His Hero

Reality Check

"Todoroki – watch out!"

"Shit" Shoto cursed under his breath, throwing up a jagged ice wall just in time to block another barrage of daggers flying his way.

This fight had been going on for much too long. Parts of Shoto's hero costume were torn and blood seeped into the fabric from the daggers he hadn't been able to block or dodge. His breath came out in ragged pants as he weaved and dodged through the abandoned warehouse they had forced the villain in to. It had taken hours to chase the villain here and he had been locked in combat with her for the better part of the last hour. This villain was cunning and agile. With a quirk that was serious trouble if the pro hero got too close.

Shoto had ordered the supporting heroes to back off once they entered the warehouse. Only a small recon crew remained to watch through the windows and call out warnings over their coms. He needed to be able to unleash his fire and ice without worrying about harming anyone. His control had gotten better over the years but the longer the fight went on the more he began to feel like a caged animal backed into a corner. Control was slipping through his burned and frostbitten fingers.

Endeavor agency had been after this villain – Reality Check – and her crew for months. Every time she was just within their reach, she would unleash her quirk to escape. Enji tried to keep his irritation in check knowing what Shoto saw the first time he got close to the villain, but the fire and ice hero could see the way his father gritted his teeth every time they discussed the case. He felt the heat of his flames burn hotter as he clenched his fist and visibly swallowed back down the insults Shoto knew he wanted to hurl at his son.

Taking cover behind a support column Shoto's chest heaved as he fought to catch his breath. Sweat glistened on his forehead as he struggled to regulate his temperature, something that was still difficult when he was tired or emotional, especially with his fire side. His mind raced through different strategies to find one he hadn't tried yet but for the first time the hero was coming up blank. As much as he hated to admit it his attacks were too slow to catch her from a distance and he didn't want to get close enough to let her use her quirk on him.

He wasn't sure if he could stand to see that again.

"Awww does poor little pro hero Shoto need a break" Reality Check's tease echoed off the empty warehouse walls. Only the slightest hint of strain present in her voice.

Biting the inside of his cheek to keep from snapping back Shoto focused instead of taking deep breaths in and out. Sizzling as little whisps of steam floated off his skin while he lowered his temperature. He couldn't afford to get worked up now.

"I must admit I'm flattered they sent the number three hero to take me down. I did expect more of a fight though."

Shoto ground his teeth together as small flames danced over his scar. Small indents formed in his palms as nails dug into skin that was numb with cold on one side and blistered raw from flames on the other. It was true this case had started out as small-time villains involved in quirk suppressing drug trafficking, but it quickly escalated all the way to his desk when they realized they weren't dealing with small-time quirks. Had his father not been consumed with his work hunting down rogue Nomu he would have probably been brought in already. That thought only fueled the fans of Shoto's rage.

Feelings of inferiority were as much a part of him as his quirk thanks to his father. There were times back at UA he was able to push those feelings aside, replaced with pride in himself. He still felt he owed most of that to the wonderful friends and classmates who had surrounded him. Pulling him out of his shell and overwhelming him with support and encouragement until he finally believed them. One of them stood out more than the rest. One who was there through every break down and every panic attack whispering encouragement. One who had pushed him past his limits through competition rather than pain, displaying rare moments of pride for someone besides himself every time Shoto won. Someone whose burning passion drew Shoto in from the beginning. Someone he was proud to call his hero.