It burns… Oh god it burns… He should be used to it by now, he should be immune to this pain. But it hurts, it hurts so badly. It's inside him, every muscle, every bone, every fibre of his being, this pain so horrible, constant, just another part of him. But today it's worse. It's so much worse. Maybe it's because the hero had a bad day, maybe it's because he's not up to par, whatever it is, he hates it.

It shouldn't be like this. Things are better elsewhere, he never thought they could be better, but they are. And now it hurts so much more, it burns so much hotter, it claws at him without mercy. It's not right. This isn't how things are supposed to be, no matter how many times he tells him they are. He's not supposed to feel this way, like everything around him is fire and everything inside him burns, like there's no safety, no happiness, only misery and agony. It's training, just training, it's supposed to make me stronger. But that's a lie he tells him, it's a lie he tells himself, because that's not how you're supposed to gain strength. No matter how many times he says it is, there's others who are strong and don't go through this. He's seen it, he's felt it. So why? Why him? Why does it have to be this way?

It burns yet he also feels cold, left alone, bruised and bleeding, curled in on himself with everything aching down to his very core. While the fires around him burn, while his insides burn just as badly as the outside, it's like his own fire dies a little each time. His heart freezing as his body burns, his spirit dying as his nerves come alive with pain, so much pain. He trembles as his blood runs as cold inside his veins and pools by the corner of his mouth, a cough sending it splattering across the floor. His eyes flit towards the door, seeing no one there, no ice-cold eyes staring back disapprovingly, no crossed arms and disappointed scowl. But there are no warm welcomes either, no concerned expressions, no nice words and comfort, no one to help him, no one to care for him. No one to love him. Those people are far away. Those people are elsewhere. Things are better elsewhere… With someone else… It doesn't have to be this way… Does it?

He can't take it anymore, he can't handle all this pain, all this suffering. Not when he's had a taste of what it feels like to be… happy. Not when he's learned what friends are and how much they help. Not when there's someone out there who makes him feel like more than just a weapon, a possession. He can't stay in this cold and dark place where everything around him burns. Is… Is that so wrong?

He pushes himself up to his feet, feeling his leg screaming and his throat scratching, his jaw aching and his ribs complaining and on the brink of splintering. But he walks away, because he wants nothing more than to be elsewhere. Somewhere that isn't here, with him. Somewhere where someone cares.

Izuku is in his room back home for the holidays while his mother is out for work when there's a weak knock at his door. The distance alone would've been enough for him not to hear it, but he's got his headphones in at max volume, his favourite playlist muffling any outside noises as he scrolls through the latest hero news on his phone. He almost jumps out of his skin when it vibrates in his hands, the notification sound loud and jarring, blaring past the music and nearly making him drop the phone on his face. Luckily, he catches it before it happens, surprised to see a little pop-up with Todoroki's name.

Sitting up on his bed, he taps it, opening the text message.

[Todoroki Shouto 14:07]

Are you home?

Izuku blinks at the screen, slipping the headphones off of his head so they hang around his neck before glancing in the direction of his house's front door in mild curiosity.

[Midoriya Izuku 14:08]

Yeh y?

[Todoroki Shouto 14:08]

Could you open the door? Please.

The response is nearly instant, almost as if the other was simply waiting for him to reply to send it, already written out and ready to hit the button. He couldn't explain it if he wanted to, but there's a sickening feeling in his chest as soon as he reads the words, that little plea at the end sending his heart into a frenzy in his chest. And it's not the same fluttery feeling he sometimes gets around Todoroki, no, this is different… This is… bad.

He shoots off the bed, running out of his room and to the door, swinging it open and expecting to see… Well, he's not sure what he was expecting, but when he sees Todoroki's hunched figure, leaning against the wall with a black hood pulled over his head and obscuring his features, his whole posture reads tired but other than that he seems fine. Izuku lets out a sigh of relief at the lack of an immediate disaster but that feeling is short lived because as soon as Todoroki turns to face him his legs give in and he collapses into his arms.

"Todoroki-kun!" He yelps, alarmed, arms snaking around his friends' torso and holding him up.

A groan sounds from Todoroki as he seemingly gathers his bearings and lifts himself back up, wobbling slightly. When Izuku looks into his eyes, his heart sinks, emerald greens widening as he takes in Todoroki's state. There are multiple tiny lacerations all across his face, a torn upper lip, a gash on his right eyebrow, that eye being slightly swollen as well. A large bruise is sprouting under his chin, turning purple already, and his left leg is visibly shaking. Izuku can only imagine what the hell else is going on under his clothes but he doesn't want to.

Immediately he's stepping closer, holding Todoroki's shoulders and feeling his stomach flip at the way he winces when he does. "What happened?! Was it a villain? Are they still out there?" Izuku's interrupted by Todoroki coughing into his hand. When it comes back spattered in red, he feels his own blood boil. "Oh my god, we need to get you to a hospital! Call the heroes to handle the situation!"

Suddenly, Todoroki stiffens at those words, curling in on himself from what Izuku can only assume to be pain as he heaves, leaning against the door frame for support and a small whimper leaving his lips. "No… please… not-" Another wracking cough tears through him and Izuku gently places a hand on the small of his back, expression twisting into one of horror seeing the blood dripping down his chin. "Not the hospital. H-he'll find me… I c-can't take it anymore… Please…"

Everything clicks into place inside Izuku's head and he doesn't think he's ever felt this angry. Rage and hatred was something he associated with Bakugou, not with himself, but now it burned inside him deeply, making his fists clench around the fabric of Todoroki's hoodie. "Endeavor did this to you?" He should be afraid of how cold his voice sounds in contrast to that fiery ire, how full of venom and contempt, but all he feels is justified.

"Please I just… I need to get away… I'm pathetic." Izuku's throat tightens at the self-deprecating tone in which he utters the last part, tears springing to his eyes that he fights back because now is not the time to cry. Todoroki needs him.

"You're not pathetic, Todoroki-kun. You don't deserve this. Come on, let's get you taken care of."

Ushering him in, a hand rubbing soft circles on his back while the other holds the arm he's slung over his shoulders, Izuku goes straight for the bathroom, setting him down on a bench gently. Todoroki lets his head fall back against the wall after pulling down the hood. He's got this apathetic look to him, like he's willing himself not to feel anything at all because if he doesn't, he might break down. Izuku watches him out of the corner of his eye while getting the first aid kit from the cabinet under the sink, digging in for some antiseptic and sterile gauze.

As if he's gone to a little world of his own, Todoroki doesn't seem to notice him getting closer, flinching away at the movement and panic flashing in his mismatched eyes before they focus on his worried expression and he forces himself to relax. He hisses when Izuku starts dabbing at his wounds gently to clean them, inhaling sharply and holding that breath for as long as he tends to the cuts until he stops to give him a break. Izuku tries to be as careful as possible, tries not to inflict any more pain than necessary but the flesh is tender and raw and any little disturbance seems to be enough to make Todoroki tense. But he never makes any sounds apart from barely audible whimpers and small gasps. He never complains, never asks him to stop, never says it's too much, even as he presses down to secure the band aids wherever they are necessary. At one point, he squeezes his eyes shut and stays that way, jaw clenched as Izuku gingerly inspects the bruises before dropping his hands to his sides.

"That should be enough…" Izuku whispers, almost afraid that if he speaks any louder he might frighten his friend. Just as Todoroki is thanking him, his eyes drift down to his torso and leg, then lifting his gaze back up to his face. "You're gonna have to show me the rest."

Todoroki visibly shrinks, looking away with shame written all over his face and Izuku's heart aches. "I'm fine." Stubborn as always, Todoroki wraps his arms around himself, trying to hide what's already hidden. He coughs into his hand once more and glares at the little drops of scarlet that are left behind accusingly, as if they are there just to spite him.

"You're not fine. You're coughing up blood, Todoroki-kun. This could be serious, what if you have a fractured rib, and your lungs are-" He's cut off by Todoroki's repeated reassurance, as ineffective as it may be, and he sighs, aiming an unwavering glance at him. Any other time, Todoroki would win this kind of battle, but when Izuku knows there are serious injuries under those clothes that need to be treated, there is no way he would ever back down. "You need to at least let me treat you. Come on, I've got experience with these kinds of injuries."

"Bakugou?" Izuku just chuckles humourlessly at his own transparency while nodding in response before gesturing towards him in a not so subtle way of saying 'Go on, show me'.

With a dejected little breath, Todoroki pulls down the zipper of his hoodie. That alone is enough to draw a gasp from Izuku. His forearms are covered in roundish red marks the size of a large fist, likely from blocking blows from flaming hands over and over again. Even the left one, which should be more resistant to Endeavor's Hell Flame due to Todoroki's own use of fire, has some pretty aggressive burns. The half and half teen looks small as he pulls the t-shirt off over his head.

More inflamed blotches of skin cover his torso, one particular burn on his right side just over his hip actually covered in blisters. There's purpling blemishes all over his ribs and some even peeking from his back, spreading to his sides just enough for him to see, overlapping with older ones over several faint scars from years and years of similar episodes. Ones that could be easily missed if he didn't look closely enough. Izuku follows with horrified eyes as Todoroki pulls up his left pant leg, revealing a flowering bruise that sprouts from the side of his knee and blisters in the middle. He feels sick, absolutely revolted, a lump forming in his throat and tears pricking at his eyes once more.

"Todoroki-kun…" His voice sounds strangled, as if the hatred gripping his heart is choking him, making it hard to breathe and even more so to speak.

"It's not always this bad…"

"Are you seriously excusing his actions right now?" The words leave him before he has the time to even process them and Izuku immediately regrets it when Todoroki flinches at them, guilt taking over his features. "Sorry, that was harsh of me… It's just…" He doesn't know how to put to words what he feels then, his hands shaking nearly imperceptibly but enough for both of them to notice.

"I'm sorry…" Todoroki mutters, head lowering in shame and before Izuku can think twice, he's holding his face in his hands, gently turning it so that their eyes meet, careful as not to hurt him.

"What are you apologising for?"

Todoroki averts his gaze, inhaling sharply in a way Izuku is much too familiar with. "Being like this…" Izuku can just about hear the pathetic or weak that doesn't actually leave his lips. He knows this behaviour, he knows this train of thought all too well.

"There's nothing wrong with you." Izuku assures him, steadfast. "Well, apart from the fact that you're in pain, but I'll take good care of you, I promise." He moves back to the first aid kit and gets some burn cream, getting back to work under the watchful eye of his friend, following his every move and trying his hardest not to wince away from his tender handiwork. "It's okay to cry, by the way. I remember you telling me that once before."

Shooting him a quick and easy smile from where he's kneeling by his feet, Izuku sees the way Todoroki's eyes glisten before he looks the other way, focusing on some point by the other side of the room. There's already a few tracks on his cheeks and Izuku fights back the tears that make his own eyes sting. He hears the faint sniffles coming from his friend and keeps working on dressing the wounds, fingers brushing the skin lightly and wishing with all his might that he could take away all the pain with his touch alone.

"Why haven't you tried putting a stop to it?" Izuku finds himself asking, not entirely having planned to actually voice the question but not stopping it either. Given what he went through as a kid, he knows it's a stupid thing to ask but he wants to know anyway.

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Tell the police?"

"Who do you think they're going to believe? A rebellious teenager or the number 1 hero?" The rhetorical question hurts just as much as the fact that he's right. Izuku wants to punch something Endeavor shaped so badly…

"It's not fair…" He seethes, Todoroki hissing when he rubs the cream a little too hard on one of the burns on his arm and Izuku recoils with an apology at his lips. He returns to careful little dabs, breathing deeply to calm the rage boiling inside him. "He doesn't deserve that title."

"I know… I'm sorry for being a burden. I shouldn't be springing this onto you, it's my business, not yours." Izuku finally looks up at that, meeting red rimmed eyes and an expression that doesn't belong on his friend's face.

"Stop apologising, none of this is your fault. And you're not a burden either," Izuku pauses for a breath as he feels the tears sneaking up on him without his permission. "I'm always here for you, no matter what. Whatever you need, whenever you need, I'm here."

Todoroki's arm leaves his grip when he brings it up to his face, covering his eyes and clenching his jaw tightly. Izuku squeezes his thigh lightly, a soft but reassuring gesture to reinforce his words. He wants to hold Todoroki in his arms more than anything else in the world, tell him that he'll protect him as best he can, but he's sure that would be crossing a line even if it wasn't most likely painful for him as well. He's especially reminded of that last fact when Todoroki breaks into another bloody cough and Izuku's brows pull together in concern.

"About that…"

"It's fine… It's my jaw that's bleeding. And the hits to my ribs just made it a little hard to breathe, that's all." At this, Izuku gets a glassful of water and hands it to Todoroki, who swirls some of it in his mouth before spitting it out into the sink, tinting the porcelain in varying shades of crimson.

They fall into a heavy silence as Izuku keeps tending to Todoroki's injuries, not exactly uncomfortable, but not like they are used to when hanging out together either. There's this thick tension in the air that could easily be cut with a knife, each of them stirring in their own emotions, none of them pleasant.

"Am I winning the worst injuries contest yet?" Todoroki is the first to break the silence and Izuku glares up at him.

"Don't joke about that."

"You're right, at least mine aren't self-inflicted."

"Oh, shut up." Izuku shoots back, but the corners of his mouth twitch upwards for a moment. "Dark humour, huh? For some reason I took you for more of a dry humour type of person."

Todoroki shrugs, a little huff that for him passes off as a laugh as Izuku starts wrapping the last of his right arm. He moves on to his leg then, taking a deep breath at the sight and wincing when Todoroki grunts as soon as he touches the cream to the burn. When he looks up, Izuku sees his features scrunched and he wonders if that hurts his jaw even worse. He'll have to bear it for a little longer though… God, he really wishes there was something else he could do. He really wants to teach a certain someone a lesson. No one who does something this horrible should ever be considered the number 1 hero. They're supposed to protect everyone, their families included. They're not supposed to beat their children senseless on the pretext of 'making them stronger'. What kind of bullshit even is that?!

"You're asking me." Todoroki chokes out and Izuku realises with a start that he was muttering and covers his mouth with an apology, eyes widening as he thinks of what he was apparently just saying. "Don't apologise."

"Like you're one to talk." Izuku finally finishes wrapping up his leg and stands up, brushing Todoroki's cheeks with the tips of his fingers ever so softly. He doesn't ignore the way his heart stutters with a desire that he still hasn't been able to make sense of but knows for sure isn't purely platonic. "Open your mouth, please." He requests instead, pulling his jaw down just enough to see the damage. "You're missing a molar."

"Nothing I can't live without." The way Todoroki's lips close around his thumbs as he speaks makes Izuku's breath catch and he removes his hands immediately, stuttering out an agreement and getting painkillers for his friend.

"So…" Izuku shifts from one foot to another while the other swallows the pills and eyes him from below. "What now?" Todoroki looks away, his hairs falling over his eyes in a mishmash of red and white, concealing his features in an attempt to hide his shame. Izuku can already tell that he's regretting coming here at all, and feels the need to reiterate his words and make him more at ease. "I mean, it's just that I wasn't expecting you so I don't really have anything ready. And honestly, I'm still really worried about you and think that you should get checked out by some sort of doctor 'cause let's be honest, I'm not exactly qualified. And what if any of your wounds fester, what am I supposed to do about that? Could I at least call Recovery Girl? I've got her on speed dial ever since I got my provisional license, you know, just in case. So yeah, that wouldn't be a terrible idea. Actually, I'll do it anyway."

He's started digging in his pocket for his phone when he remembers that he left it on his bed and Todoroki's hands are already holding his wrists in place to prevent him from doing anything. Izuku looks at him with wide and shimmering eyes, the tears that he'd managed to keep away until now finally building up halfway through his rant and on the verge of spilling over.

"I'm fine." Todoroki whispers quietly.

"You're not." Izuku's strangled voice retorts and Todoroki looks down at his feet once again. "It's okay not to be fine, but I just… I wish I could help."

"You do help, Midoriya. That's why I came here, even though I know I shouldn't."

"Why not?" He finds himself asking, high-pitched, almost desperate. "I meant what I said, you know? I wasn't just s-saying…" Izuku drifts off, broken by a hiccup that he hides with his hands before turning his back to Todoroki. "S-sorry I'm…" It hurts to see you like this. It hurts to not be able to do anything.

Izuku feels the trace of fingertips against the back of his neck and he looks back to see Todoroki is standing with his hoodie over his bandaged shoulders, his weight almost entirely resting on his right leg as he reaches out shyly towards him. He turns to face him fully, swallowing around the lump that's formed in his throat and wiping at his reddening cheeks just as Todoroki begins to speak.

"I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't." Izuku cuts him off before he even has the chance to finish his thought, and gingerly holds the hand that's still hovering in between them in his own. "It's not your fault. None of it is."

He can see the doubt in Todoroki just as much as he can sense it radiating off of him. He knows how hard it is to believe these words, he knows how much they seem like white lies meant to appease him when he himself still has a hard time believing them sometimes. Each time he fails, each time he doesn't meet the expectations or goals of others, or even those he set for himself. Each time someone gets hurt when he was supposed to help them, each time he's alone in his room on late nights and thoughts from the past come back to haunt him. Inadequate, useless, bothersome. Weak, powerless, defenceless.

Izuku shakes the thoughts away as they creep up on him, reflected back in his friend's face and reminding him of how desperate he felt in those days, how much he thought all of it was his own fault for being born quirkless, that he deserved it.

"Are you okay?" Todoroki asks, concerned to see the ghosts that Izuku has tried his best to bury flashing across his eyes. "If you'd like me to leave…"

"No!" His voice comes out a little too high and a little too quickly, and Izuku bites his bottom lip sheepishly. "Please…" He feels the tiniest bit ashamed, that he should be strong right now, comforting Todoroki, but instead he's on the very edge of crashing headfirst into a whirlwind of anxiety and guilt that he's worked so hard to get over. Squeezing Todoroki's fingers in his own, he sighs heavily, a shaky and pathetic little breath. "Please stay."

"Okay." The answer is quiet and almost shy, the reassuring hold he returns calming his broken breaths just enough for him to manage a shaky smile.

Izuku notices Todoroki's stance wobbling and moves to support him, walking them both back to his room where they both sit on the edge of his bed. They make idle small-talk over the background noise of his TV until Todoroki's eyes are spending more time closed than open and Izuku offers to let him rest for a while. Despite many complaints that he doesn't need it, Izuku doesn't stop his incessant demands that he does so anyway, and before long Todoroki sighs in defeat.

"I really don't want to impose. Any more than I already have, anyway…" He stifles a yawn at the end of that sentence and Izuku has a hard time not finding it cute. Especially as his body is already tilting sideways as if his head is being magnetically pulled towards Izuku's pillow.

"I insist. Tell me if you need anything." Todoroki hums, already halfway towards dreamland as he pulls his legs over the bed and curls up on his side.

As soon as Todoroki's breaths steady to indicate he's fast asleep, Izuku's eyes dart towards the door and he considers actually going after Endeavor to give him a piece of his mind. Instead, he sits at his desk and plugs his headphones into the desktop before clicking away at his social media networks. As much as he wants to have a heated argument with the hero using his fully charged fists, there's someone here who needs him more than that burning desire for justice.

Which isn't to say he's going to stop thinking about it any time soon.

NOTE: Just a little idea I had, it might eventually maybe have a small sequel but as for now it stays as a one-shot. We'll see :D Hope you enjoyed, thank you for reading and feel free to leave any feedback you might have ^-^