pretty//tododeku fanfiction

4

With his midsection still wralped in bandages under his uniform, Todoroki walked home a few hours after the school day ended.

It was nearing the end of fall. A cold breeze shook the trees, but it left no effect on Todoroki. On his walk home, his mind felt scattered and in chaos. The conversation he had with Deku earlier still replayed over and over again in his mind. He felt so stressed over one measely boy with one adorable smile and amazing personality, not to mention how he had helped, no, forced Todoroki to realize that the fire so tightly contained in his mind and body was his. Without Deku, Todoroki wouldn't have been able to survive the summer season. Endless training, excercise, and both mental and physical strain pushed Todoroki over his limit several times. Sometimes he would attack his father out of rage only to get even more hurt. Other times he would run away to sit and cry like a worthless baby.

   No doubt one of the two would happen today.

   Todoroki didn't even have his front door open halfway before it burned down in an inferno of rage. Naturally, his father appeared once the fire receded.

   Todoroki did what he usually did when his father was mad at him like this.

   "Father, I'm s—"

   The blow knocked Todoroki off of his feet and sent him sprawling across the wooden floor. His siblings rushed out on the balcony above, watching with eyes full of nothing but pity and sorrow.

   "Where have you been all fucking week, you worthless child?"

   Todoroki's ribs screamed and his head pounded. He curled up slightly, his chin on the floor. Endeavor stood over him. The flames radiating off of him billowed with uncontained rage.

   "Who the fuck do you think you are?" Endeavor boomed. He planted a grimy boot on Todoroki's head, threatening to crack his skull.

He probably would... Todoroki thought.

   "I got attacked and injured, which required me to stay in the infirmary all week." Todoroki muttered through clenched teeth.

   "ATTACKED!!" Eandeavor shouted, loud enough to make the house's foundation tremble.

   "You got ATTACKED and DIDN'T FUCKING WIN?" Endeavor said while Todoroki struggled to get out from under his merciless father's boot. He felt like he was going to vomit, but he didn't care. He got beat up because he wanted to protect Deku. His Deku. And if he had to go through his father's merciless abuse a thousand times just to protect Deku, than so be it.

   "I got... distracted."

   "Fucking hell.. Fucking hell, child! I can't fucking put up with your goddamn shit anymore! You got distracted? I guess you really are a piece of shit! And don't you dare pull a stunt like this again, or I really won't be able to hold back with your punishment. And that kid, the one with the green hair, you're going beat his ass someday, whether you like it or not. We can't have you be second to another fucking All Might, now can we? I don't fucking think so. That piece of goddamn dog shit can die on the sidewalk for all I care."

When Endeavor finally took his foot off of Todoroki, the boy leapt to his feet and punched his father square in the jaw.

   The boy was blind with rage. He had thick skin, so insults didn't bother him. But today, Endeavor had taken it a few steps too far. No one was allowed to insult Deku.

   No. One.

Not wasting a moment, Todoroki hit the ground running. Out the crumbled door and into the darkening city beyond. Only now did Todoroki realize how out of shape he was becaide of the fight. His lungs wheezed like a broken car and his sides felt like they were on fire. Usually, fire wouldn't do anything to Todoroki, but this was different. Now he finally understood what it was like to be burned. It was complete agony, and Todoroki collapsed in the leaves that were gathering in the park after running for what seemed like forever.