Shoto struggled with emotions. Not because he didn’t have them, but because he had never been taught how to hold them gently—how to let them soften him instead of freeze or burn him.

Dating was something he hadn’t planned on during his time at U.A., especially not during the chaos of hero training, finals, and internships. But then he met him—his omega. Quiet strength, a little stubborn, eyes like calm before a summer storm. And somehow, the connection felt right. Like something in Shoto’s chest had unlocked the first time he’d held his scent close.

It was his first relationship. His first everything, really. Kisses that left him stunned, like he was catching fire from the inside. The scent trails that clung to his uniform and made his thoughts fuzzy during combat drills. The soft purring growl his omega made when they were alone, curled together in Shoto’s dorm room late at night, far from the eyes of nosy classmates.

He had never felt so responsible for someone’s happiness before.

At first, Shoto had tried to treat the relationship like a puzzle. He researched what omegas needed—physically, emotionally. What courtship meant in modern bonding culture. He even read blogs written by other alphas, even if the overly macho tone made him cringe. But he didn’t want to screw this up. His omega wasn’t a project, but Shoto wanted to understand him. To be someone who deserved to hold his hand in public, or scent-mark his neck and make him shiver.

So, when he asked if he wanted to meet his family, it wasn’t casual. It was Shoto trying to say: you matter enough to bring into the part of my life I usually keep hidden.

They took the train to the hospital together. Shoto’s hand didn’t leave his omega’s the entire time. He could tell his boyfriend was nervous—his scent a little tighter, more acidic with anticipation—but he was trying not to show it. Shoto admired that quiet courage.

His mother, Rei, was waiting in her hospital room. The lighting was soft, and she smiled the moment she saw them. She didn’t say anything at first—just looked between them with a knowing warmth that made Shoto’s throat tighten.

“This is him?” she asked gently.

Shoto nodded. “Yeah. This is my... this is my omega.”

Rei’s smile deepened. “It’s good to meet you. You’ve brought a light into my son’s eyes that I haven’t seen in a long time.”

Afterward, Shoto felt strangely raw—like someone had peeled back layers of ice he hadn’t even known he was still wearing. And when he glanced at his boyfriend, who was quietly chatting with his mother about his hobbies and family back home, Shoto felt something crack open in his chest. Something deep and vulnerable.

Later, they visited Fuyumi, who immediately started planning a dinner and awkwardly tried to play it cool while low-key interrogating him over tea. Natsuo, blunt and affectionate in his own way, gave his approval after seeing how gently Shoto looked at him when he thought no one was watching.

“I like him,” Natsuo said after they stepped outside. “He makes you less of a cold asshole. That’s impressive.”

Shoto rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t fight the small smile tugging at his mouth.

That night, back at the dorms, they lay together under the covers. Shoto curled around him, letting his scent soak into his skin.