It's a long road...

ch. 23

347 words --

todoroki felt more than slightly out of place as he walked alongside bakugo and his group of friends. they were all more than nice to him, but he knew he was being awkward. he knew he was messing up the usual dynamic of the group.

todoroki just wasn't sure how to approach this situation. todoroki wasn't good at talking to people, or even at just being around people. and, everyone had looked so... just so discontented when bakugo announced that todoroki was going to be tagging along with them. and, they all were continuously glancing at hi with expressions that todoroki didn't understand.

"are there any stores you want to stop at?" jirou asked todoroki. he just shook his head in response.

"we can stop anywhere, todo-bro! don't be shy!" mina exclaimed, giving todoroki a wide, enthusiastic smile.

todoroki just shook his head again. "i'm happy to just spend time with you all." everyone faltered in their steps, glancing at todoroki with surprise. todoroki felt panic balloon up in him. he began fiddling with his hands. "if, um, if tha-- um, that's alright."

"for fuck's sake..." bakugo muttered before speaking louder. " 'course it is. you don't need to ask if it's okay for you to wanna be with people, dumbass."

"um, ri-right. okay." todoroki nervously breathed out, ducking his head and nodding. he kept fiddling with his hands.

"let's go get some coffee!" kirishima yelled, swinging his arm around todoroki's shoulders and dragging him in front of the group.

"you don't have'ta be nervous, bro!" kirishima whispered to todoroki. "no one here is gonna bite--except maybe bakugo."

todoroki looked at his shoes, feeling even worse. kirishima was being so nice and patient with him, they all were. and todoroki just couldn't get it together. he couldn't just participate in conversations like a normal person. he couldn't just be okay, feel okay. he was putting a damper on the groups typical joyous mood. he shouldn't be there, he should just leave, what was wrong with him, why--

"HELL NO, we're NOT getting coffee." bakugo exploded.