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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[Izuku gapes at him, almost dropping the chopsticks he'd just picked up again.]

You...you do? Even if it's about other heroes or their quirks?

Your thoughts about those things are interesting. You've spent a lot of time thinking about them.

Yeah... [He's smiling again, though there's a nostalgic sort of edge to it.]

It's been a hobby of mine since I was a kid. I still do it now, since it helps with designing things for our clients.

No wonder you're in such high demand. You've been working on it for so long.

[Reflexively, he almost starts protesting again, but Todoroki's made sure to counter him every time he does. Izuku closes his mouth, looking embarrassed.]

I...guess. [Wow, it almost looked like it pained him to say.] I'm grateful that I can this hobby I've had for so long to help Mei-san with her business--and the heroes who come to us.

[Is it really painful to receive praise...?]

My equipment is in your hands, Midoriya.

I'll do my best, Todoroki-kun! [It makes him happy to know that Todoroki trusts him with it.] I don't want to let you down.

[Looking a bit happier, Izuku returns to his food with a tiny smile.]

We'll test out what you have tomorrow.

[He'll go back to his own food eating it slowly and deliberately. Ah, the joys of not being on call.]

[Even though the two of them take their time eating, they still eventually finish. Time had passed much too quickly, in Izuku’s opinion.

Still, Izuku snatches up the bill triumphantly as soon as the server brings it to their table.]

Don't I make more than you?

Probably. [Izuku just smiles anyway.]

But you suggested the place so that means I get to pay! [What is logic.]

Isn't that another reason I should be paying?

Nope. I've decided I'm treating this time.

[Izuku keeps the check well out of Todoroki's reach as he picks out a few bills from his wallet and waits for the server to return. This isn't a battle that you can win!!!]

[Shouto glares daggers at the receipt.

Clearly this means bringing Midoriya somewhere fancy as compensation.]

[Yikes!! Izuku's surprised the receipt doesn't catch on fire just from the force of that glare.]

Are you really that upset about me treating?

I brought you here, that means I should take the check.

[The more sensible thing would be to remind Todoroki that he'd inconvenienced him by making him stop by the office again, but what comes out instead is--]

Maybe next time!

[HUFF]

I'm paying for brunch.

If you're sure! [He has a feeling Todoroki will just get more upset if he says no.

Wait, what??? Izuku does a double take, only realizing what he's just agreed to.] Wait... brunch?

... We're going with Iida and Uraraka. Remember?

Oh... oh! Y-you mean the one next week.

[He sure isn't going to mention that he'd thought Todoroki meant just the two of them when they met up again the next day. And he definitely isn't disappointed, not at all.]

Do you want to meet up sooner?

[Shouto's gaze is definitely trained on Izuku now.]

[How did he know??! Izuku sinks down in his chair slightly, embarrassed and self-conscious under Todoroki's gaze.]

I...I didn't say that!

Edited 2018-04-13 21:34 (UTC)

You looked disappointed.

[It's only because here Shouto has nothing else to do but catalog Midoriya's expressions. Usually he'd be too distracted to notice.]

I...shouldn't be. [He mumbles, finally, almost too soft to catch.]

I'm already taking up a lot of your time, and it's not like we don't already have plans to meet up again...

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