Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

XIII

Once he could no longer tell which lantern was his own, it felt like one of the many weights he bore on his shoulders was lifted, and that his message had been received wherever it was taken. His hopes, his words, one of thousands floating away under the stars.

He turned his attention to the growing bonfire up ahead, replacing the clearing where he had fought Bakugou only a couple of hours ago. Large logs and beams of wood piled and crossed over each other, their embers colliding into growing orange and red flames that expelled heat that Shoto could feel even from such a distance. It was warm and tingling on his skin, warming him in the cool evening air. As he walked closer, he could see some of the innermost flames were tinged blue, small and flickering but present at the heart of the grand display. There was a circle around the bonfire, people standing just far away that the sparks that leapt from the great flame wouldn't singe their clothes. 

More people gathered as they released their lanterns, and many faces seemed peaceful or excited, only a few solemn expressions in the crowds. It truly felt this was a day of celebration over mourning, to focus on the good rather than the bad. He knew that this wasn't an easy way for him to think, countless events leaving him lacking emotions such as hope and excitement, but whilst being here he could feel gratefulness for the small things he had experienced and the acceptance he had received so easily. 

As the crowd grew bigger he scanned over it to try and find Mina or Sero or someone that would make sure he wouldn't get lost in the growing mass of people. Many faces were cast half in firelight and half in shadow, their paints shimmering almost like blood. In a moment he caught curly pink hair up ahead, and swiftly made his way through the crowd; as she was standing a little closer to the fire, almost at the front of the crowd, the heat grew with each step. It wasn't uncomfortable. Yet.

"Shoto!" She greeted him with a wide smile, arm linked with Kirishima's, their matching paints glowing in the firelight. "Your make-up is so beautiful. You look like an angel, doesn't he Kiri?"

"Totally. No wonder everyone is looking at you, bro. You're like really handsome."

Shoto looked around, realising that yes a few people were looking in his direction, turning away with oddly red cheeks despite the warm not hot temperature of the bonfire when he caught their gaze. He had been told many times he was beautiful and handsome, but people usually just said that to be polite and to try their best to ignore the glaring, ugly mar on his face. It hurt a little, that the people he could consider calling friends would do the same, especially since people here seemed to be open about scars and the like. Midoriya showed him the large scarring along his right arm, how he had been caught in a hunting trap when he went wandering too far, but he didn't try to hide it as he often wore short-sleeve shirts alongside his overcoat.

"It's starting!" Denki announced as he rushed over to them, returning with large tankards in his hands that he passed around to them. It was alcohol, but warm and spiced, welcome in the cool evening. 

"What is starting?" he asked, looking around to try and see what was going on.

"The real show!!" Denki grinned before focusing his attention on the bonfire, everyone around them gathering a little closer with excitement on their faces. 

"It's the final ritual of the night." Sero explained at seeing his lost expression. "Our final thank you to the ones above."

From the crowd emerged a group of men and women, all big and muscly and strong and painted all over in red, their patterns sharp and wild. It was like drawings scattered their faces, chests, arms and legs as they came together, circling the bonfire before beginning to chant in unison. Shoto couldn't tell what they were saying, but he couldn't look away at the loud and bold sounds and the way they stomped their legs, rolled along the ground, and hit their chests. It was tribal, almost animalistic, and the crowds all roared and chanted alongside them.