Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Takoba Municipal Beach Park. Toshinori used to come here often. It had been a beautiful thriving beach once. With white sand and clear blue ocean just beyond. He and Nana had met here many times. A special place. But now it was destroyed. Just like she had been. Just like his body had been. 

2 years later and he was still reeling from that terrible battle with One For All. His body had become emaciated in his true form. He was barely able to live. Only holding on to survival. Fighting as a hero was getting worse and worse. He couldn’t do it much longer. He had a few years, if. He was going to have to find a successor. 

Toshinori gripped his bad side gently, watching the sunset behind the piles of rubble. Even with the trash in the way, the sunset was still the most beautiful. Maybe he ought to come back here more often. Being in this place was nice. Calming. Though he could do without dredging up thoughts of his mentor. She’d be so sad to see this place for what it is now. Probably would demand that they clean it. He would try but... He had precious little time with his power. He could only hold his muscle form for a few hours a day. He was going to need every second. 

Though, wouldn’t it be lovely if someone could clean it? 

As the thought passed through his head, his eyes were drawn to a particular pile of junk. Someone was climbing it. They were hard to see, made into a silhouette by the setting sun behind them. They seemed small, a head of fluffy curls being their most defined feature. They climbed to the top of the pile of junk, before pushing what looked like a medium sized kitchen appliance ruined by time off the pile to the beach floor below. 

“OUCH!” A man’s voice rang from the beach. 

The person on top of the pile visibly winced before calling down below, their voice carrying on the wind to Toshinori. “Sorry! You ok dad?” It was a child’s voice. 

Just what the hell was going on? Toshinori’s feet were moving before he could put together his next thought. He stalked down the beach, twisting between the piles of junk until he came to a small clearing in the rubble. The boy had jumped down, his messy green hair taking up most of his head. He was tiny. The boy couldn’t have been older than 9 or 10. 

The child stood next to an adult, who was on the ground, holding his foot in his hand, hissing softly in pain. He looked to be in his late 30’s, a head of neat white hair. The appliance that had dropped, on its side next to him. 

“Does it hurt?” The boy asked

“Not too bad. Shocked me more than anything else. I don’t think you broke any toes.” The man said. Something about his voice was familiar. For a moment, Toshinori was reminded of the deep tones of... but that couldn’t be right. He was dead. Even if he weren’t, he would never be here, with a child (his son by the way the boy had called him dad). 

“Oh good.” The boy said, his shoulders relaxing. 

“Everything ok?” Toshinori asked, stepping forward. “What are you two doing out here on this beach? No one comes here anymore.” 

They both looked up, the boy moving closer to his father. “Just fine.” The man said. “My son and I are just doing some cleaning. Trying to clear the beach. He dropped this minifridge on my foot.” He motioned to said minifridge laying on its side. 

Toshinori nodded, “Are you injured?” 

“No, I don’t think so.” He stood slowly, testing his foot by putting some weight on it. “Hurts a bit, but I think I’ll be just fine.” He stepped forward towards Toshinori. He had freckles dusting his cheeks. “Thank you for your concern though.” 

“I’m glad. I’m also glad someone is trying to fix this beach up. I used to come here a lot when I was younger. It means a lot to me actually, so thank you both for doing what you can.” He said. 

“Means a lot to us too!” The boy said, poking his head out from behind his father. He didn’t look much like him, his face round where his father’s was square, his eyes wide and green compared to narrow and red. But, he did seem to inherit his father’s freckles. “Apparently when I was a baby he and my mom took me here!” 

His father put a hand on his head, ruffling the boy’s curls. “That was a long time ago though. Since I was away it became... This.” He gestured around. “So, I figured between wanting to see my old date spot with my wife back and Izuku here’s hero training... Seemed like a good idea to spend our free time cleaning it.” 

“Hero training?” Toshinori asked. 

“Yeah!” Izuku yelled. He left his father’s side “I’m gonna be a hero. U.A’s entrance exams are only 4 years away. I’m so far behind- I have a lot of catching up to do if I hope to make it.” 

His father sighed softly. “Izuku-” 

“Do you like heroes?” Toshinori asked.

“I love heroes.” He said seriously. “Especially All Might.” 

“He’s not kidding.” His father said “His bedroom is a shrine-” 

“Because he’s the best!” Izuku rounded on his father. “He’s so strong no one has to worry about him-” Used to be true. Not so much now but he’d die before he let a child know that. “He’s always smiling so you feel safe-” that was sweet “I want to be a hero just like that. When I say ‘I am here’ I want people to feel... Saved.” Izuku then gave Toshinori the brightest smile he’s ever seen. 

“I’m sure you will someday.” He said earnestly.

His father checked his phone “It’s getting late. Izu, grab the mini fridge. We’ll put it on the truck and drop off the junk at the trash yard.” He said “Then we can pick up some Katsudon for dinner.” 

Izuku cheered and ran to grab the mini fridge. He picked it up with ease and carried it off the beach. 

“It was nice meeting you-” the man said, pausing with a questioning look. 

“Yagi. Yagi Toshinori.” He smiled 

“Gotcha. Midoriya Hisashi.” He smiled as brightly as his son did. “Have a good night, Yagi-san. Hopefully we’ll see you enjoy the beach someday.” He said, grabbing a large piece of trash himself and following after his son. 

Toshinori smiled after them.

***

It was a few weeks before Toshinori came across the Midoriya’s again. He walked past the beach, holding two shopping bags in his hands. It was a clear Saturday afternoon, the early summer weather was beautiful. He stopped to enjoy the sea breeze, only to realize how different the beach looked from just a few weeks prior. 

An entire section of junk had been cleared away. Still clearly a lot to go, but the difference was startling. He thought of that father and son, their smiling faces. Had they done this much work in such a short period of time? That was- 

His thoughts were cut off by the sound of laughter. A deep man’s laughter and a high pitched giggle of a child. 

Toshinori’s feet were moving before he knew it. 

He padded down to the beach walking over the sand before he came upon another clearing in the junk. Hisashi and Izuku were there. Hisashi was standing, one hand leaning on the hood of a rusted car, the other clutching his stomach. He was laughing so hard he was having a hard time keeping himself upright. Young Izuku on the other hand was laying on his back, knees to his chest, rolling with laughter. 

Toshinori smiled at the scene. “You two seem to be having a good time.” He said. 

Hisashi smiled at him, “Ah- Hello Ya-” He broke off with another fit of laughter “Yagi-san! How are you?” He took several deep breaths, still shaking with laughter. Izuku flopped on his back, giggling softly.

“I’m doing well. I was just getting some groceries when I noticed how different the beach looked already. Then I heard you laughing and well- I was curious.” 

“Oh yeah- Izu. Show Yagi-san what you just showed me.” Hisashi said 

Izuku sat up, grinning wildly “Ok!” He closed his eyes, took a deep breath before his face contorted. It looked rather like the face he made while in his All Might persona. That in itself was quite funny but “I AM HERE.” Izuku’s voice dropped, as low as the young boy could make it. It was so stupid. So ridiculous. So-

Toshinori tossed his head back, laughing harder than he had in years. He laughed until he felt the familiar sensation of blood rushing up his throat before he gagged, coughing and hacking as he spat blood on the ground. He doubled over, dropping his shopping bags. Before he touched the ground, a pair of warm hands grabbed him, keeping him upright. 

Hisashi looked up at him, frowning deeply. “Yagi-san are you alright?” He asked. Izuku was at his other side, a small hand gently holding his wrist. 

He coughed again “Y-yes I am. Thank you. Sorry about that. I hope I didn’t frighten you young Izuku.” He said, his voice hoarse. 

Izuku shook his head “It’s ok Yagi-san. It’s not the first time I’ve seen someone do that.” He said “Are you dying?” 

“Izuku!” Hisashi gasped. 

Toshinori only smiled softly. “It’s quite alright.” he placed a hand on Izuku’s shoulder. “I’m not sure. I was hurt very badly a long time ago. It still causes me a lot of pain. But I am still here. I intend to keep it that way for at least a little while longer.” 

“Izu ah, why don’t you get back to work. I’ll have Yagi-san sit down for a few minutes.” He told his son. Izuku nodded before running off to grab another piece of trash to carry away. “Here, sit down-” He led Toshinori to an old dryer, having him sit. “Do you need something to drink or-” 

“That would be wonderful. I have a few waters in one of my shopping bags.” He said. Hisashi nodded and found the water bottles in question. There were three of them. “If you’d like, you and Izuku can have the other two.” He said. 

He blinked, handing one to Toshinori. “Are you sure? I have some in the car-” 

“Nonsense. Those are still cold. The ones in your car are probably hot by now.” He said, uncapping his water. 

Hisashi held up one as Izuku came back onto the beach “Izu, Yagi-san has a water bottle for you. Here.” 

“Oh! Thank you!” Izuku said. He stood about 15 feet away from them and held out his hand. At once the water bottle Hisahi was holding flew to his son’s waiting and open hand. Izuku uncapped it and drank half of it in several large gulps. “Thank you so much Yagi-san!” He said, put the bottle down and went to grab another trash pile. 

Toshinori watched him with mild interest. “Is that his quirk?” 

“Oh. Yeah.” Hisashi said. “It’s his mother’s quirk. Pull.” He said “He can pull objects towards himself. It’s dependent on his physical strength though.” 

“Ah.” Toshinori said “I see. Hence the strength training and clearing the beach.” 

“That’s right. Izuku has always wanted to be a hero, so... I told him I’d help him get there. We’re still doing some trial and error, seeing ways we can push his quirk. I have a few more theories on ways to make his Pull stronger. We know it’s a matter of what he can pull with his physical body, but his quirk is a mental one. It means there might be a way to increase the ability of Pull without putting more of a strain on his body but that’s entirely theoretical- I’m sorry Yagi-san.”  Hisashi said with a flush dusting his cheeks between his freckles “I get carried away sometimes.” 

Toshinori smiled “No, please keep going. I was interested. You seem very invested in his quirk.” 

“Not just Izu’s.” He said “I’m a quirk consultant.” 

“Ah! Yes, I’ve met a few of them before. Not many out there.” He said thoughtfully. “Do you work for an agency or-?”

“Freelance.” Hisashi said “I do work with a few hero agencies from time to time. It's good work. Sometimes I’ll go into schools and have talks with kids who’s quirks are still developing. Or even real little kids. Help them figure out just what exactly their quirk is, and its limitations for their paperwork.” 

He smiled “That sounds like hard work. Quirks- especially lately, have been getting more and more complicated.” 

Hisashi sighed deeply “You’re telling me. I remember when quirks were simple. ‘I can move things with my mind’ or ‘I have super strength’ or even just ‘I’m fast’.” He sighed “I just had a kid last week. His quirk was bizarre! If he touched you he would turn your entire body into a film reel. The only way to put you back together was if he fed your film reel into his chest. You go through him and you reform on the other side of his body, but he watches your entire life play out in a short amount of time. I feel bad for the kid, honestly. That’s such a rough power to have.” 

“Like... Old film reel?” 

“Yeah. The people just fall apart. Like their skin and bones just peel away into reel.” He said. “It was freaky to watch.” 

Toshinori blinked. “Huh.” was all he managed to say. He turned to watch Izuku. He held his hand out, calling several cans littering the ground. He pulled them to him with his quirk, letting them all fall into a cardboard box on the ground in front of him. “Pull is his mother’s quirk?” He asked

Hisashi nodded “Yep. Exactly like Inko’s.” His voice was soft as spoke the name. 

“What about you?” He asked

“Oh. Just... Just fire breathing.” He said. He said something else but Toshinori couldn’t hear him. He probably wasn’t meant to. “What about you Yagi-san? What’s your quirk?” 

Toshinori smiled, “I’m afraid I was born quirkless.” 

Izuku stopped, looking over his shoulder. A look of wonder on his face. “Really?” He asked, running back to them. “You’re quirkless?” 

“Izu-” 

“I am.” Toshinori said. It was technically true. And certainly his cover story while in this form. 

The boy’s smile softened, “That must be rough.” He said “But I understand. My quirk uh... came late. So everyone thought I was quirkless until... well, last year.” 

He almost choked on more blood. 

“What? But you’re.. What. 9?” 

“I’m 10! Almost 11.” Izuku said, putting his hands on his hips indignantly. 

“You got your quirk at 9 years old?” He’d never heard of someone’s quirk manifesting so late. That should be impossible. The only way he would have gotten a quirk like that was- but he was dead. It must be something else. “How on earth did that happen?” 

Hisashi frowned deeply. He and Izuku shared a look. Finally, Hisashi spoke “The doctor’s think it was a... stress response.” 

“To what?” 

“I got it the night mom died.” Izuku said softly. “I was talking to her, and holding her hand. And she just died. Then after I wanted to pull her blanket up over her... Since she seemed cold and.. The blanket just came to my hand. Like she used to do when she’d tuck me in.” 

It was a plausible story. Certainly the tale of his mother dying seemed to ring true but... Still, years of being a pro taught him to trust his gut. Something about that story wasn’t right. The Midoriya’s seemed like good and kind people but Toshinori knew there was more to be found here. 

“I see.” He said “I’m sorry for your loss.” He told them both 

“Thank you.” Hisashi said “Losing my wife has been... Difficult.” He frowned deeply “But I still have Izu here so we're going to be just fine.” 

At that Izuku smiled brightly. 

***

It became a routine after that. Toshinori would go grocery shopping on Saturday mornings, and would spend his Saturday afternoons sitting on a pile of junk watching Izuku and his father pile trash into the back of a truck. 

Hisashi didn’t actually clean much. He mostly instructed Izuku, sometimes having him pull the large pieces of metal with his mind. Other times just by his hands. As the weeks rolled by, the trash slowly disappeared little by little. Young Izuku got stronger and stronger. At 10 years old he was very strong. 

Toshinori had grown quite fond of the Midoriya’s. Izuku was so funny, and very sweet. He had zero sense of self preservation it seemed. More than once, while pulling a piece of trash from a pile, he was almost covered in junk from a landslide. Toshinori also noted the boy seemed to have a higher than average pain tolerance. When he was rammed in the head with a hunk of metal he simply shrugged off the pain. When Toshinori asked him about it all Izuku said was-

“Hurts less than explosions.” 

Hisashi sighed next to Toshinori “I thought you said Katsuki was leaving you alone now?” He asked. 

Izuku cringed, “Did I say that?” He asked “I meant to say he mostly leaves me alone.” 

“You said it was better now that your quirk manifested.” 

“Who is-” Toshinori started

“It is better. He stopped calling me useless at least. Now he just screams about fighting me and stomping me.” Izuku said “He doesn’t stop people from talking to me anymore. Not that they do but-” 

“I can talk to the school.” Hisashi said 

Izuku shook his head “You and I both know that’ll just set Kacchan off more.” He sighed and grabbed the metal piece that reamed him “It’s fine, dad honestly. It’s less of him picking on me and more of us having a fair fight. I can handle fighting.” 

Hisashi’s lips formed a thin line. “I still don’t like this Izuku. I know you think you can handle this but there’s no shame in asking for help.” 

“I know that! I do, I promise I do but I really, really don’t need help. I know how to handle Kacchan. Honestly, sometimes it’s fun. And he really is getting better! I cried yesterday. You know what he said? He said when we get into U.A.” Izuku smiled “We, dad. He thinks I can do it.” 

“Who is... ‘Kacchan’?” Toshinori asked. 

“My best frienemy.” Izuku answered cheerily. 

“His bully.” 

“Kacchan was my bully. I told you it’s better now.” He turned to Toshinori. “He used to make fun of me for being quirkless but I’m not quirkless anymore so now he’s way better. We’re more like... Rivals who sometimes go to the arcade together and gush about All Might then we get into a fist fight. It’s fun!” 

What an odd relationship “I... see.” 

Hisashi only sighed again, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “You’re gonna send me to an early grave, Izuku.” 

***

It was hot. Scorching hot. Toshinori almost couldn’t find it in him to leave the house that Saturday morning. But the memory of a childlike smile with wide green eyes, and a strong jaw with a smattering of freckles under red eyes pulled him from his cool apartment. 

He walked down the street passing the beach, grocery bags in hand. He found his usual entrance about to walk down the steps when he heard a familiar deep voice. 

“Yagi-san!” He turned. Hisashi and Izuku were both standing next to an old looking truck. The bed is already full of junk. “We got an early start today, and finished already! But Izu said we should wait for you.” 

Toshinori smiled and made his way over to the truck. “Ah, beating the heat I see?” He asked. 

“More than that.” Hisashi said before Izuku cut in 

“It’s my birthday!” Izuku cheered. “Dad said we’d do something cool but I wanted to train.” He said “But it’s all done, we’re gonna get Katsudon and go bowling!” 

He smiled, a bit sad he wouldn’t get to spend the day with what was quickly becoming two of his favorite people. “I see. Well I hope you have fun.” 

Izuku smiled, grabbing his wrist as Hisashi slung a warm arm up and over his shoulder. “You’re coming with, aren’t you Yagi-san?” Izuku asked 

“I... You want me to go with you on your birthday plans?” He asked softly. 

“He insisted.” Hisashi said with a smile. 

“You’re our friend! Of course I want you to come!” 

Toshinori thought he might cry. He didn’t. But the temptation was there all the same. “I would love to come with you.” He said softly. 

And so, Toshinori piled into their truck and off they went. It was a lovely day. The Katsudon was good, and while he royally sucked at bowling, it was still a blast. No matter how many gutter balls he threw. Hisashi, as it turned out, was quite talented at the sport. Izuku was no slouch himself. This seemed to be something the two did together often. 

The day ended with Hisashi and Toshinori in the front seat, Izuku asleep in the back clutching an All Might plushie Toshinori had managed to win from a claw game at the bowling alley. 

Hisashi pulled into the parking lot of his apartment building. He whistled softly “Damn Yagi-san. I didn’t know you lived in such a fancy place.” He said, marveling at the tall building. 

He laughed a bit “Yes well... Thank you. For today.” He said “I enjoyed it.” 

“Of course. I know Izuku had a great time. He really likes you.” 

Toshinori looked over his shoulder, Izuku was on his side, pulling the plush closer to his face. “He’s a very kind boy. You did a wonderful job raising him.” 

Hisashi sighed softly, watching his son as well. “I’m afraid that doesn’t have much to do with me. I didn’t... I wasn’t around much. Not until 2 years ago.” 

“Really? You could have fooled me. You’re so close- he adores you.” 

“That’s Izuku’s personality. He never once held a grudge about me not being around. He doesn’t ask about it. I know he wants to. He wants to know why I was gone for so long but...” He trails off “I had something I had to do. It failed. I didn’t do it. I’m glad it failed though. I don’t know if-” He shook his head “2 years ago something happened to me. I was hurt badly. But it woke me up to what was really important. I want to tell Izuku why I was away but there are... gaps in my memories. Whole years of my life I don’t remember.” 

Toshinori’s eyes widened. “Entire years?” He asked “That’s...” 

“I know.” Hisashi said, and reached back to brush hair out of Izuku’s face. “But I don’t mind. I don’t think I want those memories back. I used to not be such a good person. Inko always saw the best of me though. She met me when I wasn’t... I wasn’t good. She still fell for me though. She still stayed with me. I met her on the beach.” He said 

“Takoba?”

“Yes. I met her there 12 years ago. We fell in love. We had Izuku. Then I left. It’s my biggest regret. I came back, after I’d been... broken. She took me back in with loving arms. So did he. He hardly knew me- he didn’t know me. But they took me back and never asked about why I had left or why I came back. It’s far more than I deserved. I wish I hadn’t ever left. Because after I came back Inko got sick. Then she died. Now it’s just me and Izu.” 

It was a startling confession. Midoriya Hisashi did not strike him as the kind of man who’d leave his wife and child behind. He’d clearly gone through something terrible. But he’d come out on the other side. Toshinori was a hero. He’d always prided himself on saving as many people as possible. “Midoriya-san.” He said softly, placing a hand on his arm. “Izuku is very lucky to have you as a father.” 

Hisashi smiled at him. “That’s kind of you to say.” 

“I mean it. It’s quite clear to me that you love him. That you’d do anything for him. While I don’t know your reasons for leaving, you must have had them. I also can’t speak on if those reasons were good enough to miss the first several years of your son’s life- the point is you’re here now. You’re all he has left so... Just don’t miss any more.” 

“I won’t.” Hisashi said, his voice low and determined. “I promised him. I told him I would always be there for him. Izuku is a special kid. He’s gonna be a great hero someday. And I want to be with him every step of the way.” 

Toshinori only smiled. 

***

Weeks turned into months. But every Saturday without fail, Toshinori would return to the beach. Every week, the beach became cleaner and cleaner. It was bittersweet. The place he’d come to meet Nana became closer to what it was in his memories, the time he had with the Midoriya’s seemed to be shrinking away. 

When he came to the beach on a chilly December afternoon, he found it spotless. His heart broke as much as it soared. 

Izuku and Hisahi were coming up the path, Izuku holding the last piece of junk. They both smiled warmly at him. “Morning Yagi-san!” Izuku greeted. “Look! We did it!” 

He smiled at the two of them, as bright as he could manage. “I see! It looks wonderful!” He looked at Hisashi. He smiled right back. “I’m very proud of you both.” 

“Thanks, Yagi.” Hisashi said. “We’re gonna go get-” 

“Katsudon right?” Toshinori asked with a smile. 

Hisashi flushed “It’s Izu’s favorite... Mine too.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Wanna come? My treat.” Izuku smiled at them, before running to put the last hunk of garbage in the back of the truck. 

“I’d enjoy that.” He said “Since I probably won’t be seeing you as much now that you’ve finished.” 

Hisashi only smiled “What? Are you kidding? I’m not giving up my Saturday Katsudon. Izu is being put into self defense lessons starting next week. After them, I promised him the three of us would go get Katsudon.” 

“... After every lesson?” 

“As long as you’re free.” Hisashi said with a smile. 

Toshinori smiled, brighter than he ever could as All Might. 

Chapter Text

Only one year of middle school left. Izuku still had so much left to do. His eyes watched the clock, school was almost over for the day. He lazily tossed his pen into the air, letting it flip before pulling it back to his hand. He wasn’t listening to the teacher. Lessons were mostly over for the day. His mind was on afterschool training. Yagi-san was going to help him with some Pull training. 

In the last 3 years, he’s grown to really love Yagi-san. He was one of the few people that got him and his dad’s obsession with quirks. Plus, he was knowledgeable about Heroics, and combat. Izuku was fairly certain he was a retired underground pro, the way he talked. 

It wasn’t a secret that Yagi-san had been hurt. Izuku had seen the massive scar on his side. Had seen him cough up blood. Sometimes he wheezed as he breathed. Sometimes he couldn’t keep food down. It was the kind of injury you’d get fighting a villain. Izuku was sure he had his reasons for not telling him and Dad. Just like Dad had his reasons for not telling Izuku about the years he’d been gone. 

Izuku wasn’t an idiot. He was pretty sure his dad used to be a villain. Up until his injury 5 years ago (the same time Yagi-san got injured. That seemed like a coincidence however) his father had barely been in his life. He had a handful of hastily written letters in a shoebox under his bed. A single picture of him, his mother, and his father from when Izuku was a toddler. He has a single memory of him before he came back. Just one.

He was only 4 at the time, he remembered waking up to his father looking down at him on the bed. He hadn’t known it was him at the time. His father had stood over him, his eyes cold in the dark of the room. Izuku didn’t remember being afraid. His father didn’t speak in the memory. Just watched him before leaning down and ruffling his hair. Izuku remembers smiling at him. Then, his father simply walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. 

To Izuku’s knowledge, that and the picture of him as a toddler were the only times his father ever met him before he came stumbling through the apartment door late one night. Covered in blood, and crashing into his mother’s arms. And just like that, dad was living with them. 

His mother hadn’t explained it very well. All she had said was “ Your father used to have a lot of responsibilities. He had a lot of things he needed to do. It didn’t work. But that’s ok. He’s home now and he’s not leaving ever again. ” So he just took it in stride. And true to his mother’s words, Dad stayed. That one year, when it was the three of them had been perfect. His parents got married. Apparently, they hadn’t been before. But they got married, and Dad took Mom’s family name. So they were the Midoriya’s. (Izuku doesn’t actually know his father’s first family name. He asked once. His father said it didn’t matter since his family was dead anyway.) 

Maybe he should care. About the kind of person his dad was before he came home that night covered in blood. But he just couldn’t bring himself to care. Not when the person his dad was now, was so... Good.  

Doubly so after Mom passed away, Dad was all he had. These past five years with him have been amazing. Dad wasn’t a perfect father. Who was? But he tried so hard. He knew Mom’s death took a toll on him, but he always kept a smile on when Izuku was around. He remembered his father crying alone in their bedroom late at night when Izuku was supposed to be asleep. He remembered his father’s deep mournful cries for a woman who loved him despite everything. But Dad always smiled for Izuku. 

Dad who never once didn’t believe Izuku would be a hero. Even before Mom died, and Izuku... well, before Izuku got Pull. Dad always believed in him. Even when Mom didn’t. 

Izuku tossed his pen again, letting it flip in the air, the familiar tug of pull bringing it down back into the palm of his hand. He spun in around his fingers nimbly. Kacchan was yelling about something. Then again, when wasn’t Kacchan yelling about something? Izuku didn’t pay it any mind until one of his classmates- he wasn’t sure which one said; 

“Didn’t Midoriya want to go to U.A too?” 

Izuku looked up. Kacchan’s head snapped to his direction, their eyes meeting. “Yep.” Izuku said, popping the P. 

“I’m making it into U.A no fucking problem. If Deku thinks he can keep up I say let him fucking try.” Kacchan said, a grin crossing his face. “Huh Deku? Think you can take me on?” 

Izuku laughed a bit, “I dunno Kacchan guess we’ll see next year.” He gave his pen another lazy toss, letting it pull down into his hand. The bell rang dismissing them from class. Izuku stood, and collected his things. 

“Oi nerd, speaking of U.A let me borrow your notebook again.”  Kacchan said, slamming his hand down on Izuku’s desk. “I wanna read what you wrote about that All Might fight from earlier this week.” 

“Can’t. Training with Yagi-san today. I need it.” He said stuffing the notebook into his bag “Tomorrow though.” 

Kacchan groaned loudly “Fiiiiine.” He glared “Did you see the Mount Lady fight this morning?” He asked. 

Things with Katsuki got better all the time. Whatever grudge Kacchan held against him as a kid seemed to vanish. Instead as Izuku got older, and stronger and his Pull got more powerful, Katsuki and he seemed to settle into... Well, it wasn’t quite a real friendship. More of a friendship of convenience. They were the only two they knew who were just as obsessed with heroics as the other. They were the only ones who not only wanted to be heroes, but seemingly had a good shot at it. Katsuki, while still feeling some sense of superiority over Izuku, at least respected his analysis. Izuku respected his strength. 

“I did. It happened on my way to school.” He said, slinging his backpack around his shoulders. “She’s got a real chance at taking on the top ten at this rate.” He said

Kacchan hummed in approval. “You said you’re doing more training with that Yagi guy right? Your dad’s weird boyfriend?” 

“They aren’t dating Kacchan. Yagi-san is just a good friend, our friend beyond that.”  Izuku told him,

“What the hell is he teaching you anyway?” 

“We mostly just go over hand to hand stuff and he gives advice for field work as a hero.” 

“...Yagi. Yagi, the tall one that looks like a skeleton? He teaches you hand to hand combat?” 

“No! We just go over what I learn in martial arts classes, and talk. I think... I think he used to be a hero? He’s never said it outright but... Kacchan the way he talks- it’s like a pro. I really think he was an underground hero who had to retire.” 

Kacchan raised an eyebrow “No fucking way.” He said. “Let me come with you.” 

“Absolutely not.” Izuku said

“Oi! That wasn’t a request- OI DEKU GET BACK HERE.” 

Izuku took off down the hall, turning the corner and sliding down the stairwell railing and practically flew out the door. He was sure Kacchan wasn’t that far behind him. Izuku only laughed to himself as he got out onto the street ducking into an alleyway. He waited quietly until he heard the loud cries of Kacchan running past the alley. Once the coast was clear Izuku slipped from his hiding spot and started his walk home. 

Yagi-san would be meeting him at the house, before they’d walk to the beach and get some work in. He pulled out his phone as he walked. He had a text from Yagi-san. 

3:04

I went out to get some drinks and protein bars. Also milk, your dad said you were out. I’m not too far from your school. Would you like to walk back together? I’ll meet you under the bridge. 

Izuku smiled, quickly responding that he would be there. He knew exactly where Yagi-san meant, there was a bridge he walked under everyday on his way home from school. He picked up the pace and hurried along, clutching at the yellow straps of his backpack. It wasn’t a far walk. Maybe 5 minutes before the bridge was in sight, Yagi-san standing underneath it eyes on his phone. 

“Yagi-san!” Izuku called, waving as he ran to meet him. 

“Hello Izuku,” He said putting his phone back in his pocket. He stepped towards him, walking over an old sewer grate. Something sickly green was pouring up from it. “Good to see you my boy-” 

Izuku ran faster than he ever had before. “Yagi-san!” He cried. His feet moved without having to be told, his body colliding into the skinny frame of Yagi-san, sending him several feet back and landing harshly on his side. Izuku almost felt guilty. 

Then he couldn’t breathe at all. Slime, disgusting slime was pouring into his mouth and up his nose. Gross gross gross-

“Oh hell yeah you’ll do way better than the old man. Pretty nice body for a middle schooler- don’t worry kid it’ll be over for you in about 45 seconds then I’ll use this to put down the skeleton over there.” The slime told him. 

A villain? This was his quirk! That’s such a gross quirk- wait if it was a quirk he could just... Izuku’s hands pulled at the slime around his mouth. Wait... This was a mutation quirk. He had to be careful with those. What would happen if he- could he even do that? He’d only ever used the quirk he was born with once, and that was on Mom’s deathbed. It wasn’t on purpose. If he did this, would he turn into slime? What would happen to the guy who was currently choking him to death? Would he turn into a normal human? There was so much to consider. 

Izuku locked eyes with Yagi-san. He was sitting up, fear written across his face. Yagi-san was quirkless- ex underground pro or not, he was an injured quirkless person. If Izuku didn’t do this now they were both going to die. Plus, even if he did turn into slime he could try and give it right back right? He had to do this- for Yagi-san sake! 

“Stop squirming so much you-” 

Yagi-san stood, his body... inflated? What the hell? Izuku’s eyes widened. He knew that face- that body- 

“TEXAS SMASH!” All Might yelled, a single punch splattering the slime villain everywhere. Izuku fell to his knees, panting hard. “Izuku quickly, grab a bottle from my shopping bags. We need to get him contained.” He said. 

Izuku nodded, his mind felt like it was full of static. But All Might- Yagi-san? He wasn’t sure anymore. He’d been given an order. He pulled the bottle from the bag, calling it to his open hand. He dumped the water out, and with Pull, collected the slime into the bottle before capping it. He held up the villain to All Might. 

“Thank you. We should get him to a police station.” He said, pulling the bottle to his chest. “I... Imagine you have some questions?” 

Izuku stared at Yagi-san...All Might? He stared for what felt like several days before his mind snapped into focus like a taught piece of twine breaking. The flood gates opened. “YOU’RE ALL MIGHT?” He screamed. “Oh my god have you been All Might this entire time? Three years and you never told us? Oh my god you’ve BEEN IN MY ROOM. You’ve seen my All Might collection- this is humiliating-” He clutched his head “This is the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.” He looked up at All Might, the same man he’d worshiped since he was a kid. And suddenly he could see Yagi-san in his face as well. “This is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.” His eyes became watery, weepy with tears. He punched All Might in the arm as hard as he could. It did nothing to him, but Izuku’s hand nearly broke on contact. He held his throbbing fist to his chest, tears streaming down his face “How could you keep this from us? From Dad! Three years Yagi-san! Three years of Katsudon and bowling, and movie nights and- you’ve slept on our couch!!! How could you just... keep being All Might from us?” 

“Izuku...” All Might said softly. “I... Didn’t intend to. There is a reason. I can explain everything. To you, and Hisashi. Honestly... I’ve been meaning to tell you for quite some time.” He said “And today- you saved me.” 

“I... huh?” Izuku asked

“Before, he was going for me.” he said, holding up the slime villain in his bottle. “But there you were, pushing me out of the way. What happened? Can I ask what went through your head?” 

Izuku blinked. “I... I dunno honestly...” He said softly. “I just saw you about to be attacked and I knew I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing. My body just sort of... Moved on its own?” 

All Might smiled. It was blinding. Izuku had to bite back the smile that was threatening to spill onto his face. He was still mad dammit!  Three years and he couldn’t trust him or his dad with this secret- Izuku frowned. He was a hypocrite. He’d been keeping a secret too. One he’d promised his father he’d try and keep at all costs. One he’d almost revealed to All Might just now. But... If All Might was going to share his secrets with them, Izuku should repay him in kind. “That’s the mark of a true hero.” All Might’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “You know, Izuku, since I met you I knew you were going to be something special. Today was the final confirmation I needed. Midoriya Izuku, you’re going to be the greatest hero anyone has ever seen.” 

Izuku wailed again. 

***

They sat in Izuku’s living room. Each of them, nursing a tea. All Might- or was he Yagi-san when he was looking like this? They’d come home together after dropping off the slime villain at the police station. Now they sat, quiet and awkward for Dad to come home from work. Izuku bit the inside of his cheek. What would happen now? 

He was sure his father had been a villain, at least a small time one. His dad did work with heroes a lot. He loved heroes as much as Izuku did. But working with heroes while just being a quirk consultant and having your best friend being All Might, the number one hero were VERY different things. Maybe All Might telling them everything would have Dad open up in return. 

“So... How was school?” Yagi-san asked. Izuku chuckled into his tea. 

“Fine. Boring? I dunno. Nothing really happened. Talked to Kacchan about hero stuff.” He said 

“How is Katsuki?”

“I dunno. He’s Kacchan. Loud, a little annoying, still beating me in half our subjects in school.” He sighed “So... When you’re not here, you’re off fighting villains?” 

“Pretty much.” Yagi-san said before taking a quiet sip of his tea. 

“I guess this is why no one really sees you out and about in public like other heroes? When you’re not being All Might you’re here bumming Katsudon off of us.” He said, flashing Yagi-san a smile 

He got a laugh in return “I suppose so. I have been finding myself in you and your father’s company more and more as the years go by.” 

They fell into silence again. Izuku stared down into his half drunk tea. “Yagi-san... All Might... Did you really mean that?” 

“Mean what?” 

Izuku bit his lip “That you think I’m going to be the best hero anyone has ever seen?” 

“I don’t think that. I know that.” He said simply, “I’m going to make it happen.” 

He sat up straight, his entire body buzzing with electricity. Make that happen? How could he do that? Training? They were already doing that. Unless there was something more to All Might’s success as a hero? But what could it possibly be? “I-”

The door opened into the apartment. Dad was home. He kicked off his shoes at the front door before wandering back into the living room. He blinked “Hey, what are you guys doing here? I thought you’d be at the beach.” He asked. He leaned on the back of the couch Yagi-san was sitting on “Tosh, please tell me you didn’t have the last of the jasmine tea.” He pleaded. 

“I did, but I bought more.” He said “It’s in the cabinet. But uh... We want to talk to you. I have something I’ve been meaning to talk to the both of you about for a long time now.” 

Dad nodded slowly. “...Sure. You ok Toshinori?” He asked, but walked around the side of the couch and sat next to Yagi-san. “This seems kind of serious.” 

Yagi-san nodded. “It’s very serious. I suppose I should just hop right into it then. Plus Ultra, if you will.” Izuku snorted into his mug. “I need both of you to promise me that what I’m about to tell you can never be said to anyone else. I trust you both, but please...” 

“Of course.” Dad said without hesitation. “Toshinori, Izuku and I have your back completely.” He placed a hand on Yagi-san’s shoulder. “Whatever it is, I promise I won’t tell a soul.” 

Yagi-san smiled softly. “I know you won't, Hisashi.” He said “I... I’m not sure where to begin... You see, Izuku and I were attacked on the way home today, by a villain.” 

“What?” Hisashi stood up at once, “Are you ok? Izuku, why didn’t you call me as soon as you got home- are you injured anywhere?” He asked, grabbing Izuku by the face, inspecting him for bruises and cuts. 

“I’m fine dad.” Izuku said, grabbing his wrists. “All Might saved me.” 

Dad’s face paled. “...What?” 

“All Might.” Izuku said slowly. “He uh... Well. He saved me. Turns out he’s been pretty close by... For like three years now.” 

Dad turned to Yagi-san slowly. Izuku should have figured that would clue him in. His father had always been a bit too smart. He locked eyes with Yagi-san. “What does Izuku mean when he says that?” He asked him. 

Yagi-san stood, “He means I’m All Might.” And Yagi-san inflated. His skeletal frame expanded into the massive and imposing All Might body. “I have been this entire time. I’m very sorry I haven’t told you before now. It’s... rather complicated.” 

Dad was frozen to the spot “That... that injury you showed us.” He said finally. “The one on your side. That’s why right? Toshi, you’re a very frail person. You’re telling me that All Might is suffering from that injury?” 

Izuku gasped. He hadn’t even considered Yagi-san’s injury. At the best of times Yagi-san was puking up blood, or having to stop to rest- Oh god All Might had Yagi-san’s injury. Izuku clasped his hand over his mouth. That’s why. Because All Might was-

Yagi-san deflated “Yes.” He said “I can’t maintain my muscle form like I used too. I’m only down to a handful of hours a day. It’s not to say I’m not still capable as a hero, but... My time is running out. In the matter of a year or two I won’t be able to use my power at all anymore. 5 years ago I was in a huge fight- one that wouldn’t have been in the news. I defeated my foe- someone who I had been after for many years but he crippled me.” 

Dad bolted from the room, his bedroom door slamming shut. 

Izuku stood up, panic rising “D-dad?” He yelled running to his father’s bedroom. “Dad????” He asked, knocking lightly. “Yagi-san what do I do?” He asked, “I've never seen him like this.” 

“I...” Yagi-san stood by him. He closed his mouth with a click “Hisashi... I’m sorry.” He said softly too the door. 

Dad practically yanked the door off its hinges as he opened it. His eyes were red with tears. “D-don’t say that.” He said “Don’t ever apologize to me Toshinori. I don’t deserve it.” He said “I...” He lifted his hand as if to reach out to Yagi-san but dropped it, slamming a fist into the door frame instead “Don’t ever apologize to me. I’m... I.. I should be the one...” He dropped to his knees. 

“D-dad?” Izuku yelped. 

“Toshi- Yagi... All Might.” His father bowed his head to the ground “I’m sorry.” 

Yagi-san looked just as alarmed as Izuku felt. What in the world was going on? They looked at each other, then back to his father bowed down, with his forehead pressed into the hardwood floor. “Hisashi...” Yagi-san said “What are you saying sorry for?” 

“Because.” Dad said softly. “It’s my fault.” 

“What-” 

“I’m the one that did this too you.” He said finally. “I’m All for One.” 

All for One? Izuku hadn’t ever heard that name before, but something about it struck him deep into his core. Was this it? What he’s suspected all these years? His dad really was a villain? That’s what this was right? A confession of past villainy? “Dad... What do you-”

“That’s impossible.” Yagi-san said, his voice was like a stone. “All for One is dead.” 

“He is.” Dad said, finally raising his head “Most of him. You... destroyed most of me that night. But there was a quirk... One I had stolen years ago. A man I met could split his personality up. By dividing his memories, he could create multiple selves. That night when... When you killed most of what I am, I was split. I didn’t do it on purpose but... A part of me got away. The best of me. All my memories of Inko, and Izuku. The memories of my little brother, Yoichi. The kindness I’d been shown in my long life- some... some of what I had done as All for One remains. I remember Nana. I know... I know I killed her- I don’t remember how. That memory died with the rest of me. All I have is the guilt of taking a life. That’s all I have of the people I’ve killed. The regret.” 

Yagi-san backed away slowly “I... I don’t understand.” 

“I am Shigaraki Hisashi.” Dad said standing on shaking legs. Izuku had never heard that name before. “I am what remains of All for One. I escaped our battle that night with nothing more than my happiest and saddest memories as well as a simple fire breathing quirk. My original quirk died with the rest of me.” 

That made Yagi-san’s eyes widen. Izuku somewhat knew that. He knew his father had a quirk other than fire breathing. He knew a lot about that particular quirk. He had been told he’d lost it the night Dad came home. But... 

“I... What’s going on?” Izuku asked finally. 

“Izuku has nothing to do with this.” Dad said to Yagi-san. “After you kill me, please... I beg you don’t let anything bad happen to Izuku.” 

“Kill- Dad Yagi-san isn’t going to kill you right?” He grabbed his father around the middle, “Right Yagi-san?” 

“He has too.” He said softly, cupping Izuku’s face in his hands. “I... I always thought this might happen. That he’d find me...” He looked up to Yagi-san, who was frozen on the spot. “I do want to say thank you. If you hadn’t broken me that night- killing the worst parts of myself I would never have come home to the things that really mattered.” He smiled softly. “So... Thank you All Might. Thank you for giving me a chance to be a family- to be there when Inko died. To be a father for Izuku, even if only for a little while.” His smile grew larger as fat tears rolled over his father’s freckled face “And thank you for being a dear friend these past few years.” 

“Hisashi.” Yagi-san said, stepping closer. Izuku whimpered, turning around and shielding his father from Yagi-san. “Don’t worry Izuku. I won’t hurt him. I promise.” He grabbed one of Dad’s hands. “...So. You said you don’t remember killing Nana?” He asked. 

Dad shook his head. “Not at all. I just remember a little bit... a flash of what happened after.” 

“So. That memory died with the rest of All for One.” He said “As did the quirk you said, right?” 

“Yes but-” 

“Then All for One is dead. You’re not All for One. You’re Midoriya Hisashi. My best friend.” He said simply. “You’re my best friend, a single father to a great kid, a quirk consultant, a katsudon lover, a bit too good at bowling for your own good, a lover of puns and you have terrible taste in movies.” He said “That’s not All for One. You said it yourself, the quirk that allowed you to break apart like this created a whole new person out of the ashes of All for One.” 

Izuku looked up at Yagi-san. “Wait are you saying-” 

“Hisashi. You’re no villain.” Yagi-san said. “Maybe... maybe others would disagree. Maybe I’m being selfish with this but... I will not hold Midoriya Hisashi accountable for All for One’s crimes.” He said finally. “We’re the people we are because of our memories. Therefore, if you don’t have those memories you’re not All for One. You’re not that person. Not anymore.” 

Dad grabbed Yagi-san by the shirt pulling him close and buried his face in his chest. The sob that wretched from his father’s throat in that moment would stay with Izuku forever. He gripped his father tight. “Th-thank you... Thank you.” He sobbed into Yagi-san. “Toshinori you’re... you’re so kind . How... How did I deserve you? How can you stand the sight of me?” 

Yagi-san smiled softly, pulling the both of them into a hug. “Because you’re Hisashi.” He said simply. “The best person I know.” 

They stayed there like that for a long time. 

***

Sometime later, they found themselves sitting at the kitchen table. Yagi-san served them each a plate of the dinner he’d cooked. Dad looked like he might still burst into tears at any moment. He thanked Yagi-san for the food before digging in. Yagi-san sat across from them with his own plate. 

“There’s... one more thing I’d like to discuss.” Yagi-san said finally. “Something I’ve been considering for a long time. But today helped me make up my mind.” He turned to Hisashi “Your son is an incredible person.” He said to Dad, reaching across the table and laying his long thin hand over Dad’s own. 

“Y-yes.” Dad said “He really is.” 

“When we were attacked earlier. The villain went for me first. Of course he had no idea I was All Might-” Dad flinched slightly at the name, “But Izuku... Izuku ran in, pushing me out of the way.” Dad looked up from his food, eyes wide and zeroed in on Izuku. He couldn’t tell if Dad was proud or horrified at the idea of him stepping into certain danger. “He said his feet moved before he could even think. Just about every hero I know- every great hero I know has a story like that.” 

“Really?” Izuku asked eyes wide

“Yes.” Yagi-san said “It’s why... I want you to be my successor.” 

Dad gasped dropping his chopsticks “Toshinori you don’t mean-” 

“I do.” Yagi-san smiled brightly. “I can’t think of a person more worthy- more brilliant-” 

“Wait-” Izuku asked “What’s going on? I’m missing something-” 

Yagi-san turned back to Izuku and smiled “My boy, do you remember when we first met? And I told you I was born quirkless?” Izuku nodded. He did. He felt a kinship with Yagi-san over that, even now he still remembered life when he was thought to be quirkless. “It wasn’t a lie.” 

Izuku frowned. That... How did he get a quirk then? There was only one way Izuku knew but if his father and Yagi-san had been enemies- mortal ones from what they’ve told him, that shouldn’t be possible. “I’m not following.” Izuku said “That’s not... I mean I guess it’s not impossible but still-” 

“How should we tell him?” Yagi-san asked his dad. “Technically, you’re the one that created it. Or, was that a memory that died?” 

Dad shook his head “No, I have... I think, all of the memories of Yoichi.” Dad said “Most of them. I couldn’t tell you how he died. I imagine I had something to do with that-” 

“All for One might have had something to do with the first wielder's death, not you.” Yagi-san corrected. “So you remember? Giving him his quirk? Does Izuku know about that actually?” 

“That dad had a quirk that could give and take quirks for other people? Yes.” Izuku said “We’ve... talked about that. I always thought he lost that quirk the night he came home all beat up.” He said 

“Yes well...” Yagi-san coughed a bit “That quirk was called All for One.” 

Izuku squirmed in his chair, picking at his diner. 

“My little brother- your uncle.” Dad said finally “When we were kids, we all thought he was quirkless too. Much more common in those days.” He said “It was... a long time ago. Izuku, there’s so much you don’t know.” He said softly. “At any rate. I was... not a good man. I was already committing heinous acts because my quirk allowed me to pretty much do whatever I wanted. It was like being a god among men. Still, I cared for Yoichi. I didn’t have the best way of showing it-” He broke off, his voice heavy. 

“Dad...” 

“If I had been the man I am now back then, well...” Dad shook his head. Yagi-san stroked Dad’s knuckle with his thumb gently. “At any rate. I thought... Why not give my precious baby brother a gift? A strength stockpiling quirk. Simple, not too strong, but just enough to defend himself. What we didn’t know was that Yoichi wasn’t quirkless at all. He had a quirk, similar to mine. The ability to pass on quirks. Half of what made All for One. His original quirk and that strength stockpiling quirk combined into... Well, I suppose you should take over Toshinori.” 

Yagi-san nods “Of course. Well... You see, All for One, who shared a name with his quirk, was also a great villain of his time.” He paused “The power he created in his younger brother became a torch. The strength of it grew over time, stockpiling power as it was handed from user to user. Each time it was cultivated and passed on. Until it became what it is now. My quirk. One for All.” He explained. 

Izuku’s mouth fell open. “I...” he trailed off. “How many people until it got to you- you’ve been a hero for so long but dad isn’t that old.” 

“Izuku. I’m over 200 years old.” His father confessed. 

He stood up, the chair knocking out from under him. His father was 200 years old? How on earth could that be? Had... He must have stolen a quirk that made aging slow or stop all together. That made sense. “How many-” He turned to Yagi-san. 

“I’m the 8th user.” He said. 

“Why are you telling me this?” Izuku asked, his heart thumping in his chest. 

“Because.” Yagi-san stood as well, approaching Izuku. He placed two warm hands on his shoulders looking down into his eyes. Deep blue, locking Izuku where he stood. “I want you to be the 9th user.” He said. “You’re going to be the greatest hero anyone has ever known Midoriya Izuku.” 

Izuku shook his head “I can’t!” He said “Not... You shouldn’t give that quirk to me. You said All for One was a bad person right?” He asked “A bad person with a bad quirk-” He frowned “His quirk was... evil.” 

“I don’t think any quirk is inherently evil.” Yagi-san said thoughtfully. “He could have made an amazing hero. Ending fights before they start. But he himself was evil, up until he was torn apart and your father came from him.” 

“What about me?” Izuku asked. 

Yagi-san furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?” 

“Yagi-san... Dad only broke off from All for One five years ago. I’m fourteen.” Izuku said quietly. “That means... All for One is... ya know. My dad.” 

He frowned “I... see. That doesn’t change anything.” He said “I’ll change my statement. All for One was an evil man, but like most me he was complicated. He wasn’t all bad. Your father is proof of that. And so are you. Hisashi, you said you fell in love with Inko all those years ago, correct?” 

“Yes. Inko... knew everything. She never flinched away from me. Despite what I had done.” Dad said softly. 

“No one is completely good or bad, Izuku. All for One included.” He said “But I know you are good. You’re kind, and smart. You have the drive, and in my professional opinion, everything it takes to be a great hero. Your current quirk, Pull is useful for hero work. But if you combined it with One for All... Izuku it’s a strength quirk. Pull would most likely become much more powerful as well.” 

“Toshinori...” Dad said softly. He knew why Izuku couldn’t accept this. 

“All Might.... Yagi-san.” Izuku said “I can’t.” 

Yagi-san frowned. “You can! I don’t care from where you come from Izuku you’re a hero I know you’ll-” 

“All Might Pull isn’t my quirk.” Izuku said. “I mean... it is now. It’s mom’s.” 

“Yes... You’ve both said, you got Pull from your mother. You inherited her-”

“It’s hers. Literally.” Izuku said. “When she was dying I-” he could see that hospital room, the way the light faded from his mother’s eyes. How he held her hand, trying to hold onto her. Any part of her. “I...” He was crying now. “I took her quirk.” 

Yagi-san’s eyes widened. His grip on Izuku grew tighter. 

“Yagi-san, I wasn't born with mom’s quirk.” He said “I was born with dad’s. I... I didn’t know it’s name until today- I’d been calling it Give and Take but... All Might, I have All for One. That’s why I can’t take One for all.” 

He was quiet. Yagi-san opened and closed his mouth several times. “I see.” He said before he smiled “I still don’t see how that changes anything.” 

Dad stood up “Toshinori-” 

“I can’t have both!” Izuku said 

“Sure you can.” All Might said “You’re the one I want to carry on my legacy. In fact, I think it’s poetic. The son of All for One, taking on the mantle of One for All. Wielding them both and being the greatest hero we’ve ever seen. Izuku, there’s nothing you can say that will dissuade me. Take my quirk.” He said again

Izuku looked to his father. Dad only smiled, tears streaking his face. “I’ll support whatever choice you make, Izu.” he said “It’s your power, not mine.” He said “If you want to take One for All...” 

He looked up at All Might. Izuku smiled through his tears. This was his friend. Someone he thought of as a father almost as much as his own. Izuku had been given many things, his father, Pull, and now... 

“I accept.”

Chapter Text

Sunset on the beach was beautiful. After the most emotionally draining conversation of Izuku’s life they left the house to go on a walk and clear their heads. They gravitated towards Takoba, because where else would they possibly end up? 

The three of them stood, shoulder to shoulder leaning on the railings and watching the sunset over the ocean waters. Izuku had his father on one side, Yagi-san on the other. Despite everything... They were going to be ok. Izuku had to admit his father having once been a dangerous super villain and being 200 years old was a hard pill to swallow. But, maybe since he’d already kind of assumed his father had something like this before it was easier? Or perhaps since his father- the man who he’d been living with for the last 5 years didn’t have any memory of those atrocities- or as Yagi-san put it, a different person altogether. 

Izuku liked the thought. He knew the type of person his dad was. Even if he came from something evil. Izuku came from that as well and he knew he was a good person. At least he tried to be. He wasn’t going to let the fact that they’d both come from All for One stop him from being a hero. 

Now Yagi-san being All Might... What a whirlwind of emotion. One of his favorite people secretly being his idol? That was like finding out your favorite teacher was somehow also a Pop Star. Not to mention the whole... Ordeal of his quirk. Could Izuku really take One for All? Even though he had his father’s quirk? He supposed there was a sort of dramatic irony in that. Two opposing quirks, meant to be enemies coming together in him. Oh god that was a lot of pressure. Could he handle that? He’d already agreed. He’d have to. 

“So. How do you pass on One for All?” He asked Yagi-san quietly. “I can just take it from you if you want?” 

Yagi-san smiled “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that. Since All for One and One for All are ‘brothers’ so to say, One for All can’t be stolen by All for One. It has to be passed down. Plus, even if you could, there's a possibility it would lose the strength it’s cultivated from all the users in the last few hundred years.” 

Izuku nodded quickly. “That makes sense! So, how does it pass on then? Do you touch me- that’s how mine works. I just touch someone with all 5 fingers and take it. Do you just touch and give it?” he could feel his father perk up in interest. 

“Not... exactly. We can do it right now if you’d like.” He said 

He jumped “Huh? R-right now? But what about you-” 

Yagi-san smiled “Don’t worry. It won’t leave me once I give it to you. We’ll both be able to use it. But eventually, the flames of One for All inside me- they’re already just embers. Small sparks. They’ll eventually be snuffed out. So it doesn’t make a difference if I give it to you now, or a year from now. But UA’s entrance exam is only 10 months away.” He smiled “I thought we could take that time to get you used to One for All. I’m very glad you’re in great physical shape. If you were scrawny we’d have to waste this time getting you bulked up. But with the way you take care of yourself I’m certain you could handle the power.... Mostly.” 

“What do you mean mostly?” Dad asked, his eyes narrowing. 

“Well...” He started “I never had this problem, for some reason One for All allowed me to use it’s full strength from day one, but Nana described the power being so great it would destroy her body. She had to train a lot in order for it to not seriously hurt her. It’s possible that Izuku might have some backlash problems at first but I think with enough training we can make it so he can use the lower end of the power without hurting himself. He’ll need it for the exam.” 

“I see.” His dad said “How badly hurt are we talking?” 

“I... I don’t know. In all honesty, Izuku could seriously hurt himself. But I think between the two of us, with everything you know about quirks, and my personal experience with this quirk in general we can train him.” 

Dad seemed to think for a long moment. “Ok. I’m trusting you on this Toshinori.” 

He smiled and looked down at Izuku. “Alright. So. Shall we?” 

Izuku bit his lip. He was going to do this. No matter how badly he hurt himself. Right here, right now. “I’m ready.” He said “Give me One for All.” 

Yagi-san smiled brightly, before he took a long look around. “Good, no one else is near by.” He inflated into his All Might form. “Seems fitting to look like this.” He said, and ran a hand through his hair. Izuku smiled up at him. It was still so odd watching Yagi-san turn into All Might. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to get used to it. Yagi-san smiled at him, and from his head he held out a single golden strand of hair, and said words that would stay with Izuku for the rest of his life. 

“Eat this.” 

Izuku jerked back in surprise. His father gaped atYagi-san “YOU PASS IT ON THROUGH HAIR?” He asked. 

“You didn’t know that?” All Might asked. 

“No! I thought it worked like mine?” Dad said, his voice getting more hysterical sounding “That’s so gross!” 

“You need to ingest my dna! And this is the most pliable way to do that I thought. I doubt you’d want to eat my skin or my spit-” 

Izuku gagged “Stop- stop!” He cried, grabbing the hair and tossed it down his throat just to make the conversation end. Gross. “That... that was disgusting. Yagi-san I really hope this hasn’t been some weird long con prank to make me eat your hair.” 

“Nope!” All Might laughed

***

  For the first two days, Izuku didn’t feel any different. He hadn’t tried to activate One for All at all. They had a plan to try it out. They were going to UA the first Saturday after Izuku received it. Yagi-san had explained that he was going to be a teacher there next year. Izuku’s teacher if he got into UA. So he could go on campus as much as he’d like. He’d also explained that two of UA’s staff knew about One for All and who he’d given it too. (Not about All for One, that was a secret between the three of them, and Izuku would rather keep it that way.) 

The principal, Nedzu and the school nurse, Recovery Girl. Recovery Girl was actually the reason they’d test the quirk on school grounds first. Just in case the backlash was as strong as they thought it might be, they’d need her to keep Izuku from... You know. Dying. Just in case using One for All broke every bone in his body, she’d be nearby to help patch him up. 

Once Saturday came, the three of them all piled into his father’s old truck and off to UA they went. All Might got them through it’s tight security, and soon the three of them stood in one of UA’s massive fields. 

“Ok!” Yagi-san said “I have us here for a few hours. What do you say we try it out?” He said and turned to Izuku. “Give us a punch, kid.”

“Yes!” Izuku said and closed his eyes. He tried to reach inside him for the power. He hadn’t ever had more than just Pull inside him. In his head he could feel the vortex of All for One, he could feel his mother’s Pull swirling around in the void. But... Something else was here now. A new power. It fizzled around him, mixing and mingling into the void of himself, unlike Pull which sat neatly, just within reach. Izuku held up his right arm. Power coursing through his body. He drew back his arm, his gut tightening. He could do this! Plus Ultra! 

He fired off a punch. 

The burst of wind pressure was massive. The ground shook from the air smacking back down on it. It was power unlike anything he’d ever seen. It was amazing- this was his  

Oh god his arm was broken. Purple and flopping on his side. Explosive pain- the worst he’d ever felt in his entire life crept up his spine. He might be ill. He was ill. His guts spewing up onto the ground under him. 

His father was yelling. He couldn’t make out the words, his ears ringing in pain. How the hell was he going to do this? His knees hit the ground. “Ouch...” He mumbled. He wasn’t sure what was happening. How time worked. How did time work? How long had he been here on this patch of ground, his arm torn to shreds? 

“Smooooch.” 

Wet lips pressed to his forehead. 

The pain faded at once. His arm was... fine! He wiggled his fingers, grinning madly. 

“Oh wow I feel great!” he looked up, his father and Yagi-san stood behind him. An old woman in a doctor’s coat stood in front of him. “You healed me?” He smiled “Thank you so much I feel- exhausted oh god.” 

His father prevented him from falling back, warm hands keeping him upright. He could smell fire in his father’s throat. 

“That was way more backlash than I thought!” His father yelled 

“Hisashi I had no idea it would be this bad. Damn kid, you fired that off at 100%.” He said “Once you’re feeling better we gotta get you to take a little back.” 

Izuku forced himself to stand “I’m... I’m ok!” He said 

“Absolutely not young man!” Recovery Girl- he assumed that was who this old woman was, yelled. “My quirk takes up your own energy to heal you! You need to take it easy!” 

He shook his head “No way! We just started!” He said, feeling more steady on his feet “I feel like I just ran 5 miles but I run that much half the time anyway! I just need like... 3 minutes and then I want to try again.” 

His father gripped his shoulder “Izu, are you sure?” 

“I’m fine dad.” Izuku said, putting his hand over his dad’s hand. “I want to try again, please.” 

Recovery girl sighed deeply. “Toshinori, I can’t believe you managed to find a successor almost as reckless as you.” 

Yagi-san smiled softly. “Are you sure?” He asked Izuku “It’s not a problem to stop-” 

“I can do it.” Izuku said more firmly this time. “I want to.” Dad and Yagi-san shared a look before nodding. Recovery girl only sighed and took a step back, clearly hesitant to walk away completely. 

His dad chewed on his lower lip “Let's not... throw a punch this time.” His father said “Lets try a finger. That way if it gets out of control, it’s not as painful and healing it won’t cost nearly as much energy.” 

“Great idea Hisashi!” Yagi-san said “I’m glad you’re with us.” 

Izuku nodded and held out his hand, getting ready to give his middle finger a single flick. He held his wrist to keep his arm steady. His father put a hand on his shoulder “Don’t go full power. We know that your body isn’t ready to handle that yet. Do you think you can try using less than that?” 

“I can try?” Izuku said. He closed his eyes again, finding his mind back in the vortex. He reached out for One for All, this time it was easier now that he knew what he was feeling for. The power flooded his finger, his entire arm shaking. “Pull back...” He mumbled. Wait... There’s an idea. Could Pull help? He reached out for Pull, the familiar sensation of it swirling around his body. Like his mother’s hand on his shoulder. Pull back....Pull back... How low could he go? 100% felt all encompassing. 50% still makes his body shake. 35% is too much. 10% burns. 1%. He could handle that. 

Izuku flicked his finger at 1%. 

He could feel the air quiver. His finger didn’t break. 

“I did it!” He cheered

Dad and Yagi-san grinned, both of them cheering and ruffling his hair. “Great job Izu!” His dad yelled

“Nice work kid!” Yagi-san said “Lets keep going, as much as you can handle!” 

***

10 months slipped by. 

Every Saturday was the same. Wake up, go to UA, and practice using One for All, then the three of them would go and get Katsudon. Progress was slow. For the first several months he couldn’t get above 1% of his power outage, which was frustrating to no end. Izuku got to work on his body again, running, jumping, and taking self defense lessons (He switched those to Wednesdays after school.) and goading Kacchan into fights (great practice honestly). 

He’d make his body able to handle more, if it killed him. 

Pull had gotten stronger. They figured that out when Izuku pulled the truck toward himself and nearly got crushed by it. Dad was not pleased with that, fretting over him for several minutes. But Izuku was more than happy. Even if One for All was still weak, Pull was as familiar as a mother’s hug and he could use that. So he had a back up plan!

It was month 4 when his dad recommended they switch tactics. Instead of trying to use one body part at a time, use his whole body. Full Cowling was born. At first Izuku could only use 1% of One for All, but it made him faster than most people. 

By month 10 they’d worked up to 5%. He could control Full Cowling at 5%, and not even have to think about it. He could do hand to hand combat with Yagi-san in his All Might form and use Full Cowling (Yagi-san of course was going very easy on him, but he wasn’t getting his ass handed to him!) 

UA Entrance exams were upon them. Izuku was going to pass. He told himself that in the morning while getting ready. He told himself that in the truck sitting behind Dad and Yagi-san. He told himself that when they waved to him and he walked away from the truck. 

HE WAS GOING TO PASS DAMMIT. 

“DON’T STAND IN MY WAY, DEKU.” Kacchan yelled. 

Izuku jumped, his body falling forward, his face was heading towards the pavement. He put his hands out to catch himself only to find the pavement wasn’t coming any closer. His body was weightless. Why was his body weightless? 

“Oh sorry! Went a bit crazy with my quirk there!” A girl’s voice said, grabbing him and putting him upright. “Release!” His feet hit the ground again. “Just seemed like bad luck to let you fall ya know?” The girl in front of them said. 

Oh god she was so cute??? A sweet round face with pink cheeks, an adorable brown bob with big brown eyes. She was adorable! And talking to him??? She was still talking. A girl was talking to him. A super cute girl! 

“I’ll see you two later!” She said and waltzed passed them. 

“I talked to a girl!” Izuku whispered under his breath 

Kacchan rolled his eyes, “You’re pathetic.” He grabbed Izuku by the collar and dragged him along. “Come on nerd, we have a test to pass. I’m obviously going to get the top score so shoot for second place and we’ll crush the extras.” 

That pulled Izuku out of his cute girl trance “Get bent, Kacchan I’m getting the highest score.” 

“With your lame Pull quirk?” He asked. 

“It’s changed a lot this year. Yagi-san and I found new ways to make it work. It turns out there’s a lot more too it then we thought.” He said. It was his practiced lie “We actually got an official name change because of it.” 

Kacchan stopped and turned “When the fuck did this happen?” 

Izuku shrugged “Only in the last week or so. It’s Push and Pull now.” He grinned “Wait until you see me in action.” 

He sighed deeply “You’re so fucking annoying. I’m gonna crush you and you’re stupid quirk.” He spat. Kacchan didn’t let go, still dragging him along. “But then again you wouldn’t be worth crushing if you didn’t keep getting stronger.”

“Aw thanks, Kacchan!” 

***

Turned out Kacchan would have to wait to see him in action. They were sent to separate grounds for their practical exams. The area they’d be fighting the robots in were massive city scapes. Izuku towards the front of the group. He stretched his legs getting down into a lunge before switching to the other. His plan was simple. Run in there and pull as many robots as he could towards his fist and punch with 5% and hopefully be enough to destroy it. 

He looked up from his stretch, his eyes landing on someone just a few feet ahead. The cute girl! He smiled. She had saved his face earlier from certain doom on the sidewalk. He took a step forward. He should wish her luck. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” A voice asked, a firm hand on his shoulder. Izuku turned and was met with the handsome face of a taller student. Strong jaw, dark hair, undercut, glasses... Athletic build. Handsome . “You didn’t come to obstruct your fellow test takers did you?” 

Izuku gaped. Obstruct her? If anything this guy was obstructing him! Handsome or not, Izuku didn’t take that shit! (Maybe he’d been picking too many fights with Kacchan and that little pomeranian was rubbing off on him.) “No. I was going to wish her luck since I met her outside.” He said simply “Mind your business. You’re kind of rude, you’re lucky you’re so handsome.” 

Red flushed the guy’s face. “R-rude?” He asked 

“START!” 

“See ya handsome guy!” Izuku yelled green electricity covering his body. He bolted getting into the front of the group. Handsome guys and cute girls aside, Izuku had a job to do. He was going to pass dammit.  

The first robot was a 1 pointer. Izuku leaped into the air, and raised his fist. Pull activated. The robot was heavy. He could feel his brain tighten as the robot was pulled toward him, moving pretty fast. He readied his fist, 5% of One for All swirling around inside him. “Smash!” He yelled, and punched. The 1 pointer collided with his fist before being shoved back to the ground and shattering on impact. 

1 point. 

He landed with a smirk. He could do this. 

The next several minutes were a blur. He took down robots of all sizes. Anything he came across he destroyed. At one point he saw the handsome guy with the glasses fighting off a 3 pointer, the engines in his legs giving him an impressive kick. The 3 pointers were strong. It grabbed his leg mid kick and tossed him back, the handsome guy skidding across the ground. 

Izuku jumped in, using Pull to send the 3 pointer up into his fist as he jumped over it. He slammed it back down into the ground letting it be crushed into the asphalt. “You ok?” Izuku asked, stopping to hold a hand out for him. “That was a great kick. If you want there were a bunch of 1 pointers around that corner, your kick should be more than enough to deal with them.” He said. 

The guy stared at his hand, then looked up at Izuku’s face. “Why are you helping me? We’re rivals here!” 

Izuku laughed “So? I still want you to pass. Honestly I want everyone to pass. The more people who pass here the more people who can become heroes. The more heroes the better the world, right?” He grabbed the glasses guy by the wrist and hauled him up on his feet “Do great handsome guy.” 

With that, Izuku was off, not giving him a chance to respond. Their time was running out soon. Izuku needed more points. He’d been destroying robots left and right so he was sure everyone else had been as well. He needed more points if we was going to make it. 

“RUN!” 

The ground underneath him shook wildly. A massive 0 point robot came onto the scene, knocking into the buildings around it. Crap that thing was massive. Izuku turned on his heel ready to run. 0 points meant not worth engaging with. 

“Oof!” 

He glanced back. The cute girl was there, pinned under rubble. She couldn’t move. She tried to drag herself out. She must have worn herself or her quirk out too much from destroying the robots. 

His legs moved before he could think. 

In the vortex of All for One he called forth One for All. 5% wouldn’t be enough. 20% in his legs. He could feel his bone splinter. He didn’t care. He jumped. It was enough to get him into the air. He was heading right for the 0 pointer. 

100%- no time for holding back- 100% in his arm, and he punched with all his might. The wind pressure sent him back as the 0 pointer folded in on itself. He did it. He saved the cute girl. 

He was falling. His legs were fractured and his arm was soup. And now he was falling to his death. 

Sorry Dad. Sorry Yagi-san.

Would his funeral be big or small? 

The ground was coming fast. He could move his legs. Maybe if he landed on them they could absorb the shock. They’d be broken but he’d live-

He stopped just short of the ground, weightless.  

“R-release.” The girl said. 

Izuku thumped to the ground. He was on his back, her cute round face over his chest. “Th-thanks.” He said to her, he couldn’t feel anything. 

Then she puked on him. 

And his world went dark. 

*** 

His dad had been pissed for how hurt he’d gotten. Not at him. Well, a little at him but it didn’t last long. He, Dad, and Yagi-san had celebrated him doing well on the exam by getting, you guessed it, Katsudon. Yagi-san wouldn’t reveal how well he did in comparison to others but Izuku knew he’d managed to snag 45 villain points by destroying robots. A fine number. But would it be enough? 

Days passed. His anxiety only got worse. Yagi-san couldn’t come over much, claiming UA was keeping him busy the last few days. 

It was Saturday. Izuku and his Dad were eating breakfast, when Yagi-san burst into their house. 

“I AM HERE!” He yelled “With a letter!” Izuku dropped his half eaten toast, running from the kitchen so fast he might as well have been using full Cowling. Yagi-san stood in the hallway holding up an envelope. “Figured I’d drop by in person. They had me recording messages for all the exam takers.” He said “But since I’m here all the time anyway I thought me in person might be better suited.” 

“Toshinori!” Dad smiled “I’m glad you’re here. Are you hungry?” 

“Starved!” He said cheerily. 

“Did I pass or not?” Izuku asked, grabbing Yagi-san by the arm "Yagi eat after, did I pass or not????” 

Yagi-san only laughed. “Well, why don’t you tell me?” He asked and handed him the envelope. “It’s the top ten scores.” He said. 

Izuku tore the envelope open, and unfolded the letter. His name was there. 

1. Midoriya Izuku; 45 Villain points. 75 Rescue points. Total 120. 

He gaped. His eyes wandered to the name right under it. 

2. Bakugou Katsuki; 77 Villain points. 0 Rescue points. Total 77. 

Not only did he get the top spot, he beat Kacchan out by 43 points. Tears sprang into his eyes. His father jumped to his side, reading over his shoulder. Dad laughed, grabbing Izuku around the stomach and lifting him up into a hug “Izu!” He cried “You did it! You got the highest score too- oh Izu your mother would be so proud of you.” 

At the mention of his mother Izuku sobbed harder. 

“Great job Izuku.” Yagi-san said, inflating into his massive All Might form. He grabbed both Izuku and his father and pulled them into a bone crushing hug. “You’ve made us all so proud. ” He said 

Izuku couldn’t speak. Every time he opened his mouth all he could get out was another sob. He did it. He passed. He was going to UA. 

He was going to be a Hero. 

Chapter Text

The first day of school arrived. 

Izuku fumbled with his tie in the mirror. He’d never been any good at this. No matter how many times his dad showed him. He sighed the tie hanging loosely around his neck. He settled for ruffling his hair in the mirror. He’d had it cut before school- he figured new school year, new him right? Plus being a hero meant all those curls would get in the way. He’d insisted it go short. At least on the sides, cropped above his ears with a long poof of messy waves on top. 

It made him look older. 

As old as he could with his still very soft and cute round cheeks and smattering of freckles courtesy of his father. He sighed loudly. He’d be doomed to have a baby face forever, wouldn’t he? Ah well. 

“Izu?” His father called, knocking on the bathroom door. “It’s almost time to go.” He opened it and smiled “Look at you son. You’re a highschooler now. I can’t believe it.” He approached him “Need help with your tie?” 

“Please.” Izuku said “I can’t get it. It just looks stupid when I do it.” 

Dad laughed, and leaned down to fix it. Izuku could smell the fire in his father’s throat. A comforting smell. He tied the tie with ease, then smoothed it down his chest. “There we go. Picturesque.” He said and ruffled Izuku’s short curls. “I do miss the mop top.” He laughed 

“Absolutely not. No more broccoli hair for me.” 

His father laughed again, harder this time “What you wouldn’t want to be Broccoli Man: the vegetable hero?”

“No!” Izuku said, but smiled nonetheless. “Come on, I gotta get going.” 

“Want me to drive you?” Dad asked “I don’t have any appointments until later. I have plenty of time to drop you.” 

Izuku shook his head “It’s ok. It won’t take me long if I leave now. It’s only one train ride and the station isn’t far from the apartment.” He said and pushed past his dad to leave the bathroom. He grabbed his prepacked yellow backpack. 

“If you’re sure...” He said “Do you have everything?” 

“Yep! All packed!” He said, and walked into the living room. In one corner of the room was a small shrine, a picture of his mother looking young and beautiful sat there. Izuku stopped sitting in front of it. “Ok mom... I’m going to UA today.” He said softly. 

Izuku could feel his father’s eyes on him. 

“I made it... I know if you were here you’d be so happy... Dad and I miss you all the time. Ok. I’m going. Wish me luck.” He stood and ran to the front door, slipping on his bright red sneakers. 

“Izu.” His father called. Izuku looked up only to be met with his face being pulled into his dad’s chest. Warm arms wrapped around his shoulders and squeezed tight. “Good luck.” 

He hugged back and smiled into his dad’s chest. He could do this. “I’ll see you after school.” He said softly. 

“I look forward to it.” 

Izuku pulled back and with one final wave he was out the door. 

***

The door into class 1-A was massive. Why a classroom needed a door this big was beyond him. He stood outside of it for a long moment. Would Kacchan be in this class or 1-B? What about the cute girl and the guy with glasses? With his luck, they’d all be in 1-A with him. He wasn’t sure if that would be a good thing or a bad thing. 

He pushed the door open. 

“You shouldn’t put your legs on the desk! It’s rude to your classmates as well as the school!” The handsome guy with the glasses stood over Kacchan, his arm chopping in the air as he scolded him. Izuku couldn’t help but smile. 

“Who cares what you think you two bit extr- DEKU!” Kacchan’s eyes landed on Izuku. He sprang up from his desk stomping to him and grabbing him by the front of his jacket “Just what kind of stunt are you pulling huh? Scoring higher than me on the entrance exam huh???” He yelled in his face. Izuku sighed deeply. Never change Katsuki. 

He grabbed his wrist pulling it from his jacket “It’s not a stunt Kacchan.” 

“Don’t call me that here.” He snarled. 

“Kacchaaaaaan.” He drawled out. “Anyway, no stunts involved. I just did better than you. Maybe get better yourself before you worry about what I’m doing huh?” 

The glasses guy was on him in a moment “Ah! You!” He said and bowed his head “Thank you so much for your help during the exam. I must also apologize. You scored the highest with all of those rescue points. I thought you were just showing off at the time but now I see you saw the test for what it truly was! I have so much to learn from you! My name is Iida Tenya. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He said, grabbing Izuku’s hand and shaking it hard. 

“Uhh... thanks? I’m Midoriya-” 

“Ah!” Another voice called from the door. “Curly haired kid!” She said and ran to his side grabbing the hand that Iida wasn’t currently holding. “I’m glad you’re here! I wanted to thank you for saving me at the exam!” She said happily. 

“What the fuck are they talking about Deku?” Kacchan snapped. 

“Oh during the exam I-” 

“I wonder what kind of teacher we’ll have!” The cute girl said. Wait, she was still holding his hand. His entire face was turning pink. Cute girl. Talking to him. Touching him. Handsome guy was touching him too actually. Oh god. Oh god he was too bisexual for this. “Do you think the opening ceremony will be fun oh-” 

Something yellow was crawling on the floor outside of the classroom. He blinked. What the hell was that? He pulled the cute girl and Iida behind him on instinct. 

“If you’re here to make buddies, leave.” It said, was it a person cocooned in a yellow sleeping bag? The man stood up stepping out of the massive bag tossing it behind the teacher’s desk. “I’m Aizawa, your homeroom teacher. Welcome to the heroics course. Go get your gym clothes on and meet me outside.” He said and left without another word. 

What a weird guy. Was he a pro? He had to be, to work here. He sighed and went to leave the classroom but no one else was following. He looked back over his shoulder “Well, you heard him.” He said and stalked off to the locker room.

***

Izuku was the first to meet his teacher outside. He began stretching at once. He’d been instructed to put his gym clothes on so they must be about to do something physical. Maybe a day one test? He’d been in classes like that in middle school. Something ungraded just to gauge how much you already knew. That made sense. 

Another person joined him in his stretch. Izuku glanced out of the corner of his eye. His heart stopped. 

The most attractive person he’d ever seen was standing next to him. He was tall with a head of white and red hair split down the middle. One gray eye and one icy blue. The blue eye had a gnarly red burn scar around it but it seemed to only make him more appealing. Pale skin and nice arms. Was everyone in the hero coarse this stupidly good looking? 

“That’s just unfair.” He mumbled. 

“Excuse me?” The handsome boy asked. 

Izuku went red in the face, standing up straight like he’d been electrocuted. “N-nothing!” He was met with a glare before the boy turned away from him. Great, just great. He meets the most handsome boy in the world and he’s already pissed him off. Just his luck. 

The other students finally met them outside, saving Izuku from more awkward interactions with pretty-boy-scar-face. 

“We’re doing a quirk apprehension test.” Aizawa said once they’d gathered around. 

“Uh sir, what about the entrance ceremony?” The cute girl (Izuku really should find out her name) asked. 

Aizawa gave a noncommittal shrug “If you’re going to be heroes you won’t have time for such frivolities.” He said simply “You’re all familiar with UA’s reputation for freedom. That applies to teachers as well. We’re going to do a few simple middle school tests. Whoever scores lowest is expelled.” A gasp rolled through the students. 

Izuku frowned. He should be fine... Even without 5% Full Cowling he was pretty athletic to begin with. He was pretty sure he’d place in Not Last without it. With Full Cowling he might even place decently well. 

“You’re really going to expel a student on the first day?” Iida asked

“Expelled my whole homeroom class last year. UA takes my expulsions very seriously.” He said with a shrug “Let's get to it. Midoriya.” He said “You got the top score on the practical exam.” Izuku felt his peers' eyes on him. “How far could you throw a baseball in middle school?” 

Izuku thought for a moment “Uh... I dunno 50 meters?” 

Aizawa held up a baseball. “Throw it, with your quirk.” 

Izuku nodded, taking a step forward. He held up his hand, pulling the ball into his palm before Aizawa could even toss it. How best to do this? 5% of One for All was pretty strong. He felt into the void, calling the strength and let it pile in his entire body. He reeled back, ready to let lose when pain erupted in the side of his head like a knife. He looked back at Aizawa then-

Nothing. The pain vanished. One for All vanished. Full Cowling- Pull- All for One. He couldn’t feel any of it. Aizawa’s eyes were glowing red, his hair floating around his head. Why couldn’t Izuku feel- it hit him like a truck. A wide grin spilling onto his face.

“You’re Eraserhead!” He said, lowering his raised arm. 

That seemed to surprise Aizawa. “...How do you know me?” 

Izuku blushed a bit “Sorry- sorry I know you’re underground uh... My dad, he met you once. You hired him- gosh I dunno how long I think I was like 9... My dad Midoriya Hisashi is a qui-” 

“The quirk consultant?” Aizawa asked before humming “Yeah I suppose. I thought the name Midoriya was sorta familiar. You don’t look like him.” 

He rubbed the back of his neck “Yeah well... I take after my mom. But I remember your case. It was one of his first- he recommended a support agency that was able to make you better eye drops. It took him a few weeks because your eyes actually have a slightly different chemical makeup than most. Something with your quirk factor. Normal eye drops weren’t cutting it.” 

“...I remember.” 

Izuku smiled, “I’m glad. Erasure right? It works by maintaining a sight line with a person, you can deactivate their quirk factor of one person as long as you’re looking at them. So you can’t blink or lose sight of them.” Something occurred to him “Hey wait, why ask me to use my quirk if you were just going to erase it?” 

“I saw you at the exam. You threw a punch so powerful that it shattered all the bones in your right hand. If you did that in the field it would take you out of the fight-” 

Izuku rolled his eyes, “I know that.” He said “I wasn’t going to use that much force. If you saw me at the exam you would also know I can use a lower percentage of my overall power without hurting myself at all.” He tossed the ball into the air, using Pull to have it come back down into his palm. “Can I throw the ball now if I promise to be a good boy and not break my arm over a baseball?” 

He heard a few students gasp. Talking back to a teacher who was threatening to expel students without a second thought. Kacchan looked almost proud. Dammit he really was rubbing off on him. 

Aizawa seemed to debate something. Izuku felt a roll of doom in the pit of his stomach. Then Aizawa smiled. “I like you, problem child.” He said finally. “Throw the damn ball.” 

Izuku dared to smile back. Once again, he used One for All, calling upon Full Cowling. He pulled his arm back and threw. The ball shot through the air, flying into the distance. Aizawa looked down at a small reader, holding it up. It must have been connected to the ball to measure its distance. 

“Not too bad, problem child. 312 meters.” he said, holding the reader up for the class to see. 

Izuku grinned. 

“What the hell was that?” Kacchan yelled, stomping forward. “That wasn’t your quirk! I’ve seen your quirk and that was not Pull. The hell Deku???” 

Izuku’s grin only grew “I told you at the exam didn’t I? It’s Push and Pull now. That was the push .” 

Kacchan’s jaw dropped

***

The rest of the tests went about as well as Izuku suspected they might. He did just fine. With Full Cowling making him faster and stronger than the average person he was able to do perfectly well in all the tests. He wouldn’t say he was the best- but he was scoring in the top five in every test Aizawa was throwing at them. 

After it was all said and done, he’d placed 4th. Not too shabby. 

Handsome guy, who’s name was apparently Todoroki Shouto, placed 2nd. Endeavor’s son. Izuku hadn’t ever liked the number 2 hero that much. Call it a hunch but he seemed like an asshole. His son, as pretty as he was, wasn’t helping Izuku with that impression. 

During the entire test he was standoffish, impolite, and carried an air of ‘holier than thou’ which Izuku found rather distasteful. Still, he was so so pretty. The kind that would probably come back to haunt Izuku in the shower, or in the dead of night when it was just him, his hand and a bottle of All Might endorsed lotion. But that was between him and God. 

What pretty boy asshole Todoroki didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt him. 

Back on track. 

When the tests were all said and done, Aizawa kept to his word. The worst performing was expelled. A tiny guy with weird purple balls on his head. Mineta or something. Izuku felt bad for the guy for all of about 3 seconds before the girls in the class mentioned some creepy things he’d said to them.

Yeah fuck that. Good riddance grape boy. 

It was the end of the school day now. Izuku was very tired. He was ready to go home, curl up on the couch and watch tv with Dad. 

He left the class room but didn’t get far before a hand was placed on his shoulder. He looked back and smiled softly at Iida. “I have to say, Midoriya-kun you keep impressing me. The exam, saving me, scoring well in the tests and knowing the professional history of our teacher. I really do have much to learn from you.” 

He laughed “I just know a lot about heroes from my dad’s notes. And my own notes but mostly his since he’s worked up close and personal with so many pros.” He stopped before adding “Your brother is Igenium right?” 

Iida smiled brightly “Oh yes! My elder brother, Tensei.” 

“Yeah he’s employed my dad a few times. Never for himself since he has that famous Iida family engine quirk- you do too if I’m not mistaken. But he’s hired him to help out with some sidekicks here and there. My dad says he’s super nice.”
 

Before Iida could respond a voice cut out “Hey wait up!” 

The cute girl was running down the hall to catch them. Izuku tried not to turn beat red on the spot. 

“Ah yes, the Infinity girl.” Iida said. He was right. She’d floated her baseball up into the sky getting the highest score in that test. 

She smiled “I’ll have you know my name is Uraraka Ochako!” What a cute name! Fitting for such a cute girl! “You’re Iida Tenya and Midoriya Deku right?” Izuku choked on his own spit “Or is that not right? The really loud explody guy kept calling you that.” 

“Kacchan? Yeah he does. It’s not my name. It’s Izuku. He’s been calling me Deku since we were little kids. It’s an insult. And he’s a jackass so-” 

Uraraka frowned “Oh man I’m sorry. But... I kind of like Deku. It sounds like ‘I can’ ya know?”

Well shit, just fire an arrow of cuteness right through his heart why doesn’t she? “You can call me Deku if you want. The name doesn’t bother me. I’m pretty sure it’s a term of endearment at this point anyway. Most of the people in middle school did.” 

She smiled bright, stepping between them and grabbed each of them by the elbow. “Ok then! Iida and Deku! We’re gonna be great friends!” She announced. Izuku rather had the feeling he didn’t get a choice in the matter. 

But he wasn’t about to complain. 

***

Dad looked up as Izuku came into the house. He kicked off his shoes as his father came to meet him at the door. “So, how was it? Tell me everything!” 

“I’m starving. Can... can we go get Katsudon?” He asked. 

“Put your shoes back on.” He said, grabbing his wallet and keys. 

It was only another 15 minutes before Izuku was seated across the small table in the dingey little restaurant they frequented. Akira’s. A hole in the wall with the best Katsudon Izuku has ever had in his life. He dug into his bowl happily. 

“So. First day at UA.” His dad said, starting to eat himself 

Izuku swallowed his bite. “My homeroom teacher is Eraserhead.”

Dad blinked at that. He looked up smiling with the chopsticks in his mouth “You’re kidding!” He said, speaking through his food. 

“I’m not. He remembered you too.” His dad made a soft squeal noise at that. “We did a quirk apprehension test.  Scored 4th overall.” Dad nodded in approval. “The last place kid got expelled but he was apparently harassing some of the girls so not a bad loss.” 

“Did you have a quirk counselor watch your tests?” 

He shook his head. “Actually... I don’t know if the school has one.” 

Dad frowned “What kind of hero school doesn’t have an on staff quirk counselor?” He sighed “I’m talking to Toshi about that... Wonder if I should apply.” Izuku choked on his Katsudon. His father quickly distracted him by switching topics to one Izuku was sure would only kill him faster “So, any cute girls catch your eye?” 

Izuku was dying. He was going to die here in this booth. He coughed on his food. His mind supplied the image of pretty Todoroki, with his face, eyes, strong jaw, tall, broad shoulders and his perfect hair. God he’d love to see him grow it out he’d look like an angel if he did that- “Uh there’s this girl named Uraraka. She’s super cute.” He said instead. 

He felt a little bad for not telling his dad the full truth. It wasn’t that he thought his dad would love him less if he told him he liked guys as much (if not more, lets be real here) as girls. He just... Didn’t want to change their relationship. He knew Dad wouldn’t judge him. At least not out loud. He didn’t want to change the way his dad looked at him, or disappoint him. Maybe that was stupid and irrational of him. Being Bi was nothing to be ashamed of. 

He’d made the connection he was bisexual when he was 12. He’d always sort of intrinsically known he was different from other boys. Of course getting into street fights with a sweaty, often shirtless Kacchan had definitely helped him awaken to his less than platonic feelings towards boys. Not that he’d ever date Kacchan. That would be like dating a cousin. Too close. They’d shared bathtubs as 2 year olds, there’s no coming back from that. Not for Izuku at least. But he’d be an idiot and liar to say he hadn’t thought about Kacchan in that light at least once. 

But that was between him and God. 

Point being, talking to his dad about Uraraka was safe. Bringing up Todoroki and his perfect face and abs and- well he wasn’t even sure if he was ready to have that talk with himself. Todoroki, as pretty as he may be, was still a dick. Uraraka was soft, and sweet, and he could easily see himself on a date with her. 

“Oh yeah?” his dad asked, pulling him from his thoughts. He took another large bite “What’s she like?” 

Gushing about Uraraka was easy. “Aside from being cuter than a kitten, her quirk is amazing. When she touches something she can make it weightless. I think the more she does the sicker she gets. She was the girl that puked on me during the entrance exams.” 

“Oh yeah? I’d love to meet her and learn more about her quirk. It’s not the most straightforward when it comes to combat but she’d make a great rescue hero.” Dad said thoughtfully “Not to say it wouldn’t be dead useful in a fight. Not many people would be able to fight in zero gravity. Plus all the creative positioning you could make. Pair it with the right quirks and you’d be hyper mobile.” 

“That’s what I thought too! Pull and her quirk would go great together. I’d be able to pull... anything really since she’d make it weightless!” 

“You could throw people around with Push too.” His dad said. When in public, all talk of One for All became talk of Push instead. 

Izuku grinned “I hope we get to work together soon. I’d love to see what we’d be able to accomplish together.” 

“And she’s super cute.” His dad winked. Izuku rolled his eyes “Anyone else stand out?” 

“Iida seems nice.” He said “The younger brother of Ingenium.” 

Dad smiled “Nice! I’ll shoot Tensei a text. Tell him you met his little brother. Tenya or something right? Tensei only has good things to say about him so I hope he treats you well. Is Katsuki in your class?” 

“Yeah but he was honestly fine today? He was pretty confused when I used Push, but he took it pretty well. Maybe I’ll be nice and goad him into a fight tomorrow or something.” Izuku said “...It’s been a minute since he and I fought. Maybe I miss it?” 

“As long as there’s no quirk usage-” 

He cut his dad off “We know dad, we’re not stupid.” Izuku pulled his phone out and opened his conversation with Kacchan. It was a simple back and forth, mostly just fist emojis and times and places to meet. 

(Fist Emoji) tmrw aftr school? He hit send. 

It was only 2 seconds before he got a reply. 

Hope you’re hungry for sidewalk Deku. 

Dad sighed into his food “Izu, please stop fighting the kid who sweats nitroglycerin. I shouldn’t have given him pointers to make bigger blasts last year...” 

“Oh come on dad, it was the right thing to do. Plus it’s not like I’m completely helpless. I can handle Kacchan no problem. Besides there are kids in that class that seem way spookier than a puffed up pomeranian.” 

His father put down his chopsticks slowly. “Has anyone bothered-” 

Izuku cut him off by waving his hands frantically. “No, it’s nothing like that. No bullies. There’s just this one guy... His quirk is insane and he’s a bit of a dick? Not in the way Kacchan is just... I dunno how to describe it. Something about him just keeps... sticking to me.” His father quirked an eyebrow, clearly waiting for him to elaborate. “His name is Todoroki Shouto.” Ok, while talking about how pretty he was might be off the table, talking about him was something he clearly needed to do. “He’s got this half ice half fire quirk. Though... I don’t remember him using the fire today? Anyway, He’s Endeavor’s son.” 

Dad nodded “I... See. I met Endeavor once. I was doing a consultation for one of his sidekick’s last year. Burnin’. Nice woman, but he passed me on the way up to his office. Cold guy for someone with a fire quirk.” He took another bite of food, chewed and swallowed. “I didn’t like him.” He bit his lip before adding “I couldn’t imagine living with a guy like that, and I only had a short interaction with him. A nothing. A blip. Then again, Endeavor could be a big soft family man at home.” 

“I doubt it.” Izuku said “Todoroki was just very... I dunno at first I chalked it up to him being stuck up but. I dunno. Something isn’t right there. The more I think about it the more it bugs me.” 

“Intuition. I tend to trust mine.” Dad said “I wouldn’t go poking the bear on this one. If you out right ask the kid ‘Hey is your dad as big of a dick as I think he is?’ and he’s not, you’re just going to piss him off. Or if he is, you might spook him. I’d just... wait and watch.” 

Izuku frowned. If his dad’s impression of Endeavor was matching his from seeing him on TV, then there might be something there. He thought back to the way Todoroki didn’t engage with anyone. He put on a new lens. Instead of stuck up was he...scared? That image certainly changed things. Suddenly the image of himself carrying Todoroki bridal style away from a suddenly large and imposing (maybe even villainous) Endeavor appeared in his head. He squashed it. “I’ll keep an eye out.” 

“I might google signs for child abuse.” His father said quietly. 

Izuku was definitely going to google signs for child abuse. 

Chapter Text

Ochako was having a great second day of school! It was much more normal so far than the first day had been. Regular school subjects in the morning where she got to meet more of her teachers. Present Mic was so cool! Then of course a yummy lunch where she sat with her two new friends. 

Was it weird she already considered Iida and Deku her friends? Iida was a bit of a stick in the mud but he was so earnest and honestly, very funny (though that was probably not on purpose.) She enjoyed the tall boy’s company a lot already. Then there was Deku-

She could tell she was getting a massive crush on him already. It was just so hard, not too ok? He was so cute! A short mess of green hair, big expressive green eyes, and all those freckles! So cute! That wasn’t even getting into the little bit of his great body she’d seen. He hid it well under his school blazer but she saw those powerful looking forearms when they were in their gym clothes. He was attractive, it was undeniable. But there was more to Deku than freckles and nice forearms! 

He was kind.

That was apparent from the moment he saved her during the entrance exam. But he’d only proven it more over the last day. Sato (she was sure that was his name, the guy with the sugar quirk!) broke his pencil during English that morning, and Deku had a spare pencil on his desk before he could even ask. Deku had already approached Tokoyami about his quirk and ways he could apply it. He was always thinking about others! 

Oh and one more thing she could add to her growing list of Reasons she’d maybe like to be Midoriya Ochako maybe someday after she becomes a rich hero all on her own or something . Deku wasn’t just nice, he wasn’t just handsome. 

Deku was Smart . 

Or rather observant? The way he’d seen Sato break his pencil, that he’s already been thinking about Tokoyami’s quirk. Those acts weren’t just kindness, they were also proof of how much thinking was going on inside that cute green head of his. 

It was insanely attractive. 

It was time for their afternoon classes. Ochako leaned on her hand, with nothing to look at aside from the back of Iida’s head. She spared a glance across the classroom. Deku was talking quietly to Bakugou. She wasn’t sure how he tolerated that guy, but Deku had assured her they were friends. Deku laughed at something Bakugou said. He was so cute. 

“I AM HERE!” A booming voice filled the classroom as the door slid open. Every nerve on Ochako’s body stood up with excitement. All Might appeared in the door. “COMING THROUGH THE DOOR LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!” 

She couldn’t help but laugh under her breath. This was crazy! All Might! In the flesh! Ochako was star struck. This was All Might. The greatest hero in the world! He was their teacher. He was here to teach them how to be heroes. And he was so funny! 

“It’s time for your foundational hero studies!” All Might said, now standing in the front of the classroom, with his hands on his hips. “You’re going to come with me to one of our battle facilities. Your costumes are waiting for you.” 

Their costumes? Oh that’s right! Ochako almost forgot. After they’d been accepted they were allowed to submit costume designs. She hadn’t actually done that, simply giving a description of her quirk and letting the official UA design team do pretty much whatever they wanted. She wasn’t picky about how she’d look as long as it was comfortable. 

All Might had them all stand and led them from the classroom. Ochako and Iida hung back a bit for Deku. 

“I’m really excited to see my costume in person!” Deku said as the three of them walked together. “My dad helped me design it.” 

“Really? That’s so cute!” Ochako said “You’ve mentioned your dad a few times. The quirk consultant right?” 

“Yeah that’s him.” He said “His line of work is pretty good for helping heroes find the right support items.”

Iida nodded “That’s very kind of your father to help you. You don’t think he’d be willing to look over our costumes do you?” Ochako nodded furiously in agreement. 

Deku thought for a moment. “I’m sure he’d be happy to. He does want to meet you guys. Plus he gets pretty hyped up at the idea of studying quirks. Even more than me and trust me that is saying something. I have like... 13 notebooks full of quirk analyses. Dad has... I dunno 30?” 

Ochako’s eyes widened “Woah really? That’s intense.” 

“Yeah he writes them all in code. I can’t even crack it.” He sighed dramatically. “But he can’t crack my notes. Only person who ever did was Kacchan. And I’m pretty sure he did that just out of spite.” 

Bakugou snorted behind them. Ochako jumped. She had no idea he had been walking behind them this whole time. “Deku I cracked them because I wasn’t going to let you have that kind of head start.” 

“Well I changed my code for my new one, so get absolutely wrecked, Kacchan.” Deku said, not even looking back. 

Bakugou growled, and pulled on the back of Deku’s jacket. “I’m not letting you get ahead of me you shitty nerd.” 

“Says the guy literally pulling me from behind. ” 

The back and forth went on the rest of the way to the changing rooms near where they would be doing their hero study. Iida and Ochako had to walk slightly in front of them as they argued. She and Iida also shared many confused and bemused looks. 

Their outfits had been stored in briefcases. She quickly changed and admired her new look. It wasn’t something she’d ever pick out herself but she had to admit she liked it. Mostly. It was skin tight, which was embarrassing. And it had heels . That was something she was going to demand they change but she’d deal for today. Her and Asui (who looked adorable ) left the girls changing room together. 

Most of the boys were already out waiting for them. Her eyes quickly scanned the room. Everyone looked so good! One boy- she thinks his name was Kirishima was practically shirtless. That made her feel better about her skin tight outfit. Iida was wearing armor, looking rather like a knight. Even Bakugou looked great. Then her eyes found her real target. Deku. 

A tight black sleeveless turtleneck, with green panels on the sides. Long black fingerless gloves that extended up his arms so only his defined shoulders were bare. A metal mouth guard covering the bottom half of his face. A hood that was currently down with long- she wasn’t quite sure what that was. Bunny ears? His pants were tight with green knee pads, his gloves had the same green elbow pads. His shoes were the same bright red he normally wore, but with some black metal along the bottom giving him some extra height. He had a utility belt, but she couldn’t make out what was on it. 

It was sinfully tight. How Deku hid such a great body she’d never know but there was no hiding it now. Stacked abs, bulky arms, broad shoulders, defined shoulder blades, impressive thighs and calves and his butt. Ochako mentally slapped herself. Get it together. 

“Deku, Iida, you guys look great!” She called and approached them. Deku turned and smiled. At least she thinks he did with the way his eyes crinkled. 

“You look great too, Uraraka!” Deku said. His eyes quickly scanned her before he sighed “They put you in heels?” He asked, “That’s so stupid. How are you going to fight in those?” 

She nodded “I know. I already decided I was going to have them change it, so it’ll only be for today.” 

“That’s good.” Iida said “I don’t know what they were thinking, giving a hero heels. What if you slipped or hurt yourself?” He sighed “At least the costume does look rather nice on you, Uraraka-san.” He coughed a bit “I mean it-” 

Ochako stopped listening. Deku’s eyes had been caught. She followed his line of sight towards Todoroki. He’d just come out of the training room. His outfit was pretty bland. A simple all white get up. The only mildly interesting thing about it was that he’d iced over the left side of it. How was he going to move like that? That must be what Deku was thinking. She looked back at his face. Was he... blushing?

She looked back at Todoroki. He was looking at them. Rather looking at Deku. She looked back to Deku. He was holding eye contact. Well that’s odd. Was this some kind of guy thing? A staredown to intimidate the other? Whatever it was, Deku won. Todoroki turned away first. Deku watched him a moment longer before turning back to Iida and Ochako. 

“Let’s go!” All Might called, stopping her next thought.

***

All Might explained the indoor battles. Then showed them their randomly selected teams. Team A was herself and Deku! That was going to be fun. Team B, who they’d be facing was Bakugou and Todoroki. Not as fun. Ochako and Deku would be playing the ‘Villains’ in this scenario, while Bakugou and Todoroki would be attempting to secure a missile from their base. 

Deku and Ochako were sent inside first, they had 5 minutes to formulate a plan. They stood alone in the room with their fake nuclear missile. Deku was already mumbling a million miles a minute under his breath. It was cute. She let him go on for a moment before speaking up “Wanna share your brilliant plan?” She asked. 

Deku jumped “Oh! Sorry Uraraka. Uh yes-” He shook his head, clearing his mind. “Kacchan and Todoroki are both super strong. They both have great quirks and good control over them. I know for a fact Kacchan is good at hand to hand combat, and I’m willing to bet some limited edition All Might Figures Todoroki is just as good if not better.” 

“We’re boned then?” 

Then, Deku smiled “Not quite. Kacchan is not a group person. He’ll want to come in guns blazing. Todoroki is more careful- actually Uraraka can you make us both weightless? Oh and the missile too!” 

She fidgeted “I can? It’ll make me a bit sick and I doubt I’ll be able to hold it for long-” 

“You won’t need too. 30 seconds at the most. Can you do that? Not yet but when I say so?” She nodded “Good. Ok. Back to what I was saying. Todoroki is careful, and also... I hate to say this, but they’re both a bit full of themselves. They’re going to butt heads.” 

“Oooh so you wanna exploit that!” 

Deku nodded “Yes. Also, Kacchan has been itching for a fight with me- we have one planned for after school but he can use his quirk here so I know he’ll be gunning for me. If by some miracle he doesn’t I can goad him into a fight like it’s nothing. Todoroki will be a bit harder but I think I can try to get them to follow me. While I do that can you make the missile weightless here? Make it harder for Todoroki when he figures out what I’m up too. Because once that happens he’ll come straight here. If I do this right, I should be able to capture Kacchan first, then you and I will be enough to take on Todoroki.” 

“What should I do if he gets here and you’re still fighting Bakugou?” 

“...If you get the jump on him, you could make him weightless. I know that would be hard for you but-” 

“I can do it!” She said “If he’s weightless there'll be at least a second where he won’t know what to do! I can capture him then!” 

Deku treated her with the brightest smile she’d ever seen. “That’s perfect!” He said “Let’s do this!”

“Trial of the indoor battle-” All Might’s voice rang out through the building. 

“Now Uraraka!” He said, grabbing her hand. Ochako touched him and herself, making them both weightless, as well as the missile. Her stomach rolled in protest. Deku pulled her to his chest, using his quirk to pull the missile to them as well.

“START!” 

It was immediate. Ice shot out from everywhere. It covered the walls, the ground and ceiling. She gasped. Had they not been weightless they would have been frozen in place. 

“Great! You can let us down.” Deku said. She released them. Deku landed first, sliding a bit but stayed up right. He kept her upright as well. “He did exactly what I thought he might.” Deku said, reaching down to his shoes. He fiddled with them before Ochako saw what he was doing. Sharp metal spikes, about half an inch long protruded from his soles. Cleats! 

“Why do you have cleats?” 

“Huh- oh! My shoes can adapt to most terrain. I have a snowshoe option, cleats- all kinds of stuff. Who knows what kind of quirks we’ll be dealing with as pros- look we’ll talk about this later. I gotta run. I have Kacchan and Todoroki hunting to do.” 

She smiled “Get going villain Deku. I’ll keep this missile safe from any rogue Todoroki’s!” 

Deku rewarded her with another brilliant smile before his body crackled with green electricity. He pulled his hood up- oh those were definitely bunny ears- before hopping off to face two of the strongest guys in their class. 

“You look like a rabbit!” She shouted after him, unsure why but he needed to know. 

***

Just a few minutes prior. 

Shouto was feeling a type of way about having to face Midoriya, and having to do so with Bakugou no less. He didn’t know either of them- having only met the pair the day before but something about both of them was bothering him. Bakugou was far more simple to explain. Shouto simply didn’t like him. He was brash, loud, and obnoxious. Working with him on this exercise was going to be a chore. 

Midoriya on the other hand was... Harder to explain. Something about the green haired boy put Shouto on edge. He’d already made an impression on day one, being the first to confidently follow Aizawa outside. Stretching like he knew what they’d be doing. Shouto had followed suit because clearly he knew what he was doing. His quirk was impressive- a duality much like the one Shouto had. Though Midoriya didn’t shy away from one side. 

But that wasn’t what put Shouto on edge. He wasn’t sure what it was about him. But the way he’d felt whenever he found himself trapped by those large green eyes... It made him sick. His entire body seized, his stomach rolling in distress, his heart rate increasing, his palms- even his right- became sweaty. His face felt warm whenever he looked at him. It was very unnerving. 

The idea of having to fight against someone who could throw him off with a single look was not one he enjoyed. 

He and Bakugou stood outside of the building, waiting. Shouto didn’t look at him “When he says start I’m going to ice the entire building. That should freeze Midoriya and Uraraka where they stand. We’ll be able to waltz right in and take the missile.” 

Bakugou made a tch noise. “If that’s what you think you’re dumber than you look.” He said “Round face has an antigravity quirk.” 

“I doubt they’ll be in zero gravity as soon as it starts.” Shouto spit back. 

“They will. Deku is smart. He’s the one we should be scared of. He’s probably got a plan on how to deal with us. He knows my quirk too well. Plus if you ice the entire place over, and they don’t get stuck we’ll be dealing with bad footing, sliding around. On top of that, it’s harder for my quirk when it’s cold.” 

“They’re not going to be floating. It’ll be right as he says to start. Even if they are, they’ll also be on slick terrain. My costume is meant to fight on ice. You’ll just have to figure it out for yourself.” 

“Trial of the indoor battle-” 

Shouto stepped his right foot forward, ready to end the fight before it would begin. “Asshole I’m telling you-”

“START!” 

Shouto froze the entire building. 

“You stupid fucking-” Bakugou yelled “If we lose, it’s all your damn fault.” 

“We won’t lose.” Shouto said, sliding his hands into his costume’s pockets. He strode forward into the building, not minding the ice at all. Bakugou sighed following after, muttering the whole way “Just stay close to me.” He ordered. They walked along the first floor. Shouto stopped. The sound of metal clanging on the ice was heard above them. 

He sped up. Someone wasn’t frozen. Bakugou had been right- They turned the corner, now facing the stairwell. Midoriya hopped into view. Todoroki’s eyes narrowed on his shoes. Cleats. Why did he have cleats??? He crouched at the top of the steps, one leg in front as if ready to jump towards them. His hood was up- he looked ridiculous. 

“Hey Kacchan, hey Todoroki-kun.” He said, his voice upbeat and cheery. “Weird thought but Uraraka said I look like a rabbit, is that true?” 

Shouto’s jaw dropped. What the hell was he talking about? He supposed the hood did look like rabbit ears. But what did that have to do with anything? Why wasn’t Shouto able to move? He should just ice him over and be done with it. 

“Yeah you look like a rabbit. It’s dumb as fuck.” Bakugou yelled. Why wasn’t he moving either? 

Midoriya smirked. “Poor Kacchan. Todoroki-kun made you useless by making everything so cold! You can’t sweat enough! Ah well, here lets get your blood pumping.” Midoriya stood, turning away “Follow the green rabbit, and if you win I’ll add a fuzzy green tail to my hero costume.” He placed a hand on the space right above his- Shouto was Not looking at his ass- he placed his hand right in the space above it “I’ll put it right here.” He shot them another smirk before hopping off. Like a bunny. 

For about half a second Shouto’s brain supplied the image of Midoriya with only a rabbit tail and bunny ears. 

He was running up the stairs, leaving Bakugou in the dust. He heard a few small explosions as Bakugou zipped past him “GET BACK HERE DEKU, I’LL SHOW YOU WHO’S USELESS.” 

Shouto and Bakugou made it to the second floor, turning the corner. Midoriya was standing there, waiting for them. His face mask was up now, covering his lips. Shouto didn’t hesitate this time, ice shooting from his right side across the ground. 

Midoriya jumped, swinging his leg and breaking the ice as it reached him. Bakugou shot past him, screaming “Die!” his explosions pushed him forward. Midoriya, still airborne, held out his hand, Bakugou now careening toward him at a faster speed. Bakugou grinned, moving his hands forward and let off a massive explosion. “Been trying to build up for that one!” He yelled. 

Midoriya appeared in the smoke. His hood now tatters, his mouth guard scorched. He swung a kick, round housing into Bakugou and sent him flying back down. Directly into Shouto. 

He tried to dodge, Bakugou clipping him in the back. Shouto clung to the wall as Bakugou slid back along the ice. He looked up just in time to see a red shoe flying towards his face. He threw up a wall of ice, blocking the bulk of the force. Midoriya had sliced through it, the kick connecting with his face. 

Shouto fell back, a warm body landing on him, kness pressing into his chest. Midoriya was on top of him. Oh god Midoriya was on top of him . That warmth- the sickness he felt whenever he looked at Midoriya for too long was hitting him with full force now. He was frozen to the ground. Midoriya leaned over him, a feral glint in his eyes. 

He couldn’t think. All the blood in his brain had seemingly vanished, rushing elsewhere. Capture tape wrapped around his neck. He couldn’t move. 

“Todoroki is captured! He can no longer fight!” All Might’s voice came through the speakers.

“Dammit you scarfaced bastard!” Bakugou roared. Explosions propelled him towards them. Midoriya jumped off him, turning tail and running away, cleats clattering on the ice. “GET BACK HERE AND FIGHT ME DEKU!” He screamed, blasting past Shouto. 

They ran down the hall towards the steps. Shouto laid back, the bitter taste of defeat in his mouth. This wasn’t like him. Losing like this. Getting frozen up like this. What would his father think? Not that he gave a shit what that human garbage thought . He mentally scolded himself. This was Midoriya’s fault. Stupid, clever, cute, Midoriya. 

Wait what?

***

Ochako heard the explosions first. Oh no, Bakugou was hot on Deku’s trail! By the sounds of it, he was on his way here. Todoroki was captured, so Deku was probably leading him here for back up. She had maybe thirty seconds by the way their voices sounded. 

“HOLD THE FUCK STILL DEKU! FIGHT ME!” Bakugou screamed. 

She got to work. She grabbed the weightless missile, placing it about 20 yards from the door she was sure they would be coming into. She released it, having it stand as bait. She ran to the doorway, making herself weightless. Her stomach rolled in pain. But Ochako floated herself up above the door, capture tape at the ready. 

“Come on Kacchan I know you can keep up-” Deku called, followed by another explosion. Ochako heard the sound of a metal kick, and a grunt from Bakugou. Then another blast. “Ouch Kacchan!” Deku cried. More cleats on ice. 

Deku ran through the doorway. His shirt was tattered, nasty burn marks decorating his skin, like little stars. Bakugou was only a few paces behind him. “I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” He screamed, and jumped for Deku. 

“Release!” Ochako yelled, dropping right on top of Bakugou. Her capture tape wrapped around his neck. 

“Bakugou is captured! Villains win!” 

Ochako stood grinning. Deku was smiling brightly at her. “We did it!” She said. Deku ran at her, wrapping her into a hug. 

“We did Uraraka!” He cheered. 

She was frozen. Deku was holding her. Shirtless. He was holding her and not wearing a shirt. Ochako.exe has stopped working. Please do a system reboot. 

He let her go suddenly, taking a step back. His entire face was red, as he rubbed the back of his head “S-sorry! Just exciting! Good thinking of making yourself weightless and getting the drop!” He then turned to Bakugou. “You good Kacchan?” 

Bakugou hadn’t moved. His face was plastered down in the ice. Several long moments passed before he spoke, his voice muffled. “I’m going to murder that icy bastard.” 

As if summoned by talking about him, Todoroki appeared in the doorway. He looked as miserable as Bakugou. He ignored them, simply walking past them to the center of the room, using his left hand and leg to melt the ice. 

“I fucking told you.” Bakugou snarled. 

“I see that you were correct. I won’t underestimate them again.” Todoroki said, keeping his back turned to them. What a stuck up guy. She glanced at Deku whose eyes were trained on Todoroki’s back. “Midoriya.”  he said finally “Don’t expect to beat me again. I’m not sure what happened to me back there but rest assured next time we face each other I’ll be the victor.” 

Deku crossed his arms over his chest. “That so?” He asked, a cheeky grin sliding across his face “Ok then. Looking forward to it, Todoroki-kun.” The room became stiflingly hot as the ice melted. “Come on, we should get back. I’m sure All Might has a lot of notes waiting for us.” He stepped over to Bakugou and offered him a hand.

He slapped it away, getting himself up “Don’t think we’re not still fighting after school Deku. One on one fights I still kick your ass.” He snarled before stomping out of the room. 

Ochako watched as Deku gave one last look to Todoroki before he followed Bakugou. She kept in stride with him. “Man Deku, looks like you attract hot headed rivals.” She joked, poking his cheek. 

He sighed deeply “I know. One Kacchan was enough, now Todoroki?” He hung his head “If I have to start penciling in street fights once a week for him too I’m not gonna have time for my own training.” 

She giggled and patted his back “There, there.” She said, 

***

Shouto was sick. That had to be the only answer. He was ill, and needed medical attention. Once school was over he bolted from the classroom, stomping down the hallway to Recovery Girl’s office. He slid the door open with a loud thud. 

The old hero looked up from her paperwork. “Hello, how can I help you?” She asked, turning her chair toward him. “First year by the look of you. Are you injured?” 

“I’m ill.” He deadpanned. “I’ve never had symptoms like this before.” 

Recovery Girl frowned. “Here, have a seat on the bed.” She instructed. Shouto sat where she pointed. She grabbed a thermometer, and pressed it to his forehead. “What are your symptoms?” She asked. “No fever...”

“I’m wondering if it’s quirk related.” He said “It only happens around one person. A boy in my class. When I look at him I feel feverous.” Recovery Girl raised an eyebrow. “My heart rate increases dramatically. My palms become very sweaty and I get nauseous. My stomach feels as though it’s full of-” 

“Butterflies?” She asked, her voice amused. Shouto didn’t see what was so amusing about this! Midoriya was probably killing him with some hidden quirk and she thought it was funny? But since she mentioned it-

“Yes!” Shouto said “Exactly like. Like there are literal butterflies in my stomach.” A horrible thought occurred to him “Wait, don't tell me there are literal butterflies in my stomach.” 

Then, she had the gaul to laugh.  

“Kid, you’re not sick or under the effects of a quirk.” She said before patting his cheek. 

“Then what the hell is happening to me?” He asked 

Recovery Girl smiled “You’re a smart boy. You’ll figure it out. But I promise you’re not sick or in any danger. Go home, do some thinking on why you think this boy makes you feel this way.” 

Shouto stood “Fine.” He said, and without a word he left, slamming the door closed behind him. Absolutely 0 help. When Midoriya finally kills him, she’ll know how wrong she was then. He checked his phone. Damn, he’d missed his normal train over this waste of time. If he hurried he could catch the next one and still be home before the old man. 

He sped off, leaving the school. Shouto made his way down the steps, walking around the grounds to leave. He only paused when he heard a loud pained cry. Hero instincts taking over, Shouto turned on the ball of his foot and ran in the direction of the cry. 

“AHH!” He heard another, turning the corner. He spotted the scene, and all the blood drained from his head. 

“Kacchan! Ouch! That hurts you- ahh!” It was Midoriya. His jacket and dress shirt were removed, now only wearing a tight white undershirt. He was pinned under Bakugou who had also shed his jacket and shirt only clad in a black tank top. He had Midoriya not only under him, but bent in half, pushing his legs back into his chest in what looked a rather painful way. 

“Do you yield, you shitty nerd?” Bakugou spat. 

“Not on your lif- AhH!” Midoriya cried as Bakugou twisted his leg. 

Should... Should he stop this? Suddenly he was aware he wasn’t the only one watching this... display. Uraraka and- he was pretty sure his name was Iida were also there. Only a few feet to the left of him. Both of them looked concerned, each of them holding what must have been Midoriya and Bakugou’s bags and clothes. “What is going on?” He asked 

Uraraka looked up at him before biting her lip “We’re not entirely sure? Apparently they do this a lot.” 

“I still think we should get a teacher!” Iida said, concern dripping from his voice.

“YIELD YOU LITTLE SHIT!” 

“AHH I YIELD, I YIELD KACCHAN!” 

Shouto thought he might be sick right there. Recovery Girl had been right. It felt exactly like butterflies. He watched as Bakugou got off of Midoriya. He grabbed him by the shirt, and pulled him up, exposing a bit of skin. He was going to throw up. Midoriya caught his breath before they walked back to the group, grabbing their shirts and getting redressed. 

“Oh, hey Todoroki-kun.” Midoriya said “When did you get here?”

“I-” 

“Oi icyhot.” Bakugou snarled “See that? That’s what should have happened in class today you stupid motherfucker.”

Midoriya elbowed him, as he finished buttoning up his shirt. “Don’t be mean. What Todoroki did was smart. It would have worked if Uraraka hadn’t been there.” He said, before flashing him a smile “What train do you take Todoroki-kun?” 

“East line.” He said “...Why do you ask?” 

“Same as us then.” He motioned to the entire group “Wanna walk together?” He threw his coat back on, and shoved his red tie into one of his jacket pockets. 

This is how Shouto knew he was sick. Had it been anyone else he would have simply said ‘No’ and walked off without a second thought. But Midoriya... When he looked at him with those big green eyes, the word tumbled out of his mouth without his permission. 

“Sure.”

Chapter Text

Izuku sighed as his father fixed his tie. “I really don’t need a ride.” He said “The train gets me there in plenty of time.” 

Dad laughed as he smoothed down his tie “Relax, I actually have a meeting there myself this morning. It just makes sense if we go together.” Izuku raised an eyebrow. “Relax, nothing to do with you. It’s a personal meeting. I have a job interview!” 

“Huh?” he asked “For what? To be a quirk counselor?”  

“Yeah!” His dad smiled “I mentioned to Toshinori that it seemed like a huge blind spot that a hero school wouldn’t have at least one dedicated quirk counselor. I got a call yesterday from your principal, and he wants me to come in today. Would you be ok? Me working at your high school?” 

He considered for a moment. It would be weird but... “I think that’d be fine. It’s not like you’d be in my classroom everyday.” He said “Plus I think you could really help, I got to see everyone in action yesterday during our foundational hero training and some of them could use some help getting their quirk to its full potential.” 

“Let’s hope I get the job then.” His dad said “Come on, grab your bag.” He ordered before going to grab his car keys.

The drive was quiet, but parking had been a hassle. As they walked towards the gate, they quickly figured out why. 

Reporters were crowding the gate, and harassing anyone wearing a UA uniform. Izuku and his father had to push their way inside. A reporter practically grabbed Izuku by the back of his jacket. A microphone and a camera shoved in his face. 

“Kid! Tell us, what’s it like having All Might as a teacher?” The woman reporter asked “Is he a good teacher? Does he have any favorite students?” 

He was frozen like a deer in headlights. He eyed the camera, then looked past it, searching for a head of white hair. “I uh-” He mumbled. A warm hand grabbed his, pulling him out of frame, and away from the reporters. 

“Don’t just go grabbing my son.” Dad snarled, before pushing Izuku forward through the gates away from the reporters. “You ok, Izu?” 

“F-fine.” He said softly. “It was just stressful.” He shook his head, as if shaking off that uncomfortable feeling. “I hate the press.” 

Dad nodded apologetically. “I know. Something you should work on though. If you’re gonna be the greatest hero ever someday, you better get used to dealing with them. I’m sure you’ll eventually go over it in class. Public Relations is a huge part of being a modern hero.” 

He nodded “Right. Uh, I guess I’ll see you after school- my homeroom is this way.” 

“Sure kiddo. I’ll let you know how the interview goes.” He ruffled Izuku’s hair. “See you later Izu, have a good day.” 

He waved to his dad, and made his way towards homeroom. It was still early, so he was one of the first to arrive. The only people who’d beaten him were Yaoyorozu, Iida, and Todoroki.

“Ah, good morning Midoriya-kun.” Iida said “Did you complete the homework assignment we got from Yamada-san yesterday?” 

Izuku nodded as he placed his bag under his desk. “Yeah it was pretty easy.” He said “My dad is fluent in English so he’s been teaching me for a few years now.” 

Yaoyorozu turned toward him “You speak a lot about your father, Midoriya-kun. You must be very close with him.” 

He gave her a bright smile. “Oh yeah! My dad’s great. He’s all I’ve got since uh-” He trailed off “My mom passed away a few years ago, so it’s just the two of us. And Yagi-san. My dad’s best friend. He’s over at our house half the time. But mostly it’s just me and dad. Plus we share a lot of hobbies so we’re pretty close.” 

She frowned. “I’m sorry to hear about your mother.” She said softly. 

“It’s ok!” Izuku said, waving his arms “I mean- it’s not ok but it was a while ago. I was 9 and she had cancer. But, I have her quirk! So it’s like she’s always with me.” to punctuate his point he called his notebook from his bag with Pull. “I used to say whenever I used Pull, it was like my mom was handing me whatever I pulled toward me.” 

“So that would make your father a widower?” Iida asked “You did mention he has a friend that’s often over.” 

“Yagi-san.” He said “We met him a little while after mom died. He’s a great guy! He knows a ton about heroes and combat. He actually helped train me for the UA entrance exam since he has a lot of experience with a quirk like mine.” 

“So it’s this Yagi-san why you’re so far ahead of us.” Iida said thoughtfully. “You should introduce him to me.” 

“Fat fucking chance.” Kacchan said, stomping into the room. He threw himself down in the chair in front of Izuku. “Deku’s been hiding him from me for years. We grew up together and even then I’ve only seen him a handful of times. Don’t know how the guy would teach you anything, he looks like he'd die if you sneezed on him.” 

Izuku sighed “He’s just sick. But he’s doing just fine.” He said 

“Tell your dad to feed his boyfriend more.” Kacchan said simply 

“For the last time, they aren’t dating!” Izuku said “I think I’d know if they were!” 

“Ooh who’s not dating?” Ashido called from the door. Her, Uraraka and Hagakure were all coming in together. “I wanna hear the hot gossip!” 

“Deku’s dad and his weird boyfriend.” Kacchan said

“Awww!!! That’s so cute that you have two dads Mido-chan!” Ashido cooed. 

His entire face flushed, so Izuku simply hid it in his hands “They aren’t dating! Please stop. Yagi-san is just a good friend not just to my dad, but to me so please stop talking about them like that! I’m very uncomfortable!” The image of his dad and Yagi-san kissing made him ill. No one liked to think of their parents doing anything like that! Not that Yagi-san was his parent or anything! 

“Ok! Leave Midoriya-kun alone about the subject.” Iida said, waving Ashido off. Thank god for Iida. He looked up from his hands and offered Iida a thank-you smile. Izuku received one in return. 

Once everyone was there, homeroom began. Aizawa pulled himself up to his teacher’s desk from the floor. He must have been napping there all morning. He yawned quietly before looking through some documents on his desk. “Oh yeah.You guys need to pick a class rep.” 

What a normal school thing! 

“Don’t care how you do it, just decide by the end of class.” 

Iida jumped from his desk, eyes sparkling. “We should hold a vote!” 

Asu- wait she liked to be called by her given name didn’t she? Tsuyu spoke up “Isn’t it a bit early for something like that? We don’t know each other very well, so we’d all just vote for ourselves, kero.” 

“That’s exactly why it should be a vote! If someone manages to have convinced at least one other person to vote for themselves they clearly have the makings of a strong leader!” Iida smiled brightly. “So let's vote!” 

In the end however-

“It’s a tie???” 

Izuku gawked at the board. He and Yaoyarozu were tied with two votes each? “Who voted for me?” He asked, “I don’t want the position! I don’t have the time .” Between training, homework, self defense classes, quirk training with Yagi-san and Kacchan beatdowns he really didn’t want anything else on his plate. 

“Wait, you didn’t vote for yourself?” Kaminari asked 

“I voted for Iida.” He said motioning to the one vote next to his name. 

“I voted for you Midoriya-kun!” Iida cried 

Izuku sighed, “So change your vote to yourself.” 

“I also voted for Deku.” Uraraka said “I’ll change mine to Iida’s too!” 

Aizawa pulled his head up from resting on his desk “Great. Iida is president, Yaoyorozu is Vice President. Glad that’s over with.” 

Iida beamed .

***

Lunch time! Izuku stood from seat, and met Iida and Uraraka at the door. The three of them took off for the lunch room together. 

“I’m shocked you guys voted for me. Especially since you wanted the job so badly, Iida.” Izuku said “I’m not exactly the class representative type.” 

Iida raised his eyebrows “Really? You’re such a natural leader though.” that made Izuku flush.  “Still, though I’m certain you would have made a better class president than I, I will happily take on the role!” 

“I really wouldn’t. I’m terrible at that stuff. Public speaking, and meetings it all-” Izuku cut himself off as they turned the corner. A most horrifying scene laid out in front of him. Uraraka gasped at his left. 

“Is All Might flirting with that guy???” She whispered. 

It was true. All Might did indeed look like he was flirting. He had one hand pressed to the wall above the object of his affections, leaning down into his space. He looked happy, laughing at something the other man just said. The other man was leaning against the wall, one hand on his face to cover his own laughter.

It was awful. 

If only because the man was his father. 

“What the hell?” Izuku asked, stomping forward “Why are you still here?” He asked his dad, pointing at him. Dad and All Might both stood up straighter. 

“Oh hey Izu!” Dad waved cheerily. “Just talking to All Might. Guess we lost track of time. The interview went great by the way, thanks for asking. I got the job so starting next week I’ll be working here full time! Though guess what? It wasn’t All Might that recommended me for the job. Turns out it was your homeroom teacher.” 

That stopped Izuku in his tracks “Aizawa did?” 

“Hisashi mentioned it to me earlier this week, and I said something about it in the teacher’s lounge. Aizawa took it upon himself to pass his name to Nedzu.” All Might explained. 

Uraraka and Iida had caught up with him. “You know this guy, Deku?” She asked quietly. 

Izuku flushed lightly. Great job dad, now his classmates were going to think he was dating All Might instead. “Uh yeah. This is... my dad.” He motioned to his father. Uraraka and Iida’s eyes lit up. 

“Oh wow!” Uraraka said “He doesn’t really look like you- aside from all those freckles! Then again his smile is pretty classic Deku.” 

Iida waved his arm at Uraraka “Perhaps Midoriya-kun takes after his mother appearance wise. However I do agree, Midoriya-san, you do have a similar way about you that Midoriya-kun has.” 

“They have the same vibe!” Uraraka decided. “Wait All Might is on a first name basis with your dad?” 

Dad put his hands up, taking over “I’ve worked with All Might a few times over the years.” He lied easily. “Though that’s not exactly public information. All Might here is a pretty secretive guy for a lot of good reasons. That’s also why Izuku never mentioned they’d met before school.” 

Both Iida and Uraraka looked at Izuku with wide eyes. “Your father worked with All Might?” Iida asked, “That’s very impressive. You said you were getting a job here?” 

“Yep! I’m going to be UA’s head quirk counselor.” He said “So we’ll be seeing a lot of each other. Speaking of, who are your friends here Izuku?” 

“Oh, this is Iida and Uraraka.” His dad’s eyes glinted when motioned to Uraraka, but didn’t give anything away. “We’re all in class 1-A together.” 

“Igenium’s little brother, and the anti-gravity girl. You told me about them. Well it’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’m Midoriya Hisashi. 

“Nice to meet you Midoriya-san.” 

“Hello!” 

All Might spoke up “Well, you three best be off. It’s lunchtime. Young heroes can’t afford to miss a meal!” 

Izuku sighed, grabbing his friends and pulling them along. “I’ll see you at home dad! I’ll cook tonight as a celebration. And stop flirting with my teachers in the hallway!” He added with a good natured glare. 

His dad choked on his own fire breath. Served him right!

***

Izuku knew he made the right choice picking Iida for class president. When the chaos broke out thanks to the security system and the media rush, Iida was the one who calmed everyone down. Iida was a natural leader, and a calming presence. Plus he knew how to handle a crowd! 

Izuku was alone at the train platform that day. He’d had a short training session with All Might after school. All he’d done was run laps around the school grounds while trying to push with One for All. He still couldn’t break past 5% of his overall power. Months he’d been stuck there. Why couldn’t he break through? 

Was his body still too weak? If he even went to 6% percent he could feel his bones creak. He could only hold it for a fraction of a second then he had to pull back. His right hand especially hurt. It was the one he’d broken twice. First when he tried One for All the first time, then again at the entrance exam. Recovery Girl had mentioned if he kept breaking it, it would be ugly, and potentially damage it permanently. 

He stretched the fingers, rubbing his palm the way she’d instructed to help with any stiffness. Maybe he should get a heating pad? Or maybe something in his hero costume to support his hands and arms? His costume was ruined yesterday so now was the time to put in for a change if he wanted one. 

“Do you often speak your thoughts aloud?” A deep voice asked right by his ear. 

Izuku jumped. The platform was crowded but no one was that close to him. Now Todoroki stood right next to him, eyes down on the phone in his hand. “Er- yeah sorry. I know it’s a creepy habit. Kacchan yells at me all the time about it. I’m glad the chair behind me is empty too since-” 

“I wouldn’t call it creepy.” Todoroki cut him off. “It’s just... Odd. I haven’t met someone who’s muttered their thoughts out loud like that before. Does it help you think better when you do it?” 

Izuku nodded, trying very hard to keep his face neutral. "Yeah. Something I guess I just sort of picked up? If you say stuff out loud it kind of forces it to make more sense. Sometimes my thoughts are abstract so it's a way to keep everything clear and concise to myself." 

"Interesting." Todoroki said, pocketing his phone. His intense gaze turned to Izuku. His heart was caught in his throat. He was way too pretty and spooky to be looking at him like that. "No fight with Bakugou today?" He asked. 

If Izuku thought Todoroki could make a joke, he'd think he were making a joke. Just by the slightly smug edge to his perfect deep velvety voice. "No. He gets one a week if he's lucky. Why? Don't tell me you already wanna try and get revenge for me kicking your ass in foundational hero studies yesterday because I'm way too tired. All Might had me running laps-"

"You were doing one on one training with All Might?" He asked, cutting him off. 

Uh oh. Quick Izuku! Lie your stupid little green ass off! "Yeah he uh- he and my dad know each other so it's a personal favor. Please don't mention it to the others. All Might gets finicky about that kind of stuff. Very secretive and he really isn't doing much just making me run a lot." 

Todoroki really had an impossible face to read. His ever-present poker face didn't break once during . He had no idea if he bought it or not. "I see." He said finally before tearing his gaze away. "Being trained by All Might doesn't change the fact that I'll win our next fight." 

He was spared having to reply as the train finally arrived. Unfortunately it was very full. End of workday commuters. He sighed but tread forth, squeezing his way into the carriage. Todoroki right behind him. Plus some more people behind him. Izuku cut to the right, pressing his back against the cold metal wall by the door. Todoroki seemed to have the same idea, the two of them squished together in a small space, a centimeter separating their bodies.

Izuku sighed leaning back as far as he could so as not to have the top of his head thrust into Todoroki's face. "Man, I hate taking this train." He said "it wasn't this bad yesterday." 

"We all took a later train yesterday. But I agree. I might skip this one, though it's doubtful I'll find myself at school this late."  He said

"Why were you leaving so late anyway?" Izuku asked, craning his head to look up at him. 

Todoroki looked down, his mismatched gaze locking with Izuku's. His face twitched, a small break in his mask. Izuku had no idea what that meant but something to keep in mind. "I..." Todoroki started "Was having another argument with Recovery Girl. Doesn't matter why." He coughed slightly finally turning away. 

"Arguing with Recov- oof!" The train jolsted. Izuku lost his balance falling into Todoroki's warm and solid chest. "Sorr-" Izuku started placing his hands on his chest to push himself upright only for the cart to make another jolt, sending him back down again. 

An impossibly warm arm wrapped around his back to keep his balance. This was humiliating. Getting his face shoved into some pretty boy chest. What the hell was this a shojo manga? He stood up properly this time, the arm still on his back. "Sorry. Lost my balance." 

"Clearly." Todoroki said. "Hence the falling into my arms." 

"Hence the falling into your open buff arms, yes Todoroki-kun make it more embarrassing for me why don't you?" He asked, a sarcastic tone to his voice. 

"You think my arms are buff?" Todoroki asked. His voice had cracked slightly. Izuku attempted to look up at him, only to be rewarded with an expression on his angelic face. He wasn't quite sure what the expression meant. Surprise? The slightly widened eyes and parted lips seemed to suggest that. Confused. His eyebrows were raised. And dare Izuku think- flustered? Was it his imagination or was his neck slightly red. The arm that was oh my god his arm was still on his back. Did Todoroki know that?

Maybe the guy wasn't used to praise when it came to his look? Something Izuku filed away in the What Was Todoroki Shouto's Deal file in the back of his head. 

"Yeah, you're buff." He said, offering up a smile "I mean I think in terms of arms a few of the other guys have you beat." He said "I mean there's no competing with Shouji. Plus Iida's built like a brick house and Kirishima is stacked but you're definitely built." 

"You make a habit of noticing that kind of stuff about guys?" 

"I make a habit of noticing that kind of thing about everyone." Izuku smirked. Then he added "My dad says perception is a gift. Notice as much as you can, the little stuff people do subconsciously." He leaned into the wall as the train came to a stop. People got off, and others got on. Leaving Izuku stuck pressed against Todoroki. At least Todoroki finally caught himself holding Izuku, dropping his arm quickly. 

His eyes narrowed slightly "You say you're observant but what kind of stuff have you noticed?" 

Izuku thought for a moment "Mostly just little stuff. Like I think Sero has a lot of sisters. Older and younger. His backpack is a hand me down, and it's a pastel blue probably from an older sister. Plus his nails are painted, but pretty messily so that would suggest a little sister." He said "but that's mostly conjecture. Maybe he just likes pastel blue and sucks at painting his nails. I could be completely wrong." 

"Interesting." Todoroki said looking away, "Midoriya, you're a very odd person." He said finally. 

"Odd good, or odd bad?" 

"Just... odd." He said finally. "I can honestly say I've never met anyone like you."

Izuku shot him a grin. "I could say the same thing about you Todoroki-kun." He said. The train was coming to a stop again. Izuku's stop. He adjusted the grip on his back pack as the train halted. "You know, you're not such a bad guy. I think we’re gonna be friends.” 

Todoroki made a sort of quiet choking noise. “Not a bad- what- I’m not at UA to make friends.” 

The doors opened and Izuku stepped off with a smile “It’s cute you think you have a choice in this. See you tomorrow, Todoroki-kun!” 

Chapter Text

Izuku wasn’t sure if he was pleased that he was spending his father’s first day of work in another facility or not. On the one hand, it wasn’t likely their paths would be crossing much today anyway. Dad was just going to be setting up his office, doing some basic on boarding and paperwork. But even still, Izuku felt a bit guilty as he and his classmates walked towards the bus. 

“Hey Deku!” Uraraka called, coming up to his side in her hero outfit. He fought off the blush as she walked in stride with him. “How come you’re in your gym clothes?” 

“Kacchan blew my top off during our foundational hero training, remember? It’s made out of a special spider silk fabric so it’ll be a bit before I get it back.” He flexed his arms “At least the gloves and mouth guard survived.” He said “Give me some protection ya know?” 

She nodded “How come the gloves are fingerless? Aren’t those the most sensitive part of your hand?” as she asked this, she reached down and grabbed his wrist, inspecting his fingers. 

Izuku yelped slightly. Girl. Girl. Girl was touching him. Holding his hand. “Oh-” He fumbled “My quirk it uh-” he had a lie for this ready to go! “Pull requires skin contact. If I didn’t have all five fingers out I wouldn’t be able to pull anything towards me.” The real reason was All for One. He needed all five fingers to make contact with someone in order to take a quirk. Not that he thought he’d need it that often, but you’d never know in a life or death situation. 

Uraraka dropped his hand “I get ya!” She said “Hey, we should sit together on the bus!” 

“Sure.” Izuku smiled before his attention was caught by two broody rivals of his out of the corner of his eye, both walking towards the bus. “Kacchan, Todoroki-kun. Sit with me and Uraraka on the bus!” 

“Go fuck yourself.” Kacchan snarled, but did move to stand with Izuku. 

“No.” Was the only reply Todoroki gave before simply stomping onto the bus. 

“Who pissed in his cheerios?” Kacchan asked 

He sighed “I did apparently. I told him I was gonna be his friend.” 

Uraraka blinked “Really? Didn’t he just give you some big declaration of war. He was all ‘You won’t best me next time we battle.’” She said in the cutest ‘broody’ voice she could muster. “Also why would you saying you’re gonna be friends would make him so mad?” 

Izuku shrugged “Dunno. Gonna find out though. I’ve tamed Kacchan and that only took... our entire lives. Todoroki is gonna be a breeze after that.” 

“OI YOU HAVEN’T TAMED SHIT!” 

“Bad Kacchan-” Izuku scolded, poking his side, right where Kacchan was the most ticklish. “No barking.” 

“AHHAHA I’M NOT A HAHAH DOG YOU AH-”  

“Classmates! Please get on the bus in an orderly fashion!” Iida yelled, chopping his arms in the air. 

“Man, Iida is really getting into it!” Uraraka said “Great work class prez!” She called to him as the three of them piled onto the bus. They made their way to the back, where the last of the empty seats were. Sitting sideways, Uraraka, Izuku, Kacchan, and Kirishima. Across from them, Ashido, Kaminari, Asui and Iida all sat. 

Izuku and Uraraka chatted quietly as Kacchan brooded on his other side. The bus pulled away from the main school building, heading toward their next location. Izuku glanced at Asui for what had to have been the 10th time since they got on the bus. 

“Something wrong, Asui?” 

“Call me Tsuyu.” She said “Sorry Midoriya-chan. I’m the type of person who says what’s on my mind and I’ve been thinking-” She paused, holding a finger to her mouth. It was rather cute. “Your quirk is kind of like All Might’s isn’t it?” 

Ruh Roh Raggy. 

He could feel everyone’s eyes on him. He hazarded a glance around the bus and found that- yep he was correct. Everyone was staring at him. Most notably a pair of mismatched, intense and unfairly pretty eyes. 

“You think?” He asked, trying to keep his voice calm. “I dunno, All Might can’t pull stuff toward him like I can.” 

“Yeah but your super strength is the same, just a lot weaker.” Kaminari said “Now that Tsuyu mentions it they are pretty similar don’t you think?” 

“I guess?” Izuku said, his voice squeaking “I dunno I always figured the strength was just my quirk- A sort of Push to match the Pull? I mean it’s my mom’s quirk so...” 

Iida spoke up “Yes, you said so the other day. That you inherited your mother’s quirk almost exactly-” 

“Auntie Inko didn’t have Push though.” Kacchan said, his eyes narrowing. “That’s new .” 

“It is!” He waved his arm, hoping that would somehow dismiss the conversation. “But that could just be because she was never interested in training her quirk! Or maybe it’s a mutation. I mean my dad breathes fire so that’s a sort of Push ya know? Quirks are funky like that sometimes. You can ask my dad about it since he’s gonna be working at UA now.” 

“What, Uncle Hisashi is?” Kacchan asked, taking the new juicy topic bait. “As a quirk counselor?” 

“Oooh the one with the boyfriend right?” Ashido asked excitedly. 

“They’re not dating!” Izuku yelled at the same time Kacchan said 

“Yeah.” 

“If he has a boyfriend, then he’s cheating on him with All Might.” Uraraka said with a wink. Ashido, Kaminari and Kirishima all made loud gasps at this new gossip. “We were going to lunch yesterday and All Might was totally giving Deku’s dad the Kabedon move. Plus they were all giggling and flirting!” 

Kacchan growled “Tell your dad to not be a whore Deku. Yagi is a nice guy and any bad news might kill him.” 

Iida interjected “Now see here!” He said “Midoriya-san and All Might are both UA faculty now. We only saw him post interview success. I thought they were merely having a friendly conversation. All Might was probably just congratulating Midoriya-san on getting the job since they’ve worked together before.” 

Iida was such a good guy. Friendship with Kacchan over. Iida was his best friend now. Tenchan. Actually, Izuku was pretty sure if he called Iida anything that familiar he’d combust on the spot. Wait- 

“ Iida. ” Izuku hissed. 

He recognized his faux pas at once, placing his hands over his mouth. But the damage was done. 

“WOAH YOU’RE DAD WORKED WITH ALL MIGHT?” Ashido squealed “And he’s gonna be our quirk counselor now? Oh my gosh this is great! He’s gonna give us so many great tips on how to make our quirks better!” 

“Oh man that’s so freaking manly dude!” Kirishima cried “Think your dad can help me make my quirk more flashy? I wanna be cool like you Midoriya!” 

Izuku flushed from his hairline down his neck. That was so... sweet??? He smiled brightly, pretty sure he had tears forming in his eyes “Kirishima! No one has ever called me cool before. Thank you! I think your quirk is so cool too! You’re like an unbreakable shield. You practically counter me completely!” 

“This is what I mean Midoriya you’re so freaking manly!” Kirishima said “Though if we’re talking cool and flashy quirks I gotta bring up Todoroki and Bakugou too.” He said, placing a firm hand on Bakugou’s shoulder. 

“Yeah but-” Kaminari started “Todoroki’s a complete ice prince and Kacchan here has a sucky personality. Midoriya has that winning smile so there’s no doubt he’s gonna be a top hero.” 

Kacchan snarled, “MY PERSONALITY DOESN'T SUCK YOU TWO BIT PIKACHU CLONE.” 

That only made Kaminari laugh “See? He’s like a rabid dog! Don’t worry though, Kacchan-” 

“Don’t call me Kacchan-” 

“It’s totally endearing!” 

“I’ll murder you!” Kacchan screamed, jumping from his seat. Izuku put a hand on his shoulder, gently forcing him back down. 

“Kacchan, relax. Kaminari is just teasing you. Don’t let it both you so much.” 

“That’s so cute how Mido-chan has him trained!” Ashido said “The strongest guy in the class has the third strongest on a leash!” 

“Huh?” Izuku asked. Since when was he the strongest? 

“I’LL HAVE YOU KNOW I BEAT DEKU’S ASS EVERY WEEK!” Kacchan snarled “I only lost to him because stupid fucking half and half over there wouldn’t listen to me and iced the entire place over. Then he went and got distracted by Deku’s spandex clad asshole!” 

Todoroki stood up from his seat not far away. Izuku’s eyes met his. Anger. Actual anger written on his face. “I was not distracted by his rear!” 

“Don’t worry Todobroki!” Kaminari said “I would have been in the same position if I were you. Honestly I think were all taken aback by his hot bod!” He laughed “That or I’m a bigger bisexual disaster than I thought...” 

That was a lot of information that passed into Izuku’s brain. First of all, the strongest? No way. He got lucky! Kacchan was thrown off his game by Todoroki’s ice. Todoroki was probably thrown off by Kacchan’s inability to work as a team. The idea of him being attracted to Izuku was so far-fetched it was laughable. Todoroki hated his guts, right? (He was going to fix that, but that was gonna take time!) and finally... Kaminari was bisexual too? That was... wow. He was going to befriend Kaminari. 

Was it shallow to befriend someone just because they were the first queer person you met other than yourself? Izuku didn’t think so... 

“We’re here. Get out.” Aizawa said. 

When did the bus stop? Izuku only shook his head and followed behind Kacchan as they made their way off the bus. 

***

The USJ was massive. Izuku smiled brightly as his eyes moved through the entire building. Shipwrecks, massive fires, landslides, torrential downpours, and earthquakes! He bounced on his feet, the slight metal clang under his foot as he got more and more pumped. Not only by the USJ, but by Thirteen! 

Uraraka was fangirling about as hard as he normally did. It was nice to have someone else appreciate pro heroes! “I’ve always liked Thirteen! A kind hearted hero who specializes in rescue operations! I wanna be a hero just like them!” She said to Izuku. 

“Thirteen, where’s All Might?” Aizawa asked them quietly. “I thought he was supposed to be here with you?” 

“Ah.” Thirteen held up three fingers. “He was a little busy this morning. So we gave him the rest of the day off.” Three fingers meant all three hours were up. Izuku had read the news that morning. Poor All Might, he could never resist helping people. He smiled fondly. At least Dad would have Yagi-san to help him get settled in for his first day of work. 

“Man, he's irresponsible.” Aizawa sighed. 

“Ok kids before we begin I wanna go over a few things!” Thirteen said, getting the entire class's attention. “If you didn’t already know, my quirk is called Black Hole. It can suck up anything and turn it into dust. While it’s a perfect quirk for search and rescue missions, it’s also a very dangerous power. I could kill someone easily. In that way, it’s the same as all of yours.” 

Izuku looked down at his own hand. All for One was a devastating quirk. He had no idea what the man his father came from had used it to do, but he’d hurt All Might to the point of near death. Izuku had a villain’s quirk, through and through. He knew it was a power he’d have to use wisely. 

“In our super human society,” Thirteen continued “Our quirks are heavily regulated, and for good reason. During Aizawa-sensei’s test on your first day you’ve each got an idea of what you and your classmates can do. And with All Might’s foundational hero battle training you have an idea of what it’s like to use those powers against another person. One wrong move and you could all seriously hurt, or even kill someone.” 

Izuku frowned. With his powers not only could One for All kill someone, what with its massive power... With All for One, he could ruin lives. If he weren’t who he was... He could take everyone in his class’s powerful quirks. Make himself stronger, and destroy their futures. 

“But today we’re making a fresh start. I’m going to show you how to use your quirk to save lives . Your quirks do not exist to hurt others. I want you to go home today with the understanding that your powers are meant to help people. That’s what’s going to make you all heroes.” Thirteen finished. 

Uraraka smiled up at him. And he smiled right back. Thirteen was right. It didn’t matter where his power had come from. His dad came from the same place his quirk did. (he did too, he reminded himself) and his dad was a good person! The best person he knew, aside from maybe All Might but even then it was a close call! All for One was his now, just as much as One for All. He’d make use of it to protect people and save lives! 

“Alright kiddos let’s get started by first-” Thirteen started

Pain . 

Stabbing pain in the side of Izuku’s head- so bad he nearly doubled over in nausea. “Oh-” He grabbed the side of his face. 

“Deku?” Uraraka asked. “Are you ok?” 

“No I-” 

“Thirteen get the students back!” Aizawa yelled. 

Izuku looked up, the pain fading away into a mild dull one. Aizawa was now standing at the front of the group, his goggles on and looking down the steps. Izuku followed his eye line to the fountain. In front of it, a black misty portal had opened, and a group of people were stepping out. 

“Is this a test?” He heard someone say 

He was almost inclined to agree if not for the pain in his head doubling down when his eyes landed on one of the people. 

They looked like someone with a mutation type quirk. Massive with an all black body, a bird like beak, tiny eyes and most pressingly, an exposed brain. Everything about that person set off red flags in Izuku’s mind. His head was throbbing. 

“Those...” Aizawa said, “Are villains.” 

Yaoyorozu put her hand to her lips “But shouldn’t they have tripped the alarms?” 

“Typically, yes.” Thirteen said “But they aren’t going off. Something must-” 

“Is this the only part of the school they’re attacking?” Todoroki asked, suddenly on Izuku’s other side. “Or are they attacking the main building as well? I’m guessing it’s just here. They must have someone with a quirk who can interfere with the alarms. They’ve picked an isolated building as well, meaning if we did manage to contact someone it would still take some time for them to arrive.” He paused only to add “Plus they knew a class would be held here at this time. They probably have an objective, if their attack is this well planned.” 

Izuku honestly agreed with everything Todoroki said. “That’s not good if that's the case.” He said 

“Thirteen do the evacuation procedure.” Aizawa said, his capture gear at the ready. “They know how to get around our sensors so be careful. Kaminari try and get in contact with the school.” He said and readied himself as if to jump. “I’ll hold them off.” 

“Aizawa-sensei!” Izuku yelled “By yourself? You’re a stealth type hero. You’ll only be able to erase one quirk at a time, and there are so many .” He said 

Aizawa didn’t turn back “Can’t be a pro if you don’t have more than one trick up your sleeve, problem child.” And he jumped. 

Izuku watched as his teacher descended on the group of villains. Several long range style fighters readied their aim. The one in the middle couldn’t fire- then the one on the right. Aizawa dodged their bullets, swiftly taking them all out. Even with his limited quirk... He was making it work. He was almost so enraptured in watching his teacher fight he nearly missed the group turning to evacuate. 

“Midoriya!” Iida called “We have to go!” 

“Right!” Izuku replied, turning heel to follow. 

Pain erupted in his head again. It wasn’t as mind numbing as before- or had it never left? Black mist formed in front of them. A low voice surrounded the group “I’m afraid we cannot allow you to leave.” A vaguely human shape formed in the mist. “We are the League of Villains. I apologize for us entering UA in such a manner, but we’ve come here to engage with All Might. We were hoping to use this as an opportunity to destroy the Symbol of Peace.” 

Pain, more pain in Izuku’s head. Why did it hurt so much? 

“It appears as though he is not here? Our intel said he was meant to be. Was there some change in plan? Ah well. I shall simply play my part and-” 

Kacchan and Kirishima jumped into action, a hardened fist and explosion ready to take on the villain. “Did you think we’d just stand by and let you hurt our classmates?” Kirishima cried. The mist reformed around them. 

“Wait! You two step back, it's no use!” Thirteen yelled 

“No. It’s no surprise you’re ready to battle. You are the next generation of heroes after all.” More pain. Black mist surrounded them. Izuku caught Iida and Sato grabbing a few classmates and escaping his view. “You will be scattered.” 

Pain.

“Tortured.” 

Stabbing pain. 

“And slain .” 

***

Izuku was suddenly burning hot. 

His eyes opened- he wasn’t sure when he’d closed them. He was alone- and everything was on fire. Still in the USJ then. This was the fire disaster area. Smoke filled his lungs, he quickly pulled his face mask up over his mouth. It wasn’t just to guard his face. It served as a gas mask as well. 

“Look, it's just one measly kid!” A voice called. Izuku was surrounded by villains. About 6 in all. “Let’s tear him apart.” The one closest to him said. It was a large man who seemed to have a mutation type quirk- he was mostly made of a shiny black rock with what seemed to be lava flowing between the cracks. Most of them had mutation type quirks, with one expectation. A tall man in a bomber jacket. He simply had a green shield looking thing in front of his hand where he held them out. 

“Ok then.” Izuku said, “Let’s do this.” One for All... “Full Cowling.” He said allowed, green electricity crackled around his entire body. He jumped, kickingthe molten lava guy directly in the face. “You should really be more careful.” Izuku said to him. 

His metal sole connected with his jaw, chipping away at the rock of his face. “Ow fuck!” He cried, dropping to his knees. 

“Obsidian- that’s what you’re made of right?” He asked, before readying another kick “Only has a hardness of 5!” He slammed the tip of his shoe into his chest, sending the guy flying into a building. Black shiny stone cracking and flying everywhere. 

A small stabbing pain erupted in the back of his head. Izuku ducked as long finger nail like spikes cut above him. He turned, staying low, and running towards the next attacker. A woman in all black with hair and fingernails made of metal. She swung her clawed hand again. Izuku jumped this time, landing a solid kick into her face. Her hair attempted to wrap around his ankle, but with another kick, Izuku was strong enough to break her hold. He back flipped away from her, flicking his fingers twice the air pressure being enough to topple her. 

Two more villains attacked him at once. He wasn’t sure what their quirks were other than making their appearances messed up. They were the weakest by far. He jumped into the air once more, clanging their heads together with a loud clang . It seemed one of them had a skull made of metal. Ah well. Izuku grabbed that one and flipped him over his shoulder into the nails girl who had just been standing up. They both flew into the building. 

Only two villains left. Shield guy and an unknown. The unknown user went first, calling the fire- why hadn’t he done that sooner? Had he been too nervous to approach? He called the fire from the surrounding area, hurling it at Izuku. 

Not good. He jumped to the side, the fire following him. He used his speed, crashing into shield guy- or rather hitting his shield. Izuku jumped over him, the fire flowing off the shield. 

It was fireproof.

Shield guy turned towards him, shield at the ready. Izuku had an idea. A crazy one. He punched with 5% One for All “SMASH!” He cried. It didn’t break. It barely moved. “Oh crap.” 

More fire. Izuku jumped over the Shield guy again. The shield had to have a limit right? He bounced off the shield, flipping into the air. He had no choice then. He could afford to lose a whole fist, but he could manage a finger. He held his left hand- his non-dominant hand, in his right. He flicked his ring finger. “SMASH!” He screamed, 100% of One for All. 

The wind pressure was intense. Izuku flew back several feet landing on his ass. But the shield had shattered. This was his chance. He summoned Pull. He held out his hand, calling with all his might, Full Cowling still activated. The shield guy was pulled towards him. His face collided with Izuku’s open and waiting hand. “Sorry about this.” He said “I really am. I am so, so sorry.” Izuku said softly, before applying all five fingers. 

He hadn’t ever done this on purpose. He hadn’t done this in years. He remembered how he felt that day. In the hospital.

“Mom.” Izuku sobbed, pressing his face into her hand. “I’m not ready.” 

“Oh Izuku...” She said softly. She wasn’t crying. He wasn’t sure she could anymore. He looked up at her face. Mom was so pale. Her eyes had thick dark rings around them, her cheeks hollow. Her hair had grown back some. After they stopped the chemo treatment it had come back slowly, patchy in some spots but Izuku still thought she was pretty. “I’m so sorry baby.” She whispered. 

His dad was on her other side, smoothing the hair out of her face. He was crying. He’d been crying for what seemed like days on end. “This isn’t right.” He said softly. “I just came back... I just got you back.” 

Izuku agreed. They were a family again. Quirkless or not, Izuku had both his parents and that was all that mattered. Everyone else be- well- damned!

“Hisashi... You have to stay with Izuku.” She whispered.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Dad said “Never.” 

“You need to stay too Mom.” Izuku cried “Please!” 

Mom only smiled, cupping his cheek “I’m never leaving you sweetheart.” she said “Even if you can’t see me. I promise I’ll always be with you. Both of you.” She closed her eyes “I’m so tired...” 

After that, she didn’t say much. Izuku held her hand, wishing that she would stay. That he could keep her. Anything of her. He reached and reached with everything in him. Every part of his being wanting to pull her close. 

He was alone in a swirling dark void. Suddenly, his mother was there with him. A part of him. When he returned from the void, she was gone. 

But Pull had stayed. 

The void. Pull and One for All swirled around him and inside him. Something new joined them. A new power. Shield. 

Izuku dropped the man. He fell to the floor, and held his hand up. Nothing happened. He tried again. Still nothing. He looked down at his hand, then back to Izuku’s face. “What did you do to me?” 

“Sorry.” Izuku said, before punching him and knocking him out. “Ok. Just you and me.” he held up his hand. The one with the broken finger. It was screaming with pain but the adrenaline rushing through his system was preventing him from feeling it at all. A green shield- brighter and thicker than the one he’d seen the man use appeared in front of him. 

The pyrokinesis villain’s eyes widened. “Is that-” He growled only to throw fire at Izuku. The shield blocked the flow of the flames. They rolled off it, like water off a duck’s back. Izuku calmly walked forward, using the shield to protect him. “St-stay back!” He warned, calling more and more fire. “I’ll kill you brat- I mean it!” He shouted. 

Izuku only dropped the shield to punch him. He went flying back into the building, falling unconscious. 

He looked down at his own hands. The ring finger on his left was swollen and purple. He grimaced. He glanced back at the man in the bomber jacket. Should... should he return the quirk? No. That man was a villain. He’d only use it for evil. Still stealing a quirk was something a villain would do wasn’t it? 

Then again Izuku would put it to much better use than he ever would. Izuku was a hero. He was going to save lives. A shield was meant to do that. Was this the right call? What would his father do? What would his mother think? What would Yagi-san say? Who was Izuku to decide what was right and what was the wrong call here? He realized he was the only one here to make the call at all. 

His classmates had likely been spread out around the USJ, these villains mostly had quirks that complemented the area, or seemed unaffected by the heat. Which means they knew the layout of the USJ and were spread out accordingly. And Aizawa was probably still at the center in the midst of the fight with the hoard of villains. This shield could save lives. 

Izuku left the fire disaster zone, a new quirk swirling inside him. 

Chapter Text

Hisashi put down the cardboard box on his new desk. His office was decently sized, a simple room with a desk in the center, two chairs across from it, as well as a comfy looking green sofa behind them and a brown coffee table separating them. It had a large window, facing out from the front of the building. He was very close to the front door of the school. It didn’t have much in the way of personality but it wouldn’t take long to fix that. 

He began to unpack. The first thing was a picture frame. He smiled at the photo. It was himself, Inko, and Izuku at a festival. All of them were wearing yukata and smiling. He remembered that summer. It was right before Inko was diagnosed. Those precious few months where they had been happy, unbothered by what was to come. He placed it right next to his computer monitor. 

Hisashi stopped to check his phone. He sent three texts to Izuku. No response. But he was in class! He shouldn’t be replying anyway. Still... Something didn’t quite sit right with him about it. He tried to pretend it was fine.

Next he began to file away all his analysis notebooks. He’d told Nedzu he’d make a database for the school, along with any of the student’s quirks that he’d be working with. He hummed to himself quietly, only looking up when he heard a soft knock at the door. “It’s open!” 

Toshinori opened the door, stepping into the office. He looked a bit silly in the oversized yellow suit. “Just came by to see how you were settling in.” He said, looking around, “Not a bad space they gave you.” 

“I’ll need room when I start doing tests with some of the kids to help them stretch their powers, but Nedzu said I can use one of the gyms if I need too.” He said “He wants me to focus on the first year students, since they want files and quirk work out regiments by the end of the first term.” Hisashi smiled “They’re going to be doing a training camp. With the Wild Wild Pussycats.” 

Toshinori nodded, taking a seat in one of the chairs opposite his desk “Will you be going with them?” 

He shrugged “If I can. Though I’m sure Izuku will have my head if I embarrass him.” Hisashi laughed, “Which only means I’m gonna have so much fun tormenting the kid.” 

“Are you sure you’re not a super villain?” Toshinori asked with a sly smile.

Hisashi reached over, and flicked him in the nose. “Anyway, I thought you said you were going to the USJ today? Rescue training right?” 

“I was. But I uh... Well on my way to work this morning I got a bit... distracted.” He said, his hands fidgeting in his lap. 

He sighed “Tosh...” He put the cardboard box down on the floor and sat at his desk. “You have to stop doing this.” He said “You made a promise when you took this job to put the education of those kids before anything else. Now that Izuku has One for All, you’re only going to get weaker. I know it’s hard to ignore someone in need of help, but there are so many great pro heroes in the field right now.” 

Toshinori sighed, leaning his head back “I know I know. Nedzu already gave me a lecture.” 

“Serves you right.” Hisashi said. “Besides, what if something happens here at the school? What if something happens to me or Izuku? And you’re spent?” 

He looked down “I’d simply push harder.” 

“And what, burn up more of yourself?” He asked “I don’t mean to yell but you have to start putting yourself first Tosh, or there won’t be any of you left at all. Until Izuku is ready to step up- which he won’t be for a long time- you need to keep yourself healthy. You have to keep All Might healthy.” Hisashi reached across the desk and grabbed Toshinori’s hand in his lap. “We still need him right now. So please for the love of god, pace yourself!” 

Toshinori smiled softly “Ok. Ok I promise. No more pushing. All Might is for the kids and emergencies only.” 

“That’s the spirit Tosh!” Hisashi pulled his hand back, ignoring how it missed the calloused warmth. “Rely on others, please.” He said with a smile. “So. Nedzu gave you a lecture?” He asked. 

He sighed dramatically, “Mostly about teaching.” 

“You are new at the job. You don’t even have the proper credentials. Only a lot of experience.” He said “If the year we spent training Izuku hadn’t been so hectic I would have probably insisted you take at least some classes.” 

“What about you?” Toshinori jokes, “You’re not a pro hero like the rest of the staff.” 

“I’m as good as.” Hisashi said “Nedzu is aware of my... situation. He knows I’m not going into any fights anyway. Not unless it’s life or death, and UA’s security is so tight that- well. I say that when we had a security breach just yesterday.” He sighed “But they’re already doubling down. Nothing is getting past these walls after all of that.” He changed the subject “So, are you going to stop by the USJ to say a few nice words at least?”

“I had been planning on it.” He said “Though Nedzu said I should just take the time and rest.”

“Not a bad plan. He’s a smart man- rat... dog person.” 

“Still...” Toshinori said “I haven’t been able to get through to Thirteen or Aizawa all morning.” 

The sick feeling he’d been fighting all morning came over him. “Izuku hasn’t replied to any of my text messages.” Hisashi said. 

A long moment of silence passed between them. It was only broken by the soft roar of an engine. Hisashi looked out the window. 

“Isn’t that-” Toshinori started, already standing.

“Iida Tenya.” Hisashi finished. “He’s... he doesn’t look good.” 

Izuku was in danger.

***

Izuku ran as fast as his legs could carry him. The central plaza was coming into view. On his left the flood zone, to his right the landslide zone. He could see the mountain of ice in the landslide zone. Todoroki. Izuku almost ran in that direction but stopped. Todoroki was a competent fighter. He would survive. 

“Midoriya-chan, kero!” Asui’s voice called. He turned, as her head popped out of the water. Behind her was Ojiro, who had Asui’s tongue wrapped around his midsection. “I’m glad you’re ok.” She said walking to the edge of the pool. 

“I’m glad you guys are safe too.” Izuku said, holding a hand out to Ojiro. He took it gratefully. 

“Oh man, Midoriya your hand.” he said, motioning to his mangled finger. 

“It’s fine. I had to break it to stop a villain. I was alone in the fire section. Were you two injured at all?” He asked. 

Ojiro shook his head “No. We had to take on a few water quirk villains but it wasn’t anything Tsuyu and I couldn’t handle. She did most of the work honestly.” 

“Water based villains in the flood zone...” Izuku said “Yeah the ones in the fire zone with me had a lot of fire quirks. So they knew the layout beforehand. But...” He looked to Asui “They sent Asu- I mean Tsuyu to the flood zone. Which means they likely don’t know what our quirks are.” He said “I also noticed they aren’t exactly-” he hesitated to find the right word “Strong. It’s like they just got as many bodies as they could.” 

Asui and Ojiro looked at each other before Asui said, “I thought the same thing. Some of them had powerful quirks, kero, but no idea how to use them.” 

Izuku nodded “Exactly.” He said “That means our classmates should be ok. I think Todoroki ended up in the landslide area, but he’s got some crazy reflexes and amazing power so he’ll be fine by himself-” He paused “I think I heard Kacchan’s explosions from far away. He’s definitely fine.” 

They both nodded “We should get to the exit.” Ojiro said. “Try and get out of here, get help from the pros. Aizawa-sensei is good, but even I know fighting one on a group like that can only go for so long. We need All Might.”

“Actually...” Izuku said softly. “I think it would be bad if All Might showed up. Todoroki was right, earlier before we got warped away. This attack is pretty calculated. Even though the random thugs are pretty weak, the mist guy, the one guy who was covered in hands, and the big one with the brain all seemed a lot more... Competent.” He paused “They said they were here to kill All Might. If they went through all the trouble of this attack when they thought he was supposed to be here.” He closed his eyes, almost too afraid to say the words out loud “They must have a way to do it.” 

“Kero...” Asui whimpered

Ojiro frowned “Are you serious?” He asked “That’s... oh man. We definitely need to get the pros then. If they have something to kill All Might, Aizawa-sensei won’t last.” 

Izuku nodded. “Right. I also thought maybe if we stop by Aizawa-” He said, starting to move towards the exit. “Maybe we can lighten his load?” 

“Midoriya, the last thing we should do is get in his way.” Ojiro said 

“I know, I know but... I’m worried.” 

“Aizawa-sensei is a pro.” Asui said “We need to trust him.” 

Izuku sighed “I know- you’re right.” The fountain was in view now. Pain hit Izuku again. He hissed, covering his left eye where the pain was the most prevalent. “This weird migraine is killing- oh god.” He stopped. Asui and Ojiro nearly smacked into him, each of them letting out a horrified gasp.

Aizawa was on the ground, his face smashed into the dirt. Both of his arms twisted and broken. Izuku thought he might be sick. The massive villain with the exposed brain was on top of him, crushing him further into the asphalt. 

“Sensei...” Izuku said softly. He had to... He had to do something. His entire body was frozen to the ground. The villain holding him seemed to have some kind of super strength, if the way Aizawa’s broken body said anything.  

Before Izuku could start to formulate a plan, the mist villain appeared next to the one covered in all the hands. His deep voice washed over Izuku, carrying words that felt like ice pouring directly down his spine. “Shigaraki Tomura.” He said 

Shigaraki 

Izuku knew that name. He’d only ever heard it once. His father’s face danced around in his mind. On that fateful day when Izuku learned everything. His father had said the name Shigaraki. It was his name. Shigaraki Hisashi. It was the name of All for One. The real All for One. The villain his father had splintered off from. It wasn’t a common family name. Not at all. So why did this villain have it? 

Why was this man named Shigaraki? 

“Kurogiri...” Shigaraki said “I hope you being here means Thirteen is dead?” 

The mist responded “Thirteen is out of commission. However... A student has escaped.” 

“ What ?” Shigaraki yelled “You-” He began to scratch at himself, and stomped his foot. “Kurogiri if you weren’t our warpgate... I’d kill you. I would turn you into dust. It’s game over if the pros show up.” He sighed before he turned his head towards the three of them. Izuku jolted, pain blooming in the front of his head. It was so intense his eyesight blurred for a moment. “Fine. I’ll at least ruin his pride before we leave.” 

He was faster than he looked. Running and getting into Asui’s face before Izuku could react. His head was screaming. His hand was on Asui’s face-

Nothing happened. 

“Man Eraserhead...” He said, dropping his hand and turning. “You are too cool. Any slower and I’d have disintegrated this girl.” 

Aizawa had forced his head up, his hair floating around his head, eyes glowing. He’d erased his quirk. He’d bought Izuku precious time. 

“Full cowling.” Izuku said, green electricity surrounding his body. “5%!” He screamed, before he threw a punch. His fist collided with the hand covering Shigaraki’s face, knocking it off. Shigaraki stumbled back. His hand covering his face while the other seemed to reach around blindly for the one Izuku had knocked off. 

He was growling, his voice coming out strained “How- not fair not fair. ” He said “Dad I need-” His fist clenched “I’ll destroy you- Nomu! Kill the green one!” He spat

Izuku expected pain. 

Instead he felt cold. A wall of ice separated them from the Villains. Todoroki was running from the landslide zone, sliding into them. “We need to move.” He called. 

The ice cracked as Nomu destroyed it. It shattered into thousands of small pieces, letting it snow onto the ground around them. “Kill all of them Nomu!” Shigaraki screamed “I want their heads.” 

“RUN!” Todoroki yelled again.

“I AM HERE!” 

The door into the USJ had burst open. All Might was standing there in all his glory wearing a yellow pinstripe suit. For a brief moment Izuku felt relief. Then the real panic set in. They had a plan. 

“Well.” Shigaraki said “Looks like our game just got a continue.” He said “Nomu, let’s make All Might watch as we kill-” 

All Might moved so fast. Izuku’s eyes couldn’t track him. In an instant he was at the fountain, holding Aizawa in his arms. 

In another he had Izuku, Ojiro, Asui, and Todoroki in them as well. He set them down at the base of the stairs, handing Aizawa to Ojiro. “He needs medical attention. Get him and yourselves out of here.” All Might ordered. 

“Wait-” Izuku cried, grabbing All Might by the arm “They have a way to kill you and-” He trailed off. The silent ‘ you’re out of time ’ hung in the air between them. 

“Izuku. Take your teacher to safety. Please don’t worry about me. I’m going to show these villains what it really means to Go Beyond.” All Might said, and ruffled Izuku’s hair. He desperately hoped it wasn’t for the last time. He turned away from them. “Now then. CAROLINA-” he was off, his fist slamming into Nomu’s chest. “SMASH.” 

Izuku could feel the ripple of power from here. But nothing happened to Nomu. “What do you think All Might? Nomu here has perfect shock absorption. He’s engineered to take 100% of your power.” Shigaraki said “He’s just as strong as you too. He’s going to be what kills you with that quirk of his.” 

His quirk was shock absorption? How the hell was All Might going to survive if his attacks wouldn’t do anything? He’s weaker than he was before. As long as Nomu still had his quirk then- 

Nomu grabbed All Might, suplexing him into the ground. 

All Might was going to die. 

Unless...

“Ojiro, Asui, Todoroki. Take Aizawa back.” He said, placing all five fingers on Aizawa’s face. “I’m so sorry Aizawa-sensei...” he whispered “I promise, as soon as this is over I will give it back. ” Izuku reached into the void. He remembered that night in the hospital. He remembered wanting to leave the fire zone alive. He wants to save All Might right now and to do that he needs-

All for One. Pull. One for All. Shield. Erasure now swirled inside him. Izuku turned on his heel.“I’m going to protect him.” 

“Midoriya!” Ojiro called out. 

Izuku didn’t listen. “Get out of here!” He snarled. A villain stepped in his way. They had a quirk where blades seemed to come out of the spaces between their fingers. Izuku closed his eyes, feeling around inside himself. His eyes opened, his hair stood on end. The blades in the villain’s hands retracted. 

He’d erased his quirk. 

Izuku’s fist connected with his face, knocking him back at once. Izuku turned as two more villain’s approached. He blinked, then reactivated Erasure. Both of their quirks deactivated. That wasn’t right. That’s not how that should work. He’d have to ponder that later. Instead with a good punch he dispatched them both. His attention turned to All Might. 

“It’s Nomu’s duty to hold you still, as I put you half way through a portal.” Kurogiri said. They hadn’t noticed Izuku taking down their goons. Too focused on All Might. “I’ll cut you in half.” 

Izuku looked at Kurogiri. He couldn’t quite see his physical body. He’d have to see it to erase his quirk. Instead he’d focus on-

“DIE!” Kacchan’s voice rang out. When had he gotten there? He lept into action, his palm lighting up explosions along Kurogiri, who cried out in pain. Kacchan must be able to see his body. Kirishima was on his tail. Good if they had him then-

Ice rushed past Izuku, wrapping half of Nomu’s body in it. All Might was able to escape his grip. He stood and got out of Nomu’s reach. Kacchan had Kurogiri pinned. “You’ve got our warpgate.” Shigaraki said “How annoying.” 

Nomu was standing. Izuku watched in horror as his limbs broke off from his body. Todoroki’s ice was no joke. Then- his limbs grew back. Regeneration? How was that possible? 

“What?” Shigaraki asked with a laugh “Did you think Shock Absorption was his only quirk? No no no. My perfect tool is made to last All Might.” 

“All Might!” Izuku yelled “Punch him!” He screamed, his eyes glowing and his hair floating around his body. “I’ve got you!” 

***

“I’ve got you!” Midoriya yelled. Shouto watched as his hair floated wildly around his body. His eyes were glowing. Wait- Shouto thought back. Midoriya had said he’d give it back when he’d touched Aizawa. But there was no way right? “I borrowed something from Aizawa-sensei!” No way. 

All Might seemed to understand what Midoriya meant. “Texas-” He moved so fast “SMASH!” With a single punch Nomu went flying. All Might had steam coming off his body.

Wait. 

What just happened? 

“WHAT THE HELL?” Shigaraki yelled “A FUCKING CHEAT CODE?” He looked to Midoriya. “I’ll kill you!” 

Midoriya looked at him. “I dare you.” He snarled. He looked almost- scary like that. Shigaraki ran at him. A green shield appeared out of Midoriya’s hand- since when could he do that? With his other he pulled Shigaraki into his fist. He gave him a good punch, knocking him back several feet. Then the beat down began. 

Midoriya wailed on him. His eyes were wet, unblinking. A green shield blocking any hits from the other villains who had jumped into the help. Green electricity crackled around his body and he pulled Shigaraki in and punched him back over and over again. He seemed to anticipate the villain’s attacks. Even when he was attacked from behind, dodging and countering with ease. Midoriya seemed to be in a trance.

Shouto couldn’t move. He looked, and it seemed none of them could. Bakugou’s eyes were wide as saucers. Kirishima was frozen where he stood. And All Might was still steaming, he hadn’t moved an inch from when he’d punched Nomu clean out of the USJ. Why wasn’t he moving? 

Were they all as transfixed on Midoriya as Shouto was? A first year hero student was going toe to toe with the boss of the villains. Then- Shouto noticed. His nose was bleeding. No one had landed a hit on him. But his nose was bleeding. His movements slowed- he was going to pass out. Shouto went to run. Shigaraki was going to-

A gunshot rang out. Snipes. 

Shouto turned his head. The pros had arrived. 

They were going to be alright. 

“Shit! Kurogiri!” Shigaraki cried. Kurogiri slunk out of Bakugo’s grip. He’d been too enthralled by Midoriya too stop him in time. A portal of mist appeared and in a moment they were gone.

Midoriya hit the ground. 

The pros descended on the remaining villains. A large wall of cement going up between the students and the villains. Cementoss was next to Shouto in an instant. “Take Midoriya and go.” He told him. Shouto noticed All Might was on the Villain’s side. 

He nodded, running to Midoriya’s side. He turned him over. He wasn’t unconscious like Shouto had thought. However, he looked terrible. He was pale, his eyes twitching and red, his face was covered in his own blood that was still pouring from his nose. “H-hey Todoroki-kun.” he whispered. 

“Midoriya you are insane .” he said and gathered him in his arms. He was heavier than he looked. Shouto tried to support his head. 

“Aha... yeah...” He mumbled. “My head hurts.” He said “Too many quirks. I can’t use that many. It hurts... How does Aizawa go so long without blinking? My eyes hurt.” He said 

Shouto sighed, carrying him towards the steps. Bakugou and Kirishima were already halfway up them, but both kept glancing over their shoulders to make sure Shouto and Midoriya weren’t too far behind. “You should stop talking. You’re injured.” 

“Nahhh.” Midoriya said “Just m’ hand. I mean fingers.” He said “and my brain. Brain hurt bad. Hey Todoroki, I have an idea.” He said “You should grow your hair out.” 

“You just faced several villains and you’re thinking about my hair?” He asked. 

“Yeah!” He said, as if it were natural. “You’re so pretty, I bet you’d look even prettier with long hair.” He said “Is it as soft as I think? Touch?” He asked, but without waiting for an answer he put his good hand in Todoroki’s hair. “Oooh soft.” He said “Hey I’m gonna go to sleep now-” And with that, Midoriya was out cold. 

Shouto picked up the pace. 

They got outside, police, ambulances and the rest of the students were waiting for them there. Shouto started walking towards the nearest ambulance, before being intercepted by a man with white hair and a face full of freckles. He looked panicked. 

“ Izuku. ” he cried “oh my god-” He held his arms out but Shouto only pulled Midoriya closer to him. 

“Who are you?” He asked. 

“That’s my son.” the man said defensively. “Please, he's injured.”

“Midoriya-san!” Uraraka called, running to them “Oh my gosh Deku .” She cried “He looks awful-” 

“This man is Midoriya’s father?” Shouto asked her. She seemed to know. 

“Yeah this is Deku’s dad. Iida and I met him yesterday.” 

“Right” He said, “You mentioned that on the bus.” Shouto looked down at the unconscious Midoriya in his arms. “Here. He needs medical attention. He mentioned something...” he hesitated. Whatever was going on with Midoriya, his father would know. “He mentioned something about too many quirks.” he said finally. “I assume you understand what that means?” 

Midoriya-san nodded. Shouto gently handed Midoriya to him, and watched as his father cradled him close as if he were something precious. Shouto’s heart clenched. “I do. Thank you for keeping him safe.” He whispered, before pressing a soft kiss to Midoriya’s hairline. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.” He turned and ran towards the ambulance. 

Uraraka looked up at Shouto “What happened to him?” 

Shouto had a lot of thoughts. What was that back there? Midoriya had Aizawa’s quirk. He’d used it on Nomu. He’d used it on Shigaraki. And what about that shield? Where the hell had that come from? Had he... taken those quirks? He said he’d give it back... Does that mean he’d be able to return it to Aizawa? That had to be a quirk... right? 

“I’m... not sure.”

Chapter Text

Izuku woke up with a start. He sat up in the bed, his head ringing. Where was he? It was so bright his eyes couldn’t adjust to the light. His eyes hurt; they were dry and raw. His left ring finger hurt. Actually, his entire body was sore. He blinked a few times, the room finally coming into focus. He was in... a hospital room? 

“Izu!” His father’s voice came from the door. He looked, his dad looked exhausted. “You’re up, thank god.” He said. Dad was at his side “We should get a nurse. You really scared us.” He smoothed Izuku’s hair back off his face. “How do you feel?” 

He blinked a few times, trying to absorb what his father was saying. Finally he spoke “I... Think I’m ok?” He rubbed the side of his face. “Everything is kind of fuzzy.” 

“That’s ok. There’s a detective who wants to speak to you, but I told him you’ll see him when you’re good and ready so take your time Izu. Do you wanna talk me through what happened or do you wanna just relax for a little while longer?” Dad asked, sitting on the hospital bed. 

“We were at the USJ and villains attacked us.” Izuku said, closing his eyes and thinking back. “They said they could kill All Might. Oh!” He remembered the fire “I stole one of their quirks.” He said “Sorry but- it was the only way I thought I could survive.” 

Dad shook his head “Don’t apologize.” he said cupping his face in his warm hands “Never say sorry for surviving. What kind of quirk was it?” 

Izuku held up his hand and created the small green shield. “I’ll have to mess around with it, but it’s pretty strong. Fireproof.” He said “I’m sure we’ll find a good way to use it. No way we can give it back to the guy I took it from-” Izuku paled “Oh my god Aizawa-sensei.” 

“He’s fine, don’t worry.” Dad said “They weren’t sure about his eyesight but they’re pretty sure he’s going to make a full recovery.” 

He shook his head frantically, grabbing his father by the wrists “No, no dad. I took his quirk too. I have to give it back.” He moved to stand, pushing his way off the bed. 

Dad stood up “You did what?” 

“I had too! The villains- they had this guy... Nomu! He had a shock absorption quirks and a regeneration quirk. He had two quirks.  I don’t know how they found someone with two quirks like that but there was no way All Might could take him down while those quirks were on the table and Aizawa was unconscious and someone had to do something or they were gonna kill All Might- wait dad wait the leader! The one covered in hands, they called him Shigaraki .” 

Dad paled. “Are you sure that’s what he said? And you said this Nomu person had multiple quirks? Izuku. Normal people don’t just have multiple quirks. Most people can’t handle having even two.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Fuck. Fuck .” He stood. “Aizawa is here in the hospital. I’ll talk to Toshinori. Maybe we can get you in and out before he’s awake.” He walked to the door. “Izuku, stay here. Don’t move.” He ordered. 

With that, he left. Izuku sighed, and fell back against the pillow. This was bad. He felt so awful . He had stolen his teacher’s quirk. It was a life or death situation, he argued. But was that an excuse? Could that be a reason to just take things from people? Was there a right way to use All for One? He certainly didn’t feel guilty for taking Shield. He did, a little in the moment. But ultimately, that man was using it for evil. Izuku was going to use it for good.

But Aizawa was his teacher! Though it’s not like he wasn’t going to return it. He’d undoubtedly saved All Might’s life with that quirk. By Erasing his shock absorption, All Might was still here. 

Was All Might ok? He’d been at his limit before he’d even shown up, and he was steaming a lot while Izuku was going toe to toe with Shigaraki-

That was another mess. Shigaraki. Why did that man share his father’s family name? It couldn’t be a coincidence. Izuku was starting to think there wasn’t any such thing as one anymore. Not to mention the way Dad had reacted when he said the name... He knew something. Or at least had a hunch. 

He shook his head. He glanced at the side table next to the bed. His phone was there, plugged in. Izuku reached over with his good hand and grabbed it. He had a few notifications. Uraraka, Iida, Kacchan and an unknown number. He started with Uraraka. 

Hey, please text us when you wake up! 

No school tomorrow. I hope you’re ok. 

I’m worried Deku, you didn’t look good when Todoroki carried you out. 

Todoroki had carried him out of the USJ? That’s a bit embarrassing. He had a vague memory of talking to Todoroki but he wasn’t sure how much of that was true or not. He shook his head and moved onto the texts from Iida. 

Midoriya, I sincerely hope you’re ok! I heard you had injured yourself fighting against the villains. Please message me back when you are awake so I know that you’re ok. I do hope that you’ll be in school once classes resume, but if you do need to take a few days to recover please do not hesitate to tell me. I’ll be sure to take extra notes for you! Once again, I hope you’re ok, I’m quite worried. 

Bless Iida. He really was way too sweet and so reliable. He smiled at his phone. He was already thinking ahead if Izuku would need notes. Kacchan was next. 

What the actual fuck was that? 

Uh oh. That’s right. Kacchan, Kirishima and Todoroki had seen him. Oh shit Dad was going to be pissed. 

Don’t think you’re going to wiggle your way out of explaining what the fuck happened there. You know what the fuck happened, and so do me, Shitty hair and half and half. You’re going to tell us what the fuck you were doing, 

Also fucking TEXT ME THE SECOND YOU SEE THIS SHIT I AM NOT GOING TO LOSE SLEEP OVER YOU ASSHOLE. 

He sighed deeply. Not good. Very not good. They’d clearly seen him use the quirk. Asui and Ojiro hadn’t actually seen him use Erasure. He was sure they’d also have questions but they could at least be explained away. Finally, the unknown number. 

This is Todoroki. 

Fuck. 

I got your number from Uraraka. Midoriya, you did something very odd at the USJ, and I have a few questions about it. Don’t worry. I won’t say anything about what I saw. 

Also. Please message me when you wake up. You were in bad shape after your fight. Your nose had been bleeding and you had said ‘too many quirks’ whatever that means. I don’t know much about your situation but it was quite concerning to see you in that state. You said some odd things to me, suggesting your brain had been rather scrambled. I hope you’re ok. 

A flush crossed over his face. He was concerned? Izuku had said odd things to him? He wasn’t demanding answers like Kacchan was... Man Todoroki was almost nice in these messages. He sighed and texted each of them that he was alive and awake and going to be fine. He added a second text to both Todoroki and Kacchan telling them both that he’d talk to them in person after discussing it with his father. Once he hit send, the door opened again. 

Dad and Yagi-sand both walked into the room. Both of them looked nervous. “Izu, come on. We’re going to see Aizawa right now.” Dad said “That’s the most important order of business.” He motioned for him to follow. Izuku stood and unhooked himself from the medical equipment, pulling the needle out of his hand with a hiss of pain. “Come on, quickly.” 

Izuku followed them down the hospital hallway. Aizawa’s room wasn’t far. Yagi-san led the way. He turned the corner and pointed to the correct door. “I’ll go first.” He said “Just in case.” He opened the door “Ah-” he squeaked. “Yamada- Aizawa you’re up.” 

Dad cringed. 

“Hey All Might, you ok? We heard you’d over exerted yourself pretty badly.” Present Mic said 

Yagi-san coughed a bit “I’m quite alright. I was able to defeat the villain without overextending my quirk too badly.” He hesitated “Might we come in?” He asked “It’s myself and the... the Midoriya’s. Izuku has something for Aizawa.” 

Izuku could hear Present Mic hesitate. “Now’s not... a great time. Something is wrong with Shouta.” 

“My quirk factor is gone. They found it when they tested my blood.” Aizawa sounded awful. Izuku pushed past his dad and Yagi-san into the room. His blood ran cold. Aizawa looked awful. He was like a mummy, wrapped up in the hospital bed. 

“Hey little listener-” Present Mic stood “I know you’re worried about your teacher but-” 

“I have your quirk.” Izuku said 

“Izu-” Dad cried stepping into the room. Izuku held up his hand to quiet him. 

He turned back to Aizawa. He could see the hint of his eyes between the bandages. “I have it. I’m sorry. I took it because All Might needed help but I can give it back. I’m so sorry Aizawa-sensei.” Izuku bowed his head. 

Aizawa sat up in his hospital bed “You took it?” He asked “Explain.” 

Izuku sighed “Here let me give it back first.” He said and crossed the room. He moved some of the bandages on his face, placing all five fingers on Aizawa’s skin. He closed his eyes and felt into the void. “I’ve never done this before but...” He found Erasure, and let it fall away from him back into his teacher. “There. Can you use your quirk?” 

Aizawa’s hair floated around his head, the glow of his eyes behind his bandages. Izuku felt his quirk vanish. Then the sensation is gone. “Thanks Midoriya. Now start talking.” 

***

Aizawa and Present Mic took it better than Izuku thought they would. They had all silently agreed to only tell them about Izuku’s quirk. They elected to call it the name Izuku had called it most of his life. Give and Take. 

They were also on board with lying about it, which was a shock. He was... touched that his teachers would protect him after knowing him for less than a week. Aizawa and Present Mic definitely more than earned his respect. 

Now Izuku sat in his hospital bed. He’d been poked and prodded by the doctors and given a healing quick for his finger. They were just waiting on his discharge papers, Izuku was given the all clear to go home and get back too school. He grabbed his phone to let his friends know and then he remembered. 

“Hey dad...” He said softly 

“What’s up Izu?” He asked. He was sitting in the chair writing a notebook quietly. Yagi-san had gone off to help the police with their investigation leaving Izuku with his father. 

He rubbed the back of his head. “Three of my classmates saw me use Aizawa-sensei’s quirk.” 

The notebook snapped shut. “Who? Have they told anyone?” 

“Kacchan, Kirishima, and Todoroki.” He mumbled “Todoroki said he wouldn’t say anything... And I do trust Kacchan to stay quiet too. I think... I think he and Kirishima are friendly? Hold on.” He texted Kacchan; 

Hey, can you ask Kirishima to stay quiet too? 

The response was immediate. 

Shark mouth isn’t gonna say shit don’t worry dipshit. 

“They all know.” He said “but... They’re going to ask. And might get antsy if we don’t explain things.” He continued. “I mean, they saw me. Asui and Ojiro saw me when I took his quirk, but they didn’t see me use it so I can make up something to tell them. But the other three...” 

Dad gave a long sigh, and began to massage the bridge of his nose “It’s your quirk Izu... You’re... yeah do what you think you need to.” He sounded so tired. Izuku cringed. How many more messes would he have to help Izuku clean up? 

Tears formed in his eyes. “I’m... I’m sorry dad.” He said softly. “I really screwed up.” 

“No, no Izu.” His dad said. He stood and walked back to the bed “No, kiddo.” He pushed his hair out of his face. “Izuku you did what you had to do. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t? I told you, don’t you ever apologize for taking a quirk if it saves your life.” He pulled Izuku into his chest. “Listen to me. This... this might be the villain in me talking but... if you ever find yourself in a situation where your only options are to do something a hero shouldn’t or die? Don’t die.” 

He leaned back to look up at his dad. He was still crying. Dad held his face between his hands leaning in close. He continued, “I’m serious Izuku. Even if it means doing something bad, something that you think might get you in trouble. If it means hurting someone. Please, don’t die.” His eyes were so focused. Izuku couldn’t ever remember seeing his father look like this. Not once. “I hate to do this, but please promise you will do whatever it takes to come home when you’re out being a hero.” 

Izuku hesitated. Was... was that a promise he could make? But the way his father was looking at him... “Ok. Dad, I promise.” 

***

He watched himself in the mirror. Something had changed. He couldn’t put his finger on it. But Izuku felt like he looked older. It hadn’t even been a week since his first day of High School but he felt like months and months had passed. He felt like he’d aged several years. Was this how it was always going to feel when something awful happened. Or would he grow numb? 

Did it matter? He was on this path, and he wasn’t going to stray from it. He was going to be a hero. All Might had given him this power. His father had passed his power on. Izuku was picked, if only by fate, to wield these quirks. He was going to have to do it. Even if it scared him. Who else could? 

“Izu, are you about ready to head out?” His dad asked, stopping to peer into the bathroom. “Need help with your tie?” He asked. 

Said tie was hanging around his neck “Yes please.” He said. 

Dad smiled and approached. “Here watch.” He said “Around, like this. Now pull this through here.” He looked down at Izuku, meeting his eye “Did you get that?” 

“Uh... I think?” 

“Don’t worry Izu. I’ll tie your tie for as long as you need me too.” 

“What about when I’m grown and married?” He asked, “We won’t be living together.” 

Dad smiled, “Lots of girls can tie ties.” 

His next words tumbled out of his mouth without permission. They weren’t planned. They were barely thought about before his brain decided to just through them into the wind; without stopping and examining them, and contemplating what saying them aloud would change. 

“What if I have a husband?” 

Dad’s eyes widened. His mouth opens, he pauses. Izuku can see him considering his words. He can feel the way his father inspects each word he’s about to say and form them together in their best possible formation. “Most men can tie their ties, Izuku. I don’t think that’ll be a problem for any potential future husband of yours.” 

Relief. Instant relief, like a shot of warmth straight through his veins. He almost cried. Almost. 

“Yeah I guess. Though with my luck whoever I end up with probably won’t be able to tie one either.” he said 

Dad smirked “I dunno. That Todoroki kid seems like the type who can.” He teased “He was funny. Didn’t know who I was and was very reluctant to hand you over to me.” 

Izuku blushed “To-Todoroki didn’t want to let me go? Really? That’s- I mean-” He whined, covering his face “Let’s go!” 

***

They got to school early. Dad placed a hand on his shoulder as they walked to the bench Izuku told Kacchan, Todoroki, and Kirishima at. “You sure you don’t want me to stay?” Dad asked. 

He shook his head “No. It’s my quirk and they’re my friends.” He said “I told them I would tell them everything. So I’m going too.”

“Ok. If you’re sure, do what you need to do. I trust you.” Dad said “Good luck.” With that, he waves and leaves Izuku alone. 

He sits, and waits alone with his thoughts. He pulls out his phone, trying to distract himself, his leg bouncing as he leaned over on his knees. Footsteps approached. He looked up, Todoroki stood in front of him, holding his backpack on one shoulder.

 “So... Are we waiting for Kirishima and Bakugou?” 

Izuku nods “Wanna sit?” He asked. Todoroki sat on the bench, putting his back on the ground behind his legs. “How are you holding up?” Izuku asked. “We uh.. Fought villains. That... that shouldn’t have happened to us. Not yet. So... I guess how do you feel?” 

Todoroki hesitated. “I don’t know how I feel.” He said honestly. “I’m relieved we’re alive. I’m angry they were able to get into the school. I’m...” He trailed off “I guess I’m scared they’ll come back.” 

“Me too.” Izuku said “I’m very scared. They wanted to kill All Might. They would have if things had gone any differently. I’m sure we’ll have to deal with them again. People like that aren’t going to go away on their own.” 

They sat there in silence, the only sound between them was the wind. 

“Oi.” Kacchan yelled. He and Kirishima approached. “I’m waiting.” 

Kirishima pushed past Kacchan “Hey Midoriya, I’m glad you’re ok.” He said “But... Yeah... Bakugou’s not... wrong. You were kind of insane back there.” 

Izuku nods “It’s ok. I know you guys are curious... It’s uh... Well. I lied about my quirk.” He said “There are only a few people who know. My dad, some teachers, and now you guys.” He paused, clasping his hands together. “I was born with a quirk that we call Give and Take. I can take a quirk from someone, making them quirkless. I can hold those quirks and use them freely, and I can also give away any quirk I take.” He explained. 

“...How long?” Kacchan asked. 

“Probably my whole life but we only found out when mom died.” He answered. 

Todoroki nodded “You mentioned you had her quirk.” 

“Right.” Izuku said “it’s her actual quirk. Like I physically took her quirk from her as she died.” 

Kirishima put a gentle hand on his shoulder “Dude, that’s... wow. I’m sorry about your mom but wow. What an amazing quirk.” 

He looked up. “It doesn’t scare you?” 

“Not at all! That’s so crazy strong!” Kirishima said “Man with a quirk like that-” He trailed off, trying to find the words he wanted to say. “Well damn Midoriya you’ll be unstoppable!” 

Kacchan smashed Kirishima “it’s more complicated dipshit. He can’t just go around taking quirks when the mood strikes him.” 

“I know! But he can take down villains super easily.” 

Izuku bit the inside of his cheek “Well. I’d have to touch all five fingers to their skin. Preferably their face I think? That feels the best. But... I can’t just go taking a villain’s quirk just because. Who am I to decide who gets to keep their quirk and who doesn’t? Plus if word got out about it who knows how many villains would target me. I’m only going to use it as a last resort option. Only when absolutely necessary.” He looked up at them, his eyes moving to each of their faces. “Please, don’t tell anyone. Too many people already know. This is... Those villains might already know.” 

Todoroki moved next to him. For a moment he looked like he was going to reach out and place a comforting hand on Izuku. He stopped, his hand falling back into his lap. “Don’t worry.” Todoroki said softly. “We know now.” He motioned to the three of them. “We won’t let them come after you.” 

“Todoroki is right dude!” Kirishima said with a grin “We’re all training to be heroes too. Hell the four of us are probably the top toughest guys in our class.” He smiled “We’re here for you man. The entire class is too, even if they don’t know what’s going on.” 

Kacchan punched Izuku in the arm. “What he said.” 

His eyes began to well up “Th-thank you, guys.” he smiled at them through his tears.

***

Class began with Aizawa pulling himself into the classroom looking just as bad as he had at the hospital. He sat stiffly at his desk, peeking through the bandages around his body. Izuku had to admire the man’s dedication to his class. He offered him a small smile. He had no idea what sort of look Aizawa gave back, if he did at all... If he even saw him. 

“The UA Sports Festival.” He said as the class calmed down from his arrival “Is in two weeks.” 

“Is... is it a good idea to have that right after the break in?” Kaminari asked. 

Aizawa shrugged “The school is insisting on going through with it. They’ll be beefing up security considerably. Besides, you don’t want to miss your shot.” 

“Yeah, the Sport’s Festival can make or break your hero career.” Izuku said “Pros will be watching to scout us.”

“Midoriya is right.” Aizawa said “After the Sport’s Festival you’ll be doing your first hero internships.” He said. “You want to make sure you’re attracting the right kind of attention from the right pros. Now... In order to help you get there, the school has recently added a new staff member. Midoriya- get in here.” The class glanced at Izuku, before another person came in the door. His father stood, wearing a simple dark suit and tie. “This is Midoriya-san. He’ll be helping you push your quirks and making profiles on them.” 

Ashido mumbled, though loud enough Izuku could hear her from across the room. “Are we sure that’s Midoriya’s dad? They don’t really look alike.” 

Dad walked to the front of the room. “Hello.” He offered the class a brilliant, Midoriya style smile. 

“Oh wait, now I see it.” 

“I’m Midoriya Hisashi. Since you all know my son Izuku, and call him Midoriya it might be easier if you wanted to call me Hisashi-san instead of Midoriya-san?” He smiled “We’ll figure it out as we go along. But your teacher is right. I’m a quirk counselor. Maybe the best out there if I don’t say so myself. My job is to help you analyze your quirks and find ways to help you make the best use of your quirks. Whether it’s through certain kinds of training, diet, or support items. I promise I’ll help each and every one of you go ‘Plus Ultra’ and excel in the upcoming Sports Festival. Now-” 

He pulled a fresh notebook from his bag, and clicked his pen. His father’s smile turned into a confident smirk. “Who wants to go first?”