Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 37

"I'm just not so sure about this, Shoto."

It was three in the morning, and I just couldn't get to sleep. What happened with Iida had me tossing and turning with constant worry for him. So - going out on a limb - I texted the one person I figured would still be awake at this hour. Shoto answered immediately, and quickly called me to hear what the situation was. Thus, here we were.

"I'm now extremely worried about Iida," I explained further to my icy-hot friend, pulling the blanket of my bed higher. "He's here because he's after the Hero Killer, himself. I've tried getting through to him, but he's adamant on going after him!"

I paused to try and slow down my unsteady breath, slightly shaking at the reality of the situation. My heartbeat was erratic, and mind was a mess; clouded by so many thoughts, I closed my eyes to get back on track.

"Shoto?" I whispered softly, "I'm scared..."

There was a long pause; it was so silent on the other end that I thought I'd honestly imagined calling Shoto in the first place. However, I released a breath I didn't realise I was holding when I heard him finally speak.

"Y/N," he grumbled, his voice deeper than usual, and rough from sleep. "It's three in the morning."

I irked at his response.

"That's all you have to say?!" I cried out with annoyance as I bolted upright in bed, my fear from before slipping away. "I know it's three in the damn morning, Shoto. But I couldn't sleep, so I called you. I've just told you all of this distressing news, and all you're worried about is the goddamn TIME?!"

"Y/N," he said again, but he sounded more awake this time.

I stopped my rant, lowering my voice again. Luckily I had my own room, and that I didn't have to share it with Iida.

"What?" I snapped back, grumbling under my breath as I tried making myself comfortable again.

"Breathe."

I flinched at that, confusion morphing my face. "What? Why?"

"Just. Breathe," Shoto explained calmly, and I heard him take a deep breath in, and a loud sigh indicated that he let it out. I finally figured out that he wanted me to do it as well, so I closed my eyes and tried to focus Shoto's breathing.

'In and out... In and out...'

Soon enough, I felt my heart rate slow down to an average pace, and my breathing regulated. Opening my eyes once more, I heard Shoto say, "Feel better?"

I nodded silently, but quickly realised that he wasn't there to see it, so I replied, "Yeah, thanks Shoto."Even though I felt slightly better, I still didn't feel my anxiety settle.

 As if he could feel exactly what I felt, Shoto sighed before saying, "You're still concerned about Iida, aren't you?"

"Yeah..." I admitted quietly, curling up in bed further. "Of course I'm worried. He's after a murderer, but he's barely in high school! He may be very talented, but he won't stand a chance against an expert like Stain, especially in his vengeful state. If Iida is right - and that the Hero Killer will be back - I'm terrified to think what will happen to Iida if he finds him."

"And what about you?"

I was taken aback at that. "W-what about me? Have you not been listening at all to what I've been saying-"

"I have, and I'm asking: what about you?" 

I didn't respond, as I didn't understand what Shoto was asking me. What relevance did I have to this situation? My silence was indicative enough for my friend to continue.