Chapter 3 : Listening to Voices in Your Head is NOT a Great Idea

The change in the air between Midoriya and Todoroki became quickly obvious to everyone within a few weeks of Midoriya's release. They were friendly before but it seemed as if they were, if possible, even friendlier, addressing each other by their given names. There was a certain ease between the two of them, almost as if they had known each other their whole lives. They hung out after school to study together, went to the movies more frequently – Tsuyu had even caught them in the dorm kitchen where Midoriya was trying to teach Todoroki how to bake cookies.

One day, Uraraka cornered Midoriya just as he was about to leave the class. It was one of those rare moments where Midoriya didn't have Todoroki beside him, for the latter had been called in by Aizawa to discuss his term paper.

"Deku-kun, we need to talk."

"Umm sure Uraraka. What did you want to talk about?" asked Midoriya nervously. There was a certain glint in her eyes which spelled nothing but mischief.

Uraraka grinned and started off with a seemingly unrelated question. "I'm your friend right?"

"Of course! Why would you even have to ask that?"

"You could say I'm like your closest friend, right?" Uraraka pressed on.

Midoriya nodded in affirmation.

"And close friends don't keep secrets from each other. When were you going to tell me you were dating Todoroki-kun?"

Midoriya could feel his face heating up. He had been aware of the rumours going around surrounding him and Todoroki. He wasn't as dense as people thought him to be. He had even thought about correcting his friends about their misunderstanding but had stopped himself – for a reason he wanted to take to the grave with him. The more friendly Todoroki was being with him, the more irritated Kacchan was becoming. At first Midoriya couldn't figure out why Kacchan was sending death glares in their direction whenever he and Todoroki were together. But the little Midoriya in his mind had sprung up and provided him the most obvious answer. He's jealous. Midoriya didn't know if he could trust the voice in his head. Hell, he didn't even know he had a voice in his head to begin with. But the more he observed Kacchan when he was with Todoroki, the more he began to believe the voice. If Kacchan really was jealous…then maybe all hope was not lost like he had originally thought.

"Hello? Earth to Deku-kun. You there?" Uraraka's voice cut through Midoriya's thoughts. Shit, he had spaced out again.

"I-I-It's not like that Uraraka. Shouto and I are j-just friends," he answered sheepishly.

"Psh yeah right and I am clearly not gay for Tsuyu. Cut the bullshit Deku-kun. It's obvious as hell that there's something going on between you two. I mean, have you seen the way Todoroki looks at you? Geez we all get secondhand embarrassment from that."

"I…umm…I really don't…"

"Izuku? Why are you still here?" A new voice cut through Midoriya's mumbling and he couldn't have been happier about it.

"Shouto! Are you done already?" asked Midoriya, clearly avoiding looking at Uraraka.

"Yeah it wasn't anything special. Hello Uraraka." Todoroki tilted his head slightly at the scene before him. Midoriya was completely red in the face and was looking at him in relief. Uraraka on the other hand looked resigned.

"And the knight in shining armour arrives to save the damsel in distress," Uraraka's voice was low enough not to reach Todoroki but Midoriya grew more embarrassed as he dropped his gaze to the floor.

"Hello Todoroki. I was just talking to Deku-kun about something. Oh look at the time. I'm going to be late for the party preparations. Which reminds me, you are coming right?" asked Uraraka.

The reluctance was clear on Todoroki's face. Every two or three months their class decided to throw a party in the dorm common area as an event to just sit back, relax and have a good time. Their midterms had just ended and Ashido took up the opportunity to call for another party in the dorm. And that was tonight.

"I'm…I actually had some…other plans…" Did Midoriya imagine the glance Todoroki cast towards him as he said that?

Uraraka was not about to be budged though. Putting her hand on her hips she frowned at Todoroki. "Come on Todoroki-kun! You've never attended a single party. Everyone has a great time. And we even convinced Jirou to perform. There's no way you can miss that! It's like…once in a blue moon opportunity. On top of that," Uraraka suddenly grabbed Midoriya by the arm and pulled him towards her. "Deku-kun will be coming too, right?"

Uraraka may have been smiling when she turned towards Midoriya but he felt a chill run down his spine. There was no way he could refuse her. His life could be in serious danger.

"Uh yeah of course." He turned towards Todoroki. "Why don't you drop in for a little bit, Shouto? Who knows, you might have fun."

Todoroki hesitated. He looked as if he wanted to tell Midoriya something but stopped. Instead, he sighed. "Alright fine. Just for a little while."

"Yeah! Well, I'll see you there then. Lots of stuff to organize before the party. I'll see you two later then." Uraraka waved them goodbye as she almost skipped back to the dorms, mission accomplished.

"Uraraka can be scary sometimes," Midoriya commented.

"I couldn't agree more."

When Midoriya arrived at the common room in the evening, the party was in full swing. Most of the crowd was surrounding Jirou and cheering her on as she sang. Though he himself did not know much about rock music, even he could tell that Jirou was smashing it. As he looked around, his eyes fell on Bakugo. Midoriya was surprised. Bakugo had rarely shown up during the previous parties. He was usually in bed by 9. Yet here he was, standing in one corner of the room, with his trademark scowl on his face. Should he go and talk to him? They had barely said anything to each other since that disastrous practice match.

Go on. Talk to him. The little voice in his head urged him on.

No. I don't think it's such a good idea. Kacchan probably won't like it. Midoriya argued back.

There's got to be a reason he's here. Maybe he wants to talk to you. The voice urged him on.

It's true that this is indeed a rare sight. Kacchan rarely ever comes to things like this. But I… Midoriya's thoughts trailed off as he saw Kirishima approaching Bakugo with two drinks in his hand. He handed one to Bakugo and stood close beside him. Midoriya could only look on in surprise as Bakugo made no move to put some distance between him and Kirishima. Instead, he just took a sip from his drink and Midoriya could swear he saw a sliver of a smile on Bakugo's face.

Oh…looks like someone got to him first. The voice in Midoriya's mind was snarky.

I-It's good that Kirishima-kun managed to get Kacchan to come to the party. He needs to cool off too once in a while. Midoriya replied back.

Oh please, who are you kidding? There's no way your precious Kacchan would give in so easily to Kirishima's demands…unless there was something else going on between them. The voice (which the author has henceforth decided to call 'Mido' in short because writing 'the voice' all the time is kinda weird) boomed in his head.

That's… Midoriya couldn't get the thought out of his head. It's true that, out of all their classmates, Bakugo was probably closest to Kirishima and if anyone could manage to get him to come to the party, it would be him. But even then there was no way he could have accomplished that easily. Was there really something going on between them? Midoriya could feel the ugly head of jealousy rising in his heart. It hurt. He couldn't keep looking at them anymore.

"Izuku?"

Midoriya turned his head at the familiar voice. "Shouto! You came!"

"Uh yeah…I did say I would. Is something the matter? You were spacing off there," saying this Todoroki's eyes glanced in the direction Midoriya was so focused on. "I see Bakugo came as well."

Midoriya laughed nervously. For some reason, he couldn't look Todoroki in the eyes. "Yeah looks like it."

Todoroki glanced down at Midoriya. The boy was avoiding all eye contact and fiddling around with his thumbs nervously. He looked back up at Bakugo and Kirishima again. The later now had his arms around Bakugo as he sang along to the song Jirou was performing. He couldn't help but notice the furtive glances Midoriya kept giving them when he thought no one would notice.

"Izuku…you…"

Midoriya looked up. "Hmm?"

"…nothing. So…I did come but I'm not really sure what to do in this situation. It's a bit too loud for my taste honestly," confessed Todoroki.

Midoriya giggled. "Shouto the party is meant for everyone to just relax and hang out. But it's having just the opposite effect on you. You could just…umm…try some of the desserts Satou made. I heard they're delicious. Also I think Uraraka and Ashido might have…spiked the drinks so I would avoid them if I were you."

"Spiked the…wait how did they even get their hands on…"

"Heyyyyyy look who's hereeeeee." Suddenly Kaminari was on them, barely able to stand properly. "It'sssss Todoroki! Dudeeeeee I can't believe Uraraka actually managed to get you to comeee. Hahahaha this is funny."

"Wow he's drunk," commented Todoroki.

"He's very drunk," Midoriya nodded in agreement.

"Huh? Drunk? Me? No wayyyy. Hey Todorokiii you have some too. This is sooo good," slurred Kaminari, shoving a glass filled to the brim with a suspicious pink liquid in his hand.

"I think I'll pass," answered Todoroki.

"Booo wrong answer. Come on man. Don't be such a wuss. It's your first party. Have fun!"

"Kaminari-kun, I think you need to drink some water and maybe…rest up somewhere? You can barely stand!" A worried Midoriya tried to pry off the drunk boy from Todoroki.

"I'm totallyyy fine Midoriyaaaa. Don't be such a mommyy. And you, Mr. I am so cool I don't hang out with my childish classmates, you…are going to drink this or….else I'm going to…uhhh….yeah that's right! I'm going to kiss Midoriya right in front of you!" Kaminari suddenly grabbed hold of Midoriya before he could even let out a shriek.

"Kaminari that's enough! You're going too far," Todoroki immediately stepped forward to help Midoriya. He would tackle Kaminari to the ground if he had to.

Kaminari immediately put some distance between them, dragging Midoriya along with him. "Oh no no no you don't. I said, drink it or else Midoriya's lips are mine!"

I should have just gone to bed, thought Todoroki before he looked Kaminari right in the eyes and gulped down the whole contents of the glass. It had…a very weird taste. It tasted like fruit punch but there was something in it. It was clearly spiked.

"Shouto…you…"

"Yeah that's the spirit! You're awesomeee Todoroki!" shouted Kaminari in joy before he released Midoriya and hobbled off to the makeshift stage they had set up for Jirou.

Midoriya was immediately beside Todoroki. "Shouto that was a whole glass! You didn't have to do that. Kaminari wouldn't have k-k-kissed me. He was just messing with you."

Todoroki could already feel a slight buzz setting in. He couldn't afford to get drunk already. There was still something important he had to do. "There was no way I was willing to risk it. Anyway…Izuku…there's something I have to tell you. Do you mind accompanying me somewhere a bit quiet?"

"Sure Shouto. Are you sure you're okay though?"

"I'm fine. It takes a while for the alcohol to kick in and I want to do this before it hits."

Still not convinced, Midoriya guided Todoroki to one corner of the room. It wasn't very quiet but at least it wasn't crowded. Todoroki let out a little groan. "I was never good with alcohol."

"Have you had alcohol before?" Midoriya was curious.

"A little. When I had to accompany Endeavour to some hero gala shit."

"Here, why don't you lean against the wall? I should go and get you some water. That would help." But before Midoriya could even advance one foot, Todoroki held his hand. "No wait…there's something…I need to tell you first."

"…Alright Shouto. What is it?" Midoriya turned to face Todoroki, whose face seemed more than a little red. Was the alcohol acting up?

"I…" Todoroki looked down as he tightened his grip on Midoriya's hand. "I…umm…wait let me organize my thoughts first…umm Izuku I've been thinking about something for a while and I believe that it is only fair that I should let you know as well. You see I…"

"Sorry Shouto but could you speak up? I can barely hear you."

Todoroki cleared his throat. Yup, his face was definitely getting redder with each passing second.

"What I'm trying to say is that…Izuku, I…over the past few weeks….no even before that….ever since our first year…my mind…has always been filled with thoughts about you…and…uh…"

Wait wait wait wait….is he really doing this?! Mido practically screamed in Midoriya's head.

"I know this might be too sudden and you don't have to give me an answer right away. Honestly I'm not really doing this for an answer but just to get it out of my system but uh…"

Ohmyfuckinggod he really is doing this! And Kacchan is looking right at us! Midoriya was pretty sure the little Mido in his head was having a heart attack.

"Izuku Midoriya, I really…"

The jarring sound from the microphone startled Izuku as suddenly everything went quiet.

"…love you!"

…

Midoriya couldn't really see everyone in the room but he could feel all pairs of eyes on them. Kaminari had tripped over the microphone chord, thereby unplugging it the same time Todoroki had practically shouted his confession.

Kacchan is glaring daggers at you, you know… Mido whispered. He looks like he wants to strangle you, or Shouto…or both of you maybe…

Could you maybe shut up for a second?! Midoriya mind-shouted back.

They could probably hear a pin drop in the silence that prevailed over the common room as everyone just stared at them with baited breath. Midoriya looked up at Todoroki, who was looking practically mortified. But the determination and the honesty in his eyes melted his heart.

"Shouto…I…"

Midoriya's eyes fell on Bakugo. He was indeed glaring but…it wasn't his usual hatred glaring. No…there was something more to it. Midoriya could make that out at least given that Bakugo and Kirishima were at the other end of the room.

I can't accept his confession. Midoriya thought.

What are you talking about?! This is a great opportunity! Look at Kacchan's face! You already have your suspicions confirmed. You just need to push him a little further till he finally gives in. Mido argued back

No! That won't be fair to Shouto! I can't do that to him!

Do you love Kacchan?

Yes.

Do you want him?

Yes.

Then accept. Say it. Say the words!

…

…

…

"I love you too Shouto."

A/N: So...that happened. Wait now that I'm actually putting my story idea into words...I'm figuring out just how bad this situation is XD Lmao. Don't blame the poor cinnamon roll! Mido is the evil one! Let me know your thoughts in the comments/reviews.

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