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]

I can do that. [He's run out to get food for him and Mei enough times to know this area pretty well by now.] Maybe I just want to see what you'd pick. [It's informative! He's already added the noodle place to his list of places to frequent, for example.]

Okay. [The papers have all been shuffled into slightly neater looking piles.] Let's go!

[glaciers]

Maybe I'm interested in what you like too.

[He's definitely teasing. But he'll open up the door for Midoriya like the gentleman his mother wanted him to be.]

[inheritance]

[What a gentleman. Izuku shoots him a surprised, but pleased look as he passes him.]

We could take turns. That way we can both learn what we like. [Suggesting something like this would've never occurred to him just weeks ago, convinced as he was that Mei was the only one who really cared about his opinion. Todoroki's won him over, though, despite the niggling doubt that lingers still.]

[glaciers]

[He closes the door behind them and starts walking down the street.]

I'd like that. You're already going to know two of my favorite places.

[inheritance]

Then...maybe I can pick for the brunch with Uraraka-san and Iida-kun?

[Even though it'll be double the pressure, with Todoroki's close friends being there, too. The day is still a ways off, and yet Izuku feels the beginning of nerves making themselves right at home.]

[glaciers]

Okay. I'll let them know you're picking the place.

As long as they have orange juice, I'm sure Iida will be fine with it. And Uraraka's not that picky.

[inheritance]

Orange juice? [There's a story behind this one, isn't there?] I can check if they do!

[glaciers]

Do you know how Iida's quirk works? He needs to drink a lot of that stuff.

[inheritance]

Really? I've never heard that mentioned anywhere!

[Izuku makes an aborted move with his hand, as if he was about to reach behind him for something in his backpack. Ah...right, he doesn't have his notebook on him right now. Darn.]

[glaciers]

It's the fuel he uses to make engine work. So he usually drinks a lot of it before and after patrols.

[inheritance]

Orange juice, huh.. I wonder if he's tested other drinks before? [Now his voice starts tapering off into a low mutter as he walks along, lost in thought.]

I wonder if there's something specifically in orange juice that boosts his quirk, and if not, which other fruit juices he could use as substitutes...and then there's the type of orange juice...

[glaciers]

You'd have to ask him yourself. I don't know a whole lot about it.

[inheritance]

I'll ask him at the brunch! [FOR SCIENCE.] Ah, you don't think he'd mind, do you? I don't want to bother him...

[He really wants to make a good impression on Todoroki's friends.]

[glaciers]

... I don't think he'll hate you for asking. Are you worried about that?

[inheritance]

Soooort of? [Izuku shrinks into himself just a bit.]

I-it's one thing if I ask because we're making support items, but most people find it annoying when I ask just for my own research.

[glaciers]

Then just stop if you think you're annoying him. Iida will tell you if he's annoyed anyway.

[inheritance]

That's true... [He ducks his head.] I just want to make a good impression on him and Uraraka-san.

[glaciers]

They already like you. You don't have to try that hard.

[inheritance]

[Izuku whips his head back up quickly in his shock.]

They...do? But I haven't even met them yet!

[glaciers]

Yeah, but I've talked about you.

[inheritance]

Oh. [Is apparently all he can manage to say before he promptly turns red.

To think Todoroki's been talking about him to his friends. Him! Even as his face burns, Izuku feels a prickle of happiness that Todoroki thought he was important enough to mention.]

[glaciers]

They were asking why I was smiling more often.

[inheritance]

[Izuku thought he was blushing enough already, but apparently he was wrong. As soon as Todoroki's words register, Izuku hides his face in his hands. Is that steam coming off of his face? He wouldn't be surprised if it was, considering how hot his face is.]

[glaciers]

[Midoriya doesn't have a quirk, right? He shouldn't be steaming like that...]

... Midoriya?

[inheritance]

[Nope, he's not taking his hands away from his face.]

I-I'm fine!