They all knew the risks, of becoming a hero. They were reminded of it with every casualty, and every hero death. They just didn't think it would affect them so soon, that they would be standing here, in the cemetery, to mourn one of their own.
"But he's not dead, he can't be. It just doesn't make sense!"
"Let it go. He's- he's gone. Ok?"
"No, no he's not. I'll prove it, ok? I'll prove it!"
The Todoroki household has much to hide. The abuse- training, what happened with the mother, the runaway, and the bruises. Shouto was used to the secrets, especially now that he didn't have to hide them all so often. At the Sport's Festival, he told Midoriya the truth, or parts of it and it was… freeing. It was like a weight be lifted from his chest, making it easier to breath. Naturally, he didn't reveal it all, but that's ok. He's like an onion, and slowly peeling back his layers- he learned that metaphor when his classmates made him watch Shrek, that odd American film. It wasn't bad, a little hard to believe though. What type of King is so short?
That's not the point. The point is, he trusts Midoriya to bear the weight of his troubles, at least a little. And that is why he's here, now, in his room at one in the morning, hugging a pillow to his chest and ignoring the small layer of frost that coated his side. "I'm sorry to have woken you at such an hour," He is sorry, but he doesn't regret it. He doesn't remember the last time he's had this, this comfort. Someone to go to, when his memories invaded the forefront of his mind and woke him with tears in his eyes and a phantom burning across his skin. Scars are not all physical, a harsh reality he had to learn at too young an age. He just laid in his bed, ignoring the wet droplets forming in his eyes and tried to will himself to fall back to sleep- he couldn't. He couldn't. The memories still burned, and the idea of sleep, of going back to that place, terrified him. He sat up, and reached out for his phone, scrolling through the contacts until he came to Midoriya's name. He wrote out a simple text and sent it before he could think, before he could talk himself out of it. He was still new, to this whole 'asking for help' thing. He's trying though, for his sake, for Midoriya's sake. The poor boy, he learned, worries for him. He always tells Shouto that he wants to be there for him. It makes Shouto's heart race, just thinking about it.
He's never had a friend before.
A minute later he gets a text back, Midoriya telling him to come to his room. Shouto would smile, if he could. He got up, and immediately headed over. And now here he is, in his friend's room with the pillow in his arms. Midoriya sits beside him, their shoulders touching and Midoriya's hand absently tracing patterns on the skin of Shouto's leg. It was comforting, but not overbearing. A show that Midoriya is here, and paying him attention, and willing to comfort while not suffocating him with worry and touch. Shouto appreciates it more than he can put into words.
"I had a nightmare," he spoke softly, and bluntly. Dissociating from his own words, and trying his hardest to keep his emotions at bay. Midoriya made a little humming sound of acknowledgment, and said nothing more. Waiting for Shouto to keep going, at his own pace. "It was about my brother. My older brother. The day- the day he left," he shut his eyes, he felt Midoriya lean a bit against him, providing more warmth, "He always was there for me, taught me things. He was kind to me, he promised to protect me from Father- he promised," he lied, "Father had enough of him- distracting me," He was the chosen child, before Shouto was born. He was the one who would have had to carry on Endeavors legacy if Shouto wasn't there. He knew the pain, he understood it. Perhaps that is why he cared so much, besides Fuyumi, that is. And yet, and yet- he left. He had enough. Like his mother, like his mother he broke. "They got in a fight, a big one. Father didn't hold back, and that night he left. He ran away. If I just kept my distance like Father warned me-" Perhaps he would have stayed. Perhaps he wouldn't be lost on the streets, doing who knows what or- or even dead. "It's my fault-" This time, he couldn't hold back the raw emotions, the desperate sorrow of revealing a regret he would hardly ever admit to himself.
"No." Todoroki blinked his eyes open at the interruption, "No, it isn't your fault. Todoroki, that was your brother. That was his choice. And Endeavor being," insufferable. A bully. A man who didn't deserve to be a hero, "Being mean. Not you."
"But if I just-"
"Do you respect your brother?" Izuku moved to sit in front of Shouto, pulling the boys hands free to hold them. Shouto looked down at their interlocked hands. He nodded, "Then respect his decision to stand by your side. Ok? It's not your fault." The words, from anyone else, would have felt empty. But Midoriya, there was something about him. Something about him that let the seed be planted in Shouto's mind, to allow him to start thinking, if not yet believing, maybe it wasn't his fault.
Shouto fell forward to lean against Midoriya's chest, and listen to the steady beat of his friend's heart
-
"Yeeeeaaaaah!" Training was kicking their asses today! Friday, blessed Friday, the last day till the weekend. Kaminari laid face down on the floor, a little groan escaping his lips, "Oooooow, that hurt."
Kirishima smirked, pounding his two fists together, "It'd hurt less if you just dodged," Kaminari lifted his head just enough to give his friend a little glare and a mumbled curse. Aizawa just sighed and continued his walk to check on the other sparring partners. There was a catch though, one partner gets an advantage, one partner can use his quirk. The other cannot. Not a fair fight, most would say, and they're right. It's not. But in real life, few fights are fair.
Shouto was against Bakugou, and could not use his quirk. It was… interesting to say the least. Bakugou was strong, but Shouto had a high pain tolerance, especially to burns. He raised his arm to block a blast from the other boy, dropping low to kick out and try to sweep Bakugous feet out from under him, only for Bakugou to jump back with a help from a blast and spin, the other arm coming around to land a nice punch on Shouto's cheek- followed by another blast that sent the boy flying. Bakugou smirked, "Like you could beat me, Half-N-Half!" He scowled, "Without your quirk you're fucking useless!" Shouto groaned, pushing himself off the floor. If his Father saw him now he'd be dead. No, no, that doesn't matter. He doesn't matter. What he is learning here does matter- he relies too much on his quirk. Aizawa said so. But that doesn't make him weak. It's just something he has to learn to overcome, and that's what he'll do. He stood back up on shaky legs. Bakugou is brash, arrogant, prideful. He'll use that to his advantage.
"Actually, it's quite obvious I'm stronger than you. You've only defeated me when you have had the upper hand. If you fight me in a fair fight, you won't stand a chance."
Bakugou's hands exploded. His face contorted to one of fury, "Say that to my face, Bastard!"
"I do believe I just did."
"You fucker!" With something that can only be described as a batter cry, he charged. His movements are sloppier, but only by a tad. It'll have to do. Todoroki moved: duck, weave, ignore the heat, the fire, the deafening explosion, weave, weave, knee up- contact, move with the momentum, twist, take down- shit no. Dodge- too late. He flew back again, sliding against the ground when he landed. He spat out dirt, well, at least he got a hit in.
"That all you got, brat?! I thought you said you can beat me!"
"I can." Just not today. Not yet. Not like this. But soon. Soon.
"All right," Aizawa interrupted the practice, "We're done for the day. Clean up and get out," Get out, meaning go back to the dorms.
Bakugou scoffed, "Next time I face you I expect a fucking challenge," He walked away, leaving Shouto on the ground. The ground, which he became much too acquainted with. At least it was cool dirt, and soft grass. But still, Shouto rolled his eyes as he pushed himself off the grass and onto his feet. He held back a wince and slowly made his way back to the locker rooms to change. One day, he'll be a challenge with or without his quirk. He caught Midoriya's eye from his peripheral and the green haired boy waved. He smiled, softly and just barely there. Yeah, he'll be the Hero he wants to be. He'll be strong. He'll beat Endeavor. No longer will he be living in his father's shadow, under his constant scrutiny and critiques. He'll beat Bakugou, and stand side-by-side with Deku, no matter what. Because he knows, he has that feeling, Deku will be the hard one to beat. Deku will be the hero he wants to be. But he'll be there, by his side, making his friend and… and himself proud. No one will hold him back, not his father, not his regrets, not his past. People are here for him, for once in his life. He isn't alone. He won't, can't, disappoint them. Or himself. Because, he matters too. His friends have shown him that. So he'll push himself past his limits, and keep growing, and keep making them proud.
He changed from his gym uniform, and walked out the door to find Midoriya, Iida, and Ochako waiting for him. He is no longer surprised by this. "Hello."
"Todoroki! We got permission to go out to the little store and buy some treats! Wanna come?" He looked at Ochako and nodded. "Yaaay! Let's go tell Aizawa-Sensei! He has to come to us as a 'chaperone'" She put air quotes around the word, "I think he really just wants to buy more juice boxes and is using us as an excuse to do so. But that works for us!"
"It is a mutually benefitting shopping experience, which is the most effective type!"
"And it'll keep Aiazawa-Sensei from getting grumpy if we take a while!"
Todoroki hummed. It sounds like fun, "What are we getting?"
"Candy! And cookies! And popcorn! We wanna have an awesome slumber party in the main room, so we're getting all the good stuff!" Ochako was practically bouncing, "It's going to be the Best Party Ever!" Intense as always.
Midoriya joined in on her excitement, "Yeah! We deserve it!"
Briefly, Todoroki wondered how it felt, to be able to get so excited over things- mundane things at that. A party, a slumber party, fun for a moment, a few hours, a day. But ultimately, will have no impact on a person's life in any meaningful way. And yet, they get excited for that fleeting feeling of joy. Todoroki wants that, and feels a hot flash of anger for his Father, for himself, for letting his father beat it out of him- No! no. He's going to enjoy this, and also chase that fleeting feeling of joy. "Sounds fun. I'm in." There were more cheers, and his heart swelled. Was he that wanted for this adventure? To warrant cheers? Perhaps it is only their excitement… but he liked it. He liked this feeling. If he had lesser control over his body, he would be blushing and grinning like a madman. Instead, only a shy smile quirked his lips upward "Shall we go?"
"Indeed! We do not want to waste any time!"
Dabi smirked, sitting atop the room of a small convenience store. He got some insight on some little kids, and now he watches them, watches as they walk to him, right into his trap. Only one is holding his interest, however. One that is a familiar face. One that he made a promise to, in another life, a promise he has all intentions to keep. Sure, it went forgotten for a while, but it's not lost. Not yet. Now, if only that pro wasn't there, it would be so much easier. But alas, not all hope is lost. He slid from the roof into the alley, pulling a hood up to obscure his facial features. With a satisfied grin, he waited until his prey entered the building. He followed behind shortly, with a glint in his eyes and an ugly grin.
This is going to be fun.
The kids and pro stopped in the front of the store, "We meet back here in thirty minutes, don't be late." The kids nodded, and they separated from the pro. It's a small store, any commotion will be heard by everyone. Best to play it safe, so Dabi will have to lure them outside the store. It should be easy, heroes (or wanna be heroes) are always so gullible. While the pro went down the drink isle, the kids went straight for the treats. Dabi rolled his eyes, making his way slowly after the kids. He went down an aisle, pulled out a random whatever- some boxed food, and continued to pretend like he was shopping. Todoroki was standing a bit behind his friends, as they all rummaged for candies and brownies he watched. Watched, like he wasn't really a part of them. Though the boy seemed content, Dabi didn't like it. Didn't like how he wasn't a part of it, the decision making, the joy and laughter and yelling. Though what was he to expect? The others are kids, kids at heart and body. Todoroki was never allowed to be a kid, to experience these feelings and to get lost in the joys of trivial matters. Well, none of this will matter for long. Dabi couldn't help the grin that crossed his face. No, no. It won't matter for much longer.
Todoroki shifted, looking past Ochako's shoulder to look at the large amount of treats they were buying. It seemed to be an ever-growing mountain of sugary and sweet candies, and goodness, they are going to feel like trash in the morning. Was there such thing as a candy hangover? Because he was sure they were going to get it.
"Alright! This seems to be an acceptable amount of sweets for our slumber party. Does anyone need anything else?"
Todoroki perked at that, "Yes. I wanted to get some Cold Soba," his stash was running low, and no. He was not obsessed. "I'll be quick."
"M'kay! We'll meet you at checkout!" Midoriya grinned and gave a thumbs up.
With the affirmation he needed, Todoroki turned and left his friends to fetch his delicious treat. He felt happy, content. They got what they needed, and he's proud to say he is excited for their slumber party tonight. Iida was explaining what a normal slumber party entails- cookies, more specifically the uncooked dough but as heroes in training they will not eat that because of the risk of the uncooked eggs, party games like truth or dare, movies, and 'respectable gossip.' Ochako promised she'd sneak him some raw cookie dough though, because he never had some before. He wondered if it really did taste as good as everyone says it is. He hopes so.
He turned left into the aisle, walking down to the cold soba and taking a few packages. Someone bumped his shoulder, he looked up with a muttered apology to freeze in his place. He saw purple- a hoodie, so familiar. The figure left, he chased. Dumb, dumb. He shouldn't just act like this, he needs to stop, to think, but no- he pursues. His phone, he should call- someone. A text, Midoriya. Quick, 'SOS'. He'll get it. He follows, to the back door, out, stop. He's right. It is, Dabi.
Midoriya checks his phone, a text. SOS, and the next thing he knows he's flying through the store, One for All powering through him. Aizawa sees and follows behind Midoriya. He knows Midoriya won't use his quirk unless it's an emergency, as does his friends. Somethings wrong. The back door isn't closed all the way- where's Todoroki?- they rush out, the door slamming against it's hinges- and blue flame, the portal, the same from USJ- and nothing. No one. A barren alley way, ice covering a wall, and blood… "Todoroki? TODOROKI!"
Too late.
AN:
Hey guys! This is a new idea going through my head, I would really appreciate some comments with whether or not it's good right now, and what ya'll are expecting. This first chapter is a little rushed, like an epilogue, to get the story where I want it.