I snuck us in through my back window, the same one I used when I was trying to hide from the media all those months ago right as I returned to Japan and UA.

The night was dark, not even the moon was out to illuminate the world, and I was beyond grateful. There was no way we were noticed.

I set Eri down after we got inside.

"Ama where are we?" she held onto my leg.

"Don't worry. This is my home," I smiled at her. "We'll be safe here for the night, ok?"

She nodded but still looked terrified. I crouched down and touched her face softly, "I'm never leaving your side, Eri. You're safe now."

I smiled at her as she looked at me with those big, red eyes of hers. I meant everything I was saying to her, and I knew I would never live my life without her again. I would protect her no matter what.

"Are you hungry?" I asked softly, and I saw her eyes get just a little brighter.

"Come on," I said as I lifted her up. "Let's see what we can find."

It had been forever since I had been here, but I left some random stuff in the cupboards.

Say what you want about my inability to heal from past trauma, but at least it always kept me prepared for the worst.

Like now... This was the worst, but I wasn't left for dead, and I only had myself to thank for that.

I grabbed a ramen cup and filled it with water before putting it in the microwave. I sat Eri down at the small table and brought over the food along with a fork.

"Here, eat up," I sat next to her.

She was hesitant as first, but quickly got past it, digging in as if she hadn't eaten in days.

I couldn't even imagine what she had been through.

She looked at me as she finished.

"Was it good?" I smiled at her, and she just nodded at me. "Good! Well, it's getting late, so let's get you cleaned up before bed, yea?"

She followed me to the bathroom where I started a bath for her. I carefully unwrapped her bandages and tried not to wince as I looked over her cuts, scrapes, bruises and scars.

If I ever saw Overhaul again, I don't think I'd be able to stop myself from killing him. That is if he wasn't dead already.

"Is it ok if I take off your dress so you can bathe?" I asked.

She nodded and let me but her in the bath. I helped wash her hair and made sure she got cleaned up.

"Here," I wrapped her in a towel as she got out. "Let's go see if we can find anything for you to wear."

I picked her up as she snuggled up in the towel and we went back to my room. I had very few clothes left at this apartment, but I found an old shirt that was too small for me.

It was swimming on Eri but I figured it would work for the night and I would just wash her dress while she slept.

I sat her in front of me as we were on my bed and gently brushed through her hair.

Once I was finished, I tucked her in under the covers and laid next to her.

"I'm sorry I don't have any stories to read to you," I said as I softly stroked through her damp hair. She rested her head on my lap as I sat up against the headboard.

"Ama?"

"Mm?"

"Will you sing me a song?"

I smiled at her request, "Of course."

Not that I was a great singer, but I wasn't going to hesitate to do whatever she asked of me. I sang softly until I watched her drift off to sleep.

I carefully wiggled out from her and gave her a soft kiss on the head before grabbing a change of clothes and leaving to shower myself.

I couldn't help but cry as I let the warm water hit me. These last few weeks felt like a terrible dream, and yet this was really my life now.

At least I finally had something to live for. That sweet girl... She trusted me and was counting on me.

I quickly hurried out of the shower so I could start getting together as many supplies as I could find. I had so much to figure out if we were going to get out of here, and I didn't have time to waste.

I threw on the underwear I had found and one of Shota's old shirts before brushing through my own hair.

I grabbed Eri's dress off the ground in the hallway and decided to wash it in the kitchen sink. The washer could possibly distract some unwanted attention.

"Y/n," I froze and snapped my head up as I entered the kitchen.

My eyes widened, and I instantly got into an attack stance, bringing fire to my arms.

I was honestly about to attack when his eyes glowed red and erased my quirk.

"Shota," I called out as tears came to my eyes. "Stay back."

I didn't care if I didn't have my quirk or if I loved him more than anything in this world... I wouldn't hesitate to fight him if he came to get Eri.

"Y/n," his voice was shaky and low, and he was already shedding tears too. "Y/n, I didn't come to fight."

I felt my knees get weak as he carefully approached me. I couldn't believe he was here. How did he know? And how did he figure it out so quickly?

"W-why are you here?" I asked just above a whisper.

He didn't say anything as he stood directly in front of me, he just stared deeply into my eyes. They went back to normal as he reached his hands up and held my face.

I closed my eyes as I felt his familiar touch, and he gently wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"Y/n," he whispered. "I've missed you so much."

I opened my eyes as I was about to speak, but he had already rushed his face to mine and made our lips connect.

It caught me off guard, but I quickly returned the kiss. I let my arms wrap around his neck and he immediately picked me up, pushing me up against the wall as he continued to kiss me.

Our mouths moved so desperately as our tongues were caught in a delicate dance, the taste of tears only adding to the amount of love I felt in this moment.

I twisted his soft hair in between my fingers as his lips left mine to kiss me all over my cheeks and then down to my jaw and neck.

Both of us were a panting mess as we got lost in the moment.

"I love you so much," he mumbled into my neck as his hand tightened around the bottom of my bare legs.

I squeezed him tighter into me, "Shota, I love you too."

I couldn't help as I completely broke down into a sea of tears after saying those words to him.

He pulled back to look at me, still holding me up against his body.

"I-I'm so sorry," I huffed out as I caressed his face. "I'm so sorry, Shota."

He set me down gently, "Y/n, it's ok. Everything is ok."

"N-no, it's not," I said between soft sobs. "I really fucked up this time. I don't think you'll ever forgive me. Y-you'll hate me."

He grabbed my face in his hand, still being gentle but also more firm than before, "I will never hate you, Y/n. I know everything. I know about the league, about Dabi, Hawks, Overhaul, your father, Eri... everything. But nothings changed. All that matters is that we're together again."

"How?..." I trailed off as I looked into his eyes frantically. He was so calm, but I didn't understand why.

How could he be so ok with everything? And how did even know about all of that?

He just shook his head, "It doesn't matter. Y/n, you're my whole world. I'm spending the rest of my life with you. I won't let anything come between that ever again."

I watched with wide eyes as he brought a small box out of his pocket.

He can't be serious... That is not what it looks like. It can't be.

"I'm sorry I ever let you get away," he whispered to me. "The first time when I left like a coward, and then again when you took off the night after seeing your father."

"I should've been there for you more. I should've never given you any reason to think you were alone in this."

"Y/n, I love you so much. I don't care what happened before or what happens after this as long as we're together."

"Ama?" I looked to see Eri who was just barely leaving the bedroom, and I pushed past Shota to get to her.

I crouched down as she looked at me, "Hey, sweetie, is everything ok?"

She had tears in her eyes, "I-I thought you left me."

"Oh Eri, I would never," I said gently as I pulled her into a hug. "I just had to shower and get clean like you did, that's all. I promise I'll always be here."

I held her close as she shook softly in my arms, trembling with tears and fear and exhaustion.

"Eri, do you want to meet my friend? He's a hero."

She pulled back just slightly and peered over at Shota.

"His name is Shota," I smiled at her as he crouched down next to me.

"Hi, Eri," his voice was soft and warm, but she quickly hid from him.

"A hero like you, Ama?" she asked, and I felt my heart drop. She saw me as a hero, but that's not what I felt like at all.

"Yep, just like Ama," Shota said as he put his hand on my shoulder. I smiled softly at him, grateful he answered because I had no idea what to say.

"Eri, do you want to go back to sleep? I can tuck you in again," I looked at her, but she just stared at me, her eyes drifting around my face.

I waited patiently for a moment since it seemed like there was something she wanted to say.

"Ama," she touched my face. "Your hair looks like mine."

I smiled, "It does. They're both pretty white, huh?"

She just nodded as her hand moved to my hair. I wanted to know what was going on in that little head of hers, so I waited until she spoke again.

"Are you my mom?" she whispered.

I bit the inside of my mouth to keep from crying... Maybe I wasn't cut out to take care of her. I honestly had no idea what to say to any of her questions.

"Do you want Ama to be your mom?" Shota asked softly.

She nodded as she looked at me, "Mhm. I've never had a mom before. A-And I don't want to be with anyone else."

"Come here," I whispered as I pulled her into a hug so she wouldn't see the tears. I didn't want her to think I was sad because I wasn't.

I was honestly overflowing with joy and love. This little girl had definitely stolen my heart, and I wanted to give her the life she deserved.

"I love you so much, Eri. I'll always be here. I promise. We're a family now."

She nuzzled further into my chest, and let me hold her for awhile. I felt Shota's eyes on me, but I didn't want to look over. I just wanted to focus on Eri.

"Ama, I'm sleepy," she mumbled.

I gently picked her up, "Let's get you back into bed. And then I'll come say goodnight to Shota, is that ok?"

She nodded as I carried her towards the room, giving Shota a small smile as we left.

I couldn't get a good read on him, but I could tell he knew I meant what I said to her. Whatever happened next, I would make sure Eri and I were together... whether that was here or someplace else.