Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Izuku is told to sit in one of the interrogation rooms as soon as they enter the station. He's meant to wait for the detective to do the quick paperwork involving the man that attempted a mugging, to which Izuku prevented from happening. Apparently since Izuku is so young, that made it harder on the detective as he can get backlash for not stepping in sooner. It's not everyday a little kid takes out a criminal instead of the police officer who was on the scene.

Izuku plops down in one of the extremely uncomfortable chairs that they provide in all the rooms, legs swinging back and forth way above the ground —he was getting fed up with how slow he was growing, especially height wise —.

Ah, all this running around got me hungry. I wonder when i'll be able to leave, er well if i'm allowed to that is.

Detective Tsukauchi entered the rooms a few minutes later with a couple of papers that look suspiciously like Izuku's almost non-existent file. His file shouldn't have much, just some hospital visits — a sprained wrist, some burns, dates of shots and a few instances where he worked himself to exhaustion —, information about his schooling - like recordings of his so called 'outbursts', or cases of him not following the strict rules his teachers put in place for him and Katsuki, in order to prevent the both of them from causing trouble in the school — and any extra important information that he forgot about.

Tsukauchi sets the papers on the table in and takes out a recorder, settling down in the chair that is sat across from Izuku. "So kid, that was an odd situation huh," Tsukauchi paused, pulling the same brown notebook he used to take Yokota's statement and a pen. "Can we talk about what happened?"

"It really wasn't that odd."

"Ah, well perhaps dangerous is more fitting?" Tsukauchi commented, writing down a few notes in the notebook —perhaps about how laid back Izuku was about the circumstance —.

Izuku shrugged, tapping his fingers against the rough fabric of his chair "Hmmm, no I don't think so sir. I wasn't in any immediate danger."

"Tell me what happened before I arrived."

Izuku huffed and folds his arms across his chest with a small pout on his face. "Sir in my defense, I was on a walk prior to getting involved. I heard a scream from a few streets down but it was muffed almost as soon as it started; that's what worried me. I made my way over to the general area and then I saw what looked like a mugging or an attempted assault." He jerked his head in the direction of the other interrogation room beside his that currently held the man. "Yokota-kun — the pink haired boy, whose actually very timid, so of course he wasn't going to be able to fight against that man who had biceps the side of my torso — was getting threatened! With a knife to his neck, for money he didn't even have in the first place sir! The mugger said something about Yokota-kun being the son of a CEO, that's why he was targeted as he was expected to have a lot of cash on him.''

Tsukauchi nods. "And was there a reason you didn't call the police?"

Izuku snorted and rolls his eyes. "Yeah, and would they have made it in time for Yokota to leave that unhurt? What if the man slit his throat just because Yokota didn't have the money that the mugger thought he did?"

"So you stepped in."

"Yes sir."

Tsukauchi hums, and clicks the top on his pen impulsively. "What if he decided to attack you instead, and you couldn't knock him unconscious in time?"

"That was an unlikely possibility," He objects. "I was the one who disarmed him seconds into our fight, and knocked him down the first time."

"How'd you do that kid?"

"I jabbed the end of my pipe into the guys side," Izuku said, slouching even further into the chair.

"Your pipe?" Tsukauchi questioned, eyes drifting down to the rusty, banged up pipe that rested against the chair; right beside the extremely indented frying pan.

Izuku nodded. "Yeah, I hit a pressure point too. I wasn't really aiming now that I think about it. That's what made him collapse the first time, and when I was also able to get some information out of Yokota-kun. He got up shortly after he fell though and tried to punch me a bunch. I hit his shins, tossed my hoodie in the guys face, kicked the back of his knees, hit him a few more times with my pipe and then made him go crashing face first into the wall," He explained, his eyes lighting up as he remembers something of significance.

"Oh he might have a concussion, his head made a loud crack sound when he hit the wall and then went unconscious," He adds on, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"...He will be tended to, thank you for making me aware. I see you have a frying pan, did you use that at all? Is that why it's in the shape it is?" The detective pondered, quirking an eyebrow incredulously.

"Huh? No, I only used my pipe."

Tsukauchi nods, a suspicious look crossing his face."Have you done this before?" He inquired, not really sure if he wants to hear the answer or not.

"No."

"...That was a lie, Midoriya." Tsukauchi deadpanned, and gets the feeling that this night is just going to get longer as the interrogation drags on.

Instead of being confused by how Tsukauchi came to that conclusion though, Izuku gasped and stared up at him with his eyes wide open in shock. "Oh, you have a lie detection quirk? That's incredible! I've heard of a few quicks that work in similar ways as yours, however the closest one I can think of would have to be the quick of a famous scientist in Brazil. His quick activates when anyone responds to a question he asks, it doesn't just have to be a verbal reaction either! Anyone who does respond to him, causes it to activate and they are forced to only speak the truth around him for a full minute."

"Midoriya, what does this have to do with-?"

"How does your quick work? If someone says multiple things in their answer that alternate between lies and truths, do you get alerted of that? Is it like a ping? Does a sound go off in your brain when your quirk registers it? Or just a weird feeling? Could it be that you see the aura of someone, and that it changes depending on how true their answer is? Does it depend on the person's body movements, or does it just tap into the person's brain waves allowing you to make the decision if their statement was false or not? Hm, I wonder if it acts as a notification that you'd get on your phone, and pops up in your vision as a message would..."

"Midoriya."

"...You can use your quirk for all sorts of interrogations... You could figure out the truth, and prevent someone from being marked as guilty when they're really the innocent one. Your quick might not tell you if the answer is completely right or wrong...perhaps it just leads you in one of the directions when it doesn't comprehend half-truths. That would be bad, if that's the case then you should ask more direct and specific questions. Asking yes or no questions whenever you can would also beneficial...Doing a background check, and thinking up multiple plausible stories that could help you figure out why the criminal was arrested in the first place... or why they committed the crime...people change up their stories a lot, and victims don't always feel open about sharing theirs... that might aid you in figuring out the truth. Oh if a person feels so strongly about something and believes it to be true, does your quirk register it as-"

Tsukauchi snapped his fingers in the greenette's face, and raises his voice slightly. "Midoriya!" He exclaimed, watching amusingly as the boy snaps out of the scarily, detailed — and fairly accurate — mumble spree.

Izuku's head jerked up and he lets out a chuckle when he realizes he got distracted in his thoughts. "Huh? Oh sorry was I mumbling again? I do that a lot."

Tsukauchi nods and points the tip of his pen towards the boy. "Yes. Now please don't get off track. I need you to answer my questions and tell the truth for me," He declared, a stricter tone residing in the statement.

Izuku giggled and waves a hand as if it would brush away the detective's annoyance. "Okay wait I have one last question. Was it your quirk that led you to become a detective?" He asked, tilting his head to the side in a way that was hardly noticeable to the detective

"If I answer that will you cooperate?" Izuku nodded. "Okay fine, it was one of the factors that made me pursue this kind of career, yes."

"Oh wow, did you feel pressured to– " Izuku started, but is quickly cut off before he can start up again —a smart decision on his part really —.

"Midoriya-kun, have you done what you did today before?"

Izuku raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Uhhh, like talk to strangers? Walk the streets by myself–?"

Tsukauchi stared unimpressed and clears his throat. "Have you stopped a crime before?"

"Uhhh nope," Izuku snickered at the tiny glare that was fixed on him — he bets the detective didn't even realise —.

"Midoriya."

"Right, right your quirk, sorry." He scrunched up his face thoughtfully, clearly trying to sift through the relevant memories in his mind. "I mean I physically took out this one villain a few years ago, his name is Asuka Rai, he's 32, er well probably 34 years old now and has a minor electricity quirk — although one of his parents probably had a small fire quirk, because he really burnt through my shirt after he used his quirk on me; it was one of my favourites too! - I knocked him out with a rusty water pipe that I found, because he was about to hit this really kind woman that he lured into an alleyway; I couldn't let him do that!"  He exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. "Now that I think about it, I did keep the pipe in the end. It was a very efficient weapon...only lasted a couple of weeks though..." He adds on in a mumble.

"You...knocked out a villain?" Tsukauchi inquired in a dazed tone, evidently choosing to ignore the last statement.

"Was I not supposed to?" Izuku responded after a pause, head tilting innocently. "I didn't use a quirk, and it was for the benefit of that woman; who was very gullible mind you," He added letting out a resigned sigh.

Tsukauchi stared blankly at him, his pen tapping against the pages of his notebook. "Kid. You, a short kid who was 4 years old at the time, went up against a villain — a 32 year old man — and won?"

Izuku giggled and nodded his head sheepishly. "Yes sir, I taunted him a bit and I think it made him irritated because he wasn't really thinking straight. I guess being insulted by a child makes people angry?" He blinked, a frown creasing his forehead as if something was confusing him.

"Oh my god what the fuck–"

Tsukauchi inwardly groans.

"Have you gone against a villain since then?" He stressed, pleading that these two times were the only occurrences.

"Yes sir," Izuku chirped, sending a smile towards the detective.

Tsukauchi sighed. "When?"

"Today sir."

The detective has to hold himself back from slamming his head onto the table in frustration and disbelief. "No– I mean– Have you got in a fight with a villian any other times besides what happened today and with... Asuka Rai?"

"Yes sir."

The detective lets out a long sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. "How many times?"

"Uh, I'm not sure sir. I didn't keep count after the tenth time." Izuku shrugged, running a hand through his hair as he glances at the clock in his peripheral vision.

Tsukauchi's pen jerks across his notebook and he stares up at the greenette in horror."Ten–?! Oh my god. Okay listen kid, you gotta leave that to the heroes." He tried to scold, however Izuku just smiles slyly at the detective.

"Hmm, I can't do that sir."

Tsukauchi looks incredibly tired all of a sudden. "Why not kid?" He asks.

"If someone is in trouble and I'm able to help them, then why would I wait for the heroes and risk them getting injured further?"

The detective stares at the kid stumped. His mouth opens and closes a few times, as if his reply is on the tip of his tongue, not able to be spoken. However before he can answer, the door to the room slides open and an unknown figure pokes his head in with an urgent look on his face. "Sorry for barging in, I know you're busy right now with the kid, but the criminal you brought in is resisting. We need you to talk some sense into him, seeing as you are the one who arrested him. He's gonna start fighting back and some of the officers are afraid it will escalate and then it'll be mandatory for us to use more aggressive force. We would prefer to not to do that sir, so if you could come next door with me we can get this settled."

"Right, i'll be just a second," Tsukauchi replied, and the unfamiliar officer nods and leaves the room.

Tsukauchi stands, motioning for Izuku to do the same. "You can move around a bit if you'd like to, you must be restless from all this sitting kid. I shouldn't be more than ten minutes at most. Just don't get into any more trouble. "

Izuku is left alone as the detective leaves the room — a rookie mistake really —. He stands in place for at least a minute before deciding that he was not staying in this stuffy room for any longer than he has to. The detective did say he could move around, maybe he didn't mean for him to explore the building outside of this room, but Izuku doesn't have to acknowledge that fact.

And so, Izuku ditches his weapons, skipping towards the heavy duty steel door and pushes it open as silently as possible. It makes a few squeaks but fortunately, it seems like no one was around to hear it. Well, considering the multiple loud voices that are coming from down the hallway to his left, he should have expected that to be the case.

Izuku, after scouting out the layout of the station, darts down the hallway to his right — the opposite direction that Tsukauchi went in — and stops in front of about a dozen doors. He scans those metal plates that read out the names of the higher ranked officers, slipping inside the room that's labeled 'DETECTIVE' along with 'Tsukauchi Naomasa' below the position.

He enters the fairly clean room and practically runs over to the computer that sits at the detectives desk. He plops down on the chair and shakes the man's mouse back and forth, praying that it's already logged in and everything. He inwardly cheers when the screen turns back on, showing the most recent file the man was looking at — oh it was his file —. 

Izuku takes off his left shoe and pulls out a singular flash drive the size of his thumb out of his sock. He carefully blows away any dust or dirt that could have gotten in it and plugs it into the side of the computer.

He backtracks a bit, searching for the mother load of files that were flagged as either villain, or potential villains for random cases. He finds people who are flagged with assault, drug possession, drunk and disorderly charges, thrift, illegal quirk use, and that's just the beginning. There are even hundreds of reports that were flagged with "increased police presence" and so much more that were listed with "no further leads".

He doesn't pay much attention to the names or occupations, but he does make sure to scan quirks, and the charges. He then proceeds to copy as much files as he can get his hands on, dragging the mouse back and forth as quickly possible. 

There is an incredible amount of data on Tsukauchi's computer, and you would think he would be more careful with leaving it on. Anyone could have snuck in and stole thousands of files and centuries worth of data. Some of the folders that he catches glimpses of date back to years or even decades ago. Cold cases that were unsolved, or that had been given up on.  There are folders filled to the brim with information on villains, their hideouts, the underground community, drug trades, victims and even members for some recent organized crime groups.

He grins and copies all of that as well, hoping that the flash drive has enough memory on it; he did just buy it, but he wasn't anticipating the enormous amount of information he would find.

He's so zoned in on his task, that he doesn't notice the voices just a few rooms down from the office he's currently in. He also doesn't realise that the voices are gradually coming closer until they are right behind the door. Izuku clicks a few of the extra files that he previously missed, and he watches the percentage of completion slowly increase ; saving more and more data onto his flash drive till it hits 100%.

"What are you doing here kid?" The detective asked, scaring the literal shit out of Izuku.

Izuku squeaks in panic, and rips out the flash drive sliding it into his pocket. He closes the tabs he was on in record time, and opens back up the file that Tsukauchi had opened when he printed off Izuku's file earlier. He slowly spins the computer chair around with a sheepish smile on his face - he was so glad the lights were dimmed when he came in -. "Uhhhhh, I don't know what you're talking about sir."

''Why are you in my office?" Tsukauchi asked, suspiciously staring him down — which was valid since he was sitting at the detectives desk, looking through the computer —.

Izuku glanced at the nearest clock, and jerks his head in it's direction."Would you believe me if I said I got lost?"

He deadpans, crossing his arms over his chest as he states down at the greenette. "Not in the slightest."

Izuku nods. "Okay great, I got lost sir. This building is very complicated, say did you design it after a maze? Oh... that would be a good idea actually. It could prevent any non-frequent officers or citizens from finding your personal offices...and make criminals get lost when trying to escape or something like that..." He trailed off, going into his fifth mumble spree of the day.

Tsukauchi stared at the greenette as he goes through the stages of disbelief, his eyes go hazy and he takes in a deep breath of air; seemingly rethinking all his life choices that lead up to this moment. He still hasn't fully processed that a six year old kid got to the scene faster than he did, and even took the man down easier than expected —not that he expected the kid to do that, it was just shocking —.

"Okay...well, let's wrap this up." He concluded, heading for the office door, Izuku and Eraserhead following suit.

"To make you feel better sir, I was curious about what happened to Asuka Rai."

"Oh?" Tsukauchi asked.

"Yeah, just wanted to know what happened to the man and see that he was properly charged for his crimes," Izuku replies.

"Hm I see, well my friend Eraserhead here was already at the station, so he offered to escort you home," Tsukauchi commented, ignoring the glare sent his way and mumbles from the man not consenting to this idea. "Like I said, you need an escort as its past curfew for kids your age —don't give me that look it's almost three in the morning —, and I don't feel safe sending a six year old kid to walk home alone; especially after watching you decide to fight an adult in the middle of the night."

Eraserhead stares at the detective with a blank face, his eye twitching every so often. "I only came to drop off some files for a case we're working on," He said, eye bangs standing out against his pale skin signaling his everlasting exhaustion. "I am not going to do your job–"

Izuku decides suddenly that he really wants to leave, and go back home. His mom is getting up for work in the next hour or so, and he would really like to not get caught sneaking back into his room. "It's technically your job too Eraserhead, since you are an underground hero. Escorting people home is in your pay, considering helping people — in any legal way —is a heroic act." Izuku pipped up, barely flinching as the glare is redirected in his direction instead.

"He's right Eraser."

"Shut up," Eraserhead hissed.

Tsukauchi smirked and nudges the underground hero with his elbow. "You're just mad because I'm giving you more work to do." 

Eraserhead grimaced and pushes the detective away."I just wanted to go home and go sleep–"

"An extra hour or so won't hurt you Eraser."

"Shut up–"

"Detective, am I allowed to leave? I'm tired," Izuku interrupted, confusion melting away into a shy smile. "You just wanted my statement and to talk to me about being careful for now, right? Mom has to work in a few hours, so I was going to sneak Katsuki in through the window once she leaves because his mom isn't home either....Ah, but his dad is home. Though when he sleeps after a shift, he's out cold for a good six hours and won't wake up from noises... he's only woken up when someone tries to physically shake him awake... As you can see sir, I have things to do, people to see!" He chirps out, gaze avoiding the underground hero all together.

It wasn't like Eraserhead intimidated him. No sir, Izuku was definitely not uncomfortable to be in the same room with an extremely tired and agitated Eraserhead; not at all.

"You're gonna sneak someone in through the– you know what, yeah kid you can go leave with Eraserhead in a moment." Tsukauchi sighed and shakes his head in amusement. 

"Just one more thing okay?"

"Okay." Izuku nods. 

"What is your quirk exactly?" Tsukauchi asked, scratching at the short stubble that covered his chin. "I wasn't able to figure it out, I'm almost positive that your file was wrong." He trails off, looking at the greenette for answers.

"Oh, that's the thing sir!" Izuku beamed up at the detective. "I'm quirkless, meaning in reality you couldn't charge me for what I did! Which is kind of because the law is so focused on the quirked, and don't really think that quirkless people will try to defend themselves or others; since y'know they don't have quirks. They don't really have many rules when it comes to us sir!"

"Of course he's quirkless, why wouldn't he be-?"

"Anyways, have a good day Detective Tsukauchi!"

(It hits the man a few hours later when he's going through the Asuka Rai arrest report that Izuku left open on his computer. "Oh. Oh, he's not going to stop is he?")

Eraserhead reluctantly leads Izuku out of the building after the greenette grabs his pipe, frying pan and double checked that he still had the flash drive stashed in his hoodie. The hero isn't as irritated as he was made out to seem, he just looks like he should sleep for a week instead. 

The walk — Izuku told them that he didn't live far enough to need a drive — itself is a bit awkward for Izuku though. He's never met the underground hero before as he only started up not too long ago, it had been a pain just to find his name and quirk when he searched for the man after catching a quick glimpse of him stop a mugging near his house, so meeting him? Yeah that wasn't as easy as people made it seem. He was an underground hero for a reason, meaning that he hated the media — as seen in his dislike for commentary and cameras during his participation in the U.A. sports festival — or just didn't care for being a limelight hero. Which was one hundred percent valid seeing as being a limelight hero would have been difficult for his career. His quirk is very useful, but it works better on victims who aren't aware of it. He has the ability to be swift and efficient in taking care of villains, so why would he do something as stupid as hinder himself by being known to the world? Being involved with the media has too many cons that would hurt his job and even himself.

Izuku once did the same and told a friend someone he knew that he would focus purely on anti-villain combat, and will only give his all with fighting going forward. He vowed to become an independent, underground hero even if he wasn't doing it legally because it's who he was meant to be.

The death of a closest friend that he had made in that life pushed him into isolation it was all his fault that he was targeted, his fault. He made the decision that from then on he would never get close to anyone ever again, not even his previous families; he couldn't risk it and from then on he fought alone.

He never wanted to be a professional hero with an official ranking from the HPSC (Hero Public Safety Commission). Even from an outsiders view he could tell that those guys were bad news. If he were to be a hero who participated in the Hero Billboard Chart, he would potentially be controlled and his every move would be watched; by civilians, heroes, and villain's of all kind.

He always stayed out of the spotlight and wasn't being heroic to become a celebrity like most heroes do or for the power that so many crave. He never did it for that, no he did it out on his own without any gratification just doing the right thing. and it showed when he suffered instead, while the people he saved were able to live another day. He never did cooperate with the media or consider taking on sponsors, because why take on that sort of thing when all he wants to do is help people?

That's why he appreciated heroes like Eraserhead.

It's one thing to have been in the same room as him due to the detective, but to be walked home by him? Izuku has a lot questions for him, and so many theories on how his quirk is wired and how it detects which quirk it is meant to erase. How does his quirk know when it isn't able to erase something? Does he get alerted when his quirk detects a mutant quirk? Is there certain quirks that aren't mutant, but still can't be erased? His quirk is so fantastic that he wants to know everything about it. His fingers itch to write down an analysis on the man's quirk, even though he's already done that plenty of times. 

He always has new, different questions that make him even more curious about the quirk. Could he have some side effects to the quirk? Or from the quirk? If so, what are they? What were his parents' quirks? How did they merge to form that type of quirk? A quirk that is a rare but oh so powerful quirk could often be looked down upon; but in reality it is one of the best in his opinion. 

The underground hero is young, but already rising to become an amazing hero and that's not just it. He made alliences with plenty of the local vigilantes and even unfortunetlt has made himself enemies with limelight heroes when he ends up does their job for them. 

He can't forget the capture weapon the man carries around in the form of a scarf. No, that weapon is genius and Izuku doesn't even know where he would begin when making a replica of it. The man is able to manipulate the weapon to ensnare his targets and immobilize them, how incredible is that? He has never seen anything like that before and it would be so useful if he had something similar to that. It's a long distance fighting style, something that he doesn't have access to quite yet but would benefit a lot of heroes who go for surprise attacks or don't use their quirks as much as the top charted heroes do.

From what he can see, and the information he has dug around for, it's a cloth-like equipment made from carbon fibers and a special metal alloy. The underground hero never does his hero work without it around his neck by the looks of it too, meaning it had to be made by an extremely talented support company with the durability it would need especially for an underground hero like Eraserhead. 

When Izuku stalked followed the hero on his patrol route for a straight week, he got to see it in action. Maybe watching a hero fight criminals wasn't the best activity to pass the time, but it worked well for him and that was enough.

The two of them are still walking — even as Izuku lets himself get caught up in his own memories and analysis — ,though he is falling behind due to the speed at which the underground hero has been walking at.

"Hey Eraserhead-san," He said as he rushed to catch up with the underground hero. The man has been walking in long strides that are slightly too fast for him to keep up with, especially since he doesn't have long legs like Eraserhead obviously does. Perhaps it's because the man is fairly irritated at having to do the job of an escort.

The man visibly wilted, looking up at the sky as if it had somehow offended him. "What." 

Oh, so he was irritated, and it was because Izuku needed to be walked home — not that he wanted to be, but the detective insisted.  

"Can I ask you some questions sir?" He asked, beaming a sunshine smile up at the exhausted hero.

The man squinted at the light that was somehow getting brighter the longer he stared at the greenette. "...Fine, only if I can ask a few back."

"Deal," Izuku chriped, clasping his hands together behind his back.

"Your scarf is able to move because of momentum right?" He started, turning his gaze back in front of himself onto the sidewalk. "Your capture weapon seems to always float when you jump or fall from heights. I was thinking that it was made to be really lightweight for that purpose. I saw a recording of the sports festival at U.A. a few years back, it was shown then that activating your quirk generates some sort of... weak antigravity field around your head and shoulders? Is that right?" He questioned, words gradually slurring together as he speaks his thoughts.

"I know that your floats up when your quirk is in use and at the same time your capture weapon starts to float as well. Do you have a slight telekinesis? That would make a lot of sense, but I think it might be simpler than that. Is floating the weapon just makes it easier for you to throw and manipulate with his hands?"

"...Yes." 

Izuku deadpanned and looked at the underground hero blankly. "Yes to what?" 

"..." Okay then, it seems like he won't be getting an answer to soon.

"It's actually kind of genius — having a lightweight weapon that floats around your head letting you manipulate it easier!" He praised, his fingers clenching together tightly as he pushes past his excitement to finally get some answers to his inferences and theories. "Did you choose it to look like a scarf because it's closer to your head? Or maybe because it is able to pass for a scarf and it won't immediately scream 'this is a weapon' to the villain's you fight."

He sees Eraserhead's brows furrow and his mouth parts as if he was going to answer, however he closes it instead — allowing Izuku to continue to overwhelm him.  "Now that I think about it, Why does your hair float when your quirk is activated? Is it actually telekinesis? Some sort of gravity alteration? Or could it be some type of close-range levitation? It doesn't make much sense — it only affects your capture gear and your hair. If you trained it would it get stronger and be able to make you float as well? Or does it have a limit... Did your hair always float? Or did it come with time? Speaking of your hair... why don't you wear it up? It's odd that you wouldn't try and hide one of the signs of your quirk activating. You should tie it up, or at least wear a hood..." His words turn to gibberish after a while, but he doesn't realise that Eraserhead is currently straining his hearing just to hear him.

"...Why does he need to look at his opponents for his Quirk to work? What's exactly shooting out of his eyes to cancel out the Quirks? How does he shut it off when he's regularly staring? What even activates it? How would it possibly activate in the first place? Does he need to stare really hard, or is it just a mental switch that he must flip in order for it to be used–"

Eraserhead cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow, and Izuku bit his cheek. It looks like he had been transitioning his words into mumbles again, making it hard for the man to hear him clearly. He really needs to break this habit sooner or later, especially when he drifts off in the middle of conversations.

"Kid," Eraserhead sighed, combing his fingers through his long black hair. "That's more than one question. I can't answer then if you don't give me a chance." He made sure to direct his stare towards the greenette, making his statement seem a bit more serious. 

''Uh, sorry sir. I do that a lot, I really wasn't trying to talk your ear off, I promise.” He nervously chuckled before smiling sheepishly, and the underground hero shut his eyes for a few seconds — already acting as if he was done with their conversation.

"Right. Anyways, my quirk does have a side effect as it gives me dry eye —which makes it harder for me to use it for long periods of time."

"Oh, then why are your goggles designed like that?" That earned a sound of confusion from Eraserhead and the man as he gazed at him in his peripheral vision — a confused expression bleeding threw his emotionless mask. He nodded at Izuku to continue his remark, providing his full attention to him for the first time. 

"If you think about it Eraserhead-san, you just said your quirk has a side effect and that it causes you to have dry eye. I uh, noticed that the goggles have open splits on them, but that would cause more air to go inside of the goggles when you move, which in turn makes you have to blink faster. The fighting style you have relies on you to move around a lot, the slits do look like they would block a portion of the air, but with them there they will still allow some to pass through. I think that whoever made your goggles did it unintentionally or did it in order to hinder your work," He trailed off, nibbling on his lip and unclasping his hands as he curls a strand of his dark green hair —his roots were beginning to turn a shade of black though, darkening his hair even more — around a finger tip.

"If you have to blink in faster intervals, then your eyes will be drier at the end of a fight. That must be painful, and it shouldn't really get to that point. In reality you should incorporate a spraying system that will spritz your eyes every once and awhile." 

Eraserhead stops in his tracks and stares at him, nose wrinkling . "Do you always tell others secrets, kid? Or is it just me that you're doing it to?"

Izuku flinched, picking at his cuticles and pushing them down aggressively. "Uh, no sorry. I was just making an observation, it's not a secret if anyone can figure it out just by looking sir," He admits, hands beginning to shake as they painfully tear at his skin. Why was he so self-conscious all of a sudden? Katsuki tells him this stuff all the time, why was it so different with Eraserhead? 

"...Of course," The hero mumbled and began to walk again —Izuku jerking his head towards his right, signaling a turn. "Kid, listen. That stuff about my goggles? That's pretty decent information that I really should have figured out from the start, so thank you for the advice. I don't tie my hair back because it can give me headaches which would only make my hero work harder on my body, especially with my quirk. I can also however, feel your brain thinking from here. I already said we can pass questions back and forth. What I didn't account for was a whole page of analysis on myself. One question at a time, okay?"

"Yeah! Sounds good, sorry I ranted a bit there," He apologized, not waiting for a response. "Can you use your quirk on more than one person?"

Eraserhead kept his voice clipped, lowering his face so it was nuzzled back into his capture weapon. "Multiple."

"That's useful," Izuku commented, picking up his pace as soon he spots the street his house was located on.

Eraserhead hums, "How do you know so much about me? I haven't been active for that long, and I am an underground hero. How could you possibly gather all the information you spat earlier?" He questioned, a suspicious look crossing his face unintentionally — he didn't want to suspect a kid, but it was unsettling for someone he has never met before to know things he wouldn't have even considered prior to today.

Izuku laughs nervously, fidgeting with his hands again as he avoids eye contact with the underground hero. "I just like to study sir. Quirks are very interesting to me, and I like to use them to help improve my skills in analysis. It's only a hobby, but I've always liked doing it. Ever since I learned to write I began writing in my notebooks about heroes."

The man grunts, accepting the explanation with much more ease than he should have. "Next question kid."

"Will you ever work at U.A.?" Izuku asked, feeling a bit more confident than he had been before. 

The underground hero's eyes sharpen. He turned slowly to face Izuku, who stilled under the gaze. "I feel like you aren't supposed to know the answer to that," He said casually.

He winces, suddenly realizing why working at a hero school would be bad news for him — however it seems as though he's going to end up there whether he likes it or not, seeing as Nedzu has peaked in interest in him. It's one thing for the principal to keep an eye on a student far past their graduation, but for him to be considering recruiting the underground hero to teach the newer generation of heroes? Eraserhead better come up with some real good points to why it's bad for his image to teach, or else he is going to be dragged into it sooner or later. He can't wait to hear how he gets suckered into becoming one of his friend's co-workers, that would certainly be an interesting story in the future.

"Ah right, you wouldn't want that known to the public anyways 'cause you do underground work," Izuku acknowledged nodding to himself.

The hero grunted, not responding right away as his eyebrows crinkled in thought. "Not at the moment, I might end up expelling my whole class if I were to work there," He said, tone becoming dry.

"When I was enrolled there I saw plenty of students who would be better off quitting the hero course, and shouldn't have even graduated in the first place," He grumbled gruffly, huffing into his scarf with a roll of his eyes. That was the most emotion he had shown all night— besides arguing with Detective Tsukauchi that is.

"Oh, I see." Now that was interesting, how would the heroes in training fare against a teacher who had no problem with kicking them down a few notches? Who didn't care for expelling kids who had no potential to become a hero — nor would he take any shit from them, he wasn't a pushover like other teachers may be. No second chances huh? Sounds like a riot. Perhaps he should visit the school once he's physically a teenager — observing how the staff members teach would benefit him. He took it upon himself to get a few students of his own throughout the years, and got a teaching licence a few decades back. He could finally take Nedzu up on that job offer the principal has always hinted at during their meetings. It could be quite compelling to engage in teaching the new generations. 

The rest of the walk is fairly silent as they no longer speak to each other, focusing on  making their way up towards his house. Izuku stops in front of his lawn, sighing softly when he sees that there are no lights on — his mother is still asleep, and he hasn't yet given her a heart attack by the stress of him missing. He had been worried that she may have woken up in the middle of the night to check on him, but it seems like he had nothing to worry about. 

Izuku hesitates to move forward when he realizes that Eraserhead is staring blankly at him — eyes faintly glowing red in the darkness that surrounds them. "You're not gonna try and talk to my mom are you? It's late, and she has work in the morning," He asked, shoving his hands into his sweater pockets to fiddle with his flash drive full of information. 

"Mm, I should be, but I think i'll let it be for tonight. I don't want to see you wandering around during my patrol hours though, it isn't safe —don't give me that look kid, you're literally a baby who shouldn't be getting involved with this stuff yet," Eraserhead replied, his lip twitching upwards as he fights back a smirk.

Izuku giggled, rolling his eyes at the underground hero. "Yeah, I understand sir. I won't match your patrol hours." He reassured him with a sly grin on his face — messing with the man really does make him feel smug.

"...That's not what I meant."

Izuku's grin widened and he bounced on the balls of his feet. "I'm aware," He chirped. 

The hero's lips twisted upwards into a sinister smile."...You're not a kid."

Midoriya sputtered before gritting his teeth and brushing his hair away from his face. "I'm currently six years old sir. According to the law I'm not an adult till I turn eighteen years of age, so I am a kid."

"You are far too mature to be a kid, physically you are, but mentally? That's a whole different story, isn't it? Tsukauchi asked you for your quirk, but you said you don't have one. I find that hard to believe kid — that brain of yours obviously is affecting my ability to trust that statement."

"The doctor's said I'm quirkless sir," He pointed out, snorting as he looked up at the man with a smirk on his lips —oh how amusing.

"Mm, sure," The man turned his gaze onto him and it left him with an unsettling feeling in his chest. Those eyes could be terrifying when they had to be — he's glad he's never going to get in the underground hero's way like criminals will be. Eraserhead has an emotionless stare that could be mistaken as a glare when it's being directed at him. A look that could practically send someone running with their tail between their legs.

"Run along now," Eraserhead grumbled, jerking his head in the direction of his front door.

Izuku nods, "Thank you for escorting me Eraserhead-san," He chirps cheerfully, giving the underground hero a quick wave before spinning on his heels. He sprints towards the side of the house and proceeds to scale the wall of bricks just under his bedroom window. He's sent into another giggle fit as he's gripping onto his window frame — hearing the sharp intake of breath that came from where Eraserhead was still standing.

Oh? Was he worried? 

He smiles at the underground hero — not caring if the darkness swallowed it up,  before he's lifting himself into his bedroom and quietly shutting the window behind him.

Katsuki knew that Izuku was an odd kid. He's been around him long enough to notice the subtle things that Izuku did. Whether it was advancing on his school work way too fast to not be concerned, or to suddenly know how to fight as if he'd trained for years. He also noticed his tense, guarded body language, and his way too big vocabulary. He wasn't a kid, no matter who tried to convince Katsuki otherwise, he would always think that Izuku was way older than he looked; because he had to be. Otherwise how would he explain those hurt filled eyes? His eyes that told a story, a sad and broken one that he would never forget. The pain that he bore was easily read through his eyes, and Katsuki knew that, but he didn't understand how he did. How he looked as if he suffered through decades of loneliness when he was only Katsuki's age. 

Izuku wasn't just smart though. He was strong, strong enough to take down older kids. He was strong enough to stand up for himself when a grown up decided to use their authority for the wrong reason. He knew right from wrong, and just because others didn't that wasn't stopping him from correcting them. He was strong enough to fight, and strong enough to win. Izuku was strong enough to teach him how to be even stronger than he already was. No matter how many times Katsuki got angry at him, he never left because he was strong enough to not budge when Katsuki's temper got activated — and Katsuki loved that about him; how he never got discouraged. 

Even though he was the strongest person that Katsuki has ever met, he was still his fragile, vulnerable and so very sad best friend. His friend that was clingy, cuddly, and affectionate, but only to him — and didn't like when Katsuki was out of his sight, especially during school but Katsuki was fine he could handle himself, he didn't need him to watch out for him — though maybe he did, and that was why Izuku did what he did; he had his reasons, even if Katsuki didn't know them himself.

Izuku liked touch. Whether it was holding hands, clinging onto him, petting his hair, an arm around the shoulder or just sitting next to him. Izuku loved it and he thrived off it. It was odd at first, and took way too long for Katsuki to adjust to, but once he did, Katsuki started to cling back. He never wanted Izuku to feel like he couldn't be himself around him, because what kind of useless friend was he if he didn't help make his friend feel comfortable around him? Katsuki's the best at everything, which means he's gotta be the best at being Izuku's friend.

There was one thing that he didn't understand. 

What kind of kid at this age already acted as if they haven't had comfort in years? Katsuki gets comfort and affection from Izuku's own mother on a regular basis — it's an overwhelming amount— which meant that his friend was getting love from his parent daily. Even if he didn't have two anymore he was still adored by his mom and she would do anything for him. (Then why was he always so sad and empty? A voice mocked in his head.) 

He knew that his friend was different than everyone else — even more so with his lack of quirk — and he respected that. Not everyone is as plain as all the extras he encounters, but Izuku just stood out that's all. Izuku wasn't normal, but that's okay because normal can get boring. Katsuki wasn't like everyone else either, and he didn't even try to care about who he was. (Why did Izuku?) 

Katsuki may not know what is going on inside his friend's big brain, but what he does know is that Izuku shouldn't feel the way he does. Why does Izuku try and hide his sadness around him? Why does he listen to all the insults, and try to change himself for them? Izuku said he doesn't care about their opinions because he already knows what the truth is, but then why does he unconsciously let them get into his head? Katsuki's smart, but sometimes he isn't old enough to know the answers to all of his questions, but Izuku did. Izuku always knew, so how come he's always letting himself get hurt?

Izuku is Katsuki's special best friend and they are both equals, so why does Izuku think less of himself? Katsuki isn't useless, nor is he stupid enough to listen to the snarky assholes who think its okay to mess with he both of them. That meant that Izuku should be the same, because their equals.  (Why does Izuku see it as normal? What's going on behind the scenes? Is he lacking what it takes to be a good friend to Izuku?)

When Katsuki finally sees Izuku after the greenette's incredibly long night walk he had the night before, he almost bursts. He is extremely close to smacking some sense into him, because why are his eye bags even worse than a few days ago?! Surely he should have caught up on whatever sleep he missed by now, sleep that he didn't get due to the new training schedule he was creating for Katsuki's quirk. 

Instead of yelling at the nerd, or even trying to shake him by his shoulders and then proceeding to scream at him, Katsuki decides to act as if he isn't steaming with rage as he watches his best friend literally wither away in front of him.

He fidgets from his place on the floor, his next words tumbling from his mouth before he can think better of them. Not that he would've kept quiet even if he had, of course."Oi, nerd. Did ya' work on your notebooks all night or something?"

"Or something," Izuku replies, shrugging his shoulders as he continues to tinker with the small device on his lap —Katsuki thinks he's working on some sort of shitty looking phone, but who is he to judge what the nerd does in his free time; even if it's weird.

Katsuki's eye twitches and he glares. "Oi, don't avoid the question, dumbass. Why are you looking like yer about to fall on your fucking face all of a sudden?!"

"Do I?" 

"Yes! Now stop being an ass and give me a fucking answer! Your eye bags have gotten to the point where they're fuckin' layered. Like what the fuck are you doing at night? Ya' not sleepin' good?"

"Hmmm, I got distracted."

Katsuki grunts and sits down beside Izuku on the park bench that they stopped at a few moments earlier. Izuku had been wanting to finish some of his technical shit, and they learned long ago that walking while doing anything that required his full attention, was a horrible idea. — The last time he was writing in his notebook and wandering the streets with Katsuki, he walked straight into a stop sign, apologized to the said sign, and then continued on; Katsuki saw the bruise on his head for days after that.

"Tch you can't even sleep properly without me around? You're pretty fucking useless when it comes to takin' care of yourself nerd," He scoffs. "How are ya' gonna help me become a hero if you pass out during our fucking training?"

Izuku pauses, looking up at Katsuki. "You make a good point, but I'm fine. I won't be passing out anytime soon– er well, unless I don't sleep in the next 13 to 17 hours, that's when I will actually pass out," He says, picking up a screwdriver and using it to screw in a layer of the — was that a mini solar panel?

"17 hours? What... wait! Did ya' pull a couple shitty all-nighters again?! What have I said about doing that shit? Fuck, nerd what the hell are ya' thinkin' risking your health like that?! You dumbass!" He sneered, shoving his fists into his pockets, his slouch more pronounced than it had been earlier. "Do I have ta' take care of you on top of all this shit too?" He adds, his chin stuck out in irritation.

"There's no need Kacchan. I just got sidetracked last night, and perhaps the night before, but I'll make sure to rest tonight"

"That's bullshit and you know it."

"Is it?" Izuku asked quietly.

"Don't play dumb nerd. If yer' gonna pull this shit then I might as well fucking babysit you or some shit. Do I gotta come over and stay till for you to actually stay sleeping? 'Cause I'll fucking do just that ya' hear. Don't underestimate me Iz—nerd," He stumbled his last words, mouth clamping down as soon as it left his mouth.

"Aww was that almost my name?" Izuku can just feel the gaze burning into his back from that statement, as he rolls his eyes teasingly. 

"I'm fine Kacchan." He starts, raising a hand at the blonde once Katsuki opens his mouth to argue against the fact that Izuku is most definitely not okay. "Don't get upset. If you'd like you can spend the night, I wanted to go over some math with you anyways."

"...Math?"

"Ah, the new unit that you guys started last week, it's been giving you trouble hasn't it? I wrote up some notes from when I completed it, and hopefully they can help you figure out how to do the equations more efficiently."

They trail off into a comforting silence for a little while, just doing their own things. Izuku doesn't take his eyes off the device in front of him, using the pile of tools beside him to tinker with. It makes Katsuki boil with rage, how dare the nerd hide shit from me? How dare he put himself in danger when I'm not around to protect him? (He doesn't need protecting, a voice says deep in Katsuki's mind) 

Katsuki's rage increases, and he allows it to cause him to sweat, even more than usual. He doesn't act on the feelings though — no not yet — he sits on them and forces himself to mellow out to the point where he isn't at risk of being a human bomb.

"Why were you out?" Katsuki asked, after the short period of silence.

"Pardon?" Izuku inquired, still not looking up at the blonde, too focused on the heap of metal in his lap.

Katsuki scowls, and lets out a 'tch' crossing his arms in exasperation. "I said why did you sneak out of your shitty house again?" 

Izuku raises an eyebrow. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Bullshit," He snapped, hands curling into tight little fists, steam gradually being emitted from his palms. "I know you left last night, I can fucking tell."

Izuku pauses, putting down the screwdriver in favour of glancing at his crimson eyed friend. "Why would I leave, Kacchan?" He asks, voice wavering between sharp and distressed. 

"Tch I don't fucking know nerd. That's what I'm asking you! You keep hiding shit from me, and I hate it!"

"Kacchan." Izuku tries.

"No! Don't 'Kacchan' me! I wanna know what's going on! Normal kids don't sneak out in the middle of the fucking night Izuku!" Katsuki barks out, sweat igniting and small explosions erupting from his sweaty hands — the stress and all his pent-up anger did benefit him when it came to fighting with his quirk, but in close contact with Izuku, it did the exact opposite —. 

"Kacchan..."

"I'm just confused! You never hide shit from me, but now you keep trying to bullshit me into believing that you didn't jump out your fucking window again!"

Izuku chews on his lip. "Katsuki. Can I talk?" He asks, tone sharp and to the point.

Katsuki clicks his tongue and nods. "...Fucking fine. Don't treat me like a fucking kid again, I hate that."

"You are a kid–" Izuku tries to argue, but is cut off by some more angry screaming.

"I know that!" He snaps, hands reaching up to clench his spiky hair in his fists. "You also know what I fucking mean! I'm not a dumbass who can't think for shit. I'm smarter than the fucking extras, so stop treating me like you'd treat the other shitty kids."

"I never meant to make you upset Kacchan," Izuku apologizes wholeheartedly, a frown on his lips. 

"I'm sorry that I didn't take your feelings into account." Izuku tears up, gripping his t–shirt so tightly that his knuckles begin to turn white. "I know you hate being treated like that, b–but I can't help it. You're a kid, you're young Katsuki. You're a little boy er well not so little now that you've gained all the muscle, but still Kacchan..."

"O–oi, don't fucking cry!" Katsuki shouted, aggressively wiping his sweaty hands on his shorts. 

Izuku sniffed, and tears began to cascade down his cheeks. It was almost like his own mini waterfall with how much tears he was shedding. "S–sorry, c–can't help it! I upset you! I was–"

Izuku's cut off by a stray explosion and a mouthful of blonde hair as Katsuki pulls the greenette towards himself. He tucks his head in Izuku's neck, hair tickling said boys entire face due to the length of it.

"'s okay nerd, sorry I yelled, That was shitty of me," Katsuki mumbled wryly, his voice is soft, shaky as he apologised to his friend. His bestest friend.

Izuku melts into the touch giving the blonde a soft kiss on his hair. "Mm sorry for crying. It's the Midoriya thing."

Katsuki's chest rumbles with laughter and he gives the boy one last squeeze before pulling away with a grin. "Oi nerd, you still owe me a fucking fight."

Izuku giggles before rubbing away his tears as he pokes the blonde's shoulder with a pout. "Why do you always wanna fight me? You wanna beat me up?" He asked standing up and stretching his arms above his head.

"Nah, I just wanna land a hit on ya' finally." They walk a few feet away from the seating area and to an empty patch of grass. 

Katsuki readys his stance, eyes locked on his opponent, mind filtering through the many moves that Izuku favours. What move will he use first? Will he drag out the spar? Or will he throw me on my face seconds into it? Katsuki doesn't have time to ponder any more outcomes as he runs forward and sends a kick flying towards the greenettes face.

Katsuki squawks when his leg is easily grabbed and pushed away to the side, sending him flying backwards onto the dirt below him. He still refused to look away from the greenette though. He only stepped back to hesitantly scoop himself back up from the ground, carefully keeping his eyes pinned to his friend. The intensity of Izuku's expression had Katsuki's heart racing in anticipation. 

A shiver shot up his spine and he grinned at the excitement that hit him. 

"It's just a spar Katsuki." Izuku felt the need to remind him, as the change in his body language was obvious —he did have the tendency to push himself too far when he was excited. So Izuku made sure to keep an eye on his form in order to watch for sloppy movements.

Katsuki didn't answer. He only crouched on his heels, fists leveled in front of his face. Izuku sighed and moved to mirror Katsuki's form — the one he taught him — holding both fists out in front of his chest. " Only one round," Izuku warned his eyes trailing over the blonde's stance. "It's been a long time since we've been able to spar like this. We haven't had time to do much of it since we have been working on your quirk." Despite all the scolding and the worries the greenette found himself grinning like a fool too. A familiar sense of adrenaline flowed through their bodies. 

Katsuki leaped forward and threw a punch this time around at his ribs, only to growl when his opponent easily side stepped, dodging his hit.

"No dodging," Katsuki snapped, his teeth grinding and even from a feet away Izuku could hear it clearly. Katsuki anchored himself in the dirt, with a determined look on his face. "Don't ya' wanna to see how hard I can fucking hit now? I've been practicin' a shit ton to beat you! So, you have ta' let me hit you!" 

Izuku hummed, pausing out of his firm duck from a swing Katsuki sent flying towards his face. "Yeah you're right–" He admitted casually, planting his feet firmly, "–that's true." Katsuki charged him again fist raised, to which the greenette reached out a hand to simply grab his elbow, stopping him from swinging with ease. Katsuki scowled when he failed to tug his arm free and sweat began to drip from his palms. 

"First lesson of the day," Izuku started, making eye contact with the him to make sure he was listening, "–is to always have another plan." Katsuki yelped as Izuku used his free hand to snatch his arm by the wrist as well, calmly smoothing out his tensed fist. Katsuki didn't have much of a chance to do more than scramble to steady himself as Izuku tossed him back a few feet behind him. 

He shot up to his feet no worse for wear, but smeared with dirt and grass stains; his hands clenching around the empty air, small puffs of smoke releasing from his hands. He lets off a few small explosions to rid of the sweat, and scowls at the greenette. All he needed was a small opening, but Izuku was sharp. He knew that Izuku wouldn't let his guard up even if he was nowhere near Izuku's skill in fighting, Izuku always paid attention. 

He once again jumped at him, leg aiming to kick his side. Izuku just let it connect, giggling fondly when he cried out in victory only to shout in alarm when Izuku simply swept his legs out from underneath himself.

"Second lesson," Izukj smiled teasingly, "...will be about gauging the strength of your opponents and how stop leaving yourself open enough for them to land a hit on you." He hums and stuck a leg out in order to trip him, making him struggle to keep his balance as he flailed his arms in the air to try to keep himself up.

Katsuki growled and charged in the brief lull, knees bent slightly. His eyes flashed with a complex mix of confusion and frustrated fear when Izuku didn’t instantly dodge and he instinctively jerked to the side just before he would have accidentally dented his skull in. He wasn't that strong yet, but this was a spar, meaning no hurting each other to the point where it could cause a bad injury. Bruises, scrapes and cuts were fair game though, just nothing broken or any type of concussion; t'was the rules.

It was not even a second of impulse, of hesitation, and yet his slip made it easy for Izuku to get in close and it left him cursing like a sailor. 

Izuku stilled back into a crouch when he leaped backward, both watching the other warily. His face was pallid but quickly flushed with anger, and he clenched his fists to prevent igniting his palms as Izuku just waited for his next move.

Katsuki grit his teeth together at the greenette as Izuku swiftly shot towards him, hand drawn back, ready to hit. He swung his arms up in front of him defensively in order to block the punch. It didn’t manage to do a thing and Katsuki only had time to jerk in surprise before Izuku's fist hit him and his block was broken instantly, sending his arms flying out of the form he held.

He was then pinned to the ground before he could even think past his shock. A knee was jabbed into his ribs - more gently than he expected, while the other dug into the dirt for an ankle to hook around his thigh and trap it.

"Good," Izuku praised, "Now again." He unhooked his limbs from the his and jumped back to his feet.

Katsuki didn't hesitate, though his exhaustion was becoming obvious as the punch he threw was the sloppiest he had thrown today. Izuku side stepped out of the way of his punch and sent a kick towards his stomach. He gasped and struggled not to curl his arms around his stomach and sink to the ground. It hurt, but he wasn't done yet, not quite.

"Oi!"

Izuku jerked backwards as his small, muscular body collided with his stomach, quickly wrapping around his torso until he was firmly held in a hug. "Oh! You caught me off guard Kacchan, I didn't expect that!" Laughing, Izuku carefully detached him from his waist and the greenette teasingly stabbed him in the ribs with his fingers. "Though it wasn't good enough!" 

Izuku charges at him, faster than he did before, and Katsuki pivots on his heels and backs up a few steps. Izuku doesn't slow when he retreats, instead he adjusts his direction and continues forward all in one skillful movement with no hesitation. 

The greenette uses his shoulder to ram into his stomach and send him flying as he hits the ground with a loud thud, air rushing out of his lungs as he lets out a strangled grasp. Even more air is forced out when a heavy weight flips him over, grabs his arms firmly behind his back and sits on his lower back. 

"Okay that's enough for today." 

Katsuki immediately scowled, confusion and even apprehension quickly giving way to frustration. "Why? We just started?" He asked, ignoring the fact that his body is being pushed against the ground in a way he can't even think to get out of.

"You don't want to harm your body, you fell quite a bit of times Kacchan you're bound to have some bruises." 

"So what?!"

Izuku sighed and pressed his knee into his side causing him to let out a pained yelp. "See? It's better to fight when you're not sore. Besides you have time to get stronger Kacchan, you don't need to rush," Izuku declared, his signature grin stretched across his lips.

He 'tched' and clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Oi! Lemme go, I'm gonna kick your ass nerd!" He grits out, squirming under Izuku's hold.

Izuku nods, letting go of the hold he had on his arms and gets up and off of his back. "You did good," He praised, holding out a hand to help him up.

"Didn't get ya' though." He pouts, allowing himself to be pulled up and onto his feet.

Izuku laughs and drops a hand softly on his head, giving a ruffle and a crooked grin. "You're getting better though Kacchan. Soon you'll be beating me!"

Katsuki stops — then makes a part-amused, part- indigent sound, pushing Izuku's hand off and sticking his tongue out at the greenette which in turn makes Izuku laughs harder at the sight.

"I'm serious though," Izuku urged, "You're improving at an incredibly fast rate you know. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself Kacchan." Izuku smiled fondly at him, and pinched the bridge of Katsuki's nose. He squinted and his eyes were forced to go cross-eyed as he tried to glare down at the fingers.

"Yeah, yeah," He mumbled, " I know nerd, ya' tell me that all the time."

Izuku released his nose and settles for interlocking their arms instead, dragging him towards a tree that wasn't so far off. Izuku stumbled a few times on some obscure roots that riddled the earth, and pulled him so his back rested against the tree. They slid down to the ground, knees bumping as their bodies it the ground with a thump.

"Hey... Zu?"

Izuku stares agape, and his mouth opens and closes, not quite producing his thoughts properly as his brain turns to mush. "U–uh," He fumbled, digging a finger nail into his own hand to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "Zu?" 

Katsuki snorted and rolled his eyes. ''Yeah, sounds cutesy enough to match with the shitty nickname ya' gave me."

"Shitty? Oi," Izuku glares at him, through theirs no heat behind it as he bumps their shoulders together, looking into the sky. "Huh, Zu? I... really like it. It's cute. Thank you Kacchan, that made me really happy." Izuku leans his chin against Katsuki's collarbone and puffs out a breath of air, blowing some of the Katsuki's bangs out of his face. 

"Yeah, yeah, yer' welcome Zu," He mumbled, voice barely audible over his own heavy breathing. "Thought it was 'bout time for a fucking change ya know? It's been shitty nerd for a long time."

Izuku hums, "Yeah. It has been, hasn't it?"

They sit in silence for a moment before Katsuki smirks. "Hey, Zu," He mumbled, resting his chin on top of the greenette's mop of hair. "So ya' didn't sneak out last night and almost get arrested?"

Izuku squawks and shoves the blonde away with a huff. "No! What I was doing was perfectly legal!"

"So," He trailed off, "That means that something did happen then?" he smirked, watching Izuku's facial expressions change every few seconds as the greenette tries to figure out how to feel; it just makes him feel more smug when he realizes that he unintentionally got the truth out of his friend.

"No!" Izuku grits out, grabbing him by the shoulders.

"Bullshit!" He shouts, ignoring how he gets shook back and forth in retaliation.

"No!"

"Ya' did illegal shit?"

"Did not!"

...

"...Can ya' take me with ya' next time Zu?"

"Absolutely not!" 

Katsuki just grins and barks out a laugh as his friend continues to deny him getting involved. Which he was totally going to do anyways. Why wouldn't he want to go on an adventure in the middle of the night? Izuku didn't have to like it, but one way or the other he was going to join the greenette and he was going to have a blast doing it.