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“Stupid, chilly air. Why does it have to be so cold in the beginning of September.” Izuku Midoriya shivers as he slowly makes his way up the walkway to the front doors of UA.
His arm cross over his chest, hands gripping his arms as he tries to keep as much of his own body heat close to him. His teeth chatter slightly and his movements are slow.
“Deku!” Midoriya turns around at the sound of his hero name, finding his best friend, Uraraka, running up to him.
“H-Hey,” He greets Uraraka, voice wavering from the chills raking his body.
“Are you okay, Deku?” She asks with a sweet smile, tilting her head to the side.
“Y-Yeah, just cold. Forgot my jacket.” Midoriya shrugs with a wobbly smile. Uraraka shakes her head with a fond smile before continuing to the entrance.
“Well c’mon! Let’s get to class before you freeze!” She jokes, causing Midoriya to scoff a laugh as he follows his friend.
-
To Midoriya’s absolute delight, the building is warm and welcoming. The usual pep in his step comes as he begins to feel his body adjusting to the temperature inside the school. A large smile spreads across his face, knowing he’s going to class to learn more about being a hero!
The classroom is as lively as ever when he walks in. He waves to his fellow classmates before taking his seat behind his childhood friend, Bakugou. As he’s unpacking his backpack, the shadow of a person falls over his desktop and he looks up to the mismatched eyes of his good friend (and secret crush), Todoroki, his expression blank like usual.
“Good morning, Todoroki!” Midoriya excitedly addresses, teeth bared in a wide grin.
“Midoriya,” Todoroki responds, lips barely moving. The two stare at each other as an awkward silence blankets them. Fidgeting in his seat, Midoriya speaks up again.
“Is there something I can help you with?” The OFA user holds steady eye contact, searching the deadpan expression on his classmates face.
After a couple moments, Todoroki sighs and looks at the floor, fingers twitching at his sides.
“It’s nothing.” He dismisses quickly before going back to his seat, leaving Midoriya confused.
Before Midoriya can call out to his friend, Aizawa walks in, ordering the class to pay attention.
-
The school day goes by in a blur, Midoriya writing note after note on every little thing mentioned. Before he knew it, the final bell rang and he realized he would have to face the bitter cold.
“Are you sure you don’t want to take mine?” Uraraka, the sweetest person Midoriya’s ever met, offers her jacket.
“Really, I’ll be okay, Uraraka.” Midoriya offers a kind and appreciative smile to his best friend.
“Alright,” She sighs, turning to the big doors leading outside of the school. “See you tomorrow?” Midoriya nods in response and Uraraka jogs to the exit. “Don’t forget your jacket!” She calls out, leaving the premise before he has a chance to respond.
The teen shakes his head with a sigh, before straightening his spine, preparing himself to bare the cold air that awaits him.
Just as he takes the first step towards his inevitable frigid future, he hears his voice from down the hall. Turning to the source, Midoriya sees Todoroki jogging up to him.
“Todoroki?” Midoriya questions as the teen gets closer. Taking a deep breathe, Todoroki extends his right arm to the smaller hero in training, a zip up sweatshirt in his hand. Midoriya’s eyes widen at what Todoroki was implying. “Wh-What.. I-I?” At a loss for words, Midoriya’s face heats up, thousands of thoughts running through his head but nothing he can voice.
“I know you forgot your jacket,” Todoroki states matter-of-factly. “So take mine.” Midoriya eyes up the other, noticing the lack of outerwear on his body.
“B-But, what about y-”
“Fire quirk.” Todoroki lifts his left hand, fire sprouting from his palm. Midoriya stares in awe at the beautiful flames before shaking his head quickly and looking back to the male before him.
“I-I can’t, it’s yours.” Midoriya insists, his mind urging him to move to the doors but his body wouldn’t listen.
“You need it more than me.” A soft blush graces Todoroki’s cheeks although his expression is blank.
Midoriya’s mouth opens and closes like a fish, unsure of how to respond. Todoroki uses that moment to take matters into his own hands. Circling the other, the fire-and-ice user places the open jacket on Midoriya’s shoulders, hands shaking with nervous tension.
Midoriya lets it all happen, frozen to his spot. As the sweatshirt falls around him, warmth and the smell of peppermint fills his senses making him dizzy with confusion, appreciation and admiration for his long-time crush.
Todoroki makes his way back in front of Midoriya, avoiding the others eyes as his blush spreads down his neck.
“Thank you,” Midoriya whispers. His arms crossover with each other, grabbing the openings of the jacket and pulling it closer to himself.
Todoroki looks up quickly, watching the action with wide eyes. Midoriya notices a twitch of his lips and his eyes shine a little brighter as they rake the rest of his frame, gliding up til they land on Midoriya’s face whose presenting a thankful smile. Todoroki nods once before straightening and turning towards the exit. Midoriya bites his lip, falling in step with Todoroki.
The two walk side-by-side, heading for a future they’re unsure of but excited to tackle.