POV: Ash Takami-Todoroki
"Rumi, I'm heading to my friend's house," I called out, already halfway through the door.
"Okay, don't stay up too late," she replied with a little smirk in her tone, the kind that said she knew exactly where I was going.
I shut the door, locked it, and stretched out my wings. School was out tomorrow. My birthday was next week. And tonight? Tonight was for me.
The bar wasn't exactly hidden, but it was the kind of place you didn't notice unless you were meant to. The bouncer didn't card me. No one ever did. Perks of being Ash Takami-Todoroki-or maybe just the chaos that came with my last name.
Uncle Leo was working the counter, as usual, glass in one hand, rag in the other. The second I saw him, I grinned and kicked off the ground, wings unfurling wide. White feathers dipped in crimson caught the light as I soared over him, quiet as smoke.
He wasn't surprised. Of course not.
Just as I aimed to land on his head like an obnoxious bird-child, he launched a bottle of scotch into the air at me with zero warning.
"Hey, everyone! Look who finally showed up!" he hollered as I caught the bottle and landed beside him, boots hitting the wood floor with a solid thud.
"Thank you, Uncle. I'll be taking this home tonight," I said, hugging him tightly before setting the bottle on the counter.
He gave a soft laugh. "Yeah, yeah. But only if you sing the song-and show off those freaky flames while you're at it."
I raised an eyebrow. "You're coughing up fifty bucks if I get another scar."
"Deal."
I made my way to the stage and grabbed the mic. "Uncle Leo, I'm gonna need a water if you want fire magic and vocals."
He tossed me a bottle. I cracked it open and poured it over my hair, rinsing out the cheap black dye. My real hair-white as snow, the tips kissed in blonde-clung to my cheeks. Across the bar, someone gasped. I looked up.
A girl about my age was staring at me from a booth in the corner, eyes wide. I pulled out my brown contacts next, blinking as my icy blue eyes met hers.
Then I turned to Uncle Leo. He gave me a nod. The track started.
The beat dropped heavy and low.
The room dimmed. The first line cut through the smoke:> "Do you want to meet all my monsters?"
"Think you're tough? I know they'll drive you bonkers..."As the lyrics spilled out, flames curled around my fingertips-cold blue, like Dabi's, but more fluid, like dancing water. I shaped the fire with the tempo, letting it swirl in ghostly loops around me without burning a thing. The bar lit up in eerie shades of indigo and sapphire. People watched like they were under a spell.
Applause exploded when the song ended.
I grinned, still breathless. "Alright, anyone got a request?"
Hands shot up. I scanned the room and pointed to Fred, who'd never dared to pick before.
"Yo, Fred. What's your poison?"
He blinked, nervous but grinning. "Cradles."
I gave a nod, heart picking up pace. "Good choice."
As the haunting track began, I sent my flames up the walls-illusion only, heatless and beautiful. The entire bar looked like it was burning, the walls flickering in mimic firelight. The vibe was pure gothic dream.
When it ended, I reeled my fire back in, every lick of flame curling back to my palms like loyal pets. Leo was holding up a napkin behind the bar. Scrawled on it in Sharpie: "I look good."
I snorted and gave a thumbs-up. "Alright, everyone. This is my last song before I drink my soul away. And this one's for Uncle Leo, because he bribed me. Are you ready?!"
The crowd shouted their answer, loud and chaotic. I let it fuel me.
The final song came out like a storm-sharp, emotional, fiery in all the right places. My voice cracked in the right spot. My flames danced to the beat. And when the final note fell into silence, I felt lighter. Not happy. Not sad. Just... weightless.
---
After the set, I slid off the stage and back toward the bar.
"Alright, Uncle. Scotch me. And give me whatever they're having," I said, nodding toward the corner table.
He looked me over. "Want them moved to the private room so you can breathe a bit before you talk to your... dad?"
My stomach twisted.
"Yeah."
He waved one of the staff over, and a minute later, the table in the corner was cleared. I perched on the counter while I waited, tracing the label on the scotch bottle.
Once I was sure the room was ready, I stood, dusted myself off, and exhaled.
Time to go meet the man who burned our lives down before I was even born.

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dabis Kid #1 (Edits In Progress)
FanfictionAsh Takami-Todoroki has been looking for her dad behind her fathers back since she was young. when she finds him they get along well. after months her father finds out and is not happy, this results in her almost killing him. (this will have a book...