Inevitable Darkness

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chapter two

As morning light seeps through the cracks of the dilapidated building, you slowly open your eyes, greeted by a transformed world. The once vibrate cityscape now lies in ruins, a haunting testament to the devastating impact of the asteroid. The air is heavy with a mixture of dust and ash, lending an eerie stillness to the wasteland that stretches out before you.

As you rise to your feet, you see it all. Buildings that once stood tall are now reduced to crumbled remnants. Streets that bustled with life are now silent and abandoned. Nature itself seems to mourn the loss with wilted plants and charred trees.

You hesitantly step forward, feeling the crunch of debris beneath your feet- a quick reminder of the destruction of your city. The sight is both mesmerizing and heart-wrenching as if a piece of your world has been torn apart and replaced with a void that can never be filled.

In the distance, you catch a glimpse of Todoroki, his figure standing strong amongst the devastation. His presence offering a glimmer of hope in the dark new reality.

As you approach him, the two of you stand quietly side by side, surveying the wreckage that surrounds you. The gravity of the situation hangs heavy in the air. After a while, you turn to him and speak up, your voice laced with concern and uneasiness.

"What do we do now?" you ask, searching for the answer in his eyes.

When his gaze meets yours, he answers thoughtfully. "We need to assess the damage and determine if the shelter is a safe place for us to stay," he replies.

A spark of inspiration then ignites within you. "Then let's gather everyone and work together to clear the debris and examine the state of the building," you propose. "We need to know if it's structurally sound, if it can withstand any more aftershocks or unforeseen dangers, right?"

Todoroki nods, recognizing the merit of your idea. "You're right. We need to ensure our safety first," he agrees.

With a new purpose, you and Todoroki begin to rally the survivors and channel their strength toward your shared goal. Together, you work tirelessly, moving debris piece by piece, uncovering the true extent of the damage inflicted upon the shelter.

As the hours pass and the rubble is cleared, the sobering truth is revealed. The building, once a symbol of refuge for your group, now stands weak. Cracked walls, sagging ceilings, and unstable foundations raise concerns about its long-term habitability.

The realization settles heavily upon the quiet group. Todoroki addresses them honestly, his voice calm but firm. "We must consider our options. While staying here for right now is our immediate choice, we must remain vigilant and ready to move if the situation here begins to deteriorate further!"

The survivors all agree, nodding along and understanding their need to adapt to whatever comes next. Your shelter, despite its imperfections, becomes your temporary home as you continue to navigate the new landscape.

A while later, Todoroki leads a small group out of the building to scavenge for supplies. You remain at the shelter, determined to contribute in your own way, joining the group to repair and reinforce the damaged structure.

It's not until the following day that Todoroki returns from the scavenging expedition, his face streaked with sweat and dirt. The rest of your group runs over to them, desperate for something to eat and drink while you greet him with a weary smile, the fatigue evident in your eyes.

"Did you find anything?" you ask, a glimmer of hope in your voice.

Todoroki nods, his gaze meeting yours. "We manage to secure some food and water," he replies, his tone a mix of relief and satisfaction. "It should keep us going for a while, but we need to remain cautious."

You sigh, a weight lifting off your shoulders at his words. "That's such a relief. It's good to know we won't go hungry just yet," you remark, grateful for his successful expedition.

Yet as your speak, Todoroki observes you with concern etched across his face. He notices the exhaustion in your eyes, the weariness that clings to your every movement. "Y/N, have you slept at all while I was gone?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine worry.

"How could I?" you smile softly. "There was so much to do and I wanted to make sure everything was taken care of," you admit to him.

Todoroki's brows furrow, his concern deepening. "You're not going to last if you don't take care of yourself. Y/N, you can't push yourself like that. Remember, we're all together and we need you to be at your best so we can all survive," he says, his voice gentle.

A mix of emotions swirls within you as you meet his gaze. There's a flicker of gratitude for his concern, but also a trace of something more, something you can't quite decipher.

"I know I should rest, but I can't shake off that constant worry. I feel like the second I let my guard down something terrible is going to happen," you admit to him.

Todoroki reaches out his hand, his fingers gently brushing against your cheek. "You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. We're here to support each other," he reassures you, his touch providing a momentary pause from the turmoil within you.

There's a brief pause, a shared silence that speaks volumes. Todoroki's gaze lingers on you. Yet you remain oblivious to the depth of your own emotions, your focus consumed by the relentless struggle for survival.

As you and Todoroki share that fleeting moment of silence, a voice breaks the stillness, intruding upon your private exchange. One of the survivors, their face obscured by a worn scarf, approaches with urgent news, causing a sudden interruption that leaves you feeling slightly embarrassed.

Todoroki's attention diverts to the newcomer, his duty pulling him away from the conversation. As he walks away, a sense of longing lingers in the air, a yearning for his presence that catches you off guard.

But amongst your realization of your growing affection for the man you had just met two days ago, a wave of practicality washed over you. How could you even entertain the thought of romance when the world hangs in the balance? It seems almost absurd to consider pursuing a relationship when the very existence of humanity is at stake!

You remind yourself of the gravity of the situation, forcing rationality to push away the stirring emotions within you. Romance must take a backseat to survival and the collective struggle to find a sliver of hope in the face of impending doom.

With a sigh, you bring yourself back to reality. After all, the end of the world demands your full focus.

{UNTIL THE END} Todoroki x Fem!ReaderWhere stories live. Discover now