Chapter Text
Hisashi Midoriya loved his son more than anything in the world.
After his wife died during the childbirth, Izuku was all he had left of her- Izuku meant everything to him; absolutely everything. He cared more about Izuku than his entire kingdom not to say he neglected his kingdom but if it was for Izuku he would start a war.
So was the way of the elves. They understood his need to take care of his son. Children were far and few and having children was difficult for elves as it was; it had always had been that way. Most pregnancies ended in death, many babies and mothers were lost- the Midoriyas knew this when Inko revealed pregnant. It had been worth the risk. Inko knew, that when she figured out she was pregnant, that her baby Izuku would be worth whatever happened to her.
The Midoriwood Kingdom mourned their queen when she died but none were surprised, most expected this outcome. But while they mourned they also celebrated because out of the darkness of death came Izuku. Perfectly healthy, heartbeat strong and he was surrounded by golden flecks of magic every time he went out in the sun. They seemed to float around him.
He was a gifted one.
No one was quite sure what he had been gifted with but it was clear there was magic inside of him, more than that of the common elf.
Because of this Izuku was Hisashis number one priority to protect. He hired a wizard, that went by the name Shota Aizawa to put a spell on his kingdom, one that would hide it in a fog that confused humans. He set up barriers or Orcs on the outsides of his kingdom walls to protect and guard.
Sure, Orcs were brutal and vicious but it was for Izuku- he must not get hurt and he did not trust the King of Todorovia.
Enji had long been jealous of the elves and their superior attributes. Their longer legs, more slender bodies. The speed and strength they were graced with far out matched those of humans.
The Todoroki line had always been jealous of their immortality. Their beauty.
Relations between the two neighboring kingdoms had always been tense, but they knew better than to start war. The Todorokis, although human, were still capable of wielding magic. Magic of the elements, water and fire.
A war between them would prove disastrous and Hisashi refused to put his son in any kind of danger. Not that the little elfling made it easy on him.
The small, green-headed boy loved to run around in the forest, every since he could walk he could run and climb. In fact, he started climbing on things since he could crawl.
Too often he would find his way in the path of strangers strangers who would love to steal Izuku away and make him one of their own. Find out the power inside of him and steal it.
It was a good thing that Izukus father never sent him anywhere without guards guards that would be killed if Izuku came back hurt in anyway. He went through quite a few over the years until that wizard, Aizawa, agreed to watch Izuku while Hisashi could not.
With his magic he would never fail to keep Izuku safe from harm, no matter how much he tried to escape him. Aizawa was always there, using an ancient magic to guard Izuku. More than once he had saved Izukus life without the boy knowing.
All Hisashi wanted was for Izuku to live his life any way that made him happy and he was willing to do anything to make sure he did. If he wanted to run around in the forest and explore he would send Aizawa with him.
If he wanted to learn how to bake in the kitchen he would get the chef to teach him. If he wanted to learn another language hed get the best professor in the city. There was nothing Izuku was lacking except a friend.
There wasnt much Hisashi could do to make the children of Midoriwood talk to his son. He supposed it was his fault for being so cruel to anyone who hurt Izuku- he was a good king but a terrifying one when it came to his son. No one wanted to say or do the wrong thing.
All it took was one tear from Izuku, one scratch and Hisashi would rain hell down upon whoever caused his son pain. It was understandable that the elven citizens would keep their children from Izuku.
But by the age of five Hisashi could see that it was affecting Izuku- he baked whenever he wanted with the chef, played with his Hippocampus in the lake behind their castle, he explored the forests with Aizawa but too often he saw Izuku frowning.
His toys floating around him, books scattered on the floor but Izuku was just sitting there. Hisashi remembered the conversation well.
"Are you alright Izu?" he asked, scooping his son off the floor. At five he was incredibly smart, all elves were but Izuku was special, he always had been.
Izuku shook his head. "Why does no one play with me?" he asked his father, wiping at his eyes. Hisashis heart broke at the sight of his glittering green eyes. Wet with tears and there was no one to blame but himself.
He was the one who had driven away all the other elfling kids.
"Oh, Im sorry kiddo," he brushed Izukus green curls out of his face, he looked so much like his mother. "Its my fault." He said honestly, elves had a hard time telling lies. It wasnt that they couldnt but karma was a dangerous force.
Izuku bit his lip, even at the young age he was, he could see how the others looked at his father with fear. But he couldn't understand what that had to do with him. He wasnt his father. The small boy wiggled from his fathers arms and landed gracefully on the ground. He picked up a book from the ground, his slender but small hands tracing the lines on the cover.
It was a story of children fairy tales written in the elvish language. "Daddy," he said, hopping onto his bed, "is something wrong with me?" he asked, opening the book.
Hisashi rushed to sit on the edge of the bed quickly. "Why would you ask that?"
Izuku opened up the book to a page with a prince and princess getting married under a tunnel of glowing flowers. Gold and pink they were sparkling with magic.
"Everyone in here has friends I dont have any." He said, flipping to the next page with two children hand-in-hand running through a meadow. "Im nice like them." He said softly, remembering how the characters in the stories were like him. Kind and sweet- loving to everyone, so what did they have that he didnt?
"Its not you Izuku," Hisashi said with certainty. There was nothing wrong with his son- it was his fault and his fault alone. "Would you like a friend?" he asked. Immediately Izukus eyes lit up bright and his skin shimmered a pale gold as it always did when he got excited. Aizawa always shielded that from the public when they were out- at least until they knew what it meant.
"Yesǃ" he exclaimed, smiling. Hisashi knew he would make it happen and he wouldnt force it. He would find a friend for Izuku if it was the last thing he did.
But a week past and every letter he sent out was never returned. There was no punishment, that wouldnt exactly help his case but it did disappoint him. Was there really something he could not give his son.
"You seem distressed my lord." Aizawa said, bowing his head as he entered Hisashis office. He had just come back from the forest with Izuku who was now being tended by a maid. Bathed and dressed before dinner.
Hisashi looked up from his desk, papers were scattered on it, pens snapped in half littered the floor. "Not a single letter." He growled. "Not a single letter was returned. Are they truly that afraid?" he spat standing from his chair.
"Yes sir." Aizawa said bluntly. Hisashi shot him a look but there wasnt any threat behind it. Hisashi knew he wouldnt be able to hurt Aizawa if he tried, his magic was far to sacred. And Izuku loved him.
"What am I supposed to tell Izuku?" he asked running a hand through his dark hair. He pushed his glasses up as they had fallen to the bridge of his nose.
Aizawa a silent for a moment. He too, could see how his loneliness was affecting him. There was only one thing he could think of but he didnt think it was wise.
"Say it Shota." Hisashi said, he was particularly sensitive to thoughts. He wasnt able to read them but he could tell the general emotions of others. His father was a gifted one and some of that magic was transferred to him.
The ability of knowing how others are feeling. The kinds of things they are thinking.
"Sir, if I may." He started, shifting on his feet, "The queen of Todorovia has a son the same age as little Izuku-"
"No." Hisashi said immediately, he would have nothing with those humans.
"Sir, an alliance between our two kingdoms ease the tensions weve had for years." Aizawa said, he was old enough to remember the wars between elves and humans. It always ended in mass destruction and death. He had even fought in one as a young wizard, a thousand years ago.
"I will not trust a Todoroki with my son." He said definitively as if he had made up his mind. But the gears were turning, this could be the only way.
"They are only five and I was keep watch the entire time, what harm can it do?" Aizawa said, he knew Hisashi would make the choice best for his son it was only a matter of time. "And while the boys play, discuss alliance treaties with Enji."
Hisashi let out a breath of annoyance. Of course he knew ti was the only way and of course he knew Aizawa was right. He was always right.
He started writing the letter.
~
"Absolutely not." Enji boomed in his open office after his wife read his out the letter from the Midoriwood kingdom. Rei frowned as his voiced echoes.
"Shoto needs people to play with other than his siblings Enji." Her voice was soft and sweet, she had friendly relations with Inko before she died and even though she knew the stories of the cruel king, she also knew it was for his son.
She had faith they were good people at heart. The elves were good people, she knew that- the only reason her husband didnt like them was because of their superiorities.
He had been so jealous as a kid of elves that as soon as he turned eighteen, he found a witch- her name had been Rei Himura. Enji demanded he marry her, desperate to form a bond and take some of her power for himself.
Rei was said to be a master of Water and Fire, she could cast spells and perform rituals but none was more powerful than he way with the waves and flames.
At first she rejected Enji, said she had no desire to marry- she was perfectly happy as she was but her family was poor and being a witch did not always pay well. Enji promised the crown, she would be queen if only she would marry him.
After a year they were married, Enji took the throne and during their ceremony half of Reis magic went to Enji he stole the fire. She was devastated at first, hurt by the betrayal but there was nothing she could do, she was his wife the queen. Her family would never struggle again.
So she accepted it and bore him four children, the most recent, little Shoto. And Enji was already looking for potential suiters to marry him off to.
"He has enough friends." Enji said, dismissing her with a wave of his hand. Rei clenched her fist.
"The servants are not his friends Enji and we need this alliance. How long have we have tension with Midoriwood?" She asked, standing her ground. She only ever wanted the best for her family. Her kingdom.
"The Midoriyas are evil and vicious." He spat, crossing his arms.
"You only say that because they are Elven."
Enji stood from his seat, "I say that because they are not human they are monster." He went to leave only to find his feet encased in thick ice even his fire could not melt immediately.
"Need I remind you, I too, am not human." She said simply. "Am I a monster?"
Enji met his wifes eyes, "Of course not-" she cut him off,
"Then the elves cannot be monsters simply for not being human." She said letting her ice evaporate into gas.
"I do not like it." Enji forced out, he knew he was losing this battle.
"The child, Izuku, is five. I shall send Fuyumi to accompany you and watch over the little boys."
Enji let out a sigh, he wasnt just loosing this battle, he had already lost it. When it came to her kids, Rei always won.
"We shall go in four days." He said.
"But that is the full moon!" She exclaimed, they never missed a full moon ritual- it was a way they kept their connection to magic. Enji never participated by Rei and her children always did. They needed to thank the moon for their magic.
"Four days or not at all." Enji said; he thought the full moon rituals were pointless, he was already powerful.
Rei sighed, it was the best she could ask for she would just have to send supplies with Fuyumi and have her do the ritual with Shoto.
"Alright, Ill inform them." She said before swiftly leaving the room.
Enji walked back to his chair and sunk into it. As much as he hated to admit it, this alliance would prove useful he may even get his hands on magical plants if they created a trading agreement. Or set up spies up as diplomats. Maybe this wasnt such a bad idea
~
Izuku ran inside of his home and bunch of flowers in his hand. They glittered blue and red and pink. Surrounded in a hue of purple and gold. Aizawa followed behind him, having accompanied Izuku on his flowering gathering craze as Hisashi readied himself for the Todorokis arrival.
Apparently Princess Fuyumi was also coming to accompany her little brother.
"Are they here? Are they here?" Izuku asked, jumping up and down and tugging on Aizawas arm.
"Not yet Izu," Aizawa said softly, taking Izukus hand and guiding him to the entrance.
"I want to see my friend!" he exclaimed happily, running towards the front foyer. The walls were pale green with white arches decorating the sides. There were dozens of plants, thriving in every corner- Elves always had a way with nature and making it grow but the plants seemed to grow happier when Izuku was around, always producing the most wonderful scents.
"They should arrive soon." Aizawa assured him just as he sense four presences outside the castle. One human, one elf, and two hybrids. Those must be Shoto and Fuyumi he thought- half witch, half human. He knew the story of Enjis wedding, Aizawa hated Enji simply for stealing the magic of another witch their magic was sacred and the king treats it as if its nothing.
Hisashi entered then, having sense the presences himself.
"Stay with Izuku." He said, Aizawa simply nodded as the people outside came closer.
The large wooden door, carved with protective sigils opened and in the entrance stood King Enji, this two children and their elven escort.
Izukus eyes widened as he say the small boy next to his sister. He had hair of two different colors, red and white. They mixed with each other as the hairs were ruffled from the wind. His face was fair and smooth except for a red scar over top his left eye going almost all the way down to his mouth. Izuku wondered what caused that but he said nothing.
He was too in awe at the boy- his eyes were two different colors too, just like his hair. One blue, one gray. Izuku thought they sparkled in the light. His heart started to race as the young Todoroki saw Izuku and met his eyes.
Shoto tugged on his sisters arm and pointed to Izuku, "Is he a fairy?" he asked softly because Izuku looked it. His green hair was wild but somehow it looked perfectly styled almost reminding him of the vines he saw outside. His eyes were a similar shade of green and they were wide he seemed slightly taller than Shoto but it couldnt have been by much.
But this wasnt what caught his attention, it was the golden sheen that glimmered and radiated off of his skin. It was beautiful and the only thing Shoto could think of was faeries- the stories his mother told him about them, they were always full of light.
Izuku looked full of light.
"No," Fuyumi said softly with a smile, "hes elven." She said, walking over to Izuku and Aizawa as he father walked out with King Hisashi.
Izuku stole his hand from Aizawas and ran over to the other boy. He stopped right in front of him. Fuyumi stepped aside and let the boys talk. She did not fear Izuku- she studied elven history and knew they were not cruel not the species anyway.
"Hi!" Izuku said happily, holding out his hand, "Im Izuku!"
A small smile formed on Shotos face he was always a little shy but Izuku seemed to bring him out of his shell instantly.
"Hi," he said with a voice that was just as soft as his smile. He took Izukus hand and was pleasantly surprised at its warmth, he wasnt sure why he thought it would be cold.
Izuku fell back onto his heels his welcoming expression never fading. For some reason he didnt feel the need to be nervous around Shoto; being around him felt good.
His hand remained in Shotos. "Oh! I got these for you!" he said, handing Shoto half of the flowers in his hand before turning to Fuyumi and handing her the rest.
"Oh, why thank you Izuku." She replied as Shoto was staring at the beautiful flowers.
"Why are they glowing?" he asked before stopping himself, he knew he probably should have thanked him before but he forgot. Izuku didnt seem to mind.
"Its magic!" he exclaimed as he started for the back door. Fuyumi was about to intervene when Aizawa stepped forward.
"No need to worry, Ive secured the area outside. They cannot get hurt." He said. Fuyumis eyes widened in recognition. She bowed her head,
"Sir Aizawa, I- Its a pleasure to meet you." She said, he head still bowed. Fuyumi had read countless books on the infamous wizard Aizawa, he was the one of the oldest elven wizards to still exist. He fought in the human/elven war a thousand years ago. His magic was incredible and she could only imagine what it was like now.
Aizawa chuckled, "Please, the formalities are not necessary. Call me Shota." He said.
"I- I can try." Fuyumi stuttered, she would love to study underneath him the magic he could teach her would be amazing. That is, if her fathers meeting went well.
They walked after the boys.
"Why do you glow Izuku?" Shoto asked, his hand still intertwined with the elf.
"Am I?" he asked, Shoto nodded, "oh, Daddy says it happens when Im excited."
"Are you magic?" the boys stopped walking and looked at each other. Izuku could tell Shoto had magic inside of him, it was swirling in his blood and twisted inside of his DNA.
"I think so but I cant do anything." He said, "I just glow." He frowned, he always was a little shy about his lack of abilities, especially when his mother had been so powerful. At least that was what he was told.
"You make the plants happy!" Shoto said, squeezing Izukus hand, "Thats not nothing. Mommy says if plants are happy then the earth is happy."
Izuku thinks that was the moment he started to fall in love with him. His cheek burned red, as he met Shotos gaze.
"Youre magic too," Izuku said, having to tear his eyes form Shotos face and continue walking to the area he set up.
"My mommys a witch." He said with a smiled. He lifted his free hand and summoned a ball of water, he froze it as it dropped into his palm. Izukus eyes widened at the sight and his mouth was agape. His body shined brighter in gold. "I can do fire too but thats fathers magic." He whispered, not wanting to talk of his father too loud.
"Oh, but its not your fathers magic its yours."
"What?"
"Magic doesnt belong to any one person, if anything it belong to the world." Izuku said, stopping in an opening in the trees. It was a circle, surrounded in stones and in each stone was carved more protective sigils.
"What is this?" Shoto asked, he had forgotten about his sister behind him, the same as Izuku had forgotten about Aizawa.
"Its for the full moon." Izuku answered. Elves always thanked it during the full moon cycle, it provided magic to the world. A balance to the waves and a sense of calmness for the elves. He knew full moon rituals were sacred to witches too.
"You did this for me?" Shoto asked, such warmth was emanating from Izukus palm. The entire area seemed to grow brighter.
"All of us!" Izuku exclaimed, "Ive never done it with anyone else before." Shoto didnt miss the slight sadness in his tone. He wondered who else Izuku was friends with.
"You want me to show you?" Shoto asked, sitting on the ground. Izuku followed and nodded his head. Small plants sprouted from the ground next to him. Shoto smiled at it- Izuku was extraordinary, he must know that. Whatever magic he had was strong, he could feel it.
"Yes, now!" Izuku said, his free hand digging into the dirt. He hoped Shoto didnt mind the dirt, though he supposed he must not given he sat down in it.
Shoto giggled to himself, "We have to wait until the moon comes up silly." He said laughing. Izukus cheeks burned in embarrassment. He was acting a fool in front of the prince. Izuku liked this prince, he didnt seem afraid of him.
"Oh right." Izuku mumbled, letting his head hang a little. He noticed then the small sprouted plants reached out to him. He laughed as the fuzzy little leaves brushed up against his hand as he reached for them.
"You made them sprout!" Shoto said, his hand falling on top of Izukus again. When had they let go?
"Did I?" Izuku asked, he had never noticed that before. Sure plants always reacted to him but he never saw them grow like that from his presence.
"Yes!" Shoto met Izukus wide eyes, "Your magic will grow just like those!" he said, smiling and nodding. He just knew it. "Youre a sprout!" he said happily, putting his hand on Izukus face. A tear slid out of his eyes.
"You think so?" he whimpered. He was so insecure about his magic, knowing it was there but not being able to do anything with it not being as powerful as his mother and father were. He always thought he wasnt meant to have any.
But Shoto nodded and said, "Yes!" Izukus skin glowed as he threw his arms around Shoto, holding him because he never thought someone could make him feel so good. So secure in his magic, what was part of him.
Shoto seemed to understand his magic even though Izuku couldnt. It almost seemed as if they were meant to meet each other. Izuku thought that the fates were on his side, allowing him to met Shoto.
He knew, at that moment there would be no one who would ever compare to the Shoto. He was all Izuku wanted.
~
"That was amazing!" Izuku exclaimed. He had watched the full moon ritual of Fuyumi and Shoto. The moon seemed to glow brighter on them as they thanked it, gathering their herbs and candles from their bag, they set up a circle inside of the stone circle but this one was much smaller.
Shoto even let Izuku handle some of the herbs, saying that even though they were dried he had a feeling Izukus magic would bring some life to it kind of like a magical boost. Izuku didnt have to be asked twice.
"Really?" Shoto asked, he knew it looked cool and he felt really good afterwards but he didnt realize it was amazing. It was nearly the same every time except this time was different.
There was something about the elven soil that soaked up so much magic before spreading it across the entire area. It was glowing in gold and silver and blue as if the moon light itself was gathering at the earth.
"Yeah!" Izuku said with a smile on his face. Fuyumi looked beautiful under the moon light as it caressed her white hair but Izuku hadnt been able to focus on anyone other than Shoto.
He, short of the pointed ears, almost looked elven under the light and his beauty was unmatched in Izukus eyes. He wasnt sure there was a moment since Shoto arrived that he hadnt been smiling. Were all friends like this?
"What do you usually do?" Shoto asked, as he stood from his seat on the ground to move closer to Izuku. Fuyumi stepped away, she hadnt seen her little brother so happy in a while, no way was she going to get in between them. Aizawa had a similar idea- Izuku had never glowed brighter.
"Um" Izuku started, red creeping onto his face, "well sometimes I swim in the lake with my pet." He said, it wasnt as magical as the ritual Shoto and Fuyumi did but the moon controlled the tides and was bonded to the water on earth. "Do you want to see?" he asked, grabbing onto Shotos hand.
He knew Aizawa was watching him but maybe if he ran fast enough hed escape their eyes.
Shoto nodded, he loved the water and he liked Izuku holding his hand. But before he could prepare himself Izuku turned to glance at Aizawa and Fuyumi, then to Shoto and smiled, "run." He said quietly and quickly right before sprinting away.
It was all Shoto could do to keep up with him but man was it fun. The wind seemed to carry them as they ran, whether that was because of Izuku or himself he wasnt sure, but it didnt really matter.
After a few minutes Izuku stopped running and stood at the edge of a lake. The surface was glittering with moonlight.
"Whyd we run?" Shoto asked, breathing heavy. He just didnt the same stamina as elves. Even elves children were incredible.
"Aizawa always watches me I just want to be free." He said, staring out at the water. He knelt down and places a hand beneath the surface and almost immediately there was a horse- serpent like creature swam up to them.
Shoto stumbled back away from it, hed never seen anything like it before.
"Its okay!" Izuku said quickly, "Inko wont hurt you!" he took Shotos hand again gently ad guided it to the skin of the Hippocampus.
It was smooth and slick with water and as Shoto touched it the creature thrashed around its tail happily. Shoto smiled at it.
Without warning Izuku stood and dove into the water and it was so clear Shoto never lost sight of him. He surfaced after a few seconds after which he shook out his hair and blinked away the water in his eyes. For the first time, Shoto saw his slightly pointed ears. He thought they were the coolest thing hes ever seen.
Izuku held out his hand, "Come on! Its perfect tonight."
Shoto didnt have to be asked twice. He jumped in next to Izuku and as the water surrounded him as he submerged, it swirled and sparkled recognizing someone with an affinity for it. Izuku laughed.
"It likes you!"
Shoto watched at the water sparkled around him, the moonlight shifted and covered the both of them. The air cooled and the wind tickled their skin. Izuku looked over to Shoto treading water. He knew Aizawa had probably found him by now, he never got much time alone, but he didnt really care. No, right now he was too focused on Shoto.
He swam forward until their bodies were close and he touched Shotos scar, frowning. Shoto lowered his eyes, he knew it was ugly. It was his own fault too, he had burned himself on his fire and in panic his mother tried to cool it with ice it was only a year ago so it was still rugged and red.
Ugly.
But as Izuku touched it, his fingers wet and cool with the magical water the red scarring dulled. His skin smoothed out and although it was still these, Shoto saw in the reflection that it was smaller. Smaller, now just over his eye and less vibrant.
Izuku didnt even notice what was happening, he was too busy staring at Shotos face. "Pretty." He said. Shoto shook his head at the words, he knew Izuku was just being nice, even if the scar was smaller now, somehow, it was still ugly on his face. Izuku frowned, "Like a prince in the stories." He whispered.
Shotos eyes met Izukus. He touched the pointed tip of his ear and smiled. "I like Izuku." He said and Izukus face bloomed in a smile. He had wanted to hear those words from someone all his life.
He had a friend for the first time in his life he had a friend. And he would do everything possible to not let him go.
And so the alliance of Todorovia and Midoriwood began if only so their children could be friends.