Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Two Heroes - Chapter 9

"I'm sorry," he finally said, his face nothing but stone cold seriousness. "I'm sorry for being a jerk earlier. That wasn't fair. What I said wasn't fair. I know you're a naturally friendly person, even to the most stubborn of people - including Bakugou."

"And let's not forget yourself, now," I added, a teasing smile playing at my lips.

He nodded, his serious mask cracking a little with a small smile. "Right. As I was saying, it's no surprise that you can talk to anyone you want, and, I guess... that just made me worry."

My eyebrows furrowed together. Worry? What did this poor boy have to worry about?

Shoto's gaze fell down to his left hand, loosening his grip to hold it up between us. "I've hated my left side for as long as I can remember; but you've been the one to show me how good it can be. Even if my old man is nothing to be proud of, doesn't mean I can't be. And it's not just me you've helped: you volunteered to go to Hosu with Iida without a single hesitation, and you didn't just give up when you and Bakugou were with the League. You're a good person, Y/N, who has every damn right to be friends with whoever she wants."

Okay, now I was getting embarrassed. All the praise Shoto was laying out before me was making my cheeks flush a pink that could rival Mina's skin I was that embarrassed. "S-Shoto, where is this coming from-" A yelp escaped me as I was suddenly pulled into another tight hug, wide eyes watching the sky in bewilderment as Shoto's breath brushed the shell of my ear.

"I've got a temper, a cold-front, and a lot of flaws. But you've always overlooked those." My heart stuttered as I felt the tiniest drop hit my neck. Goodness, he was crying.

"Shoto..."

"And even tonight after I pushed you away, you never looked at me like you hated me. How could you not hate me?!"

My heart broke at his words, the self-hatred he was exuding enough to bring me to tears again. How could he still think that of himself, as if he were a monster? Forcing my arm to move, I wrapped it around him and pulled him in as close as possible.

"Because, Shoto," I said, sniffles escaping me. "You're a good person, too. You just never let yourself see that."

Somehow, Shoto hugged me tighter and pulled me closer. Our chests were now heaving against each other - I could feel our erratic hearts beat in time we were so close.

"You deserve so much, Y/N. You deserve better than some messed up guy who gets jealous for no absolute reason. But I swear that I'll be better. I promise I will. For you."

No amount of words could describe how I felt. My heart simultaneously lurched and swelled at his words, conflicting emotions mixing together until all I could do was nod and cry. Nod and cry, nod and cry...

"I love you," I found myself blubbering out, pulling away to look him in the eye. "I love you, you stupid icy-hot."

Shoto flung his head back as a deep laugh resonated through him, the warm sound drifting into the night air as tears finally spilled from his eyes. Looking down at me, I couldn't stop myself from melting even more into his eyes.

"And I love you," he said, pressing a sweet kiss to my forehead before tensing his arms around me to haul us to our feet.

We both turned at the sound of rubble scraping along the ground, finding Bakugou of all people standing before us. Hadn't he left, already? "So, I guess it's safe to say that you two are good, now?" he asked, scarlet eyes flicking between Shoto and I.

I nodded, leaning onto the heterochromatic-haired boy. "Yeah. We're good. Sorry about the green room incident. You-" I paused at Bakugou's raised hand, looking up at him with tilted head. He was being oddly calm and respectful, right now. It was weird.