SUMMARY: "Why do you let him speak to you that way?"
AO3 TAGS: Canon Universe, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Light Angst
AN: My friends are terrible people dragging me kicking and screaming into new fandoms. I'm only on like ep17 and I don't actually ship anyone yet, but they do and this drabble-scene wouldn't leave me alone so here.
Was originally just posted to my tumblr but why not post here.
2018 July 16 EDIT: Translation now available in Russian on ficbook net, slash readfic/7059615.
"Why do you let him speak to you that way?"
Deku jumped, startled, and turned away from where he'd been watching Kacchan stomp off again. "Ah, Todoroki-kun," he said, unable to help but smile in greeting. "Why do I what?"
Todoroki stared at him for a long minute. "Why do you Bakugo speak to you so disrespectfully?" he asked, voice that soft sort of quiet that made Deku want to pay attention, even though he didn't want to have this conversation. He never wanted to have this conversation.
"Oh, it's nothing. We're childhood friends," Deku explained with a grin, hand drifting to rub at the back of his head subconsciously. "We grew up in the same neighborhood together."
There was another long pause, another long stare. "Growing up together does not necessitate friends. True friends would not address each other as he addresses you... Izuku-kun."
For some reason, the address made Deku blush, and he wondered how long it had been since anyone besides his mother had called him by his actual name. "It's okay, really. It's just what he calls me is all."
Bi-coloured eyes fixated on him until he had to look away, and he didn't know why they were suddenly forcing him to confront a decade worth of friendship and loneliness. He half-expected another rebuttal, had his own ready, but Todoroki just nodded as he turned and began to walk away. "Alright, Deku-kun."
The name shouldn't have hurt.
It did.
FIN
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