mixingbowl | Try to believe walking down the lonesome road

Try to believe walking down the lonesome road

[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.]

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[Midoriya really is too kind. Shouto's not used to anybody treating him quite like this. And that smile is something he feels like he hasn't seen since he was still living with his mother. He really is going to become a wonderful hero, isn't he?]

... If you're sure. [He might need a few days to properly bring himself to sit with that group of friends. But if Midoriya is extending the invitation, he'd certainly like it to be true.

He takes another sip of his drink and he seems to brighten just a little bit more.]

Why would you add pearls to a drink like this?

Dunno, I think that's just how the drink is made in some places. Anyway, they're black tapioca pearls... [He trails off, tapping something into his phone.] Looks like this when you've added them in.

[When Izuku flips his phone toward Todoroki, there's an image of said drink pulled up on the screen.]

You'll have a chance to try it the next time we stop by here. [Izuku happily takes a gulp of his drink, keeping his eyes on Todoroki as discreetly as he can. Unfortunately for him, that means he's still pretty obvious about it.]

[Shouto takes the moment to look at the drink and... huh. They probably taste good if there are a lot of people like it.]

I'd like that.

[For somebody who tends to be observant of his classmates, at least to the point where he knows their names and quirks- he doesn't notice that Midoriya is looking at him. He takes his fork and takes the very corner of the cake to taste test.

... Strawberry is so good. Especially in a cake. There's a tiny delighted blush on his cheeks as he takes a second bite.]

[Wow, who knew Todoroki could make an expression like that? And over a slice of cake, too. If Izuku hadn't already resolved to help Todoroki smile a bit more by introducing him to things he's missed out on, this definitely would have convinced him.

...ah. He should probably be eating his own slice instead of watching his classmate so intently.]

It's good, isn't it? [Izuku hurriedly asks before shoving a forkful of cake into his mouth to distract himself.]

[ He takes a moment to savor the delicious taste in his mouth before swallowing and answering. He can't... He can barely believe that things so delicious exist. They'll have to visit this cafe again sometime. Maybe after their internships. Maybe he'll be able to bring a slice for his mother. ]

It's very good. [ But Izuku was the real reason he got to eat something so wonderful, so he'll push his cake ever so slightly towards Midoriya. ]

Would you like to try some?

[Izuku blinks, unexpectedly touched by the gesture. His unruly hair sways as he shakes his head while smiling lightly.]

I'm good! I've got my own slice right here--besides, you're the one trying it for the first time. You should enjoy it!

[The reasonable side of him knows they can always just order the cake the next time they're here, but it feels wrong to deprive Todoroki of even this.]

[He can admit to himself that he has a bit of a soft spot for the other boy. He doubts he'd be nearly as willing to share such a lovely treat with most of his other classmates. But it's not really a problem when the only two here are them.

He gives a tiny bow of his head before taking his cake back and continuing to be completely delighted by it.]

... I didn't know things could taste so good.

Now you do. [He says softly, still watching Todoroki with a small smile.]

Oh, there's an idea. We should make a list of foods that you should try! I bet Uraraka-san and Iida-kun could pitch in a few ideas, too. [Izuku falters for a second.] You know, without...telling them anything about what happened.

[The thought of asking for a list from Uraraka and Iida... It makes him wince a little bit. He only revealed his story to Midoriya because he thought he ought to know what exactly he was getting into. Midoriya forced him to use his fire and even if he doesn't regret it, in the long run, it wasn't the most elegant way to reveal his situation.

He takes another slow, thoughtful bite of his cake.]

... Maybe just ask what their favorite desserts are.

[Izuku, who had just started frowning down at his cake, immediately perks up at the suggestion.]

That could work! There's nothing wrong with friends asking each other about the things they like. [Problem solved, Izuku goes back to eating his cake happily.] It doesn't have to be just desserts. There's gotta be some other stuff you've wanted to try before. We can add those to the list, too.

[Shouto's straightforward and if there's an easy to do something, he'll choose that.]

Like... potato chips? [People seem to be fond of those.] I should still be careful about my diet.

[Like hero work and training doesn't burn off more calories than he usually intakes.]

We don't have to go through the list immediately. Even if it's tempting. [Izuku looks more amused than anything.] I have a pretty strict diet I'm supposed to follow, too, but it's okay to treat yourself sometimes.

Besides, this just means the list will last us a while! [For the most part, Izuku seems oblivious to what he's implied--that these outings of theirs would continue for a considerable amount of time. He's invested in giving Todoroki some of the simple pleasures in life back, and Todoroki himself doesn't seem opposed to it. ]

[He looks a bit sceptical, not because he doesn't want to believe Midoriya, but it's a bit odd to hear something like that from anybody.

Midoriya might not hear the implication in his words, but Shouto does and there's the faintest trace of a smile on his features.]

I'd be fine with that.

[Even a simple confirmation like this, that Todoroki wants to spend more time together, is enough to make him brighten.] I'm glad, Todoroki-kun. [He says, softly.

Then, Izuku drops his gaze back down to his drink with an awkward little laugh.] So...heroes! [It's a completely unsubtle attempt to steer the conversation into lighter territory, brought about by the realization he's been incredibly nosy (...and still is) and meddlesome. Even if Todoroki doesn't seem to mind it.]

Is there anyone that you really look up to? [He'd bet 1,000 yen that Endeavor isn't it by a long shot.]

[Shouto simply doesn't speak that much, and if he has the option he prefers to stay quieter. But Midoriya doesn't make him feel like that's a strange thing. He's quite content being around him, and if he can have more time spent with Midoriya, he'll certainly take it. His heart does something strange when he sees that smile, but he'll chalk it up to inexperience more than anything else.

Sometimes he worries about just how nosy Midoriya is, but... it helped him. And he seems to back his words up with actions, which is the most important thing. So he really doesn't mind it at all.]

All Might.

[That's not too much of a surprise, is it? Most people were inspired by him.]

You helped me remember. During the sports festival.

[It's true. Hearing that it's All Might doesn't surprise Izuku at all. He is the number one hero for a reason, after all. What Todoroki says next, though, makes his eyes widen.]

I did? [He asks, a delighted smile spreading across his face. With Todoroki warming up to him like this, Izuku thinks it isn't too much to hope that his words have had an impact, but hearing it straight from him this way is much different than simply hoping it.]

[ Midoriya has a very nice smile. Is it a bit odd to think he wants to protect it? Considering the amount of peril he seems to get it to, he probably does need some looking after.

He'll do it whenever he can. ]

I lost my way for while. So... Thank you, Midoriya.

[This time, he's expecting the way his eyes grow watery in response. Oh... he's being thanked. He'd felt horrible after their match, thinking he'd let All Might down by not getting further in the competition, but even then he'd known that he couldn't just leave things as they were with Todoroki. As much as he'd wanted to win, Izuku had wanted just as much to make things right. He'd still make the same choice, if he given the chance to do it all over again.]

You don't have to--I-I'm just glad you think it helped. [His smile feels wobbly; it's hard not to break into tears when someone's telling him he actually made a difference.]

[He's... he's crying again. He's crying, but he's smiling and Shouto's left wondering if maybe he said something wrong? But no, Midoriya seems happy. Is he overwhelmed? He tried to make it as straightforward as it was for him, but clearly his approach doesn't work for everybody.

He puts his hand in his pocket and draws out a plain white handkerchief and gives it over to Midoriya.]

You cry easily. [It's more a statement of fact than anything else.]

I wanted to tell you. You risked... a lot, and you deserve to know.

[Izuku gives a soft, choked up sort of laugh.] I've been told that before. [Several times, actually. ~~It's something of a family trait.~~

He reaches for the handkerchief--people still carry these around??--but simply curls his fingers around it, letting it rest in his hand.]

It wouldn't have felt right to stand back and ignore what was going on.

It's good to get your emotions out. [ Shouto should probably take his own advice. But he won't judge Midoriya for being emotional.

Maybe most people don't, but Shouto grew up as very traditional. He definitely does carry these things around. ]

You're a very kind person. It didn't have anything to do with you and you still got involved.

I couldn't help it. [He fiddles with the handkerchief, turning slightly to stare out the window for a moment.] I just thought...you looked so sad when you were out there during your match with Sero-kun.

Besides...getting involved when you don't need to is what a hero does. [Izuku says quietly before swinging his gaze back to Todoroki.] That's what All Might told me before.

[Shouto's eyes are wide when Midoriya looks back at him. He didn't think he looked that sad when he was unfreezing Sero from his ice. But Midoriya always seems to pay more attention than others. Is he really that easy to read? Or is it just because Midoriya has good instincts? It's hard to tell one way or another.

He does his best to school his features back to their usual expression, but he still seems mildly bewildered.]

... I'm still grateful for it.

You really will make a great hero.

[Ah, maybe he shouldn't have said that? Izuku can't be sure--he's still committing his new friend's expressions to memory--but Todoroki seems confused about something.

He would have gone on worrying about this more, if it weren't for Todoroki's next words. The compliment, of course, makes him look away bashfully.] You really think so?

[Most of Shouto's expressions are very small, or difficult to notice. But there's something about Midoriya that makes him emote more. Or at least, that's what it's starting to feel like.]

Yes.

[It's soft, simple, and direct. He'd never say anything he didn't mean, especially when it's with somebody he's just starting to get to know.]

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