| Step in Time | 172732014

Business Before Pleasure

The roaring flames engulfed multiple buildings within a solid block of Hosu City, their heat intensified with every passing minute eating into the infrastructure. Todoroki was on patrol when the call out was made for any available Heroes able to stave off the fires after fire brigades deemed the flames too much for their forces to handle. It wasn't long after when you received the call to join him.

At first this was a surprise. There was already a discussion to keep your professional life just that with Todoroki, and he agreed as well, to keep missions separate from each other. Trial by fire, figuratively speaking. After all, Todoroki and yourself had not seen each other for a few months despite working under the same agency - his agency really. And it was driving you mad.

However, you thought due to the nature of the call, it was in the best interest of the mission, and nothing ulterior affected it. Arriving at the scene, you felt the intense heat of the flames lick against your skin. The streets had been contained and cordoned off by officials while multiple fire brigades doused the buildings the best they could. At the very least, they had prevented the spread, but it looked as if the flames continued to strengthen, focusing their destruction in this one block. Was someone in control of them?

"Hey you," called a voice ahead. You found your eyes meeting a pair of steely greys before the young man that owned them waltzed up to you from one of the brigades. "Here from the call out?"

"... Yeah?" You eyed the man suspiciously. Despite him being in full getup, you've never met this person in or out of work, let alone on the scene.

"Name's Rainmaker," he proudly announced with a cocky grin, inching closer to you. "And you are...?"

You hesitated if only for a moment before the familiar sound of fractals caught your ear, witnessing Todoroki emerge from one of the buildings with a woman and a child holding onto him, sliding on his makeshift ice wall before releasing them to paramedics.

"That's the last of them," he calmly notified, receiving gratitude from the woman before she and the child were taken by paramedics.

"Shouto," you called from afar, waving your hand in the air to signal your arrival.

Todoroki caught wind of his name, recognizing your voice and turned with a smile. However, that smile of his slowly faded after noticing how close you were standing next to somebody else, a Sidekick of all people, he thought.

You ran up to Todoroki, immediately ignoring the man earlier with a spritely step in your gait. "Sorry I didn't get here sooner," you apologized. "How can I help?"

Whatever tensions Todoroki had that seized his attention to that minute detail slowly melted away upon your arrival. Just a coincidence, he thought. You didn't look phased at all by the other gentleman.

"I've taken care of the rescues," he informed. "We need to help the firefighters with the rest of the flames."

The sound of splintered wood and debris echoed before one wall collapsed, causing firefighters to push back from falling concrete and brick. The both of you witnessed the degradation of the block, the fire showing no signs of slowing down.

"It feels like there's a source," you commented. "Like someone is feeding it."

"Exactly," agreed Todoroki. "We need to take out that source. I'll speak to the Chief to focus their attention on the circumference of the fires, while we focus on the centre. Get a head start, I'll join you." With that order, Todoroki left to find the Head Chief, while you turned to the flames, your arms shielding you from the heat.

Staring into the flames, you pinpointed the general vicinity of where the epicenter could be. It was an educated guess, but it felt the most intense. The searing heat nipped at your skin, at the very least once you use your Quirk you wouldn't be suffering the side effects as much until the fires are out. You eyed the large tanks of water prepped for the fire engines before you immediately motioned your hands, collecting a large amount of liquid to control. Your body temperature quickly dropped from the sudden move, feeling the shiver run through your body and up your limbs, but thankfully the flames' heat helped balance that out. Water danced around you before you sent wave after wave into the flames, cooling off any matter that could aid in the spread.