Returning from Nabu Island was a bittersweet experience, to say the least. The time we'd spent there was so full of excitement and thrills that coming back to mainland Japan made the trip seem something close to a fever dream. As if we'd never gone. Or, at most, it was an experience we would never get again. Thinking about it, I wasn't sure if that was a bad thing or not.
My classmates and I were sent into lockdown by the school upon our return, practically strapping us to our beds to force us to rest. We weren't allowed to step outside the dormitory grounds even though school continued on for everybody else. Our friends from other classes were prohibited from seeing us, Mr. Aizawa having threatened them with a torturous detention if they were to disturb us.
None of that really affected me, though. After what we all went through, I was content in laying in my own bed without the threat of death and destruction of the world keeping me alert at all times. Although, it was weird without that extra pressure. It felt as if every turn my classmates and I took this year, there was a new threat waiting to attack from the shadows.
And honestly, it still felt like there was.
But I wouldn't let that lingering thought bother me today, though. Today was the day our house arrest was lifted; and, boy, did I have plans.
"Stop fidgeting, Sho. You're making me nervous." I said, an amused smile tugging at my lips.
Shoto let out a deep sigh and shoved his hands into his pockets as he kept walking, his shaking fingers still visible even through the thick fabric of his jeans. "I'm sorry. It's just... The last time I saw your parents, we were still just friends. Things are different now."
"Oh, Sho," I said, gently grabbing on his arm. "My parents loved you then and they love you now. Believe me: when I came to make up with them all those months ago - the day I met your mother - they couldn't stop bombarding me with questions about you. All good things, I promise."
That brought a small smile to his lips, but he still kept his eyes on the path ahead of us.
It was actually a pretty decent day out. The sun shone bright in the blue sky, layering the earth in a warm blanket that beat against the slight chill of the passing breeze. Flowers of all types and all colours were in full bloom in the gardens Shoto and I passed, their fragrances floating through the air as a leaf would. I couldn't hold back a small smile as I breathed it all in. Ah. Home.
"Don't you think it's such a beautiful day, Sho?" I asked. "And you know what they say about good weather? It's a sign that your day will be full of good fortune."
"You just made that up," he grumbled back.
A soft laugh escaped me as I shrugged my shoulders. "So, what if I did? I choose to believe that it's true. Because anything is possible if you just believe, right?"
Shoto shrugged, his gaze falling to the ground. "I guess..."
Shoto was usually an expressionless, not-so-enthusiastic guy. But the way his shoulders slumped as he walked and how his eyes drooped more than usual expressed the worry that was probably turning him inside out. It had probably been eating at him since we left the dorms this morning.
Tightening my grip on his arm, I pulled him to stop in the middle of the footpath.
He raised his gaze to meet mine, his eyebrows furrowed together. "What are you doing, Y/N?"
"I can't let you enter my house thinking you're not worthy enough to do so," I said. "And even if you weren't, remember this: I chose you; and I will always choose you, Sho. You're the one that makes me happy beyond even the most extravagant of necklaces or the sweetest of ice-creams. I love my parents, but they don't chose who I love. All they can do is accept and support me. But, like I said before, you shouldn't worry about a thing. They love you."
Shoto didn't respond for a second, his blue and grey eyes wide as they flickered over my face. Maybe he was trying to see if I was lying, that I was trying to make him feel better. A genuine smile erupted on his lips, immense adoration suddenly shining in his heterochromatic eyes. "But not as much as you love me, right?"
A haughty laugh erupted in my chest as I leaned to look up at the clear blue sky. Calming down, I pulled the icy-hot boy into a hug, my arms linking together around his neck as I pressed a quick peck to his cheek. "I don't think it possible that someone could love you more than I could," I replied, unwrapping myself from his neck to take up his hand and continue walking.
"I don't know about that, little light," he said. "My mum is a potential competitor. Better not sprook that too loudly - just in case."
After that, we both fell into comfortable chatter the rest of the way. Shoto didn't look so down, anymore, which only improved my mood even more. Maybe what I said about the good weather was true, after all.
We both came to a halt at the front gate to my house, falling into silence as we both looked at the front of it. Like the last time I'd come, nothing had changed. The wooden deck out the front was its usual weathered brown, and the garden along the walkway was in full bloom and trimmed to a neat perfection. The awful scribble of my parents' and I's names in the top corner of the deck's roof looked a little beaten, but I could still make it out which made me smile.
Nothing had changed; and honestly, that was fine.
Squeezing his hand still held within mine, I turned to Shoto. "You ready?"
His heterochromatic gaze met mine, renewed vigour and determination flashing back at me. "Yeah," he said, squeezing my hand back. "Let's do this."
We walked onto the deck, and I outstretched my hand to wrap my knuckles against the door softly. "Mum? Dad? It's Y/N."
"Coming!" Hurried steps quickly followed the feminine voice, becoming louder as they approached the door. With a giant flourish, Mum revealed herself on the other side of the door, a giant grin on her face. "Oh honey!" she cooed, pulling me into a tight hug which I returned. "I'm so happy to see you. It's been so long!"
"Yeah, sorry about that Mum," I said, pulling away from her. "School has been keeping me pretty busy, lately. Speaking of school, you remember Shoto Todoroki, right-"
"Of course I remember Todoroki!" In once swift motion, Mum pulled Shoto into a similar bone-crushing hug much to my horror. Shoto's eyes widened with shock and surprise, but Mum didn't pay any mind as she continued to hug him. "Oh, it's also great to see you, Todoroki. My, haven't you grown see we last saw you!"
"T-Thank you, Mrs. L/N," he said, awkwardly returning the hug. "I'm glad to see you, too."
"You're welcome here anytime, Todoroki. Don't forget that." Pulling away from Shoto, she walked back inside, waving her hand at us to follow. "Come inside, now. We've got plenty of food just waiting to be eaten. Honey! Y/N is here! And so is Todoroki!"
"Todoroki?" my father's voice echoed from inside the house. Heavy footsteps pounded our way until my father stood before us at the entrance to the hallway "Well, why didn't you say so, sooner? I would've opened the door, myself."
"It's all right, Dad," I said, pulling him into a hug. "Shoto and I don't mind. Just glad we can come see you at last."
"I'm glad you feel the same, sweetie. I get that your school is concerned about your safety, but they could at least let us give you a call or something." Dad lead us all into the lounge room, the low-lying table already set with food and beverages. While he and Mum pulled out the mats on one side, Shoto and I pulled out mats on the other side. "So," Dad said, pouring a cup of steaming green tea, "how are you two holding up after Nabu Island?"
Shoto graciously took the cup of tea from Dad, bowing a quick thanks before taking a quick sip. "Much better, thank you Mr. L/N. Although the house arrest was a little isolating, the time off allowed us to recuperate and heal both physically and mentally."
Mum took a sip of her own tea, the steam from the hot liquid waving in front of her face. "We're just so grateful you two are all right. Your father and I were worried beyond words, Y/N. I'm sure your parents felt the same, Todoroki."
"'Worried' is an understatement," I muttered into my cup, a cheeky smile on my lips.
Shoto raised his eyebrow slightly, giving me a side look that said: zip it, now. He had probably been trying to erase the moment his father embraced him back on Nabu Island out of his brain since we got back; and my mentioning of it clearly wasn't helping.
I smiled the most innocent smile I could before turning back to my tea.
"Anyway," Shoto said, his voice taking on a serious tone, "I would like to express my gratitude for allowing me to visit your home, today."
"Oh, you are more than welcome any time, dear," Mum said, flashing him a sweet smile. "There's no need to thank us. You're practically part of the family."
"You've aided our little girl through thick and thin this year, despite our initial thoughts on you," Dad added. "It is us who should be expressing gratitude to you, young Todoroki. Thank you."
"You guys..." I mumbled, an embarrassed heat flushing my cheeks already. They could be so dramatic, sometimes.
But their theatrics didn't seem to phase Shoto, as he simply nodded his thanks to them, his expression remaining neutral. "That's very kind of you. Even so, I feel I must ask something big of you."
"Ask away," Dad said, his welcoming smile never faltering.
Shoto took a moment, his gaze piercing yet shadowed with doubt as he opened his mouth to finally speak. "Will you grant me your permission to date your daughter?"
"EH?!" Mum and I both exclaimed, eyes wide as we looked between the two men.
My cheeks flushed with even more heat - I could only imagine I rivalled the skin of tomato at this point. What was Shoto doing? Did he want me to die of a heart attack before I graduated high school? Because my goodness was he close to achieving that.
Dad blinked back at the icy-hot boy, seeming to be the least fazed out of all of us. That was probably the last question he thought he would hear, today. It was definitely the last question I thought I would hear, today. Or at all, for that matter.
To his credit, Dad didn't give away any emotion, remaining indifferent as he straightened up and cleared his throat. "From what my daughter has told me, you are already dating one another. What will my permission give you that you already do not have?"
"Approval from the most important man in her life," Shoto answered immediately, not bothering to wipe the nervous sweat that beaded on his forehead. "I care about Y/N very much, but I will not make her choose between someone like me and the man that has unconditionally loved her since birth. I'll be honest, I am not perfect and probably do not deserve Y/N..."
"Sho," I said, laying a gentle hand on his tense arm. "That's not true. You're great-"
"But it is because of her that I want to be better, and have become better. She works hard everyday to be a hero. She's an inspiration to not only me, but to all of our classmates and probably our entire school. Her kindness knows no bounds; and her resilience is unmatched." My breath was taken away as he turned to face me, the softest smile upon his lips and the most loving adoration reflecting in his eyes. "She's made me happier than I thought possible, Mr. L/N; and I would like to repay that by being the one to make her happy. Always. I know it's very old school, but... I don't know any other way to do this."
I felt Dad's piercing gaze on me, so I turned to face him. His face was stoic, unreadable as his E/C eyes locked with mine. "And does he, Y/N?" he asked, gaze flickering momentarily to Shoto and then back. "Does he make you happy?"
I turned back to Shoto, his expectant, and almost fearful, eyes watching me with care. I slipped my hand into his on the table, our entwined fingers weaving together like tapestry lines - working together to create a whole image. "Yes," I whispered, a broad smile stretching my lips as I turned to face my father again. "Yes, he does, Dad. Happier than I ever thought possible."
Dad's stoic expression melted into a soft grin. "Well, then," he said. "If that's the case, then yes. You have my permission to date my daughter, Todoroki." Dad held out his hand across the table, which Shoto eagerly took. They gave each other a firm shake before letting go and retreating back to their seats. "You can breathe now, Todoroki."
"Right." Shoto let out a deep breath, sucking in a massive gulp of air as his whole body finally relaxed. "Thank you, Mr. L/N. I promise to take good care of her."
"I have no doubt about that, son," Dad replied, a cheeky smile on his lips. "Although, I have a feeling she'll be the one taking care of you."
"Dad! Don't embarrass him anymore," I pleaded. "Or me, for that matter."
"I'm just saying: you're a strong girl, Y/N. Be proud of that."
"I certainly am," Shoto said before I could cut in. His soft smile had me hiding behind my hands with an embarrassed groan.
Everyone burst out laughing, to which I eventually joined in. No point in complaining about being loved, am I right?
"Why don't we start having some lunch," Mum suggested, handing out plates already. "The food will go cold if we don't start soon."
"We certainly wouldn't want that to happen, Mum," I teased, earning a light smack on the head from her.
The rest of the day eased by in a whirl of delicious food and raucous laughter as Shoto and I talked with my parents. As I'd suspected, there was nothing for Shoto to worry about. Mum and Dad loved him and treated much like they would if he were their own son. It was reassuring that they accepted him so warmly. However, what remained with me throughout the whole encounter were Shoto's words to my father.
"She's made me happier than I thought possible... and I would like to repay that by being the one to make her happy. Always."
"See ya, Mum! Dad!" I called as Shoto and I exited the house gate and back onto the street's pathway.
"Goodbye Y/N!" Mum called back, her and Dad waving from the front door. "Come back again soon! You too, Todoroki!"
"Look after one another, okay?" Dad added.
"We will, sir!" Shoto called back, a soft smile on his own lips as he waved goodbye.
We walked back down the street with our arms linked together, content in the warm silence the afternoon sun brought. The setting light painted the sky varying shades of pink, orange and purple as the day was on the cusp of evening. Twilight was usually the magic hour - there were many tales about wondrous things happening at this hour. But I already felt like a wondrous thing happened to me already.
"Did you mean what you said before, Sho?" I asked.
"About what?" Shoto asked, continuing to walk.
"About wanting to repay me. About making me happy."
A red hue dusted his pale cheeks, suddenly bowing his head low. "Oh. That..." After a few more seconds of silence, he pulled us to a stop.
"Shoto?" I asked, using my hand to raise his dip chin so our eyes could meet again. "What's wrong? Did I say something to upset you?"
"No. Not at all," he quickly replied. His gaze remained averted from mine for a while; until he took in a deep breath and looked me dead in the eye. "Of course I meant what I said. Truth is: I want to be with you through whatever is still to come our way. I can't imagine myself doing so with anybody else but you, Y/N."
My eyes widened for a moment as shock overtook me. He really felt that way? When his words finally settled in, I turned my head away with a quiet huff, heat flushing through my cheeks again. "Damn, why are you so blunt, Sho?" I grumbled. "And back at my house with my Dad. What was that about?"
I turned back around at the gentle tugging of my hand, bringing me face to face with a neutral-faced Shoto. "I wanted to do things the right way," he said, his gaze nerve faltering. "And you deserve for things to be done the right way."
That just made my cheeks flush even more. "Enough with the praising already! Damn..." When felt my cheeks calm down a little, I flashed Shoto a small smile. "But thank you, all the same. I love you."
"I love you, too," Shoto said. He planted a soft kiss to my forehead before pulling me into his side and begin walking again. "We better get back to the dorms before Mr. Aizawa has a freak out, though. Wouldn't want detention for all of the next week."
"Agreed."
With that, Shoto and I sped walked all the way back to the UA High dormitories, arms wrapped around each other still as we barged through the dormitory doors just before curfew.
Turns our my good weather prediction was right, after all.