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Salty oceans and a light breeze, how much more can one ask for. But the splatter against Sero’s cheek is enough to drag him out of it. His hold on the tape falters and he feels the air crackle. Mistakes aren’t accepted. If he somehow made the subject’s life a smudge easier, he’d be the next one in the chair getting beaten to a pulp. The next explosion is loud, too loud. His breathing hitches and the message is clear. Hanta’s hands immediately tighten around the bonds, he doesn’t allow his mind to wander again.
The king has been sending down more and more pirates for information about his eldest son, but they’re not giving us much. Sero is always first into the room and funnily enough people often tell him that he’s got a nice face. It doesn’t make much sense though, he tortures people for a living. But on the bright side, many inmates feel free to tell him details that the others don’t get access to. They tell him about the waves, about the feel of sunshine on your face. Hanta has always been satisfied in life, but oh the taste of a better life - a free life - gets more tempting by the day.
Lying has never been his strong suit, so when prince Shouto sets that deadpan stare on him without saying a word, he gets awkward and he can’t seem to get the words to stop. When Sero finally manages to shut up, it’s too late. Everything he’s gotten to know over the last few months is out in the open, just like that. “Why don’t you just go down to the pier? That is where my brother’s ship usually resides.” The shame that had begun creeping in was instantly replaced by shock. The prince knew where Touya was all this time? Hanta slowly stood from his chair, the reality of the situation finally settling in. “Say hi to my brother, won’t you?”
So this is it, huh? Never in his wildest imagination would he have thought that the sand would feel this amazing. He had decided to skip his “medication” that he usually took to keep his nerves in check today and wow he was regretting it. “H-hello, is Dabi here?” The man sitting on the edge of the ship raised a dry eyebrow before pointing behind him with an eye roll. Ok Hanta, deep breaths now. This is fine, just fine. He spotted the unmistakable stark white hair that all Todorokis shared at a table further in by a large unfurnished area.
“Um, Dabi? Shouto sent me here. I- I would like to join you guys. You know, like at sea. Is that, um, possible?” Curse you Sero Hanta for your weak nerves. The eldest Todoroki turned in his seat with a scoff while looking him over. “Is that so? Brother dearest sent you, well then we just have to hear you out.” He drawled, standing up.
“Come on, show me what you’ve got.” The temperature rose as Dabi’s fists lit up in a capturing blue glow. “Oh, ri-right now? I- I, um, ok.” Sero backed up a couple of steps and got into a defensive position, he had heard about the dangers of the fire, so offense wasn’t an option. You’ve got this, just impress them now. It can’t be that hard… right?
He shot out the tape, aiming for his opponent’s legs. In the blink of an eye the tape was acting as a conductor and the flames were rapidly approaching him. “Fuck!” The newly burnt hole in his jacket was proof of his stupid decision to underestimate his adversary. So using my quirk is a death sentence… What the fuck do I do?! As a last ditch effort Hanta takes a quick step forward and cocks his fist. He doesn’t get far. Dabi sweeps his legs from under him and the vibrations from his chin hitting the floor echo through his skull. The man above him scoffs and kicks his shoulder so that Sero’s back is against the deck. “Did you really think that there’s something good at the end of rainbows?” He doesn’t have time to stop the shoe from landing on his face with a crunch, it’s the last thing he’s aware of before it all goes black.