Even though Midoriya's skill with his quirk had improved since he enrolled in UA, there were still accidents, as his quirk was as unstable as it was powerful.

The first time that Todoroki was roped into helping Midoriya to the nurse's office happened, as it so often did afterwards, during sparring practice. All of class 1-A were ushered into the school's gym after their morning lessons and were randomly paired up by Aizawa.

Todoroki ended up partnered with Kirishima. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Midoriya setting up with Uraraka a few paces away. Midoriya said something that he couldn't quite hear and she laughed.

Todoroki couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. He would have given anything to be in her position. He could never seem to find Midoriya alone. Could never speak to him about… Well, he never thought that far ahead. What would he even say?

"Hey Midoriya. I've had a massive crush on you ever since you kicked my ass at the sports festival and made me confront my existential daddy issues. Do you want to date me?"

Yeah, that wouldn't go well. Midoriya would probably punch him in the face or something.

He did his best to shake the thoughts from his head and focus on his sparring practice, moving into his fighting stance. He was startled when Kirishima hardened his fist and punched him right on the nose. Stumbling back, he shot Kirishima a dirty glare.

"That was uncalled for," he grumbled.

"What's up with you man?" asked Kirishima, stepping back and softening his skin. "I can barely get a hit on you most of the time. Is there something on your mind?"

"You caught me off guard. It's nothing."

"You sure?"

Todoroki moved back into his fighting stance and didn't waste any time on sending a hunk of ice hurtling at Kirishima, who immediately moved his arms into a cross, and hardened them to block the attack.

"That's more like it Shoto!" he exclaimed. "Lets do this."

Todoroki was content to fall into the familiar rhythm of battle. Kirishima was not much of a strategist, but he used all the power he could for every attack. Todoroki reared back for another punch when he heard a scream.

Stopping mid swing, he whipped around just in time to see Midoriya collapse to the floor. Uraraka was apologizing profusely, but Midoriya propped himself up on his elbows and gave her a reassuring smile. "Just a broken leg," he insisted. "I'll be fine."

"Someone needs to take Midoriya to the nurse's office," announced Aizawa.

Todoroki immediately raised his hand. "I'll take him."

And that's how it had happened. Sometime over the next few weeks, it became routine. Any time Midoriya lost control of his quirk, it would be Todoroki's responsibility to make sure he got to the nurse's office safely. Having Midoriya clinging onto him for dear life, always made Todoroki very red in the face (or more red than usual), mostly due to the close contact. Midoriya always seemed very sheepish about it too, but he never said anything.

Several weeks later, the group had yet another sparring session. Much to Todoroki's despair, he was partnered with Bakugo. As much as Todoroki gave him chance after chance after chance, he always found himself disliking the guy. Bakugo was loud and abrasive and cocky; in short everything Todoroki disliked in a person. Still, it wasn't like he had much choice.

Todoroki moved into his usual stance. Bakugo's quirk rendered Todoroki's preferred element, ice, completely useless. He would have to fight fire with fire. Shaking out his hands, he prepared himself for combat.

It was a ruthless fight. Bakugo wasn't much of a strategist (thank god, with his quirk and a half decent brain on his shoulders, no one would be able to beat him) but he hit fast, and he hit hard. Todoroki stumbled backwards, desperately trying to gain his footing as he countered yet another hit from Bakugo.

Then, rather unceremoniously, Bakugo swept Todoroki's legs from underneath him in one swift movement, sending Todoroki hurtling to the ground, and it was over.

"You fight dirty," hissed Todoroki.

"And yet I win every time," smirked Bakugo from above him. Todoroki didn't expect him to do the half-decent thing and offer out a hand to pull him up, because why would he, the arrogant prick? Todoroki was completely correct in that assumption, as Bakugo was far too busy gloating for any behavior even slightly resembling human decency. Sighing, Todoroki pushed himself to his knees and tried to get back on his feet.

A spike of pain shot up his leg and his knees buckled underneath him. Todoroki let out a hiss of indignation. Bakugo was going to pay for this.

Aizawa appeared beside them, looking as sleep deprived and cranky as ever. "Are you injured?" he asked.

"I think so," gritted Todoroki. "It's… I think it's a sprain." Bakugo rolled his eyes, clearly not sorry for what he had done.

"You need to go to the nurse's office," said Aizawa, beckoning over Midoriya, who pattered over like an overexcited puppy. "Midoriya will take you."

"That's- I- That's unnecessary," stuttered Todoroki. "I walk there by myself."

"On what legs?" scoffed Aizawa. "Just suck it up and accept the help. You'll just make the sprain worse if you walk on it."

"Just think of it as me returning the favor for all those times you helped me out," said Midoriya, with a bright, friendly smile.

Todoroki really didn't have a choice here, did he? Grumbling all the way, he allowed Midoriya to help him up and take him out the room. It was a little awkward leaning on his classmate, as Midoriya was a good few inches shorter than Todoroki, but he made up for it with his surprising strength, given his small stature (not that surprising, considering the fact that he had a strength based quirk, but still), and exorbitant amounts of enthusiasm.

"We're here," said Midoriya, pulling the door open and helping Todoroki into the chair that was tucked away in a corner. The room was plastered with colorful posters, warning of such benign things as heat strokes and allergic reactions. It looked, for all intents and purposes, like every other nurse's office in existence.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye," said Todoroki.

"I guess it is…" said Midoriya. "But not forever… I mean, you'll be back in class tomorrow right?"

"Yeah." Todoroki couldn't help but notice the way that Midoriya lingered in the doorway for a moment, as if he didn't want to go. Even so, what he thought he was seeing was probably just wishful thinking on his part; nothing more. There was no way Midoriya felt that way about him.

Midoriya cleared his throat. "Anyways, I'll go fetch Recovery Girl for you," he blurted, pulling the door closed behind him.

Todoroki threw his head in his hands. He had it so bad for this boy, even though he knew Midoriya didn't like him back.

Little did he know, Midoriya was having a panicked moment of his own on the other side of the door.