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In this quiet moment, tranquility engulfing him in an embrace, Shouta couldn’t help but look at how the faint rays of sunlight that seeped through the blinds illuminated your body. It was too early for him to wake up; too early to get ready for work; too early to leave the warmth of your embrace and the softness of the bed that you both currently occupy – it was too damn early, but Shouta was wide awake.
He didn’t know what made him wake up. He had a dreamless sleep – a rare occurrence – and there were little disturbances around him. No noises to wake him up, no rise or drop in temperature that will make him uncomfortable. Whatever the reason may be, it’s no use now. He’s wide awake and he somehow can’t go back to sleep.
Facing you, Shouta brushed a stray strand of hair from your face with his finger, making you unconsciously scrunch your eyebrows. Shouta stayed still for a moment, not wanting to wake you up and join him in his misery. Seconds later, Shouta layed his hand on top of your waist, which made you lean more into his warmth. The action was done unconsciously but it made Shouta’s heart race. It may seem like a small thing to others but to Shouta, it mattered a lot. Things like this show how much his life changed after meeting and falling in love with you.
Now, Shouta can’t help but reminisce. Life before you was dark and depressing which was reflected in his daily life. The haunting memories of the past and the people – Shirakumo, his mind instantly said making him wince – he failed to save. After that… incident, Shouta just wasn’t the same anymore. He couldn’t be optimistic (that was Shirakumo’s job), and he couldn’t move on, no matter how many times Hizashi reminded him that it was okay to let go. He just couldn’t.
Thus, he was stuck in that slump. A slump that seemed like it lasted forever.
Of course, the slump didn’t do him any good. He became a workaholic, and as much as Nezu loves people who values their work, Shouta took it up a notch, a level that was too concerning. He engrossed himself in too much work – too many hours of patrol, too many papers to grade, and too little time for sleep. But workaholic Shouta wasn’t the only bad thing.
It gets worse.
He took little care of himself, not prioritizing his health and safety over others. At one point in his life he became a Midoriya Izuku. So frustratingly selfless yet, doesn’t have any concern for his well-being at all.
He was worse than Midoriya, though. He was so closed off that he all the feelings he felt were bottled and pent up. Walls were always around him and he always kept his guard up. Shouta was slowly isolating and distancing himself from everyone else.
Shouta reached a point in his life where meals aren’t consumed for 2 days straight. Sleepless nights turned into weeks until Shouta looked like a zombie that you would see in TVs. Any care for his well-being was thrown off the roof. Once Nemuri and Hizashi caught wind of this, they practically shoved the man in a pit of food. They made sure the man slept an adequate amount every day – yes, even if it meant taking a nap in that ugly yellow sleeping bag.
Shouta couldn’t understand what the fuss was about, and no matter how his friends try to help him, he just wouldn’t let them. He was slowly deteriorating in front of people who cared about him the most. Once this behavior reached its peak, Nezu banned him from the school which annoyed him greatly. Nezu forced him to take a vacation, which was mostly spent at home wallowing in his bottled-up emotions and bloody flashbacks of the past.
At some time during his vacation, he went out (as per Hizashi’s demand request) and got some Vitamin D. He walked for a couple of blocks until a signage caught his attention.
Purrspresso.
A cat café.
Instantly, he went inside, he couldn’t pass up and opportunity to meet and hang out with cats. And that’s where he met you. A character who didn’t stand out, seemingly blending in with the background. But, Shouta can’t help but be drawn into you. There wasn’t anything special when the two of you met. No accidental coffee spill-ups; no villain rampage; no cliché. It was just the two of you meeting each other’s gazes.
You would often joke that it was destiny – that it was the universe’s way of setting the two of you together, but Shouta, the ever-logical person, obviously disagreed. But however, at this moment, Shouta may agree on your words now.
Maybe the two of you were meant to be. The thought made the corner of his lips twitch up a little.
Shouta remembers the simple glances he would give every time he would go to that café. Simple glances which turned into cat-filled conversations. Cat-filled conversations that turned into dates. Dates turned into a warm home that Shouta returns to every single day. Maybe he should thank Nezu for the vacation, because if it wasn’t for that, he wouldn’t have met you.
“You should include that in our vows,” you joked one time while his head laid on your lap. “Thank you, oh wise Nezu. If it wasn’t for your interference, I wouldn’t have met the person who I grew to love and cherish.” Shouta opened his eyes only to glare at you which made you giggle.
“Not a chance,” Shouta replied, closing his eyes as he felt your fingers comb through his dark locks. “Besides, how sure are you that you want to spend your lifetime with someone like me?”
“Oh, Shouta.” You leaned down, placing a kiss on his forehead. “I’d spend this lifetime and the next with you, if I could.” This made Shouta open his eyes again, but this time a glare wasn’t in place. Softness and warmth filled his dry eyes as he looked at you. He reached up his hand, slowly guiding your head closer to his. Slowly but surely, his chapped lips met yours in a passionate kiss. Tilting his head a little, he deepened the kiss making you smile.
“Then spend your lifetime with me.” Shouta stated, once the two of you parted. You were shocked for a moment, not saying anything, but then tears welled up in your eyes, threatening to fall.
“Careful, Shouta. That sounds like a wedding proposal.”
“So, what if it is?” Reaching up his hand once again, he placed his hand on your cheek making you subconsciously lean towards his warmth.
“Then, I’ll gladly spend my lifetime with you, Aizawa Shouta.”
Shouta’s eyes lit up at that memory.
After you came into his life, his world was turned upside down. You called out on his flaws and helped him through tough times. You were there supporting him in every step of the way. You improved his way of life in a way he can’t describe.
Workload was less now and so were his patrols, he was actually getting sustenance every day and even slept for hours that his body needs or demands. It was a nice change and people around him started noticing it too. He slowly opened up to others again, and when he told Hizashi and Nemuri about you, the duo almost broke down into tears.
“I’m so happy for you Shouta,” Hizashi whispered when he pulled Shouta into a hug. Nemuri joined the hug later as well, and Shouta reluctantly welcomed their embrace.
Shouta was really happy that you came into his life as well.
You were always there to keep his feet glued to the ground. You were his love; his light; his pillar; his everything; his lover; his soulmate; and his wife. He would do anything if it meant seeing you happy.
He knew he loved you. Incredibly so.
“What are you doing up so early?” Your sleepy mumble caught his attention and he was snapped out from the good old times. “Nightmare?”
“No.” Shouta replied. Nightmares became seldom when he slept by your side. The hand that was previously on your waist transferred to your head. Petting it slowly, Shouta added, “Go back to sleep.”
You sluggishly opened your eyes and stared at your lover in front of you, who was weirdly awake at this time of day. “I should be the one telling you that. You came home late last night.” Your statement was accompanied by a pout which made Shouta’s heart melt on the spot.
“And you were the one who stayed up late just to wait for me.” Shouta retorted, stopping the pets on your head.
“No… keep doing it…” You whined, making him chuckle, but obliged to your request. “I wanted to greet you when you came home. Properly. Not when I’m half-asleep and not when you’re tiredly stripping off your work clothes.” The pets stopped once again, but before you can protest, your body was being tugged into his. Your face laid on his chest and his arms were around you in a warm embrace. Sighing contentedly, you snuggled up into him more, earning a satisfied grunt from Shouta.
Minutes passed by, making you think that Shouta went back to sleep again. Closing your eyes, you were about to drift into dreamland when suddenly, his morning voice reached your ears. “I love you.”
It was a simple declaration of love. One that came from someone who preferred to show their love through actions and not words. Those three words filled your heart with warmth, making it excited and jump for joy. Craning your head up, your eyes met his onyx ones which only solidified his statement.
Not once in his lifetime would Shouta think that one day he would be in bed, snuggled up with his wife, declaring his love for her with an incredible softness and adoration radiating off his everything. I’m so lucky, he thought to himself. That I get to spend this lifetime with you.
“I know.” Your response wasn’t what Shouta was looking for, making him pout. He was so adorable like that, you couldn’t help but smile widely. Only you can get this reaction from him, only you can make him feel so open and so vulnerable, and so loved. Oh, the wonders that you do to him. “I love you too, Shouta. Forever and always.”
“In this lifetime and the next.” Shouta added with a small smile.
“I will love you always.”