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

Chapter 16: Adjustments

*Angel*

I spent the better part of two weeks adjusting to our life in the dorm. Nezu had another floor constructed in the teacher's building. This gave us two bedrooms and a full bathroom to ourselves. There was also a designated office space for Enji, being that he was now spending time on campus with us. Eri had deemed him "Good Daddy" days ago. She hadn't asked about Chisaki in days. I didn't have the heart to tell her he'd been attacked.

She painted with me, played with the kitten, and even tried to cook with Enji. At night she had her own bed, but often wound up between us. We learned quickly to make sure we put clothes on before falling asleep. Thankfully she didn't see anything she shouldn't, but it was still amusing to hear Enji's shocked near-yelp as she climbed into bed with us in the middle of the night and asked why no one had pants on. If it hadn't been dark, we would've had a lot more explaining to do.

I taught a few classes, mostly giving pointers. The kids were star-struck. It was almost comical, but I was grateful to be involved with them. It was good to see Shoto, who adored Eri. He was grateful to have a younger sibling on the way but even more glad that he could help protect Eri since we were on campus.

"Miss mommy, Eraserhead says that I get to see Deku and LaMillion again this week. Are they going to be mad at me?" Eri's voice broke my concentration. I was painting my sister, I couldn't get her face out of my mind. But it wasn't quite her face, it's like she was older.

"Of course not, no one is mad at you. We're mad at Chisaki. He should have never hurt you." I set my paint brush down and pulled her into my lap. My bump was officially noticeable. Almost halfway through and finally starting to feel the baby move. Enji and I couldn't agree on a name yet. Eri thought she should be named Princess Sparklepants, but we had to veto that for obvious reasons.

"If it weren't for me, LaMillion would still have his quirk and the fancy man would be alive." She blinked a few tears away. I fingered through her hair, wanting to cry with her.

"No, that's not true either. Remember, you didn't hurt Night Eye. You didn't take Mirio's quirk. None of these things are your fault, so don't take responsibility for them. Okay?" I reminded her, we had been working on teaching her healthier thought processes. I want her to grow up to know her worth. She's a miracle, a miracle I almost squashed. Getting to know her made my guilt for my past choices grow. I didn't regret that I tried to keep both of us safe from Chisaki at the time. I simply regret that she ended up in his grasp regardless.

"Thank you for not giving me back to him." The murmured words brought tears to my eyes. She squeezed me in her little arms.

"Thank you for staying with us. We love you, Eri." I kissed the top of her head. After a few moments in my embrace she meandered off, finding Gingersnap again. Mirio came by the apartment to collect her. He wasn't able to participate as much in classes since he was quirkless now, so he watched Eri while I taught.

I decided to go with leggings and one of Enji's sweaters today. I know I should wear my hero costume, but the support course students are working on a way to help protect my growing bump in my costume. I tried not to wear it in the meantime.

Eri kissed my cheek goodbye and went to play with her favorite hero in training. I sent Enji a text to let him know I was heading to teach and made my way out of the apartment. Toshinori was waiting for me downstairs.

"Hey little sister," he smiled, "how's my niece? Both of them."

"Eri is good, she only had one nightmare last night. That was helpful. She painted you today, but it's a little blurry. Your presence is demanded for dinner tomorrow." I chuckled, she had grown fond of 'Uncle Tushy'. She hadn't gotten the 'Oh' sound in his name quite yet. Enji found it incredibly amusing. I rubbed my belly and smiled, "Peach here is good, she's constantly doing flips in there. It makes me nauseous, but at least I know she's healthy."