Votes, comments, and shares are appreciated

Lani POV:

My heart raced with adrenaline as I stood at the edge of the tall building, letting the balls of my feet tip over the very edge without hesitation.

I jumped—or, rather voluntarily fell, letting my hands extend from my sides as the wind cradled my body.

Looking up at the sky was peaceful, the fast moving breeze kissed my face as I anticipated the moment I would finally hit the ground.

I did a few moments later...

....plopping into the giant blocks of styrofoam, waiting for me at the bottom of the safety pit.

Of course there's a safety pit. This book would have been a lot shorter otherwise...

A small huff of content sounded from my mouth after the fall, blowing a few loose strands of hair out of my face.

Not a word was spoken as I waited expectantly for what would happen next, groaning in annoyance and looking towards the sidelines when nothing did.

"Uhhh, Shouto? You're supposed to save me, remember?" I said blandly, watching him cross his arms uneventfully.

He looked at my frame in the styrofoam pit before trailing his bored eyes around the empty hero commission training gym we were currently in.

"But, you're not in any danger."

I threw my head back into the blocks with crumbling patience. I've only spent 30 minutes with him this morning and I'm ready to reapply as Present Mic's personal kitten.

"Yeah, well if I had been, I would have splatted to the ground like a broken egg with that attitude." I grumbled, crawling myself towards the edge of the safety pit.

"That's incorrect." Shouto said plainly, watching me struggle to get out of the pit without care. "If you were in real danger, I would have saved you."

I glared at him as I continued stumbling over the blocks, losing my balance before falling face first into the styrofoam.

With my face down and ass up, I wiggled myself back upright, seeing those unbothered dual colored eyes still watching me drown.

"Yes, I know that—ow—but—god damn it—we're practicing, remember? Roleplaying, if you will."

"Roleplaying?" His brows raised in confusion before I sloppily crawled to the edge.

I breathed heavily from the exertion of wrestling myself out of the blocks, melting in a heap at Shouto's feet.

God, he's really no help at all, huh.

"The exercise—phew—the exercise is to save me so we can work on your skills of comforting civilians." I explained, quickly forcing myself back to standing. "All you have to do is save me and I'll help you through the rest."

He sighed in displeasure, glancing at the wall clock before realizing we still had a lot of time left during our session.

Feeling content with his defeat and forced cooperation, I shot him a small smirk. His eyes returned it with a tired glare as I brushed past his shoulder, starting to climb the ladder back up to the top of the 'building.'

This particular gym of the hero commission is a simulation room. It has buildings and roads like a city. Good for heroes to practice precision of their quirks in tight, delicate spaces.

"...do I have to?" He muttered bluntly, watching me climb the ladder.

"Yes."

Realizing he wouldn't be able to get out of the exercise he probably thought was stupid, he uncrossed his arms once I reached the top.

Finally. Freeing up his arms means he'll be using his quirk now.

I positioned myself towards the edge of the styrofoam pit and closer to Shouto this time, wanting to make getting out of it a little easier.

"Are you ready?" My voice echoed throughout the empty gym, turning around so my back faced the ledge.

"Sure."

He sounds thrilled.

Closing my eyes and extending my hands, I let my body tip over the edge of the building again. My hair and clothes flew up wildly as I soared through the air, waiting for the moment I'd feel some sort of freezing ice structure underneath me.

But...

I was surprised when I felt something warm come around my body instead, instantly opening my eyes a little caught off guard.

Right away, my gaze was met with Shouto's directly, with him looking at me completely unamused.

Assessing my surroundings, I realized he was holding me bridal style in his arms, making me thoroughly confused.

He caught me.

"Oh—I thought you'd use your ice for that." I looked down at the ground perplexed, feeling his arm tighten under my thighs securely.

"You're not really high up enough." He shrugged, glancing at the top of the building before back to me. "It's easier to just catch you from where you fell."

Makes sense. Honestly I'd rather feel warm, strong arms around me than abrasive ice anyways. He gets points for creativity today. Shhh, just this once.

"Okay, well—what do you say after saving someone, Shouto?" I kept up the exercise, instinctively curling my arms around his neck for support.

He looked down at me closely as I did so, absentmindedly studying my face as he thought of an answer.

"Stop jumping off buildings."

"No." I groaned slightly. "I mean—you're not wrong, but...look, let's say I fell off-"

"Why were you on the building in the first place, and that close to the edge without a safety harness?" He interrogated seriously, causing my eyes to close in annoyance. 

This guy.

"That really doesn't matter. Pretend a villain was attacking the city." I began getting agitated. "I was working in the building like a good civilian and...uhh....the villain threw me off for absolutely no reason."

His head cocked to the side in growing confusion, eyes twisting up in genuine concern at the fake scenario I'd created on the fly.

"Well then I shouldn't be wasting time talking to you. I should be off trying to fight the villain before they throw more people off the roof-"

"Oh my god—pretend that I was the only one in the building!-"

"Where was everyone else? Was it not a work day?-"

He's impossible.

I scrunched up my lips, quirking an annoyed brow at him.

"Shouto..."

"Yes?"

"You really lack imagination."

He didn't seem at all offended by my words, probably because he didn't understand them.

Imagination. Maybe that's part of his problem. He needs to open his imagination...

My hands absentmindedly readjusted around his neck as he continued to hold me, feeling the hairs on the back of his head tickle my fingertips.

"Okay. We're gonna try this a different way. Close your eyes." I nodded patiently.

For once, he listened, slowly letting his eyes fall closed and awaiting further instruction.

He looks softer like this. Less bored and more peaceful.

His hand around my back twitched softly, using his other senses to keep control of his bearings since he could no longer see.

Comfortable silence consumed us as I thought about how to get through to him, keeping my eyes to his face.

"Shouto, I want you to think of a scary time in your life." I said quietly, trying to get him in a state of focus.

He said nothing to my words, keeping his eyes closed. Truth be told, I wasn't even sure if he was cooperating, but I gave him a few moments to think anyways, testing the waters when enough time had passed.

"What place are you thinking of?"

'Nothing.' That's the answer I expected, giving the unbothered, empty person he's proven himself to be-

"That really isn't any of your business."

My brows raised in surprise. Thank goodness his eyes were closed and unable to see my reaction, or he might have become insecure and closed off before we really begun.

But, isn't this a turn of events. He's actually thinking of something—he actually has something. A defining moment in his life that he remembers. That he reacted to and felt so strongly...

I know it shouldn't be surprising, considering he's a human being underneath all this robot attitude. I'm not naive enough to think he has no substance.

But, admittedly, it did suddenly make him more real to me.

And curious. About him. About who he is and what story he holds...

Especially about what makes him scared. Because from what I've seen of him so far, there hasn't been a single thing that's really managed to get his reaction.

He doesn't like to share. In the short time I've known him, he's managed to avoid almost every single question about himself, refusing to disclose any sort of personal details. Even basic surface level things.

Honestly, I get it. I'm the same way. Why let people in when there isn't really a point? When they could just take your vulnerabilities and twist them into something you're only more ashamed of?

But, there is a point to this. I'm not here to be his friend. I'm here to make him better. I want him to be comfortable, but I also need to start opening him up.

Even if it's little by little. Slow and steady...

"Fair enough. Just describe the place to me in a few, vague words, please." I murmured softly, keeping my tone firm to let him know I wasn't just asking anymore.

I felt his shoulders relax slightly from my gentler tone, holding me comfortably in his arms.

I'm starting to figure him out. Giving him too much leeway for these sorts of things has only proven to be a failure, because he never understands what I'm talking about. But, being too stern also seems to backfire, because he's a bit bratty and always expects to get his way.

He needs structure. Direction. Guidance. I have no problem providing him with all three.

As for his description, my curious mind was already hyper focused about what he would say, awaiting his answer with more interest and eagerness than I would have liked.

Because what could make this guy—this tough, stone cold, stoic guy so afraid?

I expected a terrifying place. Something that would make even the devil himself cower in fear-

"Tatami walls...at nighttime." He said after a small pass of time.

His voice was soft. Even if it was quiet, it wasn't bored or plain like it normally is. It had feeling. Tones of sadness and history. Nostalgia he'd like to forget and anger lingering at the end of each word.

I want to know more.

But, pushing him too far will only make him recoil away from me.

Soft. Slow. Steady. He seems to respond better to gentle nudging, not big shoves.

My fingers absentmindedly trailed the hairs at the nape of his neck, feeling goosebumps rise on his skin from the touch.

I quickly ceased my actions out of apology, not knowing when I'd started doing that. He didn't comment on it or put me down, actually seeming immersed in one of my exercises for once.

"Okay." I acknowledged his fear gently, trying to phrase my words carefully. "Were you able to save yourself during this particular time?"

"No."

His response was instant. Empty.

My next question seemed rather obvious. But, for the purpose of the exercise, I asked it.

"Do you wish someone would have saved you?"

This time, he didn't respond at all. But, he didn't need to. Silence was a response all on its own. It wasn't just that though...

For once, the answer was written on his face. Even if his eyes were closed, they twitched with a soft grimace of memories. His brows barely knit together and his jaw tensed. His hands curled tighter around my body and his chest was warm.

"Shouto, if someone could have saved you from these tatami walls at nighttime..." I said softly. "...what would you have wanted them to say?-"

"It wouldn't have made a difference."

His answer was curt. An attempt to end the exercise just as we were getting somewhere.

But, this time, instead of giving up in frustration like most of our interactions so far...

Now I was starting to figure him out, wrapping my arms around his neck more securely as I gently guided him through.

"How do you know? Did someone ever try to help you?"

Once again, his response was silence, giving me the answer.

"So how can you know it wouldn't have made a difference if you never experienced it?" I explained, feeling his warm, steady breath roll onto my nose. "Sometimes, a few words can make all the difference in the world. This is what I'm trying to teach you. Have you ever met someone who had the ability to change your perspective with just a few words?"

I watched the features of his face lighten up at that.

"Yes."

That's the first time I've seen him look content. Actually a little happy.

"Mind sharing who?"

"A friend of mine." He murmured a little more open. "You met him the other day at the cafe."

I'm gonna assume he's talking about the green haired guy and not the angry Pomeranian...

"Alright. If your friend was there during the time you needed saving, what do you think he would have said?" I prompted.

Shouto hummed softly as he reflected on his friend, barely letting his lips curl up with the thoughts. "That I shouldn't worry."

"And why shouldn't you worry?"

His teeth toyed with his bottom lip, pondering a response—before the purpose of the exercise suddenly hit him.

"Because....everything's going to be okay." He said softly, making a smile instantly flash wide across my face.

That's the first time I've heard him sound empathetic.

My chest bloomed with warmth, sending giddy waves throughout my veins I could only attribute to pride.

It was absolutely amazing. He sounded amazing. This proves he really does have the potential to be charming.

"Yes, that's what your friend would say." I said encouragingly.

A faint smile barely ghosted his face at my excited tone, causing me to chuckle lightly.

Underneath all that surface level stubborn asshole, it seems like he might actually be shy.

"Do you think......you can say that for me, Shouto?" I guided gently, tilting my head at him.

His eyes slowly opened as he sensed the exercise was over, finding my face instantly.

"Everything's going to be okay?" He murmured in clarification.

"Yes. But....with more certainty. I want you to make me feel like it's true...." I explained, melting my gaze into his. "That, so long as I'm in your arms, there's not a thing in this world that can hurt me."

He nodded, seeming to finally understand the point of today.

A big win for me after the rocky start we've had.

"So, I'm gonna fall again." I explained, giving my body a little shift to let him know I wanted to get down. "When you catch me, that's when I want you to say it, okay?"

Slowly he lowered my feet to the ground first, grazing his hand to my waist to ensure my balance was steady. His fingers on my back barely glided downwards, trailing off me completely once I was up and standing on my own.

"Okay." He simply said, watching me brush by him towards the building ladder.

Shouto POV:

I furrowed my brows and grazed my chest, confused by the rapid pulses firing off inside it. It's been like that for a few minutes now.

It's the second time this has happened, and once again it's when The Woman—when...she's..near me.

I'm...

....clearly exhibiting more heart attack symptoms. She's bad for my health and that annoys me.

I'm supposed to be in the best shape of my life at this age. Suddenly I'm at risk of dying prematurely because of her?

I should really make an appointment for the doctor.

A tired sigh escaped my lips as I watched her climb the ladder, noticing the new outfit she wore today.

I always filter out unimportant things. But...

Yesterday, she wore mostly baggy clothes. This time her clothes were tight all the way around. Her leggings were black—actually, most things she seemed to wear were black. I assume she likes that color.

But, the pants hugged her tightly as she climbed up the ladder. My stomach stirred as I watched her climb up each step, finding the sight interesting to look at.

And, when I held her, I felt her legs. Her thighs were soft, but also held a specific shape that was still imprinted into my hands. Her waist was a natural fit in my hold. She was talking to me gently instead of her usual cockiness. I can still feel her fingertips ghosting along the back of my neck, making my blood buzz with something I didn't understand.

I blinked rapidly as a wave of lightheadedness suddenly consumed me, inhaling deeply as I realized I forgot to breathe.

Forgot to breathe? How does one forget to breathe? It's supposed to be instinctual. I...

What is happening to me? I'm too young to die like this. I'll be making the doctor's appointment tomorrow.

I'd gotten distracted, making the mistake of nodding dazedly when she asked if I was ready to catch her.

Next thing I knew, her body was flying at me faster than I anticipated, leaving me unable to brace myself as she collided straight into me.

See? She keeps trying to kill me. I should report her to someone. The authorities, maybe.

My eyes blurred as her skull slammed into mine, instinctively wrapping my arms around her as we went crashing to the floor.

The world spun in my vision as we violently rolled on the mat, with me letting out a soft grunt once my back finally hit the ground.

I grimaced as I felt her weight slam on top of me, squeezing her waist tightly to ensure her body would stop there instead of continuing to roll over me into something more painful.

Her thighs caged my hips on both sides, radiating soft heat into my groin. Her hands landed over my head on the mat, leaving her chest to rest inches away from my lips.

Ah...

The smell of oranges and lilies instantly wafted back into my nostrils, coming back stronger with each deep inhale I took.

Lani POV:

I grimaced in pain when I landed roughly on Shouto, lowering my head between my shoulders to catch my breath.

It wasn't until I felt hot, wet air rolling onto my breasts that I realized where his face was, lazily crawling myself back so my head was above his.

Whoops.

I rested my hands on his shoulders, feeling his fingers on my waist unintentionally ride my tank top up.

"I got distracted when you were up there." He murmured a bit hoarsely, seeming quicker than usual to justify himself. "Are you alright?"

My stomach muscles involuntarily tightened when his palms accidentally grazed my sides, feeling more sensitive there than usual.

His fingers. They....they.....I don't know. The touch just surprised me.

I looked down at him, seeing his hair messy from the fall and covering the prettiest parts of his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm good." I breathed out. "Are you?"

"Yeah..."

I nodded softly as he looked up at me, trailing his attention towards my forehead with a statement. "Your head's bleeding."

Before I could even react, he sat up, gently gliding me off his lap to sit on the ground next to him. He rested one arm behind me on the mat, but with the position it felt like his arm was indirectly wrapped around me.

I cleared my throat softly as he reached into his hero suit, pulling out the mini first aid kit he kept in there.

Ah. It's times like these I actually remember he's a hero...

His eyes were deep in focus as he peered up at me again, swiping a dot of cream on his finger before lifting it to my head. Using his clean fingers, he swiped a few hairs away from the cut, gently pressing the cream to it.

His face was relaxed. Not in the bored way, but the peaceful way. His lips were soft, pressing together as he gently brushed his finger along the wound, hovering just a little closer into my space to get a better look.

My shoulder pressed into his chest when he came closer, feeling his steady, slow breaths rolling onto my face. It wasn't until I felt his attention on me that I looked up from his mouth and met his gaze, taken aback from the intense, alive look of his eyes.

"Everything's going to be okay." He murmured to me warmly, lighting a fire deep in the core of my bones.

Holy shit...

For once, I was speechless, raising my brows in dazed surprise.

He only melted his eyes into me deeper, gently pushing the hair away from my forehead as it tried to creep back towards the cut.

A ball of tension began to rise in the, suddenly humid, air...before he spoke again.

"How was that?" He breathed out, referring to his practice of the exercise I'd been trying to get him to understand all day.

Instantly, I nodded...smiling softly as his presence invited me closer. "Oh—really good. I'm...well, I'm impressed."

Being this close, I could see the pure glimmer in his eyes that I wouldn't normally be able to catch, smiling bigger when the faint one streaked across his face.

"Really?"

I chuckled at his oblivious innocence, finally retreating to give the two of us some distance. "Yeah. I feel better already. I....I wish someone would have told me that in the past."

I didn't mean to say that last part. It kind of just slipped out. Ah, I blame it on my head injury...

But, still I'm surprised I even said it. It's been so long since I've even had the urge to open up to someone and now I just did to him without even meaning to?

Honestly, Shouto being Shouto, I didn't think he'd notice my words. Until-

"Were you in danger?" He asked, furrowing his brows with genuine curiosity as he leaned back on his hands.

Didn't mean to open that can of worms.

The same way he doesn't like opening up...is the same way I don't either.

"Something like that." I brushed off vaguely, looking down at my lap. "But, that's heroes for ya. Never there when you actually need them."

He tilted his head a bit at my words, making me wonder if he picked up on the passive aggression they held for his profession.

Surely, he doesn't have enough social skills for that. Right?

"If I knew, I would have been there." He said plainly, stating the matter as a fact.

I couldn't help but smile lightly at his words.

That's one thing I'm learning about Shouto. He doesn't lie or bullshit. And while that seems to be annoying when it comes to the fame part of this job, at least it means he's genuine.

In a lot of ways, he's a breath of fresh air. To me, anyways.

Honestly, that's hard to find these days. Especially in this line of work.

Which is why I believe him.

"I appreciate that." I peered up at him. "You're not like most heroes."

"That's what we're trying to change, right?" He asked.

A small frown tugged at my face with his words. He didn't seem offended by them, but honestly I was.

Especially, because...I don't want him to feel bad about the person he is. It hurts when people don't enjoy who you are. I don't want him to feel like that.

I don't want anyone to feel like that. Being picked apart for who you are is cruel. And it can stick with you for years.

Trust me, I know.

"Well, I don't want to change that part of you." I said a little softer. "You just have a few bad habits that need some tweaking—we all have them."

He nodded as he tried to absorb my words, seeming perplexed about them before trying something new.

"You...uh...you...have a lot." He said, letting the look on his face go too soft to be serious.

Is he....joking around?

If he was trying to open up right now, there's no way I'd wanna ruin it.

"Oh yeah?" I smirked, trying to play around with him for the first time. "Like what?"

"You always press your lips together before you speak."

Heh. That sounded more like something he notices than a bad habit. Regardless...

"Really? I didn't even know I did that."

"You also-"

"Okay, I don't need a whole novel about it." I snorted softly, giving my eyes a roll as I leaned back on my hands with him.

He looked at me in silence, deciding to be a little more honest.

"That's another thing."

"What?"

"I don't...understand your way of talking sometimes." He admitted, letting out a small sigh as this topic seemed to be bothering him more than I realized. "You say things that don't make sense."

Oh, the irony.

"I don't understand your way of talking either." I reassured, shrugging in dismissal. "Doesn't mean there's anything wrong with us. We're figuring each other out, right?"

He was silent at my words, but judging by his content look, he agreed.

Wanting to ease his worries more, I tried to make light of our past encounters. "Look, you already said I had a forgettable face during the first day we met. Heh. It can't get any worse than that-"

"You had sunglasses on." He said immediately, seeming as if he'd been wanting to say that for awhile now.

"Huh?"

"The first time we met...." He murmured, looking to the styrofoam pit laxly. "...you had sunglasses on. Your hair was also pulled back. That's why I didn't recognize you at the cafe."

I blinked a few times in silence as I took in his words, reflecting back on that day.

Until he just mentioned it, I didn't even remember I was wearing sunglasses that day—or, that I had my hair pulled back.

He's right though...

"Ah. Guess that's true. I didn't really think about that." I admitted honestly.

Truth be told, the encounter at the time really pissed me off. I mean, no one wants to hear from a handsome guy that they have a forgettable face.

But, after meeting Shouto personally and seeing how he operates, the comment wouldn't faze me like it did before.

He wasn't being a smart ass at the time. He's just oblivious.

"Well, you should think about it more." He said a little bluntly, yet I barely noticed the little twinkle in his eyes.

I met his glare with one of my own, grinning mischievously before lightly shoving him in the shoulder.

"Alright. Now I know you're being a smart ass." I chuckled, watching him turn his head away from me when his lips barely turned up with a smile.

He's cute—the ladies will like that a lot.

Giving my hands a small clap, I slowly rose to my feet once more, seeing Shouto look up at me from the ground.

"Now that you understand the exercise, Shouto, I'm going to fall for you again, okay? Will you catch me?"

"Sure."

A/N: you guys can read 15 chapters ahead on Patreon if you'd like!