[ Everything about Shouto's training has been an attempt to balance out the weaknesses of both his mother and his father. That was why the marriage was arranged, after all, to make the perfect weapon for a man who wanted to dominate the rest of the world. But unlike his father, who presents himself with fire at every turn, even in meetings that last minutes because he decides to cut them short when there's nothing for him to gain.
He'll reach the end of his fuse someday. Shouto's just as prepared as Izuku is for the day that happens, even at the risk it'll pose for him.
Even if that means he could be the one to dirty his hands.
Closing his eyes as he breathes in over the tea, Shouto resists the urge to just - drop his head down into his hands. ]
Burning every bridge he comes across or builds, especially the haphazard ones, will get him cornered.
[Izuku's a calm, steady voice of reason when it comes to Endeavor. He wasn't sure why exactly he was hired in the first place, a show of power? A show of influence? He doesn't much care anymore. He knows he would lay his life on the line if it was for Todoroki Shouto.]
Yes, and he's doing it to himself with every passing day. With ever treaty he refuses, he limits his options.
[ Setting his tea down, Shouto succumbs to the need to rub at his face, sighing heavily as he thinks about the perfectly viable treaty that was presented today. Unless they're warmongers like himself, or shift all power to him, Todoroki Enji has no interest in alliances. And so his troops will starve and rebel, and his weapons will crumble, and all they'll be left with is their quirks.
And that'll only get them so far, when they're hobbled and their enemies aren't. ]
There's going to be a lot of people caught in that crossfire.
[He's completely aware of just bad Enji's situation is, and how much worse it's going to be for the people who serve under him. He's backing himself into a corner, counting on himself to destroy any enemies who dare oppose him, not noticing the people in the corner who are just as likely to turn.]
It's an inevitability of war. What do you plan, Shouto-sama?
[ For a very long, very silent moment, Shouto just sits there and thinks about the question. Were it anyone else, he would doubt their intentions, think they were fishing for an excuse to report him to the daimyo for wanting to start a rebellion.
Instead, he moves to stand up, pushing against his knee and moving to check outside his room. First, the hall - opening the shoji, listening and considering, closing it again - and then outside. When all that meets him is silence at both, the world deceptively calm and dark, he makes a decision. ]
Seek out the alliances that he rejected. [ He turns to look at Midoriya when he says it, gauging him for a reaction. ]
[He watches Shouto through the silence, watches him get up, check around, and through it all he stays exactly where he is, taking sips of his tea.
It's a good plan, a bit difficult when his father wants to keep him in the castle. But Izuku can come and go as he pleases. While he stays in the castle most of the time, to keep Shouto company and try to soothe him as best he can. The little things like bringing him tea and snacks after a particularly bad day.
He puts down his tea, and steadily meets Shouto's eyes.]
I'll help you, if you wish it. Whatever you need, Shouto-sama.
[ It's unfortunate, but unlike his siblings, Shouto has no means of leaving the castle unless it's as Endeavor's weapon. He can't even see his mother, housed outside the castle somewhere in this so-called kingdom that his father's building. The rate he's going, he's waiting for the bastard to announce that he wants to become shogun.
But there's Izuku. There's always been Izuku. Some of the tension in him eases away, just like with the tea, and he doesn't try to hide it. ]
You're the only one I can ask this of. [ There's no one else - he can't put Fuyumi in danger with this. ] But it'll be dangerous.
[The castle is Shouto's cage and there are plenty of things Izuku's mad at Endeavor over, but that's definitely high up there. Home should be a home, not a prison.
A year ago he wouldn't have thought about laying down his life for his employer, but a lot changes. Loyalties form, admiration, respect- he can't think of a person he'd be more willing to work for- to die for, than the man across from the table.]
I'm completely aware. I am yours to command, Shouto-sama.
[ If it were a year ago, there's no way that Shouto would even consider asking someone else to help him like this. He can concede that there are things he can't do, and he could even back then. But he was so bullheaded, wanting to fight his own battles without the strength that comes with admitting that sometimes, you need the help.
But it isn't a year ago. It's now, where Midoriya Izuku is the one person he trusts more than anyone else. Someone could use that against him - hell, Izuku could use it against him, and he knows some taikomochi that become doboshu do - but he could never think of betrayal coming from this person, who looks at him like this.
Treats him kindly, without ulterior motive. ]
Whatever happens, however this could go... I need you to come back to me.
[He doesn't flinch, training taking over, and remaining as steady as ever. But internally he knows exactly how difficult a promise like that is going to be. Enji has so many people who are loyal to him, and if any one of them thinks he has the potential to betray, his head will be on a silver platter.
He won't let that happen to Shouto. He's not going to be the friend who died. He's going to be there for him once he's head of the family, continue being his right hand man, and watching his back. The feeling's only reinforced when he's asked to come back. Izuku means something to him, and he won't betray that.]
[ There's something vulnerable, about asking this of him. It's one thing to trust him with coming and going with Shouto's messages and the idea of spying, of getting the information and alliances that he can't freely get himself with his father's eyes watching his every move, but it's another thing to expose himself like this. The way that Shouto depends on him, for more than his tactics and what use he could be to him in this war against Enji.
He values his company. He values his friendship. And it's a relief to know that he won't find himself alone, even if he realistically knows that he's making him promise something that'll be hard for him to keep. ]
Thank you. [ For this promise, for being there for him through all this, for being willing to do something so dangerous. Everything. ]
[He likes being relied upon- likes knowing that Shouto trusts him as much as Izuku trusts him back. If there is something Izuku can do for him, no matter how difficult, now risky- of course Izuku would do it.
As far as he's concerned Shouto is his daimyo, and he'll do everything in his power to serve him. It doesn't hurt, of course, that he's slowly, quietly been falling for him.]
Anything for you. [It's a promise. It's dangerous to give himself over so entirely, but he can't imagine Shouto would ever give him reason to regret it.]
[ With a soft huff of breath, faintly visible because of his quirk working to keep his temperature even with so much tension in him, Shouto bows his head for a second. Composure and thought, especially in response to that. Anything for you.
No one since his mother has offered him that. But here Izuku is.
A vice squeezes around his heart, though he doesn't know what to do with the emotion that three words instill in him.
But Shouto will give as good as he can in return, however he can, coming back to sit across from him, taking his place there with him. Because they're going to have a long, long battle ahead of them, and this night is the last known, guaranteed moment of peace they'll have. ]
We need to build a sturdier foundation than the one he has.
[He takes another sip of his tea before setting it down, thoughtful. He's promised himself entirely to Shouto, now it's time to do his job as best he can.]
Todoroki Enji's kingdom is afloat on nothing more than his own power. If we branch out to the kingdoms surrounding us, offer them protection from other kingdoms in exchange for resources, that would be a start. They already know your strength, Shouto-sama.
They know my strength through him. [ Which is neither negative nor positive, just simply - is. Shouto's not thrilled with it, but he knows the truth, and he knows they can use it as much as it'll scare some people away. ]
But if we reach out to those that he sent away, especially the smaller ones that he didn't see fit for use, it'll all add up in the end. And it may cast us in a more favorable light, separate us further from his image.
[They don't know Shouto nearly as well as Izuku does- that's part of what make Izuku well suited for a job like this. He knows Shouto's kindness and his many positive qualities better than most.]
That makes for a good beginning. Perhaps then they'll talk to the other clans.
[And then perhaps, the Todoroki clan will not have a dozen clans to fight at once. Or at the very least, Shouto will not need to fight a dozen clans.]
It's just going to be a matter of convincing them that this isn't some kind of trick. [ Which... that, he's definitely sour about. Endeavor's burnt bridges are going to be his to mend, sure, but that doesn't mean it'll be an easy task.
After a pregnant pause, he reaches out to pick up his tea again, warming it in his left hand has he uses it more as a focus point for what he's going to say next. ]
[It would be difficult no matter what, people are suspicious and rightfully so. Clans who are allied now may not be in a few years, or even in a month if things go poorly. Endeavor's actions just mean that they're going to have to work even harder than any other clan to gain support.
Still Izuku's persuasive enough, even when he's just laying facts out on a table. Most people find him easy to trust.]
[ At least it means that the relationships forged in this new fire will be far more resilient, united in their dislike of the tyrant daimyo that's running amok in Japan right now. Perhaps if they get enough numbers they should report to the shogun about his father's movements, if he's not already aware of them...
But, for now, they have to work up to that. Meaning that he thinks of his mother, sent away to god knows where, and her family that she hadn't spoken to ever since the union. ]
Unlikely, we haven't had much contact with them since I was young. Which may work in our favor, if they realize what he's done to their daughter and her children.
[That's looking ahead, far, far ahead of the path that's right before them. For now, they need to work on slowly rebuilding relations with the other clans.]
Mm, that's very possible. If their relationship with Enji has deteriorated, we've a chance to strengthen it. I doubt they'd be happy to know how they've treated her or you.
[ Reaching up, Shouto feels the edges of his scar, blue eye closing for a second before he looks back up at Izuku. There's a lot ahead of them, but - the smaller clans at the borders of their lands, and his mother's so far north of them. That's a lot, to start with. ]
Having a clan with ice related quirks would help us, in the long run. Especially one with a purpose, and a direct connection in the fight.
[ That question brings the reality of this to the forefront, and Shouto almost wants to take back the entire plan. It'll be lonely, and he's going to find himself looking to the side and seeing empty space rather than earnest green eyes meeting him in sync.
But in the end, they both know what's to come with this task they've taken up. ]
Tomorrow would probably be for the best. No one will wonder where you've gone until you've come back.
[He'll miss Shouto, miss being that constant presence at his side. But for Shouto to succeed, this is necessary, and he's already started to mentally prepare himself for the temporary separation.
He just hopes nothing happens to his friend while he's away.]
Yes, Shouto-sama. Then shall I begin to prepare?
[Should he go now, or does Shouto want him for just a little longer before they part ways?]
[ Considering he's his father's greatest weapon, Shouto knows that nothing damaging will happen to him. But that's not to say that nothing will happen to him. What concerns him most is something happening to Izuku, should someone realize what they're doing.
But he has the utmost faith in him. Quirk or not, he's capable. Skilled. He believes in him.
He's quiet for a second, then: ] We should at least finish the tea, first.
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He'll reach the end of his fuse someday. Shouto's just as prepared as Izuku is for the day that happens, even at the risk it'll pose for him.
Even if that means he could be the one to dirty his hands.
Closing his eyes as he breathes in over the tea, Shouto resists the urge to just - drop his head down into his hands. ]
Burning every bridge he comes across or builds, especially the haphazard ones, will get him cornered.
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Yes, and he's doing it to himself with every passing day. With ever treaty he refuses, he limits his options.
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And that'll only get them so far, when they're hobbled and their enemies aren't. ]
There's going to be a lot of people caught in that crossfire.
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It's an inevitability of war. What do you plan, Shouto-sama?
[He takes his first cautious sip of his tea.]
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Instead, he moves to stand up, pushing against his knee and moving to check outside his room. First, the hall - opening the shoji, listening and considering, closing it again - and then outside. When all that meets him is silence at both, the world deceptively calm and dark, he makes a decision. ]
Seek out the alliances that he rejected. [ He turns to look at Midoriya when he says it, gauging him for a reaction. ]
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It's a good plan, a bit difficult when his father wants to keep him in the castle. But Izuku can come and go as he pleases. While he stays in the castle most of the time, to keep Shouto company and try to soothe him as best he can. The little things like bringing him tea and snacks after a particularly bad day.
He puts down his tea, and steadily meets Shouto's eyes.]
I'll help you, if you wish it. Whatever you need, Shouto-sama.
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But there's Izuku. There's always been Izuku. Some of the tension in him eases away, just like with the tea, and he doesn't try to hide it. ]
You're the only one I can ask this of. [ There's no one else - he can't put Fuyumi in danger with this. ] But it'll be dangerous.
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A year ago he wouldn't have thought about laying down his life for his employer, but a lot changes. Loyalties form, admiration, respect- he can't think of a person he'd be more willing to work for- to die for, than the man across from the table.]
I'm completely aware. I am yours to command, Shouto-sama.
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But it isn't a year ago. It's now, where Midoriya Izuku is the one person he trusts more than anyone else. Someone could use that against him - hell, Izuku could use it against him, and he knows some taikomochi that become doboshu do - but he could never think of betrayal coming from this person, who looks at him like this.
Treats him kindly, without ulterior motive. ]
Whatever happens, however this could go... I need you to come back to me.
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He won't let that happen to Shouto. He's not going to be the friend who died. He's going to be there for him once he's head of the family, continue being his right hand man, and watching his back. The feeling's only reinforced when he's asked to come back. Izuku means something to him, and he won't betray that.]
Of course. I won't leave you alone.
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He values his company. He values his friendship. And it's a relief to know that he won't find himself alone, even if he realistically knows that he's making him promise something that'll be hard for him to keep. ]
Thank you. [ For this promise, for being there for him through all this, for being willing to do something so dangerous. Everything. ]
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As far as he's concerned Shouto is his daimyo, and he'll do everything in his power to serve him. It doesn't hurt, of course, that he's slowly, quietly been falling for him.]
Anything for you. [It's a promise. It's dangerous to give himself over so entirely, but he can't imagine Shouto would ever give him reason to regret it.]
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No one since his mother has offered him that. But here Izuku is.
A vice squeezes around his heart, though he doesn't know what to do with the emotion that three words instill in him.
But Shouto will give as good as he can in return, however he can, coming back to sit across from him, taking his place there with him. Because they're going to have a long, long battle ahead of them, and this night is the last known, guaranteed moment of peace they'll have. ]
We need to build a sturdier foundation than the one he has.
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Todoroki Enji's kingdom is afloat on nothing more than his own power. If we branch out to the kingdoms surrounding us, offer them protection from other kingdoms in exchange for resources, that would be a start. They already know your strength, Shouto-sama.
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But if we reach out to those that he sent away, especially the smaller ones that he didn't see fit for use, it'll all add up in the end. And it may cast us in a more favorable light, separate us further from his image.
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That makes for a good beginning. Perhaps then they'll talk to the other clans.
[And then perhaps, the Todoroki clan will not have a dozen clans to fight at once. Or at the very least, Shouto will not need to fight a dozen clans.]
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After a pregnant pause, he reaches out to pick up his tea again, warming it in his left hand has he uses it more as a focus point for what he's going to say next. ]
... we should talk to my mother's clan.
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Still Izuku's persuasive enough, even when he's just laying facts out on a table. Most people find him easy to trust.]
The one to the north? Are they still friendly?
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But, for now, they have to work up to that. Meaning that he thinks of his mother, sent away to god knows where, and her family that she hadn't spoken to ever since the union. ]
Unlikely, we haven't had much contact with them since I was young. Which may work in our favor, if they realize what he's done to their daughter and her children.
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Mm, that's very possible. If their relationship with Enji has deteriorated, we've a chance to strengthen it. I doubt they'd be happy to know how they've treated her or you.
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Having a clan with ice related quirks would help us, in the long run. Especially one with a purpose, and a direct connection in the fight.
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Yes. If they'd ally with you, you'd have a strong backing.
[Because as much help as Izuku is, he's not tied to any strong clans.]
Shall I set out tomorrow?
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But in the end, they both know what's to come with this task they've taken up. ]
Tomorrow would probably be for the best. No one will wonder where you've gone until you've come back.
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He just hopes nothing happens to his friend while he's away.]
Yes, Shouto-sama. Then shall I begin to prepare?
[Should he go now, or does Shouto want him for just a little longer before they part ways?]
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But he has the utmost faith in him. Quirk or not, he's capable. Skilled. He believes in him.
He's quiet for a second, then: ] We should at least finish the tea, first.
[ Shouto wants him for just a little longer. ]
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you!!!
THIS IS THE HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY
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