Work Text:
The air in UA was crisp and clean—smelled of freshly sprayed disinfectant. The overhead lights buzzed softly, a familiar hum to Iida. The halls were empty, (only because he insisted on coming in early..) Had he beaten Aizawa to class like usual? Yes. He discovered he had once he let himself in and flipped the lights on—the usual click sound was music to his ears. Iida loves having a schedule. Everything falling into place like a puzzle piece was satisfying to him. He hummed, carrying himself weightless across the room, oblivious to the rest of the world.
He picked up some chalk and began to write on the blackboard: “Goodmorning everyone! Take a seat!” He started to add the reminder so Aizawa wouldn't have to constantly yell at Bakugo and Kirishima to sit down—but they still continued to stay out of their seats, he hoped they'd eventually listen. At least everyone else seemed to need his reminder and that was enough for Iida. He loved his classmates.
Smiling, Iida scribbled onto the blackboard again, the sound of chalk meeting the blackboard echoed throughout the room, it put Iida’s mind to ease.
“ :) ”
He giggled to himself, even though it was just a smiley face, he felt so giddy, he was in such a good mood!
But.
Deep down he wished he had more people to talk to..His classmates were exceptionally great, but a majority of them viewed him as the “goodie-two-shoes-class rep,” so therefore he wasn't invited to many social outings..
His mood slightly soured as he thought more, his hand still pressing the chalk firmly against the black board as it ever so slowly fell leaving a white streak.
Ever since his brother was hospitalized, he has tried anything and everything to feel better, to keep his mind off of Tensei..becoming the next Ingenium.
Iida felt tears tug at his glands, but he pushed them down, stressing his body out so much that—
“Are you alright, Iida?”
Snap.
Iida accidentally snapped the fragile chalk in half out of fear. He spun around, dropping the now broken powdery stick to the floor.
Ta..thunk
“Todoroki? What are you doing here so early?”
Iida adjusted his glasses and tightened his toe nervously, wondering how much Todoroki saw..
Nothing was incriminating..still this is still embarrassing!
“You seemed so happy, walking in and standing at the board..until..”
Todoroki trailed off, gesturing to Iida's state and to the broken chalk on the floor.
“I didn't want to interrupt you.”
Iida nodded, clearing his throat as an awkward silence fell over them both.
Todoroki blinked blankly, staring at Iida.
Iida felt himself squirming under Todoroki's heterochromatic gaze.
“Are you okay?”
Todoroki asked once more since Iida didn't answer the first time.
Iida blinked and laughed it off, smiling nervously.
“I'm fine! As class rep I'm more concerned about you, Todoroki! Why are you here so early?”
“I must train my quirk, I insist on coming in early.”
Todoroki added bluntly, looking to the floor, finally breaking eye contact with Iida.
“Oh- Todoroki, I am the same way!”
Iida smiled, his heart burning with warmth—finally someone had the same passion as him! Yes!
Another pregnant silence stretched over them both, Iida's smile slowly faded, and he found himself feeling silly for getting so excited.
“You know,”
His own words surprised him at first, but he leaned into them.
“Maybe we should meet up here every morning so we can take initiative together.”
Iida gave Todoroki a smile, trying to keep his composure.
Todoroki blinked and looked up at him, a slight glimmer in his eye—or maybe that was just the bright lights the school insists on installing.
“Sounds good.”
“That's great! Do you want to-”
“Iida, you matter to everyone in the class as much as we matter to you. You deserve to be treated with care as well.”
Todoroki said calmly, his voice lacking the usual monotone, dim cadence. He sounded caring, and it made Iida's heart flutter slightly.
Embarrassed for being called out, Iida shifted his weight from one foot to another.
“Th-thank you, Todoroki..”
He sheepishly whispered and went to bow but Todoroki stopped him.
“You don't have to be so formal, it's okay.”
Even through his UA school uniform he could feel how frigid Todoroki's hand was. He shivered slightly.
Iida nodded then, adjusting his glasses once more. The cat had his tongue and a frog formed in his throat momentarily.
Todoroki’s eyes wandered past Iida and toward the board.
Iida felt Shoto brush by him, his shoulder gently caressing him as the half and half boy swayed by. A deep set of blush settled briefly across Iida's cheeks. The sound of scribbling filled the room once more, Iida turned around, his interest piqued.
Todoroki was writing something.
Iida walked next to him and picked up one half of the chalk he had accidentally broken earlier.
On the board Todoroki drew a smiley face next to Iida's.
He turned.
Slowly he blinked, taking a step back from his creation letting Iida come in, too.
Feeling put in the spot, he didn't know what to do! Swallowing deep, Iida drew a circle around the two faces.
“They're like us, in a room together.”
Todoroki smiled as he stepped forth again, labeling his doodle as “T”, and Iida's as “I.”
Iida smirked and went to draw but hesitated.
Todoroki noticed.
“I don't know what else to add.”
Quiet words felt loud in the silence of the room.
“What do you want to add?”
Todoroki stared forward, admiring the “art”—if you could even call it that.
Heart skipping and doing a marathon this early in the morning, Iida felt like his breath had been sucked out of his lungs. Why was he so nervous around him? This was his classmate.
He peered at Todoroki through his glasses, a slight smile painted gently across his fragile face.
Sweat accumulated on hands and eyes blinked rapidly, scared for the next move—even though it was his own.
Taking a breath, Iida began to draw, Todoroki watched, his eyes tracing every move Iida's hand did.
Todoroki smiled and turned to Iida—who was looking down, his red eyes were wide and it was clear he was sweating.
The silence wasn't filled with need this time, in a way, it was filled with understanding.
“Iida—”
Just then Bakugo exploded through the door with the rest of his squad.
“What are you two doing here so hella early!?”
They could ask why he was so loud “hella early” but that'd just result in a headache that would most likely transform into a migraine by the end of the day.
Iida found himself missing the silence, missing what he and Todoroki had-if there was anything at all in those moments..
–
“Settle down class, settle down. You only get one warning. You know this.”
Aizawa announced, his voice monotone as ever, looking tired—as ever.
Aizawa addressed the class, but all Iida could think about was Todoroki, a genuine smile blessed his lips, the way Todoroki had looked at him after he drew the—
“Uhm, Mr. Aizawa! Why does the board say “S” and “I”?!”
Mina questioned, a giggle slipping out of her plump pink lips.
Sighing, the exhausted teacher glanced at the black board, his tired eyes scanned over the contents as he took a sip.
“I don't know and I don't care, but whoever “S” and "I" are better not let their love life interfere with hero training.”
Aizawa said, as he erased the two labeled smiley faces and the heart that rested above them both.