Chapter Text
“I knew it!” Izuku yells upon seeing his homeroom teacher with a small version of his purple haired classmate.
“Excuse me?” Aizawa quirked an eyebrow at the kid. When Tsukauchi called him he'd been given the vaguest of explanations as to why he’d be soon arriving at his home with an unknown child.
“Sorry, I'm just so glad to see you and Shinsou. And I know we haven’t met yet at this time, but you’re my homeroom teacher and you’re logical, so even if this seems like something unbelievable you’re a pro and you have dealt with a number of quirks so you’ll understand when we explain it to you. And even if you can’t quite believe it, that’s why I went to Mr. Tsukauchi so that his quirk could confirm it, and now we-”
“Woah woah kid, alright,” The scraggly looking pro hero placed a steady hand on Izuku’s shoulder, “I'll hear both of you out on the situation. I would also like to know how you know Shinsou, but first you can both come in and explain what’s happened.”
Izuku blushed and put his head down then followed the detective inside.
Aizawa had already asked Tsukauchi over text if the boy he was bringing to his home was safe to have in his house. He wasn’t worried about himself or his pro hero spouse, hell even their violent street cats turned house cats could take care of themselves. But Shinsou was a child he’d recently taken in, and he didn’t want to put the kid through any more trauma than he’d already been through.
“No offense kid, but you look a little young to be one of my students. But I’m sure there’s some explanation based on your rambling.” Aizawa said as he led his guests further into his apartment. He gestured to the dining room table for the green haired boy to sit, then he made his way to the adjoining kitchen and opened a cabinet to pull out some packets of tea. “Shinsou, could you show-“
“Midoriya.” Tsukauchi supplied.
“Midoriya,” Aizawa nodded, “Shinsou, could you introduce him to the cats?” The purple haired boy nodded. “Midoriya would you mind going to meet the cats with Shinsou while I talk to Detective Tsukauchi first.”
Izuku looked ready to protest before Tsukauchi spoke. “Go on kid, I promise we’ll all talk after I explain the basics to Eraserhead.” Not to mention ask the man for a favor or two in regard to the misplaced time traveling child.
———
After explaining the situation to a stoic Aizawa, who quite frankly accepted the news much too quickly for any normal person, Tsukauchi stepped outside to make a call to the number one hero.
It took a bit longer to convince the man, but that may have been due to the fact that he didn’t want his connection to the boy to be true.
“Yagi, the kid knows your name and your secret, and my quirk confirmed he’s telling the truth about how. Izuku Midoriya is not a threat or a villain.”
“Tsukauchi,” Yagi's voice is broken, “A boy died. No matter the alternate future, it was me who failed him.” He paused and breathed in heavily, “How can I put this responsibility on this young boy- after I’ve already let one die,” his voice shook, “Not to mention he’ll overthink every choice, every mistake. Knowing what should have happened but doesn’t is an awful burden.”
“Maybe all we can do is move forward. If he’s willing to help then we’ll use the knowledge to save and prevent what we can. But this- these alternate happenings, they’re reality now, whether they happened before or not. We continue to be heroes and we help who we can no matter what could have or what does happen. That’s what it is to live and move forward.
“And maybe… maybe you’re right,” Tsukauchi breathed in, “Whether or not you give it to him again is your choice, but I’m asking you to hear him out. Depending on what he knows about the future some changes can help save lives, and as we’ve already seen, certain changes are going to have catastrophic consequences.”
————
Shinsou was quiet. Quieter than usual, which ok Izuku could probably guess that it had to do with the strange kid in his room. But still, his friend had a sort of defiant dry humor whenever meeting anyone.
“So uh- you guys have cats?” Izuku cringed at how awkward he sounded.
Shinsou nodded, sitting on the floor and gesturing for Izuku to do the same. An orange cat with three legs walked up to the two boys, rubbing against Izuku on its way to Shinsou.
Shinsou smiled as he pet the fluff ball.
“What’s their name? And gender- pronouns-“ Izuku winced again, god he was always gonna be awkward wasn’t he.
“Shinsou let out a huff that could’ve been a laugh. He nodded.
“You know,” Izuku hesitated, “It’s ok if you talk, I know about your quirk and I don’t care,” Shinsou’s eyes darted to meet Izuku’s and his morphed into fear and confusion, “Don’t freak out! Ok yelling probably won’t help you feel better. Um I’m sorry I should’ve explained better first, but who knows if you’re even going to believe me after I explain it. Although I guess I can explain it and then even if you don’t believe me Aizawa will confirm it after talking to detective Tsukauchi. And you shou-“
“Ok I'll listen, just chill out!” Shinsou interrupted Izuku’s muttering, looking startled that the words had come out of his own mouth.
Izuku smiled apologetically and said a small, “Thank you.” Then continued, “Ok so we go to UA together- I know we’re both too young right now, don't give me that look- in the future. We’re both heroes in training and friends, we met in our first year of high school, and boy did it take a while for you to warm up to me, but hey I’m persistent and I related a lot more to you than you realized, but besides the point. Just know that your quirk isn’t a villain's quirk, no such thing, it’s all what you choose to do with it. But yeah so during some training I got hit with a quirk, that sent me back in time to middle school.”
Shinsou blinked, “Uhh, ok. That’s a lot to take in.” He looked slightly bewildered, “I’ll see what da- Eraserhead says, but I don’t see why it couldn’t be true with quirks and how they work. This better not be some kind of trick to hurt any of the heroes though,” he said protectively, “and uhm thanks for what you said- about quirks being what you make of them.”
Izuku smiled, relieved, “you can ask me whatever, I’m probably not going to answer much about the future to you right now,” a dark look passed over the boys face, “I have to be careful about changing things, but I don’t mind you asking me questions even if i may not give the best of answers just yet.”
Shinsou looked at the green haired boy curiously, “Well you know mine, and with us supposedly both getting into UA, to be heroes, what’s your quirk?”
Izuku froze.
“That should be an ok question future wise too, bc it’s something you have now too. Telling me shouldn’t change anything, and don’t worry dude I’m not gonna care what it is,” he paused apprehensively at the terror in Izuku’s eyes, “Mines brainwashing, it can’t get much worse than that- in society's eyes I mean.”
Izuku still said nothing and felt his chest tightening, he was saved from further questioning by the arrival of Aizawa.
“You two seem to be getting along,” Shinsou rolled his eyes and Aizawa continued, “hey it’s a good thing, I’m happy you're making friends. Though I guess, it would be a bit easier to make friends when you already know the person. Will know the person? I don’t know, he knows you from the future. I know it may sound improbable but the detective Tsukauchi’s lie detector quirk confirmed that Midoriya was hit with a-.”
“A time travel quirk, I know. He already explained.” Shinsou interrupted, “Thank you for confirming though, it was a bit unbelievable. But you still better be on your guard, old man.” He turned to Midoriya, “No offense.”
Grateful at the topic change Izuku replied, “None taken, I get it and it’s smart to still be on guard with an unknown.”
Aizawa quirked an eyebrow at that, but decided not to question it further at the moment. The kid being his student and a near hero, sent back into his younger self must have come with a number of issues, not counting the butterfly effects the kid was undoubtedly making. And Aizawa knew it was out of the kids control, no one would be able to keep the timeline the same.
“How’s lunch sound?” Aizawa asked, then led the boys to the kitchen.
————
Izuku stayed the night at Aizawa’s, too afraid to go home and risk hurting his mom. And luckily Aizawa was willing to contact his mother and convince her that he’d become friends with Shinsou and was staying the night.
Inko wouldn’t have allowed it, if not for the vouching from pro hero Mic, along with his husband Eraserhead. And even then, she thought it strange that the child of two pro heroes would become friends with Izuku.
She couldn’t help but wonder if her son had told them about his quirkless status, or if the boy had even lied about it.
Inko knew the dangers ignorant people could pose to her quirkless son, but more than that she knew the danger her son would be in if he weren’t treated with the care and precaution of a quirkless person needed. And so she told them about it. She made sure that their reactions weren’t ones of discomfort and especially not ones of disgust and anger.
They were even more accepting than she was, and she didn’t know if she liked that either. She wanted her boy to be accepted and treated normally, but she also knew that he wasn’t normal, and she didn’t want him to get hurt while put in a situation that required quirks. She made sure to convey how fragile her son was, and asked that they keep him out of trouble while he was there.
The next day a few hours after Izuku had woken up, he was told that All Might and Tsukauchi were on their way to speak with him.
He’d spent the night before talking quirks with a reluctant Shinsou, and playing with the two cats that lived in the apartment. The three legged ginger cat was named natsu, and the grungy gray cat was named trash. He couldn’t help but laugh when Mic scowled saying that Aizawa had insisted on naming trash after where he’d found her.
It felt strangely domestic spending time with the Yamazawa family. Mic cooked a big breakfast and sang as he cooked, and Izuku could almost forget all of the issues he needed to fix.
———
“Midoriya I can stay with you if you want.” Aizawa offered when he noticed the boy's nerves. The number one hero had just arrived.
They were informed that he’d gotten the rundown, which left Aizawa slightly confused as to why Midoriya insisted on speaking to the man alone.
“It’s ok, thank you though, there’s some private stuff- future events that I need to talk to him about and make sure it repeats. Nothing bad, don't worry.” Izuku’s expression leaning on desperation did not dissuade his future home room teachers worries.
Aizawa sighed and gave the kid his space to speak to All Might. He headed to another room to feed the cats and work on some grading.
Izuku was left with his future mentor.
“S-so um, All Might.” Izuku began, “Tsukauchi gave you the run down of how I got here, and it’s been established as true because of his quirk. The next thing I’m about to tell you is also confirmed by his quirk. I am- will be the new owner of One For All. I was supposed to already had gotten it- b-but I made a mistake when I first got sent back and I missed it.” Izuku paused, voice and body shaking, “I’m so sorry All Might. I f-failed and someone died because of it. You have to give me the quirk again and we can work to make things the way they’re supposed to be. Maybe we can even save some more people now tha-“
All Might held up a hand, face hard, “My boy, you have not failed. I did, as the number one hero the responsibility rests on my shoulders alone.” He had a haunted look on his face, “Anything that happens from here forward will happen, it isn’t for you to control young Midoriya.”
“What do you mean? Of course I have some control over it. It’s my fault things are changing.” Izuku said back.
“We must move forward now, it is up to me to bear this weight, not you. Not any child. I know that to you this is the past and it’s changing, but this is our reality, and it will have to become yours now too.” All Might said with a finality.
Izuku reared back, balking at his mentor, “I know things that are going to happen, villains that we can stop. How can you be ok with just leaving that?! More people who were supposed to live will die if we don’t follow more of the original timeline.”
His hero grimaced, then looked down at Izuku sadly, “What you choose to do and how you choose to help with the knowledge you have is your choice, but we will all be grateful for it. However, I won't be giving you the quirk this time.”
“W-what?” Izuku breathed out.
“That is my choice, and I’m sorry for the choices the me you knew made. I’ve learned that I was wrong trying to pawn this off onto another person, let alone a child.”
“W-wait what? But- but All Might you gave it to me, you trained me. I’m supposed to be a hero. Right now-“ Izuku glanced at Tsukauchi then back to All Might, “I’m quirkless.”
“I’m sorry for that,” The man looked regretful and sad, “perhaps you can still train to become a hero, no matter the type. Even if it’s not with a powerful quirk there are still things you can do.”
“What?! I can’t be a quirkless hero! I’m not one! I have a quirk, I have One For All.” Izuku said breathlessly.
“You don’t, and you won’t,” All Might said softly.
“But All Might, you gave it to me already!” Izuku reasoned, “One For All responded to me more than anyone. I’ve already unlocked more of the quirk than any past user had, I’m supposed to have it!”
He looks conflicted but more so afraid, “And what dangers made it so you had to do so?”
“It doesn’t matter! It’s my responsibility now! I saved so many people with it, if you don’t give it to me things will change and more people will die!” Izuku’s voice raised to a desperate shout.
“It’s not your responsibility, it’s a death sentence!” The hero yelled back, a sweat coating his face, “And not one I will not be giving to you, nor any other child for that matter.”
“W-what?! All Might you have to! You need to have a successor and you’ve already chosen me!” Izuku began to feel a panic and anger gripping his lungs, “You gave me the quirk already, it’s mine.”
“That does not hold weight here.” The number one hero's voice boomed and held strong, “I am truly sorry young Midoriya, but I will not give you this quirk.”
“You can’t do this,” Izuku’s eyes were wet and his breaths shallow, “y-you don’t u-understand.”
He clenched his fists, everything felt too out of control. He felt powerless. Fuck he wasn’t some little kid anymore. He was a hero. Izuku would have to find another way to convince his mentor.
All Might turned his attention to Aizawa who’d re-entered the room. He nodded his head in apology, and then promptly exited, followed by the detective.