Chapter Text
“Today is the big day” Yamada clapped his hands together dramatically.
Anxiety was swirling within your stomach as it was in fact, the big day. It’s been a couple of months since you were hired as editor and you were living the dream. The book was nearing it’s completion and as a small celebration Shouta had agreed to do his very first public reading of the first chapter. It was all terribly exclusive and fancy, with famous authors and big figures gathering to see Eraserhead for the first time. He had said he was tired of hiding himself, and alongside the new book he wanted to world to see a new part of him. A part of him which you awakened.
So there you were, dawning a luxurious floor length gown for the conference, leaning back on the kitchen counter. You were due to leave in around half an hour and Shouta was wearing his most comfortable pair of sweatpants with a cup of coffee in his hand.
“S-shouta please don’t tell me that’s what you’re wearing to the party” Yamada complained, gesturing to his outfit.
Shouta simply glared at him, “I told you I want to be comfortable if I’ll do this” he replied. It was a small miracle that he agreed in the first place, so Yamada wasn’t really in a place to complain.
“He’s going to change. Make him change” the blonde man turned to you with pleading eyes.
You shook your head and smiled at your boyfriend, “He’s right, you can’t wear your sweatpants”, while you wanted to make sure he was his best self for this, you felt ridiculous next to him. Shouta showed no signs of being nervous in the very slightest, just his usual mildly annoyed mannerisms.
“I sincerely dislike the two of you together” was all he said before he gulped down his coffee and headed upstairs.
“You’re the author. The main attraction, now shoo go change” Yamada waved his hands.
“He will stay for about an hour” you said simply.
The blonde turned to you with a smirk, “Make that two hours”
After the reading, a small cocktail party was scheduled. An exclusive gathering of all the most influential people and lovers of literature, which Shouta had very vocally planned to avoid. While he would happily read his work out, sharing it made him feel proud of his achievements, socialising with a bunch of strangers was a nightmare. Of course it was to be expected but as Shouta’s manger, Yamada had to try his best to form connections.
“Want to bet?” you raised an eyebrow.
A mischievous smirk stretched across the man’s lips, “Of course, 3000 yen for two hours”
Suddenly Shouta’s deep voice called out from the staircase, he didn’t sound at all amused, “I can hear you”
The two of you broke out in a chuckle and slapped your hands over your mouths to silence it, “3000 yen it is, deal” you whispered and shook his hand.
Throughout the car ride, Yamada blasted loud music from the radio and sang along to try and cheer up the man. He had after all changed into a simple black suit and a matching black tie. You had helped him style his hair into a half up, half down bun and you simply couldn’t believe the man was yours by looking at him. He looked impossibly handsome, the refined scholar you imagined him to be long before you met. A clean-shaven face allowed you to see his sharpened jawline better and the suit gave him a professional charm.
As you entered the hall, you whipped your head around the giant elaborate architecture of the place. It was a local concert hall which was rented out for this occasion, as it was the only place large enough to fulfil the demands of the event.
Yamada had run off as soon as you reached the venue to set up a few final things, leaving the two of you alone behind the curtains to wait. You nervously ran your hands up and down your dress, although you weren’t tasked with any public speaking the immensity of it all was enough to quicken your heart rate.
Slowly the hall began to fill with people, all dawning lavish outfits and expensive jewellery. You could hear low murmurs of excitement from the seating area. You poked your head out a little to look at everyone and a gasp died in your throat. Seeing your reaction, Shouta peaked too.
“This is my personalised nightmare” he said tiredly, staring at the room filled with people.
You smoothed your hands over his shoulders, “I know, but you’ll do great”
He closed the curtains and stared into your eyes, “Just look at me okay? I’ll pretend I’m reading it to you so I don’t have to deal with anyone else”
“Of course I will” you kissed his lips and he was off, beyond the curtain you heard a roar of applause as he entered the stage.
As you made your way off the stage you missed his introduction but judging by the scattered applause and pleased gasps from the crowd, you knew it went well. You slipped into the crowd, sitting in the front row at the very edge. Instantly Shouta’s eyes found you and he nodded towards you as he opened the first page of the book.
Everyone melted away as you focused on his eyes, his voice filling the room. It was deep and rich, and by the looks of it the crowd was equally bewitched as they silently listening to him read. Although you knew the words, you’ve edited all the chapters and re read them all a million times, it was as if you were hearing it for the first time all over again. Even in a full crowd, it felt tender and affectionate.
The moment weighed heavy on your heart. A year ago, being at this event would be a dream come true, sitting among legends hearing Eraserhead read his book and reveal his identity. And you were here, however you were no longer just another reader, you were his. He was reading this to you, only you. A book he had written because he had fallen for you. Softly you pinched your arm, just to check that this was all reality.
The reading took no longer than twenty minutes, however it felt like a life time. He declined answering questions with a polite nod and announced the date of the release. Yamada gracefully took over the microphone as he exited the stage with a tired sigh. You also took your que and walked back stage once more to congratulate him on his first, rather successful, public appearance.
Before you could even get a word out, Shouta wrapped his arms around you pressing your face into his chest, “Thank you” he murmured in a low tone.
“For what?” you laughed a little as you pulled away.
“You made this all possible” he said, a small smile curving at edges of his lips.
Before you could tease him about being a sap, he took your arm and lead you out. The cocktail party was to be held in a massive hall, the walls filled with golden ascents and the glass chandelier hanging high above everyone’s heads. This was easily the most luxurious event you’ve been to. Your floor length gown dragged across the carpeted floor as you walked in with your boyfriend. In an instant head’s turned in your direction.
A few people around the room shook Shouta’s hand and introduced themselves, some you recognised some you didn’t. They congratulated him on his work and expressed their admiration with flashy grins. Due to strict policies paparazzi and interviewers weren’t allowed in, leaving the room filled with the most gracful of guests. At first you felt a little small, like an accessory hanging off Shouta’s arm but he made sure to introduce you to everyone alongside himself.
Every now and then, he would lean in for a small check up on how you were doing, often ignoring some of his own guests. In all he spoke to them very little, cutting off small talk and simply thanking them with a flat nod. Slowly, he made his rounds around the room and picked up glasses of champagne from the waiter’s trays. As well as his book, people congratulated him on ending up with a ‘beauty’ like yourself, leaving you a blushing mess.
Despite the heavy socialising of the evening, you were relaxed. The atmosphere was light and warm, the few glasses of champagne easily aiding your mental state. Out the corner of your eye, you could see Yamada dart around the room, happily thriving while everyone talked to him. His eagerness made you laugh a little, knowing this was completely his scene. The two of you settled by the food trays, picking up snacks as you talked about the evening and the guests. Every now and then someone would approach you, however Shouta was always quick to cut things short. Despite being the main event, he managed to fall back with ease.
Through the crowd your eyes fell on two men approaching you. A tall one with spikey white hair and a shorter one to his side, grey locks falling over his eyes. You had a small feeling you recognised the taller one from somewhere, but you weren’t quite sure.
“Touya Todoroki, huge fan” the man introduced himself, extending a hand for Shouta to shake.
He took it firmly, “Thank you” he said simply, like he did to everyone else at the event.
“Pleasure to see the muse behind the man, I see why he wrote that book about you” Touya winked at you and you laughed nervously, beside you Shouta gave him a death glare.
“Come on, talk to him” Touya hissed to the grey-haired man to his side, who looked like could faint any second. You related to him in a way, if you were meeting Eraserhead you wouldn’t even know how to contain your excitement either.
He extended his shaky hand, mirroring the other man, “I-I’m Tomura Shigaraki, also huge fan. Massive even”, his voice was raspy and uneven.
“Well nice to meet you both” your boyfriend acknowledged, his gaze still piercing through Touya’s body for his previous comment.
“I’ve read all your work, I’m so excited for the new piece” Tomura’s chapped lips turned into a crooked smile.
Shouta nodded his head, “Great” was all he said before reaching for another snack and the men took their leave, picking up the hint.
As soon as they left you turned to him, “Wasn’t that the guy who got arrested?” you wondered out loud, thinking back to why the man’s face seemed so familiar.
Shouta took a moment to think, “Oh right, that most definitely was” he said with a shrug. He didn’t want to think of that guy anymore than he had, fearing his jealousy and annoyance would show through.
“You have a strange fan base” you hummed, watching as the two men blended back in with the crowd. Everyone you met was rich or eccentric in a way creative personas were, it was an interesting experience to say the least.
“You’re not one to talk” Shouta teased, “Want to get out of here?” he leaned in.
Although it hadn’t been long since you arrived, he had spoken to almost everyone there and was increasingly growing tired of all the attention. He was perfectly happy leaving Yamada to run everything as he trusted he would enjoy an evening of talking.
“Just made myself 3000 yen richer” you whispered to yourself excitedly, remembering the bet you made this very morning.
“What was that?” he furrowed his eyebrows.
With a giggle you kissed his cheek, “Nothing, let’s get going”
And so, the two of you made your grand escape through the back door of the staff kitchen, garnering a few strange looks from the people working there. As soon as you were outside, you laughed and called a cab home.
You reached your house and you kicked off your heels with relief. Mirroring your actions, Shouta took off his blazer and tie, leaving him in a white button up and trousers. Something about the more relaxed version of his attire, complimented him better.
“I refer being alone with you” he rasped, pulling you into a kiss and pressing you to a wall. You hung your arms over his shoulders as he deepened the kiss.
You pulled away for air, “Me too, you get the gin, I'll set up the patio”
The evening was settling in, the sun edging closer to the horizon painting the sky an orange red. The air felt calmer and sweeter after being inside a humid hall for the better half of the day. You curled your feet under youself as you fell back into the patio cushions, the pillows stacked behind your back.
Shouta came back with two glasses and a bottle, for a private celebration of your own, and settled next to you. His arm fell around your waist and you leaned into his touch, simply enjoying the quiet evening. To your side, the fleeing rays of sun illuminated Shouta’s relaxed features. That was it, you did it. He had competed his book and officiated it with the public after months of sleepless nights and creative mishaps. The process wasn’t easy, but spending that time together brought the two of you even closer than before, truly solidifying your affections for each other.
Suddenly he turned to you, “I want to write you in as co-writer, or main editor at least for the final version of the book”
You almost choked on your gin, “Oh! T-That means a lot, I mean I didn’t really do that much I just- you know- I mean it would be okay I guess- “ you stuttered, completely at loss of what to say.
He shook his head although he half expected your baffled reaction, “Yes, yes you did. This book wouldn’t have been possible without you. I wasn’t asking, I was telling you I would”
“Right, thank you”
Shouta cleared his throat a little, “However, there is one question I have”
“Mhm?”
“I don’t know what to put you under” he hesitated, messing with his pockets.
You blinked up at him, “Oh I see- just partner is fine if you wanted to include that at all” you nodded, you had barely thought of that.
He unwrapped his arms from under you and stared at you, deeply enamoured, “I do want to include that, but I was thinking… how about future wife?” he asked, voice filled with confidence, a type of confidence you rarely heard from him.
Your eyes widened “Shouta Aizawa a-are you-?” you stuttered, simply too overwhelmed and caught off guard to form sentences.
However his gaze and stance were unwavering, “Yes I am, I was planning to wait till the book was published and propose at the celebration, but I don’t want to anymore. I want you to be mine now, what do you say?” he explained.
Out of his pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box. Upon opening it you saw the rough stone amethyst ring you found at the antique shop all those months ago. You weren’t sure when he had the time to get it or how he even remembered, but you gasped looking at it. It was just as beautiful as the day you found it, but now it was even more beautiful as it carried the promise of marriage to the most wonderful man you’ve ever met.
He sank down on one knee and mentally prepared his speech, “You’ve made my life so much better ever since you showed up in my kitchen and insulted me in that restaurant, every day I wake up knowing my hearts deepest sentiment is next to me. I could write you a thousand poems and metaphors, I could give you the stars but I won’t bore you with all that. I love you and you know that. Will you marry me?”
He had thought about what to say to you at this very moment for the longest time, he looked back on the day he was finally reunited with you at the airport, about how he kissed you and thought ‘I will marry this girl’. About how when he first saw you, he kept himself awake that night thinking of your beauty, no matter how much you infuriated him. Finally, he thought about the future he wanted to share with you.
Naturally you didn’t think at all, you always knew what your answer would be, “Yes” you whispered and pulled him into a kiss.