Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

flower of the day: roses (rose)

layered blossoms whose soft unfolding petals hold both sweetness and quiet fire, glowing like tender embers in the garden.

currently: the meeting

Let’s start from the beginning.

You had walked into U.A. with stars in your eyes, a stack of lesson plans in hand, and a heart full of excitement. After years of endless classes, exams, and late nights buried in textbooks, you were finally here; about to step into the classroom as the one in charge, the one who could inspire, guide, and shape young minds. 

Yuuei’s first-year teacher.

The thought of finally teaching, of seeing that spark of understanding in a student’s eyes, made your chest swell with anticipation. You’d imagined yourself standing at the front, chalk in hand, ready to bring science and heroism to life, unaware that the real world might hit harder than any pop quiz ever could.

Young.

Naive.

Ready to inspire the next generation of heroes with lessons in math, strategy, and the ethics of heroism. You’d imagined classrooms buzzing with energy, laughter echoing down the halls, and that quiet satisfaction of a job well done.

You hadn’t imagined… this.

You walked into that classroom expecting bright eyes and eager energy—only for the room to fall silent as the students realized you weren’t a pro hero, just an ordinary teacher. The spark vanished from their faces in an instant. From that day forward, their respect never came.

By second-semester, the excitement had started to fray at the edges. 

Paperwork that never ended, students who tested every rule in existence, explosions in the training grounds, and the constant pressure to live up to U.A.’s legendary reputation. You’d thought heroism would be a lesson you taught; now it felt like you were living it—and failing in ways you hadn’t signed up for.

So here you are, slouched at a dimly lit bar, a glass sweating in your hand. 

The neon signs blur into streaks of color as you nurse your drink, letting the warmth and bitterness wash over you. This isn’t how you imagined your first year at U.A.—naive, excited, ready to teach math and heroism—but somehow, this quiet surrender, just for a moment, feels like the only way to breathe.

”Long night y/n-sensei?”

You look up from your glass and offer a faint, tired smile when the green-haired teacher slides into the seat beside you. He’s a teacher too, but more than that—someone you’d grown up watching on TV, idolizing from the living room of your childhood home. Seeing him here, casually leaning back like he belongs, makes your chest tighten in a way you hadn’t expected.

Midoriya Izuku.

You hadn’t gone to school with him—your classes had been the usual general studies—but you’d seen him in action, facing off against AFO back 9 years ago, and couldn’t help but admire him from afar. Now, sitting beside you at the bar, he was real, human, and somehow even more impressive than you’d imagine as you guys were now colleagues.

”These children test my limits, Midoriya-Sensei.” You groaned as you leaned down into your hands, red face from his gaze and red from the drink.

You swirled the alcohol in your glass a little with a frown before looking at him, “How do you have the patience? Every day it’s like fighting a class of clowns to even listen to me.”

Midoriya laughed as you spoke, warm and easy, and even though you rolled your eyes, you felt yourself sobering up. The tension in your shoulders eased, the weight in your chest lifting slightly, and for the first time tonight, the world felt a little less heavy.

“Don’t worry about it. ”

Midoriya stood up and patted your shoulder, a small, reassuring gesture, and you realized he was about to leave. You followed his gaze to the door just as it opened, and your eyes widened at the familiar faces stepping inside.

You noticed the girl with shoulder-length brown hair first, her eyes twinkling at the sight of the green-haired teacher, and behind her, other Pro Heroes you’d barely interacted with filed in, each carrying that same mix of energy and quiet authority that made them impossible to ignore.

”It was hard my first year of teaching too,” Midoriya admitted as he looked at you reassuringly. You flick your attention back to him to see his bright green eyes wide and proud of you.

You feel heat rise to your cheeks and quickly look down at your glass, hoping he wouldn’t notice. You’d always admired him from afar, but seeing him so passionate, so engaged while talking to you, made something in your chest loosen. For a moment, you just melted, lost in the way he made even the simplest words feel important.

He was your senior by three years.

In the year 20XX, you were 24, he was 27. After finishing college and earning your teaching degree, the job hunt had been tougher than you expected, filled with rejections, endless applications, and the quiet anxiety of wondering if you’d ever find your place.

Until you found out he works at Yuuei.

Was it shameful to admit you’d only applied to Yuuei once you learned he was a teacher there? Maybe- unexpected that you got accepted. But now, look at you, following in his footsteps, seeing him in person, and being part of the same circle… a quiet pride settles in your chest. You’re here, finally, not just as a student of heroism, but as someone who belongs alongside the people you’ve long admired.

”Keep your head up, y/n sensei.” He patted you once more and begun to weave his way around the people and left you alone. One last word of motivation before completely disappearing, “I’ll always be here if you need to talk to me.”

”Now if you’d excuse me…”

Now, you were left alone with your drink, the liquid tasting flat against your tongue. The warmth it had promised seemed to vanish the moment your attention drifted back to him. 

From across the room, you watched him laugh and blush, grinning so hard at the girl with the shoulder-length brown hair. The way he interacted with his friends—so natural, so full of life—made your chest ache in a way you hadn’t expected.

You traced the rim of your glass with a finger, wishing for some distraction, some excuse to look anywhere but at the easy laughter and bright energy surrounding him. The hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, even the soft music in the background felt distant, like you were watching everything through a fogged window.

And then, inevitably, your gaze fell back to your own glass. The loneliness pressed in, heavy and familiar, as you nursed the bitter reminder of a Friday night spent drinking alone, no one next to you, no one noticing the ache of being left out.

Suddenly, you went mad.

You shook your head and scrunched your nose. No time to feel sad—finals were coming up, and drowning in self-pity wouldn’t help. It was time to drink. You chugged the rest of your glass until it was empty, letting the sharp burn wash over you, a brief escape from everything you were trying to hold together.

“one more drink please!”

You held your empty cup high and shouted at the bartender, who stared at you in shock. You continued waving your glass like a flag of victory, giving a demanding glare. The bartender rolled their eyes, sighing, but there was a knowing look in their gaze as they reached for the bottle—clearly used to this kind of spirited enthusiasm.

“Yn chan don’t go too crazy.”

The bartender was an old friend from school, someone who’d always had your back, and she poured you another drink with a patient smile. You snatched it from her hand without hesitation and downed it in one go, the burn barely registering as you let out a triumphant laugh, feeling a little lighter despite the night’s chaos.

“More please!”

”You’re so gonna regret this.”

She shook her head, laughing at your antics, and without missing a beat, filled another glass for you. When she wagged her finger at you, you only gave a little teasing growl in return, earning another amused shake of her head before you snatched the drink and downed it just as eagerly as before.

one drink.

and another.

and then another.

and so many more you’ve lost count.

You’d lost count of how many drinks you’d had tonight, the world blurring around you. Nothing looked quite right anymore, and you weren’t even sure what you were staring at. Your head rested low on the table, one hand lazily raised with your pointer finger sticking up, like some dramatic declaration only you could understand as the room spun around you.

“O-o-“ you hiccuped mid sentence, “o-one more-p-pl-please.”

Your friend gave you a sweat-drop glance and an amused chuckle before finally deciding to cut you off. She poured water into your glass, leaned forward on the bar with her elbows resting there, and let out a long, resigned sigh, clearly both entertained and exasperated by your antics.

“Yes yn-chan,” she cooes as she holds the shot glass filled with water to your lips that barely moved, “take a nice long drink of this shot, it’s cold and refreshing isn’t it?”

You barely registered taking the drink, your half-lidded eyes lazily following her movements. Then, suddenly, you slammed your hands on the table and gasped, the action startling even yourself as the room seemed to tilt a little more wildly around you.

“I-“

You held your breath, forcing yourself to stay quiet, and she looked at you with alarm, unsure what you were about to do. Then, suddenly, you burst into a giggle and hopped off the bar stool, leaving her blinking at your sudden burst of energy.

“I have to pee…”

”god damn it yn-chan.”

You laughed loudly as you stumbled away from the bar, watching her tend to other patrons now that you were out of her hair. You swayed with each step, arms outstretched to steady yourself on anyone nearby, the world spinning around you as you tried—and failed—to keep your balance.

“Bath room- the bathroom…”

”oh- sorry!”

You felt yourself trip as your heels gave way, and before you could hit the floor, you found yourself pressed against a broad chest, strong hands wrapping around you. You laughed, looking up through blurred vision, barely registering what had just happened as the warmth and steadiness of the hold kept you upright.

“I’m so sorry!”

You tried to focus on the man, but all you could see was a blurred swirl of red and white. Still, you flashed him a shiny, carefree grin before pushing off from him, wobbling a few steps forward while stealing glances back over your shoulder.

“Oh? Wait-“

You didn’t hear him call after you, your ears too dulled by laughter and spinning thoughts. You barely registered the brush of his cold hands against your wrist as you moved, too fast and unsteady, desperately weaving your way toward the bathroom.

You finally stumbled into the bathroom, letting out a quiet sigh as you did your business. The moment of privacy felt like a small, grounding victory amid the chaos of the night.

Washing your hands and fixing your makeup that smeared, you caught your reflection and paused. The soft glow of the lights, your dolled-up face, and the way your minidress hugged you just right made you grin—maybe a little shyly, maybe a little proudly. You looked… pretty cute, and for a fleeting second, the world outside the bathroom felt miles away.

”god I’m hot.”

With your newfound confidence, fueled by drink and vanity, you were ready to claim the dance floor. Shoulders back and chest out, you strutted proudly out of the bathroom… only to feel your nose bump sharply into someone’s chest, sending you wobbling and blinking up at them in surprise.

“Oh!” You grinned at him as you place a hand on his bicep to steady yourself, “It’s.. you!”

You couldn’t make out much through your blurry, alcohol-fogged vision, but you felt him holding you up firmly from behind at the waist. His minty breath hit your senses, and in a drunken burst of curiosity, you leaned up and poked at his nose, barely noticing—or caring—how uncomfortable he looked.

You recognized his face as you slurred out, ”The guy from earlier!”

It was the same guy you’d bumped into earlier while trying to make your way to the bathroom. You laughed at the coincidence, tilting your head at him with a tipsy grin as he stood awkward and stiff, clearly unsure how to react to your unsteady but cheerful approach.

“Want to dance?”

Either way, it didn’t matter what his response was. You grabbed his hands without waiting for a response and dragged him toward the music, starting to dance as if nothing else existed. Surprisingly, he offered no resistance. Your carefree energy was infectious, and soon he let himself move with you, abandoning his usual stiffness and letting the music—and you—take over.

“Weee, I’m twirling!”

You were mid-twirl, laughing loudly as you danced together, your carefree energy spilling into the air. He caught you in his gaze, curiosity shining in his eyes as he leaned down slightly toward you, studying you in a way that made your heart skip.

”I have your phone, by the way.”

A shiver ran up your spine at the sound of his raspy voice, and warmth quickly flooded your cheeks. You wrapped your hands around him, grinning brightly, feeling a rush of excitement at the closeness and the way he seemed to hang on every movement you made.

”My phone?” 

You tilted your head before letting go of him to stop dancing and reaching down to your pockets, feeling the absence of your phone. You let out a gasp before laughing at him loudly, “You have my phone, how funny!”

You could see the grin spreading across his face at your careless antics, your laughter ringing out as you patted his shoulder like he’d just done some great deed—completely unaware of who he really was. The ease and boldness of your drunken confidence seemed to amuse him endlessly.

”Hey, what’s your name?”

Suddenly, curiosity sparked in you, and he blinked in surprise as you lifted a questioning eyebrow at him. Your hand drifted up to press against his face, playfully tracing the contrast between his cool and warm sides, as if testing the mystery he carried—and he froze for just a moment under your bold, drunken touch.

“Shouto.”

He answered smoothly, testing the waters to see your reaction, and offered only his hero name. He didn’t catch anything in your expression, instead seeing you nodding your head up and down and glancing around the dance floor, too caught up in the music and your own tipsy momentum to care much about the formalities.

”Well, Shouto,” you took his hand and begun weaving through the people, looking back at him as he followed diligently like a puppy. You thought it was cute as you shouted over the music, “Let’s get some drinks in us and start partying!”

Todoroki Shouto hadn’t expected this when he agreed to come to a bar with his old classmates.

He honestly thought he’d come for a drink or two, quietly enjoy himself, and then slip out when it wasn’t fun. He never expected to get caught up in the whirlwind of your energy, your laughter, and the way you moved through the night so effortlessly.

“Four shots please!” You waved your hand in the air as you captured attention, “make it your strongest!”

It was obvious you had no idea who he was, and everyone else in the room stared at the two of you hand-in-hand with looks of shock. He didn’t pay them any mind, his attention fully on you as you laughed and chatted with the bartender, completely absorbed in your carefree energy.

It felt almost refreshing to Todoroki. Here, he could talk to someone—or, more importantly, have someone talk to him—without the usual weight of questions about his family or his work. Lately, he’d been struggling to find the balance between hero duties and personal life, and this carefree, unfiltered conversation was a rare, welcome relief.

“I’ll pay.”

Todoroki slid his card across to the bartender, catching you by surprise just as you were about to do the same. You opened your mouth to protest, but he cut you off with a faint, growing smile, leaving you momentarily speechless.

”oh…”

You blinked at him, faltering for a moment as you slowly took your card back. Then, with a sudden rush of mischief, you leaned over the bar, flashing a sly smirk as you and the bartender exchanged knowing glances, silently plotting your next move.

”Make those 4 drinks into the most expensive drinks!”

He felt himself stammer as you laughed loudly, snatching up the drinks and downing one in an instant, the burn fueling a sudden burst of energy. You turned to him with a wide grin, holding out the second drink like an invitation, your mischievous sparkle impossible to ignore.

“Drink up, Shouto!”

You downed another drink, and he watched, fascinated, as you began to stumble, leaning into him for support. His eyes traced your shimmery, pouty gaze, and he shook his head, half exasperated, half amused, before letting himself steady you with quiet patience.

He took the cup from your hands and downed it in one go, wincing as the bitter liquor burned its way down. Meanwhile, you cheered loudly, clapping and laughing at his reaction, completely delighted by the mix of his pain and his effort to keep up with you.

“Come on, you’re so stiff!”

The two of you moved freely to the music, bodies swaying in sync, laughter spilling from both of you. Your hands found his without hesitation, tugging him close, teasing and spinning, each touch carrying a playful spark that made your tipsy hearts race.

“You’re intoxicatingly convincing.”

He leaned down to whisper something into your ear, and you giggled, poking at his side as he tried to hold back a grin. Every movement between you was a dance of mischief, a flirtatious game that left both of you breathless in the best possible way.

You pressed your forehead to his, laughing as he tried to match your chaotic rhythm. The playful energy was contagious, and soon both of you were utterly loose, letting the music guide your steps while teasing smirks and sly glances passed between you.

Then, through his spinning haze, he noticed the shocked gazes of his friends watching from across the room. They’d never seen him dragged along, carefree and smiling like this, and their wide eyes only made him tighten his hold on you, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks.

”Umm.”

”Should we stop him?”  Ochako Uraraka looked worried as she observes how the older man gets dragged along by a stranger none of them knew. She sips on her drink slowly as they proceed to get closer, “She’s like… insanely drunk and he’s just going along because he’s too nice to say no…”

”He’s fine,” Bakugou Katsuki rolled his eyes and slams down a shot, “He’s a grown adult who can know his own boundaries.” 

Midoriya listened quietly as his two friends whispered between themselves, eyes fixed on the half-and-half nonchalant hero dancing with his coworker. He had no idea she could be this… wild when drunk. He rubbed at the back of his neck, sighing, before deciding to trust the two of you—after all, he knew nothing untoward would happen, and somehow, that thought was oddly comforting.

“Hold on guys…”

“I know her, “Midoriya reassured them as he holds out his hands and laughs to relax the moment, “She’s a teacher at Yuuei with me. She teaches the science studies and is a few years younger than us I’m pretty sure.”

”She’s super nice, I promise.”

Although it didn’t fully ease Ochako’s mind, it was enough to see that Midoriya trusted you to not hurt her fellow classmate that she grew up with and even works together with. With that reassurance, the two finally decided to stop watching, letting you both go completely wild on the dance floor without their hovering eyes.

“Shouto, let’s drink more!”

As the night blurred further, drinks flowing and music pulsing, the two of you pressed closer, faces flushed red. Each laugh, each stumble, each shared glance drew you nearer, the world around fading into a haze of warmth, tipsy exhilaration, and the intoxicating thrill of being caught up in each other.

You danced until you had no idea how long had passed, bodies moving to the beat with reckless abandon. Drinks blurred together, laughter spilling out in uneven bursts, words slurring and half-forgotten as the night twisted into a dizzying haze.

”Hmm Shouto,” you slurred as your hands danced over his arms, “You’re pretty muscular, what do you do?”

The playful teasing between you two had shifted, subtle pokes and nudges giving way to lingering touches, whispered jokes brushing against flushed cheeks. Hands roamed a little more boldly, fingers brushing where they shouldn’t, and the chemistry between you was electric and impossible to ignore.

“I’m a hero,” he answered back smoothly and leans in close with his lips dangerously close to your ears. You feel your body melting in his arms and you looked at him whilst biting your lips.

“Popular, if I may say.”

”A hero?” You giggle at him, teasing him with a disbelieving pout. You shake your head, “Nah, I don’t believe you.”

”I would’ve known if a hero this hot existed.”

Even he, usually composed, felt the effects of the alcohol—the warmth in his chest, the loosened stiffness in his movements, and the way your closeness made him stumble over words he usually had perfectly planned. The flirtation was no longer light; it was tangible, messy, and intoxicating, binding the two of you in a tipsy, red-faced dance that seemed to erase the rest of the world.

“Are you tired?”

Eventually, the two of you drifted away from the dance floor, the music and chaos fading behind you. Exhaustion settled in, and you found yourself dozing lightly against him, your head resting on his shoulder as your eyelids drooped, the warmth of his presence both comforting and intoxicating.

He felt the weight of your sleepy body and let out a quiet sigh, his own fatigue mixing with something else—an undeniable desire. He watched you for a moment, flushed and soft, and the way you clung to him made his chest tighten, his thoughts wandering to just how much he wanted you close tonight.

”Mhm…”

You barely answered him, content to stay wrapped in his arms, your body molded against his. Your hair fell around your face, and the lipstick smeared from your drinks—and probably across his neck—yet you refused to let go, clinging to him like the world had narrowed down to just the two of you.

”Hey,” you lifted your head a little and drew a dance down his torso with a soft grin, “Can I stay over tonight?”

He glanced down at you, his laughter fading the moment he caught your expression. But even then, all he could really focus on was your mouth—those lips he’d been fighting the urge to taste all night. His hand adjusted on your waist, steadying you both, and he breathed in the warm hint of vanilla clinging to your skin, sweet and intoxicating when mixed with the faint scent of alcohol between you.

“I was wondering when you’d ask.”

After that, the world seemed to blur around you. The only thing that lingered in memory was the way you disappeared from the sight of his friends, ending up at his place, pressed together skin to skin. His body, alternately hot and cold, was impossibly comforting, his gentle touches grounding you.

“Are you sure?”

The words hung in the air, soft but heavy, his voice echoing with care and something deeper you could feel but couldn’t quite name. Every pause, every gentle question, every time he whispered made your chest tighten, your pulse quicken, and your yearning grow—an ache that made you want nothing more than to melt closer into him, to feel every word, every touch, and every hesitation reverberate through you.

”Are you really sure?”

You tangled your hands in his hair, lying back on his bed, feeling the warmth and gentleness of him holding you. Every touch was careful, deliberate, and somehow blissful, and he seemed to enjoy it just as much as you did. Between quiet moments of closeness, bursts of laughter slipped out, soft and unguarded, as the two of you savored the mixture of intimacy and joy, completely absorbed in each other.

“Just kiss me.”

Slow at first, painfully slow, his mouth brushing yours in soft, searching passes, as if he needed to memorize the shape of your lips before claiming them. His hands framed your face, large and warm, thumbs trembling against your cheeks as though he was afraid you’d slip away if he loosened his hold even a little.

He kissed you like he’d been holding his breath for years.

Your foreheads nearly touched, breaths mixing, skin brushing in quiet shivers where fabric had slipped out of place in the rush of pulling each other close. The world narrowed to the heat between them, to the way you clutched at him, to the desperate softness of a kiss that felt like confession, like apology, like longing finally allowed to bloom.

There was nothing hurried—just two people holding on, kissing as though the moment might break if they weren’t gentle with it… and each other.

In that space, the world outside ceased to exist. 

No pressures from work, no expectations from society, no competitions to win—just the two of you, utterly infatuated, lost in each other. Every laugh, every touch, every shared glance felt like liberation, as if being together allowed you both to breathe freely for the first time in ages, untethered and completely, deliciously present.

Certainly, a night to remember.

a/n

i needed a timeskip todoroki book. I love him in the time skip and in the newest episode so much. Also I love the one-night stand (I know controversial) idea for a book because it was a manhwa called positivity you and that mmahwa was honestly the cutest book. I tried to emphasize the are you sure part but I know drunk people can’t really consent but I promise you i was trying to keep it very respectful 😭 I love the nonchalant simp trope and that is literally todoroki. So please give me a chance. I needed to write this trope for bc I haven’t seen any books about it! <3

happy thanks giving. 

Chapter Text

flower of the day: daisies (daisy)

bright, simple flowers with white petals circling a golden center, shining like small pieces of sunlight scattered across a field.

currently: conception

Waking up was not sunshine and daises.

When you woke this morning, a fierce ache pulsed behind your eyes, and the sunlight spilling through the curtains felt less like warmth and more like a sharp, shimmering irritation—too bright, too present, too much for a weary mind to bear.

You drank too much last night, you thought.

This was probably one of the worst headaches you’ve ever experienced as you feel it pulsed through your skull. At the same time, you’d never really drunk this much before, making the pain feel ten times sharper, each throb a harsh reminder of your own overindulgence.

“It’s too bright…” you groaned beneath your breath, turning your body and head away from the light that grazed your eyelids.

That goddamn sun streaming through the windows hurt more than anything, stabbing at your temples with every beam. You wondered why it was even so bright, since your apartment never caught this much light in the mornings, and the thought only made the headache worse.

”So warm…”

You exhaled blissfully, sinking into the warmth wrapped around you, the embrace so gentle you nearly drifted back to sleep—and right up until the last second where you nearly did, your breath caught in your throat, a quiet jolt of awareness rippling through you.

Wait.

This hard rock that you were hugging did not feel like your pillow.

You kept your eyes closed from the paralysis of fear, your breath held tight, as your fingers drifted along the thing cradled in your arms, tracing its shape in slow, searching passes—trying to find even the faintest hint of something familiar, something you could remember ever bringing into your room.

“Oh my god!”

You jolted upright in shock, your eyes snapping open as your head whipped around—only to realize you were residing in a place entirely unfamiliar to you. A cold prickle crawled down your spine, as if the room itself was holding its breath with you.

Calm down.

Assess the situation. 

Were you kidnapped?

You slowly swept your gaze across the unfamiliar room, its plain, underdecorated walls washed in dull monotone tones that offered nothing familiar. The space felt lived-in yet strangely bare, marked only by a few subtle signs of a man—broad-shouldered jackets draped over a chair, heavy boots by the door, and the faint scent of something clean lingering in the air.

Medals and awards lined a nearby shelf, their polished surfaces catching thin strands of light, but your vision was far too blurred to make sense of the etched words. The colors, the structure, the quiet order to the room all pressed in around you, each detail foreign and unreadable as you tried to anchor yourself in a place you had never seen before.

Suddenly, you look down at your naked waist.

A man’s arm was draped around you as you sat upright in the bed, the weight warm and steady against your waist. Your eyes trailed from the tips of his fingers along the strong lines of his arm. When your eyes made it up, you found his sleeping face resting against the pillow—soft in the calm of sleep, his white-and-red hair falling messily over his features, and the burn scar marking the left side of his face.

”holy shit.”

You clapped a hand over your mouth as you faintly recognized the pro hero beside you, watching the way his nose scrunched for a brief moment. You didn’t make a sound, barely even breathed, and his face slowly relaxed again—softening back into the unmistakable stillness of someone lost in deep, undisturbed sleep.

no matter what you do; it is important for you to not panic.

but of course-

all you do is panic.

Seriously, the only logical thing for you to do is to be panicking. Your gaze keeps darting between the elegant lines of his defined shoulders and your own naked body, tucked beneath his blanket, every detail making your pulse spike. His arm is still draped around you—solid, warm, far too close—and the fact that;

This is his fucking bed.

This is his fucking house!

“Sorry-I’m so sorry…” you whispered under your breath with panic, “holyshit what did I do.”

Panic swelled in your chest, tightening your breath as you tried to make sense of the situation. Your clothes was scattered everywhere yet his arm was still wrapped securely around you, heavy and unyielding, the warmth of it pinning you in place. 

“Please don’t make this harder for me…” you whispered quietly, wondering if you were right in the head when you were unable to figure out a way to gently remove yourself from him.

He was so close to you that his breath brushed faintly against your skin, and the weight of his grip around you was unbelievably strong. Every attempt to wiggle free only reminded you how effortlessly he held you in place, even in sleep. You swallowed hard, hands trembling slightly as you reached for his arm, fingertips brushing along the solid muscle.

You feel tears wanting to come out of your eyes as you curse at yourself, “Out of everybody, why did I have to choose you?”

Compared to him, you felt impossibly small—your frame tucked neatly against his, swallowed by his size, his strength, his quiet presence even in sleep. Every shift you made felt too loud, too risky, and your heart hammered as you searched for any possible way to slip free without waking him.

You moved slowly, deliberately, easing your hands toward his forearm as if approaching a sleeping beast. With careful, feather-light pressure, you began prying his arm away from your waist, inch by inch, breath held the entire time. 

He didn’t stir—not even when you slid out from beneath the blanket and placed his arm gently back onto the bed. You rose on unsteady legs, every step from the mattress calculated and silent as you tried to sneak your way out of his room without a single sound.

“My clothes…”

When you were finally free, you took a cautious glance around the unfamiliar room, eyes scanning for any trace of the scattered clothes and shoes you’d worn the night before. Every item seemed just out of reach or half-hidden in the shadows, and the strange neatness of the room made your own belongings feel oddly out of place.

You barely managed to zip up your dress, quickly gathering your phone, purse, and earrings, checking that everything was in place. Your hands trembled slightly as you confirmed nothing was missing, nothing had been touched—everything exactly as you had left it.

You caught your reflection in the large mirror he kept in the room, wincing at your messy hair and the dark shadows under your tired eyes. Your fingers hovered hesitantly over the marks that lined your skin—hickies and faint bites scattered across your body—and heat rushed to your cheeks as you tried, in vain, to piece together the events of the night.

Your head was so blanked out. 

You barely remembered the night, fragments floating like drifting smoke in your mind. You remembered sitting with Midoriya at first, talking about work when he came over while you had a few drinks, the warmth of alcohol softening the edges of conversation.

Then, you sort of remember seeing him—Todoroki—standing at the back of his group as he walked in, the red-and-white streak of his hair catching your eye before you turned away to talk to your friend. The night blurred further after that, a haze of clinking glasses and laughter that pushed the details just out of reach.

You recalled, vaguely, inviting him to dance with you, the briefest moment of connection that made your heart skip before it all went dark again. The rest of the night seemed swallowed, memory scattering in shards you couldn’t piece together. Faces, voices, the beat of the music—they all lingered only as impressions, leaving you with nothing solid.

You’re never drinking again.

You knew you were stressed from work and school, from the endless mess of lesson plans and students who never seemed to listen—but never like this. This was a weight that pressed into your chest, heavier than anything you’d felt before, leaving your mind spinning and your body trembling in ways you couldn’t quite name.

You were a virgin. 

A lonely, timid soul, too shy even to meet the gaze of any man, let alone someone who stirred more than fleeting curiosity. And yet, waking up next to a handsome stranger after a night of drinking was enough to leave your chest pounding and your mind whirling with disbelief.

You were NEVER drinking again, you swore.

Glancing at your phone, you realized you had overstayed your welcome far longer than you should have, and a sudden rush of urgency made your heart skip. You quickly gathered your things, trying to move as quietly as possible before anyone noticed you were leaving.

”Oh!” 

You were almost out the door when something made you pause, and you turned back to him, tilting your head in quiet confusion. It felt awkward, but you tiptoed back toward the bed, fingers digging into your purse as your mind scrambled to process what the hell can you do to make this situation any better or worse.

“umm…“ you continued digging before you blinked in amazement when you actually found it. You pulled out two ten dollar bills and slid it next to him on his nightstand, “Just incase… repayment for the drinks.”

You admired him one last time as he slept peacefully, soft snores escaping his lips. Your eyes traced the scar on his face, the way his skin caught the light, his hair tousled just so, and how undeniably handsome he looked even in the quiet of his slumber.

“bye now,” you whisper politely as you watched him snooze, “good luck in your work.”

You were actually proud of yourself for having cash in your purse as you bounced out of his room and stepped quickly out of the condo he owned, relief and a strange sense of accomplishment mingling with your nerves.

“Hopefully, we don’t see each other again.”

You closed the door behind you softly as you stepped out of his condo and began to leave. You couldn’t help but take it all in—the dizzying height of the floor you were on, the sleek hallways, and the way the workers glanced at you with raised eyebrows, as if silently judging or questioning your presence.

“Morning,” you grinned at them as they pressed the elevator door open for you. You stand there bouncing a little on your heels as you try to pass the awkwardness with your chattering, “Beautiful day we’ve got here.”

”Yes… ms…?”

You realized the worker had been asking for your name as they waited for the elevator beside you. Your eyes blinked a few times before you stammered, struggling to find the words. The two of you stood there in an awkward silence, the faint hum of the building around you stretching the wait longer than it felt it should.

“Uh…it’s…”

The worker’s gaze lingered on you, silently waiting for your name as his eyes flicked toward the only other apartment on the floor. You bit your lip, letting out a nervous chuckle and opening your mouth to hurry up and say something, but the sound was swallowed as the elevator dinged, cutting off the moment.

”oh well, will you look at that!” You piped up a little too cheerfully, walking past the worker with a grin. You wave at the worker, “Bye now!”

”Have a great day!”

You waved cheerfully at the worker, your never-ending grin lighting up your face, and watched as the elevator doors closed, beginning their slow descent all the way down. Your heart still raced from the morning’s chaos, a mix of relief and lingering nerves settling in as the floor numbers ticked downward.

“9:00?”

As you waiting for the elevator to land, you glanced at your phone and saw that it was still early morning on a weekend, messages from multiple people lighting up your screen. The gentle hum of the elevator seemed to echo the lingering nerves in your chest, each floor bringing you closer to the familiar outside world. Your mind briefly danced over the night’s events, fragments of memories and haze intertwining as you tried to steady yourself.

”stop thinking about it!”

you mentally cursed at yourself and slapped at your cheeks whilst shaking your head. You needed to stop thinking about it because he probably wouldn’t remember someone as insignificant as you either. He was a pro-hero while you were just a mere teacher-

you’ll never cross paths again.

The elevator doors slid open, and you stepped out, head held high and a smile on your face, carrying your usual cheerful energy. That bright mood faltered for a moment when you bumped into someone unexpectedly, the surprise catching you off guard and breaking the rhythm of your carefully composed morning.

”I’m so sorry!”

You and the other girl steadied each other, hands brushing as you helped one another stay upright. You looked up to see a long-haired beauty, but your attention was drawn instead to the brunette behind her, whose gaze met yours with unmistakable recognition. You didn’t fully recognize her yourself, but you returned a polite smile to both of them, letting the moment pass with quiet acknowledgment.

“Sorry again,” you murmured shyly rubbing the back of your head, “I hope you can forgive me.”

”Don’t worry about it,“ She smiled at you and tilted her head. Although curious, she remained polite as she asked, “May I ask you… why you were here?”

She looked down at you before back to your face, and your gaze instinctively followed along, heat rushing to your cheeks. Your face flushed bright red, and your words caught in your throat before you began to stammer awkwardly, struggling to find anything coherent to say.

Oh

my

god.

you look like a goddamn escort.

Your hair was barely tamed, makeup smudged, hickies scattered across your skin, and the faint bruises of a hand still marked your neck, all mixed with that lingering, goddamn smell of sex and sweat. The minidress didn’t look cute at all on you now—you should have kept the money for yourself instead of giving it to him and bought a new one instead.

”I- uh” You stuttered a little before itching at your cheek with a shy smile, “I was… you know…”

no.

she doesn’t know.

And you don’t know either.

No answer came quick enough to you, so you simply gave a curt, awkward nod and began to stomp away without another word said to them. No goodbyes, no wave, nothing. It was probably rude, but your face was burning red and you had no desire to linger there a second longer.

It was time to go home.

The cold fall air kissed your cheeks, and the bright blue sky woke you as the sun shone down. The city hummed with activity, and you realized you were downtown, not far from the bar, in a particularly wealthy neighborhood.

You walked home as fast as you could, every step driven by a single goal: to just get out and be somewhere familiar, anywhere but here. Your cheeks burned with embarrassment, and you kept your gaze low, wishing the world would swallow you up so no one could see how flustered you felt.

“Oh my god what is wrong with me!”

Everything had been going wrong for you ever since that night—your first and only one-night stand, and likely the last you’d ever have. The memory was messy, tangled with nerves and embarrassment, and the chaos it had unleashed continued to ripple through every part of your life now that you’d been involved with him.

It felt so rude of you to leave the two girls behind in the condo’s lobby, and you silently hoped they would never speak of you or see you again. The thought made your chest tighten, a mix of guilt and relief swirling uncomfortably inside you.

It was only a short fifteen-minute walk from the condo to your house, and you didn’t waste a single second. You strode as fast as you could in your heels, ignoring any curious or confused stares that came your way.

“I’m home!”

You slammed the door open to see the empty house left the same way you last remembered. it bought a sense of peace as you locked the door behind you and see your cat peering around the corner and looking at you.

”Hi chewy,” you reached down to pet your purring cat and gave it a kiss, “I hope you didn’t miss me too much…”

Kicking off your heels and tossing your purse onto the couch, you quickly checked your cat’s food and water, giving it one last kiss before heading up the stairs of your cozy little apartment.

You finally reached your bedroom and went straight to the connecting shower, stripping off your clothes as you stepped under the warm water. The steam and heat wrapped around you, washing away some of the chaos of the morning.

You scrubbed at your skin, wincing at the tender spots, trying desperately to ignore the flashes of memories—snippets of conversation, the gentleness of his face and voice. Each memory only made you scrub harder, letting out a frustrated scream that echoed off the shower walls.

“get out of my head!”

It was so embarrassing that this had happened to you—made even worse by the realization that maybe you should’ve woken him up and spoken to him. But what happened had happened, and it was far too late to regret it now.

You slammed your hands against the wall and sighed loudly before reassuring yourself, “he probably doesn’t care.”

yes.

Convince yourself.

gaslight yourself.

do whatever it takes to forget that devilish face of his.

because truthfully, he’s a pro hero and probably doesn’t even remember you.

You finished your shower, changed into fresh clothes, and climbed back into your own bed, sinking into the familiar comfort of your sheets. The warmth and softness of your blankets wrapped around you, a sharp contrast to the chaos of the morning.

“Oh. My room is so cozy.”

You buried your face into the pillow, letting out a long, shaky sigh as your mind replayed fragments of the night and the strange, overwhelming feelings that still lingered. For a moment, you just let yourself lie there, trying to regain some sense of calm before the day truly began.

”meow.”

Your cat jumped onto the bed, making itself perfectly at home as it sprawled across you and rubbed its head against your chin. You smiled softly, pressing a gentle kiss to its fur before closing your eyes, letting the quiet comfort of its presence soothe the lingering tension of the morning.

“Yeah,” you breathe as you itched the cat with your hand, “you’re right chewy.”

Stop thinking about the man.

You were home now, tucked safely in your own space, surrounded by your things, your warmth, your cat. There was no way to ever see him or talk to him again—you didn’t have his number, his socials, nothing. And he didn’t have yours. Whatever happened that night existed only in the past, sealed off and unreachable, no matter how stubbornly your thoughts tried to chase it.

your mind has reached a calm.

The warmth of your bed and the steady little weight of your cat finally pulled the exhaustion out of you. You yawned, soft and long, and curled closer to the fuzzy body pressed against your side. Your head still throbbed faintly, your limbs still felt heavy, but a new calm settled over you—quiet, slow, and soothing. For the first time since leaving that condo, you felt yourself begin to relax.

you’ll probabaly never see him again,

and that’s the hope.

a/n

i hope this is okay <3 trying to keep this book more humorous and cute. Yn is a cute happy joyful character a little of a smartie pants but also ditzy when it comes to new situations.

ive also never written like this exact style like first person I’ve always done third person so this is a new thing im experimenting with this book haha also the timeskip and Todoroki. I’m also experimenting with loose and carefree writing and have been just freeballing it by typing and hoping it all makes sense lool. This book is just to fuel my writing urge for a cute pregnancy project.

My first todoroki fanfic. Cute!! I love the way I write him so I just had to experiment. 

Thank you for reading <3

Chapter Text

flower of the day: lilies (lily)

elegant blooms with soft, flaring petals that release a sweet, luminous scent, opening like pale stars in the garden.

currently: conception

Twenty bucks.

You had paid him twenty bucks.

Todoroki woke up groggy, a slow throb pressing behind his eyes, but it wasn’t the brutal kind of headache that usually followed nights out. It was the kind of dull ache that reminded him he’d actually let himself relax for once.

It felt muted—manageable.

His body was heavy with the kind of deep rest he rarely allowed himself, his limbs warm beneath the blankets, the room still carrying faint traces of last night’s laughter and blurred softness. For once, he hadn’t pushed himself to the edge of being blackout drunk. Just enough to loosen the tightness in his chest, just enough to let himself breathe.

A small flicker of anticipation stirred as he shifted on the mattress, remembering the woman who’d caught his attention so effortlessly the night before. The memory of your voice, your smile, the way you seemed to pull his focus without even trying—it sent a quiet spark through his foggy mind. 

He blinked blearily, half expecting to feel you beside him or hear you moving around the room. For a moment, waking up didn’t feel so lonely, and the thought of seeing you again made the morning’s haze almost pleasant.

The bed was empty.

It was… a little shameful, infuriating even, for Todoroki Shouto to find the twenty bucks sitting on his nightstand when he woke up alone in an empty bed. He couldn’t decide what stung more; the low amount of money itself or the quiet, careless way you’ve slipped out without a word.

He just had to laugh.

Todoroki let out a quiet, surprised chuckle—louder than he meant to in the stillness of the room—as he rubbed at his face. Warmth crept up his cheeks, the memory of you leaning in close replaying behind his eyes with embarrassing clarity. His fingers dragged down to his mouth, brushing over lips that still felt faintly sensitive, as if they remembered more than he could put into words.

For a moment, he just sat there, palm resting against his jaw, letting the blush settle while that small, rare spark of last night fluttered through him again. It wasn’t often someone left him feeling flustered in the best way, and the thought made his chest feel light—almost hopeful—as he shifted on the bed, still half-smiling to himself.

He’s gonna make himself yours.

Todoroki Shouto was not someone who gave pieces of himself freely. He was cautious, deliberate, guarded in ways most people never noticed. Letting someone close—truly close—was something he rarely allowed, and last night had been the first time in a long while he’d let that wall drop even a little. 

The fact that the moment he did, you slipped away without a trace… it hit him with a sting sharper than he expected. It wasn’t pride or wounded ego; it was something quieter, something that felt dangerously like disappointment.

And he wasn’t the type to ignore a feeling once he recognized it. 

The more he thought about the way you laughed, the softness in your eyes, the easy warmth you carried without trying, the more certain he became that he didn’t want last night to be the end of it. You hadn’t been some fleeting blur in a bar; you’d left an imprint that tugged at him even now. 

So no—he wasn’t going to let it slide. 

Not because he was possessive, but because he genuinely wanted to see you again. Wanted to know you. Wanted to hold you. Wanted you, in a way he couldn’t shake off no matter how he tried.

Todoroki pushed himself out of bed, feet hitting the cool floor as he stretched the stiffness from his limbs. He slipped on his nearest clothes and stood there with his arms crossed. His gaze drifted around the quiet room, scanning the tidy space with a small, hopeful flicker he tried not to acknowledge. 

He searched the scattered shadows and corners for anything—an earring, a hair tie, a misplaced jacket—any small contrast in the usual order of his room that might hint you’d left a piece of yourself behind. Something to prove you’d been real in more than just memory.

Because in the few hours he’d known you, he’d already figured out one thing with startling accuracy—you were a bit of a ditz. The charming, disarming kind. The kind who’d laugh too loud, talk too fast, and absolutely leave something behind without even noticing. So he scanned again, slower this time, almost certain he’d spot some forgotten little trace of you.

ah.

There it was.

The item you left behind was impossible to miss—so shiny, colorful, and glimmering that it stood out like a spark in the otherwise neutral-toned room. Todoroki’s space held nothing but the calm simplicity he preferred, broken only by the polished medals lining his shelves, quiet reminders of his hero work. Against all that muted order, your forgotten little thing glowed like it didn’t belong anywhere but in his hand.

A necklace.

He lifted the heart necklace between his fingers and pressed a soft kiss to the cool metal, a slow smirk pulling at his lips as it caught the dim light and glimmered back at him. He remembered slipping it off last night when it kept tangling, remembered the tiny shiver that ran through you when his cold hands brushed your skin—an innocent touch, but one that had stayed with him far longer than he expected.

“Is 20 bucks all I’m worth to you?” He muttered beneath his breath, tucking away the necklace into the safety of his drawers.

Todoroki chuckled under his breath as he dragged a hand through his hair, ruffling the duo-colored strands in a halfhearted attempt to wake himself up. The more he tried to steady his thoughts, the more they wandered right back to you. 

”This girl.”

He couldn’t shake the image of you looking at him so shyly, eyes soft and uncertain, the way you’d practically stumble on him in the dim light—adorably flustered, clearly unsure where your hands were supposed to go, every tiny movement giving away just how new you were to the whole bedside closeness of it all.

Ding.

Todoroki’s phone suddenly began to blow up, the vibration cutting through the quiet and instantly wiping the growing smile off his face. He let out a slow, tired sigh and rolled his eyes, walking over to the nightstand. With a begrudging drag of his thumb, he unlocked the screen, already anticipating whatever crisis was waiting for him on the other side.

Yaoyorozu was messaging him.

His expression flattened instantly as he scrolled through her messages, the soft haze of the morning fading with each notification he opened. She was sending rapid-fire updates about the mission they’d been assigned together, details, check-ins, and reminders he was supposed to respond to hours ago. The shift from last night’s warmth to hero-duty bluntness was enough to make his jaw tighten.

Yaoyorozu: Shouto, are you awake yet?

Of course he didn’t mind working—he’d been pushing himself nonstop ever since getting his license after graduating high school nine years ago. This was his life, his purpose, and he’d never once shied away from it. He appreciated the updates, really. He wanted to stay informed, wanted to be dependable, wanted to work hard for the people who relied on him.

but this meant 9 years of his life.

9 years of hard work for others without caring about himself.

the weight of responsibility pressed in a little heavier, because it was pulling him away from the one rare moment he actually wanted to linger in. He missed how careless he’d been last night—how easy it had felt to just exist for a few hours without thinking about missions, expectations, or the next crisis waiting for him. He missed the way he’d laughed, real and unrestrained, like someone who didn’t have the world sitting on his shoulders.

Todoroki quickly typed out a curt, “I’m coming downstairs,” and hit send without a second thought. Before any new messages could pop up, he shut off his phone, the screen going black in his hand. For once, he didn’t want to be reachable. He didn’t want the day to swallow him whole before he’d even had a chance to breathe.

”Perhaps,” he stretches out his arms over his head, “it’s time to get up.”

Todoroki moved around the room with steady, practiced precision, slipping back into the routine that grounded him every morning. He straightened the sheets, tightened the corners, smoothed every wrinkle from the duvet until the bed looked untouched—clean, controlled, the way he preferred it. It was muscle memory by now, a quiet ritual that helped him settle his thoughts.

As soon as he finished, he headed straight for the bathroom, turning on the shower without hesitation. Steam began to fill the room, and he stepped under the hot water quickly, hoping it would clear the remnants of last night from his mind… or at least the parts he couldn’t afford to think about too long.

The world needs a hero.

Todoroki didn’t earn the Number Two spot on the Hero Rankings by standing around doing nothing. Discipline, routine, and sacrifice had carried him this far, and today would be no different. Work came first—it had to. Even if that meant pushing his feelings aside for a little while, even if it meant burying the warmth you’d left lingering in his chest beneath duty and obligation.

He let the water beat down on him, steady and grounding, reminding him of who he was supposed to be. Shouto Todoroki: reliable, focused, unshakeable.

But as he exhaled, he couldn’t deny that for the first time in a long while… it actually hurt to leave something—someone—behind.

Todoroki finished up quickly, drying off and slipping into his hero uniform with practiced efficiency. He adjusted the cuffs, straightened the collar, and smoothed the fabric into place—until his hands suddenly stilled.

Lifting his gaze to the mirror, his eyes caught on the faint bruised marks peeking just above his collar—soft, flushed love bites scattered along his neck. They contrasted sharply against the crisp uniform, impossible to ignore.

Oh yeah.

Todoroki is simply not going to give up on finding you that easily.

He straightened his collar a little higher, trying—but failing—to hide the marks you’d left behind. The sight of them only solidified something tight and certain in his chest.

He was going to find you.

Not out of pride, not out of wounded ego, but because no one made him drop his guard like that… and then walked away as if it meant nothing. You’d cracked something open in him, something rare and vulnerable, and he refused to let the night end as a nameless blur.

He wanted to know you—really know you.

And Shouto Todoroki wasn’t the type to give up on something that mattered.

For now, he pushed all thoughts of you to the back of his mind and focused on the task at hand: work. He moved quickly, slipping on his shoes, grabbing his car keys, and giving the door one last glance before locking it behind him. The click of the lock felt like a small punctuation to the morning’s chaos.

He started down the hall toward the elevator, each step measured and deliberate, the faint hum of the building around him grounding him. Duty came first—he could deal with the rest later.

”Morning, Mr. Shouto.”

Todoroki’s gaze flickered briefly toward the elevator attendant who offered a polite morning greeting. His head stayed forward, expression calm and unreadable, but he gave a small, almost automatic nod in acknowledgment. The interaction was brief, efficient—just like everything else in his mornings—but it was enough to remind him that the world outside his apartment was already in motion.

The elevator arrived.

Just as Todoroki stepped into the elevator and turned to face forward, his eyes caught the worker’s gaze. He blinked, caught off guard by the polite smile paired with eyes that seemed to weigh him carefully—curious, almost judgmental. For a moment, the usual calm he carried wavered just slightly, as if the worker’s subtle scrutiny had managed to pierce the edge of his composed exterior.

wait. 

Todoroki’s condo was the only one on this floor.

That meant you probably ran into the guy.

Todoroki opened his mouth to say something, a quiet question or, but the words caught in his throat and his mouth closed almost immediately. The elevator doors slid shut with a soft ding, and he felt himself begin the slow descent. 

“I missed my opportunity.” He murmured awkwardly, itching at his cheek.

The hum of the machinery filled the brief silence, giving him just enough space to gather his thoughts—though the worker’s curious, judging eyes lingered in his mind longer than he expected. 

“Now arriving to: the lobby.”

The elevator doors slid open, and Todoroki stepped into the lobby, scanning the space as he walked toward the common area. His eyes immediately landed on two familiar faces, comfortably seated on one of the couches with steaming cups of tea in hand. 

The casualness of their posture and the easy conversation between them contrasted sharply with the tension still lingering in his chest, but seeing them brought a small, grounding sense of normalcy to the start of his day.

”Goodmorning,” Todoroki greeted them politely as he finally arrived, giving them a faint smile. He stood above them as he crossed his arms apologetically, “I hope I did not keep you waiting for too long.”

The two familiar faces belonged to Uraraka Ochako and Yaoyorozu Momo—his classmates from high school who had now become his colleagues. 

They were currently working alongside him on an important mission at hand, bridging the gap between past and present as classmates turned allies. Seeing them here, relaxed and unhurried over tea, reminded him that even in the midst of hero work, some things—friendship, camaraderie—remained constant.

Both girls looked up as he approached, their expressions bright with polite smiles. Todoroki opened his mouth to speak, but his words faltered the moment he noticed them narrowing their eyes slightly, Momo’s brow arched just enough to make him pause. The subtle shift in their expressions made him hesitate, a brief flicker of uncertainty crossing his usually composed features.

”Fun night?” Yaoyorozu asked Todoroki as her gaze burned into him, taking a nice slow sip of her tea.

Todoroki felt himself freeze, though he mustered out without a pause, “I’m unsure what you’re referring to Yaoyorozu.”

Yaoyorozu’s eyes flicked over Todoroki from head to toe, a squinted smile tugging at her lips as if she were silently assessing him. She brought her own cup of tea to her lips, taking a slower, deliberate sip to let the silence stretch between them a little longer, then set it down carefully on the table. The quiet lingered, almost tangible, as if the unspoken thoughts between them were holding the air hostage.

”hmm” she hums before she points out, “your bruised up neck says otherwise.”

His gaze inevitably drifted to Ochako, and he couldn’t help but notice how red her face had become. Her eyes darted everywhere except at him, flitting nervously around the room as if searching for some escape, while she tried to hide behind the rim of her tea cup. The way she fumbled, desperate to shield herself from his gaze, made him pause—a rare flicker of amusement and curiosity stirring beneath his calm exterior.

“Sho-Shouto-uhh…!” Ochako stammers as she realizes he’s looking straight at her. 

Of course Todoroki’s eyes lingered on her. After all, it had been her idea for this little get-together with him, Midoriya, and Bakugou—a rare chance to unwind outside of hero duties. 

And he knew that meant anything Yaoyorozu knew, Ochako had probably shared first, a fact that made the corners of his mouth twitch in the slightest, almost imperceptible smirk. He couldn’t help the quiet amusement that bubbled beneath his composed exterior.

“We uh-“ Ochako hides her face behind her hands. Spreading them apart gently and whispering almost as she admits, “We ran into her just an hour ago down in the lobby…”

Todoroki settled onto the couch beside Yaoyorozu, reaching instinctively for the cup of tea she’d handed him. He lifted it just enough to bring it close to his lips—but then Ochako’s words cut through the quiet, sharp and unexpected. The tea never made it past his lips, and he froze mid-motion, eyebrows knitting together in surprise as his gaze flickered between the two girls.

“you did?”

Todoroki found himself leaning in closer to Ochako than he realized, drawn in by her flustered energy and the subtle tension in the air. The sudden awareness of his own forwardness made his chest tighten slightly, and he quickly cleared his throat. With a small, controlled motion, he leaned back, forcing the space between them to widen again, his usual composure settling back over the fleeting heat of the moment.

“Did you catch her name?” He asked curiously, hoping to get the correct answer.

”no…”

Todoroki gave a small, almost perfunctory nod, though a faint sense of dejection tugged at him. He exhaled slowly, lifting the cup to his lips and taking a measured sip of tea, letting the warmth settle him. Even as he focused on the simple comfort of the drink, a quiet frustration lingered—he wished he had gotten your full name, remembered more than just the first, elusive piece of you that still lingered in his mind.

“Oh!” 

Ochako suddenly snapped her fingers in his face and blinked at him in surprise. She excitedly gasped, “but Izuku knows her! He said that uh- she’s a teacher of sorts? At our high school!”

”Really?” Yaoyorozu spoke up this time with a raised eyebrow. Tilting her head, “I haven’t heard of a teacher that young looking, did she just start this year?”

”mhm!” Ochako nodded her head eagerly, “I think science, he said? She was there last night because of upcoming finals or something- he said none of the kids respect her and it’s been bringing her down…”

Ochako’s voice carried a hint of sadness as she explained the situation, her words careful yet heavy with concern. Yaoyorozu’s eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised to hear that you hadn’t been respected at school, a detail that seemed almost out of place for a prestigious school. Todoroki, meanwhile, felt a subtle twitch of his eyebrow, a flicker of irritation and disbelief passing over his composed features. 

The injustice of it didn’t sit right with him.

All he could remember was how inviting and fun you had been—the way you laughed easily, how your energy seemed to draw people in. It didn’t make sense to him at all that someone like you, so vibrant and genuine, could be treated without respect at a school he himself had attended and supported as a sponsor. The thought sat wrong in his chest, a quiet indignation he couldn’t quite shake.

todoroki takes a sip of tea.

”Stop.”

”Let’s focus on our work on hand.” Todoroki spoke as he raises his hand to stop the girls from further talking. He shakes his head, “we’ve got an important day ahead of us, let’s not dally on insignificant conversations unrelated to our mission.”

Todoroki spoke with a calm, measured authority, his words carrying a weight and precision that left little room for doubt. Both girls straightened instantly, their casual expressions giving way to professional composure as they met his gaze. Even in the familiar setting of the common area, his presence and tone commanded respect, subtly reminding them of the hero he had become.

”Give me my insights.”

Todoroki settled back into the couch, legs crossed and one hand cupped thoughtfully under his chin, his posture composed yet attentive. His eyes followed each movement as the two girls laid out their reports and paperwork, absorbing every detail with careful precision. Though his expression remained calm, the sharp focus in his gaze made it clear he was fully present, analyzing, processing, and weighing each piece of information they shared.

Work.

They moved through their morning meeting with practiced efficiency, each speaking in turn and contributing ideas on how to approach the upcoming mission. Strategies were debated, potential obstacles considered, and solutions proposed, the room filling with the quiet hum of focused collaboration. 

“We have less than a month until D-day.”

“Perhaps, should we start with this location?”

Todoroki listened intently, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he absorbed the girls’ ideas about traveling for surveillance and gathering intel. He nodded occasionally, interjecting with precise, sharp observations that honed their plans and addressed potential oversights. Every suggestion he made was aimed at ensuring that every angle was carefully considered, every risk accounted for, before the team moved forward with the mission.

Todoroki couldn’t afford a life without work. 

Todoroki had worked tirelessly to reach the position he held now, carving his path with discipline, sacrifice, and relentless determination. He was a man whose skills and presence were needed across the nation, someone relied upon in crises that demanded precision and strength. Every choice, every long night, every challenge he’d faced had shaped him into the hero people depended on—a responsibility he carried with quiet, unwavering resolve.

however…

As the girls continued their discussion, Todoroki’s mind began to drift, unbidden. He found himself replaying the memory of your cute smile, the way your hands had tugged lightly at his hair, and the playful way you’d asked him to perform little “magic tricks” with his quirk. 

The image made a faint warmth creep into his chest, a stark contrast to the calm, professional atmosphere around him, and he had to force himself to refocus on the reports in front of him.

you know what?

It’s been far too overdue.

As a hero, he was expected to patrol every street, check in with every corner of the city, and keep a watchful eye over every citizen to ensure the area remained safe. It wasn’t just about responding to emergencies—he had to revisit places he’d already secured, double-checking that threats hadn’t resurfaced and that the people under his protection remained unharmed.

His jaw clenched and his gaze turned cold as he thought back to Ochako’s words, and to how disrespected you had felt at work—it made his blood simmer with anger. He couldn’t shake the image of your frustration, and it fueled a sharp, protective fire that burned through every nerve.

Maybe after the mission, it’s time to visit the school.

a/n

yay! I’m on a grinding streak for this book rn bc this concept is so cute and I’m on a Todoroki grind. I only have 2 weeks of school so I have time and this book is just a silly fun way for me to distress myself sigh. 

Hope you enjoy this chapter <3 btw I hope u guys catch the wording of Todoroki is making himself yours vs todoroki is making you his. Bc you’re the one he’s whipped for. He’s gonna win you no matter what. Your alreayd his <3 Lmaoso

Chapter Text

flower of the day: peonies (peony)

lush, full blossoms that unfurl in layers of silk soft petals, glowing with the warmth of early summer.

currently: 2 weeks. 

Life went on it’s daily routine.

After everything that happened, you spent the first few days glancing over your shoulder, half-expecting Todoroki Shouto to step out of the shadows behind you. But as the weeks bled into quiet routine, the truth settled in—nothing came, nothing chased you, and the world moved on in a hush that felt almost unreal.

Three things unsettled you:

one. You’ve been super sick.

It’s been leaving you feeling awful—mornings spent on the edge of throwing up, stomach twisting, the simple scent of your cat suddenly too much to bear. It clung to you like a strange, relentless sickness, leaving you pale, breathless, and unsure of what your own body was trying to tell you.

You’d never felt a sickness like this before, and the uncertainty gnawed at you. Maybe you’d eaten something bad, you told yourself—maybe it was that sad little convenience-store sushi or whatever else you grabbed on a rushed morning. It was easier to blame it on something simple than face the knot of worry forming in your stomach.

two. Work still sucks. 

Work had begun to feel like a weight you carried in your chest. Every morning you stepped into the Yuuei building with a hopeful breath, only for it to sink once the teachers around you offered those too-gentle smiles. 

They didn’t mean to bruise you, but the pity in their eyes stung—like they’d already decided you were struggling before you even opened your mouth. Being the new one made every hallway feel a little colder, every conversation a reminder that you were still finding your footing.

And your class… they never seemed to settle for you. 

The room buzzed with noise the moment you walked in—chairs scraping, voices overlapping, attention scattering like leaves in the wind. No matter how many times you tried to guide them, to speak over the chaos, it felt like your words dissolved before they ever reached your students. 

The disarray chipped at your patience, your confidence, leaving you exhausted in a way that lived in your bones. Each afternoon you left with a headache blooming behind your eyes, wondering if you were the problem.

“You’re doing great, yn sensei.” Midoriya Izuku patted on your shoulder as he passed by you in the teachers lounge.

You didn’t even bother looking up at the green-haired teacher; a low, strained sound slipped from your throat as you pressed your hands over your head, trying to cage the pounding headache that refused to let you breathe.

Short and simple, you raised your hand defeatedly, ”thanks.”

You always think about quitting your job and just working somewhere else, but Midoriya Izuku never lets that thought linger for long. Every time he found you slumped at your desk or rubbing your temples, he’d kneel beside you with those earnest green eyes, telling you softly—almost reverently—that you were doing better than you realized. 

“I promise,” he chuckled as you looked up at him finally when he ruffled your hair. 

You blew away the small strand of hair that drifted into your face, lips pushed into a tired little pout. Midoriya’s expression softened with an apologetic flicker, realizing he’d been speaking to you more like one of his students than a fellow teacher. But you hardly noticed—too wrapped up in your exhaustion to care, your pout lingering as you stared off in frustration.

He begun to walk off for his next class, not before adding on, “one day, these kids will look back at you and realize that you were simply just trying your hardest for them and give you that well deserved credit.”

He reminded you that beginnings were always messy, that strength wasn’t measured by silence in a classroom but by how hard you kept trying. And even if the days still felt heavy, his reassurance wrapped around you like a warm, steady light, easing the sting just enough to make you believe you could keep going.

now onto the third.

todoroki shouto, that man didn’t even bother to pretend to care about you.

I mean; you told yourself you didn’t want him to contact you anyway. It was easier that way—cleaner, safer. You and Todoroki Shouto lived in two completely different worlds, and you knew it the moment you stepped back into your ordinary life. 

Heroes drifted through chaos and fire; you dealt with lesson plans, staff meetings, and lukewarm coffee. It made sense that your paths would split after that night. You repeated that to yourself like a mantra, pretending it didn’t sting.

But even with the logic pressed tight against your ribs, your heart grew heavier with each silent day that passed. He didn’t reach out—not once. No message, no call, no hint that you’d crossed his mind at all. 

And that was the part that twisted you up the most. 

Sometimes you’d catch glimpses of him on the news, or see his face staring back at you from the glossy magazines you passed in store aisles—Todoroki Shouto posed in quiet victory after another battle won. Within just two weeks after meeting you, he seemed to be everywhere, taking on mission after mission, more than usual. And every time his image flickered across a screen or page, it hit you with the same soft ache, a reminder of how wide the distance between your worlds truly was.

You sighed loudly as you leaned back in your chair and covered your eyes with an arm. With a distant whisper, you found yourself admitting outloud, “I miss him.”

For all the passion, the laughter, the way he held you like you were something precious… it made you wonder if you had simply imagined the warmth in his voice, the meaning behind every touch. You hated how upset it made you, how his absence echoed louder than you wanted to admit.

Because the truth was simple and painfully human—your body remembered him. It remembered his gentle hands tracing your skin like a secret, the way he whispered soft compliments against your throat as if speaking them too loudly would break the moment. 

And sometimes, when the world felt especially quiet, you missed him in a way that lodged deep in your chest. Not just the heat of him, but the tenderness, the unexpected sweetness. And missing him felt like a confession you weren’t ready to say aloud.

”yn sensei, who do you miss?”

A gentle voice from behind you reminded you that you were still on duty, still very much at work. You startled, jolting upright so fast your knee slammed into the underside of the desk. The sharp, rattling clang echoed through the room, and a handful of teachers snapped their heads toward you, their glares heavy enough to make you shrink in your seat.

”sorry!”

”ow-!” You hissed out loud as you rubbed at your knee, feeling tears prick your eyes. You closed your eyes and sucked in a deep breath and held out a finger to the younger girl, “o-one second, please.”

”uh-take your time, Sensei…”

You sat there with your eyes squeezed shut, inhaling and exhaling in sharp, uneven breaths as a wave of pain rippled through your whole body—stronger, deeper than anything you were used to. For a moment it felt like the room tilted around you, the sounds fading under the pulse in your ears.

“this hurts.” You muttered under your breath though kept your face straight as you knew the student was looking at you worriedly.

Eventually, the ache loosened its grip, ebbing slowly until you could breathe without wincing. You opened your eyes, gathered whatever composure you could, and straightened yourself up as if nothing had happened at all.

”What can I do to help you, Eri-Chan?” You smiled at the girl finally, leaning forward in your desk and clasping your hands tightly together.

Eri—silver-haired, soft-hearted, a small presence you’d only recently begun to get to know during her first months of second-year classes—stood nearby, watching you with quiet worry. Her brows pinched together as she noticed the way your own eyebrows twitched uncontrollably, her concern so gentle and sincere it almost made your chest tighten.

”umm, well…”

she appeared nervous as she shifted left and right in her feet. She was holding paperwork in her hands and clutched them tightly before putting them down for you to see, “I know you’re not exactly my teacher…”

”but can you help me solve this problem?” 

Oh, Eri. 

Sweet, sweet, little Eri.

You found yourself wishing she had been in your class—a quiet, sweet presence that seemed to carry light wherever she went. It had been a coincidence that your paths crossed in the cafeteria, when you had stopped to help her, and ever since then, she always seemed to seek you out whenever she needed a hand, her small, trusting eyes looking to you with gentle expectation.

“Please?”

She looked up at you with wide, reddish eyes and a tiny pout tugging at her lips. Your chest warmed at the sight, and you couldn’t help but melt a little at her sweetness. With a deep, amused sigh, you returned her gaze with a big, eager grin, nodding enthusiastically as if to say, of course.

”You know I’ll always help you,” You rolled your eyes and grabbed a pen, “Let me see!”

”Hmm, let’s start from here…”

The science work she presented to you wasn’t difficult for you to explain, and you took your time carefully guiding Eri through each concept. It was higher-level material than what you usually taught your first-years, but your love for science made it feel almost magical that you never really minded help anyone who struggled with the subject.

“Thank you so much, yn sensei!”

Seeing her trust you enough to seek your help warmed something inside you, making your teaching days feel slightly more meaningful and full, as every explanation, every patient moment, was a small victory worth savoring.

you grinned brightly and tucked a piece of hair behind your ears. Chin tilted up and confidence radiated through you, “no worries, just come to me if you need more help!”

You watched as Eri gathered together the papers you’d helped her with, her small smile mirrored by your own. But as the seconds passed, time seemed to stall—she didn’t walk away, didn’t even shift her weight. She simply stood there, lingering. Eventually, you lifted an eyebrow in quiet curiosity when it became clear she had no intention of leaving just yet.

“yes?” You noticed she was looking at you shyly, “is there another question you’d like to ask me, Eri-Chan?”

She stuttered at your blunt question, cheeks flushing as she looked up at you with anxious eyes. Her fingers fidgeted nervously with the edge of her papers before she leaned in closer, silver hair slipping forward like a curtain that shielded the two of you from the rest of the room.

“Do you have a boyfriend, yn sensei?”

You practically spluttered, a startled sound escaping you before you could stop it. The question hit you so unexpectedly that you jerked back, eyes wide, mouth opening and closing helplessly like a startled goldfish. Eri blinked up at you, her expression puzzled as she tried to understand your dramatic reaction.

“No?” She questioned you slowly, “I could’ve sworn I heard you say you missed someone…”

She tapped a finger against her cheek, eyes drifting upward in quiet thought. Then, as a small reassurance seemed to settle in her mind, she looked back at you shyly—before breaking into a bright, gentle smile that softened her whole face.

“Plus you seem to have this new glow around you too.”

You shook your head slowly, feeling heat rise across your cheeks. It was a little sad to admit, but you’d never actually had a boyfriend—not unless you counted the tiny crush you’d carried back in kindergarten. But was this really something you should be discussing about with a mere teenager?

“No, Eri Chan,” you chuckle a little as you took in her words without much care, “I do not have a boyfriend at the moment.”

”oh! I’m so sorry for being rude!”

Eri’s expression turned instantly apologetic as she watched you shake your head and try to recover. You busied yourself with organizing your desk, straightening the few things that had been knocked out of place when you’d reacted so abruptly to her question. Her quiet gaze followed every movement, full of warmth and gentle understanding.

The bell rings.

Both of you looked up as the bell rang, its sharp chime signaling the end of break and the start of the last few classes of the day. The moment dissolved, replaced by the hum of routine settling back over the room. You began gathering your things, packing up your desk with practiced motions before pushing yourself up from your chair.

“Shall we walk together, Eri Chan?” You gave her a toothy grin, waking ahead of her as she stared at your back. Turning your head over teasingly, “I’d hurry if I was you, you know, before you get a tardy slip.”

”of course, I’m coming!”

Eri skipped up to your side, falling into step with you as you both headed down the hall. She chattered excitedly about her classes and the friends she’d made, her voice bright and bubbling with pride. You nodded along, listening with genuine warmth, letting her small joys ease some of the heaviness lingering in your own day.

When you finally reached her classroom, she turned toward you with bright, sparkling eyes and a little laugh woven through her voice. Leaning in close, she rose onto her toes just slightly, whispering something to you in a hushed, secretive tone.

“I have a few uncles, you know.”

”uncles?”

You answered her in pure confusion, eyebrows lifting as your voice came out incredulous. But Eri only kept nodding, her smile growing wider and brighter with each second. Then she held out her hands toward you—cupped together delicately, as if offering something meant only for the most special people in her life. A tiny, confident smirk tugged at her lips, playful and sincere all at once.

“Yes, uncles.” She nodded though it didn’t help your confusion. She whispered slowly whilst wiggling her eyebrows suggestively, “if you ever need someone,”

“kacchan, toga, sho….” 

You gasped when you realized she was thinking you were lonely, lightly nudging her shoulder before you wagged a playful finger at her. She burst into giggles, her laughter bright and ringing down the hallway. You sighed dramatically and pressed a hand to your forehead, unable to stop the small laugh that escaped you at her absurd little joke.

“Go to class.” You gave her a stern look, “Eri-chan, my love life is perfectly fine and not something you, a student, should have to worry about.”

seeing no response from the giggling girl, you scrunched your nose. Scowling, suddenly you begun to feel offended as you desperately added on, “also, I’m not even that old!”

Eri only shrugged through her laughter and gave you an enthusiastic wave goodbye before turning into her classroom. You returned a halfhearted little wave of your own before you started down the hall toward your next class, still laughing quietly to yourself over the conversation you’d just shared.

Class has now begun.

When you arrived at your classroom, your class president was already waiting by the door, greeting you with a polite bow and a practiced smile that warmed you a little despite the ache behind your eyes.

“welcome, yn sensei!”

”hey kids,” you grinned brightly to your class that all stood up and bowed to you politely. Waving a hand so that they can sit, you asked, “how has your other classes been going?”

“I hate pop quizzes!”

”Aizawa sensei is too mean to me, he picks on me I swear!”

You offered a tired smile as you begun to hear multiple students try to shout and talk to you whilst stepping inside, setting your materials down on the podium and letting them all talk to get their energy out before letting the familiar rhythm of teaching begin. The chatter quieted just enough for you to start, though the pounding in your skull made every sound feel like it echoed inside your bones.

“Today we’ll be exploring how parental genetic material combines to form the unique DNA composition behind individual quirks.”

As you began explaining the day’s science lesson, you watched the usual pattern unfold within minutes of teaching—some students leaning forward with genuine interest, others already fighting sleep, and a few staring out the window as if you weren’t there at all.

It made sense; many of them had expected a pro hero to teach them, someone flashy and powerful, not… you. 

Just a regular teacher who loved science more than the spotlight. The thought stung, a quiet ache you’d grown used to swallowing, but it never stopped hurting entirely. You wanted so badly to reach them, to show them the beauty in what you taught.

It wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been when you first started back in April though. Now that November had rolled around, things had eased—slowly, clumsily, but enough to notice. After a few of the older teachers had stepped in and firmly told your students to respect and listen to you, your relationship with your classes had begun to improve. 

But even with the progress, there was a small ache in your chest. It still hurt that it took someone else’s voice, someone else’s authority, before they finally gave you the respect you’d been trying so hard to earn on your own.

today will be an exception though.

Today, the headache raging behind your temples dulled every emotion into a low hum. You simply didn’t have the energy to care whether they listened or not. All you wanted was to deliver your lesson clearly enough to say you’d done your job.

The headache hurt so much that instead of fighting for their attention, you’d rather release them into quiet free time so that you could sit down and breathe without the world tilting. For once, you didn’t push or hope or strain—you just taught, steady and soft, waiting for the moment you could finally rest.

”class is dismissed.” 

“Thank you for today, yn sensei!”

Class finally ended, and you watched as the students’ faces brightened with relief. They stood from their desks, offering quick, polite bows before scattering into their small groups and filtering out of the room, their chatter fading like the soft hum of distant music.

“What is wrong with me?”

You remained seated at your desk, hands tightly clasped together, feeling the slick of sweat on your forehead. The urge to throw up hit with brutal intensity, twisting your stomach and making every breath feel heavy. For a moment, you closed your eyes, trying to steady yourself, willing the sickness to pass before you had to move again.

Midoriya Izuku was passing by the classroom, suitcase in hand, barely giving you a glance as he walked past. But then he did a double take, his eyes widening at the pallor of your face. Without a second thought, he rushed into the room, concern written across every line of his face.

”yn sensei are you okay?”

You felt his presence wash over the room, and the sharp urge to throw up seemed to fade for a moment. Opening your eyes, you forced a bright grin at him, trying your best to make it seem like nothing was wrong. Shaking your head, you just chuckled at his earnest expression.

“Midoriya sensei!” You chirped as you slowly got up from your chair and begun packing your things. Trying to convince him with your smile, you cleared your throat and reassured him, “I’m doing fine, I just needed a breather, you know?”

He didn’t look all too convinced, hovering a hand near your elbow as if ready to steady you if you were to fall. His gaze lingered on your eyes, catching the faint flicker of dizziness there. You averted your gaze, forcing yourself to step forward, and began to walk despite the weight pressing down on you.

“I don’t know…”

His voice was soft, threaded with doubt as he glanced at you. Walking beside you, he hesitated for a moment before suggesting gently, “Have you been to the doctor yet? You… you look a little sick.”

You paused for a moment, uncertain if this sickness was really serious enough to see a doctor. Waving him off with a hand, you told yourself you were already feeling better, convinced that you were fine.

”nah,” you rejected him, “I think it’s just a simple cold forming from the weather. Nothing I need to worry about.”

”I promise!”

Midoriya pursed his lips, clearly unconvinced at your attempt to downplay your sickness, tilting his head at you with a worried frown. He crossed his arms as the two of you walked out of the building together, his gaze lingering on you as if he wished he could do more.

“Still…” he weakly fought back, “maybe even try visiting recovery girl? She’s a good healer, I’m sure she can give you something to combat the headaches.”

“Recovery Girl?”

You blinked in surprise—why hadn’t you thought of that yourself? It was a good suggestion, and part of you wanted to hug him on the spot. Maybe Midoriya was right, but school was already over, and you didn’t want to trouble the old woman.

“Maybe next time!” you giggled, running a hand through your hair. Biting your lip, you looked ahead at the cloudy sky. The cold breeze swept past, making the gray clouds seem heavier and the air feel sharper against your skin.

“It’s a little late, and honestly…” you paused as you looked at him, exhaustion over your features. Shrugging a little, you admitted, “I just want to go home.”

Midoriya glanced over at you, his head nodding in agreement as he took in just how tired you looked. Despite the faint glow in your expression, it was clear you were drained from whatever sickness you were fighting, and a pang of guilt and concern tugged at him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Midoriya sensei.” You gave him a toothy grin and waved your hand.

“Get home safely, yn sensei.”

You guys reached an intersection during your walk which meant that it was time to part ways, since you lived on opposite sides of town. With your mind set on getting home, you walked off after seeing him wave his hand, the thought of your warm bed pulling you forward.

Your walk was never too far, and you loved it for that—because every day it carried you into the center of town, to the little bridge over the water where you could stop and breathe in the view. The seasons shifted, the world around it changed, yet that pretty scene always felt like yours.

As you paused on your way home, Todoroki Shouto’s name seemed to follow you everywhere. 

Magazine covers, billboards, and news articles plastered across windows showed him posed with quiet confidence, each headline praising his latest heroic feats. For a moment, you couldn’t help but smile a little, caught up in the familiar sight of him dominating the world you both lived in.

“Todoroki Shouto, you sure are famous.”

Your eyes lingered on his face in the photos—the striking blue and gray of his eyes, the sharpness of his features, and the confident curve of his smile. It was impossible not to feel a small pull in your chest at how vividly alive he seemed, almost as if he could step out of the page and stand beside you. The thought warmed you, even as the world around you hurried by.

And then, just as quickly, the warmth faded. 

That hollow, missing feeling settled back into your stomach, sharper than before. It was painfully clear that no matter how much you missed it, the two of you existed in different worlds—lives that only occasionally brushed against each other, leaving you with glimpses of him and a longing that refused to fade.

It’s time to move on.

because simply

you were just another one of his girls, you think.

a/n

sorry if we’ve been missing Todoroki… we’re gonna see him a hell lot once we get the show moving!! So excited for all of the cute fluff <3 

im glad to see a lot of people are enjoying this story, this is my first attempt of doing a time skip and of doing a Todoroki fanfic haha, hope he’s not too out of character. I’m always making everyone a super huge lover boy.

please leave a like and a comment if you enjoy, I’d appreciate and love your support so that I have motivation to push these out <3

timeline:

April: you started work at u.a

November; first met todoroki

December;  offically 1 month.

Chapter Text

flower of the day: hellebores (hellebore)

early blooming flowers that nod gently toward the ground, their soft winter petals opening like muted lanterns in the cold.

currently: 4 weeks. 

It’s been one full month.

A full month had passed, spent entirely focused on your work life and your own sanity. One set of exams was finished, and without a moment to spare, it was already time to dive into materials for the next. Each day was packed, leaving little room for distractions, and you found comfort in the steady rhythm of your routine.

In the whirlwind of deadlines and responsibilities, thoughts of the man from that one night in November had completely slipped your mind. The memory felt distant, almost like a whisper from another life, buried beneath the constant motion of your days and the self-love you had been carefully nurturing.

Your sickness hadn’t improved, and if anything, it seemed to be worsening. 

The same smells that once made you slightly queasy now made your stomach twist violently, and you found yourself avoiding certain places or foods altogether. Each meal felt like a gamble, and the thought of even the smallest snack made your stomach churn.

“No lunch again, yn sensei?”

A few teachers you often spoke with passed by, casting worried glances in your direction as you sat at the teacher’s desk in the lounge, fingers aggressively rubbing your temples. The ache in your head pulsed with each movement, making it hard to focus. You paused for a moment, catching sight of them, and offered a weary smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes.

“No…” you dragged the word out slowly, forcing a small, uncertain smile. You swallowed down the bile that was rising in your throat, “I’m just… not really a fan of the smell of eggs.”

The teachers watched you with frowns, their expressions full of pity, as you continued to rub your head and tilt it back and forth, eyebrows scrunched in discomfort. You let out a quiet sigh, the weight of the day pressing down on you even more heavily.

”poor girl,” you heard them murmur beneath their breaths before giving you a reassuring glance, “feel better soon, must be a horrible winter cold for you to be sick for this long.”

”thank you…”

It was becoming increasingly obvious to anyone paying attention, that this was not a simple cold. Your face had taken on a pallor that couldn’t be hidden, especially during lunch periods when the smell of food lingered in the air. You tried to play it off, forcing a smile or pretending to be busy, but even you couldn’t ignore the way your body was reacting.

The idea of food poisoning, which had crossed your mind at first, was quickly fading. 

Something more concerning was starting to take root in your thoughts—a serious illness, or perhaps something even worse. The worry settled in your chest, heavy and insistent, making each day feel longer than the last and leaving you with a creeping sense of unease that you couldn’t shake.

perhaps you should go to the infirmary, maybe?

The infirmary was a resource you could rely on, especially when given your role and responsibilities at Yuuei High School, it’s free. You trusted the school nurse—her kind, steady presence had always been comforting—but she was not a full-fledged doctor. Beyond tending to scrapes, bruises, or minor ailments, there wasn’t much she could do to truly heal you.

“Should I give her a visit anyway?” you debated quietly, your nails finding their way to your lips as you chewed on them nervously. A small pout tugged at your mouth as you desperately tried to come up with an excuse to avoid going.

”this shits so painful though…”

You were left alone in the teachers’ lounge as everyone headed out for lunch, leaving you with nothing but your thoughts. The quiet pressed in around you, and you focused on slow, measured breaths through your mouth, trying to steady yourself until the pounding in your head and the twisting ache in your stomach subsided slightly.

This visit was long overdue, a fact you couldn’t ignore any longer.

You had promised Midoriya you would go 2 weeks ago, but past trauma and an ingrained fear of doctors had held you back. Now, though, the discomfort had become unbearable, leaving you with no choice but to seek help—even if it meant confronting the unease you had been avoiding for far too long.

”I’m gonna go.” You told yourself determinedly. You slam your hands down, “I’m a grown adult, I got this.”

The fatigue that weighed your body down each morning had reached a breaking point today. Every muscle ached, your stomach churned relentlessly, and even simple movements felt like a battle. With a reluctant groan, you pushed yourself up from the chair, your body protesting with every motion, and started walking toward the nurse’s office.

“Hey yn sensei!” A voice shouted at you, “enjoy your lunch!”

“Hi sensei!”

You held your smile carefully as students passed by in the hallway, greeting you with warm hellos and cheerful waves. Each gesture felt like a small lifeline, and you returned their friendliness as best you could, letting your expression convey more warmth than you truly felt inside.

”it’s so cold…”

The cold air creeping in from the windows caught your attention, and you glanced outside to see little flurries of snow beginning to settle on the ground. The realization that it was already December made you shiver slightly, and you pulled your cardigan tighter around your shoulders, trying to ward off the chill that nipped at your skin.

”it’s so pretty,” you breathed out with a shimmer to your gaze as you watched the snow fall from the cloudy weather. A genuine smile found your lips as you turned your head back, “a snow ball fight would surely be fun in the future…”

Winter had always been your favorite season.

You loved the way the world seemed to sparkle after the first snowfall, streets lined with twinkling lights, and the cozy warmth that came from mugs of hot cocoa or the soft glow of decorated homes. Christmas, in particular, held a special place in your heart—the joy, the generosity, and the unmistakable magic in the air made everything feel lighter.

Even on days like today, when your body ached and your stomach protested, the thought of winter’s charm and the festive cheer that awaited around every corner softened the weight you carried. The season made the cold worthwhile, filling the everyday mundanity with sparks of magic and a quiet hope that carried you forward.

You’ve arrived at the infirmary.

When you reached the door, you paused for a moment, taking a steadying breath, summoning the courage to step inside and finally seek the help you knew you needed. The simple act of reaching for the handle felt heavier than it should, your nerves twisting in your stomach as the stress of opening the door settled over you.

You knocked once, just to steady yourself. 

Twice, proud of making it this far. 

On the third, you finally found your voice and announced yourself.

“Recovery Girl?” you said softly, pushing the door open just a crack. Clearing your throat, you glanced around the empty infirmary. “It’s Yn sensei… may I come in?”

You stepped into the infirmary, eyes scanning the room and finding it empty. A small sense of relief washed over you, knowing no one would overhear your conversation. Still, you walked slowly through the space, searching for any sign of the older woman.

“hello?”

You bounced lightly on your feet, arms wrapped securely around your torso as if holding yourself together, waiting for the older woman to appear. Every small noise made your heart flutter, and you found yourself shifting weight from one foot to the other, anticipation and nerves mingling into a tight knot in your stomach.

”maybe she’s busy…?”

Just as you turned, preparing to give up and return to your cubicle, you jumped at the sudden appearance of the older woman coming from the corner. Her glasses perched neatly on her nose, she looked at you with a calm, knowing expression, as if she had silently been watching all along.

“Yn sensei,” Recovery Girl spoke with a soft grin, reaching out with her wrinkled hand to gently squeeze yours. She seemed to notice your hesitation and discomfort, her presence radiating warmth as she softly reassured you.

“What can I do for you today?”

Recovery girl guides you toward her desk and eases you down into the chair with a careful hand. She settles onto her own seat, adjusting her glasses higher along the bridge of her nose. Silent and patient, she watches you, waiting for you to speak.

"Um..."

You stare at her with wide eyes before instinct pulls your gaze toward your hands, fingers twisting nervously in your lap. No matter how gentle Recovery girl feels, the fear remains lodged quiet and heavy within your chest. It trembles there, untouched by her kindness, like something afraid to be seen.

"Yn sensei," recovery girl leans over to touch your arm reassuringly, "you can speak to me."

You look at her and feel yourself softening beneath her comfort. There is something so peaceful in her calm, and it gently loosens the fear coiled inside you until your heartbeat is no longer pounding against your ribs. You draw in a deep breath, steadying yourself as she pats your arm with quiet patience.

And then you spill.

You begin to speak, giving voice to the symptoms you have been feeling. Your eyes flicker between her and the floor, your words stalling in the quiet moments where emotion rises unexpectedly in your throat. She waits without interruption, her posture steady, allowing the silence to settle before you continue. Each breath feels unsteady, but somehow her presence makes it easier to keep going.

"I've been sick," you murmured quietly, before adding, "In the mornings and all the way into the night, any time I smell any food basically."

"It started two weeks ago, I think, it’s been a month of me feeling like this now," you spoke, scrunching your brows as you tried to piece it together, unable to make any sense of the situation. Your lips pressed into a thin line, confusion lingering, until you felt the nurse gently squeeze your arm, quietly urging you to continue.

She listens with careful intent, observing you closely in a way that never feels invasive. There is a gentleness to the way her gaze follows each small movement you make, as if she is reading not only your words but the tremor beneath them. Every now and then, when you manage to look up, you catch a subtle brightness shimmering in her eyes.

It lingers there, warm and inexplicable, leaving you uncertain of what it means.

"It’s so hard to get up in the mornings," you admitted softly, "because it’s so hard to keep down foods."

The more you speak of the morning sickness and growing sensitivity to food, the heavier your chest begins to feel. You try to find the right words, but they tangle together as confusion presses in, making it difficult to understand why her soft smile seems to brighten the more you speak. That glint of quiet happiness unsettles you, and before long, the words slip away entirely.

You fall silent, unable to say anything more.

"Hmm..."

Recovery girl keeps her gentle smile steady as she removes her glasses and sets them neatly on the desk. She folds her hands together, her posture softening as she tilts her head slightly toward you. When she speaks, her words are slow and careful so as not to alarm you, yet there is a quiet certainty in her tone that makes it clear she is sure of her diagnosis.

"yn sensei, have you tried a pregnancy test yet?"

You blink and go still, staring at her as if waiting for the moment to shift into something else. Your breath catches sharply in your chest, shallow and uneven, while you continue to blink over and over. You cannot tell if she is serious, and that uncertainty leaves you suspended in silence.

"Pregnancy test?" you repeated back with shock. pointing a finger at yourself as you raised your eyebrows once more, "like.. the thing I pee on... with the lines...?"

Recovery girl lets out a soft chuckle at your shocked expression before leaning down to rummage through her cabinets. Your finger remains half-raised, still pointing at yourself in disbelief, frozen in the moment. She soon pops back up and gently places a small box into your hands.

"it's worth a try," she shrugged.

You stare down at the box in your hands, turning it slowly as your lips form a silent O. After a moment you set it aside and shake your head, a faint disbelieving chuckle slipping out. Your brows knit together, clearly not thinking something like this could ever be necessary.

“Wait…”

"No- no recovery girl, I dont need this," you laughed softly, lifting your hand as if to stop her. That same hand drifts up to press against your forehead before sliding down your face in a slow drag of disbelief. Your words rush out in a hushed breath, "I don’t think I need a pregnancy test, it doesn’t make sense because my period–"

"my period..."

Your hands fly to your mouth as the thought crashes into you. When was the last time you even got your period? It’s been well over a month now, but you never noticed it, never stopped long enough to think. The days have rushed by in a blur, moving too fast for you to catch something so simple and so vital.

"is so late."

The words slip from your lips quietly as you stare at her in stunned disbelief. She meets your gaze with soft, comforting eyes and gives the smallest nod, gently urging you to take the test. You look down at it, then back at her, the careful mask you wear beginning to tremble and crumble.

"go ahead," she smiled at you, "i'll be right here waiting."

Knowing that this older woman is so supportive of you brings a small warmth to your chest. It makes you feel a little less afraid, a little more seen. For a moment, you allow yourself to believe that you might be okay and it won’t come out positive. Your fingers curl around the box, and you realize it’s trembling in your hands, or maybe it’s just you.

"O-okay", you murmured, keeping your eyes low as you felt like a shell of yourself.

You step into the bathroom and close the door behind you, the sound of the latch clicking louder than it should be. For a few long minutes, you simply stand there staring at the box in your hands. Your reflection in the mirror feels distant, like someone else entirely, as you search for any trace of certainty within yourself and find none. The silence presses in around you, and your heartbeat echoes in your ears while the clock in your mind keeps ticking.

Suddenly, movement takes over thought.

You rush forward and fumble with the waistband of your pants, stripping them down with clumsy, hurried motions. Your hands shake as you take the test, the moment heavy and disjointed, as though you are acting on instinct alone. When you finish, you place the stick on the counter with unsteady fingers and step back. You stare up at the ceiling, forcing your eyes to focus anywhere else.

Each second stretches unbearably, your breath barely moving.

When waiting period finally passes, you lean forward and glance at the test with a head gone strangely blank. For a heartbeat, you don’t process what you’re seeing. Then your breath catches sharply and a gasp tears itself free, raw and startled. The test slips from your weakening grasp and falls to the floor, fear flooding through you faster than you can breathe.

"yn sensei, are you okay?"

A concerned voice calls from behind the door, and you spin around in panic, eyes wide as your hands fumble to grab the slippery pregnancy test from the floor. Your fingers struggle to find a hold, your breath catching as you bend down clumsily, heart hammering in your chest.

"Um uh uh-"

For a moment, words fail you, and you let yourself lean there, gripping the test and taking a slow, shuddering breath, trying desperately to calm the storm inside. Your hands tremble slightly around the test, and for the first time, the weight of what it might mean presses fully against your chest.

you look at it one more time- just to make sure.

You stare down at the white test in your hands and see two unmistakable, vivid pink lines. You weren’t born yesterday; you know exactly what that means. The small plastic stick feels impossibly heavy in your trembling hands, as if it carries the weight of a thousand unspoken words.

Slowly, your hand finds your stomach.

a baby.

Your arms wrap tightly around your torso as your mind begins to race. This is crazy. You were young, barely at the start of your career, and the thought of a baby growing inside of your uterus feels impossible, unimaginable. Every new piece of information crashes over you, each one sharper and more shocking than the last, leaving you reeling in disbelief.

you didn't know how long you stood there in that position.

It could have been seconds, it could have been minutes—hell, it felt like years in your head as the world slowed and blurred around you. you didn't notice the multiple voices out in the infirmary now- nor that you cared enough to be aware. To be honest, you were more terrified for yourself, terrified for your future, terrified of the unknown path ahead with this new life growing inside you.

Every thought twisted together, leaving your chest tight and your mind spinning.

Every single knock and noise outside the bathroom faded into silence as your shaky gaze flicked from the mirror, to your stomach, and back to the clear positive test in your hands. No matter how many times you looked at it, no matter how desperately you tried to convince yourself otherwise, the lines remained the same, undeniable and unchanging.

"holy fuck."

You tried to think, tried so hard to figure out what to do next. Your mind reached for answers, for plans, for a way forward. Thoughts of who’s the father flickered briefly, but they didn’t last long—there had only ever been one man you had been with in your entire twenty-four years of living.

todoroki shouto.

It had to be his baby, and that realization made your lip quiver even more. You had no idea how or if you even wanted to try reaching out to him, the fear of rejection twisting in your chest. The thought of being truly alone if he chose that path was almost unbearable, leaving you paralyzed between wanting connection and fearing the consequences.

take a deep breath.

its okay, yn.

let's start with telling recovery girl.

You place a trembling hand on the doorknob and take three deep, steadying breaths, forcing yourself to hold back the tears threatening to spill. Then, gathering every shred of courage within you, you fling the door open and lock eyes with the older woman, your gaze sharp and filled with determination.

"I'm pregnant!"

Your voice comes out louder than you intended, and you ignore the quiver in your brows as your carefully held facade teeters on the edge of collapse. You extend the pregnancy test toward her, closing your eyes as you force the words out, though it’s clear in every trembling syllable that fear courses through you.

"holyshit- I'm pregnant with a baby."

You bite your lip, trembling slightly, before daring to open your eyes and find Recovery girl standing there with a bright, encouraging grin, genuinely happy for you. you let out a small chuckle though it died when you focused on something else. The warmth of the moment fades instantly as your eyes widen in shock, catching someone familiar reflected in the glass bottles behind her.

red and white hair.

You spin around fast on your heels in confusion, mouth opening to speak first, but someone beats you to it, and your words die in your throat. Heat floods your body at the familiar touch grasping your biceps, the presence of a man you’ve been silently craving these past few weeks sending a jolt straight through you.

"You're pregnant?"

You find yourself unable to answer, words caught somewhere between fear and disbelief as you stare up at him, wondering if he was real. The slight crack in his voice when he questions you makes your chest tighten, and you feel the weight of his concern pressing down. He looks down at you, eyes searching, and the vulnerability in his tone only makes it harder to form even a single word.

"Tell me," his voice soft and almost pleading as his hands rise to cup your face, "are you really pregnant?"

Both of his hands touch your warm face, firm yet careful, grounding you in a way that is both comforting and overwhelming. Your gaze flits nervously across his face, trying to read him, trying to make sense of the storm of emotions reflected in his eyes. Each feature seems etched with worry, a mirror to your own fear, and you feel the weight of unspoken questions pressing between you.

"Todoroki?" your voice came out in a whisper, but in the quiet of the room it sounded like it echoed.

As your eyes take in the rest of him, you notice the soot smudged across his skin, dirt clinging to his uniform, signs that he had rushed here without pause, leaving everything else behind. The thought that he came straight to the school for a reason you do not yet understand fills you with a mix of awe and confusion. Your mind races, trying to piece together why he is here, why he looks like this, and what he must have endured to reach you in this state.

"Yeah", he chuckles softly, thumbs brushing gently across your cheeks, but you keep your gaze locked on him, silent. He leans closer, his voice coaxing and tender, trying to draw the words from you, "hey, Is it really true?"

You remain frozen, his gentle touches lingering over your face as if he can hardly believe you’re really here. Then, blinking, you notice Midoriya standing behind him, eyes wide and just as shocked, mirroring the disbelief written across your face.

"yn?"

You shift your gaze back to voice that called out to you, soft and full of gentleness, and feel yourself melting under their warmth. despite your mind being blank, your body obviously remembered that night so vividly, the memories rushing back with a clarity that makes your heart skip.

Todoroki waited for your response, his eyes fixed on you with an eager, almost breathless anticipation. The silence stretched thin between you, delicate and trembling, amplifying every heartbeat echoing in your ears. 

His gaze—those brilliant swirls of blue and gray—seemed to glow in the stillness, bright and mesmerizing, pulling your attention in completely until it felt like the whole room narrowed to just the way he was looking at you.

“Yeah…”

The words slipped out of you in a breathless rush, and before you could even process them, you were pulled into a crushing hug. Todoroki leaned his entire weight into you, arms wrapping around the back of your head and your waist as if afraid you’d vanish. You went stiff, your hands awkwardly patting his back, unsure for a moment who the news was truly hitting harder—

him or you.

You glanced around the room, catching Recovery Girl’s startled expression as the pieces clicked together in her mind while she watched the pro hero cling to you so desperately. Midoriya’s own wide-eyed shock only confirmed what neither of them had dared to assume. The air felt suddenly tight, heavy with realization, each of them reacting to your silence in their own unmistakably raw way.

What was todoroki shouto doing here?

A/n

dldouble upload! Hope you enjoy!! I love this story a lot haha and it’s such a funny light hearted one that I like to post for it. Thank you for all the support please feel free to give me comments and feedbacks! I also love idea and inspo <3 

love you all!

Chapter Text

flower of the day: anemones (anemone)

delicate flowers whose soft, open petals surround a dark center like a quiet ripple of color in early spring.

currently: 4 weeks. 

Todoroki shouto remains victorious.

For weeks since early November, Todoroki worked tirelessly, often alone in the dark, his mind and body pushed to their limits. Every moment was consumed with planning, strategizing, and executing missions with precision. Finally, after methodical reconnaissance and a series of intense skirmishes, they located the main hideout.

“Within five minutes,” Todoroki murmured, lowering his head as he pulled his hood up and spoke quietly into the mic at his ear. His arms shifted into a ready stance, muscles coiled, “can someone get me a taxi to wait outside?”

A faint buzzing crackled through Todoroki’s earpiece, like someone was repeatedly pressing the comm button unable to answer. Then a low chuckle slipped through the static, followed by a voice that sounded both amused and exasperated by his request.

“A taxi? Already?” The voice yelled in his ears and caused Todoroki to flinch. He hears them calm down as they added on, “buddy, we haven’t even fought the actual boss yet-“

”Also, wait, 5 minutes?”

Todoroki slipped quietly down the hall, listening to the voice in his earpiece. His eyes narrowed in focus, but as he straightened again, a faint smirk ghosted across his features, his expression easing back into calm confidence.

“5 minutes is all I need.”

His confidence alone was enough to make his teammate groan but obey—because, at the end of the day, Todoroki was their team lead. They followed his instructions anyway, focusing back on to the task at hand and continued guiding him through the comm while he quietly relayed updates about his location.

“What’s the consensus?”

”Give me a second, Shouto.”

He coordinated with his team he was currently drafted with, each member knowing their role perfectly, and relied on the network of allies he had built within the agency and among his friends and colleagues. Every detail mattered, and he left nothing to chance. His steady presence and sharp instincts had a way of grounding everyone around him, making it impossible not to trust his lead.

"Shouto, on your left!"

Todoroki reacted before the comms even finished. A sharp burst of cold cracked through the air as a wall of ice surged up from the floor, freezing over the assailant’s arms and locking them in place. Frost spiraled outward in an instant, halting the threat completely. In the same motion, Todoroki shifted his weight, fist drawing back on instinct—shoulders squared, muscles coiled—ready to end the confrontation the moment the ice wasn’t enough.

"Nice punch!"

Together, they infiltrated dangerous areas, moving like shadows, carefully dismantling threats piece by piece. Communication was constant, silent signals exchanged and plans adjusted on the fly, ensuring that each mission proceeded with minimal risk. Todoroki’s leadership kept them focused, even as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm them, and his resolve became the anchor for everyone involved.

"Villain spotted on your 9, go finish him off, shouto!"

The battle that followed was fierce, testing every skill and strategy they had honed over the month. Todoroki never complained about any scratch he received—he was fueled by a sharp, relentless energy, certain he would win even if it meant walking away with major injuries.

When the dust settled, Todoroki stood high with the villain restrained, having led the charge and overcome every obstacle. His body ached, but the satisfaction of success—and the thought of finally returning to the girl who had haunted his mind—pushed him forward to hold a hand up.

”The villain is down! Todoroki Shouto remains victorious!”

After defeating the villain and helping the police secure the area along with giving his reports, Todoroki didn’t hesitate to hurry up and leave when he finished. He pushed past the swarm of reporters, ignoring their shouted questions, his focus entirely on getting to the place that had been on his mind all month.

"Shouto-Shouto! A word! Please!"

Unfortunately, a reporter had already pushed in front of him, and Todoroki held back a frown when he got stopped. The cameras were rolling, capturing his every move, while todoroki wore a business-like smile and tapped his foot impatiently, clearly urging them to ask the question.

"After a month-long gruelling operation," they spoke loudly into the mic, "what kept you going through all of that?"

Cameras flashed relentlessly in his face as the reporters waited for a response. Todoroki didn’t flinch, his expression calm, though his mind wandered elsewhere. Thoughts of the smiles and gentle kisses he had received from you flooded back, and in that moment, they gave him the inspiration he needed.

Todoroki smirks confidently, "I had a someone in mind—and nothing was going to stop me from reaching them."

Todoroki left his answer at that, unaware that his words—and the way his expression softened—sparked a flurry of news articles written on the spot. Reporters immediately jumped on the story, speculating that something in him had shifted—something unmistakable, though no one could agree on what he meant. Without hesitation, he pushed past the crowd of reporters, his focus solely on going home.

“Take me to Yuuei.”

Todoroki Shouto didn’t bother looking up as the taxi door slammed shut behind him. He reached for his phone immediately, quickly texting Midoriya that he was arriving soon and to give him permission to step foot onto campus before switching it off and leaning back in the seat with a quiet exhale.

“Of course, Mr. Shouto.”

As the car pulled away, he settled deeper into the cushions, finally allowing his body to relax. The tension in his shoulders eased bit by bit, the engine’s steady movement helping some of the ache bleed out of him after the long day.

The taxi sped off, the bright city bustle faded behind him, giving way to long stretches of quiet countryside. Afternoon light filtered through thick, gray clouds, casting a soft, muted glow over the world they passed. The life outside the window felt slower, calmer, the rolling landscape a stark contrast to the fight he’d just escaped.

Every muscle ached, every bruise pulsed, but at least he had nearly an hour of rest before he’d reach Yuuei—an hour where no one needed anything from him, where he could simply breathe. He tilted his head back, letting the exhaustion wash over him in slow, steady waves as the driver followed the route he’d requested.

But even in the heaviness of fatigue, the thought of coming home to you pulled at him with surprising force. 

The thought of your reaction when he shows up—unexpected, unannounced—made him bite down on his lip to keep a smile from slipping out. He tried brushing dirt from his uniform, smoothing out creases, doing whatever he could to look slightly less worn, even though he knew you wouldn’t care.

He just wanted to show you, in the simplest, realest way, that you were always on his mind. And as the car turned the corner, the school coming into view, his heartbeat quickened—not from battle, but from the anticipation of seeing you again.

”Shouto-kun!”

Todoroki had barely stepped one foot onto the school grounds when Midoriya came sprinting toward him. He skidded to a stop in front of him, breathing hard, eyes wide with a mix of exhaustion and pure bewilderment—like he couldn’t quite believe Todoroki had shown up unannounced.

“What did you need to see me for?”

Todoroki offered a small, genuine smile to his old classmate, someone he’d stayed surprisingly close with over the years despite their hectic different life schedules. Breathing heavily, Midoriya straightened himself up, waiting for Todoroki’s response with that familiar, earnest anticipation.

“oh my god, is that the number 2 hero?”

“Huh? Oh shit it’s shouto!”

The moment didn’t stay private for long—several students nearby suddenly gasped, whispers bursting like fireworks across the courtyard as they recognized the handsome pro-hero standing on campus. Midoriya sweatdropped at the reaction, trying to laugh it off, but Todoroki barely seemed to notice.

“Do you think we can get his autograph?”

Despite the loud whispers around him, Todoroki’s eyes kept flicking past his friend, drifting from face to face in the crowd. It wasn’t the usual alertness of a hero on guard—this was different. There was a distracted pull in his gaze, something tugging his attention away even as people called out his name.

He kept glancing over his shoulder, scanning the courtyard, the entrance, even the edges of the school as if expecting someone to appear at any moment. It made his posture tighten, his expression subtly soften with a mix of focus and worry. Midoriya watched him carefully, knowing Todoroki well enough to recognize when something—or someone—was weighing on his mind, even in the middle of a sea of admiring students.

”Shouto-kun?” Midoriya spoke up softly, “are you looking for someone?”

Todoroki’s gaze continued to sweep the area. Midoriya stayed quiet, watching him with that patient, knowing look. The noise around them dimmed into a soft hum as Todoroki finally stilled, his eyes not catching on the presence he’d been waiting for.

A brief silence settled between them. 

Todoroki tilted his head, his expression softening in an unreadable mix of understanding and quiet acceptance. Midoriya didn’t push or ask; he just waited. And after a heartbeat or two, Todoroki finally gave a small, decisive nod—subtle, but certain. It was enough for Midoriya to know that whatever Todoroki had been searching for, he’d found his answer.

”yeah.” Todoroki nodded his head as he nonchalantly stretched his arms behind his head, “I’m looking for a woman that works here, perhaps you know her.”

”yn.”

Midoriya’s eyes widened the moment he heard your name slip from Todoroki’s mouth—soft, distracted, almost unconsciously spoken. Before he could even react, Todoroki brushed past him, walking ahead with long, purposeful strides, not bothering to wait or explain. 

“Eh?”

It was so unlike Todoroki that Midoriya stood there for a second, stunned, watching his friend move with a single-minded determination he usually reserved for missions, not school visits. It sent a strange chill through him, as if he were witnessing the start of something he wasn’t meant to interrupt.

“it’s the number two hero!! What is he doing here?”

Snapping out of it, Midoriya shook his head and hurried after him, baffled by the sudden shift in energy. Todoroki wasn’t listening to the students calling out to him, wasn’t paying attention to the teachers peeking from doorways—he was strutting forward like the world around him didn’t exist, clearly focused on one thing: you. 

“Wait Shouto kun, you don’t even know where you’re going!”

As Midoriya rushed to catch up, he wracked his brain for the connection he was missing. Then, mid-stride, it hit him—his eyes blinked wide in realization as he remembered that one chaotic, drunken night the two of you had shared, and suddenly everything about Todoroki’s behavior made a startling amount of sense.

”Shouto kun!”

Midoriya gripped Todoroki tightly, finally stopping him in his tracks. He let out a deep exhale, his chest rising and falling with tension, as Todoroki turned to him with that same blank, unreadable look he wore with everyone—as if silently asking why Midoriya was holding him back.

Finally letting out a breath as he revealed to Todoroki, “she’s in the infirmary room right now. She’s been sick, so you’ll most likely find her there.”

“Sick?”

Seeing Midoriya nod in response, confirming the question, Todoroki didn’t hesitate. Without a second thought, he retraced his steps, moving with the same purposeful speed that made him a pro-hero on a mission. 

His eyes stayed forward, focused.

The halls blurred past as he moved past familiar classes, each step carrying him closer to the infirmary. He recognized every crack in the floor, every poster on the walls, yet the familiar sights only sharpened his urgency. Students peeked from doorways, teachers paused mid-task, all caught between admiration and confusion. 

Whispers followed him—how had he come straight from a mission? Why was he back at school? Yet Todoroki ignored it all, he didn’t slow, didn’t even nod in acknowledgment—he was already thinking about what he would do when he finally reached the room he’d been searching for.

Finally, he barged into the nurse’s office, expecting the chaos of someone needing attention—or perhaps the figure he was looking for. Instead, it was quiet, still, almost eerily so. 

The only presence was the old school nurse, sitting calmly behind her desk, her eyes lifting to meet his in gentle surprise. Todoroki’s gaze swept the room quickly, taking in the emptiness around her, before locking onto her expression, silently asking the questions he had been holding back all the way from the halls.

“Shouto,” recovery girl looked happy to see him, “what brings you to visit Yuuei today?”

“I thought that I would see someone here, though it seems like she’s hiding from me.”

Todoroki was about to give up when he felt Midoriya’s steps following closely behind him. His shoulders slouched as he let out a breath, trying to steady himself, but his entire body froze the moment the bathroom door to his left slammed open. 

“Yn?”

His eyes locked on you—an unexpected, overwhelming mix of shock and something he hadn’t realized he’d missed so deeply. The words that left your mouth hit him like a jolt, and for a moment, the world around him blurred; all he could do was stare, caught between disbelief and a sudden, aching longing.

“I’m pregnant!”

The words echoed in his mind as he took in every detail of you, his gaze lingering on the stick you held in your hands. He could feel Midoriya’s hand reaching for his arm, but his body moved instinctively, without hesitation, closing the distance to grasp you firmly.

And that’s the catch up.

After the whole fiasco in the nurse’s office, Midoriya and Recovery Girl decided to give the two of you some space. Now, you sat across from each other with a desk between you, the room quiet except for the faint hum of the lights. Silence stretched out as your eyes locked, neither of you speaking, simply taking in each other’s presence and the weight of the moment.

“Are you feeling better?”

You blinked when he finally spoke to break the quiet of the room, “I’m sorry?”

He leaned back in the chair, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on you, and you flinched under the intensity of it. Unlike before, you weren’t under the influence or swayed—you were completely clear-headed—but even so, a flicker of unease ran through you at being in the presence of the number two hero, his presence alone commanding attention.

”Todoroki San…”

”Shouto. My name is Shouto- not todoroki.”

You were interrupted by him as he watched you fidget with your thumbs, brows furrowed in thought. His gaze held you steady, and slowly, almost instinctively, you nodded your head, caught between bewilderment and curiosity.

“Right… Shouto…” you drew out your words, careful not to upset him, though eventually a shy, breathless laugh escaped you. You leaned forward and held a hand to your lips, “I know what your name is— but is that even important right now?”

”yeah,” he nodded his head, “because it’s you.”

You stopped laughing and stared at him in surprise, your eyebrows shooting up. He continued to look at you nonchalantly, as if every word he said had been carefully scripted. you thought he seemed a little arrogant and rolled your eyes, trying to hide your own amusement.

Pretty.

He thought that you’re so goddamn pretty. 

Every time you fidgeted under his stare, Todoroki could feel himself leaning in closer, drawn irresistibly to you—wanting to brush a strand of hair from your face, to feel the warmth of your skin, to taste your lips. It was captivating, watching you laugh shyly and play with your hair, every little gesture holding his attention completely.

The bell rings.

Both of you looked up at the ringing sound, and you turned to him with an apologetic glance. You began to rise softly, ready to return back to work, but he only reached out, clasping your hand and giving it a gentle tug. You stood, hand still in his, while he remained seated, his gaze steady on you.

“Is it my child?”

The question came out unexpectedly fast, and you didn’t have a moment to think it through. When the ringing finally stopped, you yanked your hand back, your face flushed with embarrassment, and instinctively brought your arms up to protect your stomach from him.

“No!” you argued, cheeks flushed and a protective edge in your voice, “It’s—i-it’s my baby!”

“Hmm.”

You huffed, trying to calm your flushed cheeks as you regained your composure. He took a sip from his drink, then leaned forward slightly, his hands gesturing for you to sit back down, silent but insistent.

“I’d like to talk to you,” he spoke softly to you, “are you really going to leave me again?”

Guilt washed over you as the word again seemed pointed directly at you, his gaze sharp and knowing. Suddenly, you closed your mouth and obediently sank back into the chair, hands folded politely in your lap, trying to compose yourself under his steady stare.

”I’ll ask you more straight forward, yn.”

His hand reached out, giving yours an encouraging squeeze. You sucked in a sharp breath, biting your lip and scrunching your nose, fear threading through you. Yet he didn’t let go—his finger gently lifted your chin, guiding your gaze upward with quiet assurance.

“It seemed like my question was ambitious,” he laughed breathlessly, “am I the father of your baby?”

The words slipped out before you even realized you’d spoken. You whispered, barely audible, “No.”

Todoroki didn’t seem even remotely offended by your denial, he let out a soft chuckle the moment your shifting expression gave your true feelings away. He ruffled his hair absentmindedly, lips pursed in thought as he watched you with a blend of quiet amusement and genuine curiosity.

it was cute, how you were a bad liar.

Ever since the night he first met you, it had been obvious to him that you wore your emotions right on your sleeve—speaking before you fully thought things through and letting little details slip your mind without meaning to. He’d always found that to be an undeniably cute trait of yours, especially now as you sat there with wide eyes and dipped brows, looking almost too endearing for your own good.

“There was one night last month,” he admitted, his eyes steady on you, “when I didn’t use a condom. And… it was your first time.”

You flinched at the quiet confidence threading through his voice, your shoulders tensing before you could stop yourself. He didn’t seem startled by your reaction—if anything, he sank deeper into thought, humming softly under his breath. His eyes were sharp and calculating, tracing over details you couldn’t quite read. You watched him with a mix of curiosity and unease, unsure of what he was piecing together.

“All of the circumstances points to me as the father…”

Todoroki finally shook his head and stood from the chair, his hands moving to straighten the collars of his jacket. He offered you a warm smile, and you instinctively followed him with your eyes as he brushed past your shoulder, his presence calm yet commanding.

“Yn, it seems like all of this is happening so suddenly that you need time to think,” he paused, offering you a small, genuinely vulnerable smile as he rubbed the back of his neck. He scratched at his cheek, the movement hesitant but sincere as he added, “Well… it’s the same for me.”

“Really?”

You wondered if a flicker of terror had crossed your face—some echo of the storm raging in your thoughts—because without a warning he kneeled down in front of you and gently took your hands in his. He gave them a reassuring squeeze before pressing his lips softly to your fingers, his gaze soft and completely absorbed—utterly captivated, utterly whipped—as if, in that moment, nothing in the world mattered except you.

“Let’s meet tomorrow, yn. we’ll discuss more after we’ve had time to think, okay?”

“why tomorow?”

You looked at him with a faint ache tightening your chest, uncertainty curling beneath your ribs as you wondered with negative thoughts as to why he wanted to see you again so soon. He met your gaze with full earnestness, no walls, no hesitation—just a quiet sincerity that made it hard to breathe.

He repeated after you with a sly tint, the faintest smile tugging at his lips as he echoed, “Why?”

Todoroki looked down at his dirtied clothes, brushing a bit of dust from his shoulder, the corner of his mouth lifting in a shy, almost playful smile. He gave a small shrug, as if teasingly acknowledging the mess he’d shown up in.

“I rushed through my mission just so I could see you,” he murmured, eyes flicking up to yours with a warmth that made your breath catch. He jested, “Guess I came straight here without even cleaning up… I didn’t want to waste another second without seeing you.”

“Though… it looks like I overwhelmed you.”

He brought your hand gently to caress his own face, pressing it against his cheek as he leaned into it. His lips brushed softly against your palm, and his voice dipped just a little lower, “So let me see you again tomorrow—when you’re rested, calm… and when I can have all of your attention without making you flustered.”

“….Okay.”

You slowly nodded your head, caught in a daze, and he let out a soft laugh under his breath as he felt you shiver beneath his cold hands. His gaze held you completely, warm and gentle, a stark contrast to the deep, stern voice and expression he always carried. Every detail—the softness in his eyes, the subtle curve of his lips—seemed to pull you in, leaving you momentarily entranced.

He pressed a soft kiss to your palms once more, holding your gaze the entire time. Your heart jumped as his lips lingered a little longer than before, making your chest tighten. Slowly, he stood and gave you a quiet nod. Hesitantly, your hand lifted to wave goodbye, then fell back to your lap almost clumsily, leaving you flushed and breathless as he walked away.

Then, just as suddenly, the room felt empty.

You were left alone, and the tension you’d been holding finally hit you in full force. Your body trembled as you wrapped your arms around yourself, trying to steady the shaking and regain control over the whirlwind of emotions coursing through you.

Your mind couldn’t stop replaying the warmth of his lips against your hand, and a fluttering mix of longing and disbelief settled in your chest, leaving you both dizzy and strangely giddy. Even as the sound of his footsteps faded, it felt like he was still there, lingering in the space around you, soft and impossible to forget.

A hand pressed to your mouth, and for a moment, you thought it was because you wanted to feel the spot where he had kissed you. But instead, the weight of the moment hit you all at once—the stress, the overwhelming emotions—and it surged through you so strongly that you felt your stomach twist, queasy and sick as it demanded release.

You needed to throw up.

A/n

they meet! Finally! We’re onto the good parts!! This book is gonna be a faster one and full of cute fluff and rare angst because I just want Todoroki to be happy and he deserves all of the love after what happened all of my hero academia. Seriously. He deserves love. 

I hope this chapter is fun and cute! It gives insight on Todoroki’s pov and why he rushed on over to you so fast. He heard a month ago that you were bullied by kids and he rushed to finish his mission so fast to go to school and look to go and beat those kids up himself. Lamsoso I know he’s out of character because he’s so whipped for you, but I love it and I hope you do too! 

Thank you for all of the love and support <3 please comment and leave a like as I grind out more content before I go back to work <3

Chapter Text

flower of the day: hollies (holly)

Hollies are evergreen shrubs with glossy deep green leaves and bright red berries that glow like scattered embers in winter.

currently: 4 weeks. 

Last night was a sleepless night.

You barely slept that night, tossing from one side to the other as your mind raced with everything that had happened. Every time you closed your eyes and tried to sleep, the words replayed themselves—his voice, steady and serious, telling you that you needed to talk tomorrow.

Even worst, your own body whispering a truth you couldn’t keep ignoring. 

The room felt too warm, then too cold, the blankets too heavy one minute and too light the next. Even your own skin felt wrong, too sensitive and restless, like you couldn’t settle into your own body no matter how many times you shifted. You kept staring at the ceiling like it held answers you weren’t ready to face.

Every small sound made your mind race. 

The distant hum of the city, the rustle of your sheets, even your own breathing felt loud, uneven. You kept replaying Todoroki’s expression in your mind, the quiet intensity in his eyes when he said he will come and see you tomorrow. It should have comforted you, but instead it twisted something in your chest—because you didn’t even know how to understand it yourself.

And beneath all that, beneath the fear and confusion swirling in you, there was the single fact you couldn’t escape: there was a life growing inside you. 

Your baby.

That thought alone had your breath catching every time it drifted back in. It simply didn’t feel real. It didn’t feel possible. Your hand kept drifting to your stomach without you even meaning to, fingertips brushing the place where nothing felt different yet, even though everything was going to be different now on. 

It left you shaky.

overwhelmed.

terrified in a way you didn’t have words for.

While you were awake, you spent the time in your period-tracking calendar, your eyes scanning the little colored dots and notes you’d made over the last few months. For a moment you just stared, your brain refusing to connect the pieces. 

But then the dates aligned, sharp and undeniable, and that flutter of panic stirred right back up in your chest. You counted again, just to be sure, even though part of you already knew exactly what the answer would be.

You did the math quickly in your head—

Early November, that night with him still burned clearly into your memory, and now the calendar sitting solidly in the beginning of December. It had been a little over one month of meeting Todoroki and being late on your period.

34 days since meeting.

2 weeks late.

The number felt heavy as it settled on your lungs, yet it brought a strange clarity—one month wasn’t long, but it was enough to change everything. And when Google told you it was still just a forming sac, not a baby yet, a small wash of relief cut through the fear twisting in your stomach.

“thank goodness.” You’d close your eyes and whisper, your phone falling to your lips as a shaky breath leaves you.

You didn’t think you could have handled seeing something more fully formed—not with your heart already beating too fast and your mind running a mile a minute. The idea of it still being so early, so small, so… unreal, gave you just enough space to breathe.

The only problem so far; is your food aversion.

You remembered reading that morning sickness doesn’t always hit hard early on, that it can be rare at this stage… but also that some people get it worse than others. That meant that you were going to have a hard pregnancy most likely. That thought alone made your stomach turn again, not from emotion but from the very real nausea that liked to remind you it existed.

By the time morning light bled through your curtains, you felt hollow and heavy all at once. You hadn’t slept more than a handful of minutes in scattered bursts. Your body felt tired, and your mind refused to quiet. 

Reality didn’t just hit you—it settled over you, slow and suffocating, the beginning of something you weren’t sure you were ready for but couldn’t turn away from anymore.

It was scary.

You returned to work in the morning bundled in your puffer jacket and scarf, the winter air biting at your cheeks until they stung. Still, you wore the same cherry-bright smile as you stepped into the classroom, greeting your students with your usual warmth.

”Goodmorning, kids.” You’d blow out into your hands to warm them up, looking at the kids who stood at their desk and waited for you as the bell rang loudly.

“Goodmorning, yn sensei!”

Waving a hand to dismiss the students who politely waited for you to warm up, you began to unwrap yourself from the layers of winter, hanging your jacket and scarf on the hook. A small shiver still lingered in your spine, refusing to leave just yet.

You rubbed your hands together, feeling the sting in your reddened cheeks and the tip of your nose still icy from the walk in. With a grin spreading across your face, you asked, “Are you ready for today’s lesson?”

”It’s math today, so focus up!”

The familiar rhythm of teaching wrapped around you like a soft blanket, giving you a small sense of relief you hadn’t felt since the night your world shifted. But even with the comfort of your routine, it was obvious your mind wasn’t fully there. 

“Sensei, you did the problem wrong!”

You were mid-writing on the chalkboard when a student gently pointed out your mistake. You paused, confusion flickering across your face as you looked back at them, then turned to the board again. Rereading the equation over your breath, you flinched in surprise, and you realized they were right.

You wrote that a reaction released 2.5 kJ of energy per gram, and for 60 grams you calculated the total as 150 kJ. A student pointed out it should’ve been 150, but you had written 15 kJ instead—forgetting the zero completely. You stared at the board, realizing the tiny missing digit made the reaction look ten times weaker than it actually was.

“Oh—!” 

you gasped, quickly wiping the board with your forearm as you giggled. looking at them with a cocky smirk as they laughed back with you, “I’m so glad you caught that! See? Aren’t you glad I’m here to teach you how to catch my mistakes?”

Your mistakes didn’t stop there.

As the day proceeded to go on, you kept stumbling over your own words, stuttering in places you never usually did. Your thoughts drifted too easily, slipping away from the lesson in front of you and wandering back to everything you were trying so hard not to think about. 

A few students exchanged glances, confused but amused, clearly noticing their usually cheerful teacher had been replaced by someone a little scatterbrained. When you opened the textbook to the wrong subject for the third time, the room burst into soft giggles—and you couldn’t help but laugh along with them. 

You leaned down with your head in your hands comedically, and you feel your shoulders shaking from the disbelieving laughter. You looked at them apologetically, “I’m sorry guys, I don’t know what’s gotten into me today…”

A student shot their hand up, ignoring the usual rule about speaking out of turn, eyes bright with excitement over something completely unrelated to the lesson. They asked, “Do you want to talk about it, sensei?” 

“Nice try, but we’ve got lessons to get through before finals arrive and we’re already as far behind as we can be,” you said, glancing at them pointedly. You added dismissively, “And besides….”

”it’s nothing. I’m just tired.”

You brushed it off with causally, pretending it was nothing more than a tired morning. Your smile stayed bright as students groaned, but underneath, your heart thudded with everything you were keeping tucked away, doing your best to hold yourself steady in front of the kids who looked to you for calm.

“Class dismissed!”

The end of the day had finally come, leaving your body feeling heavier than ever, as if every step you had taken had been storing itself in your bones. For a moment, you let the ache settle, your head resting limply on the your desk in the teachers lounge, letting the quiet press in around you.

You found your eyes staring blankly ahead at nothing, unseeing yet still absorbing the muted hum of the emptying school around you. Your brain throbbed, exhausted from the endless stream of mistakes and missteps, each one replaying itself in a quiet, accusing loop behind your eyelids.

But then a thought nudged its way forward, sharp against the fog of fatigue, and you sat up straighter, hand coming to rest under your chin almost unconsciously. A small, questioning crease formed between your brows as you stared ahead.

Where was Todoroki Shouto?

He had said he would meet you again today to talk more. The memory was a small, warm ember in the gray haze of your exhaustion, but as your mind sifted through the hours, the ember flickered uncertainly.

Time had slipped away faster than you realized, and now the school building was nearly empty, the corridors quiet except for the occasional closing of a locker or distant footstep as everyone gathered outside to talk with their peers or go to afterschool work studies together. 

He hadn’t come. 

Not yet. 

Not at all. 

Your heart sank into your stomach as the realization pressed down, heavy and unyielding, and a cold knot settled into your chest. The ember of hope dimmed against the weight of disappointment, leaving a hollow ache that whispered you had been waiting for someone who might not show at all.

“Maybe… he’s busy?”

You tried to convince yourself, shaking your head slowly, reminding yourself that he was, after all, a pro hero—a pretty accomplished one at that. His hours were long, his schedule unpredictable, and maybe this was just the way things had to be. Even as the hollow ache lingered, you told yourself it wasn’t personal; it was just the life he led.

“Let’s go home yn…”

You were slowly packing up your things, humming softly to yourself as your mind wandered on what to do when you get home, when a sharp scoff made you pause. 

Looking up, your eyes met a teacher standing just beside you with her things placed neatly in her bag, one eyebrow raised and a smirk tugging at the corner of their mouth. Their expression was tinged with annoyance, and you didn’t quite know why.

“Oh- hello, manami sensei,” you said, your voice light and bubbly, a soft grin plastered on your face even as your stomach fluttered nervously.

”is something wrong?”

The teacher crossed their arms, glancing down at you with a sharp, assessing look. You hesitated, pausing your packing, and tilted your head slightly as a few strands of hair fell from your shoulder, brushing against your cheek.

Manami intimidated you more than you cared to admit, her air of superiority pressing down in a way that made your chest tighten. She was only slightly older than you, just a year or so more experienced, having joined around the same time as Midoriya, you’d learned—but somehow, she carried herself like she’d been here a decade.

“I walk past your classroom all the time,” she said, tilting her head with a smirk that screamed self-satisfaction, eyes glinting like she couldn’t believe someone like you had made it this far, her voice low but sharp with a cutting edge.

From the very first day, she’d never been polite, peppering your lessons with snide remarks and quiet criticisms that cut just enough to sting, always comparing your teaching style to hers in subtle, unkind ways. Being fellow science teachers made it worse; every day felt like a silent contest you hadn’t signed up for, one you were constantly losing in her eyes.

“And all I ever hear is talking, laughing, noise… never actual learning.” She clicks her tongue and shakes her head at you,  “How you even got a position here at Yuuei, a school this hard to get into, is beyond me.” 

“Unless you have connections I don’t know about?”

You felt your smile waver as she looked at you, amusement and accusation flickering in her eyes. Your cheeks flushed as you bit back words that threatened to slip, trying to hold yourself together. Then, with a huff, you narrowed your eyes at her, refusing to let her see how much her words had gotten under your skin.

”nope!”

It was purely coincidental—you’d gotten there by chance in hopes to follow Midoriya Izuku, not through connections—but there was no way to explain that in a moment like this. You hadn’t expected to be accepted, either, but that didn’t make you any less capable than anyone else

“But… I’m so sorry you feel that way, manami sensei…”

You exaggerated your gasp and feigned innocence, hands clasped lightly in front of you as you forced a polite smile. You agreed with her laughing, “Yeah, I know my kids don’t always listen, but they love to laugh, and I think that’s because they enjoy being in my class.”

”I really do try hard to do my best!”

 The teacher rolled her eyes, ”try hard, huh?”

Manami’s smirk faltered as she realized she wasn’t going to get anywhere with you—no matter what she said, you remained cheery and bright, completely unfazed by her attempt to rattle you. She let out a quiet huff, shaking her head slightly before turning on her heel and walking away.

she scoffed at you, “Well, good luck keeping up, then. I hope it’s enough… though I doubt it.” 

With harsh mutter, she left you be and slammed the teachers lounge door closed, leaving you blinking after them. Your grin faltered for just a moment, a pang of annoyance slipping through, and you did the only reasonable thing anyone would do.

you flipped her off behind her back.

“Seriously,” you grumbled beneath your breath, hastily packing your things. A scowl crept onto your face as you whispered, “What the hell is her problem with me? All I do is teach first-year science.”

You slipped your arms back into your winter coat, zipping it up hastily, still muttering under your breath as anger lingered like a weight on your shoulders. Your steps echoed through the quiet halls. 

“God she’s so- annoying!”

Reaching the entrance, you paused, closing your eyes as you took a deep breath, trying to calm yourself. A couple of deep breaths in- you only opened your eyes when a stray snowflake brushed against the tip of your nose, making you flinch and shiver as you saw that it was slowly dusting outside.

“Have a good night, yn sensei!”

The soft crunch of snow underfoot and the crisp winter air seemed to wash some of your irritation away. Even more when a familiar silver-haired second-year student passed by, calling cheerful goodbyes and waving, which you returned back with a warm smile.

“Bye Eri-chan!”

Eri grinned at you, and you exhaled, watching your breath form tiny clouds of frost as you rubbed your hands together for warmth. Your eyes drifted over the white coating the branches and the way snowflakes floated lazily through the air. Despite the lingering cold, your chest felt lighter, a quiet sense of calm threading through the winter afternoon.

“Wait.”

But as your eyes swept the courtyard one last time, your smile faltered. At the far end, near the school gates, a figure stood just out of reach, causing a flicker of suspicion to crawl up your spine. You paused mid-step, curiosity prickling alongside caution, trying to make sense of the unexpected presence lingering in the cold winter light.

A toothy grin found its way to your face.

No matter how suspicious he looked in sunglasses when it’s cloudy and a loose black hoodie as he waited, you knew that muscular body structure, along with the poorly hidden flash of red hair from his forehead, giving him away immediately. A small flutter tickled your chest, your heart betraying your calm as recognition settled in.

He sees you too.

His gaze found yours the moment he finished scanning the courtyard, and you noticed the faint curve of his lips as he straightened up, his presence calm. The sight of him made your chest tighten in a way that left your earlier frustrations with Manami lingering just beneath the surface, turning quickly into a sudden, irresistible urge to be near him.

Without overthinking it, you picked up your pace, the snow crunching under your hurried steps as adrenaline carried you forward. The earlier exhaustion and irritation melted away, replaced by the sharp thrill of anticipation as your eyes stayed locked on him, refusing to blink.

“Shouto!”

When you reached him, his eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by your sudden movement, but the surprise quickly softened into something warmer as you grabbed his hands, your excitement spilling over. The flutter in your chest mirrored the quickening of your pulse, and for a moment, nothing else in the world mattered except the connection between the two of you, fragile and electric in the crisp winter air.

“you came!” 

“I’ve been waiting for you,” he chuckled at your reaction, his eyes softening as he noticed the tension in your shoulders ease. Being around him, even for a moment, seemed to warm the chill from your bones, melting the last traces of the day’s frustrations away.

“You shouldn’t be running on snow though,” Todoroki warned in worry. He leaned down, pushing a stray lock of hair from your forehead with a slight frown, “you could slip.”

 He glanced at you again, noticing that you weren’t really listening to him—your lips parted slightly, eyes bright with excitement just at being near him. With a small sigh, he abandoned whatever scolding he had planned, letting it go as he simply watched you, the warmth of your presence softening his worry.

“Were you waiting long?” you asked, bouncing lightly on your toes to keep warm, “You’re not cold, are you?”

”me?”

Todoroki blinked in surprise as you returned his concerned gaze. He hadn’t expected it—rarely had anyone asked about his well-being, not even when he was a kid, and certainly not now as an adult. A small chuckle escaped him, soft and quiet, at just how kind and genuine you were.

“I’m fine,” he peeks from behind his sunglasses, revealing his striking heterochromatic eyes. He narrows them slightly, giving you a once-over as if slipping into his stern hero mode. 

“Though… are you alright?” he asks, the concern in his tone barely hidden beneath the composed exterior.

“You’re out of breath from running… or maybe you just have weak stamina,” Todoroki remarked, his hand rising thoughtfully to his chin as he studied you. His gaze sharp and curious, “Do you normally not exercise much?”

You felt a bead of sweat form at your temple, unsure how to properly answer him. Sure, you didn’t normally exercise much, but you hadn’t realized it was that obvious. Then again, he had been a hero for over nine years—maybe to his eyes, it truly was obvious.

You nervously laughed and slapped his arm a little harsher than intended, “why are you asking me that all of a sudden?”

He tucked his hands into his pockets and frowned at you, and you stiffened instinctively. Your head tilted slightly, curiosity mixed with concern, as you wondered why he seemed so on edge, as if every small movement you made could set him off.

“You need to take care of yourself,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind. He continued, “It would be good if you could refrain from running like this from now on, especially in icy weather.”

“I’m sorry?”

You felt your cheeks heat up, words failing you entirely as you struggled to respond to his unexpected concern. Flustered, you could only manage a small, shy smile, your mind spinning from the sudden intensity of the moment.

He looked at you, the hood of his jacket falling back to reveal his iconic half-and-half hair, and you noticed him tucking his glasses into his pocket with effortless ease. Around you, students began to steal glances, their heads whipping toward the school gates as they realized who was standing there.

”It’s Todoroki Shouto!” 

You heard whispers of amazement as they passed you. It wasn’t very secrete how as many walked by, they spoke about how Todoroki Shouto, a pro hero, would casually stand and talk with a seemingly ordinary teacher like you.

“What is he doing here?”

For a long moment, the world around you seemed to disappear. 

The excited chatter and snapping cameras of fans faded into nothing, as if the two of you existed in a bubble separate from the rest of the courtyard. Snowflakes swirled lazily in the cold air, settling into your hair and frosting your lashes, your noses and cheeks reddened from the winter chill, and yet none of it seemed to matter as your eyes stayed locked on him.

“Todoroki Shouto! I’m a huge fan!”

It wasn’t until a particularly loud cheer snapped you back that your heart jumped, cheeks burning in embarrassment. Instinctively, you reached out and grabbed his hand, only for him to gently flip it so that it rested in his instead, warm and steady, his fingers curling around yours in a comforting squeeze. 

The warmth spread through you, quieting your embarrassment as the cold air bit at your face, and for a brief, perfect moment, nothing else existed but the two of you standing there in the snow. The flakes clung to him like tiny crystals, sparkling in the winter light as if glitter had been scattered across his shoulders and hair.

“Shouto,” you whispered to him urgently and plea in your eyes, “let’s talk somewhere else, there’s too many eyes…”

Todoroki softly laughed at how nervous you seemed, a low warm sound, and gave his head a quick shake to scatter the frost collecting in his hair. When he looked back at you—confident, clear-eyed, and utterly direct—your breath caught in your throat before you could stop it.

”to be honest…”

“I don’t think I’ll have any other time to meet with you since I’m a busy man,” he said, almost amused, the faintest lift tugging at the corner of his mouth. His warm breath puffed out in a pale cloud between you, “it was hard enough for me to try and find time to come today…”

His voice dipped with a teasing edge, the kind that made your stomach flutter. He straightened only a fraction, eyes softening beneath that cool exterior, his smile turning into something quieter—something more sincere. You could tell he meant every word, that getting here wasn’t easy for him, yet he still made the effort…

for you.

“So,” he murmured, breath warm in the cold air, “I hope you understand how important this is for me.”

You could feel him absent-mindedly fiddling with your fingers, turning your hand this way and that as if committing every detail to memory, his touch gentle and unhurried. The soft brush of his thumb along your knuckles made your breath hitch, yet you still couldn’t force a single word out—too speechless, too flustered, too overwhelmed by the serene, almost unreal intimacy of the moment as snow drifted quietly around the two of you.

“I’ll keep this short and direct, Y/N.”

When his lips touched the back of your hand—soft, warm, and impossibly gentle—your breath caught sharply in your throat. A ripple of shock spread through the students around you; a few even gasped aloud. 

He didn’t break eye contact for even a second as he kissed your hand, his movements unhurried and deliberate. You could only watch, frozen in place, as his breath brushed warm against your chilled fingers. The world around you seemed to hush itself in anticipation, the steady drift of snowflakes softening the moment like a scene pulled from a dream.

You could see mouths fall open, see heads leaning in, eyes widening, but you barely registered any of it. All you could feel was the warm lingering press of his kiss and the way his gaze stayed anchored to yours, unwavering, as if the whole world had narrowed to just the two of you.

Snow kept falling in slow, delicate patterns, catching in his hair and lashes, making the moment look surreal—too pretty, too perfect to be real. Your heart hammered helplessly, your lungs forgetting how to work, while he still held your hand as though it belonged in his.

Even with the cold swirling around you, heat rushed up your neck and into your cheeks, and for a breathless instant, the entire courtyard seemed to dissolve into silence, captured in the glittering snowfall.

”let’s get married.”

”what?”

a/n

suprise! Hehe.. this chaother actually made me so happy I love it so much it’s so cute!! I know it’s moving fast but dw… i love it. He’s commited to be with yn and he wants them so bad. I don’t even care if he’s out of character he’s simply too cute I flipping love it

Chapter Text

flower of the day: cyclamens (cyclamen)

Cyclamens are delicate woodland flowers that lift their swept-back petals like small dancing flames above marbled heart-shaped leaves.

currently: 4 weeks. 

Besides the cafe music, it was pretty quiet.

After the rush of gasps and stunned silence that followed his proposal, the world felt too bright, too loud, too unreal. Before you could even process what he’d done to you—what he’d said so boldly in front of everyone at Yuuei—you had grabbed his hand and practically hauled him toward the nearest building.

It wasn’t until the bell above the café door chimed softly that the world finally exhaled with you.

Inside, warmth wrapped around you like a blanket, rich with the scent of roasted beans and sugar. Now seated in a small booth, your pulse still refusing to calm, you gaped at him with wide eyes as he stared with absolute concentration at the menu—as if deciding between a coffee or hot chocolate was the real life-changing moment of the day.

You were still clutching his hand tightly, breath unsteady, as if letting go would make the moment dissolve. Music threaded in soft hums, lights glowed golden against the windows, but all you could hear was the echo of his voice asking you to marry him.

“Hmmm…”

His brows knit in that soft, thoughtful way he always did, completely unaware of the chaotic storm he had set off in your chest. And while the world outside continued on as if nothing had happened, you remained frozen, unable to look away from the man who had just asked you to share forever with him—

so calm.

so earnest.

so breathtakingly unaware of the meaning of his words.

“excuse me, can we order?”

You sat there wordlessly, still working to steady your breathing, watching him with quiet wonder. As if nothing had happened, he moved through his day with effortless ease. His free hand lifted in a familiar, easy wave toward an older waitress, greeting her with a warmth that spoke of countless visits and unspoken familiarity.

“Can I just have a black coffee?” Todoroki asked, placing down the menu sheet with that quiet, composed control he always carried. He added quickly, “keep it plain, no sweetener.”

The old waitress lit up immediately, her face warming with recognition. She nodded her head and wrote down his order with pleasure, “Of course, Shouto-chan. It’s been far too long since you’ve come around here with your friends.”

“Yeah,” He gave a faint, almost imperceptible nod, lips pressed in a neutral line, “it has been some time.”

His voice was soft but sure as he spoke to the waitress, though your mind remained still spinning too fast to catch all the details as he reminisced with her. All you could do was blink, feeling the world settle around you in slow, surreal pieces while he interacted so naturally—as if he hadn’t just proposed to you in front of the entire school.

“And for her…”

When he finally turned his attention back to you, his expression melted into something patient and impossibly gentle. His eyes didn’t pry or press—they simply rested on you, steady and calm, holding the quiet as though it were something fragile and meant only for you, giving you all the space in the world to gather yourself.

And somehow, that soft, unspoken kindness made your heart lurch even harder.

He looked at you as if he could feel every flutter of your overwhelm. It was as though he would cradle this silence for as long as you needed, grounding you without a single touch or word. Only the warmth of his presence wrapped around you, soft and steady, like light.

He gave your hand a light squeeze, the corners of his mouth curving upward as he smiled politely at the waitress. With his free hand, he passed the menu back to her, still keeping his fingers loosely tangled with yours like it was second nature.

“She’ll take the hot chocolate, thank you.”

The waitress returned his smile before turning to you with a gentle, reassuring glance. You managed a small, hesitant smile in return, lips tightly pressed together, the words caught somewhere in your chest. She lingered for a moment, her expression soft and knowing, as if silently wishing you a bit of courage.

She tapped the booth table gently, a small sparkle in her eyes before leaving, “It’ll be right out.”

Your gaze drifted down to your hands as he idly played with your fingers, his touch slow and thoughtful. He leaned back into the booth without saying a word, eyes distant in that soft, quiet way that made it seem like he was thinking of something only he could see—yet still keeping you tethered to him with the faint brush of his thumb against your knuckle.

“Can you…” you finally spoke, your voice cracking and dry as it slipped out, fragile against the quiet.

Todoroki looked surprised to hear you speak, then offered a small, encouraging nod, silently urging you to continue. You licked your lips nervously and gazed down at the hand you still held together, fingers entwined, drawing courage from his steady presence as you tried to find the words.

“Can you, um- let go of my hand?”

Todoroki’s gaze followed you as you whispered, his eyebrows drawing together in surprise. A flicker of guilt crossed his features, assuming you were uncomfortable with the closeness he offered—especially after witnessing the storm of emotions that had left you so overwhelmed and overstimulated today.

“Ah—” he blinked in realization, voice deepened, “my apologies, yn.”

Todoroki hurriedly complied with your request and released his hand from yours, though a faint eyebrow lifted in amusement when he saw you still desperately clutching his. You just sat there, dazed, eyes fixed on the hands that had only just parted, as if they were still mutually intertwined.

“Yn?” he chuckled, bringing his free hand up to his face, and you looked up at him, confused. Then, through his quiet laughter, he added, “I’ve let go?”

You jumped slightly in surprise when you realized he was right—he had indeed let go of your hand. The truth sank in quietly: it wasn’t him holding on, it was you. Your fingers had lingered, gripping not just him, but the small comfort his warmth offered, a lifeline amid the swirl of fear pressing on your chest.

“I’m so sorry!” you exclaimed, flinching and letting go, cheeks flushed red. He laughed softly over his shoulder as you gasped behind your hands, “I didn’t realize…”

Your hands had gripped him instinctively, seeking solace in his presence, out of need, out of the lingering weight of all the stress pressing heavily on your heart. And even in that small, unintentional cling, you couldn’t deny how comforting it had been—how much you had savored the warmth of him standing there beside you.

“It’s okay,” he offered quiet reassurance, “I don’t mind it.”

You turned away shyly, avoiding his gaze. Letting your hair tumble from your shoulders like a curtain, shielding your face, you forced out a small, “Thanks…”

After that small revelation, the two of you sank back into silence, letting the world settle around you. You both watched the café in soft observation—neither daring to meet the other’s eyes, content to exist side by side in the quiet intimacy of a moment unspoken.

No one could have guessed how long the two of you stayed like that—wrapped in a silence neither of you dared to break. You sat together, side by side, each drifting through your own quiet thoughts, yet somehow anchored to one another by the simple, wordless presence you shared.

“Here you go, sweethearts.”

The waitress set your drinks down with a soft clink — his dark, steaming coffee and your hot chocolate with a faint swirl of foam on top. For a moment, the simple warmth from the drinks felt comforting, enough that you almost forgot the whirlwind your head had been in since leaving the school gates.

Almost.

Todoroki eased his hand from his pockets, curling his fingers around the coffee mug and drawing in its bitter taste as if grounding himself. The last of the snow had melted in his hair, leaving faint shimmering droplets tracing down his temple and along the curve of his cheek, catching the light like tiny crystals.

Your hands hurriedly wrapped around your own cup, warmth seeping into your fingers as you beamed excitedly, almost to yourself, “Looks so good…!”

Steam drifted between you in soft, delicate curls as he lifted his gaze, stealing a sideways glance your way. A faint smile tugged at his lips when he caught you grinning down at your hot chocolate, fingers curled around the cup as you took a small, delighted sip—as if the simple sweetness of it had lit you up from the inside.

You heard him laugh at you.

You glanced over at him again—and froze when you noticed the subtle shake of his shoulders, the faint, rosy flush blooming across his cheeks as he looked anywhere but at you. The realization hit you like a spark, and heat rushed up your own neck, leaving you flustered as you shrank a little in your seat.

He seemed to notice your discomposure, leaning in—just a little—closing the space between you with a quiet, breath-stealing closeness that made your embarrassment swirl into something warm and fluttery. The faint scent of his coffee and winter air wrapped around you, making the moment feel suspended, delicate, and wholly yours.

He reached out before you could react, his thumb brushing softly across your lips as a quiet laugh slipped from him, eyes warm with amusement while he wiped away the smear of chocolate. The touch lingered a heartbeat longer than necessary, leaving a tiny spark of intimacy that made your heart skip a beat.

Then he leaned away, smile lingering, “You have a milk mustache.”

He shook his head as you hurriedly turned away, wiping at your mouth with a napkin, even though he had already brushed it clean. From the corner of your eye, you caught him reaching for his own cup, patiently waiting for you to meet his gaze properly.

You grumbled under your breath and ran a hand through your hair. He smiled, though a new, darker glint had appeared in his eyes, as he raised his cup to his lips when you turned back to him with a frown. For a moment, the air between you felt charged, every unspoken thought hanging heavy.

He took a small sip, let out a slow breath, and then, without warning, asked you, “So?”

Just that.

One small word, but it made your stomach twist as if the warmth from your glass suddenly wasn’t enough.

Your throat tightened as the weight of the silence settled in, and you realized it was finally time to speak. Time to talk—to him. Todoroki had been comforting you all this time, yes, but now the air around him felt heavy, pressing insistently against the edges of your thoughts, urging you forward.

You reminded yourself that he had indeed given you all of last night to think, all the time to choose your words carefully. Yet the moment it felt urgent,  your thoughts scattered, and you observed how anxious he looked beneath his composed exterior, tapping lightly on his arm.

“W-well…”

Who knew how long you would have this rare, fleeting moment together, just the two of you, before work pulled him away again?

The thought made the conversation feel fragile, precious, and entirely necessary—but speaking the truth felt harder than it should, especially as you forced a mask of innocence over your fluttering nerves.

“So… what?” you questioned him weakly, even though you already knew what he referred to. It was a terrible lie, and the tremble in your voice made it worse.

Todoroki didn’t buy it for even half a second.

He leaned his head down with a soft sigh of defeat, angling his body toward you and draping an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into a loose, gentle hug that seemed to cage you in with nothing but warmth and quiet, patient calm.

“Don’t lie to me,” he said softly — not scolding, but certain. His gaze stayed fixed on you, steady beneath the soft café lights. He poked at you, “You’re a terrible liar, you know.”

Your lips twitched, caught in a secret you weren’t ready to speak. You stared down at your hot chocolate, watching the surface ripple softly under your unsteady hands. Todoroki exhaled quietly, then traced a slow, gentle tap on the table with one finger, as if marking the silence between you.

“What about my proposal?” he asked, voice gentle but direct.

Your heart lurched.

You fumbled for words that wouldn’t come. Biting your lip, you looked up at him apologetically through your lashes, and he met your gaze with unwavering reassurance, as if your silence posed no problem at all.

“It’s… my baby,” you blurted out, your panic spilling out in the wrong way. You sank a little lower, feeling him tense, and stole a glance at him from the corner of your eye.

“…Not yours.”

Todoroki blinked once. Then twice. Slowly. He stared at you as if you had just spoken something utterly impossible. His arm stayed draped over your shoulders, and with his other hand, he gently tilted your face toward his, holding you there with quiet, unshakable calm.

“…Seriously?” he asked, incredulous. Again, “you won’t admit to it?”

Heat crawled up your neck, warm and suffocating. You found yourself grasping for every excuse you could think of, afraid to speak the truth, unsure how to even begin talking about the whole… situation.

A baby was one thing.

A loveless marriage was another.

first, the thought of having a baby with a complete stranger gripped your chest with icy fear.

You imagined the whispers, the sideways glances, the judgments society would cast upon you, the assumptions people would make without knowing a thing. The world seemed suddenly vast and hostile, and you felt small beneath its weight.

How could anyone understand the storm of worry swirling inside you, the uncertainty of what your life would become with a life growing inside you that you hadn’t planned for?

second, it wasn’t just the eyes of the world that frightened you—it was the thought of a loveless marriage, a life spent trapped in an empty partnership just for appearances.

You had grown up watching your parents fracture under the weight of resentment and unspoken anger, seeing the love that should have held a family together crumble into bitter silence. The memory of those nights, when the house felt hollow and hope seemed impossible, still lingered, and the idea of repeating it for your child made your heart ache.

Your hand went instinctively to your stomach, cupping the small life within you as if you could shield it from the world’s harshness.

The weight of responsibility pressed against your chest, heavy but necessary. Even if it meant walking a lonely path, even if it meant standing alone against judgment and fear, you knew you would protect this child from the heartbreak you had endured.

Every instinct in you screamed that this little life deserved something different—something safe, something full of love, something you had wished for but never had.

”I-I’m sorry…”

The fear was raw, twisting inside you, but so was a stubborn, quiet determination. You could endure solitude, endure whispers and disbelief, endure the uncertain road ahead if it meant your baby would not have to taste the bitterness of a broken home.

It was a strange sort of courage, one born from pain but shining in quiet strength—a promise you made to yourself and to the child you carried, that no matter what, they would know love, even if you had to give it alone.

“I-I mean— I just— the baby is my responsibility,” you stammered, immediately regretting every syllable. “You’re busy, and you’re a hero with insane hours, and I don’t want to drag you into something you didn’t—”

“That is half my responsibility,” he interrupted, voice firmer but still unbearably gentle. He pursed his lips with slight disappointment, “You know that.”

Your breath caught in your throat. You stared down at the table, teeth gently pressing into your lower lip, palms slick against the warmth of your skin, and you felt yourself rubbing at the sweat on your legs, grounding yourself in its steady heat.

Todoroki pursed his lips, bringing his face into your line of sight as you kept your gaze lowered, his voice quieting so only you could hear over the clatter of dishes and the café’s soft music. The desperate ache in his tone stirred something deep within you, making your lips tremble.

“Why would you even say something like that?” he murmured, his tone tender, edged with a quiet sadness. Then, as if to steady both of you, he added softly, “I’m not leaving you alone in this. Ever.”

You swallowed hard.

“I wasn’t trying to push you away,” you murmured, taking a small, guilty step back from your resolve. A shaky sigh escaped you, and you sniffled softly, confessing, “I’m just… scared. I’m overwhelmed, Shouto. Everything is happening so fast, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to decide yet.”

”I just… I need time.”

Todoroki’s expression softened instantly, the tension in his shoulders easing. He brought both of your hands into his own, holding them gently, letting their warmth seep into yours. His thumbs traced slow, deliberate patterns over your skin, smoothing away the tension in your fingers, while his gaze lingered on yours—soft, steady, and silently letting you know you were safe and not alone.

“I’m not asking you to decide today,” he murmured. His eyes deepened, something tender and steady flickering there. He reassured you, “I just needed you to understand that I want to be in your life and take the responsibility as the baby’s father.”

“I take responsibility for my choices,” he said, his voice firm and unwavering. Meeting your gaze, he confirmed once more, “Always.”

His fingers brushed yours again, soft and deliberate, as if grounding you through the simple touch. Slowly, he lifted your hands to his face, pressing his cheek gently against your palms. Your fingers traced the edges of his scar with tender curiosity, lingering there as he held you close, letting the delicate gesture speak louder than words.

“And choosing you,” he said, voice barely above a whisper, “is something I don’t regret. Not for a second. Not ever.”

Your breath caught sharply. His eyes were clear and unwavering, locked onto yours with a direct, unflinching gaze. There were no jokes, no pretense—only the pure seriousness and steadfast dedication he held for you. The weight of it made your heart feel warmer than the faint remnants of hot chocolate still lingering on your tongue.

“I’ll wait,” he stated, steady and patient, “However long you need. I’m not going anywhere.”

The café hummed softly around you, warm and peaceful—but all you could feel was the steady presence of him beside you, unwavering and achingly close. In that quiet, you felt a small, tentative peace settle over you, as if the world had narrowed down to just this moment.

”thank you, Shouto.”

You both lifted your drinks, the warmth of the mugs grounding you in the quiet hum of the café. Each sip was slow, deliberate, giving you a moment to breathe, to steady your racing thoughts. The heat seeped into your hands and spread through your chest, wrapping you in a cozy warmth that made your smile feel blissful.

The words he had spoken lingered in your mind, echoing softly, wrapping around your heart like a fragile promise. You let them settle, letting the comfort of his presence mingle with the taste of coffee and chocolate, a quiet reminder that you weren’t alone.

He didn’t rush you, didn’t press for a response.

He simply let you exist beside him, letting the silence stretch comfortably, like a gentle tide lapping at your edges. Each moment spent in that stillness gave you space to process, to consider the possibility of trust, to feel that maybe it was okay to let someone in—even just a little.

As you sipped your drink again, a tentative calm began to thread through your chest. Maybe it wouldn’t all be overwhelming. Maybe, for this small window of time, you could let him in, let his warmth and steady presence reach a corner of your heart.

And for the first time in a long while, the idea didn’t frighten you—it felt quietly possible.

You had a lingering question on the tip of your tongue—an invitation you wanted to extend, something small yet meaningful involving the baby—but it never escaped as you waited for the right timing. Instead, you swallowed it down with the last faint sip clinging to your cup, letting the moment pass as you kept your gaze lowered.

The mugs were finally empty, leaving only the lingering warmth of their contents—and of the quiet intimacy you had shared.

Slowly, you rose, shoulders brushing lightly as you stepped toward the door, the world outside waiting with its crisp, cold air. The chill hit you the moment you stepped out, but it didn’t feel harsh—his steady presence beside you made it almost bearable, grounding you as you walked back into the wintry streets together.

You felt yourself shiver from the cold and instinctively burrowed deeper into your scarf, though it did little to help. Todoroki let out a low, amused chuckle as his eyes landed on the way you’d haphazardly wrapped it, and without a word, he stepped closer to fix it himself.

His fingers worked with quiet focus, straightening and looping the fabric with an ease that made your heart thud a little harder. And as he leaned in—close enough that you could feel his breath brush the air between you—you realized this might be the perfect moment to finally ask.

”hey- Shouto-“

A phone call interrupted you.

Todoroki reached for his phone just as he finished adjusting the scarf around your neck, making sure you were warm. He paused, eyes flicking to the screen, then offered you an apologetic glance, raising a finger as a quiet signal for patience.

”sorry,” he frowned, “I have to take this call.”

“No—no,” you shook your head quickly, tucking your face a little deeper into the scarf wrapped around you. A small, understanding grin tugged at your lips as you spoke softly, “You’re a hero… I already know you’re a busy guy.”

Todoroki let out a short, curt laugh as you repeated his earlier words back to him, shaking his head in mild exasperation. The sound was soft, almost airy, and it made you smile despite yourself, caught in the small, fleeting warmth of the moment. For a heartbeat, the world felt lighter—like the weight of everything had eased just a little between the shared breath and your exchanged glances.

“Shouto speaking. Give me your report.”

Then, almost imperceptibly, he straightened, and his expression shifted. His face went blank, composed, and his voice dropped lower—each word precise, clipped, carrying the cool, controlled authority of a man slipping cleanly into work mode like a second skin.

“That’s not something I can fit in,” he said, frowning deeply as he rubbed his furrowed brows.

“My time is extremely limited.”

You watched, half in awe, half in nervous admiration, as the once familiar softness in him transformed into a quiet, commanding presence. You averted your gaze to the Christmas decorations ahead, the twinkling lights and festive ornaments grounding you as you tried not to let the slight intimidation of his tone unnerve you.

suddenly, you felt dejected.

You felt yourself sinking, the sting of his words about being busy replaying in your mind again and again. You let your gaze fall to the ground, absentmindedly tracing circles in the snow with the tip of your shoe. Each small movement to keep you steady while the cold air pressed around you and silence filled the space he’d stepped out of.

All the while, Todoroki’s voice murmured steadily through the phone, low and composed. You didn’t listen to the words, not really—you only watched him.

The way he stood so still despite the irritation tightening his shoulders. The way he gestured faintly with his free hand, even though no one on the other end could see. The way he handled frustration with a strange calm that made you wonder just how much pressure his job put on him every day.

And even as the cold nipped at your fingers and your stomach twisted with guilt, you couldn’t help studying him— wonder about the weight he carried every day. How exhausting it must be to balance the demands of work, hero duties, and the expectations placed on him.

yet he still made time for you.

Watching him, so composed yet quietly tense, made your own troubles feel smaller—and at the same time, filled you with a quiet awe for the person who could carry it all so steadily. Even in the cold, with snow settling around your feet and uncertainty weighing on your chest, that simple realization warmed you more than you expected.

“Sorry,”

Todoroki walked up to you, controlling the roll of his eyes, though you could still feel the tension in the way he ran a hand through his hair. He returned with a tight exhale, voice low and edged with restrained frustration.

“Unfortunately, we’ll have to cut this meeting short—I was called in—”

He paused mid-sentence, a faint crease formed between his brows—subtle, but unmistakably worried. Without a word, he reached for you, pulling your sleeve back down where it had ridden up, his movements precise and controlled. You blinked, thrown off by the sudden gesture, wondering what exactly made him stop everything just to fix it.

“Shouto?”

”why are you upset?”

You blinked in surprise, your mouth opened… then closed again. Biting your lip to contain the growing glee, you realized he had read your emotions once more, and you looked away, letting a small pout form on your lips—one you hoped would hide just how flustered you actually were.

Todoroki Shouto was extremely observant.

No point in lying now.

“I know…” you confessed shyly, hands trembling as you clutched the hem of your jacket. You took a shaky breath and continued, “You’re a busy man… but…”

You let out a soft sigh, guilt twisting in your chest. It was already too late—he had asked first, and you had already wanted to voice the same thoughts. Part of you had braced for rejection, expecting your feelings might be met with a “no,” yet you couldn’t stop yourself from stepping forward.

“The baby appointment…”

He furrowed his brows as he couldn’t hear you properly from beneath your scarf, ”huh?”

Afraid, you pushed to take that first step toward trust, allowing yourself to speak freely, to let your thoughts escape without holding back. You met his steady gaze, searching for any sign of judgment, but instead found the quiet patience that urged you to continue, making the act of opening up feel both terrifying and oddly safe.

“My 6-week baby appointment…” You repeated, voice a little louder this time, eyes closing as your hands instinctively covered your face in shyness. “I… I was wondering if you wanted—”

“I’ll come.”

He didn’t let you finish your request before answering. Instead, he pulled you into a steady, wordless hug—not rushed, not dramatic, just firm enough that you felt the quiet certainty in it. When he finally let you go, you saw his eyes held a subtle glimmer, a restrained kind of joy that made your breath catch.

“But on the call…?” You questioned him through the joy, “you said you were too busy?”

“No,” he corrected you without a second thought, the insistent shake of his head emphasizing every word, “No—never for you.”

Todoroki then pulled out his phone, glancing at you expectantly. It took a moment, but you realized he was urging you to grab yours. Flustered, you hurriedly dug it out, fumbling slightly as you tried to match his pace.

“Oh,” you breathed out as you struggled to unlock your phone. Head tilting in hesitancy, “are you sure, I mean-“

“I promise you, YN,” he said firmly. “If you ever just message me, I’ll be there—instantly.”

Todoroki spoke with such certainty that it made you falter. You exchanged phones, and he was quick to input his number before switching back. Bringing his phone to his lips when you did the same, he wore a small smirk of gratitude, as if sealing the moment with a private acknowledgment.

“You’ll always be my number one priority.”

He grinned at you, eyes squinting with pure, unrestrained happiness, and for a moment, you were caught completely off guard. You felt your breath hitch, heart skipping as you tried to process the sudden rush of emotion.

“I hope you come to that realization, yn.”

The glow from the Christmas lights above the shops painted his features in warm hues, making him look impossibly beautiful, almost unreal. Every detail—from the gentle curve of his jaw to the soft warmth in his eyes—seemed to shimmer in the festive light, leaving you momentarily breathless.

Before you could react further, he pressed a polite, fleeting kiss to your cheek. He leaned in once more, and your hand instinctively went to his chest, feeling the steady warmth beneath your palm as you held him back. A flush crept over you as he tried again, a teasing glint dancing in his eyes.

You peered at him through your eyelashes with obviously reddened cheeks, stuttering, “S-stop it! We’re in public!”

He chuckled softly beneath his breath, clearly amused by the reaction he was drawing from you. Though he settled, letting his lips gently kiss your forehead, the playful touch capturing the moment. You couldn’t help but smile back, heart fluttering at the gentle intimacy shared beneath the festive glow.

“I’m sorry I can’t walk you home,” he whispered, leaning his forehead to your shoulder in a soft, lingering touch, “But… I have to return to work.”

”it’s okay, Shouto.”

Your fingers found his hair without you even realizing, brushing through the strands before you shook your head in amused understanding. You gave his back a light, affectionate pat, a bright grin, and a few soft giggles escaping you as he leaned closer.

”2 weeks, right?”

“2 weeks.”

He nodded in confirmation and started to walk off, but his gaze kept returning to you—over his shoulder, then again, as if making sure you were still there. You stayed rooted in place, hand lifted in a gentle wave, watching him with the same soft warmth that made it hard for him to look away for long.

“2 weeks!”

Todoroki could only catch the sight of you giggling as he shouted after you one last time, your small wave and nod following him as he sprinted toward his destination. The cold nipped at his face, the wind tugged at his hoodie, but none of it quite registered—not when the sound of your laughter still clung to him like warmth.

Even as he pushed himself to move faster, to get to work on time, the image of you standing there beneath the winter lights stayed with him, soft and bright in a way he rarely allowed himself to feel.

Despite the calm, unreadable expression he kept as he slipped into his rigid hero stride, inside, he was practically glowing. It was ridiculous, he knew—feeling this light over something so small, so fleeting.

But you had looked happy.

Safe with him.

And that alone sent a gentle ache through his chest. He wasn’t used to emotions sitting this close to the surface, but with you… he didn’t mind it at all. The feeling almost made him light-headed, a quiet, giddy warmth blooming beneath his ribs.

In fact, he wanted more of it.

As he ran, weaving through snow-dusted streets, his thoughts circled one truth he could no longer ignore: he was breaking through your walls, bit by bit. Earning your trust—not through words, but through every moment you let him closer.

And for the first time, the idea of caring for the baby with you didn’t feel like a duty or obligation. It felt like something shared, something he wanted, something he was already claiming quietly in his heart. Because the more you let him in, the more certain he became: this wasn’t your responsibility alone.

It was his, too. Always.

a/n

i wasn’t sure about this chapter it felt so wrong in certain ways because I wasn’t able to properly write about him. Alot of repetition in my words I’m sorry I’m not an English speaker so I only know basic English and grammar 😭 I run my head through a translation so sometimes it might sound a little weird…

thank you for the support! I say that every chaother because I love to <3

Chapter Text

flower of the day: jasmines (jasmine)

delicate star-shaped blossoms that release a soft, drifting fragrance, sweet as warm evening air.

currently: 5 weeks. 

the art of gossiping spreads fast.

gossip moves with a strange lightness, as if carried by a drifting breeze that no one remembers feeling. It slips between conversations like an unnoticed thread, weaving itself into the edges of daily life until it becomes part of the fabric. People pretend not to care for it, yet they lean in ever so slightly when they think no one notices.

It spreads faster than truth, mostly because it demands far less effort.

once a rumor settles, it begins to tint the air around a person, soft as watercolor bleeding through paper. Suddenly the way others look at you changes, subtle as the shift between dusk and night. They speak a little sweeter or a little sharper, depending on what they have heard.

The funniest part, in a gentle and almost cosmic way, is how people claim to know who you are based on nothing more than a sentence repeated by someone who once misheard something important. By the time it returns to you, the tale has grown a personality of its own, practically waving from the distance like an overeager acquaintance.

A single moment becomes a legend by evening.

A quiet shrug becomes a scandal.

Yet in the small cracks between whispers, you learn to see clearly. You learn that perception is rarely truth and that people often treat the echo louder than the voice. You find a strange peace in knowing that the world will talk no matter what you do. And so you keep walking, letting the stories flutter around you like stray leaves, none of them sticking long enough to dim the light you carry.

within 1 week of his proposal, your entire school life had changed. 

The halls of your school had begun to feel different, as if the air itself held its breath whenever you walked through. People who recognized you paused mid-step, their eyes widening just enough, whispers drifting behind you like curious shadows that clung to every corner.

"Hey, isn't that the first-year teacher whom the number two hero proposed to?"

There was a certain weight in the way passerbys looked; part amazement, part respect, and maybe just a touch of fear—Todoroki’s name still carried a presence that clung to you, whether you liked it or not. Even those who usually ignored the world now seemed to notice, to measure you as if you had been quietly elevated overnight.

The rumors, of course, came with their own wild rhythm, bouncing from locker to locker and locker to classroom.

Did Todoroki Shouto lose a bet?

Is he being brainwashed by a villain?

I heard that Yn Sensei is blackmailing him!

Hearing them made you laugh quietly, the absurdity of it all tugging at the edges of your lips. Yet despite the curiosity, despite the sudden spotlight, you didn’t answer anyone—not fully, not really. Questions drifted toward you during your lessons, whispered between notebooks or murmured in the corners, but you let them linger, unanswered and unsatisfied, like shadows that refused to settle.

you had both good days and bad days.

Sometimes the rumors could twist sharp, like a sudden gust, and you felt it in the glares and the quiet snickers behind your back. A few students treated you with an unmistakable bite, their words laced with judgment you hadn’t earned. Even some teachers, perhaps swayed by the gossip, regarded you with cold scrutiny, their approval harder to find than ever.

It wasn’t the worst, though.

You sighed and carried on, learning quickly that life always had these edges—moments of awe, waves of curiosity, and streaks of cruelty. They came together in strange patterns, like cracks in old paint revealing something raw underneath. You moved through it, letting the stares and whispers slide past like rain on glass, because even if the world wanted to watch, they would never see exactly what it was like to live inside you.

Because that is just the way things go.

it was currently lesson planning and you were sitting in one of the quieter hallways, a rare corner of the school where the hum of students softened into gentle silence. Leaning back comfortably against the bench, your binders stacked neatly beside you, you allowed yourself a moment to simply watch the snow cascade outside the windows.

Each flake drifted down with delicate purpose, and despite the chill beyond the glass, the warmth inside wrapped around you like a comfortable cloak. Your eyes shimmered, catching the pale light of the winter sky as you sank deeper into silent thought, the world around you seeming to pause for a brief, perfect instant.

"yn sensei! hi!"

your quiet was broken by a sudden, excited call, a voice carrying over the distant echoes of the hallway. You tilted your head toward the noise, curiosity nudging you awake from your reverie. There, bounding lightly toward you, was Eri at the end of the hall, her small hand waving with bright enthusiasm, her steps almost floating across the floor.

"i've been wanting to speak with you, sensei!"

For a brief second, the cold outside and the steady rhythm of falling snow seemed to fade entirely, replaced by the gentle pulse of life that came with their presence. Eri’s laughter tinkled like a tiny bell as she approached, and you blinked in surprise to see Midoriya Izuku trailing behind her. His usual sheepish expression eased the moment as he met your gaze, a mixture of uncertainty and warmth flickering in the green of his eyes.

You watched them come closer, a small smile forming as your eyes shimmered with quiet amusement and curiosity, the serene winter scene outside mirroring the unexpected solace that now filled the hallway around you. The snow-kissed space seemed to hold its breath, mellow and still, as if waiting for something gentle to unfold.

"toto, I hope you turn out as cute as her."

Your small hand reached out, brushing lightly against your stomach, curling gently as if to hug yourself. You brightened, a quiet smile tugging at your lips as Eri came closer, her eyes twinkling with innocent excitement. The hallway seemed to soften around you, and for a brief, perfect moment, nothing else mattered.

toto, the nickname of your baby.

It was a complete accident, but you had called your baby Toto, and somehow the name carried a weight and sweetness all its own. The simple sound of it brought a quiet joy that lingered in your chest, a small secret shared only between you and the tiny life growing inside. Saying “the baby” or “it” felt awkward now, and somehow Toto had simply stuck, as natural and strange and perfect as the snow falling outside.

Todoroki hadn’t known about it yet.

Your conversations had been limited to the singular, quiet texts he sent every day asking if you were okay, and while they were brief, you cherished them more than you let on. There was comfort in the simplicity of it, in the way his concern reached you without requiring words, a silent tether that reminded you he was near even when life felt overwhelmingly full.

it's time to get up.

Of course, as a teacher, you weren’t about to let Eri run through the hallways, no matter how much you adored the sweet, mischievous girl. You pushed yourself up, planting your feet firmly at the end of the hallway, one brow quirked and your eyes narrowing as she continued to run faster, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips despite your feigned sternness.

your hand suddenly went to cup around your mouth and you screamed for her to hear, "eri chan, you need to stop running!"

Eri’s laughter echoed through the quiet hallway as she ran toward you, her steps light but purposeful, the corners of her mouth tugged into that bright, teasing smile you loved. You felt yourself giggle quietly, shoulders relaxing as the tension from whispers and rumors melted away. For a moment, it was just the two of you, the light of the snowy courtyard spilling across the floor, and the world outside the hallway seemed to pause in reverent silence.

"Oh-shoot!"

Eri suddenly tilted slightly in the air, eyes wide as the momentum of her run carried her off balance. Her arms flailed desperately, searching for something to grab onto, but the hallway offered nothing to steady her. Her legs kicked out awkwardly, unable to find footing, and she let out a small, startled gasp as she prepared herself to fall flat on her face.

"Eri chan!"

Without hesitation, your hand shot out, glowing faintly pink, and your quirk activated, leaving you holding her steady in midair. The hallway fell into a hushed stillness, the only movement the faint sway of her suspended figure and the quiet, warm glow surrounding your outstretched hand. In that suspended moment, relief and something gentler pooled in your chest, the sound of eri's shy laughter still in the air.

"Are you okay?"

“Y-yeah, thanks, yn Sensei,” Eri said, looking sheepish as you hurried over to her, your hands releasing the faint glow of your quirk as she landed softly on her knees. She rubbed the back of her head, cheeks tinged pink, and you let out a quiet sigh of relief as you dropped next to her.

“Sorry… I just wanted to speak with you,” she murmured, her eyes flicking up to meet yours with a mixture of nervousness and eagerness.

Your head drooped, a wave of exhaustion washing over you from the sudden rush to reach her—and from the fear of imagining she might have gotten hurt. Suddenly, you became aware of Midoriya leaning down in front of you, his green eyes meeting yours with quiet concern, steady and grounding amidst the lingering flutter in your chest.

“Eri! YN Sensei!,” he said hurriedly, carefully pulling both you and Eri to your feet, though his eyes never left yours. anxiety threaded through him as he looked over you both, “Are you both fine?”

Eri nodded at him reassuringly, her wide eyes sparkling as if to say she was perfectly fine. A soft chuckle escaped Midoriya as you accepted his help up, brushing off your clothes. He let out a quiet sigh of relief, hand resting lightly over his chest, his gaze lingering on you with a mixture of care and subtle concern.

“I’m good—” you answered with a light laugh, teasing, “I was more worried about my teaching degree if I had let a student run in the hallways and gotten hurt…”

“Hey, hey,” Eri piped up cheerfully, her eyes wide with awe as she looked at you, turning her hands over and down at her unscathed body. Suddenly, she tilted her head and bounced lightly on her feet. “Sensei, what is your quirk? I’m completely unharmed!”

Eri waited eagerly for your answer, eyes wide and sparkling, and you blinked in slight confusion, caught off guard by her enthusiasm. You noticed Midoriya leaning in subtly, his curiosity evident, though he tried to remain discreet—his gaze lingering on you as he quietly admired how gracefully you had caught her.

"My quirk?" 

"yeah yeah!"

You looked down at your hands that reached out to her, the faint pink fizzing around them, a clear sign that your quirk was still active. Then, on a playful impulse, you reached out and lightly poked Eri’s nose. A tiny spark danced against her skin, and she gasped, eyes widening as a soft, weightless sensation lifted her slightly off the ground before coming back down.

“It’s not anything special, really,” you said, subdued, shrugging as you met their eyes. “It never got me far enough in school to be a pro hero, and compared to others, it doesn’t really do much. All I can do is levitate things with a kind of warped energy around me… it glows with a soft, pinkish hue, and I can control it around people.”

"wow...!"

Eri’s eyes widened, sparkling as she tilted her head, her small hands clasped in front of her chest. A bright grin spread across her face as she exclaimed, “What are you talking about? That’s amazing, Sensei! You saved me without even touching me! That’s so cool!”

“It’s very similar to Uravity’s!” he gushed, eyes bright with excitement. “The way you controlled it… so precise, and calm… it’s really impressive, Sensei. I can see why Eri was so surprised.”

Midoriya’s green eyes shone with quiet admiration as he spoke, a faint blush rising to his cheeks while he talked about his long-time friend. His voice was soft but earnest, each word carrying the weight of genuine respect and awe, and you could see how deeply he valued not just your skill, but your care and presence.

"She went like boom! and then wow!" Eri cheered loudly then gasping, "I was floating!"

“I saw!” Midoriya encouraged Eri, nodding his head. “And the way she handled it from a distance was amazing—she didn’t even react or break a sweat!”

You felt a faint warmth creep up your cheeks, a soft flutter of pride and amusement mingling with the lingering relief of the moment. They were still eagerly gushing about how you had saved her from afar, their voices full of excitement, before a gentle voice bought your attention back to earth

“What were you doing beforehand, sensei?"

Eri threw her small arms around your shoulders, giggling as your hands instinctively went up to rub gently at her squishy cheeks. She looked at you eagerly, her wide eyes shining, silently waiting for your response. Midoriya, tensed slightly, a flicker of panic crossing his face as he saw you gently pushed by her, unsure of how to react but clearly concerned about your body.

You glanced down at her, a tender smile forming as you hummed thoughtfully. Shrugging your shoulders, you let your tension slip away and gazed out the large Yuuei windows, dazed for a moment, “I’m just passing time before my next class right now, Eri-chan… I like to watch the snow fall. It calms my mind down.”

Eri looked up, following your gaze to the snowy courtyard beyond, her eyes widening at the delicate dance of falling flakes. Her cheeks flushed softly, and a brightened smile slowly found its way to her lips as she watched the snow shimmer and drift, captivated by its quiet beauty.

"wow!" Eri lets out a blissful sigh in agreement, "it's so pretty!"

You laughed lightly at her reaction as she finally released you, moving with careful, delicate motions as she steadied herself. You reached up to adjust the collar of your shirt that had shifted and ran your fingers through your hair, letting your face settle into a quiet, pursed-lips expression as you relaxed.

Eri tilted her head, frowning slightly as she observed you, “Are you… okay, Sensei?"

"You seem… a little upset.”

Your hand froze atop your head as Eri looked at you with a quiet edge of sadness. You hadn’t realized how observant she was, how easily she could see past the small, happy facade you’d thought would carry you through the day until the end.

you couldn't form an answer.

Midoriya seemed to notice your hesitation, the way you shuffled your feet and bit your lip. Suddenly, he stepped closer, clasping his hands together apologetically and bowing slightly toward you—a gesture that took both you and Eri by surprise.

"Midoriya-!"

“I’m sorry about the rumors,” Midoriya said straightforwardly, his green eyes earnest as he frowned. Standing up straighter, his voice clear and firm, he continued, “When I heard them, I scolded my class. I didn’t want anyone spreading lies about you and Shouto-kun."

"you’re both my friends, and it wasn’t fair at all.”

A small warmth bloomed in your chest despite the lingering ache, relaxing the tension as you appreciated the quiet concern in his voice. You looked down, lips pursed and expression tired, while Eri’s gaze never left you—sharp and observant, despite her small frame.

To be truthful, the rumors did hurt your feelings; they cut deeper than you wanted to admit, especially the ones that looked down on you for your low social status compared to Todoroki. But what stung just as sharply were the ones that insulted him—someone you knew was trying so hard, every day, to save everyone he could.

“It’s… just harder today than usual, for some reason,” you waved your hand dismissively, trying to keep your smile intact. You tucked your hair behind your ear, exasperated, “I think I’m just letting it get to my head… since no one truly knows the entirety of the story…”

"everyday seems to be a more absurd rumor though." you let out a humorless chuckle of defeat.

Eri stepped a little closer, tugging lightly at your sleeve. She shook her head, brows furrowed, “Rumors aren’t real, Sensei. They’re just stories people make up. They don’t matter, and they can’t touch what’s real—or you.”

"She's right."

Midoriya nodded, offering a small, encouraging smile. He placed a hand on your shoulder and gave it a gentle pat. “People will talk no matter what, but it doesn’t change who you are. You don’t have to let them make you feel smaller.”

You exhaled slowly, letting a bit of tension slip from your shoulders, feeling the quiet warmth of their care wrap around you. Even with the weight of gossip and whispers, there was something grounding in their presence, like the cozy snow outside, falling endlessly—steady and calm.

Eri didn’t seem entirely convinced by your shy smile.

Her small hands fidgeted nervously, twisting and untwisting as she mustered up the courage to reach out and offer you comfort. There was a quiet determination in her movements, a soft bravery that seemed to say she wouldn’t let the whispers or rumors touch you, even if only through her small, steady presence.

“Sensei… I’m adopted,” she confessed, looking down for a moment.

You turned to her in surprise, but she simply smiled brightly, as if none of it mattered to her. Her small hand reached for Midoriya’s, grasping it tightly and giving it a reassuring squeeze, and he met her gaze with a quiet understanding, the unspoken connection between them clear in his eyes.

“My parents died and I… there were some horrible people who held onto me,” Eri said, letting out a shaky breath as she closed her eyes, a deep exhale following as if reliving the memory pained her. Then her voice mellowed, eyes brightening with quiet gratitude.

She turned toward Midoriya and let out an affectionate giggle, “But I grew up with many adults I call family, who cared enough to save me from a bad time. They gave me love when I didn’t even know how to ask for it.”

You listened, letting her words settle like dusty snow, their honesty, gentle and unwavering. Midoriya reached out to ruffle Eri’s hair, and you began to realize that her story carried a deeper meaning. Quietly, Eri reached for your hands, clasping them together warmly, and the simple gesture carried more comfort and understanding than words ever could.

"I hope you know that..." She looked up then, meeting your eyes and Midoriya’s, “Uncle Shouto… Todoroki shouto is a man who never does anything without planning ahead. He’s meticulous, careful. He doesn’t do anything spontaneously-”

"ever."

Eri’s red eyes shimmered like fragile rubies catching the light, bright and unflinching as she spoke to you with utmost sincerity. Every word she said felt weighted with truth, her small frame carrying a gravity that made your chest tighten with quiet warmth. It was impossible not to be drawn into her honesty, to feel the depth of care and courage behind each phrase.

As you listened, a tender realization settled over you, gentle but undeniable.

Shouto Todoroki never did anything spontaneously, never acted without thought—but now, realizing the quiet weight of his attention and care, it struck you that you must be truly special to him. The thought pulsed softly in your chest, mingling with the glow of Eri’s gaze. In that silent understanding, the world outside seemed to blur, leaving only the honesty, the care-

 the unspoken significance of carrying his child.

Your hand instinctively went to toto—an action that did not go unnoticed. It was new to Eri, who wasn’t sure what you were exactly upset about, but Midoriya found himself smiling tenderly at the thought of two of his trusted friends leaning on each other and getting through a tough time together.

Eri’s gaze softened as you held tears in your eyes, “It’s not something I need to hide or be ashamed of. But it’s also not something I bring up to my friends."

"And it’s… not fair for others to be immature and judge you in any way.”

You let out a sniffle and a quiet laugh, one hand moving to rub at your eyes as you tried to shy away from the teenager. you hadn't realized it until a tear rolled down your cheeks- that you had begun to cry. It struck you as almost funny—this small, spirited teenager offering comfort to you—and you didn’t want to show this softer, vulnerable side of yourself.

"sorry eri chan..."

Midoriya could see the emotions flickering across your face, the quiet shimmer of tears threatening to spill out, and his gaze softened. Eri, noticing the change as you scrunched up your nose, began to panic, her small hands fidgeting as she tried to understand why you were crying.

"sensei!?"

For all Eri knew, all she could gather from her friends was that the number two hero, Todoroki shouto, had suddenly proposed to the first-year science teacher—and that had set the school ablaze with rumors. The stories frustrated her, but more than that, they stirred a determination to comfort you, to show you that amidst all the chaos and whispers, someone still cared and understood.

Eri had known Todoroki since she was six, trailing after Aizawa and Mirio whenever they brought her to visit Class 1 A. Over the years, she had quietly observed him through the small, reverent eyes of a child watching a hero she believed in. She had seen the gentleness beneath his stillness, the sincerity beneath his hesitation, and the way he always softened around people who needed comfort.

To her, Todoroki Shouto was steady, dependable, and impossibly kind in the moments that mattered most.

So even if his sudden proposal made the adults blink and the students whisper, Eri felt no confusion or doubt in her heart. She trusted him the way she trusted the sunrise to keep coming back, unwavering and honest. If he said he meant something, then he meant it.

And because she trusted him with her life, she believed without question that he meant every word he spoke to you.

"You should return to class soon, eri-chan."

Gently, Midoriya reached out and patted Eri, a silent gesture telling her to step back and allow him to take over, as you didn't want to show her your vulnerable side as a teacher. Eri hesitated for a moment when she glanced at you, then eventually nodded, her small hand folded neatly in front of her as she began to walk away, casting one last lingering glance toward you.

Waving goodbye with bright sincerity, she called out, “Bye, Sensei!”

Midoriya waved back eagerly, a warm smile on his face as he watched her leave and turn the corner. You kept your head bowed into the palms of your hands, shoulders trembling slightly, barely holding yourself together as the quiet aftermath of the moment settled over you.

"yn?"

Now left alone when eri had entirely left the corner, he shifted his attention fully to you, offering quiet comfort, his presence steady and grounding. He gently turned you toward him, and you pressed your forehead against his chest, the sobs spilling freely as you let the emotions you had been holding back wash over you.

"i-i'm sorry-"

“It’s okay, Yn,” he soothed, rubbing your back gently as you shook your head slightly against his chest, sniffles escaping uncontrollably. giving you time to breathe, he added wholeheartedly, “I believe that you and Shoto-kun will get through this just fine."

"It’s okay to rely on him.”

Midoriya was the only one who truly understood the anxiousness you carried, the depth of the secret you and todoroki held, and he leaned in with quiet reassurance, letting you feel seen and supported without a word. You felt yourself crying against him, one hand pressed gently over your mouth as the sobs shook your body.

Midoriya leaned a little closer, voice gentle, eyes steady, “She’s right. You’re doing more than anyone could expect, and it’s okay to let the rest pass by. People will talk no matter what, but it doesn’t change the truth of who you are.”

Midoriya’s hands stayed firm yet gentle on your back, his presence steady as your sobs echoed quietly in the empty hallway. Each sniffle, each shudder of your body, he didn’t speak; letting the silence carry the weight of understanding, letting you cry without interruption or judgment.

"shouto-kun..."

The rumors, the whispers, the weight of the pregnancy—they all pressed in from every direction. You felt your chest tighten with fear, a swirl of thoughts threatening to overwhelm you, and yet, Eri’s earlier words lingered in your mind, a quiet anchor reminding you that not all stories carried power over reality, that some truths existed beyond the noise.

"he's truly dedicated to you both."

Midoriya’s quiet reassurance grounded you further, his presence a tether to the present as you wrestled with doubt. The warmth of his hands, the soft rhythm of his breathing against yours, gave a fragile sense of stability. For a moment, despite the chaos of whispers and fear, you wondered if maybe—just maybe—everything could truly be okay.

you were more scared than you thought.

a/n

this one is a sadder chapther!! i'm an angst writer, so of course i had to sneak this in. i love ERI and i love her chacrter! i make her such a cutie patootie. the main premise of this chapther is that rumors are mean and you're scared becasue you want the best for your baby and you struggle tto trust todoroki becasue why is he so nice to you???? 

anyways i have a snow day!!! yay!! :3

Chapter Text

flower of the day: camellias (camellia)

elegant winter blossoms with smooth, layered petals that open like quiet porcelain roses against their glossy evergreen leaves.

currently: 6 weeks. 

You’ve reached your 6-week mark of pregnancy.

Ever since the faint pink lines appeared two weeks ago, your body has remained almost eerily unchanged— no stomach growth, no real sudden cravings, no shift in your daily rhythm that might have confirmed the truth settling quietly inside you. 

But your mind… that was where the real transformation lived. 

Thoughts drifted through you like mist, sometimes calming, sometimes suffocating, as if your heart hadn’t caught up with what your body already knew. You moved through your days with a strange lightness, carrying a secret that felt both impossibly fragile and unimaginably vast, a quiet flutter of possibility resting somewhere just out of reach.

The denial came in soft waves at first—tiny, stubborn hopes that maybe you had imagined it all, that life was still exactly as it had been before. Then acceptance would rise unexpectedly, warm and heavy, spreading through your chest like sunlight breaking through a storm. 

You’d catch yourself touching your stomach absentmindedly, not because anything felt different, but because everything was different, in ways only your mind could perceive. And in that delicate space between fear and wonder, you found yourself slowly learning to breathe again—learning to hold this new reality not with certainty, but with a quiet, trembling grace.

Today was the day—you finally got to see little Toto during your six-week pregnancy scan, and the anticipation had been building in your chest from the moment you woke up. 

The room felt colder than usual as you lay back on the padded exam table, the faint hum of medical machines only heightening your nerves. When the doctor pressed the cool gel onto your stomach, you sucked in a small breath, both from the temperature and from the realization that this was truly happening. 

Every tiny movement, every soft beep, made your heart flutter with equal parts excitement and fear.

Your ultrasound technician moved the wand slowly across your skin, eyes narrowing in focused concentration as they searched the screen. You couldn’t help but watch their expression, trying desperately to read every slight lift of their brow or gentle nod of their head. 

The silence felt heavy, stretching thin between each passing second. Every time the technician shifted the wand, you felt your breath hitch, wondering if this was the moment you’d finally see something—anything—of the life growing inside you.

When you glanced toward the ruffling noise beside you, Todoroki sat exactly how you had instructed him before picking you up: mask high on his face, hood pulled low, doing everything he could to avoid attention. Even bundled up like that, he somehow radiated a quiet intensity that made your heart soften. 

His posture was rigid, legs together, elbows on his knees, as if he were trying to make himself as small as possible. But the moment your eyes met his, he reached out without hesitation, threading your shaking fingers through his, grounding you in an instant.

He didn’t say a word—he didn’t need to.

His grip tightened just slightly, warm and steady, a silent promise that he was here, that you weren’t going through any of this alone. Through every nervous glance you exchanged with the technician, through every shift of the ultrasound wand, he stayed right there, thumb brushing gently against your knuckles. 

And in that fragile, electrifying stillness, the two of you waited together, breath held, ready to meet the tiny grain of rice that already meant everything.

“Are you okay?”

You’d hear Todoroki whisper next to you, his voice barely more than a breath, careful not to disturb the ultrasound technician as she moved the wand across your stomach. The room felt suspended in gentle stillness, broken only by the soft hum of the machine and the faint rustle of gloves. 

“Mhm…” you’d mumble back, too scared to move any more than a millimeter.

When you forcefully turned your head, you caught the subtle shake of his knees—so slight anyone else might have missed it, but not you. His pretty heterochromatic eyes were fixed on the computer screen with a quiet focus, a mixture of awe and worry and something tender he didn’t know how to name.

He leaned in just a little closer, as if needing to anchor himself to you, and the closer he was, the more you noticed the way his breath trembled with every exhale. His mask couldn’t hide the softness in his expression, nor the nervous flicker in his eyes as they searched yours for reassurance he couldn’t bring himself to ask for aloud. 

And in that fragile moment, with cold gel on your skin and the future pulsing faintly beneath it, it hit you just how deeply this quiet, steady man was feeling everything you were feeling—just in his own silent, trembling way.

“Shouto,” you nudged him, giving him a toothy grin that didn’t quite hide the fear trembling beneath it. 

The moment his name left your lips, his shoulders tensed—just a small, tight pull upward, the kind only someone who looked at him closely would notice. He tilted his head at you and you gave his hand a gentle squeeze, consoling both yourself and him as best you could. 

“I’m fine,” you added with a soft chuckle, though your breath hitched at the edges, betraying just how unsteady your heart felt.

He didn’t look all too convinced, not with the way his eyes narrowed just a fraction and a quiet huff of air slipped past his mask—half worry, half frustration at your attempt to downplay everything. 

Still, he didn’t press you.

His fingers only tightened once more around yours before both of you turned your attention back to the dimly glowing screen. Todoroki leaned in without realizing it, shoulders rigid, breath steady but shallow as he searched the screen for anything—any sign, any shape—that could tell him everything was okay. 

The technician’s wand glided slowly across your stomach, its movements gentle but searching, the screen filled with shifting shades of black and gray. For a moment, you weren’t sure what you were even supposed to be looking for—everything looked like clouds layered over water. 

Then the technician paused, her eyes softening into a smile as she angled the wand slightly. 

“Right there… do you see that?” she said, her voice warm, almost proud, as though she had just found something precious hiding in the quiet depths of the image.

Both you and Todoroki leaned in, squinting at the screen as the technician pointed toward a faint cluster of shadows. 

To your untrained eyes, everything looked the same—soft grays layered over darker grays, a hazy circle floating in an empty space. You felt your eyebrows pull together, a bit embarrassed at how little sense any of it made.

The screen looked empty.

Beside you, Todoroki wasn’t faring much better. His eyes narrowed, lips pressed tight, as if concentrating hard enough might magically make the image explain itself. He shifted in his seat, leaning closer with the same intensity he would give a mission briefing, but the confusion in his heterochromatic eyes gave him away. 

This was new to the both of you. 

Unknown territory. 

He glanced at you briefly, searching your face for the understanding he didn’t have—only to find your own bewilderment mirroring his. And in that moment, the two of you sat there together, first-time parents staring at a blurry universe on a screen, trying to believe that something so extraordinary could really be beginning inside a body that didn’t feel any different at all.

“It’s small,” the technician reassured the both of you, “but you’ll see the baby in the gestational sac.”

Her words sounded like another language to you, and it was evident. The technician let out a soft, warm laugh, the kind that didn’t feel mocking at all—just gently amused—as she watched both you and Todoroki staring at the monitor and then back to her with a plea to help.

“You two are adorable,” she murmured, shifting her hand slightly as she guided the wand. With her free hand, she traced her finger over a point on the screen, outlining the faint shape nestled against the inner curve of the sac.

“Right here,” she said, tapping the screen lightly. Inside its lining, where she pointed, was something small and pale—so subtle it almost disappeared if you blinked.

“Do you see your baby yet?”

And when the faint, rice-sized silhouette came into view, your breath caught, and instinctively, both you and Todoroki swallowed. The room seemed to grow smaller, quieter, as if the world itself had paused to let the two of you see the beginning of something fragile and extraordinary.

Toto was small—so impossibly small—but they were there, tucked inside the dark curve of the sac like a secret finally revealed.

The technician moved the probe with delicate precision, letting the image sharpen just enough for you to make out the faint outline of the fetal pole, a single little being resting in its first home. A tiny flicker of becoming shimmered at the center of the image, as if the screen itself was trying to cradle the earliest spark of a life not yet aware of its own name.

Todoroki’s hand tightened around yours, the shake in his fingers betraying the quiet storm of emotions he tried so hard to hide. His heterochromatic eyes were wide, almost disbelieving, as though seeing that tiny speck made everything suddenly, undeniably real.

The room felt hushed and sacred, the moment stretching soft and fragile around you both. And as you stared at that one small flicker of life—whether or not it showed a heartbeat yet—you felt something bloom in your chest, a feeling that wrapped around you with gentle certainty:

there you are.

One second, you were staring at that faint spark on the screen, and the next, your face scrunched up without your permission, your hands flying to your face to control yourself. The sound of your own sniffles felt strange and too loud, each breath catching as the weight of what you had seen pressed into your chest with quiet, overwhelming certainty.

Reality hit you harder than you ever expected. 

Todoroki stiffened in an instant, panic softening his features as if he had never seen you unravel quite like this. He hovered awkwardly beside you, unsure whether to reach out or stand perfectly still, his mismatched gaze flicking between your trembling shoulders and the monitor that had started all of this.

"yn?" Todoroki whispered your name once, the syllables trembling at the end of his sentence as though he feared it might shatter you further.

"yn, what's wrong?"

The technician only laughed as she began to clean the gel from your skin with practiced gentleness. She noted how sweetly awkward the two of you were, amused as she wiped your stomach clean and watched Todoroki stumble through the sight of you softly weeping into the palms of your hands. Her ease contrasted gently with your tangled emotions and Todoroki’s alarm, just as the last traces of the image faded from the screen behind you.

"baby?"

You could feel Todoroki’s hand reach for your face, his touch careful and trembling as his fingertips brushed your cheek. He tried to tilt your head toward him, coaxing you gently to look at him. 

Through your blurred vision covered by tears, his worried expression wavered into view—his brows knitted, his lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes searching yours with a quiet desperation that made your chest tighten. You sniffled, breath shaking, the emotion spilling out faster than you could contain it.

"it's okay, don't be so scared."

Without a word, he pulled you into his arms, holding you close. His embrace wasn’t tight, just firm enough to keep you steady as you cried into his shoulder. He didn’t tell you to stop crying, didn’t rush you—he just stayed there, steady and warm, whispering quiet reassurances into your hair as if he could shield you from every fear with the gentleness of his touch.

Who knows how long you stayed like that, folded into your own quiet storm while Todoroki hovered helplessly beside you. At some point the technician slipped out with a soft smile, leaving the two of you alone in the dim room and reminding you to head to the front desk for checkout. The silence that followed felt suspended in the air, holding you both in a moment neither of you quite knew how to step out of.

"thank you for coming!"

Your face was swollen with tear streaks when you finally stood beside Todoroki at the front desk, your body tucked close to him. Your hand stayed locked in his, your grip tight and unsteady, and he held on without a word while he handled the checkout for you. The lights felt too bright, the room too open, and you drifted in and out of focus as the receptionist spoke, your thoughts still looping back to the faint spark on the screen.

You barely caught the moment they handed him something, but you felt his posture subtly stiffen.

Whatever it was, he tucked it away quickly into the safety of his hoodie, offering the staff a quiet 'thank you' before guiding you gently toward the door. The cool air outside greeted you both as he led you out of the doctor’s office, his hand still wrapped around yours as though letting go was the last thing he intended to do.

"thank you..."

You spoke softly to Todoroki as he opened the door and helped you inside, your voice thin and frayed at the edges. Your breath left you shaky as you thanked him for everything; from coming with you today, to consoling you when you fell apart, to even buckling you gently into his car.

He chuckled at you as he pulled off his disguised outfit, his hair falling free with a soft ruffle. He shrugged his shoulder as if everything he had done was the most natural thing in the world, his voice low and steady, "what are you thanking me for?"

"for everything...?"

The bottom of your lip jutted out in an emotionally guilty feeling as you watched him laugh gently with the shake of his head, close your door, and walk around to his side of the car. He settled in with quiet focus, adjusting the wheel and starting the engine as he got ready to drive you home.

"oh wait, before I forget-"

Todoroki snapped his fingers as if remembering something, then pulled out the item the receptionist had given him. When he handed it to you, your breath hitched, tears gathering again despite the shocked laugh that slipped out as you found yourself holding the sonogram in your hands.

“It’s baby Toto!” you beamed excitedly as you turned the photo toward him, “toto looks so cute, don’t you agree?”

Todoroki chuckled and found himself nodding along until he suddenly paused, tilting his head at you. A raised eyebrow stopped your laughter in its tracks, and as your own words settled in your mind, heat rushed to your cheeks. You knew exactly why he was curious.

"toto?" he repeated incredulously, "what?"

Todoroki turned to look at you fully as he leaned back in his seat, one hand resting on the wheel even though the car still hadn’t moved. You narrowed your eyes, feeling the silent judgment, crossed your arms defensively at his tone, and challenged him to continue.

“Wait—wait,” Todoroki spoke, offended despite the twitching smile at the corner of his lips. He ran a hand through his hair again, his gaze flicking to you with a mix of amusement and disbelief, “can you just make up a nickname on your own?”

You tilted your chin upwards and pouted, though you whispered softly, “This is my baby.”

Todoroki corrected you smoothly, his tone firm with quiet fact, his gaze pointed knowingly as you shrank smaller into his comfortable car seat, “Uh—half of that baby is mine.”

"no.” You lied through your teeth, “you're wrong."

You crossed your arms and looked out the other window, feeling his exasperated gaze on you. Luckily, he didn’t say anything else, just sighed deeply before starting to move the car. The quiet hum of the engine filled the space between you, and for a moment, the tension eased, leaving only the soft rhythm of the road and the awkward presence beside you.

The winter streets stretched out before you, bright and clear under the gentle sun that warmed the cold air just enough to make the day feel crisp instead of biting.

Though no new snow had fallen, the trees were still dusted with white, their bare branches etched delicately against the pale blue sky. You passed little piles of snow that had been shaped into playful snowmen, some with crooked carrot noses and scarves trailing behind them, waving silently from yards and corners as if they were greeting you on your way home.

The sunlight caught the glimmering frost, scattering tiny sparks across the windshield that made the streets seem almost magical.

Todoroki drove steadily, one hand resting lightly on the wheel, the other occasionally brushing against yours when your fingers twitched in the chill. The quiet hum of the car mingled with the occasional crunch of tires over frost-covered patches of road. Even in the quiet of the winter streets, with the world sparkling around you, the day felt full of small, comforting life.

Your apartment building came into view, its familiar facade bathed in the soft glow of the winter sun.Todoroki slowed the car smoothly, pulling into the parking spot with practiced ease, the engine settling into a low, quiet hum as he set the brake. You could feel the weight of the day pressing softly from your shoulders, the comfort of returning to your own space brushing over the lingering tension from the morning.

“Thank you, for coming, Shouto,” you said, looking at him with sincerity, still a little awkward from your earlier conversation. Clearing your throat, you added, “I really do appreciate it…”

You missed the mischievous glint in his eyes as he smiled at you, crossing his arms around his chest. He gave you a small, confident nod, “No—no—it was my pleasure, YN. It was my responsibility to do so as the rightful father of my baby.”

you gave him a roll of your eyes," ...right."

You began to unbuckle your seatbelt, ready to step out and leave, when the sudden click of the child lock turning on froze you in place. Your hand hovered in midair, heart skipping a beat as the sound registered, sharp and deliberate. You turned to glare at Todoroki, realization flashing across your face, and he met your eyes with a teasing calm, as if daring you to challenge him. 

“Did you just—” your mouth dropped slightly as you began to pull and tug at the door, but to no avail, it wouldn’t budge. You blinked at him owlishly, a mix of disbelief and exasperation in your gaze, “Did you just turn on the child lock?”

Todoroki just shrugged his shoulders at you, and you stared at him for a long moment before letting your head fall back with a groan of defeat. He stiffened suddenly, turning to you with his own disbelief mirrored across his face, as if he couldn’t quite believe the scene unfolding before him.

“You’re mad at me?” Todoroki laughed humorously, pointing a finger at himself with widened eyes. Then, shaking his head, he jabbed a finger toward you, a crease forming between his brows, “I can’t believe that’s the baby’s nickname—!”

you snapped at him with a huff, "What's wrong with toto?!"

You crossed your arms and glared at him, your cheeks burning red. Todoroki returned the glare, though his was softer, before turning his head and grumbling under his breath about you being difficult. When he turned back to face you, his expression softened, his eyes pleading silently for you to relent.

“There are so many other, cuter nicknames out there,” he argued back, reaching a hand toward you, only for you to slap it away with a pout. Rubbing at his forehead, he continued, “Why would you give my child such a strange nickname? Do you want them to be named after the canine from the 'Wizard of Oz'?”

Your hands trembled at your sides, clutching each other tightly as a warm wave of embarrassment washed over you. Todoroki kept grumbling, his voice low and amused, about how odd the nickname choice was. You tried to keep your gaze steady, but the heat in your cheeks betrayed the secret mortification behind your blush.

In truth, the nickname 'Toto' had nothing to do with the little dog from Wizard of Oz.

You had thought about it carefully before it slipped out that one day, it was a quiet, clever combination of the first two letters of his last name and the last two letters of his first, a small, personal tribute hidden in plain sight. The thought made your chest tighten with a tender fondness, even as Todoroki continued his gentle, exasperated complaining beside you.

you would never admit that to him though.

Enough of his grumbling. You reached out and gave his shoulders a soft slap, scrunching up your nose in frustration. Your anger flared by the second as he continued to tease and insult the name Toto, each word pushing your patience closer to its limit.

“I’ll be keeping our baby’s nickname as ‘Toto,’” you snapped at him, annoyance sharp in your voice and visible on your face. Your hands tightened into small fists at your sides, trembling slightly with frustration, “Is that clear?!”

The car went silent as you huffed, letting your chest rise and fall with each angry breath. Todoroki just blinked at you, and you grumbled softly with curses, growing more confused by the second as to why he suddenly seemed to brighten, a mischievous sparkle lighting his eyes and a faint blush creeping across his cheeks.

"well..."

Suddenly, Todoroki reached out to you with a wide, toothy grin that made his eyes squint. You flinched as his hands found your cheeks, caressing them gently with unmistakable adoration, his head nodding slightly in agreement as if to settle the unnecessary argument once and for all.

“I’m not entirely happy about the nickname…” he laughed as your glare sharpened, but he only smiled even brighter, adding on, “…but since that’s what you want.....”

"toto can be our baby's nickname."

Todoroki turned his head away, a small shake of his shoulders betraying the quiet amusement he was trying to hide. You felt your cheeks burn hot, the blush spreading across your face as you fumbled to defend yourself, though the words stuck somewhere behind your lips. 

you said our baby.

Yours and his.

every attempt at explanation felt clumsy, every glance toward him only deepening the heat of your embarrassment. Despite your efforts to cover it, the slip of your words had been enough. You had, without realizing it, acknowledged that you had accepted him as the baby’s father, and the weight of that admission hung gently between you.

The moment was fragile, yet unmistakable.

Todoroki’s usual calm expression melted into something softer, almost unguarded. it left your chest fluttering as your heart raced in a mix of vulnerability and anticipation. a genuine, quiet happiness spread across his features, his eyes lighting up at the confirmation that he was truly accepted in this new, delicate role.

For a moment, all the teasing and arguing faded, leaving only the warmth of shared understanding, the promise of partnership, and the subtle thrill of being seen and acknowledged in the most important way.

"you don't even know me, shouto."

Your voice was unbelievably soft, and it made him blink in shock as your face seemed to crumble under the weight of your own words. You fiddled nervously with your fingers, your hair slipping forward to frame your face as you kept your gaze fixed on the floor, hiding the flutter of emotions that threatened to spill over.

“Have you forgotten?” he answered softly, his fingers brushing over your face as he gently tucked your hair back.  he argued back, “I want to marry you.”

You chuckled weakly as you pushed his hand away with a soft touch. repeating your words with more emphasis as you pointed between the two of you, “No, Shouto. You don’t know anything about me… isn’t that scary to you?”

Todoroki pursed his lips thoughtfully, his eyes sweeping over you with quiet intensity. Then, as if struck by the greatest reminder in the world, he shook his head decisively, a small, confident smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"No."

“I’ve seen scary,” he chuckled, his eyes flickering down to avoid your gaze. You tilted your head, curiosity piqued, as he let out a shaky breath, the faint tension in his shoulders betraying the calm he tried to show.

“I’ve… been to war at the mere age of sixteen…” he admitted, a reminiscent smile tugging at his lips. Then, reaching out to grasp your hand, he continued, his voice steady but tinged with a quiet weight, “I’ve seen many things that no regular teenager should have… my friends died… my brother died… I even witnessed the world’s greatest hero retire with my own eyes.”

You watched as his hands fumbled gently, brushing over your knuckles before each finger finally intertwining around your smaller ones. His eyes held a sincerity that made your breath catch, and for a moment, you couldn’t help but notice how strikingly handsome he looked, the intimacy of the gesture sending a flutter through your chest.

“meeting you, being with you,” he admitted, his voice soft but certain, “has made this new experience… fun. And it’s given me a new kind of fear—one that I’ve come to welcome in my life.”

He kissed your hands, never leaving your locked gaze. You looked at him, the weight of his story settling heavily in your chest—a life of experiences no teenager should have been forced to endure. Yet, even as understanding and compassion bloomed within you, the hesitancy for your baby still clung tightly to your fearful little heart.

“You don’t love me…” you whispered back, fear slipping through your words, “and I don’t love you…”

"then... let's start doing that," he replied, "right now."

You blinked at him, searching his eyes to see if he was joking or not. His hands warmed yours as you let out a shaky, disbelieving breath, overwhelmed by how fiercely he was fighting for you to agree to his marriage and acknowledge that this was his responsibility too.

You felt your hands released as he dug around for his phone, and you leaned forward, curious, to watch him scroll through his calendar. Your eyes widened as you saw just how packed his schedule was—meetings, patrols, and various activities stacked one after another, all while he remained on call, balancing everything with quiet precision.

“Unfortunately, I cannot see you on Christmas Day,” he murmured, “but I’m able to move some things around in my schedule and take care of them at another time. Would you be available to see me on the weekend, the afternoon of the 27th?”

"uh-"

On instinct, your mind raced to see if you were available or not. School would be out for the week as finals were wrapping up, and you didn’t have any pressing plans besides maybe visiting your friends and family while staying in the yuuei dorms to look after the children who didn’t go home.

“No, I’m—” you paused, stopping yourself from finishing and taking a steadying breath. Then, turning to him with widened eyes, you exclaimed aloud, “Wait— is this supposed to be a date?”

Todoroki nodded his head as if it were no big deal, speaking with casual confidence. he shrugged, “we’ve already spent the night together in bed, and I’ve already proposed to you. We’re doing things a little out of order from how I’d like, but…"

"let’s start with going on a  well-deserved date.”

Todoroki could see your hesitation as you licked your drying lips and furrowed your brows, all at once. He smiled softly, leaning his head on the steering wheel, and with gentle reassurance in his voice, spoke to you with tenderness.

“yn, I promise to you that I want our Toto to receive love from both parents and grow up in a wholesome, loving family.” He chuckled softly at your surprised expression before continuing, “I don’t know what you exactly know about me, and I hope you continue to learn, but I want our Toto to experience the things that I never had the opportunity to have.”

You listened to Todoroki with unwavering eyes, the knot in your stomach slowly loosening, a quiet crack forming in the walls you had kept so carefully intact as the possibility surfaced that maybe you and Todoroki were more alike than you had ever allowed yourself to believe. You did not know the full shape of his upbringing, only the shadows of it, but one truth shimmered unmistakably between you.

You both only wanted what was best for your shared little human.

Todoroki let out a curt snort, tilting his head as his gaze rested on you, the warmth in his unspoken words clear. He looked at you as if speaking to you were the most natural and wonderful thing in the world, his intentions simple and pure, focused only on you and the quiet unfolding of his baby’s growth.

"Getting married would be the best route for our Toto to have a happy family."

"But..... you said that you wanted to marry for love, did you not?" he spoke, tilting his head slightly. His fingers began tapping as he nodded once, "To see if we could fall in love, we'll need to get to know each other first."

"It's the least we can do for our Toto," he finishes, a small pause hanging in the air, "Right?"

You looked at him before your eyes drifted down to the sonogram resting on your lap. You gave yourself a quiet moment, letting his words settle around you. Defeatedly, you knew he was right—if you truly wanted the best for Toto, this was the path you had to take.

You thought back to Midoriya’s and Eri’s comfort, their trust in him quietly evident, and then looked at Todoroki, who had done nothing but treat you with care despite knowing almost nothing about you beyond the fact that you carried his child. Slowly, you decided to reach out to him, just a little, enough to let your guard slip and let him in.

"Fine," you swallowed out defeatedly, a chuckle escaping you as you scoffed at him. crossing your arms and looking away with a pout, you fought back weakly, "But that doesn't mean you're getting me to change our baby's nickname anytime soon."

You saw Todoroki shaking his shoulders from the corner of your eyes, though it did nothing to stop the fluttering in your chest or the warmth creeping into your cheeks. You found yourself laughing along with him, biting your lips to keep from smiling too widely.

Todoroki held out his hands as if to show he was innocent while you glared daggers at him. "Hey! I wasn't even thinking about it. If it's a nickname you like, even a silly one, I'll always agree with you."

You rolled your eyes at him, a little annoyed at how backhanded his words sounded, and leaned over to lightly push his shoulder. The air between you felt light and silly, like the two of you were the only people in the world, caught in a private bubble of laughter and teasing that made your chest warm and your cheeks tingle.

Though your teasing and playful fighting had your faces growing closer in the heat of the moment, his hands brushed gently behind your head. You leaned in, dazed, caught in the quiet pull between you, until you both paused when his phone began to ring. You couldn’t help the small, flustered smile that tugged at your lips, feeling a flutter as his warmth pressed against you.

"Sorry," he whispered, though he made no move to pull away. He groaned in annoyance and leaned his forehead against your shoulder instead, a low grumble escaping him, "Work is calling me..."

"it's okay," you breathed out shyly, "i-i think it's time for me to go anyway..."

You saw Todoroki nod as he unlocked the child lock, letting you step free from his car. You made sure to grab the sonogram with you, double-checking everything before closing the door. Standing there, you waited as he rolled down his window, his expression etched with worry.

"bye, shouto."

You spoke to him gently, watching his brow furrow before a small, reluctant curve appeared on his lips. He nodded once and gave you a wordless wave back, rolling up the window as the engine rumbled to life. Your chest tightened slightly at the sight of him preparing to leave, the quiet weight of the moment settling over you.

As you stood there, waving after his car until it disappeared from the neighborhood and onto the main road, your legs felt like jelly. You pressed a hand to your mouth, caught between anxiety and the thrill of the day, and marveled at just how convincingly cunning Todoroki could be with his words, the quiet power of his intentions leaving a lingering warmth in your chest.

From every singular interaction you’d had with Todoroki, no matter how calm and composed he remained in conversation or how calculated his actions appeared, you realized something undeniable: no matter what happened, you always seemed to fold at anything he said. His words carried a quiet weight, a pull you could neither resist nor fully understand, leaving you disarmed each time.

It's so obvious to you that-

todoroki shouto was a man who always gets his way,

a//n

first ultrasound!!! so cute!!!! i love them so much!! i hope you guys are enjoying this as much as i am. it's seriously so cute watching you explore todoroki's past along with learning more about eachother through the mutual connection of wanting the best for toto. hehe. 

Chapter Text

flower of the day: mistletoes (mistletoe)

evergreen plants with pale berries that hang in quiet clusters, carrying the soft winter magic of old traditions.

currently: 7 weeks. 

Spending holidays at Yuuei was something you've never expected to do.

As a first-time teacher, you hadn’t realized that yuuei had its own traditions—ones no one bothered to warn you about until you were already knee-deep in them. Apparently, teachers were expected to stay in the dorms throughout the holiday season, since so many kids chose to remain on campus instead of going home.

It wasn’t ‘mandatory’ in the threatening, disciplinary sense, but more in that unspoken “this is what we do here” way that left you blinking, nodding, and wondering how you somehow missed this entire part of the job description.

You were spending Christmas eve at school.

The faculty seemed used to it, weaving through in and out the campus with casual familiarity, arms full of decorations, snacks, and last-minute gifts. Still, there was something strangely comforting about it—the soft hum of laughter drifting from the common rooms, the warm smell of baked sweets being whipped up, and Christmas lights twinkling along the railings in uneven little clusters.

The lights blinked in mismatched rhythms—some quick and jittery, others slow and dreamy—but together they made the halls feel alive. It was impossible not to slow your steps, the buildings felt less like a workplace and more like a home filled with the kind of warmth that only comes from shared celebration.

There was a teachers only party tonight.

You were tucked away in the temporary dorm they had prepared for you since the start of your career, even though you never actually stayed on campus before. The room felt surprisingly cozy as you settled in, tucked inside the old 1-A building—nearly a decade old now, yet still looking fresh and well-kept, as if every student who ever lived there left a little care behind.

You smoothed the fabric of your red dress, the color bright against your skin, and adjusted a strand of your loosely curled hair that kept falling forward no matter how many times you tucked it back. The mirror reflected a version of you who still felt a little out of place among seasoned heroes-turned-teachers, but tonight you were determined to blend in—

even if just a little.

The muffled sounds of chatter and movement from the halls reminded you the Christmas party in the faculty common room would start any minute. You took a steadying breath, slipped on your shoes, and prepared yourself for an evening surrounded by colleagues who already felt like they’d known each other for years…

and you, the newcomer trying to find where you fit in this strange, warm, bustling little world.

You left the room with quiet steps, the soft click of your door sounding louder than expected in the hallway. But the moment you rounded the corner toward the common area, you stopped short—eyes widening at the sheer number of people gathered there.

Teachers filled the space wall to wall, their laughter bouncing off the decorated pillars, cups of warm cider or wine in hand. But what truly made your breath catch was faces you’d watched on hero broadcasts or read articles about. Former Yuuei alumni—now pro heroes with careers far beyond your imagination—were mingling effortlessly, chatting as if this were just another casual evening.

It was surreal. 

These were people students idolized, people whose posters still hung in dorm rooms down the hall… and here they were, bundled in comfortable sweaters, exchanging gifts, teasing one another like old friends. A mix of awe and nerves fluttered through your stomach as you forced your feet to move again.

”yn-sensei!”

A voice called out to you- it was Midoriya standing near one of the decorations, a festive-looking drink in hand, cheeks a little flushed from the warmth of the room. The moment his eyes landed on you, they brightened, and he lifted his arm in an enthusiastic wave that drew the attention of a few nearby teachers.

You hesitated for half a second, shyness creeping up your spine. He looked so comfortable, surrounded by his old friends, that stepping into his orbit felt strangely intimidating. Still, when he motioned you over, you found your feet moving on their own.

“Ah—there you are!” 

Midoriya beamed the moment you reached him, shifting his drink to his other hand so he could gesture to the people around him. Introducing you cheerfully, “Everyone, this is the new faculty member Eri and I were telling you about!”

”yn ln!”

You lifted a hand in a small wave, feeling your pulse jump as the reality hit you—you were standing in front of some of the country’s top heroes. Heroes you’d only ever seen on billboards, headlines, and in videos the students rewatched obsessively. Now they were all right here, casually holding holiday drinks and looking at you.

“Hello there!” you chirped, extending your hand with a hopeful little bounce in your step, a toothy grin slowly spreading across your lips. You tilted your head, bright and cheerful, “Please, call me yn. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

A faint heat rose in your cheeks as you realized some of them actually recognized you from a past interaction. Two girls specifically looked at eachother knowingly, yaoyorozu momo and uraraka ochako, before the latter stepped up and shook your outstretched hand with a playful grin. 

“Hey… weren’t you at that bar last month?” she asked, her voice warm but teasing.

“That’s why you looked familiar,” bakugou scoffed, snapping his fingers together in recognition, he takes a sip of his wine, “Small world, huh?”

Others in the small group exchanged curious glances—a few pros you weren’t brave enough to look directly at—trying to piece together who you were and why Midoriya seemed so eager to introduce you.

Midoriya noticed the growing curiosity and stepped in before your nerves could swallow you whole. With a gentle, reassuring smile, he placed a light hand on your shoulder—nothing bold, just enough to anchor you.

“She’s a good friend of mine, so be sure to treat her well.”

“Well,” Kirishima glanced around at his friends before flashing you a sharp, toothy grin, “any friend of Deku’s is a friend of ours, too.”

”welcome to the group!”

You ended up having far more fun than you expected, swept into conversation after conversation as the heroes Midoriya introduced you to rotated around the circle. Each one carried a different energy—some loud and boisterous, others calm and thoughtful—but all of them shared the same unmistakable bond.

”oh my god- do you remember when we used to host those card game parties with the 1-b students in this exact dormitory and spend all day arguing over who had the strongest cards?”

As you listened, you slowly pieced their history together. They weren’t just coworkers or former classmates—they were people who’d survived things side by side, who’d trained together, failed together, fought together.

“Yeah!” Kaminari piped up with a loud laugh as he gasped out for a breath of air, “I remember Aizawa sensei getting super mad at us because kacchan managed to blast a hole in the walls because Shouto kun kept ragebaiting him!”

”don’t remind me!” Bakugou barked back with a scowl. Crossing his arms as he scanned the room, “where is that stuck-up guy anyway? Wasn’t he supposed to meet us here?”

Yaoyorozu raised a hand, speaking up, “He had night patrol duty today. He said he’d rush over if he could, but… who knows? Villains always seem to pick holidays for their attacks.”

“Man!” Sero groaned, throwing his hands up. “I really miss him! He’s number two, and now he’s suddenly so busy all the time.”

The former classmates spoke with so much affection that you could feel the closeness in every exchange. They continued to laugh about old dorm disasters, about Aizawa’s brutal morning drills, about ridiculous field training incidents that would probably give you secondhand stress if you thought too hard about them.

“Have anyone spoke to Aoyama kun? I really wished he could’ve stayed!”

Even when they mentioned old classmates who couldn’t attend tonight, there was no distance in the way they talked about them—just warmth, pride, and the certainty that they still kept in touch, still supported one another no matter how far their lives had branched out.

You watched them with a quiet smile, realizing that what they had wasn’t just friendship—it was a family built from trials, victories, and years of growing together. And as you stood there among them, you couldn’t help but think how unexpectedly comforting it felt to be welcomed into even a small corner of their world.

“Here, yn chan! Have a drink!” Ashido Mina chirped, her cheeks already rosy as she handed you a glass of wine with a bright, celebratory smile. 

She lifted her own glass high, “Think of it as your initiation—our official welcome to the group! Yay!”

You froze for a split second—so quick that no one seemed to notice as you smoothly covered it with a laughed and a nod. You couldn’t really drink, but refusing outright in front of so many heroes felt painfully awkward. So you accepted the glass, planning to simply hold it and nothing more.

“Thank you, Ashido-san.” You beamed at her, and she returned the smile. Your hand reached out, almost touching hers, “I really appreciate how welcoming you all are!”

But you didn’t even get the chance to grab it.

“W-wait—! Hold on—don’t—!”

Before the glass could come anywhere near your fingers, a hand shot out between you and the drink like it was something dangerous. You blinked—startled—and in that same instant the glass was suddenly gone from ashido’s grasp. Both you and ashido turned to see Midoriya practically frozen, eyes wide, clutching the wine glass to his chest with a panicked, wide-eyed expression.

“Deku?”

”midoriya-sensei?”

Everyone in the small circle turned to look at him, startled by the sudden burst of panic. His palm hovered over the exposed rim of the glass, protective and tense, like he’d just intercepted something dangerous in the invitation. He looked genuinely mortified—more like he’d caught a deadly poison than a harmless drink.

Ashido blinked, laughing awkwardly, “Uh… Deku? It’s just a cup of wine? What’s up?”

Midoriya didn’t even look at her—his focus was glued entirely to you, his breath a touch unsteady, as if the thought of you accidentally taking a sip was enough to send him straight into cardiac arrest. You could practically see the terror flickering in his eyes, like he was already imagining every worst-case scenario at once.

And you… stood there blank.

You finally smiled at him, even though inside your head you were absolutely raging—panicking, running in circles, on the verge of tears. But on the outside, you just kept that polite smile plastered on, breathing tightly through your teeth as if everything was perfectly fine.

“Midoriya-sensei,” you said, closing your eyes for a brief, steadying moment. You opened your eyes to raise an eyebrow at him, your tone light as if nothing at all was wrong, “is there… an issue?”

Midoriya seemed to catch your underlying message immediately; he let out a tiny gasp and quickly shook his head, an awkward grin stretching across his face as his hand flew to the back of his neck in flustered apology.

“Sorry!” he blurted, waving his free hand around in a frantic little gesture before, in pure panic, tipping the entire glass back and chugging it down in one go. He winced hard, clearing his throat as the burn hit him as his tongue slightly sticks out from pain.

“I was just—uh—really thirsty. You know? Uh…” He tugged at the collar of his shirt with a weak fanning of his hand, his face already flushing from either embarrassment or the alcohol, “Man, it sure is hot in here!”

you sighed softly.

Midoriya’s friends stared at him like he’d suddenly malfunctioned. Kirishima’s brows rose, Ashido was still blinking in confusion, and even Bakugou paused mid-conversation with a sharp, suspicious glance.

Midoriya cleared his throat, forcing a laugh that was absolutely not natural. Changing the subject, “S-so! Did you guys see the new decorations in the east hall? Aizawa-sensei put them up himself!”

”Pretty, uh… festive, right?”

It was, without question, the worst distraction attempt you had ever witnessed. Everyone still stared at him like he was already too drunk, and his frantic rambling wasn’t helping in the slightest. He kept glancing over at you, guilt and worry written all over his face—and despite wanting to be mad, you couldn’t quite bring yourself to.

You knew, deep down, that he meant well—his body just tended to react faster than his mind. It was hard to stay mad at a man so genuinely, almost painfully, pure in his kindness. And even when he messed up, it was always out of worry, never carelessness.

You subtly lifted your hand and mouthed, “It’s okay.”

You saw him relax from your forgiveness and let out a soft giggle—but what made your stomach dropped was when you suddenly caught Uraraka and Yaoyorozu just over Midoriya’s shoulder, both frozen, eyes wide, their expressions hovering between realization and shock.

They didn’t say a word.

They didn’t have to.

Women just knew.

And that was your cue to leave before anyone pieced things together even more. You gave a quick clap of your hands, letting a bubbly laugh steal the spotlight, then swallowed and stepped back, forcing the grin to hold.

“It was really nice meeting you all,” you said, genuinely grateful for their stories and warm welcome, but knowing it was time to leave. Waving a hand in farewell, you added with a smile, “but I think I’ll let you guys have your private time together.”

”bye yn chan!”

You slipped away from the group with a gentle, glowing flutter in your chest. The air in the hallway felt cooler, steadier, but your pulse still carried that warm, sparkling excitement—the kind that made your steps feel lighter than usual. 

Holyshit.

you felt great.

You had just been surrounded by literal legends: the Class 1-A heroes who reshaped the world, who lived in textbooks and documentaries, whose triumphs students still whispered about with reverence. And somehow, impossibly, they had spoken with you so casually…

like you belonged among them.

The giddiness left a sheen on your palms, not from fear but from awe, and you decided to duck into the restroom to wash up, to steal a moment of quiet and breathe. It was silent and softly lit, the overhead lights casting a gentle white glow that made everything feel clean and almost dreamlike. 

You turned the faucet on, letting cool water spill over your fingers. As you rubbed your palms together, you caught your own faint smile in the mirror—tonight felt unreal, wrapped in warmth and history and stories from midoriya’s friends that you never expected to be part of.

The door eased open, and Manami stepped inside with graceful, deliberate steps.

She didn’t acknowledge you—just moved to the sink beside you, washing her hands with the elegance of someone who knew exactly how she wanted to be perceived. Her perfume drifted faintly in the air, sharp and sweet at once. You assumed she’d finish and leave without a word, nothing more than a polite bathroom moment between coworkers.

But she didn’t.

You were touching up your makeup as she dried her hands, neither of you looking at each other at first. But then you felt it—the way she lingered by the door, not quite leaving. A quiet tension settled between you, waiting to be acknowledged.

A cough got your attention.

You flicked your gaze from the mirror to her and caught her turned slightly your way, wearing a smile that gleamed just a little too brightly—her stance far more confident than the moment really warranted.

“Do you feel famous now?” she asked, her tone airy, but curling at the edges, like sugar melting over something sharp. She tilted her head, “All that attention on you from the heroes, students, teachers….”

You were surprised by the sudden bite.

“You must think you’re so special because you’re close to Izuku… considering it was probably him who helped you get into the school… and because Shouto noticed you.” She tilted her head slightly, eyes drifting over you with a soft, practiced sweetness that felt anything but kind. 

Then she lifted one shoulder in a small, playful shrug—light, dismissive, almost childlike in its cruelty, “But people like them get bored, you know. It’s only a matter of time.”

“So enjoy it while it lasts.”

Her smile stayed perfect—round at the edges, polished like porcelain—but it never once touched her eyes. She looked you up and down with a pitiful little glance that made something inside you shimmer with annoyance.

You took your time finishing touching up your makeup, letting the quiet stretch just long enough to make her watch you. Then you turned and offered her a smile, gentle and composed, carrying a sweetness of its own—but with a steadiness hers lacked.

“Thank you, Manami sensei, but… I wouldn’t worry about Shouto,” you chuckled, lifting your gaze to meet hers in the mirror with calm, unshakable confidence. With a light, dismissive wave of your hand, you added teasingly, “He wouldn’t dare get bored of little ol’ me.”

You politely held your hands together and looked at her with a bright little glint, the bathroom lighting warming your cheeks and the tip of your nose into a bashful red. Then you gave her one big, satisfyingly wide, winning grin.

“He’s my fiancé, after all.”

The shift in her expression was tiny—just a flicker, a hairline crack in her perfect composure—but you caught it. You stayed deliberately oblivious, not wanting to provoke her further, only managing to shyly tuck your hair behind your ears and give your lips one quiet little pop.

A falter.

A stillness.

A blink too slow.

Then, without another word, you swept past her with a calm, effortless smile, the soft glow of the party lights spilling into the hallway as you stepped out. You left her standing there behind you—silent, stunned, and suddenly small in the doorway.

Your mood, once light and buoyant, dimmed the moment you stepped out of the bathroom. The hallway felt too quiet in contrast to the muffled hum of the party down the hall. You pushed a hand through your hair, exhaling a long, disbelieving sigh.

you had no idea why she hated you.

For a heartbeat, you just stood there, letting the fluorescent lights wash over you as you pulled out your phone. The screen lit up your face, and your eyes widened slightly at the time. It was nearly midnight- you had spent hours chatting, laughing, not even realizing how tired you were actually getting.

A sudden heaviness settled into your limbs. You looked up to see the crowd of people barely acknowledging the fact that you were missing the party, and maybe—just maybe—this was the perfect chance to slip away quietly.

So you turned away from the noise, choosing the quiet path back toward the temporary dorms. The farther you walked, the softer everything became—until all that remained were your footsteps and the low hum of the building.

When you finally reached your room, you didn’t bother with the lights at first. You just slipped inside, closed the door with a gentle click, and let your body sag onto the bed. The sheets welcomed you with a familiar coolness, and you lay there for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, feeling every ounce of the day settle over you.

For the first time all evening, you let yourself breathe—not as a teacher, not as someone’s friend, not as someone’s secret—but simply as yourself, exhausted and completely done with the world for tonight.

You felt…. a little lonely. 

A small pang of sadness tugged at you as you sank deeper into the bed. Christmas had always been a time for laughter with close friends or warm family gatherings— yet here you were, stuck at a school event, surrounded by strangers, and celebrations that somehow didn’t feel like yours.

Your hand instinctively went to your stomach, brushing gently over the small, new life growing there. Toto. The only constant, the only comfort for this Christmas. You pressed a soft, soothing pat against your belly, feeling that tiny, unspoken presence beneath your fingers.

“At least you’re here with me…” you murmured, then laughed softly at yourself. “Well… sort of. We still have eight months to go before you’d even be ready for next Christmas, I guess.”

The darkness of your room wrapped around you like a quiet embrace. For a moment, you let yourself just exist there, listening to the distant echoes of laughter and music from the party beyond your door, letting the hum of life outside be a gentle backdrop to your solitude.

“Let’s just start the countdown I suppose.”

After a long, slow exhale, you reached for your phone, the screen bright in the dim room. You opened the clock and began counting down the seconds—just a small, private way to mark the passing of time until this day, this unusual Christmas eve, finally gave way to the next.

And as you lay there, hand still resting on your stomach, a quiet smile tugged at your lips. It wasn’t the Christmas eve you’d imagined—but it was yours, in its own small, tender way.

1 minute.

You were still scrolling on your phone, watching the seconds tick down until midnight finally arrived, officially ushering in Christmas. You idly flipped through Instagram photos of your family together, barely glancing at the pictures as boredom tugged at you.

30 seconds

You remembered Shouto Todoroki being stuck at work and gasped. Your fingers hovered over your phone messages, hesitating—but the sadness and loneliness won out, and you found yourself wanting to text him anyway.

10 seconds.

You quickly sent him a simple, “what are you doing?” and immediately grew flustered when you saw that he had already seen it within a second. Curiosity prickled at you as you watched the text bubbles appear and disappear, wondering why he was on his phone at this hour especially when he was out patrolling to keep the streets safe.

5 seconds.

A knock at your door drew your attention, and you noticed Shouto had stopped texting mid-message. You pouted briefly but got up anyway, begrudgingly making your way to open the door.

”hello?”

You swung the door open, forcing a smile as you rubbed your eyes with your free hand, feeling a pang of frustration as you bit back a stubborn tear threatening to escape. No one had answered—so you looked up, confused.

1 second.

You blinked owlishly, hardly believing your eyes, as todoroki appeared so suddenly on the other side of your door. Heterochromatic eyes met yours, and your breath caught in your throat. The frost on his hair and lashes from leaving work abruptly shimmered faintly in the soft glow of the hallway lights, and each exhale from him drifted as tiny, sparkling snowflakes.

“Merry Christmas, yn.”

In his hands, he held a modest bouquet of flowers, delicate against the cold, a simple gesture that somehow made your chest tighten. The small grin tugging at his lips only made the moment sharper, sweeter, and infinitely more fragile.

The exhaustion from the day—the nerves, the laughter, the sharp words and quiet victories—finally caught up with you. Your shoulders sagged, your hands trembled slightly, and before you could even think, your face crumpled into a sniffle.

“Shouto!”

Without a second thought, you launched yourself into his arms, needing warmth, needing comfort, needing the one person who could make all the chaos and uncertainty of the day feel like it belonged somewhere. He caught you effortlessly, holding you close, and you buried your face against his shoulder, letting the tears spill freely as the world outside melted into the quiet intimacy of the moment.

“What’s wrong? I’m here now.”

“I told you,” he chuckled, running a hand through your curled hair and pressing a gentle kiss to the top of your head. He teased you softly, “I’ll come running to you anytime you call for me.”

You clung to him, sniffling but laughter escaping through the odd mixture of feelings, the sound catching somewhere between relief and disbelief. brushing damp strands of hair from your face, you asked him excitedly, “How did you come here so fast?” 

His hands slid around your waist, steadying you, and you instinctively reached up, fingertips brushing against the frost-dusted skin of his face. It was cold to the touch at first, but as your fingers trailed along his jaw and cheeks, the warmth of him seeped through, melting the frost bit by bit. You marveled at the contrast—ice and fire, chilling and comforting all at once.

“I ran, of course.”

You deadpanned at his blunt answer. He gave a small, mysterious shrug, eyes twinkling, and you rolled your eyes at him, though the smile tugging at your lips betrayed how happy you were.

Before you could question him further, he leaned slightly to the side and murmured, “Before I forget…”

From behind his pockets, he produced a small, carefully wrapped package. You blinked in surprise as he stepped back, holding it out for you. Taking it, you unwrapped it to reveal a delicate bracelet—simple yet elegant, glimmering softly in the warm dorm light.

“No—” you shook your head, eyes wide and panicked. You felt guilty, “I didn’t get you anything… you shouldn’t have.”

Todoroki rolled his eyes at your rejection and instead lifted your right hand, guiding the bracelet onto your wrist, adjusting it until it rested just perfectly. His fingers lingered a moment, brushing against your skin, and you felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the cold outside.

“You didn’t need to get me anything,” he said, matter-of-fact, eyes locking on yours with that unyielding intensity.

Then, softly, he lifted your wrist to his lips. His cold breath brushed against your skin, sending shivers up your arm. The warmth of his touch lingered even as the chill of his Quirk kissed your wrist.

“You’ve already given me something I never knew I could have.” he murmured, low and steady, words meant only for you.

You bit your lip, unable to hide the way your eyes lingered on him. He had come rushing here at the mere hint of a message from you, and the thought made your heart flutter like it might leap from your chest. The soft glow of the dorm hallway, the faint hum of distant Christmas music, the twinkle of lights spilling from nearby rooms—it all wrapped around you like a private, intimate bubble.

Impulsively, you reached out and took his hand, your fingers brushing against his frost-kissed skin. Your eyes met his, shy yet expectant, and the small squeeze of his hand in response made your chest tighten. Your voice was quiet, almost a whisper, carrying just enough warmth to bridge the space between you.

“Do… you want to come in?”

The world beyond the hallway—the party, the laughter, the bustling dorm—seemed to fade, leaving only the two of you, the soft lights, and the quiet, electric tension of a Christmas night that suddenly felt entirely yours.

Todoroki let out a soft, low laugh before suddenly pulling you into a tight, effortless hug. You couldn’t help but giggle, your laughter mingling with his as he held you close, the warmth of his body seeping into yours and chasing away the lingering chill from the hallway.

Still chuckling, he pressed a long, gentle kiss to your lower jaw, and you felt your heart stutter at the simple intimacy of it. Hands brushed over each other politely at first, tentative and teasing, before sliding naturally into more familiar, comforting motions.

“it would be crazy of me to say no.”

With a soft click of the lock behind you, the quiet of your room wrapped around you like a cocoon. The world outside—the hum of the dorm, the distant festivities—faded completely. In that small space, you could laugh, touch, and simply be together, letting the warmth between you grow with every gentle touch and brush of hands.

”merry christmas, shouto.”

And for the first time all evening, your heart finally began to ease.

A/n

rhis is honestly my favorite chapter. I love Todoroki and yn so much. It’s just full of love and fluff and I refuse to write anything angst about them. Also I headcannon that todoroki is a HUGE devoted lover because he doesn’t want to repeat anything like his parents failed marriage and the aftermath of their children’s ptsd. That’s why I created him to be a huge lover boy despite being a complete stranger to you. You’re carrying his child and that enough showed him that you deserved the whole world!!! 

Plus yn is just simply so cute like who could hate her. 

Chapter Text

flower of the day: snowdrops (snowdrop)

small, delicate flower that typically blooms in late winter or early spring that is a symbol of hope, renewal, or new beginnings

currently: 7.5 weeks. 

On this awaited date, you found yourself sitting in the lost child center.

It was honestly embarrassing as you sat in the lost child center, legs dangling off the small chair, cheeks burning a deep shade of red. People walked past, some stealing curious glances, others letting out soft, amused giggles at the sight of you, a grown adult, perched awkwardly among the children.

“There, there nee-san!” The kids wailed as they held your hands despite needing to calm themselves first, “your mommy will come for you too!”

you gave a awkward grin as you squeeze their hand back, though confusion on your face, “yes… don’t worry about me. I’m more worried about you…”

Even the kids sitting next to you, some sniffling from earlier tears, seemed to take a peculiar liking to you. One small hand found yours, holding on tightly as if you were a safe harbor while they waited for their own parents to come back for them. You offered a tired but gentle smile, trying to hide your humiliation.

Despite the embarrassment, there was a strange warmth in the moment. 

The loud chatter of children, their little hands clasped in yours, and the soft hum of the center created a surprisingly comforting cocoon. You shifted slightly, careful not to jostle anyone, and gave a small, resigned sigh—part amusement, part mortification—while waiting for the next signs of a reunion to happen.

”Shouto, where are you…?”

Despite enjoying the precious, if chaotic, moments with the little ones clinging to you for comfort, a small pang of worry crept in. Somehow, during your first date with the pro hero, you and Todoroki had gotten separated from one another after accidentally wandering off.

You glanced around past the crowded lost child center, scanning faces and hoping for a flash of familiar red and white hair. One hand kept a gentle hold on the small hand resting in yours, while your other hand lightly bounced the child on your lap, the soft motion soothing both of you.

Your heart tugged with a quiet longing as you shifted slightly, eyes darting to every corner, silently wishing for even the faintest sign of him. Todoroki had been such a constant presence today, and the thought of him just out of reach made the room feel a little colder, a little quieter, despite the soft hum of children and staff around you.

let’s go back to 4 hours prior.

It had been a mess from the very beginning. Todoroki had swooped in the early morning to pick you up for your so-called date, and you had thought you looked perfectly cute—your long dress paired with a warm cardigan for the snowy day, hair curled just so, cheeks kissed pink by the cold.

”yn, you should change,” he looked at you with a apologetic expression, “you might get a little cold.”

Only to have all your efforts silently denied by him, in that calm, infuriating way that made your heart both flutter and groan. He didn’t say it outright to get changed, but the way he looked at you—half exasperated, half admiring—made it clear that your carefully chosen outfit didn’t quite match the “plan” he had in mind. And somehow, that only made the day feel more chaotic… and undeniably memorable.

in the end you settled for leggings and a white puffer coat that made you look like a walking marshmallow. 

None of that seemed to matter, though, because Todoroki’s expression softened immediately at your outfit change. Now, bundled up just enough to brave the snow without turning into an icicle, you looked perfectly cozy—and he looked undeniably pleased.

The faint curve of his lips and the way his eyes lingered on you made it clear that the argument over fashion was long forgotten. Somehow, seeing you warm and safe against the winter chill made him lighter, happier, and impossibly easy to smile at, and you couldn’t help but feel a little flutter in your chest at the effect you still had on him.

“Where are we going today?” You asked him as you buckled up into his car, giving your lips a nice satisfying pop as you fixed your lipstick. Tilting your head at him, “you were sure insistent on me changing, so I’m curious to know what you planned for today.”

”patience is virtue, yn.”

Todoroki hummed, giving no clear answer, and you couldn’t help but sigh at his proverb, pouting softly. Resting your head against the window, you watched as he started the engine, and the world began to blur past, your curiosity still buzzing despite the passing scenery.

“Is it the movies?”

”a snowy hike?”

”are you going to murder me?”

Whenever you tried to guess where he was headed, he’d offer nothing more than a small, unreadable shrug, his eyes flicking to you for just a moment in amusement before returning to the road. There was a teasing mystery in his silence, a private game that made the long drive slip by unnoticed.

“Murder you?” Todoroki eventually scoffed at your absurd guess, “I didn’t spend a decade working just to have my hero license revoked for murdering the mother of my child.”

You gave him a toothy, mischievous grin, pleased that you’d finally gotten him to talk on the car ride. You shrugged jokingly, “I was just making sure.”

You couldn’t help the small thrill that bubbled up inside you—honestly, you were excited for this date.

For one of the first times, you were seeing Todoroki dressed casually, free from the constraints of his hero suit or the plain hoodie he usually used to hide his identity. He had chosen something that was simple yet undeniably him—clean lines, subtle colors, and just enough style to make your heart skip. 

You let your eyes travel over him briefly, taking in the quiet confidence he radiated in this unexpected setting, and gave a small, approving nod. Yes, he definitely looked good. Better than good, even—he looked undeniably effortless, and it made the anticipation for the day ahead all the sweeter.

your kid would look so cute with his genes.

Todoroki looked subtly worried at your persistent nodding, his gaze following yours as you continued to quietly inspect the lines of his body, leaving him wondering what exactly was going through your head.

“Is there something wrong? Does your stomach hurt?”

The poor guy sounded genuinely concerned with you, and the moment you realized he was two seconds away from turning the car around and driving straight to the hospital, you shook your head quickly in protest.

“No-no,” you said quickly, lifting a hand as a shy laugh slipped out. Your cheeks warmed as you mumbled, “I was just thinking that… if Toto had your looks, I wouldn’t really complain…”

Todoroki seemed to straighten up almost narcissistically, shoulders rolling back as if your approval physically boosted his ego. You groaned, letting your head thunk lightly against the car trim as you stared at him in disbelief.

You could practically see the sparkles radiating off him—like he was silently, smugly agreeing that yes, he was indeed a very good-looking man. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong… which only made it more annoying.

“I agree,” he commented, which only made your eyebrow twitch in annoyance—until he looked at you in the mirror, lips lifting in a faint smile. “Though honestly… you’re the pretty one. I’d prefer if our toto can take after you more.”

“Oh hush.”

You let him win—because honestly, fighting his smugness was a losing battle. His low chuckle vibrated through the quiet car, warm and amused, and you let your eyes flutter shut with a long, tired exhale. The exhaustion from the past two days settled over you like a heavy blanket, pulling you closer to sleep with every passing second.

Just as your breathing started to slow, you felt a gentle touch at your hand. Todoroki’s fingers brushed yours first, then fully settled over them, firm but careful, as if he was silently promising he’d keep you safe the entire ride.

“Take a rest,” he murmured, voice soft in a way that made your heart ache, “I’ll let you know when we arrive.”

”thanks…”

And with that, wrapped in the warmth of his hand and the quiet steadiness of his presence, you finally drifted off—feeling more cherished than you’d care to admit out loud.

You hadn’t realized how much more tired you were than you thought. You’d spent most of the last three days at Yuuei buried in lesson planning for the brand-new semester, and it drained you in a way that made your body feel heavier with every hour. 

The exhaustion wasn’t just from work, either—not entirely. 

Ever since you found out about toto, a different kind of tiredness clung to you, like your body was working twice as hard. Even on days when you tried to push through with your usual energy, there were moments where fatigue would seize you suddenly, reminding you that you were carrying far more than lesson plans and responsibilities now.

Between the new semester starting and the quiet, constant awareness of the little life growing inside you, it was no wonder you could barely keep your eyes open. Still, in the quiet warmth of the car and the steady presence of Todoroki beside you, your exhaustion that began to tug at your eyelids felt less like a choice and more like instinct.

it was a necessary rest. 

When you woke back up, you stretched instinctively, a soft groan slipping out as you felt the car roll to a smooth stop. Blinking through the haze of sleep, you lifted your head and looked out the window—only to freeze in confusion. The familiar skyline of the city was long gone. Instead, you found yourself surrounded by quiet, open land, snow-dusted fields stretching endlessly in all directions.

And there, standing alone against the pale morning sky, was a single building—warm light glowing from its windows, the only sign of life in the otherwise deserted landscape.

Your eyebrows furrowed, sleep still clinging to your voice as you mumbled, “…where are we?”

“The zoo.”

”oh…”

You suddenly jerked fully awake, eyes flying wide as the fog of sleep shattered in an instant. You pressed your hands to the window, practically smushing your face against the glass as you gasped, loud and disbelieving:

“The zoo?!”

Your voice echoed in the quiet car, and Todoroki’s grin spread slowly across his face—soft, smug, entirely too pleased with himself. He let out a low, warm chuckle, of course he had been waiting for that exact reaction.

“That’s why I wanted you to change,” he said, tone teasing, as if all your earlier complaints and grumbles had been part of some private entertainment for him.

Outside, the snow continued to drift gently down, but the moment felt bright—almost sparkling—with your surprise and his quiet satisfaction, as if this little secret of his had been worth every mile he drove just to see your eyes light up like that.

“I didn’t know we’d drive this far out!”

The moment you stepped out of the car, the winter air swept over you—sharp, crystalline, and cold enough to instantly rash your nose. You inhaled a small gasp at the chill, and Todoroki gave you a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck as if he should’ve predicted just how icy it would be out here.

“There’s a winter event here for the animals, and it’s far enough where I don’t need to hide my identity.” he explained, his breath puffing softly in the air. “I thought you’d enjoy it… and there’s a pretty famous aquarium here too.” 

“I figured you’d want to see both.” 

You blinked at him as he reached over, carefully fixing his scarf around your neck—because, in this weather, you’d definitely be colder than him, fire half or not. His words lingered in the air, soft and sincere, like he’d planned this entire day with only you in mind

you tucked your head into his scarf a little deeper, bashful, “thanks…”

The scent of his scarf hit you—clean, cool mint mingling with the subtle sharpness of his cologne. It was refreshing in a way that woke you up from the inside out, like the first inhale after stepping into winter air. Beneath that, warm and unmistakable, lingered him: a faint woody sweetness, the soft ember-like heat that always clung to the fire side of his quirk.

It was comforting… grounding. A scent that wrapped around you the same way he did—steady, gentle, quietly protective without being overbearing.

Your smile grew without you meaning to, and Todoroki seemed to catch it. Without a word, he slid his hand into yours, fingers weaving together in an easy, familiar interlock. His palm was cool, your hand warm, and the blend felt as natural as breathing.

Side by side, you both began walking toward the open gates of the winter-lit zoo, your joined hands swinging lightly between you, the air filled with the crisp smell of snow and the lingering trace of his mint/woodfire scent.

“Enjoy your zoo experience!”

The two of you wandered into the zoo hand-in-hand, steps slow and unhurried, drifting from one snowy habitat to the next as if the whole place had been reserved just for your quiet winter date. 

Every stop felt like a little world of its own—penguins waddling in neat, clumsy rows, red pandas curled like warm pastries in frosted branches, wolves pacing with ghostlike grace behind glass. The cold nipped at your cheeks, but Todoroki’s steady hand around yours kept you warm.

And for every animal you tried to photograph with your clumsy, cold hands, he somehow redirected the camera back to you instead—always guiding you into the frame, as if you were the only thing worth capturing.

“Smile,” he murmured, raising his phone like it was second nature.

you followed his lead without hesitation—soft smiles, surprised little laughs, and the gentle flush of your cheeks, all caught before you knew it. He snapped photo after photo, as if trying to lock away every memory of this date, cherishing moments he rarely had the chance to enjoy.

Sometimes you’d take a photo of him too.

It’s mind blowing how Todoroki looked like he’d stepped out of a winter-edition Vogue spread—cheekbones dusted with cold, breath fogging in the air, mismatched eyes catching the pale sun like gemstones. Even when he wasn’t posing, even when he was just squinting curiously at an otter or adjusting your scarf for the fifth time—every shot looked editorial.

You even whispered, half teasing, half genuinely stricken, “I know you’re good looking, but why do you look like a magazine ad just… existing?”

He only blinked, confused though managed to laugh, “Do I?”

Todoroki Shouto simply didn’t realize how unfair his genes were, as you swiped through every photo that looked professionally taken just because of his face—which, of course, only made it worse.

“Ugh- stop trying to be humble!”

Todoroki laughed, reaching out to pull you back as you began stomping ahead to see the next animals. He shook his head, clearly amused by your stubbornness, and followed at a slower pace, letting you take the lead. Your steps kicked up small clouds of snow, and he couldn’t help but smile at the way you moved with such determination.

Even if you were mad, there were some moments you loved.

Amongst the solo candid photos, there were the rare, precious pictures where you tugged him into the frame with you. Those were your favorites. His guarded expression melted each time you leaned close, cheek brushing his, your laughter warming the air between you. In a few shots, your noses nearly touched; in others, he was looking at you instead of the camera, eyes softened with something almost reverent.

As the hours passed, everything grew lighter—like each shared smile sifted another weight off your shoulders. 

You laughed openly, head tipped back, the sound ringing through the crisp air. Todoroki smiled more fully than you’d ever seen, toothy and bright, especially when you’d drag him by the hand toward the next exhibit or show him a blurry animal photo you were unnecessarily proud of.

By midday, it no longer felt like a simple zoo visit—it felt like the world had narrowed into a quietly magical winter bubble. Snow glittered on rooftops, your hands remained tightly intertwined, and every glance between you was warm, bashful, and impossibly sweet.

You weren’t just strolling together—you were floating, wrapped in a day that felt gentle, shimmering, and meant only for the two of you.

When you finally reached the end of the zoo section, you took a break to sit on a nearby bench. Todoroki sat beside you, his palms glowing softly with fire, providing a comforting warmth. You hovered close, trying to catch as much heat as you could, while his other hand rested on his phone, studying the map. 

“Are you ready to go to the aquarium?” 

“Yup!”

Todoroki noticed you shivering slightly, and without hesitation, he took your hand and rubbed it gently to warm you up. You eagerly leaned into the warmth, and it helped more than you expected, the cold melting away little by little under his careful touch.

This is where it all went wrong.

You hadn’t realized it, but for this winter event, most of the zoo visitors had drifted toward the aquarium—the only indoor space available to escape the cold. The soft murmur of people, the clink of cups and chatter, and the warmth rising from the building made it a stark contrast to the crisp, open-air enclosures outside.

As you walked into the aquarium section, something caught your peripherals. You tilted your head, pointing toward a cluster of colorful stalls twinkling with fairy lights. Curiosity sparking in your voice, you asked him, “Hey… what’s that over there?”

“I think it’s… an vendors market,”

Todoroki glanced in the same direction, shrugging slightly with a small, uncertain smile. He already begun to pull you there as if he knew you would kindly take his offer, “We can check it out if you’d like.”

Your eyes lit up instantly, and you nodded eagerly, “Yes, let’s!”

As you approached, it became clear—a cozy little winter vendor fest had sprung up, filled with glowing lanterns, stalls brimming with handmade goods, hot drinks, and treats that sent steam curling into the cold air. You beamed, eyes sparkling, the excitement bubbling up in you like it had all day, and Todoroki’s own lips twitched in a rare, soft smile as he watched you take it all in.

”woah!” You drifted towards one of the vendors with Todoroki in hand, “that looks yummy!”

It was a candied apple stand, and the sight alone had your mouth watering. You felt yourself practically drooling as you tugged on Todoroki’s sleeve in a silent, practically begging with nothing more than one desperate, hopeful little pull.

he was already pulling out his wallet, “one please.”

You were happily nibbling on the candied apple Todoroki had bought you—he’d laughed when the caramel stuck to your lip, leaning in to brush it away with his thumb before taking a bite himself—when the two of you wandered deeper into the vendor stalls.

Your hands slowly filled with treats: warm taiyaki, a tiny bag of frosted nuts, a cup of cocoa Todoroki kept stealing sips from, and some cute winter-themed cookies you insisted on trying ‘for research’. Your sweet tooth was thriving here, and he didn’t seem to mind carrying half the load just to watch you enjoy yourself.

Then your gaze snagged on another stall—glittering with handmade ornaments, twinkling lights, and little winter charms that instantly lit up your whole face. A quiet, breathless excitement tugged at you, drawing you toward the display like it was calling your name.

“Oh! Shouto, look at—”

Your voice bubbled with excitement as you reached for him, tugging him along the way you’d been doing all day without even realizing it. You didn’t even move yet—just tugged insistently, as if urging him to hurry and see it with you.

But when you turned back when he made no movement—

Those curious eyes staring back at you?

Not Todoroki’s.

Your breath caught in your throat, heat rushing to your cheeks as you blinked, startled and mortified, at the complete stranger whose sleeve you had just grabbed. They were staring back at you with unmistakably weirded-out eyes.

“I—I’m so sorry!”

You blurted an apology in a rush, practically throwing your hands up. Heat flooded your face so fast it felt like someone had lit a match under your skin, and you dipped into a stiff, frantic bow—your snacks wobbling dangerously in your grasp.

The stranger blinked at you, surprised but amused, offering a gentle laugh and a reassuring wave. They stopped you from apologizing further,  “It’s really okay! Don’t worry about it.”

”o-okay, I’m so sorry still…!”

But your embarrassment clung to you like static. Even as you backed away in tiny, mortified steps, your heart thumped so loudly you were convinced people around you could hear it.

Trying your best to regain even a shred of dignity, you turned and speed-walked toward a quieter corner of the vendor area, cheeks burning, shoulders tense. You prayed the ground would just swallow you up before anyone else noticed your humiliation.

It’s okay. 

Don’t panic.

You stopped gradually, forcing yourself to breathe the humiliation out of your body. It wasn’t fear of losing Todoroki that rattled you—it was the sheer embarrassment of having grabbed a complete stranger.

You tried scanning the crowd for Todoroki’s familiar head, though it was harder than it should’ve been among the shifting bodies. You thought that you could totally handle this—you couldn’t have wandered far and the crowd wasn’t even that busy.

This would be simple.

Easy.

Yet the more you tried to steady yourself, the more the chaos around you pressed in: chatter, laughter, workers shouting orders, vendors ringing bells, children running past. It was all a little too much at once, and your nerves buzzed just beneath your skin.

maybe you can call him!

The bright idea popped into your head as you reached into your pocket, fingers brushing the familiar shape of your phone as relief bloomed in your chest. But just as you began pulling it out—still walking, still distracted—someone brushed past you with enough force to jolt your balance.

Your breath caught.

The force of the bump made you realize your hands were shaking far more than you thought. Your phone slipped from your grasp and flew into the air in a slow, terrible arc, as if time itself had decided to drag out your horror.

“No—no, no, no—” you whined, hands covering your mouth as if you could somehow reverse gravity with sheer will.

A single, tragic splash broke the air.

You stared in frozen horror as your phone disappeared beneath the surface of a waist-high fish tank you hadn’t even noticed beside you. Your arms remained suspended mid-air, curved helplessly like you were still holding the device that had just abandoned you. Tiny fish swam lazily around the sinking rectangle, utterly unbothered by the chaos unfolding outside their watery world.

Your mouth hung open, eyes wide, disbelief wrapping tightly around your chest until you couldn’t do anything but stand there—speechless, stiff, and profoundly done with the universe. A hollow, exhausted dread pooled in your stomach, mocking you for even trying today.

You’re lost in an aquarium and you broke your phone.

Now what?

You did the most logical thing any adult on the brink would do. You didn’t look for him or stand frozen in panic. Instead, you marched yourself straight to the lost child center, signed yourself in, and sank into a chair beside a crying kid, fully accepting your fate.

”Shouto, you have a lost… adult….” You received a weird stare from the receptionist before she continued, “waiting for you in the lost child center. Please come pick them up.”

As you listened to the announcement, you sat there with your hands folded politely and your eyes closed, sighing through a forced smile. Your ears rang with the chorus of crying children around you, and you simply endured it, letting the chaos wash over you without resistance.

Now we’re back to the present.

You were currently surrounded by children who had gravitated toward you, tiny hands clutching yours or settling themselves on your lap as you bounced them gently. For a fleeting moment, you wondered if they thought you were here to play with them, or if they were quietly pitying you.

Either way, it didn’t matter.

Their laughter and wide-eyed excitement were contagious, and you found yourself genuinely enjoying the company as it calmed down your own racing heart. Most of the children had calmed down, their earlier tears forgotten as you began to weave your quirk into the situation. 

“Higher, higher!”

You carefully levitated them a few inches into the air, their giggles rising in delighted squeals as you twirled them gently back down. Each tiny hand that reached for yours, each surprised yelp of joy, made the seconds feel lighter, the waiting a little easier to bear.

“Nee San, I’m floating, do you see me!”

You giggled as you saw their eyes twinkle in excitement, heart tender, “I see you!”

You let the children float in gentle arcs above you, their hair catching the soft overhead lights, eyes sparkling with wonder. It was a playful dance, one that kept your mind from wandering too far into worry, and it allowed you to pass the time until Shouto arrived to pick you up.

“more, more!”

You felt the fatigue creeping in, a soft, heavy tug at your limbs, but anything—anything—was better than sitting still and listening to quiet, endless sobs. As you continued to guide the children gently into the air with your quirk, laughing softly at their surprised squeals and wide-eyed delight, a small bubble of calm settled over you.

“Yn?!”

Then, without warning, you heard it—your name, clear and familiar, cutting through the hum of the lost child center. You froze mid-motion, a gentle flick of levitation freezing and allowing all of the children to land back softly to the ground. 

“Yn, are you here?!”

Your heart skipped a beat as you slowly turned your head, wide-eyed and startled, trying to locate the source. It was unmistakable—the tone, the timbre. Your breath caught, and for a moment, the world seemed to narrow down to a single heartbeat:

Todoroki Shouto.

And then you saw him making his way to the front desk; his hair was slightly disheveled from probably running around, a few stray strands falling across his forehead, and there was a look of disbelief in his eyes as the front desk attendant blinked at him in wide-eyed, starstruck astonishment.

“Excuse me,” he said, voice even and controlled, though his eyes scanned the room with a sharp urgency. He waved a hand, “Have you seen a woman, goes by yn? I was told to check in here for her.”

You couldn’t help but smile at his urgency, a mixture of relief and amusement curling in your chest, as you watched him navigate the situation with that quiet intensity he always carried—utterly serious, yet somehow completely endearing.

“Shouto!”

You stayed frozen in your spot, children clinging to your pant legs and looking up at you with curious eyes, while you waved him over frantically. The moment his gaze landed on you, a spark of relief and something warmer passed across his features.

”shouto!!” You waved him over with a beaming grin, “come over here!”

He rushed toward you, careful yet urgent, before suddenly enveloping you in a bone-crushing hug. Your head pressed against his chest, and you could feel the rapid beat of his heart as he inhaled sharply, as if to make sure you were truly there.

He muttered against your hair, voice tight, “I was so worried.”

Todoroki finally released you from the crushing hug, though his hands stayed close, large and steady, moving to cup your face with careful precision. His thumbs brushed over your cheeks and jaw, tracing lightly as if searching for any sign of injury. His eyes were sharp and focused, scanning you with quiet intensity, betraying the panic he’d been holding in moments before.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly, voice low but laced with the worry he could no longer hide, as his hands lingered, gentle yet protective, ensuring that you were truly unharmed.

You couldn’t help it—you let out a small, breathy giggle at the sensation, the warmth of his hands and the earnest intensity of his concern making your heart flutter. It was impossible not to smile, even as he pressed a gentle, lingering caress to your cheek, as though silently promising he would never let anything happen to you.

“I’m fine,” you placed your hand on his, “really!”

Todoroki’s eyes narrowed slightly, still unconvinced despite your attempts to reassure him. You lifted your hands and gave a toothy grin, showing him that nothing seemed injured, but his gaze remained sharp, worried, and insistent.

“I… I tried contacting you,” he said quietly, voice tight with barely-contained frustration, “but it said your phone was out of service.”

Oh, the memory of your poor phone came back to you. It was a little embarrassing to admit out-loud what happened, so you looked away, cheeks tinged pink, and pouted softly, mumbling under your breath.

“water damage.”

“What?” he prompted, his voice a notch sharper, concern lacing every word.

You hesitated, then admitted reluctantly, “I… I got pushed, and my phone fell into the water…”

For a moment, he just stared at you, eyes wide and blank, as if processing the information in stunned silence. Then, with a defeated slump, he crouched down beside you, elbows resting on his knees, hand over his mouth, and you instantly panicked, heart lurching.

“Shouto—wait! Are you… okay?” you stammered, reaching toward him, but he only let out a slow, shaky exhale, gaze still fixed on you, as if the thought of your mishap had momentarily drained all his energy.

A few of the children standing next to you peered up at the two of you with wide, curious eyes, whispering softly among themselves as they watched the scene unfold. Todoroki hadn’t seen them till now, his eyes locked onto the wide ones that stared back at him innocently.

“Nee San,” a kid with his thumb inside his mouth pulled your pants, “is Mr okay?”

You furrows your brows as your hands paused in the air, tilting it in slight confusion on how to answer, “uh-I don’t know…”

Todoroki’s gaze softened, and slowly, he realized what had kept you so occupied and calm while he was searching for you. He saw how naturally the children gravitated toward you, how patient and gentle you were, and how effortlessly you calmed their worries.

”well…can we play again?”

You glanced at Todoroki, still crouched down, as a couple of kids hesitantly approached and poked at his cheeks. You were about to tell them that you had to go, but then Todoroki gave you a reassuring nod, and your expression brightened instantly in understanding.

”sure!”

Todoroki couldn’t help but notice the way you moved with such ease and warmth, the gentle way your quirk floated the kids, the soft glow of color in your cheeks from laughter and exertion. It sparked something vivid in his chest, a new awareness of feelings he had never fully understood before. 

In that instant, the way he saw you shifted, settling into a depth and admiration that felt almost like awe.

Eventually, most of the children were picked up as their parents came to watch you and Todoroki play with them using your quirks, performing small little shows as you floated objects around while Todoroki made icicle slides. Now, the lost children’s center was near empty besides for a few, and with fatigue weighing heavily on your body, you sat down, letting out a long, tired sigh.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t have the perfect date,”

Todoroki’s words surprised you as he appeared beside you on the bench, where a child rested their head in your lap, your hand gently patting them in a soothing rhythm. You couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through your chest at the sight of him sitting quietly next to you.

You hummed in thought and shaking your head, offering him a reassuring grin before resting your head on his shoulder. Together, you watched quietly as the child drifted off to sleep on your lap, the moment calm and tender.

“No,” you said with a tired but joyful laugh, your hands still gently stroking the small child’s hair. You disagreed with him matter-of-factly, “Besides for losing my phone today, I’d probably say this was one of the best dates ever.”

He raised an eyebrow, not believing you, “Really?”

”mhm!”

At first, you genuinely meant it—it had been a great date, one of the best dates in fact. But now, sitting next to him with the time to breathe, you felt emotions rising that you hadn’t fully processed until the stress finally faded.

It was quiet between the two of you, and you found yourself staring up at the ceiling, clenching your fists and biting your lip as you fought to hold back the dam of tears threatening to spill. Every inhale felt tight in your chest, every exhale shaky, as if the smallest movement might finally let the flood escape.

“Honestly…” you murmured, the words slipping out before you could stop them. You glanced at him though blurry vision, “I always knew you would come back for me… but seeing you here now, I realized just how much I… wanted to see you.”

Todoroki held his breath as he watched your carefully maintained facade begin to crumble, your nose reddening and your lips quivering. You let out a shaky breath, betraying the storm of emotions you were trying to contain.

“I was actually really scared, Shouto…”

What came out next was an embarrassed mix of a whimper and a laugh, your face twisting as you struggled to hold yourself together. You choked out softly, “Where’d you go…?”

Todoroki’s expression softened instantly—guilt, warmth, and fierce resolve settling in his eyes as he leaned closer. His hands moved to cup your face, thumbs brushing gently over your cheeks to wipe away the stray tears that escaped while you sniffled and tried to hold them in to prevent waking the child.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice low and certain. “It won’t happen again. I won’t leave you like that ever again.”

”you promise?” 

“I promise,” he said simply, each word steady and full of meaning, carrying all the care, protectiveness, and depth of feeling he held for you. The sincerity in his eyes left no room for doubt—you knew he meant it with every fiber of his being.

You let out a soft, breathy laugh, your eyes meeting his warm gaze, and murmured with a small, playful smile tugging at your lips, “Thanks for coming for me, hero.”

For a fleeting, perfect moment, the noise of the lost child center, the clatter of the tanks, the bustle of the aquarium—none of it existed. There was only the shared heartbeat of two people, a blushing, delicate weight of something new and beautiful weaving itself around your hearts, settling gently into the spaces you hadn’t realized were waiting for it.

Todoroki Shouto made a promise to never let you cry because of him again.

A/n

Idk why but I struggled so hard on this chaother? Am I crazy wtf not my favorite chapter but yay!  I actually had a whole chapter already written out for this but I thought it seemed so …. Bad so I completely scratched it and made a brand new one. I definitively like this one so much more haha. 

Ianyways love all the fluff <3 thank yew :3

Chapter Text

flower of the day: fragarias (fragaria)

small, five-petaled white blossoms with a bright yellow center that later ripens into a strawberry.

currently: 11 weeks

A strawberry.

Today was the day of your eleven-week scan, and both you and Todoroki were practically gleaming with anticipation, a quiet, shared excitement humming between you like a secret only the two of you could understand.

Despite how busy life had become after the holidays—with Todoroki drowning in the surge of winter crimes and you buried under the chaos of the new school semester starting—there was one thing that stayed constant: Todoroki will always make sure that he had time for you.

No matter how exhausted todoroki seemed, no matter how tightly packed his schedule could become, he stayed committed to showing up to anything related to you and Toto. He made it clear through every small choice that you were never an afterthought. Even when the world demanded more than he could give, he still tried to give the gentlest parts of himself to you.

"I'm here!"

Like today, Todoroki appeared breathless, arriving just a minute before the appointment, half-suited with his oversized hoodie swallowed around his poorly hidden winter heroes gear and the inside-out mask slipping under his nose. The moment he stepped through that clinic door, awkward disguise and the epitome of a panicked partner, made something warm and tender bloom deep inside your chest.

"Shouto, you're just in time!"

People stared with their judging looks at the two of you greeting each other, their curiosity sharp enough to cut. His attempts at passing as a normal civilian were laughably terrible, almost endearing in their sincerity. But none of that mattered once he settled beside you with that quiet determination in his eyes.

because the fact that he came—despite being one of Japan’s top busy heroes—made this moment ten times more memorable for you.

You both sat side by side in the quiet waiting room, the hum of soft music filling the pauses between your words. Tender smiles kept appearing without effort, each one a reminder of how much you had missed each other over the past 2 weeks. Busy schedules had kept you apart longer than either of you liked, making this small moment feel warmer than it should.

“Did you run here?” you asked softly, your fingers reaching up to tuck the strand of white hair that fell over his eye. A small giggle escaped your lips as you added, “I would’ve changed the appointment time for you if I had known you’d be at work already.”

Todoroki just gave a small shrug, taking in a steadying breath as he met your eyes. He shook his head gently, his voice low but sincere, “No. I wanted to see you as soon as possible.”

You kept talking in low voices, sharing little updates about life, laughing softly when your hands brushed. The room around you faded into a gentle blur, leaving only the comfort of being here together again. It felt peaceful in a way neither of you had felt for days.

Then the nurse called your names, guiding you both into the imaging room.

“Do you see the baby?” the technician asked softly, her wand moving carefully as she narrowed her eyes, trying to focus on the blurred shapes. She added with a gentle smile, “It’s bigger now, about the size of a strawberry at this point in the pregnancy.”

You scratched at your cheek, a little embarrassed, and admitted slowly, voice tinged with confusion, “No… I don’t see Toto?” 

The same technician from your last checkup, smiled warmly, glad to see that you and Todoroki were still that awkward young couple, hands hovering nervously, eyes wide with wonder. Neither of you could quite recognize the tiny shapes on the screen as your baby, yet your hearts were already full as you watched her move the wand gently across your stomach.

"how about now?"

When the monitor flickered to life and the faint shape appeared as the image came to focus— big round head, tiny budding limbs— you could make out the gentle curve of its little spine, already looking so unmistakably like a tiny little person. You felt Todoroki’s hand tighten around yours. It was barely a squeeze, but it sent comfort straight to your heart.

Eleven weeks into your pregnancy, and little Toto was officially the size of a strawberry—small, sweet, and growing faster than you could keep up with.

You both watched in awe, eyes wide as the eleven-week ultrasound revealed a little life so much more defined than at six weeks. The six-week checkup had shown almost nothing, a vague shadow on the screen, but now everything felt alive, full of movement and presence. The difference between then and now left you both quietly amazed, hearts quietly swelling at the tiny life unfolding before you.

Then came it—the sound you both had been waiting for.

A soft, rapid thrum filled the room, delicate yet strong, the unmistakable heartbeat of your baby. Your breath hitched, and Todoroki blinked as though the world had narrowed to nothing but that little sound. His tension melted, awe swirling and evident in his eyes as he leaned in ever so slightly, relief softening every line of his face.

It was real. 

It was happening. 

It was so steady, so vivid, that for a moment the whole room felt suspended around that single, perfect sound. It was impossible not to hold your breath, watching the screen as the tiny shape shifted gently under the technician’s wand. That heartbeat altogether made everything brighter, sweeter—like the tiniest strawberry-sized miracle pulsing just beneath your skin.

You don’t think you’d ever cried harder than you did in that moment.

It took a long time for your tears to subside, but soon you found yourself sitting in Todoroki’s car. The city passed by in a blur of pale morning light, the quiet between you both humming with gentle warmth. Todoroki had offered to drop you at work before heading to his agency, and for now, he kept sneaking small, careful glances your way—watching, waiting, and letting a quiet relief linger in his eyes.

at your smile,

at the blurry little image you held,

and at the quiet glow of excitement on your face.

You sat in the car, cradling the tiny ultrasound printout between your fingers as though it were made of spun sugar. You traced the outline gently, your smile soft and private, while beside you, Todoroki drove with one hand on the wheel and the other resting open on the console, as if always inviting yours.

Toto—your little strawberry-sized miracle—was nothing more than a fuzzy shape on glossy paper, but to you, it was perfect. 

“Be safe at work, yn.”

You took a step out of Todoroki’s car, the cold morning air brushing against your cheeks as you adjusted your bag over your shoulder. He leaned ever so slightly toward the open door, giving you that subtle, concerned look he always wore when saying goodbye.

“Shouldn’t I be the one telling you that?” you teased, shaking your head. Pointing a finger at him, “how about you, be safe.”

You couldn’t help it—you broke into a laugh, the sound echoing lightly in the quiet neighborhood that was a little of a walk from the school to avoid attraction for the both of you. The idea of a pro hero—your pro hero—throwing themselves into danger everyday telling you to be careful was so backwards it almost made your chest warm.

”bye, Shouto.”

He blinked, caught off guard by your unreadable expression for half a second, then the corner of his mouth tugged upward in a soft, helpless smile. And as you waved goodbye and turned to start your walk toward the school, you felt his gaze lingering on you—warm, steady, and impossibly fond.

The new school semester.

The closer you walk toward the yuuei school gates, the more your smile started to feel forced. The last hints of warmth in your chest flutter uncertainly, even the air around you feels heavier as you move forward. The excitement from your prenatal appointment fades faster than you expected, leaving only a faint reminder of how happy you were.

Now wait, don't get me wrong-

You loved to teach, and you truly found a real passion in it. The little smiles on children’s faces when a lesson finally clicked were enough to make you so, so happy. The work gave you a purpose that nothing else ever had. Every day felt brighter when you saw your students growing under your guidance, like their joy somehow stitched itself into your own.

your relationship with your classes has improved so much since the beginning.

The classroom became a place where you could breathe, a small world untouched by the stress that waited outside its doors. Their curiosity softened the edges of even your hardest days. In their laughter and their questions, you found a gentle reminder of why you kept going. It was the one place where happiness felt simple again.

The students had become the least of your worries now, surprising you with how quickly their attitudes shifted once they learned they could benefit from kindness. They listened more closely during lessons, their hands lifting with a kind of eager hope that had not been there before. Some even leaned forward in their seats, waiting for a chance to participate.

Their interest was innocent, almost sweet, and it stood in sharp contrast to the tension in your life. Instead of judgment, the students offered curiosity and excitement, something that made the classroom feel lighter than the rest of the building. You could sense their trust building in small moments, sometimes hearing them defend you from other students who spoke badly about you.

It felt like a relief to have a space where you were not scrutinized, but simply welcomed.

the teachers were another story.

You would think that after the Christmas party, grown adults would have respected your private life, yet the new semester proved the opposite. Passive-aggressive remarks now slip into casual conversations, and sharp glances follow you. It feels as though everyone is waiting for you to justify something they were never entitled to know.

Even with Midoriya publicly supporting you and the influence of his status, a shadow of backlash lingered behind closed doors. Around him and the higher superiors, their smiles softened, and their voices sounded careful, almost rehearsed. But when it was only you, the warmth vanished, replaced by a coldness that made every hallway feel longer.

It became obvious how differently they treated you depending on who was watching.

Their courtesy felt borrowed, something they put on like a coat whenever authority passed by. Yet when you stood alone, their true opinions slipped through the cracks in subtle remarks and lingering stares. It left you walking through the day with the uncomfortable certainty that their kindness was never meant for you.

Was this bullying?

You’d thought that once you hit the big age of twenty-four, things like that stayed in grade school—petty whispers, cold shoulders, people deliberately turning their backs when you walked into a room. But nope. Here you were, a fully employed professional with a degree and a classroom of kids who adored you…

and still being bullied and quietly blackballed at work.

It wasn’t even the worst kind—just snide comments when they thought you weren’t listening, muttered mean jokes, people suddenly going silent the moment you stepped into the staff room, accidentally forgetting to pass you school news. But this was the kind of stuff that crawled under your skin only because it was so childish.

And honestly? 

With the goodness of your heart, you didn’t even blame any of your coworkers. You already knew that they were likely just following the lead of the one person who, embarrassingly enough, seemed to think about you far more than you liked.

This school grade level bullying doesn’t stop you from going to work, though you hoped that the day will not take the rest of your joy away from you.

“Morning everyone!”

When you arrived at work, the sight wasn’t pleasant at all: the teachers in the lounge who’d been talking immediately went quiet, shooting you sidelong glances before slipping away one by one, not a single one returning your polite greeting.

“Or not, I suppose.”

You scowled and muttered under your breath as everyone hurriedly filed out, leaving you standing alone without so much as a word. You trudged to your designated desk, stashing your personal belongings inside the cubicles; no way were you dragging your bag and coat through eight separate classes.

This treatment you were receiving was idiotic, truly. 

The morning buzz hit you all at once when you finished—students chattering in the hall, the soft thud of shoes against polished floors, the faint scent of pencil shavings and winter air drifting in as the air as you walked to your first class. Before you could even step fully inside into your homeroom, your students already spotted you first.

“Yn Sensei! Good morning!”

A joyful swarm of voices crashed over you in perfect, chaotic unison. Your mood lifting already, you grinned, giving them a little wave as you walked in, their excitement practically bouncing off the walls. Just by eyeing them, it was obvious that word must’ve gotten out from other classes regarding what today’s homeroom lesson is going to be about.

“Hey, kiddies,” you greeted warmly, your voice instantly softening at the sight of their bright faces. But as they all looked at you a little too expectantly, you narrowed your eyes in mock suspicion.

“Alright,” you drawled, hands on your hips, “are you guys actually that excited to see me… or is there a little something you’re trying to ask me about?”

“Both!”

They all hurried to sit down in their seats, some scooting in place, some nearly vibrating from fighting with the effort of sitting still. You set your lesson binder on your desk, picked up a stick of chalk, and started writing today’s lesson on the board—already sensing the familiar whispering behind you. 

It was a new concept to you, but you were already warned from Midoriya. It always happened around this time of year—the moment every student looked forward to. For those training to become heroes, it was the season when the biggest opportunities finally began to surface.

Work studies season.

You were still writing on the chalkboard, focused, when the chattering of your students slowly died down as they waited for you to finish in anticipation. If you could start a timer for how long they actually stayed quiet, you’d be horrified by how short it was. The room fell silent for barely half a minute before—

“Sensei…” you could practically hear the honey dripping and puppy-dog eyes, “can you ask Mr. Todoroki to sponsor me?”

You closed your eyes and sharply exhaled, your hand still moving across the chalkboard as a defeated smile tugged at your lips. Ah—there it was. The very question you’d been dreading, the one you knew these kids would ask the moment they ‘discovered’ your relationship. 

“Yeah!! Can you ask him for us?”

You still hadn’t confirmed with anyone whether you and Todoroki were truly a thing, but the rumor had already become a staple in the classroom chatter. At this point, there were far too many witnesses on that day for you to convincingly deny it and your silence doesn’t help either. These kids were doing everything they can to convince you to bring him to class.

“sensei, please! My resume needs this opportunity!”

You paused writing mid-sentence when you realized you can use this drive for your benefit, a slow smile pulling at your lips while you turned your head slightly, amusement glittering in your eyes. The students stared at you, buzzing with anticipation, as you tapped your bottom lip in faux thoughtfulness.

“Maybe...” you hummed, watching their eyes widen

You turned away slyly to hear their disappointed groans, shrugging, “maybe not.”

You finished writing the lesson of the day, tapped the chalk against the board, and finally turned to face them with a playful smile. Leaning against the teacher’s podium, you propped your chin in your hands, laughter slipping out as they all pouted at you for never giving them a straight answer.

”I’ll consider it….”

That shimmery aura returned the moment you began talking again with sweetness, your fingers drumming lightly against your cheeks. They grew visibly excited— ready for you to let them meet Todoroki—but somehow your mind still drifted to your class testing average, wondering how it stacked up against the other teacher’s.

Your smile became strained as you looked at your homeroom students challengingly, “If majority of the class can score higher a than eighty percent on your next midterm.”

“That’s not until 2 months later!”

The collective groan that followed practically shook the whole room in exasperation from the rollercoaster of emotions. Some kids dropped their heads dramatically onto their desks, others whispered fierce promises to study harder, and a few looked like they were making silent bargains with the universe.

You chuckled under your breath as you turned back to the board, heart a little warm. Their determination—and their shameless love for one very specific pro hero—never failed to make your mornings brighter.

“alright class, stop joking around.”

You slammed a thick book down onto your podium with a crack that echoed off the classroom walls. Your kids snapped to attention instantly—backs straight, eyes forward, pencils already poised like they were about to be drafted into hero boot camp.

“We have a busy morning today.”

You narrowed your eyes at them, letting that sharp, no-nonsense teacher glare sweep across the room. The class straightened even more. If someone walked by right now, they’d swear you were running a military academy, not a bunch of first-year students.

“No time to joke anymore, I need you guys to be at your absolute best.”

Their heads bobbed so hard in obedience that you were half-afraid someone would sprain something. Sure you teach multiple science classes, but these homeroom kids are different. These were your kids—competitive gremlins who gave you a run for your teaching degree and took your challenges personally so you knew they were absolutely determined to win this Todoroki-sponsorship bet like their futures depended on it.

You lifted your chin, voice booming with authority.

“We have work studies coming up, so I’ll briefly talk about that before we go over our confirmed winter semester plans.” With the simple lift of your finger you used your quirk and lifted everyone’s book from the shelves to their desks, “We’re compacting and rushing a lot of material to get you prepared for the next grade level.”

“Yes, Sensei!!”

The class thundered their answer, loud and disciplined enough that the windows gave a faint shake. You couldn’t help the tiny grin of accomplishment that slipped onto your lips. They really were trying hard and that was a good start to your work already.

Your little army will be more than ready for midterms.

The rest of your workday flowed surprisingly smoothly. After tackling your homeroom’s chaos in a warm, lively blur, you moved straight into teaching science to the rest of the first-year classes. It was busy, nonstop, loud, but steady—one of those days where the momentum just carried you.

Honestly, you preferred it that way.

And with work studies week bringing a flood of alumnus, hero secretaries, and pros themselves onto campus, you made absolutely sure to steer clear of any areas where staff might gather. No teacher lounges unless necessarily, no private conference rooms, not even that little corner of the library.

Instead, you drifted toward the children clustered in the hallways and courtyards—first-years shadowing pros for the work study season, nervous but eager. You asked about their agency placements, their goals, their worries. You laughed with them, reassured them, let their chatter fill the spaces that might’ve otherwise been swallowed by unwanted glances.

A very successful day, you may say.

As the final bell rang and your last class trickled out the door, you gathered your things with a soft sigh. You didn’t want to go to the teachers’ lounge—but your bag, notebook, and half your materials were still in there. 

Avoiding it all day had worked until now.

The hallway was calm, almost serene, sunlight spilling through the tall windows in warm, golden streaks. You let yourself enjoy it—thinking of Todoroki’s hectic morning with you, the flutter in your heart hearing Toto’s little 10-week heartbeat, the way your students practically vibrated with motivation. 

For a moment, everything felt steady.

But the moment life finally steadies, it loves to hurl a rock just to watch you stumble.

Just as you reached for the lounge door, it swung open from the inside, and you nearly collided with Manami. Her smile appeared instantly—sweet, sparkling, and just a little too glossy, like sugar lacquered over poison if you looked too closely.

“Oh?”

Manami hummed, tilting her head just enough to feign innocence. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice light and airy as she added, “You’re coming in? I figured you’d be off… hiding with your little fan club of first-years.”

“They just adore you, don’t they?” she giggled lightly behind her hand, her eyes glinting as she gave you a faux-sweet pout, “It’s… cute.”

You bit the inside of your cheek, refusing to give her the satisfaction. It took everything in you not to roll your eyes right there in her face. You shifted your weight, trying to step past her and slip into the lounge without sinking into whatever bait she was dangling—

—but her fingers closed around your wrist before you could reach the door.

The touch wasn’t harsh, just firm enough to halt you, her nails grazing your skin as if the gesture were harmless… friendly… when you both knew it wasn’t. Her smile didn’t waver. If anything, it sharpened.

“Your class was awfully loud today,” she smiled, though something sharp glittered just beneath it. She popped her glossy lips in an exaggerated manner, “I suppose chaos counts as ‘engaged’… if you lower the bar enough.”

“They’re very motivated, actually,” you replied, the snap tucked neatly behind a perfectly even, practiced tone. You threw her a wide, polite grin—just a hint too bright, “But I really appreciate your concern.”

A soft laugh slipped out of her when you finally spoke back—thin, airy, and sharp enough to prickle along your spine. Manami didn’t say a word at first; she just looked at you, that smile stretched perfectly across her face like it was painted on.

You winced when her grip on your wrist tightened, subtle but unmistakable. You could see the faint clench in her jaw, the tension flickering right beneath her composed expression as she held you there… staring at you for a long, heavy moment.

She eventually released your wrist, fingers trailing off like she wanted you to feel the absence. You drew your hand back to your chest instinctively, rubbing the spot as you offered her an unbothered grin. Manami smoothed down her blouse—fixing a wrinkle that wasn’t even there—and let out a slow, dramatic sigh.

“Have a great night, Y/N-sensei,” she murmured, the honey in her tone stretched thin enough to snap, before slipping past you and leaving the air colder in her wake.

”yeah,” you nodded, your voice quieter as you watched her walk away with a strut, “you too.”

You shook your head at how ridiculous that whole exchange had been, unable to figure out why it even happened in the first place. She could’ve just kept walking—gone about her night without stopping you, without digging her nails into your nerves for the sake of her own satisfaction. Instead, she chose to pick at you, and you hated that she’d gotten even a sliver of what she wanted.

“Weirdo.”

Forget about Manami. You were speed-walking to your desk, desperate to pack up and get out of there, but the closer you got, the clearer everything became why she looked at you like that. Your pace slowed, breath catching just a little, because your desk was not in the state you’d left it that morning—nowhere close.

“What in the hell…?”

Papers were scattered, pens knocked over, your folders pulled slightly out of place—as if someone had gone through everything with careless hands—hands that didn’t care about your space or boundaries or the fact that you were already hanging on by emotional threads.

Your stomach tightened, a cold prickle sliding down your arms. You crouched down and began gathering the mess, whispering to yourself that it was fine—maybe someone bumped it, maybe it wasn’t intentional, maybe it was just an accident. Maybe.

But then you noticed it.

The little opened file cabinet space where your small, laminated ultrasound photo had been tucked between folders. The one from this morning. The one of Toto at eleven weeks. The one Todoroki and you had admired with softened eyes. You froze, breath snagging in your chest as your hand hovered over the bare spot.

”No-no-no!”

You searched once—twice—your hands growing more frantic with each pass as you checked every corner, every pocket, every fallen sheet. The mess blurred together, papers rustling too loudly in the quiet room, but the one thing you were looking for… wasn’t there.

your strawberry was gone.

And the hurt hit you fast—sharp, humiliating, and heartbreakingly childish. You swallowed hard, staring at the empty space like it didn’t make sense, like if you blinked enough the little image of your baby would reappear. But it didn’t, and the silence around you suddenly felt much louder.

You instantly knew who took it.

You sat back with a disbelieving expression, defeated as you tried to ransack your mind for your next move. Knowing her personality, you already knew tomorrow was going to be a disaster—and you had to be ready for it.

“Midoriya? Aizawa? All might? Shouto, maybe?”

You had a fingernail between your teeth as you chewed, but the thought of Todoroki coming to help you was one you shook off instantly. You didn’t need him for this—this was something you refused to bother him with.

You’d always been a passive person, able to take most things in stride—but stealing something important? That was a whole new level of low, a blatant act of disrespect.

You’re not going to sit back and just take this.

A/n

a little Boring to set up the scene so I’m going to double upload this. ◡̈  that’s all <3 o only have 1 more week to freely update this book before I throw myself into heavy school work to finish my medical certification, so I’m gonna work hard! ♡ update; I’m just gonna upload all 3 and then change my update schedule from 1 a day to probably 1 a week. :’) so here’s all three

Chapter Text

flower of the day: ivies (ivy)

A climbing plant with small flowers and glossy leaves, spreading aggressively as it winds over walls and trees.

currently: 11 weeks

The first thing you did the next morning was stomp right up to manami.

You stood rigidly at her desk, arms crossed and eyes narrowed, every muscle taut with restrained anger. Manami didn’t even glance up; she sat back in her chair, slowly touching up her makeup as if nothing were wrong, her movements deliberate and annoyingly calm. 

“What is yn sensei doing to poor manami sensei?”

Around you, a few colleagues walked past, eyebrows raised in quiet curiosity, whispering to each other as they tried to figure out why the tension in the room had suddenly spiked before the school day had even begun.

The hurt knotted in your chest as your gaze drifted to your desk—the spot where your precious ultrasound image of Toto’s 11-week scan should have been. The smug satisfaction in her posture, the slow, venom-laced smile, left little room for doubt, you knew she took it.

“You… you went through my things,” you said slowly, each word measured, trying to keep calm despite the rising ache of betrayal. Manami’s smile didn’t falter; if anything, it deepened, sharp and sweet all at once. 

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” she cooed lightly. She dismissed you with the wave of her hand, “It was just… lying around, and I was curious as to why you were getting all of this attention all of a sudden…”

“Makes sense why now.”

You rolled your eyes at her obvious attempt to play innocent, even as the glares around you started to prick at your skin. She looked back at you with furrowed brows and a pout, as if daring you to respond.

“Give it back.”

You held out a hand, not really wanting anything more than to get the ultrasound back. You hoped she’d comply to end this quickly, but she just stared at your hand with a look that made you feel almost tainted, as if touching you was a chore.

“seriously,” you demanded her as you opened and closed your fist to usher her to hurry, “I want it back, it’s mine.”

Manami didn’t even budge—she just examined her nails like you weren’t worth acknowledging. The sight made your anger spike, your nose scrunching up as you trembled, holding yourself back from lunging at her in front of everyone.

”I just think how it’s so cute…”

Manami eventually turned her chair, crossing her legs with deliberate elegance before clapping her hands together loudly—an unmistakable grab for attention. You flushed a bright red the moment she opened her mouth with a dramatic gasp, dread pooling in your stomach.

She grinned wider, raising her voice so everyone could hear, and leaned in with her chin resting on her fingers. The stares lingering on you only made you freeze, every inch of you rigid with discomfort. You could feel the weight of their eyes like a spotlight, and it made your chest tighten.

“How you’re carrying the child of Todoroki Shouto!”

Manami shook her head with a sharp click of her tongue, hand pressed dramatically over her heart as she looked at you. Her voice dripping with false sentiment, she asked, “I’m so sad that you didn’t share that with us, aren’t we all friends here?”

You stood rigid, jaw clenched and shoulders stiff, a quiet storm contained in your posture. Across from you, Manami leaned back in her chair, striking a perfect pose of exaggerated sadness, the kind that made it impossible to tell how sincere—or insincere—it truly was.

Whispers began to ripple through the lounge as teachers filtered inside, drawn by the sudden commotion. The shock was immediate—Manami’s accusations had spread faster than anyone could process. Faces froze, mouths opening slightly, eyes darting between you and her as everyone tried to gauge the truth, unsure how to react to such a bold and personal claim.

All the while, your silence held firm, controlled but brimming with unspoken fury. The room seemed to shrink around you, the weight of the revelation pressing on everyone present. Colleagues glanced at one another, some wide-eyed, some hesitant, and all you could do was maintain your composure.

“Manami sensei.” You gave her one last chance as you seethed through your teeth, “Give. It. Back.”

She dropped her smile, her face straightening into a mask of pure hostility. The honeyed sweetness was gone, replaced by nothing but cold, sharp hatred. She scowled, turning her head over her shoulder, refusing to look at you any longer.

“No.”

“Okay.”

You smiled at her from her expected response, before you immediately leaned over her desk, hands moving quickly as you snatched papers and small items, tossing them aside with mounting frustration. Manami froze mid-motion, her perfectly manicured hands pausing in shock, and then a sharp, piercing scream cut through the quiet lounge.

“What are you doing?!” she barked, voice trembling with panic—or maybe just feigned outrage.

You took a steadying breath, forcing yourself to remain calm despite the anger simmering under your skin. Your eyes met hers, unwavering, as you ignored the horrified glances of colleagues looking at you as if you were possessed.

“I want it back,” you demanded firmly, each word clipped and deliberate, the quiet force behind your tone leaving no room for negotiation. Your hands hovered slightly, ready to grab more if she tried to stop you, but you didn’t need to—your stare said it all.

she didn’t budge.

Seeing that Manami made no move to return your belongings, you let your frustration take over. With pursed lips and a stare that refused to leave hers, you swept her belongings off the desk, one by one, sending papers, pens, and personal knickknacks clattering to the floor.

The lounge was thick with tension, teachers shifting uneasily, unsure whether to interfere or let the storm run its course. Manami sat frozen, her expression unreadable. Every object that hit the floor seemed to echo your anger, a silent demand for acknowledgment, for justice, for the return of something far too personal to have been taken.

Even as your breathing grew heavier, controlled but ragged, the quiet murmurs around you seemed distant, insignificant compared to the raw surge of frustration that consumed you. You stood there, unwavering, the weight of betrayal and loss pressing down, determined to make it clear that this would not go unchallenged.

”stop it!”

Manami shoved her chair back with such force that it toppled over behind her, clattering loudly against the floor. You flinched at the sudden noise, heart jumping, and before you could react further, her hand shot out and yanked yours with a sharp tug. 

A breath left your lungs in a startled gasp, the motion whipping you forward unexpectedly, and your pulse spiked as the world seemed to tilt for just a moment under her sudden aggression. You swallowed hard, each heartbeat a reminder that you would not let this pass without standing your ground.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

You and Manami glared at each other in tense silence, the air between you thick and electric. Every second stretched painfully as the room seemed to hold its breath, the teachers slowly realizing the gravity of the situation and beginning to edge closer, hesitant but ready to intervene. 

“Why do you hate me?” you asked her, frustration and disbelief lacing every syllable.

“Because it’s unfair!” she spat back, voice sharp. Manami’s eyes glittered with a mix of venom and envy, “you came and within 3 months you immediately got introduced to izuku’s circle?! People like me have to work twice as hard just to be noticed!”

“Todoroki Shouto was supposed to be mine!”

You froze for a moment, letting the hands of other teachers pulling you away from each other do their work, though your gaze never left hers. Disbelief twisted in your chest, a strange, surreal weight settling over you, and then—without warning—a laugh escaped your lips. 

It started as a small chuckle, then grew, shaking with the absurdity of the claim, the ridiculousness of the situation making it impossible to stay angry.

Around you, the room remained tense, teachers exchanging uneasy glances, but you couldn’t help it. The sheer audacity of her words had broken the tension in a way nothing else could, leaving only a mix of exasperation and reluctant amusement coursing through you.

“That’s why you’re so mad at me?” 

You pressed your hands to your mouth, stifling giggles that bubbled up uncontrollably as you aggressively shook off the hands tightening around your biceps. Your laughter seemed to fuel her anger even more, and you saw the hostility flare in her eyes as she straightened the collars of her blouse, as if bracing herself for confrontation.

Tilting your head with a wide, teasing grin, you let your voice drip with carefully measured sweetness, “It must be so exhausting… always trying to compete when everyone clearly already favors someone else.”

“Must be hard to not even be someone’s second choice,” you said, hands thrown out in exaggerated confidence as you laughed at her. “I wouldn’t know—because that couldn’t be me!”

The word barely left your lips before a sharp, stinging slap landed across your cheek, making your head snap to the side. Silence fell immediately, the force of the action reverberating through the room, leaving everyone frozen in shock as the echo of the slap hung thick in the air.

You blinked owlishly, breath hitching at the sharp sting blossoming across your cheek. For a moment, you simply stared at her, the world narrowing to the burn and the incredulity of her audacity.

did she just hit you?

As you parted your lips to speak, Manami’s hand shot up again, striking you once more with precision and force. The second slap ignited something inside you—a flare of anger that had been simmering beneath the surface, now crashing over you in a wave too powerful to hold back.

The third slap you caught her hand this time.

You caught her wrist mid‑air, fingers locking around it with a grip that made her wince. Your smile twisted—half fury, half relief—as you stopped the third slap a breath before it landed. The teachers holding you back tightened their hands on your arms, a silent warning pulsing through their grip, and you exhaled sharply through your nose. Slowly—deliberately—you released Manami’s wrist, letting it fall back to her side.

You closed your eyes for a moment, drawing in a breath as though you were actually letting it go, letting the room think you were done. The teacher behind you eased their hold, shoulders sinking in relief as their fingers loosened from your arms.

“giving up already?” She scoffed, “how weak.”

When you opened your eyes again after calming yourself down, Manami’s were waiting—glittering with triumph, lips twisting into a smug, poisonous little smirk. She genuinely thought she’d won as your shoulders loosen and jaw relaxed.

And that was the funniest thing you’d seen all week.

Your lips pulled into a slow, dangerous smirk. Before anyone could register the shift in your stance, you yanked your arm free, pulled your hand back, and drove your fist forward—landing a clean, brutal punch straight to her face. The impact cracked through the room, followed by a sickening crunch as your knuckles met her nose.

”holy shit-!”

Pain shot up your hand instantly, white‑hot and sharp, forcing a cry from your throat at the same time Manami screamed, clutching her face. The sting radiated all the way to your elbow, but god—god—it felt worth every second.

”that hurt!”

Both of you crouched on the lounge floor, nursing two very different kinds of pain. Manami clutched her nose, tears streaking down her face as the sharp sting radiated from the impact, while you held your fist close to your chest, wincing and trying to soothe the raw ache that pulsed through your knuckles.

You let out a small, humorless laugh, thinking to yourself that this—this kind of pain, sharp and unnecessary—was exactly why you’d never wanted to be a hero. You preferred the classroom, the predictable challenges, the work that didn’t leave bruises or throbbing knuckles; pain like this wasn’t for you.

“What is the meaning of this?”

The two of you froze at the sound of a booming, familiar rough voice. A group of adults filed into the lounge, summoned by reports of a disturbance— it seemed like the by-standing teachers watching  finally decided it was time to put an end to the chaos and call for help before anything worse happens.

Aizawa spoke with his eye glowing red and voice demanding, “I asked you, what is going on here?”

Both you and Manami straightened, rising to your feet as he marched toward you. You clenched your fists tightly at your sides, while Manami pressed hers over her nose—but neither of you said a word to answer him.

You watched as Aizawa approached slowly, his eye taking in the chaos of the room—papers scattered everywhere, a chair knocked over. Behind him, familiar faces trailed in: Uraraka, Midoriya, and Bakugou, all watching the scene unfold in varying degrees of disbelief.

“I can explain…”

It honestly didn’t look good for you as you spoke up first, you were clearly the less injured of the two. You raised your hands in an innocent gesture, then pointed a finger toward Manami, shooting her a sharp glare cutting through the tension.

“She hit me first.”

Yes. You’d tattled on her for hitting you—and you felt a surge of pride for it. Manami whipped her head toward you, clearly caught off guard, but you stayed perfectly straight-faced.

“Twice, may I say, your honor.”

Aizawa stared at you in exasperation, the last time he’d felt this much disbelief was nine years ago, back when he was the homeroom teacher for the chaotic Class 1-A. Bakugou let out a snort of amusement from your choice of words, while Midoriya and Uraraka looked on in horrified shock.

“No- I-“

Manami tried to twist the story, her voice rising as she attempted to shift blame, but before she could fully spin her narrative, a voice cut through the tension. Manami’s eyes widened in shock and betrayal, her face twisting.

A teacher with their head lowered and hands raised in a gesture of peace, they spoke clearly and firmly, “YN-sensei isn’t lying. Manami overstepped by taking something that wasn’t hers and hit her first.”

“Shut up!” She hissed to them. Turning quickly to Aizawa, she tried to plead her case, voice dripping with desperation, “aizawa sensei, my nose is broken, obviously-“

Aizawa only shook his head, unamused, cutting her off once more. He extended a hand, rubbing the bridge of his nose in quiet frustration, signaling the conversation was over before it could spiral any further.

“stop talking.”

The authority behind his tone left no room for argument, and even Manami’s defiance faltered under his unflinching stare. Aizawa’s gaze sharpened, ice-cold and unyielding, “If I wanted kids to teach, I would’ve hired kids,”

He paused just long enough to let the weight of his words settle, then continued, “Clean up the mess, and meet me in the office.”

Aizawa left first, his head shaking slightly as he muttered under his breath, the sound low but sharp enough to echo through the quiet lounge. Manami stomped her feet and left first, her shoulder pushing past you. You stood frozen for a moment, scrunching your nose as a heavy weight settled in your chest. 

The reality of the situation hit you, and your mind spiraled—was this the end of your career before it had truly begun?

”yn sensei,” a voice snapped you out of your thoughts, “are you okay?”

You blinked owlishly, eyes widening as you saw Midoriya striding toward you, concern swirling in his bright, earnest irises. Close behind him, Uraraka and Bakugou trailed along, their curiosity evident in the way they glanced between you and him, taking in the scene with sharp, questioning eyes. 

He took your hands and viewed the injury before wincing at your swollen red cheeks, “what happened?”

A low whistled escaped from Bakugou, “You sure pack a mean punch.”

“Kacchan, now’s not the time!”

Your gaze drifted lazily around the lounge, taking in the scattered papers, toppled chair, and the mess strewn across the floor. You finally met the trio’s eyes, noting how they waited silently for you to speak, each of them processing the chaos in their own way. 

“oh no,” a small gasp, “your face is bleeding.”

Midoriya was panicking as he thought about your safety, Bakugou’s expression was unreadable at first before it shifted into a mix of surprise and impressed at the sight of your hand, while Uraraka anxiously rummaged through her bag, muttering about needing a bandage for your scratched face.

Midoriya nudged you again, gentle but insistent, his brows knit with worry as he tried to piece everything together. He asked softly, “what happened?”

All three of them waited—Bakugou with his arms crossed and eyes sharp, Uraraka hovering with a bandaid still in her hand, and Midoriya watching you like you were seconds from collapsing. Their attention felt heavy, almost suffocating, and you found yourself staring at the floor instead.

Your jaw tightened.

Yeah… maybe you had gone too far. Maybe throwing her things and landing that punch wasn’t the cleanest way to handle anything. But the truth settled in your chest with a hot, exhausted throb—you’d been pushed and cornered and whispered about long enough.

The pressure had been building for weeks.

And today was simply the moment you finally snapped.

You crossed your arms, chest puffed slightly in a self-satisfied stance, if your actions were entirely justified. It felt good that you allowed yourself a hint of pride for finally standing your ground. 

“She stole my photo.”

”your what?”

You watched as the smiles on Bakugou and Uraraka slowly faded, replaced by a flicker of absurdity and surprise, but you didn’t care. Your eyes locked onto Midoriya’s, sharp and unwavering, a thin veil of hostility threading through your gaze as you silently dared him to question your actions.

”my toto,” you repeated for him to understand, “she stole the photo of my toto.”

It didn’t even matter anymore as your words echoed loudly—the truth was out. There was no point in hiding your pregnancy now, not when the whole school might already know. All that mattered to you in that moment was getting your photo back, the small, irreplaceable memory of Toto’s 11-week photo.

“Toto?” Bakugou scoffed, “what the hell is that nickname?”

You snapped at him, not wanting this conversation again, “toto. Like. TOdoroki ShouTO. Why doesn’t anyone understand that?”

"still ugly..."

Uraraka’s bandage slipped from her fingers and tumbled to the floor as her head began to spin, the morning’s chaos hitting her all at once. She hadn’t expected the school visit to start like this—so early, so tense, and so utterly unpredictable—and she struggled to steady herself amid the flurry of papers, scattered chairs, and sharp words lingering in the air.

Uraraka had known you were a little… unpredictable ever since those first nights at the bar and the chaotic run-in at Todoroki’s condo. But witnessing firsthand the sheer force of your actions—the way you had hit manami with the precision and impact of a bulldozer—was something entirely new, a shocking revelation that left her wide-eyed and a little speechless.

“Wait so- this is all because…” bakugou held a hand out as he dropped his jaw, ”she took your photo of todoroki? isn't that like... an extreme reaction?”

“Yes- wait no,” you shook your head when you realized the misunderstanding. you rubbed your face before you corrected him with a huff, "not a photo of Shouto, sorry, I should've been clearer. it's a photo of my baby-"

"Our baby."

Your words rippled through the air and brought a quiet shock to them, leaving Bakugou blinking at you with his hand frozen in mid-reach. Midoriya itched at his cheek as if trying to soothe the prickle of guilt, and the stare Bakugou gave him carried a silent betrayal that told him no one had bothered to speak the truth until now.

“A baby?” Bakugou repeated after you slowly. Staring at you as if you were an ancient language to be deciphered, “you’re pregnant with… todoroki?”

You nodded your head like you hadn’t said anything even slightly out of the ordinary. Bakugou just kept blinking at you, trying to process how someone he’d only just met could casually say something that insane about his high school friend and fellow coworker.

“That half and half?” He asked, “like are we talking about the same Todoroki shouto? The same man who thinks smiling at a girl will kill them?”

A soft giggle caught your attention, drawing your eyes to Uraraka as she bent down to retrieve the fallen, unopened bandage. Before you could react, she stepped closer, her bright smile lighting up her face, and gently pressed the bandaid over the small scratch on your cheek. Her touch was careful, almost tender, and for a brief moment the tension in the lounge seemed to soften just a little.

“I knew it!” Uraraka found herself laughing as she looked at you, giving you a grin, “I knew you were special since the day we ran into eachother!” 

This whole situation was absurd and unexpected, yet seeing you stand your ground, refusing to back down or admit fault, made her realize the quiet, unshakable pride that radiated from you.

Though Bakugou was still stuck in shock and Midoriya was busy catching him up, Ochako looked almost proud of herself—no, more than that. She was downright gleeful at the news, her whole face bright with excitement as she watched you quietly pick up the mess you created without a single complaint.

Uraraka Ochako understands why Todoroki Shouto is so charmed by you.

.

a/n

part 2

yn is NAWT a weak girl but she is also the epitome of yn x ceo and i love it sorry that trend is so finny

Chapter Text

flower of the day: honeysuckles (honeysuckle)

delicate, fragrant blooms whose sweet, curling petals spill a golden perfume that drifts softly on warm summer air

currently: 11 weeks

You stood outside the principal's office waiting like a child.

Manami slipped into the office first, the door closing behind her with a click that left you alone in the quiet hall. They had chosen to speak to you both separately, so you waited just outside, fingers brushing your sleeves while the muffled hum of classes carried on without you.

Midoriya was substituting in your place, and Bakugou and Uraraka were trailing along with him to speak about work studies, their voices drifting faintly through the corridor like distant threads of a world still moving on without you. 

You knew your class had not expected the surprise substitution and would no doubt swarm you with questions later, but with Midoriya in charge and Bakugou and Uraraka helping, you could already imagine the chaos unfolding. Those kids were probably having the time of their lives, and you would not be surprised if they ended up thanking you the next time they saw you.

"ouch..."

Your knuckles brushed against something, and pain bloomed suddenly, a soft hiss slipping past your lips before you could swallow it down. You lifted your hand and observed the bruising along your knuckles, the faint ache deepening as you slowly stretched each finger.

“Hmm… I do pack a mean punch…” you found yourself agreeing with bakugou, your lips pursing and head nodding.

The rush of adrenaline from punching Manami in the face still pulsed vividly through you, sharp and electric, and the memory tugged at the corner of your lips until they twitched upward. You held the laughter back, letting it settle warm in your chest, a secret spark flickering beneath the quiet hallway air.

a win is a win.

You did not know how long you stood in that hallway, shifting your weight from foot to foot, pacing slow circles that left the floor warm beneath you. The silence pressed close, and you kept fighting the stubborn pull to lean toward the door and listen, resisting the urge to eavesdrop even as curiosity curled restlessly beneath your ribs.

You leaned your head back against the wall with a quiet sigh, your hands politely folded in front of you in an attempt to look patient despite the restlessness in your chest. Tilting your head to your shoulder, you let your gaze drift toward the window, admiring the soft sweep of snow outside as it fell in slow, serene spirals that made the world look gentler than you felt.

Now mid january, and the snow had not eased in the slightest. It was one of the coldest winters in years, air sharp enough to sting, but to you it was also one of the prettiest. The snowflakes fell with an elegant calm, each one drifting like a tiny piece of quiet beauty settling gently over the world.

The sting in your knuckles and the faint ache along your face still lingered, but everything around you felt strangely calm, as if a long-standing knot inside you had finally loosened. It was the quiet release of an issue that had been gnawing at you from the very beginning, a breath you had not realized you were holding now drifting softly out into the winter air.

hopefully, the treatment you received will be better.

Since punching Manami and watching the unexpected way some teachers stepped forward to defend you when Aizawa arrived, a quiet realization had begun to settle in your mind. It was her pulling the strings all along, weaving trouble behind your back with that practiced sweetness. And with that single swing of your fist, you hoped it might finally mean less picking on you, as if the blow had cut one of the threads she used to tug you down.

"thank you for your time."

Just as you were about to push yourself off the wall, the principal’s door opened, and Manami stepped out murmuring. Her eyes were swollen with welts of tears, her nose rashy and raw from how fiercely she had been rubbing it, the remnants of her crying written all over her face as she moved into the hallway’s pale light.

manami's eyes caught yours as she scowled at you, "I bet you got what you wanted."

You did not bother answering Manami as she spat a bitter string of words in your direction, tears still dripping hot down her cheeks. She shoved past you without meeting your eyes and stalked off toward the faculty lounge, her footsteps sharp and uneven, leaving only the faint scent of her frustration trailing behind her in the quiet hall.

You pursed your lips as you watched her go, your head tilting slightly as you tried to make sense of what she had meant. A thin thread of guilt settled in your chest, tightening with each step she took out of sight. You understood, or at least suspected, that she had just been fired, and the thought made you shrink inward as the realization crept in that you might be next.

"yn sensei?" a voice called. "you may come in."

All Might’s voice called your name, warm but edged with something stern, and you begrudgingly listened to him. You drew in a deep breath before pushing yourself off the wall, steadying your shoulders as you stepped forward. The door closed gently behind you as you walked into the room, the quiet click sounding far louder than it should have.

"hello...."

You held your hands together as you stood in front of the desk, the faint shakiness betraying you each time you swallowed. The feeling settled over you like you were a child in trouble again, small and exposed beneath the weight of the room. When you finally lifted your gaze, you met All Might’s inviting eyes and Aizawa’s tired ones, their expressions steady.

"now... yn sensei."

You flinched and dropped your gaze again, your hands continuing their subtle trembling no matter how tightly you tried to hold them still. All Might’s voice carried a quiet weariness when he spoke, the kind that came from concern rather than frustration, and you could feel his eyes softening on you even without looking up.

“I understand anger…. frustration-“ he hesitated, trying to find his words.

”-it happens to the best of us.” he spoke gently, his voice settling through the room as he kept his eyes on you. he let the words linger, their weight heavy but not cruel, his concern wrapping around you like a quiet reminder of the line you had crossed.

he shook his head in disappointment, "But using violence, taking matters into your own hands like this is never the right answer, no matter how justified you feel."

"even if provoked, a hero, and anyone in a position of responsibility, must always find a calm, reasonable way to resolve conflict."

You stayed silent, your jaw tightening as his words rolled over you like a slow, relentless tide of guilt. Your arms hung loosely at your sides, fingers barely curled, and your chest heaved with uneven breaths. Regret pricked warmly along your cheeks, climbing upward until your face burned beneath the weight of their gaze.

“Physical aggression is unacceptable, regardless of the reason.”

Aizawa crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on you. His voice was low and sharp, cutting clean through the room. With a tired firmness that made the shame burn tighter in your throat, “You may think you’re right, but this is reckless behavior—for a teacher who should be showing children model representation on how to manage their emotions.”

“Control yourself, or there will be consequences,” he warned, his voice rising. “Do you understand?”

You nodded, biting your lip as you lifted your head just enough to meet Aizawa and All Might’s watchful gazes. Both waited silently, giving nothing away but expecting a response. 

No words came. 

Nothing rose to your tongue, nothing could soften the heaviness of their reprimand. There was no excuse that could lessen the weight of their disappointment, so you simply stood there in the quiet, swallowing the truth of it.

"any words to add yn sensei?"

Deep down, you already knew you hadn’t needed to hit her that hard, yet the thought that you felt no real remorse pressed even heavier against your chest. You shook your head, unable to find the right words—words that wouldn’t make it worse—and he let out a soft sigh.

"Considering that we know what happened,"

All Might leaned forward, hands resting lightly on the desk, his gaze steady. he gives you a reassuring smile, “Witnesses confirmed that you were hit first, which is taken into account. That said, there still needs to be consequences for both parties involved. Manami Sensei had taken accountability for her actions and had chosen to resign.”

"but you..."

You closed your eyes, bracing yourself for his words, mentally preparing to hear that you were being fired and ready to pack your things alongside Manami. But the words never came. Tentatively, you opened one eye and found them both watching you with unreadable expressions. 

Aizawa’s sharp eyes locked on you as he informed you of your punishment, “You’ll be placed on a one week probation and doing community service hours. During this time, a substitute will cover your classes.”

“This is not a free pass—it is an opportunity to reflect on what happened and show that you can act responsibly.”

You swallowed hard, the flutter of relief pressing against your chest. It was a relief not to be fired, but that comfort was tempered by the knowledge that any small misstep now could end it all. Each heartbeat felt heavier, a quiet reminder of just how fragile your position had become.

“Your actions will be noted, and any further incidents during this period will result in stricter consequences." All Might continued on, tone strict but measured, "This probation is meant to give you a chance to regain trust and recollect your behavior.”

You felt your spirits lift slightly and eagerly nodded. All Might returned your smile, standing and walking toward you before resting a hand gently on your shoulder. His eyes were tender and forgiving, quietly reassuring you that this moment was not the end of your career.

All Might gave a small, encouraging nod, "Make this week count, young yn. Show that you can handle this responsibility.”

You felt a sniffle escape as you angrily rubbed at the stray tear threatening to fall. Just as All Might was about to dismiss you, a harsh knocking sounded at the door, making everyone’s heads turn toward it, curiosity flickering across your faces as everyone wondered who could be interrupting.

"uh," All might chuckles awkwardly as he glanced at you, before hesitantly, "Come on in?"

And in he came.

The man who had made your finger freeze just beneath your eye, your sniffle catching in your throat. Your shoulders faltered, mouth suddenly dry, as Todoroki strode in without a word, his eyes locking onto yours with a sharp, unyielding intensity that made your chest tighten.

"Shouto kun," All might spoke with a wide grin, "what brings you into the office today?"

He didn’t seem to notice the retired hero speaking to him. Instead, he moved straight toward you, hands carefully over your shoulders as his eyes carefully took in the redness, swelling, and scratches from the earlier slaps. When he touched your face, you winced slightly with each press of his fingers. His gaze lingered on every mark, as if committing them to memory, concern flickering quietly beneath his stern expression.

"Are you feeling alright?" 

You found yourself nodding slowly, the tension in your chest easing slightly—he wasn’t externally angry, not as you had expected. Instead, you studied him fully, noting his clean hero costume and steady composure, your mind turning over questions you couldn’t answer: how he had known to come to the school, and why he had chosen to show up now.

"Yeah, shouto, ouch" you whimpered as his hands continued to rub on your face, "I'm fine, I promise you."

Shouto seemed to notice his grip on you tightening with each passing second and let out a quiet sigh as he released you. He straightened, then turned toward All Might and Aizawa with a polite nod, offering a calm greeting that carried the quiet weight of his composed presence.

"All might, aizawa sensei, " he holds his hand out for them to shake, "it's been a while."

“No arguing that.”

All Might and Aizawa gave him a quick once-over before letting out a soft chuckle at his professionally composed demeanor. Knowing Todoroki for years, they could see the turmoil quietly swirling behind his calm exterior, and they gave a reassuring pat on his broad shoulders, acknowledging the weight he carried even as he stood so steady.

"I'm sorry to cut this meeting short," Todoroki said, taking your hand in his, with a steadiness that told them the decision was already made. he glanced back at them with an unwavering gaze, "But if there isn’t anything else to discuss between us, I’d like to take her with me right now."

“I’ll be in contact with you soon regarding our wedding invitations. Please excuse us.”

“Marriage?”

They blinked at how hurried and abrupt he sounded, watching as he was already pulling you from the room without waiting for a single response. You barely had a moment to breathe—let alone register his decided words—before he was tugging you down the hall, his long, fast strides leaving you scrambling to keep up.

"shouto, wait-!"

It seemed as though he were moving on autopilot, unable—or unwilling—to hear your words. You stumbled and practically ran to match his long strides, your breath hitching as it slowly dawned on you that this was his way of showing his silent anger, each step a quiet echo of the tension between you.

"Wait! It hurts!"

You yanked your hand back from him and gasped, realizing too late that your leg had slipped and you were beginning to fall. As you scrambled, teetering backwards from the sudden whiplash, Todoroki’s eyes widened, and he reached out, grabbing your arm and tugging you safely back into balance.

“Are you hurt?”

you huffed back, irritated, “no, but I’d like you to slow down.”

Todoroki looked genuinely apologetic that he had made you trip, his expression softening as he took you in—carefully, almost fragilely. He brushed the dust from your shoulders and straightened your clothes, steadying you with gentle hands before finally letting you go.

"i apologize, yn."

The two of you stood in silence, eyes locked as you frowned up at him, eyebrows furrowed. You rubbed at your arm, sore from being pulled multiple times today, while he closed his eyes and pressed a hand to the bridge of his nose, a quiet sigh escaping him as tension hung thick between you.

You studied him in quiet disbelief, taking in the way he stood there—speechless, lost for words, and looking one breath away from falling apart. And beneath that trembling silence, you caught the flicker of something sharper in his eyes—resentment, or maybe frustration—and the sight of it stung you more than you expected.

"are you mad at me?"

You finally asked him, continuing to rub at your arm as you waited for a response. He said nothing, simply standing there, eyes flickering over your messy appearance and fiery gaze, his silence heavy yet unspoken. The pause stretched between you, filled only with the unsteady rhythm of your breaths and the quiet tension that neither of you dared to break.

“Wait, wait are you mad at me? How did you-“

You swallowed before asking again, your voice demanding this time as you pushed him to answer, “How did you find out and come to the school?”

"Ochako called me."

“Uraraka San?”

You blinked in surprise at the answer—not expecting the female hero to have called Todoroki to tell him about the entire school situation. You hadn’t expected that from Uraraka Ochako, maybe from Izuku, but no one else. The revelation only seemed to make Todoroki shake his head in irritation, his lips pressing into a thin line as he lets out a scoff.

“Yeah,” the bitterness was obvious in his voice, “she called me, so I came straight from work.”

You felt your face fall, a sting of annoyance flaring beneath your ribs. Your scowl came before you could stop it, and you folded your arms tightly as you stepped back from him, hurt simmering as it felt like he was angry for you disturbing his hero work.

"Look, I’m really sorry to have taken up your time from work," you said, narrowing your eyes. You pushed away the hand that tried reaching for you again, "But I don’t know what to do if you’re going to get mad at me like this."

”you didn't have to come.” You spat harshly, “I could’ve handled it myself.”

Todoroki looked at you with wide eyes, his jaw dropping in surprise at your sharp tone. Without waiting for a response, you began marching toward the front entrance, already knowing where his car would be parked, and he followed silently behind you, keeping pace.

The cold air bit sharply at your cheeks, turning them red almost instantly, and you quickened your pace, trying to keep your anger from taking over. You could feel Todoroki’s frustration behind you, and it only made your own temper flare more at the thought that he was upset without hearing your side first.

His hand intertwined with yours and stopped you from walking further, "Why do you think I'm mad at you?"

He spoke so softly that it barely carried over the cold air as the two of you stood in the middle of the courtyard. Your eyes fell to his hands, warm and gripping yours tightly, before rising back to his face, where you saw the desperation in his gaze—an urgent plea for you to understand him, even just a little.

You tilted your head, as if the answer should’ve been obvious, a faint astonishment tightening your eyes. You pulled your hand from his grasp—sharp, instinctive—never realizing how deeply those next careless words would hurt him.

"... because... i took you from work?"

“You think I’m mad because I left work?”

Your words left the both of you momentarily speechless at the obvious fact you’re not truly aligned. He crumbled for a moment, tension softening, before setting his expression back to neutral. Slowly, he stepped closer, hands rising to cup your face, and you felt the warmth of his breath brush against your skin, a quiet, intimate heat in the cold air.

"yn, what am I to you?"

His voice cracked softly against the cold, a fragile sound that hung between you as he waited for your answer. You bit down on your lip, unable to offer a single word while he watched you—shoulders lowered, utterly defeated by your silence. Frozen in place, you could only stand there, unsure how to move, how to breathe, how to reach for him.

“Do you not trust me?”

You searched his eyes, your heart twisting at the sight. They were breathtaking—sharp, clear, and impossibly pretty—but filled with a hurt that made your chest ache. His dejection hung around him like a shadow, heavy and quiet, yet despite the depth of his pain, there was no anger, no retaliation.

“When something happens, I should hear about it from you… not from my colleagues,” he said, his brows furrowed, his voice steady but heavy with unspoken words, “Why do you draw a line between us…”

“and make me feel like a stranger?”

You stared at him, a breath caught in your chest, before your head began to drift in a slow, fragile shake of refusal. Your lips quivered, eyes falling to the ground as a wavering breath slipped in—thin, shaky, and full of everything you couldn’t bring yourself to say.

"You're just so busy all of the time..." you weakly defended yourself, "i didn't want to bother you with my troubles...it already is enough seeing you run to the prenatal appointments."

“What on earth are you talking about?“

Todoroki frowned, offended that you would think he’d prioritize work over you. He was about to snap, but the subtle tremble of your shoulders made him pause. His gaze traced over you, taking in every detail of your appearance, and the sharp edge in him softened slightly.

Your hair was messy, strands sticking out in careless angles, and your face bore the marks of the day’s chaos, scratches marring your skin. A single bandaid clung to one cheek, an attempt at covering the damage, while your knuckles were clearly bruised, telling their own quiet story of the anger and frustration you had endured.

But it wasn’t just your injuries that caught his attention.

What hurt him the most, however, was recalling the moment he had walked into the principal’s office. There you had been, head bowed, silent and small, a figure of quiet guilt that made his chest ache. Seeing you like that, left him restless and burning with an urgent need to protect and reassure you, even as his own temper simmered beneath the surface.

"Im not going to ignore situations that concerns my child and the mother of my child," he argued back, "how could I turn a blind eye?"

The courtyard lay silent around you, the pale winter light glinting off the snow that drifted slowly to the ground. Each flake seemed to catch the quiet between your hearts, settling softly on your shoulders and eyelashes as you stood entwined, holding onto each other.

Todoroki’s words lingered in the air, a mix of frustration and yearning, wrapping around you in a weight that pressed gently against your chest, making the cold air feel sharper against your skin. Slowly, you felt warmth bloom in your chest, and with it, the sting of tears forming behind your eyes.

"why is it so easy for you, shouto?"

When you finally let them fall, they caught the light like tiny shards of glass, sparkling and glittering against the pale snowflakes that clung to your hair. Your breath hitched, mingling with the cold, as you observed the raw adoration and frustration in his gaze, emotions so unfamiliar yet so intense that it made your heart ache in a way you had never known.

"how can you say that so... easily?"

Todoroki’s fingers froze against your cheeks, as if stunned by the sight of you crying. His composure faltered, the steady, controlled facade breaking under the weight of the unexpected vulnerability before him. The cold snow swirled around you both, each flake a frozen echo of the moment, while your tears ran freely, sparkling like fractured sunlight, and he simply stood there, caught between shock, concern, and the fierce need to hold you close.

“I know…”

“I know that you have a tremendous sense of responsibility,” you hiccuped, pressing your hands to your cheeks to wipe away the tears, your voice breaking into a trembling sob, “But you don’t even know me, besides the fact that I’m carrying your child.”

Todoroki looked at you, eyes wide with shock, as your tears finally spilled freely, the weight of everything crashing out at once. Each sob seemed to carry the months of silent struggle, the burden you had tried so desperately to contain. 

“It’s so hard…” you sobbed, your hand flying to your mouth as if you could hold the sound in. “It’s hard trying to convince myself I deserve you, when every glance—every whisper—from everyone else feels like it’s shouting that I don’t.”

He felt it then, the depth of what you had been carrying, and understood that this had been pressing on you from the very beginning, long before anyone else had noticed. A quiet ache settled in his chest, a mix of sorrow and protectiveness that made him want to reach out and shoulder some of your burden for you.

“It’s not that easy for me, Shouto,” you whispered, eyes dropping to the floor as your voice softened. You confessed to him,“It’s so hard being with you—the pressure, the expectations… I’m just not comfortable with it yet…”

Todoroki watched you carefully as your tears continued to fall, your hands rubbing at your eyes in a futile attempt to stop them. Slowly, he noticed the small shivers that ran through your body, the subtle trembling that betrayed just how cold and overwhelmed you truly were. His brows furrowed in concern.

Without hesitation, he quickly removed his jacket and draped it around your shoulders, letting the warmth seep into you as he wrapped it snugly around your frame.

Even as you cried, Todoroki couldn’t tear his eyes away.

The way your tears caught the pale winter light made them shimmer like tiny crystals against the soft white backdrop of the courtyard. He admired you in that vulnerable moment, seeing all the strength it had taken for you to hold everything in for so long, and yet also witnessing the raw emotion you finally allowed yourself to release.

“I’m sorry.”

Gently, he pulled you into a soft hug, his body and jacket shielding you from the cold. Your muscles relaxed slightly, a small puff of air escaping with your quiet sobs. For the first time in a long while, you felt a fragile sense of safety, cocooned in his presence as the snow drifted silently around you.

"i'm not mad at you,"

He spoke with quiet finality, his voice folding into a soft, hesitant sigh. His hand rose your back, rubbing small, comforting circles while you hiccuped, your fingers tangling in the hem of his shirt. Then he placed his chin to your forehead like an anchor—warm, steady—giving you the unspoken permission to unravel, to let the tide of everything you’d been holding wash out at last.

"i'm sorry for getting angry," he murmured gently, "please don't cry."

His words seemed to make your sobs soften, each one gentler as you felt the warmth of his hand rubbing against you. The simple contact comforted you, a quiet reassurance that wrapped around your heart, and for the first time in a long while, it brought a fragile peace as the tears you had been holding back finally flowed freely.

“I’m terrified,” you sniffled, your head tilted just enough to really see him. 

“Why?”

Todoroki’s curiosity about you was endless, each glance and gesture making him want to know more, to understand every piece of who you were. His eyes lingered on you, tracing your expressions and movements as if memorizing every detail.

“I’m afraid… that we won’t make it,” you swallowed hard in a quiet panic, hands frantically gripping on his body for stabilization, “I know this is what’s best for Toto, but… what if it’s not the best for me and you?”

Your eyes shimmered, trembling on the edge of breaking, and the cold turned every exhale into a fragile cloud that drifted between you. The confession left you as a barely-there whisper, so delicate it almost vanished into the hush of falling snow.

“A family without love… is that really the best option?”

he didn’t answer you. 

His mind churned with feelings he had never known, watching your expression darken with dread. From the very moment he met you, your presence had lit the world around him—making it sharper, more vivid, more alive. He had always been drawn to your expressiveness—the way your gaze held him unflinchingly, eyes wide and unwavering, speaking volumes without a single word.

You didn’t even know, that you held a special place in his heart.

Todoroki took your hand gently, pressing a soft kiss to it before resting his face against your palm, letting the warmth of his skin settle into yours. Your fingers traced the edges of his scar absentmindedly, finding comfort in the familiar lines, while he looked at you with steady reassurance and quiet confidence, as if silently promising that you would not face this alone.

He chuckled softly, a note of relief in his voice. “This… is this is why you didn’t want to marry me?”

Hearing you finally voice your worries, instead of bottling them up behind the always-on edge of your smile, Todoroki felt a wave of relief. You were letting your truth spill out, soaking the moment with the same raw, unguarded honesty that had captivated him that very night you shared a bed—the same girl he had fallen so completely for.

“I promise you,”

“if you just trust me and follow me,” he reassured you, tenderly, “If you stay by my side, I’ll do my best to put your mind at ease.”

“I won’t let you regret it.”

You looked at him, taking in the confidence and certainty in his gaze, and the sight made the tears well up in your eyes once more, blurring the world around you as emotion tightened in your chest. Despite the warmth of his reassurance, you felt your resolve waver, letting a few more tears escape silently down your cheeks.

"Don't be so scared."

Todoroki laughed softly as you sucked in a breath, scrunching your nose in a futile attempt to hold back your tears. He brushed them away gently with his thumb, his laughter continuing, warm and light, easing some of the tension that had been building inside you.

“Please do me the honor and marry me, yn.”

Todoroki pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, then your cheek, then the corner of your lips, lingering there just a little longer. His breathing was steady, warm with certainty as he whispered his offer into the cold. You felt a wave of relief and warmth flood through you, as if the weight you had been carrying had finally begun to lift.

His lips lingered near yours as if to soothe the trembling in your breath, "You don’t have to worry about anything else. I am far more capable than you think."

Lost in the moment as he leaned in, your breath caught in your throat. His face was close—so close your eyelashes fluttered shut on instinct, your lips softening, puckering ever so slightly in anticipation. 

But no warmth met you.

Instead, only his breath ghosted over your mouth before he paused, a faint chuckle rumbling in his chest. When you opened your eyes again, he was smiling—soft, amused, and entirely aware of what you’d been expecting.

“You didn’t give me an answer.”

His voice slipped out in a low tease, light but lethal, and your eyes flew open in embarrassment. Heat flooded your cheeks instantly, your mouth opening in a small, shocked gape as you realized he was fully, shamelessly teasing you in your most vulnerable moment.

”all you have to do is say yes.”

“Well—”

you started, or at least you tried to start, but the words tangled themselves into nothing but breath and heat. Your face felt like it could combust on the spot, and your mouth hung open uselessly, no sound coming out except a tiny, flustered squeak you wished you could take back immediately.

He laughed—soft, warm, and far too intimate for someone who had just backed you into a moment like that. The sound wrapped around you, low and delighted, making your stomach flip in helpless embarrassment. His eyes softened with that playful glint he only ever saved for you, the corners crinkling as he leaned back just enough to take in the sight of you completely undone.

“You’re adorable,” he murmured, still amused, still far too pleased with himself—and absolutely not letting you escape the fact that you had very, very clearly tried to kiss him.

”if you don’t say anything within three seconds, I’m going to assume it’s a yes.”

His words came out more like a statement than a request, and your cheeks burned instantly as you fumbled, hands searching blindly for something—anything—on him to hold onto. You finally found his jaw, fingers brushing against it as your breath caught.

“One…”

His nose brushed yours—and you absolutely panicked. Your eyes went wide, and you suddenly forgot what to do. Your hands hovered awkwardly between your chests, unsure whether to push him away or yank him closer.

“Two…”

His hand rose, warm and steady, his thumb grazing your skin in a slow, affectionate sweep. A soft laugh escaped him—quiet, breathy, impossibly fond—as if your clumsy fluster was the cutest thing he had ever seen. His fingers tilted your head gently into place, guiding you with a tenderness that made your pulse stumble.

And before you could even breathe—

before you could squeak out a protest or a yes or anything at all—

his lips met yours.

The kiss melted into you instantly, warm and sweet and dizzying. It wasn’t perfect—it was a little clumsy, a little eager, like he’d been holding himself back for far too long and finally let himself fall. His lips pressed softly at first, testing, savoring, then deepened with a softness that made your knees weaken.

You felt your heart flutter all at once—heat blooming beneath your skin, your stomach flipping, your hands finally finding their place as they clutched the front of his shirt. His breath shuddered against your mouth, and for a moment the world went hazy and quiet, like the space between you was the only thing that existed.

You both looked at each other, breaths warm and mingling in the small space between you, something soft and unspoken settling over the moment. Your fingers stayed against his jaw, his hand lightly brushing your hair in return, and a quiet, breathy laugh escaped you both—tender, intimate, almost fragile.

“Okay,” You felt his lips graze your lip as you whispered, “I’ll marry you.”

Your words made him kiss you harder, his breath catching against yours as the moment deepened. You let yourself melt into it completely, giving him every ounce of trust you had, holding nothing back as his hands pulled you closer.

“That’s great,” he gave you a big smile against your lips, “because I already made plans for a March wedding.”

”March?” You paused as you placed a finger on his lips to stop him from being greedy with his kisses, surprise and worry evident in threading through your voice, “Shouto, that’s two months away.  is March feasible?”

Shouto only shrugged as he guided your hand aside, leaning in to press another kiss to your skin… then another, each one slower, deeper, leaving you more breathless than the last. Your fingers instinctively slipped into his hair, clutching at the soft strands as heat pooled low in your stomach.

Being kissed by him felt just like that first night all over again—a rush of breathless excitement wrapped in the softest kind of tenderness.

“Im Todoroki Shouto.” He whispered cockily, “I know what I’m doing, so just trust me.”

”you don’t have to lift a single finger when you’re with me.”

You found yourself nodding, his touch was careful, his lips warm and lingering, as if he was savoring you with every deliberate press. It brought a gentle flutter to your heart, the kind of feeling so impossibly real you almost didn’t know what to do with it, like warmth you hadn’t realized you’d been craving until it finally found you.

But wait-

Did Todoroki Shouto even say three?

A/n

heres the third part. I decided to just upload it since I’ll be really busy next week and unsure when I could truly update bc I have finals.. Here’s a treat for you! I don’t upload on weekends, so I’ll be taking my 2 day break to go watch jujutsu and is unsure if I’ll upload Monday <3

all three of my current chapters are unedited and will have lots of errors and mistakes as I just type and pray and edit later.

Btw the wedding is not the main point of the plot so I wanted to put that in anyways bc I want them to be married. I know he’s a traditional boy ♡ Got rid of the angst check get married check 

now…. We get to go to the BIG parts.

meeting his family. GASP. Excited for natsuo. And the preparations. And then omg baby bumps?? I love this book even if it’s my own.

Anyways

happy holidays. :) 

Chapter Text

flower of the day: daffodils (daffodil)

bright, trumpet-centered spring flowers with soft, sunny petals that look like little bursts of warmth after winter.

currently: 13 weeks

Your life has changed for the better. 

Your week at home honestly was not the most horrible thing to endure, especially with the lingering warmth of Todoroki’s kiss still blooming quietly in your mind. The thought of your upcoming wedding, spoken with his calm certainty, wrapped around you like a steady glow. The constant awareness of your promised future hovered near your heart, gentle and comforting.

You hadn’t done any actual wedding planning yet, todoroki went away on mission after mission, moving through his days with the same quiet purpose he always carried. The distance between you stretched long, yet it never dimmed the feeling he left behind, a soft certainty that lingered in the spaces he usually filled. Even in his absence, that quiet presence wrapped around your days, steady and reassuring.

"How are you today?" you would hear Todoroki’s voice over the phone, calm but edged with concern, "have you been eating well?"

Today was one of those nights where he called just to hear your voice, to check in and ask how you were doing. He sounded guilty, apologetic even, that he had to leave immediately because of an ongoing investigation tied to one of his missions. Still, the effort to reach you despite the chaos of his work made your chest tighten, a reminder that even in distance, he carried you with him.

"Mmhm!" You grinned, despite him not being able to see you, reassuring him, "I’ve been eating better now that the morning sickness has subsided a little bit."

“I think Toto really likes chocolate.”

“Oh really? Toto is big enough to know what they want?” You heard him chuckle softly, the sound fading before it was replaced by a low groan and a grumble, "I’m doing my best to hurry back."

“I miss you.“

Todoroki promised during the call that he would return soon to focus entirely on helping you plan the life you were beginning together. You weren’t upset by the waiting; even in the stillness, that promise felt near, a quiet brightness softening the edges of everything else. It became a small comfort, a tether that kept you steady through the long, empty stretches of time.

The honesty in his voice made your heart squeeze, a mix of longing and gratitude threading through you. Even across the distance, his words felt close, a promise wrapped in quiet determination that made the waiting seem a little easier to bear.

"I’ll be waiting for you, Shouto," you responded through your giggles, the heartiness of the words spilling effortlessly. Even over the phone, your voice carried the mixture of affection and gentle insistence, a quiet anchor tethering him to you across the distance.

"Come home to us!"

In the meantime, while you waited, your mind wandered through little imagined details —flowers, colors, small moments of ceremony—all without pressure or rush. The anticipation felt gentle, carried on the weight of his words, making ordinary days glow a little brighter. Even without plans in motion, the love and intention behind them made the future feel full and alive.

It made you oh-so-happy, filling each passing day with a sweetness that never quite faded, even in the moments you spent alone.

Soon enough, your probation period came to an end, pulling you out of your little daydream with a gentle nudge. The room around you seemed sharper, the tasks at hand more immediate, and you felt the subtle shift back into routine. It was time to refocus, to step fully into your role again, carrying the quiet joy of your personal life with you as you returned to work.

you hadn't had a single thought of school until you returned after your probation period ended and turned in your formal reflection and apology letter to All Might, that everything had felt strangely awkward. The moment you stepped out of his office with a click of your shoes, the atmosphere shifted as a wave of students and teachers paused to look your way.

"look! its yn sensei! i heard she beat the crap out of manami sensei!"

Their faces were a mix of awe and curiosity, soft whispers trailing behind you like stray threads of light. You could feel your cheeks warming almost instantly, a quiet flush rising as you tried to move through the hallway with some semblance of grace.

"I saw her kissing pro-hero shouto!"

You kept your head held high as you walked, telling yourself to stay steady, to keep moving, to breathe. Even so, the heat rising across your cheeks betrayed you, blooming brighter with every pair of eyes that lingered on you. Students parted in gentle waves as you passed, their amazement written plainly on their faces, soft and stunned.

The attention made you shy in a way you could not quite hide.

You felt your eyes closing for a moment as a defeated smile tugged at the corner of your lips, the kind that came from accepting you could not escape this. Somewhere behind you, a student launched into a detailed explanation of your kiss with Todoroki, speaking with far too much confidence for someone who was not even there. You quickened your pace without looking back, hoping the hallway would swallow you before the rumors grew any louder.

"yn-sensei!"

A voice snapped you out of your embarrassment just as your hand touched the door to the teachers lounge, pulling you back from your frantic thoughts. It was one of the colleagues who had ignored you before, someone who never even bothered to look your way.

"U-Um-"

Their words faltered the moment you turned, and you caught the subtle widening of their eyes as you tilted your head in quiet acknowledgement. For a moment, the hallway stilled, as if even they were unsure how to speak to you now.

the staring was getting a little too much for you, as you just wanted to simply place down your items and go to your homeroom class. you shuffled around a little bit as you fixed the strap of your tote bag from falling off your shoulder, urging them to speak up, "yes? can i help you sensei?" 

"G-goodmorning, yn sensei,"

The other teacher suddenly bowed deep and low, so abruptly that your breath caught in your throat. Panic fluttered through you as you scrambled to match them, bending just as deeply. Your hands folded politely in front of you, the gesture instinctive and careful as you lifted your head again. You acknowledged their greeting with a small nod as you stood upright, trying to appear composed even though your heart was thudding far too quickly.

“I know that it might seem a little late.” The teacher scratched at their cheek awkwardly, a nervous sweat beginning to gather as they took in your completely dumbfounded expression. Their voice softened, almost shrinking into the air between you, “But if I have ever hurt your feelings in any way, I would like to formally apologize to you.”

"i'll be more careful moving forward."

You blinked at them owlishly, still trying to process what was even happening. The teacher cleared their throat and stepped neatly around you, moving with a sudden burst of flustered politeness. With one hand, they pushed the door open, holding it wide as if you were someone impossibly important. They then gestured you inside with a gentle sweep of their hand, waiting patiently for you to enter first.

“Ah- okay...”

You snapped out of your thoughts and hurried forward, nearly tripping over your own surprise. A small smile flickered across your face as you slipped past them, trying to appear composed despite the sudden rush in your chest.

The end of your voice lifted higher without your permission as you added, “...Sure thing?”

How weird. the whole interaction felt unsettling in your chest as you hurriedly marched to your desk, trying not to look as rattled as you were. Even stranger was the way other teachers along the way kept stopping you, each one trying to apologize or offer some overly polite greeting that felt far too nice for comfort.

“You’re here early, YN sensei!” someone shouted with a deep, enthusiastic bow, their voice echoing far louder than necessary, “I hope you have a great day today!”

You raised an eyebrow at them before managing a polite smile, your words stumbling out with a soft rise, “Um, yes…thank you, but this is my normal time?”

Their sudden kindness wrapped awkwardly around you like a coat that did not quite fit, leaving you unsure where to look or what to say. Still, you kept your bubbly and happy composure, letting the warmth of it guide you through the room as if nothing at all was out of the ordinary.

You kept walking to your desk in a hurry, your steps a little too quick for someone trying to act unfazed. You knew this would happen somewhat, but the reality of it was far more uncomfortable than you expected. It felt like everyone around you was talking on eggshells, their voices too soft, their smiles too careful, as if one wrong word might shatter you. 

The closer you got to your desk, you saw something.

Your eyes caught on a familiar shape resting neatly on the surface, something small and warm in its simplicity. A bright post it note was pressed to the front, its soft color glowing against the morning light. Without meaning to, you felt yourself brighten, your steps slowing as curiosity tugged gently at your lips.

toto.

You lifted the ultrasound photo with careful fingers, the edges still cool from the morning air. there was your photo of Toto, the tiny shape you had stared at so many times, the feeling soft and overwhelming. The sight of it sitting there so gently felt like a quiet reminder of everything waiting for you beyond the noise of the day.

then the Post-it note.

“Next time, if an issue like this arises, make sure to contact one of your superiors immediately. And we formally wish you and our todoroki shouto congratulations on your pregnancy and wedding.”

The message was signed simply, Aizawa Shouta and All Might. Their words carried a firm weight, each syllable careful and deliberate, but underneath it all shone warmth and approval despite the brevity. You held the note in your hands for a moment, smiling softly as the quick, careful congratulations settled over you like sunlight.

It was strange, comforting, and joyful all at once.

You let out a small splurt of laughter, a toothy grin spreading across your face as you carefully placed the post-it note and image away on your desk. It sat there like a tiny beacon, the perfect image of your baby safely tucked away in sight, but out of reach.

The classes were even more fun.

It seemed as if your homeroom students were unusually eager to show their gratitude, and it caught you off guard when you stepped into the classroom. The lights were off, leaving the room in soft shadows, and for a moment you froze, unsure of what was happening. The quiet was almost tangible, broken only by the faint rustle of papers or the soft shifting of bodies waiting in the dark. 

"Welcome back, yn-sensei!!"

Just as you flipped on the lights, a wave of movement erupted around you. Students leapt from under desks, some even appearing from the ceiling, their laughter and excitement filling the room. You couldn’t help but join in, laughing freely as you took in their giddy faces, each one bright with joy at your return. The energy was infectious, wrapping around you like a warm, playful breeze that made the classroom feel alive in a way only they could.

"did you miss me that much?"

You lifted a hand to your lips, trying to contain the smile that threatened to spill over, though it was hopeless. Your eyes shimmered brightly, sparkling with the delight you could not hide, and your cheeks ached from the force of your grin. Even as you tried to appear composed, their excitement spread through you, making it impossible to stay completely restrained.

"sensei....!"

You made your way to your desk as the students shuffled eagerly around you, their energy spilling into the air like sunlight. They followed closely, crowding in as you began placing your items on the PDU, their presence warm and reassuring. Every gesture they made—every laugh, every question—felt like an embrace, a family of familiar voices and bright smiles welcoming you back after your time away.

"Midoriya sensei is so cool, i'm so excited for his classes soon!"

"We even got to talk with dynamight and uravity! it was so fun!"

As you settled in, they leaned in, speaking rapidly about everything you had missed, sharing small details and big stories alike. The room buzzed with friendliness and care, each student eager to catch you up and make you feel included. You listened with a smile that refused to fade, your heart full as the classroom transformed into a space that felt both lively and comfortably home.

"so, sensei," a student raised their hand and smirked at you as they eagerly leaned in, "how long have you and todoroki shouto been a thing?"

"Oh my gosh," another piped up blissfully, "please spill!"

You raised your hand and zipped your mouth with a playful gesture, making it perfectly clear. letting your eyes twinkle as the students groaned and leaned forward, desperate for any hint, you chuckled, “Nope, not saying a thing. It's my private life.”

They groaned collectively as you activated your quirk, a soft ripple of force nudging them gently away so they could take the sign that class was starting. Whines of protest filled the air as they tried to resist, teasingly pushing back against the invisible barrier holding them back, but you simply smiled and ignored them.

“Class is starting,” you spoke to them sternly, though the sparkle in your eyes betrayed just how entertained you were by their eagerness. you sighed, “And I missed you guys too much that, as much as I want to talk about my relationships, I’d rather talk about our own, very, far behind schedule.”

With a small flick of your wrist, they drifted back just enough for you to turn to the board. Whispers of disappointment mixed with curiosity rippled through the room, but the smile tugging at your lips made it impossible for anyone to stay upset for long. You began writing, the scratch of chalk punctuating the last echoes of chatter, and the classroom slowly settled into a quiet, expectant hush.

“It’s February now,” you looked pointedly at them with a small grin, catching their attention immediately, “And I want you guys prepared for your second-year move up in April.”

”We don’t have that much time with each other, so let’s focus up.”

Your voice carried a mix of cheer and authority, keeping the energy high while steering them back toward purpose. The students straightened a little, their eagerness still shining through, ready to follow your lead. They looked at you with gratitude and appreciation, eyes bright and full of warmth, a quiet acknowledgment of how much your presence meant to them.

you were honestly getting a little emotional.

maybe even too much.

Just as you were about to begin your class, a sudden tremor ran through your lips, a tiny quiver that betrayed the swirl of emotions inside you. As your gaze swept across their attentive faces, a soft gratitude began to wash over you, taking in the bright, eager faces of the students before you, each one brimming with curiosity and expectation. 

"We have 2 months left together...."

A warm flutter of realization settled in your chest as you said the numbers out loud—this was your very first teaching experience, your first homeroom class, and somehow, that made this moment feel monumental. These students would hold a special place in your heart, a memory of beginnings, of introductions, and of the fragile excitement that comes with stepping into a new role.

this chapter of life hadn’t been easy at first.

There were moments when you questioned yourself, doubted if you could reach them, or if they would ever care to know you at all. Yet you persevered, meeting them with both friendliness and a genuine care that didn’t waver, even when their attention drifted. Slowly, patience and persistence began to bloom into connection—the returned smiles, the tentative questions, the small gestures of trust that told you they were starting to respond to your presence.

if you're already behind, one more day shouldn't hurt you, right?

You licked your lips as your students waited expectantly for you to continue the lesson, the quiet hum of anticipation filling the room. Instead of diving into the material, you simply walked to the front and perched on top of the podium, letting your presence speak first.

"Actually..." you suddenly spoke, your voice catching just enough to pull their attention fully, "I have news I want to share with you guys. I'll only say this once so that we can move on from this topic, and I better not hear it from anyone else."

A grin spread across your face, bright and genuine, as your shoulders eased and your heart found its rhythm in the moment, the nervous quiver from before softening into something lighter, something tender. The room felt alive, not with pressure, but with possibility, and for the first time that day, you allowed yourself to simply enjoy being here with them.

The room grew quiet, all eyes turning toward you with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. Your eyes softened, carrying an affection that invited them in, and for a moment, the weight of being their teacher melted away, leaving only the shared space of connection and trust.

"Shouto and I," you tucked a shy piece of hair behind your ear, feeling the unusual flutter of nerves at saying it publicly for the first time, even if it was only in front of your students, "we're getting married."

The words hung in the air for a moment, soft but full of joy, and you felt the room shift as your students’ eyes widened in surprise and excitement, catching their attention like a sudden spark. your smile never wavered, a gentle radiance spreading from you as you shared this piece of your life with them, bridging the gap between teacher and student with a moment of honest connection.

"When?!"

"How?"

"Can I come?!"

Each question tumbled out faster than the last, their excitement palpable and infectious. You found yourself laughing softly, answering as best as you could, letting their enthusiasm wash over you like a warm tide, surprising yourself with how natural it felt to share this part of your life with them.

You hadn’t expected such a positive reaction, and it made your chest feel lighter, the tension you’d carried moments ago easing away. Unconsciously, your hand rose to rest over your stomach, a protective yet comforting gesture, and you realized that seeing them so happy made the announcement feel even more special.

Their joy reflected back to you, and for the first time, you let yourself fully bask in the shared excitement of this new chapter.

The rest of the hour continued smoothly, carried along by the excitement and cheerful energy. Their questions and laughter lingered, bright and eager, making even the routine parts of homeroom feel lighter. As you guided them through school news and lessons, their enthusiasm seemed to feed yours, turning each moment into a gentle rhythm of learning and shared joy.

Your homeroom students were your first kids.

In your science classes, the students welcomed you back with smiles and small greetings, their warmth reminding you of the connections you had built over time. Their curiosity and engagement made teaching feel effortless, even when the lessons grew challenging, the cheerful atmosphere kept the day buoyant, and the sense of accomplishment quietly threaded through your heart.

"Thank you, yn sensei," the students said in unison, bowing politely as you wrapped up the lesson. Their faces lifted afterwards, smiles bright and genuine, and one added teasing you almost as you dropped your mouth open, "Don't go punching other teachers again."

"We appreciated our science substitute," they laughed at you, their voices light and teasing as they began packing up their items and neatly tucking them away into their backpacks, "but we mainly wanted to welcome you back."

"We missed you."

You were genuinely surprised to hear that your science students had missed you, especially since you only saw them briefly every other day compared to your homeroom class. Their words, filled with sincerity, made you nod in acknowledgement, a soft chuckle escaping you despite yourself. It was a small, unexpected fondness that lingered, a quiet reminder of the connections you had quietly built with everyone.

"I missed you guys, too!" you exclaimed, clenching your fist with a spark of determination. "I’ll do my best to stay out of trouble!"

“Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”

By the time the final bell rang, you sank back into your chair, exhausted but content. The room had grown quiet, the day’s energy settling into a calm stillness that mirrored your own. Your shoulders relaxed, and a soft smile curved across your face as you reflected on the day—bright, happy, and filled with the simple joy of being present with your students.

this feeling, was the best.

A warm, giddy flutter danced in your chest as you reflected on the day, a soft hum of happiness that lingered long after the classroom had emptied. Every welcoming word, every smile, every small gesture of excitement replayed in your mind like a gentle echo, filling you with a lightness you hadn’t realized you’d missed.

The joy wasn’t just in their excitement—it was in the connection you could feel, tangible and steady, stretching between you and each of your students. Their words had given you more than reassurance; they had given you strength, a quiet confidence that reminded you why you loved being here.

“Yn sensei, you’re here!”

You were halfway turned to leave when Eri and Midoriya crossed your room door. Eri stopped mid-step, her vivid red eyes widening the second she saw you. A tiny gasp slipped from her, full of relief and excitement.

“Welcome back!” they both greeted, stopping just a few steps ahead of you. Eri looked up at you hopefully. “Will you walk with us?”

“Sure!”

You strolled with them, Eri snug against your side with her arms looped around yours. Midoriya watched you with soft, considerate eyes, and Eri kept talking a mile a minute, eager to update you on everything you’d missed. You listened closely, smiling at every little detail.

“Sensei, how was your first day back?”

you pursed your lips in thought, “hmmm I would say…”

It was already an overwhelming day for you, and somehow seeing Midoriya and Eri chatting with you so familiarly made it all feel even lighter—happier. Their easy warmth only reminded you how much the atmosphere at school had changed in just the week you’d been gone.

The sense of connection, of shared moments and mutual care, settled over you like a gentle blanket, leaving your heart full and your spirit quietly alight. As you sniffled from the surge of emotions within you, you realized just how deeply bonded you had become with them.

You let out a happy, cheerful laugh—and that’s when you felt Midoriya’s hand clasp gently onto your shoulder, just like he had that night at the bar. The same night you were debating whether to quit… the night that ended up changing the entire trajectory of your life.

“I loved it.”

Being a teacher lets you be a hero without the bruises, leaving marks on the hearts of those you guide.

To be a teacher, meant everything to you.

a/n

very short chapter today

i just wanted a filler chapther to show you how youre so loved in the student communitity <3 next chapter is a cute one heh... this was more so a reflection chapther and more focused on your strength as to why you wanted to be a cutie teacher instead of a pro hero. students need teachers and we need to give them more credit becasue they're super underpaid and underapprecaited!

thank you <3

Chapter Text

flower of the day: marigolds (marigold)

bloom, bright and cheerful, often seen as a symbol of warmth, creativity, and celebration.

currently: 15 weeks

you have a small bump.

You were currently getting ready, changing in your apartment as the soft light of morning spilled through the windows. Todoroki had returned home from his mission last night and promised to take you out today, and now you waited with a flutter of anticipation. 

At first, you felt like you should have denied him further, resisting the pull of his insistence. But he was relentless, determined to see you, and in the quiet of that moment, you found yourself giving in to him. Truthfully, you had wanted to see him just as much, the thought of being near him tugging at you all along.

the morning couldn't have come any faster.

You had slept only a little last night, too caught up in the thought of seeing Todoroki again. Every thought had been consumed with anticipation, and you had fussed over your morning routine, making sure it went as perfect as possible. The flutter in your chest refused to let you rest, each moment stretching with the promise of seeing him.

the hardest part of getting ready, was your clothes.

It wasn’t too cold outside, nor was it too hot, making the choice of outfit feel even trickier. You found yourself torn between wearing a cute dress or something more comfortable, like jeans and a simple top. Standing there, pondering, you couldn’t help but fidget slightly, the excitement of the day making every decision feel a little more important than usual.

Though as you stood there in your undergarments, trying to choose the best outfit for this beautiful day, your eyes drifted over your figure in the mirror. You blinked and tilted your head, a slow widening of your eyes as realization settled in. The changes in your body, subtle yet undeniable, made you pause, a quiet amazement threading through the sudden awareness of your pregnancy.

"Whoa," you'd gasp into your hands through your ecstasy, "i have a baby bump!"

It was probably the smallest bump in the world, barely noticeable to anyone else, because it looked like you were just slightly bloated after a good night of eating at a chinese buffet. But to you, it was unmistakable, a tiny curve on your own body. In that small shape, you could feel the weight and wonder of the life growing within you.

You stared in the mirror, turning your body to the side, eyes wide in shock and awe. The changes in your shape were happening faster than you had expected, each curve and contour a quiet testament to the life within. Amazement and disbelief swirled together as you traced the new outline of your body, grinning at the reflection staring back at you.

"toto, you're growing!"

You had reached your fifteenth week of pregnancy, and Toto was now about the size of an apple. You rubbed your stomach, still relatively flat, though your fingers poked at the spots that felt subtly different. Each gentle touch reminded you of the baby growing inside, small but undeniable, a quiet wonder beneath your skin.

how exciting!!

You couldn’t hold back the fluttering in your chest, the quiet thrill of wanting to share the news with Todoroki about your softly changing body, even if the bump was barely there. Every glance in the mirror reminded you that your form was shifting in small, miraculous ways, and the thought of his eyes on you made your heart ache with anticipation.

"shouto would notice, won’t he?" you whispered to yourself, brushing a stray strand of hair behind your ear before your fingers lingered over your waist. 

After a pause, you chose a delicate dress and a soft cardigan, the fabric gentle against your skin, a quiet reflection of the day’s lightness. You quickly slipped into it, smoothing every crease, feeling the tiny weight of possibility settle in your stomach. The outfit felt like a small celebration of the moment, a way to carry your excitement outward as you prepared to see him again.

"yn, are you awake?"

Just as you were touching up your lipstick and checking to make sure you’d grabbed everything for your bag, a soft knock at the door drew your attention. The familiar deepened timbre of his voice reached you even through the wood, and your eyes sparkled with a quiet, fluttering delight that made your chest lift.

You paused for a moment, letting the sensation of the moment settle over you, fingers brushing lightly over your cardigan as your heart thrummed with anticipation. The morning light caught onto the edges of the room, soft and shimmering, as you moved toward the door, every step carrying the quiet thrill of finally seeing him again.

"Shouto, you're here!"

When you swung the door open, you greeted Todoroki with a bright, unrestrained grin, your eyes drinking him in as if memorizing every detail. Breath caught in your chest at the sight of him, the quiet intensity of the moment making time feel suspended between the two of you. For a heartbeat, the world outside the doorway seemed to blur, leaving only the two of you, and the fragile, fluttering joy of seeing each other again.

"Welcome back, Shouto!"

You stood there biting your lip to contain your excitement, letting the moment linger, your fingers brushing lightly over your dress as your gaze never wavered. Every shift of his expression, every subtle movement, seemed magnified in your mind, filling you with a delicate, soaring anticipation that made the air around you feel electric yet soft.

"Glad to be back."

Todoroki didn’t just walk into your arms—he launched himself at you, a soft, eager thump against your chest as if he’d been holding himself back for weeks. His arms wrapped tight around your waist and he buried his face against your shoulder for a second, inhaling like he was memorizing the scent of home, squeezing you in that shy-but-desperate way.

“I missed you,” he murmured into your hair, “I hope I didn’t make you wait too long for me.”

When he finally pulled back, it wasn’t really away—just enough to see your face. His hands cupped your cheeks, thumbs brushing you gently, and he leaned in with that small, content smile he never shows anyone else. Then, with a soft huff of a laugh, he nudged your nose with his own, once, twice, a playful little eskimo-kiss that made him look absolutely lovesick.

“Nope!” You popped your lips at the end though you admitted shyly, “though I did watched the news everyday to keep track of you…”

“Did you now?”

Todoroki found himself chuckling softly at your confession, your fingers reaching up to trace his face with gentle concern. Your eyes narrowed and lips pressed into a small frown at the newly formed scars and scratches still healing from his recent mission. You stepped back slightly, arms crossed over your chest, watching him with quiet intensity, the mixture of worry and care lingering in the soft line of your posture.

"You got hurt," you said, furrowing your brows together, concern threading your voice. "Are you okay?"

Todoroki shrugged lightly, the corner of his lips twitching as he brushed off your worry with his reply, "feeling better now that I can see you."

He let the moment hang between you, the corners of his lips twitching as he regarded your expression, the echo of your concern settling like a delicate weight in the air. There was a subtle tenderness in the silence, binding the two of you in something fragile yet undeniably present.

You gave his arm a light, harmless slap—more of a flustered tap than anything—and turned your face away before he could see how warm your cheeks had gotten.

“Don’t joke with me,” you muttered, trying to sound stern, but your voice came out embarrassingly soft.

Todoroki blinked once, startled, then his expression melted into something unbearably tender. He tilted his head, leaning down a little to catch your eyes again, the corner of his mouth lifting like he already knew exactly why you couldn’t look at him.

“Shall we go? I have a few plans for us today,” he said, voice low and almost too casual for how brightly his eyes were watching you.

“Oh, yes!” You replied eagerly, “what are we doing today?”

You nodded before you even fully processed the words, your hand already sliding into his. The moment your fingers laced together, you felt it—how much you’d missed this, missed him, more than you ever wanted to admit. His thumb brushed the back of your hand as if he’d been waiting for that contact, too.

“I’ll tell you more,” he murmured, the hint of mystery in his tone only deepening when he shook his head at your pout. “Come on—let’s get in the car first.”

And just like that, you were walking side by side, the familiar rhythm of your steps syncing again, the air around you softening with each quiet touch and stolen glance he sent your way.

He slowed his steps, his eyes narrowing slightly as he really took you in, studying your face, your shoulders, and then drifting down to your stomach. You could almost feel the question forming behind his eyes before he even spoke.

He stopped walking altogether. You stopped as well, fingers laced behind your back as you leaned in with a mischievous, knowing bend. Your eyes sparkled up at him, inviting him to voice the question hanging in the air.

“Wait—” his voice softened, then rose with surprise, “a… baby bump?”

You burst out laughing, absolutely delighted, “I knew you’d notice!”

It was no surprise that Todoroki caught it—the gentle way your hand rested on your stomach. He’d been gone for four long weeks, missing you every single day. Now that he was finally back, even the tiniest change in you felt impossible for him to overlook.

“Toto’s an apple now.”

Your hands flew to your dress, pressing the fabric against your stomach as you gave him a playful twirl, the hem swishing around your legs. It was impossible to miss the silent message you were showing him.

“Is it noticeable?” You asked him with the tilt of your head and toothy grin, “Toto’s getting so big!”

Todoroki’s eyes widened, shimmering with a stunned kind of joy, like someone had just handed him the sun. His lips parted, but for a moment no words came out—just awe, just endearment, just him looking at you like you’d become something even more miraculous than before.

“Do you want to feel?”

When you saw him freeze—absolutely still, eyes wide, breath caught—and you couldn’t help but giggle at how utterly undone he looked. You reached for his hand, warm and a little shaky, and gently guided it to your stomach. For a moment, the two of you just stood there, wrapped in this quiet, overflowing happiness.

Then, without warning, he surged forward.

His hands cupped your face and he pulled you into a desperate kiss so suddenly that you jumped, startled by the intensity of it. But you didn’t pull away. Your shock melted in seconds, your fingers curling into his shirt as you kissed him back, matching the urgency he poured into you.

“What was that for?” you asked, breathless but cheerful, still recovering from how suddenly he’d kissed you.

Against your mouth, barely a whisper but firm with certainty, he said, “I’m not leaving you alone for this long again.”

You rolled your eyes, caught somewhere between fond and exasperated, and tugged him along by the hand to get you both moving again. A soft laugh slipped out of you despite yourself, ruining any attempt at pretending you weren’t completely charmed by him.

“Yeah?” You raised an eyebrow as you glanced at him from your peripherals, “With your hero 24/7 work schedule, isn’t that hard to tell?”

Todoroki offered a quiet, knowing shrug. He let himself be pulled without resistance, the gentle smile on his lips proving he’d meant every word he’d said.

When you finally reached the car, he moved ahead of you without a word and opened your door, one hand braced on the frame as if he were worried you’d trip over absolutely nothing. Once you were settled, he closed it gently and jogged around to his side, slipping into the driver’s seat with that quiet focus he always had.

The engine hummed to life, and soon you were on the road.

You rested your cheek against the window, watching the trees drift by in soft, leafy blurs, their shadows sliding across your lap. Todoroki kept glancing over at you between turns—small, quick looks he thought you wouldn’t notice—as if just checking you were really there.

“So…” you broke the silence with your voice, “where are we going today?”

”we’re house touring today.”

You nodded your head at his response calmly, accepting it without fuss—until the meaning actually hit you. Your eyes flew wide, your mouth dropping open as you whipped your head toward him.

“House touring?” You repeated after him loudly, “What?!”

Todoroki didn’t even flinch. He just raised one eyebrow at you, the picture of calm, as if you were the unreasonable one here. You couldn’t help but flush slightly, caught off guard by how effortlessly composed he looked.

“When I said I’m not leaving you again,” he replied smoothly, “isn’t it only natural a soon-to-be married couple start living together soon?”

He kept his eyes on the road, but the tiny smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth betrayed him. You gaped like a goldfish, trying—and failing—to find something to say.

You felt your chest tighten with a mix of disbelief and hesitation, holding out a hand to halt him. You spoke hurriedly, “Wait—stop. Shouto, we have your condo, isn’t that enough for us?”

“I can just move in there if you really want to.”

Todoroki didn’t even flinch at your offer. He kept his eyes on the road, but his expression stayed perfectly straight as he shook his head, like you weren’t thinking big enough. A quiet sigh slipped past his lips, carrying more weight than the hum of the engine.

“It would be hard to raise our child in the condo I live in, wouldn’t it?” he raised his eyebrow at you and gestured with his free hand, “We should look for something with a big yard.”

You sank back into your seat in quiet defeat, realizing this wasn’t stubbornness—this was Todoroki thinking about the future for Toto and you both. He wasn’t budging because, in his mind, this was simply what your growing family needed.

”okay…”

The words settled in the car like a shift in the air—practical yet tender, steady and full of the life the two of you were already building together.

You leaned your head back against the window, pretending to watch the world go by while quietly hiding the way the corners of your lips kept tugging upward. It was impossible not to smile—you could feel the future he was planning settling warmly in your chest.

Outside, the world was still dusted with the last of winter—soft patches of snow clinging to rooftops and lawns—but the sun was out, bright and warm, turning everything into a slow, glittering melt. The light caught on the wet pavement and the thinning frost, making the whole drive look gentle and beautiful, like the season itself was shifting just for the two of you.

A moment later, Todoroki’s hand slid across the center console, searching until his fingers found yours. He didn’t look at you, didn’t say anything—just intertwined your hands with steady certainty.

The two of you drove the rest of the way in comfortable silence, the kind that needed no words, simply taking in each other’s presence as the road carried you forward.

the first house.

The first house looked promising from the street—fresh paint, big windows, a cute little porch with two rocking chairs that looked staged by someone who’d never actually sat in one before. It was pretty, no denying that. Picture-perfect, like something lifted straight off a real estate website meant to go viral.

But the moment you stepped inside, you both exchanged the exact same look.

The living room was… echoey. Too polished. Too stiff. The floors were so shiny you were afraid to step on them, and everything smelled faintly of lemon cleaner and absolutely nothing else—no warmth, no life, no hint of what a home should feel like.

You walked through the kitchen, all marble and stainless steel, and muttered under your breath, “It feels like if I drop a spoon here alarms will go off.”

Todoroki nodded solemnly. “I don’t think Toto would be allowed to breathe in here.”

That made you snort, and suddenly both of you were laughing—real, unrestrained laughter that bounced louder than anything else in the empty, overly pristine house.

“It’s pretty,” you said as you stepped back outside.

“But not home,” Todoroki finished, locking the door behind you without a shred of regret.

The second house.

The second house looked innocent enough from the outside—quaint, a little older, the kind of place that could have been charming if someone had loved it recently. But the moment you stepped inside, everything went downhill. Literally.

The entryway sloped.

Sloped.

You took one cautious step and your foot nearly slid straight across the polished-but-not-on-purpose wooden floor. Todoroki’s hand snapped out instantly, grabbing your waist like you were about to plummet off a cliff.

You gripped onto his biceps tightly as you steadied yourself, a breathlessly yet amused whisper, “thanks Shouto.”

Todoroki nodded at you and helped you steady yourself, rubbing his face with a weary hand as frustration slipped through. Then he faced the agent, his eyes narrowing into something keen and unyielding.

“There are… no railings,” he said, voice tight as he scanned the open staircase leading to the second floor. No rails. No banister. Just exposed steps like a hazard course.

The real estate agent cheerfully chirped, “It’s very open concept!”

Todoroki blinked at her, then slowly turned back to the staircase in quiet horror. You glanced at her too, your arms wrapping protectively around yourself as your cheeks puffed from holding back a laugh at the innocent agent who’d accidentally placed herself directly in the path of Todoroki’s shimmering annoyance.

“Open… concept,” he repeated, sounding personally offended.

He tested one step with his foot—only for it to creak, wobble, and confirm every fear he’d already formed. You watched his expression shift from mild concern to silent, internal screaming.

You leaned toward him and whispered, “Is this a villain’s hideout?”

He didn’t answer. He simply stared ahead before turning back to the agent with the most deadpan, are you serious right now look you’d ever seen him give. You reached out and rubbed his arm, hoping to ground him a little.

You held out a hand and a comforting grin to the agent as you begun to walk away, “let’s go onto the next.”

The two of you slipped outside together without needing to say a word. For a moment, the silence held—until you started laughing, wiping your eye as Todoroki’s shoulders sagged in defeat. He just shook his head, the picture of exhausted tolerance.

“Yeah, no,” you both said at the same time.

You were both quick to strap in and start heading toward the third house, your voices overlapping as you rambled through each pro and con like it was second nature.

Stepping out of the car, you arrived at the third house.

As fun as the day had been, wandering around with Todoroki and laughing at houses that had no business being options, exhaustion was creeping up on you. The sun was dipping lower now, the air outside growing colder, brushing your skin every time you stepped out of the car.

You were starting to feel it—the slow ache in your feet from all the walking, the heaviness settling into your legs, the faint grumble in your stomach.

Todoroki noticed your wince right away. He gently stopped you, a frown tugging at his brows as he took off his jacket and wrapped it around you, warmer and heavier than your cardigan. You nodded in appreciation, touched by the gesture.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice softer than the breeze.

“A little tired from walking…” You nodded, rubbing your arms shyly as you admitted, “I think I’m hungry…”

He breathed out through his nose—relief and understanding settling into his features—and returned your nod, his hand drifting across your lower back in a gentle reminder that he was right there. With that, he began guiding you to the house.

“This is the last one today,” he assured you calmly. “Then we’ll go eat.”

The certainty in his voice alone made you feel warmer than the jacket you were wearing. You gave his hand a soft squeeze before the two of you stepped into the house together.

“Wow!”

The third house didn’t look extraordinary at first glance—pretty, neat, with a little walkway lined with shrubs—but the moment you stepped inside, something shifted. It felt different. Warm. Lived-in but well cared for. 

Like a place waiting for the right people to fill it with life.

You walked in and the first thing you noticed was the space—open, but not in the dangerous, “fall-to-your-doom” way from the last house. The floors were sturdy, the steps carpeted, the stairs had railings so solid Todoroki actually tugged on one to test it. He nodded approvingly, a rare expression of genuine relief settling over his face.

The living room had wide windows that let in the soft evening light, making everything glow. The air felt warmer here, not because of heating, but because it already felt…

homey.

You wandered farther in and found the kitchen—spacious, bright, with enough room for a family to move around without bumping elbows. Todoroki opened a cabinet, nodded, opened another, nodded again. He was trying to look composed, but you could see it:

he was impressed.

Upstairs, the bedrooms were warm and safe, edges rounded, outlets already childproofed. The nursery-sized room had a window overlooking the backyard—a big, fenced yard with soft grass and plenty of space. Todoroki stood there a moment longer than the others, imagining things he didn’t say out loud but you could feel anyway.

He glanced at the yard once more and said casually, “The courtyard looks big enough to have several kids running around.”

You froze, cheeks heating instantly. You slapped at his arm multiple times as he looked at you confused about your reaction, “W-why are you planning for more children by yourself?”

Todoroki turned to you, a soft chuckle slipping out. He reached for your face, thumb brushing your warm cheek as a smirk played at his lips. You pushed at him weakly, but he was already laughing under his breath.

“What? I was just thinking about Toto having friends over,” he teased. “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.”

You tossed a look over your shoulder and scrunched your nose at his teasing before walking out and down the stairs. Each step carried a strange little flutter you tried to ignore.

“How do you like the house, ms ln?”

The agent looked just as tired as you, shuffling on her feet and nervously fiddling with her fingers as Todoroki trailed behind you, his arm loosely draped around your shoulders. He watched quietly, eyes soft, as you took one last slow look around the house in thought.

“I like it!”

The agent sighed in relief with a hand pressed to her chest, her shoulders loosening. She beamed at you happily as you and Todoroki both nodded in agreement, and she clapped her hands together with bright, renewed energy.

You looked at todorki before going back to the agent, “This house feels so right.”

And it did. Every step through that house felt easy, comfortable—like the two of you were already living there, laughing, cooking, raising Toto, filling every corner with warmth. It wasn’t just pretty.

It felt like home.

It didn’t take long for Todoroki to shake hands with the agent, pen in hand, signing his name with that calm, precise motion he always had. Once he received your quiet nod of confirmation, the process of beginning the paperwork was officially underway.

You, however, were still wandering the house, taking in the spaces, the light streaming through the windows, the way the kitchen felt like it could host countless family dinners. The chatter of Todoroki and the agent barely registered to you—you were too lost in imagining the life you could build here.

Then, without warning, strong arms wrapped around your waist from behind. Before you could react, he lifted you gently and twirled you to face him, making you squeal with laughter.

“Hey!” you gasped between giggles, your arms flailing slightly.

Todoroki’s lips curved into that familiar smirk as he held you steady, his eyes sparkling. He said simply, as if that explained everything, “Celebratory spin.”

“The walk isn’t too far,” he said, glancing at his watch before intertwining his fingers with yours. “Would you want to go to dinner?”

“Of course!”

You nodded eagerly, the thought of food making your stomach rumble after the long day of walking, driving, and house hunting. Todoroki nodded in response, already knowing the perfect place for dinner—and it wasn’t too far to walk. He figured you’d probably had enough of being in a car for one day.

The two of you stepped out together, the crisp evening air brushing your cheeks as you began strolling through the neighborhood. Todoroki’s hand found yours naturally, fingers lacing without a word. You both wandered slowly, taking in the streets lined with trees, the neatly kept lawns, and glimpses of small playgrounds tucked into corners—perfect for children to run around safely.

It was a beautiful area, upscale but not intimidating, warm with the kind of quiet pride that comes from families caring for their homes. You couldn’t help but glance around at the houses, imagining Toto playing outside, neighbors waving hello, the little life you were starting to build together feeling a little more real with every step.

“Where are we going, anyway?” you asked, glancing up at Todoroki as the two of you left the quiet neighborhood behind.

The streets began to change under your feet—the manicured lawns and peaceful silence fading into the hum of the city. People bustled past, their chatter and footsteps blending with the distant sound of traffic. Streetlights flickered on one by one as the sun dipped lower, casting long, golden shadows across the sidewalks.

Todoroki didn’t answer right away, his hand still warm around yours, guiding you effortlessly through the crowd. He only gave you a small, knowing smile, as if he were enjoying keeping the destination a secret just a little longer.

“Shouto? Hello?”

You tried again with a tighter squeeze to his hands though it seemed like it didn’t affect him, ”where are we going?”

He didn’t say a word, letting your curiosity build as you matched your steps to his long, steady strides, fingers intertwined and swinging gently between you. You tried to guess where he was taking you, but every thought was distracted by the warmth of his hand and the ease of walking together.

Then he stopped. 

Right in front of a small restaurant you’d never noticed before, tucked between a bookstore and a café. The lights glowed softly through the windows, and a faint aroma wafted out that made your stomach growl.

As you stepped inside, the rich, comforting smell of pasta hit you full force, and you felt your knees almost weaken—you melted instantly at the scent.

“Reservation under Shouto.”

Todoroki led the way to the counter, checking you both in with calm efficiency, and you couldn’t help but sneak a grateful, wide-eyed glance at him, silently thanking him for this perfect little surprise. He caught your gaze for a brief moment and gave the tiniest, knowing smile in return.

You and Todoroki were seated immediately, tucked away in a cozy corner where no one could stare or recognize you—no fans, no curious glances, just the two of you. You breathed a little easier, enjoying the quiet intimacy as you flipped through the menu.

Your eyes practically bulged as you read, and a few stray dribbles of sauce threatened to escape your mouth. Todoroki chuckled softly and reached over to swipe at the corners with his thumb.

You could barely contain your excitement as you leaned back and grinned, “I could order everything.”

Todoroki just gave a slow, deliberate nod. You blinked at him, unsure if he was teasing or serious, but decided to go back to scanning the menu while trying to keep your mind from drifting to all the dishes you wanted to try. The rich smell of sauces and baked bread only made it harder to focus.

A waiter appeared at your table, pen in hand and polite smile in place. He looked between the two of you with recognition before he asked, “What can I get started with you today?”

You gestured at Todoroki to start first, still thinking he was joking. You were going over the menu with focused eyes to hurry and decide what to eat as you heard todoroki close his menu and hand it over to the waiter.

”I’ll take a spicy vodka rigatoni.” He ordered for himself before he looked at you, “and for her…”

“For her… she’ll get one of everything.”

You blinked in surprise, barely registering his words at first, as the warmth of the restaurant and the smell of pasta made your brain foggy. Slowly, it began to sink in—Todoroki had taken your joking words seriously. Your mouth opened slightly, and reality hit like a splash of cold water: he really meant it.

“Wait—what?” you gasped, eyes wide as the waiter began taking your menu away. You flushed when the waiter looked at you with nonjudgmental eyes, before waving a hand for them to stop, “no, I’ll only take the mushroom fettuccine, thank you.”

The waiter nodded politely as you quickly corrected the order, making sure only the pasta you actually wanted was included. Todoroki watched calmly as the waiter rang it in, his expression perfectly nonchalant.

“Shouto,” you whispered behind your shying face, peering at him between your fingers, “i was just kidding, that’s too much food for the two of us.”

“It would’ve been more food for Toto,” He shrugged, utterly unbothered, a small smirk tugging at his lips. He said simply, “I need our child strong.”

You laughed, shaking your head, the warmth in your chest almost as full as the table that was about to be covered in pasta.

When the food arrived, it was everything you’d hoped for—rich, flavorful, perfectly cooked pasta that made your stomach sing. The warmth of the restaurant, the delicious smells, and the ease of being together made it one of the simplest yet most perfect night you’d ever had.

“Is it good?” he asked, his voice quiet but warm.

“Heavenly,” You groaned softly, a blissful smile spreading across your face as you twirled a forkful of pasta. you murmured, taking another bite as you wiped your lips, “I really… really like this place!”

He chuckled at your reaction, the sound low and content, before taking another bite himself. The two of you ate heartily, laughing between bites, teasing each other over sauces and sharing bites as if each mouthful was part of the fun.

By the time you were finished and the check was settled, a quiet reluctance settled over you. 

You didn’t really want to go home; that would mean the day was over, and you weren’t ready for it to end. With a soft sigh, you leaned closer to Todoroki, pressing against him for warmth, letting the comfort of his presence linger just a little longer before the night pulled you back into reality.

“Do you want to walk around town? It’s early,” Todoroki asked, his voice gentle as he seemed to notice the hesitation lingering in your posture. He offered to extend the time you two had together, giving you a chance to savor the evening a little longer.

You smiled and nodded, squeezing his hand before swinging it gently as you began a casual detour down the city streets. The air was crisp, the glow of streetlights reflecting softly off the pavement, and the sounds of the bustling city created a comforting rhythm.

”hey…” you tilted your head in confusion, “what’s with everyone today?”

As you wandered, you couldn’t help but notice just how many people were out tonight—hand-in-hand, laughing, sharing bites of street food or pausing to take photos together. You watched the couples wandering by and felt genuinely confused. 

“Why does it feel like everyone is paired up tonight?” you murmured.

Todoroki let out a small laugh, shaking his head as he ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it slightly. Then, as if the thought fully hit him, he laughed louder, covering a hand to wipe at his eye.

“It’s… Valentine’s,” he said finally, a soft grin spreading across his face.

You blinked, a little embarrassed, realizing why the streets suddenly felt so full of love—and how fitting it was that the two of you were here. You glanced at Todoroki, fingers still laced with his, and a quiet warmth spread through you, realizing how natural it felt to belong here, together, in this little slice of city life.

“Is that why you were so insistent on seeing me?!” you gasped, eyes widening as the realization hit you. You paused mid-step, breath caught in your chest, cheeks warming.

Todoroki glanced at you, eyebrows slightly raised, and the corner of his mouth tugged into a very amused smile. He said nothing, letting you fidget and stumble over your own words while clearly enjoying the reaction.

“Yeah,” Todoroki said simply, swinging an arm over your shoulders so you leaned against him slightly as you walked. His presence was steady and warm, a comforting weight at your side.

He paused, then added with a small, knowing smile, “I also have presents for Toto. Since their mother told me they like chocolate, I grabbed some while out on my mission.”

You looked up at him, eyes watering at the thoughtfulness behind the words, and couldn’t help but sniffle softly. Even in small, everyday gestures, he always managed to make your heart feel full.

Todoroki froze the moment he saw your eyes well up, his arm slipping from your shoulder as he turned you fully toward him, worry written all over his face. His hands went to grab at your face and wipe away the tears with his thumbs, soothing you.

“H‑hey—what’s wrong?” he asked quickly, voice tight, already scanning you like he expected to find some injury he’d missed. 

“Did something happen? Are you hurting? Tell me—”

But you only shook your head, too overwhelmed to form words. Instead, you stepped forward and threw your arms around him, burying yourself against his chest. His scent—minty, warm, and faintly smoky like a cozy fire—wrapped around you instantly, grounding and comforting in a way that made your heart clench.

His hands hovered for a second, still unsure, before settling firmly on your back as he pulled you closer, steady and warm, holding you like he’d finally found something he never intended to let go of.

And as you stood there pressed against him, the realization unfurled deep in your chest: this was real. Not a dream, not a fleeting fantasy, but something solid and certain—your future, your partner, your family—right here in your arms.

This was your life now.

As you suddenly brought your hands up to cup his face, you couldn’t help but admire the worry and care reflected in his eyes, and a soft giggle escaped you. Your fingers brushed lightly against his fringe, moving it out of the way, and for once, you decided to take the initiative. 

You leaned in, heart hammering, closing the small distance between you.

Todoroki mirrored your motion almost instinctively, leaning in as well, his hands tightening gently around your waist. The air between you was charged, warm, your breaths mingling as you hovered on the edge of a kiss—when suddenly, an unfamiliar voice cut through the moment. 

Both of you froze instantly, eyes snapping toward the sound, hearts skipping a beat as the world around you seemed to unpause.

”Shouto, is that you?”

You and Todoroki remained frozen in that suspended moment, inches apart, as you felt his hands reluctantly loosen around your waist. He let out a low groan of irritation, clearly frustrated that your moment had been interrupted.

You blinked in shock, slowly taking in the faces that had appeared before you.

A gentle-looking older woman with soft white hair smiled faintly, and beside her stood an older man with striking red hair, piercing blue eyes that seemed eerily familiar, and the same scar tracing down his face. Your heart skipped, your mind racing to place them, and Todoroki’s expression mirrored your stunned disbelief.

“old man.” Todoroki finally spoke and ran his hand through his hair, “evening, mother.”

”Shouto!”

The older man’s voice rang out, shouting Todoroki’s name—but there was no anger in it, only surprise and something almost like relief. The older woman beside him reached over and gently patted his bicep, offering a shy smile and a small shake of her head, as if to calm him. Todoroki, however, only threw his head back further and let out an even louder groan of irritation, clearly unamused by the interruption.

“You don’t have to shout,” todoroki crossed his arms as he spoke calmly, “I’m right here, father.”

You were still standing there, blinking rapidly, trying to process everything, until it finally clicked. 

The realization hit you fully as you took in the older couple standing before you. Your eyes traced their features, then slowly to Todoroki—his hair, his eyes, the scar, the way his presence carried the same quiet strength. 

It was undeniable: Todoroki was the perfect blend of both of them, a living testament to the genes and history of this older couple before you.

“Who is this girl you’re with?”

The fierce blue eyes of Endeavor and the gentle, curious ones of Rei met yours, each carrying their own weight of emotion and intensity. You instinctively reached out a hand, intending to introduce yourself and offer a polite greeting, when Todoroki suddenly stepped in front of you, placing himself slightly between you and the older couple.

His posture was calm but protective, a subtle barrier that made it clear he was handling this encounter in his own way. You hesitated, unsure whether to pull back or trust him, as his gaze flicked toward his parents, sharp and unreadable, silently signaling that he was ready to take control of the situation.

you decided it was fine.

You stopped just around Todoroki, though still remained close within reach of him, smiling warmly as you held out your hands to shake theirs. Todoroki looked like he wanted to go back already, so you kept it relatively short.

“Hello there! I’m yn ln, it’s so nice to meet you,” you said cheerfully, your voice steady despite the tension in the air.

The older couple exchanged surprised glances, clearly caught off guard by how unafraid you were of the older man, whose presence normally commanded respect and a touch of fear. Endeavor’s stern features softened slightly at your ease, and you felt a brief sense of triumph.

Before you could linger longer in the handshake, Todoroki gently pulled you back and stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. Your smile wavered as he spoke, the way he said it making the announcement feel almost casual—as if it weren’t shocking at all, even to his own parents.

“She’s my fiancée,” he said, eyes flicking to his parents, “and the mother of my child.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. The couple froze, glancing between you and Todoroki, taking in the sudden, life-changing announcement. Then, as if breaking through a moment of stunned silence, Endeavor’s voice boomed again, as if Todoroki had the audacity to hide this insanely important fact about himself.

“Shouto!”

Meanwhile, Rei’s expression melted into pure joy. She stepped closer to you with a bright smile, her hands reaching out as if to embrace the happiness the two of you represented. She gripped onto your hands and squeezed them comfortably, surprising you how openly supportive she was.

She looked you up and down, as a mother of 4 other children she was able to note the pregnancy signs quickly. She beamed at you happily, “this is amazing news!”

Todoroki was completely engulfed by his father, being shaken with an intensity that was almost comical, yet impossible to ignore. Endeavor’s eyes shone with a mixture of pride and disbelief, and each time he gripped Todoroki a little tighter, it felt as though he was trying to squeeze every ounce of his astonishment into the moment. Todoroki endured it silently, his jaw tight, hands instinctively bracing against his father’s chest, but there was no mistaking the small hints of resignation and patience in his posture.

“How far along?”

Rei stepped closer to you, a gentle barrier between you and the whirlwind of Todoroki’s father, her white hair catching the soft glow of the evening light. Her eyes were bright, curious, and full of warmth, and she asked with effortless joy,

You let out a slow breath, smiling softly as you answered, “fifteen-weeks.”

While you spoke, Todoroki remained under his father’s playful assault, silent and patient, his composure tested but unwavering. Rei’s face lit up even more, the excitement in her eyes contagious, and she tilted her head slightly before asking,

“Are you willing to have dinner tomorrow?” Her request came out as a surprise and she squeezed your hand encouragingly, “Our other children are in town, and we’d love to have you both tag along.”

Todoroki’s eyes found yours, sending quiet, desperate pleas and the subtle shake of his head that clearly meant ‘please yn no’, but you could see the hope and joy in Rei’s gaze. You didn’t want to be rude, and the warmth she radiated was impossible to resist, so you nodded gently and replied,

“Yes! We’d love to join!”

The tension in the air softened slightly, and even Todoroki allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible exhale, realizing that for all his attempts to protest, the kindness and happiness surrounding you both had already begun to carve a space in his heart.

what a eventful Valentine’s Day.

A/n

valentiens day!! Yay! I love the holidays! I also loved this date! It’s a lot to take in and might have some mistakes somewhere. I’ve been missing Todoroki and I love writing about him <3 

we’re meeting the parents and the family ! Yay!! Sorry if endeavor is so out of character but his redemption arc back in season 5-6 and season 7 I just know he’s mellowed down a lot and the family has healed a lot within 9 years haha. Still a messy family, but growth is one of the best things to happen especially after dabi <3 we’re gonna hear abt him heh…

Chapter Text

flower of the day: tulips (tulip)

elegant, cup-shaped flowers with smooth, colorful petals that rise gracefully from slender green stems.

currently: 15 weeks

you knew Todoroki had a dysfunctional family, but not to this extent.

You were obviously nervous—anyone could have seen it—but Todoroki felt it most. Every few steps, your hand squeezed his, sometimes gently, sometimes a little too tight, like you were trying to wring the anxiety out of your fingers. He didn’t comment, just let you hold on as much as you needed, matching each squeeze with a quiet brush of his thumb against your knuckles.

You swallowed hard to soothe your throat, your thoughts spiraling faster than your feet could move. You met yesterday briefly but with today’s dinner, you were anxious to meet his siblings on top of his parents. What would they think of you? Would they like you? 

Would they judge the situation, judge you, judge the baby?

And—god help you—your mind even drifted to one of those dramatic K-drama tropes you grew up watching. The meet-the-family scene, the iconic moment every girl secretly dreads and absolutely does not wish to experience in real life.

The dreaded envelope.

What would you do if Endeavor slid one across the table?

Would you laugh? Cry? Take it?

Or politely decline and hope the universe didn’t collapse?

The absurdity of the thought made your stomach twist harder, feeling even more sick, and you found yourself squeezing Todoroki’s hand again. He glanced sideways at you, sensing the shift in your breathing, and gently guided you closer to him as you walked.

“Don’t worry,” he murmured under his breath—a tone only meant for you.

And somehow, despite your spiraling nerves and wild imagination, the warmth of his presence made the whole world quiet for just a moment.

“Shouto, yn, you came!”

When you had first been greeted at the door, Rei’s adoration was immediately evident. She enveloped Todoroki in a warm, genuine hug, and then turned to you with a bright smile, extending her hand for a polite shake.

“Come in, come in! I’m so excited to introduce you!” she exclaimed, ushering you inside with cheerful energy.

You had expected a house brimming with warmth and laughter, the kind of love that you thought Todoroki had grown up with, a home that felt alive and welcoming. Surely with his beautiful soft personality and gentleman manners, you thought he had the average normal family with the blessings of god to give them amazing quirks and family status, right?

But instead, the moment you stepped inside, your hopes were met with an unexpected stillness.

The two males—Todoroki’s father and older male sibling—sat starting at each other, tension thick and one-sided glares, while his female sibling’s eyes darted back and forth between you and Todoroki, wide with surprise and curiosity as if she hadn’t expected todoroki to come nor come with a guest no one knows about.

The contrast between Rei’s light and the silent intensity of the others made you pause, suddenly aware of how much you had walked into in this single, extraordinary moment.

“Hello,” you said softly, bowing slightly as you introduced yourself. A grin found its way to your face as you held a hand out, “My name is yn ln…”

Before you could gather your nerves further, Todoroki’s sister stepped forward with a bright, excited smile. She extended her own hand into yours for a shake as she shook it happily, “Hello! I’m fuyumi, his older sister and over there is natsuo.”

”Its so glad to meet you!” 

Then she shifted her body and she turned her attention back to Todoroki, her expression shifted slightly, playful yet pointed. she chided lightly, a teasing glint in her eyes. “You never respond to any of our family get-together messages because of your busy schedule,”

“A heads-up about your guest would’ve been nice.”

You blinked, still holding her hand, while Todoroki’s stoic expression remained unchanged, as if silently accepting the gentle reprimand without a word.

“Fiancée, actually,” Todoroki corrected smoothly, his voice calm and firm. Without another word, he brushed past his sister, taking you with him as he led you further into the house.

Fuyumi blinked, momentarily frozen in shock, her gaze flicking between the two of you as she processed the announcement. The air seemed to pause for a heartbeat, the weight of Todoroki’s words sinking in before she finally recovered, a mixture of shock and hurt on her face.

“Eh?”

He guided you forward, his hand warm and steady in yours, leading you toward the retired hero Endeavor and Natsuo. Both men rose to their feet when you approached, their presences so different that standing between them felt like stepping into two entirely separate temperatures.

Endeavor greeted you first, his voice a deep rumble, “Hello, child.”

“Evening, endeavor! Natsuo san.”

You couldn’t help but grin at the oddly gentle simplicity of it, especially coming from someone whose reputation usually made people tremble. Natsuo gave a small nod in your direction—polite, but with a calculating stare that seemed to be quietly piecing you together. He didn’t speak, but the weight of his stare was obvious.

”how is your agency doing, shouto?”

You stood beside Todoroki, listening quietly as he exchanged words with his father. Endeavor’s tone shifted into something firmer, professional even, as he asked Shouto about hero work—updates, recent missions, how he’d been balancing everything. 

”it’s doing well... I recently returned from my mission.”

Todoroki answered calmly, his voice steady, as if he had already expected this conversation to happen. He never let go of his grip on you even as he spoke, as though reminding you without words that you belonged right there at his side.

You didn’t know how long you stood there, half-lost in the conversation—listening to the low rumble of Endeavor’s voice, the steady calm of Todoroki’s replies, avoiding making eye contact with natsuo, and the soft clinking sounds from the dinning room where Rei and Fuyumi were preparing things. 

Then, you felt it—a gentle tug at your hand. 

Todoroki leaned slightly closer, his voice soft but certain. He chuckled at your dazed expression as he kissed the crown of your head, “Let’s go prepare for dinner.”

The simple words pulled you back to reality, your focus sharpening as he guided you away with the other two males trailing behind you and letting yourself fall into the rhythm of the family evening that was slowly unfolding around you.

As Todoroki guided you down the hallway, your footsteps soft against the tatami floors, you let your gaze wander in fascination of knowing more about todoroki’s childhood. His family home was beautiful—traditional, serene, and meticulously cared for—but there was a quiet heaviness to it, a kind of stillness that felt almost preserved in time.

The walls were lined with framed photos, their colors muted, their smiles—or lack thereof—telling stories without words. In picture after picture since grade school til highschool, Todoroki stood stiffly beside his father and far from his siblings, expression blank, his eyes distant. 

No warmth. 

No ease. 

No hint of the soft, gentle man who looked at you with hearts in his eyes.

Your head tilted unconsciously, interest tugging at your strings as to wonder why Todoroki Shouto looked like that in his family photos. Then as you looked closer at the earlier photos that you passed by, you were able to find yourself recognizing Endeavor. Rei. Fuyumi. Natsuo. Shouto.

But not this mysterious 4th sibling.

There was a boy that you hadn’t yet met at the family dinner tonight, you realized. He looked older than young Shouto, white hair, fiery blue eyes, and a presence that seemed out of place and yet central all at once. The atmosphere around the photos with him felt different—still part of the family, but shadowed, almost distant.

You wondered where he could be?

You were currently seated at the large, polished dining table, the warm chandelier light casting a soft glow over everyone. Todoroki’s hand found yours beneath the table, holding it tightly, grounding you in the middle of all the stares. Despite the subtle tension in the room, Todoroki’s fingers intertwined with yours, reminding you that you weren’t just a visitor here—you were already a part of this family. 

“So yn,” she would start as she sipped her tea, “may I ask what is your quirk?”

Rei, his mother, god bless her heart, radiated warmth and invitation. Her smile was gentle and encouraging, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest as she tried to engaged you in conversation, making the space feel safe and welcoming.

“Yes…” endeavor nodded, “what is your quirk, child?”

Endeavor’s gaze was sharper, piercing, taking in your presence with a mixture of assessment and surprise, while his two older children leaned slightly forward, eyebrows raised in curiosity at the stranger who had so confidently entered their family dinner on this specific day.

“Oh!”

You had just taken a small, almost-too-big bite of your food when the question reached you. You paused, placed your chopsticks down, and dabbed your lips with the napkin the way you practiced in the mirror earlier—polite, composed, very not-panicking.

With a soft inhale, you lifted your hand. 

A faint pink glow shimmered off your fingertips, spreading into the air like dust catching light. A moment later, several objects around the room lifted gently—chopsticks, a coaster, even the corner of a placemat—floating in a slow, graceful orbit as if caught in a weightless tide.

You made everything float so effortlessly, so seamlessly, not even glancing at the objects as they hovered and rotated. It looked natural—instinctive—like your quirk obeyed every intention without you needing to guide it. The room felt lighter, somehow, as if your quirk smoothed out some invisible tension.

“I have a gravitational quirk,” you explained with a modest smile. 

“It’s pretty useful for my everyday life.” You shrugged, “I can create and control an invisible force that lifts, pulls, and suspends objects in the air as if gravity doesn’t apply to them.”

The glowing objects drifted gently above the table, moving with your steady, practiced precision—elegant, harmless, clearly well-controlled. You let them hover for a moment before guiding everything neatly back into place, the glow fading like a candle being blown out.

You folded your hands in your lap again, trying your best to look calm despite the tiny flutter of nerves still bouncing inside your chest.

”it’s honestly nothing special though.”

Rei’s eyes softened with delight, her smile warm and sincere as she watched the placemat settle itself. The siblings didn’t seem to have formed too much of an option on you, though it was endeavor who you truly looked at. Endeavor’s shoulders straightened, a flicker of impressed approval slipping through the stern mask he tried to keep on.

“That was beautiful, dear.” Rei was the first to speak, voice warm and gentle, “You control it so gracefully.”

And the others nodded—impressed, genuinely impressed—as if the nervous stranger who walked into their traditional old home suddenly fit into the space a lot more comfortably.

“Yn San,”

Fuyumi caught your attention this time as she leaned forward with a bright, excited grin, her chopsticks resting neatly against her bowl as she looked between the two of you. Her eyes sparkled with that warm, welcoming curiosity she always had, the kind that made you feel instantly included.

“So,” she said, eyes sparkling, “how about your upcoming wedding? Can we hear more about that?”

Your mouth opened—barely—ready to say something, but Todoroki beat you to it without missing a beat. His voice was calm, steady, almost businesslike as he slipped seamlessly into explanation.

“It will be in March,” he said. “Invitations will be sent out soon.”

Fuyumi blinked at Todoroki’s words, her smile faltering as confusion fluttered across her face. Slowly, she lifted her hands and started counting on her fingers, mumbling under her breath as if double-checking the math.

“Isn’t March… like…” she tilted her head with raised eyebrows, “one month from now?”

“Yes.” 

Todoroki didn’t even flinch. He turned to you, giving your hand a steady, reassuring squeeze before looking back at his eldest sister with a calm, confident smile, “Everything is already planned accordingly.”

You sat there quietly, smiling in agreement while everyone else stared, because somehow his tone made it sound like this was the most normal thing in the world. And that calm certainty of his made your heart stumble just a little in your chest.

Todoroki begun listing everything he did with your approval, “We have the venue confirmed, the guest list finalized, catering selected, and décor themes narrowed down. Our fittings start soon. Invitations will be sent via email and her prenatal appointments are as scheduled.”

Rei had both hands pressed to her mouth in joy at her youngest son getting married; Fuyumi looked like she was trying not to laugh at how he was completely captivated by you; Natsuo raised an eyebrow to see him show more emotion than his usual calmness; and even Endeavor’s stoic face cracked just slightly at the thought of finally having a young grandchild running around. 

Meanwhile during his explanation; you just continued eating the homemade food bite after bite.

Because as promised since day one, Todoroki was running through every single detail of your wedding with the precision of someone planning an important hero mission, and he didn’t actually need your input unless it was about something only you could decide—your dress style, your bouquet, your comfort.

Todoroki was one reliable man.

Biting your lip to contain back the smile at your capable man, you noticed Rei growing shy and stumbling over her words as she struggled to find her words to speak to you, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her napkin. 

You hurriedly took another bite of the food in front of you that you and Toto had been craving, hoping to give her a moment to gather herself. After swallowing, you cleared your throat and asked gently, “Is there something you’d like to ask me?”

Rei let out a soft, dreamy sigh and rested her hand against her chin, her eyes flicking to Todoroki with unmistakable pride before returning to you.

“Well…” she began, her voice warm and a little breathless, “I was just so curious. To hear that my son here is going to be a father… it’s wonderful…”

”But tell me—how did Shouto woo you?”

“I’m sorry?”

You blinked in pure absurdity, heat rushing up your neck as Todoroki let out a low, mortified groan beside you. The rest of the Todoroki family immediately ducked their heads or turned away to hide their reactions—while Endeavor’s usually rigid expression wavered into the closest thing he’d ever shown to a grin.

Todoroki ran a hand through his hair, the tips of his ears burning bright red. His voice was flat, but the embarrassment clung to every word as he muttered, “mother… that’s not a question you ask.”

”am I not allowed to know?”

Rei gasped softly, her eyes going wide as she pressed a hand to her chest, looking between you and her son with the most innocent expression imaginable. She gave you sad tilt of her head and hand holding her cheek as if she felt bad, but you figured it wasn’t really necessarily a story to hide.

“It’s a little embarrassing to say,” you admit, scratching at your cheek as warmth blooms under everyone’s staring eyes. “But… I feel like I’m the one who wooed him?”

Rei’s eyes softened as she watched you laugh quietly at your own small response, the sound light and genuine, filling the space around the table. Todoroki’s hand stayed on yours, protective and steady, though you could hear the low groan of irritation slipping from him beneath his breath as he tried to process the family’s chatter and the subtle teasing. Rei, ever observant, noticed immediately—she could see how he was growing tense, his jaw tight, the slight flare of his nostrils.

“I’m glad the all of us could attended today…”

She let out a soft, almost wistful sigh, her gaze drifting for a moment. “Today would’ve been our eldest, Touya’s, death anniversary, but… hearing wonderful news of a new family beginning—it’s a beautiful change for our rare family dinners….”

The moment had shifted abruptly from light and playful to quiet and poignant, the words hung in the air, heavier than anyone had expected. Silence settled over the table, sudden and thick, as everyone absorbed the weight of her confession.

“Mom?”

Then, Rei’s eyes went wide when you appeared confused when natsuo snapped, a sharp gasp escaping her lips as she realized what she had just said aloud. She covered her mouth with her hands, cheeks flushing, and muttered in shock, “Oh… I didn’t—”

“I’m… i’m so sorry everyone.”

You take a slow, steady breath, your hand still resting in Todoroki’s, and offer a soft, understanding smile. Your eyes linger on Rei, gentle and attentive, as if trying to convey that you truly see her grief and the weight of the day. You let your voice carry warmth and care, quiet but steady, a soft presence meant to comfort rather than intrude.

“I… I’m so sorry,” you say, your words deliberate, heartfelt. “I can’t imagine how difficult today must be, carrying all those memories.”

”and… I’m really grateful you let me be here, to share this moment with you.”

Your tone is quiet, sincere, and soothing, acknowledging the grief without overshadowing the warmth of being together, the fragile thread of family and connection weaving through the silence.

“You’re apart of the family now especially with that growing belly,” rei laughed softly with the shake of her head, “we’re more than glad to welcome you in.”

The quiet lingered for a moment, heavy but gentle, before the conversation slowly shifted. 

“I’m still stuck on the part where Shouto is getting married, let alone is having a kid as a kid. Can we go back on that topic?”

Natsuo spoke up this time with his hands raised, looking between you and his youngest brother with a puzzled twist of his lips. There was a thin, cutting edge to his voice as he added, “I didn’t even introduce my wife to him. I’m surprised you’re even allowing Dad to be involved in yours.”

“He’s not a baby anymore, Natsu,” Fuyumi said with an exaggerated eye roll.

Then, without hesitation, she smacked the back of Natsuo’s head—hard enough for him to jerk forward. She scolded him, “And it’s Shouto and Y/N’s choice to let Dad into their lives. Not everyone wants to sever family ties like you.”

“I was just saying!” 

The rest of dinner passed with gentle conversation, light teasing, and quiet laughter. By the end of the meal, you felt a subtle warmth settle over you—the kind that comes from being quietly accepted, part of something larger, and gently, without fanfare, already feeling like family.

“Come back soon, Y/N!” Fuyumi called cheerfully, waving as you and Todoroki stood near the door, slipping your shoes back on.

She glanced back toward the kitchen, where Natsuo and Endeavor were helping clean up alongside Rei, their earlier tension softened by the shared meal. Turning her attention back to you, her smile was warm and genuine.

“I’m really happy to have met you today,” she said softly, her eyes meeting yours with gentle sincerity. “And I’m sure we all are too, so don’t mind Natsuo and his attitude toward our father. He’s… an old man who’s still learning from his mistakes, and he’s trying to make things right with Natsuo and Shouto.”

“Also, congratulations… on the little one, and on the wedding.” She pulled you into a quick, warm hug before letting you go with a confident reassuring nod, “You can count on us being there.”

You felt your cheeks warm at her words, a soft smile spreading across your face. Todoroki’s hand squeezed yours gently, grounding you as the words sank in—the quiet, simple acceptance of a family that was just beginning to welcome you both.

“Bye fuyumi san!!”

You waved goodbye, and the door clicked softly closed behind you both. The crisp evening air met your face as you and Todoroki stepped out, the warmth of the dinner lingering in your chest.

You couldn’t help but glance at him, taking a moment to admire his calm, composed demeanor—how effortlessly he carried himself even around his family, even on a day filled with so much history and emotion.

The question that had been lingering on the tip of your tongue finally bubbled up, obvious in your expression. You shuffled on your feet and dragged it on the ground as you tried to muster up your courage to ask. Todoroki noticed immediately and let out a soft chuckle, his gaze flicking to you.

“What?” he asked, amusement threading his voice, already knowing exactly what you were about to say.

You jumped slightly, caught off guard by how easily Todoroki had read you, and instinctively hid your face behind your hands, cheeks burning. A soft sigh escaped you as you faltered, gathering the courage to finally voice the question that had been lingering since Rei’s words at the table.

“…Who is Touya?” you asked quietly, your voice trembling slightly as Todoroki stiffened beside you, the calm facade faltering for just a heartbeat.

His finger brushed your knuckles briefly, almost as if to steady himself, but he didn’t answer immediately. The quiet stretched between you, the night air settling around the two of you as his jaw tightened and his eyes flickered, the weight of the name hanging heavy between you.

Todoroki’s lips pressed into a thin line, and after a brief pause, he finally spoke, his voice steady but carrying a weight that made your chest tighten.

“Do you recall when I told you I went to war at sixteen and witnessed death?” he asked, his voice distant, almost dazed. “Something no regular teenager should’ve ever gone through?”

You nodded slowly, your brow furrowing as the memory of his words resurfaced, the seriousness of that revelation pressing in. Without thinking, you leaned closer, your fingers tracing gently along his jaw, seeking to offer comfort and connection in the quiet of the evening.

He let you, the tension in his shoulders softening just slightly under your touch, though his gaze remained distant for a moment, lost in the memories he rarely spoke of aloud.

“My brother… Touya…” Todoroki’s voice was low, heavy, each word deliberate, “he was part of the opposite side that I fought against.”

Your fingers froze slightly against his skin as your heart tightened. You remembered the stories he had hinted at before, but hearing it now, directly, made it ache in a way that words couldn’t fully capture.

“He… he became Dabi,” Todoroki continued quietly, the name leaving his lips like a fragile thread of memory. “We fought… against each other. I tried to save him, tried to reach him with my family, but… it wasn’t enough.”

”I couldn’t stop him from going down that villainous path.”

Your chest felt heavy, and your eyes pricked with tears. You couldn’t imagine the weight he carried, the pain of facing a brother who had become an enemy, and all the regret and helplessness tied to it. Quietly, you pressed your forehead lightly against his shoulder, murmuring softly,

“I’m so sorry… Shouto.”

He remained still for a moment, letting you share the burden in silence, the night around you holding both the grief and the fragile comfort of being together. Todoroki shook his head, a laugh escaping him as he gently used his finger to lift your chin, guiding your tear-streaked face to meet his eyes.

“You don’t need to cry, yn,” he said softly, his voice carrying that quiet, steady warmth that always seemed to anchor you.  “I had a few days after the war where I spoke with my eldest brother.”

”I even found out that we share the same favorite food.”

You couldn’t help it—a laugh broke through your sobs, shaky at first, then more genuine, at his earnest attempt to lighten the heaviness of the moment. Your tears blurred slightly, but the warmth of his presence and his effort to make you smile cut through some of the sorrow.

“See?” he added, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Not all bad. Even touya and I… we had tiny moments of normal in our dysfunctional family, somehow.”

His hands slid gently over your back, and you let yourself sink into the comfort he offered—the absurdity and tenderness of his words, and the way he always seemed to know how to steady you, even when the world felt unbearably heavy.

The world around you seemed to fade, leaving only the quiet rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your cheek and the soft rise and fall of his chest as he held you close. Now you understood why Todoroki had emphasized so much that he wanted Toto to grow up in a happy, loving family. 

after the events of the day—everything began to click into place for you.

It wasn’t just a passing thought or a vague hope of the promise of a happy family—it was deliberate, heartfelt. From the context clues in the photos, the careful way he navigated conversations with his parents, and the subtle tension he carried even in casual moments, it was clear he bore lingering resentment, complicated feelings toward his own upbringing.

And that clarity only made his intentions for you and your child even more poignant. 

Todoroki wanted something different—for you, for Toto—to have a life untouched by the hardships he endured, a family full of love and laughter, free from the shadows that had shaped his past. It was a protective, selfless kind of care, and as you rested against him, you felt the depth of his heart more profoundly than ever before.

Todoroki shouto was more complex than you had ever imagined. 

Beneath the calm, composed exterior was a person shaped by pain, love, loss, and hope, carrying layers of himself that only a few could truly understand. You realized, softly and without words, how deeply fortunate you felt to be standing here, sharing this moment with him.

Todoroki Shouto is going to be the best dad.

a/n

short and simple family dinner <3 

sorry I wanted to write more but omg a conversation with 6 people is so hard LOL I just wanted to introduce dabi, I miss the guy. :’) I love rei and Fuyumi so much I know they’re the sweetest. Currently Feb 15th I’m p sure trying to map out the dates because I want the pregnancy to be aligned but also not too much of regular stuff and more baby stuff idk I don’t even know what I’m writing anymore omg I hope it’s a good mix between fluff angst slice of life romance and pregnancy?? I could’ve just done a 9 chapter series but I decided I didn’t? A regular pregnancy is 40 weeks and we’re currently at  15. We’re nearing the halfway mark of the book! Yay!

thank you for always sending me tremendous support and positivity <3 this is one of my higher involved books so I enjoy uploading for this one cause I love responding to comments and messages. 

Chapter Text

flower of the day: poppies (poppy)

delicate, papery-petaled flowers that sway like soft flames, their vivid reds and oranges standing out boldly against their thin, graceful stems.

currently: 16 weeks

it's your turn to introduce todoroki shouto to your family.

You had always internally dreaded the day Todoroki would have to meet your strange family, the thought lingering like a quiet ache that never fully left your chest. It was easier to tuck it away, to pretend the moment would never come, even as you felt the nervous flutter each time he spoke so gently about your shared future.

Yet everything had shifted once your relationship crossed that quiet, tender threshold.

You had met his own dysfunctional family, stood in the stillness of their complicated warmth, and realized that he trusted you enough to let you into the vulnerable parts of his world most people never got to see. Now that same trust circled back to you, gentle but insistent, reminding you that it was your turn to share with him your weird world too.

And despite the nerves still whispering at the edges of your thoughts, you knew the moment had finally come.

at this current second, you sat in the small city diner, its warm lights reflecting off the windows as your family settled into the big booth. Their familiar chatter filled the space, but your mind drifted to the quiet rhythm of nerves under your ribs. It had taken more convincing than you expected to gather them here, and now the weight of what came next pressed sharply against your chest.

you sat alone with a seat empty next to you, Todoroki would join you once he finished his hero patrolling and the paperwork waiting on his desk, a promise he gave with steady certainty. The thought of him walking through the diner doors felt like the only anchor in your restless anticipation. You pictured his calm expression softening when he saw you, and held on to that image like a breath you needed.

"can someone pass me the salt?"

"oh, mom have you heard about the new counseling office uravity just opened up?"

Your gaze drifted across the two families seated apart from one another, leaving you in the quiet middle that no one truly looked toward. Your father sat with his new wife and teenage stepdaughter, their conversation polite and distant. Your mother, with her husband, focused entirely on your younger half-siblings, their attention wrapped around them as if you were only a faint outline at the edge of their awareness.

You tried to anchor yourself in the soft hum of the diner, but the divide between them felt sharper than you remembered. It was strange to sit among people connected to you by blood and still feel like a guest at your own table. 

the loneliness settled gently in your chest, familiar in a way you wished it was not.

You licked your lips in anticipation, trying to steady yourself as the ringing in your head grew louder. Both sides of your family were lost in their own rowdy worlds, their laughter and small arguments blending together until your voice felt too fragile to risk releasing. Your hand drifted to your stomach, a gentle caress meant to calm the nerves twisting beneath your skin, but even that small comfort felt thin.

The silence you held onto wrapped itself tight around your ribs, making every breath feel a little more delicate. You wished someone would notice the way your fingers trembled or how your gaze kept drifting toward the door. But no one looked your way, and you sat there suspended in the noise, waiting for the one person who always seemed to hear you even when you never spoke at all.

"yn san."

Your stepsister turned her head over her shoulder, irritation already etched across her face before she even spoke your name. She let out a low groan as she picked at her freshly polished nails, barely sparing you a glance. Then she flicked her fingers in your direction, annoyance dripping from every movement.

“Do you mind not moving your legs so much?” she said, her voice teasing but pointed. She smirked at you, eyes glinting with mischief, “It’s shaking the entire table!”

You glanced down, realizing your knee had been bouncing more than you thought. Instead of shrinking, you straightened a little in your seat and nodded at her, eyes drifting toward the diner door as you waited for Todoroki and the calm that always settled with him.

"honey..."

Your mother spoke up this time, her voice soft and stretched thin as she tried to juggle the two nine-year-old twins climbing all over her lap. She still managed to offer you a smile, though you could see the exhaustion pulled tight around her eyes. Her gaze settled on you with a puzzled tilt, as if she were trying to read something you had not yet said.

she hesitated, trying to find the right words, before asking you, “Is there a reason as to why you wanted to meet with the family so badly?”

“U-umm…”

The question settled heavily in the space between you, stirring your nerves again as your hand drifted toward your pants to wipe off the clammy sweat. Todoroki hadn’t arrived yet, so it was not the right moment to reveal the reason, and you could feel the weight of too many eyes waiting for an answer you were not ready to give.

"It couldn't just have been a phone call? Email?"

Your smile faltered for only a moment at her suggestions, catching the edge of the irritation hiding beneath her tired smile. You cleared your throat gently, pushing the nerves back down where they belonged as you gave a small shake of your head.

“No.”

You disagreed with your mom smoothly, the same practiced grin stretched bigger across your face to hide the way your nerves twisted in your stomach. You slowly shook your head, “im sorry, but this couldn’t have been a phone call.”

”I wanted to tell you all this in person.”

Your words seemed to hang in the air, doing little to ease the tension already gathering in the small diner. You cleared your throat, glancing subtly at the clock on the wall. Todoroki was still running later than usual—but that was okay. You’d decided you wanted to tell them yourself anyway, as it was evident everyone was already growing impatient.

it was now or never.

Your dad sat stiffly with his arms crossed, eyes fixed on you but expression unreadable. Your mom kept her lips pursed, tapping her fingers lightly on her arm, still refusing to even glance in your father’s direction. The silence between them was thick enough to slice clean through, and you felt all of it pressing down on you at once.

But still—you straightened your back and prepared yourself.

This was your announcement to make.

And you wanted them to hear it from you.

You couldn’t help yourself from thinking about Todoroki and his healing family—how messy they were, how much pain sat between them since the beginning of their journey and after touya’s death, and yet how hard every single one of them was trying to fix things in their own ways.

And the more you thought about Todoroki—how he kept gently reminding you about how your Toto deserved a family that tried their hardest—the more something strange tugged in your chest. Because you realized… you didn’t really know everything about todoroki either. 

Not fully. 

You’d seen glimpses, context clues in their photos, tightness in his voice, the careful way he spoke about his father and mother. How natsuo questioned why he allowed endeavor to be present in his life. How Fuyumi told you to be understanding of the family. How you’d seen the lingering resentment he carried like a shadow, and the effort he put into not letting that shadow touch you or Toto.

To be better.

To show up.

To try again.

And maybe that’s why, sitting here in this cramped diner with your fractured family—your mom’s new husband, dads new wife, your two half-brothers, the step-sister who always looked at you like you were something stuck to her shoe—you suddenly wanted something you never expected.

You wanted a chance at a family that tried.

Just like his.

Just like he hoped for Toto.

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. Slow in. Slow out. You tried to steady the nerves crawling up your spine. When you opened your eyes again, the whole diner seemed sharper, louder, waiting.

You sat up straighter with determination. Your parents were on opposite ends of the table, stiff and silent, not even glancing at each other. Your step-siblings were already restless. No one expected anything important from you. Maybe that helped. Maybe that made it easier.

You kept your hands flat on the table, pressing your palms into the cheap laminate as if grounding yourself to the moment. Your fingers trembled, so you curled them in slightly, hiding the shake. Your throat tightened from the stares, but you pushed through it.

“Mom, dad, I’m pregnant.”

As your words were registering, it felt like you were watching a weird domino effect. Your mom’s face dropped. Your dad froze. Your stepparents blinked like they misheard. Your half-brothers went quiet in confusion at the situation. And your step-sister, with her straw still in her mouth, choked on her water and spat it out across the table.

Every pair of eyes locked on you, but you didn’t look away.

You’ve definitely caught their attention now—every single person at that table froze so completely it felt like the diner itself paused with them. Not a chair scraped. Not a breath shifted. Even the clatter of dishes from the kitchen seemed to dim.

Your mom was the first to move. 

Her lips parted, her eyes blown wide in a look that was somewhere between disbelief and dread. Slowly, almost cautiously, she reached across the table toward you. Her hand closed around yours, squeezing tight—too tight—as if confirming you were real, that your words were real.

“You’re… pregnant?” she echoed, her voice cracking on the word, horror stretching across her face as though repeating it might somehow change the meaning. Her thumb trembled against your skin, waiting—no, begging—for you to say she’d heard wrong.

“Do you-“

She closed her eyes, swallowing harshly, as if the words she wanted to say were too heavy to speak. The question hung in the air, unspoken but palpable. When she opened her eyes again, they were sharp and blazing with frustration. She turned her gaze toward your dad for the first time that day, her voice trembling with urgency and anger.

“Say something to your daughter!” she demanded, the words cutting through the room. The sudden force of her command made the air feel thick, and every eye at the table instinctively shifted toward him, waiting for his response.

”This is- this is crazy!”

You internally flinched at your mom’s raised voice, the sound cutting through you sharper than you expected. For a moment, you felt yourself shrink—just a little—like muscle memory from every past argument you’d tried to avoid. But you forced your shoulders to stay square, your chin lifted, your gaze steady.

Your dad, meanwhile, didn’t even look surprised by your mom’s outburst. He only arched an eyebrow at her, a silent really? passing between them before he slowly leaned forward in his seat. His calmness wasn’t comforting—it was clinical, assessing, the way he always got right before saying something that would bruise.

His eyes locked onto yours, unreadable.

“Yn, my dear, do you even know…” he paused, as if choosing the most cutting version of the question, “who the father is?” 

The question lingered in the air heavy and ugly, everyone else holding their breath to see how you’d shatter. You blinked at how his words came at you gently, but the implication landed like a slap—sharp, humiliating, and meant to hurt. 

“I-“

You were cut off when your stepsister bursted out laughing—loud, shrill, delighted in the worst possible way. She slapped her palm on the table, wheezing as if your life was the funniest joke she’d heard all week. Her eyes were wide with amusement, glittering with that familiar cruelty she never bothered to hide around you.

“Holy shit, talk about disappointment!”

Her smirk hit you harder than you wanted to admit. Your brows furrowed instinctively—not in surprise, because you expected this from her, but in that small, unavoidable ache that came with being mocked so easily by someone who barely knew you.

“Oh my god,” She lifted her hand to cover her mouth, taking deep breaths between laughs, “you don’t know, do you?”

Her words were meant to corner you, to embarrass you, to turn everyone’s attention into judgment. But all it did was make you straighten a fraction more, your pulse steadying as you met her eyes.

“No. I know him.”

You rolled your eyes—not dramatically, just enough to show you weren’t about to let a teenager get under your skin. The annoyance pressed at your chest, but you pushed it down, refusing to give her the reaction she wanted.

You turned back to your parents, lifting your chin and letting the noise around you fade into the background. The chilly air hung between all of you, firm and unshakable—leaving no room for doubt, mockery, or interruption.

“I’m getting married within a month,” you stated, calm and sure. You looked at them for understanding, “And I wanted to tell you in person before I sent out our invitations.”

Your parents looked hesitant—caught somewhere between confusion and disbelief—while you sat there quietly, fiddling with your hands above the table. Your fingers kept tangling together, nervous and restless, but your face stayed steady.

Your mom’s eyes flickered to your hands, then back to your expression, as if she couldn’t decide whether to comfort you or question you again. Your dad leaned back slightly, studying you like he was trying to piece together a puzzle he didn’t even know existed before today.

“I…”

Your voice wavered, growing softer with every passing second as you lifted your gaze to meet your parents’ eyes. There was something wistful in the way you looked at them—like you were reaching for something you weren’t sure was still there.

You bit down on your lip before you continued, hands trembling slightly under the table. The words hung between you and them—fragile, hopeful, and painfully sincere.

“I hope you’re able to come and support us,” you said, barely louder than a breath, “I… would love for my parents to be involved in my baby’s life.”

Your mom shook her head slowly at first, then harder, anger tightening every line of her face. When she finally looked at you, it was with a glare sharp enough to make your brothers shrink back in their seats. You kept your stance up anyway, refusing to fold even though your stomach twisted from the familiar expression of disappointment in her eyes.

“No,” she said, her voice rising with disbelief and frustration. “I don’t support this. You’re ruining your life for a man who isn’t even here.”

Her disbelief settled over the table like something heavy and cold, filling the silence as everyone else stayed frozen, waiting to see if you would break beneath it. But you didn’t. You simply breathed in, breathed out, and held her gaze—steady, unshaking.

“And what about that baby, huh?”

Her words tumbled out desperate and begging, as if she were trying to pry you out of your rose-tinted glasses and drag you back into what she called rationality—though you knew you were already clear-headed, perfectly steady, and you trusted Todoroki far more than you ever trusted your own family.

“You’re bringing a child into this mess?” she scoffed, her voice rising as her hands sliced dramatically through the air. She leaned toward you, disbelief twisting across her face. “A baby with no real family?”

”Do you understand how that looks for us?”

Your step-sister snorted under her breath, muttering something smug, and heat rushed up your spine—not embarrassment, not shame, but something sharp and fierce. You weren’t even thinking about yourself anymore; the moment your moms comment was aimed at your baby, something inside you snapped, a protective anger curling hot in your chest as your fingers clenched under the table.

Your sister leaned her cheek into her palms, giggling despite your stepmom whispering at her to be polite and to be quiet. She waved her mom off with a dismissive flick of her hand, then turned back to you, eyes wide with mischief.

“Is the man even real? Where is he?” she snarked, squinting around the table as if trying to spot someone.

You felt your nose twitch as your she stood dramatically. She swept her gaze around the dining room, drawing laughter from the two half-siblings at her antics. Then she suddenly paused, eyes widening, and gasped at the empty seat beside you, clearly shocked.

“Oh!” she suddenly exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air with a playful grin, “It’s so nice to meet you, brother-in-law!”

You’d had enough of your step sister’s teasing. With a calm flick of your fingers, you activated your quirk, lifting a piece of food from the table. Before she could react, it hovered in front of her and then—just enough to startle—slid toward her mouth. She barely had time to catch it before it went in, and she immediately choked and coughed, her wide eyes blinking in shock.

“Hey! What the hell!”

You kept your expression neutral, watching her choke out her words and coughed with tears in her eyes while your jaw tightened, the simmering anger from her earlier words still hot beneath your skin.

“Dad, do something about her!”

You crossed your arms, feeling your blood pressure spike as the tension in the diner thickened around you. It hit you suddenly that this conversation wasn’t going to go anywhere productive—whatever you said, whatever you tried, their stubbornness wasn’t going to bend.

“Yn, please think this over.” Your mom begun to beg you as she held tightly onto your hands, “it’s not too late, I can- I can call the doctor and we can go together-“

You yanked your hand back sharply, distancing yourself from your mom as the realization of where this conversation was headed hit you. Heat flared in your chest, mixing with a sharp, righteous disgust. You fixed her with a steady, unflinching gaze.

“I’m not aborting my baby,” you said firmly, each word deliberate, leaving no room for argument.

“All I asked was for you to be present at my wedding and my baby’s milestones,” you spat, voice sharp and trembling with anger. “Not to tell me to get rid of my baby or dictate how my fiancée and I will raise them.”

“You’re being stupid!” She screamed back incredulous.

You ran a hand through your hair in disbelief, letting yourself lean forward as your head dipped between your hands. The pounding in your temples was sharp, almost unbearable, and the noise of your family arguing over one another made it worse. You winced, pressing your palms to your forehead, trying to block out the chaos.

“Please stop,” you muttered under your breath, your voice small but firm. 

No one seemed to hear, and the din continued around you—your mom’s sharp words, your stepsister’s laughter, even your dad clearing his throat in exasperation. You closed your eyes tightly, forcing yourself to slow your breathing, to calm the storm building inside.

You can handle this. 

You will handle this. 

You drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, grounding yourself, refusing to let their judgment and chaos take control. You almost didn’t notice the faint chime of the door opening, its ringing slicing through the background noise—but it barely registered as your mind stayed locked on steadying yourself.

“Woah, is that Todoroki shouto?”

You missed the excitement of your sister beside you as she piped up in interest, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and her breath stopping slightly. She leaned forward, practically trembling in her seat, completely captivated by the person walking through the diner door.

”mom, look!”

Her wide eyes followed him, and the soft hitch in her breath made the moment feel electric, like the tension in the room had shifted without anyone else noticing. He moved closer to the table with a polite smile, every step measured, his outfit clearly chosen to impress. Even in his calm composure, there was an air of warmth and consideration that made your sister’s fascination only grow.

For a brief instant, the chaos around you—the raised voices, the judgments, the lingering hostility—seemed to fade. 

All that remained was the small bubble of anticipation and excitement surrounding your sister, and the way his presence quietly demanded attention, making it impossible for you to not to glance up and notice him too.

“Shouto,” you sat up with a tense grin, “you’re here.”

Todoroki’s smile faltered as his eyes landed on you, your head slightly tilted and your expression heavy with exhaustion and quiet distress. He could see the tension in your shoulders, the subtle slump in your posture, and something inside him tightened at the sight.

He glanced around the room, noticing everyone else staring at him in shocked silence, their mouths slightly open, unsure of how to react with the familiarity between you two. The air felt thick for a moment, all eyes lingering on the small, tender exchange about to happen.

“Evening, yn. I came as fast as I could.”

Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to your cheek, and the warmth of it made you blush despite yourself. You could feel his hand brushing lightly against your jaw, grounding you, and for a second the world outside that tiny moment seemed to disappear. His presence made it easier to breathe, easier to face the room without crumbling under the weight of their scrutiny.

“I apologize for my lateness.” he said, rubbing a hand behind his neck. His voice was calm and polite, but there was an unmistakable warmth in his tone that made it clear he cared about being here.

“I hope your family was keeping you good company?”

His words were polite with a pointed edge, and your family blinked at him, slowly nodding in response, though it was obvious they didn’t quite understand why he was speaking directly at them. The room was quiet, the tension palpable as they tried to gauge who this man was to you and what his presence meant.

Todoroki continued, eyes briefly meeting yours before flickering up to your family with a reassuring glance, “I had some work to finish up at my agency before meeting with Yn here.”

“I’m Todoroki Shouto.” he introduced himself, greeting them with a small, polite grin that didn’t waver even under all their blinking. “It’s a pleasure to meet my fiancées family.”

Without warning or a moment of hesitation, he bent forward at a perfect 90-degree angle, bowing low in an extremely formal gesture. Your eyes widened in shock, and your hands scrambled instinctively to his biceps, as if to tell him to stand back up, but he remained perfectly still, unwavering in his posture.

“Shouto, stop,” you hissed through your teeth, “stand up-!”

Your mom gasped, hand to her chest, while your dad just raised an eyebrow. You kept slapping at Todoroki’s biceps, frustrated—he was far too dignified, far too perfect a man, to be lowering his head like this, and you weren’t about to let him diminish himself in front of your family.

“Please honor me with your blessings to take Yn’s hand as my bride, and to be the father of her child,” his voice cut through the thin air, his voice calm and steady despite the dramatic gasps around the room.

“I will spend my life protecting her and our child. That is my promise to you.”

The sincerity in his words and the quiet intensity of his presence left no room for doubt—he meant every word, and his respect for your family was unmistakable. Everyone remained frozen, too starstruck to move or speak, their eyes wide as they took in Todoroki’s formal bow and heartfelt words. 

The room was heavy with silence, the kind that makes every small sound feel amplified. Finally, your dad stammered out the simple words, hesitant and unsure, that broke the tension in the room, “S-sure.”

Todoroki straightened immediately, a visible brightness spreading across his face. He let out a quiet, relieved laugh, and you had to bite back your own grin, heart warming at the way his joy subtly lit up the space around you.

“I won’t hurt her.”

Todoroki gently took your hand with his verbal promise, giving it a comforting squeeze before guiding you up from the table. The movement was unexpected, and your heart skipped slightly at the sudden closeness, but you didn’t resist. He wrapped an arm around your waist, steady and protective, the warmth of him grounding you amidst the tense atmosphere. 

Turning his gaze toward your family, he offered a small, apologetic smile, his eyes calm and sincere. It was a quiet acknowledgment that he understood the tension, a silent promise that he was here with you, and for you, no matter what anyone else thought.

“I’d love to stay longer as I just arrived, though it seems like yn is looking unwell,” Todoroki said, his brows furrowing as he glanced around at everyone. His lips pressed into a thin line, his usual calm demeanor carrying a sharp undertone of concern.

“I’m sorry to cut this short, but…”

“I wouldn’t want her falling sick,” he continued, his tone steady but firm, his eyes briefly meeting yours with quiet understanding. 

“especially with our baby on the way.”

Your parents slowly nodded, their expressions softening but still tinged with disbelief. They watched quietly, unable to fully look away from the small, intimate moment unfolding before them. Todoroki’s hand moved gently over your stomach, a soft, protective gesture that seemed to pause time for just a heartbeat. 

The simple action carried more weight than words ever could, a silent promise of care and love for both you and your baby.

Despite being late to the party, Todoroki seemed to understand instantly just how uncomfortable and hurt you were after that conversation he briefly heard at the doorway with your family. Even though he had genuinely wanted to meet them, the moment he saw how pale you’d gone, something in his expression shifted—gentle, protective, decisive.

One look at you told him everything he needed to know. 

Your comfort as the mother of his child mattered more than any introduction or formality, and all he wanted in that moment was to get you out of there and somewhere safe, somewhere you could breathe again without anyone tearing you down. You met his gaze with tender eyes, a small smile of gratitude tugging at your lips.

“Shall we go?” he whispered against your ear, a shiver racing down your spine at the brush of his cold breath. His eyes narrowed just slightly, knowing you too well. “I know you want to leave.”

You nodded, grateful yet still simmering with hurt, then leaned in closer and whispered back, “Wait… one last thing…”

In that quiet exchange, the chaos of earlier faded, replaced by warmth and the unspoken understanding that, together, you were building something strong and unwavering. You turned to face your parents, taking a steady breath before bowing slightly, feeling Todoroki stand firmly by your side, radiating quiet pride. 

His presence made your courage feel stronger, as if you weren’t facing them alone.

“I have something to say,” you began, voice steady despite the lingering tension in the room. “If you wish to continue your ties with me, please come to my wedding as a guest.”

”Share in the life of our growing family.”

The room fell silent, the weight of your words hanging in the air, and you felt Todoroki’s hand briefly brush yours in quiet support. You paused, letting the words settle, then added firmly, “However, if not, this will be the last of our paths crossing.”

“I don’t need anything from you anymore, but my child deserves better than what I had.”

You bent down to grab your bag from the floor, fingers tightening around the strap as your heart pounded. The tension from the table still lingered, but a sense of resolve coursed through you. With a steady push, you opened the door, letting the cool air of the outside hit your face.

For a moment, you paused, letting the world beyond the diner remind you of the life you were choosing for yourself and your baby. Before stepping out fully, you turned back to your family, your voice carrying across the space as you shouted back one final word filled with both finality and quiet strength, a boundary set and a life moving forward. 

“Goodbye.”

Both you and Todoroki stepped out into the cool air together, the tension from inside the diner finally starting to melt away. The weight that had pressed on your chest for hours seemed to lift slightly, replaced by a quiet relief.

You let out a long, shuddering breath, feeling the stress of the confrontation finally leave your body. Todoroki’s hand found yours, fingers intertwining in a familiar, grounding grip, and you leaned into his steady presence. For the first time in hours, you felt a lightness in your chest, a sense that, no matter what had happened inside, the two of you were together, facing the future hand in hand.

”how do you feel?”

Todoroki gently pulled you to a stop, his eyes searching yours with quiet curiosity. You lifted your hands to rub at your reddened nose, a faint smile tugging at your lips as you felt the lingering warmth from the confrontation inside.

You weren’t crying, and you weren’t angry—just wrapped in a deep, unusual sense of peace. The world felt slower, quieter, as if the chaos of earlier had been replaced by a calm that settled between the two of you.

He tilted his head slightly, still holding your gaze, and you could feel the remnants of his question lingering in the air. For a moment, you simply let the calm wash over you, letting your hands rest lightly against your face as you prepared to answer.

“I feel great.”

And you did feel great. 

A calm warmth settled over you, like the weight of the world had eased off your shoulders, leaving only clarity behind. You weren’t sure if your parents would come to the wedding, or if they would ever fully accept the life you were building. But for the first time, you realized that it didn’t matter as much anymore.

“I feel really great.”

Seeing them look at you today—even if briefly—was enough to understand that you no longer needed their approval to feel whole. The balance of your two families, the pressure to fit in, the feeling of being an outsider—all of it faded away, replaced by a single truth:

your focus was on your own growing family, with Todoroki by your side.

a/n

two bittersweet chapters today.  Everytime I see the title name I think it says poopies and I get a heart attack because omg is that a typo?

I wanted this family thing over with so I can get with the baby appointments 😛😛 sorry if this book is too realistic/unrealistic. I struggle with the balance as I truly want to explore the feelings of acceptance denial rejection and all of the above when it comes to starting a new family and having bad/good familiar relationships to influence your own family goals. I love a good slice of life and coming of age characters. :’))

also I hinted at ur bad parents throughout all ur chapters guys sorry if the bad parents trope is annoying but it’s easier for me HARHARHAR

HORRAY! I’m grinding because next week I can’t post as frequently anymore! Oh no! 

Chapter Text

flower of the day: sunflowers (sunflower)

tall, golden blooms that turn their bright, wide faces toward the light—radiant, warm, and impossible to ignore, like little pieces of captured sunshine.

currently: 18 weeks

Dress shopping alone was something you didn’t expect to do.

You were wandering downtown with a drink in hand, letting the chill of it settle into your palms as the weekend sun lit your skin. For once, everything felt peaceful. No work to do, no drama from family — just you, the city breeze, and the faint sparkle of storefront windows.

Your steps were light, almost bouncy, as you drifted from shop window to shop window, pretending you weren’t nervous about the real reason you were out. But your expression gave you away every time you glanced at the boutiques ahead — the ones with lace, silk, tulle, and mannequins wearing futures you were only just allowing yourself to imagine.

You were out here to find your wedding dress.

Honestly, as you finished up the last few sips of your drink and tossed it away before continuing your peaceful walk down the street, that quiet little ache still sat in your chest. The weekend breeze was soft, the sun was warm, the city was gentle — but none of it filled the empty space beside you. 

Shopping alone wasn’t tragic… but it just made everything feel a little quieter than you wanted.

You kept moving down the street anyway, telling yourself it was fine, that this independence was good, that you were strong enough to do this alone. But the truth pressed against your ribs every time you passed a happy pair or a chatting family — you wished someone was here with you. 

Someone who felt like home.

You didn’t really have any close friends nearby — at least none you felt comfortable bothering, not when most of them were buried in hero work or always rushing from one mission to the next. So you kept to yourself instead, convincing yourself it was easier not to ask anything of anyone.

Family wasn’t a choice either.

Your mother or father still hadn’t called to talk to you. Not after the diner dinner, not after their sharp disapproval in the beginning, not after the way their words clipped straight into your heart. Even so, hope flickered stubbornly in you; that maybe they’d show up for your wedding within the next three weeks. 

Maybe your family would stand in that room after all.

The thought of the wedding — the fact that it was so close, so real — steadied you more than you expected. It wrapped around your loneliness like a soft promise: you weren’t walking into that future alone. You were walking toward him.

And that made every step feel worth taking.

Todoroki had kept his promise, handling nearly every detail regarding your wedding with calm precision while his secretary checked in with you for your stamp of approvals. It amazed you how easy he made something so overwhelming feel. All the lists, the planning, the chaos — he shielded you from it without ever making you feel left out.

Now it was your turn to handle the one thing only you could choose: your wedding dress.

The thought fluttered in your chest, warm and unreal, like a dream you weren’t supposed to touch too fast. Still, your feet carried you through the quiet weekend streets, determined and a little nervous. Your heartbeat steadied, slow and bright, as you edged closer. This part was yours, and no one could take it from you.

You were really about to find the dress you’d marry him in.

You wandered slowly past the rows of storefronts, your steps soft, almost hesitant. Every display window shimmered with lace and silk, each mannequin draped in something delicate enough to make your breath catch. You kept pausing mid-stride, fingers brushing the strap of your bag, head tilting as a quiet maybe stirred in your chest.

But every time you tried to take that first step inside a boutique, your feet rooted themselves to the ground. You lingered there instead, hovering on the threshold like someone waiting for a sign, willing courage to finally settle into your bones.

You moved on again, drifting to the next window, heart fluttering with the same nervous excitement. You weren’t scared — not really — just overwhelmed in that strange, sweet way that comes with realizing your life is changing faster than you ever expected.

“Yn san? Is that you?” a sweet voice called out, light and surprised.

You blinked and glanced around for the voice calling out your name, your steps faltering as the breeze shifted all at once. The sudden rush of wind made you flinch, your beret lifting just enough to startle you — the gust hitting so sharply it stole your breath for a second.

“Ah-“ you gasped, “my hat!”

You quickly reached up, pressing the beret down before it could fly off, the hem of your long shirt swishing wildly around your legs as your other hand instinctively settled over your stomach. The wind kept pushing against you in warm, unsteady bursts, catching you so off guard you had to pause and steady yourself before taking another step.

“Yn San! Over here!!”

When you finally pinpointed the voice and turned your head, you saw the owner of the voice from across the street standing along with a few other familiar faces, smiling brightly, waving as if they’d just stumbled upon treasure in the middle of the city. Their excitement didn’t match the quiet nerves twisting in your stomach, but something in you eased anyway. 

it was uraraka, ashido, and yaoyoruzu.

The three female pro heroes lit up the moment they easily recognized you, their faces breaking into matching warm grins. You lifted a hand in greeting, giving your own toothy smile, and stayed right where you were as they crossed the street toward you. Their energy was warm and familiar, brushing away some of the quiet jitters that had been clinging to you all morning.

And just like that, you didn’t feel so alone anymore.

They reached you in a small cluster of color and chatter, their boots tapping against the pavement, and excitement practically buzzing around them as if the surprise of seeing you here of all places was the highlight of their day.

“Wow!”

Uraraka’s eyes sparkled the moment she got close enough to really look at you fully. Her hand flew up to her mouth, pink dusting her cheeks as she leaned in just a little, gaze dropping straight to your stomach.

“You’ve grown so much since I’ve last seen you!” she breathed, voice bubbling with soft awe. She held out her fingers to count since the last time she had seen you, “It’s been—seven weeks?!”

“Mhm!” You agreed, “far too long!”

Her hands hovered like she wanted to touch you but didn’t dare, eyes shimmering with pure joy. Her excitement was so earnest, so warm, that a giggle escaped you before you could stop it, your hand instinctively brushing over your belly as if to greet her back.

“How far along are you now?” Uraraka asked, practically bouncing in place, too excited to stand still. 

“We’ve reached our 18 weeks mark!”

The three girls practically melted at your cheerful response, their faces softening all at once as you gave your belly an affectionate little pat. It had been a while — since that chaotic morning back at 11 weeks — and seeing you now, visibly rounder, must’ve been a real shock for Uraraka. Even more shocking for Ashido and yaoyorozu who hadn’t seen you at all since Christmas.

Toto was now the size of a bell pepper.

You wondered if Toto was going to be like Todoroki and come out to be a bigger sized baby. You weren’t particularly short and petite, and in general were around average sized for a regular healthy woman, but compared to Todoroki, you looked noticeably smaller whenever standing next to him.

You couldn’t help but wonder if Todoroki’s genes were giving Toto a head start, making your little one grow faster than average. Your belly had been growing steadily over the past weeks, now clearly visible to the eye. There was no mistaking it for bloating anymore — you were undeniably pregnant.

She stepped closer with a hushed, breathless kind of wonder, as if your growing bump was the sweetest thing she’d seen since becoming a hero. She practically begged with her eyes as she hovered, “can I… touch?”

“of course! Feel free!”

You nodded with a light laugh, giving her the permission she was silently begging for. Uraraka’s hands floated forward hesitantly, fingers trembling just a little before she finally reached you. She poked your belly once — the gentlest, most timid little tap — and her whole face lit up as if she’d touched something sacred.

“A little baby running around, how adorable!!” Ochako squealed, eyes sparkling as she leaned closer.

Mina bounced up from behind, raising a hand excitedly. her grin wide and infectious, she chimed in, “Oh, oh! me too! Me too please! I want to feel too!”

Yaoyorozu stood beside her, blushing quietly, her expression a mix of disbelief and hopeful admiration as she watched the moment unfold with soft awe. She glanced at you, then hesitated for a heartbeat before quietly joining in, hands inching closer. 

“I as well, yn San?”

Seeing their not so subtle excitement, you only nodded gleefully, wordlessly inviting them closer. You let their hands rest gently on your stomach, giggling at how silly everyone probably looked standing there in the middle of the crosswalk.Their laughter mingled with yours, bright and unrestrained, caught up in the moment.

When everyone finally had their turn and stepped back, you adjusted the hat that had begun to slip, brushing it into place with a small smile. You watched as the girls slowly calmed themselves, their cheeks still tinged pink and their breaths soft, the bliss of the moment lingering in the air like a quiet, sparkling echo.

“Now it all makes so much sense!” 

Ashido snapped her fingers loudly, eyes wide with sudden realization. She lets out a small gasp before lowering her head apologetically, murmuring to you shyly, “It makes so much more sense why Izuku took the wine away from you at the Christmas party.”

“I’m sorry, if I had known…”

You smiled sheepishly, ducking your head just a little while the grin lingered on your face, amused by her overly dramatic reaction. You had forgotten about that silly moment from Izuku downing your wine in one shot, but you never blamed the girl or had any ill feelings considering you weren’t very public nor familiar with her yet to share that detail.

“No, no, you don’t have to apologize!” You dismissed her with a wave of your hand and shook your head reassuringly, “It’s honestly fine!”

“Still…”

Mina didn’t look entirely convinced, still carrying that guilty weight as she pouted and let out a dramatic, exaggerated sigh. Then, abruptly, she tilted her head to look at you. Confused, you raised an eyebrow—and instinctively mirrored the tilt of her head, matching her playful gesture.

Mina rubbed her arm awkwardly, fidgeting as she tried to find the right words. After a pause, she asked gently, almost hesitantly, “Um… is it alright if I ask who the father is?”

Yaoyorozu and Uraraka both whipped their heads toward Mina, mouths dropping in shock at her question. When Mina’s panic became obvious, they quickly turned their heads to hide the laughter that threatened to spill out, trying to spare her the embarrassment.

“I-I’m sorry—” Mina waved her hands around frantically, cheeks pink, “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m just… so curious! I mean, Izuku wouldn’t have introduced you to us without a reason, right?”

“Unless… izuku’s the…”

Uraraka and Yaoyorozu couldn’t contain themselves anymore, bursting into laughter at Mina’s unintended insinuation that Midoriya Izuku was the father of your baby. They doubled over, clutching their stomachs, eyes sparkling with amusement, while Mina scrunched up her nose and rubbed at her head in utter confusion, completely lost in the whirlwind of the moment.

”umm…”

Your hands flew to your mouth, shoulders bouncing with restrained laughter, eyes sparkling as the giggles threatened to escape. You had to let yourself laugh first, fully and freely, before you could even think about answering her.

“No—no, Midoriya-sensei is not the father,” you managed between laughs, holding out a hand to stop her chaotic thoughts, “You can rest assured on that thought.”

Uraraka and Yaoyorozu were still chuckling at Ashido’s flustered expression, though their laughter gradually softened as they tried to regain composure. You waited until the laughter faded and the air settled before leaning slightly toward Ashido, a soft smile tugging at your lips as you prepared to answer her curiosity.

You bit your lip, still unable to stop the feeling of a small flutter of disbelief at saying it out loud, before murmuring softly, “Shouto… Todoroki Shouto.”

“Oh,” Mina blinked, “cool.”

She nodded slowly in understanding, as if to process your words, before her eyes went wide with disbelief, before squealing, “Wait—our Shouto? Like… our dense and clueless man-of-a-hunk Todoroki Shouto?!”

You gave her a toothy grin, watching as Ashido slapped a hand to her forehead, eyes widening in mock shock and betrayal as she stared at the three of you. Uraraka and Yaoyorozu snickered quietly beside you, trying to hide their amusement while barely stifling their laughter.

“I need to sit down.”

Ashido played along with the laughter, exaggerating her reaction with a dramatic flair, though it was clear she wasn’t taking it seriously. You rolled your eyes at her antics, a small smile tugging at your lips as she began fanning her flushed face in mock distress.

”yn San, what were you doing out here alone?”

Yaoyorozu addressed you next, her tone polite and measured, every word deliberate. She held herself with her usual straight posture, voice smooth and even, the faintest hint of curiosity in her tilt of the head. 

“Well…”

“truthfully, I was going to go dress shopping,” you admitted, scratching at your cheek shyly. You quickly shook your head, trying to dismiss the thought, “but… I might just do it another day or something.”

”I can’t seem to find the courage to go into the shops by myself…”

It was far more embarrassing to admit out loud than you had anticipated — that you were too shy to step inside a bridal shop by yourself. You rubbed the back of your neck, a small grin tugging at your lips, feeling the weight of your own nerves.

It wasn’t that you minded the idea, but the courage simply hadn’t caught up with your intentions yet. You honestly figured it would be better to wait for another day, one when you could muster the confidence to browse the dresses without your cheeks heating up at every glance.

Uraraka, Yaoyorozu, and Momo all blinked in surprise at your confession. Their eyes met for a brief moment, silently communicating before nodding firmly in unison. Without hesitation, they each reached out, grabbing your hands warmly, a silent but firm promise to accompany you and make sure you weren’t facing the task alone.

”we can join!”

They were all eager, voices rising together in cheerful unison, and you faltered, your breath hitching at the sudden rush of energy surrounding you. Your hands tightened slightly around theirs, heart skipping a beat at how genuinely excited they were.

Uraraka smiled tenderly at you, reassuring you once more, “we can join you, yn San! We’re on break right now, so if it’s alright with you, we’d love to join you with dress shopping!”

“Are you sure?” You were hesitant to accept, your lips curling into a frown, “I promise it’s honestly not that big of a deal…”

Ashido shook her head firmly at you, her expression unwavering. You let out a soft sigh, realizing there was no convincing them otherwise, and felt the tension in your shoulders finally ease.

“After the war…” Yaoyorozu murmured softly, her gaze distant as she recalled a quiet promise from high school. “Class 1-A has taken a lot of steps to be there for each other, to look out for one another.”

Yaoyorozu squeezed your hand gently, a smile on her face. She tucked a hair behind her ears as she firmly continued, “Shouto’s happiness is important, and… we’d like to help you with this since you’re considered part of our pact now too.”

“It’ll also be nice to spend more time with you.”

Your heart fluttered as you met the bright, warm smiles of the three girls, a strange and tender feeling spreading through you. You felt yourself melting into the moment, so easily accepted into their care and affection—not just for you, but because of how much they cherished Todoroki and extended that care to you as well.

“O-okay…” you murmured softly, still clinging to their hands, “let’s… let’s do this together.”

and so, your amazing shopping adventures begun.

Since the beginning of the shopping trip, you found yourself laughing more than you had in weeks, the kind of full, careless laugh that warmed your chest and made your cheeks ache. The three girls chattered excitedly with you, sharing stories from high school and about Todoroki’s more awkward, stoic days.

“Can you believe he used to stare at us like we were aliens?” Ashido giggled, waving her hands animatedly.

Uraraka added on top of Ashido with loud laughter, “or during his provisional license exam with Katsuki where the kids called him boring because he wouldn’t stop talking about ‘5 wienies’”!

You shook your head, trying to picture it, and the absurdity of it all made your heart swell in sweetness. This was honestly a much-needed shopping experience, and the longer you spent with them, the more you appreciated how these girls had shaped your heart—not just as heroes, but as kind, supportive friends.

“Yn chan try these on!”

You stood there in acceptance, the polite smile frozen on your face, as they handed you one distinctive dress after another—each truly one of a kind and perfectly reflecting their quirky personalities—while you shopped together, noticing the little things they considered cute on you. Whatever, you had time to spare, so you decided to go ahead and try them all on anyway.

the first dress, was ashidos.

“This one just screams you!” Ashido grinned when you came out the dressing room, eyes sparkling, tugging the dress hem and fixing it for you with barely contained excitement.

Ashido’s choice was playful and bright, layers of ruffles and glitter catching the light with every movement. It radiated her energy—fun, bold, and unapologetically cheerful. You laughed, giving her a cute little twirl in it and feeling like a character from one of the exaggerated princess stories.

“It’s cute…” you giggled, “but maybe something more plain…?”

“Aw shucks!” Ashido groaned, and you left her behind to sit back with uraraka and yaoyorozu with a pout.

The next dress, uraraka’s choice.

Uraraka’s pick was soft and dreamy, flowing fabrics in pastel hues that seemed to float around you. Gentle embroidery and delicate lace reflected her sweet, careful nature, the kind of dress that whispered rather than shouted. 

“I think you’d look… peaceful and glowing in this one,” she murmured, cheeks warm as she helped tie you up from behind and her fingers smothering over the fabric. 

You picked up the dress, letting it drape over your fingers, and turned it around to admire the beautiful back, your head tilting in thought. You felt the tender care behind her choice — how she had noticed your quiet grace and tried to echo it in fabric — yet, despite that, you still weren’t entirely convinced.

“it’s a little too… pastel and lacy for me….” you sweats-dropped with an apologetic expression when Uraraka froze and nearly crumbled away at your rejection. 

“No,” Uraraka whined, “but it’s so pink and cute!”

You had tried on two of the three dresses, your stomach aching from laughing at their faces every time you rejected a choice. You were glad they didn’t take offense — in fact, they seemed to enjoy the process just as much, delighting in seeing you in each one.

The third choice, screamed yaoyorozu.

It was undeniably beautiful, reflecting her careful judgment, though you weren’t sure it captured the playful or tender side of yourself that the other two dresses hinted at. Wearing it, you felt like someone else entirely — polished, composed, and distant from the person you truly were inside.

Yaoyorozu’s choice was sleek and refined, minimalist yet elegant, showing thoughtfulness and a polished sensibility. It was tight at the top and flowed at the bottom with a train, every line and fold spoke to her attention to detail, the kind of dress that made you feel poised and ready for a heroes award. 

“I thought this would highlight your natural confidence,” she said softly, tilting her head as she admired it on you.

“it’s pretty….”

The three girls felt their eyes shimmer in anticipation as you drew out your words, only for them to deflate once more when you finally finished, tugging awkwardly at your waist. You chuckled softly at them, enjoying the brief flicker of hope and confusion on their faces.

“It’s a little too tight…” you waddled slightly, letting them see exactly what you meant. “I feel restricted.”

“Oh dear, be careful!”

The three of them collapsed onto the couch, each letting out a sigh as if their very souls had fled. They fell in such wildly different ways that you could hardly hold back your laughter. One sprawled dramatically with arms flung wide, another curled into a tight ball, and the third slumped sideways, looking entirely too relaxed — each pose more ridiculous than the last, and you couldn’t stop yourself from chuckling at the sight.

“You three are ridiculous,” you said with a giggle, shaking your head at their expressions, “But… I’m really grateful, honestly.” 

Each dress carried a piece of the girl who picked it, and as you held them up, your heart warmed at how they saw you. Their choices weren’t perfect—no single one felt like the dress of your dreams—but it wasn’t about that. It was the thought, the love, and the understanding behind their selections that made the shopping trip feel like a celebration all on its own.

“What do we do now,” Ashido whined, “we haven’t found a single dress!”

“It’s okay,” you held out our hand to stop her from panicking, “I’m truly not worried at all, it’s just a dress.”

“Noo!” Ashido shook her head, then sat up abruptly with wide, sparkling eyes. Her voice firm and confident, “This is literally going to be the wedding of the century — it has to be perfect!”

“Sure, Ashido San.” You rolled your eyes and begun turning back to the dressing room, “I’ll be back, girls.”

You had your hand out to the bridal stylist as she helped you down the steps, guiding you back into your private dressing room. Your thoughts felt heavy and quiet, your mind wandering as she assisted you with undressing, the soft rustle of fabric filling the space.

“yn ln san?”

her soft voice was nearly missable if it wasn’t for the fact she stood directly behind you. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed her shy glance, fingers nervously fidgeting as she looked at you. It was subtle, almost hesitant, but it made you pause for a moment, feeling the quiet tension hang between you both.

You shifted slightly, caught between curiosity and self-consciousness, and gave her a gentle nod, silently telling her it was okay to continue. Her breath hitched softly, and she seemed relieved. The quiet hum of the room, the soft light, and the intimate nature of the space made it feel like a private little world just for the two of you.

“I… am a big fan of Mr. Sh-shouto,” she began, voice soft and hesitant, eyes flicking to the floor before meeting yours again. “And you’re so… pretty that… would you be open to a dress I offer?”

Her stutter made her seem both shy and earnest, and you felt a warm flutter in your chest. You watched her, curious and a little touched by the care she put into even the smallest gesture. Suddenly, you giggle, encouraging her to go ahead with a tender nod.

“Of course,” you replied, your voice equally soft and appreciative, “I’d love to see it.”

You watched as the girl darted away in a flurry of excitement, leaving you alone for a moment. You shrugged lightly, fixing your hair with a small smile, your thoughts wandering.

”sorry for the wait!”

Moments later, she returned, her eyes wide as if she were holding a treasure. Draped across her arms was a dress that seemed to shimmer in the soft light, catching every gleam like scattered pearls. 

“I saw this,” she wheezed as if she ran a mile to avoid you waiting too long, “but I thought that this would’ve been perfect for you and a nice dedication to Todoroki shouto.”

You took a small, hesitant step forward, letting your fingers brush over the material, amazed at how light and smooth it felt. It was both enchanting and comforting, a dress that promised beauty without suffocating you, elegance without pretense.

“Are you…” you blinked in amazement, “are you sure?”

It was a flowing white gown, delicate and airy, reminiscent of a fairytale princess — the kind that seemed to float around you before you even tried it on. Subtle red-lined hems traced the edges of the fabric, adding just the right hint of warmth and regality, like a gentle whisper of elegance.

“Try it on!” She encouraged you through her ragged breathing, “this is the first time working as a bridal stylist, but I don’t have doubts that the dress is made for you!”

”okay…”

It didn’t take long for you to try on the dress, easily slipping into it with her help. You felt a little stiff from the expectation of the dress, but as you loosened your hair from the style, you gazed at your reflection in the mirror, feeling a wave of awe at the sight.

”woah!”

The bodice was fitted but soft, cinching just enough to accentuate your form without feeling restrictive, while the skirt cascaded in layered tulle that seemed to dance with every breath of air. It was whimsical and graceful, the kind of dress that made you feel like you were stepping into a storybook, every inch a vision of delicate perfection.

“Well?”

The girl looked at you expectantly, almost holding her breath. as though afraid to shatter the magic of the moment, she asked softly, “do you like it?”

You spun lightly, letting the dress fan out around you, and felt a thrill run through your chest. The soft tulle and pearl shimmer made you feel like an entirely new person, as if the reflection in the mirror had stepped straight out of a dream. You opened your mouth to speak, still dizzy with the magic of the moment, when a sweet, familiar voice interrupted you.

“Yn-chan!”

Ochako called from behind the curtain, her voice edged with worry and a hint of apology. She knocked on the wall as she kept talking, “can we come in? Our break is ending soon… we just wanted to check if you needed any help getting home before we leave!”

“Come on in.”

You answered her, still twirling gently, and looked at yourself, softening your features. The dress in your reflection caught the light as you turned, the pearl shimmer glinting in subtle, elegant flashes, and for a moment, you barely noticed Uraraka opening the curtains — lost in the wonder of the gown that somehow felt made just for you.

The three heroes stepped in, their eyes widening a little at the sight of you in the gown. They exchanged a quick, excited glance before focusing on you. You felt your cheeks warm at their stare, the sparkle of the dress still catching your eye as you adjusted it lightly.

”do you like it?”

“It suits you beautifully,” yaoyorozu snapped out of the daze first, her voice softly, voice steady yet full of admiration. Yaoyorozu stepped closer, tilting her head with her usual polite praise, “The shimmer and the flow… it’s very graceful.”

Ashido whispered behind her hands with an audible whistle, “You look… incredible, Yn-chan!”

Ochako bounced slightly on the balls of her feet, hands clasped together in excitement. “We knew you’d look amazing, but this… wow! Yn-chan, it’s perfect!”

You beamed at them, letting their praise warm your chest before turning toward the bridal stylist. She was practically glowing, eyes sparkling like stars as she between the three heroes and you who is marrying one, clearly a huge fan, her hands pressed lightly together in awe.

“Is this the dress?”

checking one last time to make sure it was the one you wanted, you twirled gently again, feeling the dress sway around you like a dream, and couldn’t help but laugh softly, the joy of the moment sinking in. This was really happening, and you had the perfect company to share it with.

“Yes,” you responded softly but firmly, your fingers brushing over the fabric of the dress. A toothy grin and tilt of your head bubbly, “This is the one!”

For a brief moment, the room felt full of magic and warmth, the three of them cheering loudly, their eyes sparkling with admiration and excitement. You felt cherished and celebrated, the kind of joy that only true friends could bring, wrapping around you like a gentle, protective hug.

To be honest, you’d been just a teeny bit upset about having to shop alone for something so important. The idea of picking your wedding dress by yourself had left a small, stubborn knot in your chest all morning — not enough to ruin the day, but enough to weigh on you.

But ever since running into these three, that heaviness had started to melt away, and you realized just how much better and happier the day had become because of them. It warmed your heart to see how easily they had welcomed you into that circle, how their laughter and teasing wasn’t just about fun, but about connection.

In that moment, standing in the shimmer of your dress, you realized just how lucky you were—not just to have Todoroki, but to be surrounded by people who cherished him and, by extension, cherished you too.

You were one lucky girl and Toto is even luckier to have people who will care for them so much.

A/n 

surprise update! 

I really wanted this chaother out. My honestly favorite one I’ve written so far. I love friendship I love uraraka I hope everyone knows I will ride for uraraka and I love her so much she’s my favorite character to write and favorite character to love on. 

Wedding coming soon. Idk if I want to even write the wedding or just do a haha weddings over chaother LOLL I’ve never done this so we’ll see. Next chapter is a baby update <3 I love baby update chapters. 

Thank you for the support, this is one of my second fastest growing book in terms of community and I love it!! I haven’t had this much fun since writing bruises and that was 7? Years ago? 5? Haha.

everly out <3

Chapter Text

flower of the day: hyacinths (hyacinth)

Dense clusters of bell-shaped blooms, fragrant and vibrant, rising proudly from slender green leaves, heralding the freshness of spring.

currently: 20 weeks

20 weeks.

You’ve officially reached the halfway mark of your pregnancy, and everything around you seems to settle into a gentler rhythm. Even on the days when your back aches or your legs feel heavy than usual, there’s a quiet sense of accomplishment beneath it all—like your body is proud of what it’s doing and wants you to feel that with it.

You were practically glowing.

Your bubbly energy has started coming back in soft, manageable waves, letting you enjoy pieces of your life that felt out of reach during the early weeks. Food tastes better, sleep feels kinder, and the world doesn’t feel as sharp against your skin as it used to.

Most surprising of all is how steady you’ve become.

Even on your worst or most uncertain days, there’s this grounded sense in you—something calm, instinctive, and reassuring—reminding you that you’re moving forward exactly the way you’re meant to. It’s a quiet strength that settles in your chest, steady enough to carry you through whatever comes next.

“Shouto,” you whispered groggily, your voice still thick with sleep,  “It’s time to wake up.”

Todoroki was nestled against you, his arms wrapped around you as his head rested lightly on yours. The slow rise and fall of his chest pressed against you radiating a comforting heat. The room was quiet except for that gentle rhythm, and you felt your whole body relax beneath the weight of him—safe, close, and yours in a way that made the world outside feel far away.

You couldn’t help the tender smile that tugged at your lips as you studied him. 

His hair spilled over his pillow in a perfect mess of red and white, catching the dim light like something out of a painting. His eyelashes brushed his cheeks, impossibly long, and your fingertips traced the gentle slope of his cheek, the shape of his jaw, the faint edge of his scar. 

God surely had his favorites with him.

Todoroki furrowed his brows suddenly, still deep in sleep, as if your touch had stirred some quiet dream inside him. The tiny expression only made you melt more, and you smoothed your thumb over the crease between his brows as his face relaxed again and he nestled you closer into his arms.

“Hey,” you murmured, leaning up to nudge your nose against his with a soft giggle. Then, quieter and closer to his ear, you whispered again, “Shouto… wake up.”

Todoroki only burrowed closer, wrapping his arms around you even tighter. He groaned out firmly,  “No.”

You sighed softly and let yourself relax back into his arms for a moment longer, feeling the steady warmth of his body pressed against you. Todoroki made no effort to move, clearly refusing to get up, his hold tightening just enough to make his stubbornness known.

It was comforting, honestly—too comforting—but you knew you couldn’t stay there forever.

With a little more effort, you gently pried yourself out of his arms, careful not to wake him too much as his fingers momentarily tightened before slipping away. The cool air met your skin the moment you sat up, and you let out a long stretch, arms lifting above your head until your joints loosened. A quiet yawn escaped you, small and lingering.

Blinking the sleep from your eyes, you glanced around the room, still dim and peaceful in the morning light. Your gaze settled on the clock across the room, its numbers sharp and unmoving, and the realization of the time made your shoulders drop. 

Whether he liked it or not, the day had already started without you both.

You began to make your way out of the bed, feet brushing against the cool floor as you crossed the room. With one smooth pull, you opened the blinds of his condo—and instantly flinched as sunlight burst in, far brighter than your sleepy eyes were prepared for. The morning sky was unforgivingly clear, flooding the room with sun light that made you squint and blink rapidly.

“Yn,” he rasped, his voice low and rough with sleep, “It’s too bright in here.”

The sound of his voice made you turn around, amusement tugging at your expression despite the brightness still stinging your eyes. Behind you, Todoroki let out a deep, muffled groan, burying half of his face into the pillow like the sun itself had personally offended him.

”that’s the point silly.”

You planted your hands firmly on your hips, head tilted in that silent, knowing way you always used when he was being dramatic. He cracked one eye open at you, only to immediately close it again with another low grumble—looking for all the world like a man betrayed by the morning.

”come on. we have my 20 weeks appointment today.”

You sat down on the edge of the bed beside him, the mattress dipping gently under your weight. His hair was a soft mess of red and white, and you couldn’t help but reach out, your fingers stroking through the strands in slow, comforting motions. He exhaled at the touch—something between a sigh and a sleepy complaint—before finally turning toward you.

“Oh yeah,” he agreed, “that’s why you stayed over, isn’t it?”

Without even opening his eyes, Todoroki reached up and caught your hands, pulling them toward him with tired, instinctive need. He pressed a long, lingering kiss to your palm, his lips soft against your skin, as if that alone was enough to coax him back into peace.

Then he rested his cheek against your hand, nuzzling into it with a kind of exhausted tenderness that made your heart flutter. His breathing evened out again, and he stayed there—tired, warm, and clinging to you like you were the only thing anchoring him to the morning.

”Goodmorning, yn.”

His eyes were open now, still heavy with sleep but fixed on you with that quiet intensity that made your chest flutter. The way he looked at you made your lips curve into a wide, toothy grin, sincere and unguarded, as if he was the only thing you wanted to see that morning.

“Morning, shouto!”

You leaned down to press a gentle kiss to his cheek, soft and fleeting, a small morning gesture meant just for him. But before you could pull away, his hand rose to cup your face, fingers gentle and steady, holding you in place with tender insistence.

He tilted his head, brushing his lips against yours instead, slow and deliberate, sleepy and soft. The world outside the condo faded completely as you melted into the warmth of him, every heartbeat and breath grounding you together in that quiet, perfect morning.

”I like waking up to you.”

Todoroki fell back onto the bed, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips as he stared at you, the mischievous glint in his eyes making your heart skip. You sat there, one hand pressed against your mouth, cheeks warming as you tried to hide your shy smile at the sight of him shirtless and so unapologetically bold.

”what the hell, shouto.” You blinked in surprise as you hissed through your teeth at him, “that surprised me!”

Your fingers twitched with both embarrassment and amusement, caught between laughing and scolding him silently, before you finally let your hand swing forward and slap lightly at his shoulder. He barely flinched, only letting out a low, teasing chuckle that made your cheeks heat up even more.

“Don’t tease me. I’m sensitive.”

Even as your playful reprimand lingered in the air, his smirk didn’t falter, and you found yourself caught between wanting to push him away and wanting to lean closer. The mix of boldness and vulnerability in that moment made it impossible to look anywhere but at him.

“Sorry,” Todoroki said, though his tone hardly sounded apologetic. He reached out, intertwining his fingers with yours as he looked at you. “I just… can’t wait until the house is finalized so I can wake up to you every morning.”

You rolled your eyes at him, though a small part of you couldn’t deny that you agreed with him, even if you’d never admit it out loud. His smirk only grew wider at your reaction, clearly enjoying the quiet acknowledgment hidden behind your playful gesture.

”yeah, whatever.”

Lately, you’d been spending more and more time at Todoroki’s condo, letting the mornings stretch lazily with him and the evenings slip quietly into shared comfort. With the house slowly getting its papers finalized for after your wedding and the interiors being decorated by the designer you’ve both hired, it felt easier—almost natural—to make his space your temporary home.

Even amidst the chaos of planning and waiting for everything to fall into place, these small, private moments with him grounded you. The condo, with its soft light and familiar warmth, had become a space where you could just be together, free from schedules, expectations, and the weight of the outside world.

Plus, you also loved telling him welcome home after work.

But because you’ve been spending more time at Todoroki’s condo, it only made sense to bring chewy, your fur buddy, along with you. As he slowly adapted to the new space with his little padded paws, you noticed little changes in his behavior as you’ve stopped changing his litterbox—especially with how he responded to Todoroki.

“Oh,” you tilted your head from the sound of the bedroom door creeking opening to see little orange tipped ears, “morning to you too, chewy.”

The moment chewy heard your voices, he padded into the bedroom, jumping onto the bed as if drawn by some invisible thread. But instead of coming straight to you, he paused and lingered by Todoroki, rubbing against his face with a familiarity that made your chest tighten in a mix of amusement and low-key jealousy.

“meow.”

You watched silently, a small frown tugging at your lips, as Chewy circled him and settled near his side, purring like he’d always belonged there. It was a strange feeling, seeing the little ball of fur that had once followed only you now so effortlessly accepting Todoroki’s presence. 

“Of course,” you pouted and scrunched up your nose, muttering bitterly, “you choose your dad instead.”

A part of you teased yourself for feeling replaced, even though you knew in your heart that Chewy’s attachment to Todoroki didn’t diminish what you shared. Still, you couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, bending over Todoroki to scratch behind Chewy’s ear and reclaim a little of his attention.

Your grumbled beneath your breath, ”i used to be your favorite, you know.”

Todoroki chuckled at the sight, leaning back on one arm with easy casualness, clearly amused by your mix of possessiveness and tenderness. He watched as you rubbed under Chewy’s chin, the cat flicking his ears in contentment while you gushed softly, completely smitten.

In that loud, shared moment, it was clear that the three of you—Todoroki, Chewy, and you—had settled into an easy, cozy rhythm together.

The rest of the morning went smoothly, filled with quiet laughter and easy movements as the two of you lingered in bed a little longer than planned playing with chewy. The calm felt rare and precious, the kind that made you forget the world was waiting outside the room.

10:00 am.

Eventually, reality crept back in when you both realized how close your appointment was getting when the 10 o clock alarm went off as you both already knew getting ready late last minute was a new habit for you both. A shared look was enough to send you scrambling, the lazy warmth replaced with hurried motions and soft groans as you finally forced yourselves up.

By the time you stepped out, fully dressed and ready, the day already felt promising.

Your fingers stayed laced together with Todoroki’s as you walked toward the clinic, mid March blossoms scattering cheerful petals that drifted softly around you. The air felt light, touched with the promise of spring, and for a moment everything seemed gentle and unhurried.

“My homeroom class scored an 80 on their midterms,” you bragged out loud, a proud warmth blooming in your chest. You tilted your head with a knowing grin, eyes sparkling as you looked at him. “Do you know what that means?”

“That means you have to come be a guest lecturer!”

You laughed out loud as you remembered the silly promise you’d made with your class, shaking your head fondly. you spoke with a teasing tone, “my kids really want to see you.”

“Hm,” Todoroki pursed his lips in thought before giving your hand a tight squeeze, “I can maybe fit it into my schedule.”

You continued your walk quietly conversing about the upcoming wedding and small, meaningless things, your voices blending with the hush of passing cars and the whisper of petals underfoot. There was comfort in the simplicity of it, in the steady warmth of his hand anchoring you to the moment.

The wedding invitations were officially sent out—quietly, efficiently—handled by Todoroki’s secretary with the same calm precision he applied to everything else. 

Most went to his hero colleagues, agency contacts, and long-standing friends, while you personally reached out to the few people closest to your own heart. Even then, the list grew faster than either of you expected, names stacking up until the wedding felt far bigger than what you’d imagined in those first, private conversations.

It was strange, realizing how large his world truly was when it brushed up against yours. 

RSVPs began trickling in almost immediately, polite confirmations and warm messages filling your inbox, some from people you’d only heard about in passing. The scale of it all left you a little breathless—not entirely overwhelmed, just quietly stunned that something born from something so intimate had expanded into something so visible.

That feeling only deepened when you passed a magazine stand noticed headlines lingering a little too long on Todoroki’s name.

“Todoroki shouto, number 2 pro hero, insider!”

It had only been two weeks since the last time you’d gone out alone properly—since running into Uraraka, Yaoyorozu, and Ashido by complete chance. At the time, it felt harmless: laughter in the street, their hands warm and curious against your stomach, a few photos snapped by passersby who recognized them. 

You hadn’t thought much of it then, too caught up in the moment to care, but timing had a way of turning coincidence into conclusion.

”our favorite pro heroes stopping to touch pregnant civilian! So sweet!”

Not long after the leaked photos of your stomach getting rubbed by his closest friends, whispers of Todoroki’s upcoming grand wedding were filling the streets as it was harder to hide his tracks when having too many public eyes following him—nothing officially announced from him, just murmurs slipping through cracks that were never fully sealed. 

“Read here! Rumors of Todoroki shouto having a secret fiancée!”

Soon after that week, even older photos resurfaced—grainy shots from your zoo date, candid and unguarded, suddenly framed as proof instead of memory. articles side by side, the images told a story people were far too eager to finish themselves. And just like that, the dots were connected for you, without your consent, without your voice—your quiet life pulled gently, then firmly, into the public eye.

“Todoroki shouto is marrying a common civilian, yn ln!”

”pregnancy before marriage?” 

“Who is ln yn to Todoroki shouto?”

It was strange, watching the media piece the two of you together like a riddle solved backwards. Headlines speculated, forums buzzed, strangers stared a second too long as if trying to place you from memory. You found it oddly detached, like watching someone else’s life unfold through glass—curious, invasive, but not powerful enough to steal your joy.

What did change, was the ease of being alone.

Shopping trips became coordinated, outings required company, and quiet wandering wasn’t really an option anymore. It was awkward always needing someone with you, sometimes exhausting—but if this was the price of building a life with him, you figured you could live with it.

You sighed deeply and kicked a rock from beneath your feet, “it’s like dating a celebrity.”

“…You are aware I am a celebrity,” he said flatly, the corner of his mouth twitching despite himself. Todoroki glanced at you, unimpressed but clearly amused, “You just didn’t sign up for the paparazzi part.”

You stuck your tongue out at him just as he reached up to run a hand through his hair, shrugging in a way that was far from apologetic. He didn’t even try to hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. With a soft huff, you rolled your eyes and turned away, continuing toward the clinic while he followed close at your side.

It didn’t take long to get checked in and into a room.

You sit back in the chair as the technician guides the wand over your stomach, the gel cool against your skin while the screen flickers to life. Twenty weeks. The weight of it settles in your chest—halfway, steady, real. Your fingers curl into the edge of the chair, grounding yourself as excitement and nerves blur together.

Toto is now the size of a banana.

Incase you hadn’t realized, this scan is different from the others. 

At twenty weeks, Toto is no longer just a flutter or a distant heartbeat; today is about seeing everything—the curve of their spine, the small certainty of fingers and toes, proof that they are growing exactly as they should. 

It feels like crossing from imagining into knowing.

Todoroki watches the screen without blinking, breath held as if afraid to miss a single detail. This is the day you both finally meet Toto—not just as a hope or a promise, but as your baby, whole and unmistakably yours. His hand hovers near yours, close enough to share the moment without breaking it.

“Would you like to know toto’s gender today?”

The technician smiles warmly as she steadies the wand, the image on the screen sharpening until Toto is clear and undeniable. You both stare, breath caught, smiles blooming without restraint as wonder settles deep in your chest.  

Your heart aches in the sweetest way.

At twenty weeks, Toto is no longer just movement and sound but form and presence, features you can trace with your eyes and carry with you forever. A small nose, delicate fingers splayed open, the gentle curve of a face already so familiar—it feels almost impossible that something so perfect has been quietly growing inside you.

“Ummm….”

You look at each other then, a soft, knowing glance passing between you, as if the same answer has already been spoken in your minds. You both had already spoken to eachother the night before, and decided on the answer already. Without a word, you turn back together, ready to agree.

“yes please!”

The technician chuckles softly, remembering how awkward and hesitant you both were back at six weeks, eyes barely lifting from the screen, words caught somewhere between nerves and disbelief. Now, at twenty weeks, she can’t help but smile at how close you sit, how natural it feels, how comfortable you are together. 

“Congratulations…”

She adjusts her grip and slowly moves the wand, the image shifting with careful precision. The room feels suddenly smaller, anticipation tightening in your chest as you watch the screen without blinking.

Every second stretches, delicate and charged.

”Toto’s a…,”

With a knowing smile, she angles the wand just enough to reveal what you’ve been waiting for. You and Todoroki look at each other at the same time, eyes wide, breath caught, as if making sure you’re both ready for this moment. Whatever you see next, you already know you’re facing it together.

“Toto’s a boy!”

Your hands fly to your mouth as happiness overwhelms you, a soft laugh slipping out before you can stop it. The emotion is sudden and consuming, warm and dizzying, as the reality of it finally settles in your chest.

Todoroki leans in closer to the screen, eyes bright despite the blur of the image, his focus unwavering. There’s a quiet, unmistakable joy in his expression—one that mirrors your own and makes the moment feel even more real.

“Shouto,” you whisper behind your fingers as you nudged him to look you, “a baby boy!!”

Todoroki laughs softly at your reaction, the sound warm and unguarded, before his attention drifts back to the screen. His smile lingers, gentle and disbelieving, as if he’s trying to memorize this version of you—this moment—forever. Then his focus sharpens, eyes following every movement on the display.

The image wobbles slightly, still grainy, but clear enough to trace the shape of your baby. 

His tiny legs tucked in, a rounded belly rising and falling, the faint outline of a face framed by soft shadows—small, whole, and undeniably real. It’s astonishing how much you can recognize now, how easily your eyes learn every detail.

A quiet bliss settles over you both, heavier and sweeter than you expected, filling the room until nothing else exists. You sit there together, awed and breathless, realizing this feeling goes far beyond excitement—it’s love, already vast and overwhelming.

“Toto seems very healthy,” the technician nodded gently as she picked up her clipboard, “is it alright if I go through our check list with you?”

”please do!”

The technician begins asking gentle questions as she works, checking in on how you’ve been feeling—your energy, your sleep, the small aches that have become part of your days. You answer thoughtfully, taking your time, aware of how carefully she listens. 

Beside you, Todoroki holds your hand, steady and warm, a quiet reassurance that you’re not answering any of this alone. Todoroki’s grip tightens just slightly at that, pride and relief flickering across his face as he continues to looks at the screen.

“Toto is currently around 10–11 inches head to toe.”

As the scan continues, she points out measurements and movements, her tone bright with certainty. At twenty weeks, Toto is healthy—growing big and steady, heart strong, limbs developing exactly as they should. There’s something grounding in the way she says it, the ease of a professional who sees nothing but good news.

“Heart scan, anatomy scan, heartbeat assessment, everything is great!”

She confirms the results of the tests you’ve done in the beginning, each one coming back negative, nothing abnormal or concerning present in you nor Toto. In that moment, the future feels solid—anchored by the knowledge that your baby is thriving, and that together, you’re doing everything right.

“Everything is looking really well…” she paused for a moment though her expression remained relaxed, professional. She glanced back at you with the tilt of her head, “The only thing I’d mention is to be mindful of overexerting yourself.”

She explains that as Toto grows, your body is doing more work than it feels like, and pushing too hard can lead to tightness or discomfort. It isn’t anything concerning—just a reminder to rest when you need to, stay hydrated, and listen closely to the quieter signals your body gives you. Given how quickly Toto is growing, especially compared to your smaller build, it makes sense that your body is feeling the strain a little more right now.

“Right now,“ She smiles again, warm and steady, “this is just about taking it a little easier for your body. Toto is healthy and growing strong, so look after yourself too.”

“I will,” you reassured her as you bit your lip excitedly, “thank you.”

The prenatal appointment comes to a gentle close, the room slowly returning to its quiet normalcy as you’re handed updated ultrasound photos of Toto. You hold them carefully in your hands, eyes tracing the familiar shapes and shadows, still amazed that something so small and perfect belongs to you. 

It feels like carrying proof of a moment you never want to forget.

Todoroki finishes checking out before guiding you out of the clinic, his arm settling protectively around your waist. He seemed to be taking the technicians words more seriously than you, though you didn’t mind. The touch is steady and sure, grounding, as if he’s shielding both you and Toto from the world outside.

“I’m fine, Shouto.” You chuckled as he looked tense and panicked at every little movement you did, “I’m not going to feel tired or anything until the later pregnancy, I’m still strong!”

”better protect you now than later,“ he disagreed sharply, though his shoulders did relax as he watched you roll your eyes. Murmuring as he breathed out, “sorry, I’m just worried for you.”

“Shouto, it’s okay.”

You shrug as you pat his bicep, a quiet gesture meant to show him that it’s truly okay. You aren’t entirely that small anymore so you understood his worry, but your bump isn’t very big either—definitely more noticeable now to the public eye, yet still subtle enough that you can look down and see your toes without trouble.

“Wait,” you gasped out loud as you begin to talk with Todoroki while walking back to his car, “if you’re free for the rest of the day, can we go…..eh?”

Then, near the front of building entrance, something familiar caught your eye—a flash of white hair standing out against the pale stone of the clinic. Your steps slowed instinctively, attention drawn forward as recognition settled in.

”hey,” you tugged at todoroki’s arm with the tilt of your head, “isn’t that your mom?”

Todoroki followed your gaze and blinked in recognition, the smallest lift tugging at his lips as he easily recognized the older woman waving in your direction. His expression softened in a way that felt rare and unguarded, something gentler slipping past his usual composure. 

“Yeah,” he breathed out in disbelief, “I told her about the appointment before, but I didn’t expect that she’d show up. I apologize yn-“

You nudged him in his side to stop him from apologizing. You shook your head cheerfully as you waved back to her with your free hand, “I don’t mind! She’s your mother after all.”

Todoroki looked grateful as you accepted his mother’s presence without hesitation, gently leading you to her while you felt light on your feet. The tension in his shoulders eased, and you knew that alone meant everything to him.

You could tell instantly—this was his mother, and he favored her more than he ever said out loud.

Rei looks genuinely happy to see the two of you, though there’s a sheepish edge to her smile as she waits near his car. She pulls Todoroki into a tight hug before turning to you, taking your hand in hers and tilting her head with quiet affection.

“Shouto. Yn.” She greets you both with a warm smile that deepens the lines around her eyes. There’s a faint, apologetic softness to her expression as she looks at you. “I heard you were both in the area and thought I’d stop by—I waited nearby while you finished your appointment.”

“How did it go?”

You glance at Todoroki first, a silent check-in, before turning back to Rei with a wide, toothy grin you can’t hold back. Excitement bubbles in your chest as your hand slips into your jacket, fingers searching for something familiar and precious. Your smile only grows as you find it.

You pull out the three ultrasound films and lower them into view, the images catching the light just right to reveal the unmistakable shape of the baby. Rei falters where she stands, breath catching as her eyes shimmer with sudden amazement, the moment clearly overwhelming in the best way.

”we’re having a boy!”

A giggle slips from you as she lifts a hand to her chest, emotion written plainly across her face. Beside her, Todoroki gently places an hand on her shoulder, steady and soothing, letting her take in the reality of it all at her own pace.

“That’s—” she lets out a shaky breath, smiling back at you both as her voice trembles. “That’s amazing, yn. Shouto.”

“Umm…”

Rei seemed to look a little hopeful as she hesitantly looked between the two of you. You both waited patiently for her to finally speak as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ears, the small gesture betraying her nerves.

“Do you happen to have time to come over for tea?”

Todoroki looked conflicted, as if he was about to say no, but you gently pulled him back and nodded eagerly. Your eyes met his, holding him there, silently begging him to agree. He let out a soft sigh, running a hand through his hair as he tried to steady himself. 

“Yeah,” Todoroki finally gives in to your gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips as he looks at her. Sighing, “We can do that. Nothing much to do for the rest of the day…”

“amazing!”

It didn’t take long to reach the Todoroki family house, and you were surprised at how much closer it was to the clinic than you had imagined. The streets felt familiar yet serene, and the short walk gave you a moment to breathe after the excitement of the appointment.

You fell naturally into step between Todoroki and Rei, the two of them close enough to feel the warmth of their presence without speaking. The quiet between you felt comfortable, a peaceful rhythm that made the air feel lighter.

Above, cherry blossoms fluttered gently in the breeze, petals drifting around you like soft snow. You found yourself quietly admiring them, caught in the simple beauty of the moment, the walk becoming more than just a path to the house—it was a small pause of calm and joy shared between the three of you.

“Please,” she gestured you to sit down when you’ve arrived, “take a seat.”

You follow her suggestion within a hassle, settling into the seat as she gestures for you to sit. Just as you glance up to silently signal Todoroki to take a seat next to you too, he leans down and presses a gentle kiss to your cheek, warm and fleeting.

He turns then to his mother, who meets his gaze with a quiet, knowing nod. The small exchange lingers in the air between the three of you, unspoken but full of understanding, a shared moment of affection and connection.

“I’ll make the tea,” Todoroki volunteers, not even waiting for a response. “You two enjoy the chat.”

”wait, Shouto-“

You opened your mouth to stop him, still feeling a bit awkward around his family, but he leaned in and kissed you fully, a mischievous smirk brushing against your lips when you flushed. Pulling back just enough, he waved cheekily, leaving you momentarily breathless and caught between embarrassment and amusement.

“I-I’m sorry.” You blushed with your hand over your lips, “I didn’t know he’d do that…”

Rei is quiet for a long moment, her eyes following her youngest son as he moves out the room and towards the kitchen, careful and attentive to you in a way that still surprises her. When she looks back at you still deeply red in the face, there is gratitude there—raw, almost unguarded.

You both sit in quiet silence, unsure of what to say first, the air between you soft but heavy with unspoken thoughts. Rei’s gaze drifts over you, taking in your presence slowly, thoughtfully, as if memorizing each detail.

After a moment, her eyes settle on your stomach, the small bump showing clearly as you sit. She studies it for a long while, the expression on her face a mixture of wonder, warmth, and something almost tender, making the moment feel intimate despite the quiet.

“A baby…”

The words escape her mouth in a mere whisper, yet they carry enough weight to stir her emotions fully. You freeze for a moment, caught off guard by the depth of feeling in her voice. For a heartbeat, everything else fades, and all you can do is watch her, letting the silence hold the meaning between you.

“I don’t think Shouto knows how extraordinary this is,” she says softly, breaking the silence. She continues, “That he trusted us enough to bring you here. That he trusted himself enough to build something beyond what he was given.”

Rei’s hands tremble faintly as she folds them together, the small movement betraying the swirl of emotions beneath her calm exterior. You blink at her, wordless, caught by the depth in her eyes, unsure where to start or what to say.

“Shouto is the sweetest child, and I will always carry a sense of guilt because of him.”

A soft chuckle escapes her, light yet tinged with something bittersweet, a joy that carries the weight of past regrets and present wonder all at once. The sound lingers between you, delicate and heavy, making the quiet feel alive with feeling.

“Natsuo is still trying to forgive, though is set on distancing himself. Fuyumi has chosen a life that does not ask her to stay tethered to this family name. And Shouto…” Her words catches through her cracked voice.  She swallowed, “Shouto is the only one who has allowed us to see what comes after.”

Rei’s gaze drifts again, fixed on something distant, though her expression softens in the quiet. There’s a gentleness in the way her features relax, as if memories and reflections are passing silently across her mind.

You shift slightly in your seat, nodding in understanding, thinking back to the brief interactions you had witnessed with the rest of the family. The tension between the family with Endeavor had been palpable, and now you could see how much these unspoken dynamics weighed on Rei as she watched Shouto and you.

“When I look at him, I still see the child he was.”

You hold your breath, feeling as though you’re stepping into unspoken territory—one todoroki has long shielded you from, afraid to voice and repeat the memories of his past.

“So small, so quiet, carrying expectations far too heavy for him. He learned very young how to endure instead of ask.” Her eyes return to you, shimmering with shed tears, “And now, when he speaks of Toto, all he talks about is what he won’t let be passed down.”

”The silences. The fear. The hurt.”

She presses a hand to her chest, tears spilling down her cheeks and dripping from her chin. Panic flares in you, and you reach out to take her other hand, gripping it gently—you can’t bear the sight of the older woman breaking down any further.

“That alone tells me how deeply he loves already.”

Her voice drops, thick with emotion, as she finishes speaking. She beams at you despite the tears, and you freeze, caught off guard by the warmth radiating from her.

She wipes at her eyes before letting out a soft sigh, looking at you with a happiness so full it makes her eyes squint and the corners wrinkle from pure joy. The expression is so genuine, so overwhelming, that you can’t help but feel the depth of her emotions reaching straight to you.

“When you both speak of Toto, it feels as though the future finally has a shape.” A fragile smile appears, “This… is going to be the first Todoroki accepted child born without being shaped by regret or ambition.” 

“The first who will only know this name as something warm.”

She glances past you toward the family photos lining the walls, and you follow her gaze, letting your eyes trace the images she studies so intently. Rei hesitates, a quiet pause as the weight of the years seems to settle heavily in her chest.

”Shouto and enji…”

Your attention drifts to the photos of Todoroki as a child—never smiling, eyes distant and blank, a quiet separation from the rest of the family evident even in still images. The contrast is stark, and the loneliness captured in those frozen moments hangs between you, almost tangible.

“Enji carries more regret than he will ever allow himself to show.”

“He… he knows how much time was lost from our children. How much damage was done.” Her fingers tighten together, “It has been nine years since this family truly stood in the same room without breaking out into an argument—and only now are we beginning to heal.”

She fixes her gaze on you, steady and searching, before slowly pushing back from her chair. Without a word, she walks over, her movements deliberate yet gentle, as if each step carries the weight of unspoken feelings.

Suddenly, she wraps an arm around you, drawing you close. Her touch is cool against your skin, and she sighs softly, brushing a strand of hair from your face with quiet tenderness. The gesture is unfamiliar, but there’s a vulnerability in it that makes it feel safe.

You don’t pull away. 

Instead, you stay in the embrace, understanding without words how much she needs this moment. In that gentle hug, you can see how truly grateful she looks for you, her expression soft and full of quiet appreciation.

“The day you held out your hand to enji…” she chuckled as if it was the funniest thing she remembered seeing, “it mattered more than you know. He told me it was the first time in years he felt welcomed without conditions.”

”Not forgiven—but allowed to try.”

A tear slips free, and she doesn’t rush to wipe it away. Her eyes remain closed as she continues hugging you, and from the reflection in the large mirror, you watch her face relax—finally free from the weight of lingering regrets.

“He wants to make it right,” she reveals. “For Shouto. For Toto. Even knowing it may never erase what came before.”

Rei slowly pulls back, her touch light and reverent, and returns to her seat with a soft sigh. She rubs at her face for a moment, then lets it settle back into its usual composed expression, as if nothing had happened between the two of you—except for the quiet secret you now share.

“For walking into a family still learning how to mend itself… for believing that we could be more than our past—thank you.”

Todoroki enters the room carrying the tea cups and kettle, setting them carefully on the table. He glances at you as he is pouring the tea into your cups, raising an eyebrow as he notices the way your eyes linger on him, soft and full of adoration.

“What?”

A flicker of confusion crosses his face, when you just shook your head slowly, as if he can’t understand why you’re looking at him like you want the best for him so deeply. He pauses for a moment, caught between curiosity and quiet awe at the intensity of your gaze, before finishing pouring.

“What did I miss?”

Both you and Rei remain silent, no one truly answering his unspoken question. Instead, you each pick up your tea cups, taking a slow, soothing sip, letting the warmth settle in your hands. There’s a calm rhythm to the moment, the room is peaceful, the silence between you never feeling heavy or tense. 

As you sit there, the family dynamics begin to make more sense—the past regrets, the unspoken tensions, and the careful ways everyone navigates one another. 

You start to understand Todoroki’s actions towards you and Toto, the way he carries himself, and why he always seems so guarded yet so attentive. It becomes clear that his constant thoughtfulness and tender loving care aren’t just habit—they’re because he’s always thinking of you.

In that moment, you realize that his desire for the best for you comes from a place of deep love and consideration, and it makes everything he does feel even more meaningful.

todoroki Shouto is indeed the sweetest man alive. 

A/n

soeey ling chaother <3 

I had alot to compact in this one lol. But hah! I did it! My updates are going to be less frequent now I’m sorry maybe at most one a week? But my problem is that one I fixate on one book my others don’t have an update and I want to get back to writing about Sena haha. I can only choose one book a week but Sena is a way more complex book so I’ll see! I hope you enjoyed this one, it was very happy at the start but it got pretty sad… but a nice sad. Heh. 

I start school and work on Monday so wish me luck! I’m a hospital staff now yay! :3 I remember like 6 years ago I was telling everyone I was in medical school and now I’ve officially gotten a job <3 thank you :3