AN:
Sorry to disappoint anyone who was hoping otherwise, but we'll be a little canon-compliant. However, I'll make sure not to dwell any further on events that already happened in the anime and manga.
And just a little reminder. Bakugou and Midoriya did not go to the same middle school and as such, Bakugou does not have a reason to bully him. Also, Bakugou doesn't know Midoriya remained quirkless until the meeting with All Might, which he also does not know. During the villain attack, Bakugou only thought Midoriya came to his rescue without using his quirk.
Midoriya, on the other hand, has been trained with Todoroki as a sparring partner throughout his childhood by Endeavor. So, his body is already a proper vessel. That's why I shortened the training with All Might during his disappearance in only one month, going against the canon that was worth ten months. But of course, he will still break bones because he still isn't used to the power. And we love seeing him suffer. LOLJK! xD
WARNING: Mild Kacchan. Beware.
"Raison D'être"
Chapter 04: Healing Kisses.
Midoriya felt his brain shortcircuiting the moment he felt lips on his own, he even forgot the fact that people could actually breathe through their nostrils. He wasn't able to close his eyes either due to the surprise, so he could see the vague image of his Bocchan with his eyes closed. He was too close to see his face clearly but he knew it was him, with the incredibly distinct half red and half white hair. But they grew up licking each other's wounds so to say, that's why kisses on the cheek, forehead, and hands were not uncommon. This was the first time they ever met full on the mouth though, and it was literally breathtaking even if not for the shock.
Todoroki pulled away and hugged him as tight as he could. "Where have you been?! Why didn't you come back anymore?! I was so worried! Did something bad happen to you?! Were you hurt?!"
Anything Midoriya had to say or ask about the kiss died in his throat the moment he realized his Bocchan was crying. He couldn't see it because they were hugging, but he could hear it in his voice, in the way it cracked and how the other took shuddering breaths. He wonders a bit about how long it had been since he last saw Todoroki cry, and belatedly realizes the bi-haired teen was also capable of running his mouth. They must've hung out too much.
"I'm sorry," the freckled kid chose to say first. "I got caught in a villain attack that day and ended up in my childhood friend's house. His mother refused to let me go back and I lost my phone during the incident."
He felt Todoroki wiping his tears away before taking a step back to inspect him for wounds. His Bocchan did this a lot whenever he had to go away and leave him in the house with his father or by himself, so the green-haired kid was used to it. Midoriya giggled slightly at the fretting, the older teen was being overly meticulous but he'd chuck that up on the worry.
The bi-haired kid pulls away again to look at him square in the eyes, hands sliding down to hold both of his hands. "Are you okay now?"
"Yeah..." Midoriya smiled through reddening cheeks, flattered by the attention.
Todoroki rests their forehead together, and releases an exhausted breath. "Good, I'm glad."
"What about you, Bocchan? Are you okay?"
The older teen straightens up and sends him a questioning stare, as if he didn't know what he was asking about, which he probably didn't.
Midoriya looked sheepish. "You blew up the house, didn't you? It was on the news."
"Oh." Todoroki paused, letting the information sink in before looking away in some kind of embarrassment. He lets go of the other's hands. "Yeah, I'm fine... just snapped a bit."
"When I heard about it, I raced back to the house but it was long over. You were already gone. I'm sorry I didn't come home sooner, I should've escaped away from Auntie."
"It's okay, don't worry about it." Todoroki finds his eyes again, and smiles helplessly. "What's important is we're back together again now."
Midoriya looks away for a moment, he didn't want to lie but... "Did Uncle Enji say anything?"
"He told me you passed Yuuei, but that was just last week. The entire time before that I didn't know anything."
"Oh..." The green-haired boy lowered his head in deep thought.
Todoroki stared at him, thinking back on the explanation. His charge tells him his friend's mother did not want to let him go back to Endeavor's house. But his broken cellphone was left on his desk somehow, the same phone Izuku says he lost. And he was caught in a villain attack? Why didn't the police tell them that when they knew he went missing after? And did Midoriya really stay over at a friend's house? Why didn't he even call home? Or did he, but his father just purposely didn't tell him? Did his Nee-san know? Did she also keep things from him? There's no way she would, right? It was safe to say it was all his father's doing, considering that the man had so much to say about Izuku the day he blew up their house. And Todoroki does not ever doubt Midoriya or think of him capable of lying either, so rather, the boy was purposefully not telling him something. After all, it is not a lie if you didn't say it.
He chooses to prod. "Izuku, tell me the truth. Did Father sent you away?"
Midoriya suddenly jolted, looking horrified. "Not-! No! It's not like that!"
Judging from the reaction he seemed to hit the mark. "I'm not gonna get mad, not at you anyway."
Midoriya lowered his head again, shaking it at the refusal. "He really didn't send me away... not exactly."
"Can you tell me what really happened then? All of it?" Todoroki tried peaking into the freckled child's face, but Midoriya refused to give, shaking his head. He sighs. "Okay, you can tell me when you're ready... For now, let's get to class."
"Thank you, Bocchan." Midoriya followed after him. "And I'm really sorry."
"It's fine, really. All that matters to me is that you're back," Todoroki felt at ease again. And though it bothered him not to know everything, it was not the most important thing, the person next to him was. Something about Midoriya just makes it easier for him to breathe. He glances at the green-haired kid and he suddenly stops, finally registering a little twinkle. "What happened to your ear?"
"Oh! This?" Midoriya touches the small red crystal, smile bright on his face. "I got my ears pierced! My friend's parents are in the fashion industry and Auntie was tinkering with some accessories one night and offered me some. So, now I have a red crystal on my left and a white crystal on my right!"
Todoroki blinked at him slowly, processing thoughts. "Those colors are..."
Midoriya blushed a little and scratched on his cheek, before letting out a soft giggle. "I may have missed you a little." [1]
They walked the rest of the way to class, and Todoroki opened the door for the both of them, towards a somewhat rowdy bunch. The most noticeable was a blond delinquent, sitting with his feet resting on his table and a glasses type guy berating him for it. The rest of the class didn't seem to notice their entry, seeing as they're all watching the spectacle. They tried to enter without stirring much fuss, but then a girl suddenly spoke from behind them.
"Oh, it's you! Freckles!"
They both turn to look back and aa brown-haired girl proceeds to bow down from her waist.
"My name is Uraraka Ochako! Thank you so much for saving me last time!"
"O-oh! It's no problem at all!" Midoriya frantically waves his hands around, and bows down just the same. "Thank you for trying to give me some points!"
"Don't worry about it! They didn't even accept it anyway-"
"It's you!" The rest of her words were interrupted by the glasses guy, who also bows with the upper half of his body. "I am so sorry for misjudging you! Clearly, you knew better than I did! And I am so ashamed I did not realize it sooner!"
"Uhm, it's nothing!" Midoriya started waving his hands around again. "And it's not like that at all, I really didn't know either-"
"Fucking Deku!" It was the blond delinquent this time, glaring at them. "Where the fuck have you been?! And why the fuck are you in my class?!"
"Were you looking for me, or didn't you want to see me? Make up your mind, Kacchan." Midoriya responded more calmly this time, mildly sheepish.
"That doesn't fucking answer my question!"
"I met up with Bocchan on the way here," Midoriya motions over to the bi-haired kid. "This is Todoroki Shouto."
Todoroki nodded to the blond, but the other guy just narrowed his eyes at him.
Midoriya then turns to him. "Bocchan, this is Bakugou Katsuki. He's the friend I was telling you about."
"We're not fucking friends!" They heard the blond in the background.
"I see," Todoroki nods to him before turning back to Bakugou and nodding slightly. "Thank you for taking care of Izuku for the past month. If there's anything I can do to repay your kindness, just let me know."
Bakugou looked incredulous, and his face showed the same kind of disgust he'd probably scorn some poo at the bottom of his shoe. "Yeah, fuck you."
"Kacchan, don't be like that." Midoriya said in passing as he took a seat.
"Shut up! Don't fucking tell me what to do! And why the fuck are you sitting beside me?!"
Midoriya beamed his brightest smile. "To annoy you~!"
Bakugou looked scandalized for a moment before angry veins started popping out on his temple. "Don't you fucking start to get cheeky, you shitty freckled fuck. I don't know how you passed the entrance exams, but I'm still the fucking best!"
Midoriya laughed like he was told a joke. "Sure, whatever you say, Kacchan." Then he caught Todoroki's gaze and smiled meaningfully.
Todoroki didn't get it, but he wasn't gonna ask in front of the person in question. Instead, he allowed himself to wonder about their so-called friendship and vaguely noted how Midoriya easily got along with everyone, like always. Suddenly, a teacher suddenly appears by the door in a yellow cocoon, and they find out they actually have a seating arrangement. As it turns out, Midoriya's seat was behind Bakugou and his own was a few seats away. Midoriya looked back at him as if the distance physically pains him, Todoroki smiles slightly and sends him an encouraging nod.
Class proceeds.
When Todoroki was told Midoriya had passed the Yuuei entrance exams, he didn't think much about the 'how' part. Obviously, because he was too busy being happy about the prospect of seeing the freckled child again. But in retrospect, he didn't think that even if he had put some thought into it, that Midoriya would acquire such a destructive quirk. And onto himself.
To say Todoroki was horrified was an understatement, he was in despair, watching Midoriya break his finger during a quirk assessment test. How painful was that? He met the green-haired child halfway as he came back from his position, taking the other's hand and freezing the broken finger before lowering his head to kiss it. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Midoriya was visibly flushed and was unexpectedly surprised, he couldn't look him in the eyes. "But, uhm... everyone is staring."
Todoroki looked behind them and saw that everyone were indeed staring, openly gaping and almost scandalized. Like, they didn't expect what they saw at all, or even think they would see something like that. He belatedly realizes, what has been normal for him and Midoriya probably was not normal for the rest of their class, or the world. But it's not like there was anything wrong with it, or that it mattered, not to him anyway. Then again, if it was bothering Midoriya, he would appropriate himself.
"Don't mind them. Let's get you to the nurse's office." Todoroki says, but he still releases Midoriya from his hold and takes a step back.
"Okay." Midoriya nodded, they didn't know much of anyone in class but it was still embarrassing. From his experience with his Bocchan throughout their Middle School, he was aware people talked about them behind their backs, but no one really bothered them because of Todoroki. Still, they were in new waters now. And Bakugou was there. Not to say, the blond would question him about them, but he wouldn't really want to be asked about anything yet. Because he also does not know where they stand. At least, not anymore after that kiss.
Midoriya always knew other kids gossiped about the two of them being gay for each other, because they aren't really ever seen with anyone else. Not that being gay or in love with another guy was wrong, he's just never thought of it before. Todoroki just always had been like a big brother to him. But if things were to take a turn, he wouldn't really know how to feel either. What he does know is that, everything would be okay as long as his Bocchan was there.
He vaguely wondered, whether something had changed in the past month they weren't together. He looked up at the back of his Bocchan's head, when suddenly said head turned to look back at him.
"So, your quirk finally awakened." It wasn't a question.
"Uhhh... yeah," Midoriya became visibly nervous, scratching his cheek with a finger. "Li-like over the shock of the villain attack, or something."
That sounds questionable really, Midoriya had been on the receiving end of Endeavor's attacks throughout their shared childhood. But Todoroki will not call him out on it. "How did that happen, by the way? Are you sure you didn't get hurt?"
"Ah, nope. I'm okay," the green-haired child suddenly brightens up as if remembering something pleasant. "Actually, more than okay. I met All Might! He was the one who saved us!"
Todoroki's eyes widen a bit, if his father finds out, they will not hear the end of it. "Really? How was he like?"
"He was so amazing, Bocchan! I'm sure you'll meet him soon, because he told me he'll be teaching here."
"You kept in touch?"
"Ah, well... you know," Midoriya laughed sheepishly, not really answering the question.
Todoroki doesn't know, but he nods nonetheless. He doesn't really get it but he'd chuck it up on the fanboying thing. They both admire All Might, but Todoroki's father would kill him if he ever found out so he keeps a safe distance. Midoriya will be safe though, probably, so that's fine.
They arrived in the nurse's office and much to Todoroki's surprise, he finds out this was not the first time Midoriya got sent to the clinic. The first being after the entrance exams, where the green-haired boy broke his right arm and both legs. The look of horror on Todoroki's face was indescribable, he was almost impossible to placate. Thankfully, Midoriya's broken finger was healed with one kiss. And Todoroki was comforted by how immediate she could bring relief to Midoriya, if only by a little bit. A quirk that could heal wounds with just a kiss. Todoroki vaguely wishes his kisses could do the same, then again, it would be better if Midoriya didn't get injured at all.
And then their last class comes around with All Might bursting through the doors and telling them they would have battle tests, now Todoroki is in the same infirmary on the same day with the same nurse and his same charge, except this time Midoriya was unconscious, with injuries that cannot compare with a little broken finger.
Todoroki took slow and deep breaths, he knew it was unreasonable to get upset with Bakugou because it was a battle test and Midoriya deliberately took the blow. Still, the fight had gone too far. And now feelings he can't explain are overwhelming him. He doesn't even want to identify them. He's just feeling too much, and numb at the same time. But really, he just wants Midoriya to get better and not get hurt again.
His eyes snap to the person lying in bed when Midoriya started tugging on his pants by the knee.
"How are you feeling?" Todoroki asks, coming closer.
"I'm okay, don't worry."
Todoroki shakes his head without a word, not wanting to rebuke the other because this was definitely not okay, and there was no way he can not worry.
"I'm sorry," Midoriya continues. "I'm always making you feel bad."
"That's not true,"
"Yes, it is." Midoriya turns his head to look at the ceiling. "If it wasn't then you wouldn't be making such a sad face right now."
Todoroki does not know what kind of face he was making, but he wasn't going to question the other's words. Because they were right.
"And I didn't mean just today, I also meant that for going missing and the things I said before."
"It's fine, I know you didn't mean them." Todoroki catches on and looks away. "Why did you say you hated me anyway?"
"To hurt your feelings." Midoriya answers honestly.
Todoroki's eyes widen and he slowly turns his head to look at his charge, but Midoriya had turned his face away from him. "Why?"
"Because you hurt mine."
"Then I'm sorry too," Todoroki takes his turn to apologize. "I just didn't want you to push yourself too hard, and I didn't think your quirk will awaken now of all times."
"No, Bocchan. You were right." Midoriya turns to him then. "I didn't believe I'd get a quirk either, and I took my frustrations out on you."
"It's fine-"
"No, it's not." Midoriya cuts him off. "Bocchan, you're too kind to me, and that kinda makes me feel guilty because I probably don't deserve it. That's why I'm doing my best for you too. I just want to be with you forever."
Todoroki lets that sink in. "Me too."
It was a good thing Yuuei was a boarding school because they honestly would not know where to go after everything that happened, except they literally didn't have anything. Everything they owned so far burned along with the house, so the only thing they had were the uniforms they were wearing, along with the school supplies.
"Well, at least they had complimentary beds." Midoriya scooped the sheets up and pillows before turning to Todoroki. "Let's go, Bocchan!"
Todoroki blinked at him. "Where?" They were currently at Midoriya's assigned room on the second floor.
The green-haired boy cutely tipped his head to the side. "Aren't we gonna sleep together?"
"Oh," Todoroki looked thoughtful for a moment. "But don't you want your own room?"
"I'm going to turn it into a shrine," Midoriya's eyes sparkled meaningfully.
But it was lost on Todoroki. "If you want to pray, we can go whenever you want."
"Not that kind of shrine!" Midoriya pushes him out of the room with a laugh and they head to the elevators.
When they got to Todoroki's room, Midoriya falls on the bed with his sheets and pillows.
"Izuku," Todoroki enters his room only to close the door. "Are you sure you want to stay with me?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You know what I did..." Todoroki looks away, wanting to trail off but he knows he had to acknowledge it. "I burned the house down, and... sent my sister to the hospital..."
Midoriya jolts upright. "What?! Nee-chan is in the hospital? Is she okay? Did you visit her already?"
"Yes; I'm not sure; and no."
"Then we need to go right no-" Midoriya stands up to leave but Todoroki cut him off.
"I cant!" His Bocchan had his shoulders hunched with both hands rolled into fists and his eyes and lips squished tightly as if he was going to start crying again. He slowly opens his eyes when he realizes that he had yelled on Midoriya, only to realize the green-haired boy was instantly on his side, and he was hugging him.
"Okay," Midoriya spoke in soft whispers. "It's okay if you're not ready yet. We'll go some other time, okay?"
"Okay," Todoroki answers and Midoriya pulls away to smile at him and kiss him on the forehead, before leading him to the bed.
They spent the rest of the afternoon cuddling, Todoroki lying on his stomach while resting his head on Midoriya's stomach, warm and cold arms surrounding him. Midoriya was slouching, one hand gently running fingers through bi-colored hair. The other hand was rubbing small circles on Todoroki's back as he talked about all the things they would eventually need to buy for their room. And they were content to fall asleep just like that, until they get a knock on the door.
It was Ashido, Uraraka, and Hagakure. The three had invited them to the common area where they presented the idea of a contest on who has the best room. It was interesting to see the rooms of their classmates, and they didn't really mind being pulled away from their own bubble, so they agreed. Until it was their turn to show off their empty room. But they really should've realized that was the least of their worries.
"You two are staying in the same room?! And will be sleeping on the same bed?!" Kaminari, Ashido, and Hagakure were freaking out, in a good way. Too good a way.
"Is that even allowed?" Uraraka asks Iida but he just shakes his head, unsure himself.
"Who the fuck cares? It's not like they'd get pregnant anyway!" Bakugou dismisses them.
"Oh, my God. Please stop!" Midoriya pulls on his hair.
But Kirishima still comes up to them with sparkles in his eyes, and raises both hands to rest on his chin. "Please tell me more."
"There's nothing more to it, we're literally just sleeping." Midoriya answers, deflecting all their implications.
"That's what they all say," Mineta tells them in passing because he isn't interested in anything gay, but he still feels the need to state what everyone is assuming and especially because it was a sexual matter.
Midoriya fails to remain casual and blushes on his whole face. He doesn't say anything further in fear of egging anyone on.
They get dinner straight afterwards, and their table unexpectedly gets crowded somehow, even their classmates on the nearby tables seemed inclined to them as well. Midoriya was sitting with Todoroki on his right, Uraraka on his left and Iida on her other side. In front of Todoroki sat Bakugou, then Kirishima, Kaminari and Ashido, with Hagakure standing by her side. As it turns out, they weren't done with the interrogations just yet.
"So~" Kirishima wiggles his eyebrows at them. "You two are going out?"
"We're not," Todoroki and Midoriya say at the same time, before glancing at each other and awkwardly looking away.
"Right," Kirishima totally doesn't look disheartened at all, and goes on. "So how long have you two been together?" The underlying meaning in his questions didn't change a bit. Everyone seemed convinced.
Midoriya tries to take it in stride, answering for both him and his Bocchan. "Since we were seven, so half our lives so far. I was taken into the Todoroki household after an accident with my mom." He doesn't expound on that, and thankfully, that somehow spurs on a different topic.
"So, Endeavor's like your step-father?" Kaminari winces, before quietly explaining. "He scares me sometimes."
"Well, actually..." Midoriya scratches on his cheek, unsure of his own explanation. "Bocchan is listed as my foster carer, he's my legal guardian and not Uncle Enji."
The frozen smiles on Kaminari's, Kirishima's, and Ashido's faces were obviously a struggle to keep on. And heaven only knows the kind of expressions Hagakure is making.
"Even though, you're the same age?" Bless Uraraka's kind heart for breaking the awkward silence.
"It just happened, okay? Uncle Enji didn't want to sign me on the family registry." Midoriya smiles sadly.
Todoroki suddenly takes hold of his hand and squeezes reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll do something about that. Just wait for him to pass."
Midoriya chuckles nervously. "Please don't say things like that with a straight face."
Everyone on the table don't miss the hand-holding or the possible underlying implications, but no one says a thing as they let it rest for now.
And their first day ends just like that.
AN:
Please note, I was deliberately vague on Midoriya's explanation. Because plot points, you know. And I don't want to rewrite canon scenes because that's redundant. So you can assume we're following canon unless stated otherwise.
Also, I did not realize all of my chapter titles start with an 'H' until the third chapter. LOL! Pressure-much.
Anyway, please review! And thanks!
Fic Facts:
1.) It doesn't have anything to do with the story but! I just can't get 'Midoriya-having-a-red-and-white-piercing' out of my head.
— Lynx
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