#inasa cries his way through every single one

[dragonfruitsoup]

okay. picture your high school gym.

now. imagine doing laps.

imagine your gym teacher has some garbage ass playlist that is not anything you would use for a workout playlist.

imagine you are just trying to mentally remove yourself from this hellscape and just get through your laps.

except you're stuck with this meathead that is twice your height and twice your size and just. jock incarnate. and you cannot outpace him, he just lengthens his strides (curse him and his stupidly long legs). because he wants to talk with you. make friends. be all chummy and bros and whatever. except he cant keep up a conversation because he's too busy sobbing the lyrics to Total Eclipse of the Heart. full on sobbing. his face is all wet and red and blotchy and his voice keeps cracking on that line about powder kegs.

you cannot drop your pace, because a) he'd follow you and b) it'd put you too close to your arch-nemesis (your partner for chem labs who is way too competent to be that fucking useless) and the airhead upperclassman from stage crew. who's not actually an airhead and she's downright dangerous with a needle&bobbin and can absolutely hold her own with the power tools. but it's the principle of the thing!! they're chatting! and you want so desperately for meathead to drop back with them because you just want to get these laps over with.

and then your gym teacher takes one look at your struggling and you watch him, actively watch him, queue sinéad o'connor as you pass by. direct eye contact and toothy grin and all.

that's it.

that's what remedial class looks like for remedial squad.

[fandom-monium]

In Your Eyes - Episode 2

Soulmates - Heterochromatic Eyes AU: In which the soulmate system isn’t everything it seems and Shouto could be the only one who sees it.

Previously in Episode 1

Something about you pulls at Shouto’s heartstrings almost painfully and his eyes widen, pupils dilating.

Walking up to Inasa, your voice is calm as you begin to scold him. “Inasa, you should be more careful. I get you’re hot-blooded and all, but you need to chill. You get hurt over the littlest things.” You sigh, pulling out bandages and antiseptic from your bag. You begin to tend to his wounds before reaching the stadium.

“Sorry, (Last Name)-chan. I’ll try to be more careful,” Inasa promises. He pats your head, grinning wider.

You swat his hand away and frown. “Don’t try. You will be more careful and stop being so extra all the time. Seriously, I can’t keep patching you up for dumb things like bowing.”

Your eyes don’t meet. Hell, you didn’t even look at him, but the way his heart pounds like a drum says it all.  Heat creeps up his neck slowly. His heartstrings feel like they’re being pulled and he almost groans as his chest aches, but it’s unlike any time he’s been injured. It’s more urgent.

Shouto decides he doesn’t like you.

During the exam introduction, Shouto keeps an eye out for a familiar head of (hair color) hair but finds nothing. He's not interested in you or anything. More like curious about your quirk is all. How can it effect him at long range? Is it some type of heartbeat amplifier like Jirou's? That would explain why he heard his heart pound in his ears at your presence. It must be powerful if it can affect him with such distance. At that, Shouto deems you a dangerous opponent, prompting him to avoid any Shiketsu students.

He dismisses the disappointment when he doesn't see you during the first trial.

But it isn't till over half way through the second trial he sees you again.

Shouto grimaces. Gang Orca is right in front of him. Yet he can't land a decent attack because Inasa keeps distracting him with words. Stupid, unnecessary words. Every time he attacks, Inasa does too and they cancel each other out, missing their targets. It only fuels his irritation and serves to further distract him. Shouto grits his teeth, trying to concentrate on Gang Orca.

Inasa spouts some bullshit about his relations with Endeavor or something. Shouto doesn't care. All he wants right now is to pass this trial, but he can't with Inasa yapping in his ear. Shouto and Inasa exchange a few unkind words before they attack at the same time again.

As expected, the heat makes the wind rise, but this time the wind carries the fire towards Shindou. Still paralyzed, he struggles to avoid from the nearing flames.

Midoriya and you choose to jump in at that moment.

Midoriya grabs Shindou by his vest and vaults away from the flames ."What the hell-"

"-are you doing!?" You finish for him, landing in front of Shouto and Inasa. In a single motion, you raise your arms in a defensive block. Walls instantly rise from the earth. One by one, thick slabs of rock surround Gang Orca in towers. You've caged them in a stone enclosure, preventing Gang Orca and his henchmen from nearing the casualties for now.

"(Last Name)-chan, you're here!" Inasa notes.

(Last Name). Shouto stares at you in shock, his gaze switching between Midoriya and you. Your tense back faces him as you scan the walls you've built. There's a loud banging coming from the other side, and the walls rumble. They're trying to break through.

Shouto openly gawks, his heart jump starting again. God, there’s your damn quirk again. He shakes his himself out of his stupor, not wanting to show your effect on him. What the hell is this?

He glances at Midoriya, who is dragging Shindou away. His self-destructive friend seemed unaffected by your quirk, despite being in close proximity with you. Maybe you were purposely targeting him?

But you pay no attention to Shouto, turning to glare at Inasa. "I just told you to stop being extra, and what do you do? You get extra, you idiot. You have a bone to pick with someone, do it after the exam. This isn't the time for dramatic dialogue. What's more important here, saving lives or fighting with fellow heroes?"

You're right, Shouto thinks, ignoring the pain in his chest. As his heartstrings pull towards you, he looks at the battlefield. Debris and broken earth lay at his feet, and the sounds of screams and battle cries echo through the stadium. Other examinees carry casualties out of broken buildings and piles of rubble.

Shouto's here with one purpose. To pass the Hero License Exam. He has to set aside his differences with Inasa for now, so he can do his part. Protect the citizens and divert the villains away from them. He accepts that he can't simply get passed his issues with his father. He can't forget about them just like that. Inasa is right. He became what he hated. It's his fault that this happened, and he wants to make things right.

Then Inasa and him are paralyzed by Gang Orca's Sonic Wave attack, his body limp in his large hand.

A distance away from you, part of the wall crumbles into a doorway and like a broken dam it floods with Gang Orca's henchmen. You yell back to Midoriya while he drags Shindou closer to the casualty site. "They're coming!"

Have to think fast. You turn back, slamming your palms into the ground at the same moment Shindou does. The ground under Gang Orca's henchmen breaks, catching them in the violent torrent of rock as Shindou sends a shock wave into the floor. Then the earth quakes and rumbles at your command. It splits apart into a dark chasm. Gang Orca's henchmen fall in.

"Now then," Gang Orca drops Shouto's body. He begins walking away. "Guess I'll finish the wind-user off and give my boys a hand over there."

Hitting the ground, Shouto knows he's competed with Inasa with no purpose. He's shown no cooperation. He can't become a hero like this. He hopes Inasa's thinking the same thing. Their eyes meet. No words spoken.

Shouto's fire and Inasa's wind roar to life.

The wind lifts the flames as they planned. It swirls and traps Gang Orca in a raging inferno.

"A prison made of fire and wind, a nice idea. If I was the average villain, I might give up, or cry. Or maybe beg for forgiveness," Gang Orca comments, pouring a large water bottle over his head. "However, the moment you attacked me, I had already worked out my next move. What if that wasn't the case?" A shock wave disperses the wind and fire. He bellows, "Well? What do you have planned next?"

Nothing, damn it. Shouto grits his teeth, his face pressing into the hard earth. The jagged stones dig into his cheek. He tries to regain control of his paralyzed body.

Using the smoke screen above to hide, Midoriya comes to the rescue and drops an axe kick on Gang Orca. Gang Orca blocks with his arm as you follow up. You step in front of Shouto in a defensive stance before you stomp your front foot. A chunk of rock 20 times bigger than you shoots up from the earth and floats in front of you at the ready. In a swift motion, you hurdle it at Gang Orca, forcing him to push Midoriya off and dive away. You don't stop there. You outstretch your arms, palms facing the ground. The earth quakes and like the waves of the ocean, the ground begins to move. You hands tremble before clenching into fists.

Like the Red Sea, the ground under Gang Orca's feet part, and he's swallowed into the earth.

.......

The Hero License exam is over, and changed in their school uniforms, Class 1-A returns to the center of the stadium for their scores.

Everyone passes except Bakugou and Todoroki.

"Hurry up, dumbass." Shouto hears a familiar voice command. Then a deep, exasperated groan.

"Todoroki!"

Shouto turns to see Inasa and you walking over him. His heart jumps to his throat and suddenly, he can’t breath. He hopes it’s not because of Inasa because he’s had enough of his shit. 

Inasa pauses a couple feet in front of him, but you shoot Inasa a glare. You shove him closer towards Shouto.

"I'll wait for you," you tell Inasa walking off to join the rest of Shiketsu Academy. With your fading presence, his heart calms and Shouto breaths a sigh of relief.

Inasa towers over him and stares for a moment, face showing no hostility. Then he slams his head into the ground in the lowest, most odd bow Shouto's ever seen. Inasa apologizes for making him fail the exam.

Shouto's taken aback by his change in demeanor towards him, but he doesn't accept it. He reasons with Inasa that it was him who basically made them fail without even realizing it and thanks him for helping him. He’s realized some important things about himself.

When his friends find out he didn't pass and comfort him (except Mineta, that bastard), Shouto and Inasa share a brief silence. It's not uncomfortable, although Inasa is still bowing awkwardly.

By sun down, everyone leaves the stadium. Class 1-A of Yuuei Academy wait for their bus to arrive, and even the Shiketsu Academy class lingers with them, waiting for their own. There's no hostility anymore, more of an acknowledgement, of each other's presence or strength? Who knows. Shiketsu's bus arrives first and they board.

As Shouto watches your back disappear through the bus' double doors, he realizes he forgot to thank you for earlier.

He wonders why his chest aches as he watches you leave.

.......

It's the middle of summer vacation when Shouto sees you again. It's the hottest day of the season. The sun beats down on the earth, yet the sky is clear blue as if everyone’s not suffering. If you tried you can see the heat waves in the distance. The summer weather prompts him to wear shorts and a cotton button up shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He leaves the top buttons unbuttoned. He knows he could just use his quirk to save himself from the heat, and he does, but his hair still sticks to the back of his neck.

Shouto waits for his friends to arrive in the mall plaza. Friends. Such a new term to him. It feels like forever since he last had—oh wait. He didn't have friends till now. Thanks, Dad of the Year, for the amazing childhood.

"Ah, Todoroki-san!"

Oh no.

Shouto turns to see you making your way through the crowd towards him. And yet again, his heart leaps into his throat and he almost chokes. Your goddamn quirk again. You adjust the dark sunglasses over your eyes, smiling and waving at him like you've known each other forever. Ugh, too bright. He rubs his eyes before facing you again. "(Last Name)-san, it's been a while." He cringes at his hoarse voice.

If you noticed, you don’t mention it. "Yeah, haven't seen each other since the Hero License Exams," You respond, halting in front of him. You gaze at him attentively. "Oh, how'd you do? Inasa told me that you didn't pass because of him. I'm sorry for the way he treated you."

Shouto sees his reflection in your tinted lenses. You're close. Too close. He shoves his hands into his pockets and takes a small step back, making it look like he's just relaxing. He's far from relaxed. His heart pounds just like when he first saw you. But he refuses to give you the satisfaction of letting you know of your Quirk's affect on him right now.

"You have nothing to apologize for. I passed the retake anyway," Shouto answers, his voice casual. He internally congratulates himself.

Your smile widens. "Thank goodness."

"And you, what are you doing here?" Shouto asks, swallowing. He hopes you don’t notice his chest heaving.

"I'm just grocery shopping." You lift up two large, reusable bags. Shouto blinks. They look heavy as they strain from its contents weight, but you carry them like feathers. You put them on the floor.

He raises an eyebrow at you. "Right, so, aren't you a bit far from Shiketsu Academy?"

"I'm just visiting family here. What about you?" You grin, crossing your arms over your chest. You lean in. Shouto leans back. “Are you on a date?"

"No," He answers too fast. He ignores the warmth that spreads across his face. His heartbeat roars in his ears and he groans inwardly. The summer weather was getting to him, wasn't it?

You giggle, "I'm just kidding. No need to get all defensive."

"For your information," Shouto sighs. "I'm waiting for my friends. We're supposed to hang out today."

"Ah, I see," You bend down to pick up your bags, "I'll leave you to it then."

Shouto isn't sure what made him say it. He could have just let you leave, but no. He had to open his mouth. He usually thinks more rationally. This is a new low. "Here, let me help." Shouto's fingers brush against yours, and he nearly drops the bag.

You chuckle and thank him.

Well, no turning back now. He fumbles with the (heavy, shit, how strong are you?) bag and clears his throat, "So, where do you want me to carry these?"

"Right! Um, I'm actually not done with shopping yet—"

"I'll walk with you then," Shouto suggests before he realizes it. He wants to slap himself. Better yet, ice his mouth shut before he spouts more ideas.

You gaze at him with uncertainty. "Todoroki-san, you don't have to."

Curse summer. The weather was making him act out of character. It has to be. Shouto shakes his head as his head rushes to find an answer. "My friends aren't here yet anyway, and it's... it’s the least I can do to repay you."

You raise an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For protecting Inasa and I during the License Exam."

You stare at him, taken aback. "I didn't think you'd remember that," You admit, scratching the back of your neck. 

"How can I forget? You were amazing going up against Gang Orca," Shouto states as-a-matter-of factly. What else can he say? It was the truth. He shrugs. "I didn't get the chance to thank you at the time. Might as well make up for it now."

"I appreciate it, Todoroki-san." You flush, facing turning pink. From the heat? Maybe, but Shouto feels something bloom in his chest. Why and what? He doesn’t know, and he doesn’t like it. 

He can tell your eyes crinkle behind your sunglasses as you smile. He wishes he brought his own. You're going to blind him at this rate. He opts to look ahead.

"Shouto."

"Huh?" Your eyes widen in surprise.

He isn't sure what made him say it. He has no idea where the stupid, foolish idea came from, but Shouto gathers the courage to glance at you. "Just call me Shouto," he repeats.

"O-okay! Then you can call me (First Name)." You flush deeper and smile, wider than before and—damnit. Shouto turns away again. He feels his face warm up. Before it shows in his face, he uses his Quirk to cool his body temperature.

You shiver. "Brr. Why's it so cold all of a sudden?"

"No idea," Shouto replies nonchalantly. "So, where to next, (First Name)?" His lips twitch upwards. He likes the way your name rolls off his tongue—wait—no he doesn't. He presses his lips into a thin line.

You blink, as if you forgot what you were doing. "Oh, yeah, I need to get—"

.......

Subconsciously, you both lean into each other as you began chatting. Neither of you notice the small group of teens hiding behind a corner nearby, watching the whole interaction between you two.

"As expected of our strongest," Yaoyorozu gawks, a hand over her mouth as she blushes.

Next to her, Kaminari stares, eyes wide. "Todoroki, you sly dog."

"Shut up, Idiot," Jirou snaps, kneeling on the ground. Her Earphone Jack is plugged into the floor. "I'm trying to listen."

"Todoroki, you're truly manly, helping someone in need," Kirishima praises, tearing up. He sniffs and wipes the tear away.

Mina cheers as she jumps up and down, "You go, Todoroki!"

"It's so nice to see him take an interest in someone," Uraraka comments. She claps her hands together. "Maybe he'll open up more."

"Half n' Half actually has balls. Didn't think he had it in him," Bakugou sneers, crossing his arms over his chest.

Uraraka smacks his shoulder. "Bakugou, don't say that!"

The blond puts up his fists in an offensive stance. "Hah? You wanna fight, Uraraka?"

The teens shush Bakugou in unison before turning back to spy on Todoroki and you. Bakugou shuts his mouth. He huffs, grudgingly joining them.

Iida shakes his head. "Shameful. Just shameful. You should be be more respectful to Todoroki's privacy," He says as he peeks around the corner like the rest of them.

Midoriya sweat drops, watching his friends (and Bakugou) huddle at the corner. Fidgeting, he suggests, "Guys, this is wrong. We should just give them privacy."

"Who the fuck asked you, Deku?" Bakugou bellows, making the boy flinch.

His yell echos through the plaza, attracting people's attention. The group of teens curse.

.......

Like most of the people in the plaza, Shouto and you look up in the direction where the scream came from. He spots several heads of familiar hair peeking behind a corner not far from you. They shift and move as if they were being shoved. Shouto sighs and his brow furrows.

You laugh, "I suppose those are your 'friends'?"

Shouto nods, his face solemn. "Unfortunately, yes," he glares at the heads bobbing behind the corner.

"Well, wouldn't want to keep them waiting," You advise, taking the bag from his hand.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine," You wave him off. "Thanks for trying to help. I'll talk to you later. Bye, Shouto."

"Yeah, bye," Shouto says. He doesn't notice the hint of disappointment in his tone.

You walk off, waving goodbye. Shouto returns the gesture as he watches you till your back disappears in the crowd. Then he grimaces, turning to walk to where his friends are hiding.

As he nears them, Shouto hears someone instruct, "Quick, act natural!"

He turns the corner and finds his friends in the most awkward positions he's ever seen them in. Yaoyorozu is posing a like a model. Whistling a tune, Uraraka and Mina lean against the wall looking anything but casual. Kaminari and Jirou are pretending to try on women's clothes in the open shop next to them while Kirishima struggles to restrain Bakugou from leaping away. Iida and Midoriya stand in the clear, ashamed.

"Hey, Todoroki-san," Midoriya greets him, shifting his weight foot to foot.

Steam rolls off Shouto in clouds as he tries to remain calm.

He's far from it.

"Eh? Is it getting hot in here?"

"Wait, wait, we can explain!"

"Todoroki-san, using Quirks in public is illegal!"

"So, did you get their number?"

Something in Shouto snaps.

"Ahhhhh! Too cold! Too cold!"

"Hot! Hot!"

"The hell, Half n' Half!?"

Shouto's friends spend the rest of the day trying to gain his forgiveness. Then he realizes.

He didn't get your number.

Damn it.

.......

Episode 3 NOW AVAILABLE!!

Hope you enjoyed! Finally, some interaction between Shouto and the reader. 

I honestly don’t fully understand how school schedules work in Japan. They have school during summer?? Can someone explain it to me?

If you have any suggestions, ask box open or pm me?

Check out my one shots