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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[Oh no, did he offend him somehow? He hopes not. Even if he's supposed to be keeping his distance right now because Todoroki's an actual hero with a license, whereas he's a vigilante, he likes Todoroki. And there's no reason to be rude just because he has a secret identity to protect.

...probably. He can practically hear Aizawa's exasperated sigh.]

Th-that's not exactly a bad thing. [He says cautiously as he tests the knots on the villain's restraints, just to keep his hands busy.]

Edited 2018-02-11 23:29 (UTC)

Mm.

[If he thinks so? He feels rude when he doesn't at least introduce himself.

Whatever, it doesn't seem like Houou's actually annoyed by it. He can work with that.]

You didn't use your quirk, right?

[Because he'd need to do something if he did. But otherwise, he can just let Houou go.]

Well. No. [There's suddenly a cold sort of anxiety gripping at his chest. Had he judged the situation wrong? He doesn't want to be turned in when he just began his vigilante work.

He swallows and eyes Todoroki warily, hoping the shaking in his hands isn't too visible.]

My quirk... [I don't have one. It would be too easy to track him down if he said that, with the Quirkless being so rare nowadays. Thankfully, he has an answer prepared.] It was judged as unfit for heroics, so I don't use it.

Ah. Good.

[Shouto does pay attention to Houou, but he's not staring down his hands.]

Then I don't have to do anything. You're not breaking any laws.

[There's no hiding the sigh of relief that escapes him. His teacher's reassurances had held out in the end; heroes might sneer and look down on him for being unlicensed, but he'd be left alone for the most part, as long as he didn't use a quirk. Houou hadn't had a reason to doubt Aizawa, but he'd worried all the same.]

Thanks. [He says quietly, perking up when he sees the flashing police car lights outside.] The police are here--I'll leave the villain for them to deal with.

[Shouto doesn't really have anything against vigilantes in and of themselves. It's just he has to be fussy about the law as a registered hero. It would be bad if he let somebody do something illegal on his watch.

But since this guy isn't using his quirk, he can keep on working.

He leans into Houou, so he's the only person who can hear him.]

You should probably go. I don't care, but the police might.

[Close!! Too close!! Houou thinks frantically when Todoroki's suddenly leaning right into his personal space. He'll never admit it, but as flustered as he gets over Todoroki's proximity, he nearly misses what the hero's trying to tell him.]

Ah! You're right. [His voice manages to stay a whisper, but it's a very enthusiastic whisper all the same. He's working on it.] I'll--I'll be heading off, then. [With one last look between the villain and Todoroki, Houou quickly slips out the door before the police can question him.

That should've been the end of it, but Houou still finds himself lingering near the store instead of continuing his patrol. Even though he tells himself he's just sticking around to see the villain be taken into custody, he isn't sure he's convincing even himself.]

[... Cute.

That' probably shouldn't be in his thoughts when he's talking to somebody doing something questionably legal. But he's enthusiastic about helping people and he was on the scene faster than any hero could get there. It's hard to hold being a vigilante against him.

Once he gets his groceries for the night he'll come out and find Houou... still standing out there.

He supposes the police won't do anything as long as Houou isn't rowdy.]

... You stayed?

[Houhou shoots a nervous look at the police cars and the officers still checking inside the crime scene. Thankfully, he's been able to avoid catching their attention by blending into the crowd, but he doesn't know how long his luck is going to hold.]

Um. [Even though he'd been so sure he had to stay, Houhou's now wondering if it was a good idea after all. He feels a little tongue-tied now that Todoroki's put him on the spot.] I just wanted to make sure everything went smoothly, that's all.

[ Shouto takes a moment to study Houou carefully. He can't place him at all, but there's something about him... ]

Do you not trust the police? Or did you think I couldn't handle the rest of it?

[Houhou's eyes widen in horror. That's basically the opposite of what Todoroki to think!] Wha--no! That's not it at all!

[He hesitates, before grudgingly explaining.] Ah, it's just the first time I've worked with a hero since I started...doing this. [Houhou had kept a fairly accurate map of the nearby heroes' usual patrol routes with the help of his notes, and managed to stay out of their way.] I was just curious. About you.

... I usually don't patrol this area. It's just close to my apartment.

[He gives Houou a slow blink at that explanation.]

What about me?

[He tilts his head.] It's...nothing bad.

I just thought I'd have a lot more trouble convincing heroes to let me off the hook if I ran into them. [He pauses, then continues quietly.] I guess I was wondering...why you didn't really say anything.

... Do you want me to?

[ What a confusing guy, honestly. ]

Aizawa wouldn't turn you in for this, so I won't either. Besides, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be a hero.

Well, n-no. [Houhou stammers, mentally kicking himself. How does he keep making himself look like an idiot in front of Todoroki? Maybe it's just a gift.]

Oh. [The answer, when he gets it, surprises him.] I'm grateful you think that way. I know other heroes might not.

Don't look too many gift horses in the mouth, Houou.

[ But he gives a little incline of his head in response. ]

The only real crime you're committing is helping people. That's not a good reason to jail you.

I'll try not to. [Houhou says softly, the mouth guard covering his wobbly smile.] Thanks.

[Whatever else he was about to say, Houhou stops short and hastily ducks behind Todoroki when the police officers, done with the crime scene clean up, walk past them.]

[Shouto does his best not to burst out laughing, but that means his shoulders are shaking with the effort of it.]

[Wow, that's rude, don't laugh at his suffering! The suppressed laughter is pretty obvious when Houou's standing right behind him. Houhou has the strongest urge to give Todoroki an annoyed poke to the shoulder, but he manages to stop himself. Barely. He does give an exasperated huff, though.

He makes a startled sound when one of the officers turns their way with a salute.]

Thank you for your assistance, Hero Shouto!

[He can't help it, Houou's being surprisingly cute for a vigilante. He figured they'd be more... nefarious than this? This is the first one he's run into, and he's not even using his quirk for this sort of job.]

Of course. We need to work together to keep the city safe.

[Houhou stays "hidden" behind Todoroki, only straightening up when the police have returned to their cars. He sighs quietly in relief.]

That could've been worse. [Then, his green eyes find Todoroki's and they narrow slightly at him.] Were you laughing at me earlier? [Even with his face half-covered, there's no missing the pout in his tone.]

[Shouto gives him a small amused smile in return. He can't see the pout, but he can definitely hear it.]

You decided to hide behind me. I'm not usually anybody's first choice.

I didn't have time to find someone taller. [Houou huffs at him again, then shakes his head.]

Anyway! What were you doing in the store earlier? It was bad luck for the villain that you happened to be there.

Height wise, I think you're fine. But you're broader than I am.

[He lifts up his bag of groceries.]

I was running out of food at my place.

[Such a normal reason. Well, heroes need to stock up and eat, too. Houou smiles at him, reaching up to adjust his hood.]

At least your groceries are safe even after all that. [Finally, Houou notices the crowd's already dispersing, and reluctantly takes a step back.] I should probably go...I meant to do some more patrolling tonight.

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