Exposed skin had never been a problem for him.

He wasn't like Mineta and Kaminari, wasn't driven by hormones alone. Shouto had never really paid that sort of thing much mind, truthfully. Maybe in time he'd come to appreciate things like skimpy outfits or understand Mineta's gross comments.

Of course, he was mindful of the rare occasions when he happened upon someone's exposed skin. For instance, during their final exam when Yaoyorozu had pulled her costume apart to create Aizawa's scarf. He had immediately turned upon seeing a bit too much of her body. Sure, he didn't mind and didn't find it gross or anything but seeing her in that state without her consent wasn't a good idea. He felt like Mineta after that and man was that a disgusting feeling.

After that, he grew a little flustered around her. It wasn't because of her bare chest or anything, however. In fact, it had nothing to do with her body at all and more to do with that clever mind of hers and her impressive personality. His body felt warm around her and not because of his quirk. On numerous occasions he had even activated his right side in a feeble attempt to cool himself down. How was he supposed to know the warmth he felt around her wasn't because of his lack of control over his fire?

He wasn't entirely clueless... Well, that was a lie. He was totally clueless but more in a "I've never felt this before, what do I do?" sort of way. He knew it had to do with her. After all, his body only went warm around her. It was almost as if she was the sun and he was merely basking in her radiating heat. Then there was the way his mind seemed to basically stop working when he was close to her. Normally he could remain unfazed no matter what but for some reason, being in close proximity to her seemed to clog his thought process. His brain just wouldn't do anything of use. It'd remind him how close they were, how hot the back of his neck was, how kind her smile was. Hell, the damn thing would even go so far as to say that smile was only reserved for him.

Then it became a bit clearer.

It was gradual at first and then the veil lifted over his eyes. He could understand it better, see it clear as day. He liked her and not for the reasons Mineta did. Sure, that was a bit of a bonus but not his intentions.

Of course, he hadn't even realized it until exposed skin began to bother him.

Only hers, however, and even moreso in front of Mineta and Kaminari. The latter wasn't much of a problem but the purple haired asshole? Such a damn problem. Always staring at her like an object, trying to get a peak or a touch in any way he could. Shouto really was going to set his whole body ablaze one day, probably soon.

Maybe even today if the disgusting boy kept glancing at her chest...

Part of Shouto couldn't blame him, however. She looked incredible in a long crimson number. It hugged her chest and waist with a low v-cut down to her belly button, much like her hero costume, and flowed toward the ground with ease. She had curled her hair in one loose spiral, letting it rest over one shoulder to leave her back bare. He definitely understood why Mineta couldn't stop looking for Shouto couldn't even take his eyes off her. She was stunning, a mixture of impecible beauty and unimaginable grace. God was definitely a woman and her name was Momo Yaoyorozu.

If only Mineta could stop ogling her. It was starting to get under his skin even more than usual. She wasn't a piece of meat for him to drool over. Yaoyorozu was amazing with a clever mind and sweet personality, not just a head attached to a killer body. Why could Mineta not understand that? He could definitely agree that her dress was dangerous, almost painfully so, but he also knew her personality was better than any piece of clothing she could ever wear.

"Todoroki!"

Her voice snatched his attention from his thoughts and he tugged awkwardly at the collar of his dress shirt. The white suit was uncomfortable, too stuffy and the tie was a little too tight for his liking. Funny, he almost matched her. A crimson shirt with an ivory tie sat beneath his suit jacket, one hand shoved lazily into his pant pocket. She offered him a bright smile and drew closer to his side. Everything about her radiated happiness. It was quite infectious. He even found his lips quirking up into a half-smile.

"Yaoyorozu," he greeted. "You look nice." He wanted to say more, wanted to say she took his breath away but the word nice slipped out before he could say anything better.

She blushed anyway and glanced away toward their classmates, who were all in a cluster of moving bodies on the dance floor. Everyone was having fun, even Bakugo despite throwing a tantrum earlier about having to put on a suit. He knew this was an important party, too, for there were a lot of agencies hoping to recruit them once they graduated. Naturally, they had to impress and he believed they were doing just that.

"I hope you're having fun." She glanced at him, that pretty smile still planted firmly on her face. He really enjoyed seeing her smile.

"Yeah," he replied. "It's not a bad party." Yaoyorozu nodded in agreement with a small giggle.

"That it is. Everyone's really enjoying themselves." Her tone was fond, affection dripping from every word. She loved their classmates, even Mineta sometimes. It was only natural for her to be happy to see them all in good spirits.

He opened his mouth to give her a response when a flash of purple caught his eye. Mineta was lurking in the shadows as usual, that predatory glint in his eyes as he surveyed the girl beside Shouto. Heat rose slightly as annoyance flashed across his features and his lips pressed into a firm line. Damn that Mineta. Yaoyorozu didn't seem to notice, however, and he felt the sudden urge to protect her.

Perhaps that is why he slid the jacket from his shoulders and draped it around her own.

She jumped at the motion and turned to him with rosy cheeks, her mouth slightly agape. Shouto offered a small smile and a shrug of his shoulders before shoving his hands awkwardly into his pockets.

"I..." He paused to find a suitable answer for her questioning gaze. "Mineta was undressing you with his eyes." She squeaked at that, cheeks deepening in color.

"T-Thank you!" The words came out in a tumble and she tugged the jacket closer to her body, hiding her body from the vulture.

"No problem." Shouto offered her a hand then, those mismatched eyes finding hers as a smirk settled onto his lips. "Let's go show them what dancing really is."

Yaoyorozu gently took his outstretched hand with sparkling eyes and a grin bright enough to rival the sun.

"Thought you'd never ask."

Under the flashing lights on the dance floor, he found himself slowly coming to appreciate bare skin. If he could continue to protect her like the angel she was then he could definitely get used to seeing more of that porcelain body.

Notes • Hello guys~ I wanted to give you guys another drabble while I work on the next chapter for Let It Burn! This one was inspired by some fanart I'ce seen recently of Todoroki trying to cover Yaomomo whenever she rips her shirt to use her quirk and it's honestly one of my favorite concepts cause it's just so cute and protective. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy and I hope to have the next chapter for Let It Burn up soon c: