(A/N: Some reminders for you. In BC, the dorms opened early but were not originally mandatory. The ones who are in the 1-A dorms are Ochako, Aoyama, Kouda, Shouji, Shouto, and Satou based on plot stuff and the distance they were born from UA. Then for I-Island, those who were on the island were all the girls so Ochako, Hagakure, Ashido, Tsuyu, Momo, and Jirou as well as Kaminari and Tenya who helped out with the attack. Of course Izuku was there with Shouto, Mei, and Hitoshi. Then in the background were also Sero, Satou, Shouji, and Tokoyami. Just to be clear who was where to avoid confusion. )

...

Izuku was still trying to process all that had happened in the last few days. He was confronted by Shigaraki seeking advice as well as to extend an invitation to join the League. He was sent to I-Island to get away from Villains only to have to participate in deescalating a Villain attack organized by All Might's friend and his assistant. Now he was back in Japan as a ward of UA because Shigaraki sent a Villain to take him anyway despite saying he would wait for his answer and his mother was hurt in the process.

Why is this happening to me?

He didn't know the answer to that. Didn't know why he seemed allotted to suffer since his diagnosis when he was four. Ever since then his life had been one struggle after another. Years of bullying. Denied what he needed to pass the Hero Course practical exam because of a policy that Nezu has since amended. Literally fighting his way to the top in the Sports Festival just to prove he had what it took to survive the esteemed UA Hero Course without a Quirk.

That should have been the end. Should have been when he could feel more assured of his success while still fighting toward his long-held goal. But no, not him. He was still Quirkless and even though Hosu had helped, there were still others who refused to believe that he could do it. Not wanting to admit that maybe what they believed for so long had been wrong. Instinctively wanting to either fight to be right or defend against being wrong.

Not everyone was like that. Chizome had changed in his own way despite claiming he was an old dog. Collecting evidence on Endeavor instead killing him, then giving what he had to Izuku and the side of the Heroes. All Might was changing as well. Now listening to Izuku's words and warnings to then take action from them. Seeing that while he accomplished his ideal of becoming a Symbol of Peace, there's only so much one person can handle. That it was better to share the burden of protecting the world instead of shouldering it all by yourself.

Then there was Bakugou and his own form of change. It was subtle and he still had a long way to go but Izuku could see the start of change in him already. Stepping away from a situation instead of attacking it in fiery fury. He had even given his own version of advice to his friends before the final exams. Still worded harshly as was his style but advice none the less.

Izuku himself had changed becoming more confident in himself and his abilities. All with the help of his own determination as well as the guidance of his mentors and peers. But it wasn't just his schooling that was changing. Now his mom was hurt and he was a ward of UA and his dad was thinking of pulling him out of the school to be with him. Which would be somewhat nice as it had been so long since Izuku had seen his dad. But he also didn't want to leave UA after working so hard to get to where he was now. He definitely would have to try and talk his father out of it, at least until he could graduate from his dream school.

But it was still too soon for that and even then Izuku didn't know what he could possibly say to change Hisashi's mind. Too overwhelmed with the fact that his mother was in the hospital all because a Villain wanted him. Which he still blamed himself for despite what Aizawa and Nezu had said. If Shigaraki didn't want him then Inko wouldn't have been hurt. Why did Izuku have to keep catching the attention of Villains?

Again, he didn't have an answer and didn't have the time or energy to try and figure it out. Besides, he was too busy right now putting on a brave face as Nezu was escorting them to the dorms. Shouto held his hand the entire time which the Quirkless teen was grateful for. The contact was a small source of comfort that was partially distracting him from his sudden change in reality.

Lead by Nezu into the dorm, Hitoshi, Mei, Shouto, and Izuku came upon those who had chosen to live on campus scattered about the common room. Well, other than the ones who were still on I-Island. Ochako, Satou, and Shouji were still there as the two boys had gone there to work which really only left Aoyama and Kouda. The sparkly teen was observing himself in a hand-held mirror on one couch while the animal whisperer was playing with his pet bunny on the floor. However, upon seeing the solemn teens approaching with the principal, their classmates knew something was wrong and were on alert as Nezu went over to talk to them.

Izuku lingered closer to the door not wanting to hear about his mom being hurt again. He was doing his best not to think about it until he was alone and could let everything out without worrying everyone. Even though he knew he had their support, he didn't want to burden them with his barely contained emotions. It took all he had to keep the Midoriya tears at bay.

Shouto stayed beside him not wanting to let go or to leave his sad friend alone. Mei gave Izuku a big hug before joining the principal. She wanted to ask if she could stay the night to support her friend before going back home the next day. Hitoshi gave a supporting squeeze to his brother's shoulder before also walking over to the group. He wanted to ensure they knew not to pressure Izuku into talking before he was comfortable. Class 1-A was a good group but some of their classmates could be a bit too pushy. He'd have to make sure the rest of them know that once they learned of what happened.

Nezu quietly informed the two students a brief summary that Izuku was dealing with a family crisis though didn't go into too much detail. That was for his personal student to reveal if he wanted to or not. From behind him, Hitoshi stared down his classmates in silent threat channeling his inner Shouta as best he could. All while trying to not internally laugh at a sudden mental image of his tired foster dad surrendering to being a cat tree to their three furry menaces which had happened just last week. Perhaps it was his own brain trying to distract him from the awful reality that his auntie who was practically his mother was hurt.

Izuku didn't pay much mind to what Nezu was telling them. Instead distracting himself with the feel of Shouto rubbing comforting circles on his skin with his thumb. At one point he had moved to intertwine their fingers while shifting closer to his special friend. The element wielder had purposely positioned himself to have Izuku on his left side and hoped the warmth of his inner fire would put the shorter boy at ease. Izuku greatly appreciated it and leaned his head on his friend's shoulder.

After a few minutes of talking, the group approached the two teens lingering off to the side. Aoyama immediately offered his condolences and somehow pulled out a plate of cheese out of nowhere. Much like Nezu making teapots magically appear or Aizawa having some sort of pocket universe in his scarf. Izuku wasn't exactly sure what to make of this and just awkwardly look a piece of cheese. The French speaking teen smiled at his acceptance and insisted he would gift more dairy delicacies in the future.

Kouda quietly offered his bunny, Yuwai-chan, for Izuku to hold, but seeing as he was holding hands with Shouto and didn't want to let go he declined. At least for now but he did give the cute critter a few careful pets. The animal whisperer shifted the bunny holding him with one hand to sign his own condolences and support with the other. Izuku signed his thanks back with a sad smile.

Nezu easily approved of Mei and Hitoshi staying the night. Having done so before leaving for I-Island, the pinkette found the blankets and pillows used in the last sleepover and began forming a sort of nest in the common room. The boys simply followed her lead and helped out, thinking that a huge cuddle pile would help them deal with what had happened. Though Izuku didn't really intend on staying out with them all night. He really needed some time alone, but for now he distracted himself with spending time with his friends.

They were in the middle of a movie when Yamada, Inui, and Aizawa arrived with his things. All Might wasn't there though he could guess it was due to his time limit and so didn't say anything about it. Izuku did his best to not crying seeing the evidence that he was indeed now living on campus. That he wouldn't be going back home to their apartment and wouldn't be able to see his mom cooking in the kitchen. Not for the foreseeable future or ever again for all they knew. It was still too early to tell with what little he knew about his mother's health status. Only that she was too unstable for Recovery Girl to heal her right away and that they would have to wait and see.

The movie had sort of distracted him from this new reality and cuddling next to Shouto had helped. Much more grounding than the animated characters on the screen. But now that his teachers were there with his stuff, they as a group paused the movie to help him settle into his new home. Izuku fought his hardest to not break down in front of his friends and teachers as they headed for his room.

While the dorms hadn't been mandatory before, Aizawa had preemptively made a plan of who would be assigned where in the building. Keeping in mind that it was a co-ed dorm system and splitting them with boys on one side and girls on the other. Though also knowing that teenagers will be teenagers, he would have to instill on them to use their heads to think and stay safe.

Aizawa knew they could only control hormonal teenagers with curfews and rules so much having once been one himself. As such, he had already accepted his fate and had placed his problem children together on the first floor. Izuku would be moving into the room next to Shouto and eventually Hitoshi would be taking the one on the other side of his brother. Sandwiching the Quirkless teen between two of his closest friends. Leaving one more room open on the second floor for when the rest of the class moved in.

Kouda currently was the only one on the third floor so far. Satou and Aoyama were next to each other on the fourth floor with Ochako set up across the hall. While Shouji was by himself for now on the top floor. The rest of the placements would be revealed on the official mandatory move in day. Though Aizawa did quietly tell Hitoshi and Izuku that Bakugou would be on the top floor in the room furthest from them so they wouldn't have to worry about running into the explosive blonde except for on the first floor. But knowing how Bakugou was in general as well as his strict sleep schedule, Izuku didn't really imagine his childhood friend spending much time in the common room anyway.

The kitchen on the other hand…, he thought, knowing the firecracker of a human was actually quite skilled at and enjoyed cooking.

They didn't do much in regards of organizing his room. Izuku didn't have the energy for decorating and was fine with them just helping getting the bags and boxes into his room. There were also a few things bundled-up in blankets which Aizawa informed him were the framed pieces his mother had put together in recognition of him. Again, the Quirkless boy fought back the Midoriya tears forcing himself to wait to be alone to cry.

Once everything was at least settled in his room enough for him to sleep that night, the group moved back down stairs. It was about time for dinner and so they went to the kitchen instead of back to the movie. Yamada insisted on being in charge of cooking and Izuku offered to help. The loud blonde tried to refuse not wanting to bother the kid during such a hard time, but the sight of pleading green puppy dog eyes broke his resolve easily. Aizawa would have poked fun at his husband's weakness but he too couldn't say no to Izuku especially not to that look. Even more so now.

As this was all to comfort the greenet, Yamada asked what he wanted to eat. Offering to perhaps make his favorite dish though Izuku for once wasn't in the mood for katsudon. He would just compare it to his mother's cooking and while he hated to admit it, he was doing his best not to think of her right now. Not until he could do so alone.

Instead, he asked if they could make okonomiyaki. A dish that could be tailor made to everyone's preference and wasn't too difficult to make. The blonde DJ easily agreed and started gathering ingredients from what was in the kitchen. Thankfully it was well stocked with everything they would need as Nezu had insisted the students have access to adequate sustenance.

This turned into a make-your-own okomomiyaki line with everyone choosing what they would have in their own portion. Yamada manned the griddle while Izuku worked on chopping up the cabbage and other ingredients. Shouto also offered to help and followed whatever instructions he was given by the English teacher. Passing portioned out ingredients for the loud blonde to mix together and then fry to perfection.

In what seemed like no time at all they were all enjoying their own okonomiyaki creations. They settled back into the common room to finish the movie as they ate. The teens were in the pile of pillows and blankets while the adults took the couches. Aizawa and Yamada sat somewhat close together on one and Hound Dog was on another with Nezu perched on his shoulder. To 'oversee' his students being his justification. The canine counselor didn't mind as they were both feeling instinctively protective of their shared charge and needing to keep watch over him.

The food was delicious though Izuku wasn't able to fully enjoy it nor did he have much of an appetite. He still forced himself to eat at least half of it to keep his strength and energy up. He knew he was going to need it for the emotional break down that was coming. That was also why when he ate all that he could, he made a point to get himself a big glass of water when he took his dirty dishes back to the kitchen.

Izuku drank a full glass while he put his leftovers in a container not wanting to waste it. He put it in the fridge for later before washing his dish. He was going to start washing the other dishes dirty from cooking when Shouto stopped him. His friend had wondered what had been taking him so long and came looking for him.

His worrying was appreciated though Izuku really needed some time alone soon. He didn't know how much longer he could keep his emotions at bay. Soon the dam would break and he would be drowning in Midoriya tears. But he couldn't let go just yet, couldn't succumb. So, he let his friend silently take his hand and lead him back to the common area with the refilled glass in his other hand.

Izuku did his best to pay attention to the movie while he drank his water. To think about the characters, plot, and other aspects of it. Or even just focus on the feeling of Shouto running his thumb soothingly over his skin of their intertwined hands. Anything other than the raging storm of emotions that was locked up inside him. Because he didn't want to worry his friends and mentors even more than they already were. Didn't want to burden them with how much this was affecting him.

Finally, the movie ended and Izuku saw a way out. He drained the last of his water before standing up as he let go of his friend's hand.

"Where are you going?" Shouto immediately asked, his hand twitched as if he were resisting reaching out to him.

"My, uh, my room," Izuku answered, hesitant wondering if they would let him. "I need some time…alone."

He took in everyone's worried expressions but no one did anything to stop him. His friends spoke up that they understood but that they were there for him if he need them. The teachers said as much but more with their expressions rather than words. It brought a sad but grateful smile to the Quirkless boy's face. He gave a nod in thanks and turned to head upstairs.

Though a short distance away from the common area, Izuku was stopped just before reaching the stairwell. The greenet turned to see the warm hand holding his arm was Shouto's. No surprise there. Izuku wouldn't mind spending time with his crush at any other time, but he didn't want to burden the other with his building negative emotions. Didn't want him to drown in his sorrow with him. Shouto had his own problems and shouldn't have to deal with his as well.

Despite his insistence, Shouto still hesitated as he asked, "Are you sure, Izuku?"

The greenet gave him a sad smile as he said, "I'll be fine, Shouto. I just…need some time to myself."

The bi-color teen studied his face before sighing as he reluctantly let go and begrudgingly stayed put as he watched his friend walk away from him. Izuku looked back once more to find Shouto still standing there and gave him a nod with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His friend sighed again forced himself to turned to head back towards the others.

Once the stairway door closed, Izuku took a bracing breath before taking careful steps up the stairs. Soaking in the silence of the stairwell with only the sound of his shoes as he climbed. Almost there. One step closer to privacy, one step closer to being truly alone. All he had to do was get to his room.

In no time at all and yet what seemed like an eternity, he made it up the one flight of stairs and was in front of his new room. He fumbled a little with the new key in his hand and the new door he opened. Green eyes automatically scanned the room and took note of how different it was from his own back at home. Though he wondered if he would ever go back there again knowing Shigaraki knew where he lived.

He mentally inventoried the bags and boxes illuminated in the hallway light. Filled with his possessions and would now be housed here, not at home. That this would be his new home for the foreseeable future. His eyes fell on the bundled-up frames that his mother had lovingly put together. Being so proud of her baby boy and wanting to show his accomplishments off even if only to herself. But how could she be proud of him when he was the reason she was hurt.

Izuku hesitantly walked into the room and carefully closed the door behind him enveloping himself in darkness. Only then did he lean his back against the door and sink slowly to the floor. Tears broke through the mental dam and poured down his face as he finally allowed himself to let go. The Quirkless teen was a sobbing mess hugging his knees close to him while trying to stifle his crying. He didn't want to be a burden to his friends as he sat there letting his emotions wash over him and drown him in sorrow.

He didn't know how long he stayed like that. Consumed by guilty thoughts placing blame on himself for his mother getting hurt. If only he had been there, would he have been able to protect her? But then again there was what Aizawa said. What if he had been there and was taken away and his mom still got hurt? What then? Izuku could have been gods knew where in Shigaraki's clutches for reasons he didn't understand nor really wanted to find out. That was a mystery he was fine being unsolved.

Despite having hidden away to not bother the others, a part of him did long to be close to someone right now. His mother's hugs always made him feel loved and cared for but she couldn't be there being hurt and in the hospital. The ones from his father had always made him feel safe but it had been a long time since they had shared one. Plus, right now any sense of comfort from his dad was tainted with the thought of possibly leaving UA.

Hitoshi and Mei expressed their caring affection in their own ways. His brother wasn't much for physical contact unless he felt it was necessary. Holding his hand or hugging him when Hitoshi sensed Izuku needed it. Mei was more intense with how she constantly tackled him in greeting and was fierce to comfort and protect. No one messes with her friends.

Honestly, he appreciated them both but neither of those was what he wanted right now. He wanted…he wanted Shouto. It wasn't even because he liked him as more than a friend. It was just…Shouto made him feel warm. Made him feel cared for and wanted even though he didn't think Shouto wanted him the same way he did. But that was okay. What they had was enough and what Izuku needed right now.

He knew that he turned Shouto away before. Knew that he told him he would be fine and needed time alone. But to be honest he didn't want to be alone. Not anymore. Izuku had grown used to having people who cared for him around. It was only his past habits that forced him to isolate himself not wanting to be a burden. But another part of himself was fighting that tendency. Enough for him to want to reach out even though he still felt like a bother. He just…he needed Shouto.

The crying teen took out his phone and was about to text his friend when there was a knock on his door.

"Izuku?" a very familiar and comforting voice called out.

Shouto…

"Izuku, it's Shouto. Can I come in?"

YES.

Izuku wiped his face as best he could as he stood up. Though he was sure he looked terrible with eyes red from crying and residual snot on his face. But Shouto didn't give two shits about that for as soon as the door opened, he pulled Izuku into his arms as he closed the door behind him. He had been worried about his friend and despite the greenet telling them he wanted to be alone, Shouto didn't want him to be. Wanted to be there for his friend who had almost lost someone precious to him. An experience he could empathize with for multiple reasons. And when he had come up to go to his own room hearing crying from his friend's, there was no way in hell he would leave him to suffer alone.

The bi-color teen wordlessly led them over to the bed. Izuku at first was hesitant not wanting to trouble his friend with his worries even though he had clung to him so desperately a moment ago. But Shouto wasn't having it and with careful determination pulled Izuku along with him. They situated themselves on the bed with Izuku lying with his head resting on Shouto's chest. Warm fingers began running through green curls as they held each other close.

Despite crying so much, more continued to trickle down his freckled cheeks soaking into his friend's shirt. Not that Shouto cared being more worried about Izuku and comforting him. In the quiet of the room, he silently held his friend rubbing soothing circles into his back letting him know he was there for him and that he was safe there. Allowing the Quirkless teen all the time he needed to let out his sorrowful emotions.

Before long Izuku was asleep and his shaky breathing had evened out. Shouto took in his relaxed expression, his eyes rimmed red from crying but it was better than before. Grey and blue eyes studied the face that was close to him. From the curly bangs that fringed his forehead to the eyelashes dewed with lingering droplets of tears that were fanned above dustings of freckles. His eyes then trailed down to his friend's lips that were parted slightly as he breathed slowly against his chest.

Shouto couldn't help but take note of how close they were in that moment. Close to how they had been on I-Island before Hitoshi interrupted them. The distance between them was next to nothing and yet Shouto made no move to close it. It was not the time to try kissing even if he still wanted to. Inko was hurt and Izuku needed to be comforted. There would be time later to explore kissing and many other things he was curious to try. But for now, he would be there for Izuku in any way he was needed.

Suddenly the boy in his arms jerked awake while letting out a startled cry. Shouto stared wide eyed for a moment watching his friend breathing heavily and frantically searching the room. But he snapped himself out of it and reached out for the Quirkless boy. Izuku flinched in his grasp until he started speaking.

"Shh, Izuku, it's okay," Shouto quietly said, gaining his friend's attention.

"Sh-Shouto?" Izuku questioned, focusing on the grey and blue eyes he could barely see in the dark room.

"I'm here, Izuku," he answered, rubbing hopefully calming circles on his arms.

"…Shouto," the greenet breathed out in relief.

The bi-color teen pulled the other back down to lay on his chest again. He held the trembling boy close as he ran cool fingers through green curls. The temperature made Izuku shiver so Shouto was quick to change hands. While he was still was getting used to accepting his left side, the Quirkless boy seemed to prefer it when needing comfort. Odd for him because his fire had been nothing but trouble growing up. Only now was he associating good with the side of him that had driven his mother over the edge. That his left side could be used for good.

"Shhhh, Izuku, I'm here. You're safe," Shout whispered into his friend's hair. "No one's going to hurt you."

"I-it's not me I'm worried about," Izuku hiccupped in reply, turning his head further into his chest in shame. "It's mom."

A sullen silence filled the room. Shouto wasn't sure how to respond exactly and Izuku needed a moment to organize his thoughts. To figure out how to voice the raw emotions simmering just below the surface. Of love and loss, worry and concern for his mother. Of guilt.

"I just…I can't help but blame myself," Izuku muttered into his shirt. "I should have been there to protect her, but I wasn't. And…and this is the second time I almost lost a parent. My dad almost died when I was ten and now mom got attack by a Villain. I know Recovery Girl and the others will do everything they can for her but I'm so scared of losing her."

Shouto let out a hum in response. He could relate to his friend's worries. To the feelings of loss. For so long he had thought he had lost his mother. Lost her love and motherly affections. Which Rei proved wrong once he had gained the courage to finally visit her in the hospital thanks to Izuku. Since then, they had started to reconnect after so long, sharing stories of their lives apart with an unspoken hope to be reunited outside of clinical walls.

But there was also someone else he had lost and would never be able to see again. At least according to his father.

"I'm sure she'll pull through," Shouto said as he tucked a lock of hair behind his friend's ear. "I…understand how you're feeling."

"Because of your mom?" Izuku asked, staring up at him cautiously.

"Yes, but also because of…," the two-toned teen paused to take a steadying breath. This wasn't a topic he ever talked about. "Because of Touya."

"Touya?" the greenet parroted back in curiosity. "He's one of your brothers, right?"

"The eldest, yes," Shouto replied with a sad sigh. "But he died when I was young. Or so that was what my father said."

"Tell me about him," Izuku said, latching onto the distraction but also wanting to learn more about his friend's family.

Grey and blue eyes cast to the ceiling as curious green watched him. Shouto took a moment to figure out how to explain the enigma that his sparse memories pieced together into a vague picture of his brother. White hair and roughened hands that he couldn't recall if they were hot or cold. The two warring temperatures that filled his home growing up. None of which could compare to the warmth he felt for the boy in his arms. The feeling gave him the courage to speak.

"My brother…I don't remember much about him," Shouto began, still not looking at Izuku but absentmindedly rubbing his thumb across the skin of his arm in his grasp. "He was my father's first attempt at a successor, but he came out…flawed."

"Flawed?" the greenet asked. "How?"

"His Quirk was strong and fire-based like his," the other explained. "But his body was more like my mother's whose Quirk is one of ice. Because of this, he was susceptible to his own fire."

The element wielder glanced down at the Quirkless boy who was quietly muttering how he could see such a combination happening. He let out an amused chuckle when Izuku murmured a chastising comment about that was why Quirk marriages were illegal and forcing genetics could be dangerous. Not everyone would turn out with a perfect balance as Shouto had.

The young analyst blushed having been caught mumbling again. He really needed to do something about that or more people like Shigaraki could become interesting in his analysis. One wrong moment caught muttering could be his last. Or at least his last peaceful one depending on the person wanting him dead or as their own personal Quirk database. Perhaps he should incorporate a muffling feature to his fire mask. One of many possible improvements he was playing around with.

"What do you remember about him?" Izuku inquired, getting back to the topic at hand.

"His hair was white and his hands were rough from overuse of his Quirk," Shouto answered, playing with green curls as he spoke. "He was still training with my father when my Quirk manifested. Once it did, I joined them for training."

That had been odd. Enji had been ecstatic once he officially started training Shouto. Clearly favored his youngest over his oldest. For a four-year-old child, he didn't understand at the time and Touya had never said anything, but even young Shouto could sense something off about his brother. Only later did he come to think it was most likely jealousy as Touya had always looked up to their father from day one and wanted to train under him. While Shouto was forced to as he was Endeavor's 'masterpiece'.

That label was what had made something snap in Touya. Shouto didn't exactly know what happened. His back was turned and his father was suddenly yelling. Young him had turned to see Enji blocking him from something bright and blue and hot before their father dragged his brother out of the training room. Shouto had followed after trying to understand what happened as Touya was thrown into his room.

He never did learn what happened having been sent to his room soon after. Only hearing the muffled yelling of his father and brother and the cries of his mother. Shouto didn't want to ask his mother about it now in case it triggered her. There was no way that bastard would say anything and he couldn't ask the brother that was now lost. Leaving it a mystery of the past though that was probably for the best.

"One day in training, something bad happened," Shouto said, appreciating the fact that Izuku didn't push him for details. Maybe someday but not right now. "After that, Touya didn't come to training anymore."

Which meant all of Endeavor's focus had been on him, a four-year-old child. Pushing and pushing him even to the point of puking onto the training room floor. His mother did what little she could against the bastard but it never stopped the harsh training. Shouto had feared he would face it and the aftermath alone except he had been wrong.

Touya had come to him dutifully after every session. The odd feeling he had gotten from his brother before that had disappeared replaced by a fierce protectiveness. Rough hands patched him up and piercing blue eyes took in every injury. Taking pictures for a reason he couldn't fathom at the time and that were now lost somewhere nowhere to be found. Though Shouto would resume his brother's efforts even though he didn't necessarily know it was for the same reason back then.

His eldest brother had taken care of him in sparing moments late into the night before leaving him alone. A new routine to his life. Time with his mother only to be pulled away by his father then patched up by his brother. That was…until that fateful night.

Mother snapped and poured boiling water on him scarring Endeavor's precious 'masterpiece'. After that she was gone. Touya still came to him after training sporting his own burns and bruises from practicing on his own. But near the end his brother visited him less and less until he was gone as well.

They didn't know how he had 'died' exactly and their father didn't elaborate. A shrine was erected in the Todoroki home in honor of their fallen brother. Enji would dutifully visit it regularly along with his other siblings. Shouto would as well to pay his respects though a part of him still hoped that his brother was out there somewhere. Would maybe one day come back again to comfort him late into the night.

"Touya would still help me outside of training," Shouto said. "He knew how rough training could be with my father and he helped take care of my injuries. But after what happened with mother, it wasn't long after he was gone too."

"Do you know what happened to him?" Izuku asked, curious but asking in a way that his friend wouldn't have to elaborate if he didn't want to.

"No, I don't," Shouto replied, letting out a sigh. "My father simply told us he died and left it at that. Beyond that I don't know what became of Touya. All I know is that he's gone."

A quiet sniffle drew his attention from green hair to green eyes. Izuku sat up as he wiped futilely at his tears. The greenet pulled the other up into a sitting position as well to pull him into a hug. Shouto only hesitated for a second as this was new before wrapping his arms around his warm friend.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Shouto," Izuku whispered next to his ear. A shiver shot down his spine though he didn't understand why. "Please know I'm here for you."

The bi-color teen huffed in laughter at how his friend was worried about him when Shouto was there to comfort him instead.

"And I'm here for you too, Izuku," Shouto promised as he firmed his hold around the other. "You don't have to be alone. We can get through this. Together."

From their positions, Izuku couldn't see the sincere small smile on Shouto's face and vice versa the blush on freckled cheeks went unsee. Neither knowing the mutual understanding of the meaning behind those words. They stayed like that for a while not saying anything only soaking up the feel of the other in the embrace.

Eventually Shouto broke the silence and said, "My mother would like to meet you some time."

"Really?" Izuku asked in surprise but didn't let go.

"Mhmm."

He could feel as well as hear the hummed reply.

"Oh…I'd like that."

"Mmm…"

They kept holding onto each other for a little while more though they did shift to lay back down after a bit. Arranging themselves side by side in each other's arms much like I-Island and the sleepover. Again, Shouto had to remind himself that it wasn't the time for kissing. Though he was still very much tempted with Izuku so close.

Later.

Shouto ran his fingers through green curls though they appeared black in the dark room. Which reminded him of their teacher's black hair and his theory concerning it. Which then reminded him of another theory of his that was recently proven correct.

"Turns out I was right, you know," Shouto said suddenly out of the blue.

"What do you mean?" Izuku asked, not pulling away and leaning into the touch.

"Hitoshi and Aizawa," the conspiracy theorist commented. "They are technically father and son."

The greenet froze trying to think back as to how Shouto had made the connection. He had been so overwhelmed before and hadn't registered much of what was said entirely. But now that he thought about it, Aizawa did basically admit that Hitoshi was living with him. Anyone could who knew of his friend's foster situation could connect them with that.

"Okay, fine, you were right," Izuku huffed as he snuggled closer. "But being right about one of your theories doesn't make all of them accurate. There's no way my dad is fake. We just talked to him earlier, you weirdo."

Shouto chuckled as he held him close. Perhaps Izuku was right. Perhaps not all of his crazy theories were right, but it still was fun to play around with them. Like an intellectual exercise trying to make sense of the world around him. In a way it was sort of fun applying such odd theories to what he observes. And it was a bit entertaining to mess with Izuku like this. He chuckled again before shifting slightly to get more comfortable.

Izuku fell asleep before him and slumbered peacefully in his arms. Again, Shouto had to restrain himself from closing the distance between them. He wanted to try kissing with Izuku, not force it on his friend. While that sometimes happened in his research materials, he preferred when it was mutual. A shared connection wanted by both parties. So instead, he compromised and placed a gentle kiss on the top of the greenet's head.

"Everything is going to be alright, Izuku," Shouto whispered into the night before drifting off to sleep himself.

...

Reminder for how to access the tumblr since this site doesn't allow direct links. Please use the below format to go to the blog. But with actual punctuation because I had to even spell those out to write this here. You can also find the link to the discord on the tumblr!

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Tumblr blog name: ja0-s-blank-canvas-fic

Notes extension: ja0-s-blank-canvas-fic/713706190167801857/part-3-chapter-20-anguish-shared?source=share

Also a reminder that I have made a linktree account to the tumblr, discord, and more! Again, this site is weird with links but you can use the below format to find it. ;)

linktr (period) ee/jokeraddict0

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