Beneath the Surface
By Spunky0ne
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Shoto Todoroki is a noble son and considered to be the masterpiece of the Todoroki clan leader, but beneath the surface is a troubled young boy who only dreams of rescuing the ones he loves from his abusive father. One day as he runs from the fate his father has planned for him, Shoto meets a handsome prince who offers him a way to enter another world…M/M, A late Mermay story
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Chapter 1: The Quiet Rage
The room was still dark when the heavy sound of the noble lord, Endeavor's footsteps in the hallway outside of Shoto's bedroom brought the little boy awake with a start. A moment later, the sting of his recent injury reached him and a little, pained sob escaped him. The sound was drowned out by the opening of the bedroom door, as Lord Endeavor made his entrance, fire blazing around his shoulders and flickering down the length of his torso.
"Shoto, wake up."
The boy in the bed whimpered and turned away, as though to protect the white side of his dual-toned hair. Endeavor frowned down at the bandages that covered part of the left side of his son's face and his blue eyes turned icy with disapproval.
"Get up."
He gave the little boy no time to comply with the order, but took hold of his small, trembling hand and pulled him to his feet.
"You're wasting time. Let's go."
"I barely got to sleep," Shoto whined, "It hurts."
"All the better," the blazing patriarch growled unsympathetically, "Today's lesson will help you learn to push through the pain. You need to be able to overcome pain to reach the goals I've set for you."
Shoto followed him as far as the hallway, before yanking his hand free and shrinking back against the wall.
"Where's Momma?" he whimpered, sniffling.
"That moronic woman?" his father huffed condescendingly, "She's where she belongs, in a mental institution. I can't believe she injured you like this at such a critical time in your development."
The harsh words stung even more than the angry, reddened burn on the little boy's face.
"It's your fault she did this! You're the reason she hurt me! You made her scared of me and…"
"No more talk," Endeavor snapped, taking him by the wrist and dragging him down the hallway, "It's time for your training."
He pulled the stumbling boy past the rooms of his sleeping brother and sister, then past a third bedroom that stood painfully empty.
First Toya and now Mom, Shoto thought mournfully, He makes everyone go away!
Tears leaked onto his pale face and ran down his flushed cheeks as they continued to the training room. Endeavor dragged him past the exercise equipment and released him suddenly in the center of the room. The boy's body shook with the knowledge of what was coming, but he clenched his hands into fists and gritted his teeth, knowing there was nothing he could do.
"I want you to try it again."
"N-no, I c-can't," the boy stammered, shivering, "It hurts too much."
"You'll get relief from the pain where we're finished. Not until," Endeavor said stiffly, "Now, increase the heat in your body slowly, like I told you, and focus the energy through your left side."
"I said it hurts too much!" Shoto objected, tears filling his eyes and leaking into the bandages on the left side of his face, "I can't!"
"I told you, you have to push through the pain!" his father insisted, his own fire flaring warningly, "Close your eyes for a moment, if it helps, and do it like I showed you."
"I…I can't…"
"Do it, Shoto!" Endeavor demanded, his voice carrying down the hallway and making the boy's two older siblings cringe and burrow more deeply under the covers.
His brother, Natsuo's teeth gritted and his eyes blazed, but he already knew better than to interfere. One room over, Fuyumi whimpered and covered her ears. Still, she couldn't escape the sound of their father slapping little Shoto as their brother continued to plead for an end to the early morning lesson.
The family servants, too, were wiser than to come between their lord and his youngest child as the two repeated their morning ritual of force and resistance, objection and punishment. After several minutes, the sobbing boy made a half-hearted attempt at using the flames in his left side, but high emotion and the stress of his situation, coupled with the demanding nature of the training overwhelmed his small body. Shoto heaved and threw up on the floor of the training room, but it seemed to go unnoticed by his singularly focused elder.
You will learn this move, Shoto, even if I have to force you to do so, Endeavor resolved, Of all of my children, only you have inherited both Rei's powerful ice quirk and my unrelenting flames. You are the masterpiece I have sacrificed so much to obtain, and I will not let you shrink away from your fate. I will show you what true power is, and you will someday be more powerful than All Might!
"Please, I can't do it anymore," Shoto panted, bracing himself and quivering under his father's scathing glare, "I'm trying, but…"
"Stop making excuses," Endeavor interrupted, "You are not leaving this room until you do as I say."
He couldn't help but be glad for the rising ringing in his ears that drowned out his father's incessant scolding, and he was barely cognizant by the time his body gave way and he collapsed in the small pool of vomit in front of him.
"Stubborn child!" Endeavor huffed in an exasperated voice, "Stay there, then, until you are ready to take your training seriously."
Shoto's hazy mind registered his father's footsteps moving away and his body reacted before he could think. He dragged himself onto unsteady legs and staggered out of the room, bolting across the walkway to a set of stairs that led down to the garden. He heard a muffled shout behind him, but knew better than to stop.
I have to get out of here! I'll find Mommy and run away!
He knew she was at a hospital, and that his father used a car to get there. As he staggered out the front gates of his family's estate, he looked around desperately.
"SHOTO!" his father's voice boomed.
The sound set him running, even though he was sure he might collapse again any minute. Tears filled his eyes and he ran into a thick bunch of bushes, where he cowered as Endeavor exited the estate and looked around for him.
"Come back here now!"
I can't do it anymore! I can't stay there and be bullied by him. If I do, then…!
His breaths shortened and his heart pounded as his father turned in the opposite direction and he felt an urge to run. He broke out of the bushes, heading around the corner as he heard his father break into a run somewhere behind him.
"SHOTO!"
He felt a swell of angry heat and a frightened sob escaped him. Panicking, he dove into another clump of bushes before realizing that their limbs were covered with sharp thorns that tore into his exposed face and arms. Undeterred, he crouched down behind them, wrapping his arms around himself and closing his eyes, trying desperately to make his breaths silent.
He's getting closer.
Tears ran in streams down the anguished boy's face as his father reached for him. But then, Endeavor stopped and cursed, drawing back and staring at a bleeding wound on his hand. Sensing that it was his only chance, Shoto shot out of the bushes and ran for the nearby dock.
"Come back here!" his father roared furiously, "You don't know how to swim, Shoto!"
It was strange to hear Endeavor's voice beginning to sound worried, butdriven beyond caring, the little boy fled to the water and threw himself off of the edge of the dock. His upper half splashed down into the water, but he loosed a bubbling scream of despair as Endeavor's big hand wrapped around one small ankle. Terror filled him and his eyes opened wide.
Shoto froze, staring as he found a pair of bright green eyes gazing deeply into his. He caught a flash image of buoyant green hair and a pale, freckled face, a humanoid torso, but a fishlike tail.
Then, he realized he'd forgotten he was under water, and he breathed in water and choked.
A heartbeat later, he was lifted out of the water by his foot, coughing and gagging as he violently expelled the water he'd choked on into Endeavor's angry face.
"Ridiculous little brat," Endeavor chided him, holding him under an arm as Shoto struggled and cried, pounding his small hands on his father's side.
"Let me go! Let me go!" the boy sobbed, "I hate you!"
"Go ahead and hate me," the fiery man scoffed, "but you will obey me, you little fool. Your crazy mother isn't here to hold you back anymore."
"Don't you talk about Mommy that way, you bully!"
"Be quiet. You're making a scene."
Endeavor stomped back to the entrance to the estate and handed the struggling boy off to one of the waiting female servants. As much as Shoto hated his father, he stopped trying to get away and collapsed in the elderly woman's arms, crying loudly.
"Take him to his room and lock him in," Endeavor ordered the woman.
"N-nooooo!"
Not wanting to hurt or upset the old woman, he walked along with her, continuing to cry and rub at his eyes with his one free hand.
"Eventually, you are going to understand that you have a destiny, Shoto," Endeavor's voice said, following them down the walkway.
"I don't want any stupid destiny that you're in!" Shoto fired back, sniffling.
"Come now, dear," the old servant woman said kindly, "Let's go and get you settled."
As his father disappeared around another corner, Shoto calmed and looked up at the woman through red, teary eyes.
"I don't wanna sleep, Chiasa-san. Will you tell me a story?"
"I'll tell you what," Chiasa chuckled, regaining her smile as the heaviness of Endeavor's presence faded, "You be a good little prince and hop up on your bed, and I will tell you whatever kind of story you want."
Shoto managed a little smile and rubbed his eyes.
"Even a Papa goes away and stays away story?" he asked.
"You can have whatever kind of story makes you feel better," Chiasa said, patting his cheek.
She blinked in surprise as Shoto flinched and ducked away from her hand, then seemed to realize what he'd done and colored.
"S-sorry," he apologized.
"It's not your fault, dear," the old woman reassured him, "Since your poor mother left…"
"You mean, since he took her to the hospital and made the doctors lock her up?" Shoto corrected her.
"Try not to think about that, sweetie."
"But, I miss her, Chiasa-san."
"Don't we all," the old woman sighed, "She was like you, so caring and kind."
"He's the one who should be locked up. He's a bully to everyone, but everyone thinks he's a hero."
"Hmm, I think the wise people know the truth, but they also know that the only one who can say something like that to Endeavor is a person who is stronger than him. And if you follow your heart and grow your powers, maybe you will someday be the person who can stand up to him."
Shoto's lower lip trembled and he balled his little hands into fists.
"I will get stronger," he promised, "I'm gonna get stronger than him and I won't let him bully anyone anymore."
"Good boy. Now, let's get you out of those dirty clothes. Oh my, you're all scratched up from those thorn bushes, aren't you, Shoto-chan?"
"It doesn't hurt very much. I'm okay," the boy assured her.
He sat quietly on the bed as the servant woman carefully cleaned and bandaged the cuts, then he laid down on the bed, smiling as Chiasa removed a small All Might plushie from within her clothing. At the sight of the Mer-hero, Shoto's bandaged face lit up and he broke into a wide smile.
"You found one! I thought they were all gone. He throws them away every time he finds one in my room!"
"Well, that's why this very wise old grandma is going to take it with her when she leaves, but while I'm here, you can hold onto it."
"He's so cool!" Shoto exclaimed, holding the plushie up and admiring the bright coloring and the Mer-hero's toothy grin, "He saves people with a smile."
"Yes," Chiasa agreed, "In the sea or on the land, All Might is the greatest hero. Wherever there is a person or an animal in need, he is there to save the day."
"I wish that All Might could come and save me," Shoto sighed, "I'd go and live in his palace under the sea, even if I had to be his servant. I'd do anything to go there."
"I know you would, my boy," Chiasa said, tugging him closer.
Shoto cuddled up against her side, listening contentedly as she began her story.
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Back in the water, near the docks, Izuku Midoriya hovered in the depths, his green eyes blinking slowly as he thought about the little human boy he had seen falling into the water.
He was trying to escape that man with the fire on his shoulders and body.
He looked so scared, like he really needed to be saved. I wanted to help, especially when he fell in the water and looked like he was starting to sink. The man with the fire rescued him, but dragged him away.
He glanced back in the direction of home, his mind working.
I did see where they went, so if I shift to my human form, I can go and look to make sure he's all right. I'm not expected back there for a little while, so…
"There you are," said a gruff, disapproving voice, "Damn it, Deku, you know you're not supposed to be so close to the surface. Aizawa Sensei is gonna tear off your head and mine."
"Well, why did you come up here, Kacchan?" the green-haired Mer-prince asked.
"Huh? Why? Obviously, because I sensed you were up here and I wanted to see what you were doing, you damn nerd! You're way too interested in the land people. Keep your focus on getting stronger, so I can kick your ass and it will actually be impressive instead of just sad."
"Hey Bakugo!" called a smiling, redhead Mer-boy, "Man, are you trying to get in trouble with Aizawa sensei again? He's going to have both of you on house cleaning duty again."
"Well, you're gonna be right there with us if you don't keep your stupid voice down," Bakugo scolded him, "I just came up here to get Deku's ass back down where it belongs."
"And I came after you," the redhead added.
"And I came after you!" called out a voice that sounded oddly similar to the redhead's.
"TetsuTetsu, what're you…"
"All right!" Bakugo steamed, "Everyone get the hell back down where you all belong or I'll knock you back down there!"
He turned a glaring eye on Deku, only to find that the green-haired Mer-prince was gone.
"What the FUCK? DEKU!" he yelled, rushing towards the pier, where his classmate had shifted to human form, and was climbing out of the water, "Don't DO that! You're gonna…!"
"M-maybe we oughta go back without them," TetsuTetsu suggested, "Bakugo's so loud, there's no way that both of'em aren't going to get caught, and we don't wanna be stuck on cleaning duty with…"
"What are you two doing up here?" asked a bored sounding voice, "You know that you are not allowed near the surface without a teacher."
"Um," said TetsuTetsu, shifting his body to hide where Bakugo had grabbed one of Deku's legs and was trying desperately to pull him back into the water.
"We…we were…" Kirishima stammered, thinking quickly, "Ah…"
"Don't bother with excuses," Aizawa sighed, "Report to housekeeping in the morning and they'll put you to work before and after class."
He turned and started to swim away.
"Oh, and tell that loudmouth idiot and that poor excuse for a prince to be there too."
"Eh, yessir," the two Mer-boys answered together.
The two exchanged glances as Bakugo dragged Deku down into the water and propelled both of them to where the others waited.
"Thanks a lot," Kirishima complained, "Now, we've all got housekeeping duty. We have to report, first thing in the morning."
"First thing in the morning," Deku said, rubbing his chin, "So, we're already going to be punished."
"So?" Bakugo huffed, "Why do you look like you're up to something? Gonna get us in more trouble?"
"No," Deku assured him, "because we're already here and got caught and we're gonna be punished. We can spare a few minutes to sneak up to that palace near the water."
"WHAT THE FUCK? DID YOU NOT JUST HEAR THAT WE'RE ALREADY IN TROUBLE?" Bakugo steamed, "NOW YOU WANT TO GET US IN EVEN MORE TROUBLE?"
Don't yell, Kacchan," Deku chided him, "That's why we got caught in the first place."
"What? It is not. We got caught cause you were trying to do something stupid, and now you want to do something even more stupid! And what for?"
"Kacchan," Deku said in a softer, more determined tone, "You know that All Might says that the essence of being a hero is meddling where you don't have to, right?"
"Yeah?"
"So, you could see it, couldn't you? That man was being cruel to that boy."
"Deku, WE DON'T SAVE HUMANS!" Bakugo roared.
"There he goes, yelling again," TetsuTetsu observed.
"Well, we might as well go down big," Kirishima replied, shrugging, "Besides, don't you wanna go up there? It's pretty cool!"
"You've sneaked up there before?" TetsuTetsu asked, looking at him, wide-eyed.
"Yeah, I followed Deku another time. Got the shit kicked outta us by Aizawa sensei when we got back, but it was amazing!"
"I don't care what you do," Deku resolved, "I'm going up to see if that boy needs my help! His eyes…his expression said that he was someone who needed to be saved. I'm going to save him!"