It Started with a Smile

Chapter 1

So I had this sudden urge to write Sero fluff and this is what it became. Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but it's definitely something.

Enjoy, I guess?

~*~*~*~

Developing a crush was fairly easy. Often times, it didn't take more than an act of kindness, a surprising dream or a conspiratorial wink.

Mine originated from a smile tinged with shyness that my classmate Sero bestowed upon my friend Ochaco.

It was a slow day with Toru out sick and Mina off to joke with Kirishima. Left to my own devices, I engaged in some people watching.

My roaming eyes landed on the pair beside Ochaco's desk, caught up in a conversation that had the brunette gesticulating wildly. A pen was clasped in her fist, no doubt the reason Sero had approached her.

Even though we all lived in the vicinity of the school, he still tended to forget his stuff. I used to think he was a bit of an airhead but maybe he was doing it on purpose.

When Ochaco was done with her story she handed him the pen, giggling self-consciously as she realized she'd gone off track. Sero shook his head and took the pen with a gentle smile.

Warmth spread in my chest and I laid a hand over my shirt, surprised by my own reaction. A small, barely audible voice in the back of my mind whispered that it would be nice to have someone looking at me like that.

I watched Sero return to his seat when the bell rang and could barely keep my eyes off his back for the rest of the day.

* * * * *

That evening, as I made my way downstairs for a late night shower – I got caught up browsing hero news on my phone and didn't see the time pass –, I heard someone the kitchen.

Curious, I went to take a look and found Sero emptying the trash cans by himself. A quick glance in the common room informed me that he was indeed alone, which was odd as putting out the trash was a two-person job.

"Sero?" I asked, ignoring the tiny voice that wanted me to try calling him by his first name.

He started and whirled around, relaxing once he saw it was only me. "Oh, hi."

"Why are you alone? Where's your partner?"

I tried to remember who was on trash duty this week but couldn't seem to. Sero chuckled as he focused on his task again.

"I went to get Yaoyorozu but she didn't answer her door or pick up her phone," he said with a shrug. "I figured it would go faster to do it by myself than look for her in the dorm."

Yaomomo hadn't been with us when we were hanging out earlier so she must've fallen asleep studying again. Placing my toiletries on the counter, I closed the space between us.

"I'll help," I said, picking up two of the tied off trash bags.

Sero glanced at me from the corner of his eyes, "I got it, don't worry. Weren't you on your way to shower?"

"It can wait. But I'll keep my distance so you don't have to deal with the smell."

I was joking of course but then he slung a bag over his shoulder and picked up two more in his other hand, saying "You smell fine."

I was glad for the darkness outside for I was pretty sure my blush stretched from the tip of my roots to the top of my chest. It wasn't even a real compliment and the butterflies went crazy in my stomach.