Tomorrow has come.
And Todoroki was not happy about it.
At the crack of dawn, the dual headed boy stood in the corridor outside his living room in flannel pajamas, nose wrinkled in disgust as he watched his "father" fumble clumsily with the buttons of an oversized, red coat by their fake pine tree.
"You realize your children are too old for you to play as Santa for, right?" Todoroki asked in his usual monotone.
The unexpected intrusion startled the number two hero, causing him to jump slightly. However, the initial shock soon wore off and the man jovially shouted "SHOUTOOO!"-making said boy cringe-and rushed over to wrap his son in a hug.
Shouto's first instinct was to punch the man.
"OWW! WHAT THE FUCK SHOUTO!?" He yelled.
"Who are you and what have you done with Endeavor?" Todoroki interrogated, knees bent and arms up in a defensive stance.
Endeavor scoffed, "Jeez, you won't even call me 'dad'? Christ..."
The older man rubbed his jaw, hissing in pain. He went to the kitchen to grab an ice pack. Todoroki followed closely from behind, eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"When was the last time you called me Pops, huh?" He questioned, "When did things get so bad between us that you started calling me 'Endeavor'?"
"First of all," Todoroki started, leaning against the doorframe now that he was more sure it wasn't an imposter. "I never called you 'pops' and it's always been bad between us...you locking mom away definitely played a part though."
"Will you forget about that already?" Enji turned around with a scowl, "She's home now, isn't that what matters?"
It was true. After years of being shut away in a mental ward, Rei Todoroki was finally deemed healthy enough to return home. Todoroki had been trying the entire month to convince the nurses to let her home for Christmas but it was all for naught. However, his wish was magically granted one day. And permanently too, because his mother was here to stay-not just for Christmas.
And whether Endeavor's signature on her release form played a large part or not, Shouto didn't know-but in any case; he was both grateful and spiteful.
The hero could've signed much earlier after all...
In fact, why was Shouto even wasting his time with this degenerate of a hero? He should be with his dear mother right now.
Grabbing a cup of water and a packet of biscuits, Todoroki made his way out of the kitchen. Before he left completely, he decided to bite-
"So why are you dressed like that?"
Enji grumbled, "Wouldn't you like to know…"
He tossed the ice pack away and answered, "My PR team has decided that I needed to take on a...friendlier image, with the JP Hero Billboard Event coming up and All Might's early retirement…I'll officially be declared the number one hero soon enough. Yet there are still many civilians who disapprove, so this get up here is somehow supposed to change their minds at the parade today."
Todoroki nodded.
It makes sense. Many associate Santa with good wholesome family fun. Problem is…
He glanced at the fiery beard on his father's seemingly permanent frown.
...Will this plan really work?
….
Well, it was none of his concern.
"I see." Todoroki says expressionlessly. "Good luck with that. Try not to traumatize any kids. Oh-any more kids, I mean."
And with that said, the teen was gone.
Missing the flash of hurt across Endeavor's face.
"Shouto, do you have plans with your friends today by any chance?" Rei tenderly asks in between sips of water.
Todoroki stilled, baffled from how she knew.
How did she-? Is it mother's intuition..?
"What makes you think that?" He says back instead.
Setting a fresh pot of flowers down on the windowsill, he dragged a chair out from under the desk and pulled it to his mother's bedside.
"'Todo-broooo, you gotta come with us pleaseeee.'" She imitates what she assumes a teenage boy sounds like. Todoroki stares in horrification before Rei pointed to the iphone nearly buzzing off the edge of the nightstand.
10 new messages from Kirishima. He scrolled over the texts and sighed.
"Who is Kirishima?" Rei wonders, "That name sounds awfully familiar..."
"A classmate of mine. He wants our class to go gift shopping together."
"Oh! Is he the one whose house you stayed at for Hanukkah? How lovely that you've made good friends-"
"We aren't friends, we're just classmates." Shouto corrects.
Rei furrows her eyebrows, "Of course you're friends! He wouldn't have invited you to his house if you weren't-which by the way, it was very rude of you to leave his home early. Your father was already at the hospital to pick me up, you didn't need to abandon poor Kirishima-"
"I didn't abandon him-well, technically I suppose I did-but I doubt he cared much-"
"Well, he definitely cares you go now so don't abandon him a second time-"
"I told you I didn't abandon him-"
"You just said you did-"
"Technically-"
"Shouto, enough-"
"I don't want to go!" The teen suddenly exploded. The white haired woman blinked rapidly with wide eyes, taken aback from the outburst. It reminded him far too much of the look she gave him seven years ago so Todoroki quickly bowed and apologized.
"Sorry, I'm sorry….I just-I don't want to leave you…" He admissioned.
Rei gave him a sympathetic look.
"Shouto, dear…" She says, lifting his head back up, "I know you missed me...but you can't just ignore your friends."
She pushes his bangs aside and runs a hand through his hair. "Friends are just as important as family-don't make that face, they are. You won't realize it now but in the long run, you're gonna want them by your side...so don't push them away sweetie. You never know how significant the time you spend with others can be. Nothing much will happen around here, but at the mall, with your classmates-well, anything can happen. You should be there."
"But mom-"
"And I'll be waiting right here for you to tell me all about it when you come home. I'm not going anywhere. I promise." She reassures, "We have all the time in the world now."
With tears in his eyes, the dual headed boy sniffles and surges forward to squeeze his mother in a tight hug. She hugs him back, rubbing soothing circles on his back.
Todoroki stayed quiet, mulling over her words as he made a choice.
"I'll be home by 6."
An aroma of freshly baked cinnamon and lightly scented perfume surrounded the group of high schoolers as they entered through the revolving glass doors of Yanagase mall and were dazzled by twinkling lights and jolly good cheer.
"Oooh, it's been so long since I've been to the mall. Everything's so pretty this time of year!" Ashido exclaimed.
"Yeah! And the food court smells amazing~" Uraraka chimed in, "We should eat there together after we buy our presents!"
"Definitely!" Kirishima agreed.
"Why are we even buying gifts?" Kaminari questioned, "Most of us don't celebrate Christmas so what's the point?"
"It's just nice to give." Izuku answered.
"Course you'd say that." Bakugou scoffed.
"Of course! There's nothing more exhilarating than the expression of sheer joy on your loved ones face as they unwrap a well-thought out gift!" Iida screamed in his typical fashion.
"Hehe, yeah!" Hagakure giggled.
Todoroki took a good look at their group as he lagged behind, he couldn't help but notice more than a few people missing but he only asked about one.
"Where's Yaoyorozu?"
Tsuyu slowed her pace to glance back at Shouto.
"She couldn't make it." The frog girl replied.
Todoroki's shoulders fell a little as Mina let out a cry,
"Wahh! How is it that Bakugou showed up but not Yao-momo!?" She yelled.
Bakugou rolled his eyes but otherwise did nothing. Todoroki had a feeling it was because of a certain broccoli headed boy beside him.
"Her parents told her no…" Jirou grumbled, "They think it's silly to go to the mall since they can just make whatever they want anytime but that's not the point, we all wanted to hang out and they shouldn't just keep Momo away from her friends." She huffed.
Todoroki blinked. It seemed that his mother and Momo's parents differed in that sense. He began to feel more fortunate, yet not so fortunate because...
"Poor Momo. I wish she could've come..." Mina said sadly.
…
"Hey hey guys look! There's a comic book store up ahead! Wanna go check it out?" Kirishima said suddenly, trying to brighten the mood. It worked for Izuku, whose eyes lit up like a Christmas tree-but Ashido had other plans.
"No way! You guys can go there anytime! Let's go to Krista's jewelry store!"
"Yeah! They're only open for the holidays and I've been dying to try on their necklaces." Hagakure added in.
"Uhh, but isn't that store a bit expensive..?" Uraraka asked nervously.
"If you are in need of financial aid, I can be of assistance to you Uraraka." Iida adjusted his glasses.
"Haah haa, simp!" Mineta laughed.
Tsuyu hurled the short boy away with her tongue before he could make any more comments. They all watched as he landed in the fountain, wondering if his size would make him drown before the ball-headed boy abruptly sat up, sputtering water out of his nose.
Hagakure crossed (?) her arms, "Why's Mineta here? Who invited him?"
"No one." Asui croaked, "I saw him get kicked out of Victoria's Secret a while ago. I guess he spotted us too..."
"How unlucky…"
"Ugh, I don't wanna buy jewelry!" Kaminari loudly complained, "I know I'm pretty metal and stuff but I don't wear earrings, believe it or not."
"Well it doesn't have to be for you." Jirou remarked, "We're here to buy presents, remember? Jewelry would be the perfect gift for any girls in your life…." The purple haired girl mumbled meekly, twirling an earbud around her finger.
Kaminari pounded a fist onto his palm, "You're right, I should get a ring for Shiozaki! She'd totally fall for me then!"
"..."
Poor Jirou...and Shiozaki. Todoroki thinks to himself.
"Guys, let's just split up!" Kirishima suggested, desperate to avoid any arguments, "Boys to the comic book store and girls to jewelry-and Iida can tag along with Uraraka if he wants-there! Problem solved."
"But I wanna hang out with Deku-kun! You guys already hogged him enough this break!" Uraraka pouted, holding Izuku's arm with both of her own. Shouto could see Katsuki's nostrils flare by a miniscule amount and he had to give the blonde credit for keeping it together; those two looked like the perfect couple right there.
But Bakugou has to know by now that that's not Midoriya's preference, right?
"Alright Midoriya, go with them too. Any more objections?" The redhead asked.
Izuku seemed dismayed at not being able to buy comics but otherwise looked perfectly content with his destination, smiling cheerily at his brunette friend. Bakugou's mouth opened by a fraction of an inch but Kirishima was already moving along,
"Great! Everything's settled then!"
The group had divided in two, going in opposite directions and promising to meet again for lunch. Izuku waved a shy goodbye to Katsuki, who flashed a quick peace sign before they departed.
"You look upset." Todoroki says to the blonde in between two aisles of books.
"Yeah, cause I'm stuck with you three morons." Bakugou growled, idly flipping through a marvel comic.
"Mhm. Would you rather be stuck with Midoriya?"
Katsuki bristled at the knowing tone, "Fuck you asshole!"
"SHHHHH!" The shopkeeper hushed from the front desk. The hot-headed boy jutted his middle finger up in the air, "Fuck you too! This ain't a damn library!"
"No yelling!" He yelled back.
The teen rolled his eyes at the hypocrisy but kept quiet. He didn't want to be chased out of another place. He focused on Todoroki,
"You don't know shit about me and Deku."
"On the contrary, I know quite a bit." The calm teen says nonchalantly, pulling out a book and skimming through pages himself, "I know you like him and he likes you back. Yet neither of you have made a move for whatever reason."
Katsuki blanched, "How the fuck-"
"You and Midoriya have all the 'subtlety and nuance of a napalm enema.'"
Red eyes squinted defensively, "Was that a gay joke?"
"Dunno, I just read it from here." Shouto revealed the page, showing a beat up image of the Joker saying the line to Batman as he crashed into a building. Katsuki's eyes glanced at the page before darting up at Todoroki and back down again,
"Do you know what a napalm enema is?"
"Nope, no clue. Why? What is that?"
Bakugou snorted and shook his head, "For a student near the top of our class, you're a real dumbass sometimes."
Shouto was highly confused but supposed it was a good sign that Bakugou was chuckling, even if it was at his expense. He made a mental note to google 'napalm enemas' later.
"Anyways, about you and Midoriya; why haven't you asked him out yet?"
"Wow, you're real nosy too." The blonde scoffed. He rubbed uncomfortably at the back of his neck and admitted, "Yeah, it's possible he likes me too...but I don't get it? I mean, I..."
Bakugou frowned and paused to gather his thoughts. Todoroki realized that the explosive teen was about to have a rare moment of vulnerability and so closed the book to listen intently.
"I-I bullied him for a majority of his life-and we talked about that a few days ago actually and he says he forgives me but...is it really that easy? One apology and everything's good…? That doesn't seem right..." He muttered.
"Ya know, I promised myself not to cross any lines-to just stay as a friend to him because I don't deserve anything more-but what the fuck am I supposed to do if that's what he wants? Like, it sounds fucking crazy that he'd want me but that...just, might be the case...? I don't know what to do…" Katsuki confided in him, remembering their 20 questions game and the light kiss to his forehead days ago, "A part of me thinks it would be selfish to take up any more space in his life but another part of me feels like it would be selfish to not even try to make up for my mistakes, so…? What the fuck do I do?"
Shouto reflected on this for a while before responding.
"You can't erase the past Bakugou. No matter how hard you try, it's already set in stone."
The other teen swallowed heavily, digesting what he already knew.
"But-" Todoroki continued, "You can change the future. And you can do that by actively working hard in the present."
Wait, this sounds familiar.
The memory of an oddly concerned-looking Endeavor flooded his mind, standing in the hospital with a hand around his mother's waist, helping her walk since she was unsteady on her feet…
Todoroki mentally shook off the image. No, that one instance doesn't count.
Grey and blue eyes looked directly into red, "Treat him right, ok? Midoriya deserves nothing less."
Katsuki nodded weakly, as if he was unsure whether he could accomplish such a task. Todoroki raised a hand to the blonde's shoulder in a rare moment of emotional intelligence.
"Bakugou...you're not a villain." He stated, "You may think you are-and a lot of others might too from first impressions-but you're not. You're the reason Midoriya came as far as he did today, you pushed him to be strong-even if it was unintentional and a beyond flawed method, he never saw it that way..." Todoroki revealed, "He's only ever taken your 'bullying' as inspiration to grow. And now, you're not just an inspiration to him, you're his friend. I've never seen Midoriya as happy as when he's around you. Whenever we talk, he goes on and on about you-how cool you were in a fight or more recently, how 'Kacchan is so cute when he's blushing' or 'so sweet when he's worried'." Shouto smirked devilishly.
"Fucking Deku..." Bakugou reddened, embarrassed that he mentioned such things to Todoroki. He couldn't help but ask though, clear doubt evident in his voice,
"...Did he really think that way of me? That I'm his inspiration?"
Todoroki nodded seriously.
"Really." He confirmed, "He still does. Midoriya absolutely adores you."
A smile began to form on Katsuki's lips before it quickly turned downwards.
"Isn't that toxic? He found the very worst version of me inspiring-sounds a lot like Stockholm syndrome."
The dual headed boy shrugged, "His obsession with you is quite worrisome. However, your relationship with him doesn't necessarily have to be toxic; it's whatever you make of it. So make it a happy one."
After a short amount of rummaging in his head, a determined smirk eventually made its way to Katsuki's lips as his spirits lifted and his goal was set. Much like a wedding vow, the blonde stated,
"I'm gonna make Deku the happiest motherfucker alive."
Shouto grimaced a bit at the wording but smiled nonetheless.
"Yes, you do that Bakugou."
A warm, pleasant sensation filled Todoroki as he watched Bakugou grip the book in his hand with newfound confidence. It was surprising how helping a friend made him feel better too...
"Holy shit, check this out! I just found a shit load of hentai here!" Kaminari screamed from the next aisle.
"Damnnn brooo! Is that supposed to be Mrs. Midnight? Drawn just like her."
"Quiet!" The shopkeeper yelled once again, "And those are not for sale, give them back here!"
Todoroki and Bakugou shared a look.
Maybe they spent enough time here.
"Mmmmm! This sundae's delicious! Here, try this Kirishima." Mina held a spoon out to the redhead, who politely declined the offer.
"Umm, no thanks. I'm lactose intolerant." The teen explained with a dust of pink on his cheeks.
"Same here but I'll take a bite hehehe~"
"When did Mineta find us again?" The transparent girl groaned.
"Behave. Don't make me fling you away again, ribbit." Tsuyu warned Mineta.
Bakugou tapped his fingers impatiently on the table, face in his other hand, "Are they ever gonna get off line?" He scowled, gesturing to Izuku and Ochako; who were picked to order burgers for everyone since there was no point in them all waiting around.
Ashido took notice of his irritation and smiled slyly, "Why Bakugou? Is someone jealous~?" She leaned forward, intertwining her fingers together to hold her chin up.
"Haven't you confessed to our resident cinnamon roll yet?" She inquired teasingly.
The whole table was stunned into a silence before breaking out in chaotic reactions.
"Wait, Bakugou has a crush!?" Jirou exclaimed in surprise.
"Eeeee! That's so cute, the bad boy with a soft side-it's like straight out of a manga-!" Hagakure squealed.
"Bakubro told you Ashido? Wow I didn't expect that-"
"I didn't tell her shit!"
"I'm a love guru, I found out on my own ahahahaha!"
"So which one of our fine ladies is the 'cinnamon roll'? Uraraka?" Mineta wiggled his eyebrows disgustingly.
"Eheheehehe-" Kaminari laughed nervously.
What should I do? He thought panickedly, Act like I don't know or admit I figured it out like Ashido did? Maybe it's best if I play stupid, Ashido didn't say a name after all. He'd probably kill whoever outed him-
"It's Midoriya." Tsuyu deadpanned.
"AHHH TSUYUU!" Kaminari screamed for her wellbeing. Jirou, Hagakure, Mineta and Iida, however, screamed "MIDORIYAAA!?"
Izuku turned around on line, "Uh, yeah?"
The four stared wide eyed at him but didn't say a word as they could see the death glare coming from Bakugou out of the corner of their eyes.
"Ah," Jirou spoke up, "Don't forget to get extra cheese on my burger!"
"Y-Yeah, me too Midoriya!" Hagakure shouted.
"The same goes for I!" Iida exclaimed.
Mineta nodded profusely.
Izuku blinked, "They really like cheese huh?" He said to Uraraka.
"Mm." She agreed.
The two turned back to their own conversation and Bakugou crackled fire in his palms.
"Any of you say a word and you're dead, got that?" He threatened, sparks flying out in their directions, "That goes double for you four eyes-tell Deku anything and I'll tell the floaty chick about your little crush."
Tenya turned violently pink.
"Whoa, Iida you like Uraraka? I had no idea man." Kirishima said.
"I knew." Mina bragged, crossing her arms triumphantly.
"You know who everyone likes, don't you?" Jirou asked.
"Why, yes, I do." She winked, yellow eyes drawing a connection between Kyoka and Denki. The purple haired girl blushed.
Kirihsima turned into a fair shade of pink himself as he asked, "Sooo, who else's crush do you know Ashido?" He tried to be casual but his voice wavered.
The pink girl pointed at Todoroki, "This guy likes Momo!"
"Yao-momo?! Good choice Todoroki!" Mineta gave a thumbs up, "Her boobs are superb! They say the true strength of a man is determined by the size of breasts he chases, so it makes sense that you and I would want a total babe like her-!"
Bakugou punched the pervert up in the air while Todoroki shot him away with a blast of ice. This time he broke through the windows of a nearby store, gathering concern by worried passerbyers but none from their group.
"Now, respecting women-that's the true mark of a man." Hagakure says in awe.
"Yeah Bakugou, your crush on Midoriya doesn't make you any weaker." Ashido says, patting his arm. She was seriously ticked off by Mineta's previous statement.
"Will you extras shut the hell up already?" Katsuki pinched the bridge of his nose, worn out from all this talk of his love life.
"Please stop calling your friends extras." Tsuyu requested.
"Yeah, we're not extras bro. If anything, we're your heterosexual supporting cast!" Kirishima supplied heartily, giving two thumbs up.
"I don't think that's any better…" Denki says wearily.
"Oh hell noo! I may be a shipper but my world does not revolve around Katsuki Bakugou!" Hagakure says defiantly, "I'm the main character of my own world." She flips (flips?) her hair (hair?). No one can ever tell what she's doing.
Todoroki wonders briefly what it feels like to be a main character. He's always felt more like a background character, or even an npc-speaking only when spoken to.
He felt like a main character at the sports festival though. That was fun.
"Hey guys, sorry for the wait!" Izuku arrives at the table, Uraraka in tow with bags full of burgers and fries.
Oh wait, I was just a plotpoint in Midoriya's storyline. He remembered.
The npc life continues.
.
.
.
The sun was about to set and that meant the group of friends had to disperse and go home to their families.
"I'll see you all at my New Year's party, alright!" Mina waved as she got into her parents car.
"You bet!"
"Definitely!"
"See ya!"
And then one by one, each teenager left by train or got picked up, until Todoroki was the only person left.
He frowned. His sister was supposed to pick him up, what was taking so long?
He checked his phone and discovered that she had gone out with their mother to see a Christmas tree lighting.
'I'll pick you up at 8 lil' bro!' The message read.
Shouto sighed. So much for waiting for me at home… He thought. He really couldn't blame his mom though. It must've been suffocating for her to stay in their house everyday, so Todoroki is glad Fuyumi took her out.
Might as well walk around.
Aimlessly, he wandered the mall, window shopping as he stopped at a couple of unique displays. Head turned at a particular item, he didn't see a young woman walking towards him and bumped right into her.
"Ouf-!" A breath of air escaped his chest, "Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was-Yaoyorozu?" His eyes widened at the black haired girl in front of him. She was barely recognizable outside of her school uniform.
"I'm sorry! I should've called out your name instead of creeping up on you!" Momo apologized instead.
The teen model brushed a hand through her hair self consciously, straightening it from their collision since she wore it down today. She looked...stunning, with her cute pink jacket and white turtleneck, paired with a fashionable skirt and knee high boots.
Todoroki lost his breath all over again.
"W-What are you doing here?" He managed to stammer out, "Jirou said your parents didn't want you at the mall?"
"A-Ahh, she told you that..." Momo tucked a stray lock behind her ear in embarrassment, "Yeah, I'm not supposed to be here...so I lied and said I was going to the library."
"!?"
"I-I don't usually sneak around, I swear!" Yaoyorozu clarified at Shouto's shell shocked expression.
"I just-I really wanted to buy a gift for someone...I don't think it's right to just use my quirk to make it, that's like stealing practically..."
Todorki nods, understanding the sentiment. He would never call Momo a thief for using her natural ability, but he knows a thing or two about feeling morally wrong over an aspect of one's quirk.
That's a hurdle she'll have to overcome on her own.
"Are you hungry?" He asks instead.
The mall was much more crowded now that it was dark out. Shouto saved Momo a seat as the girl went to buy them both hot cocoa.
So many last minute shoppers… He thought exhaustedly.
"Gather around parents!" A man with a microphone spoke not too far away from the cafe, "Gather around for this year's special guest!"
Todoroki looked over at the commotion, curious as to what was going on there.
"That's right! This Christmas season, and this season only, the famous Endeavor will be granting your children's wishes! Yes, it's true! Isn't he such a jolly good fella?"
Oh my lord.
In the center of the mall, surrounded by fake reindeer displays and middle aged men dressed as elves, sat his father. A flash of cameras captured photos and another set broadcasted the event on television, the TV above Shouto's table allowing him to hear every word clearly.
Was the parade not a good enough PR boast? He wondered.
"Merry Christmas son."
The sound of his father's voice shocked him out of his thoughts. For a wild second, he had the notion that Endeavor was speaking directly to him, but it turns out he was just talking to a small boy on his lap.
"Hi Santaa!" The child greeted.
"What would you like for Christmas?" The gruff Santa asked.
The six year old puffed his cheeks out, tapping his chin as he thought deeply about it. A couple of parents chuckled at the adorable gesture.
"I waaanttt….I want my dad to be proud of me!" He finally stated.
The audience gasped. Todoroki raised his eyebrows as well, he didn't expect that.
Endeavor remained as impassive as ever, "I'm sure your dad's proud of you already."
"No he isn't!" The child disagreed.
"What makes you say that?"
"Because!" He pouted, "He's always telling me to work harder on my quirk but he's never impressed with anything I show him! He makes me train all the time!"
Gee, I wonder who that sounds like… Todoroki rolled his eyes, leaning a hand against his cheek as he waited for Endeavor's surely disastrous response.
"He's pushing you because he wants you to improve."
Shouto stilled.
"Your father may be hard on you, but that doesn't mean he isn't proud of you."
The boy stared up at Endeavor Claus with wide eyes, "Then how come he never tells me that?"
The man shrugged, "Maybe he just doesn't know how to tell you. I know that's the case with my own son."
Shouto stared unblinkingly at the TV.
"I'm so proud of my son, Shouto. Yet whenever I try to tell him that, another criticism comes out instead. Perhaps it's the same with your father?" The hero glanced over in a specific direction, the camera panned over to that spot as well.
A teary eyed adult man spoke, "Of course I'm proud of you Ichiro."
He ran over towards his son, his son leapt up to meet him halfway.
"Of course I'm proud, of course I am!" The father cried as his son jumped into his arms. The audience awed and cheered as the boy hugged his father, the scene was probably the most heartwarming thing they've seen all year.
It was perfect, it almost seemed scripted except Shouto knew they never write out hero involved events. The whole thing was live.
That meant that Endeavor meant what he said.
…
Yaoyorozu came back with their drinks, "They ran out of hot cocoa so I got us lattes-Todoroki? What happened!?" Setting the cups down on the table and creating a napkin out of her hand, she dabbed it against his cheeks.
"Why're you crying?" She asked softly.
Shouto blinked at her and laughed.
"I'm crying out of joy." He responded simply.
Momo cocked her head in confusion.
"Honestly, these are happy tears." He reassured.
"Oh-Okay…"
The atmosphere was a bit awkward as Todoroki wiped the rest of his tears away and Yaoyorozu took a seat. They both drank their beverages in silence, Shouto enjoying the peace and quiet while the black haired girl squirmed in anxiety.
"S-So!" She spoke up just to fill the void, "H-how was your day?"
"Good." He murmured thoughtfully.
It really was a good day, huh?
Momo nodded, "I see…"
Wringing her hands together, she mustered up the courage to say more.
"Actually-I, um-the gift I wanted to get-" She pulled at her hair, bringing it forward to hide her face.
"Yes?" He prompted.
"Umm...I actually got it...for you…" She whispered.
"...Oh."
Momo looked expectantly at Todoroki. Shouto blinked at the look.
?
Okay, Yaoyorozu got me a gift...?
…
Wait, but why?
…
Oh.
…
OH!
A blush erupted on Todoroki's cheeks, blending in with his scar from so long ago. He coughed from his drink and Momo quickly turned red as well and hastily got her gift out from her purse.
"Here!" She thrusted the box across the table, "I wasn't planning on giving this to you 'til after school started but I figured now's a good of a time as any so why not? It's not a big deal, I give all my friends gifts! Granted they're all girls, but whatever-gender doesn't matter, you and I are just really close-it doesn't mean anything just 'cause you're male and I'm female-"
As Shouto took the box in his hands and vaguely listened to Momo's hysterical rambling, he suddenly felt important and not so much like a background character anymore.
"Thank you Momo." He smiled gratefully. The flustered girl halted in her tracks, knees going weak.
"O-of course, y-you're welcome…"
He beamed down at the present. He didn't know what the box contained, but he was sure that he was going to love it already.
The npc life continues no longer.
.
.
.
Back at the Bakugou house, Izuku and Katsuki were getting ready for bed.
"Today was a fun day." Midoriya says to the blonde.
"I beg to differ." Katsuki sneered as he took off his shirt and searched for a tank top in his closet.
Izuku turned away to give him privacy, "D-don't you get cold at night K-Kacchan?" He questioned.
"Pffp, no." He replied, finding his black tank top and pulling it on. He closed the closet door with a soft screech against the floor when he realized,
"Wait, do you get cold at night Deku?"
Izuku scratched the back of his head, "Um. Yeah, sometimes."
"Oh." Bakugou murmured, walking over to sit on the edge of his bed.
'Treat him right, ok?'
He furrowed his brows and avoided eye contact as he said, "...You should sleep up here."
…
…
…
Izuku covered his beet red face, steam visibly coming out of his ears.
"Why?" Why do you insist on flustering me everyday?
Bakugou shrugged, "It's warmer than the floor."
That's not important!
"Yeah b-but, isn't it kinda s-small for two people..?" He stammered, picking at a loose thread on his futon.
"Are you saying my bed is incompetent!?"
"What!? No!"
One argument and twenty minutes later, the lights were out and two teenage boys were squished under the covers of a twin sized bed.
"See, told ya we'd fit."
"Right…" The green haired boy rolled his eyes, shivering as Kacchan's minty breath cooled his hot face. The blonde mistook this as a sign of coldness and wrapped an arm around him.
Kacchan, you're going to kill me... Izuku thought bitterly as he was pulled plush against a firm chest.
"Hey Deku," Katsuki said suddenly. The shorter boy looked up curiously at the change of tone,
"Yeah Kacchan?"
The blonde shoved Izuku's head back down, effectively hiding his blush as he buried his nose into black-green hair. Izuku's eyes widened at the rapid heartbeats he heard, and with it quickened his own pulse.
"Thanks….for sticking by me. I'm really glad you're in my life…." Katsuki confessed.
And that's it. Izuku was officially dead.
Did Kacchan...just say thank you?
The freckled boy didn't say anything back-he couldn't-not while calloused fingers tangled in his hair, playing with his curls. His heart raced in his chest, unbelieving that this moment was real.
He was finally resurrected by a light squeeze around his midsection and he soon wrapped his arms back, hugging Katsuki tightly.
"I'm glad you're in my life too-!" He gasped out in a single breath, waterworks starting up in his eyes.
"Kacchan…." He whimpered against the black tank, getting emotional as he clutched the fabric at his shoulder blades, "You don't need to thank me for t-that-! I lo-love having you in my life. I love being with you, you have no idea how much you m-mean to me..."
Katsuki snuggled further into Izuku's hair and muffled out,
"You mean more to me dummy..…I nuwf euw..."
"What was that?" Izuku tilted his head back.
A burning red colored his cheeks and Bakugou suddenly lost his nerve.
"Nothing." He told Izuku, drying his tears with his thumb, "Go to sleep Deku."
"But what did you-"
"It's nothing." He insisted, "Just go to sleep nerd..."
"...Alright." The green haired boy assented, cuddling his crush. He was more than content with what he got out of tonight anyway...
"Goodnight Kacchan." Izuku says lovingly.
"G-Goodnight Deku." Katsuki stuttered out, still thinking over the three words that accidentally escaped him earlier.
I nuwf euw...
...
Stars twinkled brightly on this holy night,
All was well, and all was right….
Merry belated Christmas and a Happy New Year!