You’re Here Again 9
✏ todoroki shoto © kohei horikoshi
✏ todoroki shoto x fem!reader
✏✏ Chapter 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10
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“My father...is not like yours...He is controlling and he only cares about his company...And he wants me to take over it in the future...So he forced me to study everything that was needed to inherit his company...I didn’t want anything to do with it but I had no choice...I didn’t have the courage to go against him because he was the only parental figure in my life and what he taught me was utter obedience to him…”
“My first act of defiance to him was faking that I went to the cram school when in reality, I visited my mother and met you, at the bridge. It was the only freedom I had...I had to get that little time away to take pictures without him knowing. Otherwise, he would take it all away.”
Touching his scar, he said, “My mother gave me this scar…”
(Y/N) was horrified to hear of this. She had no idea what kind of family situation Shoto had. ‘His mother gave him that burn scar?...’
“It’s not her fault. My father drove her crazy from trying to control every part of life and terrorized her. She is mentally unstable because of him. So when I was younger, she looked at me horrified, and threw boiling water on my face. I don’t resent her for it, she must have been terrified of me since I looked like my father.”
Shoto looked into his hands and (Y/N)’s hand that was on top of his as he spoke. His voice was laced with hurt and frustration and sadness.
“But he found one of the USBs where I keep my pictures and found out that I had been faking that I was going to cram school. He insulted my mother and threatened to take away my camera. But I flipped out because I couldn’t handle it anymore...It was more than I could bear. All my life was that never-ending feeling of being suffocated and I hated being unable to freely do what I loved. So I snapped at him and left. And I ended up here…”
“I’m sorry to bother you. I didn’t know where else to go…”
Sadness washed over (Y/N), she didn't know that he had such a life. She had been blessed with supportive and loving parents. It broke her heart, seeing him talk about this with such pain.
“I’m sorry that you have to listen to me even though you’ve been through worse…”
(Y/N) said gently, “No...You’re not bothering me. My family welcomes you as well. Your pain is still valid. We don’t have the same circumstances but your problems and pain are still valid. Don’t hesitate if you want to talk about it. I’m here to listen. I’m so sorry to hear about this. I’m not sure what to say but I care about you so let’s think about it together, okay?”
Shoto looked at her, those kind words he had never heard before. It washed all over him, making him like he could express himself properly for the first time in his life. What (Y/N) said gave him the reassurance he desperately needed. He had stormed out of the house without thinking ahead. He started to get anxious about how his father took his outburst. He didn’t regret it one bit though.
After all, he finally said what he wanted to after so many years. He didn't know what he would do now but he knew he would never forgive his father ever. He made his life miserable and his mother's too before he was born. He was glad to have (Y/N) and grateful for her and her family. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have anywhere to go.
“Come, let’s go to my room. I left your things there. I hope your camera is okay. You got drenched after all,” (Y/N) said, leading him to her room.
(Y/N) handed him his bag and he took out his camera. Inspecting it and turning it on, both sighed in relief since it turned on. (Y/N) knew how precious his camera was to him.
“(Y/N)! Come down!”
“Mom’s calling. Let’s go back down,” (Y/N) said.
Shoto nodded and the two filed downstairs.
“It looks like your dad can’t come home tonight. The thunderstorm isn’t stopping at all. He’ll stay with your uncle for the night,” (Y/N)’s mother explained.
“Todoroki-kun can stay, right? It’s pouring outside,” (Y/N) said looking out through the window.
“Of course, dear. He can’t leave in this storm!” (Y/N)’s mother replied.
“I’m sorry to bother you at this time,” Shoto said with a bow.
“And thank you for letting me stay.”
“It’s completely fine! I would feel terrible to turn you away! Besides, you’re always welcome here!” (Y/N)’s mother said with a smile.
“Thank you very much, (L/N)-san.”
“Well, I’ll make dinner. Get Todoroki-kun comfortable, dear,” (Y/N)’s mother said.
“Let’s go back to my room,” (Y/N) said.
“Show me some of the pictures you took,” (Y/N) said, smiling.
Shoto sighed with a smile and gave her his camera. They both sat on her bed. (Y/N) turned on the camera and looked at the new photographs he took. “Wow! Is it just me or your pictures even better than before?”
“Really? Looks like observing and helping out your uncle really helped. I’m glad,” Shoto said, proud of his improvement but not showing it.
“Yeah!” (Y/N) said, eyes glued on the pictures.
She stopped at a picture. Another picture of a vase of flowers, this time they were daisies. It was the same setting which she assumed was of a hospital room. She hadn’t asked about it before but she was still curious as to who he was visiting.
“Is this taken in a hospital?” (Y/N) asked, turning to Shoto.
“...”
Shoto hesitated and then replied, “Yeah. It’s taken at my mother’s hospital room.”
“I’m so sorry,” (Y/N) said, regretting asking.
It was too personal and she had no idea he had such circumstances. She really didn’t know him at all. After all, he barely talked about himself whenever they met.
“No, it’s fine. If it’s you…,” Shoto replied, saying the last part really softly.
“My mother is hospitalized because she is mentally unstable after she snapped back then and gave me this scar. She’s been there ever since. Only recently, I’ve been able to visit her and she seems to be doing better. We’ve been communicating much more and I’m glad to reconcile with my mother,” Shoto explained, softly speaking about his mother who he never hated or blamed.
“I’m truly glad that she’s getting better and you both have restored your relationship,” (Y/N) replied, gently looking at the picture of daisies.
Shoto looked fondly at the picture and said, “She always protected me from my father and I adored her. She was kind and caring. Seeing her slowly return to how she was before, it gives me immense happiness…”
(Y/N) expression melted into a sweet smile, seeing Shoto so soft. The expressionless boy she once knew had turned into this boy with such a tender look.
The two conversed while looking through the pictures he had taken until (Y/N)’s mother called them down for dinner. Shoto helped with the dishes. They spent the rest of the evening talking till it was time to sleep.
“Are you comfortable on the couch? I can go find you a futon,” (Y/N) asked.
“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks,” Shoto replied.
“If you say so. Good night,” (Y/N) said, turning off the lights and heading to her room.
“Good night,” Shoto replied softly, closing his eyes.
He fell into a dreamless sleep after the exhausting day.