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"Thanks for ordering the soba, Midoriya," Shoto said as he slid into the seat beside the green-haired boy, who only nodded in return.
"Were the juniors after you again, Todoroki-kun?" Uraraka asked from across the table, leaning in with a mix of concern and curiosity. Her eyes sparkled with a bit of amusement, knowing this wasn’t the first time Shoto had to deal with the juniors chasing him down. "You’re always late these days." She added.
Shoto glanced briefly at Midoriya, who was distractedly stirring his rice, seemingly lost in thought. Taking a moment, Shoto reached for his chopsticks and gave a small, nonchalant shrug. "Something like that," he replied casually, as if the constant attention from the juniors was becoming more of a routine nuisance than anything else.
"Was it difficult Todoroki-kun? If it’s becoming too much, I can talk to them again and ask them to back off," Iida added with a serious and formal tone as always. He had noticed how Shoto had been increasingly swamped by their juniors, who seemed fascinated with him for reasons beyond just his reputation.
Shoto paused for a beat, picking up a bite of his soba and chewing thoughtfully. He let the silence stretch for a moment before speaking again, with much softer voice now,
"It’s ok, I can handle it." he mumbled, more to himself than to the others, as if convincing himself as much as his friends.
"But..." Midoriya started, his eyes flicking nervously toward Shoto before hesitating. When Shoto turned to look at him, head slightly tilted in curiosity, Midoriya quickly averted his gaze. "A-ah, never mind!" he stammered, stuffing his mouth with katsudon in a clear attempt to change the subject.
Shoto blinked at him, noticing the faint blush that crept up the tips of Midoriya's ears. The sight amused him, but he kept his expression calm, like always.
"Midoriya," Shoto called softly. The green-haired boy let out a quiet hum in response, still chewing on his katsudon.
Without much thought, Shoto reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against Midoriya's cheek. The moment his hand made contact, Midoriya froze, eyes wide and body tensing under Shoto’s touch.
"T-Todoroki-kun?" Midoriya managed to squeak, but his voice clearly betraying his surprise.
"There was some sauce at the corner of your lips," Shoto explained calmly, letting his thumb graze the spot. His touch was gentle, just a light swipe meant to clean it off.
He hadn’t lied, there was indeed a tiny smudge of sauce on Midoriya’s lips, although it was barely noticeable to anyone else. One simple swipe could've cleared it. But Shoto allowed his thumb to linger a moment longer, brushing over Midoriya’s soft lips as well, taking note of their warmth and how they parted slightly under his touch.
Midoriya’s entire face flushed a deep crimson, his cheeks burning as if they were on fire, and Shoto couldn't help but smile to himself, though he kept the amusement well hidden.
"All set now," Shoto said, pulling his hand away as if nothing had happened. "You're clean."
Midoriya seemed utterly flustered, his face still red as he ducked his head down, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Th-thank you," he mumbled in a barely audible whisper.
"You're such a messy eater, as always, Deku-kun!" Uraraka teased, her laughter ringing out as she playfully nudged him.
Shoto chuckled softly at the scene before returning to his soba.
It had become Shoto's new habit to tease Midoriya. He knew he shouldn’t, especially after the green-haired boy had rejected his confession exactly one week ago. It was still fresh, the sting of those words cutting deeper than he'd ever imagined.
But how could he stop? Midoriya always reacted so endearingly whenever Shoto teased him with his (not-so) subtle touches. With his freckled cheeks completely flushed, his hands were sometimes flailing awkwardly as he tried to keep his composure. The sight only pulled Shoto deeper into his affection for him, a feeling he had promised himself he’d let go.
Shoto was even convinced that Bakugo had been right.
That Midoriya was in love with him, or at the very least, liked him more than just a friend. But the smaller boy was either too dense or too afraid to confront those feelings.
Shoto had sworn he was ready to give up his feelings the moment Midoriya uttered, "I’m sorry, Todoroki-kun, but I... only see you as my best friend." He had braced himself for that outcome, he really had. He had told himself that staying close to Midoriya as a friend was enough, that it had to be enough.
After all, Shoto couldn’t bear to lose someone dear to him. He would do anything to avoid losing anyone else in his life. If he had to bury his feelings and settle for a one-sided friendship forever, he would do it. Or at least, he would try.
But then, came Bakugo Katsuki.
Midoriya’s childhood friend, someone who seemed to orbit Midoriya’s world just as closely as Shoto wanted to. Bakugo was one of the most important people in Midoriya’s life, whether Shoto liked it or not.
Shoto had always harbored suspicions that Bakugo had feelings for Midoriya too, but that evening, right after Midoriya had rejected him, Bakugo shattered his assumptions.
He could still clearly remember the way Bakugo stopped him just as he was about to leave the classroom. It had emptied out by then. Everyone, including Midoriya, had already left for the day. Shoto had been ready to catch up with Uraraka and Asui, who had mentioned a new ramen shop that had just opened near their dorm.
But as he passed Bakugo, who was leaning against the doorframe, the blond’s voice cut through the silence.
"I overheard your conversation with Izuku earlier," Bakugo said, not looking up.
Shoto froze mid-step, turning slowly to meet Bakugo’s gaze. "You did?" he asked cautiously.
Bakugo gave a curt nod, his usual scowl still fixed on his face. "Yeah, I was passing by."
Shoto turned fully to face him now. "How much did you hear?"
Bakugo shifted, clearly uncomfortable—something Shoto had never seen from him before. Guilt, perhaps? It was strange, seeing Bakugo act like this.
"Everything," Bakugo admitted, though there was no mockery in his tone.
Shoto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So, you were eavesdropping," he muttered under his breath.
"I wasn’t fucking eavesdropping, bastard!" Bakugo barked, snapping back to his usual abrasive self. "I told you, I was passing by!"
There he was, the Bakugo that Shoto was used to. Oddly enough, Shoto didn’t feel angry or embarrassed that Bakugo had overheard everything. He was sure by now that most of his classmates had figured out his feelings for Midoriya anyway. He hadn’t exactly been subtle about it. And honestly, Shoto didn't mind Bakugo knowing. But the blond looked like he felt bad, so Shoto figured a little teasing might ease the tension.
"Fine," Shoto said. "So, what did you want to say?"
Bakugo huffed, crossing his arms defensively. "Look, I’m not here to make you feel better or some shit," he started, glaring as if daring Shoto to believe otherwise. "But Izuku is lying."
Shoto blinked. "What?"
"I said, that fucking nerd is lying. I’ve known him my whole damn life, and trust me, he’s in love with you too."
Shoto stared at Bakugo, stunned into silence. Was this some kind of twisted joke? He had just been rejected—why would Bakugo say something so cruel?
"He rejected me, Bakugo," Shoto said quietly. "You don’t have to lie just to soften the blow."
Bakugo rolled his eyes, scoffing as if the very idea offended him. "Like hell I’m trying to soften the blow, idiot! We’re not even that close for me to care about your feelings!"
"Then why—"
"Because I’m telling you the truth, you dumbass!" Bakugo cut him off. "Izuku rejected you because he’s a fucking idiot who’s probably too scared or too dense to admit how he really feels. I know him. He blushes like an idiot every time you’re near him. He’s in love with you, even if he doesn’t realize it himself yet."
Shoto stood frozen, Bakugo’s words washing over him like a cold wave. Something warm and unfamiliar bloomed deep inside his chest, spreading out like a slow burn. He felt it settle in his stomach, a sensation both thrilling and terrifying.
"He blushes around me?" Shoto asked, both skeptical and amused.
Bakugo groaned loudly, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "For fuck’s sake, you didn’t even notice? You’re both complete idiots. A match made in hell," he muttered under his breath.
Shoto couldn’t help but smile a little at that. It was strange, hearing this from Bakugo of all people. But there was something genuine in Bakugo’s frustration that made Shoto pause.
"Try making Deku blush more," Bakugo grumbled. "Maybe then the nerd’ll figure out his own damn feelings."
And so, Shoto did.
During dinner at their dorm, right after Bakugo had dropped that bombshell, Shoto couldn’t resist testing the blond’s theory. He needed to know if there was any truth to Bakugo’s bold claims.
Midoriya was in the kitchen, helping Sato bake a cake. The green-haired was focused on kneading the dough. Shoto tried to appear casual as he approached them, keeping his expression as neutral as possible.
"What are you baking, Sato?" Shoto asked, leaning in slightly, his hand brushing Midoriya’s as he reached for the counter. The touch was brief, almost accidental, but purposeful enough to make Midoriya notice.
Shoto felt a moment of panic when Midoriya quickly jerked his hand back, as if burned by the contact. His immediate instinct was to apologize, but something stopped him. He looked up and saw it, the unmistakable flush that bloom across Midoriya’s freckled cheeks, a deep crimson that stood out against his skin. The color made Midoriya look.. pretty, even more so than usual, if that was possible.
Shoto’s heart skipped a beat. He’d seen Midoriya blush before, but never like this. It was different when he was the cause of it.
Afterward, Shoto felt the need to test things further, just to be sure. He needed to see if Midoriya’s reaction had been normal or not. So, he ‘accidentally’ brushed his hand against Iida's arm during a conversation, gauging his friend's response. And then, nothing. Iida didn’t even flinch, too absorbed in his usual serious demeanor.
Next, Shoto tried the same thing with Uraraka. While passing her a plate, his fingers lightly grazed hers. She didn’t so much as blink, simply thanking him with a cheerful smile and continuing her chat with Asui.
Neither of them noticed, let alone became flustered. There was no blush, no quick glances, no reaction at all.
And so, with Midoriya’s red cheeks burning in his mind, Shoto came to a simple conclusion: Bakugo had been telling the truth.
That was how his new habit started.
Back in the present, Shoto was walking with Midoriya, Iida, Uraraka, and Asui as they headed out of school. The day had been relatively calm, and their conversation was as light as usual.
"Say, there’s a really good ice cream shop nearby," Uraraka said suddenly, excitement lacing in her tone. "Do you guys want to check it out?"
"Sounds good to me!" Asui responded almost immediately, looking just as eager as Uraraka.
Both girls turned to Iida, who furrowed his brow slightly, clearly weighing the idea. After a moment of thought, he adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. "If it’s nearby, I suppose we can go, as long as we go back before dinner," he said with his usual sense of responsibility.
Uraraka and Asui cheered, while Shoto noticed Midoriya smiling brightly at their excitement. Midoriya then turned toward Shoto, eyes sparkling as he asked, "What about you, Todoroki-kun?"
Shoto blinked, caught off guard for a moment, before giving a small smile. "I’ll go if you go," he replied casually.
And there it was again—the familiar red tinge that had become Shoto’s favorite sight. Midoriya’s cheeks flushed almost immediately, and Shoto noticed him biting his lip slightly in that nervous, endearing way.
"Then I’ll—" Midoriya began, but before he could finish, a soft voice interrupted him.
"Todoroki-san?"
All of them turned to see a younger student standing a few steps behind them, looking awkward and hesitant.
Shoto blinked, recognizing her instantly. "Ayaka?" he said, and the moment the name left his lips, he realized his mistake. His friends all turned to him with newfound curiosity, and he knew he was in trouble.
Uraraka grinned, leaning in closer with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Oh? Todoroki-kun, you know her?" she asked, voice full of mischief.
"It’s rare to see you acknowledge a junior, Todoroki. Is she a friend?" Iida inquired, though his tone was more curious than teasing.
Before Shoto could explain, Ayaka, now visibly flustered, tried to retreat. "I’m sorry, Todoroki-san, I’ll come back another time—"
"No, wait, Ayaka!" Shoto called out, quickly reaching for her wrist to stop her.
As soon as his hand made contact, he heard soft giggles from Uraraka and Asui. But what really caught his attention was the barely audible, hitched breath from Midoriya, standing just a few feet away. Shoto quickly released Ayaka’s wrist, suddenly aware of the weight of the situation.
"I’m sorry," he said hurriedly, bowing his head slightly. "I didn’t mean to grab you like that. I apologize."
"N-no, it’s fine, Todoroki-san," Ayaka stammered, her face slightly red as she looked down, clearly flustered.
Shoto could hear Asui muttering a teasing remark under her breath, and he knew his friends weren’t going to let this go easily. He sighed inwardly, realizing that his only option was to get out of there quickly.
"I’m sorry, everyone. I won’t be able to join you for ice cream today," Shoto said, raising his hand apologetically.
Uraraka and Asui exchanged knowing grins, while Iida gave a solemn nod. "That’s fine, Todoroki-kun. Have fun!" Uraraka called, waving at him and Ayaka.
Just before they turned to leave, Shoto noticed Midoriya looking at him, but something about Midoriya’s expression made Shoto pause. There was a fleeting emotion in his eyes—something Shoto couldn’t quite decipher. But before he could say anything, Midoriya quickly averted his gaze and walked off with the others.
"He really doesn’t have any interest in me, does he?" Ayaka mumbled softly once they were completely alone.
Shoto blinked in surprise, not expecting to hear such a vulnerable confession. He quickly turned his gaze to his junior, who was staring down the empty hallway ahead of them with a disheartened expression.
"That’s just how he is," Shoto said, trying to offer some reassurance.
Ayaka sighed, pouting slightly. "I thought Iida-san would at least glance at me, but he didn’t. All he did was look at you."
A small, understanding smile tugged at Shoto’s lips. He wasn’t used to feeling at ease around his juniors, considering most of them seemed more interested in chasing after him or asking him out.
But Ayaka was different.
Shoto recalled the first time she had approached him after school. Since Ayaka was also a recommendation student, everyone had been excited, even gossiping about how well they looked together. But when they were alone, Ayaka had quickly shattered that assumption. She had apologized profusely, bowing deeply and admitting that she originally wanted to talk to Iida, not Shoto. The only problem was that every time she saw Iida, her nerves got the better of her, and she ended up blurting for Shoto instead.
Somehow, after that initial incident, Shoto and Ayaka had grown closer. They exchanged casual greetings in the hallways and had even gotten comfortable enough to share the occasional friendly chat.
Ayaka was easy to be around to begin with. She was kind, polite, and smart. In some ways, she reminded Shoto of Yaoyorozu.
"I’m sorry," Shoto said after a brief silence. "It was my fault. I shouldn’t have given you that advice."
Not too long ago, Ayaka had been frustrated about not being able to approach Iida, and in a moment of uncharacteristic boldness, Shoto had suggested she try getting his attention by speaking to Iida when he was with him. But the plan hadn’t gone as he had hoped.
"No, please don’t blame yourself," Ayaka said quickly, bowing her head slightly. "I tried it because I wanted to, too. Maybe I just need to gather the courage and talk to him directly."
Shoto smiled at her determination and nodded. "I think so too," he agreed.
Ayaka smiled back, taking a deep breath as if steeling herself. "Yes, I’ll try again tomorrow!" she declared. She glanced at Shoto, there was a spark of mischief in her eyes. "But you know, Todoroki-san," she added thoughtfully.
"Yes?" Shoto replied, starting to walk down the hallway, with Ayaka keeping pace beside him.
"Midoriya-san.. he looked like he was jealous," she said.
You see, Shoto and Ayaka had indeed gotten closer over time. But not once had Shoto ever mentioned to her how he felt about Midoriya. And still, Ayaka figured it out on her own.
One afternoon, Shoto couldn’t help but ask, curious and slightly embarrassed at how did she find out about it, she grinned at him while saying "You look at him like he hung the stars in the sky."
Back to present, Shoto stopped in his tracks as Ayaka’s words sank in. "What?" he asked, silently asked for her to repeat herself.
"He looked jealous, Todoroki-san. When you grabbed my wrist," Ayaka repeated, feeling guilty. "I’m really sorry... for causing a misunderstanding," she added, bowing slightly in apology.
"No, it’s okay," Shoto replied, waving his hand dismissively as if it wasn’t a big deal.
And truthfully, it indeed wasn’t a big deal. Not for Ayaka, at least.
Shoto felt a twinge of guilt. He should have been the one apologizing, not her, because in reality, everything was going according to his plan.
I’m sorry for using you, Ayaka, Shoto thought silently, feeling a little conflicted.
But what Ayaka didn’t know couldn’t hurt her, he supposed. As long as she remained unaware of the role she had unknowingly played in his subtle experiment with Midoriya’s reactions, Shoto could keep the situation under control.
Shoto frowned slightly as he heard a little commotion coming from the dining room. While still drying his damp hair with a towel, he walked toward the source of the noise.
"Oh, Todoroki-kun!" Uraraka's cheerful voice greeted him the moment she spotted him, "Come, come! We bought ice cream for you too!"
As Shoto entered the room, the source of the chaos became clear. Uraraka, Asui, Iida, and Midoriya had returned with an assortment of ice cream for everyone.
"Really? Thank you, Uraraka-san," Shoto replied, walking over to accept a cup of ice cream from her.
"Don’t thank me. It was Deku-kun who chose it. He said it’s your favorite!"
Shoto’s eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. He opened the lid and his lips automatically curving into a faint smile when he saw strawberry sherbet flavored ice cream inside, it was indeed his favorite flavor. Glancing around the room, he expected to find Midoriya, but the smaller was nowhere to be seen.
Noticing his subtle search, Uraraka smiled knowingly. "Deku-kun’s in his room. He said he was feeling a bit tired."
Shoto blinked before nodded in acknowledgment, taking a spoonful of the ice cream without a word. The refreshing sweetness filled his mouth as he quietly enjoyed his treat.
After a brief chat, Uraraka excused herself, leaving the others to lounge on the couch, engaged in light conversation while savoring their own ice cream. Shoto, however, felt no urge to join them, instead choosing to remain by the kitchen counter, savoring his dessert in silence.
Between spoonfuls of the sweet and tangy sherbet, Shoto absentmindedly pulled out his phone. His sister had texted him, asking about his plans for the weekend.
He and his older brother Natsuo were planning a visit to see Touya. Their family took turns visiting him weekly, and it was Natsu's turn this time, considering his older brother preferred not to be with their father during these visits.
This time, though, Natsu had invited Shoto to join him, insisting on a brother's day out or whatever. And Shoto agreed, despite the lingering awkwardness, he, too, wanted to strengthen his bond with his brother.
Lost in his thoughts and scrolling through messages, Shoto didn't even notice someone approaching until a familiar soft voice interrupted his focus.
"Todoroki-kun?"
A bit startled at it, Shoto glanced up from his phone. "Ah, Midoriya,"
Midoriya stood in front of him, a gentle smile planted on his face. "Good evening, Todoroki-kun," he greeted softly.
Shoto offered a small smile, nodding as he lifted the cup of ice cream. "I heard you picked this for me," he said softly, almost intimate in tone. "I like it. Thank you, Midoriya."
Midoriya’s face lit up, the way it always did when he was praised, and the faint blush on his cheeks only made him look more endearing in Shoto’s eyes. "You’re welcome!" he replied, a bright smile stretching across his face. The red in his cheeks deepened as if he didn’t quite know how to handle the compliment.
Humming softly to himself, Midoriya bustled about the kitchen, fetching two glasses of water. When he returned, he handed one to Shoto shyly, his eyes darting to Shoto’s face before quickly looking away.
"Thanks," Shoto said as he accepted the glass, taking a long sip while keeping his gaze on Midoriya.
For a moment, there was a silence between them. But Shoto could see the wheels turning in Midoriya’s mind, his lips pressed into a thin line, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt as if he were debating something.
"Todoroki-kun…" Midoriya finally broke the silence hesitantly, like he wasn’t sure whether to ask the question that had been on his mind. "About… you and that junior…" His words trailed off as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Hm?" Shoto tilted his head, waiting for Midoriya to continue.
"A-ah, never mind." Midoriya quickly backtracked. He avoided Shoto’s eyes, his hands fiddling with his glass as though it were the most interesting thing in the room.
"It’s alright, Midoriya. You can ask me."
Midoriya bit his lip, still visibly torn, before he finally gathered the courage to speak. "Are you… close with her?"
Gotcha, Shoto thought, his eyes narrowing playfully as he watched Midoriya squirm under his gaze.
"I-I mean! It’s not like I’m trying to pry or anything," Midoriya blurted out, clearly flustered, waving his hands in front of him as if to dispel any notion of him being intrusive. "It’s just that Asui-san said she saw you talking with her a couple of times, and well... you two seem close."
Shoto took his time to answer, allowing a brief pause to heighten the tension. He could see Midoriya growing more anxious by the second, the blush on his cheeks spreading down his neck.
"Hm," Shoto finally said, drawing out the moment as he crossed his arms and looked thoughtfully at the ceiling. "I wouldn’t say we’re that close, but yeah, we’ve been getting to know each other a little." as a friend, but he didn't say the last part out loud.
Shoto watched closely as Midoriya's expression shifted from curiosity to pure shock, his eyes widening at Shoto's words. "Getting to know each other?" Midoriya repeated.
Shoto simply nodded, calm and composed as always.
Midoriya’s brow furrowed slightly, and then he asked, "Does she know your favorite meal, then?"
The question caught Shoto off guard. He thought back to his last conversation with Ayaka a couple of days ago. He did recall mentioning his love for soba when she asked where he and Iida had gone last weekend—they had visited a soba shop, after all.
So, Shoto nodded again. "Yeah, she knows," he replied, watching Midoriya’s reaction closely.
Midoriya shifted uncomfortably in his spot, his fingers twitching at his sides as he muttered, "Does she know your favorite soba place, though?"
Shoto shook his head this time. "No, she doesn’t."
"I do," Midoriya muttered quickly, not giving Shoto a chance to respond. "I know your favorite soba shop."
There was a sharpness in Midoriya’s voice that wasn’t there before, an almost desperate need to assert something. Shoto couldn’t help but to feel something bloomed deep in his stomach.
Jealous, huh? he thought to himself, though he kept his expression neutral.
A smile tugged at the corner of Shoto’s lips as he met Midoriya’s gaze. "Yeah, you do," he agreed softly.
Midoriya seemed to hesitate for a moment before adding, "I know your favorite ice cream flavor too."
Shoto’s smile grew wider, a bit more genuine this time. "Yeah, you do," he said it again as his eyes never leaving Midoriya’s, savoring the little hints of frustration and insecurity in his friend’s tone.
"I… I know you better than her, right?" Midoriya’s voice dropped lower, his usual confidence giving way to uncertainty as he awaited Shoto’s response.
Shoto nodded again, but this time, his smile held a different kind of meaning—a soft, almost affectionate acknowledgment. "Yes, you do," he confirmed, leaving no room for doubt.
Midoriya stood there in silence, clearly unsettled. His green eyes flickered between Shoto and the ground, the blush on his cheeks deepening as he realized just how transparent he was being.
Unable to resist, Shoto lean his body closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Midoriya," he called. The way Midoriya immediately responded, a soft hum escaping his lips, stirred a flicker of hope deep inside him.
His gaze locking onto Midoriya’s as he asked, "Are you jealous?"
"I— what?" Midoriya stammered, voice laced with disbelief. His face paled as though the color had drained from it completely. "I— no, wait, that's not—"
"Midoriya," Shoto interjected, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. "Calm down."
Midoriya’s breath hitched as he visibly tried to compose himself. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a second before meeting Shoto’s gaze once more. The nervousness was still there, but it was less chaotic now.
"I— I'm... I'm not jealous," Midoriya stuttered, though his tone was far from convincing. "I mean, I don’t think—"
But Shoto stopped listening. The moment Midoriya said he wasn't jealous, everything else seemed to fade into the background. He could no longer hear the words coming out of Midoriya's mouth.
Of course, he wasn’t jealous, Shoto thought to himself bitterly.
Why would he be? Midoriya had never shown any interest beyond friendship. If there was any jealousy, it was likely over Shoto finding another friend. That’s all it could be, right? It was normal for friends to feel possessive when their best friend spent time with someone else.
I did it again, didn’t I? Shoto thought to himself, frustration mingling with guilt. I let my feelings take control, right after I swore to myself that I would do anything to stay by his side, even if it meant burying these goddamn feelings.
A bitter laugh escaped Shoto’s lips before he could stop it, catching Midoriya off guard. The smaller boy frowned in confusion, clearly unsure of why Shoto was laughing.
"I’m sorry, Midoriya. I don’t feel so good," Shoto said abruptly, turning away as he tossed the now-empty ice cream cup into the trash. "I’m gonna take my leave to rest, alright?" He said with a little forceful smile.
And before Midoriya could respond, Shoto was already moving toward the elevator. He didn’t look back, didn’t even wait for the inevitable questions or worried protests. He just needed to get away, to find some space where he could process his swirling thoughts without the painful ache in his chest tightening further.
Shoto lay on his futon, eyes fixed on the ceiling as the conversation with Midoriya from earlier replayed in his mind.
A deep groan escaped him, a mix of guilt and frustration settling in his chest. He couldn’t shake the way he had acted, rushing away without fully understanding Midoriya's feelings.
"I need to apologize to him tomorrow," he whispered to himself, closing his eyes as if the thought alone could bring him some peace.
Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, a soft knock echoed from the door. Shoto sat up quickly, frowning in confusion.
"Sero?" he muttered to no one in particular. It made sense that Sero would be the one knocking, given it was already bedtime, and he was usually the one who dropped by Shoto's room at odd hours.
But when Shoto opened the door, expecting the taller boy to grin at him, his heart stuttered at the sight of familiar green hair instead.
“Midoriya?” he asked in disbelief.
Midoriya turned to face him, and Shoto’s breath caught. His eyes were red and puffy, as if he was crying before he got here. The sight sent a sharp pang through Shoto’s chest.
His instincts took over. And before he could even process what he was doing, his hand already moved on its own, gently cupping Midoriya's cheek as his thumb softly brushed the corner of his eye.
"What happened?" Shoto asked, voice filled with worry. "Are you okay? Were you hurt? Did someone do something to you?"
Midoriya let out a small whine at the flood of questions. "Can I come inside, Todoroki-kun?" he asked weakly.
Shoto blinked, snapping out of his frantic thoughts. He pulled his hand back, suddenly aware of how close they were. "Yes, of course," he said, stepping aside to let Midoriya in. "Come in."
Midoriya walked into the room slowly, and Shoto could still feel the tension, his concern growing with each silent step.
As soon as Shoto closed the door and turned back to face his friend, he felt a sudden weight against his body. Midoriya had thrown himself into his arms, clinging to him ever so tightly.
Shoto froze for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected hug. He could hear the soft sound of Midoriya's hiccups, the muffled apologies coming from where his face was buried against Shoto's chest.
"I— I’m sorry, Todoroki-kun," Midoriya mumbled with a shaking voice.
Shoto stood still, unsure if he should hug him back or not. The intensity of the moment left him at a loss, and all he could do was listen.
"I acted like an asshole to you earlier," Midoriya continued, still hiding his face in Shoto’s chest. "I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry."
Letting out a soft sigh, Shoto gently pulled Midoriya away from his chest, cupping his face so he could look into those watery, tear-filled eyes. His heart clenched painfully at the sight of Midoriya’s tears.
"Why are you apologizing?" Shoto asked softly, brushing his thumb over Midoriya’s cheek to wipe away the tears. "It’s fine. I should be the one saying sorry. I left so suddenly earlier, and I made you feel bad. I’m sorry."
Midoriya shook his head quickly. "No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It was me." He bit his lip, hesitating, clearly torn about whether to continue.
But Shoto was a patient man, he didn't mind waiting if it’s for Midoriya, and that’s what he exactly did, waited patiently while his gaze never leaving Midoriya’s face. He didn’t push or pressure him, giving him the space to gather his thoughts.
And finally, Midoriya spoke, though his voice was full of uncertainty. "I think… I think I’m jealous," he confessed, looking up at Shoto with wide, teary eyes. "When I saw you with that junior, my chest felt all weird. And when you said you were getting to know her, I— I don’t like it? Yeah, I clearly don’t, I don’t know why, but I don’t like it! I don’t even understand why…"
Shoto’s heart raced at Midoriya's words, the weight of his confession settling in. This was it, this was his chance.
"I thought— I thought I was jealous because you found another friend. But when I pictured you eating together with her in your favorite soba shop, I—" Midoriya stammered, clearly confused and lost in his own thoughts.
"Todoroki-kun," He said, cutting his own words, "Are you getting to know her with the intention to date her?" He looked up at Shoto, biting his lips as he asked so.
Shoto felt a sharp pang in his chest at the sight in front of him.
"I thought you said you liked me… Was that a lie? Do you not like me anymore? Do—"
Couldn’t resist the urge for any longer, Shoto interrupted by cupping the smaller boy's chin with his fingers to bring his gaze back to his.
"If you hate it, punch me in the face." He leaned in closer, closing the distance between them, before pressing his lips softly against Midoriya's.
Midoriya let out a small, surprised squeak, but he didn’t punch him. Instead, he remained frozen, eyes wide in shock as Shoto pulled back to gauge his reaction.
And even then, Midoriya still didn't punch him.
"You didn’t punch me," Shoto said, a declaration.
Midoriya offered a soft hum and a hesitant nod. "Why?" Shoto asked, trying to help Midoriya to open up and to understand his own feelings.
Midoriya bit his lip, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Because I don’t mind if it’s you.. I think I like it…?" he mumbled softly, his cheeks flushing deeper.
Shoto’s smile widened at that. "Yeah?" he said, clearly happy. "Want to make sure whether you like it or not?"
Slowly, Midoriya lifted his gaze to meet Shoto's. "Yes, please," he whispered, filled with a shy determination.
Without hesitation, Shoto pulled Midoriya closer to him again, pressing his lips against his for a second time. This kiss, however, was different, more gentler and more needier. Shoto moved his lips softly, coaxing a quiet moan from the smaller boy, sending a rush of warmth through him.
After savoring the sweetness of Midoriya’s lips for a while, Shoto slowly pulled away, only to find Midoriya's face was now turned deep crimson.
"Well?" Shoto prompted, curiosity glimmering in his eyes.
"I—" Midoriya stammered, struggling to find the words. "I like it," he said, more certain this time, and the smile that broke across Shoto's face was genuine and bright.
Shoto hummed in satisfaction, nodding. "Thought so."
"But Todoroki-kun—" Midoriya began, more serious this time.
"No, listen," Shoto quickly cut him off, needing to make things clear. "I didn’t like Ayaka. I’m not planning to date her either. All I want is to date you, Midoriya," he explained, earnestness filling his tone.
"When I said I’m getting to know her, I meant as a friend," he added to his explanation. "You’re the only one I like. It’s you, never anyone else."
Midoriya's breath hitched at Shoto's words. He bit his lip, trying to contain his feelings before finally giving in, wrapping his arms around Shoto’s neck in a tight embrace. He was trembling a little but he did it, because the next moment, he whispered, "I like you too."
Shoto’s heart swelled with warmth as he heard those words, a soft smile spreading across his face. He pulled Midoriya even closer, arms securely wrapping around the smaller boy, holding him as if he never wanted to let go.
"I know," Shoto whispered back ever so gently. He placed a tender kiss on Midoriya’s temple, lingering there for a moment. "I know, Midoriya. I’ve always known."
So when Bakugo flicked his tongue and muttered a harsh, "Fucking finally," as they accidentally crossed paths while Shoto’s hand was busy holding Midoriya’s in the elevator, Shoto couldn’t help but grin right at the blond.
And when Bakugo scowled, warning him to never use that "disgusting and cheap trick" ever again before stepping out of the elevator, leaving Midoriya tilting his head in confusion, Shoto’s grin grew a little wider.
What Midoriya didn’t know, after all, couldn’t hurt him.