NOTE: I MANAGED TO WRITE THIS CHAPTER! WOOP WOOP! (Also I'm feeling a lot better now! Though school just started and that tends to drain a lot of my time AND creativity so I'm gonna hold off on the party poppers xD)
Anyways! Enjoy!
Shouto is worrying his bottom lip between his teeth as he stares at the latest text he's got from Midoriya. Beginning to type out the same reply he's been giving for every other time he was faced with this question, he feels the heavy burden of guilt clouding his thoughts.
"How many times is it that you've told him you're too busy?" Yaoyorozu asks from her seat on the couch as he finally hits send.
"Five." Shouto answers solemnly, the dark feeling of shame only worsening at the understanding reply he gets shortly after.
"And when do you think he's going to start thinking you're just trying to avoid him?"
"About four times ago." Shouto lets out a miserable sigh before sinking down into the spot next to her, rubbing his temples in a worthless attempt to stop the impending headache from forming.
"We have a day off to replenish tomorrow so how about-"
"He's working late tonight and tomorrow so he's taking the day off too to get some rest. Said he wasn't planning on leaving the house." Yaoyorozu hums and they fall into silence.
Letting his head fall back against the couch, Shouto closes his eyes and groans. This was a mistake. He should have just told Midoriya right off the bat that he wasn't thinking straight and there was too much on his plate to have accepted his invitation. But every text he gets asking him if he's free to meet this day or that he thinks of those green eyes looking at him so expectantly and all he can do is say 'I can't then, but soon'. His definition of soon is clearly a little skewed.
At the very least, Shouto thinks he has been trying to keep in touch. He has asked if he wanted to get coffee again but since he's been getting off practice later, by the time he's free Midoriya is getting ready for work, which he now knows is bartending at a place called Erasure. And it's not like Shouto hasn't considered going there to see him himself, but the way things have been going, by the time they're done for the day, it's all he can do to not just crash where he stands. More often than not he'll get home and fall asleep on the couch with a book on his face because he couldn't keep his eyes open long enough to actually put it down.
He had no issues sleeping anymore though, that was a plus. Sort of.
Because now every time he fell asleep all he saw was green eyes and large smiles and he didn't know what to make of it. Shouto saw him dancing in every single one, slow, emotional dances or fast paced routines that made it look as if the world tilted with each gasping breath that passed through his parted lips. Midoriya was always smiling but sometimes his eyes were filled with tears and in those Shouto would wake feeling like his stomach was twisted up into knots. Other times his smile was smaller and his eyes lidded, and his dancing made flames spread all around and Shouto woke feeling hot even as cold sweat licked down his back.
As much as he sleeps, he doesn't feel very well rested, as if he spent the whole night dancing with Midoriya instead of just watching. Even if his body should have got the rest it needed, his brain felt exhausted. He had half a mind to ask Yaoyorozu what he should do to make these dreams stop, but knowing her she'd probably just tease him for the rest of his life. Suffering in silence was a lot more appealing. Thankfully, the fleeting nature of dreams made it so that they dissolved into a fuzzy memory not long after waking up and he could focus on what he was supposed to be doing.
Though, that implied he had something to be doing. Right now, he's on his day off and Yaoyorozu is focused on watching her Korean dramas like they hold all the answers to the biggest questions of the universe. Meanwhile, Shouto is trying not to think about how last night Midoriya had taken Yaoyorozu's place in the routine they were working on. But that isn't even the strangest part, because while some parts were similar, there were steps that they hadn't included, lifts they hadn't even talked or thought about.
The routine they had agreed upon was professional, it was elegant and sleek. The one in his latest dream was filled with an array of feelings and sensations translated in lingering touches and low dips where Shouto's hands would nestle on the bend of his waist.
Loudly dropping the book in his hand down on the table, to the point where even Yaoyorozu's attention snaps back to him, Shouto turns to her with the blankest expression he can muster. He braces himself for anger or exasperation, possibly both with a little disbelief in the mix, and takes a deep breath.
"Would you hate me if I asked you to practice today? I want to make some changes to the new routine."
She blinks at him, tilting her head slightly while raising an eyebrow. Unlike anything he was expecting, she looks curious and Shouto feels scrutinised under her gaze as if she's analysing his intentions with her stare alone. For a second, he wonders if she can read his mind and see the dancing colours of Midoriya's languid body pressed against his and gulps. It's not like that, it's not like that, it's not like that.
"What did you have in mind?" Resisting the sigh of relief that threatens to break out of him, Shouto moves out of his seat and starts explaining.
Shouto and Yaoyorozu are both panting by the end of the next day. She took the new additions in stride, saying they added a little spice to the set that was sure to catch people's eyes. Considering there weren't any restrictions that competitions were always inflicting on them, this was in fact the perfect opportunity to, in her words, show off. But it was a lot more taxing than their previous arrangement so it wasn't surprising that they ended their days a lot more exhausted than before.
However, Shouto somehow felt a lot more invigorated. It was as if this new routine breathed a whole new energy into him, for the first time in years he felt the movements like they were an extension of his being rather than just the stretching and pulling of his muscles. And, of course Yaoyorozu noticed, patting his back after they're done with a little grin that seemed a tad too knowing.
"You're really stepping up your game, Shouto. By chance, is there a reason for this change of heart?" Shouto takes the pause in her speech as she takes a sip of water to sigh deeply and not grace her with an answer. With a little shrug she moves on, already having learned that pushing his buttons too much wasn't advisable. "I say we're due for a reward to celebrate your newfound passion, what do you say we go to that bakery?"
That at least seems to pique his interest. Now she's speaking his language, he has yet to taste that green tea cake that's been plaguing his every thought whenever he gets hungry. It's a good thing they had come the day before, which allowed them an earlier leave today and they could still get there before it closed.
That same pink cheeked girl from before greets them from behind the counter and Shouto thinks her smile is a little too wide. But maybe that is just part of her job's requirement. Not thinking too much of it, he once again sits down as Yaoyorozu orders their food and chats with her friend, this time offering a little nod of his head in greeting. It's only polite.
As soon as the cake is in front of him, Shouto sets his phone down to dig in, closing his eyes when the flavours melt against his tongue. The first bite is great, the second one is amazing, and without realising it, he's eaten the whole thing and is left wanting more. Across from him, Yaoyorozu is still delighting herself with the shortcake and Shouto is a little envious, considering whether he should just go get another one or not.
His thoughts are interrupted by the little bell above the door ringing the announcement of a new arrival and, instinctively, Shouto turns to look. His eyes fall on startled green ones and his mouth hangs open the tiniest bit. He hears the short giggles coming from the girl by the register and the curious hum from Yaoyorozu and some alarm sirens go off in his brain.
Though he doesn't have enough time to focus on what they're warning him about because Midoriya is looking between him and the other girl (Uraraka, wasn't it?) looking like he doesn't exactly know what he's supposed to do. Honestly, Shouto isn't sure of it himself, just debating whether he should wave or pretend he didn't recognise him, which would be stupid because he's been staring ever since he stepped in.
"Deku-kun!" Uraraka breaks their trance and they both turn their eyes away from each other, Shouto's towards the table and Midoriya's towards her.
"O-Ocha, hi! Um, gimme a sec!" Shouto feels the hairs on the back of his neck stand in that moment, and even as he knows what's about to happen, his heart still nearly stops when he hears Midoriya's steps grow closer. "Todoroki-san?"
The question for his attention is simple and seemingly innocent, but the little lift of his voice at the end of it has a cold feeling running down Shouto's spine and pooling in his stomach. It's not there per se, but he can almost hear the I thought you said you were busy that's implied by it. With blood draining from his face and guilt settling in his chest, he turns to Midoriya with as calm an expression as he can muster.
"Midoriya. I got off earlier today, but I thought you'd be getting ready for work again so I didn't want to…" He trails off, leaving the 'get my hopes up' out of his sentence as he sees the other's mouth form a small 'o'.
He rubs the back of his neck and puts on a little smile. "Ah, I see. Mondays are actually my days off. You could've said something anyway, though." He looks between him and Yaoyorozu and bites on his bottom lip, shifting from one foot to another. Just as Shouto thinks he's about to turn and leave them, he opens his mouth again.
"You must be Yaoyorozu-san, right? I searched you two. Wait, no, that sounds creepy. I meant that, after I heard about your whole champion thing I wanted to know more, and one thing led to another and, I have to say, you're really beautiful when you dance! Not that you aren't right now too, I mean you're gorgeous, both of you are- When you're dancing! And… You know what, I'm gonna shut up now, it's an honour to meet you."
"It's Midoriya-san, correct?" He stops before leaving, looking back towards Yaoyorozu, who is extending a hand and smiling brightly at him. "Thank you for the compliment. Yaoyorozu Momo, it's nice to formally meet you, Shouto won't ever shut up about you."
Shouto pales further, if that's even possible, before aiming his iciest glare at his best friend. He's seriously considering cutting her out of his life at this point, especially when he hears Midoriya choking on his own spit at that. Even so, he takes her hand for a quick shake and a short bow, smiling sheepishly with a blush.
"Midoriya Izuku."
"You're a great dancer too, I've come to learn. So much so that you give my friend sleepless nights and I get my toes stepped on because of it."
"Momo." The warning is evident in Shouto's voice but she simply laughs it off saying it was a harmless jest while Midoriya's flush turns darker. "I'm sorry for my friend, she has a serious problem with teasing people."
"Reminds me of someone I know." Midoriya mumbles and the snort that comes from behind the counter does not go unnoticed by any of them. Turning his attention back to Shouto, his eyes take on that expectant shine that had dragged him into this mess in the first place. "So… Does this mean you're free right now?"
"As a matter of fact, we are, right Shouto?" Yaoyorozu answers the question before he even has the chance to process it but he nods his agreement nonetheless.
Midoriya scratches his cheek and Shouto follows his finger with his eyes, entranced. "I actually came here to pick Ocha up. We're going by the studio in a bit since we're starting to plan for a flash mob to promote it. Just about everyone should be there, would you like to come by as well? Both of you, of course…"
"That would be great, we'd love to."
As it seems, Yaoyorozu is keen on answering everything for him, but it's all the same because Shouto wouldn't have said no even if that was what he wanted to do. Which he really didn't. Not when the result is that wide smile that shines brighter than quasars and lights up the entire world.
"Great!" Midoriya does this little jump that Shouto finds himself thinking has no right being so adorable. "Awesome! I'll uh, I'll leave you to it now. Okay…" He points towards the counter. "I'll be over there. Right. Enjoy the rest of your cake, Yaoyorozu-san! You should try the red velvet next time, Ocha makes the best red velvet!"
He's halfway down to the counter before he turns on his heels again and points towards the girl who's sporting an amused smirk. "That's Ocha by the way. Uraraka Ochako, actually. Yeah… Um, sorry. I'll leave you alone now." And with that he finally goes towards his friend and starts chatting with her.
Shouto's stare lingers.
"He's cute." Yaoyorozu whispers, drawing his attention back to her as she takes another bite of her cake. "No wonder you like him."
"It's not like that." That makes twenty-three times.
"I didn't say it was." Finally, a different response, at last. But it's not any less annoying since she definitely thought it and just felt like changing things up.
"You were thinking it." He voices, matter-of-factly, and she just shrugs her shoulders with a tiny giggle. "So, Uraraka-san. You could say she's a friend?" Shouto asks slowly, some pieces of this puzzle finally falling into place. He may be unbearably distracted whenever Midoriya is around but he is not an idiot.
"You left me alone on our night out, did you expect me to just sit around waiting for you? We were mutually ditched and we bonded over it."
"Something tells me this friendship will end as more grief for me." Shouto sighs, rubbing his temples and Yaoyorozu dismisses his worries with a wave.
"Don't be so dramatic." Wiping at the corner of her mouth with a napkin she sets down her fork onto the plate. "We've just been talking, like you and Midoriya-san." Shouto hums, still suspicious and not at all with his mind eased.
Figuring it's best to let it go, they get up and move to the counter where the other two are talking while Uraraka rings up other costumers' orders. Shouto is formally introduced to the girl who shakes his hand and tells them all she finishes her shift in a few minutes and they can all wait outside for her.
He leans back against the wall as Midoriya and Yaoyorozu get acquainted, mostly through his countless questions about competitions and the environment surrounding ballroom dance. It was things he'd asked Shouto himself, but it seemed he wanted the insight from his friend's perspective, which was fine. Though, he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a little ashamed at how much easier Yaoyorozu had it with their interactions. She was much more at ease, even with her formality and poised speech.
True to her word, Uraraka was soon joining them, holding onto to Midoriya's arm as they walked towards the studio together. Shouto watches the way they interact, her head resting on his shoulder every few steps, laughing at his jokes, always by his side and touching him. Something uncomfortable riles up inside him that he can't quite place, something he's entirely unfamiliar with and doesn't know what to do with.
"So, Todoroki, Yaoyorozu, how long have you been dancing together?" Uraraka turns to look at them as they walk and Midoriya looks for a moment too, curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Seventeen years?" Shouto answers, unsure and kind of taken aback that it's been so long. His friend nods by his side with a smile.
Midoriya lets out a drawn 'ooh' while Uraraka whistles, impressed. "That's a long time, you two must be really close then."
"Oh, Shouto's not here to make friends." He narrows his eyes at her and she nearly breaks down into knee-slapping cackles. "Sorry, inside joke. Yeah, we live together."
Midoriya trips on his own feet and it's only because Uraraka is holding onto his arm that he doesn't fall flat on his face. Shouto realises that he was halfway reaching towards him to catch his fall and returns his hands back into his jean pockets while asking if he's alright.
"Yeah, fine, I'm a klutz." There's a blush on his cheeks but his eyes are shining with an emotion Shouto can't make sense of. "You live together?"
"We both wanted to move out. It seemed convenient." Midoriya nods with a little exhale and then looks back to where he's stepping so he doesn't trip again.
"Where do you guys work?" Uraraka asks and they exchange a glance.
"We dance at the studio." Yaoyorozu replies, bashful. "We're not allowed a lot of time to do anything else."
"Plus, I'm fine draining my father's bank account." Shouto feels a playful shove on his side and the corners of his lips twitch momentarily. "What?"
"You're too honest." Shouto disregards the comment and Midoriya giggles in front of him, his stomach doing a flip at the sound.
"Must be nice. Being filthy rich." Uraraka laughs too, smirking in amusement when Yaoyorozu blushes and hides her face.
They finally make it to the studio and after a moment to drop their things in a locker, Midoriya and Uraraka usher them to a particular room where several people are already waiting. Immediately, Shouto sees Kirishima, the guy from the coffee shop, sitting with a guy with bright blonde hair and a black lightning bolt dyed onto his bangs as well as a pink haired girl he remembers from one of the videos he watched. Another guy is standing next to them, with straight black hair and a wide smile.
Near the speakers, scrolling through her phone, sits a girl dressed in very punk-rock fashion and hair dyed a dark purple. She's got headphones on her head, shaking it to the time of some beat that only she can hear and writing some notes down on a piece of paper on the floor next to her.
Off to the far corner of the room sits another person, their face obscured by the hood of a black sweatshirt and not allowing for their features to be seen. They've got a notebook on their lap, their legs crossed, and they're writing furiously, as if struck by a bout of inspiration and so focused that nothing could disturb them if it tried. Shouto notes that these last two aren't particularly donning the appropriate attire for dancing but says nothing.
The first group has their eyes turned to the new arrivals, Kirishima repeatedly poking the blonde's side while muttering something that is clearly only meant for him. Midoriya introduces them one by one.
"Guys, this is Todoroki-san and Yaoyorozu-san. Kirishima, you already know," The redhead waves and Shouto awkwardly does the same "Next to him is Kaminari and Ashido, and the one standing is Sero. And over there by the speakers is Jirou, she's a DJ and in charge of our set lists."
The girl in question nods with a 'Yo' at the mention of her name, clearly able to hear anything that is going on around her but not once looking up from what she's writing. Shouto thinks Midoriya is going to continue, but when he doesn't, he points his head towards the mystery person in the shadows of the room.
"Oh, that's Tokoyami, he writes poetry. He's just always around so we kind of stopped paying attention." Midoriya explains with a scratch of his head.
"Don't pay me any mind, solitude is my friend." Tokoyami's deep voice sounds, and as soon as it was there it was gone.
"So, what's the deal with your hair? You dye it that way or what?" Shouto turns to Kaminari as Midoriya's eyes widen and he starts fussing over him being rude.
Dismissing the other, Shouto shrugs and runs a hand through his locks, unaffected. His dual coloured hair was quite unusual so it wasn't anything out of the ordinary to be asked about it. "That's okay. It's full heterochromia, I've got my father's hair colour on the left and my mother's on the right. Same with the eyes."
"So pretty!" The girl called Ashido coos, bright eyed. "Is he single?" Midoriya's palm connects with his face so loudly that Shouto is somewhat worried he might have hurt himself. "That's okay if he isn't, I'll take the girl, she's really hot too."
"I called dibs!" Jirou shouts from the speakers and Yaoyorozu sputters. Shouto must admit, it's nice to not be the one on the receiving end of the teasing for once, and he makes a mental note of the fact that she's been staring at the DJ a little too long herself.
The others get up to properly greet them, Kirishima's pat to his back almost knocking him to the floor. Kaminari eyes him up and down, a mischievous grin dancing on his lips that Shouto isn't sure what he's supposed to think of. He side-glances at Midoriya and, before the latter has the chance to think of stopping what's going on, leans in a little too close for comfort.
"I hear the boy won world champ! But does he know how to really dance?" Crossing his arms over his chest, Shouto raises an eyebrow. "Yo, Kyouka, hit up my jam."
"Kaminari…" Midoriya starts protesting with a groan but is shushed by the sound of the music suddenly filling the room. He rolls his eyes before mouthing an 'I'm sorry' Shouto's way and backing away slightly.
The blonde began moving with the song as soon as Jirou had put it through to the speakers, all hip thrusts and swings. When the lyrics proper start, he moves to their instruction, dropping down with a wink and rising back up into some more of what he'd done in the beginning, then twirling and dropping to one knee and then his side. The phrase 'draw me like one of your French girls' crosses Shouto's mind and he finds himself smiling, mildly entertained. Especially as Kaminari thrusts back up and kicks with some attitude that Shouto can get behind.
The pull of his shirt as he pops his knees, showing off his abs, seems a little excessive, but Shouto keeps watching nonetheless, the sharp movements and cocky confidence amusing if nothing else. But when he lets himself fall into a split as the song dips to a different segment, some other movement catches Shouto's eye.
Midoriya moves his arms up above his head and swings them back down, bringing an ushering finger to his lips. Needless to say, Kaminari might have been doing backflips or even flying, Shouto wouldn't have been watching him anymore. Because the way Midoriya drops down, one hand at the crotch of his sweats, and swings his hips slightly before rising and cocking them provocatively… Well, there's no way not to stare at that.
The energetic beats of the music are matched perfectly by Midoriya's strong steps that scream 'power' while still being elegantly beautiful and captivating. And each time he moves with that hand calling for his attention, dropping low or rising up, flowing effortlessly and with purpose, Shouto is lost. His lips feel dry and his tongue like cotton as he gawks, watching in person as Midoriya's body turns into poetry in action.
Maybe that was why Tokoyami was always around, he certainly felt inspired looking at him.
And when the song once again changes and Midoriya is running a hand from his hair down the length of his body and lowering into somewhat of a split of his own Shouto almost chokes. But it's the turn onto his knees and subtle thrust of his hips that has him finally looking away with a clear of his throat, watching from the corner of his eye as he lifts back up and somersaults back.
Midoriya laughs as the music continues. "That's how you really dance, Kaminari." Shouto sees him punching the guy's shoulder, who rolls his eyes with a mutter of 'show off' that has no ill intent. When Midoriya turns back to him, he has to wonder if his face is on fire or not. He hopes it isn't. "Sorry about that, I got carried away."
"That's really fine." Yaoyorozu answers for him, yet again, clapping his shoulder. "You're amazing."
Shouto nods his agreement, not really trusting his voice to not play any tricks on him if he tries to voice it instead. Midoriya gets a little closer, his head down and a timid flush to his cheeks on top of the one he worked up while dancing. He starts to say something, rubbing at the back of his neck, but he's interrupted by a loud call of his nickname.
It sounds angry and aggressive, and when Shouto and Midoriya both look towards the source, a crimson stare that spells fury is glaring back at them.
NOTE: Two choreos for that one hehe (you can find them on my profile)
And FINALLY that impending doom that I've been promising for two chapters! Sorry that it doesn't actually come to fruition here, the chapter was getting long so I thought that'd be the best cut off point... Apologies for the cliffhanger haha...
I hope you liked that, like Midoriya, I got a little carried away with this chapter lol
Feel free to leave any feedback you may have! ^-^
