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Toya finishes packing his last bag, letting out a small sigh and stands up. He looks around his room, leaving behind memories he will both cherish and repress. He forces himself to turn away, walking out his room and sliding it shut.
It was the perfect time to escape. His father was out of town, and his mother was a heavy sleeper, and the others are young and sleep through the worst. He hates himself for even thinking of leaving his family behind, but he can’t take it anymore. He will find a way to help them, any way possible, but right now he’s tired.
He walks down the hall slowly and quietly, trying to take in what he will leave behind. Tears are forming already, and he tries his best to not let them out but one escapes. Can he really leave his family behind? Behind with such a monster that it makes him want to actually kill him? He shakes his head, continuing further and soon stops in front of Fuyumi’s room.
His only sister, his only close friend, the only person he trusted with deep secrets. She was practically like his twin, and how proud he is of her. It calms him, knowing his sister is such a strong-hearted person, with the protective nature of their mother. It does sadden him that she will now have to grow up fast, take over the role of an older sibling. He never wanted to burden her with that, but now he will.
“I’m so sorry, Yumi,” He whispers into the quiet night. Toya feels his hand heat up, but no flames. He looks at her door and gently presses on it and then pulls away, seeing a burnt handprint was left on it.
Maybe that can help that he remembers them.
He goes down the hall and stops in front of Natsuo’s room, his first brother. He smiles at the memories of him teaching Natsuo how to ride a bike, how to catch a ball, introduced him to football (soccer) and volleyball, along with some self-defense. Natsuo was his partner in crime, was his confidant in so many pranks and mischief. He wishes for him to be happy, to not have to feel the wrath of his father. He only wants Natsuo to follow whatever dream he has and to not let anything hold him back. He places his hand on his door too, leaving another handprint on there.
“Take care, Natsuo,” He whispers and walks away, wiping away the tears that came.
As he slowly reached the end, he saw his room, the one person he was having more trouble leaving behind. He grits his teeth, his body starting to burn up slowly from fury and grief, knowing what he will go through. His youngest brother, Shoto, will go through the worst. Only five and already going through the intermediate stage. He grips onto his biceps, trying to hold himself back from entering the room, but he does. He slowly slides open the door and sees his brother asleep on the futon, bandages already wrapped around his small arms, bruises forming on his body he’s sure. He walks towards him quietly, taking his time and kneels next to him. Guilt starts to take over as tears slowly stream out, knowing that there will be no one to defend him, to take over his position if he falls ill again, to take all of the punches and burns.
“I’m so sorry, Shoto,” He whimpers out, stroking back his hair slowly, “I’m so sorry.”
He gets up pretty quickly and bumps against the wall he stumbles, the noise waking up his youngest brother. His breath hitches and he holds it as his brother slowly wakes up and whines.
“Toya?”
‘How the hell did he know it’s me?’
“Pants,” He points and slowly sits up, looking at his brother.
It takes him a minute to process it and then looks at his pants. His brother has a weird way to distinguish them all; Natsuo wears blue jeans, Fuyumi wears khaki, and he wears ripped black jeans.
“Why are you here?”
Toya doesn’t respond and stands up straight, shaking his head and starts to walk away. He picks up his discarded backpack, knowing he has spent to much time already.
“Toya?”
He turns around, just feet away from the door, seeing his young brother standing there.
“Where are you going?”
“Away,” Toya whispers, cursing himself out for responding.
“Where?”
“I don’t know, Sho. But I have to go.”
“No. Please.”
“Sho-“
“Stay, please! Don’t leave!” Shoto raises his voice and whimpers loudly, making Toya run over and cover his mouth quickly. Once he hears no sign of waking up, he removes his hand and looks at his brother.
“Shoto,” Toya whispers and looks at his brother in the eyes, “I cannot stay. Not anymore. But-“ He stops his brother from responding, “Even if I am not here, in person, I’ll always be here,” He gives him a small smile and points at his heart, “And when you look at a blue flower, just remember I’m there for you.”
“I want to go with you,” Shoto whimpers and tears were already spilling out, “I go with you.”
“No. You can’t.”
“Then stay!”
“I can’t!”
“Why?!”
“Because I can’t deal with dad anymore,” Toya whispers and hugs his brother as he cries, guilt takes over. He stands up and carries him back to his room.
He kneels next to his futon and lets him cry on his shoulder, rubbing his back in circles and held back his own. He whispers frantic apologies and stays with him longer than intended, only laying him down and strokes back his hair.
“I’d stay if I cou- If I was stronger,” Toya whispers and shakes his head, “But I’m not. I’m not strong. I’m sorry Shoto.”
“Toya-nii...”
“Be good for me,” Toya whispers and softly and digs into his bag and pulls out something he intended to leave for his father, but he would now leave for his brother.
He opens the jar, glad it was fire retardant, setting it aside and holds out his palm. He concentrates hard enough, holding his other palm above it and smiles softly as his flames soon appear. He slowly dances his fingers above the flame, shutting his palm and held it above the jar. He sees his brother watching in awe and soon a rose-shaped flame and butterfly go in. He shuts the jar and they both watch how the butterfly flys around, lays on the rose and then flies around again.
“Wow,” Shoto whispers and sits up, exhaustion hitting him but he pushed through it.
“This is for you,” He says and walks to his drawer, glad it was a small jar and puts it in his drawer, hiding it under his clothes. He lets his hand heat up once more and touches the wood for a second and retracts his hand, “So you remember me.”
“Toya, please stay,” Shoto whispers once more and looks at his brother.
“I can’t,” Toya whispers and goes back to him, laying him down and tucks him in, “But, Shoto, I will always be with you. Always. Listen to me, and listen closely,” He looks down at him, “That quirk you have, it’s yours. It’s not dad’s, it’s not All Might’s, it’s not anyone’s but yours. No matter what dad says, it is yours and only yours. Do not let him be the reason for you to hold back on your flames. Will you promise me?”
Shoto wipes away his tears and nods slowly, “Mine and only mine. I promise.”
Toya nods and kisses his forehead, “You will be the greatest hero ever. I just know it. You will show the world what a true hero is, what a true hero does, and what the world should follow,” He whispers and sighs shakily, taking in deep breaths as he wanted to bawl, “Please be good, Shoto. Don’t...don’t let that bastard ruin your good heart.”
He cries as his brother soon sleeps, crying into his hands. It takes him a while to stand up and walk out of the room, turning to his brother.
“Don’t forget your big brother,” He whispers and shuts the door. He looks at the door, taking in deep breaths.
.
.
.
.
.
Rei noticed how her eldest was gone and it broke her. She wasn’t strong enough to even help him. As she mourned, she walked down the hall and looks at the door of her other children.
Each had a burnt hand mark. Each one had a letter tucked in halfway under the door. She picked one up, seeing it was one for Fuyumi and for her to read it when she turns fifteen. She places it back in place, going back to her room and sees her door.
It had two burnt hand marks, along with the shape of a heart.