My Hero Academia Fan Fiction by Agent ARK 88
Chapter Sixty-One: An Icy-Hot Comfort
You staggered out of another nightmare, expecting to be standing in front of the kitchen's refrigerator. Instead, you'd stepped on top of a pre-packaged instant cold soba container, barely visible by the moonlight shining in. The echoing crinkle of what you stepped on woke you from your haze. You stumbled back, catching yourself from collapsing fully, only to step on another object, something much softer. You froze, looking back. A small blue bear was squished under your bare foot. You stepped back into place, finally noticing the small objects that surrounded you, a collection of gifts.
"W-what?" you asked softly, rubbing sleep from your eyes. You adjusted to your surroundings, vaguely recognizing the room.
A light groan caught your attention. Your gaze shifted. Shoto Todoroki had fallen asleep awkwardly in his own bed. His head laid atop his arms, facing in your direction. His hair settled over his head like a silk tapestry, one side of red and the other of white. He was sideways on the end of his bed, as if he'd fallen asleep sitting up but was in the direction to suggest he'd been keeping an eye on you. Like a sleeping prince from a fairytale, you felt the need to wake him from his cursed slumber.
You carefully stepped over the arrangement of gifts, moving slowly in Shoto's direction. You reached out a single hand toward him but hesitated to actually wake him up. He looked peaceful, as if he hadn't gotten rest in a long time and now was having a dreamless sleep. You wondered if his lack of sleep was your fault, his pain was your fault.
"I'm sorry," you muttered under your breath, guilt keeping your hand at bay.
You turned your gaze back in the direction of the door, which, by some miracle, hadn't been torn from its hinges. Maybe you hadn't actually broken into his room after all.
"Anna..." Shoto breathed out sleepily.
You glanced back, only to see him stir slightly. You crept closer toward the door, hoping not to disturb him anymore than you already had. Just as you took your next step, you realized your bracelet with your key was no longer on your wrist. You widened your eyes, muttering under your breath in confusion. You inspected the area you'd awoken from, your eyes brushing the objects that had surrounded you. A chocolate box, a jewelry case, a set of bath bombs, and an expensive bottle of perfume were situated in a rounded pattern, as if it had been meant for you.
You picked up the jewelry box, looking inside to see a necklace, the same one you'd lost to Kobura to be exact, only this one wasn't broken. The blue tear-drop gem sparkled against the light streaming from outside. You shifted your gaze back up to Shoto again. While your eyes had completely adjusted to the dim room, you finally noticed your key and your bracelet on Shoto's wrist, perched just under his head. You didn't really have an option now. You had to wake him up.
How did he even get your bracelet in the first place?
"Shoto," you said softly.
You tiptoed up to him, leaning down to more clearly whisper his name once he didn't move. You carefully reached out your hand, gently pushing on his shoulder.
"Shoto," you said a little louder. Instinctually, you found your fingers moving to his hair, brushing the silky strands away from his face.
Shoto's hand suddenly shot up, gripping your wrist tightly. He shifted his entire body over with you in tow, easily tossing you onto the bed beside him. You squeaked in surprise, hitting plush bedding. Shoto wrapped his arms around you, pulling you to his chest to snuggle closer.
"So soft..." he mumbled under his breath, cradling your head and running his fingers absentmindedly through your hair.
"S-Shoto," you stuttered out, squirming in his firm grasp. Your face heated from your proximity, and your heart raced. You shut your eyes, embarrassed both by the embrace and the location that you were stuck in such a predicament.
"S-Shoto, p-please wake up," you said in a muffled voice. You peeked your head up from his arms, which had loosened significantly after grabbing you, but he still hadn't let go. If you were stuck there any longer, you were concerned you might faint. He smelled of peppermint and fresh rain. It was utterly intoxicating, and you weren't sure how anyone's breath could actually smell remotely good in the middle of the night. You had a half a mind not to move, feeling secure in the hug that Shoto had put you in, but the other half of your mind knew that was absolutely absurd. If anyone knew you were together in the same room after curfew, you were certain Aizawa would find out. And, if Aizawa found out, you were definitely going to get in more trouble than just a firm talking to.
You shifted again, attempting fruitlessly to squirm your way out of his muscular arms. Suddenly, Shoto's body stiffened, and when you looked up again, his dual-colored eyes met your hazel ones. He froze in place, blinking a few times before realizing what was going on wasn't a dream. He released you, hands hovering near you but not touching you any longer.
"You're awake," he said. "I'm glad."
"What do you mean?" you asked, sitting up.
Shoto rolled over, rubbing sleep from his eyes and getting up unsteadily. He hid a yawn behind the back of his hand. "I found you outside my door. You were aimlessly walking into it, and as soon as I opened the entryway, you strolled right in." Shoto leveled his gaze with yours. "I tried to ask you what was going on. I even tried to get you to sit down, but it didn't go very well. I guess that's why they tell people not to wake a sleepwalker." He scratched the back of his head, looking away.
"D-did I do something weird? I'm sorry," you said.
Shoto shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal. You kind of force pushed me across the room."
"Oh no! Are you hurt? Don't tell me I injured you," you said, rushing up to his side and checking him over.
Shoto took a step back, holding up his hand. You pulled back, worried you might have frightened him or something.
"Please, don't be concerned about me. I'm just glad you're okay. I suppose you were trying to get this." He held up his wrist, showing you your bracelet and key. "You whipped it at me when your mind had pushed me back. I didn't want to lose it so I put it on." Shoto took the bracelet off, slipping it effortlessly onto your wrist. His fingers lingered on your skin, before he abruptly pulled back again. "I apologize...I..." Shoto leaned back.
You turned toward the gifts on the floor. "Are these for me?" you asked.
Shoto focused on the collection of objects, angling his face from yours again. "I thought you might leave, and I wasn't sure when I could give them to you. You appeared troubled, so I thought they might have been something nice to wake up to." Shoto rubbed the back of his neck. "I know you told me I don't need to get you anything, but I couldn't help myself. It never seemed like the right time to give them to you." His hair shielded his face as he bent down. He hastily started collecting the presents. "I'll clean these up. It was foolish of me to put them around you. It could have been dangerous. Besides, you probably never wanted them anyway. Please accept my apologies. I was not fully awake when I did this."
"You don't have to apologize," you said in a small voice, watching him pick up each thoughtful gift as if you were in a trance.
"I should have restrained myself from purchasing anything for you. You were explicit in telling me not to," Shoto continued.
"It's okay."
Shoto paused on the necklace box. You watched him wince. He shook his head. "Our memories have been tainted. It's my fault. I shouldn't think that small presents can fix anything that happened between us. I thought as your friend it would still be fine though." He placed the small jewelry case with great care into his pajama pant pocket.
"Shoto."
"I should know better than to purchase presents for someone I'm not in a relationship with. You might think I'm not adhering to giving you more time."
"Shoto!" you finally shouted.
Todoroki dropped the box of chocolates. The intricate plastic container fell open, chocolates rolled out onto the wooden floor. Shoto's eyes widened at seeing the disaster before him. He froze, hand reaching out but not actually moving to pick up the mess.
"Thank you," you said. You knelt down beside him and proceeded to pick up the ruined sweets.
Shoto blinked out of his trance. He dropped the assortment of presents beside him and moved to help you. "No, allow me. This was my fault, my mistake."
Todoroki reached out, but you covered his hand with your own.
"I can clean up some chocolates, Shoto," you assured.
Todoroki slowly pulled back, leaving you to finish cleaning it up but not moving from his place. He turned his gaze onto his hands, which he'd finally settled on leaving facing up on his thighs. You stuffed the box back with the chocolates, wiping your hands on your pants.
"I've never liked people spending money on me," you admitted, after a long bout of silence.
"Then—"
You raised your hand to quiet him, sighing. It didn't take you long to realize that Shoto's gift giving was a part of him showing he cared. It wasn't something you were offended by. It was just something that you weren't used to. Aside from that, you realized Shoto was beating himself up ever since he'd pushed you away.
You placed your hands in Shoto's. He looked up into your eyes. Heat rushed into your cheeks. His attentive gaze was always something that was difficult for you to handle. You cleared your throat, attempting fruitlessly to make eye-contact with him. Every time you would meet his heterochromatic eyes, your heart would flutter, making it nearly impossible to hold his gaze.
"Like I said, I don't normally like getting gifts...but when they're from you..." you trailed off, gulping. "...I can tell you put a lot of thought in what you buy me. I like the presents you get me. I-it just feels strange to me to receive anything expensive because of my upbringing."
Shoto gave your hands a small squeeze. "I would buy you the moon to see you happy."
"I don't need the moon," you said, cracking a little bashful smile.
"Then the stars." Shoto shifted closer to you.
"What would I do with the stars?" Your breath caught, when your gaze trailed back up to his again.
Shoto was smiling, a gentle warm smile had graced his lips. His hand moved from your hand, caressing your cheek. "My mistake again. It appears you've already captured them in your eyes."
"Shoto..." you said breathlessly. "Y-you can't just say things like that," you stuttered.
Todoroki's smile faded. His palm left the outer-edge of your cheek. "You deserve the world, Anna. You deserve someone who can give you the world."
You gulped. "I don't want the world."
"Then, what do you want?" Shoto asked. The moonlight illuminated his silken hair, his enchanting eyes.
Your heart sped in your chest. Your hands grew clammy, and your mouth went dry. His question appeared to overwhelm you, but no matter how long you stared into his eyes, you knew the answer. You wanted it to be different. You felt like it was wrong for you to put your feelings first, when what you wanted most was selfish. It wasn't something that you shared with someone else. It wasn't what you knew Shoto wanted you to say.
"I want to be a hero," you said.
Shoto's sad smile indicated to you that he knew what your answer was going to be before you had even said it. Maybe, he'd hoped you would have said you wanted to be with him. Maybe, he wanted to be wrong.
Shoto trailed a thumb across the back of your knuckles and you winced. His eyebrows furrowed. He inspected the area he'd so gently touched, noticing the now disheveled bandages.
"Your hands," he said in concern. "They're bandaged. Are they bruised? You must have knocked the dressings loose while you were sleeping." The romantic air had been sucked from the room. Shoto shot up from his spot on the ground, looking for something to care for your wounds from the day before.
You kept your eyes on where Shoto had been holding you. Maybe, you wanted to be wrong about what you wanted.
Shoto helped you sit on the edge of his bed. He tended to the bruises and cuts that Shinso had already done the day before. He worked quickly, focusing on ensuring everything had been redressed properly.
"What did you hit?" he asked.
"Concrete."
Shoto paused. His gaze trailed up to yours. "You do know I am not good with sarcasm. Please do not joke about matters that involve your wellbeing."
"I'm not kidding," you said.
Shoto frowned, eyebrows tensed together. "Had your mentor not told you to be more careful?"
"She encouraged me to hone my quirk. Mr. Aizawa needed to talk to her, so we got back to campus, and Shinso helped me with my hands."
Shoto's fingers tensed around your own, finally finishing wrapping your hands. "I apologize if I come off too protective of you. You have to understand that though I've crossed Miss Chinen in passing, she still works under my father. In that same vein, I'm concerned that she will push you far more than is necessary."
You retracted your hands. "Shoto, you can't keep being so protective over me."
"I..." Shoto pressed his palm over his left eye. "I know...but..." Shoto clenched his hand. "I can't help it when it comes to you."
You reached your hand up to his own carefully taking it away from his face. "I promise I'm being cautious. But, you need to promise to stop being so hard on yourself." You rubbed your thumb over his hand, until he'd finally relaxed it.
This time Shoto didn't make direct eye-contact with you. He was always so careful to protect you, but you knew he didn't take the same cautions when it came to himself. Most people would have been offended by his protective nature, but you understood it. Having grown up in a place where you felt your own ideals weren't considered, that your own dreams didn't matter, you could relate to how protective Shoto was of you. He wanted to give you what he didn't have, and you weren't very different. You cared a lot about the people that were close to you, wanting to put their wellbeing before your own. When you spend your childhood suppressed, you don't want to see the people you care about suffer the same fate.
"I'm sorry," Shoto breathed out.
"There's no need for you to apologize." You bit into your bottom lip. "I want you to be careful too." You ran your fingers through his dual-colored bangs. "I think we both need to make sure we're not worrying people so much."
Shoto's gaze lingered on yours, as you paused. Strands of his red and white hair fell from your fingertips. The temperature fluctuated under your hand. His immovable expression left you wondering if he was flustered or impassive about your touch. You were drawn to him. Every time you pulled back, you felt yourself enraptured by his presence. He understood you. No matter how others may have seen him, you saw his true nature, whether he continued to hide it under a layer of ice or not. He kept his emotions frosted over. He was used to hiding them. But, he wanted to care. He wanted more than anything to be there for the new friends he's made.
"I'll walk you back," Shoto said, a wisp of condensed air floated from his parted lips. "You need your rest. I shouldn't have kept you up so late."
"Right," you said in a small voice. You pulled your hand back yet again. The two of you were so close, yet still so far away.
"Right," Shoto repeated.
Shoto had walked you back to your room. You slept hard that night, exhausted from the previous day's training. You awoke to two messages on your phone. One was from your parents, and one was from Hearts.
You cringed, reading over Hearts' cryptic message. "I will update you and Shinso on the mission. There are some things that I have to ensure before doing so."
Your parents' message was a bit stranger. It was a very detailed text about meeting at a nearby park. You'd have to clear that with Mr. Aizawa before responding. Even if they were your parents, you were pretty sure that you were still under lockdown on campus as being one of the students that had been kidnapped, aside from work-study missions accompanied by Shinso and Hearts. As strange as it was, you were excited at the prospect of going to a nearby park. You hadn't really been able to experience everything that Japan had to offer. You were also beginning to go stir-crazy, being stuck on campus or doing hero work in very explicitly detailed locations. It would be nice to just go to a place to relax, even if your parents would be there. As oppressive they could be, they were still family, and you hadn't seen them in quite some time.
Classes dragged on. It was hard to pay attention. Aizawa noticed you fading during class. He had a sour look on his face since the beginning of his lesson. You wondered if his conversation with Hearts hadn't gone well, considering her message from earlier that day and his current mood. Affirming your suspicions, Aizawa requested you stay after class.
The final bell rang. You stood on the opposite end of his desk, as Aizawa massaged his temples. He waited until the last student left his classroom, before he asked you to close the door. You did so, gulping. You always felt nervous when Mr. Aizawa wanted to speak to you alone. You never knew how hard he was going to be on you. This time you didn't know if you'd actually done something wrong.
"I spoke to Ayame—" Aizawa cut himself short, clearing his throat. "I had a conversation with Heart of Hearts. She's been regularly updating me on your progress, even if it has been a short time you've been together." Aizawa leveled his piercing gaze with yours. "You've been excelling thus far. I've noticed, although you've been tired, you have slowly been tuning into your quirk. I can sense you have more of an ease about you." Aizawa laced his fingers together over his desk.
"My time with Hearts has been very beneficial. She's taught me things that only a person with a similar quirk could understand."
Aizawa hummed thoughtfully. His intense stare was still boring holes into you. "I've been told there's a mission coming up, involving you and Shinso with a drug case. I've advised Hearts that I don't want you to participate in this investigation."
"W-what?" you asked. Was he talking about the same mission you'd bought a dress for? He couldn't be serious. That would be the first time you'd be able to use your quirk in the field, to really help your mentor with something even Fat Gum had been struggling with. The way Hearts had talked about it, you were going to be an essential part in getting the information they needed.
"This stays between us," Aizawa said. "But, I've been informed The League of Villains could possibly be involved with the case you are working on together. Based on your previous encounters with The League, I can't allow you to be put in danger like that."
"Y-you can't. I have to help!" you piped up.
Aizawa's eyes widened. "I'm doing this for your own good. I can't be there to protect—"
"That's not fair! Please don't pull me out of the mission. I've been working so hard to..." you trailed off, seeing how intensely disappointed Aizawa looked.
"As your teacher, and the person who is making decisions in place of your parents, I can't sit by idly knowing you could be at risk to be kidnapped or hurt again." Aizawa pinched the bridge of his nose, avoiding meeting your now tear-filled gaze. He sighed, grumbling angrily under his breath.
"Shinso and Hearts will be—"
"Kokoro," Aizawa warned.
"Mr. Aizawa," you pleaded, feeling a sob crack your throat.
Aizawa frowned, proceeding to rub his temple again. "I suspected you would have this reaction." Aizawa clenched his fist over his desk. "You're just as much as a troublemaker as Midoriya," he said under his breath.
"D-Deku?" you asked.
"Hearts has already assured me she will protect you with her life. She has also informed me that she will not allow you to leave her sight. As you are merely performing information recovery in a very public place, I suppose I can trust you to be in good hands. If I don't give you permission now, I can see that you will find a way to do it recklessly. I wasn't certain you'd be so opposed to the idea. I expected you to fight me on this actually."
"I'm sorry."
Aizawa ran a hand through his ink-black hair, his stern expression crumbling under the weight of your apology. "I will allow your participation in the intel mission; however, should you encounter The League of Villains, Hearts has been instructed to shut down the operation completely. There are no exceptions. She is to immediately disengage and take both you and Shinso to a safe location until either I or another U.A. staff member can collect you. I believe this was a fair compromise. Believe it or not, Hearts was just as stubborn as you were in keeping you in the mission." Aizawa looked briefly annoyed. "But, I expect that behavior from her." Aizawa cracked a small smile, shaking his head. "She always had a rather aggressively persuasive personality. It's difficult to see some of that rubbing off on you."
"I-I didn't mean to come off as so defiant," you stuttered, straightening up. You pressed your index fingers together. "I just knew Hearts really needed me, and I wanted to help. I-I...thank you for allowing me to still go on the mission." You bowed awkwardly.
You thought you may have heard a chuckle from Mr. Aizawa, but when you turned your face back up to him, he was frowning again. You tightened your hold on your backpack straps, feeling the pressure of Aizawa's investigative gaze on you yet again.
"I have another question to ask," you said, almost not believing how bold you were being after getting permission for one thing that Aizawa was clearly opposed to letting you get involved in. You pulled out your cellphone from your pocket, careful to open the message your parents had sent you. "My mother and father wanted to meet me at a nearby park. I was wondering if I could be given permission to spend time with them."
Aizawa held out his hand to you, and you gave him your phone. His eyes trailed over the message. He nodded slowly. "I will go with you. That shouldn't be a problem."
"Y-you will?" you asked. "I don't want it to be any trouble. If you can't allow me to go, I understand. I know it's a bit frivolous, but I'm sure they will be happy to see me. I wasn't sure if it would be okay."
Aizawa gave you a look, and you shut your mouth.
"I will chaperone, and I will drive you to the location. Inform your parents. I will be sure to mark it on my calendar." He handed your phone back to you.
"Yes, sir," you said, feeling foolish after rambling about how he was actually giving you permission to go. Excitement was already filling your chest. It would be nice just to get some fresh air and be in such a nice place. U.A. campus was good and all, but it was getting difficult to admire the same foliage and architecture without it becoming stale.
Aizawa raised an eyebrow at you when you hadn't made a move to leave. "Was there another question you had for me?" he asked.
"N-no," you said a bit flustered. You bowed deeply again, before excusing yourself. You paused at the door. "Thank you, Mr. Aizawa."
"You're welcome," he said, dismissing you with a wave of his hand. He began grading a stack of papers, before you'd even had time to leave.
Later that evening, you found yourself smiling to yourself. Not only could you go on a hero mission where you'd be able to use your powers in the field, but you were going to be able to go to the park. You hoped it was going to be a nice day when you finally went to the park. There could be butterflies or flowers you'd never seen before. It would be terrible if it rained. Maybe you could make sandwiches...but your family never did appreciate anything you made, just that you were interested in something other than your quirk. You frowned. Your parents might not want you to bring any food. You certainly weren't going to bake sweets for them.
"Hey, Princess!" Kirishima called out to you. He pouted, looking over your expression. "You look focused...or sad. Did Aizawa put you through one of those death-stare lectures? No worries! Your two knights in shining armor are here to make you feel better!" Kirishima pulled Bakugo into him, giving him a squeeze.
Bakugo looked like a feral cat, bristling at Kirishima's unwanted touch. Kirishima chuckled, releasing the explosive boy from his hold. Bakugo brushed off his shoulder in annoyance, adjusting his uniform back into place.
"Idiot, she doesn't look upset at all," Bakugo growled.
"Huh?" Kirishima cocked his head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Her expression is..." Bakugo trailed off when your gaze moved up to him. He turned his face away, his cheeks growing red.
"I-It's okay." You waved your arms in front of you to try to dismiss Kirishima's worries. "I was just thinking. I...I'm actually pretty excited."
Bakugo's and Kirishima's attention shifted back in your direction. Surprise curtained Bakugo's normally irritated expression. Kirishima's shark-tooth grin came in place.
"What's got you excited?" he asked, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and giving you a small embrace.
A deep blush reddened your cheeks, and you found yourself smiling again. You tugged on your braid, fidgeting under Kirishima's warmth.
"Actually, Aizawa gave me permission to see my parents at the park. They should be coming to pick me and Aizawa up this weekend."
Bakugo clicked his tongue. Kirishima tensed beside you, seemingly preparing to react should Bakugo be set off by something obscure.
"Why are you so excited to go to some lame park with your shitty parents?" Bakugo snapped.
"Bakubro, don't be so harsh," Kirishima said, removing his arm from you to face him.
"Am I wrong, Big Brain? Your parents have been nothing but cruel to you, so why are you so happy to be going to see them?" Bakugo clenched his fists at his sides.
"Well, I thought it would be nice to get off campus, experience a park in Japan. Maybe we could even have a picnic. I've never been able to have a picnic in the park. No matter how they've treated me, they're still my parents," you said, bowing your head and feeling your smile fade.
Bakugo rolled his eyes, anger roiling under his skin. He looked irritated? Maybe disappointed? Before you could really tell what his expression was saying, he waved his hand at you dismissively and stormed off.
Kirishima chuckled nervously, watching him leave. "He's just worried about you, Princess. I still remember how worked up he was after..." Kirishima trailed off. "He hasn't had very nice things to say about how your parents treat you."
You rubbed your arm, shrugging. "He's not wrong to worry," you said dejectedly. "I was just hoping to look at it positively."
"You should look at it positively!" Kirishima cheered you on. "I'm sure you'll have a great time. You had better tell me all about your experience when you get back."
A tiny smile played across your lips. "You're right!" you said, balling up your fists. "I'm excited to have a free day off."
"That's the spirit," Kirishima said. His gaze trailed back toward the direction of where his explosive friend had disappeared to. "I should catch up to him. He'll be fine once you get back with a smile on your face. You'll see."
"Thank you, Kiri," you said.
Kirishima blushed, skipping a step and nearly tumbling over. He looked back at you. "Any time, Princess." He gave you an even wider grin, before leaving. You'd have to remember he liked when you shortened his name. You were almost certain that's what had made him so giddy.
You slowly made it back toward your room, ensuring you'd fully accounted for all that you might need on your short excursion for the upcoming weekend in your head. You decided that it would be best to scrap the picnic idea. You wouldn't want to make your parents uncomfortable, and you weren't sure if they'd show up late anyway, so it might be hard to keep the food fresh. It was better just to dress conservatively too.
Kirishima was right. You had to think of the upcoming trip positively. Regardless of how your parents were going to be, you never found it hard to have a good time on your own. You could also feel comfortable with Mr. Aizawa with you. At the very least, he'd be able to take you home, if things go too poorly.