Todoroki POV

The trip was quiet, but for once, I didn't want that. I wanted to talk to Midoriya, I was with him all afternoon, yet I barely heard him speak. So I asked him who his second favorite hero was, knowing that his favorite was All Might. I knew that once he got started talking about heroes he would talk until someone stopped him, I was just happy listening to him ramble. He stopped talking when we got to the place, while he looked at the menu on the wall. As we reached the front of the line, I noticed that he was starting to act nervous. I've noticed that he does this every time he orders something, or ask anything of a stranger. "Would you like me to order for you?" I asked, hoping that it would make him more at ease, instead he started to mumble. Confusing but still cute none the less. Cute? Why do I keep thinking that he's cute he's a boy. Boys aren't supposed to find other boys cute. Is something wrong with me? With us? I pondered.

Midoriya POV

"Would you like me to order for you?" that question really surprised me how did he know that I was nervous about ordering? Was it that obvious no it couldn't have been I was not acting any differently than I always am even when going into anxiety-provoking situations or was I? Todoroki-kun is really observant so that might have something to do with it, but he didn't seem to see it as a bad thing since he offered to order for me...

"Midoriya," he started, breaking my train of thought, "it's almost our turn," he didn't sound angry or frustrated with me, he's just to perfect!

"Yea-yeah, thanks, I'll have the pork udon," I responded as I fumbled to get out my wallet when he stopped me.

"I'll pay for you," I looked up at him, but he continued talking before I could interject, "Think of it as a thank you for invited me into your home for the afternoon, I also have my father's credit card," knowing what ranked pro heroes are paid I really couldn't argue with that so I just mumbled a thank you. As I waited awkwardly as he ordered for us. When we got our food, I headed to the nearest table, when Todoroki, awkwardly spoke up, he's nervous voice was almost too cute for me to handle, but it did make it so I didn't hear what he said.

"What did you say?" I asked nervously.

"Never mind, it's nothing important," he responded.

"You don't talk much so everything you say is important," did I just say that I can't believe that I just said that!

He sighed before asking in that cute voice again if we could sit at the back corner table.

"Sure but why?" I questioned as I headed to that table.

"I like corners, I like to be able to see everything that's going on around me," his voice was going back to normal as he explained.

"I never thought that you would be into people watching," I commented as I sat down, in the seat facing the wall so he could have the one facing the other tables. He sat down across from me and waited a moment before talking, probably trying to find the right words.

"I'm not. I don't care what they're doing, I just don't feel safe unless I know," he must have seen my confusion, so he continued. "It's like how in combat you need to be aware of your surroundings. I have that need all the time."

That must be hypervigilance, I remembered that was a common symptom of CPTSD from when I researched it. "That sounds exhausting," was all I could say without revealing that I know that he probably has a mental illness that he never told me about.

He simply shrugged, as he finished the chopstick full of soba in his mouth. "It's been this way for as long as I can remember."

"I'm sorry," was all I could manage.

"There's no need for you to apologize, It's not your fault Midoriya. It's no one's fault it's just how I am." I wanted to call out his father and tell him about his illness but was afraid. Instead, I asked him the question that he asked me on the way over: who's your second favorite hero?

He paused again before responding, "I think it would be Midnight," my stomach dropped, he's straight, but then he continued, "I like that she fights by calming people down. I know that other people like her for other reasons that I don't really understand." my heart started to flutter, he likes boys! We spent the rest of the meal talking about heroes, when we were finishing up I gathered the nerve to ask if he wanted me to walk him home and he said yes! He even smiled slightly! First dinner now I'm walking him home it's like this is an actual date! I felt my smile going from ear to ear.

Todoroki POV

His face lit up when I told him that he could walk me home. There was something about his smile that I didn't want to forget. It's not like him smiling is rare or anything, but it never fails to make me happy. I dismissed the thought as it being normal to want your friends to be happy.

As I directed him to my house, I found myself staring at his hand. I wanted to grab it. That didn't make sense. Boy's don't hold hands. He started a new conversation. "Hey, Todoroki, what book were you reading?"

"It's called "The Burning White," is the fifth book in its series. So I can't say what this book is about, without spoiling the others, but I can tell you about the world it takes place in." I began explaining the world and society built around the magic that some people have, turning light into tangible objects.

Midoriya POV

I just asked him about his book and he kept talking! I love hearing him talk and I think this was the longest I ever heard him talk and he seemed so happy talking about his book! I made a mental note to ask him about books more often.

Then we approached his house, and I didn't want him to stop talking and go there because that's where his dad would be, but we reached his house, and he stopped talking and looked at me, he was smiling! I wanted to kiss him goodnight. I wanted to stay with him for a little longer.

Todoroki POV

I was so happy spending time with Midoriya, and how he seemed happy to listen to me talk about the book that I forgot who I would meet when I entered my house.

I opened the door and was greeted by Enji.

"Where were you Shouto?" he demanded and all of the joy simply left my body, being replaced with terror.

AN

the book I mentioned is a real book, the series the "Lightbringer Saga" by Brent Weeks, I highly recommend it. It is very long but very good.
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