mixingbowl | 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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[ 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.

Stock up on rope before you go.

[Is it rude to remind him of something he forgot? Nah, it's just good advice. Should he follow him?

... He seemed like he was pretty good at diffusing situations. And he hasn't heard of any particularly dangerous criminals out there. At least, not in his neighborhood.]

Be safe.

[Houhou blinks, and then blushes so hard, it's visible even with the mouthguard obscuring half of his face.] I-I'm not normally this unprepared, I swear.

[Resisting the urge to cover his face, Houhou turns on his heels.]

You, too. [He manages to reply, and then makes a hasty retreat before Todoroki can throw him even more off balance.]

Hands, put your empty hands in mine

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