(mentions of bullying)

Your child hadn't spoken in months, even though he knew how. Not that you blamed him. The older kids at school bullied him relentlessly. It was so bad, you decided to transfer schools. This time to an elementary age only school, not a K-12 one. You hoped this would help at least a little bit. You had to admit that, as a single parent, you were in over your head sometimes and right now you missed hearing your son's voice.

"Alright Y/S/N, are you ready?" He nodded and you sighed. It wasn't natural for a kindergartener to be so sullen. You got out of the car then helped Y/S/N out. You soon found yourself sitting across from the school vice principal. "Welcome to Shield County Elementary. I'm Miss Hill, vice principal. Principal Fury has informed me of the reason you transferred. As per your request, Y/S/N's teacher is aware of his problem, but not of the reason why."

"Thank you. I really hope a new environment will help Y/S/N." Miss Hill gave you and Y/S/N a small smile. "Alright. I'll take you to Mr. Rogers' classroom." You and Y/S/N stood up to follow her from the office. Y/S/N quietly walked beside you, his eyes scanning the halls as you passed classroom after classroom. You held his hand while listening to Miss Hill explain how things worked in the school.

It only took a few moments to get to the classroom you were looking for. The door was open and you could see a tall, well built, blond man standing at his desk. He was in the middle of speaking when his eyes met yours. He smiled and gestured for the three of you to enter.

"Good morning, Mr. Rogers. This is Y/S/N and his parent. Y/S/N is your newest student."

"Welcome to Shield, Y/S/N. Would you like to take a seat at that table over there?" Y/S/N nodded and walked away without a word. You frowned, something your son's new teacher noticed. "He'll be alright. I promise." You smiled up at him. "Thank you. I need to go, but I'll be back at the end of the day." With that, you left.

*time skip*

Over several weeks, Steve had been observing his new student. It was obvious to Steve that the boy had been bullied before. Steve recognized the signs because he had been bullied himself as a kid. His heart broke for Y/S/N. He'd tried talking to him, but he still refused to speak. Steve had to find other ways to communicate with him. Steve was grateful for his classes on child and educational psychology in school. Because of that, he discovered new ways to accommodate this quiet child.

One day, after school was out, you met your son outside next to your car. You gave him a smile that he returned. You were surprised. It was the first genuine smile you'd seen from him in a while. "Did you have a good day?" You expected an nod or a shake of the head. Instead, Y/S/N opened his mouth and said, "Yeah! Mr. Rogers is the best teacher ever!" You stared at him for a minute while he continued on.

"He doesn't try and make me talk. He lets me draw or point to pictures of what I want to say. He even plays charades with me sometimes!" You felt your heart swell. How had this teacher who had only known your son for a few months managed to accomplish what you'd been struggling to get? Without a word, you grabbed Y/S/N's hand and practically ran to Steve's classroom.

Steve was erasing the board when he caught a glimpse of you in the doorway. Y/S/N wandered over to a desk and sat down while you slowly approached him. You had tears in your eyes. "Is everything alright?" Steve asked worried. You nodded. "It's more than alright. Y/S/N told me what you did. H-He actually told me. He spoke to me for the first time in so long and it's all thanks to you."

Steve blushed. "It was nothing. I was just doing my job." You shook your head. "No. You went above that being so accommodating to him. I don't know many teachers who would do that for a student and I can't thank you enough." Steve just smiled at you. "You don't have to thank me, really. It's my pleasure." You wiped away your tears and stared into Steve's baby blues. They regarded you with something you didn't recognize, but you couldn't look away. That is until Y/S/N spoke again. "I'm hungry!"

You and Steve laughed, the spell between you broken for the moment. "I should get him home. Thanks again for everything, Mr. Rogers." He laughed lightly. "Call me Steve," he said softly so Y/S/N wouldn't hear. You smiled slightly and whispered, "Goodbye...Steve." Y/S/N came over, grabbed your hand, and began pulling you from the classroom. You cast on last look at Steve over your shoulder and saw him grinning goofily.