Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nine year old Izuku Midoriya was a scrawny quirkless kid with no friends, but that didn’t really matter to him. He was going to be a hero no matter what anyone said!

You see, people always imagine heroes to be someone like All Might, someone who can blow up a block of buildings with one punch. But to Izuku, a hero was someone who helped people no matter what.

He didn’t care that Kacchan called him useless, or his mom treated him like he was made of glass, or even that his teachers messed with his grades. If he could help even one person, he’d be okay!

Izuku was walking home from the store after buying a snack, and walked past his neighborhood park. He heard the sounds of kids playing, and he tried to ignore the sad feeling in his chest.

He let himself think about the different heroes he’d seen on the news recently, to distract himself.

The Rabbit Hero Mirko had just moved to Musutafu! She was super cool and would definitely be a top hero in the next few years.

Izuku started thinking about her quirk, and he almost missed the cry of pain coming from the park.

When he looked to his left, he saw a girl with a deer mutation quirk being pushed down by a group of kids. They were calling her mean names and she began crying.

Izuku didn’t even have time to think before he was running towards the group.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Rumi had just gotten off of her patrol, and couldn’t wait to get home. She kicked a few asses today and now her feet were killing her.

There was a bowl of fresh carrots and a few beers calling her name.

She was taking her usual shortcut through the local park when she noticed a group of asshole kids pushing a little girl down and circling around her.

Rumi felt rage filling her, as memories of her own childhood filled her head. Images of kids pushing her around and making fun of her quirk pushed her forward, ready to step in to protect the girl from the group of bullies.

Before she could get too close though, a scrawny little kid with green hair jumped in front of the girl.

The kid was clearly scared, but he stood his ground and told the bullies off for messing with the girl.

The group just laughed at the kid, and went to hit him next.

Luckily, Rumi was fast as hell, so she jumped in front of the little shit that was about to push the kid and gave him one of her signature glares.

“Oh my gosh! It’s Mirko!” One of the kids yelled.

They started swarming her and asking for her autograph, and it pissed her off.

“Why would I give my autograph to a bunch of assholes who were just messing with other kids?” She crossed her arms over her chest to look even more intimidating.

The group of idiots paled, before hanging their heads and giving a half-assed apology, then walked off in different directions.

Now that the group was gone, she turned to the two kids that were getting picked on.

“You two okay?” The boy was trying to help the girl up, but she swatted his hand away and shot him a glare.

“I don’t need help from a quirkless freak, Deku!” She huffed before getting up and walking away.

The boy was frozen for a moment before hanging his head low, tears brimming his eyes.

Are all the kids in this neighborhood fucking assholes? Rumi thought to herself.

“Hey kid, screw her. You were awesome back there!”

The little guy’s eyes lit up and he looked at her like she just offered him the world.

“R-really?” The boy stuttered out.

“Yeah! Bullies suck. How about I walk you home, kit?”

The boy bobbed his head up and down quickly, his curls bouncing on his head as he gave her a bright smile.

“O-okay! Um, as long as it’s not too much trouble.” The boy wrung his hands nervously.

“Nah, it’s no trouble at all.”

Rumi normally didn’t like kids too much, but something about this kid really spoke to her. Someone who was clearly spit on by the world, but still stepped in to help when it was needed.

As they walked towards the kid’s apartment building, she realized they lived down the street from each other.

She watched him walking next to her and felt a new feeling blossoming in her, one of protectiveness. In her 21 years of life, she never felt the urgent need to keep a kid away from assholes before.

The kid - Izuku is what he told her to call him, paused for a second - clearly wanting to ask something.

She patiently waited as he worked up the courage to ask her his question.

“U-um. Do you think a quirkless person could be a hero?” The kid wouldn’t meet her eyes when he asked.

Rumi looked at this kid, who was nothing more than skin and bones, who willingly put himself between someone who needed help and danger. Her face formed into a rare, genuine smile before she answered his question.

“Hell yeah. Especially someone who is badass like you.”

She knew in her heart that if this kid applied himself, he could become a pro.

Izuku looked up at her with sparkling eyes, speechless.

She looked into the kid’s eyes and cursed at herself.

Fuck. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure this kid’s dreams come true.

They finished their walk to the kid’s apartment, and his mom invited her in.

“Would you like some tea, Mirko-san?” Izuku’s mom asked.

“Oh please, call me Rumi. Tea would be great, thank you.” Rumi sat on the couch next to Izuku, watching him write in a notebook.

“Of course, Rumi. Please call me Inko then.”

The green-haired woman made her way to the kitchen to get started on tea and snacks.

“What you working on there, kit?” Rumi looked over his shoulder as he stopped writing.

“Oh! I like to analyze heroes, so I write down facts about them and any questions I have about their quirks. I-I h-have one on you ifyouwanttoseeit.”

This kid is full of anxiety, I need to make sure to help him with his confidence.

“Yeah? Let me see what you got.”

She watched as he flipped through the pages until he landed on her pages.

Rumi was currently ranked number 40, and finally had her own agency so that she could work alone. She wondered what the kid would write about her.

A few minutes later, she was sitting in shock after reading over her spread in the notebook. Izuku was smart as hell, and very observant from what she saw. He had great suggestions for her costume, new support gear, and even new ways to take advantage of her quirk.

She finally looked over her weakness section, and bristled at the last bullet point.

Does not work well with others.

Tch. We’ll see about that.

“Doesn’t work well with others, huh? Well that’s just cause I don’t like working with punks who can’t hold their own. Great analysis though kid, we gotta find you someone that can help you hone these skills.”

Izuku just giggles at her statement, blushing at her praise.

“Well, like I said, I don’t normally like working with people. But I think you’d make a great teammate. What do you say? Wanna get trained by a pro?”

Izuku sputters before looking at her in awe.

“W-what? You’d train me?” The sparkles were back in his eyes and she felt firm in her decision to train him.

“Yeah! We just gotta make sure it is okay with your mom, okay?”

After a cup of tea and a great conversation with the young hero, Inko readily agreed for her son to train.

They set up a schedule, meeting everyday after school and her patrol, and everyone went to sleep that night with a new sense of satisfaction.

───※ ·❆· ※───

6 Months Later

Izuku felt like his thighs were going to fall off, but he knew this was just a sign of hard work.

Every day after school, and even on the weekends, he would meet Rumi for various types of training.

She had him lifting weights, working on hand to hand combat, and even parkour!

Rumi really felt like a big sister to the nine year old, and she was also his only friend.

He tried to hide the bullying from her, but she noticed the bruises and burns as soon as they started training together. He wouldn’t give her any names, but she taught him some easy ways to get out of certain holds just in case. His daily run also helped him build stamina and gave him the ability to run away from his tormentors.

Today was an especially bad day, as a few of the students pushed him halfway down a flight of stairs. Luckily, he wasn’t badly injured, but he had a few bumps and bruises on his arms and legs.

“You’re gonna be a better hero than any of those assholes, green bean.” The pro ruffled the boy's curls, a smile on her face but concern in her eyes as she saw the newest batch of cuts and scrapes.

She spoke to Inko constantly about Izuku’s progress, as well as her concerns about the bullying, but Izuku refused to open up or switch schools.

Rumi definitely thought of him as her little brother now, and it was frustrating that she couldn’t do anything to help him.

“Izu, you know you can come to me with anything, right?” Rumi finished patching him up, and the boy nodded to her.

“Thanks, Rumi. I know I can always count on you and mom.” They both stood to leave the gym they trained at.

Inko had insisted that Rumi join them for dinner after each training session, and Rumi initially was hesitant. She was a lone wolf, so this was all very new to her. Luckily, she finally bit the bullet and started having dinner with the Midoriyas, and now she really felt like part of the family.

She happily ate her meal, taking a moment to appreciate her little bro and her pseudo mom. She couldn’t wait to see what her little green bean made of himself.

The world wasn’t ready.

Chapter Text

Izuku’s tenth birthday party was the best one he ever had! This year Rumi came and brought him a few gifts, and his mom got him a really cool All Might cake.

In previous years it had just been him and his mom, as he didn’t have any friends at school. Rumi helped him see that Kacchan - who he was now calling Bakugo - wasn’t a good friend, so Izuku tried to distance himself from the blond as much as possible. Training with Rumi made him feel a lot more confident in himself too.

It turns out that she was bullied too because people thought she’d be weak with a rabbit quirk. His big sister gave him lots of tips on how to look intimidating and not being such a people pleaser.

Rumi always told him that in order to save people, he has to make sure to save himself too.

The three of them spent the day watching All Might movies and they went to the arcade. Rumi was really good at Dance Dance Revolution, but Izuku gave her a challenge for a few of the rounds.

Izuku went to sleep with a wide smile on his face, he couldn’t imagine being any luckier than he already was.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Shouta was not known to be a patient man, but when it came to his loud blond husband he forced himself to be.

He was currently walking with said man on a Sunday morning, much earlier than he would have liked to wake up. Hizashi had wanted to go to a new cafe by their house and Shota begrudgingly agreed. He did have to admit that the coffee was good, if not a bit overpriced.

Hizashi was telling him about a new idea for his radio show when they heard a scream from across the street.

A piece of concrete was falling from the nearby construction site, and a little girl was frozen in fear looking up at it.

Before the two pros could react, a flash of green darted across two lanes of cars and tackled the girl out of the way at the last minute.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku only wanted to get some new stationery, honestly. But it seems the universe did not want him to have a normal Sunday morning.

He heard a scream and his body moved before he knew what he was doing. Luckily, Rumi had included a lot of parkour in his training, so he easily passed over the stopped cars on the road. Once he had tackled the girl away from the large piece of concrete, he tried to check her over for injuries.

Her mother rushed over to thank him for saving her little girl, hugging him while sobbing.

Before he could fully process what was going on two men ran over to check on them.

When he looked up, he immediately recognized two of his favorite heroes!

“Eraserhead and Present Mic?!” His eyes were as wide as saucers.

The two men froze for a moment before shaking their heads.

“You know who we are kiddo?” Present Mic asked with clear excitement.

“Yeah! But before we talk about that does anyone have a bandaid? She’s okay but she has a little scrape on her knee.”

The two pros quickly pulled out some first aid supplies, while Eraserhead patched the girl’s knee up. They were both impressed by the boy prioritizing the girl’s wellness over his excitement.

Once the girl was bandaged and left with her mother, Izuku pulled out one of his notebooks.

“Um, is it okay if I get your autograph?” He asked shyly, looking to the ground. He missed the fond expressions on the two heroes' faces.

“Sure little listener! Just show us what page to sign.”

Izuku opened up his book to his Present Mic analysis and handed it over.

“Uh, sorry if it's a little weird. I just really like analyzing heroes.” The young boy looked to his feet once again.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Hizashi was having a very weird day.

First, he was actually able to convince Sho to wake up early and go to a new cafe with him, with minimal bribing.

Then, they saw a kid who couldn’t have been older than eleven pull off a rescue most first-year hero students would have struggled with.

To top it off, this little cutie just handed him multiple pages of analysis that could have been professional work. He must have been staring in shock for longer than he thought because his husband elbowed him in his side. He quickly signed it and handed the notebook back to the kid, who opened it up to a new set of pages and handed it to Shota.

His fellow hero had a much better poker face while he hid his shock, and instead asked the kid a few questions.

“This is a really impressive analysis, kid. Who taught you?”

“Oh, nobody. I’ve just been doing it since I was a little kid, it's really nothing special.”

Seeing this sweet kid talk down on a really impressive skill broke his heart, and he could see the concern in Shota’s face as well.

“What’s your name?” Shota asked as he finished with the book.

“U-um, I’m Midoriya Izuku.”

“You already know my hero name, but you can call me Aizawa. Do you have some type of analysis quirk?”

This kid must have some type of intelligence enhancer, Shota was right.

It seemed like something was wrong with that question, though, as a dark cloud seemed to cover the kid.

He looked to the ground before whispering something.

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that kiddo?” Hizashi leaned forward a bit more.

“I-I’m q-q-quirkless.”

Hizashi shared a concerned glance with his husband. The quirkless were treated horribly in their society, but it only made this kid’s skills even more impressive. Hizashi said as much.

“That only makes your rescue of that little girl and your analysis even more impressive!” He put on a bright smile, hoping to comfort the kid.

His heart grew a few sizes when the kid’s eyes filled with sparkles.

“Really? You think so?”

Shota was the one to respond this time.

“Absolutely. Your analysis is better than a lot of the pros I know, and the way you reacted before anyone else was able to, as well as your skill leaping over the cars, was extremely impressive.”

It was extremely rare to hear his husband compliment someone so much, but he was sure it was genuine.

The kid’s entire demeanor changed, and his face held a determined expression as he geared up to say something else.

“Do you think a quirkless person could become a hero?”

He and Shota both said yes at the same time, although he said it with a little more excitement.

A tear escaped the kid's eye as he smiled brightly once again, warming Hizashi’s entire being.

“Cool! I’m going to be the first quirkless hero!” Midoriya said it so confidently that Hizashi couldn’t help but believe him.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Aizawa and Yamada ended up going with Izuku to the stationery store, and Yamada wouldn’t let him pay for his new things!

He said it was a reward for saving the little girl, but Izuku still felt a little bad.
They walked him home, wanting to tell his mom what a great job he did, but Rumi answered the door instead. Even though she had her own place, she liked to hang out at their house most of the time.

“Mic?!” Rumi looked between Aizawa and Yamada in confusion.

“Mirko?!” Yamada exclaimed as well.

Rumi ushered them inside and Izuku’s mom made them all tea and snacks.

When the two heroes told the story of Izuku saving the girl, Rumi gave him a thigh-five.

She then explained how she met Izuku and had been training him for a while, and how he was her little brother now.

What happened next shocked him.

“Would he benefit from another trainer? He has more potential than some of my first years, I’d be happy to help mold it.” Aizawa said casually like he didn’t just blow Izuku’s mind.

“Hey! If you’re training the little green bean I want in as well!” Yamada playfully poked his husband in the side.

Rumi looked to Izuku and his mom in question, not wanting to confirm before she got permission.

Izuku simply nodded his head violently, and his mom gave him a soft smile.

“I’m fine with that, as long as my Izuku is safe and you check in with me once a week. I also insist that you come over for dinner when you can.” His mom replied to the group.

Izuku couldn’t help but cheer, he had three heroes that actually thought he could achieve his dreams!

It didn’t matter what Kac - Bakugo said, or whatever anyone else said. He had his mom, his big sister, and now Yamada and Aizawa believing in him! He could do it!

───※ ·❆· ※───

A few days later Izuku was standing in the gym at the Yamada-Aizawa household. It was a large underground room with decently high ceilings and different equipment. He was currently standing in the sparring area with Aizawa.

“Let’s see what you got, kid.”

Izuku was used to Rumi’s fighting style, which mostly involved kicks and jumps.

Aizawa fought more like an acrobat, and his speed was unbeatable. Still, Izuku lasted around five minutes before he was pinned.

“Not bad at all, but there is definitely room to improve.

Aizawa trained him on different fight styles, allowing him to adopt them into his own unique style.

He and Rumi worked together to strengthen his parkour skills, and he even visited the fake cities at UA twice a month for more intense training.

His stealth training went so well that he actually had to give his mom a verbal cue when he walked into rooms so that he didn’t startle her.

He started learning different weapons, mostly using staffs and dull knives, but he was always interested in Aizawa’s scarf.

He was surprised to find a dark olive green capture weapon under the Christmas tree, with his very own set up throwing knives. They were given with the condition that they stay in the training room for now, but Izuku couldn’t believe his mentor’s generosity.

Aizawa definitely became an uncle, if not a father-like figure, in his life over the months.

───※ ·❆· ※───

While Aizawa taught him the essentials of being an underground hero, Yamada (who he just stuck with calling Mic) taught him the skills of a limelight hero.

He learned how to take down long-range opponents quickly and efficiently, with minimal property damage.

He also taught Izuku about the importance of staying positive, even during tough times, because citizens look to heroes for inspiration. So if a hero is freaking out, the citizens are going to freak out.

Izuku really liked Yamada’s style, which was eccentric and bright. But he also liked Aizawa’s black and greys.

Yamada and Rumi took him shopping, showing him how to show his personality through fashion. He learned how clothes are supposed to fit, and he even learned how to tie a tie!

His new style still showed his personality, but it looked like he actually put some thought into it. His favorite piece of clothing was a leather jacket that matched one that Mic wore.

He loved training with the two heroes, but he also really enjoyed sitting in their house and lounging with cats, working on his analysis while he watched TV.

Sometimes he would even spend the night! He had his own guest room where he kept a change of clothes and a few extra notebooks. They kept his favorite treats in their house too.

He even heard Aizawa say he was hanging out with his nephew when he got a call one day. It made him feel really warm inside, knowing that two more adults cared about him.

His dreams felt closer than ever before.

Chapter Text

Izuku checked his bookbag one last time, making sure he had everything he needed for his day out. He wanted to find a few villain fights to analyze, and maybe find some new quirks to write about.

He made sure his location was shared with his mom, Uncle Sho, Uncle Zashi, and Rumi before he left out for the day.

After a few hours it didn’t seem like he’d see anything before he had to go home. He made his way to a small sushi restaurant for lunch, hoping he’d be able to see some action today.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Keigo felt like he was on top of the world today.

He had opened his very own agency a month ago, and at 18 he had already broken into the top 20.

He didn’t have any friends or family, but he was living out his dream of being a hero. That was enough.

At least that’s what he told himself.

A loud crash interrupted his thoughts, and he quickly swooped down to the streets below to see what was going on.

He landed next to a group of officers that were trying to push the crowd away, and he saw the smoke coming from a nearby bank.

“What’s the situation, officers?” His eyes were moving a mile a minute, trying to take in the scene in front of him.

“The villain has a mutant type quirk that gives him wolf-like strength and appearance. There are five hostages, all in the back right corner. Perimeter is secured and we can push back spectators at your notice.” The officer showed him a diagram of the bank as he spoke.

“Rad. Thanks officer! I’ll take it from here.” Keigo leapt up and landed on the roof of the building, looking through one of the ceiling windows.

The villain was near the front of the building, far away from the hostages.

Amateur.

Keigo used one of his feathers to cut through the glass, and picked up the piece with a few more. He didn’t want to come crashing through and alert the villain of his presence.

He landed in front of the hostages and told them how to get out through the back. Once they were cleared, the villain finally noticed the new arrival.

“You know, for someone with wolf characteristics your hearing sure does suck.”

The wolf-man simply snarled and launched himself at the hero.

“Ah, that was a bad decision.” He expanded his wings and lifted himself up a few feet in the air, pushing his legs out to kick the man in the chest.

The momentum pushed him through the front doors, with the hero hot on his tail.

The fight lasted a few more minutes, but it was clear that the man had no fighting experience.

While he was getting the last few hits in, Keigo spotted a kid with bushy green hair feverishly writing notes while watching the fight.

Huh, interesting.

He quickly sent one of his feathers to land on the kid’s bookbag, he wanted to talk to the fanboy after he was done.

Anyone who could focus on a fight while writing deserved a personal hello from the hero Hawks.

Once the villain was secured in police custody, Keigo followed his feather to the boy, who was walking away with the rest of the crowd.

The hero pulled his wings in and carefully placed his hand on the kid’s shoulder, not wanting to startle him.

Bright green eyes widened at the sight of the person behind him.

“Hawks?!” The kid was visibly buzzing with excitement.

“Hey kiddo, I saw you during the fight and I wanted to ask you what you were writing. It’s really hard to pay attention to two things at once, but you seemed like a pro.”

Keigo had never done anything like this before, but something about the broccoli boy was intriguing.

“Oh! This is my analysis journal! My uncles and sister have been helping me to make my notes more organized, so I like to practice with live villain fights!” The boy pulled his journal out and shoved it into Keigo’s hands. It was open to the most recent entry, dissecting today’s fight.

This kid couldn’t be more than 12, and his analysis was better than some of the people Keigo paid at his agency.

“This is, wow kid. You hungry?”

The kid looked at him curiously, but nodded.

“I just ate, but I can always eat a bit more!”

The hero laughed before introducing himself.

“You can keep calling me Hawks, but my real name is Takami Keigo. Keigo’s fine with me.”

The kid gave him a megawatt smile before sharing his own name.

“Midoriya Izuku, but you can call me Izuku!”

The pair walked to Keigo’s favorite chicken restaurant, with the hero having to stop a few times for pictures and autographs.

When they arrived, he waved to the couple that owned the place before sitting at his usual table.

He chatted with the kid about his analysis a bit, before their food came. A big bucket of fried chicken and a few containers of sides were set in front of him.

“How much do I owe you, Keigo?” The kid started taking out his wallet.

The hero waved him off.

“Kid, I’m a pro hero in the top twenty. I am not making an eleven year old child pay for a meal I invited him to. Besides, your analysis is extremely helpful. That’s enough for me!”

The kid blushed and nodded at the hero’s complement of his skills, before the pair dug into their meal.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Keigo was so cool!

Izuku made sure to text his family that he was okay, and Hawks even let him take a selfie to send to the group chat.

Izuku's Adopted Heroes

Green Bean: Hey guys! Look who I’m eating lunch with. He thinks my analysis is really cool and said he wants to mentor me. :D

MamaMidoriya: Wow baby! Tell Hawks he needs to meet with your mother first, but I don’t see why that would be an issue :)

UncleSleepy: ….. Are you just going to keep collecting pros like this, kid?

Izuku laughed at his Uncle’s question, before confirming that they would be back home in a bit.

Once he was finished texting, he wanted to ask Keigo the one question that he had asked every pro in his life.

“Hey, Keigo?”

The man finished his bite of chicken before nodding to the boy.

“What’s up, squirt?”

Izuku took a grounding breath before he continued.

“Do you think a quirkless person can be a hero?”

Keigo stared at him for a few moments, like he was looking for something in his eyes.

He must have found it, because he finally replied with a wide smile on his face.

“Hell yeah, kid.”
───※ ·❆· ※───

An hour later and they had finished eating, after talking about anything they could think of. Izuku texted his mom to let her know he would be home soon.

Hawks offered to fly him home, and how could he refuse?

They landed in front of the Midoriya apartment, and when Izuku invited him in he was surprised to see both his uncles and his big sister sitting with his mom in the living room.

“Oh, hey guys!”

Keigo was standing in the doorway with a confused expression.

“You guys are the uncles and sister he was talking about?! How many pros do you know, kid?”

“Four now!” Izuku didn’t understand the hero’s surprise, it’s not like he was purposefully collecting them or anything!

“Hawks, is it? Please come sit. I heard you wanted to mentor my Izuku.” Inko smiled sweetly at the hero.

Uncle Sho seemed to hide a smirk in his capture weapon as Keigo suppressed a shiver at his mom’s expression.

It was a joke in their family that Mama Inko was the one you really had to watch out for.
───※ ·❆· ※───

Over the past few months Izuku has learned to really appreciate having an older brother with his own fancy agency.

The building had multiple gyms and training facilities, and the cafeteria had the best food ever.

He was also happy that his two big siblings get along so well. Rumi started coming with him when he was training with Hawks, and the two hung out sometimes after their patrols. His brother and sister were really lonely before, and he was happy they had each other now.

Seeing their easy friendship filled Izuku with a bit of longing. He still didn’t have any friends his own age.

Bakugo had stopped trying to follow him after Izuku began escaping him constantly, but the verbal taunts had not stopped. No one wanted to hang out with the quirkless kid.

Although, watching his two siblings spar and laugh together, he felt less sad than he might a few years ago.

Chapter Text

Izuku was sitting at his desk, thinking about his plans for the weekend. He was going to meet up with Keigo and Rumi so that they could go to the new arcade that opened up downtown on Saturday.

Then, Uncle Sho and Uncle Zashi said they would take him to the Tokyo Hero Museum on Sunday!

Even though he knew they all cared about him, it always surprised him when they wanted to spend their days off with him.

He was so excited that he didn’t realize he was tapping on his desk until red eyes turned to glare at him.

“Will you stop being annoying for once, shitty nerd?”

Bakugo had been a little less aggressive as they got older, but Izuku still had plenty of burns to testify for the blond’s temper.

“Oh, sorry Bakugo.”

The explosive boy still flinched a bit when Izuku used his family name, and it filled Izuku with a sick form of glee.

You call me useless every day, asshole.

Rumi’s temper and cursing had definitely rubbed off on him, even though they only made an appearance in his internal monologue.

The bell rang and Izuku quickly packed up his things, ready to head home after a long day. He had the next four days off of training, after he suffered a minor sprain of his right ankle.

His family never wanted to push him too hard, they wanted him to still have a childhood.

He was a few blocks away from his house when he sensed that something was wrong.

“Shitty Deku!”

So it’s going to be one of those days, huh?

Izuku had been sparring with pros since he was nine, but he never used it to defend himself. He believed it would only make things worse if he fought back, and he’d end up suspended.

But today he was tired, and he really hoped his ex-friend wouldn’t take it too far. His inner Rumi was itching for a fight.

He felt a burning palm on his shoulder before he was shoved to the ground.

When he turned, he found Bakugo standing over him, with a few boys from their class watching in glee.

“You were extra annoying today, nerd. I think you need a reminder about your place.”

This was the kid that told him he couldn’t be a hero? Someone who got this much joy out of hurting others?

On any other day, Izuku would have just taken the beating. But he thought about all of the heroes in his life, people that worked every day to save people. People that believed in him.

He thought it was about time that Bakugo learned that Izuku was not weak.

Bakugo lunged at Izuku with a right hook, which was exactly what Izuku predicted he would do.

Instead of letting the hit land, Izuku grabbed Bakugo’s wrist and used his uninjured foot to knock the boy’s legs out from under him.

Bakugo managed to get free from Izuku’s grasp, and when he lunged for Izuku again he was met with a fist to the face.

Izuku didn’t use enough force to break anything, but he knew the blond would have a nasty black eye for a while.

He grabbed both of Bakugo’s wrists and slammed him onto the ground, his face in the dirt and his hands behind his back.

“If you ever fucking touch me again, Kacchan, I will break your wrists. If I see you messing with any other kids, I will break your nose. Do you understand me?” His voice was firm, confident even, but on the inside he was a nervous wreck. He was doing his best to channel his inner Rumi and Uncle Shota.

Bakugo must have been in shock, because he merely nodded at Izuku’s threat. When he turned around, still not letting go of the boy underneath him, he saw Bakugo’s posse staring at him in fear.

“That goes for the rest of you assholes too.”

With his final threat, he brushed himself off and grabbed his bag, angrily stomping away.

Now I have to go to the store and get burn cream, and my ankle hurts even worse!

Izuku grabbed his phone from his backpack, already sending a text to the family group chat.

Izuku’s #1 Fans

GreenBean: I may have done something…. rash

Mamadoriya: Izuku honey, are you okay?

AngryBunny: Do we need to hide a body?

ChickenNugget: Rumi wtf?

AngryBunny: I just need to know what type of situation we’re getting into.

UncleSleepy: … and your first thought was that the kid murdered someone?

UncleLoud: How about we let the little listener tell us what happened first?

Mamadoriya: Izuku?

Izuku was almost to the corner store, but he paused to text his family the story.

GreenBean: Well… Bakugo and some of his friends followed me after school. He pushed me to the ground and tried to punch me, but I pinned him to the ground… and might have told him I’d break his wrist if he ever touched me again? Or if he messed with other kids I’d break his nose? With a few curse words included… He may or may not have a black eye…….. And I may have called his friends assholes?....

Mamadoriya: …… I see a new All Might figure and some ice cream in your future :)

GreenBean: You’re not mad?!

Mamadoriya: Well, maybe if Mitsuki had listened to me when I said that Katsuki could benefit from anger management sessions, her son would not have a black eye. :)

UncleSleepy: As a teacher and pro hero, I cannot condone this… as your uncle however I must say good for you, kid.

AngryBunny: AHAHAHAHAHAHA

AngryBunny: That’s my little bro!

ChickenNugget: I will do everything in my power to win you all of the All Might prizes tomorrow, squirt. I also need you to tell me where this was so that I can find and watch the security footage.

UncleSleepy: Done.

UncleSleepy: GreenBeanTakeDown.vid

UncleLoud: GO GREEN BEAN! MY NEPHEW IS SO COOL!

Izuku smiled as the rest of his family reacted to the video, and his mom lightly scolded him for his language.

He let them know that he was going to the corner store to pick up some burn cream, and his mom said she would treat him once he got there.

He picked up a few different snacks before he made his way to the medical aisle, noticing a teenager in front of the burn cream. The boy had severe burns all across his face and arms, but Izuku was not going to stare. He knew first hand how cruel the world was to those that were different.

As he picked up some cream and other supplies, he watched the teen stuff a few things in his coat pockets.

He’s probably homeless. Izuku thought to himself sadly.

It was cold outside, and it was probably uncomfortable trying to treat burns in this type of weather.

Before Izuku could stop himself, he was speaking to the teen.

“Excuse me?”

The boy looked at Izuku in surprise, probably thinking that he was going to call him out for stealing.

Izuku got a little closer, so that none of the workers would overhear.

“I’d be happy to buy you anything you need, whether it's medical supplies or food.”

The older boy simply stared at Izuku for a long time, making it clear that no one had shown him simple kindness.

That thought broke Izuku’s heart, because he could relate. No one outside of his family was ever nice to him once they found out about his lack of a quirk.

After a few silent minutes, the boy spoke again.

“Why?”

Izuku thought it over before replying.

“Because I know how cruel this world can be. Let’s grab a few things, then we can get some ramen!”

───※ ·❆· ※───

Dabi was trying his best to stay under the radar, but it was hard when he was living on the streets and forced to steal to survive.

His 18th birthday was two weeks away, and then he wouldn’t have to worry about being sent back to his sperm donor if he ever got arrested.

He didn’t need anyone’s help, and he didn’t want it.

At least that is what he had thought before a small boy with freckles and sparkling green eyes dragged him to a ramen shop and force fed him.

Izuku, as he insisted on being called, was an interesting kid.

He opened up to Dabi about his life as a quirkless kid, talking about the bullying and suicide baiting. But then he talked about his family, the only people that actually believed in him. The kid was clearly trying to build some trust between the two of them, and he begrudgingly had to admit that it was working.

Dabi felt a bit of pain in his chest, unable to imagine something like that. A family that supported and loved each other unconditionally.

They talked a bit, and he was surprised by how comfortable he felt with the kid. Izuku was the same age as Shoto, but he seemed extremely mature for his age.

“Do you have somewhere to sleep tonight?”

Dabi looked at the boy, who was giving him a look that told him he wouldn’t be able to reply with a lie.

“Uh, not really. But I always figure something out.”

Izuku simply hummed before pulling his phone out.

After a few moments, Izuku put the device back in his bag.

“You’re coming home with me.”

Dabi felt multiple emotions at the same time, but he refused to feel hopeful. This had to be too good to be true.

“What’s the catch?” He couldn’t help but ask.

Izuku gave him another look before responding.

“Play video games with me. Keigo kind of sucks, and I need someone to help me beat a few multiplayer levels.” The boy gave him a warm smile.

“O-oh okay. I, uh, never really played them growing up. But I can figure them out.”

Izuku nodded before jumping off his stool, laying a few bills on the counter, and motioning for the teen to follow him.

Twenty minutes later he was sitting in a warm living room being fretted over by Izuku’s mom, who he immediately took a liking to.

It truly felt like everything here was the complete opposite of his former home, his former life. The Midoriya’s were warm, and he could feel the love between mother and son.

Inko gave him some extra clothes, which apparently belonged to Izuku’s uncle, so that he could shower and take care of his burns. The woman gently helped him treat the ones on his back before he slipped on the comfortable cat-eared hoodie.

After they settled in, he was expecting them to ask him about why he was on the streets or where his burns came from, but he was pleasantly surprised when they gave him space.

He ended up playing Mario Kart with Izuku late into the night. The younger boy said that it was a great entry point for new gamers, getting practice in multi-tasking and learning the controls.

For the first time in his seventeen years of life, Dabi felt like a kid.

───※ ·❆· ※───

When Shota received a text that Izuku picked up another stray, he was not at all surprised. He truly believes that his nephew will have amassed a small army of loyal followers by the time he was in highschool.

I can never let Nedzu meet the kid, or his mom for that matter.

He had quickly learned that the Midoriya’s were extremely kind and loyal, but they could be fierce when they needed to be. He was also certain that they were two of the smartest people in all of Japan. Introducing them to Nedzu may or may not lead to world domination.

He and Hizashi had just left the store after picking up a few things for the kid Izuku brought home, including clothes and a few things for his room.

Izuku had basically threatened everyone in the chat to ensure that they would not make the kid uncomfortable, and Inko thought it was best for Dabi to meet everyone in small clusters.

They quickly made it to the Midoriya home, which was basically a second home to them all at this point, and Hizashi did his best to calm himself down before entering.

“I can’t wait to meet my new nephew!”

Shota couldn’t help but smile fondly at his husband. They haven’t even met the kid, but he already seemed like he was part of the family.

When he first laid eyes on the boy, he promised that he would reign hell on whoever had hurt him in the past.

Scar tissue covered his entire body, and his eyes held a pain that no seventeen year old kid should know.

What he was not expecting was for the kid to recognize him.

“Eraserhead?!” The kid’s once dull eyes lit up in excitement.

“You know who I am, kid?” Shouta wouldn’t admit it, but he was a little proud that he could bring some life back into the kid’s blue eyes.

“U-um. You actually saved me a few years ago, when I first got on the streets. You’re my favorite hero. Present Mic is really cool too though. You guys are real heroes.” The boy shyly admitted.

Shota could feel his husband physically vibrating in excitement next to him. Having both of their nephews as fans was honestly heartwarming.

Oh god, I just met the kid and I’m already claiming him. Oh well.

“Dabi! You didn’t tell me you liked Eraserhead! You can totally have some of my merch then. We can put it in your room!” Izuku seemed excited that someone else shared his passion for the underground hero.

Hizashi had been commissioning custom Eraserhead merchandise to give to Izuku for a while now.

Dabi’s eyes widened at Izuku’s statement.

“You’re… really letting me stay?”

Shota’s heart broke at the boy’s uncertainty, but before anyone could respond, Inko stepped in.

“Honey, you are a part of our family now. If you’d like to stay here with us, I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe.” She put a comforting hand on the boy’s shoulder, and her eyes held a determined gaze.

Upon first glance, many people think that Inko is simply a housewife. They would be very, very wrong.

Inko owned a law firm that ruthlessly took down anything from corrupt corporations to abusive foster homes. The only reason that Izuku’s schools were still standing was the boy’s stubborn insistence that it would only make things worse.

Although, Shouta was certain if the kid came home with burns or bruises ever again, the school would be burnt to the ground.

So when Inko promised that she would make sure this kid was safe, she meant it.

Dabi stared into Inko’s eyes for a long moment, before his shoulders visibly relaxed.

“I’d really like that, actually.”

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku was so excited, he had a new brother!

Dabi was a little nervous his first week with them, but he has slowly become more comfortable with the family.

His mom called a few of her contacts and got new documents made for him, so his last name was officially Midoriya! They hadn’t asked about his past, but Izuku knew he would come to them when he was ready.

His older brother was enrolled in online school now, and he was working part-time at his mom’s law firm helping out around the office.

Uncle Sho and Uncle Zashi had come over a few times for dinner, but they had been holding off on bringing Rumi and Keigo over. Those two, especially when they were together, were a little much sometimes.

Tonight was the fateful night, his other two siblings were coming over to play video games. They were told to be on their best behavior, but that could really mean anything when it came to the chaotic duo.

Dabi was clearly a bit nervous, he was wearing Uncle Sho’s cat hoodie that the boy had quickly claimed as his own. He usually wore it when he was feeling anxious or had a nightmare.

Whenever he wore it around the man, Izuku noticed his uncle hiding a soft smile in his capture weapon.

There was a knock on the door, and Izuku went to let Keigo and Rumi in.

He was pleasantly surprised by their calm demeanor as they introduced themselves to Dabi.

The older boy had a clear distrust of heroes, so he was happy that his siblings were approaching the situation delicately.

After a few hours, Izuku saw that his worries were completely misplaced.

As they played a few video games and ate pizza it felt like Dabi had been a part of their family for years, instead of just a week.

Chapter Text

Keigo didn’t get much of a childhood, with the Commission training him daily to be the perfect hero for them. They had backed off now that he achieved their goals, so he was doing everything in his power to make up for lost time.

He knew what it felt like to never celebrate your birthdays, to grow up without friends to go to the arcade with, to always have a sense of missing out. That’s one of the reasons he and Izuku got along so well, and he could feel a kindred spirit in Dabi as well.

The other boy had insisted on watching every training session Izuku had over the past two weeks, never taking his eyes off the kid. All of the heroes that worked with the boy were glad to have someone else to help keep an eye on him, but Keigo felt like there was more to it.

Rumi had accidentally kicked Izuku into a wall the other day, expecting the kid to dodge. Dabi ran to the boy and blocked anyone from getting near him. He kept screaming that Izuku was just a kid, and he didn’t calm down until it was confirmed that their younger brother was okay.

His concern seemed to come from experience, not just from his new bond with the green-haired boy.

Inko was able to find a doctor to help Dabi with most of his burns, but a few large scars still covered his torso. Burns like that didn’t come from just living on the streets for a few years.

Keigo wouldn’t pressure the other teen to open up, but he’d be there if he needed him to.

Their little makeshift family was currently sitting in the living room of the Yamada-Aizawa household, ready to celebrate their newest addition’s 18th birthday.

The only members missing were Uncle Mic and Dabi, who were apparently finishing the birthday boy’s ‘look’ upstairs.

Mama Midoriya was putting the finishing touches on the cake with Izuku, while Uncle Shota was talking to her about their progress in adopting a kid. Meeting Izuku and becoming close to him had convinced the couple that they wanted a kid of their own, someone close to their nephew’s age. It was a long process, but they were almost done with all the background checks.

Rumi was sitting on the couch next to Keigo, her legs bouncing up and down in excitement.

Dabi had revealed that this would be the first time he ever celebrated his birthday, and Keigo sadly could relate. His first party was hosted by the Midoriya family only a few months prior. He and the rest of the family wanted to make the event special.

Mic made his way down the steps, gesturing to get the family’s attention.

“Are you ready to see the birthday boy’s killer makeover?!” The blond man was loud without even using his quirk, but it fit the occasion.

Everyone, even Shota, cheered in anticipation.

Hizashi moved to the side, revealing the most beautiful man that Keigo had ever seen.

Dabi had always been quite attractive, but now he was mesmerizing.

Newly dyed green hair complimented bright blue eyes, which were currently framed with black eyeliner. A leather jacket was wrapped around broad shoulders, and a dark grey t-shirt hugged his body. Black jeans with chains made up the bottom half of the outfit. Keigo noticed, with his breath hitching, that the other man sported a few new piercings. His lip, nose, and right eyebrow sported new rings, while studs dotted both ears.

He was gorgeous.

Keigo’s heart was rapidly beating, and he barely heard the rest of the compliments given to the man in front of him.

Izuku and Inko were standing in shock, wide smiles and tears streaming down their faces.

Dabi became shy under their gaze, rubbing the back of his neck and looking to the ground with a small smile.

“I - um. I thought since I’m a Midoriya now I might as well look the part?” He laughed brightly as he was tackled into a hug by two blurs of green.

The official story was that Dabi is Izuku’s cousin that was orphaned a few years back and decided to come to stay with his auntie. Though Izuku was already claiming him as his new older brother, and it didn’t seem like the newest Midoriya minded that much.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Dabi couldn’t decide which emotions he was feeling exactly, he just knew that he felt warm.
He looked around him, his new family laughing together and smiling. It was so different from anything he experienced growing up.

His mom would sneak a small sweet into his room every year when he was a kid, after his dad had gone to bed. Fuyumi and Natsuo would find him small trinkets that he could easily hide from the old man. His birthdays always consisted of pain and loneliness.

Now, though, he was surrounded by warmth and laughter. He was directed to sit on the couch as the group gathered his presents around him, and he felt a cluster of tears filling his eyes. He never thought he would feel safe around heroes again.

“This is too much.” He managed to choke out, eyeing the rather large pile of gifts set in front of him.

Inko’s warm arms wrapped around his shoulders before she placed a kiss on the top of his head.

“Better get used to it then.” She then placed one of the smaller bags into his lap.

Before he pulled out whatever was inside, Dabi looked to his new family, making sure to meet each one of their gazes.

“Thank you.” They all gave him warm smiles as he dove into his gifts.

When he was finished he had piles of new clothes, a laptop, his own Eraserhead merch, leather boots, earphones, and countless items for his room.

Keigo had gotten him a custom made leather jacket, and he couldn’t help but blush as he ran the expensive material through his fingers.

He thought he had opened everything, but a box was quickly placed in front of him.
“This one is a bit of a surprise for everyone, but I think you’ll enjoy it.” Mama Inko had a warm smile on her face as she placed the box in his hands.

The group shared a few confused looks before the man began unwrapping the present.

When he lifted the lid of the box, a key was revealed.

Izuku, who was sitting next to him, looked at his mom with anticipation.

“What’s this, mama?” Izuku questioned.

Inko’s eyes sparkled as she explained the key.

“Well, we have such a big family now, and our apartment was getting a bit cramped. So I thought we would all be much more comfortable in a house. What do you think, boys? Would you like to go see our new home?”

Cheers of surprise and excitement filled the room. Izuku had wrapped Dabi and Inko in a group hug, and tears fell down all three of their cheeks.

He had never really cried until he joined this family, but he was happy to have yet another Midoriya trait.

───※ ·❆· ※───
The house was about ten minutes away from their uncle’s place, a bit closer than their old apartment was.

It had five bedrooms, not including the finished attic space that Inko insisted Dabi have.

“You’re an adult, darling. You should have your own space to enjoy.”

Inko said that the finished basement could be the boys’ space, and they were already planning out what they would have down there.

Izuku’s room was much larger than his room in the apartment, and he knew he could fit a larger desk and some work out equipment in the extra space.

The rest of the family was exploring the house, but Dabi was just staring at the key he was gifted.

They want me. They want me to be a part of this family, and they’ve only known me for a little under two weeks.

Determination filled him, he would tell them about his past. He knew this family would accept him. He wasn’t ready to tell them exactly who his father was, but he could at least tell them his story.

“Mama Inko, once we’re done here can we all go back to Uncle Shota and Uncle Hizashi’s house? I think it's time I told everyone about my past.”

He had approached Inko as she looked at their new backyard, and she turned to him in surprise.

She quickly wrapped him in one of the warm hugs he was growing attached to, squeezing him once before she replied.

“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll let everyone know, I’m happy you trust us enough to share.”

His eyes teared up at the unconditional support this woman had shown him in his time with the family. It was no wonder that Izuku was such an amazing kid, his mom was an angel.

Dabi still loved his own mother, and he missed her every day. But Inko held another space in his heart, she was quickly taking over a motherly role in his life. After everything he went through in his life, he thought he might just deserve a little happiness after all.

───※ ·❆· ※───
The family once again sat in the living room of the Yamada-Aizawa household, anticipating their talk with their newest family member.

Dabi had changed back into his favorite cat-eared hoodie, which always brought a smile to his sleepy uncle’s face.

The teen was situated between Inko and Izuku on one of the couches, and Uncle Hizashi had brewed a pot of tea to help calm everyone’s nerves.

Keigo and Rumi were sitting together on one of the love seats, and both of them were prepared to destroy whoever hurt their newest addition.

Dabi clutched his hands in front of him, and took a steadying breath before he began.

“As you all know by now, I have a big distrust of heroes. That’s because um, my dad is a hero. I’m not ready to tell you who he is yet, but I’m ready to tell you about where I got my burns.”

Everyone had sat up when he mentioned his dad was a hero, a burning rage could be seen in their eyes.

Dabi told his story, how his father bought his mom, how he was trained from the moment his quirk showed up. He told them about how his mother had a nervous break, how the rest of his siblings were ignored and neglected. How he ran away the day after his mother was locked away, and how he felt endless guilt for leaving his siblings with the man he despised.

Everyone, even their normally stoic uncle Sho, had tears pouring down their face as the boy recounted his abuse.

Once he was done, he felt emotionally exhausted, but he had one more thing to say.

“I was on a really bad path before Izuku found me, and you all have saved me from that. I’m done letting him control my life, I’m done letting hate control me. You all have shown me that heroes can be good. I t-think I want to become a hero again.” He finally looked up and met his family’s eyes.

He saw the determined gazes looking back at him, and he knew that they would do everything in their power to support his rediscovered dream.

He also knew without a doubt, when he was ready to tell them, they would help him take down the flaming bastard that hurt him and his family.

Chapter Text

Everything seemed to be going well for the found family, although they seemed to be gaining new members every year or so.

The Midoriyas had settled into their new home easily, and the rest of the family spent a majority of their time hanging out there. Dabi had been training with Aizawa to learn how to fight without using his self-destructive quirk. He would start apprenticing under the heroes in their family until he was ready to take the adult provisional licensing exam.

Izuku had turned twelve, and was excited that his family seemed to be growing as he grew up. His only concern was entering middle school, which would bring its own complications. Bakugo had left him alone, outside of a few rude words every now and then, but that didn’t mean everyone stopped their harassment.

But that was something to think about another time.

The boy was currently sitting in the Yamada-Aizawa living room with his mom and Dabi, preparing himself to meet his new cousin.

His uncles had been wanting to adopt for a while, but everything was rushed when Uncle Sho found a boy hiding in an alley wearing a muzzle.

The boy had been abused his entire life due to his ‘villainous’ quirk, and Izuku could relate heavily. His uncles thought that he and Dabi would be the best people to introduce at first, as they both understood just how cruel the world could be.

Uncle Zashi entered the house first, bringing in armfuls of bags from the shopping trip they just took with their new son. Izuku knew from experience that the blond man could go crazy when he had a new person to shop for.

“Okay listeners! Hitoshi likes to communicate using sign, but he can hear what you’re saying. It might be nice if he saw you signing back to him though, so that he knows you understand. I’m gonna go put these upstairs, but Sho should be bringing him in any minute.”

Izuku was trying to contain his excitement, not wanting to startle the boy. He was excited to learn more about his quirk and practice his JSL. Dabi put a grounding hand on his knee, helping him calm down a bit.

A few minutes later Uncle Sho walked into the house followed by a tall purple-haired boy with violet eyes. He looked extremely nervous, and Izuku noticed the scars on his neck and cheeks from being forced to wear a muzzle throughout his life.

Izuku greeted him in sign, letting him know his name and welcoming him to the family. Dabi and their mom quickly followed suit, and a bit of the tension in Hitoshi’s shoulders drained.

He greeted them back, before being led into the living room to take a seat.

Slowly, conversation broke out between the group, especially when Zashi came back downstairs. Izuku found out that his cousin really liked cats and coffee, just like his new dad. They talked about underground heroes and their mutual admiration for Eraserhead.

As Izuku was getting ready to leave, Hitoshi came up to him looking nervous.

Bye Hitoshi, I’ll text you later. Izuku signed to the newest member of his family.

“Bye, Izuku.” It was only a whisper, but it brought tears to the eyes of everyone close enough to hear it.

───※ ·❆· ※───

PurpleProblemChild: Zuku, wanna come over to watch hero vids later? Papa and dad said it was okay.

GreenProblemChild: Yeah :D Thanks for inviting me Toshi!

Hitoshi had been with his new family for a few months now, and while he was still mostly communicating in sign he felt comfortable enough to speak from time to time.

For the first month or so he fully expected to be sent back to foster care, or to be forced to wear a muzzle again. He never expected every single person in his family to love and accept him unconditionally.

Izuku was his cousin, but he was also his best friend. The green-haired boy understood him in a way few others could. They were each other’s first friends, and Izuku never once treated him like a future villain in the making.

He was already getting used to all the new parts of his life.

Training and naps on the couch with his dad.

Shopping trips and baking with his papa.

Waking up with cats surrounding him and the smell of fresh coffee filling the house.

Learning how to analyze heroes and playing video games with Izuku.

Arcade trips and sparring competitions with Rumi, Keigo and Dabi.

Warm hugs and support from Auntie Inko.

All of them believed he could be a hero, and were helping him train to reach his goals.

He would never take his family for granted.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku and Hitoshi had just finished watching the fight between a new hero and a group of small-time villains when Uncle Zashi came into the living room with an excited smile.

“Hey kiddos! Our friend Tensei is in town for a bit and was wondering if he and his brother could stop by? Tenya is your age, but if you’d rather us meet somewhere outside of the house we could do that too.”

Mic knew that the boys were hesitant about people their age, never knowing when they would be ridiculed or accepted.

Hitoshi signed his concerns to the man.

Will he be okay with our quirk status?

A determined gleam filled the hero’s eyes at his son’s question.

“If he’s not, then he will not be welcome in our home. We got your backs, little listeners.” He ruffled both of their hair affectionately.

“I’m fine with it if Toshi is. If he’s mean to Toshi I’ll just kick his ass.” As Izuku got older he had picked up Rumi’s unfortunate cursing habit, but only utilized it when necessary.

Someone potentially being quirkest against his cousin seemed like the perfect opportunity for a well-placed curse.

“I’m going to let the curse go because I agree with the sentiment. While I probably shouldn’t endorse you beating up another kid, I will let you use your discretion if he is being quirkest to you or Hitoshi. If Sho or your mom ask, I didn’t say anything, okay?”

The boys nodded to show their understanding, and Izuku was excited to potentially make a new friend. But if this Tenya kid was an asshole, he’d happily use him to practice the new flip Rumi taught him the other day.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku and Hitoshi sat in the living room with Sho, Zashi, and Midnight. Midnight, or Auntie Nemuri as she insisted on being called, had been over more after Hitoshi was adopted.

She also went to school with Izuku’s uncles, and was a teacher at UA. Although Izuku didn’t see her as much he still really enjoyed her company, and he was currently helping her redesign her costume a bit.

“So, Izuku, Shota told me you recently added throwing knives to your training. Have you ever thought about learning to use a whip?”

Izuku thought about it for a moment. A whip could be utilized like Eraserhead’s scarf, and could be something useful to add to his arsenal. Who could teach him though?

He thought for a few more moments before his eyes widened.

“Would you teach me Auntie?”

The woman’s face turned into a bright smile at his excitement. She wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she had been trying to find any excuse to spend more time with her nephews.

“Of course! Hitoshi, you’re more than welcome to join as well. I’ll talk to the rest of the family to figure out when we can start. How does that sound?”

The boys nodded in excitement. Hitoshi had quickly joined Izuku’s training when all of the heroes found out about the boy’s dream to become a hero. Since Izuku had been training for years, they started him out at the basics, but he was learning quickly.

He had yet to win a spar against Izuku, much to the purple-haired boy’s chagrin.

Their discussion of training was interrupted by a knock at the door, which Zashi got up to answer.

“TENSEI!” Mic almost activated his quirk in his excitement to see their friend.

“HIZASHI!” The man screamed back.

The two men scrambled into a hug, falling onto the floor in their glee. Shota rolled his eyes and went to grab his husband and best friend off the ground, before they broke anything.

Once they were calmed down they entered the living room for introductions.

Izuku and Hitoshi had already made a deal that if the conversation turned to quirks, Izuku would reveal his quirklessness first. If either of the brothers reacted poorly to this, they would leave and Hitoshi would keep his quirk to himself. The boy was still getting used to having love and support, there was no reason to expose him to hate any time soon.

“Are these the kids I always hear so much about?” Tensei gave them a bright smile after he finished greeting Shota and Nemuri.

“Yeah! This is our son Hitoshi and our nephew Izuku. Boys, this is our good friend Iida Tensei and his little brother Tenya.” Mic introduced everyone.

The boys politely bowed, and were quickly mirrored by the two brothers.

“It is nice to meet you both! I look forward to making your acquaintance over this visit.” Tenya spoke robotically, swinging his arms in mechanical movements.

Izuku was a little surprised by the boy’s formality, but wrote it off. He had plenty of weird personality traits, he wouldn’t judge someone for theirs.

The group fell into easy conversation, before Tensei brought up Izuku and Hitoshi’s training.

“So how is training going boys? I hear you have quite a few pros teaching you. It is really impressive that you are this dedicated at such a young age!”

The older Iida brother had an infectious energy and smile, and Izuku could see why so many people enjoyed being his sidekick. There was something about the man that made you automatically trust him.

Izuku was the first to reply, letting Hitoshi think over his words for a moment.

“It can be pretty intense, but I’m so grateful that they are willing to take time out of their schedules for us. Hitoshi has been making great progress in the short time he’s been training with me.”

He gave his cousin a warm smile as he began to interpret the boy’s JSL.

“Hitoshi said that he feels sore in places he never knew could hurt, but he’s extremely grateful for everyone’s work to help him reach his goals.”

Tensei revealed that he and Tenya were both fluent in JSL, so the conversation flowed from there.

“If I may ask, are you doing any quirk training? “ Tenya’s innocent question made everyone but he and his brother tense. This was a big moment, and Izuku channeled his inner Keigo. He was laid back and confident, not caring what anyone thought about him or his lack of a quirk.

“Oh, I’m not but Hitoshi is. Can’t train something you don’t have. I’m quirkless.” He did his best impersonation of his older sister’s smirk.

“Well that just makes everything you’re doing even more impressive!” Tensei smiled warmly at Izuku, but Tenya shuffled uncomfortably.

“Wait, how can you become a hero if you do not have a quirk?” He looked at his brother in confusion.

Hitoshi stiffened next to him, and he could see Zashi’s hand grasp Uncle Sho’s wrist. Auntie Nemuri looked ready to pounce at any moment. They would let Izuku handle it for now, knowing that he preferred to fight his own battles.

“There have been quirkless heroes in other countries, Japan just seems to be behind in that regard. But I will be proud to become the first quirkless hero in the country when the time comes.” Izuku made sure he spoke with confidence. He wouldn’t let the boy in front of him question his dreams, not when everyone in his family supported him. He was not only questioning Izuku, but he was questioning his family’s ability to see potential.

Tenya still seemed confused, while Tensei was looking at his brother with disappointment. Tensei was about to say something before Shota interrupted.

“Tenya, how long have you been training?”

The boy seemed confused by the sudden change of topic, but replied quickly.

“I started about 5 months ago, but I feel like I have learned a great deal so far. I look forward to furthering my training.”

A grin that sent chills down most people’s spines grew on the tired man’s face. Izuku grinned when he realized what his uncle was going to say.

“Well, if that’s the case, why don’t we set up a spar between you and Izuku? Then he’d be able to see how difficult it is to fight against opponents with quirks.”

Feral smiles filled the faces of Izuku, Hitoshi, Auntie Nemuri, and his two uncles.

Tenya seemed ready to argue, but his brother quickly jumped in.

“Just let us know when and where. I’m sure this could be a great learning experience.” Tensei turned to Izuku and winked.

At least Izuku wouldn’t have to worry about Tensei being angry when he beat his little brother’s ass into the ground.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Shota liked to pride himself on his logical approach to life, but he wouldn’t deny that he was petty to a fault.

Watching as Tenya questioned Izuku, a kid with endless potential, so unapologetically activated all of his protective instincts. If the kid wanted to be a hero like his brother he would have to learn that quirks weren’t everything.

The best way to learn those types of lessons was through getting your ego crushed, and Shota was happy to facilitate that.

They were currently at Keigo’s agency in one of the sparring gyms, and everyone was there waiting to watch Izuku kick ass. Knowing the kid he wouldn’t be surprised if he walked away with a new friend after throwing him into the ground.

Izuku was currently completing his warm up stretches while they waited for the Iidas to arrive.

“Hey guys!” Tensei called as he and his brother entered the gym. Tenya looked concerned, like he was worried this fight would be unfair. Little did he know he was the one that was actually at a disadvantage.

Shota and Hizashi had been talking about Izuku for a long time, so Tensei knew the boy’s combat capabilities. At twelve years old he was able to pin his pro-hero family members every once in a while. Shota knew his friend also wanted his brother to be humbled, and they would all enjoy watching it.

The boys finished up their warmups after twenty minutes, and then the show was ready to start.

The boys walked over to their respective corners before the match began, Izuku looking confident yet focused.

“Give him hell, Izuku.” Rumi whispered in his ear before sitting back down.

Hizashi was the one to call the start of the match, and Izuku immediately became a blur of speed.

Before Tenya could even make his first move, he was pinned to the ground with Izuku’s knee to his chest.

The kid’s mouth was gaping and his eyes were wide, shocked by the speed of his opponent.

Izuku stood, his expression neutral as he helped the other boy up. Shota was proud of his nephew’s humility, letting his skills speak for themselves.

“May we go again?” Tenya requested, shock still evident on his face. The boy clearly wanted to see if their first match was a fluke.

After he was pinned five times in a row, the boy seemed to get the message.

All of the adults were wearing expressions of pride for Izuku, but also holding back their laughter at Tenya’s expense.

Dabi and Inko were wearing matching grins, showing that the boy really was a Midoriya at heart.

As soon as the final match was called, Tenya dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the ground in a deep bow. Izuku, clearly surprised by the gesture, stood stiffly in front of him.

“Midoriya, I am deeply sorry for my words and doubts about your abilities. You have truly shown me that my beliefs were misguided and harmful. I do not expect forgiveness, but I must apologize for my actions and any harm they may have brought upon you.”

Tensei smiled proudly at his little brother, while the rest of the group knew exactly what would happen next.

Izuku walked over to the boy and knelt in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder so that he would look up. Tenya’s head quickly shot up, he was clearly not expecting Izuku to come to him.

Izuku stood once again and reached out his hand, his previously neutral face molding into a bright smile.

“Friends?”

Tenya’s shocked expression morphed into a warm smile as he grasped the outreached hand and stood.

“I would be honored to be considered your friend!”

Izuku called Hitoshi over, the three boys chatting as the adults watched on. Tensei discretely handed a few bills over to Shota, shaking his head in awe.

“When you said that kid could befriend anyone, I really thought you were lying.”

Shota pocketed the bills and watched as his nephew and son welcomed Tenya into their lives.

That kid’s gonna change the world one day.

Chapter Text

Keigo prided himself on being cool under pressure, even the most powerful villains never made him crack. But apparently, his chill personality was limited when it came to Midoriya Dabi lifting his shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow after an intense spar.

He felt his jaw drop open, and he had to quickly shut it before the blue-eyed man looked his way.

I am a hero, I need to get it together.

His heart felt like it would burst out of his chest at any moment, so he turned away from Shota and Dabi’s sparring session. If he didn’t, he was fully convinced he’d pass out at any moment. The number three hero taken out by a crush, wouldn’t that be something?

It was difficult to keep cool when the muscles on the green-haired man were growing more and more defined over his months of training. He was letting his hair grow out a bit, keeping it out of his face in a small bun while he fought. He had been finding his own style, with the help of Hizashi, and it was all slowly becoming far too much for Keigo’s poor heart to handle.

He didn’t even know if Dabi liked guys, and even if he did, would he want to be with someone like Keigo? After heroes had failed the man so much, he’d probably never want one as a romantic partner.

But that didn’t mean Keigo’s traitorous heart got the memo, so he was resigned to silently pining over the older Midoriya brother until he got over it.

If he got over it.

His grim thoughts were interrupted by his phone alarm going off, alerting him that it was time to go pick up Hitoshi and Izuku from Midnight’s agency.

“Hey guys, I’m headed out to grab the kiddos. If you need anything just let one of the staff know.” He made his way out of the gym and headed to a nearby window.

His found family used his agency as a base of operations, and his collaboration with Rumi helped them both jump in the rankings. Dabi mostly interned under him and Shota, so the personal gym in his office was used for training and spars. It was common to see Hitoshi, Izuku, and Tenya studying or hanging out somewhere in the building, and Inko would sometimes bring him a home-cooked meal when he was stuck on a difficult case.

If you would have told him his life would be filled with so many wonderful people a few years ago, he would never believe you.

He smiled as he pressed a button on the wall and the window opened, allowing him to jump into the air and make his way across town.

Being in the air always made him feel so free, and he did a few spins to humor the citizens looking up at him with admiration.

He landed in front of Midnight’s agency, quickly entering the building before a crowd could form around him. Luckily he remembered to bring a disguise this time, as Hitoshi still got a little anxious when fans crowded around any of his caretakers when he was with them.

After greeting the receptionist, he made his way to the gym where the boys were having their first lesson in the art of whips.

As he approached the door, he had to hold in his giggles when he heard the commotion inside.

“Ow! That hurt, you dick!” Izuku’s voice shouted, quickly followed by Hitoshi’s cackling.

“Izuku, while I appreciate the passion, watch the language!” Nemuri tried to chide, but the laughter in her voice showed that she was amused by the kid’s insult.

“I wonder where he learned that type of language, maybe a certain rabbit hero that we know?” Keigo chuckled as he entered the room.

“It couldn’t have been my sweet older sister, she would never use such language.” Izuku clutched his chest, his tone sarcastic.

“My mistake. Rumi is the most innocent one out of all of us.” They all snorted. “Before we head home why don’t you show me your skills with your whips?”

“You’re asking us to show you something that doesn’t exist.” Hitoshi joked.

Nemuri gasped at Hitoshi’s self-doubt.

“Hey! I’m a pretty great teacher. You both have made great progress in only one session. It takes time to get used to it. Why don’t you show Keigo something simple?”

The boys begrudgingly agreed, and Hitoshi stepped onto the training mat so that his whip would not hit his audience.

He lifted his arm above his head and flung it forward in a fluid motion, the resulting snap ringing through the room.

Keigo whistled. “That was actually pretty cool. Maybe I can incorporate a whip into my fighting style.”

Nemuri side-eyed him. “Good luck with that.”

Before Keigo could defend himself, she clapped and her smile once again brightened.

“Alright, little Izuku. It’s your turn!”

Hitoshi and Izuku switched places, and Izuku’s brow tightened in concentration. Keigo expected some complex trick from the child genius, the kid soaked in information like a sponge. He learned new moves in less than a day, quickly incorporating them into his fighting style as though they had always been there. He had no doubt that he would take to his newest weapon with the same skill.

Oh, how wrong he was.

Izuku’s arm snapped forward, but the whip seemed to have a mind of its own. Instead of straightening out all the way, it snapped back halfway through its arch and hit him in the middle of his forehead.

Nemuri ran to him in concern, but Hitoshi and Keigo were on the ground cackling at Izuku’s misfortune. They knew he was fine, although his pride was probably more than a bit bruised.

After his aunt checked him over he gave the two figures on the ground an unamused glare.

“You two are the worst.”

Hitoshi shrugged, while Keigo stood and ruffled Izuku’s hair.

“Sure we are squirt. Now, who wants ice cream before we head home for dinner?”

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku’s Strays

UncleSleepy: Would everyone be available to come over for dinner tonight? Hizashi and I have something exciting to share.

MamaMidoriya: We’ll be there! :) Dabi is with Rumi, but he said he’d be home in time for dinner so I believe he will be there as well.

AngryBunny: Me and the emo Midoriya will be there!

EmoBro: I still resent that nickname.

ChickenNugget: If I can deal with chicken nugget, you can deal with being called emo :) I’ll be there! Tensei and I are still going over the case but we’ll be done before dinner time.

ZoomZoom: Tenya and I will be there!

Izuku was curious, what could his uncles be announcing tonight? Are they getting another kid? He knew he had to go to the only person who might give him insider info.

Problem Children

GreenProblemChild: Toshi, do you know what the dinner is about?

PurpleProblemChild: My lips are sealed.

BlueProblemChild: Izuku, surely you can wait until dinnertime.

GreenProblemChild: Tenya, you overestimate me and my patience.

BlueProblemChild: I sometimes forget how chaotic you are, that is my mistake.

Izuku chuckled at Tenya’s response before pocketing his phone. It seemed that he really would have to wait until dinner, based on Hitoshi’s response.

Ugh, I guess I’ll go on a run or something so I don’t obsess over it.

A few hours later he sat on the floor of his uncles’ house with Tenya and Hitoshi, waiting for the adults to join them in the living room. Izuku was practically buzzing with anticipation.

“Alright, dinner should be finishing up soon so we’ll make our announcement and then dig in!” Mic announced to the room, much louder than necessary.

Dabi ruffled Izuku’s hair as he walked by, and warmth blossomed in the boy’s chest. He couldn’t imagine his life without his older brother, and he hoped he would never have to.

Once everyone was sitting, Shota and Hizashi made their way to the front of the room.

“I know that Rumi, Keigo, and Tensei received invitations to UA’s Sports Festival this year, but they are not allowed to bring guests.”

Izuku remembered everyone’s disappointed faces when they found out they would not be able to attend as a family.

“Cheer up, listeners! Today we got confirmation that your favorite uncle is announcing the fest and can bring whoever he wants!” Mic made jazz hands to make it clear he was talking about himself.

Shota rolled his eyes fondly as the rest of the room cheered.

“Really? We get to go to the Sports Festival?” Izuku was jumping up and down, having dragged Hitoshi and Tenya up with him. All three boys had wide smiles on their faces, excited to spend the day together and with their families.

“Yeah, and you get to sit in a super cool VIP section with the UA staff. They’ve been dying to meet the three of you.” Mic wrapped the three boys in a hug, gesturing for Shota to join as well. The man begrudgingly made his way over, but the way he melted into the hug revealed his true feelings.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Keigo, Rumi, Tenya, and Hitoshi spent the night at the Midoriya household the day before the Sports Festival. Izuku would always be grateful that the two top ten heroes still made time to hang out with him even with their busy schedules.

He was especially excited to analyze the heroes in training he saw today, and Uncle Sho said that if he did a good job he’d use the analysis to help his students!

They were all going to meet at UA a few hours before the festival started so that Izuku could meet the rest of the staff. He was instructed to steer clear of the principal, for whatever reason, but he would always trust both of his uncles’ judgment.

Tensei met them at the house, and the kids were shocked to see a limo waiting out front for them.

“I thought we should ride into your first Sports Festival experience in style!”

The man waved his arms wildly at the giant car, and everyone laughed as they saw the disco ball creating sparkles around the interior.

“Only you would rent out a limo for a school competition.” Dabi tried to sound unamused, but it was clear that he was trying to hold in his laugh as Rumi and Keigo made ridiculous poses in front of him.

“You’re just not used to riding in style emo boy.” Rumi popped one of the bottles of apple cider and filled up a glass, passing it to Inko before distributing the rest of them.

“This is awesome!” Izuku cheered as he clinked his glass with Hitoshi and Tenya.

“You kids are in for a real treat, the Sports Fest is always a wild time. I wonder what Nedzu cooked up this year.” Keigo had a mischievous glint in his eye, and Izuku once again wondered what the principal of UA was actually like.

The limo ride over was chaotic, with spontaneous sing-alongs to whatever was playing on the radio as well as Tensei and Rumi having a tickle fight. Tenya made sure to let them know how childish their antics were, but his smile gave away his amusement.

When they pulled up to the arena Izuku was surprised to see other limos in front of them, wondering if the occupants were heroes or wealthy families. He saw Dabi tense as Endeavor, the number two hero, exited his limo and made his way inside.

Note to self: We must avoid Endeavor at all costs today.

Dabi still hadn’t revealed who his father was, but Izuku had his suspicions. Once the truth came out, he’d happily help take down the abrasive flame hero.

When it was their turn to exit, the flashing of cameras made Izuku and Hitoshi hide behind Keigo’s wings. When they were safely wrapped inside the familiar feather’s the group made their way inside the building.

“Sorry about that, I should have warned you there would be reporters.” Tensei apologized with a grimace.

Izuku briefly wondered if Bakugou would see pictures of him surrounded by heroes and friends, and chuckled when he imagined the explosive tantrum it would cause.

He had kept his training and family a secret from his classmates in elementary school, not wanting to deal with accusations of lying or creating fairy tales. The truth would eventually come out, but he was happy to keep his family to himself for now.

There were so many people who believed he could be a hero, why taint that with the taunts and ridicule he experienced from his classmates and teachers?

He was shaken out of his thoughts when he saw his uncles walking towards them with smiles, or in Uncle Sho’s case a grin hidden in his capture scarf.

“Are you guys ready for an AWESOME DAY?!” Mic used his quirk on the last part of the sentence, causing the group to cover their ears.

He blushed and smiled sheepishly.

“Sorry about that, I’m just super excited to introduce the family to everyone here!”

Shota gave his husband a disapproving look before gesturing for the group to follow him.

“The two rules for today are to keep Izuku away from the Rat God principal and to not embarrass us.” Instead of looking at the three children, Shota shot a pointed glare at Keigo, Rumi, Tensei, and Dabi.

“Hey! I get dragged against my will into their chaos. Don’t blame me, Uncle Sho.” Dabi proclaimed as his friends laughed around him.

Everyone knew he enjoyed being included in their antics, especially anything involving Keigo.

I wish they would just confess to each other already, all this pining is ridiculous. Izuku thought to himself as he watched Keigo smile at his older brother.

The two older men might think they were being subtle in their crushes, but they were not. His mom was already taking bets on how long it would take them to finally get together.

They made their way through the vast hallways of UA, a building Izuku was vaguely familiar with. Some of his training involved visiting the campus, specifically its giant cities, but they hadn’t used the gyms here since Keigo came into their lives.

After a few minutes of walking, they made it to the teacher’s lounge.

“Everyone is really nice, but if you guys start to feel overwhelmed just let us know. We can keep touring the school or sit in a quiet classroom if anything becomes too much for you.” Mic smiled at the three boys, showing that he was being genuine in his offer. All of the adults put the boys’ well-being first, something they were very grateful for.

They were led into the room, and a group of heroes sat around a table with tea and snacks ready to enjoy.

“My boys!” Nemuri leaped up and hugged them. Tenya chose not to join their whip lessons, but their aunt also taught them about hero personas and identity. They learned about the spectrums of sexuality and gender, consent, and anything else she thought would be appropriate for twelve-year-old boys. It was nice to have role models that were women, especially when they were as strong as Rumi, Nemuri, and Inko.

After the group hug, they made their way into the room to meet the rest of the heroes. Izuku began nerding out about their quirks almost immediately, asking them to sign his analysis pages on them.

“You weren’t lying when you told us this kid is wicked smart.” Snipe chuckled as he finished signing the book. Izuku blushed at the praise he received from the staff.

Lunch Rush promised to cook a serving of katsudon for Izuku when it was time for lunch so that the boy could note the flavors in his journal.

Vlad King and Ectoplasm answered all of his questions and were pleasantly surprised by the lack of fear in the boy’s eyes. They were used to not having many young fans, but Izuku treated them just like any other hero.

Thirteen and Power Loader got into a discussion about physics with Izuku, which had to be interrupted by Inko and Shota before it got too out of hand.

Recovery Girl and Hound Dog offered to teach Dabi, Izuku, Hitoshi, and Tenya advanced medical and mental health first aid. The boys already planned their first lessons, excited to gain another skill towards their future career as pro heroes.

It was finally time to head to the festival grounds, but Izuku had one more favor to ask.

“Um, Snipe, do you mind if I ask you a question?”

Izuku’s confidence had improved greatly over the years, but he was still a bit nervous around new people. The staff all knew he was quirkless, and they had been very kind so far, but that could be because his entire family was there to watch over their interactions.

“Absolutely, little cowboy. What can I do for you?” The man’s mask covered his expression, but the hero radiated kindness and patience. It definitely helped Izuku steel his nerves.

“I’m very interested in learning gun safety and potentially incorporating them into my fighting style. Would you be willing to give me a few lessons?”

He hoped his request wouldn’t be too much, but his uncles assured him that Snipe would appreciate his interest.

“Absolutely! As long as your mama is okay with it, I’d love to take you on as a student.” He had expected the response to take a little bit of thought, but the man responded almost immediately.

Izuku’s face broke out into a bright grin, excited to work with another mentor and learn a new weapon.

“Thank you! My mom is okay with it, but she would like to speak to you before we set up lessons. It doesn’t have to be today, though.”

“We might be able to find some time in between events, but I’m happy to talk to her whenever you need me to.” They followed the rest of the group into the hall to start making their way over to the VIP area.

As Izuku sat surrounded by people that cared about him, getting to know his new mentor and watching young heroes in training showing off their skills, he couldn’t help but feel like his dreams were closer than ever.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Arima Isamu, otherwise known as the pro hero Snipe, was a tough teacher. Guns were a dangerous weapon and he’d do everything in his power to make sure his students were safe when using them. He would not tolerate students goofing around and endangering others.

He always expected new students to be fearful when they first picked up a gun, especially for a kid as young as Midoriya. For years he’s heard about the boy, and he was surprised when Aizawa said the kid had more potential than most hero students that came through UA. It was rare that the grumpy hero gave such high praise, especially for a twelve-year-old. Isamu had been curious, and after meeting the boy he wanted to learn more.

When the kid asked him for gun lessons, he jumped on the opportunity. The little sharpshooter clearly had discipline and passion, and Isamu would be honored to help hone his skills.

It didn’t hurt that Midoriya Inko was a kind, strong, and beautiful woman that he had immediately taken an interest in.

He was waiting at UA’s gun range and was pleasantly surprised when his new student arrived ten minutes early. It seemed he had adopted Eraserhead’s mantra that being on time is being late.

“Hey, cowboy! Are you ready for your first lesson in gun safety?” He gestured for the boy to follow him into the building.

“Yeah! I’ve been doing a lot of research over the past week and I’m excited to see what is applicable.” He pulled a notebook out of his bookbag, and Isamu was starting to sense a theme.

The analysis he had on the UA staff was impressive, better than some professionals. This new journal must be for breaking down the skills he’d learn in training, and Isamu was once again impressed. Not many students took training that seriously.

He could already tell why Eraserhead and Mic had such a soft spot for the green-haired boy.

“Wow!” Midoriya exclaimed as they walked into the main area of the shooting range. UA didn’t spare any expense when it came to training facilities, and the range was no exception.

Isamu chuckled as he watched his student turn in a circle to take everything in. Thirty lanes were lined up against the far end of the building, perfect for testing out a range of weaponry and targeted quirks. Screens at each station gave you feedback on your performance and gave suggestions on how to improve. A bulletproof window separated the main area from the weapons room, where a variety of guns and other ranged weapons sat on display.

This was his happy place, and he was excited that the kid appreciated it.

“Now, I want you to get a firm foundation before we move on to weapons with more firepower. Let’s start you off with a 9mm and move up from there.” They entered the armory and picked out a few guns for him to try.

After about two hours of practice, it was clear that Midoriya was a natural gunslinger.

Isamu quickly realized over the course of the lesson that he not only gained a new student but potentially a son as well.

Chapter Text

“Deku - I mean Midoriya, please come here for a moment.” His homeroom teacher requested with a sickly sweet smile.

He had learned over the past few weeks that this meant he was about to be humiliated in front of his classmates.

“Yes, Nakamura-sensei?” He tried to project as much innocence as he could muster. If he showed the tiniest bit of annoyance, this entire situation would end up with him suspended or worse.

“Please explain to me how you got a perfect score on the last math test.” She pushed the paper towards him, her voice carrying around the room. Everyone quieted down so they could hear the conversation.

“I studied for it, sensei.” He couldn’t help the sassy retort, annoyed at his teacher once again questioning his intelligence.

The woman’s smile fell, a grimace replacing the fake concern originally painting her face.

“Well, I am not sure how someone as developmentally stunted as yourself could get the highest score in your class without cheating. I also don’t appreciate your attitude, Midoriya. Why don’t you go to the principal’s office and see what he thinks about this?” His stomach clenched, knowing that he’d be subjected to in-school suspension. They never let him carry out his suspensions at home, knowing it’d be a break from his torment.

“Yes, sensei.” He ground out, rage filling him.

His family had told him countless times that he should leave this school system, but he knew he had to be strong. This was only a fraction of what he would experience as a quirkless pro hero.

As he walked to his desk to grab his things he mentally went over the process of taking apart and rebuilding different guns, a habit he had gotten into when he needed to calm down.

A foot shot out in front of him, but his instincts were far too quick for that. He ‘accidentally’ stomped on it, grimacing at the yelp his classmate let out.

“Sorry.” He let out, immediately feeling guilty at purposefully hurting someone else. The other boy looked at him with wide eyes for a moment, clearly seeing him in a new light for the first time.

Izuku moved on before the interaction could go any further, grabbing his things and making his way to the principal. He slid into the bathroom to send a quick text to the family group chat.

Izuku’s Strays

GreenBean: I’m probably going to be late for dinner, getting sent to the principal’s office for getting a perfect score on my math test.

Yeehaw: Why do I have a feeling this isn’t so the principal can congratulate you on your performance?

GreenBean: Apparently it’s suspicious that someone so ‘developmentally stunted’ got such a good grade…

UncleLoud: Little listener…. You shouldn’t force yourself to deal with this. Please let us help you.

UncleSleepy: Who said that to you? I need a name.

EmoBro: …… they said what?!

AngryBunny: Do you want me to pick you up Zuku? Maybe I can teach them a little lesson :)

ChickenNugget: Somehow, Rumi using that emoji is terrifying. But I agree with the sentiment.

ZoomZoom: Izuku, there is a place for you with Tenya and Hitoshi at Soumei whenever you want it. You don’t have to deal with this treatment, kiddo.

GreenBean: If I can’t handle this, how can I handle being a quirkless pro?

Izuku pocketed his phone, leaving the restroom so he wouldn’t be too late for his impromptu meeting with Principal Tanaka. He noticed a few new texts in their Problem Children chat, but he’d deal with those when this was over.

He appreciated that his family always had his back, but they could never really understand his point of view.

No matter what, there would always be people that would use his quirkless status as a reason to hate him. He refused to give them the satisfaction of letting it get to him.

───※ ·❆· ※───

“Your form was a little sloppy this round.” Uncle Shota reached his hand out to Dabi, who was sprawled out on the floor in the gym at Keigo’s agency. The man helped him up to a sitting position before walking towards their bags.

His training initially brought back memories from his childhood, but therapy paired with the encouragement of his family helped him move past it. The training sessions never went too far, and his well-being was always prioritized. Dabi was viewed as a human being first, not a tool that could be utilized in the future.

“Sorry about that, Uncle Sho. I’ll do better next round.” Uncle Shota threw him a water bottle, taking a long swig of his own before he responded.

“I know you will, kid.” He ruffled Dabi’s hair before he sat next to him.

Dabi chugged the entire bottle in one go, the cool feeling of the beverage invigorating him for the next hour or so of training.

“I think you’re ready.” Shota said, looking at him with a small grin and eyes filled with pride.

He couldn’t possibly mean what I think he means.

“R-ready? For another spar?” Dabi asked, not wanting to get his hopes up too much.

His uncle simply chuckled.

“For the provisional licensing exam. All of us agree, you’ve made so much progress in a short time. If you want, I can put in your recommendation tomorrow.”

Dabi felt like he couldn’t breathe, so many emotions running through his mind at once. The hero next to him, the person he looked up to, believed he could be a hero on his own terms. Keigo, Rumi, Tensei, Uncle Zashi, and Isamu all believed he could be a hero.

He tried to fight the tears in his eyes, but when his uncle pulled him into a tight hug they flowed freely down his cheeks. He nodded, there were too many thoughts floating around his mind for him to respond verbally.

“Don’t tell Inko and Izuku though, I don’t want to disappoint them if I fail.” He wiped his eyes as he pulled away from the hug. His uncle gave him a look but nodded.

“I don’t know why you’re doubting yourself, but I’ll make sure none of us spill the secret.”

After a few more minutes of rest, they hopped up to begin another spar.

This time Dabi went after the underground hero with everything he had, a new sense of determination guiding him.

As he stood over his uncle in victory, he knew he’d do everything in his power to pass this exam.

He would not disappoint the people that believed in him.

───※ ·❆· ※───

“Zuku! Over here!” Tenya called as soon as he entered their favorite cafe.

Izuku spotted a familiar head of purple hair at the table as well and smiled as he made his way to his best friends.

“Oh! Little Izuku, how are you kid?” Mr. Kobayashi called from behind the counter.

“Hi, Mr. Kobayashi! I’m doing well, how is business?” Izuku gave the man a bright smile.

He and his mother had been going to this cafe for years, and the Bakugou’s had joined them numerous times after the boys played together at the neighborhood park.

Sometimes the familiar smells and decor made his heartache, but he had friends who actually cared about him and accepted him. He would never regret standing his ground against the explosive blond, but he occasionally missed the days when things were simple between them.

He finished walking over to his friends, grinning when he realized they had already ordered his favorite combo of taro boba and red bean mochi.

“Thanks, guys!” He took an appreciative sip of the purple drink before asking them about their days.

Although the three boys went to two different schools, they still hung out almost every day. On the days they couldn’t hang out or study together they filled the group chat with stories about their days and memes.

Izuku was impressed by how quickly Tenya and Hitoshi had grown out of their shells. He felt like their friendship had done so much to build his confidence around people his own age, and he hoped he had helped them in some way as well.

They chatted about their school days, Tenya and Hitoshi explaining that their English teacher went off on unrelated tangents every class. Izuku talked about the hero that visited his class that day. The woman, who went by the hero name Ivy, knew Rumi and Keigo very well. She realized Izuku was their kid brother, but luckily didn’t say anything in front of the class. When she asked to speak with him after, he was met with glares from his teacher and classmates. He left that part out of the story, though.

He also left out that he received detention for ‘taking attention away from the students with powerful quirks’ and ‘tricking a pro hero into thinking he was worth speaking to’.

The atmosphere was relaxed, they were the only customers in the cafe at the moment. When the bell above the door rang, Izuku didn’t even think to turn around.

“Deku?!” A familiar voice called behind him, and his body instinctively stiffened when he heard the nickname.

Bakugou had left him alone ever since their confrontation, sticking to the occasional verbal insults. The bullying still persisted even without the boy’s direct influence, but at least he no longer had to feel explosions against his skin on a daily basis.

“Oh, Bakugou.” Izuku briefly acknowledged the boy behind him, watching as Hitoshi and Tenya scowled. They had never met Izuku’s ex-childhood friend, but they had heard the stories.

“Who are these extras?” Bakugou glared at the strangers, clearly trying to hide his curiosity.

“These extras are my friends.” Izuku couldn’t mask the irritation in his voice. He wanted to escape the torment he experienced at school, and now it was glaring at him and his friends.

“Yamazawa Hitoshi, pleasure to meet you.” The last part of the sentence was spat out, the displeasure in the purple-haired boy’s voice was apparent.

“Iida Tenya.” Tenya introduced himself stiffly. His usual propensity for politeness had been forgotten in the face of his best friend’s bully.

“Why are you hanging out with a quirkless loser like Deku?” Bakugou growled out, sending a pointed glare at the green-haired boy.

“It’d be a little strange for me to not hang out with my own cousin, but I’d probably still be best friends with Izuku even if we weren’t related.” Hitoshi emphasized his real name, clearly irritated with the insult the blond was using. While Hitoshi and Izuku weren’t blood-related, they still considered themselves family. Izuku was proud of Hitoshi for speaking so much to a stranger, the once mute boy had grown so much in his time with Shota and Hizashi.

“Yes, I am honored to have Izuku as a friend.” Tenya added with an icy tone.

Bakugou’s eyes widened a bit at their casual use of Izuku’s given name, but he quickly played it off.

“Tch. I know the nerd doesn’t have any cousins or friends, I don’t know what lies he’s told you but he’s a useless loser.”

Before his two friends could respond in his defense, Izuku’s worst nightmare came true.

“Bakugou! Who are you talking to - oh. It’s Deku.” Evil smiles came across the faces of the three boys that joined Bakugou when they realized their favorite target was sitting in front of them.

“I’m surprised they serve your kind here, Deku.” Tsubasa mocked.

“What a despicable thing to say!” Tenya stood, his brows clenched in anger. It was rare that the boy lost his cool, but discrimination of any kind filled him with rage. He had learned his lesson and was happy to teach the same lesson to anyone who intended to mock his best friend.

“I think it’s time for you all to leave.” Hitoshi growled, his glare reminiscent of Uncle Shota’s.

“Guys, it's okay. Their words don’t bother me anymore.” Izuku lied, hoping the group of bullies would leave so that they could go back to enjoying their drinks and conversation.

“How’d you convince these two to hang around you, Deku? They’re probably losers too. It’d be a shame if someone punished them for hanging around such a useless freak.” Okada cracked his knuckles, showing the true meaning behind his words.

The boys that were with Bakugou when Izuku pinned him to the ground and threatened them all stopped hanging out with the blond soon after, so these goons didn’t understand the threat that he could be.

He took their threats to his safety in stride, day after day allowing them to call him useless and tell him it’d be better if he just disappeared. But for them to threaten his friends, his family?

He would make them regret stepping foot into this cafe.

His chair scraped the floor as he slowly pushed it out, staring ahead at the group in front of him. The muscles throughout his body were stiff with tension, coiled like a spring ready to pounce at any moment.

“Izuku, they aren’t worth it.” Hitoshi clutched his arm, knowing his friend would feel horrible if he hurt any of the assholes in front of them.

“They clearly want a fight, Toshi. It’d only be fair for me to give it to them.” He met Bakugou’s eyes, his chest filling with glee when the blond actually took a step back in fear.

Remember what I said last time, Bakugou? He thought to himself.

“Like you could give us a fight, useless fucking Deku.” Okada stepped forward, sneering at Izuku.

“Izuku! Please, you should not lower yourself to their level.” Tenya grabbed his other arm.

Izuku tried to listen to his friends, but the anger inside him was a burning inferno.

No one threatened the people he cared about.

“Is there a problem here?” Mr. Kobayashi’s voice called from where he had just emerged from the kitchen.

The group of bullies turned to the cafe owner.

“Yeah, I didn’t realize you served quirkless here.” Tsubasa sneered at the man’s question.

Izuku’s heart plummeted as wondered how this would go, would Mr. Kobayashi throw him out so he wouldn’t lose customers?

To his immense surprise and relief, Mr. Kobayashi’s face morphed into a scowl at the boy’s implication.

“Everyone is welcome here, except those that want to cause problems with other customers. I suggest you boys find somewhere else to get an after-school treat.” The man’s towering form straightened, showing he was not going to back down.

The group rolled their eyes and made disgruntled comments as they left, shooting Izuku and his friends one last glare before exiting the cafe. Bakugou was the only straddler, looking conflicted as he left.

“Are those the type of people you hang out with now, Katsuki? I’m very disappointed.” Mr. Kobayashi looked at the boy, the one he had watched grow up over the years, with pain in his eyes.

“I hope you learn sooner than later what type of person you really want to be, for your sake.”

The explosive boy stared at the man for a few moments before sucking his teeth and leaving.

The tension slowly left Izuku’s body, but he and his friends sat in silence as they all processed the interaction that had just occurred. He knew they would once again ask him why he didn’t just leave Aldera, and he would have to argue his point yet again.

Mr. Kobayashi placed a plate of assorted mochi in front of them, letting them know it was on the house.

As the three boys dug into their treat, Izuku felt overwhelmed with emotional exhaustion.

Chapter Text

“Are we sure this is a good idea?” Hizashi asked as they stood in front of the Midoriya household to pick their nephew up. The blond shifted with anxiety, looking as though he regretted their decision more and more at every passing moment.

“We’re doing what’s best for Izuku.” After Hitoshi had returned home and recounted the incident at the cafe, both heroes could no longer justify standing by while Izuku suffered. They had called an emergency meeting with all the adults in the boy’s life, and they had come to an agreement. Izuku would never forgive them if they forced him to leave his school, but they could give him a push in the right direction.

Sadly, that direction involved introducing the green-haired child to the Rat God.

Nedzu had been asking about their nephew for years now, wanting to meet the child that had stolen the hearts of so many heroes. News of the kid’s analysis had spread, and the principal constantly requested copies of Izuku’s journals. Shota and Hizashi had agreed to hold off the inevitable meeting until their nephew was at UA, but drastic times called for drastic measures.

So here they were, ready to introduce two geniuses and potentially bring about the end of the world as they knew it. Well, it was worth it if Izuku was happy. At least, that’s what Shota told himself as he knocked on the door.

Dabi answered a few moments later, wearing Shota’s old cat-eared hoodie and Present Mic sweatpants. The outfit warmed his heart, and his husband’s if his teary-eyed expression was anything to go by. They were so grateful that their nephews looked up to them as heroes, and were always working to be worthy of that admiration.

“Sup.” Dabi took a sip of his coffee before gesturing for the pair to enter the home. “The little menaces are in Zuku’s room, mom is in the kitchen with Isamu, Keigo and Rumi are in the backyard.” Their eldest nephew proceeded to carefully place his empty mug on the coffee table before throwing himself face-first into the couch cushions. It seemed the teen wanted to fully enjoy his day off from training, not that Shota could blame him. Hitoshi was already here, having spent the night with Izuku and Tenya so they could help the freckled boy organize his notebooks. The rest of the family seemed to live in the Midoriya home more than their actual houses, and could often be seen wandering around or causing chaos.

“Oh, hello! I didn’t realize you two were here already, we must have lost track of time.” Inko had just emerged from the kitchen, closely followed by Snipe. Shota was still getting used to seeing his colleague out of costume, but he was a nice addition to the family. Isamu’s dark blue dreads were pulled into a bun on the top of his head, and the man wore an oversized red sweatshirt with matching sweatpants. It almost looked like he had stayed the night, but Shota would store that information for later. Inko deserved to have a life outside of raising her children and fighting corruption, and he wouldn’t judge her for who she chose to live it with.

“No worries! Dabi let us in, we wanted to get here a little early so we could say hi to everyone.” Hizashi moved in for a hug, using his height to squeeze Inko tightly. Mama Midoriya’s hugs were truly the best thing on earth, and everyone in the family took advantage of them when they could.

“I’ll grab you two some coffee while we wait for the boys to come down.” Snipe offered, walking back into the kitchen while Inko smiled at his back.

“Boys! Your uncles are here!” Inko called up the stairs as Hizashi and Shota settled into the loveseats next to the couch Dabi was currently passed out on. A few moments later three pairs of footsteps could be heard descending the stairs. Hitoshi and Tenya appeared first, greeting the men normally before settling into their own seats. Izuku, the gremlin that he was, had to make a dramatic entrance. He began running as soon as he came into view, leaping over the couch and crashing onto his older brother with a beaming smile on his face. Dabi let out a pained groan as the green-haired boy settled into his back, nuzzling into the fluffy fabric of his hoodie. The older boy opened his mouth to argue but sighed in defeat a few moments later.

“Why can’t you ever just ask to cuddle like a normal little brother?” Dabi reached back and ruffled his hair affectionately while the rest of the group giggled at the display in front of them.

Izuku gave him a cheeky smile, rolling off of the couch and onto the floor in a smooth motion. The kid’s movements sometimes reminded Shota of an agile cat, and the thought always brought a smile to his face.

“Eh. It’s more fun when I can terrorize you a bit, and it helps with your training!” Izuku dodged Dabi’s attempt to tickle him before settling in on the floor in front of Hizashi’s seat.

“Who are we terrorizing?” Rumi’s voice called from the back of the house as she and Keigo made their way into the living room.

“Dabi doesn’t like the way I ask for cuddles.” Izuku gave an over-exaggerated pout and crossed his arms. Shota rolled his eyes affectionately, amazed at how adorable and manipulative the boy could be.

“Really? Well, that won’t do.” Keigo’s eyes sparkled with mischief. Dabi could barely brace himself before the two heroes leaped over the back of the couch and flattened him beneath them. Keigo ended up sandwiched in between Rumi and Dabi, and a bright blush had overtaken his face.

“I feel like Tenya and I are the only mature ones here, besides the real adults.” Hitoshi said in a deadpan voice.

“I would agree, Toshi.” Inko’s voice piped up from the kitchen, where she and Isamu were emerging with trays of coffee and tea for the group. Shota gratefully took a mug of steaming hot coffee, chugging it almost in one go. They still had thirty minutes until they had to leave, and he was prepared to fill his body with caffeine before he had to interact with Nedzu.

“How are you feeling about your meeting, Izuku?” Inko asked from her place next to Isamu, sipping on her own mug of tea.

The boy pursed his lips and scrunched his eyebrows, a sign that he was thinking out his answer before replying. It was frankly adorable, not that Shota would ever admit that out loud. He hoped his nephew would keep some of his innocence after working with the rat. The boy definitely shared some of the rougher traits of Rumi and Shota, but he was still sunshine incarnate.

“I’m looking forward to it, but I’m still a bit nervous. I know you guys always compliment my analysis, but this is Nedzu we’re talking about here.” Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, a habit that only reemerged when he was extremely nervous.

A pang of guilt hit Shota in his chest at the sight of his nephew doubting himself. He was so concerned with introducing the kid to Nedzu that he didn’t think about how the meeting was affecting the boy. Before he could speak up, Isamu stepped in.

“Kiddo, you’re one of the smartest people I’ve met in my life. Including adults. Nedzu is going to be impressed with your mind, just like we all are.” Inko smiled warmly at the man, and everyone relaxed a bit as the tension drained out of Izuku.

Shota was hesitant to let Snipe into their little circle, but the hero proved over and over again that he deserved to be in the Midoriya’s lives. He sometimes wondered if Izuku realized just how many people would burn the world down for him.

“Thanks, guys, I really appreciate your support.” Izuku smiled as Hizashi ruffled his hair. They spent the rest of the time discussing training and the upcoming family movie night until it was time to leave. Hitoshi and Tenya would stay at the Midoriya household so they could be there when Izuku returned, ready to hear a thorough play-by-play of the meeting. Keigo and Rumi had a shared day off, so they would hang around to terrorize Dabi and ready themselves to support their little brother.

Hizashi hopped into the driver’s seat of their car while Shota settled in upfront, giving Izuku a soft smile in the rearview mirror. The boy had made Shota soft, but only for his family. If only his students could see him now, smiling and singing along to Hizashi’s terrible American pop playlist. He’d have to make sure to seem extra grumpy next time he was in front of his class, just to even out the energy. He spared one more glance at his nephew in the back seat, smiling brightly and singing at the top of his lungs.

The kid would be okay, they would make sure of it.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku stared up at the gates of UA, which were now a familiar sight for the boy. He occasionally came here for training, or to meet one of his uncles after their classes let out for the day. Now, he was here to meet one of his idols and the smartest being on the planet. No biggie.

Tenya and Hitoshi had stayed up late with him, combing through his journals and notes so that he had a presentable portfolio for the principal to review. His family assured him that Nedzu would be happy to mentor him, but he wanted to put his best foot forward. He wasn’t entirely sure what this meeting would entail, but he was prepared for anything at this point. Nedzu was famous for being chaotic and unpredictable.

“Ready to go, little listener?” Uncle Zashi came up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder, which helped him to relax a little bit. He reminded himself that his uncles would be there every step of the way, so he nodded and followed them onto school grounds.

Izuku had seen most of the campus at this point but had been purposefully steered away from the principal’s office and most of the main building. He knew his uncles were just being protective, but he was curious as to why he had been kept away from Nedzu for so long. As they made their way through the maze-like building, he went through everything he knew about the mysterious head of UA.

Nedzu had been experimented on by a group of cruel scientists, a background that would have given him every right to hate humanity. Instead, he used his intelligence to help pave the way for the next generation of heroes. He was known for enjoying a bit of chaos and messing with his staff but overall leaned more towards chaotic good than evil. As they walked down the hallways, Izuku noticed a few hidden cameras eyeing them discreetly. He chose to wave at them, wondering if there was a security guard on the other end that watched the students day by day. On the other end of the feed, Nedzu sat grinning into his tea, already intrigued by the boy that noticed cameras no one else seemed to find.

They finally made it to their destination, and Izuku waved to the last camera he saw. He hoped the security guard felt acknowledged for all their hard work, keeping the students of UA safe every day. His uncles stared at him with wide eyes as the door opened, a cheerful voice greeting them as they stepped into the large room.

“Hello! You must be Midoriya Izuku! I have heard so much about you.” The principal was much shorter than Izuku was originally expecting, but he hid his shock and greeted the man politely.

“It is nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me and look over my notes.” Izuku bowed slightly, unsure of how formal his greeting should be.

“None of that! We’re all friends here, Midoriya. Come and sit, would you like some tea?” The principal gestured for the seats in front of him, and when Izuku accepted the offer of tea a pot seemed to appear out of nowhere. He settled in, sat in between his two uncles, and began taking out the notebooks he chose for the occasion. He placed them on the desk in front of him before picking up his mug, using the heat to ground himself. He wasn’t as nervous as he thought he would be, but this was still a big moment for him. His family always complimented his analysis, but validation from the Nedzu would be the final push he needed to truly believe them.

“I’m so happy your uncles finally agreed to let us meet! I’ve been looking forward to reading your analysis for quite some time. Let’s take a look, shall we?” Nedzu’s grin widened a fraction before he grabbed the journal on top of the stack. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes as he worked his way through the pile of notebooks, his smile growing as his tail wagged faster and faster. Once he was finished with the final journal, he gave a content sigh and took a sip of tea.

“Well then, you surely did not disappoint!” Nedzu clapped his hands together as he shot a pleased smile towards the boy in front of him. Izuku took in a deep breath for the first time since they entered the room, preening under the positive attention. Uncle Zashi reached out and squeezed his wrist in support.

“Thank you, sir. That really means a lot coming from you.” Izuku smiled shyly before asking his next question. “Do you think I could be a hero, even if I’m quirkless?

Nedzu responded almost immediately. “Of course! Especially with a mind like yours. UA would be honored to help train the first quirkless hero.”

He was shocked by how quickly the principal responded, although he had learned to expect this answer from the heroes in his life. He fought to control the tears forming in his eyes, and steeled himself for his last question.

“I’m really happy to hear you say that. I was wondering, if you had any extra time, would you be willing to help me hone my analysis and strategy skills? I also want to create a code for my notes so they can’t be used against any of the heroes. I think analysis will be my ticket to becoming the best hero I can be.”

Nedzu’s smile grew impossibly wider, and Izuku thought he saw Uncle Sho shiver out of the corner of his eye. He must be seeing things due to his nerves.

“I am certainly interested in mentoring such a talented mind, Midoriya. I would like to go through a few tests to see where your skills are at, but first I have a question.” Izuku wondered what the principal could ask, hoping this wasn’t the moment that would make or break their tentative relationship.

“Of course, sir. Ask away.” Izuku’s hands were sweating as he went over possible questions in his head.

“What hybrid am I?” Nedzu asked, voice laced with curiosity and a hint of smugness.

Izuku furrowed his eyebrows, confused by the simple question. Surely anyone could see what the man was, but from the looks on his uncles’ faces that did not seem to be the case. A sudden surge of confidence filled his chest, knowing that he might actually be intelligent enough to not waste Nedzu’s time. With a shit-eating grin that most certainly did not belong on a twelve-year-old’s face, he confidently replied.

“A stoat, sir.” Casually taking a sip of tea for full dramatic effect.

“You’re the first person to guess correctly, Midoriya. I think we’re going to get along very well.” Nedzu and Izuku sat smiling at each other for a few moments, while Hizashi and Shota grew increasingly more uncomfortable.

“Abort mission.” Izuku heard Uncle Sho whisper, causing Nedzu to break out into a maniacal cackle.

Once the principal had calmed down, he poured himself another cup of tea and took out a box from his desk. He removed a chess set from it, and Izuku felt a sudden pang of anxiety. While chess always seemed like something he would enjoy, he had never gotten around to playing. Tenya had once shown interest in learning but neither boy ever went through with it. Perhaps if Nedzu was willing to teach him, he could pass the skills on to Tenya and Hitoshi.

“Have you ever played chess, Midoriya?” Nedzu’s smile was patient, immediately draining all the nerves from Izuku’s body.

“No, but I’ve always wanted to learn.” Izuku eyed the pieces curiously, his mind already craving the knowledge of what each piece did.

The principal explained the basics and demonstrated a few strategies for the boy, who absorbed the information like a sponge. Shota and Hizashi watched on in interest, curious to see how their nephew performed against the genius in front of him. They knew their nephew was extremely intelligent, but Nedzu would not go easy on him just because of his age.

Over the next hour or so Nedzu and Izuku played multiple rounds of chess, and the boy’s skill only grew over time. The length of the matches increased as did the principal’s focus, but Izuku was too into his own head to notice the challenge he was giving the stoat. After one last tense match where Izuku almost secured a win, Nedzu put the board away to discuss his thoughts.

“You learn quite quickly, Midoriya. No one has ever gotten that close to beating me before, I actually had to think over my moves a few times. How exciting!” Nedzu’s tail was wagging quickly, and Izuku couldn’t help but smile at the praise.

“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate you teaching me how to play, I enjoyed our matches.” Izuku thought he had proven himself, but he didn’t want to get too cocky.

“Enough of this sir nonsense, please just call me Nedzu. Now, I understand your mother wanted to meet with me before your lessons start? Aizawa, please pass along my information so that I can schedule a meeting with Ms. Midoriya.” Nedzu finished his tea before heading over to one of the bookshelves lining the walls of the office. He returned with a few books in his hands, placing them on the table in front of Izuku.

“For now, I’d like you to read through these books and take notes on what you learn. After your mother and I figure out a schedule that works we will discuss the contents. Aizawa and Yamada can provide you with my contact information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Even if you’d just like to chat a bit.” Nedzu smiled warmly at the boy, or as warmly as an animal with sharp fangs could smile.

“Thank you, Nedzu! I won’t let you down!” Izuku’s eyes sparkled as he looked over the spines of the books. The specializations included hacking, psychology, quirk theory, English language, and a variety of other topics that Izuku couldn’t wait to learn about.

The trio said their goodbyes and walked in comfortable silence until they reached the staff parking lot. His uncles had carried his collection of textbooks outside so that he could carry his backpack stuffed with notebooks, and once Mic had set his stack on the back seat he pulled Izuku in for a tight hug.

“I am so PROUD OF YOU!” The last part of the sentence was quirk enhanced, but not enough to cause any discomfort. It was Zashi’s way of showing him that he was proud, and Izuku smiled as he squeezed his uncle. Sho ruffled his hair, his own proud grin hiding underneath his capture weapon.

“You did good, kiddo. Now promise me you won’t try to take over the world until you’re at least eighteen.” Shota chuckled, but he was only half-joking.

“No promises, uncle Sho.” Izuku giggled when his uncle gave him an unamused glare, quickly sliding into the back seat to escape any retaliatory tickles.

“Oh no, there goes my sweet little nephew! Now we’re left with this sassy little gremlin!” Hizashi sighed dramatically as he buckled his seatbelt.

“We watch him terrorize Dabi and Keigo on a daily basis, I think he has always been a little chaotic.” Uncle Sho quipped from the passenger seat. Izuku made sure to stick his tongue out into the rearview mirror, giggling when his grumpy uncle threw him a glare. Zashi’s eyes widened suddenly, as though a thought just occurred to him. Izuku merely cackled once he heard what was on his uncle’s mind.

“I just realized his pranks are going to be so much worse now.”

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku’s Victims

BabyChaos: Does anyone want to play chess with me? :)

EmoBro: No.

ChickenNugget: No thanks, baby bird.

CarrotLover: I learned my lesson the first time, Izu.

CarrotLover: Btw, whoever changed my name is dead. :)

Yeehaw: No violence allowed unless supervised by an adult. (Rumi, Keigo, Dabi, and Tensei do not count as adults.)

Yeehaw: Also, I might not be much of a challenge but I can try to play with you after patrol, sharpshooter.

MiniSleepy: Sorry, Zuku. I can only lose so many times before it becomes embarrassing.

UncleLoud: ^^^^ Agreed. It’s like playing with another version of Nedzu… which is frankly terrifying.

ZoomZoomJr: Izuku, I would be happy to play with you when Tensei and I return from our family trip up North! It will be a truly educational experience.

ZoomZoom: I will happily watch you destroy everyone at chess, kiddo.

MamaMidoriya: Izuku, I thought we were going to play together when I got home?

BabyChaos: You keep winning, I want to win. :(

ChickenNugget: …. Sometimes I forget how terrifying you two are.

Chaos: Inko has proven to be quite the opponent during our weekly meetings over tea. :)

UncleSleepy: … What have I done?

Chapter Text

Izuku focused on his breathing as he finished the last mile of his morning run, a ritual that he had taken up shortly after he began training with Rumi. Dabi sometimes joined him depending on his training schedule, but Izuku was by himself today.

He took in the sounds of his neighborhood, smiling at the old ladies he passed on the sidewalk and watching shopkeepers setting up for the day. These moments he got to himself, alone with his thoughts, were his favorite part of the day. It was the quiet before the storm, a chance to ground himself before he had to go to school and deal with torment from his peers.

He cleared his mind for the last few minutes of his workout, allowing his muscle memory to take over as he finally approached his street. As he opened the gate he noticed the dining room light was on, meaning his mother and brother were up for breakfast. A small smile formed on his face, excited to spend a bit of time with his family before he went to school.

A dark blue truck pulled into their driveway as he was approaching the door, and he greeted Isamu once the man had exited the vehicle. The cowboy had become a staple at their breakfast table, and Izuku couldn’t help but wonder when he and his mother would officially begin dating. There had been enough nights where the man ‘accidentally’ fell asleep on their couch, or became a stuttering mess around the Midoriya matriarch, that a betting pool had formed in their family.

While Izuku would very much like to win the pool of money, he was honestly just happy for his mother. She had done so much for him and the rest of the family, and she deserved so much more than his father had ever given her. A man that would abandon his wife and child was not worthy of Inko Midoriya.

“Mom! I’m home, and Isamu is here!” The delicious smell of cooked fish permeated the air, and his mother made her way out of the kitchen to greet them. Dabi waved from where he was nursing a coffee by the counter, turning back to the rice he was dishing out into bowls.

“Izuku, why don’t you go take a shower and join us when you’re done?” His mother smiled at him before guiding Isamu to the kitchen. An unspoken rule in the Midoriya household was if you were eating a meal, you would help in some way. Izuku mentally thanked his mother for sparing him from the chore as he made his way up to his room to shower and change.

Once he was freshened up he joined his family at the table, scarfing down the simple meal as he talked to Dabi about the new video game they were planning on playing together.
“I’m going to the mall with Zashi after school today, I can pick it up for us then if you want.” Izuku offered as he got up to wash and dry his dish.

“Sounds good, squirt. Then we can play this weekend when Tenya and Toshi come over.” Dabi lightly pushed him with his hip, forcing him to scoot further down the counter so that he could wash his plate.

“Hey sharpshooter, do you need a ride to school?” Isamu asked as he entered the kitchen, carrying both his and Inko’s plates to wash.

This was another addition to his daily routine, getting rides from the blue-haired man every once in a while. Izuku had grown fond of the Western music playing softly in the background as they chatted on the way to school. Normally he would take him up on the offer, but today he had a bit of energy to dispel before he began his day.

“Thanks Isamu, but I’ll pass today. I want to walk off some of the leftover energy from my run.”

The hero simply nodded, ruffling Izuku’s hair before joining Inko in the dining room to chat over their coffee. It amazed Izuku, how quickly this man had formed a place at their table and in their hearts.

He finished putting on his uniform and grabbing what he needed for the day, kissed his mother goodbye, and headed out for school. Dread filled his stomach as he thought about what he would face throughout the day, but he steeled himself and kept walking.

Were Toshi and Tenya right? Should he just give up and go to Somei or attend homeschool? Wouldn’t that make him weak?

He was so lost in his own thoughts he didn’t pay attention to where he was going, and before he knew it he was pummeling into another body in front of him. His hand reached out instinctually, grabbing the person before they fell to the ground. When he looked up to apologize, he was met with burning red eyes boring into him.

Of course Bakugou would be the person he almost knocked over.

“Sorry.” Izuku said flatly, not really meaning his apology.

The blond glared at him, rubbing his shoulder but straightening himself up when Izuku glanced at it. The other boy seemed like he had a question on the tip of his tongue, but he shook his head and scoffed instead.

“Watch where you’re going, loser.” With that, Bakugou turned and kept walking.

Izuku rolled his eyes, annoyed that this was the way his day had started off.

I hope he changes his ways before we get into high school, no one needs a hero with an attitude like that.

He made sure to stay far away from the blond as he walked the rest of the way to school, taking a deep breath before he entered the building. His senses were on overdrive, constantly searching for anyone waiting to attack or harass him. The years of training with his family really helped him in this regard.

Once he made it to his classroom he sighed in relief, grateful that no one had messed with him before he could get to his desk. He should have known better than to let his guard down.

His bookbag was yanked from his back, and he watched in silent horror as it was dumped out into the hallway. The Hawks pencil pouch that Keigo got him for his birthday spilled open, and his pencils slowly rolled away.

He stood there, completely frozen as other students began kicking his notebooks further down the hallway. The taunts and insults thrown his way weren’t reaching him, the only sound he heard was the blood pumping in his ears.

A deep rage filled his gut, pooling there before it permeated throughout his body, threatening to overtake him. There were no thoughts in his mind outside of getting revenge for the treatment he was forced to endure.

Before he could move and do something he would inevitably regret, a familiar blond bent down to pick up his book bag. The action shook Izuku out of his anger-fueled daze, and he watched as Bakugou stood with the bag and waved it around.

“Of course a useless loser like you can’t even wear a bag correctly.” Bakugou taunted, shoving Izuku’s bag into his chest before walking to his desk.

It was only when Izuku went to pick up his belongings that he noticed a few of his pencils and books had been stuffed haphazardly back into it. He decided to ignore whatever it was his ex-childhood friend was trying to accomplish, gathering the rest of his things and sitting at his desk.

If Bakugou wanted to atone for his actions, he’d have to do much more than that.

To distract himself from the verbal harassment from his teachers and peers he thought about the plans he had after school. He and Mic had created somewhat of a tradition, shopping together at the mall every few months and then getting dinner and ice cream.

He loved spending one on one time with his uncle, especially now that their family kept growing over the years. While he might not be as passionate about shopping as the blond man, he still appreciated the pieces his uncle had collected for him over the years. His well-worn leather jacket had become a staple in his wardrobe, especially after Dabi and Rumi bought him different pins to add to it.

His strategy to distract himself worked, as the bell for lunch rang much earlier than he expected. He carefully gathered his things and walked in the opposite direction of the cafeteria. Early in the school year, he realized that eating in the lunchroom would only result in his food being messed with, so he quickly found a secluded place to enjoy his meals.

He huddled into his hiding space beneath one of the stairwells, unfolding the blanket he had left there a few weeks ago so that his uniform wouldn’t get dusty. The bento his mother made him smelled delicious, and he grinned at the note she had left him that morning.

Don’t forget how much we all love you, Izuku. - Mom :)

Izuku thought about the family he had created over the years, and how much support he really had behind him. He could never let them know how bad it really was at school, it would only prove that he wasn’t worth the effort they had all put into him and his training.

His thoughts were interrupted when his phone buzzed, and he pulled it out of his pocket as he took the first few bites of his food. Hitoshi and Tenya had made a habit of texting him during their lunch hour, chatting about their days and checking in on Izuku.

Problem Children

Sonic: Hello, Izuku. How has your day been so far?

Panda: ^^ Let us know if we need to help you hide a body.

Gremlin: …… For a family full of heroes we sure do default to talking about homicide a lot ……

Gremlin: And today has been okay, just the usual.

He debated telling them about his bag being dumped out, or the strange incident with Bakugou that followed, but thought better of it. They didn’t need to be burdened with his issues, especially when there wasn’t anything they could do about it.

They texted for a while, talking about plans for the weekend and any cool hero fights they had seen recently. Tenya and Hitoshi sent him a selfie of the two of them eating together, smiling brightly for the camera. A pang of sadness filled Izuku’s heart, and for a moment he imagined himself at the table with them.

Before the lunch period was over, Izuku pulled up his conversation with Rumi.

He loved all of his family members equally, but she was the first person to actually believe in him besides his mother. They had a different relationship than he had with Keigo or even Dabi, as she had been with him since the beginning.

LittleBunny: Hey sis, just wanted to see how your day was going.

BigBunny: It’s a boring day, but hopefully I’ll be able to kick some ass at some point. Hope you’re having a good day at school, Zuku. :)

He knew she was on patrol, so he wouldn’t bother her with his conflicted emotions. Just texting her made him feel a bit better, reminding him that he had people in his corner looking out for him.

As he walked back to class he checked his phone one last time, seeing that he missed a text from his uncle.

PresentationMichael: Hey kiddo, want me to pick you up from school today?

His family was constantly trying to pick him up for school, insisting that they wait by the front gate or even come to visit his class and pick him up early. He knew it was their way of trying to intimidate his classmates and highlight his relationship to the heroes, but he wanted to earn that respect on his own. When he became a hero he would not be able to depend on them when people tried to mess with him, so he should learn how to handle it on his own now.

He also didn’t want to seem like a charity case, and he knew his classmates would try to pretend to be his friend if they knew he had such close connections to top heroes. It was better for them to never know, at least until he was a hero in his own right.

He told his uncle to meet him at a cafe a few blocks away, hoping the man would respect his wishes. The one time Keigo had shown up to the school had caused a riot, and Izuku had snuck out the back gate before the hero could cause even more of a scene.

The rest of his day went by normally, jumping over feet meant to trip him and ignoring the taunts of his classmates. When the final bell rang he used his stealth training to get out of the building without incident. If his uncle saw any injuries he’d freak out, possibly getting his mother involved.

Luckily none of his classmates were in the cafe, and he found his uncle sitting at one of the tables with two drinks in front of him.

“Hey, little listener! I got you some hot chocolate, if you want something to eat just let me know.” His uncle smiled warmly at him, and all of the stress and tension from the day melted out of Izuku’s body.

“Thanks, Uncle Zashi. I’m actually going to change real quick if that’s okay?”

His uncle nodded, pointing to the restrooms and going to the counter to order Izuku a snack. Once the boy was in his casual clothes he sat at the table and took a few appreciative sips of his drink. They relaxed there for a bit, catching up and enjoying their treats before heading to the crowded mall.

“Do you need anything specific, or would you just like to shop around?” Mic asked, eyes roaming the shops in front of them. Izuku thought for a moment before shrugging.

“Let’s just see where the day takes us.”

They decided to go to a hero store first, trying to find any merchandise that caught their eye. Izuku’s room used to be an All Might shrine, but his idolization of heroes had been tamed over the years. He viewed heroes as humans, just like everyone else. His room now had his family’s merchandise in it, and he always felt surrounded by love whenever he was at home.

He ended up scoring an official Eraserhead poster, a rare find for the underground hero. Izuku ended up buying one for Hitoshi and Dabi as well, knowing his fellow Eraserhead fans would enjoy the gift.

An Ingenium keychain and a Nedzu stuffed animal also joined his collection, and Mic laughed a bit when he saw the toy.

“It is interesting to see how he is with you. He’s so terrifying most of the time, but you’ve managed to soften him up a bit.” The man ruffled Izuku’s hair affectionately.

Izuku blushed, not knowing how to react to the comment.

“It’s not a big deal, he’s just doing you and Uncle Sho a favor by teaching me.”

His uncle stared at him for a long moment, and Izuku shifted underneath the man’s gaze.

“You know that isn’t true, right? He wouldn’t have taken you as a personal student if you didn’t earn it.” The joking demeanor Mic usually spoke with was gone, replaced by a serious tone.

Izuku nodded, not fully believing him but unwilling to argue. He knew he needed to work on his confidence, but he had a long road ahead of him if he wanted to make any progress.

Maybe Aunt Nemuri would be willing to help me more?

With the weighty conversation behind them, they explored a few more stores, with Izuku picking up new books while his uncle bought a set of records for his music collection. After another hour of shopping, they decided to make their way to the food court for a greasy dinner. It was always a nice treat to deviate from their hero diets every once in a while.

“I already know what you’re going to get, so why don’t we meet by the ice cream place when we both have our food?” His uncle offered, and Izuku couldn’t help but smile at how well the man knew him.

They parted ways, Izuku on his way to the counter that sold his favorite katsudon and Mic to get some type of American fast food. Izuku had just gotten into line when the building began to shake.

Screams broke out from one of the nearby clothing stores, and shoppers began pouring out as smoke began flowing through the air. Izuku immediately switched into crisis mode, searching the crowd for his uncle.

They locked eyes across the cafeteria, and Mic nodded to him before they both sprung into action and ran towards the commotion.

“Izuku, call the police and then help evacuate people. If you have time, send an alert to the family group chat in case any of them are nearby to help. I’m going to see what is going on.” His uncle was now in hero mode, quickly taking control of the situation.

Izuku found an area away from the stampeding crowd to call the police to alert them of the situation, and once he confirmed they were alerting local heroes he made his way back towards the store.

He was grateful that he brought a few of the gadgets he and Nedzu had been working on to school, and he pulled a few items out of his bag before jumping into action.

“Attention!” He yelled, pulling the trigger on the device in his hand. A red light flashed out of the metal cylinder and his voice was projected over the noise of the scared shoppers.

“Please use the nearest emergency exit to evacuate safely and calmly! Heroes are on their way!” He helped guide people towards the exit, reuniting lost children with their parents and helping older shoppers out of the building. Adrenaline was pumping through his veins, and he focused on his task even as the sounds of fighting grew closer.

He was guiding an old woman towards the exit when a piece of metal was flung towards them. In seconds he had moved them away from the object's main trajectory, but it still wasn’t enough to avoid some impact. He covered the woman with his body, hoping to take on most of the damage. At the last second something wrapped around the projectile, launching it away from Izuku and the woman.

“Nice instincts, kid.” A voice called from a few feet away. When Izuku looked to see who had rescued him, his jaw dropped in shock.

Oh my god Best Jeanist just saved me!

Standing in all of his denim clad glory, the Fiber Hero approached the pair to look them over for injuries. After he confirmed Izuku and the old woman were unharmed, he gestured for one of his sidekicks to come over to them.

“Help her get to the exit safely, try to avoid fighting as much as possible.” The man instructed, watching as the other hero wrapped his arms around the woman. Before they left she stopped and turned to Izuku.

“You were very heroic young man, I can’t wait to see you go pro!” She smiled warmly at him, and Izuku felt immense pride as he watched her walk safely out of the building.

“Now, where are you guardians?” The man turned to him, eyeing him expectantly. It must have been a strange sight, seeing a kid doing crowd control during a villain fight.

“I was with my uncle, Present Mic, sir. He instructed me to guide people out of the building and to alert the authorities.” Izuku tried to stand tall as he spoke, but the hero still towered over him. “Um, my name is Izuku Midoriya. You can confirm with him if you’d like.”

The man stared at him for a long moment, clearly trying to figure out why a pro hero would trust a child with such an important task. He must have seen something in Izuku’s eyes, because after a while he simply nodded.

“Okay, continue what you were doing and stay out of trouble. I’ll be having a conversation with your uncle about civilian safety once this is over.” The hero jumped back into action, taking down two of the villains with ease.

Izuku refocused himself, guiding the remaining civilians out of the building while doing his best to avoid fighting. As he was guiding the last civilian out, a dozen red feathers blocked a piece of concrete from hitting him.

“I thought we worked on your situational awareness, little bro.” Keigo landed in front of him, smiling at the startled civilian and winking at Izuku.

“Keigo! I didn’t know you were here.” Izuku smiled up at the hero, who gestured for Izuku to continue what he was doing.

“Don’t mind me, you’re doing a great job Zuku!”

They finished walking the woman outside, and they were both glad to see the villains being rounded up by various heroes in the food court.

“You stay here, I’m going to go see if they need any help.” Keigo flew off before Izuku could respond, and he awkwardly watched the assembled heroes cuff the villains as they waited for police vans to arrive.

Once the robbers were secured Keigo had to go back to his patrol route, but Mic quickly found Izuku and checked him over for any cuts and bruises.

“Inko is going to kill me.” Hizashi rubbed a hand down his face, looking genuinely distressed at the idea of facing Izuku’s mother.

“It won’t be that bad. It’s not like I was fighting villains or anything!” Izuku tried to comfort his uncle, but he barely convinced himself with that statement.

“Ah yes, Present Mic. I think we should discuss your decision to have a minor facilitate crowd control during an active villain attack.”

Izuku and Mic both turned, now facing the towering figure of Best Jeanist. The man looked bored, but his eyes shined with a deep intelligence that had Izuku on edge.

Mic immediately stiffened, glaring at the man in front of them. Izuku wasn’t aware of any beef between the two, but the charged air indicated that there was more going on here than he might realize.

“Hello, Jeanist.” His uncle spat, using a tone that Izuku had never heard from the man. “This minor has specialized training from multiple pro heroes and was an asset during the initial response to the incident.”

Izuku knew from the formal language the man was using that he was angry, an emotion he was shocked to see. Hizashi didn’t do anger, it was all jokes and good vibes.

What exactly was going on between him and the number four hero to elicit such a reaction?

Jeanist simply huffed in response to his uncle's statement before turning in Izuku’s direction. He expected to be reprimanded by the hero, or threatened with a vigilantism charge.

“Good job, kid.” Izuku and Mic’s jaws dropped in unison at the compliment.

“I am sorry you had to be involved, but you kept a cool head and got everyone out safely.” Jeanist reached his hand out, looking to shake Izuku’s hand.

The boy lifted his hand slowly, still processing the turn of events. He didn’t expect to be praised by the hero who was chastising his uncle only moments ago. After a few moments he was finally stable enough to respond.

“Thank you, sir. I only did what my uncle and the rest of the family have been teaching me.” Izuku gestured towards Mic, who was carefully watching the interaction.

“Hm.” The denim hero eyed Mic suspiciously, before turning to Izuku. He stared at him for a few long moments before nodding, like he had come to some type of decision.

“Well, I would like to see you continue to grow.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a sleek case and reaching for a business card.

“Here is my contact information, I’d like to see what you can do and potentially take you on as a mentee.” Izuku took the card, his hands shaking from nerves and excitement.

“I think you’d benefit from learning from someone with less tacky taste.” The word was pointed towards Mic, and Izuku grew a bit defensive.

“My uncle is a really great mentor, he’s taught me a lot over the years. I’ll take you up on the offer, but please don’t speak to him that way.” Izuku stood up straight, staring the man down even though he was filled with nerves. The small smile on Zashi’s face made it all worth it, though.

Jeanist raised his eyebrows in surprise, clearly not expecting that type of response. He glanced between the Izuku and Mic a few times, before his face broke out into the first smile Izuku had seen from the man.

“You have guts, kid.” He gave Izuku an appreciative nod. “I’ll be sure to show your uncle a bit more respect in the future. He has clearly taught you some valuable skills.”

Izuku looked up at the man, contemplating his next question.

“I do have one more thing to ask you, sir.” The hero gestured for him to continue, so Izuku clenched his fists and asked the question that would make or break this agreement.

“Do you think quirkless people can be heroes?” He watched for any changes in the man’s expression, looking for any signs of disgust or hatred. Izuku was surprised to see a bemused smile form on the man’s face.

“I think they can do anything with enough motivation and the right people in their corner.” He ruffled Izuku’s curls before walking away. Izuku smiled, happy that another hero believed he could achieve his goals.

With that settled the hero returned to his sidekicks, and Izuku and Mic found their shopping bags and headed to a nearby restaurant for a late dinner.

Inko was more proud of Izuku than angry, but Hizashi was still sweating as he sat on the couch to explain what happened. Keigo and Rumi were both surprised that Jeanist had offered to mentor Izuku, explaining that the man was hard to impress.

Izuku sent a text to the hero before he went to sleep, explaining that his mother would need to meet with him before they did any training together. He couldn’t believe he would be training with yet another top ten hero, or that he had been doubting himself just a few hours before the incident at the mall.

I can do this. He thought to himself before falling asleep, feeling more content than he had at the start of his day.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Inko Midoriya Fan Club

EmoBro: Hey.. I have some cool news to share with you all. Can everyone come over to our house for dinner tomorrow?

UncleLoud: We’ll be there!

ChickenNugget: I come over for dinner anyways so I’ll be there.

AngryBunny: ^^^ same.

UncleSleepy: Inko, would you like us to bring anything?

MamaMidoriya: No, I have everything covered. :)

YeeHaw: I can come over early to help.

MamaMidoriya: Sure! Thank you, Isamu :)

ZoomZoom: Tenya and I will be there! Excited to see what your news is.

RatGod: Thank you for the invitation, I will be there! I have a new tea blend I think you all will enjoy. :)

DenimMan: I am not sure if I am invited, but I’d be happy to attend if so.

EmoBro: You’re a part of the family now, no take backs.

MiniSleepy: Once Izuku adopts you there is no escape.

YeeHaw: You all make the little sharpshooter sound so scary.

ChickenNugget: He is.

AngryRabbit: He is.

EmoBro: He is.

ZoomZoomJr: He is.

MiniSleepy: He is.

GreenGremlin: Really guys?! :(

Chapter Text

Dabi stood in his room, checking himself over for the hundredth time as he stared in the mirror. He shouldn’t be this nervous to talk to his family, but the news he had to share was life-changing. His hand dived into his pocket, checking to make sure his freshly laminated provisional hero license was still there.

Knock knock.

He turned towards the door, already knowing who was on the other side.

“Come in, Uncle Sho.” He called out, nervously adjusting the sleeves of his black dress shirt. The man entered the room with a bemused smile on his face, watching as his nephew paced around like he was about to go on trial.

“You okay, kid?” His uncle crossed the room to place a hand on his shoulder, and he felt a bit of his anxiety melt away. Dabi could only nod, too nervous to respond to his uncle’s question.

“I know you’re nervous, but you earned this. Everyone is going to be so proud of you, okay?” Dabi once again nodded, not meeting the man’s eyes.

“Hey, look at me.” He finally locked eyes with his uncle, who was looking at him earnestly.

“I am so, so proud of you.” Uncle Sho spoke so seriously, and the words filled him with the courage he needed to face everyone downstairs. Before he could stop himself, Dabi engulfed the man in a crushing hug. He was about to pull away when his uncle wrapped his arms around him, clutching him tightly.

They separated after a few long moments with matching smiles on their faces, and Dabi knew it was time to tell his family that he had taken the first step to becoming a hero.

The men walked downstairs together, the room falling into quiet anticipation when Dabi took his place at the front of them. Everyone was smiling up at him, and he let himself take a moment to lock eyes with each and every single one of them.

Rumi, who taught him to be unapologetically himself regardless of who said otherwise.

Keigo, who had dug his way into his heart and made a home there. Who always supported him unwaveringly, while encouraging him to take a break every once in a while.

Uncle Mic and Uncle Sho, the men that changed his entire view of what a father could and should be.

Tensei, who showed him that someone can be an outstanding hero without losing their sense of fun or adventure.

Their newest additions - Nedzu, Isamu, Nemuri, and Jeanist - who already claimed a permanent place in their family.

Tenya and Hitoshi, his little brothers in all but blood, and whose determination to be heroes motivated him every day.

Izuku and Inko, his bonus brother and mother, who took him in without question when he needed it the most. He often had nightmares about who he would have become if Izuku hadn’t found him that night in the store.

“I have some good news to share with you all, but I wanted to start off by thanking all of you. I truly could not have achieved any of this without every single one of you supporting me.” Dabi began, shuffling on his feet as he reached into his pocket. He locked eyes with Uncle Sho, and the man winked at him and nodded in encouragement.

Dabi took the license out of his pocket and presented it to the room, watching as realization dawned on everyone’s faces. Izuku jumped up and ran towards him, tackling him into a hug.

“You got your hero license!” The boy cried, his tight grip causing Dabi to gasp for air. Everyone else began running up to him, congratulating him and joining the hug.

“Zuku, you’re going to choke him!” Keigo pulled the greenette away, taking the boy’s place by wrapping his arms around Dabi’s chest. He felt his heart pounding, hoping that Keigo couldn’t feel his racing pulse.

“He’ll be okay! I had to congratulate him!” Izuku pouted, but Tenya and Hitoshi quickly distracted him by discussing what the provisional hero exam would require.

“I’m so proud of you!” Mic clutched him tightly, and Dabi fought the tears threatening to pour out of his eyes.

“I’m glad you didn’t fuck it up, emo boy.” Rumi joked before patting him roughly on the back. Dabi grinned at the woman, knowing her gruff words were filled with love.

He locked eyes with Inko, the woman who took him in, his mom.

“My baby is a hero.” She whispered, raising her hands to clasp his cheeks as she smiled up at him. Dabi could no longer fight the tears that had been building up in his eyes, and a choked sob escaped him as Inko pulled him into a hug.

Their family gave the pair some space, allowing them to have a moment together as Dabi cried in the woman’s arms. He thought of his other mother, his other family, and couldn’t help the sadness that threatened to overtake him. He was determined, more than ever, to do everything to get the rest of his family out of his father’s grasp.

“Wait, what is your hero name?” Izuku questioned, his eyes shining with curiosity.

Dabi laughed at his brother’s excitement, pulling back from the hug to hold out his license once again. Printed in bold letters under his legal name was the name he chose for himself, the name he would use while he saved those in need.

Civilian Name: Dabi Midoriya

Hero Name: Azure

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku smiled as he watched his family celebrate Dabi’s achievement, eating cake and milling about various rooms in the house. He was so excited for his brother and he felt like he could burst with happiness. Dabi had promised to tell him everything about the provisional licensing exam once everyone left, but Izuku already had his own theories.

His brother’s accomplishment only made him more determined to reach his goals to become the first quirkless hero. He wanted to be an inspiration for quirkless people and quirked people alike, proving that anyone can be a hero if they worked hard enough for it.

He thought of his conversation with his uncle a few weeks ago about working on his confidence, a skill he would need if he was going to succeed. He needed to believe in himself without relying on his family and friends. His eyes began searching the room, finally landing on the exact person he needed to talk to - Aunt Nemuri.

He quickly crossed the room, approaching the woman as she talked to Mic about the newest women’s shelter she was opening in the city. The adults broke off the conversation as he approached, giving him their full attention.

“What’s up, little listener?” Mic asked with a smile. Izuku shuffled a bit, but his determination helped him overcome his anxiety.

“I was actually wondering if I could talk to Auntie Nem for a minute?” The woman looked a bit surprised, but a wide smile formed on her face as she nodded.

“Of course, honey. Why don’t we step out on the porch for a few minutes?”

The pair made their way to the back yard, taking seats on the outdoor lounge chairs scattered along the back porch. Nemuri smiled at him encouragingly, patiently waiting for Izuku to tell her what he wanted to talk about.

Many people looked at his aunt and only saw the character she played, a beautiful woman who only cared about flirting to achieve her goals. As Izuku had grown to know her, he realized she was so much more than what the media portrayed her as.

She was a registered counselor, using her skills to help guide the teenagers she worked with at UA. The hero also opened shelters across the city, housing kids kicked out of their homes for their quirks or identities, or giving women a safe place to live after escaping from abuse. This was only scratching the surface of the good deeds the woman in front of him was responsible for, but the media chose to only focus on shaming her for her hero persona.

Izuku knew he could trust her to help him with this, and he felt himself relax as he sat back in his seat.

“Um, I was hoping you could help me with my confidence a bit? Uncle Mic was talking to me about it before those villains attacked the mall a few weeks ago, and he recommended that I talk to you.” Izuku adjusted himself in his seat, awaiting the woman’s answer. He knew Jeanist - or Tsunagu, the first name the man had revealed to them tonight - would also assist him, but he preferred to go to someone he was already more familiar with.

“I can definitely help with that, but I know someone else that I'd like for you to meet. Why don’t you come over to my house later this week and we can have your first lesson? I’ll talk to Inko about it.”

Izuku grinned, nodding in excitement as he imagined who his aunt would be introducing him to. All of the heroes in his family had interesting connections, ranging from civilians to other heroes.

Knowing Nemuri, it wouldn’t be anyone too boring.

A few days later Izuku found himself sitting on the couch while sipping a fruity non-alcoholic cocktail, sitting with his aunt in her living room. Two of her cats, Frida and O’Keefe, were snuggled against Izuku’s legs for warmth.

Nemuri’s house was very cozy, the seats made of dark red velvet covered with fluffy pillows and blankets. Her house always smelled like a mix of spices and coffee, and Izuku always felt comfortable here. He was happy to be spending more one-on-one time with his aunt, especially now that she had agreed to help him with his self-confidence.

She was sitting across from him in one of the lounge chairs, her long hair pulled up in a bun and a pair of glasses hanging low on her nose as she turned a page of her book. They were both in sweats and hoodies, staying comfortable as they waited for his aunt’s guest.

There was a knock on the door, and Nemuri jumped up with excitement as she strode across the room. The door opened to reveal a woman with bright green hair that immediately dove through the doorway to give his aunt a hug.

“Nem!” The woman exclaimed, quickly pulling his aunt in for a quick peck on the lips. Izuku sat in stunned silence, realizing that this woman was his aunt’s girlfriend.

When the woman pulled away from the embrace he finally recognized who she was, and his jaw dropped even further.

Ms. Joke was his aunt’s girlfriend!

He stood, his body vibrating with excitement as he walked over to introduce himself to the hero. She was one of his absolute favorites, her bright smile and light-hearted attitude always inspired him. Her fighting style was an interesting mixture of martial arts, all perfectly crafted to ensure that she could still use her quirk mid-fight.

She turned to him, her smile widening even further as she opened her arms for a hug.

“Is this little Izuku? I’ve heard so much about you, kid!” Izuku stepped into the hug, already feeling comfortable around her. Nemuri was smiling at the pair, clearly pleased that they were already getting along so well.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Izuku said, trying to be polite as they stepped out of the hug.

“Oh no! I’m not that old, no need for all the formalities.” Ms. Joke ruffled his hair fondly. “You can just call me Emi, okay?”

Izuku nodded, excited to refer to yet another pro by their given name.

“Why don’t we go sit in the living room?” Nemuri suggested, guiding her guests to sit while she grabbed them something to drink and snack on.

They chatted for a bit, with Emi asking Izuku about training and school before patiently answering all of his questions about her quirk. He enjoyed watching his aunt send loving glances towards her girlfriend as they talked, it was very clear that she was smitten.

He had known that his aunt was seeing someone, but she had yet to introduce her to the family. After this, Izuku would make sure that Emi was invited to all of their family gatherings moving forward.

“So, I heard you wanted to work on your confidence?” Emi finally asked, easing her way into what would probably become an uncomfortable conversation for the teen. It wasn’t easy being vulnerable, especially with someone you just met.

“Yeah, something like that.” Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, unable to make eye contact with the two women as he spoke about his complicated relationship with self-worth.

He explained what growing up quirkless had been like, how his closest friend became his biggest bully, the long nights wondering if he would ever reach his goals. There were days where he didn’t believe he was worth the energy his mentors put into him, and he still doubted his ability to become a hero.

The two women listened quietly, their eyes filled with understanding and empathy. He wasn’t expecting to share so much so soon, but he trusted that they wouldn’t judge him for his doubts and feelings.

“Sometimes it is hard to imagine there ever being a quirkless pro hero.” He said, his head hanging as he stared at his feet.

“No one thought I could be a hero with a quirk like mine, but look at me now.” Emi replied, and Izuku’s head shot up. He had seen comments on messenger boards saying people with quirks like Ms. Joke’s shouldn’t be heroes, but he had never thought about the real-life harassment the woman probably faced on a daily basis.

“No one believed in me either, not even my own family.” Nemuri frowned into her cup of tea, and in that moment Izuku wished he could find his aunt’s family to give them a piece of his mind. He must have been scowling, as both women began to chuckle.

“It’s okay Zuku, I have a new family now.” She ruffled his hair and smiled warmly, and he felt his anger dissipate a bit.

“It’s sadly a reality for a lot of people with ‘unheroic’ quirks, especially for women.” Emi shrugged casually, but it just made Izuku angrier at society. These two women were some of the best heroes in the country, and the fact that people doubted them infuriated him.

“The key to building confidence is resilience.” Emi began, and Izuku paid close attention as she spoke.

“You have to learn to let things roll off your back, whether it's a hate comment or someone doubting your abilities. Confidence has to come from within, and we’ll teach you the lessons I wish I knew as a kid.” Emi let Izuku take in her words, and he wondered if he would eventually be able to ignore his classmate’s taunts.

“Alright, I am willing to learn.” He was willing to do whatever it took to be the best hero he could be, and this was just one step of many.

They sat for another two hours, and Emi taught him how she separated her hero persona from her civilian identity. It helped her disconnect from any negativity that came her way, whether from the media or trolls on the internet.

Nemuri talked to him about how her hero persona made her feel empowered, and that Izuku should create an identity that makes him feel invincible. She told him the importance of being yourself unapologetically, as well as the difficulties that came with it.

They had agreed to meet once a week on Sundays, and their lessons would range from conversations to going out in public to practice the skills they went over. He felt re-energized, ready to face the world and prove anyone who ever doubted him wrong.

Izuku left his Aunt Nemuri’s house, giving his aunt some alone time with her girlfriend. He couldn’t wait to introduce Emi to everyone else, especially Hitoshi. The woman would have great advice for his friend’s voice-activated quirk, and could potentially give him some new methods for getting a verbal response.

He and Hitoshi had planned to hang out after he was done at Nemuri’s, so he made his way to the Yamada-Aizawa household. Both of his uncles had worked with Ms. Joke in the past, and he wondered if they knew about her relationship with Nemuri. He had promised his aunt that he wouldn’t divulge that aspect of their relationship until she had a chance to tell everyone at dinner this weekend.

He used his spare tea to enter the house, smiling when a few cats began circling around his legs. A fluffy gray cat was staring up at him, her wide eyes boring into Izuku’s soul.

“Trash Can, I promise I didn’t mean to play with other kitties today. You’re still my best girl.” Izuku tried to placate the feline that had grown an attachment to him ever since she was found in a garbage can by Shota a few years ago. The cat simply huffed, her tail swaying as she continued to stare him down.

He carefully approached her, petting her ears and head before slowly moving to pick her up. She melted into his chest and nuzzled her head into him as he rubbed her back and cooed at her. It seemed that all was forgiven, and he would need to remember to bring a change of clothes whenever he came from his aunt’s.

“Who is the best kitty?” He smiled at the cat as she licked his chin with her sandpaper tongue.

“Sometimes I think she likes you more than me.” Shota stepped out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hands, wearing a fuzzy sweatshirt and his favorite bright pink sweatpants.

“You did name her after a garbage can, hon.” Zashi followed him into the room, wrapping an arm around the black-haired man’s shoulders as he pouted a bit.

“I want her to remember where she came from.” Shota huffed, sitting down on the couch as Mic called upstairs to let Hitoshi know that Izuku was there.

“How did your lesson with Nem go, kiddo?” Mic took a seat next to his husband, and most of the cats made their way to their dads’ laps and sides. Izuku took a seat in one of the lounge chairs with Trash Can still nuzzled closely into his chest.

“It was a lot of fun! Ms. Joke actually came over to help as well.” Izuku watched as both of his uncle’s raised their eyebrows, and their expressions told him that they had suspicions about the relationship between Nemuri and Emi.

“Did she now?” Mic asked, his tone conspiratorial as he glanced over to his husband.

“I am not sure what she could possibly offer.” Shota grunted, but the small grin on his face was proof that he wasn’t being serious.

“Emi is really nice, Uncle Sho. I was actually thinking about learning some stealth moves from her.” Izuku giggled at his uncle’s offended expression, while Mic chuckled at his nephew’s mischievousness.

“You wouldn’t. That woman wouldn’t know what stealth was if it hit her in the face!” Shota crossed his arms and pouted, a gesture that looked ridiculous coming from the gruff man.

“Dad, are you messing with Zuku again?” Hitoshi jumped over the back of the lounge chair, squishing Izuku into one of the arms as he made himself comfortable.

“Why would I ever mess with my nephew? What type of uncle do you think I am?” Shota smirked into his coffee, clearly enjoying teasing Hitoshi and Izuku.

“Alright, Sho. Enough terrorizing the kids, why don’t you go grab our guest something to drink?” Mic pushed his husband up from the couch, the black-haired man grumbling but still completing the blond’s request. As soon as he left the room, Izuku asked a question that had been on his mind since he first entered the house.

“Does Uncle Sho really hate Emi?” Izuku’s hands wrung together, he didn’t want two of his mentors disliking each other. He already had to deal with the strange relationship between Jeanist and Mic.

Mic’s eyes softened at Izuku’s concern, but shook his head at the question.

“Not at all! They have some sort of sibling dynamic going on. Although Shota tries to act like she annoys him, he’d take down anyone who tried to mess with her.”

Izuku immediately relaxed, happy to know there wouldn’t be any drama when Emi came around for dinner. Shota returned after a few minutes with glasses of juice for the kids, and the adults left Hitoshi and Izuku to hang out on their own.

“Do you want to play video games or do you want to go out and do something?” Hitoshi asked as they finished their drinks. Izuku thought it over for a moment before deciding.

“Let’s go out! The weather is really nice today.” The boys let Shota and Mic know where they were going and walked to the nearest ice cream store. Izuku got chile mango, a long-time favorite of his after he grew to love spicy food due to his ex-childhood best friend. Hitoshi settled on mint chocolate chip, and the boys decided to walk around as they finished their treats.

Their conversation shifted to their training as they walked, since they shared similar training plans. Neither of them had a physical quirk, so they had to train their bodies to peak condition.

“I need to work on my upper body strength more, seeing how ripped Rumi is has been motivating me recently.” Hitoshi mentioned before continuing to eat his cone. The purple-haired boy was tall with lean muscles, just like both of his fathers.

“If you want to go into underground heroics, you should probably focus on bulking up in a way that won’t affect your ability to move quickly. Bulky muscles would slow you down when hopping between buildings or trying to apprehend a villain at night.” Izuku had pages upon pages of notes on underground heroes, especially Eraserhead. None of the underground heroes in their city were bulky, due to the requirements of the field.

“Hm.” Hitoshi had a contemplative look on his face, passively eating his ice cream as he thought it over. “That’s a good point, thanks Zuku.”

The boys continued walking, not really following any specific path as they ate and discussed different heroes that inspired them. They had strayed a little farther than anticipated, but something caught Izuku’s attention.

Takoba Beach was right in front of them, sprawling piles of trash blocking their view of the ocean and causing a distinct smell to waft through the air with the sea breeze. Izuku watched as a bird picked through the trash in search of food, and an idea popped in his mind.

“Toshi, you’re still going to try to build your upper body strength, right?” Izuku continued staring at the trash in front of them, eyeing the countless appliances and other large objects scattering the landscape.

“Uh, yeah.” Hitoshi gave him a puzzled look, confused by the sudden topic change.

“I think I know something we can do to help with that.”

───※ ·❆· ※───

“I am never listening to one of your ideas again.” Hitoshi groaned as he lugged a microwave on one of his shoulders. He was covered in sweat, and Izuku and Tenya weren’t faring any better.

“That’s a lie and you know it.” Izuku huffed as he threw the large piece of metal he had been carrying into the dumpster near the boardwalk. Tenya was filling bags with smaller pieces of trash further down the beach, taking a break from heavy lifting for the day.

When Izuku had mentioned the beach clean-up project to his family, Jeanist had immediately hired a waste management company to provide them with dumpsters and other necessary materials. Shota and Inko helped them get permission and permits for everything, while Mic tried to convince them to wear matching shirts throughout the project.

The man had insisted that it would be an adorable way to promote their good deed, but all three boys had declined. All of the adults helped them out when they could, but the three boys had taken on the brunt of the work.

“How are you boys holding up? Do you need to take a break or drink some water?” Isamu asked as he finished throwing a mini-fridge into the dumpster. Izuku had always known pro-heroes were exceptionally strong, but the days where the pros in his life joined them at the beach solidified that fact in his mind. Watching Rumi deadlift a full-sized refrigerator was both motivating and terrifying, but it helped him set new goals for strength training.

Izuku’s muscles were sore after hours of cleaning up the coast-line, and he wasn’t sure if he could go on any further today. One look at Hitoshi was enough for him to know the other boy was thinking the exact same thing.

“I think we should call it a day, Isamu.” Izuku responded, turning to call out for Tenya to rejoin them. A loud crash suddenly rang through the air, and the trio watched as a tall pile of trash collapsed twenty feet away from them. They were about to write it off as a random incident, but a cry of pain immediately sent them all into rescue mode.

Isamu ran ahead of them, while Izuku took out his cellphone in case someone needed medical attention. Hitoshi followed close behind, and Izuku could hear Tenya’s engines getting closer and closer by the second. His two friends weren’t technically supposed to use their quirks like this, but the adults tended to look the other way during an emergency.

As they approached the collapsed pile a pink blur suddenly shot out, almost tackling Izuku before he moved out of the way. He immediately fell into a fighting stance, unsure of what exactly they were facing. A pink-haired girl around his age stood up from a few feet away, brushing herself off before glaring at Izuku.

“Are you the ones who have been taking away all of the baby-making materials?” She crossed her arms, deepening her scowl as she awaited a response.

Isamu and the three boys stared at her in shock, all frozen in place as they tried to process what she was saying. Tenya seemed to break out of the daze first, giving her a disapproving look before responding.

“I beg your pardon?!” He exclaimed incredulously, and Izuku wouldn’t be surprised if he gave her a lecture on manners and appropriate speech if they let him continue.

The girl seemed unperturbed by the disapproving stares the blue-haired boy was sending her way, as she simply sighed and rolled her eyes in annoyance. She was acting like she hadn’t said something absolutely ridiculous just a moment ago.

“I call my inventions babies, princess.” Tenya scoffed at the nickname, but the girl ignored him before gesturing towards the piles of trash and continuing her explanation.

“I use spare parts I find here to work on my babies, but the good stuff has been disappearing lately. It’s your fault, isn’t it?” She no longer seemed murderous, but she still looked annoyed at the idea of their clean up project.

Izuku was unsure of what to say in response to her accusation, he didn’t realize anyone was using the beach in such a way. An idea came to his mind, and he hoped it would help alleviate some of the tension in the air.

“Why don’t we just partner up?” He offered, ignoring the wide eyed glance Hitoshi sent his way. This girl had tried to tackle him a few moments ago, but he would also be angry if he was in her shoes.

She eyed him suspiciously, clearly trying to figure out the true intentions behind the offer. Finally, she uncrossed her arms and walked a bit closer towards the group.

“What would be the terms of the partnership?” She asked, her eyes still filled with distrust. Izuku thought for a moment, thinking over which options would work best for everyone involved.

“Why don’t you join us on the days we are cleaning, and if you see anything you want we can put it aside for you.”

She contemplated his offer before nodding and stretching her hand out for a shake.

“Sounds like a plan, greenie. I’m Mei, future C.E.O of Hatsume Industries and the best inverter you’ll ever meet.” Izuku took her hand, surprised by the confidence behind her statement.

“I’m Midoriya Izuku.” They shook hands before the rest of the group introduced themselves. Mei was surprised to see the pro hero Snipe outside of his mask, but she didn’t pester the hero with too many questions.

“So, are you trying to be heroes?” She asked after they explained they were using the beach clean up as a way to give back to their community while also building upper body strength.

“You bet they are. These kids are some of the most dedicated students I’ve ever seen.” Isamu piped in, making all three boys blush in embarrassment at the praise.

Mei’s eyes sparkled with interest, and she asked the one question Izuku had been dreading since she had agreed to partner up with them.

“What are your quirks?”

Hitoshi and Izuku shifted on their feet anxiously, but they were saved when Tenya stepped up to answer her question first.

As he explained his quirk to the inventor, the girl’s eyes shined with intelligence and fascination. It was clear that she was already planning things to create to aid Tenya in his career as a hero. When he was finished, Hitoshi stepped up next.

“My quirk is brainwashing.” His tone was challenging, as though he was daring her to have an issue with his power. There was a slight pause before Mei began jumping up and down with excitement.

“You have so much baby-making potential!” Isamu and the boys cringed a bit at her wording, but they were more relieved that she hadn’t had a problem with the purple-haired boy’s quirk.

“Um, thanks. I guess?” Hitoshi’s cheeks were bright red, but Izuku could tell he was thankful for the acceptance.

“What about you, greenie? Do you have some type of analysis quirk? I saw the way you were thinking over our partnership earlier.”

Izuku tried to ignore the churning in his stomach, remembering the sessions he had spent with Emi and Nemuri to boost his confidence. He didn’t need validation from others, he knew he could reach his goals if he continued working towards them.

“I’m actually quirkless.” He says firmly, standing tall as he awaited her reaction. Isamu, Tenya, and Hitoshi were tense as they glanced between Mei and Izuku.

Mei seemed frozen in place, her jaw hanging low as she stared at Izuku for a long moment. She seemed to finally reboot herself before flinging her body at Izuku. He was so shocked that he barely had time to catch her, and he felt her practically vibrating with excitement as he placed her back on the ground.

“You’re PERFECT” She exclaimed, before diving into a muttering storm that reminded Izuku so much of his younger self. The only words he caught were ‘blank canvas’ and ‘so many possibilities’, and a warm feeling bloomed at his chest when he realized Mei had accepted his lack of a quirk without question.

Izuku felt like he could cry, but he saved the tears as he continued to listen to the girl’s muttered thoughts. His friends and mentor seemed to relax after she began muttering, and now they were simply enjoying Mei’s intelligent muttering.

After a few moments, Isamu broke her out of the spell to invite her to their next destination.

“We were just about to go to a nearby cafe, would you like to join us?” The man asked, and Izuku was once again grateful for his kindness. Isamu wasn’t an uncle to him, like Shota or Mic, but he wasn’t a brother-like figure either. Izuku was still figuring out their relationship, but he was so grateful the man had made his way into their lives.

Mei glanced nervously between Isamu and Izuku, and the boys were completely taken aback by the change of demeanor. The confidence from minutes ago was gone, replaced by uncertainty and nervousness. Izuku didn’t know what had caused the sudden change until Mei finally spoke.

“Are you sure you want to hang out with me?” She seemed to be eyeing Hitoshi and Tenya specifically, but her gaze fell on Izuku as well. Izuku immediately glanced at Hitoshi, and an understanding passed between them. They recognized the look she was giving them, as well as the hesitancy in her voice. Before either boy could speak up to reassure her, Tenya stepped in.

“Absolutely! We are always looking for new friends.” Mei relaxed a bit, smiling at the three boys before nodding. Izuku looked at Tenya, once again reminded of how much he had grown from the boy he had met years ago.

“Just make sure to let your guardians know where you’re going, I can give you a ride home after we finish up at the cafe.” Isamu assured, but Mei simply shrugged.

“My folks are out of town.” She wasn’t making eye contact with the man, choosing to focus on her fingernails instead.

Snipe immediately paused, staring intently at the child in front of him as she avoided his concerned gaze.

“Is there anyone at home to keep an eye on you?” Isamu asked, and his tone told Izuku that he was in hero mode now.

Mei puffed out her chest, straightening up and staring the man directly in the eyes.

“I can take care of myself.” She insisted, her tone defiant.

The three boys locked eyes, concern written over their features as they waited for their mentor’s response. Isamu had a serious expression on his face, and he seemed to be choosing his next words carefully. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke again.

“Sure you can, sharpshooter. Why don’t we get you kiddos some treats to reward you for the hard work you did today?” Izuku was surprised by the man’s choice to not push the issue, but clearly realized he was trying not to scare the girl away.

On the walk to the cafe Isamu was continuously checking his phone, texting back and forth with someone the entire time. Izuku was sure that he was texting his mom and the other adults in their family about the concerning statements Mei had made.

When they entered the cafe Mr. Kobayashi greeted them warmly, ushering them to a table before introducing himself to Mei.

“Hello, are you a new friend of the boys? My name is Mr. Kobayashi, I am the owner of the shop.” Mei seemed a bit shy, but she greeted the man and introduced herself.

“My name is Mei, I just met them today but I’d like to think we’re friends.” She looked at the three boys as though she were looking for confirmation.

“We are definitely friends!” Izuku responded, a bright smile on his face at the idea of another friend. He noticed that Isamu was staring at the cafe owner intently, like he was trying to solve some sort of puzzle.

“I’m sorry, but do I know you from somewhere? You look awfully familiar.” Isamu finally asked, still staring at Mr. Kobayashi.

The cafe owner paused for a moment, but he quickly recovered as a wide smile filled his face.

“I don’t think so. I just have one of those faces, I suppose.” The man shrugged before walking off, and Isamu kept his eyes on his back until he entered the kitchen.

“I swear I know him from somewhere.” The hero muttered to himself, but he turned to the kids after a moment. “Let’s get you guys those treats.”

Mr. Kobayashi knew the boys’ regular orders, and he promised to remember Mei and Isamu’s orders for their next visit. It was strange to think that out of his family only his mother, Dabi, Keigo, and Rumi had been to the cafe with them. It had become such a staple in Izuku’s life, with Mr. Kobayashi being a constant calming presence for him.

They ate their sweets happily, finally relaxing after a long day of physical labor. Mei had tried to offer Snipe money, but the man absolutely refused. Izuku couldn’t help but wonder how the hero was going to handle her home situation.

Hitoshi and Mei were discussing a voice modifier, and Izuku’s ears immediately perked up. He had thought about creating a similar device before, but Mei’s ideas were truly groundbreaking. She wasn’t lying when she said she was an excellent inventor, and he quickly got sucked into the conversation. Tenya and Isamu joined as well, clearly fascinated by the way the girl’s mind worked.

Izuku couldn’t help but think that Nedzu would absolutely adore her, and he knew he would need to introduce the two soon. She would fit in perfectly in UA’s support department, although she might cause Power Loader to have a few heart attacks if her casual mention of exploding inventions was anything to go by.

They had just finished eating when Uncle Shota walked in casually, like he hadn’t showed up unexpectedly. Izuku knew that he was probably here to figure out what was going on with Mei’s parents, so he decided to play it off.

“Hey, Uncle Sho!” He greeted as the man approached their table.

“Hey dad, I didn’t know you were coming by.” Izuku could tell Hitoshi was confused as well, but he played it cool.

“I wanted a cup of coffee and I thought I should check out the cafe you boys have been telling me about.” Before anyone could respond, Mr. Kobayashi was handing Shota a steaming hot mug of coffee. The hero cautiously took it, staring at the cafe owner suspiciously as he took a sip.

“How did you know my order?” His uncle asked, his eyes narrowed as he stared the other man down.

“Lucky guess, I suppose.” Mr. Kobayashi gave the hero a small smile before returning to the back of the shop. Shota sat down, but he looked like he was still thinking about the interaction with the cafe owner as he sipped his drink.

“You’re Eraserhead, right?” Mei’s eyes were wide with wonder, and Izuku’s uncle looked surprised for a moment before nodding. Not many people recognized him as an underground hero, and it always astonished him when someone did.

Mei began asking the man questions about his support items, especially his capture scarf. Shota answered her questions as much as he could, keeping certain classified facts to himself. Izuku wondered when the elephant in the room would be addressed, but he was happy that his uncle was at least trying to build a bit of trust with the girl before asking about her home life.

After about twenty minutes, Shota finally asked if he could speak to the girl on the other side of the cafe, away from any patrons. Mei nodded nervously, and it was clear she already knew what the conversation would entail.

Tenya tried to make conversation while their uncle spoke to their new friend, but they were all tense as they waited for her to return to the table. Izuku hoped her situation was not as bad as it seemed, but based on his uncle’s expression it may be worse than they thought.

The pair finally made their way back to the table, and Izuku saw the burning rage behind his uncle’s eyes. Mei looked relieved, but also emotionally exhausted.

“Is it okay if I tell them too? I want them to know.” She asked, gesturing towards the three boys.

Shota hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“It’s your story to tell, kid.”

Izuku felt his blood boil as his friend explained that her parents moved to America around a year ago, refusing to take her with them in case she ‘distracted’ them from their work. They sent her just enough money to survive every two or so weeks, but she hadn’t received a call or text since they left. She didn’t have any other family members, so she had been alone the entire time.

Tenya was glaring at the table, and Hitoshi was clenching his fists tight enough to make his knuckles turn white. Isamu was squeezing the edges of the table, and Izuku could tell the man was desperately trying to control his temper.

“Luckily, I know someone who would love to take Mei in. She’s coming home with us until then, though.” Shota explained, and Izuku was glad his friend would have a loving home to go to after this. He wondered who exactly she would be staying with, but he wouldn’t be surprised if it was a hero. His uncle explained that he would try to get the government to extradite Mei’s parents back to Japan for punishment, but he wasn’t confident that it would work. Nedzu had already filed for their custody to be removed, which was the most important thing they could do for the girl.

“I’m sorry I am causing so much trouble for you all.” Mei said quietly, her head hanging low as she fidgeted with her hands. Izuku’s heart broke for his friend, knowing that she was made to feel like a burden simply for existing.

“Look at me, kid.” Shota spoke softly, a tone he only reserved for delicate situations like this. Her eyes hesitantly met his, and he placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her focus on him.

“You are not a burden, do you understand me?” Izuku could tell the man was angry, he loved children and hated when they were mistreated. Tears began pouring down Mei’s face, and Izuku wondered if that was the first time she had ever been reassured. She launched herself forward, wrapping her arms around the gruff underground hero. The man froze for a moment, but his arms quickly wrapped around the girl’s shoulders to hug her back.

They all sat quietly, letting Mei calm down a bit before they left. Mr. Kobayashi emerged from the kitchen with a to-go container filled with treats, insisting that they take them home to share. The man always seemed to anticipate their needs like this, and Izuku was grateful as he watched Mei happily bite into a pastry as they left the shop.

Isamu grabbed his truck from a few blocks away and drove them to the Midoriya household,where Mic and Inko were waiting for them. Shota explained that they kept the welcome party small so that Mei wouldn’t get overwhelmed.

“Hello, sweetie! My name is Inko, I am Dabi and Izuku’s mother.” Inko pulled the girl into a hug, squeezing her tightly before letting her go. Izuku knew his mother’s hugs were magical, and he was happy his new friend got to experience them now.

Mic introduced himself, and the group made their way to the living room to sit and talk about their next steps.

“Now, before we get started I wanted to see if you’d like for the boys to go upstairs? I know talking about these sorts of things can be difficult.” Inko offered as she passed Mei a cup of steaming hot tea.

Mei looked towards Izuku, Hitoshi, and Tenya before turning back to the adults.

“They can stay, they’re my friends now.” Izuku smiled, happy that she already considered them good friends.

“Alright, but just let us know if that decision changes at any point.” Inko spoke, sitting back in her seat next to Isamu.

“Mei, there is someone here who would love to take you in. He’s in the other room at the moment because we didn’t want to overwhelm you as soon as you walked in the door, but would you like to meet him?” Shota spoke, eyeing the girl for any signs of distress.

“Y-yes. I’d like to meet him.” Mei seemed unsure, but Izuku reached out to squeeze her hand, hoping she would find comfort in his presence. Shota stood, walking towards Inko’s office and popping his head in the door.

“She’s ready to meet you.” Izuku heard his uncle say, and then a shorter man followed him out into the living room. It took a moment for him to recognize the man, and his eyes widened in excitement when he realized which hero was in his home.

“Power Loader?!” Mei exclaimed, jumping up and running towards the man. Izuku could understand her excitement, he had only met the man a few times at UA but he was always kind and exceptionally intelligent. Having a support hero as her new mentor seemed like the perfect option for the girl.

“You can call me Higari, kid. Especially since you’re going to be staying with me, if you’d like.” Power Loader, or Higari, graciously accepted the hug Mei was giving him. He chuckled at her excitement, but Izuku could tell he was happy that she was having a positive reaction to all of this.

The pink-haired girl pulled away a bit, staring up at the man with sparkling eyes.

“You want to be my dad?” The room got quiet, waiting for the hero to respond to Mei’s question.

The man’s eyes softened, and he scratched the back of his neck shyly before responding.

“I’ve been wanting a family for a while, and Isamu told me so many great things about you. I wouldn’t force you to call me dad or anything, I can just provide you with a safe and supportive place to stay.” The man seemed nervous, and Izuku’s respect for him grew even further.

“I’d love to stay with you! Do you have tools in your house? What types of workstations do you have?” Unsurprisingly, the girl and the hero dived right into talking about their shared passion for inventing while the rest of the group watched with smiles on their faces.

Izuku turned to his mom, but paused when he saw a certain look in her eyes that he recognized well. It was the look she got in her eyes when she was ready to go into battle for a client, and it always ended with Inko winning. He wouldn’t be surprised if she somehow had Mei’s parents charged and jailed by the end of the week.

After all of the fine details had been sorted out, everyone began heading back home for the night. Tensei came to pick Tenya up, joking about Izuku’s growing collection of people.

“Pretty soon this family is going to include everyone in this city!” The man joked, ruffling Izuku’s hair.

“It’s not like I do it on purpose!” Izuku argued, pouting as he crossed his arms in front of him.

“Zuku, you basically forced me to come home with you.” Dabi appeared behind him, cackling when his brother sent a fierce glare his way.

“I don’t hear you complaining when mom makes the super spicy ramen that you love so much!” Izuku shoved his brother before heading back into the living room.

Mei left with Higari, Shota, Mic, and Hitoshi to get her things from her old house before heading to her new home. Higari had cleared two rooms out for the girl, one for her own personal workshop and one for her bedroom. Izuku was excited for his friend, and couldn’t wait to introduce her to Nedzu as soon as he could.

It was finally time for bed, and he stretched his arms over his head as a yawn ripped through his body.

“You boys get ready for bed, I have a few calls to make in the office. Just let me know if you need anything, okay?” Inko kissed their heads before walking towards her office.

“Mom is terrifying when she gets like this.” Dabi shuddered, watching as the woman shut the door behind her.

“She really is.” Izuku agreed, happy that his friend would be getting the justice she deserved.

Izuku’s Adopted Heroes

NyQuill: Why has it taken so long for me to get added to this chat? :(

RonaldMcDonald: At least you weren’t named after a clown.

NyQuill: But you’re a very cute clown ;)

UncleSleepy: No flirting in the chat.

UncleLoud: Sho, you sent a picture of me cuddling with the cats and said “two of my favorite things” yesterday… you can’t tell Nem and Emi not to flirt in the chat

MiniSleepy: How about we don’t let ANYONE FLIRT IN THE CHAT!

PinkGremlin: Can I make an electrified whip for Aunt Nemuri? :)

NyQuill: Electric whip??? Tell me more!!

AngryRabbit: Can I get one too?

ChickenNugget: A whip doesn’t even work with your fighting style?

AngryRabbit: I’ll make it work.

MiniSleepy: I want one too.

UncleSleepy: Hitoshi, no.

MiniSleepy: Hitoshi, yes :)

GreenGremlin: Mei, when you come to meet Nedzu we can talk about making the whips! :D

MamaMidoriya: Make sure an adult is supervising you at all times, kids.

EmoBro: Mom… you’re letting him make electrified whips?

MamaMidoriya: I think it will be a great way for them to use their creativity! :)

DenimMan: I opened my messages to a discussion on electric whips??

GreenGremlin: Do you want one? I think we could make it out of fabric so you could control it!! :D

DenimMan: …. Yes

RatGod: I look forward to our next meeting, children. :)

DigDug: I insist on supervising.

PinkGremlin: YAY

YeeHaw: I have a feeling the UA’s support department is going to be experiencing a lot more explosions now…

ZoomZoom: Can I test the electric whips????

ZoomZoomJr: Really, Tensei?

Chapter Text

Izuku aimed his weapon carefully, keeping his eye on the target in front of him as everything else faded into the distance. Silence surrounded him as he weighed the gun in his hand, gauging the perfect moment to pull the trigger. He pressed down, releasing the pressure building up inside himself as the bullet hit the bullseye. He repeated this process over and over again, getting perfect shots each time as he honed his instincts on the course.

Snipe’s private shooting range had become his safe space, a place for him to escape from his mind and the outside world for a bit. Shooting allowed him to focus on a single goal, allowing him to subvert the constant buzzing of his mind for a few hours each weekend. He finished off the rest of the targets with ease before he carefully put the gun back in its locked case and removed his protective gear.

When he turned around he was greeted by Snipe, who was smiling proudly at the downed targets. The man usually hung close by when Izuku was on the range, but allowed the boy to do his thing as long as he was being safe. They may seem like an unlikely pair at first, but the two had bonded quickly over their practice sessions and shared meals. Isamu had become a stable force in his life, constantly reminding him of Uncle Shota.

“You did a great job, sharpshooter.” Isamu ruffled his hair as he approached, a sign of affection that Izuku had learned to accept from the taller individuals in his family.

“I learned from the best.” Izuku smiled up at the hero, enjoying his last few moments of peace before he had to step back into the real world for the day.

“I don’t know about that.” Snipe smiled shyly. “Do you have any more thoughts on incorporating guns into your hero work?”

Izuku hesitated.

He had been thinking more on the subject, especially now that he had really honed his skills and seemed to have a talent for the weapon. Guns were a powerful and useful tool, but they could also cause more harm than good. One of his notebooks was filled with the pros and cons of using the weapon when he began training at UA, and he finally felt ready to answer the question his mentor had begun asking him every few weeks.

“I think I will incorporate guns, but not in the traditional sense.” Izuku thought over his next words, wanting to frame his explanation in a way that didn’t demonize Isamu’s daily work but still conveyed Izuku’s point of view.

“I think traditional guns can be a useful tool, but I want to utilize them in a different way. Nedzu and I have been brainstorming new types of ammunition that can help me in the field. So far we have electric darts, fire extinguishing capsules, and pods that expand into nets.” Izuku knew he didn’t want to wield the deadlier version of the weapon, but he could still use his hard-earned skills for good.

Snipe simply smiled at him for a few moments, his eyes shining with pride and respect.

“You really do have the heart of a hero, kiddo.” The praise made Izuku blush in embarrassment and shuffle his feet awkwardly. No matter how many times he heard it, or how many heroes told him, he still had trouble believing in himself most of the time. He could always count on his family to encourage him and build his confidence.

They finished putting away everything they used that day, always leaving the range in perfect condition. Isamu had instilled an appreciation for order and pride in your space, and this carried over into everything Izuku did in his daily life. Izuku liked to think of himself as ‘organized chaos’ nowadays.

As they walked to Snipe’s car after locking up the building, Izuku asked if he would be coming over for dinner.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, you know that.” Isamu ruffled his hair one more time before they both stepped into his truck and strapped themselves in for the ride home.

It was Saturday, so that meant Izuku had shooting practice in the morning and lessons with Nedzu in a few hours. His schedule was always packed, but he liked it that way. His mentors and mom had created a set schedule for him, helping him to keep on top of his academics while still being able to train.

Izuku’s Training Schedule

Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Training with Uncle Sho w/ Hitoshi, Tenya, and Dabi

Tuesday/Thursday
Alternate Training with Rumi/Keigo w/ Hitoshi, Tenya, and Dabi

Saturday
Gun Training in the AM and Lesson with Nedzu in the Afternoon

Sunday
Meet w/ Nemuri and Emi + Rest Day

He had assignments from Nedzu throughout the week, and Tensei and Jeanist would take him twice a month for their own training sessions when they could. If any of his mentors got stuck with a mission or paperwork he would spend his time in UA’s support department with Higari and Mei.

It might seem like too much, but spending time with his family was his favorite escape from the realities of his day to day life. The taunts of his classmates disappeared when he was surrounded by so much love and support, at least most of the time. He still got stuck in his own head, even with the work he was doing with Emi and Nemuri.

He just had to take it one day at a time, always striving to be better and to become the hero he had always dreamed of being.

Mei had begun joining him during his lessons with Nedzu, although Uncle Sho had argued against putting the two ‘chaos gremlins’ together with the Rat God. Thankfully Izuku’s lovely mother thought it was a great way for the two to expand their minds, and she had brushed away the rest of the heroes’ concerns.

There had only been one small fire at UA since Mei started, so clearly they had no reason to worry.

Now that she was officially adopted and free from her parents, the girl had begun to shine. Her prowess for invention constantly impressed Izuku and their mentors, as she had already created multiple support items that the heroes’ had incorporated into their daily use. He would never understand how her parents had given her up so easily, and he couldn’t imagine not having her in his life.

Nedzu and his mother had made quick work of the legal system, ensuring her parent’s employer knew what they had done before they were sent back to Japan for punishment. The couple was currently waiting for their sentencing, but Izuku expected that they would be spending a long time in jail. When multiple pro-heroes and the principal of UA condemned someone for child abandonment, the judicial system usually took notice.

Mei seemed to be adjusting just fine, but Higari still made sure she attended weekly therapy sessions to help her work through any lingering trauma and to help her adjust in her new home.

They pulled up to the Midoriya home and Izuku waved goodbye to Snipe before heading inside, ready to relax for a few hours before he had to go to UA.

“You asshole! I’m going to kill you!” Rumi exclaimed as he walked further into the house, and he paused for a moment to make sure there wasn’t a threat of any serious violence.

He found Dabi, Keigo, and Rumi sprawled across the various couches and playing Mario Kart. Princess Peach was currently on the screen celebrating a victory, and Izuku quickly understood what had angered his older sister. Before Rumi could make good on her threat she noticed Izuku standing behind them.

“Zuku! Want to join us?” She asked as she threw a piece of popcorn at Keigo’s head. The blond glared at her but held off on retaliating, due to Dabi sitting right in the line of fire between the pair.

His mother had banned most competitive games from being played inside the house, but she was at the office finishing up a few things for one of her cases. He would have to be the responsible one in this scenario, preventing his older siblings from destroying anything too important.

It’d also be fun to run Keigo off the Rainbow Road a few times.

“Yeah! I’m just going to shower and change and then I’ll be back down.”

He left his siblings to their play fighting and made his way to his room, ready to take a hot shower to sooth his aching arms and shoulders. The burn after a good early morning training session was his favorite feeling, a sign of his hard work and the progress he had made.

The warm water washed over him, allowing him to lose himself in his thoughts as he washed away the grime from the day. When he was finished he changed into a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt, wanting to stay comfortable while he was at home.

Mic and Jeanist had helped him find his own personal style, something he liked to play around with when he was out and about with his friends or family. He was careful to wear a face mask and hat when he was in public with the heroes, not wanting his connection to them to be made public just yet. If his connection to the heroes was made public, he knew people would question his potential acceptance to UA no matter how hard he worked.

While his style usually consisted of fashionable graphic t-shirts and his trusty leather jacket, he enjoyed dressing down when he was at home.

When he was finished getting ready he ran down the stairs with a wide smile on his face, ready to bother his older brother.

He launched himself over the back of the couch where Dabi sat, landing in the man’s lap and sprawling out like a cat. The man grunted at the weight, his long green hair falling into his face from the force of Izuku’s landing.

Dabi had grown his hair out during his hero training, not wanting to bother with getting it cut every two weeks while he was trying to become a pro. His permanently dyed hair was thin and straight, so unlike the thick curls that sat on top of Izuku’s head. People easily accepted that Dabi was Izuku’s cousin-turned-adopted brother when they went out with their mom, and Izuku sometimes forgot that it wasn’t the truth.

He loved his brother dearly, but he also enjoyed terrorizing him whenever he could.

“There are so many open seats, yet you chose the only one I’m sitting in.” Dabi grumbled, but he didn’t move Izuku from where he was laying over his lap.

“What can I say, I missed my big brother.” Izuku cackled as Dabi tried to push him off, but he made his way to an empty seat as Rumi tossed him a controller.

“I guess we’re chopped meat, Keigo.” She joked, rolling her eyes at the antics of the two Midoriya boys.

“I don’t know, Dabi’s lap is probably comfortable.” Keigo said absentmindedly as he scrolled through the various tracks. Everyone got quiet, waiting for him to realize what he just said. A dark red blush slowly spread its way up his neck as his eyes widened in realization.

Dabi was completely frozen as he stared ahead at the screen, his expression resembling a robot that needed to reboot before functioning.

Izuku debated on telling the two pining idiots in front of him to get a room, but he chose to be merciful and distract from Keigo’s blunder.

“I wonder which track you guys will choose. Not like it matters, we all know I’m going to get first place.”

Rumi caught on to what he was trying to do, and she started to heckle them all by claiming that she would be the Mario Kart champion. Keigo and Dabi both relaxed a bit, clearly thankful that the other two occupants of the room decided to ignore the awkward moment from before.

They played multiple rounds, taking turns choosing the course and changing their characters every few turns. Izuku came out on top almost every time, much to the chagrin of the three heroes. Rumi was able to beat him twice, a fact she held over the heads of Keigo and Dabi the entire time.

Izuku caught both men looking at each other when they thought the other wasn’t watching, and he couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Hopefully Keigo’s accidental admission from earlier would help speed things along between the two of them. He already had to deal with the strange dynamic between his mom and Isamu, he didn’t want to deal with watching these two idiots pine over each other as well.

Rumi had gotten up to grab a snack, and when she returned she vaulted herself over the couch and landed on Keigo as she casually chewed on her carrots. She winked at Izuku, clearly acknowledging that she had noticed the secretive glances between the two men as well.

“Really, Rumi? Why are you and Izuku such gremlins?” Keigo pouted, rubbing his side as Rumi made her way back to her seat.

“Because you two are so easy to terrorize.” She said, fist-bumping Izuku as she passed by.

They played a few more rounds of Mario Kart until it was time for Izuku to get ready to head to UA. Mei, right on cue, used her key to enter the house and fetch her inventing partner.

“What are you all up to?” She asked as she entered the living room, watching as Izuku won the final race of their tournament. The three adults all groaned and complained as Izuku casually tossed the controller on the couch and got up to greet his friend.

“Nothing much, just teaching them how to play Mario Kart.” Izuku dodged the carrot that was thrown at his head as Mei cackled at his joke.

“Clearly they need a few more lessons.” She quipped before Izuku pulled them both up the stairs and into the safety of his room. No one would risk taking it too far while in Midoriya Inko’s home, so he knew that none of the young adults in the living room would follow them upstairs.

“I’m going to change and then we can make our escape.” He grabbed a few things from his closet and made his way to the bathroom while Mei began tinkering with something she pulled from her bag.

His outfit for the day was a simple pair of black jeans paired with a Ms. Joke t-shirt, a plain black tee with her signature yellow smiley face on the top right breast pocket. When he was finished changing he grabbed his leather jacket off the back of his desk chair, motioning for Mei to follow him.

He let out a sigh of relief when he saw his older siblings had vacated the living room, and he hoped they would forget his joking by the time dinner rolled around. Keigo had the attention span of a bird, but Dabi and Rumi could hold a grudge for a surprisingly long time.

He grabbed a pair of yellow sneakers, in the same style as the red pair he loved so much as a kid. He knew they would probably be working in the support studio, but he’d change into his overalls and steel-toed boots when they got to the school. Mei chose to wear her work gear constantly, always ready to jump in and get to work wherever she could.

She was trailing next to him as they began the trek to UA, still tinkering with the invention in her hands. Izuku was curious about the device, but he knew she would tell him about it when she was ready.

They only had to walk a few blocks to UA’s campus, and Izuku was once again thankful that he lived so close. On days where he didn’t have to train he was able to use the facilities, as long as he was supervised by an adult.

He also loved to visit Nedzu when he had free time for tea and chess, another way for him to spend time away from home and use his mind outside of training.

As they were approaching the gates Mei finally looked up, holding out her gadget towards Izuku expectantly. He took the device wordlessly, looking it over as he awaited her explanation. They had fallen into such an easy pattern with each other, so he knew she was just gathering her thoughts before launching into a description of the device.

Power Loader and Nedzu had been helping Mei work on her pitches, helping her organize her thoughts and give concise descriptions of her inventions. She was working hard to make her inventions marketable, but Izuku still loved to sit and listen when she was too excited to speak slowly or clearly. Her excitement was one of the things he admired the most about her, and he hoped that she wouldn’t lose it as she worked to be more professional.

“It’s a mask insert that would allow heroes to breathe underwater for as long as they want.” She began, before pouring into the science behind the device and different ways to incorporate it into hero suits. Izuku smiled widely, already thinking of the lives that would be saved during floods and tsunamis. There were many heroes that operated on the sea that did not have aquatic quirks, and this device could be the difference between life and death for both heroes and civilians alike.

They continued discussing the invention and any final touches they should make before presenting it to Nedzu as they walked onto campus. Their faces were added to the system, making it easier for them to come and go as they pleased.

The pair walked through the winding halls of UA to Nedzu’s office, ready to find out what they were assigned for the day. They would probably be able to finish the electric whips they had been working on, unless Nedzu had a random side project he wanted them to finish first.

“Hello, children!” Nedzu welcomed them as they entered the office, waving at the steaming cups of tea already prepared for them.

They sat at his desk for a bit, catching up and discussing their latest assignments and readings before going over their itinerary for the day.

“You are more than welcome to work on your whips in the support department, unless you’d like to work on something else.” Their mentor always liked to give them options, never constraining them to one activity or topic unless they wanted to be.

Izuku and Mei locked eyes, nodding at each other in agreement without even saying a word.

“We’d like to work on the whips.” They said at the same time, much to the amusement of their mentor.

“Well, it’s settled then.” Nedzu clapped his hands together before scurrying onto the floor. “Off to the support department!”

On their way to the support labs Nedzu explained that Power Loader was still at his agency, so the principal would be supervising them during their tinkering. Izuku was looking forward to getting his mentor’s opinion on their newest collaboration, especially since it would be used in the field by multiple members of the family.

The labs had become a second home to them, a place where they could escape for a few hours and create whatever their minds could come up with. Mei spent all of her free time here, and Izuku tried to join her when he could. She attended classes at Somei with Hitoshi and Tenya, a fact that Izuku tried to forget each time they hung out as a group.

He was still stubbornly holding onto Alderra, he needed to prove to himself that he was strong enough to get through the discrimination he’d face as a hero-in-training and probably as a pro.

His family stopped pressing him to leave the school, finally giving up after he asked them to stop pestering him about it. Hitoshi was the sole outlier, still begging Izuku to get the school shut down and the teacher’s punished for ignoring the bullying. Izuku and Hitoshi related to each other when it came to social ostracization and bullying, but his friend at least had a quirk.

Being viewed as inherently evil was better than being viewed as broken.

Izuku and Mei made their way to their personal work table, an area Higari had set aside for them. This part of the support department was off limits to everyone else, as many of the projects they were currently working on were more advanced than the things even the third years were doing.

Mei entered her personal code and used the retina scanner to gain access to their storage locker, pulling out the whips and the various tools they might need for the day. Izuku was giddy at the thought of finishing this project, especially knowing how excited Auntie Nemuri was about her new whip.

The woman had done so much for him, he wanted to find a way to repay her.

They immediately went to work, putting parts together seamlessly as Nedzu watched from the table next to them. The principal had his infamous pot of tea with him, and he enjoyed a cup of it as he watched them work with a small smile on his face. Many assumed the hero would hate humanity, with all he had been through. The truth was, he actually found them absolutely wonderful and fascinating. He was especially happy when he met humans that could keep up with his intellect, like the two children debating the safest maximum electrical output for their invention.

Izuku appreciated Power Loader and Nedzu because they let them solve their problems on their own, only giving hints when they asked questions. This encouraged them to hone their problem solving skills and figure things out by themselves, making them more independent and quick on their feet during a crisis.

After a few hours they had done everything they could to make the whips functional, now they were ready for the testing stage. Mei cheered their success, but Izuku kept staring at the various weapons in front of him. There was something missing, but he couldn’t place what it was.

He suddenly remembered his conversation with Mei from earlier, about her newest water-safe invention.

“We should make them waterproof.” He blurted out as he tried to sort through the hundreds of ideas pouring through his head. These could be the perfect support item to counteract villains with water quirks, and the applications only multiplied from there.

Mei was staring at him with wide eyes and an open jaw, which quickly formed into a feral grin.

“Zuku, you’re a genius!” She leaped over to his side of the table as she pulled up the schematics for the whips.

“I truly enjoy watching how your minds work together.” Nedzu chuckled as he watched the two young inventors brainstorm different materials that could serve as an outer barrier.

After half an hour of searching, Izuku hit the jackpot.

“I found it!” He called as he brought his laptop over to Mei to review his findings.

The material was used to seal the uniforms of aquatic heroes, making them resilient against both water and weather. Izuku didn’t have contacts with any water-based heroes, but there was one other agency that used the barrier for their hero suits.

The metallic suits worn by the Iida family were not rust proof, an expensive problem that led to constant repairs and replacements until they began layering their uniforms with a water-resistant barrier. It was exactly what they needed to put the finishing touches on their latest invention, and Izuku knew he could convince Tensei to ask his parents to lend them some.

He and Mei typed up a professional email to Tensei and the head support engineer at the Ingenium agency to ask for a small amount of the barrier. Nedzu approved the email, only making a few minor changes before telling them to send it. There was nothing else to do but wait, so they decided to call it a day.

They put everything back in its place, carefully locking everything up and ensuring that their work space was tidy. There were rules in place to make sure they respected the workshop, and they’d lose privileges for a week if they left things messy or disorganized.

“My dad is back home, so I’ll probably spend some time with him before we come over for dinner later.” Mei informed him as they left the campus for the day. She had to take a different route to get to her home, so they parted ways with the promise that they’d see each other that evening for their family meal.

Izuku couldn’t help but smile, feeling satisfied with the progress he made in both his training and his inventing that day. It felt like his goals were getting more and more realistic as the time passed by. When he was a kid, before he met Rumi, becoming a hero felt like an unreachable goal. Now it was attainable, as long as he kept focusing on his training.

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice, and ice slivered through his veins as he froze in the middle of the sidewalk.

“Fuck off, man!” One of his main tormentors shouted as he playfully shoved another classmate on the sidewalk in front of him. They hadn’t seen him yet - thankfully - but he was running out of time to escape without being noticed.

He darted into the alley to his left, using the fire escapes to quickly climb onto the roof to watch as his classmates disappeared down the street.

His heart was racing, adrenaline pumping through him as he willed himself to calm down. Fear was quickly replaced by rage and frustration as he thought over his reaction to seeing two of his bullies out in public. He acted like such a coward, running away and hiding even though he had every right to be out in public.

Why did he have to live dual lives, one as a future hero and one as the school punching bag?

He sparred with pro-heroes, yet the sight of his classmates caused him to cower in fear and run into a random alleyway?

The worst part was that he could take his peers down without even breaking a sweat. But he refused to use his training for hurting people, he’d much rather use it for saving. He couldn’t let himself stoop to the level of those that tormented him, he’d rise above and prove that he had the heart of a hero.

He tried to push away the anger still pooling in his gut, but it continued to grow despite his best efforts. How dare kids like that call themselves future heroes, yet they spent their days torturing someone that they deemed ‘lesser than’.

His vision began to blur as he clenched his fists, only stopping when his nails began to draw blood from his palm. He held his hands in front of him, staring at the tiny rivulets of red that were now running down his wrists. The sight scared him, as though the universe was showing him what his suppressed rage was capable of if he just let it out. What if he was allowed to be unapologetically angry, like Bakugou? How much could he get away with?

His phone began to ring, and he answered without looking at the caller ID.

“Izuku? Are you on your way home?” His mother’s worried voice carried over the speakers, immediately soothing him and distracting him from his earlier thoughts.

“Yeah, I am. Sorry to worry you.” He apologized, not wanting to add to his mother’s pile of stressors.

He realized he had been standing on the roof for over thirty minutes, stuck in his head as he processed his anger and embarrassment. After he used the fire escape to quickly reach the street once again he began to make his way back home. The negative emotions that had plagued him earlier were slowly dissipating, but he still felt on edge as he approached his street. His mom, and the rest of the family, would immediately see through his facade if he didn’t try to calm down and get out of his head.

When he walked in the house he found it mostly empty, and when he checked his phone he realized he had missed a text from his mom saying that she was headed to the store to pick a few last minute things up. He began to ascend the stairs to his room, but noticed Keigo and Dabi on the back porch. His curiosity was peaked, especially when he saw Keigo’s feathers standing straight up and the blush covering the spaces between the light pink burns on Dabi’s face.

He used his stealth training to ascend the stairs without being noticed, making his way towards his window and opening it just enough to hear what was happening down below. He had never been more grateful that his room was positioned to face the backyard. Izuku settled in, ready to snoop in on the men’s conversation.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Dabi asked shyly, a tone that Izuku had never heard from his brother before.

Keigo’s eyes were on the ground, but he looked up as soon as Dabi spoke. His expression made it seem as though he had forgotten Dabi was even there.

“What?” Keigo’s voice cracked and his wings twitched, causing Izuku to groan internally at the train wreck in front of him. He had an idea of what was happening, and while he was very grateful, it was unbearable to watch these two fumble through a confession like this.

Dabi shifted on his feet, clearly trying to figure out what to say.

“Um, you asked me to come out here with you?” He finally responded.

“Oh.” Keigo spoke abruptly, like he finally remembered why they were there.

“Yes. You true.” The blond immediately stiffened, but a small chuckle escaped from Dabi’s throat at the other hero’s fumbling of words.

“Do you mean that I’m right?” He asked, some of the nerves melting from his voice as he chuckled once again at the embarrassed blush forming on Keigo’s cheeks.

The silence between them was a little less awkward, but Izuku still wanted to run down there and force them to actually talk to each other. Keigo seemed to finally gain some courage after a few moments, and he planted his feet firmly on the ground before taking a deep breath and locking eyes with Dabi.

“I do have something I wanted to ask you.” He said confidently, and Izuku was a little proud that he had finally gotten his shit together just a bit.

Dabi stared at the blond expectantly, and Izuku held his breath as he waited for Keigo to get it over with already.

“Wouldyougoonadatewithme?” He rushed out, his words barely understandable.

Izuku face-palmed, unable to believe this was the confident top-ten hero he watched defeat villains and sweet talk civilians on a daily basis.

“What?” Dabi dead-panned, his brows furrowed with confusion as he tried to piece out what Keigo was trying to say. Keigo took another deep breath and straightened his posture.

“Would you go on a date with-”

“Yes.” Dabi blurted before the other man could even finish. They stared at each other for a long moment, both processing what just happened.

“Ok, cool.” Keigo responded, not making any effort to continue the conversation further.

“Cool.” Dabi said quietly, the blush on his face intensifying just a bit. The two men made their way back into the house as Izuku heard his mother’s car pull up into the driveway.

He shut his window and screeched into one of his pillows, unwilling to believe what he just witnessed. They didn’t even decide what they were going to do for a date! He knew he’d have to deal with their awkwardness for the rest of the day, especially when they all sat together for dinner.

No, he wasn’t going to deal with this anymore.

He pulled out his phone, sending a quick text to his mom as he began making his way downstairs to help her prepare for dinner. Hopefully she would see it before she got into the house, so they could get their plan started sooner rather than later.

If these two idiots couldn’t figure things out on their own, he would have to take things into his own hands.

We Stan Inko Midoriya In This House

EmoBro: Mom, do I have permission to murder Izuku?

MamaMidoriya: I do not condone murder, but maybe the two of you can work it out through a spar? :)

GreenGremlin: MOM?!?!?!

GreenGremlin: You came up with the plan!

ChickenNugget: That may be the case, but Inko is also an angel who can do no wrong.

AngryRabbit: Strongly agree.

EmoBro: Don’t think I forgot about you giggling and adding commentary, Rumi.

AngryRabbit: And? What are you going to do about it?

ChickenNugget: Hey now, let’s not get out of hand. We don’t need the cops called on us again.

ZoomZoomJr: It is very honorable that you are sticking up for your romantic partner, Keigo!

MiniSleepy: LMAO KEIGO IS HIDING UNDER HIS WINGS IN THE LIVING ROOM RIGHT NOW

ChickenNugget: SHUT UP

ZoomZoom: All the kid did was force you two to actually plan a date instead of staring at each other across the table like two love sick teenagers.

NyQuill: And when was the last time you had a date, Sonic?

UncleLoud: NEM

UncleLoud: YOU CAN’T JUST SAY THAT

RonaldMcDonald: She can and she did.

RatGod: I truly enjoy these conversations, they give me such an interesting view into how the human mind works. :)

Dirt: I REALLY don’t like how that sounds.

UncleSleepy: …. Me either

GreenGremlin: There is nothing wrong with using this chat as a social experiment! It’s science.

PinkGremlin: I agree, Zuku! We also have so many test subjects for our babies :)

DenimMan: I wish you children would change the words you use to describe your inventions, for my sanity.

YeeHaw: ^^ Agreed.

GreenGremlin: So, Isamu … now that Keigo finally asked Dabi out, does this mean you’ll be asking my mom out soon? :)

MamaMidoriya: Izuku Midoriya :)

GreenGremlin: .. I have made a grave mistake.

Chapter Text

Izuku and Mei’s Test Subjects

DenimMan: Dabi and Keigo, good luck on your date tomorrow.

AngryRabbit: Keigo you better make sure this date is amazing.

UncleLoud: Yeah, and don’t hurt him.

ChickenNugget: Lol?

UncleSleepy: Don’t laugh, we are serious.

ChickenNugget: ?????

ChickenNugget: I won’t?????

RonaldMcDonald: What’s with the question marks? You should be sure that you aren’t going to hurt him.

EmoBro: Guys…. Please

NyQuill: We are just trying to protect our little baby emo <3

EmoBro: I AM NOT EMO

ZoomZoom: Debatable.

ZoomZoom: Also, @ChickenNugget don’t hurt Dabi.

Dirt: ^^ I have access to a lot of power tools, and I am not afraid to use them.

ChickenNugget: GUYS?!

YeeHaw: I am not afraid to use my guns if anyone hurts the kid.

EmoBro: I am an adult?????

MiniSleepy: Shhh let them terrorize Keigo, it’s funny.

ChickenNugget: I am really concerned that you all think I would hurt him???

PinkGremlin: @RatGod if Keigo hurts Dabi can I use him for experiments :)

RatGod: Yes :)

ChickenNugget: ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

ZoomZoomJr: Please refrain from discussing human experimentation in the chat.

ChickenNugget: Thank you, Tenya!

ZoomZoomJr: It would be much easier for you to be caught if there is a written trail.

EmoBro: Guys, I really appreciate it but PLEASE STOP THREATENING MY DATE

ChickenNugget: @MamaMidoriya @GreenGremlin Help ?

MamaMidoriya: It’s okay Keigo. I am sure you know that it would be a big mistake to hurt my baby :)

GreenGremlin: ^^ What she said.

ChickenNugget: ….

───※ ·❆· ※───

Dabi stood in the mirror, adjusting the small bun on his head for what felt like the 40th time since he began getting ready for his date. The green locks were giving him a tough time, naturally, but they finally looked ‘purposefully’ messy.

He touched the burns on his face self-consciously, trying to remember the encouraging words his mom had spoken over the years. She also insisted that Keigo clearly liked his scars, since he was clearly interested in him enough to ask him out.

Mic and Izuku had helped him pick out an outfit last night, consisting of black jeans and a gray crewneck sweatshirt with a black button up underneath. His uncle had helped him put on a bit of eyeliner that morning, insisting that it would accentuate his eyes.

He had wanted to get Izuku’s opinion once he was ready, but the boy had left with Mei a few hours ago to put the finishing touches on the electric whips that they had been working on. Dabi couldn’t help but feel sorry for the villains that would be on the other side of Rumi and Nemuri’s newest weapons.

After adjusting his shirt one last time he made his way downstairs to the living room, where a few members of the family were waiting to give him a few final pieces of advice and encouraging words.

His mother was sitting with Isamu, Mic, and Shota in the living room making small talk as he walked down the stairs. They all fell silent when he finally made his presence known, giving him a once over before showering him with compliments.

“My baby is so handsome!” Inko gushed, getting off the couch to give him a bear hug as tears threatened to pour from her eyes.

“You’re looking sharp, kid.” Isamu chuckled at the green-haired woman’s reaction, but he smiled warmly at the young man in front of him.

“Keigo won’t know what hit him!” Mic exclaimed, causing Dabi to stuff his face in his mother’s hair to hide his blush.

“Leave the kid alone, Zashi.” Shota scolded, amusement filling his eyes at his husband’s teasing of their nephew.

Something in his face must have cued the group in on his nervous state, because his uncle gave him a knowing look before placing a grounding hand on his shoulder and squeezing.

“You’ll be alright, kid.” Shota comforted, and Dabi relaxed just a bit. As soon as he was beginning to feel his nerves melt away there was a knock on the door, causing his heart to hammer in his chest. It was a little strange to hear Keigo knocking on the door of a house he had a key to, but it also showed that he was trying to make this a proper date.

Isamu went to open the door, falling into a natural role as the father figure scoping out his kid’s date. Dabi couldn’t help but grin at the sight, once again wondering when the man would actually start courting his mom. His thoughts were immediately interrupted when Keigo walked into the living room with two bouquets of flowers, looking more nervous than Dabi had ever seen him.

The blond was wearing a dark red button up shirt with a dark blue jean jacket and black pants, with his wings expertly hidden underneath his layers. He had emphasized his naturally lined eyes with even more eyeliner, and Dabi couldn’t help but wonder if Rumi helped him choose his outfit and get ready for the day.

“Hi.” Keigo said reverently, giving Dabi a slow once over that made his cheeks burn and his heart skip a beat.

“Hi.” Dabi replied smartly, still staring at the hero in front of him with a dropped jaw and appreciative eyes.

Inko mercifully stepped in to break the awkwardness, walking over to Keigo and gesturing to the flowers in his hands. In one hand he held an arrangement of dark red roses wrapped in black paper, in the other he held a bouquet of multi-colored carnations.

“Keigo, these flowers are so lovely!” Inko complimented, clearly trying to lead the blond to the next part of the courting process. Dabi held his breath as he watched Keigo turn to his mother before hesitantly holding out the carnations.

“These are for you, Ms. Midoriya.” His voice cracked a bit with nerves, but Inko simply smiled as she took the offered bouquet.

“They are beautiful, sweetheart.” She pushed her nose into them, taking in the floral scent before looking back up. “Thank you!”

Keigo then turned to Dabi, who was hoping that no one in the room could hear the pounding of his chest as he watched his date hold out the beautiful roses with a small blush on his cheeks.

“These are for you, Dabi.” His hands reached out unconsciously, and he felt like he was watching the entire interaction from far away as he pulled the flowers close to his chest.

“Thank you.” He muttered in bewilderment before copying his mother’s actions and smelling the flowers. The two men stood there for a few long moments, seemingly unsure of what to do next. Once again Inko rescued them from their own awkwardness, stepping up to wrap her arm around Dabi’s.

“Let’s go put our lovely flowers into vases, honey.” She pulled lightly on his arm and he followed obediently, leaving the living room as his mother pulled him into the kitchen. As he watched the woman pull out two colorful vases and begin filling them with water, he felt himself relaxing once again.

“Remember honey, it’s just Keigo.” She advised as she handed him his vase and began unwrapping her own bouquet.

“You two have known each other for so long now, this isn’t that different from the two of you hanging out like before.” She carefully began placing flowers in the vase as Dabi mirrored her actions.

His mother’s words rang through his head, reminding him of the years of shared history between him and his date. They had hung out alone together so many times, what made this any different? Now that their feelings were out in the open it seemed like this should feel even more relaxed and natural. His rapidly beating heart calmed as he finished placing the flowers into their new home.

“Thanks, mom.” He looked up at the woman with a grateful smile, and she winked at him before gesturing towards the living room.

“Let’s get you back, I don’t want you running late for your reservation.”

The pair made their way back to the living room, and it was clear from Keigo’s relaxed demeanor that he had also gotten advice from the men in the living room.

“Make sure you get my baby back at a reasonable time, Keigo.” Inko said with a sweet smile, but there was an edge to her tone that made Dabi shiver a bit.

“Y-yes, ma’am.” Keigo stuttered, but luckily the Midoriya matriarch took mercy on him by replacing her icy demeanor with the familiar maternal warmth they were all used to.

“You two have fun, okay?” She kissed Dabi’s cheek as she walked by, officially dismissing them to begin their date.

Inko and Izuku had planned everything out, making reservations at a fancy new restaurant downtown and buying them tickets for the latest action movie later on. It was the perfect first date, according to his mother and brother. They even made sure to get them a private room at the restaurant, making it less likely that they would be recognized by the public.

Dabi had made his debut as a provisional hero under both the Hawks and Mirko agencies, which immediately skyrocketed him into the public eye. He had kept his civilian name hidden, and he made sure any defining features that his father might recognize were hidden by his hero suit.

He looked so different from the boy that had left the Todoroki household all those years ago, and by some stroke of luck no one from his old life had connected Azure to the missing boy. Fire quirks were fairly common, and his support gear gave him control over his flames in ways he never had when he was still under Endeavor’s thumb.

Both men settled baseball caps over their heads before securing medical masks to cover their faces. It was best to wear some sort of disguise so that they were able to enjoy their day instead of being hounded by paparazzi or overzealous fans. They had also decided to keep this new phase of their relationship on the down low for now, not wanting to cause any unnecessary stirs until they figured out what they were.

The walk to the train station was silent, with both of them shooting tentative glances at the other until they finally arrived on the platform.

“You look nice.” Keigo said quietly, and Dabi would have missed the compliment if he wasn’t paying attention to everything the blond was doing by his side.

“Thank you.” Dabi tried to reply confidently, but he barely managed to get the words out.

“You do, too.” He added, wishing he could express all of the feelings he was currently experiencing.

Why was this so hard?

The train arrived before they could continue their stilted conversation, and it was fairly packed due to the weekend rush. They ended up standing close together, with Dabi having to wrap an arm around Keigo’s waist to make sure they weren’t separated. He felt their hearts beating together through their chests, and it brought a sense of calm over him.

His date was just as nervous as he was, so there was no point in being awkward or unsure.

“You know, I didn’t take you for a flower type of guy.” Dabi teased, trying to reestablish the sense of normalcy between them. His confidence clearly rubbed off on Keigo, who rolled his eyes dramatically before quipping back.

“I had to pull out all the stops to make sure Inko didn’t end me on sight.”

Dabi chuckled, happy that they had restored some sense of familiarity between them, using their common language of teasing to restore their usual raport.

The rest of the train ride was filled with casual conversation and people watching, and they ended up at their stop thirty minutes earlier than they originally planned. With nothing else to do until their reservation time, they decided to explore the area until it was time for them to head to the restaurant.

There were street vendors and small shops surrounding them, giving them plenty to talk about and take in as they walked side by side throughout the crowded streets. Their shoulders kept bumping, tempting Dabi to reach out and grab Keigo’s hand. He kept hesitating, unsure of what would be considered moving too fast. All of this was so new for him, he had never thought about dating until the red-winged hero had met Izuku and flew his way into their lives. Even then, he never thought his crush would be reciprocated or that Keigo would one day ask him on a date.

The one thing that made him feel better was the knowledge that Keigo had never dated either, too busy dealing with the commission's demands until they found another hero to control. His mother and Nedzu were already compiling evidence against them, but it would be a long time until they were able to actually act on it.

Dabi made mental notes every time Keigo mentioned a dessert he especially liked, or complimented the color of a fabric or glass sculpture. He would make sure to bring the blond something the next time they went out, if this date went well.

He really hoped it would.

As their reservation time approached they began to make their way to the restaurant. Dabi was thankful that they had a bit of time to explore and get used to being around each other this way, especially now that their conversation seemed to flow naturally. He hoped they wouldn’t fall back into their nervous state from before, now that it was just the two of them.

They were only a block away when his eyes fell on a poster hanging on a shop’s outer wall. He immediately grabbed Keigo’s arm and pulled him over, his eyes wide in shock and excitement. The poster was from a promotional photoshoot the Hawk’s agency had done a month ago, but Dabi hadn’t realized anything had been released yet.

Hawks stood in the middle of the frame, his wings elongated to their full width and his signature smirk plastered on his face. Dabi thought he looked handsome, but that wasn’t the reason he had dragged the hero over. In the upper left corner stood Dabi in his new hero uniform, a simple black jumpsuit with blue and white wiring and a simple black mask that covered the top half of his face. This was the first time he had ever seen himself on any type of hero merchandise, and his heart was pounding in his chest.

Old anxieties began to take over his thoughts, and he tried his best to fight them down.

What if Endeavor recognizes me?

Do I even deserve to be up there?

A hand wrapped around his fingers before squeezing it tightly to bring him back down to earth.

“You look great, I thought it was a nice shot of you so I asked them to put it on the poster.” Keigo said casually, like he didn’t just cause Dabi’s heart to melt into a puddle in his chest.

“You did this?” Dabi’s eyes found the poster again, seeing it in a different light now that he knew it was his date’s doing. Keigo simply nodded as he smiled at Dabi, clearly pleased at the reaction his gesture generated.

The two men stood there for a few moments, appreciating the media team’s depictions of the various heroes that worked at the agency with them. It only made Dabi more excited about graduating from being a provisional hero to a fully licensed pro. He loved saving people, it gave his life meaning in a way it never had before.

“Hawks looks so good here.” A woman’s voice interrupted their moment, and Dabi turned his head a bit to find a group of people around his age standing to admire the poster as well. He ignored the jealous pang in his heart, reminding himself that his date was admired by society for both his looks and his heroics.

“Yeah, it’s like he just keeps getting hotter and hotter.” One of the men said with a smirk as he looked the poster up and down.

“That Azure guy is something else, though.” One of the women said with a grimace, and Dabi’s stomach immediately dropped.

“Yeah, I’m not sure how he is going to be successful with those scars on his face.” The original woman said as she looked at Dabi’s picture in the corner of the poster.

“I can’t believe Hawks would hire someone like that.” The man said with disgust.

Dabi was frozen in place, his heart pounded rapidly in his chest as his stomach pooled with acid. He couldn’t move, couldn’t even react as he overheard the group make more comments about his appearance and marketability. He was so stuck in his own thoughts that he didn’t notice Keigo tensing next to him, glaring harshly at the group as they continued ridiculing Azure and praising Hawks.

He barely registered Keigo ripping his hat and mask off before standing between the group and the poster, staring them down like they had committed some heinous crime right in front of him.

“Shut up, now.” He commanded, immediately grabbing the attention of everyone surrounding them. Dabi’s breath caught in his throat as he watched Keigo fuming in front of him, clearly trying to restrain himself as he confronted the civilians.

“Azure is an amazing hero and person.” The blond gritted out, causing those closest to him to back away a few steps in shock.

“You say you don’t know how he could be successful as a hero because of his looks?” Keigo exclaimed, his glare deepening as he reflected on the group’s earlier comments.

“Despite the fact that he is gorgeous, he is also one of the most passionate and hardworking heroes I have ever had the pleasure of working with.” Dabi blushed at the compliment, his eyes darting between the gathering crowd and his date.

“I think you all should really get your eyes checked, and maybe reevaluate your idea of what a hero is!” Keigo shouted, but his eyes widened a bit when he realized how many people had gathered around them. He looked to Dabi, panic evident in his eyes as people began to shout questions at the winged hero. The blond worked his way through the crowd and grabbed Dabi’s hand before pulling them away from the mass of people.

“It really is Hawks!” Someone shouted, stirring the gathered people and causing the heads of passersby to turn.

When the mass began to follow them they switched into a sprint, running in a random direction to put some distance between themselves and the onlookers. Dabi internally wished that Keigo had worn his wings out, if only for the option of a quick escape. The crowd seemed set on catching up to them, and a surprising number of people kept up with their fast pace.

After a few blocks they turned a corner abruptly, ensuring that their chasers lost sight of them for a few moments.

“Over here!” A woman’s voice rang out, and they turned to find one of the shop owners waving them inside. The shouts of the crowd got closer, and there seemed to be little choice but to enter the safety of the small restaurant. The two men quickly made their way through the doorway, followed by the older woman as she shut the door behind them.

The restaurant was tiny but not uncomfortable, the cozy decor and dimmed lighting made it seem like you had stepped into someone’s home for a dinner party. The smell of spices wafted through the air, making Dabi’s stomach growl in hunger. They had definitely missed their reservation by now, and he had not eaten anything since breakfast in order to prepare for their dinner. The sounds of voices passing by the shop put him on edge, but the owner simply flipped the sign to ‘closed’ and locked the door behind her.

“Go on, take a seat. It seems like you will have to wait for them to lose interest in finding you.” She ordered as she made her way to the back of the dining room. Dabi and Keigo obeyed her order, if only for the possibility of escaping the crowd pursuing them. They sat at the closest table and immediately opened the menu, neither ready to talk about the impassioned speech Keigo gave before they were chased.

The woman came back out of the kitchen carrying two glasses of water, placing them before the men as though they were regular customers.

“Would you like something to eat?” She asked, her eyes sparkling with a kindness that reminded Dabi of his mother. He looked at Keigo for guidance in the situation, but secretly hoped they would stay to eat here.

“Would you mind giving us a few minutes to look over the menu?” Keigo was using his hero voice, and the smile on his face was the one he used for the public. It was too trained, and Dabi had to look away after a moment. This side of Keigo always reminded him that the man in front of him had been molded into a hero his entire life, and only recently gained the freedom he deserved.

They went back to looking over the menu, falling back into an uncomfortable silence that neither of them knew how to break. Dabi debated on what to say when his date took the first step in conversation.

“The salmon looks good.” Keigo said before taking a sip of water, but Dabi refused to go back to the awkwardness from before.

“So, you think I’m gorgeous?” He asked casually, but he had to control his laughter when Keigo nearly choked on his beverage. The blond looked away sheepishly, a pretty blush forming on his cheeks as he thought over his response.

“I did say that, didn’t I?” Keigo looked embarrassed for a split-second, before the confident man that Dabi had grown to know seemed to blossom before his eyes. His date leaned forward on his hands, shooting Dabi a cocky smirk.

“You didn’t seem to mind it, though.” He stated cooly, causing Dabi’s heart to explode in his chest.

This man was going to kill him one of these days.

Dabi quickly gained control over himself, unwilling to be the only one flustered between the two of them.

“What if I liked it?” He leaned forward just enough, so that their noses were only an inch or two apart. Keigo spluttered a bit, pulling back as Dabi chuckled a bit at his victory. Once the other had collected himself a bit, things seemed to return to their normal playfulness yet again.

They decided what they wanted to eat, choosing to share a few things so that they could sample multiple dishes at once. The menu was filled with dishes straight out of a mother’s kitchen, and he was already salivating at the thought of a nice home-style meal.

“Have you decided?” The woman returned at the perfect time, and Dabi couldn’t help but wonder what her quirk was. She seemed to appear whenever someone needed her the most, if her earlier rescue was anything to go by.

They placed their orders, once again thanking her for her hospitality before she went to prepare their meals.

They continued chatting, relaxing now that they were in a safe space away from the prying eyes and cutting comments of the public. He had been upset over everything they had overheard, but then Keigo had called him gorgeous.

He had never been called gorgeous before, and something about the word stuck with him as he listened to Keigo talk about Izuku’s progress in training. The way the blond’s eyes lit up while talking about the kid made Dabi’s heart flutter. He was happy to be with someone who cared about his little brother just as much as he did.

The food came out quickly, plates loaded with meat and veggies paired with rice and stews. Dabi’s stomach growled as everything was placed in front of them, and Keigo seemed to be salivating at the sight of their meal.

“Please enjoy.” The woman smiled warmly before disappearing once again into the kitchen.

The pair dug into the food immediately, distributing the food so that they each got to try the various dishes in front of them. They were so focused on satisfying their hunger that they didn’t even speak until the plates were empty, both of them full to the brim from the delicious meal.

“That had to be some of the best food I’ve ever had in my life.” Keigo said as he slumped back, a wide smile on his face.

“We have to take the family here sometimes, mom would love this place.” Dabi closed his eyes, relaxing now that he had eaten.

“Finished?” The woman reappeared, smiling down at the empty plates as she began to clear them.

“Yes, it was delicious. Thank you again for rescuing us and being such a gracious host.” Keigo smiled, his expression genuine instead of the trained one he used during hero work.

“It’s the least I can do for the heroes that saved me.” She winked and returned to the kitchen before either man could process her statement. They locked eyes across the table, wearing matching expressions of confusion

“Do you recognize her?” Dabi finally asked, searching his mind for the woman’s face. They had been on so many missions since he got his provisional license, it was hard to keep track of all of the rescues he had made. Keigo shook his head, clearly trying to do the same as they waited for her to return.

Dabi was secretly wondering how she could recognize him outside of his hero uniform, but his scars were probably what gave him away. He normally covered them with a mask or makeup when he went out, but his mom had convinced him to let them be for the night.

She came back out with two plates of cake, smiling at their curious expressions as she set them on the table.

“Do you remember the villain attack on the hospital a few weeks ago?” She asked patiently, waiting for realization to fill the heroes’ eyes.

Dabi specifically recalled carrying patients out of the burning building on his back, watching as Keigo carried people out of the upper windows.

“You were there?” Keigo suddenly sat up, looking her over for injuries as though the attack was recent.

“I was, and this young man here carried me out before the room I was in burst into flames.” She put a hand on Dabi’s shoulder, and he stared at her with wide eyes as recognition filled his mind. He had never met anyone he had saved before, although he had seen the other heroes in his family get stopped on the streets when grateful citizens recognized them.

He remembered a woman clutching onto him as they rushed through the door of the hospital. She patted his cheek after he helped her onto the back of an ambulance, thanking him profusely as he began to walk away. He suddenly recalled that she had recommended he visit her restaurant, but the offer had fled his mind as he ran back into the burning building.

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you before.” Dabi said shyly, embarrassed that he hadn’t recognized her until this moment. She squeezed his shoulder as Keigo chuckled at his date’s sheepish expression.

“It’s okay dear, I’m just happy the universe brought you two here so that I could properly thank you. Now, eat up.” She gestured to the desserts in front of them before turning to walk away.

“Wait! We never got your name Ms. - ?” Keigo interjected before she could return to the kitchen.

“You can call me Grandma Hizuki.” She introduced herself, making a point to not ask for the men’s real names. Dabi was glad she respected their boundaries, most civilians wanted all of the information they could have on the pros that were in the spotlight each day.

They glanced at their plates, choosing not to mention the heart drawn in red icing on their cake slices. The few sips of tea they had each taken had helped them digest a bit of their meal, leaving just enough room for the delicious sweets in front of them.

“I feel like Izuku is going to adopt a new grandmother when we bring everyone here.” Keigo said offhandedly, causing Dabi to laugh and almost choke on the bite of cake in his mouth.

“I think we can take credit for adopting her, thank you very much.” Dabi said with a shit-eating grin, but he was excited for everyone to meet the kind woman that had saved their first date.

After they had finished up, Grandma Hizuki refused any type of payment from them. They tried to insist, but finally settled on promising her they’d bring Izuku and Inko there soon. They said their final goodbyes, already missing the welcoming energy of the small restaurant as they began their journey down the sidewalk.

They had been in the restaurant for much longer than expected, and they were too far from the theater to make it in time for their movie. It seemed that their original plan for the night was being completely thrown out the window, and it was time for them to improvise yet again.

As they walked down the sidewalk to find something else to do for the rest of the night they gravitated towards each other. After their shoulders brushed for the tenth or so time, Keigo reached out to grasp Dabi’s hand in his. The street was fairly empty, and the blond stopped them at a corner before turning to the taller man with a serious expression.

“You know I meant everything I said back there, right?” His eyes were earnest, pulling Dabi in for a moment before he was able to process the words spoken to him. His heartbeat was pounding in his chest, and he was unable to form any words in response. He simply nodded, although his insecurities were trying to convince him that Keigo was lying to him. He looked away so that the other man wouldn’t be able to see the uncertainty in his eyes.

“Dabi, look at me.” Keigo said firmly, giving his hand a squeeze as he waited patiently for Dabi to comply. His eyes hesitantly rose to meet those golden orbs that had stolen his heart, and his stomach flipped at the affection radiating from the other man’s eyes. Before either of them knew it, their faces were only an inch or so apart.

“You’re gorgeous.” Keigo stated firmly, his conviction almost convincing Dabi that the words were true.

Their faces drifted closer together, and Dabi distantly realized that he was about to have his first kiss. He pushed his racing thoughts to the back of the mind, unwilling to let his anxiety ruin this moment for him.

His lips were about to brush Keigo’s when a loud crash rang out from an alleyway nearby. They jumped apart, their senses alert as they turned to the dark alley to check where the noise was coming from. To their relief, and mild frustration, it was just a stray cat that had jumped onto an overturned trash can.

Keigo let out an airy chuckle at their misfortune, and neither man knew how to recreate the moment that had just been interrupted. Dabi simply reached out to grasp the blond’s hand before continuing their trek down the sidewalk, hopeful that they would be able to finish what they had started later in the night.

They passed by restaurants and small shops, the streets getting busier and busier as they returned to the main part of the shopping district. A neon sign in the distance caught their attention, their faces breaking out into large grins as they found the perfect activity for the rest of their date. Keigo bumped his shoulder into Dabi’s, his golden eyes reflecting the string lights hanging around them.

“I’ll race you.” He challenged, his tone giddy with excitement. Dabi couldn’t refuse him, especially when there was a challenge to be won.

“You’re on.” Dabi smirked as they readied themselves, keeping their eyes out for any civilians or blockages in their path. Once they were both ready they began counting down together.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

Then they were off running, both men laughing at themselves as they made their way closer to their destination. The race was fairly even, both of them taking the lead every few seconds as they gained on the finish line. Dabi was about to secure his victory when a red feather hit him in the face, stopping him in his tracks and almost causing him to trip over his feet.

“I win!” Keigo announced proudly. Dabi ripped the feather from his face with a scowl and pointed it at his date.

“You’re a cheater!” He exclaimed, but his anger was mostly for show as he joined Keigo at the entrance of their destination.

Let’s see how he likes it when I beat him at every game. Dabi thought to himself as they entered the multicolored space. He looked up at the sign one last time with a mischievous grin.

DAVE’S ARCADE

“It’s not cheating, it was just strategy!” Keigo pouted, crossing his arms over his chest as they made their way to the counter to get coins for the games. The lights and sounds of the arcade caused adrenaline to start pumping through his veins, and a familiar sense of competitiveness began to overcome him.

Neither of the men had been able to go to arcades as a kid, but had grown to love them over the years of taking Izuku and the other kids to various arcades throughout the area. It was nice to escape the stresses of life for a few hours, your only focus being who was able to collect more tickets or win more games.

They filled a large bucket with coins, making sure to grab an extra one for the mountain of tickets they were hoping to collect.

“Where to first?” Dabi asked as he scanned the area for anything that caught his interest. Keigo suddenly grabbed his hand and pointed in the distance, where an air hockey table sat waiting for them.

“Think you can beat me, birdy?” Dabi asked cockily, confidence filling him for once.

“Let’s find out, hot stuff.” Keigo winked, causing Dabi to lose his cool for a moment before he pulled them to the table. They immediately chose their sides and put coins in, grinning as the game came to life.

There was a fierce competition, with neither one of them taking it easy on the other. The puck flew across the table at high speeds, forcing both of them to be on top of their game as points were scored and goals were blocked.

The score was tied, and Dabi kept his eyes trained on the puck to ensure his opponent wouldn’t win.

The puck came hurling towards him, and in a split second he was reaching out to block it. It skirted past his hand and into his goal, solidifying a win for his date.

He looked up - ready to complain and feign annoyance at Keigo’s win - but the sight in front of him stopped him in his tracks.

The blond was smiling brightly, his eyes lit up by the neon lights of the games surrounding them. His face was filled with pure joy as he laughed and threw light-hearted taunts at Dabi.

He’s beautiful.

Dabi shook himself out of his thoughts and made his way to the blond’s side of the table. He had a sudden surge of confidence, wrapping an arm around Keigo’s waist and pulling him into his side.

“Good job, birdy.” He spoke into Keigo’s ear, delighting in the small shiver he felt running through the shorter man’s body.

“Let’s find something I can beat you at.” Dabi turned them around and began walking towards the rest of the games.

They spent hours in the arcade, even though it was crowded with families and teenagers enjoying a night out. No one recognized them in the dim lighting of the arcade, but they made sure to put their masks on if anyone got too close to them. They did not want a repeat of the incident from earlier, especially now that they had finally gotten more comfortable with each other.

The men played every game that piqued their interest, from racing simulators to the basketball shootout. Their pile of tickets was growing too large for their singular bucket, and they began transferring coins into their pockets so that they could use the second bucket for the mass of winnings.

Once they had run out of coins they decided it was time to spend their tickets on a few prizes.

“I think we should get the Hawks plushie.” Keigo’s eyes sparkled with humor as he pointed at the giant plush hanging from the ceiling above the prize counter. Dabi eyed the stuffed rendition of his date warily, trying to imagine how difficult it would be to get it home on the train.

“I think we should get squishy hands so that we can throw them at Izuku when he is being a brat.” Dabi pointed to the container of sticky toys underneath the glass, already imagining the look on Izuku’s face when he hit him in the forehead with one of them.

Their light-hearted banter continued for a few minutes, trying to decide the best way to use their winnings. They had arrived at an impasse, but Keigo’s eyes suddenly lit up as he spotted something in the distance. He pulled on the sleeve of Dabi’s shirt and discreetly pointed towards the end of the counter.

“Dabs, look at that kid’s shirt.” The blond said with a wide smile.

Dabi’s gaze followed the direction of his date’s pointed finger, and when he saw the little boy his heart began hammering in his chest.

The kid looked around six or seven years old, barely able to see above the counter as his parents pointed at the various toys he could use his small handful of tickets to get. His arms and the left side of his face and neck were covered with burns that couldn’t have been more than a few months old. He was wearing a black t-shirt with blue flames on the sleeves, but it was the front of the shirt that brought tears to Dabi’s eyes.

In the middle of the boy’s chest was a rendition of Dabi in his hero uniform, looking like he was ready for battle. Azure was written in bright blue and white letters underneath his image.

There was no official Azure merchandise out, so the shirt must have been custom made.

Dabi stood there staring for a few moments until Keigo nudged him and gestured towards the buckets of tickets in front of them. Dabi immediately nodded in silent agreement before wiping the small pool of tears from his eyes. He grabbed the bucket and made his way over to the family.

“Excuse me, is it alright if I give your kid my tickets?” Dabi asked quietly, not wanting to bring too much attention to the interaction. He wasn’t expecting to be recognized in his civilian clothes, so when the kid’s eyes lit up in recognition he had to hold a finger to his lips.

“Azure?” The boy whispered, his voice laced with excitement. Dabi smiled, his heart bursting at its seams as he watched the child turn to his parents with a bright smile. The couple was watching the interaction with tears in their eyes, and he had to control himself so that he didn’t burst into tears of his own.

Damn those adopted Midoriya genes.

Dabi handed the boy’s dad the bucket of tickets and knelt down so that he was eye level with him. Up close could see how much time and effort went into the custom shirt, and he couldn’t help but wonder who made it.

“Can you sign something for me?” The kid asked, his eyes glittering in awe as he gazed at his hero.

“Of course, kiddo.” Dabi hoped he was doing everything right, he had never interacted with a fan like this before.

After signing everything in the kid’s backpack and taking a discreet selfie, the boy - whose name ended up Akihiko - decided to focus his attention on the prize counter. Keigo had now joined them, but he had put his mask on so that he didn’t take any attention away from Dabi during his moment.

“You know, he was so scared of going outside after he left the hospital.” The boy’s mother said, her eyes trained on her son as her eyes filled with tears.

“Then he saw you standing on the screen with Mirko after a successful fight, and he wanted to know everything about you.” She continued, and Dabi’s stomach twisted with an unidentifiable feeling. He remained silent, allowing the woman to finish her story.

“He kept begging us for Azure merchandise, but there was nothing out there. We ended up having to learn how to make our own.” She gestured to the t-shirt, and Dabi was no longer able to control the tears in his eyes. He never thought he’d be able to inspire anyone as a hero, especially not like this.

A hand slipped through his, squeezing tightly in a show of support as Keigo stepped next to him. Dabi’s inability to speak in the moment must have been obvious, as his date took over the conversation from there.

Keigo ended up with their contact information and the beginnings of a merchandising deal using the mom’s designs. He also invited the family to tour his agency and spend a day with Azure in the near future.

Dabi was able to say a few goodbyes before they parted ways with the family for the night.

“It never gets old.” Keigo said contemplatively as they walked out of the exit and into the cool night air. Dabi thought about the mother’s story, and about all of the other kids out there that might need a hero that looked like him. He’d try his best to be the type of hero they deserved.

“I’m sure it doesn’t.” He finally replied, a small smile on his face as he thought over the events of the day. The night air felt good on his skin after a few hours spent in the crowded building.

“Why don’t we walk around for a little bit, birdy?” He asked as he squeezed Keigo’s hand. Dabi was filled with glee at the sight of the small blush on Keigo’s cheeks, making a mental note to pull out that nickname more often.

The streets were quiet as they walked around, talking about everything and nothing as they clasped each other’s hands. There were clouds covering the stars, but the neon signs of shops and restaurants painted the air with artificial stars. Dabi remembered the feeling of Keigo’s face only centimeters away from his, and his mind flooded with possibility.

He stopped on a corner, positioning them underneath a half-lit sign for a flower shop.

“You okay?” Keigo asked quietly, his golden eyes lit up in various shades of blues and reds. Dabi could count the tiny freckles on his nose from this distance, something he would surely do another time. His sole focus at the moment was claiming his first kiss.

“Mhm.” Dabi replied, his eyes trained on the other man’s lips. Keigo seemed to realize what was happening, as his eyes began to dart between Dabi’s lips and his eyes.

Their faces inched closer and closer together, the anticipation of the moment overtaking them both. Dabi swore he could feel the seconds passing by as his eyes fluttered shut, his lips only a breath away from Keigo’s

A drop of water hit his eyelid, causing his eyes to flutter open and his movements to stop as more droplets began assaulting his face. Keigo moved back a step before looking up at the sky, which seemed to choose that moment to unleash a torrent of rain that began assaulting them from every direction.

“Follow me!” The blond yelled, grabbing Dabi’s hand and pulling him before the other had time to react. They ran for a few blocks before coming across the park they had passed earlier, and Keigo pulled them through the entrance and up the steps of a nearby gazebo with ease.

They were both panting a bit from running in the rain, but before they knew it laughter overtook them both. It seemed the universe did not want them to have their first kiss tonight.

Dabi felt like he was soaked down to his bones, his clothes and hair stuck to his skin uncomfortably as he bent over with laughter. Hanging out with the Smile Hero had taught him that the best way to get through life was to find joy in the bad moments, and that was what he was choosing to do.

Both he and Keigo were bent over, clutching their stomachs from laughing so hard. They looked up at each other, their eyes meeting as they smiled at their misfortune.

Keigo reached out to brush a strand of hair out of his face, but he kept his hand on Dabi’s cheek as they both straightened up into standing positions. Their bodies seemed to sense out the other as they twisted into a sweet embrace. The water dripping from their clothes did not deter them from wrapping their arms around each other sweetly, gazing into each other’s eyes as they defied the universe one last time.

“I’m going to kiss you now.” Keigo declared, daring the cosmos to interrupt them again.

“Yes, please.” Dabi whispered in the minimal space between them, closing his eyes once again as they drifted closer.

Finally, finally, their lips met.

Kissing Keigo was like nothing he had ever experienced before - it was as if his fire had ignited inside him in a way that he never wanted to extinguish. It was clear that neither of them had any experience, but it didn’t matter when the other man was so impossibly close.

He could stand there forever, kissing that beautiful man in a gazebo while the entire world flooded around them.

Chapter Text

Izuku adjusted his bowtie as he and Mei made their way into the living room, where everyone was waiting for their presentation to begin. The lights were low, creating a dramatic effect as the two inventors stepped in front of their audience. Mei pressed a button on her bracelet, causing a spotlight to appear on the pair as they gestured towards the display between them.

“Welcome to the first presentation of Hatsume & Midoriya Industries!” Mei spoke dramatically, and her announcement was rewarded with enthusiastic applause from the group gathered before them. It was Izuku’s turn to speak and to introduce their newest invention.

“May I introduce our latest invention, the multi-functional whip made with every hero in mind, The Villain-Cracker!”

The drape over the display dropped, revealing a dozen or so whips with different functions and capabilities. Mei dove right into a thorough explanation of the features and customizations they had made to the whips, and Izuku couldn’t help but notice how much better she had gotten at presenting since she first joined the family.

He watched with a wide smile as she finished her explanation, which was once again responded to with applause.

“We’d also like to thank the Ingenium Agency for their gracious donation of materials for the water-proof barrier on the whips!” Izuku added, winking at Tensei and Tenya as the duo we patted on the back for their contribution.

While they originally were going to make whips only for a few people in the family, they had ended up making whips for everyone. The possibilities were endless, and it was fun to test out the weapons on training dummies at UA. He hoped his mom would never need hers, he did feel better about her having a weapon on hand at all times. Shota had even assisted everyone with their permits so that they could use the whips when needed.

His uncle had tried to act unamused at the idea of using the whips, but his excitement was evident through his thorough preparation and constant questions about the ‘safety’ of the features.

They had customized them for each user, making sure that Inko’s whip let out a much lower electric charge than the rest due to her civilian status. Jeanist’s whip was woven with fabric that he could control, while Shota’s was made of a similar material to his capture weapon. The whips were also made with each hero’s color scheme in mind, so that no one could misplace theirs or accidentally take someone else’s.

At the end of their presentation, they called each hero up and gave them a brief demonstration on how to activate the charge and the custom features for their quirks.

“No using whips in the house!” Inko called, causing a majority of the group to run to the backyard. Mei and Izuku had set up a few practice dummies, but most of their training would happen at hero agencies or on UA’s campus. Keigo, Rumi, Dabi, and Tensei were the first ones out of the door - cackling could be heard from the group as they scrambled to the backyard.

Shota had stayed back with Izuku’s mom and Snipe, who were carefully looking over their new weapons and discussing alternating Izuku’s training schedule so that he and Nemuri could give them all tips on using the whips. Jeanist began walking towards the backyard, where Emi was currently trying to detangle Tensei and Rumi’s whips without getting electrocuted.

“Really? You too?” Isamu asked with a chuckle, clearly surprised that the normally put together man would want to join in on the chaos. Jeanist responded with a sheepish shrug, holding up his whip with an excited glint in his eyes.

“The children worked hard on these, it would be a shame not to use them.”

Izuku smiled as he was joined by Hitoshi and Tenya as he watched everyone enjoying the inventions he and Mei had spent so much time on. His whip was begging to be used, but he had gotten enough hours of practice in the lab. For now, he’d let his family enjoy their use of the practice dummies and the light-hearted chaos they were causing.

“I am so proud of you two!” Nedzu gushed as he made his way over to the group of twelve-year-olds.

“You worked so hard on these support items, I can’t wait to see what you do in the future.” The principal hopped up on Hitoshi’s shoulder to be able to speak face to face with the kids, much to the boy's dismay.

“Thank you for your mentorship, Nedzu. We would not have been able to do it if it weren’t for everyone’s support.” Izuku replied with a big smile. He was always thankful for the support his family gave him, and he hoped that he was earning it.

Those that had chosen to stay in the living room migrated to the back yard eventually, laughing as Rumi chased Keigo with her whip or as Mic hit himself in the face with his new support weapon.

The kids were all staying for a sleepover that night, and Izuku was excited to experience Mei’s first sleepover as a group. His mom had already prepared snacks and they would be setting up the living room for a movie night once everyone left.

He was looking forward to relaxing with his friends after the week he’d had at school. One of the second-years had tripped him down a flight of stairs, causing him to gain a big bruise on his back that he had been trying to hide throughout the week. Izuku was slow to react during one of his training sessions with Shota due to his injury, but the man simply came to the conclusion that he was tired and needed a break. Izuku was told to take off a few days of training, which he gratefully accepted as he waited for the bruise to disappear.

Izuku would have to be extra careful changing in front of Tenya and Hitoshi, as both boys knew he shouldn’t have any training injuries after a few days off. If either of his friends noticed his bruise they would tell the adults, and Izuku wouldn’t be able to stop them from taking him out of Aldera if they knew he was being physically assaulted.

Then they’d know how worthless you really are. His mind helpfully added.

“Bye, squirt. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, okay?” Dabi ruffled his hair as he followed Keigo, Rumi, and Tensei out of the house for the night. The young adults were going to have a night out after a particularly busy week at their agencies. The rest of the heroes had left for the night, leaving Izuku and his friends in the house with Inko to supervise.

“Be safe, and don’t do anything too illegal!” Inko called as she descended the stairs with an armful of blankets.

“We won’t!” The group called as they Dabi shut the door behind them.

“Why don’t you kids change into your pajamas and then we can get you set up for movie night?” Inko instructed as she began setting up the couches for their sleepover.

After they were changed they made their way downstairs, already debating which movies to watch first. Inko laughed at their antics and said goodnight, insisting that they come find her if they needed anything.

The group decided on a horror movie, something that Hitoshi recommended after watching it with his dads one night. According to the purple-haired boy, Mic had accidentally used his quirk after a particularly scary jump-scare. They settled in with snacks and drinks, ready for a night of relaxing with their friends.

Izuku was a bit nervous about sleeping on the couch with his bruised-back, but he had played off injuries before. If he woke up feeling stiff he could easily slip in an early morning shower and take pain medication before his friends woke up.

Tenya and Mei fell asleep after the movie, both tired from an evening of attacking practice dummies and running around with the family in the backyard.

Izuku and Hitoshi had always suffered with a bit of insomnia, although it had gotten better over the years. They laid on the two larger couches with their heads near each other so that they could have a quiet conversation without disturbing their friends. Hitoshi had been quiet for a few minutes, and Izuku assumed he had fallen asleep until the boy quietly whispered his name.

“Izuku, you still up?”

He twisted his head so that he could hear the purple-haired boy without disturbing Mei and Tenya.

“Yeah, Toshi. You okay?” Izuku whispered back, curious to see what his friend wanted to say.

“Do you ever think about how lucky we are?” Hitoshi asked as he stared up at the ceiling, and Izuku didn’t have to ask him to clarify what he meant. For a quirkless kid and a boy with an ‘evil’ quirk they were living a pretty amazing life. Most kids in their situation would be abused or neglected, tossed away by society without ever being able to achieve their dreams. Hitoshi had told Izuku and Tenya about his early childhood, being forced into a muzzle and forbidden from speaking to other children.

Izuku’s dad had left the moment he found out he was quirkless, and his mother had been nothing but supportive of his dreams. They had created their own family over the years of accidentally adopting people, but he still didn’t have any friends at school. The ache in his back was a painful reminder of his daily reality, where most of the world believed he wasn’t even human.

“Yeah, we are lucky.” Izuku responded half-heartedly, his mind reliving all of his most painful moments.

Losing his childhood friend, who went from Kacchan to Bakugou.

The taunts from his teachers, the physical abuse from his peers.

“Do you ever think about the other kids? The ones like us?” Hitoshi’s question broke Izuku out of his thoughts.

He was the only quirkless kid that he knew, but there were kids at Aldera with less-than-favorable quirks like Hitoshi. He had seen a girl with a knife-based quirk getting harassed in the hallway just a few days ago.

“Of course I do.” Izuku responded quickly. He was constantly thinking about other quirkless kids, the ones that needed someone to stand up and fight on their behalf. It was why he wanted to be the first quirkless hero, to prove that they weren’t less than those born with powers.

“We should talk to our parents about trying to do more community outreach to kids like that. I’m sure if everyone in our family put their minds together we could really make a change.” Hitoshi’s voice was wistful, like he had imagined this idea over and over again.

Izuku thought it was a good idea in theory, but wouldn’t it make it seem like he and Hitoshi were charity cases? The public would only view them as publicity stunts, two outcasts that the heroes took pity on to help them achieve their dreams. Could they ever be taken seriously as pro heroes if they did something like that?

His quirklessness wasn’t something he tried to highlight, especially now that his combat and weapons skills more than made up for his lack of a quirk. When he wasn’t at school he sometimes forgot there was anything wrong with him, especially when everyone in his family treated him equally.

What would he do if he was forced to face other quirkless kids? Would he have to face what his life could’ve been like if he wasn’t so lucky? What would his mentors do if they saw how little power quirkless people really had in society?

Would they leave him?

His thoughts were racing as he listened to Hitoshi’s soft snores, the purple-haired boy oblivious to his friend’s internal dialogue.

Izuku came to a conclusion as he felt his eyes grow heavy and sleep finally began to overtake him.

He would never tell his mom what was really going on at school, and he’d try to discourage Hitoshi from doing anything until they were at least at UA and had established themselves as heroes in training. Everything was riding on them becoming heroes in their own right.

His eyes slowly closed as he felt himself slip into his dreams.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku woke up to the sound of his friends chatting and the smell of food wafting in from the dining room. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in his back made him flop back down and wince in agony. Sleeping on the couch really wasn’t a good idea, but there was no way his mom and friends wouldn’t question him if he slept in his own bed during the sleepover.

After taking a few steadying breaths he forced himself off the couch, wincing in pain as he straightened up into a standing position. He made his way to the dining room, taking a seat next to Mei as he tried to mask his pain.

“Morning, Zuku.” Hitoshi grunted, taking a sip out of the mug of coffee he was clutching to his chest like a lifeline.

“We didn’t wake you up because you seemed to be resting peacefully, but your mother had to leave after making breakfast for an emergency meeting.” Tenya explained as he began to pile food on a plate before passing it to Izuku.

“I really appreciate that, guys.” He took a few bites of food and a grateful sip of coffee before turning to Mei.

“Did you enjoy your first sleepover?” Izuku asked, smiling when the girl began nodding her head furiously.

“We have to do this all the time now!” Mei exclaimed before shoveling food into her mouth. Izuku grinned before focusing his attention back on his food so that he and his friends could get the rest of the day started. They were planning on going to the beach, which they had recently finished cleaning up. Families were already spending their days walking down the shoreline and enjoying the sea breeze, which no longer reeked of garbage. It would be their first time going to Dagobah for relaxation, and Izuku couldn’t wait to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

A sudden pain in his back caused a wave of anxiety to flush over him as he realized he had not thought about the fact that he would most likely be shirtless during their beach day. He pushed his chair back suddenly, standing up as his heart began racing frantically.

“Um, I’ll be right back.” He rushed out as he made his way towards the stairs.

“Izuku? Are you alright?” Tenya called behind him, and he quickly plastered a smile on his face before turning around.

“Yeah! I just can’t remember if I washed my swimming trunks or not, so I need to go check.” Izuku hoped his lie was believable, but he was more focused on getting up the stairs with his aching back. He tried to ascend them as normally as he could, but he had to take brief pauses every few steps. He breathed out a sigh of relief as he finally reached his door, shutting it behind him as he racked his mind to a solution for his problem.

He could always lie and say he had been researching skin cancer recently and he was wearing a shirt to reduce his risk of sun damage. It wouldn’t be the strangest thing he had ever done. He could also pretend to fall and act like the bruise was new, depending on its coloring.

He tore his sleep shirt off as he made his way towards his mirror, turning around so that he could view his back and assess how fresh the injury looked. The bruise was a mix of dark blues and purples, there was very faint yellowing around the edges but he could always brush off any suspicions.

Just as Izuku was planning how he could safely fall down the stairs without further injury the door opened, causing him to desperately try to throw his shirt on before anyone saw his bruised back. His efforts were futile.

“Izuku?” Hitoshi’s voice cracked as he stared at his friend with a horrified expression. Izuku finished pulling his shirt over his head as he tried to come up with a plausible excuse for his injury. Before he could think of anything, Hitoshi entered the room and strode towards him.

“Who did this to you?” Hitoshi asked quietly, and Izuku felt guilty when he saw the tears in his friend’s eyes.

“Um.” Izuku shuffled, unsure what he could say in this situation.

“Why did you follow me up here?” He said, trying to distract Hitoshi from what he just saw.

“I - what?” Hitoshi looked at Izuku like he had grown a third eye.

“I mean, you followed me.” Izuku tried to sound annoyed, desperately hoping his friend would drop the topic and move on.

“Your back is bruised up like someone beat you and you’re worried about me following you?” Hitoshi practically yelled, his tone starting to grate on Izuku’s nerves.

“I’m fine” Izuku seethed, his anger getting the best of him.

“You’re not fine! Who did that to you?” Hitoshi stared him down, clearly awaiting an answer that wasn’t coming. The purple-haired boy’s eyes suddenly widened, and his face paled as he seemed to come up with an explanation for Izuku’s injuries.

“Did one of the adults do that to you?” Hitoshi asked quietly, tears continuing to stream down his face. Izuku’s chest tightened at the accusation, and he couldn’t believe Hitoshi would dare insinuate something like that.

“What the hell? No! It wasn’t anyone in the family.” Izuku tried to push past his friend to get to the doorway, but Hitoshi grabbed his arm.

“Then who was it? You have to tell someone!” Hitoshi pleaded.

“I just fell at school, okay? Why are you being such a freak!” Izuku yelled, finally at his breaking point. He just wanted to be left alone, no one else needed to be involved.

“That’s a lie and you know it!” Hitoshi raised his voice to match Izuku’s.

“What do you want me to say? That I’m weak and need everyone’s protection? I don’t need anyone’s help!” Izuku screamed, once again trying to get away from Hitoshi. The pair didn’t even notice when Mei and Tenya stepped into the doorway, matching looks of concern on their faces as they tried to figure out what was going on.

“Of course not! But you need to tell your mom so she can get that place shut down!” Hitoshi’s voice broke once again as tears continued to stream down his face. Izuku felt his rage consume him as he saw the pitying expression on his friend’s face.

“I will never do that! I need to show everyone that I can handle the pressure!” Izuku turned away from Hitoshi and faced the wall, feeling like he was suffocating in his emotions. He wanted to leave more than anything, he truly didn’t want to say anything he would regret. But the anger was consuming him, and he didn’t know how to fight it.

“Izuku, please. You are the strongest person I know!” Hitoshi tried to take a step towards Izuku, but seemed to think better of it.

“Everyone needs help sometimes.” The boy’s voice had returned to a normal level.

“You’ll never understand, you at least have a quirk.” Izuku muttered, still unwilling to turn around in case his anger overwhelmed him again.

“You’re being selfish, Zuku.” Hitoshi stated plainly, but Izuku felt like a knife had been twisted into his back.

“You need to think about the other kids at your school, the ones that are going through the same thing you are. You actually have the power to do something.” Hitoshi’s voice was laced with frustration and anger. Izuku wished this conversation was over, he wanted his friend to understand that his mind was made up already.

He turned around, hoping to convince his friend to see his point of view.

“I have to prove I am strong without a quirk. If I can’t handle a bit of bullying, how am I going to handle the public when I become a hero?” Izuku felt like he was pleading, he desperately needed Hitoshi to understand his reasoning.

Instead of understanding, though, it seemed like Izuku’s explanation only worked to anger his friend even more.

“You know being a hero isn’t about the quirk, right?” Hitoshi let out a shuddered breath before continuing.

“It’s about saving people. But I guess you forgot about that, huh?” He sent a withering glare at Izuku before turning and walking towards the door. Tenya and Mei were standing in the room, both shifting awkwardly. It was clear they both were unsure about how to intervene in the situation. Right before Hitoshi stepped out of the room, he paused in the doorway and turned his head towards Izuku.

“Let me know when you remember that.” Hitoshi sucked his teeth and left the room, and Izuku listened silently as he heard his friend walk down the stairs with finality.

Tenya and Mei stood frozen for a few moments before turning to Izuku with concern in their eyes.

“Izuku, surely you and Hitoshi can work to understand each other on this. I am sure it will blow over in no time.” Tenya moved towards him, but he held his hand up.

He was trembling where he stood, unable to tell if it was from anger or devastation. Memories of Bakugou and his other childhood friends pushing him away began to flash through his mind.

“Leave.” Izuku whispered. “I know you want to.”

“Izuku? What are you talking about?” Mei’s eyes were filled with unshed tears, but he was so tired.

“Leave!” He turned towards Mei and Tenya, pointing to the door and walking forward so he could coral them out of his room. The pair looked heartbroken, but didn’t argue with him as he slammed the door behind them. He slid down to the ground, stuffing his face into his hands when he heard the front door shut after a few minutes.

He wasn’t sure how long he sat there as tears fell silently down his cheeks and onto the ground beneath him. So many emotions ran through his mind and he wasn’t able to separate them out from each other. Sadness turned into anger and frustration, the pressure building in his chest until he felt like he needed to burst.

His eyes landed on the punching bag he kept stashed away in his closet, and he pulled himself off the ground and made his way over to it. After lugging it to the center of the room he cracked his knuckles and took a stance, not even wrapping his hands before he began pummeling the bag with punches and kicks. Distantly, he knew he was sobbing and screaming, but it didn’t fully register as his mind focused on the satisfying pain in his knuckles.

Suddenly, a pair of strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him down to the ground. Izuku immediately escaped the grip and pinned the person to the ground, ready to punch the intruder.

“Zuku? What the fuck!” Dabi laid there, pinned down by Izuku’s knee and trying to escape the hold of the younger boy. Izuku immediately backed up, his breath becoming labored as he realized that he almost hurt his older brother in his blind rage.

Dabi approached him carefully, holding his hands out as he crawled over to where Izuku was leaning against his bed.

“It’s me, squirt. What’s going on?” His older brother spoke softly, finally reaching Izuku and tentatively placing his hands on his shoulders. The younger boy immediately broke down again, the sobs racking his entire body and taking away his ability to respond. Dabi pulled him to his chest, running a hand down his back to try to get him to calm down before he hyperventilated.

“I’m here, Zuku. I’m here.”

The words calmed him a bit, allowing him to finally ask the question that had been on his mind since Hitoshi turned his back to him after their argument.

“Why do they always leave me?” His voice wavered as he spoke, and his brother stared at him in confusion and worry.

Izuku knew that he had messed up, but he wasn’t sure how to fix it. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to fix it. A voice deep inside his head begged him to find his friends and apologize immediately, but another voice told him that he didn’t need them. Dabi seemed to be at a loss for words as he clutched Izuku close to him, stroking his back instead of answering his question.

He knew he wasn’t truly alone, he still had a family at the end of the day. But there was now a hole in his chest that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to fill now that he’d pushed away his friends.

He had grown so used to having them that he had forgotten the emptiness that accompanied loneliness.

New Chat

Midoriya Inko added Takami Keigo, Aizawa Shota, and ten others..

Midoriya Inko: We have a problem.

Aizawa Shota (Eraserhead): I agree. Hitoshi won’t tell us what happened but it seems like the kids had some sort of falling out.

Midoriya Dab (Azure): I found Izuku sobbing and punching his knuckles raw when I got home… he asked me why everyone leaves him….

Fukukado Emi (Ms. Joke): Poor kiddo… I think we should really consider getting him an official therapist instead of only relying on our weekly sessions together.

Kayama Nemuri (Midnight: I agree… but I also think we shouldn’t put too much pressure on the kids if they dealt with something emotionally devastating today.

Yamada Hizashi (Present Mic): I agree with Nem. We have to let them come to us if we want to keep their trust.

Usagiyama Rumi (Mirko): For now we should focus on helping them work through what they are feeling… they are still kids and probably don’t know how to process what happened on their own.

Arima Isamu (Snipe): I can take Izuku out to the range tomorrow, I think it’d help him clear his head a bit. Hopefully he’ll open up a bit so we can figure out our next steps.

Maijima Higari (Power Loader): I’ll make sure Mei and I get some father/daughter time in the support lab tomorrow.

Iida Tensei (Ingenium): Tenya has locked himself in his room, but I already have someone covering my patrol tomorrow so that I can spend some time with him.

Yamada Hizashi (Present Mic): Sho and I are going to take Hitoshi to the cat cafe, if he’s up for it. He’s blasting music in his room so we don’t hear him crying :(

Hakamada Tsunagu (Best Jeanist): I know I am the newest member of our group, but I have grown to care for the children greatly. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

Midoriya Inko: I appreciate that, Tsunagu. Our kids have a strong support network around them and I am hoping we can figure out what caused their argument sooner rather than later.

Takami Keigo (Hawks): I am just getting off patrol but I am headed over to your house, mama Inko. Maybe just having us around will help?

Nedzu: I may not be well versed in human emotion, but I see the children as family. I will be ready to assist at any point, please keep me updated.

Aizawa Shota (Eraserhead): We’re all going to make sure the kids are okay at the end of this.

Chapter Text

The days seemed to blend together over the past two weeks, anything outside of training and school taking a backseat as Izuku tried to distract himself from the rift between him and his friends. He couldn’t help but feel ashamed at how he had acted when Hitoshi tried to reason with him, but he wasn’t sure how to remedy the situation.

No one had mentioned his injuries to him, so he assumed that his friends kept the truth of his treatment at school a secret. He was thankful, but also felt guilty that they were loyal even after he had treated them so badly.

He didn’t deserve them, probably had never deserved them in the first place. The family believed in him, but at the end of the day he had forgotten what being a hero was truly about.

After his falling out with Hitoshi, Izuku started paying attention to his surroundings at school. It made him realize just how many kids were getting bullied for their quirks at Aldera. He should do something - he had to do something - but he needed to formulate a plan before he went to his mom.

His mind was swimming as the final bell rang and he collected his things, easily avoiding the group of bullies that were trying to follow him out of the building.

Dabi had asked him to meet up at Mr. Kobayashi’s cafe after school, a sign that his brother was trying to get him into a better mood. He was grateful that his brother’s relationship with Keigo hadn’t taken away from their time together, but he wasn’t sure he was in the mood for Dabi’s knowing looks.

He could see right through Izuku, no matter how much he tried to put on a brave face.

Still, Izuku didn’t have the heart to say no to one-on-one time with his older brother. He dutifully began his journey to the cafe, ignoring the pang in his chest when he recollected the many afternoons spent with his trio of friends. There was a part of him that wondered if they still spent time there without him, but he didn’t let himself ruminate on that thought for too long.

He was distracted, barely registering the sound of someone calling out behind him until a familiar spikey blond hair style came into his peripheral.

“Are you deaf, nerd?” Bakugou huffed as he kept pace next to him. His mind immediately filled with rage, which he quickly got under control before he did anything too drastic.

“What do you want?” He grunted, not in the mood to deal with Bakugou at the moment. The blond hadn’t bothered him too badly over the past few years, but they weren’t friends either. He wasn’t someone Izuku wanted to associate with, especially since he still hung around the bullies that terrorized people based off of their powers. Being a bystander was worse than almost anything, even though he felt like a hypocrite saying that now.

“You’ve been acting all weird and mopey.” Bakugou replied, his words more of a statement than a question. Izuku was left to puzzle out the intention behind those words, but his mind was too exhausted to play whatever game this was.

“And how does that concern you?” He responded, not willing to give his ex-childhood friend the satisfaction of a cordial response. Instead of the anger Izuku was expecting, the blond took his attitude in stride. He didn’t respond to the question, choosing to walk in silence for a bit before speaking up again.

“Nothing is wrong with auntie, right?” Bakugou asked, his eyes landing everywhere else except Izuku’s own gaze. Izuku couldn’t help but stop as he processed the question, taking in the genuine concern in those red eyes.

“She’s fine.” He answered truthfully, trying to ignore the sigh of relief that came from the blond at the confirmation.

He thought Bakugou would leave after confirming Inko was okay, but was surprised when the boy followed him the entire way to the cafe in silence. Izuku wasn’t sure what was going on, but he wasn’t feeling generous enough to invite his former friend inside to join him. He turned away wordlessly, only pausing once his hand was on the door.

“Isn’t your reputation going to suffer if anyone sees you talking to the useless Deku?” He asked, a bit of a bite in his voice as he awaited a response. If any of their classmates had seen them together, Bakugou probably would have made a show of acting like he was just messing with him.

The blond seemed to be full of surprises today.

“Tch, I don’t care what those idiots think.” Bakugou shuffled awkwardly, his eyes darting around until they finally landed on the interior of the cafe. He stared inside for a few moments, his eyes contemplative as he seemed to think over what to say next. Instead, he threw Izuku a stiff nod and began walking home.

The entire ordeal was too perplexing for Izuku’s current mental state, so he decided to head into the cafe instead of thinking too hard about it. He would not give the universe the satisfaction of letting this get to him, especially after what happened with Hitoshi. There was a small part of him that wanted to accept the strange olive branch Bakugou had extended to him, but it was much more than he deserved at the moment.

If even Bakugou was worried about him, how well was he really hiding his current state of distress?

Mr. Kobayashi flashed him a kind smile as he finished wiping down the counter, and Izuku couldn’t help but smile back. Something about this place always filled him with warmth, as though it was a safety net from the rest of the world.

“I’m happy a certain someone finally got his head out of his ass.” The man said, tipping his head towards the door before turning around to start working on Izuku’s drink.

“Me too.” Izuku said as he settled into one of the nearby booths. He pulled out the most recent book he had borrowed from Nedzu, content on reading as he waited for Dabi.

“I haven’t seen you in a while, everything okay?” Mr. Kobayashi asked as he settled Izuku’s bubble tea and a small plate of cookies down on the table. His eyes were shining with worry, but Izuku wasn’t sure how to respond to the question.

“Oh yeah! I’ve just been really busy with school and training lately.” He lied, his forced smile grating on him as he tried to remain convincing.

The cafe owner nodded and walked back to the counter, but it was clear that he didn’t actually believe Izuku’s lie.

His phone buzzed from his pocket, giving him something to distract himself from his guilt.

Dabi: Hey kiddo, I am going to be a little late. Got stuck doing more paperwork than usual today. :(

Izuku: No worries! I’m here reading my book. :)

He was a little grateful for the extra time he would get for reading, but his plans were interrupted when Mr. Kobayashi slid into the seat in front of him with his own cup of coffee.

“I’ve known you since you were a little tyke, kid.” He says, taking a sip from his mug and raising one of his eyebrows at Izuku.

“I know.” He responded quietly, staring intently at the plate of cookies instead of gazing back up.

“Listen, if you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t bother you. But if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.” Mr. Kobayashi began to stand, but Izuku spoke up before he could stop himself.

“What do you think makes a good hero?”

The man sat back down, thinking over his response before nodding and looking back up at Izuku.

“A good hero helps anyone that needs it, no matter who they are.” Mr. Kobayashi responded, his answer making Izuku’s mind whir with questions.

“Even if they are a villain?” He asked in confusion.

“Especially if they’re a villain.” The cafe owner responded, which was met by another confused look from Izuku.

“Kid, villains don’t spring up out of nowhere.” Mr. Kobayashi explained, taking a sip of his coffee before continuing.

“Villains aren’t born that way, they are made into what they are. Anyone could be turned into a villain under the right circumstances.” The man’s face flashed with pain for a moment before he continued his explanation.

“Sometimes all it takes to save them is someone reaching out when they need it most.”

Izuku’s stomach clenched, thinking of the first night he met Dabi and brought him home. Of the nights listening to his brother have night terrors, reliving things that no one should have to go through. How he still flinched sometimes, like he was waiting to be hit at any moment.

He thought of the light that was missing from Dabi’s eyes that night, how he was surprised that anyone would show him kindness without expecting anything in return.

Would anyone else have reached out to a kid trying to steal medical supplies? Or would they have looked the other way?

He shivered as he thought of what his brother might have become if he was left to fester in his anger - alone and hungry on the streets. What type of people would have reached out their hands if they found him first?

“But most heroes would say to just arrest them and let the law handle it, right?” Izuku asked, his mind still trying to soak in what he was hearing.

“No hero is perfect.” Mr. Kobayashi responded, staring intently into his coffee. For the first time in his life, Izuku realized how tired the man’s eyes were. It was as though he were looking into a window that reflected his entire life, a life filled with loss and pain. How well did he really know the cafe owner?

His thoughts returned to his statement, but he thought of all the heroes he knew. They were as close to perfection as they could get.

“They have to be a little perfect, don’t they?” He wasn’t naive enough to believe all pro heroes were amazing people, but real heroes were supposed to be a bastion of good values.

“That’s where you’re wrong, kid.” Mr. Kobayashi smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling like he was about to share a special secret. Izuku couldn’t help but lean forward a bit, hungry for whatever information he was about to hear.

“A hero is someone who sees a person in need and helps them. It seems like you’ve done that plenty of times, right?” The man had a knowing smile, and Izuku blushed as he recalled his various rescues over the years.

Before he could respond, though, the door slammed open as a group of sketchy looking men entered. Mr. Kobayashi put his mug down slowly, keeping his eyes on the group as he stood and walked back to the counter with a bright smile on his face. Izuku could see the tension behind his eyes, which immediately put him on high alert.

“What can I get for you today?” Mr. Kobayashi asked, still wearing that tense smile.

One of the men raised his arm, which quickly morphed into a sharp sword.

“Give us all of the money in the drawer, old man.” The rest of the group activated their quirks as well, and Izuku’s mind began racing as he tried to figure out how to protect Mr. Kobayashi from the thieves. He began to stand, but the cafe owner held up his hand and shook his head before opening up the drawer.

“Alright, I don’t want any problems.” Mr. Kobayashi said as he began passing over the cash calmly. Once the register was empty the robbers turned to leave, clearly content now that they had their money. Izuku let out a sigh of relief, happy that the entire incident went over without any violence.

He realized he spoke too soon as one of the men eyed him with interest.

“You know, there’s a doctor paying a lot of money for young people on the black market.” He began to take a few steps towards Izuku, the rest of the group following closely behind. Their creepy grins put Izuku on edge, and he began calculating how he could escape this situation. His panicked gaze fell on Mr. Kobayashi, whose face was filled with thinly veiled rage.

“Leave the boy alone, you’ve gotten what you came for.” He spoke, his voice calm but firm.

“Shut up, old man. We’re taking this brat with us.” One of the men said as he reached towards Izuku.

The metal tip jar that sat on the counter was suddenly flung in the air, coins and bills fluttering throughout the cafe as the jar hit the man in the head. He crumpled to the ground, clutching the spot where the projectile had made contact.

“What the -” One of the robbers began, but Mr. Kobayashi had already jumped over the counter and tackled him before he got the chance to finish. Izuku could only watch in awe as the cafe owner began fighting off each robber, his punches and kicks quickly taking down half the group.

He was distracted by the man with the sword quirk when one of the downed robbers began to sneak up on him.

“Mr. Kobayashi!” Izuku yelled before running towards the fight, using his speed to launch himself towards the attacker. The man fell to the ground, slamming his head against one of the chairs and collapsing. The man with the sword quirk was the last one standing, his eyes darting between Izuku and Mr. Kobayashi nervously. He probably didn’t expect the middle schooler and cafe owner to put up such a fight, clearly biting off more than he could chew.

The man seemed to think Izuku was the easier target, launching himself at the boy with both of his arms stretched out to stab him. Izuku immediately took a defensive stance, analyzing the trajectory and planning out his counter attack. Mr. Kobayashi appeared behind the robber, swinging a chair and hitting him across the head in a brutal show of strength. The man crumpled to the floor, but his outstretched arm pierced through the cafe owner’s calf before he could react.

Mr. Kobayashi fell to the floor, clutching his leg with a pained expression as he began to bleed. Izuku quickly pulled his phone out of his pocket, calling the emergency line as his eyes scanned the room for a first aid kit. He explained what happened to the phone operator, who assured him that an ambulance and a few police cars would be there within minutes.

Izuku didn’t even hear the door open behind him as he knelt next to Mr. Kobayashi, looking over his wound to assess the damage.

“Izuku?!” His brother’s voice yelled out behind him, and he turned to see Dabi looking over the scene in shock.

“Dabi! We need your first aid kit!” Izuku waved his brother over, pointing at Mr. Kobayashi’s skewered leg. Dabi immediately jumped into hero mode, pulling out his first aid kit from his bag as he began to work on the wound. Izuku grabbed any additional supplies his brother asked for as they waited for the ambulance.

“I’ll be okay, kids. I’ve dealt with much worse than this.” The man chuckled as Izuku and Dabi fretted over him.

“I guess owning a cafe is more dangerous than I thought.” Dabi joked, clearly trying to lighten the mood as they tried to stop the bleeding. They had just gotten the bleeding under control when the door opened, a group of paramedics and police officers entering the cafe in droves.

“Over here!” Dabi called, guiding the paramedics to where Mr. Kobayashi and Izuku were. They quickly got to work, loading the man onto a stretcher and preparing themselves to take him to the ambulance.

“Hold on a second.” One of the cops, a man with a bird mutation quirk, said as he held his hand up. Izuku couldn’t imagine why they were stopping, especially when Mr. Kobayashi was getting paler by the moment.

“You two took these criminals down all by yourselves?” The man gestured to the robbers that were currently being handcuffed by the rest of the officers.

“Yes.” Izuku replied, his eyes darting to the stretcher once again, wishing they could head to the hospital already.

“Well then, I need to see your quirk registration cards. What you two did could be considered vigilantism.” The man held out his hand expectantly, and Izuku’s vision immediately clouded with rage.

“Vigilantism? Were we supposed to let them kill us?” His voice cracked as he tried to control himself. Dabi was shaking with anger a few feet away, stomping forward as he pulled out his hero license.

“You can’t be a vigilante if you’re quirkless.” Mr. Kobayashi wheezed out, and Izuku initially thought the man was only trying to save him from the possible repercussions of their actions.

“Which one of you is quirkless?” The cop asked, disgust evident in his tone as he glanced between the two of them. Izuku’s stomach felt sour, discouraged from seeing quirk discrimination play out right in front of him.

“Both of us.” The man replied, crying out in pain as his leg began to twitch. Izuku only had a moment to process the meaning behind that statement before his arms were being thrown behind his back by the officer questioning them.

“You expect me to believe two quirkless took these thieves down? I will arrest you both for lying to a police officer.” Izuku cried out in pain as his wrists were forced into cuffs.

“If you want to play that game, I am officially taking control over this crime scene. Let my little brother out of those cuffs, now.” Dabi growled as he flashed his license around and ordered the paramedics to load the ambulance up.

“Azure! I didn’t realize it was you, sir. My apologies.” The officer shook as he uncuffed Izuku, bowing apologetically and stepping away from the boy.

“Yeah, you will be sorry when I explain what just happened to our mother.” Dabi sent the cop a glare before turning to Izuku and pointing to the ambulance.

“Get on the ambulance, your face is bleeding.” He demanded, and Izuku immediately followed his instructions.

He and Dabi stayed out of the way as the paramedics worked to further stabilize Mr. Kobayashi before they reached the hospital. The cafe owner was immediately taken to one of the operating rooms while Izuku was placed in a room near the entrance of the ER.

A kind nurse took care of his small scratches and bruises, instructing him to take it easy for a few days. She gave him a concerned look when she saw the yellowing bruises underneath his shirt, but he told her that they came from training. As soon as she stepped out of the room, the officer from earlier stepped inside. Izuku felt a bit panicked at the sight of the man, as Dabi had stepped out to grab them something to eat and check on Mr. Kobayashi’s condition.

“I need to ask you a few questions.” The officer said, making himself comfortable on one of the chairs before pulling out his notepad.

“Okay.” Izuku responded, not wanting to cause anymore trouble for himself or his family.

“Who really took those robbers down?” He asked, staring up at Izuku from behind his notepad.

“We already told you, it was Mr. Kobayashi and I.” Izuku responded, a bit annoyed that he had to repeat himself again.

“You really expect me to believe that two quirkless fought off a group of robbers?” The officer asked in a mocking tone.

“Just because we’re quirkless doesn’t mean that we are helpless.” Izuku puffed out his chest, unwilling to let this man make him feel small.

“Maybe you’re not helpless, but your kind is completely useless to society.” The cop stood, striding towards Izuku before towering over him where he sat. Before Izuku could respond the curtain was moved to the side, and a man in a tan coat and hat stepped into the room. He smiled warmly at Izuku before turning to the officer with a frown.

“You know, quirk discrimination has some really nasty penalities for police officers.” The mystery man said, and Izuku watched as the officer began to shake where he stood.

“D-detective Tsukauchi, sir. I didn’t realize you were on this case.” The officer said as he backed away slowly from Izuku.

“An old pro-hero friend reached out to me, asking me to come check on his nephew while he made his way to the hospital.” The knowledge that this man knew someone in his family immediately calmed him down.

“N-nephew?” The officer looked like he was about to burst with anxiety at the prospect of not only pissing off one pro hero, but two. If only he knew how many people would be coming for his badge once they found out what had happened.

“Why don’t we step outside so you can debrief me on your conversation with Mr. Midoriya?” The detective held the curtain open, and the officer took shaking steps as he made his way out of the room.

For the next fifteen minutes Izuku listened as Tsukauchi tore the officer apart, sprinkling in phrases such as “abuse of power” and “completely irresponsible” as he scolded the officer for his behavior. The man was left with a final “i’ll have your badge!” before Tsukauchi returned to Izuku’s room.

“Hello, Mr. Midoriya. My name is Detective Tsukauchi, I’m an old friend of Eraserhead.” The detective held his hand out with a small smile, and Izuku immediately shook it.

“Nice to meet you.” Izuku responded, still unsure about how he should act around the detective.

“I apologize if you heard my conversation with Officer Sugimoto, but I couldn’t let him think that type of behavior was acceptable.” Tsukauchi made himself comfortable in one of the seats, clearly planning on waiting until Izuku’s family got there. It made him feel more at ease, knowing that the detective would stop anyone else from bothering him.

“Thank you, it’s nice to know someone in the force is willing to stick up for quirkless people.” Izuku was sad that there were people out there that hated quirkless people so much, but it was nice to know people like his family and Tsukauchi existed. He couldn’t help but think that the tired looking detective would make a great addition to the family.

“Well, we have to look out for each other.” The detective replied with a sad smile, and it took Izuku a moment to realize what he meant.

“Wait, you’re quirkless?” Izuku asked, his eyes wide as Tsukauchi nodded.

“As quirkless as they come.” The detective replied.

Izuku couldn’t believe that he now had two quirkless adults in his life, especially people like Detective Tsukauchi and Mr. Kobayashi. They didn’t seem ostracized by society, and were important members in their community. It gave him a bit of hope that he could actually achieve his dreams, that he could make a difference in the lives of quirkless people. Encouragement was great, but seeing quirkless adults living their lives changed his entire perspective on things.

Before they could continue their conversation, Dabi entered the room with two trays of food and a few bags of snacks. His older brother immediately tensed when he saw the detective, carefully placing their food down on a table and then standing in between Izuku and the stranger.

“Can I help you?” Dabi had his arms crossed, his intimidating gaze shooting daggers in the man’s direction.

“Dabi, he’s friends with Uncle Sho! He’s also quirkless!” Izuku exclaimed, and he knew his eyes were probably sparkling with joy at the moment. Dabi immediately softened, but he still seemed to be keeping an eye on the detective.

“My name is Tsukauchi Naomasa, I’m a detective and a friend of Aizawa.” He reached out to shake Dabi’s hand, and the hero shook it cautiously. Tsukauchi explained the debacle with Officer Sugimoto, which led to Dabi apologizing profusely for leaving Izuku alone. The younger boy waved his concerns off, more worried about Mr. Kobayashi’s condition.

“He’s okay, there wasn’t any serious damage. They used a healing quirk on him and recommended that he rest for a few days before returning to work.” Dabi explained as they ate, the taste of the hospital cafeteria katsudon made Izuku want to go home even more than before.

“Where is my son?!” Inko’s voice rang through the hall, and Dabi immediately jumped up to find her. Their mother could be terrifying when she was angry, and the brothers really didn’t want her to let that anger loose on the nurses and doctors in the emergency room.

A few moments later she entered the room with Aizawa and Mic right behind her, the trio immediately fretting over Izuku and his small injuries. Once they had checked him over and saw that he wasn’t mortally wounded, she turned to the detective.

“And you are?” His mother’s calculating gaze scanned over the detective, clearly deciding if the man was a threat or not.

“Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa, I’m a friend of Aizawa’s and I am taking over this case due to my fellow officers mismanaging it.” Tsukauchi’s eyes seemed fearful as he tentatively reached out a hand towards Inko. The woman shook it, her eyes still filled with suspicion as she turned towards Shota to confirm the information.

“Tsukauchi is the friend I called to come check on Izuku, I can vouch for him and his trustworthiness.” Shota seemed amused by how terrified the cop was of Inko.

“Izuku, how is Mr. Kobayashi doing?” Zashi sat next to him on the bed, giving him a bit of space due to his injuries. Dabi and Izuku began explaining what happened, and Detective Tsukauchi got permission from Inko to take notes and ask questions for his report. Aizawa and Mic shared a concerned glance when they heard about the doctor offering money for young people, but they seemed content on asking more questions later. As Izuku and Dabi explained how they were treated by the officers, the adults seemed to fill with rage.

“I expect the officers in question will be dealt with?” Inko turned to the detective with a raised brow, and the man nodded with a nervous smile.

“I promise I will do everything in my power to make sure they are punished for this behavior.” Tsukauchi responded, and Izuku believed him. It was nice to be able to trust another adult, and it only solidified the idea that he wanted to get to know the detective better. There were so many skills he could learn from an officer, and something about the man seemed lonely.

The group talked for another half hour or so, until one of the nurses came in with Izuku’s discharge papers. They said goodbye to the detective, but not before Inko could grab the man’s phone number. Izuku expected that he would be added to the chat soon, perhaps once Shota gave him a thorough warning about the chaos he might witness.

Izuku was happy to be home after such a long day, taking a shower and carefully redressing his bandages. His mom told him that he would be staying home from school the rest of the week, and he was silently grateful for the break. He didn’t want anyone to injure him even further, as that would mean less time for training.

He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, his last thoughts were of Mr. Kobayashi effortlessly taking down a group of villains.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Shota liked to consider himself an observant man, and his memory had only improved over years of underground hero work. He remembered the name and face of every villain he had ever taken down, of every student he had ever watched graduate, and especially the students he had lost to the field of heroics.

He also remembered every vigilante he had ever come across, especially the ones that fought by his side over the years.

One name always stuck out amongst all of them, the man that Shota owed his life to.

Kibo.

The vigilante had disappeared years ago, before Shota had even met Izuku or the group of people he now considered a family. The man was extremely honorable, his mission was to help villains get back on the right path. He had taught Shota so much about the world, how the lines between hero and villain weren’t as simple as society made them seem. Kibo saw the good in people, but it was never rooted in naivety. He would take down those that were too far gone, never hesitating to do what needed to be done.

He had become Shota’s unofficial patrol partner for most of his early career, the two of them sharing cups of coffee and talking about their lives. Kibo was secretive about his identity, but he still talked about growing up in society as a quirkless kid with dreams of being a hero.It was one of the many reasons Shota had insisted on being so involved in Izuku’s life and his training, a reminder of the mentor that shaped the hero Shota was today. They had set up a routine, always meeting on the roof of their favorite convenience store before getting started for the night.

Until one day, the vigilante didn’t show up. It was a few weeks after a raid that went sideways, one where Shota almost didn’t make it out alive. He had been pinned underneath a few pieces of rubble as the building went up in flames, fully believing he would die until a familiar figure emerged nearby. Kibo had dug him out and carried him to the paramedics, disappearing before anyone could stop him.

It was the last time Shota had seen the man, his only communication after that being a letter with no return address. Kibo explained that it was time for him to step back, that he had lost someone dear to him and didn’t see the point of fighting anymore.

The end of the letter said that he hoped Shota would find him one day, and that he’d be sure to get him a cup of coffee when they reunited.

He found himself subconsciously looking for Kibo, trying to find the mentor and friend that had molded him and his ideals in so many ways. Kibo and Izuku would get along so well, Shota always thought to himself.

He had never told Izuku or even Hitoshi about the man, content on keeping it a secret until he felt it was necessary. At least, that was his plan before he met the kind cafe owner known as Mr. Kobayashi. When the man handed him his coffee order, exactly the way he had been drinking it for years, he couldn’t help but be suspicious.

Shota had stayed away from the cafe, not willing to confront the man he thought to be Kibo just yet. Unable to believe that his search had finally come to an end.

When Izuku told them about how Mr. Kobayashi effortlessly took down the robbers almost completely by himself, how he had told his nephew to reach out a hand to everyone that needed it - that was the confirmation Shota needed to finally confirm his suspicions.

As they rode the hospital elevator up a few floors, he readied himself for what could be an emotional reunion. The anticipation was killing him as he listened to Izuku and Inko quietly chat about raising money for the man while he was on bedrest.

They got off the elevator and made their way to the room, but Shota couldn’t help but pause for a moment outside of the door.

“Are you okay, Sho?” Mic asked, concern evident in his eyes as he glanced between the door and his husband.

“I’m fine.” He responded, giving the blond a small smile before knocking on the door.

“Come in.” A voice rang out, and Shota allowed himself to really listen to it for the first time. All of his doubts about Mr. Kobayashi’s identity were thrown out the window as he opened the door and stepped into the room.

“Did you finally figure it out, kid?” The man asked from the bed, smiling as Shota gave him a tearful nod. Inko, Mic, and Izuku watched in confusion as Shota strided over to the bed and wrapped Mr. Kobayashi into a soft hug.

“I’m happy you survived out there without me, son.” Mr. Kobayashi spoke quietly, his own eyes filled with tears. Shota felt elated when he heard the old term of affection, the one that made him forget his strained relationship with his parents as he patrolled the streets with the man in front of him.

“I had a somewhat decent teacher.” Shota laughed as they pulled apart. Mr. Kobayashi glanced behind him, and he realized he had a lot of explaining to do.

“Everyone, this is Kibo.” Shota gestured towards the man, and Mic’s eyes immediately lit up in recognition.

The rest of the afternoon was spent drinking coffee and filling his family in on his past with the vigilante. Kibo - or Aki as the man insisted on being called - told them about what he had been up to since he left his alter ego behind.

Shota watched as Izuku asked questions about his fighting style and what it was like to be quirkless while he was growing up. It was wonderful that two of the most important people in his life could bond like this, and he knew that Aki would be a great addition to their family. He was excited for the man to meet Hitoshi one day, hopefully once his son and nephew were on better terms again.

He felt warm all over, like a puzzle piece he was missing had finally returned to its rightful place. It reminded him how wonderful family could be - and how it wasn’t limited to the people you shared your DNA with.

Family is the people that find you, who see you for who you are and decide that they love all the parts. Those that choose to be in your life, not based on obligation but out of pure love and trust. There was nothing more beautiful than finding your people, feeling embraced for the first time in your life. What a beautiful thing it was.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Chat: Midoriya Izuku, Iida Tenya, Shinsou Hit….

Izuku: I know I’m the last person you all want to hear from but… I think I’m starting to remember what being a hero really means.

Izuku: I’ll let you know when I’ve figured it out.

Hitoshi: We’ll be waiting.

Chapter Text

The final bell of the day had just rung, signaling the end to Izuku’s hellish school day and the start of his freedom for the rest of the afternoon. He quickly gathered his things while keeping his eyes down low. If he made eye contact with any of his bolder classmates, he wouldn’t be able to leave for another half-hour or so.

He had just made it out the door when a fist collided with his stomach, knocking him off balance and causing him to fall to his knees. An elbow flew through the air, hitting him directly in the nose before he had time to stop it.

Izuku cursed his sluggish reflexes, reminding himself once again that he could never let his guard down around his peers, a few drops of blood fell from his nose onto the ground.

“Watch where you’re going, Deku.” One of the second years sneered, laughing with his friends as they patted him on the back for beating up the resident quirkless kid. Izuku waited for the group to walk down the hall before slowly standing up and brushing his pants off. He held his nose to help control the bleed as he walked to the nearest bathroom. Today was one of his training days with Rumi, and he couldn’t afford a bruise on his face.

He inspected his bleeding nose in the mirror, breathing out a sigh of relief when he didn’t see any noticeable bruising. After a few quick dabs from a wet paper towel there was no sign that the injury ever existed. As he was readying himself to leave the door to the bathroom opened, causing him to immediately tense. He hoped his classmates weren’t there to finish the job, he couldn’t afford any more injuries from his bullies.

Izuku risked glancing behind himself in the mirror, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion when he saw Bakugou leaning against the wall casually.

“Why don’t you ever fight back? You and I both know you could kick their asses if you wanted to.” Bakugou scowled at him through the reflection, his eyes briefly darting to his nose for a moment before kicking off the wall.

“That wouldn’t be very heroic, would it?” Izuku tried to sound annoyed, but his voice sounded tired as he finished cleaning the dried blood off his upper lip.

“At least you wouldn’t be getting your ass kicked every day.” Bakugou was staring at a random spot in the corner with his arms crossed as he spoke, avoiding Izuku’s eyes.

“If I want to be the first quirkless hero in Japan, then I will need to have really thick skin.” Izuku reasoned, not quite sure why he was still entertaining this conversation.

“Tch, that’s some fucked up logic.” Bakugou grunted, and Izuku could only scoff. The blond had followed him halfway home every day since the walk to the cafe, staying silent but still walking by his side. It was all a farce, some strange way for the other boy to work out his guilt and pity towards him.

It was really starting to piss him off.

“Why are you pretending to care?” He turned towards Bakugou, his eyes fixed into a fierce glare as he bared his teeth. Being pitied was so exhausting, he’d much rather go back to the time when Bakugou was just a bit afraid of him.

Bakugou stood there, frozen in place with wide eyes as he tried to figure out how to respond to Izuku’s question and change of demeanor. His shocked expression eventually morphed into a scowl, which felt like familiar territory for the pair.

“Whatever.” The blond huffed, walking to the door before pausing and stuffing his hands in his pocket.

“Don’t get your ass killed, I still need to beat you at UA.” Bakugou walked out the door before Izuku could process what he said, leaving the greenette standing in the middle of the bathroom with a puzzled expression.

Some long-forgotten part of Izuku knew the other boy was trying to reach out, even if it was in his own complicated and egotistical way. But Izuku truly didn’t have the capacity to take on Bakugou’s emotional baggage at the moment. He had far too much of his own to deal with first.

Was there a future where the two of them could be friends again? Is that even what Bakugou wanted?

He would have to table these thoughts until he figured out what he was going to do about Aldera, which was his biggest priority at the moment. The apology he owed his friends had been weighing on him, and he couldn’t wait to show them how sorry he truly was.

Izuku left the bathroom, happy to find that no one was waiting for him as he finally left the school building. His stomach was still sore from being punched, but he didn’t have time to focus on it. In two hours he would be meeting up with Rumi for training, and he couldn’t afford for his older sister to get suspicious before he finalized his plans for Aldera.

The walk home was quick, even though he had slowly grown used to his unwanted companion. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his house in the distance, already imagining the hot bath he would take before he had to leave for training.

Keigo and Dabi were on the couch watching an action movie, but they paused it to greet him.

“How was your day, little bird?” Keigo asked, his arm slung casually around Dabi’s shoulder.

“It was fine, I’m really looking forward to training though.” Izuku lied.

“You’re always working so hard, squirt. I hope you’re still giving yourself time to be a kid.” Dabi was looking at him with concern written across his face, but Izuku shifted uncomfortably under the attention. Keigo must have sensed his discomfort, effortlessly changing the subject before things could get too awkward.

“Inko stepped out for an emergency client meeting, but she should be back before you have to leave.”

Izuku nodded and thanked him for letting him know, giving them both a small wave and smile before heading up to his room. He missed the matching gazes that followed him, both young men unsure of how to help the boy that had rescued them.

He took off his uniform shirt to assess the damage to his stomach, wincing as he cataloged the multi-colored bruises littering his torso. Once again he cursed his conflicting emotions, not wanting to seem weak but desperately needing to rely on his support network for help.

As he watched the bath fill up with water he thought about his family, the people who cared for him so deeply and would do anything to help him. He knew they would burn the world down for him, but he still struggled to believe he deserved it. His mom had casually mentioned going to therapy, and he was sure it had something to do with his falling out with his friends. But some part of him still desperately wanted to believe there was nothing wrong with him, nothing broken to fix.

He knew Dabi went to therapy, and he was pretty sure all the other heroes he knew did as well. There was no need for him to have such a stigma about it, but it was something he still needed to unlearn on his own time.

Izuku lowered himself into the hot water, breathing out a sigh as his sore muscles began to relax a bit. He really needed to make more time for soaks, especially with how much he trained and worked out. If he weren’t dealing with injuries from his bullies, he’d probably be making even more progress during his sessions with his mentors.

He soaked in the tub for as long as possible, allowing his mind to empty and relax for the first time in a while. His eyes had drifted closed, his body half asleep as he wandered between dreams and reality. A soft knock on the bathroom door was the only thing that broke the spell, causing him to panic as he desperately tried to figure out what time it was.

“Izuku, honey? Do you need a ride to training?” His mother’s soft voice came from the other side of the door.

“Um, yes please. I’ll be down shortly.” He began to drain the tub and dry himself off, breathing out a sigh of relief when he saw that he had somehow only spent twenty minutes in the bath.

Once he was changed he headed back downstairs, preparing himself a small bowl of noodles to hold himself over until dinner. He joined Keigo and Dabi in the living room to watch the last half of the movie, allowing himself to relax and enjoy quality time with the pair.

He couldn’t help but reflect on how lucky he was to have his family, people who always wanted the best for him and were always willing to help. He wanted to be worthy of their unconditional love.

It was time for him to be a real hero, someone that stands up for everyone.

He promised himself that he would sit his mom down after school on Monday, giving him enough time to finalize all of his plans and to think of what he wanted to say to his friends.

If only he knew that the universe never waited for you to be ready for these types of things.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Most people thought Rumi only cared about winning and fighting, but they were sorely mistaken. A little green-haired kid had dug his way through the walls surrounding her heart and made a home there, and then came the rest of the lovable idiots she called family. She always looked forward to spending one on one time with Izuku, especially since they were both so busy now. Climbing the ranks always had its perks, but she relished the time spent eating dinner with her family or taking the kids out to the arcade or amusement park.

Perhaps she had gotten a little soft over the years, sue her.

When Izuku had a falling out with the rest of the kids it had broken her heart, but none of the little brats would open up about what happened. She had a few suspicions, but she also didn’t want to break their trust by pushing too hard. Pre-teens were finicky, and there was a finesse needed when dealing with them.

Rumi had been stretching when Izuku walked into the gym, but something about his demeanor put him on edge. Ever since her little brother had started middle school she had watched the shine slowly dim in his eyes. It broke her heart, and it made her want to show up at his school and burn it to the ground.

“Hey, Zuku.” She greeted, hopping up and running over to put him in a headlock and ruffle his hair. The surprised laugh that escaped him was w0rth every bit of effort, and she hoped she could lighten even a fraction of the load the boy was holding on his shoulders.

“Rumi, you’re tickling me!” He half-heartedly tried to push away, his eyes crinkling with laughter as her hand moved from his head to his armpit. Her casual prank quickly devolved into a full-fledged tickle war, the two siblings chasing each other around the gym trying to catch one another.

She had just escaped Izuku’s grasp, ready to make her escape until she heard a soft gasp of pain behind her. When she turned her stomach dropped, the sight in front of her made her chest clench in panic. Her little brother was kneeling on the ground, clutching his side as he clenched his side stomach in pain.

“Izuku, did I hurt you?” Her heart was hammering, her greatest fear realized right in front of her. She was always terrified that she would take it too far one day, that she would hurt her precious kid brother and lose everything she had grown to cherish.

“I-I’m fine, Rumi.” Izuku wheezed as she knelt beside him. “It was nothing you did.” He finished, closing his eyes as he tried to control his breathing.

Her hands clenched his wrists and pulled them away, and she had already lifted his shirt up to assess the damage by the time he had yelled “Stop!”.

Anxiety was replaced with cold rage as she saw the multitude of bruises littering Izuku’s body, sickly shades of yellows and purples marring her little brother’s torso.

“Who did this to you?” She asked, her voice scarily calm as her eyes roamed the injuries. Izuku grabbed his shirt and pulled it down, scooting himself backward until there was a foot of distance between them.

“Please, please don’t tell anyone.” The boy’s eyes began to fill with tears as his hands rose to pull at his hair.

“I promise I am going to tell my mom in a few days, I just need more time.” He looked so desperate, and Rumi wasn’t going to argue with him in this state. Instead, she crawled over to him and wrapped him in her arms.

Her brother broke down in sobs as she clutched him to her chest, the bubbling anger in her stomach threatening to overtake her as she vowed to punish those that had hurt him. She hadn’t promised Izuku that she wouldn’t say anything, and she was more than willing to deal with his anger if it meant her brother would be safe.

───※ ·❆· ※───

The Adults™ (+ Rumi, Tensei, Keigo, and Dabi)

Rumi (Mirko): We need to do something about Izuku’s school.

Dabi (Azure): I agree, Zuku hasn’t been himself lately.

Tensei (Ingenium): I am ready to do whatever needs to be done, that school should have been shut down a long time ago.

Nedzu: I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time :)

Inko: I have multiple folders dedicated to taking down that sad excuse for a school.

Nemuri (Midnight) : How can we handle this without losing Izuku’s trust? That boy is extremely stubborn.

Keigo (Hawks): I don’t want to upset Izuku more than necessary, but we also need to prioritize his safety and mental health. I’m not sure how to pursue this, if I’m being honest.

Emi (Ms. Joke): Perhaps some type of undercover operation. Gathering intel is an important first step to bringing any type of organization down.

Hizashi (Present Mic): You sound like Sho… but I completely agree. Perhaps we can figure out a way to scope the school out without raising too much suspicion?

Naomasa (Detective Tsukauchi): I’d be happy to provide support on this op. I could team up with Aizawa, since we are the least recognizable out of the group.

Tsunagu (Best Jeanist): I will be working on my next fashion line next week, the designer’s offices are only a few minutes away from Izuku’s school.

Isamu (Snipe): We should all be on alert then… we don’t know how the administration will lash out if they realize they are being investigated.

Shota (Aizawa): I think it’s time that representatives of UA see exactly what type of ‘heroic potential’ Aldera has to offer….

Chapter Text

Izuku quickened his pace as he walked down the empty hallway, frustrated that he had let himself sleep in this morning. He hadn’t slept well the night before, constantly waking up in the middle of the night after nightmares that he couldn’t quite remember. There was only a sense of panic and loss, an unexplainable loneliness hanging in the air as he stared up at the ceiling.

He knew his homeroom teacher would think up some ridiculous punishment for him, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care at this point. There was no way for him to control the actions of his teachers and peers, and he was tired of trying. If he wanted to reach his dreams he would need to learn to take it, letting their insults and punishments roll off his back.

Things never seemed that simple, no matter how many times he tried to reason with himself that it was possible.

When he reached his classroom’s door he stepped in, not even acknowledging his teacher as he made his way to his desk.

“Well that was rather rude, Deku.” A nasally voice called out with a mocking tone. Izuku looked up, shocked to find the principal of Aldera standing at the front of the room with one of the office administrators. His smile was deadly sweet, which put Izuku immediately on edge.

“Sorry, sir.” He bowed slightly, hoping that he could finally sit down and retain some sense of normalcy.

“It is nice of you to finally show up, I actually wanted to have a little chat with you.” Principal Watashi gestured for Izuku to follow him out of the room, much to the boy’s frustration. There was no way this would be a pleasant talk for him, probably ending in detention or some other form of punishment for his supposed disciplinary issues or cheating.

Some small part of Izuku secretly hoped that Rumi had told someone about the bruises, but he wouldn’t let himself think that way. Being unrealistic had never really benefited him.

They began their trek down the hallway, with both adults walking on either side of Izuku in complete silence. His senses were screaming that he was in danger, but he tried to keep himself calm. The adults at Aldera had always looked the other way when he was being bullied, but they had never done anything to actually hurt him before. He kept his guard up, but his eyes were on the ground while they ascended the staircase.

“You know, it is rather strange that a quirkless child has perfect grades in all of his classes.” The principal began, his dress shoes clacking against the steps as they continued to walk upward.

“Yes, sir.” The response had been ingrained into Izuku after so many meetings with his teachers and the head of the school. The administrator’s heels clicked next to him, and Izuku vaguely recognized the woman as one of the secretaries in the front office.

“When I see someone of lower cognitive potential getting better grades than our most promising students, I have to be a bit suspicious.” Principal Watashi said, his voice oozing distaste. Izuku’s vision flashed with rage before he calmed himself down, not wanting to give this situation any power over him. The man continued talking as Izuku zoned him out, choosing to focus on his shoes instead of whatever discriminatory nonsense was being thrown his way.

It seemed they had finally reached their floor as a door opened in front of him, and he walked through the doorway unquestioningly so that he would not get in even more trouble. A slight breeze hit his face, causing Izuku to look up and realize they were on the roof. Suddenly he was shoved forward, successfully tucking and rolling so that he didn’t get injured as he fell to the ground. He looked behind him in shock, hoping that this was some sick misunderstanding or practical joke.

The unfeeling expressions on both adult’s faces confirmed his worst fear, this was actually happening to him.

He jumped up, trying to run back towards the door until a sticky substance formed underneath his feet. The receptionist was holding her hands in front of her, clearly using her quirk to prevent his escape.

“I apologize, Deku. We have a few distinguished guests visiting today and I want them to only see the absolute best the school has to offer.” The door closed as the principal finished his spiel, leaving Izuku completely alone on the roof of his school. He tried to claw the door open, cursing himself for leaving his bag in his locker that day. His teachers had been confiscating his things, and he didn’t want any more of his inventions to be stolen away from him or broken.

His efforts to open the door were unsuccessful, but he continued trying to pull it open until his hands began to bleed. He tried to follow his training, staying calm in an emergency was an important part of being a hero. Izuku looked around the roof, trying to locate anything that would help him pry the door open. When that didn’t work he walked to the edge, cursing when he found a barrier that kept you from seeing over the edge. He wouldn’t be able to call for help that way, and he wasn’t sure anyone would be able to hear him from all the way up here.

Panic began to overwhelm him, but he tried to stay calm and practice the meditation techniques that Shota and Nedzu had taught him. He sat down in the center of the roof, focusing his mind even though his anxiety was soaring.

He visualized his phone, which was sitting on top of his book bag in his locker with the rest of his things. If only he had it on him, but he had gotten tired of it being taken out of his pocket by the teachers and students.

His heart was pounding in his chest as the seconds went by, trying to convince himself that someone would find him any minute. Sure someone would care that he was missing from class, right?

Why would they care about a Deku? A voice inside his head taunted, but he tried to keep his hopes up.

Time continued to pass, and the overwhelming fear that he would never be found took over any rational thoughts as his eyes bore invisible holes into the door.

He thought of his family, wondering if they would come looking for him - or would they be happy to be rid of him finally? No more quirkless runt to look after, they could finally focus on the three kids that actually had quirks and potential.

Tears were pouring down his face as he cursed his inability to control his negative thoughts and anxiety in a crisis like this. How would he ever become a pro if this was how he was acting?

He began fidgeting with the metal bracelet he wore every day, a Christmas gift from Nedzu that he would cherish forever. His eyes widened, his gaze shifting back down to the accessory as he remembered something the stoat had said after fastening it to his wrist.

If you’re ever in trouble, press your fingers to these two beads for three seconds, then press the bead in the middle.

Was this an emergency worth using the bracelet? Would he just be bothering Nedzu if he sent out a panic alert?

Izuku silenced the voices in his head, using the brief clarity to follow the instructions his mentor had given him. Once he pressed the middle bead the bracelet began to flash red before emitting a series of beeps, clearly sending out a signal of some sort.

He couldn’t help but sob in relief, hoping that his family would be able to find him on the cold rooftop.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Shota fidgeted with the keys in his pocket as he and Tsukauchi walked the halls of Aldera Middle School. The moment they had approached the building something just seemed off, like there was a negative energy radiating from the school.

They were posing as representatives from UA that were sent to look for children with ‘heroic quirks’, whatever the hell that meant. His stomach twisted as he thought about the quirkest implication of that language, and how the principal had readily accepted their request. Any educator worth a damn would have questioned their intentions, but they were allowed to visit the school with little resistance.

The principal was leading them around, droning on about the potential of their students and boldly bragging about illegal quirk training on school grounds. They were introduced to a few of the students, who were all instructed to demonstrate their quirks for the visitors. Shota was ready to shut down the school based on that alone, but he wanted to gather more evidence to ensure that their case was rock solid. He and Tsukauchi were wearing mics and body cameras, capturing everything they saw and heard that day.

The pair had specifically requested to see Izuku’s homeroom, giving the excuse that they had been scouting a few students in the class and wanted to meet them in person. It was frankly pathetic how gullible the administration at the school was, as they readily agreed to the strange request. It seemed they were much more worried about the school’s reputation than the safety of the children.

Shota wondered how his nephew would react when they walked through the door, but he hoped Izuku wouldn’t be too mad at them.

They followed the principal into the classroom, and both men scanned the classroom for the familiar head of curly green hair. Shota and Tsukauchi locked eyes when they saw that Izuku’s chair was empty, but they both seemed to silently agree that the kid could just be in the bathroom or something. That was until he noticed the Bakugou kid glancing between them and the empty seat with a mix of emotions in his eyes.

“I will have each student introduce themselves and their quirks, I’m sure you will agree that this class is one filled with heroic potential.” The principal grinned, clearly unbothered by the empty seat.

“It seems you are missing a student.” Tsukauchi casually gestured towards Izuku’s desk, and Shota watched as the teacher and principal shifted for a moment before smiling brightly at their visitors.

“Ah yes, we actually had a vacancy this year.” The teacher lied through his teeth, and the alarm bells started going off in Shota’s head. If Izuku had simply stepped out for a bathroom break there would be no reason for them to lie like this. He clenched his fist, and he could sense Tsukauchi tensing next to him.

“When we reviewed the class registry there was another child, I believe his name was Midoriya?” Shota tried to keep up his fake persona, but his concern for his nephew was threatening to take over.

“Hm, that name doesn’t sound familiar. Perhaps we can start introducing you to the students here?” The principal tried to change the subject, but Shota wouldn’t let him. Before he could press the man again, a surprising voice spoke up first.

“They took Deku away at the beginning of class and then returned without him, don’t let them lie to you.” Bakugou grunted as he pointed to the principal and teacher. Shota froze for a moment as he processed that ‘Deku’ was Izuku, and that something was very wrong here. He couldn’t fully acknowledge that Izuku’s former bully and childhood friend was speaking up for his nephew’s safety - that would have to wait until they found the boy.

“Where is the kid?” Shota dropped all niceties from his tone and began walking over to the two men, but a loud alarm began ringing through the room. He realized it was emitting from both his and Tsukauchi’s phones, and the two men shared a confused look before pulling the devices out.

‘IZUKU’ PANIC BUTTON ACTIVATED

His heart dropped, remembering the device that Nedzu had given the kid a while back. He stood frozen, unable to move as his mind raced with ways to find his nephew.

“Aizawa?” Tsukauchi placed a hand on his shoulder, breaking him out of his panicked spell. It was time for him to be a hero, to put Uncle Sho aside and to bring Eraserhead to the forefront. He turned to the teacher, hoping the man had some type of connection with Izuku after teaching him for months.

“Where did they take Midoriya Izuku?” Shota asked calmly, trying to control his emotions before they overwhelmed him.

“This all seems like a misunderstanding, clearly Bakugou wants a bit of attention from our UA visitors!” The principal spoke up, trying to step in between the pro hero and the homeroom teacher. Shota shot a strand of his capture weapon out and wrapped the annoying man up, having grown tired of his constant lies.

“Tsukauchi, text the group to let them know what is going on here.” He instructed his friend, knowing that the family would be freaking out after receiving the alert. Most of them were on standby in case anything went down, but it’d be best for them to know what was going on before they jumped into action.

“How dare you! Put the principal down, now!” The teacher began pulling at Shota’s capture scarf, but it wouldn’t budge. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his hero license, flashing the room so that they could see he was a pro.

“My name is Eraserhead, I am an underground hero and teacher at UA. This is Detective Tsukauchi.” He gestured towards his friend, who was flashing his own badge to the class.

“This is now an investigation into a missing child, no one leaves this school until we find Izuku.” Shota put the principal down in one of the chairs and watched as Tsukauchi cuffed him. Hopefully that would show them all how serious they were about finding his nephew. It was clear that the students were a bit confused by his use of Izuku’s first name, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care at the moment.

“We have officers on their way to lock down the school, and the family is making their way here now.” Tsukauchi updated him, and Shota let out a small sigh in relief. He knew that they all wouldn’t rest until the kid was safe, and that this school would burn to the ground before the day was done.

“I’ll take care of things here, you can help set up a barrier around the school once the cops arrive.” Shota instructed before turning back to the principal and kneeling to his level. He activated his quirk, letting his red eyes and floating hair do all the work as he tried to intimidate the sleaze ball in front of him.

“I will only ask you one more time, where is Izuku?” He practically growled at the man, but he was quickly losing his temper.

“I don’t know why you two are so concerned for such a useless child!” The principal yelled in frustration, and the room got eerily silent as Shota yanked the man forward by his tie.

“That ‘useless kid’ is my nephew, and if he is hurt in any way I will make you pay.” Shota was mere inches from the man’s face, having to fight the urge to headbutt him as he backed away slowly. Gasps of shock rang through the room at his statement, and he once again had to remind himself that he was in a room full of kids. They might be misguided, but he didn’t want to traumatize a room full of twelve year olds.

The teacher was now trembling in fear, and Shota couldn’t help but be pleased as he watched the principal pale as he realized just how much trouble he was in. Tsukauchi was about to walk out of the room when the door burst open, and the angry faces of pro heroes Mirko and Azure were revealed to the room.

“Thanks for the directions, couch man.” Rumi grunted as she walked past, and the detective simply shook his head as he left the classroom to find his officers. Dabi was practically shaking with rage, and Shota made a mental note to keep an eye on the young hero. He had always been extremely protective over Izuku, but now wasn’t the time to let their emotions go wild.

“This is the principal, according to one of the students he took Izuku out of the classroom at the beginning of the period and returned without him. He hasn’t told us where he took him.” Shota pointed towards the principal, who began to visibly sweat as Rumi and Dabi glared at him.

“I’ll start searching the building, you two make sure these assholes don’t escape before I get back.” Rumi was uncharacteristically calm, but the rage in her eyes was evident. Dabi was silent as he walked to stand next to Shota, his eyes drifting between the two men who were now shaking in fear.

“Why are there so many pros here for Deku?” One of the students asked, and Shota flinched when he heard the terrible nickname again. Dabi whipped his head around, a snarl escaping him as he turned towards the class and clenched his fists.

“My little brother’s name is Izuku, not Deku.” The hero spat, little licks of blue flame dancing off his fingers as he tried to calm himself down. Shota reached out and grabbed his nephew’s wrist lightly, helping him to ground himself.

“Take your anger out on the adults in this situation, those are just kids.” Shota spoke quietly, pulling Dabi back to watch over the two men. The students were still reacting to the fact that two pro heroes had referred to the quirkless kid as a family member, and some were coming to the horrifying realization that there would be consequences for their actions.

Tsukauchi texted him to let him know that a barrier was set up, and a group of officers was now searching the school floor by floor with Rumi’s help. Shota asked the detective to have some type of notice sent out to the parents, so that they knew their children weren’t in danger.

Shota wanted to be out there helping with the search, but he knew he had to keep an eye on these two. He would not let these two escape the impending consequences, and he didn’t trust that Dabi wouldn’t cross a line if he were left alone with them.

The kid was born to be a hero, but he had rage festering inside of him that could pop out in a moment’s notice. It would probably be boiling at the surface until they found Izuku, and Shota knew he needed to support Dabi until they did.

His phone began to ring again, and he saw it was Best Jeanist calling him.

“Jeanist? Are you on your way?” Shota answered, not taking his eyes off the teacher as the man’s eyes began to shift towards all the exits.

“I’m out front, where should I go?” The hero seemed shaken by the day’s turn of events. None of them expected Izuku to go missing, but they knew to be on guard just in case.

“Find Tsukauchi, he’ll tell you where to go.” Shota hung up once he got confirmation that Jeanist was finding the detective, and Dabi seemed to relax a bit now that another hero was there.

“Best Jeanist is here?!” A student exclaimed, and Shota chose to ignore the outburst. He couldn’t forgive himself if he snapped at one of them, even though most of them deserved to be punished for what they did to his nephew. That would be for the courts and Nedzu to handle.

Half an hour passed without any updates, with the officers and heroes combing each inch of the school in search of the kid. Most of the security cameras had been turned off, with the only hint of Izuku’s location being the principal and his admin leading the boy into one of the staircases. It was so frustrating, the school wasn’t that large but it seemed like finding Izuku would be an impossible feat. Neither man would reveal where the boy was, whether out of fear or stubbornness. They were only making things worse for themselves, but Shota couldn’t find any satisfaction in that fact until his nephew was safe.

“Eraserhead?” His husband’s voice called behind him, and his shoulders began to relax a bit. He turned to find Hizashi, Snipe, Nedzu, Nemuri, and Power Loader in the doorway. It seemed they had all driven together from UA, probably leaving their classes the moment they received the alert.

“Mic, did you all find Tsukauchi?” Shota wanted so desperately to fall into his husband’s arms, to lament over the fact that they still hadn’t found any sign of Izuku in the building. He wanted to scream and punch and destroy everything in the room. But he had to stay strong, he had to stay professional as he and Hizashi played the roles of pros in an emergency.

“Yeah, he instructed us to help the students in the other classes get to their parents. The kid’s in this class will wait here until their parents can come up so that they can be interviewed by the police.” Hizashi’s eyes were bloodshot, like he had been crying on his way over. No one in the group looked okay, but they would do what needed to be done.

“I think Snipe and I will wait here, so that we can stay updated on what is going on.” Nedzu smiled at the students before turning his gaze towards the two staff members, his beady eyes quickly analyzing him before he stepped further into the room. Nemuri walked over, her usually confident stride was dimmed a bit as she gripped Shota’s wrist.

“We’ll find him, okay?” She whispered, and he could only nod as he watched her leave with Hizashi and Higari.

“Do you think he’s okay?” Isamu said quietly, fidgeting with his belt as he stared out the window. Shota thought of Izuku, the kid who always beat the odds and stood strong in the face of any challenge set before him. He thought of the boy who cried in his brother’s arms and believed he needed to earn their love.

“I think he’s going to need all of us after this, but we’re going to make sure he’s alright.” Shota knew Isamu had grown attached to the kid, maybe more than any of them had. Their relationship had always reminded him of the one he shared with Hitoshi, the type of bond you could only have with your dad. While Inko and Isamu had never made anything official, the man’s place in Izuku’s life was clear. He may not be able to see the gunslinger's eyes, but he knew they were probably tinged red with worry.

“We’ll find Zuku, then we’re going to wrap him up in some blankets and have an All Might movie marathon.” Dabi spoke as he glared up at the ceiling, clearly trying to stop himself from crying. They all knew that Izuku used to idolize the number one hero, and on especially bad days he liked to watch old reruns of the different cartoons and movies.

“We will, kid. I’ll deal with having to see that buffoon’s face for a week if I have to.” Shota tried to chuckle but it came out as more of a wheeze, his body unable to even fake joy until he saw that Izuku was okay.

They all stood there, itching to do something but forced to stand watch over the class and teachers. No updates came, and the principal was still stubbornly insisting that nothing had happened to the kid. Shota was tempted to let Dabi and Isamu do their worst, but then the gun hero’s phone began to ring.

“Inko?” Isamu answered quickly, his tone fond even with the dire situation. He nodded along for a few moments before giving her instructions on how to get to the classroom. Shota realized the woman was nearby, and he couldn’t help the evil grin that formed on his face. These bastards had no idea what was coming for them, and he frankly couldn’t wait to watch.

“How do you know Deku’s mom?” Bakugou asked, his eyes darting between all of the gathered heroes. Shota tensed at the nickname, but he realized the kid wasn’t saying it with any malice. The blond kept surprising him today, and he made a mental note to ask Izuku about it after all of this was over.

“We’re his family.” He answered simply, watching as the class shifted uncomfortably at the admission.

“How many of you would like to become heroes?” Nedzu stepped forward, his hands behind his back as he surveyed the room. Every hand shot up into the air, the confident faces of hero hopefuls staring up at them even under the circumstances.

“Well, I hope you all have acted heroically. The investigation into this school will be quite thorough, I would hate for anything unsavory to come up.” The rat bared his teeth in a wide smile as he watched the class twitch under his gaze, before turning back around.

While the spectacle was a bit amusing, a text from Tsukauchi quickly turned their moods somber. They had searched every inch of the first three floors and had found nothing, leaving only two more floors to go. Shota wanted to wrap his hands around the principal’s throat, but he restrained himself. He wanted to be a hero that Izuku could look up to, he wouldn’t let this scum make him lose sight of that.

After another half hour, Emi made her appearance in the classroom. Her colorful outfit contrasted her dark mood as she apologized for her delayed arrival.

“Tsukauchi said to check in with you all, do you need any help getting information out of these two?” She pointed her thumb at the two men in the front of the room, her eyes glinting as she looked them over. Her quirk may not seem like much of a threat, but Shota had watched her break some of the most powerful villains. Laughter could be just as painful as a punch, especially when you couldn’t control yourself.

“Now you’re threatening us?!” The teacher finally spoke up, his brows furrowed with anger as he glanced between Emi and the rest of the heroes.

“Clearly this is all an attention grab from the quirkless runt! He’s probably hiding somewhere so that he can garner a bit of sympathy for his pathetic existence.” The man’s face was red, but he seemed to take his outburst as a chance to escape.

He jumped towards one of the windows, but Snipe was in front of him before he could make it too far. The hero punched him across the face, sending him crumbling to the ground before they could even blink. He stood over the teacher, his presence threatening as he pulled the man up by the front of his shirt.

“Don’t you dare talk about my boy like that.” The normally cool-headed hero growled out, only letting go when Dabi pulled him away from the half-unconscious man.

None of them felt particularly bad as Nedzu and Emi stuffed him into a chair, fastening his hands behind his back with handcuffs so that he couldn’t escape again.

“I’m sorry you had to see that, kids.” Isamu apologized, clearly embarrassed by his outburst. Most of the students were looking at the heroes in fear, finally understanding the situation for what it was. Bakugou was simply glancing between them all with confusion, like he was trying to piece together a particularly difficult puzzle.

Shota knew that Izuku didn’t like to reveal his connection to them all, but for none of his classmates to have any idea who he was related to? The boy was so hardheaded, believing that he needed to make it with his own talents versus his connections. He had to respect that dedication, but it broke his heart when he thought about how lonely the kid must be at school.

A notification from the group chat informed them that Tensei would be there in about an hour, having just finished a villain fight in Hosu. His messages seemed a bit scrambled, so he asked Emi to give the young hero a call to calm him down and ease his guilt a bit. None of them could have ever predicted this situation, and all of them were doing the best they could to show up and do what was needed.

“I am hoping we will have found him by then.” Nedzu said before baring his fangs at the principal.

Shota was surprised the man was still being so stubborn, but hatred could cloud people’s judgment. If the man truly believed that Izuku was sub-human, it would be difficult for him to see that what he did was wrong. He was still trying to justify his actions, but the arguments were falling on deaf ears.

The door opened yet again, and the slow click-clack of heels preceded the entrance of Mrs. Midoriya herself. They could see the heartbreak in her eyes, but it was clear she was wearing her lawyer mask at the moment. He gave her a quick update on what they knew so far, making sure to highlight Bakugou’s helpful tip when they first got there. Shota knew that Inko once saw the boy as her nephew, so he thought he should throw the kid a bone for his help.

For just a moment her mask broke, revealing the face of a concerned and grateful mother. She looked over at the boy, who was currently staring intently at his desk with red ears.

“Thank you, Katsuki.” Inko’s kind voice was enough to make the boy perk up in surprise, his eyes widening for a moment before he shut them tightly. Shota thought the kid was about to cry, but he quickly steeled his expression as he seemed to think over his response. They all knew she hadn’t referred to him by his first name in years, not since his true treatment of Izuku had come to light. It was clear the gesture meant more to him than they would ever know.

“You’re welcome, auntie.” He finally replied, his voice quiet as he averted his gaze back to his desk. Shota couldn’t help but think that this boy just needed some positive influences in his life, but he had other priorities at the moment.

Inko smiled softly before shifting her expression back to neutrality, carefully walking over to where the principal and teacher were bound.

“If you don’t tell us where my child is, I promise you will be staring at the inside of a jail cell for the rest of your miserable lives.” She leaned in close, her eerily cheerful smile unnerving everyone in the room. At that moment, Shota couldn’t help but be reminded of Nedzu. Something about that thought rattled him, but he was happy the woman was on their side.

The principal was about to speak, perhaps to throw another insult out, but the sound of scratching interrupted him. Everyone’s attention turned to the giant windows lining the side of the room, where a single red feather was currently outlining a circle. It was joined by a group of them, all of them working together to quickly cut through the window at the front of the room before carrying away the extra glass.

Moments later a large figure flew into the room, and the dust cleared to reveal pro hero Hawks to the students and staff. Keigo’s jacket was wrapped around something in his arms, and a familiar head of curly green hair was sticking out from the side. Inko let out a sob of relief, and Shota felt his shoulders relax for the first time in hours. It seemed the kid was shaking in Keigo’s arms, and the dark look on the hero’s face made Shota sick with worry.

Where had his nephew been this entire time?

“Zuku?” Dabi asked, his voice cracking as he approached his boyfriend and little brother. The jacket dropped a bit, revealing the boy’s tear stained face as he clutched onto Keigo desperately.

“He was on the roof.” Keigo finally spoke, his voice emotionless as he clutched Izuku tighter to his chest. He looked up, his eyes filled with a feral rage Shota had never seen from the normally chill hero.

The energy shifted in the room, the pure anger radiating from the top ten hero enough to send a chill down their spines.

The realization that Izuku had been left on the roof by himself, for hours, began to overtake the group of heroes. Thankfully Nedzu had the mind to send Tsukauchi a text to call off the search, but the room was still tense as they waited for Keigo to calm down.

Inko had tears pouring down her face as she tried to stand strong, Nedzu was flexing his claws as his tail wagged wildly behind him. Isamu had one hand clutching the front of his shirt, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he tried to calm himself.

Shota, well, he wanted to rip this place apart and throw every adult in this building into a jail cell.

“They left my baby brother alone on the fucking roof.” Keigo growled, his pupils dilating as his wings flapped behind him in agitation. His entire aura screamed danger, and Shota readied his capture weapon just in case. Emotions were high right now, and he didn’t want anyone making decisions they might regret. Dabi was standing at his boyfriend, his own hands crackling with fire as he turned to the principal and teacher.

“You are very lucky that I decided to be a hero.” He said bluntly, letting the implication hang in the air. The two men began to squirm as Dabi’s hands continued to glow with blue flame, but Shota stepped between his nephew and his targets.

“Look at your brother.” He spoke softly as he placed his hands on the young man’s shoulders. Dabi’s entire demeanor changed as he looked at Izuku’s shaking form.

“He needs you. He needs you now and he’ll definitely need you after this is over.” Shota watched as his words sunk in, breathing out a sigh of relief when the fire disappeared and Dabi’s eyes cleared a bit. He made his way over to Keigo and Izuku, who clearly didn’t want to be too far apart at the moment. Izuku reached out a shaky hand and pulled Dabi close, and the trio wrapped themselves around each other tightly. Keigo had tears running down his face as his rage seemed to dissipate, his anger replaced by a broken expression that tore at Shota’s heart.

The sound of popping and the smell of caramel stole his attention, and he turned to find Bakugou with tears streaming down his face as his quirk seemed to activate on his own. He had the sudden urge to comfort the kid, but his efforts were interrupted by a particularly obtuse student.

“Deku, stop being so dramatic! Maybe you could’ve done us all a favor and taken a swan dive off the roof while you were up there.” The kid looked smug, clearly not understanding the gravity of the situation as he sneered at Izuku’s shivering form. The sound of popping ceased as Bakugou quietly stood and walked over to the other boy, grabbing him by the neck and raising his fist to strike.

“Stop.” Izuku’s hoarse voice rang out through the room, causing everyone to freeze in shock.

He removed himself from the grasp of Keigo and Dabi, forcing himself to stand on his shaky legs as he stared at the floor.

“Step away, Bakugou.” He ordered, and the blond wordlessly returned to his desk before stuffing his face into his hands.

Izuku’s eyes rose up from the ground, and he spared a glance at his teachers and peers before letting out a deep sigh. Shota couldn’t help but think that no twelve year old should ever have to sigh like that, the sigh of someone who had lived too hard of a life.

“All I ever wanted was for you to not hate me. But I guess that was too much to ask for, huh?” Izuku asked as he chuckled dryly, before finally turning to acknowledge the heroes in the room.

“Can I go home now?” He looked to his mom, who was wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Of course you can, baby.” She smiled, staying strong for her son as he walked back towards Keigo and Dabi. He reached out, easily climbing into their outstretched arms as the pair began walking him out of the room.

Shota waited for Tsukauchi to return, and the detective and Nedzu offered to stay behind to conduct the interviews needed for their case. He followed behind his family, watching as Isamu comforted Inko as they walked towards the entrance of the school. Izuku was clutching to his brothers tightly, and the two men seemed to have decided to put their anger aside in order to comfort the young boy.

Hizashi and Tensei were waiting out front, and the rest of the family slowly trickled outside as they surrounded Izuku in a protective bubble. No one’s eyes were dry when they found out where the boy was this entire time, and they all insisted on heading back to the Midoriya home. News crews had already shown up, hanging out just outside the police barricade as everyone piled into their cars.

They all were angry, perhaps angrier than they had ever been, but they would save their anger for another time. For now, it was time to comfort the kid that had brought their family together.

The Family

Hitoshi: Guys? What is going on?

Shota: Toshi, we’ll be swinging by to pick you up in a bit. Something happened at Izuku’s school.

Mei: Is he okay?!

Higari: He is okay, little tinkerer. We just need to give him a lot of love right now.

Tenya: Tensei has told me what happened, my parents are bringing me over now.

Chapter Text

Izuku opened his eyes, his body sore from the position he was twisted into on the couch. He was laying on someone, probably Dabi if the soft scent of smoke was anything to go by. The last few hours were a blur, the feeling of being whisked off the rooftop the last thing he could remember clearly. Then there was the car ride home, only to be surrounded with quiet affection from his family. It seemed like everyone had arrived, and he hadn’t had the mental fortitude to question his old friends’ presence in the cuddle pile they had formed.

His eyes stung from hours of sobbing, alone and abandoned on the cold roof of his school. He felt numb, but he could sense a toxic mixture of emotions bubbling under the surface of the wall he had put up around his mind.

No one had expected him to speak, mostly talking around him or handing him food and water as they marathoned movies. He briefly registered the fact that Grandma Hizuku had made him homemade katsudon for when he was hungry, and that Mr. Kobayashi had stopped by to deliver sweet treats. They had all mostly fallen asleep in the living room, finding comfort in each other as they processed their day. Tsukauchi came and went, giving them updates on arrests and sharing whatever information he could about the upcoming cases.

He tried to close his eyes, desperately wanting to settle back into the comfort of his brother’s chest and drift off into a dreamless sleep. His heart beat rattled in his chest, and he began to feel suffocated in the warmth of the embrace.

There was something fragile about him at that moment, and he couldn’t stomach it. Not after everything that happened, after he had proved everyone right by being weak and helpless.

What did Keigo think of him now?

Instead of staying strong, he became a crying mess at the first sign of difficulty. All of his training, the years of work his family had put in, had been left behind as he shut down.

His skin began to burn, every point of contact feeling like a jab as he wriggled out of Dabi’s grasp and pushed himself away until he was on the floor. Everything felt too much, so he began crawling backwards until his back hit something hard. Voices surrounded him, but they were all distorted as he tried to control the panic overtaking him.

“-safe now.” Like a shining light, one voice rang out among them all. He tried to focus on it, a life line in the sea of distortion that he was fighting his way out of.

“Zuku, we’ve got you.” Another voice, one he briefly registered as Dabi.

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” This time it was Nemuri.

“We’re here, we are right here.” He was able to make out Rumi’s ears through the film of tears in his eyes.

“We’ve got you now, sharpshooter.” The smell of leather and gunpowder, and the cinnamon candy that Isamu kept hidden in his pockets. Izuku launched himself forward, nuzzling his face in the scent until he felt himself begin to calm down. Strong arms wrapped against him, clutching him like he was the most precious thing in the world.

“You’re safe now, you’re not alone anymore.” Isamu whispered softly, the final pull that Izuku needed to escape the panic attack that had overtaken him. He let himself sob freely, the tight embrace making him feel free to express his emotions.

He cried until he didn’t have the energy to cry anymore, letting go of years of emotions that he had hidden away. Isamu lifted him up and carried him back to the couch, allowing him to have a bit of space and reacclimate himself to his surroundings.

His eyes scanned the room, finding every single member of his family there watching him. Keigo watched him with sharp eyes, his feathers bristling with anxiety as his pupils darted across Izuku’s body - like he was subconsciously checking for any injuries. Guilt flooded Izuku, and he couldn’t help but wonder what type of pain he had caused everyone.

“I’m sorry.” His voice felt like sandpaper as he spoke, but he wanted to make sure his message got across. Emi darted into the kitchen, and he heard the sound of a glass being filled as everyone processed what he said.

“What would you ever need to be sorry for, Izuku?” Nedzu spoke, but he didn’t move forward. It seemed they all wanted to give Izuku space to process whatever he was feeling.

“I wasn’t strong enough, I should’ve been able to get off the roof without panicking.” He couldn’t meet the eyes of his mentors, the people who had spent years training him for something like this.

“All my training was just a waste of your time.” It was only a whisper, but the words reverberated through the room. Everyone stood frozen, unable to come to terms with just how much Izuku had held inside before this.

Shota was the first to move, stepping forward slowly before falling to his knees in front of him.

“Kid, look at me.” His uncle’s voice cracked a bit at the end of the command, and when Izuku finally lifted his gaze he was shocked to find a few tears threatening to spill from the man’s eyes.

He watched as Sho pulled up one side of his shirt, showing off a rather large scar on the right side of his ribs. Izuku recalled the night the hero had gotten the scar, but wasn’t sure why the man had chosen to show him it at this exact moment.

“Do you remember how I got this?” Shota asked patiently, waiting for Izuku to nod his head. When the man didn’t continue, Izuku recounted the story.

“You were fighting a villain with a mutation quirk, and then he threw you into a pile of pipes.” He was still confused by the point of this, but he was grateful for the distraction from his situation.

“Yes, and I had to call in for backup. Was I weak for needing extra help?” Shota’s eyes never left his own as he processed what his uncle was saying.

Izuku looked up, his eyes darting around the room as the dark voice in his mind told him that he would find someone that agreed with him. His uncle’s reasoning couldn’t be right, could it?

Rumi stepped up, pulling her t-shirt sleeve up so that he could see a scar on the back of her arm.

“I got pinned under a pile of rubble, birdy over there had to dig me out.”

Mic pulled off the choker he was wearing, pointing out a thin scar that covered the length of his throat.

“Someone tied wire around my throat when I first debuted as a hero, I wouldn’t have survived if other heroes didn’t step in to save me.”

Tensei was next, showing off a gnarly scar that covered his entire thigh.

“I got impaled, I wasn’t able to use my quirk. If Manual hadn’t found me, I probably wouldn’t be here right now.”

Isamu was next, showing off a collection of burns scars covering his lower torso.

“I got trapped in a burning building, but the Water Hose duo found me before it was too late.”

“Someone got me by surprise and knocked me out, they probably would’ve killed me if it wasn’t for your Uncle Sho.” Emi, with a head scar that was hidden by her bandana.

“All Might saved me from a villain with a particularly nasty electricity quirk.” Jeanist, a bouquet of lightning bolts tricking up his right arm and neck.

“Got stuck underground, thought I was a goner before Gang Orca found me and dug me out.” Higari, who didn’t receive a physical scar but would always remember his close call.

Nedzu stepped forward and slowly raised a finger to point out the scar on his eye.

“I had no hope in that laboratory, but I was given a second chance at life when I was rescued.

Nemuri pulled up the back of her shirt, showing off a collection of deep scars.

“A villain with a poison plant quirk got a hold of me, my quirk didn’t work on her. Ectoplasm stepped in before it was too late for me.”

Mei stepped forward, her eyes filled with pain and hope as she stepped forward to show off a scar on her left hand.

“I wasn’t paying attention in the lab, but you pulled me away before my hand got cut up too bad.”

Keigo, a scar that spanned across his chest.

“It was my last real mission for the commission, before Nedzu got me out of their grasp.”

Izuku had always suspected that the principal had a part in his brother’s emancipation, but the confirmation just brought him closer to tears.

“When I first met you, I had a few misguided beliefs about the world. You made sure I learned that anyone is capable of being a hero.” Tenya said as he lifted his chin, showing off a small scar from their first sparring match together.

His mother came forward, sitting beside him as she showed him a long scar that ran down her left shoulder.

“When I was a young girl, a villain attacked the store I was buying candy from. I got thrown into a shelf and got this cut.” His mother smiled as she told the story, and Izuku was surprised that he had never heard it before.

“Then a pro hero came, and her smile made all of my fear and pain disappear. She’s the reason I work so hard to make the world a better place for everyone.” Inko kissed the top of his head, and he welcomed the affection.

Hitoshi, who had been standing in the back of the room, nervously stepped forward. Izuku had so much he wanted to say, but he knew it wasn’t time just yet.

“When dad found me in that alley, I truly believed what everyone said about me. I believed I deserved everything they had done to me, that I was a villain.” He ran a finger down one side of his face, tracing the scars he had received from being muzzled for most of his life.

“Then I realized I never deserved any of it, and you never deserved it either.” Hitoshi held his gaze, but he turned before Izuku could say anything.

Dabi was the last person to come forward, hesitating for a moment before sitting next to Izuku. He held his hands out, showing off the scar tissue that weaved its way up his arms and onto the top of his hands.

“You all know that my childhood was a bit… rough.” He paused, discomfort crossing his features as he took a deep breath. Izuku wanted to reach out and hug his brother, but he gave him the space he needed to continue.

“I was on a really bad path when you found me that day, and I don’t like to think about who I would have become if you didn’t show up when you did.” Dabi looked up at the ceiling with his eyes closed, breathing through his nose before turning to his younger brother.

“We’ve all needed help in the past, Zuku. You’re the first person to reach out when there is someone in need. Let us help you.” Dabi’s eyes were pleading, and his brother’s request broke down the last bit of his resolve.

He felt tears rolling down his face, but he couldn’t process the fact that he was crying. Everything came crashing down on him at once, the years that he had spent silently suffering alone. The fact that he had pushed his friends away just to maintain the fabricated reality he had forced himself to maintain.

Everyone was slowly inching closer to him, waiting for permission before they crowded him. He felt the need to explain himself, to throw his insecurities out and lay them bare for his family. They had been vulnerable with him, so he wanted to reciprocate the effort.

“I thought that if I couldn’t handle it, I’d be weak. It felt like I would have wasted all of your efforts to train me to be the best hero I could be.” Izuku couldn’t meet their eyes, feeling ridiculous now that he had spoken his thoughts. Dabi carefully wrapped an arm around his shoulders, bringing him in for a side hug as everyone processed what he had told them.

Shota was still kneeled in front of him, and the man placed a hand on his knee to get his attention.

“Izuku, there is nothing you could ever do to make us leave you, understood?” His uncle’s words were full of conviction, and Izuku let out a sob as he nodded his head.

Rumi sat on his other side, wrapping both of her arms around him and hugging him tightly.

“You’re only twelve, kiddo. We’re going to teach you to put less pressure on yourself.” She nuzzled his hair, and he began to sob as her words settled in. His older siblings gripped him tightly, and the rest of the family came forward to shower him in loving words and affection.

He had a long way to go, but he now understood that they would be there for him - no matter what.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Katsuki was having a very confusing week, his mind filled with a bundle of emotions that he wasn’t quite sure how to process. It all centered around the nerd and the shocking revelations that had come out when Deku had gone missing.

How did he know that many heroes? Not only did Deku know them, but they had all said they were family.

Katsuki had known him his entire life, and knew that Auntie Inko and Deku’s deadbeat dad didn’t have any family. It was all too confusing, especially when he had been trying his best to figure out what was going on with the nerd before all of this went down.

He wasn’t sure what made him follow Deku home, or try to show him some kindness in his own fucked up way. His childhood friend had friends - glasses and the hobo looking fucker, and then that pink-haired girl that had joined them awhile back. Katsuki wasn’t stalking him or anything, he just happened to pass by the cafe on his way home and noticed they frequented the place.

When he saw that the nerd wasn’t meeting with his friends, he needed to figure out why. As much as he hated to admit it, he had viewed Deku as a kind of rival ever since he got his ass beaten a few years back. He wanted to see what the asshole could do at his full potential, and they both needed to get into UA for that to happen. When Deku started sulking around, it was Katsuki’s duty as his rival to solve the issue so it didn’t affect his chances of getting in.

That all made sense, it’s not like he really cared about Deku or anything.

“Katsuki! Come down here for a minute!” His mom called from downstairs. His parents had been a bit shocked when everything went down at Aldera, and they were disappointed when he explained his part in Deku’s suffering over the years. They knew the two of them had grown apart, but they had let themselves believe it was just the natural progression of their former friendship.

His parents had already started looking for a family therapist, as well as a therapist for him to go to on his own. He was forced to realize that his outlook on the world wasn’t exactly healthy, but he wasn’t sure what to do about it just yet.

He descended the stairs, finding his parents in the living room with the television on. His eyes widened when he saw the headline, as well as the group of heroes gathered on the stage.

Heroes Band Together After Local Middle School is Shut Down for Child Abuse

Katsuki wordlessly sat next to his mom, who reached out and grasped his hand. She had been trying to be better this past week, working on her own temper as she came to terms with her influence on his behavior.

Principal Nedzu walked up a small set of stairs so that he could use the mic, and everything fell silent as he began to speak.

“Hello, everyone.” The principal started, his small smile growing as he cast his eyes across the room.

“I want to start off by thanking you all for joining us for this historic announcement.” Reporters stirred in their seats as the rat continued, clearly excited to hear what he had to say.

Aldera’s shut down was big news, especially since so many top heroes were involved. Everyone was waiting to hear what would come of it, and what the consequences were going to be for those involved.

“Regarding the shutdown of Aldera Middle School, we have arrested all of the staff members involved in the harassment and bullying and most of them have been charged.” The faces of the principal and teachers began flashing by, a range of charges including child abuse and quirk discrimination were listed under their names.

“Furthermore, all students from Aldera are to receive counseling and training regarding quirk discrimination and bullying. Those directly involved in the physical harm of a fellow student will receive black marks on their records, which will only be removed if they attend therapy and are cleared by a team of professionals.” Katsuki’s eyes widened as he realized what this meant, and he wondered how it would affect his ability to attend UA.

“For those that have wished to become heroes, there will be a long road ahead. But we are willing to work with the children to ensure they receive the help that they need.” Nedzu’s smile seemed genuine, and it was clear he actually cared about making the students better people all around.

“Sadly, the events at Aldera are not an isolated issue. These teachers and students did not wake up one day and decide to torment those they deemed less worthy.” The principal paused, letting his words sink in before continuing.

“We as a society have to take accountability for our part in all of this, and we must rectify the mistakes we have been making.”

The crowd’s attention was completely focused on the stage, and Katsuki and his parents held their breath as they waited for his next words.

“The heroes you see in front of you have decided to come together to fight quirk discrimination, and a number of our fellow pros have already signed up to help with this endeavor.” The faces of Fat Gum, Ryukyu, Selkie, and other top pros began to appear behind the stage - the camera panned to show Fat Gum waving from the crowd.

“We will no longer stand by idly as people are assaulted and mocked for their quirk status, and we hope you all will join us on our crusade against discrimination.” The crowd broke into cheers, the heroes on the stage clapping as they took in everyone’s reactions.

Katsuki’s chest filled with a strange feeling, the only description he could give it was a sense of hope. The future was unsure, but he was willing to face it so that he could reach his dreams.

Perhaps he and Deku would be able to stand side by side in that future now.

From: Mitsuki Bakugou

Mitsuki: Hi.. I know it has been a long time, and I take complete responsibility for that. I may be the last person you want to hear from at this point but… I just had to reach out.

Mitsuki: I’m so sorry.. I can’t imagine what you are going through and to know that Katsuki had a part in Izuku’s bullying over the years… Masaru and I will be taking accountability for not teaching him better.

Mitsuki: I get it if you never want to speak to me again.. But I just wanted to apologize, Inko.

Inko: Oh Mitsuki… thank you so much for reaching out. I am happy that your family is taking steps to take accountability and grow.

Inko: Nedzu put it best, this is a societal issue more than it is a personal one. I need a while to process everything, but why don’t we plan a coffee in a few months to discuss how Bakugou Industries can help with our initiative? :)

Chapter Text

Hitoshi was still angry, no matter how much he tried to stuff away his feelings and lock them away. His therapist always told him that wasn’t a healthy way to handle things, but what else was he supposed to do in this situation?

He was angry at himself, of course. The minute he realized just how bad things had gotten at Aldera he should’ve gone to his dads or Auntie Inko, no matter how loyal he was to Izuku. He was also angry at Izuku, although that anger seemed misplaced after everything that happened.

It was clear that no amount of support could really erase the pain and trauma that came with being born quirkless, no matter how much they all tried to pretend otherwise.

No matter how much he tried to reason with himself, he was still filled with an undeniable rage that he couldn’t quite get rid of.

Hitoshi was in their home gym, his fists colliding with the bag in front of him until his knuckles began to ache. He knew he should take a break soon, but the rhythmic cycle of his hits were relaxing in a way he couldn’t explain. The sound of the door opening barely registered to him, but a firm hand on his shoulder broke him out of his spell.

“You eat lunch yet, kid?” His dad looked him over with concerned and tired eyes.

Hitoshi wiped his face with his shirt and nodded his head, his stomach growling a moment later.

His father chuckled before gesturing his head towards the door.

“Take a shower and meet me in the kitchen, I’ll whip us something up.”

Hitoshi made his way to his room, rinsing off the evidence of his workout and sliding into a comfy pair of sweatpants and one of his dad’s band t-shirts. The smell of simmering veggie made his mouth water as he walked down the stairs and made a place for himself at the counter.

“Hopefully my cooking doesn’t poison us.” His dad chuckled half-heartedly, but there was a bit of insecurity in his voice.

The more extroverted and blond member of their family had been working a bit of overtime at the radio station lately, all in an attempt to spread the word about their anti-discrimination platform. More heroes and volunteers were signing up everyday, and a lot of their new recruits were due to the efforts of his dad.

Hitoshi was proud, but it also left him and his father to deal with the things his dad normally took care of. Cooking was something they both struggled with, no matter how many times they tried to master it. Today’s offering of rice and veggies didn’t seem too bad, and he took an appreciative bite as he realized his dad had successfully made a decent meal.

“Thanks, pops. It’s really good.” Hitoshi stuffed another bite in his mouth for emphasis, and he didn’t miss the small smile that his dad tried to hide underneath his capture weapon.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, having always been able to enjoy each other’s company without making small talk. His dad began shifting in his seat after a while, and Hitoshi realized the man had something to say.

“You good, dad?” Hitoshi had never seen the man like this before, and he wondered what his dad wanted to talk about. If someone in the family was injured, he would have told him immediately. Right?

“I can practically hear your mind working, kid. Everyone is okay.” His dad gave him an encouraging smile, immediately easing his nerves.

“Is there something else you wanted to talk about, then?” Hitoshi was curious, but he was still a bit concerned by his dad’s behavior.

“I know you and Izuku are still having a bit of a rough patch.” His dad paused for a moment, his eyes drifting down to the table as he took a deep breath. Hitoshi shifted, the subject already making his skin itch as he thought about his estranged friend.

“I think it’s time I told you about my friend Oboro.”

Hitoshi listened as his father told him about a boy with a sunshine smile, who dreamed of opening an agency with his two best friends. He listened as he learned about how this boy gave his dad countless chances, even when he was being grumpy and saying that he didn’t need any friends.

His eyes filled with tears as he learned what his dads had lost, what was at stake with the career path they had chosen.

Hitoshi jumped forward, wrapping his dad in a tight hug as the two of them quietly cried in each other’s arms. It was clear why he had decided to tell his son this story, but it clearly hurt him to do so. They embraced each other until they both calmed down, and it seemed like a weight had been taken off his dad’s shoulders.

“Thank you for sharing that with me, dad.” He whispered, his voice vulnerable.

They finished their food and cleaned up, and Hitoshi immediately got to work on the plan that had been brewing in his mind for the last half hour or so. He texted Tenya and Mei, confirming their availability before texting Rumi for permission to use her agency. Once everything was set in place, he pulled up Izuku’s contact.

Hitoshi: Meet me at Rumi’s agency in three hours.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku stepped into Rumi’s agency, not sure what to expect after he had received a cryptic message from Hitoshi instructing him to go there. Their friendship wasn’t fully healed yet, but Izuku hoped things were getting a bit better between them after everything that had happened after Aldera got shut down.

The front desk person greeted him warmly before telling him that everyone was waiting for him in the training gym. As he rode up the elevator he began to realize exactly what he was called here for, and he couldn’t help but be excited by the prospect of a fight. It was a great way to work out your emotions with others, as long as the rules of sparring were respected. He was expecting Hitoshi, but was a bit surprised to find Tenya and Mei stretching in their workout clothes as well.

“Hey, guys?” He greeted, still sensing a bit of tension in the room as he stepped towards the center mat.

“Sup. Start stretching and let us know when you’re ready.” Hitoshi greeted cooly, going back to his own warm up routine.

“Um, ready for what?” Izuku had an inkling already, but he wanted to confirm before he began strategizing.

“We’re going to fight you.” Mei said as her eyes glittered mischievously. Tenya shot him an apologetic look, but even he looked excited for the match.

Izuku shrugged and began working his way through his normal stretches, doing a few jumping jacks in between to get his heart pumping. He cleared his mind, trying to center himself before he faced his three friends. They were all formidable opponents, whether in a quirkless spar or during a training exercise.

There was little chance of him walking out of this with a victory, but this fight wasn’t about winning. It was about repairing what was broken and moving forward while working their feelings out.

“Ready when you guys are.” He said as he stood up, already questioning his life choices as Mei and Hitoshi’s faces morphed into matching feral grins.

They all stood in the center of the room, readying themselves as they waited for Hitoshi to count them down. Izuku realized they hadn’t set any rules, but his mind was too preoccupied to say anything. It seemed it really would be a three-on-one match, and he wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

“Three.” Hitoshi said, crouching into a low position as he began his countdown.

“Two.” Izuku eyed his opponents, recalling all of their strengths and weaknesses as he tried to formulate some type of plan.

“One.” Mei immediately leapt forward, clearly trying to trip him up and make him lose his balance.

He jumped in the air, using Tenya’s shoulders to vault himself into Hitoshi to knock the purple-haired boy to the ground. They rolled a few feet, both grasping on to each other tightly before Izuku slammed him into the ground. Before he could do anything to incapacitate his friend, a strong pair of hands were grasping his shoulders and throwing him into the air.

Tenya seemed ultra-focused on the fight, already moving to kick Izuku as he fell to the ground. He only had a second before his friend’s strong leg made impact with his stomach, so he did the first thing that came to his mind.

He reached out and pressed his fingers under Tenya’s knee cap, moving his fingers quickly to tickle the sensitive spot. The blue-haired boy gasped in shock, wiggling his way out of Izuku’s grasp as they both fell to the ground.

Izuku only had a moment to right himself before Mei was jumping on his back, using her body weight to push him to the ground. The girl sat on his back, and her strength surprised him as she continuously blocked all of his attempts to stand up.

Hitoshi sat on his legs, further trapping him on the ground as he struggled to escape. Izuku couldn’t see the pair on his back, but a cold shiver went down his spine when Hitoshi spoke from behind him.

“Tenya, I think we should get some revenge for that cheap tickle trick he tried to pull. Right, Mei?” Hitoshi’s voice was filled with a feral glee, and Izuku only had a moment to prepare himself before his friends were mercilessly tickling him on his sides and neck.

He screeched, desperately flailing his body to try to escape the assault as Mei cackled maniacally. Tenya seemed to be holding back at first, but even he began giggling as he ruthlessly tickled Izuku’s neck and underarms.

Izuku wiggled until his arms were finally free, and he quickly reached out to pull Tenya’s legs and made the boy fall to the ground. Sadly, his trajectory made him fall right on top of Izuku, Mei, and Hitoshi. The impact pushed all of the air from his lungs, leaving him a gasping mess as they all rolled off of one another.

Mei groaned before flicking Tenya on his forehead.

“Watch where you’re going next time, glasses.” She scolded, leading Hitoshi and Izuku to let out soft chuckles. Soon Mei and Tenya were laughing as well, and the group’s laughter got louder and louder as they lost all control of themselves.

It was as if the past few weeks had never happened, all of the tension melted away and left a group of kids being silly after a training session. They laughed until their sides hurt, trying and failing to get ahold of themselves as they relished in the normalcy of the moment.

They would still need to talk about what happened, and Izuku would be sure to give them the apology they deserved. He was happy to enjoy the freedom of the moment until then.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Inko sat across from Nedzu, allowing herself to take a sip of his specialty blend tea as she looked over the documents in front of her. Their weekly chats had recently morphed into business meetings to discuss the Aldera case and their efforts to end quirk discrimination in their society. Inko was a bit disappointed that she couldn’t be the lead attorney in the Aldera trials, but she was too close to it all. She and Nedzu had gathered the best attorneys in the country to represent Izuku and the other victims, all paid for by the various members of the family.

The Bakugous had been extremely supportive so far, donating money and even offering to host a fundraiser event for their cause. Mitsuki had been so apologetic, it had truly moved Inko when they had met up. She was still wary, but she had seen the way Katsuki’s eyes shined with concern for her baby boy back at the school. Everyone deserved another chance if they were willing to work for it, and she really did miss her old friend.

Izuku had been doing better recently, especially after he and the other children fought out their issues and rekindled their old routines. She always worried about both of her sons, but Dabi seemed happy to support his younger brother as they worked through this difficult time.

She smiled as she thought about her kind-hearted eldest son, of how far he had come since the day she invited him into her home years back. He had overcome his distrust of heroes and now was working his way to becoming a fully fledged pro. She and Nedzu had their suspicions on the identity of his birth family, but she refused to push him until he was ready to act. Opening up that type of trauma before he was ready to address it would do much more harm than good.

Inko had just finished reading over Nemuri and Emi’s proposal for a new community center near UA when Nedzu cleared his throat. She looked up expectantly, ready to hear whatever it was the principal had to say.

“I apologize for interrupting your focus, but I think it’s time we discussed Izuku’s schooling moving forward.” He pushed a packet her way, and she was unsurprised to find a detailed pros and cons list for each option he was presenting.

Nedzu gave her a few minutes to look everything over, his characteristic smile gracing his face as he kept his paws folded in front of him.

Every option had its own strengths and weaknesses, but she couldn’t help but think that this was something Izuku should decide for himself. Her son’s comfort was her top priority, especially when it came to his future school.

“I have my own opinions, but I think we should let Izuku look these over and decide on his own.” She shut the file, sliding it into her bag so that she could pass it on to her youngest son later on.

“Agreed, although I already have an idea of what he will decide on.” Nedzu filled his cup as he spoke, and Inko knew which option he had in mind. The principal had written up a mock schedule that would let Izuku attend both UA as his personal student and Somei as an honors student. It would be a way for her son to get the best education possible while still being able to socialize with his friends and other children his age. Truthfully, it was the option that Inko herself preferred, but she didn’t want to pressure Izuku when it came to this. He still had so much to work through, and she didn’t want to hamper any progress he made by being too controlling.

Although, she wouldn’t hesitate to tear down any institution that harmed her baby ever again.

They finished their tea, wrapping up a few more things regarding their anti-discrimination project and even getting in a few rounds of chess. Inko made her way home afterwards, looking forward to having a night in with her sons.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Present Mic’s Official Fan Club

Rumi: I forgot to send this after the kiddos had their battle to the death in my gym….

*Image of Izuku, Tenya, Hitoshi, and Mei laying in a pile in the middle of the floor. All of them are asleep.*

Nemuri: THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS

Inko: Thank you for the new screensaver, Rumi :)

Mic: WHY ARE THEY SO ADORABLE??!?!?!?!?!?!

Shota: … does anyone know where I could get this printed out for my desk?

Nedzu: Shota, I will have multiple copies for each of us by tomorrow morning. Would you like yours on your desk?

Shota: Yes, please.

Isamu: I would like to request a copy as well :)

Tensei: I love how they all fight their problems out?? Should we be concerned???

Dabi: Nah, as long as they aren’t hurting each other

Keigo: Sparring is the best way to work out your feelings… outside of therapy I guess

Emi: … you guess?

Jeanist: I am happy the children have worked their issues out, perhaps we can take them shopping to celebrate?

Mic: As long as Hitoshi doesn’t come home wearing a denim suit, that is fine with me.

Jeanist: What is wrong with a denim suit?

Higari: ANYWAYS.. Nedzu, may I have a copy as well?

Nedzu: Of course!

Tsukauchi: So the kids fighting is… normal?

Rumi: You get used to it after a while.

Hitoshi: If any of you you show this picture to people outside of the family you are dead

Tenya: Hitoshi, I think it is a nice picture! It shows how much we trust each other.

Izuku: Tenya… they will probably show it to our future teachers at UA.

Tenya: … oh no.

Mei: I want you all to remember that I have a collection of embarrassing photos of all of you, and I am not afraid to use them :)

Nedzu: Oh! What a great use of blackmail, Mei! :)

Chapter Text

Izuku straightened his tie as he looked in the mirror, furrowing his eyebrows when he saw that it was still a bit crooked. He didn’t have time to redo it, so he decided that he would ask Tenya to fix it for him before school started. He grabbed his bag and made his way downstairs, his mind racing as he thought about what he had waiting for him today.

It was his first day as a hybrid student of Somei Academy and UA, a decision he had made with his mom and Nedzu after they had shown him his various options. They didn’t seem surprised by his choice, quickly making the arrangements with both schools so that he could start classes as soon as possible. Based on the stories he had heard from his friends, the students and teachers of Somei were kind and welcoming to everyone - regardless of quirk status.

He reached the dining room, smiling when he saw Keigo and Dabi putting out place settings while joking around with each other. The two men looked up when he plopped his bag on a chair, their eyes immediately landing on his bunched up tie.

“Need a hand with that tie, squirt?” Dabi asked, already moving forward to assist. Izuku blushed in embarrassment, he didn’t think the tie looked that bad. Instead of voicing his thoughts he simply nodded, standing still as his older brother fixed his tie for him.

“You know, I’d be happy to give you a few lessons on how to properly tie one of those.” Isamu said as he walked out of the kitchen, his hands filled with plates of pancakes as he made his way towards the table.

It wasn’t uncommon to see various members of the family at their breakfast and dinner table, but the man had made sure to attend almost every meal they held. He was a constant presence in their lives, something Izuku appreciated more and more as time went on.

“That’d be nice.” He replied, but his hungry eyes were already surveying the spread in front of them. Isamu had been trying to get them to appreciate “fine” American dining, showing off the meals he learned to make during his five year stint in the states. Pancakes had quickly become a household favorite, especially when they could be packed with protein tailored for a house full of heroes and heroes in training.

Izuku helped carry out the rest of the plates once he was done admiring the meal. He was about to take a seat when the front door opened, and he smiled brightly as his three friends came barreling through the door.

“Like I said before, we can beat up anyone who tries to even look at Izuku wrong.” Hitoshi was looking at Tenya as he spoke, and Izuku laughed at his friend’s casual threats of violence.

“You know I can just beat them up myself, right?” Izuku grinned as he went to greet them. He hadn’t expected them to pick him up for school, but it was a welcome surprise. Things had gotten much better between them after their fight at Mirko’s agency, but he still owed them a real apology for his behavior.

“I do not believe that the faculty at Somei would appreciate us fighting our fellow students.” Tenya scolded, but he paused for a moment before pushing his glasses up his nose.

“But there are certain circumstances where that might be necessary.” The blue-haired boy had a mischievous grin as they all sat down at the table, and Izuku couldn’t stop smiling as he ate breakfast with his friends and family.

The front door opened again to reveal Rumi, still in her hero uniform after a night shift. Her nose twitched as she made her way to the dining room, her eyes lighting up when she saw the stacks of pancakes.

“Mornin’.” She mumbled before grabbing a plate and stacking it with the delicious spheres.

“Good morning sweetheart, would you like some coffee?” Izuku’s mom asked, but she was already pouring his older sister a generous serving. Rumi nodded, humming as she ate her meal. Izuku went back to eating until a thought crossed his mind.

“Rumi, weren’t you planning on going back to your apartment after your shift today?” He was confused, especially as he watched his older sister struggling to keep her eyes open as she finished off her meal. Rumi quirked an eyebrow at him and sat up straight, stretching her arms over her head to wake herself up.

“And miss my little brother’s first day at his new school?” She ruffled his hair as she got up to wash her plate, and Izuku couldn’t help but smile as he thought about her words.

The rest of breakfast was spent listening as Tenya gave him a rundown of their teachers and classmates, with the added commentary of Hitoshi and Mei sprinkled in. All of his classes were with his friends, and he would spend his mornings and lunch at Somei before heading to UA for the rest of his day. He was excited to go to school without having to worry about bullies or trying to prove himself to anyone.

The children helped clean up all of the dishes once they were finished with their meals, and Rumi gave Izuku a bone-crushing hug and a grumbled ‘good luck’ before passing out on the couch.

“Good luck, little bird.” Keigo ruffled his hair before pulling him into a hug and squeezing him.

“If anyone gives you any problems, you know where to find us.” The hero continued, his eyes glinting darkly as he made his way towards the door. It was clear his older brother had been struggling a bit since the incident at Aldera, but Dabi had insisted that he was helping his boyfriend through it. Izuku never wanted to overstep, but he also understood the dangers of trying to deal with these types of things on your own. He just hoped his brother knew that he had a support system.

“Give them hell, Zuku.” Dabi kissed the top of his head and gave him a thumbs up as he followed Keigo out the door. Izuku chuckled and rolled his eyes, letting his thoughts drift back to the day ahead of him.

He shouldered his bag, making his way to the kitchen so that he could say goodbye to his mom and Isamu as well. His mother had wanted to drive him to school, but he had convinced her to let him ride the train with his friends. It would be fun to commute with his friends each day, something to look forward to in the mornings before they had to face the trials of academia. His ride to UA in the afternoon would be its own joy, a time for him to be by himself to decompress before whatever Nedzu had planned for him.

“Have a great day baby, I can’t wait to hear all about it.” His mom kissed his face all over, and he tried to hide his face behind his hands to rebuke the onslaught of affection.

“Mom! That is so embarrassing.” He whined while laughing. Hitoshi had his phone out, and his mischievous grin made it clear that he had captured the moment on his camera.

“I was just trying to wish my baby boy good luck, but I guess you’re too old for that now.” Inko winked at him and gave his forehead one last kiss before picking up her cup of coffee and taking a sip.

“Good luck, sharpshooter. I’ll meet you outside the shooting range when classes are over.” Isamu pulled him in for a quick hug and gave him a strong pat on the back. The man had offered to give Izuku a ride home from UA, something he was grateful for. Izuku always enjoyed one-on-one time with Isamu, and he looked forward to telling him about his day later on.

The kids said their last goodbyes and made their way to the train station, laughing and joking around as they enjoyed their new routine. Mei was telling Izuku about a new idea for Dabi’s hero suit while Hitoshi and Tenya talked about a new video game that just came out. There was a lightness in the air, but something still sat heavily on Izuku’s chest.

It sat on his mind as they waited for the train, and its weight continued to press down on his mind as they rode to their stop. There was something he had to do before they made the first steps on this new journey together.

The walk from the train station to Somei Academy was short, but it gave Izuku enough time to think over his words as they approached the sprawling campus. It was a beautiful school, one Izuku couldn’t wait to explore over the next two years with his friends. He stopped right outside the gate, stepping to the side so that other students could head in for the day. His friends noticed his pause, and they stood next to him with concerned faces as he gazed up at the school.

“Izuku, it's okay to be nervous.” Hitoshi said, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder as a sign of support. Izuku smiled at his friend and softly brushed his arm off. His nerves weren’t important right now.

“Before we go inside I have something I need to say.” He made sure to look up as he spoke, to show he was serious about every word that left his mouth.

“What’s going on?” Tenya asked, his eyes filled with worry as he waited for the shorter boy to respond.

Izuku took a deep breath, briefly going over what he wanted to say before he spoke again.

“I am deeply sorry for how I treated you all. You have been great friends to me and I pushed you away when you were only trying to help me.” Izuku’s fingers began playing with the hem of his blazer as his eyes began to dart around.

“I promise that I will come to you all whenever I am experiencing something like that, and I will never treat you that way again.” He waited with baited breath, hoping that his intentions were clear. His friends had forgiven him with their actions, but he wanted to use his words to put this all behind him.

Three pairs of arms wrapped around him suddenly, crushing him in a tight group hug as his friends spoke over each other.

“We’ve already forgiven you, idiot!” Mei exclaimed, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she stuffed her face into Izuku’s chest.

“That was a very honorable apology, Izuku!” Tenya tightened his hold as his glasses began to slip down his nose.

“I’ll hold you to that promise.” Hitoshi gave Izuku one last squeeze before letting go, giving him a genuine smile before gesturing to the front gate of the building.

“Now, I think it’s time for you to start your first day at Somei.”

───※ ·❆· ※───

Izuku’s first day at Somei Academy could be described in many different ways, depending on how you looked at it. There was the chaos that came with sharing a classroom with his three best friends, especially when Mei insisted on telling everyone that they were business partners whenever she got the chance. There was the surprise he felt when his quirklessness was easily accepted - his fellow students were more interested in why he was transferring so late into the year than his quirk status.

The joy he felt as he sat at a lunch table with his best friends, free to eat his meal and joke around without wondering if he would be attacked.

Here he was not Deku, the quirkless freak who occasionally mumbled and was an easy target. He was Midoriya, a student with potential and friends that were by his side the entire day.

His classmates were friendly, each of them coming up to introduce themselves and wish him luck at Somei. Izuku briefly wondered if his friends had said anything threatening before his first day, but he decided he would let them have their fun if it meant the rest of the school year would be peaceful for him.

The first part of the day had gone by quickly, the hours melting away until it was time for lunch and then his train ride to UA. His walk back to the station was relaxing, although people gave him strange looks as he passed by in his school uniform in the middle of the day. It probably looked like he was skipping, but he’d make sure to get some type of pass from Nedzu in case anyone asked too many questions.

Although the route was a bit different, the journey to UA was a familiar one for him after so many years training at the school. He got off at his stop and made the trek to UA’s campus, his mind wandering as he walked. Izuku couldn’t help but wonder what the rest of his day would involve, but he knew Nedzu would have something exciting for him to do.

He passed through the front gate, smiling as he saw students milling about campus as they walked to class or took a break on the lawn. Some of the students seemed intrigued by the middle schooler walking around their campus, but most of them quickly turned their attention back to their books or their friends. Izuku entered the main building, using a few secret routes to get to Nedzu’s office quickly without running into too many people.

He waved at the hidden cameras along his path, and the principal’s door opened before he could even knock.

“Hello, Izuku!” Nedzu greeted from his desk, jumping up when he saw his personal student walk through the door. Izuku greeted his mentor and poured himself a cup of hot tea, breathing in the flowery aroma and immediately relaxing as he sat in one of the lounge chairs facing the desk.

“How was your first day at Somei?” Nedzu asked as he made himself a cup of tea. Izuku told the principal about his new teachers and classmates, emphasizing the kindness and respect that they had shown him. He was sure that his mom and Nedzu wouldn’t hesitate to shut down another school if necessary, and he wanted to avoid that if possible.

Nedzu went over a few things with him, including what they would be covering for the rest of the school year. He’d be working on his quirk analysis, viewing the hero classes and helping the teachers make adjustments to their training. There would be days where he would be in the support lab, working on his own projects and learning new skills. His mentor also wanted him to work on his language skills, sharpening his English and exploring other languages that would be useful to him.

When they were finished discussing any projects Izuku wanted to work on over the next few months, Nedzu clapped his hands and jumped down from his desk chair.

“As we discussed, I have someone I’d like for you to meet today.” Nedzu made his way out of the room, and Izuku followed behind obediently.

He was curious who he would be meeting, as he had met all of the staff of UA over the years through random holiday parties or his visits to UA. His family members were the ones he was closest to, of course, but he had gotten to know members of the staff like Ectoplasm and Lunch Rush fairly well. Recovery Girl had even helped heal him when he had a particularly nasty cold a year back.

They walked through the halls, eventually ending up in a wing of the school that Izuku wasn’t familiar with. There were mostly empty offices in this part of the school, places for visiting heroes or new staff members to set up their spaces. Nedzu approached a half-opened door, carefully knocking to alert whoever was inside of their presence.

“Come in.” A gruff voice called out, and Izuku followed the principal into the office.

Someone was bent over a box in the back corner of the room, and the entire space looked like it was still being put together. When the man stood up, Izuku immediately recognized him as the pro hero Hound Dog.

“Izuku, I’d like you to meet UA’s new head of security and counseling.” Nedzu gestured towards the hero, who nodded his head in acknowledgement.

“It is nice to meet you officially, kid. I’ve heard a lot about you from the other staff.” Hound Dog reached out and shook Izuku’s hand, then gestured for him to sit.

“Is this about starting therapy?” Izuku turned to Nedzu. He had promised to start going to therapy, but he didn’t realize he would be starting his first day of school.

“We won’t be having a session today, if that’s what you mean. This is just a way for us to get to know each other and see if I’m the right therapist for you and your needs.” Hound Dog assured, his voice much softer than Izuku would expect from a hero with his reputation.

Izuku took his seat hesitantly, but he began to relax a bit as his eyes drifted around the room. He trusted Nedzu, and it seemed that Nedzu trusted Hound Dog enough to be the school counselor. While he may be nervous, he would approach the situation with an open mind.

“Izuku, meet me in my office when you two are finished.” Nedzu patted his hair and made his way into the vents of the school, probably planning on scaring a few teachers on his way back.

Hound Dog sat at his desk and sorted through a few things before looking up at Izuku.

“So, Midoriya. Do you have any questions for me about therapy? Or anything, really.” The hero’s eyes were soft and welcoming, much different than what someone would expect from the Hunting Dog hero.

Izuku thought for a few moments, but he already knew the first question he would ask. It used to be a question he used to get affirmation, but now it was a way to gauge the heroes he met.

“Hound Dog, do you think quirkless people can be heroes?” He asked the question plainly, but he held his breath as he waited for a response.

The hero looked at him intensely for a few moments, but nodded his head in appreciation before speaking.

“I think that anyone can become a hero with the right motivation and training, regardless of their quirk.” Hound Dog replied, and Izuku couldn’t detect any deception in his tone.

“Also, you can just call me Inui, kid.” The hero finished.

“Thank you, Inui.” Izuku smiled at the counselor.

Perhaps therapy wouldn’t be too bad, after all.

───※ ·❆· ※───

The weeks began to pass by as Izuku got settled into his new routine. His training was balanced with trips to the arcade with his friends and siblings, therapy sessions with Inui, and whatever trouble he and Mei could get into at the lab.

He felt secure, more secure than he had ever been before. There were still moments where anger threatened to overtake him, but he was learning how to control it.

Heroes continued to sign up to support their movement by volunteering their time and donating money. Izuku didn’t miss the various donations the Bakugou’s had made, but he wasn’t quite ready to face that just yet.

“Izuku, are you ready?” His mom called from downstairs, and he looked himself over in the mirror one last time before leaving his room and walking down the stairs.

The entire family was gathered for a picture, something Inko had insisted on after she realized they did not have a family portrait. Everyone had been instructed to come, including Grandma Hizuki and Mr. Kobayashi.

Inko was sitting at the center of the couch with Isamu, Mr. Kobayashi and Grandma Hizuki flanking them on either side. Hitoshi, Tenya, and Mei were sitting on the floor in front of her - Izuku quickly joined them there before glancing at everyone else.

Keigo and Dabi were sitting on one end of the couch, with Dabi’s arm casually draped over his boyfriend’s shoulders. Tensei and Rumi were at the other end, throwing taunts and kissy faces at the couple.

Mic, Sho, Emi, and Nemuri were standing behind the couch chatting with Jeanist. Tsukauchi and Higari stood next to them, listening quietly to the chaotic conversation. Nedzu seemed content standing on Shota’s shoulder, sipping on his signature cup of tea.

The photographer finished setting up, helping everyone get into position as she adjusted her camera.

“Alright everyone! On the count of three!” She instructed cheerfully.

Izuku and his friends wrapped their arms around each other and pulled themselves in close, all of their heads were smushed together as they smiled brightly.

This family was his home, and he was ready to face the future with them.

───※ ·❆· ※───
Green Bean Protection Squad

Mama Inko: Dinner will be ready in about an hour, Isamu cooked up something special to celebrate the end of the Aldera trials :)

Uncle Sleepy (Aizawa): We will be there shortly, we wanted to pick up some dessert for everyone.

Rat God (Nedzu): Splendid, I brought over a delicious new tea blend that would pair perfectly with sweets.

MiniSleepy (Hitoshi): Dad insisted on us getting a decorated cake…

Uncle Loud (Mic): Hey! Celebrations need a special cake to go along with them.

Ronald McDonald (Ms. Joke): Ohhh! I’m down for cake. Nem and I are on the train now :)

NyQuil (Midnight): We brought some wine for the grown ups and a few fancy non-alcoholic drinks for the kiddos!

Future Mad Scientist (Mei): No fair! I want some wine.

Mole Man (Power Loader): Nope.
Mole Man (Power Loader): Also, we’ll be there in about twenty minutes.

Denim4Lyf (Jeanist): I am walking up now, I picked up a few movies I thought we could watch later on.

Carrot Lover (Mirko): Isamu won’t let me steal a taste of whatever he’s making >:( But it smells so gooooooooooddddd!

YeeHaw (Snipe): If you help set the table I will give you a small plate.

Birb (Hawks): … Rumi just launched herself over the couch

Emo Bro (Dabi): I’ve never seen her move so fast in my life….

ZoomZoom (Tensei): You would think she was the one with the speed enhancement quirk

ZoomZoomJr (Tenya): We should help out whether we get a reward or not! …. Although I would not deny a taste of whatever Isamu is preparing

The Man in the Yellow Hat (Tsukauchi): I’m finishing up some paperwork but I will be on my way soon. Everyone at the station wanted me to say congratulations. :)

GreenBean (Izuku): Please thank them for all of their work gathering evidence towards the cases :)

GreenBean (Izuku): Also… I don't say this nearly enough but, I love you all. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I hope I can continue making you proud.