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'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?

[glaciers]

[Shouto ducks his head down- he's so used to having to be on his own, but there's no way Midoriya would let him do something so difficult without help.]

... You're right.

[inheritance]

[Huh, no protest? Izuku beams at him, pleased that he'll be supporting Todoroki through this, and Todoroki's actually letting him.]

I am?

[glaciers]

[Shouto has a particular soft spot for Midoriya. Fighting him on something like this seems dumb. He'd honestly like having some help with his mom's situation. And it's probably better for her to see more than just her son and her nurses.]

I don't... really know what to do. And it's hard to figure it out on my own.

[inheritance]

Mm, it's definitely going to be complicated. [Izuku's free hand cups his chin as his voice drops to a mumble.] Something like this would take a lot of research, but if we find the right resources and books to consult, then it should be doable. The only problem is keeping Endeavor from interfering if he finds out what we're doing...

[Abruptly, he trails off.] Do you think he'd stop us if he knew what we were doing?

[glaciers]

I think he would. He doesn't want to be accused of spousal abuse. Or child abuse. He's a top hero though, so if it's my word against his, he's going to win.

[inheritance]

Thought as much. [Izuku sighs, letting his hand drop back to his side, even as he tightens his grip on Todoroki's hand just so. What a mess Endeavor's created of everything.] We'll have to keep him out of the loop and make sure he doesn't know what we're up to until we're ready, then.

For now, I can start looking in the library for books. [He smiles, both rueful and sheepish.] I'm pretty sure no one would bat an eye if I started spending some more time researching anything.

[glaciers]

I can't join you as much as I'd like. He'd get suspicious if I came home with books about it.

[But he's so thankful Midoriya is so willing to help.]

Make sure you're keeping up with school too, or Iida will scold you.

[inheritance]

I don't mind. I like having new things to read up on, and it's to help your mom, so I'm extra motivated!

[Iida totally would scold him, Izuku knows this for a fact.] Don't worry, I'll make sure I get everything else done, too. I'll let you know if I find anything useful.

[glaciers]

Good.

You have my number so... feel free to text me if you find anything we can use. Though it's probably best if you ask to hang out.

I don't think he knows the password to my phone, but we need to be careful.