A Freeing Touch

Chapter Three

Midoriya couldn't say he didn't think about Todoroki often.

After his failed attempt at conversing in the kitchen, his mind dwelled on it, repeating it over again in his head. Midoriya also couldn't say he loved being reminded of it, and it caused him to often look Todoroki's way, thinking about whether or not the other boy had found it anywhere near as awkward as he had. During these moments, he'd sometimes make eye contact, though only for a moment. He chose to assume it was always coincidental; a moment Todoroki had been glancing around the room.

(It was never a coincidence, though the belief that it was one was mutual.)

It wasn't enough to distract him from class, he was a diligent student after all, but he'd sometimes get nudged by a classmate when he stared for too long. He'd simply shake his head, mumble something about spacing out, and return his focus to the task at hand. At this particular moment, he was carefully following each word Aizawa said, and failed to notice the eyes boring into him from across the room.

(Todoroki had lost track of what Aizawa was saying, and had found himself staring at Midoriya as the event that occurred in the kitchen was replaying through his own mind, and he wondered if he should've been less cold. Though he didn't plan on becoming friends, that he had no time nor means for.)

By the end of class, Midoriya found himself thinking about his conversation (if it could even be considered one) again, and wondered why the human brain insisted on reminding you of the most awkward of occurrences. Shaking his head, he glanced toward Todoroki, who seemed to simply be staring at his desk, still sat there as the rest of the class filed out of the room. As Midoriya stood up himself, he made his way to the door, glancing back at Todoroki. For a split second, he had the idea of saying something, but shook his head again and exited the room. His brain didn't need yet another thing to remind him of every moment of the day.

(If he would've said something, Todoroki would've done more than nod, unlike before.)

-

Glancing at his phone, Midoriya decided 8 pm was an acceptable time to lay in bed and contemplate life. This wasn't exactly what he had decided, but it's what inevitably happened after he decided to lay down for a bit. His mind swirled with thoughts of the sports festival, his quirk, and Todoroki. He wasn't sure it was healthy to think about one person so much (All Might was an exception, he'd insist). He couldn't help it though, with how hopeless he seemed to be in befriending him, and the annoying point that they had never made skin-to-skin contact. Again, he reminded himself, it likely meant nothing, as Todoroki's mark was nowhere in sight, and likely had already been touched. And yet, the thought still remained. Even ignoring the mark issue, Midoriya genuinely wanted to at least be on friendly terms with his classmate, but Todoroki clearly wasn't interested. It was frustrating, and Midoriya wanted a break from all the thoughts swirling around in his head.

As he often did, he decided a snack or a drink would do him some good. The kitchen was becoming a dangerous place to venture, but he figured he could brave the terrain, so long as he didn't come across anyone with red and white hair. He sat up, taking a moment to realize what a habit this was becoming, and laughed slightly, a small smile on his lips.

In order to take precaution, he shot a message to Uraraka and Iida;

Broccoli: Hey, wanna meet up in the kitchen to chat? I'm getting a snack and figured it'd be nice to talk for a bit!

Urararararaka: Sure! I'll be there in a minute :)

The Flash: As will I! I am glad we all will get some time to talk outside of our academic courses.