[ 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.
[He gives Shouto a small smile and a nod. At least they have tonight before Izuku's gone. It's nice to know that they both want tonight to last just that little bit longer.]
Of course.
[He picks his cup back up and takes another careful sip, it's cooled off quite a bit after their discussion.
Izuku takes the time to look over Shouto, the man he'd do anything for. He'll miss these nights while he's gone, but he's promised to come back. He's sure they'll resume once he's back.]
[ If he has anything to say about it, their quiet nights and long talks will resume the moment that Izuku returns. After all, he'll have a lot to report, and Shouto's certain that he'll have seen things on his journey. He's been outside of the cage he calls home, but it's always been on his father's leash.
He wants to know about the world that he's trying to build alliances with. The state of things, unbiased by Endeavor.
He looks down at his tea, scrunching his nose. ]
No one's going to be able to make this right while you're away. [ It's a soft joke, but also true. No one makes tea the way Shouto likes - the way Izuku makes it. ]
[There's a small smile, it's true, and they both know it.]
It's unfortunate, isn't it?
[He kind of likes that though- being the only person to know Shouto's likes. It comes from being at his side for a year, a lot of trial and error before figuring out how to steep the tea just so.]
Please look forward to my return. [It's perhaps a bit forward to ask him, after all, he's the one who's agreed to leave.]
It is. I'll miss it. [ I'll miss you. The words don't come out, not right away, because what if that's a line that shouldn't be crossed? Todoroki Shouto is not a superstitious man, but he won't risk jinxing this mission before it even begins.
Won't risk Izuku.
But he straightens up when he asks that of him, and everything in his expression in sincere, even as his voice remains its usual even keel. Some things are worth risking. ] Every day that you're away, Midoriya.
I'll miss making it. [I'll miss you. The thoughts are mirrored all the same, even without them saying the words to each other. A buried promise in the words, Shouto is the only person he'll make tea for.
When he says those words, every day, there's a certain feeling of contentedness. Shouto cares about him- he knows, of course. But hearing the words... he ducks his head down as he takes another sip of his tea.]
[ There's no questioning that they both care about one another. Shouto is certain that if Izuku didn't, he would simply have left. It confuses him, frequently, to think that someone cares about him and his wellbeing, about helping him fight against the tyrant that calls himself his father. His sister loves him, and he knows this, but they're in this together.
Midoriya Izuku could leave at any moment, find safety with another daimyo, could go wherever he pleased with a clever mind and a caring nature, quirkless or not.
He stays by Shouto's side. He puts himself at risk to help him.
He doesn't want him to leave, but some things are necessary no matter how reluctant you are to let them happen. ]
I'll look forward to it. You'll have to tell me about everything you see, between here and the north.
[There is nothing in this world or any other that could make Izuku turn from Shouto's side. Not when he knows how lonely he is, when he's seen Shouto's caring side, the way he's locked up in a cage of a castle. He's taken it upon himself to be Shouto's friend, his partner, soldier, companion- anything Izuku could do for him, he wants to do.]
Of course. I'll be sure to keep a record, I won't forget anything.
[He'll leave for the beginning of a rebellion, but a part of him wants to stay. But... this is for Shouto, for him to be safe- leaving him for a month is a small sacrifice.]
[ A month is barely much time, in the grand scheme, and yet already Shouto feels like it's forever. His first real friend, his trusted confidant, his constant companion - gone for a month, at least. But he'll swallow it down and do what he can, on his end, despite the restrictions he has without Izuku there.
Strange, how he can't move as freely when he's alone. One would think it'd be easier, but not so in a world run by Todoroki Enji. ]
Even without a record, I'm sure you could recite everything from memory. You've never failed to impress me with just how much knowledge you've accumulated.
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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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Of course.
[He picks his cup back up and takes another careful sip, it's cooled off quite a bit after their discussion.
Izuku takes the time to look over Shouto, the man he'd do anything for. He'll miss these nights while he's gone, but he's promised to come back. He's sure they'll resume once he's back.]
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He wants to know about the world that he's trying to build alliances with. The state of things, unbiased by Endeavor.
He looks down at his tea, scrunching his nose. ]
No one's going to be able to make this right while you're away. [ It's a soft joke, but also true. No one makes tea the way Shouto likes - the way Izuku makes it. ]
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It's unfortunate, isn't it?
[He kind of likes that though- being the only person to know Shouto's likes. It comes from being at his side for a year, a lot of trial and error before figuring out how to steep the tea just so.]
Please look forward to my return. [It's perhaps a bit forward to ask him, after all, he's the one who's agreed to leave.]
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Won't risk Izuku.
But he straightens up when he asks that of him, and everything in his expression in sincere, even as his voice remains its usual even keel. Some things are worth risking. ] Every day that you're away, Midoriya.
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When he says those words, every day, there's a certain feeling of contentedness. Shouto cares about him- he knows, of course. But hearing the words... he ducks his head down as he takes another sip of his tea.]
I'll make tea as soon as I get back.
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Midoriya Izuku could leave at any moment, find safety with another daimyo, could go wherever he pleased with a clever mind and a caring nature, quirkless or not.
He stays by Shouto's side. He puts himself at risk to help him.
He doesn't want him to leave, but some things are necessary no matter how reluctant you are to let them happen. ]
I'll look forward to it. You'll have to tell me about everything you see, between here and the north.
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Of course. I'll be sure to keep a record, I won't forget anything.
[He'll leave for the beginning of a rebellion, but a part of him wants to stay. But... this is for Shouto, for him to be safe- leaving him for a month is a small sacrifice.]
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Strange, how he can't move as freely when he's alone. One would think it'd be easier, but not so in a world run by Todoroki Enji. ]
Even without a record, I'm sure you could recite everything from memory. You've never failed to impress me with just how much knowledge you've accumulated.
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you!!!
THIS IS THE HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY
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