Always tired (bnha agere)

Chapter Eleven: The Nightmare

Cw: Nightmares, involuntary regression

Intense, his heart pounded inside his chest. His eyes shot open and the boy glanced about the darkness. He was completely panic stricken. Shoto was never one for having particularly enjoyable dreams. His were often odd or frightening but he just wanted to have one good dream once and a while.

Sitting up in bed, Todoroki grasped onto the stuffed elephant Izuku had given him not too long ago. It didn't really have a name - it was just known as "Elephant" to him.

The fact he was shivering and shaking like a leaf in the wind was part of what was scaring him. He was supposed to be strong and unphased by simple things as nightmares. But here he was, holding onto a stuffed animal in the dark and trying not to drop into a complete spiralling panic.

As much as he didn't want to, he knew he should probably go and find Izuku. He felt like he was drifting away and becoming smaller and more helpless by the second. It took quite a bit of courage to get out of bed and make his way through the dark though.

Although Todoroki offered the door a few knocks, he knew he'd get no response. Izuku was definitely asleep. Shoto paused. Was this really a good idea? A lump formed in his throat as he began to rethink. Would Izuku be mad with him for bothering him at such an hour? For waking him up?

Finally, the boy shook his head. Stroking the elephant's fur against his cheek for comfort, he pried open Midoriya's door and slipped inside of his room. He crept over. He desperately needed some comfort, some attention - he couldn't just go back to his room or he'd panic.

"Midoriya." Shoto whispered, shaking his sleeping friend's shoulder just roughly enough to wake him up.

"Hm? Huh?" Izuku's eyelids flickered open and he furrowed his brow, attempting to figure out what exactly was happening. "Shoto? Why are you here? It's late," the boy rubbed his eyes and drowsy, propped himself upright. "You should be sleeping."

Shoto flinched when Izuku switched on his lamp. It took a moment for the two to get used to the light. Izuku was then able to see the nervous look strewn across his friend's face.

"Did you have a nightmare?"
"Yes."

Izuku's voice was hushed and soft as silk. He gestured for Todoroki to get in bed with him to which the boy, now properly slipping into littlespace, obliged. Izuku couldn't help but give a sleepy smile when he noticed the stuffed elephant.

"Not... Not mad?" Shoto asked as Izuku switched off the lamp again and repositioned himself next to Shoto. Blinking at the little, Midoriya sighed, pulling him into himself. Why would he be angry?

"No, you were scared. There's nothing wrong with being scared." Midoriya whispered. Shoto nuzzled his stuffed elephant. "The best heroes have been scared before. I'll protect you from your nightmares!" Izuku proclaimed, holding Todoroki tighter.

The little cuddled into him. It was so warm there beside Izuku. The All Might bed sheets were cosy. Shoto couldn't think about much right then but he knew he felt better now he was beside his caregiver and with his precious elephant.