Here we go with the next chapter, some more TodoMomo time, woo. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: My Hero Academia doesn't belong to me.


Chapter 13: Things Fall apart

About an hour after everyone had gone to bed, Momo was still up sitting at her her laptop in shorts and a loose fitting shirt, reading through everything in the living room. They had to be sure the document was ready in every way possible, they couldn't afford to make a mistake if they were planning to thrust the Fuji family into the spotlight like this.

Shōto was about to head downstairs when Tenya caught him.

"It's already midnight and I doubt she's planning to go to bed any time soon." they both stood at the top of the stairs.

"She just wants everything to be perfect, I'm sure she'll stop soon." Shōto explained.

"If this were all then I wouldn't be that worried. Have you noticed how little she's been eating too?"

Shōto sighed. He was hoping he was wrong, but if Tenya saw it too then there was no denying it.

"Yeah, I noticed as well."

"And knowing Momo, she'll go on like she's fine until she reaches her limit." Tenya sighed and leaned against the railing.

And she's already reached it once before. Shōto remembered how much she cried that night, how tightly she clung on to him. Who knows how much more she was still holding on to? How much she still hadn't said.

"I'll see what I can do." he put his hand on Tenya's shoulder then went downstairs.

As he made it to the kitchen he found Momo already there, getting a mug from the cabinet.

"You're still up?" she then got a second mug and placed it next to hers then went to the kettle.

"I could ask you the same thing." he walked over to her.

"I'm going through the report one more time, just in case."

Silence followed. The sound of kettle heating the water filled the room.

"You sure you don't want something to eat as well? You barely ate dinner."

Momo turned to look at him, she didn't think he'd noticed. He'd been keeping an eye on her.

"Is there another reason you came down here, Shōto?" maybe she was just imagining things, but it felt like he was here for something else.

"I wanted to check on you, that's all."

"I'm fine." she answered too quickly.

"Even though you've been eating less?" he turned his body so he was facing her, she looked surprised, "And not just today, the entire time we've been here, you've barely eaten. Tenya's noticed too."

"Are you guys watching my every move now?" she answered defensively, "I haven't had much of an appetite lately, but it's nothing to worry about." Truthfully though, ever since her conversation with Tasuke, she hadn't felt like much of anything lately.

"We're definitely worried—

"Worried about!— she stopped herself from yelling, "Worried about what? I said I'm fine." Momo replied in a strained, but lower voice. Neither of them wanted to wake the others.

The water had come to a boil and the kettle turned off. Momo reached over to grab it to pour water in their mugs, picking one of them up, but accidentally spilled some of the water on her hand.

She immediately backed away, hissing in pain. Her hand began to turn red where she got burned. Shōto rushed over and quickly helped her to the sink where she ran her hand under cold water, immediately soothing the sting.

Once the immediate pain was gone, Momo closed the tap. Shōto was still holding her hand. It was gentle yet reassuring, but Momo couldn't meet his eyes.

"Momo…

"I'm fine, Shōto…" her voice was so soft, she sounded so defeated.

He couldn't tell which question she was answering. Okay from the burn, or okay from everything that's happened since all this started? He took a step closer to her so he was right in front of her, but she still hadn't looked up at him.

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, but don't forget you can always talk to me." he finally let go of her hand. Momo still hadn't moved. Her hair curtained her face so he couldn't see what kind of expression she had.

Just as he'd turned to go back upstairs, he felt Momo grab his arm.

She finally looked up at him, "We can talk outside." she lead the way and he followed. They both took their jackets before heading out.

The beach sand was cool under their feet as they walked closer to the water. It was a cloudless night, the moon full and bright in the sky. Momo sat down first and looked out at the waves. Shōto wordlessly sat next to her, also looking out at the waves crashing close to where they sat, sometimes the breeze carried over some of the sea spray.

Momo was pulled from her thoughts when she felt Shōto's hand close over hers. It was followed by a cold sensation running over her skin, he was cooling her burn. He'd noticed that she was still in pain. She let out a relieved sigh.

"Thank you." she finally said.

There was so much to say, she didn't even know where to begin. So many questions she wanted to ask him, so many feelings she was holding back. There was just too much of everything.

"You're right, I've…" Momo let out a heavy sigh, "I've been slowly falling apart, but trying to keep it together." Tasuke's threats, the hearing, the comments, judgements, guilt for making everyone worry, her father, and her parent's current situation. There was a lot to pick from.

"You don't have to keep it together all the time, though. Everyone's got a limit. It's okay if you've reached yours." he rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb.

"I can't just let go and fall."

"Why not?"

"Because I was raised to be perfect. I have to be okay." she gave him a sad smile, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"But last time—

"Last time was..." her voice began to shake and she could feel more tears welling up in her eyes. She took a deep breath hoping to be rid of both. "Last time, in my pool, I wanted you there, I was glad you were. But, it shouldn't have happened, I shouldn't have broken down like that."

"It's not the first time I've seen you cry." he stopped cooling her hand to hold both of hers between his, "I was there for you then and I'll be here now."

"It's not about that." Momo took a deep breath and chose her next words carefully, "If you're just going to end up hurt or in danger because of me then maybe you shouldn't be around me anymore."

"What are you talking about?" he genuinely couldn't understand why she'd even suggest this.

"Why didn't you tell me you went to see Tasuke?" there was confusion in her eyes as well.

"What?"

"You did, right? Not too long ago."

"How did you…?" Did that mean she also knew about...? Shōto sure hoped not.

"He told me."

"He told you? In person?" Shōto felt uneasy. Had she gone to see him after he had?

"Please answer me first." Momo searched his eyes for some kind of answer.

He broke eye contact first, "Yes, I went to see him after Fuyumi told me everything. I told him to stay away from them and you. I asked him to stop all this mess."

"That might have provoked him."

He looked at her confused.

"We spoke on the phone. I messaged him from my account and he ended up calling me." She couldn't hide the fear in her voice anymore. "He's already preparing his next move, and he's got something specific planned for you!" she scooted closer to him turned her whole body to face him, urgency present in her voice. She needed him to know how serious this was.

"I'm not afraid of him!" Shōto declared. He wanted to deal with Tasuke, to finally put an end to this, so any opportunity for them to face off, Shōto welcomed.

"I'm not either, but I'm terrified of what he could do to you! He's rich, his family influence, he's in contact with so many dangerous people. Any of which could come after you." neither of them noticed they'd gotten even closer.

"Nothing's gonna happen to me." he held her arms.

"You can't know that for sure!" she put her hands on his shoulders, "So many times I thought of giving in. If I just give him what he wants then none of you would have to deal with any of this. Ochako's been getting backlash from all this, he even went after your sister's daughter. If I wasn't around any of you none of this would've happened!" she yelled, the pain in her voice clear. Momo lowered her head.

"And do you think any of us would've been happy with that result?! You think I could just sit back and watch him take you from us… from me?" He put his hand under her chin and gently tilted her head up so he could see her face. He wiped away her tears. "Seeing you go through this is unbearable, Momo."

"There's already so much I wish you hadn't seen. Right at the beginning when that damn video went viral and everyone had an opinion on me, how I looked and my body. I wish you hadn't seen any of that. I know it's stupid, but at some point I worried you'd start seeing me that way too."

That admission hurt deep and with each passing moment, the hurt in himself began to grow. Seeing her like this, holding her like this, it was infuriating that anyone would make her feel this way. How dare Tasuke take away her beautiful smile? Shōto knew deep in his heart that he couldn't forgive Tasuke for all of this.

"I don't care about the opinions of those idiots who don't know anything about you. The Momo I know is the most beautiful person ever. Nothing can change how amazing I think you are. The same Momo who always cups her face in joy when drinking her favourite tea. The same Momo who always eats her cinnamon rolls too fast and asks for some of mine. I'd give her a whole truck full if it meant I'd see that adorable smile. The same Momo who sometimes carries the weight of the world on her shoulders but doesn't have to. The same Momo I'm always going to stick by no matter what."

"Shōto..." she buried her face in his chest and held him tightly. Shōto held her like it was the last time he'd ever get to.

He'd poured out his heart to her without saying the words he'd meant to say, but it was fine. He didn't need to say them now. It wasn't the time for her to hear them yet.

With the crashing waves as the soundtrack to their time together, they fell into a comfortable silence. Momo sat side ways in his lap, head resting by the crook of his neck. His arms were still around her and his chin rested atop her head.

When they'd decided it was time head back inside, Shōto easily stood up with Momo still in his arms and carried her back to the house.

Once inside, Momo agreed to his earlier suggestion of a late night meal. After a few minutes of letting their cup noodles set, the two of them sat on the couch and ate in silence.

Warmed up, full and feeling slightly drowsy, Shōto and Momo decided to go to bed.

Too bad they never made it there.

Momo was the first to stir, the gentle breath on her skin tickling her cheek. She cosied up to comfortable source of warmth and took a deep breath trying to go back to sleep. The familiar fragrance she took in made her open her eyes immediately though.

That was Shōto's cologne. She knew it like the back of her hand. The sight before her almost made her yelp in surprise.

So they hadn't, in fact, gone to bed a few hours ago. They were still on the couch and boy were they cosy.

Momo slowly propped herself on her elbow to see just how compromising they looked. In addition to being completely pressed up against him, Momo had her other arm around him and their legs were intertwined. Before she sat up, Momo's head had been just below Shōto's. All she would've needed to do was tilt her head to look up at him and they would've been close enough to kiss.

She definitely didn't think about that. And she certainly wasn't blushing at the thought of it. Nope. Not at all.

And as for Shōto who was still asleep, as much as she wanted to enjoy seeing how peaceful he looked while he slept, she couldn't help but focus on his arm around her waist. It also didn't help that her shirt had risen up, so his hand was on her skin.

She really hated to do this but, "Shōto..." she nudged him gently, hoping he was still too sleepy to notice her blushing cheeks.

After two more attempts he sleepily opened one eye. "You're up already."

"Did you know we slept in the living room?"

"We're not upstairs? Thought I was in my room." he stifled a yawn.

"We're still on the couch, we fell asleep here. And why would I be like this in your room?" Momo asked incredulously.

"Do you really want me to answer that question?" even though he was still sleepy, he still managed a smirk.

How could he still find the energy to tease her less than three minutes after waking up?

"Anyways, is there really a problem right now?" he propped himself on his elbow now too, his other arms still comfortably around her waist.

"No but— Momo stretched too far and almost fell back off the couch but Shōto pulled her closer before she could. He held her right against him, his arm now holding her lower arm, their faces even closer than before and neither of them dared to move.

Momo was still a little surprised from almost falling off the couch, she held tightly to his shirt. Both of their breathing had picked up slightly.

Their eyes locked on each other, minds racing, probably thinking the same thing.

Just a little closer and…

They both leaned in at the same time, Momo's hand already on its way to cup his cheek. Shōto's hand returned to her waist.

Momo felt her heart skip a beat when their lips brushed together but—

It was short lived.

They heard one of the bedroom doors open. It seemed one of their friends was up and probably on their way down. Momo and Shōto only had a few more seconds to separate unless they wanted their friends to see what was going on.

"To be continued?" Shōto leaned in and spoke into her ear.

"Absolutely." Momo agreed with a giggle before getting up first and clearing the table of their late night meal.

By the time Tenya came downstairs, Momo was by the sink while Shōto got up from the couch and stretched.


Like nothing had happened at all.

"You guys work quickly, I'm impressed." Tasuke stood in the middle of a warehouse that his father owned. Kosuke however wasn't aware of what his son was up to in this warehouse and what chaos he was about to unleash in pursuit of Momo. Three large white deliver trucks were parked in front of him, a driver for each and a team of twenty armed men all dressed in black stood behind Tasuke. They all carried various weapons like metallic baseball bats, hammers and pipes.

Tasuke smiled at the sight before him. "And everyone understands the plan? Everything must happen at once, while I handle provoking my target."

"The plan is set. All we'll need is your go ahead when everyone is at their designated spots." The leader of the hired group spoke. He also wore all black and a mask to hide his face.

"And our spy who's been watching the house?"

"He'll radio in as soon as anyone leaves."

"Hopefully she isn't one of the ones who does, but if she is, the plan still goes ahead as is." Tasuke turned around to address the men behind him. "Everyone move out, the plan goes live tonight. As soon as I give the signal, we set Creati's world on fire!"

Tasuke has spent a small fortune on this plan of his, it had to work out. The fact that his father had no idea what he was doing gave him even more motivation to succeed. He could get Creati as he wanted and show his father how capable he was on his own.

The trucks' engines roared to life while the team of twenty piled into one truck, the other two only having the drivers inside.

Tasuke watched all three vehicles drive off until he was the only one left in the now empty warehouse. A somewhat deranged smile took over his face as he thought of how devastated Creati would be after this.

This final plan of his wasn't just about getting her to obey him and finally be his. It was also his way of punishing her for putting him through all this. He wanted to teach her a lesson and he was going to make sure it was one she'd never forget.

Tasuke opened his phone to check the GPS trackers he'd had set up. All three were beeping and their signals still active.

Three locations, three targets, all prepared for tonight. He'd done his research since the hearing and studied the patters of the people closest to Momo. And the men he'd hired had set up the trackers for all three locations. The more personal locations took a bit more digging but he'd found those too.

"Tonight's going to be a good night." he spoke to himself as he left the warehouse and walked back to his car. "A good night to sew some panic."

He got into his car and drove home.


Tasuke is ready to take action and Momo definitely isn't ready for what's coming her way.

Anyways, that's it from me-

Until the next chapter:

Ketsui Tasogare :-)