Chapter Text
When Shouto wakes up, the first thing he sees is the ceiling of Recovery Girl’s office.
The second thing he sees is his siblings sleeping in bed with him or on the floor.
The third thing he sees is the door opening as Recovery Girl enters the room.
“Oh good, you’re awake.” Recovery Girl croaks. “Good to see the Quirk Exhaustion didn’t do you in.”
Quirk Exhaustion? Wha…
Then it all comes rushing back to Shouto.
Endeavour’s plan to marry him and his siblings off. Attacking the Number 1 Hero and running for their lives. His siblings throwing themselves in between Shouto and Endeavour. Izuku and the others carrying him and his siblings away, while the teachers incapacitated Endeavour.
Shouto groans. “Where’s Zuku and the others? Are they in trouble?”
“Always worrying about others before yourselves. You children worry me.” Recovery Girl huffs, climbing into her chair. “Yes, yes, your classmates are fine, as are your teachers. Endeavour’s been arrested for now and your mother is safe. Your siblings are all healthy as well.”
Shouto’s head is spinning even just laying down, so he’ll just focus on the important things.
His classmates and teachers are safe. His family is safe. He’s alive.
“Can I see them?” Shouto turns his head towards her.
Recovery Girl hums. “Certainly.”
The door opens. But it’s not his friends.
It’s Crawler, Aizawa and Nezu.
Shouto gently squirms out of Yukiko and Touya’s hold on him, sitting up. Fuck, his body aches. Though being slammed into concrete isn’t exactly a gentle process.
“Good morning, Todoroki-san.” Nezu chuckles. “How do you feel?”
“Like Endeavour tried to kill me for refusing to have a Quirk Marriage or let him make my siblings do that.” Shouto says, taking the moment to examine himself.
He’s covered in bandages all over. He still remembers how his skin stung from frostbite and how it sizzled from fire. While he has faith in Recovery Girl’s power and skill, he doubts it’ll be able to completely heal everything that fight has put him through.
Aizawa snarls, his hair rising, eyes glowing red. “I’m going to kill that bastard.”
“You will do no such thing Aizawa-kun, because murder is illegal and I still need you on my staff.” Nezu turns to him, nose twitching. “Plus, if we murder Endeavour before we can take him to court, we won’t be able to bring him to justice.”
Crawler nods and smiles. “We got all the evidence we need to take Endeavour to court now, Shouto. He won’t bother you or your siblings ever again, we’re gonna make sure of it.”
Shouto’s eyes widen.
They’re going to make sure Endeavour can’t touch them ever again? They can have a life without him? A life where he can’t treat them like puppets… A life where he can’t rule over them again… A life where he can't hurt those Shouto loves?
That can really become a reality?
“Todoroki-san, I wish to apologize.” Nezu walks closer to the bed.
Shouto blinks. He hadn’t expected this.
“I made the choice to send you to Endeavour’s home without an escort because I thought I’d be clever enough to catch him in the act. I knew I was putting you at risk and yet I followed through with it.” Nezu bows. “I sincerely apologize for letting you down once again.”
Shouto thinks back to the summer camp and the terror he felt in the League’s lear.
Shouto thinks back to the chase through the city and the terror he felt in Endeavour’s estate.
“I forgive you. However, if you ever put my siblings in danger like that, I will personally ensure no one will wonder what kind of animal you are.” Shouto narrows his eyes. “Because I will burn you alive and scatter your ashes, so no one can ever perform a DNA test on you.”
Shouto doesn’t care how much danger he’s in, that’s just part of being a Hero.
But his siblings don’t want to be Heroes. He will not allow them to face the kind of danger he will face on a daily basis once he graduates.
“Perfectly acceptable! I’ll be impressed if you can follow through with that threat, Todoroki-san!” Nezu lifts his head, smiling, paws out wide. “Now, I imagine you have a lot of questions about what happens next and what happened while you slept.”
Shouto nods.
He needs to know what happened and how it’ll affect his siblings from now on.
“You’ve been unconscious for 21 hours. Endeavour has been arrested and is currently awaiting trial. He’ll likely hire the best lawyers in the country to defend himself when that happens.” Nezu hums, folding his arms. “You will likely be interviewed by the police for your statement and that should be enough. If it’s not though, you may have to appear in court as a witness, alongside your siblings and mother.”
Shouto hopes that doesn’t happen. He doesn’t want his family to be in the same building as Endeavour ever again.
“With him being arrested, you and your siblings are now temporary wards of UA. Your mother and extended family will be contacted and evaluated, to see if they can become your legal guardians and your siblings can live with them.” Nezu tilts his head. “Of course, if this isn’t possible, you and your siblings will remain wards of UA for a time.”
It’s not a perfect plan, but it’s a start so Shouto will take it.
Maybe UA will be able to hold their custody until Shouto can take it himself.
But there’s still one problem. “I used my Quirk in public and caused uproar and distress. I fought a Pro Hero when he attempted to capture me, alongside using my Quirk to hurt Endeavour’s sidekicks Burnin’ and Kido. Doesn’t this make me a Villain or a Vigilante?”
He still remembers the lecture the Chief of Police gave him, Iida and Izuku after they fought the Hero Killer in Hosu. The only reason they didn’t suffer punishment for using their Quirks without licences, was because the incident could be covered up thanks to the timely arrival of Endeavour and the fact the fight had very few witnesses.
But his brawl with Endeavour was likely broadcasted across the country. There’s no way to cover up the fact he fought a Pro Hero in public and caused damage to property and people.
How can he remain a UA student in the Hero Course if he’s legally considered a Villain?
“Luckily you didn’t cause lasting damage to people or property, so I doubt that will happen.” Nezu holds up his left paw. “It’s also not unheard of for Heroes to defect or become Villains when they use their licences incorrectly.” He tucks his paws behind his back. “If we can get the public on our side, we can convince them that is what happened here and as a Hero in Training, you were defending the public from a threat.”
“There’s also the fact that the Villain Designation and Registration Centre tends to only label you a Villain if you’re a repeat offender.” Crawler adds, waving his hand. “It’s pretty rare for them to call a first time offender and a minor a Villain.”
That’s good at least. Even if people find out that it was Natsuo who used his Quirk on Burnin’, he likely won’t be labeled a Villain.
Then again, there’s Toga. She’s definitely a minor, the same age as Shouto and the rest of Class 1A. Yet, she’s a A Rank Villain, putting her in the same threat level as Muscular and declaring her more dangerous than Moonfish.
Even if it’s uncommon, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen to Shouto.
He looks at his lap. “He’s the Number 1 Hero.”
Shouto’s never been able to defeat him. Why would that change now?
“He won’t be when I’m done with him.” Aizawa snarls.
“Yeah, we’ll protect your family, Shouto.” Crawler offers a thumbs up. “It’ll be alright.”
“Trust me, I won’t allow harm to come to your family, so long as you’re my students.” Nezu smiles with all his teeth. “I wouldn’t be a good principal if I couldn’t protect you all.”
Shouto lifts his head to stare at the three of them.
At the Underground and Intelligent Heroes that are trying to save him.
The police never saved him. The doctors and nurses never saved him. The tutors and the staff and the Heroes never saved him. But these Underground and unknown Heroes tried. Which is more than anyone else has ever done for him and his family, besides Izuku.
The old world… The old life Shouto knew, has now completely crumbled under his feet and he doesn’t know how he can move forward from here on the dusty, rocky ground.
“I don’t know if I can trust you fully.” Shouto admits. “But I don’t have a choice. So don’t let me down, Heroes.”
All three of them bow.
Aizawa says. “We won’t, Todoroki.”
“Shouto.” Shouto says.
All three of them lift their heads.
“I will always be Endeavour’s son. I know I can’t escape that.” Shouto looks at his left hand, curling it into a fist. Then he turns to them, lowering his hand. “But I don’t want to hear that bastard’s name again. Besides, if my siblings are all living here, you can’t call all of us Todoroki or it’ll be confusing. Just use our first names.”
Aizawa nods. “Very well then, Shouto. Should I ask your classmates to do the same?”
At least that’s one thing he doesn’t have to do himself.
Shouto nods. “Can I see them?”
He wants to see his classmates. He needs to thank them for saving him and his siblings.
Aizawa nods. “Once Recovery Girl clears you, you can wake up your siblings and see them.”
The walk to Heights Alliance with his siblings trailing behind him and Aizawa in front of them is nerve-wrecking. All Shouto can think about is how his other classmates will respond to them. Izuku, Iida, Uraraka, Asui, Sero and Yaoyorozu saved them, but what about the others? How will they react?
Will Jirou still look at him and call him ‘Doctor Todoroki’? Will Ashido still make her jokes about his attractiveness and Kaminari’s intelligence? Will Shouji still respect him? Will the Tokoyami twins think he belongs at UA? What will Hagakure think of him? Will Ojiro think he’s the same Villain Shouto presented himself as during their Battle Training? What will Shinsou think of him? Shouto hasn’t spent as much time with the others, but he doesn’t know what they’ll think of him either.
Just yesterday after all 20 of them passed the first half of the licencing exam, Shouto had dreamed of them building an agency together after they graduate.
And only two hours after he failed , he attacked the Number 1 Hero like a Villain.
Will they want him at their agency, if it forms at all? What about Manual and All Might? Will Manual regret taking Shouto as an intern even more than he already does? Will All Might regret telling Shouto the truth about One For All and offering it to him?
“Shouto.” Aizawa calls.
And now Heights Alliance is right in front of him.
Shouto doesn’t have any time to prepare.
Aizawa says to them. “I’ll gather your classmates in the common room and tell them that you’d all rather they use your first names. Once I’m done, I’ll open the door to let you in.”
Shouto nods.
Aizawa walks into the dorm and the door closes in front of them.
Shouto’s hands curl into fists.
The waiting is agony. It’s the worst part.
“Shou-nii?”
Shouto turns to Yukiko.
Yukiko smiles and holds his left hand. “Don’t worry. They’ll still love you.”
Shouto’s eyes widen.
“Yeah, of course they will!” Touya grins, grabbing Shouto’s right hand.
Shouto turns to him.
Fuyumi walks behind Touya. “They’ll understand. It’ll be okay, Shou-nii.”
Shouto’s throat tightens up.
“And if it’s not, we can just run away to Antarctica.” Natsuo walks behind Yukiko.
Shouto’s eyes grow wet.
Even if his classmates hate him now, he’ll still have his family. That’s the one thing Shouto’s always been able to count on.
He’ll always have his siblings to protect.
Aizawa opens the door and gestures for them to come inside.
Shouto blinks the potential tears away and walks into the common room, holding Yukiko and Touya’s hands tightly. The whole class is there, scattered around the sofas and chairs. They’re staring at Shouto and his siblings in various apprehensive expressions.
“Remember, they’ve been through a traumatic experience. Don’t overwhelm them.” Aizawa says.
Then he walks towards his office on the ground floor.
Shouto looks over his classmates and it seems that no one can say so much as one word. Even Yukiko and Kaminari are quiet.
It’s tense.
“Tod- I mean, Shouto-kun.”
All heads turn towards Iida as he stands up.
Shouto and Iida stare at one another.
Then Iida bows at the waist. “I sincerely apologize for not having done something sooner.”
Shouto’s eyes widen.
“I had met you and Endeavour before UA, but had no idea that you and your siblings were in danger. I failed you, as your Class Representative, but also as your friend.” Iida says.
“I apologize as well.” Yaoyorozu stands up and bows. “I also knew you before UA, but did not know how rotten Endeavour was. I should have done more for you. I’m sorry.”
Shouto looks between the two wildly. H-
He doesn’t know what to make of this.
“You two can’t hold yourselves accountable like that.” Shouto lifts his left hand. “We only saw one another at the Hero Galas a few times. It’s not as if we were friends back then.”
Yaoyorozu and Iida lift their heads.
Shouto lowers his hand. “And even if you had offered your help, I wouldn’t have accepted it.”
Shouto wasn’t in a place where he could accept he needed help to protect his family, until his confession to Izuku. Even then, he still held on to old habits and didn’t ask for help when he needed Izuku the most.
“But if you feel you need my forgiveness, then I forgive you.” Shouto declares.
He remembers how Mama felt when they first met up again. Even if they did nothing wrong, sometimes it helps to hear that you’re forgiven from someone else.
Their eyes widen.
“As heart warming as that was, we wouldn’t mind an explanation, ya know.” Kaminari turns towards them, his arms over the back of the seat. “Like, if we needed to kill Endeavour, I would have been on board if I just knew why.”
“Kaminari!” Jirou snaps, jamming her earphone jack into his ear.
Kaminari squeals like a pig.
Jirou snarls. “You can’t just demand something like that! Aizawa literally just said they’ve been through a lot, what is wrong with you?!”
Except he can demand an explanation.
These are Shouto’s classmates. The people he wants to become Heroes with. The people he’s faced life and death situations with. The people who showed him how to have friends and feel like others cared about him. Shouto has changed so much because of Class 1A.
They deserve to know the truth.
“When my mother was born, her name was Himura Rei and she had an ice Quirk called Absolute Zero. She was the oldest daughter of a once prestigious family that had become poor, with only a shadow of it’s supposed brilliance and no money left. When she was 16, Endeavour came into her life.” Shouto says.
Kaminari stops screaming and Jirou pulls out her earphone jack.
The class goes quiet. Quieter than Shouto’s ever heard them.
“Endeavour told Rei that she was going to be his wife. Her parents didn’t give her a choice in the matter, since a marriage to Endeavour would make them rich. She wasn’t allowed to finish high school.” Shouto explains. “He was 20 at the time and she was our age.”
Everyone is staring at him.
“She knew from the beginning that this marriage wasn’t for love. It was about Quirks.” Shouto feels numb. “Endeavour couldn’t regulate his body temperature because of his Hellfire, but Mama’s Absolute Zero would be able to do that. She got pregnant with me. A perfect combination of their powerful Quirks, only a few months into their marriage.”
Ashido gasps. “You mean… it was a Quirk Marriage?”
“Shouto-kun…” Hagakure whimpers.
“I was born when she was 17.” Shouto calls to his fire and ice. “I had such a perfect Quirk , she thought surely Endeavour wouldn’t want more children with her.”
For a moment, Shouto wonders if that would’ve been better. If she would’ve been happier with just Shouto. How he would’ve changed if he was an only child.
He can’t even imagine it. It’s too foreign a picture. And Endeavour never would’ve allowed it.
“But Endeavour was greedy and decided one successor wouldn’t be enough to surpass All Might, who he was viciously jealous of. Mama tried to stop him, but he started training me when I was 4.” Shouto turns off his Quirk. “Which entailed attacking me with the full force of his Flashfire Fist until I lay broken, bleeding, burnt and vomiting on the dojo floor.”
“What?!” Sato yells.
Ojiro winces. “Holy shit.”
“Yumi-chan and I were born next.” Natsuo speaks up. “We got our Quirks after we turned 4. Endeavour was scared we’d be ‘Quirkless welps’ for a while.” Natsuo produces some ice in his palm. “I can make dry ice, which is full of CO2. I almost suffocate often. Endeavour didn’t care though.”
Tokoyami lowers his head. “How despicable.”
“I’m gonna eat Endeavour!” Dark Shadow shouts.
“My Quirk is Fire Ice, which means I create methane hydrate, a type of ice that can catch on fire, releasing methane in the process. But I can’t breathe methane and almost died more often than Natsu-chan did.” Fuyumi carefully summons a bit of ice in her hand and lights it on fire. “Shou-nii had us run away when I was 5 to try and make sure Endeavour wouldn’t train me anymore. It worked, but then he hurt the others worse.”
“Oh my God!” Uraraka shrieks.
Aoyama gasps. “Good heavens.”
“I was born with my Quirk and Endeavour trained me for as long as I can remember.” Touya creates a little blue flame in his hand. “I thought that girls were weak or something, because Endeavour didn’t train Yumi-nee by then, or Mama, or Yuki-chan. I know better now though. He’s just a bad person and girls are awesome, no matter what he says.”
“Bastard.” Jirou snaps.
Koda nods his head rapidly.
“I didn’t get to know Mama until after the Sports Festival.” Yukiko looks down. “Because one night, before I was born but after Mama got pregnant with me, she hurt Shou-nii and Endeavour sent her away to live in a hospital.”
“She did what?!” Kirishima shouts.
Kaminari’s jaw drops. “Why would she attack you?! Was she like Endeavour?”
“No!” Shouto shakes his head. “She was as much a victim as my siblings were. The only reason she married Endeavour was because her family didn’t give her a choice in the matter. She did her best to stop him from training us, standing between us.”
He still remembers the first time he saw her being slapped to protect him.
“But she was a civilian and he was the Number 2 Hero, who was not willing to pull his punches, even for his wife who he treated like a breeding mare. None of us were allowed to leave the house except for medical appointments. We didn’t have friends or allies. She especially was alone, with only us to help her.” Shouto explains. “No one would help her.”
Would things have been different, if they had support?
“After being married to Endeavour for almost a decade, she started to have some kind of breakdown. I think she was disassociating the night she poured boiling water on my face…” Shouto puts his hand over his scar. “Given the fact that my left side looks like Endeavour, she thought I was him. She was just defending herself. It was an accident.”
“Shit, Roki…” Sero hisses.
Asui puts her finger to her lips. “That’s so awful.”
“After she left, I protected my siblings as best as I could.” Shouto takes his hand off his scar. “Endeavour hired some staff and tutors, who didn’t help us. The police and doctors didn’t help us when we had to see them. Yukiko’s babysitter, our grandmother Himura Reina, who practically sold Mama to Endeavour, would hit her for crying. So I took care of Yukiko myself.”
“What a vile woman.” Yaoyorozu spits.
Shinsou grits his teeth. “Fucking Hell, thermostat.”
“Life changed at the Sports Festival. Endeavour said if I couldn’t win, he’d force me or Fuyumi into a Quirk Marriage.” Shouto curls his hands into fists. “I told Izuku the truth about my life after insulting him and then… He changed my life.” Shouto allows himself a smile. “He saved my heart and helped me move forward. He showed me how to have a friend.”
“Shouchan…” Izuku whispers.
“From there, the rest of you taught me about a world I’d never known. A world where people were good. And kind. And still accepted me after I made mistakes. A world that Endeavour knew nothing of.” Shouto grits his teeth. “After failing my provisional licencing exam, he told me I would be married in three days to a woman with a compatible Quirk. He also engaged Natsuo and Fuyumi to two people almost a decade older than them.”
“He did what?!” Iida shouts.
Shouji’s fists shake.
“So I bought some time while they ran away and then I joined them.” Shouto bows his head. “The ice Villain who attacked Endeavour’s house was me. Nezu, Aizawa and an Underground Hero known as Crawler told me that they’re going to bring Endeavour to court, but I don’t know if he’ll face justice. Even if he does, then another Number 1 Hero will be taken because of me and society will be unsteady-”
“Fuck the Hero Billboard Rankings!” Shinsou snaps.
Shouto shuts up as the entire class turns to stare at their newest member.
“If society is really going to collapse because we lose one H ero, then the system is fucking broken!” Shinsou snarls. “It’s rotten to the cold hearted mechanical core if a bastard like Endeavour can rise to the top after doing all that shit !” He throws his arms out. “If it’s that horrible, then let the whole mess burn to the ground and build something better!”
“Shinsou…” Shouto stares at him.
“No, he’s right!” Yaoyorozu stands up. “If Endeavour loses his Hero Licence after this, then he has only himself to blame. He was wrong to treat you the way he did, Shouto-san, Natsuo-san, Fuyumi-san, Touya-san, Yukiko-san. It’s inhumane.”
“Yaomomo…” Touya whispers.
“You can say that again.” Kirishima stands up, knocking his hardened fists together. “No real man would do that stuff! Heck, we’ve fought Villains who wouldn’t do that stuff!”
“Kirishima-kun.” Yukiko gasps.
“And however this goes, we have your back guys!” Sero stands up, flexing his arm. “We’ll support you five to the end! We won’t let you down.”
“Sero-san…” Fuyumi’s eyes widen.
“You may not be students of UA, like your elder brother is.” Iida turns to them and smiles. “But you’re members of Class 1A as much as he is and we protect our own.”
“Iida-kun…” Natsuo stares at him.
“Endeavour’s gonna be sorry if he ever shows his face around here!” Kaminari lights up the end of his finger. “I’ll zap him with 1.3 Million Volts!”
“Not if I don’t melt him first with my acid!” Ashido makes a little acid in her hand, smirking. “I’ll turn his balls and cock to mush, see if he’ll ever perform eugenics again!”
“Oh that’s brutal.” Sato winces. “But well deserved. I’ll poison him to make sure it sticks.”
“Let’s see if he can make any fire once I send him floating into the stratosphere .” Uraraka flexes her fingers. “No oxygen to burn or breathe up there, you bitch !”
Uraraka is terrifying.
“You guys do know that violence isn’t the answer here, right?” Ojiro rubs the back of his head.
“You’re right. Violence isn’t the answer. It’s the question.” Hagakure hisses. “And the answer is always yes when it comes to abusers .”
“I too shall assist you in assassinating that fowl being who dares call himself a man.” Tokoyami huffs. “We shall escape the laws of this land together, my comrades.”
Dark Shadow cheers. “Fumi, let’s kill him!”
Shouto looks at his classmates and reminds himself that they’re not Villains in Training.
“Calm down, we need to be practical.” Shouji speaks up. “We can’t kill Endeavour and he’s not the priority now. We should focus on making sure that Shouto’s family will be alright.”
“You’re right, Shouji-chan.” Asui ribbits. “The people who like Endeavour may try to hurt Shouto-chan and his family, or blame them for getting rid of Endeavour.”
“It’s like that tired guy at the test said.” Jirou waves her earphone jacks. “With All Might gone and Endeavour hopefully in jail soon, the world is only going to become more unstable. We need to focus on becoming the best Heroes we can be and helping them.”
“ Oui, oui. ” Aoyama nods. “We will focus on being a light so bright, no evil like Endeavour or the League can ever tarnish it!”
Koda nods. “Let’s do the best we can, everyone.”
Izuku turns to Shouto and his family. “And let’s start by making sure Shouchan and his siblings have places to sleep. It’s been a long couple of days. Does that sound good?”
Shouto blinks as the attention returns to himself and his siblings.
“Yeah, I wanna go back to bed.” Touya rubs his eyes. “The beds in Recovery Girl’s office weren’t very nice.”
“There should be some beds and mattresses in the spare rooms, right?” Ojiro turns to Iida.
Iida starts chopping his arms. “Yes, there should be.”
The fatigue suddenly hits Shouto hard and he turns towards the class rep and vice rep. “Yaoyorozu, Iida, can you two take care of my siblings for a bit?”
“Shou-nii?” Touya turns to him, blinking.
“I need to have some private time with Zuku.” Shouto turns towards Izuku. “If that’s alright. It, it may take a while.”
He just...
“Of course it’s okay, Shouchan.” Izuku runs over to him.
He just needs some time.
Shouto nods and glances at his siblings. “Will you be okay with the others for a while?”
His siblings blink, then smile at him, nodding.
“Thank you.” Shouto says.
With that, Izuku and Shouto walk out of the common room, side by side, heart in heart.
As soon as they’re alone in Izuku’s room, he’s nervous. It’s not like Shouchan to just leave his siblings on their own when they’re nearby. What could he want to talk to Izuku about?
Is he going to break up with me? Is that why he hasn’t kissed me yet?
Izuku flinches and shakes his head.
No, no, no, I can’t worry about that now! Shouchan needs me!
Izuku takes a deep breath and turns away from his door, towards Shouchan. “What do you need, Sho-”
He’s falling!
“Whoa!” Izuku jumps over to him, catching Shouchan in his arms, bringing them to the ground on their knees. “Hey, what’s wrong? Why didn’t you tell me you were going to faint? Should I take you to Reco-”
“Just.” Shouchan gulps.
Izuku goes quiet. He knows he needs to be quiet because Shouchan likes to think things through before he says them. He’s not like Izuku who mumbles everything he’s thinking. Izuku has to wait before he can hear Shouchan’s feelings and thoughts.
“Just hold me.” Shouchan whispers.
Oh.
Izuku remembers the Sports Festival. The way Shouchan screamed and clung to him as he fell apart in front of the entire world. The way Shouchan couldn’t stop crying, even when he seemed better. The way Shouchan melts in his arms whenever they hug.
How could he forget that Shouchan just needs to be held sometimes?
“I will.” Izuku swears it.
He pulls Shouchan as close to him as he can, rubbing his back, running his fingers through his hair.
Shouchan grabs onto Izuku, tightly and hides his face in Izuku’s shoulder.
When he cries, he doesn’t howl and scream. This crying is near soft and hidden, almost silent. Why would he cry so silently? Would Endeavour punish him for crying? Or did he try to hide his tears from his siblings? Izuku could never imagine living like that.
“That’s it…” Izuku rubs his back. “It’s alright…”
Shouchan’s been carrying so much pain, all this time. Izuku should’ve done more for him.
“Just let it out, Shouchan…” Izuku rubs the back of his neck. “It’s okay to hurt. You’ve suffered so much, you’re allowed to be upset.”
He’s so strong. So strong and brave and kind, it’s hard sometimes to notice just how much pain he’s in. Especially when Shouchan doesn’t talk about his pain. It’s always his siblings and his mother he worries about, never himself.
Izuku spent much of his childhood wishing for a Quirk. Wishing he could attract things to him like his Mom or breathe fire like Hisashi. Even something useless like seeing with his eyes closed. Something would be better than nothing, something would mean he was worthy. He doesn’t make that wish as often now, especially after arriving at UA and proving to himself and others he’s just as good as his Quirked peers, sometimes better in fact.
But at times like this, he wishes for a Quirk that could sense Shouchan’s pain.
“Don’t let go.” Shouchan begs. “I can’t-”
“Shhh. Just cry. I can hold you. You’ve been so kind to me, Shouchan. So brave and strong.” Izuku holds him tighter, trying to prove Shouchan can lean on him. “It’s your turn to cry.”
Izuku has wanted to be a Hero all his life. But he couldn’t help Shouchan when he needed Izuku the most. He won’t make that mistake again and he’ll catch up to Shouchan.
“You’re doing great, Shouchan.” Izuku runs his fingers through his hair. “I’m so proud of you.”
Shouchan is already such an incredible Hero. He’s smart, brave, kind and so powerful, it’s incredible. Not to mention all the times he’s saved Izuku, like with Bakugo, in Hosu, even at the Summer Training camp. Shouchan is… He’s amazing.
Izuku swears he will make it up to Shouchan, even if it takes all his life. He’ll learn to notice when Shouchan’s in pain and he’ll protect Shouchan when he needs Izuku the most. Even when he doesn’t ask Izuku for his help, no, especially then. No matter how long it takes or what he has to do to make it happen…
He’ll be Shouchan’s Hero. Because Shouchan is Izuku’s Hero.
Shouchan sobs. “Why?”
Izuku blinks, glancing down at him. “Why what?”
Shouchan tilts his head and looks up at Izuku. “Why do you say all that stuff? I’m not-”
Then he stiffens and groans, pulling back. Izuku’s hands slide from his back to his forearms.
“Hey, Shouchan, what’s wrong?” Izuku asks.
He doesn’t want to overwhelm Shouchan, but he doesn’t look like he’s ready for their hug to end at all.
Shouchan looks at him, then looks at their laps. He looks frustrated.
“What’s going through your head? Please tell me.” Izuku slides his right hand up to Shouchan’s shoulder, squeezing it.
How can he help Shouchan if he doesn’t know how he’s feeling or what he’s thinking?
He wants to understand him, he wants to help him. He wants to save Shouchan.
“That I’m greedy. And selfish. And needy. A mess. That I shouldn’t have abandoned my siblings just because I’m weak.” Shouchan’s hands curl into fists. “That I must have tricked you somehow because you’re not a liar, but I’m not kind or worthy of your comfort-”
“Hey, no.” Izuku takes Shouchan’s hands with his own. “Stop saying those things, right now.”
Shouchan stops, staring at their hands with wide eyes and then looking up at Izuku.
“You’re a kind person, Shouchan.” Izuku squeezes his hands. “And you’re allowed to hurt and be upset. It’s not selfish to need some time to cry. You’re not needy for wanting a hug and some privacy when you’re in pain. And even if you are a mess, you’re the mess I want.”
Shouchan’s eyes widen and Izuku’s heart is breaking, tears in his own eyes.
Just how many years did Shouchan spend living like this? Thinking that crying means weakness or that he can’t have a hug from someone he loves?
He has to show Shouchan it’s okay.
“You’re a wonderful, incredible person, Shouchan.” Izuku leans forward and presses their foreheads together. “You are brave and strong and kind and I will tell you these things even after you believe them, Shouchan. I won’t let you insult yourself, that breaks my heart.”
He will believe Izuku one day when he tells Shouchan the truth.
“I…” Shouchan’s breath hitches in his throat. “I feel like I’m falling apart. I can’t do that, because then I won’t be able to pick up the pieces. I need to hold together, or else-”
He’s shaking. He’s so afraid that he’s shaking in Izuku’s arms, even with Endeavour in jail and his siblings safe and his friends by his side.
Izuku has never seen Shouchan this scared before.
Izuku pulls Shouchan back into a hug. “You can. If you want to fall apart, then I’ll hold your pieces safely, until we’re ready to put them back together. I’ll help you do it, you won’t be alone, Shouchan. You have your friends and siblings and me…”
He’ll help Shouchan through whatever trial comes for them next. Nothing will stop him.
Tears spatter against Izuku’s collarbone. “Zuku…”
“I’m here, Shouchan.” Izuku cradles the back of his neck and head. “I will always be here.”
This is it.
It’s time to tell him.
Shouchan has to know.
“I will always be here and I will always help you and I will always protect you because I love you Shouchan.” Izuku holds him tighter. “I love you so, so much.”
He’d been so shocked and unsure about his feelings that day that Shouchan confessed to him. He always knew he’d had a crush on Shouchan from the second he saw him (after all, Izuku saw him , he’s hot and was nice to him and had the most incredible Quirk Izuku had ever seen along with a body that doesn’t quit, Izuku’s seen his abbs, fuck me ), but he didn’t know if it was still a crush or just teenage horniness. Or if Shouchan would change his mind about Izuku, realizing he deserves so much better than the Quirkless Deku. But...
After feeling that panic when Shouchan wouldn’t respond to his texts.
After watching him fighting Endeavour on the TV.
After carrying him to UA after he fainted.
Izuku knows how he feels.
He’s in love with Todoroki Shouto.
Shouchan gasps and pulls back, looking up at him. “What?”
“I love you Shouchan.” Izuku says, cradling his cheek. “I’m in love with you. You are kind, you are strong, you are smart and funny and cool and handsome and humble and sweet and I-” Izuku holds Shouchan’s other cheek. “I’m in love with you.”
Tears spill over Shouchan’s eyes yet again and Izuku dries them with his thumbs. “Zuku…”
Izuku smiles as tears spill over his own cheeks. “I love you.”
He’s so glad he said it. It feels like coming home.
Shouchan sobs and wraps his arms around Izuku’s shoulders, pressing their foreheads together. “I love you too. I love you so much, Zuku. I love you, I love you, I love you.”
Izuku laughs and cries as they hold each other even closer, climbing into Shouchan’s lap.
“I’m going to love you for the rest of my life.” Shouchan sobs. “Is that okay? I know you’ll likely find someone better some day but-”
“I don’t want someone better, even if they existed. No one is better than Shouchan.” Izuku cries, heart fluttering like mad. “I’ll love you forever too, if you’ll let me. Do you want that?”
Izuku wants that so badly.
A life spent by Shouchan’s side. Making coffee for him in the morning and sharing kisses in their bed, complaining about morning breath and laughing as they roll around. Working together in the field, fighting Villains back to back, flying high through the rankings and becoming the greatest Heroes together . Getting to meet Shouchan’s mother and thanking her for bringing his lover into the world, asking her for permission to marry Shouchan.
He wants to see equal marriage laws be brought to Japan, or run away to America to get married, if that’s what it takes. He wants to call Shouchan his partner, his fiance and his husband. He wants to see every inch of his body and make him feel beautiful. He wants to reassure and protect and treasure Shouchan for the rest of his life.
That adorable life he would read about in his favourite comfort fanfiction, or see drawn in his favourite fan comics, or hear little tibbits of via marriage advice forums on Reddit…
He wants it more than anything.
Shouchan laughs. “I do. Do you want me to love you forever too?”
“I do.” Izuku smiles. “I’d be honoured to have your love, Shouchan.”
Oh God, Izuku’s heart is pounding. It feels like they’re exchanging wedding vows, having their own private ceremony in his room. God, what is he thinking?! He hopes he isn’t muttering this out loud or he’ll die of embarrassment!
Shouchan smiles at him so, so sweetly and he’s leaning closer and God, Izuku’s never wanted anything so badly in his life the way he wants their first kiss.
“Can I kiss you?” Izuku looks at him.
Shouchan’s eyes widen. “What?”
“Can I kiss you?” Izuku points at his own mouth. “On the lips, like lovers do?”
That’s what they are, aren’t they? Lovers.
They haven’t even gone on a real date yet, having been so busy preparing for the provisional licencing exam, but Izuku knows one thing for sure.
This is forever. This is it.
One day he’s going to marry this boy and make him Midoriya Shouto.
Shouchan blushes and looks to the side. “I, I thought you wouldn’t want to.”
What?
“Why do you think that?” Izuku tilts his head, getting into Shouchan’s line of sight.
They’re dating and well, Izuku has tried to get Shouchan to kiss him more than once. Study sessions where he’d try to flirt with Shouchan, leaning in and closing his eyes, implying as heavily as he can that he wants a kiss, hugging him as often as possible.
What could Izuku have done to make Shouchan feel like he doesn’t think about kissing him All. The. Time ?
Shouchan gulps and the blush spreads to his ears and he’s so pretty . “Because I’m lucky you want to be partners, let alone do something as intimate as a kiss o-on the… lips.”
He’s too cute!
Oh God, Izuku has to kiss him. He’s wanted to kiss him for so long, he can’t go another second without knowing what it’s like to kiss Todoroki Shouto, his precious Shouchan.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you since you saved me from Bakugo during the Quirk Assessment Test.” Izuku giggles, looking up at him. “Please, kiss me Shouchan?”
Shouchan’s blush turns from pink to red and it’s so, so beautiful, Izuku is gonna sob now.
“O-okay.” Shouchan nods.
They straighten up, Izuku glancing between Shouchan’s eyes and lips rapidly.
How does kissing even work? What if I’m bad at it? What if he hates it? Oh fuck, what if he breaks up with me because I’m a bad kisser, I should’ve prepared for this, I-
“I don’t know how to kiss.” Shouchan says.
Izuku blinks at him. “What?”
“I…” Shouchan’s blush is back as he stares down. “I only occasionally saw a couple kiss while driving into town. Never long enough to figure out how it worked. I didn’t read about it, or see it regularly, not… not on the lips.” Shouchan gulps. “I, I’ll probably be terrible.”
“That’s fine! I haven’t kissed anyone before Shouchan!” Izuku waves his hands. “I don’t mind if you’re terrible, I mean, I’ll probably be just as bad or worse at kissing as you are and then we can get better together, ya know, with practice and I, I mean-”
God what is he even saying?
Shouchan is just staring at him, tilting his head and he’s so cute like a kitten, God help him-
No, focus! He’s seen romantic movies, adorable fanart and read plenty of fanfiction! He knows how kisses work in theory, which is more than Shouchan has. Izuku has to guide him.
“J-just relax.” Izuku rests one of his hands on Shouchan’s left cheek. “D-d-do you trust me?”
“With my life.” Shouchan says with a straight face.
An arrow slices right through Izuku’s heart. God, he loves this man.
“Put your hands wherever you feel comfortable.” Izuku’s face burns because he knows that might mean Shouchan could touch my ass, fuck me, oh God - “I don’t mind.”
“O-okay.” Shouchan gulps. “You too.”
Fuck his neck is so attractive. That’s probably weird, but now Shouchan’s hands are on his waist, fuck. His waist seems so tiny in Shouchan’s hands. Izuku gulps, puts one hand on Shouchan’s neck and his other hand on Shouchan’s right shoulder, leaning close enough to share air.
“I-is this okay, Shouchan?” Izuku wishes he didn’t stutter so much, one of them should be confident, right?
Shouchan nods. “What do I do?”
“I, I think we’re supposed to close our eyes?” Izuku wracks his brain.
In the movies people lean close and close their eyes and tilt their heads so their noses don’t bump together and they each uhh, take a lip? Partner A takes Partner B’s upper lip between their lips, while Partner B takes Partner A’s lower lip between their lips? He thinks? Oh shit-
Shouchan nods and closes his eyes, breathing over Izuku’s lips. “I trust you, Zuku.”
Fuck. Dear fucking God, Shouchan really trusts him. It’s really hot and it’s really cute and he’s gonna die, but what a way to go.
Okay, stop panicking Dekiru and just- go for it! Go Beyond, Plus Ultra style!
Izuku nods to himself, takes a quick breathe and just-
Goes for it.
He tilts his head to the right and gently presses his lips to Shouchan’s and it’s…
It’s nice. Their lips just touch, but it’s so, so nice. Shouchan’s hands spasm for a moment, then hold onto his waist tighter. Izuku squeezes Shouchan’s shoulder, leaning on him a little more.
It’s so nice.
Izuku shifts his lips a little, to take Shouchan’s upper lip between his lips and they’re soft, so soft and a little wet and it’s nice, nice, nice.
Izuku’s eyes flutter open.
Shouchan looks completely relaxed, the tension gone from his forehead, his shoulders loose under Izuku’s hand. He’s breathing softly through his nose, tickling Izuku’s lips.
I love him.
How did Izuku ever doubt that?
Izuku pulls back, ending the kiss, taking a deep breath as his heart rattles behind his ribcage.
Shouchan’s eyes flutter open and the blue and the grey have never looked so pretty. “Wow.”
Izuku giggles, butterflies exploding in his stomach, tickling him from head to toe.
He just kissed his boyfriend who he’s in love with.
He just kissed Todoroki Shouto.
Wow indeed.
Izuku beams wide and Shouchan meets his giggles with a few of his own, pressing their foreheads together. Izuku’s hand slides up his neck to rest on his cheek.
“I love you, Zuku.” Shouchan whispers against his lips.
He may as well have screamed it for how loud it echos in Izuku’s mind.
“I love you, Zuku.”
“I love you, Zuku.”
“I love you, Zuku.”
“I love you, Shouchan.” Izuku whispers right back, like a secret just for them.
Shouchan smiles.
But then his eyes flicker. They darken and his smile fades.
Izuku’s heart sinks.
“This isn’t going to be… easy.” Shouchan looks down. “Even if Endeavour goes to jail, I’m not an easy person to love. I can be impulsive and narrow minded. I’m rude. I don’t understand references and unless you say things in a straightforward way, I’ll miss their meaning.”
Izuku’s eyes widen and he wants to refute that, but he doesn’t want to interrupt Shouchan.
“My family will always come first. If they were in danger the same time you were, I’d pick them over you. I’m not good at asking for help.” Shouchan bites his lip. “Everyone will see me as ‘Endeavour’s son’ for the rest of my life. They’ll probably harass you for being my lover and the fact we’re boys. We still need to graduate and survive any future Villain attacks.”
Izuku thinks of Bakugo, of the League of Villains, of All For One in Tartarus but not forgotten.
“I know I’m not an easy person to love, Zuku. I know it's selfish to ask this when I’m Endeavour’s son. I know I’m my own person but you can't stop dna…” Shouchan gulps and looks up at him. “Midoriya Izuku, will you stay by my side, even when loving me becomes difficult? Will you remind me who I want to become when I lose my way? Will you protect my family if I no longer can? Will you please support me as I grow by your side?”
Izuku’s heart clenches tight in his chest.
And even though Shouchan obviously thinks this is hard, it’s the easiest decision Izuku has ever made.
“Yes.” Izuku takes Shouchan’s hands and holds them tightly. “I will love you when it becomes difficult. I will stay by your side no matter what. I’ll help you become the best Hero you can be and I’ll protect your family as if they were my own. We’ll grow together and become the best people and the best Heroes we can possibly be. But you’re not the only one with vices.”
Shouchan blinks at him, tilting his head.
“Shouchan, I’m going to be the first Quirkless Hero. There may be times where I pick spending more time advertising or working, over spending time with you. You’ll probably be harassed for dating some fragile antique like me.” Izuku smiles. “I’d also probably focus on rescuing my Mom or civilians over saving you in a crisis. I think that’s just part of being a Hero. We signed up for this and even when it hurts, I’m willing to go through with it.”
He squeezes Shouchan’s hands again.
“I’m not easy to love either, mind you. I mumble and ramble until even I don’t understand what I’m saying. I’m plain looking and annoying and a ‘reckless fool’ who will do all the things that make you call me that, again and again. It’s just part of who I am now.” Izuku rolls his eyes. “I’m not always great at communicating either. But I love you, Shouchan.”
Shouchan stares at him, eyes blown wide, jaw slack. “Zuku…”
“I love you .” Izuku presses their foreheads together. “And so long as you’re willing to love me when it’s not easy, I will always love you when it’s not easy. For better or for worse.” He smiles. “So let’s love each other together, grow together and go forward together, okay?”
Shouchan stares at him, then smiles, closing his eyes. “Okay.”
And that is how they stay.
In love, in each others’ arms, with a promise to be together.