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]

[In the middle of holding up the pink and white pairs and comparing them, Izuku answers without thinking.]

I think any color would look good on you. [He's a little biased, though.]

[glaciers]

[He stares at Midoriya. Did he not hear what came out of his mouth? That's like him.]

Then I'll take the pink ones, you'll take the green ones. We'll match.

[inheritance]

[Still distracted by their many sock options, Izuku continues on, blissfully unaware of what he'd just said. He does look over happily when Todoroki makes his decision, though.]

Really? That means we'll have two pairs that match when we're done with all this.

[glaciers]

I'd be happy with that.

[Because Midoriya is great and matching with Midoriya is better.]

[inheritance]

[Izuku flashes him another pleased smile before shuffling some of the socks back into a neater pile, now that they'd picked out the ones they want.

Then, he gathers the four pairs they've decided on into his arms. Or tries to. One of them escapes the pile, flopping sadly onto the ground.] Oops. Maybe we should grab a basket?

[glaciers]

[He bites down a laugh and nods.]

Stay right here, I'll go get one.

[He'll come back after a few minutes with a basket.]

[inheritance]

[By the time Todoroki returns with the basket, Izuku's already picked up the runaway socks, scarred hand fiddling with one of the cotton cat ears. There's a fond look on his face when he spots Todoroki.]

That's two. [He says cheerfully when he drops the socks into the basket.]

[glaciers]

[Now that Izuku has a free hand again, Shouto goes right back to holding it. A faint smile crosses over his features.]

Just one more. Did you see a cat print somewhere?

[inheritance]

Mmm actually! I think I saw something when we were walking this way. Back where the fuzzy socks are.

[Now it's Izuku's turn to tug Todoroki along until they reach the wall where rows and rows of socks are hanging from little hooks.]

Where was it? I know it was around here... [His eyes scan the display quickly as he tries to locate whatever had caught his eye before. As far as his mumbling habits go, this bout is fairly mild.]

[glaciers]

[He lets himself indulge in listening to Midoriya's mumbling. It's very endearing, though he doesn't think Midoriya is ever aware he's talking to himself like that.

Shouto won't stop him.

Instead he's scanning for the calico patterned socks.]

[inheritance]

[Izuku sighs, rubbing at the back of his neck with his free hand.] I thought I saw it here...ah.

[While turning his attention back to Todoroki, he'd noticed his friend's eyes searching the display, too.] Did you see something that she'd like, Todoroki?

[glaciers]

She'll like anything in light blue, but the ones with the faces are already that color.

We should probably get a range...

[inheritance]

Let's see... [Izuku's free hand drifts up to cup his chin as he renews his search.]

Ahhh!! [With a, perhaps, louder cry of triumph than necessary, Izuku bounces on his feet a little and points a little ways up the wall.] Todoroki, Calico print socks! Was that what you were looking for?

[glaciers]

[They're!!! Better than he could have imagined!]

They're perfect.

1/2

[inheritance]

Oookay, then let's grab one and make that number three.

[He reaches up, standing up on tip toes to try and get at the socks. His fingers brush it, but not enough for him to pull it off the little rods. Izuku huffs and tries again, with the same result.]

[inheritance]

I...I can't reach it...!

[Life is hard when you're short.]

[glaciers]

[ Midoriya is ten whole centimetres shorter than him. So Shouto just plucks it right off the hook. ]

Do you usually have trouble reaching things?

[inheritance]

Sometimes. [Izuku drops back down onto his heels with a sigh and a little laugh.] You could say it's a family trait, kinda. [Just like the leaky tear ducts.] Mom's even shorter than I am, so...yeah.

I can jump pretty high now, but using my quirk for this seems a little like overkill.

[glaciers]

[ A whole family of tiny Midoriyas. ... Should they get Midoriya's mom some socks too?]

... Wouldn't you overshoot it?

[inheritance]

[Izuku opens his mouth to answer, then pauses, actually giving it some thought.]

Probably. But if I timed it right, I could grab it on the way down? I do need to practice being more precise with my movement... [A nervous look around the store.] Just not in a place like this.

[glaciers]

[Shouto looks amused in that quiet way he does.]

Aizawa-sensei wouldn't let you hear the end of it if you tried. You don't have your license yet.

[inheritance]

[That gets a full-body cringe.] Y-yeah, that's true. Let's leave the quirk training to when we're allowed. We got enough scolding after the Stain thing...not that I regret jumping in or anything. I'd still do it again if I had to.

A-anyway! [Miraculously, Izuku manages to catch himself before he veers off into his usual tangents.] That's three pairs for your mom. Think we should head on over to the hero themed section now?

[glaciers]

[Shouto doesn't regret getting involved either, but he'll let that go for now.]

Yeah, I think we're good on socks. Lead the way, Midoriya.

[inheritance]

[There's no hiding his excitement now as Izuku practically bounces in place before walking--quickly--back toward the relevant section and taking Todoroki with him.]

If we're in luck, they'll have something for Ryuku!

[glaciers]

She's in the top ten. There should be something.