💖 THANK YOU CrazyElf and FlourChildWrites for the beta. 💖 And everyone for your sweet, encouraging reviews! Honestly, all your support is what keeps me going. 😭✨

Chapter 29: We Can (Not) Forgive

Shouto sat frozen in disbelief. He felt as if he'd been punched. His fingers trembled with fury. "What did you say?"

Kaminari tensed. He looked up and paled visibly. "Hold-hold on, Todoroki," he stuttered, slowly rising from his seat. "I-I can explain —"

The leash holding him back snapped. Shouto didn't think. He shot to his feet and lunged forward. Kaminari jerked back with a screech and tried to dodge, but Shouto had a warrior's reflexes. He caught Kaminari by the front of his chiton and lifted him up.

"Denki!" Jirou cried, jumping from her seat.

"Hey, man!" Tetsu-Tetsu jolted forward and grabbed Shouto. However, before he could restrain him, Tetsu-Tetsu jerked back with a yelp as fire and ice erupted along Shouto's skin.

"You lied to me!" Shouto snarled. His voice vibrated with rage. "You let me think I was still cursed."

"I did-didn't lie," Kaminari gasped, struggling against Shouto's grip. "I-I was just going with the flow."

"Shut up!"

Shouto's fingers twisted tighter into the fabric of Kaminari's chiton. It felt as if his blood was boiling.

Why?

Why did the gods always use him?

What had he ever done to deserve their attention and manipulation?

First, it had been his bastard father who took him away from his mother and impelled him to become a warrior. Then it was Kaminari's arrow that made him fall in love. Then it was Dabi who attacked Shouto for his own amusement.

And now Shouto realized he had been further manipulated. Not only had Kaminari cursed him with unrequited love, but he strung him along and let Shouto believe he was still cursed so that he would rescue Ashido and handle whatever else Kaminari planned to coerce Shouto into.

He'd had enough. Shouto gritted his teeth as the whole world turned blood red. Magic crackled around him.

"You gods are all the same! Arrogant and self-centered! You use humans to do what you fucking pieces of trash don't want to do yourself. Thinking you are better than us. That our lives don't matter as long as you get what you fucking want. How long did you think you could get away with using me before I noticed?"

"Todoroki, stop!"

Yaoyorozu's voice was like the sharp yank of a leash, pulling him out of his fury. Shouto jerked his head up and found her staring at him with an icy expression. Flakes of snow from his right side glittered through the air, catching onto her hair and lashes.

Her eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure what is going on," she continued in a clipped voice. "Nor am I denying that you have the right to be angry, but this isn't like you. Violence is not the answer. Now, let Kaminari go, and let's sit down and talk."

Shouto's jaw twitched.

"That's right," Jirou said from beside Yaoyorozu. Her voice was strained. She pressed a hand to her chest. "It's not Denki's fault. If you're angry, blame me."

"Kyouka?" Yaoyorozu glanced at Jirou; her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Jirou didn't look away from Shouto. She lifted her chin and met his gaze. "It's my fault for wanting to protect Momo and Tokoyami. So, if you are angry, blame me."

Shouto hesitated. What was Jirou saying? Hadn't she been used by Kaminari as well? Why was she defending him? Or — could it be — was she telling the truth?

'I asked to make a deal to protect you and Tokoyami.'

A faint sense of discomfort crept over him. Shouto glanced over at Yaoyorozu. Her eyes remained narrow and hard, like onyx shimmering in the night, as she held his gaze. Not begging for mercy but obliging Shouto to listen. His stomach clenched, and he looked away. The magic crackling along Shouto's skin grew feeble and then died. He lowered Kaminari back to the ground, then shoved him away.

Kaminari stumbled backwards.

"Denki!" Jirou shouted. Her expression twisted as she rushed forward and caught her husband before he fell to the ground.

Shouto stared at the pair for several seconds, trying to collect himself but failing. He didn't know what to think. His chest hurt, and he felt trapped in a tangle of emotions. Thoughts and feelings wrapped around his chest like vines until the mire left Shouto gasping, and he found it difficult to breathe.

He needed to get away. He needed to be alone.

Shouto stepped back and turned towards the forest.

"Todoroki," Yaoyorozu's voice hitched from behind him. "Where-where are you going?"

A nervous quiver in Yaoyorozu's normally confident voice made Shouto pause. He bowed his head, but he didn't look back. His mouth felt dry.

"To think," he said before walking away from the fire and into the forest. "Don't follow me," he added in a stiff voice.

The light from the campfire had long faded into the distance before Shouto came to a halt in front of a shallow river. The summer heat and lack of rain had depleted the waterway. Only a slow-moving stream remained, upon which red and orange leaves floated across in small ripples.

Shouto stared blankly down at the water. His head pounded. The rage he had felt at Kaminari's confession was gone, and all Shouto was left with was confusion and disbelief. In retrospect, he should have known.

From the beginning, it wasn't as if Shouto hadn't had his suspicions about the power of the curse. Kaminari was a low-level god. There was no way that someone like him could have been powerful enough to cast a lasting spell.

Shouto had known that but hadn't allowed himself to examine his doubts. His pride as a warrior and prejudice against the gods had blinded him to the notion that anything he felt could be real.

He was a fool.

Shouto closed his eyes. He gave a sharp exhale through his nose as a hollow grin spread across his lips.

He couldn't help but feel a little bitter about the irony of it all. Perhaps he would have realized sooner if he had had more experience outside of war. However, the truth was that Shouto had only ever known anger and sorrow — the emotions of a soldier. It hadn't occurred to him that someone like him, someone who only knew war and how to kill, could truly feel anything for Yaoyorozu.

But what was done was done. There was no use focusing on something in the past.

Shouto opened his eyes. A black canvas sprayed with the iridescent light of a million stars stretched above him. A pale harvest moon hung low in the sky, sparkling as brightly as a cold flame. It was the same sky Shouto had gazed upon for the last twenty-four years. There was a certain feeling of relief in the thought.

Shouto took a deep breath of the brisk autumn air.

If he thought of the situation logically, nothing had truly changed. Even though the curse was gone, he was still a Spartan warrior. A son of Ares, with the mission to return to Sparta. The only difference was that Shouto now realized his feelings for Yaoyorozu were his own. And that meant he could no longer ignore them or blame Kaminari. He was now responsible for determining what to do about these very real feelings.

What did that mean for his life as a warrior?

Shouto's hand twitched, and he placed it on Endeavor, running his palm along the smooth surface of the hilt.

Love was a hindrance to a soldier. Presumably, it meant that he would have to choose: give up his duty or separate himself from Yaoyorozu.

Shouto's stomach twisted at the thought of either option. But what else could he do, Shouto wondered. Was it realistic to desire both — life as a warrior and Yaoyorozu by his side?

Yes, something within him whispered. He was free, he reminded himself. Heat spread across Shouto's chest.

He wasn't cursed.

Kaminari wasn't controlling him.

He was free. Free to love Yaoyorozu as his heart guided him to. Free to seek her affections in return. There was nothing holding him back.

A smile spread across Shouto's face. It was as if an invisible weight that had been crushing his chest for weeks suddenly vanished.

When was the last time Shouto had been free? He couldn't remember. He had been chained by duty for so long: to his father, the war, and Kaminari's spell; it was strange to realize there was nothing holding him back anymore.

The only thing his decision to pursue Yaoyorozu would hinge upon would be her own response. Would she want to stay by his side, especially after he'd ruined her reunion with Jirou?

Shouto's smile faded as he remembered Yaoyorozu's distressed expression. His heart felt as though it had dropped into his stomach. He sighed heavily and reached up to run a hand through his hair.

First, before he did anything, he would have to apologize for upsetting Yaoyorozu and ruining her reunion with Jirou. Then, he would - he would... He wasn't sure.

'Kiss her,' his mind supplied.

Shouto's heart skipped. A small grin spread across his face at the picture of Yaoyorozu stuttering and blushing from his actions. He shook his head, trying to clear the image, but it wasn't a horrible idea. And it wasn't like he had any better plans.

The sound of hurried footsteps tearing through the forest suddenly caught Shouto's attention, breaking through his thoughts. His smile faded. He turned, hand flying to his sword, only to find Yaoyorozu emerging from the thicket of trees. Shouto started back as she skidded to a stop before him, breathing heavily.

"Yaoyorozu?" Shouto looked down, mouth parting in surprise. "What are —"

His eyes narrowed as he looked her over. Her red cloak was wrapped loosely around her shoulders as if hastily thrown on, and in her left hand was her spear. The hair on the back of Shouto's neck stood up. He gripped Endeavor tighter.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" he asked quickly.

Yaoyorozu shook her head.

A knot in Shouto's stomach loosened slightly. He glanced at Yaoyorozu up and down again. She was still doubled over, catching her breath, but she didn't appear harmed. Shouto slowly exhaled before straightening up. "Then what is it?"

Yaoyorozu looked up. Her eyes glistened as if she was about to cry, but her expression was set. "I'm going with you."

Shouto frowned. "What?"

He hadn't expected that.

Yaoyorozu's hands tightened around her spear. "I'm going with you," she repeated in a stiff tone. She jutted out her chin obstinately as if daring him to protest. "I won't let you leave me behind."

Shouto stared down at her without saying anything. He had been looking forward to seeing her again and making things right. However, he only felt confusion in response to her sudden appearance and worries about him leaving her behind. Where did she think he was going?

Yaoyorozu's jaw tightened. She squared her shoulders and continued: "I don't care if you are angry. I won't let you leave by yourself. You promised - you promised that…" Her words died off, and she paused. Her eyes narrowed.

Shouto thought he saw something turning in Yaoyorozu's mind.

"You aren't leaving, are you?" she asked slowly after a moment.

"No." Shouto tilted his head. "Where would I go at this time of night?"

Yaoyorozu flushed deep pink. "Tru-true."

She gave a small, self-conscious laugh and looked away. "I suppose it is impractical to think you would scale a mountain at midnight. Even for a demigod, that line of thinking is a bit extreme. And it's not as if you brought any supplies. And there could be monsters — not that I think you couldn't take them! But, still, it doesn't make sense for you to leave this late at night. It appears I was overreacting..."

"I see." Shouto's eyebrows furrowed as he considered Yaoyorozu. "But you wouldn't have come all the way out here if something wasn't the matter." Shouto's gaze drifted back towards her spear. "Why did you think I was leaving?"

Her gaze darted up to meet his eyes briefly before dropping back towards her feet. She suddenly looked nervous as her fingers fiddled with the hilt of her spear. "I-I was overreacting. Please pay it no mind. I'll head back first." She turned as if intending to flee.

Shouto didn't pause to think. Before Yaoyorozu could pull away, he stepped forward and caught a few strands of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail. She stilled as his fingers brushed her cheek, and he tucked the loose strands behind her ear, studying her.

Wide-eyed, lips parted in surprise, and cheeks slightly flushed, Yaoyorozu looked half-memorized and half-stunned. Shouto suddenly had the desire to tease her. He smirked.

"Jirou was right; you really are clingy."

Yaoyorozu's head jerked slightly, but she didn't move away. "Don't-don't make fun of me!" Her voice broke, and her cheeks reddened. She pressed her lips together and straightened. "You were incredibly upset; I had never seen you that furious before. I thought you weren't going to come back. And I…" She reached up and wiped underneath her eyes with the back of her palms.

"I see." The emotions to tease her faded, leaving Shouto's throat tight. His thumb brushed over her cheek once more before he withdrew his hand slowly. "Sorry for making you worry."

Yaoyorozu sniffed as if fighting back emotions, but she didn't step away. "Will-will you at least tell me what happened?" Her voice was soft. She glanced back up. "Why were you so angry?"

Shouto stilled. He had been so focused on his own predicament that he hadn't had time to prepare for what he wanted to say to Yaoyorozu about Troy and the curse.

He swallowed thickly and cast his gaze instead toward the stream. A yellow leaf floated across the surface, and Shouto watched as it continued slowly downhill. Finally, Shouto began in a lowered voice.

"The night when Troy fell, Kaminari…" He licked his lips and drew in a steadying breath. Humiliation twisted in Shouto's gut, but he forced himself to speak. "Kaminari shot me with an arrow of unrequited love."

There was a sharp inhale, but Shouto didn't look up. His fingers twitched, and he dropped his hand back down to rest upon Endeavor's hilt. "It made me want to protect you from the Athenians. I had to protect you. The magic…" Shouto's throat felt as if it had completely closed, and he had to force the following words out. "It-it completely controlled me."

"Because of Kyouka's wish to protect Tokoyami and me?" Yaoyorozu asked in a low voice.

Shouto glanced at Yaoyorozu before dropping his gaze again. It wasn't surprising that Yaoyorozu had figured it out so quickly. Shouto's jaw tensed. "Sorry."

He felt Yaoyorozu's eyes on him, studying him. What did she think of him now, he wondered.

"Why?" Yaoyorozu asked after a moment. "You're sorry that you only saved me because you were under a spell?"

"That, and…" Shouto sighed. He forced his fingers to relax along Endeavor's hilt. He set his jaw and looked back at Yaoyorozu, meeting her dark eyes. "For not telling you. For ruining your reunion with Jirou. For everything."

Yaoyorozu was silent. She stared at him for another moment before averting her gaze.

Shouto wasn't sure what he had expected, but her usually expressive face was masked. His fingers tightened around his sword's hilt. He had ruined the apology. He should have planned what he was going to say better. Or kissed her. Anything may have been better than how this was going.

Shouto sighed and was about to tell Yaoyorozu to forget it and that she didn't need to forgive him when the sound of her voice whispering something unintelligible stopped him.

Shouto looked back. "What?"

Yaoyorozu bit her lip and squared her shoulders. She stood tall to meet his gaze. "Is that all?" she repeated in a stronger voice.

Shouto's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You said you were cursed when you saved Tokoyami and me in Troy, but the spell wore away shortly after that, no?"

Shouto nodded faintly.

A small, almost hopeful smile spread across Yaoyorozu's lips. "So that means that your actions have been your own since at least defeating Overhaul."

Shouto still didn't follow. Yaoyorozu appeared to understand as she continued. "And weren't you trying to tell me this earlier by the campfire? This was what you wanted to speak about, wasn't it?"

"Yeah…" Shouto nodded.

Yaoyorozu's smile softened. Her shoulders dropped, and she sighed. "Then, that's a relief."

"What?" Shouto blinked. "You aren't angry?"

She shook her head. "I admit, I'm surprised — and a little hurt — that you didn't confide in me earlier, but I'm not angry. Todoroki is Todoroki." Her eyes glittered.

Shouto's heart stuttered.

"But," Yaoyorozu continued, tilting her head, "why did you think the spell was still in effect?"

Shouto's mouth went dry. He slid his fingers over Endeavor's hilt distractedly as his face flushed. "Because I've-I've never had someone I cherish before."

Yaoyorozu's eyes widened, but she didn't say anything.

As the silence stretched, Shouto looked away. Cold sweat clung to the back of his neck. Shouto wasn't sure what he expected, but silence wasn't it.

Shouto shifted. "Don't worry," he said after a moment. "I won't ask you to stay with me if you don't want to. Anyways, let's go back."

He stepped past her when something caught the edge of his chiton. Shouto looked down at the small hand grasping him, then turned towards her. "Yaoyorozu?"

"I - that's not it. I-I…" Yaoyorozu squeezed her eyes shut. "I like you too!"

Shouto blinked. "What?"

She opened her eyes. Her expression flickered before steeling in resolve. "I want to stay with Todoroki…because you're special to me too." She met his gaze and straightened. "That's why I ran after you. Is it that hard to believe?"

Shouto stared down at Yaoyorozu, studying her. He felt elated and stunned at her confession. But also uncertain. Was this something she meant or something she was compelled to say? Did she still feel it was her duty as a slave to please him?

His heart dropped into the pit of his stomach. Shouto thought he made it perfectly clear a long time ago that he didn't view her as his slave. Had something happened in the few moments he had been away from the group?

A lump formed in his throat as a thought crossed his mind. "You don't have to force yourself, though. If Kaminari has put you under a spell too, it's okay to - "

Before Shouto could finish, Yaoyorozu pushed up onto her toes and soft lips skimmed against his. For a moment, there was the faint taste of alcohol and figs before she pulled back. "Does that answer your question?" she asked in a soft voice. Her cheeks were flushed red as she looked up at him through long lashes.

Shouto stared down at Yaoyorozu, mouth agape. It wasn't as though they hadn't kissed before, but this time it was different. Without coercion or guilt or feelings of appreciation, she had chosen to kiss him of her own accord.

And, as Yaoyorozu continued to stare at him, Shouto realized that she was looking at him. Really looking. She saw the ugliness of his being: his failures, regrets, and past. She saw who he had been and what he'd done, and despite all of it, she forgave him.

Shouto's heart stuttered. "Can I have another?"

"What?" Yaoyorozu blinked.

"To double-check," Shouto clarified.

Yaoyorozu raised an eyebrow. "You need to double-check?"

"I do." Shouto nodded.

"Well," Yaoyorozu shifted. Her eyes darted away then back to meet Shouto's gaze, and she smirked. "I am a god slayer, so if you would like a second kiss, you'll have to pay a fair and equal price."

"Is that so?"

"It is." Yaoyorozu's smirk dropped, and she raised her chin. But her eyes shimmered playfully. "So, what will you offer, dear warrior, that is worth a second kiss?"

Something of equal value?

Shouto pulled Endeavor from its scabbard and then sank down onto one knee. Holding out the blade across his palms, Shouto offered the sword. "I dedicate my sword and life to Yaoyorozu Momo, priestess and god slayer of Troy and Sparta. To you, I offer my undying devotion and swear to protect and cherish you." He tilted his head back to meet Yaoyorozu's gaze. "How is that?"

Yaoyorozu's eyes glittered. She bit her lips as though she were fighting back a grin. "Acceptable."

Shouto smirked. He stood back up and sheathed Endeavor. Then stared at Yaoyorozu, waiting.

Yaoyorozu shone in the moonlight. She looked ethereal as a smile spread across her lips. She cupped Shouto's cheeks and leaned forward, placing a second kiss upon Shouto's mouth before pulling away as quickly as she had the first time.

Shouto frowned. "Was that all?" He asked, unable to keep the disappointment from his voice.

Yaoyorozu huffed playfully and placed her hands on her hips. "Are you questioning a god slayer's judgment?"

"No." Shouto shook his head. "Never. But I do wonder if you know what a kiss is."

"Is that not a kiss?" Yaoyorozu asked, tilting her head slightly.

"No."

"I see. Well," Yaoyorozu pulled back her shoulders. "I'll permit you to show me what it is you mean."

Shouto smirked. "As you wish."

This time, Shouto didn't hesitate. He leaned down and captured her lips.

Her mouth was warm and tasted of alcohol. Her hand snaked around his neck. Shouto felt his smirk grow wider against her lips. He wrapped a hand around Yaoyorozu's back, pulling her closer. His tongue ran along her lips and as she gasped he angled his head, deepening the kiss.

Shouto's blood sung. It felt as if this was their first real kiss. As though they were starting anew. Even if their relationship began with the potent sting of Kaminari's arrow, what Shouto felt for Yaoyorozu now was a love entirely his own. And the feelings were mutual. She was his. And he was hers. They could make this work.

His arms tightened around Yaoyorozu's back, holding her close. Her fingers clung to his shoulders. A heartbeat was beating steadily, and Shouto wasn't sure if it was his or hers. He wanted to melt into Yaoyorozu, or for her to melt into him, but this wasn't the time or place for that.

Shouto nipped at her lower lip one more time before reluctantly pulling back. Yaoyorozu's dark pupils had expanded, and she looked thoroughly drunk.

A feeling of triumph ran through his veins. Shouto smirked. "Let's go back. You still have — what?" he glanced up at the moon. "Five hours before dawn and Jirou leaves?"

Yaoyorozu nodded mutely. Shouto released her and stepped back almost reluctantly. He started back towards the campfire. The leaves crunched under his feet. After a moment, he heard Yaoyorozu step up beside him, and a warm hand slipped into his. "Thank you."

Shouto looked down. "For what?"

"Not leaving."

Shouto nodded. His fingers tightened around Yaoyorozu's hand. "I won't ever leave you. You're mine now. I won't let you take it back."

Thoughts? Feelings? Was that satisfying or did you want more (not talking smut here 😝)?

One concern I had when writing this chapter was if the conclusion of the curse was too easy/fast for all the hype built up around it. On one hand, I didn't want to drag out the resolution of Todoroki's situation unnecessarily, especially (as he noted himself) when nothing really changed. And on the other hand, I do feel the resolution was a bit quick. Anyways, as you can see I decided to keep the story moving instead of lingering on the curse. 😉

Kudos and Comments are always welcome