Try to believe walking down the lonesome road

[inheritance]

[With the start of their internships fast approaching, it's no wonder a good portion of the students in 1-A are too excited to properly concentrate during class. Aizawa, picking up on their lack of focus, eventually ends the class a few minutes early with a tired, exasperated sigh. Izuku grins guiltily at their teacher's retreating back. He can't exactly blame his classmates for distracted like this--picking their hero names and their first internship is pretty exciting. And a big step toward being pros.

Fidgeting with the bandages on his hands, Izuku turns in his seat and just happens to catch Todoroki's eyes. There's the barest flicker of hesitation before Izuku offers up a cheerful smile.] Todoroki-kun, have you already decided where you're going for your internship?

[The classroom's already emptying out, but there's no real need to hurry out like everyone else is. Besides, Izuku hasn't really gotten a chance to talk to Todoroki since the festival. Remembering how subdued Todoroki was during the medal ceremony has made it difficult for him to shake away his concerns. So Izuku gathers up his books slowly and waits for an answer.]

Comments

[glaciers]

[The rest of his classmates might seem rowdy, but Shouto's been staring down at his potential internship locations. Shouto ended up with 90 pages of people who wanted him for internships. There's nothing strange about that, considering who his father is.

He was spacing out after looking at Endeavor's office, and apparently, he's been staring at Midoriya the entire time. At least Midoriya doesn't seem offended.]

... I think I have an idea.

[His father is the worst person in the world- but he's still the number two hero.]

[inheritance]

[Izuku perks up as relief washes through him. Ah, that was a pretty normal answer, wasn't it? He'd wondered what Todoroki would think of him, after all the things he said during their match. Though Izuku doesn't regret saying what he did, because Todoroki had so obviously needed to hear those words, he had worried that he'd destroyed any chance of them becoming friends. Well, on good terms with each other, at least. To be honest, Izuku's still getting used to the idea that he has any friends to begin with.]

Really? Which one are you looking at? [Izuku blanches and backtracks immediately.] Um, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to! It's just you and Kacchan had so many offers to choose from I can't help but be a little curious. I mean, it probably would have taken me ages to go through the list and research all of them, so I'm a little surprised that you already... know... oh.

[His mouth snaps shut and Izuku busies himself with stowing his books into his backpack, flustered. He really needs to catch himself when he's going on his rambles--Uraraka's already teasingly told him that his habit's incredibly attention-catching. He's not sure if that's a good thing or not.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto isn't used to being close to anybody, and Midoriya is the closest thing he's ever had to a friend. So he's not sure when he's being strange... but it seems like they're on good terms? He'd like to think so anyway.

So he gives a confused glace at Midoriya as he takes his words back and then starts mumbling. Does that mean he feels comfortable, or does it mean he's nervous?

He'll start packing away his things with the slow deliberation of somebody who doesn't necessarily have anywhere he wants to be.]

Mm. Endeavor's office. [There's no reason to lie about it, after all.]

[inheritance]

[There's no hiding the way his eyes widen in shock or the sharp intake of breath.]

But that's-- [Izuku bites his lip. Stupid. Of course Todoroki knows what that office is.]

Todoroki-kun... [Completely disregarding his own backpack, Izuku's eyes track Todoroki's movement for a second or two before studying his face with concern.] H-he's not--[A pause as he glances around the classroom, making sure no one's paying attention to them]--forcing you into this, is he?

[glaciers]

[Shouto looks at Midoriya in confusion. Yes, his father is definitely The Worst Person in the World, but he's a strong hero and that experience is something valuable, isn't it?]

No. He's not.

[He slips his bag onto his shoulder.]

I'm just using him to gain experience.

[inheritance]

[This time, his face scrunches slightly in confusion.]

Oh...I mean, it’s good that he’s not pressuring you o-or anything! Don’t get me wrong! [Izuku stumbles over his words, still taken aback by Todoroki’s choice. He’s relieved, too. After hearing what had happened to him, Izuku couldn’t help but fear the worst.]

I just thought you’d want to, you know, avoid your father.

[glaciers]

[He's blunt about this because Midoirya already knows and there's nobody else is around.] I hate him.

But there's something to learn from the second place hero, even if he is scum. He can do his job well. I'm just taking advantage of that.

[Shouto may have warmed up to some people, but the fact remains. He has an ambition and he's going to see it come true.]

[glaciers]

Midoriya, I need help.

[Shouto it's 1 AM, why are you awake? Why does he think Midoriya is awake?]

[inheritance]

[Considering it's only been a couple weeks since their fight with Stain, Todoroki's text immediately sends him into panic mode.]

What happened?? Where are you, I'll come over ASAP!!

[glaciers]

[It's 1 AM, but it's not really panic-inducing to him.

He didn't think this through, did he?]

It's not life-threatening.
Promise.
A girl asked me out. I don't know how to turn her down.

[inheritance]

[Oh... There's a bit of a pause after Todoroki sends his message, compared to the lightning fast response that Izuku gave to his first text. His embarrassment is practically palpable even through the screen.]

Sorry I freaked out. Guess I'm still sort of jumpy from what happened in Hosu City.

[Now that his heart's stopped trying to jump out of his chest in fear, Izuku sighs, a small smile touching his lips. A confession, huh? It hasn't been that long since they started at UA, but Izuku's not surprised that Todoroki's already caught some girl's eye. He's strong, talented, and incredibly striking.]

I don't know how much I can help with this. No one's really asked me out before... Though knowing what kind of person they are might be a good place to start. Is it someone I know?

[glaciers]

That's fair. I should have said something about it not being dangerous first.

Momo said try fake dating or something like that. No, you don't know her. She's from general studies.

[inheritance]

Really? If Yaoyorozu-san is suggesting it, then it's worth some serious consideration. She'd know way more about how to handle girls than us.

What else did she say?

Gifts for Mom

[inheritance]

[Today's the day! A part of Izuku feels as if he's a little too excited about this next "date" with Todoroki, but that part is swiftly drowned out by his good cheer. They're going to be looking for gifts for his mother, after all, and Izuku can't help but be thrilled that Todoroki trusts him enough to let him tag along.

When their last class of the day finally ends, Izuku packs his things away in record speed and turns toward Todoroki expectantly. Ready? his smile seems to ask.]

[glaciers]

[ Shouto takes Midoriya's hand in his own in response. Partially because it's easier than giving a verbal response and partially because he simply enjoys the casual touches they've been sharing. ]

There's a mall nearby the school, right? Do you think that'll work?

[inheritance]

Yup! [Ever sensitive to his surroundings, Izuku can feel some of their classmates watching them as they leave hand in hand, but at this point, he's determined not to think too hard about it. He might also just find it extremely comforting to hand Todoroki's hand in his, and be reluctant to give it up.]

It's just a couple stops away by train, and right next to the station. There'll be a lot of stores to look through--we'll definitely find something for your mom there.

[glaciers]

[Shouto's sure there are people watching them, but they're still doing this whole pretend dating thing. So nobody should think it's weird.]

I hope so. She deserves something really nice.

[inheritance]

She does. [He still thinks that Todoroki's mom would be happy getting anything from her son, but he also understands why Todoroki's so set on finding something she'll love. Izuku gives Todoroki's hand a light, reassuring squeeze.]

That's why I'm here, right? Extra pair of eyes to look with!

[glaciers]

That's part of it.

[ The other is that Shouto wants to spend as much time with Midoriya as he can while they're pretend dating. ]

... Nothing hero related though. I don't think she'd like that.

Shopping Adventures, Round 2

[inheritance]

[Somehow, Izuku manages to hold himself back from texting Todoroki until late evening, when he's much more certain that he's done visiting his mom. Considering how restless and eager he was to know how everything went the entire time, he considers it a huge accomplishment. But that's just him.]

How did she like the socks? (╯•﹏•╰)

[glaciers]

She likes the one with the cat paws on the bottom the most.

They're really cute.

She'd like to start knitting. Her feet are cold.

[inheritance]

That's great, Todoroki!! I'm so glad she liked them.

We should pick a day to go back to the shopping center and get the knitting supplies for her.

[glaciers]

So am I. Thanks for helping me pick them.

Is Tuesday good for you?

[inheritance]

You don't have to thank me, Todoroki! I was happy to help.

Tuesday works for me!

[It's probably embarrassing how quickly he responded to Todoroki's text, honestly. Was he being too eager?]

[glaciers]

[It takes him a few minutes to respond, but: ]

ヽ(・∀・)ﾉ

Did I do it right?