Author's Note: Hey guys I just started a new job which is going ok but I'm super tired now after ending my shift so I can't guarantee the grammar and spelling will be perfect for the next few chapters. But to be honest it's was never really accurate in the first place. Let me know what you think of the chapter in the reviews. Also, I can't believe this story has reached 6,000 views! And even more shocking is over a 100 follows and 100 favs, so shout out to those special people! I replied to reviews at the end.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the My Hero Academia universe, manga, characters, tv show, movies, etc. This is just for fun.
Chapter 9:
After a couple of days spending time together healing their minds and bodies, Shoto and Aylee finally got Aizawa's approval to go outside of UA's campus. He begrudgingly granted the request after the two kept interrupting class time and bothering him whenever they found him by himself. The halls, the break room, even his sleeping bag were no longer safe from the stir-crazy 5-year-old boy and 24-year-old woman. It was honestly suspicious of how quick they found him. Eraserhead would never admit it to anyone, but he currently misses the teenaged and emotionless Todoroki every day. He doesn't know how much more he could take of toddler Todoroki and the unpredictable icy tantrums that follow. His already thin patience was running out at an alarming rate, depleting his energy.
Right after he begrudgingly said yes to the hyper pair, they excitedly raced to the door like someone had shouted 'fire'. Aizawa was still worried something might happen again, especially since it was not long since they were attacked and kidnapped by the LoV. But at this point, they would probably try to sneak out just to breathe fresh air and enjoy a change in scenery.
Thankfully, he had his own condition when approving their pleas. And Shoto wasn't happy about it at all.
~ 1 hour later ~
Shoto ran ahead on the sidewalk pulling on Aylee's hand, practically yanking her shoulder out of its socket in his eagerness. He was loving the newfound freedom, not that anyone would blame his excited nature. Shoto's still a growing kid.
"Hold on Peppermint. I'm coming."
But, the split-haired boy ignored her pleading words and kept rushing forward. Unbeknownst to Aylee, her charge kept turning around to glare at the unwanted member of the group easily following behind them.
Hawks leisurely walked behind the quick pair, he was swinging a picnic basket in his hand while whistling a tune to himself. Even though he looked carefree, the pro-hero kept a sharp eye on their surroundings and subtly scanned for any suspicious persons. So far nothing was out of the ordinary. Well, nothing dangerous. The winged hero's golden eyes met the fiery glare of little Todoroki while the other was intently looking for a good spot to settle down in the shade.
The blond man offered a genuine smile to the grumpy boy which only made him turn redder in the face. But, before the toddler blew up in a temper tantrum, possibly quite literally, Aylee finally pointed out a finger to a good enough place to sit and set up.
The two followed after her and waited as she placed the striped blanket onto the grass and comfortably sat down. They continued to stare at her smiling face until she patted the blanket and invited them to sit down with her. Shoto immediately zipped to her side and took the open space next to her. Hawks watched on amused and unthreatened as the young child stuck out his pink tongue as if he won something truly priceless. The hero didn't have a problem with losing this 'battle' until Aylee gently started playing with Shoto's two-toned hair. The boy nuzzled his face into her shoulder in response and leaned into her soothing touch even further. Hawks' mouth slightly twitched in slight irritation and he thought that it should be him curled up next to Aylee's side as she ran her fingers through his hair. It was a bit childish for the adult to be thinking, feeling jealous of a child.
Shaking off the sudden and random thoughts, Hawks opened up the wicker basket in the middle of the blanket and pulled out three wrapped sandwiches. He handed two of them to Aylee and kept the last for himself. As he began to unwrap the paper towel to take a bite, he sensed someone unfamiliar slowly approaching them. It was a very secluded area in the park with not a lot of people passing by. Alarm bells went off in the hero's head, prickling at his innate instincts, and the sandwich was now forgotten.
Hawks immediately stood up from his relaxed sitting position to confront the possible threat posed to the recent kidnap victims he was protecting. It was a young man dressed formally in a dress suit with a tie and he kept pushing his glasses up his nose, maybe a nervous or an anxiety tick? The unknown man stopped about six feet away from the alert group and calmly met Hawks' burning yellow gaze before focusing on Aylee's seated figure.
"Um, Tanaka Aylee?" he asked after clearing his throat roughly a few times. Sweat beaded along his brow and Hawks could tell the man was struggling to refrain from fidgeting too much.
Aylee didn't even get a chance to take a breath in preparation for her response before their bodyguard asked his own question, but with a hard edge to his voice.
"Who's asking."
The man pivoted his gaze from Aylee and Shoto and back to the pro-hero now questioning him. He adjusted his metal glasses again before answering.
"I am one of Endeavor's assistants, and I have a message to deliver from him to Ms. Tanaka."
Shoto stiffened after hearing his father's name come from the stranger's mouth and a tense silence filled the space between the group.
Aylee could practically feel how uneasy Shoto was and decided to peacefully resolve the situation so he could relax again. She stood up and stepped off of their blanket before walking past Hawks. She reached out her right hand to take the proffered envelope from the assistant's grasp before a gloved hand grabbed her arm and stopped her right in her tracks. Said hand, pulled her back and snug towards Hawks' side as the hero protectively wrapped an arm around her waist.
She was shocked by the sudden contact and almost flinched from the close unannounced proximity with him. Aylee watched as Hawks grabbed the letter in her stead and handed it to her while staring down the assistant with hard eyes. It seemed he was taking his role as their bodyguard a bit too far, and she appreciated that he was being cautious. But, the overprotectiveness was a bit overwhelming in their current situation.
Aylee took the letter and wiggled out of Hawks' grasp before she walked over to a now standing Shoto. He was eyeing the letter with a face filled with disgust and worry. His caretaker bent down to his level once she closed the small distance between them and gave it to him. Shoto looked up at her and became confused by her encouraging, yet mischievous smile.
"Sweetie would you mind throwing this in the trash can over there for me." She patted his small head before he nodded. Obediently, Shoto walked over to the metal wire trash can placed next to a public water fountain and looked back at Aylee. Whatever the boy was looking for in her gaze, he found it.
Hawks and the assistant watched as Shoto lit the letter on fire and chucked it into the can to burn to ash. Their mouths hung open in shock as the boy skipped back to Aylee's side with a satisfied smile on his chubby face.
Aylee smirked at the assistant's shocked expression and sat down on the picnic blanket again. She pulled Shoto into her lap and handed him back his still uneaten sandwich.
"Is that all?" She asked with a raised brow, before going back to talking with her charge.
The unnamed assistant's mouth opened and closed for a few moments, like a gaping goldfish, before he awkwardly coughed and walked away. Hawks felt compelled to follow after him.
"Do you have any idea what the message was?" His curiosity and suspicions were rising at the moment and he couldn't hold himself back any longer.
The assistant shook his head at the hero's question, "No. Endeavor demanded that it was for her eyes alone."
Hawks nodded and looked back at the pair who looked to be in their own little world. Nothing could interrupt or bother the rhythm and trust between the two of them. It was worrying but as a professional does, he kept his thoughts to himself for now.
Half an hour later the same assistant came back to the group looking more confident than before. But, he didn't come empty-handed, he came bearing an unwanted gift. In his grasp was an assorted bouquet of red and yellow roses. It was beautiful yet a bit tacky.
Aylee saw the flowers and scowled at the sight of them. She began to mumble to herself, some of the words Hawks enhanced hearing couldn't even make out. But he managed to clearly catch one sentence she sighed to herself.
"Seriously, what is he playing at?"
Hawks just watched her tense reactions without comment and analyzed her facial expressions.
"I'm not taking them. Tell Endeavor I don't want to talk to him."
"I'm not allowed to leave until the flowers are in your hands."
Aylee sighed in frustration but grabbed the bouquet from the assistant's trembling hands. She glanced around the park before spotting an elderly woman sitting on one of the many benches a few yards away from the tense group.
She was alone, but calmly fed the pigeons surrounding her with small crackers and bread crumbs she broke up and threw onto the ground.
Aylee walked up to the woman and talked with her for a minute. Hawks watched intently as the old woman's wrinkled face broke out into a toothy smile. Aylee presented the roses to the woman who received them gratefully. Aylee watched satisfied as the woman smelled the bouquet. She waved goodbye to the new acquaintance before walking back to her companions and unwanted interrupter.
The assistant sighed in agitation and quickly left with a creased brow. He knew Endeavor wouldn't take what he was going to tell him about her reaction, very well. It was pure luck and he thanked every god above that he wore his flame-resistant suit today.
Hawks broke the silence permeating the air.
"That was nice of you."
Aylee turned from watching the assistant's retreat to face him and replied, "Yeah it's always nice to get flowers."
"But you personally don't like receiving flowers?" Hawks questioned.
Aylee's face pinched a bit as she said with disdain coming from her words, "Not from him."
Shoto interrupted the two adults' conversation as he ran by chasing a yellow and black butterfly. She could hear his giggles and occasional bursts of laughter.
"Shoto," Aylee called him over to her and he immediately ran to her side. She led the over-energized boy to a nearby bush filled with brightly colored flower blooms.
"Pick a few of the prettiest flowers so we can attract some butterflies to us."
Shoto looked amazed by her idea and studied the bush with a sharp focus and determination. His little hand reached up and carefully picked at a red flower bloom before he moved over to the next bush to examine. After a couple more minutes Shoto presented his bundle of flowers for Aylee's approval.
Aylee paused in gathering her blooms to look at his picks. Shoto looked nervous as if she was going to criticize the flowers he picked and then demand he starts over.
He truly picked the most perfect blooms of all the bushes. She smiled at him and watched as his crestfallen expression brightened immediately.
"They're absolutely perfect, Peppermint. Now let's go sit down, and stay very still to wait for some butterflies to come along and possibly land in our hands."
Shoto nodded with a set expression on his face as he sat down with his legs folded and his back ramrod straight. He was still as a statue, but his eyes darted around the air constantly in search of the butterflies he sought.
Aylee held in a laugh as she joined his efforts to ensare some butterflies by sitting down beside him and remained as still as she was able. Hawks watched the two holding flowers in their hands and making no movements except breathing. It was so refreshing to see the 5-year-old boy not glaring at him or sticking his tongue out at him whenever he got more attention from Aylee. Not that Hawks cared really. But his attitude as a toddler made Hawks wonder what Todoroki at his actual age acted like. Was he short-tempered and possessive? Or maybe he would be like a completely different person. Either way, he felt like a babysitter as he witnessed both of their eager and impatient expressions when waiting for butterflies to appear.
Suddenly, the same yellow and black butterfly from earlier reappeared near the bushes they just picked a few blooms from. It flew past the bushes uninterested and came towards the pair sitting crisscrossed on the blanket. It immediately spotted the bright flowers held in their hands and cautiously flew down to examine the offerings. It kept its distance, but after seeing no movement, it slowly approached Shoto's flowers. It landed on the top of his hand and walked onto the bundle of flowers to taste them.
Shoto held in a gasp of excitement and watched attentively as the butterfly moved on to Aylee's hands. She held in a giggle from its ticklish and light touch as it travelled across her skin. Eventually, it fluttered up and landed on her nose and it took all of her control to not flinch back in surprise from the action. The butterfly flexed its black and yellow patterned wings a couple of times covering almost all of her face and obstructing her view properly. Aylee tried to cross her eyes to get a better look at what the butterfly was doing exactly on her face but it just made her vision blurry and unfocused. After a couple of more long seconds of the butterfly inspecting her face and 'tasting' her, it finally took off and flapped its wings through the air to other areas of the park.
Shoto finally relaxed his posture after the butterfly departed and his smile was the widest she has ever seen on the boy. It was a pure and carefree look on the 5-year-old. She hoped he would smile like this after returning to his correct age in a couple of weeks. He turned to her and started quickly talking about how amazing that was when it landed on his hand and how pretty the butterfly was up close.
He was talking a mile a minute and his words began to jumble together in his excitement.
The assistant showed up during the exchange in which they were trying to attract a butterfly, but Hawks prevented him from interrupting the uplifting moment. Aylee took notice of the not so new arrival and rolled her eyes inwardly and held in a long sigh from escaping.
"You did well in being gentle with the butterfly, Peppermint. It loved the flowers you picked the most."
Shoto's smile widened creating a dimple in his left cheek but immediately fell once he noticed the assistant hovering next to Hawks. The man shuffled his feet nervously under the blank and emotionless stare the boy levelled on him.
The persistent assistant held a medium-sized black leather box tightly in his grasp. Sweat dripped along his hairline and he seemed out of breath from rushing back and forth between Endeavor and Aylee. The man wasn't sure who was more intimidating presently, his boss or the irritated young woman.
"What does he want now?" She bluntly asked, trying to get to the point of his visit.
"I'm not allowed to leave until you open it, miss."
He approached the edge of the blanket the two were sitting on and placed the heavyweight box in front of her crossed legs. Once he stepped away from her and Shoto, she warily flipped the metal latch and opened the ominous box. Aylee told all of the kids she took care of that it was always better to rip off the band-aid instead of worrying about it. Her hazel eyes come face to face with a lavish diamond necklace sitting on a velvet cushion in the box. It was over the top and obviously expensive if it was real. But after what she witnessed when he showed character and toxic masculine pride, Aylee was 95% sure that the necklace was made up of genuine diamonds.
"Ugh... The nerve of that man." Aylee groaned in irritation and slammed the lid on the fancy box shut.
She stood up and grabbed Shoto's small hand. Shoto was gloomy at the mention of his father again and Aylee was angry that his father was ruining a good memory for Shoto to keep. She wasn't about to let this behaviour slide that easy.
"Come on Shoto. We're going to pay a short visit to your father."
Hawks started to diligently fold up the blanket and stuck it back into the now-empty basket. They were ready to leave within a few minutes.
The red and white-haired boy looked very alarmed and turned to face Hawks showing a scared expression on his small face. The group followed after the relieved assistant to the town car parked illegally and seemingly waiting for them. She climbed into the black car without protest but she remained silent while helping Shoto sit down comfortably next to her. Hawks got into the car last and shut the door gently while struggling to manoeuvre his wings to be out of the other occupants' way, but also so he was comfortable. Aylee noticed his struggle and willingly broke her self imposed silence.
"You can put a wing behind me if you want. I know it might not be totally pleasant, but it could help a bit and prevent you from feeling cramped." Her voice was soft but earnest in her concern for him. Hawks' heart started pumping a bit faster at her tired smile. He was beginning to feel warm in his chest at her kind words.
"Thanks. Let me know if it bothers you or becomes too uncomfortable."
Aylee leaned forward slightly and Hawks stretched out his left-wing behind her back to rest against the leather seat. Once he got fully settled, she sat against her seat again and leaned back against his crimson feathers. Hawks unconsciously twitched at her touch against his sensitive wings before relaxing at her body warmth. The pro hero had to hold in a sharp exhale from the contact.
The car descended back into a tense silence and Shoto snuggled up next to Aylee, presumably worried about seeing his father in person again. The last time he saw him it didn't end on a good note. She carded the tips of her fingers through his hair to distract him a bit until they arrived at Endeavor's agency.
Upon her first impressions, the building was insanely tall and absolutely ugly. But, she honestly wasn't expecting much architectural taste from the shitty number two ranked pro hero.
Hawks got out and held open the car door for her before the chauffeur could even approach the other side of the car. Aylee grabbed his offered hand and he helped her climb out of the town car. Once she was securely standing on the sidewalk, the woman turned around and helped Shoto get out. The boy was slightly shaking and he didn't want to leave the safety of the car.
Thinking quickly, Aylee held open her arms invitingly. "Peppermint, I won't let anyone touch you. Do you trust me to protect you?" Shoto looked into her serious eyes and slowly crawled across the seats to her.
She gently grabbed him out of the car and placed him onto her hip. Shoto wrapped his chubby arms securely around her neck as she made sure they both were comfortable with the position. Now ready, she stalked up to the entrance of the intimidating building that was probably overcompensating for something. Hawks trailed immediately behind the pair and the assistant had to run to catch up with the group. Aylee entered the busy lobby and confidently strutted past the receptionist's desk without a care in the world. Everyone watched the determined woman on a mission, ignore proper protocol and etiquette as she headed towards the private elevator reserved for high-level employees.
"Excuse me? Miss you are not allowed to use that elevator!"
The receptionist got up from behind her large desk to follow the group that was disregarding her words, but the assistant finally caught up and explained the situation to her.
Quickly the assistant whispered and slightly out of breath again, "Immediately notify Endeavor that Tanaka Aylee is on her way up."
The group got onto the elevator and watched the shiny golden doors close shut and soft jazz music fill the silence. Shoto shifted nervously on her hip and tightened his arms around her neck. She rubbed his back to calm him while they were riding the elevator up to Endeavor's office. Meanwhile, Aylee was thinking of what she would say once they reached their destination. All she knew for sure was that she would have to remain calm because Endeavor would definitely blow a fuse at some point.
Hawks glanced at her infuriated face and creased brow. He's never seen a woman get mad from receiving expensive jewellery. It was strange. Maybe he didn't know women as well as he thought he did. Or perhaps Aylee was just unique and different compared to other women.
A loud ding broke the elevator's occupants out of their separate inner musings.
They stepped out of the elevator that opened directly into his office to be greeted with Endeavor's smirking face. A scowl formed on her pretty face at seeing the waiting hero who had been harassing them all afternoon.
Aylee strode across the polished tiled floor with Shoto held in her arms and placed the heavy box on his desk.
"What is this? What could you possibly need to tell me that requires a diamond necklace as a bribe." She glared at his smug expression and stepped away from the large desk to wait for his response.
"I am simply trying to get to know the woman who my son is so fond of." He folded his hands calmly and turned his turquoise eyes onto his son who wouldn't make eye contact.
Shoto hid his face in her neck at his father's stern gaze now placed on him. Aylee brought his attention back to her and off of Shoto.
"Well, I'm here now. What do you want?"
Endeavor finally dropped the concerned father act he was struggling to keep up, and revealed what he actually wanted from her, "Put me back on the waitlist."
Aylee had thought that might be the case, but his actions were honestly pathetic. "Why should I? It will only feed your already overinflated ego. Plus you burned me. I never reward bad behavior." She kept stroking Shoto's back to distract him from listening to his father's words.
Orange lames flared to life on his shoulders in response to his rising anger and she put Shoto down on the floor, placing him behind her. She turned back to face the supposed hero's ire and bravely stood her ground.
Endeavor pursed his lips and said, "You seem to care for my son as much as he does for you. I can take him away in a heartbeat to resume his previous training. He's gotten soft with your influence. I'll make sure he'll never see you again."
Shoto whimpered at his father's words and threatening tone. He grabbed onto the back of Aylee's legs almost scared that she would disappear from his life forever.
Her hazel eyes narrowed and the atmosphere in the room thickened even further. Without turning away from her stare down with Endeavor she gave Hawks an order.
"Hawks, please take Shoto outside. We'll only be a minute."
Hawks looked at her cautiously but followed her request as he led Shoto out of the large office. Before the door shut, a red feather dropped from his wings and floated to rest behind a potted plant set near the entrance.
Aylee turned back around to face Endeavor after making sure Shoto couldn't hear what she was about to say.
"I warned you not to threaten him. You can insult me all you want. I don't really care. But, perhaps you didn't pay enough attention in our last conversation."
Her normally green eyes flashed to a sparkling black. Endeavor was trapped in her dark gaze and he began to see visions and scenes he had only seen in his nightmares. His strong flames extinguished and he fell to his knees looking hollow, shallowly gasping for breath.
A couple of seconds later, and her eyes flashed back to hazel releasing Endeavor from her quirk. And Aylee began her lecture that she was going to force him to listen to.
"You don't hurt children. You don't use them for your own personal gain. It's sick and twisted. People like you don't deserve to call yourselves heroes. Your son has wanted only love and safety his entire life and now that he has a taste of that you dare try to corrupt that. I almost pity you, but then I see how much your son has suffered and the sympathy I feel fades little by little. I'll say it one more time. Hurt Shoto in any way, and I'm coming for you. My quirk is not just a party trick and after only a few seconds under it, I think you finally understand that."
She paused for a rebuttal from the stubborn man child but silence permeated the air except for heavy breathing. So she continued.
"In a couple of months, I might reconsider your commission request. Good day, Endeavor."
She turned around and walked back to the door to make a clean exit when he managed to croak out before she left.
"I only want him to be the best and the strongest." Aylee paused in her steps but didn't turn around to face him.
"While that may be true. I've learned from experience that they only want comfort and kindness. Let your son be himself. He's extremely bright and capable of finding his true path on his own. You only push him away from you the more you try to control him. Deep down I think you're already aware of that."
She finally walked out of the room after ignoring the almost silent sobs that came from the room. She didn't feel bad at all. This was the only way he would listen to her and maybe learn from it.
Review Replies:
HeavenlyMonster - Thanks! Expect more cute family moments in future chapters.
SecretPeach - Aizawa is overworked so I had to add a little humorous element lol. Yeah, baby shoto deserves a chance to grow up in a better environment which is why I originally wrote this in the first place. Thanks for the compliment and I am feeling much better!
Applejax XD - yeah he's harmless in his jealousy now, but just wait for what I have planned when he gets a bit older!
Thanks for reading and reviewing everyone! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
~ Mad About Love