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“I know this isn’t what you wanted.”
Rei startled at the deep voice, flipping her diary closed. It was such a silly thing to keep. The book was worn down the spine, front cover practically falling off. It was overstuffed, but it was hers. When their parents had set up their courtship, Enji had offered to buy her a new one, but Rei had turned the offer down. She had poured so much of herself into the blue book—poems, stories, dreams, a play by play of the day’s events. Maybe it was silly, but her diary was an accumulation of every aspect of her soul. It felt wrong to even think of using a different book.
Now, Enji was no longer just the man she courted. They had married almost a year ago. Now, her husband stood before her, baby boy with a head of red hair fast asleep in his arms. She shifted in bed tentatively, setting the book on her dresser.
“What do you mean?”
“Medical school,” Enji replied, and Rei could feel her heart sinking. She had long given up on that dream, but it was still painful to think about what could have been had she been born to a less powerful family, or born quirkless like her sister. “You wanted to be a nurse. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Rei shrugged, sitting up slowly as Enji sat down, taking Touya from his arms. Their child was barely a week old, and they were only just beginning to learn to communicate again, now that they had gotten their parents off their backs. They’d successfully produced an heir, afterall. The young couple could be trusted to be left to their own devices.
“It wouldn’t have made a difference,” Rei replied softly, gently rubbing a finger over her baby boy’s cheek. “Our fates were decided for us before we even entered high school. Two powerful quirks are bound to create powerful grandchildren. Two influential names becoming entwined with one another sure to rake in profits… We both have those two qualities; I’m only surprised we hadn’t been set to marry from the time we were toddlers. I’d come to terms with it, anyway.”
“I’m sorry, Rei.”
“That’s alright,” Rei said, smiling softly. “You’ll just have to make it up by saving people in my stead.”
Enji’s face flushed soft pink. He was only twenty years old, still trying to figure out his place in the world. What did it say about Rei that she’d given into her parent's wishes at only nineteen?
“I… I am sorry, though.”
“Enji…”
“No, you… you carry so much.”
Rei tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. That didn’t clarify much.
“I just… this whole legacy thing? All the weight of it was put on you. You’re the one expected to do everything, look after everyone, and I know I said in my vows I would never do that, but sometimes I’m scared I’ll turn out like my own father. Never around, always pushing too hard until my mother grew distant. She was never happy. I don’t want that for you, Rei,” Enji let out a shuddered breath, fists clenched in his lap til the knuckles turned white. “You have such a beautiful light all around you, Rei. I don’t want to be the reason it fades. I don’t want this legacy to break you.”
Rei shifted Touya’s weight into one arm, making sure he was safe and still fast asleep before leaning over to rest her hand on Enji’s shoulder. “It’s not heavy. I’m stronger than I look… I won’t break. I mean sure, this isn’t the life I envisioned for myself when I was younger, but plans change. I can bear the weight of your legacy, if you can bear the weight of mine.”
Enji nodded softly, his hand slowly sliding up to cover Rei’s own before he pressed a kiss to her forehead, pulling her closer so he could hold her and his son.
“I will, Rei. I won’t let you down.”
“I’m not worried about that, Enji. I trust you.”