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]

Recovery Girl. Uraraka. Iida.

...

Me.

[inheritance]

[Izuku seems to wilt further with each name that Todoroki mentions, though he can't even really disagree. Especially Recovery Girl... just thinking about how upset she was with both him and All Might after his match with Todoroki makes Izuku want to shiver.

That last one, though. Izuku looks up in surprise when he hears it, and his voice softens even further.] Todoroki-kun...really?

[glaciers]

[Shouto's ability to talk to people is simply being incredibly blunt about things to them. And he looks at Midoriya for a moment and gives a small nod.]

I know... we're not as close. But I'm grateful for everything you've done to help me. I'll worry about you now.

[inheritance]

I-I don't want anyone to worry about me! [Izuku blurts out, gripping at his cup in his distress.] Especially new friends.

Besides... [A small frown tugs at his lips.] Todoroki-kun, you already have a lot on your mind right now, don't you?

[glaciers]

Then don't break your limbs. Or fingers.

[Shouto looks more than a little blindsided at the question.]

What do you mean?

[inheritance]

[Izuku winces noticeably.] I know, I know. Recovery Girl already gave me an earful during the festival. [Tiny fist pump!!] I'll work hard and get better at using my quirk so you and everyone else won't have to worry about me.

Ah.. [He hesitates.] I mean, you're going to be at your dad's agency for the internship. Worrying would just be one more problem on top of something that isn't going to be fun for you already.

[glaciers]

I'm looking forward to you using your quirk without hurting yourself.

[Again he falls quiet before answering.] I can handle working with my father professionally. There's useful stuff he can teach, even if he's the worst.

[inheritance]

[Izuku simply nods emphatically. He's just...very deliberately not going to mention that Recovery Girl won't even heal those kinds of injuries anymore.]

I know you can handle yourself. It's your dad that I don't trust. [He sighs softly. Even if Todoroki's clearly been thinking about his family situation and making changes, Izuku can't help but worry about him still. It's hard not to when he's seen the kind of effect Endeavor had on his friend before.]

[glaciers]

... Now who's the one worrying?

He's not going to do anything in front of his employees. He's a top hero, he can't afford any bad press that way.

I'm going to be just fine.

[inheritance]

...can't help it. [Izuku mumbles into his cup, trying to ignore the sudden surge of protectiveness. Strong and capable as Todoroki is, Izuku wishes, perhaps unreasonably, that he could shield his friend any more pain from his father.

He barely manages to bite back the "but what about at home?"] Even so...just be careful.

[glaciers]

I can't either. [They'll worry over each other, it seems. He's fine with that.

At home... well. Endeavor's not usually at home these days. There's always more and more work to be done and his father never really cared for family beyond what quirks they could give.]

I will if you promise the same.

[inheritance]

[It's not exactly what had had in mind, but at least mutual worrying is a more acceptable option. Somehow, Izuku manages to muster up a smile.]

Will you still worry even if I promise?

[glaciers]

I'll do my best not to worry. That's the best I can do.

[ Midoriya always seems to find trouble. ]

[inheritance]

Then that's what I'll do, too. [The smile's definitely coming a lot more easily now.] That sounds fair to me--both of us trying our best to stay out of trouble and to have each other's backs if something happens...

[It's reassuring, surprisingly so, to know that he has that option.]

The internships are only for a week, but a lot can happen in that amount of time.

[glaciers]

[He gives a little nod. Mutual worrying is just fine, and promising to have each other's backs is also nice. It's not something he's used to either.]

The USJ incident only happened in a day. But we're all going to be stationed different places this time around.

[inheritance]

W-we'll find a way, if someone really needs help!

[Izuku drains the last of his tea, then sets it back down on the table with a soft, muted click.]

Um, besides, at least this time we'll have the proheroes around to keep an eye on things. And we won't be isolated last we were at the USJ. [Optimistic thoughts!] We should be able to learn a lot from this.

[glaciers]

That's what heroes do.

[Shouto's finished off his food and drink and gives a little nod.]

We'll be apart, but we'll be with pro heroes.

... Just call if you ever need help.

[inheritance]

I will, I promise. [This time, when he glances at his phone screen, he winces.]

Ah, I didn't realize it was getting so late already! Sorry, Todoroki-kun, I didn't mean to bother you for so long. [Izuku tucks his phone into his pocket, looking apologetic.] I should get home and start packing for the internship, too...