Everlasting Winter

First day of Winter

Todoroki POV

I slowly open my eyes, its morning, I look out the small window above my bed and stare at the sun as it rises above the horizon. I look over to see a familiar sight, Natsuo asleep on his own futon, he brought his to my room like he has done so many times before. He doesn't do it regularly, only on the nights when training was exceptionally harsh. I shift my attention to my arms and legs which have more bandages on them than usual, I move slightly and become aware that I am in a significant amount of pain. I look around and saw my phone laying on my desk. I pull back the blankets and sit up as recognisable pain races through my left leg. I become instantly aware that my leg is broken. Jumbled memories rush into my mind of the training session last night and my father's fury. I grab my ankle and grunt. I take a moment to breath before using my arms to butt scut across the floor to my desk. I grab my phone and hit the home button. The screen flashes with many unread messages. I realize they are all from Midoriya. I open my phone and go to Midoriya's contact. I see all the messages at once, some were from early yesterday evening from when I was in the training room with father. I shiver again as more memories of last night rush through my mind. I concentrate on the messages from Midoriya, and scroll through them, I focus on one closest to midnight saying if I want, I could come in the morning to help with the new puppies. Snowflake. Snowflake is having her puppies. This thought fills my mind and warms every part of my body. I smile at the message. I must be there. I don't know why this thought rose above all the other things going on at that moment for me, but it was the only thing I could think about. Thoughts of lying next to Snowflake feeling her belly and feeling her puppies kick my hand made me feel so connect to her, connected to her unborn puppies. I don't know how it happened or why I sent the text but without hesitation replied I was on my way. I quickly came back to reality as I caught sight of my broken leg and bandaged arms. I knew I couldn't go alone but I knew I couldn't stay here. I look over at Natsuo, still sleeping on his futon next to me. I pull myself over to him. I shake his shoulder.

"Natsuo get up."

"Mm what? I was sleeping."

"I want you to take me to the farm."

Natsuo quickly becomes fully awake and sits up.

"You want me to take you where?"

"Midoriya's farm. His dog Snowflake is having her litter of puppies today and he said I could come over."

"Shoto I know you want to go but your injured, and I don't want your leg getting any worse."

"Please Natsuo, I promise to be careful."

"I don't know."

"Please, I know it's a lot to ask but I have spent the last week helping to prepare for this litter and I want to see them when there still small."

"Fine I'll take you but on one condition. You don't put any weight on that foot."

"Deal."

"Alright let me go get dressed then we can head out. I will also need to let Fuyumi."

I open my phone to Midoriya's contact sending him another message that I will be there soon and thanking him for the invitation. Soon after the message was sent Natsuo came back into my room dressed in a pair of jeans and a hoodie.

"Now let's get you ready."

He smiles as he lifts me up with ease, he walks into the bathroom putting my down on the toilet. He gets up and goes over to the vanity pulling out new rolls of bandages.

"I'm going to try and make this as pain free as I can."

I sit quietly on the toilet thinking about Snowflake and how amazing it is that she is having puppies today. A few times my thoughts are interrupted with sharp pains as Natsuo removes some of the old bandages. He is an expert now, or at least in my mind he is an expert. He has always been there for me at times like this and even now was helping me without question. In the end Natsuo did a good job redoing my bandages in the least painful way, taking extra care around my ankle.