{UNTIL THE END} Todoroki x Fem!Reader

A World Drained of Life

chapter eight

As you walk down the desolate street, the weight of your mission hangs heavy in the air, but silence is broken by Todoroki's voice, his tone serious and focused. "We must remain cautious and united, every step of the way," he begins to explain.

Bakugou lets out an exasperated sigh and rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. We've heard this speech a thousand times," he grumbles. "I'm not saying it's not important, but damn, trust us a bit, will ya?"

Todoroki turns to Bakugou, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I am going to continue to say it because people's lives are at stake," he says firmly. "We can't afford to let our guard down or make reckless decisions."

You chime in, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Todoroki's right. We've come this far, and we owe it to Uraraka and the others to see this through."

Bakugou huffs, but there's a flicker of determination in his eyes. "Whatever, just don't expect me to hold your hand the whole way," he grumbles.

As the team progresses, you encounter a road blocked by a line of abandoned vehicles, their rusty frames and shattered windows a reminder of the world that once was. Todoroki scans the area, his brow furrowing with determination. "We'll have to find another way," he says.

You and the others begin to navigate through the maze of crumbling buildings and debris, stepping cautiously over fallen beams and shattered glass. Every corner brings the possibility of danger, and your senses are heightened as you keep a watchful eye on your surroundings.

Bakugou takes the lead, clearing away the rubble and creating safe passages for your group to move forward.

After what feels like an endless journey, you stumble upon a small alcove tucked away between decaying buildings. The worn-out bricks offer a semblance of shelter, a momentary respite from the harsh reality outside. You and your tired companions find a spot to sit down and catch your breath.

Bakugou slumps down, fatigue etched across his face. His usually fiery demeanor is replaced with a weariness that matches the desolate landscape surrounding you. Concern fills your heart as you retrieve a canteen of water from your bag, handing it to him wordlessly.

He accepts it gratefully, his rough hands wrapping around the cool metal. With a tired yet appreciative nod, he takes a long swig. The simple act of sharing water speaks volumes, a silent acknowledgment of the bond forged through hardships.

As the exhaustion momentarily fades, you and your companions find yourselves interrupted by the arrival of another group. Their presence brings an immediate tension to the air, their eyes scanning your belongings with a predatory gleam.

"Who're they?" you nod in the direction while the other two narrow their eyes to get a closer look.

Suddenly, the group emerges from the shadows and rushes toward you, their intent clear in their eyes. Todoroki's reflexes kick in, and he swiftly snatches your bag just before they can reach it, protecting it from the would-be thieves. He then passes it toward you a bit too forcefully, nearly causing you to fall backward in your step. He immediately apologizes, his voice filled with genuine remorse.

The group, initially aggressive, is taken aback by Todoroki's unexpected action. Laughter erupts among them, their hostile demeanor momentarily diffused. One of them, a wiry figure with a sly grin, steps forward and mockingly asks, "What the hell are you three supposed to be? Hippies?"

"Hippies?" Bakugou, never one to back down, steps forward with a confident smirk. "Guess you can call us that if it means we sure as hell won't let a bunch of lowlifes like you steal our supplies."

The leader of the opposing group, a tall and imposing figure, glares at you, his voice dripping with malice. "Hand over your supplies, or we'll kill all three of you."

"We don't want any trouble," you say firmly, your voice carrying a mixture of determination and reason. "We're all just trying to survive here. There must be a way we can find common ground without resorting to violence."

The leader narrows his eyes, skeptical yet intrigued by your proposition. "And what do you suggest, huh? I'm not looking to only get half when I know I can just take it all."

"And I can understand that," you respond, holding your ground.

"Y/N," Todoroki begins to call out to you, but you continue to ignore him.

"But consider this."

"Y/N! They're not willing to negotiate!"

"By taking all of our things, you'll be making enemies out of us. You don't know how many more of us there are or what kind of connections we have. It's in your best interest to find a middle ground where both sides benefit."

As the words leave your lips, you notice a flicker of recognition in the leader's eyes. He takes a step back, his face contorting with a mix of surprise and wariness. "Hold on a second... Do I know you?" he mutters, his voice laced with a tinge of unease as he glances between the three of you.

"Ya know, I thought I saw your ugly face before but I wasn't gonna mention it unless you brought it up," Bakugou says, a smirk playing on his lips. "You remember me from our last encounter, don't ya? That fight didn't end so well for your crew, did it?"

The leader's gaze wavers, memories of their previous confrontation resurfacing. He glances at his comrades, contemplating the situation. The tension in the air becomes palpable as he weighs the risks of engaging with Bakugou once again.

After a tense pause, the leader reluctantly takes a step back, his voice laced with caution. "Alright, we'll take what you're offering. Just remember, this doesn't mean we're allies. You got lucky this time, but don't think we won't remember your faces."

With a mix of relief and satisfaction, you watch as the leader's group retreats, their desire for conflict momentarily subdued. You then exchange puzzled looks with Todoroki and yourself, wondering about the source of Bakugou's reputation. The silence hangs in the air until Bakugou catches onto your confusion. He scoffs and rolls his eyes at your expressions. "What?" he retorts, crossing his arms defensively. "My old group used to go around picking fights with assholes like them, just to take whatever useless crap they had. It's not like we were doing it for some noble cause or anything."

A mixture of surprise and realization dawns on you and Todoroki as you piece together the puzzle. Bakugou had a history of confrontation, not for the sake of justice, but for the sheer thrill of it which certainly explains a lot about him.

You can't help but be impressed by the unexpected depth of Bakugou's experience and find yourself looking at him in a slightly different light, a mix of admiration and curiosity.

Todoroki, breaking the silence, glances at Bakugou and smirks. "Well, Bakugou, you certainly know how to keep surprises up your sleeve."

Bakugou's face flushes slightly, a rare display of vulnerability. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Don't get used to it. I'm not all soft and cuddly like you two."

You chuckle at his response, appreciating the banter. "No worries, Bakugou. We know better than to expect you to be all rainbows and sunshine."

Todoroki adds with a playful smirk, "But hey, at least we know we have a secret weapon in our midst."

Bakugou rolls his eyes but can't hide a hint of a smile. "Damn right you do. Just remember, don't mess with me or you'll regret it."

You share a lighthearted laugh, the tension from the encounter with the other group melting away. In this unpredictable world, finding moments of camaraderie and humor is precious.