That's an insult to cardboards

"Why aren't you saying anything," It's more of a statement than a question, Deku looked at him with guilt-ridden eyes that shine under the deem streetlight.

Shouto continues to walk, interlacing their fingers with each other.

They have this everyday routine where Shouto waits for Deku to close the café so they could walk home together. Just like any other night, the sky was already dark when they finally leave the cafe, the only thing guiding their way is the flickering lamp posts around each block. There is barely any sound around then aside from the soft beeping of the cars from the distant main street, the soft whistle of the wind, as well as their soles hitting the cold autumn asphalt.

But tonight isn't like any other night, Deku has done something horrible.

"I don't want to force you to speak," Todoroki says. "I want you to tell me when you're ready."

Both of them abruptly stop walking. Deku stares at his boyfriend, completely in awe at how different he is from Deku's previous experience. He expected to be shouted at, to be hurt, instead, he's being subjected to the kindness of Todoroki's love. Soon, big fat tears start to trickle down Deku's face. Shouto panics as he leans down to his level, wiping his freckled cheeks dry.

His voice, his words, his actions, Todoroki, and everything is full of kindness. Deku has never seen someone so pure and he's not willing to let go of him any time soon.

"I don't deserve you,"

Shouto blinks twice, realizing the reason for Izuku's tears. He cups his face, a sweet, gentle smile on his lips. Shouto kisses him on the forehead before wrapping his arms around Izuku's neck, forcing Izuku's face to be buried in his chest.

"That's what I think every time I see you," He says. "Negative times negative is positive. I guess we're even."

Deku chuckles against Todoroki's chest, he allows himself to be enamoured completely filled by Shouto's warmth. "I never really understood people who say you have a personality of a cardboard."

"That's an insult to cardboards."

***

They finally arrived at Deku's apartment and now they're eating in the dining room. Never did Shouto think that a day will come wherein he will be so familiar with a place so much that he knows where every little object is located. The odd thing is, he can't even do that in his own room!

After they finished eating, Izuku breaks the silence.

"I'm sorry, Shouto."

Shouto looks up, loading all the dishes inside the dishwasher. "What for?"

"About my past," He says slowly. "how it's finally catching up on me."

"You already told me a gist of what your past is so don't worry that I'll take all my love from you just because of what did happen and what will happen," Todoroki reassures without missing a beat. "I'm ready for what's going to happen, knowing your relationship with this Bakugo person—you mentioned before, in case you've forgotten."

"I just," Izuku looks away with forlorn eyes. "never thought he was gonna enter my life so soon. I'm not ready to face him yet even though I told you I'm planning to meet him back then. I'm still not emotionally capable to talk about what happened between us."

"Would you want me to go with you when you talk to him?" Shouto suggests.

Izuku glowers. "I can fight my own battles, Shouto. You don't have the right to join in."

Shouto lowers his head. "I apologize,"

Realizing his outbursts, moves closer to his lover. He nudges Shouto's shoulder with his forehead for both of their hands are wet. "Sorry for shouting,"

Shouto shakes his head, indicating that everything is fine. Heterochromatic eyes look at his dark green pair with an unreadable emotion. "As soon as I saw Bakugo entering the café like he owned the place, even without me knowing who he was, I wanted to punch him in the face."

Izuku chuckles. "You're not the first to say that."

"I'm still worried about you, Izuku." He says, taking the paper towels near the sink as he wipes both of their hands. "I don't want to see you like this. To say I was seething when I saw Bakugo drag you away is the greatest understatement of the year. I wanted to follow you but Uraraka told me that I should let you solve your past. When I saw you return from the alleyway with your tear-stained face, I didn't know what to do. It made me feel completely helpless. I felt like a fucking useless person."

"You aren't," Izuku assures. "Seeing you inside the café calmed me down. Your presence was enough for me not to have a mental breakdown right then and there."

Shouto peers at him, like a curious child, throwing the paper towels away. "Really?"

Izuku holds his dry hands, giving it a tight press.

"I love you, and thank you."