Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
❟❛❟ CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN ❟❛❟
TODOROKI SLOWLY BLINKED HIS EYES OPEN, the sterile white ceiling above him blurring as he regained his bearings. His body felt heavy, each movement reminding him of the battle he'd barely survived. He winced at the sharp ache in his back, shifting slightly but staying mostly still. The brightness of the room stung his eyes, making him squint.
It took him a moment to gather his thoughts. The last thing he remembered was the chaos of Kyoto—flashes of destruction, the heavy feeling of rubble pressing down, and then... nothing.
As he blinked to clear his vision, his gaze fell on a familiar figure sitting beside him. Her presence caught him off guard. Akame was here?
Before he could fully process it, she stirred, realizing he was awake. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. "You're awake."
Akame?
Her voice was soft, and Todoroki blinked, taking in the sight of her. There was something different in the way she looked at him—something softer, more open. His heart fluttered, a warmth blooming in his chest. He wanted to reach out, to make sure she was real, that this wasn't some fleeting dream.
"Akame..." his voice rasped.
Before he could speak further, Akame reached out, and for a second, he thought she might pull away. But instead, she did something that took him completely off guard—she placed her palm gently on his cheek.
Todoroki's breath caught in his throat. Her touch was warm, delicate, and the gesture—so simple yet so unexpected—sent a surge of warmth through his chest. Akame had never done this before—she had never been this affectionate before. It was always him or Bakugou who would reach out first, closing the distance between them, always initiating contact. But this... this was different.
Her thumb brushed lightly over his skin, and without thinking, he leaned into her touch, his cheek pressing into her palm. He closed his eyes, letting out a soft breath as the tension in his body melted away. The warmth of her hand, the gentleness of the moment, it was enough to make him feel... safe.
Like a cat curling into warmth, Todoroki nuzzled closer to her hand, savoring the rare affection she offered. It was so subtle, yet it meant everything. His heart swelled with a quiet happiness, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
For the first time, Todoroki felt like he wasn't the one chasing her. She was here, willingly, offering him comfort, and that made his chest tighten with emotion. He wanted to hold onto this moment, to let it last just a little longer.
