Chapter 4: The Midnight Detective

No.

Luscious forest eyes stare back at his dilated mismatched ones. He felt his eyes watered. Watered not because of fear but due to humiliation.

"My, I didn't expect you to be the type," The voice that is usually as sweet honey and innocent as an unborn baby morphed into something. Something dangerous and profoundly seductive. A gasp escapes from his lips, warmth redirects itself to his nether regions. "I always thought you'd be an S."

This isn't the scenario Todoroki Shouto had in mind.

He bites back a moan as he felt the shorter yet stronger man dangerously raise his bent leg closer to a place that was begging to be touched. He couldn't stop his body from reacting. His back arches and his hand grips the shoulder of the man who pinned him against the wall. His instincts told him to run away now. But he couldn't. Those eyes, those eyes that seemed to exude a raging forest fire, dared him to make a move. And if he did, he was sure that this man will…

This was supposed to go the other way around.

"What do you think you're doing?" Todoroki says through gritted teeth. He tries to sound authoritative, yet he ends up sounding like a prey clinging to the last strands of hope in front of him. He looks pathetic.

It makes Midoriya Izuku smirk.

Who could've known that the saint-like Midoriya was capable of making a devilish expression?

He leans closer, lips right next to the shell of Todoroki's ears.

"You?"

He fucked up. He fucked up so bad.

About an hour ago…

Japan is currently experiencing an Indian summer according to the news reports. Yet for some reason, the air surrounding them seems a tad cold.

The tapping of the soles of their shoes against the Tokyo asphalts and the rumbling of a passing car's engine serves as background noises to their rather wordless pilgrimage. The duo has been walking for almost 10 minutes now, and both of them has yet to initiate conversation. Midoriya steals a glance to the man beside him, eyeing him curiously as the thoughts of why he asked Midoriya out (to walk home with him together, in case you get any wrong ideas) continuously burgeons inside his mind.

Todoroki sighs, his breath forming puffs in the humid air. A shadow crosses his eyebrows, and his eyes shine with a strange glint in them. Midoriya tries to interpret it as either annoyance, tension, or perhaps, even dread. Unbeknownst to him, Todoroki's hands are shaking inside the comforts of his jeans pockets. No, it was neither of the three. In fact, he doesn't know how to put it into concrete words without downgrading this intense emotion. But if he could, and he is a writer so it would be rather disappointing of him if he couldn't, he would say that it is akin to anxiety. Cold, debilitating anxiety, to be exact.

Todoroki blinks, catching the intense look Midoriya is giving him.

-----

"Is there something wrong?" He tilts his head to the side questioningly, uttering the first few words of the night.

Midoriya blushes 50 shades of red upon the realization that he was caught ogling at his companion. He aggressively shakes his head in denial, steam coming out of his ears as he does so. Todoroki is afraid that if he pushes the topic further, the bush of greenhead might fall off its joints. Instead, he nods mechanically and stares at the ground as if there is some unknown entity present there.

Seeing that Todoroki has fallen into his own world, so does he. A pair of forest green eyes gazes upon the sky before them. It was pure darkness, no clouds mar the dark blue heavens. It would've been a sight to behold if only there was any star present to guide them as they walk towards their respective homes. Even though they're already far from what you consider Tokyo proper, the light pollution is still intense and is in effect wherever they go. It almost makes Midoriya long for the provincial life, but then he remembers the reason why he left in the first place.

"Midoriya," Todoroki speaks, "Midoriya." He says once again, the second time a bit louder enough to catch the aforementioned person's attention.

"Yes?" Midoriya replies nervousness was evident in his voice for he spoke a bit too high than normal. "Yes, Todoroki-kun?" He coughs awkwardly, speaking in a lower pitch.

"I… I have something important to tell you."

Midoriya abruptly stops walking, Todoroki accidentally bumps his back with an animated oomf! On normal occasions, Midoriya would've gushed internally on how adorable that was. But this was not a normal occasion, on the contrary, if this was a dating simulator, this would be referred to as an 'event'.

And an event it really is.

"I hope after I tell you this, you won't treat me any differently as you did before."

Midoriya sweat drops, his cheeks flushing red as he tries to form a coherent and reasonable sentence.

"W-w-wait, don't you think w-w-we're going too fast?"

Obviously, he fails.

'Wrong choice of words,' He grimaces.

"…Going too fast?" Todoroki repeats, sounding disappointed. Those pale pink lips formed a subtle pout, and monochrome eyebrows slightly furrowing.

It makes Midoriya wants to punch himself.

"I mean," He scratches the back of his head, avoiding eye contact. "I literally just found out about your name a few weeks ago and you're already…"

Todoroki's breath dramatically hitches. "You knew?"

"'Knew' isn't really the right word… Because if I said that, then it would mean I was expecting things from you from the start. And it's not really…" Midoriya trails off, realizing that he's mumbling to himself again. He shakes his head and proceeds to ask his question. "When were you planning to tell me this?"

Todoroki blushes. "I never really planned to tell you in the first place… I was happy just watching you in the shadows…"

Midoriya frowns. "Todoroki-kun," he grabs him by the shoulder, reassuring him.

"But Aizawa-sensei told me if you ever caught me," He took the hand on his shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze. The green-haired man smiles appreciatively. "You might send me to prison."

There was a pregnant pause.

"Excuse me?"

"Juvie, to be exact." Todoroki corrects, more to himself than to his companion.

"Juvie? As in juvenile detention center?" He nods. "Why would I send you to juvie-- What, how old are you?"

The bi-haired man blinks.

"18."

"18?!" Midoriya sputters. "YOU'RE UNDERAGE?!"

Todoroki frowns. "I have trouble finding the relevance of my age to the situation."

"Your age means everything in this situation! I could go to jail if we—" He pauses abruptly. "Wait, what are you planning to tell me?"

Todoroki stares at him blankly. "I thought you knew?"

"I think I might've misunderstood something…"

"What did you think was I planning to say?"

"Please." He begs. "Just tell me."

They don't know who or when did they start, but they're walking again. Even though Japan is one of the safest places in the world, it's practically common sense to anyone that one should not stand in the middle of an alley with minimum light to guide them.

Todoroki hesitates. "I'm Endeavor Shouto, the writer of—"

"The Midnight Detective series?!" Midoriya gasps, a whole new source of energy rejuvenating him as he starts to emit a bright aura and his eyes are once again sparkling with excitement. "I'm a big fan!"

"You've mentioned." He sighs. "And you're my inspiration for the main character, Detective Greene." Forest green eyes noticeably dilate, the light that appeared upon hearing the news has completely changed into a new form. Todoroki takes it as his cue to continue. "His appearance is different from yours. But his attitude and demeanor, everything else, I can't seem to animate a protagonist that isn't as life-like as you are. That's why I… Every day I… There…"

Todoroki becomes silent. He can't form a sentence that doesn't equate to "so I stalk you from work".

Midoriya pauses for a moment, internalizing all the information he just heard. Todoroki feels beads of cold sweat running down the fabric of his shirt. It occurs to him once again that they're in the middle of a dark street in Tokyo, and this place isn't really the most comfortable place to conduct their tete-a-tete.

"So…" He drawls out, "Is it right for me to assume that the reason why you frequent to Café Perry is that you observe me and use me as a guide for your character?"

Todoroki's nodding head seems to illuminate the dark street.

"That was… unexpected." Midoriya places his hand on his hip, there is a look on his face as if he's still trying to process what he just heard.

"What did you expect me to tell you?"

It's Midoriya's turn to brighten the night. "It's nothing." He turns away, trying to sound nonchalant about it. But the thing with him, he's naturally earnest. And the words 'Midoriya' and 'lying' in the same sentence don't really bode well together.

You have to be a different level of dense to actually believe him.

"Really?"

Todoroki obviously isn't.

"You're too close," was Midoriya's only defense.

Todoroki backs away. "It made me wonder why you were so nonchalant about it." He says, more to himself than to Midoriya.

"I don't mind it, even until now. I mean, yes, thinking about it is rather creepy." Midoriya clarifies and now Todoroki has the strong urge to turn into ashes. Like you know, Spiderman? "But hey, it's not like you were watching me the whole time due to some weird obsession you have with me. You did it because you thought of me as an inspiration." He pauses before saying the last word as if he himself finds it difficult to believe.

"Rather than be creeped out, I actually feel flattered. For as long as I can remember, I've always been labeled as plain and full by those around me. So the idea of me as a basis to one of the most popular fictional detectives in Japan seems so surreal to me." He chuckles, the sound of his voice makes Todoroki's heart hurt a little. "I feel like I'm the next Detective Conan or something."

"You're stretching it," Todoroki automatically shoots him down.

"But it's true!" There it was again. That laugh. "Do you even read the reviews to your book? They're comparing you to Murakami Haruki."

"And this is why I use a pen name and don't haphazardly share my identity,"

"Are you embarrassed?" He does not reply. "Aw! How cute!"

"... Cute?" Todoroki repeats as he stares at him I'm disbelief.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Are you part of those men who dislike using 'feminine' words to describe them?" Midoriya rolls his eyes, making the quote-unquote sign for emphasis.

The bichrome-haired man scoffed. "I'm not a misogynist," He defends, "I just find it odd that someone is using adjectives to describe me that isn't associated with temperature."

"What?"

"You know," He shrugs. "Fiery, scorching, scalding… Or frosty, cool, chilly... Among others."

"So you're basically Katy Perry?"

There was a long pause.

"What the actual fuck?"

Midoriya literally needs to lean on the wall for support as he burst out laughing.

"What's funny?" Todoroki crosses his arms, fuming.

Midoriya wheezes even louder.

"Oh my god," He heaves between his laughter, Todoroki would've found this adorable if this wasn't aimed at him. "You're fuming."

Todoroki taps his heels in annoyance, Midoriya finally straightens up.

"Sorry," He wiped the tears forming at the corner of his eyes. "I didn't think you had it in you to curse."

"I'm human, Midoriya." Todoroki sounds exasperated. "What I don't understand is your correlation to me and Katy Perry."

"Uh… 'Hot N' Cold?' Doesn't it ring a bell?" He doesn't respond. "It was released back in 2008. You should be 10 years old or something by then." Midoriya shivers. "Who would've thought you're just a high school student?"

"I skipped a couple of grades so I think if I pursued college, we're probably in the same year."

"So not only are you a writing prodigy, but also a genius." Todoroki hits him on the shoulder, though Midoriya easily dodges it. "Tell me, what else are you? I wouldn't be surprised if you claimed to have ice and fire powers."

"Why ice and fire…? Oh wait, because I'm fucking Katy Perry. Haha, you're so hilarious, Midoriya. I should give you a fucking jacket for it."

Midoriya slumps down on the floor with that jacket reference, and honestly, Todoroki didn't expect him to get it.

"So aside from the fact that you're worried about the legal implication of your action," Midoriya waves his hand in dismissal, changing the topic. Todoroki raises an eyebrow, admiring how fickle human nature is. "why did you tell me about it? I mean that I'm basically Detective Greene. Because honestly, I didn't notice that you were watching me. And that means a lot since I'm also—"

Midoriya bites his tongue to prevent him from saying anything stupid. Too bad Todoroki is quick to catch on.

"You're also what?" Todoroki presses.

"It's nothing!" Midoriya waves his hands around, it makes him look like he's doing a weird octopus dance routine.

"You're also watching me?"

"Hieeeeeeeee!"

Bingo.

"I think I've been observing you too much that it's easy for me to read your mind," Todoroki notes, absentmindedly rubbing his chin.

"Y-y-y-you!" Midoriya backs away, pointing an accusing finger at him. "How could you say such embarrassing things with such a straight face?!"

Todoroki cluelessly tilts his face to the side. "I don't think it's embarrassing. After all, I've been watching you all this—"

"Stop, please." Midoriya shoves his left hand at Todoroki, while his other hand covers his heated cheeks. "This is too much stimulation for me in one night."

"But didn't you say you didn't mind?" Todoroki says, an amused smile on his lips.

"I meant that I'm okay that you're using me as your character basis." He stomps his feet on the ground, Todoroki is reminded of a child throwing a tantrum. How adorable. "I still find it embarrassing that you're watching me and proudly declaring that you're doing it!"

"I'm not declaring any—"

"Yes, you are!" Midoriya is so red-faced, it appears like he's going to cry soon.

Todoroki almost feels bad for teasing him.

Almost.

"So why were you watching me?"

Midoriya buries his face on his palms and groans. "You really don't know when to quit, do you?"

Todoroki blinks.

"I regret calling you cute."

"Is it connected to what you assumed I was going to say?" He says.

"You're horrible."

"Is it a yes?"

"Yes," Midoriya gives up. Before he could give a follow-up question, he continues. "Hey, stop changing the topic. You didn't answer my question!"

"Fair enough," Todoroki says. "You asked the reason why I told you about my identity? Well, I wanted you to read my drafts and I want to hear your opinion about it."

Forest green eyes sparkles and Midoriya inhales sharply. "Oh my God, you mean I'll be able to read raw Endeavor-sensei's writings?"

"Please don't make it sound like it's such a big deal."

"But it is a big deal! I feel like I'm one step ahead of my competitors or something!"

Todoroki pauses. "I'll act as if I didn't hear that. Anyway, are you willing to lend me a hand?"

"I think I already gave you a part of my soul by using me as the whole basis of your character," Midoriya chuckles, "so just asking for my opinion is probably just a small fraction.

Todoroki feels a weird emotion running through his body. It is such a foreign feeling that he has a hard time describing what it is. Due to his upbringing prior to running away from his house in order to chase his dreams as a writer, you could say that everything is handed to him on a silver platter. In other words, without the frilly terms, he's a spoiled brat (Not like he'll admit it, though).

Perhaps, this is what you call relief and true gratitude.

"Thank you," He bows deeply.

Midoriya panics.

"Don't do that, please."

Todoroki raises his head.

"Why not?"

"You don't need to be so formal, Todoroki-kun. We're friends, just act like how you normally would."

"We're friends?" He repeats.

Midoriya gives him a blank look. "We aren't?"

"I thought I'd be presumptuous if I consider you as such," Todoroki says weakly, almost like a whisper.

"God, you're only 18! Don't go brandishing words such as 'presumptuous'." Midoriya pauses, contemplating. "Oh wait, you're a child prodigy. Your first word was probably mitochondria or deus ex machina, or something along the lines."

"I'm sorry to disappoint," He said sharply, "but my first word was 'mama'."

Midoriya sweat drops. "Ah, I apologize, Todoroki-kun. Even if we're friends now, it's still you that I'm talking to and I should watch my choice of words. I might've stepped over the line, I'm sorry."

Todoroki looks taken aback by Midoriya's sudden apology. Just when he thought that he could finally have a decent conversation with someone without fucking up, his awkward side proves him wrong. Again. Just like the many other times he keeps on fucking up.

"I should be the one apologizing." Midoriya's bright green eyes widen. "I'm not familiar with this kind of casual conversation and I might overreact over small things. I hope you'll help me overcome my social shortcomings."

Midoriya grins so brightly in response, it almost made Todoroki smile as well.

He's lying, he actually does smile along.

"So are you going to let me read this draft of yours or not?" He jokes, handing out his hand.

"That's not my plan, actually." Todoroki says, "Rather than making you read it, we'll reenact the scenario and I'll see your reaction."

"That was…" Midoriya contemplates. "unexpected."

This is déjà vu.

"So we'll be roleplaying?" He clarifies.

"I guess so," He shrugs. "but just act like your normal self. Since the character you'll be playing is more or less yourself."

Midoriya wrinkles his nose. "Alright, which part is it?"

"Wait before that," Todoroki says, "do you know about shipping?"

Midoriya purses his lips, remembering the words of his friend, Uraraka (bless her soul), just a few hours ago. "Yes, I do. What about it?"

"Well, Aizawa-sensei, my editor, suggested that I should… How should I say this, insert homoerotic undertones between Detective Greene and The Fool's initial meeting."

The Fool is the antagonist of The Midnight Detective series. He's a serial killer that murders for no good reason, or that is what they would like you to believe. He's basically Detective Greene's arch nemesis, and in Midoriya's opinion, the possibility of the two of them pursuing a romantic relationship seems rather unbecoming.

"Judging from the disgusted look on your face, I can see that we have the same sentiments towards this." Todoroki closes his eyes, hiding his amusement. "But well, regretfully, we live in Japan, wherein the style of our literature is the implication, and saying things directly is almost a taboo. And you know what feeds off of implications?"

"Shippers!" Midoriya says, immediately catching on. "Especially the fujoshi and fudanshi!"

Todoroki nods. "Even if they aren't necessarily the target market, by satisfying their wants, we can trigger a good amount of sales."

"I didn't know you were so business-wise. Also, don't you think that's a bit manipulative of you, Todoroki-kun?"

"I was supposed to be an heir to some conglomerate here in Japan, of course I learned a few tricks along the way."

Before Midoriya could ask what he means by that, he is shoved roughly to the wall.

"What the f—" Midoriya uncharacteristically swears, but before he could finish a gush of wind explodes right next to his face. A hand slams on the wall, grazing the shell of his ear. A sharp, icy object presses itself on the soft, thin skin of his neck. His Adam's apple bobs up as he swallows, eyes struggling to take a look at that thing threatening him. "Do you seriously have a knife, Todoroki-kun?"

He doesn't reply. Instead, those mismatched eyes glare at him so sharply, he doesn't even need that goddamn knife. His face is just a few centimetres away from Midoriya's, he could literally feel the coldness of his breath against the humid summer air of Tokyo.

Guess they were already playing the reenactment game.

Midoriya sighs deeply.

He can play a game of violence or two.