"I Love You."

Bedtime Stories

Todoroki's POV

I smiled warmly as Midoriya grinned and told me he loved me, allowing my features to show my emotions that my father spent years to beat out of me. At the sudden thought of my father, my smile fell and I felt tears creep into the corners of my eyes as I tried to shake the horrible memories away.

Images of my mother's scared face flashed in front of my eyes when I blinked, and for a brief moment, I was back in my father's house, wandering down the lonely halls as I looked for something to entertain myself with.

I regret walking into the kitchen that night, with the sound of the kettle whistling and my mother staring at me in horror, as if I wasn't her son, but a monster. As if I was him –

I inhaled sharply to bring myself back into the real world; past memories floating away and vanishing into smoke when I felt a warm hand press against my cheek.

Midoriya was sitting in front of me with his legs crossed and his emerald eyes shining with worry and concern in the little moonlight that slipped through the curtains of his dorm room.

"Todoroki," he murmured softly, "What's wrong?"

Upon hearing the worry laced in his words, my heart felt shattered and nothing could have stopped the way my tears began to slide down my cheeks.

I pressed my hands over my face and I sobbed, letting out all the depressing emotions that had been bottled up in me for way too long.

I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my shoulders, giving me comfort in a way I didn't know possible.

I pressed my face to Midoriya's chest and let myself cry even though I knew that if my father were to see me he would instantly push me towards the training room, telling me that crying is for the weak and that I am a disgrace for showing my emotions.

How can I be a hero and save people if my emotions compromise me?

At the thought, I pulled away, wiping my face furiously as I struggled to breathe properly.

After a few minutes of silence, I looked towards the green-haired boy in front of me, who still hadn't left after knowing how weak I am for crying, especially because good boys don't cry –

As if hearing my thoughts, Midoriya spoke up.

"It's okay to be vulnerable sometimes, Todoroki," he smiled warmly at me as he took my hand in his, "It's not healthy to keep all your emotions bottled up. I mean, I cry legit every single day, and yet I'm still here standing and smiling, just like All Might."

I look down at our hands and give his an encouraging squeeze, telling him that I'm all right now and that I appreciate his help.

I take another deep breath, closing my eyes, unable to stop the images of my mother from filling my vision.

"C-Can I tell you something?" I whispered, opening my multi-coloured eyes to meet Midoriya's.

"Of course, Todo!" He exclaimed, happy that I trust him enough to speak to him about my problems.

I sighed, trying to find where I should start. "Well, it's about my mom. I-I visited her a few days ago, hoping that we could mend our relationship, but she didn't want to see me." I paused, feeling a dark emotion sweep through my lungs, heavy like tar. "She threw a glass vase at me while I was trying to tell her I missed her."

~Todoroki's Flashback~

Nervousness sank deep into my bones as I walked down the hospital corridor towards my mother's room.

It's almost been 10 years since I last saw her, and I only have just gained the courage to face her and ask for her forgiveness, to try and mend our shattered relationship.

Memories of the last time I saw her crept into my head, and suddenly I could feel the burn – no, the shirring pain that danced across my eye as she held me down, the screaming kettle clenched in her hands as the water poured across my face.

I blinked away from the memory and realised that I was standing outside mother's room.

I felt my hands sweat as I slowly reached and turned the doorknob, pushing the door open silently.

An there she was, her long snow-white hair let out and her back turned away from me, not realising that I had come in yet.

"Hey, mum."

I stood very still as I heard her choke on a breath before turning, looking at me with grey eyes and a look of horror on her face, just like she had when she –

I cleared my throat. "I was just – "

"Get out." She stated coldly, shaking as she inched away from me.

I took a step forward, tears entering my eyes. "Mum, please – "

"You're not supposed to be here!" she screamed, grabbing one of her flower vases and throwing it across the room.

I barely make it out the door in time before I heard a shattering noise, pain ripping my shoulder as I fell and landed on the floor.

I ran through the hallway sobbing, not looking back.

~End Flashback~

As the flashback faded away, felt tears re-enter eyes and I instantly pressed myself to Midoriya's chest, gripping his shirt and soaking in his warmth.

His arms slowly came and wrapped around my waist, smooth hands caressing my back in an attempt to help calm me down.

After a couple of minutes I had calmed down again and felt Midoriya slowly rocking us back and forth, whispering encouraging words into my ear and telling me how strong and amazing I was.

I smiled at his words and replied.

"I love you so much."