Wow this story is really taking on a life of its own. Firstly, it wasn't going to be this long and second, my original idea for this chapter specifically ended up being a whole longer but its great and I'm loving where this is going, so please enjoy.

Chapter 5: Choices

Exclusive: Hawks and Todoroki Fuyumi! The Hottest New Couple?

But where did it all begin?

It's no secret that the Number Two Hero, Hawks is widely popular throughout the country and has many fans who admire and look up to him. That same admiration has lead to a general curiosity about the young hero, one of many questions people had was: does he have a girlfriend?

Which leads into this story. The recently held Heroes Gala was a night for celebrating the future of a safer society and those who work tirelessly to make that a reality. A truly wonderful evening for those who attended but the event also caught a lot of attention for a different reason. Hawks, who dazzled in an all black suit with gold detailing on the blazer, was not celebrating alone. He had a date for the evening and what a pair they made.

Todoroki Fuyumi, the only daughter of the Number one Hero, Endeavor looked stunning in a crimson evening gown with her hair pulled back in a neat bun, was the plus one of Hawks. The two of them looked more than comfortable together walking around arm-in-arm and even closer during their intimate dance together.

After images of the event were uploaded online, Hawks and Fuyumi quickly became the most talked about topic from the Gala. And while we cannot say when exactly the two began seeing each other, multiple sightings of the two were reported, one of which was at the elementary school where Todoroki-san works.

While not uncommon, heroes are people too who also require companionship and love if they so wish, the public nature of the relationship has people looking closer at what it could all mean. While many support the apparent relationship, some speculate that the relationship might be serving an alternative purpose. What does Endeavor have to say about it? Does it have anything to do with the two top heroes team up in Kyushu? Was there some type of deal worked out? And many more guesses.

Heroes are usually private by nature about their personal lives, keeping work and home apart for obvious reasons but how much about our favourite hero does Todoroki-san know? Did they disclose the answers to burning questions we've all had during their sensual dance?

As we wait and see the next move of the might-be couple and whether they'll make it official and announce their relationship, a lot fans will be nursing their broken hearts knowing that Hawks might be taken.

Fuyumi stared at the bottom of the article, if it could even be called that, for a few seconds still trying to process what the hell she'd just read. It read more like those trashy tabloid stories.

"And that is just one of many articles written about the two of you, Todoroki-san."

"If the others are like this then they're all completely wrong. This article is incredibly biased and full of writing intending to fill in the blanks with fiction. We're not together and there's nothing nefarious going on." Fuyumi handed back the tablet.

"Whether it's true or not that you're dating is of little consequence. It's enough that people think you are and they're going to choose whatever answer they want to believe and give stories like this this much attention. Why choose to complicate your life like this?"

"As the daughter of the number one pro-hero, I'm sure you realise that this isn't new to me. I know what complicated feels like." Her answer was painfully true, she'd been living a complex life since childhood, anything that followed now would be more fuel to an already raging fire. It was nothing she couldn't handle, as a Todoroki, she'd been around fire her whole life. And if it meant Hawks had someone by his side, she'd take up that part in his life. As much as he smiled and laughed with her, Fuyumi knew that there was probably more. Maybe they had been drawn together that night, one wounded spirit to another. He'd offhandedly confirmed so when they'd met that night. That he too was from a complicated family. Words couldn't describe how much she appreciated him being there for her back then, she wanted to do the same for him.

"You're making it seem like heroes can never be in relationships when that's obviously not true." Fuyumi answered back as politely as she could without letting too much of her true feelings spill through. Why was this so difficult? If she and Hawks wanted to be together it shouldn't cause this much trouble. And she was proof that heroes could have families. Dark childhood aside, her parents were all the example she needed. A pro-hero and a civilian could be together and have a family.

"I'm afraid it's not so simple. Hawks is a special type of hero, different from the rest."

"How so?" Fuyumi asked but the President moved on without so much as acknowledging her question.

"He can't have anything tying him down or getting in the way of his work. And this..." she held up the photo of them from the Gala, "Qualifies as a distraction. Anytime a hero makes headlines, all eyes fall on the Commission. We are the custodians of a lot of information, Todoroki-san. A lot of information that can never be made public for the benefit of society and that includes information about Hawks and more importantly his past."

Fuyumi was being hit with just how little she knew about heroes and the world they lived in, how they operated and what was important to them. It stung, the realisation that there was so much Hawks could never tell her, so much she could never ask or at least never get answers to. Just how much had he sacrificed to get to where he was? How much of himself was held back?

"You speak about him as if you own him." Fuyumi's voice was almost a whisper.

The President intentionally didn't answer, letting her silence speak for itself. She couldn't very well tell Endeavor's daughter everything about Hawks and how they had him bound to them in a way. Hawks was an important asset in keeping the image of Hero Society as bright as possible.

"The integrity and safety of the Commission is paramount. A situation like this cannot derail what so many have worked to establish, including Hawks."

A low blow, using him against her like that but if it got the job done, nothing was off the table. In fact, to drive the point home even further…

"Ending whatever relationship you two have would benefit you as well." the President continued. "Wasn't your younger brother attacked by a villain who was after your father? Who's to say the same thing won't happen again but to both brothers this time or even you? You could be attracting all sorts of danger and attention to your family."

Fuyumi wasn't really one to show her anger, not like the men in the family at least but bringing up Natsu right now had upset her and she couldn't hide it.

"Do not bring up my brothers or anyone in my family as if they were statistics." Fuyumi adjusted her glasses. "You've made your point."

"Just making sure you've really thought this through."

The car had turned the corner and pulled up to the school.

Just before Fuyumi got out the car she turned back to the President, "You may not seem to believe it but Hawks deserves to be happy just like everyone else. He's not some inanimate pillar upholding your structure of society. Under all that skill and talent, he's a person just like the rest of us."

Fuyumi remained at her desk long after the final bell had sounded and the students had gone home for the day. She realised how distracted she'd been all day, thinking about the conversation she'd had that morning with the Commission President. She never thought things would turn out this way.

As she gathered her things and got ready to go, her phone buzzed for a long time. An incoming call from Hawks, she smiled. All that heavy thinking was weighing her down and the surprise call was just what she needed.

"Perfect timing." she answered cheerfully and leaned against her desk.

"One of my many talents." the confidence in his voice was reassuring, he sounded to be in good spirits. "How are you?"

"Definitely a lot better hearing your voice."

"Did something happen? Were you swamped on your way to work?"

"Just a bit of a rough morning but not because of a crowd or anything. I actually got a lift to work so I avoided that completely." she chose to leave out the part about her talk with Madam President. "Are you alright?"

Hawks was relieved to hear that but he noticed how she'd left out what had caused her morning to be troubling but he didn't press her on it.

"Getting attention comes with the territory, so it's nothing new for me really. How are things at work?"

"Interestingly, things haven't changed much. I get asked a few questions but most of my colleagues had assumed we'd been dating since you visited the school so the pictures didn't come as much of a surprise." she laughed lightly, "If anything they mostly focused on how stunning the pictures looked." Fuyumi answered with a smile. Hawks chuckled, he was glad at least something good had come out of this. The two of them continued their conversation and agreed that rather than give the rumour mill even more content to write about, it would be best to let the story lose momentum. So for the rest of the week they'd stick to texting and when things quieted down they'd see each other again.

Xxx

Fuyumi had just paid for the groceries and was on her way out when someone entering the store stopped when they realised who she was.

"Todoroki Fuyumi-san?" the woman around her age called out to her, Fuyumi stopped and turned around. "Oh my goodness it is you! Is Hawks with you too?" she'd said a little too loudly and soon enough more people took notice and approached. Two or three more people showed up but then the number increased quickly. The entrance to the store was quickly blocked by the small crowd of people surrounding her.

Fuyumi felt trapped, all these people surrounding her and asking invasive and personal questions. She just wanted to leave but couldn't see a way through the crowd.

"Are you two living together?"

"How long have you been dating?"

"Is this some kind of PR stunt to keep Hawks and Endeavor in the public eye?"

"Any plans on getting married?"

It was too much all at once. No one was giving her a chance to speak let alone get out of there. Just when she thought she'd be consumed by this sea of endless questions, she felt a hand grab hers and pull her from the group of people.

"Natsu!" she was surprised to see him here.

"I was walking by when I heard people yelling your name so I rushed over." Natsu had his arm around her shoulder as they pushed through the people still trying to force answers from her. He had such a serious look on his face.

When the Todoroki siblings finally made it home, Fuyumi and Natsuo took a second to catch their breath as they sat at the entrance after removing their shoes. Fuyumi looked over at Natsuo who was resting against his arms stretched out behind him. He looked tired. A few seconds later Shōto appeared and he was wearing an apron.

"Welcome home." the youngest greeted his siblings.

"Shōto? I thought you were coming to visit on Saturday." Fuyumi spoke up first.

"I'm training over the weekend so I got permission for us to come over today." he answered simply.

"Us?" Natsu finally stood up.

"Momo's here too. We were helping mom make dinner."

"Is that why you're wearing an apron?" Fuyumi chuckled at the sight, he looked cute in the blue apron. "Wait a second, Shōto you can't cook."

Natsu tried and failed to hide his laugh.

"I was watching mostly."

"Then why the apron?" Fuyumi asked with an amused smile.

"To be prepared." Shōto's neutral yet serious face didn't help Natsuo laugh any less.

The three of them continued their conversation on their way to the eating area which was mostly Shōto being teased by his siblings. He didn't really mind it though, in fact it was nice seeing them both so happy, another reason for Natsuo's happiness was that their father would be coming home late so they could be themselves that evening. They'd all be asleep by the time he got home.

"Natsu, sorry I got you caught up in all that back at the store." she stood at the door and watched Natsuo sit at the table.

"What are you apologising for? You're the one who got jumped, of course I was gonna step in."

She walked in and sat next to him.

"Who got jumped?" Rei walked in holding a tray of food, Shōto and Yaoyorozu followed behind and helped set down the rest of the bowls. Fuyumi greeted Yaoyorozu with a hug, very happy to see her again.

"At the grocery store, Fuyumi was surrounded by a crowd of people. They were asking all sorts of questions." Natsu leaned his arm on the table. "Who knew Fuyumi getting a boyfriend would cause such a stir?"

Fuyumi blushed and denied that they were dating. After that they started eating and the conversation went in a different direction. Shōto and Yaoyorozu spoke about how school and training was going, Natsuo lamented over his research assignment which was taking forever to write and Fuyumi talked about her day at work.

They talked and laughed and at the end of the night Shōto and Yaoyorozu were on their way out. Shōto hugged his mother and waited for Yaoyorozu to finish talking to her. They both had an appreciation for various teas and Rei was thanking her for bringing a new flavour along.

Finally, he said goodbye to his siblings, Fuyumi opting for a hug this time, before the two teens left.

Yaoyorozu giggled as they made their way to back to campus.

"What is it?" Shōto asked.

"You always look a lot happier after spending time with your family. I like that." she smiled and walked closer to him.

"Things are better than what they used to be, plus Fuyumi's been a lot happier lately and that's a good thing."

"I agree." Yaoyorozu was about to say something but stopped when Shōto held her hand.

"I'll probably be at my happiest when you join the family one day."

"Shōto!" her face immediately turned red. He looked confused as to why she was blushing at his words. How could she not be? Did he not realise what his words meant?

Xxx

Fuyumi had just taken a bath and was on her way to her room when she overheard her mother and brother talking in the kitchen.

"It was bad, mom. She was completely surrounded by people. What if I hadn't been walking by then? She'd have to face all that alone."

"But you were there, you were able to help your sister and that's what matters." she put her hand on his shoulder.

"Nee-chan's been looking out for me since we were kids, I want to do the same for her. I just want her to be happy."

Fuyumi felt tears well up in her eyes as she went back to her room. Once safely behind her closed door, she let her tears fall. Her mind went back to her talk with the Commission President that morning and her fear that she'd told her mother about.

She didn't want to make any of them worry, she didn't want any of them getting involved in all this attention because of her. Why did it feel like the cost of her happiness was so high? Could she really not have both? A happy family and a new, beautiful relationship.

She took out her phone and looked at the photo that was her homescreen, the one Hawks had sent her after she'd left the Gala. Him smiling with her lipstick kiss on his cheek. She smiled.

It already felt like the Gala was a century ago even though it hadn't really been that long. Fuyumi then went online and found the pictures of them when they were dancing. She hadn't really had the chance to see them and take them in on her own. She'd only seen them from everyone else's point of view.

She stopped on the first picture, Hawks held her hand as he bowed. Fuyumi remembered that she'd laughed in excitement, he was taking his role as lead in their dance very seriously.

The second photo was during their dance, their bodies pressed together, Hawks' hand comfortably around her waist. Their faces were close as well, looking only at each other. Fuyumi remembered the feeling of his eyes on her, it made her heart race. Even now sitting in her room thinking back on it, the way he looked at her still made her insides tingle. And the way he'd held her, she wanted to feel that again.

The third picture had been when he twirled her, the skirt of her dress captured brilliantly in the photo mid twirl, it looked lighter than air.

The final photo, which was by far her favourite one, had been after the twirl when he lifted her in the air. They were under a lantern and therefore illuminated by the light. Both of his hands this time were on her waist and hers on his shoulders, both of them captured laughing and looking at each other. The moment hadn't lasted long, Fuyumi only remembered being in the air for about two seconds but it was magical nonetheless. They were basically glowing in the picture.

The pictures were beautiful, no matter what was going on around her, that at least was very clear. She was glad the pictures existed. Fuyumi thought back to how much she enjoyed hearing Hawks' voice when he'd called her and how happy she'd been tonight with her family. Why couldn't she have both? No news story lasted forever and people would always talk no matter what they did. Not to mention giving up either of the things important to her wasn't an option.

Fuyumi made up her mind. She and Hawks wanted to be together, so why not?

First things first, she had to tell Hawks she was in love with him.

Okay so that was a whole lot. I really ended up making Madam President a lot more conniving in that chat but it was all in service of the story, haha. And minor as it had been I love Todoroki siblings fluff (angst too) so that was fun to write. Anyways hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks a lot to everyone taking the time to read and enjoy this fic.