Chapter Text
1)
One of the things that drives Katsuki completely insane is that Izuku, even before he got his quirk, was always quick to step between a wolf and quarry. He'd get really loud talking about how cool All Might is and scoop up the littler children or call them by some random name and sling an arm over their shoulder and pull them in close to his side.
~~
Izuku, at the age of 5 was already a target because his mind moved too fast, he was too smart, noticed too much. “Look at how detailed those notes are, how can you break down quirks like that young man, can I see your note?” The Smiling man had laughed as Izuku pulled his notebook closer to his chest and ran for Kacchan.
Katsuki was already loud and bombastic, had been a target since his quirk was registered, but made sure that no one would ever dare forget him. “ We can help him get a handle on his quirk, it is a dangerous one” The man with the fake smile at the door had promised Mistuki.
~~
So when 5 year old Izuku once ran up to a teenager who looked terrified, and latched onto his leg screaming "Nii-chan, Nii-chan Momma told me to come get you!!" it was the first time that he had stepped into the true line of fire by inserting himself into a hunt. Katsuki was right behind him screaming that "you can't just run into the street you shitty deku!!!" Making an even bigger scene as the teenager picked up the little green haired boy and hugging him to his chest desperately.
2)
Enji had been blinded by his own ambition to be the best for years. It had taken his oldest son, his little Touya being snatched out of his own hospital bed by Wolves for him to see beyond the veil of his own ambition. To see that the Wolves had ever even existed in the first place. He could see them everywhere now, the dark suited wolves. When he patrolled poorer neighborhoods he saw the groups of children staying close together, mistrustful of anyone in a suit.
He once saw a child run screaming up to an older boy, claiming familial ties, while a blonde chased after him, louder still as explosions sparked off his hands. It was then when he realized that the kids who knew were often the targets. The loud one children were keeping people's eyes on entire groups of children, while some spoke to every and anyone who passed by making sure to cement themselves in strangers lives. What moved him wasn't pity, it was rage and from then on Enji Todoroki, the hero Endeavor made sure to watch over groups of kids as he passed by.
3)
6 year old Izuku had walked to school by himself today, Kacchan was sick and couldn't lag behind him, the morning walk was fine, lots of people out and about and he had taken the time to chatter happily as he always did. The problem was always coming home, no one was really around and Izuku hadn't quite learned what streets were safe yet, from wolves or even other predators.
So Izuku took the side street he had that morning assuming it was safe like it had been hours before. and there in one of the alleys to the side of the street he was taking, Izuku saw one. The wolf was tall with tanned skin and dead eyes, and within moments of seeing each other, Izuku took off sprinting as fast as his little legs could carry him. The warning call, "The wolves are hunting! The wolves are hunting!" ripped from his chest as he kept moving, footsteps pounding behind him. After few twists and turns and what felt like hours he turned the corner and slammed into a set of strong legs before landing on his butt.
Izuku looked up, terror clear on his face before a sense of wonder filled him, the Hero Endeavor looked back down at him, surprise on his flaming face. Izuku stood up hurriedly and raced around the tall hero, peeking from behind his leg as the Wolf burst out of the alley.
~~
Eventually Endeavor had learned more about the 'Wolves' and it took some time adults were closed lipped, terrified for the sake of their children, but sometimes the littlest ones would whisper things he needed to know into his ear. A cry of "The wolves are hunting," was something to listen for, it meant that one of those foul creatures was hunting quarry, usually it was too late for those who called out but it was a pyrrhic victory, letting others get away even if they were taken away.
Enji heard the warning cry first, it was high pitched, breathless, and terrified, is not a ways away, the sound of it caused a few kids to scatter back towards their home and his rage built. Then he heard two sets of pounding footsteps, one much softer than the other, and Endeavor pivoted around, looking for the child and desperate to do something, anything to help. The slapping of little feet was louder and then he felt a small body slam into the bac of his leg at full tilt. He turned to see the green haired boy from about a year before, looking up at him with stars in his eyes.
Enji stared back, surprised that the child was actually there in front of him, before the little one bounced back to his feet and darted to hide behind his legs. The man in suit, the hunting Wolf sprung from the alley and Enji stood his ground, eyes narrowing as the flames pouring off his skin grew hotter. "There is no need for wolves here!" The words were vicious and hot with rage, Enji took a step forwards, the little one clinging to pants desperately, "If I see you around here again you won't ever hunt again!" The pro hero swung an arm to the side, flames licking against his skin as he forced his point across. The Wolf glared but retreated, cowed by the #2 hero's presence and the threat of violence.
Enji watched after the man for a few moments before he knelt down to look the little one in the face, trying to ignore the desperate thanks and hero worship that was so clear in that open expression, it was humbling to see in one so young.
~~
Izuku was watching Endeavor, awestruck and completely flabbergasted as the large hero knelt down in front of him. The small green haired child didn't waste any time and threw himself into the hero's arms, tears of relief bubbling up as he shook and whimpered quietly. Eventually he whispered a quiet, "You know who the wolves are, what Rumpelstiltskin is??"
The Hero scooped up small green haired child, "Yes I do, they stole my eldest from his bed." Izuku froze at that, and clung a little tighter to the Hero who seemed a bit more like a broken man. "Now little one, why do they want you? " Izuku gulped and hid his face in Enji's shoulder as the fire died down. "They want me for my mind, I don't have a quirk so far, maybe not ever. But I'm smart and I'm good at dissecting quirks, and the Wolves like that." It made Endeavor pause and take a deep breath as he decided to carry the little one home.
4)
~~Years Later~~
Shota Aizawa made sure to bring Eri in with him when he visited Dabi, the Boy who had once been Touya Todoroki before the wolves had snatched him out of his hospital bed. She took a little time from those scars whenever they visited, slowly but surely leaving the catatonic with clear skin. Let the boy look down at his arms and when he comes too and and feel only relief that most of the scarring is gone . That he years he spent with the wolves is no longer etched into his skin . It was a gift, Shota supposed, from one Rat to another.
Let him look up and see his father holding onto one of his hands, waiting for him, relief in his eyes and tears in his voice that his son was home and safe once more. Let him be shocked to see the joy on his siblings faces as they piled into the bed to hug him for the first time in years. Let it be known to all of them that Touya hadn't been thrown away , He had been stolen like the priceless gift he was to his family. Shota smiled and pet Eri's head as she looked up at him, carefully he took her hand and led her out the door.