Warning! This oneshot revolves around domestic abuse but there's no detailed descriptions of the actual abuse.

Quirk: Cat

Requested by: ghostii_xx

 Nervously I walked into work, hoping no-one would pay attention to the fact I was still wearing tights despite it being the height of summer. I had no choice but to wear them however, as my legs were littered with bruises and cuts dealt to me by my 'boyfriend', Ren Sakakibara.

When we had first gotten together two years ago I was head over heels in love with him and he was with me, the pair of us going out on dates and walking around hand in hand, smiling happily. Soon into our relationship he asked me to move in with him, a proposal I happily jumped at but after I'd moved all of my belongings in and had sold my flat, his persona began to change. He began to smoke more, drink more, gamble more and when he did all three he became unbearable to be around.

He'd push me around if he got too drunk, he'd punch me whenever his bet fell through and he'd burn his cigarettes on my skin. He had gotten so bad and abusive that I almost couldn't believe he was the adorable Ren I fell in love with two years ago, because he definitely wasn't that person now. I had tried to escape numerous times but nothing ever worked, he'd catch me and hurt me even more, claiming he wouldn't be held responsible for his actions if I tried to run away again. I was trapped in a prison - the only time I had away from him was when I was at work.

I adored my job. I had been the personal assistant of pro hero Shoto Todoroki for the past year now, unable to believe how lucky I was to get this job. According to my colleagues Shoto picked my application out of over a thousand others, so I was determined to keep the pro hero happy and to do a good job. He praised me often, and even bought me food and flowers to put on my desk. He was so kind to me that over the past few months, as Ren's abuse intensified I couldn't help but fall for Shoto.

My situation was a terribly inconvenient one to be in. Falling in love with your boss whilst being in an abusive relationship was not ideal, but I was determined not to let it interfere with my work. Unfortunately a few times the two have crossed paths, for example one night a few weeks ago Shoto drove me back to the flat as I had to work late and Ren beat me that night, claiming I was cheating on him with Shoto.

There had also been a few times when I'd come into work with bandages on my arms, or bruises I had forgotten to ice, Shoto always asking how I managed to get injured. Each time he asked I had to lie - I hated lying to him but I knew that if he found out, Ren would get incredibly angry and would probably hospitalise me if not worse.

Thankfully as I walked over to my desk I looked around and saw there was no one in the office yet. I let out a sigh of relief and immediately turned the fan on that sat at my desk, but jumped out of my skin when I heard a door open. I looked up to see it was the door to Shoto's office that had opened, and he was stood there with a coffee in his hands. "(y/n), you're in early," he pointed out the obvious and it was true, I left the flat before Ren had even woken up so that I didn't have to deal with him this morning.

"Er, yeah, just some things I need to do," I chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of my head but he looked at me suspiciously. I had a feeling he was suspicious about my life as I always avoided answering any questions to do with Ren or my injuries.

"Oh really? I hadn't realised," Shoto said nonchalantly, approaching me. "Why are you wearing tights? You know it's thirty degrees out there don't you."

"Y-yes, well - er-,"

"What's that?" He suddenly asked, pointing to my tricep. I turned to look and realised there was a deep purple bruise there making me panic slightly. "How did that happen?"

"I - er - don't remember," I lied and he furrowed his eyebrows at me. Thankfully we were interrupted by the sound of the lift doors opening, and in walked a few of Shoto's interns dressed in their hero suits. Shoto looked back down at me with an expression I couldn't place before heading over to the interns whilst I let out a sigh of relief, pulling together everything needed for Shoto's briefing.

As the day went on I had a few people asking about why I was wearing tights on such a hot day but on the whole I managed to avoid the conversation. As always I delved myself into my work and colleagues, it being my safe haven away from Ren. At work was the only place I truly felt safe and appreciated so everyday I tried to stay as long as possible, including today.

It had reached the evening and I was still tapping away on my keyboard, waving goodbye to my friends as they left. There was only a handful of people left working, most of them being interns wanting to show their dedication to Shoto. "(y/n), what're you doing here so late?" Shoto's voice made me jump.

"O-oh, just wanted to get a few things done before I headed to the flat," I said, trying to be convincing.

"Won't Sakakibara be wondering where you are?" Shoto asked and I flinched at the mention of my boyfriend, an action that hadn't been missed by Shoto.

"O-oh, he- he won't mind... o-or care..." I muttered avoiding eye contact with him. I heard him sigh deeply and felt my heart beat erratically when he suddenly took my hand, dragging me to his office. I didn't say a word as he shut the door behind us, simply watching him walk over to his desk and lean against it with his arms crossed.

"(y/n), I'm going to tell you something that will not leave this office, do you understand?" Shoto said in a stern voice sending chills down my spine. I was a little bit scared but nodded nonetheless. "When I was younger, my father physically abused my mother," he said and my mouth dropped open. "I had to watch my mother go through hell as he hit her, and all she was doing was trying to protect me from my father. She'd often have bruises on her arms and legs... and she hated wearing anything that showed off her limbs because she was scared people would see the bruises," he said and I gulped, realising what he was getting at. "I know what a woman suffering with domestic abuse looks like. I know the pain they go through. I've seen the signs (y/n), I recognise them. He abuses you doesn't he? He hits you?"

My lip quivered and I tried to stay strong, not wanting anyone to know but I couldn't hold it back anymore. I just nodded and broke down there and then, cupping my face with my hands. I felt the tears leak from my eyes, a whole range of emotions flooding from my body. I somehow felt both frightened and relieved that now someone knew, wondering what was going to happen next. "Why have you kept this a secret?" He asked, worry evident in his tone.

"B-because he- he-,"

"He told you he'd hurt you if you went public," he finished the sentence for me and I nodded. What happened next however shocked me to my very core. Shoto approached me and wrapped his arms around me soothingly, pulling me in for a tight hug. I hadn't felt this level of pure affection in so long, and I couldn't help but hug him back. I didn't want to let go, the warmth and kindness of him making me feel safe in his arms. He squeezed me tightly, rubbing my back and I managed to calm down in his arms. "He needs to be stopped (y/n). I can't bear to see you like this," he whispered, pulling away and looking me directly in my eyes.

"R-really?" I stuttered and he nodded.

"I love you, (y/n)," he said and I felt as though my heart had stopped. I had no idea how to react to this sudden news and I simply stared at him, wide-eyed. "Sorry, this - er - may not have been the best time to tell you... but what I'm trying to say is that I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe, even if you... don't feel the same about me..."

"I do," I said quickly, gripping his top tightly. "I do feel the same... I have feelings for you too." He smiled his handsome smile, the sight being one I'd never get tired of seeing. He cupped my cheek and leant in, my heart rate speeding up immensely but before our lips connected he pulled away. "Is something wrong?" I asked carefully.

"We need to deal with your boyfriend first, then we can be together... i-if you want to be together that is," he said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.

"Of course I want to be with you," I whispered. "What do we... what do we do about Ren?"

"Is his... actions on a regular basis?" Shoto asked and I nodded.

"It's usually if I forgot to buy him food on the way back from work, or if I don't get to the flat until late," I said and Shoto nodded.

"Okay, then we'll stay here until late and I'll walk you back. When we're there he'll probably try to start something, but I'll stop him. You then call the police and he'll be taken away for good. He'll be out of your life before he can do any harm, I promise you," he said, taking ahold of my hands. I gulped but nodded, Shoto then making a few phone calls to various heroes and friends in the police force.

Whilst he was busy my phone began to buzz, and I looked to see multiple angry texts from Ren demanding where I was. "Shoto I think we should go, otherwise he'll come here," I said, showing him my phone and the amount of missed calls. He nodded but there nerves I usually felt on my walk to the flat had completely vanished as I knew what was to come. Shoto walking beside me made me feel safe, and usually I'd feel a little sick as I approached the flat but this time all I felt was relief, knowing that I'd be free from him soon.

Shoto waited just outside the flat, telling me he'd keep an eye on things through the window. I nodded and unlocked the door, heading inside. As soon as I shut the door behind me, Ren didn't take anytime approaching me and slapping me on my cheek. "How dare you! How dare you ignore my calls you bitch, and where's my food?! You're so useless, a pathetic woman!" He raised his hand and formed a fist, making me brace for impact of a punch however instead we heard the door being knocked off of its hinges.

The whole hallway suddenly felt cold, and I looked up to see Ren completely frozen with his fist raised in the air. I noticed that ice had spread around the floor and the walls but had skilfully avoided me. I turned to see Shoto standing there with an angry expression, but to my surprise behind him there was Deku and numerous police officers.

So that they could apprehend him, Shoto had to thaw the ice with his left side and they soon took him away. Shoto immediately tended to me, making sure I was okay and apologising for thinking it was a good idea to let me in this flat by myself. "I'm okay Shoto, really," I assured him, taking his hand.

The police had to question me about the situation, and I showed them his texts plus the injuries on my body as evidence against him. I watched, ignoring the nosey neighbours that were peeking through their windows as the police officer drove my furious ex-boyfriend away. I looked back up at the block of flats, wondering what to do, after all I had no family in the area and I didn't want to stay in that place any longer than I needed to. "Hey, you okay?" Shoto asked, approaching me.

"Yeah I just... I just can't believe I'm finally free. Thank you Shoto, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," I whispered, tangling my fingers together.

"It's okay, I'm always here for you. Trust me, I know how difficult it is for victims having witnessed my mother go through the same thing," he said and I nodded. "Look, about what happened earlier in my office... I understand if it's too soon for you to be thinking about a new relationship but I want you to know that I do like you and whenever you're ready I'll be here for you and-," he was rambling so I leant up and gently pressed my lips against his cheek, him suddenly freezing on the spot making me chuckle.

"Thank you, I'd... I'd like that," I smiled and a blush creeped onto his face.

"Listen, I can't imagine you want to stay here much longer so I was wondering if you'd like to stay at mine?" He asked carefully. Some people would say it would be too quick to move in with a partner but I knew that he was simply looking out for me, and not asking me for selfish reasons. "I have a spare bedroom," he added quickly, enforcing my suspicions.

"If you're okay with me," I said and he nodded, pulling me in for a hug.

"Of course I am," he kissed the top of my head and I smiled brightly.

"Thanks for saving me," I whispered.

"It's what heroes do."