Todoroki x reader - He knows you without trying
Todoroki doesn’t mean to memorize you.
It just… happens.
He notices things the way other people breathe — quietly, naturally, without effort. And somehow, without ever deciding to, he ends up knowing you better than anyone else.
It starts with the small things.
You always tap your pencil twice before writing. He doesn’t realize he’s waiting for the sound until the day you forget, and he glances up, confused, like the rhythm of the room is off.
You hum when you’re thinking. He doesn’t notice he’s listening for it until you’re silent, and he looks over to make sure you’re okay.
You like your tea a little too sweet. He doesn’t realize he’s memorized the exact number of sugar packets until he hands you a cup one morning and you blink at him.
“How did you know?” you ask.
He pauses. He genuinely doesn’t know how to answer.
“I… just did.”
Then it becomes bigger things.
You always sit in the same spot during lunch — not because you’re picky, but because the sunlight hits the table just right. Todoroki starts sitting there before you arrive, saving the seat without thinking.
You get cold easily. He notices the way you rub your arms during training, so he starts standing a little closer, letting the warmth from his left side drift toward you.
You get overwhelmed when too many people talk at once. He starts stepping between you and the noise, not saying anything, just existing like a quiet barrier.
He doesn’t think any of this is strange.
Everyone else does.
The others catch on long before he does.
Midoriya watches Todoroki hand you your favorite drink without being asked and nearly drops his notebook.
Iida stares like he’s witnessing a crime. “Is this… is this normal friendship behavior?”
Ochaco giggles behind her hands. Tsuyu just says, “He likes them, ribbit.”
Todoroki hears that. He pretends he doesn’t.
The moment it becomes obvious to you happens by accident.
You’re walking back from training, exhausted, dragging your feet. Todoroki falls into step beside you, quiet as always.
“You’re tired,” he says softly. “You always walk slower when you’re tired.”
You blink. “You… noticed that?”
He nods, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “You also chew the inside of your cheek when you’re nervous. And you only tie your hair up when you’re concentrating. And you—”
He stops.
You’re staring at him.
He realizes, all at once, that he’s said too much.
His ears go pink. His voice drops.
“I pay attention to you,” he admits, “without meaning to.”
Your heart stutters.
“Oh,” you whisper.
He swallows, eyes flicking away, then back to you — hesitant, hopeful, terrified.
“If that makes you uncomfortable,” he says quietly, “I can try to stop.”
You shake your head.
“It doesn’t make me uncomfortable,” you say. “It just… surprises me.”
He exhales, relieved in a way he can’t hide.
“I don’t want to stop,” he says, barely above a whisper.
And you smile — soft, warm, a little shy.
“Then don’t.”
After that, he doesn’t try to hide it.
He still memorizes you without thinking. Still notices every habit, every shift in mood, every tiny detail.
But now, when he hands you your favorite drink, he lets his fingers brush yours.
When he stands close to warm you up, he doesn’t pretend it’s accidental.
When he saves your seat, he waits for you with a small, quiet smile.
And when you catch him watching you — really watching you — he doesn’t look away.
He just says, softly:
“I like knowing you.”
And you realize he always has.
