Mending Old Wounds

Competitive Tag

Monday June 28th

Todoroki's POV:

"You feeling okay, Todo? Did you sleep well?" Midoriya tilted his head towards me as we walked to the cafeteria. 

No, I haven't been able to sleep the past couple of nights, because my bed is too cold without you. When I do sleep, it's fitful and I can't remember my dreams.

"I'm okay, Mido. Just a bit of Senioritis I suppose," I gave him a smile that was as weak as my excuse.

His face told be he didn't buy it, but he let it go as we stood in line to order our lunch. We paid for our food and sat at our usual table with Uraraka, Sato, Tsu, Tokoyami, Ida, and Yaoyorozu. I was picking at my food when I decided to look across the table at Midoriya. He was shoveling noodles in his mouth, but what really caught my attention was that he had bruises on his face, bags under his eyes, and a busted lip, but he didn't look sad, or upset in any way. He had been smiling and talking normally with everyone all day, even Bakugou and Kirishima. 

"I take it things went well yesterday," I asked quietly, so no one would overhear.

Midoriya held up a finger while he finished chewing and swallowing the food he still had in his mouth.

"Yeah," he spoke with a warm smile. "It went really well."

"I'm glad," I forced a smile. "Tell me more about it later?"

"Of course. Thank you, Todo."

I waved him off, "When you sent the message to the group chat about staying over-night with your mom, I thought things maybe didn't go so well."

"Oh, no. I went to visit my mom when I left Kacchan's house, and she easily persuaded me to spend the night."

"I'm guessing she made Katsudon," I teasingly questioned.

"Yes," he said sheepishly. "But that wasn't the only reason I stayed!... I've actually been missing her. I haven't seen her in person in over a month."

"I know what you mean," I sighed. "I wanted to see Mom yesterday, too, but she and Fuyumi had plans."

"What did you do yesterday," Midoriya asked with a head tilt.

"A little training, a lot of reading," I shrugged. 

"Sounds relaxing."

"It was mostly boring. I'm ready to get back to the agency tomorrow."

Midoriya chuckled. "Me, too. I know we should enjoy any time off we have, but it's hard to sit still. OH! Speaking of, I also need to talk to you about..." he cut himself off and glanced around the table. Everyone seemed to be occupied with their own conversations, so he lowered his voice and continued. "I've been doing some digging, and I have some theories about Stealthy Gratitude."

"You're still trying to work that case behind Endeavor's back," I questioned him, with raised brows.

"You make it sound a lot worse than it is. I've just noticed some patterns that the Pros and detectives working the case might not have picked up on. I would share this information with Endeavor, but he hates me," Midoriya almost pouted.

"He doesn't hate you," I rolled my eyes.

"Endeavor definitely doesn't like me. He's only ever tolerated me for your sake," he folded his arms and gave me a pointed look.

"I disagree, I think he actually likes you," I shrugged and took another bite of my food.

"Kacchan!" Midoriya turned around and shouted towards the group at the table behind him.