His Hero

Heartbreak

Shoto had not expected the meeting to go particularly well, but he was not prepared for just how poorly it was going. They were nearing the allotted hour and still hadn't managed to make much headway on what their next plans should be thanks to constant interruptions from a certain red-headed hero. Snide comments about Shoto's lack of competence, scoffs as he explained their strategy and possible mistakes, and eye rolls directed his way had him grinding his teeth and struggling to focus.

Hawks had tried to calm the fire and ice hero down several times. Whisps of smoke floated from the young hero as he waved him away and continued to argue with Kirishima who seemed to know just how to get under his skin.

But when the conversation turned to Bakugo, who seemed almost disinterested in the whole thing, Shoto's temper had brought a rage fueled fire to life inside and he couldn't seem to stomp it out now.

The other heroes fanned themselves with their papers or tugged at their costumes as the room grew noticeably hotter. Cold blue and grey eyes glared at Kirishima who had pounded a quirked fist to the table hard enough for a crack to echo through the silent room.

His last question was enough for Endeavor to finally step in.

"Now hold on a minute," the number one hero boomed "it was my idea to bring Dynamite in, not Shoto's."

Kirishima wiped the sneer from his face as he turned his attention from Shoto to Endeavor. With eyebrows squished together he shook his head and restated his question with a honeyed tone. "All I'm saying sir, is that I don't understand why you would bring in another hero. If the number three hero thought it was too dangerous for his own team to accompany him last time, why would it be any safer for Dynamite to be there now. Isn't he at all concerned for his safety?" Sitting back with arms crossed he smiled smugly at Shoto waiting for an answer.

Somewhere in his rage fueled mind he knew Kirishima was just provoking him. The mission may not have been successful, but he knew it was well thought out. They had played to their team's strengths and had managed to capture a few of Reality Check's crew. No one had been seriously injured either. With a deep breath in and a steamy exhale out Shoto focused on cooling off himself and the room. Hearing a few small sighs of relief, he braced himself. This was not the time for his emotions to get the better of him.

"I think that the number 2 hero is more than capable of defending himself. If he thinks this is too dangerous, he is welcome to speak up, but I will take his silence as agreement and continue with the debrief" he spat back. Sparing a glance at Bakugo who kept his eyes on the table.

Wide eyes around the room darted between the two former classmates, unsure why there was such hostility between the two heroes. Hawks cleared his throat and tried to ease the tension.

"Strategically speaking it's a sound idea. Based on our previous attempts we know that we need to send our strongest after Reality Check and with number one busy it only makes sense for two and three to team up. Besides, I've seen these two work together during their work study and I can personally vouch for them. They're a force to be reckoned with together." He gave a reassuring grin to the room.

Shoto gave him a silent nod of thanks and continued with a more level tone than before. Averting his eyes from Red Riot, he instructed the pros to distribute information on her known associates to patrol groups and discussed who would be part of the team sent after her next time. There was just one final thing left to go over, and the thought had him clasping his hands together tightly under the table to hide their tremor.

"And last we need to discuss her quirk." With eyes glued to the table he sucked in a deep breath and fought to keep a quiver from his voice as he spoke quickly. Wanting to get this part over with more than anything.