mixingbowl | Hands, put your empty hands in mine

Hands, put your empty hands in mine

[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?

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[Hah... while a little disappointing, it's not a surprising reaction at all. Knowing how dangerous his plans for the future could be, Izuku had done his best to stay out of the spotlight while at UA--in terms of heroics, at least. The value of anonymity had been one of the first things Aizawa had reinforced over and over in his training. Izuku supposes it's a good thing he's so plain looking and easy to forget outside of his work with Mei.

And on the flip side, there's Todoroki, who's as striking and memorable as they come.]

We went to UA together. [Izuku simply opts for a lopsided smile, not taking offense at all.] What can I do for you?

[Frantically, he tries to remember if Todoroki has an appointment set up with Mei--surely he hasn't been so wrapped up in his new secret-hero work that he missed something so important in the planner?]

[Ah yes, that makes sense. That's why this very fluffy head of hair looks so familiar. Though he doesn't think they've spoken to each other very much. Most of his interactions with the support department were with Hatsume.]

That's right. ... What's your name? [That seems a little rude, but not knowing his name would be worse.]

I need some upgrades to my costume. It was burned, so I need that to not happen.

It's Izuku Midoriya. [Not that Izuku expects Todoroki to really remember him the next time they meet--if they meet.

Though his smile had been genuine already, it immediately brightens with enthusiasm as soon as Todoroki mentions his hero costume.]

Did you bring it with you? Let's take a look and see what upgrades we can give you.

Midoriya. [He gives a little nod before handing over the briefcase with his costume in it.]

If it's possible, I'd like the vest to be better at controlling my temperature. I can do it myself, but it takes attention away from the fight.

[Izuku sets the briefcase on the table and pops it open, squinting at the material in his hands.]

So... a fabric upgrade, something that will be able to withstand both your fire and ice. [Something about that makes him frown down at the costume, then back up at Todoroki.] Temperature regulation? But.. with both of your quirks, they should cancel each other out and keep your temperature relatively stable...

Ahh! Not that I'm saying there's something wrong with how you're using your quirks, of course. [Izuku stammers, immediately realizing that his words could come across as rude.]

No, it's fine. You're my support, you're supposed to ask questions to improve my costume.

[Shouto takes a moment to look down at his hands and the last time he had to overuse his ice.]

I can't always use both sides of my quirk. Sometimes fire or ice is more favorable depending on the situation. But that means I could succumb to frostbite or burning.

You can't? [It strikes Izuku as odd, that someone who's well into their teens would struggle with control over the quirk they've had since childhood like this.

His eyes narrow as they flick over Todoroki's left, then right side. He and Todoroki might not have really crossed paths in school, but Izuku makes it his business to study the quirks in the hero course. It doesn't take him long to recall what he remembers of Todoroki from the sports festival.]

Mmmm now that I think of it... you didn't use your fire much when we were in school, did you? Every time I saw you in the sports festival, you were always using your ice quirk. [Izuku frowns, tugging at his bottom lip.] Is it easier for you to control your right side than your left?

It's... It's difficult to use my left side's flames. And ice has always come easier.

[Maybe he'll be allowed to leave it at that. He'd definitely like to. There's a backstory there, but he's not sure he's quite close enough to Midoriya to want to reveal it during their first official meeting.]

[Rather than make a fuss about it, Izuku just nods, mentally absorbing the data and readjusting what he knows about Todoroki's quirks.] Alright--if that's the case, then we'll put a little more emphasis on fire resistance when we're upgrading your costume.

Do you think you'll need some kind of equipment to help regulate the fire? [There's nothing but curiosity in Izuku's eyes, no judgment about needing assistance with his quirk.] I can ask Mei-san if she has something that could work.

[Yes, he thinks he'll have a very good partnership with Midoriya. If he's willing to work with him without any judgement, this is the support person he wants to work with for the rest of his hero career.]

I think something to help control the direction would be useful. I can come in after my night shifts and test out whatever you guys have on hand.

[Immediately, Izuku makes a grab for his notebook, flipping to a blank page before he starts scribbling furiously.]

Direction of the flames, gotcha. Maybe something to even suppress the flames at certain points could be possible, limiting that power to only the hand and foot would certainly result in a lot more control and accuracy, not to mention reduce the damage done to clothes--oh, but we're going to be switching the fiber in the hero costume, so that won't be as much of an issue from now anyway. Then, there's the sensors that we should find a way to attach to the fabric...

[...judging by his enthusiasm as he jots down the ideas coming to him, it doesn't look like Izuku's going to be stopping any time soon.]

[Shouto lets him talk and pulls over a chair, looking over Midoriya's notes.]

Sensors would be useful. I think the thermostat that works with the temperature control vest could use an upgrade too. I only used to need it for heating myself up, but that's going to need to cool me down too.

Ah, I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be too presumptuous! [Izuku almost drops his pen in his haste to apologize.]

It's...it's a habit of mine, I tend to talk a lot. [He bites his lip, looking extremely contrite.] I should be asking you if there's anything else you wanted to add--it's your costume.

I'm not used to working with support staff this closely.

[Shouto has no idea why Midoriya's apologizing like this. At least he's saying something instead of completely redoing the design on his own.]

We can at least test your ideas to see if they work.

[Izuku blinks, straightening up cautiously.] You really don't mind? Sometimes people don't like it when we make too too many suggestions about their costume upgrades.

[On one hand, Izuku sort of understands. Hero costumes are incredibly important and sometimes personal; he wouldn't be surprised if some heroes-in-training he'd worked with before had had certain designs in mind since they were kids--like him. On the other, Izuku thinks it's a little ridiculous that they don't want him and Mei to do their jobs.]

I don't.

[He doesn't know nearly as much about support items as Midoriya or Hatsume. And Shouto needs help with his left side.]

I'll let you know if I hate something.

Works for me. [Now that he's been reassured Todoroki doesn't mind, Izuku smiles a little easier as he takes up his scribbling again.]

So, sensors! Mei-san would probably suggest starting off with just one to monitor your status, but we can always change it to two types of sensors--one for each of your quirks--if we have to later on.

That should take care of any difficulties you're having with your fire quirk right now.... [Izuku tilts his head.] Was there anything else you wanted to add in? Since we're already working on your costume anyway.

I can get very bad frostbite from overusing my ice-side. I also tend to favor it because a lot of the work I do is in the city, and I don't want to start a fire.

I'd also like better traction on my boots. I almost slipped a few days ago.

... Maybe it got worn down.

[His pen taps unhappily against the paper as he peers at Todoroki's right hand, apparently checking for signs of said frostbite.]

Maybe some kind of first aid--oh, you have some in those capsules on your belt. [Izuku hums thoughtfully.] There's not a lot you can do about the frostbite until you're out of immediate danger, but we can add some gel for burns in the meantime.

...and we'll fix up your boots, too.

[His hand is hardly frozen now.]

Maybe some kind of warming glove? I can project ice out of my jumpsuit without any problem. But I don't know how complicated that sort of thing would be.

It'll give Mei-san something to play around with, at least. [Izuku smiles as he jots that down.]

She's the tech expert around here. If anyone can figure out a way to make that work, it's her.

Mm. She's part of why I chose your business for my items.

You two seem to work well together.

She's really talented, isn't she? [Nothing could stop Izuku from beaming proudly at his friend's accomplishments.]

We make a decent team--I got lucky when I got paired with her for a class project. All I do is analyze quirks. [He gives a self-deprecating sort of chuckle.] Um, she's the one who handles all the difficult stuff.

[ Cute. Endearing. It's a nice smile and he'd love to see it more. ]

Being able to analyze a quirk and know what their strengths and weaknesses are is a skill few people have. Especially at the level you have.

Give yourself more credit.

You think so? [There's no hiding the way his cheeks turn a bit pink at the unexpected compliment.]

I-it's been a hobby of mine since elementary school. Not as impressive as a quirk like yours, but Mei-san thinks it's useful...

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