"Shoto! Wake up! Time for breakfast!"

Opening his eyes at his sister's call, Shoto Todoroki slowly sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he fought against a lazy yawn escaping from his mouth.

It was Saturday and as such the young UA student had the day off. Which was a good thing as his insane home room teacher had warned his entire class that they would have a test on law the following Monday, effectively stripping them of being able to enjoy the weekend as they'd need to spend it studying, something the icy hot hero had decided to get a head start on, resulting in him staying up way later than he normally would.

But before he could dwell on the impending doom of his class, his sister's voice called out again, this time from just outside his bedroom.

"Shoto! Breakfast is getting cold! Get up and get down here already! You've got company today!"

Groaning in annoyance, Shoto wondered which of his classmates had decided to stop by this weekend. Most likely either Bakugo looking for a fight or Yaoyorzu hoping to do a study session together. And while the former gave him no motivation to get up, he figured on the off chance it was the latter, it would be rude to keep her waiting.

"Coming." He called, sliding out of bed and making his way to his closest as he heard his sister's footsteps disappearing down the hall, returning to the dining room to entertain their guest.

Sighing slightly, Shoto figured he should make himself look more professional and not like he had just rolled out of bed, reaching out and grabbing some of his more formal clothes, throwing them on.

He just hoped it wasn't Bakugo as it would render this effort useless.

"Good morning." Shoto greeted his sister as he made his way into the modest sized dining room, hands stuffed in his pockets. Ever since his parents divorced, Fuyumi had been doing everything in her power to keep things civil between the split family members, even offering to let Shoto live with her while he went to UA as she lived closer to the school than his father while his mother's mental health…stabilized.

"Good morning to you, sleepyhead." The older girl said with a smile, hanging up her apron on a rack in the kitchen. "Hurry up and finish breakfast, I got to be at work early today. I'm covering a shift, so I can't wait."

Nodding in response, the youngest sibling made his way into the kitchen grabbing his omelet off the counter before making his way towards the table that was adjoined to the living room.

"I can do the dishes if you want." He offered, making his sister pause in packing her lunch.

"Shoto, you can't make toast without burning it and starting a fire in the kitchen." She said pointedly, making the half and half hero turn scarlet at the disastrous memory

"That was one time."

Despite his objection, her point still stood, letting the youngest sibling carry on towards the table, letting his sister continue getting ready for work.

Upon reaching the table, Shoto set his breakfast down and was about to take his seat when he remembered their guest. Turning towards his sister, the young man opened his mouth to ask her if they had already left when his gaze shifted over the couch in front of the T.V. And more specifically, the young man lounging around on it.

There, sitting with his arms spread across the entire backside, legs crossed as he watched the morning news sat his oldest brother, Toya. Still dressed in his hero outfit consisting of a black trench coat and a white t-shirt. His heavily burned and stitched body gave him a creepy appearance as he leaned his head back, looking at his younger brother with a slight smirk.

"Sup?" He greeted in his normal nonchalant tone, the stitching around his mouth straining, something which caught the ice and fire user off guard.

"Toya? What are you doing here?" Shoto asked, staring dumbly at his brother. "I thought you had to work today. Wasn't there supposed to be some big gang bust last night? Shouldn't you be at the office taking care of the paperwork?"

Chuckling at his younger brother, Toya turned back to the T.V. waving his hand dismissively.

"Hawks gave me the day off." He answered bordly. "Apparently, he thought I overused my Quirk when he started smelling my flesh burning. Told me to get some rest and come back on Monday. But that's no skin off my nose. I hate pushing papers anyway."

Nodding at this, Shoto, unsure of what to say, sat down and began eating his breakfast, trying his best to ignore the awkward silence that now filled the room.

Toya, Hero name, Dabi, was a well known sidekick to the second ranked hero Hawks. Earning himself the name the Self-Destructive Hero as unlike the rest of his family, he hadn't inherited the heat resistance that normally went with element users like them. Resulting in him burning himself whenever he used his powers. And even more awkwardly, Shoot's own birth.

Unlike other, more traditional heroes, Dabi had been pretty open about his personal life. Mainly to spite their father, speaking plainly about the abuse he and the rest of his family had suffered at the great Endeavor's hands. An act that not only dropped said man out of every top ten hero lists, but put huge strain on their relationships. Not that it was anything to brag about before that.

See, in his desire to surpass All Might, Endeavor had not only engaged in a Quirk marriage, but also repeatedly had children until the desired effect was reached. And upon reaching that goal, he had begun completely ignoring Toya and all his other siblings in favor of Shoto, an action that had nearly cost the young boy his life if a hero hadn't been in the area and saved him from the unrelenting flames he had produced.

But despite having every reason to be upset with his baby brother, Toya had been able to develop an uncharacteristic attitude towards him, viewing him as a victim of his father's abuse, same as him. And in turn, directing any anger he might have felt towards his father instead.

As a result, even when the man had come to apologize to his family for his action and the…mixed reaction he had gotten, Toya had remained openly hostile toward him, shooting down every single apology and attempt to make amends from the man, telling him in front of the entire family that anything he did now was just too little, too late.

"Shoto! You done? I've got to go!"

Looking up from his half eaten meal to his sister, now fully dressed for work and grabbing her purse off the coffee table as she hurried towards the door, glancing over at the plate as her younger brother awkwardly looked back down at it too.

"Umm." He began, but was cut off by Futumi as grabbed her coat, turning to the older brother as she began buttoning it up.

"Hey Toya. Can you do the dishes once Shoto is finished? I can't wait! Yuki is really sick and I need to cover her shift today!" She said as she opened the door, stepping out while keeping her head in to talk to her siblings. "I'll cook you up something for when you go back to work if you do! Please. I could really use the help here."

"No way." Toya called back, not even looking up from the T.V. earning a groan from his sister as the door slid shut, leaving the two boys alone in the house.

Now left alone with his older brother, Shoto, unsure of what to say exactly, quickly made a point of scarfing down the rest of his breakfast before heading back into the kitchen, planning to wipe the plate off and get a head start on his studies. He had long learned that Toya did what he wanted when he wanted, making asking for his schedule or plans utterly pointless. The only one who could really rain that part of him in was his classmate and current boss, Hawks. And with him tied up, the older Todoroki might stay all day or leave in the next few seconds.

Finishing cleaning his plate, Shoto filled the dish with water and soap, placing it in the skin for his sister once she got back from work, (figuring that she'd feel more at peace knowing he hadn't tried to do the dishes without her here.) before turning and making his way back towards his room.

Only to come to a complete stop when he heard his brother call out to him.

"Hey Shoto." Toya called, turning off the T.V. as he turned to face his brother. "You got plans today?"

He did. But the way Toya phrased caught the young man off guard, making him glance over his shoulder at his brother curiously.

It was unusual for the older boy to ask a question about his schedule. Normally if he wanted to spend time with him, he'd just show up and declare they were doing something, blatantly ignoring any plans or obligations he had. Even making him miss class once, something that Mr. Aizawa almost killed him over the following day.

In fact, it was so rare to hear him ask, Shoto almost thought he had imagined it. But the fact Toya was still staring at him, waiting for an answer told him this was no dream or hallucination, he was actually being asked if he had plans today.

And just like that, before he could stop himself, he felt his answer tumbling out of his mouth.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Aahhhh!"

Shoto let out a cry as he blasted a huge jet of flames towards his brother across the still smoldering landscape of the forest. The remnants of the fire that had almost claimed his brother's life.

Watching the huge wall of fire racing across the ground, completely blocking his brother out of his sight, the young hero in training was confident that would do the tri-!

Suddenly, a stream of blue flame shot through his wall of fire, racing toward him with unmatched precision and speed, forcing the younger Todoroki to throw himself out of the way, barely dodging the attack as it licked at his heels, burning the soles of his shoes.

"What's the matter?! I thought you were the prodigal son. Is that really all you can do?!" Dabi taunted, his arms spread wide, a mocking smile plastered to his scared face. "Weren't you bred to be daddy's little weapon? Don't tell me you can't even beat the older model. That's just embarrassing!"

"Shut up!" Shoto yelled angrily, pulling his arm back in front of his face, hand already alight with flames. "I'm not some science experiment dad cooked up! I'm gonna surprise him and All Might with my own power!"

Laughing at this, Dabi lit his own palms with his blue flames, grinning evilly as he slid into a firing stance.

"Then prove it!" He yelled, cupping his hands by his side. "Show me what you've learned at UA! Show me the power you've mastered and the skills you've obtained! Hurry and beat me, Shoto Todoroki!"

Scowling at the challenge, Shoto threw three huge balls of fire towards his brother, aiming wide to make it harder to dodge and keeping him pinned down.

However, Dabi didn't try to dodge. Firing three thin spears of flames from his cupped hands, his attack effortlessly ripped through Shoto's, all landing on their mark, burning into the boy's body, forcing him to one knee gasping.

"I'm…not…done!" Shoto cried, throwing his hand out towards Dabi, palm opened as he began mustering more flames. His plan was simple, he'd fire another huge burst, blocking his opponent's line of sight. From there, he'd get in close, take him down with his ice!

However, when he went to open with his attack, he was brought to a screeching halt when his hand burned with pain as his flames formed, immediately breaking his concentration, making him squeeze his eye shut and let out a cry in pain.

Seeing this, Dabi took a step back, igniting one of his hands as he took aim at his brother. "Game over! I win!" He bellowed as he hurled a fireball at Shoto, the boy only opening his eyes just in time to see the approaching attack, but unable to do anything about it.

Boom!

"Gah!" Shoto cried as he was hit in the chest from his brother's attack, knocking him prone on the ground, smoke rising from his burning body.

"I told you, when facing off against an opponent, there's a lot more than raw power that decides a battle." Toya said, walking over to his brother, hands stuffed in his pockets. "When going up against another flame user, you heat up quickly and need to adjust your attacks accordingly. You didn't realize this and kept firing at full blast. Meaning your hell fire was bound to run out quickly. Honestly, what are they teaching you at the school?"

Coming to a stop next to Shoto, Toya looked down at his brother, smoke still leaking off him as the smell of burnt skin filled his nose. And for once, it wasn't his.

"You know, you're a real piece of work." He said, kicking his brother's hand lightly. "I saw that pitiful display you put on during the Sports Festival. Getting kicked around by a kid more self-destructive than me before completely giving up against Mr. Loud and Obnoxious. With the power gifted to you, you should have been able to stomp them both out with ease. Just what are you playing at with all these worthless displ-."

Suddenly, the burning hero broke off as he got a closer look at his brother's body and more specifically, what was actually happening.

The smoke emanating from his body was actually steam. Steam that wasn't coming from his burned clothes but rather his skin as Shoto used his ice Quirk to cool his body, effectively reducing the damage of not only that last attack, but also the strain on his body from both the use of his fire Quirk and the attacks he had been taking!

"Why you cheeky bastard." Toya said as a grin spread across his face, his stitched mouth straining as he fought back a laugh. "Aren't you clever. Where'd you learn to do something like that? Don't tell me you were holding back this entire fight. Isn't your school's motto to go beyond or some stupid crap like that? How do you plan to do that when you hold yourself back?"

Turning away from his brother, Shoto slowly pulled himself up onto his elbows, pointedly staring at the ground as he answered Toya's question.

"I wasn't." He grunted, making a point to avoid making eye contact. "I didn't start using this until your last attack. And I only did it by accident. I was actually trying to block your attack with ice."

"And instead, you ended up using your power to its fullest potential. Yeah, you'll have to forgive me for not quite buying that." Toya shot back, folding his arms as he stared down at his brother. "If you had been using that since the beginning of the fight, you'd have easily outlasted me. Hell, you'd outlast Endeavor in a fire fight. Why the hell don't you use it in every fight?"

Tightening his hands into fists, Shoto's face became more down trodden than before as he scooped up dirt as his nails dragged across the ground.

"I don't have the best control when using both my Quirks at once. I can barely move when doing it." Shoto explained, still refusing to look his brother in the eyes. "Against an opposition like you, I knew I couldn't afford to lose any mobility. Your fire power surpasses even dad's. So I was afraid I'd get caught out in the open, forced to take one of your attacks head on. And even if I didn't, I don't like using it if I can help it."

Sitting up, Shoto slowly closed his eyes, resting both hands in front of him, shakily taking a breath as he tried to figure out the next few words to try to explain how he felt to his brother.

However, before he could. Toya beat him to the punch.

"It makes you feel like you're exactly what Endeavor made you to be." He said, making Shoto look up at him in surprise, before nodding slightly, his gaze falling back to the ground.

"I know he regrets what he did. Or at least he says he does. But a part of me still rejects him for what he did, still hates him for it. And that part of me wants to reject him for everything he's done and refute his every desire. Or maybe I want to make my own way forward? I don't know, It's just-! It's just complicated." Unable to really express his feeling properly, Shoto angrily threw some dirt on the ground in front of him, letting out a frustrated sigh as he closed his eyes and turned his face skyward, feeling the warm sun on his face.

"Look, I know you have your problems with dad, we all do. But I still think he might be willing to change, treat us like family. But at the same time, I don't want to be just the result of a Quirk marriage. I guess what I'm saying is, I don't want to be in his shadow. I want to be my own self, not just the son Endeavor made to defeat All Might."

Opening his eyes, Shoto turned to Toya, his face blank as he waited for an answer.

However when he got it, it was not what he was expecting.

"You know what? You are an idiot." Toya scoffed, looking down at him with an annoyed expression making the young brother look even more confused than before.

"What are you-?"

"Shut up." Toya cut in, pointly kicking dirt into Shoto's face, making him throw up his hands in an attempt to shield his eyes, silencing the boy as his older brother continued uninterrupted.

"I thought you got over your daddy issues during the school festival when you decided to use both your Quirks. Why the hell are you going back on that right now? Get over yourself." Toya spoke with complete confidence and without a shred of doubt, calmly making a point to kick more dirt at his brother when he opened his mouth to protest.

"Who cares what that stupid old dead beat wants? You're you. Stop trying to separate your Quirk from his legacy. It's your power, use it however you want. Everything you do isn't his actions, it's yours, so stop holding yourself back because of what that worthless man did or didn't do and just be yourself. Because if you don't, I'm gonna surpass All Might before you do. And then let's be real, any hope you have of being number one is going right down into the toilet. So stop wasting time and hurry up and get to that spot and enjoy while you have. Because I'm gonna dethrone you in a heartbeat. Then, everyone who ever doubted me will have to eat their words and suck up to the new number one Hero, the Great Dabi!"

Staring blankly up at his brother for a few seconds, Shoto quickly found his worries disappear as he let out a laugh, leaning back on his elbows as his chest immediately felt light, the anxiety leaving his body at his rival's claim.

"Right, the guy who burns himself up whenever he uses his Quirk. Yeah, he'll be the next number one hero for sure." Shoto joked. "Well, I guess I'm gonna need to train even harder then. Because once I get to the top, I plan on staying there until retirement."

Sneering down at him, Toya let out his own good natured chuckle. "Good to know, I'll make sure to break a few limbs so you can save face when I beat you." He said blatantly. "But you know, when that does happen, I expect a cut of your paycheck as payback for all the help I've given you. You know, repaying my investment and all that crap. After all, I'd hate to take you to court over your failure to perform to the standards I helped you achieve."

Coming to a stop here, Toya placed his hand on his chin, eyes drifting to the side as he pretended to think.

"I have to admit, I kinda feel bad about putting even more debt onto a struggling student. But seeing as his daddy is loaded, I think I'll make an exception just for you. How about we get something to eat on the way back home. Naturally, loser buys."

With that, Toya leaned down, offering Shoto his hand with a cocky, playful grin on his face.

Chuckling at this, Shoto shook his head. "Of course." He said, reaching up and taking his brother's hand. "Always something with you. Fine, I'll pay, but I pick the venue."

Pulling him up, the two brothers exchanged one last look before they both turned and headed back toward town, the two making light conversation on their way.

"Fine by me. Pick whatever you want. I know you're a picky eater." Toya jabbed, stuffing his hands into his pocket as he walked next to his brother. "But if I can offer a suggestion, I'd say pick an all you can eat place. Cause I'm hungry and Hawks has had me working overtime all week. So right now, I could probably eat a skyscraper."

Rolling his eyes at this, Shoto chuckled as they fell into place next to each, his gaze fixed forward as he knew his brother was at his side. Something he knew would never change.

"Don't worry, I know a good all you can eat sushi place." He said pointedly, drawing a loud groan from Toya, causing him to burst out in laughter. Earning him a sharp elbow from the older sibling in retaliation.

"Cheeky brat." The blue flame user muttered. "Good to know my generous nature is being taken advantage of by my spoiled little brother. You know, I have a mind to make the chef poison you for pulling this crap on me. Annoying little brat."

Despite his threats, Shoto only laughed harder, his brother's empty, but every detailed threat never failed to amuse him.

"Yeah well, you want your investment back, then I need to do well, otherwise you're down a creek without a paddle." Shoto said, pretending to be innocent. "By the way, I have some law homework waiting for me back home. Don't suppose you could help me with that once we finish eating. After all, can't be a good hero if I don't know where the bonds of law end and harassment begins."

"Don't push your luck." Toya said, pretending to be annoyed. But the sly grin on his face told a very different story, one that made Shoto smile, something Toya joined in.

And so, as the two made their way back to the city, they fell into an easy, if not graphic conversation, enjoying the pointless banter that they knew would fill their days for some time to come.

I kinda feel like both Todorokis became out of character during the last bit, but oh well. I don't really have the time to fix it.

Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed.