PHOENIX: A Pro Hero Toya Todoroki AU

Chapter 10: New Kid In Town (June 14, 2118)

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

I jolt awake as my alarm goes off, and I hastily reach over to my phone and tap the screen, silencing the obnoxious noise. It's noon. Classes for second years didn't start until around 2 P.M. and went until 9 P.M. to accommodate the same spaces occupied by first years. I rub my eyes and turn around to face the other side of my bed, only to be met with a pair of bright red wings. Keigo is still fast asleep beside me. I thought he would have surely been gone by now. A relieved smile spreads on my face as I gently stroke the feathers; they're so damn soft. Keigo stirs awake as I sit up in bed.

"Good morning," He yawns and stretches, staring up at me.

"Don't you have someplace to be, Pro Hero Hawks?" I raise my eyebrow, and he just shrugs, extending his wings out before pulling them back in.

"I texted my sidekicks before I flew here last night and said I had a family emergency. They're covering for me until 5 in Kyushu. The only place I need to be is right here," He smirks. I yawn and stretch only to feel a stinging pain crawling up my back, making me wince.

"Fuck, what happened?" I mutter as I jump out of bed and walk to the full-length mirror. I turn around to see long, red scratch marks across my back, and I flash an irritated glare at Keigo.

"Sorry?" He snickers, and I sigh before pulling on my boxers and looting through my closet for my Hero suit. Our first class of the day was sparring matches. I start pulling on the baggy fireproof pants and grab my silver boots. Keigo attempts to get out of bed before sharply inhaling, scrunching up his face. I raise my eyebrow as I pull my white T-shirt over my head.

"Sore. Very sore," He mutters before scratching his arm and rolling out of bed to get dressed as well. I roll my eyes and slip my Pro Hero jacket on.

"You said you were okay with me being rough. That's your own fault," I chuckle before grabbing my support gloves. "I'm going to go check on Rue. She'd probably appreciate it if you visited her before you left, too."

"She's my best friend. Of course I'm going to come with you to check on her," Keigo remarks as he slips his jacket over his wings. I run my hands through my messy pure white hair in the mirror and rub the sleep from my eyes. I was definitely not on my A-game today. Yesterday was...a lot. Keigo opens my giant window and holds his hand out to me.

"C'mon. It'll be faster if I fly us there. Plus, that way no one can see my walk of shame."

...

...

"I'm being discharged so I can go to class today. I'm fine guys, really. Just a little shaken up. I can't thank either of you enough," Rumi says softly as she hops out of her cot. Keigo pulls her into an embrace while I awkwardly stand by the door. Rumi stares at me over Keigo's shoulder with a look that she's never given me before. A look of gratitude and love. I guess she didn't expect me to protect her like that.

"You don't have to thank us for anything, Rue. You're our best friend. We've got your back," Keigo says thoughtfully before breaking the hug. I rub the back of my neck and stare at the floor, remembering how I let myself lose total control of myself in front of her. Surely she thought I was crazy.

"Hey, FireFace!"

I look up to see she's standing in front of me with a small smile on her face. Suddenly, she pulls me into a bone-shattering hug, and I grunt in surprise.

"Thank you. For real. And I appreciate you trying to pulverize that guy, no matter what Keigo says," She whispers in my ear before letting me go. I smile awkwardly and nod, avoiding her eyes. Keigo's phone beeps in his pocket, and he rolls his eyes after looking at his screen.