Serendipity

occhiolism

"A weapon! That's all you are, Shouto! Useless! What else could you even be?"

Endeavor throws his son across the room, it has to be the fourth or fifth time. "Do you think you're a person? Real people aren't as useless as you," he spits. He watches Shouto try to get up, his arms shaking and chest slumping down. "You can't even stand on your own. If you were any weaker, I'd just be rid of you, kill you."

Aizawa shakes his head, flipping a pancake over in his pan. He'd watched the footage along with Toshinori. They'd both seen and heard Endeavor, both witnessed secondhand how much damage a grown man can do to a fifteen-year-old. Hawks had said it was going on for years, since Shouto was even younger. Maybe even his whole life. The only one who would know is Todoroki himself, maybe the siblings who left him or the mother who was forced to flee him.

It's only been a night of having Todoroki here in his home. It's not the first time he's been a makeshift parent for a kid in need. Hitoshi was the first, Aizawa had the most legal trouble with him, but he managed to win, over those shitheads who call themselves his parents and take full custody. No court trial, just a whole lot of financial threats and some paperwork. That was years ago. He lives in the dorms now, happier than ever, Aizawa hopes.

Eri was his most recent 'foster'. The mental aspect of raising a child who'd gone through what Eri had was... exhausting for the both of them. Aizawa had already learned some things from living with Hitoshi for a bit. How kids from abusive situations like to disappear, the trust issues and fear that came with existing. The way you can build them up for weeks and finally be in a good place, just for them to crumble apart from the inside out at the slightest reminder that the world is something to fear.

Eri is the reason he got a parenting course, one especially for previously struggling kids. She's the reason he knows what he does, and Aizawa is sure he's at least partly the reason she's able to smile like she does. Her foster parents are people who Aizawa trusts with his entire being, with no doubt in his mind that they'll take good care of her.

Todoroki was isolated. From an unknown, too young age, to almost two months ago. Aizawa can't fathom what he's thinking, he's not sure that a child psychologist can even help as far as that goes. Complete isolation from the world, nearly starved to death and forced to fight for his life... he might end up contacting therapists who are well versed in torture.

As hard as it sounds, Aizawa still took on the job. He knows just as well as anyone that he's the best option. He's already got a safe place for the kid, experience in dealing with panic episodes and the like, and he's not pushy or loud. If it doesn't work out, he can say he tried. He can say that he, Aizawa Shouta, did his best to help a kid in dire need of a new start.

Todoroki's sitting at the table, stiff and unmoving. Aizawa had to call him out of his room to come eat. When he'd opened the bedroom door, he found that Todoroki had his pillow wrapped halfway around his head, as far as it would go. Covering his ears and eyes, his still body curled up on his mattress.

Aizawa hadn't initially known how to approach him. He was sure touching was a no-go. Yelling might make him lose whatever little trust he'd made with Todoroki. In the end, he turned the light on, and some of it must've filtered through the fabric of the pillow Todoroki had his face stuffed in. He warily, very carefully and slowly, lifted his head, eyes wide with fear. Aizawa didn't give in to it, he stayed unfaltering as he told Todoroki that breakfast would be ready soon and that he should come and try to eat.

The kid listens easy enough, followed Aizawa right out the door, keeping three feet distance.

Aizawa slides a plate in front of Todoroki, the kid doesn't look at him or the food, just stares forward. Aizawa can tell he's still watching, through the corners of his eyes. It's mannerisms like these that make Aizawa's heart feel heavy with pain and sympathy for Todoroki and anyone else who's been in his position. Nobody deserves this, nobody deserves what he went through.