Chapter Two: A Normal Sunday at the Dorms

Fuyumi managed to drop Shouto off at 3:21 pm, the younger Todoroki thankful that he would not have to face the wrath of Aizawa. After a quick goodbye and a promise to try to make it to dinner next weekend at his father's house (he would make good on his promise to ask Aizawa for permission, he would just wait until the teacher was in a particularly bad mood to ask), the two parted ways.

"Todoroki!" Shouto could immediately tell the enthusiastic voice of his emerald-eye friend as he approached the entrance to the dorms. Looking behind him he saw Midoriya jogging up to him, shirt drenched in sweat despite the chilly late-November air.

"Midoriya," Shouto nodded as he greeted his friend. "Did you just get back from a run?"

Midoriya nodded eagerly. "Did you go see your mom?"

"I did," Shouto responded. Despite his demeanor with his family earlier, he retained his stoic nature while outside of the hospital room. "She asked about you."

"About me?" The older boy seemed shocked. "What did she want to know? She hasn't seen the fight from the sports festival, has she? I hope she knows I didn't mean to hurt you, but I did want to win, just not by hurting you and-"

Shouto held his hands up gesturing for Midoriya to stop, which thankfully he did, allowing Shouto to reassure him. "The sports festival was fine, though she hasn't seen it. She just wanted to know how my friends were, that's all." Shouto decided to specifically avoid adding any comment that he worried his mother wanted to know if he even had friends to begin with. He knew by now that kind of comment would only upset his friend and spiral into Midoriya spending the rest of the day trying to reassure Shouto how much everyone loved him. And while spending that time with Midoriya seemed nice, upsetting his friend and (once again) drawing attention to himself would only increase the anxiety Shouto felt.

"Oh, that makes sense," Midoriya laughed, rubbing his hand against the back of his head, green curls bouncing to the rhythm of his laughter. "She seems really nice, Todoroki, I wish I could meet her some time."

"Interesting," Shouto mused. "She said the same thing about you."

Rather than continue an admittedly awkward conversation about his personal life, especially because he wasn't sure how he felt about the idea of bringing Midoriya (or anyone) to meet his unique style of family, Todoroki opted to head into the dorms, the opening of the main door signaling an understanding between the two that the conversation should end there. Midoriya knew that Shouto wanted to keep his personal life as such, and as far as the two knew, nobody else was aware of any of his particular flavor of family drama.

"Yo, Todo-bro!" Kirishima nearly cheered from his seat on the couch. His arm was snaked around Bakugo, who was frantically beating the red head against the ear with a roll of math papers, trying to convince him to study. "We were just about to take a break from studying if you wanna watch a movie with us."

"We were not just about to take a break Shit for Brains," Bakugo threw the roll of math papers behind him as though to tell Kirishima he was giving up. The papers ended up hitting Shouto in the face before hitting the ground.

Shouto bent down and looked them over. It looked like it was their most recent test which Kirishima only barely didn't fail. "Why don't you study the material for the next test instead of the last one?" he asked.

"Oh, no," Kirishima laughed, "we are studying for Friday's test. Bakugo just likes to hit me with that one in case I ever forget that I quote 'am two points away from failing'." Shouto glanced nervously at Kirishima, but his bright smile gave no indication that he disapproved of Bakugo's methods. They reminded Shouto almost fondly of Gang Orca during their remedial classes. Harsh, but (hopefully for Kirishima) effective. "Anyway," the hardening boy continued, "I'm gonna take a break anyway. If I study any more my brain probably will literally turn into shit."

"I don't think studying can turn your brain into-"

"He doesn't actually mean that," Bakugo growled. "Why are you so damn dense, Icyhot?"

"Why would he say that if he doesn't mean it?" Shouto never meant to challenge Bakugo, but Bakugo certainly loved to say things that made no sense to the socially isolated male.

"I'm going to make cookies," Kirishima offered, standing from the couch.

"You are not cooking in my damn kitchen," Bakugo yelled after him, despite Kirishima not even having passed the couch yet. Bakugo stood up and ran into the kitchen before him. Kirishima turned back and flashed a hearty smile at Shouto, once again reassuring him that things were good.

A month ago, Shouto approached Kirishima after class privately, asking if everything was okay between him and Bakugo. Kirishima was the one confused then, until Shouto explained the aggressive behavior. Kirishima only laughed, reassuring Shouto everything was fine, but since then has made an extra effort to remind his friend when Bakugo was just being Bakugo. Shouto appreciated the extra efforts he made to avoid any more awkward conversations. Under the assumption that Midoriya was the only one who knew of his history, Shouto did not want to accidentally reveal more than necessary in attempt to help a classmate that was not actually suffering.

After the two left, Shouto turned his attention to Yaoyorozu, who was reading a book on the other couch. She marked her page with a quickly created bookmark and sighed lightly. "I honestly was worried they were going to sit there arguing for the entire night."

"Why not read in your room?" While the question from any other student would have come off as rude and dismissive, everyone knew Shouto was simply pointing out an idea he thought was helpful.

"It's surprisingly louder," she confessed. When the two boys showed confusion on her face, Yaoyorozu continued. "I don't know what's going on in Uraraka's room, but there's a lot of noise. Which is fine, by the way," she tacked on quickly, "I just figured coming down here would be a little quieter."

"If you want quiet, you're welcome to come up to my room. I just plan on studying, and if Bakugo is down here, we won't get any noise from him at least," Shouto offered, and thinking of his neighbors added, "Satou and Sero usually spend Sundays out, and if not they're still normally quiet."

Yaoyorozu's eyes gleamed at the offer. While it went unnoticed to Shouto, Midoriya's smile widened toward their friend. He knew the raven-haired girl had a crush on Shouto, even if she wasn't ready to admit it herself, and the offer to spend time with her close friend and crush was not one she was willing to deny. "Thank you, Todoroki, that would be lovely. Oh, I'll make us some tea and bring it up, how does that sound?"

Shouto nodded, none of her extra perkiness standing out to him as abnormal. "I would enjoy that, thank you." Yaoyorozu quickly bounded up and headed toward the kitchen herself.

Before he was at the elevator, Midoriya placed a gentle hand on Shouto's shoulder. "I'm going to go shower and then see Eri. Aizawa said she's missed me. I'll catch up with you later?" Shouto hummed a positive response. "Have fun with Yaoyorozu, Todoroki!" he called back as he rushed to the dorm showers.

In his room, Shouto pulled out his futon. Other than his desk and chair, he did not have much furniture. Perhaps he should have considered that before inviting Yaoyorozu over, but it was too late now. He just wanted to make sure his friend was comfortable.

'Maybe mom would have wanted to hear more about her,' he thought to himself lightly. But he was glad he didn't give Natsuo any more ammunition. He wasn't sure why Fuyumi particularly chose to mention Midoriya, maybe it was the sports festival, but his letters to his mom often mentioned his other friends- Iida, Yaoyorozu, and even Bakugo- just as much as Midoriya. Perhaps Yaoyorozu would also want to meet his family. But was that strange, to invite his classmates to meet his mother who was in the hospital for… well, everything. Shouto barely felt it was fair to blame it all on just the kettle incident. Not after the years of abuse his father put her through.

The opening of his door interrupted his thoughts, and he sent Yaoyorozu a silent 'thank you' for the much-needed mental break. He didn't often spiral when thinking of his family, but seeing his siblings and mother today, as well as Fuyumi's reminders of his father's attempts to redeem himself, put Shouto on a precarious edge. Somewhere, his mind also knew that the girl at the hospital had something to do with it- or more accurately how she was treated by her mother. He tried to brush this off once again as him overacting and projecting his own trauma on a stranger.

"I made us some traditional Chinese white tea," Yaoyorozu informed him as she set a steaming mug in front of him on his desk. "I wanted to bring up the teacups and teapot, but I thought this would be easier while studying."

"Thank you, Yaoyorozu, that's kind of you," he responded, before gesturing to the futon. "I hope that is okay, otherwise you can take the desk."

"Oh, no, that's fine," she smiled brightly, setting her own mug on the floor next to the futon before climbing on it and sitting cross-legged. "It's surprisingly comfortable." She lay on her side, her mug of tea next to her head, as she pulled out her book and began reading. Shouto took this as a sign to turn away and begin his homework.

He barely begun his math homework when his phone dinged. He was prepared to ignore it, assuming it was from Endeavor or Fuyumi asking about dinner with Endeavor, but a quick glance and he saw the name. Yoarashi Inasa. While their relationship certainly was not a smooth one, after the remedial courses, and especially after watching the kids, Shouto and Yoarashi began a precarious friendship, mostly limited to texting. Yoarashi was overly enthusiastic, using multiple exclamation marks and sending Shouto memes he never understood. Shouto, for his part, rarely responded, and when he did it was much more formal, however their relationship was able to coast along this way.

Yoarashi

[Shouto! Camie wants us all to hang out this weekend at the mall! Saturday night! Bakugo too!

Would you like to join us?

Like a remedial class reunion!]

Did it count as a reunion if they ended their classes only a couple of weeks ago? Shouto didn't figure that was something worth asking about.

Shouto

[I will ask Aizawa-sensei for permission.]

Shouto placed his phone face down next to him, deciding to answer any other texts from Yoarashi later. While he was not particularly close to him or Camie, his friends, siblings, and even his mother were all trying to encourage him to reach out more. And Bakugo would be there, so he imagined that would levy some of the awkwardness.

"Who was that?" Yaoyorozu asked, marking her place again. She sat her book down next to her as she sat up on the futon once more.

"Yoarashi, one of the other heroes from the remedial course. He was the first year from Shiketsu. I guess he wanted to have a reunion. He said Camie wanted us and Bakugo to go to the mall on Saturday night."

"Sounds more like a hang out than a reunion," Yaoyorozu unwittingly answered his question. "But I bet it would be fun."

"I suppose so."

"Do you not want to go?"

"It's not that," Shouto responded thoughtfully. "Yoarashi and I just didn't get along very well at first. Camie can be a bit much and Bakugo is… Bakugo."

Yaoyorozu nodded in understanding. "I can go with you, if you'd like. Of course, only if I'm welcome and you want me there. I just don't want you to feel like you're alone."

"Thank you, Yaoyorozu," Shouto nodded, turning back to his homework. "I will consider that."

A warmth fluttered its way into Yaoyorozu's heart, to which Shouto remained oblivious. She returned to her book, making it almost to the end before her stomach growled. "Is it already time for dinner?" she asked aloud.

"Hm?" Shouto looked up from where he was deep in what looked to be their heroics essay that was due in over a week. "What time is it?"

"It's already 7:30," Yaoyorozu spoke with some surprise. "Todoroki are you doing next week's homework?"

"Oh, yes. I finished our other work, and I didn't want to interrupt your reading." He glanced at the book where Yaoyorozu marked her spot with what couldn't have been more than a chapter remaining.

She blushed at the comment. "Thank you, Todoroki. We should get some dinner." He nodded in agreement and stood up, stretching so that his shirt rode up she could see just a hint of his abdomen, and the way his muscles flexed. Yaoyorozu glanced away quickly, knowing Shouto had no idea what he was doing, yet still struggling to maintain her composure. "Shall we?" she didn't wait for his response or spare another look as she hurried out of the dorm room, followed closely by Shouto.

The moment they entered the kitchen, the smell of food enveloped them. While the cooking was over and most of 1-A had finished eating already, there were two plates clearly set aside for them. Shouto grabbed them wordlessly while Yaoyorozu grabbed two drinks from the fridge, and they sat next to Midoriya. Midoriya was still eating, having come in later from hanging out with Eri, while Uraraka and Iida sat at the table, plates long since clear.

"How was your study session?" Midoriya asked between bites.

"Oooh you two studied together?" Uraraka's eyebrows raised high in a way that made them seem almost effected by her quirk.

"I did homework, Yaoyorozu was reading," Shouto informed her.

"What did you do all afternoon?" Yaoyorozu asked, her tone polite despite her earlier annoyance at being disturbed. If anything, she'd have to remember to thank Uraraka for giving her a chance to spend the afternoon with Shouto.

"Practicing some new moves!" Uraraka cheered, hands thrown out in exaggerated marital arts poses. Yaoyorozu wondered how that was louder than Bakugo and Kirishima studying but decided not to ask questions. Again, it ended up working in her favor.

"How was your afternoon, Iida?" Yaoyorozu decided to include the final member of the group.

"Thank you for asking," Iida spoke in his same formal tone, controlled hand chopping motions punctuating his words. "I was able to video chat with my parents and my brother today. He's doing well in physical therapy and is happy to see the Ingenium name will continue." An unmistakable look of pride took place in his eyes as Iida remembered the fond words his brother spoke of him.

Shouto felt a part of himself in that look. While he never showed it on his face, he felt that same feeling whenever his mother was happy with their conversations. Shouto often worried he would disappoint her, but when he managed to make her smile like he had earlier, there was a small part of his heart that warmed with the same pride Iida showed.

"Midoriya," Shouto decided. "Let's talk tonight."

"O-oh, yeah, sure Todoroki," Midoriya smiled a mini All Might smile, a bit of chicken stuck in his teeth. "After dinner?"

"Yes."

After they finished eating, Shouto stepped outside the dorms. It was not quite 8pm, but the rest of the class was inside, which afforded them enough privacy.

"My mom wants to meet you." Shouto was, as always, straight to the point.

"Oh, r-right you mentioned that," Midoriya said with an awkward chuckle.

"I see her every other Sunday." After a moment of silence, Shouto continued. "I'd like you to come with me next time, if Aizawa-sensei allows it."

Midoriya was stunned into silence, which almost stunned Shouto into talking more. It was as though, for a moment, their personalities swapped. Thankfully, before Shouto had to experience rambling anxiety, Midoriya responded. "Th-thank you, Todoroki. If you're sure it's okay-"

"It is." And with that, Shouto turned and walked back into the dorms. He made no effort to be cold or rude to Midoriya, but he said what he needed to, and he wanted to leave before he changed his mind. Letting anybody meet his mother was more nerve-wracking than he expected, but Midoriya was the only one who knew the situation, and he didn't want to risk anybody else knowing more. He also figured his mother would get along with someone like Midoriya better than, say, Bakugo.

That night, despite his nerves over his invitation to Midoriya, Shouto found sleep came easily to him. Future Shouto could worry about the meeting, current Shouto had all his homework done, saw his mother, and had a good time with his friend; current Shouto had enough reasons to fall asleep.

A large, yellow building loomed over him, attempting to intimidate him with its size alone. Shouto squinted his eyes in the bright sunlight, trying to make out any distinctive features of the building. It seemed well constructed, clearly made to withstand a villain attack. The well kempt courtyard hinted that, while perhaps not the most well off, the people who lived there certainly were not wanting for too much.

Shouto took a step forward but didn't feel like he got any closer to the building. Why was he here? He couldn't remember. He couldn't remember having been in this part of town at all. Attempting to look around, everything else in the background seemed to swirl into color. Ever since the incident with the kettle, Shouto needed contacts in his left eye, and his right eye followed suit shortly after. But looking around, it was as though everywhere he looked except the yellow building was seen without his contacts.

He couldn't even will his body to walk toward anything else. He continued to try to reach the yellow building, but once again it never seemed to come any closer. He was stuck, resigned to live his life in this one spot, despite his protests. A feeling he didn't enjoy. A whisper played in his ear.

"Save me."

Shouto gasped, throwing aside his blanket, eyes darting around the room. His dorm room. There was no yellow building, he told himself. And while the room was blurry without his contacts, nothing was out of place, beyond the frozen wall next to him. He would have to apologize to Sero in the morning, he thought, as he slowly melted the ice. When the task was complete, Shouto shook himself, as though to physically remove the nightmare. His clock told him it was only 2am, still plenty of time for sleep. He lay back down, wrapping his blanket around him, when he heard the whisper again, beyond his dream.

"Save me, please."