Todoroki never had a traditional childhood. If he could describe himself, he would say cold and reserved. Social interaction wasn't one of his best skills that he should've developed when he was younger. He barely recognized his siblings. He grew up in a separate environment than his siblings. He was a victim of child abuse from his father. He remembered the sweet voice of his mother when she hugged him tightly. His mother loved him so much, but it didn't stop Endeavor from taking her away. She couldn't handle the abuse and poured boiling water down Shouto's left eye.

"The kids are becoming more like their father. I can't look at them anymore. I can't handle it anymore. I want to leave and run away."

Shouto wished that he didn't overhear her conversation. His father refused to pay for any private tutors for Shouto. Todoroki had a difficult time handling school with a constant amount of bullying. He struggled with his self-esteem and doubted himself. He could hear the cruel words of his classmates uttered when he walked inside the classroom. He attempted to ignore the words, but he believed every word they said.

"Freak!"

"Monster!"

"Useless, bitch!"

10-year-old Shouto stared down at the ground, trying to hide the tears. He yelped when one of his classmates tugged on his hair. "Aw, look, he's about to cry." He was shoved to the ground, "Gonna cry to mama? Oh, wait, your mama left you." They surrounded the fragile boy in a cage. They blocked any form of escape Shouto had, "Please, let me leave." His tormentors laughed at his pity attempt to escape.

"Didn't you hear him? He told you guys to leave him alone." One of the students cursed under their breath, "Look, Yoarashi, why don't you join us? Don't you believe that this freak deserves a good beating?" The kid strolled over to Yoarashi as the kid huffed, "The only freaks here are you guys!" Yoarashi didn't encourage violence, but he was willing to get troubled for this boy. He slammed his fist against the bully's abdomen and knocked him off his feet. "If anyone comes near Todoroki, you will have to answer to me." Todoroki watched the bullies run away from the area and then glanced at the giant.

"Come on, let's get you out of here." His voice sounded soothing and gentle like his mother's. He saw the extended hand, "Why did you help me?" Yoarashi lifted Shouto effortlessly, "It was the right thing to do. I'm Inasa Yaorashi. You're Shouto Todoroki, right?" Shouto nodded his head to confirm his name. "Do you want to be friends?" Shouto wondered if that was the right choice to make, but he accepted the offer. "We're going to have so much fun together!" Todoroki couldn't help but smile at this boy's amusement. "You should smile more," Yoarashi said. Todoroki blushed at the comment, "I-I don't usually smile." Yoarashi chuckles, "You're adorable." Todoroki grew flushed at the compliments and covered his face to hide his burning appearance. He made his first friend.

*****

13-year-old Shouto watched his best friend play with his lunch. "Yoarashi, you're going to choke on that if you don't slow down," Shouto commented. Yoarashi was attempting to slurp his noodles down before Shouto could. Yoarashi choked on his noodles while Todoroki was giggling. "I told you," Shouto teased. Yoarashi rolled his eyes, "You need to learn to live a little, Todoroki." Shouto rolled his eyes at him, "Nah, I wanna live. Plus-" Shouto's mouth was stuffed with noodles. He choked on the noodles and attempted to swallow them. "You jerk," Shouto grabbed a spoon of his zaru soba and shoved it between Inasa's lips. Yoarashi was busy laughing to notice Shouto's attack and ended up coughing on the noodles. Shouto stopped laughing and focused on his friend. He smiled to himself as one thought invaded his mind.

'I'm friends with a goofball. No, I'm in love with a goofball.'

*****

Shouto was 14 when he shared his first kiss with Yoarashi. They were hiding under the blenches to avoid their classmates. Shouto giggled at Yoarashi, "You're too tall, Inasa!" Yoarashi hit his head against the bottom of the benches, "You're a little shit, Sho." Shouto was about to run until he tripped, "Be careful!" Inasa held onto the boy before he falls to the ground. A light rosy blush covered Todoroki's cheeks when he saw how close they were. "Are you okay with this?" Shouto looks into Inasa's eyes and smiles softly. Yoarashi pulled Shouto close to his chest before kissing him. Shouto never imagined his first kiss to be with someone he loves dearly. When they pulled away, Shouto buried his face into Yoarashi's chest. Shouto wondered if this was love.

Inasa wouldn't hurt him. He trusted Inasa.

*****

17-year-old Shouto noticed something wrong with Inasa. His behavior changed drastically, "Inasa, what's wrong?" Yoarashi ignored his questions and would glare at every friend Shouto had. After the mountain trip, Todoroki wasn't allowed to see his friends often. Inasa got jealous when Todoroki was talking to his friends. Shouto was spending the night at Inasa's house, "Yoarashi, you're squeezing me." Shouto was trying to focus on washing dishes when Inasa started getting handsy. "Inasa, stop, I'm washing the dishes." Inasa ran his hands down Shouto's waist, "Take a break. We barely get any time together since you've been applying for college."

Shouto giggled, "What's up with you?" The boy turned around to face Yoarashi and smiled up at his lover. "How about we spend some time together?" Shouto smiled, "What do you have in mind?" Todoroki yelped when Inasa picked him up, "I have a few suggestions. Can we-" Shouto cut Inasa off by kissing him.

"Take me away."

Shouto woke up the next morning with warm arms around his waist. He looked up to see Inasa's sleeping face, 'I can't believe we did it.' He leaned his head against Inasa's chest and listened to his heartbeats. He pried himself out of Inasa's grip and grabbed a separate sheet to wrap himself in. Shouto hopped into the shower and washed. 'Last night was amazing. Yoarashi didn't hurt me." Shouto giggled to himself. Shouto finished his shower and didn't see Yoarashi inside the bedroom. He strolled down the foyer to see Yoarashi in the kitchen. Yoarashi made a traditional Japanese breakfast for them. "Hey, beautiful," Yoarashi wrapped his arms around Shouto's waist. "Hey, yourself," Shouto replied. "Sho, can I ask you something?" Shouto glanced at his boyfriend's unusual expression, "Sure, you can ask me anything."

"We're about to graduate, so I was asking if you would like to move in with me. Since we're attending the same colleges, I thought it would be a good idea. Would you like to move in with me?" Shouto smiles and kisses him, "I would love too." Shouto didn't believe that Inasa would hurt him. He loved him, and Inasa loved him back. He didn't know that Endeavor spoke to Inasa. He didn't know that they were stringing him up for disaster. Inasa held onto the boy and kissed him sweetly. He truly loved this boy and would do anything for him. He looked into Shouto's mismatched eyes, "I love you, Shouto." Shouto smiled at the three words and leaned his head against Inasa's chest. He wished that he didn't say those three words. He didn't know that they were leading him to a trap. Still, he told Inasa those three words.

"I love you too, Inasa."

*****

18-year-old Shouto rolled his eyes at Bakugou, "You're overreacting, Bakugou." The blond-haired boy growled, "Icy-Hot, get through your thick head that he's hurting you. He doesn't love you. He's fucking hurting you."

"He only does it because he loves me," Shouto crossed his arms at the blond. After graduation, the motion for the Anarchy was beginning. Bakugou and Todoroki were cleaning up their base. Midoriya and Kirishima were busy gathering supplies for their hideout. Bakugou laughed, "He's screwing with you, Half n Half. It's domestic abuse right there. Stupid Deku is worried about you. He's afraid that he did something to you since you've been avoiding him." Todoroki glanced down at the ground in shame. "Wait, don't tell me that Baldy is controlling you." Todoroki's silence confirmed his answer, "Half n half, I may not like you, but I know you don't even deserve that. Just leave him." Todoroki shook his head, "No, you're lying! He does love me!" Bakugou grabbed Todoroki's wrists, "Are you fucking listening to yourself? He's fucking hurting you! He's manipulating you into thinking that he loves you. Do you even feel safe around him?"

Todoroki yanked his wrists out of Bakugou's grip. "Leave me alone. I don't need your advice or criticism against my relationship." Todoroki bit down the truth of his feelings. Inasa loved him, and he loved him too. He couldn't be wrong.

'He loves me, right?'

*****

19-year-old Shouto was terrified of love. Inasa continued to abuse him both mentally and physically. Shouto's self-esteem shot down and was self-conscious about his appearance. He didn't go outside often to avoid the stares. "They're going to judge you, Sho. It's best if you stay inside and wait for me to come home." Shouto nods his head, "Okay, Inasa." Inasa walked towards the boy and set his hands on his cheeks, "I love you, Sho." Shouto's lip quivered, "I l-love you too." Shouto was unsure of his words and closed his eyes, waiting for Inasa to hit him. He didn't notice Inasa's disappointed expression. He felt a light peck on his lips before he opened his eyes. Inasa rubbed his hands against Shouto's cheeks, "I'm sorry, Sho."

Shouto was confused by the apology. He didn't know why Inasa was apologizing. "Go rest," he continued, "I'll bring us some cold soba from your favorite noodle store." He walked out of the apartment, leaving Shouto alone. Shouto spent the day resting from his bruises and waited for Inasa to come home. Inasa stayed true to his word and bought them some cold soba.

Inasa was abusive, but he didn't go past those lines. Inasa didn't force him to sex with him unless Shouto wanted it too. He would always wake up to Inasa, holding him close while cuddling. Shouto felt like he didn't know Inasa anymore. He missed the Inasa from when they were younger. He wondered where it wrong. Endeavor didn't care about Shouto's sexuality, but why did it feel like he was involved?

*****

20-year-old Shouto wasn't allowed to leave the apartment unless it was for work. Shouto was trapped. He wasn't allowed to speak to any of his friends. Something snapped in Inasa when he came home. Shouto tried to ignore his insults. "I told you to stay away from them. Did you fucking see how Midoriya was looking at me at the office? He doesn't work there, so why was he there!" He threw a lamp at Shouto. The boy dodged and watched the lamp shatter. "Inasa, please stop t-throwing stuff!" Inasa growled and made his way towards the shaking boy. Todoroki tried to run, but Inasa was faster. Inasa grasped Todoroki's neck, "You're worthless, slut. No one is going to save a freak like you! No one is going to love you as I do!" Todoroki's tears stream down his cheeks, "I'm sorry!" Todoroki choked against Inasa's grip and tried to get him off.

Inasa stopped when he heard knocking, "Todoroki? Is everything okay?" Todoroki recognized that voice. "Help me, Midoriya!" Inasa punched Todoroki across the face, "Shut the hell up!" Inasa dropped Shouto onto the glass and cut him. Shouto felt the small shards digging into his palms. He screamed when Inasa punched him again.

Midoriya heard the screaming and yelling coming from the other side. He tried to open the door, "Don't worry, Todoroki!" Midoriya ran back and crashed into the door. His eyes widen when he saw Inasa grabbed Shouto's shirt with his hand raised in the air. Shouto looked terrified while sporting a few bruises.

"Get your hands off of him!" Todoroki watched the two fight, 'He's helping me. Why are you risking your safety to save me?' Midoriya took the beating, "You think that you can take my Shouto away from me!" Inasa was on top of Midoriya as he punched the green-haired boy. Todoroki saw the frying pan on the stove. He swung it behind Inasa's head, knocking him out.

Midoriya tied Inasa onto the chair while Todoroki was grabbing the first-aid kit. "Why didn't you tell anyone?" Todoroki pressed the cloth against Midoriya's busted lip, "It didn't matter." Midoriya hissed as Todoroki wiped the blood away. "Todoroki-"

"Why did you help?" Midoriya saw the tears lining up, "You're my friend, Todoroki. I couldn't let him hurt you. You didn't deserve any of that. How long has this been going on?" Todoroki glanced down, "T-Three years." Midoriya hugged Shouto tightly.

"He's never going to hurt you again. I promise you. I will never let him hurt you again." The boy cried into Midoriya's chest. Midoriya helped him when he was at his worst.

*****

Shouto loved Midoriya, but he was scared. He was scared of getting hurt again. He looked at the green-haired boy in front of him, and he was speechless. Midoriya watched Todoroki choke on his tears, "Midoriya, you shouldn't love me. I'm poison." The green-haired boy shook his head. "You're not poison." Shouto held a grip onto his sweater, "You don't understand, Midoriya." Midoriya reached to grab Todoroki's hand, but the boy pulled away. "You're afraid of letting people know. I'm not going to beat you as Endeavor and Inasa did. Todoroki-" Todoroki interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. "Midoriya, please leave," Shouto clenched his hands against his sweater. "If that's what you want, then I'll be going." Todoroki glanced up at the boy, "I need time to think. I'm sorry, Midoriya."

Midoriya kissed Todoroki's forehead, "I understand. Take all the time you need." Todoroki watched the green-haired boy leave his apartment. He stood up and went to his closet to pull out the picture frame. "Why can't I move on?" Shouto knew he should've thrown the box away, but he didn't have the courage. He gently put the box inside his closet before standing, "I have to do it." He had to face the person that tormented him. He needed to know why Inasa hurt him.

Todoroki was ready to face Inasa. He wasn't going to back down. He walked out of his apartment, determined to get answers. Each stepped he took weighed more with fear, 'I can do this. I'm not going to back easily. If I want answers, I can't let my fear consume me.' He remembered Inasa's apartment and felt the memories hit him. He never thought that he would return. He never thought that he would ever have the courage to stand near this place. He couldn't let his fear get the best of him. He had to confront his past and let go. Todoroki took a deep breath, 'Here's goes nothing.'

Todoroki knocked on the door and heard the door opening. Inasa was shocked to see his past lover standing in front of him. Todoroki glanced up and smiled softly.

"Hi, Inasa."