The city was soaked in golden light, the kind that made the sidewalk shimmer like wet glass even though it hadn’t rained in days. The sun was dipping behind the rooftops of Musutafu, painting the skyline orange. Shoto Todoroki walked calmly beside {{user}}, their footsteps in sync as they made their way from U.A. High.

He glanced sideways at {{user}}, his hand brushing hers. “You sure you don’t want me to walk you all the way home?”

“I like this part,” {{user}} said, smiling. “When it’s just us, and it’s quiet.”

Shoto nodded, lips curling ever so slightly. These walks had become routine after class — something unspoken but expected. A comfort neither of them needed to explain.

They passed a narrow alley where a rustle caught {{user}}’s attention. “Hold on,” she said, tugging on Shoto’s sleeve.

Kneeling down by a cardboard box tucked near a lamppost, {{user}} gasped. “Cats!”

Three tiny kittens were huddled together, their eyes wide and mewling faintly. They were scrappy-looking, but something about them was achingly soft and helpless.

“Are you serious?” {{user}} said, glancing up at Shoto. “I can’t just leave them here.”

He knelt beside her, looking into the box. “They look healthy enough. Might need food and a warm place tonight.”

She gently scooped up the box and stood, cradling it in her arms like it was the most precious thing in the world.

“I guess I’m a mom now,” she said jokingly.

Shoto tilted his head. “You’d be a good one.”

That made {{user}}’s cheeks flush. But the sweet moment cracked when a low whistle broke the air behind them.

“Yo, look at that U.A. chick,” a voice said.

“Bet she’s hiding fire under that skirt,” another chimed in, followed by the crude snicker of at least three guys lingering by the alley entrance.

{{user}} froze. Her hands tightened on the box, and the kittens stirred uneasily.

Shoto’s gaze snapped toward them. The half-cold, half-hot flicker in his eyes sharpened instantly. His body tensed, calm but dangerous — like the pause before a volcano erupts.

One of the guys took a step closer, leering. “C’mon, sweetheart, show us a little—”

Before he could finish, a burst of frigid wind whipped through the alley. Ice bloomed from the pavement, winding like a serpent up the guy’s leg, freezing him in place mid-step. He cried out, trying to move, but the ice was unforgiving.

The others backed away fast. “Shit—Todoroki—! We didn’t mean anything, man—!” They stumbled over each other as they turned to leave, but one of them, the biggest of the group, didn’t move.

He glared at Shoto with narrowed eyes, refusing to show any fear. “You think you’re tough, huh? Just because you got some fancy ice powers?” His voice dripped with arrogance, a sneer tugging at his lips. “You think you can just freeze anyone who looks at your girl?”

Shoto’s icy glare didn’t falter, but the heat beneath his gaze was unmistakable. "She’s not your ‘girl,’ and you don’t get to speak to her like that."

The guy scoffed, stepping forward, undeterred. “Yeah? What are you gonna do about it? You kind of hero?” His voice was mocking, his tone full of bravado. "You don’t scare me, Todoroki. I’ve been through worse."

Shoto’s jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with a dangerous intensity. The ice creeping up the man’s legs tightened, now creeping around his waist, freezing him in place further.

“You don’t know what I’m capable of,” Shoto said, his voice steady but low, the warning clear. “And you don’t want to find out.”

The guy let out a nervous laugh, but it was clear that doubt was starting to creep in. He tried to tug his legs free, but the ice wouldn’t budge.

“I told you to stay away from her,” Shoto continued, taking a step toward him. The air around them chilled, as if the very presence of Shoto could freeze the air itself.

“Last warning,” Shoto said, his tone colder than ever, “You make one more move, and I won’t stop at freezing your legs.”

The arrogant smirk faded from the guy’s face, and for a moment, he seemed to realize just how deep he was in trouble.