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Academia, the most powerful kingdom in the realm. Ruled by the just and powerful King Toshinori, who won the crown from the evil emperor All for One more than 20 years ago, ushering in a long and prosperous time of peace throughout the land.
Although plenty capable, King Toshi was not alone in his endeavors. He was accompanied by his knights, the Council of Heroes.
King Toshi's original council assisted him in taking down the emperor and restoring peace and safety to the kingdom. But after 18 long years in service to the new King and countless journeys fighting villains throughout the land, the 20 knights on the council decided to pass down their positions to the next generation.
Each member of the council chose a pupil from the knight academy that they would personally train as their successor for the next two years.
And so, 20 teens were taken under the wings of the most powerful warriors in the kingdom in order to train to make up the next Council of Heroes.
The trainees were taken from far and wide, judged not by their social standings or their current abilities or grades, but rather by what was in their hearts. Because of this single requirement the trainees formed a rather diverse group of people.
Nonetheless, over the next two years of training and setting off on long missions together the 20 knights formed a bond unbreakable by any outside force.
They became a family.
Nonetheless, this didn't mean they all necessarily got along all the time, two in particular being Momo Yaoyorozu and Shouto Todoroki.
None of the other knights are really sure where their hatred for one another stemmed from. All that the other trainees knew was that the two of them got along just fine until they were assigned a mission together.
They left as respected comrades and returned as mortal enemies. They couldn't seem to agree on anything and it caused many problems seeing as they were constantly paired up together due to their compatible fighting styles.
Eventually their teachers had to get involved and after some time and many lectures, their heated arguments tuned down to simple bickering and general annoyance with one another .
Much to the young knights displeasure though, they did make an unstoppable team. With Momos unmatched cleverness and lithe fighting style paired with Shoutos brute power and sound decision making, they complimented each other perfectly. Even their personalities fit eachother snugly, Momos warmth filling Shoutos cold and Shoutos confidence overpowering Momos hesitation.
All things considered they were perfect for each other, if they didn't claim to hate each other's guts that is.
Despite the self proclaimed enemies constantly being at each other's throats on the training grounds, when it got down to it in a real battle they always had each other's backs.
The other members of the second council of heroes were very much aware of their hot and cold relationship as well, in fact a majority of the other knights were involved in a bet on when they'd marry.
The bet also included 4 of the teachers…
Whether good or bad the two acted drastically different around one another then they did anyone else. They knew that side of each other like the back of their hands, no matter how much that fact annoyed them. So naturally, it was rather easy for one to spot when something was even slightly off with the other…
It hasn’t even been a full year since the former trainees had taken over as the new Council of Heroes and already Shouto was starting to understand why their predecessors were so desperate to jump into retirement.
Not even a month after their ascension to the council they were attacked by a rebel group called the League of Villains. The leagues goal was to wipe out King Toshi and seize back the kingdom to restore it to the way it was under the Emperor. Over the past 7 months Shouto and his comrades have been struggling to keep them at bay but due to some recent info they were finally able to get the upper hand. They got the league into a corner and with a long and grueling battle Izuku Midoriya, the chosen successor of King Toshi, was able to take down their leader. The rest came easily after that but the league still had a few stragglers of followers littered about the kingdom and the council has been rounding them up for the last couple weeks.
For now peace was restored.
Shouto sighed leaning against the floor to ceiling window in the castle hallway, he was bored. Him, along with the other council members who were severely injured during the battle against the league, were to stay in the castle grounds to recuperate while the remaining members hunted down the rest of the league's supporters.
Shouto wasnt stupid, he knew staying behind was essential to his health seeing as he sustained some pretty nasty injuries from his showdown with Dabi. Still, he was antsy being locked up in the castle for so long.
Midoriya was unconscious for a better part of the last few weeks and it was difficult to spend more than an hour or two with Bakugou so Shouto was sentenced to spend his days roaming about the castle or collecting as much information as he could about his comrades out on the hunt.
He kept his ears open for updates on one name in particular, but he'd never admit it.
He was relieved to know that she wasn't gravely injured after her face off with the giant monster Gigantomachia, again he'd never admit it, but he couldn't help but be bitter that she was out there pulling ahead of him while he was stuck in this giant stone prison. With no good company might he add.
Shouto continued his brooding walk along the long hallways of the castle running over sword maneuvers in his head to kill time.
If he had his facts right she should be returning sometime later this afternoon. And Shouto certainly was not meandering around close enough to the main gates to be able to see her arrive.
He was more than certain she would trot in through the gates head held far too high, posture perfect, and not a single scratch on her cursed revealing armour. Still, it had been awhile since she went out on a solo mission and even longer since they didn't go on one together.
Oh how rare and peaceful his missions without her were. He didn't need to hear her nagging him about how insufficient his packing was or how he needed to eat more or sleep more or not push himself so hard blah blah blah. God forbid they had to make a pit stop in a village, she made it her business to interact with every single citizen they came across. She would wear that stupid smile of hers and speak kindly with all sorts of people, in fact she would be totally doomed if he wasnt stuck with her to pull her away from her seemingly endless chatter with villagers. Especially with male villagers, he pulled her away much faster whenever a man would set his eyes on her, for reasons he once again would never admit.
Shouto kicked at the rug underneath him as he continued down the hallway towards the main entrance. He contemplated taking his horse through the grounds, she would probably be back by the time he returned. Not that it matters though, he quickly chastised himself, a scowl painting over his face. I don't run my schedule around her and I certainly don't need to be here to welcome her back or some bullshit.
Leave it to Yaoyorozu to ruin his mood, she didn't even have to be near him this time, he scoffed. Now he was definitely going on a ride, as long as possible too. I'm not seeing her prissy face till absolutely necessary. He put back on his expressionless mask and marched to the stables.
It was dark when he started back to the castle. He rode out to the lake and accidentally fell asleep for a lot longer than usual. Then again his usual naps are usually so short due to Yaoyorozu coming after him and throwing a hissy fit at him for passing out in odd places throughout the wilderness.
Speaking of Yaoyorozu, Shouto was surprised when the castle came back into view and it seemed exactly as he left it. When the others who went after the stragglers returned a big feast was thrown for them and the castle erupted in chaos.
However tonight the castle was still and peaceful. Shouto shrugged leading his horse into the stables, maybe I heard wrong she could have just needed a couple more days or something.
His theory was proven incorrect however when he found her horse had returned to its designated stall. Weird.
Shouto finished putting his horse away when he spotted his second clue of the night. Yaoyorozu’s green traveling cape was hanging up outside her horse's stall, slightly hidden by the door. The hells up with her, she never leaves stuff lying around.
He’d never hear the end of it if she found out he left her precious cloak behind, begrudgingly he tossed her heavy cloak over his arm and stomped off towards her room. The last thing he wanted was to see her right now after such a peaceful and calming afternoon. He scoffed, she definitely had a whole list of complaints she had come up with on their time apart that she was just dying to lay on him anyways.
He entered back into the castle and was making quick work towards her room, he definitely did not need anyone seeing him going to her room at this hour. The last thing he needed was-
Bang!
Shouto froze. He turned his head to the source of the noise to see the armory door right across from the stairs he was scaling to be slightly open, a light shining through the crack in the door.
He immediately knew who it was. There was only one person who ever visited the armory on their own wims. He let out a heavy sigh, his face not betraying a single emotion. At least he wouldn't have to go all the way to her room now.
Momo stumbled in the back door of the castle clutching her side. It was dark by the time she returned so luckily no one saw her enter the castle. Good, I'd die on the inside if my comrades saw me like this. Especially him.
Momo was tasked with tracking down and capturing Twice; after a two week hunt she was able to corner him and take him into her custody. She however did not anticipate Himiko Toga, another target who Uraraka was tasked with bringing in, to interfere.
She jumped Momo in the middle of night, luckily Toga had just recently escaped from Uraraka and was considerably weakened from it. Momo was able to apprehend Toga and pass her back into Urarakas custody at the next village. She did however fail to mention to Uraraka the deep gash running across her middle from Togas blade.
She was able to get it somewhat treated in the village to prevent infections but she still had a mission to finish. She usually wasn't this reckless with her health but she refused to let her guard down again. Consequently her injury only seemed to worsen, she was able to turn Twice in successfully but the journey back to the castle proved to be much more troubling.
By the time she returned to the castle her wound had reopened. Momo was ashamed to have let it get this bad. So she snuck in. It was after dark so it thankfully wasn't that difficult. She briefly noticed his horse was missing.
Now that brings her back to the present, stumbling down the halls of the castle as quietly as she can trying to reach her room. If she remembered correctly she had an emergency medical kit under her bed.
Her breath started coming out in strained puffs as she struggled up the stairs, her vision beginning to dance with black. Oh god not again, not in the middle of the stairs.
Deeming the stairs a lost cause Momo stumbled back down and into the amory which thankfully was located just left of the stairs she had just attempted to scale.
She staggered in, lighting the lantern to illuminate the room as she made her way to the full length mirror, accidentally knocking over a discarded helmet on the way.
Momo lifted off her shirt with a wince revealing the deep cut along her middle. Momo let out a sigh. It was getting worse. Momo's pride aside, she knew she would need to visit the infirmary as soon as possible.
She ran her finger over the inflamed skin, wincing slightly. Her shirt and armored breastplate were abandoned on the floor leaving her only in her chest wrappings. It's a good thing it was nighttime or else she might run into some trouble being halfway undressed in a public-
“What is that.”
The dark voice startles Momo, though she recognizes it immediately. Her head shoots up to look at him through the mirror. His voice sounded more like he was making a demand then asking a question and his face matched.
His eyebrows scrunched together and his lips made into a grimace. Just her luck he would be the one to discover her injury first. Momo ducked her head, choosing not to answer. He probably thinks I'm weak.She keeps her head down as she hears his heavy footsteps approach.
“I asked you a question.”
Momo couldn't help but flinch, she didn't think his voice could get any darker but he was famous for exceeding her expectations. It also didn't help that he was quite literally breathing down her neck, his chest only inches away from her back. Momo refused to look back in the mirror to see his face.
Of course keeping her eyes averted was harder as he grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. His grip was strong as he lowered his head to be level with hers.
“I’m not asking again.”
Momo let out another sigh, there was no use trying to get away at this point.
“I… I was careless. I let my guard down and got slashed,” Momo glanced at him through her eyelashes, “no big deal so just drop it ok.”
Momo tried to take a step back out of his strong hold but shuddered as her foot stepped down a little too hard and pain shot up her side.
Todoroki immediately perked up and his hands went down her hips keeping her from moving anymore.
Momo yelped and tried shooing his hands away but his grip was as strong as it was gentle as to not hurt her, his eyes trained on her middle.
Momo couldn't help but blush bright red, “Todoroki, I don’t-”
“Who did this to you.”
Once again his voice was making the question into a demand. Momo surrendered, he was useless to argue with right now.
“Toga snuck up on me while I was camping out. I got her under control eventually. Uraraka dropped her off at Tartarus for her trial a couple days ago.” Momo kept her gaze on Todorokis face the whole time she spoke but his eyes remained trained on her injury. Momo looked away then and began to squirm under his intense gaze, she was still barely dressed.
“I’ll kill her,”
Momo turned her head back to Todorokis, his eyebrows were scrunched together his handsome face taking on a distraught expression,
“I’ll rip her apart for this, I’m going to-”
“Shouto.”
His eyes returned to her face softening a bit. His grip loosened and he took a step back under her hard gaze. As much as they “hate” each other they knew each other better than anyone else and Momo could tell he was getting too worked up.
As infuriating as he is, he is fiercely loyal and protective of his own and, though she will never admit it, that protectiveness is almost always directed towards her.
Todoroki turned his back to her and stood absolutely still. After a few moments Momo began to worry she had upset him but just as she was making to say something else he began moving again, making his way towards the cabinets lining the wall. What on earth is he doing now?
After rummaging in the cabinets for a moment Todoroki turned back around with several bandages in his hand. His bicolored bangs were hiding his face making it hard for her to see what expression he was wearing as he made his way towards her again.
Momo rolled her eyes, “Bandages aren't magical you know, just covering it up isn't going to change anything.” completely ignoring her Todoroki continued on his way back towards her. “I'll get it looked over in the infirmary tomorrow.”. He stopped in front of her once again and began unfurling the first role. Momo was starting to get agitated by his lack of acknowledgement, “Listen, i'm sorry to have worried you but I'm sure there are better things for you to be doing right now and I can take care of myself just fine. Also, I don't know if you've noticed but I'm not wearing anything on my top so if you could please leave now.”
Todoroki didn't even pause his unwrapping as he answered ever so nonchalantly, “Nothing I haven't seen before.”
Momo immediately felt the blood rush up to her cheeks, “You swore to never speak of that again!”
“I didn't, just stating a fact.”
Momo felt her face heat up even more. God why was he so infuriating, why must he be so blase about these things.
“And I do have better things to do,” he spoke softly nearly whispering now as his hands continued their task,”but you're hurt so they don't matter.”
Momo didn't think she could blush any harder but he does just love to prove her wrong doesn't he. How can he so easily just speak his mind, Momo isn't sure she'll ever understand. So she lets him guide her to a low table and sit her down. His hand begins to gently wrap the soft cloth around her wound while the other follows smoothing out the bandages and occasionally caressing her side.
Momo hated how relaxing his touch was but right now she’s too exhausted to fight it. After she felt him tie off the bandage he moved once more, his hand remaining on her as if he was scared she’d crumble.
“The bandages should keep it at least a little clean,” He gathered the remaining bandages and turned back towards the cabinet, “I’m taking you to the infirmary first thing tomorrow so you’re staying in my room again tonight.”
“Fine. Carry me there would you, My legs are jelly.”
Todoroki chuckled slightly as he made his way back towards her and scooped her up bridal style. Carefully, so as to not touch her injury he blew out the candle and grabbed her cloak, which was abandoned at the entrance, on his way out.
Unfortunately she was too out of it to feel the gentle kiss on the crown of her head as they ascended the stairs and was fast asleep by the time she was lowered onto his bed and was unable to feel as he crawled up beside her and buried his head into her hair.
Nor was she able to hear it when three words were whispered into her ear before he drifted off as well. And as the sun shone through the curtains he too was too lost in dreams to feel the press of lips on his cheek and hear his words returned to him.