AN: Written for TodoMomo Week 2022 (Tdmmweek on Twitter). Thanks so much for reading!


Letters to Mom

by the Black Rose

Dear Mom,

Sorry I couldn't make it to visit today. I had an interview for my workstudy - a requirement for my classes at UA. Now that I have my temporary permit, I'm allowed to participate with the rest of my classmates. I'll come by next weekend. Promise.

Natsuo said he got you a phone, so you could keep in touch. But, Fuyumi told me how much you liked receiving my letters. I like writing them, even if my handwriting isn't all that great.

I hope you've been feeling well this week. It's been busy here. I suppose I always say that. But, we had another round of specialized training - trying to push our quirks beyond what we think we're capable of. I'm getting faster at switching, but I still can't get to the point where I can manage both at once.

I watch some of my classmates at times, and am amazed at how far they've come.

Midoriya's improving his control. Bakugou seems to get stronger and faster by the second. Seeing their progress pushes me to keep going. And when it seems like it's too hard, our class representative Momo Yaoyorozu (I may have mentioned her in a prior letter) - she's become a valuable ally and coach.

Her quirk is amazing. She can create almost anything from her skin, but has to know each component of the item she's making. It requires incredible intelligence. (A lot of my classmates complain that she ruins the curve on our exams). She got in on recommendations, like me, and her perspective has really helped at times. Even when I don't want to hear it.

I'm not sure if this is interesting to you. But, I don't have any other activities. Some of my classmates like to play video games or table tennis. Others like to cook or bake. I've tried some different types of tea lately. And read a few books that Yaoyorozu recommended. I do enjoy reading. It feels a bit like I can experience someone else's life for a while. But, I'm still looking for something that's all my own.

There's a festival next month. I hear people talk about going. It made me realize, I've never been to one before.

Maybe I should go. Have you been, Mom? Did you go with family or friends? Did you take Fuyumi or Natsuo? I haven't asked, but, I'm sure they've been to one at some point. If I ask Fuyumi, she'll likely tell me about what she wore and what she bought. And if I ask Natsuo, he'll probably tell me about the food. Or a girl, maybe.

When I'm using my quirk, and focused on my studies, I feel strong. Proud. I work hard, achieve, perform well above most of my classmates. But, when it comes to more personal things, I don't feel the same way. Everything feels different. Difficult.

Will I ever catch up? Or is stuff like this even important? Heroes, what does it matter if they've ever asked a girl to go to a festival before?

I'm sorry if anything I wrote seems wrong. I don't know how to say things sometimes. I'll tell you how I found that out when I come visit next week.

Your son,

Shouto


Hospital

Rei smiled at the letter, and folded it back into its envelope. She glanced across the table at her daughter.

"What does he say?" Fuyumi settled her teacup in its saucer; she ran a finger over the handle.

"He mostly talks about his training."

"Yuck. Boring. But, it figures. He's a boy."

"He's still figuring some things out. But, I'm thankful. He's got a good heart." Rei sipped at her chamomile tea. She pressed her eyes closed and took a deep breath.

"I'm sure it has to be tough at times. He never got to play with us, or any of the kids in the neighborhood. He probably doesn't know anything but training."

The statement brought the ghost of a memory to the surface….

Enji, her husband - better known as the number one hero Endeavor - pulled her youngest child by the arm. Shouto twisted and sobbed, trying to get away. "I want to play!"

Rei tried to shake the thought away. Her child's cry still rang in her ears - all these years later.

"Shouto's trying. At least he knows it's something he has to work on." She stared at the heated liquid in her cup. "He says he wants to find something he enjoys. Like other kids his age."

"That's, kinda sad, really." Fuyumi's mouth tucked up on one side. "I can't say I relate. It doesn't seem like it would be that hard - to find something you like doing." She shrugged. "You know, other than conjuring fire and ice to fight bad guys."

"He's different. Maybe he didn't have to be. But, when Enji saw that he could do both…."

"Magnificent! Rei, look at Shouto!" Enji's voice practically shook the walls.

Her small son lay on the floor in a puddle of half-melted ice. Tears coursed down his cheeks. A tiny flame flickered near his left ear.

"Yeah, I know. It was like Dad hit the 'genetic lottery'. And so, Shouto had to be trained."

"Yes. That was the purpose of our arrangement. Of course your father loves his family, and all his children." Rei's eyes found the blue irises on the far shelf. Her heart thumped. An icy feeling brushed her skin.

"I know, Mom. He's a difficult man. But, he's trying, too." Fuyumi clasped her hands in front of her. Her eyebrows pinched into a pleading expression.

"I know he cares. He's…."

The room buzzed. A soft haze pulled at the edges of her vision. The sound of Shouto's sobs continued to play in her mind. Rei blinked and shook her head.

Her daughter came back into focus.

"…not always been a good father…a terrible husband. Awful. But, still. I can't help but hope…"

Rei took another sip of tea. Soothing warmth moved from her mouth to her chest. "I wonder what Shouto would be doing, now, if he hadn't trained so hard."

Fuyumi knocked the table as she straightened. "Hm?"

The sobs faded to a faint ringing in her ears. "Do you think he'd have a girlfriend?" Rei took a cold breath.

"Shouto?" Her daughter tipped her head. "I guess he's old enough. It's hard to think about my little brothers liking girls."

Rei smiled. "I can understand. But, I feel….I want to see all of you be happy. Find your own path. Find what you love. And be…loved."

"Thanks." Fuyumi sighed. "That's very sweet. I hope for the same - for all of us." She smiled.

"As for Shouto, it's hard to imagine. I can't see him being like Natsuo." Fuyumi rolled her eyes. "I swear, that kid has a different girlfriend every other month."

"I doubt Shouto could be careless with someone else's affections."

"I'm not sure he could understand them." Her daughter stood from the table. She retrieved her mug and headed towards the small kitchenette.

"He was still struggling last year," she said in a louder voice. The sound of water rushing into the sink.

A flash of a memory: water gurgled into a tea kettle.

"...a lot. It's the same two kids who stick by him."

Rei blinked. She picked up the envelope with Shouto's letter. Felt the paper slip against her fingers. "Yes, ah, Midoriya and Bakugou. He mentions them. In his letters."

"They're all right." The faucet stopped.

"Not exactly poster children for the 'well-adjusted', nor do they have much in the way of social intelligence."

"What teenaged boy does?"

Fuyumi moved back to the table and sat down. "That is true. I think having a girlfriend would do Shouto good. Even if it wasn't really romantic. Someone other than– Oh!" She bent to retrieve her bag. "Before I forget. I brought your magazine."

Her daughter held up a glossy publication.

"Thank you," Rei smiled. The upside-down cover featured the blond powerhouse: Ryuko. Scrawled across the top, the magazine made a play on a famous tv show - and the number ten hero's quirk. 'The Queen of Dragons: Ryuko! Her ascension, and her charity organization for girls.'

Rei ran her fingers over the lettering. 'I've heard of this: her charity helps young women struggling to accept their mutant quirks.' Chilly air breathed into her eyes; they watered.

"Why the Professional Heroes Quarterly magazine? You're married to the–"

"I've always admired the profession. Even your father, for all his faults. He helps a lot of people."

"Yeah, but these articles." Fuyumi made a face. "It's just a bunch of PR for those trying to make the Billboard Top 20. And," she held up the back of the magazine. "Getting paid for product endorsement."

Rei stared at the page. A young woman held up a shampoo bottle. She wore a red dress slit almost to her naval; her dark hair hung in large, luminous curls.

"She looks young."

Fuyumi flipped the thing over. "Oh? Wait, I've seen her before. She's in Shouto's class!" She pointed at the page. Along the bottom, the shampoo brand and slogan read: 'Paragon, be a hero for your hair.'

Rei huffed out an amused breath. 'I suppose that's fitting.' In the bottom corner, the heroine's signature appeared - in neat, printed letters.

"Creati? Interesting. I wonder what her quirk is. She sure exposes a lot of…." A thought niggled at the back of her mind. 'She's in Shouto's class.'

"Skin?" Fuyumi raised one eyebrow. "When you look like that, I guess you can get away with it. Still. It's hard to believe she's sixteen, seventeen at most?"

Her quirk is amazing. She can create almost anything from her skin.

"Hey, you ok? Mom?"

Rei pulled the magazine closer. "I wonder…." Dark grey eyes glittered off the page. "They alter so many of these pictures. It's difficult to know, from something like this, what she's really like."

"Mom? You all right?"

"Oh, yes, I'm fine. I was just, uh, wondering how many girls are in Shouto's class."

"Uhhhh, I dunno." Fuyumi shrugged. "I forgot how I know she is. He may have mentioned her. Or maybe one of his friends did? But, I think less than half the class is female. Why?"

Rei met her daughter's gaze. "She's pretty, don't you think?"

"Um, sure? She's gorgeous, like a model. I assume that's the point." Fuyumi scrunched her face and puffed air.

Heroes, what does it matter if they've ever asked a girl to go to a festival before?

"I think she'd look lovely in a summer yukata." Rei smiled at the picture. 'Altered image or not, she has kind eyes. And wants to be a hero - like Shouto.'

"Um, ok?" Her daughter touched her arm. "Mom, it may be time for you to lie down," she said in a soft voice.

Rei straightened in her seat. "I'm fine, dear. I want to return Shouto's letter."

"He did say he was coming by next weekend." Fuyumi rounded her shoulders. She plunked her chin atop her palm, and rested one elbow on the table.

"This whole penpal routine is kind of silly. We have email and–"

"There's something more personal, and special, about reading my son's handwriting. Having pages I can hold in my hand." A chill bit the flesh beneath her eyes; she wiped away an icy tear. "There were so many years…." She swallowed against the heavy, frigid sensation in the back of her throat.

"Oh, Mom…"

Rei tucked the envelope into the magazine. She hugged them to her chest. "I just hope, it's the same for him."


A Preview...

My Dearest Shouto,

Thank you for your last letter. I hope your interview went well. I'm sure, if they're worth their salt as a hero agency, they can see how capable and talented you are.

I find all that you young heroes go through so fascinating. I only met your father after he had risen through the ranks to the top 10. He was so determined and focused to be the best. He hasn't changed in that regard.

It's a trait I'm happy to see take root in you, my son...