𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬 || S. Todoroki x Reader

31 - Saplings

"Why the fuck is his house so big?"

There was a section on cursing and profanity in Mina's unspoken million-part plan to introduce you to the world. It had been the easiest lesson to pick up on, so you had no trouble spewing the word at the sheer ridiculousness of the Todoroki household. You hadn't noticed the first time you'd visited, or maybe you just hadn't cared enough. Whatever the reason, the traditional Japanese residence sat before like a gaping shrine, bullying all other houses out of its vicinity.

If you thought the house on the hill where you and Hawks resided was lovely (it was, but only when you were there to water the plants), the Todoroki household was marvelous. 

Flora overflowed across the yard like great green waterfalls, crawling up the walls in dizzying patterns. Despite the vegetation, the house itself was in excellent shape. The dying sun hit freshly washed windows so sharp it cut the glass, shingles glowing maroon in the early evening light. Everything glowed in shades of orange and red, and green. Nature and dwelling entwined, an amalgamation of expensive plants and clean fencing lining the property. 

The sounds of the city filtered away into a faint buzzing, leaving only the panging heartbeat against your ribs to accompany you up the stairs.

The train ride had done little to quell your nerves, and now, staring at a colossal mansion that looked like it would swallow you whole and spit you out right back out did not help. At least Endeavor wasn't going to be there. According to Shoto, he had a late patrol that night.

The bouquet of flowers you'd bought on your way home shook in your hands, blossoms trembling like a scared child. You had no idea what kind of flowers Fuyumi liked, but you hoped the daffodils would suffice. All your training deserted you in the face of such a night; there were no scripts you could follow, no false smiles to hide behind, no negotiations under the table. Anxiety scuttled up your spine like an insect, trailing its soft legs along your skin, leaving goosebumps and sweat in its wake.

The yard sang. Crickets, butterflies, grasshoppers, the faint rumbling of frogs, your feet against the smooth stone walkway. A golden sun dipped behind the nets of trees brimming with leaves.

You reached into your pocket, toying with the coin inside, flipping it over and over.

"Breathe, Y/n. It's fine. Everything's fine. You're fine."

The large door made a deep, hollow thunk as you knocked. You felt the reverberations in your knuckles. It was quiet for a moment, the sounds of sunset bugs and your heart swelled again. Until the door opened and you felt your heart settle at the sight of Shoto across the threshold.

His black shirt shone dimly against the warm glow of his house, the little buttons all done except for the top two. He always looked so unfairly nice. His hair lay in a rustled white and red halo around his head. You resisted the urge to adjust your blouse, pull at your long skirt out of some unrecognizable unease. Your lips pulled at the sight of faint wrinkles reaching up from the bottom of his shirt, as if he hadn't ironed it since its last wearing. The flowers, like your heart, lifted in his presence, gathering together and bending towards him like the sun.

"Hi."

"Hey."

You two stood there for a quiet minute. 

The crickets chirped, butterfly wings panting somewhere in your left ear, grasshoppers clicking.

Shoto finally had the good sense to step aside and let you enter. Once the door clunked shut, you leaned in to press a quick kiss against his lips. 

A shared sigh rippled between the two of you. 

Shoto relaxed at the familiarity of your taste. The flowers caged in your hands stopped shaking. Relief poured into your body like cool rain, running its fingers across your tense shoulders until it uncoiled the knots in your stomach and plucked away the strings squishing your heart. Shoto's hands were warm. You felt him drop into you, into the mudroom, into himself. Your noses brushed, heads knocked against each other gently.