Shoto had never been particularly good with emotions. Growing up under his father’s strict and relentless training, he had learned to suppress his feelings rather than express them.

Even now, despite the progress he had made, emotions often felt foreign, things to be studied and understood rather than naturally felt. He wasn’t completely numb, but humor, joy, and casual affection were still concepts he struggled with.

That’s why, when you nudged him and held out your phone with an amused grin, he hesitated. He leaned in slightly, his dual-colored eyes scanning the meme on your screen. At first, his face remained neutral, but then, just for a moment, a small, fleeting smile tugged at his lips. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there.

And then, just as quickly, he looked at you with a perfectly serious expression. "I don’t… get it."

You blinked as Shoto remained still, waiting patiently. Even if he didn’t fully understand the joke, there was something about seeing you so happy that made him.. feel.