Chapter Text
Hanta is going to propose.
He’s been thinking of it for a little over a year at this point, but he’s just decided, once and for all, that he’s proposing, and he’s doing it soon.
He was watching Shoto in their garden, still in it’s beginning stages after their recent move, watering some pretty blue delphiniums. He’s softly singing some Spanish song that he undoubtedly heard playing in Hanta’s mom’s house somewhere and their two little cats are dashing between his legs, circling him and begging for attention. He was just hit out of nowhere with the thought, I am going to marry the absolute fuck out of this boy.
He ceases his staring and goes to actually ask his boyfriend what he came out to the garden to ask.
“What sounds good for dinner, mí amor?”
The pretty boy just lifts his eyes to Hanta and smiles softly, knowing for a fact that Hanta already knows what his answer is. It never changes.
“I’ll eat anything in the world if you’re the one who cooks it, my love,” Shoto smiles.
Hanta smiles at that, because who the hell wouldn’t?
“One day, you’ll have a real answer to that question,” Hanta assures.
“I haven’t ever answered differently in the four years we’ve been together, Hanta, I’m fairly certain you’re incorrect,” Shoto argues.
“Whatever you say, baby. Hmm, if I make cochinita pibil, do you want it in a tortilla, or maybe flautas?” Hanta wonders.
“Mm, I love your tortillas, so probably that for me,” Shoto answers with the dreamy look in his eye he always gets when he thinks about Hanta’s food. It’s an improvement from when he only ever fuckin’ ate cold soba.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were just with me for the cooking,” Hanta teases. Shoto gasps, offended.
“Hanta, I would love you if you served me cardboard , or even worse, warm soba,” Shoto says, dead serious.
He’s absolutely going to marry this boy.
“I know, baby, I’m teasing you. I’ll go get dinner started,” he says, returning to the kitchen.
Their new kitchen is much, much larger than the one in his old house. It was one of the main reasons for them choosing this house. It was a three bedroom, which was a bit bigger than they really needed, but the kitchen more than made up for it, and they just turned the spare rooms into an office for Shoto and a joint library.
As Hanta starts dinner, his mind can’t seem to leave the subject of marriage, and a wedding, and matching rings, matching names . Hanta can’t find it in himself to feel nervous, at all. Honestly, Hanta already knows that they both fully understand that they’re going to be together forever. They understood that when they signed a mortgage together, adopted a sister for Tohru together (a small orange kitten they’ve named Kisa), and when they became integral parts of each others’ lives, irreversibly. Shoto is, without a doubt, it for him.
Not to mention, Shoto would undoubtedly jump at the opportunity to rid himself of the Todoroki name, once and for all, and Sero is a pretty decent surname, if you ask Hanta. He’s been living with it for 26 years and can’t think of a complaint thus far.
The only thing stopping Hanta from going fucking feral and proposing immediately is that… well, he really has no idea how to propose to someone. Especially if that someone is Shoto.
And sure, in theory, he knows how. It can be as simple as asking point blank, ‘will you marry me?’ but Hanta knows that Shoto deserves more than that, and it’s his job to make it happen.
He’s determined to do this, and do it right , and most importantly (and most childishly), he’s determined to do it first. Shoto has beaten him to every single important, big thing so far. He confessed first, said “I love you,” first, was the first to bring up moving in together, and he was even the one to suggest getting Kisa. He really, really wants to sweep Shoto off his feet, just this once.
He isn’t really sure where to go from here, or how to even start planning this, so he decides that there’s a few phone calls he needs to make.
***
After they’re done with dinner and Shoto is tucked into his office for some late-night editing, Hanta sneaks into the garden to make his first phone call of the night.
He dials the familiar number (one of three he knows by heart, besides his mom and Shoto) and, of course, it’s answered on the second ring.
“Kirishima. My man. My dude. My bro. How the fuck did you propose to Bakugou?” Hanta greets him.
“Oh my god, no way!! ” Kirishima screams.
“Yes way. Now, please, help me out, dude, I’m totally at a loss here. I don’t even know where to start,” Hanta says.
“Okay, so, good news and bad news. The good news is that Shoto is going to say yes literally no matter how you ask. You two are practically married already; you’re so domestic, it borders on disgusting” Kirishima pauses to laugh at himself.
“And the bad news, Kiri?” Hanta asks, not quite laughing with him.
“The bad news is that when it was my turn to propose, I had to propose to Katsuki . And proposing to him in some grand, romantic way would not have ended well. I just waited until we were alone one day and… told him, ‘we should get married,’” Kirishima admits.
“And that… worked?” Hanta asks, incredulous. He really shouldn’t be surprised, but it’s a well-known fact that Kiri is a huge sap, so Hanta was really expecting more flare.
“Oh yeah. At first he just kinda nodded at me, but two days later, he came home with matching rings and then we started planning the wedding. And it’s been, like, six years since then,” Kirishima answers. His voice turns all wobbly and wistful anytime he talks about his husband, and well, Hanta used to laugh at it before he met Shoto.
“This… was not as helpful as I was hoping it’d be, but honestly, I’m just glad that I could tell someone, if anything,” Hanta admits.
“Are you nervous?”
“No, surprisingly. It’s like you said, we’re basically married already. We just bought a house together, for fuck’s sake. And, I don’t know, man, I just know my boy, you know?” Hanta explains.
“I get that, man. I’m sure you’ll come up with something perfect for him. And I’m pretty sure he’ll think whatever you do is incredible. He looks at you like you hung the stars in the sky, man. Good luck.”
“Thanks, Ei. I’ll keep you updated,” Hanta promises.
“You better! Goodnight, Sero,” Kirishima says.
Well. Hanta isn’t quite sure what he had been expecting from Kirishima, but it sure as hell hadn’t been that.
He’s tempted for, like, half a second to call Denki and ask how Shinsou had asked him out but Hanta gets the feeling that that conversation would somehow be even less conducive than the one he’d just had.
He settles into the chair that Shoto keeps in the garden (dubbed the ‘manga chair’), and searches his contact list for his next phone call, Shoto’s best friend from college. He has one idea for how to maybe propose, but it’s something he’d really like a second opinion on. A second opinion that isn’t Kirishima’s, anyways.
“Oh, hello, Sero! To what do I owe the pleasure?” her gentle voice tolls.
“Yaoyorozu! Hello! I’m sorry to bother you so late in the evening, but I was hoping to be able to ask your opinion on something,” Hanta requests. He’s kinda worried that Momo will think he’s a bit weird for calling, but he knows she’s kind enough to never say so regardless.
“Of course, but I have to ask. Is Shoto okay? It’s not often I hear from just you,” Yaoyorozu asks, concern edging her voice.
“Oh, he’s great! Incredible, actually. I’m sure he’s told you that his novel is entering the final stage of publication next month. He’s getting nervous, but shit, I’m just so proud of him, ya know?” Hanta brags. Shoto’s been writing this book for close to two years and he’s poured his soul into it. It shows, too, because it’s absolutely incredible storytelling.
“I am, as well. I know how much he wants this. I can’t wait to read it, if I’m being honest. But I do get the feeling you haven’t called to discuss Shoto’s novel?” Momo inquires.
“You’d be correct. I’m actually calling because I’m planning on asking Sho to marry me soon. And, well, he’s just so damn incredible and I really, really want to do this right. And I know how much he values and respects your opinion, Momo, so it really wouldn’t feel right to navigate this without your insight, if I’m being entirely honest,” Hanta admits.
“Oh, Sero, this is wonderful news! I’m so honored that you’d think to call me, truly. But I know how much Shoto loves you, so I can’t help but wonder why on earth you’d need any advice from me,” Momo wonders.
“You’re his best friend, Yaomomo, and honestly, I’m mainly just hoping to tell you my plans and get your opinions on them, if that’s fine?” Hanta requests.
“Oh, no issue! I’d love to hear your plans! What did you have in mind?” Momo asks.
“Well, our 4 year anniversary is in just over two weeks, so I’m planning on asking then. I think he’ll appreciate the sentiment. As for the actual plans, well, it’s kind of a funny story,” Hanta pauses to chuckle at the sweet memory. “The day I was planning on asking Shoto to be my boyfriend, I had plans to recreate the very first meal I ever cooked for him and set it up to be romantic, but he beat me to it by randomly waking me up in the middle of the night to confess. It was sweet, so I didn’t mind the plans getting skewed, but I think it’d be, like, nostalgic and symbolic, and shit to use that idea, finally.”
“I think he’ll love that, honestly. He’s a sucker for sappy stuff, so he’ll definitely appreciate the sentiment. I don’t think I could plan something better for him,” Momo agrees. “Is there anything else I can help with?”
“No, Momo, you’ve already helped a lot. Thank you,” he tells her.
“It’s no problem at all. Kyouka and I will look forward to getting our invitation to the wedding in the mail.”
“For sure, Momo. We’ll talk soon. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Sero, and good luck!”
Hanta takes a much needed deep breath. He isn’t nervous, at all, but it still feels like a relief to have Shoto’s best friend approve of the engagement as well as his plans.
Unfortunately, any semblance of relief he felt from Yaoyorozu’s call dissipates when he remembers his next call; it’s the only thing he’s nervous doing during the whole process. His mom.
His mom loves Shoto, and has always approved of their relationship, especially after she moved back to Japan a few years ago and they’re all able to see each other at least once a month.
Hanta knows, in theory, that he has nothing to worry about. His mom has no reason at all to disapprove, but… it’s probably just the principle of the matter, honestly. It would be weirder for him not to be nervous. Right?
He also knows that, worst case scenario, his mom’s disapproval won’t stop him from proposing to Shoto. He would choose Shoto a million times over, no matter what. But it won’t come to that. He’s sure of it.
He takes another deep breath and dials the number.
“Hello, mijo. How’re you and Shoto?” his mom asks upon answering.
“Hey mama. We’re doing great. How about you?”
“Oh, you know. Same old, same old. Why’re you calling, baby?”
“What, I can’t call you just to talk?” Hanta jokes. His mom has always been straight to the point, so he should have seen that coming.
“The day you call just to talk is the day pigs fly, my dear. Now out with it,” his mom laughs.
Hanta takes another deep breath.
“I’m proposing to Shoto,” he states plainly, leaving no room for arguing, making certain to sound entirely unquestioning.
“Ah, mijo! About time, don’t you think? Oh, I’m so happy for you, Hanta. That boy has always been good for you,” his mom exclaims.
Hanta feels his whole body relax into the wooden chair, tension seeping out of him instantly.
“I think he’s good for me, too,” Hanta agrees.
“I hope you know that the second you get married is the second I start bugging you for grandkids,” his mom jokes.
“We’ve given you two beautiful granddaughters already!” Hanta returns.
“Mijo, I love Tohru and Kisa, but I’m hoping for some human grandkids eventually,” she teases.
“Alright, alright. Eventually, I’m sure. At least let me buy the damn ring first, mama,” Hanta resigns. He hears his mom click her tongue.
“Nonsense, Hanta. I have your father’s ring. I’ve been saving it for when you finally got around to making Shoto my son,” his mom chides.
Hanta feels tears suddenly prick the corners of his eyes. His mom has worn his late father’s ring since the day he passed away.
“Mama, are you sure? I know how much that ring means to you. I couldn’t just take it,” Hanta argues.
“Baby, your father will never get to meet Shoto, but I can promise you that he would’ve loved him, same as me. He’d want you to give it to him. Please, son. Come by for dinner tomorrow and pick it up, yeah?”
“Yeah. Yeah, okay, mama, we’ll be there. Thank you, for everything,” he says, holding back the rest of his tears.
“I love you, mijo. I’ll see you tomorrow,” his mom promises.
“I love you, too, mama. Goodnight,” he tells her, and ends the call.
***
Shoto was, admittedly, pretty confused as to why they were going to Hanta’s mom’s house for dinner on such short notice, but Shoto absolutely loves his mom, so he didn’t question it for long.
Hanta made up some reason to slip into his mom’s bedroom without Sho noticing to retrieve the ring. It’s a simple, black metal band with a thin silver line along the bottom. It was timeless, and minimalistic, and Hanta knows that he probably wouldn’t have been able to pick a better one for Shoto himself.
He was even able to slip it onto a sleeping Shoto’s fingers later that night. He’s never been more grateful for his boyfriend being such a heavy sleeper. The ring fits perfectly, against all odds, and Hanta cries just a little seeing it on Shoto’s hand.
***
Hanta spent the remaining two weeks before the big day planning everything in secret. He had the ring hidden in the Christmas decorations where Shoto can’t find it, he sneaked the ingredients for carne asada tacos into their weekly grocery trips, and even manages to nonchalantly purchase strawberry and green tea flavored mochi.
And now, on the day of their anniversary, he’s just called in a pretty big favor from the Kirishima/Bakugou household. After a bit of going back and forth with Bakugou trying to come up with a reasonable excuse, Shoto receives a frantic phone call from Kirishima, desperately pleading for Shoto to come over and teach him how to use an iron because Bakugou won’t help him.
And well, it’s technically not a lie. Kiri can’t iron, and Kats won’t help him, but it’s damn sure not an emergency. But Shoto has developed a pretty big soft spot for the sweet goofball and pretty much instantly agrees. So Shoto just sweetly kisses Hanta and promises to be home before their anniversary dinner.
And now, with Shoto gone for at least two hours, Hanta is meticulously preparing dinner for his soon-to-be fiancé and double and triple checking that their house is spotless. He even changes into a nice outfit nearly identical to the one he wore four years ago- just an orange sweater and jeans, and sets out a change of clothes for Shoto as well.
He fishes the ring from the box of Christmas decorations and just… holds it, for a while. He’s pretty much endlessly rehearsing the script of what he wants to say to Shoto, all of the love he wants to pour into his question.
He’s wrangling Kisa and Tohru into the matching sweaters that Shoto bought them last week when he gets a text from Kirishima, saying Shoto just left their house and will be home in five minutes.
Oh jeez. Okay. Five minutes. He can do this.
He swallows his rising panic and goes to set the table. He’s had their dinner kept in a food warmer he often uses for work so that it’s still fresh when Shoto gets home, thankfully, so he’s fully confident in his dinner. He tries to match tonight’s table setting to the one in Hanta’s old house, with them sitting across from each other.
He sits down to wait for Shoto and lets his mind wander to this night, four years ago. He still remembers it all like it was yesterday, can remember exactly what he was thinking when he saw Shoto for the first time.
He can still picture it: Shoto sitting in his little garden, petting Tohru and holding a one-sided conversation with her and trying to read manga. He was so gorgeous, even then, covered in dirt. He looked every bit the picture of the man of Hanta’s dreams.
He’s never told Shoto this, but he fell in love a little bit that very first day. How could he not? And being able to cook dinner for him the next day only exacerbated that feeling. Shoto was so kind and polite; soft-spoken, but so genuine with every comment and compliment. He was funny and a little awkward, but Hanta just found it endlessly endearing. He was totally a goner from the start. Shoto came out of nowhere and knocked him flat on his ass in love. He called Denki that night after Shoto left and exclaimed that he’d met his soulmate.
He never dreamed he’d be lucky enough to be right.
The sound of Shoto opening the door and kicking off his shoes pulls him out of his love-sick memories.
“Hanta! I’m hoooome,” he calls, like he always does.
Hanta stands and meets him at the doorway of the kitchen.
“Welcome home, mí amor. Anniversary dinner is ready for us. I set out some clean clothes for you for after you wash up,” he tells his boyfriend, kissing him softly for a moment.
“Aw, baby, you didn’t have to do all of this,” Shoto says, looking at the setup with awe.
“I wanted to, Sho. Now hurry up, Mexican food isn’t good cold,” Hanta says, giving him a light tap on the ass.
Shoto just laughs and goes to do as instructed.
Hanta returns to his place at the table and waits. Whatever panic he’d felt earlier quickly merging into pure giddiness and excitement. He can’t fight the smile off of his face if he tries. He’s so goddamn in love that he knows you can see it- and he knows that the same love will be reflected back to him in the eyes of his Shoto.
“Hm, carne asada tacos, fresh pico de gallo, and these sweaters? Don’t tell me I’ll find mochi in the freezer,” Shoto teases, coming back to the table to take his seat.
“There’s definitely mochi in the freezer. Bet you can’t guess what flavors, though,” Hanta jokes back easily.
“Oh yeah, I have no idea. Definitely clueless,” Shoto snarks. His sarcasm is always so damn endearing that it’s not even funny. God, he loves this man so much. He just wants to tell him, so he does.
“I love you, you goof,” he promises.
“I love you more, Hanta. Thank you for dinner, my love. And for remembering. It honestly feels like yesterday that I followed Tohru down that little wooded trail. I really can’t believe how lucky I got,” Shoto admits. He’s a little pink, and Hanta’s sure he looks the same.
Shoto has never been one to be very… verbal, when expressing his love. He shows it more through actions. So having him so confidently and outwardly declare his love just makes Hanta melt all over again.
And well, he was going to wait until after dinner to ask, but…
“Shoto. You know how much I love you, right?”
“I’m certain I do,” he promises.
Okay. Deep breath. Here goes nothing.
“I want to spend the rest of our lives together, Sho. I want to continue waking up with your drool on my chest and I want to cook for you every night until I’m too old to hold a spatula anymore. I would love nothing more than to spend all of my days beside you, playing with your hair while you write, or spoiling our cats with you, and just getting to experience all of life with you. I… I’m just so goddamn in love with you, Shoto,” he declares. His eyes are watering, and so are Shoto’s.
Hanta stands from the table and moves to the floor beside Shoto’s chair and offers him his father’s ring.
“Hanta…”
“Will you marry me, Shoto?”
“Of course. Of course ,” he exclaims.
And then he’s in Hanta’s lap, both men falling backwards onto the floor in a heap of smiles, and soft kisses, and sweet laughter. After a moment, Hanta sits them back up.
“The ring, baby. Put it on,” Hanta requests.
“Right. Right, fuck, I love you,” he swears, fumbling to slide the ring onto his finger. It looks like it belongs there.
“I love you, baby. Do you like it?”
“I do. God, it’s gorgeous. And it fits perfectly,” Shoto assures, holding his newly decorated hand up to the light and just staring at it.
“It… it was my father’s wedding ring. Mama said she’s been holding onto it, waiting for me to give it to you. She says my dad would’ve wanted us to use it,” Hanta admits. He feels light, almost fuzzy, in his happiness.
“Oh, Hanta. It’s perfect. You’re perfect. Oh my god, I am so becoming a Sero, there’s nothing you can do to stop me. Why am I still crying?” he asks, incredulous. Hanta just laughs weakly.
“Because you’re happy, I hope?”
“I am so happy, Hanta,” Shoto promises.
“I am, too, mí amor. I am, too.”
They slowly collect themselves and return to their dinner, their matching smiles never once leaving their faces. Not even when Shoto ate his mochi too fast and ended up with brain-freeze.
Hanta looks into the eyes of his fiancé and thinks to the future.
Shoto will keep writing, and being brilliant at it. Hanta will cook until he can’t anymore. Maybe they’ll get a third cat. He can see them, turning the library into a nursery. Adopting a kid, or maybe a teenager, it doesn’t really matter to Hanta. He can picture their wedding day- Shoto looking as gorgeous as ever. He wants it all, with Shoto. Husbands. Fathers. A family. He’s never been happier.
“Wait- oh my god, Kirishima didn’t even need my fucking help, did he? I spent hours explaining how an iron works!”