Chapter 2: Origins and Meetups

I still don't own anything.

I did want to put a warning that this chapter contains abuse and a suicide attempt. It isn't necessary to read through. It's about how I thought Todoroki could have gotten his scar since in this story they don't have quirks. For those who don't want to read it if it may trigger you, stop reading at "remember it like it was yesterday" and pick up at "faded black", It is also broken up with a line dash :).

Carry on.

-Athena

Todoroki woke up with the sun glaring streaks of white gold on his face. Squinting his eyes he moved his hands to his face and rubbed his eye sockets till they were raw with his palms. He had a massive headache and his arms and legs were sore from the work he had done the night before. A hangover. He really had a hangover from just one drink.

He groaned loudly knowing Deku could probably hear him through the walls. He opened his arms and legs out wide in a large stretch, his body taking a large shake when he stretched too far. He looked around his surroundings and realized quickly he had no idea how he had gotten back to his room.

Deku must have carried me, he thought to himself. He sure as hell didn't remember walking so that had to be what happened. He smiled to himself, he was so grateful to have someone watch out for him like Deku did. Todoroki rolled out of his bed placing his feet on the cold tile ground, with a loud humph he lifted himself off of the bed and walked into the hall passing Deku's door before arriving at the bathroom.

He then quickly got ready for the day, going to the bathroom then brushing his teeth and brushing his hair. After he finished running the comb through his thick hair he stared at himself. He looked down at his chest and arms. He had been gaining more and more muscle from his and Deku's trips to the gym. He looked at his grey and blue eyes each glazed over with a mix of pain and sorrow.

Around left eye laid a large burn, an incident involving his father. His mother had just checked into the hospital after a suicide attempt and his father like always blamed it on him. He remembered it like yesterday.

And suddenly he was back, he was five years old staring as his mother was wheeled away covered in blood. He had walked in on her. He flashed to the moment he walked through the bathroom door desperate for his mother to help him with a math problem. But instead of her throwing him into her arms like always ready to help, she laid lifeless on the floor. Her arms spread out in front of her bleeding out onto the ground. His eyes welled with tears as he screamed, shoving her lifeless body hoping to get a response. He looked to his right and there lied something gleaming in the light. Almost taunting him. It was dripping with his mother's blood. He stilted another scream and ran into the kitchen where the nearest phone was. Even at the age of five he managed to dial the numbers and call an ambulance.

The ambulance showed up 3 minutes later, quickly wrapping her arm up, performing CPR in the process. They placed her onto a stretcher and that was the last time Todoroki saw her. As she was lifted into the back of the ambulance, the doors slamming behind her. Leaving him with his neighbors watching as his mom disappeared into the light of day.

That night, his neighbors left him alone with his father.

His father came home in a drunk stupor. He reeked of gin and sweat and Todoroki knew he shouldn't bother him, he always got physical when he was like this. And knowing that his wife had just attempted suicide? There was no way Todoroki was going to come out of this night without at least a couple of bruises. He let out a large sigh and walked into the kitchen. He put the pot on for tea and began to prep it. Hopefully this would pull his father out of his drunken rage soon.

"You know it's your fault right?" Todoroki turned toward the red headed man who was stumbling closer to him, turquoise eyes staring into his soul.

Todoroki shook his head in fear, tears threatening to spill out onto his cheeks.

"N...no it wasn't I swear dad" He shook his head even more violently. It wasn't really his fault was it?

"She hated you… thought you were a disgrace. A disgrace to us, a disgrace to the family. Too ugly and strange for your own good."

Todoroki nodded his head slowly, it wasn't anything he hadn't heard before. If he just stayed quiet and nodded his head, he should hopefully only end up with a bruised stomach. He'd just one punch him and walk away.

But his dad had a fire in his eyes, lit by the alcohol and the anger that Todoroki had never seen before. He began to cower in hopes that the nightmare would soon be over.

"Again, you have nothing to say? So beit. I guess I'll just have to punish the apology out of you." Within an instant, Todoroki saw stars twinkling as the air was violently pushed out of him. It was harder than usual, filled to the brim with anger and hurt. Todoroki struggled for air, shaking violently, his father still had the same amount of hatred hidden behind his eyes.

"It's n..not my fault." Todoroki stuttered. When it came out he instantly knew he made a mistake. The fire that was rising in his father's eyes grew stronger and brighter. Threatening to explode from his body. The hatred spewed from him like water released from a dam, and in an instant he had Todoroki by the neck pinned by the stove. It was a small moment where his father's eyes separated from his own; small enough that Todoroki thought his father was thinking better of what he was doing. Until he saw his father's eyes land on the kettle of water boiling on the stove. He flashed back to Todoroki and smiled like a sadistic serial killer, teeth white and out in a maniacal grin.

His eyes blinked back tears, refusing to accept the truth and continuing to blame it on his five year old child. It was Enji's fault that his wife had tried, she had tried to leave this place where she could suffer no more. It was his countless days of verbal and physical abuse that drove her away from him. But all Enji could see was red, all he could see was his pathetic son not being there to help her. So when he was given the chance he pressed harder into Todoroki's throat, laughing as the child gasped for air.

"This will make you see who you really are." He said in a low growl, "A hideous boy who no one will ever love" he spat, "A boy who is the cause of everyone's problems" and in an instant Todoroki saw him grab the kettle from the stove and opened the lid. He hastily poured the hot liquid on top of Todoroki's left side, causing instant pain. He cried and whined for help but his father simply dropped him and walked to his room slamming the door shut. Todoroki sprinted out of the house through the back door and didn't stop till he reached his neighbor's house; banging on the door he begged for someone to let him in. The door opened swiftly, an older woman with kind brown eyes and deep frown lines opened the door. She immediately hugged the young boy as he broke down and wept. He didn't even know how long he stood there weeping, he just cried till the tears stopped coming and everything faded black.

Todoroki traced his burn with his hand gently, still afraid that it may sting if he touched it too hard. And then he cried, his shoulders wretched with the pain of the memory and he was gone. He collapsed to the floor, his head in his hands and let the tears run.

It was maybe 5 minutes later when he heard a soft knock at the door followed by a quiet entry and thud to the floor. Then a heavy weight that could only be an arm was placed around his shoulders, holding him tightly to a strong chest. All Todoroki saw was a mess of green curls as he sank further into the chest. He sobbed quietly into his shirt for what felt like hours while Deku ran his hand on his shoulder and back encouraging the boy to let everything out.

"What happened? Did you have another flashback?" Deku said as he began to play with Todoroki's hair. Todoroki bent into the touch, resting his head onto Deku's shoulder and nodded it slightly. Tears still slipped from his eyes. This was the 2nd time this month and Deku was starting to get worried.

Deku held Todoroki close to his side, he knew that sometimes, Todoroki just wanted to be held when he got like this. It showed him that he cared about him and loved him without having to say the words.

They sat like that for hours, letting Todoroki get everything out. At around 12:30 the tears had stopped flowing, leaving a mask of red puffy eyes and streaks of dried tears. He was still trembling, but not with as much force as before.

Deku looked down at him and smiled, "You feeling a little better, Shou?" Todoroki lifted his head slowly with a trace of a smile formed on his lips. Any use of his first name was reserved for use in times like these, and it always made him feel better. As if hearing his best friend saying it caused a ray of sunshine to hit him straight through his heart.

He thought about his friend's question and blushed feeling slightly embarrassed that Deku so often had to come in and comfort him when he got like this. He slowly nodded his head as he stared into the gleaming green eyes that were currently lined with concern. Tears grazing the corners of Deku's eyes. Before he could think twice, Todoroki raised his hand to wipe the tears away.

"Izuku, shouldn't I be the one crying?" Todoroki said with a slight chuckle.

Deku nodded his head quickly, wiping the rest of his tears away and smiled sadly, sending pangs of something into Todoroki's chest.

"I know I just… I just want to make sure you're okay. I just really...I really care about you Shou" The words trembled out quickly and shakily, afraid of scaring his counterpart. He tended to jump at the sound of love, something he never really got as a child. But to his surprise, Todoroki just held his gaze and then nodded in understanding, causing Deku's cheeks to tint in a light pink that was barely visible to the naked eye.

"How about we get something to eat? I know you haven't eaten since six yesterday."

Todoroki winced, he was super comfortable and he didn't really want to get up. Until a large growl came from his stomach, his hunger unable to be ignored. The two of them chuckled and Todoroki nodded back to Deku, agreeing that it was probably the smartest idea.

Deku however could still tell that Todoroki didn't want to get up so he added, "I'll make your favorite, cold soba!" And Todoroki's eyes instantly lit up. That was almost worth getting up for. Not only was it his favorite, but it was Deku's best dish that he could make. He quickly nodded and then felt Deku's arm move from his body, making him instantly miss his warmth and comfort. And with that Todoroki began to question if he really did want to move. But before he could think twice, a hand was outstretched in front of him. He reached out and grabbed it, using it to pull himself off the tile floor of the bathroom. They intertwined their fingers and Deku led the way to the kitchen practically dragging Todoroki behind him.

When they arrived at their destination, Todoroki took his respective spot on the counter hopping onto it to watch Deku at work. Todoroki didn't really know how to make anything so it usually was Deku cooking while Todoroki watched and tried to help when he could. Usually that meant maybe cracking eggs or peeling things. He couldn't be trusted with much else. He watched Deku spring into action, following Todoroki's memorized movements. Deku filled a pot with water, salting it, then placing it on the electric stove, turning the heat all the way up in hopes it would make the water boil faster. He then began to combine the rest of the ingredients till the water boiled. He quickly dropped the Soba noodles in and went back to what he was doing, cutting the chives. Once they were done, Deku fixed plates for both of them as Todoroki jumped off the counter and grabbed napkins for the two of them. He grabbed his plate from Deku and they moved to the couch, Deku grabbing the remote searching for something to watch.

They settled on some show about a world in which everyone had a quirk and they ate their food while they watched side by side in quiet, arms rubbing against each other with the slightest movement. Once they finished their food Todoroki got up and started to do the dishes. Deku paused the show and went to check his phone. Sure enough there was a missed message from Bakugou.

B: Hey, how's your morning going?

Deku smiled to himself and typed a quick response and sent it off.

D:It's been pretty good, just hanging with Todoroki

Deku sat staring at Todoroki, when his phone buzzed again.

B: Nice, sounds like fun. Hey I was hoping you were still up for a date tomorrow? I know you said you were off.

Deku blushed furiously, he had totally forgotten he had told Bakugou he would go on a date with him. He thought back and forth on it, still deciding if he should go on the date. As he went back and forth he decided why not what was the harm. And typed his response.

D: Yeah I'm in. What are we doing?

B: I figured we could get food and maybe go for a small hike? I don't really do movie dates.

Deku laughed to himself, he said yes and the two worked out the details of the time and place where they would meet. Right after he sent off that text, Todoroki plopped right down next to him. He must have still been red in the face as Todoroki poked him on the cheek.

"What are you blushing about?" Gone was the sad Todoroki, replaced by a rare cheery side of the man. Deku swiped his hand away from his face and laughed.

"I just set up my date with Bakugou tomorrow. Fingers crossed that it goes well." Deku literally held up both hands doing a fingers crossed motion. His eyes were squinted slightly but he swore he saw Todoroki straighten and stiffen up at the mention of Bakugou.

"Oh nice, what are you guys gonna do?" Deku detected something underneath Todoroki's tone but he couldn't place it. Instead of thinking twice about it, Deku simply smiled up at Todoroki and explained the plan for tomorrow, where they were meeting and the time, what they were planning on doing. Todoroki still looked visually uncomfortable.

"I promise I'll be okay! It'll be fun and if there is any sign of trouble I promise will call you." Deku said in hopes of comforting him. Todoroki's face visually relaxed. The attempt in comforting had work and he nodded his head.

"As long as he doesn't hurt you." Todoroki said sternly. Glaring daggers into their coffee table.

"He won't I've grown a lot since then Shou, you know that."

Todoroki knew he was right. The two had taken up self defense classes soon after Todoroki realized how many bullies Deku had had. The two had quickly grown quite strong. Todoroki stared at Deku, he saw how the latter's muscles had grown since they were young. Gone were the small biceps, replaced with layers of thick muscle, he followed the dip of his collarbone and down his chest. The ribs that once stood out like a sore thumb replaced by a thick set of ab muscles that laid perfect with his pecs behind his shirt. He knew Deku was right, he could take care of himself. Their training had ensured that. But Todoroki had wanted nothing more than to protect him, ensure that no one would ever bully him to the point of tears again.

Deku's arm reached out to Todoroki's shoulder and shook him.

"Hello? Earth to Shouto? I'll be fine I promise." Deku looked him dead in the eyes, causing both of them to turn a deep shade of red. Todoroki quickly looked away.

"I know. Just be safe." He said looking back at him once he was sure the red was gone from his face. When he looked back at Deku, he was still recovering his cheeks now tinged a dark pink rather than the dark red from before. He nodded back at him and they both turned back to watch the show until Deku had to leave for work.

Monday afternoon had finally arrived and Deku was excited. He was going to meet Bakugou at a trail by their old neighborhood, one they had often completed as kids. He was so excited in fact that he got ready a whole hour early.

Deku stripped his clothes from his morning workout, as he jumped into the cold shower, feeling his sweat slip off in the cool water. He stood there for a minute, smiling to himself, unable to believe the day had finally come. That he was about to go on a date. He quickly shook himself, snapping himself out of his trance. He scrubbed all the dirt and grime that hadn't washed off in the first rinse, and shampooed his hair in the process.

When he stepped out of the shower a cold breeze shook him to his core, making him immediately stretch for his towel. He wrapped it around his waist tightening it so it wouldn't fall. Then grabbed a second towel and threw it on top of his head and shook it, trying to get all the water droplets out; leaving behind a mess of frizzy green hair. He brushed his teeth and combed gently through his hair with gel until it resembled a more contained mess of green curls rather than a bird's nest. He spritzed two puffs of his cologne on his neck and wrists rubbing the former together. He smiled at himself shakily, a vote of confidence in himself. He just needed to get through the date without doing something stupid. Right?

With that flurry of confidence building, Deku opened the door and bounded into the hall. Running into a strong figure that could be none other than his reserved roommate heading to work. Deku flushed as he pulled away from the hard body infront of him. In all the years of them living together, never once had this happened. Deku usually just changed in the bathroom but he had forgotten his clothes and figured "Eh what could it hurt?"

Deku apologized profusely and looked up at Todoroki who currently wasn't saying anything, just standing there with his mouth slightly ajar fumbling to come up with words.

"I...Uh… Good luck on your date Midoriya" And with that Todoroki flew past Deku and out the front door ending with a loud click signaling the lock had been put into place. Deku wondered to himself what had happened. Todoroki almost never used Midoriya when he was speaking to him. Deku shrugged it off and labeled it as surprise from Deku running into him half naked, but he couldn't get the thought of how Todoroki seemed to have been staring at every inch of his muscle out of his head. The thought made Deku shiver, it had almost seemed like Todoroki had been dying to devour him right there. Deku shook again trying to get the image out of his head, there had been no way that was what actually happened he was probably just imagining it. Deku decided that was probably the case and walked down the hall, slower than before. Just in case for some reason, somebody else randomly popped out.

Todoroki stood outside the door for a solid ten minutes unable to physically move himself from the spot. He had one hundred percent just checked out his best friend. His cheeks were still warm from the embarrassment of running into him in the hall, his chest still tight heaving for him to breathe. Not only had Todoroki checked him out but he loved what he saw. In that short time frame he had somehow snapped a picture of Deku in his head and kept going over it over and over and over.

He had seen his bare chest, something that wasn't necessarily new to Todoroki but seeing him right out of the shower with water still dripping off him with that enticing smell? That was new. He had been focusing on a drop of water that dripped from his clavicle down tracing the muscles Todoroki wished he could reach out to trace memorize himself. Scars had lined Deku's body from the countless hours sparring with Todoroki and suddenly he had an urge to kiss every single one. Todoroki had to physically slap himself in the face for thinking such thoughts. He was his best friend, there was no way he felt like there was something more there, right? Now he wasn't so sure.

With a large sigh, he headed off to work so he wouldn't be there when Deku left for his date in 10 minutes.

Deku threw on his dark almost blackish green t-shirt and paired it with some black jeans and tennis shoes. The hike they were going on was for the most part mostly paved so he would be fine in just some casual clothes. He combed his fingers through his hair one last time and let go of a heavy breath. It was now or never.

Deku arrived five minutes early which is why he was so surprised when he got to the gazebo and the blonde man was already standing there waiting. Hands in his pockets, Bakugo looked angrily at the ground, his hair was spiked in its usual pomeranian style and his skin was tinged a golden hue. From where Deku was all he could do was admire. His black button down shirt was formed tightly to the muscular man's body, and with 3 buttons undone, it left Deku to wonder what lay further underneath. He wore similar jeans to Deku's but his were longer and somehow more filled out than Deku's. To be fair though Bakugou did have 4 or 5 inches off his own height. Not quite as tall as Todoroki but still well higher than Deku who stood at 5'10.

He stepped closer and was entranced with a caramel like smell, and it was intoxicating Deku had to take a step back to ensure he wouldn't jump Bakugou the second he looked up.

"Sorry if I'm late," Deku said meekly. He double checked his watch and double checked again. Nope he was still early.

"You aren't just figured I'd get here early, I was uh kinda excited." Bakugou said as he proceeded to rub the back of his neck in a nervous way with a deep chuckle. He looked up at Deku and Deku instantly became entranced even further when he looked into the emotion filled red eyes.

When Deku didn't respond, Bakugou grumbled to himself.

"What is that fucking weird?" He said with a slight hint of anger. Deku snapped out of his trance and turned into what one could only call the color red.

"No, no it's just that I thought I was gonna be here too early, and I was just so excited and I yeah no I am too" And with that Bakugou's face softened.

"I'm glad," he said quietly, barely audible to the normal human ear, causing Deku to blush even harder.

"Alright loser you ready? I'm tired of waiting on your dumbass." Bakugou claimed, humor tracing each word. He put out his hand toward Deku in hopes he would take it. Which Deku happily obliged. He gripped Bakugou's hand so hard it had actually made him wince.

"Damn Deku, that's quite a grip you got." Deku smirked up at the red eyed boy and thought to himself "Maybe this will be a great date after all."