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]

Who... who was asking for a flamethrower?

[How many people would even need one to begin with? Wouldn't a water hose be a lot more useful in the city?]

[inheritance]

No one... I'm pretty sure Mei-san just likes to experiment with things for the heck of it. Back when we were in U.A., she had a whole stack of projects she was working on, um, on her own.

[Izuku rubs at the back of his neck sheepishly. That's Mei for you.]

There's a reason she's so sought after already. People like her creativity.

[glaciers]

[Shouto gives him a slow blink. He wonders if his words are just bouncing right off of Midoriya as he says them.]

They're looking for the pair of you. Her for her creativity and you for your intelligence and problem-solving.

[inheritance]

[Izuku bites his lip, even as his face reddens. Really, this is becoming a problem around Todoroki.]

It's--I don't mind if most of our customers are here for Mei-san. [It's said softly, with something resigned in his tone.] People don't really expect a lot from you when you're Quirkless.

[There, he said it. Izuku avoids looking at Todoroki as he walks over to a nearby table, where several items are laid out.]

[glaciers]

Being in support has nothing to do with Quirks or being Quirkless. You've made it so far. You don't need to listen to them. Look at where you are right now.

That's your hard work.

[ But he'll hover over Midoriya's shoulder and wait for his items. ]

[inheritance]

[Shock makes him jerk and look back at Todoroki. That's...it? After hearing his quirklessness associated with lack of talent his whole life, Izuku feels so wrong footed when Todoroki reacts a different way instead.]

You... you really don't care? That I'm quirkless?

[glaciers]

[ Shouto stares at Midoriya and fixes him with a slow, care cat like blink again.

The only thing that changed is that he wants Midoriya to be happy with himself. But he's wanted that since they've started working together. ]

I don't. It doesn't change anything about you.

You're still kind and clever.

[inheritance]

Oh. [It's said a bit numbly, so quietly that it's barely above a whisper. Though Izuku's always been open with his emotions, there's a new kind of vulnerability in his eyes as he looks at Todoroki like he can't quite believe what he's hearing.]

That's... not what most people would say.

[glaciers]

[ Shouto wonders if he said something wrong. But there's a softness in Midoriya's eyes. How much has he been hurt before? ]

Most people don't get to know you. I think.

[inheritance]

You're not wrong. [He turns toward Todoroki fully now, leaning back against the table slightly.] Most people don't really bother, once they know. [He didn't really mind being ignored all that much, when being picked on was always a much worse option.] Mei-san was one of the few who didn't care.

[A sigh, accompanied by a nervous scrub of his hand through his unruly hair.] Sorry--I made things awkward, didn't I? You're here to pick up your tech, not to hear me complain.

[glaciers]

You're a good person. And good support staff... [ Shouto closes his eyes and considers all of that... And halfway falls asleep. It was a busy night.

His head nods a bit and he starts trying to sleep. ]

[inheritance]

How can you be so certain when you've only just met me? [Izuku asks hesitantly, both stunned that Todoroki would think so highly of him already, and a little afraid he'll lose that regard when Todoroki gets to know him better.]

You--[He cuts off, blinking. Is Todoroki...sleeping?]

[glaciers]

[ It's been a long couple of days at work. And usually by this time Shouto's tucked himself in bed and collapsed.

He didn't even know he could fall asleep standing, but here he is.

Starting to snore. ]

[inheritance]

[This is...actually kind of impressive? Izuku has no idea how Todoroki is staying upright like that when he's asleep, but he think it must be a really useful skill to have.]

Todoroki-kun...you should've rescheduled if you were feeling this tired.

[It's said quietly to avoid waking the hero up. Izuku looks around, wondering what he should do. Technically, the most reasonable option would be to wake Todoroki up and send him home, but Izuku doesn't have the heart to do it. On the other hand, he can't leave Todoroki standing here like this, when he could fall and injure himself.

Ignoring how his cheeks start to flush, Izuku tilts Todoroki backward as carefully as he can until he can scoop him up in his arms. Hopefully, Todoroki doesn't wake up...!]

[glaciers]

[ He didn't realize he was quite this exhausted.

But he does start to wake up, eyes slowly opening when he realizes he's being moved. It's nice, being in somebody's arms like this, but he should say something, right? ]

Midoriya?

[ He didn't know he was this strong. ]

[inheritance]

T-t-t-todoroki-kun! [Oh my god, he's going to die. No, wait, he can't do that when he's still carrying Todoroki.]

I was just! You fell asleep! S-so then I thought I should move you somewhere else. [The words rush out of him in his panic, jumbling all together.]

[glaciers]

Mm... You're stronger than you look.

[ And then Shouto falls back asleep. Maybe with some luck he'll think this is all a dream. ]

[inheritance]

That's--um, I just-- [It's just as well that Todoroki dozes off again, because Izuku has no idea what he would've even said.

Slowly, he shuffles back toward the main office and deposits the hero on the couch there. Then, he grabs the All Might themed blanket from the storage closet to cover Todoroki with. There! It's only when he's sure Todoroki's nice and comfortable that Izuku finally returns to his desk. His shoulders sag in relief, feeling like he's just lost about 5 years of his life.] Maybe he won't remember this...

[And, well, if he's a bit distracted while working that day because he's sneaking looks at Todoroki every so often, there's no one in the room to call him out on it.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto doesn't think he's that stressful to deal with, but Midoriya seems to be easily stressed? He'd like to know him a bit better.

But later. Because right now he's properly fallen asleep on the couch. He doesn't wake up until around 11:30, where he looks groggily around the office.

... This is not his house. This is not his couch.

Where is he?]

[inheritance]

[Though Izuku's finally gotten sucked into his work, scribbling busily away in his notebook, movement from the couch catches his attention.]

Ah, you're awake! [He smiles and sets his pencil down.] Are you feeling better now?

[glaciers]

I... Fell asleep?

[ He must have, for Midoriya to say something like that.]

I feel refreshed. Sorry about that. I didn't think I was that tired.

[inheritance]

You did! [Izuku grins, leaning forward.] While you were standing up and everything, I was really impressed.

[Then, abruptly he shakes his head and tries his best to look stern instead.] I don't mind that you rested here, but you should really take better care of yourself, Todoroki-kun.

[glaciers]

[He blushes in embarrassment. It's odd to get scolded like this, that's usually Fuyumi or his mother's job.]

I... didn't realize how tired I was. I usually take better care of myself than today.

[inheritance]

[Immediately, Izuku's expression softens.]

I-I'm not trying to make you feel bad, Todoroki-kun. Hero work is tiring--you know you can always reschedule with us if you can't make it here. Or... [He pauses.] You can always come here if you need a play to rest for a while, too.

[glaciers]

Mm... It's kind of nice to be worried over. But I'll try not to do it too often.

[ Shouto takes a moment to consider the offer. ]

Are you sure? Aren't you usually busy in the office, Midoriya?