Resurrected & Reignited (Dabi/Touya Todoroki x Reader)

Flashback II: True Friends

Approximately 12.5 years ago...

"Where is that bird brain?" Touya grumbled as he paced back and forth in the devastated classroom. You sat on the scaffolding just outside the building, watching your anxious friend.

"He's probably just running a little late. I'm sure he's fine." You did your best to sound calm; though, you had to admit, you were growing more nervous by the second. As per usual, Keigo, Touya, and yourself had agreed to meet at your secret spot in the abandoned wing of the HPSC training facility; however, after nearly an hour of waiting, your winged friend had yet to arrive. Given his impressive speed, he was usually the first to arrive at your little rendezvous point, but something was keeping him today.

"Man, I hope he didn't get caught by an overseer. We're so screwed if he blabs." Touya ranted, running a hand roughly through his red and white hair.

"Calm down; Keigo wouldn't do that." You reassured him. "Maybe it's the opposite. Maybe he needed to wait for the coast to be clear before leaving." Though your words were meant for Touya, they also served to convince yourself that everything was fine. You trusted Keigo, of course, but you couldn't help but wonder and worry about what was taking him so long.

Touya sighed. "Yeah, I'm sure you're right." He said, releasing his now-messy hair from his tight grip. "Still, he's supposed to be fast, right? It shouldn't take him this long to get here even if there was a holdup." Touya turned to you, and concern showed clearly in his eyes. You smiled at him in hopes it would calm him down.

"Everything is gonna be fine, Touya." You said sweetly. "Now come over here and sit down. All that pacing is making me nervous." You patted the scaffolding beside you, and Touya stopped. Returning your smile, he sauntered over and plopped down next to you, causing the structure to rattle and vibrate.

"Sorry. It's just... this is the only time we can hang out for real. I mean, besides mealtimes, we don't really get to talk, and even then, our overseers are listening." He stated. "I just don't wanna lose this, y'know?"

"None of us do." You said, giving him a friendly pat on the back. "That's why I'm confident that Keigo wouldn't say anything even if he were caught." You affirmed. The worried look on his face didn't fade. "It's not like you to worry about him like this." You pointed out. Touya let out a quick puff of air through his nose and you were unsure if that was supposed to serve as a chuckle.

"Yeah, well, he's my friend, y'know. I don't wanna see him get in trouble because of me." His negative mood was starting to impact you as well, but really, you just wanted to help your friend feel better. "Hey, don't put the blame on yourself. We're all in this together. I'll be shouldering some of the blame if he gets caught, too..." You rubbed his back soothingly, realizing you just put out the idea that Touya's main fear could actually be a possibility. "But he won't!" You added quickly to cover up your mistake. Touya nodded, eyes focused on the ground in front of him. You could have sworn you saw the corners of his lips curl up into a tiny smile. A comfortable silence fell over the two of you before you had an idea.

"Hey, wanna toss Blinky around to pass the time?" You said excitedly, holding up your snail-light.

Touya raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Blinky? Is that what you're going with?"

You smiled awkwardly, feeling a little self-conscious about the name you'd picked for your nightlight. "Ha, yeah... I'll try to think of something better..."

"No, no, no! I-I like it! Sorry if I sounded like I was making fun of you." Touya said quickly upon seeing your slightly dejected face. "C'mon, let's throw him around." He suggested cheerfully, getting to his feet and offering his hand to you. "Just don't use your quirk to cheat."