hero's shadow // mha

88) the back porch

Shouto is awake the moment his father arrives at the house.

It is the worst part of the day, when Endeavor comes back from his late patrols or meetings to sleep for a mere three hours at a time in his large, empty bedroom. Sometimes he doesn't even get that much rest. Sometimes he comes and spends the rest of his night in his study.

He is hardworking, sure, but Shouto wishes more than anything that the man would just leave him and the house behind forever, along with his siblings.

It's not like his father wouldn't be able to afford a hotel room each night. The only reason Shouto doesn't do that himself is because he's been banned from using Endeavor's name and money on the billing, rendering him stuck at home.

Which isn't usually so bad when his siblings are with him. But tonight is different.

When the entire estate trembles like an earthquake is on the way, Shouto isn't alarmed. On some occasions, his bastard father throws tantrums once he arrives home and blasts his fire all over the place. It isn't a new concept.

But when the second blast comes and he can actually hear his father's angry yell on the other side of the estate, Shouto forces himself to his feet, heart banging against his ribcage as he quickly slides on his slippers and makes for the front entrance to the house.

One tantrum is normal, but two? And back to back?

A thought burns in his mind: is Natsuo home? He's supposed to be at his dorms, but what if he came back early for some reason? He and their father fight sometimes, and on occasion it can turn somewhat violent, especially since Natsuo is just as fiery as Endeavor is in all ways but physical—so what if this is another fight, this time with Father reaching his breaking point?

Terror grips his chest, so cold and sharp and blinding that Shouto stumbles on his way there. This is one of the only times where he curses how large their house is.

Ice is already forming on his right side, making his heavy breathing come out white. His head spins, and for a moment he is back in his childhood where love existed when he didn't.

When he rounds the corner, Shouto doesn't see Natsuo, but he does see someone else.

A different kind of panic overtakes him then—this one raw and hot, scorching even. Shouto's mouth drops open, the air in the room feeling as though it's charged with electricity.

His father has Midoriya, who is fully dressed in his Rabbit attire besides his face mask, by the throat, holding him just barely above the floor. His flames are on, and Shouto feels the heat from where he's standing some fifteen feet away. He knows from experience just how hot it must feel to Midoriya right now.

Upon Shouto's arrival, Endeavor's head snaps towards him, fear crossing over his expression. "Shouto!" He snaps. "Get back!"

On instinct, Shouto almost obeys, but then Midoriya twists his neck to look at him and smiles a little, eyes twinkling, and Shouto doesn't move.

"Sorry to wake you," Midoriya manages to get out over the sound of the roaring flames, and Shouto only panics more, because his classmate is unmasked in the hands of his father, the number two pro hero, and is definitely about to be arrested right now, or worse. Much worse.

"I said go!" His father shouts, his tone commanding.

Midoriya grunts, irritated. "I said I'm not gonna hurt him, you ass—" He cuts off with a choke when Endeavor tightens his grip, and Shouto lurches forward.

His right hand clenches, and he can barely think or rationalize his next actions when they happen. Ice shoots out from his foot, covering the ground beneath him and nearing his father and Midoriya. The icy spikes melt before they can reach Endeavor, but it's enough to make the pro hero stumble back, on the defensive against his son now.