Chapter 15: "Freedom"

"Todoroki, lunch time is almost over. Class is about to start."

Shouto opened his eyes and his vision steadied on the person who woke him up from his nap. She was leaning forward to look at him: Her smile was sweet, her onyx eyes were sparkling, her jet-black hair fashioned into a ponytail.

Yaoyorozu moved back and took a good look at him, "Sometimes I wonder how you're able to keep up those grades of yours."

Shouto sat up and rubbed an eye sleepily, "Have I slept that long?"

It might have been the lesson that made him sleepy or maybe it was the grueling training he did yesterday – either way, Todoroki couldn't keep himself awake during lunch. Thankfully, responsible Yaoyorozu was there. Any other classmate could've woken him up, but YaoMomo didn't hesitate to offer her help when she could. That was just who she was and he appreciated her as much as everyone else did.

"Then again, Todoroki, I can never doubt you - you are a brilliant one," she lightly patted him on the back then went back to her duties. He watched her walk to the door and had only realized he was staring when she turned her head to look at him. She explained, "I'm going to get the girls. Try not to fall asleep while I'm away okay?"

His classmates eagerly waited until she left, staring between her and the half-awake Todoroki. They were quick to zip beside him when she was out of sight.

Denki had a cheeky grin on his face as he nudged him, "So, Todoroki, when are you gonna ask her out?"

"Out to where?" Shouto yawned, unable to read the room.

Kirishima pulled up a chair and joined in on the conversation, "He means: asking YaoMomo to be your girlfriend."

"Girlfriend? She is my girlfriend," he was perplexed by the question. She should've been everyone's girlfriend. Yaoyorozu was quite friendly and popular after all. Perhaps, it was that word that boggled him.

Girlfriend. He might have heard that term in class or from his sister before, but the meaning of the word didn't stick to him nor did it bring him any interest to learn the true definition. However, it was strange to see his sister, Fuyumi, mouth agape, after telling her that Momo was indeed his 'girlfriend.' Once more, the boys had the same expression his sister did, taken aback by his response.

Todoroki continued speaking to enlighten his classmates, "Don't you all have girlfriends? I have many: Uraraka, Jirou, Hagakure-"

Their expressions soon receded upon realizing his misunderstanding of the term. Sero waved his hand to dismiss the previous questions, "Let's try this again. You ever think of YaoMomo of …more than just a friend?"

"I don't understand," Todoroki was genuinely confused. Sure, he might have spoken to her more than the others, but YaoMomo had always been a friend.

The boys sighed hopelessly. It was Mineta who felt responsible to educate this boy. He sat arrogantly with his legs crossed and leaned back in his chair, "You ever wonder what a couple does in the bedroom, Todoroki?"

The classmates in the room flinched at his question. Thankfully, Sero taped him up before he could continue. Shouto tilted his head naively, attempting to figure out why everyone was riled up.

"Please don't mind him, Todoroki," Midoriya blushed whilst rubbing the back of his neck.

"Perhaps you can explain it to me, Midoroya," Todoroki was curious, "What is the role of a girlfriend?"

"I guess…someone who is always by your side when you need them."

"Don't friends do that?"

"No, well, a girlfriend supports you through your life - It's more than that though – I think?"

Bakugou grunted, annoyed with what he was hearing, "It's a fucking waste of time – that's what it is!"

"So you don't think a girlfriend is worthwhile, Bakugou?" Shouto listened eagerly to what he had to say.

"Psh, fuck no," he growled, "I'm going to be the greatest hero in the world! What makes you think I'll have time for romance and shit?"

"I see," Todoroki crossed his arms and rubbed his chin as he soaked in the information, "So a girlfriend is a pre-spouse for romancing purposes."

"I guess you could put it that way. A spouse, a partner for life – having those in the future would be nice. But, you know, you can't always control who you have feelings for," Izuku explained.

"It's…inevitable?"

"I-uhh not exactly. Maybe I'm not the right person to be answering these questions."

Denki scoffed and peered his eyes at his green-haired friend, "Says the one who is the closest to getting a girlfriend."

"M-me? No!" Midoriya blushed and started babbling nonsense.

"Listen, Todoroki, getting a girlfriend isn't always easy for some of us. It's pretty lucky how you and YaoMomo are close – kinda seem perfect for each other actually," said Kirishima.

"Perfect for me?" he was racking his brain, "How do you know this?"

Kirishima was getting just as embarrassed as Midoriya with his blushing cheeks, "I don't know…you just know - You know? You ever get those…warm, tingly feelings when you're around her? Like…it makes your body feel all hot and stuff. You ever get that with YaoMomo?"

Todoroki thought about it. He felt nothing really – nothing that stood out of the ordinary. Was he supposed to?

There were times in his life that were different when he was around Yaoyorozu: why he heard small whispers to Yaoyorozu when the girls were with her, why his sister got excited when he brought her over to study, why adults ogled at them when they were together. He had wanted to pay no mind to these small actions, but it bothered him knowing that he couldn't see it as well as others could.

"I'm telling ya, YaoMomo, you gotta live a little! Awase has the sweets for you," Mina teased, walking in with the rest of the girls. She stared at Todoroki, then back to YaoMomo, "I say – if Awase snatches you now, it will be too late for those other boys!"

"Mina!" Ochako worriedly called out to her friend, looking between YaoMomo and Todoroki.

Yaoyorozu paid no mind to it and walked to her seat. All the while, Todoroki watched her with curious eyes: the grace in every step she took, the confidence in her posture. She was definitely different than other girls. But where was the warmness in his body, the tingles on his skin, or those other feelings? Why is he unable to see it when it is clear to everyone?

"To your seats everyone! Class is going to begin soon!" Iida demanded with his usual robotic motion.

Just as everyone else, she took her seat. She could feel his eyes on her, and her instinct was to smile at him. He smiled back. Redness colored her cheeks, surprised by his reaction, and she couldn't do anything else but look away with embarrassment. Todoroki continued watching.

He wanted to figure things out for himself.

Shouto listened to his friends and asked Momo to be his girlfriend on graduation day. By the look on her face, he could tell she was shocked. But YaoMomo nervously said 'yes' nonetheless. For the most part, he was content.

It was nice to be in her company and be rid of his loneliness. He didn't feel much of a difference at first – as if they were still friends.

It was until she held his hand on a chilly evening, that he felt the warmth through his glove, blood rushing to his cheeks. That night her smile seemed softer, her eyes twinkling like the stars in the pale sky. It was the first time he had felt this way, and he didn't need anyone to tell him to kiss her underneath the beautiful moonlight. He would never forget that day.

If not for his friends and family, he would've never gotten so far: he never would've considered asking out Momo, never would've been so successful in a relationship, never would've experienced the things Momo introduced to him.

Maybe being in a relationship was a necessary part of life after all. Maybe being a good husband, or even a father, was something he needed to accomplish. Maybe him and Momo were truly destined to be together like everyone said.

…he continued to listen.

Shouto Todoroki had remembered it all so clearly. He sighed and leaned against the bar. Even though this elegant party was for him and his future bride, it was all socially exhausting.

People loved talking to him, even though he was a man of few words Who could blame him? Handsomely in a dark blue suit with white embroidery on the collar. His hair was slicked back neatly compared to his usual, messy hairstyle. Even as a taken man, Shouto Todoroki turned heads.

He just wanted to get it all over with.

"H-here's your drink, sir," the bartender nervously brought him an Old Fashioned, an alcoholic beverage Momo introduced to him that made him look as classy as his fiancé.

"Thanks," he swirled the cocktail in its glass before taking a sip and placing the glass down. Alcohol wasn't usually his taste, but it made events more tolerable.

"D-Does it taste good?" the bartender asked sheepishly. Todoroki observed the bartender's behavior – one he was all too familiar with. The bartender could barely keep eye contact.

"Yes, thank you," he responded, "I am looking for my fiancé. Have you seen her?"

"Oh, s-someone said they saw Creati talking to Earphone Jack. She might have been-"

Creati. That was a name he had not heard in a while. He had always thought the name suited her.

"Tordoroki – sir? Ummm," the bartender tried to get his attention as he got lost in his mind.

"Ahh, yes thank you," he was quick search for Jirou, unbothered that the bartender was calling out to him about his forgotten drink.

Todoroki had been looking for Momo since this party began. The people he encountered asked where his bride was and he didn't have any answers. How strange. The questions made it seem as though him and Momo were supposed to be near each other for most of the night.

In the distance, he was able to catch the blonde hair with a streak of black beside the dark purple hair.

"Kaminari. Jirou, hello."

He saw her mood immediately change once he spoke. An anxious tingle flew up his back.

"Well, if it isn't the man of the hour!" Kaminari cheered, shaking Todoroki's hand.

"Good evening, Todoroki," Jirou said to him plainly. He took a moment to process the situation.

"Sorry for intruding," Todoroki was about to walk off in the opposite direction after seeing the look on Jirou's face.

Although she was his fiancé's best friend, even Todoroki could see that she wasn't excited for the wedding. He wasn't the best at reading people, but as soon as he was in her presence, he could tell - Kyouka Jirou did not want them to get married. Her thoughts about their relationship were somewhat fearful.

"Nonsense!" Denki stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder, "What can we help you with?"

Shouto tried his best to avoid eye contact with her as he asked, "I was wondering if either of you has seen Momo?"

"I saw her when I walked in, but haven't seen her since. What about you, Kyou?"

"She…" Jirou paused before she continued, "She was speaking to your sister when I saw her last. Maybe try the bar."

"I just came from there," Todoroki sighed.

Kaminari gestured a finger towards him, "You came from the bar without a drink in your hand? Can't have that. I'll grab you a cold one."

"I had a drink. I'm fine, thank you," Shouto turned him down, hoping Kaminari wouldn't leave him alone with Kyouka.

"I'll be back in a sec," he explained before turning to his girlfriend, "Want something to drink?"

"Wine would be nice."

"You got it," he stated, then walked off in the direction of the bar.

Now, Kyouka and Shouto were alone.

Silence usually made Shouto comfortable. However, the two of them standing together has made the silence awkward and unwelcoming. Todoroki thought small chatter would have been better than nothing.

"Are you enjoying the party?" he asked a common question – one he had asked several guests when there was nothing to talk about.

Jirou moved her head just enough to make him see the look in her eyes, obviously not amused by the question he had asked her. With a deep sigh, she turned back to the crowd and responded, "Yeah, I guess I am."

Todoroki believed it would be better if he just shrugged it off. He decided to ask another generic question, "And how are you feeling this evening?"

Jirou let out a groan as to express the pain she was in by being in this conversation.

"Have I upset you?" Shouto was confused by her dismay.

"If I have to be honest, you might be half the reason," she told him bluntly. It might've been unfair to be mad at Todoroki, especially since he knew nothing about his own relationship. Jirou didn't give a damn.

"I don't understand why you feel that way towards me."

"You don't? Really?"

Shouto could hear the sarcasm in her voice.

He was becoming frustrated, "Then enlighten me. I am trying my best to get along with my future wife's-"

She cocked her head towards the groom, which shut him up before he could finish his sentence. Kyouka told it to him straight, "I don't have to like you, Todoroki."

"But, why? What is it that you dislike about me?"

He should have known that Momo didn't want to marry him. He should've known that she didn't love him. Yet, he was still going through with this joke of a marriage.

Or was he, himself, not truly aware?

"Todoroki," she composed herself before speaking on, "Do you love her?"

"With all my heart," he said in an instant.

Jirou was a little annoyed that he answered without giving much though to it, "Does she even come to your mind, Todoroki?"

"Of course she does," he was perplexed by such a question.

"No, Todoroki," she shook her head, "Do you think about her? Even when you don't want to think about her - no matter how hard you try – do you think about her?"

In truth, he didn't know. To keep track of such a thing shouldn't be possible.

Or maybe he hadn't felt the need think about her. Todoroki and Yaoyorozu had been an independent couple. They would do the things they needed to do, see each other when they can, and go back to their business. They were simple. In his mind, that should have been enough. He was satisfied, failing to understand that a relationship isn't one-sided.

Come the second time around, he tried to be a better lover. He gave her more attention, showered her with gifts, spent more time with her – all the things he believed an ideal lover would do. All this work, and he still didn't understand why it was all necessary.

But, love just wasn't that simple.

She had a lightness in her voice as to let him down easy, "You should know Momo as well as I do."

Momo's kindness didn't go unnoticed. She was the type to put others' needs before her own – the same YaoMomo that he had met in high school. Did she agree to marry me because…

Shouto might have been romanticizing this all along. He didn't exactly have parents or relatives that modeled the complicated abstract of 'love and intimacy.' How is it still that he believed that him and Momo were in love?

Was everyone wrong about them?

He swallowed what he could after feeling a dryness in his throat. He didn't know what he should feel, but what he did know is that it all started to feel wrong.

"Who's ready for a round?" Kaminari shouted, shoving a beer to Shouto's chest and surprising both himself and Jirou.

"Ah, Kaminari, I really shouldn't-"

"Cheers to the future bride and groom! Here's to a wonderful and perfect marriage!" Denki raised his glass and the people around them followed suit. The last sentence was a screeching echo in Todoroki's ears.

His audience patiently watched and waited for him to make a move: Just as how people have watched him blindly ask Momo to commit her life to him for no sensible reason.

Shouto followed social protocol and took a swig. The people shook his shoulders and cheered around him for his marriage. All the while, Todoroki's hazy mind wondered if he made a mistake.

"Momo?"

It was as if he had said her name for the first time.

There was no way to comprehend the wave of emotions crashing over her body after hearing her name escape his lips. The instant she laid her eyes on him, time itself remained still. Her soul melted, her muscles softened, her once clouded mind was as clear as day.

"Katsuki?" Momo called back to him breathlessly. The marvel of the moon was nothing compared to the being that existed before her, entrapping her with his blazing red eyes.

Bakugou was just as captivated, realizing she was more beautiful than he had remembered. A second felt like forever in that moment – a moment they had wanted to live in as long as they had each other; the feelings that remained unspoken.

Why he was there, didn't matter. All Momo wanted was to be in his arms again. Her body had betrayed her mind as her feet brought her to him. She almost fell into his arms, if not for his hands that held her still in place. Momo looked at the arms that kep them apart, then to him.

"Momo, I-" he struggled to put the words together, unable to stare into her wide, jeweled eyes. Her hand reached out to caress his cheek and he leaned into her touch as he had before. He had missed the comfort in her touch. It was so easy to give in to her when she was in her presence, but that was not the reason why he was there. There was a trench in his heart, and he knew it was only going to get deeper.

Bakugou moved out of her touch, causing her to retreat her hand – noticeably hurt by his refusal, "I need to know, Momo."

"Need to know what?" she asked, hoping to fulfill whatever wishes he would ask her.

He clenched his teeth, unknowing and scared of the reaction she might give. His words were forced, "I need closure."

Broken. She was evidently broken by those three simple words. Her body took a step back away from him after finally learning the purpose of his presence. She started to feel heavy again, and the world that was once still started to spin out of control: Katsuki Bakugou was trying to let her go.

He wanted her to hear it all, to hate him. To hate him enough to drive her away, to be disgusted by his presence so that they can finally move on with their lives, "I want to forget about you. I want to stop thinking about you – but I fucking can't."

Her heart was pounding so hard into her chest, she could feel it in her stomach. Her mind had to replay the words in her heard, hoping that, somehow, she misinterpreted what he had said. The horrible words that made her feel like spewing out her insides.

"What do you want me to do?" it was a daring question, but it had to be asked.

"I need to hear it out of your mouth," he demanded as he locked his eyes with hers. Bakugou was too far in to back down, "I need to hear that you love him, Momo."

This moment was forthcoming – she knew that much. Of course, he wouldn't want her after all they have been through. She had used him, rejected him, and thrown him away when he deserved the best of what life could give.

There was an overwhelming heaviness on her body. Yet, she held back her tears from welling up, held back her shaking, and composed her voice before she spoke, "You want to forget about me, Katsuki?"

Even though he had said it, hearing it in her voice pierced into his heart. His mind knew what he wanted, but his heart said otherwise. He wanted to believe that this was all for the better.

In a gruff voice, he responded, "I do."

It wouldn't have happened any other way. She accepted Todoroki's proposal. Why did she make herself think that she deserved to be with Katsuki?

Momo couldn't bare it any longer. She turned away before he could see the tears streaming down her cheeks. She had to accept what she had lost.

Her fingers trembled, while she held her mouth from screaming. Momo nodded her head to reassure herself of the reality unfolding before her. She took a deep breath and in a small voice, Momo told him, "Goodbye, Katsuki."

It was hard to resist the urge to hold her and to have her embrace him just as tightly. Things went easier in his mind, but seeing Momo in the flesh, made it all much harder. His arm reached forward to her, wanting to ease her troubles and bring things back to the way they were.

It took great control to claps his fingers into a fist and bring them back down to his sides. He lowered his head, defeated and heartbroken. All he needed was the final blow and he could let her go forever.

"Do you love him?"

Silence. Too long of a silence.

He started to feel annoyed. She was ignoring him now, but he was deserving of an answer. His spoke louder, "I need to hear you say that you love him."

Nothing. He picked up his head to stare at her backside. She was there, conscious and breathing. In an angered tone, he yelled, "Damn it, Momo. Why won't you – "

"I don't have to answer anymore of your questions!" Momo cried, refusing to look at him.

The trench in his heart felt different. He pointed out the obvious, "You didn't say you loved him."

How quickly she whipped her head to see what she couldn't believe, her body shaking with every breath she took. Katsuki was glaring at her, his blazing red eyes set ablaze.

She felt so naked, so bare before him. Her heart pacing, her mind panicked – she couldn't comprehend her own feelings. The power he had over her made it difficult to look the man in the eyes.

"Do you love him?" his voice was fierce.

Yaoyorozu held herself, knowing what was best for the both of them. Katsuki didn't know what love was. Love was too fickle and unstable, and she knew that.

"Momo," Katsuki beckoned to her for an answer.

Scarred. The future was never a guarantee. What they have now might not be the same for years to come. She couldn't handle another heartbreak, "Katsuki, please."

She felt a jolt run though her skin as his hands held onto her shoulders. His lips lightly brushed against her ear and his breath tickled the curve of her neck. In a hushed tone, Bakugou spoke, "Tell me."

They both knew that her heart only yearned for one man.

"Tell me you love him, Momo," he hoarsely spoke while his hands slid down to her forearms and closed around her body, skin prickling under his fingertips.

Momo was melting under his touch. In a feeble attempt, she told him, "I'm going to marry him."

"You didn't answer my question."

Her eyes finally met his gaze, and it made her believe that doing so might have been a mistake. Bakugou spoke in a voice so low, it can only be heard in the space between them, "Do you love me, Momo?"

Momo Yaoyorzu knew damn well knew what to say. She knew what was stopping her. How far would her heart allow to go?

Would it be worth it all for him?

The reality of time had been silenced, their breathing at a halt. She stared upon his radiating, ruby eyes; his soul as bare just as hers.

Katsuki Bakugou loved her. Why did anything else matter?

"Yes," she finally admitted. One word. That was all it took for the world go away: only the two of them, standing before each other.

In that instance, she let it all go – all hesitation and doubt. Her arms were fast to wrap around his neck and pull him into a kiss. An explosive kiss that was much different than before; so heated and free.

"I love you," she managed to say after their reunited kiss.

Hearing those three words – the three words he had wished to hear the moment he told her how he truly felt– was almost unreal. It had given him the same adrenaline and terror as the first time he had said it. To think that he was going to give up, going to run away, going to forget about her - Love was strange indeed.

His fingers grazed her cheek and before pulling her in for another kiss, Katsuki told her, "I love you, Momo."

"What did you say?" Momo was completely breathless as she sat across from him at the dinner table.

"I said, 'We should get married,'" Todoroki repeated himself, unsure of her shock. Ultimately, dating led to marriage, so he was confused as to why she had that look on her face. This was the furthest the relationship could take them.

Todoroki had finally gotten a night off, and YaoMomo didn't hesitate to reserve a table at one of his favorite restaurants. She wasn't expecting to be proposed to, nor was it the proposal she had dreamed of. Plainly stating "We should get married" was far from the extravagant planned surprises many lucky men and women have gone through in their proposals.

But, this was who Todoroki was – she shouldn't be disappointed.

"You believe we're ready to get married?" she asked him in hopes he would realize that it would be a mistake.

"We have already accumulated enough years to be married," Todoroki didn't hesitate to answer, "Isn't this what you want as well?"

Of course she wanted to be married – to be a perfect wife to a loving husband, to someday become a mother and have a happily ever after with the family she treasured. All of that was clear to her.

But she couldn't fathom why she could no longer to put it into picture with Shouto. She wanted to be the perfect wife, but his idea of a perfect wife – to be who he wanted her to be. The answer should be simple – as simple as the calculation he has made on their relationship.

"Is there a reason for your hesitation?" her boyfriend asked her, finally realizing that she hadn't given a response, "Is a marriage not what you wanted?"

"No, I do want to get married," she told him, but it was mostly to reassure herself. Momo had the ideal man – smart, handsome, well-established, and loyal. She held his arm, "I will marry you."

Something within her had snapped.

Why did she agree to marry me? Shouto gazed onto his fiancé who had just confessed her love to another man. None of this made sense.

In all the years that he has been together with Momo, Shouto thought he knew everything about her. The smile that was spread across her face, was something he did not recognize – or it could have been a smile that he had seen long ago: her beaming smile and her glowing aura. Was this how she truly looked like when she was happy? Such a divine beauty for him to remember why people have been so taken with her.

Shouto had almost overlooked the reason for her being in that state. Originally, he had escaped to the garden to be alone with his thoughts. Once he stepped outside, he heard Bakugou speak Momo's name. It was not a tone that corresponded with Katsuki Bakugou – no, it was much gentler when he spoke to her. He had realized the two were just above him on the balcony. Todoroki walked far enough to get a good angle of them, watching and listening.

As the events unfolded before his eyes, it aroused something within him that he couldn't explain.

Shouto should have believed Bakugou had robbed Momo from him, and caused their marriage to turn into shambles. The woman he was supposed to marry and devote his life to, didn't love him – that much was clear. This would've been enough to drive someone into a rampage.

So, why wasn't he upset?

Bakugou wasn't to blame for his relationship. How could he break something that was already broken? Todoroki tried to fix it, but he couldn't fix what wasn't meant to be fixed.

Maybe Todoroki did love Momo, and she did love him the same way some time ago. But, neither compared to how much Momo loved Bakugou. Perhaps it was the way they spoke to each other or the look in their eyes, but even someone like Shouto could see that the love between them was genuine.

"Hey Todoroki," Midoriya pulled him out of his thoughts as he placed a hand on his shoulder. He hadn't even realized that Midoriya had been standing there beside him.

Izuku had only arrived in time to see YaoMomo and Kachin kiss. It was a jarring sight to see the two together. But, he had to put his thoughts aside to tend to Todoroki.

"Midoriya," Shouto glanced at his friend, his green eyes shone with sincerity as it always had. His friend of many years stood beside him, his ears and mind open and ready to listen. He knew he could rely on the man that changed his life - his best friend of many years.

"I don't know if I can let her go," Shouto sighed out in frustration.

Izuku furrowed his brows. How tired Todoroki must be, attempting to figure out something as complex as love. He was faced with a difficult situation – a situation that Todoroki himself couldn't fully comprehend. His friend questioned, "Is that what you want to do, Todoroki?"

"She doesn't love me," he shook his head and felt, what might have been, a twinge in his heart. That should've been enough.

"Do you love her, Todoroki?"

It was a simple question – just yes or no. Yet, he didn't know how to answer, or how to feel. Todoroki just wanted to understand, but he knew he couldn't. It just wasn't who he was. All he knew is that he did, indeed, care about her.

"I believe…" he looked from the ground to his friend, solemnity in his eyes.

In time, will Momo love him? Will he become the man she wants him to be – be the man that she deserves? He had his chance, but maybe there was a reason why things didn't work out between them; how quickly their relationship turned to shambles and how quickly they fell out of love.

The truth was evident: Momo Yaoyorozu and Shouto Todoroki's story wasn't meant to be finished together.

His eyes settled on the couple on the balcony, their arms clasped around each other in an embrace. What should have been anger or jealousy was replaced by a sense of peace, "She deserves to be with the person she loves."

"Even though that person isn't you?" Midoroya had to ensure that Todoroki knew his answer. No one was going to explain it to him or tell him what to do. Shouto Todoroki, himself, had to understand the choice he was about to make.

Shouto softly spoke, "It was never supposed to be me."

Her eyes studied the reflection in the grand standing mirror. The beautiful sequin wedding dress of white and silver fit beautifully onto her body. Carefully sewn laces wrapped from her chest to her to her neck, a wide-v shape opening revealing her back. Light ruffles of feathers and diamonds luminously around decorated around her hips down to the cascading wave of silk that danced to the floor. It was the perfect dress – the dress of her dreams.

But, Momo knew this reality was far from perfect.

Momo and Katsuki had finally confessed their love for each other, which was the damning thing she needed to put an end to this marriage. This was all she needed to do before she can move on with the love of her life. Katsuki was willing to wait whatever time she needed.

While her mind was at peace, she was fearful as to what was to come – once again breaking her fiancé's heart to be with the man she truly loved. The burn on her arm was a scarring reminder of the pain she had brought him. Things weren't going to be the same as last time.

Shouto didn't knock before opening the door, "Momo?"

His voice surprised her. She hadn't expected to see him until tomorrow morning. He froze in his place, struck by the sight of Momo in her wedding dress.

For a moment, their gazes were entwined. Although they were unaware that each other knew it, both Momo and Shouto were well-aware that their relationship would come to an end. They remembered the love they had once felt for each other: the lightness in their stomachs after a single touch, the haste of their heartbeats when they thought about one another – where had that all gone?

She couldn't think about that now. Momo decided to speak up after their long silence, "You…you know it's bad luck to see the bride in her wedding dress?"

A small smile formed on her face, bringing a sort of comfort before the storm. Shouto could see the anxiousness of the curl of her lips. It was all too easy to see through her now. He gave a light-hearted response, "I'm having trouble looking away from you actually."

Her stare was lingering, studying the man who once had her heart.

Once.

She couldn't allow herself to dwell on the past - not when Katsuki was her future. Her throat felt dry after inhaling a deep breath, "We need to talk."

Shouto didn't disagree. They took their conversation outside on the bedroom balcony; a sense of solace and nostalgia from the chilly night sky.

It was a quiet time between them as all the guests had left for the night. All they could hear was the rusting of the leaves when the wind blew.

In Momo's mind, it was all by calm. Her mind scrambled for the right words to say, how to start the conversation – the careful calculations of her brilliant mind couldn't be organized.

"You can tell me, Momo," he finally spoke, breaking her out of thought.

She looked beside him to see that he had been staring at her the entire time. There was something about his face that made the shake in her bones disappear. It was as though he wanted her to tell him. No more secrets, no more hiding.

It was exactly what he wanted from her before finally letting her go.

"Shouto," she knew how difficult it was going to be, the thread of their relationship on its last strand. She didn't lose eye contact as she spoke, "We can't do this anymore."

His silence made her uncomfortable, but she could see that he wanted her to continue. Her hands held onto his, "What we had between us was special and I had genuinely loved you – I want you to know that. I will always treasure our relationship. I had tried to give us a chance."

He shifted his sights from hers, looking forward onto the empty night. She moved closer to him, hoping that he would believe every truth in her word.

"What we had, Shouto, is not there anymore. We cannot keep denying it," Momo's firm grip on his hands loosened, "We cannot go through with this marriage. I am in love with someone else."

That was all of what she wanted to say.

Her legs were forced to be still, tempted to run out of the room at the very instant. Yet, Momo knew she couldn't escape from this anymore and took him head on, eagerly waiting for his reply. She watched as Shouto's broad shoulders rose, taking in a breath, then slowly fall. He patted the hand that was on top of his.

"Momo," he finally spoke, startling her, "I apologize."

Her eyes got wide at his comment, "Shouto..."

"I might have been selfish. I couldn't give you what you needed, and I stopped you from being who you wanted to be. It will be something I will forever regret. Only now I am realizing…" he lowered his head, then looked to her for an answer, "We are not meant for each other, are we?"

"I-I'm..." she wished the words could come out. He was being honest and she knew that she should return the kindness.

His hand reached out to cradle her cheek, "It's okay."

"I am truly sorry – I didn't know what to tell you or how to tell you the tears felt heavy as they streamed down her face, "I didn't mean to hurt you or lead you on. It just happened and I-"

She stopped speaking as soon as Todoroki wrapped around her in a tight embrace. Momo gratefully accepted it and buried herself onto his shoulder as she cried. It was all overwhelming to her, this sense of freedom – to come in terms with her feelings, to express her love, to have Todoroki accept her apologies.

"So, Katsuki Bakugou?"

She stepped back in shock, tears stopping in their place.

"You're in love with Katsuki Bakugou?" He lightly chukled, humor brightening their moods.

"I-I beg your pardon?" She frowned at him, "What are you insinuating?"

"Ah, he is rubbing off on you it seems."

"You should be kinder to me, I just broke up with my fiancé."

He let out a laugh, "My apologies."

Shouto brought her back into his embrace, feeling the warmth of her body on his for the last time, "Take care, Momo."

Katsuki Bakugou opened his eyes to speckles of bright light shimmering on his face. The light from the sun peered between the leaves of the tree, the comfy breeze and the tree's shade keeping him cool. Katsuki's head was on a soft surface and his fingertips brushed the lush grass under his body.

It was a scene that was all too familiar.

His sights adjusted to the blurry figure above him – the figure who's lap he had fallen asleep on.

He smiled contently. The rays of the sun couldn't compare to the shine of her onyx eyes.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Did I wake you?" Momo Yaoyorozu held onto her book, while her other hand softly ran through the strands of his blonde hair.

Katsuki let out a satisfied groan and grabbed her to plant a kiss on her hand.

She giggled, still engrossed in her book, "What was that for?"

"Just making sure this isn't a dream," he studied the diamond ring that was laced onto her left hand, "This ever give you déjà vu?"

The same hand lightly smacked his cheek, "Oh hush. I chose you and that's that."

"Stuck with me forever, Ponytail."

Momo looked away from her book to see his handsome grinning face, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

She closed her book and leaned over to give him a kiss. Katsuki was disappointed when she only stopped inches away from him, "Well, you woke up just in time."

"Oh?" Katsuki was eager to hear what this was leading to.

She whispered, "It seems as though you have been caught."

"Is dad awake?" a young boy with black hair and red eyes peeked over at them from a distance.

"Dad said he's going to play with me when he wakes up!" the girl with the thick blonde hair whined.

"Ah fuck, thought we could have some fun before the monsters caught me," he stretched to sit up.

Katsuki stood up on his legs and was about to head off until he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked at her curiously.

Momo Yaoyorozu was beautiful. He loved everything about her: her raven black hair, her sparkling silver eyes, the kindness and compassion in her heart. She was his world.

"I love you," she told him earnestly.

"I love you too."