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Izuku knows something is off the second his team storms into an empty building. Intel said there would be at least three Villains, but the rooms are eerily silent, the quiet almost stifling.
“Shouto, do you have eyes on a target?” His own voice is all too loud, grating to his ears. Todoroki huffs on the other end of the line, an edge of frustration in his tone.
“Nothing. Uravity?”
“Nope.” Uraraka sounds annoyed. “I brought out my nunchucks for nothing.” He hears an angry snap, and winces as dust showers from the ceiling.
“Uravity, please don't bring down the building.”
She clicks her tongue. “No promises. Hey - I’ve got movement on the right -”
Izuku takes the stairs two at a time, heading to meet her on the upper floor. “Copy. I'll flank. Shouto, what’s your status?”
“Bored,” he drawls, and Izuku stifles a laugh. “Still guarding the exits. I'll let you know if I see anything.”
Izuku doesn't reply, scaling a mound of debris. A villain was definitely here wreaking havoc… where are they now? He’s about to move forward when there's a burst of static in his earpiece.
“... hostile incoming … irst floor … … Shouto, they’re -”
Izuku curses, running back to the stairs and jumping down in flights. There's more static, Uraraka’s voice growing more choppy by the second. Shouto is worryingly silent.
“... atic … quir … … amming … ca … ear …”
“Coming now - almost there!” He bursts through the door to lobby, right when a red-masked woman dressed in burlesque sends a bolt of red light straight into Shouto’s chest. He falls to one knee, clutching his heart, breaths coming out in short gasps.
“I am the Loveless!” The villain cries. “I am the scourge! I am the - hurk -!” She slams headfirst into the pavement, Uraraka taking her down with a single kick to the shoulders. There are two Villains left - one with a pesky camouflage quirk that must’ve been keeping them hidden, and another who swirls dark, sparking energy in his hands. That must be their signal jammer.
“I’ve got these two - help Shouto!” He doesn't wait to see if Uraraka hears him, launching himself into motion. He’s too fast for the Villains to follow, taking them out in quick succession. He drags them back out front where Todoroki leans against a wall, Uraraka hovering at his side.
“Shouto - are you okay?”
He sighs blandly, waving a hand. “Fine, just caught off guard. You?”
Izuku lifts the two limp bodies with one hand. “All good. You want to take them in, Uravity? I’ll get Shouto to a medic, just in case.” She nods, tapping the Villains on the shoulders and lifting them into the air.
“I'll be right back - don’t do anything stupid.” Izuku waves his assent, dialing medical backup for Todoroki and the injured civilians.
“I'm fine,” Todoroki protests, stumbling back upright. “It’s just a scratch.”
Izuku frowns, brushing the dust from Todoroki’s shoulders. “Still, let's be sure. I don't want you to be hurt.”
Todoroki smiles, soft and sweet. “That's why I love you.”
Izuku freezes. Todoroki pales and flushes all at once. Izuku opens his mouth to say something, anything, when there's the prick of something sharp at the small of his back. He winces, trying to smack it away, but suddenly he’s too dizzy to move, vision swimming. Izuku falls to his knees as Todoroki shouts a wordless cry, blasting a stream of ice over his shoulders.
Damn, he’s good at that. Izuku takes a moment to appreciate Todoroki’s fantastic reflexes. Todoroki has an amazing everything. … What was happening again? He blinks, world going bleary as he struggles to stay upright on his hands. There were Villains. There were three. …Didn't intel say there could be more?
Todoroki pulls him back upright, cradling Izuku in his arms. It’s nice. Warm. He wants to sleep.
“Don't close your eyes.” He orders. “Look at me. Look at me! ” Todoroki shakes him, and Izuku reaches up to run a hand over his cheek. Todoroki is so silly. He’s just going to rest, just for a little while.
Todoroki’s voice goes muffled and distant. Some part of him thinks he should be worried, but he’s safe with Todoroki, isn't he? His arm falls back to his side, and he curls into Todoroki’s chest.
“...on’t do this… ” Todoroki says, a thousand miles away. “... ove you…”
Darkness.
He wakes to quiet beeps, groaning at the fog swimming in his eyes.
A medic smiles kindly. “Good morning, Mr. Deku - I’m happy to see you up. Can you stretch your arms for me? Any tightness, or difficulty with your quirk?”
He stretches out his hands, starting when he touches something smooth and soft. When he looks down, Todoroki’s lying at his bedside, head pillowed on Izuku’s thigh, and everything about the fight comes rushing back.
Todoroki. Quirk. I love you . Fuck.
“I’m fine!” He rushes. “No tightness, and my quirk’s all good, but you need to check on Shouto - he got hit by a quirk, and it’s altering his judgement.”
The medic’s eyes widen. “We didn't see anything of that sort… Can you describe the situation?”
It's embarrassing - beyond embarrassing, but Izuku flushes and grits the words out. “...It’s making him think he’s in love with him.”
The medic stares at him, as if Izuku’s grown a second head. “...I think Hero Deku’s going into shock.” They murmur.
“What?” He starts, waving away a huddle of trauma specialists that waddle to his side. “No, I’m fine! Shouto’s just really out of it -” He gestures to Todoroki, who is collapsed at the side of his cot, hand tangled in the sheets. Under his breath, he’s muttering Izuku’s name. “See?”
The medic blinks, nonplussed. “...And?”
Izuku sputters. “This isn't? At all strange? Shouto, fainting on my hospital bed? Saying my name in his sleep?” What is wrong with these healthcare professionals? Clearly, Todoroki is not sane.
“Of course not,” The medic smiles. “He always does this.”
And - Well, okay, Todoroki and his other friends do come visit him when he’s out of commission, but he never slept at his bedside like a worried wife. There is a solid distinction!
The medic jots a few notes on their clipboard. “Well, Deku, you should be just fine. Stay in observation for another hour, then you’re free to go. I'll leave you boys to yourselves.” They smile and wink in a manner that has Izuku incredibly confused, then leave.
Izuku listens to the heart monitor beep to the tune of Todoroki murmuring his name and wonders when the world went crazy.
So here’s the situation.
Todoroki’s been hit by some kind of love-spell quirk that is somehow altering the perception of everyone around them to thinking Todoroki being in love with him is completely normal. Fact: it is not. It is absolutely, definitively not. And it’s affecting everyone he knows - even All Might looked at him like he was crazy when he ranted about the problem.
“Young Midoriya,” he’d said, steady and gruff. “The world of love is an open field these days. There is no need for one to hide their affections.” And yes, All Might, that’s true, but no All Might, that does not apply to this scenario because Todoroki is being forced into loving him and he’s going to be so incredibly pissed when he snaps out of it . Scream.
Izuku’s privately a little ashamed of the way he fled the hospital, leaving Todoroki asleep at an empty bed, but he needs a way to fix this. Stat. All-Might was his first bid for aid, but seeing as he’s completely under the effects of the quirk’s spell, he’s not going to be much help. In fact, no one’s going to be much help because they all believe in this delusion. He’d even tried Bakugou and that was an explosive failure.
… Maybe barging into Kacchan’s house in the middle of the night for an existential crisis was a bad idea, but he still doesn't think it warranted an explosion in his face.
“Of course that candy-cane fuck’s in love with you.” Bakugou snarled. “Ask anyone - literally the entire world knows.”
Kirishima had been no help either: “Don’t you remember how he did that interview and said: ‘Deku is my light’? ‘I would be lost without him’? There were memes on that for months, bro. How did you not know?” And alright, although that interview does exist, Todoroki meant it in a competitive, companionable way! He’d said so himself, rushing over right after the interview aired to clear up any confusion.
It had hurt, a little, that Todoroki was so violently opposed to even joking about being together, but of course Todoroki couldn't be in love with him. Todoroki was somewhere far out of reach, and he’d come to terms with that a long time ago. Then this stupid quirk comes around, dragging everything back up, and he feels all of fifteen again, blushing to his toes from the glimpse of a smile.
“You're being stupid, Deku. Everyone knows he fucking loves you. You're the one that doesn't love him back.”
As if that would ever be true.
He needs to find someone utterly divorced from his and Todoroki’s relationship. Someone who can look at them objectively and suss out the truth. Someone who’s nice enough not to laugh at his pain, but smart enough to give good advice.
Izuku sighs and calls the option he knows.
“Senpai, I need your guidance.”
Mirio slurps up his bowl of ramen, sighing happily as he gulps down a mouthful of noodles. Izuku’s lies untouched on the table - he feels too queasy to eat. “Of course, cute kouhai!” He cheers, licking a drop of broth on his cheek. “I am always at your service!”
“Senpai -” he starts. Maybe this will be easier if he doesn't mention names. “- Someone was hit by a quirk that made them fall in love with someone else, and it also makes the rest of the world think it’s normal. How would you go about fixing it?”
Mirio munches a slice of pork, humming under his breath. “That sounds pretty nasty - never heard of a love quirk that powerful. Still, I guess I'd start with the source of the quirk, and work my way back up from there. If they can do it, they might know how it’s undone.”
Izuku sighs. It’ll be months before the Villains go to trial, and seeing the self-proclaimed ‘Loveless’ will be all but impossible until it’s over. He can't wait that long - his sanity won't be able to take it. “Can you think of any other way? I don't think I can get access to the quirk’s owner.”
Mirio mumbles something through a mouthful of egg, then swallows and tries again. “Research, maybe? There might be cases where similar quirks act up, and you can go through old solutions.”
Izuku sighs again. As much as he isn't opposed to research, going through that many cases for just one match will take a lot of time. “If only there were some way to undo the change… rewind to before it ever happened…”
Mirio snaps his fingers. “That’s it! Rewind!” He pulls up his chair, excited. “Remember when Eri-chan fixed my quirk? She could probably undo the effects of a quirk on someone else! She’s a lot better with her powers now, and she’ll probably like the practice.”
“That's a great idea!” He’s been meaning to see Eri anyways - he’s been busy, and he misses the cute kid. “I'll call her! Thank you, senpai!”
Mirio salutes him. “No problem, kouhai! Hope you get rid of your stalker so you and Shouto can get back to your business.” He winks conspicuously, and Izuku groans. Why is it everyone.
Izuku arranges a meeting with Eri for the next day. He explains the situation in halting, vague terms, but she seems happy enough to help ‘big brother Izuku’. God, she’s so cute. He texts Todoroki where to meet them, then sighs in relief. Finally, the world will go back to normal.
Todoroki arrives early, flushed and dusted with a light sheen of sweat. Did he run? His gaze runs a little wild, but settles when he lays eyes on Izuku.
“Izuku,” he starts, choppy between hasty breaths. “About what I said, earlier this week -”
“- it's fine!” Izuku rushes. It's not . “Don't worry, I've found a way to fix this.”
Todoroki’s expression folds in confusion. “... fix this?”
Izuku smiles. It almost feels real. “Yeah. We’ll get you back to normal, I promise.” He’s not going to believe he’s under a quirk, so he’ll keep this as quick as possible.
“... Normal?” Todoroki questions.
“Normal,” Izuku confirms. “You won't really understand, but trust me, it will help.”
“...What will help?” He still sounds suspicious. As if on cue, Eri walks in.
“Izuku-nii! I’m ready!”
Todoroki stares between them, confused, and Izuku tries to explain to both of them at once.
“Eri,” he says. “Todoroki’s under a quirk that’s making him love me. I need you to rewind to before that, and get him back to normal. Todoroki, just come sit here. This will be over in a second.”
“... You think I’m under a quirk ?” Todoroki exclaims, incredulous. Izuku sighs, threading a hand through his hair.
“I know it doesn't make sense right now,” he says patiently, “but trust me, you are. And this love thing is getting really inconvenient, so -”
“It’s… inconvenient for you?” Todoroki’s words are edged with shock, the look in his eyes laced with despair. Izuku tries not to let It hurt; it's just the quirk, it's just the quirk.
“Yes.” He confirms. It feels like a stone in his throat. “This misunderstanding is really inconvenient, and I promise when you let Eri fix this, you’ll feel better right away.”
Todoroki laughs, sarcastic and biting. “I’ll feel better, will I?”
Izuku nods, not quite able to look him in the eye. “It's for the best, Todoroki.”
The worst part is Todoroki looks crushed. He looks stiff - hurt and shaken, and he doesn't know Izuku is helping him. He thinks this is Izuku telling him not to be in love and in a way, he is - but can you call it love when it isn't real?
Izuku hates this stupid quirk. Hates that it twists everything he’s ever wanted into a mocking, distorted parody of his deepest, secret dreams. He hates that it takes his desires and dangles them before his eyes - taunting him with the things he’ll never have.
“Fine.” It’s short and clipped, and it cuts into Izuku’s chest. “If that’s what you want.” Izuku musters a smile and wills himself not to cry. Not now, Izuku. You can cry when they’re gone.
“Whenever you’re ready, Eri.”
She steps forward, placing her hands in Todoroki’s. For a moment, nothing happens, then a thin pulse of light shines between their fingers, and Eri’s horn glows bright. In seconds, it fades.
“It worked.” Todoroki says, his voice cold. “I don't love you anymore.”
He turns on his heel and stalks out. The door slams shut behind him, echoing in the empty room.
Izuku wonders why the sound of it makes his heart break.
Izuku lets a few days pass, then starts checking for changes. He and Todoroki have been distant, but that was to be expected. He probably feels more awkward than anything about the whole mess. He started with All-Might before, so he starts with All-Might again, knocking on the door to his mentor’s house. He brings offerings of takeout, which All-Might happily accepts, and they share dinner over comedy reruns and tea.
When the boxes are stripped bare (he has a high metabolism, okay?) they settle in on the couch, and Izuku barely manages to hold in his questions for more than a second.
“Do you remember what we talked about?” He says in a rush. “Last time I was here?”
All-Might hums a laugh. “I’m old, Young Midoriya - my memory’s not what it used to be. But if I recall, you mentioned Young Todoroki?”
Izuku bobbles his head. “Well remember what I said? About how it was a quirk? We got it fixed now, so don't worry.”
All-Might drops his cup of tea. Izuku snatches it out of the air with a yelp, trying not to spill. “Careful, you almost-”
“- Midoriya,” All-Might murmurs, rife with disbelief. “There was no quirk affecting Young Todoroki.”
“No, no, there was definitely a quirk -” he sets the mug down on the coffee table. “He was acting really out of the ordinary. Maybe it’ll take a few more days to wear off for everyone -”
“Midoriya,” All Might repeats, his voice growing urgent. “That boy has been in love with you since your first year in Yuuei.”
Izuku coughs a laugh. “Yagi-san, that's just not true.” That was when Izuku fell. All-Might really is getting old. “And anyways, Eri rewound him, so he’s fine now -”
“She did what? ” All-Might thunders, booming with a tone that sends Izuku all the way back to Dagobah Municipal Beach, heaving out his lungs with every breath. “Midoriya. Tell me you didn't.”
“I - I didn't what?” He stutters. All-Might's scary voice still makes him weak. “I fixed things! He was confused, so Eri undid the quirk, and now everything will be normal!”
“Izuku,” All-Might settles a hand on his shoulder, gaze alarmingly distressed. “You are a kind boy, so listen when I say this to you: what you are doing to Young Todoroki is very, very cruel. You think you are giving him a way out - a way to ignore how he feels - but he doesn't want that. He has always been honest in his affections. At least give him the honour of a clear rejection.”
“- wait, wait -” Izuku backs up, waving his arms. “Yagi-san, you don't understand. Todoroki doesn't love me - He could never feel like that about someone like me.” He's so used to saying it to himself that it comes out easy. “You're still confused from the quirk too. Give it time, and it’ll stop.” At least, it better. He doesn't want to imagine Eri having to rewind all of Japan. What a horrific power. He hopes that villain stays locked up forever.
All-Might stares. Then he buries his face in his hands with a bitten off curse. “... I never thought you were an idiot,” he mutters, “but how can someone be this dense! ” All-Might smacks Izuku on the head, digging in with his sharp, bony knuckles. Izuku goes down with a yelp, then All-Might starts whacking his face with a pillow, yelling incoherently. He catches variations of foolish child! and self-deprecating mess! , and right as he’s about to start begging for mercy, All-Might relents.
“I know it is hopeless to ask you to believe me, Midoriya,” he says, “but Young Todoroki has loved you for a long, long time. Set aside the idea of this quirk. Talk to your friends. Listen to what they say, then decide how you feel. And if you pull a stunt like this again…” He hefts a pillow in a menacing grip, and the strongest man in Japan cowers like a child.
There are several voices screaming in Izuku’s mind.
There’s an angry one vocalizing wordless shrieks of frustration, harmonizing with the voice of misery that whispers ‘ oh god, oh god, what have I done?’ Beneath, there’s the dull bass of self-loathing: ‘ you idiot you idiot’ , and high above a soprano of doubt warbles endlessly through his mind. What if you're right? What if you’re wrong? What if… what if… what if…?
He took All-Might advice. He went and he asked, and the answers - the answer had been staring him in the face all along.
“Todoroki? Everyone knows he’s crazy about you, Deku. Don't you remember that night in second year, when we snuck out to see the fireworks? He didn't even look at the sky - his eyes were only ever on you.”
He’s running through the streets, and he knows he looks like an idiot, but he can't wait a second longer. With a frustrated curse, he launches himself in the air, ignoring onlookers’ gasps as he darts into the clouds.
“What a strange thing to ask, Midoriya. I thought you had already rejected his advances. No? Then what about third year, in the Sports Festival? He stayed at your bedside for weeks when you recovered, saying your name like a prayer, and - Midoriya? … Midoriya?”
Todoroki’s apartment complex is easy to spot from high above, but Izuku’s still kind of bad at accurate landings. He drops to the ground a few blocks off, then starts running all over again, tearing through the alleys of the city.
“Remember when we celebrated graduation? You got so drunk, and you were clinging to him the entire night. He was blushing the whole time, but he wouldn't let anyone take you away. He drove you home, I think - he wanted to know you were safe.”
Buildings, buildings. All the damn buildings look the same. He’s had Todoroki’s address memorized for ages, but he's so nervous the numbers scramble in his head. Screw the regular entrances - maybe he can just jump onto Todoroki’s balcony and hope he doesn't shove him off.
“Charity dinner, my guy. This actor was chatting you up and I thought he was going to break his plate. He doesn't look like the jealous type, but he’s loved you for a long time. Anyone would be jealous, with a love like that.”
He lands on the wrong balcony twice. An old lady screams and beats him with a broom, and a wily old cat tangles itself in his shirt. He considers taking it off, but maybe it would be best to not barge into Todoroki’s house half naked, with the shitty excuse of ‘ Hi, I’m an idiot who doesn't understand feelings. Forgive me?’ After a few moments of struggling, the cat relents, and Izuku’s back to searching for the right landing.
“You look so surprised. I mean, I always thought it would be impossible you didn't know, but I guess my little brother can be silly sometimes. Still, please give him an answer. He needs a chance to move on.”
Finally, he thinks he hits the right one. The curtains are drawn, and there’s a pot of spring flowers blooming on the ground. Flowers. Should he have brought flowers? Maybe an apology cake? A knife, to commit seppuku? He raises a hand to knock on the glass, but stops when the curtains shift, a familiar figure silhouetted in the light.
“You're being stupid, Deku. Everyone knows he fucking loves you. You're the one that doesn't love him back.”
He doesn't know how to start, so he tries with a wave. Todoroki stares at him, then turns his gaze away. Just when he thinks Todoroki’s about to leave, the door slides open with a click.
Izuku swallows a breath and steps inside.
Izuku’s been in Todoroki’s house countless times, but it's never been this awkward. Todoroki is barefoot in a loose, long-sleeved shirt and low-riding jeans. He looks like a model, all long limbs and sweeping fabric, while Izuku’s covered in cat hair, broom bristles, and road detritus - perched at the edge of a couch and afraid if he moves it’ll stain.
Todoroki silently wanders to the kitchen, putting on a kettle of water. Izuku’s about to protest it really isn't necessary, but Todoroki’s grip on the pot has his knuckles turning white.
Izuku draws in a breath and holds his forehead in his hands. How is he supposed to start? How is he supposed to fix this? He opens his mouth, but Todoroki beats him to it, turning with a strained smile.
“How are you, Midoriya?” His tone is a forced kind of politeness - anger buried under a thin veneer of calm. Izuku can still hear it in the way his voice shakes - the way his words force their way out through his teeth.
Great! Terrible. Losing my goddamn mind. There are so many valid things he can say, but Izuku’s brain decides to put his entire foot in his mouth, and he blurts out the absolute worst possible answer.
“...Do you love me?” The words just tumble out, spilling from his lips before he can catch them and banish them forever. Todoroki’s grip on the kettle tightens. Before Izuku can apologize he slams it down on the counter, an echoing clatter that resounds through the room.
“What do you want from me?” Todoroki snarls. Izuku’s never seen him like this before - raw and unhinged, fraying at the seams. “I did what you asked! Everything you wanted! I don't -” His words catch, and he trembles. Izuku wants to speak, but his throat’s been tied shut. The silence hangs, stiflingly oppressive, and just when Izuku’s about to force out words, Todoroki lets the kettle go. It topples and spills all over the floor, a steady drip, drip that sounds like regret.
“... I’ll stop loving you,” Todoroki whispers, voice thick - lying in the space between pain and fear. “I will, I swear. I won't bother you with my feelings again. Just. Please… Give me time.” He shudders a desperate breath, choked with swallowed tears. “Give me time to move on, and we’ll go back to how we were before.”
Izuku doesn't know what hurts more: the way Todoroki is breaking, or the fact he’s still trying to pull himself together - still trying to be everything he thinks Izuku needs. Izuku doesn't know how to explain where all this went wrong, so he starts at the beginning and hopes to god Todoroki is willing to listen.
“I never thought it was possible,” he starts, a little shaky. “ You , being interested in me .” The words come out harsher than he expected, riding the edge of a bitter laugh. “Someone told me you liked me once and I thought - I thought it was a joke. How could you ever feel that way when, I’m - I’m -” The words stick in his throat. He forges on.
“I laughed about it because laughing was easy. If I laughed, it wouldn't hurt. Even if everyone knew I was in love with you, if it was a joke we all shared, it would sting less.” Todoroki opens his mouth, but Izuku’s not finished, eyes welling up with tears.
“- And I always thought -” he stutters, “- I thought if I kept ignoring all the little things that felt like you cared, it would be better. Because in the end, I was just overthinking and I’d get myself hurt.” He wipes at the burning trails on his cheeks, raw from salt. “I never listened to what you were saying - I never wanted to. If I listened, things would change, and I was happy, just being by your side. If - just sometimes - you would look at me, that would be enough.” He draws in a hiccuping breath, heavy in the quiet. Todoroki stares at him like he doesn't know what he’s saying - like Izuku’s a strange, alien creature threatening to explode. Izuku feels a bit that way himself - the more he says, the more he lets out, the more he wants to disappear. He forces himself to keep going.
“But today -” He stops when his throat tightens, struggling to speak again and again until his voice comes out above a whisper. “Today, the whole world told me you loved me, and I can't -” He chokes. “- I can’t ignore it anymore. Todoroki. Shouto . I’m so sorry. I’m sorry, I didn’t - I never - I just -” He shakes through a sudden wave of tremors, curling himself into a ball.
In the kitchen, something falls. There’s a shuffle on the floorboards, the sigh of someone kneeling down, then there’s a hand on his shoulder, its touch warm and safe. Another runs through his hair, cool enough to banish the burning of his shame.
“Izuku,” Todoroki murmurs, and he’s too close - too real. “Izuku, look at me.” For a moment, Izuku fights him - he can't show his face like this, he’s a crying mess - but Todoroki persists, and eventually Izuku relents. His eyes are stinging and bleary, and when he looks up, Todoroki’s gaze is rimmed with unshed tears.
“If you ever stopped to listen,” he says, voice soft, “You’d know everything about you is amazing.” His words are quiet, gentle as his fingers soothe Izuku’s skin. “If you let me,” he continues, “I would show you how incredible you are, every moment of every day. I’ve always - I don't know why you never believed me, but I've always loved you. From the very start.” A shine gathers in his eyes, threatening to spill over.
“I’m sorry I never just told you.” Izuku rears to exclaim he has nothing to be sorry for, but Todoroki holds a hand over his lips. “I'm sorry I wasn’t brave enough to say this outright,” He continues, “But Izuku - Izuku, I -” Now the tears start to fall. Todoroki blinks through a wave, and they tumble in perfect lines down his cheeks.
“- I still love you.” He says. “I love you so, so much. And I’m sorry, I can’t -” He laughs, a little helpless. “- I don't know how to stop.”
“Don’t stop,” Izuku hears himself whisper. It sounds small and far away, but Todoroki is warm and present beneath his hands. Achingly real against his fingers, and that’s enough to pull him back to reality. “Please love me.” He hates that it sounds so needy, but Todoroki breaks into a smile that reaches all the way to the bottom of Izuku’s heart.
“You never had to ask.” He holds out his hand, and Izuku takes it, marvelling at the way their fingers slot together perfectly right.
“... You do know I love you too, right?” Izuku stammers. “I mean - if that wasn't obvious -” Izuku averts his eyes, but Todoroki pulls him back, gaze fiercely intent.
“It was not obvious.” He hisses. “It was never -” He bites off a frustrated sigh. “- it wasn’t obvious, at least not to me. I - I’m not good with my words. I could never tell -” Izuku covers his mouth.
“Well, I do,” he murmurs, soft. “I love you.” Todoroki stares, slow and wondering, and Izuku shivers from the weight of his gaze raking over his skin. Todoroki opens his mouth, then makes a low, strangled sound, burying his face in his hands.
“Sorry -” Todoroki stutters, and he’s blushing to his ears, holding Izuku’s hand tight as if he’ll disappear the moment he lets go. “- I just. I never imagined this could happen. I don't really know what comes next.”
“Neither do I,” Izuku admits, flushing as their fingers wind together, hands laced into one. Everything about Todoroki is warm - safe and tender, and why did he ever push him away? “But we’ll figure it out, right?”
“Right,” Todoroki smiles. “... Can we start with this?”
Before Izuku can ask what, Todoroki sweeps up into his space, a hand cupping Izuku’s jaw as he leans in. Mesmerized, Izuku moves to meet him, and Todoroki’s lips are feather soft - the barest touch again his skin. The kiss still leaves him burning.
“Shouto -” He says, and it melts on his tongue when Todoroki licks into the seam of his lips, breaths short and hot between them. He presses up against him, and Izuku stumbles, leaning back as Todoroki settles on his lap. Izuku’s hands are shaking, so he fists them in Todoroki’s hair and gasps when Todoroki whimpers a moan. He could happily kiss Todoroki forever, so when he starts to pull away, Izuku can't help but sigh at the loss.
“- Is this good?” Todoroki murmurs, faint pink staining his cheeks. Is this good? Izuku feels like he could sprout wings and fly his way to heaven right about now, so yeah, it’s pretty fucking amazing.
“Perfect,” he manages, heart hammering in his chest. “Come do it again.”
Todoroki laughs, wraps his arms around Izuku’s neck, and leans down with a smile.
The self-proclaimed villain “Loveless” goes to trial a month later. Her quirk is analyzed by experts, and found to be a most strange sort of compulsion. When activated, the target falls under the control of the quirk’s wielder, becoming beholden to their will. A form of brainwashing, centered on subjecting its victims to forced infatuation. Strangely enough, the one reported incident of public contact with this quirk produced no such effect. Researchers are stumped.
When asked about this strange phenomenon, Pro-Hero Shouto offers these words:
“When the quirk hit, there was a voice. It promised to be anything - everything I could desire.” [He smiles, running his fingers over a ring.] “I guess it couldn't offer what I wanted.” [Beside him, his partner, Pro-Hero Deku laughs, as if this is a familiar joke.]
Researchers continue to be baffled by his unprecedented immunity. Studies continue, but fail to replicate Pro-hero Shouto’s resistance.
(In private, Shouto will admit to Izuku: “Her quirk could never work - I was already so in love with you.”)