Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The heat shoots through Todoroki Shoto’s left arm, burning through into his palm. Fire erupts in his hand, the red flames tingling on his skin. Shoto grits his teeth, willing the fire into a ball. The tendrils refuse to budge, the flames stick to his skin. He closes his eyes and breathes in slowly and out. The fire vanishes and the heat in his hand dissipates. Shadows take the place of the light and he is once again standing in the darkness of the UA grounds.

In the dim light, he studies his hand for any trace of burns, but, of course, there are none. He grimaces. It still feels strange, using this power. As if every time he burns, he’s exposing more and more of himself and leaving himself vulnerable. Like ripping open a plaster and suddenly expecting the wound underneath to be healed.

It might not feel right at first, Midoriya had assured him, It’s like getting a quirk for the first time, isn’t it? You have to learn to walk all over again.

But I already know how to walk, Shoto had pointed out.

Midoriya had laughed, and Shoto had smiled and counted it as a victory. His friend has been laughing less and less recently.

Still, he had a point. Using his fire doesn’t come nearly as naturally as his ice. But with Midoriya’s help, he no longer feels like he is betraying himself or his mother every time he uses it.

Midoriya. The boy he had come into his life like a whirlwind, and he’d refused to go away. He’s broken down Shoto’s defences, and had helped him to finally live.

And the Sports Festival…

It’s your quirk, isn’t it?

…Shoto knows he will never forget that moment for as long as he lives. Looking back, he finds it incredible that five words could change his life as much as they did.

“Idiots!”

Shoto jumps. The word, snarling and enraged, is Bakugo Katsuki’s. It’s coming some metres away from behind a line of hedges. Swiftly, Shoto crouches in front of one. He’s no coward, but he values his life. And he knows very well when some conversations are not meant for his ears.

“Who has secret meetings in the middle of the night?” Bakugo demands.

“It’s only 7 p.m., Young Bakugo,” The second voice is slower and deeper. All Might’s. Interesting. Shoto wasn’t aware that they were on speaking terms yet alone having ‘secret meetings’. “And we couldn’t use our regular room because Aizawa-san and Mic-san have booked it.”

“Tch. They should have gone somewhere else for their date nights. Who books a staff room?”

“Kacchan!” Shoto’s eyes widen as Midoriya’s scandalised voice cuts through the clearing. Of course he’s part of this ‘secret meeting’ too. Where Bakugou is, Midoriya is sure to be too. Shoto tries not to be frustrated by that. They’re childhood friends, it’s only natural that they’re close. But still…

All Might coughs, “Young Bakugou, it is inappropriate to gossip about your teachers’…”

“Kissing?” Bakugo supplies, “Making out? F-“

"Kacchan!"

“Please,” Shoto imagines Bakugou rolling his eyes, “The whole fucking school knows they’re together.” Shoto hadn’t. “Now, can we please cut to the chase? I’m fucking freezing.”

All Might coughs, “As you know, young Midoriya’s been suffering from nightmares…”

He has? Now that he mentions it, Midoriya has been off recently. But how the hell does All Might know that Midoriya’s been having nightmares when Shoto doesn’t? Midoriya’s his closest friend!

“Right. From the vestiges,” Bakugo snaps, “Which you really should have told Deku about before giving him One For All. Which we should not be discussing outside, in the fucking cold, at fucking night, in the fucking UA school grounds.”

“Language, young Bakugo,” All Might sighs, “The cold night is not ideal, admittedly, but I really don’t see an issue with discussing it here.”

“Because,” Bakugo draws out the word in a growl. Shoto pictures him grinding his teeth, “You’re practically asking for fucking eavesdroppers!”

There’s a pause and Shoto shrinks further into his bush, wondering if they’ve seen him. A twig snags painfully into his scalp, and the leaves rustle around him as he tries to free it.

“Nevermind,” Bakugo snaps. He’s speaking louder than before, despite his complaints about potential eavesdroppers. “Stupid Deku’s getting harassed by the past holders. Got it. What’s that got to do with me?”

“I think we need to step up our training,” Midoriya says softly. Shoto moves closer into the bush to hear him, “I don’t think the past holders are happy with how I’ve been progressing.”

“Well, screw them. They had competent teachers.”

All Might coughs, “Young Midoriya’s right. With All For One growing in strength, it is vital that young Midoriya is prepared.”

All for One? Vestiges? Past holders? Shoto’s head is swimming. He reaches for his notebook to write all this down, and then remembers he didn’t bring it out with him.

Bakugo makes a sound- a cough and a squawk merged into one.

“Young Bakugo, did you say something?”

“No,” Bakugo growls, “But if I did, it would be that fucking All For One is another thing that you should have told shitty Deku about before you gave him One For All!”

“Kacchan,” Midoriya mutters, “All Might didn’t know that All For One was still alive, or about the vestiges.”

“Then he should have done his fucking research!”

“Young Bakugo,” All Might says tiredly, “What nights are you free to train with young Midoriya?”

Bakugo sighs heavily, “Well can’t do Mondays. I’m with Shitty Hair.”

“Who?”

“He means Kirishima-kun,” Midoriya says quickly, “But I don’t think his hair’s that bad.”

“That’s because yours is even worse,” Bakugo snaps, “We could do Tuesdays.”

Shoto moves forward. No, they can’t do Tuesdays because-

“I train with Todoroki-kun on Tuesdays.”

“Yeah, I thought so,” Bakugo says drily, “Well we’re already doing Wednesdays and Thursdays. What about Fridays?”

“I’m training with Uraraka-san.”

“Right. Round Face. Fine. Saturdays?”

There’s a pause.  “I can do then.”

“Then that’s settled,” All Might says with relief, clapping his hands, “Does anyone have anything that they’d like to add before we adjourn this meeting?”

“Actually All Might, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” Midoriya says quietly.

Shoto straightens. He recognises this tone of voice. It’s Midoriya at his best and most dangerous.

“Yes, Young Midoriya?” All Might says softly, in a way that Endeavor has never spoken to Shoto. Surely he wasn’t that far off with his secret love child theory?

“I know that it’s important that One For All remains a secret,” Midoriya says the words quickly, passionately, like he’s scared he’ll never have the chance to get them out again, “But now I might be inheriting the quirks of the other past holders, I need more help. Can I tell a few others?”

Shoto gapes and covers his mouth as he realises he’s gasped. During the battles with Class 1B, Midoriya had manifested another quirk. When Shoto had asked, he’d said it was an extension of his strength. Had he been lying? It hurts to think that Midoriya might have lied to him directly.

Shoto’s thoughts stop as he realises that no one is speaking. For a moment, he wonders if they’ve overheard him. Then:

“No,” All Might says flatly. It’s the harshest Shoto has ever heard the hero speak to Midoriya.

“All Might please!” Midoriya sounds tearful, and Shoto hears movement on the other side of the bush, “You have people who protect your secret. And I trust Todoroki-kun, Ida-kun and Uraraka-san with my life!”

“I said no.” The last word is a boom, as All Might raises his voice. It echoes through the grounds. Shoto shrinks into his bush. The voices on the other side are silent. Then All Might adds more quietly, “Midoriya kid, I won’t deny that young Todoroki, Ida and Uraraka are good and trustworthy people, but this secret is not yours to share. Do you understand?”

There’s another pause. Shoto wills Midoriya to fight back. Whatever secret this is, whatever burden, Shoto can handle it! But then All Might says softly, “Meeting adjourned.” And he knows that Midoriya must have nodded.

Shoto hears All Might’s footsteps and then sees the back of his shrunken figure as he walks towards the school. Midoriya begins to sniffle.

“It was worth a shot,” Bakugo says quietly.

“Do…do you think he regrets choosing me?” Midoriya whispers.

“No,” Bakugo says firmly, “There’s no one he could have chosen better.”

Midoriya gasps.

“Shut it, you damn nerd!” Bakugo snarls. Then he says more quietly, “I think he misses being All Might, and hates the burden he’s placed on you.”

“I can handle it.”

“Oh sure you can,” Bakugo retorts sarcastically, “Just next time, don’t ask All Might’s permission. Got it? Just tell your stupid friends straight up.”

There’s another pause, but Shoto doesn’t allow himself to hope. Midoriya’s not exactly one for sharing secrets.

“I won’t go behind All Might’s back,” Midoriya says quietly, “I’ll do this, and carry out his legacy. Goodnight Kacchan.”

“Night you damn nerd.”

Footsteps crunch through the grass, and Shoto sees Midoriya heading back to the dorms. His arms are wrapped around himself, and Shoto’s unsure whether it’s out of trying to comfort or warm himself. His hands are bunched into fists, and he walks quickly, soldier-like. Midoriya’s mind, whatever it is, is clearly made up.

“You’re shit at this.”

Shoto jumps, more twigs digging into his hair. Bakugo stands to the side of his hedge, his red eyes staring directly at him. In the darkness, he looks like some kind of demon.

“You saw me?” Shoto asks, as he unceremoniously crawls out of the hedge.

“The red and white hair sticking out of a fucking green bush was a dead give away. Also you kept moving every time shitty Deku opened his mouth,” Bakugo rolls his eyes, “And I saw your fire earlier.”

“So you knew I was there from the start,” Shoto says flatly.

“Yes,” Bakugo sighs, “I’m surprised those idiots didn’t.”

Shoto scrambles on the ground, trying to rid himself of the twigs. Bakugo sighs again, heavily, and offers a hand. Shoto takes it, and Bakugou pulls him to his feet. For a moment, they both stand there, staring at each other.

“Midoriya needs help.”

Bakugo rolls his eyes, “Yeah I thought you’d pick up on that.”

“But he isn’t going to accept it,” Shoto grits his teeth.

“You know he won’t,” Bakugou says, “Not when All Might himself has forbidden it.” He wraps his arms around himself, “Well it’s fucking freezing and it’s getting late. See you tomorrow.”

He starts to walk off towards the dorms, hands in his pockets, doing his strange sauntering walk as he goes.

“Bakugo,” Shoto calls after him. He turns, “How much trouble is Midoriya in?”

“More than you can imagine,” Bakugo mutters. He shifts closer, and drops his voice, “You want to help him? Look into Daigoro Banjo.”

Bakugo turns and walks back to the dorms. Shoto stares after him, frowning long after he's gone. 

Chapter Text

So Shoto does his research. Or at least he tries.

He types ‘Daigoro Banjo’ into his laptop that night and comes up with links to several blocked websites. Even the dark web fails to yield results. Eventually, he falls asleep on his keyboard. When he wakes the next morning, he’s faced with a scrambling of letters and a computer error.

Despondent and exhausted, he trudges down to breakfast and takes a seat at the empty table.

“Good morning, Todoroki-kun!”

Shoto looks up into the beaming face of Midoriya Izuku, who plonks his tray down heavily, and takes a seat directly opposite him. He’s joined seconds later by Ida and Uraraka, who between them ruin a perfectly peaceful morning.

Shoto gazes down into his soba noodles. Who is Daigoro Banjo and what has he done to hurt Midoriya? Shoto wonders if he can find his address and send him death threats.

“Are you okay Todoroki-kun?”

Midoriya’s green eyes are wide with concern. Shoto exhales and jabs at his noodles with his chopsticks. Midoriya tracks the movement, frowning.

“I’m fine,” Shoto says curtly. Then remembering that this is Midoriya, he adds, “Couldn’t sleep. I was working on a new theory.”

“Really,” Midoriya gasps excitedly, “Tell me everything!”

Shoto’s heart clenches. Researching behind Midoriya’s back is one thing, but lying to him…

“No,” He snaps. Midoriya looks startled, and Shoto draws a breath, softening his voice as he says, “Sorry. It’s not ready yet.”

“Todoroki-kun,” Ida says disapprovingly, jabbing a spoon in his direction, “Hobbies are important, but you should be sleeping eight hours a night.”

“You don’t have any hobbies, Ida-kun,” Uraraka teases.

Ida flushes, and Midoriya joins in, trying to pacify them both. Shoto drowns them out as Ida and Uraraka argue. He has a case to untangle.

He finds his first clue later that night. A grainy video labelled ‘Lariat vs Lion’. It’s recorded on some shaky piece of technology, making the footage hard to see. The figure is hard to make out- perched on a rooftop and eyeing up a rampaging lion-like villain. He leaps from the building, and Shoto gasps. Shooting from his hands grow black tendrils, reaching out to grip the villain.

As the video continues to play, more sprout from his back, curling around the walls of the building. It’s undeniably the quirk that manifested in Midoriya, only this man has far more control. He uses the tendrils to drag the villain, squirming and thrashing through the air towards him, then landing a punch on the lion’s face.

There’s something about the way he moves too… Quickly Shoto rewinds the video and plays it again. Yes, there! That jump, that fist! It’s almost like Midoriya’s…

Shoto frowns. It is like Midoriya’s. And All Might’s too. Is this man an ancestor of theirs?

Excited he screenshots the image of the man punching the villain and sends it to print. As it does so, he moves over to his Deduction Board- a brown corkboard that has gained much wear and tear over the last few months. Swiftly he removes his latest theory of a potential link between Fat Gum and Yaoyorozu, placing the paper reverently on top of his stack of paper beside his tatami mat on the floor. 

With trembling fingers, he pins his latest find in the middle of the cleared corkboard. He then scribbles on a sticky note in red ink, ‘Same quirk’ and slaps it next to it. He writes the name ‘Lariat’ down too. It must be the man’s hero name. Satisfied he stands back and surveys his near empty board, a thrill of excitement coursing through him as he imagines the different threat that are open to him.

It’s a start.

Early the next morning, he finds another video. This one is untitled, and he is immediately assaulted by a wall of smoke and screams.

“Master! Master!”

The smoke clears. A young man comes into the frame. He’s crouched, his dark hair burnt and windswept. He’s visibly trembling and clenching his fists, staring anguished at something off screen. The camera tilts and turns as if the person holding it can barely lift it up.

A man appears on the screen. Lariat. He’s choking and gasping for breath, and is being raised into the air by an unseen force. And a few metres away…

Shoto pauses the video. Impossible. It’s the villain from Kamino Ward that All Might defeated- dark suited with that strange large mask covering the entirety of his face and neck. What was his name?

Shoto plays the video, and Lariat gasps the name as if in answer. All For One. Shoto feels his heart hammering in his chest, and he writes the name down in large letters on a post-in note, sticking it to the top of his board. Midoriya and All Might had mentioned that name. They’d been… worried.

“You won’t win…” Lariat punches the air and the force releases him, sending him tumbling to the ground.

“Run Gaen!” He screams, turning to the younger man.

“But-“

“Go!”

The younger man lets loose a sob. He turns and picks up the person holding the camera, and the last thing Shoto sees is his legs bending in a very familiar way before launching upwards in a cloud of smoke. The video ends.

Gaen. His face joins his mentor on Shoto’s board. Then slowly, with practised carefulness, Shoto connects them both with a red string, pinning the ends at the corners of their photographs. 

Binding them with the mysterious something that Midoriya and All Might share.

Gaen. Just a name and a quirk to go on, but after some hours of searching , he’s found enough to piece together his life. He was an underground hero with the ability to create smokescreens. At some point, he was taken under the tutelage of Lariat, who was killed by All For One. At some point, he also developed super strength. Later on in life, he took on a student – Nana Shimura. He puts her on the wall beside her mentor.  

Shoto’s phone buzzes. Midoriya.

Hi Todoroki-kun! Noticed u weren’t at breakfast. Is everything okay?? 😅

Shoto smiles fondly. Ida often berates Midoriya on his overuse of punctuation and improper grammar. He taps out a quick response: Not feeling well. Please tell Mr. Aizawa I’m sick. Have a good day.

It’s not a complete lie. He’s utterly exhausted from not sleeping.

Midoriya’s text comes swiftly: Oh no!!! Take care of urself. Is there anything u need?

He bites his lips but he’s too far in the lie now, and it’s too late to back out.

Just got a sore throat. I’m fine.

He sighs and tosses his phone onto his mat. It buzzes, the screen lighting up with a message, but he ignores it.

He turns to his laptop, scrolling back through the newspaper headlines. It seems Gaen disappeared in his early thirties. The articles suggest a very early retirement…

A knock sounds at his door.

“Todoroki-kun, it’s me! I’ve brought the soup.”

Shoto coughs, startled, “Oh, uh, thanks Midoriya.”

“No problem!” Midoriya responds, “I’ll leave it out here for you, Todoroki-kun! Hope you feel better soon!”

Shoto waits until he’s sure that Midoriya is gone, and then he opens the door and retrieves the soup. Midoriya has left a little note beside it – a scrawled smiley face. Shoto smiles and cradles the soup in one hand as he returns to searching into Nana Shimura.

Unlike her predecessor, she prefers the limelight, well-known for her upbeat personality. She’s popular in the polls, and the newspaper articles about her are endless. She’s close-lipped though about her years before she was a hero, and her quirk. And other than the strange strength, Shoto can’t work it out.

The most notorious thing he finds about her is an overheard conversation between her and Gran Torino in a café. They refer to ‘One for All’ and discuss passing it on. The writer suggests it is code for something lewd, which causes a flurry of backlash in the comments section.

Shoto writes it down anyway, and adds it to his pin board. After Nana Shimura- who also strangely disappears- comes All Might. Shoto finds nothing he didn’t know already.

As evening comes he stares at his board, frustrated. His eyes trace the line of red. Maybe  Shoto was imagining the shared super strength? But no, he dismisses the thought. Bakugo wouldn’t have told him to look into it if it wasn’t serious.

Something catches his eye. One For All. All For One. That certainly can’t be a coincidence. Frowning, Shoto goes to his laptop and gets up the most recent footage of All For One – his fight with All Might. He hasn’t watched it before. It was too harrowing seeing it in person, someone so great fighting within inches of his life.

He takes a breath, steeling himself, and plays it now. The fight is the same – each gruelling punch sends a shiver down Shoto’s spine. Then All For One falls, All Might lifts his arm in victory, and police arrive to whisk the villain away.

As he passes, though, All For One whispers something to All Might. Shoto has to replay it several times over to catch the words, even with his very expensive headset, (courtesy of Endeavor’s bank card, of course).

“Next time, I’ll tear off your limbs,” All For One murmurs, smiling, “You can watch as I take One For All from your successor and destroy him.”

All Might doesn’t respond, watching silently as All For One is led into the van. Then, with tears in his eyes, he slowly turns, raises his arm and points at the camera.

“You’re next,” He says heavily.

Shoto sits in his chair stunned. Previously, the words filled him with hope, but now he realises that they’re directly to All Might’s successor.

Midoriya.

He feels sick. All Might’s expecting Midoriya to do what? Kill All For One? But how can he when all the others have failed?

He stands and stumbles, a wave of dizziness comes crashing down to him. He sees it now. The sheer enormity of the burden that Midoriya is carrying.

How does Midoriya bear it? And alone?

The answer comes just as quickly. He can’t. As strong as his friend it, it’s impossible. Midoriya must know this. Bakugo certainly does, even if All Might ignores it. Midoriya will destroy himself to carry this burden. And Shoto can’t let him.

He glances at his Deduction Board, and finds that he can’t look at it any longer. At the cycle that’s repeating over and over. He pushes himself away from it, and sprints out of his room.

There are people in the corridor. Kirishima and Sero call out asking if he’s okay. He ignores them. He races down the stairs two at a time, and down the third hallway.

He’s outside Midoriya’s room. Breathless, he knocks three times. As if expecting him, the door swings open immediately.

“Todoroki-kun!” Midoriya beams. He has a pencil behind one ear and is wearing his ‘shirt’ t-shirt. His hair, as usual, is slightly bedraggled. “Are you feeling better?” He stares at Shoto and his smile drops, “Todoroki-kun?”

Shoto discovers that he is swaying. His throat feels dry, and he realises that he hasn’t prepared for this in the slightest.

He forces his mouth to work.

“I know about One For All.”

Chapter Text

A blur of movement. Suddenly, Shoto’s sitting on the floor in Midoriya’s room, the door closed behind him. He realises that Midoriya used his super strength to pull him inside.

“Are you alright, Todoroki-kun?” Midoriya’s waving his arms around. He casts his eyes about, and finds a chair, shoving it towards Shoto, “Are you feeling tired? Did you drink the soup I gave you?”

“Yes I did. It was nice. Hang on a moment,” Shoto’s eyes narrow, “Did you hear what I just said? Midoriya, I know about One For All.”

“One For What?” Midoriya’s smile is strained, “Really, sit down, Todoroki-kun. Don’t push yourself.”

Shoto tries to meet his friend’s gaze, but Midoriya’s eyes slide away, “Is there something wrong with the chair? Is it not the right height? Sorry, I guess I always adjust to my level, and-“

“Midoriya,” Shoto interrupts- something he never does- but Midoriya is purposefully rambling so he feels justifies. Midoriya freezes, his expression akin to a rabbit in the headlights, “You’re blindsiding me.”

“You just made that word up,” Midoriya says, sitting on the edge of his bed. He’s fiddling with his pencil now, not looking at Shoto.

“No, I didn’t,” Shoto retorts, “Uraraka taught me it.”

“Of course she did,” Midoriya mutters.

“Midoriya,” Shoto repeats, “I know about One For All.”

“Yes I heard,” Midoriya sighs heavily. He looks up, and to Shoto’s surprise, he finds that Midoriya is glaring at him. He winces. He hadn’t realised it was possible for Midoriya to be even angrier than he was at the Sports Festival.

“What do you know about One For All?” He asks quietly.

“Not much,” Shoto admits, “I know about Lariat, Gaen, and Nana Shimura. I know that they possessed a strength quirk, and that they were all killed by All For One. I know that you and All Might share this quirk.”

“That doesn’t sound like ‘not much’ to me.” Midoriya mutters, “How do you know about One For All?”

So Shoto explains. From the overheard conversation on the school grounds, how the research started, to where it went. At first, Midoriya’s face grows increasingly pale as Shoto’s speaks, and then he looks thunderous.

Finally when Shoto’s finished, Midoriya says coldly, “So you were lying when you said you were sick. Instead you’ve been spying on me.”

“It was research,” Shoto says defensively, “And you wouldn’t have accepted help any other way.”

“So you decided to go behind my back?” Midoriya’s voice rises, “You lied to me!”

The words Look whose talking rise up to respond. Shoto forces them down, and exhales. He sees his breath in the air and looking down, he sees that ice has started to crawl up his right hand.

“I’m sorry,” He says finally, “I didn’t mean to betray your trust.”

Midoriya’s bottom lip trembles. “I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

Shoto stand and moves over to Midoriya’s bed. He gestures, a silent question. Midoriya nods and Shoto sits down beside him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asks quietly.

“I couldn’t!” Midoriya sighs, burying his face in his hands, “It wasn’t my secret to keep!”

Shoto presses a hand on his shoulder, “It’s okay,” He says, “I am hurt, considering I told you everything about my situation. But I understand.”

“Well I can’t believe you looked up all that without asking me first!” Midoriya huffs.

Shoto withdraws his hand and tilts his head, “Would you have given me permission?”

Midoriya considers the question, “No,” He says finally, “But you’d never have known where to look if Kacchan hadn’t told you.”

“I might have done,” Shoto says softly. He smiles, “I did overhear your conversation.”

Midoriya doesn’t respond at first, staring at his hands. “Todoroki-kun, All For One could come after you too.”

Shoto frowns. This was something he hadn’t considered, but as he thinks about, he realises that he doesn’t care. Let him come. At least, he’ll be by Midoriya’s side when he does.  

“The other night, you wanted me to know,” Shoto notes.

“I did,” Midoriya sighs, “But then I realised that I was being selfish. All Might is right. The less people who know the better.”

“So you carry this alone?” Shoto demands, “Is that it?”

“Yes!” Midoriya snaps, “If that’s what this takes?”

“Why?” Shoto grabs Midoriya by his shoulders, “Why do you have to carry this alone?”

“You wouldn’t understand!” Midoriya shouts.

“Then help me understand!” Shoto blazes. He squeezes his friend’s should softly, and lower his voice to murmur, “Midoriya. Please.”

Midoriya is silent. Shoto waits. The All Might figurines loom over them from all around the room, blue eyes staring. Shoto doesn’t know how his friend can sleep at night.

“One For All is a stockpiling quirk,” Midoriya mutters into the silence. “All For One’s brother, Yoichi Shigaraki, was the First User. He passed it onto the Second, who passed it onto the Third. I am the Ninth.”

He pauses. Shoto watches as Midoriya continues to study his hands, running his fingers over his scars. “One For All is a strength quirk, Todoroki-kun. When you saw the other users, what quirks did they have?”

“Lariat had those black trendils. Gaen had Smokescreen.”

“Right,” Midoriya nods, “And other than super strength, what do I have?”

Shoto considers this. “The black trendils?” He offers, but immediately knows that isn’t it. If that had been Midoriya’s quirk, it would have materialised much earlier. He feels Midoriya watching him as his mind races through the possibilities. He thinks back to the start of the year when Midoriya was struggling to control his quirk.

“You don’t have one,” He says finally.

“No,” Midoriya’s mouth twists into a ghost of a smile, “I was born quirkless. All Might gave me his power on the day of the entrance exam.”

His power…

“I always wanted to be a hero,” Midoriya directs his words to his hands, “And I knew that being quirkless meant that I would have to work twice as hard as everyone else. So when the number one hero gave me his quirk, it was a dream come true.”

“Midoriya,” Shoto hates how self-deprecating his friend sounds, “This quirk…it’s a curse.”

Midoriya shakes his head firmly, “Don’t you see? I had nothing, Todoroki-kun. Then All Might gave up his quirk so that I could have a chance. I don’t care that it comes with this burden. I owe it to him, and I owe it to all the past users to see this through.”

Shoto can’t believe what he’s hearing.

“Midoriya,” He tries to keep his voice calm, “It’s not All Might’s quirk anymore.”

His friend glances up at him. He holds his gaze.

“It’s your quirk,” Shoto whispers. Midoriya’s eyes widen, “Isn’t it? That’s what you told ne that day. The same applies to you. It comes with this legacy, but it’s yours to decide what to do with it. Not All Might, and certainly not the other users of One For All.”

He places a hand on his friend’s shoulder, “You don’t have to do this alone. Midoriya, let me help you.”

Midoriya stares at him, his eyes glimmering. For a moment, Shoto thinks his friend is going to give in. But then his eyes harden and his mouth sets into a tight line. And Shoto knows that there’s nothing he can say or do to change Midoriya’s mind.

“No.”

They come to him again at night, and in a grey, misty wasteland, they repeat their demands. Tame my quirk. Master your fears. Fulfil your duty. Train. Train. Train. Most smile kindly and murmur to him sympathetically, but he is trapped in this space, unable to move even his head, as they surround him and whisper their stories.

No matter who speaks, their meaning is always the same: Fight, Ninth. Do what we could not.

Ninth. He has to remind himself that that’s who he is in this space. Not Midoriya Izuku, but the Ninth User of One For All.

All he can do is blink his eyes in answer, I will.

And just like the other times, they nod and release him from landscape.

Izuku wakes trembling. His bed sheets cling to him as he sits upright, panting into the night. He wraps his arms around himself as he tries to take deep breaths and rid the fog from his mind. His eyes dart over to a large All Might figurine opposite his bed. The large blue eyes stare benevolently down at him, and he tries to mimic All Might’s smile as his shaking gradually subsides.

He can do this, he reminds himself, clenching his fists. He just needs more practise. To work harder, harder, harder. He’ll work on using Fifth’s quirk against Kacchan’s explosions, and then he’ll teach himself Float, and then, and then…

His chest feels tight. He breathes deeper, squeezing his eyes shut, trying to block out the vision of the wasteland. He can do this. He’s just got to follow the Users advice and do what they tell him to do, and everything will be fine…

He’ll make sure it is.

Somehow he makes it through the school day without thinking too much about One For All. Some days are particularly bad, where he’ll look down at his notes after one of Aizawa’s lessons and find scrawls and scrawls of comments on the One For All users and how he can best adapt their quirks, and Iida will pull him aside and quietly reprimand him for muttering-

Today is a good day. He finds himself focussing on Present Mic’s lesson on poetry analysis, and the debates in Aizawa’s class on the ethical dilemmas of hero work. He feels Todoroki’s eyes on him during the lessons, but to his relief, his friend doesn’t bring up One For All, nor act any differently during their breaks.

But today is Tuesday. Which means it’s the day that he trains with Todoroki. Knowing him, he’s probably lying in wait, with even more arguments up his sleeve. Izuku sighs heavily. He’ll have done more research, won’t he? No matter, Izuku squares his shoulders, he’s out-stubborned his friend before. He can do it again. Todoroki will see that Izuku can’t let any risk come to his friends. He’d do the same in Izuku’s situation…

…wouldn’t he?

He sighs, plastering a smile on his face as he heads over to the training grounds. Today is a good day. And it’ll continue to be a good day. He’ll have fun with Todoroki, and with some luck, One For All won’t come up at all…

“Midoriya.”

He jumps. Todoroki stands leaning against the wall beside the entrance to the Training Grounds. He stands his hero outfit, hands in pockets, as the wind ruffles his red and white hair. He looks unfairly relaxed and confident. But then again, the wind always seemed to work in Todoroki’s favour. If the wind ever blows Izuku’s way, it’s to tussle his hair and send the longer strands whipping into his eyes.

He's digressing. What’s more concerning is Todoroki’s smile. He knows others see Todoroki as expressionless, but Izuku instantly spots the small smile tugging at his friend’s lips. Todoroki is embarrassed, but also…smug?

“Todoroki-kun,” Izuku says uneasily, “Why aren’t you in the training grounds?”

“The others were taking up too much space,” Todoroki murmurs.

The others? Izuku pokes his head around the corner, and yelps. His classmates stand on the concrete dressed in their hero suits talking to one another. Izuku counts them, and then his eyes dart over them again to make sure he hasn’t missed anyone. Yep, it’s the entirety of Class 1A.

He whips back around to look at Todoroki. His friend’s eyes are narrowed slightly as if watching him carefully.

“What are they all doing here?” Izuku hisses. He finds he’s waving his arms slightly, “They don’t train on Tuesdays! We made sure to pick a quiet day!”

Todoroki shrugs infuriatingly, “Iida was very convincing.”

Izuku’s mouth drops, “You told him?”

“No,” Todoroki’s mouth presses into a line, and Izuku realises he’s hurt him. Still, his voice is even as he says, “I haven’t told anyone about your situation. I just told Iida that you wanted to practise your quirk more. He did the rest.”

“So, our whole class…” Izuku hears his heart hammering in his ears as he steps backwards away from the grounds.

There’s a soft presence at his shoulder and he finds that Todoroki has stepped beside him, looking at him with concern, “They’re just here to practise. If you don’t want to work with them, we can walk away now and go somewhere else.”

“Are they…” Izuku swallows, “Are they here just to practise with me?”

“No,” Todoroki smiles, “Iida just said that everyone could do with more practise as some people were struggling. He didn’t mention who. Midoriya,” He lowers his voice, “I just thought that getting help from people like Sero and Uraraka would be good. If I’ve overstepped then I’m sorry.”

Izuku’s eyes narrow, “You arranged all this just to show me that I could accept help, didn’t you?”

Todoroki doesn’t respond and Izuku knows that he’s waiting for his answer. Inexplicably, he finds that he’s happy. He feels…lighter, somehow. A regular training session with his classmates that Izuku can turn to his advantage. And without anyone else finding out about One For All.

“No,” He says, “This is okay. Thank you, Todoroki-kun.”

Todoroki smiles, as Izuku squares his shoulders and walks into the training grounds. Perhaps Todoroki knowing about One For All isn’t so bad, after all.

He smiles as he spots Sero Hanta doing some arm stretches, and races over to him. He’s dressed in his usual black and white suit, his yellow mask lying on the ground beside him.

“Sero-kun!”

“Woah, hi Midoriya,” Sero grins, tying his dark hair back into a ponytail to keep it out of his eyes,

“I was wondering if you could help me with Black Whip?” Izuku asks breathless.

“Wait,” Sero laughs, “You’re saying you need my help?”

“Yes,” Izuku says eagerly, “I’ve been struggling to emit Black Whip ever since I lost control, but if I watch you do your tape and try and copy it I should be able to get the feel of it. They don’t seem to be too different, except in the texture of it but-“

“Woah!” Sero grins and holds up his hands, “Slow down there, buddy. Shorten and summarise, please. My brain can’t go as fast as Midoriya-speak.”

“Oh, right,” Izuku mutters, feeling foolish now, “Sorry.”

He’s become too used to spending time with Todoroki, who can understand his intentions in a glance, and Uraraka, who matches his enthusiasm with her own. This is exactly the sort of thing that irritates Kacchan and has done since childhood.

Sero though seems nonplussed.

“Hey don’t worry about it,” He grins, “We’ve all got mannerisms. Just show me what you need.”

Izuku leads Seri to an area of the training groups where concrete sticks out in a series of ascending walls. Glancing around, he notes that the rest of his classmates are drifting off into groups of their own. Jirou is joking around with Momo and Kaminari, whilst Hagakure, Mina and Aoyama seem to be attempting to do flips. Shoji, Sato and Ojiro look like they’re about to enter a three way spar. Tokoyami and Koda stand to the side watching them, quietly talking and signing to one another.

“Alright,” Izuku takes a breath, “Here goes.”

He visualises the Fifth user of One For All in his mind’s eye, and as he does so he feels a dizzying onslaught of memories. The thrill of leaping from building to building. His arrogance and pride as people cheered his name, and anger and grief when his Master died. His desperate howls of fury at the injustice…

Izuku feels the quirk rising in him, threatening to lash out and engulf him like it did in the training with Class 1B.

No. No. I am the holder now, he tells the quirk fiercely. This is my body, and you are…

My quirk. That’s what Todoroki said, wasn’t it? Yes. This quirk is his now. Izuku sets his teeth. I am in control, He thinks, Not you.

He forces down Fifth’s emotions, and imagines the quirk channelling out of him. Not a deluge, but a trickle. He feels One For All crackling through his arm and suddenly there’s a tug. Opening his eyes, he sees the trendils of Black Whip flickering out from his index finger. He smiles and sags a little as he lets loose the tension that he was holding.

“Are you alright, man?” He sees Sero watching him, hands in the pocket of his suit, “That looked painful.”

“It’s just weird,” Izuku says, “And hard to control.”

It might just be because it’s the first quirk he has to master, but Izuku thinks it’s to do with the users’ personalities. From what he knows of the Fifth’s life, the man used anger to shield his fear and uncertainty, and the quirk responds in kind.

“Right. Well that’s okay. My tape used to go everywhere when I was first practising,” Sero laughs, “You can imagine my parents’ reaction when they saw the mess in our flat!”

“They don’t have tape quirks?” Izuku asks. He can’t help but be intrigued.

“Nah,” Sero grins, “My dad’s quirkless, and my mum can stick to walls but that’s about it. Woah, careful!”

Izuku stares down. Black Whip had begun to snake towards Sero. He yanks it back.

“Sorry,” He mutters sheepishly.

“It’s really got a mind of its’ own, huh?” Sero says nervously, “Okay. I’m gonna back up a few paces. You try and get it to stick onto that wall.”

Izuku nods as Sero steps backwards. He reaches out for the quirk…and meets resistance.

Come on! Izuku thinks. He sees the quirk in his mind’s eye, a black rope coiling and flickering out of sight. He moves to grab it…

Dust surrounds him, and buildings slant to the side dangerously. All For One stands leering over him. Behind him, people call out to him, screaming for help underneath the debris. He’s trapped in between stone walls, unable to move or use his quirk for fear that concrete will crush the civilians underneath. All For One laughs, slow and mocking, as he moves purposefully towards him…

“Midoriya!” Izuku opens his eyes and finds that he has stumbled. Sero holds him upright, his eyes panicked, “Are you alright? Are you sick or something?”

“It’s okay,” Izuku stands, “I think I’m beginning to get it.”

“Uh…you are?”

Izuku forces himself back into his mind. The black ribbon rears up like a snake.

I understand now, He thinks, You were scared, angry and alone.

The ribbon stills.

You couldn’t help Fifth. You were trapped. I won’t let that happen again, I promise. He extends a hand, Lend me your strength. Work with me.

The ribbon wavers and Izuku feels its’ explosive power; its’ desire to be free.

I have known pain. I have known anger. But I have also known love, kindness and hope, He thinks fiercely, And you and I will save people, not cause destruction.

The ribbon quivers, and he feels a presence in his mind, as though he is being watched.

I am the Ninth Holder of One For All. And together we will defeat All For One.

For a moment, the quirk does not move. Then the black ribbon slides forward and places itself gently in his outstretched hand.

His eyes flash open. He feels One For All rushing along his arm, Black Whip flickering outwards.

The wall, He thinks.

It responds instantly, latching itself onto the concrete, Black Whip tugging him forwards. Izuku grins, breathless with triumph.

“Yes!” Sero whoops, “Yes!” He picks up his helmet and puts it on, his voice becoming muffled, “Nice, okay, now try and swing yourself onto it. Like this!”

He angles his elbow and tape surges out of it, sticking to the top of the wall. Izuku watches as Sero simultaneously bends his knees, using the momentum to kick upwards into the air. He even does a flip, landing effortlessly on the concrete wall five metres above. He withdraws his tape, and lifts his visor, grinning down at Izuku.

Clapping sounds. Izuku and Sero turn to see Hagakure jumping up and down excitedly from the middle of the training ground.

Beside her, Mina cups her hands to her face, “Show off!”

Sero laughs and bows. He winks at Izuku, “Okay, you try. No pressure.”

Izuku takes a breath. He retracts Black Whip, which shoots back eagerly to his hand. He feels so easy now, so natural. He throws it out to the top of the wall, where it latches on, and feeling the familiar thrum of One For All coursing through his veins, he leaps into the air.

Immediately, he’s yanked towards the grey wall and as Izuku rushes through the air, he realise to his horror that he’s jumped too high, too fast. He extends his feet as the wall veers towards him, crashing painfully onto the concrete, before falling face-first.

Izuku hears Sero laughing as he gets to his feet.

 “Well not the most elegant!” Sero grins, “But you’ll get there.”

“Deku-kun! Are you alright?”

Uraraka and Tsuyu stand on the ground below him, staring up.

“Yeah I’m fine,” Izuku says, rubbing his head embarrassed.

“Great! Now kindly move out of the way! Tsuyu and I are having a race!”

“A race to where?” He asks as he and Sero head to the side.

“The top of the walls!” Uraraka grins.

Izuku and Sero turn to look at the ten walls behind them. Each are some metres apart and ascending in height.

“Yeah but Uraraka-san,” Sero says, “In the nicest way possible, Tsuyu’s obviously gonna win.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t try!” Uraraka sticks her tongue out at him, “Ready Tsuyu?”

“Kero.”

“Three! Two! One! Go!”

Effortlessly, Tsuyu leaps onto the first wall, Uraraka clambering up behind her, already struggling as Tsuyu bounds onto the next one.

“Told ya,” Sero mutters sympathetically to Izuku as Uraraka leaps onto the second wall, already several walls behind Tsuyu. He turns to Izuku, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “Hey…should we have a go?”

It’s a disaster and Izuku walks away with several bruises and a grin on his face. Todoroki falls into step beside him as they follow the rest of the class to the changing rooms.

“Thank you, Todoroki-kun,” Izuku says, “You were right. It’s my quirk and I just need to remember that!” He glances at his friend, “Stop looking so smug.”

“I’m just glad I could help,” Todoroki says, smirking.

Izuku nudges him in the side, and laughs as Todoroki-kun pokes him back. In front of him, he sees Kacchan turn around from where he’s walking with Kirishima-kun, and rolls his eyes. Izuku flinches and his little bubble of happiness dissipates. He’s got better at managing his fear around Kacchan but little things like that just get under his skin.

“What’s wrong?” Todoroki asks.

Izuku stops suddenly and turns to face his friend, “Todoroki-kun-“ He murmurs, “Do you think any less of me now that you know I was quirkless?”

Todoroki binks, surprised, “Midoriya, I think you’re incredible.”

“Uh,” Izuku’s not sure how to respond that so he flushes and turns away. He starts to walk towards the changing rooms, “Thanks.”

Todoroki catches his arm, “Midoriya.” Izuku meets his friend’s gaze. Todoroki’s face has hardened to one of seriousness, “I’m glad I could help with One For All, and of course, I will do everything I can to protect your secret…” He trails off, uncertain.

“Todoroki-kun,” Izuku’s surprised at Todoroki’s struggle. He normally has everything he wants to say ready and rehearsed in his head. “Just tell me whatever it is you want to say.”

“I’m not good at comforting people,” Todoroki says finally. He looks embarrassed.

“That’s not true!” Izuku protests, “Remember when I was crying over saving Eri? You cheered me up then.”

Surprise briefly crosses his friend’s face, and then his eyebrows furrow again, “I mean, you need someone better at this than me. Trust me. I think there’s one more person you need to tell.”

Todoroki looks almost sad as his eyes dart away to glance at Class 1A.

“Who?” Izuku murmurs.

Todoroki returns to look at him, his expression soft.

“Uraraka.”

Chapter Text

“That’s disgusting, kero,” Tsuyu remarks, her head tilted to one side.

Uraraka smiles as she withdraws her sodden, dripping mochi from her hot chocolate and plops it into her mouth. She sighs contentedly as the cloying sweetness floods over her tongue.

Her friend stares at her in horror. “That can’t be good for you, kero.”

“Blame it on Momo-san,” Uraraka smirks, as she reaches for another mochi, “She gave me her supply of hot chocolate.”

“Kero,” Tsuyu’s eyes bulge, “She’ll withdraw it if she sees you doing this. It’s a crime against both mochi and hot chocolate.”

“Mochi and hot chocolate,” Uraraka sighs theatrically, swooning onto her friend’s lap, “Two lovers that can never be united.”

She meets Tsuyu’s deadpan stare and starts to giggle. Tsuyu smiles slightly, “You’ve had too much sugar.”

“Maybe,” Uraraka rolls off her friend’s lap, lying contentedly on her back as she stretches out on her bed, “But we can never afford hot chocolate at home. I’ll take some for my parents when I see you next.”

“You should give them all of it,” Tsuyu observes, “You’re addicted, kero.”

“Tsuyu!” Uraraka gasps, placing her hands over her chest.

Her friend leaps over her and onto her chair. Beside the bed and the UA-issued desk beside it, it’s the only piece of furniture in Uraraka’s room.

“You off to the pool?” She asks. Tsuyu nods, “Good luck teaching Hagakure how to swim.”

“Good luck with your homework,” Her friend fixes her with a stern stare, “And don’t drink too much hot chocolate!”

“No promises!” Uraraka beams.

Tsuyu sighs, but the lines crinkle around her eyes and Uraraka knows that she is trying not to smile.

Uraraka groans as the door closes behind Tsuyu. Her friend had made Uraraka’s mountain of homework more bearable. Sighing, she retrieves her half-drunk hot chocolate – nestled precariously on her duvet – and sits down on her wooden chair. She stares forlornly at the stack of paper on her desk as she takes another sip of hot chocolate.

She tries. She knows that. But deep don she can’t help but feel guilty. Her dad’s business is doing less and less well, and at some point, Uraraka knows that they’ll be forced to move from their flat and find another somewhere. The whole reason Uraraka joined the hero course was to help them. And yet here she is, struggling with stupid homework.

A knock sounds at her door. Too enthusiastically, she leaps over to it and throws it open.

“Deku-kun!” She beams. Then she catches the second visitor and her smile drops in her bewilderment, “And Todoroki-kun?”

Todoroki nods once and Uraraka tries not to let her disappointment show. Ever since their altercation with Stain, Midoriya and Todoroki have become inseparable. Whilst of course it’s great that Todoroki has been opening up more, Uraraka can’t help but feel bitter that she can’t seem to have a conversation with Midoriya without Todoroki constantly hovering over his shoulder.

As if sensing her disappointment, Todoroki says, “I’m here for emotional support.”

…Okay? Now she’s confused on top of everything else. Todoroki isn’t exactly one for emotional support. Out of everyone in the class, she’d say that it’s more Midoriya’s or Kirishima’s forte. So why Todoroki? And why does Midoriya need his support for a conversation with her?

Oh. Oh no. No no no no no. Has Midoriya come to ask her out? She really hopes not. She’s already got too much to worry about! And in her imagined scenarios, she never pictured Todoroki standing over them both as Midoriya asked her out!

Whatever this is, best to get it over this. She’ll let Midoriya down gently, and hopefully this won’t damage their friendship.

She forces a smile, “Why don’t you come in?”

She stands aside and both boys shuffle inside. Todoroki leans nonchalantly against the wall beside the door, whilst Midoriya’s eyes dart nervously between her chair and her bed.

“Take my chair” Uraraka says.

Relieved Midoriya collapses gratefully down.

Uraraka spots the half drunk mug and flushes, “Uh, I would offer you hot chocolate but I have only got the one mug…”

“That’s okay!” Midoriya says quickly, “Is it Yaoyorozu-san’s? I tried one of her blends earlier and it’s really, really good. I think that she mixed cinnamon with it.”

Uraraka opens her mouth to answer, but Todoroki beats her to it. “You’re stalling, Midoriya.”

Midoriya sighs heavily, glancing down at his hands. When he looks up next, his expression is startingly serious. She’s seen this look before. It’s his determined strategizing before taking on villains.

“Please take a seat Uraraka-san,” He murmurs, “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Told to sit on her own room! But Uraraka throws away her outrage. Whatever this is, it’s serious. Whether he’s dying or has actually come to ask her out, she can handle it. She’s prepared.

So Uraraka sits on her bed, and Midoriya starts to talk.

She’s not prepared. She’s not sure that she ever would be. When he’s finished, she can only stare at him blankly. Then her brain kicks into gear.

“So, you were quirkless?”

Midoriya nods.

“And All Might gave you his quirk…”

“On the day of the entrance exam,” Midoriya says patiently. His calmness enrages her.

“And you’re expected to fight an immortal serial killer,” She spits, “On your own. When All Might and some many others have failed? And you’re haunted by the ghosts until you don’t?”

Midoriya takes a breath to respond. Then he pauses. “That about sums it up, yeah.”

“Deku-kun,” Uraraka says exasperated, “What on earth made you think this was okay?”

Midoriya blinks, “What?”

There’s a sigh from the wall. Todoroki. Uraraka had forgotten he was there. “Told you,” He says.

“And Bakugou knows?” Uraraka demands.

Midoriya shifts in his seat. “Well he knew me from when we were kids, so, yeah, it wasn’t hard for him to put two and two together.”

Right. Uraraka tries not to feel hurt by that. Her eyes land on Todoroki. “And how long has Todoroki-kun known?”

“Since yesterday,” Todoroki murmurs, stepping away from the wall, “I overheard him, Bakugou and All Might talking.”

And then he stalked me and confronted me,” Midoriya mutters.

Todoroki raises an eyebrow, “I did not.”

“Yes you did!”

“This is character defamation.”

“What?” Midoriya chokes, “Not if it’s true!”

But he and Todoroki are both smiling slightly.

“Has Bakugou been…helpful?” Uraraka asks.

Midoriya shuffles his feet, the hunch returning to his shoulders as his smile vanishes. “Yes.” He’s twisting his fingers again, “Kacchan’s been attacking me in our training sessions so I can get faster at dodging with Black Whip.”

“Attacking you,” Uraraka repeats slowly, a terrible feeling creeping into the pit of her stomach. The room feels colder too. Glancing at Todoroki, she sees that tendrils of ice are snaking up from the tips of his fingers. He is also no longer smiling.

“Uh,” Midoriya looks wildly at both of them. He sits up straight and begins to wave his arms around frantically, “Wrong choice of word! We’re just training! He doesn’t exactly ‘attack’ me per say, he just uses his quirk on me…”

He trails off and Uraraka knows he must be seeing the anger on her face. Midoriya stands from the chair, and holds out his hands placatingly, “It’s not as bad as it sounds! Trust me. It’s the best way for me to learn Black Whip as soon as possible!”

There’s a pause, the silence filled with the slow crackling of ice.

“Funny,” Todoroki says, his voice hard, “That reminds me of someone else I know all too well.”

Midoriya sends him a tortured look, “This isn’t like that, Todoroki-kun!”

Uraraka doesn’t know that they’re talking about, but she tries to keep her voice level as she asks, “Deku-kun, has Bakugou done this before?”

Midoriya closes his eyes and takes a breath. When he opens them again, he looks resolute, “He used to a lot in middle school.”

“In middle school? When you were quirkless?”

Midoriya glares at her angrily, “Just because I was quirkless, that didn’t mean I couldn’t fight back! But yes,” He sighs, “He bullied me. But he’s getting better. And I have too.”

“And you believe that absolves him of all guilt?” Todoroki says quietly. Uraraka turns and jumps, as she sees that he is now standing beside her, facing Midoriya.

“Well, no,” Midoriya squirms, “But he’s changed!”

“Not enough,” Todoroki says flatly, “You think I don’t recognise abuse when I hear it?”

“Abuse,” Uraraka repeats, and with a chill she realises that Todoroki’s right. Midoriya’s flinches around Bakugou, his skittishness. The name-calling… “Deku,” She gasps suddenly, her hands cupping her mouth, “Dek-Midoriya-kun, I am so, so sorry.”

“Enough!” Midoriya snaps, green light crackling from him as he surges upwards. The chair falls to the floor with a crash, “Stop it, both of you!” He turns to Uraraka, green eyes blazing, “I said it was alright for you to call me Deku. I’m reclaiming that name, so don’t you dare start calling me anything otherwise!”

He whirls to face Todoroki, “And you! Do I look pitiful to you?”

“No,” Todoroki says quietly.

“Exactly!”

“But that doesn’t mean you’re not a victim.”

Midoriya stares at him, and Uraraka joins in, “Todoroki’s right. I might not know all the circumstances, but just because you’ve grown stronger, that doesn’t change how Bakugou has treated you. Both now and then.”

“I can handle him,” Midoriya grits his teeth, “So you can both stop looking at me like I’m useless!”

“It’s not like that, Deku-kun!” Uraraka reaches for his hand and he allows her to take it, “We’re sorry and angry for you. You’re not weak or useless or pitiful. You’re our friend and we want to understand so that we can help you.”

“Has Bakugou apologised?” Todoroki cuts in.

“Well, no,” Midoriya says anguished, “But-“

“Then-“

“Just-“ With a sigh, Midoriya wrenches his hand free from Uraraka’s, “Look, I’d appreciate it if you let me fight my own battles and didn’t march up to Kacchan and take out your self-righteous fury on him!”

He stands for a moment, panting.

“I’m sorry, Deku-kun,” Uraraka says softly, “You’re right. Of course, your past is your own, and we won’t intervene unless you let us. But you don’t have to handle everything by yourself, and you certainly can’t stop us feeling angry on your behalf. We’re your friends, after all.”

“We won’t fight for you,” Todoroki agrees, “But we will support you and fight alongside you. That’s what friends do.”

Tears pool into Midoriya’s eyes and he reaches blindly forwards. Uraraka stands from the bed, wrapping her arms around him, as Todoroki moves closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.

One For All. She’s still thinking it all over. The expectation that All Might has is unbelievable. And to think that, until now, the only people who knew were All Might himself, and Bakugou. Fury at the injustice of it threads itself through her, an as Midoriya weeps into her shoulder, she finds himself looking up to meet Todoroki’s gaze.

As ever, he is difficult to read, but the burning anger in his eyes is unmistakable. He offers her a small nod and Uraraka knows that if she ever needs help backing up Midoriya, Todoroki will be right there by her side.

Finally Midoriya withdraws, her shoulder wet, him still wiping his eyes. He bends down and picks up Uraraka’s chair with one hand and a murmured, “Sorry.”

“So,” Todoroki says, “Now that we know about One For All, can we come to your next meeting with All Might?”

Uraraka raises an eyebrow whilst Midoriya freezes. Blunt as always. But she’s glad for it.

“Uh,” Midoriya looks torn, but then he brightens, “Sure! As long as you don’t kill Kacchan.”

“No promises,” Uraraka mutters, but Midoriya shoots her a look and she sighs, “Fine. But if he tries something, we’ll report it and be there to back you up.”

“But-“

“You’re not weak,” Todoroki overrides his protest, “But Bakugou is an arsehole and deserves to be punished.”

Oh she’s so glad to have Todoroki as an ally.

“You can’t report anything if it’s a secret meeting,” Midoriya points out.

Uraraka exchanges a glance with Todoroki. One twinkle of his eyes tells her that he’s already on the same page.

“We’ll think of something,” She says, and sees Todoroki nod. Midoriya sighs, and she places a hand on his shoulder. “Deku-kun,” She murmurs, “We won’t do anything without your permission. But we won’t sit silently whilst you suffer. Okay?”

Midoriya studies them both, and sighs, “Okay. Okay. The meeting’s tomorrow after school. 5:30.”

“We’ll be there,” Uraraka says.

Midoriya rubs at his temples, “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”

“Yes,” Uraraka and Todoroki say in unison. They glance at each other in surprise, and Uraraka beams as Todoroki smiles slightly.

“Right,” Midoriya says, looking deeply perturbed, “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“See you!” She reaches for the door handle. Lowering her voice, she whispers, “Thanks for telling me, Deku-kun. That took a lot of courage.”

He flushes, “Thanks.”

“And,” She grins conspiratorially, “You know where to find me if you ever need help…or people beating up.”

“Uh…thanks Uraraka-san!”

He scurries from the room. Uraraka’s arm snakes out to catch Todoroki before he can pass.

“Not you. We have work to do.”

Chapter Text

Toshinori Yagi watches the steam curls upwards from the teapot. It’s oddly beautiful the way it flickers and forms patterns in the air. It’s remarkable, really, that steam still continues to rise upwards even the world is crashing and burning all around them.

Crap. He’s doing it again. Study little things and find happiness within them. That’s what the therapy book had said. All well and good, but a little hard to do when all he can think about is their impending doom and the perilous situation that he’s thrust young Midoriya into. If only he’d had a few more years- he could have spared the boy from all of this!

He sighs. But the world is full of ‘if only’s’ and all he can do is prepare young Midoriya the best he can whilst he still has breath in his body. He tries to focus on the steam and track it upwards. He can’t help young Midoriya if he’s agitated. He closes his eyes, imagining the steam floating upwards in his mind’s eye.

He breathes in slowly and out, grimacing. God does breathing hurt with only one working lung. Still, he tries. He has to for young Midoriya. For when that dreaded day comes, if he can buy young Midoriya a few seconds of time, then he will gladly do so, with every atom in his body.

In. Out. That’s it. He feels his body relaxing, his worries detaching as though they are the steam itself.

Bang! All For One’s leering smile appears in his mind and his eyes fly open. The door is wide open and Young Todoroki and Young Uraraka stare at him from the doorway.

They’re both wearing…sunglasses?

He coughs and sits forward, mastering himself.

“Oh good,” Todoroki says flatly, “It was hard to find the room in the dark.”

“Hi All Might-sensei!” Uraraka chirps, bounding forwards, “Ooh do you have hot chocolate?” She sniffs at the teapot, disturbing the steam. Her face falls, “Oh, only tea.”

“Young Uraraka, young Todoroki,” Yagi puts on his best stern teacher’s voice, “While I am glad to see you, I believe you have the wrong room.”

Uraraka glances at Todoroki seeming concerned, but the boy says flatly, “But this is the secret One For All meeting, isn’t it?”

Yagi chokes, spraying blood onto the table. He sees Todoroki nod to himself and close the door tightly. There’s a blur of movement to his left as Uraraka rushes over to Yagi, pulling something from her pocket. He tenses as something brown is thrust into his face.

“Are you alright?” Uraraka asks frantically, “Would you like my tissue?”

Tissue? He gazes down at the fabric in the girl’s hands and does his best not to show his horror. The tissue is covered in multiple discoloured stains, with so many tears and scrunches that it looks more like an ancient Egyptian mummy’s burial cloth than an innocent piece of tissue. Just how long has she been keeping it in her pocket?

“Thank you but no,” He says hastily as she raises it higher, “I shall be alright.”

She nods, stuffing it back in her jumper pocket as she heads over to the sofa opposite him, where Todoroki is sitting composed. To his surprise, the boy has already taken one of the three mugs that Yagi had left out and is drinking from it.

“Actually, that was for…” Yagi tries, but Todoroki lets loose a contented sigh, and set his half-full mug on the table beside the teapot, “Nevermind.”

He watches as Uraraka takes a seat on the other side of the sofa, leaving a space in the middle.

Yagi coughs again and leans forward, clasping his hands, “Where did you both hear of One For All?”

As if in answer, the door bursts open and young Midoriya rushes into the room. “Sorry I’m late, All Might, I…” He freezes as he registers the extra people on the couch, “Oh, Uraraka-san, Todoroki-kun, you’re here already.”

“Deku-kun!” Uraraka beams, waving enthusiastically, and patting the spot in the middle of the sofa, “We saved you a seat!”

“Oh…right. Thanks.”

Interesting. Young Midoriya doesn’t seem surprised by Uraraka and Todoroki’s presence, just more…embarrassed. Yagi sighs disappointed. So his suspicions were right.

“Young Midoriya,” He says heavily, as Midoriya perches himself awkwardly between the other two, “Did you tell young Uraraka and young Todoroki about One For All?”

“Well…uh…” Midoriya twists his fingers together, “Todoroki-kun overheard our conversation that night on the grounds, and…”

“I told Uraraka,” Todoroki cuts in suddenly.

“Todoroki-kun told me,” Uraraka says at the exact same time.

Midoriya’s head whips between the two, and Yagi sighs. Still, he plays along, raising an eyebrow and saying sternly, “Young Todoroki, One For All is a sacred secret. You must know it should not be shared with-“

“People who care about Midoriya?” Yagi’s surprised to hear the bite in his voice, “Midoriya needs people whose support he can rely on.”

“Support?” Yagi’s eyes narrow, “In what capacity?”

Todoroki and Uraraka share a glance. In unison, they fold their arms and cross their legs.

“Emotional support bodyguards,” They chorus, though slightly out of sync. Midoriya puts his head into his hands.

It’s a little unnerving, and Yagi can’t help but wonder just how long they practised this.

“We’re here to get information,” Uraraka declares.

“And offer Midoriya support and guidance,” Todoroki adds with a nod.

They then both push their sunglasses further up their noses. It’s impressive, and only slightly spoiled by Uraraka adding quietly, “But we’ll go if Deku-kun wants us too.”

“Honestly I’m tempted,” Midoriya mutters, rubbing his temples.

“And, uh, the sunglasses?” Yagi queries.

“Effect,” Todoroki says dramatically.

“Uh, but also it’s really just to remind you that Deku-kun has advice and support if he needs it,” Uraraka adds smiling.

“So you’re my lawyers now?” Midoriya hisses to them both.

“No,” Uraraka laughs, waving her hand, “Of course not!”

“Yes,” Todoroki says flatly.

They peer around Midoriya’s back to stare at each other. Yagi raises an eyebrow to young Midoriya, who shrugs his shoulders and sighs.

The door smashes open as a boot appears in the doorway, followed by the rest of young Bakugou. Todoroki and Uraraka turn their heads towards him and, in unison, remove their sunglasses. To Yagi’s surprise, young Bakugou doesn’t quail under the force of their joint glares and instead calmly closes the door behind him.

“Oh good, you came,” He says to Todoroki as he stomps over to the sofa, “Took you long enough. And you brought Round Face too. Fucking brilliant.”

“I have a name,” Uraraka interjects.

Bakugou ignores her, “If you enlist Glasses and Frog Face next, tell them to bring another fucking sofa would you?” He kicks the sofa, “Budge up Half ‘n’ Half.”

Reluctantly Todoroki moves to his left, causing Midoriya to squeeze closer to Uraraka, who edges to the far side of the sofa. Bakugou clambers onto the arm rest, positioning his feet where Todoroki was previously sat.

Yagi surveys the couch. It was bad enough with just young Bakugou and young Midoriya, but the four of them look like they can barely breathe crammed on there. At this rate, they’re going to need a larger sofa. He lifts the kettle and pours the green tea into the remaining two mugs.

He passes one to young Midoriya who accepts it mutely, and places one in front of himself. Bakugou reaches over to pick up the one in front of Todoroki. He yanks his hand back, “Shit that’s cold.” He peers into the mug, “Have you frozen it solid?”

“I like cold things,” Todoroki shrugs.

“It’s meant to be tea, not a popsicle, you stupid Half ‘n’ Half.”

Midoriya squirms whilst Uraraka turns to glare at Bakugou. Todoroki doesn’t respond. He simply picks up his mug and slurps at the ice cube. Bakugou stares at him with disgust.

Yagi coughs. “Right, to business.”

Uraraka whips out a notebook seconds after young Midoriya, whilst Todoroki sets down his mug and leans forward. Good, they’re serious then. He pull out his folder of One For All users and places it onto the table. He glances at Todoroki and Uraraka, “How much do the two of you know already?”

They briefly exchange glances before Todoroki turns to face Yagi.

“We know about some of the One For All holders,” Todoroki says nonchalantly, as if this isn’t the biggest secret in existence, “And that One For All is a stockpiling quirk that is passed on from one holder to the next.”

Yagi glances at young Midoriya, but his protegee is deliberately looking away from him, studying his hands.

“And we know you expect Deku-kun to fight All For One by himself,” Uraraka crosses her arms, “A man with multiple quirks who has killed all the past holders of One For All.”

The ferocity in Uraraka’s brown eyes takes Yagi aback. “Expect?” He repeats, before recovering, “Every One For All user has had to fight this great evil.”

“And like I just said, every holder has died,” Uraraka counters, “Why can’t you make knowledge of All For One public? Or get a task force together- the top heroes fighting together could beat him!”

“It would be a disaster,” Yagi shakes his head, “Imagine the fear that would spread. And what if All For One stole their quirks?”

“What if All For One kills Deku-kun?” Uraraka demands.

“Uraraka-chan,” Midoriya says firmly, “I know you want to help, but this is just how it has to be.”

The tiredness in his voice- why is Yagi only just noticing that now?

“Midoriya,” On his other side, Todoroki places a hand on his shoulder, “You are not All Might.”

“No, he’s not,” Yagi says, and Midoriya glances up in surprise, “He’s going to be even stronger than me.”

Todoroki and Uraraka turn to stare at him in shock.

“Did the nerd not tell you he’s inheriting quirks from the other users?” Bakugou asks drily.

“I know about the Fifth,” Todoroki says, turning to Midoriya, “The whip.”

“Black Whip,” Yagi corrects, “And the vestiges have told young Midoriya that there are more to come.”

He slides the book over to Midoriya who starts to leaf through it. Todoroki and Uraraka peer forwards, Uraraka’s hand frantic as she scribbles something in her notebook.

“Once I’ve mastered Black Whip, I’m hoping to learn Float next,” He smirks at Todoroki, “That’s the quirk you couldn’t work out.”

“Nana Shimura!” Todoroki stares at the page.

“She could fly?” Uraraka gapes, “That’s so cool!”

“Not quite,” Toshinori smiles sadly, “But my Master was incredible.”

Todoroki glances up, “You saw All For One kill her.”

“Gran Torino pulled me away moments before she died,” Toshinori nods, “But that day continues to haunt me. That’s why young Midoriya must be ready. If not to fight him, then to at least evade him and pass this power into the next.”

“No,” Midoriya says determined, “I want the cycle to end with me. I don’t want All For One to hurt any more generations.”

“Deku-kun!”

“Midoriya…”

Midoriya glances at Uraraka and Todoroki, his expression soft. “I want to do this. You can both either help me or stop me.”

“We’ll help you,” Todoroki says, “Always.”

 Uraraka nods fiercely. Beside them, Bakugou makes a gagging sound.

Uraraka picks up the book, studying the page, “I can help you with Float.”

Midoriya turns towards her, his eyes shining, “You will?”

She taps the page, “The principle is not so different, except, of course, she floats her whole body which is incredible.”

“That’s true!” Midoriya begins to mutter, “The light sensation that Uraraka-san creates will be the same I’ll have to produce. But Float is a strange dichotomy of working gently against gravity whilst also moving the whole body. On the other hand, Uraraka can shoot objects into the air with great force. I wonder how much force is needed to counteract gravity, and-“ Suddenly his eyes go wide and he cuts off, clamping a hand over his mouth, “Sorry!”

“No, you make you good points,” Todoroki says gently.

“It’s fucking unsettling,” Bakugou snaps, “But agreed. Round Face and Nana Shimura’s quirks are different.”

“But I can still help,” Uraraka pumps a fist, “That’s what you meant, right Deku?”

Midoriya uncovers his mouth and grins, “Yeah. I’ll be sure to get it right with you helping me!”

As they continue to talk ecstatically, Todoroki reaches over and picks up the book from Uraraka’s lap. He studies each page carefully.

“You’re missing a lot,” He notes.

“I struggled in my research,” Toshinori admits, “Especially with Fourth. He liked to keep himself apart.”

“And yet he chose someone like Lariat as his successor,” Todoroki says, brow furrowed. He pauses on a page. Sixth’s.

“Well,” Toshinori murmurs quietly, glancing at Midoriya, who is still chatting animatedly with Uraraka, “We aren’t our successors.”

Todoroki looks up to meet his gaze and smiles. He then glances down at the page again and reaches out to tap Midoriya on the shoulder. The other boy and Uraraka turn to look at him.

“Smokescreen doesn’t look too dissimilar to my Fire. Maybe we could work on that together.”

A slow grin spreads across Midoriya’s face, “I’d love that Todoroki-kun.”

Yagi smiles, “So whilst young Midoriya trains with both of you to get the feel of Float and Smokescreen, young Bakugou will continue training with you to work on Black Whip.”

“No,” Todoroki and Uraraka say in unison.

“The fuck?” Bakugou mutters, shifting on the arm rest.

“Uh,” Midoriya looks between the three of them, waving his hands, “It’s not that I don’t want your help Kacchan. It’s just that I want to get the feel of Black Whip before we practise in the air.”

Toshinori doesn’t understand this sudden change of heart. Just a few days ago, young Midoriya had wanted more training. He watches with surprise as Bakugou’s bottom lip trembles slightly before his expression becomes stony.

“You told them,” He says flatly.

“Yes,” Midoriya murmurs, “Sorry.”

Bakugou fixates Uraraka and Todoroki with a glare, “What happened between us is none of your fucking business.”

“Maybe not,” Uraraka smiles sweetly, “As long as you don’t hurt Deku-kun again. Because we’re not going anywhere.”

Bakugou turns his withering stare onto Midoriya, “You really trust me that much, huh?”

“It’s for the best Kacchan.”

“The fuck it is. How are you supposed to master Black Whip from the ground?” He sighs.

“You can work on manoeuvrability instead,” Todoroki offers, “Without exploding Midoriya’s face.”

Bakugou glances at Midoriya, “Is that what you want?”

Midoriya nods, smiling, “I’d like that, Kacchan.”

“Fine,” Bakugou sighs. He doesn’t look happy.

“All Might,” Todoroki says, “What quirks does All For One have? And what techniques does he use? I want to be prepared as much as possible.”

Any animosity between Uraraka and Bakugou dissipates as the four teens turn to look at Yagi. Was that deliberate on young Todoroki’s part?

“I don’t have the complete list,” He admits, “That is, there is no way of knowing if I do. But this is what Gran Torino have collected so far.”

He pulls a slim, green folder from his bag and slides it over the table. He watches them as they start to pore over it. Uraraka and Midoriya talk animatedly, whilst Todoroki and Bakugou occasionally chime in comments. Despite the obvious tensions in the group, he’s pleased and surprised to find that they’re listening to each other, and they’re all good at thinking strategically. Young Uraraka leans towards the dramatics, but she’s tempered by young Todoroki’s careful simplistic approach. Yagi supposes he should have noticed their strategies at the Sports Festival, but he had been too focussed on young Midoriya.

Speaking of young Midoriya, he’s never seen him look so relaxed. Despite the fact that they’re discussing All For One and he’s crammed onto a too-small sofa, he’s laughing at Uraraka’s suggestions and countering them with ones of his own. Maybe the additions of Todoroki and Uraraka to the group are good after all.

Eventually, young Bakugou halts the discussion just as Uraraka is detailing how to drown All For One in a pit of lava. She’s scarily violent, that girl.

“We should go before damn Four Eyes notices we’re gone.”

“Iida has a name too,” Uraraka scowls.

And the tension’s back. Yagi stands to gather the notebooks, “Young Uraraka, young Todoroki, thank you for your input. You’re always welcome to come back to your next meetings.”

“We’ll be there,” Uraraka says sweetly. It sounds like a threat.

Todoroki nods his head in thanks, and the four of them start to file out.

“Wait, Midoriya-shounen.”

Midoriya pauses and nods as if expecting this. He closes the door behind his friends.

“I didn’t tell Todoroki-kun,” Midoriya turns to face him, “He researched the users after overhearing us. But I did tell Uraraka-san. Todoroki-kun thought it best.”

“And was it?” Yagi asks softly.

Midoriya nods, wrapping his arms around himself. He looks close to tears, “I think I needed them to know. I’m sorry, All Might.”

“No,” Yagi moves around the sofa and the table to step closer to him, “I’m the one who’s sorry, my boy. I didn’t realise you were struggling.”

“Neither did I,” Midoriya admits sniffling, “But they showed me that I can’t do this alone.”

Yagi places a hand on his shoulder, “And young Bakugou?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Midoriya, kid,” Yagi presses.

Midoriya sighs, “It’s complicated…but we’re getting there.”

He looks up pleadingly and Yagi knows when to back off.

“Young Midoriya,” He says, “You know, if you’re ever struggling, you can come to me.”

“I know,” Midoriya says.

“I won’t be disappointed.” Midoriya glances up at him. “There have been several times in my life where I have struggled with the burden of One For All.”

“Really?” Midoriya asks.

Yagi nods, “I couldn’t move after my Master died. In fact, I’m not sure I would be where I am now without Gran Torino. He got me through those terrible days.”

Midoriya’s eyes widen, “I didn’t know.”

“I smiled to hide the pain,” Yagi says, and squeezes Midoriya’s shoulder, “But that doesn’t mean I don’t know darkness.”

It had taken months to pick himself up, and continue the fight that his Master had started. Some days, when the will has been sapped out of him, Yagi feels himself returning to that dark place. But then he remembers his Master, and his vow never to let her legacy die.

He feels arms around his waist, and looks down to see that Midoriya has stepped forward to hold Yagi gently. Yagi’s breath hitches as he holds the boy tight. For a few precious moments, Yagi holds himself in the present, his thumb brushing against his protegee’s shoulder. Then Midoriya moves away.

“Thank you,” He whispers.  

“Thank you, my boy,” Yagi smiles. He watches as Midoriya heads over to the door. Todoroki and Uraraka wait for him on the other side, and young Midoriya chats happily to them both as they walk down the corridor.

Dark days are ahead, and Yagi knows that young Midoriya may face greater struggles than he ever could. But it feels as though in the past few days, something has shifted. Midoriya needs emotional support, as well as physical. More than Yagi alone can give him.

With the secret of One For All shared between them, there is something special that Midoriya, Todoroki and Uraraka share. And, perhaps, even though Yagi was forced to endure it alone, it occurs to him that maybe young Midoriya shouldn’t have to.

He smiles as he watches as the three friends turn the corner and walk out of sight. And Yagi wonders if they have taken the first few steps towards something great.