cold winter's night

the talk

while the kid was showering i explained to yamada how i came about this mysterious child. his husbands face grew even more concerned with each sentence. "he can absolutely stay the night. but we need to find his parents to let them know he's alright.."

the young boy came rushing in at that moment fully cleaned and dressed in my clothes, which were humongous on the small boys skinny body. he fell to his knees in front of them, "please don't make me go back to them! i'll do anything i'll-i'll do whatever you ask of me but please don't- please.." 

tears streamed down his face once more as he pleaded with them, his forehead pressed against the floor in front of there feet as his body shook with sobs. i got to my knees and pulled the boy up so look him in the eyes. "please.. you can't.." the boy gripped the front of my shirt the way his voice trembled made my heart clench, i had to force myself to stay calm.

"hey you're alright, were not going to do anything until you tell us why you can't go home, you must understand why were so concerned for you? i found you sleeping on the streets in the snow, in a school uniform.. and i know school has been out for at least 2 months.. were just trying to understand.. so if you would explain how we can help you that would be a great deal of help for us.. okay?" i placed my hands gently on his wrists, he nodded and let go.

"i uhm.. where should i start?" 

"maybe start with your name? your real name this time.. then we can go from there." i smiled at him as he sat in a more comfortable position. yamada made his way to the floor beside me. he had a reassuring smile on his face as well.

"im um.. izuku.. izuku midoriya.. i go to Aldera junior high, or at least went there.. im 14 years old.. uhm i'm quirkless, and i've been on my own for roughly 2 years now. so even if you wanted to send me back home or at least try and contact my parents they wouldn't care." the boy spoke softly to the floor, we didn't say anything to allow him t continue.

"my father is an abusive asshole, who has been hurting me and my mom since i was four, after he found out i was quirkless he was angry..my mom left about 3 years before i did.. i don't know where she is, i haven't spoken to her since the day she disappeared. after my mom- uhm left.. the abuse got worse because she was uhm- you know not there to protect me anymore.. i've been bullied, harassed, and told to kill myself, by all of my classmates, and well my teachers too.. i've been beat up, mugged, uhm" the boy swallowed hard before continuing.

"and-uhm- and r-raped.. since i've been on the streets. i've never been able to find a job because nobody hires 13-14 year olds.. i guess the only time i'm able to eat or shower was when school is in session.. i'm able to find leftovers that restaurants throw out so i don't starve to death.. wow you guys are easy to talk too.. i didn't mean to say so much.. uhm could you please stop looking at me like that.." i felt hot tears roll down my cheeks, out of the corner of my eye i see yamada wiping away his own tears.

"izuku.. i- uhm. are you okay? truthfully, are you injured anywhere, are you hungry? thirsty? tired? say the words and you've got it okay?" yamada's world fell out of his mouth voice full of sadness and concern, he was already preparing to stand up to get the kid anything he asks for.

"actually uhm, i think i might have a few broken ribs.. and i'm really thirsty.." 

"oh lord have shouta look at your ribs, do you want tea, water, milk?" yamada stood making his was to the kitchen, "waters fine thank you." the boy turned his attention to me.

lifting his shirt tenderly he revealed a huge purple and yellow bruise covering half of his left side, because of how skinny he was you could see how out of place his ribs were. his body was littered with burn scars, jaggade scars, and what looked to be whipping scars... my heart hurt for the boy the more i looked..

i immediately pulled out my phone and dialed recovery girl, she is the best healer i know and could fix him up faster than any hospital could. izuku stared at me with fear in his eyes, "it's okay, i'm just calling a friend who can help with your injuries." i explained quickly before she answered the phone.

"shouta what have i told you about calling me this late? are you alright? where are you?" 

"im at home and yes im fine, but i need you to come to my apartment quickly. ill explain when you get here."

"damn you boy, i'm on my way."

she hung up the phone, it didn't take more than a minute for me to here her knocking on the door. we lived in the same apartment building so it didn't ever take her long to get here when she was needed.

i stood up and let her in, she took off her slippers hitting me with one of them and made her way to the green haired boy who still sat on the floor.

"i assume you called me here for him?" the cranky lady asked as she kneeled to the floor in front of izuku. 

"yes, he has a few broken ribs. i need you to heal him please." i grumbled as i plopped down on the couch, yamada was already back with water for izuku and tea for recovery girl.

"hello there my boy, im recovery girl. your ribs are broken, yes?" izuku nodded still staring at the floor. 

"i'm going to give you a quick kiss to the forehead alright? it will help heal your body, don't be scared when you start to feel faint." izuku snapped his head up to finally look at the old woman kneeling before him. 

"okay.."