Violet POV: - a few weeks later -

Cherry blossom season had returned, and the pretty pink petals showered over the streets of Japan.

Life, death, renewal-all things that cherry blossoms signify, and never have I felt it more true than on this day. I remained sitting in the green grass, smiling softly as the pretty pink petals kissed the ivory of my dress and veil, looking to the tombstone of my mother.

The blossoms were also atop her grave, as well as flowers and trinkets from die hard, anonymous fans from her hero days. I was thankful to whoever these people were, still coming to sit with my mother and talk with her when I couldn't, making sure she was in good company.

But, this morning was quiet and I was thankful for it. I was the only one in the graveyard, the sounds of busy life had slowed down to nothing, except for the morning hoot of the owls, and the breeze rustling through the trees. It was the start of a new day, and for me, so much more than that.

'The first step is the hardest.'

That's where we began the story, so it's only fitting that we end here, too. And, for as long as I can remember, my mother was right. The first step was always the hardest when it came to everything, my timid feet always felt so incredibly weighted with dread, cowardice, and a lack of courage to truly live my life.

But, for the first time today, my legs are light, the shackles around my ankles have been lifted, and the future is bright.

Today, the first step is actually the easiest. It's the last step out of my old life that's hard.

I've spent decades mourning my mother, grieving her and never moving forward. Whether it was hoping for her return, or being angry with her for leaving me behind-or even just pushing her aside and ignoring the pain, the grief was like a disease, a tumor stuck to my heart and slowly draining the life out of me.

But, as I hold her unopened letter in my hand, the letter that was found among her belongings all those year ago-the one I always refused to open, I realize that now...

It's time.

Why did I never open this letter that my mother wrote me? Well, it's a good question, one I haven't been able to answer myself. But, as I sit here in the grass, running my fingers along the creases that ages of time imprinted into the envelope, I realize why.

This letter is the only thing I have left of my mother. Leaving it unopened keeps a certain sense of her preservation-a denial, even if I know the truth of her demise. Opening it means I'll have nothing new to experience from her anymore. It means I've accepted that she's gone. That she's a memory and never coming back.

That's a hard pill to swallow. It's why I've waited so long...

But, I want to enter this new stage of my life with renewal, just like the cherry blossoms. I want to start fresh, with nothing holding me back. Not even my own grief. It's time to say goodbye to the very last piece of my past. It's time to leave the grief behind and focus on the future.

The future. The blissful future that is anything but ordinary.

And so, grazing my fingers along the paper one more time, I carefully tore open the side of the dated envelope, letting all the reminiscence and preservation of the past whisk into freedom, catching on the wind and swirling up to the heavens with the cherry blossoms.

"Oh..." I breathed out with a soft smile, chuckling softly as I looked up to the sudden burst of wind surrounding me, attributing it to my mother finally freeing herself from this little enclosure to go find her own peace.

I held the letter up to my nose, and somehow, even years later, I can still smell her scent on it. Vanilla with a hint of marshmallows. Now that it's been opened, I probably wouldn't be able to savor that scent on the page for much longer, but that's alright.

Because we have right now. And right now is all that matters.

I unfolded the page and held it up, nostalgia hitting me like a truck as I looked at the familiar writing of my mother on the lines. She always had such unique writing.

To Ms. Violet Sasaki :)
the top of the letter read, causing me to giggle softly at her usual antics.

She always called me 'miss' at the ripe age of ten, said it was because I was already such a mature young lady. But, truthfully, I don't know if it was me being mature, or her never growing up. Either way, we balanced each other out perfectly.

I'll never forget that.

Inhaling deeply, I began to read the letter...

Hi, sweetie. It's mom.

The mission is taking longer than expected, and I'm so sorry for it. I don't want to be away from you any longer than I have to. You're growing everyday, and even if I haven't been gone very long, I bet you're already almost as tall as me!

Knowing you, I have no doubt you're writing me letters of your own. I haven't had the chance to receive them yet, the hero commission is keeping my location tightly under wraps for my safety. I won't even be able to mail this to you, but my heart hurts a little extra tonight from missing you, so I had to let some feelings out.

Violet, I know I've never been the best mother to you...

I had you so young. I was still a kid myself. I wanted to be more present, but your father...he was so much better with you than I was. Part of me was jealous, if I'm being honest. As a baby, you were never drawn to me the way you were to him. You were a daddy's girl at heart, and he convinced me to take on more hours at work, supporting us and doing what I loved.

But, I regret that more than anything. I regret letting him talk me into that, because memories with you are priceless. I missed out on too many to count, and once we finally had the opportunity to make our own, I went away. It's okay if you're mad at me, I'd be mad at me, too.

I wish I had the chance to make more memories with you. I'm so sorry our time together has been cut short.

But, I need to say this because I've never been able to say it enough. Violet, I love you. I am proud of you. So long as you stay true to yourself and find your happiness, I will always be proud of you.

You might stray from your path and get lost along the way, and that's alright. I expect you to make mistakes and have regrets - I'd be a little concerned if you didn't - but, I know my daughter. She's strong. Stronger than both of her parents.

You are your own person, Violet. Never let anyone convince you that you're not enough. You are better than me, and I am so proud of you for it.

I know that you will always find your way back. So, keeping fighting, my love. Keep fighting for the life you want to have, because you deserve it. More than me. More than your father. You deserve everything you ever wanted.

I lose sleep everyday about leaving you with Enji. Please know, I had no choice. He's changed over the years, I know he's not an easy man to get along with anymore. But, don't let him push you around. I give you full permission to yell at him and give a little lip. You understand?

I never planned to tell you this, but I cried the day I had to leave you. When you were in the yard, playing with Fuyumi and Natsuo, I watched you from the Todoroki kitchen window, biting my thumbnail and crying silently.

It was the first time in ages I cried, watching you play. You just looked so beautiful, so happy, and so free. I was trying so hard to memorize all your perfect details in that moment, trying to envision you as a teenager, and then a woman.

I even tried to envision you on your wedding day, should you ever decide you wanted to get married.

I know my decisions for leaving you in that house might seem careless and ridiculous, especially given the cold shoulder Touya is most certainly giving you. That bratty boy...

But, I never would have left you if I didn't think you were safe-if I didn't think you were safe with HIM. I picked Touya for a reason. Because I saw something in him each time he came around, something that stood out to me apart from the other children.

When Touya cares for something, he put his absolute heart and soul into it. His dreams, he lives and breathes for, he'd do absolutely anything to protect them, to protect the things he loves so dearly.

Maybe you can see where I'm going with this...

Yes, he's a stubborn boy, but, it's so easy to love you, I knew he'd be able to open his heart to you one day. Maybe right away, maybe when you two are much older. The point is, I think you two are more compatible than you both might believe. Maybe give him a chance.

Opposites attract, right? You never know....

I'm excited to see what you do in life and what you become. My beautiful young lady. You're more than I ever could have hoped for.

I'll never be far away. I'll always be watching you from wherever life takes me.

-Mom-

I held the envelope in my hands for a few moments as the breeze brought the page to life softly, almost like my mother was talking to me through it.

"You did good, mom. You don't have anything to worry about." I whispered, gently placing the letter back in the envelope and patting it in my lap. "I'm not mad at you anymore. I understand. So you can rest easy, okay?"

In response, the nervous winds calmed once more, making me smile nostalgically as the air gently kissed my nose. My throat began to feel tight, but I quickly waved it away, carefully dabbing the stray tear starting to form at the corner of my eye with a humorous groan.

"But, enough with the heavy. I didn't come here to cry. Fuyumi says I'm not allowed to ruin my makeup!" I said musingly, slowly rising to my feet now.

I smoothed out my ivory dress and veil, giving a little spin in front of my mother so she could see the full effect.

"Do you like it? It's my wedding dress." I grinned, speaking to her like she was really here. "I wanted you to see it first. I'm getting married today."

I felt gorgeous in this dress, and it's true that no one else has seen it yet. I instructed Touya to find somewhere else to sleep last night-which wasn't hard since him and Akio threw a two man bachelor party at his place. Dorks. And yes-I had specific orders about no strippers. Or prostitutes. Or villains. Or drug dealers. Or inmates. The list goes on...

Fuyumi slept over and helped me with my dress and makeup. Even if she wouldn't be allowed to attend for obvious reasons, she wanted to be involved in any way she could be. I understand that. She asks about her older brother all the time. But, she was happy to see my dress and help me get ready for the big day.

My gloved fingers glided up the waist of beads and lace adorning my dress, landing on my corseted stomach with a little bit of nerves as I turned back to my mother with reminiscence.

"I wish you could be here in person, mom. We could have gone dress shopping together and talked over lunch." I murmured, giving another soft twirl in the grass filled with pink petals. "But, it turns out you were right about Touya all along. I guess you always knew best. Even when him and I didn't. Thanks."

The soft crunch of a stick behind me caught my attention, causing me to turn around and see someone I hadn't seen in over six years now.

Oh...

I looked at the person with slightly wide eyes, jaw dropping a bit at the unexpected as he spoke awkwardly.

"Ah. I'm-sorry." Endeavor uttered, just as caught off guard as I was-especially after taking in my appearance.

His eyes blinked rapidly as he looked at my dress, face flashing with a million expressions and thoughts in the span of a single second. I smoothed out the fabric on instinct, glancing around tensely, deciding if I should just make a run for it and never speak of this moment again.

Neither of us said a word as we took each other in. He looks six years older and more worn from the induced stress of the hero world and the trauma he's inflicted on his family's lives. And even if I didn't want to admit it, Endeavor's face brings back its own nostalgia. Sure, not all of it is good. But, it's strong enough to where I didn't necessarily want to turn him away in this moment.

With a sigh, I turned back towards my mother's tombstone, speaking while giving him my back, "No. It's okay. You....you can stay."

Not a single sound or movement was made after I spoke, like he was still debating himself if he should take my offer. But, a few moments later, the leaves on the ground slowly crunched with his walk and I heard him come closer before he was standing a respectable distance at my side, both of us looking at my mother's tombstone now.

He held a bouquet of flowers in his hands, similar to one of the bouquets that was already here and wilted. He was clearly coming to replace the flowers.

My heart softened a bit. Six years of no contact with the man has given me a bit of healing and patience.

"It was nice of you to bring her flowers." I murmured.

He took my words as his blessing to cautiously kneel down-his body moving just a little slower than it used to as he grabbed the wilted flowers and replaced them with a new bouquet.

"Every Sunday. Your mother, she was never a flower kind of girl. But, I like to switch it up between these and origami doves she used to make during our school days." He explained, remaining kneeled on the grass.

It's not often that Endeavor shows his vulnerability-or he never used to, but now I can see it streaked clearly across his face as he looks at the place where my mother lies. Nostalgia and reminiscence forever stained his features. But, that wasn't all.

Pining. Regret. Missed opportunities and a lifetime of having to live with making the wrong choices. Never had I seen so many honest emotions on his face with a single look.

With a sigh, I kneeled back down on the grass and sat next to him in my wedding dress, keeping my eyes forward like his own.

"I really do appreciate you coming here for her. I always worried she gets lonely when I'm not around." I murmured longingly, slumping my shoulders and looking to the sunrise sky.

"She doesn't. If anything, I'm sure she wishes I'd get the hell away." He uttered, wincing a bit deflatedly as he looked to the ground.

I pressed my lips together, not bothering to reassure him it wasn't true. I won't speak for my mother, He knows he messed up. He's not looking for me to tell him any differently. His brows furrowed and he fiddled his hands nervously, mouth opening a bit shakily before he gained the courage to look at me.

"Violet, I'm sorry." He said, sounding as if he's been wanting to say the words for years. "For everything I...I made a lot of mistakes that I can't take back."

Blinking in silence, I returned his gaze, seeing a mere corpse of the number one hero. He looked broken. Tormented. In physical tears as he took in my appearance. I was surprised when he chuckled sadly and looked at my features.

"I saw so much of your mother in you. Even more now that you're older." He said almost proudly, smiling instantly fading with his next honest words. "Your mother and I...we had our own issues, deeply rooted in our history. Some things...I'm sure you've been able to figure out."

Yes, I have figured out their history-or, at least my own assumptions of it. I don't know if I'll ever know the true story of what happened between my mother and Enji. Whatever it was, it was clearly something incredibly strong for both of them, but still, something that ended in tragic disaster.

Something above your average definition of 'friends,' but destined to fail as anything more.

"I took it all out on you when I shouldn't have. Because I was a monster, and she wasn't here." He reminisced with guilt, pain eating away at him with every word. "Because I was so angry that she left to go get herself killed, and you were a reminder of our failed past. I kept trying to insert myself into your life once you got older....because you were all I had left of her. But, that was selfish."

That's the first time I've ever heard him admit he was selfish.

My brows raised with full attention to his words now, gazing at him in a mixture of awe and shock. I guess it's true what Fuyumi says, he truly has tried to change his ways.

A stray tear glided down his eye as he looked back to my mother's grave pitifully, never appearing more alone in his life.

"You have many talents, Violet. You're good at so many things and I only focused on your weaknesses instead of your strengths. I made you cry...and I know how miserable you were." His voice came out barely above a whisper, cracking slightly at the end.

The cherry blossoms began to rain a little harder down the trees now, whisking along his face and his tears. Once again, it felt like my mother was here.

His breathing was labored in an attempt to hold in his cry, grabbing the blossoms in his hands with fragility and holding onto them for moral support.

"I know I don't have the privilege to be in your life. Or his. And that's okay. I just want you two to find your own happiness-together, of course. But, individually as well. You grew into a good young lady, even with my abominable guidance. I give you all of the credit for that..." He said, unable to suppress the tears as he looked at me with his next words.

"Violet, you never have to change. Your mother would be so incredibly proud of the woman you are. I know it doesn't matter, but I am, too."

That rang deep within my soul. Especially given the rocky relationship Endeavor and I always had. Every breath he took was one of spite. Every word he spoke was scrutinizing me for not following in her exact footsteps.

So, to hear him say that, even if I haven't spoken to him in years and had no intention to until this moment, it healed another piece of my soul. It truly meant the world to me.

Not all mistakes can be fixed with apologies. But, they certainly don't hurt.

"Thank you for saving my son from me." He said, letting his powerful statement ring throughout the air.

It hurts having to admit you were the monster of someone's nightmares. It takes a lot to own up to. Endeavor did.

I swallowed heavily and looked away from him, sniffling softly and wiping the tears from my eyes. He mirrored my actions, voice raspy with emotion with his next words, "I know you don't want it, but just know, you will always have a place at my home, should you ever need it. Him, too."

The toxic grudge in my heart began to dwindle. If it wasn't for Touya's pain, it would have been gone completely. But, this is a good baby step.

I smiled at him now, still keeping a distance, but speaking truthfully, "Thank you, Enji. Even if things were difficult between us, my mother did trust you to take care of me. I'm alive and well today, so you've kept your promise."

He didn't look convinced, clearly still tormented by this 'promise' that had landed on him more like a curse. But, I'm almost thirty-years-old now. It's time for him to be released from the curse and live his life.

Pressing my lips together, I was the one to reach out and gently grab his arm, causing him to look at me in question.

"My mother would be proud of the man you're becoming." I said honestly, giving him a nod. "She'd be very grateful to you for getting me to this point. This point...where I can take care of myself now."

I know he got the hint from the way his eyes flashed up with parting pain, nodding and sniffling a weak laugh, "I get it. I do." He glanced at the grass, giving my hand a pat before it fell from his arm. "It's hard to let go. I just...miss her everyday. I'm glad you and Touya didn't repeat our mistakes."

He'd opened up more in these last few minutes than he had in the twenty years I've known him, causing me to extending a very small olive branch.

"Could you tell me more? About those...mistakes? About her?" I asked, causing him to nod immediately.

"If you wanna hear 'em." He said, barely glancing to my dress like he wasn't allowed to. "But, I don't want that to be the focus of your day today. Another time."

I looked down at my dress, running my velvet covered fingers along the fabric again before giving him a bit of peace.

"He's....he's wearing blue today." I said, watching his eyes widen in my peripheral vision.

The single sliver of information about his son had him looking like he was going to cry again, absolutely starved and desperate to hear a single thing.

"Dark blue. Like a navy blue." I smiled to myself, already imagining how Touya would look in his tux. "He said it's supposed to match my ring. He's excited about it. I am, too."

And for the first time since this conversation began, the pain was barely alleviated from Endeavor's eyes, replaced with utter relief to know his son was doing good.

"Oh. So he is. That makes me...so happy." He breathed out genuinely, looking to the ground distractedly as he clearly tried to imagine. "Maybe...if you two are comfortable with it...I could just.....see one picture from today."

Starting to feel pity for this shell of a man, I gave him a reassuring smile, nodding neutrally.

"I'll ask him. I can't guarantee anything though. Alright?" I said honestly, not wanting to get his hopes up.

After all, it's up to Touya. Not me. As it should be.

Endeavor nodded in understanding, giving me a broken smile of gratitude for my attempt to try, "Of course. I'll...I'll let you go now, Violet. Okay?" He said, eyes glistening at the double meaning of his words.

He'll let me go.

His promise has been fulfilled. And he's finally come to terms with it now. Hopefully, it can help his troubled soul find a bit of peace.

"Okay." I whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder before rising to my feet.

I smoothed out my dress and turned on my heel to leave, only getting a few steps before his voice caught my attention again.

"Oh, and Violet?"

Turning around, I saw he looked at my appearance with peace, "I forgot to say congratulations. You make a beautiful bride."

I smiled kindly at his words, giving him a parting nod.

"Bye, Enji."

"Goodbye, Violet."

We both turned around and parted our ways, but something compelled me turn back and look at him one last time even if he didn't realize it.

He was still sitting in front of my mother's grave, forever a slave to the past and never moving forward. The sight was sad. He was alone, broken, and it was quiet.

I watched him for a few more moments before turning around again, leaving him behind in his miseries because they are only ones he can bear.

*

I groaned as I checked the time on my phone, getting out of my car and walking to the designated spot Touya and I agreed on for the day.

It was more of an elopement than a wedding. Aside from Touya and I, there would only be one other person present-per his requests that we invite only people we like. If you know Touya, you know that dwindles the list of guests down to basically zero...

But, I didn't mind. I never cared for a big wedding.

All I need is him.

With the ends of my dress fluttering in the wind, I approached the sidewalk the two of us used to walk as children, reaching the entrance to the forest of trees that held so much meaning. It was the same forest of trees we used to play in as kids, and also the same place we had our first kiss.

The only invited guest to our wedding was waiting for me just like we had planned, looking up from his phone once he heard the clack of my heels.

"Finallyyy! There you are! Gonna be late to your own wedding, or what, Vi?" Akio chuckled, words instantly trailing off as he caught sight of me.

His jaw dropped in awe as he looked at my dress, breaking out into a big smile before instantly removing his sunglasses to get a better look. His eyes glistened happily and he shook his head in disbelief, holding a hand out for me to grab once I was close enough.

"Oh my god. Wow..." He breathed out, holding my arms out to take in my full appearance. "Violet. You look stunning."

I looked down at the ground with a sheepish smile, feeling nerves starting to creep into the pit of my stomach as the moment grew closer, "Are you sure? T-The dress looks okay then? What if he doesn't like it? Maybe I should have gone for something more-"

Akio pinched my babbling lips between his thumb and index finger to shut me up, careful not to smudge my lipstick. Once I was quiet, he placed both of his hands on my shoulders, giving me that same reassuring smile he always does when I'm nervous about something.

"He's gonna love it. Trust me."

I sighed in relief and nodded, glancing ahead into the forest of pink cherry blossom trees that awaited us. The future was right through those trees. It looked heavenly with the pink and the sunrise peeking through the leaves. Almost like I was walking straight into the afterlife.

"Is he..." I trailed off, causing Akio to smile.

"Is he in there? Yep. He wanted to come get you himself, but I wouldn't let him. I wanna see the moment he sees you walking down the aisle, you know. I am the photographer after all." He grinned, appearing proud of the title he was given for the day.

I nodded before it suddenly dawned on me, my smile falling in realization. My father wasn't here to walk me down the aisle. Neither was my mother.

"Oh..." I uttered, before Akio slowly held his hand out for me to take.

I looked at his extended palm and then to him, seeing he read my thoughts rather easily.

"Jack of all trades at your service." He said softly, giving a small bow as he waited for me to take his hand. "It'd be an honor to walk you down the aisle-uh, if you want."

A small smile crossed my face as I gazed at my best friend, feeling years of nostalgia and appreciation welling inside my chest. Akio never ceases to be there right when I need him. Who knew it would be him to walk me down the aisle on my special day?

Who knew...our friendship would blossom into this? Something truly unbreakable that has survived through so many hardships and tough times?

He's truly one of a kind.

Ignoring Akio's extended hand, I walked right up to him and threw my arms around his neck, giving him my biggest, warmest hug. Surprised by my unexpected action, he let me hug him in silence for a moment, before reciprocating, resting the sides of our cheeks together.

"I'm so happy you're my best friend." I whispered, squeezing him tighter and closing my eyes.

"Me, too. Thank you-for giving me your cake that day." He uttered, referencing the moment that truly started it all.

No one said it was easy, and no one said Akio and I haven't had difficult moments of our own. But, it only made us stronger-individually and together.

I pulled away from the hug and took in his own appearance now, giving a playful whistle for the clean cut black suit he was wearing.

"You're looking pretty snazzy yourself. You really dressed up for the occasion." I complimented, causing him to wave me away with feigned cockiness.

"Well, I couldn't be caught slipping. Just had to make sure I upstaged the groom, you know." He grinned, causing me to roll my eyes and lightly hit his shoulder.

"Ohhh, don't be so catty." I chuckled before we stood at the entrance of the forest with anticipation.

Akio placed a hand on my shoulder as we looked down the heavenly path, "Ready to go get married, Violet?" He asked.

I nodded and held my hand out for him to take, never more ready for something in my whole life.

"Yessir. Take me to him."

And so we walked together, into the forest of cherry blossoms, into our new stage of life. I didn't look back as civilization behind us began to disappear behind the trees until it was no longer there at all, glancing up at the sky of pink with a bright smile.

Each step brought me back to the past, walking the same footprints that Touya and I ingrained into the forest as children, running, laughing, cuddling, and falling.

He slowly began walking backwards through the rows of cherry blossoms, hitting a soft branch every now and then which caused us both to laugh.

I felt my feet becoming light, and my heart becoming even lighter as I started to pick up my walking pace forward....trying to reach Touya with every step, yet he purposely walked another foot out of my reach.

He released my wrist when he saw me lunge to catch him, walking backwards quicker with a chuckle as I came after him.

I walked past the place we laid together in the middle of that night when I was sad, both of us looking to the night sky and speaking of the future.

And then, I walked past the place our lips first touched, still able to see our intertwined bodies melted together in the fields of petals, our mouths moving together sweetly and hesitantly, yet desperately and wanting.

"I...I need to be touched by you." I panted out with no reservations, mind too high on my own desires as I pulled him down on me to close the impossible distance.

His brows furrowed in want and his cheeks flushed red at my words about him, encouraging my confidence as he ran his hand along my hips now.

"I'll touch you, little sapphire. I'll touch you all over. Anywhere you want." He breathed out against my lips, becoming starved of their taste as he quickly pushed his tongue past my lips once more.

The history of Touya and I is not an easy one. It came with many trials, hardship, and struggles of mental health. There were many times we thought we'd never make it-together or apart.

But, as the last tree cleared and I finally saw his face, my breath had been taken away. Every moment of our life together flashed before my eyes. The good, the bad-the past, the present, and the future. All of it makes up us. All of it brought us here. To our 'ordinary' life than was anything but the simple word.

As I look into his eyes, every single moment of our story was all worth it. For this day. This single second where the world decided to stop just for us, and this man in front of me who I love more than life itself.

He's the only person in this world who makes me feel like I can breathe.

Touya was standing in the pink showers of cherry blossoms, petals and endless tree barks as his backdrop. He was in his navy suit just like he said he'd be. His hair was styled back a bit, something I'm sure Akio helped him with, and his hands were folded in front of him with more etiquette than I'd ever seen.

And then, he saw me, and his eyes widened for a minuscule second before his brow raised, taking in my appearance to the fullest.

He exhaled heavily like the air left his body, grinning and slapping a hand over his mouth before uttering out a playful 'you're fucking kidding me.'

His mouth moved to speak real words, but nothing came out for a moment, with him simply looking at me in utter awe, continuing to exhale heavily as he tried to find his breath.

His smile softly faded into sweetness as I walked closer, grazing his fingers along his chest like his heartbeat was fluttering like crazy, studying each feature of my dress, and my veil, and my face as if to memorize the details for eternity.

"Damn. You look..." He trailed off once I got closer, rubbing the sides of his face with nerves.

Affection was always difficult for him, but this time, he stuck with it, speaking clearly and honestly to ensure I knew the truth.

"You look fucking beautiful." He said, causing butterflies to dance in my stomach.

"So do you." I blurted out with an excited grin, earning a genuine laugh from him.

The smile found his eyes first, the corners of them crinkling up with elation. It was rare, but that's how he always smiled-genuinely smiled when something made him happy. Ever since he's been a boy.

He tapped his foot against the ground repeatedly-also something he also did as a kid whenever he was nervous or excited.

"Mm. Guess you were right that day we first met. And all this time, I just thought it was you being a stalker. Heh, maybe you still are." He chuckled smugly, referencing our very first official meeting.

The memories flooded back to me instantly, remembering the day like it was yesterday...

"So.....I'm....Violet. Your, uh....your future...wife, I guess." I greeted as casually as possible-yet, how on earth could an introduction like that ever be casual.

Really, that sounded more like a bad pickup line. My bad.

The awkward silence that ensued could literally be felt by everyone as Touya turned his eyes on me with raised brows of annoyed, knowing question.

The back of my neck began to sweat at his lack of response, and I was about to follow up with another comment and surely make the situation worse-before he decided it was his turn to do so.

"Sure, that doesn't sound like a stalker, or anything." He sighed begrudgingly, the smooth sound of his voice causing me to jump a bit.

I groaned in embarrassment as Akio continued to walk me down the aisle, feeling my nerves already starting to fizzle from his teases.

"Oh, hush. I was stressed out!" I called out, before Touya turned his attention to Akio with a snort of amusement.

"You're walking her down the aisle?" He asked, causing Akio to shrug teasingly.

"They don't call me daddy for nothing." My best friend smirked, causing me to throw my head to the sky and laugh freely.

This certainly has to be the most unconventional wedding ceremony to ever exist. But, that's how Touya and I operate. Nothing ever goes 'traditionally.'

Once I finally reached him, Akio gave Touya my hand and positioned us face to face, quickly pulling out his camera before snapping a picture. And, just like the jack of all trades he claimed himself to be, he lived up to the hype of 'daddy,' wedding photographer, and now, his next role-humorously pushing himself between Touya and I before standing in front of us like he'd been there the whole time.

"Alrighty, let's get this party started." He grinned, whistling all too casually as he pulled a piece of paper from his suit pocket. "Did everything you guys asked me to. Here's my certificate of completion. Though, I don't know how accurate yourweddingofficiant.com is. It kept giving me ads saying there were MILFS in my area."

Touya snorted at Akio's words, shoving him backwards in humorous annoyance.

"Yeah, and your dumbass probably clicked on it." He said, causing Akio to press his lips together.

"Correct-there were, in fact, no MILFS, in case you're curious, and nowmycomputerhasbeeninfectedwiththirty-sevenvirus. Anyways!" He dismissed, folding the completed wedding officiant certificate and shoving it back into his pocket. "I'm just gonna wing it, alright? I watched Wedding Crashers last night just for this, so I think I'm ready."

Touya and I were too focused on each other to care as Akio started babbling a bunch of wedding nonsense, feeling the world fading away.

He grabbed my hands in his sweaty ones, looking down at them before back up to my eyes.

"You're really all mine now, huh? Teenaged me would be jizzing himself if he knew it'd turn out like this. He always had a fat crush on you." He mused, causing me to roll my eyes lightly.

"Very romantic as usual."

"Hey, I'm like Prince Fucking Charming in this tux." He chuckled smugly, causing me to giggle and squeeze his hands.

"You are. And I can't wait to take it off later if you catch my drift." I said suggestively, giving an overemphasized wink to ensure he knew I meant business!

Touya hummed at my usual awkwardness, quirking a playful brow as he leaned in closer.

"Mm. Are you trying to make a sex joke right now?"

"Mhm." I hovered into his space, almost touching our lips before Akio cleared his throat.

"Hey, no talking during my officiant speech thing-"

"You and me, Grape." Touya murmured softly, pulling me closer. "Who knew, right?"

"Who knew." I repeated with a smile. "I guess it's true what they say."

"Mm. And what do they say?" He asked teasingly, causing me to think of my mother's words.

"That opposites attract." I said, ignoring Akio's sassy 'helloooo' from next to us.

Instead, all I could look at was Touya, and it felt so good to speak the next words freely after so much complicated history behind them, "I love you."

"I love you, too." Touya responded immediately, looking down at our intertwined hands again with reminiscence. "Always did even when I was being a jackass. I never stopped loving you."

"I never stopped loving you either."

Akio looked at us in exasperation, before sighing and smiling warmly, "Alrighttt, lovebirds, you two have already done my job for me. So let's just skip to the next part. Touya, do you have the rings?"

"Psh. Do I have the rings..." He mocked smugly, pulling a little ornate box out of his pocket. "Check this shit out."

He opened the little box, displaying a twin set of rings, both shiny diamonds. My ring had an ocean blue sapphire in the middle, and his band was the same color.

My jaw dropped as I looked at the rings and their beauty. Shocked would be an understatement, given Touya's way of doing things. He's not usually one for shiny and expensive. But, wow, he really went all out.

"Touya, oh my god-how did you-when did you...." I trailed off, with him looking proud of himself.

"I have my ways." He alluded mysteriously before Akio coughed out the truth.

"Yeah-and they rhyme with rick-rocketing."

"Shut the hell up before I blind you in your other eye." He grumbled, quickly glossing over Akio's words before turning back to me. "Like it, or what?"

"It's beautiful. I love it." I fawned before he took my hand in his own.

"Then let's put it on ya." He took my ring out and slid it on my finger, before I did the same with his own.

We looked down at our banded fingers together, with mine resting atop his sweetly as Akio snapped another picture.

"It looks good on you." Touya uttered uncharacteristically soft, gently stroking his thumb along my wrist. "Fuck, it really does."

"It looks good on you, too. The blue suits you." I said, lifting our intertwined hands before pressing my lips to his ring.

Snapping another picture with his camera, Akio switched between his assigned roles, carrying the entire wedding on his back as he skipped to the very end now.

"Okay! By the power invested in me-in something I'm almost ninety-percent sure isn't even credible-I pronounce you two married af, as the kids say. You can kiss, and please make it good so I have some sort of PG-13 entertainment in my life." He said, stepping back and gesturing for us to do our thing.

Pulling my veil up, Touya's hands glided from my own and up my arms, sliding around my back and bringing me in closer.

"I'm gonna kiss ya now, Grape."

"I'd be offended if you didn't."

He gazed at me, tilting his head down until our lips met in the middle. Both of our eyes instantly fell closed in bliss, savoring the moment for all its worth.

The cherry blossoms continued to rain down around us, tangling into our hair and atop our mouths, but we didn't care, molding our lips together like it was the first time all over again.

Giddiness overtook me as I snaked my arms around his neck tightly and kissed him harder, unable to stop myself from smiling against his mouth. My grin was contagious and pretty soon, he mirrored my actions, keeping his eyes closed before grazing his open lips against my own.

"Stop smiling so I can kiss you, dork." He murmured, causing me to giggle harder.

His fingers glided along my jaw, stroking it gently before pushing our lips back together for another kiss.

A squeal of surprise came from my mouth as he lifted me up from my waist, keeping one hand settled on the back of my neck as he kissed me again.

"Told ya I'm Prince Fucking Charming-swiping you off your feet and shit." He said against my lips, grinning against them before they touched again.

I laughed through the kisses as he spun us around, both of our inner children coming out to play. But, me being the dork I am, my foot came down unexpectedly, getting tangled on a vine rooted in the ground before throwing Touya off balance.

"Fuck-" He jumbled over my scream, before both of us went crashing to the ground.

I landed on top of him with a huff, burying my head into his chest before he lifted it quickly. My hair had become a mess now as he tried to push it back and untangle it from my veil, "Grape. Hey, Grape. Are you okay?" He asked in concern, sorting through the mess of hair to look at me.

It was now that the gleeful giggles were heard-my own giggles, looking down at Touya with the beaming look of a child.

He sighed in relief and rolled his eyes, resting his head back in the petals with a chuckle, "God, you're fucking crazy."

Wrapping my arms back around his neck, I leaned down until our foreheads were pressed together, gliding my fingers up the side of his face.

"Please. You love me." I whispered against his lips before closing the distance.

He kissed me back, keeping a hand resting on my back before smirking slyly.

"Hey, that's my line."

Another snap of the camera brought us back to reality, pulling away before looking at Akio-who was hovering over us like a paparazzi.

"Beautiful. Now that's what I'm talking about. Violet, don't worry. If things don't work out, I can always edit him out later. You look too good in these pictures for them to go to waste." He teased, instantly shielding his face as Touya chucked a rock at it.

Rolling off Touya's body, I dusted my dress off and stood up, walking over to Akio with excitement. "Ooo, lemme see the pics! You've always had a good eye with the camera."

My best friend smirked proudly, muttering a sassy, little 'I know,' before handing me the camera.

I began to look through the pictures I didn't even realize Akio had been taking this whole time, pressing a touched hand to my chest at all the candid moments. I stopped upon a particularly good one with Touya and I's kiss, feeling my heart melt at the sight.

"Awww, I love that picture!" I beamed before Touya peeked over my shoulder.

"Yeah. That's a good one."

Turning back towards him, my face held uncertainty with just a hint of hope, wanting to share the moment with the people who held so much history with us.

But, not without his permission, of course.

"Hey, do you think I could...send it to...them?" I asked softly, referring to his family. "They know we got married today. They asked if you'd be okay with showing everyone a picture. Your dad asked, too."

Touya's face went neutral with thought as he pondered my words, and honestly, I was surprised. Six years ago, the answer would have been an immediate no.

"Not to him." He said a few moments later, clearly referring to his dad.

I did tell Endeavor not to get his hopes up.

"Right." I nodded in understanding. "Got it-"

"But, the others are fine. I guess." He followed up, shocking me into silence with the agreement.

The others. The others meaning his mother...Natsuo...Fuyumi...and...

"Shouto, too?" I asked for clarification, holding my breath hopefully.

Touya caught sight of my eagerness, chuckling breathlessly before looking up at the cherry blossoms, crinkling his nose as they tickled it.

"Whatever." He said, but even so, he didn't sound annoyed.

He sounded neutral. More focused on the cherry blossoms. On the present moment. On us.

Finally, he was free. Free from himself.

Akio and I looked at each other with silent smiles for his growth, with him gently bumping my shoulder with his own as he watched Touya for a few moments.

The stitched man scoffed as a cherry blossom tried to creep into his eye, barely cracking a smile as he brushed it away.

"Cool." I murmured blissfully, grinning to myself as bubbly warmth blossomed in my chest.

New beginnings. I guess they're always possible. Touya is a testament to that.

*

After food, drink, and good company, the wedding party of three ended, and Akio went home, leaving Touya and I to indulge in our first moments of married life.

Ridding ourselves of our formal wear and exchanging it for casual clothes, we spent it going back to our roots, watching the sun set over the horizon atop the cliff we knew so well. The cliff that overlooked the ocean and city below. The place we used to come to as kids, where we held hands for the first time and I gave him his favorite lunch note.

The sky was turning from grey to black as nighttime approached, with me laying between Touya's legs, my back to his chest as we watched the show happening in the sky.

"So beautiful, isn't it? It's almost like the city arranged fireworks just for us." I murmured, watching another colorful pop light up the sky.

Touya hummed against me and the sound tickled through my back, buzzing straight against my heart.

"Not surprised. I'm fucking famous as hell around here, you husband's practically a celebrity." He smirked, causing me to chuckle with butterflied dancing in my stomach.

"Husband. I like the sound of that." My lips curled with a smile, giggling as I felt Touya bury his face in my neck.

"Yeah? I've got some husband duties in mind to give ya later, wife." He mouthed against my neck, placing a chaste kiss to my pulse point.

I rotated my head in his hold, causing him to pull his face up and peck our lips together.

"Close your eyes first." I murmured against his mouth, quickly sitting up in his hold before turning to face him directly.

He did as he was told, smiling in amusement as I fiddled around in my pockets.

"Oh yeah? If you're planning to throw me off the cliff, I'll kill you." He drawled out before I lightly shoved him in the shoulder.

"No, I'm saving that for another day. For tonight, I got you a little wedding present." I said, holding it up in his vision. "Open your eyes."

Touya opened his eyes in question, coming face to face with the present in my hand and recognizing it immediately.

The smug teases faded from his face as he carefully took the folded note from my fingers-the same type of notes I used to write in his lunch when we were kids. I hadn't written one in years.

He read the title of it in silence, breathing in amusement before his features went soft with nostalgia...

To: My Favorite Person In The World (Touya)

"For you. Since I kinda ripped up your old one." I chuckled, scooting closer to him.

His eyes remained on the top of the note with as much neutrality as he could, blinking a few times like he was trying not to cry before I giggled and wrapped my arms around him.

"Open it." I kissed his cheek, keeping our faces smushed together as he slowly unfolded the note.

Here's to a lifetime of EXTRAordinary memories with you. Forever never seemed so short, but I'll savor every second of it.

-Your Grape-

He scanned the note a million times, and his silence started to make me nervous.

"It's not much. But, I thought-" I started out before he finally spoke.

"It's perfect." He said, keeping his eyes to the note with a smile.

I watched him for a few moments, smiling in relief before pressing my forehead to his cheek.

"Don't ever lose it." I whispered close to his ear, letting my eyes fall closed. "Promise you'll keep it with you all the time-if you want to, of course."

He carefully folded the note and held onto it tightly, turning his head until we were face to face. His fingers gently hooked under my chin, his eyes finding my own as he spoke softly.

"I promise."

Capturing my lips with his one last time, we kissed while the fireworks continued in the distance, exchanging sweet nothings as time slowed down.

And, after a few heartbeats passed, I snuggled back in his lap again, with my back to his chest, linking his hand with mine until our wedding rings touched. I could feel his eyes on me as I lifted his hand into the air with my own, admiring the glow of rings in the moonlight before he spoke in a childlike whisper.

"Grape..."

"Yes?"

His brows furrowed emotionally as he rested his chin atop my head, grabbing my his hand in mine midair and intertwining our fingers together.

"Don't ever change." He said, causing me to smile.

"Only if you promise you won't change either."

"Deal."

The nighttime breeze rustled through our hair softly and kissed our cheeks. I felt the presence of my mother, looking down on the two of us with a smile.

You've done your job well, mom. Now, go rest.

And just like that, the wind calmed down and Touya and I were together. The universe was set right, and we were in love.

Ordinary is a blessing. It's beautiful...and it's a dream that Touya and I found together.

There's nothing wrong with being Ordinary.

Sighing peacefully, I relaxed into Touya's arms and looked out into the limitless ocean, speaking my words only loud enough for him to hear.

"You'll always be number one to me, Touya."

He pressed a kiss to the side of my head and I could feel his smile-his genuine smile of much deserved peace after so many years of suffering.

"You and me, Grape." He whispered, causing me to mirror his words.

"You and me, Touya. Forever."

He looked to our rings one last time, humming blissfully as the possibilities of the future as he allowed himself to finally dream...

"Forever, huh? I like the sound of that."

end.