Ten Days of Katsuki (Todobaku)

Day 5, Part 2

Bakugou doesn't leave my side for the remainder of the afternoon. He accompanies me to the food court, he accompanies me to the pool to reunite with the students of 3-A and 3-B who were worried about my recovery, and he even accompanies me to the top deck when I tell him I want to relax in the sun and stare out at the ocean. Throughout all of this, he doesn't say much. But I converse with him anyway, sharing stories about anything and everything, because his body language conveys that he's hanging on to every word.

When it's time for dinner, of course we go together. I'm excited to see Rody and Pino again, but there's something I need to take care of first.

Stepping into the dining hall, I finally part ways with Bakugou as he heads to our table. I move to the table where the teachers and Eri are sitting. I didn't have a chance to speak with Aizawa or Eri today since they were in the theater earlier watching a children's play.

Aizawa rises from his chair when he notices me, Eri following suit. "Todoroki," he says, "I heard they discharged you earlier. How are you?"

I nod. "I'm fine." I then tilt my head down at the little girl clinging to his leg. "Hi, Eri."

"Hi, Shouto," she mutters. It takes her a moment for her to realize what I'm holding. When she does, she releases herself from Aizawa and steps closer. "Is that my giraffe?"

"It is," I tell her.

Her little button face looks up at me with a doe-eyed expression. "Did it help you have good dreams?"

I smile fondly at her. "I had the best dream. But I won this for you so I want you to keep it, okay?"

A rosy color tints her cheeks. "Okay."

I crouch down so we're at eye level and hand her giraffe back. I then wrap my arms around her and place a soft kiss on her cheek. When I pull away and stand up, she sports the largest grin I've seen on her to date.

"Daddy!" she cheers, rushing back to Aizawa's side. "Shouto kissed me!" She points to her cheek as if there's a mark to prove it.

"I saw," Aizawa says, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Does that mean I'm going to marry him?" she asks enthusiastically.

Aizawa fights back a smile. "I don't know, Eri. Marriage is a lot more complicated than that. Kissing someone doesn't always mean you're going to marry them."

Eri blinks twice, tilting her head to the side. "But you kiss Mr. Mic when he comes to our house and you always say that you're gonna marry-"

"Okay, that's enough Eri," Aizawa says, ushering her back into her seat. Turning back to me, he clears his throat. "Kids have such wild imaginations."

"I won't tell anyone, sir."

Aizawa nods and thanks me before taking his seat. He adjusts his shirt and brushes the hair out of his face, his entire body rigid. Not wanting to make him feel any more awkward, I excuse myself back to my own table.

Still, I find myself smiling on the walk over. Guess Uraraka was right after all.

I settle into the empty seat between Midoriya and Bakugou. Rody and Pino arrive at our table a few minutes later. Rody beams as his eyes land on me.

"Todoroki!" he cheers as he pours me a glass of water. "It's great to see you. You were missed last night. I take it you're feeling better?"

"I am, thank you."

Pino leaves Rody's shoulder to perch on my own. She gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, my lips curling upward at the gesture.

Rody continues pouring water for everyone. "We missed you last night too, Bakugou. Glad to have you back."