#Attending a Christmas Party

[aheckinmess]

Jingle Bell Rock

(Part 19 of The Snowball Effect)

Read on AO3.

Tags: Enji Todoroki, Endeavor, Female Reader, Reader Has an Ice Quirk, Endeavor x Reader, Enji Todoroki x Reader, MHA Christmas Special, Attending a Christmas Party, All Might is Mentioned, Got a Little Angsty, But Not Overly So, More Like a Deep Conversation with Enji, After All He's Only Soft with You

Word Count: 891 words

Summary: Official pro hero Christmas parties are much more difficult than Christmas parties with friends who happen to be pro heroes. The obvious trial? The press. Lesser known struggles? Having to remind your husband that even the Symbol of Peace is human.

Playlist: The Snowball Effect

December 19

Pro hero Christmas parties make you a lot more nervous than parties with your friends who just happen to be pro heroes. The biggest difference? The media is a beast. Even just pulling up in the car with Enji you both find yourselves boxed in a metal car with camera flashes twinkling like stars outside the dark tinted windows.

“Ignore them.” Enji reminds me with a kiss to my temple. “It’s just me and you, remember?”

When the two of you step out, he’s no longer your Enji. He is Endeavor.

Flames mask his face as his features cement into rigid lines across his face. His exterior transforms to gruff and grouchy in moments with his careful hand at the small of your back contradicting the icy glare he throws towards everyone else.

It draws a chuckle from your chest as you both make it past the press and into the main hall, where a magnificent tree stretches to the ceiling and declares a season of joy and generosity to the massive crowd of heroes.

“Just me and you and a bunch of strangers.” You snort.

“It won’t be so bad.” Enji consoles. 

“Strangers? Why, Mrs. Todoroki, I’m hurt!” All Might’s laughter echoes behind you, accented by the shuttering of camera lenses. “Surely you and Endeavor have seen me enough times to consider me an acquaintance, at least!”

You chuckle at his comment, not even a little surprised when your husband grits his teeth.

“Hardly. You’re more like an irritation. Arguably worse than a stranger.” Enji growls, his fingers gripping your hip tighter. “Come, my flame, let’s go.”

As he steers you away and off to the side for refreshments, you squeeze his forearm.

“I know he’s your rival, but what’s so bad about him otherwise, Enchan?” You press, a smirk developing around your cheeks. “He’s only ever treated you with respect and honor.”

“My flame,” Enji pinches the bridge of his nose, sucking in a thin breath of air. When he opens his eyes, his hand lays on his napkin. “I’ve explained this before.”

“And you promised me you were working on it.” You urge, resting a hand on top of his. “We agreed. You can train Shoto to strive for the number one spot if he wants since he’s insistent on being a hero like All Might, too. But trying to make him shoulder your dreams is not fair to either of you. The first step to breaking free of those corrosive thoughts is more interaction with your rival. He is human, just like you.” 

“Sometimes I wonder.” Enji mutters, glancing at the blonde who’s still surrounded by fans and reporters alike. “Why else would all my work go to waste?”

“Don’t you think he feels the same way?”

Confusion swirls in the skies of his eyes as he looks at you.

“Impossible. His goal is achieved.”

“His goal may not be the same as yours, Enchan.”

You’ve spent time with All Might both as the Symbol of Peace and as Toshinori. But one thing remains common between the two of them: it’s lonely at the top of the hero rankings.

“I fail to see your point. Enlighten me.” Enji loads a fork with turkey as he eats and listens to you.

“Have you ever seen All Might’s family, Enchan?” 

“No, but I imagine he has good reason for keeping them hidden with his status being what it is.” 

“That’s not what I meant.” You chuckle. “I mean, have you ever seen anything about All Might having a family? There’s no mention of a wife, children, even immediate family like a mother or father. You, of all people, should know that the higher up in the rankings the more impossible it is to hide your loved ones from view. If he had a family, we’d know by now.”

Enji opens his mouth to speak, before understanding sparkles in a sea of blue.

“You’re saying that what he really desires is a family, but no matter how hard he works he cannot attain it…”

“Yes.” You nod. “While you consider him your rival because you want to compete for the number one spot, I wonder if he considers you the same because he wants what you have…a loving family to share that success with.”

Both of you eat in silence for a time; while it’s frustrating not knowing what’s going through Enji’s head, you’re just glad he marinates on this subject. When it was first evident Shoto had the desired quirk Enji had hoped for, he’d been much less receptive to any advice regarding All Might.

Trapping Enji in a thick icy prison that took twenty minutes to melt had finally reminded him that you wouldn’t be pushed around, especially concerning the safety and emotional care of your children.

Now? Here you are. He’s much more receptive to your thoughts regarding his ambitious obsession with beating the No. 1 hero and Symbol of Peace.

“I don’t suppose I’d considered that.” Enji finally answers. “You are right, of course. Even now, he still stands over there unable to move because of the crowd.”

“Why don’t we go help him escape for a bit of reprieve? In light of the Christmas spirit, if nothing else?”

And though you can tell the idea genuinely pains him, he stands with a heavy sigh.

“Fine.”

Day 20

Credit to @saradika-graphics for the holiday banner! Thank you so much!

[dirigibleplumbing]

if you love Christmas but also want to be kind and inclusive toward people who don't, or simply don't celebrate, here's my #1 tip.

stop lying about Christmas.

if the only "holiday" your holiday party includes is Christmas, call it a Christmas party.

if your "holiday" fandom event only uses Santa and Christmas graphics and is centered around the date of Christmas, call it a Christmas event (that is, presumably, open to non Christmas-celebrating fans).

if your "holiday" fic recs only contain Christmas fic, call it a Christmas rec list.

[dailyflicks]

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

[lil-lemon-snails]

✨🎄Merry Crimmis DCA community 🎄✨

[reineydraws]

i just. wanted to draw them kissin'. so here's a modern au mistletoe thing. :') happy december!!! also i think shanks would look amazing in a cream-coloured cable-knit. 😌💞

[diy-fire-water-pups]

@themightytwins

Hey pups, guess what

Our birthday is coming up, and you all are invited

*hands over a invitation to come to our birthday on December 25*

don't be late

Mod on mod here, I couldn't find a Canon birthday for the twins so I decided to make it the 25th, I hope that's okay

Oh... We had no idea your birthday was coming so soon!

This might be a little difficult, we always get busy during Christmas... But we'll be there at some point, promise!

[wonderstruck-perfume-tv]

Y’all….“I look through people’s windows.”

She’s stalking his Instagram.

[eliotquillon]

i have THREE different events to attend tonight (sitcom style). am i going to be able to make it to all three:

[deelovesbooks]

mom texts me this morning and says she has a small knitting project for me. with great trepidation because I don't know if she knows what counts as a "small" knitting project I ask what it is

Weaving in ends. A whole bag of hats that need seaming and ends woven in. The most hated part of fiber crafts. Thanks mom 😂

[tony-stark-ing]

Steve gushing about Tony...again.

Force Works issue #8

[the-turkossmahaj]

The pain in my throat has stopped plaguing me, but I’m now facing the problem of not being able to stop coughing

[balletadventures]

im at the christmas party my ballet school has organised (yes) and i didnt recognise some of my classmates purely because their hair was down and they werent in a leotard and tights

[rubiatinctorum]

where's a big stupid winter gala to look forward to. there is no fancy at the job i have this year, there is no fancy at uni events this year bc im not in uni anymore, i am on the guest list for zero christmas parties or new years parties. one of the few things i like winter for is the opportunities during some years to go attend something fancy but i just dont see this in my future this year and that sucks

[writteninscarlet]

Does Wanda celebrate Christmas?

// Religion is a complicated one for Wanda, and therefore so are religious holidays.

Her birth father, Erik, is Jewish (at least with my Wanda he's still the twins actual father) and he still practices and is involved in religion in his own way (as can be seen in various comics, but probably more the earlier X-Men ones where he takes Kitty Pryde to a group of holocaust survivors and helps her celebrate Chanukah).

Her adoptive parents, those who raised her until she was 10/11 and powers emerged were Romani - they travelled around Europe. Mainly Eastern Europe but it just depended. In terms of their religion, there's little to go on but I believe and for my headcanons they were Roman Catholics. They weren't devout and didn't include all practices - it can be difficult when always on the move or accepted in many places - but they believed in a Christian God. Growing up, Wanda did occasionally celebrate Christmas but it wasn't so... commercial. Some years, large parts were skipped because of money or they were on the move, or just general reasons. It was the overall teachings of love, honest, and being good that their parents tried to instil in them.

Whilst on the run, Wanda would occasionally think of what her parents had taught her. Sometimes when in a town with a church she would go there for solace or peace. But she did start questioning things during this time. After all, she was branded a witch. She was almost hunted down and killed several times during these few years before joining the Brotherhood. (And since) She was thought to be against God, a freak of nature - as a mutant and a witch. So she didn't practice truly. Nor did she celebrate Christmas during this time.

After meeting her father she has since, when invited celebrated Jewish holidays with him. She knows what he has taught her and what she has looked up in order to best respect and acknowledge his beliefs. However, she still struggles with religion and what to believe in. If asked, she would spend time with her father celebrating how he wanted to acknowledge his religious holiday. The same with her sons. She respects how they practice and believe in their religion, and acknowledges that her upbringing was different.

So, long-winded, but no. She isn't likely to celebrate Christmas. But she's religion and God is a tough one for her because of her experiences being branded as a witch and the dark side of the world she has seen. She respects whatever people want to believe in, and sort of wishes she had more belief herself. If invited to a Christmas party, she would attend (depending on who was there), and out of politeness, love, or respect, would get people a gift. But she's not throwing any holiday parties herself, or dressing up or decorating for the season.

And, In terms of religion, Wanda wont be practicing any beliefs on this blog. I wouldn’t want to misrepresent anyone or anything. Without any deep understanding or belief in these religions, I won’t put words in anyone’s mouth and there are others better placed to help others understand if they choose.

[sealedfates]

thinking about right where you left me and i look in people’s windows

[thesightstoshowyou]

Would Asa have any pictures of Cricket???

Abshwbnghwhsbwjsbwhwbdhs

I’m torn on this answer!

Having photo evidence of her would implicate him should he ever be caught. And there would be missing person’s reports out with her photo in them, so having a picture of her on his desk at work is out of the question.

But, it’s his Cricket….

I can’t imagine Asa likes being in pictures in the first place. However, with Jesse’s obsession with recording things, I’m sure Asa’s appeared in a photo or two.

So, against his better judgement, I bet he does have a couple pictures of Cricket that he keeps hidden and locked away.