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]

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.

[inheritance]

[The frown returns; how does Endeavor keep getting worse and worse every time he learns something new?]

Would he actually do that? Ugh, never mind, of course he would. Your dad's a real piece of work.

[glaciers]

I don't know for sure, but I don't want to take the chance.

[inheritance]

Better safe than sorry. [Izuku agrees with a sigh. He hates that Todoroki has to take these precautions in the first place.]

Okay, I'll just keep you updated whenever we meet up at school or...on our dates.. [He blushes again.]

[glaciers]

Yeah...

You can say date, Midoriya. There are plenty of dates that aren't romantic in nature.

[inheritance]

But ours are supposed to be. [He's still blushing, even if he realizes he's probably making it into a bigger deal than Todoroki is.]

Ah, our train's here. [Izuku patiently waits for the train doors to open before pulling Todoroki along.] It's less crowded over there. [Not that it matters when they're just staying for a few stops.]

[glaciers]

[He lets Midoriya tug him along but he starts chewing on his bottom lip.]

... Are you really that uncomfortable with it?

[inheritance]

[Immediately, the blush returns in full force. Ah, just when his cheeks were starting to cool down, too. Izuku ducks his head and shakes his head.]

Not... not at all. [Which is the real the problem, if he's honest. He's too comfortable with it.]

[glaciers]

[... Why is it he keeps making Midoriya so flustered?]

... I'm glad.

[It's nice to be able to spend time with Midoriya like this.]

Tell me if I ever... overstep or anything like that.

[inheritance]

You don't, Todoroki. [He hates that his own ridiculousness is giving Todoroki the wrong impression.

He stares down at the floor, steeling himself for being at least somewhat honest about this. Izuku keeps his voice barely loud enough for Todoroki alone to hear.] It's just embarrassing--I might be a little too happy that I get to spend so much extra time with you because of the pretend dating...that's all.

[glaciers]

[Shouto's pretty awful with people- or rather, he doesn't have enough experience. Midoriya is his anchor point for friendship because he simply doesn't know where the lines are supposed to be.

Even if they're a little bit blurry right now, since they're "dating".]

I like... being able to spend this much time with you.

[He'll miss it when it's over.]

[inheritance]

Oh. [He's smiling when he looks up, equal parts relieved and pleased.] At least... it's mutual then. T-that makes me happy.

[Further proof that their friendship is growing! At least... he thinks so? What he feels for Todoroki isn't quite the same as what he feels for Uraraka and Iida, but Izuku simply figures it's because they've gotten so close so fast, he just needs time to get more used to it.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto doesn't smile back, but he gives a little nod. It makes him happy too, knowing that this isn't a one sided thing. He gives another squeeze of Izuku's hand.

He doesn't want to lose this.]

[inheritance]

[With his entire focus on Todoroki, Izuku's taken by surprise when the speakers over head announce their stop. Startled, he looks out the window and, sure enough, the train's pulling into their station. It's about then that Izuku realizes he's basically been smiling at Todoroki like an idiot this whole time.]

Um, we should get off here! [Izuku stammers, trying not to look too mortified.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto's definitely not the type to judge, and besides, Midoriya's smile is refreshing. He loves being able to see it. As far as he's concerned this is a completely fine thing to do.]

Ah. Lead the way, Midoriya.