In Each of Our Hearts

Hollow Victory

Finals. Wonderful.

Todoroki groaned, wanting nothing more than to let his head drop onto his textbook. To say he was exhausted would be the epitome of an understatement. Not only did he have to prepare for the traditional finals all high school students were forced to suffer through, but he also needed to prepare for the practical exam for the hero course. And the teachers were cryptic as ever as to what the exam would consist of.

And, among these relatively normal problems faced by so many others, Todoroki found himself still losing sleep over Midoriya. Given, of course, he could almost guarantee that most of Class 1-A was as well, but it felt like more than that. Seeing him in Hosu, it changed something. Not only had something seemed wrong about Midoriya, but Todoroki found that something had changed within him as well. He couldn't place it, but his concern felt like something more than it previously had.

Was it guilt, perhaps? Knowing he was the last to see Midoriya as he had been?

His bedroom door slamming open, quickly snapped Todoroki out of his thoughts. Only one person would do such a thing, especially during his studying. Endeavor.

"Shouto," he spoke, voice filled with disdain, "All Might is here to see you." Todoroki tensed at this. All Might being here would lead to nothing but pain for him; whether it was news of Midoriya, or from Endeavor following the visit.

Slowly, Todoroki followed his father to the front room, seeing the muscular form of All Might weighing down the sofa.

"Young Todoroki, hello! I apologize for interrupting you in your home," he boomed. Todoroki could, unsurprisingly, feel the tension between All Might and his father. It was almost palpable. He opened his mouth, intent on getting the number one hero to leave as quickly as possible. Though, luckily for him, Endeavor's phone began to ring loudly, breaking the painful silence.

"Ah, Endeavor! Duty calls?" All Might spoke heartily. Todoroki was thoroughly surprised when his father simply left, with nothing more than an angry grunt, aggressively shoving past the other hero. Though it wasn't verbal, Shouto did heave a sigh of relief at the departure. Though, he knew it was only temporary; Todoroki was sure to feel the affects of his anger later.

"All Might? Why are you here, exactly?" Thoughts of Midoriya, and how badly he could have been hurt, flooded his mind. The likelihood of him escaping from the League of Villains with no injury was simply not possible.

"I suppose I can't hold off any longer." He sighed, suddenly seeming far older. "Normally, neither civilians, nor students would hear of this, but after your encounter in Hosu, and his apparent interest in you, it was decided that you deserve to know." Another sigh could be heard from the number one hero. All Might abruptly turned towards his student. "A civilian was found late last night gravely injured. There was severe bruising around his neck, and many deep lacerations on several parts of his body, specifically in the arms and around his left eye." The pro paused, seeming to have to prepare himself to say what came next. "The man was Hinata Nakamura, a secretary in your father's firm."

Todoroki's breath hitched at the name, having heard it several times before.

"He is expected to make a full recovery," All Might continued hollowly. "But, there is reason to believe that young Midoriya was responsible."

There it was. The news that Todoroki knew was coming. What had been plaguing his waking moments since his capture.

"How?" Shouto asked quietly, feeling dread pool in his gut.

"A witness described an adolescent running from the scene matching your description of young Midoriya's... new appearance. They also said he seemed to be covered in a thick, dark liquid." All Might's smile seemed to fade slightly, though it wasn't altogether gone. "You said that he seemed different when the two of you talked in Hosu, can you be more specific?"

The question gave Todoroki pause. How was Midoriya different? There was the obvious, with his mocking tone and threats, and his lack of action when Iida was in danger. But otherwise, how was he different? He thought on this for several minutes. After all, how does one describe a feeling? A sense?

"He felt... off," Shouto eventually began. "He seemed to lose his sense of heroism, I guess?" He was struggling, having never been one to express feelings in words.

"I think I understand." Was all that All Might responded with, his smile dimming even further. "Well, I believe I have taken up enough of your time, young Todoroki. Please, excuse me."

He left.

Shouto stared almost blankly at where the number one hero had sat, feeing his thoughts whirring with theories, thoughts, ideas. But one outlier rose above the rest.

How will Midoriya be saved now?

~~~~~~~~~~Line~Break~~~~~~~~

Midoriya couldn't hold back a wide smile, giggles beginning to rise from his throat.

It had taken hours, but he'd made that Endeavor associate crack. Really, he should be thanking him; after all, he had gotten the chance to practice his knife work.

Another laugh rang out.

It was time he saw a certain U.A. student again. Or at least, see how good the hero's son was.