Torn Down The Middle Chapter 18: Unexpected

You babbled on and on with Todoroki sitting quietly beside you just letting you get it all out.

When you finally took a breath and calmed down you were equal parts relieved and mortified that you had just emotionally dumped on him like that but he didn’t seem fazed in the slightest.

“I’m so sorry.” You sniffed. “That was hella embarrassing.”

You couldn’t look him in the eye so just kept your gaze steadily on the ground.

Todoroki shook his head. “Not at all Y/N. I know what it’s like to bottle emotions up…it’s not good to pen them up.”

You sniffed and looked up at him, giving him a weak smile.

“Thanks, Todoroki.” You said in a quiet voice.

“….Shouto…” he replied softly. “Would you call me, Shouto?”

Your eyes shot up and met his. He looked away quickly, his cheeks slightly pink with embarrassment.

“Sorry…that was too forward…” he said regretfully.

“No! Not at all…S-Shouto.” You said.

Hearing his first name roll of your tongue like that made you feel funny inside.

Todoroki’s blush deepened and he turned his head and looked at you gently.

“Thank you, Y/N…and thank you for confiding in me.”

“You’re my friend, Shouto, I’m just happy you spent the time to listen to my useless ramble.” You said with an embarrassed laugh.

“It wasn’t useless, Y/N, and you’re welcome anytime. I’m here for you.” He said with a gentle smile. “Here, uh…”

He pulled his phone out and handed it to you.

“Would you like to exchange numbers?”

“Would I like to exchange numbers?! WOULD I LIKE TO EXCHANGE NUMBERS?! Is there a word that is more expressive than just a plain, yes?!”

“Sure.” You said, trying to sound as calm as possible while a Mariachi band played fanfare music in your head, topped off with the hallelujah chorus.

You put your number in and handed his phone back. He smiled.

It was a beautiful warm smile, a smile that warmed you from the inside out.

Immediately you had flashbacks to when you were 5, being gifted the ring at your aunty’s wedding.

“Shouto…” you whispered as your eyes grew wide.

Your hand clutched your chest, encasing the ring on your necklace with the fabric of your shirt.

Shouto’s smile faded slightly and he looked at you.

“What’s wrong Y/N?” He asked.

“Shouto I need to ask you something…” You said as you quickly pulled the ring out of your shirt and showed it to him. “You said this looked familiar and you said the word garden… did you give this to me when I was 5 years old?”

Your heart was pounding wildly as you watched his face.

He looked at you, down at the ring then back up to you.

“No, Y/N….I didn’t…” he said, gently.

Your heart sank, you had been so sure…you had been so sure it had been him. His smile just now connected the dots for you. How could it not be him?!

“Oh.” You said, disappointment setting in.

“Let me walk you home.” Shouto offered, changing the subject.

You nodded as you put the ring away and hopped up off your seat.

The walk back to your house was somewhat quiet but you didn’t have the energy to try and maintain a conversation.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Y/N.” Shouto said as he left you at your house and headed on to his own.

You nodded and smiled. “Thanks for everything, Shouto.” You said as you waved goodbye and went inside.

The duel haired heartthrob sighed and put his hands in his pocket as he strolled down the street, head down and deep in thought.

“I hope she will forgive me…that I lied to her..”

…………..

“Good morning, Y/N.” Shouto said, greeting you as you entered the classroom the next day.

“Hi, Shouto.” You said shyly.

“What the fuck?!” Your ever present, blond bomb, yelled when he heard you greet Shouto by his first name.

“What is it now, you short circuiting furby?!” You hollered back, getting an instant bee in your bonnet.

“There is no FUCKING way you’re calling him Shouto, if you’re calling me Bakugou still!”

“Yeah, but I don’t call you Bakugou, I call you everything else I can possibly think of but rarely, Bakugou.” You replied smartly.

“Call me Katsuki, smartass.” He growled.

“KatSUCK MY BALLS?” You said loudly.

Bakugou, enraged with jealousy and frustration, lashed out at you. He wasn’t intending to hit you, just throw a few explosions close by to show he was serious but he hadn’t banked on Shouto jumping to your rescue.

As he right arm came up it was quickly encased in ice, anchoring it in place.

You casually touched his now frozen form, activating your quirk and taking him to his knees as his arm was held up by the ice.

“Don’t mess with me, Katsuki. If you have a problem, just talk to me about it.” You said lowly as you crouched down in front of his face.

He looked up at you, seething.

You stared him down a second then touched him again and released the quirk.

He coughed and breathed deeply, still staying on his knees.

“Shouto, you can release him now.” You said kindly to your protector and he nodded before solemnly getting your work to melt the ice off Bakugou.

Bakugou’s eyes watched you as you walked away and sat at your desk.

“Mmmm, lovers row?” Mina hummed curiously, looking at you from the side of her eye.

“Something like that.” You mumbled, crossing your arms as you stared at Bakugou.

……………

During class he kicked your chair and passed you a note. You sneakily read it.

“Need to talk to you… equipment shed, first break.”

You nodded so he knew you had read it and put the note in your pocket.

First break came and you made your way to the shed.

“Is it a good idea to meet in here?” You asked Bakugou as you entered, your eyes finding the blond in the shed instantly. “Last time we were in here I nearly died.”

“Tch. So dramatic.” He huffed.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” You asked as you pulled up in front of him, arms crossed across your chest, looking up into his captivating red eyes.

His breathing hitched slightly.

<<< Torn Down The Middle Chapter 17: Chance Meeting

Torn Down The Middle Chapter 19: Oops >>>