Chapter Text
It’s definitely worse than Shoto thought. The terror from his nightmares and all panic he’s ever had about Endeavor, it takes all those combined to describe what he’s feeling now as he sees his father’s red-hot face and snarl from across the courtroom.
He’s hardly hearing himself speak anymore. Not even the presence of Lolly under his hands and Fuyumi, Izuku, Hitoshi, and Aizawa right near him can ease his panic. He knows the second Endeavor would move to him, Aizawa and Izuku will be up and fighting as they promised. But somehow that isn’t enough. He’s spilling things he would never dare, things that have been pounded into him and locked away inside him like a Pandora’s box, things that if they don’t condemn Endeavor, they’re going to condemn Shoto to a hell on earth for the rest of his life, if he even lives past Endeavor’s fury.
But he keeps answering the questions, isn’t sure if the faces on the judge and jury is because they’re sickened at Endeavor or at him or if perhaps he’s imagining their expressions because his vision blurs and his ears ring.
And then it’s over.
The judge says that Endeavor is declared guilty and is legally forbidden from being near Shoto.
Something like a deep relief pours into Shoto. But then he feels sick. He flees to the private room that he was shown earlier to wait during part of the trial. He crouches as his stomach twists and his breath shudders painfully. He’s almost sure his ice quirk has frozen his lungs, but he’s still grinding it under control. Fuyumi and Izuku and Hitoshi are at his side in a moment. Fuyumi lays a cold hand on his forehead and gently tells him breathe, breathe in and out, that’s good Shoto. Lolly wriggles under his right hand and anxiously nudges his arm. Aizawa stands near them.
The static fades in Shoto’s head and his chest and stomach settle. His senses return, though fizzing and hazy. Fuyumi still has her cold hand on his forehead, brushing it through his bangs. Shoto shuts his eyes. “S-Sorry.”
“No no, none of that,” Fuyumi scolds gently. “You were so brave.”
“That’s right,” Izuku says. “Everything’s all right now.”
“Endeavor can’t touch you,” Hitoshi says. “No way that scumbag will now that he’s been exposed.”
A little calmer, Shoto smooths down Lolly’s cheek fur with both hands. Lolly thumps her tail in a soothing rhythm.
It’s over. He really succeeded. It’s going to be okay.
“Let’s go home,” Shoto says finally.
And not to a place where fists and fire and hate wait for him, swirling him like a monstrous dragon and tearing his body and heart. No, it’s a huge dorm with nineteen kids who scrap and take care of each like any siblings would, a kind-hearted little girl who loves pillow forts and go-fish, a cheerful dog who follows in his very shadow, and a grouchy teacher who really would do anything and everything for his family.