Rei stood in the kitchen, trying to ground themselves in this strange new reality.

The smell of pancakes filled the air, a comforting scent that contrasted sharply with the disorientation still swirling in their mind. The Todoroki children were all gathered around the kitchen, their expressions a mix of curiosity, confusion, and hope.

Rei flips a pancake, feeling a constant soothing cold that seeps into her bones since waking up. It was almost as if the frost she could feel running through her veins had always been there, a part of her now. The knowledge of what had happened, or what might have happened, was too overwhelming to process all at once.

It was easier, for now, to focus on the simple task of making breakfast for the children.

Touya, Fuyumi, Natsuo, and Shoto, the names came to her effortlessly, as if they had always been there, just waiting to be remembered.

They weren't her memories, not really.

They were Rei's.

Yet, as she looked at each of them, she feels an undeniable connection, a fierce protectiveness that was all too real.

Touya, her oldest, was still staring at her as if trying to figure out what had changed. His bright blue eyes, so much like his father's, were narrowed in suspicion. Rei met his gaze and offered him a small, reassuring smile. Whatever he saw there, it seemed to calm him, if only slightly.

"Why don't you go set the table, Touya?" she suggested gently. "The pancakes will be ready soon."

He hesitated for a moment before nodding and sliding off his chair. As he moved to the cabinets, pulling out plates and utensils, Rei turned her attention to Fuyumi, who was happily humming a little tune as she set out cups for everyone.

Natsuo was still half-asleep, leaning on the counter with his head in his hands, and Shoto was watching everything with wide, mismatched eyes from his perch on her hip. When the pancakes were ready, Rei set the platter in the center of the table and began dishing out portions to each child. It was such a simple, domestic scene, but it felt surreal to her, like something out of a dream.

A part of her wanted to cling to it, to lose herself in the normalcy of this moment, but the underlying anxiety remained.

After everyone had been served, Rei sat down at the table, noticing how the children were all watching her with a mixture of surprise and something like awe. She knew why, this was not how their mother usually acted.

It was how she would act from now on. They were her children now, and she would protect them, love them, with everything she had.

"Mamma?" Shoto's small voice broke through her thoughts. He was still holding onto her, his tiny hand clutching her sleeve as if afraid she might disappear.

"Yes, my little fire-frost?"

"Are you feeling better?" his voice filled with genuine concern. It warms her deeply, her little boy's worry for his mother.

"I'm feeling much better now," Rei said softly, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Thank you for asking, Shoto."

Shoto gave her a small, shy smile, and Rei felt her heart swell with love. She glanced around the table at the other children, noticing how they all seemed to relax a little, seeing that their mother was truly okay.

As they ate, Rei couldn't help but let her mind wander back to the reality of their situation, yet here she was, living in the body of a woman she had once only read about. The memories of the previous Rei Todoroki were now a part of her, but so too were her own memories from her past life.And with those memories came knowledge, knowledge of what was to come.

She knew the struggles this family would face, the pain and hardship that awaited them. But she also knew that she had a chance to change things, to make a difference in their lives.

The thought of that responsibility was daunting, but it also gave her a sense of purpose. If she was here, in this world, in this body, then she would do everything in her power to ensure that her children would have a better future.

As breakfast came to an end, Rei stood up and began clearing the table, her movements still a little awkward as she adjusted to her new body. The children helped her, eager to be of assistance, and soon the kitchen was clean, the dishes washed and put away.

With the chores done, Rei turned to face her children, who were all looking at her expectantly. She took a deep breath, knowing that whatever happened next, she would face it head-on.

"Why don't we all go outside for a while?" she suggested, smiling as she saw their faces light up. "It's a beautiful day, and we could all use some fresh air."

They eagerly agreed, and Rei feels a sense of contentment as they make their way to the garden. She knew that there would be challenges ahead, but for now, she would cherish these moments of peace and happiness with her family.

Rei leads the children out into the garden, where the morning sun casts a soft, golden glow over the carefully maintained shrubs and flowers. The warmth of the sun was a pleasant contrast to the icy chill that still lingered in her veins.

She could feel it pulsing through her, a reminder of the quirk she now possessed, a quirk that she would have to learn to control.

The garden was beautiful, an oasis of calm that felt almost sacred. The children immediately scattered, each drawn to different parts of the space.

Fuyumi went to the flower beds, her fingers gently brushing over the delicate petals as she hummed a soft tune. Natsuo, still a bit groggy from waking up, plopped down on the grass, lying on his back to stare up at the sky.

Touya, ever the cautious one, stayed close to the house, his eyes never leaving Rei as if he were afraid she might disappear if he looked away.

Rei felt Shoto's small hand tugging at hers, and she looked down to see him gazing up at her with those wide, mismatched eyes. He was such a quiet child, but she could see the intelligence and curiosity behind his gaze.

"Mamma, can we play?" he asked, his voice soft but hopeful.

Rei smiled, feeling a rush of affection for the little boy. "Of course, my fire-frost. What would you like to play?"

Shoto seemed to think for a moment, his tiny brow furrowing in concentration. "Can we play hide and seek?" he finally asked.

Rei chuckled softly, her heart warming at the innocence of the request. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. Why don't you go and hide, and I'll count to ten?"

Shoto nodded eagerly before running off to find a hiding spot, his little legs carrying him as fast as they could. Rei watched him go, her smile fading slightly as she thought about the challenges this little boy would face in the future. But then she shook her head, determined not to dwell on that now.

She began to count, closing her eyes and covering them with her hands. "One… two… three…" Her voice was calm, steady, even though inside she was still reeling from everything that had happened.

By the time she reached ten, she opened her eyes and began to search for her children.

Fuyumi had already hidden behind a large rose bush, her giggles giving her away. Rei pretended not to see her at first, but eventually, she swooped in, tickling her gently as she "found" her. Natsuo, never one for much effort in games like these, had simply rolled onto his side and pulled a blanket of grass over himself, snickering as she found him with ease.

But it was Shoto who took the game seriously, hiding behind a tree with a determination that made Rei's heart ache with both pride and sadness. He was so young, yet he already felt the weight of expectations.

When Rei finally "found" him, she didn't rush him out of his hiding spot. Instead, she crouched down beside him, gently tugging on the edge of his blanket where he'd hidden his face.

"There you are," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "You're very good at hiding, Shoto."

Shoto peeked out from behind the blanket, a small smile playing on his lips. "Did I win?" he asked, his voice laced with hope.

"You did," Rei confirmed, her heart swelling with affection. "You're the best hider in the whole garden."

Rei took a deep breath, watching as Shoto, Fuyumi, and Natsuo played a little ways away, their laughter echoing through the yard.

She could see Touya lingering by the edge of the play area, not quite joining in, but not entirely removed either. His posture was tense, his shoulders hunched as if he were bracing himself for something. She slowly walked over to him, her heart heavy with the conversation she knew she needed to have.

As she approached, Touya glanced up at her, his expression wary, his eyes filled with a guarded pain that made her heart clench.

"Can we talk, Touya-kun?" she asked gently, sitting down beside him on the low stone wall that marked the edge of the yard. He shrugged but didn't move away, which she took as a sign that he was willing to listen.

Rei hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts. The memories of this body were still raw and overwhelming, but one thing was clear, Touya had suffered greatly, and much of it was because she, or rather, the previous Rei, had been unable to intervene.

"Touya," she began, her voice soft but steady, "I want to apologize. I know that things have been difficult for you, and I'm sorry I didn't step in when I should have. I… I let my own insecurities hold me back, and because of that, you've had to endure so much pain."

Touya's eyes flicked to her, a mix of confusion and anger flashing in his gaze.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, his tone sharp. "It's not your fault."

"It's… it's his fault. He's the one who-" He cut himself off, his voice trembling with barely restrained emotion. Rei could see the turmoil in him, the way he was struggling to reconcile his love for his father with the pain Enji had caused him.

"You're right," Rei said, placing a hand gently on his.

"He is responsible for what he's done, and I won't make excuses for him. But I also want you to know that I'm here now, and I'm not going to let him hurt you like that anymore. I'll make sure you don't have to worry about training or living up to anyone else's expectations."

She presses a kiss to his forehead, "You deserve to be happy, Touya, to feel safe and loved."

Touya stared at her, his eyes wide with shock. This wasn't the mother he remembered, the one who had always been distant, lost in her own fears and insecurities. This was someone different, someone who was looking at him with an intensity and love that made his heart stutter in his chest.

"I'm sorry for everything you've been through," Rei continued, her voice thick with emotion. "I know I can't undo the past, but I promise you, from now on, I'll do everything in my power to protect you and your siblings."

"You don't have to carry this burden alone anymore."

Touya's lower lip trembled, and for a moment, Rei feared he might lash out or retreat further into himself. But then, slowly, he nodded, his eyes filling with tears he refused to let fall.

"I don't know if things can change," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But… I guess I'll try to believe you. Just… don't lie to me, okay? Don't say things you don't mean."

Rei's heart swelled with fierce determination. "I mean every word, Touya. I'll prove it to you."

Enji pushes open the front door, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders. The house is dark, save for the flickering light of the television coming from the living room. He expects to be greeted by silence, by the distant sounds of his children in their rooms, perhaps, but nothing more, yet as he steps inside, he feels an unusual tension in the air, something different, something he couldn't quite place.

He moves toward the living room, the heavy thud of his footsteps muted by the plush carpet. When he reaches the doorway, he feezes.

Rei was sitting on the couch, her figure half-illuminated by the pale blue light of the TV. The remote sat forgotten on the cushion beside her, and her gaze was fixed on the screen, though it was clear her mind was elsewhere.

The sight was jarring, unsettling even.

He cleared his throat, but she didn't look up.

"Rei?" he called out, his voice low, uncertain. She finally turned her head to face him, and the intensity in her eyes made him take a step back.

There was a fire there that he hadn't seen in years, a resolve that caught him off guard. It made him feel… nervous.

"Enji," she said, her voice calm, but laced with an undercurrent of something powerful. "We need to talk."

He frowned, the weariness of the day making him more irritable than usual. "Can it wait?"

"I've had a long day, and I need to-"

"No, it can't," she interrupted, standing up from the couch with a grace that belied the tension in her posture. "The kids are out of earshot, so now is the perfect time."

Enji's eyes narrowed.

This wasn't like her at all.

"What's this about?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest, a defensive stance he often adopted when he felt out of his depth.

Rei took a deep breath, steadying herself, then met his gaze with a fierce determination that sent a shiver down his spine. "It's about you. About our family. About what kind of father you are, what kind of man you want to be."

He is caught off guard by the directness of her words, so much so that he doesn't respond immediately.

When he does, his voice is gruff, almost dismissive. "I've always done what I had to do for this family."

She shakes her head, a look of disappointment crossing her features. "No, Enji. You've done what you thought you had to do for yourself. You've been so focused on becoming the number one hero, on surpassing All Might, that you've lost sight of what really matters."

Enji's jaw clenched at the mention of All Might, the sort of subject. "You don't understand what it's like," he began, his voice rising slightly, "to have the weight of the world on your shoulders, to have everyone expect you to-"

"To what? Be a hero?"

"Be the best?" Rei cut in sharply, her voice gaining an edge. "Do you want to be the number one hero, Enji, or would you rather be your child's idol?"

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut.

He stares at her, speechless, as she continues.

"Strangers whose opinions mean nothing, or your own fucking blood?" she snarls, her voice trembling with emotion, with a rage he had never seen from her before. "Is being number one worth it if it means losing your family?"

"Is it worth it if your children grow up afraid of you, hating you?"

Enji was too stunned to respond.

The woman standing before him now was fierce, unyielding, and absolutely furious. It made him realize just how much he had underestimated her, how much he had taken her for granted.

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He couldn't think of anything to say that would justify the way he had been, the way he had pushed his family aside in his obsessive pursuit of power and recognition.

Rei took a step closer to him, her gaze piercing. "I'm not going to stand by and let you destroy this family, Enji."

"Not anymore. You need to decide, right now, what's more important to you—your ambition, or your children. Because if you keep going down this path, you're going to lose them. You're going to lose all of us." For the first time in years, Enji felt a crack in the wall he had built around himself, the wall of pride, of duty, of relentless ambition.

Rei's words echoed in his mind, dredging up feelings he had buried long ago, feelings of inadequacy, of fear, of failure. He had always believed that becoming the number one hero was the only way to validate his existence, to prove to himself and the world that he was worth something.

Now, standing in front of the woman he had pushed away for so long, he was forced to confront a painful truth.

Had he really been willing to sacrifice his family for the sake of a title?

Had he really been so blind?

Enji swallowed hard, his throat tight. "Rei… I…"

He didn't know what to say. He doesn't know how to fix this, how to make up for the years of neglect, of coldness, of pain he had caused. All he knew was that the anger, the sadness, the disappointment in her eyes was too much to bear.

Rei watched him struggle, her expression softening just slightly. "I don't need you to have all the answers right now, Enji," she said quietly. "I just need to know that you're willing to try."

"That you're willing to put this family first."

"Because if you can't… I don't know how much longer we can keep going like this." Enji looked down at the floor, the weight of her words pressing down on him.

He had spent so many years chasing a dream, a dream that had slowly turned into a nightmare for everyone around him, and now, faced with the possibility of losing the only people who truly should matter, he feels something inside him shift, something that had been buried under layers of pride and stubbornness.

He looked up at Rei, and for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to be vulnerable. "I don't know how to change," he admitted, his voice rough, barely above a whisper.

"But… I'll try. For you. For the kids. I'll try."

Rei nodded, a small, sad smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "That's all I ask, Enji."

She then surprises him with an affectionate kiss on his cheek, the coldness of her lips soothing an ache he never knew was there. He swallows as he has the sudden urge to caress her silky locks.

So, surprise.

Touya is totally wigged out with his new mom, and is the only one to even be close to guessing what really happened xD