Mute

54 | My Book

I hummed quietly as Emiko slept on me. We'd ended up coming here more often than either of our houses, and she always seemed much more relaxed. I wondered if it was because she knew she couldn't enchant anyone here.

I flipped the page in my book, returning my arm to her back while I read. She was warm, and fairly light. That could have just been because of how strong I was though, I didn't care either way. She was warm and comfortable.

"Hmmm." I scanned the page. It wasn't actually my book, nor was it any of the books I'd put in here. This was one of the books Emiko had left here on accident. A romance novel.

"Does she like this sort of stuff?" I murmured quietly, reading on. So far the book was a cliche high school novel. Good girl falls for school player, there's some sort of bet, they end up falling for each other. I was in the middle of the chaotic 'did you ever love me' thing. I guessed they'd make up and everything would work out in their favor.

"Hmmnnnn."

I glanced down, closing the book and sliding it under the couch we were laying on. "You awake Sweetheart?" I wanted to see if she liked all the pet names being used in the book.

"Shouto?" She blinked up at me, rubbing her eyes before suddenly yanking her hands away. This confused me. "Oh, thank god I didn't smear my eyeliner. Sorry, how long was I asleep?" She rolled off me and sat up, leaving me feeling strangely cold. Like when you roll out of the sunlight and into the shade.

"Not long, it was only a few hours. Did you get much sleep?" I rubbed my thumb against her cheek as I sat up, pushing her hair out of her face.

"Not a lot, I had chemistry homework I didn't completely understand."

I smiled and began running my fingers through her hair repeatedly. "You could've called." She was adorable.

"It was late and I didn't want to wake you." She smiled up at me, having finally banished most of her sleepiness. I pulled her onto my lap, ignoring my blush as I kissed her forehead.

"I wouldn't have minded, I would have helped you despite the hour."

She laughed lightly. "Thats exactly why I didn't call."

I sighed. "You're not letting me help."

"It's just for one night." She reminded me cheerfully.

I lifted her chin so she'd look into my eyes, copying her book character. "I want to help, no matter when, or with what."

She burst into laughter. "Shouto! You read my book!"

I released her. "I wanted to know if you liked the characters actions."

She giggled. "That's one of my favorite lines in the book, I love him." My heart flared and I instantly regretted acting like him. "I love you more Shouto, it's why we're dating." She flashed a large smile that eased the jealousy.

"Then I'll keep being me." I kissed her once more before laying back down and holding her to my chest with a slight sigh. "Did you still need help with your chemistry homework?" I asked a few seconds later.

She shook her head. "No, Shiro helped me at school during lunch."

My stomach twisted. I knew it wasn't entirely his fault, but I hated that she hung out with him. I didn't like him. I wasn't going to tell her though, he seemed like a good enough guy, and I didn't want him to be the reason we fought again.

"Hey Shouto?"

"Yeah?" I snuggled closer to her, nuzzling her hair.

"What time is it?"

I paused, not entirely sure. I sighed and pulled away to check my phone. "Almost 4."

She sighed. "I need to get home, Akito and Uncle Yamada bought steaks for dinner, and neither of them know how to cook steak."

I chuckled, holding her close to me again. "I suppose I have to let you go then?"

She nodded, looking up at me sincerely. "Pretty please?" I froze, caught in her gaze. Most of the time when I'd been this close to her face both our eyes were closed. Her eyes were truly beautiful. I was snapped back to reality when she spoke again. "Shouto? Shouto Todoroki?"

I blinked rapidly. "Right, sorry." I moved so she could stand, sitting up and running a hand through my hair with a small sigh.

"I'll see you tomorrow Shouto." Emiko kissed my cheek before walking away. I smiled after her and flopped back on the couch, pulling out to check the message I'd just received. It was from Midoriya. There was an emergency.