Archive of Our Own

"Stupid snow." Hisashi mumbled to himself as he tracked through the knee deep mountain.  "Stupid ice.  Stupid brother."

The entire situation was ridiculous.  It had started with his brother throwing an absolute tantrum during the extravagant birthday feast he had prepared for them and ended with his brother running away and causing a blizzard in the middle of July.  If that wasn't bad enough, no one knew where he had gone.  So far. The best he had to go on was following wherever the blizzard was strongest, but that also made it harder and harder to see where he was going.  To top it off, he'd rushed out thinking he would catch his brother right away, and now was stuck freezing in his summer clothes.

"You're gonna get it when I catch you, Yoichi." Hisashi growled through chattering teeth.  He squinted through the snow and saw lights in the distance.  A house, perfect.  Yoichi had to be there.

As he got closer, Hisashi saw that it was actually a small outpost.  Even better.  He could buy them both some warm clothes for the trek back.  He entered the building and quickly closed the door behind him.

  It was a rather small and pathetic shop.  A large man was seated behind the counter who looked up when he entered.  "Summer blowout sale." He nodded to the large supply of sun hats, hiking sticks, and picnic baskets on the shelves.

"It's not summer outside." Hisashi replied coldly, immediately grabbing a heavy coat and boots.

"That's why there's a sale." The man replied.

What an idiot.  Hisashi slammed the items on the table.  "I'm looking for my brother.  White hair, green eyes, sickly- where is he?"

"Haven't seen him." The man shrugged, sounding just as bored as before.

Hisashi's eyes narrowed, but before he could grab the man’s collar, the door opened again.  He shivered as a blast of icy wind blew through the shop before the door was closed again.

"It's freezing out there!" A young voice rang out.  A small figure shook the snow off as they came up to the counter.  "Mr. Todoroki, it's snowing in July!"

The man behind the counter just grunted and leaned back on his stool.  Hisashi eyed the small figure critically as they grabbed a rope from one shelf, then came up to him.

"Excuse me, can I get around you?"

"What?" Hisashi demanded, appalled that someone would speak to him so casually.

"Oh!" The figure pulled the scarf down from around their mouth and pulled their hat back, thinking that he hadn’t heard them.  "Can I get past you, please?"

Hisashi sucked in half a breath.  At first glance, it was Yoichi’s eyes looking up at him.  But the freckles and green hair, not to mention the height… No, not Yoichi.  Still, what was a child doing in the mountains alone?

"What are you doing here?" He demanded.

The boy cocked his head.  "I, um, need to buy some carrots?" He pointed.  "They're behind you."

Hisashi stiffly stepped aside, still taken aback.  The boy smiled and grabbed the carrots, then hurried to the counter.

"Can I get these, please?  Is Shouto around?"

"He's with his mother for the summer." The man answered.

The boy giggled.  "It's not summer anymore!"

The man gave him a small glare.  "It's 20 for the both."

The boy's smile quickly faded.  "20?  No way!  Yesterday it was 15!"

"Yesterday I could get carrots anywhere I wanted." The man snarled.  "But, as you so helpfully pointed out, it's not summer anymore.  So 10 for the rope, and 10 for the carrots.  Now can you pay or not?"

Hisashi watched the boy make an angry pout.  "I only have 16." He mumbled, sliding it onto the counter.

The man swept the coins off the counter immediately.  "So which do you want?"

The boy looked unhappily between the two items and reluctantly chose the rope.  He sulked off to stand by the fire and finish warming up.

Hisashi eyed the child a moment longer, then turned back to the shopkeep.  "About my brother, you're sure you haven't seen him?"

"No.  Is this everything for you?"

Hisashi met the man’s glare.  "What about the storm?"

"What about it?"

"It's coming from the North Mountain!" A voice behind him said.

Hisashi turned to look at the boy again.  He had pulled his mittens off and was holding his red fingers over the fire.  "Are you sure?"

"Yeah!  I work up there." The boy nodded.  "But you don't want to go up there, it's way too cold and dangerous and stuff!"

"I need you to take me there." Hisashi said.

The boy shook his head.  "No way!  It's frozen solid!"

"It wasn't a request." Hisashi put his money on the table and took the coat, boots, and carrots.  "We're leaving now."

The boy blinked and shook his head.  "No?  I told you, it's dangerous."

Hisashi walked over to the boy and shoved the carrots into his chest.  "I'll pay you.  If that's where the storm is, then that's where my brother is.  I need to find him."

The boy gave him another pouting glare.  "How much?"

"As much as you need." Hisashi held out a gold coin and wiggled it in front of the boy's eyes.  "Or as many carrots as you want."

The boy's cheeks flushed.  "No thank you.  I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."

Hisashi held back a sharp reply.  He couldn't be yelling at children.  He let out a short breath, then held his hand out.  "Hisashi Shigaraki.  There, not strangers anymore."

The blush faded from the boy's face as he turned pale.  "Sh-Shigaraki?" He repeated.  "Like, King Shigaraki?"

"Yes."

He saw the boy's eyes flicker to the shopkeep behind him.  He swallowed and looked back up at Hisashi.  He extended his hand, which Hisashi saw was trembling.  "Izuku Midoriya."

Hisashi gave the hand a quick shake.  "Good.  Now let’s get going."

Izuku told himself that it was because of the cold that his hands were shaking on the reins.  King Shigaraki was sitting beside him, arms crossed, staring ahead.  It was as awkward as it was terrifying.  He’d heard many stories about the ruthless King, but he rarely went into town.  Was he really as bad as the rumors said?

"What?" King Shigaraki's voice surprised him and he jumped.

"Wh-What?" Izuku stuttered.

"You keep looking at me.  Shouldn't you be watching the road?"

"Kacchan knows where he's going!" Izuku squeaked.

"Then what's the matter?"

"Nothing!  I'm just nervous, that's all!" Izuku tried to focus on the snowy road.

"Why are you nervous?"

Izuku wished he knew how to keep his mouth shut sometimes.  "I didn't mean to say that.  I'm not nervous at all!  I wouldn't be nervous about being with royalty- I mean, people!  Haha, nope!"

He closed his mouth after that.  He sounded like an idiot.  Better to just stop talking.

"You don't spend much time around people, do you?" King Shigaraki asked.

Izuku gave an awkward laugh.  "Nope!  Just me and Kacchan!"

Kacchan looked over his shoulder when he heard his name, then snorted and turned back to the trail.  Izuku smiled a little, sure he'd seen him roll his eyes at them.

"Ah yes, your reindeer." King Shigaraki repeated.  "I'm assuming he's your only friend?"

"He's not my only friend!" Izuku replied defensively.  "I've got lots of friends!  Kacchan is just my best friend, okay?"

"Hm." King Shigaraki said.  "From your tools, I'm guessing you're a lumberjack?"

"Yup!" Izuku smiled.  He liked his job and was happy to talk about it.  "Since you've been making so many ships and stuff I've been busy.  What do you need all those ships for?"

"Conquering the world." King Shigaraki said simply.

Izuku blinked, not sure he'd heard that right.  Maybe it would be better just to ignore it.  "So, um, what happened?  Why did it start snowing all of a sudden?  You said you're looking for your brother?"

"My brother Yoichi is throwing a tantrum." King Shigaraki huffed.

Izuku raised an eyebrow.  "A tantrum?  How old is he?"

"Twenty three."

"Does he… always act like this?" Izuku asked slowly.

"He's such a child." King Shigaraki said with clear annoyance.  "He always does this- why can't he just do what he's told?"

"It sounds like you don't really get along." Izuku said, suddenly not sure he really wanted to talk about this.  Maybe the awkward silence had been better.

"He just can't see everything I do for him." King Shigaraki went on as if he hadn't heard him.  "I've looked after him since we were children!  I've kept him safe, kept him fed, kept him happy- and all I've ever asked is that he stay in his room!  But no, he's always trying to run from his guards or break the locks or-!"

"Hold on." Izuku felt the need to interrupt.  "Are you saying that you keep your brother locked up in the castle?  Is that why no one ever sees him?  I thought he was sick?"

"He is sick!  That's why I need to keep him safe!" King Shigaraki replied.  "Yoichi is very frail, and naive.  He can't handle the outside world."

"Do you at least let his friends come and visit him?" Izuku asked, mind reeling as he tried to take this information in.

"I come and see him.  I'm all the friends he needs."

Izuku pulled on the reins and Kacchan stopped, shaking the snow that had settled on his coat away.  He turned to face the king directly.  "So you keep him locked up and never let anyone see him, and now you're mad that he's run away from home?"

"You said that as if I've done something wrong."

Izuku blinked.  "Yes.  Yes, that's very wrong.  How could you do something like that?  Are you looking for him to apologize?"

"I don't have anything to apologize for.  I'm looking for him so I can bring him back home." King Shigaraki replied.  "Stop acting like I'm a villain or something."

"You can't lock people up like that!  Especially your own family!" Izuku sputtered.  "Of course he ran away!  I would run away from something like that too!"

King Shigaraki paused for a moment and looked Izuku over with an analytical gaze.  "Speaking of family, why are you out here alone, little one?  Where is your family?"

Izuku panicked.  No way he could tell the king that he'd been raised by trolls.  Toshinori didn't like the king, he was going to be so worried when Izuku told him that he'd agreed to take him somewhere.  "They live in the woods." He replied.  "They don't like people."

King Shigaraki looked him over again.  "Interesting.  You're a little young to be cutting down trees, aren't you?"

"Nope!" Izuku was glad they had changed the subject.  He lightly flicked the reins and Kacchan started walking again.  "And it's fun, I like it.  I like being outside.  But, I usually prefer the sun."

"So you don't think that what I've been doing to protect my brother was right?" King Shigaraki asked, changing the subject back to himself.

"Well, I'm not saying you weren't trying to keep him safe, but maybe it was too much?" Izuku wasn’t sure how he was supposed to explain to the king that it wasn't right to imprison people, especially family members.  "Didn't he tell you he wanted to leave before he tried to run away?  He can't have been very happy.  And he's a grownup now!  Doesn't that mean he should be able to make his own choices?"

"No, he shouldn't have to.  Not when he has me to take care of him."

Izuku pursed his lips.  Was the king being serious?  He couldn't be serious.  "Did you talk to him about it?  He's a grown up."

"Grown up." King Shigaraki chuckled.  "Cute.  Yoichi is my little brother, it's my job to take care of him."

"What are you going to do if he doesn't want to come home with you?"

"Why wouldn't he?' King Shigaraki frowned.  "He needs me."

"Does he really need you?  Or do you need him?" Izuku asked.

"We need each other." King Shigaraki replied firmly.  "Yoichi is just being stubborn.  He'll come to his senses just like he always has."

Izuku decided it was better not to say anything.  King Shigaraki might be delusional, or maybe this was just how he and his brother worked.  He was worried about Prince Yoichi though.  He couldn't imagine his family ever locking him up.  That wasn't what families did.  Families were supposed to love and protect each other, the way Izuku's did.

"It shouldn't be too much farther." Izuku said.  "I guess you can ask him then."

"How old are you?" King Shigaraki asked.

"Fifteen." Izuku answered.

"And your family is okay with you being out on your own like this?"

"Sure!  I can take care of myself."

"Don't they worry about you?"

"Of course!  That's what families do, but I come home every night.  I worry about them too." Izuku smiled to himself as he thought about Toshi and Nana and the others.  "We love each other a lot."

"Are they also lumberers?"

"No, they're, um," Izuku hesitated. "They do magic, I guess?"

"Magic.  What kind of magic?"

"Fortune telling and stuff.  A bit of healing too.  They're super good at it!" Izuku couldn't help but brag a little.  He loved his family, and he loved watching them do their magic.  He was excited to get back to them as soon as he could get away from the king.

"That must be nice." King Shigaraki replied, but there was something off about his tone.  Izuku elected to ignore it.  He was happy to ride in silence and think about getting home to his family.  He couldn't wait to get home.

Hisashi kept a close eye on Izuku as the child guided their sled up the mountain.  Izuku was an interesting child.  He was clearly an orphan, based on the way he'd responded to Hisashi's questions.  He wasn't sure why the boy felt the need to lie to him.  Perhaps he was insecure about not having a good family life like he and Yoichi did.  But it wasn't any of his business.

Because of the snow, it was taking a lot longer to reach the peak than Izuku had said it would.  He could tell Izuku didn't want to talk about his imaginary family, so he instead asked Izuku about his job.  Izuku made good conversation.  He was knowledgeable about his trade and rambled quite a bit once he got going.  As a test, Hisashi asked Izuku about a few political issues.  Izuku impressed him with his responses and Hisashi found himself looking at the boy a little more fondly.

It was a shame that Izuku was an orphan, being forced to make a living for himself at such a young age, making friends with animals, creating imaginary families to fill the void… He was cheerful and pretended he didn’t mind, but Hisashi could see through that act easily.  He was a smart boy, and a cute kid overall.  Hisashi didn't normally like children, but he was starting to take a liking to Izuku.

The snow had settled from a blizzard to a gentle snowfall.  It was getting dark and Izuku was starting to look worried.  "I think we may have to stop for the night."

"We can't stop.  I need to find my brother before he freezes to death." Hisashi said with a frown.

"It's not a good idea to wander the mountains at night." Izuku explained.  "There are wolves, and it's easy to get lost."

"Exactly why we need to press on." Hisashi insisted.

"King Shigaraki." Izuku said his name in a firm and tired voice that someone demanded Hisashi's full attention.  "I'm cold.  I'm tired.  Kacchan is too.  I want to stop."

Izuku did look cold and tired.  Hisashi sighed.  "All right.  But let's go just a little further."

Izuku mumbled something under his breath, but did as he was told.  Hisashi smiled.  He liked children who did what they were told without complaining.  Izuku certainly wasn’t like the rest.  It was even more impressive to see it coming from an orphan out on their own like Izuku was.  Hisashi would have to think of a better reward for Izuku besides the gold he’d promised him.

“Can we stop here?” Izuku asked.  “This would be a good spot to camp.”

“No, we’re going a bit farther.” Hisashi told him.

Izuku’s mittened fingers tightened around the reins, but he continued driving the sleigh up the mountains.  They continued on until Izuku pulled the reins in and the sled stopped.  Hisashi opened his mouth to tell him to keep going, but Izuku was already glaring at him.

"I'm not going any further than this." He said stubbornly.  "The snow is getting heavier.  It's dark.  It's dangerous.   Kacchan and I are camping here." And with that, he got up and started unhooking the reindeer from the sleigh.

Hisashi held back an irritated reply.  He needed Izuku to be his guide, but if he kept pushing him Izuku would try to leave him here.  He really didn't want to restrain the child and force him to continue their journey.  Perhaps it was better to let him take a short rest.  He got down and came to help Izuku.  The snow was deep and Izuku was struggling to get through it.

"Let me do that for you." Hisashi offered, hoping to get in Izuku's good graces again.

Izuku sniffled and waved him away.  "I can do this, Your Majesty."

"You're angry with me, aren't you?" Hisashi asked.  "Why are you so upset?"

Izuku was definitely pouting.  "I wanted to be home by now.  My family is going to be worried about me."

Ah yes, Izuku's imaginary family.  Hisashi wondered what the real reason was.  "I didn't mean to push you so hard, little one.  I'm just so worried about my brother."

"I guess." Izuku replied, brushing the snow off his reindeer.  "But, I don't know, what if he doesn't want to see you?"

Hisashi frowned.  He wasn't sure why Izuku would have come to that conclusion.  Perhaps he was jealous?  Izuku didn't have a real family of his own.  Maybe Hisashi could fix that.  Perhaps that would be how he repaid him after they found Yoichi.  If Izuku came to live with them, neither he nor Yoichi would be lonely anymore, and Hisashi could have both of them.

He opened his mouth to propose the idea to Izuku, but Izuku wasn't looking at him.  The boy had a curious expression on his face, his head cocked to one side.  Hisashi blinked as he realized that he could see Izuku so well in the darkness and followed the boy's line of sight to see if he could find the source of the light.

Ahead on the trail, around the next outcropping of rocks, something was glowing.  Without saying a word to each other, Izuku and Hisashi began walking towards the light.  They came around the rocks and Izuku gasped.  Glowing in the snow sat a massive castle made entirely of ice.

"Wow!" Izuku started walking towards it but Hisashi grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

"Stop, Izuku.  It could be dangerous."

Izuku frowned at him.  "I thought you wanted to find your brother?  If he had ice magic like you said, I bet he built that!"

"No, Yoichi isn't that strong." Hisashi said dismissively.

"But he is strong enough to bring winter into summer?" Izuku challenged.  He shook the hand off and started walking towards the ice stairs that lead up to the castle.  "We're camping for the night anyways, wouldn't it be better to do that inside instead of out here?"

"It's made of ice!" Hisashi protested, but Izuku and his reindeer were nearly to the stairs now and he had to run after them.

They reached the door and Izuku lifted a hand to knock.  Hisashi quickly pulled him back and got in front of him.  "It might be dangerous."

"Hey!" Izuku protested.  "I'm not a little kid!"

"You are." Hisashi replied firmly.  He knocked firmly on the door.  Everything was still for a moment, then the door swung inwards.  "Stay close to me." Hisashi instructed.

"Stop babying me!" Izuku grumbled, but he did as he was told.

They ventured into the castle.  The walls were tall and smooth, elegant and shiny, everything glowing with the deep blues and purples of winter ice.

"Wow." Izuku breathed again, his voice echoing above them.

Hisashi immediately hated this place.  He didn't want Izuku to stay here.  It was sure to come crashing down on them like an avalanche.  But if Yoichi was here, he needed to get him out too.

"Yoichi?" He called, his voice also echoing.  It bounced around a few times before a shadow appeared at the top of the grand stairs above them.

"Hisashi?"

"Yoichi!  I've been looking-!"

"What the hell are you doing here?" Yoichi cut him off and Hisashi's smile froze on his face.  Why did his baby brother sound angry to see him?

He forced a laugh.  "What do you mean?  You ran away so I'm here to find you!"

"Well you found me." Yoichi scowled from the top of the stairs.  "And now you can leave."

"I'm not going to just- what are you wearing?"

Yoichi had started to come down the stairs wearing an outfit that Hisashi had never seen before.  It was all white and sparkling like fresh snow in moonlight.  His hair, normally hanging in front of his face, was swept back into a braid that fell over his shoulder.  A sheer cape of ice followed him, dragging down the steps behind him.  Yoichi stopped a few steps from the bottom and crossed his arms.

"It doesn't matter.  How did you get all the way up here?  What do you want?"

"I'm here to bring you home, and to stop the blizzard you're causing." Hisashi said, taking a step closer.  "You're being ridiculous.  Snow in summer?  And ice castle?  Whatever… that outfit is?  This isn't you!"

"You mean this isn't who you want me to be." Yoichi shot back coldly.  "Truthfully, brother, I've never felt more myself."

"You know you aren't supposed to use your magic.  It's dangerous!"

"Yes." Yoichi nodded.  "I am.  And I have no intention of bowing to your will anymore."

Hisashi bristled, feeling anger growing inside of him. Yoichi hadn't changed as much as he pretended, always being so stubborn.  "You can't control it!"

"I couldn't control it because you never let me!" Yoichi shouted back.  "Look at what I did without your help!  And I feel great!  I feel better than great!  I've never felt better!"

"Stop shouting!" Hisashi shouted back.

Yoichi’s eyes flashed angrily and the palace rumbled.  "You don't get to tell me what to do anymore!  Get out, and don't ever come back!"

"K-King Shigaraki?  Can we go now?  He doesn't want to talk to you!" Izuku whimpered softly.  Hisashi had forgotten about him for a moment.  The poor little thing must be terrified by all this shouting.  But remembering him, Hisashi smiled.  Yoichi couldn't turn them both away.  He grabbed Izuku and pulled him out from where he was hiding, making him squeal in surprise.

"Really, Yoichi, I thought I taught you better manners.  It's freezing out there, can't we at least stay the night?"

Yoichi’s eyes narrowed.  "Who is that?"

"My guide.  This is little Izuku-."

"I'm not that little!" Izuku protested.

"-who is very cold and tired from helping me look for you today." Hisashi continued.  "You aren't going to make him sleep outside on the mountain, are you?"

Yoichi glared at Hisashi, then looked at Izuku.  He held out a hand.  "Come here, Izuku."

Izuku started to walk towards Yoichi, but Hisashi didn't let go of him.  First, he was appalled that Izuku would leave his side when he had specifically told him not to.  Second, what made him think it was safe to just walk up to strangers he had just met?  When he saw both Izuku and Yoichi staring at him, he fumbled for an excuse.  "Izuku is just a child, so that would make me his guardian.  I hope you're not planning to let him stay and kicking me out?"

"I'm fifteen." Izuku said to Yoichi, looking a little pleading.

Yoichi sighed.  "Both of you come inside."

"Can Kacchan come too?" Izuku asked, motioning to the reindeer in the doorway behind them.

"Absolutely not." Hisashi said.

"Of course he can." Yoichi said at the same time.

"Animals belong outside." Hisashi told Yoichi sternly.

"My castle, my rules.  Besides, I'm sure he'll be a better houseguest than you." Yoichi said, motioning for Kacchan to come in.

Izuku giggled and slipped out of Hisashi's grasp.  He gave Yoichi an awkward bow.  "It's nice to meet you, Prince Yoichi!  I'm Izuku Midoriya!"

Hisashi noticed the way Yoichi’s smile softened when he replied.  "Oh, you don't have to do that.  I may have my own castle now, but I'm not a prince anymore."

Before Hisashi could demand what he meant by that, Yoichi was already leading Izuku and Kacchan deeper into the castle.  He ground his teeth and followed.

After locking his horrible older brother in a separate room- maybe he would finally understand how it felt- Yoichi went to check on Izuku again.  Izuku was nestled down with his reindeer, still awake but yawning heavily.

"May I come in?" Yoichi asked after knowing lightly at the door.

Izuku sat up.  “Oh, yeah!  Um, do you need something?”

Yoichi came and knelt in front of Izuku.  “I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable.  I didn’t really intend to have anyone but me stay here.  Are you cold?”

Izuku shook his head.  “Nope!  It’s actually pretty warm in here, and I’ve got blankets and Kacchan is like a massive heater too!  But what about you?  Aren’t you cold?”

“Well, the cold never bothered me anyways.” Yoichi admitted with a smile.  “How did you end up helping my brother look for me?  If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Oh, well, he said he would pay me if I helped him.  That and he seemed really worried about you.” Izuku frowned and looked down.  “Um, Prince Yoichi?  Did he really lock you up in your room by yourself?”

Yoichi nodded.  “Yes, that’s why I left.  I didn’t like it.”

Izuku looked back at him, expression full of worry.  “I don’t understand.  Why would King Shigaraki do something like that?  You’re family!  He’s supposed to protect and care for you!”

Yoichi smiled sadly.  “Do you mind if I sit with you?”

Izuku nodded and Yoichi slid over to sit next to him.  Izuku offered him his blanket and covered them both up.  It was cozy, even in the ice castle.  Yoichi took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Well, kiddo, not all families work the way they're supposed to.” He began.  “I guess Hisashi probably thinks that he’s keeping me safe.  He used to tell me that people would hunt me down if they found out I had magic and that it was too dangerous outside.  Maybe he was right, when I was too little to really defend myself.  But as I grew older and stronger, he locked me up more and more… Maybe he really did think he was helping, but all I felt was the hurt.”

“I can’t imagine my family ever locking me up like that!” Izuku protested.

Yoichi hesitated.  “Hisashi just told me that you don’t have a family.”

Now Izuku looked confused.  “Why would he say that?  I talked about them a lot on our way here.  I’ve got a great family!  I don’t understand why he would lie about me like that.”

Izuku seemed very troubled by this news, squirming down into his blanket with a pout on his face.

“I’m sure you have a great family.  I don’t know why my brother would say something like that… perhaps once he met them, he would change his mind.” Yoichi suggested.  “He is going to make sure you get home safely, isn’t he?”

Izuku winced.  “Well, yes, but I don’t want him to meet them.  My family is, well, can you keep a secret?  Promise you won’t ever tell anyone?” When Yoichi nodded, Izuku leaned over and whispered in his ear.  “They’re trolls!  They’ve got magic and everything!”

“Really?  I knew they were real!” Yoichi said excitedly.  “But, you’re not a troll, Izuku?”

Izuku shook his head.  “I’m adopted!  So I don’t have any magic like you do… but that’s all right!  They don’t treat me any different.  It would be cool to have magic, I think, but also harder too.  You’ve had a hard time, haven’t you?”

Yoichi nodded.  “Do you think I could meet them?  Hisashi told me they weren't real after I read about them.  Does that mean that other magical creatures are real too?”

“I dunno.  You’ll have to ask Toshi- he’s the chief.  And my dad too!  He’s super smart and his magic is really strong.  But… I think yours might actually be stronger.  Did you really make this whole place by yourself?  And change the seasons all on your own?”

“Yes, I did.  It’s still a little hard to control, but when I stopped trying so hard it became easier.” Yoichi nodded.  “Here, watch.” He pulled his hand out from under the blanket and a crystalline snowflake formed floating above his palm.

“Wow.” Izuku breathed.  “That’s so cool.  What else can you make?  Can you make… a tiny Kacchan?”

“Sure.” Yoichi smiled and shifted the ice into the form of a small reindeer.  Izuku’s reindeer lifted his head and seemed to glare at the tiny imposter.  He snorted his nostrils and the ice snorted back, making Izuku giggle.  He leaned into Yoichi and yawned.

“Do something else.” He said.  “Make, um, a ship.  And clouds.  And then the ship sails through the clouds to the moon.” His eyes were starting to drift closed as he talked.  “And there are trees on the moon and it’s winter there.  Did you know the moon is a rock?  Isn’t that cool?  Just like a troll.  Maybe it's a really big troll, wouldn't that be even cooler?  I wish I was a troll and had cool magic like you and my dad.  Maybe I could help you with your magic and we could be friends and have fun together.  I’ve never had a real friend besides Kacchan.  Sometimes I think reindeer are better than people...”

Yoichi put an arm around him, listening to Izuku mumble himself to sleep.  He leaned down and closed his eyes as well and they both fell fast asleep.

When Izuku woke up, he and Kacchan were alone.  He sat up and rubbed his eyes, wondering where Yoichi had gone.  He was hungry, so maybe Yoichi had breakfast?  Izuku and Kacchan got up and went to the hall.  Once out of his room, Izuku could hear muffled shouting.  He was sure that the royal brothers were arguing again.  Perhaps this would be a good time for him to just leave and let them sort things out, but thinking about Yoichi being locked up alone for so long, wanting so much to be loved and free… he couldn’t abandon him now.

“Wait for me outside, okay?” Izuku told Kacchan.

Kacchan stubbornly didn’t move, snorting roughly at him.

“Go on, I'll be fine.  I don’t think the king likes you very much, and Yoichi and I may need you to help us run away if we need it.  I’ll be careful, I promise.”

Kacchan snorted a few more times, prancing and stamping until he did as he was told.  Izuku followed the sound of the voices until he reached the room they were coming from.  Even when he entered, neither the king nor the prince noticed and continued their argument, clearly the same as from the day before.

“I have only ever done what was best for you!” Hisashi shouted.

“You didn’t care about what was best for me!  You’ve always, always cared more about yourself than me.” Yoichi shot back.

“How can you say that after everything I’ve sacrificed to protect you?”

“How were you protecting me?” Yoichi shouted.  “How was what you did to me protection?”

“I had to keep you hidden, I had to keep your curse a secret!” Hisashi insisted.  “People would have tried to hunt you down and-!”

“It’s not a curse, it’s a gift!  And the only people who would want to hunt me are people like you!  People who are hungry for power.” Yoichi glared, spitting his words like venom.  “You’re the only person I need protection from, brother.”

“People fear what they don’t understand.” Hisashi replied, red eyes glinting with fury.  “If they found out what you could do, they would try to destroy you.  Everything I’ve ever done for you was out of love.”

“Love?” Yoichi repeated, shaking his head.  “Love, really, Hisashi?  Is that the best you can do?  Then can you tell me why I grew up never once feeling like you truly loved me?  I was always a burden to you, a dark secret you struggled so hard to hide.  Do you have any idea how I felt, locked up in my room all the time?  Cold, Hisashi.  It was cold.  The kind of cold you’ll never understand.”

With that, Yoichi turned to walk away, his glittering cape flaring behind him.  Hisashi came after him, grabbing his arm.  Izuku rushed forward to try and pull them apart before they really started fighting.

“Don’t walk away from me, Yoichi!” Hisashi said angrily.

“Wait, you can’t fight like this!” Izuku said at the same time, grabbing both of them.

“Don’t TOUCH ME!” Yoichi screamed.  He spun around and threw his hand out to throw them off.  A burst of magic shot from his hand, spiking out across the room.  Hisashi ducked back and the magic glanced past him.  Izuku stumbled back at the impact of the magic.  It hit his chest like a gust of violet wind,  nearly making him lose his balance.  He cried out, more from shock than pain, and clutched his heart.  It felt cold as ice, colder than the castle itself.  He gasped a few breaths, then felt himself steady.

“Izuku!  I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to!” Yoichi cried.  He and Hisashi were both all over Izuku, patting him down to make sure he was all right.  “I hit you right in the heart!  I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

“I-I’m fine.” Izuku tried to gently push their prying hands away.

“This is exactly why I never wanted you to leave the castle!” Hisashi said, pulling Izuku to himself and pushing Yoichi back.  “You’ve never been able to control it!  You’re dangerous to everyone but me!”

“It was an accident, I swear!” Yoichi looked pale, but not his normal pale.

“Are you all right, Izuku?” Hisashi asked, ignoring his brother.

“Really, I’m fine.  It just hurt for a second.” Izuku assured them.  He tried to duck out of Hisashi’s arms, but suddenly felt a chill to his body that made his legs feel weak.  He nearly collapsed, grabbing onto Hisashi to keep himself up.

“Izuku!” Hisashi and Yoichi cried together.

“I’m fine!” Izuku said again.

Hisashi caught one of Izuku’s curly locks between his fingers.  “Your hair is turning white.”

“Really?” Izuku crossed his eyes to see but before he could the king had scooped him up into his arms.  “H-Hey, put me down!”

“We need to get back to the castle.” Hisashi said.  He grabbed Yoichi’s wrist.  “You’re coming with us.  Whatever you did, we need to fix it.”

“No, I don’t need to go with you!” Izuku said.  “Please put me down!  I just need to go home!  My family are experts when it comes to magic!  They’ll be able to help, they can help Yoichi too!  They can show him how to control his magic.”

“What family?” Hisashi asked.

“Put me down.” Izuku begged.  “I’m fine, just a little cold!”

“Come on.” Hisashi started walking, dragging Yoichi with them.  “My soldiers should be here soon to escort us.”

“What soldiers?” Izuku asked.  “Wait, please put me down!  Please, Your Majesty!”

“No, don't take us back to the castle!” Yoich begged.  “I can fix this, I can fix all of it I promise!  I’ll make the winter go away, I’ll fix whatever I did to Izuku- please, Hisashi!  Don’t make me go back there!”

Hisashi ignored both Izuku and Yoichi.  He strode purposefully through the ice castle and out the front door.  He stopped short at the large reindeer blocking his way.

“Kacchan!” Izuku said excitedly.  He was so relieved to see his friend.  He really was starting to feel cold and Kacchan always kept him warm.

“Stupid reindeer, always getting in the way.” Hisashi muttered.  He released Yoichi’s wrist long enough to reach into his coat and pull out a knife.  Izuku barely had time to see the morning sunlight glint off the metal before the king had shoved it into his reindeer’s chest.

“KACCHAN!” Izuku screamed.  He pushed madly against Hisashi’s grip but another violent chill sucked his strength away.  He fought against the feeling, a screaming as loud as he could.  Hisashi was already pushing past Kacchan who had staggered a little.  “NO!  NO, KACCHAN!”

Hisashi hefted Izuku and tossed him over his shoulder, shifting his grip on Yoichi to be his upper arm.  Izuku couldn’t stop screaming, kicking as best he could and banging his fists against any part of Hisashi he could reach.

“Stop, go back!  Kacchan is hurt!  You hurt him!  You have to go back!  Please!  Please!  Kacchan!  Kacchan!” His words became impossible to make out as his screams became plagued with sobs until he could barely breathe.

Yoichi was desperately trying to reason with his brother, but Hisashi kept his eyes forward, not listening to a word he was saying.  He brought them away from the castle and around the bend where Izuku’s sleigh had been left.  Now there were dozens of horses and soldiers and a covered carriage waiting for them, following Hisashi’s tracks just as he’d ordered before he followed Yoichi.  He went straight to the carriage and pushed Yoichi in first, then set Izuku inside as well.

“No!” Izuku sobbed.  “No, let us go back, plese!”

“Stay warm, I’ll be right back.” Hisashi said, then closed and locked the door behind him.

Izuku threw himself against the door, knowing he was strong enough to break out.  Instead, all that happened was the carriage rocked slightly.  His strength was draining away the colder he got.  He tried again, banging the window and door.

“No, no, no!  Let me out!  Kacchan!  Kacchan, hang on!  Let me out!”

Yoichi grabbed Izuku to stop him from throwing himself against the carriage door.  “You're going to hurt yourself!”

Izuku wasn’t screaming anymore, just sobbing.  “I have to go back!  Kacchan is hurt!  He’s going to die!  Let me go back!  Please, please.  Please, I have to help him.”

“He’s not going to die, it’s okay.” Yoichi assured, holding Izuku tight to keep him from throwing himself against the door again.

“He stabbed him!” Izuku sobbed.  “He was bleeding, I saw it!  He’s going to die, I have to go help him!”

“I used my magic to stop the bleeding.” Yoichi said.  “Kacchan is big and strong, a little knife like that won’t kill him.  He’s going to be okay, I promise.”

Izuku sagged against Yoichi, crying and shivering.  He felt so cold.  How was he so cold, even with his hat and gloves on?  “He hurt him, he hurt Kacchan.” Izuku sobbed, turning into Yoichi’s embrace.  “He stabbed him!  He hurt my best friend!”

“Yeah, he does things like that.” Yoichi said bitterly.  “Are you sure you’re okay?  I didn’t mean to hit you, I was trying to hit my brother- I mean, I wasn’t trying to hurt him either I just wanted him to understand how cold my life has always been, how alone I’ve always felt.  I didn’t want to hurt you, I would never want to hurt you.”

“It’s just r-really cold.” Izuku said, shuddering as another violent chill racked his body.

“Your hair is turning white again.” Yoichi said, sounding more worried than before.

“I j-just need to get home.  Dad can fix this.” Izuku cried.  “He’ll know what to do, Daddy a-always knows.”

“Okay, okay, we can get you home.” Yoichi said, hugging him tightly.  “Are you still cold?  I can’t tell.  Oh no, what if I froze you?  I have ice magic- what if I froze you?”

“Y-You wouldn’t do that.” Izuku sniffed.

“Hisashi was right.  I can’t control it.  I am dangerous.”

“Will the king take me home?” Izuku asked, crying harder.  “Kacchan knows to go home a-and dad will be there.  I just feel so… cold.  And lonely.  My chest is really cold.”

“I did freeze you.” Yoichi shook his head.  “I froze your heart.  I’m sorry, Izuku, I’m so sorry.”

“Y-You said you wanted your brother to feel like you did.  Wh-What could have fixed that for you?” Izuku stuttered.

Yoichi barely hesitated.  “Having a family that loved me.  Oh!  That’s it!  All we need to do to unfreeze your heart is get you back to your family!”

Izuku closed his eyes, trusting that Yoichi would make sure he got back home safe.  He felt really cold now, colder than ever before.  Outside he could hear Hisashi finishing his orders to have Yoichi’s ice place torn down, then Hisashi was getting into the carriage with them.

“As soon as we get back, you’re getting rid of this blizzard.” Hisashi told Yoichi sternly.  “Sooner, if you can.”

“We don’t have time.  Hisashi, Izuku’s heart is freezing.  The only way to stop it is to get him back to his family-.” Yoichi began.

“Izuku doesn’t have a family.” Hisashi cut him off.

“I do.” Izuku whimpered into Yoichi’s shirt.

“Izuku does have a family.” Yoichi repeated for him.  “They live in the woods, they can help us-.”

“Izuku doesn’t have a family.” Hisashi repeated, louder this time.  “He’s an orphan, Yoichi, like us.  That’s why I’m bringing him home with us.  I’m going to adopt him.”

“No.” Izuku tried to say it louder, but his voice was frozen.  He hugged Yoichi tighter and shook his head.  “I want to go home.”

“You can’t- that’s kidnapping!” Yoichi spluttered.  “Besides, Izuku is nearly an adult!  And he has a real family- you can’t adopt someone who has a family!  And if we don’t get him home to his real family, his heart might be frozen for good!  Family love is the only thing that can save him.”

“Then it’s a good thing we’re giving him a real family.” Hisashi replied, taking off his coat to wrap Izuku up in.  “Not an imaginary one.”

“They’re real!” Yoichi said, pulling Izuku away.  “They’re trolls!”

“You’re too old to believe in trolls.” Hisashi snapped, yanking Izuku out of his grip.  “Izuku may think he’s a changeling, but you should know better.  Now stop this blizzard so we can  warm Izuku up.”

“Please let me go home.” Izuku cried.  “I’m really, r-really cold.”

“Don't worry, little one, we’ll be home soon.” Hisashi cooed, his tone changing from the angry one he’d used with his brother just a moment before.  “It will be perfect, just the three of us.”

“My chest hurts.  I want my dad.  I want my real dad.” Izuku begged.  “I don’t want my heart to freeze.”

“Yoichi just wants to run away from us again.  I'm not going  to let him do that.  As soon as he fixes the weather, no more magic allowed.”

Izuku wanted to argue, he was sure Yoichi was arguing, but he was so cold that he was very, very tired.  Still shaking, still crying, he closed his eyes and fell asleep in the king’s arms.

Izuku was shivering when he woke up.  He was buried under heavy blankets and a massive fire was heating the room, but he had never felt so cold before.  He felt weak.  He couldn't even sit up.  He had no idea where he was.  All he knew was that he was alone and afraid.  He hugged himself and curled into a ball, cold tears coming to his eyes.  He wished Toshi was here.  He wanted his dad so much.  Toshi could fix all of this, he was sure of it.

The door opened and King Shigaraki appeared.  He came and sat on the bed next to Izuku, placing a hand on his shoulder.  "Izuku?  How are you feeling, little one?"

"I'm c-cold." Izuku cried.  "I want my dad!"

"Shhh… it's all right.  You're safe now."

"W-Where am I?"

"I brought you home with me, to the castle.  Do you need another blanket?  I can bring you something hot to drink?"

Izuku shook his head.  "Wanna leave." He said weakly.  "I wanna go home.  Please?" 

Hisashi sighed and pulled Izuku up to sit, then shifted him into his lap.  He wrapped Izuku up and held him tightly as if that was enough to stop Izuku from shaking.  "Izuku… I know everything.  You don't need to lie to me anymore."

Izuku shook his head, more tears running out of his eyes.  They rolled down his cheeks, then stopped halfway, frozen.  "I'm not lying!  Wh-What am I lying about?  Please, please just let me go home!"

"I know you don't have a home, Izuku.  I know you're an orphan."

"I'm not!" Izuku insisted, growing more distressed.

"Hush, hush." Hisashi rocked him in his arms.  "I know it's hard, but your imaginary family isn't going to help.  They aren't real."

"They are!"

"Trolls don't exist.  You aren't a changeling.  You live alone in the woods." Hisashi told him in a calming voice.

"No I don’t!"

"But everything is going to be okay because from now on you're going to be living with me." Hisashi finished, bending down to kiss his forehead.

"No!" Izuku screamed with as much energy as he could muster.  "No, I don't want to!  Let me go home!  Please, please!"

"Shh, shhh." Hisashi didn't seem phased at all by his shouting and crying.  "Everything is better.  You'll be a prince!  And you can see Yoichi- he can be your Uncle!  Doesn't that sound perfect?  A real family."

"No!" Izuku squirmed and cried harder.  "Daddy!  Nana!  Help me!  Please help!  Yoichi!  Someone!"

He felt even colder inside than before and shuddered.  The cold feeling was centered in his chest, around his heart.  He wondered if he would ever feel warmth again.  He wished for his father more than anything.  Toshi could fix this, Toshi could fix anything.  But Hisashi wasn’t letting him go.  He was too weak to keep calling for help and his voice faded into soft, broken sobs.  He fell asleep once more in Hisashi’s arms, praying that his family would come for him soon.

Izuku opened his eyes.  It was difficult, as his lashes were heavy with frost.  When he breathed out, he saw a swirl of icy air leave his mouth.  He couldn’t move at all.  He was completely numb, trembling and icy cold.

“Izuku?”

He couldn’t turn his head, but his eyes slowly rolled to the side until he could see Yoichi kneeling next to the bed.  He tried to say something, but his lungs were frozen.

Yoichi’s eyes were red and swollen.  His magnificent ice cape and clothing were gone, and now he was dressed in black again.  He was wearing silk gloves that were shackled onto his wrists.  When he saw Izuku’s eyes open, he slid closer.

“Izuku?  Are you awake?  Please, please stay with me.  You can’t die on me.”

Was he dying?  Izuku wasn’t sure anymore.  He only felt cold and empty inside.  His eyes drifted away, back to the ceiling.  He wasn’t sure what he was looking for, if he was trying to find something.  He felt Yoichi take his hand and his eyes turned back again.  Yoichi was crying, his hands shaking as much as Izuku’s.

“I’m sorry, Izuku.  I’m so sorry.” Yoichi cried.  “This is all my fault.  I did this to you.  I should have stayed here with my brother.  None of this would ever have happened if I had just stayed where I belonged.”

Izuku wanted to tell Yoichi no.  No, it wasn’t his fault.  And Yoichi shouldn’t have stayed here.  Why was Yoichi back here, in the castle?  Wasn’t he trying to run away?

“You won’t ever forgive me, will you?” Yoichi cried, squeezing Izuku’s hand and crying harder.  “I took you away from your family, I froze your heart… Izuku, please, I’m so sorry.  Don’t hate me.  Please don’t hate me.”

Izuku didn’t hate Yoichi.  He wished Yoichi would stop crying.  Yoichi wasn’t supposed to be sad like this.  Yoichi was supposed to be strong and happy and powerful up on his mountain with the ice and wind.  That was where he belonged.  He tried to tell him, but he was frozen to the bed.  His mouth wouldn’t move.

Yoichi saw Izuku trying to speak and moved closer.  “What is it?”

“C-Cold.” Was all Izuku managed in a faint whisper.

Yoichi gasped and jerked his hands back.  “I’m sorry!  I’m sorry, Izuku.  I’ll go.”

When he saw Yoichi leaving, Izuku made a panicked whine, the best he could manage.  Yoichi couldn’t go!  He wanted him to stay.  He didn’t want to be left alone.  He was so cold and alone and afraid.  If he was dying, he didn’t want to die all by himself.

Yoichi hesitated.  “I have to go, Izuku.  All I can do is keep you cold.”

A pair of tears ran down Izuku’s cheeks, freezing in place halfway.  Yoichi couldn’t leave him here.  He needed him to stay.  He closed his eyes and felt his lashes ice together.  Then he felt Yoichi sitting beside him, pulling him up into his arms.  Izuku gave a stuttering sigh of relief.  He wasn't all alone.

"I'm sorry." Yoichi whispered again.  "I'm so sorry, Izuku.  Please don't hate me."

"Don't…" Izuku said in the faintest voice.  "Not… hate… Yoichi.  Stop… cry."

"Okay, okay." Yoichi cried.  "Shh, shh, it's okay.  You don't cry either, okay?"

Izuku tried to open his eyes again, but it took an even greater effort this time.  Things were blurry, like he was looking through a thin veil of ice.

"M…Magic." Izuku managed to mumble.

"Magic?"  Yoichi repeated.  "What magic?"

Izuku shuddered.  "You."

"You want to see my magic?" Yoichi asked and Izuku tried to nod.  "I- I can't.  I'm sorry, Izuku, Hisashi was right.  I can't control it.  I'm sorry."

Izuku closed his eyes, too tired to keep them open.  He was starting to feel less and less as the numbness took more and more of him away.  Yoichi was still talking to him, trying to tell him it would be okay and that he would find a way to get him back to his real family.  Saying that he would be his family until then, that he would take care of him until they could both run away.  But Izuku couldn't run, he couldn't even move.  His heart was beating slower and slower as it froze over.  Soon he would be frozen solid and he was too numb to care anymore.

Hisashi came to check on Izuku early in the morning.  He was surprised to find Yoichi there, curled up in bed next to Izuku.  Izuku’s skin was pale, nearly white, and his hair had completely turned from green to snowy white as well.  Hisashi brushed a hand across Izuku's cheek and let out a small sigh of relief.  Cold, but not icy like before.  He was getting better.

Yoichi stirred, eyes opening slowly.  He had clearly been crying all night.  He looked disappointed when he saw Hisashi.  "What do you want?" He asked.

"Is Izuku doing all right?"

"No.  He's not." Yoichi replied numbly.  "He froze last night.  I could have saved him if you had just let me take him home."

Hisashi leaned over Izuku and gently shook him.  "Izuku?  Izuku, little one, wake up.  It's morning now, time to get up."

Izuku's eyes opened slowly, making a Yoichi jump in surprise.  His lashes had changed to white, like they had been piled with snow.

"See?  He's fine." Hisashi smiled.  "Good morning, sleepy.  How are you?"

Izuku's eyes drifted over to Hisashi.  He stared at him for a moment, then his eyes turned to wander away.

"Izuku." Hisashi said again to draw Izuku's attention back to him.  "Still tired, baby?"

"Something is wrong." Yoichi said in a strained whisper, looking pale.

"He's fine." Hisashi snapped back.  "Come here, Izuku.  Let's get dressed!"

Izuku let Hisashi pull him out of bed and lead him over to the dressing room.  Yoichi followed them as well.  Izuku didn't pull away, he didn't look around, he just stayed still.  When they tried to speak to him, he didn’t reply.  He only looked at them when they called for his attention, and even then he quickly lost interest.

"It's like he's made of ice." Yoichi said at last.

Hisashi frowned.  "Don't be ridiculous." He said, but his heart was lurching.  Something was wrong with Izuku, anyone could tell.  He was numb and cold- Izuku had never acted cold towards anyone before, not that he had seen.  He took Izuku's face in his hands and smiled at him.  The Izuku he knew would have smiled back, whether he was happy or just embarrassed.  But Izuku didn't react at all.  He met Hisashi's eyes, then looked away when Hisashi didn't say anything.

"Izuku, what's wrong?" Hisashi asked.  "You're so quiet.  Why haven’t you said anything?"

Izuku looked back, then away again.  "Don't want to." He said in a flat voice.

"Don't want to?" Hisashi forced a laugh.  "What do you want to do then?"

"Nothing." Izuku answered.

Hisashi glanced over to Yoichi and met his younger brother's eyes.  Yoichi looked every bit as horrified as he felt.  It was like he'd said- Izuku was icy cold.  His heart had been frozen over.  No, he couldn't just accept that.  He just needed to find a way to melt Izuku's heart again.  He smiled warmly and pulled Izuku into a hug.

"Don't worry, Izuku.  You're part of our family now, we'll take care of you.  You're going to love being a prince!  You're going to love us.  We love you, don't we, Yoichi?"

Yoichi didn't answer.  He was still looking pale and a little queasy now.  Izuku didn't reply either, but when Hisashi pulled away to kiss his forehead, he saw a single tear freezing on Izuku’s cheek.  And that was the last sign of emotion that Hisashi ever saw from him after that.