Behind the Smile | TodoBakuDeku | Book 1

Chapter 10

Third Person POV

As Bokugo and Todoroki exited Midoriya's room, they shared an uneasy look with one another. Midoriya may have said everything was better, but both questioned whether or not they should believe him. In the past, Midoriya had always done everything in his power to protect others, and would go to most any length to make the people he cares about happy. That's why the two teens didn't want to take his word at face value. They needed to be sure it was over. Midoriya may want to put his life on the line for others, but Todoroki and Bakugo refused to let that happen.

"Hey, Bokugo..." Todoroki tried to get the explosive teen's attention, but the boy was walking just too far ahead to hear the hushed request. Since most living in the dorms were already asleep, Todoroki wanted to keep from raising his voice.

Todoroki latched on to the hem of Bakugo's shirt and gently tugged it to gain his attention. Seconds before, Bakugo's mind was racing. ('Why does that damn Deku think he needs to lie to us? To lie to ME? What the hell is he thinking?!') However, Todoroki's tug broke him from his panicked train of thought. Bakugo stopped in his tracks and brought his attention to the fire and ice hero-in-training. "What is it?" Bakugo grumbled.

"We need to talk...alone." Todoroki said, still holding on to the tip of Bakugo's shirt partially because he was afraid Bakugo would try to figure this all out on his own, but also because subconsciously he wanted and needed him to stay close.

There was an unusually long pause, as Bakugo glared down at the hem of his shirt. Todoroki braced himself, expecting his friend to lash out in some way, but was surprised when Bakugo reached out and delicately removed his hand instead. Rather than flinging the hand to Todoroki's side, Bakugo continued to hold on, as he led them to his dorm room. Todoroki felt the heat from the left side of his face extend over to the right, as he basked in the feeling of their hands clasped together.

Bakugo was an extremely private person and refused to let any extras into his room, under any circumstances. But Todoroki wasn't just an extra and neither was Midoriya. They meant so much more to him than anyone else ever could, yet he was unwilling to admit it to himself, let alone anyone else. Which is why Todoroki was so confused when Bakugo ushered him through the door.

"Your room? But don't you ha-" Todoroki was cut off by the sound of the door closing and being locked behind them.

"You said we needed to talk in private, didn't you?" Bakugo grumbled, finally dropping Todoroki's hand and crossing the room to flop on his oversized bean bag. The loss of contact between the two briefly overtook Todoroki's thoughts, but that was soon overshadowed by thoughts of Midoriya.

Dropping to the floor in front of Bakugo, legs crossed and fingers tapping on his knees, Todoroki took a deep breath before-

"The dumb bastard's lying to us," Bakugo beat him to the punch, throwing his hand up and dragging it over his face with an exasperated groan. He then sank back further into the bean bag and glared at the ceiling above him.

"So you saw it, too?" Todoroki responded. He was constantly being told he read too far into things and the class often found some of his conspiracy theories comical at best, so he was hoping this was one of those times. He desperately wanted Bakugo to tell him he was wrong and that Midoriya was fine, but that obviously wasn't the case.

Without hesitation, Bakugo grumbled angrily, "of course I did!" He was still pissed at Midoriya for trying to keep secrets from him, but also at himself for ever putting his childhood friend in a position that compromised trust.

'I did this. I was supposed to be there for him. I promised myself I would keep him safe at all costs. I was such a damn idiot to think treating him like that would do anything but make it worse. What the fuck is wrong with me?!...That damn nerd better get through this. He has to! I refuse to let him..."