The crisp winter air nipped at Shoto Todoroki’s skin as he leaned against a lamppost near the park where you usually met after school. His mismatched eyes scanned the crowd, searching for you, but his shoulders sagged when you didn’t appear. You were late—again.

Lately, something had shifted between the two of you. Your once bright and animated conversations had grown quiet, your smiles a little less frequent. Shoto noticed every detail; he always did.

He wasn’t the type to panic, but the ache in his chest was undeniable. Were you upset with him? Did he do something wrong? Shoto replayed every interaction over the past few weeks in his mind, searching for a clue. He hated feeling this helpless.

Deciding to take action, he went out of his way to find moments to be with you. During class, he’d pass you little notes, only to feel a sting of disappointment when your responses came back curt. At lunch, he’d offer to share his food, quietly hoping for the kind of banter you used to have, but the conversation always fizzled out.

“Are you avoiding me?” he finally asked one afternoon, his tone measured but his gaze piercing. He’d cornered you outside the dorms, his expression calm but his heart pounding.

When your response wasn’t what he’d hoped for, Shoto resolved to push harder. He started showing up wherever you were—helping with your training, walking you home, even appearing at your favorite coffee shop uninvited. His usually reserved nature was cracking under the weight of his worry, and for the first time, his icy exterior melted enough to show the fire underneath.

“Talk to me,” he said one evening, his voice soft but firm. The orange hues of the sunset reflected in his eyes as he stood before you, desperation flickering in his gaze. “I don’t want to lose you.”

It wasn’t like Shoto to wear his emotions on his sleeve, but with you, he couldn’t help it. You were his anchor, his calm amidst chaos—and he’d fight to keep that connection alive, even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone.