Heartbreaker | BNHA x Reader

[47] Take Back Control

To be honest, you were hardly in the right state of mind to be meeting someone for the very first time. You were still violently shaken up from the memory you'd regained. If you squeezed your eyes shut, even for a single moment, it felt as though you were back in that moment. Watching yourself lie in a hospital bed, helpless and weak. Barely clinging to consciousness. Seemingly on the verge of death.

And yet, even though you yearned to leave this place as fast as humanly possible, you held strong. You were here for a reason. You were here because Shouto needed you.

That simple thought was more than enough to spur you onward.

"Mom."

Shouto's voice was quiet, hesitant, but nevertheless, it cut through the silence. With the door now open, you could clearly see that there was a woman inside, sitting by the window and gazing out of it with a wistful expression. It took her a few moments to react. After all these years, even her own son's voice must have sounded foreign to her. She couldn't seem to believe what was happening.

Until finally, she locked eyes with him.

"...Shouto?"

Todoroki Rei. That was her name. And truly, she was beautiful. She had such soft, delicate features, and eyes riddled with sadness. The same kind of sadness you'd seen reflected in Shouto's gaze, time and time again.

"I'm here," Shouto said, a bit less shakily than before. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry it took so long. But I'm here now. And... I brought a friend with me."

You and Rei both blinked at the exact same time. It was honestly still such a strange, wondrous feeling. To have him finally refer to you as a friend, after all this time. You also hadn't expected for the spotlight to be cast onto you so suddenly. It almost felt as if you were intruding on a private moment, reserved for them, and them only.

Before your thoughts could turn any more shameful and self-deprecating, Shouto squeezed your hand-and just like that, all of your doubts disappeared.

"I'm [Name]," you introduced, politely bowing your head. "I'm Shouto's friend, and also his classmate. It's really nice to meet you."

"Shouto's... friend?"

Yet again, Rei blinked. She couldn't seem to wrap her head around what she'd just heard. How many years had it been since she'd even laid eyes upon him? You already knew just how miserable Shouto's childhood had been. He was isolated from a young age, even from his siblings. He barely got to speak freely with his own family, let alone anyone else. The last time Rei had seen him, he was still a small, lonely little boy. A boy she'd so selfishly turned her back on, in his greatest time of need.

But things were different now. Even though she hadn't been there to offer him any comfort. Even though she'd failed to protect him.

Someone had stood by his side, when no one else would.

Rei didn't know how to respond. She watched, breathless, as Shouto pulled you along by the hand and led you further into the room. The two of you sat down on the edge of the hospital bed and faced towards her. You had to grit your teeth, forcing yourself to ignore your mental turmoil and keep smiling, no matter what. This time, you were the one to squeeze Shouto's hand for reassurance, and once again, it helped.

"Shouto," Rei finally managed. She paused for a few moments, struggling to pick her words. There must have been so much she'd wanted to say, for so many years. She looked overwhelmed. Confused, even.

You waited patiently, gracing her with the necessary silence to clear her mind. Shouto didn't try to pressure her, either. Both of you sat there, still grasping the other's hand, as Rei pressed her lips together and swallowed hard.