mixingbowl | Try to believe walking down the lonesome road

Try to believe walking down the lonesome road

[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.]

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[Ahaha... he knew it. Considering what Todoroki's noticed, though, Izuku supposes he can't really blame him for coming to that conclusion.]

He's definitely not. [There's even a rueful sort of smile on his face this time, now that he isn't busy freaking out about it like before.] You really think I'd be able to keep quiet if All Might were my dad? Me? [AKA the biggest All Might fanboy ever.]

You've been keeping a secret. It could definitely be that All Might is your father but he's sworn you to secrecy so you could have a normal life.

[... Shouto?? How many weird Hollywood movies did you watch as a child?]

If it's important you could keep it secret.

[Izuku pales, not actually expecting an answer like that. Why is he surprised, though? Todoroki was observant enough to connect him and All Might to begin with.]

Wh-why do you think I'm keeping a secret?

[Izuku's incredibly lucky that no one else has really tried to talk to him about this, with the very obvious way he's reacting.]

Because you don't want to talk about it. I don't really get it, but it has to be important to you.

... Also you get nervous. You're not a good liar.

[It's a good thing Shouto doesn't want to push too hard about this. Because he feels like if he pressed for long enough Midoriya might give information he didn't want to.]

O-ouch. [Izuku winces, though he looks like he wants to laugh at the same time.] You're so honest, Todoroki-kun. But I think that's a good thing.

Is it really that obvious?

[ he definitely feels like it is. But also... ]

I was looking for connections between you two. I don't know how it is for people who aren't looking.

Besides, he keeps pulling you aside and talking to you privately. That's something.

... If he is your dad I'm jealous.

[Izuku blushes, seeing just how obvious the two of them have been now that the evidence has been laid out. It's true, All Might does pull him aside to talk pretty often. And in front of his classmates, no less.]

Todoroki-kun... trust me, I wish he was my dad sometimes, too. My dad works overseas, so I haven't really seen or talked to him in a long time.

... Do you ever miss him?

[He's honestly out of his depth here. His family situation is a mess, he has no idea what a normal relationship would be.]

[A tilt of his head as he considers this. Izuku's a little surprised himself; no one's asked him that question before.]

I think so? [He doesn't sound too sure when he finally answers.] It's hard to miss someone that you barely remember.

I missed my mom for a long time, even though the last time I saw her was when I was five.

... That's a little different.

A little. [He smiles at Todoroki gently.] You and your mom were really close back then, right? Even before dad left to work overseas, it was usually just me and my mom.

That's okay, though. [Still smiling, Izuku carefully folds up the hoodie and tucks it under his arm.] Things were fine with just the two of us.

Yeah. I told her everything when she was still living at home. ... It's a little harder to talk to mom about everything that's happening now.

It sounds like you're really close to your mom. [It must have been nice to have that consistently in his life.]

Yeah... For a long time, she was the only one I had looking out for me. [Try as he might, Izuku can't stop his smile from turning a little sad for a moment. Then, he brightens up again.] But things are different now. I have you and everyone else in 1-A.

You're still reconnecting with your mom after being apart for so long, though, Todoroki. I'm sure once you've seen each other enough, you'll be just as close again.

... Yeah. We'll always be here for you. If you ever want to talk or anything. You have my number.

[Shouto goes quiet for a full minute as he looks away, glancing through the merchandise.]

I hope so. It seems like she wants to reconnect. It's just... years. I'm a little apprehensive.

[For once, Izuku's attention is not on the merchandise, not even a little. Todoroki has his full attention as he talks.]

That's normal, Todoroki. Reconnecting with her is really important to you, so of course you're nervous! [He fiddles with the zipper on the All Might hoodie he's holding, even as he offers Todoroki another encouraging smile.] Years is a long time, but you and your mom...I think your feelings will be enough to bridge that gap! You just have to keep trying.

She's my mother.

[Like that's the most obvious thing in the world. Why wouldn't he want to reconnect? Yes, he did cause her a lot of emotional pain and she's where he got the scar- but things were good between them before. They could be good once more.]

I'm going to keep trying. One day she'll finally be able to leave the hospital.

One day she will. [Izuku immediately agrees. He has complete faith that once Todoroki puts his mind to something, he'll reach his goal.]

And you'll be right there with her when she does.

... I hope so.

[But it means a lot that Midoriya thinks he can. One day.]

I know so. [Izuku corrects him with a light nudge and a smile.]

[There's a gentle smile out of him.]

Then I'll believe you.

Good. [Todoroki gets another bright grin before Izuku finally turns back to the clothes hanging on the rack before him.]

Hmmmm I think I'll just get the hoodie this time. [He pauses for a long moment, then pulls out another shirt sheepishly and tucks it into his arms.] Okay, now I'm done.

[Stunning. Shouto doesn't say a word about it, but at least this time he'll allow Midoriya to buy his own purchases.

He's already covered the socks. He feels like the fit Midoriya would throw would be too much.]

Are you sure?

[He's teasing.]

[He looks down at the shirt he's just plucked out of the rack. It's a picture of the USA, except rather than labelled with the states and their capitols, it's labelled with the cities and states that have their own SMASH!!! attacks.

Izuku hides his face in it, turning pink at the teasing.]

I'm sure! L-let's go to the registers now. [Before he changes his mind.]

[It's cute how much Midoriya clearly adores All Might.

He still thinks there's something more than just teacher-student going on there, but there's no need for him to know what's up.

Shouto stays right at his side until the purchases are done.]

Are you hungry?

[Izuku carefully moves all his purchases into one bag for convenience's sake as they leave the store.]

A little bit. What about you?

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