Hands, put your empty hands in mine

[inheritance]

[It's only been a month since he and Mei opened up their own business, a month since graduating, and yet, the orders are already starting to pile up. Izuku supposes, he shouldn't be so surprised, with the reputation Mei built up for herself while they were in UA. Even in a Support Course as rigorous as their high school's, Mei quickly proved herself to be one of the best and brightest.

And then there's him. While Izuku knows he's no slouch when it comes to analyzing a hero's weaknesses and strengths, he also knows that he'd gotten lucky when he found a business partner and friend in Mei. Shaking his head, Izuku throws himself into his work to dispel those thoughts. Things had turned out alright in the end; that's what actually matters.]

Hooooold on, I'll be right with you. [Izuku calls, distracted, when he hears the front door open. A few more strokes of his pencil and--done! Finished with another design sketch, Izuku sets his notebook aside and stands up, looking up at them for the first time. He pauses, not even managing to get a greeting out.] ...Todoroki-kun?

Comments

[glaciers]

Ah. I've never been complimented on that before.

[ Usually he'd hear "why are you wasting your time on sidekicks when you have so much to work on?" It's... Nice to hear some reassurance.]

I'll make sure to study my surroundings properly.

[inheritance]

That only means you should be complimented more often. [And that would be him breaking his resolve within seconds, because he just can't help himself.

Izuku makes an soft, unhappy noise and draws back again.] Th-that's just what I think, anyway.

[glaciers]

[Midoriya is very sweet.

It's a wonder he didn't make more friends during school.]

Thank you.

Was there anything else you needed from me today?

[inheritance]

Ah... [Izuku quickly scans over the notes he'd scribbled down in a hurry earlier.] No...no, I think that's it!

Sorry. [Though he's smiling, he looks apologetic.] I didn't keep you here for too long, did I?

[glaciers]

Alright.

I'll see you again... tomorrow? How long do you need to work on that stuff?

[He gives a little shake of his head.] No. I'm off work today and tomorrow.

[inheritance]

[A soft laugh bubbles out of him.] We're good, but not that good. Um, switching the fabric and remaking your base costume shouldn't take too long, but making the tech will take a couple days.

[He taps his pen against his cheek this time.] What time is your shift on the day after tomorrow?

[glaciers]

I have extras. That's fine.

It's at 6 AM. That's an hour earlier than you get in, right?

[inheritance]

6 AM.. [He pauses, then smiles at Todoroki.] That's not too bad. I don't mind coming in a little earlier.

If you come in at 6, I'll have all your new gear ready!

[glaciers]

[He hates waking up early (he hates waking up), so he looks a bit doubtful.]

Will you have had breakfast by then? Should I bring you something? Like a breakfast sandwich?

[inheritance]

[Izuku blinks at him, the offer taking him by surprise. More than ever, Izuku's sure that his revised impression of Todoroki is correct. Definitely kind.]

Don't worry, Todoroki-kun. I think I'll be okay!

[He's pretty used to waking up early and gulping down some breakfast, especially after he started training himself seriously for hero work. Or vigilante work, as it were.]

[glaciers]

[He's surprisingly fussy over Midoriya, but he's sure he's never gotten this way over anyone else. Is it because Midoriya is technically a civilian?]

Waking up can be hard.

Do you drink coffee?

[inheritance]

You...you're really determined to get me breakfast of some kind. [Color slowly creeps into Izuku's cheeks again. It's flustering him, to be the focus of all this attention and fussing.] Are you this way with everyone you work with?

[A pause, and then he adds, softly--] Sometimes I have a cup in the morning.

[glaciers]

Mm... No. I usually work with Iida, and he's the one trying to feed me.

[Which is probably where Shouto got it from.]

I'll have a cup every once in a while.

[Since they're sharing.]

[inheritance]

[Imagining the very stern-looking Iida trying to ply Todoroki with food is an image that makes Izuku grin.]

At least you know he's looking after you. [Izuku darts a look at him, biting his lip.] I wouldn't mind a coffee if you really want to bring me something.

[He normally wouldn't accept, but a coffee wouldn't hurt when he knows he'll be working late nights with Mei to get this all done.]

[glaciers]

[He gives a small nod.]

Do you have a favorite coffee place?

[Midoriya has to work a lot to get this done, so he'll have to give him something in return. Even if it is his job.]

[inheritance]

There's a cafe not too far from here that I like to go to when I have time. It's called "Quali-Tea Time". Run by a family friend.

[Izuku fiddles with his pen again, looking hesitant.]

U-um, you don't have to get it from there, though! That's probably too much trouble...coffee from any shop you pass by on the way here is fine! Really!

[glaciers]

It's nearby, right?

I can go after my shift. It's not any trouble.

[Who knows, maybe he'll have a new place to drag Iida to.]

[inheritance]

I-if you're sure. [Izuku stammers, then smiles at Todoroki gratefully.]

In that case--thank you! I'll...I'll see you in a couple days!

[glaciers]

I'll see you then, Midoriya.

[And with that he'll start to leave.

He's really looking forward to sleeping for half a day.]

Houou and Shouto

[glaciers]

[It's his day off, one of his few. And he's been running out of food for the last week. He doesn't tend to eat in that much, but it would be a better idea to eat in more, right? That's more healthy.

So he's out once the sun is down and at his local grocery store, packing meat and vegetables into a cart. Maybe he can make hot pot? He's heard that's not too hard for beginners.

He's at the checkout line when some masked villain crashes through the window and starts to hold up the store.

A swear under his breath. He can't work properly when he's not in his gear.]

[inheritance]

[As luck would have it, Izuku's all geared up and patrolling as Houou when the villain makes his move. Rather than bursting onto the scene immediately like he wants to, Houou crouches down on the roof across from the store and observes for a moment. Though the villain hasn't tried to take hostages yet, the last thing Houou wants to do is force the villain's hand. With his all-black costume, save for the red and gold accents, he blends easily into the night.]

Offensive quirk...spits out an acid of some kind, but his range isn't very long. Relies on a blunt weapon to intimidate instead of his quirk, so he's either saving it as a last resort or he doesn't think it's all that potent. Only weapon is a baseball bat for now, but could be hiding more on him... [Houou mutters to himself, eyes sharp as he studies the villain's movements. Finally, when the villain makes to grab a kid that gets too close, Houou tenses and reaches for his belt. Looks like his observation time is up.

After making sure his hood and mouthguard are in place, Houou jumps down from his perch, throws a smoke bomb into the store, and grabs the kid before the villain can react.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto abandons his cart. There's much more pressing things to deal with when a villain attempts to kidnap a child. But faster than he can react, a vigilante does. There's a smokescreen preventing him from properly seeing what's going on.

But with this much distraction, Shouto can at least ice the villain to the floor. The weapon was just a baseball bat. He can't do much distance fighting with something like that. Not unless he could use a form of telekineses.

For now though, the villain can't move from his current position. ]

[inheritance]

Who did that???! [The villain gives a shout of frustration when he realizes he's lost the kid, and he can't move his feet for some reason. He squints and waves his hand in an attempt to dispel the smoke.] Hey! I asked you a question!! [He punctuates the words with a swing of his bat, sending bottles from the nearby shelf flying to the floor. The customers scream as the glass shatters next to them.

Realizing he isn't going to get anywhere, the villain grunts as he begins to smack at the ice around his feet with his bat. Before he can escape, though, Houou rushes forward and knocks him out with a well-aimed uppercut to the jaw. When the villain crumples to a heap on the ground, Houou tugs the bat out of his hands--he might be unconscious now, but it's better to be safe than sorry in case he does wake up. Then, as he's looking through his tool belt, Houhou realizes something with a jolt of annoyance.]

Which one of you trapped him with the ice? I need your help restraining him. [Houou asks the closest group of civilians. Inwardly, he's kicking himself for forgetting to restock his tool belt with rope. It's a mistake he can't afford to make again, no matter how busy he and Mei are.]

[glaciers]

[ Heroes might rest, but villains never do. He presses a button on his phone to alert his agency about the situation, before focusing.

Shouto takes a step towards the vigilante. Stopping people from heroism isn't his job. So he figures he can help with this. ]

What do you need?

[ He doesn't have rope on him. But a recycling bin probably will. ]

[inheritance]

[With his attention on the villain for now, Houou doesn't look up at whoever's volunteered themselves just yet. Even if the voice is making something in his mind ping with recognition.]

Your ice quirk--is it safe to keep him trapped until the police show up? [He pauses. While it's safe to assume the authorities have been called already, he should check anyway.] Did anyone notify the police already?