Finally, almost one and a half years after the Touya reveal, we get a little more of Dabi’s backstory. And a whole chapter at that! As always, the original Japanese version offers an even better understanding of both the story and the characters so let’s take apart this already emotionally damaging chapter.
I’ve seen some people suggest that when Touya return home after those three years and saw his dad and Shouto together, it was the same training session we saw in chapter 202 where Touya was first mentioned by name and Endvr pointed out how he “came close” to being what he needed him to be.
HOWEVER, those are not the same scenes. First of all, in chapter 350, Touya is 16 which means Shouto would be 8 years old. In chapter 202, Shouto looks younger.
While the spoiler quality makes it hard to see the details, Shouto is definitely wearing something darker with longer sleeves, whereas in 202 he is wearing a tank top in a lighter color.
Lastly, Endvr is using a sword (I thin it’s a shinai but it looks a bit different so I’m not sure?) in chapter 202, whereas in 350 it looks more like… a pipe? A wooden pole? Either way, he’s using a different weapon to beat up his kid with.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters, they belong to Kohei Horikoshi
Welcome to the fifth of seven works of the Candy Heart Club! Fifth up is Shoto Todoroki with the candy heart saying “Love Bug”. Let me know if you’d like to be added to the event taglist, and as always, the event masterlist is linked right above! Stay sweet and happy February!
Prompt:Shoto Todoroki is all cool and collected until you come into the picture. Now his stomach flips when you give him a smile and he feels his cheeks flush when you give him a high five after training. It’s official - he’s got the bug.
A/N: And here’s the fifth! I had a ton of writing this one - it’s funny and fluffy and Shoto being an unintentional comedian. Aight it’s really late now and I should probs get to bed but yay so happy this one is done and posted! I hope y’all enjoy
Word Count: 1.4K
Shoto Todoroki’s stomach hurt. Well, maybe hurt was not the correct word to use, but it didn’t feel right. “Churning” was too severe a word, Shoto thought. When someone said “churning” it would just make him think of some 1800s person laboriously churning butter. So, obviously, that wasn’t what he was feeling.
Having the butterflies made it seem like something a bit more insignificant. Shoto’s had the butterflies on many occasions. When he visited his mom for the first time since he was eight years old and when Kaminari had teased him about his friendship with you - those were times when calling that feeling “butterflies” was appropriate. What he was feeling was much, much weirder.
Maybe he had some sort of illness, perhaps a stomach flu of somesort. That had to be the answer, because it felt like his organs were currently performing backflips and somersaults as he tried to pay attention to the conversation you and him were having in the Heights Alliance library.
“I just feel like, maybe, if I cut my hair here,” you say, pointing about two or three inches up from the tips of your Y/H/C tresses, “it won’t bother me as much at training as it’s doing right now. I mean, there will still be flyaways that I have to deal with, but I can always get a headband for that.” Your eyes try to find his, but those heterochromatic irises are lost in space. “Shoto?” He shakes himself out of his mental rut.
“Sorry, you were saying?” He asks, embarrassed that he doesn’t remember what you were saying. You smile and wave him off, settling more into your chair.
“It’s no big deal. Where were you just now?” You ask him, earning a shake of his head. He fiddles with his fingers for a bit, glancing at them, before looking back up to you.
“I think I’m sick.” At his words, your eyes go wide.
“Do you- are you nauseous?” You worry, getting up and out of your chair to press your hand against his forehead. If his face didn’t already feel warm, it certainly felt so now. “Jeez Sho, I think you might have a fever or something!” You say, taking your hand back from his skin and frowning.
“Oh, uh, it’s probably nothing like that-”
“We should get you back to your dorm. When I was a kid and ignored the fever I had, I was stuck in bed for days. I don’t want you to get that sick.” The concern on your face was what made him concede. He stood up slowly and stumbled a bit, making you lurch forward to grab his arm, linking it with yours. “You okay?”
“Yes, I think I’m fine,” but the flipping in his stomach turned into an award winning gymnastics routine. He already knew his face was read and his heart was beating quickly, and the only thing he could come up with for an easy out was a not so lovely excuse.
“I, uh, I think I’m gonna throw up.” He says, staggering away from you unceremoniously to heighten the effect of his white lie.
“Like right now? Should I run and get a bucket?!” You exclaim, eyes darting around the room until your eyes latch on a trash can.
“I’m just gonna go back to my dorm.” Shoto says quickly, already moving to scamper off to his dorm.
“Wait-” You were already holding the trash can in your arms when you saw him turn the corner and bolt down the hallway, leaving you dumbfounded amongst the bookshelves. “What the hell just happened.”
Shoto has his hands in his hair as he sits on his bed and his phone by his side. Why’d he have to lie like that? And to get away from you? He likes hanging out with you! He cherishes hanging out with you. He loves hanging out with you! He lovesyou!
He loves you. His eyes go wider than they already are as he lets his head fall back against his bed to stare at the tiled ceiling. Is that why his stomach twists and his face flushes when he sees you? Was he having such a hard time dealing with the reality of him loving someone that his body thinks he’s trying to fight off some life-threatening disease?! Just when he was about to search up “why do crushes make you ill”, his door burst open revealing you weidling a thermometer like a sword. With an angry expression that makes Shoto shut his computer in an instant, you march towards him and grab his jaw. Stunned, Shoto freezes in place as you pry open his mouth and stick the thermometer beneath his tongue. A painfully silent 40 seconds pass between the two of you before you take the device out and look at the reading.
“98.6 degrees fahrenheit - literally a perfect temperature. I see no disarray in your room so as to make me believe you either threw up in a bucket or in the toilet, so you’re not sick.” You speak like an attorney proving the most damning piece of evidence in a court case and Shoto feels like he’s the guilty defendant put up on trial.
“Well, uh, maybe the thermometer is wrong-”
“Shoto, what is up with you? I put my hand on your forehead to check for a fever and then you sprint from the room as soon as I try to help. Is it something I did?” You ask, exasperation leaking from your voice. Did I- oh my god I didn’t even ask if it was okay to check your temperature.” You realize, your hands going up to your cheeks in horror. “Shoto, I am so sorry.” The red-and-white haired boy just waves his hands in front of his face and shakes his head.
“No, no, it’s not that. It’s fine, it was fine when you did that.” He says, reassuring you. A confused expression crosses your face as you let your hands fall back against your side.
“Then, what was it? It really did look like you were about to be sick all over the room back there. Your face was really red and your skin felt all flushed and clammy.” As you sit down next to him, he moves a couple of inches away from you. Looking down at the new space in between the two of you, your lips tug into a slight frown. “Is it me?” Your voice, a sort of airy vacancy gracing your tone that wasn’t ever present before when you were speaking. And Shoto’s heart broke a bit hearing it.
“No it’s not you. Well, I mean, it is you-”
“Right. Got it-”
“But in the best way!” He exclaims, grabbing onto your hands and holding them in his. Your eyes widen and, this time, your face feels hot and flushed.
“Uh-yeah, um I think I get what you mean now.” You mumble.
“You do?” You don’t respond verbally, but your frantic nod says enough. “I was, uh, going to look it up. Why it makes me feel like that when you smile at me.”
“For the same reason it makes me feel like that when you hold my hands.” You breathe, a fluttery laugh tumbling from your mouth. “You’ve got the bug. The lovebug.” And just like that, you’re back. He chuckles a bit before laying down on his bed, more gracefully this time, and opening his arm as an invitation for you to do the same. You flop beside him with a silly grin on your face. Without hesitation, you place a kiss on his cheek, but at the last second, he turns to look at you. Your lips meet his and Shoto pulls back instantly.
“Are you okay with me kissing you?” He asks, allowing you to back out of the accidental kiss if you wanted to.
“Yeah. Just don’t throw up on me when you do, okay?” You quip. Shoto rolls his eyes and cups your cheek.
“C’mere,” he says, latching his lips onto yours. As his lips crash back into yours, you sigh in content and relish in the moment. You think the feeling of your heart quickening when he steps into the room and the butterflies he gets in his stomach will lessen and eventually go away, but the root of those feelings will always stay. You love him and he loves you - a bug that you would happily be subject to for the rest of your life.
Taglist:
❤ Message or comment to be added to the Candy Hearts Club taglist! ❤
(hey i wanted to request silly girl by chloe moriondo with shoto???)
A/N: Here I am with another Todoroki fic! I’m pretty happy with how it turned out - it’s not a typical kind of fic that I’d write about Shoto, but I think the song paired nicely with it. It’s more serious than sweet I would say, but def fluffy at the v end. Also this song is so good omg. Anyways, thank you so much for requesting this within the event, I hope you love it!!!
Word Count: 1.6K
Shoto Todoroki gave you butterflies. He gave you that head-over-heels, “kicking your feet in the air” kind of feeling that makes you realize you’re in love. And not just that casual crush kind of thing - it was the kind of love where you smiled at him whenever you walked into class. That kind of love where you looked at him first after you finished a presentation, to see if he was nodding his head in agreement with your statements.
He appeared to be too good for the world, too lovely. When there was even a shadow of a smile, a chorus of angels seemed to sing and shine a halo on top of his head. He learned and spoke and trained with such grace and poise, like a ballerina not breaking a sweat during a difficult variation. His clothes were always ironed and fit him well and his hair flopped over his forehead in such a way that it looked like someone had meticulously set every strand into its place purposefully and methodically. To you, Shoto Todoroki was perfect.
What you didn’t know was that after he closed the door to his dorm room, he could do little to prevent himself from collapsing on his floor, his head in his hands. You didn’t know that some nights he would get so sad thinking about his family that he’d cry until he was hiccuping and felt like he was about to throw up. Or about the way he’d wrap himself in a blanket so tightly it felt like his mother giving him a hug, even though he hadn’t had one from her since he was eight years old. Shoto Todoroki was not a pristine tea plate in a fine china set. He was cracked. Falling apart. Broken.
But Shoto hid it well. He placed that soft indifferent mask on his face and went about his day, trying to force that worry and insecurity and heartbreak down, down beneath that facade. No slipping up, no making a scene. Perfection.
You weren’t meant to be up this late, however, a strong urge for a cup of tea had you out of your bed and walking down the hallways. It was late at night, or rather, really early in the morning so all of your classmates’ dorm lights were turned off. As you passed door after door, it was kind of funny. Some had white noise turned on, others calming piano music. Just another thing that made you love dorm life so much - the individuality. However, something was starkly out of place. The further down you walked, the more light seemed to be spilling out of a door. Cracked open just a smidge, you frowned. Who on earth is up this late? You thought to yourself, your feet carrying you a little quicker to the light source. Peeking at the name plate next to the door you sucked in a breath. Etched onto the plastic read the name “Shoto Todoroki”. You shook your head, taking a step back. It’s not my business to question why he’s up so late. You tell yourself, looking towards the end of the hallway where the common room lay, begging you to come and make a cup of tea. However, when you heard a faint sniffle, your head snapped back to his door. Not. My. Business, you force into your brain. Squeezing your eyes shut and spinning back around, you make to get your warm beverage. What stops you dead in your tracks is when you hear a cry. A cry, coming from Shoto’s room. Shoto was crying.
You knock softly, not too loud to wake anyone up but loud enough for him to hopefully hear. Immediately, the sniffles and quiet sobs stopped. You looked towards the ground to see a shadow slowly appearing and becoming bigger as he moved towards the door. It creaked open gently, and as soon as you saw his face, a part of you crumbled. His hair was messy, his pajamas rumpled. His heterochromatic eyes were glazed over with tears and tinged with red. You could see that his cupid’s bow was a bit wet as well, probably due to a runny nose.
“Oh, L/N. Did you need something?” He asked, however it came out more like a statement. You opened and closed your mouth a few times, trying to think of what to say before shaking your head. “Alright then, good night.” He says, moving to shut the door. You’re too quick, though, placing a hand on the door to prevent any further movement.
“I don’t need something,” you say a bit shyly, though your eyes gave a steadier impression, “but I think you do.” He said nothing, but continued to look at you. It felt like you were at a stalemate in a game of chess, neither of you were budging. Until the red-and-white haired boy conceded and swept the door open quickly, making you stumble into the room and almost fall face-first onto the floor. He didn’t say anything, but sat down on his futon quietly. “I just, uhm,” you begin, fiddling with your fingers and trying your hardest to not make a fool of yourself. “I wanted to make sure that you’re okay.” He looked up at you quickly after you said that and slightly narrowed his eyes.
“Does it seem to you like I’m ‘okay’?” You swallowed slightly and shook your head, more confident this time.
“No, it doesn’t seem like that. You’re one of, if not, the most put together people I know. This doesn’t really seem like you.”
“On the contrary, this happens quite often, it’s just that no one knows.” He says, laying down and staring at the ceiling.
“Is there anything I can get you to help? I was actually on my way to get a cup of tea, but maybe you might like a pillow or something to hold on to-”
“No, nothing tangible will help with this.” Shoto says, his tone a bit cold.
“What about if I listen?”
“Listen to what?”
“Whatever is troubling you. I don’t judge, I promise.” Shoto snorts a bit at your response.
“Didn’t you just say I’m so put together? You were alluding that I am someone who is perfect, so this will certainly prove to be troubling to your idea of me.”
“Perceptions change and people have layers.” You say simply, laying down on the floor next to him. “I like to get to know people, and if you’re not completely who I thought you were, who cares? It’s not people’s ideas of you who matter most.” You don’t see it, but he cracks a small smile.
“Okay then.” And so he tells you. He tells you everything that makes him cry and worry and keeps him up at night. He cries through most of it as he confesses the darkness of his life, both in fear of it finally coming to light and relief. Relief that another person now knows what’s been troubling him since infancy. He tells you how his mother was taken away from him before the age of ten after she scarred his face. He tells you about his father and how every part of that man’s being plagues him. He confides in you about his siblings and how detached he felt from them, and how he was too young to know his older brother that died. He tells you how completely cracked and shattered he truly feels.
“Todoroki, do you know what kintsugi is?” You ask, your eyes growing a little droopy from drowsiness but still fighting to stay open. You see him shake his head out of the corner of your eye. You take a breath, and then continue. “It’s an art where people repair broken pottery, china, and other stuff like that by sort of gluing the pieces back together with gold. It’s so that people know it was previously broken, but it’s made even more beautiful than it originally was with pretty golden seams.” You shift your head to look at Shoto to find he was already looking at you, a fresh wave of tears in his eyes. A couple of your own start to slip down your cheeks as you smile widely at him. “And I know that you said you were broken. I believe you truly were. But I see the gold that binds you back together. You’re not perfect. You’re not without flaws. But you’re incredible, and admirable, and so completely brave for being able to live what you’ve lived through and be who you are.” And, for the first time, Shoto smiles at you - truly smiles at you. It’s wobbly and his lips were stained with salty tears, but he was smiling. “And so many people love you for it. All of us do. So please don’t be afraid to cry in front of us or confide in us. Please be you with us.” You say, basically pleading. Shoto chuckles a bit and nods his head. A smile graces your cheeks as you sit up. “Good” You say simply, standing up and smoothing out your pajamas.
“Are you going?” He asks, standing up quickly.
“While it is Saturday tomorrow, it’s also 2:30 in the morning, so I should probably get some sleep.” You sigh, yawning. He nods but looks slightly crestfallen. You hold his hands and give him a sleepy grin. “I’m going to bed, but I’ll be awake in the morning. Come find me then, okay?” You say, earning a squeeze of your hand back. “Sweet dreams, Shoto.” You say, slipping from his room into the dark of the night.
“Sweet dreams, Y/N.” He whispers, turning off his light and falling onto his futon. For the first time in years, he doesn’t have nightmares. Instead, when his head hit the pillow, he found himself dreaming of you.
A/N: All good things must come to an end, and this is this series’ end. I’m so happy I could come to a conclusion that felt satisfying and right to both the time period and Y/N & Shoto. This story in total took 54 pages on google docs with a total of 26,000 words. To everyone who has loved this story and shown it love, I want to thank you so so much. This little bundle of regency era fluff will always be here for you to read on happy, sad, stressful, and peaceful days - whenever you need it. For now, I’m going upward and onto the next project! As always, requests are open - just review the request guidelines on my page. I hope you enjoy the end of I Burn For You!
The warm summer air washes over you as your basket swings lightly on your arm, only a handful of lavender and a couple sprigs of hyacinth settled in the wicker. There was a light humming of bees and birdsong accompanying your walk through the gorgeous gardens that gave you the greatest pleasure of tending to. On the far left side resided the rose bushes - pinks and reds whites all popping up through the darker green leaves. Then there were the peonies and lilacs, chrysanthemums and bushes of cinquefoils. The tall bushes bled into the smaller ones, and the smaller flowers bled into the herbs - rosemary and basil and, your favorite, lavender.
“Your Grace? His Grace has returned from his walk, shall I get tea ready?” Turning around with a smile wide on your face, you find Tsuyu walking towards you, she herself taking in the aromatic scents of the gardens.
“That would be lovely, Tsu, thank you. I’ll be just behind you - I have only daisies and baby’s-breath left to collect.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Tsuyu says with a smile, bowing and then returning to your beloved home - Endeavor Estate. You sigh with utter and complete happiness as you take out your gardening shears and snip just enough stems to have a sizable bunch of daisies.
“Perfect.” You say, standing up from your previous kneeling position and brushing your skirt free of any dirt or mulch. Before you could make it back in time to meet Shoto in the parlor, though, you found him descending the outdoor steps and making his way to you. His sleeves were pulled up and the top few buttons of his overcoat undone. His pristinely polished shoes were getting dusty due to the nature of the mulch, but he couldn’t care less about any of it.
“Well, that was a rather quick walk.” You state, rubbing a bit of sweat that had condensated off your brow. Shoto smiled and took your face into his hands, pressing a soft, delicate kiss to your lips.
“How could I possibly stay so long away from you, my love.” You laugh at his response as he takes his chance to kiss your cheek. His hand falls easily into yours and he takes your flower basket onto his arm.
“The flowers look absolutely fabulous this year, don’t you think?” You ask him, your head leaning onto his shoulder just a bit.
“A good thing too - I believe more flowers are decking our halls than they ever had before.”
“If it’s too much I can hold back a bit-” you begin to say, but then are cut off by his words.
“I adore the flowers, Love.” You smile and your teeth pull a bit at your lips, the delicious secret you’ve been holding back from him ready to spring from them.
“Good.” You peer into the basket and then back up at him. “Do you like these ones? The lavender and daisies make such a darling pair. Oh, and of course the baby’s-breath was absolutely essential for this bouquet.” You proclaim, the both of you ascending the steps and entering the parlor. The walls were a perfect powder pink, gold accenting the crown molding. The couches were an ivory- white velvet, both facing each other with a little, long table between the two. The whole seating area abutted the fireplace, and above it, a portrait. It was recently painted here at Endeavor Estate - the both of you, smiling wide, with crowns upon both of your heads - the Duke and Duchess of Endeavor. Across the way from the seating area were a tea table with two chairs and a pianoforte. A large, persian tufted rug lay in between everything.
“And why is this flower essential?” Shoto asks, leading the both of you to sit on one of the couches, the basket left on the small table in front of you. The grin that you were already sporting spreads as wide as it could.
“Because,” You say, drawing the word out a bit longer than needed, “It’s for the nursery.” Shoto smiled and shook his head, confused.
“I understand that you want flowers in every room, my love, but putting them in a room that no one is currently using is a little strange, isn’t it?” He prompts.
“Oh, I think that room will be in use sooner rather than later. Most likely within the next eight months.” Your expression held such delight as you saw Shoto work out your words, his face changing from confusion to shock to pure elation.
“You are being serious?” He asks, his voice thick with emotion. “Truly serious?” His hand squeezed yours as you nodded, pure joy beaming from your smile.
“I had the doctor make sure this morning as you went on your walk and they confirmed my suspicions.” You say, standing up and helping your husband up in the process.
“Well… well we must cancel everything that could cause stress for you for the next while.” He said, cracking his knuckles and his voice holding a bit of a shake. The excitement, and panic, was both evident in his demeanor.
“I am not a teacup, Shoto,” You reassure him, “I will be perfectly fine doing exactly what I am doing now. Besides,” You hum, kissing his cheek, “we have company coming over within the next few hours.” Shoto sighed, a mix of happiness and exhaustion.
“Izuku and Ochaco?”
“Izuku and Ochaco.”
“UNCLE SHOTO!” The pitter-patter of little feet on hardwood increased in volume as your nephew all but launched himself into Shoto’s arms. Ready for him, as he always was, Shoto caught the two-year-old and lifted him into the air, the little boy letting out excited sputters.
“How good to see you, sister.” Izuku says, clearly breathless from trying to entertain his son from the long three hour long carriage ride.
“It’s always wonderful to see you.” You say, enveloping him in a hug. Your eyes kept glancing at Shoto, a wide smile on his face as your nephew started playing with his overcoat - the pale blue whorls and swirls printed onto the white cotten, now mussed by the hands of a toddler.
“Darling, remember what I said about running and jumping?” An exasperated Ochaco appeared behind Izuku, heavily pregnant and with a fan in her hand. You immediately take her arm and lead her to the couch.
“Oh, Shoto doesn’t mind,” you assure her, watching your husband kneel down and fish a pocket-watch out of his coat, showing the boy the clock hands and their endless ticking. Ochaco sighs in relief, letting herself settle into the couch more, a hand on her belly.
“He’s going to be a wonderful father,” she says, a knowing smile on her face.
“I’m glad he gets a test-trial now,” you laugh, watching your nephew be enthralled with the watch, “since he’ll have the real deal in eight or so months.” Ochaco gasps and puts her hands over her mouth. Immediately, Izuku races over to her.
“Is it now?! Oh god, sister, where is your doctor?! We need them!” He yells, bracing his wife’s shoulders.
“No, no Izuku.” She says, waving him off and keeping her eyes on yours. “Oh, Y/N, I can’t believe you’re expecting!” She exclaims, her hands clasped in yours.
“You’re expecting?” Izuku says, a smile on his face. You nod with glee as Shoto comes over, the little tike almost welded to his leg.
“Oh we must have the children meet more often so that they become friends!” Ochaco said dreamily. You nod and stand up to be next to Shoto, his arm instantly wrapping around your waist.
“Why don’t the two of you relax for a bit, and we’ll take the little one on a walk around the gardens.” Izuku and Ochaco exchanged a look before glancing back at you. “It’ll tucker him out and it’ll give you some time to breathe - if it makes you feel better, all of the rose bushes and thorn producing plants are gated off.” You say, your smile trying to sweet talk them into agreeing.
“Okay, but just for an hour - we don’t want to burden the both of you.” Izuku says, leaning back into a chair.
“You’re not burdening us at all,” Shoto assures him, already leading the both of you - and your nephew - out the doors into the garden. The both of you welcomed the outdoor air kindly as the toddler spread his arms out and ran around, smelling flowers and tumbling on the grass.
“He’s sweet.” You say, watching him chase a butterfly. Shoto chuckles and nods, glancing back quickly at Izuku and Ochaco through the window - both of them now asleep and passed out on the couch. Then, he glances back at you.
“I’m excited.” He says, causing you to look at him with stars in your eyes.
“Yeah?” You prompt, squeezing into his side.
“Yeah.” He says, sealing your lips with a kiss. As the sun began to slowly set in the distance you hummed in content, the yellow ribbon tied to the end of your braid flipping over itself softly in the breeze. “I love you, so dearly.” Shoto says, his whole heart in his words.
“And I love you. From the moment I met you in those gardens I knew. I love you.”
“Forever and always, Y/N. Forever and Always.”
Dearest Gentlereader,
This season has truly been one to remark on - so many fabulous weddings and countless twists and turns in the stories of love and loss. Lord Iida, Lady Todoroki, Lord Bakugou, and Lord Kirishima all played a fabulous part in the Yagi siblings’ respective love stories. Lord Yagi, the to-be viscount, held a comforting static story. Lady Uraraka was a breath of fresh water on the social scene, and the romance between her and Lord Yagi was a lovely blossom of this season’s bouquet.
Though, the shining star was that of the now Duke and Duchess of Endeavor. The previously named Lady Yagi held a chance encounter with the former Lord Todoroki, causing a most delightful domino effect into a most lovely romance. But, stability was not constant in this beautiful love-match’s story. Engagements and suitors and illness caused a whirlwind of a romance - but in the end, as things always do, everything was laid bare. True love prevailed through every setback and cleared the path for the nuptials and development of a fabulously divine family. The Duchess and Duke of Endeavor welcomed Lord and Lady Todoroki on a clear morning in March - twins in perfect health. The family remains happily content in their country-side estate, but will return to the city of Musutafu in Autumn,
Dear readers, it has been the utmost pleasure recounting this story for your awaiting ears, and finally, it has come to a close. I put down my pen and ink and sit back happily in my upholstered chair, a fire flickering in the fireplace. May all your wishes of true love come true - and to Your Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Endeavor, may your life be filled with the utmost happiness.
A/N: Hi! Hello! Bonjour! Here is the eleventh chapter of I Burn For You which means… THERE’S ONLY ONE MORE LEFT AFTER THIS!!!!! This wild ride of writing this fic has been one that has spanned years, and a lot of breaks, and I absolutely couldn’t have done this without the support of everyone who has shown love to this story. As my first multi-chapter is coming to a close, it is so bittersweet to see it end, but exciting to wrap up a story that I’ve loved writing. I hope you all love this chapter, and am looking forward to posting the last chapter soon. ENJOY!!!!!!
The bouquet in your shaking hands proved to be a necessity as your heartbeat was most definitely above normal and your stomach was flipping. The tiny room that you were waiting in held nothing to distract you from the biggest day of your life. No paintings of note, nothing to needlepoint, and no pianoforte. Usually, it is tradition for the bride to be accompanied by her mother until the ceremony begins and the father walks her down the aisle. You knew you wouldn’t have her here beside you, but your mother’s absence struck you so horribly in this moment you did not know what to do. Instead, you chose to pick at the stems and leaves of the flowers - leaving the petals alone - to try and calm yourself. It did nothing. A knock at the door broke you out of your cloud of worry and had you racing towards it. Was it already time? You didn’t hear the lulling sounds of harps, so did something happen?
“It’s me, Y/N.” Your brother’s voice sent a sigh of relief, and of slight panic, through you.
“Is everything okay? Why are you here?” You ask, a thick coating of worry laced amongst your words.
“Oh! No, nothing’s wrong, I promise. Your ceremony will start soon.”
“How soon?” You ask, beginning to pace in small turns so that you stay within Izuku’s earshot. “Can they speed it up? I feel like I am going to go mad in here all by myself.” You fret.
“I might have something that may help.” A folded envelope with a wax seal is slipped beneath the crack of the door. You immediately scoop it up into your hands to flip it over, and your breath hitches when you see the handwriting.
“I’ll leave you to read it by yourself… even though I can’t really see it. If you need me, just give a shout.” You hear Izuku’s footsteps fade as you presume he walks down the hallway, but your eyes never leave your name written so elegantly upon the envelope. Your name written in your mother’s handwriting. You break the seal carefully and slide the letter out. You can’t help but smile.
My dearest Y/N,
Oh my darling, how I wish and pray for you never to have to read this letter, but to instead hear these words from my own lips. Though, I fear that will not be possible as I grow weaker with every passing day. It leaves me heartbroken that I will never see you through your first season, your first ball, your first round of suitors. I know that your father will do everything in his power to give you and Izuku the lives we have both always wanted for you - lives of happiness and joy. As I am writing this, I can see that joy on your face as you plink away at the keys of my beloved pianoforte. I just know you will inherit my love for the instrument. You are but a mere six years old, your brother only one year your senior, but I know the day of your wedding will come. I am so sorry, my darling, that no one will be in that room waiting with you. I know, though, that you will be the most beautiful, blushing bride ever to walk the earth. My sweet little Y/N, with your Y/H/C hair and Y/E/C eyes - you hold such love in your heart that will be cherished by whoever has charmed it. I know you will settle for nothing but the truest form of love, and I am so happy and excited for you when you find that person that makes the world stop when you meet their eyes. My eyes are growing weary, so I am afraid that my words must end here, my darling. I love you, my daughter, with every breath in my body. - Inko Yagi
You’re smiling such a wide smile and little tears are rolling down your cheeks. You fold the letter back up carefully, tuck it into that envelope, and hold it to your heart. Finally, you breathe that sigh of relief. Your mother knew you would be okay, she knew that you would make it to this day with no regrets. So, when the harp starts to strum the beginning notes of a wedding melody, you wipe away the tears on your cheeks, recheck the rouge on them, and open the door to where your father was waiting - his arm reading to take yours and a watery look in his eyes.
The walk down the hallway was quiet, but a comfortable kind. The long train of your dress and veil flitted behind you like the wings of a butterfly and the sound of your shoes tapping down on the hardwood floor made for a steady rhythm. And then, you finally made it to the arch of the main room. When you turn the corner, you will see the Duke of Endeavor and his family; Lady Fuyumi and Lord Natsuo, accompanied by his princess. You will see your brother, the upcoming Viscount Yagi with his upcoming viscountess, Lady Ochaco. And then you will see Shoto. With a deep breath and a shared look with your father, the two of you make the turn and you see your husband to be - dressed sharply in a black wedding coat, a little flower pinned delicately by his heart, and the widest of smiles adorning his face.
Laughter and merriment surround you and your own giggling falls easily from your lips as your husband spins you around in circles as the end of an upbeat song comes to its close. He weaves an arm around your waist and brings you closer to him, kissing you gently as your guests clap and cheer. It has only been three hours since the two of you said ‘I do’, but you feel as if you’ve been married for a lifetime, feeling so comfortable with everyone calling you husband and wife. You were sad that the final moment of the evening was coming, but the start of the rest of your lives were beginning. Everything of yours had already been packed up and sent to the Duke of Endeavor’s country estate, every trinket and treasure, dress and ribbon, gem and jewelry were packed carefully in crinkle paper and transported from your home in the center of Musutafu to the serene countryside where it would be just you and Shoto. All that was left to leave… was you. As guests started to trickle out from the main ballroom, wishing you and your husband the happiest of lives and marriages, the only people who lingered and remained were your father, Izuku and Ochaco, Fuyumi, and the Duke.
“I’m afraid we must be heading home, sister.” Izuku says, Ochaco on his arm smiling and teary-eyed.
“Oh, Y/N, we must meet up and get together soon! After your honeymoon is over, of course.” Ochaco said with a wink, embracing you quickly, and letting Izuku do the same.
“We love the both of you dearly, and cannot wait to see the both of you again. All of our love.” Your brother says, earning a playful slap on the shoulder from you and a tearstained goodbye.
“As the other remaining sibling here, I will bid you my goodbye as well.” Fuyumi says, grace evident in every step forward. “If either of you need anything, I am but a mere letter away.” She says sweetly, embracing the both of you.
“Thank you, sister.” Shoto says gracefully, his arm still around your waist. Finally, both of your fathers walk up to you at the same time.
“My dear Y/N, I cannot begin to think of life at home without both you and Izuku gracing its halls. I know, though, that your life will be subject to so much happiness moving forward, I cannot bear to keep you from it. My dearest, the best days of your life await.” With a final kiss on your forehead and a handshake with Shoto, your father leaves an event for the first time by himself. And, finally, the Duke.
“Shoto. Y/N. Though my actions have led you to believe otherwise, I am very pleased by your betrothal and love for one another.” The both of you nod, yours more deeply and respectfully than Shoto’s. “I have decided to make a big decision.” Both of your gazes snap up to meet the Duke’s. “By this year’s end, in seven months’ time, I will be officially passing on my title to you, Shoto.” The stunned look on both yours and Shoto’s faces were almost identical.
“You mean to say, Father, that I will be…?” For the first time, you hear the large man in front of you chuckle.
“Yes, Shoto. By next year you will hold the title of Duke. And, of course, you Y/N, will hold the title of Duchess.” You knew that by marrying Shoto, you would hold that honorable title one day, but you never thought it would be so soon.
“Father, you are sure of this decision?”
“Yes, Shoto, very much so. In fact, your love and devotion for Y/N inspired me to make this decision. Your mother… She has been alone and healing by herself for quite a long time… too much time, in solitude. It’s time I take care of her the way she took care of me, and for you,” he says, motioning to Shoto, “all of those years ago.” Nothing more is said on the matter, and so you curtsy one last time the Duke, before he takes his leave. Left in shock but with your hand in his, you turn to your husband. Just a little ways away stands the footmen, waiting to open the door into the carriage that will drive the both of you home. Home.
“Are you ready, my love?” Shoto asks you, his hand squeezing yours. You squeeze back, and without missing a beat, you respond.
“With you? Forever and always, Shoto. Where you are, you shall find me there as well. The Duke and I.” You beam, letting Shoto envelop you in a searing kiss.
“And I am with you, endlessly. The Duchess and I.” Hand in hand, your heads tilted towards each other, you and Shoto descend the stairs and enter your awaiting carriage and travel home underneath the billows of stars and constellations, leading you to the next chapter of your story with the love of your life.
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