Marriage Overseas - Shoto Todoroki x Reader

Christmas Party

The sound of Shoto's laptop closing made me jump. I continued to 'read' as he walked into the room to put his computer away.

"We should get lunch," he said. He was wearing black pants and a gray sweater compared to me in dark jeans and a cream colored sweater.

He looked expectantly to me and I quickly put my book in my bag. I silently, nervously, followed him down the hallway.

Before we reached the stairs in the lobby he put a hand on my back. It was light enough for me to know that he wasn't asking me to walk faster.

I knew why he did it when the few people in the lobby turned and stared right at us. When we reached the end of the stairs he moved his hand to my waist, making me breathe in sharply. I had to force myself not to tear his hand away.

He finally let go when we reached the car. I sat down with one hand covering my side closest to him and the other draped over my lap. I think he took notice but if he did he didn't say anything.

I kept my eyes focused on the old buildings we passed, wishing for the life of me that they would turn into modern buildings and the streets into black pavement instead of more stone. But they didn't.

The restaurant wasn't as formal and rich-looking as I had expected it. Instead it looked more like a cabin in Maine. However, I could tell from the people sitting at the tables that it was a nice place. They all dressed nicely in sweaters, long sleeves, or dresses.

Though everyone seems to dress nicely in England. They all turned to look at us when we walked in.

Shoto's hand found my waist again, this time touching the other side. I forced a light smile on my face as we followed the waiter to the table. I told myself not to look at anyone but even that was too much of a challenge. Anyone's eyes I met I immediately widened my smile a little. They smiled back.

I was grateful when we were seated at one of the tables near the large window. There was more seating outside but clearly for warmer weather only. It made me feel slightly more relaxed because I wouldn't be in the center of the room with eyes all around me.

Shoto had his usual blank look as we sat down. For the first time I became jealous of him for that because he didn't have to force a smile and pretend everything was okay. Most people probably already knew he was like that to begin with which gave him more free space to act as he wanted.

It wasn't until he turned to look at those around him that those dozens of eyes turned away from us. But then the one pair of eyes I truly didn't want on me finally found mine. I'd have taken back those dozens of eyes for his in a heartbeat.

I cursed at myself because I was nervous. I hid my feelings under my fake expression and met his patronizing eyes. He stared at me a moment longer until I finally broke eye contact.

"I found out why my mother came back when she ran into you," he said. "The doctor told me she had gone 'mad' from guilt for ruining my life. When she found you, my wife, she didn't feel so guilty. At least, that's what the doctor told me."

"Well I'm glad she's back. She's very sweet," I responded.

"I had worried she might fall back into her madness if she discovered it was arranged." There seemed to be an intensity in his eyes as he finished his sentence. "So when she came to me asking about how our marriage had been arranged, you could imagine my panic."

"You're blaming me."

"You have spent the most time with her."

"I don't think you give your mother enough credit for being observant. And yourself for not acting like a husband when she's around."