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 thanked me before. For a lot of things you didn't need to.

[Yes, he's calling you out on this right now, even if the soft smile he gives Todoroki in return says he's not quite serious.]

You won't let me do the same?

[glaciers]

[He wants so much to be with Midoriya at all times. Always so kind...]

You're right. If I'm allowed, then so are you.

[inheritance]

Good. [Izuku leans over just enough to let their shoulders bump together lightly.

Turning the corner leads them to a busier street, with the department store just ahead.] Ah, we're here! [Immediately, Izuku seems to regain his cheer.] Socks for your mom first?

[glaciers]

[This closeness is so warm... How does he let Midoriya stay this calm and friendly with him forever?]

Yeah. That's the main reason we came.

[inheritance]

There's a directory right there. [No hesitation as Izuku tugs Todoroki along to said directory at the entrance of the building.

Now that his latest bout of melancholy temporarily defeated, all Izuku wants to do is throw all his energy into making Todoroki smile and making the shopping trip a success.] Let's see... oh, there's a Tabio on the second floor. We should look there first.

[He blinks, drawing back in surprise.] Finding a sock store was a lot easier than I expected it to be.

[glaciers]

[Shouto doesn't give an ounce of resistance.]

Ta....bio? Is that what sock shops are called?

[Really and truly, Shouto does not go shopping often.]

[inheritance]

[For a moment, it's quiet. Then, a laugh escapes him, even though Izuku slaps his free hand over his mouth to muffle it.]

That's just the name of the shop. I've only been there a couple times before because they had a specials on hero-themed socks, but apparently they're really well known for having all kinds of socks in stock!

[glaciers]

[Shouto just lets him laugh.]

So if I need a gift for you I should get a hero socks. You still have room for those.

[inheritance]

I wouldn't mind more hero socks. [He doesn't even hesitate.]

Hey! Maybe we could get matching ones! [He's never had anyone to match his hero merch with before.]

[glaciers]

[His friend is a neeeerd.

How endearing.]

Would they both be All Might themed?

[inheritance]

[The biggest nerd and proud of it!!! He doesn't even have the grace to look embarassed at how predictable he is.]

Yup!! Unless you wanted another hero. I have several All Might socks already so I don't mind getting someone else for once.

[glaciers]

Do you like Ryukyu?

[His favorite hero... Right after All Might, but Ryuku merch will survive.]

[inheritance]

[His eyes light up immediately.] Ryuku? She's amazing!

Todoroki, are you a fan of hers, too?

[glaciers]

She's my second favorite. Dragons are cool and she's really amazing.

... Plus she's going by her first name.

[inheritance]

[Another laugh sputters out of him. That's such a Todoroki thing to say, Izuku can't help it.]

I guess that's true! Let's get matching Ryuku socks, then. Those would be safe, right?

[glaciers]

[He's a straightforward guy! He likes what he likes.]

Yeah, those should be okay. Plus they're small enough they'll be easy to hide.

[inheritance]

[Yes!! Izuku does a little fist pump, beaming.]

Okay, Mission: Get Todoroki His First Hero Merch is now underway!

[glaciers]

Mom's stuff first.

[A gentle reminder of why they came here in the first place.]

Our stuff after.

[inheritance]

[He grins over his shoulder as he figures out which direction the store is in.]

Aw, don't worry, I didn't forget. They're all in the same store, so it'll be easy to grab hers and ours around the same time.

[glaciers]

Alright.

[He offers a small smile.]

Then we'll pick up three pairs of socks. And then look for more stuff for my mom.

[inheritance]

That's the plan! [Finally, with a brief pause to scan the stores around them, Izuku picks a direction to head in.]

The store should be this way. [For his part, Izuku does his best not to get too distracted by some of the other stores they pass. At one point, he even turns his head as they pass by a window filled with all kinds of hero merch, but he quickly snaps his attention back to the walkway, giving Todoroki a guilty smile as he does so.]

[glaciers]

[There's honestly a small almost impossible to notice laugh that spills out of him.]

We'll come back after we get the socks.

[inheritance]

[Even if he doesn't catch the laugh, Izuku can definitely feel Todoroki's amusement. It's a good feeling, making his friend smile, intentional or not, and Izuku wishes he could keep that smile there longer.]

Are you sure you're ready? [He asks with mock gravitas.] There's an even bigger shop on the other side of the mall that has more variety--that's the one we'll be going to.

[glaciers]

[Shouto's calm and soothed here, as long as Midoriya is with him...]

You'll protect me. So I know I'll be fine.

[He's being silly but he's not exactly obvious about it.]

[inheritance]

[It might be a joke, but Izuku doesn't realize that right away. He blushes, warmth spreading through him.]

Ah, I-I mean, it's not really that bad! It can be a little overwhelming if you've never been in a shop like it before, because there's so many choices, but you're right! I'll be there, so it should be fine!