Table #5 | Todoroki Shouto

Disclaimer: I do not own Boku no Hero Academia/My Hero Academia or any of the characters that are mentioned. I am not making any profit from this fic and I write purely for the love of the characters. Boku no Hero Academia/My Hero Academia is the property of Kōhei Horikoshi.

i. lattes

"Todoroki-kun," Midoriya gently called his fellow co-worker's name, and the stoic male turned and nodded his head, indicating the former to continue, "Will you take table #5 again?" 

There was a knowing smile on the green-haired boy's lips, and when Todoroki glances to the table that was obscured by the shining rays of morning sunlight that filtered in; he understood why. It was always you. 

Todoroki nodded as he tied his apron around his waist. Donned in a simple white dress shirt with a black tie and black slacks, the male took a deep breath before walking up to the hot bar. Immediately, his hands worked with expertise as he handled the delicate drink easily. Midoriya watched with an amused twinkle in his eyes before gently passing over the usual almond croissant that you ordered with the latte. It was just a simple croissant, but the plating was neat and simple with a navy blue napkin draped beneath it over the intricate plastic plate. 

The warm hues in your eyes never leave the words that run across the page of your novel, but upon hearing the familiar footsteps making their way towards you; you wait with bated breath for him to stop before your small booth table. He attempts to clear his throat, maybe today would be the day that he can finally say something to you outside of your order. But alas, the brilliant smile you give him, and that soft melodic "thank you" that leaves your lips make him lose his breath.

Instead of leaving immediately, he waits, patiently hoping that you'll enjoy the surprise in the usual latte that he makes. The surprise is evident in your eyes as your lashes fluttered once, twice, before you glanced at the latte and then to him. His heart is warm, and he feels like he's soaring when you compliment him for the great job. But again, your brilliance has him at a lost for words, and he can't help but feel somewhat dejected that he couldn't say more to you.

ii. jealousy

There are days when you don't arrive the moment the shop opens, and instead you arrive part way through the day. The change in your routine visits causes a change in your usual table, and it disappoints both you and him when he's no longer the waiter assigned to you.

"Kirishima seems to be hitting it up quite well with [L/N]-chan, don't you think?" Uraraka casually commented to Midoriya. The latter glanced over at Todoroki, and the male is taken by surprise. He didn't think he'd have someone else take a liking to you, but he can understand why. You were always so friendly and polite to them, always willing to talk to them. Todoroki feels proud, but at the same time, he feels something he doesn't feel too familiar with.

It isn't until he's closing the shop and he overhears Kirishima excitingly talking to Midoriya about you, that he recognizes the strange feeling inside of him.

It was jealousy.

iii. jasmine green tea with a dash of sea salt

Kirishima looked embarrassed and shocked when he returns to the bar with an untouched drink. It shocks everyone else that was working too, because Kirishima never messes up a customer's orders. His coworkers are confused, and many of them look at him, waiting for an explanation.

"[L/N]-chan didn't want a latte today, said she was wanting to try something new."

"Something new?" Uraraka echoed. The red head nods, and then his gaze lands on Todoroki, who's blatantly staring at the abandoned latte, and Kirishima explained, "She said she wanted to try our member of the week's favorite." 

Todoroki looks up, clearly surprised, and Kirishima shoots him a bright smile, "I think she wants you to make it too."

Todoroki absentmindedly nodded, and he began to make his way towards the cold bar. He doesn't take long, but he can feel a pair of eyes on him the entire time. He was desperately hoping it wasn't Kirishima, or his other coworkers. And to his surprise, when he finally looks up and turns in your directions, his heterochromatic hues meets yours. He catches the faint blush that blossoms on your cheeks, but he misses the shy, embarrassed smile that lifts the corners of your lips. 

You can't believe he caught you staring.

You don't register that he's approached you. Perhaps it's been too long since you've last had him wait on you.

"A jasmine green tea with a dash of sea salt," Todoroki softly spoke. Your head turns and you make direct eye contact with him. His gaze softens and from behind his back he brings forth an almond croissant, "And an almond croissant."

You opened your mouth, about to protest that, no you did not order that. But his finger goes to his lips, and with a small smile he explained, "It's on the house. Please do enjoy."

He doesn't wait this time, and you're glad he didn't. Or he would have seen the blood rushing to your face as you barely managed to compose yourself at how handsome he had looked with the sunlight gently brushing over his features.

iv. tea, not coffee

That one new change caused Kirishima some mistakes as he wasn't quite used to having you not order a latte. You laugh it off the first couple of times, and to prevent embarrassment, you accepted the latte anyways. But despite taking the latte each time, Kirishima can't help but feel embarrassed for not remembering each time. And it still surprises Todoroki each time when Kirishima comes back to the bar, asking the former to make you his favorite. It makes his heart flutter and quickens the pace, but all he can do is keep it to himself. 

However, everything changes when Kirishima comes back, awkwardly holding a folded napkin and then tucking it into Todoroki's apron. The confusion is reflected on the usually stoic male's features. But his spiky red-haired friend clears his throat and, as subtle as he could be, tilts his head in your direction. Todoroki barely manages to keep his composure, but when he reads the napkin, the poor boy loses his composure.

I'd prefer your tea over his coffee any day. 

You cannot be doing this to him.

v. table #5

Midoriya has barely turned the 'closed' sign to 'open' when he hears the bell jingle behind him. He swiftly turns his head, a polite smile on his face and a greeting at his lips. But his smile grows wider upon seeing you so early and you return his radiant smile.

"You can go to table-"

"#5 please," you interrupted. Your gentle gaze drifted away from Midoriya towards the table you had such fond memories of, and the green haired boy smiles knowingly and he chuckled, "Of course. I'll get a waiter to you as soon as we're done setting up."

"Take your time, Midoriya-kun," you responded with ease. You made your way over to the table, with nothing but your small tablet, a notebook, and a pencil case. You were so engrossed in your note-taking that you don't realize it that your order has arrived until it's gently set before you. Your bright orbs flicker away from your notes and towards the drink and croissant, and then up towards the owner of those pretty hands.

"A warm green tea latte with an almond croissant." Todoroki handed the tray over to Uraraka as she walked by, and then turned to you. A small smile was on his lips, and your thoughts drift back to that day he first introduced you to his favorite drink, and you can't help but think that small smile enhanced his already handsome features even more, 

"Would you mind if I joined you here?" 

You shook your head, and then carefully maneuvered your belongings aside. He has an identical drink in his hands as he carefully takes a seat across from you. 

"Is this another one of your favorites?" you asked. It wasn't the first time you had talked to him, but it was definitely the first time he joined you before it got too busy. He gently nodded, and your hands wrap around the warm drink. You gently lift it up to your lips, and he waits, again, with his breath held. But upon seeing the smile that brightened your features and enhance the liveliness in your eyes, he can't help but mirror your expression.

"It's lovely," you praised. Your smile softens, and you asked, "What made you think I'd like it?"

Todoroki hummed, and leaned forward in his seat. His cup was held between his hands and directly in front of his lips. He takes a sip, casually licking off the cream that decided to stick to his upper lip. 

He doesn't realize what damage he's doing to you.

And he responded, "You always enjoyed your lattes and my teas, so I had thought, just maybe, you'd enjoy this as well."

"Is it your favorite?" you asked, as you take another sip. You pulled the cup away, and gently placed it down on its plate before looking back up to his eyes. The soft and gentle gaze that was held in bright silver and teal blue of his orbs makes you freeze, and it doesn't help that his fingers were right at your lip. He gently wipes away the cream on your lips with a napkin, and softly asked in return, "Do you want to know?"

You can barely nod your head in response, and he gives you a soft smile. It was almost unnoticeable, but he hears his name being called, and you deeply wish he doesn't leave you hanging without an answer. But he slowly gets up from his seat as he answers Midoriya's call of his name. Your mouth opens, about to ask him again, but he turns to you, and his answer stuns you into silence.

"You're my favorite, [L/N]-san."

Todoroki walks away, returning to his responsibilities. But he faces the teases and knowing smirks of his co-workers as they all glance between you and him.

The blush that blossomed over the cheeks and ears of the two at table #5 marked the beginning of a new relationship.












vi. favorite

"[F/N]," his tone was gentle as he groggily walked towards the kitchen. The familiar smell of coffee and tea fills the shared apartment, and he leans against the opening archway towards the kitchen. His apron was tied around your waist as you finished brewing the same drink that brought the two of you together.

"What are you making?" he asked. His voice was husky, and still laced with hints of sleep. But he can't help but smile when he sees how bright and radiant your smile is.

"Our favorite."