Sorry! I know it's been a long time since I posted for this (and other's) but I will finish ALL of my stories eventually! I promise!

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Letters From A Fan

Chapter 13

Todoroki woke up a few hours later with a smile on his face and squeezed the weight in his arms, only to frown a moment later when it wasn't Midoriya's warm firm body. He opened his eyes as he rolled to his back and sat up, his heart dropping when he found himself alone.

"Izuku?" he called, dread building when he didn't hear anyone answer.

Shoto quickly got out of bed and pulled on his boxers, searching the apartment to no avail. Just as he was about to pick up his phone to call, he caught sight of an envelope on his counter. He slowly walked over and opened it, eyes already filled with tears before he even started reading.

'Shoto, please don't think that me not being there when you woke up means that I regret making love with you this morning. It was by far the best decision I've ever made in my life and I'd do it all over again every time.

When I wrote that first letter to you last week, I was still with Kacchan, which is why I wanted us to just meet as friends. He found out though, as he always does, and we had a big fight the night before I came down.

I know it doesn't make sense, but I still feel affection for Kacchan. It hurts to know that things between him and I aren't ever going to get better… But that also means that I owe you an explanation for showing up and then not staying.

I left him after that last fight, Shoto. I left him because right after we had our misunderstanding a year ago, he tried to be better to me and it still didn't make me happy. No matter how many times Kacchan was actually able to control his temper and treat me well it wasn't the same as it was with you.

When he found out I was coming to see you he became very angry and tried to convince me not to go. I wasn't sure if you wanted me anymore—as a friend or lover—but when I was fighting with Kacchan I realized I didn't care.

You're the only person I could feel love for like this.

So, even though I didn't know if you'd see me after so long, I came anyway, knowing that I'd have nothing to go back to if you refused me. That's why I came… But now I need to tell you why I left.

Kacchan has gotten so much better over the last year. As crazy as it sounds, he is as dependent on me as I was on him. Between almost losing me and seeing I wasn't happy after you moved away, he really made strides to control his volatile behavior.

The only problem is, as much as he and I care about each other, I tend to bring out the worst in Kacchan… especially whenever you're involved. I'm not going to go back to him, but, I know being with you would hurt him, so I can't be yours either. It was cruel of me to do this to you; I do know that and I wish I could have been a better person since you deserve so much better.

Please, don't come looking for me or contact Kacchan. It will only make things worse… I'll keep sending you letters though… every week just like before. I love you Shoto….'

Todoroki reread the note over and over again, committing it to memory as he cried.

Midoriya walked down the street slowly, his heart aching from the decision he'd made. Part of him wished he'd never been so dumb as to go and meet Shoto; it was selfish of him to give in to his desires like that. He knew that and yet when he'd woken up that morning he couldn't bring himself to stay even though that was the only thing he wanted.

He was brought out of his melancholy thoughts by a rough bump from a passing pedestrian, a half-hearted apology breathing past his lips as he took a moment to look around. Midoriya had taken a train back to his city, but, he was in a district he rarely went to.

His eyes soon focused on a large, multicolor sign that read: Hatsume's Support Technologies. Absentmindedly, he trailed towards it, having wanted to see the inside for some time. It was everything he'd imagined and more, every wall and shelf lined with gadgets and other goodies.

"Woah…" he breathed, his mind whirling with how he could include some of these contraptions in his hero analysis.

"Any of my babies interesting you?" Mei chirped, startling Izuku. He jerked away out of habit, knocking into the row nearest him and causing them all to crash to the floor like dominoes.

Both he and Mei stood silently as the loud banging ceased, staring at each other wide-eyed. Midoriya recovered first, however, dropping to his knees and slamming his head down at her feet as apologies came flying from his lips.

"I'm so, so, so, sorry! I promise I'll find a way to pay for every single thing I broke! Please don't call the cops on me I swear I didn't mean it I just—"

"Woah!" Hatsume giggled, "Calm down! I know it was an accident."

Midoriya trembled and fell silent, still glued in his bowing position. He didn't know what else to do other than wait for her to either sue him or kick him out of the store, his mind almost shutting down with embarrassment and guilt.

The girl sighed when it became apparent that he wasn't going to move and she reached down, grabbing the sleeve of his shirt in order to haul him back to his feet. "Come on… I can't have you walking out of here looking like a total mess or people will get the wrong idea."

Izuku let her pull him to the back room, his head still low and apologetic even as she sat him down and thrust tissues in his direction.

"You look like hell…" she continued. "Any reason you decided it would be a good idea to come in my store when you were that jumpy?"

"T-that's j-just how I a-am…" he hiccuped, feeling even worse since it was the truth. Between villains attacking him and living with Bakugo, his nerves were almost perpetually hypersensitive without the graceful reflexes that most people had.

"Hm. That's tough…" she empathized, giving him a pat. "Well, you did break a bunch of stuff, but, I guess that can't be helped. I'll tell you what; you do some volunteer hours for me for a couple of weeks and we'll call it even. Most of the stuff out there you can just buy online anyway so it's not like they were really important or anything."

"V-volunteer?" he questioned, a hesitant hope forming in his chest.

"Yeah! I mean, I'd imagine you know a little bit about what I do, right? Well, most of the time I sell to big companies, but I really want to work directly with the heroes buying my babies so that they can be tailored to fit their specific needs. You can go out and find Pro's and promote my business. In exchange for each customer you bring me I'll consider a shelf replaced. How does that sound, hmm?"

Midoriya nodded quickly in agreement. He didn't really have people skills at this point and if he was honest he knew most of the Pro's in the city and they detested his quirklessness, but, it's not as if he had another option.

"Th-thank you…" he sniffled, grateful for her kindness.

Two weeks had passed and Midoriya had yet to convince a single person that they should come to Hatsume for 'all of their tech needs'. As he'd expected, the Pro's took one look at him before doing just about everything in their power to get away.

The inventor never said anything about his failures, but he knew that she was a little disheartened and was still trying to rebuild some of the equipment he'd trashed. She was even kind enough to let him stay in her shop once she found out he'd been sleeping in the alley beside them. All in all, he felt like he owed her big time.

His heart thumped wildly in his chest as he approached her office once more, however, this time armed with his notebook.

'Knock, Knock'

"Come in!" the girl chimed, her hands busy working on her latest 'baby'.

"Hatsume… I…" he stated meekly, his voice cracking with fear and uncertainty. Only Bakugo and Shoto knew who he truly was and he trusted them both with his life. "I have something for you…"

The girl stiffened and looked back, blinking at him rapidly. "You actually got me a new client?"

"N-no… But I think it's better than that…"

Hatsume could see the apprehension in his face and tension throughout his body, her interest peaking even more. She hurried over to her desk and sat down, gesturing for him to come as well. When he handed her a small, worn out notebook, however, she almost sweatdropped. Still, if Izuku thought this was better than actual paying customers she supposed it was worth a glance.

Midoriya watched nervously as she took his most prized possession, gulping as she scanned through the first few pages. The expression on her face was hard to read… a mixture of confusion, realization, awe, and maybe even irritation? He couldn't really be sure.

"This is…" she stated, her voice trailing off as she flipped through more. "Where did you get this?"

"It's mine… I know I already told you that I don't have a quirk but I'm observant and so I found a way to help heroes even if I couldn't physically become one. I feel really terrible about our gadgets and since I can't seem to meet my end of our agreement I… I don't know… I mean I've written down stuff about almost every hero there is and I know I can adapt my notes to your inventions so… c-can I work here?"

Hatsume shut the goldmine and set it down quietly on her desk, folding her hands neatly on top of it as she stared him down. They stayed that way for several minutes, neither moving aside from Izuku occasionally gulping in anxious anticipation.

"WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU TELL ME ABOUT THIS SOONER!" she finally screeched, jumping over the table at him with a crushing hug. "YOU'RE HIRED; FULL TIME!"

~Time-Skip~

'Shoto, it's been three months since we made love. Can you believe that? I heard you moved your mom and sister closer to where you live now; that's really great!

I moved as well… As it turns out I've made a new friend and she's awesome, even if she is kind of crazy and loud. She works with heroes and my particular skills are apparently a real asset so we spend the whole day laughing with each other.

Are you laughing with anyone Shoto?

I ask myself that question so many times, knowing that it would be my fault if you weren't… Maybe you could do a peace sign after your next villain fight to let me know that you're okay. If you aren't, make an 'X' with your fingers and I'll come back. I promise.

Every day is a struggle to be away from you and sometimes I don't think I can bear it... My intuition says you probably feel the same way... But I want you to move on…. Please, I need you to be happy. Love Izuku'

Later that week Todoroki forced himself to make a peace sign to the cameras, biting back the urge to break down and cry from the action. He knew that Midoriya would come back if he made the other sign, but he couldn't manipulate his kindness like that.

Shoto sat with his mother in the health center he'd moved her to, sipping on tea absentmindedly. Sometimes they'd talk and other times they'd just sit quietly and relax in each other company as they were then.

"Midoriya still hasn't come back?" Rei asked hesitantly.

Todoroki shook his head sadly, staring at his reflection in the small cup. "He's working with Mei Hatsume in another city. She, Bakugo, and I are the only three to know that he's 'Deku' and I guess he gives her analysis on heroes so that she can design tech that makes up for weaknesses in their quirks or fighting styles. Sometimes I see him spectating in footage from fights, but that's all."

"But he's still sending you letters, isn't he?" the woman pushed, her voice soft with understanding and sympathy.

"Yes."

Mrs. Todoroki hummed in thought, letting the breeze rustle her silvery hair. She could see the pain in her son's eyes and knew that if Midoriya loved Shoto he could see it too. "I stand by what I said almost a year and a half ago, Shoto. He's given up everything he knows and started over… You helped him do that…"

"I know that and I'm happy that he's not in that relationship anymore, but I miss him, mom. He's the love of my life and he won't be with me because it would upset Bakugo. I just don't understand what I'm supposed to do…"

The woman cupped his cheek softly, brushing away a tear that had slipped out. "You don't really think that's the only thing keeping him away, do you? Izuku needs time to figure out who he is without Bakugo and I'd imagine that with his past and what you've told me, he has very low confidence in what he thinks he deserves as well."

"Mom… He says he wants me to move on. Izuku isn't coming back and it's all my fault. I should have done more to keep him…"

"My dearest child" Rei cooed, cupping her son's cheek softly. "Think about how long it took you to see that your fire quirk was your own and not your fathers… You got away and reinvented yourself to be something different than what Enji had always told you, you were. Izuku is doing the same thing right now and he needs your patience."

"Do you really think I'll get to be with him again someday?" Shoto asked, his chest aching at the thought of not getting just one more moment with Midoriya in his arms.

Mrs. Todoroki couldn't honestly say that he would because she didn't know the future, but with everything that had gone so wrong for her and her children up to that point, she couldn't help but hope that something good was just around the corner.

"I don't know for certain my dearest child… But, I think you will. You both deserve to be happy and I think eventually you'll both know that without each other something will always feel like it's missing."

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Ahhh! Once again, I'm sorry for the massive delay! I'll do my best to have another chapter out soon!