@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!!!

this thread is so wholesome and good I can't

[numbertwohero]

I don't mind any of those things. Real Izuku is so much better.

We'll find a reason to go somewhere together in suits when I get home. Just another four days, right?

[that is absolutely the cutest thing. imagining midoriya seeing him on tv and excitedly talking about him makes him grin, cradling his phone like it's something precious.]

Maybe. Mostly they all want to talk to Endeavor, but this thing tomorrow is about the next generation of heroes. So you might get your chance to see your boyfriend, yeah. If I do, you know I'll just be thinking about you while I'm talking. You're my hero, you know?

I'M SO SOFT!!!!!!

[taiyakis]

I'll remind you you said that next time I drool on your pillow in just another four days.

[ he's absolutely going to make all their friends take pictures or screencaps and spam todoroki with that ]

Just let me know what time and I'll watch. :)
Let me know any restaurants you find while you're there and we can visit them when I go with you or you come with me. I know it's probably not fun to be with Endeavor the whole time but we'll make it better next time.

[numbertwohero]

I'll probably just laugh and kiss you. Even drooling on my pillow, you're the best.

[midoriya is so good for him. this is what he's missed so much. having this support network, feeling like he isn't alone. he's got midoriya, and because of midoriya he has all their other friends, too.]

3 here, so 7am your time? You can watch me while you're at the gym.

There's a really interesting taco place here I think you'd like a lot. It's called Lucha Libre, themed after Mexican luchador wrestlers. The food is really great. One of the best places I've found for lunch.

I'd like to come back with you. Make all new memories.

[taiyakis]

I miss your kisses, but also the rest of you
Pillowroki just isn't the same??? You're much cuter.

[ do it for the vine midoriya. attached: a pillow with one of todoroki's shirts on it, Midoriya hugging it. it's dumb but he's absolutely sending it. ]

I'll make sure I put it on.
Tacos sound amazing. I'll look it up; we can make a list of all the places and make new, better memories when we go there, you're right
Also if you gotta sleep please sleep? I know it's late there so you don't gotta stay up talking to me

[numbertwohero]

[oh my god how dare you be so cute midoriya???? he can't take this, help. his heart might explode.]

Good. Otherwise I might get jealous of Pillowroki.

[and then another photo: todoroki laying in bed, hugging a pillow to his chest, face half-buried in it but not enough to hide a smile.]

I'm in bed, promise. I'd rather stay up talking to you, though. Tell me what you're doing tomorrow? Tell me you miss me. I just want to fall asleep talking to you.

[taiyakis]

You're much cuter don't worry.
I'm going to watch my wonderful, amazing boyfriend on TV in the morning and then make breakfast.
I've got patrol around noon and then my mom and I are going to get dinner with All Might, and then I'm gonna call my wonderful, amazing boyfriend and tell him I love him until he gets sick of it.
I miss you and I'm going to keep reminding you how incredible you are.

[numbertwohero]

Well, that boyfriend is never going to get sick of it so I guess your evening is pretty booked, huh?

Tell your mom and All Might I say hi. I found a really nice box of chocolates I thought she might like, so I'll be bringing it back. It's not much, but I keep stealing all of your time so I thought it was only fair.

You know I love you, right? I miss you so much. I'm going to tell my dad next time, you're coming with me. I don't care what I have to do.

midoriya: i will absolutely fight your dad for your hand & win

[taiyakis]

I can think of worse ways to spend my evening.
You know they both love you too right? My mom thinks you're amazing and so does All Might. Not that you need to buy their love or anything but she'll absolutely appreciate it.
And you don't have to do that, either. I know things are...what they are with him. I don't want to make things difficult for you?

todoroki: I got ur flower baby

[numbertwohero]

Yeah. I know. It helps a lot to remember when my dad gets the way he does. Speaking of moms though, my mom asked when you were going to come see her again. You should come with me when I get back.

Hey, no. You don't ever make things difficult. In fact, you make the choice really easy. I choose you. That's all. And he knows that, even if he doesn't like it.

I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable though. I know it's not a great place to be in.

i doubt midoriya/endeavor fighting would rly happen but also: pls

[taiyakis]

I promised I'd bring a plant next time so we can go grab one beforehand? I didn't want to buy one early and accidentally kill it because I forgot it was there.🌼🌼🌼

[ there's a slight pause between texts because he read the rest of it and ugh, he needs a second because his heart at i choose you. he knows, he knows, but there's no stopping the way his stomach flips and his chest goes warm when he's reminded. ]

I know you do. I support you whatever you want to do.
And don't worry about me being uncomfortable, at all. I would really, really rather be with you if you wanted it and my schedule let it happen. Being around you makes anything uncomfortable better anyway, so it's even better.
Also, selfishly: if I'm there I can kiss you or hold your hand

Right???

[numbertwohero]

I think we can make that happen. She'll love it. Maybe one of those green spiky ones that reminded me of your hair, at the botanical gardens.

[he'd known before that, even, that there was no one else for him but midoriya, but that day had been a blooming of a feeling that had first been planted during the sports festival their first year at UA and grown roots over time. he'd never looked at anyone else. he'd never wanted to.]

Is it really selfish if I want that, too? I'd hold your hand anywhere, so long as you were with me. I'd take every chance to kiss you I could. Someday I'll have the chance to tell everyone about my amazing, wonderful, supportive boyfriend and I can't wait for that.

[it's not that they're a secret, not to anyone that knows them, but that's different from being public, especially in their line of work, and despite knowing how much midoriya loves him, he's been hesitant to press for that.]

[taiyakis]

Better than broccoli, I guess?
You're as selfish as I am I guess. :)
We have time, too.
I know the situation with Endeavor is going to be what it will be, but you're strong enough to get through anything and I'll be right beside you!
I don't know how my mom did this, being apart from dad for so long? Two weeks isn't even really that long when he was gone for years but I can't imagine being away from you for more than two weeks let alone, like, years.

[numbertwohero]

Guess so.

[he doesn't really do emojis, but...just this once, maybe.]

<3

As long as you're with me, I can do anything. Your mom's a really strong person for being able to raise someone like you all on her own, you know? I think she's pretty amazing. I definitely don't want to be apart from you for that long.

[taiyakis]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
That’s a really nice way to say I’m very troublesome. But you’re right, she’s incredibke for doing this on her own. I just happened to pick the most stressful thing to want to be, for a mom. Do you think your mom would be able to come to breakfast with us sometime?

[numbertwohero]

I wouldn't say troublesome. You're amazing. And I promise you, even if she worries she's incredibly proud of the person you are today. I can see it.

Maybe. She's been feeling stronger lately. The doctors have said she might be able to try a short trip, as long as it's somewhere quiet. We can ask her when we visit if it's something she'd like.

Hey--thanks. For always thinking of her, too.

TYPOSSSSS

[taiyakis]

You're really sweet but I know I'm to blame for at least some of mom's gray hairs. One for every broken bone, she said, and I've broken a lot of bones.
She's your mom!!! Endeavor is...what he is, but your mom is really nice and you love her, and if I can make things a little easier for her and they can meet then it's even better!