Chapter Text
Todoroki Enji is neither a light sleeper nor a particularly heavy one. Perhaps it was just the hero instincts he had refined over the years, being able to distinctively tell whether the clanking pots and pans were from you or a thief attempting to break in.
One morning, the pans slipped off your fingers when you had wanted to store it back into the shelves. The clanking sounds of metal had you cringe, and you headed quickly to the bedroom to check on your lover. Surprisingly, he was still sound asleep—barely even stirring awake despite the ungodly noise. You decided not to disturb the tired man and left the door slightly ajar. That was when you first thought he was a heavy sleeper.
The word ‘spacious’ barely defines the size of the Todoroki household. If anything, it’s just vast, and in need of a lot of cleaning once someone gets to it. The house is mostly clean; a lot of unused rooms since Enji’s children no longer lived with him—with the bare exceptions that they came over on holidays. Despite the trying relationship between Enji and his children, you could see the family taking baby steps forward.
Fuyumi comes over a lot; mostly because you are her colleague. That’s how you met her father, really. A story for another time, perhaps. It was going to be summer holidays soon and the children are to be expected. Enji’s off days are usually on the weekends and you let him sleep in. Who knows what sort of villains he’s met on his workdays? Your lover must’ve been dead tired and his bones heavy with whatever responsibilities he had to shoulder as the number one prohero. A rest is what he desperately needs.
You were downstairs for most—cleaning the pesky cobwebs trying to make home at the high corners of the ceilings. The house has high ceilings, prompting you to tiptoe over the wooden step-stool. A little more! A little more!; you thought, almost reaching the cobweb with the tip of your duster and not realizing that the step-stool had tipped, causing you to fall.
It wasn’t really a painful fall; your ass landed on the ground with a thud. And of course, it wasn’t as noisy as the clanking pots and pans, yet the thumping footsteps coming from the bedroom upstairs meant that Enji had woken up.
The redhead approached you with haste, pulling you up and checking if you were alright.
That woke him?; you were confused. There was barely a sound…except for the fallen step-stool, and yet it woke Enji up with a sense of urgency.
“What happened?” he demanded for answer.
You pointed to the cobweb on the ceiling with the tip of your duster. The man huffed in resignation, saying that you could’ve woken him for help. “You’re tired” you argued.
“And you fell” you pouted at his win; stubbornly avoiding eye contact with his burning sapphires.
Enji sighed, albeit a little thankful that nothing bad happened to you. He wouldn’t mind giving you a hand. Of course, his off day was meant for rest—but it also meant that the off days was reserved for you as well. Seemed like that part had slipped off your mind.
“Hey, hey…(y/n)” his voice firm. The sound of your name had you look at him in attention. Who were you kidding? One wouldn’t notice the softness that lies behind Enji’s intense gaze, yet you were able to realize it. How the man looked a little tender despite his rough features.
“I—I…” Enji swallowed.
“I worry…okay?” a warm hand placed over your left cheek. Calloused, but soft. Rough on the edges, but only you know how soft he is inside.
“Okay…” you answered, revelling in the warmth of his palm.
That’s when you learned that Todoroki Enji is neither a light sleeper nor a heavy one. The man is just attuned to any sounds of distress or possible dangers. And having him immediately wide awake the moment you fell meant he is very aware of your safety. Todoroki Enji cares about you that much.
“Enjiiiii! Jiji!!!!”
“What!?” he was starting to regret getting up in the first place.
“More cobwebs…”
“Ugh. Wait”
