-4- Revenge

Todoroki lingered in the classroom until all the other students had left the room at the end of the lessons. He doesn't like crowds and usually stays at his desk a few minutes after class ended, reviewing his notes, before leaving himself.

He gazes at Midoriya's empty desk. It was unlike him to not show up without warning. He's going to call him just to be sure that everything is okay.

As he made his way down the deserted hallway, dialing Midoriya's number on his phone, a loud voice suddenly pierced through the silence.

"Scarface!" it bellowed harshly behind him.

Todoroki spun around just in time to see something heavy hurtling towards him - a backpack thrown by a stocky boy with an ugly bovine face.

He recognizes him: The thug who was bullying Midoriya and the new kid a few weeks before.

"Come with me! We have something to talk about." The thug rudely demands.

"I don't think we have anything to say to each other." replies Todoroki in his usual cold tone.

"Look closely at your feet, Scarface." sneers the bully with a sly smirk, "I think you might change your mind."

Todoroki looks down at the backpack on the floor and freezes. The label reads: "Midoriya Izuku 1-A"

"Oooh... Are you a little more interested now?" Taunts the thug. "If you care about your lame friend, you'd better come with me..."

Todoroki's jaw clenches but his face remains blank.

"So?... Are you coming?" Jeers the older boy.

Todoroki grabs Midoriya's backpack and follows the bully silently.

The two are making their way towards the building next the pool, in an isolated part of the school field, the chill of mid-November tingled in the air.

The pool lay before them, still half full. Leaves, small branches and other debris are floating on the water surface.

The flat building is mainly a locker room, used for all the sports activities of the school. It is not in use now and the two boys are getting in through an emergency door that's always left unlocked.

Todoroki gets violently shoved in, stumbling into the dimly lit interior. His eyes took a while to adjust to the dimness and see Midoriya sitting on a bench with two lanky boys flanking him on either side, holding him down.

"Shouto-kun!" Shouts Midoriya, struggling in the grasp of the two bullies.

"What do you want?" Todoroki asks, his voice as icy as his gaze.

"I just wanna have some fun, Scarface..." Says the thug in a ostentately mellow tone as he grabs a baseball bat and moves towards Midoriya.

Todoroki clenches his fists but doesn't move.

"You see, Scarface... Or would you prefer I call you Glass Eye,  mmm...?" the bully taunts, prodding Midoriya's legs with the bat.

"Well, anyway. I was just wondering what would happen if I hit those tiny legs with this..."

Mocks the bully as he keeps poking Midoriya's legs with the tip of the bat. Midoriya looks terrified, his eyes wide open, his legs weakly jolting.

"Mmm... Oh, Well..." Says the thug with a shrug. "He's already crippled so I guess it wouldn't change that much... But I think it would be pretty painful anyway, don't you think, Scarface?"

Todoroky eyes are blazing with rage but the kid is not moving a muscle." "What do you want..." He coldly repeats.

The thug sneers. "Wow... You're acting the tough man... Mmm? Who are you? Superfreak? The cripples savior?" His two sidekicks chortle in amusement.

Without warning, the thug steps closer to Todoroki and punches him violently in the stomach. Todoroki gasps in pain, doubling over and clutching his belly.

"Shouto-kun!" Midoriya cries out, trying to free himself from his captor's grasp, twitching his body and awkwardly stomping his feet on the floor.

Menwhile, Todoroki, breathless, feels a hand grabbing his hairs and slamming him down onto his knees. "Leave my friend alone." He gasps. "I'll do anything you want..."

"You shall ask me forgiveness," sneers the bully, "Bow at my feet and beg for mercy!" he demands, roughly tugging Todoroki to the ground.

Todoroki bows low, his forehead touching the floor beneath him. "I humbly beg for your forgiveness," he plainly says. "My actions were inexcusable and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make amends."

He looks up, locking eyes with the thug. "Do whatever you want with me but don't hurt my friend, I'm begging you."

"Shouto-kun!" Midoriya's voice cracks as he desperately calls his friend name. Tears streams down his cheeks, his friend is getting hurt and humiliated because of him.

The bullies are laughing boastfully. "Look who finally learned some manners," sneered the leader, grabbing again Todoroki by his hair and forcing him to stand, smashing him against the brick wall.

Todoroki swayed dizzily, struggling to catch his breath as the thug violently slaps his face with the back of his hand and the elaborated ring he wears cuts a deep gash on Todoroki's scarred cheek. Bright red blood starts to run down his face.

Todoroki was barely conscious when the thug threw him to the ground once again.

"Stop! Please, stop!" Sobs Midoriya. "Don't hurt him! I beg you!"

"Oooh... What a moving scene... Mmm... Maybe we can stop, it depends on you." Chirps the thug.

"Me?!, What should I do? I'll do anything you want."

A twisted smile spreads across the bully's face."What a bunch of good boys we got today!" states the bully, mockingly. "It's simple: I want you to kick your friend while he's down on the ground."

"What?! I'd never do that!" Sammers Midoriya.

The bully chuckled. "Oooh... Another hero... Well, well... Let's switch the roles. If you don't do what I want, I'll smash your friend's legs with that." Says the bully, meaningful gazing at the baseball bat laying on the floor.

"But... Maybe you'd be happy of that. He could join the cripples club, with you..." Other vulgar laughs burst from the gang.

"No! Please...Don't hurt him... I'll do it..." Whimpers Midoriya. "...But... my legs... I couldn't be able to do it..."

The thug smirks, knowing he had won. "Don't worry, cripple," he snarled. "My friends will be more than happy to assist you." He says with malice.

Meanwhile, Todoroki is laying curled on the floor facing the wall, his face buried in his arms as he struggled to catch his breath, gasping heavily. He can hear Midoriya sobbing behind him.

The bullies boss snaps his fingers and his lackeys drag the trembling Midoriya towards Todoroki. Fear, frustration, and guilt are running through Midoriya's body, making it difficult for him to stand on his own. Without the support of his captors, he would surely fall on the floor.

"Do it!" Shouts the stocky thug.

Midoriya tries to mantain his balance as he floppily bumps his weaker foot on Todoroki's back.

"Harder!" The boss snarls.

"I can't! I'm disabled!" Cries Midoriya in tears. He feels horrible, he knows his lame legs cannot hurt Shouto-kun but here he is humiliating him. He is stomping his dearest friend.

"I don't care, cripple! Kick harder!"

Again Midoriya jerks his limp foot towards Todoroki's back. Todoroki can feel the desperation of his friend but he can't do anything. The bullies are firmly hoding Midoriya. If he'd react they would hurt him.

With each bump of Midoriya's foot on Todoroki's back, the laughter of the bullies grows louder.

Midoriya's legs begin to shake uncontrollably. Even the thugs holding him struggle to keep him standing.

With a last kick Midoriya's floppy foot misses the target and falls clumsily on the floor. The bullies laugh coarsely.

The laughter grow louder when the boss orders to release Midoriya that awkwardly collapse onto the floor, trembling with exhaustion and shame.

"Grab him!" Barks the leader, pointing Todoroki helplessly laying on the ground. "It's time to give him a refreshing reminder about who is in charge here."

Todoroki groans in pain when the two sidekick grab his arms and starts to drag him towards the exit door.

"Oh, Scarface... If you even think about reporting us to the principal, just remember that my father is one of the biggest sponsor of this school." the thug boasted with arrogance. "So, answer this simple question... Who is gonna trust the principal, me or an useless, pathetic freak like you?"

Other laughs burst from the gang as they approached the pool roughly dragging Todoroki on the dirty ground. "It's a pity you didn't bring your swimsuit, freak." Mocked the thug with a dismissive gesture. At that signal, his sidekicks throw Todoroki into the icy water of the pool. "See you around hero!" He shouts, turning his back."And try not to catch a cold!" He adds with a vulgar laughter, as he and his gang leave.

"Shouto-kun! Shouto-kun" Cries Midoriya, frantically crawling out the building, towards the pool.

"I'm... ok... Izuku..." Gasps Todoroki, trying to be heard while struggling to reach the pool ladder to get out of the icy water. As he finally manages to hoist himself out of the pool, his eyes fell on Midoriya crawling toward him, dragging his jerking legs behind him.

Todoroki's stone mask suddenly shatters as he runs toward his friend. "Izuku, calm down... Calm down... It's ok."

He kneels down beside Midoriya. He can see stream of tears running down his friend's cheeks.

"Sorry Shouto-kun, sorry!" Midoriya sobs.

"Why are you apologizing, Izuku?"

Midoriya sniffles. "They hurt you because of me!..." he chokes out. "They are right, I'm useless... An useless cripple..."

"What?!" Todoroki eyes widen in disbelief. He places his hands on Midoriya's shoulders, his gaze fixed on Midoriya's watery eyes.

"You are not useless. You are Izuku, my friend." Todoroki's voice sounds warm and caring, so different to his usual flat tone. "You are the one who understands me better than anyone else. The one whose kind words and sincere grins always make me feel good." He says softly.

"Do you think that if you weren't disabled, things would have gone differently? If you do, you're wrong, Izuku. There were three of them and you were alone, do you think that having working legs would have changed anything? You are not a superhero, Izuku, and, as you saw, nor I am... Remember our deal? Stop acting heroes? We should try to accept ourselves for what we are. My past is crippling me as your legs do with you... The fact no one besides you knows about me doesn't change anything."

"Yeah..." Midoriya sniffles again, wiping his eyes. "You told me that the first time we met. Everyone has his own challenges" You said. "Yours is just more apparent..."

"Yes, Izuku. You think those bullies are happy people? For reasons we don't know, they are not. They enjoy letting other people feel miserable just because they want let feel them unhappy as they are... Don't lower yourself Izuku. You're precious to me, your legs and all." Todoroki says, gently smiling. "You're fun, kind and caring and everyone likes you. Please don't say those things about yourself again."

"D'you really think that of me?" Asks Midoriya still sniffling but now with a small smile on his face.

"Don't you trust me?" Teases Todoroki, playfully raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, I do." Replies Midoriya, with a grateful smile.

Midoriya is finally calming down when realizes that Todoroki is drenched and his teeth are chattering.

"Shouto-kun, you're shivering! Let's go inside."

"Yes... I should have some spare clothes in my gym locker." Says Todoroki, his voice slightly shaking.

"Can you stand, Izuku?"

"I don't know..." Admits Midoriya shyly. "Would you help me?... please..."

Even with Todoroki's assistance, it takes a while and several attempts for Midoriya to get back on his feet.

"I don't feel my legs, Shouto-kun... May...May I lean on you?..." He asks as a pink tint is coloring his cheeks.

"Sure! And... Remember our deal..." Says Todoroki gently smiling at the sight of Midoriya's uneasiness.

"Yeah, I will..." Says Midoriya smiling back...

Midoriya can barely walk; he laboriously drags his feet on the rough ground, stumbling over them almost at each step. Suddenly his weaker foot tangles against the other one and he trips, falling forward.

Todoroki snaps catching him just in time to prevent his friend from falling face-first on the ground but, in doing that, a sharp twinge of pain runs through his body and a muffled yelp escapes from his lips.

"Shouto-kun!, You're in pain!" Realizes Midoriya. "Now's your turn to remember our deal!" He says in an involuntarily funny scolding tone.

"Can you help me close the wall without hurting yourself again?"

Todoroki chuckles. "Yes, I think I can..."

Midoriya laboriously hobbles to the locker room door, leaning against the wall, slowly but steadily, not without Todoroki closely following him. Just in case.

Once inside, Todoroki carefully hepls Midoriya to sit on a bench trying not to strain his aching body again. He then reaches his locker. Luckily enough, he found some underwear some socks and his gym uniform. Finding also some towels makes him feel already better.

"Shouto-kun..." calls Midoriya from behind a row of lockers. "Do you think the showers are working? A hot shower might be good for you..."

Todoroki heads to one of the shower stalls and turns on the tap. A rain of chilling water rushes down making him jump back but, after a while, a cloud of steam builds up and fills the cubicle...

"Izuku, You're a genius..." Says Todoroki, trying to overcome the noise of the running water.

"Mmm..." Mutters Midoriya catching the gentle teasing tone of his friend. Actually Midoriya likes when Todoroki teases him. It's an intimate attitude Shouto-kun is not granting to anyone else.

As the hot water soothes his beaten body, Todoroki begins to relax and the pain starts to fade away. He found just some shampoo but he uses it also as soap. After he felt good enough, he dries off carefully and get dressed with his blue and white gym uniform, then he gets back to Midoriya who, in the meantime, has managed to hung his dripping clothes to a hook.

"Thanks Izuku for hanging my clothes, are your legs getting better?"

"Yes, thanks. I'm feeling better. What about you?"

"I'm okay, just this cut won't stop bleeding..."

Midoriya realizes that Todoroki is holding a bloody paper tissue on his left cheek, under his eye."Oh... I... I can treat it... If... if you allow me..." he offers.

"Thanks, but I don't see any first aid kit around here..." Todoroki says.

"Is that my backpack?" Asks Midoriya, pointing to the backpack Todoroki had with him when he was brought there by the bullies.

"Hmm? Oh, yes! It's yours." confirms Todoroki.

"Thanks for keeping it." says Midoriya, "could you bring it to me?" he asks, "I got a kit with some disinfectants, gauze and stuffs..."

"Do you always carry those things in your backpack?" Asks Todoroki as he fetches the backpack for his friend.

"Yeah, well... You know... I tend to fall often so I'm ready to treat small bruises and things like that..."

"Oh... I see...You're a wise kid..." Todoroki's tone is very different from that he uses when they are not alone. It's fun, friendly and warm.

"Okay, sit down and let me take a look." Says Midoriya gently.

Todoroki removes the tissue from his face and the gash on the scarred skin below his blue eye starts to bleed again.

"It's a pretty nasty cut, Shouto-kun... Tou might need some stitches..." Says Midoriya, gently padding the wound with a disinfectant gauze.

"Really?!" Exclaims Todoroki. "Tell me honestly, Doctor. Will it leave a scar on my face?!"

Midoriya stops tending to the wound and silently stares at Todoroki's mismatched eyes. Todoroki snorts and both burst out laughing loudly. It's the first time Midoriya has seen Todoroki laugh. Another privilege Shouto-kun grants only to him, Midoriya thinks happily.

"Where are my shoes?" Asks Todoroki after Midoriya stuck a large band-aid on his cheek.

"I put them on the floor near your clothes. They are soaked, it'll take a while before they dry out..."

"I know but I don't have a spare here, I'm afraid I have to wear these to get back to my place..."

"No way, you might catch a cold or worst!" Says Midoriya, worried.

"I know, but it's better than walking all the way back in just socks," replies Todoroki.

"Um... Shouto-kun... If you want I can... Um... I can lend you my shoes..." Midoriya offers shyly, looking down at his feet. "They're worn and warped but they're clean... I wash them often...They're washable..."

"Thanks, Izuku. I'd really like to wear your shoes but, if I do, it would be you the one left in his socks..."

"Don't worry about that, Shouto-kun... Even though I don't attend P.E classes, I have a locker here where I keep my orthotic shoes... I don't use them often... only when my legs are less... um... cooperative than usual... Would you get them for me, please..." Asks Midoriya timidly, reaching Todoroki a locker key.

"Yeah, sure..." Todoroki says before heading to the locker marked with the same number as the key.

As he opens the locker, he finds a pair of shoes that resemble high top sneakers but with a thicker sole and two metal rods attached to the heels that run up and end in some velcro straps, most likely used to lock the rods to the shins, below the knees.

Those shoes are pretty worn too, some spots on the toe box are deeply scraped, a clear sign of being heavily dragged on the ground.

"These are pretty cool," Todoroki says as he hands the shoes to Midoriya.

"I use them only in case of emergency..." Says Midoriya a little uneasy. "These steel braces locks my ankles so I can still walk even if my feet are not cooperating... I don't like wearing them though..." he adds, shifting uncomfortably. "People stare at me even more when I'm wearing these braces... But I'm afraid I can't walk without them now."

"So... um..." he shyly says. "I... I can lend you the shoes I'm wearing now..." he offers again, "If... if you want..." He quickly adds, blushing.

"Thanks. I will, then." Says Todoroki, grateful.

Smiling to his friend, Midoriya pulls up his knees one by one with the help of one hand, using his other to slip off his shoes. Todoroki's eyes linger on Midoriya's white socked feet laying haphazardly on the floor. As Midoriya gazes back at him, he can see teasing smirk playing on his friend's lips.

"Have I already told you..." begins Todorki, in a teasing tone.

"... I got cute flat feet... Yeah... Yeah..." quickly finishes Midoriya trying to sound casual, "You already told me..." he adds dismissively. He's trying to play it cool, but his blushing cheeks betrays him.

"Oh, did I?" teases Todoroki as taking the offered shoes from his friend's outstretched hands. As he holds Midoriya shoes, Todoroki can take in every scrapes and creases as he gently sweep his fingers inside them, feeling the imprint of Midoriya's flat feet on the insole.

"Sorry, Shouto-kun..." apologizes Midoriya. "I know... They're very worn...I don't get new shoes often... New shoes are really uncomfortable for me..." Midoriya says, lowering his gaze, "It takes a while before they get the shape of my feet and fit comfortably. That's why I wear the same shoes until they fall apart...Sorry..."

Todoroki smiles gently. "I like your shoes, Izuku. Thanks for letting me wear them..."

As Todoroki slips his feet into Midoriya's shoes, he can still feel the warmth of his friend's feet lingering inside. He shivers, these shoes were on Izuku's feet just moments ago...

"They feel good...Thanks..." Says Todoroki, gently smiling.

Midoriya happily smiles back as he reaches for his orthotic. Wearing his braced shoes took some time to Midoriya, his feet and legs still out of control, but he eventually manages to do it.

"Ugly, aren't they..." Sighs Midoriya looking down at his feet.

"Can you walk better with them?" Asks Todoroki.

"Well I should..." Says Midoriya as he attempts to stand up. After a couple of attempts, and a little help, he is on his feet and tries to move a few steps. He is cautious and slow but the braces seems to be doing their job. His feet are turning inward not as much as before and his weaker foot, firmly held by the brace, seems no longer getting in the way.

"Ok..." Says Midoriya..." I can do it... I just need to rest a few minutes more..."

In that moment they hear some noises coming from outside, then some voices approaching.

"... I always keep some in my locker..." one voice says.

"Y-you sh-sh-shouldn't smuh... smoke E-eijirou..." warned another voice.

"Sheesh, Denki! Stop acting mommy! A couple of cigarettes won't kill anyone!..."

The door opens and two boys get in and freeze, suddenly realizing they are not alone. Kirishima gasps, then immediately relaxes recognizing Todoroki and Midoriya.

"Geez! Guys! My heart stopped! I thought you were the janitors!... What are you doing? You shouldn't be here..." He asks inquisitively.

"You two should, instead?" Retorts Todoroki back to his usual plain tone.

"Er... Um... I asked it first!" Replies Kirishima chuckling. "Woah, Todoroki..." He adds, staring at his classmate's beaten face. "What happened to you?..."

Midoriya eyes search for Todoroki's who nods to him. "It was the same bullies who picked on Kaminari and me a few weeks back," He explains.

"What?!" Asks Kirishima turning to Kaminari with an inquisitive look. "Bullies?! You didn't tell me anything about that!"

Kaminari fidgets nervously. "Suh... sorry Ei-Eijirou... I w-was s-so em... em... embarassed... I- I d... d... duh... didn't t-tell you..."

"Embarassed?... For what?!" Kirishima asks, fuming.

"Fuh... for b-being wuh... wea... uh... wuh... ngh... For not buh... being st-strong..."

"Does it matter?" Cuts in Todoroki's quiet voice.

Kaminari turns towards him. "Wuh... wuh... what?..."

"Does it really matter if someone is strong or weak?" Todoroki asks, looking at the blonde boy.

"I... I... ngh..." splutters Kaminari

"That thug is strong, I can tell you..." Says Todoroki rubbing his beaten face. "Is it for that you think he is better than you?"

"At le-least he duh... duh...doesn't stuh... stuh... ngh... uh... stuh... stuh... stuh... nngh... uh..."

"... at least he c-can tuh...talk"

"And everything he says is mean, nasty and stupid!" Cuts in Kirishima, almost shouting. "I'm your friend, Denki! You think I'm so dense to judge you because you're not a bodybuilder or because you stutter?!"

"N-no!... I'm suh... suh... uh... suh...ngh... suh...I'm suh... orry Ei...Ei...jirou..." Nervously stutters Kaminari, looking mortified. "Pl-ple...ease, duh... duh... ...on't guh... get muh...muh...ngh...muh... d... duh.. on't get m-muh...muh..."

"...d- duh...d-don't get a... a... angry with m-me..."

Feeling the uneasiness of his friend, Kirishima's tone suddely changes. "Come on Denki! I'm not mad at you! Besides, your stutter is so cute! I told you!" he playfully says, slinging an arm around Kaminari's shoulders, tugging him closer."

"S-stop suh... suh... ngh.. uh... ngh...suh...uh... stop s...aying that!" Kaminari protests, blushing in embarrassment.

Kirishima becomes serious again

"Um... Would you guys tell us what happened?... What are those drenched clothes hung there?" he asks. "And.. Why are you wearing Midoriya's shoes?"

He adds, gazing down at Todoroki's feet.

Midoriya then briefly explains what happened, carefully avoiding to go into too much details.

"I see... I know these thugs... We really should report them..." Says Kirishima thoughtfully.

"No, please don't... It's not worth it..." Todoroki's voice sounds tired.

Kirishima sighs. "I know... That gorilla's father practically owns this school, right?"

Todoroki nods.

"Well..." Says then Kirishima, suddenly changing his mood. "A cigarette would relax us all!" He states opening his locker and pulling out a pack from a hidden corner. "Wanna try?" he offers to the others.

The boys all decline and Kirishima puts back all the cigarettes in his locker.

"Geez! You guys are so boring..." He mutters.

"How are your legs now, Izuku?" Todoroki asks.

"Better, thanks Shouto-kun. I can walk."

"May I walk you home?" Todoroki offers.

Midoriya is about to decline when sees Todoroki's lips silently mouth 'deal'. He smiles.

"Yes, thanks Shouto-kun. May... May I lean on you?" He asks shyly.

As Midoriya and Todoroki are leaving, Kaminari stares distractedly at the water dripping from Todoroki's drenched clothes.

"Th-th-they seem vuh... very cl-close..." He says quietly.

"Yeah, they are. They got along from the very moment they met..." Kirishima confirms.

"Mido-Midoriya-kuh...un lent his sh-sh-shoes to Tuh... Tuh... ngh... uh...Todo...oroki-kuh...k-kuh..." splutters Kaminari.

"That's vuh...uh...very int...intimate..." He finally manages to say.

"Yeah... It is..." Kirishima agrees.

"But we're friends too!" He adds cheerfully.

"How about swapping shoes with me?" He jokes.

"Wuh...what?! N-no wuh...way! I'm n-not luh...letting you s-squish muh...my sh-shoes under your b-big fl...flat f-feet!"

"What?! What an insult!" Shouts Kirishima pretending an indignated tone.

"My feet are just of the right size! Furthermore, arched feet are greatly overrated!" he smugly declares.

"Besides... My feet aren't that flat..." He mumbles under his breath.

Kaminari looks at Kirishima's feet with a meaningful gaze.

"Ok, ok... I got totally pancake feet..." Says Kirishima resigned.

"But they're cute, right?" He teases.

Kaminari snorts, concealing a chuckle.

" O-ok...Ok... Y-your f-feet are cuh...cute..." Then says.

"May be we'll suh...suh... uh... swap our sh-shoes suh...someday..."

"Cool!" Happily shouts Kirishima, soundly slapping Kaminari's back.

"And while we're at it, can you please try to say my name? It's so cute when you get stuck saying 'kuh... kuh... kuh...'. "

"Wuh... uh... what?!" Almost shouts Kaminari. "Sh...Sh... Sh...Shut up, you wuh... weirdo!" he adds, chuckling.