Chapter 2

As he slipped around the edge of the building, Shoto spotted his father conversing with a couple other heroes. He backed up slightly, waiting for the two others to leave. Todoroki scoffed at how laid-back and stoic his fraud of a father was with other people. It made him sick to his stomach seeing him talking so normal with people around. However, he couldn't just walk up to the number 2 hero. There would, no doubt, be a huge gather of people if he did. With that in mind, Todoroki settled against the wall and waited for everyone to clear out.

It took an agonizing 7 minutes or so for the other heroes to leave, but they did eventually. That left an opening for Shoto to meet back up with his father, not that he really wanted to. He'd rather spend his entire life with someone who didn't speak than be with his dad for 2 minutes. It's too bad the world doesn't work that way in most cases. Todoroki could dream, though.

Endeavor was walking away when he heard his son's nonchalant voice behind him. He turned around to see Todoroki standing in front of him, staring straight ahead, not even paying any mind to his presence. He scowled at his masterpiece, turned around, and continued walking, fully expecting his son to follow him. Shoto minded him, though he wished he hadn't. He could run off at any minute and Endeavor wouldn't give a crap. Or would he?

"Shoto! Where were you earlier? I had a job for you to do. Did you run off in attempt to evade me and your duties as a hero?!"

Todoroki scoffed and gazed in the windows of passing stores so he wouldn't have to make eye contact.

"Show-off." He mumbled, causing Endeavor to spin his head back.

"Excuse me?!"

Shoto just shrugged his shoulders in response. His eyes were still staring at the windows when a girl caught his attention. No, not in that way, if that's what you're thinking. In a 'hey-I-know-you-from-school' kind of way. His head leaned to the side as he eyed the girl, trying to figure out who she was. Then it clicked.

"Momo?"

She glanced over her shoulder at the mention of her name. She appeared to be shopping with her parents since she was standing at the entrance of a clothing store.

"Oh, hey Todoroki. What're you doing here?" She curiously asked.

He sighed and scratched the back of his neck.

"I'm interning with my father."

"Oh. That's nice."

"I guess."

Todoroki knew she had no idea how abusive his dad was to his family, nor did she know how much he loathed him. He just shrugged it off and tried to keep the conversation going without being awkward.

"So, what're you doing out here? Out with your family?"

Yaoyorozu brightened up at those words. Maybe she really loved her family. Shoto didn't know, but he acted interested.

"Yes! My mother brought me here to get a homecoming dress for school."

"Homecoming? Isn't that like a competition that girls compete in to see who's more popular and has a better dress?" He questioned.

Momo giggled at his attempt to figure out the event.

"Well, kind of. It's more about who has more votes out of all the candidates."

"So...an election?"

"Yes."

She pulled out her ponytail holder and allowed her hair to drop down her shoulders. For a moment, she just stood there playing with her hair. She twirled the silky, black strands between her fingers and ran her hands through it as a whole. Once she was done and Todoroki was paying attention again, she continued speaking.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking...you don't have a date to the dance, do you?" Her face dusted with pink as she waited for his answer, only to be let down by her expectations.

"I'm not going."

Momo's heart sank ever so slightly at Shoto's relaxed response. She was hoping he could be her escort for Homecoming, but she knew from the start that he would either (1) be too busy or (2) not go at all.

"O-oh. Ok. Thank you, anyway. My dad is calling me, so I have to go. Bye." She said while she walked off in a saddened daze.

"Mhm." He waved and walked in the opposite direction.

That was weird. I didn't know she liked me. I'm glad I'm not going then, especially since she'd be there.

After a few more unbearable training exercises and harsh verbal punishment, Shoto was finally able to go home to the dorms. He could choose to go to his real house, but the dorms were closer, and he didn't feel like dealing with his father more than he had to.

He was at UA in a little under 15 minutes. Sliding his card at the gate, the doors beeped, then opened to reveal the school entrance. It was dark, but he'd already memorized the campus grounds, so he knew the path by heart. As he walked over to the dorms, he could see Bakugo standing out on his balcony.

Wow, I figured he'd be asleep by now. It's what, 12:00?

He glanced down at his watch to check himself. It was 12:52 at night and Bakugo was still awake. That's really strange for him since he normally ditches the group and goes to bed at 8 o'clock.

Todoroki didn't think much of it. It is Bakugo, after all. He walked up the stairs and took a right to the boys' side of the dorms, careful not to make much noise. The only sound you could even hear was his shoes gently tapping on the hardwood. The exhausted boy continued the trek up to his room by taking the elevator since it was quicker. Once he reached the 3rd floor, he stepped through the doors and trudged to his room. He quickly slid his card over the door handle and entered into his room.

Finally! Home.

Shoto laid his bag down on the kitchen table, then walked over to his futon. The boy groggily threw himself onto the softness of the fabric, savoring the feeling of sleep as it coursed through his body. The consciousness slowly drifting as he cuddled into the blankets. However, he was cut away from his thoughts when he heard someone clear their throat. In a rush of energy and self-defense, he sat up, his ice side activating at the sudden intrusion.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

"I-I...um... I'm s-sorry... I s-shouldn't have...uh..."

It was a faint sentence of rambled words, but Shoto knew exactly who it was.

"T-Tamaki...?" He asked, trying to adjust his eyes to the darkness that currently enveloped his senses.

"Mhm..."

"Wh-what're you doing here? It's the middle of the night."

Amajiki shuffled away from the stool he was sitting on and slowly walked over to Todoroki. He kneeled down, then sat cross-legged in front of his classmate.

"Tamaki?"

"I'm...s-sorry. I should've w-waited out...s-side..."

"No, it's ok. Did Mr. Aizawa let you in?"

Tamaki nodded.

"Ah, got it. I'm sorry I was so late."

"I-It's ok...I didn't k-know you would be b-back so l-late."

Shoto shook his head.

"No, it's my fault. Anyway, why're you here?"

Amajiki glanced down, fumbling with his fingers while he thought.

"I...I w-was...uhm..."

"You can say it. I don't judge."

"Um...w-well, I came to t-talk to y-you..."

Talk? To me? Huh...I'm so confused. It's almost 1am and he wants to talk? This guy is so strange...but he's so interesting.

.

.

.

Hi again! I would like to thank Morthos and fluffy24 for following this story. It means so much to me. Love ya! Okie, I'm gonna be quiet now. Bye! ;)