AN/ Welp, here it is, folks, part two and we're done. This chapter could be called something like Todoroki wallows, Uraraka is an understanding gem, and Bakugou gets through to him. I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope it's the satisfactory ending we all needed. Fair warning, there is some cursing because Bakugou. Cool cool cool. Enjoy! Please leave a review if you're feeling it or come visit my tumblr wordsandstuffbyme.

It had been the longest week of Todoroki Shouto's life. If he thought things had been bad before he had broken up with Midoriya -and he had broken up with Midoriya, a fact that had taken him nearly two days to admit to himself- it was nothing compared to the soul-crushing ache in his chest. It left him gasping for breath with a heavy weight in his stomach that not only killed his appetite but left him feeling dizzy and light-headed. It hadn't taken him long to realize that he had made a mistake.

For the first time ever, Todoroki was glad for the years of near solitude that left him unusually quiet and stoic, left him with a mask he could easily slide on, and he was grateful that Midoriya had spent the last month with Bakugou. It meant that no one in class 2A had noticed anything strange between Midoriya and himself, and Todoroki could almost pretend that nothing was wrong.

It would've been easier if he couldn't feel sad eyes watching him from the back of the classroom or across the cafeteria. It took everything he had in him to not turn to those eyes and beg for forgiveness. This was for the sake of Midoriya's happiness, after all, and forcing himself back into the boy's life would only make it harder for both of them. Instead, Todoroki would steal glances out of the corner of his eye at every chance he got, his gaze lingering a little too long on the barely dried tears sticking to Midoriya's wide cheeks. Bakugou, who was now more glued to Midoriya's side than ever, had caught him looking a couple of times. He'd glared daggers at Todoroki, who would quickly avert his eyes and bring his attention to whatever was in front of him. Todoroki was certain Bakugou knew and he was glad that Midoriya's friend was nearly as antisocial as he was.

In the end, Todoroki made it almost a week before anyone else figured out what was going on.

…

It was Uraraka, one of Midoriya's best friends, who noticed something was amiss. Truthfully, he had seen her watching Midoriya throughout the week, concern apparent in her gaze, so Todoroki hadn't been as surprised as he could have been when she confronted him.

Todoroki had taken to waiting until the rest of the class left for lunch before heading to the cafeteria himself, doing his best to avoid an accidental run-in with his ex-boyfriend -and oh, how that thought made his stomach turn, left his mouth dry, and his thoughts fuzzy. Generally, no one paid any mind to his strange behavior, Todoroki was always doing strange things. On Friday, however, when he had finally gathered the energy to drag himself from his desk, he found Uraraka waiting for him in the hall outside the classroom.

"Is Midoriya okay?" She asked him bluntly.

The question caught him off guard and broke his usual disinterested expression. If only for a second -less than a second even- his breath hitched and a hint of his heartbreak could be seen in the crease in his brow, the slight downturn of his lips. He gathered himself as quickly as he could, but not before Uraraka noticed. Her eyes widened as she watched his face change. "Are you okay? What happened?"

Todoroki considered telling her that everything was fine, considered walking away so he could continue his careful game of pretend, despite the fact that his skin felt like it was on fire, even without the use of his Quirk. But, Todoroki knew that Uraraka was not one to just let things go, and he'd rather be the one to tell her, lest she go to Midoriya, or, even worse, Bakugou. Besides, Todoroki was tired of feeling awful, he hadn't slept in days and no amount of coaxing could force his anxious mind to calm enough for him to eat anything. Maybe, he thought, telling someone would lessen the self-imposed burden that he carried on his shoulders.

"I've made a mistake," he began, unable to meet Uraraka's gaze. The girl listened intently as Todoroki recounted the events of the past month, gasping now and then and shaking her head at the facts that were now on full display. He told her of his jealousy, his doubt, even his inability to speak up when his emotions had gotten the better of him. Finally, he described the decision that he had made on a whim, his voice soaked with tears as he said the words 'broke up" out loud for the first time.

When he finished the tale, Uraraka stood silent for what felt like an eternity, long enough for him to gather the courage to look her in the face.

There was sadness and pity in her eyes, but he saw anger too. The red flash across her brown pupils causing him to gulp nervously as he waited for her to speak.

"Oh, Todoroki," she said, finally breaking the silence with a voice full of warmth. She tilted her head slightly, almost quizzically, and continued, "Do you really think Midoriya would be happier without you? He really loves you."

Todoroki startled at the words that Uraraka had stated so plainly, as though they were fact. "Oh," was all that he had been able to manage as his gaze once again returned to the floor.

Uraraka stepped forward and hesitantly placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, Todoroki did his best to keep from steaming.

"Todoroki," She said slowly, weighing her words as she spoke, "I'm not going to pretend to know what you've been through, I know it's something by the way you carry yourself." He looked up at her then, knowing she wouldn't push for details. "What I do know is that Midoriya can't read your mind and he trusts you to be honest with him." Todoroki swallowed hard, nearly choking on the dry ache in his throat. "It's important to share your feelings, not just the good ones, but the bad ones, too." There was an earnestness to her words and a softness in her face that made Todoroki want to believe her.

He didn't know how to respond, his mind suddenly running a million miles per hour as he considered her words. Finally, he replied, his unused voice grating, "thank you, Uraraka. You've… given me a lot to think about."

Uraraka nodded at that, determination in her tone as she spoke, "I think you two can work it out, but you've gotta talk to him, okay?"

With that, she gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze and then hooked her elbow through his, "now, how about we go get some lunch, I don't think I've seen you eat all week!"

Todoroki could only bring himself to nod, allowing Uraraka to drag him to the cafeteria. Despite his thoughts being more confusing than ever, he had to admit, he felt a little lighter.

…

It was Saturday and Todoroki was determined not to leave his room, except for the necessities. He figured if he timed his visits to the bathroom and the kitchen well enough, he could avoid running into any of his classmates. He was glad that Midoriya left for his internship early on Saturdays, and usually didn't get back until late in the evening. Still, even without the worry of running into Midoriya, Todoroki hadn't given himself the chance to wallow, and, honestly, he wasn't sure he could leave his room if he wanted to.

Here, alone, Todoroki could let himself feel the deep anguish that had been nagging him from somewhere deep in his gut for the past week. He no longer had the energy to paint careful composure on his face, so he let himself go, let the tears fall freely. There was no way he could allow the handful of classmates who were in the dorms to see him like this, broken.

…

Todoroki woke up earlier than he had intended to. He laid still in his bed, the early morning light shining bright gray through his window. He listened to the sounds of the rest of class 2A getting ready for the day, grateful his room was two floors above Midoriya's. He couldn't handle hearing the familiar sounds of the boy's morning routine, not today -maybe never again. The thought reignited Todoroki's guilt, and Uraraka's words from the day before rang in his ears.

"Midoriya trusts you."

"You have to share your feelings."

And, the one he had the hardest time believing, "He loves you."

Todoroki squeezed his eyes shut and threw an arm over his face in frustration. Even if Midoriya had loved him, there was no way he did anymore. Todoroki had made sure of that when he had walked away. Uraraka had been wrong, there was no way Midoriya could forgive him. Besides, he thought, he had never deserved Midoriya anyway. MIdoriya shone bright as the sun and Todoroki was only ever meant for the dark.

…

Todoroki laid in bed for hours. He had intended to get up and work on homework- a welcome distraction from his overwhelming thoughts. He couldn't seem to move, though, and tears hadn't stopped coming since he had woken up that morning. His face was a puffy mess as his body lay immobile. It didn't make him feel any better, but at least he didn't have to work so hard to pretend.

He was surprised, then, to hear a knock at his door.

"Hey! Half-and-Half! Open the door!" It was Bakugou, the tone of his voice harsher than ever. Todoroki groaned inwardly and made no move to answer the call. "I know you're in there, open the door before I blast it off its hinges!"

Todoroki sighed, knowing it wasn't an empty threat considering the hot head's explosion Quirk.

With another sigh, Todoroki wiped at his eyes roughly, knowing there was nothing he could do to hide the bags that had formed there and the blotchiness on his cheeks. "Hang on," he said, his voice stinging his dry throat.

"Hurry up! I don't have all day!" Bakugou yelled in reply. Todoroki cringed at the sound and wrapped his blanket tightly around himself as he rose from the bed and headed to the door.

Bracing himself, Todoroki grabbed the handle and turned it, opening the door just enough to peek out. "What do you want?" He croaked, eyes narrowing at Bakugou's signature scowl.

In response, Bakugou shoved the door hard, forcing Todoroki to stumble back into the room with annoyance on his face as he attempted to stay upright. "You look like shit," Bakugou observed as he closed the door behind them.

Todoroki glared at Baukugou from the blanket cocoon he had wrapped around his head, steam rising from his shoulders in waves. The only person he'd would like to see less right now is Midoriya.

"What do you want?" He growled at the other boy, "I'm busy."

Bakugou's glare intensified as he began to speak. "Yeah, sure looks like it," he replied. "Listen here, Half-and-Half Bastard, you need to deal with Deku. If I have to listen to that fucking nerd cry about you any longer I'm gonna blast this building into smithereens. It's pathetic and annoying, so fucking fix it or you're not gonna be around to do it much longer." His voice was gruff as usual, but Todoroki could hear an uncharacteristic softness in it, too. "He's been following me around like a fucking puppy, so get over it so he'll leave me alone."

Todoroki saw red at his words, "now you want him to leave you alone? You didn't seem bothered to have him all to yourself before." Todoroki's words were biting, his tone blank.

Bakugou widened his eyes at that, hot anger dilating his pupils, "that's what this is about?" He yelled, "you asshole, I'm not interested in your fucking boyfriend." Todoroki did his best to ignore the glimmer of hope he felt at the word, but didn't respond.

After a beat, Bakugou continued, "my Dad's dying, Dumbass."

Todoroki wasn't sure what he had been expecting to hear, but it certainly wasn't that. A blush rose to his cheeks and he averted his gaze. "Oh," was all he could manage.

"Yeah, Fucker, Deku is the only one here who knows him and I told him to keep his mouth shut because the last thing I wanted was a pity party from the losers in our class, but I figured he would've told you." The spark of hope was growing into a small flame now as guilt once again washed over Todoroki.

Of course, Midoriya wouldn't tell him, of course, he had spent the last month watching over his childhood friend. He was a hero and a busybody with a one track mind for helping people, whether they wanted it or not.

As though he had read Todoroki's thoughts, Bakugou continued "That nerd is too damn loyal for his own good," he said with a snarl and shake of his head. "But you aren't any better. You know that idiot can't focus on anything else when he thinks he's saving someone and I bet your stoic ass just pretended like everything was fine 'til you fucking imploded."

Todoroki stared at the ground, unable to meet the other boy's gaze as tears began to fall again.

Bakugou's groan was dripping with frustration as he turned to leave. Doorknob firmly in his grasp and a softness in his voice that Todoroki didn't think he was capable of, he stated his final piece. "I don't know why, but that dumbass loves you." Then in his usual growl, "So get over yourself and fix it so he will leave me the fuck alone."

Bakugou was gone before Todoroki could reply, the door shutting with a slam behind him. Once again, Todoroki was left alone with his thoughts.

"love"

There was that word again, haunting him. As much as Todoroki wanted to deny it, this was Bakugou, and his uncharacteristic kindness- and it was kind, for Bakugou- made Todoroki believe that maybe it was true. After all, Midoriya had spent five months showing Todoroki how much he loved him; with the way he would look at him like he was the only person in the world, the way he would shower him with kisses because 'he was just so cute,' the way he would listen intently and hold him close on the rare occasion Todoroki would talk about his past. Midoriya had shown his love for Todoroki with every word and action he had directed at the taller boy, in every way he possibly could without saying it outright.

'Oh," Todoroki said into the emptiness of the room, his voice barely a whisper and wonder in his eyes, "that's what love feels like." A fresh wave of shame hit him hard at the realization, maybe in his attempt to give Midoriya happiness, he had actually been denying him of it all along. He shook the shame away, allowed another feeling to take hold, resolve. Todoroki could fix this, but he was going to have to be honest.

Unsure of when Midoriya would be back, Todoroki decided he would talk to him first thing in the morning.

…

Sometime in the middle of the night, sleep evading him and anxiety running wild, Todoroki decided he couldn't wait any longer. Quickly, before he could lose his nerve, he rolled himself out of his blanket, shoved his feet into slippers, and made his way to the first floor, to Midoriya.

The nearer Todoroki drew to the other boy's room, the more he began to second guess himself. Midoriya was probably sound asleep and there was a chance that waking him up would only upset him more. Still, Todoroki was determined, aware that he would not be able to rest if he didn't speak to Midoriya right now.

As he approached Midoriya's dorm room, he could hear muffled sobs coming from inside. The sound caused his heart to drop, his nerves to rise, and his left side to (almost) catch fire. Steeling himself, he knocked softly on the doorframe.

Todoroki could hear a shuffling in the room, then a small cough as Midoriya's footsteps drew closer. Suddenly, he realized this was his last chance to change his mind, but before he could even consider the thought, the door was opening and Midoriya was there, his swollen face rivalling Todoroki's own.

"T-Todoroki?" Midoriya stuttered, "W-what are you doing here?"

Todoroki didn't know where to look or how to start, but words found their way out of his mouth anyway, "I uh I need your help." He said with downcast eyes and his heart in his throat.

Midoriya's eyes widened in response before resolve settled on his face. "M-my help?" He replied with a hiccup, "w-what do you need my help with?"

Todoroki wasn't sure how to respond, didn't think he'd make it this far, but his mouth seemed to be working without him as two small words fell unbidden from his lips. "My heart." Somehow the words gave him the courage to look at Midoriya's face.

There were tears falling down Midoriya's swollen cheeks and sadness in the squint of his gaze, but Todoroki could see the brightness of hope there too. Or maybe it was just his own hope he could see reflected in the other boy's eyes.

Before Midoriya had a chance to respond, Todoroki continued, "Midoriya, I made a mistake. I'm still learning to share myself with another person and I think…" He paused, searching for the right words to describe the way he felt, "I think I panicked. I'm so used to shoving my feelings down, I don't even know that I know what they are most of the time."

Midoriya was watching him carefully, silent tears flowing as he listened to Todoroki's words. "I apologize for not trusting you, for not voicing my discomfort and allowing it to escalate to… well, y'know." He said, shrugging a little with embarrassment.

Midoriya's silence was telling, or so Todoroki thought until Midoriya took a step forward and stood on his tiptoes to plant a chaste kiss on Todoroki's cheek. "I'm sorry, too." Midoriya finally spoke, as he remained in place only a few inches in front of Todoroki, "I got so wrapped up in helping Kacchan I didn't even consider that you were struggling. I know you're learning and I'm not saying it's okay that you lied, but I understand and I forgive you. I should've been paying more attention."

Todoroki could hardly believe his ears, the overwhelming pain in his chest escaping with a heavy exhale as he closed the space between them and pulled Midoriya into his arms, tightly wrapping himself around his boyfriend. Still with a mind of their own, his lips moved before he could stop them, though he wouldn't want to anyway. "I love you," he said quietly, snuggling his face into Midoriya's soft, green curls.

Midoriya squeaked in response and pulled away from Todoroki slightly so that he could see the taller boy's face. Midoriya was looking at Todoroki like he was made of magic, and Todoroki's tired heart swelled exponentially at the sight. With a clear voice, Midoriya spoke through his tears, "Todoroki, I've loved you for a very long time."

Todoroki hardly noticed his own tears falling and, this time, they were full of joy and love and Midoriya. "I know," he smiled, just a slight upturn of his lips, as he watched Midoriya sniffle in front of him. Then, he leaned his face down to meet Midoriya's lips with his own.

It was brief and kind of gross, snot and tears running down both of their faces and into their mouths as they kissed. They didn't mind though, to them, it was perfect. A promise of love and trust and all of the things that were no longer unspoken between them.

When their lips parted, Midoriya was looking up at him shyly, a question in his eyes. "It's so late and the third floor is so far, would you, maybe, would you wanna stay with me tonight?"

If Todoroki had thought he had felt near to bursting with joy before, it was nothing compared to the happiness that shone on his face at Midoriya's words. "I'd like that very much."

…

Over the years, there would be plenty more misunderstandings and tears. Love is work and there is no guarantee of a happy ending, but, every time, they grow a little more.

Todoroki learns to share and trust, Midoriya learns to multitask, and, together, they make their own happy ending.

Love is work, but Todoroki thinks loving Midoriya might be the most gratifying job anyone has ever had.