{UNTIL THE END} Todoroki x Fem!Reader

Shadows of Extinction

chapter twenty nine

A few minutes later, Mei and Ida approach you and Todoroki on the farm, their faces drained of color and devoid of expression. A knot tightens in your stomach as you see them. Something is clearly wrong. 

You speak up, your voice filled with concern. "What's going on?"

Mei takes a deep breath, her voice trembling. "There's something important we need to talk to you both about," she says, her gaze fixed on the ground.

"We need the two of you to come back to the lab with us," Ida adds, glancing around to make sure nobody's listening to the conversation.

A sense of unease settles over you, and you exchange a worried glance with Todoroki. Nodding in agreement, you say, "Lead the way."

When you get to the lab, the air grows heavy with anticipation over the impending news that Mei and Ida are about to share. They both stand before you and Todoroki, their eyes reflecting a mixture of sorrow and resignation.

Ida starts, his voice filled with regret. "We've conducted numerous tests, and the results are all clear. Long-term survival underground is not possible."

You stand absolutely frozen at his words while Todoroki's voice rises with disbelief. "What do you mean? There has to be something we can do."

Mei's voice quivers with sadness as she shakes her head. "The impact of the asteroid has permanently altered the climate and atmosphere. It's impossible for humans to endure underground indefinitely."

Thoughts race through your mind, trying to grip onto the magnitude of the situation.

"We can't give up," Todoroki continues to insist. "There must be a way to protect the air in the bunker, to find a solution."

Tears well up in Mei's eyes as she shakes her head. "There's no solution. We owe it to the survivors to be honest with them. They need to know the truth and face it together."

The weight of impending doom settles heavily upon you, and a heavy silence hangs in the air. The lab now feels suffocating, as if the walls are closing in on you. Emotions swirl within, a mix of grief, disbelief, and a flicker of determination lurks within you, despite your frozen state.

With heavy hearts, you and Todoroki brace yourselves for the difficult task ahead: sharing this devastating news with the survivors. The burden weighs heavily on your shoulders, but you find solace in the strength of the community and the unwavering support you share.

Later in the day, the four of you gather the survivors to address what you and Todoroki were just told. Ida begins, giving the devastating news to the survivors, causing a collecting gasp to fill the room. You lean close to Todoroki before quietly asking, "What about the spacecraft we spent all that time looking for?"

Todoroki's expression darkens, his voice heavy with concern. "Sero told me that they've been encountering significant issues with the spacecraft. It's not looking promising and apparently, it's a really sensitive topic with Mei."

As Ida's words sink in, emotions erupt within the survivors. Anger and frustration mingle with despair, directed at Mei and the perceived failure of her efforts. Tears stream down Mei's face, and Todoroki instinctively wraps his arms around her, offering comfort in the midst of all the chaos.

Feeling rather overwhelmed as well, you turn your gaze into the crowd and spot your friends in the sea of devastated faces. Bakugou's meet yours, filled with disappointment and anger. 

Without hesitation, you rush after him, desperately trying to explain that you had only just learned the truth as well. "Bakugou, please, let me explain," you call as you reach out to him.

He quickly jerks himself away, his voice laced with bitterness without even turning to face you. "Explain? What's there to explain? You led us on, made us believe we had a chance with that damn farm, and now it's all a goddamn lie!"

Tears well up in your eyes as you desperately try to find the right words. "I swear, Bakugou, I didn't know. I just found out, just like you did. I never meant to give false hope."

He scoffs, his voice filled with frustration. "Doesn't matter now, does it? The truth is out, and we're all screwed."

The weight of his words presses down on you, and you reach out once again, your voice pleading. "Bakugou, please. We're all in this together. We need to support each other now more than ever."

He glares at me, his anger palpable. "Support? You expect me to just forgive and forget? You think words can fix everything?"

"I know words can't fix everything," you say, tears streaming down your cheeks. "But we can't let this tear us apart. We need to find a way to face this together."

He hesitates, his gaze softening slightly. "I trusted you, damn it! We all did."

"I know," you whisper, your voice choked. "And I'm so sorry for the pain this has caused you. But please, Bakugou, don't shut me out. I need your strength and determination now more than ever."

For a moment, silence hangs in the air, tension thick between the two of you. Then, with a heavy sigh, Bakugou's shoulders slump, and he looks away. "I don't know if I can just forgive and forget," he admits, his voice quieter.

You step closer, reaching out to touch his arm gently. "We can find a way to make the most of the time we have left."

He meets my gaze, his expression conflicted. Slowly, he nods. "Fine. But don't expect me to just bounce back like nothing happened."

A small smile tugs at the corner of your lips through the tears. "I don't expect that. Just know that we're here for you, Bakugou."

With that, Bakugou walks away, his wounded heart evident with every step. The once unbreakable bonds among your group have been strained by the weight of the revelation, and the road ahead feels even more treacherous. 

Just then, Sero's comforting hand comes down softly on my shoulder. "He'll be alright. Just give him time, Y/N," he says, as though reading your mind.

Tears swell in your eyes as you turn into Sero. "This really fucking sucks," you grumble as you wrap your arms around his torso.

Sero chuckles softly, though his voice carries a hint of sadness. "That's the understatement of the century. We're facing the unimaginable."

You squeeze Sero tightly, your head resting on his shoulder as you attempt to relax. "I wish there was something more we could do, Sero. Something to change that outcome."

His arms gently wrap around you, offering you a sense of warmth and solidarity back. "I know. I'm pretty sure everyone here wishes for the same thing. But sometimes all we can do is support each other, hold on to hope, and make the most of the time we have."

As you stand there, embracing each other, the weight of the future hangs heavily in the air. You have no idea what you're going to do, but there's no way you're going to go down without a fight.