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

[inheritance]

[Izuku gives him a wide-eyed look as he leans in again, and ends up holding himself cautiously, like he's afraid to move and disturb the air between them.]

Y-yeah. I mean--it's been getting better already! I didn't think I'd ever meet someone lik you, so... [Izuku trails off, resisting the urge to hide his face in his hands. Was that too cheesy? It sounded really cheesy to himself.]

[glaciers]

[Sometimes Shouto doesn't even realize he's hovering in Midoriya's space, but it just feels so comfortable to be close to him. Even if they aren't as close as they could be.]

You met me. And you'll meet my two best friends.

It's a start.

[inheritance]

A pretty good start, if you ask me.

[His smile wavers after a second, then drops completely as he exhales.] Thank you for looking out for me like this, Todoroki-kun.

[glaciers]

... You deserve good friends, Midoriya. I'll help you however I can.

[inheritance]

[To Izuku's horror, he can feel his eyes start to water.]

Oh. [He says quietly and then furiously scrubs at his eyes, turning his face away from Todoroki at the same time.]

[glaciers]

[ Midoriya is crying and suddenly he wonders if he's made a very big misstep. ]

... Are... Are you alright?

[inheritance]

I'm okay! [With the initial flood of emotions, Izuku's finding it difficult to not laugh a little or cry some more at Todoroki's sudden worry. It's Todoroki's first time seeing him cry like this, so Izuku figures that he'll need some more convincing.]

R-really! [He gives his eyes one last scrub before turning back with a wobbly smile.] People cry when they're happy, you know. Um, no one's really gone out of their way for me like this before.

[glaciers]

[Shouto still looks worried. He doesn't know that, what if Midoriya's just trying to deflect?

But he knows what that's like. He didn't have friends for so long and he had to rely on himself.]

... I'm here now. So...

[He's not really sure what he wants to say, but he is here now. He'd like Midoriya to be able to rely on him.]

[inheritance]

[Izuku huffs out a soft laugh, a little disbelieving.]

When you say that...I don't know why, but it feels like I can really trust you. Even though we haven't really known each other that long.

[glaciers]

I'd like to be somebody you're comfortable trusting, Midoriya.

[He'll do everything possible to keep whatever promises he makes with this man. There's no reason he should ever be hurt again or not have friends.]

Even if we've only really known each other for a week or so now.

[inheritance]

I'd like that, too. [More than he wants to admit, honestly. A part of him's still just shell-shocked that Todoroki's paying him any attention outside of his work on his costume and tech.]

A-and... [Izuku smiles, ducking his head a little.] I hope that someday I'd be someone you're comfortable trusting, too, Todoroki-kun.

[glaciers]

[He's going to protect that sweet smile if it's the last thing he does. It probably won't come to that, but Midoriya is- he's far too sweet.]

Hm... we should spend more time together, I think.

[inheritance]

You know I won't argue with you on that. Like I said, the couch and blanket are yours if you ever need a break.

...and I wouldn't mind spending more time with you outside of that, too.

[glaciers]

We'll have to figure out more time to spend together.

Our schedules make things difficult. But I'll let you know when I'm free.

[inheritance]

I'll do the same. [He must be feeling weirdly sappy,because his next words spill out before he can really consider them.]

Um, I'm really glad we're working with you, Todoroki-kun! If you weren't, then we wouldn't have really talked... [He trails off, embarrassment finally kicking in.]

[glaciers]

... So am I. I really enjoy your company, Midoriya.

[He'll pull out his phone since it buzzes and-]

It's a little late. I should probably start heading out.

[inheritance]

[He almost jumps when he sees the time on his own phone.]

Y-you're right! I didn't realize it was so late already... you didn't miss anything important, did you?

[glaciers]

[He pauses to think about it- but he shakes his head.]

No, I don't think I did.

... Did you want to get dinner, Midoriya?

[inheritance]

[His eyes widen with surprise.] You mean...r-right now?

[glaciers]

Why not? We both need to eat, right?

[inheritance]

Yes! [Oh no, that was probably too enthusiastic, wasn't it? He clears his throat, face burning.] I..I mean.. yes. To dinner. [Smooth.]

I'm just about done with all the paperwork for today, if you don't mind waiting another five minutes.

[glaciers]

[He gives Midoriya another soft little smile.]

I don't usually have company for meals.

I'm not in a rush.

[inheritance]

It's a good change. [He hopes!] Okay, sit tight, I'll just...

[He grabs the paperwork and busies himself with filing the stack of papers into the appropriate files, sneaking looks over at Todoroki every so often until he's done.]

That should be it! [Izuku looks up from where he's scribbling a note out for Mei.] Um, where do you want to go?

[glaciers]

[Shouto pulls out his phone while Midoriya works and seems intensely absorbed in some puzzle game. He looks up when Midoriya says he's finished and stands up.]

I like soba, so maybe a noodle house?

[inheritance]

Soba? [Izuku perks up while he puts the sticky note on his computer screen, where he knows Mei will see it.]

It's been pretty warm out, cold soba would be nice!