Where Our Hearts Fall

Chapter 22

Two months had passed, and life at U.A. was very different. Living in the dorms meant that Class 1-A was now together almost all the time. The halls buzzed with activity—voices echoing, laughter spilling from rooms, and the constant background hum of someone working out or studying. For Y/N, adjusting to dorm life was both a comfort and a challenge. Being surrounded by her friends brought her relief, but it also meant she couldn't hide from them. Not from her worries, her struggles with Reality Vein, or the looming memories of the villain attack and the coma.

One evening, Y/N walked down to the common room to find Todoroki sitting alone, flipping through a book, his usual calm expression fixed on his face. It felt like ages since they'd spoken properly. She hadn't forgotten how close they'd become before everything went dark.

"Hey, Todoroki," she greeted, sitting across from him.

He looked up, his mismatched eyes catching the light, giving her a small, reserved smile. "Y/N. I was wondering when we'd get a chance to catch up."

They settled into a conversation, light at first, but as they talked, she felt his gaze on her, searching, as if he could see the weight she was carrying.

"Are you okay?" he finally asked, his tone gentle but direct.

She hesitated, not quite sure how to answer. "I'm... adjusting. A lot's changed."

"You've changed, too," he said softly, studying her expression. "Since you woke up, you've been keeping things to yourself."

She could tell he wanted to understand, to help. But before she could reply, footsteps sounded in the hallway. Bakugo came around the corner, stopping abruptly as he took in the scene: Y/N, leaning toward Todoroki, and Todoroki, his focus entirely on her. Bakugo's usual scowl deepened as he walked over.

"Are you two seriously sitting around chatting?" he scoffed, hands shoved in his pockets. "We've got training tomorrow, and you're here, what—getting cozy?"

Todoroki raised an eyebrow, unphased. "We're just talking, Bakugo."

Bakugo rolled his eyes but then looked at Y/N, his gaze sharper than before. "Whatever. Just don't get distracted."

Y/N felt the tension rise between them and couldn't help but notice the way Bakugo seemed unusually agitated, his gaze hard and directed. Todoroki caught her expression, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his face. He straightened up, his posture turning a bit colder, like he was guarding himself.

"Maybe you're the one who's distracted," Todoroki said coolly.

Bakugo's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Y/N's stomach twisted as she watched them stare each other down, each refusing to back off. She stepped between them, hoping to ease the tension.

"Guys, come on," she sighed. "Can we just talk without it turning into some weird competition?"

Bakugo looked away, the tension in his shoulders still present, his jaw clenched. Todoroki gave a short nod, but Y/N could feel that undercurrent of rivalry between them.

Finally, Bakugo turned to Y/N, his voice softer but still edged with frustration. "Just don't push yourself too hard, alright?"

Surprised, Y/N nodded, trying to catch his eye, but he was already turning to leave. She watched him go, feeling Todoroki's gaze on her as if he had a question he wasn't asking.

"He cares about you," Todoroki said after a long pause, his tone neutral but thoughtful. "Even if he can't say it."

Y/N looked away, biting back a small smile. "He's complicated."