Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 61

"I'm fine," I replied, forcing my eyes to stay with him. "Shoto, I have to ask... what did you want to say to me before? Back in the woods?"

He stopped at that, angering Bakugou a little as he nearly ran into him. However, he regained himself and kept walking. However, he didn't look at me. Shoto wasn't even sparing me a glance, and my resolve started to disintegrate. Had I offended him? Had I hurt him somehow? Shoto had been so serious back there; it was just a question to me, but what had it meant to him?

"Shoto...?"

"I said it was nothing," he replied. "Just rambling."

"You and I both know that's not true, Shoto."

I wasn't going to let him worm his way out of this. This whole day had been so emotional and fragile between us, that I was scared to step on the shattered glass that littered the floor of our bond. However, I thought it was about time I risked cutting myself to find out the truth from my icy-hot friend. We both cared about each other, that much was clear if today's encounters were any indicators. But to what extent wasn't so much.

Well, on Shoto's behalf, that is.

Shoto sighed, finally turning my way with an annoyed expression upon his scarred face. "It doesn't matter right now, Y/N. Just forget it."

"How can I possibly forget it when it has you so worked up?"

He grumbled something under his breath as he looked away, staring at the backs of Shoji and Midoriya. Anywhere but at me, it seemed.

"It sounded important, Shoto, so I suggest you get it out now before we become chow for those damn villains."

I winced at my own words, zipping my mouth shut and turning to face forwards. I sounded like such a hypocrite, and I hated myself for it. What right did I have to tell Shoto that, when I couldn't even tell him how I truly felt about him. About us.

'Gosh, I can be so insensitive, sometimes.' He didn't know about my feelings, but it hurt all the same. And whatever it was he'd wanted to say, he was right; it wasn't important right now, because we were under attack and could potentially be fatally injured tonight. Or worse. Shoto was right - it was better to leave whatever he wanted to say unsaid for now.

Just as we were about to return to silence and soldier marching, I was surprised to hear the red and white-haired boy beside me speak up.

"You're right, Y/N. It is important," he said, low and soft. "And the way things are going right now almost makes me want to tell you now. However, I believe it's better if I don't. But I promise you this: I'll tell you after all of this madness."

Sparing a glance at him, he was facing forwards again, a hint of pink dusting his cheeks for a brief moment before fading in the cool wind. Even on the side, I could tell he was sincere, and Shoto didn't promise things often, so I guess whatever he wanted - needed - to say was truly going to be worth the wait.

A small smile graced my lips. "Okay, Shoto. Let's survive this night. Together."

'Then, maybe, I can also tell you something really important...'

A flash of a raven-haired beauty came to mind, the image weaving its way into my heart as it stuttered, trembled. I'd forgotten about Momo, again. Damnit, how could I forget the person I was protecting from heartbreak?

Really easily, apparently.

I clenched my fists as we walked on, mind racing with guilty thought upon guilty thought. 'Momo's my friend,' I reminded myself. 'I've got to help her out the best I can. Which means I have to stop feeling this way for Shoto! '