moved

   It wasn’t entirely unheard of for Stephanie to take a day off of work for unspecified reasons--drinks with the girls, impromptu appearances at U.A. for some extra lessons, even just taking a day to soak up the sun were all plausible reasons for her absence at the office, but everyone took note at how hushed she seemed to be during the early morning hours when she came to pick up a few things, erratic about keeping whatever it was a top secret. Even the hero-work study kids were adamant about figuring it out, but the American woman would not relent. All her time rushing around town and back home was well paid off when everything was finally set in place for her son’s return.

   The interior of the apartment was chaotically decorated, but well placed, with streamers and ribbons matching Hideo’s go-to colors and balloons of three reflecting Stephanie’s own hero suit colors to help keep a balance between it all so as not to be too overwhelming or distracting. There was the classic “Happy Birthday!” flag sign propped up on the wall above the kitchen island and on the counter below was a two-layer round cake she had baked the second he had left for the day, now expertly decorated with (poorly) drawn icing stick figures of both her and Hideo--while baking was her forté and could be considered art on its own, actually drawing was not. At the end of the counter were a couple of wrapped presents; she decided not to spurge too much so quickly, especially with the holidays waiting around the corner, but still got him things she had heard him mention wanting or needing and even a commissioned support item to help in with his quirk training. Doing a once over to ensure everything was set, Stephanie lit the sparkler candles on this cake just as she heard the door unlock.

“–Just trust me and repeat after me, “I am STRONGER than them.”                             That’s right;  because I’M here for you,          If you can’t be embraced, step on me and stand ABOVE  them. “

|| A Mother’s Day Gift  | @bynhildr​ asked for Hideo:  “ though flowers would never be enough to show his love and appreciation for his mother , it was still something to show for it . a smile graced hideo's lips as he held out the bouquet , ' happy mothers day , mom . i hope you like these . ' “

    After coming home from a long and tiring day of work, Stephanie hadn’t expected the surprise from her son awaiting her once she crossed the threshold of their home. Mother’s Day, she had completely forgotten! She never really did pay attention to those types of holidays, understandably, but that would certainly change now with Hideo in her life. Her famous smile lights up her face and she graciously takes the bouquet from him with one hand and pulls him into an appreciative hug with the other.

    “Oh, sweetie, you’re so thoughtful!” No ‘you didn’t have to do this’ or anything of the like. Stephanie always thought those phrases downplayed or pushed aside the meaningful action, instead preferring encouraging words to reflect her true feelings. A kiss is placed on his forehead before she goes back to admiring the flowers he had picked special for her.