-5- A dirty trick

"Good morning class." Greets Aizawa sensei getting into the classroom.

The students, already seated at their desks, stand and politely bow to him.

"Sit down students." he says. "Before starting the lessons I have a disagreable duty to attend."

"Todoroki-kun, I'm sorry to tell you you are suspended from this school until further notice."

A wave of murmurs and whispers spread through the class, surprised by the sudden news.

"What?!..." Mutters Midoriya anxiously, turning to Todoroki whose expressionless face doesn't show any feeling.

"Silence, students!" Aizawa sensei's voice cuts through the classroom, silencing everyone.

"Sensei," says Todoroki quietly. "May I know the reason for that?" he asks.

"You have been accused by a student to have assaulted him, even dislocating his shoulder." The teacher explains.

Midoriya's heart skips a beat. -What?! That's not true! It was that guy who assaulted Kaminari-kun and me...- He was struggling to stand up and say that when a voice spoke.

"Suh... sen... sei, th-th-that's un... un... uh... ngh... uh... unfair..."

Kaminari is standing, his fists tightly clenched as he struggles to control his stutter.

"It... it... it w-was that boy who buh... buh... bullied m...me and Muh... muh... uh... Mido.. uh... muh... ngh... Me and muh... muh... uh..." His whole body jerks as he stumbles on his own words.

"Me and h-him..." he finally manages to say, pointing Midoriya. Speaking in front of the whole class seems an impossible task, but he has to do it. Todoroki stood for him against those bullies, he can't let him be falsely accused.

The teacher rises an eyebrow. "Go on, Kaminari-kun." he says.

The boy gasps, everyone is staring at him. -What if I can't speak clearly... I have to do it but... what if I can't...- He is starting to panic, but then he feels Kirishima's hand on his leg under the desk, giving him a reassuring squeeze.

Kaminari breathes deeply. "Th-that buh... boy and his t-two f... friends c-cuh... cornered me a-and be...began to buh... buh... bully me be... be...because I... was n-new and be... be... cause I stuh... stuh... stuh... ngh... be...because I stuh...stuh... stuh... uh... ngh... uh... stuh..." he gasps before resolving to say it in other words. "...be...cause th-the way I... ta... talk..." he manages to splutter out.

"Then M-Mido... uh... Muh... Mi... Mi... uh..." The boy is squinting his eyes and jerking back his head in the desperate attempt of making out his words.

"...Then he c-came a-and tho... those boys buh... uh... began to bu...bully h... him too... the...ey pushed him to ma...ma...ake him f...fall... Then Todo... Todo... ngh... Todo...roki-kuh...hun sho...sho... showed up a... and uh...a-and...nng...uh..."

I can't go on. I just can't... Thinks the boy breathing heavily.

"Thank you Kaminari-kun." Cuts in the teacher, putting an end to Kaminari's struggle. "I expect both you and Midoriya-kun to come to my office once the lessons are over." Finally, Kaminari collapses into his seat, exhausted.

"You did great." Whispers Kirishima, gently slinging an arm around Kaminari's shoulders. "I'm so proud of you."

"For now, " carries on the teacher, "I have to ask you to gather your belongings and leave, Todoroki-kun."

"Yes, sensei," replies Todoroki in his usual emotionless tone.

Midoriya gazes at his friend anxiously. "Shouto-kun..." He whispers worriedly as Todoroki passes by him, getting out of the classroom. Todoroki lingers a second next his friend and gently places a hand on his shoulder before continuing out of the room without saying a word.

________________________________________

As they step out of the professors' room, Kaminari and Midoriya find Kirishima pacing nervously in front of the door.

"What did he say?" He asks anxiously.

"Aizawa-sensei is a good guy," says Midoriya reassuringly. "He hinted that he knows about those guys' beheavior but, for reasons he can't disclose with us, it is difficult to handle the situation."

"He also implied that, to take any action against them, more witnesses are needed to come forward and confirm those boys' behavior towards other students." Midoriya adds. "If Kaminari-kun and I officially report our incident and other students speak up about those guy's attitude, Shouto-kun will most likely be reinstated," Midoriya finishes.

"That's great news!" Kirishima exclaims. "So what do we do now?"

"First, I need to go see Shouto-kun," says Midoriya. "I texted him, he's waiting outside the school."

________________________________________

Todoroki is sitting on a bench outside the school gate facing the park. He can hear the scraping sound of Izuku's feet dragged on the courtyard gravel but there are other steps getting closer. He's not alone... He thinks tensely.

"Kaminari-kun, Kirishima-kun..." Says quietely Midoriya. "Um... would you... um... would you let me talk with Shouto-kun alone?..."

"Yeah, sure!" agrees Kirishima, nodding. "well'wait inside. If you need us just call."

"Thanks guys... Thanks..."

Todoroki relaxes. Now only the familiar noises of Izuku's gait are getting closer.

"Shouto-kun?... " Softly calls Midoriya, sitting next to his friend.

Todoroki's gaze meets Midoriya's. "I... I... I'm scared Izuku..."

"Scared? Of what?" Asks Midoriya, surprised.

"If my father has been informed about all this, he surely gave orders to my keepers at the institute to lock me up." Todoroki explains.

"I cant bear it anymore... I got some money from my credit card. My father didn't lock it yet. I'll rent a room somewhere. I don't wanna be locked up again... Not now..." The boy is shaking and breathes rapidly.

"What?! No way!" Says Midoriya urgently. "You're staying at my place, with me!"

"Thanks Izuku, I'd really like to but I don't want to be a burden to you and your parents..."

"You will not! My parents are abroad for their job, I live alone! There's just a lady who came twice at week for cleaning the house. Please Shouto-kun, stay with me. I am pretty good at cooking, I swear. You 'll not be disappointed." Says Midoriya staring Todoroki with his bright green eyes.

"Thanks Izuku but..."

"Please Shouto-kun... Stay with me... Please..." Insists Midoriya.

"Are you sure it wouldn't be a burden to you?..." asks Todoroki.

"Yes! I am more than sure!" Says Midoriya resolutely.

"So... um... thanks Izuku, I owe you one..."

Midoriya lips open in one of his wide, beaming smile. Midoriya's grins are always making Todoroki feel good, there's something that radiates from that smile. Something calming, reassuring, healing...

"Shall we go?" Asks Midoriya happily.

"Uh... Um... Sure, let's go."

"May... May I lean on you, Shouto-kun?" Asks Midoriya timidly.

"Sure, of course."

________________________________________

"Sorry for intruding..." Says Todoroki.

"Come in Shouto-kun. It's just the two of us, no need to be so formal!"

Midoriya sits on a chair to take off his shoes before getting in. "Sorry Shouto-kun, I don't have any slippers. I can't use them so... um.. sorry..."

"No problem Izuku I'll just stay in my socks." Says Todoroki slipping off his shoes.

Midoriya leans against the wall to overcome the genkan step and gets in. "Please, Shouto-kun, come in."

"Yes, thanks..."Todoroki says, follows Midoriya inside the house.

Midoriya is moving fast leaning here and there on the walls and furniture to keep his balance; They reach a small living room with a big couch in the middle.

"Please Shouto -kun, make yourself at home." Says Midoriya with a wide grin. You can use the bedroom upstairs. I'm gonna have a shower, would you get one too?"

"With you?" Asks Todoroki with a teasing smirk.

"What?! No!" Almost shouts Midoriya, blushing violently. "There's another bathroom upstairs you can use that one. I always use the smaller one here, to avoid the stairs, you know..."

"Thanks Izuku but I haven't any change with me..." says Todoroki.

"I'll lend you some underwear and my gym uniform." offers Midoriya. "I never used that uniform. It is smaller than your size but it should be fine until we manage to get some clothes that fits you."

"In this case... Thanks Izuku..."

"Stop thanking me!" says midoriya with a wide grin. "You are very welcome, Shouto-kun."

Midoriya gets out of the room and gets back with some underwear and a school gym uniform. "Here it is, you can find towels, soap and shampoo in the bathroom closet. If you need anything call me but you need to be patient, it takes a while to me getting up the stairs."

Todoroki nods. "Ok. I'm sure I'll find everything. Thanks..."

"Well then, see you in a while." Says Midoriya smiling.

________________________________________

Todoroki relaxes under the warm stream of water. He found all he needed in the closet as Midoriya said. He dries himself carefully and gets dressed.

As expected Midoriya's gym uniform is a little small for him but quite comfortable anyway. Just the sleeves and the pants are a little short, but just a little.

As gets downstairs he finds Midoriya wearing a T-shirt a pair of shorts and his usual thick white socks. He can't help to notices Midoriya's legs. So thin, just a little thicker than his own arms.

He is standing in his typical awkward way, knee slightly bent, feet turned inward, the flat soles tightly pressed on the floor.

"Well, my gym uniform is not so small after all." Says Midoriya, grinning.

"Yeah, it is quite comfortable actually." Agrees Todoroki smiling back to his friend.

"I'm sorry for the socks." Says Midoriya. "I drag my feet and, without my shoes, I'd bruise my toes if I don't wear thick socks... Sorry..."

"Your socks are really cool, Izuku. I like them." assures Todoroki

Midoriya smiles. "I'm making some tea, Shouto-kun. I also made some cookies yesterday, I hope you like them. I gonna get them. They are still in the...OWWW!"

MIdoriya lost his balance and bumps against the wall.

"What's up Izuku?" Says Todoroki, worried.

"My leg... A cramp... Ow... Please Shouto-kun, would you help me to the couch?...Please... Ow..."

Todoroki swings Midoriya's arm onto his shoulder so he can lean on him. Midoriya tries to hop his way on his weaker leg but he can't.

"I can't move, Shouto-kun..." he says apologetically.

"Don't worry Izuku, I'll carry you." Todoroki then gently lifts Midoriya and let him sit on the couch. "What happens?" He asks.

"It's a cramp Shouto-kun, sometimes my left leg and foot cramp. I can't move them anymore... It hurts...a lot..." explains Midoriya with a grimace of pain on his face.

"It can last hours... I got some painkiller... Would you bring me them, please..." he asks, "They are in that closet over there..."

"You can't stay like that for hours!" states Todoroki. "I can help, but you have to trust me. Will you?"

"Of course I trust you Shouto-kun, what should I do?..."

"Lay on your belly Izuku, I know what to do." Gently, Todoroki helps Midoriya to lay prone, carefully driving and supporting his cramped leg.

Now Midoriya is resting on his belly, his left leg bent upward. Todoroki supports the foot by lightly grabbing the ankle and, with his other hand's fingers, sweeps the bottom of his foot, trying to feel the tighter spots on Midoriya's flat sole. Found the knots of tight muscles and tendons on Midoriya's foot, he firmly sets his fingers on them.

"Izuku, it's gonna hurt." he warns, "But I promise, it will be matter of a few seconds. Will you trust me?"

"Yes, I trust you, Shouto-kun. Go on."

"Ok. Here it goes." says Todoroki as he suddenly digs his finger in to the tight muscles of Midoriya's sole, pressing hard.

"OWWWW!!! Shouto-kun! It hurts! OWWW!!!" Midoriya's other leg jolts randomly up and down slapping floppily the foot on Todoroki's arm.

"OWWW!!!"

"Hold on, Izuku. Just a few seconds more!"

"OWWW!... ...Oh...." Suddenly, the tight spots of Midoriya's foot releases under Todoroki's fingers.

"Wow, Shouto-kun, I feel a lot better now..." says Midoriya, relieved.

"Your leg is very tight too." says Todoroki. "You should let me release also these muscles. It wouldn't hurt now. Would you let me go on?"

"Yes... sure Shouto-kun... thanks..." Says Midoriya timidly.

Todoroki gently begins to rub his thumbs on Midoriya's thin calf. So thin... Working the tight muscles he can feel them twitching, making the foot jolt up and down. Suddenly, also these muscles release letting the foot rest.

He then goes up, working the tight hamstring of Midoriya's thigh, hard as ropes. He gently but firmly digs his thumbs on Midoriya's muscles, patiently and steadily, until even these last muscle releases.

Midoriya sighs in relief. He can almost straighten his leg now; a lot more than usual.

"How are you feeling, Izuku?" asks Todoroki.

"Better than ever, Shouto-kun, I have no more pain and my leg seems to move better than ever!" happily says Midoriya.

The movements are still clumsy but it seems he can move it easier than usual. "Thanks Shouto-kun, I feel really better. How did you do it?"

"The weird scarred kid has his secrets, Midoriya-kun" teases Todoroki granting Midoriya with one of his gentle and rare smiles.

Midoriya smiles back with one of his beaming grins, he is always happy to see Shouto-kun smiling.

"Um... Shouto-kun..."

"Yes, what it is?"

"Um... could you... um... could you do it on my other foot too?..." shyly asks Midoriya. "If it doesn't bother you... I mean... um..." he quickly adds, blushing.

"Izuku... Why are you so uneasy?..." asks Todoroki, "I like rubbing your feet. They are so cute..."

"Ah... um... well I..." babbles Midoriya, "I actually... um.. never imagined that someone would find my flat feet cute...so... I'm still a little... um... you know..."

"But they are." confirms Todoroki. "And they are so cute because they are so flat. It is something unique to you, Izuku. It's like the way you walk; it's cute because it's your way to walk. It is something that makes you unique. It's something that contributes to your... um... Izukuness." says Todoroki with a gentle smirk.

"Izukuness?..." asks Midoriya rising an eyebrow.

"Yes, Izukuness." repeats Todoroki, with a jokingly smug tone.

Midoriya chuckles, he likes when Todoroki jokes with him like that.

"Rise your foot, Izuku." Asks Todoroki. Midoriya, still laying on his belly, bends his knee rising his weaker foot.

Todoroki lightly grabs Midoriya's thin ankle and, with his other hand, begins to lightly sweep the wide flat sole. He pushes lightly his thumb on the sole moving it in small circles.

Midoriya feels the warmth of Todoroki's hand on the bottom of his foot. It feels so good, soothing, relaxing. He tries to move his foot to follow Todoroki's hands movement but he just can't.

He sighs. Todoroki immediately ease the pressure of his fingers.

"Sorry, " he says, "does it hurt?"

"No, No..." reassures Midoriya, "...it feels so good that I... I just... um..."

Todoroki similes and lightly slaps Midoriya's sole making the foot dangling floppily.

Then he grabs the whole foot bending it up and down to loosen the tight muscle of Midoriya calf. Losened the calf muscles, Todoroki begins to rub Midoriya's leg pushing his thumbs on the muscles of his thigh. .

Midoriya really enjoys the feeling of Todoroki's hands touching him and also he can feel his leg's muscles really relax under his friend's touch.

"How do you feel now?" gently aks Todoroki.

"Never been better!" Says Midoriya, managing to stand up. "I have no more pain and I feel my legs stronger and straighter. I can almost stand with my knees straight. They feel a la lot less stiff now... Thanks Shouto-kun. Really..."

Todoroki similes. "I'm afraid It won't last long, Izuku. Sorry... But I can do that any time you need, just ask. Will you?"

"Oh... um... thanks. I... I will..." says Midoriya shyly smiling.

Midoriya was just enjoying the new feeling in his legs when a loud whistle came from the kitchen, the water for the tea is boiling.

At that sound, Todoroki scrambled back stumbling on the floor, screaming. He frantically scoots back, against the wall, covering his face with his arms.

"Please, please, Don't hurt me! Don't hurt me! I'll be good!" He cries, terrorized.

It takes a moment to Midoriya to realize. The tea boiler... The accident with his mother... He scrambled to the kitchen as fast as he could, to stop that damned whistle.

Getting back he finds Todoroki on the floor, crouched against the wall, whining, covering his face with his arms. Midoriya gets closer and manages to awkwardly squat near him.

"Shouto-kun?..." He calls, reaching a hand and touching lightly his friend's shoulder.

Todoroki screams in terror and violently pulls apart Midoriya, making him fall on the floor.

"It hurts! It hurts ! What did I do mommy... why... It burns mommy!...It burns!" he cries.

Midoriya tries to crawl closer but Todoroki retreats from him.

"It hurts, I can't breathe! I can't breathe, help me mommy!"

Midoriya tries again to get closer but Todoroki keeps rejecting him. Then he stands on his knees and throws himself over Todoroki in a semi controlled fall. Todoroki struggles to get free but Midoriya manages to hug him tightly.

Suddenly Todoroki body became limp in Midoriya's hug. He stops moving. He stops screaming.

Silence...

A voice...

Is that a voice?...

"...outo... un..."

So far away...

"...Shou... nnn..."

Do I know that voice?... What is that voice saying?...

And... A smell... Soap... What's soap?... He doesn't remember.

It smells good anyway... Calming... Reassuring...

That voice too... it's good to hear that voice... Why...

"...Shou... ...o... ...kun..."

The voice is calling a name... he knows that name...

I can't breathe...

Then a word burst in his mind.

Izuku...

It sounds good... What is it?... A name?... He likes that sound, he tries to say it.

A slurred sound comes out of his mouth...

"Iiii...zuu?..."

"Yes! Yes! It's me! Look at me, Shouto-kun!"

Todoroki's eyes are randomly wandering without being able to focus on anything. He is breathing fast, gasping.

"Shouto-kun! Shouto-kun! breath with me!" Midoriya puts his right hand on Todoroki's left shouder. "Shouto-kun, put your hand on my shouder too!"

That voice... Seems worried... Why... I don't want the voice to be worried...

Todoroki doesn't move so Midoriya grabs Todoroki's right forearm and drives the hand on his shoulder.

"Breath with me, Shouto-kun! One two three and breath! One two three and out! Good! Once more!"

At each count he taps his hand on Todoroki shoulder and drives his friend's limp one to do the same on his.

"One, two, three... One, two, three. Good!"

The voice is saying I'm good... Am I good?...

Slowly, painfully, Todoroki is regaining consciousness. "One, Two, Three..."

He likes that voice, he likes that smell... And that name... Izuku?

His wandering eyes focus for a moment on something. Something bright green.

Eyes! That are eyes. Izuku's? He can't focus..

"Izuku?..." His voice is feeble, dreamy...

"Yes! It's me! We're friends!" Midoriya says urgently.

"Friends?..." Todoroki's eyes are still wandering around.

"Yes, friends!"

...Friends?... How could it be... Everyone hates me... fears me...

"You hate me?... You fear Me?..." mutters Todoroki.

"Of course not! We are friends Shouto-kun, please, please try to remember!"

Todoroki'e gaze lingers a moment on the green eyes he saw before. "...are you... crying?... Why?..." he asks.

Midoriya hugs Todoroki tightly. "Please, please! Shouto-kun, remember!... Remember yourself!... Remember... me..."

It was like an electric charge running though Todoroki's whole body. He begins to shake but Midoriya hugs him tighter. Suddenly the spasms stop.

A few moment of silence passes before Todoroki's arms wrap around Midoriya.

"It's ok to cry, Shouto-kun... It's ok..." whispers Midoriya. Todoroki sinks his head on Midoriya shoulder, weeping softly.

Soap... It smells good... It smells friend... It smells safe...

________________________________________

Todoroki is now sitting on the couch, pale, exhausted. "Thanks Izuku... Thanks... How did you know that thing about breathing?"

"Even the crippled kid has his own secrets..." teases Midoriya grinning.

Todoroki smiles back to his friend. "Thanks... really..."

________________________________________

The doorbell rings. Who could it be... He wasn't waiting anyone...

While Midoriya is getting to the door a voice comes from outside.

"It's us, Midoriya. Kaminari and Kirishima, sorry for coming without notice." Midoriya opens the door to see the two boys standing outside.

"Hi guys" Says Midoriya smiling. "Please come in."

"Sorry for intruding." Politely says Kirishima getting in to the genkan followed by Kaminari.

"Suh... suh... uh... ng...suh..." Kaminari tries, to say the same but the words won't come out.

Midoriya smiles widely at the two boys. "Welcome! Come on, get in! Sorry... I don't have any slippers. Sorry. I'll get some tomorrow..."

"No problem!" Say Kirishima slipping his white socked feet out his big red sneakers.

Kaminari does the same and the two boys get in.

"Whoa, Todoroki... What happened?! You're pale like a ghost!" exclaims Kaminari gazing at him. "What did you do to him, Midoriya? Have you beaten him?!" he adds, rising an eyebrow.

"What?! Of course not!" Says Midoriya defensively.

"Ok, ok... I was kidding..." chuckles Kirishima. "but... did something happened? You seem very tired Todoroki..."

"Sorry." Says Todoroki. "I... I am not ready to talk about it... not yet. Please forgive me..."

"Yeah, sure. We are not forcing you." reassures Kirishima. "You'll tell us just if and when you feel ready. Sorry for asking."

"Thanks, I really appreciate that..." breathes Todoroki.

"You're welcome Todoroki. We're your friends too, remember that."

"Yeah. Ei-Eijirou wuh... was so wo...worried he d...drag m-me here tuh...tuh... uh.. to see if you w...w... ngh... if you w-were ok..." splutters Kaminari.

"Shut up Denki! You are ruining my though man image!" Shouts Kirishima blushing.

"Why are you bluh... bluh...ushing?" Says Kaminari with a teasing smirking. "Y-you a... are suh... suh... such a s...weet... sweet...h-hearth..."

"Stop it!" Shouts Kirishima stomping Kaminari's foot.

"Ouch! Kuh... keep yuh...your buh... big fla..flat feet away fuh.. from muh... muh... mine!" says Kaminari.

"Stop teasing me!" Shouts Kirishima, his face red as his hairs. "It's me the one who teases you, not the contrary!"

"Oh... ruh... really?... I... I duh... didn't re-read that pa.. part of o...our cuh...cuh...contract..." retorts Kaminari chucking.

"What?!" Yells Kirishima.

A sound makes them suddenly stop quarreling.

"He's laughing!" exclaims Kirishima pointing Todoroki. "He's laughing and is face is not shattering! Denki, Midoriya, get your phone! We are witnessing an event! Photo! Photo!"

________________________________________

"Thanks guys, really... I never had friends before meeting Izuku..." tiredly says Todoroki. "People always avoided me because my weird look... and this nasty scar... You too were scared of me, Kaminari, when we first met..."

"Uh... um... I... I... I'm suh... suh... so...orry... Y-you uh... ngh... looked s-so co...cold and me...me...enacing..." admits Kaminari uneasily.

"I'm sorry. I was very angry back then, I know I looked quite scary... But I swear, I never hurt anyone on purpose in all my life. Even with that bully... It was an accident, I didn't intend to hurt him, I just wanted to stop him hurting Izuku and you... Please... don't be afraid of me..."

"I... I am not." says Kaminari, gently smiling. "Nuh... nuh...not any...any... uh...any...more..."

"Anyway," Says Kirishima, changing matter. "We came also to tell you we got another talk with Aizawa sensei. It seems that other kids are going to witness about that bully. He said that you can prolly get back to school in a few days."

"Really?!" Says midoriya excitedly.

"It seems so..." confirms Kirishima.

"To sa...ay the truth," cuts in Kaminari. "Ei... jirou pe-pestered all the k-kids of the s... s... school to fuh...uh... to find suh...someone be-besides me and Muh... Mido... uh... oriya-kun who will wi...witness about th-that thugs' behavior..."

"Really? You did that for me?" Asks Todoroki gazing at Kirishima, his usually plain voice fading in a warmer tone.

"Um... ah... well... I... I guess I did..." Says Kirishima blushing.

"Suh... suh... see?! I... tuh... told you. He's such...such a swee-swee... swee...sweetheart!" teases Kaminari slinging an arm around Kirishima's shoulder.

"No, I'm not!... I mean... I... crap! I'm not made of stone, you know?!" Shouts Kirishima blushing even more.

"E...ex... exactly..." says Kaminari, smirking.

"Stop teasing me!" yells Kirishima, stomping again Kaminari's foot.

"Ouch! I tuh... told you! Keep y-your pa...pa...ancake feet away f... from muh... mine!" chuckles Kaminari.

"Stop, I said!" shouts Kirishima, pretending to be angry. "Besides, my feet are just right. I already told you, arched feet are greatly overrated! Not trendy at all! I just read an authoritative article about it on 'Flowers and Gardens' !" he retorts, laughing and stomping once more Kaminari's foot.

A snort comes from behind.

"Ah!" Shouts Kirishima, turning to Todoroki. "He's laughing! Camera! Camera!"