~3rd POV~

Todoroki obediently followed Aizawa into his designated room. The walls were a light blue, bed dark blue and carpet a middle blue. Todoroki loved the colours, because it reminded him of his mother's smooth, calming touch when he was young. When he cried over training. Those tears that had been beat out of him so many years ago, but not his love for blue. That's why he designed his hero costume blue, to have that soothing feel in the heat of battle. It reminded him that he was doing this for his mother, not him. But it also reminded him of something else- something he couldn't put his finger on.

~Aizawa's POV~

"We can change the colours if you-" I began.

"No." Todoroki cut me off and I quirked an eyebrow. His hero costume was blue so I guessed it was his favourite.

"Okay." I simply said. "What do you want to do, Shoto?"

"Uh..." His eyes looked conflicted and I realised he most likely didn't get a choice of activity in his childhood.

"Train?" He suggested. I supposed that was the only thing he did at home.

"No, you're injured. How about food?" I told him sternly yet gently.

"O-okay." He stuttered, confused at why he wasn't forced to train.

"What do ya want, little listener?" Hizashi asked loudly.

"Uh- doesn't matter." Todoroki said.

"It matters to us." I said.

"I like cold soba if that's not too much hassle-"

"Comin' right up!" Hizashi bounded off to the kitchen. Todoroki looked around blankly, presumably at the bareness of the room.

"Fuyumi brought your phone." I informed him. He turned to me, the silent request lingering in his eyes. I handed him the phone which he turned on and his eyes widened. I moved to peer over his shoulder from a distance. Dozens of messages from 1-A were present on the screen. Todoroki met my eyes, fear dancing in his.

"Do they know-" He questioned, worry creasing his features.

"Only Midoriya. They're just worried because of your unexplained absence. And I already made Midoriya promise not to tell anyone until you're ready." I reassured him. He nodded and turned back to the screen, before looking up at me.

"But won't the news-" He began.

"It's still under wraps for now, but won't be for long." I said softly and his face fell. I rested a hand on his shoulder and his head drooped slightly.

"Uh Shota. I sorta need your help!" Hizashi practically screeched from the kitchen. I sighed and headed towards him, Todoroki in tow. 

I arrived at the scene to soba. Everywhere. Over the counter tops, oven, even the drying dishes. Three portions were slopped messily into bowls on the dinner table. Todoroki chuckled quietly, causing Hizashi to snort wildly. 

"Hizashi, why do you always-" I started, unable to contain the anger from seeping into my words. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Todoroki flinch a tiny bit, biting his lip. Regretting that instantly, I sighed and returned to the calm level-headed person I should be. Hizashi obviously noticed the flinch too, and was scowling at me.

"Alright, lets get this mess cleaned." I said calmly. A smile instantly plastered itself over Hizashi's face. He fetched a broom from the cupboard and I soaked a cloth to begin wiping down the counters. Todoroki stood in the middle of the kitchen, clearly unsure of what to do. 

"You can sit down." I told him, seeing the exhaustion. He nodded and moved to a dining chair, where he plopped himself down. I turned back to the cleaning.

A few minutes later

The spilled soba had all been cleaned, eventually. As I entered the dining room, I saw Todoroki slumped over the table. He was fast asleep. 

"READY FOR SOME FOOD!?" Hizashi bellowed as he came in. I hushed him instantly but Todoroki woke up anyway.

"Hm?" He looked at us with bleary eyes.

"Food?" I said softly. 

"Yes please." He murmured. I set the bowls on the table as Todoroki picked up a pair of chopsticks.

"After you've eaten, you can take a shower and then rest." I said through a mouthful of soba.

"Okay, thanks." He replied, focused on his meal. He was pushing it around the bowl, not eating a scrap. He noticed us looking at him.

"I- I'm not really hungry, sorry." He said, eyes downcast. 

"That's okay!" Hizashi grinned brightly. 

"As long as you eat a big breakfast tomorrow." I added.

"I will, sorry." Todoroki said.

"No need to apologise." I replied. "Go have a shower. Bathroom is down the hallway, on the right." With that, he excused himself from the table and headed for the shower. I heard it burst to life as I finished my dinner. Hizashi swiped up the dirty bowls and slid them into the dishwasher.

"This is gonna be hard." He said softly as he took my hand.

"Yeah." He led me to the sofa. We willingly sunk into the cosy fabric, arms wrapped around each other.

"I just wish he didn't hide his emotions so much." Hizashi whispered.

"He was probably raised to do just that though." I whispered back. "Old habits die hard." He hummed his agreement and nestled into the crook of my neck. We stayed like that until we heard the bathroom door open. A soggy Todoroki emerged, expression blank.

"Hey Todoroki. Come here a minute." I called and he obliged. He perched on a red armchair, facing us.

"How are you Todoroki?" I asked.

"Fine." His usual answer.

"How are you really?" I pressed.

"Scared." He admitted, looking down, wringing his hands.

"That's okay Todoroki." I replied gently. "It's okay." He nodded his head, refusing to make eye contact. "I laid some pyjamas on your bed."

"Thanks." He murmured.

"Goodnight Todoroki."

"Night, little listener." Hizashi exclaimed way too loudly for this time of night. 

"Night, Present Mic, Aizawa." He nodded his farewell and retreated to the guest room.

~Todoroki's POV~

Returning to the blue haven, I released an icy sigh. Social interaction had never been my strong point. The mentioned pyjamas were suspiciously coloured the same as my hero costume. Tactful. They picked the only colour they knew I liked. I smirked to myself, changing into the soft material. My phone kept buzzing and I resigned to my fate of answering the 1-A group chat.

DenkiKaminari 

Yo, where was Todoroki these past two days?

MinaAshido

No clue. Also, Iida why can't we change our usernames?

TenyaIida

 I do not trust all of you fully. I will not allow shame to be brought on 1-A. We are in the hero course of the most prestigious academia, and we will act as such.

DenkiKaminari

 Chill dude. Have you heard from Todoroki?

TenyaIida

Unfortunately, no.

MomoYaoyorozu 

I'm sure he's probably just ill.

TsuyuAsui

Yeah, ribbit.

UrarakaOchako

 I never thought Todoroki was the one to take sick days.

MinaAshido

Neither.

TenyaIida

He is rightfully preventing any of his fellow students from catching this illness.

DenkiKaminari 

Yeah, yeah.

ShotoTodoroki 

Hello.

MinaAshido

Hey Todoroki. Why aren't you in school?

ShotoTodoroki

I imagine you'll see on the news soon.

DenkiKaminari 

Yo were you attacked by a villain or somethin? 

TenyaIida 

Todoroki. We would really appreciate answers.

ShotoTodoroki 

I'm not sure I can say anything but I'm fine.

KatsukiBakugou  

Damn you Icyhot, always so secretive.

TenyaIida 

 Bakugou! Language!

KatsukiBakugou

 Fuck you.

TenyaIida

 BAKUGOU!

I placed my phone on the nightstand, after silencing it. What will they think when they see the news? Will they think I'm weak? I am weak. I couldn't stand up for myself.

I clenched my fists and sat on the bed, fuming at myself. Sighing, I lay down on the blue covers, a silent tear rolled down my cheek. Weak. Stupid. Couldn't even protect yourself against your old man. How can you be a hero?

My eyelids grew heavy, and I allowed myself to slip into sleep, praying to not have those nightmares again.