The Emerald Prince

Chapter 34: Two Brothers

Izuku stared at his bleeding palm, furious at himself that just her name could affect him that badly. He pressed his forehead against the cool hospital wall and took steadying breaths. Amajiki's method really was excellent.

Hearing the door sliding open, he pulled away, shoving the injured hand into his pocket, and looked up at Todoroki.

"How did it go?"
His spirits rose with the bicoloured male's tentative smile.
"Really, really well."
"I'm so glad!" Izuku grinned and turned to head back up the hallway.

Todoroki watched him, hesitant.
"Izuku?"
"Hmm?" Came a cheerful reply.
"You know...you know you can trust me."
The greenette froze, but kept his voice light. "Of course!"
"Izuku..."

There was a pause, and the greenette swallowed the lump in his throat.
"I'm sorry I lied to your- to her... but I... know I can trust you, Shoto."
Izuku's voice trembled slightly, and when Todoroki caught up, the strain in Izuku's expression had him back tracking.

"I'm sorry! You don't have to tell me anything."
"I- it's just difficult..."
"It's okay."

It took most of the walk from the hospital, but they gradually got back to normal.
They arrived at the Aizawas' to find the head of the household, asleep on the hall floor.

"No, I don't know how he survived before me either." Sighed Izuku, before stepping unceremoniously over the unconscious man and leading the startled teen up the stairs.

They unpacked what he'd bought, and Izuku left him to change, heading back downstairs to start cooking and upturn a bucket of water on his father.

Todoroki gazed at the western style guest room. It wasn't what he was used to, but on balance he was glad.
He was kind of excited to try sleeping in a bed instead of a futon, so after drawing the warm blue curtains wide to let in the light of the setting sun, he fell back on the bed, and felt the mattress bend and curve around his weight.

He let his control fall and smiled wide.

My mum actually loves me.
I'm safe from my father.
I'm living with the man I'm going to marry someday.

The smell of something wonderful wafted up the stairs and he closed his eyes, enjoying the loss of a weight that had been on his shoulders for years.

"GAHHHHH! YOU BRAT!"

Todoroki was suddenly awake and in complete panic.

Izuku was in danger dad had tracked them down as was going to kill Izuku maybe Aizawa is also abusive and going to come here and beat him for being a terrible friend to Izuku maybe endeavour had found out that he'd visited the hospital Izuku was in danger Izuku could be hurt Izuku IZUKU!

He raced downstairs, jumping athletically over two sleeping cats, fire already dancing in his palm, to find a soaking wet Aizawa grumbling at a hysterical doubled over greenette clutching a bucket.
They turned to look at him, and he took a deep steadying breath, extinguishing his fire and walking down the rest of the stairs.

Izuku's eyes quickly widened in understanding and he raced over and hugged the bicoloured male.
"Sorry Shoto, I should have thought...you're safe, I'm safe and Aizawa is someone you can trust."

"Sorry Todoroki, I confess I did not realise how my actions would affect you."

Aizawa bowed and Todoroki gazed at them in surprise, Izuku unfortunately pulled away, and, seeing as the teen wasn't going to say anything, he smiled slightly.

"Ready to eat?"

———

Todoroki was overwhelmed.