Sooo through some back-editing I did and noticing a major error that left one really short chapter and one decent sized chapter, I ended up having to combine the two and... good news for you! You get a really long chapter out of it!Actually this is the best chapter to get a long chapter out of because well... you'll seeeeeeeeeee ;)
"... the sun slowly sunk below the horizon in the distance. With our adventurers fast asleep, the fire snuffed itself out, smoldering. And here ends an eventful day for our adventurers until they next awake and continue their journey." Iida closed out their session with a dramatic tone to his narration. Among the mess of dive, figurines, and papers also lay half empty bags of food and empty cans of soft drinks. A moment of heavy quiet fell on the table as they took in his last words. Then began the hubbub of enthusiastic players.
"Oh my goodness that was amazing!" Uraraka jumped up from her seat. "I can't believe I've never played that before!"
"You're a really good storyteller Iida!" Yuga praised vibrantly. "I was really hanging onto the edge of my seat!"
"It was really a lot of fun!" said Tsu.
"We should have another session really soon!" Izuku said, and everyone quickly agreed. Kairi leaned back against her seat, heart full and momentarily forgetting about the current stress that lay on her. She rolled her head to the side, dazzled by Shoto's appearance beside her.
"I know this was you," she said. He smiled, slightly shaking his head.
"I expressed worry to Tsu and Momo that you were taking on too much and needed a break. Iida overheard and was the one who suggested a night of D and D. He remembered you owned many of the items and also, I think he was looking for an excuse to play." She laughed to herself, marvelling again at the expanse before them.
"These are my items aren't they?"
"Most of them. Many others bought their own dice and helped organize their own characters."
"And when did you get this out of my room without me noticing?" Shoto threw up his arms. Innocence filled his face, as much as he could muster.
"I might have had stuck something to keep the lock from catching last week. Momo went in and took everything." Her spirit filled with shock, one that was endeared to his actions even if they were uncharacteristic.
"Shoto! That's almost evil!"
"No..." he held up his character sheet. "Chaotic good."
"Oh hardy har," she teased, but still managed a real chuckle. As the others around them cleaned up, she reached under the table. Gentle fingers took a hold of his and beheld the colors in his eyes. "Thank you, I... I did need this."
"I was hoping it would help."
"I... am taking on a lot, aren't you?"
"You don't need to become the best all at once. And even trying to is going to burn you out and you won't become the best anyway. You have time, Kairi. Just because there's so much pressure from the rest of the world and all eyes are on UA, especially this class, doesn't mean you need to buy into what they're saying. You can go and your own pace and people will still respect you. Like that girl today." As the others worked to collapse the table, Kairi quickly withdrew her hand from Shoto, blushing. She wove her hands together. seeking her response.
"I guess.. I mean... it's... you're right. I just feel like I have all this pressure and... I think I need to take it all on or I will never get there."
"You will. I have watched you excel and gain some control of your quirk when you never thought you will. You just need to pace yourself and remember we are all here to support you." Kairi looked back at her friends; Yuga and Izuku pushing the legs into the folding table. Iida carefully filling a box with the dice and characters. The others discussed the parts of the adventure they enjoyed as they all worked to clean up the remainders of food. It was hard not to look across at her friends, proud and humbled by the efforts they had gone to for her. Her spirit billowed with the sense of swimming pride, happy to be in their presence. They were truly some of the greatest people. Not just heroes, not just skilled in their quirks. But people. Their encouragement and support for each other not just as comrades but as friends was no doubt the thing that made their class great.
"I know..." her voice caught on a ledge in her throat. Emotion shorted her words as her love and devotion to her friends began to spill over. "I really have th... I have the greatest group... of people around me. I need to learn to trust and... Well, ev... everything will be okay because I have you all t-to rely on." Quickly, she reached to squeeze his hand. "Especially you."
His chest clenched at the feel of his warm eyes on him again. Shoto clenched his fists and shot up from his seat, wandering around to help gather more materials.
They cleaned up quickly. Iida, Yuga, and Tsu offered to help take care of the furniture while Uraraka and Izuku carried out the trash. Shoto and Kairi carried her Dungeons and Dragons materials back up to her room, saying their goodbyes to everyone for the night. They had played late into the night and while it was Saturday night, they were all plenty fatigued.
"I hope we're able to do that again soon," Shoto said, pushing the materials into a storage cube in Kairi's cupboard. "I enjoyed that, quite a bit more than I thought I did."
"Yeah, it was really nice to have a large group of close friends to enjoy it with." Kairi flopped onto her bed, spreading out her arms as she stared at her ceiling and thought over the rompous adventurous she just shared. "That was really amazing."
"Maybe you should check your phone now?" he suggested. Shoto took a spot in her chair at the desk. "And do... something about your mother, whatever that is."
"Ugghh..." Dread weighed her down as she turned her head to her phone. Three voicemails, waiting for her. "I suppose I should at least see what she wants and then I can figure it out from there."
"Do you want me to go?" he offered, rising from the chair.
"No!" The response left her quicker than she anticipated, and Kairi jumped from the bed to hold out a hand to stop him. "No... please I... I kinda want you here."
"Then I'll stay," he agreed quickly and dropped back into the seat. He gave her a pleased smirk. She turned away as soon as the blush rose again and used the voicemails to distract her. The first one was just a humble request to call her back. The second sounded enthusiastic, yet slightly desperate with the promise of good news. The third, however, was the voicemail that caused Kairi to grow rigid. Her stomach dropped and she pressed the button to replayed the message. She hadn't imagined it. Those were really her words.
I know you've been really stressed lately and you're hard at work being a great hero! So I just tell you over voicemail and you can reply to me when you have the time! Why not celebrate you turning sixteen and rapidly becoming a great hero all at once! I'm coming to Japan in March! I'm so excited to see you! Love you, call me when you can!
"Kairi? What is it?" came Shoto's question as Kairi pulled the phone from her face. Everything pushed against her sides, drawing in all her tension. She swallowed, hoping that uncomfortable lump would disappear. It didn't, and she could only slowly turn to her... friend, if that was the appropriate word, her eyes large with sudden shock. Seeing her face so stricken, he bolted up from her bed and took her hand. "Kairi?"
"She's... she's coming... to... My mother has decided to... come to J-japan! For my birthday!" But her shouts were not enthusiastic. Feeling her horror, Shoto placed a hand to her back and guided her to her bed. Pressure began to grow in her, dread its fertilizer.
"Why would she do such a thing?" he asked, surprisingly calm. "She was so eager to get away from you."
"It's obvious, isn't it?" Kairi scoffed through the heavy breaths. "My name's been in the news several times this year, and this time it's a much more positive story. I'm becoming a shining hero, becoming known even beyond Japan. She wants to bask in the glory of having a superhero for a daughter, but she's masking it as if it's a loving thing she's doing for me."
"Does your father know about this?" She stiffened again.
"Damn it, my father."
"What time is it in England now?"
"Almost 2 pm. I'm sure she's still at work."
"Do you want to see her?" The possibility flickered in her, both with a glimmer of elation and the bulk of disappointment. it had been years. She had been a young girl. She had gone half her life without seeing her mother in person. A part of her wanted it more than anything. That dream of hers could be real, and her spirit flew as she considered what it would be like to hold her mother again. Did she smell like she used to? Last time her head reached her waist, where would her head reach now? But those questions felt empty, as certain disappointment tangled with her. There was no way this wasn't a selfish endeavor of hers. She was going to use it as a way to get her name out there, about what a marvelous daughter in her. Every fantasized hope in her wanted that connection, to spend time with her. But previous history reminded her of the sharp pain that would gather when it was revealed what she was really there for, and how awful it would feel when she realized there was nothing in her mother that actually wanted anything to do with her.
"Of course I do... but I don't think I should..." Kairi moaned, kicking against the leg of her bed.
"Maybe it's something she's simply saying. Perhaps she hasn't purchased the tickets yet."
"You think?" A gentleness fluttered in Kairi as she looked at her phone. "I could ask... I could just text her." Her fingers were already flying against the phone. Shoto glanced at his own phone, watching the time with concern. "You should probably head back to your dorm."
"I still have a little bit of time."
Soo, Mom, sorry! I've been out with my friends all day - a break from the rigorous studying. You're coming to Japan? You haven't purchased the tickets yet, have you? - Kairi
There was a response within minutes, almost as if Tabitha had been waiting beside her phone for some sort of response.
Kairi! Thank God, I was beginning to think you had fallen off the face of the Earth! You're a busy girl! Yes, I have! I purchased the tickets for all of us this morning! - Mom
Something in her flipped. Kairi held out her phone for Shoto to see, who furrowed his brow.
All of you? Who else is coming? - Kairi
Oscar and Vivien of course! I decided against Maxwell coming with. Thought that may be a bit too much for you. - Mom
Kairi made a face, glaring at her phone. She gave Shoto a look, as if he would have some sort of answer for her.
I have no idea who those people are, mom. - Kairi
I apologize I've never shown them to you on camera, I just wasn't sure if you were ready for that shock. But I know I have talked about your siblings and stepfather before.
"What?!" Kairi shrieked, the phone launching from her hand before it clattered against the ground. Her body exploded, a geyser of emotion launching from her form and evening causing Shoto to jump at the intensity of her feelings. "No, there is no fucking way she's ever mentioned anything of another family to me!"
You have never mentioned them. Once. Ever. I have siblings?! What? You never even told me you got married?! I would have remembered them! - Kairi.
I must have. Why would I have forgotten? - Mom.
Maybe because you don't want to me to be aware of any part of the family because you think I'm a disappointment?! - Kairi.
Surely your father has found someone else and you never said anything, how is this any different?
No! He hasn't! I figured you probably had been seeing someone or at least had some sort of romantic life but to have a whole family?!
Kairi hugged herself, staring at the three blinking dots on her phone while she waited for some sort of reply. The weight of the issue was incoming, holding her still as its force threatened her. Thinking of who they could be, the people they were, what the other side of her family was expanded its heft and tousled her aside. Shoto slipped from the bed and slipped his hands around her from the back. The warmth of his embraced eased some of the tension away, but the stress was still paramount.
You can't just expect me to go on! Maybe I never mentioned it, and I'm sorry for that, but considering how messy things were when I came home, how can you blame me for that? Reestablishing a relationship with you was difficult enough, to then have to tell you I have a husband and kids was a feat I was working up to! I thought this would be a great opportunity to finally have you meet!
Of course, her response was offering to comfort to Kairi. The room warped around her, swaying with disorientation. Shoto's reminders to breath warbled. Her body displaced itself, as if she was watching herself cower from just behind her body. She could see herself shake. Her emotions pulsed before collapsing against her sternum. Her throat grew warm with the threat of sickness. Her phone lay abandoned, though the messages continued to come in. The muscles around her jaw and face relaxed at the release of tears. Streams of sorrow filled her face. A tidal wave of betrayal slapped against rage, meeting in the cyclone of anxiety. Shoto retrieved a blanket and her elephant, laying them beside her on the floor.
Knowing what she was feeling at that moment caused his own concoction of emotions, ones he knew where his own and not an echo of hers. Worry's frantic courses shook his limbs and heart. Tender fingers brushed away the strands of hair that had fallen in her face. A special kind of fire, usually only reserved for his fury towards his father, ran through his blood. To set this kind of stress on Kairi, knowing what news like this could do to her... For her mother to treat her the way she had been... it was nearly unforgivable. His clenched his fist, trying to force his rage away to a mere biting shadow. That wouldn't help her now, but it was impossible to not feel given what he was witnessing at the moment.
She had gone so long without any sort of attack, so seeing her have one now shattered him quicker than a hammer to glass. It hurt himself, watching the way she gulped in air. He talked with her, guiding her through a mantra to helped sooth her. His hand moved in circles over her back, his voice soft as he reminded her where she was and that he wasn't going to abandon her... And that's what would happen, he decided with an enlightening spark. Not for that moment, not for the rest of the night. It was past eleven on a Saturday - a time when they were all expected to be in their dorms for the night (whether they slept that night or not). While friends slept in their friends dorms many times over the weekend, it had been made clear several times - for Mineta's sake - that boys and girls were not to be the other gender's wing past lights out. At this time, Shoto had already broken it - so what would be the harm if he just stayed there for the night?
"Kairi... I am going to be right back," he promised.
"It's past curfew... you need to be back in your dorm."
"I will not leave you alone when you need someone right now. Tsu and Momo has both taken turns in spending the night with you when you were stressed and couldn't be alone. It's my turn now."
"But they were... allowed. You... can't be in here."
"It's not as if there's any patrol to check to make sure we're still in our rooms and besides..." he reached for her hand. Mismatched eyes beheld her ambers. "A hero doesn't leave their partner in times of distress. Should I somehow get found out, then I will explain the reasoning why. It was a medical necessity. A friend was in need. I am not worried about it."
"Shoto..." Her heart was sinking with guilt, but starting to float with the strange excitement of him spending the night in her room. The whole night.
"Kairi, the only thing that's going to keep me from spending the night here is you. If you don't want me here, I won't. You are the only person that can keep me from being here." Kairi remained silent, afraid to speak. Her body clenched at the idea of him breaking the rules, but relief poured in knowing she wouldn't have to suffer the night alone. Her insides spun warmly, with a hint of shyness thinking further on the subject. Shoto... spending the night in her dorm. It felt so... intimate.
Shoto colored a similar shade to pink that he saw Kairi giving off. Now doubt she was also thinking about how they were becoming closer as... not exactly friends but... something special. He breathed deeply, forcing away those pesky teenage thoughts. There would be nothing like that, he firmly scolded himself. He wasn't after that. He wanted to make sure she felt safe and could sleep decently, and that was all. He could get Tsu or Momo... but a small part of him would worry and be disappointed. His own selfish pride drew away at the suggestions, and for once, he wanted to let that part of him win.
"I'll be right back. I promise, Riri. I'm going to run to my dorm and then quietly be back here. I won't leave you be like this." Kairi pulled herself into a sitting position, wiping at her reddened eyes. She sniffled.
"Be back soon," she rasped. The door slowly shut behind him. Kairi swallowed, and then looked around.
A whole new worry manifested in her, and the jolt it forced her to hop to her feet. She ran to her bathroom and swiftly ran a brush through her hair before beginning her nighttime routine; she washed her face quickly and used moisturizer. Brushing her teeth, she hurried through her clothes and tossed aside several sets of pajamas - they either showed more skin than she was comfortable with Shoto seeing or were too drab. It was about five pajamas in she finally found a girly t-shirt and pants set she could handle. Then she had to find a sports bra she would be fine sleeping in. Often, Kairi went braless at night. However, that was most certainly not happening tonight. That was crossing the line of comfort for her in this stage and she was already wild with embarrassed anticipation. It was not that big of a deal by any means but it felt so deep for them to be sleeping in the same room. Her siblings, as weird as that sounded, were on her mind still. But her mind was continuing to spin as she focused on the current issue - Shoto was going to spend the night in her room. She had just finished when she flew to the door, taking hold of it before Shoto could knock against it and rouse suspicion.
It wasn't clear when the heat began to engulf his face, but it had been formed the entire ascent to Kairi's room. Everything in him had this weird jubilee as it set in that he was spending the night in Kairi's room. It was so personal and felt like whatever was going on with them had taken a huge step. He felt smaller, smaller than Kairi in that moment as he stepped inside. Sheepish was a weird feeling for him and yet, here it was. May he graze and bleat with the rest of the sheep in the field, so deep was his sheepishness.
"Err, we could probably clear this spot over here..." he stammered, pointing to the large floor space by her desk. "I can sleep there."
"You weren't planning on sleeping in the bed with me?" The bold question flew from Kairi's mouth before she could consider the way it sounded. A hand clasped against her mouth and she turned away. Shoto's eyes popped as the red in his cheeks expanded to his ears.
"Oh, I assumed that you wanted..."
"I mean if that's what you would prefer..!"
"I don't want to do anything to make you uncomfortable..."
"I mean of course it's silly of me to assume..."
"I guess it does make sense since your bed is big enough for two..."
"What a scandalous thing for me to...!" When their overlapping comments of shock finished and the fluttering spirals in them settled down, the two awkward teenagers beheld each other's gaze. A conversation flew between the deepness with which they held each other, full of asking and assurances. Kairi was the first to give in and finally suss out the awkwardness that hung heavy above their heads.
"It's up to you of course. I don't want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable in anyway. If I'm overstepping lines please tell me, but Shoto... I would feel terrible if you didn't share the bed with me. You're already going out of your way to make sure I'm okay throughout the night. The least I could do is share my bed, when there's room," she said to him, her voice soft and meek while she wrung her fingers together.
"If you're okay with that," he answered slowly, still feeling the heat on his face. "I'm the same in not wanting you to be uncomfortable, especially if this is too fast for you. But I also know that, especially with me, having close contact seems to also help you when you're anxious." She nodded. He raised his hands. "I promise that all we will be doing is sleeping and... maybe somecuddlingifyou'reokaywithit..." The last part of his sentence was so soft and run together, Kairi took a moment to decipher his words. The blushing just wouldn't stop between them, but her face did fill with an elated smile. He returned the smile and took her in his arms, running both his hands across her back . She inhaled his scent, his earthy smell warming and calming her heart.
"Yes, I'm fine with that," Kairi said. "I promise I also have... no intention of doing anything like... that. It's not really on my mind and I... it feels too early even if... never mind." The awkward anxiety wouldn't stop so she buried her nose, focusing on his smell again.
Shoto turned down the bed and the two of them fell in together. Kairi reached for the light and settled against him, laying her head on his chest, covered by a simple black t-shirt. She picked up her phone again, finally daring to look at the unread messages from her mother. It was apologies for not telling her sooner, and details about when they would be coming. Right before her birthday, of course. That was almost six weeks at this point. Then, she scrolled further, finding a recent family photo. There was a man with greying strawberry blonde hair beside her. Standing beside them was a young toddler girl with exaggerated light brown curls and in her mother's lap was a smiling baby, with a tuft of red hair.
"I have siblings. Really young siblings..." Kairi said once more. The impact was only just hitting, pain dragging down her shock. "Vivien... and Oscar." She looked through the description just below the picture. "Vivien is four and Oscar will be two later this year." Fingers lightly touched the family photo, right across her siblings face. "I have no desire to meet my mother, or her husband. But I have to meet my siblings, right?"
"Is that what you want?" The light raise and fall with the thrum of his heart played out a lullaby for her, soothing that stress that tried to well.
"If they exist I want to see them. Maybe this guy isn't bad, maybe he's a better parent... hell, depending on their quirks, Mom might be a decent mother. Even if they aren't, I mean... kids aren't always like their parents. And even if they are that's hardly their fault, right? They need to be taught differently." The throb in her was growing stronger, a desire to know who these kids were. Looking at their pictures, she could see a likeness in their faces to her. Without knowing a single thing about them, she felt pulled by their images. A need to be in their lives blossomed instantly. Kairi shook her head and returned her phone to the end table. Shoto pressed a light kiss to her forehead, pulling her into his chest.
"If that is what you want, you have my full my support. Know that I am always here should you need it." Her spirit sang at his words and touch. Her skin danced at the feel of her body pressed against his, her blanket swathed around them. To think, they were going to be like this the whole night. Strange how strong anxiety could rest with such glee.
"I know. I know I can rely on you for anything..." She watched her hand rest against his chest. She twitched, her mind spinning against. Kairi chewed on her lip. "Shoto... what do you see me as?"
"An incredibly strong and compassionate girl?"
"No. I mean thank you but obviously we're more than friends considering..."
"What do you want me to see you as?" She blinked. "I said from the beginning, I wanted to go the pace you went. You were in control. Clearly I like you quite a bit but I want to make sure you're... okay with whatever happens... next...?" He turned his eyes, showing an insistance to understand what she was getting at. Kairi's core buzzed with another wild cocktail of emotions, unsure if this was the right moment to bring it up.
"I think I still don't want it getting beyond our friends so I don't want to be too affectionate in public, considering the media but..." Her throat halted the words. Moisture escaped her speech. Kairi breathed in again, smacking her lips together. The tracing Shoto currently did with his thumb on her arm was incredibly distracting and making her feel slightly dizzy.
"Kairi, we don't have to be anything..."
"We're sharing a bed, Shoto..." she chuckled. "You've... had my back since day one and respected me every step of the way. You have been so patient with me and have only focused on my wants and wishes, sometimes frustratingly so... I have no desire to seek anyone else out in any romantic capacity and I guess, if you're okay with it. I would like to be official? You know... dating?"
His chest billowed with a victorious pride, one that he had to tame for fear of releasing his excitement at once. He willed himself to look cool, appearing to think it over, though his answer had already been there.
"So, you're talking us be an official item?" he remarked slowly. She nodded, hopefully.
"Yes, I'm ask... asking you to b-be my... boyfriend?" The word swam around their heads, releasing an invisible cannon of jubilant confetti. A sly grin found his face. Shoto pressed a thankful kiss to her lips.
"I was ready to be a long time ago," he answered. "Okay. We'll tell friends only... and your dad?"
"Yes, my dad's okay to know."
"Let's... wait on mine," he chuckled. Holding his new girlfriend tight to his chest, Kairi's worries mellowed and they slowly slipped into sleep.
As always thanks for all the wonderful beautiful comments I have been getting on this, you're all so nice! Reviews are always appreciated but definitely not required I'm just glad you're enjoying this story! Much love!
