Chapter Text
After that encounter, Aizawa didn't see the vigilante for a couple of weeks due to being forced to take time off for a broken bone from a raid. He’s still salty about it, it was just a small break in his hand from some idiot parametric trying to help pop his dislocated thumb back in. They didn't believe him when he said he got it, and they ended up doing more damage.
Still, the memory stuck to him like honey, he couldn't say it wasn't helpful though. He had been training with the telekinesis quirk that he had, and not to be arrogant but it was pretty strong now, he was able to pick up most things, he could hover objects between 500-700 pounds, and possibly his favorite function- he can throw knives with it making his throwing have almost 100% accuracy.
But the weirdest thing about it is that no one else has seen the vigilante either. He’s pretty sure Tsukauchi thinks the vigilante isn't real and Aizawa had a head injury. And Aizawa didn't even get one that WHOLE week. Aizawa thinks it's because it scares Tsukauchi more than he’d admit, that someone can so easily sneak up on Aizawa, making him realize how fast he could lose one of his closest friends. Which Aizawa thinks is illogical, of course, there is someone better than him, that's just life. But he would be lying if he said it didn't spook him too.
Even if he hasn't seen the vigilante he knows he's still out, if Tsukauchi’s complaints about the paperwork from various “presents” of tied-up criminals were anything to go by. So Aizawa knew that he would run into the vigilante again. Especially since after the 33rd criminal with a sticky note on their head detailing their crimes with no signature, Tsukauchi assigned him to the case of finding out who was leaving them, and Aizawa just knew it was the new vigilante.
Aizawa landed on a roof planning to take a small break before continuing his patrol. He jumped when he heard a lullaby play behind him. He turned quickly only to see the vigilante, he was surprised to see them so soon, this was his first patrol back. “Sorry.” the vigilant, somehow sounding sheepish with the voice changer or whatever the hell was going on with their voice.
“I didn't want to scare you by accidentally sneaking up on you.”
Aizawa raised a brow “And you thought playing a soft children's lullaby at 3 a.m. was less creepy?”
“Damn ok, you may have a point.”
“No shit. So obviously you wanted to talk.” Aizawa prompted
“Right. You should let me ask questions about your quirk” The vigilante said but then they spotted Aizawa holding his unopened jelly pouch, and for a second he thought they would be polite and leave, but that was crushed when they uncaringly plopped down 5 feet away from Aizawa swinging their legs, waiting for an answer. Aizawa just huffed and popped the lid to his packet, mourning the quiet he was about to sacrifice.
“Fine. shoot. You get 1 question. but I reserve the right to refuse any question, and keep questions about weak points out of it.” He also didn't know where this came from, because he shouldn't share any information on his quirk that wasn't strictly necessary, especially to someone who obviously knows more about him than they should; but for some reason saying no felt like walking past a stray cat without giving them pets, or food.
“Well duh. Of course, I'm not going to ask for blatantly harmful information. I mean I already have enough info. I could take you down already.” The vigilante sassed. And for some reason, the last part didn't alarm him as much as it should. “Ok so, why does your hair float? Is it like a subconscious secondary quirk of telekinesis?”
Aizawa folded the now empty pouch and put it in his pocket. “Yeah, it is. I didn't know that until you proposed it last time though, so thanks I guess.” Aizawa said stretching. He looked at the vigilante (Okay they need a name.) and even though none of their face was visible, which somehow didn't unnerve him anymore, they managed to look at him like he hung the stars. Which was a big switch up from before.
“Wow, really?” The vigilante said, sounding awestruck “I helped?”
“Sure did. What's your name or a name I can call you?” The person seemed to pause.
“I didn't think that far ahead. So uh… Juniper is fine.”
“Great.'' For some reason, Juniper didn't beat his earlier comparison of a stray kitten, curious but distant and on guard. Honestly, he wouldn't be surprised if Juniper ever hissed at him for getting too close. Aizawa huffed fondly. Really what were they made of scaring the shot out of him, and then making him feel fond after one conversation?
Izuku had no idea where this confidence came from. But he loved it, when the mask was on he was no longer ‘Deku’ he was back to Izuku, or he guessed it was Juniper now? Either way, he didn't care when he was out as Juniper the world didn't seem so suffocating. And being able to talk to his favorite hero was almost as good.
It went on like that for a year Izuku finding Eraserhead every patrol and asking one question and then leaving, but the meetings slowly got longer, and one question became two, and 2 became 3, and well, eventually they just had conversations, in the end, they ended up patrolling together.
Izuku jumped onto the roof, no longer having to make his steps louder as Aizawa had finally learned to pick up on him.
Izuku crouched down by Easerhead who was lying face first into the ground “Hey you old grump, what's good?” Eraser groaned, being muffled by the gravel on the roof. “Ah yes, completely understandable.”
Eraserhead lifted his head groaning a quick “Fucking entrance exams.” before dropping his head down again
“Oh yeahhhh, that sucks, I forgot those were coming up.” and he genuinely did. Wait shit, didn't he apply to UA? He doesn't even know when the exam is. He is officially freaking the fuck out.
Eraser rolled over sitting up.
“Wait, you forgot. Didn't you say you're supposed to start high school this year?” (Which had shocked Aizawa so bad he missed the next roof when Juniper casually mentioned it during patrol)
“Yeah, but I've been busy annoying your ass every day.” Izuku was dying inside. “When are the UA exams even?”
“Tomorrow.”
Shit. Izuku hasn't studied, and he hasn't even shown up to school since the slime villain, but he can't leave patrol now because then Eraser would know he was planning on UA, and then he would find out he’s quirkless and then he would look at him with disgust and stop talking to him and-
“You should go.” Eraser cut through his thoughts.
“Why?”
“Because you’d pass and then I could see you more and not half to worry you got yourself injured.” It was spoken with such sincerity and certainty that Izuku wanted to break down honestly; he just wanted a damn hug. Yeah even if it pained him, he could not lose this.
“I mean I rather like being a vigilante,” Izuku said, masking his thoughts cheer. Izuku’s stomach growled, a growingly common occurrence. Food was getting harder to get with his recent rent increase. Eraser raised his brow before seeming to remember something, reaching into a bag that Izuku had been wondering what was inside. He pulled out a bento, a cute little thing, while like cute in the almost ugly way, butthe borderline ugly makes him think it’s even cuter. The light on the exit of the roof was bright enough for him to take in all the details. It was a flat bento, a light glittery green background with simple black cats, cockatoos, and light blue clouds printed on as a pattern. He looked at Eraser raising his brow when he offered it to him. Eraser took the cue.
“Zashi made it.”
“K and why are you trying to give it to me?”
“Cuz’ Zashi has been itching to make food for you and you keep refusing to come for dinner.” Turning down the invitations to dinner was harder than any villain or criminal he's ever fought. No one has cooked for him since he was 4 and the offer of food, care, and a warm bed that does have a ceiling leak on it every time it rains, was so tempting. But he couldn't because then they'd find out and leave him.
Izuku cleared his throat, swallowing his tears “Okay.” And he took the box, the bottom still warm.
Eraser snorted “A few months ago you would have hissed at me for getting that close.” Eraser mused.
“Oh my god.” Izuku groaned “Let it go I already told you it throws people off enough to back away. And it worked didn't it?”
“Yeah, yeah. K well I'm not actually on patrol tonight, Zashi just would've had my head if I didn’t bring it to you. Goodnight Kit.” Izuku huffed at the name pretending to be annoyed as Eraser jumped off. He had given Izuku the nickname to tease him about the hissing, and it just ended up sticking. But in all honesty, it made Izuku so incredibly happy. Not only was it the first loving nickname he’s ever gotten, but the man loved cats, and gave him a cat nickname; That has to mean something right?
He opened the box and burst out crying at the food. Everything was shaped into animals, and it may be childish to everyone else, but it showed Izuku just how much care Zashi put into it. He cleared his eyes as he felt something weird on the bottom he lifted it peering underneath and plucked the taped note off he unfolded it and wanted to sob all over again.
Little listener!
Hi, I'm Hizashi, we haven't talked before, but I already love you! I got a little carried away, so sorry if it’s too childish. I hope we can meet soon! Stay safe!
Love, Hizashi
-P.S. Oboro and I totally think our husband is hogging you, so if you ever need or want anything please let us know! (Or need blackmail on Sho)
Oboro: xx-xx-xxx-x
Hizashi:xx-xx-xxx-x
Izuku has never had better food in his whole life.
“Hey Shota dearest, have you found out Juny’s Identity yet?” Nemuri begged in the observation room. A few of the other teachers dramatically leaned in for an answer.
“No. And even if I did, you won't find out until after he is officially my child.” God, once it came out that Juniper was a minor he had to beat the hero's back with a stick. Juniper was well-loved in the Twilight and Underground Hero Community. So much love that he has many nicknames. And apparently, a lot of people are desperate to adopt him. Which, what the hell. Most of them have only interacted with him maybe 5 times and they're all clambering to adopt him, or claiming to be uncles or aunts. He thinks it’s mostly jokes. And sure he’s not much better, but have they ever heard of “First come, first serve”?
“Yeah Nem he’s ours!” Hizashi said as he and Oboro walked over, holding two cups of coffee.
“Yeah! Back off, you son-stealing prick.” Oboro said with a smile as Hizashi handed him a cup of joy.
“Proctors please go to your rooms, the written exam is starting soon,” Nedzu said cheerily.
Izuku was freaking the fuck out. When he got to his dingy apartment he planned to study, but after all that crying and having barely any sleep the past few- forever actually, he only had the sense to set an alarm before crashing.
Now he was sitting in a large auditorium listening to Present Mic read the rules for the test. He flipped the test over not opening his eyes, praying that Nedzu’s reputation for designing ‘Hell Tests’ was majorly exaggerated. He opened his eyes and began. Every page he turned, expecting the next one to be harder.
He finished 30 minutes in, which was worse than running out of time. He checked his answers 6 times before deciding that since other people were still working and he couldn't have finished before everyone, he was just some dumb Deku. So there must be some hidden message or challenge, it is Nedzu of course.
He started simply by inspecting every page closely, he was on the last page already accepting that it was a fruitless task, until he saw the bottom left corner was ever so slightly rounded he picked his test up looking closer, it looked like it was a pock of some sort. He slid his fingernail under and dragged it across the bottom and revealed it was indeed a folder he pulled out the paper within and realized just how thin each layer of paper was so as not to make it feel any different without searching for it. God, how stupid could he be if he almost missed this?
He looked at the paper that fell out. It was an extra credit option, ‘Analyze your proctor with only observations made during this testing period, if you find things to support previous knowledge that is allowed, but do not use previous knowledge to justify observations.’ He almost smiled, he loved analyzing people, but he couldn't get cocky.
When he was done he had written in his smallest handwriting on both the back and front, he peeled the small square sticker on the back of the page and stuck it to the test. But people were still going so there had to be more secrets. Honestly, he hated to admit it but this was kind of fun.
After 2 hours he had found 4 more hidden messages and about 3 clues that led him to them. One was the classic trolly Question with the hint being a small printed “Trolly” on the staple next to a printed ‘Moral Question’ with a line under it. He was embarrassed to say how long it took because that was the only time a question had a header like that. The second one was just a string of numbers, well he hoped, because the hint was an answer he got for a math question so he prayed he got that right or he would die of embarrassment. The next one he hoped that it wasn't a typo but on the back above some dots and lines read “MACHINE GRADED? DO NOT WRITE ON PATTERN” the question mark. And wasn't UA known for hand-grading every test? That is why acceptance letters took so long. And he’s definitely heard Eraser complain about grading them, so he just wrote no. Again if it is a typo he will be mortified and maybe try to drown himself in a water fountain.
The last one, he hoped so bad it was true. It was a message he had to decode. Honestly, there was no hint that led him to it, he found it well messing around, so it was probably wrong. But after decoding he was left with two sentences: 1.’Robots are dependent’ and 2.’Defeat will dawn when the life has left, red will spill from the mortal wound on thou neck,’ Kinda over that top literary-wise if you ask Izuku but whatever.
After he noticed one person walk to the front and hand in their test, he quickly sealed his test with the sticker and handed it in before going outside and being directed to another auditorium.