Shoto Todoroki X Reader

Chapter 30 : Dinner in Dark Forest

A few months had passed since that intense dinner at the Todoroki household, and now it was Shoto's turn to join my family for dinner. The anticipation mixed with anxiety as I prepared the house, making sure everything was in order. My parents had been curious about him, and I wanted to present him in the best light possible.

"Y/N, are you ready?" my mother called from the kitchen. The comforting aroma of herbs filled the air, grounding me.

"Almost!" I replied, glancing in the mirror one last time. I smoothed my hair and adjusted my clothes, trying to calm the fluttering in my stomach.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in warm hues, I heard a soft knock at the door. My heart raced. This was it. I opened the door to find Shoto standing there, looking slightly out of place yet resolute, a small bouquet of flowers in his hand.

"Hi," he said, his cheeks tinged pink. "I thought these might brighten the table."

I took the flowers with a smile. "They're beautiful. Thank you!" I led him inside, feeling a rush of warmth as my family gathered in the living room.

"Everyone, this is Shoto Todoroki," I introduced him, my voice steady despite the nerves bubbling beneath the surface. "He's a friend from U.A."

My siblings glanced at each other, their expressions ranging from curiosity to teasing mischief. My older brother, a tall figure with an easy grin, stepped forward. "Nice to meet you, man. Y/N talks about you a lot."

Shoto offered a polite nod, though I could see a hint of discomfort at the attention.

As we settled around the dining table, I noticed how my family members began to probe Shoto with questions. They were eager to learn about him, curious about the boy who had captured my interest.

"Are you really the son of Endeavor?" my sister asked, wide-eyed.

"Yes, I am," Shoto replied, maintaining his composure, though I could sense the tension in his shoulders.

My brother leaned in. "What's that like? Having such a powerful hero for a father?"

Shoto hesitated, glancing at me before answering. "It can be... complicated."

I caught his eye, silently encouraging him. He needed to feel safe here, to know that my family was supportive.

As dinner progressed, the conversation shifted to lighter topics—funny stories from school and our training sessions. I watched as Shoto gradually relaxed, the tension in his posture easing. It felt good to see him engaging with my family, laughing and sharing.

But then, as the topic shifted to a recent mission, my brother brought up the incident with the League of Villains. "Did you hear about the attack a few weeks ago? Y/N and Bakugo were almost caught!"

I felt my heart skip a beat. Only a few of us knew the details of that day—how Midoriya, Bakugo, and I had been cornered, and how we had managed to escape with the help of the heroes. It was a memory that still haunted me, and I quickly exchanged a glance with Shoto, silently communicating our shared understanding of the danger that had loomed over us.

"Yeah, it was intense," I said, trying to deflect. "But we managed."

Shoto chimed in, his voice steady. "We were well-prepared. The training at U.A. prepared us for unexpected situations."

My father nodded, his expression serious. "It's good to hear that you handled it well. Heroes must always be ready for anything."

The conversation shifted back to lighter topics, but I could feel the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. Shoto and I both understood the gravity of what we had faced, but it was a secret we would continue to share.

After dinner, we moved to the living room for dessert, and I watched as Shoto engaged more with my siblings. They asked him about his quirks, his training regimen, and even some of his favorite foods. I was grateful for their warmth, especially considering how Shoto had been through so much himself.

As the evening wore on, I pulled Shoto aside, leading him to a quieter corner of the house. "How are you feeling?" I asked, wanting to check in on him after the barrage of questions.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It was a lot, but your family is nice. They made me feel welcome."

"Good," I said, relieved. "I was worried they might overwhelm you."

"They didn't. I appreciated the way they asked about my life. It felt... normal." He paused, meeting my gaze. "Thank you for inviting me, Y/N."

"Of course. I wanted you to see this side of my life. I know family can be complicated, especially for you."

His expression softened. "It is. But being here with you makes it easier."

Just then, my mother called us back for dessert, and we returned to the table, the warmth of the room wrapping around us. As we enjoyed the sweet treats, I felt a sense of contentment. Shoto had made it through dinner, and he was even smiling now, engaged in light-hearted banter with my siblings.

The evening drew to a close, and as Shoto prepared to leave, he turned to me, his expression serious once more. "Thank you for tonight. I needed this."

"Anytime," I replied, my heart swelling. "You're always welcome here, you know that."

As he stepped out into the cool night, I felt a mix of hope and determination. We were building something strong together, despite the challenges we faced. With each moment we shared, I knew we were forging a path that neither of us could have imagined alone.