! I'm just questioning him, clown face!”
To grimacing at a purple guy's ambition—
“Pardon me? You want to be a hero… for what?”
“To get popular with the ladies.” Purple haired kid says with a dreamy sigh.
Touya furrows his brows. Mildly disgusted, not that it's anything he hasn't already seen before. Hero society is filled with heroes of undesirable qualities, it makes him sick.
“Sure…”
A girl with pink skin slaps the kid in the head, “Ugh, Mineta!! Have some shame!”
—to laughing at the too-seriousness of their class representative.
Shouto's in a good class. He muses, a genuine smile slithering past his face.
Touya internally sighed in relief the moment that stupid fucking bell rang. Aizawa tells the class to say their thank-you’s, and the class waves their goodbyes to him as they race out of the classroom one-by-one.
Well, not all of them.
The glare his brother is giving him at this very second is the most fun Touya's seen today, it makes him chuckle.
“C’mon, it's not nice to glare at your brother like that.” He says with a grin.
Shouto stands up, taking small strides towards him. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
A snort. “Sure you don't.”
“You kept glancing at me the whole time,” His brother mutters, annoyed but definitely not angry.
Touya softens his tone, a scarred hand reaching out to ruffle Shouto’s hair in a childish manner.
Considering his hand hasn't been slapped away yet, he'll take it that Shouto isn't really annoyed at him.
“Sorry about that,” He hums, dropping his hand to tap Shouto's shoulder. “Was curious to meet your class. They're… an intriguing bunch.”
“They're good people.” Shouto replies with a frown.
“I know.”
He knows how isolated, suffocating their childhood was. Really, the one thing Touya could've wanted more was a great class that understands Shouto—worries about him, takes care of him, and doesn't force him to change the way he is.
It makes his chest swell, he hopes his brother will enjoy his years at UA. Touya has a sense that Shouto will.
Speaking of which…
“So, which of them were your friends again… The green kid and Mr. Class Rep, right?” He asks with a tinge of delight, relishing the tiny flush it gets out of Shouto.
“Shut up,” Shouto slaps his arm away with a huff, “Did you just come to bully me, annoying brother?”
“Partially.”
“I'm telling Nee-san.”
“You wouldn't dare.”
Unfortunately, Shouto manages to escape the headlock Touya wanted to trap him with. Athletic brat.
He glances at the clock, and he knocks his shoulder to Shouto's instead. Laughing when his brother returns the favor.
Gesturing at the door, Touya says: “Go have lunch, kid. I’ll have to stop by your teacher's office, but I'll make sure to text soon after.”
Shouto nods solemnly, hands sweeping over his uniform. “Are we still having dinner at your place?” He asks. And Touya's heart fills with warmth at the hope in his brother's tone.
“Obviously. Natsu’s cooking, so don't you even think about dropping a raincheck on me.” Touya warns, no real threat lacing his words.
Yet, the small smile gracing Shouto's lips makes it worth it.
“So you think Shouto has a crush?!” Fuyumi’s voice rang out from Touya's phone—no doubt she was cheering loudly at her house.
Touya grins triumphantly, weaving past crowds with practiced ease. “Most likely. He kept staring at this green-haired kid… the finger-breaking one from the sports festival.”
“You mean the one that reminds you of All Might?”
“Uh-huh,” Touya laughs breathlessly, ignoring the strange looks people were giving him, “It's ridiculous! To think that the one person who'd capture Shou’s heart would happen to resemble that damn All Might.”
Completely, utterly, stupidly ridiculous.
Shouto miraculously got all of his elder brother's worst possible traits. Pining for a guy without even fully recognizing his complicated feelings yet…
“He really is so much like me, isn't he?” Touya mumbles through the phone, his mind is racing as his destination gets closer.
Fuyumi hums from the other line, her voice chipper as she says, “Do you think Shouto's realized his feelings yet?” She practically squeals, “Maybe you can give him a push! You're closer to him than any of us.”
“Not sure if he's realized… either way, meddling with his love life or personal life isn't my thing.” His legs come to a stop, finding himself face-to-face with an apartment building he's been frequenting too much recently.
Touya opens the glass doors, still panting from the running he did.
“It's not our place to do anything. Whatever happens with Shouto and his crush, it's best we stay out of it until he explicitly says he wants our help.” He says, clutching his phone, afraid he might accidentally drop it from how clammy his palms are.
Fuyumi groans, probably putting her face in her hands. The image makes Touya chuckle.
“I get what you mean…” She grumbles, “But what if he never asks for help?”
“Then we don't.” Touya shrugs. The thumping of his heart is overshadowing the voice of his sister's, he almost misses what she says next.
“Not even a little, super tiny push?” Fuyumi pleads with a whine.
“Please,” He snorts, “There's no way Shouto would want to see through all this by himself. Feelings are a complicated thing, y'know? He'd ask for help, here and there.”
Floor Three. Touya reads the sign. He steps onto a very familiar hallway.
“Sorry to cut our conversation short, Yumi, but I gotta run.”
Fuyumi sighs from the other end. “‘kay! But we're coming over at 7, don't forget.”
“I won't,” Touya smiles, “Love you, sis. Later.”
“Bye, Touya! Love you too!”
Beep!
And the call ends. It's always refreshing—sometimes, reassuring—to have a normal conversation with his siblings. It brings his head down to reality.
Now, he has other things to deal with.
Apartment 028.
Every Friday since last month Touya catches himself knocking on this very door. Two times. Like clockwork.
On cue, the door creaks and his breath hitches.
“Ah? You're a bit early today, hotstuff.” A head of blonde curls opens the door, sharp golden eyes staring back at him in pleasant surprise.
Keigo Takami, part-time pro hero and part-time model. The latter makes him look like a fucking real-life angel right now.
Keigo Takami, with his blonde curls, crinkled eyes, soft lips and slim figure… he looks downright beautiful. And infuriatingly angelic.
Despite having seen him multiple times, Touya still can't get used to whatever they have.
He might seriously pass out, especially now that his feelings have been eating at him. Down to his very core.
“Uh yeah,” He clears his throat, “I have a… family thing, with um, my siblings later. I can't stay for long.”
God he was pathetic.
Keigo chuckles softly. Touya wants to record it and preferably put it on a record player on loop.
“Come in then,” Keigo steps aside. Letting Touya stride in—the earlier confidence practically evaporating to thin air the minute he had left UA.
Touya closes the door behind him.
Being back here is gradually making him ease up. It's familiar, it's safe. It's nothing but a place to release years of built-up stress and pressure.
He places his shoes next to Keigo’s. And the difference is funny. Oddly as it is, the sight makes Touya relax. It feels like coming to a place not quite like a home, but very similar to it.
Keigo keeps watching him, steady and unsettling. His wings fan in and out, and Touya wonders if it's a poor attempt at intimidation.
He grabs hold of Touya's arm with more enthusiasm than usual. It makes Touya sick and elevated all the same.
“Eager, aren't you?” Touya teases. The aura of confidence he always shrouded himself with comes back to him.
“Hey,” Keigo drawls with an indignant pout. Touya’s gaze briefly flickers onto pinkish, soft lips.
(Un)fortunately for both of them, Touya has always been the more impatient one.
“You were the one that said—” Keigo's words get cut off as Touya clashes their lips together.
A scarred hand cradles Keigo's face, Touya's other arm grabbing him by the waist. The scorch hero continues to kiss him until they're both breathless and gasping for air.
Keigo stares up at him with wide eyes. He licks his lips, as though to feel the remnants of Touya’s mouth on his.
“And you said I was the eager one.” The winged-hero remarks with an infuriating smug smirk.
“Shut up.” Touya bites back. He doesn't give Keigo the chance to reply before scooping him up by his legs and carrying him up bridal-style to his bedroom. Keigo's breathless, disbelieving laugh echoes throughout the apartment.
It should be at the forefront of his concerns, sleeping with his rival—and enjoying it no less.
Yet, Keigo's hot breath on the crook of Touya's neck, the tight grip of his talon in the other hero's white hair, the chirps mixing in with the lewd, filthy noises both of them make—all of Touya's fucking rationality turns to drought.
He’s so screwed.
But—maybe that's not such a jarring thing...
It was on a cold Saturday night when he gets the call.
“Touya-nii.” Shouto's voice appears from the other end, sounding shaken.
Shouto hardly says Touya's name with that honorific anymore.
Instantly, worry and panic seizes inside of him. Touya sits up and creeps to the edge of the bed. “Shouto? What's going on—”
“I think...” Shouto pauses, “I think I'm in love with Midoriya.”
Oh.
Huh.
Well, Touya knew that Shouto would figure it out eventually, but still—
“You seriously couldn't have waited until morning to tell me this?” He says to the other boy, glaring at the clock on his bedside table.
2:42AM.
“I'm sorry, I thought about telling Fuyumi... or Natsuo, but I don't want—I just. I don't know, I thought it'd be easier telling you first.” Shouto says quietly, another something he hardly does: stumbling over his words.
Christ, his brother was hopeless.
Before he can hang up, Touya's already fumbling with his keys and jacket—he's out of the door in a rush of adrenaline. His annoyance shifting into reassurance.
“Wait for me outside, I'll be right there in 10.”