Thawed Hearts

Chapter 11

"So... I've been thinking." Todoroki started, leaning back so he was sinking into the break couch. Midoriya had been chilling with him in the break room for the past thirty minutes because he had nothing better to do during his break at the moment. Todoroki's right arm was currently snug around his shoulder; Midoriya found himself leaning a bit towards the other subconsciously.

"Wow, you thinking? Sounds dangerous." That statement got him elbowed, making Midoriya chuckle. Sometimes Todoroki was so teasable. "Tell me, what were you thinking my dear Todoroki?"

"Would you like to come out and get coffee with me tonight?" That was awfully bold of him. But then again; it could just mean nothing but just two friends going out together, it could be no big deal at all. People go out with their friends like this all the time. Besides, they've been going places together for a while now.

Izuku doubted that it meant anything, but there is no harm in accepting, is there? Even if it's not a date, it seems like they have been doing almost everything together lately. They got along so well it was like being a classic duo, like peanut butter and jelly. "Sure." Midoriya responded. "It's a date."

"It's not a date." Todoroki responded quickly; but there was a hint of discomfiture in his voice as his face also flushed red. Perhaps Todoroki thinking was dangerous after all. That adamant denial was as unconvincing as when Midoriya told him he was okay on bad days. "I-I um I mean..."

Izuku raised his eyebrows before his phone buzzed. His time was up; damn. Every part of him wanted to stick around with the other longer, he was so comfortable. Forcing himself to stand up, he gave Todoroki a wave mentioning he would see him later before quickly retreating to the hallway. It wasn't as intense as the other time, but his heart was reacting in the same way that it did at the restaurant just two weeks before. This made it almost evident; Midoriya definitely had a crush on Todoroki.

There was just so much wrong with that statement. On the good side, there finally is an explanation for these wild feelings that have been increasing ever since the day they met. But there were also all the bad things about this; for one, Midoriya is so inexperienced, he doesn't know what being in love or in a relationship really entails, also that's an entire level of vulnerability he's not certain that he would be ready for. Those weren't even the most pressing of matters in this situation, the real conflict that would really matter is; what if Todoroki was straight? What if all he wanted in life was to settle down with a nice girl? What if he already had a girlfriend?

No. Midoriya wasn't going to think too much and giving himself a useless panic attack in the middle of the office, it was not the place and time for that. This is pre-coffee with Todoroki Midoriya, not future oh-god-I-like-this-boy-and-I-don't-know-what-to-do Midoriya. He can worry about this during his possibly not date, which apparently had a very low chance of actually being a date. The more he thought about the cons, the more the probability seemed to fall. Maybe Todoroki just saw him as a friend anyways. Maybe all their interactions thus far weren't leading to anything more than just a very important friendship. Though that would be a bit disappointing, Izuku couldn't say that he would not mind.

"You're in a good mood." All Might noted as soon as Midoriya walked into the room, plopping down in the rolling chair causing it to roll backwards. He didn't think he looked that happy; but there must have been an extra spring in his step. Or maybe his mentor was just very observant.

"Something like that."

It was hard to hide the smile on his face, as he turned to the work in front of him. This week there had been tons of pages for coloring, and All Might's new comic was nearing completion. Even though it hasn't been released yet, The Rogue was probably All Might's best work, and Midoriya's favorite as well. It's hard to believe that he was getting to have a hand in this masterpiece. Just a couple more weeks and it would be available for distribution. There was a huge benefit to working with his hero – he got to see everything before the whole world and he gets to get a free copy of it, signature and all. Izuku had a plan to buy one anyways to send to his mother. It doesn't matter that it would be from money that she sent him to spend on himself; he wanted to get her something nice for a change. She needs something for all the care she gave him through the years.