His Hero

Missing

The parking lot beside Endeavor Agencies was surprisingly empty, even with the afternoon shift change less than an hour away.

Pulling in to the designated space he rarely used, Shoto turned his truck off and glanced at the empty space beside him. The plan he'd thrown together in his short drive was like a house of cards and his father the hurricane that would send it tumbling down. The ridiculously tiny car his father insisted on driving may not be here, but Shoto needed to be absolutely certain the old man was out before digging through his office for answers.

Allowing himself one final moment to massage the building ache in his temples, Shoto took a deep breath and shoved resolved in place of his buzzing nerves. With a groan he swung his door open and stepped out of his truck. Every one of his muscles reminded him he really wasn't ready to get back to work as he jogged across the street towards the massive glass doors to the agency, but their protests were pushed to the back of his mind. A little pain was nothing compared to his desire to find Katsuki.

The doors slid open, and a wave of cool air brushed against Shoto's skin as he entered the building. Whispers and wide eyes from a few of the heroes on standby greeted him, but he walked by without a second glance at any of them. His whole focus was set on the reception desk at the far end of the lobby and the blond leaning against it as she talked to another hero.

Shoto's stomach twisted. Breaking into his father's office, searching through confidential documents, evading the prying eyes of other heroes... these suddenly seemed like the easiest parts of his plan. Talking to her to find out where Endeavor was today... well he'd rather fight a villain. But if anyone could answer his questions without growing suspicious, it was her. So, Shoto swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth and forced his spine a little straighter. His heart pounded up into his throat as he approached. Two little answers, that was all he needed. And then he'd be in the elevator before she had the chance to say another word.

Just steps from the desk he watched her flip her blond curls back and laugh, much louder than was probably necessary, at whatever the other hero had just said. A dopey grin took over the face Shoto hardly recognized. A smile tugged at Shoto's lips. Maybe this was another bit of luck. Maybe she'd moved on and would finally leave him alone.

That smile fell the second she turned around. Her eyes met his and the interest she'd been faking turned into something a little darker as they raked over Shoto's body, leaving behind a crawling sensation he wanted to dig right out from under his skin. Her cherry red lips turned up in what she probably thought was a seductive smile and Shoto's stomach turned with it, nearly forcing up the apple he'd eaten on the way here.

He took a deep breath and brushed his thumb over the scar on his palm. Two questions. Just two little questions and then he'd be-

"Roki, you're back already?"

Shoto turned to see a hand on his shoulder and the friendly smile of the tape hero next to him. Letting out the breath he'd been holding, he let Sero pivot him away from the receptionist's scowl and toward the elevators. His plan veered down a new path as they walked. This could work if he was careful. Sero was well connected around the agency... but he was also much more perceptive than their single-minded receptionist.

Shoto hit the button to his floor and slid his hands in his pockets. An image of Hawks interrogating unsuspecting informants flashed through Shoto's mind, and he focused on capturing the same easy indifference he'd seen in the winged hero so many times before. "I'm just stubborn according to my doctor. Not cleared for hero work yet, but I've got some stuff here to catch up on. You know my old man would never let me hear the end of it if I spent the day at home when I could be working." He forced a small smile as they stepped in the elevator.