A/N: Since today is National Hug Day, I just couldn't help but celebrate with my favorite MHA pairing. In particular, I wanted to dedicate this one to Ryuujin96, who's been my staunchest TodoDeku supporter ever since I started Gonna Kiss You On the Boulevard. Enjoy!

It was a bitterly cold winter day in Musutafu City, but Shoto Todoroki was staying warm in his UA dorm, listening to "Suzie Smiled" by Tygers of Pan Tang. Throughout his life, heavy metal had been one of his greatest loves, and it had helped him through some really tough times, not to mention it served as a symbol of rebellion to him. Granted, he shied away from extreme forms of metal such as death metal and black metal, but he was very much into thrash metal, from the Big Four such as Metallica and Slayer, to the Teutonic Big Four such as Kreator and Sodom, to other thrash bands such as Overkill, Testament, Onslaught and Nuclear Assault. He also particularly loved New Wave of British Heavy Metal and speed metal, plus traditional heavy metal. Then, while he was rocking out, he heard knocking on his door, so he paused the song.

"I'm coming."

Todoroki opened the door. Standing there was Izuko "Deko" Midoriya.

"Hi Todoroki! Mind if I come in?"

Todoroki nodded. "Go ahead, Midoriya."

Deko stepped inside, and Todoroki closed the door behind her.

"So, what are you up to?" asked Deko.

"Nothing much. I was just listening to heavy metal."

"How nice! Actually, I came here because today is a special day."

Todoroki raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what is today?"

Deko smiled. "It's National Hug Day!"

Todoroki scratched his cheek. "National Hug Day? I've never heard of this before…"

Deko giggled. "Well…now you have!"

Todoroki gasped. "Wait…Midoriya…are you saying that you came here because you wanted a hug from me?"

Deko giggled some more. "Of course, Sillyroki!"

Todoroki smiled. "Well…all right. I accept."

"Grand!"

Deko gave Todoroki a big hug, and despite being surprised by the initial touch, the bicolor boy returned it. Also despite being nervous about the whole thing, he discovered that not only did he really enjoy hugging her, but considering all the crap he'd been through in his life, he really, really needed this. All he could think about right now was that time they faced off against each other at the UA Sports Festival and how she gave him those six meaningful words: "It's YOURS! YOUR Quirk, NOT his!" Ever since that day, he'd been absolutely, madly in love with her, but he'd been too shy to express his feelings. Now that she was expressing her affection, though, he felt as though he could be himself. Of course, the fact that she was the softest, warmest, most cuddly woman he'd ever hugged helped, too. He wanted to hold her forever and ever.

Similarly, Deko wanted to hold on to Todoroki as long as she could. Ever since their initial meeting, she could tell, deep down inside, that he was feeling really sad and wanted somebody to love. After the Sports Festival, when she really started to get to know him, she found that they had more in common than she initially thought. Even if they didn't share everything in common, he gave her the respect she deserved, and that meant everything to her. Aside from having his strong, manly arms wrapped around her, the thing she liked the best about this hug was that he was four inches taller than her – 5'9 ¼" to her 5'5 ¼" – so that made the hug even more snuggly. Also, she wasn't sure if he was wearing cologne or not, but to her, he smelled like a snow-covered landscape, unsullied by the warmth of rain. Eventually, Todoroki let go, but not without a smile on his face.

"Thank you, Midoriya."

"You're welcome! And please, call me 'Deko'!"

Todoroki put his index finger on his chin. "'Deko'? An intriguing nickname, to be sure. How did you get it?"

Deko smiled nervously and averted her gaze as she rubbed the back of her head. "Well…it was Kacchan's idea, saying it stood for 'Defenseless Izuko'." She turned to make eye contact with Todoroki again. "However, Uraraka told me how much she liked it and how it sounded like the name of a hero, so it stuck."

Todoroki smiled. "Well, please keep it; it's cute! Also, may I please have another hug?"

Deko giggled. "Of course!"

Deko hugged Todoroki again. Even if this one didn't last as long, it was long enough for the bicolor boy.

"I love you so much, Izuko Midoriya."

"I love you too, Shoto Todoroki."

Deko gave Todoroki a quick peck on the lips, prompting him to pull her in and give her the most passionate kiss he could muster up. However, she gently pushed him away.

"OK, I know you love me, but let's not get too crazy here!" said Deko.

Todoroki chuckled. "Sorry. Anyways, would you like to hang out?"

"Of course! Got any movies we can watch?"

"Plenty. I even have popcorn and snacks."

"Grand!"

Todoroki set up his TV, while Deko pulled up some chairs. They were definitely looking forward to celebrating this holiday again.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.