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“You think you were hit by a quirk?” Recovery Girl questioned in confusion as Todoroki sat in front of her in her office early in the morning.
Todoroki nodded firmly, looking grim. “Yesterday when the class went out for our monthly shopping trip to pick up necessities, a little girl had bumped into me. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I later noticed when Kirishima nudged me, I suddenly heard his voice saying ‘This guy’s a riot’. It happened two more times as well with strangers I happened to bump into, I’d suddenly hear thoughts that weren’t my own.”
Recovery Girl nodded, thinking it over. “It sounds like you were indeed hit by a quirk, that girl you bumped into must’ve activated it by mistake. Do you remember anything of her appearance?”
“Dark hair, light skin and wearing a school uniform, I believe.” Todoroki told her.
“Hmm…that’s not much to go off of, Todoroki. It might take us a while to track her down. Until then, I’m afraid you’re stuck with the quirk.” She told him gently. “I can’t undo quirk effects.”
Todoroki’s shoulders slumped a little. He’d already known that, but he still hoped maybe she could do something for him. “I understand.”
“Don’t despair, child.” Recovery Girl told him kindly. “I’ll speak with some of the heroes and we’ll find that girl, and then she can undo the quirk.” She patted his knee reassuringly, and when she did Todoroki heard her voice in his head. ‘Poor boy, I hope he doesn’t hear anything upsetting.’
“Me too.” Todoroki replied to her thought, which definitely startled her for a moment before she chuckled in realization.
Todoroki wasn’t a pessimist, despite what some people seemed to believe. Sure, he’s got daddy issues and plenty of trauma, but he’s still just more of a realist.
And the reality of the situation was, Todoroki can hear peoples’ thoughts now through touch, which wasn’t the biggest deal in the world.
It’s not like people touched him very often, besides maybe Kirishima (who was touchy with everyone), and Midoriya, who just seemed to be that way with him. He probably wouldn’t even notice the quirk was there for the most part.
And, as long as he is stuck with such a quirk, there’s no reason it can’t have practical uses.
Like finally understanding what his classmates are thinking, something that has basically always eluded him.
It’s no secret that Todoroki isn’t great at understanding people. He doesn’t usually pick up the sarcasm, or know when someone’s upset or uncomfortable, or even always if they’re happy or not, but with that in mind, this quirk might be an opportunity.
Would he feel a bit guilty invading his classmates thoughts? Sure, but it’s not like he could do anything about it.
Could he tell them about the quirk to give them a heads up? …Yes, but that would feel like a waste.
So…he’d peek into their thought processes, just a tad, just to learn enough to understand their cues better.
Yeah. This was a good plan.
The first person Todoroki ended up touching was Uraraka in the kitchen of the dorms, she happened to bump into him while tiredly making her way to the fridge. ‘Ahhh it’s too early to be alive…’
It was kinda funny how even in her head she sounded whiny and distraught like she would if she said it out loud.
But, this is good, because Todoroki knows what the problem is. Without the quirk, he’d figure Uraraka was in a bad mood and leave it at that. Now he can be helpful.
“Uraraka, would you like some coffee?” He offered.
Uraraka practically lit up at the offer, slumping down in a seat with relief and an apple. “Oh my gosh, please. Thank you.”
And so, Todoroki poured her a cup of coffee, and used his quirk to get it to perfect drinking temperature. Uraraka looked incredibly content as she started drinking it. “You’re the best, Todoroki.”
Todoroki almost smiled, proud of himself for already being more useful than he had been before.
The next person he touched was Midoriya, and it was…not helpful, to say the least.
Admittedly, Todoroki went out of his way to touch Midoriya instead of waiting for Midoriya to do it, because he was very curious to hear what Midoriya was thinking.
So when he saw him, he greeted him with his usual ‘good morning’ and set his hand on Midoriya’s shoulder, ready to take in his thoughts and put them to good use.
Except Midoriya’s thoughts were…unclear. They weren’t even thoughts, more just…
‘AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!’
Todoroki had no clue what that meant or what to do with it, but it was a bit concerning.
At first, Todoroki thought maybe it was the quirk, but when Momo had to hand him a worksheet in class, their hands grazed and he heard her thoughts loud and clear. ‘I hope I do well on this exam…’
It actually took effort for Todoroki not to reassure her, because that would’ve blown his cover. He still didn’t understand how Momo could actually worry about not passing the exam though, she was one of the smartest people he knows.
But still, the point is the quirk was still working fine, so why was Midoriya’s thoughts just…screaming?
Was it some sort of anxiety? Or mental illness? Was Midoriya aware that he was just screaming in his head or did it sound normal to him? Todoroki had a million questions and concerns and no way of finding out anything without explaining the quirk.
He’d simply have to gather more intel.
“Midoriya, let’s watch a movie together.”
Todoroki’s not sure how much clearer his words could’ve been, but Midoriya was looking at him like he was speaking a different language. “Sorry- what?” Midoriya said dumbly.
“A movie. In the living room.” Todoroki tried to clarify, but his heart raced with slight worry. Maybe Midoriya had brain damage after all.
Midoriya finally seemed to process his words, and his eyes lit up. “Oh! A-A movie! Together! Yes! Let’s- Let’s do it! Sorry, I just…you never offer to it threw me off, but I’d be happy to, in fact that sounds great-“
As Midoriya rambled, Todoroki realized his would probably be a good time to test his thoughts. Midoriya had to be thinking something with all that talking.
So, naturally, he reached out and took Midoriya’s hand, ignoring the way the touch made his chest flutter, now was not the time to get distracted by his stupid crush. “Great. Let’s go.”
‘AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!’
Well, that wasn’t the thought process Todoroki was hoping for.
He held Midoriya’s hand all the way downstairs to the living room, but all he heard was screaming.
Was it him? Was he making Midoriya uncomfortable? Or was this really just how Midoriya’s head was?
Todoroki felt distressed at the idea. Constant screaming couldn’t be pleasant. He didn’t want Midoriya to go through that 24/7.
But how can he fix it if he doesn’t know what’s wrong?
A quarter into the movie, Todoroki spoke up softly from beside Midoriya. “Midoriya, are you…stressed lately?”
Midoriya glanced at him, mildly confused, before smiling. “No, actually, I’ve been feeling great lately!”
Oh dear. That can’t be good.
Was it a psychological problem? How could Midoriya not be aware?
Todoroki needed to get him to relax, as soon as possible.
The next day, Todoroki was determined to make Midoriya’s life as easy as possible. He made him breakfast, which left Midoriya weirdly flushed and stammering, walked him to class, opened doors for him, periodically checked in on how he was doing, offered to do his homework (which Midoriya refused no matter how much Todoroki insisted) and even used his quirk to warm the blanket on Midoriya’s lap when he found him reading in the common room of the dorms.
But despite all of that, no matter how many times Todoroki touched him, he was met with the same result.
‘AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!’
Todoroki decided this was a problem for professionals.
“You need a doctor.” Todoroki announced a few days later, having shown up at Midoriya’s dorm at ten at night.
Midoriya blinked, staring back at Todoroki dumbly. Todoroki didn’t even open with a ‘hi’ or ‘good evening’ just…that. “…What?”
“I think there’s something psychologically wrong with you.”
Midoriya’s mouth fell agape at Todoroki’s words, which Todoroki supposed was fair, this was rather distressing news.
A few moments of silence later, Midoriya closed his mouth, a pinch between his brows. “Um…thanks for letting me know?” He awkwardly glanced away before glancing back at Todoroki, like he was unsure if he was dreaming or not. “…Goodnight?” He gently shut the door.
Todoroki frowned as the door shut in his face. He was glad Midoriya understood, but he didn’t seem nearly as worried as he should be. He knocked again.
A few moments later, Midoriya opened the door, looking tired. “Todoroki what’s going on?”
“I don’t think you’re taking this as seriously as you should be.” Todoroki told him.
Midoriya just looked more confused, and exhausted. “What are you talking about?”
“I think you have brain damage or something. Something is definitely wrong with you and you should get checked right away.” Todoroki explained firmly.
Midoriya ran a hand through his messy hair, leaning on the doorframe for support. “Okay…Todoroki, you need to start at the beginning.” He all but pleaded. “What’s going on? Why…do you think that? Am I just that annoying or something?” He asked with a hint of fear in his voice.
Todoroki looked at him like he was crazy. “Annoying? Of course not.”
“Then…why?” Midoriya asked rather helplessly.
And that’s when Todoroki realized he’d have to come clean. There was no choice, he needed Midoriya to realize the weight of the situation. “A few days ago, I was accidentally hit by a quirk that lets me hear someone’s thoughts when I touch them.”
Midoriya’s eyes widened at that, looking much more awake now.
“Everyone’s thoughts were to be as expected, just regular, daily thoughts. But yours…were concerning.” Todoroki continued with a hint of worry.
He knew he must be on to something, because Midoriya was starting to look flushed. “O-Oh…what…what did you hear, exactly?”
“Screaming.”
Midoriya’s face turned blank. “…What?”
“Just...screaming.” Todoroki said again. “No matter what, every time I’d touch you, I’d just hear screaming. Are you always screaming in your head? That’s not normal and I’m worried about you.”
Midoriya just stared at him for a few long moments, before suddenly turning pink and covering his mouth with his hand, muttering behind it. “Oh my god this is so embarrassing.”
Todoroki’s eyebrows furrowed. “Midoriya?”
“Um…right, okay…every time you’ve touched me…have I been aware of it?”
“Yes, I believe so.” Todoroki nodded.
Midoriya just looked even more embarrassed. “Right- okay- um…augh…okay, I-I think I know what’s happening and it’s- it’s fine.”
Todoroki frowned. “It’s fine that you’re screaming in your mind?”
“It’s not constant!” Midoriya assured him quickly. “It’s just when you touch me- I mean, it’s not you- well, it is you, but-“ Todoroki’s eyes widened, looking at Midoriya with pure concern. “Oh my god, I’m making this so much worse. Let me start over.”
Todoroki watched as Midoriya took some deep breaths to gather himself.
“Um…okay…so…for a while now…I’ve sort of had…” Midoriya mumbled as he fiddled with his hands, looking down. “…I’ve sort of had feelings for you…”
Todoroki had to strain his ears a bit to make out what Midoriya said, but it other made him more confused. “Feelings?”
Midoriya blushed, his fiddling becoming more rapid as he grew more anxious. “Yeah. You know- like- like you know…”
“I really don’t.” Todoroki admitted honestly.
Midoriya groaned, looking a bit like he wanted to die. He finally looked at Todoroki, cheeks pink but eyes determined. “Just- come here.”
Before Todoroki could ask him any questions, Midoriya was gently pulling him in and pressing a kiss to his lips.
And suddenly, Todoroki’s mind turned to static, along with Midoriya’s internal thoughts.
‘AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHohmygodohmygodohmygod-‘
Huh.
That was new.
This whole thing is new, actually.
But not unwelcomed.
Todoroki pulled Midoriya closer and kissed back softly, his mind might be quiet, but his heart was definitely screaming.
Midoriya jolted a little when Todoroki returned the kiss, and eagerly gripped at him as if scared he’d disappear.
‘Oh my god this is actually happening. This is real. I love him so much-‘
Todoroki’s eyes blew open when he heard Midoriya’s thoughts, pulling back from the kiss to look at Midoriya mildly stunned, eyes sparkling.
Midoriya instantly froze, looking horrified. “Oh god, you just heard that, didn’t you.”
Todoroki stared.
“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, I just thought- it was heat of the moment I guess- please don’t hate me-“
“Midoriya.” Todoroki cut him off gently.
Midoriya shut his mouth, looking at Todoroki anxiously.
But Todoroki merely smiled softly. “I love you too.”
He leaned in and kissed Midoriya again, and this time, he already knew what Midoriya was thinking before he could hear it.
‘AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!’