Thank you to those who have read and reviewed my story so far! I wasn't expecting reviews right away, so it was a neat surprise.
By the way, Thank you for your ideas, they are clever, I shall think about it, and funny you should say that Hardcasekara, I have ideas in mind and then some, you'll have to read for yourself to see cause you know the drill: no spoilers.
By the way, who is Shihai, I don't think I remember who that is?
I only own the story, I don't own my hero academia like I said.
Now here's chapter 2!
Never had they thought that they would ever have a real meal like this, not just given bread, water, fruit on an occasion, but a REAL meal, one that tastes more delicious then what they were use to eating.
It was a simple lunch to most people: rice, beef stew, Fresh cheese bread, and salad. But to them it was a feast fit for kings.
Sighs of satisfaction and relief came out of them, smiling as Shiguraki and Kurogiri rubbed their stomaches in bliss as they finished their meals.
Inko smiled at this along with Izuku, happy to see them smiling for once with full stomaches.
Albeit they were hesitant at first to take a bite at first, staring at their food as if it were poisoned, even seemed a little fidgety in their seats. But once Izuku showed them that it was safe to eat they took a bite, which made their eyes lit up like stars before they dug right in in a quick pace, at some point choked on their food a bit before being pat on the back by Inko and giving then tall glasses of Apple juice to help, telling then gently to eat slower so to avoid that and saviour the flavor and taste of it.
Inko could tell there was more to these boys then she knows more then what she's seen, Who had introduced themselves to her and she did the same, judging by the way they were eating a little bit ago, how they were acting, and at some point they even had tears in their eyes, though none fell and they hid them when they ducked their heads and wiped their tears away.
She wasn't a detective like Sherlock Holmes, but she did have a keen eye for detail. Whether this was from learning from reading detective stories lately or a motherly intuition at play, she believes its mainly the latter.
She wanted to ask them about what they been through, but she chose not to, at least not right away. She wanted the boys to know that they were safe and they could trust them before she asked and make calls about this.
She was pretty sure of one thing: these poor boys must be victims of child abuse, which was a very delicate subject, hence why she didn't asked them right away, she had a feeling that Izuku was going to tell her how she found them, but whether he forgot at the moment but would remember to tell her later or he wanted to wait until things died down a bit? she guess it was the former. Izuku is bright in some aspects but he is still a kid after all.
"I'm glad you two enjoyed the lunch I made," Inko said, "You two must've been starving."
"You have no idea Mrs. Midoriya." Kurogiri said with a sigh.
"I Can't remember the last time I had a meal this good and filling." Shiguraki said, though it was more of a quiet whisper that was barely audible, though Inko heard him.
While Inko kept a smile on her face on the outside, on the inside however she mentally frowned at that.
She only just met them not too long ago but already she could tell that they've been through a lot, too much for two 4 year olds boys to experience.
Again she didn't know their story, but she will keep observing and help the boys for now until the time would be right to ask them.
As for Izuku, he saw the look in his mom's eyes, sympathy, sadness, like she wanted to ask them something, but chose not to, or at least not now.
Why that was? He didn't know.
"So, what do you boys like to do for fun?" Inko suddenly asked their two young guests, not wanting to seem like something was off.
The boys were not expecting to be asked that question since no one had ever asked them what they liked to do for fun nor anything they liked personally for that matter.
To them it seemed foreign, though didn't want to seem awkward to their hostess then they already had, so one of them (Shiguraki) replied after thinking for a bit on what to say until it hit him.
"W-We like to play h-h-hide and se-seek from time t-to time."
That was only half the truth, The boys did like to play that game with each other (though it seemed kinda stale since it was only just the two of them that would play it, not like they had a choice there), most of the time however it was spent as training trying to hide from their so called "Caretakers" when they did something that got them angry, or To hide from the other kids who want to pelt them with rocks or something that would do harm to them to make them miserable, or both, especially on Mondays (not everyone enjoys Monday's).
When he said that, that was when Izuku smiled as he chimed in, previous thoughts set at the back of his mind until later, "Mom, can Kurogiri, Tomura and I play hide and seek?" Izuku asked his mother, practically bouncing in his seat.
"Of course." Inko nodded, thinking it would be a great idea, "Tomura, Kurogiri, would you like that? To play hide and seek with my son?"
This took the boys by surprise (is there anything that won't take them by surprise today?), especially that... they said his first name.
Nobody wanted to play with them back at the orphanage, Nobody, because they were either scared of them or hated them or both, because of their quirks and what incidents they had caused by accident that was costly and brought terror in the house and money was strapped when some of the more expensive things that needed to be replaced got destroyed or if someone got hurt and needed a doctor by their quirks (again, not intentionally).
What surprised them the most was that Izuku was the first to called Shiguraki by his first name, instead of his last name.
While everyone at the orphanage called his brother by his first name, they called him by his last name, so much so that he was not use to being called by his first at all even when only Kurogiri was the only one who called him by his first name. When everyone said either of his names they said it with spite and resentment, fear and hatred especially. Same with Kurogiri though they were more spiteful towards Shiguraki. But when Izuku and his mom said it... there was none of that, instead there was... affection, kindness, gentleness. .. three things they weren't use to.
When they said them like that... it didn't make them flinch for once... instead it felt. ... wanted, Like they would never be turned away. ..
"S-sure," Kurogiri stuttered again, "We-We-we would love to p-play, r-right Tomura?"
"O-of course." Shiguraki said, nodding quickly, trying to hide his blush.
XXX (GONNA CALL SHIGURAKI BY HIS FIRST NAME FROM HERE ON OUT)
'What a day,' was all the two could think of as the two boys laid in the sleeping bags that Inko gave them to use as they were in Izuku's room as it Izuku insisted on them staying with him for the night.
The rest of the day was full of surprises (unexpected but pleasant, even happy ones thankfully) for the boys.
They were actually able to play hide and seek with another person and for once it was more fun to play it then they could recall, Izuku was great at finding them, even better at hiding, so great that the two gave up after what seemed like hours trying to find him until he sprang at them yelling 'boo' to surprise them, he meant no harm from that because he was laughing happily and said it was a harmless prank as he explained and said he had fun with them and they were fun to play with and that surprises like that were for fun, and the two took a few moment to process this and realise this before they could not help but laugh as well with him as it seemed to be contagious. And it only grew when Izuku told them some hilarious jokes that made them fall to their knees. Neither of them could remember the last time they ever actually laughed like this, nor had fun playing with somebody else.
After that Izuku brought them over to the t.v. to watch the new All Might movie. The boys knew that there were heroes and what a t.v. was but they didn't know who All Might was though they heard his name once or twice from the other children and the adults at the orphanage, and they've never watched t.v. before, they told him that.
Mostly they were kept in a room, with nothing but an old matress and a dress to keep what little things they had (which they lost when they escaped from there), no one came in to help them nor play with them, only just to bring them food that was less then decent or to yell and scorn them, hurt them even, mainly this was from the adults.
They dare not tell him this though. Nor of the fact that while they've heard of some heroes here and there they were unaware of where these heroes were stationed, Most likely by the workers at the orphanage to keep the boys from finding them and getting the cops to Arrest the people at there for child abuse and neglectence.
They remember their conversation with Izuku:
"You don't know who All Might is?" Izuku in confusion, a bit of shock.
Izuku honestly never thought that there could people out there who didn't knew who he was.
"No, well not exactly," Kurogiri explained, "We've heard his name here and there, but one would tell us who he was."
"How come?" Izuku asked.
"...Well.. with our quirks ... we weren't company that someone wanted to be around. .." Kurogiri explained, hesitantly and only saying the main point of their case.
Izuku knew that they were in a really bad spot, he didn't know what it was and he wanted to ask them, but chose not to.
He had asked them on their way to his house in the apartment complex, but the two boys looked very uncomfortable about it. Kurogiri said that they didn't want to talk about it right now as it was a ... sensitive subject for them, Izuku could see that and he understood, it bothered him a bit that they would not tell him there as he hoped he would help them more, but he knew to respect someone's personal space (his mother raised him to be polite and respectful to others) so he let it go for now.
So he instead smiled, and said, "Well today you're gonna learn all about him. Come on!"
He told them as he dragged them over to the t.v. just as the movie was about to begin.
To say they were amazed and awestruck would be an understatement for Tomura and Kurogiri. This Hero, All Might, was strong, fast, heroic, kind, selfless and always risked his live to save people with a Bright, assuring and fearless smile.
Izuku explained that he is the #1 hero, the symbol of peace, The best of the best in all of Japan, in the whole world really.
He told them of all the great things he's done, even showing them (with his mom's help and supervision) a video on the computer of when All might made his first grand debut that was recorded years ago.
It was thanks to Izuku that they were hooked on him, he even showed them the hero merchandise (mainly of All Might) he had, and played with some of his action figures. ( it took a bit of convincing though since the boys have never actually played with toys before)
Though Tomura was hesitant as he didn't want to accidentally destroy his belongings because of his quirk.
When He told him this, it got Izuku thinking for a bit before he ask him if there were some details to his quirk after he told him and his brother that he like to analyze people's quirks, heroes especially, and people who had amazing quirks in general, taking notes on their strengths and tactics and drawbacks on their quirks.
While this surprised them both as he was only (Quite literally) the same age as them though he seem to act like he was older then he looked in that regard, neither saw any harm in telling him.
First Tomura, then Kurogiri, as Izuku wrote it down in his notebook, putting as much carefully details as possible and make his writing not seem childish (his mom did have him take some writing classes to improve his hand writing which payed off). Showing him a bit more demonstrations with their quirks (Tomura disintegrating things that were of no use like a crippled up piece of paper, a broken dish and a broken pen).
Interesting Fact: Tomura's quirk only works on solid things, anything liquid based like water for example will render his quirk useless if he can't grasp something solid. And Kurogiri can even turn his whole body into the black mist that comes from his quirk making him not only more ominous and this makes him fast and levitate off the ground for a while but also harder to be ensnared by his enemies, and transform back afterwards.
He then seem to be in deep thought before his face brighten up as if an idea hit him.
Excusing himself for a minute he left the room leaving the boys confused for a few moments until Izuku came back with a pair of thick grey cotton gloves and a pair of scissors (Small safety scissors) with a smile on his face.
At first the two were more confused about why he brought those things and used the scissors to cut only the whole sleeves for the pink and ring finger of each glove, but then he told them as he was finished, putting the scissors down:
"When you told me about you quirk Tomura, it got me thinking... does your quirk work on things thats the same surface or does it work on all of them?"
That made him more confused, not exactly sure what him meant by that as he tilted his head a bit. What does he mean? He wondered to himself.
"like if a had something that was wood and something made of plastic or clothes, if you were to put one hand on them as they lay side by side at the same time, would it still work?" Izuku continued
When he said that, it was as if a ton of bricks had hit him as his eyes widened.
Come to think of it... had he ever actually thought of doing that with his quirk?
As far as memories serve he only touched and disintegrated things that were not two or more different surfaces, just the same like a whole frige or something.
Had he ever actually tried to experiment more on how his Quirk worked then what he had discovered?
He... wasn't sure... he never gave it a shot since was more focused on trying to survive the ill conditions of the accommodation's he and Kurogiri were forced to live in at the orphanage. Back when they were trying to not cause anyone any trouble then what they already did unintentionally and by accident.
Could he actually give it a try now that he wasn't there and dealing with that anymore?
"I... haven't actually. .. thought about that. .." Tomura told him truthfully, though nervously.
"Well we won't know unless we try right?" Kurogiri asked hopefully as it had hit him too that he never thought about that either.
"Right!" Izuku chimed before he handed him the gloves, his smile seem to not end with assurance, "So lets test it out and see. what do you say?"
Tomura looked at him before he looked at the gloves in his hand, as if contemplating on whether he should try or not.
He was hesitant as he feared that it wouldn't work... his Quirk was too dangerous, how could one tame a quirk like this? Sure he had practice on not using his whole hand on something or someone less he caused severe harm, but even then it was still feared by everyone and it was not enough to make him less dangerous.
In his mind he wondered what should he do.
But then his mind trailed back to the Film he and others were watching earlier as he then remembered what All Might said at one point of the movie when he was talking his sidekick (one of them anyways) Sir Nighteye.
("... It's risky yes, and like you said it may not work, but how will you know that it won't work if you don't give it a try? How will you know that you will fail or susucceed if you don't take the risk?...")
That was when it hit him.
If he didn't give it a try how will he know that it will work or not? How will he know that his quirk can be tamed if he didn't take the risk?
"Well," Tomura thought to himself after he thought a little more about this, "If All Might is willing to take the risk, then so should I."
With a nod Tomura gingerly accepted the gloves from Izuku, only using his thumb, index and middle to grab them and carefully putting the first one on as he quickly discovered and was surprised that the inside of the gloves were not cotton but of a different material entirely that he didn't recognize as he slipped his pinky and ring finger through first (which came out through their respective holes) before he slowly slipped the rest of his fingers into the glove as he closed his eyes immediately with a flinch, waiting for the enevitible to happen.
... But nothing happened. ..
A few more seconds went by and still nothing happened, Tomura didn't feel the glove decay away as he slowly opened his eyes (though relunctantly) as saw it as clear as day... As his eyes widened in shock, shocked beyond shocked as he didn't realize that his jaw had dropped as his gloved hand was shaking...
... The glove didn't turn to dust... nor did it look like it was rotting away at the literal seams. .. it remained intact.
"I didn't destroy it... its still here!" Tomura thought in disbelief, not even realising that tears welled up in his eyes, "Could this be true? I'm not dreaming right?"
Seeing this made Izuku chuckled as his theory was correct while for Kurogiri he was just as shocked as his brother but then relief washed it away as he smiled, close to letting his tears burst out at this.
Looking at the other glove he carefully put it on his other hand the same way as the first one, and it too did not rot away.
Looking down at his now mostly gloved and shaking hands his mind was still trying to process this, couldn't believe that this was happening, immediately Tomura pinched himself on the arm.
Ouch. it stung.
It hurt. He was still here.
This wasn't a dream. "This is real." Tomura thought to himself.
Slowly but hesitantly he closed his hands into complete fists for the first time, gripping them before releasing them. Again nothing happened, gloves were still present and he was unharmed.
"This is real." Tomura thought that again as his whole being began to shake.
Soon he felt something run down his cheeks as he realized that it was his tears as they blurry his vision, but he didn't stop them nor could he hold back as it felt like another dam inside of him had bursted as he brought his hands up to his face, one covered his right eye (entirely now that there was no fear of harming himself accidentally) and the other trying to fruitlessly wipe away the unending tears from his left as he broke down yet again that day as he cried.
At first this concerned Izuku until Kurogiri, who knew exactly what was going through his brothers head, Explained to him that Tomura was not crying in sadness, but with pure relief and joy at the fact that because of him, the blue haired boy now had a way to not only not accidentally cause destruction and harm to people with his quirk, but to also do things normally without having to keep some of his fingers up because of his destructive quirk. That there was hope to control his quirk more sufficiently. And it was thanks to Izuku... That he, Kurogiri himself, would not have to suffer watching his brother suffer like had in the past for so long nor feel helpless to help him anymore AND that his brother Tomura no longer had to bear such a burden he had been carrying for so long, this pain and anguish, anger and fear could finally been washed away by his, Izuku's, act of kindness, no, another act of kindness by him.
At this Both of the orphan boys thanked him immensely, they didn't feel like that had deserved this but they were grateful to him and were touched once again by his loving heart.
This made Izuku happy. Happy that he could help them again. Sure he still didn't know what their situation was, and chances are that he may not understand why they were forced to suffer besides for their quirks, but still if he was able to help them, if he could smile and tell them things will be okay just like his hero would, then he was happy.
For the second time that day they were in a group hug as Izuku once again lend his shoulders for his guests to cry on.
After what seemed like another for hours or so, the crying eventually ceased and the boys coukd now resume with their play time with no hesitation.
After a while Inko came in to check on they and asked Tomura and Kurogiri if they wanted to spend a few days with them.
This made Izuku ecstatic as he was jumping up and down with glee, While this confused the boys about her offering to them who were strangers to her to remain in her house so suddenly, but if it meant that they would not have to sleep in the streets anymore nor go back to the orphanage then they would not complain.
Then Inko drew them a nice hot bath for them, their tub was big enough for all 3 of the boys to take a bath together. Even offering to wash their clothes and lend them some of her son's clothes (which he didn't mind at all).
Tomura already had practice before getting the gloves on how to avoid activating his quirk, so grabbing the soap and shampoo and conditioner in the tub would not be a problem.
In the tub they were able to clean each other off (without clothes nor bandages in the way), Izuku continue to talk to them while they listened, about himself, what school he went too and what he learned there (they were more interested in that since they never went to school, they had to teach themselves back at thei prison of a home), and about his friend Katsuki Bakugo who had recently gotten his quirk a few days ago). Then somewhere during their bath time they they got into a splash fight as they all laughed, having fun that seem to be just as contagious as laughter.
Tomura and Kurogiri could not remember for the life of them when they ever had a bath like this (let alone a proper one or one at all most of the time), nor of when they ever actually had fun during bath time, nor the last time they felt so clean like this. They were in Bliss once again.
The rest of the day went on without a hitch, the boy played, had dinner and then went to bed.
All except Izuku who had to change his shirt because he got it wet from helping his mom put the dishes into the dishwasher and go to the bathroom.
"Its still hard to believe that all that happened today really... well happened." Kurogiri commented, turning to his brother, "To think we went to from having the worst day of our lives to having the best one ever."
"Yeah," Tomura agreed, turning to him, "Although apart of me still thinks this all just a dream, but it isn't, I've been pinching myself all day and still I find us both here. ... This is Surreal. .. but I'm not complaining..." He said with a sigh, A single tear welled up in his right eye as he smiled as he looked down at his gloves that were partially fingerless on his hands, ".. I can't even remember the last time I felt so safe... and happy. .. Izuku and his mom are so ... wonderful. .. If only we can stay here forever..."
"Same here." Kurogiri agreed.
It was then Izuku came in wearing a white pajama top with Black pajama bottom's, closing the door behind him as their conversation stopped.
"Ready for bed?" Izuku asked them.
"Yes!" The two orphan boys chimed, Tomura hid his tear as Izuku turned off the light.
Getting into bed Izuku told them, "I don't have School for a while Due to all the staff being sick, so we'll have plenty of time to play, and Tomorrow we're going to the park, there I can introduce you guys to Kacchan, Won't that be fun?"
"Yeah!" Both of them cheered.
"We've never been to the park before. " Kurogiri told him, "So this will be new to us, but exciting as well." Tomura concluded.
"Great!" Izuku chimed.
So the boys started to yawn, knowing it was time for bed, as they all go comfortable Tomura then said to Izuku:
"Izuku?"
"Yeah?" The Green haired boy asked.
"Thank you... for everything."
"Same here. " Kurogiri said with a nod.
Izuku nodded back, his smile full of joy at being thanked for helping someone, "Your welcome."
The boys said their good nights as they all soon went to slumberland.
XXX
Inko had Just hung up on the phone as she sighed. Her friend that owned her a favor will hopefully find something.
"Those poor boys... " She whispered sadly.
All Day she had been observing the boys from afar, making sure to take every little note down before she were to make THE call, not the one she did just finished moments ago, observing their reactions, what they said and how they interacted with .. well pretty much everything around them.
Even though she didn't show it to the boys, When she saw their injuries, scars and how clearly starved they were by how their ribs were kinda of but visibly still showing through their skin she was sickened and horrified.
And it only worsen along with her sadness when her son told her how he found them and what he heard from them when she spoke with him a little while ago after her son got changed, and what she heard the boys say all day and from beside the bedroom door before her son went in.
If none of this screamed being deprived of joy, nourishment and love, if this didn't scream that they were victims of child abuse she didn't know what would.
Well, she was going to help them, do whatever she can to give them a better life even if she had to fight for them which she will, hopefully she can get them to talk to her about their situation in the next day or so.
All she could do was wait and hope.
Leave you comment's and reviews on this please! Sorry for the wait, have a good day!