A/N: Shouto's classmates are the best! And Bakugou can be soft. You can try to pry that from my cold dead hands.
Chapter 15
Todoroki spent the next 48 hours in the Infirmary, recovering. Early Tuesday afternoon brought his release from the white walls. He barely spoke during that time, trying to make sense of all of the random memories in his head that were both his and someone else's at the same time.
When he got to the lobby, he saw Mr, Aizawa waiting for him. With a small frown on his face, Todoroki made his way over to his teach- to his FORMER teacher. Aizawa watched him as he came closer. They both looked at each other for several moments.
"Should I pack up my things from the dorm?" Todoroki asked.
"Yes, I suppose you should." Aizawa responded softly.
Todoroki looked down so Aizawa wouldn't see how disturbed he looked.
"I suppose that means I'll be moving back in with my father."
As they started walking out to the dorms, Aizawa decided to drop a huge bombshell.
"Actually, you'll be staying with me until further notice."
Todoroki was glad they were out of the building when Aizawa said that because he stopped suddenly and almost yelled, "WHAT?"
"You'll be staying with me," Aizawa repeated, "In my apartment," he added.
Todoroki was floored.
"With respect, Mr. Aizawa, why? Is that even allowed?"
Aizawa got a look on his face that Todoroki couldn't place. It was something akin to satisfaction.
"While you were recovering, I worked something out to have you placed in my protective custody."
When Todoroki looked like he was about to ask more questions, Aizawa cut him off.
"I'll explain the whole thing once you're settled in at my place. I promise."
Though he still wanted to get answers right there, Todoroki saw that he wasn't going to get anything more out of Aizawa. So he stayed quiet and followed his former teacher's lead to the dorms. When they got there, Todoroki went straight to his room to pack. If he passed someone on the way there, he didn't notice. He also didn't notice Mr. Aizawa pull out his phone and tap out a short message to his classmates.
Todoroki didn't have much. Sure, his furniture was nice and rather expensive, but in the way of personal items, his room was sparse. So all he ended up needing to pack was one large duffle-bag, most of which held his clothes. The only personal things that he had and packed were two photos, one of his siblings and their mother in the hospital room and the other of the whole class in casual clothes hanging out in the dorm, a small All Might keychain that he had bought for himself, an All Might figurine that Midoriya had given him, from his personal collection, and little snow globe that his brother Touya had given him before he left.
All packed up, Todoroki took one last look at his room before sighing and slinging his bag over his shoulder and heading down. He wasn't expecting every one of his friends to be there, waiting for him. He glanced over them at Aizawa, who just gave him a look that said "it's time to say goodbye". For some reason, that made Todoroki very sad.
He looked at his friends and, to everyone's surprise, enveloped those closest to him in a huge hug. Those closest being Midoriya and Bakugou. And to everyone's astonishment, Bakugou didn't try to blow him up and even hugged back. That emboldened everyone else to join in the hug, making a very large group hug. When everyone finally pulled away, Bakugou made to leave right there, but was stopped by Todoroki.
"Bakugou... I have to tell you before you leave. You probably don't feel the same way, but I do consider you a friend. And a good one, too."
The explosion boy glanced back at Todoroki and muttered a soft "whatever" before going to his room. Though it took a while, everyone got their own goodbyes after that. The line ended with Kirishima and Midoriya.
Midoriya simply says "Goodbye, Todoroki. Remember that we'll all miss you and that you can come to any of us if you need anything." Nothing much, but his words meant more to Todoroki than he could have realized.
Lastly, Todoroki says goodbye to Kirishima. His words touched Todoroki the most.
"Goodbye, bro. We're gonna miss you. And just so you know, Midoriya told us what All Might said about you still becoming a hero one day. I wanted to let you know... We'll be waiting for you."
Todoroki didn't know what to say as the rest of the class nodded in agreement. But then again, he never was much for words. So he did the best he could. He placed his hands on Kirishima's shoulders and bowed his head forward so that their foreheads touched.
"Thank you."
