My Hero Academia Imagines/One-Shot Compilation

Precious Protectors [Shoto] (Fluff)

Ichijiku (Tigress)

"What color do you think we should paint the nursery?" I hum, looking through the different color swatches in the store. Three colors draw my eyes to their soft, comforting tones: mint green, dusty blue, and a lilac purple.

"You seem to be eying the purple. Do you want that one?" Shoto brushes his hand against my back. "It looks nice."

"I'm leaning towards the lilac, but what do you think?"

He picks up the three shades and spends a minute looking between them. I can't help the smile tickling my cheeks at his focused expression.

"Let's take these three paint swatches home so we can get an idea of what it'll look like on the walls."

"Good idea."

. . . . .

We make it home and sleep calls my name. One long shopping trip has always been enough to tucker me out anyway, but with a full child growing inside me? My bottom finds the couch instantly and I puff out a heavy sigh as I flop into the cushions.

"Do you need me to get you anything, love?" Shoto takes a seat beside me.

"I'm just tired, Frosted Flames." I coo, stretching one hand to squeeze his as my eyelids flutter dangerously. "But I could use a peppermint tea if you don't mind."

"I don't mind. I'll get it started while I put away the groceries." He gets up again and kisses my forehead. "Don't try to get up and do anything. Let me take care of you."

Of course, when I hear the bags shuffling even my desire to sleep can't fight against my stubborn streak. Just the thought of Shoto having to put away everything and still have to make my tea makes me grunt and struggle to my feet.

I reach down for a bag, thinking he's got all the heavy items, and wince when I wobble at the unexpected heaviness of the bag.

"Stop, you're going to hurt yourself!" Shoto exclaims, catching me before I topple over into the table. After a breath, he cups my face. "I didn't mean to get loud. You scared me."

"Sorry. I hate seeing you have to do all the work." I frown.

"I know, Tiger, but you have to be careful. If you overextend yourself, you don't just hurt yourself now. You have others to look after." He kisses my cheek and squeezes my hands. "Now, go rest and I'll make your tea. Homura and Himari should be coming back from Mom and Dad's within the hour."

"Are you sure I can't help a little?" I pout, letting my kitten eyes glow up at him.

"If you're insistent upon helping, you can do the dishes. There's only a few in the sink. Will that satiate you, troublemaker?" He chuckles, pinching my cheek.

"I think so." I giggle, and head to the sink.

As I finish up the final few dishes, a flurry of white flashes outside the window showing the outside. I lift my head up and gasp, drying my hands and tapping Shoto's side.

"Shoto-kun, look!"

He comes up behind me and his head thunks on my shoulder as he looks with me, his hands coming up around my waist and resting on the sides of my belly. At first, I think he's missed it, but then I hear his breathing stop.

"Is that a rabbit family in our backyard?"

"There's been one that I've seen off and on in the garden, but I didn't realize she had a whole family!" I coo happily as the furry critters scamper under the rosebush.

"Looks like we're not the only growing family here." Shoto smiles and nudges me. "Now, come on. I've got your tea ready. You go rest while I finish the groceries and take a nap if you want to."