Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Shoto,” she said suddenly “I think it’s about time for me to meet him, don’t you think,”. Shoto’s heterochromatic eyes drifted to meet determined grey. Shoto knows who she’s talking about, they’ve had this discussion only once before, but Shoto and his mother were just beginning to rebuild their delicate relationship together and Shoto was still learning what it meant to be friends with his crazy, green haired classmate. It felt too early for all of them, Shoto wanted to get to know both her and Izuku more before officially letting them meet. He told her as such. “Alright,” she agreed easily, “I’d like to meet the boy that did so much for my baby when I couldn’t,” she said softly. “But I understand. Until then, you can’t tell me anything more about him,” she stated playfully, “Not even his name. I want him to tell me himself when that day arrives!” His mother’s smile will always be a treasure and Shoto couldn’t possibly say no to such bright expression.

The moment he left the hospital and checked his phone everything got so busy starting with Shigaraki at the mall, the disaster that was the training camp leading to Kamino Ward and the fall of All Might, not to mention the rise of Endeavor and everything that came with it. Now that everything’s calmed down, he really can’t refuse. Shoto sighed fondly, giving in without a single word, there really was no point in putting this off any longer than he already has. “I’ll have to bring him with me next week, will that be alright?”

“Of course! Same time as usual!” she stated victoriously. The conversation quickly faded to more mundane topics, “How are the dorms going?” “Denki and Mina accidently destroyed the kitchen sink while testing trying to see what would happen if they mixed their quirks” or “How’s school?” “Like the dorms but with adult supervision and notes,” and many other topics and tangents and before they knew it a young nurse knocked and peaked his head through the door to his mother’s room.

“I apologize for the interruption but visiting hours will be ending soon, you have a few minutes but then we’ll need you to check out,” Shoto, although disappointed, took the news without complaint, it was getting quite late. Through the window he could see that it wasn’t quite sunset, but it would be soon.

“Thank you, Kankoshi-san, I’ll send him out in just a moment,” the nurse, Kankoshi-san, gave his mother a pleased smile and a nod before disappearing back into the hallway. Shoto turned back to his mother to inquire what it was she wished to say only to be lifted from his hospital chair and pulled into his mother’s embrace.

“Wha-?”

“I love you so much, Shoto,” she said into his hair “And I am so glad that I can have these moments with you,” Shoto shook out of his surprise and returned the embrace with equal intensity. They stood there for a moment, feeling the love fill the silence as they held each other in their arms.

“Mom,” Shoto cleared his throat to ease the lump that had formed. “Mom, I love you too,” It was said so softly but she heard him and held him even tighter, like he may vanish before she was done. He wouldn’t, he’d fight every nurse and doctor for her. Sadly, every good thing must come to an end, and they were forced to part. Both of their cheeks were dry, but his mother had a mist filling her eyes, he wouldn’t be surprised if his eyes were the same. “I’ll see you later, okay?”“Yep! Next Friday at 5pm sharp,” she smiled, “And don’t forget to bring your little hero!” Shoto gave her one final nod with a quick reassurance that he would remember.

The checkout process was the same as always, he hardly even needs to think about it as he goes through the motions of leaving the hospital. 

The train ride wasn’t special, it never was and hopefully, it never will be. The 7:30 train wasn’t frequented often, when it was they were usually families or small groups of friends heading out to do some sort of “quality bonding” exercises like, but not limited to, shopping, going out to dinner, or just to hop on the train and talk. Shoto sits alone. He doesn’t mind the absence of company, it’s a good time to think about the things his mother shared with him during their visits. Now though, Shoto stares down at a particular chat he opened with a very particular person. How do you tell your very first friend that your mother wants to meet him in a week? Shoto spent just about the entire train ride just thinking What am I supposed to do with this?! As Shoto got off the train to begin his trek back to the estate he came to the conclusion that he would need a professional opinion on the matter. With that taken care of Shoto relaxed in the deep reds and purples of the dying sunset. Silence wrapped around the empty streets, not even Shoto’s footsteps could be heard. It was good evening, Shoto decided.

The estate was as imposing as ever, casting dark shadows on the Shoto’s relaxed mood. Trudging up to the door, Shoto inserted his key in the lock an opened the door.

“I’m home,” Shoto announced to the empty living room. Father had some business in Kyushu so the only one home should be-

“Hi-ya Shoto!” Fuyumi. “How was mom? She seemed pretty excited to see you when I went to visit her the other day,” She said it in a way that made it obvious that she already knew about their mother’s request. Well, Shoto doesn’t mind. Actually, he’s grateful, that means now is the perfect time to ask.

“Yes, she asked me to bring Izuku,” An unreadable expression appeared on her face but passed quickly enough that Shoto brushed it off as his imagination. "next week. I was actually hoping to ask for your assistance in the matter. How would someone ask their first friend to accompany them to a hospital so they can meet their mother?” Shoto deadpanned.

“…”

Why is she laughing? It wasn’t a very funny sentence, right?

“Uh-?” what is happening?

“Shoto,” Fuyumi said smiling. “That’s all you need to say. Here, hand me your phone?” Shoto pulled said devise from his pocket, unlocking it before placing it her hands. She tapped a few things into his phone then handed it back so he could see what she had done. She had opened his messages and had sent a text to his bone breaking classmate.

Shoto:

Hello.

That’s not very much.

“I tried my best to make it sound like it was you texting. For now, we just wait for him to re-,” Ding. Huh. That was fast. “Or not wait at all!” They looked to see what the boy had sent in reply.

Shoto:

Hello.

Izuku:

What’s up Shoto! Is everything alright?

“This is great!” Fuyumi cheered. “Now you just have to ask your question! Easy peasy!” She gave him a bright smile and a double thumbs up.

Izuku:

What’s up Shoto! Is everything alright?

Shoto:

Yes, everything is fine. I just have a question for you.

Izuku:

Oh, that’s good! \(^U^)/ And I’m always willing to answer your questions! So shoot!

Shoto:

Would you be able to accompany me to the hospital next week? My mother wishes to meet you.

Izuku:

• • •

“It’s been a little long for a yes or no question. Is he checking his schedule or something?” Fuyumi asked, confused. Shoto didn’t respond. He had a pretty good idea of what was happening on the other end of the screen but didn’t want to voice his suspicions out loud without any proof. Many moments later they finally received a response. Well, responses.

Shoto:

Would you be able to accompany me to the hospital next week? My mother wishes to meet you.

Izuku:

Really?! She wants to meet me? O_O

I’m always free Friday evenings as well. Mom has graveyard shift.

Gosh dang it, I got tears all over my Art History notebook (//>//<//)

But are you sure?

Is SHE sure?

I M NOT SAYING I DON’T WANT TO! I just don’t want to intrude. I know you deeply enjoy your visits. And it wouldn’t be very cool of me to mess with that ): That’s not Plus Ultra at all )))))):

The confirmation that Shoto was correct that tears are what was taking so long was appreciated.

Shoto:

Yes. We are sure. We’ve talked about it before but decided to wait until now. You are allowed to decline if there is a problem.

Izuku:

NO!

No. I would love to join you. What time?

Shoto:

I usually just stay after school until 4:15 then head to the train station. I bring a change of clothes.

Izuku:

Greqat!

Great*

I'll see you on Monday! Unless there was anything else?

Shoto:

N o, that is all. Have a good night Izuku

Izuku:

Goodnight!

Shoto put his phone back into his pocket with a sigh. That went better than he thought it would.“So?! What did he say?!” Oh. He hadn’t noticed when Fuyumi head stepped away. She was walking back into the room from the dining area, an apple in hand.

“He said yes, and that he cried on his notebook. Don’t worry, he does that sometimes. He was happy,” the small tension that formed at hearing his friend cried melted away at the reassurance that everything was fine.

“I’m so glad this is finally happening! Mom’s been looking forward to this for ages! After he meets mom you should invite him over for dinner! I can cook and we can even have Natsu come over! It’ll be so fun!” she was bouncing with her excitement. Fuyumi can light up the darkest of places when she gets like this. Even the Todoroki estate can shine.

“That may overwhelm him, Fuyumi. I’ll make sure ask him, but not right away,” A dinner with the whole Todoroki family alone sounds exhausting, no offence to Izuku but adding him to the already volatile mix of people sounds like a far worse experience than Shoto can handle right now.

“Yes, right! Don’t overwhelm him. Smart,” she still had an exited grin on her face (maybe she got her smile from mom. He’s not sure he’ll be able to avoid that dinner if she smiles like that again). A slightly awkward silence followed hinting that the conversation had ended. Shoto was beginning to feel the day weigh down on him. Maybe it was time for bed? Sleep sounds so unbelievably heavenly after all this social interaction. He enjoyed his day but it’s time to fall face first into his sheets and cease to exist a while.

“I think I’m going to head to bed. Thank you for your help this evening, I really appreciate it,” Shoto can only hope the sincerity of his statement shines through his resting “don’t talk to me” face.

“Of course, I’ll always be happy to help you,” She seems tired as well.

“Goodnight, Fuyumi,”

“Goodnight, Shoto. I love you,” an obviously uncomfortable pause followed her statement.

“…”

He wrapped his arms around his sister.

“I love you too,” He didn’t give her a chance to process what had happened before aborting the hug and retreating to his room.

Chapter Text

Izuku loves to learn. He loves knowing things, math is fun, science is fascinating, history is literally reading ancient stories of heroes, and villains! One of Izuku’s favorite classes has to be Art History with Midnight Sensei (“Are you ever going to call me Kayama Sensei?” “…” She sighed, exasperated). At least half of the curriculum is based pre-quirk era. Midnight Sensei is always so excited to teach them about old, famous, and probably mentally unstable artists (“… And then he cut his own ear off,” He did what now?! “They say he gave it to a young woman to show his affection for her,” Midnight flashed her scary “Midnight” grin “Vincent was a feisty one, don’t’chya think?” she winked). Izuku always puts his all into the work she gives them. He does that for all his classes, but he always just does that little bit more for that class

. Izuku’s reading from the textbook and adding anything that looks important to his notes when he hears the soft ping of a xylophone, for some reason it reminded him of Shoto, so he set it as Shoto’s text alert tone. Picking up the phone beside him he absently see’s that its just about 7:45. Shoto must have returned from his Friday night visit with his mom. Izuku hopes everything’s alright.

Shoto:

Hello.

Izuku huffs in amusement. Shoto’s so straightforward.

Shoto:

Hello.

Izuku:

What’s up Shoto! Is everything alright?

Izuku will always and forever have texting anxiety. It’s not that texting itself makes him anxious, it’s the fact that it could come across wrong and Izuku never, ever wants to hurt someone on accident. Miscommunication is so unbelievably easy over text and anything can be read wrong. This response was a safe response that isn’t very easily misread as hurtful, doesn’t mean Izuku doesn’t worry about it though.

Izuku:

What’s up Shoto! Is everything alright?

Shoto:

Yes, everything is fine. I just have a question for you.

A question? I wonder if it has to do with a social situation? Well! Izuku’s always happy to help his friend!

Shoto:

Yes, everything is fine. I just have a question for you.

Izuku:

Oh, that’s good! \(^U^)/ And I’m always willing to answer your questions! So shoot!

That seems like a pretty safe response.

Shoto:

Would you be able to accompany me to the hospital next week? My mother wishes to meet you.

What? Why would she-?

Izuku promptly bursts into tears.

Shoto can’t just say things like that! She wants to meet him? Izuku doesn’t know what to think. He’s honored, but also confused, happy, confused, and-

OH NO MY NOTEBOOK-!

Throwing his phone onto his bed Izuku pulls open the bottom drawer of his desk. It's full of small towels, it’s a necessity for Midoriya’s. Tears are a family trait on his mother’s side of the family, to many things get water damage if you don’t have the towel drawers. Izuku quickly dries his own eyes with the soft towel before dabbing at the desk, notes, textbook, and floor. Thank goodness nothing was to badly damaged; the textbook will have some odd texture from being wet and the notebook is a bit more difficult to read but it’ll be fine.Izuku sits down on his bed, picking his phone up. My mother wishes to meet you stares back at him, unwavering and Izuku can feel his anxiety, joy, tears well up again.

Izuku: Really? !

Wait, he can’t just leave it at that! What is he thinking? Oh wait, he’s not.

She wants to meet me? 0-0

I’m always free Friday evenings as well. Mom has graveyard shift.

Goodness, he took a while to respond. Is that rude? Does Shoto think Izuku was ignoring him?! Oh no, what if he did?! He just got excited and almost ruined his classwork! Shoto knows Izuku though, maybe izuku should just-

Gosh dang it, I got tears all over my Art History notebook (//>//<//)

Is he spamming? He hopes he isn’t being annoying.

But are you sure?

Izuku isn’t qualified for this.

Is SHE sure?

That makes it sound like Izuku doesn’t want to go! Ugh! Why is he so bad at this?! He has no right to make fun of the way Shoto texts when this is the kind of disaster Izuku is.

IM NOT SAYING I DON’T WANT TO! I just don’t want to intrude. I know you deeply enjoy your visits. And it wouldn’t be very cool of me to mess with that ):

Okay. Okay. This is fine. This should be alright.

Shoto: Yes. We are sure. We’ve talked about it before but decided to wait until now. You are allowed to decline if there is a problem.

Not fine! This is not fine! Well, them being sure about this is good. Izuku wants to meet her. He'd love to. He just… doesn’t want them to force themselves to do something they don’t actually want just because they feel it should happen.

Izuku:

NO!

no. I would love to join you. What time?

Izuku takes a deep breath.

There is absolutely no way he’s finishing his notes tonight.

Shoto: I usually just stay after school until 4:15 then head to the train station. I bring a change of clothes.

Okay, good. Izuku can tell this whole mess is winding down. gosh he needs some sleep.

Izuku:

Greqat!

Ugh.

Great*

Ill see you on Monday! Unless there was anything else?

Shoto:

No, that is all.Thank goodness.Have a good night Izuku

Izuku:

Goodnight!

Izuku’s going to sleep for a hundred years. Anxiety is exhausting.

Izuku’s weekend is over before he knows it. Izuku was able to finish the remaining work he was given for the weekend (including Midnight sensei’s tear stained notes) on saturday; a big dinner with mama was his reward. They had katsudon. It wasn’t a special day but with Izuku visiting the dorms that weekend they decided to make it special by having his favorite food followed by mama’s favorite dessert. After that they watched some old tv shows that were, sadly, no longer airing episodes, till they fell asleep on the couch. Sunday was spent getting all his stuff back together and ready to take back to UA. Izuku would be picked up by a teacher around 3pm. So here he is, in the back of Mic sensei’s car with Aizawa sensei in the passenger seat. Its awkward, to say the least. Mic sensei is very good at easing the tension despite Aizawa sensei’s ever blank face and Izuku silently listening.

"So Little Listener, how was your weekend?” Mic sensei prompted.

“Ah! It was good! I love hanging out with my mama, she’s amazing,” If anything can get Izuku excited to talk it talking about quirks, All Might, and mama. Aizawa sensei shifts in his seat (Izuku can’t see it but Aizawa looks thoughtful, like he remembered something).

“That’s great to hear, Listener! Us teachers mostly graded some backed up assignments and got some activities set up for the students. Joint training with the heroics courses has Sho busy as a bee!” Mic sensei explains. The image of Aizawa sensei in his sleeping bag, lined with black stripes, hovering of the ground with a pair of small, round wings has Izuku giggling from his spot in the back seat.

“What about you Mic sensei? Do you have any plans for your homeroom?” Izuku asks.

“Of course I do! My little listeners are in for the best time of their lives! So I was thinking that-,” Mic sensei spend the rest of his time explaining the activity he has planned for his homeroom. It’s easy to forget that Mic sensei, although kind and boisterous, has his own sadistic side. Not as much as Midnight sensei and Aizawa sensei, thank goodness, but Izuku pities the poor children of class 1-C.

UA was as ridiculously amazing as always. Big glass windows greeted them as they went toward the underground parking lot. The parking lot isn’t a secret, per say, since it’s a teacher only area it just wasn’t something the students (or anyone else) needed to know about. The creation of the dorm system changed that. The first Izuku came down here was just after the Shei Hassaikai raid. The students were returned to the dorms with teacher escorts and taken to their respective dorms, and that’s exactly what is happening now as Izuku and Aizawa sensei walk up to the 1-A Heights Alliance building.

“Here we are, Problem Child,” Aizawa said flatly.

“Ah, yeah. Yep, we are,” Izuku is an idiot. Izuku waited for a response, no response came.

Awkwardly, Izuku scurried through the door. Aizawa watching him the entire time. Why does he do that.

Huh. What if it’s a side effect of his quirk. The need to see, to understand and to observe anything and everything. That’s so interesting! It would help his underground hero work immensely, not to mention that understanding what does and doesn’t qualify as a mutation versus a quirk effects is necessary when using eraser.

Even better what if it wasn’t a quirk side effect that would mean he had built that skill. That would mean Aizawa sensei worked hard to increase his skills in observation and analyzing…

Wait. Why would he need to be analyzing Izuku?

Before he can think on it to much someone lays their hand on his shoulder. Izuku tenses but quickly sees that Shoto is the one in front of him.

“Oh! Hey Shoto!”

“Hello. What were you thinking about? I’ve been saying your name since you walked in,” Shoto stated. Izuku’s happy to see the concern shine through the teens grey and blue eyes.

“Well, Aizawa sensei just seemed to be, uh, staring at me a bit longer than usual. And I was thinking that maybe he has a built in urge to stare at things as a side effect of his quirk but then I ThoughtThatMaybeItWasASkillSenseiHonedAndMasteredAsAHeroButWhyWouldHeBeDoingThatForMe?ThereIsn’tReallyAnythingAboutMeToSeeSo-,” Izuku trails off realizing that he might be speaking to fast.

“You don’t need to worry about it, Izuku. I’m pretty sure he does that to everyone,” It’s a testament to their friendship that Shoto understood a single word that came out of his mouth, but the same was for Izuku when it came to reading the emotions the other boy was feeling.

“That’s,” is that helpful? Is Aizawa sensei always trying to pick all of them apart? Actually, yeah. Underground hero. Of course he’s analyzing everyone around him. It’s a job requirement. “Really helpful, actually. Thank you, Shoto. You originally wanted to talk to me about something, right? You said you were trying to get my attention?”

“Yes. Jiro said that there is a high possibility of a pop quiz tomorrow in Kayama sensei’s class and the others are getting together to study in Iida’s room. They asked me to see if you had arrived yet and ask if you wished to join,”

“Of course! I love studying with you guys,” Shoto began walking toward the elevator pressing the button to call it down to the common room. The comfortable silence followed them all the way to Iida’s room and ending when Shoto knocked and entered the room without waiting for a response.“He said ye-,”

“Todoroki-kun?! Where have you-? Have you bee-? We sent you to check for Midoriya-kun over a hour ago! We thought you decided to bail!"

“Shoto!” Izuku laughs. Prompting the others joining in shortly after. They studied for a couple more hours before deciding to split off to wind down and rest.

(In the teacher’s dorm Kayama Nemuri has a wicked grin on her face. The look on those kids faces as a pop quiz they studied for never comes. Little Jiro isn’t as slick as she thinks she is.)

Chapter Text

Shouta is drawn out of his nap by yelling from the hallway. Teenagers.

“I don’t know what happened! I heard her mention that there was a pop quiz to Aizawa Sensei! I swear to Nedzu!” Ah. Shouta’s lips tug at his cheeks. Seems Nemuri pulled a little trick on his students. He will never get tired of a high quality Ruse™.

The need to sleep pulls at his eyelids, begging him to get more rest. Rest and sleep are 2 very different things in Shouta’s book. Rest is what you do when you can't sleep.  Shouta usually doesn't get either of them. However, sometimes sleep will catch him off guard. Shouta was able to get some actual sleep on Saturday and his exhausted body was craving it. Sunday was spent going back and forth from students' homes to the dorms so he spent the whole day away from the school. Whatever time he had between those activities was spent avoiding people. He didn’t have any want or need to have any sort of interaction with anyone beyond what was strictly necessary. That includes listening to Nemuri talk about an, apparently fake, pop quiz. Whatever Jiro overheard, Shouta wasn’t there for it. 

“Jiro-chan,” Tsuyu addressed. The kids were closer to the classroom now. “I believe Kayama Sensei knew you were there, she must have been messing with us,” Tsuyu will always be one of his favorites. She’s the only logical student he has.

“You have to admit, she did get us to study!” Shunk. With the door now open a large group of the hellspawn crowd into the front of the room. Shouta is comfortably situated under his desk away from the commotion. His students would have to look to find him, but he can see them just fine. Each student has a special mix of exhausted, betrayed, embarrassed, angry (Bakugo), and disappointed expressions on their faces. It would be funny if Shouta’s cold dead heart were capable of such feelings (“ You’re such a liar, Sho! You love those kids, I can see it written all over your grumpy little moth man face!"

"you can shut your mouth, Zashi,”). 

“I think Midnight Sensei's logical ruse will be a benefit to the class,” 

Ah yes, The Problem Child. 

“I bet that, once this unit is over, everyone's overall grades will have improved!” The boy gives a small fist pump in the air. 

“There's a good handful of us in class who struggle to focus when studying. I'm guilty of it myself! However, because we all studied so hard for a fictitious test, we have what we need to do better on our homework. Which means we will do better on the final test. Which will, in turn, improve everyone's overall grade! I can't wait to see the class average! I bet it'll be higher than our previous units have been!” 

The boy talks quickly but not at max speed, so Shouta can understand him. That is certainly one way to look at the situation. Shouta is sure that Nemuri is just messing with his students. Of course, she had to have seen the benefits in the Logical Ruse™. But Nemuri is more of a sadistic gremlin while Shouta prefers to attack his students with logic. Unfortunately for all hero world hopefuls, all UA teachers have there own special brand of sadistic tendencies. The apples never fall far from the tree (That tree being the Rat Principle they all have the privilege of working under. The one that's more sadistic, logical, and gremlin-like than them all) 

Shouta will keep this knowledge to himself, it would be wasteful to steal the glimmer of hope that has entered the eyes of the more struggling students. 

As the conversation continues, Shoutas eyes drift to the aforementioned Problem Child. He hadn't noticed until recently, but Midoriya looks like someone. Someone Shouta should know. Emphasis on SHOULD. The name never comes, just the feeling of “familiar” that dances in the back of his skull. After mulling it over, he's sure it's not Midoriya's looks that's causing the familiarity. No, it's something much deeper than that.

A memory of sitting in the UA infirmary at the conclusion of the sports festival appears at the forefront of his mind. Seeing Midoriya’s mangled arm and fingers that evening was the first time Shouta felt it. It shocked him that seeing the boy in such a state was familiar. 

It's hard not to stare sometimes. 

Maybe if he looks long enough the answer will hit him upside the head. Then Shouta could sit and wonder how he hadn't seen it before. 

That moment never seems to come.

He's knocked out of his thoughts when the bell rings signaling the beginning of class. 

Shouta is satisfied to see all students quiet and at attention. 

There's hope for them yet.

He takes one more glance at The Problem Child.

Self-destructive tendencies and all. 

Aizawa sensei starts class within the first few seconds after the bell rings. Shoto is trying his best to pay attention but he's failing to see the importance of it. He's positive Endeavor has taught this to him before which makes it even easier to tune out.

His face reveals nothing of his thoughts and feelings; set in its usual neutral expression. His knee doesn't bounce, his eyes don't twitch, he doesn't fiddle, he doesn't move a single muscle. He stares straight ahead, nodding when it's appropriate to do so despite not gaining much from Sensei’s lesson or whatever he's talking about. It's not like it matters anyway. 

“I’d like to meet the boy that did so much for my baby when I couldn’t,” she said softly. 

Shoto’s not sure if this is a good idea.

But the smile she gave him when he finally agreed

Pure joy. That's the only thing he could call it. Despite his mother's pale skin, white hair, and dull hospital clothes, her smile lit up the hospital room with light and color. Sparkles hung in the air around her like a crown of fine diamonds, even the sun itself wavered in the face of her light. 

Shoto isn't sure if this is a good idea.

But he wants to see that smile again. That smile means that everything good that his mother deserves is right in front of her. 

She really does deserve it all.