Blazing Hearts (Todobaku Fanfiction)✔️

6

The final bell of the day rang out, signaling the end of classes. As students eagerly made their way out, chattering about their plans, Bakugou grudgingly started his cleaning duties. The task had been assigned as a mild punishment for one of his typically explosive outbursts during class.

As he brooded, scrubbing a particularly stubborn stain on the floor, the door creaked open. Todoroki walked in, his usual serene demeanor slightly ruffled. Without acknowledging Bakugou, he made his way to his desk, retrieving a forgotten book.

Bakugou, never one to let an opportunity for confrontation pass, called out, "You forget something, Icyhot?"

Todoroki hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on the book in his hands. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he responded, "Not the book."

Bakugou paused, his sharp instincts catching the undercurrent of sadness in Todoroki's voice. "What's eating you?"

Todoroki sighed, taking a seat on one of the classroom's chairs. He looked up, meeting Bakugou's gaze with a vulnerability rarely seen. "It's my family... things haven't been great lately."

Intrigued and sensing that this was more than just a passing issue, Bakugou sat across from him. "Talk to me."

Taking a deep breath, Todoroki began, "You know about my father, Endeavor. How he was obsessed with surpassing All Might. How he saw me more as a tool than a son." Bakugou nodded, remembering the details from the Sports Festival. "Well, after the recent events, after he became the number one hero, the pressure on him increased. And in turn, the pressure on me."

Bakugou scowled, "So he's still being his overbearing self?"

Todoroki's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "It's not just him. My siblings... they're torn. They see the effort he's putting in to become a better person, a better father. But the scars of the past, they're still fresh."

Bakugou leaned back, processing the information. "So, what do you want to do?"

Todoroki's laugh was devoid of any humor. "That's the thing, Bakugou. I don't know. Part of me wants to forgive, to move forward. But another part, it just... can't forget."

The room was silent, save for the soft ticking of the classroom clock. Bakugou, in a rare moment of sensitivity, said, "Look, family stuff is messy. But you can't let it define you. Decide what *you* want, not what your family wants."

Todoroki looked up, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, Bakugou. It's... it's good to talk about it."

Bakugou, feeling a little awkward with the emotional atmosphere, gruffly responded, "Yeah, yeah. Just... take care of yourself, okay?"

Todoroki smiled, the weight on his shoulders a little lighter. "I will. Thanks."

As Todoroki left the classroom, Bakugou resumed his cleaning.