Work Text:
“This is an emergency message sent to all active heroes in the area of a scene. You are requested to respond to a mass casualty incident. Coordinates as follows: North 35.7250189 East 139.6130987. This is an emergency message sent to all-”
“Hey, mom.”
“Shouto! How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m okay, I just needed to let you know that I’m not going to be able to make it to lunch- there was an emergency.”
“ Oh, dear. Will you be okay?”
“Yes, mom. There will be a lot of heroes there. Just don’t watch the news- they love making things seem worse than they are.”
“Okay, Shouto, if you’re sure. Let me know when you’re safe?”
“I will. I love you, mom.”
“I love you, too, my dearest Shouto. Be careful.”
“Hello?”
“Hello, this is Taketa Kinu with the Japanese Hero Commission. Is this Todoroki Fuyumi?”
“Yes, that’s me. What is this about?”
“ Todoroki-san, are you aware that there was an incident in Tokyo today?”
“Yes, though I don’t know what that has to do with me.
“ Todoroki-san, your brother was one of the first heroes to respond to the incident. Pro-hero Shouto, as well as several other heroes, like Fatgum, Suneater, and Wash, were among the first to engage with the villain known as Shockwave.”
“Is my brother okay? Is that why you’re calling- is he in the hospital?”
“You are listed as pro-hero Shouto’s next of kin. We are calling to request you come in as soon as you are able to identify and retrieve your brother.”
“What do you mean ‘identify’? Why can’t he identify himself?”
“... Todoroki-san, during the encounter with Shockwave, your brother received a fatal injury. The first healing-quirk heroes to arrive on scene declared him already deceased. I am sorry for your loss.”
“Oh, god, Shouto…”
“If you need, we can send a car to pick you up, Todoroki-san. But we will need you to come in at your earliest convenience.”
“...”
“Todoroki-san?”
“...No need for the car. I’ll be there before the day is over.”
“Endeavor.”
“Endeavor, it is Best Jeanist.”
“Jeanist, why are you calling? I am not available to assist you right now.”
“I know. But I thought that I should tell you.”
“ What is it? I’m busy.”
“It is about pro-hero Shouto. Your son. The thread of his life has been cut by a dastardly villain. His tapestry, unfinished as it is, is done.”
“Shouto?!”
“I apologize, Endeavor, for being so uncouth as a ballpoint needle through nylon, but the commission is cutting your mission short. You are to tie off your loose ends and return to the patchwork of your homeland.”
“... My son…”
“The news will try to pick at you like scraps from a cabbage bin. Take care that they do not see your raw edges, lest they unravel your life one piece at a time.”
“Thank you, Jeanist. I will be home soon.”
“Hi, this is Midoriya!”
“Midoriya, it’s Fuyumi.”
“Fuyumi, hi! How are you?”
“...”
“Fuyumi, are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“It’s … it’s Shouto…”
“Shouto? Is he okay?
“Well, he was in Tokyo… and…”
“Yeah, he was going to meet with a couple of other heroes regarding an overseas mission, right?”
“I’m not sure, he never talked with us about that part of his life. But, Midoriya, Shouto… He’s…”
“Fuyumi?”
“Shouto died fighting a villain. And I thought… I mean, you were his best friend. I thought someone should tell you.”
“Shouto… But, he wasn’t even supposed to be on patrol, how did he get into a fight?”
“I don’t know. But. But I’m going to the morgue now to pick him up, and. And I would really appreciate it if you were there, too. I don’t want to have to do this alone. God, I haven’t even told Natsu, yet.”
“Of course, I’ll be right there, Fuyumi! Has someone told Endeavor?”
“Yes, I just got off the phone with him. Dad… Dad didn’t take the news well. With him being out of the country right now, I don’t know when he’ll be coming home. I hope it’s soon.”
“Do you want me to stay on the phone with you until you get to the hospital?”
“No. No, I need to start telling other people. God, what am I going to tell Natsu? He was going to come home this weekend after his medical licensing exam. Now he’s coming for a funeral.”
“Hey, hey, hey, it’s, well, it’s not okay, right now, but let’s focus on this step by step. Go drink a glass of water and call your brother. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
“Thanks, Midoriya. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Bakugou.”
“Kacchan?”
“What do you want, Deku?”
“Did you hear the news?”
“About Tokyo? I was there, you shitty nerd. We took Shockwave down and now I’m sitting in the damn hospital because of it.”
“Well, I’ll be there soon. If you see Fuyumi before I do, tell her I’m sorry I’m running late.”
“Why the hell would I see Icy-Hot’s sister? He’s not even based in Tokyo.”
“So, you didn’t hear about it, then.”
“Didn’t hear about what , Deku?”
“Shouto died during the fight. He was one of the first ones on scene, along with a bunch of other heroes who were meeting for an overseas mission briefing. And. And he got killed.”
“...”
“...”
“...No way.”
“Kacchan-”
“No way that half and half bastard lost to such a lame villain like fuckin’ Shockwave . I didn’t even see him out there!”
“Kacchan, stop yelling! You just said you were in a hospital!”
“I’ll yell if I damn well please! You just told me Candy Cane fuckin’ kicked it! How the hell did that even happen?”
“Well, they obviously haven’t told me anything about it. But. I saw some civilian footage.”
“And?”
“Well, it looks like he was shielding some civilians, and… there was this little boy, Kacchan. He was crying, and Shockwave found him and tried to… well, you know how Shockwave’s quirk works, right?”
“Yeah, he can cause concussive blasts when he touches something. It’s how he destroyed three square blocks- motherfucker kept touching the street and the buildings.”
“Well, Shockwave tried to grab the boy… and…”
“And he grabbed Icy-Hot instead.”
“Y-yeah.”
“Fuck.”
“Kacchan?”
“Yeah, Deku?”
“Fuyumi should be at the hospital any minute. Could you… Could you go talk to her? I don’t want her to be alone any more than she already has been. I know you’re injured, but could you?”
“Fuck it. I’m headed down now.”
“Anyone break the news to you yet, Shitty Hair?”
“I should have been there, Mina.”
“I think Blasty is going to need some support, Sero.”
“Hey, Kaminari, did you hear about Tokyo?”
“Jirou, did you see the news?”
“I’m sorry, Momo, I know you two were close.”
“Iida, it’s about Todoroki.”
“The funeral is on Sunday, Uraraka.”
“I don’t even remember the last thing I said to him, Tsu.”
“Shinsou, all of our class is going to be there, ribbit. You should be there, too.”
“We’re extracting you from your mission, Invisible Girl. We’re needed back at home.”
“Mashirao, tell me it isn’t true! Not Todoroki!”
“I know it isn’t right, but I keep thinking about how if he couldn’t make it… it’s up to all of us to keep each other safe, Sato.”
“I know you’re kind of far, but. Well. This feels kind of big, right, Koda?”
“I thought, since we’re both based in Osaka, we could go up together for the… for this weekend… Thanks, Shouji.”
“I know, Fumikage, it’s terrible.”
“We could use a bit of your sparkle in these dark times, friend.”
“Oh, mon ami! We should hold a vigil with our class after the official ceremony.”
“Mom?”
“Oh, Natsuo! How lovely to hear from you. How are you doing, honey?”
“ Uh, I’ve been better, mom.”
“Oh, do you want to talk about it? Is that why you called?”
“Sort of. I’m calling because… well, I’m coming by in an hour to see you. Just. Just don’t turn on the TV. Or the radio.”
“Oh, Shouto said the same thing to me before he went on his mission. You boys are so silly, sometimes.”
“Mom, please.”
“Natsuo, sweetheart, are you okay? It sounds like you’re crying.”
“I’ll be there in an hour. Just. Wait for me.”
“Okay, sweetie. I will.”
“Hello, this is Shouto. I will return your call when I am able. Thank you.”
“Proud of you, Problem Child. You did the heroic thing. You would have hated the funeral. Way too many heroes in one place to make sure everywhere else was suitably protected. The boy you saved was there. His mom said some very nice things to your family. Wish she could have said them to you, too.”
“Hello, this is Shouto. I will return your call when I am able. Thank you.”
“Damn it, Problem Child. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
“Hello, this is Shouto. I will return-”