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Hisashi Shigaraki was a man of wealth and class.  His social status was coveted by lowborns and nobles alike.  He had money, he had power, he had everything and he got everything.  So it was still strange to him that he was standing on a boat in a murky river, swatting away mosquitos and sweating under the bright sun.  By all rights, he shouldn’t have to be the one doing grunt work like this himself, but there were some things that were too important to delegate to anyone else.  That was why he had come to this jungle to find the lost treasure called One for All and bring it back home.  Finding the treasure had been the hard part, and that was behind him now, but getting it all back home in one piece…

Shigaraki took a deep draft of his cigarette and blew it out.  He was tired of the journey and eager to be home.  His guide, who had successfully brought him to the treasure and was now ferrying him back to port, said that it would be at least another week by river, and river was the fastest way.

"My dad said you had to stop smoking."

Shigaraki sighed heavily, turning around and looking down at the young boy.  Izuku was Toshinori’s son, fourteen years old, and was completely feral and uncivilized as the wilderness he was raised in.  Right now he was glaring at Shigaraki, arms crossed over his chest.  He was short for his age, probably from malnutrition, and seemed to always be scowling at him.

"Are you going to go and tattle on me?" Shigaraki asked, taking another draft and blowing it out over their heads.

Izuku's cheeks flushed and his scowl deepened.  He didn't like Shigaraki treating him like a child- though he didn't seem to mind when others did.  "Maybe I will."

Shigaraki chuckled.  Izuku was a true wild child.  There wasn't a single manner in his body, not an ounce of shame, not a hair of culture.  "Go ahead, little one.  I'm not afraid of your father."

This, as expected, angered Izuku more.  He wasn't really going to go and tell, not after he'd been accused of tattling like a toddler already.  And he hated hearing his father insulted more than himself.  "Fine!  Do whatever you want, but if we all die it's going to be your fault!"

Shigaraki took a long draft of his cigarette and then leaned forward to blow the smoke directly into Izuku’s face.  Izuku stumbled back, coughing and waving a hand to clear the smoke.  "I will do what I want, thank you.  How many times do I have to tell you, boy?  I always get what I want."

Izuku tried to glare again, but was squinting because of the smoke.  "You can't always get what you want."

Shigaraki straightened and smiled, watching Izuku turn and run off.  "But I do, little one." He laughed to himself.  "I always do."

***

"Dad!" Izuku ran up to Toshinori who was sitting at the back of the boat.

Toshinori looked up from his notes.  "What's the matter?"

"Mr. Shigaraki is smoking again!  I told him to stop and he didn't listen to me."

Toshinori sighed, straightening to place a hand on his son’s head.  "I'm sorry, kiddo.  I've asked him not to, but I can't really force him to stop.  He is a grown man, and he's funding our expedition."

"That isn't fair!" Izuku stomped his foot angrily.  "Why does he get to break the rules whenever he wants?"

"People like Mr. Shigaraki think the rules don't apply to them.  We've talked about this."

"So then why does he never get punished for breaking them?" Izuku demanded.

Toshinori sat down again and pulled Izuku to sit next to him.  "I know you don't like Mr. Shigaraki, Izuku.  I know you don't like that he looks down on us, or that he uses his money to get away with things he shouldn't.  I know you don't like that he breaks the rules or that he acts the way he does.  You're right, it isn't fair."

"You always told me that bad things happen to people who do bad things." Izuku pouted, leaning into his side.  "I want something bad to happen to Mr. Shigaraki."

Toshinori snorted and shook his head.  "Things catch up eventually, kiddo.  We may not always get to see it, but justice always catches up.  And we can't have anything bad happen to him until we get paid.  After that, we never have to worry about him again."

Izuku stayed quiet for a moment, thinking.  "Okay.  But can he please, please not smoke anymore?  It smells so bad and he blew it right in my face this time."

Toshinori frowned, brows quickly going down.  "He did?"

Izuku nodded.

"I'll talk to him again.  I can live with him going behind my back to smoke, but not hurting you in any way."

"You don't have to do that." Izuku shook his head this time.  "He already accused me of tattling.  I don't want him to think I'm a baby."

"You should know by now that Mr. Shigaraki’s opinions, especially about you, are not worth listening to."

"It just makes me so mad when he says bad things about us.  It's like he thinks he's better than us, better than everyone."

"He does think that." Toshinori put an arm around his son.  "But thinking something doesn't make it right- or correct.  You know what your true value is.  He can't change that."

Izuku turned and laid his head down in Toshinori's lap.  "But it still makes me feel bad when he says that stuff.  I don't like it."

"That's good.  It means that your mind is telling you something is off, so you need to be careful to make sure you don’t start believing those things." Toshinori rubbed Izuku's back.  "And when things do start to feel that way, come to me and we'll figure it out."

Izuku sighed deeply and Toshinori felt whatever burden his son was shouldering lighten a little.  He picked up his notes again and started reading while Izuku stayed in his lap.  He knew that Izuku was still thinking about things, probably involving Shigaraki, and this was a much safer place for him to process things than by himself.

Izuku's concerns about the man were valid, though his fear that Shigaraki was going to kill them were a bit of a concerning stretch.  So far Shigaraki had treated them, especially Izuku, with heavy degrees of disdain and disgust.  He looked down on them the way only a man of wealth and status could, treating them like something dirty.  It had been a long time since Toshinori had dealt with someone like that, and he knew how to handle it.  Izuku had never met someone like this before and he was struggling to understand how and why he acted as he did.  He was often left angry and confused without knowing why.  Toshinori knew why.

It was the same reason that Shigaraki seemed to get away with everything, words and actions alike.  He had the confidence to lie his way out, twisting his words and the words of others until they were either too confused to argue or had changed their minds to agree with him.  Shigaraki had power and wealth.  People feared him and he had found a way to enforce that fear while still maintaining the appearance of dignity.  He knew that Shigaraki picked on Izuku the most because Izuku didn't fear his power or respect his wealth.  Shigaraki would never admit it, but the way Izuku fearlessly called out his abuse of power and manipulation must be driving the man mad.

"I'm so proud of you." Toshinori mumbled without looking down.  Izuku had no idea how brave he was, standing up to Shigaraki as he had been.

Izuku shifted, a sign that he had heard him, but stayed quiet.  He wasn't usually this quiet.  Usually he mumbled his thoughts and theories and Toshinori had never minded.  Of course, Shigaraki had sneered at the habit so hopefully Izuku wasn’t suppressing it on purpose.  Toshinori rubbed his hand in large circles on Izuku's back and sighed with contentment.

The moment was immediately ruined by the sight of Mr. Shigaraki coming to join them.  His appearance was as kempt and proper as always, despite the wilderness conditions they were traveling through.  He had on his usual expression- a suppressed sneer and self satisfied look.  He came straight towards them, acting as though he had just noticed them and decided to come and say hello.

"The weather is holding better than you promised." Mr. Shigaraki said in a friendly tone, though it was a subtle dig at Toshinori's expertise and authority as the leader of the expedition.  If he was wrong about something as mundane as the weather, he could be wrong about much more dangerous aspects of their journey home.  "Where are those storms you were so worried about?"

"We've got plenty of time to run into them." Toshinori replied with a calm smile of his own.

Shigaraki nodded, then his eyes fell on Izuku.  "Is the boy all right?  He told me earlier that he wasn't feeling well."

Izuku stiffened under Toshinori's hand.  Toshi guessed that Izuku hadn't said anything like that at all.  He gave Izuku a small tap with his hand and then continued rubbing his back.

"Izuku is fine." Toshinori answered shortly.  He hoped Shigaraki would leave soon.  He could tell that Izuku wanted to defend himself, but that would only be the argument Shigaraki wanted.  It was better to just ignore him.

"I see.  I hope everything is all right then, since Izuku told me-."

"Izuku can speak for himself." Toshinori cut him off.  "Thank you for your concern."

Shigaraki just smiled.  "Of course.  Let me know if I can help, you know I don't mind looking after Izuku for you."

"Should Izuku ever need looking after, I would be glad for your help." Toshinori smiled, feeling Izuku grow more and more tense under his touch.  "It's getting late, why don't you head to bed?  We have an early start tomorrow morning."

"Good night, then." Shigaraki said politely, nodding to them before he turned to retire to his cabin.

As soon as he was gone, Izuku sat up.  "Dad, I didn't say that.  I didn't tell him I was sick- I don't feel sick at all!"

Toshinori hushed him, keeping his voice calm and comforting.  "I know, Izuku, I know.  If you were sick, you would tell me.  I know."

"But why did he lie like that?" Izuku shook his head, voice full of distress.

Because he wanted to drive them apart.  Toshinori didn't dare say that.  It was hard enough keeping the peace on the expedition as it was.  Shigaraki was projecting Izuku's distrust onto Toshinori, trying to turn the tables so that Toshinori was the one Izuku didn't feel safe talking to instead of the other way around.  It angered him as well, but he couldn't let Izuku see that.

"I don't know, kiddo." Toshinori replied instead.  "But it was a lie."

"But-!" Izuku began.

"Shhhh…" Toshinori set his notes aside again and pulled Izuku into a hug.  "I'm not falling for his lies, Izuku.  I won't trust anything he tells me about you unless I hear it from you first."

Izuku hugged Toshinori tightly.  He was clearly frustrated and didn't know what to do about it.  He had been raised to be honest and watching Shigaraki lie was very upsetting to him, even more so when those lies were about him.  Toshinori hugged Izuku until the fire began to die down.  "We had best get to bed as well, kiddo.  I want you to keep your energy up."

Izuku gave him a long squeeze before he nodded.  "Okay, Dad.  I'm not going to slow you down, I promise."

Toshinori stopped him from pulling away.  "You have never, ever slowed me down, kiddo.  If anyone ever tells you otherwise, don't believe them.  Promise?"

"I promise, dad." Izuku nodded again.

"Off to bed, then.  I'll see you in the morning." Toshinori kissed the top of Izuku's head.  "I love you, son."

"I love you too, dad."

***

Izuku sat in the very front of the bow watching the river appear ahead of them as his father navigated the turns and bends.  He had his journal open on his lap and was making a sketch of the mountains ahead of them.  Times like this were when he remembered why he loved going on expeditions with his father- times when Mr. Shigaraki wasn't looming over him.  He had kept clear of the man, outright ignoring him at every opportunity, but on such a small boat it was hard sometimes.

"Writing away again, I see." Mr. Shigaraki said as he walked up behind Izuku.  "Is that your diary?"

"Yes." Izuku couldn’t see a reason not to lie, but giving Mr. Shigaraki any bit of information always felt wrong somehow.  "I always keep expedition notes."

"Very impressive." Mr. Shigaraki looked at the distant mountains.  "Do you think those mountains will be a problem for us?"

"No." Izuku couldn’t hide his annoyance.  "The river never passes closer than this.  Have you ever read a single map?"

Mr. Shigaraki laughed at the insult.  "Well, I'm not good at this sort of thing like you are."

Izuku narrowed his eyes.  That sounded like it was supposed to be a compliment, just like when he said he was impressed by his journal a few minutes ago.  He waited for Mr. Shigaraki to add something like he usually did, something like, "Wild, uncivilized things," but he didn't.

"What do you want?" Izuku demanded, closing his journal and holding it close to his chest.

"I'm only trying to be friendly." Mr. Shigaraki turned to him, even bending down slightly so he wasn't looking down at him so sharply.  "I think you and I started off on the wrong foot, little one.  I was hoping we could start over."

Izuku eyed him even more suspiciously.  "Why?"

"I wasn't very fair to you at the start of all this.  I said you would be a burden, and cause problems, but I was wrong about that.  I hope you can accept my apology."

Izuku stared at him blankly for several seconds.  Was Mr. Shigaraki… admitting he was wrong?  By himself, for the first time, without anyone asking him to?  Why?  What did he have to gain out of it?  "I… Why?"

"Why am I apologizing or why should you forgive me?" Mr. Shigaraki smiled, his pleasant but snide smile like everyone around him was there to entertain him.

"Why are you apologizing now?  You've been awful to me."

"I haven't been awful to you."

Izuku's mind ran through the journey so far- Mr. Shigaraki loudly protesting his father's choice to let him come, Mr. Shigaraki lying to him, Mr. Shigaraki lying about him, Mr. Shigaraki blowing smoke in his face, Mr. Shigaraki embarrassing him- and lowered his brows into a scowl.  "Yes you have."

"I wasn't being awful," Mr. Shigaraki put unnecessary stress on the word, "I was being civilized.  I suppose being raised the way you were, you wouldn't understand.  I'm not used to being around children, especially not children like… you."

This wasn't the first time Mr. Shigaraki had talked about being civilized in a way that Izuku couldn’t wrap his head around.  To Mr. Shigaraki, being civilized meant you could do or say anything you wanted as long as everybody else acted the same way.  But because Izuku didn't follow his weird, ever changing rules, he was considered uncivilized.  Mr. Shigaraki was alluding to that even now.

"Well it was pretty awful to me." Izuku replied hotly, looking away from him.  "And I'm not a child."

"As I said, I'm here to apologize.  Will you forgive me, little one?" Mr. Shigaraki offered again.

"Why should I forgive you?  You haven't done anything to fix it, and I don't think you're even sorry." Izuku said.  "You probably don't care if I forgive you or not."

"I do care, little one.  You haven't given me a chance to prove my sincerity.  I want you to forgive me." Mr. Shigaraki said, and he did manage to sound sincere.

Izuku stood up briskly, knuckles turning white on his journal.  "Well, sometimes you don't get what you want." He said, then turned and ran to the back of the boat.

His father was waiting, having seen the interaction but not been able to hear.  "Is everything all right?" Toshinori nodded to Mr. Shigaraki.  "What was that about?"

Izuku glanced back over his shoulder.  "He… said he wanted me to forgive him."

Toshinori frowned slightly.  "What did you decide?"

"I said no." Izuku replied, then felt ridiculous.  Why had he refused the apology?  "Sh-Should I say yes?"

"If you didn't feel ready to forgive him, you don't have to." Toshinori placed a hand on Izuku’s head.  "You are never required to accept an apology just because it is given.  Go check on the crates below deck for me, okay?"

Izuku nodded and went to make sure everything was strapped down properly. He noticed that his father and Mr. Shigaraki were talking and wondered what kind of lies his father was being told about him this time.  He looked away and decided it wasn't worth his time- his dad knew better than to listen to Mr. Shigaraki.  He also hoped they could be done with this trip soon.

***

“I thought you said this boat was reliable.” Shigaraki said with a scowl, watching Toshinori bob up and down in the water alongside them.  Izuku had found a small leak and Toshinori was double checking the hull for any other damages.

“Well I haven’t found anything so far, so I think we’re safe.” Toshinori smiled back.

“I could have gotten wet.” Izuku offered, leaning out over the edge.

“Maybe next time, kiddo.” Toshinori laughed.  “Time to get moving again.”

Izuku reached his hand out to help.  Toshinori reached for it, but was jerked away instead.  Something had wrapped itself around his foot and yanked him under the water.  A moment later he felt something closing around his chest.  Snake.  It had to be.  Why hadn’t he seen it?

Toshinori fumbled and flailed.  He could hear Izuku screaming his name.  Izuku!  If Izuku tried to help, he would get hurt.  He couldn’t let Izuku get hurt, he had to save himself so he could look after his son.  He tried to pull the coils of the snake away- his hands slipped, the coils tightened.  He prayed that Izuku didn’t try to help him.

Another pair of hands joined the struggle.  He could hear Izuku screaming.  Izuku was afraid.  He had to get back to him to comfort him.  Everything would be okay as long as they were together.  He couldn’t leave Izuku alone.  He had to get back to him.

The coils slackened a little and Toshinori was able to work together with the other hands to shove them away.  He grabbed the edge of the boat, feeling a hand pushing him from behind and another smaller set grabbing him.

“Dad!” Izuku cried, struggling to drag him back into the boat.  “Daddy, are you okay?”

Toshinori coughed and rolled himself into the boat, landing on his back.  “Fine, I’m fine, kiddo.”

Izuku hugged him and cried.  “You almost drowned!”

“You’re getting yourself all wet, kiddo.” Toshinori chuckled.

Mr. Shigaraki climbed up behind him, also coughing a little.  He dropped the knife he’d used to free them on the deck and leaned over, water dripping from his hair and face.

“Thank you.” Toshinori said.

“Yes, well, I don’t think Izuku could get me home by himself.” Mr. Shigaraki said, straightening up.  “And you did save my life plenty of times on this trip already.”

Toshinori laughed again, but it turned into a coughing fit that made Izuku panic and hug him tighter.  “I’m okay, kiddo.  Just tired.  Might… want to lay down for a bit.”

“I think that would be a good idea.” Mr. Shigaraki agreed.

“Are you really okay?” Izuku begged.

“I’m okay.” Toshinori promised.  “Just look after everything for me while I sleep, okay?”

Izuku dried his eyes with his wet hands and nodded, sniffing away his tears.  “Okay, dad.  I will.”

***

Toshinori slept the rest of the day and into the night.  Izuku couldn’t sleep.  Nearly watching his father die had unsettled him.  He sat up on deck with the lanterns lit, staring at the dark jungle.

“Well today was certainly eventful.” Mr. Shigaraki said behind him.

“Go away.” Izuku said.  “I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

“My, my, is that any way to talk to the man who saved your life?” Mr. Shigaraki asked.

"...Sorry."

Mr. Shigaraki chuckled.  "What a barbaric apology. I suppose you can't help it, with your background."

Izuku pursed his lips.  He really didn't want to argue with Mr. Shigaraki eight now about his "uncivilized" manners.  The man seemed to think he was raised by monkeys.  He hadn't been.  He'd been raised by his amazingly wonderful parents, even if his father was the only one left now.

"My mom was actually from a really rich family." Izuku said, resting his chin on his knees and staring out at the dark jungle.  "But after she fell in love with my dad, her family kicked her out.  They couldn't accept them being together, something about… I don’t know, status, I guess?"

"Interesting." Mr. Shigaraki remarked.  "So you have some good breeding in you after all."

"Breeding?" Izuku repeated incredulously, turning to stare at him.

Mr. Shigaraki couldn't help an amused smile.  "Yes, that's what I said.  It means-."

"I know what it means." Izuku cut him off, cheeks flushing in the lantern light.  "I just can't believe you would use that word to talk about people."

"And why not?"

Izuku gave him a small glare before he turned to the jungle again.  "Well, because it's not nice.  And it doesn't make any sense.  Who your parents are doesn’t have anything to do with who you are.  My mom was amazing, so is my dad.  So am I.  Thinking like that is so backwards."

"A fine theory." Mr. Shigaraki replied and Izuku could tell he was laughing at him.  "But I think that once you get out into the real world, you'll find that you're the one who is backwards."

Izuku glared up again, more angry than before.  "I didn't tell you about my mom so you could make fun of me more!" He snapped.  "I just thought- maybe- I don't know, that you would actually be nice to me or something!  Never mind, I don't want to talk to you."

He got up and started walking back to his cabin, but Mr. Shigaraki took a few large steps to intercept him.  "Calm down, little one.  I thought you didn't trust me, that’s all." He chuckled.  "Ah, could it be because I saved your father’s life?  You've decided to give me another chance?"

"Yeah.  But you lost it." Izuku replied shortly.

"So honest." Mr. Shigaraki smiled.  "You really wouldn't be able to survive in the civilized world at all."

Izuku didn't take the bait this time and they stood in silence for several minutes.

"My apologies, Izuku." Mr. Shigaraki said after a while.  "I wasn't trying to insult you or your family.  I would like to hear more about your mother.  Was she upset that her parents cut her off?"

Izuku glanced back up at him, eyes narrowed.  It took him a minute to decide to reply. "No.  She left on her own when they threatened her.  And she never regretted it.  She and my dad and I were always happy together."

"It seems you got your stubbornness from her." Mr. Shigaraki remarked.  When Izuku glanced back at him again, he smiled.  "That was a compliment, little one."

Izuku looked forward again, quiet as his thoughts turned to his mother.  "Yeah, I guess she was pretty stubborn."

"How did she die?"

"Fever.  I was seven." Izuku answered shortly.

"I'm very sorry to hear that."

"It's okay.  I've got Dad still.  I'm fine."

"Stubborn." Mr. Shigaraki muttered under his breath.  Izuku heard him, but didn't reply.  Mr. Shigaraki fished around in his pocket for his cigarettes and put one in his mouth.  Izuku gave him a glare and he lifted a hand to calm him.

"I'm not going to light it.  I just need the taste."

"Gross." Izuku mumbled, looking away.  “I’m going to check on Dad.”

"You’re such a daddy’s boy." Mr. Shigaraki asked with a smile.

"I don't see why you think that's so funny."

"I'm not laughing.  It's just… cute, I suppose.  Ironic.  Our wild, fearless little adventure is just like any other child in some ways."

Izuku shook his head and rolled his eyes.  "You're so weird."

"So you keep saying." Mr. Shigaraki said.  "But other civilized people would certainly agree with me."

"The more you talk about your version of civilized the more I want to stay in the jungle." Izuku replied, getting to his feet again.  "Goodnight, Mr. Shigaraki.”

Mr. Shigaraki stepped aside and bowed slightly to let him past.  “Good night, my savage little guide.”

Izuku sighed deeply.  He didn't think that Mr. Shigaraki was ever going to understand him or his way of life.  The sooner his father was feeling better, the sooner he wouldn't have to talk to him anymore.

***

“Glad to see that you’re feeling better.” Shigaraki said the next day when Toshinori appeared on deck.  “Where is your little son?”

“Izuku is resting.  He stayed up with me all night.” Toshinori replied.

“You have a very devoted son.” Shigaraki said.

“Yes, he’s very special.” Toshinori nodded.  “Thank you again for saving me.  If Izuku had lost me… he’s more important to me than all the treasure in the world.”

"I thought getting paid by me was more important to you." Shigaraki said with a laugh.

Toshinori bristled, grateful that Izuku was asleep.  His son wouldn't have been able to stand a comment like that.  After a moment of hesitation, he decided to tell the truth.  "The money is to send Izuku to school.  I could manage setting him up to live in the city, or the tuition itself, but not both."

Shigaraki seemed genuinely surprised.  "You never mentioned school before."

"Izuku and I have been arguing about it.  He doesn't want to go by himself." Toshinori said.  "He would rather stay here with me."

"Why do you want to send him to school?  You don't have any education."

"I don't have formal education." Toshinori corrected him.  "I've been able to get by on experience, but the way the world is now, Izuku won't be able to do the same.  Besides, he's brilliantly smart, he deserves a chance to refine his skills.  He'll be able to fund his own expeditions instead of relying on taking other people where they want to go."

"Should I be insulted by that?"

"It wasn't an insult, so no.  I'm happy with my career, but I can tell Izuku wants more." Toshinori explained.  "He wants to travel and study the world, and going to school will give him that opportunity."

"But he doesn't want to go?"

"He doesn't want to go alone." Toshinori sighed.

"Perhaps you should go with him." Shigaraki suggested.

Toshinori hesitated.  He had considered that, but he hadn't mentioned it to Izuku.  He didn't want either of them getting their hopes up.  "That would be ideal." He agreed.

They went on in silence until Shigaraki spoked again.  "Izuku told me about his mother."

"He did?" Toshinori looked up, unable to hide his surprise.

"He said she died of fever when he was seven." Shigaraki went on.  "It's no wonder he's so attached to you."

That was true, Izuku must have told him.  Otherwise he wouldn't have known.  "Izuku never talks about her." Toshinori said after a pause.  "He says he misses her too much."

"And you?"

"I miss her as well." Toshinori said, heart aching at her memory.  "She was a beautiful, fearless woman."

"Izuku also said she was a noble."

"Yes, well, that doesn't have to do with anything.  She was born somewhere, she wanted to leave, so she left." Toshinori waved dismissively.  Most of the time he forgot what Inko's family had been like.  "I'm surprised Izuku remembered that about her.  She never talked about it."

Shigaraki paused for a moment.  “I think Izuku would do well at school.”

Toshinori nodded in agreement, feeling something settle within him.  His mind was made up.  “Yes, you’re right.  And I could use a break from this jungle.  I think I’ve had enough of the wildlife.  That last encounter was a bit too close for me.”

Shigaraki laughed.  “Yes, I should think it was.”

***

Toshinori found Izuku in his cabin.  They were due to arrive at the port by the next day and he needed to talk to Izuku before then.  Shigaraki was busy looking over his treasure one last time, so he had Izuku to himself.

“Can I come in?” Toshinori asked, lightly tapping the door.

Izuku looked up from his journal and nodded.  His cabin was just big enough for his bed and some books stacked against the wall.  Toshinori squoze himself in and sat on the bed next to Izuku.  “What’s up?” Izuku asked.

“I wanted to talk to you about some things before we finish this job.” Toshinori said.  “You know, expectations of what will happen next.”

Izuku cocked his head, but the innocent expression was not genuine.  “What do you mean?  Do you think you’ll have trouble finding another job for us?”

Toshinori sighed.  He knew that Izuku was avoiding the topic of school.  He had to be careful about bringing it up, otherwise Izuku would just run away from him.  “Yes, the job I have in mind isn’t one I’ve ever gotten before.”

“Really?” Izuku closed his journal, looking interested.  “Like what?”

“Well, for one, it’s a desk job.” Toshinori began, holding back a laugh at Izuku’s face.  “And we have to relocate.”

“Where?  Why?” Izuku’s eyes narrowed.  “This isn’t about you sending me away again, is it?  I told you, I’m not going!  It’s a waste of money, and I already know everything I need to out here-!”

“Izuku, wait.  Hear me out.  Please.” Toshinori motioned for him to calm down before things escalated too much.  “You know why we’re doing this.  An education is important, and no money I spend on you is ever wasted.”

“I don’t want to go.” Izuku begged.

“Let me finish, kiddo.” Toshinori said.  “Please.”

Izuku bit his lip and looked away.

“I am going to send you to school.” Toshinori said.  “We’ll use the money Mr. Shigaraki promised us, plus our share of the treasure, to pay your tuition and boarding.  You’ll go to school and once you’ve graduated, then we can continue our adventures.”

“What about you?” Izuku asked.  “I’ll miss you too much to do any good at school.”

“Me?  How are you going to miss me when I’ll be living with you?  And working at your school as one of the professors?” Toshinori asked with a chuck.

Izuku frowned as he processed the words.  It took him a moment to understand them.  He looked up at Toshinori quickly once he had.  “R-Really?  You mean it?  You’re coming with me?”

“Sure am, kiddo.” Toshinori nodded.  “We’ll do it together, just like everything else.  Is that… okay?”

He wasn’t sure how Izuku was going to react.  Izuku stared at him, lip starting to tremble, then threw his arms around his neck.  “Yes!  I want to go with you!” Izuku cried.  “Yes, yes, yes!”

Toshinori smiled and returned the embrace.  “Good.  With any luck, it will be our greatest adventure yet.”

***

Izuku knew he wasn’t supposed to run in the hallways at school, but everyone had gone home except for the teachers.  It had been four months since he and his father had finished their last job and dropped Mr. Shigaraki off at the port, taking their payment and celebrating.  Since then, they had moved to the city, gotten an apartment, enrolled Izuku at Yueii Academy, and Toshinori had been granted a teaching position.  Adjusting had been easier than Izuku had expected, certainly much easier than Mr. Shigaraki had made it out to be.  The other students and teachers were friendly and accepting of his background.  He knew that was part of the reason his father’s heart had been set on this school.

Izuku slid around the corner and bumped into someone.  He hoped it was one of the nice teachers who wouldn’t yell at him for running, but when he looked up he was surprised to see that it was not a teacher- but still a face he recognized.  “M-Mr. Shigaraki?!”

“Izuku, I was hoping I would bump into you.  Though, not quite so literally.” Mr. Shigaraki said.  He looked different than he had in the jungle, more clean and posh and altogether sophisticated.

“Wh-What are you doing here?” Izuku stuttered.

“I was in the neighborhood and thought I would check to see how you and your father were settling in.” Mr. Shigaraki replied.

“We’re doing fine.” Izuku said, shuffling awkwardly.

“I see this school of yours hasn’t taught you any manners yet.” Mr. Shigaraki said.  “How are you liking civilized society, little one?”

“It’s the same.” Izuku replied.  “Some people are meaner though.  I think I prefer the jungle.”

Mr. Shigaraki seemed amused by that.  “Are you on your way to see your father?  I’m having trouble finding his office.”

“Y-Yeah, it’s this way.” Izuku said, wishing he had lied.  He didn’t want to bring Mr. Shigaraki along.  He was sure his father didn’t want to entertain a polite chat with him any more than he did.

“Wonderful.” Mr. Shigaraki smiled and followed Izuku to his father’s office.

Izuku slowed as they came closer.  The door was closed- that was unusual.  Did his father already have a visitor?  The door was never closed.  Just to be safe, Izuku knocked on the door.  “Dad?  Are you busy?”

He waited, but the door didn’t open.  No reply came either.  Izuku felt something dark and worrying curl in his stomach.  Was something wrong?  He knocked again.  “Dad?  Can I come in?”

“Maybe he’s not here?” Mr. Shigaraki suggested.

“No.” Izuku shook his head and grabbed the handle.  “Something is wrong.”

Izuku threw the door open, hoping that his father had just fallen asleep at his desk and not heard him.  But he didn’t see him.  Had Mr. Shigaraki been right?

“Dad?  Are you here?” Izuku went into the office.  Maybe he’d stepped out to get a drink, or to talk to one of the other teachers.  It was unusual, but it could happen.  “Dad?”

Izuku came around the desk.  He wasn’t sure what he processed first- the body on the floor or the blood or maybe it was everything all at once which was too much- he didn’t remember screaming but he was screaming.  He didn’t feel Mr. Shigaraki put a hand on him and gently try to guide him away.  He didn’t feel himself push the man away.

“Dad?  Dad!  Wake up, please wake up!” Izuku cried, falling on his father and shaking him.  “Dad?  Dad?  Dad!”

He struggled to roll his father over.  He had blood all over his hands- why was there so much?  How could there be so much?  Was it too much?  Where was it coming from?  His father’s eyes were open, wide and unblinking.

“DAD!” Izuku screamed louder, shaking him even harder.

Mr. Shigaraki was trying to pull him away, and there were other adults here now.  His screams had caused other teachers to come and investigate.

“Izuku, it’s too late.” Mr. Shigaraki said.

Izuku screamed and twisted away from him, grabbing his father to try and wake him.  “NO!  Daddy, Daddy, please!  Please wake up!  Daddy!” He sobbed over and over until he was pulled away at last.

“Izuku, love, he’s gone.” It was Ms. Kayama, the English professor.  “Sweetheart, he’s gone.”

“No!” Izuku sobbed.  “No, no, he can’t-!  He’s not-!  He has to wake up!”

Ms. Kayama held him close, burying her head in his hair.  Izuku stopped struggling and sagged into her, sobbing and wailing.

“I’m an old friend, I’d be happy to take care of Izuku for now.” He heard Mr. Shigaraki saying from very far away.

“Daddy… daddy… please wake up.  Please.” Izuku cried over and over until he wasn’t sure why he was saying them anymore.  The world around him was darker and colder than the oldest caves he’d ever entered, than the deepest rivers, the tallest mountains.  Nothing made sense and nothing would until his father woke again.  But he hadn’t woken up yet and the blood on Izuku’s hands had turned just as cold as everything else.  For the first time in his life, Izuku was completely alone in his adventure.

***

Izuku had never felt so drained in his life.  His eyes were red and sore, dry and itchy after the non-stop tears.  He hadn't slept well all week, eating had been hard as well.  Strangers he'd never met, mostly Mr. Shigaraki’s friends, had been trying to console him.  He didn't want to talk to them.  None of his real friends, and none of his father's friends from back home, had been able to come on such short notice.  Izuku had been very alone and felt very attacked.  And on top of all of that, Mr. Shigaraki was constantly spreading lies about him.

It was impossible to keep track of the number of times Izuku had said, "That didn't happen," and, "I never said that " or, "Dad never said that," or even, "That's not true." By the time the funeral had finally arrived, Izuku had broken down screaming and crying.  No one would listen to him.  He was misremembering, he was confused, he was traumatized by the loss of his father, he was just a child… There were so many excuses.  No matter what, Mr. Shigaraki was right because he was an adult and because he was rich and because everyone always listened to him.  Izuku was the pitiful one, savage and uncivilized.

In Izuku's lap he held the urn containing Toshinori's ashes.  He hadn't let go of it since it had been handed to him that morning before the funeral.  It felt warm in his arms, perhaps leftover heat from the fire, or maybe his father's love still strong inside… he was too tired to think about it properly.

The carriage ride to Mr. Shigaraki’s house was bumpy, but Izuku was too numb by now to notice.  As his new guardian, Mr. Shigaraki insisted that Izuku come to live with him uptown, instead of letting him stay at the new apartment Toshinori had gotten next to the university.  Izuku didn't want to go, he wanted to stay close to the memories he and his father had made together, no matter how bittersweet they may have turned.  But, as usual, Mr. Shigaraki was getting what he wanted.

"Here we are, Izuku." Mr. Shigaraki told him.

Izuku didn't care much where they were, but on reflex he looked out the window.  Mr. Shigaraki’s house was in the richest neighborhood of the city, a massive estate with grounds and gardens and a mansion with tall towers.  It almost looked like a castle, but not like one from his mother's stories he'd heard as a child.  He doubted there were any friendly giants or fairy rings or mystical mirrors here.  It looked cold and powerful, just like its owner.

They reached the door and the carriage stopped.  Izuku followed Mr. Shigaraki out and up the stairs and through the door.  He looked around at his new home, feeling smaller and more insignificant with each passing moment.  What had Mr. Shigaraki wanted all of that treasure for if he was already this rich?  This looked more like a museum than a home.  It was too clean and perfect and empty.

Mr. Shigaraki brought Izuku up several floors before stopping by one of the doors.  "This will be your room here, little one." He said, opening the door.

Izuku went inside.  The bedroom was much too large.  The bed was huge and draped with black cloth.  There were three windows, though no light came through them as the dark curtains were already drawn.  A rug on the carpeted floor, two wardrobes, a small bookshelf and desk, and all of his things stacked in boxes at the foot of the bed.  Izuku went to his things and sat on one of the boxes, still holding his father's ashes close and looking nimbly around the room.

"What do you think?" Mr. Shigaraki asked.  "This is much nicer than your home, isn't it?"

Nicer, maybe, in the rich, flashy way that Mr. Shigaraki liked, but it felt much worse.

"Tomorrow I have an appointment with a tailor to get you a new wardrobe."

"I already have clothes." Izuku said.  He barely recognized his own voice.  It was so empty of emotion- he had used so much lately he didn't think he had any left.

"New clothes." Mr. Shigaraki told him as if he hadn't understood this before.

"I have new clothes.  We just bought them." Izuku told him.  His father had bought him nice things to wear in the city, a new jacket, new shoes, his school uniform…

"Those were all used clothing.  I can't let you wear them."

"No they weren't.  We got them brand new." Izuku said.  Not that he cared if the clothes were used, but they weren't.

"I'm sure your father told you that."

"He didn't tell me- I was there!" Izuku struggled to articulate the words he needed.  He had to tell Mr. Shigaraki that he knew he was lying again.  He had to keep telling him so that he would know that he couldn't trick him, so he would stop.  He would stop then, wouldn't he?

"Izuku, it's all right to admit that you were poor.  We both know you and your father didn't have much money." Mr. Shigaraki took on the sympathetic, patronizing tone that Izuku hated the most.

"No, no we weren't poor!" Izuku shook his head.  "There was lots of money!  You paid us the money!  We were never poor!"

"Shhh… it's all right, little one." Mr. Shigaraki bent down and brushed his hands across Izuku's cheeks.  He had started crying again.  Mr. Shigaraki’s lies were too much after everything he'd been through that day, that week, ever since-

"No, no, don't cry, Izuku." Mr. Shigaraki said as Izuku began to sob again for the hundredth time that day.  "I know you're sad, but all of that is behind us now.  It's time to move on. "

Move on?  How was he supposed to move on?  Izuku had lost everything- his independence, his home, his family.  His father.   His father was gone, really gone, and he could never be brought back.  Izuku was alone for the rest of his life.  He would never see him again.  He would never rest in his lap in the sun and feel his strong hand on his back, he would never see his warm smile, he would never hear his ridiculously loud laugh, never hear him say that he was proud of him again.  His father would never see him finish school like he'd always wanted.  They would never read together again, or stand out in the rain, or look at the stars, or go on grand adventures.  Never, ever again, would he hear him say that he loved him.

"You must be very tired." Mr. Shigaraki said.  "It's been a long day for you.  Let me take this and you can go to bed."  He started taking the urn out of Izuku's hands and Izuku's chest seized with panic.

"NO!" Izuku screamed, yanking it back and hugging it tighter than ever.  "DON'T TOUCH HIM!"

Mr. Shigaraki’s eyebrows dropped into an angry expression.  "I will no longer tolerate you yelling at me like that in my house, Izuku." He said sternly.  "It's time to start acting civilized."

"Leave me alone!" Izuku wailed.

"I understand that you are tired.  You need to rest.  Give me the jar."

"No!  What are you going to do to him?" Izuku demanded.

"You said you wanted the ashes scattered back around your childhood home.  I was going to send them to be taken care of there, just like you wanted." Mr. Shigaraki said calmly.

"No!  No, you can't do that!" Izuku stood up.  How did Mr. Shigaraki think that what he wanted was to have some stranger toss his father's remains around was what he wanted?  "I'm going to do it!"

"You?  How?  When?"

"Wh-When I go back home!" Izuku sputtered.

"You have school, Izuku, you can't just leave to go all the way back there." Mr. Shigaraki was talking down to him again, like a toddler with a tantrum.  "Let me take care of it for you."

"No, no, I'm going back after I graduate." Izuku said.  That had always been the plan, his father had agreed.  "I can do it then."

"That's a very long time from now."

"It's only a few years and I can- Mr. Shigaraki, please." Izuku begged.  "Please, please, let me do it.  Don't take him away.  Please."

"Look how unhealthy it is for you to hang onto him." Mr. Shigaraki sounded as though he knew what was best for Izuku.  He didn't, he couldn't.

"Please." Izuku begged again, voice breaking with sobs.  He didn't know what else to do but beg.  He couldn't lose his father again.  He couldn't lose his right to mourn for him, or to see him taken care of the right way.  He wouldn't be able to bear that on top of everything.

Mr. Shigaraki let out a deep, exaggerated sigh.  "Very well, Izuku.  I will keep your father's remains safe until you are old enough to take care of them yourself.  Now give them to me."

Izuku shook his head.  He didn't trust Mr. Shigaraki.  "I want to keep them!"

"Give them to me."

There was a small hint of threat in the man's voice and Izuku found himself doing as he was told.  He had always been afraid of Mr. Shigaraki- afraid of his words and his lies and the awful way he made him feel.  But there had always been a deeper fear of what the man might do if his words and lies were not listened to.  With his father around, that fear had been settled, but now that he was alone, Izuku had no one to protect him.

"There, that wasn't so hard." Mr. Shigaraki sounded satisfied again.  He was wrong though, it had been hard.  Hard and painful.  "Now, get some rest and then we'll have dinner together."

Izuku tried to dry his eyes and look brave, brave like he had been on adventures with his father.  It was hard when he was sniffling and hiccupping, after he had been forced to beg to protect his father's remains.

Mr. Shigaraki smiled, patting his head.  "That's it, make sure you get all of your tears out tonight.  There won't be time for them later."

Izuku faltered.  What did he mean by that?  Was he saying that Izuku wouldn't be allowed to cry anymore?  But his father had just died.  He couldn't not cry about that.

"Starting tomorrow, we're turning you into a civilized gentleman." Mr. Shigaraki said, tapping Izuku lightly on the nose.  "And gentlemen don't cry."

"Dad said- dad said it's okay to cry." Izuku stuttered, already feeling the tears start to push up again.

"Your father is dead, Izuku." Mr. Shigaraki said sharply.

Izuku took a step back at the harshness of the words.  His lip trembled and the tears started down his cheeks again.  His father was dead- he kept forgetting.  He kept expecting him to turn up and tell Mr. Shigaraki to stop lying to him then take Izuku back home.  But he wasn't.  He couldn't.  Not anymore.  Izuku was all alone.

Mr. Shigaraki sighed again, sounding exasperated.  "We'll talk about this tomorrow."

"N-No." Izuku stuttered.  "Why- Why are you doing this to me?  I don't understand… I don’t want to be a gentleman.  N-Not your kind, I don't want to be like you."

"You're confused, Izuku.  You've had a very stressful week, your emotions are out of control." He sounded so calm and sure it took everything Izuku had not to scream in reply.  "Everything will be better after you rest."

"I'm not confused!" Izuku cried.  How many times did he have to say it?  "I'm not confused at all!  Stop telling me I'm confused!"

"You are confused.  You've been through a traumatic expiration- finding your father's body like that.  Of course you're confused."

Izuku wanted to argue.  He wanted to scream and yell and shout.  But he didn't have the energy for that.  Instead, he covered his face with his hands and started to cry again with broken, exhausted sobs.  He was starting to feel confused- mostly confused as to why Mr. Shigaraki was doing this to him.  What did he gain out of it?  What did he want from him?

That thought struck something inside of Izuku.  Mr. Shigaraki always got what he wanted.  He never did anything unless he planned to get something out of it.  So why had he taken Izuku in, why had he helped with the funeral, why had he been acting so nice?  Why had he been there when Toshinori's body was found?  What was he doing there?  Why would he need to go and see Toshinori?

Izuku's sobs stopped as everything that had seemed to be spinning around him froze.  Things seemed to be moving slow, very slow, slow as his own building horror, as he looked up at Mr. Shigaraki.  He didn't know how he knew or how he had figured it out, but he knew.

"You killed him." He whispered.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You killed my father." Izuku repeated and the words felt even more right and even more awful as he said them again.

"Like I said, little one, your emotions are out of control and you're very confused-." Mr. Shigaraki began again.

"YOU KILLED HIM!" Izuku screamed.  "YOU AREN'T EVEN GOING TO DENY IT!"

He didn't have time to see it coming, he hadn't even conceived that it ever could.  When Mr. Shigaraki's hand slapped across Izuku's face it knocked him to the ground and took his breath away with it.  His mind stalled as he tried to process it.  Mr. Shigaraki had hit him.  No one had ever hit him before.  Never.  His father would never have allowed it.  But his father wasn't here to stop it.

"I won't tolerate you yelling at me." Mr. Shigaraki said, voice even but clearly angry.  He knelt over Izuku and Izuku squeaked in fear.  He tried to slide back, but Mr. Shigaraki took a tight hold of one of his ears to stop him.  "Now listen very carefully to me, Izuku.  From now on, I am your guardian.  That means you live in my house and follow my rules.  You will not yell at me, you will not argue with me, you will not continue to act like a savage lost child."

Izuku whimpered in both pain and fear.  Was this the real Mr. Shigaraki?  All of the nice, uncomfortable words were gone.  It was just the cold, ruthless person Izuku had thought was there but could never see.

"Your father is gone now.  I'm all that you have.  No one else wants you, no one else is willing to take care of you.  You have no money, no friends, and nowhere else to go.  So if I were you, I would show some gratitude and start behaving yourself." Mr. Shigaraki said.  "You can do that, can't you, little one?"

Too scared to do anything else, Izuku gave a small nod.

"Good." Mr. Shigaraki stood up and the mask of the polite, influential gentleman slipped back over his face.  "Now I want you to get off the floor and clean yourself up.  I was going to have you join me for dinner, but I think it might be better if you go straight to bed."

Izuku stayed where he was.  He had gone numb from head to toe.  He was too afraid and confused- yes, he really was confused now- and exhausted to keep up.  He felt a few more tears slip out and run down his face.

"I said get up."

Remembering how he'd been hit before, Izuku shakily got to his feet.

"Starting tomorrow, I want to see you act civilized.  I'm willing to do whatever needs to be done to turn you into a gentleman." Mr Shigaraki told him.  He reached out and lifted Izuku's chin with a hand, even though Izuku flinched back in fear of being struck again.  "And you should know by now, little one, that I always get what I want."

Izuku nodded.

Mr. Shigaraki bent down and kissed his cheek, right where his father would always kiss him goodnight.  The same place his mother had always kissed him goodnight.  Izuku felt sick.

Looking smug and satisfied, Mr. Shigaraki left the room, carrying the urn of Toshinori's ashes with him.  Dimly, through his shell shocked mind, Izuku wondered if he would ever see it again.

Izuku stood alone for many long minutes.  The room grew darker as the sun set somewhere over a lost horizon.  He wanted to cry, but nothing was happening.  He wanted to scream, but that was too much for him to handle.  Very slowly, he sank to the floor again.  His face was starting to ache and throb, growing hot.  He touched it carefully and finally felt a small sob rise in his throat.

"Bad things happen to bad people." Izuku said, tears starting to run again, "Right, Daddy?  R-Right?  B-bad things ha-p-pen to bad people."

His words echoed back to him, along with his lonely, empty cries.

"You didn't lie, did you?  Bad th-things happen to bad people." Izuku cried.  "Please, please let something bad happen to him.  Please.  Bad things happen to bad people."

He repeated it until he couldn't form any words through his sobs.  Curled up on the floor, Izuku kept thinking it.  Maybe if Mr. Shigaraki could get what he wanted to by lying until it became the truth, Izuku could too.  But Izuku wasn’t a liar, he was his father's son.  And his father wasn't here anymore.  So he didn't know what to do anymore other than cry and pray that he somehow came back from the dead to save him.