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]

You think so? [It seems like a shame.]

I guess it makes sense, though. Even if any other hero would be happy to see merch modeled after them, being an underground hero is a whole different story.

[glaciers]

I don't think there's any merchandise he approved. It's probably all off... brand?

[He frowns, no that doesn't seem like the right word.]

[inheritance]

[Izuku laughs, leading Todoroki further into the store.]

You mean fan made? There's a lot of fan-made merch, especially at conventions.

[glaciers]

There are hero conventions?

[...]

Do you go dressed up as All Might?

[inheritance]

[He sputters at first, ducking his reddening face behind his free arm.]

Wh-when I was a kid! I haven't really done that in a while. [Especially not now, when he knows how much more he has to go before he can even come close to All Might's level.]

[glaciers]

I want to see pictures.

[He says it absentmindedly, like it isn't something incredibly embarrassing.]

[inheritance]

[Well, if he wasn't red before, he definitely is now.]

No! Wh...why would you want to see them? [And then he adds quickly, hoping to change Todoroki's mind-] I don't have any on me anyway! P-pictures, I mean.

[glaciers]

Because you'd look cute.

[Obviously.]

[inheritance]

[He probably should've expected an answer like that at this point.] You...you still say things like that way too easily.

[His gaze darts over to Todoroki, then looks away as he quietly considers something.] My mom still has the pictures. [Resigned to his fate!!]

[glaciers]

Do you want me to say it with more difficulty?

[Because he's not so sure he can do that.]

Can I visit some time? I... haven't met your mother either.

[inheritance]

N-no, but I wish I could say it so easily. [He wants to compliment Todoroki, too!]

Eh? [Izuku stops short in surprise.] You want to meet her?

[glaciers]

... I don't know if practice will help. [Why are his cheeks heating up? Is he blushing?]

Why wouldn't I? [Midoriya is so good.]

[inheritance]

You think it will? [In a flash, amusement floods through him.] So how many compliments should I practice giving you every day?

Um, if you really want to see her, I'm sure she'd be happy to meet you. [He smiles, pleased that Todoroki really means it.] I haven't gotten a chance to introduce you or everyone else to her, but I've told her about you.

[glaciers]

Ah... they don't have to be for me.

... Sorry. Our first interactions were you breaking your fingers and then your entire hand. Are you sure she'd be happy about meeting me?

[inheritance]

[Nope, it's too late, Todoroki. Now that Izuku's caught up in his bout of mischief, there's no stopping him.] Mmm I don't know. Since we're supposed to be boyfriends, doesn't that mean I should compliment you the most?

Who, mom? [Izuku makes a face a moment later.] No way. She scolds me for using my quirk that way, but she's fine with you. Trust me, it'll be fine.

[glaciers]

[ He's face is slowly getting redder. But there's nothing he can do about it. ] I suppose.

... I'm the reason your hand was seriously injured, Midoriya.

[inheritance]

That's not that way I remember it. [There's a skeptical look on his face, accompanied by raised eyebrows.]

I'm pretty sure it was my decision to fight you that way.

[glaciers]

If I'd just listened to you sooner, you wouldn't have gotten that hurt. Or if I had just finished that fight quickly.

[inheritance]

[Izuku's already shaking his head before Todoroki finishes, and he shuffles closer until they're face to face. He doesn't let go of Todoroki's hand.]

It's not your fault. [Soft as his voice is, it's still fierce and filled with conviction.] I wish you wouldn't blame yourself for this.

[glaciers]

[He lets Midoriya keep his hand and slowly meets his gaze.]

It's at least partially my fault, Midoriya. Even if you don't know how to quit, I should've realized how badly injured you became.

[inheritance]

[He holds his gaze evenly, not at all willing to back down about this.]

Like I said... what happened is on me. You weren't in a good place, Todoroki. I don't blame you for any of it.

[glaciers]

You can't change my mind about this.

[inheritance]

[Damn it, Todoroki. Izuku frowns at him.]

You can't change my mind about this either. [It would be sort of funny how stubborn the two of them are, if Izuku wasn't trying so hard to convince him.]

[glaciers]

Then we'll both have to live with it.

Come on, let's go find some nice socks.

[inheritance]

But--[It feels wrong to just leave it like this. Izuku stares for a second longer before finally relenting with something like a pout.]

Fine. Let's go look at the socks. [He's definitely going to bring it up again later--he's not giving up.]</small