Shoto Todoroki X Reader

Chapter 1 : Whispers of the Dark Forest

The soft rustle of leaves above created a calming rhythm, blending seamlessly with the gentle whispers of the wind. You sat perched on a large, twisted root of your favorite tree in the heart of the Dark Forest, a place of solace and magic where you could escape the noise of the world. This tree, ancient and towering, had always been your refuge. Its bark hummed with life, its branches twisting in intricate patterns as if they were watching over you.

At only five years old, you didn't often leave the forest's protective embrace. The world outside was vast and filled with people who didn't understand your powers, who looked at you strangely because you were from the Dark Forest. Here, you felt at home, connected to the earth and nature that pulsed beneath your skin. The tree's roots extended deep, entwining with your magic. Here, you were safe.

But something felt different today.

As you absentmindedly traced patterns in the dirt with your fingers, you heard a soft, unfamiliar sound-a quiet sniffle. You froze, your small hand stilling on the ground. No one else was supposed to be here. The magic of the forest usually kept outsiders away, but this sound was close. Slowly, you peered around the trunk of the tree, your eyes scanning the forest floor.

There, huddled at the base of a nearby tree, was a boy about your age. His knees were pulled up to his chest, and his small body shook with each quiet sob. His hair, strikingly split between red and white, fell messily over his face, and his clothes were smudged with dirt. But what caught your attention most were the burns-reddened patches of skin that marked his face and arms, as if fire had kissed him too roughly.

You had never seen anyone like him before.

Curiosity mingled with concern as you stood up, your feet making no sound as you approached him. Despite the magic that should have kept strangers out, this boy had found his way into your sanctuary. He didn't look dangerous, though. He just looked... lost.

"Hey," you called softly, stepping into his line of sight.

The boy jerked his head up, startled, his mismatched eyes wide with fear. He quickly wiped at his face with his sleeve, but the tears still lingered in his eyes. He stared at you as if you were another figment of the strange world he had wandered into.

"Who are you?" he whispered, his voice shaky.

"I live here," you replied simply, gesturing around the forest as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "What about you? Why are you crying?"

The boy hesitated, clearly unsure whether he could trust you. But after a long pause, he whispered, "I... ran away."

You tilted your head, stepping closer and crouching down beside him. "Why?"

He glanced away, his eyes focusing on the ground as he murmured, "I didn't want to train anymore. My... my dad makes me. He-he gets mad when I don't use my fire."

Fire. That explained the burns. You stared at him for a moment, piecing together the story. He was too young to be put through something so harsh, and the pain in his voice was unmistakable. It tugged at something deep inside you.