Blossoms of the Dark

CLXXX Shouto: Shortcoming

Today is the first day of the work-study.

I should be excited.

But some bitter revelations stole all sentiments of enthusiasm.

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Class 1-A had congregated in the dormitory's common room to celebrate Christmas. Two days later, we would leave for our respective work-studies. Even though it was long decided where I would go, I was eager. A chance to learn. A chance to prove that I deserved my license. An official debut into the world of heroes.

Midoriya and Bakugou were going to join me on this journey. The fact that they accepted my impromptu invitation ... it only made me happier.

So after cleaning up the party, I went upstairs to share my joy with Selene.

I knocked. A few seconds later, there was a crash. I called out if she was okay. The echoes of shuffling and sliding were the only response. Then I heard the chain lock open. She opened the door.

"Oh, it's you, Shouto. Good evening!" she yawned.

She was in a nightgown, and her hair had come a bit undone. "Did I wake you?" I asked. "I'm sorry."

"No, no. It's completely fine. Come inside." She turned on the light switch and moved to give me entry. "I was exhausted from another bout of flares, so I thought it would be best to go to sleep. I had just closed my eyes when you knocked."

"That bad?" A weak smile told me all that I needed to know. I pulled her away from the wall that she was limping against into my arms. It was a short distance to her bed, but I insisted on carrying her to her it, despite her protests. "In case you haven't noticed," I grinned, "I quite enjoy holding you like this."

It amazed how she could blush like I was doing this for the first time.

It made me want to tease her more.

When I set her down and propped her pillows behind her, I removed my shoes and sat across from her on the bed. "Would a foot massage help?"

"Hmm?" Her cheeks reddened further.

I brushed my fingertips against the slope of her bare feet. Watching her toes curl in response filled me with delight. "I'll use my fire." I repeated the touch with just the barest hint of heat.

Her breath hitched. "If you wish."

I required no further prompting. Plopping her feet on my lap, I promptly began to massage one of them. Squeezing the muscles, pressing the tendons, bending her toes. As promised, I activated my quirk just enough to warm her. It did not escape me that besides her face and neck, this was the only skin on her persona that I touched. Her feet were badly scarred; the soles, especially, carried the vestiges of third-degree burns. Various parts had slightly different textures. At some point, she hid her face in a pillow. It was then that I understood that she was more embarrassed by the scars than my teasing.

I lifted the Santa cap from my head and put it on hers. She looked up in confusion. My smirk made her flush. "You look adorable," I whispered.

"Red and white suit you better," she murmured back.

"Then you should put it back on me."

When I finished massaging the other foot, I kissed her front ankles. A silent declaration that not a single part of her disgusted me. She hugged the pillow tighter.

I did not let go of her feet when I told her about how I looked forward to the work-studies. Things were still tenuous between Endeavor and I, but it was an opportunity that I was willing to take. With my friends there, it would be better. All I had to do was set some guidelines to make it bearable. Selene listened to every word intently. She asked what his agency was like. I was more than happy to tell her.