Ashes of Love and War - TodoMomo

||Chapter 5 ~ Part 1||

Shouto's teeth ground in frustration, and he pressed his hands more firmly against the glacier. His magic prickled down his arms, and he felt the ice melt under his palms, letting off a low hiss as the water evaporated into steam. It misted through the room and clung to his skin like morning dew on leaves.

Hanata Sero lay in the doorway, his legs still encased in the glacier. He was pale and shivering violently. Yaoyorozu had wrapped blankets around him, but it wasn't enough to stop his quaking. The likelihood of frostbite was high, amputation a possibility.

On the other side of the doorway, Kirishima and Rikado Sato, the Prince's chef, chipped away at the ice with shovels. Unlike Kirishima's slim and muscular frame, Sato was tall with a broad build, small beady black eyes, and full lips. He wasn't the smartest but had the brute strength needed for the job.

Sero moaned softly in pain and Shouto's chest tightened. Not for the first time that night, he wished he knew how to use his powers to heal instead of just to kill. Shouto dug his nails into the ice.

It wasn't like it was his fault.

It was common sense.

Sero should have known not to come by unannounced, especially not right after conquering the city. Anyone would have attacked first, thinking it was an enemy. And Yaoyorozu's breakdown hadn't helped. When she had cowered, the fear in her eyes had clawed at his heart. It had made him see red, made his belly burn, made his lips curl.

"Todoroki!" Kirishima's voice cut into Shouto's thoughts harshly.

There was a cracking sound, and the remaining ice shattered under his fingertips.

Sero crumpled to the ground, free at last. Kirishima threw down his shovel and rushed over to his side. The room was silent as Kirishima pulled Sero's limp body out of the ice.

"We got you, man. Stay strong," Kirishima said gently.

Shouto's fingers shook slightly as he canceled his fire magic. He stood up from his crouched position on the floor, and pins and needles shot through his legs as he moved closer.

Sero didn't twitch as Kirishima carried him over to a blanket and laid him down.

Mineta skirted wide around Shouto and scurried over to Sero's other side. Leaning over, he lay his head on Sero's chest. His eyes widened in horror, and he jerked back. "His heart's stopped!"

Shouto froze, his stomach twisted viciously.

Kirishima looked across Sero's unconscious body and up at Shouto. His red eyes narrowed. "Todoroki, heat him up!" he ordered, his voice tense.

Shouto started and then nodded. He went over to Sero and crouched down, extending his hand to lie upon Sero's chest.

"No!"

Pausing, Shouto looked up sharply at Yaoyorozu. She took a step forward, away from Tokoyami. Her fingers still had a slight tremor from her earlier fear. She swallowed, and for a moment, she hesitated. Then, a look of determination flashed across her face, and she straightened.

"You mustn't," she continued, clenching her wrapped hand over her heart. "Direct heat will damage the skin and could possibly make his heart stop entirely."

Kirishima's eyes widened and his mouth fell open as he looked at her aghast. "Then what do we do?"

Yaoyorozu bit her bottom lip. "We'll need to do chest compressions," she finally said, moving closer.

Rikado Sato nodded and pushed Mineta out of the way with his wide frame. "I'll do it," he said in a thick Cretan accent. His lips thinned in concentration as he laid his hands on Sero's chest. "What do I need to do?"