Everlasting Winter

A visit to the farm

Todoroki POV

I open my eyes with the first morning light remembering what I was doing today, I'm going to meet the dogs at Midoriya's farm. This is the first time I will be going over to a friend's house in a long, long time. I unconsciously walk over to the photo album on my desk. I carefully open it up to see a collogue of dog images Midoriya sent me. I have caringly organized the album, each image of a dog has a name, on top there is Benelli my recent companion. I think about all the times I looked at them thinking what each of the dogs would be like. Today I will get a chance to meet them all, even Midoriya's family dog Mercy and the pregnant white husky mom Snowflake. Maybe I might get lucky and be there when she gives birth. Midoriya tells me it will be her last litter, she has had many successful litters and many dogs have gone on to be working dogs, service dogs and therapy dogs. I put the photo album away and walk into the washroom to put my eye drops in and change my bandages. I get a glimpse at myself in the mirror, a red and purple bruise covers my right cheek, I lightly touch the irritated skin wincing at the slight pressure. The cheerful feelings I had from looking at the photo album slips away. I continue grabbing a new roll of bandages from under the sink. Suddenly, I am shaken with a memory of yesterday, of my father slapping me in the face for having Midoriya over. I was less shaken by what my father did to me then the look on Midoriya face when it happened. I'm certain from his expression he had never witnessed a moment like that, a moment my father only shows his family. It's strangely normal for me to see my father as the villain but I can't image what it would be like for someone outside our family to see him that way. I guess that was why he was so upset that Midoriya was there, he must know on some level he is a villain. I start unwrapping the old bandages, when my arms were fully unwrapped, I saw all my scars and cuts reminding me I'm never going to be good enough for him. I look around for my razor checking both the drawer and a secret spot I had behind the toilet bowl before remembering my sister took those a while ago. I sigh and move onto plan B. I open a small nail kit, but to my wonder my sister has taken those as well. I give up and start redoing all my bandages starting with my arms. After my injures from yesterday are cleaned and bandaged, I continue with my morning bathroom routine. Once completed I then returning to me room to change. I grab a pair of jeans and the shirt Midoriya gave me, the long sleeve shirt fits well covering my bandages. I reach for my bag next to the door putting my phone and keys inside, I abruptly notice my identification cane poking out of my school bag, so I pick it up and spitefully put it in my travel bag before leaving my room heading downstairs for some breakfast. Oddly energized I leave my house before the first train gets to the station at 9:05a.m. I'm early giving me time to check over my things to ensure everything is there.

Natsuo wakes up and gets himself out of bed. He decides he will make breakfast for his siblings. He makes his way to the kitchen where he finds a half-finished strawberry milk in the fringe knowing it was Shoto's but what confused Natsuo was he didn't hear Shoto that morning. Natsuo decides to go up to Shoto's room and investigate. When he got to Shoto's room he gave a gentle knock on the door but there was no answer.

"Shoto, are you okay?"

There wasn't an answer.

"Shoto, you need to answer me."

Still no answer.

"Shoto I'm coming in!"

Natsuo opened the door to see Shoto's bed made and Bun-Bun in his spot. Natsuo checks the bathroom but still no sign of Shoto. He swiftly races back downstairs checking all Shoto's normal hiding spots. He was about to check the courtyard before Fuyumi came out of her room rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"Natsuo it's not even eight in the morning what is all the racket about?"

"I think we lost our brother."