I wake up to a sound just above me. It's still dark and I can hear Mic's music playing in the background, so I know his party is in full swing. My eyes adjust and I notice the end credits of The Blind Side playing. Somebody is grumbling to my left. I prop myself up and run a hand through my hair, looking up to see two different colored eyes meeting my own.

Oh.

Todoroki's face is faintly illuminated by the light reflecting off the screen. He is leaning over my headboard, trying to turn off the projector. I look over to my right to see my two friends fast asleep. Our food has been removed from the bed, though I don't remember doing that.

"I didn't want to wake you," he says quietly. "But I don't know how to turn this thing off."

I sit up, pressing a few buttons on the projector and suddenly, the room is plunged into darkness. For a moment, there is no sound except the deep, even breathing of my sleeping friends and the muffled music.

"My father is waiting," he says, walking to the door slowly. I hear a thud followed by a scuffle and have to hold back laughter. Did he run into the wall or something?

I fumble around in the dark for my phone. Finally finding it, I turn on the flashlight.

When light floods the room, I see him sitting on the floor facing the far wall, trying to put his left shoe on his right foot. He pauses for a moment, analyzing the situation, then puts down the shoe and grabs the other, placing it on the correct foot. "Thank you," his quiet voice says while he ties it. I try and fail to hold in my laughter at how serious he always is.

Except for earlier. He was truly happy. When was the last time he's smiled like that? A soft smile finds its way to my face as I remember his smile. It was such a sweet moment.

All while holding the flashlight for him, I navigate my phone, trying to find my notes app. Soon he's standing and reaching for the doorknob, so I mentally say screw it and open my messages app, holding out a hand to signal him to wait. My hand makes a shadow on the wall, so I'm sure he saw it.

I open a new message and just type in the box, "what did you think of the movie?"

I turn off the flashlight and extend the phone to him. He takes it from my hands, the glowing screen illuminating his face from below and giving his eyes a haunting look. I'm so mesmerized by taking in his features that I am shocked when the glow is turned to me. I grab my phone back.

I still make eye contact with him, awaiting an answer, but he goes to the door and opens it. "Goodnight," he says before walking out and closing the door behind him.

Well, that's not the answer I was looking for.

I look back down at the screen to see he has sent the message to a new contact. "Todoroki" is all the name says. I add a snowflake and fire emoji to either side of his name as a new message appears.

❄️🔥Todoroki🔥❄️: It was good, but I could barely understand what they were saying half the time. Their accents are very thick.

Me: Next time, I'll put on subtitles

I see that he has read the message, but he doesn't respond. I sigh, knowing he probably won't and I shouldn't bother him by sending two messages in a row, so I stand and lock my door. Backing out of our conversation, I notice I still have unread messages from earlier.

Bakugo: I SAID TO DELETE THIS FUCKING NUMBER

Bakugo: DON'T IGNORE ME, MUTE

Bakugo: LEAVE ME ALONE

I smile to myself as I sit back down on the bed and plug in my phone, already typing out a response.

Me: Well, do you want me to delete this number and leave you alone or stop ignoring you? You're being a little contradictory

I turn off my phone, knowing it's past midnight and he probably won't respond. I place it back on my nightstand and curl up in my blankets. Wrapping an arm around a pillow, I close my eyes and take a deep breath, letting all my stress from the day out. An unfamiliar smell hits my nose. I bury my nose in the pillow and sniff.

It smells almost spicy, yet sweet... And also earthy at the same time. It's like...cinnamon! And mint? Peppermint! That's totally what that is. But where did it...?

I open my eyes to look at the pillow. It is the one Todoroki was laying on. I hastily remove my arm from it, unsure of how to proceed. Of course it smells good, but it doesn't seem appropriate to fall asleep with my face buried in a pillow that smells like my classmate. I push the cinnamint pillow to the side and grab one of my other pillows to lay my head on.

I entwine my arms in my fleece blanket and feel my eyelids flutter shut when my phone buzzes. I groan and reach out to grab it. There's a new message.

Bakugo: Go to fucking sleep

Me: Goodnight to you too

Bakugo: It's morning, idiot

Me: Same difference

I close my phone and despite the buzzing, lay it back down on my nightstand. I smile at his frustration as I unconsciously grab Todoroki's pillow once more and fall asleep.

•°•°•°•

In the morning, I wake just as the sun is rising. My friends are still fast asleep, sprawled on the other side of my bed. Looking around my room, I notice all the bags of chips and candy are on my desk. Sticky spoons are laid on a napkin while...I lean over and open my freezer drawer.

He put away the ice cream... he put away all our food.

I smile fondly at the memory of last night, standing to go to the bathroom. I flick on the light, looking in the mirror at my lazy smile. I wipe the fatigue from my eyes and examine my appearance.

Something's different... My choker!

I gasp, my hand flying to the scar on my neck. I took it off last night, didn't I? Before Todoroki got here! Does that mean...?

My heart thuds heavily in my chest. Anxiety claws at me until my stomach can't take it anymore. I lean down to the toilet and heave up everything in my stomach. My whole body shakes as I stand up, feeling weak. I brush my teeth while going over my thoughts.

Why is he always there when my guard is down? The moment I let my past slip out, he had to show up, didn't he? Maybe he didn't see the scar. It was dark.

A small flame of hope flickers to life in my chest, but it's soon drowned when I walk back into my bedroom. The necklace is sitting on my bedside table. I'm positive that's not where I left it.

He just found it and put it back. That's all. I turned off the lights as soon as he got here. But... He could've noticed. Yet another secret I'm going to pray he can keep.

I sigh, grabbing a t-shirt and leggings to change into. I return to the bathroom and remove my sweatshirt. As I pull it over my head, my nose catches a whiff of a now familiar scent. Cinnamint. It must've rubbed off from the pillow. I change the rest of my clothes, wondering where on Earth he might've found a cologne or body wash or shampoo or whatever it was that smells like that. I debate putting the hoodie in my laundry basket for a second, but I instead fold it and return it to my dresser.

Thank goodness we have a couple days to recuperate after the festival, I think, stretching out my back. Resulting pops fill the room and I sigh. A small, yet evil, grin covers my face as I remember yet another thing from last night.

I pick up my phone to see what new texts the human cactus has sent me.

Bakugo: That doesn't even make sense, idiot

Bakugo: I'm starting to think there's even more damage to your brain than whatever's keeping you mute

The smile falls from my face. I know he's trying to get a rise out of me, but that was harsh.

Bakugo: Maybe you're just such a stalker your stupid little brain can't force yourself to stay away

Bakugo: I'm taking your silence as confirmation, curly

Bakugo: It's not like I can blame you. Who can resist the future number 1 hero?

There's that arrogant brat, I think, rolling my eyes. How dare he think that? That's not it at all!

Me: How do you figure, idiot? I was only sleeping

I fume as I type, sitting back on the bed. Ochaco stirs and sits up, removing Reina's hand from her stomach.

"Good morning!" She rubs her eyes and smiles at me. I offer a bright smile in return and turn off my phone. "Your bed is really comfortable! I'm gonna go to the bathroom if that's okay. It's just through here?" She points to the door and I nod.

As she stands, Reina also stirs, flipping over to be greeted by the sun through my windows. She groans, grabbing her glasses off the bedside table while Ochaco goes to the bathroom.

"What time is it?" She yawns, running her fingers through her smooth hair.

I toss my phone to her and she turns it on to see it's roughly 8 am.

"Ugh, so early," she mumbles, still looking at my screen. "Texting Bakugo, are we?"

My heart leaps from shock. I put my hands up, gesturing for her to throw my phone back, but she doesn't pay attention.

"Oooh...do you have a crush on him?" She waggles her eyebrows at me. My face heats up and I lean over to snatch my phone back. She giggles, allowing me to take it from her.

"WHAT?!?" Ochaco screams from the bathroom. I hear the sink turn off and she runs back into my bedroom. "WHO DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON?!?" She squeals, wiping her hands on her pants.

"Nobody!" I sign rapidly.

"Bakugo! The guy who got first in the festival? He seems a bit scary for you, dontcha think, Koto?" All while Reina is talking, Ochaco's jaw falls further and further. I shake my head so hard I'm sure it will fall off my neck.

"No, that's not it at all!!!" I sign.

"Then what is it?!?" Ochaco runs back to the bed and flops down next to me.

I groan and turn on my phone.

Bakugo: You just can't seem to stay away from me. You even sat at my table just to be closer. I know you watch me and you're always texting me

Bakugo: You didn't even deny it

I let out a strangled cry as I immediately text back.

Me: No! I sat there because that's where Kirishima was. As hard as it may be for you to believe, I actually have friends at this school. I can say with certainty that I AM NOT STALKING YOU. If I'm bugging you that much, you don't have to respond. You don't have to buy me food or hang out with me

I pause after hitting send, everything I just wrote hitting me.

Why would he do all of that? Now that I'm thinking about it, he's done plenty for me to believe he might actually care. Why does he have so much trouble showing it though? If he weren't so mean, I might actually consider... No no no. No considering. No distractions.

"Aww! You're texting him!" Ochaco exclaims, looking over my shoulder. I throw my phone down on the bed.

"No! I was put in a group chat with him! I texted him during the festival to commend him for complimenting you! Ever since then, he's been telling me to delete his number and leave him alone," I sign, trying to get them to understand.

"So why haven't you?" Reina asks, smugly.

I pause, mouth agape. "He was being mean! I just wanted to put him in his place."

"Koto, he's always mean!" Ochaco insists, reaching for my phone, but I snatch it back up. "Look, I don't know if what you're saying is true, but he really isn't the type of person you should get involved with. I hate to say it, but he's dangerous! I just don't want to see you getting hurt."

We all pause for a moment. How bad is he really though? He took down that one mist villain easily, he let Ochaco show off in the festival even though he could've easily defeated her, he bought me food, and I'm pretty sure he's been learning sign language this whole time! He let me fix his arms earlier. He could've gotten mad and attacked me, but he didn't. He is making sure that I'm eating and taking care of myself! He was helping me become a better hero! As much as he hates it, I saw him with his guard down after his fight training with Midoriya. I know he's not always angry. He might just be lonely.

"He's not all that bad," I sign, my head down.

"What are you saying?!?" Ochaco cries. "Why are you defending him?"

"Why are you writing him off? You heard what he said about you. He's not all bad, he just doesn't know how to express his good side. Don't label him as bad because you haven't seen his caring side! Because I have! He's trying to be a hero like the rest of us!"

Her and I stare at each other, neither of our faces is mad, just imploring each other to see our side.

"Maybe you have," she says quietly, her gaze softening.

I know she is just worrying about me. I can't be mad at her when I know where she's coming from.

"I don't have a crush on him. Trust me," I sign, though part of me considers my own words. Am I the same to him as Todoroki is to me? I'm sure Todoroki doesn't like me back. Why would he? He hasn't done anything to show it. He's just as distant as he always has been. Not that Bakugo is much better. Why am I even considering this? I can't be having all these distractions on my mind. I have to work my hardest and put all my effort into being a hero!

I stand and put my phone in my back pocket. My friends look up at me. "It doesn't matter how I feel about anyone anyway. I'm training to be a great hero and that's where all my focus has to be, so that's where it is."

They nod as we look at each other solemnly. That was more intense than I think any of us were expecting.

"So where's that other boy?" Reina asks.

"Oh, I woke up at the end of the movie and he was leaving." I chuckle to myself. "It was actually really funny. He was trying to turn off the projector but he couldn't figure it out. He looked so scared when he saw me wake up! And then I turned it off for him and it was completely dark, so I put on my flashlight so he could see and he was putting his shoe on the wrong foot!"

I giggle lightheartedly to myself, but they're looking at me strangely. My brow furrows and I give them a questioning look.

"You like Todoroki, don't you?!?" Ochaco bounces on the bed. I feel my face heat up. Before I can even retort, she hops off the bed and grabs my hands. "Aww you're so cute when you're nervous!"

"You two are impossible," I sign as Reina hops to my side as well.

"That's why you wanted him to stay!" She exclaims.

"I was trying to help him! He obviously didn't want to be here in the first place. He just came because his dad made him. I was trying to be nice to our classmate." I fill my mind with memories of Grant and what could happen if I got into a relationship with anyone right now. My face cools down and I know it appears impassive and conveys that I'm telling the truth. Even if I'm not sure if I am or not.

"I guess, but why would he want to hide from Endeavor?" Ochaco cocks her head to the side.

I shrug, pretending not to know. "That's for him to say. And honestly, if you knew what Midnight gets up to at these parties, you'd want to escape too." I shiver as I remember the one time I walked out of my room to grab food. I immediately ran back and locked the door. Mic bought me the special bedside tables the next day.

"I'm going to trust you on that," Reina says as they both blush.

"I'm gonna make breakfast. Uncle Hizashi is good about making sure everyone is out of the house before sunrise. Feel free to head out when you're ready."

I unlock the door and leave my friends in the room. I just feel I need a moment to myself. Cooking is a nice escape. I illuse music in my ears as I wash and cut some strawberries, sprinkling them with sugar and covering the bowl with plastic wrap to macerate. I then grab another bowl and mix together eggs, flour, and milk to make crèpe batter. When the mix is liquidy enough, I take some cream cheese out of the fridge and mix it with vanilla and powdered sugar to sweeten it.

I hear the door open as I grab chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and bananas, chopping the fruit into rondelles.

"I've never seen you cook before," Reina says quietly. I acknowledge her statement with a nod.

"You seem good at it," Ochaco stands at my side as I pour batter into a pan in a thin layer.

"I cooked a lot with my grandma. And there have been many nights where my uncle hasn't been home, so I needed to cook for myself," I sign before flipping the crèpe.

I pull three plates from the cabinet and put the first finished crèpe on the top one, offering it to Ochaco. She grabs it and begins dressing it while I make the rest of the batter into completed crèpes. Reina also makes one while I finish up, putting all the extras on a piece of parchment paper. I put the last one onto my own plate and fill it with cream cheese, strawberries, and bananas, then put chocolate and whipped cream on the top. I sit down at the island with them and eat quietly. We each eat two before they have to go back home. They leave together for the train station.