𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

[3] TODOROKI

TODOROKI, HEALING

they say that the todoroki family is cursed. destruction throbs in their veins and it will explode in any second that pass. they say that the todoroki family have not always been fire and ice but simply a man and a woman. with the sloppy curve of the characters of the todoroki family's name, and the small flick of each end of the slides, the sho-to follows in pursuit.

endeavor has never been a good father. [name] knows that far too well after her many encounters with the man. he is only five years and yet she knows—this hero in form of a father will never be the father that todoroki shoto will have difficulty in loving.

she trembles when she sees the newborn.

"why is there a child here?"

"a healer-in-training."

"this young?"

"yes."

"is she skilled?"

"her mother and father have been great healers. we expect [surname] to be the same."

"good."

todoroki shoto is born in the middle of winter along the adventure of circling the sun. he blinks his eyes open and—how beautiful—mismatched eyes that throb with forecoming power. he feels like power rushing through the veins, summoning the best attack one can release and [name] shivers.

"what do you think?"

[name] does not dare look away from the infant.

"he's beautiful."

they say that the [surname] family is gifted. cure throbs in their veins and it will be given to everybody who wishes and begs for it. they say that the [surname] family has always been the pastel blues and sunrises in the middle of the ebony nights, never one to flick their hands and destroy everything on sight. with the elegant piroutte of the characters and the twirl of the curves, wa-ra-u follows in pursuit.

todoroki's doctor is part of that family.

"does it hurt?"

"no, [surname]-sensei."

his doctor chuckles. "you can call me [name]-sensei, todoroki-kun." she flicks her hand. "i was there during your birth, you know."

todoroki knows that, has always known that. he also knows that [name] is his doctor for a reason; endeavor only picks the best for the best. [name], so far, is the best. "[name]-sensei," he lets the address roll past his lips.

he decides he likes it.

[name] smiles at him. "now, what about—..."

"does it hurt?"

"hm?"

"healing people. does it hurt?"

she takes a look at todoroki who offers her a canned coffee from the nearby vending machine and she sighs. there are bandages wrapped around her arms, more gauzes sticking on her cheek and a crooked smile replacing her once perfect one. "it does," she confesses, "very much so."

todoroki thinks he is not suited to be a hero. he is selfish, after all. [name] can do a better job than him. "then why do you keep on healing?" he asks the question that has always been wandering in his mind for years.

"because my family would want me to," [name] confesses as if it is a secret, "because the people expect me to. and probably because it feels nice getting gratitude."

ah, todoroki realizes. [name] is selfish in her way too. he refuses to look at his doctor's eyes. "next time, sensei," he says, "can you heal me too?"

[name] looks at him confusedly before she snorts and reaches for todoroki's hair, ruffling it. "i'll always heal you, todoroki-kun," she chirps, "i am your personal doctor."

todoroki holds on to her words.

todoroki shouldn't have.

the [surname] family is known for their healing quirk and their fast regenerative abilities.

their pain, in exchange for another.

endeavor says [name] lived an honorable life.

todoroki thinks she lived a selfish one.

(a very selfish one.)