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eruden-writes · 2 years

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Slow Burn - 2 (Endeavor x OC)

WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR CURRENT CANON STORY. TITLE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Months have passed since the war. The heroes won, but there's still rebuilding efforts to be completed. And not just buildings and cities. Maemi Ono is one therapist, among many from her US-based agency, who is chosen to treat Class 2-A (previously Class 1-A) as a group and Dabi, of the former League of Villains, individually. However, with the war still fresh in his head and suspicions high, Endeavor isn't so sure Miss Ono's intentions are entirely as good as they seem. When Maemi's past rears its head, will it prove Endeavor correct? Or will it pull Maemi further into Endeavor's orbit?

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Part 2: The Amusement Park Episode

The day was sunny, bright, and warm. Students milled along the sidewalk with their class and friends, backpacks in tow and uniforms stowed away from the day. A little further away from the throngs of colleagues and students, Maemi fussed over her open bag. She was in the middle of double-checking her own supplies for the trip when a shadow fell over her.

She looked up, expecting to find one of the students or co-workers who could dwarf her. Registering who it was, her eyes widened, eyebrows arching upward. “Oh, Mr. Todoroki, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

The last time the two of them interacted was a month ago, when she’d called him to her office. An apprehensive itch crawled over her skin. She was completely unprepared for this interaction.

Endeavor stared down at Miss Ono, his trademark scowl in place. It took her a moment to realize he wasn’t wearing his pro-hero gear. No, he wore jeans and a white short-sleeved button-up. And a ‘school volunteer’ ID, hanging on a lanyard around his neck. Definitely weird to see him in anything other than his gear, even tattered, or a professional suit. Especially with that ID.

Faintly, she felt rather underdressed under his leer. But shorts, a tank top, and sneakers were perfectly fine field trip attire! Especially with the hoodie tied around her waist! Although, her outfit did make her feel a wee bit less professional under a parent’s attention. Even if that parent was wearing similar casual wear.

Endeavor caught Miss Ono’s brief moment of shock, only to bristle to himself as that placid smile quickly curved over her lips. “Principal Nezu informed me you needed more chaperones for the trip.”

“That we do.” Maemi chuckled, ignoring her own sense of unease as she zipped up her bag and hoisted it to her shoulder. She inclined her head to the man, invoking all of her customer service skills into power to remain cool and polite. “Knowing how trouble follows these kids, your presence certainly won’t hurt.”

He gave a throaty ‘hn’ in return, crossing his arms and glancing to the boisterous hordes of teenagers. His brows furrowed, a less-than-pleasant part of him bemoaning how this field trip was a waste of time. Not turning to face Maemi, he asked, “Why an amusement park?”

Apparently, the whole park had been booked by UA for this multi-class trip. Which meant no tourists and concessions were supplied. A pretty big bill for the school, but it wasn’t as if they didn’t have alumni with deep pockets and resources. He should know, being one such alumni.

“This year, UA wanted to emphasize self-care, therapy, and healthy work-life boundaries,” started Maemi, trying not to flinch under Endeavor’s returned gaze. Unprepared for his presence, she realized just how intimidating the man could be. It had been different in her office, spending hours readying herself. Hoping he’d understand her point, her sunny tone dimmed a little. “The world was and will continue to be put on these kids’ shoulders, especially with the rebuilding efforts. Teaching them to take time for themselves, allowing them to be kids, is very important.”

“Uh-huh.”

He didn’t sound convinced. Maemi frowned at his reaction, until she realized his attention was turned elsewhere once again. Following his line of sight, she found he was sullenly staring at his son, who was very obviously ignoring the behemoth of a man as he spoke with his own peers.

“Shoto has some very good friends,” she commented, hoping to assuage the man’s radiating concerns.

Endeavor blew out a huff of a breath. “And he doesn’t want to spend time with me.”

“You’re his dad, Mr. Todoroki,” Maemi snorted, fighting the urge to roll her eyes at him. Of all of the things to be concerned with, it was such a parent problem. “Of course he’d want to spend a day at the amusement park with his peers.”

Maemi’s reaction caught his attention, his gaze turning back to her. There was another tense moment of staring, assessing the woman, before he asked, “Do you have kids, Miss Ono?”

For a brief second, something flickered in Maemi’s face. A crack in her ever-present - if annoyingly poised - smile, with eyes that always seemed to be more knowing than she let on. Even as she recovered, there was a faint shadow to her features. “Nope, no children of my own.”

Before he could press the matter, Maemi slipped into ‘school staff’ mode and clapped her hands. Approaching the teenagers, she called out over the dwindling chatter, “Alright, everyone ready? Got your sunscreen? Your water bottles? Your cellphones? Your buddy?”

Various affirmative chimes chorused up from the students as they lined up with their chosen buddy or buddies. A few did scramble to more well-prepared classmates for last-minute replacements of items, before another school therapist - Aria Daae, if Endeavor remembered correctly from the files - assured them they had extras on the bus. Hustling the classes onto the convoy of large tourist buses began with much shouting and chaos.

When the bulk of the disarray calmed, teachers and staff and volunteers began loading onto the buses as well. Maemi paused in the doorway of the bus, turning back to Endeavor. The man still waited on the sidewalk, arms crossed and waiting. Vaguely, she wondered if they drove off without him, if he’d still be standing there waiting when they returned.

Shoving the tempting thought aside, Maemi nodded to the bus. “You riding with us, Mr. Todoroki? Or do you have other transportation?”

Endeavor stared at her, considering his options. She waited patiently as he weighed between a bus filled with rowdy teenagers or the quiet of his own, chaperoned, car.

Considering his therapist had suggested he try to put himself among people more often, Endeavor - grudgingly - stepped toward the bus. Much to the varying delight and horror of the students inside, if their whoops and groans were any indication.

—

Thrillventure was like any other amusement Maemi had been too. Not that she had been to many.

Broad expanses of hard pavement, that nearly sizzled on hot days, topped with all manner of mechanical rides. Some benches lined the walkways and islands of dirt for necessary shade–providing trees broke up the monotony of grey concrete or industrial metal. Here and there, vendors sold ice cream or sodas or whatever else they could host in their carts. The students hadn’t taken long to disperse, maps of the Thrillventure park unfolded in front of their faces. Likewise, chaperones spread out, equipped with walkie talkies, supplies for an array of emergencies, and their own delight.

Maemi trailed after Endeavor, trying to mute the sensations of excitement and nervousness that filled the air and her senses. It was going to be a long day for her. Even if this had been a regular trip to an amusement park, strong emotions from so many people would take a toll. She wondered if she should take an aspirin, before the intensity got worse.

“Is there a reason you’re following me?”

The gruff question from Endeavor startled Maemi from her inner debate. She blinked, staring up at the large man, who merely leered down at her. Annoyance and suspicion wafted off him.

“We’re doing a buddy system,” she coolly explained, even as Endeavor’s frown deepened. He hadn’t really interacted with the other chaperones thus far. Which left Maemi to fill in the gap. They had an odd number of adults before he joined, so she would’ve been the odd one out if he hadn’t shown up.

When Endeavor opened his mouth, no doubt to assert he didn’t need a buddy, Maemi cut him off.

“Besides, my Quirk is called ‘emotional sponge’ for a reason. With so many teenagers around, and little reprieve, I’m at risk of acting as rash and giddy as them.” With her hands, she motioned her words as she spoke, from a smooth gesture to her fingers abruptly wiggling in a poor imitation of an explosion. “Relatively speaking, you’re like a sea of calm among many emotionally charged volcanoes.”

He was quiet for a moment, staring at her wiggling fingers, before harrumphing, “So you’re using me as a buffer.”

“Yes.” Maemi grinned, relieved to feel him relent a little. Though what she said was true, his acquiescence also affirmed Endeavor had some form of compassion under his stoicism. Pretty much all decent heroes did, Maemi had come to learn over her lifetime. Most didn’t hide it under layers of intense unfriendliness, though.

Endeavor raised an eyebrow, still not completely delighted with the situation. “What were you going to do if I hadn’t arrived?”

Maemi flashed a bright smile and, in a tone that was both joking and serious, informed him, “Oh, I planned to suffer through it.”

Endeavor’s frown once again deepened, not entirely sure if Miss Ono was poking fun at him somehow or was being genuine. Feeling others’ emotions didn’t really sound all that taxing to him. “It wouldn’t have been that bad.”

Something in the air around Maemi changed, stilled, became a tinge colder. She stared up at him, something sharp in her gaze. It caught Endeavor’s attention, a faint sense he’d said something wrong bubbling up in his thoughts. Only his steely discipline kept him from taking a step back as Maemi closed the distance between them.

“Imagine walking through a crowd and feeling every person’s happiness, anger, rage, sadness, curiosity, delight, confusion…” She jabbed her index finger into Endeavor’s chest with every mentioned emotion.

“Some of it is faint and quick,” she said, as her digit slammed hard and sharp into him. Then, her touch lingered, all five fingertips pushing into his chest. “Some of it is heavy and lingers.”

She must have had a death wish, Endeavor faintly thought, keeping his eyes locked to hers. If she sensed his outrage - which she did - Maemi didn’t blink an eye. As her hand withdrew, something inside him relaxed.

But Maemi wasn’t done with her explanation. With a sweeping gesture of her arm, she motioned to the park and the students milling about the front. “Now imagine that crowd is full of people who have extremely intense emotions that can change so fast, it causes whiplash. It’s exhausting.“

He followed the motion of her arms, eye catching on the teenagers still present. A quick calculation came up with sixteen students and, vaguely, he wondered just how disparate their feelings were at the moment. Just from body language, he could pinpoint a litany of demeanors.

His gaze flickered back to Miss Ono, who stared up at him, expectant and waiting. Endeavor bristled under that look. She wanted confirmation she was right and he was wrong. Instead of apologizing or admitting her Quirk sounded tiring, he found himself grumbling, “Sounds like you should find a new job if it’s that hard on you.”

“I enjoy my job and I’m good at it. Thank you very much.” Maemi rolled her eyes at Endeavor’s words, not entirely sure if he meant them as a jab or as a sincere - if badly poised - suggestion. Before he could find something even less polite to say, Maemi refocused attention to a different topic. “Anyway, let’s hit some rides.”

“I wasn’t aware chaperoning meant goofing off.” He didn’t even move as the woman took a step toward one of the rides.

“How does our duty interfere with us having fun, as well?” She turned to him, her eyebrows raised and lips pursed in a pout. Unamused, he stared down at her, his arms crossed tight across his chest. At his somber expression, Maemi sighed and rolled her eyes once again. Compromise was the path to least resistance. “Fine, you can sit out and I’ll ride rides. That’s close enough to the buddy system for us adults.”

A rebuttal lined up on Endeavor’s lips, just as one of the many student’s voices cut him off. “Hey, Miss Ono! Wanna ride the carousel with us?”

“Sure!” Without another look, Maemi turned to the students, a smile on her lips as she trotted to them.

Endeavor watched as she took off, then he eyed the aforementioned carousel. Faint memories of times with his family flickered at the back of his head. A younger Rei sitting with a small Toya or Fuyumi or Natsuo. Muscles tensed in his jaw, a sense of guilt swelling inside him. Whatever thoughts Endeavor was having were interrupted as Miss Ono yelled for him to hurry up.

Focusing back on the present, Endeavor’s gaze found Maemi, already in line with the students for the carousel. With immense grudging, he followed after her.

#endeavor fanfic #bnha fanfic #mha fanfic #enji todoroki #endeavor x oc #fanfic #slow burn #hurt/comfort #whump #eventually #but I do put them through ridiculous shit for a bit #because I find it funny #maemi ono

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