Prodigies - My Hero Academia

Beat to the Punch

TW: domestic abuse, substance usage

Laying with limbs sprawled in an open field of grass, a young boy basks in the beating sun. Opening his eyes, he is met with the rich, serene shade of blue of the sky above. Not a cloud in sight. Wiggling his toes, he realizes that his feet are bare. Damp soil cooling his skin. Short sleeved shirt and shorts with a head of white hair, blue irises, and fair skin. The boy slowly rises to sit up straight to gain a better understanding of his surroundings.

"Touya!"

Turning his head at the call of his name, the boy bears witness to his younger brother, Natsuo, on the ground. Pinned by a familiar figure in black. Another young boy, his long hair tied up in a top knot. 

Rising, he lunges forward and tackles the figure to the ground. Spinning and rolling over blades of grass, he finally gets a clear look at the face of the other boy. Fukuda Dainoshin, the next patriarch of the family, stares back. 

In this game of heroes verses villains, the Todoroki brothers play like their father. Brash and arrogant, the boys know that the odds are in their favor as it is two against one. However, Fukuda is a difficult opponent to overpower. The two tumble and thrash all in good fun until Fukuda regains his balance.

Drawing a wooden sword from the sheath on his belt, "Get up, Todoroki, for this is your last day on Earth!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Touya can see the shadow of his brother hurling himself toward Fukuda.

"Natsu, watch out!"

Swinging the foe weapon, he is then brought down by Natsuo in the last moment. With sword taken and the opponent pinned, Touya announces his success by proclaiming him and his brother the winners of this match. In response, Fukuda surrenders, chest falling up and down with every heavy breath. He turns to shoo off a servant, ordering the woman to bring them water for their hard work.

Falling back to sit, Touya watches his friend closely. In some aspect, he is envious of Fukuda's life. Specifically, the fact that he is treated and respected like an adult at this age. He has no parents to hold him back and tell him what not to do. He is an only child with a huge home and the only person he has to share it with is his grandmother. She knows nothing about discipline as Fukuda is already considered the man of the home. He can use his quirk whenever he pleases with little to no repercussions from his elders. 

Touya lays down, eye catching a single cloud passing overhead. How he wishes his father recognized his efforts to become number one, to surpass All Might. Since day one, he knew that was his purpose, his destiny. The thought makes his skin grow hot to the touch. If only there were a breeze. It's quiet, too quiet.

Sitting up again, "Hey, guys, do you-" 

The field is empty. He is alone. 

"Guys? Guys! Natsu?!" Touya calls out, scrambling to his feet.

A door slides open from behind, causing him to jump. The other side is shrouded in pitch darkness. From where he stands, the boy cannot tell what or who may be on the other side. 

"Natsu?"

"I'm sorry!" A woman cries from inside.

"Mom?"

THUD!

"Mom!"

Touya rushes in without a second thought, door sliding shut behind him. Bare feet walking over tatami mats, he squints until his vision adjusts. The hallway is lined with simple decor. Monochromatic, no photos, but one sliding door at the end is open. A tall man stands in the doorway, his voice booming Touya's eardrums despite the distance. He quickly recognizes this figure as his father. Even though the man's mouth is moving, he can't make out the words. The world around him is submerged in loud noise.