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]

[He looks down at his own crepe and hums. This is the first time he's ever been able to talk about her at length with anybody. And Midoriya was the entire reason he went. It only makes sense to talk with him.

But knowing what to say is much harder than he expected.]

She's-- She forgave me really easily.

I wasn't expecting that.

[inheritance]

[He watches Todoroki with a soft smile.] That's great.

It sounds like... [Izuku stops, worrying at his bottom lip as he tries to think of something meaningful to say.] Maybe you were on her mind all this time, too. And now that you've been visiting her, it's an opportunity for both of you to say the things that you've wanted to say for a while.

I-it's just a guess, anyway.

[glaciers]

[Maybe that is what happened. It's hard to know when he's honestly afraid of asking her. He can't tell which one would be worse between the two.]

Mm... Mom bought a strawberry milk. She didn't know I was coming, but she remembered that was my favorite when I was little.

... I guess she was thinking of me.

I... feel pretty bad for not visiting her for so long.

[inheritance]

[Almost absently, Izuku mentally files that tidbit away for later.]

Todoroki... [There's the urge to reach out again, though Izuku hesitates at first. Maybe he's overthinking it? Afterall, Todoroki didn't seem to mind it earlier...

Before Izuku can talk himself out of it, he puts his hand over Todoroki's, doing his best to reassure with something other than his words.] It's not your fault. You had a lot on your mind, too. Besides, you went to see her as soon as you figured things out, didn't you?

[That's what he assumes, anyway, considering the festival wasn't that long ago.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto doesn't pull away from his hand. In fact, he even relaxes, the tension slowly draining out of his shoulders.]

It was still ten years of not visiting her. I don't know if anybody but Fuyumi went.

I went the weekend after the sports festival. But I still had to take some time to myself. [Seems a little selfish, when he thinks about it.]

[inheritance]

[There's no way Izuku can watch Todoroki blaming himself without doing something. He sets his crepe down on the table--they're just about finished anyway--and takes Todoroki's hand into both of his own this time, holding it tightly.]

I think it was really brave of you to go. [He says, softly but firmly.] Your mom wasn't the only one who was hurt by everything that happened. You...you were, too. There must have been a reason you stayed away for so long. [Izuku leans in closer, hoping that his words are getting across to him.] It can't have been easy for you to make that trip the first time.

[glaciers]

[He stares down at Midoriya's hands over his and stares at them. They're scarred- his fault. But that's something he should apologize for later. To Midoriy and Iida.]

If I'm being honest... I was really scared. I didn't know if she wanted to see me ever again. I thought... it would be fair if she turned me away right then.

[inheritance]

[Todoroki isn't pulling away; Izuku takes that as a good sign and just keeps hanging on for as long as Todoroki needs someone to counter his doubts.]

But she didn't. [If Todoroki looks up at him, he'll get a small, understanding smile.] You've visited her more than once now and she hasn't turned you away. That has to mean something.

[glaciers]

[It's a good smile, a soothing smile. He's pretty sure anybody would be at ease with a smile like that turned towards them. It also seems to have the side effect on Shouto, of making him much more likely to talk.]

... Yeah.

I don't blame her for the scar. It was... It's hard living with that guy. And it was so much worse for her.

[inheritance]

[Just then, a horrible thought occurs to Izuku, making him lose the smile to frown down at the table. Endeavor... he can't believe he used to admire him. As disappointed as Izuku is that one of the top five heroes is such a jerk, it was also so much worse for the family of said jerk.]

That guy--he doesn't bother her anymore, does he?

[glaciers]

He doesn't. He got what he wanted so now she's nothing to him.

She never said anything about him visiting and he never did either.

[inheritance]

[Izuku bites back a scowl, reminding himself that as horrible as that sounds, it's for the better if Endeavor doesn't care enough to turn his attention back to his wife.]

That's...good. [He shakes his head, like he's trying to shake the negative thoughts away.] That means you and your mom don't have to worry about him interrupting your time together.

[glaciers]

[It's much better this way, to be honest.]

Yeah... I don't want him bothering mom. Ever again.

[inheritance]

I have a feeling he won't get too far even if he tries anything. She's got you looking out for her now.

[A pause, then a determined smile.] ...and me, if you ever need the backup.

[glaciers]

[His smile is small, but it's there.]

Yes.

I'll call you if I need you.

[inheritance]

Good. [That's all he can really ask for at this moment. Then, Izuku perks up suddenly.]

So...desserts or nicer food for your mom. Do you think there's anything else she'd want that she can't get at the hospital?

[glaciers]

Beyond food... I think something to do? Like books. Or knitting?

[inheritance]

Books and knitting supplies--those should be easy enough to get.

We can pick something up for her the next time we... um, meet up like this. [He stumbles just a little, swerving around the word "date", but quickly continues.]

[glaciers]

... You can say date, Midoriya.

[He's a little bit red saying it, but that's what these "meet ups" are.]

We have training tomorrow, so the day after?

[inheritance]

...the...next time we have a... date. [There, he said it! Even if it turned into a whisper at the end.]

The day after that... yeah, I should be free. [Izuku tilts his head.] If we're looking for a gift, the department store should have more options, but there should be smaller bookstores and crafts stores somewhere nearby, too.

[glaciers]

[Ah... cute...]

Will you help me find something for her? I think you have more experience with gifts.

We could visit a couple different places.

[inheritance]

[It's just as well that Izuku's still holding onto Todoroki's hand, because he would've simply reached out again if he wasn't.]

Even if I've bought more gifts before, I think you'd have more of an idea of what your mom would like. [He smiles at Todoroki gently.] But of course I'll help you.

[glaciers]

I don't know about that. We haven't really been close in... a long time.

[He squeezes Izuku's hand in response.]

Thank you, Midoriya.

[inheritance]

You have the chance to change that now, though. [It's said softly, a reminder that things can be different from now on.]

I'll always help if I can, Todoroki. You just have to ask.

[And sometimes he doesn't even need to ask, if Izuku's honest.]

[glaciers]

I'm working on it. I just... I want to be closer to her. I want her to be proud of me.

I know you said I didn't have to thank you. But I am very grateful to you. That you helped me and that you're still helping me now.