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Shota watched in amusement and exasperation as his two best friends goofed off and followed him around the store. Hizashi and Nemuri often worried about him and that resulted in the two of them trailing him around a grocery store to make sure he got food other than jelly pouches. They were currently debating which size can of beans he should get.
(“Listen Nemuri, you know damn well that he will not eat that much.”
“You never know! Maybe he’s actually getting an appetite big enough for it!”
The blonde shot her a deadpan stare. She sighed and put the bigger can of beans back on the shelf.)
The door chimed, signaling that someone else had entered the shop. Then a plump, kind-looking woman rounded the corner into the aisle where they were. She tossed the bottom half her hair behind her shoulder as she bent down to scan the bottom shelf. He heard Nemuri choke beside him. Glancing over, he saw the r-rated heroine blushing furiously at the woman.
“Oi Nem.” Shota called. “Wipe the drool off your face, you can get her number later.” She glared at him but walked on anyway, stealing a glance behind her. The woman had started to look their way, a look of recognition crossing her face for some unknown reason. She grabbed a can of beans and headed over to the next aisle. Eventually they found each other by the milk section, where she accidentally ran into him.
“Oh I’m sorry sir.” she apologized.. Her voice was sweet and soft, almost motherly.
“It’s all right, miss.” she smiled and continued scanning the rows of cartons. A few seconds later she seemed to decide something and turned back to the pros.
“I’m sorry to impose but, are you Earserhead?” They were stunned. No one ever recognized Shota in public. He was an underground hero for a reason.
“Er.. yeah that's….me. How did you know who I was?” she smiled.
“You’re my son's favorite hero.” she said. “He rambles about you so much I was able to recognize you.” she paused as if pondering how to do something. “And well I was wondering if you could give him an autograph?” Shota’s eyes narrowed.
“If I may, why am I your son’s favorite hero?” her smile turned sad.
“He loves the way you fight, you’ve even saved him a few times. He loves that you take on opponents that your quirk doesn’t work against just as easily as the ones it does work on. He wants to be a hero so badly but it just isn't in the cards for him.” Shota felt his blood boil. Was this woman quirkist?
“And why can’t he be a hero?”
“Well he’s quirkless.” she said. “And I love my baby, I do. And I want nothing but for him to be happy. I would love to be able to see him grow into the powerful boy I know he is but he has been beaten down too many times by too many people. I just don’t know how to help him reach his goals.” Shota breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t quirkist, just a worried mother. She pulled a picture out of her wallet.
“My baby is one of the smartest people I know. He’s an amazing quirk analyst. He’s able to take a quirk apart in seconds, see what can be done to improve it, to hone it, and he’ll give you the best advice ever. I have a minor telekinesis quirk. I thought I was only able to pick small things like figurines but he gave me ways to pick up bigger things and now I can pick up the fridge with my quirk!” She looked so proud of her boy and she had every reason and more to do so.
“And you’re his favorite. You know they don’t have any merch for you and I suppose it’s for the better but he commissioned his own piece of merch for you! It’s a sweatshirt that says ‘If lost, please return to Eraserhead!’ ”Shota took a look at the picture and his heart nearly stopped. He knew that kid. There was no mistaking it. That was his kid. That was Viridian. The green eyes, the freckles dotting his cheeks. Even the description of his hobby sounded like his partly suicidal vigilante. He looked back at the woman.
“Yeah, I’ll give him an autograph.” She somehow smiled wider, pulling out a small booklet and ripping out a page.
“Who’s it to?” he asked, taking the paper along with the pen she had gotten.
“Izuku!” He nodded, scribbling out a message and folding the paper, handing it back to her.
“And miss..?”
“Oh! I’m Inko Midoriya.”
“Well Miss Midoriya, I’m sure your son will make a fine hero someday. Make sure you’re there for him every step of the way?” She nodded and walked off to pay for her groceries. He turned back to his friend. Which he had admittedly forgotten they were there. They were absolutely flabbergasted.
“What. the hell, Sho!” Hizashi cried. He sighed.
“You know the vigilante I’m working with?”
“Yeah, it’s Viridian. Why?” Nemuri asked.
“That’s his mother. The picture she showed me? Looked exactly like the kid.” Nemuri made a soft sound at the back of her throat before seemingly realizing something.
“I never got her number!” Shota laughed.
“I think she is still loading groceries into her car. Why don’t you go out there and help her while Zashi and I pay for this?” She nodded, zooming out of the store in the blink of an eye. Shota laughed again, this time joined by Hizashi.
---
Inko arrived back at her apartment giddy. She had gotten Izuku Eraserhead's autograph! And his friend’s number but that was besides the point. She just knew how happy her boy would be. Ever since he had mysteriously gotten rid of all his All Might things, Eraserhead quickly became his favorite. She knew why. The man fought quirkless. His quirk only allowed him to block the nerve cells that the brain uses to tell a person’s quirk to activate. That’s why it doesn’t work on mutatio since the quirk is in the person's DNA. Izuku admired the man and she had to agree with him. The man was true to his convictions and had strong beliefs that everyone would benefit from having.
“Izuku!” she called as she stepped inside, bags trailing in the air behind her. “I have something for you!”
---
Izuku raced to the living when he heard his mother walk into the house.
“Hi mama!” He greeted cheerfully.
“Hello sweetie.” she smiled. “I have something for you.” He tilted his head slightly. She held out a piece of paper.
“I ran into a certain hero at the store and asked for an autograph. He wrote you a note but I haven’t looked at it since it’s for you.” Izuku’s eyes widened. He quickly and carefully unfolded the note, eyes getting wider and wider as he read on. When he finished he threw himself at his mother.
“Thank you so much mama.” he whispered.
“Of course, baby.”
---
Shota was waiting on a rooftop. He knew that one of two things was going to happen tonight. Either Viridian wouldn’t show up and they'd put this whole thing behind them. Or Viridian would show up, they’d talk things out and hopefully get him into the Vigilante Reform Program. Shota was really hoping it was the latter.
A few minutes later, a soft thud was heard behind him. Shota turned to see a familiar vigilante coming to his side.
“Easer.” he murmured.
“Viridian.” Shota greeted. They sat in silence for a few moments before Viridian spoke up again.
“Did you mean it?” he asked, still not looking at the pro.
“Mean what?” He asked, knowing full well what the kid was referring to.
“The note you sent me. Did you mean it?”
“Of course I meant it. Do I ever do something I don't mean to?”
“Adopt cats.”
“That..doesn’t count. My point is that yes I meant it. It’s you after all.” The kid shot him a sidelong glance.
“Would you mean it if I was someone else? Still quirkless but someone else?”
“Most likely yes. Unless they refused to put in any work to get to their goal.” He nodded.
“Do… Is there still a spot for me in the Vigilante reform program?” he asked timidly.
“Of course there is, problem child.” Izuku launched himself at his only father figure, wrapping his arms tight around the man, sobbing silently. Shota wrapped his arms around the kid, pulling him closer.
Back at the apartment, a wrinkled piece sat on a desk, looking like it was gripped tightly. It read,
Dear Izuku,
I heard that I was your favorite hero? Amplifier would be jealous. And all the other heroes you managed worm your way into the hearts of. I want you to know that you’ll make a great official hero one day. Because you are Viridian. The Vigilante who stops at nothing to keep others safe, even at the risk of yourself. We all care for you greatly and can’t wait to see you thriving in the halls of UA in my class with all the other helions. I know Kacchan and Kaminari would be thrilled to see you there. Well Kaccha would actually probably be more grumpy about it. Just know, Viridian, that we will always be here for you.
-Eraserhead (Your favorite)