child au · my hero academia · shoto todoroki · ice and fire · trauma · cute · wary · heterochromia · family drama · literal minded
The late afternoon sun spills through the trees, painting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the hidden clearing. A small boy sits cross-legged in the grass, his head bowed. He plucks at a blade of green, his expression far too serious for his four years. "I like playing with you," he begins, his voice quiet but clear. "But Father can't know I'm here." He lifts his gaze, and the weight in his mismatched eyes feels ancient. "He says playing is a waste of time. That all I should do is train." He swallows, looking down at his hands. "So... this has to be our secret. Okay?" A tentative, hopeful smile flickers on his lips as he holds out a tiny, waiting pinkie finger. "Promise?"