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're surprised? [They haven't even been pretending for long, and it already feels natural to have Todoroki's hand in his.]

Even some of the third years heard we were dating by the end of that first day. Um, according to Ashido-san, at least.

[glaciers]

... Why are they listening to first year gossip?

[He still squeezes Midoriya's hand and leads him towards the classroom.]

Ashido seems like she keeps tabs on that kind of thing.

[inheritance]

Why does anyone listen to gossip in the first place?

[He laughs quietly, though.] She does, doesn't she? Ashido-san's the type who can talk to anyone about anything.

[glaciers]

I don't know, I haven't done it before.

It's a good skill. People feel comfortable talking to her, so she's probably going to be good at getting information.

[inheritance]

And spreading the information, too.

[Izuku smiles wryly. He's not so clueless that he hasn't realized Ashido's probably one of the main sources for the gossip in the first place.]

[glaciers]

Mm...

That's to our favor right now.

[That girl's passed by them in the halls but she hasn't approached him in a while.]

[inheritance]

Yeah. [Izuku doesn't particularly care about gossip most of the time (unless it's related to a hero's quirk or similar), but he has to admit, the plan seems to be working.]

At least she's getting the hint. She hasn't tried to bother you since that other time, right?

[glaciers]

So far.

[He rubs his thumb across the back of Midoriya's hand, squeezing it just a little tighter.]

Thank you, Midoriya.

[inheritance]

[Izuku laughs, the sound almost getting lost in the general student chatter as they walk down the main hall.]

You're doing it again. You don't have to thank me, remember? It's not as if spending time with you was a bad thing. [Izuku squeezes his hand in return.] I'm happy I got to help this way.

[glaciers]

Hmm... I have a lot to thank you for. I'm looking forward to our date today.

[inheritance]

[Right on cue, Izuku blushes. Is he ever going to get used to these things being called dates? Probably not.]

I'm...looking forward to it, too.

[He genuinely is. And no stuttering, either! It's an improvement.]

[glaciers]

[It's probably far too ridiculous to kiss Izuku's hand but the idea flits through his head.]

We just have to get through classes.

[inheritance]

[Izuku laughs.] It's just a few hours! It'll be over before you know it!

[That, of course, is a lie. Eager as they both are to be to get to their date, the hours seem to drag on and on. Finally, the last class of the day is over, though, and the first thing Izuku does after saying goodbye to his friends is turn toward Todoroki with a bright grin.

It's time!!]

[glaciers]

[He reaches out to take Midoriya's hand. This is just normal for people who are dating. It's that. There's nothing to the beating of his heart speeding up. There's nothing to the day seeming to go as slow as molasses.]

Ready to go?

[inheritance]

Ready! [Izuku curls his hands around Todoroki's and slings his bag over his shoulder.]

Did you want to look at some other shops, too? Or should we just stop by the crafts store for your mom's knitting supplies?

[glaciers]

We can look at some other ones.

[ More time with his "boyfriend" is time well spent. Why wouldn't he agree to more of it. ]

[inheritance]

[Though Izuku would have been fine with either option, Todoroki picking this one--the one where they can spend more time together--makes his smile brighten.]

Okay. [The path from the school to the train station is a familiar one now, at least.] And we can pick up strawberry milk while we're there this time, too!

[glaciers]

[ They've done this once before and he wants to do it so many more times. ]

You can finally try it. They're really good. Especially if you like strawberries. We'll get them for our sweets.

[inheritance]

Works for me. [Izuku, still clutching at Todoroki's hand, hops onto the first train that arrives.

It's a little crowded, with many of the students from the area heading in the same direction, but that just gives Izuku a reason to stick closer to Todoroki for the short time they're here.]

[glaciers]

[ Shouto pulls Midoriya a little closer to him while they're in here. He can just say they're crowded and maybe he won't be questioned. ]

[inheritance]

[Izuku pinks up at the proximity. It's one thing to hold hands, and another to stand so close like this. He's not complaining, though.]

Next stop is us. [His blush grows as he leans in toward Todoroki's ear to say it, making sure he's heard over the chatter of the train's other occupants.]

[glaciers]

[ Shouto's left side seems to heat up for just a moment before he catches himself. What's going on with him? ]

Right. Ready to go?

[inheritance]

Yup. [As the train slows to a stop, Izuku sways to the side and has to brace himself against Todoroki's shoulder before he falls over.]

Oops, sorry. [Izuku smiles at him sheepishly as the speakers announce their destination.]

[glaciers]

[ He's not blushing is he? He can't tell if he is or isn't, but he does know he wants Midoriya to stay that close.

There's no reason for it when they're getting off the train. But he wants it. ]

Mm. No problem.

[inheritance]

[With people getting off the train--and they should be in that number--Izuku has no reason to stay pressed up to Todoroki like this. So he straightens up and puts some distance between them again...Selfishly, though, he doesn't let go of Todoroki's hand.

It's comfortable, walking with his friend through the streets like this while their hands are joined.]

Don't let me go into that hero merch store again, okay? [There's a bit of amusement on his face.]