Fire, Ice, and Desire (Endeavor/Enji Todoroki)

Chapter 14: Protector

*Angelina*

I felt so much better, the doctors sent me home the day after my leg was miraculously healed. The official story was that recovery girl was able to heal me. I worried that the league would know better.

Every time we turned a corner I panicked; afraid they would be there to take me from Enji. I couldn't sleep without him touching me, I couldn't hardly eat between the nerves and the nausea, I was even scared to shower alone. They neglected to tell me Toshinori was lucky to be alive. I learned that from watching a replay of the fight on television.

This provoked a screaming match, as I was enraged that everyone fussed over me while Toshi was in pain. Eventually Enji and I agreed this was an argument I needed to have with my brother, not him.

I had many visitors after we got home. Shoto was my favorite. The visit wasn't long, but he was the first person we told about the baby since coming home.

"Angel, you're okay?" His tone held disbelief as he walked through the door to our apartment. I was on Enji's lap in the living room, watching a news story about the police's search for the league.

"Shoto!" I grinned, motioning for him to come sit with us. He obliged, still looking dumbfounded.

"How did you heal so quickly? Can you walk? Wow, I am so glad to see you doing so well." He smiled brightly, strongly resembling his father.

"Recovery girl is truly impressive, isn't she? I can walk. I can go back to work in a few days! Big guy over here insisted I take a few days to regain some energy first." I patted Enji's chest. Despite my frustration, I craved him like nothing else. He wasn't going to want to have sex ever again by the time this pregnancy was over.

"You need it, she recovered your body. Your mind still needs some time." He mumbled, nodding at his son. "You did great work, Shoto. That doesn't excuse that you shouldn't have been there."

"Would it have been better if I wasn't? They were taking her. He was preparing to take her and disappear." Shoto's body tensed, fists clenching. "I couldn't stand there and let them."

"I appreciate what you did, you saved my life. You saved us-" I was cut off by Enji's finger to my lips. He must not have wanted to tell them about the baby.

"Us?" Shoto caught my slip.

"Yes, I would have died fighting that man had he managed to escape with her. It's reasonable to say that I would have been distracted, made a mistake, and died." Enji grumbled. I was upset that he didn't want to tell his son about the baby, but understood that it may be a shock for them.

"Oh, that makes sense." Shoto nodded. "I owe you at least that much for what you did in Hosu."

"No, you don't. I was your supervisor. That was my job. Regardless, I would have done that for anyone in danger. It's what heroes do." This was true, I would have stepped in front of that knife for anyone. It was a foundational part of who I am.

"Not anymore." Enji grumbled, we'd fought about my return to work numerous times. Toshinori suggested I join him on UA's teaching staff, to keep Eraserhead near in case the league came after me again. I declined, wanting to remain active in protecting the people as long as I can.

"Yes, Enji. I will protect the people. I am capable." I understood his perspective. He unknowingly almost lost a child as well as me simultaneously. We both knew as soon as Tomura discovered the baby, he would have killed them.

"I never said don't protect the people. I said no stepping in between someone and death again." He rolled his eyes, hugging me tighter against him. Shoto glanced between us, trying to understand what he was missing.