A Dragon's Heart // Shoto Todoroki x Reader

Chapter 2: Bloom

Amara's POV

My legs carried me toward the school gates of UA, but a strange swarm of blabbering adults blocked my path. It quickly became clear that these adults were pests masquerading as "reporters." A sense of dread washed over me as a member of the swarm noticed me, and soon their eyes were all locked on me, advancing like a pack of wolves.

I really hated the media.

"Excuse me, Miss, are you in All Might's class?" One of the lady reporters shoved a microphone into my face, her voice grating. My blood began to boil.

"Fuck off, snowflake." I spat, pushing them out of my way effortlessly with my quirk. I swiftly moved past them and entered the school grounds. My bag clung to my back as I made my way to class. I opened the massive door to 1-A, only to find it completely empty.

Did I miss class? Oh well. It is in my Aizawa blood to be late, I guess. I sighed before heading toward the cafeteria. The cafeteria was buzzing with life, faceless bodies in random disarray. Some huddled in groups while others stood alone. I was one of the loners. Obviously.

I ordered some chicken ramen, nothing fancy. It didn't take long to arrive, so I took my food tray and found an empty table. I had no friends to sit with yet, something I needed to work on. I ate my soup happily as I fiddled with my phone, freezing a small patch on the table in the shape of an irregular circle. I placed my phone in the center of the circle and watched it spin in boredom as I continued to eat.

Todoroki's POV

With a food tray of soba noodles in my hands, I made my way to sit alone, far from anyone. I wasn't planning on making friends. But then I saw her.

Amara sat alone at a table, and my heart began beating faster for a reason I couldn't understand. Her silky black hair was messily thrown into a bun atop her head. As I approached, I noticed more of her: her alluring pale skin, the collection of ear piercings through both ears, something I'd never really noticed before. She'd always had her hair down during hero training.

I'd been avoiding her since the training session, but seeing her alone put an ache in my heart. Her dark eyes met mine, and I felt I could get lost in the depths they presented. Maybe I could let myself have one friend. When I got closer, I saw a frozen patch of ice on the table and a spinning phone. My eyebrow arched at the casual use of her quirk.

I saw her swallow a big mouthful of food before she spoke. "What do you wa-"

Amara's POV

"What do you wa-" I choked on a piece of chicken that stubbornly refused to be swallowed. An uncontrollable coughing fit ensued, my eyes watering. I felt the food fly back up my throat, and I immediately swallowed it back down, disgusted with myself. I looked back at Todoroki, whose eyes were widened, eyebrows furrowed as if he'd witnessed a demonic possession.

"Are you done?" he asked. I wiped away the tears that obscured my vision.

"Am I done dying? Yes." I chided. Hearing him chuckle sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I ignored it as I met his bi-colored eyes. "What brings you to my table?"

"You looked lonely, so I thought I'd come sit with you." He took the seat across from me, setting down his tray. My face blossomed into an uncontrollable smile. I was surprised he was so friendly today, considering he had seemed distant since our hero training.

"Honestly, I thought you were mad at me." I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.

"I wasn't mad at you. I was just—" His eyebrows knitted together. "I want to, no, I need to surpass my father. That defeat the other day made me realize I need more training. I must get stronger." His voice carried an emotion I couldn't quite place. But his eyes, they told me he was sincere. "And you used my own power against me. How pathetic can I be?"

"Hmm, there's more to life than getting stronger, y'know." I sighed, shoving another spoonful of food into my mouth.

"You can only say that because you are already strong." He sounded slightly annoyed. An ache formed in my chest at his icy tone.

"I'm sorry—I didn't mean to be rude." My dark eyes softened as I looked into his. They seemed to mirror mine as he softened too.

"No, I'm sorry. You're right." His lips formed a small smile. He looks so cute when he smiles.

Wait, what am I saying? I barely know the guy and I'm calling him cute!?

An alarm blared loudly through the building, piercing my head as I clapped my hands over my ears and grunted in pain. I barely heard Todoroki until the alarm's voice cut in, mentioning a level 3 security breach. My ears rang, but I could hear the crescendo of panic sweeping through the cafeteria.

"What's a level 3 security breach?" I asked.

"It means someone managed to break through the school defenses." His tone was calm, but a glimmer of panic flickered in his bi-colored eyes. "UA is meant to have amazing security detailing—" He was cut off when a wave of scared teenagers swept him away. I stood up to help him but was also taken by the wave. I was squished against bodies of people I didn't know, everyone faceless to me, except for Todoroki. I was pushed sideways, clumsily falling onto a sturdy body. I heard a grunt and realized who I'd landed on.

"Hello again." I smiled, our faces inches apart. More bodies pushed me into him, our bodies tangled together. His face turned a bright red, matching his scar and red hair.

"So... you come here often?" I joked, trying to ease the tension.

"You're not funny," Todoroki informed me, though a small smile played on his lips.

"No?"

"No."

"EVERYBODY REMAIN CALM. THERE IS NO EMERGENCY, IT IS SIMPLY THE PAPARAZZI OUTSIDE," a guy with glasses commanded, reminding me of a human pancake as he slumped against the ceiling to get everyone's attention. I think his name was Iida. The sea of bodies calmed down, and I placed my hands on the window behind Todoroki to push myself up.

Todoroki seemed uncomfortable, his face still bright red. 

Wait, was that a scar on his face? I think I'm a certifiable idiot.

I went to ask if he was okay, but he hurriedly left. I was alone again in a sea of faceless humans.