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

[inheritance]

[Success! Izuku mentally celebrates drawing a smile back out.]

There's nothing wrong with planning ahead. [He manages to keep a straight face for about 1 second before he gives himself away with a laugh.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto lets himself indulge in watching Midoriya laugh. So cute...]

Hmm... I want to get her something for this weekend.

What do you think about fuzzy socks?

[inheritance]

Well, they're comfortable. And they have some nice designs she might like. [Tapping his chin with his pointer finger as they make their way through the crowded halls.]

Is there an animal or color she really likes?

[glaciers]

She likes cats.

... I think her favorite color is white? A lot of her shirts were white.

[inheritance]

We should find her socks that have cat patterns! I've seen pictures of some online.

[He hums quietly in thought.] Do you think she'd mind things with other colors?

[glaciers]

Ones with the cat faces, or the ones with the little cats everywhere?

I think some variety would be good.

[inheritance]

Umm both! [Izuku grins at him over his shoulder.] We should check what other animal-themed socks they have.

And maybe something colorful to brighten up her room...? [This time his glance is one looking for approval.]

[glaciers]

Is there a store that only sells socks?

... Yeah, I think she'd like that. What kind of thing, do you think?

[inheritance]

You know, I think there might be. [He wouldn't be surprised at all.] Even if there isn't one in this shopping area, the department stores should have a good selection, too.

Mm. [Izuku pauses as a few kids race past them on the streets.] Flower decorations--those would be easy to find. Um, do hospitals even let you hang pictures or tapestries up?

[glaciers]

[He's also heard there were online stores that carried cute socks as well. But if he did that then he wouldn't be spending time with Midoriya, and that's too important to him to give up yet.]

... I don't know a lot about that. I think they'd need to be easy to take down if it's even allowed.

[inheritance]

[Izuku deflates a little.] Ah, I guess that would make sense.

Mmm maybe we should just concentrate on the socks for now...? [His lips purse slightly as they finally reach the station. Izuku taps his pass against the ticket gate and walks through.]

[glaciers]

[ Shouto follows along before taking Midoriya's hand back in his. If he really hated it, he'd pull his hand away, right? ]

... A house plant?

[inheritance]

[Izuku glances down at their hands, then back up to Todoroki, meeting his gaze with a warm smile.]

Ah, you're right, potted plants could work, too! Something that has flowers? I mean, you'd have to keep bringing new flowers if you just brought bouquets all the time, and those wilt so quickly...

[glaciers]

[ He squeezes Midoriya's hand lightly, just enjoying the fact he's allowed this much. ]

I bought her a few, but I think living plants would be better.

[inheritance]

[Izuku squeezes back, feeling warmth spread through him just at the simple contact, and laughs a little.]

At this rate, your mom will run out of room for all the things we're picking up for her.

[glaciers]

[ There's a small smile conjured to his expression. Midoriya has a nice laugh... He has a nice everything, really. ]

I don't think socks take up that much room.

[inheritance]

Don't forget the potted plants.

[He's still teasing Todoroki even as they navigate around the other people on the platform, keeping a steady grip on Todoroki's hand all the while.]

And whatever else we end up finding there, too.

[glaciers]

Were we getting that many plants?

[He lets Midoriya lead him forward.]

[inheritance]

Who knows. [The way his lip continues to twitch from the effort of suppressing his smile, gives away that he's still teasing.] Maybe we'll find a lot of things she'll like.

I mean... [Izuku's expression smooths out into something more serious after a second.] Her room... it's pretty empty, right?

[glaciers]

... Yeah. She has her bed and some furniture, but it's all... very white. It's not really a home.

[inheritance]

[It's pretty much what he had expected. Izuku nods, lips downturned this time.]

There's...no way to get her out of there, is there? [He asks quietly, mindful of the people around them. Because Todoroki's right--that's not a home at all.]

[glaciers]

... Honestly, my shitty old man is the only person who could get her out. She's been put into the hospital under false pretenses, so she couldn't harm me again. But it was really his fault in the first place. Not that he'd ever admit that.

[inheritance]

[Izuku's expression darkens with disappointment and worry.]

No... probably not. [He'd only spoken with Endeavor a few minutes, and he could already believe it. ] If that's the case, then we'll just have to make her room as welcoming as possible until we find another way.

["We" because there's no way Izuku's letting Todoroki deal with this alone.]

[glaciers]

Right.

[Wait a second.]

... We?

[inheritance]

[That gets a flat stare in return--something Izuku had picked up from Aizawa, most likely.]

You didn't really think you'd be doing this on your own, did you?