Fire Within -Tododeku

Childhood wounds and unspoken desires

Izuku Midoriya's life changed drastically the moment he turned five. Once ignored by his parents and classmates, he suddenly was put in a pedestal by his peers, only to be treated completely different since the day Katsuki Bakugo had decided he had enough of having him as a friend. His fire quirk was impressive on his own, he heard one of his teacher say, as many had congratulated him when he had managed to ignite his palms in fire and show them around on the room.

However, there was also jealousy.

"You think you are so much better than us, isn't that right?" Katsuki Bakugo, by then eight, asked. Izuku had been quick to negate him, nervous hands shaking.

Small children wouldn't remember that small and insignificant moment, but Bakugo made sure they did.

It all started to go downhill the day he took Izuku and the friends they had made together to the park. He had asked Izuku after ignoring him for weeks, and he had accepted, hope in his green eyes indicating that he really thought that was a friendly invitation. He thought.

Izuku walked, without noticing he was ahead of everyone else until a stone collided with his back, violently, and he yelled in pain.

"You're going all ahead of us? You really think you are the leader or something?" Katsuki screamed, outraged. Along him, Inasa and the rest of the boys standed. Some looked guilty, but most of them seemed to share the irritation Katsuki expressed, meaning they didn't really care that he had thrown a stone to their friend. They all thought Katsuki was saying the truth, Izuku realized, as he gulped. He felt tears in his eyes, but refused to cry. After all, he didn't have any ego complex! It was all a misunderstanding.

"Kacchan! What are you saying! We don't have any leaders, that is absurd" he defended himself, his voice wavering. He really didn't know what to say. Katsuki's outburst was out of blue.

"Stop pretending you don't know what I am talking about! Ever since you have gotten your flashy new quirk you think you are so much better than us! You are so quiet, as if we don't deserve to be spoken to!" Katsuki insisted, and once again, some kids nodded, clearly sharing the sentiment. "We will show you that you are nothing! Not even your flashy brand new quirk can make you superior!" And with that, they all rushed to attack him.

They didn't know Izuku was mostly quiet because he lived with a monster, one that was waiting for him every time he went home.

*

Shouto ran as fast as his legs would allow him. He was certain he had made his escape at the most opportune moment: he had made sure to plan his escape when none of the caretakers responsible for watching over him were free to keep an eye on his father's most precious creation. He had carefully planned the necessary directions to reach the police station, and although it was a long journey on foot, he knew he had the energy and desperation needed to get there. Using the map that his mother had bought him of the city after he had made it clear how interested he was in knowing the city's infrastructure (which had earned him a disbelieving look from his mom and a pleased reaction from Endeavor, who had once again claimed that his son was born to achieve greatness), after being at a prudent distance from home, Shouto finally arrived at his destination after a long walk. He managed to capture the receptionist's attention as soon as he entered.

"Are you lost, kid?" she asked, kindness in her tone. Shouto's heart raced: it was a good sign. A kind person would be more willing to listen to him.

"No, I'm exactly where I want to be." Shouto was not surprised at all when he saw the surprise on the officer's face. Perhaps he was not accustomed to children sounding sure of themselves. "I need to take up your time."

Todoroki was referred to a police officer in a closed room. Ignoring the urgency to ask for the open door to be closed, Shouto recounted the story of his life and the years of torment carried out by his own father,

"Look, kid... I think you might be mistaken. What you just told me is what any other kid your age would be grateful to experience. He's training you to become strong! Don't give up, champion. Sometimes in life, you have to face several obstacles to follow your dreams. I think you'll be a magnificent hero. Surely Endeavor had his reasons for applying those measures..." the officer kept talking, but Todoroki, eight years old, was no longer listening.

Todoroki realized that all was lost. The next thing that happened was that Endeavor was notified that his "missing" son was safe and sound at the police station. Todoroki remembered the kind face of the receptionist, and he wondered, already in his room and without any more tears available, if she would have had believed him.