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]

[It seems like a small obvious thing to him. But he's happy if Midoriya is happy, and it seems like it boosted his mood.

Shouto might not pay a lot of attention to most people, but he's starting to pay attention to Midoriya. The way his expression shifts for just a second before going to his smile.

There's a small pause as he feels a hand on his own... before he shifts so their pinkies are loosely linked.

With so many other people here, he's content to settle into a comfortable silence. It's a comfortable chatter as he eats his lunch.]

[inheritance]

[His smile brightens a degree or two as his eyes flicker down to their hands. A silly thing to be so pleased about, maybe to others, but Izuku feels a burst of happiness anyway. He's so grateful to have friends who actually seem to care about him--first Uraraka and Iida, and now Todoroki. That's more than he'd dared to hope for when he first started at this school.

Izuku tries not to let his good mood waver, even when The Girl walks past their table, frowning at them on her way out of the cafeteria. "That's strange," Iida remarks, turning his head to watch her leave. "Ishida-san is usually so amicable at the class rep meetings. I wonder if she's feeling unwell."

Somewhat relieved to actually have a name for her, and that someone in their group actually knows something about her, Izuku looks over at Todoroki quickly, then at Iida, wondering if they should say something.]

[glaciers]

[ Iida probably knows more about the other students in their classes then either of them do, now that he thinks about it. At least they have a name to put to her face.

He looks over at Izuku for a moment, but it seems like he gets to take the lead on this one. ]

She has a crush on me.

[ And it's obvious he's dating Midoriya now. ]

[inheritance]

["Well! Feelings such as those can be incredibly complicated! Regardless!!" Iida's hand slices through the air decisively. "The quicker she accepts that Todoroki is no longer available, the quicker she will regain her normal cheer!" Iida looks slightly chagrined when Uraraka interrupts with a nudge and a "Geez, it's not that easy!"]

Don't worry, I'm sure she'll accept it soon. [Izuku smiles uncertainly at Todoroki.] We'll just... have to wait it out.

[glaciers]

It would be a little easier if she didn't glare at us.

[ But he's content to smile back at Midoriya, a little reserved thing like it's private between them. ]

A while longer is fine, right?

[inheritance]

[Izuku sighs quietly, though he nods in agreement.] It makes me nervous when I see her watching us. [He understands being disappointed that the person you like is already seeing someone else--it hurts. Uncomfortable as she's been making him, though, Izuku rather hopes she finds someone else who could return her feelings.]

You already know I don't mind, Todoroki. [His pinky curls around Todoroki's even more, a point of reassurance.] Stop worrying so much. [As if Izuku doesn't do enough worrying for the both of them combined on most days.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto, being himself, doesn't mind that much if she's staring at them. But it was incredibly annoying when she kept asking him out. This is better. He can deal with this much easier.]

I'm very thankful.

[And that's pure honesty.]

[inheritance]

Nothing to be thankful for. [Izuku replies brightly, regaining his cheer easily. Reluctantly, he lets go of Todoroki's hand to pick at his soba.]

Oh, this is good. I can see why you're always eating it. [Not that anything from the school's cafeteria is bad, per say.]

[glaciers]

[There's a pang of loss as he loses their connection. But that's just silly. They'll be holding hands again when they walk back to class.]

Still. I'm grateful, Midoriya.

[Shouto's caught with a bite of food. So he's stuck chewing it before he can properly answer.]

Lunch Rush would only serve us high quality food. It's part of UA's reputation.

[inheritance]

I know! We're so lucky to have him! [If there's anything that shows Izuku's back to normal, it would most likely be the enthusiastic burst of praise and commentary on Lunch Rush's contributions to the school.]

You're still getting the katsudon with me tomorrow, right? [Izuku leans closer to give Todoroki a gentle, friendly nudge.]

[glaciers]

[Midoriya really is cute, isn't he? From his face to his expressions to his mannerisms, to the way he's just bursting with enthusiasm for all kinds of heroes. People just aren't looking at him closely enough to realize how much they're missing in their lives.]

I'll never break a promise to you, Midoriya. We're getting katsudon tomorrow.

[inheritance]

[That's... a heavy promise to make. It takes some effort not to stare at Todoroki in shock again--Izuku has a feeling he's done that way too many times today. And...maybe it isn't as surprising as he first thought. After all, Todoroki's incredibly straightforward and earnest; he wouldn't give his word carelessly, even if he was prompted by food.]

Um, I won't either! B-break a promise, I mean. [It doesn't feel right to do anything but respond with something just as honest.]

[glaciers]

[ For some reason, he wasn't expecting to have that promise echoed back to him. But it was. There's a warmth bubbling up that has nothing to do with his quirk and everything to do with Midoriya right next to him. There's a kindness to him that Shouto only knew rarely while growing up. But there's a casual kindness that permeates through his every action. The greatest part of him just wants to bask in Midoriya's orbit.

Shouto takes a moment to just look at him. To take in his friend and the way his heart seems to warm when they're closed. The constellation of freckles on his cheeks that a part of him wants to memorize. ]

I know. I trust you.

[ Completely and absolutely without a shred of doubt. Midoriya wouldn't lie to him and he's certainly not the type to break promises to anyone. ]

[inheritance]

[The smile Izuku gives him this time is both pleased and filled with warmth. His friend, who's rapidly become just as dear to him as Iida and Uraraka, trusts him. He keeps that feeling close, knowing he'd do everything in his power to not break that trust.

Then, his smile falters as Izuku remembers belatedly that they're not alone at the table. Catching both Iida and Uraraka grinning at him and Todoroki, Izuku makes a tiny sound in his throat as his face practically catches fire again. Why is he so flustered about getting caught like this? It's not like he hasn't exchanged meaningful words with his other friends!]

[glaciers]

[Wanting to melt is normal, right? At least around Midoriya. He can't imagine other people aren't affected by such warmth.

Shouto wants to reach over and rub his back, something to soothe him a little. But this probably isn't the time for that. Besides, he's worryingly easy to fluster. Iida and Uraraka's expressions don't bother him at all, but Midoriya's distress always will.]

... Are you okay?

[inheritance]

Of course! [From Uraraka's giggle, Izuku can tell his attempt to sound casual has failed spectacularly. Even Iida's looking amused, though he's polite enough to keep from commenting.]

Why wouldn't I be okay?

[glaciers]

You're blushing.

[Wait, that part is pretty normal, isn't it?]

... A lot.

[There, that explains everything.]

[inheritance]

[While Izuku appreciates Todoroki's honesty on most days, sometimes he wishes he weren't quite so blunt. Like now. Please have mercy!!

Izuku hides his face in his hands, while Uraraka says oh so helpfully, "I dunno, Todoroki-kun!! This looks pretty normal to me!"]

I-I'm fine!!! Really! [Those words would probably be a lot more convincing if they weren't muffled by his hands.]

[glaciers]

[ Shouto looks at Uraraka like he's not entirely sure how true that is. He doesn't remember Midoriya being this red around him before. Then again this is their first day of "dating". ]

... Should I get you more food?

[ He really has no idea how to help. ]

[inheritance]

[Finally, it feels like it's safe enough to lower his hands. He's still pink, but at least his cheeks are no longer the dark red they were before.]

N-no, it's okay, Todoroki! [There's a pause and then Izuku laughs a little, eyes shining with amusement.] What would you get me, anyway?

[glaciers]

[Midoriya is really, really cute. Especially with a less intense blush like that.]

... Katsudon. [Since it's his favorite, after all.] Unless you wanted something sweet. [He's certain there are sweets around here.]

[inheritance]

[He's outright grinning now, letting Todoroki's attention distract him from his own embarrassment.]

That's a little too much food for one meal. [Then, a tilt of his head, like something's just occurred to him.] Oh, I wouldn't mind something sweet after our last class, though! We haven't been to the cafe in a while, and there's this crepe place that just opened nearby, too, oh and also-- [He's so busy giving suggestions to realize it would sound like they're planning to a date to the friends sitting at the table with them.]

[glaciers]

[This sounds exactly like a date, but Shouto's perfectly fine with that. He likes time with just Midoriya. If it sounds like that to them, then maybe he'll get more time with just Midoriya.

That's a little underhanded, but it's not like he's planning on doing anything nefarious.]

I haven't tried crepes before. What's usually in them?

[inheritance]

[Internally cheering at Todoroki's willingness to go along, Izuku eagerly replies.] Depends on the kind you get! There's some savory crepes, too, but the sweet ones usually have fruit, ice cream, chocolate--that kind of thing.

We should add it to your "to try" list. [He adds a beat later, remembering the conversation they'd had that first time at the cafe. Has he really only been friends with Todoroki for just a few short weeks? Izuku could swear it feels like they've known each other for much longer.]

[glaciers]

[The sole reason he's so willing to go along is that Midoriya is asking him.]

We can knock it out today.

[It sounds really good after a long day of training.]

We can get different ones and share.

[Which definitely makes it sound like a date. Uraraka is grinning at the two of them and Iida's doing his enthusaistic arm waving "That sounds like a great idea, Todoroki-kun! Sharing food is an excellent way to spend a date!"

... Well. He wasn't the one who said it.]