Infernal Memories

What Gives You The Right?

"For me?"

"Who else?"

He thought. He had never been asked what he wanted, outside of his school time. He didn't have any idea what might actually help him.

"Ok. I can see you're lost so...how about shopping? I know it's risky with how the world is now but you can go shopping with me so you can see that we aren't buying poison?"

"But I trust you- in my head at least. When someone hands me a bowl of food it's just- instinctual. I don't even realize I do it sometimes."

"Well I need someone to help me carry things anyway, so will you come?" Todoroki nodded. "okay what else can we do?" They both thought deeply, exploring things that were small changes.

"It doesn't happen at school anymore, when I'm with the class, but I'm not good with touching. At least not with adults. Apparently, I flinch when someone taps my shoulder, or knocks into me so..." he turned his head downward, as if ashamed to say it. "Maybe warn me before you touch me."

"Okay. We can do that. Can you think of anything else?" Todoroki shook his head. "Okay, we'll do that, and I need you to do two things for me."

"Okay."

"One, stop apologizing for things. two, I need you to help Eri with her reading. She never learned the right way, and is having trouble. It just so happens one of my top students now lives with me, so teach her how to read while me and Mic are gone today."

"I'm teaching Eri how to read? Is she homeschooled?"

Aizawa nodded. "We have a tutor come in two times a week and teach her, he comes tomorrow. in the meantime, help her out. I also have your homework, so do that too."

"When is the court date?"

"Two months from now exactly. I'm thinking that by then you'll be back at the dorms, for a while at least. It will be the safest for you there."

Todoroki lit up. "Really? I- I like it here. I feel safer here but- that's- I'm more used to it."

"I understand. I want you there too, it'll be better for your mental health." He paused. "Todoroki, the court date is being split into two, since it's a major case. You'll be there for the first half, but not the second half. And, I spoke to Tsukauchi, he said you're going to see Endeavor day after tomorrow. I wanted to ask you if there was anyone you wanted with you. A classmate or one of your siblings maybe?"

It would be a traumatic experience. he probably should bring along mental support. But who? He didn't want to make Fuyumi or Natsuo face Enji right now, they were the ones being affected by this the most after him. So a classmate. Midoriya had known a little bit of his history for a while now, he might be pretty understanding.

But he couldn't keep himself together. He would spout off at Endeavor and make things harder, even if he was good support. Iida would keep things professional, but he isn't very good at comforting people, other than handing people tissues. Yaoyorozu might actually be helpful, her usually calm and cheerful demeanor could lighten the mood some, but he didn't want to expose her to the things his father might say. To the things he might say. He didn't want to expose any of them to that. He hardly even wanted to go. Should he bring someone?

"I'll talk to them. I might just go alone."

Aizawa frowned. "I know you don't want to let them see that, but they want to be there for you. If I were you, and I was picking a classmate, I would choose either Shoji or maybe Jiro. They've both got training in mental health counseling in victims. It's not exactly professional, but it's better than nothing."