@taiyakis

[numbertwohero]

[it's about 3am in los angeles, and todoroki is just getting back to the hotel. his father's still down at the bar with whatever executive he's meeting tonight, and frankly he can stay there. todoroki is tired and frustrated and lonely, and he doesn't want to have to put on his public face any more.

discarding his jacket and loosening his tie, he falls backward on the bed, pulling out his phone. some quick math tells him it's about 7pm back home. midoriya should be done with dinner.]

There's a rock climbing wall in the gym at this hotel. It made me think of you. We should try that, sometime, when I get home.

Comments

[taiyakis]

[ logically midoriya knows that they won't be able to be together all the time but that doesn't make time apart any easier to stomach. drowning himself in work at home only does so much but their friends are also wonderful and know just what to do; he winds up at dinner with them more nights than not and it makes the ache a little less sharp when he goes home and the bed is too large, too warm, too cold.

he's not expecting the text when he gets it, but pulls his phone out when it dings anyway, hoping --

and it is. midoriya steps off the sidewalk for a moment, thumbing out a quick reply. ]

Hey!!! Everyone says hi and they miss you.
Rock climbing walls or going to try and scale a mountain? For the record I'd do either. Did you try it out?

[numbertwohero]

[he'd been hoping for a quick response, but still, the gentle buzz of his phone brings a smile to his face. it's a little less lonely with that bright message on his screen to light his dim room.]

Not yet. Appearances all day today. Tomorrow morning for sure, though. I'll report back.

[he snaps a quick photo to send to midoriya: todoroki sprawled on his back, hair a little disheveled, the top button of his white shirt undone and red tie loosened. he looks tired, but there's still a smile on his face that's just for midoriya.]

Tell everyone I say hi back. I miss everyone, but especially you. Wish you were here. Any party would be easier with you by my side.

[taiyakis]

[ if he uses a touch of his quirk to get home faster to be able to talk to todoroki, well, it's understandable and dark enough he's not totally obvious. ]

So you just got done, huh?

[ the photo loads, finally, and midoriya nearly misses the step to get up to their apartment. just. give him a moment to stare both fondly and sort of disbelievingly. once his brain reboots, he skims over to the clock and realizes just what time it is. ]

You just got done this late? Did you get a chance to eat? You look amazing, by the way, but you always do. The tie looks really nice.
Maybe you can come with me on All Might's next one?
Or you can sneak me in your suitcase.
Please don't answer if you're brushing your teeth or showering or something I can wait.

[ F U S S Y ]

[numbertwohero]

Yeah. Dad's still downstairs with some movie guy. We had dinner earlier, I managed to eat something. Knew you'd worry if I didn't.

I don't know if I can even bother showering. I'm so tired. It's easier to get up when you're around to help convince me.

[he'll manage to change out of his suit, at least. or to take that off, even if putting pajamas on seems impossible. he'd rather lay here talking to his boyfriend, curled around his phone.]

I'd love to come on the next trip. Or for you to come with me. Two weeks is too long to be away. I keep waking up expecting you to be in bed next to me.

[taiyakis]

[ he's trying not to fuss and worry but it's always difficult when it's todoroki. ]

It's okay if you can't. That's the nice thing about hotel beds, right? Super comfy with clean sheets.

[ if he were there, though, he knows he'd be trying to help todoroki out of it, urging him into the shower and maybe to nibble on something from the hotel store. ]

Me too. I'm wearing your sweater right now, though, even if it's not quite the same.

[ a picture attached, midoriya finally home, sitting on their bed in one of todoroki's pull-overs since that's one of the few things he won't risk stretching out. ]

[numbertwohero]

[honestly, it's midoriya's concern that keeps him going even when he's not around. they've been together for a while now, long enough to be living together, but todoroki spent so many years not really caring about himself. the only thing that mattered was being able to surpass his father. and now, what mattered was this. not worrying midoriya. making him smile, making him content.]

You're right. It is pretty comfy. Too big for just me, though.

[the image that comes through makes him smile even more. midoriya's bulkier, a little broader through the shoulders even if todoroki is still taller, and the way the sweater fits looks great. the smile on his face makes it even better.]

It looks good on you. I like knowing you're wearing something of mine when we aren't together. If we're both going to have these trips, maybe I should get you something just for that.

[the next photo is one of todoroki in front of a mirrored closet, wearing a slightly too large white shirt that reads 'plus ultra' across the chest, smiling a little sheepishly, not a common look on him.]

I might have borrowed one of your shirts for sleeping in. Sorry I didn't tell you.

[taiyakis]

They give you like ten extra pillows, right? Maybe you can set them up like some kind of wall. A pillow-me.

[ oh, no, his heart. midoriya flops onto their bed gracelessly and then adjusts himself to roll onto his stomach, warm all the way down to his toes. todoroki looks good in everything, because of course he does but there's something about him in midoriya's clothes even when he's this far away that just...gets him right in the chest. ]

Hey, you got out of the suit!!!
Did I ever tell you that one time I couldn't get the buttons undone on one of my suits and I wasn't going to wake All Might up just because of that so I just slept in the button up shirt and like, the most uncomfortable dress pants??
And don't apologize are you serious
I like it
I was going to raid your half of the closet anyway but that's partially because I forgot to do laundry today?
Do you get tomorrow morning off or is it right back to it?

[numbertwohero]

Tempting. But pillow-you won't sprawl with an arm over me or wake me up with a kiss. Definitely not as good as the real thing.

[midoriya's enthusiasm is contagious. the messages come through as he's brushing his teeth, a constant stream of musical notifications keeping him company. it's a soothing reminder of his usual cheerful chatter, and by the time todoroki falls back into the bed the knot of tension and loneliness in his chest is loosening.]

No, you never told me that story. Really?? I wish I'd been there to help.

You can borrow my clothes any time. The yellow sweater would look good on you. You should send me a picture tomorrow.

First thing on the schedule is an afternoon appearance, dad's doing some speaking thing. I don't even really need to be there, but you know him. But at least I have time for a good workout. I can't get lazy just because you aren't here to push me.

[taiyakis]

True, but plus side: pillow me doesn't snore or kick or drool, so really you may be getting a better deal here?
And it's okay!! The suit just had really really really small buttons and my fingers weren't cooperating right then and I didn't want to rip it off. You'll have plenty of chances to get me out of suits later :)

[ there's a brief pause when he goes to find that pullover and sets it out with his jeans for tomorrow, because he's absolutely going to do that. ]

I don't think anyone who really knows you would ever say you're lazy, you're one of the hardest working people I know
Do I get to watch you on any interviews?
You know my mom saw me on TV and kept telling everyone that was me and it was so embarrassing and then I saw you on TV and I got it??
That's my boyfriend and he's amazing!!!

Homecoming

[numbertwohero]

Two weeks is way too long to spend away from home. He misses his bed, he misses his boyfriend, he misses that stray cat that hangs around outside and begs for scraps and attention in the mornings. Todoroki has come to love the life he's got in their tiny place together, and if nothing else this two-week tour with his father has reminded him of just how far he's come.

The door opens, and he sets his luggage down inside, toeing off his shoes as he closes the door behind him. The trip has taken a toll, despite his best efforts to take care of himself; there are dark circles under his eyes, more evident under the right than the left, and that old familiar tension is back in his shoulders and his jaw, like he's ready to take a hit. Old habits are hard to break.

"I'm home," he calls out, looking for Midoriya. Unpacking can happen later, some things take priority.

[taiyakis]

Part of being a hero is dealing with things and people you might not necessarily like. Part of being a hero is traveling, both to learn new things and because whoever you sidekick or work for needs it. Midoriya gets that, he's accepted it as a part of life but that doesn't mean he doesn't miss Todoroki fiercely the whole time he's gone. They've been lucky before to all end up in the same area but that was before, and now it's just a happy coincidence (or really bad situation) if even a handful of them end up in the same area for work.

His schedule means he can't meet Todoroki at the airport like he wants to, but it does mean he has time to get the house cleaned up and all the chores caught up on so there's nothing for him to stress about when he gets home. It also means Midoriya has something to focus on when he's vibrating with all that nervous energy; cleaning, tidying, and then rearranging half a dozen times even when it's not necessary isn't the best use of his time but it works.

It also means that when Todoroki gets home, Midoriya's not unlike an excited puppy at him returning. Zipping out of their bedroom, he heads over once he hears the door crack open and Todoroki's voice, beaming.

"Welcome home," Midoriya answers and doesn't hesitate to come up close and fit himself against Todoroki's front, winding both arms around the narrow line of his waist. They fit together like puzzle pieces, like Todoroki's the other half of him and they just click in a way that Midoriya hasn't ever encountered with another person. Burying his nose into the material of Todoroki's shirt he hums quietly and squeezes him. "That was the longest two weeks of my life. I can't imagine how long it was for you."

[numbertwohero]

That familiar voice sends a rush of warmth through his core, reignites parts of himself frozen over for weeks now. It's not healthy, he knows, to respond to his father this way, but after a while it just becomes a matter of self-defense. He doesn't regret signing with Endeavor, studying under him. There's a lot to be learned, and whatever he thinks of the man as a person, he's a good hero. Number one, now that All Might has retired, which means even more of a need for he and Midoriya to learn all they can. He doesn't regret it, but sometimes he worries about what it's doing to Shoto the man, not Shoto the hero.

This helps. Midoriya helps, as he always has, reminds Todoroki of who he is in the here and now. That first touch of Midoriya's arms around his waist is centering, and he wraps his arms around the shorter man's shoulders, fingers of one hand gently squeezing the nape of his neck as Todoroki presses his face into his partner's hair and breathes deep. Home. This is what home feels like, what home smells like, and he's not letting go any time soon.

"Way too long," he murmurs, arms tightening. "Longer than two weeks. Pretty sure there was some kind of time compression going on. I missed you." And he definitely doesn't want to do that again, if he can help it. "How were things here?"

[taiyakis]

Already, Midoriya's gone over him and tried to determine just what he can do, what he needs to do to help. For the moment, he's pretty sure that it's as simple as standing here, letting Todoroki rest a moment, reacclimating himself to their home. The hands at Todoroki's waist slide up his spine, both folding over the lines of his shoulderblades to hold securely there a moment so it's a proper hug not just Midoriya holding him.

"Normal, mostly. Kacchan and I ran into each other on assignment and it only took two or three times to convince him how to handle the villain which is better than my average. I had lunch with mom a couple times. I have some paperwork to fill out, but it's not due until tomorrow." The hands on Todoroki's back start their slow movements again, drawing up and then sliding down, long slow strokes. He didn't miss that tension, that tightness to Todoroki that comes with prolonged contact with Endeavor but addressing it won't help nor will reminding him. Instead, Midoriya presses a kiss against the bare skin where he can reach Todoroki's throat. "Time compression quirk, huh. Did you at least get to climb the rock wall? "

There shouldn't be anything in the suitcase that he needs right away which means that Midoriya can press his fingers against the small of Todoroki's back and tug him into the entryway a few more steps. Finally looking up, Midoriya rises to the tips of his toes to steal a quick kiss. "Nap, shower or food first?"

[numbertwohero]

"Only two or three tries, huh? That's pretty good, considering. He must have been in a good mood."

It is that simple, especially with Midoriya. Here in his arms, Todoroki doesn't have to be anyone else. He doesn't have to be a hero, he doesn't have to be Endeavor's son, he doesn't have to be the hot new up-and-comer everyone's watching. He can just be Shoto. Every moment they stand there, he feels a little more settled in his skin. It helps that he doesn't have to talk about it, either. Midoriya already knows, and he understands.

Those hands stroking his back draw a hum of contentment from Todoroki's throat, fingers carding through Midoriya's hair as he presses a kiss to the top of his head. "Yeah, I did," he answers, half-distracted by the lips on his throat, those fingers pressing into the small of his back coaxing him forward. He doesn't take much encouragement, honestly; he'll follow wherever Midoriya leads. "It was actually a lot of fun. You use a lot of muscle groups you're not used to, at least I did. We should find a wall sometime, do it together."

The answer to that last question can wait a moment, though. The quick stolen kiss is sweet, but he wants just a little more. Leaning in, Todoroki kisses him again, one hand under his lover's chin gently tugging him inward and upward. Only after that lingering embrace ends does he answer, a small smile finally softening his expression. "Nap, I think. I'm pretty jetlagged. Maybe in that order. Come lay down with me?"

[taiyakis]

Midoriya hums his amusement into the curve of Todoroki's throat, not agreeing but also not disagreeing because he doesn't need to. Bakugou's a constant in their lives and Midoriya doesn't regret that but they also both know him. He's grown up, but age has mellowed him out only the tiniest bit.

"New, fun ways to be sore, huh?" Teasing gently, Midoriya keeps ushering him backwards; despite Todoroki being taller it's easy when he knows their apartment like the back of his hand. Two steps left, then Midoriya's hand presses itself to the back of a thigh just shy of indecent, turning him into the bedroom on the tail end of a kiss that makes his toes curl. It's been way too long if that's all it takes, he thinks with a barely audible laugh under his breath at his own absurdity. Todoroki's hand against his jaw is terribly gentle and it takes nothing to tilt his head just so he can press a kiss to his palm, too.

Pillowroki is no more but laid out on Midoriya's side of the bed are Todoroki's pajamas, which he doesn't even bother to look ashamed at borrowing while he was gone. If anything, the idea of a plan of attack gets him moving because the sooner problems are solved the sooner he gets to laze in bed with his boyfriend. "I'll grab anything you need. Water, phone, charger?"

[numbertwohero]

Truthfully, Todoroki doesn't mind that constant, either. While he and Bakugou may not have gotten along at first--while they still might bicker and grate on each other's nerves--there's an understanding between them now. He gets the thing that drives Bakugou, even if he doesn't always agree with how he shows it. He's one of the few Todoroki counts as a friend, even if the thought makes some people confused.

"Yeah, you could say that," he says, and there's the hint of teasing in his voice in reply as he follows the lead of Midoriya's clever hands urging him into the bedroom. "Although I think we could come up with some others, if we really put our minds to it." Maybe it has been way too long. He's missed Midoriya, missed the way he fits in his arms, missed the way he leans into his kisses, missed the cute way he kisses Todoroki's palm, a gesture that brings a smile to his face as he brushes a thumb against Izuku's lower lip.

He doesn't mind the sight of his pajamas on Midoriya's side of the bed. Like he'd mentioned the other day, he likes the idea of his partner wearing his clothes, and the reminder makes him feel warm as he tugs him just a little closer before loosening his embrace, lowering his hands to his waist to tug the hem of his shirt upward. "Just you," he answers with a shake of his head. "I'm supposed to at least have the rest of the day off to recover." His phone is deposited on the small table next to their bed, hands returning back to Midoriya between every gesture. He can't quite seem to stop, but that's probably okay, right?

[taiyakis]

"I want to try," Midoriya assures him because not wanting to try something new hasn't ever been one of his issues. It's not even that dangerous in the grand scheme of things that Midoriya's tried because someone has suggested it to him. So. Rock climbing. It shouldn't be hard to find a location for it, but more than that, if they're not able to find something then at worst, they can ask Cementoss to do it. Hopefully they've built up enough goodwill at this point that they can borrow his time even briefly.

They can't get into pajamas if they're both all over each other which means slowly he drops his hands down out of the way and strips out of what he'd been wearing while eyeing Todoroki tugging at the hem of his shirt. There's no race, of course, but it's been ages since he looked and just a glimpse of skin between the waistband and his shirt is enough, really, which... yeah, he's not sure if that's weird, or sweet, or some mix of both.

Of course it's a one-two hit; a slide of a thumb over his bottom lip and the casualness that Todoroki says just you like it's the easiest thing in the world. Midoriya's heart thuds fiercely in his chest, his cheeks hot as he determinedly focuses on the tasks at hand rather than getting flustered. He shucks his pants instead and shoves himself into an oversized tshirt and shorts, already reaching back out to him in turn, walking fingers up the line of Todoroki's arm while he sits on the edge of the bed. "Laying around with you sounds great."

bracket tags cuz i'm Lazy

[taiyakis]

[ Eternally glad he had the forethought to at least have some stuff in the kitchen, even if it's not a lot, Midoriya starts rifling through the refrigerator pulling a few things out. His body aches pleasantly, the same kind of ache he gets from a good workout or in this case, a particularly good round of 'welcome back I missed you' sex. His hair is a damp, unruly mess post-shower and every so often he shakes curls out of his eyes when he's bending over to grab something but contentment practically oozes from him as he gets out a cutting board and sets things out to start prepping.

Forgoing real clothes for boxers, slouchy socks and one of Todoroki's sweaters, he looks cozy and pleasantly sleepy rather than the exhaustion from earlier. ]

Can you grab the big flat pan for me and the sesame oil? I think it's on the spice rack still.

[ It's impossible to stop touching Todoroki, not because he's afraid if he stops Todoroki won't be there but because after being gone for two weeks the tangible reminder is a good one. Easing past his partner, he strokes a hand across the small of his back or presses a kiss to a shoulder on his way to the knife-block to start chopping vegetables. On the stove, a pot of water starts to boil to add noodles to later and Midoriya starts slicing a vegetable, ends first and then in cubes so they'll cook faster. ]

Probably need to do a proper grocery trip in the morning, or after patrol? I have an alarm set either way.

[numbertwohero]

[Midoriya is maybe at his cutest when he's like this, Todoroki thinks. Hair wet and unruly, wearing nothing but boxers and one of Todoroki's sweaters, it's almost impossible to resist coming up behind his partner and draping himself over his shoulders, wrapping arms around his waist and burying his face in the crook of his neck. Only Midoriya making a request like that would convince him to relinquish his grip with a small kiss to the nape of his neck, and Todoroki obediently fetches the pan and oil, sock-clad feet padding noiselessly across the floor.]

Here?

[This part he can do. Whatever Midoriya asks, he'll do, oiling the pan, tossing the veggies, cutting and carrying and tossing, but mostly he just stays out of the way and watches his partner work. The way he moves is deliberate, almost unconsciously graceful. He knows where he is, where everything around him is, and despite being neck deep in food prep, he still finds little ways to make their paths intersect, to touch and to kiss. He wouldn't have it any other way, honestly.]

After patrol, I think. I'd rather have a morning workout together.

[The words are punctuated with another stolen kiss as he moves to the spice rack again, and can be taken however Midoriya likes.]

[taiyakis]

Mhm! Thank you.

[ A kiss as payment, just a brief touch of lips against Todoroki's cheek before he's back to it. His hands even stay to themselves.

Nevermind the fact that he's already thoroughly reacquainted himself with Todoroki; his hands have a mind of their own and it's not like he can blame them. Despite the temptation of letting himself get distracted with very available boyfriend, he focuses everything onto making dinner because it's been a while since either of them have eaten. (And, realistically, if he lets himself get distracted then they'll have to wait longer for food.) ]

After works. The gym got some new weights! [ tfw you're just too strong for the weights the gym has so far. A moment later, stirring the vegetables in the heated pan, he realizes. ] Oh. I - any kind of workout sounds great. The weights are really cool, though.

[numbertwohero]

[All of those small touches are nice, too. It doesn't have to be anything more than a kiss to the cheek, or a hand on his back. He craves every single one of those small signs of affection.

But if Midoriya can be strong and resist temptation, so can he. He is hungry, especially after their unplanned encounter earlier, and dinner is a good idea before they fall back into bed together. Though he can't help pausing with a huff of laughter, hand pausing briefly on a jar of chili powder before picking it up and moving back to Midoriya, wrapping his arms around his waist from behind and pressing a kiss to his jaw.]

I'm sure they are. We can hit the gym. I've missed having you push me to work out harder. It's just not the same alone anymore.

[taiyakis]

I dunno if the gym missed us as much as we missed it, but...

[ It'll be good to go back to it. Midoriya leans into the weight of Todoroki behind him, melting in an instant once he's got everything on the stove under control. This is really the optimal position when it comes to being the one cooking; he can watch everything so it doesn't burn or boil over and he's got Todoroki both as a second set of eyes and as a very handsome weight to lean against.

On the stove, meat hisses as it hits oil and Midoriya pokes it around to make sure it doesn't stick. The gym they go to is wonderful; able to handle a variety of quirks but Midoriya and Todoroki both are so insanely powerful that they've put holes in the wall more often than not. That's the point of exercising at a hero gym, sure, but also the poor person that has to fix it, well. Midoriya wants to get them a fruit basket or something as an apology. ]

Hmm, taste this? [ He plucks a cooked vegetable and piece of meat from the pan, waving it a little to cool it down despite knowing Todoroki could himself and then angles it over his shoulder for him to eat. ]

[numbertwohero]

I'm sure they did. After all, we're some of their most frequent clients. But we really should try to be a little more careful tomorrow.

[Because he's not wrong. They do get carried away sometimes, don't they? Especially together. Todoroki's laugh is quiet, a faint rumble against Midoriya's back where it's pressed against his chest. He's not wrong, this really is the perfect position for cooking.

Although it's difficult to resist the urge to slide his hands lower, and he doesn't completely manage, fingers slipping under the hem of the sweater Midoriya's wearing to splay flat against his stomach. It's not even a sexual thing, really; he just wants the skin-to-skin contact as he leans over Midoriya's shoulder, using the lightest touch of his quirk to cool the bites before leaning in and taking them. The noise he makes is appreciative as he chews and swallows, satisfied.]

Almost there, I think. Just a little more. Want me to do anything?

[taiyakis]

Maybe that's how we should challenge ourselves. Limiting the property damage.

[ It's certainly a challenge to do it, but it's not a bad thing to practice given their respective quirks and jobs as heroes and Midoriya's never backed down from a challenge. ]

I think it's just waiting. When it gets closer to everything being done if you could get the bowls out? No rush.

[ One hand reaches out to flick the stove settings down to low and he covers one of the pots so the food cooks in the steam. Everything else he can handle while savoring the attention of Todoroki at his back, shivering at the press of a hand against him. Even the lightest touch feels good, like somehow his body is just hardwired to respond to Todoroki's physical affection. Swapping the chopsticks to his other hand frees one to settle on top of Todoroki's, lacing their fingers together over his belly. ]

Gym, patrol, groceries, dinner tomorrow, then. I know the others wanted to get a dinner with us when you were back. Uraraka said to just let them know when you felt up to it.

[numbertwohero]

Showing a little self-control? I guess we could use a little practice at that.

[There's a smile in his voice and on his lips as he nestles his chin into the crook of Midoriya's shoulder, savoring the feeling of that hand lacing over his. This is good. Just this.]

That's fine. I'll get bowls in a minute.

[He just wants to stay here for a while, basking in the closeness. Midoriya's the perfect size to fit in his arms like this, not so small that it's awkward. Just short enough for this to be perfectly comfortable, like they were made to fit together.]

Sounds like a plan. It'd be nice to see everybody. Maybe the day after tomorrow? I'm still not really sure about being...I don't know. Around people.

[It's always a little tough to readjust after one of these trips. His dad might be a little better in some ways, but there's just too much history there for it to be easy.]