Everything had been perfect in their life together until suddenly it wasn't.
It all started with a crash, literally.
The living room was quiet. Momo had dozed off on their red couch, having failed her midnight vigil, when Shouto struck the tea table with enough force to push it a few inches forward and swore loudly. With the quick reflexes expected from a top Pro Hero, Momo instantly jolted up from her sleep, turned on the lamp beside her, and looked up, weapon at the ready.
After her eyes adapted properly to the light, she realized it was only Shouto and immediately relaxed her stance.
He was crouched over the table, wincing in pain. He pulled himself together, face settling back into its usual blank expression. Shouto returned the table to its original place and approached his girlfriend.
"Mo, I didn't see you there,'' he stated. Looking at anything but her eyes, he fixed a stray red hair behind his ear in an instinctive movement. "I thought you were… on patrol.''
She looked up at him, arching her brow slightly. He knew her schedule perfectly. Shouto looked at her face and bent down over the couch, giving her a quick kiss on the lips, so unlike their usual slow kisses that she would've thought she had imagined it, were it not for the soft expression on his face. As he stepped back and straightened up, Momo couldn't help but think he looked immensely skittish for someone that was usually so composed. She frowned, realizing he was hiding something.
She cleared her throat. "Where are you going? I had thought that—er… you know, since we haven't been able to see each other often as of late, we could have a night to ourselves. Dinner perhaps, or a movie night—or… or both. But since that hasn't panned out, maybe we can just cuddle for a bit instead?''
Shouto frowned at her words, a sad expression taking over his face that he hid quickly. "Oh, it's… I can't.'' He cleared his throat, still avoiding the eyes. "I'm going out with the—er... guys, yes.'' A thoughtful expression overtook his face for a moment. Then he added in a firm tone, "Izuku needs some advice.''
Momo pursed her lips. Shouto Todoroki loved cuddling, and he had never before rejected an offer to cuddle. In fact, he was the one to suggest it more often than not.
For someone with an infamously stoic demeanor, Shouto Todoroki was an awful liar. His stance was stiff, his words didn't sound right, and she noticed a thin layer of frost appearing on his right hand. Everything indicated he was nervous about something.
Momo opened her mouth to talk, but she was stopped by the soft almost smile he reserved just for her. Instead, he said, "I hope you can forgive me. But Tenya said it was imperative for me to go, as Izuku's really in need of our…'' He struggled to find the word. "Guidance. We can spend time together another day. I can take a day off,'' Shouto offered, his lips tightening.
Momo's expression clouded with concern. "It's okay, my love. I understand,'' she said, eyes briefly downcast in evident disappointment.
Shouto, usually very keen on his girlfriend's emotions, failed to recognize her disappointment; instead, he was still looking everywhere but at her face. He crouched down and, with a soft sigh, kissed the top of her head before leaving the house as quickly as he had come.
His appeasement did nothing to calm her in the aftermath of his hasty departure. A dreadful sensation took root in her, growing like a vine from the pit of her stomach through her torso to finally settle roughly inside her chest. Her hand touched her navel with some pressure as stray malicious thoughts won over her rational side. Why had Shouto been lying? Was he mad? Why was he so eager to get out of their house? He hadn't even said goodbye properly.
Momo's stomach churned at the thought that he was deliberately avoiding her. Was he bored with their quiet nights in? Why had it seemed like he was sneaking out? Insecurity she had kept deeply hidden for a long time suddenly overwhelmed her. Worst still, was he really going out to see Izuku-kun and Tenya-kun?
He wouldn't lie to her about that, surely? He loved their nights in. He had said as much multiple times, even to Izuku-kun and Natsuo-kun. His brother had even teased her about it— "Momo-san, I have to say, it doesn't even surprise me anymore when my brother cancels our nights out with 'Yumi because you invited him to cuddle!''
She tried her best to stop her thoughts from spiraling out of control, but she couldn't forget them completely.
Getting up from the couch, she walked towards their room, determined to sleep and forget about her insecurity.
Yet, Momo was unable to sleep, her head too full of the image of Shouto lying to her.
It was many hours later that Shouto finally entered the room and got into their bed. When he hugged her from behind, nuzzling her hair, and immediately fell asleep after kissing the side of her head, she couldn't help but notice how he smelled faintly different.
Slowly, a tear slipped from her eye, then another and another. Her sadness continued through the night until she fell asleep from exhaustion.
In the morning, Momo went to her scheduled patrol as usual, which gave her a much-needed distraction from her personal issues. She loved Hero's work and usually tackled her duties with intense focus.
A few hours later, everything had been sorted out, leaving Momo with only paperwork to complete. Mid-way through finishing her reports, she found herself thinking back on how it had all begun.
Four years ago, Momo had been offered numerous internships just after graduation. One of the most intriguing offers she had came from Hawks' Hero Agency. They wanted her specifically due to her incredible record at UA and, as Hawks himself said, the fierce determination in her eyes when he saw her TV Commercial with Uwabami. It turned out that, after a conversation with Majestic, who had always vouched strongly for her ability in each one of the Hero Galas, Hawks had made up his mind. He offered her an internship to work for him in person. At that time, Shouto, too, had been offered an internship by Hawks and had accepted to spite his father.
Having known each other since UA, they naturally gravitated towards each other. The secret soft spot they had for one another gradually developed into a closer relationship that ended up with them sharing an apartment close to Hawks' Agency. Inevitably, their closeness and chemistry led to a romantic relationship.
She shook her head in the midst of remembering their first years after graduation. A good Hero couldn't allow personal issues to interfere with their job performance. The mere fact that Momo was in a relationship with Shouto was already a complication for the Human Resources Department. Furthermore, allowing this issue to interfere with her work would be an insult to Hawks, who had been very kind to allow their relationship in the workplace; he very well could've fired one or both of them.
("I was always a sucker for both of you together! Though, it was very distracting to see your pining. I'll allow it.'' The Wing Hero winked at them.
"We didn't ask your opinion, though,'' answered Shouto, stoic-faced.
"Shouto!'' Momo reproached gently.
Hawks just laughed loudly.)
She couldn't betray Hawks' confidence by allowing her issue to interfere with her work. She pushed all thoughts of Shouto blatantly lying to her to the back of her mind.
A few hours later, she finished all the paperwork from her morning patrol and prepared to go home. Shouto would be ending his scheduled patrol soon. Momo was thinking about how they could finally spend some time together when a ping came from her phone.
Momo unlocked it to see a text from her boyfriend.
(19:30) Shou: I won't be able to come home early. Got caught up on patrol, something went wrong and Hawks asked for my help afterward. Don't wait up, Mo.
Momo frowned after reading it but immediately texted back.
(19:31) Momo: It's okay, Shou. Be careful, please. I love you.
(19:32) Shou: I love you too.
Trying to put any doubt she had about her relationship aside, she locked the door to her office and turned to come face-to-face with Fuyumi-san.
Upon noticing her presence, the white-haired Todoroki approached her and gave her a hug in greeting. They both pulled back with smiles on their faces.
"Hello, Fuyumi-san.''
"Momo-chan! I saw you were still here and decided to say hi. Would you like to eat something with me at the coffee shop down the street?" In seeing the smile that so strongly resembled Shouto's on his sister's face, Momo was once again reminded of her favorite Todoroki. "Only if you're free, though. I can't forget how selfish my brother can be with his Momo-chan time,'' she teased.
"It's alright. He's patrolling right now with Hawks,'' Momo assured. At Fuyumi's confused expression, she clarified, "they... got caught up in something, and Hawks needed his help.''
Fuyumi's usually serene expression changed to a deep frown. "But I was just with Hawks. I left him because he had pape—paperwork to do..." she said as a blush covered her cheeks, "But I can assure you that he wasn't with Shouto, much less at a patrol gone wrong.''
The awful feeling from last night came back and hit Momo with full force.
Forcing the negative thoughts away, Momo smiled and suggested helplessly, "Maybe he's with Izuku-kun and Tenya-kun. Sometimes they find each other and get carried away.'' After saying that, a sudden thought came to her mind, "Though, he was with them yesterday until very late at night…''
Her thoughts were interrupted by Fuyumi-san's confused voice, "Momo-chan, Iida-kun and Midoriya-kun were at my house yesterday for tea with Natsuo.'' She immediately looked at Momo and upon seeing her concerned demeanor, calmed her expression. "But he must've seen them afterward. They left my house earlier than usual,'' she added, giving Momo a reassuring smile.
Despite Fuyumi's assurances, disappointment filled her. So, it was true, then, everything she had been thinking and trying naively to deny. When he said 'he was going out with the guys', he had been lying.
Momo stood unmoving and felt incredibly numb for a moment. Unbidden tears started streaming down her face, and Momo, without a word, ran from Fuyumi straight towards the door. Hastily grabbing her coat from the rack, she left the agency.
"Momo-chan, wait!'' Fuyumi called after her, but she was already gone.
Back in his office, Hawks looked up from the paperwork as his phone pinged.
(19:55) Fuyumi3: Are you with Shou? He told Momo-chan he was with you on patrol. I may have told her you weren't with him :o. He also told her he was with Midoriya-kun and Iida-kun yesterday...
Hawks rubbed his chin thoughtfully, contemplating the strangeness of Fuyumi's text. Even though he was sure he'd scheduled someone else for patrol duty that day, he double-checked for the youngest Todoroki's name.
He hadn't assigned Shouto to patrol that evening.
(19:56) Hawks: Shouto's patrol ended at 19:00. And I'm pretty sure Midoriya and Iida were having tea with your other brother at our home yesterday.
(19:57) Fuyumi3: Why would he lie? He's such a very bad liar. And he MUST know that. Every Todoroki is, even Father.
(19:57) Hawks: I don't honestly know what's on his mind. But why would he lie to Yaoyorozu-san?
Kyouka Jirou had been writing a new song she had stuck in her head for quite some time when there was a frantic knocking on the door. She got up and opened it immediately.
Opening the door, she rolled her eyes at the impatience. "Hey, I'm opening. Jesus Christ, sto—,'' she interrupted herself upon looking up and seeing Momo's tear-stained face, ''What's wrong, Momo?''
Yaoyorozu sobbed. "Do you thi—'' she cleared her throat lightly, fighting through her tears, "—think Shouto would be seeing another person, Kyouka-chan? Am I too boring? Am I not enough?''
Kyouka's lips pursed, and she ushered her friend into her house. It was disheartening to see her friend looking so lost. Kyouka guided her to the couch, where Momo immediately sat down and hugged the Hearing Hero for comfort.
With her friend settled, Kyouka Jirou finally processed Momo's question. At first, the idea seemed preposterous. She took pride in her perspicacity. She'd always been very keen on matters of the heart, and she'd noticed the undeniable attraction between Shouto and Momo since their UA years. As Momo's best friend, Kyouka had seen their relationship progress from awkward mutual pining to even more awkward flirting in the workplace to disgustingly cute dating, until they'd finally reached a relationship so domestic that they were practically a married couple in all but name.
Ashido Mina, their mutual friend from UA, had been an avid enthusiast of Momo and Shouto's relationship, even daring to call them actual soulmates. Despite her usual skepticism, Kyouka couldn't say she disagreed with the sentiment. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that Shouto and Momo were made for each other.
Even though Todoroki Shouto had never been very social, Kyouka developed a soft spot for him after seeing just how much he loved her friend. And she couldn't possibly imagine him cheating on his precious Momo.
Kyouka cleared her throat. "I don't think Todoroki-kun would cheat, Mo. What made you believe he would?''
Momo relayed everything that had happened in the past two days: his awfully skittish behavior, late-night excursions, and blatant lies.
Kyouka's expression turned sour after hearing all that the tear-stained Momo told her about the Half and Half Hero's strange behavior. They hugged each other until Kyouka pulled back and cleared her throat.
"I don't know what possessed Shouto-kun to lie like this, Mo. But I can't deny it's obvious that he loves you a lot. It's ridiculously plain to see, even though he's not exactly the most expressive person,'' Kyouka said truthfully.
Momo just sobbed at her friend's word. She had been very sure of that too until two days ago. And she couldn't deny that she'd always been plagued by insecurity.
That night, she slept over at Kyouka's house.
In the morning, she created an extra set of clothes for work with her quirk. Before leaving Kyouka's house, she told Ochako and Mina over the group chat about her suspicions. They had echoed what Kyouka had initially told her, and Momo wished, more than anything, that her friends were correct.
When she arrived at the Agency for her evening patrol, Shouto was already there. He saw her enter her office and went over to her immediately to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, Mo,'' he said softly, a slight smile on his face, "sorry for not greeting you before... I didn't want to wake you. You seemed so peaceful.''
Tears threatened to spill past the dam she'd locked her worries behind. She hadn't slept at their house. Why was he lying this way?
She forced a smile onto her face. "It's fine, Shou.''
At that moment, Hawks walked past her office, and Shouto briefly kissed her cheek once more before catching up to the Wing Hero to talk to him.
Momo, still at her desk, watched the two of them walk off. So Shouto hadn't come home last night, and he had lied about it. Was he truly cheating on her? She had always prided herself on her intellect and deductive skills, but for once, she wished she'd been wrong.
Suddenly feeling utterly alone, she turned to her friends for comfort.
(14:00) Momo: He's cheating. He just lied straight to my face. He said he didn't wake me up because I looked peaceful. And I didn't sleep at our place, I slept at Kyouka's.
A response came immediately.
(14:00) Kyouka: I can't believe this! Momo, you deserve better than some lying little... mess.
(14:01) Mina: Why would he do that? Todomomo is… I can't even say it. I don't believe in love anymore! :'(
(!4:03) Kyouka: Mina, be serious. He's a lying mess.
(14:03) Mina: I'm very serious, Kyouka-chan. I'm the Queen of Seriousness right now. I can't believe in love anymore after this...
(14:04) Ochako: i never thought shou-kun would do something like dis :(.
(14:06) Momo: It's... I will give him an out. He doesn't have to be with someone he doesn't love anymore.
Momo dreaded the inevitable. After a week, Shouto still acted as if everything were normal, but he still came home late, acted very suspiciously, and was very obviously lying all the time.
On Sunday, it all reached its breaking point when Momo came home late to find their home empty. The dam holding back her tears broke. All the hope she had been carrying for salvaging their relationship came crashing down all of a sudden and thus she prepared to confront him about his lies.
Shouto Todoroki had always been the most capable student in class. Not only was he an excellent person, with an extremely powerful quirk, he was also very popular amongst people—even crowned the Hottest Male Hero Of The Year two years in a row, much to Bakugou-kun's utter outrage—and one of the most beloved heroes despite his aloof personality. Meanwhile, Momo Yaoyorozu had always just been… Momo Yaoyorozu, weak and easily beaten. She had only her academics and nothing else; even that wasn't enough, seeing how quickly she lost in the UA Festival.
Social media only served to heighten her insecurities. They echoed her sentiments: Why would the number 5 hero even think of being with Creati when he could have anyone in the world?
So when the door opened at almost 01:00 AM, and he came into their home, Momo approached him before he could say anything.
She cleared her throat to get his full attention. "I love you, Shouto, I truly love you very much." Shouto opened his mouth to talk but she continued, "Just… let me finish, please.''
He frowned but agreed all the same, gesturing for her to continue.
"I've loved you since we were 17. I love you too much to continue tainting the memory of our love like this.'' A sob escaped her as she, for the first time since this debacle started, cried in front of Shouto. His expression was now full of worry once he registered Momo's words. He reached his hand to touch her shoulder, only for her to pull away from him. "If someone else makes you happier, you should be with them. My heart really can't take all these lies anymore."
Shouto blinked. Shock hit him at that moment. Momo thought he was lying... because he was... cheating on her? Fuyumi's advice suddenly resurfaced in his mind: Little brother, lies, and deceit do more harm than good. And us, Todorokis, are very bad at hiding the truth. So it's better if you avoid lying as much as you possibly can. It's not good for you, nor the people around you. Keep that in mind, please.
"What? He blinked, perplexed. "How could you think there would be someone else, Momo?'' Shouto asked, confusion noticeable in his tone, "I'm just… I was just…'' He passed his hand over his face, conflicted about what to tell her exactly. He had been lying, yes, but the reason behind it was not what she assumed. Upon noticing her defeated expression at his prolonged silence, he decided to just forget about hiding the truth. "Fuck, I was…'' he hesitated again, thinking about all his nights with Izuku and Tenya rehearsing what to tell her when the moment came. But looking at her now, the dread so present on her usually calm and happy face, he decided that forgoing all his carefully thought-out plans was a small price to pay to relieve her doubts. "You know what? It doesn't matter how it happens,'' he stated, resolution clear on his face.
He got down on one knee, brought out a little box from his pocket, and opened it to her.
She gasped. Set within the small velvet box was a diamond ring. It finally sunk in: he had been planning a proposal and choosing an engagement ring.
Shock gave way to relief, and she laughed at the absurdity of it all. Soon, her giggle evolved into a full laugh. He was just ring-shopping. He didn't want to leave her. He wasn't cheating. He just wanted to marry her. Shouto wanted to marry her. Her.
Taking her laughter as a good sign, Shouto smiled.
Clearing his throat, he stated, plainly and simply, "I want to marry you, Momo.'' Shouto sighed and continued, "I… want everything with you. I'm sorry for everything I've done that caused you to doubt my love. It's all my fault. I must have neglected you because I didn't know how to do this properly. I've never been very good at talking. I asked Izuku and Tenya to help me prepare a proposal, pick out a ring, and look for a cat, which I've known you've wanted for a long time. I'm truly sorry for the harm I've caused you,'' he apologized and she nodded, "But the point is… I truly want everything with you. I want to have a family together. I want to have children and—I know I didn't have a good example of what a father should do, but I truly want to do good by you and by our children, should you want any. I promise to try my best and make sure you never have to doubt how much I love you. Because I truly do, Mo. I love you so much.''
Shouto stopped talking when he heard a soft laugh coming from Momo. Looking at her, he noticed an unbelievably happy expression on her face—so different from her previously sorrowful appearance—which gave him immediate relief.
Shouto cleared his throat and continued, "I, too, have loved you since we were 17, and I will keep loving you for the rest of my life if you'll allow me. Momo Yaoyorozu, would you do me the honor of becoming my beloved wife?''
Momo nodded, too overwhelmed by happiness to speak. With a smile on his face, he rose from the ground and carefully slipped the ring onto her finger.
At the sight of her smile, he felt an irresistible urge to kiss her. His lips descended on hers and Momo sighed, parting her lips and allowing his tongue to delve into her mouth as he deepened the kiss.
His right hand entangled in her hair while hers slid to his neck as they pulled each other closer. Shouto could still taste the now-dried tears on Momo's face. His left hand cradled her face softly as he kissed away her tears. When she smiled, he reclaimed her lips, their tongues tangling for a moment as they languidly explored each others' mouth until Momo pulled back slowly.
Her lips curved into a playful smile. "I accept becoming your wife, Shou. Would you do me the honor of becoming my dear husband?'' She looked at him in the eyes.
Shouto nodded, kissing her once more on the cheek. "Of course I accept." He smiled softly at her, then groaned."Izuku and Tenya will be so disappointed in me that I managed to mess this up. Not only was all our planning completely useless, I even made my fiancé believe I was cheating on her.''
Momo shook her head. "No, it was perfect, Shou. Because in the end, I'm marrying you, the love of my life,'' she said with a blush.
She kissed his cheek again and chuckled at the bliss written over his face. Taking him by the hand, she guided him into their bedroom as he turned the living room's light off behind her.
(03:00) Shouto: So...
(03:10) Tenya: Shouto-kun, it's 3 AM.
(03:08): Izuku: 'So' what? How did it go?
(03:10) Shouto: Remember what I mentioned about this plan being complicated because I'm a bad liar? Momo thought I was cheating on her all this time...
(03:11) Izuku: …
(03:11) Izuku: WHAT?
(03:12) Izuku: SHE THOUGHT WHA—WHAT? HOW BADLY DID YOU MESS THINGS UP, SHOUTO?
(03:13) Tenya: As one of your oldest friends, I must say I had faith for a minute in our plan, and I shouldn't have. I didn't think it would go this badly.
(03:14) Shouto: I told you I had trouble hiding my plan to her. She knows me too well.
(03:14) Izuku: WOW, I suddenly can't believe Momo Todoroki will be the only Todoroki we respect in this household (I mean, hopefully… Did she say YES though?)
(03:16) Shouto: Bold of you to assume she will be Momo Todoroki when I'm planning to be Shouto Yaoyorozu instead. Indeed, she said yes.
(03:17) Tenya: Then it wasn't such a bad plan indeed. Nevertheless, I will make sure to apologize to Yaoyorozu-chan for encouraging the lies in the proposal, we should've been better. Congratulations Shouto-kun!