Chapter Text
It started with Midoriya suddenly being unable to look up from his phone.
Not that Midoriya never used his phone or anything, he used it as much as any other teen. But it was a little strange that Midoriya had become so obsessed with it now, when he was the one that had begged Todoroki to come out to the mall in the first place.
Getting out of training with his father was hard enough on a regular day, let alone during Golden Week with the Sports Festival looming omnipresent and him forced to live at the Todoroki residence. It had taken the threat of a school assignment Todoroki had never actually been assigned and some impromptu backup from Fuyumi to get Endeavor off of his back. It probably still wouldn’t have worked if it weren’t for the fact that Endeavor never took holidays. No matter how dedicated he was to ruining Todoroki’s life, even he couldn’t stop mid villain capture to phone Yaoyorozu’s mother and make sure his son wasn’t off playing hooky at the mall.
Todoroki had practically run out of the house as soon as he could justify it. He knew by now; even if his father had agreed yesterday, ‘Yes’ had a way of becoming ‘No’ in his house.
It was only when he was on the train, watching the trees and buildings go by, that the familiar knot of anxiety began to tie itself in his stomach. There were a hundred ways it could go sour, of course. His father could decide to patrol the same area they were in, or a villain could attack, or someone who knew his father could recognize him. He couldn’t think of a single sidekick in the agency that wouldn’t sell him out on the spot to gain favour with Endeavor. The more he thought about it the more he wondered if the whole thing was more trouble than it was worth.
But those thoughts were put on hold when the train pulled into the station. It was too late to turn back with Uraraka, Iida and Midoriya already waiting for him at the platform. Even in the crowd he had no trouble spotting them. Uraraka was in a cute pink hoodie, unzipped despite the unusual chill, and was stalwartly pushing her way to the front. Iida was likewise unmistakeable, following rigidly behind her and sporting a smart navy dress shirt and slacks. Sometimes Todoroki wondered if he even owned casual clothing.
Midoriya, expertly weaving through the crowd, probably looked plain to most people. He wore a simple black long sleeve and jeans, but Todoroki was struck by him right away. The shirt must have been new because it fit better than most of Midoriya’s shirts did, and he didn’t remember seeing Midoriya in it. He was sure he would have, with the way the black made Midoriya’s hair look greener and his freckles more prominent. It was like every new thing Midoriya wore seemed transform him subtly in ways Todoroki kept getting hung up on.
When Todoroki stepped off of the train Midoriya’s face burst out into a bright grin and the three of them started waving their arms around in the air frantically. And just like that, he forgot to be worried. It was hard to be worried about anything with friends like that around.
They all greeted each other, Iida with a swift chop of his hand that would’ve taken Uraraka out if she hadn’t dodged. When his profuse apology bow almost collided with Midoriya they agreed to leave the crowded station, and the anxiety was erased completely. It didn’t matter that that his father was out there somewhere. At that moment Todoroki was just another schoolboy, having fun with his friends and doing some Golden Week shopping.
The way to the usually moderate mall they’d chosen to go to was jam packed with people who’d also decided to take advantage of the holiday. It was a maze of humans and obnoxious sale signs that forced them to stick closer than they usually would. He was glad Midoriya was to his right side considering how hot the mall was compared to outside and how close the crowds forced them to stand. He felt sorry for the strangers to his left. It was too hot to be subjected to his left.
Or at least, with Midoriya pressed up against his cold side, Todoroki felt too hot.
It took a lot more effort and texting on everyone’s parts than Todoroki would have thought necessary to meet up with Kirishima, Tsuyu and Tokoyami – the only other classmates who could make it. In the end they still nearly walked past each other until Dark Shadow hovered high above the crowd and shouted that he could see them.
They stood crammed into an unoccupied corner of the mall and were saying their hellos, Iida less forcefully than last time, when Midoriya’s phone went off. Loudly.
“I AM HERE! I AM HERE! I AM HERE!”
All Might’s voice looped obnoxiously until Midoriya, flushed and apologetic, pulled it out and turned the alarm off. He looked like he was going to apologize again but when he looked at whatever it was his phone said he nearly dropped it with an exaggerated gasp. After a moment of fumbling he grabbed it tighter than ever, hunching over the phone white knuckled and mumbling to himself. The group watched him in stunned silence.
“…can’t believe I forgot it was going to get announced today.” It was hard to hear over all of the chatter around them but Todoroki was close enough to pick up some of the muttered words. Midoriya’s too-wide eyes were frantically scanning something on his phone. “…can’t get my hopes up but…looking at the rest of the competition…but then maybe they think one on All Might was too old fashioned and it’s not like I really need…”
“Midoriya-chan,” Tsuyu croaked, looking very distinctive in her bright yellow jacket and hair done up in twin buns. The look she gave Midoriya was half fondness half annoyance, “You’re doing it again.”
“Oh!” He said with a start and shoved his phone into his pocket. Laughing and now bright red, Midoriya scratched the back of his head, “Uh, sorry about that. I had set an alarm for a…” He looked more nervous and his face went even darker, “a…thing. That I wanted to check.” He finished lamely. His eyes met Todoroki’s for a split second before darting away. “I sorta forgot it was happening today. Don’t worry about it!”
“It’s that really intense hero fanboy stuff, right?” Kirishima said in a way that said he didn’t get it but that he didn’t mind it either. He was also wearing black today, a leather jacket that made his red hair stand out starkly. Somehow Todoroki still found his eyes less drawn to him than Midoriya. “Every time you get that look on your face and start mumbling it’s about someone’s quirk or, like, a tabloid found out Edgeshot’s favourite snack and now you gotta analyze its nutritional value or something.”
Todoroki didn’t think he could, but Midoriya went a shade darker and then promptly hid his face away from everyone in a rather obvious way. “Uh…yeah, I guess it k-kinda is.” His voice was muffled from behind where his arms were curled around his head, “They’re going to announce a-uh, I guess you could say it’s a hero thing and I’ve been…well, I’ve been waiting a while for the results and, you know…” he trailed off.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed.” Todoroki said, the words out of his mouth before he even thought about them. The shame Midoriya was exuding was something he just felt that he felt like he had to dispel. Todoroki had few doubts about who had instilled it in the first place, but Bakugou wasn’t there. And the thought that Midoriya felt unsafe around them, around him, was unsettling. “We don’t mind it.”
“Todoroki-kun is right.” Tokoyami said and placed a gloved hand gently onto Midoriya’s shoulder. “It’s alright to have unconventional taste in some things.”
“Are you just saying that because you told us you wanted to buy a skull to hang up in your room?” Tsuyu asked bluntly. Tokoyami made a suspiciously birdlike noise and also turned his head away. Tsuyu put a finger to her mouth and tilted her head, “Not to say that I disagree, kero.”
“Yeah, I agree too!” Uraraka said with a determined look in her eyes as she pumped her fist, “Who cares if you’re a hero obsessed fanboy or want to decorate your room with useless stuff just because it’s goth? We’re young; we’re supposed to be tacky!”
Todoroki wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh or sigh. “I know that’s supposed to comfort them, but…” He wasn’t sure how to tell her that definitely wasn’t going to help.
“She’s right though!” Kirishima hardened his knuckles into fists and smacked them together with a loud clashing sound. Tokoyami looked back at them, regaining his composure. “You like something – you own it! That’s what it means to be a man! It doesn’t matter what people say. Everyone’s a total nerd for something, you know?”
Midoriya uncurled himself with a sheepish grin. Todoroki noticed his phone was back in his hand and the screen was lit up. “Thanks.” His face wasn’t that bright red anymore, but he still wouldn’t meet any of their eyes, “I-I guess no one has ever said it to me like that before.” Having met at least one of the people Midoriya had gone to middle school with, Todoroki didn’t doubt it.
“It’s a good way to look at it.” Iida was nodding solemnly to himself, a hand on his chin, “Everyone has something that they love more passionately than others.” Todoroki didn’t think he did, unless a small portion of his own family counted. “And to make your obsession into your future profession is very wise. You’ll never tire of your work. Even for you, Tokoyami-san; your preference for gothic memorabilia fits perfectly into your hero aesthetic, thus solidifying your persona in any future media.” He was clearly reading too much into the situation as he continued nodding. “Very wise indeed.”
“I never thought of it that way.” Uraraka said with a gentler smile and a bit of light in her eyes. “Making sure you’ll always love your job, huh? When you think about it like that it makes it seem a little cool eve-uh, Deku-kun?” She asked cutting herself off.
Midoriya was hunched over his phone again, eyes scanning the screen and his fingers tapping it quickly. “…technical difficulties fifteen minutes ago, but no…must be lag on the servers…because of the panel guest announcement maybe…” He looked up and started again, blinking rapidly. Cute, whispered a part of Todoroki’s mind that had been growing more insistent lately. “Um. Sorry, what were you saying?”
“We’ve lost him.” Tsuyu said shaking her head, “He’s not going to be able to do anything until this is over.”
She wasn’t wrong.
They made their way through the mall steadily, sticking close together. No one brought up the time with Shigaraki, but that they shopped as a group was silently agreed upon. And if it had been a large part of the reason Todoroki had decided to come in the first place, then that was his business alone.
They helped Iida pick out some pants, since he had blasted through a pair pushing a woman out of the way of a car. Tsuyu got a bag full of very cute looking school supplies, as her siblings had stolen most of hers. Midoriya bought a new notebook and after much debate Uraraka got herself a new jacket. Kirishima snagged a few bad looking DVDs, ignoring the protests of his friends. Tokoyami took them into a darkly lit store, but in the end decided against buying the skull he’d been looking at. He said it was just too expensive, much to Dark Shadow’s dismay. Todoroki even picked up some pens for himself, though it was probably the most boring purchase of the day.
They were having a good time talking and shopping, but there was no ignoring the magnetic way Midoriya was drawn to his phone. They’d all be discussing a lesson gone awry, and it was fine, but as soon as there was a lull in the conversation, or someone entered a store Midoriya was uninterested in, his phone was out and in his hand.
About two hours in Kirishima’s stomach growled loudly enough that everyone heard. Food was agreed on with no small amount of teasing. After some discussion, they decided to split up to find something they wanted to eat. Kirishima had rejected the idea offhand, but when Tokoyami had pointed out how long it would take to get food from seven different places he’d finally relented. It just wasn’t feasible for them not to.
Todoroki watched Midoriya wander off beside Uraraka, mumbling to himself and eyes still trained on his phone. It was amazing how he could navigate the crowd without looking up at all. Just another small thing about Midoriya to wonder at.
He must have stared a second too long because Tsuyu was giving him a look when Todoroki turned to go to the bakery he’d seen earlier.
Her half-lidded eyes seemed to see straight through him. “You pay him a lot of attention, kero.” She said after a moment of consideration. It sounded like a statement but it felt like a question.
“I’m curious about what he’s waiting for.” Todoroki said. It wasn’t a lie. It was rare for something to excite Midoriya this much, and especially for him not to share it. He’d talked all of their ears off at some point about his hero obsession, so Todoroki wasn’t quite sure why Midoriya was being so shy about it this time.
“That’s not what I meant.” She said, looking out at the food stands and restaurants. “But I’m curious about it too.”
Before Todoroki could think of a response to that Tsuyu locked her eyes on something. “I’m going to have a burger, I think. See you soon, Todoroki-chan.” She gave him a little wave and made her way to the McDonalds. He waved back absently, trying not to dwell on what she said. But it still stuck with him as he waited on his lunch.
Todoroki did pay Midoriya a lot of attention. He couldn’t even deny it.
He picked up his tray and pulled out his phone after it buzzed in his pocket. The background had been plain less than a year ago; now it had a picture of Midoriya, Yaoyorozu, Iida and Hakagure sitting around his desk, grinning at the camera and giving peace signs (although there was no way to know if Hakagure had been smiling). He swiped past it expecting a text from one of his friends about where they were going to meet up and nearly dropped his food all over the ground.
Fuyumi [sent 3:57pm]
Grandfather just called the house. He and Grandmother are coming to visit this Saturday.
In an instant it felt like his icy right side had had taken complete control of him, freezing him solid. He blinked at the message once, twice, but the warning on his phone didn’t change.
And it was a warning. To anyone that had ever met Todoroki Enji’s father the real message in the text was clear: Don’t be home this Saturday.
He had to get out of this.
Of course, it was Golden Week so he couldn’t even use school as an excuse. Sunday, he would go and visit his mom, which would get him out of any further interaction with his grandparents when they inevitably stayed the night. Even if they stayed longer Todoroki would be back at the dorms again starting Monday. But Saturday, Todoroki didn’t have an excuse. Which would mean a day of being paraded around to his grandfather while his grandmother stared despondently at the tatami matt.
The knot of anxiety in his stomach returned tenfold. His appetite was gone and so was all of the calmness he’d felt just moments ago. He was no longer another schoolboy at the mall – he was once again just Endeavor’s living legacy and, apparently, he was never allowed to forget it.
The tray in his right hand started to develop an undercoating of ice and he exhaled frost. A whole day of showing off for, or worse, training with his grandfather. The man that was, no doubt in Todoroki’s mind, responsible for everything Endeavor had become. He was strict, controlling, merciless. A man not even Endeavor’s success couldn’t satisfy. A man not even Endeavor’s cruelty could satisfy.
Todoroki snapped out of it only when the phone in his hands buzzed again. There was a message from Uraraka, telling him where they were meeting, at the top of the screen.
That was right. He was at the mall, getting food.
Todoroki forced the anxiety down and smoothed over his expression. Standing around freezing half of the mall wasn’t going to help anyone. It was Tuesday; he still had four days to find a way out. That was why Fuyumi had warned him right away. He made his legs move and switched his tray to his left hand.
It would be fine. He just had to find a decent excuse.
The looming image of his grandfather in a black yukata (he always wore traditional clothing) was still in Todoroki’s mind when he finally found his friends. They’d all gathered at a table near a fountain, though how they had managed to get a table was beyond him. In the bustling food court, he could see how many people were standing to eat or sitting on the edge of the fountain. Some even sat in circles on the ground.
Iida snapped an arm up in a violent gesture and stood ramrod straight as he saw Todoroki approach, “Todoroki-kun!” He all but shouted, “Over here!”
Everyone at the table turned to look at him, Midoriya even looking up from his phone. They were all there, which wasn’t surprising considering Todoroki had spent a good minute just staring at his phone. It was all normal, but he felt unbalanced with the impending prospect of the weekend.
Todoroki nodded a silent greeting and sat down beside Tokoyami, who scooted over to make room for him. It put him directly across from Midoriya, who hadn’t even unwrapped his burger. Midoriya’s eyebrows drew together and he finally abandoned his phone in favour of studying Todoroki’s face intently.
“Wow! What a fancy lunch!” Uraraka exclaimed leaning over Tsuyu to look at Todoroki’s tray of food. “I didn’t know you could get croissants around here! I just got fries and a milkshake.” She paused for a moment, craning her neck. “Your soup looks cold though.” Looking down Todoroki could see some of his soup on the top had frozen over into chunks. Appetizing. “Is it supposed to be like that?”
He shrugged and reached out to the bowl with his left hand. “No, but it’s not really a problem for me.” A moment later the soup bubbled and steam was rose from the bowl.
“Man, that’s so convenient!” Kirishima whined good naturedly, “I wish my quirk was practical like that. But there’s only so much you can do with tough skin.” He shoved a large piece of yakiniku into his mouth and kept talking anyways. “Though I did light a match off of my arm once when my mom lost the matchbox.”
“In terms of the mundane, there isn’t much for Dark Shadow to do either.” Tokoyami admitted, tearing apart his bagel with his hands, “Especially with summer almost upon us.” Dark Shadow grumbled but it was subdued with the bright lights shining above them.
“Quirks like ours are not meant for everyday use.” Iida interrupted, a little haughtily. He made a swift gesture with his chopsticks, “It’s illegal for us to flaunt them as such, though I feel this particular usage is minor enough not to warrant action.”
“Oh, come on!” Uraraka protested, “It’s not that bad as long as it isn’t getting in anyone’s way.”
The conversation continued on without Todoroki’s input and Midoriya, also ignoring it, leaned in over the table. Todoroki already felt off centre, having Midoriya’s concerned face so close and with full attention directed on Todoroki wasn’t helping.
“Are you okay, Todoroki-kun?” He asked like he had some kind of sensor, like he somehow magically knew when Todoroki was in turmoil. His eyes were dark, but with the mall light shining directly down on Midoriya it was easy to see the deep green in them when they scanned Todoroki’s face.
He had to look down at his food. If he kept looking directly into Midoriya’s eyes who knew what he would say. “I’m fine.” It was a bad attempt, but all he could think to say as he stirred his soup absently.
“But you froze your tray, right? You wouldn’t have done that on purpose.” Todoroki’s head snapped up at that and Midoriya looked a strange mix of apologetic and determined. “There was water on the tray but your soup was frozen, so it wasn’t condensation. And your face looked troubled. I just thought that maybe something happened.”
Leave it to Midoriya to read through him as easily as a book.
He debated just how much he could reveal without making a spectacle or worrying his friends. He decided to just be vague about it, and hopefully if they overheard they would take the hint. “Fuyumi texted me.” He said quietly, glancing to see if anyone was listening. Tsuyu’s eyes lingered on them briefly. But then she looked back at Uraraka, who was still arguing with Iida about using quirks in everyday situations. “My…a relative of mine is coming to visit this week. I’m not looking forwards to it.”
Midoriya’s expression softened with both sympathy and worry. Of course, Midoriya would know how troubling the thought of a visiting relative was, no matter which side of his family it was. Todoroki sighed; this was why he hadn’t wanted to say anything. “It’s fine.” He said it even though the thought of seeing his grandfather made his stomach churn. “I just have to make sure I’m not home this Sa-”
“Oh, Deku-kun!” Uraraka interrupted loudly from the other end of the table, a bright grin on her face. “You said that your thing was going to happen at four, right? It’s 4:10 now!” She waved her phone which clearly displayed the time. Todoroki saw Iida lean around Tsuyu to reprimand her on something, but for once it was too quiet for him to hear.
Midoriya’s expression changed with such comical speed that Todoroki wanted to smile despite the sick feeling in his gut. He looked torn, eyes darting between Todoroki and his phone quickly before making a decision. “I’ll check it in a bit, thanks Uraraka-san!”
“It’s okay.” Todoroki said, feeling a little lighter or no real reason at all other than Midoriya’s very existence. “You can check.”
“But-”
“There’s not much more to say.” Todoroki told him soberly. “And I’d rather not think about it anymore today.” He couldn’t stop the way his lips quirked upwards when he glanced up at Midoriya, “You’ve been waiting all day, right? You should check.”
Midoriya stared at him for a moment and then went scarlet again, snatching his phone from where it was lying beside his untouched food and ducking down quickly to fiddle with it. All of the attention of the table turned to him. Todoroki guessed they must have been just as curious as he was.
“You know, you’ve been so excited for this thing I’m kinda starting to get pumped up for it too.” Kirishima said, “What is it, anyways?”
Even Iida looked interested, his head turned towards Midoriya and his bento abandoned for the moment. “I’ve been wondering as well.”
“It’s not like you to keep these things a secret.” Tsuyu said, leaning around Iida to get a better view of Midoriya.
“It’s uh...kind of embarrassing and I definitely think you guys would find it boring.” Midoriya spoke to his phone, curling up a little more. “I think it would only really matter to me. And, honestly, I don’t even know if I’m just getting worked up for nothi-” And just like that Midoriya straightened up and froze. The smile on his face was strained and his eyes opened just a little too wide. He started shaking all over. “F…f…” he stuttered, eyes blank as they stared at his phone. “FIRST PLACE?!” The shout startled them all.
“N-no way!” Midoriya held his phone out far from his body as if that would change whatever it was he was looking at. “There’s no way I got first place! I’m not reading it wrong, am I?” He pulled his phone in so close he was almost touching his nose to the screen. “But…hmm…no it says it right there. And it’s not like someone would have the same title and the same name as me…” He started mumbling furiously, his fingers flying across the screen. “B-but I never even get honourable mention! How did I get first?”
“You entered a competition?” Todoroki asked as the pieces fell into place. No wonder Midoriya was so excited; he’d wanted to see if he’d won. And apparently, he had. He must have been so shy with them because he knew they would have been curious about the competition and his own entry into it. Todoroki certainly still was. He smiled again at Midoriya, a little wider this time. “Congratulations.”
“Congratulations!” Iida burst out happily as well, grinning and nodding at Midoriya, who had gone red all of the way down his neck from the praise. “I’m certain you deserved it!”
“Congratulations,” Tokoyami said as well. It was hard to tell when he smiled but he gave an encouraging thumbs up. “It would seem your waiting has paid off.” Dark Shadow mumbled something that could have also been some congratulations, or an insult, but it was hard to tell with the way he was hiding under Tokoyami’s bench seat.
“Congratulations!” Uraraka chimed in; looking so happy someone would have thought she was the one who won. “I didn’t even know you’d entered into a competition!”
Tsuyu leaned back behind Iida to see Midoriya better and smiled lazily, her tongue not quite all of the way in her mouth. “Congratulations, Midoriya-chan.”
“First place, man that’s cool!” Kirishima said with a grin, leaning across his empty plate. “Congrats! What competition was it? What did you win?”
“Yeah,” Uraraka said, her face suddenly taking a sly turn, “You never said what it was.”
Midoriya had gone a comical crimson colour and sunk down in his chair almost completely, all the while trying to cover his face with his phone. But across from him Todoroki could see the shy smile on his face. “It was just an essay writing competition…”
“I have entered many essay writing competitions myself.” Iida admitted proudly, “They aren’t as easy as they seem! You must have worked hard to have gotten first place. What was the topic?”
“It had to do with heroes, right?” Todoroki said when Midoriya was silent for a few moments. At his words Midoriya lowered the phone slowly, his face only a light shade of pink now. His eyes met Todoroki’s questioningly and this time Todoroki looked away. “You mentioned it earlier.”
“Uh, yeah.” The smile on Midoriya’s face turned soft and Todoroki’s stomach flipped for no good reason. “It’s a hero essay writing competition QuirkCon holds every year. I’ve actually been doing it since I was kid. I found out that sometimes pro heroes read the winning entries. So I used to think it would be how I could communicate with All Might, I guess. But the competition is really stiff, and mostly adults do it, so I’ve never even gotten an honourable mention before. They always said my entries were too cliché and fanboyish.” He laughed in disbelief at the phone in his hands, “But this year’s topic was ‘The Future of Heroism in Japan’ and somehow I won first place!”
“No wonder you aced it!” Uraraka declared and punched her fist into the air. “That’s us after all, right? We’re the future of Japan’s heroism! Of course you know it better than anyone else!”
“Yeah, I guess.” Midoriya chuckled again, though he looked a little uncomfortable with the topic of his own entry being brought up. Todoroki thought back to what he’d been mumbling and he was almost positive Midoriya had mentioned All Might. Chances were his essay was less on them than on his favourite hero.
“Okay, but the good stuff!” Kirishima declared, slapping his metal chopsticks down onto the table loudly, “It’s a competition. That means there’s a prize. What did you win?!”
“Oh, uh…oh!” A blinding grin overtook Midoriya’s face and light dazzled in his eyes. He must have forgotten about prizes in his excitement. It wasn’t surprising since, to Midoriya, the real prize had probably always been the chance to communicate with heroes. “I think the grand prize is 30, 000 yen and two all access tickets to QuirkCon.”
“30, 000 yen?!” Uraraka shouted as she slammed her palms onto the table and stood up. She sat down much more quietly as a multitude of eyes turned her way. When she spoke again it was more subdued. “Maybe I need to get into writing essays.”
“That is quite a prize to reward your efforts.” Tokoyami agreed with a contemplative note to his voice. Todoroki wondered if he, too, was considering the merits of essay writing. “Very impressive.”
“Is it?” Iida asked, which earned him looks from most of the table. Even Tsuyu tilted her head at him. Todoroki stayed silent because he had been wondering the same thing. 30, 000 yen was a fair amount of money, true, but it didn’t seem unreasonable to him. “I’ve seen competitions with larger prizes for first place.”
“Uh yeah, no.” Kirishima said shaking his head, “For most of us 30, 000 yen is some real money. And QuirkCon tickets are nothing to sneeze at either, especially all access ones.”
“I-oh man, I didn’t think I’d get to go this year! I haven’t been able to go to it in so long.” Midoriya hid his face in his hands, “I even forced myself not to look at the guest heroes or panels because the tickets were all sold out!”
“What is QuirkCon?” Todoroki asked, hoping the question wouldn’t make him look too out of touch. Judging by the curious looks on Uraraka, Tsuyu and Iida’s faces, he at least wasn’t the only one unfamiliar with it.
“It’s this huge hero convention, but for fans.” Kirishima answered while Midoriya became reabsorbed in his phone, muttering to himself about panels and guests and swiping his fingers across the screen frantically. “It’s supposed to be the biggest one in Japan. I’ve never been, but a lot of pros go to promote their brand and there are panels where they discuss quirks and fighting styles and all that. The tickets are actually pretty expensive and it sells out, like, every year.”
“Ah,” He replied quietly. That sort of thing didn’t usually appeal to him since a good portion of the time the hero they were worshiping was his shitty father. “That sounds like a good prize then.”
And there was no denying Midoriya was excited for it. He was practically glowing, stars in his eyes as he mumbled about panels, costs and dates. Just seeing his friend that happy made Todoroki feel a little better. It would be worth getting through the week to get back to living at the dorms again, to seeing this on a daily basis.
“Who are you going to take with you?” Tsuyu asked. “You got two tickets, right?”
Iida had to nudge Midoriya after a moment of silence, “Asui-san asked who you were taking with you.”
“Oh!” Midoriya exclaimed looking up as Tsuyu asked Iida for the hundredth time to call her Tsuyu-chan. “I guess I did win two tickets, huh? But I don’t think I know anyone who would be into this kind of thing. These conventions can get pretty nerdy, even by my standards.” He brightened up, looking round the table. “Ah, but if anyone here wanted to come you’d be welcome to the other ticket.”
“I have to decline.” Tokoyami said quickly, not asking for any further details. He must have had some idea what the scene was like. “No offense meant, but Dark Shadow and I don’t enjoy that kind of crowded atmosphere.”
“There’s no pressure!” Midoriya said, still smiling and waving his wands in front of him. “I just thought I’d offer. That I get to go at all is pretty amazing!”
Uraraka made a contemplative noise and fiddled with the straw for her milkshake. “I don’t know, it might be fun to see how the other side lives. When is it?”
“It’s pretty close notice,” Midoriya admitted, making a face at his phone screen. “May 4th.”
May 4th, that really was close, only four days away. It seemed rude to Todoroki to announce the winner of a competition so close to the event; what if Midoriya had bought tickets already? But that thought was quickly abandoned when Todoroki did the mental math on the dates and stopped short.
“Ahh, I can’t then.” Uraraka said clapping her hands together in apology, “I’m going back to Osaka tonight for the rest of Golden Week and I don’t come back until Monday. Sorry!”
“It’s okay!” Midoriya assured her quickly. His voice was quiet as he mumbled the next part. “I don’t know that you would have liked it anyways.”
“I made a promise to help my older brother in the offices all weekend.” Iida said apologetically, eyebrows tilted ever so slightly up. “Or I would have gladly come.”
Midoriya was still smiling but he seemed to deflate a little at that. “That’s alright, I’m not sure you would have enjoyed it either.”
“I have to take care of my siblings all week.” Tsuyu said, “Though I don’t think I would have liked it based on what you said, kero.”
“I’m visiting Bakugou-kun’s house this Saturday,” Kirishima said with a wince and a hand gesture that made it clear what he thought of the idea. If Bakugou found out Kirishima had ditched him to hang out with Deku, things would get ugly between them quick. How Kirishima toed the dangerous line of the two friend groups at all baffled Todoroki. “Besides conventions aren’t really my thing. I only wanted to go as a kid because Crimson Riot was there, but he doesn’t make public appearances anymore.”
Todoroki looked around the table. Was nobody really going to take up Midoriya on the offer? He guessed he shouldn’t have been surprised, it wasn’t the first hero convention Midoriya had gone to before and none of them had come then either. Though it was the first one Midoriya had actually invited them to attend with him.
“It’s okay.” There was a hint of disappointment in Midoriya’s voice, but he quickly covered it up with a cheery, “I can always sell the other ticket! People always try to buy them last minute!”
Todoroki took a deep breath, swallowed his pride, and bowed in his seat as deeply as he could without getting soup in his hair. He felt bad asking for his own selfish reasons, but if no one else was going to take the ticket then he didn’t think he could let the opportunity pass him by. He would much rather a day with Midoriya, no matter how ‘nerdy’, than a day of his grandparents. “If no one else would like to, then please allow me to go with you.”
Eyebrows went up around the table but when Todoroki looked up all he saw was Midoriya’s stunned face, steadily turning darker. “T-Todoroki-kun! You want to come?!” Midoriya started to fidget violently, eyes trained anywhere but on Todoroki himself. “Are-are you really sure? I mean I don’t have a problem with it but I wasn’t kidding when I said it was nerdy and it’s very crowded! It’s really just enthusiasts there, so don’t think you have to come for me! Also, there’s all of kinds of questionable memorabilia! And I’m planning on going to a bunch of panels that you’ll probably find super boring and the train-”
“Please.” He said quietly, and Midoriya stopped. “My father’s parents are visiting this Saturday. We don’t get along and it’s just…better if I’m not there.” He closed his eyes, hating the way his words sounded. “Though I understand if you don’t want to be used like this.”
He could feel the eyes of everyone at the table on him. Though only Midoriya knew how bad his relationship with his Father was, they all had some inkling that it was complicated between them. “Todoroki-kun…” Uraraka said quietly, and with no obvious intention of finishing the sentence.
“There’s no need to lower your head, you know.” Midoriya’s voice was soft, his embarrassment clearly pushed aside in the wake of Todoroki’s situation. “It doesn’t matter why. If you want to go then I’m happy to have you with me, Todoroki-kun. Especially if it can help you in some way.”
He sat up slowly, trying not to take the words too far to heart. “Thank you.” Was all he could think to say. It didn’t feel right.
The mood was awkward then - quiet, a little too tense. Todoroki’s words always seemed to do that to a room. No one quite wanted to look at him except Midoriya, whose eyes were scanning Todoroki’s face like they were desperately trying to find something. He wished he knew what. If he did he probably would have just told Midoriya. He never was any good at keeping secrets from him.
“Is your essay on the website? I’d like to read it.” Tsuyu asked and just like that, the mood was broken.
Midoriya jumped and turned towards her to try and assure them that they definitely didn’t want to read his essay and it totally wasn’t on the website and maybe they could just drop the whole thing? Uraraka responded by demanding that Midoriya pay for her lunch since he was rich now and Tokoyami quickly agreed. They dogpiled on Midoriya with demands of more extravagant lunches, Kirishima joining in despite having already finished his. It seemed the moment, and QuirkCon, was forgotten.
With the atmosphere broken, they finished up their food. Todoroki even heated up a few lunches that had gone cold, much to Iida’s displeasure. Kirishima changed the subject to who had started their holiday homework (Tokoyami, Kirishima and Uraraka hadn’t to no one’s surprise. Iida had finished his, Todoroki was partway through and Midoriya had resolved to finish it that night in preparation for the convention). After that they parted ways for the train station.
While Todoroki waited on his train, sadly different from the ones his friends were taking, Midoriya promised to send him links to all of the relevant information about the convention.
His eyes had lingered on Todoroki’s face like they were searching for something then too.
He was riding the train home, perfecting the story of the study group that had never been, when his phone buzzed in his pocket. The train this time was packed, standing room only, and he had to hold onto a strap to keep from being knocked into the other passengers. Any movements at all proved to be an ordeal. The businessman he elbowed when he reached into his pocket to take his phone out gave him a dirty look, but Todoroki didn’t particularly care. He was lost to his thoughts and half afraid the message might be from his Father.
Midoriya [sent 6:20pm]
Thanks for coming out today, Todoroki-kun! I had a lot of fun and everyone was really glad you could make it. Here’s a link to the information for the con! I put the tickets both under my name just in case. See you Saturday!
[ ] http://www.QuirkCon.jp/admission/newhero/gr24he96k/
He wondered what the just in case meant. Probably Midoriya being prepared in case Endeavor decided to pitch a fit and not allow his son to go. It was a real possibility, although less so now that Todoroki didn’t kowtow to his grandfather the way he had when he was younger.
Endeavor had a strange need to impress his own father that Todoroki didn’t understand - especially since his grandfather wasn’t the kind of man that could ever be impressed. But Todoroki was certainly willing to exploit it.
Ever since his grandfather had made his views on his daughter in law clear Endeavor had taken care to limit their time around each other. Greeting, and often training, with him was still mandatory. As were the exhibition-like shows of power Endeavor forced him to perform. But afterwards Endeavor quickly ushered his son off to another area of the house before Todoroki could say anything that his grandfather might disapprove of. Not that his grandfather ever let it last long, always finding some excuse to drag him back out from where he’d been dismissed to for more interrogations.
It was a bizarre paradox where his father wanted to show off his power and training but also keep him far away at all other times, just in case he shamed him by being anything other than the perfect, silent son. It was just one more part of the Todoroki household that made him feel less like a person and more like some prized pet on display.
But if anything would make his father let him go, it would be the promise of not being embarrassed in front of his parents.
Pushing the thought out of his mind he looked down at the phone in his hand and tried to think of what to respond to Midoriya with. The simple ‘Thank you, I’m looking forward to it.’ he wrote felt lacking, but was something at least. While he had his phone out he sent a text to Fuyumi as well, letting her know about the convention and that the tickets had been already been purchased (which wasn’t strictly true but might give Endeavor extra pause about cancelling his plans).
Fuyumi [sent 6:28pm]
I’m glad you have plans! I’ll try to warm Father to the idea.
He didn’t even turn the screen off before the second message came in.
Fuyumi [sent 6:28pm]
Please don’t mention you’re going with Midoriya-san when you tell him.
As if he was that stupid.
When he was at his stop, his phone buzzed in his hand one last time. He looked down to see a message he definitely didn’t expect. He forced himself to get off of the train so that he wouldn’t have to backtrack twenty minutes from missing his station. But he couldn’t stop rereading the text on the way home, unsure of how he was supposed to respond.
Midoriya [sent 6:45pm]
Stay safe.
Todoroki agreed to be on his absolute best behaviour around his grandparents and to greet them when they came in. He also lied and said he’d finished all of his homework, agreed not to miss any more training that week and agreed to go on patrol with his father that Thursday.
In turn, Endeavor agreed to let him go.
Wednesday night was a painful one. His father had decided to cram who knew how much backlog of punishment into one training session. Or, more likely, to take his frustration at his parents’ sudden visit out on something. In either case, Todoroki was sore from head to toe and had to be up the next morning at 5:00 am to get ready for an eight-hour patrol shift and then more training.
So he really should have been sleeping instead of reading his friend’s essay.
He was lying down on his futon, covers abandoned and the ghostly glow of his phone screen the only light in his room. He kept his right hand pressed gently to the back of his left calf, where Endeavor had stepped on it during training. The cold helped take the edge off, but he the fact was he just wasn’t used to constantly being in pain anymore. Recovery Girl and the softness of U.A.’s teaching staff had truly spoiled him. He exhaled sharply and tried to concentrate on the words on his phone.
Finding Midoriya’s essay on the website wasn’t difficult. There was a huge banner on the front page that said the results of the QuirkCon 22nd Hero Essay Competition were up. He tapped on it and was taken to a list, which had the essays listed in order of place, and then a sizeable list of Honourable Mentions underneath. In large, bold kanji and with a glittering gold 1st Place beside it were the words You’re Next and Other Messages of Hope, by Midoriya Izuku.
It hadn’t been what he’d thought it would be about, that was for certain. Kamino Ward was still a touchy subject for most people and Todoroki didn’t think he could remember a single instance of Midoriya actually discussing it in front of him. Certainly, he’d never shared his thoughts on what All Might’s final message had meant.
The essay was long, detailed, and painstakingly referenced with a list of sources nearly as long as the essay itself. It was no wonder Midoriya was beating him in class if this was the level of dedication he put into his essays. The thing would have put Iida to shame. But the words themselves were what really captivated him. Despite the subject matter the essay was inspiring, hopeful. It was as much a call to action as anything else, pleading with people not to lose hope and to stop trying to change the world in the face of losing their number one hero.
When that time comes you will think of this country that is missing its vital pillar, its Symbol of Peace, and ask who can possibly fill that void. You will look at a world without All Might and ask yourself ‘Who can save us now? Who is next?’. When that happens, you must to remember that you already have the answer to your question, straight from All Might himself: It’s you. Not your friend, not your neighbour and not some hero.
You have his power now. And you can change the future.
You’re Next.
He read the final paragraphs again for what must have been the hundredth time. And to think, Midoriya was surprised he’d won. His grammar might not have been at Yaoyorozu levels of perfection, but there was a strong feeling to the words that gripped Todoroki and wouldn’t let go. He was guessing that feeling was far more what the judges of a competition like this were looking for.
It made his chest ache when he read it over and took it in. Midoriya was right; they were the next generation. They were the ones who would uphold All Might’s vision for the future and shape it into their own.
Todoroki wanted to create a future where no kid stayed up at night icing their bruises and dreading the next day.
Midoriya made him feel like it was possible.
Friday night saw him texting under the table; always a dangerous affair.
He glanced up to his father, flameless and intent on his food, before looking back to the phone in left hand. Texting one handed was something he was slowly getting better at out of necessity, since Endeavor didn’t allow phones at the table. Of course if he realized his son was texting right under his nose he would be furious, but Todoroki hadn’t been caught yet. Even if he did make some strange typos.
Shouto [read 7:18pm]
What timee are we meeti ng tomorrow
Dinner as was silent as ever. Endeavor didn’t talk while he ate and he frowned upon those that did. Trying not to make too much movement with his arm, Todoroki rested the phone on his knees. When his father didn’t react, he went back to eating. He dipped his udon in the tsuyu sauce while his phone screen lit up the underside of the low table and his sister’s eyes flickered his way. But if she had seen she didn’t say anything.
When his father brought his bowl up to his face to eat the last of his food Todoroki took the opportunity to lean back and check the messages on his phone.
Midoriya [sent 7:20pm]
I want to get there for when the con opens, so we should be at least 15 minutes early to get our tickets. It opens at 8 so I’m thinking the 7:08 train will probably be best.
Midoriya [sent 7:20pm]
That’s not too early for you, is it? You said you had to greet your grandparents before you could go so whenever is good!
Midoriya [sent 7:21pm]
You don’t think they’re going to be later than 2 though, are they? There’s a panel I really want to go to! I guess we could meet up if that’s the case?
Todoroki quickly looked up when his Father brought the bowl down. He gauged his situation and if he could get away with replying right away, but with his father leaning across the table to refill his rice it was a bad idea. Instead he tried to be casual as he gathered some more udon into his bowl.
Since his father was getting more food he might as well take the opportunity. “What time are they arriving tomorrow?” Breaking the silence always felt like a transgression.
“Before noon.” Endeavor answered, gruff and slightly annoyed.
“The convention starts at 8.” Todoroki said, trying not to let too much hope seep into his voice. Or to draw attention to the phone in his lap that was lighting up again. Midoriya never could send just one text.
“You will greet them before you leave, regardless of when they come.” Endeavor ordered. Then he was eating again, which meant the time for conversation had passed. Holding in a sigh Todoroki looked back at his phone.
Midoriya [sent 7:25pm]
I don’t even care, I’m so excited! I’ve never been to a convention with a friend before! Actually, the only other person I’ve been to one with was my mom. She tried to act like didn’t mind but she totally hated it.
Shouto [read 7:28pm]
Th old bas tard says before nooon but eh doesnt know w for sure. If I th nk three going to be late I will jut leav e anyeway
Midoriya [sent 7:29pm]
Don’t do that! We can just meet up at the convention centre. And what’s with all of those typos? Are you texting at dinner again? Stop that!!
Todoroki leaned in and shoved some rice in his face to hide the smile that threatened to burst forth. Midoriya had figured out that Todoroki’s one-handed typing skills left a lot to be desired and that he only ever did it while he was eating. Nine days out of ten Todoroki would just wait until he was finished, but every now and then he took the risk. With his emotions running in a hundred different directions about tomorrow he couldn’t help himself.
Fuyumi was definitely glaring at him now.
Shouto [read 7:35pm]
Theh stop texting bakc
Midoriya [sent 7:35pm]
Fine! I will!! No more enabling from me!
Midoriya sent an emoji of All Might disapprovingly wagging a finger that definitely wasn’t helping. Todoroki ate with a renewed vigour, trying not to do something stupid like smile or laugh out of nowhere. His father gave him a distrustful look but didn’t say anything, Fuyumi tried to kill him with her eyes alone.
For the rest of dinner, he went back to being a good, silent son who ate his food in peace. He slipped his cell back into his pocket and made a customary comment about how delicious the food was (and it was, his sister was an excellent cook). Fuyumi thanked him, stopped glaring, and went back to sitting in silence. She always finished her food first, not having the same quirk fuelled appetite as her father and brother.
But no one left the table until Endeavor was done eating.
After dinner was done and Fuyumi was tasked with ensuring the house was spotless, Todoroki excused himself to his room. As soon as he pulled out his phone he could tell Midoriya hadn’t stuck to his word regarding not texting – there were even more messages waiting for him. He opened up the messages and lay down on the tatami mat, instead of studying like he told his father he was going to.
Midoriya [sent 7:45pm]
Text me tomorrow when you’re able to leave and I’ll meet you at Shinjuku station! I can even pick up your ticket for the con on my own and then make my way back if you’re going to be a little later. I hope you’re ready. Your first convention can be a lot!
Midoriya [sent 7:45pm]
I cried my first time. But I was only 8 and I thought I saw All Might so you can’t blame me!
Midoriya [sent 7:51pm]
Actually. Forget I wrote that.
Todoroki shook his head, red and white strands falling over his face. It was far too easy to imagine an eight-year-old Midoriya, all freckles and wide eyes, bursting into tears in the middle of a crowd at what he thought was an All Might sighting. Probably with his mom right there too. The poor woman.
Shouto [read 8:01pm]
It’ll be hard but I’ll try not to cry.
Midoriya [sent 8:03pm]
I said forget!!
He couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the annoyed All Might emoji attached to the message. He didn’t think it would matter if Midoriya were taking him to a sewer convention, it was probably still going to be the highlight of his Golden Week. He probably could have enjoyed doing anything with Midoriya.
Just talking to Midoriya, even just thinking about Midoriya, it made his chest feel heavy and lighter at the same time. Like he could fly and sink into the floor all at once, or like he had both quirks going at full force. His heart wanted to work double time but also never work again. It was dizzying and intoxicating how much Midoriya made him just feel.
He wasn’t quite ready to deal with that yet, so instead he texted back that he was going to ask Midoriya’s mom about it next time he saw her.