A/N: Something I forgot to mention in the past few chapters: This is now officially the longest fanfic I have on my account.
For the first time in what must have been ages, Deku once again left his last class of the day accompanied by Todoroki. This time, however, something was off:
"Shoko, are you OK?"
Todoroki didn't respond; she merely kept a look of stone on her face.
"Shoko, please…answer me!"
Todoroki sighed. "OK…I'll be honest, but let's wait until we get back to my dorm to talk about it."
Deku nodded. "OK."
Soon enough, Deku and Todoroki got to the latter's dorm.
"So, what's going on?" asked Deku.
"Deku, I can't thank you enough for those kind words you gave me at the Sports Festival."
Deku nodded. "Yes, you've mentioned this before, but I get the feeling like there's something else you haven't told me."
"I…well…after hearing what Toya said on live television, all those things about my family's past, I…I just couldn't help but think about how I once said that I was only going to beat you using my right side and how easily I could've ended up like him. You have no idea how your words saved my life that day."
Deku dropped his jaw. "Did…did my words really mean that much to you?"
Without saying anything further, Todoroki gave Deku what was perhaps one of the biggest – if not her biggest – hugs she'd ever given him, which he gladly returned. Hearing about how she'd been on the brink of evil like this, though, the green bean ended up shedding a few tears. While there had been times when he genuinely feared for her life and wondered if he was going to lose her, he'd never thought that he could've lost her forever were it not for that one fateful moment. Even so, he was proud of himself not only for saying those six words, but also for the ensuing moments that came about thanks to him doing so. Furthermore, he greatly looked forward to whatever moments they'd share in the future.
As she held on to Deku, all Todoroki could think about was how much she loved him and how much being with him meant to her. In the years prior to her meeting him, she never really knew the meaning of true love. With Endeavor lording over her with his harsh training, Rei being unable to look at her and being isolated from her siblings, all she knew was pain and hatred. Seeing this green bean for the first time, however, stirred up desires that were innate to most – if not all – human beings. With every second she kept her arms around him, she felt warmer and fuzzier, and she greatly looked forward to spending more special moments with him. Eventually, she let go, though she did take notice of one thing:
"Why are you crying, my dear Deku?"
"I…I just…I'm so glad I didn't lose you like that!" Deku wiped away a few tears.
Todoroki smiled. "I'm glad, too! You're my favorite person ever!"
Deku smiled. "Shoko…"
Todoroki kissed Deku. From this point forwards, he would never think about leaving her.
Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.