Codependency - Blog Posts

Here is the second and last of 2 videos from a year ago that I posted on tiktok and now I'm transferring to tumblr.

At the time, I wanted to do a little bit of Vallety's parents' Lore, but at the time I was too lazy to draw and/or animate even a little, so I did everything in gacha life/club, and this video was no different.

I had come across an audio of the "The Last Unicorn" movie/series(I don't remember) and soon noticed that the audio was about 92% compatible with their Lore so I put 1+1 together

It's kind of bad and the quality may have gotten worse because, TikTok, right, but I still think it's a cool concept :)

The moment Ilara says "I am human" is not, like, her renouncing her origins and accepting that she is now human, or at least partially human.

It's a moment of outburst, of exhaustion, one of those moments where you say things you don't really agree with or think about, a vulnerable moment, caused by the extreme body dysmorphia she felt, which Hansuke helped her overcome, because she is a siren, no matter what her body is, no matter what anyone says, no matter what anyone does/did to her.

And that will never change.

Separation anxiety

Trapped in Heaven

by: fairystar111

Rating: Gen

Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia

Summary:

Love is something we all need.   It's something we all want, whether it be romantic or platonic.   But sometimes you don't get it from the people you want it from, and the people that were supposed to love you turn their backs.

Characters: Himiko Toga, Twice | Jin Bubaigawara, Ochaco Uraraka, Iida Tenya.

CW/Tags: Kidnapping, Big Sister Himiko Toga, Parental Twice/Jin Bubaigawara, Yandere Himiko Toga, Yandere Twice, Obsessive Behavior, Possessive Behavior, Unhealthy Relationships, Toxic Codependency, Mind Break, Memory Alteration, Forced Infantilism, Stockholm Syndrome, Yandere, Platonic/Parental Yandere, Psychological Torture, Gaslighting, Emotional Manipulation, Suicidal ideation, Suicide Attempt.

Start/Previous/Next

As far as Toga could remember she never had a family to call her own. Sure she was created by her mother and father and had a sibling or two but they always felt distant. It was like they were living in a different world than she was. Whenever they would spend time together they would often send weary disgusted glances her way, grimace when she smiled showing off her sharp fangs and predator like eyes, and try to separate her from her "normal” siblings. Later on once her quirk came in harsh beatings from her father became a common occurrence over her habit of hunting small animals and sucking them dry of blood. It was like she was a viper born into a family of cowardly bunnies. They were always on edge, constantly afraid of when she would snap and eat them too. 

When she inevitably did crack, stabbing one of her classmates in a hunger induced haze. Her parents were quick to disown her and claim she had simply been born wrong and that the incident had nothing to do with their parenting. They even tried to turn her into the police station stating she was too dangerous for the general public but luckily she was able to run away. The fresh blood giving her just enough energy to react quickly and escape capture. For the first time in what seemed like forever she had a clear mind. There wasn't a heavy cloud of hunger hanging over her head. But she was all alone with no one to turn to with nothing but her bloody school uniform and an empty backpack.

She spent weeks wandering learning how to live on the streets and trying to get out of her hometown as quickly as possible. Since she was a minor they couldn’t plaster her face on wanted posters but the detailed description the police released of her was enough to get her suspicious glances and frantic calls to the police whenever she entered a store. She hadn't thought she would be so easily recognizable. I mean how many small blonde girls with golden eyes and blood sucking fangs can there be in Japan? Apparently not enough because she was getting chased down by heroes practically every time she went into a public space. She couldn't afford any hair dye or eye contacts but a dirty face mask she found littered on the street helped conceal her identity a bit. It was better than nothing.

Eventually after several weeks the news of the school stabbing died down and people began to forget her wanted description. Now the looks she received were mostly out of pity or disgust, most people just thinking of her as a homeless teen or a runaway. She didn't have any money and most nights she didn't even have a place to go to sleep but she was free. At the moment she was living off any birds and small animals she could catch, mostly rats since she couldn't bring herself to eat any stray pets, and sleeping in cardboard boxes and small hidey holes she could fit herself into. It wasn't much but she felt better than she has in years. 

On the streets she heard rumors of a man who offered housing and decent pay for less than legal acts. It was a month before she found him or more like he found her. Apparently the man, Giran, had spread the word to plenty of his people that if they were to find her to bring her to him. Word of her quirk got around the underworld and many people had requests for it. 

The one who ended up catching her was her Dad. She had been terrified at the time, confusing his gray and black outfit for a hero costume and lashed out at him with her tiny pocket knife. But she was quickly unarmed and pinned to the wall of the alleyway by a pair of clones. She thrashed and screamed, panicking trying to get out of his hold until Twice explained that he wasn't a hero and was here to offer her a job. He was employed by Giran, the man she was looking for and he just wanted to talk to her. She had been wary at first. Many people have wanted to hire her for her body or use her quirk for disgusting things before but she could see sincerity shining in the man's eyes so she reluctantly decided to hear him out. 

He explained how his life had spiraled out of control because of an incident regarding his quirk that had ruined his mental health. He had lost everything and had been on the streets too until he met Giran. The man had taken him in and gave him a safe place to sleep, practice his quirk, and a steady income. He told her that she would have a safe place to live where no one would judge her and Giran told him about a new group that will start recruiting people like them in a couple of months to help change the world. And that even if she doesn’t want to stay with them to at least consider accepting their help just long enough to get on her own feet and off the streets. The man had a soft spot for kids and wanted to help her in a way he had wished someone had helped him when he was younger. 

She ended up reluctantly agreeing to go with him to see Giran and from there on the rest is history. She met the broker and agreed to work for him so long as she didn't have to sell her body. The man had sputtered coughing out lungfuls of smoke when she had said that and vehemently assured her that that was never what he wanted to employ her for. It wasn't much but the slightly offended look on the broker's face and the shocked look on Twice had reassured her that these guys aren't like the disgusting people that have tried to employ her in the past. 

She was then brought to a shoddy apartment complex Giran owned and told she would be rooming with Twice for the time being since all the other complexes were full. She had been weary at first staying in an apartment with a strange man apparently named Jin Bubaigawara but after a few weeks of living together the two became very close. Jin was the first person ever to treat her kindly. He never looked at her in disgust when she drank blood or smiled. He guided her when she needed help and scolded her when she misbehaved. He was everything she wished her original family had been. Slowly but surely the slightly unstable man filled the aching hole in her heart. When meeting with a client for a job they were mistaken for a father daughter duo and they didn't bother to correct them. The title felt right, from then on she started to call him dad. 

After a couple of months of taking odd jobs here and there from Giran they met up with a pair of young men and their Sensei and officially joined the League. They spent most of their time training, planning, and helping lay down the groundwork for the war. Slowly the others were recruited first Mr.Compress then Magne and Spinner and lastly Hawks. Though they recruited many more grunts and even merged with other organizations they remained Tomura’s most trusted confidants. During their time together they had also become a family. They spent most days together managing to find time to goof off and bond with the other members while working to complete their goal. They were tasked with bringing down an entire society centered around heroics afterall. Then when they were ready; they started the war and swiftly ended it managing to bring heroes to their knees.

The beginning of the war had been pretty chaotic, at one point she had gotten separated from the others and cornered by a group of heroes. That was when she met her, her little hero. The reason she was cornered was due to a hero spotting her form melting from a elderly man to a young boy. Ochaco had spotted the heroes charging towards her and screamed at them for daring to hurt a child. The heroes yelled back that she wasn't actually a kid and was really Himiko Toga but Ochaco just screamed “It doesn’t matter if she's a villain she doesn't deserve lethal force! She’s still a kid, she just needs help!” She had fought against her own side to save her. Ochaco was the first hero to ever try to help her; she was her very own hero. From then on she became obsessed; she wanted to know anything and everything relating to the girl. 

After they won the war, all hero schools were shut down effective immediately. While raiding the abandoned UA campus for clues into the whereabouts of the missing class. She stumbled upon files on Ochaco including details on the girl's homelife and past assignments. What she found had shocked her; there were many notes from her teachers detailing Ochaco having trouble staying awake in class, not having anything to eat for lunch, and passing out during training. Her records showed that she attended UA on a financial aid scholarship. The girl likely didn't have enough money to feed herself due to her family's poor financial situation. The heroes knew all this and they did nothing to help. 

Then she found it, in a stack of assignments labeled class 1-A, a worksheet with the prompt: Why do you want to become a hero? All the girl wrote about was her parents and wanting to make money for them. How she was already helping them as much as she could but it wasn't enough so she decided to become a hero to help ease their burdens. This is why she was doing so poorly in class, the brunette was training daily on a near empty stomach and working in her parent’s failing business afterschool with little to no time to rest. It was no wonder she was having trouble in class. Her little hero didn't even want to be a hero other than to help her selfish greedy parents.

That was when Toga knew Ochaco was just like her. She too was being exploited by awful parents while the heroes turned a blind eye and did nothing to help. Ochako needs someone to help her like the League helped Toga. At that moment the blond decided that person would be her. When they eventually find class 1-A, she and her dad will be taking Ochaco with them because she deserves to be saved too. She needs someone to tell her that what happened to her wasn't okay and learn how to be cared for instead of always caring for others. She probably won't understand it at first but it’s for her own good. Her baby sister will be the most spoiled pampered little girl in the world. She won’t have to overwork herself ever again when they get their hands on her. Now all they had to do was find the girl.

=====

Ochaco awoke slowly, groggily blinking her sleepy eyes and yawning as she stretched out her limbs. She was so comfortable she didn't even want to wake up but something felt strange. The blankets were incredibly soft unlike the old scratchy ones she had at home, the pajamas she was wearing felt far nicer than anything she's ever had, and she could hear soft lulling music that made her want to go back to sleep. As her vision cleared she noticed what looked like white bars on the ceiling and something slowly spinning? She shot up in a panic, adrenaline hitting her system when she realized she could recognize where she was. As she looked around she realized the bars were not attached to the ceiling; they were surrounding her entirely. She was in some sort of enclosed crib like cage. 

As she looked around the room she could only feel dread. The room itself was beautiful; it was huge and looked like it was made for a princess. The walls were a soft pastel pink, the floors covered in soft fluffy pink carpet, the room had what looked like a million plushies and toys decorating the space. Her name was written above the bed in white cursive lettering, a circular canopy hanging above the crib with a mobile spinning softly in the center that must have been where the lullaby from earlier was coming from. There were huge windows with pretty pink curtains and a large balcony with what looked to be a white patio table with matching chairs. It looked like something a princess would use for a tea party.

It was really pretty but… it looked like a room made in wait for the arrival of a baby girl. The last memories she had was her and her classmates being forcefully taken by the league from their hideout. So why was she here? Maybe they were saved, someone must have intercepted the League kidnapping them. But why would her name be on the wall? Heroes on the run usually don’t have much money let alone time to customize rooms for the people they rescue. Her stomach dropped as she realized she was most likely still with the league. Her eyes filled with tears and she wondered what was going to happen to her and began to weep. Her lungs could hardly keep up with how heavily she was sobbing. She could barely breathe thinking of all the possibilities for why the League had kidnapped her. 

Suddenly a voice speaking from a baby monitor she hadn't noticed rang out, “Calm down princess, Daddy will be there soon. Everythings all right. Chin up buttercup!” The girl only sobbed harder when she recognized the voice belonging to the masked villain who abducted her. She trembled as she waited for the arrival of her captor. The music from the mobile started up again, soothing her in an almost unnatural way. 

As the doors opened she could no longer feel the rising panic she was feeling a moment ago. She just watched as an unremarkable blonde man and Himiko Toga entered the room while the last of her tears rolled down her face. As they strolled forward marching toward the bed she inched backwards until her back was hitting the bars of the crib looking up at two sets of eyes watching her adoringly. 

“Hey baby we heard you're not feeling too well. ‘Course not she just got here! What can Daddy do to make it better? Hold her?” Jin cooed down at the girl. His little angel was finally safe at home. When Himiko told him about her past he just knew he had to take her in. He’s always had a soft spot for children especially those mistreated by the ones who are supposed to love them most. Her story reminded him of too much of his Himiko; there was no way he was sending her back to live with her parents. His baby went through too much too soon in her short life. She deserved to be loved and cherished like she was always meant to be.

“Yeah Ochaco, just say the word and we’ll make it better. We’ll get you anything you want!” Toga exclaimed with a wide smile. She was so happy that her baby sister was finally home.

“Wait! What's going on? Who are you and why are you calling yourself my dad? I already have parents of my own.” She asked calmly. She knew she should be upset but she couldn’t feel anything wrong, just confusion. It was like any of her negative emotions were being blocked by something. 

“What am I doing here and what is all this?” She gestured to the room around her as a fresh set of tears rolled down her face, it seemed her body was still physically reacting to her emotions; she just couldn't feel them.

“Oh baby you must be so confused. It's okay sweetie! All this must be so different from what you're used to huh? My poor little girl. Let me break it down into simple terms for you. Poor baby doesn't understand.” Twice answers with a bit of sadness creeping into his eyes. The girl clearly has never been cared for before and can’t understand why they were doing this.

“My name is Jin Bubaigawara. I’m going to be your new Papa and this is your big sister Himiko. You’re here because we found out about the way you were being treated at home and by the heroes around you. We couldn't stand to send you back to your parents in good conscience. We just knew we had to keep you. You deserve to be treasured and loved, not overworked and exploited. This is all for you princess.” The man said with full sincerity. He did not want her to end up like he did, a child slipping through the cracks with no one to lean on.

“Ochaco I know what it's like to have bad parents and have everyone around me know they're awful but turn a blind eye to the abuse. I want to save you like dad helped save me.” Toga said, hoping the girl would understand. If they let her go no one will ever help her. She’ll be stuck in the same cycle of abuse for the rest of her life.

“What are you talking about? I didn't need to be saved from anyone! My parents love me! They've never been abusive!” Ochaco spoke gently. She could feel her face heating up like it usually did when she gets mad but felt no actual anger. She knows that if they weren't blocking her emotions right now she would be very angry. Because even though her parents were poor they still loved her and cared for her the best they could. There was no “abuse” in their home; those claims are lies. 

“I know it's hard to accept that what happened to you was wrong but it was. Being cared for will feel weird in the beginning. I know it can be hard to not feel guilty for just existing but we really do love you and just want what is best for you, Even if you can't see that right now.” Toga said grimacing slightly at the red flush indicating anger on the girl's bewildered face.

“Don't worry angel, you'll understand soon. You won't have a choice.” Twice added ominously. 

=====

Then began her new hellish existence. The duo seem to think that since she was previously so “exhausted and overworked” that she shouldn't be doing anything for herself. They won't let her feed herself, dress herself, bathe herself, or even walk on her own. She is carried everywhere and if she isn't being carried she has to hold one of their hands for “safety”. They took away all of her bodily autonomy and ignore any protests she has regarding the treatment. Every time she tries to fight against them they give her a dose of muscle relaxer and do whatever they want anyway. They don’t even have the decency to put her to sleep, she's conscious the whole time while they coo and shower her in praise. 

She can’t tell which one is worse: Twice's constant smothering or Toga’s loud playful disposition. The man is the most overprotective father she has ever bared witness to. This extends to Himiko as well but for some unknown reason he is ten times worse when it comes to her. For example, once while Ochaco was trying to escape her crib she had gotten a splinter and accidentally cried out in pain when it had happened. The man immediately rushed to her, saw the splinter and took her to the doctor to get her splinter disinfected and removed. Then promptly had the crib removed and ordered a new one and observed the hired crew assembling it making sure that each piece of wood was sanded down perfectly. All while Ochaco was in his arms being cooed at and praised for being brave as if she had broken a leg. 

While Toga treats her like a plaything, dressing her in the prettiest clothes she can find and making elaborate games for them to play together. Depending on the day it can help distract her from the heavy thoughts in her mind or make them worse. She can’t even find it in herself to hate them, not really anyway. Clearly they have both been hurt in the past and think they are doing a good thing by keeping her captive but her mind is beginning to crack. 

Ochaco thought that they would eventually get bored and stop but this has been going on for months. They have never once let up on the constant babying except to have serious conversations, where they try to gaslight her into thinking her childhood was somehow abusive and send her pitying looks when she tries to refute their claims. They never fail to remind her that her parents were greedy and exploitative and that she is “safe” now. As if she wasn’t kidnapped and being forcibly imprisoned. 

The punishments were even worse; they just took more basic privileges away from her. She wasn't always carried around twenty-four-seven but after too many failed escape attempts they decided it would be in her “best interest” to stop walking altogether. If she needs something she either has to ask her captors or suffer the humiliation of crawling. If she refuses to call them by their preferred names , Daddy and Himi-nii, she isn't allowed to speak at all. They have this pacifier contraption that physically cannot be removed from her mouth except by one of them. It's probably enchanted by some sort of quirk. Same goes for the mobile that stops any so-called “tantrums” before they start. Which in reality are just her being rightfully upset at her situation and being forced to lock away her feelings. Worst of all she can’t even fight against the punishments because each time she tries they dutifully remind her that the only reason her parents are still alive is because they allow it and how that can always be changed if she does not behave. 

She couldn't handle it anymore. Every day that passed she could feel her mind fracturing. Little by little the cracks are beginning to splinter and widen soon they'll reach the core of her very being. If she stays here any longer she’ll lose herself completely. But where can she go? The League will hunt her down anywhere she tries to run. She can’t go back to her parents, that's where they would look first. She doubts she could even get them out of Japan considering how locked down the country is and if they caught them with her they would surely be killed. She is one those specifically chosen by the League to become part of their “family”, she will likely never lead a normal life ever again. She won’t ever be able to escape them so long as she lives. That's it…she’ll go to the one place they won’t be able to follow…

=====

One beautiful sunny spring day Ochaco and Jin were having a tea party in her room, while Toga was out shopping, probably getting her more frivolous clothes and gifts she doesn't want. The curtains were drawn letting in sunshine and a warm breeze, the doors to the balcony were wide open showing a gorgeous lush garden that surrounded the mansion. She was reluctantly playing on the floor with a pretty floral tea set, wearing matching princess tiaras with her “Daddy” when Twice suddenly got a phone call. It seemed to be very important considering he did not restrain her before rushing out the door. Well she has been doing “better” recently, in reality she’s been too numb to resist much of anything.

Slowly she gathered herself up off the floor, her legs wobbling from underuse as she walked out onto the balcony. She looked over the stone border to see a several mile high drop. As she stared down she contemplated if this really was the only way. She tried to find other solutions but couldn't come up with anything. She had been thinking of escape for months and what she would do if she ever got the chance to leave but nothing seemed feasible. The League will never let her go. She will never be able to see her parents again or have a normal life. This is the only way she thought as she stepped up onto the ledge. She hesitated for a moment before hearing the door to her room click open and made up her mind. She turned around and gently pushed her feet off the edge letting herself fall. She heard the man scream coming from above but ignored it. He’d be too slow to catch her anyways.

“I'm so sorry Mom and Dad. I hope we can meet again in another life.” She thought as her body sailed through the air. “I'm finally going to be free.”

When suddenly a flurry of red feathers flew toward her cutting her rapid descent towards the ground short. 

“No!” Uraraka screamed as she hung from the feathers embedded in her clothing. She thrashed trying to dislodged them before their winged owner arrived but was unsuccessful. The blond man was there before she could blink, lifting her into his strong arms.

“Oh chicklet, what have you done?” Keigo spoke gravely, golden eyes filled with sorrow. When he had gotten the alert that one of the other’s fledgling had fallen off the west side of the building he had assumed it was a fluke. That maybe she and Himiko were playing a bit too recklessly and had a little accident but this…this was intentional. His stomach filled with dread, he would have never imagined any of their children attempting something like this. She was actually trying to die. 

“Let me go! I want to go! Just let me go!” The girl's screams dissolved into sobs as yet another escape attempt ended in failure. This was her last chance to be free. She won’t ever get a chance like this again after this stunt. Ochaco is going to die, maybe not physically but they are going to kill her. They are going to take away everything that makes her her and mold her into whatever they want. At this point, she might just let them. She’s tired. She doesn't want to fight anymore. She’s done.

As they flew back up to the balcony the girl grew limp. Keigo wonders if she knows how badly she is going to be punished for this. While Jin is one of the sweetest most generous guys Keigo knows, he could also be unbearably possessive if you try to take something away from him that is his, a trait from his childhood growing up in the slums. He doesn't even know where to begin when it comes to Himiko. The girl is also both extremely possessive and obsessive of anyone she considers family, due to her lack of a healthy loving family for most of her childhood. Ochaco tried to take herself away from them permanently. This won't be handled lightly. 

“I think I caught something of yours?” Hawks spoke lightheartedly as he handed Ochaco back to her father trying to ease the man's panic. If Fumikage or Shouto ever did something like this they would never see the light of day again.

“Oh thank god! Baby are you alright? Of course not, she tried to kill herself!” Twice hugged the girl tightly. 

“I'm sorry Daddy! I didn't mean to- I didn't want- I…I just didn't know what to do.” Ochaco said the soft words tapering off into broken sobs.

“It's alright sweetheart we’ll get you the help you need. Just go to sleep when you wake up you'll be all better.” The man responded gently, shushing and rocking the girl to sleep. The sedative worked quickly and she was out in seconds.

“Thank you for saving my babygirl Keigo.” Twice thanked the winged man sincerely for once not splitting or contradicting himself.

“It's no problem! I hope the chicklet can safely recover from this.” Hawks answered solemnly. He was going to hug his fledglings so hard when he got home. They won't be leaving the nest for a while. He could feel his instincts beginning to go wild from seeing a nestling in so much danger.

“Oh she will. We’ll make her.” 

=====

When Ochaco awoke she found herself in a white padded room. There was no furniture, no bed, no color, nothing. She had even been changed into a sterile white hospital gown. She couldn’t hear a sound aside from her own breathing.

“Oh…oh no.” She thought, this is her fault, this is what happens when you try to cross someone from the League. She tried to leave them and now they are going to destroy her.

At first she thought she could wait it out. Yes she had done something…bad but surely they couldn’t be so cruel as to leave her on her own like this.

They are.

Nothing she did could get someone to come interact with her. She tried screaming, crying, pleading but no action received a response. Her meals arrived in the form of cold slop and water served randomly throughout the day when she was asleep. The tasteless mush does nothing quell the hunger in her stomach. 

It hurts.

Soon she lost track of the days. There was no way to track it, meals came sporadically and the white lights never turned off. With nothing to focus on but the hunger in her stomach and the sound of her own breathing. Soon her mind began to blank; she would lose hours of the day doing nothing and thinking of nothing. 

It was getting harder to think straight…her mind felt fuzzy.

Then came the doctor. Their face was a black void and their voice sounded staticy and unnatural; their body was vaguely humanoid and draped in white but if she stared too long her head would start to ache. 

It didn't help. It didn't feel human.

Then the sessions began. It started simple enough: What was her name, her birthday, how she was feeling etc ect. But slowly it became more sinister for each question answered wrong and electric shock was sent through her collar. 

“How many parents did you grow up with Ochaco?”

“Two.” 

Shock

“Do you have any siblings my dear?”

“No.”

Shock

“What is your family name?”

“Uraraka.”

Shock

Eventually as the weeks began to blur together and the pain the shocks were starting to get stronger, the hunger, the burning white light became too much. She started to say the lies they wanted to hear. She was starting to believe them too. 

“Can you describe your family for me?”

“It’s just me, Daddy, and Himiko.”

“Good very good.”

“Can you describe the home you grew up in?”

“I have a big bedroom filled with a lot of toys, pink walls, and a big closet full of pretty clothes. I have a TV to watch cartoons and a lot of pretty decorations. And um…um… I can’t remember anywhere else.” 

“That’s alright. I'm sure you’ll remember once you go back home. You're doing very well.”

“Do you go to school?”

“Daddy homeschools me.”

“That’s right.”

“Why are you here?”

“Why am I here? I can’t remember.”

“Oh sweetie, your family brought you here because of your memory problems. You were in a terrible accident and you've been having trouble remembering things ever since. I'm here to fix that and set your mind straight.”

It was harder for her to remember what's true and what's not. It was like whole chunks of her memories were being deleted and replaced. A fantasy carefully curated by her captors was taking over her mind. 

The lapses of reality that break through the delusion hurt more than anything.

“What do you do when you see your family?”

“Smile!”

“How do you feel when you spend time with your daddy and big sister?”

“Happy!”

“Who do you want to see most when you finish treatment?”

“My mama!”

Shock

“I thought we discussed this Ochaco you don't have a mother.”

“I-i d-don't?”

“No, only a father and a sister.”

“Oh right… I guess I forgot. I’m sorry!”

“It’s alright sweet girl, you'll be back with them soon. You’re doing so well.” 

===

Months… she thinks it's been months since she woke up in the white room. The doctor said it's time to go now. She's all better and it's time to go home. Her family will be picking her up soon. She’s trembling in anticipation waiting for their arrival. For some reason feels sick when she thinks of seeing her family. No that can’t be it, it must be excitement. She probably just forgot how happy she used to get to see them. 

“Hi Daddy! Hi Himi-nii! I missed you!” Ochaco shouted as they walked through the door, wearing one of the bright happy smiles she practiced with the doctor.

“Oh baby I missed you so much. How are you doing? You're not having any more problems are you? We're so glad you're back!” Twice shouted as he scooped the girl into his arms and spun her around.

“No Daddy! I’m all better!” She said, letting out well rehearsed giggles as her dad spun her around.

“She took exceptionally well to the treatment. Ochaco, go ahead and show them what you learned.” The doctor ordered.

“Hi my name is Ochaco Bubaigawara! I live with my Daddy and big sister Himiko. My favorite things in the whole wide world are my family and eating mochi! I like to spend my days playing with Himi-nii and waiting for daddy to come home. Speaking of home, I want to go back now please! This place wasn’t very fun.” Ochaco finished off her speech with puppy dog eyes.

“Of course Ochaco! We're going to have so much fun together when we get home!” Toga responded joyfully, taking the girl from her dads arms. It's okay now her little sister is better. They'll do things right this time. No more mistakes. 

“May I speak to you for a moment?” The doctor asked Jin.

“Of course! Whadaya want?” 

“You’ll need to continue practicing the conditioning at home at least once a day for the next six months but other than that she should be good to go. The girl still has chances for relapse since she was only with me for a short amount of time. Usually the patients I take for permanent changes are with me for a year or more.”

“What! She can still go back to how she was before! What are we paying you for then?!”

“Sir my quirk is good but I'm not a miracle worker. You wanted her back as fast as possible so I did what I could within the six month period you gave me. I can’t remove portions of memory too quickly without ruining a person's individual personality. Unless you want me to keep her for another six months this is as good as it's going to get.”

“No, you're right, I'm sorry. Fuck you! What do we need to do to make sure the changes stay permanent?”

“She still has some blanks in her memory that you’ll have to fill. Past events such as birthdays, friends, and general childhood I left blank for you to come up with. As long as you don’t trigger any major memories of her past within the next couple of months all changes should remain permanent. In the event of any past memories resurfacing so long as you bring her back to me within a couple of days I can reverse the damage.”

“Alright, we can do that. We don’t want her to try to kill herself again! Thank you Doctor. Yeah thanks Doc!”

“No need to be so formal, call me V̸̠̌͗͒͂̑̅͌̕ö̷̥̮̥͓́̉̈́̿̅î̶̡̢̡̖͔͙̿d̸̛͇̗̰͙̋͗̃́. It was a pleasure doing business with you. ”

And with that they left the isolation ward. Ochaco in his arms reaching out to hold Himiko’s hand and smiling like she’s always been a part of the family. Their baby was back safe, sane, and happy as she should be. It took a while but their baby is finally all theirs. 

===

Life has been so much fun ever since she got to come back home! She can’t believe she had forgotten all of it. It was a little bit hard at first to get back into the routine she used to have, since she had forgotten all of it but her Daddy and big sister have been a big help. Her day starts with Daddy or Himi-nii waking her up, unlocking her crib and carrying her down to have breakfast either one feeding her or sometimes taking turns. She always has the yummiest treats for breakfast. Her Daddy is a really good cook, her sister…not so much. Sometimes her Uncle Giri even teleports gourmet foods in from all around the world just for her.

After breakfast Daddy runs a bath for her and nii-san, he always puts a little too much soap and they end up with a mountain of bubbles overflowing the tub. She gets to play with rubber bath toys while Himi-nii scrubs her clean and Daddy washes their hair. After that she is dressed in something cute and taken to school. After school she is allowed to do whatever she wants as long as someone is watching her. She’s never allowed to be alone but that's okay! She loves spending time with all of her family.

She has a total of eight aunts and uncles who love her very much, especially her uncle Keigo; he never lets her out of his sight when she comes over to play with the boys or lets her go near the windows. Whenever she tries to ask him about it he gets this sad look in his eyes and tells her it’s better if she doesn't know. She gets to visit them as much as she wants and is always allowed to come over to play with their kids.

She loves her cousins Shouto, Fumikage, and Nieto too, they are so much fun to play with and go to school with. Her Daddy even said soon there will be more she will meet that they were just in treatment so she’ll meet them later. Tomu-chan said that his little brother should be out soon and he’ll be very excited to see her. Apparently they used to be best friends! She can’t really remember that though. 

Though that doesn't matter much because today Himi-nii said that she and daddy have a surprise for her after dinner! She could hardly contain her excitement at dinner. She kept whining at Daddy to hurry up but of course that only made him chuckle and feed her slower. “Now don’t pout at me sweetpea, I wouldn't want my baby to get a tummy ache.” The man cooed teasingly. Soon enough dinner was finally over after what felt like hours, it was thirty minutes, and she was being carried back to her room. She was placed on her playmate and told to wait with Himiko while daddy went and got her present. 

As Twice walked down the halls to the elevator he thought about how much progress his youngest daughter had made. Since coming home the girl hasn't fought or resisted even once, she was their perfect little girl. While the treatment had been a bit harsh it was a necessary evil to get his princess to be happy and obedient. 

She was so docile they even removed her collar though it had revealed a terrible accident. Sometime in the duration of her stay in the isolation ward her collar had malfunctioned. The electro shock mechanisms had failed and were discharging exorbitant amounts of electricity instead of what was only supposed to be a mild buzz. It had burnt a thick line of dark pick scarring around her neck. They were devastated when they found out what had happened. They had basically tortured the poor girl without meaning to. They had to replace all of the kids' collars in case theirs failed too, not to mention what Shigaraki did to the inventor of the faulty item… The wasn't much to clean up after he was done with him. They had to scrap the gift he and Himiko were planning on giving Ochaco for her good behavior. It had been a delicate gold chain with a gold heart shaped tracking pendant. It didn't cover the scars. They hurt too much to look at as it was their mistake that put them there. So they replaced it with a soft pink collar with the same heart pendant from the original gift. 

His daughter has been through a lot in her recovery. He hopes meeting with her new guard won't cause any regression to her progress. Meeting the rest of the League and the kids hadn’t had any affect on her memory. So as long Tenya keeps his mouth shut, it should be fine. When the doors to the elevator opened there stood the boy. Huh five o'clock on the dot, well he couldn't say the boy wasn't punctual. 

“You ready kid? Fuck up and your out!” The man spoke sternly as the boy walked into the elevator.

“Yes sir.” The boy dutifully. 

“Alright. Now I don’t have to remind you what will happen if you mess with any of my daughter’s training do I? You won't ever see her again!”

“No sir, I will do my best to guard Ochaco and remain completely processional. Any personal feelings will not interfere with my duties.” Tenya responded stoically. He could do this. He has to. This was the only way to see his friends.

“Good. Fucking great!”

As the door opened he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. This is it, Tenya was going to be reunited with one of his best friends after almost a year of being separated. He didn’t expect to be quite so horrified. 

“You got me a new friend!” Ochaco squealed, eyes glittering as she looked at the new boy. He was tall with dark blue hair and glasses. He was wearing a cute collar similar to hers that said his name was Tenya. Something about that name felt familiar?

“He’s your new guard honey. Heh or guard dog like Shiggy said! He’s going to be watching over you now. All day everyday! When you want to wander the mansion or go play with your cousins he will be by your side protecting you. More like watching you like a hawk! Do you want to say hi?” Twice stepped aside letting the boy enter the room.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Ochaco responded, jumping up and down giggling before running over to Iida.

“Hi my name is Ochaco Bubaigawara! But you can call me Ochaco since my last name is soooo long! It's so nice to meet you! We don’t get many new people here. I hope we can become best friends!” The girl spoke cheerfully, eyes focused on him but not recognizing the boy. 

“Hello my name is Tenya Iida. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Tenya lowered himself into a bow. He had to fight his emotions to keep his voice steady and the horrified expression off his face. 

She didn't remember him?!

Why didn't she remember?

What did they do?

He let this happen. While he was off training with these monsters trying to appease them. They did this to his friend. Where is the headstrong girl who fought Bakugo until she couldn't stand. Why was she acting like a meek docile pet looking up at its master for affection? 

“I am at your service, your wish is my command.” He said bowing and extending his hand out to hers.

“I order you to be my friend!” Ochaco giggled as she put his hand in hers.

“As you wish, young master.” Tenya answered, face stoic despite the internal battle going through his head. 

I won’t stand for this. I’ll get you out of here and I’ll fix what they have done. I promise I'll save you. I won't leave you here alone, not ever again. I'm so sorry I couldn't have been there for you sooner.

Start/Previous/Next

The Heirs of Yesterday

By: fairystar111

Rating: Gen

Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia

Summary:

The worlds come to be a dark place. So why shouldn't Shouto regain the childhood he lost? And why shouldn't he stay with his brother through it all?

Characters: Dabi | Touya Todoroki, Shouto Todoroki.

CW/Tags: Kidnapping, Emotional Manipulation, Infantilism, Toxic Codependency, Moral Ambiguity, Yandere, Yandere Dabi, Obsessive Behavior, Possessive Behavior, Stockholm Syndrome, Big Brother Dabi, Manipulative Dabi, Minor DabixHawks.

Start/Previous/Next

If Touya was being completely honest, he absolutely despised his youngest brother in the beginning. When he first saw Shouto’s distinctive red and white split hair he knew that this boy was going to replace him in their fathers eyes. Shouto would be the Todoroki family prodigy while he would be the defective runt. Touya hated the toddlers adorable little face and his sweet little smile and how no matter how much he pushed him away Shouto still found a way to worm himself into his heart. When Shouto turned four his quirk came in and he began his training with their father. All Touya’s hate for him died when he walked in on their father beating his baby brother in the name of “hero training”. Touya had originally hated Shouto because he had thought that Shouto would be treated as something precious and would be loved as his fathers masterpiece unlike how he treated the rest of them. It wasn't until he walked into Shouto’s training that he realized that even if Shouto was a perfect prodigy and exactly what his father wanted he was still being treated just as badly as the rejects like him.

Touya tried to get Enji to stop training Shouto by offering himself instead but nothing he said would ever change their father’s mind. He even tried to report their father to the police and multiple heroes but was ridiculed. They said he was lying and looking for attention because there was a new baby in the house. When their mother had her breakdown and burnt Shouto’s face, Touya decided that no one was ever going to help them. He was going to have to be the one to take down their father before he ended up killing his siblings. He lured his father to Seketo Peak and ambushed him with the intent to kill; his father held nothing back when fighting his eldest that day. Touya was left for dead by his father with third degree burns covering fifty percent of his body.

The only reason he survived was because he was found by one of All for One’s lackeys and taken to his doctor. He's pretty sure he's technically more noumu than human now but whatever at least he’s still alive. During his rehabilitation with Dr.Giraki he met a pale haired boy with bright red eyes named Tomura. Tomura had told him that he was just like him too; he had an abusive father until his sensei came to save him. Tomura invited him to stay with him and his caretaker Kurogiri. It took him a while to realize that Tomura and his sensei were villains and what they did was not exactly legal.

Touya was conflicted while he had begun to grow fond of Tomura as a little brother, he sort of reminded him of Natsuo. He was raised to be a hero and heroes can't be friends with villains . When confronted, Tomura explained how heroes only cause pain for the people around them. He told him how his grandmother had been a hero and abandoned her child making him into an abuser. It left Touya thinking, the heroes in his life had only ever caused him pain and suffering while these villains were the nicest people he's ever had to care for him. He asked if he could join them and if they could help him take down Endeavour but Tomura said his sensei had been grievously injured recently and they were not strong enough to tear down an entire society just yet. So they spent the next years training and recruiting strong but loyal members to their league under the watchful eyes of their sensei. By the time Shouto is entering UA they should be able to launch the war on heroes starting with taking down the top ten. He hopes his baby brother won't be too mad at him for leaving him behind all those years ago but he's coming for him now whether he likes it or not. His family belonged to him; they were his to love, his to control, his to own.

Shoto awoke groggily to the feeling of an unfamiliar plush bed. Why am I on a bed? The base doesn’t have any of those he thought. He glanced around the room and found it to be decorated in a very childish way. The room he was in looked like it was meant for a small child. There was a canopy hanging over his bed and rails surrounding the bed, plushies everywhere, the walls were painted a soft powder blue, and he was even wearing a fluffy penguin onesie. Hmm this is a little strange, this room sort of looks like a nursery, Shoto thought. Endeavor would rather die than have his masterpiece be caught dead in something like this. So where is he?

Then it all came rushing back to him, the league had infiltrated their base and come for him and his friends. Touya wasn't dead anymore and now Endeavor was. Touya had come to take Shoto away like he had always promised he would. Shoto was conflicted, Touya his big brother and protector was finally back, but he's not just Touya-nii anymore he's also the villain Dabi. He’s supposed to be a hero; he can't just ignore all Dabi’s crimes just because he wants his big brother back. He has to stay strong, heroes can’t love villains and Touya-nii is gone.There is still a whole society out there that needs fixing and he’ll have to be there to help pick up the pieces.

Shoutos head shot up when he heard the door start to open slowly as if someone was trying not to wake him. He carefully lowered himself off the bed and into a crouch ready to attack when he tripped on a chain connecting him to the railing. The door slammed open when Dabi heard the loud crash.

“Shouto are you alright? You shouldn't be out of bed without me.” Dabi scolded, picking up the boy and placing him back on the bed.

“...” Shouto glared at his brother in defiance, refusing to talk back. The brother he remembered is gone now all that’s left is this villain.

“Listen Shou I understand your anger you're probably thinking why did I have to uproot your life once you were finally doing okay but I had to. I wanted to come for you sooner I really did but dad basically murdered me back when I tried to take him down as a kid. It took a long time for me to gain my strength back and find enough powerful allies to be able to take you back.” Dabi said, ruffling Shouto’s hair.

“I wanted to take you out of that home as soon as possible more than anything but I was too weak. I'm sorry Shouto, I never wanted to hurt you but this had to be done for the good of everyone. Hero society was a toxic breeding ground for abuse and corruption. It needed to be brought down one way or another. I was never going to let you become a hero and be abused for the rest of your short life before you get killed off and forgotten.” Dabi said, angry just thinking about some pathetic villain laying hands on his baby brother.

“I am a hero and when I leave this place I'll fix what you have done to society.” Shoto responded startled when he was grabbed harshly and pulled onto his brother's lap.

“You're not leaving me again. Now that I finally have you back I am never letting you go.” Touya growled, cutting Shouto off before he could speak.

“And I know damn well you're not being a hero. I didn't spend all this time fighting for you just for you to get yourself killed living out a dream you don’t really want. Think about it Shouto did you ever truly want to become a hero by your own volition or were you groomed to be one since birth. If you weren't praised by everyone around you for having such a heroic quirk would you still want to be one?” The villain growled out.

“I've always wanted to become a hero,” Shouto mumbled, eyes focused on his lap. At least that's what he had always thought. If he couldn't be a hero what could he do? It's not like he can waste his quirk on a regular job. Being a hero has just always been what he’s supposed to do. His mother went through hell to give him his quirk; he had to use it to become a hero or she went through all of that abuse for nothing.

“No Shouto you've been groomed to believe being a hero is the only thing that will bring meaning to your life but it's not. Don't you want to live a life free of danger and the pressure of heroics? A life where you can finally act your age and just be a kid. Don't you want to live with your big brother Shouto? I sacrificed so much just for you, can't you make your Touya-nii happy?” Dabi asked, watching his little brother's eyes well up with tears. He almost has him right where he wants him. Shouto just needs a little push in the right direction and then he'll be all his.

“I-i cant. I-i don't know what to-… Please dont make me-” Shouto sobbed as crystalline tears flooded his face. He didn't know what he wanted, he just wanted peace. He didn't want to be constantly attacked by villains. He didn't want to fear for his safety everyday. He didn't want to go up against an army. And he sure as hell didn't want to rebuild an entire society but what is he supposed to do? How can he even start to fix this mess? Did he even want to? All he could do was sob into the arms of his brother turned villain.

“Shh shh It's okay Shou. I think you don't know what you want and that's okay because that's what your big brother is here for. As long as I'm here you won't have to worry about a thing you can leave it all to me.” Dabi cooed, gently wiping the tears off Shouto’s face. Shouto said nothing as he buried his head into the crook of the villain's neck.

“Come on Shouto it's alright you don't have to cry everything is going to be fine. Just give up all control to your big brother and you won't ever have to worry about a thing.” Touya whispered into the boy's ear while running his hands through the soft red and white hair.

“P-please no I don’t w-want to be a villain.” Shouto sobbed. He just wanted his brother. He just wanted to be safe and happy for once in his life.

“Oh firefly, you could never be a villain. You could never have what it takes to be one.” Touya cooed, gently grasping the boy’s chin and forcing him to look him in the eye.

“I don’t want to fight anymore Touya-nii. I c-can't fight you.” Shouto stuttered out through his sobs.

“And you won't have to not now not ever again if you give up your hero fantasy. I’m the only person who really cares about you Shouto. The heroes don't care if you want to fight or not, they just want a mindless soldier. I just want to make you happy.” Touya purred, he could see his baby brother’s resolve crumbling.

“What can I even do if I'm not a hero? I'm useless.” Shoto sniffled. 

“Don't say that firefly you could never be useless to me, maybe to the heroes but not to me. And you don't have to do anything really as long as I'm here I'll always take care of you Shouto. No fending for yourself, no more long sleepless nights, no more fighting for your life. As long as I'm here to take care of you unlike those heroes you like so much.” Touya said, watching Shouto’s eyes twinkle when he was called by his childhood nickname. The villain could tell it was getting harder for Shouto to differentiate the villain Dabi from his big brother Touya. Soon he will be falling right into his arms and he will never let go.

“So firefly, will you give up being a hero for your big brother? No one else will ever take care of you and love you the way I do.” The villain purred.

“Okay,” Shouto whispered. Maybe this is the best option for me, he thought. No one has ever cared about what he wanted except Touya.

“What was that?” Dabi asked with a smirk wanting to hear the exact words come out of his little brother's mouth.

“Yes Touya-nii I give up. Please take care of me.” Shouto said, looking up at him with pleading teary eyes. He could feel a small part of him finally letting go. He knows he's never been the most morally righteous person in the world but he never thought he would be siding with villains when Japan needed heroes most. But a little bitter voice in the back of his head always knew this was coming. Why should he have to give up his life to save everyone when no one ever bothered to save him when he was getting beaten black and blue by his father his entire childhood.

“Good boy,” Touya said, grinning so hard the gaps between his staples showed. He knows Shouto will still need some minor attitude and behavioral adjustments but he wants to stay with Touya willingly and that's way better than how the others are doing with their kids.

“There will be a probationary period before you can walk around freely. Just a couple of weeks at most. I want you to be on your best behavior and prove to me you really meant what you said. I don't want to punish you for lying to me, Shouto.” Touya lectured in a stern tone. He didn't think his brother was lying but he just wanted to make sure.

“I would never lie to Touya-nii” Shouto said in a scandalized tone, his eyebrows furrowed as if lying to his big brother was a strictly forbidden act that can never be done. Touya snorted; it seems that his baby brother hasn't changed all that much since he left. He doesn't know if it's the lack of socialization at a young age or all the abuse he endured but Shouto is pretty stunted for his age. Sometimes he’ll say something or do something only a small child could think of, not a teenager.

“That's good Shou but I just want to make sure. I don't know what they've been teaching you at that hero school of yours but if it's anything like what Keigo went through, there was probably some infiltration and undercover training.” Dabi seriously doubted Shouto could pull something like that off though. No offense to his little brother but from what he remembers he has seriously got to be the worst liar in Japan. 

“Okay nii-chan. Does this hurt?” Shouto murmured distractedly, his little fingers lightly tracing the villain's facial scars occasionally poking the shiny staples in wonder and concern.

“No firefly it doesn't hurt. Not anymore, the doctor fixed me up after my ‘accident’ and Tomura gave me a fire resistance quirk. You don't have to worry about me. The scars and staples are more aesthetic and to scare people off more than anything harmful.” The scarred man replied.

“You're not scary,” Shouto said with a confused look on his face, squealing when his brother dug his fingers into his tummy.

“Only you would think that Shou.” Dabi snorted fondly, tickling his little brother mercilessly.

“Stop, stop. Wait, I have a question!” Shouto cried out through peals of laughter.

“Okay, okay” Dabi said as his fingers slowed to a stop leaving him with a flushed breathless baby brother in his lap.

“What was so important you had to stop our fun?” Touya asked.

“Shigaraki Tomura, the leader of the League of Villains, gave you a new quirk? That's very kind of him, is he nice?” Shouto asked in a confused tone.

“Yeah he’s a real softy on the inside but don’t tell him I told you that. You can meet him some other time. He is pretty busy wrangling your green haired friend right now.” Dabi whispered with a smirk. He can share embarrassing stories about his and Tomura’s youth later on once Shouto gets to know him better.

“Oh-” Shouto uttered sullenly. He had forgotten about his classmates. What will they think of him when they find out he betrayed them? Will they hate him because he doesn't want to be a hero anymore? Shouto could feel himself start to tremble as his eyes filled with tears. He didn't want his friends to hate him. He doesn't know what to do. He needs help. He needs his big brother.

“What's wrong firefly? I thought we were getting along. What's with the waterworks?” Touya cooed, placing a kiss on his brother’s forehead, smiling when he felt Shouto lean into his touch.

“My friends, I don't know if they'll be okay. I know you love me and will take care of me but you're my brother it's different. What if the others are mean? What if my friends get hurt? I don't want them to be sad, I don't want them to hate me.” Shouto sobbed in his brother's chest, feeling his brother's hold on him tightening.

“Calm down, your friends are going to be just fine. I know you must think we all must be horrible villains and maybe we are to everyone else. But with each other the league is family and we take care of our own. And starting today your friends are also part of the family, they won't be hurt any more than a timeout or some other kiddy punishments.” Dabi said, rubbing soothing circles into his little brother's back.

“Are you sure?” Shouto sniffled, wiping his runny nose childishly on the sleeve of his onesie.

“Yeah Shou trust me Kurogiri and Compress are like strict dads to all of us, Shigaraki, Spinner, Magne, Twice, Toga, were all like siblings. We would never hurt each other and we could never hurt you. You all belong to us now, we'll take good care of you.” Dabi cooed gently, rubbing the tears away from Shouto’s puffy eyes.

“ I trust you Touya-nii. Will I be able to see them again?” Shouto asked.

“Yeah, after your probationary period you can have a playdate with some of your friends. It all depends on your and their behavior. If they're not behaving correctly you won't be able to see them for a while bud.” Dabi said resting his head on his little brother.

“Oh okay” Shouto pouted sadly, knowing that Midoriya and the others were not going to submit to a stranger’s will so easily. He probably won't be able to see his friends for months.

“Don’t pout at me. I'm sure you can play with Sako’s kid soon after you finish. He's pretty sassy just like Compress but I'm sure you'll get along. He wasn't in your class but you two will have to play nice. He's going to be your cousin now.” Dabi chided.

“He wasn't in my class? Who is it?” The boy asked.

“His name was Monoma Nieto though he goes by Sako Nieto now.” Dabi responded.

“Oh I don't like him.” Shouto pouted, anyone else would have been better than Monoma.

“Come on, Shou don’t be like that. He follows Compress around like a little duckling. I'm sure he's not that bad. You don’t like the old him but he's been here for a while now and Sako has straightened him out. He's a sweet kid mostly…He hasn't had company his age besides Toga in a while and she's mostly in and out of the house with her dad. Come on firefly can't you at least try to play nice with him for me?” Touya pleaded with his little brother.

“Okay I’ll try,”Shouto responded, the pouty expression still stuck on his face.

Three Weeks later

Shouto’s probation is finally over and if he’s being honest he'd rather it not be over. He’s been having fun spending every day with his Touya-nii. He doesn't really want to meet everyone else, especially not Monoma or Sako now I guess. They all seem nice from what his brother has told him but he’s still nervous to meet everyone.

“Firefly are you ready?” Touya called, knocking on the door.

“Shou?” Dabi called and received no answer.

“I'm coming in.” Touya opened the door to find no one in the room.

“Shou? Firefly? Where are you? Please come out now?” Touya yelled momentarily panicking. There's no way his brother escaped right? Shouto could not have been playing the long con right?

“Himura Shouto if you don’t come out by the count of three you're going to be punished.” Touya snarled. He is three seconds away from putting the entire mansion on lockdown.

“One”

“Two”

“Thr-” Dabi was cut off by a whine.

“Nooo” Shouto whined, the sound coming from underneath his bed.

“Shouto what are you doing down there? You almost gave me a heart attack.” The villain asked crouching down relieved to see two little feet sticking out from under the bed.

“I don't want to meet them…too nervous,” Shouto finally spoke.

“Come on Shou they're aren't going to bite, they're all pretty excited to see you again. They're nice and remember all the stories I told you about. They all have been waiting to meet you. We cleared this day off specifically for you to meet everyone.” Touya cooed trying to coax his baby brother out of his hiding spot.

“Do I have to meet Monoma? I can meet everyone else but not him. He’s going to be mean to me.” Shouto whined.

“How about this you can meet the league first and then Nieto separately later.”  Touya negotiated.

“Fine,” Shouto answered reluctantly, wriggling out from under the bed.

“Jeez firefly you haven’t even started getting ready yet, your hair is a mess. Hurry up, lift up your arms, they've been waiting on us for a while.” Dabi said, dressing him in a pair of powder blue corduroy overalls and a creme top.

“Well I was going to hide for the whole day so I didn't bother.” Shouto said with a shrug as his brother helped him snap the overalls in place and brushed his hair.

“Okay let's go.” Dabi said, grabbing his little brother's hand and leading him out of the room.

This was Shouto’s first time out of his room. It seems their living space is quite big. Their floor is a pretty wide space with a large living room, kitchen, elevator and a lot of other rooms he saw on their way out. This place must be a pretty big mansion if just him and Touya-nii have an entire floor to themselves, the boy thought. The elevator was taking them down to one of the common areas where the league shares the place. Apparently they all have their own floors. As the elevator went lower Shouto could feel butterflies in his tummy, his grip tightened on his brother's hand as the doors opened.

Shouto darted behind his brother as they walked out of the elevator. He peeked behind his brother's arm to see the league in a lounge area hanging out and happily chatting amongst themselves. He quickly ducked behind his brother's back when their eyes shot up to them.

“Come on Shou, will you introduce yourself for me?” Dabi asked. He felt Shouto slowly shuffle in front of him and placed his arms around him in a hug.

“Hi…my name is Himura Shouto. It's nice to meet you.” Shouto spoke quietly before he turned around and pushed his head onto his brother's stomach. He didn’t notice all the eyes of the league softening, staring at him with adoration and fondness.

“Aww that was sooo cute! You have such an adorable little brother Dabi!” Toga squealed, twirling a knife around in her hands.

“Come on Shou let sit down” Dabi sat down on one of the couches next to Hawks and pulled Shouto onto his lap.

“Hi Shouto! Do you remember me? It's been a long time since we've seen each other,” Hawks spoke gently, trying not to spook the kid. He did kinda help murder his dad on live television. He just wanted to make a good impression on his mate's little brother.

“Hi Hawks.” Was all Shouto responded not feeling up to talking too much.

“You can call me Keigo. I don't go by Hawks anymore.” The bird said cheerfully.

“Ok.” Hawks looked up at Dabi, perplexed as to why Shouto was not speaking. Wondering if it was something purposely against him or if he was that way with everyone.

“He woke up pretty shy this morning. You guys can talk to him all you want but I'm not sure you're gonna get much of an answer.” Dabi explained before his pretty bird worked himself in a panic over what Shouto thought of him. He hasn’t introduced Keigo to Shouto yet but he was sure they’ll get along.

“Well this is quite different from the show stopping Todoroki Shouto we saw in the UA sports festival.” Mr.Compress put into words what everyone else was thinking.

“Yeah, his demeanor is so much cuter than before. He’s so much weaker now” Twice blurted out.

“Ignore the second voice, the first one is what he really means.” Touya murmured into Shouto’s hair, feeling him nod in response.

“Well I think this Shouto is the cutest. I wish Ochako was acting like this already. Why did Dabi have to get the perfect little sibling?” Toga whined.

“How is Uraraka?” Shouto asked curious about his friend's new homelife.

“She's good! She lives with me and dad now!” Toga giggled pointing at Twice.

“Twice is your father? The quirks would make sense in a way. Are you his secret love child by any-?” Shouto is cut off by his brother's hand covering his mouth.

“Shouto! We do not ask questions like that!” Dabi scolded though he was laughing on the inside at the shock on Jin’s face.

“Why?” Shouto asked, genuinely confused as to why that would be rude.

Laughter exploded around them as Dabi tried to explain that asking people if they were created by accident and kept a secret is rude to Shouto. Even Kurogiri was cracking a smile by the end of it.

“Man Dabi, your brother sure is a riot” Spinner said, the lizard man still chuckling.

“He’s not trying to be,'' Dabi said with a small smile. All the laughing had helped Shouto relax a little bit; he didn't feel as stiff in his lap as he did before.

“Okay that's enough of that I want to hold him too.” Magne said, making grabby hands at Dabi. Dabi looked down at his brother who just shrugged in response. He was handed off to Magne who carried him with ease.

“Hi sweetie I'm your Aunt Magne. I'll be taking care of you whenever your brother is out on business.” Mange cooed as she placed him on her lap. She had always wanted kids but the time never felt right. This will do for the time being.

“We get to be Aunts? I want to be Auntie Toga!” Toga squealed, loving that she is not the youngest anymore with all these new kids around.

“Wow I've never had an aunt before,” Shouto said, eyes filled with wonder.

“Really? How come honey?” Magne made the mistake of asking not seeing Dabi shaking his head and making an x with his arms.

“My father did not have any siblings and my mother was sold to my father by her family so we never saw her family again.” Shouto said nonchalantly as if he was talking about what he wanted to eat for lunch.

“Oh sugar, I'm so sorry.” Mangne replied, hugging the boy.

“It's okay, Keigo and Touya-nii killed my father so everything is good now.” Shouto replied; Hawks made a choking sound while Dabi chuckled at how uncomfortable Shouto was making everyone.

“Dabi, do you believe young Shouto here is ready to begin his studies again?” Kurogiri asked, trying to change the subject.

“Yeah he should be able to start soon. He isn't a flight risk anymore so he can go.” Touya replied.

“I have to go to school again? I don't want to meet new people” Shouto pouted. He didn't want to go to a public school where people would expect him to be a hero for them because they saw him in the sports festival.

“We would never make you interact with the public. We had a small learning institute built in the mansion for you children. Currently the only member is Nieto. Once the others are all fully conditioned you will all be able to complete your studies together again.” Kurogiri explained to the pouting child.

“Oh I don’t know if that's better or worse.” Shouto said.

“What seems to be the problem, little one?” Compress asked.

“My friends are very stubborn so I'm going to be stuck with Monoma for a long time. I don’t like him, he is very mean.” Shouto murmured not wanting to offend Monoma’s father.

“Shouto I already explained he better behaved now it won't be the same as when you were in UA.” Dabi said gently.

“Indeed Shouto. My little magician is quite the sweet boy with me but… I know how he is so I will be there to supervise his behavior on your playdate later today. I can assure you if he is mean to you in any way he will be punished swiftly.” Sako said sternly.

“Hmm okay.” Shouto said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He could get revenge for all the times Monoma terrorized his class.

“Anyways, how are the rest of your kids doing? I've only heard about Nieto so far.” Dabi asked. They've all been so busy with getting their kids settled in they've hardly had any real time to sit down and talk to each other.

“Izuku was acting like a brat so he's in isolation right now.” Shigaraki muttered sadly, missing the misbehaving brat he calls little brother.

“Ochako is still a bit too feisty for my liking but at least she is letting us take care of her now. She's a little brat. She was so underweight when we first got her but she’s doing better now. She's still too skinny!”Jin said.

“Yeah she's so cute when she stuffs her chubby cheeks full of the sweets we get her! I want her to call me Himi-nii but she won't say it yet. Honesty Dabi, how did you get Shouto to call you such a cute name?” Toga whined.

“Can’t help you there. Shouto is just the best, no training required.” Dabi said smugly, grinning at all the annoyed and envious looks sent his way.

“Fumikage is doing pretty well since both our quirks are avian in nature. I can use his bird biology against him to imprint on me. It's actually pretty cute since he’s never had an older avian in his life so he doesn't really understand that he's acting like a newborn hatchling. He'll be ready to play with Shouto soon.” Hawk spoke excitedly, trying to change the subject before someone attacks his lover for his bragging.

“How's he handling the quirk suppressors?” Dabi asked genuinely curious since it seems Shouto has forgotten about his collar or doesn’t seem to mind it.

“That's the only thing that's been rough on Fumi since his quirk is sentient and he's had it since he was a toddler. He keeps asking for his brother and saying he’s lonely. And I want to take the collar off, I really do but Dark Shadow is an extremely strong quirk that will do anything to protect its user so he probably won't be getting it back for a long time. How’s Shouto taking not having his quirk?” Keigo asked, hoping little Shou isn’t having as much trouble as his Fumi is.

“Honestly I don’t even think he remembers that I took it away. He hasn't tried using it as far as I know and doesn't seem to care that he can't.” The villain explained glancing over to his brother playing a game with Toga on her phone.

“Lucky you Izuku wouldn't stop trying to use his quirk to attack me the whole time I visited him.” Shigaraki snarked, secretly a little jealous of Dabi. Not that he would ever admit it but he really wished Izuku would act a bit more like Shouto. When he spoke, the little Himura’s head snapped up to look at him. He could see him hesitating before he nodded and began crawling over people’s laps. Shigaraki had assumed he was trying to get back to his brother but Shouto stopped at his lap and sat down.

“Um, what are you doing?” Tomura asked awkwardly, wrapping his arms around Dabi’s little brother so he wouldn't fall.

“How is Midoriya? He must be having a hard time without All Might.” Shouto asked.

“He’s been a brat but that is what I expected so… Why would he have a hard time without All Might?” Tomura asks, confused. Did Shouto know about One for All? He didn’t think Izuku had told anyone about the origins of his quirk.

“Because he's All Might’s secret love child.” Shouto said casually.

“WHAT!” Shigaraki shrieked.

“Shou we just talked about this.” Dabi groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“All might is NOT his father! All for One is!” Tomura exclaimed, wondering if Shouto was dropped on his head as a baby. Knowing his and Dabi’s history… maybe.

“Who’s that?” Shouto asked with a confused pout on his face.

“Ask your brother later. Anyways, what was so important that you needed to come sit on me?” Shigaraki's dry voice scratched out.

“Oh I want to thank you for helping Touya-nii when he was hurt and for giving him a new quirk so he won't burn himself. Thank you for saving big brother.” Shouto said quietly.

“Oh it was nothi-” Shigaraki started but was shocked silent by Shouto hugging him. Tomura’s cheeks flushed pink as he was thanked so sincerely by the kid. He had never had anyone react so kindly to his actions.

“Y-your w-welcome.” Tomura stuttered as he watched Shouto scooch back over to his brother.

“Wow that was bold of you Shouto.” Dabi smirked looking over to their leader looking very flustered.

“Yes, I saw on the Tv that the best way to thank someone is to give hugs.” Shouto said with a very serious expression on his face, as if he didn't get the information from a kids show.

“Can we leave now? There are too many people. I want to go home” The boy whispered into Dabi’s ear. He didn’t mind the league, they were actually kind of fun but he wanted to go back to his room now. He hasn't been around this many different people in a while. It was tiring for him.

“Okay the kid is sick of all of you, we’re leaving. Come on Compress, Shouto wants to go on his play date with your brat.” Dabi grunted smirking at the disgruntled faces of the rest of the league members. He knew they all liked Shouto but they could spend more time with him later.

Shouto almost choked when he heard about the playdate. He was having so much fun talking to his new family he had forgotten he was supposed to meet Monoma after! Is it too late to say he wants to stay longer?

“Come on Shou say bye.” Dabi cooed as he picked Shouto up and placed him on his hip.

“Bye bye, you all were nice to talk to.” Shouto mumbled, sticking his hand out to do a little wave before he put his head back into the crook of Dabi’s neck. He missed all the longing and adoring looks that were being thrown his way as they left. The league was absolutely smitten for the boy.

As they rode the elevator to Sako’s floor Shouto’s stomach dropped. He felt like there were one hundred butterflies playing tag in there. This is going to be the first time he’s going to see someone from UA since his brother came to get him. He can't help but think it's going to go very poorly. Class 1B never really got along with his class and Monoma especially hated 1A a lot.

When the doors opened they walked into an extremely extravagantly decorated home. It was very different from his brother's more traditionally decorated home. They were seated on a flamboyant red sofa while Compress went to get Monoma from his room. His heart hammered in his chest as he heard two sets of footsteps leading to the living room.

“No way… This is my surprise, the Todoroki Shouto. Ahahaha of course a member of the inferior class 1A would be kidnapped by villains!” The blond laughed, looking at the boy from class 1A dressed so childishly and in the lap of a villain.

“You're here too stupid.” Shouto muttered, averting his eyes.

“Well only because I was caught helping your stupid class escape. If you inferior 1A students hadn’t needed so much help, I wouldn't be here right now! But no you useless heroes couldn’t even-” Momona screamed all his anger from the past months coming to the surface and boiling over.

“Nieto. I would stop talking right now if I were you unless you want to be punished in front of little Shouto here.” Sako scolded, satisfied with seeing Monoma’s face pale.

“Why don’t you two head to Nieto’s room to play.” Compress added, hoping to ease the tension between the two boys.

Shouto could feel Monoma’s death glare on him as they walked to his bedroom. He wishes he had just stayed in his room.

“When did you even get here?” Monoma asks, cutting through the thick silence.

“Um, I'm not sure. I think it's been a couple weeks, maybe a month ago.” Shouto replied.

“You're still fairly new then. I suppose you have an escape plan already?” The boy asked with a scrutinizing glare.

“No, why would I?” Shouto answered, confused. He hasn't thought about leaving his brother since his first day home. And even then it was a more reluctant thought that he really didn't even want to do.

“Because you're a hero that was kidnapped by villains! Of course you should be planning to escape!” Nieto exclaimed. He knows he’s not the poster boy for typical heroes but before he gave up being a hero even he had tried to escape a couple of times.

“I'm not a hero anymore and I wasn’t kidnapped. My brother just came to pick me up like he had always promised me. As for escaping, why would I do that? I like it here.” Shouto answered honestly.

“Are you really that pathetic? Your morals didn't even last a month before you gave up! You were supposed to be one of the most promising heroes of our generation. What is wrong with you?!” The blond boy screamed outraged with Shouto’s behavior.

“Well I never wanted to be a hero! Everyone around me just expected me to. If hero society hadn’t crumbled, yes I would still be one. But only because I could never get away with not being one. Everyone would always look at me as the son of Endeavor and powerful quirk and wonder when I was going to become a hero, not if I wanted to be one at all. Now that it's gone and the only option for people who want to be heroes is to rebuild an entire society. I would rather not fight my own family for some stupid dream I didn't even want to begin with.” Shouto yelled back.

“So you were blessed with a perfectly heroic quirk and the number two hero as your father and you’d give it all up like it meant nothing.” Monoma yelled.

“Shut up! You know nothing about me or my life and what I went through.” Shouto growled.

“Oh please like a perfect little rich boy like you ever went through hardship.” Monoma scoffed.

“I was created from a quirk marriage for one purpose and that was to create the perfect hero that would beat All Might like my father never could. My father bought my mother and forced her to have three children before I was born. My oldest brother had a defective quirk not suited for his body and my two other siblings had weak quirks so they were neglected. Before I was born my eldest brother was trained by my father until his skin would burn from the inside out. His body was made to handle ice but he had a fire quirk. When I turned four my quirk came in and I was abused everyday in the name of training. Do you think it's a blessing to beat a four year old until they vomit everyday? Later my eldest brother tried to stop my father and was almost killed. The stress eventually made my mother go insane and she gave me the scar on my face. The ‘training’ went on for years until I got into UA and then my brother saved me.” Shouto explained with big tears running down his face.

“Do you want my quirk since you think it such a waste not being used for heroics. Because I can ask Shigaraki and he can give it to you because I don’t care anymore. You can take it and go try to be a hero because I won’t. I didn't even want the stupid thing in the first place!” Shouto cried out, staring at the sick looking blonde.

“Hey, what's going on in here?!” Dabi yelled as he and Compress rushed into the room to see Shouto sobbing and Monoma looking pale.

“Papa I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to make him cry! I'm sorry.” Monoma apologized with teary eyes turning to hug his father.

“Its okay Neito, can you tell me what happened?” Sako asked only to receive no response but a head shake and eyes looking anywhere but him.

“How about you Shouto, can you tell me what Nieto did to upset you?” Compress asked, looking over to the sniffling boy being held by Dabi.

“He said that I was pathetic for not trying to escape and that I was wasting my quirk not being a hero.” Shouto said, pointing at the blond in question, happy to get him in trouble and finally get a taste of his own medicine.

“Neito, is that true?” Sako asked. The boy just nodded looking down at his socked feet.

“Well seems like this play date is over. We can try again once you retrain him.” Dabi said ready to take Shouto and walk out of there.

“Yes it would seem it is. You two can let yourselves out. I've got a brat to punish.” Compress said as he closed the door to Monoma’s room.

The ride back to their floor was silent beside the sound of Shouto’s sniffles.

“Well that went well…” Touya said sarcastically, as the doors opened to their floor.

“I told you this would happen Touya-nii. He hates me.” Shouto cried. He doesn’t really care if Monoma likes him or not. But his reaction to him scared Shouto. What if his actual friends react the same way.

“Shouto he doesn’t hate you he is just having a hard time adjusting to his new life and needs some re-education. You’ll see eventually all the other kids will be like you too. Some just take a bit longer to train.” Touya explained gently, trying not to make Shouto break out into tears again.

“Okay Touya-nii,” Shouto replied sullenly. Even if it takes them a while eventually all his friends will be with him again. 

Five months later

In the following months his brother sorted out a routine for them. Most days Dabi would be there to wake him up, play with him a bit and give him a bath and dress him before taking him to school but when he was away on league business Magne and Keigo usually filled in and were suitable caretakers. Shouto started his schooling with Monoma soon after their fight and they have settled into quite a rocky relationship of playing/learning together and having fun but also hating each other and trying to find ways to get the other in trouble. They were frenemies… for now just until Shouto can get his real friends back.

He’s allowed to roam the mansion within reason now and allowed to visit whoever his heart desires. He usually likes to visit Toga, Kiego, and Tomura the most. The girl would act like his big sister and never hesitated to spoil Shouto and give him something fun to do. While Tomura showed him how to play video games and was always happy to play with him. Shouto liked him; he never got mad at shouto when he made them lose or got frustrated when Shouto couldn’t understand the mechanics of a game, he also regularly liked to spoil Shouto with new games and consoles much to Dabi’s ire.

Hawks would take him on mini flights around the mansion and tickle him half to death with his feathers. The man would regularly spend his free time with them on their floor. Keigo was always happy to entertain him playing hide and seek with him or tag. Shouto really likes Keigo and Keigo really likes his big brother too so that makes him one of Shouto’s favorite people. He doesn't like when they send him away while both of them are home though. He doesn’t know what they're doing and why he can't be there with them but whenever he asks anyone in the league they just give him amused looks and tell him he’ll understand when he’s older. But knowing how Dabi is that day may never come, many of the league thought.

The others also really liked Shouto’s presence and would regularly seek him out to spoil and cuddle. Twice was really funny and always made Shouto laugh. The man was really sweet despite the contradictions he would blurt out. Jin was what Shouto thought a good father should be like. Sometimes when he saw the way the man interacted with Toga it made his heart ache. He wishes he could have had a kind father like Jin when he was younger.

Magne was a kind and motherly figure in their home. She was one who he seeked out when he was longing for his mother. When his heart ached and he wanted nothing more than to see his mom. She would brush away his tears and comfort him until he felt better. She wasn't his mama but it helped and he appreciated her a lot. For now he just had to wait until the rest of his family was found and relocated. He really wanted to see his Mom and his other siblings.

Spinner was fun too. He taught him how to be a super secret ninja and how to use swords. Until his big brother found out and after that visits with Spinner had to be supervised to make sure he didn't give more swords to the baby. Shouto pouted for an entire week when his lessons were taken away but the restrictions were never lifted.

Mr.Compress was nice and showed him his magic tricks and would play with him too. But Shouto rarely goes up to him for that because Monoma always gets a jealous pout on his face and will be mad at him for days. Which he understands he doesn't like sharing his brother either. One time Monoma asked Dabi to carry him to his room just to make Shouto mad. And his brother did it?! He couldn’t carry both of them at the same time so Shouto had to trail behind them with Monoma giving him smug looks the entire time. That was the only time Shouto wished he had his quirk so he could fight the other boy properly. And fight they did, the next day Shouto waited until no one was looking and tackled Monoma pulling his hair and biting him while the other boy flailed, slapping him wherever he could reach. They were eventually separated by Kurogiri and sent off to their parents to be punished. Neither boy could sit very well at dinner that night after the spankings they received.

Kurogiri was a strict but kind man. He didn't hesitate to swat them when they were acting bratty but he also loved making them sweet desserts and cute bento boxes for lunch. The man said they both reminded him of his days taking care of Tomura and Touya. Much to the younger villains ire insisting that they had never been as bratty or as cute as Nieto and Shouto are. Kurgiri disagreed stating that they most certainly were a pair of cute brats making the duo blush.

One day Tomura stopped Dabi out of the blue to ask how Shouto’s behavior has been recently.

“He’s been good, why?” Dabi answered, confused. 

“Because Izuku has been behaving really well and making a lot of progress recently and has been begging to see the little peppermint for a while now. I thought I could give him a little reward to help him settle in.” Tomura explained.

“He’s been good enough for a playdate? That’s new, but yeah when do you want them to have to meet?” Dabi said surprised that the stubborn green brat was actually doing well.

“I promised Izuku today. If you're not busy.” Tomura winced, hoping they weren't busy; he would hate to disappoint his little brother.

“That's fine I'll go get Shouto ready then. We can meet at the play area in the garden in half an hour.” The scarred man said, already walking away.

“Okay. See you in a bit.” Tomura replied.

Dabi rode the elevator up thinking of how excited Shouto was going to be to see his friend. When he got to their floor he went straight to Shouto’s room and opened the door. Privacy is a concept Shouto has never understood so he doesn't bother knocking.

“Hey Firefly I got some good news,” Dabi said, walking in to see Shouto on his bed playing a game on his switch.

“What is it nii-chan?” Shouto asked, pausing his game looking at his brother with big round eyes and a cute little smile.

“Tomura says Izuku’s made a lot of progress recently and he wants to reward him with a playdate with you today.” Touya said watching his little brother's eyes light up.

“Really!!” Shouto gasped, bouncing a little in excitement. He's been waiting so long to see his friends. He’s so happy they're starting to like it here too.

“Yeah firefly. Come here let's get you dressed then we can go meet them in the garden.” Touya replied while picking out an outfit for Shouto to wear.

“Okay nii-chan!” Shouto answered, lifting his arms up to be undressed. He thought his big brother changing him and giving him baths was a little strange at first but if it makes Touya-nii happy he doesn’t mind. His brother thinks he had grew up too overly independent so he often did things like spoon feeding him and carrying him around to try to break him out of his old bad habits. Now that he has Touya-nii back, he's not supposed to be independent ever again.

“So what are you going to do with your friend?” Dabi asked as he changed Shouto into a fluffy light brown hooded sweater with bear ears and matching brown pants with a bear’s face on the butt. Again Shouto thought the clothes were a little bit childish but if it made his brother happy then he doesn’t care. 

“I’m going to tell him all about my new school and my new game Tomura got me and the lessons spinner taught me and what Monoma and I do so at school and-” Shouto babbled on about all the things he was going to tell Midoriya while his brother watched him fondly responding with the appropriate hmms and ahhs. Touya hasn’t seen Shouto act so excitable since before his quirk came in, it was good to see it coming back. His baby brother has been through a hard life. He deserves to be a happy kid for once.

Once he was finished putting on Shouto’s brown fuzzy boots Dabi picked the boy up, placing him on his hip and headed to the elevator. On their way down Shouto continues to babble to his big brother about anything and everything that has happened in the past six months that he was going to tell Izuku about. The closer they got to the garden the more Shouto would wiggle happily wanting to get there faster. Dabi held him tighter as they walked into the garden towards the play area.

“Shouto!” Izuku yelled, still holding onto Tomura’s hand. This was his one and only chance he and Shouto had to escape and make a plan to come get the others once they find some outside help. Maybe they can find a way to bring heroes in from other countries to help.

“Izuku! Can I go down please?” Shouto called back happily before asking to be put down. 

“Of course,” Dabi said watching the boy start to run toward Izuku the second his feet touched the ground.

“I missed you.” Shouto murmured as he pulled Izuku into a hug.

“Yeah I missed you too,” Izuku said, tearing up. Tomura and Dabi watched fondly off to the side, letting the boys have a moment to themselves.

“Let's go play,” Shouto said, pointing towards the massive playground in the garden.

“Um okay, let me ask Tomu-nii first?” Izuku answered confused as to why Shouto was asking to play with him. Maybe he wants to hide in the structure so they can plan their escape without prying eyes watching them, Izuku thought walking back towards the adults.

 “Nii-chan can I go play on slides with Shou-chan please?” Izuku asked with pleading puppy dog eyes towards Tomura.

“Sure, just stay where we can see you.” Tomura replied.

“Thank you nii-chan!” Izuku yelled hugging Tomura quickly before running back to Shouto. Not noticing Shouto watching him and Tomura with a happy smile.

“Let's go!” Midoriya yelled, taking Shouto’s hand in his and ran toward the play structure.

“Let's go on the slide first,” Shouto said, already climbing the ladder.

“Um okay,” Izuku answered, following his friend up the ladder.

“Um Shouto,” Izuku tried to talk to the boy but he was already sliding down. Izuku reluctantly followed him down.

“Let's go again.” Shouto giggled racing back to the top of the slide before Izuku could catch up to him.

“Shouto wait-” Izuku tried but his friend was already going down the slide again. Maybe he was just trying to make them look less suspicious, Izuku thought. He decided to wait on the platform near the slide for Shouto to come back up.

“Izuku, why aren't you playing? Do you not like the slide?” Shouto asked, confused. Maybe Midorya had never been on one and he didn't like it. Shouto had also never been on a playground before he came here. But he found the experience fun; it was kinda like a little obstacle course.

“No it's not that I thought maybe we should talk first. Since we haven't seen each other in so long.” Izuku explained trying to get Shouto to stop playing. Shouto is acting a lot different from how he remembered him. He’s acting a lot more childishly and happy than ever before and while that should be a good thing he doesn’t know if it is necessarily by choice or if he was being brainwashed.

“So what have you been doing since you got kidnapped?” Izuku asked, startled by the look of displeasure Shouto sent him.

“I don’t know why you guys keep saying that. I wasn’t kidnapped, Touya-nii just came to pick me up like he always promised he would. A big brother taking back his little brother is not kidnapping.” Shouto answered with an irritated pout.

“S-sure... so what have you been doing?” Izuku stuttered, feeling like ice was being dripped directly into his veins. There's no way he is being serious right?

“Oh yeah I was just about to tell you at first I was only with Touya-nii and I couldn't leave my room and then I was good and I got to meet everyone and they let me walk around now. You don’t have to worry about the league, they are all very nice. Tomura plays games with me and Toga plays with me and Spinner teached me how to be a ninja, and Twice is really funny-” Shouto babbled on not noticing the boy in front of him no longer paying attention.

Izuku felt like he had been stabbed in the chest. From what he heard it sounds like Shouto has had access to roam around freely for a long time now. So why hasn't he tried to escape?! Maybe he's been waiting for help?

“So Shouto, have you tried to escape yet?” Izuku asked gently, trying not to anger the boy in front of him again.

“Um no.” Shouto answered confused. Mononma had asked him the same question when they first met too. 

“It's okay, I'll help you now. I need you to help me break my collar and then I'll break yours and we'll make a run for it towards the nearest exit.” Izuku said urgently.

“W-wait, you want to leave now? B-but you and Tomura looked like you were getting along so well.” Shouto stuttered, feeling his heart break. He had thought his friend was happy to be here too but he just wanted to betray Tomu-chan.

“I know it's sudden but this is our only chance. We'll come back to rescue everyone else once we can get some help from other heroes. And don’t worry about Tomura, he thinks I'm happy being his dumb little brother. He won't notice a thing until it’s too late.” Izuku said with a smirk.

“You've been lying this whole time?” Shouto questioned feeling angry for Tomu-chan. Tomura was so nice to him he didn’t deserve Izuku acting this way towards him.

“Well yeah it's not like anyone can actually like it here.” Izuku scoffed, not understanding why Shouto was acting this way. They needed to hurry up and get out of here he thought. When suddenly Shouto bolted down the steps toward the edge of the yard. Izuku, thinking Shouto hadn't heard the plan correctly, ran after him.

“Wait! We were supposed to break the collars first!” Izuku whisper-shouted. Well he can pretend they are playing tag. It wasn’t until he heard Shouto scream for his brother that he noticed that they were actually running toward their kidnappers instead of away. Izuku stopped dead in his tracks but it was too late.

“Touya-nii” Shouto screamed, while tears ran down his face. Tomura and Dabi exchanged looks of concern.

“What wrong firefly?” Dabi said, picking up his little brother. Not again he groaned internally. What’s with all these little brats and making Shouto cry?

“Izuku said he wanted to escape and that he was going to take me with him. He said he was lying to Tomu-chan the whole time so he could get a playdate to escape.” Shouto stuttered out through his sobs.

“Shouto what are you doing?! You're supposed to be a hero! We need to get out of here.” Izuku screamed in rage. His only chance at escape had just been destroyed by Shouto. 

“I don’t want to be a hero! I just want to stay with Touya!” Shouto yelled back. They're screaming match was interrupted by an angry Tomura.

“Izuku” Shigaraki growled as he stalked toward his little brother. He can’t believe the brat has been lying to him for months. Oh he is going to be punished severely.

“Wait Tenko-nii he’s lying. I promise I wasn’t trying to-” The boy tried to lie.

“Save it Izuku. Shouto has a much better track record when it comes to lying than you do.” Tomura snarled.

“I-” Izuku couldn’t come up with any excuse so he just ran as fast as he could trying to get away. 

Tomura just pressed a button on his phone and Izuku could feel a needle puncture his neck. Soon he was falling on his back looking up at Tomura Dabi and Shouto staring down at him as his vision started to fade.

“Shouto how could you…” was the last thing Izuku said as the world went black .

“Touya-nii I want to go home” Shouto whined into his brother's neck. The exhaustion of Izuku’s betrayal started to weigh on him.

“All right firefly, anything for you” Touya purred with a deranged smirk on his face. He was thoroughly satisfied with how today’s playdate had gone. While Tomura grimaces carrying his reckless brat back already thinking of all the ways he’ll punish him for his misdeed. 

What neither boy had known was that today had been a test for both of them. Their collars have hidden microphones built into them. Touya and Tomura had been listening the entire time… 

Start/Previous/Next

Sometimes when two people are broken in the same way their jagged edges fit together