Hashtags from Ao3, because you probably can't see those here.

#Todoroki is a Bocchan, #Midoriya is his... something, #We'll get there, #Todoroki uses his fire, #because of Midoriya obv, #Hence the title, #endeavor's a+ parenting, #Panic Attacks, #I don't know how graphic is graphic but there you go, #Angst, #Hurt/Comfort, #I wish I could wax poetry, #Midoriya and Torodoki are childhood friends, #they live under the same roof, #and sleep in the same room, #What else do you want?, #Eventual Smut, #i gotchu fam, #the plot justifies the porn, #Todoroki is best boyfriend, #Midoriya is Todoroki's un/healthy coping mechanism, #I was aiming for angst and porn, #but now there's fluff, #idek, #it wrote itself, #mild Kacchan, #beware

"Raison D'être"

Chapter 01: Heaven Sent

Todoroki Shouto hates his father.

And that's a healthy understatement, but he can't quite come up with anything better right now as he desperately struggles to breathe after all the blows he took from the Flame Hero. Training has been especially harsher since he started refusing to use his fire side, he would even think his father was aiming to kill him if it weren't for the fact that he remains alive to this day. He crawls out of the dojo and limps back to his room to fix his wounds. He patches himself up as he usually does after every one-sided brawl before going to bed, curling into himself as he succumbed to exhaustion.

The next day he wakes up to the heavy stomps of feet seemingly approaching his room. He had only guessed it was his father when the door slammed open to reveal the accuracy of his suspicions, but there seems to be a catch. Behind the assuming bulky figure of his father was a small freckled green-haired child, with big and glassy bright green eyes boring into his own in wonder.

Todoroki will later realize this to be, the one and only time he'd ever be grateful to his father for.

"A pet, a toy, a friend. Call him whatever. He's yours." Endeavor said pulling a tad rough on the tiny hands of said child before pushing him unceremoniously inside Todoroki's room.

Todoroki didn't know what to make of it, what was his father saying? What does this all mean? He stared openly at the child, face a blank slate. Besides the physical attributes you would first notice upon being presented another person, the child in question was also covered in bandages. From his shoulders down to his wrists, the entirety of his legs, his neck, his head, and bits of patches on his face. Todoroki's covered wounds from last night seemed superficial compared to the damage sustained by said child. Who looked completely harmless, defenseless even. It felt as if he was going to cry from all the staring he was doing alone, so he shifted bi-colored eyes back to his father.

"Where did he come from?"

The flaming man shrugged, turning to his back. "The agency entrusted him to me, it was supposed to be some kind of publicity stunt."

"What of his parents?"

"Just his mother, came too late to save her," Endeavor didn't even do as much as look back when he slammed the door closed.

"And he calls himself a hero," Todoroki couldn't help muttering under his breath as he glared at the door. He closed his eyes and sighed softly before opening them again to turn to the other boy. "What's your name?"

Wobbly lips whimpered, "Mi-Midoriya Izuku."

"How old are you?"

"Se-seven." The other boy seemed to shrink further into himself.

"Hn," Todoroki nodded. Midoriya was his age, but he looked a lot smaller and especially weaker. "What's your quirk?"

The freckled child lowered his head and looked away, lips curving down with a frown. "I-I don't have any..."

If that made his interest grow Todoroki didn't show it. "My name is Todoroki Shouto."

Midoriya looked up to him with big hopeful eyes. "Ni-nice to m-meet you then, Bocchan."

Bi-colored eyes blinked. Bocchan?

"You think I'm a Bocchan?" Todoroki had to ask.

"We-well, aren't you?" Midoriya tilted his head in a way that made him feel self-conscious.

While they certainly lived in an estate and lived a fairly prosperous life, Todoroki's never considered it before. They also have household help that come to clean up sometimes, but they still do things mostly by themselves. He's known for a long time his family fairs better than most, he's just never put much thought to it. Then again, maybe that's because of his father who prefers to keep to himself. It would do him great disservice if anyone outside the family were to find out what he does when he's not wearing his hero costume.

"I-I mean, Endeavor-sama is your father and all." The green-haired child broke him out of his thoughts, his silence must've gone for too long.

But seriously, Endeavor-sama? He's heard a couple of his father's subordinates call the Flame Hero such, but that doesn't mean he likes it. Anyway, it wasn't really important what the child called him, so he dismisses the topic. "Okay, I suppose so. But it doesn't really matter to me either way."

Seeming to have gotten over the initial awkwardness, Midoriya laughed sheepishly, scratching on his cheek before beaming up at him.

Todoroki would later remember this as the first he's ever received a smile from the sun itself.

But regardless of whatever kind of first impression Midoriya has left on him, Todoroki didn't know what to do with him. So he decides to take him to his sister. He led the way out and for a reason he didn't understand, the child held onto his hand. Like he was supposed to, like it was done on instinct. Standing side by side, Midoriya was at least a head smaller than him, despite being his age. So he didn't let go. And even if Todoroki felt a bit of discomfort at the contact, it wasn't like the child could harm him anyway.

They walked the length of the corridor in eerie silence, Midoriya leaning closer to him until he could feel the other's nerves in waves. He didn't understand what the child was scared of, but it's not like he knew how to be a source of comfort so he kept his mouth shut. Logically, there was no reason to be afraid, they were in a hero's abode after all. Logically.

They reached his sister's room and Todoroki knocked on the door twice. He heard a soft 'come in', before turning the doorknob to do so.

"Who's that?" His sister asked the moment she turned to them.

"Midoriya Izuku," Todoroki answered for the child. "Father gave him to me."

"Father what?"

"He gave him to me, to be my friend." Todoroki decides to go with that, leaving out the options of a 'toy' or a 'pet'. He wasn't like his father.

His sister looked to have even more questions than she did initially, but she must've decided to keep those for later. She approached them slowly before lowering herself down, and offering a hand. "Hey there, little guy. My name is Fuyumi, but you can call me 'Nee-chan', okay?"

"O-Okay, Nee-chan," Midoriya smiled shyly.

"Okay, Izu-kun. Can I call you that?" Fuyumi tilted her head in question before receiving a shy nod, and continued. "Where are you from? Where are your parents?"

Before Midoriya could try to come up with answers himself, Todoroki spoke for him. "Father said he came from the agency, they couldn't save his mother."

"Oh, my God..." Fuyumi held a hand in front of her mouth, before slowly turning to the child with a kind smile and a determined look on her face. "Don't worry, Izu-kun. We'll be your family from now on."

Todoroki wasn't sure how to feel about that.

Fuyumi then led the two boys back to Todoroki's room, where she searched for her little brother's old clothes that don't fit anymore. She asked Midoriya to take a shower and change clothes, before taking out a spare futon from the closet and hanging it out on the balcony for air so it would be ready for Midoriya to use later in the night.

"I'm going to prepare breakfast, when Izu-kun's done take him downstairs." Fuyumi turned, and started making her way down to the kitchen.

"Is he really going to stay here?" Todoroki had to ask.

Fuyumi looked back at him from the middle of the doorway, blinking once. "As long as Father says so."

They stared at each other for a while.

"Do you not want him here?" Fuyumi asked, quietly as if in a whisper.

Todoroki pressed his lips together, looking down on his toes. "I don't know... but I do want a friend."

"Then there shouldn't be a problem," Fuyumi smiled gently at him. "Besides, it was Father who brought him here in the first place. He shouldn't complain if something happens."

Todoroki peeked up at her then. He didn't know what that something could be but he nodded his head regardless, before looking away towards the bathroom door.

"Shouto," Fuyumi called back his attention. "You know you have to look after him, right?"

Todoroki nodded again, but more firmly this time. "Yeah... because he's mine."

If Fuyumi wasn't sure how to react to that, she didn't show it. They were good at playing poker faces in this family.

When Midoriya came back out from the bathroom, Todoroki gave him one look before he knelt down in front of him to fold the ends of the pants' legs. They were too long for him, so he was sure the child would step on them and stumble if left alone. Stopping just below the knees, he stood up and checked on his work. The t-shirt was big too, falling off lanky shoulders, but he can leave them be. The bi-haired kid offered his hand, he knew the child would hold onto him anyway so he might as well.

He led the way downstairs and into the kitchen. Fuyumi grinned too brightly for his liking when she saw them holding hands, Todoroki doesn't know what to make of it.

"Here you go, you two." She placed two plates on the table, and waited for them to get seated before serving them bread, eggs, and bacon. "Is this okay with you, Izu-kun? What do you usually have at home?"

"Uhm, this is g-great! Th-thank you very much," he pulled the plate towards himself. "I u-usually have cereal, b-but I like this too!"

Fuyumi beamed. Midoriya's voice was meek, but he was trying to be enthusiastic. Being grateful, and at the same time, making sure not to concern her. Plus, the blush on those freckles was adorable. She wanted to make sure he was comfortable so she didn't ask any more questions, eating in silence. The child would tell them the things they needed to know when he was ready. If not, their father will.

Once they were done, she gathered the plates and made her way to the sink. Midoriya offered to help clean up, which was a pleasant surprise, but she merely waved him off.

"I'm okay, I can handle this myself." She patted soft green curls before looking towards her brother. "You two should just go play outside, it's a wonderful day out there."

Todoroki nodded, he understood. She meant that their father has left and that they should make the best of this time, while he was away.

It didn't take long for Todoroki to realize Midoriya was everything he didn't know he wanted.

The child was an open book, slowly turning the pages of himself to show Todoroki all that he feels and thinks. It was a refreshing experience, compared to what he was used to in this family. Midoriya smiled brightly, cried easily, laughed cheerfully, pouted childishly. He was kind and gentle, meek and shy, smart and understanding, fun and clumsy. He was quiet when Todoroki wasn't talking to him, he was attentive when he was being referred to. He always asks for permission, he was respectful, grateful, and apologetic.

He made Todoroki feel at ease, comfortable, like he just knew if it was Midoriya then he didn't have to worry about a thing.

And it's only been a day.

Of course he didn't know that for sure, Midoriya just struck him as being completely harmless. But even if the child wasn't as innocent as he seemed, Todoroki was perfectly capable of defending himself. He's not scared, of a quirkless boy who's smaller than him of all things. Not to mention his father having brought the child.

They played the entire morning and the rest of the afternoon that day, sharing all of his toys and running around the house. It was always a happy day when Endeavor wasn't there, but what made it all even better was his father having left him with a child and an explicit permission to be friends with. He didn't even get that with his siblings, so then, Midoriya must be really special. And Todoroki wouldn't argue.

That's when it all ended though.

They were coloring picture books in his bedroom after eating dinner, when Fuyumi knocked and peeked inside. She wore a sorry smile and glanced at Midoriya before regarding Shouto.

"Father's here." She almost whispered and winced, as if uttering the word pains her physically. Then again, it probably does.

But Todoroki didn't even flinch. "Okay."

Fuyumi nodded and stepped out of view, leaving the door open. Todoroki turned to Midoriya. "Izuku."

Midoriya was hunched over, slowly looking at him. He looked apprehensive, he could probably feel the sudden tension in the air.

"I want you to get ready for bed and go to sleep. I have to go to Father and you can't come with me." Torodoki instructed as clearly as possible. "I don't want you to wait up for me either so when I get back, you better not be awake. Lastly, while I'm not with you, you are not allowed to step outside this room."

By the time Todoroki finished his last sentence, he knew he was sending Midoriya the coldest glare he could make. He had to make sure the child got the message, he couldn't risk anything after all. He still didn't know much of the would-be arrangements for the child, so it should be fine if he didn't tell him anything for now. But if Midoriya was really staying with them for good (or bad), then all the more need to be careful. Todoroki wasn't stupid. There is no reason his father should bring home a child, and a quirkless one at that, if he didn't have any plans. He just didn't know why, or how, or what Midoriya's purpose would be. But the freckled green-haired child was his responsibility. Midoriya was given to him, which meant Midoriya belonged to him and that he should take care of him. He knew that, even Fuyumi said so.

"I-I understand," Midoriya's whimpering voice broke him out of his thoughts. The child's eyes went glassy again, shivering slightly. Todoroki was scary when he glares.

Todoroki sighed, and tried again, more gently this time. "I'm not mad at you. I just don't want you to get in trouble, okay?"

The smaller one nodded meekly, looking up at him through eyelashes. "Th-thank you, Bocchan. And so-sorry, for the trouble."

The older shook his head. "It's nothing. You're my responsibility, because you're mine. You know that, right?"

Midoriya couldn't help huffing a small laugh at that, "I-I'll be in your hands, then."

Todoroki couldn't point it out, but a switch was flipped in between them and they were back to normal. A small smile tugged on his lips, Midoriya made him feel too light.

When Todoroki got back, Midoriya was fast asleep. He could see the consistent rise and fall of his chest, and he was glad the child actually listened to him, he wouldn't know how to placate the child when he sees him all beaten up and broken. He didn't want Midoriya to see him like this, and whether that was for his own sake or the child's, it didn't matter. The thought just gave him a sense of unease, like a slight churn in the depths of his gut. He sighed, he's far too young to be feeling so jaded like this. But his father was insufferable. The man didn't say anything about Midoriya though, not even a passing comment. Maybe, he really didn't care to bother about him? Hopefully.

Todoroki headed to the bathroom to take a bath and patch himself up, he's got school tomorrow so he wouldn't be able to play with Midoriya until arriving home in the afternoon. He'll be able to see him for breakfast though, so it should be fine. He'll give him further instructions then. He vaguely wondered how Midoriya will be educated in this family, was he going to be transferred to his school? He hopes so, he better ask Fuyumi tomorrow to make sure.

He laid down in his own futon, feeling more exhausted than he usually does. Probably because he played out so much today, but he couldn't possibly regret that. He's never had so much fun, despite the training, he can always put that behind him and focus more on the good things. He turns to his side, glancing towards Midoriya and bites his lower lip. He's felt too many urges to smile this day, he hopes they don't go away. And he falls to sleep just like that.

Morning came too soon, his alarm ringing on his bedside table. He opened his eyes to see Midoriya already awake and reaching over to shut it off.

"Go-good morning, Bocchan." The clock made a soft click as the freckled child pressed a button down.

"Good morning," Todoroki sat up, staring blankly at the child. "You're up early."

Midoriya played with his fingers, head bowed. "I-I always w-wake up around this time for school..."

"Right, are you going?"

"I-I... don't know," the child peeks up at him and quickly looked away. "I d-don't even have my things..."

"We'll talk to Nee-san about it then," Todoroki got up and walked over to his closet to get dressed. He also took a spare out for Midoriya, handing it over. He picked a shorter pants this time so he wouldn't have to bend down and fold it up again like last time. They brushed their teeth before the older one grabbed his bag and they headed downstairs. If he was lucky, his father wouldn't be there.

And he was, for today.

Fuyumi was the only one in the kitchen. "Good morning, you two."

"Nee-san, is Izuku going to school?" Todoroki cut to the chase.

Fuyumi blinked twice, glancing at Midoriya and then back at him. "Well, he should. But I can see how that could be a problem."

Todoroki didn't say anything but there was a glint of a plea in his eyes, Fuyumi tried to resist a knowing smile.

"Tell you what, I'll go call Father's agency and see how to arrange things." She said to her little brother before turning to Midoriya, "Izuku, do you mind coming with me later to your school? We'll see if we can get you transferred into Shouto's."

"R-really?! That would be great! Thank you so much, Nee-chan!" With Midoriya's usually bright smile, it was hard to quantify how much happier he was. But the slight reddening of his cheeks and the watering of his eyes gave away a meaning they have yet to understand.

"Are you sure? Don't you have friends you don't want to part with in your school?" Todoroki asked, trying not to get his hopes too high.

Midoriya deflated and shook his head with a sad smile, somehow they seem to have found meaning to pin on the earlier expression. "I don't have friends."

Todoroki couldn't believe that. Midoriya was blinding sunshine personified, how could he not have friends?

"It's settled then! We'll go through everything later and by tomorrow, hopefully you can start attending Shouto's class!" Fuyumi broke the dampening mood, ushering the two of them to the table for breakfast.

They eat in comfortable silence and soon enough, Fuyumi was gathering the dishes to clean up. Todoroki bids her goodbye and walks with Midoriya to the entryway. He crouches down and puts his shoes on before straightening back up to turn to the smaller boy.

"Izuku, listen to whatever Nee-san says while I'm not here, okay?" Todoroki was giving him a stern look again, unblinking.

"I u-understand," Midoriya tried smiling reassuringly but it only came up as sheepish.

Todoroki finally blinks, just once and slowly. "If Father comes home, just stay inside my room. No matter what happens, stay away from him."

Midoriya's eyes shifted from each of his as if looking for something, so he prepared himself to answer for anything but the questions never came. The smaller child only smiles, softly but not any less bright. "You don't have to keep wo-worrying about me so much a-all the time, Bocchan. I'll be okay."

"I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about Father." The words left his mouth before he could think even about them.

"O-oh! We-well then, I-I'm sure he'll be fi-fine too because he's a hero." Midoriya looked flustered and confused, saying the first things that come to mind.

"That's not it either."

The smaller child opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say to he closed them again and settled with biting his lower lip, head lowering and shoulders hunching.

The older boy sighed at the sight. "Just stay out of trouble, I'll be back soon."

Midoriya nodded eagerly before slowly gaining back the courage to speak. "Ta-take care, Bocchan."

Todoroki nodded once before turning on his heel and walking out. The door closed and the green-haired child felt his shoulders sagging.

True enough to her word, Fuyumi had taken care of everything. Just as she said she would and as much to Todoroki's liking. So the next day, he was walking out the door with Midoriya in tow. They bid their farewells to Fuyumi at the door before walking out together hand-in-hand, with the older leading the way to school. It was a rough five to ten minutes worth, Midoriya gaping all around him the entire way. This was the nicer and more quiet part of the city, with many beautiful houses and flowering trees. The green-haired child stared openly in wonder, straining his neck to take in all the view. Todoroki had to steer him clear from walking into a lamp post a couple of times, but the older kid didn't mind. It was amusing.

They get to the school and Midoriya was introduced as a transfer student, the fact that he lives with Todoroki left unsaid. He is placed in a seat besides the bi-haired kid, who sits in the corner of the room by the window as per their request. The class started as normal as it should without much fuss, and the two didn't talk to each other the whole time. It wasn't until lunch break that Todoroki motioned for Midoriya to follow him. They climbed two sets of stairs to get to the rooftop, which was locked and technically a prohibited area, but Todoroki could most likely get away with anything anyway. Todoroki used his ice to form a key at the tip of his forefinger, before opening the door for Midoriya. And the child was just gaping at him. He vaguely remembers this was the first time he's ever shown him his quirk.

"That's... amazing," Midoriya's voice sounded breathless, and Todoroki was mildly concerned. "Your quirk is ice? I thought it would be fire like Endeavor-sama's."

"Actually, that too." The older of the two clarified, watching closely for any more reaction. The fact that he has two quirks when the other has none was unfair, Todoroki knew that. But there's nothing he could do about it, nor was it his fault. Still, he would do his best to try feeling for the smaller boy. Heck, if he could give away his fire quirk he would.

Midoriya held his shaking hands together, vibrating with excitement. "That's so cool, Bocchan! You have two quirks?! I can't believe this! You are so lucky! So you have both ice and fire? That's so convenient! I mean, you can freeze and melt things at the same time! All the cons of one is the pros of the other! Which should be such an incredible balance in power! And both are so useful! I'm so envious! But also very happy for you, Bocchan! You will become a great hero for sure!"

Todoroki was sure that was the longest he's ever heard Midoriya talking without stuttering.

"Uhhh, thanks." He stepped out on the rooftop first since the smaller kid didn't seem like he was taking his invitation to go first. He sat towards the side, leaning onto the railings before opening the bentos Fuyumi made for them.

The green-haired child must've noticed the sudden change in his demeanor because he quietly followed after him, stopping three steps away with all the previous signs of excitement gone. "Is there something wrong?"

The bi-haired kid didn't dare look at him. He knew his existence was unfair, Midoriya's case was too except he's the only one who deserves feeling like a cheat. They were at the opposite poles of extremes, and he didn't want to be insensitive. He could just imagine growing up without a quirk, and the younger child looking like that's all he's ever wanted. Even though, Todoroki couldn't care less about his fire side. Even though, he doesn't mind losing both if he could just get rid of his father's proof in him. Then maybe he wouldn't be put through so much suffering, and his mother would probably still be here. He knew she would still love him even if he lost his quirk, and the thought that his father would not even spare him a glance makes him want to smile. He would be normal then, like Midoriya. But he can't tell the other that, of course not.

"It's nothing, let's eat."

Thankfully, Midoriya didn't bring it up again.

Until one fateful night two days later when Todoroki unwittingly stumbles into the bathroom following another harsh training session with his sorry-excuse-of-a-father, and Midoriya was in there.

AN:

Okay so, the original idea for this fic was smut... hence the summary, but now I'm not so sure if I'll push forth for that and I just wanted to get that out there. No warnings yet, but they will come once needed. I'm still torn about keeping this safe, everything is just a set-up for now. No lemon until the timeskip of course.

Please review. Thank you so much!

— Lynx

20171111

And I'm also on tumblr~! ;D