Veronica couldn't remember how long she'd run for. She didn't even know where she was, or how far she'd gone. She'd just run, her need to escape outweighing her common sense. Wherever she was now, she'd come here instinctually.

Veronica was in some park she didn't recognize, sitting under a tree off in a corner far away from the main area. At some point it had started to rain, chasing away the children playing merrily on the playground.

She'd managed to prop herself up on some of the raised roots of the tree. Her body was shielded from the raindrops cascading down from above and the muddy water that now flooded the ground below. The day had grown dark, the air starting to cool as evening faded into night. Veronica didn't even know what time it was.

In her rush, she'd left all of her belongings in the clubroom at UA. Including her phone. So here she sat, her knees pressed to her chest as she curled up around herself and cried. She cried about everything; the abuse she'd gone through, the things that were expected of her, and about her lack of freedom.

Veronica cried about Shoto. She was so worried about what was expected of them, that it practically overshadowed their relationship. Even if they truly fell in love, it didn't even matter. All that mattered was that they got married and had kids. Even if they grew to hate each other in the process, no one cared.

She cried about the life she was living, like an actor following a strict script. Even her moments of happiness seemed fake. How could they be real? She was only doing what she was told, what she'd been forced to do since she was a child.

Veronica cried about Katsuki, about how he'd kissed her. Does it even matter? Even if she'd somehow started to like him, or eventually fell for him, it was pointless. She was a pawn, made to be manipulated and controlled. They'd even sacrificed her if the occasion called for it. As far as everyone was concerned, Veronica's marriage to Shoto was the end game.

She didn't know how long she stayed like that. By the time her eyes had dried, and her voice had become hoarse, Veronica had long since given up hope of going home. She was lost after all, both at this moment and in life.

Veronica closed her eyes, leaning her head down on her knees as she listened to the rain falling around her. The rhythmic pitter-patter felt calming after everything.

"I thought I'd find you here."

Veronica slowly raised her head, eyes widening in surprise as she looked at Shoto. She hadn't heard him coming. He held a clear umbrella over his head with one hand, a dark raincoat matching his own held in the other. His expression was serious, his lips forming a hard line. From the look in his eyes, Veronica could tell that he was relieved to see her. He closed the umbrella as he stepped under the shelter of the tree, tossing the spare raincoat over his shoulder.

"How'd you find me?" Veronica rasped, wincing at the pain in her throat.

Shoto crouched down in front of Veronica, his eyes searching her face. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, her expression somber. "You don't remember this place, do you?" He asked softly.

Veronica looked past him to the park she'd seen the kids playing at earlier, shaking her head when no memories appeared.

Shoto sighed, standing as he held out his left hand. A small flame appeared in his palm. Veronica watched in confusion as he reached above her to trace a part of the tree that was now illuminated. She gasped in surprise as she saw the markings that had gone unnoticed earlier. Their initials were singed into the bark of the tree, a crudely drawn heart surrounding them.

"We did this, not long after we met," Shoto traced the design lovingly with his fingertips. "Though we haven't been here since you moved away."

Veronica swallowed hard, her heart leaping into her throat. That means that he did that before the incident with his mother; before he swore that he'd never use his fire quirk again.

"Shoto," she breathed. "How did you find me?"

"It was a lucky guess," he returned his attention to her. "When you didn't come home, I tried calling you. Your phone went straight to voicemail." Shoto crouched down so that he was eye level with her once more. "When I couldn't get ahold of you, I tried your friend Nanami. We both went looking for you after that. When we met up at the clubroom, we saw that all of your things were still there."

Veronica nodded, guilt sinking into her stomach. Not only did I make Shoto worry, but Nanami too. "I'm sorry..." she looked down at her feet, her eyes blurring once more with tears.

"It's alright, Veronica." Shoto reached out to rub her arm. "Just... just tell me what happened. Why did you disappear all of a sudden? And why are you out here?"

Shame and guilt began to eat away at Veronica, making it hard for her breath. "Shoto, I... the thing is..." she exhaled slowly, trying to collect her thoughts. "Shoto, Katsuki kissed me."

Shoto's hand on her arm froze. The temperature around them dropped drastically, making Veronica shiver uncontrollably.

Shoto swore under his breath, trying to keep his anger in check. Now wasn't the time. He'd take the issue up with Bakugo later. Right now the only thing that mattered was Veronica's safety and well being. She needed to go home, to warm up and have something to eat.

"Shhhh," Shoto soothed as he reached his hands up to wipe away her tears. "It's alright, Veronica, it's not your fault."

"But what if it is?" She cried.

Shoto took her face in his hands, tilting it up so that she was looking him in the eyes. "Did you ask him to kiss you?"

"No, but-"

"Then it's not your fault," Shoto stated calmly. "He had no right to kiss you."

"Shoto..." Veronica sniffled. "It... it was my first kiss."

"It's okay," Shoto pulled her forward into his arms. "Shhh, it's o-"

"No, it's not!" She wailed into his chest. "It was supposed to be you, Shoto... I wanted it to be you..."

Shoto kissed the top of her head, smiling to himself despite the situation. God, I love her. "Sweetheart," he gently pulled her head up and away from his chest.

Veronica looked up at him through tear filled eyes, confused. Did he just call me sweetheart? He brushed some of her hair away from her face before leaning down to press his forehead against hers.

Her breath hitched, his lips slowly moving to press against hers as she closed her eyes.

It was far from how she'd imagined her first kiss with Shoto to be. Veronica could only guess at how she looked in that moment; eyes swollen and puffy from crying, her blonde hair no doubt a mess. It wasn't even in an ideal setting, or due to a proper chain of events. Though, kissing under the tree that they'd etched their initials into as kids did seem pretty romantic.

It may not have been how she'd pictured, but the kiss itself was exactly how it should have been. Veronica clung to Shoto's chest as his soft lips moved against hers, stealing her breath away. His hands cupped her face lovingly, his multicolored bangs tickling her forehead.

Veronica leaned into Shoto, slowly wrapping her arms around his neck. He let out a grunt of surprise as she attempted to crawl into his lap in an effort to get closer, nearly pushing him back into the mud.

"Veronica," he rasped as he broke the kiss, his thumbs stroking her cheeks. "We should go home."

She nodded, dazed. Shoto's gaze went to her kiss-swollen lips, one of his thumbs trailing down to trace them.

It was like all of the tension from that morning had resurfaced. Veronica pressed her lips against the rough pad of his thumb, kissing lightly. Shoto let out a low groan of approval at the action, the temperature in the air around them rising.

Shoto's phone rang suddenly, making them both jump in surprise, breaking the moment. Shoto swore, cursing out whoever was calling under his breath.

"Hello?" He answered a little harshly as he stood, pulling Veronica up with him. He pulled the coat he'd brought for her from his shoulder and shoved it into her hands.

"Todoroki, thank god!" Nanami's voice came over the line, filled with worry. "I haven't been able to find Veronica yet. Have you had any luck?"

"Um, yeah," Shoto cleared his throat, feeling slightly guilty. "Yeah, I found her a few minutes ago. Sorry that I didn't call you."

"Oh thank goodness," Nanami sighed as relief washed over her. "Where is she? Is she alright?"

"She'll be fine." Shoto watched as Veronica put on the dark raincoat before she bent down to grab the umbrella he'd dropped. "I'm taking her home now."

"Okay, good. Get her to call me when thing have settled down."

"I will," Shoto nodded, hanging up as Veronica took his hand in hers.

"Let's go home."