{UNTIL THE END} Todoroki x Fem!Reader

Despair on the Horizon

chapter one

You sit at your desk in your small, cozy apartment, engrossed in a programming project for your computer science class. The soft glow of your laptop screen illuminates the room as lines of code dance before your eyes. It's a peaceful evening, the world outside seemingly oblivious to the storm brewing in the cosmos.

Suddenly, your phone vibrates, breaking your concentration. Startled, you pick it up and see a flurry of news alerts flooding the screen. Your heart skips a beat as you read the headline: "Massive Asteroid Threatens Earth."

Panic sets in, and you feel a rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins. The room suddenly feels stifling, and you struggle to catch your breath. This can't be happening. Not now. Not when everything seemed so normal just moments ago.

Without thinking, you spring into action. You grab a backpack and fill it with essentials – a change of clothes, a water bottle, some granola bars. The world outside your apartment has transformed into chaos. People are running in every direction, their faces etched with fear and desperation. They've all seen the news, too.

You quickly join the groups of frightened civilians flooding the streets, a sea of humanity seeking refuge from the impending disaster. Sirens blare, mixing with the cacophony of terrified voices and the distant rumble of thunder. Dark clouds gather overhead, mirroring the tempest brewing within you. You have no idea where you're going, but you know your fourth-level apartment was not going to cut it.

As you begin to navigate your way through the busy streets, a stranger catches your attention. A young man, about the same age as you, with a focused and determined gaze stands out amidst the panicked crowd. How can he look so calm right now? You find yourself drawn to him, seeking comfort in his presence.

"Hey! Are you lost?" the man calls out, noticing your bewildered expression. You're the only one who seems to be paying any kind of attention to him. "We need to find shelter. Follow me!"

You hesitate for a moment, unsure if you should trust this stranger. But something in his eyes and the way he carries himself convinces you to take a leap of faith. After all, in this uproarious world, finding strength in numbers might be the key to survival.

So, without a word, you nod and fall into step behind him. As the two of you make your way through the debris-covered streets, the man's determination and strong instincts guide you safely around all sorts of commotion. 

"You're doing great," the man says,  casting a quick glance your way. "Just stay close and keep moving."

"Aren't you going to tell me who you are at least?" you then ask him.

He then explains, rather briefly, that his name is Todoroki. He is a former member of the Special Assault Team in Japan. It all makes sense now, you think, as he navigates with precision, his focused gaze constantly scanning your surroundings for any potential dangers.

You tighten your grip on your backpack straps and match his pace, grateful for his guidance. The two of you exchange brief glances, sharing in a silent understanding in the midst of chaos. There's an unspoken reassurance in Todoroki's presence, a sense that together you can face whatever lies ahead.

As the word begins to crumble around you, you find comfort in the short conversations that pass between you and Todoroki. He shares stories of his time in the Special Assault Team, recounting intense training sessions and missions. His voice carries a tinge of sadness as he speaks of the comrades he so obviously misses.

"We've been trained to handle high-pressure situations," he explains, his voice steady as the two of you weave between a plethora of people. "But nothing could have prepared us for something like this."

You nod in agreement, your mind swirling with questions and uncertainties. The weight of the impending disaster presses down upon you, but Todoroki's resolute demeanor gives you a glimmer of hope.

As you navigate the streets, the sound of crumbling buildings and distant explosions echo through the air. Suddenly, a sharp crack pierces the chaos, followed by a deafening rumble. Without warning, a large section of a nearby building collapses, sending a cascade of debris hurtling toward you.

Instinct takes over as you dive to the side, narrowly avoiding the incoming danger. But before you can catch your breath, more debris comes tumbling down. Without hesitation, Todoroki then leaps towards you, using his body as a shield to push you out of harm's way just in time. 

The impact knocks the air out of both of you as you hit the ground, disoriented and shaken. The dust then settles around you, revealing the destruction left in the wake of the collapse. You look up at Todoroki whose face is smeared with dirt and bruises.

"Are you okay?" he asks first, his voice filled with genuine concern.

You nod, a mix of gratitude and adrenaline coursing through your veins. "Thank you, Todoroki. You saved me."

He offers you a small, reassuring smile, his hand reaching out to help you up. "Let's look out for each other from now on," he says, his voice steady despite the chaos around you. "We're in this together."

"Yeah," you hum, dusting yourself off and catching your breath. 

As you continue your journey through the crumbling city, you encounter several desperate survivors, each with their own stories of struggle and loss. Todoroki's presence instills a sense of calm amidst the chaos, and people gravitate towards him, seeking guidance just as you had.

"We need to find shelter," Todoroki declares, his voice carrying authority. "Somewhere we can regroup and gather our strength."

As if on cue, you come across a dilapidated building that appears relatively intact. The entrance is littered with debris, but Todoroki quickly assesses the situation and leads the way inside.

"Everybody, let's secure the area," Todoroki then instructs, gesturing to a few of the survivors who have joined your group. "Make sure there are no imminent threats!"

He commands the attention of the group, assigning tasks and delegating responsibilities with a cool and collected demeanor. Despite the chaos outside, there's a semblance of order within these walls. You find yourself drawn to Todoroki's leadership, and a newfound sense of purpose washes over you. Together, you and the group work to fortify the shelter, moving debris and creating makeshift barriers. It's a small victory amidst the crumbling world, but it fills you with a sense of accomplishment.

As night falls and exhaustion begins to settle in, the group gathers in a makeshift common area. The air is heavy with uncertainty, but the flickering candles cast a warm glow on the faces surrounding you. Todoroki takes a seat beside you, a weary yet determined expression etched upon his features.

"We did well today," he says, his voice filled with a mixture of weariness and resilience. 

"We?" you grin with a shake of your head. "You did most of the work."

"Well, it wouldn't have happened at all if you hadn't been the first one to stop and see me. Now get some rest, okay?"

You smile softly as Todoroki walks away. As you settle down for the night, you can't help but wonder what lies ahead. The world may be fractured, but amidst the chaos, there's a flicker of resilience, an indomitable spirit that refuses to be extinguished. And with Todoroki by your side, you begin to believe that survival is a challenge you're ready to face head-on.