It was brought to my attention by a Guest that one of the chapters was mixed up, specifically chapter 16 being replaced by just another chapter 2. I have no idea how this happened, I know I checked it right after posting and it was the right chapter so maybe something glitched somewhere while I was updating other chapters before? Either that, or someone is in my account messing with me...
Either way, just a small PSA here. If you see something like that, please let me know so I can fix it. Because at present I have no idea of knowing how long Chapter 16 was messed up, which sucks because that was one of my favorite chapters to write. So if you never got to see the original chapter 16 feel free to go back and read!
Anyways, enough rambling on with the Fluff!
Adachi stepped off his train, a suitcase in each hand, and was officially home from his internship. It was past mid day, the sun was high in the sky and a warm breeze filled the air around him as he walked through the station and began making his way home. He was nervous about seeing his parents, he'd already told them what happened but was sure they'd probably freak out when they actually saw it.
And then there was his classmates, his friends.
Like Midoriya, Iida and Todoroki, his face had been plastered all over the news with footage they'd picked up during the battle in the street. Of course, most of it was him being praised for his, "Exceptional fighting skills" in defeating the villains. But word of the actual damage to his body hadn't really been spread around. So he knew things would be very... Interesting, on his return to school.
After the long walk, he arrived at his door. Taking a deep breath, he pulled it open and stepped inside, "Mom! Dad! I'm home!" He called out, sliding off his shoes and leaving them by the door. He continued forward, stepping out of the hall and into the kitchen before stopping, "Oh, hey guys." He greeted, swallowing nervously as he stared at the faces of not only his Mother and Father, but also Kirishima and Ashido, "I uh... Didn't know we'd be having company..." Adachi tried to play it off with a forced smile.
"Dude..." Kirishima muttered, looking at his body, "What happened? Oof!" He yelped as Shisui elbowed him in the gut, "I-I mean, its great to see you again! I uh... I heard things got a bit messy over there..."
"Haha YEP!" Shisui beamed with a big forced smile, "We heard things were a little stressful, so I got your friends together for dinner because I thought it would be fun!" She assured, her hands on Kento's shoulders, "We're all so happy that you're safe!"
Adachi realized they were all acting strange and set his bag on the table. He could tell by the look in their eyes it was probably because of his rather... Ghastly appearance, "You guys alright? You're acting weird." He said bluntly, setting his costume case down as well.
"You're the one acting weird!" Ashido accused suddenly, waving her arms around as she eyed him over, "I mean LOOK at you!"
"Hey!" Shisui shot her a sharp glare.
"What happened!?" She continued, ignoring the death stare, "Your arm is all scarred up, and your body is..."
"I saw what happened on TV, at least the end of it." Kirishima added, "We were really worried, I tried to call you but your Mom said your phone got destroyed or something?"
The boy released a heavy sigh, but smiled faintly as he picked up on the concern in her voice, "It's kind of a long story," Before taking his seat at the table and resting his feet, "It started with these thugs I met in the park during my morning patrol."
And so he spent the next while explaining how everything went during the course of that mission. He didn't leave out any details, knowing whatever was going to happen with Nagato's company would be made public eventually. As he explained the arrival of the Zodiac Gang, his mother and father visibly paled at the idea of him fighting them. But Adachi spared them all the gruesome details about the battle, and his own injuries. Of course he had to be honest about the drug being injected into him, and what the results were on his body.
"And that's pretty much it," Adachi said, as he finished up, "I'll be okay, I've just got to get back to training, I may fall behind a little bit but this was a good experience for learning." He assured, taking a breath and giving them a chance to speak finally.
"Sheesh that's rough..." Kirishima scratched the back of his head nervously, "I guess that regeneration of yours can be a blessing and a curse if you aren't careful..."
"Sorry, I thought if I got everyone here I could... I don't know, make you feel better but, I guess you're doing alright..." Shisui sighed heavily, "And you're sure you're okay?"
Kento nodded, holding her hand, "We're just worried... You had a lot thrown at you in a short time."
Adachi nodded his head, "I'm alright, it was scary and... I was starting to doubt myself but," He slowly held up his scarred hand, "I know what I have to do, and I'm know what I'm really up against, what Heroes are really up against... I thought I really understood after the USJ but, this felt a lot more real... I wasn't just defending myself, I was fighting villains like a real hero!" He looked back up at them with a smile, "I promise I won't get hurt like this again, next time I'll be ready!"
As he finished up, Ashido watched him silently not yet saying anything on the current situation. But the look on her face made it clear she wasn't so sure about this.
Shisui sighed heavily, nodding her head and breaking the silence, "Alright, if you say so... We're always here to talk if you need to." She assured with a smile, "I'm going to get dinner started, will you two be joining us?"
Kirishima nodded his head, "Sure that sounds-"
"I have to go." Ashido said suddenly, walking past Adachi and making her way to the door, "I'll see you guys at school tomorrow..."
"Ashido..." Adachi muttered as she headed out, the door closing behind her as he looked back around at his parents, then to Kirishima.
"Well, we going after her or what?" The red head asked expectantly.
Adachi nodded, "Right yeah, of course, lets go!"
. . .
After leaving the house, they were startled to see she'd gotten out of sight pretty fast! Looking both ways up the street neither of them could tell which way she'd gone. So Kirishima opted to check the route back to her house, while Adachi swallowed his fears and made his way down to the river alone. Though he had a feeling Kirishima was giving him the more obvious choice...
Sure enough, he spotted her puffy pink hair from behind as she sat on the bench staring out over the water. Sunset glimmering off its surface, and from where Adachi stood she looked deep in thought. He felt his heart racing a bit as he approached, feeling a strange sense of apprehension he'd not felt in some time, "Hey." He finally broke the silence, announcing is presence.
Ashido didn't turn her head to look at him, "Hey..."
Her monotone voice worried him even further, "Are you okay? I've... Never seen you storm off like that before... You're acting a lot weirder than usual. "
"Who's storming?" She scoffed, slowly getting to her feet, "I wasn't storming!" The pink girl declared, turning her sharp eyes on him before the intensity in them disappeared completely. As she read the look on his face, "You idiot... You're still doing it aren't you?"
Adachi quirked an eyebrow, "Doing what?"
"Look at you," She continued, ignoring the question as her eyes ran down his thin body, resting on his scarred right arm, "You're practically in shambles... A shell of that kid who won the Festival, and instead of taking it easy your worrying about me..."
Adachi frowned, looking down at his own body as well, "I... Yeah, well I'll be fine, I can fix all of this." He assured, "I... I always get back up on my feet right?" Adachi added, putting on a small smile.
"I'd prefer it if you weren't always the one getting knocked down." Ashido said, sighing and shaking her head before walking back over to the bench, "Come on, sit, you need to rest." She ordered, patting the space beside her.
Adachi didn't argue, walking over and sitting down as well right beside her, "I'm sorry I made you worry." Figuring the reasoning behind her actions by now.
"Don't apologize you idiot," She answered, smiling faintly as she rested her head on his shoulder, slouching against him, "I'll be fine, I'm not the one who's arm went through a meat grinder on public TV... Are you sure you're okay?"
Feeling her resting against him was... Different, than usual. He didn't feel shy or nervous, he felt relaxed, "I... I think so, yeah." Adachi answered after a moments thought, "I was really scared but..." He took a deep breath, before taking her hand in his own, lacing their fingers together.
Ashido's heart skipped a beat.
"I feel a lot better now that I'm home."
It was like their roles had reversed, now Ashido felt nervous. She was glad her pink cheeks made it hard to tell she was blushing, "Kaiji Adachi, when did you get so smooth~?" She asked in her usual playful tone, trying to ease her own tension.
Adachi released an internal sigh of relief, chuckling lightly in response to her question, "Well, I did just spend a week hanging around a cute upper classman, and a beautiful older Heroine..."
Ashido pouted, her grip tightening on his hand as her heart began to race, "Oh you did huh?"
"Plus there were all those fangirls that watched the Festival," Adachi continued, he could already feel the punch he was about to get, "And then there was Nagato, she was pretty beautiful t- Ow!" He yelped and laughed lightly, as she slugged him in the shoulder, "I'm kidding I'm kidding, no need t-"
But before he could finish speaking, Ashido went in for the kill. Grabbing him by the shirt and pulling him forward, her lips meeting his own as she snatched away the kiss. And just like that Adachi's face went from pale to deep red as he registered what was happening, until she broke it a few seconds later. The boy left in awe staring at her like she'd just slapped him across the face, stunned.
Ashido took in the sight as she herself processed what she'd just done before grinning widely, "Bet none of them did that, consider it your welcome home present~"
Adachi felt like every terrible thing that had happened during his internship was a distant memory. Like some weight had lifted from his mind as she reminded him that she would always be here for him. A smile spread across his face, "I-I don't suppose I could uh... Regift it back to you?"
Ashido started laughing so hard she snorted, "O-Oh my god Adachi! That was the lamest line I've ever heard!"
He found himself laughing along with her, knowing exactly how bad it sounded, "Hey it was worth a shot!"
The two spent some time there, sitting in blissful silence together as their laughter died down. Knowing things wouldn't stay quiet for long, they silently agreed to cherish these small moments of peace...