#like Touya's been dead to them for six years or more

[problemswithbooks]

So, I think I just saw one of the worst takes for ch. 390--that being that Enji is being his asshole self because he's talking over Touya in his last moments.

I understand hating a character but I really don't know why people have the need to read everything they do from the most malicious angle possible. I get that Enji was a bad father, and even now makes mistakes, but it's really unfair to see him apologizing to Touya who has already been aloud to use what little breath he has left to speak, as him talking over him.

And the thing is people were shitting on Enji for not apologizing earlier, but now that he is, they have to find some other reason he's being terrible. I'm 100% positive that if Enji had just listened to Touya rant about hating everyone and wanted them all to die, these same people would say he was bad for not saying anything/apologizing.

Touya was barely coherent before Shoto froze him and now he's freezing from the inside out. He's charred to the bone and it's clear he's having trouble speaking the few times he did. For all the family knows, including Enji, Touya is dying. Does Enji really have the time to wait to apologize? And it's not like we see Touya trying to speak but getting cut off.

Saying Enji is making everything all about himself and speaking over Touya is overly harsh and clearly not the point the story is trying to make. It's just Enji finally apologizing to everyone, including Touya. The apology may not be enough, but even if it's not, it won't be because Enji talked over him and more that it came to late, or that words don't speak as loud as actions.

[transhawks]

For the sake of helping me understand, what exactly are you expecting to get out of Hawks supposedly having a break down or apologizing? It would add absolutely nothing to his character, bestie believe it or not, Hawks having a break down in the middle of a war in front of All For One is such a bad narrative drive that I don’t even know how Hori would accomplish it and stay true to his character. So 🤷‍♀️ I mean sure, go ahead believe what you want to believe, but Hawks apologizing would not work for the narrative

Bro.

Bro.

All For One is about to hitchhike on a Black Bird or Gale Force Taxi. His Uber has arrived. Bye!!! He has an appointment with Tomura's body to get to, even if trying to kill blonde twinks is a hobby.

So yeah uhh where does that leave Keigo?

Idk with two landmines - his narrative foiling with Dabi and the whole Endeavor thing or he goes and deals with Toga and Twice, who are trying gto specifically kill him. Now uhh the narrative is not going to let Twice or Toga do that. Sorry but it's too late. Toga isn't going to kill anyone in this story l, she's going to be redeemed in the like next 30ish chapters. She is not killing Keigo.

Neither is Twice btw.

Now,

1. Better people than I have broken down how Hawks's fixation is harmful, and hints at something very dark. A breakdown could like mean Hawks poses a threat to Touya, prompting Enji to get off his ass and prove he loves his son already.

2. Stop thinking like a powerscaler and more like a person who realizes the overarching theme of this manga is to connect to others even if they don't think they deserve the chance. Keigo was written to fail with Jin. He was written to be the example of a hero not doing and saying the right thing and this his plot assigned villain is dead. Do you think there are not narrative consequences for that? We've been teaspoon fed for years signs of him cracking, additionally, do you genuinely think Toga can get her redemption if Keigo is justified by the plot in what he did to her friend? No.

The solution to this war is in what was not done in the very beginning - talking. It was not done. Keigo held Jin at knifepoint and told him to do as he said or else. Like I said, you can't tell someone you love them at knifepoint, which is why Toga failed with Izuku, and why Keigo failed to convince Jin he actually gave a fuck about him. Trust comes actual trust and that requires vulnerability on both sides.

Hawks's breakdown is him finally letting those walls down that stopped him from really connecting with Jin. It won't bring Jin back, but this is a hopeful shounen with a happy ending damn it, and there's no way to make this world a better place if people don't wish to change.

Listen... In a manga about giving people more chances, if we have Enji redeeming himself at the end of this and showing his son that he loves him, if we can have Deku reaching that little boy who was told he can only destroy, or Ochako telling the little girl who was made a monster for just wanting to love and be loved in turn, we can have Keigo Takami realizing that helping others doesn't mean you have to give up parts of yourself to do so.

Anyway, I'm just done with this topic when it will likely be resolved within the next six weeks.

[dasspaceace]

☆what are you☆

She had no idea what this child was saying. She hadn’t been listening to her for quite some time. One of the small bonuses of precognition with no off-switch was that she had seen this entire scenario now probably 1,500 times. She knew which cards to play to keep up the appearance, she knew by the cadence of Toga’s voice when to nod or laugh. All the while in the backdrop, every other inch of her finely tuned, heightened awareness of reality was waiting for the sound she knew was coming.

“Anyway, I’m excited but I’m worried too…what if Deku does think that -” Her sentence cut short as the entire complex reverberated with a tremendous…roar. There was no other way to describe it - it boomed like thunder, but instead of rumbling, it trailed off into a rattling screech. Toga had gone dead still. “What was that?”

Nix tossed the last three cards into the pile between them and stood up, letting her hands slap off her thighs. For the first time in weeks her inane little grin was genuine. “Time to go!” She walked straight past Toga who, bewildered, also got to her feet.

“Time to go - what? What do you mean "time to go?” Toga questioned, a slightly frantic note in her voice.

“Time to go, silly. You should really come with me, you know. You won’t. But you should.”

“Nix, what are you talking about? You can’t just leave!”

“I can and I will, Himiko. No power in the verse can stop me except the one at the door~" She gave a little skip. It hadn’t been that long since she last saw Harper, maybe a week, but it always felt like it had been forever because of her constant precognition. Some days entire epochs flashed through her head, so five minutes or five years could both feel like forever.

The tremendous, booming roar-screech sounded off again. Toga flinched and swung herself around in front of Nix, tossing her arms out to her sides to block the woman’s path. “You can’t leave! At least not til we know what’s making that scary ass sound! What if we’re under attack? You’re too special!”

Nix stopped short and let her glamour slide off, just a little, for the briefest moment. For maybe all of 3 seconds Himiko Toga saw past the blander face she presented to the world - the freckled, hazel eyed lady with the silvery-brown hair, with the cute little elf ears, cute little fangs, cute little claws. She was confronted by a faceted, bewinged, electric thing that had too many eyes that saw far too much into her. Her eyes went huge and she sucked in a sharp breath, stumbling back from Nix.

She landed hard on her ass and yelped softly, looking back up at the woman. Her hair was lighter, more white - it was always the first thing to change when she dropped the glamour slowly. She very gently stepped around the shell-shocked girl and patted the top of her head.

She heard Dabi slide into the hall behind her and just kept walking. The little jangly, crystallized hovering crown finished manifesting itself when he finally caught up, having stopped to question Toga.

“Hey! The fuck do you think you’re going? What’s at the door Nix?”

“Death is at the door Touya Todoroki and I go to greet him!” She gleefully yelled as she whirled around mid-step with her arms outstretched, a full mad cheshire grin plastered on her elfin featured face. Dabi froze, clearly taken aback by her demeanor. She shriek-laughed and whirled back around as another booming roar rattled the place. It was much louder and closer now.

She marched out into the open silo in the complex they were inhabiting. The sweater tied around her waist had at this point morphed into what looked like a long trail of white feathers that were, in fact, just folded down wings. The foolish boy had followed her out, still yelling at her to come back.

She briefly sprinted out to the middle of the silo, with him still chasing behind her, whipped around and snapped the six wings out. They moved more like whips than things made of feather and bone, the shape entirely customizable to her will in the moment. She made them into long, thin, pronged things - like fishbones, almost - and used them like a Jacob’s Ladder; electricity racing along them like snakes.

She clasped her two hands together like a gun and raised them towards the heavy metal scaffolding around the edges and top of the silo. She shut her left eye, grinned like a mad bomber and shouted “Pew pew bitch!”

The electric current in the wings raced down through her arms and fired off deafeningly like a railgun from her hands, filling the air with the sound of wrenching metal as it brought down huge swaths of the platforms and constructions. She had timed it right, none of it would hit him. She kept up her playful demeanor, the show of power was entirely a bluff, a loud don’t follow me. He had to face the reckoning of his father’s sins with the rest of his family, which meant he couldn’t be chasing her.

She spun back around, her eye picking out the faint bioluminous edges on Harper’s feathers as he circled around above. She kind of…unfolded herself, her whole form going over bright white and spreading out until it became an absolutely colossal bird-dragon.

It was like someone had merged a phoenix with a wyvern and then painted it white with luminous blue-white light on all the edges. It had winged forelimbs with a full on hand at the wing joint and dense, muscular hind legs, but the face, feet, tail and feathers were all bird. It was also just massive - the removal of some of the scaffolding would have been needed for it to fit out, so it was gonna come down anyway.

She launched herself up with a powerful kick off. Dabi raced forward in a blind panic and grabbed one of the absolutely gigantic, phoenix-eye tail feathers as it dragged along the ground. She gave her arms a powerful beat and snatched him up into the sky with a yelp. He clung tight to the feather, immediately having a small panic.

What in the actual fuck am I doing? What is this woman!? She has precognition, her quirk is fuckin’ foresight, right!? WHY IS SHE A FUCKIN’ BIRD!?!?

He shook himself out of it a little and resolved himself to at least try to do something since he was already here, rope climbing up the feather as she flew straight up. A loud, sing-song lilting bird cry sounded above him and he looked up, horrified, to see her go into a graceful back-flip-to-a dive.

He got snatched into a loop with a yell, only to see her coming back up again. She started to drag him into a second loop - she could actually see him regretting his life choices in real time as she reached the crest of her up-and-over arc - when she dropped the bird form and resumed her humanoid form.

Meaning that when the feather he was clutching vanished out from under him, the momentum carried him upwards, face to upside down face with Nix - who stared back at him with mad glee in her hazel eyes and in her smile, that same eerie blue-white light burning in her pupils. “Fly birdy!” She flung her arms out to her sides, reaching for him, as the crystals above her head cracked open into dozens of glittering, bejeweled eyes that stared into his soul and immediately knew everything.

“F L Y."

He instantly knew what Toga had meant when she had said Nix “isn’t a person”. Any shred of sanity he had screamed at him that this was something wildly above his pay grade. He flinched, which was what she had been counting on. She reached further forward and leaned into the intimidation factor with a shrill, creepy giggle. He physically recoiled from her, folding in on himself to speed his descent.

Harper nearly thumped him with his wing as he swooped under her, whisking her off into a starried portal above them and away. Dabi broke his fall with his fire quirk, enough to prevent any major injury anyway - he did bounce a few times and would have impressive bruises. When he got to his feet he found Toga just staring up at the sky, wide eyed.

“What…was living with us for the last four months?”

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 317: My Boy Was Just Like Me

Previously on BnHA: AFO randomly blew up Lady Nagant as a good reminder of why you should never make a deal with this fucking guy, smdh. Hawks was all “well if it isn’t my two best friends, Deku and Lady Nagant, both of whom I respect and love tremendously.” Everyone was all “??” and Horikoshi was all “shh... just pretend” because it was too embarrassing for him to admit that he forgot to write a couple of set-up flashbacks I guess. Anyway so Hawks got Lady to tell them where AFO was hiding out, and everyone said goodbye to her and Overhaul, who never did get to see his boss (sorry buddy, I’ll send you a vial of my tears in the mail), and headed out to a house in the woods. AFO was all “hello Deku :) :) it sure is fun making you suffer :) :) :) anyways this is a trap”, and blew up the house. Yeah, we all here are getting reaaaaaaaal tired of your shit, AFO.

Today on BnHA: The Hawksquad and Edgeplatoon meet in a warehouse and are all “what should we do about the fact that everything sucks?” Mt. Lady is all “here’s a thought, what if we tried battling AFO with more than six people.” Hawks and Endeavor are all “great initiative, but just a friendly reminder that our friends also suck and would probably betray Deku which would suck further still.” Shouto is all “ANSWER THE PHONE DAD” and Endeavor is all “[IRONICALLY DOESN’T ANSWER THE PHONE].” Meanwhile over in Sadtown, capital of Sadland Prefecture, Japan, Deku is all “All Might, as you can clearly see I am completely fine and good, never been better in fact, definitely not caught up in the throes of an epic mental breakdown which is shutting me down emotionally, anyway so on that note I would like to leave you now goodbye!!” All Might is all “[can’t actually form any words because he’s too distraught].” Fandom is all “o(╥﹏╥)o.” Horikoshi is all “(*＾-’) 乃 [pew pew finger guns and barrel rolls into the darkness].”

sweet jesus lord

this literally doesn’t even look like Deku anymore?? this looks like Dark!Deku who shows up to fight you in that one room in the Water Temple. he looks like he’s about to crawl out of my television set and murder me with his psychic powers good lord

holy shit lmao Horikoshi is really just shrugging his shoulders and resolving last week’s cliffhanger with a single line of dialogue

fire is no one’s weakness. idk what other options you’ve got, AFO, but you’re gonna have to go back to the drawing board. maybe try bees or something. I’m just saying. we’re all expecting fire at this point but nobody is expecting bees

anyway so now they’re all sitting in some warehouse somewhere chatting about it I guess. shoutout to Horikoshi for finally giving my man Edgeshot some more dialogue at long last

well, Edgeshot, to answer your question, she exploded. so naturally she’s fine

nah just kidding, Hawks says she won’t be able to help them out much because she’s recovering from being exploded. this is the part where we all ignore the fact that Hawks got set on fire for like a full ten minutes back during the War arc and was only in the hospital for a day. anyways enjoy your temporary plot hiatus Nagant

man there’s a lot of dialogue here and I’m trying to figure out where to insert commentary but it’s kinda difficult lol. basically, Edge and the others are saying that they should gather up the other remaining heroes and get them all caught up on the whole OFA situation. which, hmmmm

like on the one hand, these guys definitely aren’t going to cut it on their own, so it’s a reasonable suggestion on the face of it. but on the other hand, do we really want to entrust the OFA secret to a bunch of other people, most of whom shat the bed during the War arc to be quite frank? is it really worth the additional risk? especially given that any one of them might go spilling the beans to the public -- or worse, betray them to AFO??

also just a quick side note here, Mt. Lady’s character development never ceases to delight me. she’s become so committed to her responsibility as a hero these days, and it fucking suits her. I genuinely consider to be one of the elites now. I mean it doesn’t hurt that all the other elites are fucking dead lol but still

wait what? Death Arms retired??

Death Arms as in the guy who was too afraid of a little fire to try and save a terrified 14-year-old kid who was slowly suffocating right before his eyes?? that Death Arms???? color me surprised. shocked, I tell you

...okay but holy fuck

Death Arms. bro. my expectations for you were low but holy shit. like I’m sorry, but I don’t even have it in me to try and pretend like I feel the slightest bit of sympathy for him or Old Man Samurai or any of those other guys today. thanks for a whole lot of nothing my dude. good riddance

(ETA: so I’m rereading this the next day and realize this comes off as kind of harsh, so let me just try to clarify. it’s not the fact that he’s quitting that bothers me, to be honest. it’s the fact that he’s quitting specifically because he feels like the public is being mean to him. that’s it.

seriously. it would be one thing if he was quitting because he was scared, because now that is human. nobody wants to die, and I doubt any amount of training can ever fully prepare someone to go up against that fear. but the thing is, he never once mentions that, or talks about the danger aspect. instead, I got the distinct vibe from this speech that Death Arms is one of those people who only became a hero because of the limelight. and I just don’t have any patience for that. if all you care about are likes and subscribes then go become a fucking youtuber or some shit. nothing wrong with that! but you didn’t; you signed up to be a hero and protect these people. they gave you their respect and admiration because they trusted you to protect them. and now that they’re no longer in the mood to worship and applaud your every move on account of them being scared shitless because they’re living in the literal end times, you decide to dip. so like okay, fine then. don’t let the door hit you on the way out. anyways lol sorry for the rant.)

anyway so yeah. perfect example of why I don’t exactly have a ton of faith in most of the remaining heroes out there lol. also let me just once again give a shoutout to my best girl Mt. Lady whom I suddenly find myself appreciating all the more

“please calm down makeste. drink some water and enjoy this fresh new jeans pun” listen Horikoshi don’t tell me what to do dammit

fine. it is a nice pun, I guess

-- damn so now Endeavor’s saying that the media is already being fed info by the retired heroes. so for some of these guys it wasn’t enough for them to abandon all the people they swore to protect and to leave their fellow heroes out in the cold; they decided they might as well actively make things worse for them while they were at it, huh. like I get wanting to spill all the dirty secrets from your old job that you just quit, but this isn’t Jeff Bezos you’re screwing over, this is a sixteen-year-old kid

-- like, yes!! this, right here!!

exactly!! let’s not forget that there are already two prior instances of this happening. Endeavor arguably deserved it, but Katsuki not so much

huh. Endeavor seems to have a more optimistic outlook regarding this than I do lol

I mean, this is the same public that didn’t hesitant to blame a kidnapped child for his own kidnapping, and then later on for being the downfall of the Symbol of Peace. but okay then

anyway so blah blah blah, more talk about how they need to use Deku as bait, which basically puts them back at square one, and then they’re all just trailing off into silence and sitting around in the dark lmao this is getting very depressing

SKDJFLSDKJ:LFKJ

SHOUTO?????

NOOOOOOOO ARE YOU KIDDING ME

OH HOW THE TURNTABLES OMG. THE GHOSTER HAS BECOME THE GHOSTEE. Endeavor you petty son of a bitch. and what a brutal cut to that flashback too. “let’s stop Touya together” nah Shouto I’ve got a better idea why don’t I abandon you in U.A. and sally off with Hawks and Jeanist to found the “let’s pretend like we’re doing something to help Deku” club, which basically consists of us sitting around making terrible decisions all day long

Shouto, honey. you deserve better my little Coca Cola can. .........but if you really do have something important you need to tell your dad you could just text it to him. all the love and support, hugs and kisses, you’re doing amazing sweetie. but if you need to pass on any vital information you can just write it down and hit send honey that’s all I’m saying love

now he’s getting another call?? -- or, no, Hawks is getting a call from All Might

ARE YOU FOR REAL HAWKS OMFG

so while you all were sitting around talking about how useless you are, the kid you’re supposed to be protecting was battling another hired gun. I see. please pardon me for one second, I have a phone call to make. the phone call is to RockLockRock and Manual. the reason for the call is to apologize for calling them the worst bodyguards ever back during the War arc. the reason for the apology is because it turns out I WAS SEVERELY MISTAKEN OMFG

JESUS CHRIST DEKU DID YOU JUST KILL THIS MAN LMAO

shoutout to Horikoshi for offscreening this fight. we get it, lol. Deku strong and scary, villains ineffectual and feeble, and AFO... [checks notes] yep, still a dick. the angst arc continues

-- the angst arc continues, SIR

jesus christ I may have to rethink all of my opinions about Deku being framed for murder in movie 3 lmao. never mind. he did it, your honor

holy fucking shit Deku. “he might blow up, so please be careful” fdlskjflk jlskdjflk lwkejflk anyway so I’ve decided the explosion running gag can stay, actually

DEKU WAIT YOU FORGOT YOUR LUNCH!!

lol why do I get the feeling some serious shit is about to go down. ALL MIGHT NEVER MIND BACK OFF I THINK HE NEEDS HIS SPACE

OH MY FUCK I GASPED OUT LOUD

NO NO NO. I KNEW THIS WAS COMING GODDAMMIT BUT NO. NEVER MIND, I CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT IT, I’M NOT READY TO CRY TODAY

shit. shit shit shit shit and OF COURSE all I can fucking think about is that stupid fucking prophecy and gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Deku please. please please please if you really are going to leave All Might here, please be so very careful in choosing your farewell words to him now because have this sudden horrible fear that this might be the last time you ever see him alive and oh god. oh god oh god

DEKU NO, YOU’RE REALLY NOT!?!?

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYONE LESS FINE IN MY LIFE, ACTUALLY????

holy shit. and the fucking callback to the prophecy now. just in case we forgot. WHICH FYI, WE DIDN’T. but that’s basically confirming that this is all still very much on the table and HORIKOSHI NEVER FORGETS oh my god someone please hold me

and the fact that Deku’s flashing back to it now too, though?? because he never forgot either, because of course he didn’t, and now all this stuff is happening, and AFO’s words are getting to him, and this is literally his worst fear come to life and so of course he’s distancing himself from everyone, and now it’s finally come to even this. even the person he admires most

-- OKAY NO, FUCKING COME ON ALREADY I CAN’T TAKE THIS

I GET IT OH MY GOD, I ALREADY UNDERSTAND THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF THIS MOMENT WITHOUT ALL OF THE DEVASTATING FLASHBACKS THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!! YOU ACTUALLY DO WANT ME TO CRY, HUH, IS THAT IT. THIS MAN THAT HE THINKS OF AS A FATHER, THIS MAN WHO HAS BEEN EVERYTHING TO HIM SINCE HE WAS A VERY YOUNG CHILD. EVERYTHING THEY’VE BEEN THROUGH, JUXTAPOSED AGAINST EVERYTHING DEKU IS UP AGAINST, EVERYTHING THAT’S AT RISK. LET’S JUST PUT IT ALL SIDE BY SIDE. LET’S JUST PILE ON ALL OF THE FEELS

(ETA: just a quick note that even though some of the posts I’ve read have described these as All Might’s flashbacks, I’m pretty sure they are Deku’s. most of these are scenes that only he was there for, so yeah. even though All Might is the one thinking the thoughts on the next page, the flashbacks are what’s running through Deku’s mind right now, and so we’re getting that emotion from both of them, which makes it extra devastating lol.)

wait, what???

WHAT??? do you really think that’s why he’s been so determined to protect you this entire time?? simply because you’re his successor?

-- oh no wait lol I think I got that mixed up, this is All Might saying that Deku feels the need to protect him. well that makes more sense lol

oh my god I cannot

his last words. his last words to him. and we can’t even see if he is smiling, like All Might always encouraged him to do. but what are the odds he can’t actually bring himself to do it. what are the odds he’s actually crying. oh god this scene is going to rip my heart out and STOMP on it in the anime isn’t it. Deku’s VA is going to full on murder me with emotion. not that there’ll be much of me left to murder after the thorough job that Horikoshi has already done here

YOU’RE CRYING. DEKU IS LEAVING ALL MIGHT AND IGNORING HIS OUTSTRETCHED HAND AND YOU’RE CRYING. AND BY “YOU” I MEAN “ME”, FUCK

nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope no words just feels just a big ol’ pile of feels. I do not have the strength. future me... [broadly gestures] good luck with all that

(ETA: LOL, WELL THEN.

what breaks my heart here is All Might. All Might, and everything he’s been through, and history repeating itself, and forcing him to live this moment from both sides because he wasn’t strong enough to fix things.

Toshinori had only just turned eighteen when Nana died. like, I feel like we don’t mention this enough. the All Might we know is a sixty-something-year-old man, and so everyone always talks about him like he’s basically been an adult forever. but he was a child when he met Nana. and he was still just a child when she died. barely a year older than Deku is now. younger than Mirio was when we first met him.

and we don’t talk about that. we don’t talk about how devastating that was for him. and we don’t talk about how the reason he grew up to become so reserved and withdrawn -- for all that he always tried so hard to outwardly project the image of a bold, confident, smiling hero -- was specifically because of what AFO did to him. because AFO targeted him in the exact way that he is now targeting Deku. because that’s what he does. he goes after every new user of OFA, and he finds out what’s most important to them, and then he destroys it. and for Toshinori, that was Nana. if you’ve read All Might Rising, you know that AFO basically killed her in front of him (and only killed her, while letting Toshinori and Gran get away). Toshinori (while crying) later says she was like a mother to him. and interestingly enough, during this same conversation, Gran tells Toshinori that he can see “that madness in [his] eyes” when Toshi talks about becoming strong enough to defeat AFO. madness in his eyes. sound familiar??

what’s happening to Deku now is the exact same thing that happened to Toshinori when he was a boy. AFO tried every bit as hard to break him as he’s trying with Deku now. “the path you’ve chosen is a thorny one. every battle grinds away at your soul with no end in sight.” we don’t talk about how Toshinori experienced this same thing for forty fucking years. and all the while isolating himself, exactly like Deku is doing now. pushing people away, exactly like Deku. because he never had anyone who was able to reach out and pull him back. and those words that he now finds himself frozen and unable to speak -- “don’t push yourself”; “you can rest” -- are the same words that no one ever said to him until decades later, when it was already far too late to make any difference.

everything that Deku is experiencing now is what Toshinori also went through. and it’s only now, as he watches it happen to his student, the boy he loves like a son, that he’s finally starting to realize the full extent of how wrong it was. you shouldn’t have to fight alone. you shouldn’t have to bear that kind of enormous burden alone. you shouldn’t have to push yourself, and you can rest. you can rest.

but it’s too late. just as he’s finally coming to understand it all, it’s all too fucking late. and he can’t say the words, he doesn’t know how to say the words, and then just like that, Deku is gone.

and he’s alone. again.)

I can’t. this can’t be their goodbye. I’m not ready. for this to be how they finally part, and then they never see each other again except in OFA. how is that fair. how is that fair. how is that fair

fuck me. lol. how many pages are left in this thing. let’s just wrap this up lol. so now of all the times for this fucking guy to finally show up

I can’t believe Stain has been here literally this entire time hiding behind this random wall and cutting onions. that was you who was cutting the onions, right. no need to answer that we’ll just say it was

HORIKOSHI JUST END THE CHAPTER PLEASE I’M OUT OF SPOONS. YOU HURT ME SO GOOD AND I LOVE YOU FOR IT BUT YOU NEED TO LET ME GO NOW SO I CAN BEGIN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO PUT MY LIFE BACK IN ORDER HERE. SO WHERE ARE WE CUTTING TO NOW WHAT IS HAPPENING

Stain did you also let AFO give you a new quirk. what’s with you guys. do you like blowing up

oh nvm lol because they were talking about THIS GUY ohhhhhh my fucking god

THAT’S BECAUSE HE’S SAD, LINDA!! jesus

omfg. and so yes, good, the chapter is ending here now on page 15. for once I am FULLY on board with that lmao

anyway so tune in next week for more adventures of Werewolf Deku!! that is, assuming we don’t finally cut back to U.A. at long last, which is actually a strong possibility considering that this chapter will likely mark the end of volume 31. it sure wouldn’t kill Horikoshi to start giving us some hope after everything he’s just put us through lol. KACCHAN COME GET YA BOY

[fuwushiguro]

All The Things You Said

Hawks x f!reader | Dabi x f!reader

Characters: Hawks, Dabi

Genre: Smut & Angst

Notes: Valentine’s Day Special!!! I LOVE this fic this is my favourite one I’ve written to date. Set in an AU, Hawks is only referred to as Keigo but he’s the owner of a company called Hawks. Dabi is Touya in this and he still has all his burns.

Warnings: 18+, dubcon/noncon, manipulation, daddy kink, possessiveness/jealousy, rough sex, public sex???? kinda, degradation, dumbification, brat taming???, choking, face fucking, spoiler warning!

Words: 10.3k

Synopsis: Your childhood best friend passed away and you never truly got over his death. Years later you manage to move on and end up engaged to someone else. Sure, you love him. But you’re not in love with him. How can you love anyone when you keep comparing them to someone who’s dead?

☆

☆

☆

I Miss You.

You were never fussed about Valentine’s Day. Of course you engaged in it, it’s an adoring time of year whether it be for a partner or loved ones. A day to express love is something everyone should partake in regardless of relationship status. But you weren’t single. The last six Valentine’s you had a boyfriend – scratch that – a fiancé. You loved him, dearly. He was a sweet, oh so sweet, man who treat you right. Loving you and cherishing you, wholly. So why was today so hard for you? Why did you struggle to enjoy the day with your whole entire being? You had loved ones; you even had the perfect partner. What’s missing? You worried when the time came around, because your fiancé always went above and beyond to express his love for you. So why was it that you felt unfulfilled? Why isn’t it enough for you. You do love him. You tell him so, daily. You tell yourself daily too. And it was true. You did love him. But you weren’t in love with him.

I Miss You.

You wake up with the same thought every day. It has been years since you saw him. Touya. You mourn him everyday like the wound is still fresh. How could your best friend die so young? The Todoroki family seemed to move on, so why couldn’t you? You still kept in contact, not a lot. Not enough to rouse suspicion from your partner. But enough to know what each of them were up too. It was only last year that Rei was released from her hospitalisation, you were happy for her. It had understandably taken a lot of time for her to recover from what happened to her eldest son. A house fire. It always struck you as unusual that the body was never recovered. Shoto told you (coldly you might add) that the heat from the fire was so hot he burnt to ash. His family scolded him for such a vile thought, but the youngest Todoroki boy had always been like that. Matter of fact. Up Front. Savage. Those words never left your memory. Is it even possible for flames to be so hot? The Todoroki’s cut all contact with Enji. The way he had treated the family was unforgiveable, and the death of your childhood sweetheart was the final straw. He was your age. What would he be doing today if he survived? Would you have been engaged to him instead of your current beau? He always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a fireman, ironic isn’t it?

I Miss You.

You’d spoken to Rei, recently, since her release. She adored you. She was fond of your little friendship with her son. She had photographs of the two of you, telling you not to hesitate and visit to look through them with her. She loved looking at old photographs. She adored her boy. He was such a treasure to her, a wonderful son who couldn’t be more perfect. But you knew that. He was the most perfect person you’d ever met. Such fire laid within him, he was hot headed but it was all put into his determination. He so desperately wanted to prove himself to Enji, but he wasn’t good enough. How couldn’t he see that his son was more than enough? You’ve never met anyone like him since, and you’re sure you never will. How could you? There was only one Touya, and you like to think he’s watching you. You want to think you’re making him proud.

I Miss You.

Keigo was a wonderful man. He was rich, handsome and had an upstanding job. But he certainly wasn’t Toya. You’re never able to shake the feeling that Keigo propositioned you because of your social standing. Your mother is a well-respected politician. Your father is a doctor. You’re an only child. You’d been raised destined for greatness, and Keigo did his research. He didn’t let it slip, in fact he still hasn’t. But he said something that exposed him. On your fifth date, he told you that he voted for your mother in the most recent council election. You never told him who your mother was. You don’t mind, why would you? He did his research. But why is what you weren’t sure of. But you had your suspicions nonetheless. He wanted a wife with a high social standing. A woman on his arm and a ring on her finger who was the daughter of a politician and a surgeon. What is more respectable than that? Keigo showed his love through his spending. He was so rich, the thought of his net worth forced blood to rush to your cheeks. You couldn’t believe someone like him would want a simple Mathematics Major like you. When you met Keigo, you had no intention of letting him pursue you. It had been eleven years since Toya passed when you met him. You couldn’t get him off your mind, you couldn’t if you tried. Each morning you woke up and thought of his face. Your memories. And hell you still do. It’s been seventeen years since you lost him now. But it has gotten easier, and you have Keigo to thank for that. Whether his intentions are honourable or not. You didn’t think you’d ever allow yourself to love or be loved by another man. You were eighteen when you met the honey haired gentleman. It was unfair to hold anyone to the standard of Touya. No one would ever compare. Why place that pressure on your shoulders or anyone else’s?

I Miss You.

Your university friends told you it was stupid to hold onto the love of your seven-year-old self. But you couldn’t help it. Every single day of your little lives you talked about growing up. You being you, super forward, you told him that you loved him. Daily. You talked about wanting to marry him every single day. And him being a young boy, he was repulsed. But you wore him down. He told you he wanted to be married and be best friends forever. Rei overheard this little conversation as she brought some juice for the two of you and hatched a plan. She forced you both into the TV room and demanded that you focus your attention on the cartoons that were playing. When she came back to collect you, the back garden was decorated in flowers and a prop wedding set she’d purchased for Fuyumi one Christmas. She’d never used it. She gave Touya a little tuxedo and gave you the wedding dress that came with the set. You had your wedding. His siblings attended, even Enji cracked a smile. Rei took so many photographs. You couldn’t wait to visit her again to reminisce on that moment. You remembered one photograph in particular. You were under the wedding arch, Toya had his arm around you with the biggest grin on his face. And you were laughing. Joyously laughing, that moment was bliss. You were a seven-year-old widow.

I Miss You.

You weren’t yourself after he died. You stopped talking. You barely ate, your parents had to force water down your throat to keep you hydrated. They eventually took you to a psychologist. They suggested PTSD. She’s not a soldier, she’s never been to war. You remember your father’s words ringing in your ears. Waking up everyday knowing your best friend had burnt to death was a war all in itself. The psychologist encouraged them to inspire you to draw, to create, to dance. Anything to help you connect your thoughts in your mind to the muscle in your mouth. Drawing did help, the drawings were graphic in the beginning. You couldn’t stop yourself from using fiery red and orange crayons to draw the flames that consumed your friend. But as time passed, they became nice. You and him holding hands. Playing in the garden. Your pretend wedding. You did talk again, months later your talked. Your mother cried that day.

I Miss You.

But maybe your friend’s harsh words were right. Mourning a childhood love for eleven years would do you no favours at all. Besides, Keigo was extremely attractive. She told you if you didn’t take him for a test drive, she sure would. You lost your virginity to Keigo, you don’t know if he knows that. You never told him about Touya. You never told him about your mourning. That’s not something you want to share with another man, any man. You’d only known him for six months when he proposed to you. It is a huge decision for an eighteen-year-old to make. But like your mother said: you aren’t getting any younger, darling. You won’t do better than a man with his own company. She was right. If you thought you’d never love anyone more than Touya, why not marry someone as sweet as Keigo? He did love you after all. But he loved you a whole lot more than you loved him. He owned his own athletic company: Hawks. He sold athletic clothes as well as gear. It was so streamline and sought after, he rose to fame and fortune. He deserved it, he is such a nice man.

I Miss You.

☆ ☆ ☆

“Did you say something babe?” Your fiancé questioned as he emerged from the bathroom, toothpaste foaming in his mouth. You half-heartedly turned your head to meet his gaze, not quite sure what he said. You stared into his golden eyes that glimmered each time the sunlight beaming through the window dipped into them. You didn’t answer, what did he even say? “Sounded like you were saying you miss me over and over.” He added. You shook your head. Today wouldn’t be the day you’d tell him about Touya, that day didn’t exist. You insisted you were singing song lyrics, you had one line stuck in your head and kept repeating it over and over. Don’t you hate it when that happens? He smiled, taking his leave to spit his toothpaste into the sink. He remerged from the en-suite. His shirtless body shimmering with sweat. He must have been doing pull ups in the doorway again. His joggers riding particularly low, just below his pubic bone, revealing a light snail trail up to his belly button and teasing the beginnings of his trimmed bush. Your thoughts weren’t deterred. Still thinking about Touya.

You stood up, the time was ticking on and your day had to begin at some point. Touya’s memory wasn’t going anywhere, you could mourn him any time of day. Before you could leave, the blonde whistled to you, demanding your attention. Couldn’t he just say your name? What could be so important to forget decent manners?

“Have you brushed your teeth yet birdie?” He questioned. Lazily, you shook your head.

“Was just about too.” You told him. He approached you, almost menacingly, with a calculated smile on his face. What is happening? He handed a piece of paper to you. Oh for fuck sake. “Not now.” You told him.

“Read the clause.” He told you.

“I’ve read the fucking clause before I bought you the fucking things.” You moaned at him.

“So what’s the fucking hold up, dove?” He asked, stretching out his arms in question. You scrunched your face in annoyance. You curse your past self for buying such a stupid Valentine’s gift last year. How did he even have any left? Last year, you were so wrapped up and consumed in grief for Toyua, you forgot all about Valentine’s day. Before you returned home from your depressing day at his grave, you ran into a sex shop. Everything was so lewd and tacky, but you knew there’d be something you could get for your man. And there they were. Those god forsaken sex cheques. He loved them. You thought he’d be mad with the lack of effort on your behalf, but he was so amused. He ran through a few of them immediately. What else is Valentine’s Day for? You lost your ass virginity that day. You tied your hair into a ponytail with a bobble from your side table and Keigo began removing his joggers. “Get over here.” He commanded. The point of the cheques is that they can’t bounce, why didn’t you think of the consequences? You were in no mood to have your throat full of his skin.

You walked over to where he was sitting, palming himself. It’s these particular moments you see that your lover can’t keep up the perfect gentleman act twenty-four hours a day. Reluctantly you replaced his hand with your own and started pumping his cock. His head fell back instantly as the sensation washed over him. He let you continue as he started gently rocking his hips in unison with your pumping fist. You took it upon yourself to lower your head and began to suckle on his balls. A hearty moan fell passed the mans lips in delight. “What a good little whore you are, huh? Didn’t even have to tell you.” He expressed. You ignored him as you carried on, you kept suctioning the bags into your mouth and swirling your tongue around him. He laced his fingers into your hair as he watched you perform on him. The way the compliments, cusses and sighs were tumbling from his panting lips, you were sure you’d be able to make him cum from this alone.

But that’s not what he wanted. His gentle caressing of your hair that tangled between his fingers became a harsh grasp that caused you to stop what you were doing and yelp slightly with the sudden change in pressure to your scalp. “My cheque was for a blowjob baby, so why haven’t you given my cock any attention yet?” He questioned as he forced you to be eye level with his leaking slit. You cleared your throat, ready for the intrusion in your mouth.

“Sorry Sir.” You lamented. You ran your tongue across your lips and stretched your mouth into an ‘O’ shape, hoping you’d be able to control your gag reflex for as long as possible. You submerged his cock slowly into your mouth, eliciting more of the cursing he’d been moaning into the atmosphere. You felt more of his arousal seep from his erection, the flavour tickling the wet muscle that was sloshing around his member. You were doing a good job, the compliments hurling out of him repeatedly. It was enough to make you blush, you didn’t want to be doing this right now, but the praise was something that filled you with giddy pride. You thought you were doing a good job. But apparently not good enough.

“Stay still.” He directed. You did as you were told, wary, knowing what was about to take place. He had a firm clasp on your hair now, angling himself to be in the perfect position. “I’m going to fuck that pretty lil mouth of yours, okay dove?” He questioned, but not really. It was more of a warning. You hated when he did this. You’d told him so plenty of times, but he didn’t care. He told you the licking and bobbing was nice enough, but you couldn’t fuck him with your throat like he could himself. You felt dirty. This wasn’t a loving act, he was using you as his own personal toy to get off. He began to pick up his pace and he sounded like an animal. He was grunting and panting in between his moans. “What a perfect little – fuck – little slut you are for me baby. I’m, hng, I’m not gonna last.” He told you. You felt tears welling at your eyes. His pacing was relentless, and the assault was brutal. You just wanted it to be over, please hurry up. The thrusting endured. Holding your eyes shut so tightly, trying to stop the tears from slithering down your cheeks. But he wouldn’t allow that. He yanked your ponytail and pulled your gaze to his, his eyes alone were instructing you not to dare look away from him while he was giving you the gift of his enormous cock swelling into your throat. The pleasure, of him letting you be so lucky to taste his cum. A tear slipped from your lash line, and that’s when he did it. He’d found his high and chased his release. You felt creamy, warm spurts of his cum gather in your mouth, travelling around the orifice as he continued rocking into you. “Drink up birdie.” He smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. Almost caringly. You swallowed every drop of his seed that he’d released into your mouth. “Show me.” He instructed. You spat your tongue out and opened your mouth as wide as you could, moving your head around to show him all angles of the wet cavern. “What do you say?”

“Thank you, Sir.” You meekly responded.

“Good girl.” He helped you to your feet and you began walking towards the bathroom to shower and brush your teeth, desperate to erase the flavour of skin and salt from your tastebuds. “Do you want to do something together today?” He asked, before you had chance to leave the room.

“I have plans with Leah.” You told him.

“That’s fine,” He smiled, “We’ll be spending the whole day together tomorrow after all.” He reminded you, and you smiled back. You began to continue your journey towards the bathroom.

You heard footsteps getting louder and louder, you turned to face them. Keigo was following you.

“I think I’ll join you for a shower.”

☆ ☆ ☆

You’d never engaged in a bottomless brunch before, but Leah insisted. She was your oldest friend from your school days, and she knew how hard this time of year was for you. You had a bit of food but the pair of you were mostly consuming the mimosas. You couldn’t help but let your mind wander, the alcohol was going straight to your head after all. Normally when you’re in good company and being distracted, your mind doesn’t instantly race to Touya. But you just couldn’t help it dammit. Whenever you’d see a head of Crimson hair, you’d hope he’d survived the fire. It’s him, please be him. It never was. Why do you let yourself have hope? Why won’t you give Keigo the chance to love you wholly, why won’t you give yourself the chance to love him as much as he loves you? Leah made sure to check on you around this time every year, she’s a beautiful friend. Her soul is so kind, and she cares for you deeply. She’s one of those rare friends you know you can always count on. She’d offered to accompany you to Touya’s grave today, but you declined. That is something truly sacred. You had to do that alone.

You visited his grave regularly. Christmases, birthday’s, the anniversary of his death. His family were often in attendance for these days too, these would be the days you’d end up visiting the Todoroki home and having a catch up. But Valentine’s Day is a day you’d never seen any of them. Why is that? It’s a day for loved ones after all. Didn’t they love him? Maybe they didn’t care about Valentine’s Day, maybe to them it is only a day for couples. But you wouldn’t forget to give him your love. You had to start going the day prior to Valentine’s Day because of Keigo, you couldn’t explain any of this to him, it’s too much and too weird. He’s a jealous man. He may be the perfect gentleman, but no one is truly perfect. Just Touya. His harsh squeezes on your shoulder at business events never went amiss whenever another man would get too friendly with you. He’d never bring it up, but when you were in the privacy of your own home, he’d be silent. His punishment to you for allowing yourself to be taken in so easily by another man. You were just being polite. You’re just a cheap slut. You’d never forget that. He spat the words at you and forced you to sleep on the sofa. He had a seven-bedroom home, you could have slept in a spare room, but he wanted to punish you. Whores don’t deserve a bed. Are all men like this?

This was the trouble with being with one man seriously in your whole life. What did you have to compare him too? Is this how they all treat women? Would Touya grow up to be like this? You shook the thought and downed another flute of your mimosa. Leah suggested that you slow down, she was right. She was always right. You’d be a stuttering, slurring mess for Toya. He deserved better than that. You held your head in your hands and began talking to yourself, Leah couldn’t help but pity you.

“Pull yourself together. Come on, be better for Touya.” You whispered to yourself, but it was loud enough for your friend to hear. You’d been having a good time, but things were starting to go south. What were you thinking getting this wasted before the clock had even struck 12pm? You’d rather have been drunk tomorrow and spoil your day with Keigo than Touya. You see Keigo every single day of your life, you have to steal moments with Touya. How could you have done this to him?

“I think I should come with you today.” Leah insisted. You forcibly shook your head. Why can’t she understand? You have to do this alone. It’s one of the rare chances you can spend with him. “I won’t come in the cemetery, I’ll wait outside.” She added. You exhaled heavily.

“I appreciate it Leah, I do. But you can’t be there.” You expressed. She tucked her lips into a straight line and nodded, indicating that she understood. You slumped back in your seat and covered your eyes from the bright blue sky with your hand. You couldn’t think of anything other than the pounding headache that was slowly approaching and the embarrassment you’d be when you visited Touya’s resting place.

“At least share a cab with me, we can drop you off at the grave and I’ll go home.” She suggested. You agreed, if only to put her mind at ease. It wasn’t a terrible idea anyway, silly to leave separately when you could leave together. You consumed a bread roll from the basket that had been left on the table in an attempt to sober you up slightly and requested the bill. You were waiting a while before the staff made their way to assist you, you didn’t mind though. You were dreading going to the cemetery like this. Part of you questioned whether you should go at all. But you had to, if you didn’t go now, you’d be letting him down. Leah tried to insist on paying her part of the bill, but you wouldn’t hear of it. You weren’t paying your own part of the bill, Keigo was. It wasn’t like he couldn’t afford it. It’s the least he could do after battering the halls of your throat with his stupidly fat cock this morning, you were thankful that Leah hadn’t commented on your particularly raspy voice today. It’s humiliating. What could you even say? It would have to be tonsilitis. But how selfish of you for attending this bottomless brunch date with a contagious ailment! But again, thankfully she didn’t ask. You finally managed to pay your bill as Leah stood on the sidewalk trying to hail a cab. She beckoned you closer as her figure slinked into an eerily apt black taxi.

This is it.

☆ ☆ ☆

Text me if you need anything or if you need to talk.

That was the last thing Leah said before she was driven away in the back of the black cab. The reality is truly setting in now that you’re alone. You’re about to see him. You’re going to see Touya. You’d picked a bouquet of flowers before you attended your brunch date with Leah. You never knew what to leave for him every time you visited, you tried to change it up. He was such a happy kid, white lilies seemed too bleak for him. He was such a ball of energy. Nothing phased him; if he fell, he’d get back up and try even harder to do whatever he was setting his mind too. His fiery temper got him in trouble a number of times with his parents, you’d seen it first-hand, but he was always so caring with you. You chose red tulips today. They were different, you never bought tulips before, but they were so red. They reminded you of his hair. I hope he likes them. You’d been staring at the entrance gate for seven minutes. Just go in! Why aren’t your legs moving? Go! You thought to yourself. You were scared. It’s not like you’d never been before, what was wrong with you today?

*Ping*

You took your phone from your jacket pocket and saw a message from Leah.

L: Ur so strong, u can do this! Gud luck xxx

She’s like a mind reader. With that, you took a deep inhale and opened the gate. Your legs were moving at a glacial pace, but at least they were moving. You had all of the time in the world to spend here, talking with Touya and crying as much as you needed to. So, what was a slow walk to his side in the grand scheme of a whole day? You loved to visit him; he can’t talk back but it’s nice to pretend. It gives you some form of solace to picture what he might reply to what you’re telling him. You also loved to see what trinkets, flowers and mementos were left from his family members. Your pace instinctively picked up at the very thought, what little gems would you see this time.

Ten minutes passed by and you finally approached him. Hello Touya. You thought. You didn’t immediately come close, just close enough to read his epitaph. His tombstone had previously been a brilliant, titanium white. It was quite pricey, but Enji and Rei wanted the best for their son. The years hadn’t been kind to it though, the elements had tainted the beautiful white tombstone to a washed out grey, stained with moss and damp from the rain. The family did their best to keep the monument as pristine as possible, but they could only do so much to restore it to its former glory. The epitaph read:

Our beloved Touya, son, brother, and husband.

You always cry when you read it. You were so humbled that they included you in his memory. Of course, you weren’t really married, but it was such a heart-warming gesture. You’d lived the rest of your life as his widow until you met Keigo, it may as well have been true. Eventually you worked up the courage to stop crying and sit by his side. There was a multicoloured pinwheel attached to the tombstone that was spinning quickly due to the wind. You noticed a new bouquet, it didn’t have a note, but they looked pretty fresh. There were small tea lights that were all burnt out and some photographs of Touya. His face was still so fresh in your mind. You’d been without him since you were seven, seventeen whole years since he died, and his face was still so present in your life. You couldn’t get him out of your head. What kind of sick God would let a seven-year-old boy burn to death? You felt a shadow consume your form as someone walked by, and you put your head in your hands. You couldn’t help but break down. You weren’t sure if your suffering would ever end.

“Why did you leave me Touya?” You sobbed, quietly into yourself.

“Dumb question,” A voice began, clearing their throat, “But are you alright?”

You didn’t dare look up, you couldn’t bare to let anyone see you like this. Your mascara was probably smeared down your cheeks. You replied with a simple ‘yes fine thank you.’ And continued to mutely cry.

“You don’t sound fine, someone special down there?” The raspy voice questioned; you could only assume he was gesturing to the soil that consumed Touya’s coffin.

“Childhood best friend, if you must know.” You responded, muffling into your hands.

“Sorry to hear that.” He spoke back.

You still couldn’t bare to look. You were too focused on your sadness. However, your curiosity got the better of you, peering up from the safety of your shielding hands. It was a very tall man. At least 6’4’’. His hair was darker than soot, and very spiky, dare you say unkempt. He was wearing a long flowing navy coat and a white shirt underneath. He wore an almost matching pair of navy jeans and long black boots. You caught sight of his sunglasses, noticing they were designer, Versace. You’d looked at a similar pair for a gift for Keigo, but you knew you’d never be able to afford them. He looked super fashionable, but not too appropriate for mourning a loved one. He rolled up his sleeves and you noticed a glimmer in the light. Are those staples? When you looked closer, you realised that both of his arms were covered in burns. You tried your best not to stare, not wanting to be rude. But upon further inspection, you realised most of his body was covered in the same burns. His ears and the lower half of his face, as well as part of his chest that his shirt and coat failed to cover. You questioned whether he had bags under his eyes or if they were burns too. He towered above the tombstone he was staring at, three down from Touya’s. He didn’t seem too upset, whoever they were. He turned his head to face you, quickly you tried to avert your gaze. You clocked a cheeky grin emanating from him in your peripheral vision. He began to approach you. Why is he coming closer? He didn’t come too close though. He paused, drinking you in. Studying every inch of your very being, you’d never felt so uncomfortable. You felt too awkward for staring at him a minute ago to call him out.

“Touya…” He spoke, reading the tombstone. “Died a long time ago huh? And you still visit the kid? Cute.” He added. You nodded, meekly.

“I loved him, a lot. I try and visit as much as I can, I don’t miss a Valentine’s Day. Even if I have to come a day early, I need him to know I still love him.” You explained, unsure why you were telling the scarred stranger your story.

“I’m sure he knows you still love him… Mooma.”

Your gaze shot in his direction. Mooma. You hadn’t heard that name in seventeen years. Touya was the only person who called you that. It was an inside joke. It was a pretty simple origin of a nickname. You’d been mooing like cows together, all of a sudden you were greeted by a random hiccup causing you to say Mooma. You were both laughing until your little bellies hurt from the contractions.

“Who are you?” You questioned. No one else knew about that name. But Touya is dead. He’d been dead for seventeen entire years. So who the hell is this man and how does he know about Mooma? He didn’t answer, he skulked slowly towards you. You stood to your feet and began backing away from him, slightly terrified. He could be anyone. He could be dangerous. But he stopped moving when he got close enough in your face that you could feel his body heat radiating from him. He audaciously smiled at you, seeming to be pleased with himself for intimidating you. Just as you were about to ask his identity once again, he removed his Versace sunglasses.

Tears cascaded without your consent from your lash-line. It’s him. It’s Touya. You’d recognise those piercing sapphire’s anywhere.

“Hey doll face.” He greeted.

“Touya… It’s really you.” You sobbed. He shook his head, confusing you.

“I go by Dabi now sweetheart. Touya died. But yeah, it’s me.” He told you, consuming you in his embrace.

You couldn’t believe it, you weren’t dreaming, you weren’t hallucinating. It was Touya, in the flesh. You’d dreamt about this moment your whole life, but never did you think it would come true. You were certain he died in that house fire, but they never found a body. But Shoto said that he burnt to ash, so you just accepted that. What other explanation could there be? He isn’t dead, that’s the explanation. He forced you out of his hold for a quick moment and began rooting around in his pockets. You tried to compose yourself a little, you were seeing someone you’d been dreaming of for seventeen years. You were crying hysterically, and you were a complete mess. It just wouldn’t do. You turned away from him while you tried to wipe away your tears, but you knew the damage had been done. When he finally stopped rifling through his pockets, he held out a piece of paper to you. You had no idea what it was, but you soon realised it was upside down. When you flipped it round, you collapsed to the ground in as tears spouted from your eyes. Touya came to your level and tried to help you back up. It was the wedding photograph. The one you wanted Rei to show you, the one you remembered so well. His arm around you. All of it exactly as you remembered.

“I fucking hate you for doing this to me Touya, Dabi, whoever you are. I hate you.” You wailed.

“No you don’t, you’re angry, I get it. When you calm down, we’re gonna go for a walk and find a nice place to sit and talk it all out. Okay, princess?”

You didn’t respond.

You hate him.

“Hey,” He squeezed your cheeks until your lips puckered, forcing you to look at him, “I said, okay princess?”

☆ ☆ ☆

You’d been sitting in an abandoned car park complex for four hours. You were weak at the knees when he called you princess. How could you possibly deny him the opportunity to explain? You’d waited seventeen years to see him, the time had come for your questions to be answered. For your mourning to subside. He explained that when the fire began, he was evidently burnt up pretty poorly. But when he got the chance, he took the moment to run away from home. He hated his family, all except his mother Rei. His siblings were conceived in an attempt to please his father, Enji. He wanted a strong lineage of Todoroki’s, and Touya wasn’t good enough for him. Once your anger had fled from your body, you sat next to him, watching the rain crash against the ground as he kept you warm in a side hug.

“I never stopped thinking about you princess.” He told you, as he planted soft kisses into your hair. “You were the one person I knew I could count on.” He explained.

“So why didn’t you tell me you weren’t really dead. You’ve had seventeen years to put me out of my misery Touya.” You scolded.

“It’s complicated doll, please don’t call me that.”

“Dabi means nothing to me, you’re Touya. You’re my Touya!” Your voice cracked as you felt tears consume you, you didn’t want to cry anymore, not tonight, but Jesus this was a lot to process.

“Your Touya died a long time ago.”

The words cut you to your core. You let a singular tear escape before pulling yourself together, you weren’t going to shed another tear over him. You had your answers now, he was alive. And he’s nothing like you remember. “Then I guess I’ll be going, there’s nothing for me here.” You picked yourself up from the ledge you were seated on and began heading towards the heavy downpour.

“I hear you’re getting married.”

You froze. He’d been talking about his faked death for so long it completely slipped your mind. You were so surrounded in a blanket of bliss that you forgot that you had a fiancé waiting for you at home. A Valentine to spend your day with tomorrow.

“That’s right.” You began, “His name is Keigo, I’m very happy.”

“We better get divorced then, huh sweetheart?” Touya teased. You couldn’t help but smile. You remembered the photograph he gave you and held it in your hands to view once again. “Look,” The raven-haired man started as he quickly approached you, grabbing your shoulders in his hands. He clung to you so tightly, like he never wanted to let you go again. “I want you princess, all for myself.” He stated.

“How fucking dare you?”

“You still love me, I know you do. That’s why you are the only person who went to my grave around Valentine’s Day. You don’t love Keigo, you love me.”

You didn’t even know what you could possibly respond to that. Of course you still loved him. You’d been pining over him for most of your life. You’d fantasised about him all grown up, revealing he’s alive and here to whisk you away for so long. But it’s not realistic. You’re engaged. You’re with Keigo. You have a life with him, you can’t just drop that, drop everything you know, everyone you love. Not for this. It’s something you’ve waited forever and a day for, but it’s not realistic. This isn’t a love story, he’s messed up.

“I have to go… Dabi.”

You turned on your heel to leave once again.

“Kiss me.” He instructed. “We didn’t even have a kiss at our wedding, I’ve dreamt of those sweet lips of yours for seventeen years. Kiss me.” He spoke. He was right, you pined for so long for this man, and you didn’t even kiss him. You hugged, cuddled, spooned, had sleepovers. But never kissed. You wanted it, it was something you needed. It wasn’t right, it wasn’t fair to Keigo. But you had to know. You ran towards him and he picked up his pace to you. He laced his fingers into your hair and your mouth eased into his. He used his grip in your hair to pull your face closer to his, but any closeness you felt would never be enough. It was everything you needed to feel. It was unadulterated passion, you never felt like this with Keigo. You know now, Keigo could truly never compare. Dabi was and is the love of your life. Your tongue began messaging his and he moved his hands from your hair to engulf you in his embrace. You ran your hair through his unrecognisable onyx locks and couldn’t control the soft moan that parted from your lips. You felt a smile form on the man’s face as he continued kissing you. His hands travelled down to your thigh, hooking it and forcing you to wrap your legs around his hips. Your lips didn’t separate for a single second as he carried you towards the bonnet of an abandoned car. He reached underneath your skirt and quickly snatched your panties down to your ankles, forcing a gasp to escape your lips. You felt his slender digits caress your inner thighs and quickly approach your warmth. Your breath was shaking, you were panting like crazy. Is this really happening? He plunged a finger into you and a mewl instantly left your body, making your lost love smile with pride. “You’re so fucking wet angel,” He teased. He started planting soft kisses on your thighs. “I love you.” He kissed. “I love you so fucking much.” He kissed again.

You pushed his hand away from you and stood to your feet. “I can’t do this Dabi, I have a fiancé… I need to go this was a mistake.” You began walking away once more, this time you meant it. You couldn’t betray Keigo like this, he’d been so good to you.

“Wait!” He called to you.

“No!” You shouted back as you continued walking.

“If you still love me, I’ll be here at midnight tomorrow waiting for you. I’ll take care of you, I fucking love you princess. I’ll wait all day and all night.”

“I won’t be here, leave me alone Dabi. Move on.” You coldly told him.

“I don’t care. I’ll wait here for you. You kissed me; I know you love me. If I know there’s a chance I’ll wait for you doll. I will be here.”

You can’t be there.

☆ ☆ ☆

When you returned home, Keigo couldn’t believe what a state you were in. You suspect he knew deep down that you had been crying, but you passed it off as the rain ruining your makeup. Holy shit, if only he knew. When you woke up this morning, there’s no way you could have anticipated in a million years that you’d be having your first kiss with Touya and getting fingered by him on the same day. It went too far, but you were at least proud of yourself for stopping before anything else happened. You had to cut yourself some slack, it was a tense situation. No one could judge you, what would anyone else do in that situation? It would take an incredibly strong woman to resist getting the chance to kiss your first love. It was meant to just be a kiss, Touya took it too far. You were thankful Keigo wasn’t horny when you arrived home. You’re so used to him pulling his cock out and bending you over the kitchen counter as soon as you walk through the door, but if he did today he would have noticed your panties were missing. You let Touya keep them. It was the least you could do, a memento to remember you by. You placed the photograph he gave you in one of the card holders in your purse. Keigo didn’t need to see it, he didn’t even need to know it existed. But at least you’d have your own memory of Touya. Not that you’d ever forget him, you’d never get your pretend wedding out of your mind. Now you had this photograph to remember it forever. But you also had a new memory. Dabi’s soft upper lip and charred lower. The way he roughly wrestled his tongue with yours. His scent. Fucking hell he smelt good. As disinterested in other men as you were, you always felt a weakness whenever a particularly good looking man would have his attractiveness increased with a cigarette in his mouth or his fingers. When they sensually blew smoke into your vicinity and you wanted to smell it until your lungs were filled. Dabi wore it so well. The way he held your weight in his arms as you rested your thighs on his hips and he carried you, continuing to hastily consume one another with fear that you’d lose each other once again. You clenched your thighs together as you felt your pussy throb, remembering how fucking delicious his finger felt working your velvety walls.

“Are you wet baby?” Keigo questioned as he took a swig from his whiskey filled tumbler. You were snapped out of your thoughts, you looked at him and knitted your eyebrows. You missed what he said, again. You had to stop doing this. Pull yourself together, forget about Dabi. “You only squirm like that when you want my cock, does my little slut want her masters cock?” He questioned. God no. You couldn’t think of anything worse. Knowing the current predicament you were in, you panicked that you might cry Dabi’s name rather than your fiancés. You shook your head adamantly. You just wanted to go to bed and forget the whole ordeal. So you left you left the blonde to continue watching whatever drivel had been playing on the TV to get yourself ready for bed. You went into your private bathroom and splashed cold water on your face, hoping it would calm you down slightly.

So help me God, stop thinking about him dummy. Stop it.

You changed into your cosiest, softest pyjamas and tucked yourself into bed. You drifted in and out of sleep but couldn’t seem to stay asleep for longer than twenty minutes at a time. Keigo didn’t come back to bed, you wondered if he’d fallen asleep in front of the TV. You kept seeing his face, Touya’s that is. You kept feeling his hands on you. In you. You were so flustered and frustrated. You had a thought, and quickly shook it off. That is a steady decline into insanity. You thought. You got comfortable once again. Drifting off, again. Waking up, again. You checked the clock. 2:46am. It had been 13 minutes since you last woke up. I’m losing my fucking mind. The nagging thought was back, again. You slid your pyjama bottoms off and started rubbing circles into your clit. It’s just to help me sleep. It doesn’t mean anything. I can’t sleep, I need to sleep. This will help. It’s not because Dabi got me so worked up earlier. Nope. The minute your fingers slid against your folds, you were mortified at how drenched you were. Maybe you should have let Keigo fuck you after all, it just felt wrong in so many ways. You could lie to yourself all you wanted, but this was because of Dabi. Using Keigo to relieve yourself was beyond fucked up. You spread your legs and massaged the bundle of nerves between you and allowed yourself to be consumed by the feeling of the rising knot in your stomach. You tried to think about Keigo. To make this fucked up situation more appropriate. You thought about times you fucked, and you were desperate for more. Times he made you cum so many times in a row your legs were shaking and you couldn’t support your own weight. But it just wasn’t cutting it. But as soon as images of Dabi finger fucking you entered your mind, soft mewls tumbled from your lips. Fuck. You thought. You could feel the arousal travelling through your entire being. You couldn’t even remember the last time you played with yourself. Keigo didn’t like it, if you wanted to cum he’d make you cum. This was heavenly. Going at your own pace and having the freedom to imagine what you wanted. You continued to moan through your actions, you began closing in on your impending orgasm. Fuck, fuck, fucking hell. You imagined Dabi’s voice sensually whispering princess into your ear. And that did it. Your toes were curling, you became a little sweaty and you were panting heavily. I’m such a bitch. You thought. But with that, you slipped away into dreamland and wouldn’t wake until the daylight broke.

☆ ☆ ☆

You stirred from your sleep with the sound of crackling from a pan. What on earth? You sprung from your bed, still no Keigo by your side, and walked through your stupidly enormous home to find the kitchen. There he was. He had a little apron on and was making breakfast.

“Aw no! Baby it was meant to be a surprise, I’m making you breakfast birdie!” He said disappointedly. You felt guilty for spoiling the surprise. You felt guilty for a lot of things lately.

“I didn’t see anything! I’ll go.” You told him, averting your gaze attempting to rush away.

“Don’t be silly, come sit.” He responded. You did as you were told and took a seat at the breakfast bar as he continued cooking. He’d made enough to feed a small village, you knew you wouldn’t be able to eat all of this. Why had he gone to such extremes? It’s Valentines Day of course, that’s why. “We’re gonna eat breakfast, then we’re heading to town and I’m buying you whatever you want. We can catch a movie, go for lunch, anything you want dove.” He expressed. Your heart was melting. How could you betray him like you had? How wasn’t he good enough for you? He loves Valentines Day. You’ve never been fussed. It’s a day to show your love, and you love that about today. But you don’t love Keigo. You loved Touya. You love Dabi. You had to make it work with Keigo, he was the man you needed to be with. You did love him after all. You just weren’t in love with him.

“Sounds perfect.” You smiled, taking a bite into a slice of toast he tried to keep out of your reach. He spent ages on breakfast. You were fit to burst when you devoured as much as you possibly could. You weren’t sure you’d make it to town, Keigo might have to roll you there. You had on call maids for whatever you needed, Keigo summoned them to tidy all of the plates and various other mess from the kitchen. He gave you permission to have a small siesta lasting the time it took for the mess to be cleared. He lay next to you in bed while you tried to drift off again, tickling your back, attempting to help you sleep sooner. You love your back being tickled.

Two hours passed and since you’d woken up, you had showered and gotten yourself ready to hit the town with the golden-haired man you were lucky enough to call your fiancé. You gave him a twirl showing him your outfit, head to toe in designer clothes, and he wolf whistled. You felt yourself going red in the face but were thankful to him. He treats you so well. He took you by your hand and led you to his Mercedes, even opening the passenger side door for you. Such a gentleman. The whole car ride, whenever he could rest his hand on your thigh, he would. It felt nice, it felt safe. You were his girl. He was making it known, marking his territory. He’s a very jealous guy after all.

You visited store, after store, after store. Your hands were so sore from all of the bags you had in your hands, you suspected Keigo felt the same way. He suggested that you load all of the bags into the car, it was an inspired idea. Once you dropped off all of the shopping, he took you by your hand and you walked to the theatre together. You’d never cared about romantic movies; you’d much rather go and see something spooky. It was the perfect opportunity to cuddle up with your partner and cower into his shoulder when you thought you might get scared. The film ended and you felt yourself getting hungry again. It was time for a dinner date. You had a hankering for a spicy pizza, so Keigo guided you to a little Italian place which had something he thought would be perfect for you. He was right. You couldn’t get enough. Keigo ordered another one, just for you. If you were hungry later, you could eat it. Or you could warm it up tomorrow. You smiled at the gesture; it was sweet. The pizza was great.

“Are you ready to head home dove?” He asked. You nodded. The sky had turned a deep purple when you had vacated the theatre. So by the time you finished eating, it had turned close to black. It was just after 10pm. You couldn’t help but wonder if Dabi was making his way to that abandoned parking complex. He said he’d be there at midnight. But maybe he’d get there early?

When you left the restaurant and approached your fiancé’s Mercedes, and he spun you onto the bonnet. Hiking your legs onto his hips and forcing harsh kisses onto your chest. He started signing his name as he sucked onto your supple flesh.

“Not here.” You told him.

“Yes here.” He replied. You shoved him away from you and walked towards the passenger seat of the car.

“I’m not doing that here Keigo, you can fuck my brains out at home okay?” You explained. He rolled his eyes and climbed into the drivers seat, readying himself to take you both home. The whole drive home was painful, he was in such a sulk. If he kept it up he could say goodbye to getting any at all. As soon as you stepped out of the car, he practically dragged you into the house. “What is wrong with you you’re hurting me Kei!” You complained as his grip on your wrist was too tight to bare.

“I can fuck your brains out at home, okay? We’re home. I had to wait all of that time to fuck you. I want you now.” He told you.

“You haven’t even closed the car doors or parked properly, get a hold of yourself.”

“Fuck the car, get in the house.” He commanded.

“Give me the keys, you’ll be sorry if someone steals all of my things as well as the car. I’ll be there in a minute okay? Go, I’ll be quick.” You told him.

He let out a ‘tsk’ and threw you the keys to his favourite of his many cars. He scurried into the house and you knew it was going to be a relentless fuck. But you would endure, look at everything he did for you today after all. It’s the least he deserves. You closed the door to your passenger side and climbed across into the drivers seat. Once the car engine was on, the dashboard lit up. 23:19. You exhaled deeply, correcting your thoughts. Park the car and go fuck your boyfriend. You told yourself. But before you could think, your body seemed to be moving without your consent. You were going to him.

You were going to Dabi.

☆ ☆ ☆

You arrived, late. He must have gone already. You were going to have to drive back to Keigo’s and explain why you felt the need to drive fifty minutes away from the house when all you were meant to be doing was parking the car. You hadn’t even gotten out yet, you just hoped you’d be able to see him. He played you for a fool, once a liar always a liar. He lied about being alive for seventeen years, of course he’d lie about waiting for you. Just as you buckled your seatbelt back in to secure yourself before driving back, you jumped out of your skin at the sound of knocking at your window.

Dabi.

You unbuckled yourself again and he backed away, allowing you space to open the car door. You stared at each other intently for a while, unsure of what to do. What are you even doing here? You can’t be here, you need to be with Keigo. But before you could think any further, you found yourself firmly planted into his embrace. He held you there for a moment, but your passion got the best of you both. You were practically inhaling each other the way your lips were clashing together and the breaths that were leaving each of you. He ripped your buttoned coat open, revealing your dainty little black dress and he drank in the vision before him. He noticed bruising on your chest, the hickeys from Keigo. He looked disappointed. You’d been claimed, you were meant to be his.

“I pushed him away, I didn’t want him Dabi. I want you.” You told him as you pulled him closer to you. He picked you up and sat you on the bonnet of the Mercedes, the same way Keigo had this evening. But this time, you were going to let Dabi do what he wanted with you. You needed him. “I didn’t think you were really going to be here.” You moaned, as the blue-eyed angel began imprinting his own name onto you.

“I told you princess; I’d be here. I’d have waited all night if I had too.” He said as he pulled the spaghetti straps down your arms, allowing him to pull your dress down a little and exposing your breasts.

“Fuck, Dabi.” You moaned. He raised your legs as he latched onto one of your nipples, swirling the perked bud with his tongue. You instantly felt the arousal consume your entire body. He’d moved your legs so that they were hooked around his hips, you could feel that the simple kissing and minor nipple play had completely drenched your panties. “I’m so wet.” You softly spoke. He moved your legs once again, spreading them as far as they would go. He lightly traced your clothed slit, you’d lost all control of the sounds that passed your lips. You needed him. Needed him.

“I’ve been dreaming of this pussy since yesterday. So cruel to let me have a taster and not let me finish what I started doll.” He told you as he continued to tease you.

“’m so sorry baby, so fucking sorry.”

“I got back to my place and had to fuck my fist because you wouldn’t let me have you. Do you think that’s fair doll?” He asked, “Teasing me with your little lacy panties as a gift… I knew you couldn’t stay away. But I think I need to punish you first don’t I?” He added.

“No p-please. Need you.”

“I needed you yesterday princess. Do you think that’s fair?”

You meekly shook your head. You wish you let him take you yesterday. You wanted to feel him inside you, feel his cock stretch you out, feel his cum coating your insides. “I couldn’t sleep last night. I fingered myself thinking about you baby. I’m so sorry I need you now. Please.” You begged pathetically. He began to unbuckle his jeans and pulled your body a bit closer to his. Pulling your panties off once again. You couldn’t see his cock, but you felt the tip of him circling your clit. It sent shudders through your whole body. “Please… daddy please.” You whimpered.

“Daddy? You’re a little slut like that, huh? Stop being a brat or I’ll change my mind.”

You tried your best to stay composed. But you could feel your cunt clenching, waiting for something to be inside. You needed to feel him inside of you, you weren’t sure you’d stay whole unless your entrance was filled with him. Like magic, you began to feel him stretch you out. “F-fuck daddy. ‘S big.” You cried.

“You said you needed me, little sluts get no prep.” The further he got into you a guttural moan left, it had come from deep in his abdomen.

“You’re such a good – fuck – good little slut for daddy aren’t you. So fucking tight doll, fuck.” He praised. You could feel your body turn red with embarrassment from the praise. He started rutting his hips into you and you could barely keep your eyes open. You worried that he’d soon tear you in half. But the more he pressed his cock into your tight hole, the better it felt. Soon pain turned to pleasure and soft ‘mmm’ sounds emanated from your body. “You like daddy fucking you princess?”

“Uh-huh.” You tried to smile, but not being able to concentrate on anything but your rising orgasm and he plunged his enormous, thick member into your pussy. You felt your walls clenching around him, hitting the spongey spot inside of you that made you cry out in pleasure.

“I’ve never fucked a pussy like this before princess. You’re fucking perfect. – holy shit, fuck – might have to put a baby in you.” He told you as he began chasing his own high, the pace of his thrusts increasing. Your tits jiggled softly the more he thrusted into you, he was entranced by the movement of them and latched onto your left bud once again, sensitively twirling the other between his fingers as he continued pounding into you.

“Daddy… mmm, ‘s good. Want your cum.”

“Want my cum? Did daddy’s cock make you stupid? Stupid princess wants daddy to fill her up?” He questioned.

“Fill me! Please!”

He scooped his arms under your torso and you wrapped your arms around your lovers neck, angling himself well enough to pound into your swollen pussy. You were so close to cumming. He could hear your hitched breaths and whispered in your ear.

“Cum for me princess, be a good fucking girl and cum for daddy.” He said. You concentrated, knowing you were close, so fucking close. You just needed one final push. “Be such a sweet little – oh fuck, Christ – sweet little slut and cream all over daddy’s cock doll.” He commanded. And with that, you cunt submitted. Your walls clenched around Dabi’s and that was enough to make him cum too, you felt his load spurt up into your abused hole and you felt good. All fucked out and full of his cum. He set you back down on the bonnet of Keigo’s car, raising and spreading your legs wide. Memerizing him the way that his cum dribbled out of your perfect cunt, a perfect cunt that belonged to him now.

“Thank you daddy.” You smiled best you could, all tired, stupid and filled to the brim with Dabi’s seed. He began planting delicate kisses down your thigh to your ass cheek.

“I love you princess.” He smiled back.

You needed a minute to gather your bearings. But there was no rush, everything in this moment with him was perfect.

“I’m gonna fuck you like this whenever you want. We’re going to go wherever the fuck we want in your exes stolen car. And do whatever the fuck we want.” He explained.

You exhaled happily at the thought.

“Happy Valentines Day, princess.”

© 2021 fuwushiguro

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BNHA AU Ideas : Your blessings are your curses.

Also on AO3

TL;DR:

Dead All Might acts as a guardian angel to this heroic quirkless kid he runs into. Izuku gets put into a dangerous situation and turns out – DNA wasn’t needed to pass OFA. Just intent. Izuku gains the ability to see All Might along with the ability to use his quirk.

Sadly, AFO notices.

Now Izuku is on the run with a ghost for a guardian after AFO’s goons kill his mother.

Your blessings are your curses:

TL;DR: Dead all might, acts as a guardian angel to this quirkless kid he runs into. Izuku gets put into a dangerous situation and turns out – DNA wasn’t needed to pass OFA. Just intent. Izuku gains the ability to see All Might along with the ability to use his quirk.

Sadly, AFO notices.

Now Izuku is on the run with a ghost for a guardian after AFO’s goons kill his mother.

So – In the fight between All for One and All Might six years before canon, All Might loses.

Not horribly. All for One is still left almost dead and retreats into hiding, but All Might falls unconscious never to open his eyes again, later dying of sepsis in the hospital. His eyes may never physically reopen, but he does awaken – translucent and noncorporeal.

For a while he doesn’t know if it’s a latent quirk, or maybe something All for One did as a final blow, but no – it’s One for All. One for All has a mind of its own and refuses to disappear until Yagi has found a successor. Not that Yagi knows that.

His old haunts are too painful to hang around, the whole nation is grieving for him and seeing that pain on his old friend's faces burns something fierce. So he does what he’s always done. He helps.

Midoriya Izuku is nine when his favourite hero dies. He sees how the nation is grieving and his desire to be a hero only burns brighter. The bullying he suffers worsens, hate crimes against the quirkless and those with ‘villainous’ quirks uptick. Japan isn’t a pillar of safety and security anymore – crime rates have risen to match or overtake worldwide averages.

Still, he feels almost, safer? He gets luckier – the book his classmate stole shows up in his bag by the next period, bullies trip more often, and sometimes as he runs from villain attacks or classmates with their quirks popping against the nape of his neck, he feels a broad hand push him forwards, giving him an extra burst of speed.

He decides it must be the All Might charm he bought the day before the news of All Might’s death broke. A small solid plastic charm meant for a phone with a bright yellow bell attached, along with a tag reading “I AM HERE”. He fills the bell with scraps of paper so no one can hear it ring as he holds it tight in his hand when he gets nervous.

Midoriya Izuku is nine when he is almost killed.

With All Might gone, organized crime spikes. Quirk trafficking rings spring up – very rare, but no less real. It’s one of these such rings that kidnaps Izuku on his way home from school. He awakens, sore and blurry-eyed in a warehouse with a half dozen other crying children. One by one they are forced to show off their quirks, to gauge their value.

Izuku has no quirk to show. He has no value to these people. They growl at him to stop playing around, to stop pretending to be a hero (his All Might charm is almost cutting into his hand from how hard he holds it. He needs his luck more than ever please all might save me one more time - ). He can't bring himself to shut his eyes as a flaming hand reaches towards his face.

For a moment it feels like he's being held. He feels safe.

A shockwave levels the warehouse, leaving he and the other children untouched, the villains buried in the rubble. Green sparks sink into his skin, dancing over the rapidly purpling bruises decorating his arm. He runs.

He comes back to himself in a park, sobbing and shaking, arms wrapped around his shaking form and an oddly familiar voice murmuring apologies and praise as a broad hand runs gently through his hair.

It seems One for All never needed DNA, only intent, to pass itself along. With the passing of the quirk, Yagi should have dissipated, but he refused, clinging to the child he’d accidentally burdened with his legacy, the same quirkless child he’d been playing guardian angel for all this time.

When Izuku sees All Might he freezes. It’s not All Might as he knew him, rather – this is the All Might that died. He’s translucent, faded around the edges, with a tattered and bloodstained costume, thick padded bandaging over his stomach hiding stiches staining to close infected wounds, doing little to stop the blood oozing through. Still – All Might’s eyes are bright blue and kind and his smile is as it always was. Izuku throws himself onto his hero and sobs.

All Might – Yagi, as he insisted Izuku call him – led him to the nearest police station, as he tried to explain what had occurred. It wasn’t easy considering Yagi didn’t seem to be sure himself, but Izuku was pretty sure the quirk he’d been accidentally gifted was sentient.

Izuku held his arms up to the sky, stretching his fingers to the pinpricks of light in the night sky. Sparks of glittering gold, green, white, blue and red jumped across his skin, like the static shocks he’d get when he wore his wool socks in bed, but less painful. They almost felt playful.

“What are they called?” Yagi looked at him, confusion clear on his face. One of his spikes of hair drooped, and if Izuku could ignore the dust and blood that ran through it it would almost be funny.

“They? My boy, do you mean the sparks? If so, they don’t have a name.”

Izuku frowned, letting his hand drop. He could feel the sparks gently brushing his injuries, almost soothingly. “No, I mean your quirk. They should have a name, they’re so nice to me.”

Yagi coughed, dark blood spilling from his mouth, never to hit the ground. “One for All. It’s called One for All.”

Izuku’s frown deepened.

“All Might, mama says it’s rude to call someone an it.”

Inko is reunited with her only mildly injured son, now excitedly gushing about a quirk he’d somehow manifested. She privately thanks whatever spirit finally decided to smile upon her son, even if it took so long.

Their happiness doesn’t last long. Days later Izuku receives a summons to the head office. He freezes when he sees the police officer, Yagi’s comforting hand on his shoulder the only thing that keeps him from running.

It was a villain attack, the officer says with kindness so forced Izuku wants to cry. Yagi looks angry. If you’ll just come with us so we can get you to the safehouse with your mother –

Yagi almost growls with rage. “She’s lying.” He whispers, habit enforced despite the fact Izuku is the only person alive that can hear him. “Follow her out of the school then run” Izuku does exactly that, quirk sparking up his legs and pushing him forwards, down the familiar path to home. He takes the stairs six at a time, quirk chipping the edges of the concrete as he hurls himself forward.

Their apartment is in shambles, bookshelves tipped, small objects laying scattered on the floor, a pale arm laying limply from a half-open bathroom door.

Yagi pushes him out of the apartment and confirms the identity himself. He urges a sobbing Izuku to say his goodbyes to his mother’s corpse as they quickly gather all the money in the house, a few spare clothes and whatever food and water Yagi could knock down from the pantry shelves for him. Izuku crams it into his backpack as he sobs, Yagi guarding the entrance as he boils with rage and guilt.

He didn’t think All for One would find Izuku. He didn’t think he would even be looking. He was wrong and now his boy was paying the price.

So starts his time on the run.

He meets Shinsou first, saving him from some rubble in a villain attack. He meets him again later, battered and bruised – not from a villain, but from his foster parents. Shinsou joins him, no matter how Izuku explains hes in danger. Shinsou wants to be a hero, and if the only way he gets to be a hero is stubbornly keeping Izuku out of trouble? That’s not a bad trade-off, considering izuku was the first person to save him.

A little while later the two run into Shouto feverish and badly burnt and try to nurse him back to health as best they can. A few days in Touya and Toga run into their little camp guns blazing, expecting them to have kidnapped Shouto only to see Izuku patiently trying to feed him rice porridge with a veritable pile of ‘liberated’ fever reducers on the floor beside them.

They apologise but Shinsou and a still feverish Shouto refuse to talk to Touya or Toga for like three days bc they made Izuku cry.

They refuse to leave no matter how Izuku explains he has a centuries old villain after him. These kids are ride or die. So Hitoshi, Shouto and Izuku are like 9 and trying to learn what they can from libraries and newspapers, never settling down for too long. Toga (12) and Touya/Dabi (14) try and keep them all alive by working or stealing what they need to live. It doesn’t take long for them to evolve into a mini vigilante group.

Aizawa becomes familiar with the messy group of short vigilantes that seem to bounce from prefecture to prefecture every second day, to the point that the force is pretty sure one of them has a teleportation quirk because they don’t seem to have any kind of home base. He’s completely uninterested in trying to arrest them in the beginning – they aren’t hurting anyone and are not half bad at what they do.

That changes when he meets them.

Battered and bleeding out in a rainy alley with a villain looming over him with a knife, Aizawa is pretty sure this is the night he dies. The knife swings back, glinting in the streetlights as he tries in vain to scramble backwards with heavy limbs. It never connects. The villain jerks back as a brilliant blue plume of flame cuts him off, burning the tips of his hair. Not expecting backup the villain bolts. Aizawa feels small hands helping him into a sitting position – his stomach starts to sink. When the short masked figure with curly hair speaks he feels his heart turn to ice. The figure couldn’t be older than 11, probably closer to 10.

He wakes up in the hospital and he makes it his mission to save these kids.

Ghost All Might is having a rough time. His boy is in danger and the best he can do is rattle windows and trip sprinting villains. He can’t help them enough.

He has a plan though.

He warns Izuku that he’ll be gone for a while and to keep safe without him and he goes out scouting. Being invisible and impermeable is normally a curse but when trying to find a paranoid 200-year-old super villain? It’s pretty damn useful. It takes months but eventually he’s not only tracked down All for One’s main hideout he’s also memorised his schedule. It’s nothing impressive considering the man is still mostly bedbound after what All Might did to him, but he won't be a pushover. It’s a start, though.

Izuku cries tears of joy when he sees All Might again and cries even more when he shares what he found. It’s do or die time. He offers every one of his friends the chance to split now because there is a good chance they’ll die, but none of them wants to leave him. With that, he starts planning.

They’ll need Eraserhead, no bones about it. Without him, there would be no way to strike the final blow. They spend a few weeks refining their stealth then they seek Aizawa out.

They knew he’d have a price for helping them, but they never expected it would be so high, but simultaneously so kind. In exchange for his help and a vow of silence he wants each child to let him help them, to find them a safe place to live, a school to go to – a future. Izuku has spent his whole life being told he doesn’t have a future, from when he was diagnosed quirkless to the almost 2 years spent on the run from Japan’s most dangerous villain. He’s still not sure he’ll have one, even with All for One dead, but he knows he wants his friends to grow up happy and safe.

He accepts.

With Aizawa’s help, with Dabi and Toga clearing the way and Shinsou standing in the wings as the last resort, Izuku kills All for One as he sleeps. Nothing flashy, nothing fancy, just quiet footsteps, a sharp knife and shaking hands.

Aizawa is horrified this child just killed someone in front of him, but Izuku is sobbing and All for One is notorious in underground circles so he keeps his quirk up until the blood stops flowing from his neck. He takes the children and flees.

[junosartsthetic]

Patching Things Up   

Wordcount: 3846

Character(s): Dabi, (Y/N)

Warning(s): Innuendos. Swearing. Mentions of sex. Angst. 

Note: This is an updated version of a one-shot I originally posted on my Quotev account.

__

 You snuggled deeper into the blankets surrounding you, your feet tucked under you as you leaned against the armrest. Your eyes fixated themselves onto the T.V. as you flipped through the channels with one hand, the other holding a mug of hot chocolate.

       A sudden knocking at the door caused you to pause your channel surfing and look towards the door a little ways away from the living room. You could see the rain pouring outside the window but spotted nobody.

       You raised an eyebrow and set your mug down on the side table before standing up, the remote being placed on the arm rest. Your socks slid against the wooden floor as you made your way to the door, covering your robe against your body to keep warm.

       You peered out the window and saw a figure, though it was too dark to make out the specifics. You flicked on the porch light.

       A young man with jarring purple blotches of skin all over his body held together by staples slouched forward, his hands gripping his side. Blood dripped from it.

       You let out a gasp. You recognized him as one of the members of the League of Villains— Dabi.

       Your hand went into your robe pocket and you pulled out your phone, getting ready to dial the cops before a harsh knock stopped you. Your eyes met a bright teal as you stared at his face through the window. His gaze was soft, softer than you’d seen from his pictures on the news. It looked strangely familiar.

       You slid your phone back and put a hand against the window, tilting your head. What was he doing here? Why your house?

       His mouth began to move, and you made out the words, ‘open the door.’

       You shook your head.

       He frowned. ‘Please.’

       You bit your lip before reaching for the handle and opening it. Now, only a glass door remained between the two of you.

       You reached out to grab the handle to the glass door, and pulled it open slightly. ‘What the fuck am I doing?’ you thought, now holding it open wide enough for him to step inside. ‘He’s a murderer. A Villain. And I’m letting him inside because of some weird nostalgic feeling. God, I’m an idiot.’

       He grabbed the edge of the door and used it as a brace as he limped inside. He was soaked to the bone and blood began to drip onto your door mat.

       “What the hell are you doing here?” you asked, closing the doors behind him. “I don’t even know you.”

       Dabi let out a breathy laugh which quickly devolved into coughing. His eyes held a certain spark to them, and you squinted at him. He shrugged his leather coat off and hung it on the coat rack before kicking his shoes off. “Yes you do,” he replied, now beginning to limp towards your kitchen.

       “Hey!” you said, stomping after him. “I don’t know what came over me to let you inside, but you don’t get to prance around my house like you own the place.” You caught up to him and pulled on his arm to get his attention as he was now digging through your medicine cabinet. “And I have never met you before in my life.”

       He turned his head to glance at you, flashing you a cocky smile. “C’mon, you really don’t remember me, princess?”

       “Princess— ” you shot him a glare—  “For, the last time, I’m a knight, not a princess— ” you stopped, flashing back to a vivid memory.

       “Okay,” he said, his six year old self pointing at your five year old self with a wooden sword. “Now, you go and be the princess, and I’ll slay the dragon for you!”

       You shook your head, crossing your chubby arms. “No! I wanna be the knight in shining armor!”

       “But then who will be the princess?”

       You smiled. “You!”

       He shook his head. “I don’t wanna.”

       “Okay, then you can be the dragon, and I can be the knight, and there can be a pretend princess!” You tilted your head, wondering if that would be alright. “How about that…”

       “Touya,” you suddenly said, your body freezing up as you backed away from the male who was now taking his bloodstained shirt off in the middle of your kitchen.

       He paused, his arms partially behind his head and his shirt halfway off, and let out a soft chuckle. “It’s been a while.”

       Your heart began to race as your eyes fogged up with tears. “I- I thought you were dead! What the hell are you doing with your life! A villain, really?” You shook your head, wetness now rolling down your cheeks. “Why, Touya?”

       He finished pulling his shirt off, revealing the true extent of his scars, and began to dab a cotton ball doused in rubbing alcohol on what looked to be a bullet wound on the side of his stomach, his other hand holding a pair of your tweezers. “The name’s Dabi now.”

       “I don’t care.” You wiped your tears away and grabbed the cotton ball and the tweezers before gesturing for him to sit on one of your bar stool chairs. “I need answers. You can’t just— ” you let out a tense breath—  “just show up here after all this time!”

       He sat down on the bar stool and turned his wound towards you. “Fine, but I’m currently bleeding out, so maybe we should focus on that first, aye, princess?”

       “Shut up,” you muttered, nose scrunching up as you examined the wound. You assumed the bullet was still lodged in there somewhere, which meant you had to use the tweezers to get it out. “You’re lucky I care about you, or else I’d throw you back out on the street.”

       “Even after all this time, huh?” he said, looking at you as you slowly moved the tweezers towards the hole. “I thought you’d be pissed as hell and punch me in the dick or something when I showed up here.”

       “Oh trust me,” you replied, shoving the tweezers in the wound rather harshly before gripping the bullet and yanking it out, making him flinch and curse in pain, “I am definitely pissed and will not hesitate to punch you in the dick.”

       You placed the bloody bullet in the sink and quickly grabbed some gauze and cotton balls, wrapping the wound and creating pressure on it. You had to wrap your arms around his torso to properly secure the gauze, and fought the urge to blush. ‘I shouldn’t be this close to a cocky shirtless villain.’

       He laughed, but said nothing else as you finished tending to his wound and proceeded to back away, putting your hands on your hips. “Alright, I doubt you’ll die, so now tell me what the hell is going on.”

       He stood up from the chair and began heading back towards your bedroom. “Let me take a shower first, then we’ll talk.”

       You let out a groan. “Fine, don’t get blood on my white towels, moron.”

       He turned back to flash you a stupid grin before opening your bedroom door and shutting it behind him.

       You sat on the loveseat to wait, and eventually heard the water kick on from the master bathroom shower. It took another fifteen minutes for it to kick off.

       You turned towards your room door, ready to scold him again for showing up out of the blue, but the words got caught in your throat.

       He opened the door, a towel in his hands as he rubbed the water out of his hair, his lower half sporting a towel skirt and nothing else.

       You tried your best not to pay attention to the way droplets of water rolled down his chest, and made their way between each and every muscle before disappearing into the towel wrapped around his hips.

       You attempted not to notice how attractive his hair still was, despite being dyed black now, or how hot you still found him despite his new scars. They simply added more character to an already completely one of a kind person, and you bit your cheek. ‘God, why did I have to fall in love with him, and why am I still in love with him?’

       His voice broke you from your thoughts. “Are you done staring? I’m fuckin’ freezing. You got any clothes that would fit me?”

       You cleared your throat and patted your cheeks in an attempt to quench the redness. “In the bottom drawer of my dresser should be something. Just put your old clothes in the washer in the bathroom.”

       He gave a mock salute before walking back inside, a water puddle now on your floor from where he once stood.

       Standing up, you moved to your kitchen to grab a rag before wiping up the water, going to clean the blood off your entryway, as well. ‘God damn it, Touya.’

       After another five minutes, he walked out in a familiar pair of sweatpants and a band tee, a smirk on his face. “You kept my clothes? D’aww.”

       “Shut up and sit down,” you muttered, face flushed as you gestured to the couch across from the loveseat you sat in.

       “Okay, fine,” he replied before heading to the loveseat and picking you up bridal-style, sitting down and proceeding to set you on his lap. “There.”

       You let out a vaguely offended noise, flustered. “Hey! Just because we dated way back when we were teens doesn’t mean you can come in here and pretend like you didn’t disappear for years!”

       “Why not?” he replied, leaning back in the chair and wrapping his arms around your waist, pulling you against him. He was warmer than you, despite just taking a shower, and you assumed his quirk kept him rather hot.

       You shook your head and attempted to lean forward, only to get pulled back once more. “Because, how do I know you’re the same person you were back then? What happened, Touya? Last I remember, you were nineteen and living with me, and then you suddenly vanish and never come back! You can’t do things like that!” The tears you shed in the kitchen returned full force, choking you up.

       “I told you, the name is Dabi now,” he mumbled, placing his chin atop your head and letting out a sigh. “And I have no excuses for what I’ve done. There’s nothing I can say to change what happened. I— ” he took in a breath, his normally cocky exterior shattering to reveal the true pain underneath—  “I’m sorry, princess— no, (Y/N). I’m so fucking sorry.”

       You heard his voice crack, and felt drops hit the top of your head. Neither of you spoke, just letting out all the bottled up emotions of the past few years.

       Eventually, you managed to stop crying long enough to pull your head away from his chest and look him in the eyes. He was already looking at you. You reached up and gently cupped his cheek, rubbing the purple skin which covered the lower half softly. “Does it hurt?”

       He shrugged. “I’m used to it.”

       You began to tear up again. “Is this my fault? Did I push you over the edge?”

       He immediately placed a hand atop yours, his other one hugging your waist tightly. “No!” he yelled, before clearing his throat. “No… You had nothing to do with this. I just— I snapped. I couldn’t take it. I couldn’t take him. He constantly reminded me I wasn’t good enough and I didn’t— ” he heaved out a breath—  “I didn’t deserve anything, much less someone like you.”  You knew exactly who he was.

       “Touya…”

       “I told you— ” you used your other hand to hold a finger to his mouth.

       “Hush. You’ll always be my Touya.”

       He gave you a half-hearted smile which turned into a playful smirk. “Your Touya?”

       You flushed. “Yes. You never broke up with me so technically we’re still dating, and you’re still my Touya.”

       He let out a soft snort. “God, I missed you,” he muttered, rubbing his thumb against your hand before leaning forward.

       You moved the finger against his lips to cup his other cheek, and copied his movements.

       Despite the roughness of his lips, the kiss was soft, and you could feel the old spark between you re-ignite.

       When you pulled away, his eyes were closed and he had a smile on his face. “I missed that, too.”

       You laughed.

       The beeping of a cell phone brought you both out of the moment, and he looked towards his jacket still hanging on the coat rack. “I need to get that, it’s probably that dick Shigaraki.”

       Your expression dulled. ‘Right, he’s a villain now.’

       He gathered you up in his arms before standing up and placing you back on the loveseat. He trudged to his coat, pulled out a phone and read the lit up screen. He glanced at you.

       You looked at him. He turned away, typing out a response before heading back towards you. “Are you leaving?” you asked, voice strangely monotone.

       “Not yet,” he replied, picking you up again to return to his original spot. “I told him to shove it for now.”

       “Won’t you get in trouble for that? I don’t want you getting punished because of me,” you said, voice now conveying your sadness.

       He shrugged and cuddled you closer, one of his hands reaching for the cup of hot chocolate on the side table to take a sip. “I don’t care. I’d go through the worst of whatever the world has to offer to stay like this,” he said, voice honest and content and sounding much like your Touya.

       The person before you now wasn’t quite like the Touya you knew, nor the Dabi, he was an odd combination, but you didn’t care. Your long lost lover was now back, and that was good enough for you. Sure, it might be wrong to still be in love with him, despite all the awful shit he's done since he's been gone, but you can't help it. When you love someone, you never really get rid of that feeling.

       You closed your eyes and began to drift off to sleep, but not before feeling a goodnight kiss against your forehead. You smiled. ‘Yeah, definitely good enough for me.’ You awoke to the smell of something burning, and your eyes quickly shot open as you tumbled out of bed. Your back hit the ground as you let out a groan, rubbing the sleepiness out of your eyes.

       Flashbacks of last night flashed in your mind and you shot up from the floor and ran to the kitchen.

       Smoke filled the kitchen, and you slid open the window above the sink for some fresh air.

       You spotted Touya amongst the fog, a pan filled with bacon and eggs sizzling on the stove.

       You nudged his shoulder and gestured to the smoke-filled room, coughing. ���What the fuck are you making over there, fire?”

       “It’s been a while since I’ve made you breakfast, alright? Give me a break,” he said, turning off the burner and sliding the bacon and eggs onto two different plates.

       You closed your eyes for a moment. “You didn’t have to—  I didn’t ask you to. Honestly, I thought you’d have left while I was asleep.”

       He grabbed both plates and set them down on the bar counter before sliding into a seat. “Do you want me gone that bad?” he asked, smirking.

       “No! I— ” you cleared your throat—  “I mean, I just assumed you had villain things to attend to and such.”

       He let out a laugh. “Villain things? What does that even mean?”

       “I don’t know,” you replied, puffing your cheeks out in anger. “I just meant I didn’t expect you to stay. It still doesn’t feel real. I— I thought you were dead!” Despite you trying not to, you started to sniffle, making him frown. “It feels like you’re back from the dead! I attended a funeral for you! I said my goodbyes and yet here you are!” At this point, tears streamed down your face as you held your arms against your chest. “I can tell you want things to go back to the way they were, but that can’t happen! Things have changed too much…”

       He stood up from the stool and walked over, wrapping his arms around you. He smelt like burnt food, and you let out a small laugh. He was trying his hardest to win your affections back, but you couldn’t help but hesitate. “Nothing I can say will ever make what I’ve done okay—  I know that. I just—  I can’t just walk away now, either. You’re the only person I have left who knows I’m still alive, and I’m still in love with you, (Y/N).”

       You buried your face into the old band tee he was wearing, moving your arms to wrap around his waist tightly. “I just don’t want to get my hopes up. I’m happier than I’ve been in a while, but what if you leave today and never come back?”

       He moved a hand to softly grip your chin, and brought your head up to make eye contact. “Look at me, princess, I won’t abandon you, not again. Not ever again.”

       Your lips formed a hesitant smile. “How can you say that? You could die and I wouldn’t know. I hate the fact that you’re a villain, Touya. I hate it so so much and I— I wish you could stay with me forever instead of going back there.” You shook your head, pulling away from his grasp and taking a seat on a stool. “But I know that this is a choice you made for valid reasons, and I couldn’t ask you to drop everything. Let’s just— I guess, enjoy the time we have now, and figure everything out later.”

       He took a seat beside you, and you two ate in silence. Everything tasted vaguely like smoke, and you let out a sigh. He still sucked at cooking.

       “I moved you to your bed, by the way,” he spoke up in between bites. “I slept on the couch.”

       You glanced at him, rolling your eyes. “My bed is more than big enough for two, moron.”

       “I see your caring nicknames haven’t changed,” he said, grabbing both now-empty plates to bring them to the sink. “Would it hurt to call me something nice for a change?”

       “Oh sorry,” you said sarcastically. “What names should I be calling you?”

       He looked over his shoulder, hands still scrubbing the dishes. “Oh, I don’t know, your knight in shining armor, babe, sweetie, the best sex you’ve ever-”

       You interrupted his monologue by throwing an apple from the fruit bowl at him, face red. “Shut up… moron.”

       He frowned. “That wasn’t very nice.”

       “It wasn’t supposed to be, now stop cleaning the dishes like you live here. I can do it.” When you got up and attempted to push him aside, he didn’t budge. “Would you just sit down, moron? I got it!”

       “No.”

       You let out an exasperated sigh before grabbing him by his shoulders and looking him in the eye. “Would you just sit down, babe? I got it.”

       “Better, but no.”

       You smacked his chest before crossing your arms. “I’m not saying the last one, now move.”

       He opened the dishwasher before placing the dirty dishes inside. “Too late, I’m already done.”

       You simply threw your arms up in surrender before trudging to the living room and taking a seat on the couch.

       Within moments, a body was next to you. You glanced beside you to see Touya sitting with his elbows on his knees, staring boredly at the black television. “What now?”

       “I’m assuming you now have to leave, being that you told your superior to shove it last night and they’re probably a bit pissed.”

       “You just can’t wait to get rid of me, huh?” he said, annoyance lacing his tone.

       “Okay, fine, get in trouble, see if I care.” You pouted, bringing your knees up and wrapping your arms around them.

       You felt him wrap his arms around you. He kissed your ear. “Let’s do something. I’ll leave soon, just not yet.”

       You pushed him away. “Like what? By the time we figure out where to go you’ll have to leave.”

       “Who says we can’t do something here?”

       You rose a brow, which prompted him to pull you into his lap, his lips quickly meeting your neck. You flushed red, a shiver going down your spine at the coldness of the staples against your skin. “We haven’t seen each other in years, and your first idea of something to do is fuck?”

       He pulled away. “Uhh, yeah?”

       “Wow. Classy.” You stood up, despite his grip on your waist telling you not to, and turned to face him. “We should go on a walk.”

       His face fell. He blinked at you. “Seriously?”

       “Yes!” you grabbed his hands and pulled him up. “Like we used to do! I miss walks.”

       He sighed, but nodded nonetheless. “You sound like a dog, but alright. Only for you.”

       You smiled and went to put on warm clothes.

       Eventually, you two made it outside dressed in fall clothes. After last night’s rain, puddles formed on the sidewalk and you stepped in them as you walked, observing the falling leaves.

       Your arms were wrapped around one of his, one of your hands holding his. A sense of Deja Vu washed over you, and a light blush permanently dusted your cheeks. Having him back, even for a day, made you happier than you’d ever been before, and you weren’t ready for him to leave.

       After walking only three blocks, a ping sounded from his pocket, and he looked at the screen of his phone before scowling. “Damn it.”

       “Hmm?”

       “I gotta go.”

       You stopped walking, giving him a sad smile. “Oh. Do you know when you’ll be back? I’ll sorta miss you.”

       He laughed, leaning forward to kiss your forehead before smiling. “I’ll sorta miss you too, princess. I’ll be back as soon as I can, just don’t assume I’m dead, alright?”

       You smacked his arm. “That was one time! And being you were gone for years, I had a right to!”

       He grabbed your wrists, pulling you in for a hug. “I know. Just— wait for me. I promise you I’ll be back.”

       You slipped out of his grasp and stood on your tiptoes, wrapping your arms around his neck. “You better be, moron.”

       After a last kiss goodbye, he shot you a wink before beginning to trek forward, leaving you standing on the sidewalk with a soft smile and tears in your eyes.

       ‘God damn it. I just had to go catch feelings again. Stupid Touya. Stupid me.’

       You crossed your arms, shaking your head. “If he doesn’t come back alive, I’ll kill him.”

       With those words, you turned to walk back to your house, leaves crunching underneath you.

[shigarakis-fifth-hand]

Shigaraki x Todoroki!Reader; The Mask

Enjoy the series!<3 one two three four five six seven

Warnings: Extreme abuse, blood, murder, mental issues, cursing

You’ll never forget when your entire life changed for the better. The day you found your purpose, your meaning, your new family.

It all started Friday night, your least favorite night. Your father Endeavor came home early to rest every Friday to check up on your training. Over the week you were required to train 10 hours a day, eat exactly 1700 calories, and to have straight 100′s as grades. Of course, it was almost impossible to maintain such a lifestyle as a 17-year-old, but again, your father was not only the cruelest man alive, but also the 1# hero Endeavor. We’re you almost old enough to leave him? Yes, but at the same time, he would never let you do so. He owned you.

That’s when he first burned your hip.

Your siblings were Natsuo who was 25, Fuyumi who was 27, Shoto who was 20, and lastly your missing brother Touya. Sweet… sweet Touya. Over the years of having children, your father had tried to build the perfect child but had always failed. Fuyumi had been weak, Natsuo had been too kind to hurt a soul, and Shoto was too rebellious against your father. You would be too, but Endeavor had done everything to keep you “right”. 

You were allowed no socializing on the any day except Sunday, you were kept on a tight schedule of modeling, tutoring, interviews, studying, and training, and your father watched you like a hawk.

With you being the last child, he could not mess up with you. You would be the next All Might if it was the last thing he did. He hit you more than any of his children, tortured you more than the rest, and yelled at you more than any of them. And all of your siblings knew that, crying themselves to the sleep at the thought of your bruised and burnt up torso. 

Your father could never touch your face, you did modeling after all. Nobody could know the awful mental issues you had, or the trauma that had scarred you for life. To the public, he wanted you to be the perfect child. Beautiful… brilliant… and powerful. 

God were you ever so powerful.

You took after your brother Shoto, possessing the power to control fire and ice. You could catch things on fire or ice them when you touched things, and once you did, you could control it with your mind. If you tapped the floor with your bare feet, you could start a fire and decide where it went and what it did. You could make it chase someone, make it form a heart, and eventually… kill someone. 

With the power to control it’s movement, you could control the temperature of it as well. You could catch someone on fire and then make it reach over 500 degrees in an instant.

Endeavor loved it, seeing you impress even his fellow pro heroes. Your control over it was amazing, and you were beyond the best they had ever seen. You were a model too, and goodness were you pretty. You had short white hair that went to your shoulders, piercing blue eyes, and beautiful skin. You had been born with red streaks in your hair, but had bleached them out of anger when your father had hit you for not wanting to train. 

You only wanted to have the hair of your mother.

He had knocked the wind out of you with a hard punch to the gut and then burnt your side hip to a crisp when kicked you. “Stand up Shiro. Prove yourself.” He yelled as you used the staircase to pull yourself to your feet, almost falling over in pain. It hurt so much to stand. “Good, now feel the consequences.” As he said that, he pushed you down on your hip, watching as you screamed in pain.

That was the day you ran out of the house, and into the nearby alley, ducking behind a dumpster to breathe. Immediately, you began to switch to a different mindset. You didn’t have DID, but you weren’t normal. One moment, you were crying, and the next you were angry. The next moment, your thoughts would jumble together and you would crave revenge in the form of violence. You had terrible anger issues and a taste of violence, taking after your old man. 

Sure, you were the sweetest thing, but sometimes… you could be cruel, evil, and a demon to be around. But only when you were alone in your thoughts would you allow yourself such cravings as shooting a gun at a bulls-eye in self-defense training, or “accidentally” tripping one of your friends down the stairs.

At those moments, you felt no pity, no love, and definitely no shame in your actions. And outside of those episodes as you called it, you tried your best to ignore it. You weren’t going to stop yourself, because the more you held back, the more destruction you would cause. 

And you didn’t want that, because outside of those episodes, you were sweet, innocent, even fragile. You hated seeing wounded animals, hated seeing your friend get a paper cut, and you never understood your friend’s dirty jokes. You knew what sex was, but why would you want it? 

You had never even felt romantic feelings for someone.

So there you were… sitting behind a dumpster, crying. Pathetic. “Heyyy. Pretty lady. What are you doing out here? Need some help?” A college-aged man started walking towards you, two of his friends following behind. The smell of smoke and alcohol radiating off of them. 

“No, leave me alone.” You insisted, hugging your knees and barely even paying attention as you tried to contain your thoughts about your father, and the searing pain in your hip. It burned like crazy. “But why, you’re pretty and crying. We’re bored and here to help.” 

They kept walking as you looked up at them, shocked and a little scared as they were very close now. “Don’t come any closer! I’m warning you!” You stood up, even though they had you backed up against the dumpster and wall. “Aww, don’t be scared. Now let’s see what’s under that pretty dress of yo-”

In that moment, you sent a spear of ice through the man’s heart, blood splattering all over you in the moment. “W-what?! Hiromi?! Man, this bitch is bat-shit crazy!” As the guys were about to run, you did what your instincts told you. You sent ice spearing through their torsos too, sending them both to the ground. Slowly you walked over to them, rain starting to fall on your head. “I warned you, didn’t I?” You asked, stepping on one of them as they pleaded for you not to kill them. 

“I’m not killing you. I’m just… letting you out of your misery.” Before the rain could start, you set them all on fire. Hearing their blood-curdling screams, you smiled. How nice. They’d be dead before the rain could pick up. Walking down the alleyway, you listened to their screaming of pure music to your ears. You loved every bit of it.

In that moment, your entire life changed. You began your journey on your way to your true passion. You were able to get yourself a custom mask from a shady store in the down-country, and started your new life. Whenever you got bored or your father pissed you off, you would slip on the mask, pull up your hair into your hoodie, and kill. 

Your mask was amazing too. It was a bright red gas mask, which hid your entire face except for one of your blazing blue eyes. It was amazing, watching your victims stare at your one eye as you killed them. They were looking into the same eye as the pro hero Endeavor, your father, and that made you smile. The man who made your life hell had made the latest and greatest new villain in town.

“Again? God, when I get my hands on you I’m going to make you pay!” Endeavor yelled at the tv in his office, sitting at his desk with his feet held high. You were sitting in the chair against the wall near him, sketching in your book. Your father had brought you to work to meet your future teachers, since there was a villain on the loose and he didn’t want you at UA, one of the main targets. Little did he know she was right next to him. 

“What are you talking about Dad?” You asked, looking up from your book. Unlike your siblings, your father made you call him that, since none of his children had ever called him anything near it. He had said it showed that you saw him as a father figure, respected him, loved him, saw him as a caregiver, and gave you an innocent appeal that contradicted your powerful and aggressive quirk. The word had lost any meaning to it.

“Shiro, this villain will be your competitor when you become a pro hero. Look at them. Sources say they’re known for burning their victims bodies so we cannot find fingerprints, or anything. We don’t have a face to go with it, or even a picture of them in general. The only thing is that they believe it may be a female based on the laugh heard, and that they wear a bright red gas mask to hide their identity. It’s brilliant!”

“This bitch has killed over 75 people, and has burnt over 2 million in property damage. This is next level stuff for one person. If we can’t take them down, you will have to.” Endeavor sat back in his chair, returning to his computer. That was about the amount of conversation you would have with him on the weekly.

That was, until you heard an explosion outside, and yelling. Running to the window and standing on your tip toes, you looked out to see the League of Villains on the streets, all running around. Blue flames circled the streets, and you wanted to go join. You had your hoodie and mask in your back pack, and you wanted to get in on the fun, get some promo on the news. The very thought of people seeing your one blue eye was exciting, and sent shivers down your spine. 

“Dad, let’s go o-” You were dragged from the window and thrown to the ground. “Get under the desk Shiro! Don’t be an idiot!” He yelled, not caring that you had hurt your ankle in that moment. With hesitation, you walked behind the desk, bringing your bag with you. “Good, now don’t move. Remember, you don’t get to fight professional villains until you’re a pro yourself.” Endeavor explained, picking up a few things to bring with him downstairs. 

“I don’t want to be a hero.” You mumbled, rocking back and fourth as you held your legs. “What did you say to me?” He screamed angrily as you looked up, not knowing that he heard you. “N-no! Dad! I didn’t- I didn’t mean to say that. I just- eck!” You screamed as his hand came to hit your face, leaving a large bruise. 

“Don’t you dare bitch! You don’t get to say what you want and don’t want! I wanted a son, but look at what I got! Now you’re going to fucking listen!” His hand came to punch the other side of your face, knocking your head into the desk. 

“Fuck, if I had a belt I would whip you senseless.” He murmured as you started crying. “I-I’m sorry… just stop…” You cried, trying to hide your face between your knees. “Oh I’m not letting you get off this easy! Your brother said the same thing, and I’m not making the same mistake again!” 

As you tried to hide, he grabbed a box-cutter off his desk and sent it into your hip. “Now don’t you try to leave this room.” He mumbled, walking out without hesitation, leaving you to bleed on his floor. 

The cut was deep, and you were loosing blood fast.

Only being able to listen to the outside, you could hear the commotion calm down within minutes before your old man walked in. “Get up. Your future UA teachers will be here in five minutes. Put your jacket around your waist.” He threw it at you as you picked yourself up. “Don’t speak unless you’re told to. Got it?” He asked as you slowly nodded, trying to pull yourself together and wipe the tear marks away before two men stepped through the door. 

One had black hair and a man bun, and the other had long blonde hair that he kept down. You recognized them immediately. Radio sensation, UA teacher and pro hero Present Mic with his husband Eraserhead, who was a UA teacher and a low key pro hero as well. 

“Ahh, Shiro! We’ve heard so much about you! Hello!” Present Mic came to shake my head as you shook his, still shaking as Aizawa looked at my bruise. “Ahh, I… fell.” You hesitated, laughing as the two smiled nervously. These two worked with kids… so could they sense your fear. Could they help you?

“Um, let’s sit. Of course you were recommended, but I’d love to see your quirk in more action.” Aizawa motioned to your father’s couch as you all began to walk over there. But in the moment, your jacket fell off your waist, showing your crisped and bloody t-shirt from your father earlier. You could see the burn mark of a hand print even. “Oh my god! Shiro dear!” Present Mic got up to help you before you pushed him away gently. “I fell earlier! If you’ll excuse me I’ll just be a minute!” You rushed out of the room, leaving the jacket on the floor as you grabbed your backpack and sprinted out. You had to get out of the there, to take a break from your father. 

You didn’t care if it ruined your shots at UA or gave you a bad reputation with your teachers early on. You refused to sit there and bleed while they talked about your future. 

As you were waiting for the bathroom, you looked outside to see the League of Villains within the forest. Without thinking, you ran outside and into the forest after them. You didn’t know why, but it felt like destiny was calling you. That was, until you saw Best Jeanist sneaking up on one of the members. 

He had black pointy hair and wore a cloak-like jacket that was also black. Very emo. Slipping on your mask and hoodie before anyone could spot you, you snuck up behind him. Just as Best Jeanist was about to attack and spit cloth strings around Dabi, you tapped your foot, sending ice to Best Jeanist to freeze him like an ice cube. 

“Look out!” You screamed as he turned around to see the frozen pro. “Huh.” He whispered to himself, before turning to face you. With a clear view of you, he could see the red gas mask and knew that you were the one who the news networks had been talking about non-stop. The lonesome villain with a fantastic kill list. But… then he looked closer. He saw how on your hip was burnt to a crisp from someone’s hand, the bruise on your one eye, your bright white hair, and… the bright blue eye. After adding everything together, he realized something. 

“Shiro.” He whispered in shock, before you feel to your knees due to dizziness.

[milkiewie]

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if Dabi took Shouto. 

It’s been a few months since Touya died, long enough for him to heal enough to move. And long enough for all the animosity that had built up over the years to take over. His whole body still hurts like hell, but he has a goal that needs achieving.

Getting into his former home’s property is easy enough. He’s familiar with the whole layout and knows the best places to avoid being spotted. He also knows where Shouto runs away to when he’s finally given a break from training. It’s a small spot, isolated from the rest of the garden that mom loves so much. There are tons of weeds and the plants are overgrown though, so maybe she doesn’t love it so much anymore. 

Regardless, Shouto is right where Touya expects him to be. The kid is idly bending the stems of flowers like he’s trying to make a crown. He’s understandably spooked when Touya calls out to him, almost as much as Touya is shaken by the sight of a nasty scar on Shouto’s face. He had an idea of who did that. So this might be even easier than he anticipated.

Shouto doesn’t believe he’s Touya. And he can’t be blamed, given the circumstances. But that changes when Touya tells him things that only a family member would know. How Natsuo lost a tooth six months ago (Father had smacked him harder than usual), how mom cries every night, and how their father is a piece of shit.

And Shouto, little Shouto who only just turned six and knew all these things were true, asks Touya one question. “What do you know about me?”

“Nothing,” Touya says honestly, “Except that you’re the ‘masterpiece’.”

Shouto starts to cry. Because now he knows for sure that this is Touya. When he runs up to hug him, Touya lets it happen. Even as the still-healing grafts on his body are screaming in pain. Shouto babbles a bit, mostly incoherently. According to him, Natsuo and Fuyumi look sad without Touya. Mom is gone. And where did Touya go?

Ah, an opening. Touya says he can show Shouto where he went. He can take him away from this place, and they never have to come back. Shouto needs to leave now if he ever wants to be free. Touya is leaving for good after today. He won’t come back if Shouto chooses to stay, then changes his mind later.

That last part is kind of a bluff. Touya would try again if he had to, but it was better to avoid extra strife. Right now, he needs Shouto to believe this is his one and only chance for escape. And he needs the kid to make his choice fast.

Shouto seems to struggle with the decision. He asks, “What about Natsuo and Fuyumi?”

“They’ll be fine. Father isn’t interested in them, remember?” Touya says. “It’s only you, Shouto.”

Touya remembers when Shouto was born. It had been a home birth, like all the Todoroki children had been. Touya and his siblings had waited in a different room excitedly. They were getting a new brother, after all. It never occurred to them this child would be different. That he would live in a world completely different from theirs.

The baby’s cries gave only increased their anticipation. But then something else was heard. Laughter. Deep laughter that could only come from Father (but since when did he laugh?). When Touya and his siblings were finally allowed to enter the room, Father had been the one holding the baby, not Mom. The wide grin on his face had terrified Touya. It spoke of victory over some unknown force.

“Take a good look, you three. This is what you’ve all failed to be. Perfect.”

The tiny, screaming infant with tufts of half-red, half-white hair had seemed ugly to Touya at the time. But that had more to do with the sudden strike of bitterness and less with how the baby actually looked. Touya had spent years trying to meet his father’s ideals with little to no praise, and this thing had been called “perfect” the moment he was born.

Now, of course, Touya has grown beyond that anger. The burns taught him an important lesson. Enji Todoroki is a bastard who had children only so they could fill his needs, and he let the ones who failed fall to the way side. Shouto is just another object to be used, just like Touya and the others. 

Shouto is frowning, but his eyes are resolute when he nods. Touya has to stop himself from giving a feral grin. 

He and Shouto will be long gone by time anyone notices. Now it was time to move onto the next goal. Feed Shouto’s anger and teach him how the world worked. How terribly it worked. 

With time, Touya hoped he and Shouto could confront their father in the future. Though he rarely got to see Shouto before now, he knows that his brother’s quirk is strong. Fire and ice, a good way to regulate the backlash of a powerful ability. Touya’s own flames were intense. Too intense. But with Shouto, that won’t be as big of a problem as before. 

He wonders how Father will react. What kind of face will he make when his “dead” son and his prized possession meet him in battle? That it was the former who stole Shouto right out from under his nose? Or when they finally beat him into the ground like he deserves? Touya wants to know.

They were going to how Endeavor just how it feels to burn.

[ghoularaki]

bury the king in his bones | 5

↠  summary: The legend of fallen a dragon king has been told you many times before that you now know it by heart. But, your caretaker disappears and leaves you with only the promise that this land is real and one day you must choose which path you take. With the threat deep within the forgotten kingdom causing the dead to rise and monsters to be born, will you stay nothing more than a pretty doll or will you go against your fate?

↠  word count: 6,701

↠ pairing: bakugou katsuki x reader, todoroki shoto x reader, iida tenya x reader

↠ genre/warnings: angst, fantasy au, blood, abuse (physical and mention of sexual), endeavor is a shit dad and husband but wbk, mistreatment of mystical creatures :(, todoroki is a dick, kidnapping

↠ a/n: yay we finally get to meet todoroki!! honestly this chapter pretty tame compared to the others one. i hope you enjoy reading!

Todoroki’s mother never did quite get used to the scorching heat of Pyros. Taken from her home, Grares, due to a war treaty, she was once surrounded by the cold. Grares was a tundra made up of witches and warlocks that wielded ice magic. They were a humble people that lived in small homes and didn’t believe in kings. The only egregious structures were not for human greed, but to honor the gods that had blessed them. There was no such thing as palaces or castles, but temples and shrines big enough many believed the gods built them themselves. Despite this, there were still High Priestesses that represented the land as they were not ignorant to how the outside world worked. Or rather their brother land that seeked power.

Thirty years ago was when Grares, a people sworn to be neutral, were threatened with war. An elvish king, a son of a martyr followed in his father’s footsteps. Todoroki Enji was nothing short of a tyrant. He knew that he could not live forever, for even elves were mortal, so as he promised his father he would produce a child so powerful they would wield both ice and flame. 

The people of Grares only had one option — give their most powerful witch in between the ages of twenty and thirty or else be the first and last generation to see their tundra spark aflame. Rei, Todoroki’s mother, was the unfortunate soul to be sold off to a prideful king to be a breeding dog. 

Her lungs burned and blackened as she was forced northward into Pyros to meet her soon to be husband. Rei could not deny that Enji was a winsome man, but physical beauty can only last so long. Underneath the chiseled face was a man with an angry soul that raged on with envy. He wanted to be great, too. 

They both tried to make the best of what was given to them. Enji even gave her flowers in a poor sign of courtmanship, but Rei knew she was only there to give him an heir. In time and time again as Rei failed to give the selfish king a child that had both their powers, he grew violent, agitated. He blamed her for both their shortcomings and Rei could do nothing but try to show her other children the love their father never gave them. Touya, Natsuo and Fuyumi were all thrown away like broken dolls. Enji didn’t even cry when his eldest child, Touya — one that showed the most potential with his blue fire, disappeared and was later pronounced dead. Maybe it was the fear. Blue did always burn hotter than red. 

All seemed bleak until the day Todoroki was born. 

A child born split in half, one side of his features held his mother's white hair and grey eyes while the other had his father's crimson hair and turquoise eyes. It was like the sun and moon were merging down the center of his face. He was cursed to have not only his features be in two, but his powers to be yin and yang, fire and ice. Todoroki was his father’s perfect heir, and his mother’s worst fear. She couldn’t help how it haunted her that his right side resembled his father’s so much. 

Todoroki was six when he learned what hatred does. His father pushed and pushed everyone in the family until they couldn’t give any more. His mother was no different. She may be the queen of the most powerful kingdom in the land, but she was still human. It was another fight with Rei begging to let Todoroki be a child for once, that her son shouldn’t be throwing up with how exhausted he was. Enji only roared back that he must make up for his mistakes. She couldn’t handle being in the blistering heat anymore. The queen missed how the slightest wind turned her skin a lovely blue.

It was mere coincidence that Todoroki stumbled out of his bedroom, begging for his mother to tuck him back in despite her obvious descent into madness. Children are naturally selfish, but all she saw was her husband’s face in her child’s visage. 

“You look so much like your father,” she spat.

In blind rage, she cursed him to be as ugly as his father’s soul. That any time he resembled his father in the slightest, his right side would be overtaken. Though, as she heard her son cry out in pain, she instantly regretted the incantation and tried to fix it. In her desperation, she forgot that a witch’s spell cannot be reversed by their own hand and it backfired. Sobs ripped through her chest as she saw her child scream in pain as a scar etched into the right side of his face. The once pure skin was blemished with blistering flesh that spread across his inner eye to his temple, covering where eyebags should be and up his forehead. 

Todoroki did not blame his mother for what she did since he knew it stemmed from his father’s abuse. After that day, his mother was pulled far away from him, never to be seen again. Though, he knew she was not killed as his father couldn’t bring himself to do it. Every couple months, his father would bring snow drops — his mother’s favorite flowers native to Grares — as he disappeared for the rest of the day. But flowers could not make up for the torment he still bestowed upon the family. 

Even though no one wanted to admit it, Todoroki was very mature for his age. Since he could understand his native language it was ingrained into his head that he was meant to be the next king. 

He was seven when he had first met you. He was well aware that you, a bratty six year old was meant to be his future bride and for that he was disgusted by you. Todoroki hated how he had to be pulled from his home just to come to this rainy dump of a land to see a whiny little girl that knew nothing of duty. It didn’t make sense to him; why he had to deal with over a fortnights worth of travel to visit you while you stayed in your cozy, little palace. 

Yet, Todoroki was many things, but not obtuse. For a long time, he blamed you with the fact that he never got to be a child while you got to play in that damned courtyard until he saw the guard in every corner along with your caregiver. You were never left unsupervised. Every move you made was watched, calculated. For your whole life you had to walk down the same exact corridors. Yes, you got to play in your little courtyard surrounded in pretty pillars, but a cage is still a cage despite how decorated. 

He knew that you were born out of wedlock, a bastard child birthed from a whore and a king’s infidelity. For a while, this knowledge vexed him. Why did he have to marry an unwanted princess, someone not even meant to be born? Though as time passed, he knew you couldn’t be to blame. Maybe you were just as trapped as he, but he hated you all the same. 

Todoroki was eight when he realized what true power was. 

In the whole land from the southern edge of Grares all the way to the tiny island of Fir, everyone knew of the Ancient War. No one knew what had happened in those dark times, but all they knew was to keep silent about it. Even the mention of it was forbidden. Enji had forbade any talk, any whisper of the war and anything that wasn’t approved by him or the Capital would be sentenced to death. Out of pure fear, no one knew why this was but no one dared questioned the king.

That was until Todoroki got too curious. His whole life, he was allowed anywhere besides near his siblings and his father’s chambers. Since the disappearance of his mother he had become disobedient, cursing any demand his father had made. Within the palace, it was a cold night like every other night in the deserts of the Capital. Little fire sprites lit up the lanterns, faces dull from being overworked. Todoroki with his own lantern in hand, he fed the tiny creature a piece of coal which chirped in happiness at finally being given a snack. His small feet pattered against the cool stone tiles as he made his way into his father’s chambers. 

His father was away somewhere so Todoroki wanted to fuel his need to know what was so hidden that he wasn’t allowed even in the same corridor. He had open draw upon draw until he stumbled upon an old document of war. At first he thought it was the one to threaten the people of Grares before his mother was the sacrificial lamb, until he saw the name signed at the bottom. It was not his father’s, but his grandfather’s that had long since passed. He knew nothing of what this could mean, but before he could decipher it, his father had stormed into the room.

The little sprite flickered in fright as it tried to hide within the glass lantern. His father screamed words that Todoroki could not remember as he was hit so hard that he dropped the lamp. Glass littered the ground like snow to which the sprite made its escape, wanting to help but knew it was powerless in this situation. Todoroki clattered to the ground with the lantern, the glass digging into his forearms. His father beat him until he was a crying, bloody mess. Weak, he had felt weak, but he didn’t want to feel that way anymore. An ill rage filled his small body, a rage that had massacred armies before. 

He wanted to maim his father like he had done to everyone else in his family. After that thought, Todoroki’s memory to this day had turned up blank. All he knew was that after that day, his father had never laid a hand on him or his siblings ever again. 

For the first time, when Todoroki had to visit you he wasn’t so reluctant. All he wanted was to have something distract him so he didn’t have to think of what happened in his father’s chambers. Every eight months or rather every other season, but it was hard to tell because it was always summer in Pyros, Todoroki would come to visit you for about a week. 

Since he had met you, your caregiver was always there. She was a beautiful woman even young Todoroki could understand that. Though he felt a deep envy for the love she had for you since Todoroki never knew love besides his mother before she broke down and was ripped away from him. She was sweet and tried her best to care for Todoroki as well. Kamina was her name, Todoroki remembered and it matched her well. Sometimes, he felt bad that she constantly had to separate you two, but you made Todoroki so annoyed. He could tell that you loved her just as much, even more with how you looked at her as if she was the sun and everyone else were mere planets orbiting around her. 

Though, one day at the age of ten, years after that incident with his father did he come to your palace again to only see that you were alone and there was a haunted look in your young gaze. He had heard rumors that a month prior to his arrival that Kamina had attempted to escape with you in tow, but ultimately failed.

Usually when he arrived you would have fought tooth and nail for him to go away, screaming the whole week he was there but for once you were silent, so silent that it chilled Todoroki. It was a cold day when the Princess that was more fiery than the deserts of Pyros became a cold marble. It was that day that Todoroki saw a queen be born.

He put your quietness on the backburner, knowing that you would be the same again. Not like it was any of his concern in the end.  

Two years later when Todoroki visited again, he was more angered than usual due to his father being insist and making him practice sword fighting and his powers until he threw up. At this point, he should have been used to it by now, but he didn’t feel well. He was not in the mood to deal with you. He was right that you were back to your usual, annoying self. When he came back to the place he hated even more than his homeland, nasty words were on his clenched teeth. 

It seems you were just as mad, most likely to the knight that was following you around. He later found out his name was Iida Tenya, a knight from the Isles of Viren, meant to be your personal guard. He knew it had less to do with protecting but more about keeping you in line and a man sworn to duty was the best for the job. Even with this information, he thought nothing of the knight that hung back by the pillars within the courtyard. 

You sat on the ground making the flower crowns as you always did. There was a time when you would make them for Todoroki to wear out of politeness and Kamina said to make peace with the prince but he burned them. He never understood why your eyes were so sad as you watched the woven daisies go up in flames. 

He didn’t remember how it started but you were screaming insults at him and honestly he was sick of how much of a brat you were and he wanted to say something that would hurt, that would hurt deeply.

With such sharp grace like the swords he wielded he said awful things about your late caregiver and blamed you for her disappearance. To be honest, he had no clue what happened that night, like everyone else besides you. Maybe if you both were closer he would have asked what happened to the woman that was the closest to a mother you would ever receive. He was not naive to how the Queen belittled and smacked you until your face was swollen. It only got worse since Kamina’s disappearance. You two were more alike than he cared to admit.

The second the words registered in your head, your mouth snapped shut. Now face to face, he saw the deep sadness and ire that mixed in your watering eyes. But you refused to let him see how much his words affected you. With a greedy inhale you peer down at him from under your nose despite him being taller. Just like that cold marble the day he saw you become when you first lost her, you spared him one last haunted gaze before you whipped around to go to your knight. You did not wobble or falter as you walked away from the Prince. You were truly regal and you always have been. And he hated how natural it came to you while his duty was beaten into him since the day he could walk. 

Todoroki shook off the reminisce of nostalgia as he leaned his head against the carriage that led him to the palace. A curse slipped past his lips as his temple thumped against the wooden casing when his ride came to a stop. His lips pursed into a grumpy pout, sneering at the pain. Annoyed, he opened the window of the carriage door to see he had arrived at the palace in the heart of Mikkia. Your home. 

The sun was set in the sky to symbolize it was about twilight. Not patient enough to wait for a servant to open the door for him, Todoroki did it himself. He may have been a prince — soon to be king — but he was not a pampered brat. Though, as the wooden door swung open he didn’t expect the palace to be so chaotic. He tried to brush it off as everyone stressed about the fact that the wedding was to be in mere hours. It was tradition in Viren that royal weddings to be held at night as fireflies were a symbol of good fortune. 

This was different, though. It was as if everything was in shambles. The dead giveaway was the Queen who bit at the nail of her thumb as her eyes bounced around as if looking for something or someone. When her eyes finally locked onto Todoroki’s, her nose crinkled in a weak snarl. Taking that as his cue, he sauntered out of the carriage. He had ignored the frantic servants that stopped to bow before him to make conversation with the Queen. With a wave of her hand, the servants went back to their bustling. 

“Why is everyone so frantic?” Todoroki asked. His tone borderline dull despite his curiosity. He was just glad that his father had not come per usual or else he would have everyone’s head for not being orderly. 

 The Queen pulled an ugly expression of contempt. She licked her teeth with irate fervor before answering.

“The princess is gone.”

“Gone?” He was stunned and confused. Too little information was given for him to quite comprehend what he had been told.

“The little bitch and her knight were found missing this morning,” the Queen seethed. 

The more angered she becomes, the more liken to a snake her visage formed into. 

Once again, Todoroki was stunned. He had no idea what to feel. Todoroki was not ignorant to how much you despised him and the thought to marry him, yet he never thought you would go to this extreme. Yes, you were just as reluctant as him to not be wed, or even be on the throne. He was aware that you thought that if you were his Queen that you would be a puppet. A doll to place onto the throne of the right of him that didn’t not speak or think. A decoration so Todoroki could have full power over both Kimera and Viren. 

Despite the mutual hatred between you two, Todoroki would have never let you be a Queen similar to his mother. As irritating as you may be, you would never become a breeding dog. Even if he hated you, he would never let a human be susceptible to that torture if its within his power. 

The prince did not know if he felt anger or admiration that you actually had the courage to run away. A power that he didn’t possess. The part of the news that confused him the most was that Iida was found missing along with you. 

Just like Todoroki, Iida was a man of duty. The more he thought of it, Iida most likely found that you ran away and chased after you to bring you back. Yet the knight did have a weak spot for you, finding it difficult to not follow wherever you went and cling onto every word you said. Iida was the only true friend you had, Todoroki understood well, and the knight would collect all the stars in the sky just for you to smile towards him. 

But Todoroki knew you longer and wasn’t one to fall for your charms. You were impulsive and rarely thought your actions through. He had seen it many times before that you let your heart guide you and not your brain. You were passionate to a fault. And this was another example of you being an irresponsible idiot. Todoroki knew what he must do. 

The prince glared directly into the Queen’s eyes, “I will retrieve the princess and her knight for you since a whole damn palace can’t keep one sheltered little girl and her dog contained.” 

The Queen flinched at his tone, but made no move to defy him. 

“Is there anything you will need for your journey?” 

Todoroki peered into the palace, down the open corridors that would eventually lead down to where your room sat. “A horse and my dual swords, it shouldn’t take long for him to find them.” 

The Queen gave a perturbed look, “why the swords?”

“Just in case,” was all Todoroki spat. 

Now, he had no ill intent with those swords, but he knew that you would fight back and if you did, your knight would soon follow through. Anything to protect his darling princess. 

As he made his way to the stables, Todoroki scowled at the ivory horse he had chosen for his journey. His mission was to retrieve you whether you came kicking and screaming or not was not to appease his father or the people. Todoroki was not stupid, but a silent diplomat. It was about time for a new era to emerge in the kingdoms of Kimera and Viren. One where the people didn’t live in fear and if that meant you must be by his side, then so be it. But your tantrum was not going to deter him from his goal. 

He mounts the enormous beast, the saddle already put on. Todoroki tries to think of where you must have escaped from. You weren’t allowed many places so the options were easily limited. He batted away the tragic realization that he had been to more parts of your own home than you have. You most likely didn’t even know you had a stable. Todoroki clicked his tongue at his stupid thought process. It didn’t matter, all that did was him returning you here. 

Since you had no clue where most entrances or exits were in the palace, Todoroki narrowed it down that you had escaped through the old maid chamber’s where you were found when your caregiver attempted to kidnap you. There were woods there you must have ran towards. Even if he didn’t want to admit it, Todoroki knew how you were and he trusted his intuition. Knowing where he can start tracking you, he steered his horse to the woods. He gave the Queen a blank look as he passed by her but his gaze spoke a million words. 

The horse’s hooves thumped against the grass covered ground as he spun away from the palace. Trees with outstretching arms welcomed Todoroki down the path you had run along. His heterochromic eyes glared into the pathway where your footprints lead him deeper down the path.

Assuming you had left by night, he was almost a day behind you. Keeping this in mind he galloped into the forest, the trees enlarging until the completely dwarfed Todoroki and his horse. The moon was high in the sky when he made it to the cliff side that leads to a small neighboring town. Trodding down until he reaches people, he glares at how they go about their night, never meeting his eye. As he reached the end of the town, he saw an older man raise a brow at him in wonder. 

Skidding to a stop, Todoroki asked the man, “Have you seen a girl come passed here?”

“Yeah, and what about it?” The man had a gruff way of speaking and Todoroki disliked his tone.

“Can you tell me where she went?” He bit out.

“Told her the head towards town, said something about the Hydrian sea.”

Todoroki pinched his lips at this information, “Thank you.”

He didn’t let the man speak another word as he whipped the reins of the horse with a guttural ha! The prince kept this information in mind as he rode towards the town he assumed you were taking refuge in for now. He knew that you weren’t an idiot and wouldn’t dare stay stagnant in one place for long. Todoroki just hoped he could get to you before you migrated somewhere else. A game of cat and mouse was not one he would be too fond to play as of now. 

Determined to catch you before it was too late, he rode for the rest of night towards the small town. He arrived by late morn.  

His face twisted at the thick smell of filth and cow manure. The muddy ground squashed beneath the horse’s hooves. Todoroki was happy that he didn’t have to sink his feet in what he can only assume was dirt and shit. Once again, he despised Mikkia’s murky weather for this exact reason. 

The town, though, was larger than the smaller one he had visited. There were actual stores and guards that bowed their heads when he trodded towards them. 

“What brings you here, Your Majesty?” One of them asked.

“Have you seen a girl go by here? She would have long hair, royal markings on her hands and possibly a scarf to cover her face.” 

“Royal markings, Your Majesty?” The guard inquired, perplexed. “Is this about the princess?”

“Have you seen her or not?” Todoroki sneered. He did not have time for this.

“No I have not, Your Majesty.”

Todoroki rolled his eyes at the over formality. “Would you quit with the ‘Your Majesty’ after every goddamn sentence, it is brain numbing.”

“I’m sorry,” the guard bowed his head.

He waved away the apology as he scanned the area for places you could possibly have stayed in. You were most likely exhausted when you treaded into this town seeing as you didn’t stop at the town miles away from here. His eyes darted to the tavern not too far from him with a vacancy sign. 

Todoroki rode past the guard towards the small building. At the door did he hop off the horse and tied the reins to a pole close by. He walked in with a posh air, already wanting this hunt to be over. Behind the counter was a woman cleaning a glass and when she looked up, she pulled her lip in disgust at Todoroki. To be honest, he felt quite offended.

“Are you another stick-in-the-mud royal guard going to harass me? I already had to deal with another one this morning at ass crack of dawn.” The woman jutted out her hip as she laid a hand on her waist. 

“What do you mean?” Todoroki questioned, sauntering over towards her.

She raked her eyes up and down his body, glaring holes at the obvious royal clothes he wore even though they were nothing from Mikkia or even Pyros. They were traditional clothes from Grares, better suited for Mikkian weather and if he had to be married than he would rather it be in the side of him he actually claimed. 

“A guard bombarded me this morning about a missing princess or something of that sort. I told him multiple times I didn’t see anyone like that but he didn’t believe me so I finally kicked him out.” Her hands were flippant as she spoke, obviously not caring who she was talking to.

“I see,” Todoroki began, leaning in towards her in hopes to intimidate, “well, did you see any girl passing by here. Especially if it was in your establishment?”

The woman gave him an untrusting expression before frowning that accentuated her smile lines.  

“Are you going to hurt her?” The woman asked, voice nearly cracking at the end. 

“I have no intention to,” that part was true but the next thing he spoke wasn’t, “I just want to get her back. She’s a very long way from home.”

Her eyes bounced between both the Prince’s eyes, searching for a lie. When she had found none, she let out a heavy hearted sigh. “Last night a young woman had come into the tavern seemingly out of place. I offered a room down the hall, but when I went to get her in the morning she was long gone. The only trace she left was the window she left open. I can only assume she had crawled through it to escape. What? I have no idea. I hope the poor thing is okay.”

Todoroki nodded along with the information. You must have heard the guard looking for you and had made your escape.

Clever girl, he seethed in his head. But not clever enough.

“Par chance, could you tell me what is near the window she had crawled out of?” 

“Oh, just some old woods, but only the men that go hunting dare go inside. It’s infected with wolves.” The woman then gasps, “you don’t think she went in there, do you?”

Todoroki’s breath hitched in his throat at the thought of you alone in the woods with wolves swarming the area. Yet, calmed again when he remembered that Iida was with you. You were a fucking fool and he had all the more the reason to drag you back to the palace. You were going to get yourself killed.

“Who knows. Thank you for the information.”

The woman nodded her head in goodbye and went back to cleaning the glass. Right when Todoroki was at the door, she called out to him.

“I don’t know if this is anything helpful, she has asked about a land past the Hydrian if that’s of any significance.”

His face fell at those words. 

“It does.” 

At that, Todoroki slammed the door closed and stomped to his horse that was amazingly still where he left it. He heaved himself back onto the ivory beast and steered it towards the woods behind the tavern. The horse whined at the force in which its head was turned but kept silent after. Todoroki didn’t mean to be so rough, but he felt a rage built within his belly.

Not once should he have questioned how folly you could be. He was not blind to how your caregiver filled your head with tales of an abandoned kingdom closer to us than everyone of this generation has known. Of course, you would go out on a half ass planned journey to this place that you didn’t even know existed.  

Todoroki will bring you back home, whether you like it or not. And so the game of cat and mouse had begun. 

Days have passed since Todoroki broke past the treeline of the town to track you down. You weren’t very discrete, always leaving a trail of where you and Iida made camp. He had followed that up until he reached the borders of Vignia, the snow now covering your trace. 

The prince was well aware of the Barbarians that resided in Vignia and decided to stick close to the edge of the tundra where lake Zkathli was to avoid the tribe. Now with no way to follow you, he aimed to Kenan where the port cities are since that would be where you could get a boat. 

A gust of wind clawed at Todoroki’s cheeks, rubbing them a bloody red. A shiver ran down his spine, he was glad that he wore Grares traditional clothes instead of Pyros or otherwise he would have frozen to death. He only hoped you were smart enough to do the same. Yawning, the horse swayed as it walked through the snow. Todoroki felt bad for the horse that had to endure the harsh winter, but he had no other choice. Throughout the journey, Todoroki had regulated his heat levels with his fire magic, but could only do so much.

The hues of the pine trees blended together and he was sure he would go insane if he had to spend any longer in this monochrome state. Not too far, Todoroki heard a squeaky yawn mimicking his own. Out from the corner of his eye he saw a flash of blue. Whipping his head to the right, there hiding behind a snow painted branch was a winter pixie. 

Seeing that they were caught, they floated towards the prince with no fear. The little creature sniffed the air and then squeaked in happiness. With no shame, they rubbed their bluish cheek against Todoroki’s cold one. 

The prince only blinked in confusion. “Can I help you?”

More pixies started to appear out of the woodwork, sniffing along the horse and his stuff. They all seemed delighted with whatever smell Todoroki and his horse gave off. He was well aware that pixies did not speak the common tongue, but he was left wondering why they were so attached to him.

“Do I know you?” Todoroki questioned. 

The pixie that had approached him first, shook their head and then pointed at the horse followed by tapping their nose. 

“The smell of my horse?”

They nodded their head with a grin, pin needle teeth and all. Todoroki kept walking through the woods as he played guessing games with the pixies. He had no clue what they were trying to convey. Eventually, they got aggravated and tugged onto the crest that was stitched into the saddle for the horse. It was the symbol of the kingdom of Viren, a unicorn with a sea serpent tail that was also welded into the bicep of Iida’s suit of armor.

“Do you recognize this symbol?”

They all let out high pitched hurrays and nodded their heads. Before he could ask how, one of them cupped their hands into O’s and put them to their eyes to mimic glasses. Another moved their arms and hands in a stiff rapid way, similar to Iida’s. 

A lopsided smile graced his face as he huffed in disbelief. “Are you talking about the knight? Was he accompanied by a girl around the same age as him?”

They clapped their hands, happy he knew who they were talking about. Though, at the mention of you, they seemed sad. 

“Do you know where they went?”

The first one to float towards him, whimpered and shook their head. The pixie seemed to miss you the most with how their beady eyes bubbled over with longing. 

“I see,” Todoroki grumped.

He had wasted so much time playing games with woodland creatures, only to find no information useful. Though, the game did pass the day by and quench his loneliness for a while. 

Sensing they were no longer wanted, the pixies dispersed back into the trees, the memory of you only seeming farther away now. To each other, Todoroki and the pixies, their presence only brought a phantom of you, no closer to their goals. 

Todoroki never feared the dark, it was just something he was never accustomed to. His life was filled with light in some way or another. Every inch of the palace was covered in fire whether it be a physical flame or how gold impersonated it. His father never let the palace be filled with blackened night, maybe he was the one who feared it. 

Even as a child, he wasn’t scared of monsters hiding under his bed when he knew they took place upon the throne. Fairy tales were not something he enjoyed even when at the sliver of time his mother told old stories from Grares. Yet, you always trembled when the sun slipped down the horizon to embed himself into the earth. 

You were always gullible and believe every dark tale Todoroki told you as some sort of petty revenge. Monsters and phantoms that crept in the marble pillars, hidden in your bed sheets when you weren’t careful were his favorite stories to spin. 

The prince never feared the dark, but here he was treading across the snowy land with trembling hands. Weeks have passed since he last saw those pixies that had left him empty handed. Todoroki thought he was used to loneliness after years of isolation, but in these woods with nothing but his horse and the glowering moon, he craved human interaction. 

Strong willed as he may be, no human was susceptible to the ache night brings. So like all those years from the palace, he had pulled out his sword and lit it up with fire for the comfort of light. But against the backdrop of white, the flames had dyed the area a rose red. Red like his hair, red like the royal ink on your hands, red like his father’s anger, red like blood. 

Todoroki prayed he found you soon because he didn’t know how much longer he could take this bloody cold. 

Be careful what you wish for, Todoroki’s eldest and only sister, Fuyumi, had once told him. He, a stubborn child, did not listen. Now, more than ever did he wish he heeded her lesson. 

After what seemed to be centuries — but in retrospect about a week — did Todoroki finally break away from the eternal winter of Vignia. He had made it along the border of Kenan with his horse in tow. Immediately he went to an inn in search of a proper bed and food. Todoroki in that month in those woods survived solely on berries and rabbit meat, the rare occasion he managed to catch the sly creatures. 

When he finally made his way into civilization, he did not expect for his horse to be stolen and a burlap bag over his head. Todoroki did not think himself a fool, but he was confused as to why he was so openly kidnapped, by pirates nonetheless. Though, that question was quickly answered when one of his kidnappers first insulted his intelligence and then told him that after the borders of Mikkia, royalty held no immunity. 

Before he could even try to escape, he was bludgeoned over the head, galaxies clashing together beneath his eyelids. When he awoke, he was in a cell with wooden walls and iron bars. First thing he noticed was the strong smell of sea salt mixed with rotting fish, and second that he was stripped bare of his weapons. 

For hours the prince sat there with sweat and muck collecting on his porcelain skin. Todoroki thumped his head against the wall as he peered down his nose at the bars, willing them to break. He could melt the bars but his skin would melt with the metal. Yes, his own fire couldn’t penetrate him, though surrounding objects he couldn’t say the same. A burning frustration blazed inside of him from being so careless. His search for you had already been long enough, he can’t do with such a delay.

Resonating footsteps pounded against the wooden ground of what Todoroki contemplated was the bowels of an old ship. 

A singsong voice bellows, “Oh Prince, you’ve got company.”

Out from the corner is three men carrying four bodies over their shoulders. In the cell in front of him, the iron cell door opens with a rusty squeak followed by the sound of three limp bodies hitting the ground. What he did not expect was to recognize one of the men dropped into the cell. Just like he was, the men had burlap bags over their head, but Todoroki could remember a Knight from the Isles of Viren. If Iida was here, you must be, too. 

As if reading his thoughts, another body was thrown into his cell. Liken to dominos when his cell door shut so did the other. With no further chatter, the pirates that had kidnapped all of you, whisked away.

Todoroki was quick to crawl towards you, a deep set frown etched into his full, chapped lips. He turned your comatose body over so you laid on your back instead of how you were tossed on your side. He laid your head on his lap and pulled the bag from your head. His eyes scan for any injuries besides the tender spot on your skull similar to his. 

His vibrant turquoise and dark taupes bounce down to your legs, only to notice blood that had caked the material. Heart jumping onto the back of his tongue, he moved the thick fabric with a hole for there to be no wound. The prince sighs in relief that you were alright, shoving aside his curiosity to why he cared so much. 

With a deep scowl, he breathed out, “What the hell happened to you, Y/N?”

[fangirl-1523]

My Sworn Brothers [Luffy x Crossover!Sister!Reader x Ace x Sabo]

A/N: Hey, so I want to write a High School AU of the many, many anime I have watched/ read. Bleach, Blue Exorcist, Devil is a Part-Timer, Durarara, Fairy Tail, Fullmetal Alchemist, High School of the Dead, InuYasha, Kill La Kill, Magi, My Hero Academia, Noragami, One Piece, Ouran High School Host Club, Pokemon, Saiki K, Sailor Moon, Seven Deadly Sins, Soul Eater, Sword Art Online, Vampire Knight, Your Lie in April, and Yu Gi-Oh. And I was wondering who would you like to be apart of your friend? And would you like to have a relation to any of the characters of the world. 

Summary: [Y/N] is the oldest sworn sister to Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. And after finding Ace and Sabo aboard Luffy’s ship, the Thousand Sunny, she explains to them who she is, her other sworn brothers and sisters, embarrasses the three of them (a regular Tuesday for her), and threatens them with a chalkboard for interrupting her. Multiple times. In this story, most of the anime I am into is in the same world (Bleach, Blue Exorcist, Fairy Tail, Fullmetal Alchemist, InuYasha, Magi, My Hero Academia, Naruto, Noragami, Seven Deadly Sins, and Sword Art Online.  I might do a part 2. 

Warnings: spoilers for the above mangas and animes, also, even though this is along the timeline of after the time skip (at some point), I took the creative liberty to have Ace alive during this meeting for a quad family reunion, might be language

Word Count: 1, 668

“How the hell am I suppose to believe that my three idiotic brothers would be in the same place at the exact same time I’m trying to find them?” the girl with [H/C] hair, old enough to be Luffy’s age, maybe a year younger or a year older than him. 

“[Y/N]!!” the rubber boy flung himself at her in a hug.

She fell down on her butt from the impact of the hug. She groaned before pushing the boy off of her and standing up, dusting herself off. “Geez, Lu. I was on a job, just finished, and I heard something about a Straw Hat, a Fire Fist, and a blonde with a top hat that put the mad hatter to shame. I just came to see if the rumors are true.” 

“What job did you have, sis?” Sabo said as he sipped a smoothie created from Vinsmoke Sanji. 

“Well, you see. In the ten years I’ve been gone, I’ve been busy. Both with being lazy and being diligent.” the girl explained. “I am a member of Fairy Tail. Dragon Slayer Magic, particularly fire, water, earth, air, and plant. Requip the Knight. Some space jumping there and vortex opening here.” 

“You got the two mixed up, kid.” Ace said from his spot next to Sabo. 

The girl grinned an evil grin. “Oh, did I, Ace of Clubs?” 

The raven haired pirate groaned at the nickname while Luffy’s crew members wondered after the nickname. Ace kept giving her the don’t-tell-them-anything look with a cut-it-out motion. She, like most people she knew, did not listen to reason. 

“Well, when we were younger, I attempted to teach the pour unfortunate souls that you call Luffy, Sabo, and Ace golf. And we played mini-gold. First hole we went to, the club flew out of Ace’s hand and crashed into the window where the pour lady working the club stand was clonked on the head and fell unconscious. Another fun fact: I’m overly competitive and therefore master of mini gold. Luffy on the other hand... beat my bowling high score of just a little over four hundred points.” [Y/N] explained. 

“THAT’S NOT HOW YOU PLAY GOLF, YOU IDIOT!” Usopp shouted at his captain. 

“Ace was a lot worse. However, on the eighteenth hole, got a hole in one. Although with team sports, I always sided with Luffy ‘cuz he was the baby of the family.” she explained. 

“Never play Volleyball with her unless you’re Luffy.” Sabo warned the Straw Hat Pirates. 

“Could you... possibly.... explain who you are?” asked Nami. 

“That’s an easy and excellent question, m’lady. I am [Y/N] [L/N], the daughter of the Demon King from the Demon Clan, Niece of Solomon, adoptive daughter of the great dragon, The Curse of Depravity, a mage of S-Class ranking, the best older sister anyone can have, a Shinigami, and the Pirate Fairy.” [Y/N] said with her hands on her hips like wonder woman. 

“You’re not wonder woman, dumbass.” Ace muttered. 

She scowled at the boy (who was now physically older than her). “I know that, asshole.” Ace shrugged his shoulders at that. “Anyways, I should get going. I’m here with my teammates. And Salamander will have a cow if he finds out I’m on a Pirate Ship. Which may or may not include Natsu asking you all to fight him at once for his sister.” [Y/N] shrugged. 

“SISTER?!” Luffy screeched. 

“YOU ALREADY REPLACED US?!” Ace and Sabo said in unison. 

“This is why I never took you to Amusement parks or sat next to you on a ride.” she clenched at her swollen ears.  “No, I was merely saying that I have something called [Y/N]’s Council of Brothers. They’re basically a band of boys I feel need my protection, wisdom, and power to embarrass them until they’re six feet under and rotting.” 

“She’s dark.” Nami said. “But can you explain this whole Council of Brothers thing. Because I’m not sure they,” the ginger pointed to the three brothers, “understand.” 

“Alright! I will go over a lesson here!” and suddenly a white board appeared by her side with writing already on it. 

“Where did you get the white board?” asked Luffy. 

“That’s not important right now.” she scowled. “Yes, Sabo.” 

“Was that Whiteboard always there and we just never noticed it?” the blonde asked. 

“No. Ace if this is a question about the white board, I will smack you with the same gold club that flew through that window. All questions about the stupid whiteboard will be answered after I explained everything. Got it?” 

The three brothers grumbled out a, “Yes.”  

“Good. Anyways, to start it off I have two half-brothers. Meliodas and Zeldris.” she slapped a pointer stick against the whiteboard. 

“Did she always have that?” Ace asked, whispering it to his two brothers. 

“I don’t know. I’m just glad someone noticed it besides me.” Sabo murmured back. 

“SILENCE, YOU INSOLENCE FOOLS!” and she threw a frying pan which hit Ace in the head. 

Why does she have a frying pan in her requips? Sabo wondered in his head, not wanting to get hit in the head with anything else she might have to throw at them. 

“Anyways, Meliodas and Zeldris are my half-brothers. Zeldris is the captain of the Demon Clan’s ten Commandments while Meliodas is the captain of Liones’s Seven Deadly Sins of which I am co-captain and the Phoenix Sin of Darkness. To be fair, I look more like my mother and I think the only thing me, Meliodas, and Zeldris share is our dumbassery we inherited from our father. Second off, my cousin is Magi Aladdin since my mother is his father, Solomon,’s sister. Now, that’s enough of my actual biological family. Now, I won’t go into detail about those three. Because you already seem well-acquainted with one another. Anyways, onto the next one. The next one on my list of brothers is a half-demon named Rin who is the son of Satan along with his younger brother, Yukio, but he doesn’t really need protection. next is Kazuto Kirigaya also known as Kirito. I prefer to call him that. He got stuck in a game where if you die there, you die in real life, but he defeated them. next, we have Satan himself, a king of demons, Sadou Maou. He works as a part-timer for a fast food chain which is sad to be honest. Next, we have Alibaba Saluja, a prince and a king’s candidate, also my cousin’s best friend. He wields the fire djinn, Amon. Also, he’s trying to be a gladiator while figuring out his feelings for Fanalis and former slave Morgiana. Next, we have actual God Yato who is a former god of calamity and a current god of war. I think. I’m not quite sure. But he and his two regalia, Yukine and a Nora named Kazuma, but also Kazune under Yato, must be protected by me at all cost. Then, we have Edward Elric, a alchemist missing both a leg and an arm because he wanted to see his mom’s smile again which kicks me in the heartstrings whenever I hear it. His brother, Alphonse, is an honorary member of the Council of Brothers. And he used to be entirely a soul attached to a suit of armor. No joke.” 

“Does no one else notice that they are mostly raven haired or blonde?” Nico Robin commented. 

The Straw Hat Pirates turned to the three sworn brothers who just shrugged their shoulders at that. “I admit I am guilty for that. But my actual brothers are raven headed and blonde, so that may be the reason. Anyways, off to the next people. Now, this person could make Luffy look like a genius. Sometimes. Natsu Dragneel, a salmon haired fire dragon slayer, is the brother of Zeref Dragneel, the black wizard, and also simultaneously END, the most powerful demon of the book of zeref which makes him one of the top fifteen most powerful demons. Next, we have strawberry boi, Ichigo Kurosaki, a shinigami who I’ve been helping train. He could see the dead and then he discovered his spiritual power, stole the shinigami powers of Rukia Kuchiki, and started to exorcist hollows and send souls to the soul society. Then, we have my favorite band of brothers since they could literally be in a band. Broccoli Boi, Izuku Midoriya, kinda has a power augmentation quirk, best way to describe it without giving too much away, Porcupine Katsuki Bakugo who can blow things up with help from his sweat. Zuko Wannabe Shoto Todoroki who can wield fire and ice. Also, his brother Touya may or may not be Dabi. Then, Pikachu Kaminari Denki who can utilize elctricity, but too much and he makes Luffy look like a genius. No joke. Well… maybe… I don’t really know. Anyways, then we have speedster Tenya Iida. Oh, there’s sharkboy Eijiro Kirishima. He can make himself go as hard as rock, but he has limitations. Then, we have spidertape Hanta Sero that can shoot tape out of his elbows. Then, half-demon InuYAsha who is the son of a dog demon and a mortal woman. There’s also Shippo who is an adorable little kitsune. And I think I got everyone.” the girl looked at her board before smacking it again as she noticed Luffy had begun to doze off while Ace had totally fallen asleep. 

The action alerted the two boys to wake up at once and glare at their older sister. And then, a silver haired undead man with a flying blue cat landed on the floor of the ship. “Thank goodness we found you. C’mon. We got a mission and you and your ‘Team Natsu’ have a job request from the old man and a princess.” 

“So Hisui and Bartra both agree to have us do something, but what is this so-called mission?” asked [Y/N]. 

Ban smirked. “We’re fighting slave-trading pirates.” 

“I want in!” Luffy cheered.

[kagehinataboke]

only time will tell - chapter 1

"Flight one-twenty-seven direct to Hosu City now boarding. First-class passengers, please proceed to the gate."

Todoroki collects his luggage to board the plane, making sure his surgical mask and sunglasses are secure. This is only one of the many things he resents about his father: he forced him into modeling, so now he has to wear ridiculous disguises like this everywhere he goes. Of course, his father is dead now, but the grudge still remains.

A lot of grudges, actually. Todoroki could go on about them all, but it’s four in the morning and he’s getting on a flight home, where he has about a million problems to worry about other than his deceased father’s wrongdoings. So he hands over his boarding pass, falls into his assigned seat, and tries not to think of the mess waiting for him in Hosu.

What he’s most worried about is Katsuki. Bakugou Katsuki, to be specific. His childhood friend. The one he left behind ten years ago without saying a word. Although, of course, that’s his dad’s fault, too. But no matter whose fault it is, Katsuki will be angry. He has—had?—a short temper. It’s been too long to really know what he’s like now. They couldn’t even keep in touch.

Maybe he’ll understand. After all, Todoroki was dragged away. He didn’t want to go. He wanted to have time to hug goodbye and exchange contact information, but he was only six and didn’t have a say in what happened to him. Maybe, with that in mind, Katsuki will understand. And if he doesn’t, Todoroki will cross that bridge when he comes to it. In the meantime, he has about a million texts and emails to respond to: most from his agent, but a decent amount from his sister.

Todoroki texts her back first. She’s the one who will be picking him up at the airport, so it’s probably best not to make her angry. She’s just spamming him with typical sisterly concerns, such as making sure to sleep on the flight and eat some breakfast before landing. Todoroki probably won’t do either of those things, but he tells her he will anyway.

As for his agent, she’s been overbooking him lately. She wants him to branch out from modeling into acting, which he’s had to refuse about a million times. Todoroki is bad at acting, and the last thing he wants is to be further in the spotlight. He’s looking forward to being out of it entirely—if he manages to build up the courage to quit, that is.

Todoroki puts his phone away with a sigh, tilting his head back against the seat. He pulls his sweatshirt hood over his face and closes his eyes. He should try to sleep at least a little. He had to wake up early to catch the flight, and he didn’t sleep very much before that due to nightmares. He’s been having them a lot recently.

Getting away from Tokyo will probably help. If he’s no longer surrounded by old memories, it’ll be easier to move on. As soon as he quits modeling. Damn, he really needs to do that soon… If he gets one more call from his agent begging him to shoot a TV drama, he’ll lose his mind. In Hosu he can return to his old, simple life.

Return to his old life… That just makes him think of Katsuki again. Will he even remember him? It’s been ten years since they last spoke. He’s the one regret Todoroki has, other than wasting most of his childhood on modeling. One of the first things he wants to do when he gets to Hosu is make amends with him.

Ah, he’s supposed to be sleeping. It’s useful to plan ahead right now: the plane hasn’t even taken off yet.

* * * * * *

“Shouto, I told to sleep on the plane so you wouldn’t be sleepy at seven AM.” is the first thing Fuyumi says when she sees him. The second—after pulling him into a brief hug—is, “You look so skinny. You ignored me and didn’t eat, didn’t you?”

“I ate,” Todoroki lies, rubbing the sleep from his eyes so she stops scolding him. He slings his duffel bag over his shoulder, pulling his allergy mask up to conceal a yawn.

“Where’s the rest of your bags?” Fuyumi asks, peering around him as if there’ll be a suitcase hiding in the back pocket of his jeans.

“I only brought this. I was in a hurry to leave.” Todoroki flinches when she rears back a fist to punch him. “Don’t hit me. I can just buy new clothes here. We’re rich, Fuyumi.”

“You’re so spoiled.” Fuyumi prods him in the small of his back, pushing him toward the automatic doors. “Come on. Natsuo is waiting for you back at the house.”

“Touya?” Todoroki asks through another, louder yawn. He’s never been good at waking up.

“Who knows what he’s doing.” She opens her car door and slides into the driver’s seat with a scoff. “Natsuo worked a double at the hospital and still came to greet you. If I were to wager a guess, I’d say Touya is still off celebrating Dad’s death in Okinawa.”

Todoroki sighs. “Don’t say it that way, Fuyumi.”

It’s true: he can’t deny that. They all hated their father, Todoroki and Touya most of all. Still, phrasing it that way is insensitive. Not that Todoroki really cares, but it’s too early in the morning to be reliving all his old childhood trauma.

Fuyumi pulls out of the airport parking lot and glances at Todoroki out of the corner of her eye. “How are you holding up, Shou?”

The question holds a lot of implied subquestions, none of which Todoroki feels like answering. Fuyumi knows how Enji treated him: all his siblings do. As the youngest, Todoroki was the last one left when Natsuo moved out. It wasn’t his siblings’ fault, of course. Enji was Todoroki’s legal guardian, and nobody could’ve done anything to get him out of that house. But nobody can do anything to get him to talk about it, either.

As far as Todoroki is concerned, that’s all in the past. Everything that happened in Tokyo is now ancient history. He’s ready to move on, which largely involves lying to everyone who cares about him.

“I’m doing fine. I’m just tired. There was a lot of turbulence on the flight.” He can’t tell her about the nightmares or she’ll get even more worried. “How are things with the company?”

After Enji died, his marketing company fell into the oldest, Touya’s, hands. And since Touya is a lazy piece of garbage, it quickly fell to Fuyumi. She’s been working herself to the bone trying to learn the ropes. Even Natsuo, who’s a notorious airhead, is concerned for her wellbeing.

Fuyumi sighs, developing a wrinkle between her brows that appears whenever she’s stressed. “It could be better, but it could also be worse. I’m handling things, but there’s a lot to do. I probably won’t be home much, as much as I wanted to help you settle in for you first week back at school.”

“It’s fine. I can handle it on my own.” Todoroki taps his fingers against the window as half-familiar streets zip past. He hasn’t been to Hosu in years, but it’s where he grew up. Will he start to remember it little by little? Natsuo said that’s what it was like for him.

“You seem so much more reserved than when I last saw you. How long ago was that? New Years?” Fuyumi shakes her head, letting out a gentle scoff of indignation. “If Dad wasn’t dead already, I’d kill him myself. If you need anything at all, ever, just let me know, okay?”

It’s her way of apologizing for not helping him. Todoroki appreciates the sentiment, as worthless as it is. “I will.” He looks out the window again, changing the subject. “Do you know if Katsuki is still here in Hosu?”

“Katsuki?” Fuyumi frowns. “You mean your old friend, right? The one that you were always stuck to like glue.” She’s smiling now. “I think he’s still around. I see his mom at the store sometimes. I didn’t know you two were still close.”

“We’re not.” Todoroki rests his chin in his palm, watching his reflection in the glass. “But we will be. I’m going to try to find him and make friends again.” Todoroki smiles faintly. “He was really energetic when we were kids. I wonder what he’s like now.”

Fuyumi shrugs. “Who knows.” She puts the car in park and turns it off, reaching over to unbuckle Todoroki’s seatbelt. “We’re here, little brother. Let’s go see if that idiot Natsuo has started huffing helium from your welcome balloons yet.”

* * * * * *

After Fuyumi kicks Natsuo out following a rather exhausting dinner, Todoroki is relieved to retreat to the room Fuyumi set up for him. It was her office before, but she told him that she basically lives at work now and doesn’t need it anymore. Todoroki told her he could easily afford his own place, but she wouldn’t have it.

She set it up minimalistically, at least. She told him he could decorate it however he wants, but he’ll probably leave it as it is. He doesn’t have many keepsakes or prized possessions to personalize the space. Fuyumi did put a photo album on the bed, though.

Todoroki picks it up after setting his bag in the closet, sitting on the mattress to skim through the photos. Most of them are him and his siblings, sitting around the tree at Christmas, throwing snowballs at each other, and playing tag in the park.

Pictures of he and Katsuki are mixed in with the ones of Todoroki and his siblings. Fuyumi was right: they were glued to each other as kids. Todoroki followed him around everywhere. To him, Katsuki seemed amazing, like a superhero. He wasn’t afraid of anything—not even the thunder that would leave Todoroki shaking during the rainy season. Katsuki was invincible. An immovable force.

What is he like now? Is he the same loud, outspoken, caring person Todoroki used to look up to? He’s probably changed. Over the course of ten years, it would be very hard not to. Even if he’s different, Todoroki hopes they’ll still get along. He hasn’t had a friend in a long time. He’s almost forgotten what it’s like.

To be fair, he’s forgotten a lot of things. For instance, he’s forgotten how to be happy. He can’t recall doing anything fun in… Well, he can’t recall doing anything fun, period. As sad as it sounds, Todoroki has forgotten how to live.

But that’s why he’s here, isn’t it? He’s free to do as he pleases. He can spend the whole weekend doing nothing. He can have friends and go to school and go to an arcade and waste the day whenever he wants to. It’s a little strange to think about, almost like culture shock.

Todoroki takes a picture from the photo album and collapses on the bed, holding it up to the morning light that streams through the far window. He remembers the day this was taken. It was late autumn, so he and Katsuki are bundled up in coats and scarves. Katsuki has tackled him in a headlock, and Todoroki’s eyes are screwed shut, face caught in the middle of laughter.

It’s really weird. He hasn’t seen this picture or thought of this memory in years, but it’s suddenly as vivid as if it only happened yesterday. This is the type of memory he wants. Being in Hosu is already making him happier, and it’s been less than four hours. Tomorrow, he can start school on a high note.

Not that he’s excited for school. He isn’t. What sixteen-year-old in their right mind would be? But he is excited at the prospect of seeing what a real high school is like. He’s been doing online school since he was twelve, so it’ll be interesting to be in an actual classroom.

Maybe Katsuki will also be going to his high school. That would be lucky, wouldn’t it? Then Todoroki won’t have to go through the trouble of tracking him down, and he’ll already have a friend.

“Shouto, I have to run to the office,” Fuyumi calls from down the hall. “There’s food in the fridge, so don’t skip dinner!”

Todoroki ignores her, waiting until the front door slams to go and unpack his duffel bag. He really didn’t bring enough clothes. He’ll have to order some online if he plans to go anywhere this week. He’ll have his school uniform, at least. It was waiting on his dresser when he walked in.

A school uniform… Todoroki feels more like a normal teenager already.

next

[leagueofidiots]

People keep referencing the one chapter of you're NNWM, what happened??

Shigadabi, but my subconcious was shipping Spinnerdabi on main in retrospect/ Magnetmagic briefly

Song fic for Billie Eillish's Listen Before I Go

Last two chapters, needs a little context, but all the important stuff is explained

I'll also include the chapter after because I'd feel bad if I didn't

WARNING!! I'M VERY SERIOUS!! THERE IS A SUICIDE ATTEMPT HERE!! I EVEN TRIGGERED MYSELF WHILE WRITING THIS, AND THAT IS VERY RARE!! BE SMARTER THAN ME, AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT SITTING ALONE IN A DARK HOUSE AFTER SKIPPING TWO MEALS!! HUG A PILLOW!! GET SOME WATER!! BE CAREFUL!! 💜

•Take me to the rooftop•

Tomura's asleep next to me, face still turned up to the stars. We've been up here for about two hours, but he finally fell asleep.

The promised celebration was nice. We had it as soon as I was well enough to be close to normal as I could, which only took about a week. They learned how to make a few things from what Hawks gave us before the battle, which I ended up eating some of to make them happy.

They did end up having to take me to Ujiko. My burns spread, now uneven again. He says he'll bring my aesthetic back next time I go in to get my staples fixed. I agreed. There will be no next time, after all.

•I wanna see the world when I stop breathing, turning blue•

After Tomura brought me up here, we simply talked. No unnecessary emotional dumps. No tears. No drama. Just simple things.

And now he lies next to me, a bandage he tied around his pinkie allowing him to grasp my hand in his own. It's nice, I'll admit. Breathing in the cool air as I sense his every small movement.

The stars are beautiful tonight. We snuffed the flame of our lantern, though that was nice too, just to see them better. The city lights make it so there aren't many, but it's still a good night for the sky.

•Tell me love is endless, don't be so pretentious•

Careful not to wake him, I carefully pry my hand from my boyfriend's. I'll do what I need to do, but I'd rather him not be awake for this. It's my time, no matter what.

I'm ready for the end, and apparently whoever it is that decides my fate agrees. All I can hope for is that Tomura doesn't blame himself when they find me dead on the sidewalk tomorrow.

What will they do? At least I'm not their leader, but I do still have an influence on the league. Even as useless as I am now, surely they'll still react.

Standing at the edge. It's coming. The end of it all. I'll never have to think about any of it ever again. The brutal training my father put me through. My mother going insane. Burning. Ujiko's experiments. The streets practically eating me alive. Giran's guidance into crime. Killing my father only a week ago.

•Leave me like you do•

The news has been all over the case. Endeavor and Hawks found dead. Witnesses say it was Dabi that killed them. Both burnt to a crisp, Hawks with half-grown-in wings.

Dabi's body hasn't been found, not even a trace. They think he might have burned too, that the black and purple flames seen from outside the wall of blue may have consumed him entirely, taking even his ashes with him.

•If you need me, wanna see me•

And they're right. Dabi's dead. Lost in the flames. Dabi carried rage and purpose, and all he stood for was taken with my piercings and my skin.

Touya died with his innocence, along with his weakness. And now Dabi has followed with all of his anger. Everything that fuelled him, that kept him going, is gone now. So now I am nameless.

•Better hurry 'cause I'm leaving soon•

I wonder what they'll do when I'm really dead. Will the news care? Or will it just pass by like anything else?

They certainly care about the rest of the Todorokis. The thoughts of my mother and siblings make more sense to me than my own at this point.

Rei Todoroki. Wife of Enji Todoroki. Recently released from the mental asylum. Deep in grief. She's planning the funeral for a month from the day of his death. Their deaths. She's set up a shrine for her late husband next to the front door, though reports say it's more for his identity as a hero than the shrine for her son.

•Sorry can't save me now•

Fuyumi Todoroki. The daughter of Enji Todoroki. She says she can't grasp that her brother is dead. She says she feels it in her soul that he isn't. That it's freeing, her father's death.

•Sorry I don't know how•

Natsuo Todoroki. The son of Enji Todoroki. He's avoided all reporters. Hasn't left his room since getting the news. His family says that he and Touya Todoroki used to be close, and Natsuo was elated to hear he wasn't dead. All that is gone now. That his only consolation is that his family is safe from the pro hero.

•Sorry there's no way out•

Shoto Todoroki. Son of Enji Todoroki. He's been busy with school, so not a lot of reporters have been able to talk to him, but his grades are suffering. UA is considering making him take a year off to focus on his mental health.

•But down•

The family as a whole is in general agreement. It's a tragedy to them. Both deaths. And while Endeavor may have had a negative influence on them in life, and they feel safer with him gone, they still mourn his death.

And while it's a painful blow that Touya has died again as Dabi, it is also a good thing. He had turned villain after all. It's for the best.

Well, I guess they'll really get what they wanted. Touya, Dabi, and whoever I am now are about to be long gone.

•Down•

What were my last moments with each of them? I want to think of each of them before I go. I at least owe each of them a thought.

•Taste me, these salty tears on my cheeks•

Start easy. Eri and Butt. They were together on the couch, weren't they? Yeah.

Eri was tired. Once it hit around nine, she lay down on the couch, calling up the dog to curl up next to each other. There was almost a smile on her face as she drifted off, and Compress carried her in.

•That's what a year-long headache does to you•

Hawks. He had done things, after all. And it was my fault he was gone. Even if he was a traitor, he still did the best that a pro hero could do. It's not him I'm mad at. Was mad at.

His last moment was spent trying to get Endeavor to stop. For legal reasons, surely not because he cared at all. And then my father just had to burn him up, like everyone else in his way.

•I'm not okay, I feel so scattered•

Compress. Where had he been?

His date with Magne had been postponed once I ended up injured. He'd said I was more important. Like I had any importance. After he'd taken Eri to her room, he'd gone to bed, saying he wanted to rest for the date.

I wonder if they'll move it again when they find me? I hope not.

•Don't say I'm all that matters•

Kurogiri. Tomura was right, he really is good.

His last action towards me was pretty simple. Before he went to bed, he gave me a pack of beers that we'd ended up taking to the roof. Told me not to drink too much.

I probably should have respected that wish more. I'm on my fifth can. I don't regret it though.

•Leave me, déjà vu•

Spinner.

His last action hadn't been anything much. Just said good night. Still, before that he'd told me off to the side how proud he was of how much of their food I'd eaten.

•If you need me, wanna see me•

Magne. Bless her, I wish I'd said goodbye to them.

Tonight she was having problems with her stomach, so she spent her evening in her room. The last I saw of her was her smile as we did each others' eye liner.

She was very helpful during my healing process. Brought me the closest to normal out of anyone.

•You better hurry, I'm leaving soon•

Toga. What will Toga think of me when she sees? Will she hate me?

Toga spent most of her time singing karaoke with Jin. My final memory of her is the sound of her cheery voice as she spun around, nearly forcing her hairbrush down her throat as a makeshift microphone.

What was the song? I wasn't listening. I wish I had been so I could hum it to myself now.

•Sorry can't save me now•

Jin. I'm a terrible person.

After most people had gone to bed, he'd pulled me aside. Asked if I was okay. That it was okay if I wasn't. And you know what I did?

I lied.

And he'd smiled. Like I'd said something amazing. And he spent the next five minutes saying how happy he was that I was happy.

He'll definitely hate me when he finds me.

•Sorry I don't know how•

And Tomura.

Tomura.

Before he'd slept, he'd looked me straight in the eye, my hand closed gently in his, and he'd said he loved me. That he needed me.

I'm so selfish.

His red eyes shone beautifully as he'd said it, filling me with butterflies. They'd died as soon as he broke eye contact, but it was the first thing I'd felt since the attack.

I'd told him that I needed him too.

•Sorry there's no way out•

I'm glad I saw them all. That I can recall what our final words were. Their last smiles at me. That I can picture them all in my mind. It'll help me when it's time.

There's no way I'd be strong enough without it. Even now, a foot away from the ledge, I'm scared. The end.

•But down•

The end has always been a comfort. Something to look forward to. Whenever my head got dark, and I couldn't see a way out, I just reminded myself that there was an end that drew closer with every second.

•Down•

And here it is. Waiting for me a short drop and a few seconds away. Since getting up has already felt like an eternity, but the six steps from where I started aren't that far compared to the path of life I've been lost on for so long.

•Call my friends and tell them that I love them•

The league helped me find it. Find life. They showed me where I was, and they've led me to this point. I'll have to thank them when we all end up dead and I see them again. If I see them again.

•And I'll miss them•

Even before Shigaraki bribed us with those dumb gifts to stay in the bar and treat it like a home, I considered them a safe place. Safer anyway.

•But I'm not sorry•

And they kept me on the path I needed to be on. Kept me alive. For the most part, kept my additional burns to a minimum.

The streets never did that. They left me to defend those younger than me, even if only by a few years, at the cost of my life if need be.

•Call my friends and tell them that I love them•

If not for the league, if not for seeing that newscast when I did, Endeavor would still be alive and active as a hero. Life would still be a spiral with no clear end in sight.

•And I'll miss them•

I step onto the edge of the roof, looking down at the end. Like in storybooks. The villain dies, and they all lived happily ever after.

The End.

•Sorry•

I drape one leg over, closing my eyes. I'm ready for it. My ending. I lean forward.

And just as my eyes snap open and a feeling of paralyzing panic fills me with regret, it happens.

A hand, one finger bandaged, reaches out and grabs my wrist, leaving me dangling by a foot and an arm off the roof of the bar.

Shigaraki's arms feel strong. So strong compared to me. After he caught me, he didn't waste a second getting me down from the roof. I can't say I wanted to stay up there.

My whole life led up to that moment. Everything I went through was just to end it all. And then I didn't want to. Right at the last second. Is that weakness?

Shigaraki's heavy breathing of panic and sobs managed to wake somebody up, and eventually they've all filed out to the scene of the two of us sitting on the floor, Tomura holding onto me tightly, my sight fixed firmly into the distance.

"Shiggy, what's wrong?" asks Magne, rubbing her eyes. 

He doesn't answer, still clutching onto me, and I can't find it in myself to answer. "Be careful of Dabi's burns," warns Kurogiri.

I can't feel them. Even if I could, I don't think I'd care. He's anchoring me, and right now I desperately need that hold on reality. Still, he loosens his death grip.

"Did something happen?" asks Spinner, his hair cascading around his face.

"Well obviously something happened. No, they look peachy!" Jin plops down in front of us. "Dabi, did you…?"

I finally snap my gaze to him, staring at his masked face. "I'm sorry, Bubaigawara, I just---" 

His arms wrap around me too, pressing my face into his shoulder. "You don't have to be sorry," he says in a broken voice. I wait for his contradiction, but it doesn't come.

I hear Compress kneel behind us, pressing his hand on Shigaraki's shoulder. "He's okay, Tomura. We'll look out for him."

My boyfriend's body shakes, his available fingernails digging into my chest through the front of my shirt. "Dabi, please don't, please, you said you loved me, please don't leave me," says his quiet voice.

I feel awful. I hurt him for nothing. And Jin. And I can feel in the air that the rest of the league is slowly figuring it out too. It didn't even come to anything but hurt.

"Dabi, I swear, you need to stop being so blind," says Toga, sitting behind Twice. "You know that we love you, right?"

"I know," I whisper. "I know. I'm sorry."

Kurogiri sits to the side of me Tomura doesn't take up. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, you know. You just wanted the easy way out of your suffering. There's nothing so terrible about wanting it to stop. I just hope you'll learn someday that we can help you end it in a way that will let you keep going after that."

I nod, reaching up one of my hands to place over Tomura's. Geez, I'm crying. Again.

"And even if it's selfish of us," says Magne, sitting herself next to Shigaraki. "You're good to have around. And not just for your quirk, either, so don't start that nonsense again."

Tomura grabs my straying hand. "Don't you ever pull that crap again."

I squeeze his hand. "I won't. I swear. Thank you for catching me." And I mean it. There's something in me now that I think I've been stuffing down.

I love these people. And while it does scare me because of all that's happened with those I've loved and trusted before, I don't think it'll end like that this time. I love them. And I want to keep going, even if for a while it's only because I have them, that's okay.

I love them enough that I want to keep living. To keep trying. Past all the pain.

"I wish you'd told us before now," says Spinner, tying his hair back to keep it out of his eyes. "Maybe we could have helped before it got to this."

"No, I knew," says Twice, face still pressed into my shirt, dampening it with his hot tears. "I knew, and all I did was give him a little slap on the wrist. You people are just blind!"

"No," I say, bringing my other hand to his back. "It's not any of your faults. If anything, you guys already helped a lot. Please don't blame yourselves for this."

Magne ruffles my hair gently. "It's nobody's fault. Sometimes things are just like that. What's important is that you're still here with us, and nobody got hurt."

"Did you want to talk about it?" asks Kurogiri.

I shake my head. "Nothing new. I just had it set in my mind as the only option. It got to be too much a while ago, and that's what I decided, so then once Endeavor was dead...I just sort of went on auto-pilot."

Toga smiles at me faintly. "Well, don't worry about it. Just a week ago I killed a guy on a whim; we all do weird stuff sometimes. That was a bad example, huh?"

Shigaraki grunts. "It kind of was. I'm in a weird mood though, so I'll allow it."

The next hour is spent in silence as Tomura cries the rest of his feelings out and we simply sit in the bar. It's not the same, but it's good. I feel lighter.

The next day brings awkwardness and hangovers, but it really doesn't matter. We're all just sort of happy to be around each other. Grateful.

Magne and Compress do end up going on that date, and they end up having a lot of fun apparently. Whatever Sako did must have been very impressive, with the amount of blushing Kenji was doing when they came back.

Tomura and I go on an official date too, a few days later. It's very nice. I really do love him.

And now, it doesn't really matter what we're doing as a group, or where or next mission will take us, because regardless of whatever it is, we're doing it together. And really, that's all I've ever wanted in a family.

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 299: No Chains Left

Previously on BnHA: Horikoshi was all “and then AFO broke out all of the inmates from six other prisons and took a nap. well anyways, here’s the hospital angst.” Kacchan woke up two days later and was all, “WAIT BUT HOW ARE DEKU AND TODOROKI AND ALL OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS EXCEPT IIDA DOING” and then we cut to Shouto’s room where the other U.A. kids were sitting around being Mutually Traumatized and giving each other moral support and such. Everyone was alll, “...”, and then the rest of the Todofam showed up, INCLUDING POSSIBLY REI?! which, omg. The chapter ended with Kacchan STOMPING THROUGH THE HALLS all “WHADDYA MEAN DEKU HASN’T WOKEN UP YET”, dragging along Satou and Mineta behind him, fueled by the power of ALL OF THE FUCKS HE NOW GIVES. He gives so many fucks now you guys. This boy cares so much he can probably deduct it on his taxes.

Today on BnHA: SPEAKING OF PEOPLE WHO GIVE A LOT OF FUCKS, the story cuts abruptly to Hawks, freshly recovering from his near-death experience, and pondering the threads that have weaved the tapestry of his life and led him to this moment. Basically he grew up in poverty with his Jerk Dad and Jerk Mom until his dad got arrested one day and his mom sent him off to go Find Money Or Something, and so he rescued a busload of people and found himself a new career. Back in the present day, Hawks and Jeanist ride around town in Jeanist’s Jamborghini having awkward encounters with civilians in a country on the brink of social collapse, and visiting Hawks’s mother’s home. Hawks is all “I know from an outsider’s perspective it must look like my life currently sucks, but now that the HPSC is gone, my public image is shot, and my parents are finally out of my life, I’m actually feeling SURPRISINGLY GOOD.” Anyway so he’s gonna go meet up with Endeavor now, and p.s. this chapter was fucking fantastic though, damn.

oh my god?? is this Hawks narration?? something about him growing up watching the heroes on TV and thinking of them as fictional characters

okay I scrolled down a little bit more to see the rest of that “Keigo” panel, and wow

this is basically a shed. poor boy definitely grew up rough. let me tell you guys, I came in here ready for some BakuDeku shenanigans; I was not prepared for Hawks Flashback Angst. I AM HERE FOR IT, but also wow I gotta brace myself now lol

HELLO MISTER HAWKS’S JERK DAD, SIR

BnHA sure does have an array of Jerk Dads, doesn’t it. makes me appreciate characters like Masaru and JirouDad all the more for bucking the trend

anyway. so Horikoshi, you really thought that one itty bitty chapter of hospital catharsis would be enough to calm us all before you went right back to showing us child abuse huh. my god man can we rest

BABY HAWKS

swear to god this kid can’t be more than five or six, and yet he has this completely blank look on his face even with his dad looming over him being all threatening and shit. like he’s shut down his emotions to protect himself. imagine what has to happen to a child for him to have learned this at such a young age. fuck

AND MEANWHILE THIS GUY

don’t mingle with humans?? not “other” humans, just humans?? what is this implying here?? and also holy shit Hawks definitely didn’t inherit his looks from his dad orz

then again he doesn’t really bear much of a resemblance to his strung-out mom here either

omg omg omg. and this child is basically trapped here in this environment with these two people. this explains a SHITLOAD about Hawks’s personality though you guys. his ability to completely separate his real thoughts from the face he presents to the outside world. his pragmatic approach to analyzing and solving problems. his layers of emotional walls. turns out almost none of that came from the HPSC training -- that was all learned hands-on in his own personal do-or-die survival nightmare childhood!! oh, boy

and small wonder then that he latched on to Endeavor so strongly if he really is the one who brought down his dad and inadvertently saved him from this. also, just putting this out there, I know people are always talking about him and Dabi being foils, and I think it’s very interesting how Touya grew up in a household where he saw firsthand the dark side of hero society, and so ended up becoming a villain in order to bring it down. whereas young Keigo had almost the exact opposite experience, growing up experiencing the dark side of villain society and becoming a hero in order to bring about a world where no one else has to experience that. just. both of them are so determined not to become their fathers. some interesting parallels there

so Hawks was sort of an accident after his parents had “thanks for helping me not get caught after I killed that guy” sex, and now this little boy is growing up in squalor and being beaten by his father for things like Sitting In The Wrong Out-Of-The-Way Corner Trying Not To Be A Bother To Anybody. holy fuck. this is so rough to read through you guys

wait so does Jerk Dad have a an eyeball manipulation quirk?? because he doesn’t have the wings like his son, but wth are these things??

this presumably also means that Keigo has never been to school or anything either. he basically doesn’t exist. he thinks heroes are fictional characters, he doesn’t realize that they’re real people. these are people who could help him if he could escape and find them, but he doesn’t know, and they don’t know about him

OH MY GOD HE’S JUST SITTING IN HIS CORNER HUGGLING HIS ENDEAVOR PLUSH OH MY GOD

how could this child possibly have an anti-fandom when he’s done NOTHING WRONG HIS ENTIRE LIFE. huh. just explain that to me. lol I mean I’m not looking to pick a fight with anyone, but also, MAYBE I AM, idk?? this kid has gotten me all riled up lmao

anyways, Protect Keigo 2021, and thank you Horikoshi for these three very terrible pages. I am pleased to inform you that you’ve effectively gotten your point across and you may now commence saving this kid already

YAY

oh no, Keigo’s dumbass jerk dad tried to steal a car and the popo nabbed his ass and now his mom can’t just sit around neglecting her VERY YOUNG SON all day long, oh horrors. sorry lady my tiny violin is on backorder. just imagine that I’m playing a very sarcastic song on it for you

anyway so what are you gonna do now, abandon him? I can hardly imagine he’d be worse off, if anything it might be a near-instant improvement

LMAO HE’S ALL “WAIT WHAT ENDEAVOR’S A REAL FUCKING DUDE?!”

AND THEY SAY THAT A HERO CAN SAVE US~~~~ I’M NOT GONNA STAND HERE AND WAAAAAIT~~~~~ I’LL HOLD ONTO THE WINGS OF THE EAGLES, WATCH AS WE ALL FLY AWAAAAAAY~~~~

lol what a randomly pivotal moment in his young life. TIME TO GO MAKE THESE MEMES INTO DREAMS YOUNG ONE

anyway so his mom freaked out and grabbed him and they wound up at a train station with her TELLING HIM TO GO GET HER SOME MONEY, oh my god. SURE MOM LEMME JUST WALTZ RIGHT ON DOWN TO THE “JOBS FOR FIVE-YEAR-OLDS” STORE AND TELL THEM I NEED SOME CASH. ffff manifesting someone to come help him in 3... 2...

...

SIGH, JUST GO RESCUE THE PEOPLE FROM THE BUS, KEIGO. is this the outfit he was wearing when that happened?? it must be, right?? I can’t imagine them surviving more than a couple days out here unless this starts getting REALLY dark in a way I know that even Horikoshi won’t explore, so yeah. cut to the HPSC now please. never thought we’d be glad to see them. I mean sure, it may be an “out of the frying pan...” case, but good god

THANK YOU!!

and I guess it was his mom’s eyeball quirk then. anyway, whatever, see you again never, hopefully. lol oh man. thaaaat, was upsetting. need to center myself here for a sec. NAMASTE

OH YAY THE PRESENT

so we cut from Baby Hawks Angst straight to Present Day Hawks Angst, huh. not that this exhausted and traumatized lil lad isn’t still a baby to me too, I’ll have you know

BEST JEANIST, ALWAYS WITH THE JOKES

“WHEW, THOUGHT YOU DIED ON ME FOR A SEC THERE KID.” lmao. Caleb will no doubt ruin this by making his word choice all stiffly formal as usual, so I’m just going to treasure this “WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT, I’M FRESH OUT OF FUCKS” version of Jeanist while I can

look at him, driving his Jeanistmobile

again, is it any wonder Kacchan was bitching about Endeavor’s dinky little car when he was used to riding around town in style like this. anyone else staring at this panel trying to figure out how this car is somehow secretly made of jeans

NOOOOO

FUCK YOU DABI LMAO. PUTTING THESE VOICE ACTORS OUT OF A JOB ONE BY ONE

anyway so Jeanist is all “GOOD THING IT’S THE FUTURE AND WE’RE SO GOOD AT MEDICAL SCIENCE” to handwave how Hawks went from one step shy of being a very handsome corpse, to sitting around texting Jeanist in a car all of two days later

OH MY GOD, AND FINALLY AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS

wait a minute. I’m so confused lmfao. soooo, was Hawks all “anyway, here’s Jeanist’s dead body, you can examine it but please don’t look at him too closely and also I’m gonna need that back unharmed.” how tf did you pull that off lmao

(ETA: also isn’t this technically confirmation of the ol’ Noumu Jeanist theory lol. I’m gonna go ahead and say it is.)

NO BUT PLEASE, CONTINUE. I unironically love reading Horikoshi’s overly convoluted “SEE IT’S NOT A PLOT HOLE” explanations

lkldslfk so wait, you’re telling me Hawks convinced Dabi and the League to put Jeanist’s body in storage, and basically just hoped they wouldn’t use him for any experiments until he could put his plan into action and have the HPSC’s people break in and find and revive him?? WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG. A FOOLPROOF PLAN IF I’VE EVER HEARD ONE

fff this man really asked Jeanist to risk it all to prop up his little cover story, and Jeanist was all “sure why not” omfg. anyways, thanks for recapping all of this out loud for no particular reason in your car conversation you two

LMAO NOW WHAT

TROUBLE YOU SAY? GOOD THING THE NEW NUMBER ONE HERO IS ON THE JOB THEN

okay no it’s just some random thugs strolling around terrorizing the downtown. fuck ‘em. so Jeanist is making short work of them now

uh oh

won’t come? not can’t, but won’t?? what???

WOW

well I guess that makes the local heroes A BUNCH OF SHITHEADS now doesn’t it?? jesus

and okay, serious question, if the cops are spread too thin and the heroes have literally walked out on the job, what exactly is stopping everyone from deciding to use their quirks to defend themselves, legal or not? nothing, as far as I can tell. society just got a hell of a lot more chaotic

anyway so this is an interesting panel here

man, Dabi really did pull it off, didn’t he. well anyway so here’s that better world all of the villains were wanting, you guys! isn’t it so great?? everyone’s terrified and angry and losing hope and society is inches away from collapsing into total anarchy! but hey, at least we exposed the number one hero as a hypocrite

anyway so what are these guys up to

fucking hell, he’s visiting his mom. I really wasn’t prepared to commit this much emotional energy towards reading this chapter today. BUT VERY WELL, WE PRESS ON

?? wait she’s not there?

is this supposed to explain how Dabi knew who Hawks really was? except that there’s the little matter of how he even know where to find his mother in the first place. feels like we’re still missing something there, but oh well

OH MY GOD

RHA I TAKE BACK EVERY WORD I EVER SPOKE AGAINST YOU. YOU ARE A SCANLATION GROUP FILLED WITH ANGELS LMAO. I WILL TAKE THIS PANEL IN MY HANDS, AND TREASURE IT AND KEEP IT SAFE

ANYWAY, BECAUSE MY TIRED BIRD SON’S LIFE SUCKED SO MUCH ALREADY, IT TURNS OUT HE’S ACTUALLY PLEASED WITH THIS NEW TURN OF EVENTS LOL HOW ABOUT THAT

GOOD FOR YOU BBY. YOU GO OUT THERE AND BE YOUR OWN PERSON

and in all seriousness, I love that identity he chooses -- chooses, because it actually is him making a choice now, possibly for the very first time in his life -- is “guy who helps people”, though. it really is nothing short of miraculous that he held on to that kind of optimism and desire to do good even with everything he’s been through. there were so many times he could have chosen to turn his back on the world in retaliation for the way it treated him. but he didn’t!! and here he is now, finally free, and what he wants to do with the rest of his life now is simply to help others. anyway please excuse me for a moment, I need to go find some sort of basket or a big vase to put all of my fresh new Hawks Feels in, pardonne-moi

YEAH BOIIIIII

“FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS, MISTER JEANIST, WHERE DID YOU FIND YOUSELF THAT SWEETASS CAR.” hey, all I’m saying is if this boy’s wings really aren’t growing back, he’s gonna need to find himself a new means of transportation y’know?

oh my god you guys it’s a flashback to his mom buying him the Endeavor plushie when he was like two because, and I quote, ALL MIGHT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE

oh my god oh my god. my boy out here with a new lease on life finding hope in the darkest of times

wasn’t your throat supposed to be all fucked up lmao. Horikoshi was suddenly all “oh shit the VAs are gonna be pissed at me if I keep this up huh”

“that’s why Bubaigawara was such a great guy” motherfucker IT IS A TERRIBLE DAY FOR RAIN. FORECAST SAID NOTHING ABOUT THIS

:’)

yes ma’am. yes indeed. confirmed, I really will straight up fight some motherfuckers for this child. well not really, but YOU KEEP YOUR DISCOURSE OFF MY LAWN AND OUT OF MY BLOG YOU HEAR. THIS IS A HAWKS-FRIENDLY SPACE. WE RESPECT TAKAMI KEIGO IN THESE STREETS

and he’s saying (or is he thinking?? what a weirdly shaped speech bubble this is) that even if what Dabi said about the Todoroki household is true, “I’m not sure it’s the same now.” which happens to be ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. man this whole chapter really is all about saying “fuck the past” and moving forward and I am living for it

SON!!!!

“the first step is at my beginning” fklkjlk. what an iconic fucking line??

AND HIS WINGS!!!! THEY ACTUALLY ARE GROWING BACK AHHHHHHH. “PUT A RAINCHECK ON THAT CAR, JEANIST-SAN.” THE HAWKSMOBILE CAN WAIT, RIGHT NOW HE HAS TO GO INSERT HIMSELF BACK INTO THE TODODRAMA WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT

you guys. I came here ready for some BAKUDEKU HOSPITAL ANGST, and I got DIDDLY SHIT of that, and none of my other kids were even in this chapter, but!!! ASK ME IF I CARE LMAO omg. because bird son is hanging with his new best friend, and he’s out here Finding Himself and picking up the pieces and putting them back together stronger than ever because RESILIENCE HAS A NAME, AND IT’S SPELLED H-A-W-K-S, and you guys. profound, my love for this child. holy shit. hey google, play Silence by Marshmello

[kurokoros]

Questions 11, 36 and 48 :D

11. What are you planning to work on next?

After I finish “some like it hot” it’s onto an “oops I summoned a demon while drunk!” fic, my reaper!Aizawa fic which has been dubbed “dead end jobs”, and an angsty Kaminari character study called “lightning in a bottle”. I also have big plans for a sad au where the Todoroki kids move into a haunted house and have to deal with their own demons on top of weird things happening.

36. Post a snippet

Something was poking his cheek.

Resolute in his decision to keep sleeping, Touya ignored the gentle taps against his jaw and chin as tiny fingers reached for him in the dark. The mattress beneath him creaked as another body crawled onto the bed. The subtle shift in weight made his head turn towards the muffled sound of skin on sheets, and he leaned into the touch as a sudden weight pressed down on his chest.

“Touya,” a quiet voice whimpered. The sound of his name was barely audible, but in the thick silence blanketing his room it could have been a scream. Another finger prodded at his face, finding the corner of his mouth that time. “Touya, wake up!”

A small hand jabbed him in the ribs, and with a surprised grunt Touya’s eyes finally shot open. Squinting through the shadows in the room, his gaze settled on a familiar pair of blue and grey eyes hovering inches from his own. “Shouto?” He forced himself up onto his elbows, peering down at the six-year-old practically sitting on his chest in confusion. “Wha’s wrong, kiddo?” he asked, voice slurred with sleep.

Noticing the unmistakable flicker of fear in his younger brother’s eyes, Touya’s heart dropped. “What’s wrong?” he repeated, a demand this time. Turquoise eyes snapped to the window, searching for headlights in the front yard in case--

Shouto’s fingers curled against the front of Touya’s shirt, clinging to him gently. “There’s a monster in my room,” he said softly, still staring at Touya with scared eyes.

“A monster, huh?” Touya murmured back, ripping his eyes from the window. Shouto nodded and shuffled closer to his chest as Touya sat up fully. One of his arms slipped around Shouto’s back to pull him close. “Well, we better go take a look.”

- untitled todoroki family au

48. Do you prefer to write skimpy drafts and flesh them out later, or write too much and cut it back?

I’m horrible and just... don’t do multiple drafts lmao. At best I’ll write way more than I need to and then cut things out in post, but since i’m writing fics for fun I tend to just leave everything in there because why not?

[saccharii]

Todofam Month, Day 19: Power

Those With Power, Those Without

AO3 Link

Todofam Month master post

@todofammonth

Notes: This fic is based off of the bnha/atla fusion fic: i will read ashes for you, if you ask me by @wellthengetouttathesoupaisle It won’t make much sense if you haven’t read it.

The very air of the training yard wavers in the heat.

“You will be the Avatar—the most powerful bender in the world,” Father says.

The heat he radiates bears down on Fuyumi, and she struggles not to squirm away. Father hates it when she squirms.

“You will be the Avatar,” he continues, “and you will win this war and bring me glory.”

His eyes are bright, filled with an emotion Fuyumi doesn’t understand. She stares down at her hands to avoid meeting his gaze. Her palms still sting from when the flame flowed out of her.

She wishes Touya was here. Everything is easier when he is with her. But Father sent him away and told her that he wouldn’t be training with them anymore. Fuyumi wants him to come back, but she doesn’t protest. Father never listens.

“He’s so little!” Fuyumi exclaims as she stares into her baby brother’s unfocused grey eyes.

Natsuo wiggles and fusses in Mother’s arms. She hushes him, murmuring soothing sounds, and gently bounces him. 

“Not so loud, Fuyumi,” she says mildly. “You were this little when you were born, too.”

Fuyumi shrinks back a little. “Sorry,” she mumbles.

Touya nods seriously. “You were tiny when you were born, I remember.”

Mother lets out a small huff of laughter and smiles at her oldest. “Yes, Touya was just a bit younger than you are now when you were born. You are going to be Natsuo’s big sister, just like Touya is your big brother.”

“I’m still the biggest,” Touya says.

Fuyumi straightens. She’s going to be a good big sister and take care of Natsuo, just like Touya takes care of her. She remembers the time they went frog catching. Fuyumi couldn’t catch any, but Touya gave her the biggest frog he caught. She carried it proudly around with her in her bucket until they released their catch back into the wetlands at the end of the day.

“I will give you the biggest frog,” she tells Natsuo solemnly.

Mother bursts into laughter, jostling the baby in her arms. Natsuo cries, and she attempts to soothe him through her peals of laughter. 

Touya scrunches up his face and stares at her. “Why would you give a baby a frog?”

“Not any frog! The biggest frog!”

“It’s a frog! It’d pee on him!”

Mother laughs even harder, gasping for breath, and covers her mouth with her hand. Natsuo wails, his face red, and kicks with his weak little baby legs.

Fuyumi gently strokes the top of her little brother’s head. “It’s okay Nacchan, Mommy is just happy.”

Mother takes a couple of deep breaths in an effort to control herself, then smiles at Fuyumi. “You’re already a good big sister.”

Fuyumi ducks her head to hide her smile.

Fuyumi bolts down the hall as soon as her father excuses her from training. The tears build, and when she collapses against a pillar they spill out. She opens her hands and winces at the sight of her palms. The skin is bubbling and red, and the slightest movement sends daggers of pain through her hands. They throbs.

“Fuyumi... what’s wrong?”

Her breath catches and her head snaps up, but it’s only Touya. He slowly kneels down beside her and gently takes her hands in his.

“Hurts,” is all Fuyumi can say between sobs.

Touya lets go of her hands and clenches his own into fists, pressing his lips together in a thin line.

“Your brother is weak,” Father says later, after he is done with Touya. “He will only drag you down. Those without power should never meddle in the affairs of those with it.”

Fuyumi keeps her head bowed, her eyes locked on the spot of drying blood on the ground.

Touya’s not weak, she doesn’t say. Touya is brave and kind and gives good hugs. He always catches the most frogs, and when Lady Mitsuki’s puppy fell into the river he jumped in after it and saved it.

Touya’s the only one who’s ever stood between her and Father, even though he gets hurt every time. He’s the bravest person she knows, and she wants to be just like him when she’s older.

Laughter bubbles up in Fuyumi’s throat as she runs down the halls of their vacation house, her bare feet slapping against the wood. Instinct screams at her to be quiet, to slow down to a dignified walk, but she overrides it. Father’s not here. 

He left to oversee the colonies, and within the day Mother whisked the children away to the family vacation house on Ember Island.

She throws open the sliding door leading to her mother’s room and takes a deep breath of the salty air that permeates the entirety of the island.

“Mother!” she calls. “Wake up! It’s time for breakfast!”

“I’m awake. Just a moment.”

Mother walks out from behind a screen, pinning her hair back, dressed in a casual but elegant robe. She looks relaxed and happy, more so than Fuyumi has ever seen her.

The day passes in stretches of tranquility punctuated by bouts of frantic activity between the siblings. Fuyumi dumps a bucket of water on an unsuspecting Touya’s head, and he jumps to his feet with a shout and chases her around the beach. They take turns burying each other in the sand. They dig straight down and bury Shouto up to his waist.

“Look, Mother! Shouto’s a carrot!” Natsuo calls.

“I’m carrot,” Shouto says solemnly, and pats the mound of sand in front of him.

Mother smiles and laughs.

They splash in the water and play volleyball, (recruiting Mother to Natsuo’s team after he whines about Fuyumi and Touya ganging up on him) and catch frogs in the nearby pond.

Touya’s still as good as Fuyumi remembers. He crouches in the muddy water and the frogs practically crawl into his hands. Even Natsuo is better at catching frogs than Fuyumi is, and that’s just not fair.

Shouto toddles into the water, scaring away all the frogs. He pouts, but manages to find a snail and promptly tries to eat it. Fuyumi has to pry it out of his hand.

Even the two hours set aside for firebending training in the afternoon (a pre-emptive compromise, Mother knows what would happen if Father found out she let Fuyumi’s training slip) can’t bring Fuyumi’s good mood down. With Touya by her side it feels more like play. She knows that she used to train alongside Touya when she was little, but those memories have been overwritten by years of harsh one-on-one training with Father.

Natsuo and Shouto demand to join, despite the fact that Natsuo is a non bender and Shouto is too young, and soon it’s a game between the four. The royal firebending tutor is strict but kind, much to Fuyumi’s surprise. He patiently humors her younger brothers and lets her instruct them, saying that teaching others is a good way to learn yourself.

She corrects Natsuo’s technique on one of the starting katas. He may not be a bender, but what harm could running through a few forms do? (Father would call it a waste of time, but Father is not here.)

The day bleeds into night. Shouto and Natsuo chase fireflies without much success while Fuyumi stays curled up next to the fire. Several fireflies land in Touya’s hair and show no signs of moving, much to his younger brothers’ jealousy. 

They light sparklers, watch fireworks, and eat cinnamon candy until they all collapse in an exhausted heap on Mother.

“Mother?”

“Hmm?”

“Can we come back again next year?” The sand clings to Fuyumi’s candy-sticky fingers, but she’s too tired to get up and wash them off. Instead she stays slumped against her mother in a manner not befitting a princess of the Fire Nation. 

Mother is silent for a long moment. “Yes. I think I can manage that.”

Fuyumi smiles and nestles closer.

Six months later everything falls apart and their family is never the same again.

Fuyumi’s with the royal firebending tutor when the screaming starts. 

The sound cuts through the winter air, inhuman and bone-chilling. Fuyumi doesn’t recognize it at first. She’s heard screams and wails and other sounds of misery, but nothing like this.

The royal tutor goes ghost white. He tells her to stay behind and runs off. She remains in the courtyard for an hour before someone comes to get her.

“What happened?” she asks, but no one gives her a straight answer. 

The servants rush around, faces pale with shock and fear. She can only catch snatches of furtive whispers, enough to learn that something happened to Touya.

They take her to Mother, who sweeps her up into her arms and cries into her hair. 

She tells Fuyumi what happened. She tells her that Touya tried to get between Father and Shouto, that Father ‘taught him a lesson,’ that he was burned, that Shouto saw the whole thing.

Fuyumi stands there, face slack, body numb. To hear that Touya stood between Father and Shouto is no surprise, but this... but this...

No one will let her see Touya. Days pass, and she learns nothing new. Then the whispers start. Infection has set in and no one knows if he will survive. The servants gather in hushed circles, fretfully speculating what would happen if the crown prince died. What would be the fallout for the heir to be killed by his own father’s hand? The Firelord’s hand? Would the Firelord face any consequences at all?

Fuyumi’s mind is a vortex—thoughts swirl and crash into each other in an incomprehensible cacophony. She absently picks at her sleeves until the fabric comes undone, she barely eats, during training she stops without warning. If Father saw her he would be furious, but all of his attention is on Shouto now. Shouto, who saw the entire thing.

When she asks Mother what is going to happen, Mother just shakes her head and says nothing.

Eventually, one day, when no one is watching, she sneaks into Touya’s room.

The harsh and pungent smell of herbs and burn salve stings her nose. Touya sits in his bed, propped up by an array of pillows. He faces away from her, staring out the window. White bandages wrap around his arms and neck and face, leaving little skin exposed.

When she enters the room, he turns toward her and regards her with dead eyes. He says nothing. Emotion swells in her chest and throat, threatening to choke her, and she flees.

(She doesn’t see him again—not for a long time.)

“He’s gone. Concern yourself with him no longer.”

The room swims before Fuyumi and she sways on her feet. She tries to speak, to ask ‘when?’ and ‘why?’ but nothing comes out. Perhaps it is for the better.

Father glances at her with a critical look in his eye, then dismisses her with a flick of his fingers.

Fuyumi runs. She stumbles down the halls, barely avoiding servants and courtiers. She doesn’t know where she’s going and she doesn’t care.

Without her realizing it, her feet lead her to her bedroom. She throws herself on her lavish bed. She doesn’t know how long she lies there, sobbing in the silent room; no one comes for her. Eventually, a servant slips in and quietly leaves a tray of food on the table, then slips back out without a word. Fuyumi doesn’t care. Her stomach is too twisted to eat. 

He can’t be gone. It’s impossible. Touya has been a part of her life since she was born. How can she face the world without him here? How can she face Father?

Fuyumi screams into her pillow and beats her fists against the mattress. How could Touya do this to her? She needs him—they all need him! She hates him. Hates, hates, hates, hates him.

An overwhelming desire to destroy something comes over her. She jerks up and hurls her pillow across the room. It’s not enough. She throws herself to her feet and claws at her hair. She sweeps her arms across the nightstand next to her bed, sending the pitcher crashing to the ground and shattering it. It’s still not enough.

She paces the room like a wild animal, throwing whatever she comes across haphazardly across the room. Chairs clatter to the ground. Her jewelry box breaks open against the wall, sending necklaces and bejeweled hair combs scattering; she shoves an intricate vase over, cracking it down the middle, and kicks her dresser, hurting her foot in the process.

She limps back to her bed and falls backwards, drained and numb. She stares blankly at the ceiling, void of emotion. After a long while, she falls asleep.

The next few days are brutal. Rage rises up out of nowhere to choke her and make her head reel. The littlest things set her off. When her writing tutor comes she upends her inkpot onto the paper. She throws her brush at the governess. She knocks her tray of food to the ground and snottily demands something else. The servants take it with grace, and that only makes her angrier.

She hates and she hates and she hates. She hates Touya for leaving, she hates Father for hurting him and driving him away, she hates herself for being unable to stop it. She’s supposed to be the one with power, isn’t she? If she’s so powerful, why can’t she protect anybody?

On the third day Mother visits her in her room. She doesn’t even get to open her mouth before Fuyumi starts screaming at her. She screams about how it’s her fault, how she never really loved Touya anyway, how she never loved any of them. She screams at her to get out, and Mother leaves without a word, her head bowed.

Nobody bothers her after that. Trays of food appear in her room, and the devastation she leaves in her wake is cleaned up by people unseen.

After a few more restless days in her room, she can no longer stand being inside. Her feet lead her to the nearly empty private courtyard. The only other person there is Natsuo, who kicks a ball around in the corner, eyeing her warily. (How? How can he act like everything is normal? Like everything is okay?)

She scowls at the turtle ducks playing in the pond. A perfect little family with no concerns and no troubles. Petulantly, she kicks a rock, and it strikes one of the ducklings. Guilt and vicious satisfaction rush through her in equal measure.

“Hey!” Natsuo clenches his fists by his side and glares at her, his posture rigid, and, oh, he looks like Touya. “What’s wrong with you? Just because you’re upset doesn’t mean you can do stuff like that. We all miss Touya, too. It’s not just you!”

A scorching, blinding wave washes over Fuyumi. She knows she doesn’t mean it before she opens her mouth, she knows she’ll regret it, but she says it anyway.

“Shut up,” she hisses. “I wish Father burned you instead.”

Natsuo physically recoils. Tears fill his eyes, and his whole body shakes. 

The anger immediately drains out of Fuyumi. She reaches out her hand, but Natsuo turns and flees. 

She slinks back to her room, her stomach twisting with guilt. Not even ten minutes later, Mother storms into the room, her eyes flashing with fury.

“This ends now,” she says coldly. “Your behavior will no longer be tolerated. What you said to your brother was unacceptable, and once he calms down you will apologize and you will make it up to him. Do you understand me?”

Fuyumi nods, tears collecting in her eyes.

“Good. From now on you will be accompanied at all times. There will not be a repeat of this behavior. If you step out of line, even a little, there will be consequences.”

Mother sweeps out of the room, and Fuyumi covers her face in shame.

A blue light pierces the sky. Father’s fury is so great it shakes the very walls of the palace. Shouto runs and hides, but Father does not notice. Shouto is not the Avatar.

Father paces the throne room, his fire lashing out of control. Fuyumi bows before him, trembling.

“How dare he!” he roars. “All this time he was pretending to be weak. He knew he was the Avatar and he hid it from me.”

His eyes land on Fuyumi. “Bring him back to me. I am the Fire Lord and he is my subject. He owes me his obedience.”

Fuyumi bows lower, her hair hiding her face. Touya was not pretending, she knows that. He’d never hold back if it meant protecting his siblings. He’s always been the strongest in that way. But Fuyumi has grown strong, too. Strong enough to defy Father. 

She’ll bring her brother back, but not to their father. She’ll bring him back to the rest of their family, and together they will tear the Fire Lord down.