Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Yagi…you’re a good friend,” He started, “and I care for you very deeply which is why I’m going to be honest with you and spare you the niceties”. He shifted so he would face the Blond smiling idiot directly, leaned his elbows on his knees, and then clasped his hands together.

“There is no way this is legal.” The detective states.

Now, Tsukauchi was a reasonable man. His quirk and line of work demanded he be unbiased and open-minded, but when a close friend of his decided to barge into his apartment right after his shift had ended with the most outrageous request he’s heard from the 7ft pole so far, he had no choice but to shut him down immediately. Not only because what he had requested verged on illegal stalking but also because he couldn’t comprehend why his friend would ask for such a thing therefore there had to be an outside influence either forcing or encouraging him to do this.

“But…But, Tsukauchi! This could be it!” his tone was only a hint desperate but overall maintained the excitement of a 9-year-old that had just received the biggest load of candy on Halloween.
“I don’t know what “it” is but I’m not going to take advantage of my position and hand you the records of some guy you met on the street. Let alone a minor!” he insisted.

The shorter male really wanted to know, what in god’s name possessed him to want the public and private records of some minor he had saved today. Tsukauchi had seen the report, since he oversaw most cases that involved All Might, and found nothing that stood out about either of the minors involved in the incident. One had been taken hostage and the other ran in to save his life. The only thing that sorta stood out was that one of the minors was quirkless and it wasn’t the hostage.

And sure, it is quite impressive that a quirkless boy had the courage to rush into the blazing fire to save what he assumes is a classmate or friend but why would Toshinori be so hung up on that…Unless!

He looks up in an instant at the smiling gentleman that now has his legs crossed and a grin that stretched just a bit wider than earlier. “please, no, no, no, Toshinori this is way too reckless! Even for you!” he was in distress and that only egged the blond on. His grin seemed to stretch almost covering the entire lower half of his face. It would have been menacing if it weren’t for Tsukauchi already being used to his bullshit.

He groaned, very loudly, while running his hands down his face. He really needed the weekend off if he was going through with his best friend’s stalker tendencies. Now, Tsukauchi would like to call himself a good man. He works for the law, helps the public as much as he could, and even helps his elderly neighbor every Monday with his groceries. He also knew that his dear friend Toshinori is indeed a good person, he’s the number 1 hero for god’s sake. But that doesn’t justify the fact that he’s considering encouraging said stalking tendencies.

He sighs, loud and heavy, and sinks into his couch. He knows Toshinori doesn’t have much left before retirement, He’d be lucky just to get through this year, so if he truly thinks this pre-teen boy can handle the responsibility of such power then who is Tsukauchi to deny his friend of finally passing on the gift his master had before him.

“Fine,” he groans out. His friend visibly perks up, “but only the important stuff! That’s all my morals will allow.”

“That’s all I need!” the 7ft giant chirped, his smile melting into a much gentler one, almost as if apologizing for being so pushy which Tsukauchi scoffed at.

“I’ll have it ready in 2 days. I still have other cases to work on after all.” He grunts as he gets up, his job primarily consisting of desk work having fucked up his back, and heads to his pantry to get started on some popcorn. “Now, come on, this movie night isn’t starting itself.”

He was answered with a chuckle.

Me
Np
8:38 pm

Me
I expect free muffins for my services
8:39 pm

Izuku huffs before closing his phone and shoving it in his jean pocket. He’s currently making his way home from Ashido’s. Her parents offered for him to sleepover since his mom has a late shift, stating that they’d feel a lot better if they didn’t send him back to an empty home, but he declined. He liked the Ashido couple; they were just as expressive and fun as their daughter but he didn’t want to overstay his welcome. He also just needed some time to himself and it just so happened that a dark and empty home was the perfect place for that.

He sighed. He’s still not over it, huh? An entire week had passed since the sludge incident and he’s still wasn’t over those few simple words All Might had said. It’s pathetic, really. It’s not like he didn’t expect it. He didn’t even feel shocked at the time, just hurt and disappointed in himself for expecting anything else. On the bright side, Bakugo and his lackeys have been less asshole-y towards him. They still make fun of him and laugh like dying hyenas whenever he so as stutters but they haven't been as physical and he's been going home with fewer bruises and a jaw that wasn't as sore as it usually was.

Izuku has regarded the "Treat people how you want to be treated" rule a long while ago, mainly because he's played nice for all his childhood and hasn't received so much as a compliment. All he got were bruises and disdainful glares. He was 10 when he threw that rule to the street and replaced it with a new rule. "What comes around, goes around". That was also around the time he started fighting back.

Whatever, he just needs some space and maybe some popsicles. He needs something to chew on.

He stops by a convenience store and instantly rushes to get his frozen treats and leave, hoping for minimal interaction with the cashier. He was counting his change when he realized he’s missing 50 yen.

“Shit,” he was about to return one of the 6 melon flavored popsicles when a hand came out of nowhere and practically shoved itself in his face causing him to physically jump away and glare at the offender. Green orbs met golden hair and electric blue eyes. The hand seemingly attached to a giant skeleton man, and while Izuku wasn’t one to judge (His bestfriend looks like if cotton candy had a child with an eldritch horror) but this man looked 2 days away from starvation and/or already had a date with death and somehow got rejected.

He raised a brow and let out a questioning grunt asking what the fuck was the deal with this 7ft, incapacitated grandpa. If the stranger didn’t understand his blatant question, then he would not provide any more clarification and go back to ignoring everyone that wasn’t the cashier. Unfortunately, the glorified sunflower did understand and responded with a smile that had way too many teeth but somehow didn’t feel as threatening as it should’ve.

“You’re missing change, right?” and on second glance, the hand did in fact have two 50 yen coins.

“Oh…thanks?” he hesitated before taking one of the coins handing it to the cashier who was understandably making a weird face at the whole interaction.

They maintained eye-contact for another minute, mainly because Izuku didn’t know what the fuck he’s supposed to do in these types of situations. Should he bow and leave? Wait until the man himself left? Is he expecting Izuku to repay the 50 yen somehow? God, he wishes Mina were here. She usually handles all the social interactions he doesn't feel like having so that Izuku wouldn’t have to fumble through them.

Apparently, Izuku stood frozen for too long because the man was now waving goodbye. He waved back awkwardly before the man passed him and headed to the exit. As he passed him, Izuku caught a faint scent. The man smelt like chamomile tea. He turned to stare at the mans back as he pulled the glass door open.

Blond hair and a chamomile scent.

Why did they seem so familiar?

His nose is never wrong when it comes to scents and he’s usually pretty good at matching them to faces but for some reason he just can’t think of a name or face to stick this scent to.

He shrugs it off and continues to bag his items. His stress is probably messing up his nose.

Yeah.

Probably…

Another day, another struggle, and so was the case for Eijiro Kirishima. Junior High has not been kind to him so far but he’s not too bummed about it. He’s already made up his mind that Highschool would be a new start for him. He’s already working hard and training his quirk so that he’d at least have a chance when he applies for UA. 3 more months and he’ll graduate then he’ll have 3 more to train before the entrance exam.

He chuckles to himself; it feels so surreal and distant but he’s been making good progress with his quirk so far and he promised himself he’d stay optimistic until the letter arrives so that’s what he’s doing.

The final bell rings, Friend’s start making plans as the teacher leaves the classroom. Eijiro packs his stuff and heads to the school entrance. He changes his shoes, tapping them against the ground out of habit, and opened his phone to go over his training schedule for today as he walks to the train station.

“let’s see, 50 push-ups…should probably add more sit-ups and-”

“MI~ DO~ RI~ KUN!!”

Eijiro almost drops his phone. He turns his head in the direction of the voice and finds that just up ahead was none other than one of his classmates crashing into a plain-looking guy who he doesn’t recognize. Mina Ashido is practically hanging off this guy’s arm and the guy does nothing but glare in silence.

He can’t help but wonder what in the hell they were doing, in the middle of the street no less.

“New nickname?” The guy says, lifting up his arm that still has Ashido hanging off of it like some kind of koala. “It fits, no?” The pinkette gives a sly grin. “it’s just my last name without the last syllable. kinda sounds like your calling me green...wait do I look sick?” He opens his phone camera while shaking his arm to get Ashido off him which works after a few shakes.

The girl gives a giggle. “Yeah! but it’s cute, right?” She completely ignores his question and then settles for holding on to his bicep as they start walking.

“Whatever you sa-” The guy made eye contact. Eijiro froze as the guy glared at him menacingly. He instantly turned and hid in an alleyway.

Eijiro is stunned. What did he just witness? That conversation he just heard seemed playful and…and coy? Maybe even, dare he say, flirty??

Is it possible?? Could it be that Mina Ashido, the bravest and most out-going person he’s ever seen, has a boyfriend?! He doesn’t recognize the boy either so he’s most likely not from their school!

He quickly crosses the street and picks a different route back home. If they were indeed dating then Eijiro wouldn’t want to intrude on their conversation by eavesdropping. For all he knows, they might be on their way to a date right now!

Whatever happens he’s not gonna get involved in their business especially since that guy looked like the type to beat him up if he looked at him wrong.

He knew that "Weird and quirky" was a part of Ashido's whole aesthetic but he didn't that it would bleed int her taste.