I WAITED AGES TO SEE YOU THERE
hitoshi shinso x reader
celebrating his first official year as a pro hero, you and your childhood friend-turned boyfriend share an intimate moment.
inspired by you’re on your own, kid
summer went away, and now, and hitoshi had completed his first official year as a pro hero.
rent is enough to bring people to tears. and though you two have been lucky enough to score a cozy, one bedroom apartment. it has beautiful open windows, a warm space just fit enough for a young couple. you’d tell yourself anything to ignore the fact that it was barely furnished.
you two sat on the living room floor, lit by a few faulty lights and some candles. you’re surrounded by tax papers, bills, and old grocery lists. but its still romantic, because its hitoshi.
you’d dress nicer if it weren’t for the new autumn chill. so instead, you’re wrapped up in one of his sweaters while he pours you both glasses of cheap rosé.
once it’s filled, you lift the glass and clink it against his. “1 year.” you smile.
“one year of being a pro-hero.” he says. “still can’t believe its been that long.”
and it’s true. he still doesn’t actually believe he’s been saving lives for one full year, with more to come. he’s learned that his dreams aren’t rare, that every starry-eyed kid wants to be a hero. but now, he’s actually doing it.
“this goes without saying, but,” you start, taking a sip of your drink. “i am so proud of you.”
he feels his heart swell, looking at you with admiration. he’s played it cool, he’s waited patiently, and now he’s here with you. “thank you… you know i couldn’t have done it without you.”
that part resonates with you. from sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes, you’ve seen his journey. you set your glass down before speaking again: “i’m not just saying i’m proud of you as your partner, or anything like that. i say that as your best friend, too.”
lilac eyes pause, remembering the fond memories you’re bringing up with your words. “i still remember the day we first met, we were 6. you said you wanted to be a hero.”
he chuckles, fondly staring out the window as if re-living his lofty, childhood dreams. “i did, didn’t i?”
you nod. “and since then… i have seen you get your ass beat and heart broken trying to achieve that dream. you’ve been shoved down and told you’d never be a hero because of your villainous quirk.”
villainous in heavy quotations.
his expression turns more contemplative, reflecting on those times. he would never admit it, but he sometimes wondered if they were right, after all. he gave his blood, sweat and tears for it, to fight back and prove those assholes wrong.
and now that he’s made it, no one really knows what to say- not even him. but your smile and proud, teary eyes tells him all he needs to know.
“it broke my heart everytime they said it.” he admits, his voice coming out in a slow, steady breath.
“but you didn’t let it stop you.” you remind him. “you proved them all wrong, even when you didn’t believe in yourself.”
somehow, you vindicate all his worries. his hands intertwine with yours.
“that’s because of you.” he smiles. “you believed enough for the both of us.”
you chuckle, not wanting to take credit. but honestly, hitoshi gives you all of it. you stood by him. you held his hand. you picked up the pieces of him and kept him going all this years.
“i waited ages to see you there.” you hum, happily. “you’re my best friend, and the love of my life.”
he nods, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “you are the one thing they’ll never take away from me, [y/n].”
his hands accidentally touch a stack of papers, creating a crumpling sound. when you two look over, you see the official papers documenting him as a pro hero. one year ago today, you were there when he received them. and you’re just as proud now as you were then.
you smile fondly at them, remembering that day and everything he did to get here. “everything you lost to get here was a step you took, love.” you say. “i am so, so proud of you.”
he honestly isn’t sure how to place his gratitude into words anymore. he doesn’t have any reason to be afraid, because he knows you’re his safe place. you’re the one thing that will never change. he will always have you.
“i love you.” he whispers just under his breath, pressing another kiss to your forehead. and when you respond, he pulls you closer to him, cheap rosé long forgotten in the night.
after a few beats of silence, some catching up and lamenting his dumb jokes, you decide to bring up the one thing thats been on your mind.
“can i ask you something?”
“anything.”
“um… at that work party the other day… i overheard you talking with izuku and denki.” you mention, mind wandering back to that exact memory from a few days ago. you two were separated, your boyfriend catching up with his old colleagues.
his eyebrows furrow curiously, wandering what you overheard. “yeah.. what about it?”
“you told them that… that becoming a hero wasn’t the best thing thats ever happened to you. i got pulled away before i could hear what you meant.”
hitoshi is quiet for a moment, his mind racing as he tries to figure out how to explain his statement. a mixture of emotions flit across his face, embarrassment. he sighs softly and looks away, his face slightly flushed.
“i… i did say that, yes," he admits, his voice soft. "i guess it just slipped out, i didn’t mean for you to hear it."
you quickly shake your head, taking his hand again. “no, no. i’m not mad, or anything.” you chuckle.
“i’m just… curious. if not becoming a hero… whats the best thing thats ever happened to you?”
the fact that you’re asking, as if it isn’t already obvious, is nothing but endearing to him.
“meeting you, love.” he says, voice soft and sincere. “becoming a pro-hero is a dream come true… but being with you? it does’t even compare. its not even a contest, [y/n]. its you.”
your mouth goes slightly agape, your chest fluttering before looking down. your lips curve into a flushed, embarrassed smile. “oh, shut up.”
he laughs at this scene of you, how even after all this time he still manages to make you nervous. instead, he opts to cup your face and press his lips to yours.
and its a perfect kiss, the kind that saves you. its the kind that turns the pages, that heals all the pain of the past. its the kind of kiss that makes all of it worth it, that lets him know that he isn’t on his own.
