A Dragon's Heart // Shoto Todoroki x Reader

Chapter 29: Goodbye

When I woke up, Shoto had already left for class. A sigh escaped my lips as I dragged myself out of bed. My dark eyes found a pair of Shoto's pants that I slid on before ambling out of the room and heading downstairs toward the kitchen. The coffee machine hummed to life as I awaited its precious caffeine.

"You didn't come to class," the familiar voice of Shouta greeted me. I shot him a glare instinctively, then glanced at my watch. Damn, it was already afternoon.

"Perceptive," I grumbled, searching for a cup to hold my much-needed coffee.

"I know you think you're a badass, but you can't fall behind your class," he said in his usual emotionless voice. He swung open a cabinet door beside me and pulled out a white ceramic coffee mug, placing it on the bench before me.

"There's nothing I can't do," I glowered, sliding the cup under the coffee machine and pressing the button.

"We're working on special moves at the moment," he sighed. "But that's not important. I'm ready."

"Ready for what?" I quipped.

"To explain why I did what I did."

I raised a dark eyebrow at my father. "You have until I finish my coffee," I said in a monotone, pouring milk into the coffee and placing it in the microwave. The microwave's hum vibrated through my bones, sending pins and needles through my body.

"When you were born, your mother died. I just couldn't bear to live with a piece of her that wasn't her," he explained. "I'm so sorry, Amara. I was in a dark place, and I don't expect you to understand. I was also only 17 years old, I was a kid myself."

"You're right, I don't understand. It just sounds like you made a shitty choice," I said, taking my now-hot coffee out of the microwave and sipping it.

"I'm sorry," he breathed, covering his face with his scar-dinted hands.

"I'm sure you are," I spat, taking another sip.

"Anyway, as your teacher, prepare for your provisional license exam coming up."

"If anything happens to me, promise me you'll look after Noodle," I interjected. Shouta's usually stoic face twisted in confusion.

"Where'd that come from?" he questioned.

"You don't get to ask questions. You are a shitty dad. Tell me you can at least be a decent cat dad," I muttered grumpily before storming off with my coffee.

I stormed back to my room and slid the door open. Noodle chirped from beneath me, rubbing against my legs.

"Hey, buddy," I chirped back, slumping onto my desk chair. I instinctively checked my phone, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest at the sight of 17 missed calls from an unknown number. The phone buzzed again, another call from an unknown number. I slid the screen across and pressed the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

The other end paused for a moment, but I could hear faint breathing.

"Aizawa, it's time," a masculine voice grumbled.

"Already?"

"Yep. An undercover informant tells us that your targets are getting ready to move," he informed me. I assumed it was the same police officer from the interrogation.

"I have my doubts. Will they really believe a 16-year-old like me wants to be a villain?" I quivered.

"Kid, you're not really cut from the same cloth as your other classmates. I think we both know you'd make a better villain than a hero," he said. His words struck a chord within me. He had a point; I never wanted to be a hero. I was forced to join this school, but now I have friends. It's not like before. "We took the liberty to revamp your hero costume. It's now your villain costume, and the mask covers more of your face," he continued, disregarding my feelings. I felt shaky but nodded to myself, trying to reassure myself that everything would be okay.

"Okay. Be there early morning," I sighed with folded arms.

"Perfect. We put your upgraded costume in the gymnasium. There you will find the address of the villain's current location. Send us daily emails to the email address written on the note as well," he instructed.

"Great, I'll get packing," I muttered before hanging up. The phone slipped from my fingers. I didn't hear it hit the floor; my ears were ringing. I was really leaving, but I didn't quite understand why.

An undercover police informant? It didn't sit well with me. I didn't like doing things I was told to do. Noodle jumped up on the desk in front of me, snapping me out of my trance. I gathered my soft furball in my arms. He vibrated softly within my embrace as I carried him with me. We left the confined space of the dorm-room prison. I felt brittle as I strode back toward Shoto's room.

"Amara? Why are you on the guy's side of the building?" Kirishima questioned as he noticed Noodle and me standing in the hallway. I peered over at the red-haired boy.

"Hunting an elephant," I said sarcastically. "Have you seen Shoto?"

"Not since class."

"Okay, thank you," I replied before continuing my mission. I let myself into Shoto's room, only to discover he wasn't there. I let Noodle jump from my arms, and he began circling the room, inspecting it. My dark eyes found Shoto's desk, and I sat myself in front of it. My fingers traced small circles on the blank pieces of paper as I stared at the array of colored pens Shoto owned.

I can't believe I'm really doing this.

My mind fumbled as I desperately tried to figure out what words to use in the breakup letter. I held my breath as I wondered how this lie would take its toll. It pained me to lie, but I had no choice. It wasn't long until I heard Shoto's footsteps approach the room. I braced myself and wore a fake smile like a mask as he entered. I saw his handsome face brighten, his perfect lips turning into a smile.

"Hey," I forced a smile.

"Hey, you weren't in class?" he asked, lingering in the doorway.

"I didn't feel like going," I admitted, lifting the fake smile from my face. "You didn't exactly wake me up either."

"I didn't feel like dying. You're an aggressive person in the morning, y'know," he chuckled, sliding his shoes off and placing his school bag on the ground beside the door.

His words caused me to scoff. "I'm not that bad."

"If you say so," he chuckled. "So, about last night..." His usually pale face became dusted with a soft pink hue. His bicolored eyes shifted to the floor as he crossed his arms over his chest. Butterflies lined my stomach as memories of last night flooded my mind. I felt my own cheeks burn, but my eyes didn't falter from Shoto's. "It was nice," he finally said.

"I guess," I mumbled, my eyes shifting back toward the blank piece of paper beside me. "I wonder what's for dinner," I said to myself.

"Why are you always thinking about food?" he asked, moving closer to me. He towered above me before leaning down to plant a soft kiss on my forehead.

"What can I say?" I chuckled. "I'm always hungry."

"I'll grab us some food. Wait here," he smiled softly before leaving the room. The silence screamed at me, my heart raced as I remembered the note I had to write. And quickly. I scribbled down some lies in black ink, adding some bullshit at the end and asking that Noodle be taken care of until I got back. If I'm even coming back.

I hastily folded up the page and placed it on Shoto's messy bed. It pained me, but I opened the window and slid myself out. Fresh air brushed against my skin, giving me the impression that this was what freedom felt like. But I knew I'd never be free again after this. I brought my dragon claws out and used them to dig into the light brown bricks that held the building up. With them, I climbed to where my room window was.

I slid myself back into my empty room and began to hastily pack my things. A quick peek outside the open window told me all I needed to know. I didn't have much time left; the pale light of the moon taunted me. My throat tightened as I felt the weight of my reality. Soon, I became blind from warm tears. My heart shattered into little pieces, too sharp to touch, too little to matter. I stood in silence with my packed bag, which felt weightless compared to the anxiety that strangled me.

It's too late to change my mind; my fragile world is tearing apart at the seams.