"Everyone's giving it their all!" Izuku yelled. "There's no way I can know all of your circumstances or your resolve... But for you to become number one without giving it your all, to completely reject your father... I think you should stop screwing around!"

It was so hard to watch your two friends go at each other like that.

Izuku was giving it his all, demolishing his body in the process. The battle was so intense that you had found yourself constantly backing away from the tunnel entrance whenever Izuku fired off a shot. You worried about him, but you knew what he was trying to do. Ice began to encase Todoroki's body.

"Shut up..." He muttered.

Todoroki...

"That's why... I WILL WIN!" You clutched your sweatshirt helplessly as Izuku delivered another charged blow. "I WILL SURPASS YOU!"

It hurts to watch.

"I will reject... My old man's power..." Todoroki wheezed, barely able to come to his feet.

That's not it Todo...

"IT'S YOUR POWER, ISN'T IT?!'

There it was. It was the words you had searched for in your head but could never quite find.

Todoroki's eyes widened at the Izuku's words, his body frozen in his tracks.

This is it!

Your mind and mouth moved on its own. Cupping your hands in front of your face, you called out to him.

"DON'T GIVE UP TODOROKI, GIVE IT YOUR ALL!"

It was hard to tell from a distance whether he had heard you or not, but it wasn't really important. The left side of his body erupted into flames, the heat so powerful that it radiated all the way out to you. You instinctively covered your face.

His flames, he used them!

"I want... To be a hero too!" Todoroki called out.

You had longed to hear those words. You could simultaneously hear Endeavor shouting something from the audience but it only echoed in the back of your mind. You were too focused on Todoroki, peering at his inflamed form with a proud grin. Izuku even had a bigger smile than you did.

"Why are you smiling? With those injuries... In this situation... You're crazy."  Todoroki growled towards him. "Don't blame me for what happens next."

With those final words, he stepped forward, ice splaying out from beneath him as the flames grew larger as well.

Whoa whOA WHOA! IT'S OVER!

"MIDNIGHT!" Cementoss pleaded. "If they keep going it will be bad!"

Despite the teachers' attempts to stop the fight, there was no way they could have stopped what ensued that day. You didn't see most of what had transpired due to the arena practically exploding. And since you didn't want to get smashed by flying cement, you were forced to take cover away from the entrance.

"Is it over..." You mumbled to yourself, inching back toward the entrance. As the dust settled, your eyes fell upon Todoroki still standing.

Is that-?! What about Izuku?

Your gaze shifted around until you finally found your friend against the opposite wall.

"Izuku..." You softly spoke. "You really are a hero..."

"M-Midoriya is out of bounds." Midnight announced. "Which means... Todoroki wins!"

- - -

The match was over.

You waved towards Todoroki as he approached the hallway entrance, a huge smile plastered on your face.

"Ah! Todo-"

There wasn't a moment to speak. Todoroki practically fell against you and into your arms. Your breath hitched as you caught him in a hurry, the sudden weight causing your knees to nearly buckle.

"You walked over here fine!" You panicked. "Are you alright?! Should I call recovery girl?!"

"That won't be necessary..." He muttered, arms wrapping behind your back and pulling you closer to him. "I just had to tell you as soon as possible (y/n)."

"Huh? Tell me what?"

"That I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

"What are you apologizing for silly?" You laughed, gladly returning the embrace.

Todoroki shifted a bit against you, his face buried in your shoulder, his warmth emitting to your body. It comforted him; to have you so close like that.

"I've been... So selfish..." Todoroki started. The way his voice broke and quivered made your heart nearly stop. "I've put you through so much. I confused you. I didn't treat you the way you deserved to be treated. But worst of all..." Light trembles came from his body. If it was even possible by this point, you held him closer. "I pushed you away because I thought you couldn't understand. But the reality was, it was I who didn't understand. I didn't understand how I felt and as a result, you suffered. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Those words left his mouth like a mantra. He would have kept going if that's what it took, but it was unnecessary.

"I forgive you."

"Just like that?" He questioned softly. You pulled away from him and gazed into his eyes.

"Yup." You smiled warmly. "Just like that."

And he smiled back. It was that genuine smile you always loved to see.

You took a step back from him, finally noticing that half of his uniform had been ruined, his glorious body out for all to see.

"U-Uh anyways... Congrats on winning your match! We should head back, don't you think?" You quietly muttered with averted eyes. "Someone else might come down this hallway..."

"(Y/n)."

"Y-Yes?"

"I like you."

"... I'm sorry what was that?"

"I said I like you." He repeated in confidence.

You gave him a confuzzled look before sticking your finger into your ear and rummaging around.

"I'm sorry Todo, I don't think my ears are working correctly right now..."

He scoffed once, his smile growing.

"Then, perhaps it would be better for me to show you what I mean." He breathed, hands coming up to cup your cheeks. Not a moment later his lips had softly descended onto yours. This time, it wasn't as much of a surprise. Your eyes fluttered closed. All traces of tension had steadily melted away. Todoroki pulled away, his forehead practically still touching yours. "Do you understand now?"

He really means it...

He likes me.

Todoroki likes me.

"I understand." You mumbled in near disbelief. "But..."

"But?" He tilted his head.

"Didn't you say you would ask the next time Todo?" You coyly reminded him.

His hands dropped from your face, one of them resting on the back of his neck. He was observably embarrassed by your comment. He was so embarrassed in fact that you could see red dusted over his cheeks.

"Sorry..." He mumbled. "I guess I just got excited..."

S-So cute?! How is it even possible to be hot and cute at the same time?! I FEEL SO BLESSED!

"Well, I guess you'll just have to practice it real quick!" You grinned.

"Huh? What do you-" Todoroki stopped upon seeing your anticipatory expression. His lips curled up. Once again, he pressed his forehead to yours, not moving an inch closer until he had your permission. "(Y/n), may I kiss you?"

"You may."

With that, he pressed his lips against yours once more, deeper now that you had grown a bit accustomed to it. Your arms reached up and wrapped around his neck as you graciously returned the gesture.

This is real.

When the two of you separate, you weren't really sure what you were supposed to do. In all honesty, it didn't matter how many times he repeated it to you. There was still a part of you that could hardly believe it.

"So uh, just to make sure... When you say like, you mean-"

"I like you." He reiterated calmly. "And not in a 'as a friend' kind of way."

Wait a sec, this sounds like...

You stepped back from him and watched how his adorable smile became a bit mischievous grin.

"'I wanna be in a romantic relationship, and go on dates, and participate in intimate activities' kind of a way." He smirked.

"D-Did you just repeat my embarrassing library confession?!" You gasped in horror.

"I did. It was cute, so I remembered it."

"YOU KNOW WHAT-" He leaned back in towards your face suddenly, causing you to stumble back and forget what you were saying. "YOU'RE CUTE!"

Got em.

Wait...

Todoroki crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"W-WAIT!" You panicked. "THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A CLEVER COMEBACK IN THERE SOMEWHERE!"

He's so attractive that I literally forgot what I was saying...

"Your comebacks are never clever." He truthfully stated.

"... I cannot deny this statement..." You shyly mumbled.

He chuckled at that. So, of course, you yourself couldn't help but smile. The giggle-fest didn't last very long since Todoroki pulled you in for another hug.

"I like you..." He repeated into your ear quietly. "...so much (y/n). I just want to make sure you know." All the blood rushing to your face made you a bit light headed.

"Todo, if you say that again I might pass out. My heart can't take it."

"It's alright, I'll carry you back."

"I-I'M SERIOUS!"

"So am I." He retorted, pulling away to gaze into your eyes. "So if you'll have me (y/n), I'd like to be your boyfriend."

"If I'll have you? Oh Todo..." You pressed a sweet kiss to his cheek. "Of course! You do know what that means this time, right?"

You couldn't help but think back to Kabukicho when you had told Ai that Todoroki wasn't your boyfriend and he got seriously concerned, thinking you meant he was not your friend.

"Yes. I did some research when I got home that night." He admitted.

"I swear..." You chuckled, intertwining your fingers in his. "You're such a dork."

"I'm your dork now. You'll have to learn to get used to it."

You gazed up at him with a smile.

Well, I'm dating Shouto Todoroki now. I guess there are a lot of things I'm gonna have to get used to.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Special feature: Confession
Artwork by: UnicornBeau

*heart squeeze*