"I'M SO SORRY I PUSHED YOU ONTO THE TRAIN LIKE THAT!" You shouted, bowing your head rapidly in apology while holding Todoroki's bag out to him.

"It's fine..." He mumbled as he took the bag from you. "But I wasn't able to do the homework."

"IT'S OKAY!" You grinned. "I MADE AN EXTRA COPY OF MINE JUST FOR YOU TO TURN IT!"

"Stop yelling." Todoroki groaned, snatching the sheet from your hand. "It's annoying."

Whoa... What the heck...

Your loud nature didn't usually bother him, or at least if it did he never said anything about it.

It's gonna be another one of those days I guess...

"Todoroki?" You purposely lowered your voice as he requested and gazed at him with concern. "Are you okay? Did something happen last night?"

There is was again. His eyes become soft for a spilt-second before he turned and headed over to his seat.

"Nothing happened."

-Lunch-

Quiet, a quality you reserved exclusively for really bad days. You pushed your food around with your fork. Your appetite was gone, mind wandering to if Todoroki was sitting on the roof alone like he did often for lunch. Usually you would be there with him but you had grown to learn that on days like this you needed to keep your distance.

"(Y/n)." Tsuyu started, making you jump and drop your fork.

"WHA- YES I'M HERE!"

Izuku, Ochaco, and Iida glanced at you. They were clearly worried about how quiet you had been all day.

"Did you and Todoroki get into a fight?" Tsuyu questioned.

"Eh?! No no, nothing like that!" You laughed, grabbing your fork once more. The truth is you couldn't eat. Your mind was in such a muck that you could calculate the path of the food to your mouth. "Really it's fine!"

"Uhhh (y-y/n)..." Izuku studdered. "You missed your mouth..."

Your fork was currently pressed against your cheek, food smoshing against your skin and dripping into the table.

"Uh this is just a technique for making sure your foods not too hot..." You laughed, wiping the residue from your cheek.

"Just talk to him." Tsuyu grinned. "That's the fastest way to figure this off."

"I know you're right..." You placed your fork back on the table. "I'm just nervous to piss him off. Todoroki can get really intense after all..."

"That may be true. But ya know (y/n), I think that out of everyone here, you have the most influence over him." Ochaco smiled warmly. You glanced up from your plate curiously at the comment.

"It's true!" Iida added. "Todoroki always talks the most around you after all."

They're right. Todo is my friend. I need to face this.

You stood abruptly from your seat, eyes intense and unwavering.

"THANKS FOR THE ADVICE. I'M GONNA GO TALK TO HIM."

- - -

YEAH NO THERE'S NO WAY I CAN DO THIS. I THINK THE SWEET EMBRACE OF DEATH WOULD BE EASIER.

You were panicking, standing at the top of the stairs behind the door that lead to the roof.

"Dammit..." You mumbled, swallowing the lump that continually dwelled in your throat. "What would mom do... What would mom do..." Tightening your fist against your chest, you slowed your breathing. "Okay..."

Slowly you pushed the door open. It was gloomier than usual today, the typically blue sky a bit cloudy and grey. You stepped out onto the roof, about to call out the name of your friend only to be met by the sight of him leaning up against the building with his eyes closed. He was asleep. But it was clear it wasn't a deep, restful sleep. Todoroki's face was distorted, brows furrowed, jaw tight.

It was almost as though he was in pain.

"Todoroki..." You said softly, kneeling down in front of him. "Why are you making that face... Why are you pushing me away..." It all hurt for multiple reasons. You wanted him to be happy, and you wanted him to rely on you.

As if instinctively, your hands gravitated to either side of his head.

"Shouto..." You breathed, allowing your fingertips to rear against his temples. Before you had even realized it you were using your quirk. "Please allow me to shoulder some of your pain-"

A flash.

It was gone in an instant, yet impactful enough to make you tear your hands away from him.

What on earth...

It was just a pair of eyes. Cold, angry, vengeful eyes. But it was the connection to the eyes that made you tremble.

His... Mother?

Todoroki's face was still pained, making it obvious that you needed more time to suppress that anguish he felt. You took a deep breath and closed your eyes, once against placing your fingers on his temples.

Focus (y/n)... Focus... Find the source of the pain and-

"What are you doing?"

The voice broke your concentration. Your eyes shot open, quickly being met by the icy glare of your friend. It was the intense look that terrified you. Todoroki scoffed and slapped your hands away.

"That's not for you to see..." He growled. "WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SNOOP IN MY HEAD LIKE THAT?!" The sudden escalation in voice mad you fall back. Todoroki stood, the tension in the air only escalating further as he angrily walked over toward the stairs.

"W-Wait Todo-"

"SHUT UP!" He spat.

I'm sick of this.

"NO." You shouted, quickly making your way to your feet and taking hold of his wrist. "YOU SHUT UP."

It was rare that you were as upset as you were in that moment. Todoroki stopped his attempts at escape and grew quiet.

"I am TIRED of you picking and choosing when we're friends and when we're not!" You huffed. "There's days where you're sweet and then there's days where you treat me like shit. I'm fed up with it." Your grip tightened around his wrist. Todoroki remained silent. "Friends are friend through both the good and bad times..." You couldn't help the tears that began to flow down your cheeks. "YOU DON'T GET TO PICK AND CHOOSE!"

You released his wrist, his hand slowly floating back down to his side. He no longer tried to flee, instead watching you intently as you choked out words.

"I'm sorry okay... My intention wasn't to invade your privacy." You sniffled. "I just... I just wanted you to rely on me like a friend. I wanted you to confide in me when you're hurting..."

You just wanted to help. You just wanted to make that load lighter for him.

Was that so wrong?

Todoroki didn't say a word, leaving only the sound of leaves rustling to fill your ears. But through swollen shut eyes, you saw the shadow of his body disappear. He left you there on that roof: crying, confused, hurt. In that situation, you couldn't help but question yourself.

Who was at fault here?