Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The street is loud with yelling, and shouting, civilians running out of buildings and being directed to safety amidst the fighting. It hurts to see that more damage to the street is being done by hero attacks than by the villain.

One For All simmers in my veins like a familiar friend as Blackwhip's long dark tendrils reach out and grab 2 street posts to propel me forward. But I reacted too late.

The civilian I was aiming for gets hit by the clocks and disappears to god knows where. I can't dwell, immediately surveying the villains behaviour and the civilians still not evacuated to try and prevent another victim.

The attack started 15 minutes ago.

The villain is slippery, evading the heroes with agile ducking, running and jumping, using the environment to his advantage by swinging off of poles and navigating through rubble faster than the heros can. No one has managed to stop him, and those who got too close disappeared; Creati and Uravity. I hope to AllMight that they're alright.

Avoiding hand to hand combat implies that he doesn't have a strength enhancement, so we need to corner him, or overcome his evasion somehow. All I know is that we can't wait until he runs out of ammunition- if that ever happens. Until the hero's focusing on capture figure out a plan, we all try to keep a distance.

He catches sight of an elderly couple, slower to vacate the scene than the others and he throws a clock their way right before evading another attack and running in a new direction.

They're too far away, thinking quickly I switch to my air force attack to change the direction of the clock, causing it to hit the wall instead, and it disapears. The couple is safe and unaware, frantically searching for something in the battle. When I reach them I carry them out of the way, further down the street.

It feels like the only successful thing we've done this fight is contain him to that section of the street. My brows furrow in frustration, but I force them to ease when I place the couple down.

I smile at them briefly, to assure them that despite how it looks and absolutely is we have things under control, but the lady grabs the sleeve of my glove before I can head back.

“Please, we were with our grandson, help us find him!” She pleads. So that's what they were looking for. 

I give a determined nod, facing her and taking her hand in reassurance. “I’ll find him.”

She lets me go, so I head back to the scene.

I’m back quickly, and the fight seems to have slowed. The villain is bleeding out of his calf, and his evading is not as elegant or efficient as it was before, the fight should be over soon. I head back to the front of a building where people are still evacuating and direct able bodied civilians to safety, continuously checking back to the fight so I can prevent any more civilians disappearing. In the villains fatigue his aim is getting worse too, but better safe than sorry.  

To my far left, piercing through the echoing and never-ending chaos of the battle, I hear a young voice cry “Granny, Pappy? Where are you?” 

Another hero comes to help the civilians to safety, I leave them in her hands and accelerate myself slightly in the direction of the cry. 

He’s on the other side of the battle field, clutching his shirt helplessly and standing in the middle of the road as he cries. The villain is facing his way and locks eye contact with me, grinning suddenly as he produces one more clock. 

He's gonna aim for the kid, I realize panicked, but before he can take aim one of the hero's takes his attention with an attack.

I use Fa Jin to push myself into the air and off of a building, but a flyaway rubble hits my ankle and I lose my trajectory, landing a little roughly on the pavement before I can re-orient myself back on my feet. Uravity is at my side asking for an update- and I double take for a moment. 

The disappearance isn't permanent, and Uravity seems unharmed, but we still don’t know what other effects may have taken place.

I’m behind the kid now, and just as I look back over the villain takes an opening in the battle to throw the clock towards him.

I move before I can think, getting that child to safety is all that matters.

“KID, GET OUT OF THE WAY!” 

I’m able to push him clear in time as a flash of green lightning arrives at the scene. Maybe other villains, maybe another hero come to aid, but I don’t get to confirm as the clock hits me in place of the young boy.

~

For a moment I’m completely disoriented, all my senses clouding over, and I almost feel like I don't exist, like I'm just a consciousness, floating in a vast sea of creamy white nothing. It doesn't hurt, and its... scarily peaceful, and a shock to the senses being so abruptly taken from the screams and the hypervigilance to nothing. It doesn't last more than a few seconds, maybe less, but In this state I can hardly tell the difference between a day and a year.

When my senses slowly fade back, I'm still humming in that peaceful calm and as I register my surroundings, I check in with each sense:

1. There's a really loud horn blaring.
2. It smells like street food.
3. my mouth tastes like paint for some reason.
4. There’s traffic on the street with no sign of a fight
5. There’s a truck barreling toward me. 

There's a truck barreling toward me?! I'm immediately torn out of my peaceful daze, eyes widening in surprise as I make eye contact with the driver who is frantically pressing the break. I manage to just jump up out of the way with the aid of One For All and hover in the air with Float, adrenalin soaring through my veins as I watch the aftermath. 

The car behind the truck swerves to the sidewalk to avoid colliding with the rear of the unexpectedly and exponentially slowing vehicle and I fly forward quickly to move 2 teenagers out of the way. 

As I set them down they check themselves over. A quick look over my shoulder shows me that the cars are back on their way and no one else got hurt, so I turn back to the teens, taking a few deep breaths to detox myself of the lingering fear and adrenalin.

“Are you two alright? Are you hurt?” I ask, checking them over for myself, each of my hands still touching their arms in assurance.

“We’re ok. Thank you,” Says the taller one, he has bright blue eyelashes framing his nervous eyes. He looks shaken but overall relieved and unharmed, thank goodness, I bring my hands down and stand up a bit straighter in relief.

“Yeah geez, that came out of nowhere. What happened?” Asks the other. He seems more amused at the near death experience, which is fair. It’s a natural reaction to laugh a bit hysterically once safe after almost getting hit by a car, we're all in the same boat in that regard. He has teeth framing his face, which must be his quirk and looks really cool, I wonder what his quirk does-

Before I can answer I’m dragged back by the hood and pulled off the ground with only the tip of my boots still down. I feel -and probably look- like a bunny caught by the ears and draw into myself sheepishly, thinking that it's probably one of the pros, or maybe even Kacchan, about to scold me for my recklessness. The teens jaws both drop respectively and the one with teeth on his face remarks:

“Holy shit it’s Crimson Riot.” 

“What on earth happened here kid?” The deep voice of the man holding me questions, and immediately I’m gushing out an explanation.

“I’msosorrysiriwasfightingavillainandthiskidwasintroublesoIranforwardtopushhimoutiofthewaybutthenIgothitinsteadandIendeduphereandI'msosorryIshouldhave-” 

Wait.

Crimson Riot?

Crimson Riot retired 7 years ago, he doesn’t even live in Japan anymore. 

“Mr. Crimson Riot sir! I’m such a big fan, oh my god. This guy here helped us- cause this car was about to hit us which was crazy holy shit, anyway- he was just making sure we were ok, you can put him down. Please. Unless you think he’s a threat but he actually seems really nice and he did help us and-” 

“Oh my god, stop talking you’re making us look lame in front of Crimson Riot.” The tooth faced teen groans while lightly shoving him.

Crimson Riot puts me down and steps into view next to me and-

He looks 15 years younger.

“The reports I heard from civilians when I got here pointed at you,” he turns to me and- holy moly I see why Kirishima drew his hero name from this guy he looks so cool- “Said you just -appeared in the middle of the road, and then saved these kids from the fallout. Show me your license.” he asks, and holds his hand out to receive it.

All I can do is stare and blink. What is happening??? Crimson riot is retired, and somehow he’s here, in his hero costume, wherever here is. I mean it looks the same as the street I was on before, but there’s no sign of a fight. I got hit by the clock and somehow turned up here, with Crimson riot, and yeah, actually I remember that this street was one of his patrol roots, but from when he was active, not now. 

“I swear to god kid, you better have a license or something to prove to me you have legal permission to be fighting villains.” He says impatiently. Next to us the teens are filming the interaction on their phones and taking pictures with awe at getting to see one of their idols in person.

“Oh right! Sorry, I’m just… trying to figure out what the quirk did to me.” I reply as I reach into the pocket that I keep cards and documents in, pulling out my provisional license card and handing it to him sheepishly. “I’m really surprised to see you, I thought you were retired in Hawaii, but you're here! So…” I trail off, not knowing how to finish that sentence.

“Retired? I’m far too young for that kid! I know the young'uns are overtaking me, but I'm not that far past my prime.” he laughs, and looks down at my card, then looks up at me, then back at the card. “Birthday?” He asks, furrowing his brows.

“15th July, 2024 sir!” I supply cheerfully. 

The teens stop taking pictures. 

“Bro what are you on???”

“Yeah dude, what?” 

“What do you mean? That's my birthday.” I look back and forth between them. What’s wrong with my birthday?

Crimson riot hands me back the card, and I put it back in my pocket.

“What quirk did you say you were hit by, again?” 

“I’m still trying to figure that out. This villain was producing these clocks from his arms and hands and then throwing them at people, and when the people got hit they would disappear. I think it’s temporary though, because one of my classmates who got hit by it disappeared, but then was back later. And I'm also, you know, back, so I should probably head over to Night-eye's agency to check back in and let them know I'm ok.” 

Crimson Riot looks at the teens for a moment, who have started to shift a little uncomfortably. He waves them off, and they walk past us awkwardly, waving and thanking me again before heading on their way.

Ok, what is going on?

“Is everything alright, sir?” I ask, feeling shy at the sudden loneliness. He doesn’t reply immediately, hesitating, thinking, before putting his hand on my shoulder and looking me in the eyes.

“Look, kid. You're not in trouble, but I need to take you to the station, please come with me.” He says softly, leading me by the shoulder to walk down the street with him.

It gives me a better look at the street, and I’m relatively familiar with this street, I take this route to go to my favorite stationary shop, and some of the stores here now closed a while ago and were replaced by new ones, so why are they still- 

Oh my god. The clocks, the younger Crimson Riot, the wierdness about my birth date.

“Kid, I need you to try and stay calm, we’re gonna figure this out, and everything is going to be ok, ok?” 

He’s being gentle. Oh god no. No, no ,no please tell me I’m wrong. I’m not- this isn’t-

“Hey, hey, take a deep breath, it's ok. It’s gonna be alright. Let's get you to the station, ok? There's probably some protocol or other for this type of thing, don't worry.” He soothes, still guiding me down the street and trying to help me stop hyperventilating because this cannot be happening.

I’m- 

Oh, god-

I’m in the past.

Chapter Text

“So, this is where you’ll be staying.” He says, unlocking the door. The key’s got a blue tassel on it, and a thin metal plate that says ‘government housing’. 

Dai is my social worker. Crimson Riot was right, they do have a protocol in place for things like this. Time Travel falls under ‘quirk induced misplacement’, and within that, there are workers like Dai that help us while we try to get back to where we are supposed to be. This means I get provided accommodation.

“It’s not much,” Dai tells me, and I see as much for myself as he opens the door, and I slowly enter, apprehensive and curious like a deer to a human in the woods. 

It’s one room, one big window with bars over it facing the door, pale off-white curtains framing the view of the street where I can see a small cozy dumpling shop which I decide might be worth checking out if I get the time. I’ve never been much of a cook anyway, so eating out is gonna be regular, even if I do take this opportunity to learn some basic recipes. A futon is folded up in the left corner of the room that really doesn’t look particularly comfortable, and a desk along the wall next to it with 2 slim drawers on the underside. Under the window is a metal kitchen counter that looks like an operating table, with a sink, a minifridge and on top of that, a microwave. On the right wall, there’s a waist height chest of drawers, not that I have anything to put in there at the moment.

“But, it’s got everything you need.” He finishes as he steps inside and flips the light switch, the bright white light in the center of the ceiling flickering to life. “Kitchen, bed, drawer, the works. The bathrooms down the hall. It’s shared, but you get used to it. There are always new faces around here, and neighbors tend to be nosy. This building is only for victims of quirk induced misplacement, so, you know, you're not alone.” He continues, and I suppose that should be comforting, but all I’ve been feeling since the walk to the station is a distant warm numbness. Shock, I guess.

It’s weird to have a place to myself, It’s going to be different than staying in the dorms. For the first time I’m taking almost complete care of myself. I try to ignore how my face pales as I realise that, for the first time since I started at UA, I’m all alone.

I’m stuck for the next who knows how long. The police are doing a search for the person who did this to me, he’s likely a child at the moment, but if we find him we can figure out how his quirk works and see if he can send me home. 

Dai lurks in the doorway, grinning a little. You can see in his eyes that he’s excited for me to have a new independence, so many teens would appreciate that, and I guess he’s grown a deep appreciation for that as he watches me interact with the place. I’m glad that he’s treating my space with respect, not entering uninvited, just leaning against the doorframe, here if I need him.

When I turn to face him again he tosses the keys up and over to me, and I catch them easily, pasting a grin to match his. I guess he’s right. There's plenty to be excited about. This is an opportunity for me to explore my independence and live how I see fit. The thought brings a bit more life into me, less numb and more optimistic.

“As you know you get a budget in cash and a debit card for travel convenience. I have the cash on me now, so when you're ready we’ll head to get you a debit card and shop for some essentials. We can talk through your plan for what you’ll get up to while we're out, give you some direction. Sounds good?”

“Sounds good!” I smile, turning to look out the window again and already making a list of what I need to get, and what I should prioritize with my budget.  

“I’ll be downstairs then,” he calls as he pushes off from the doorframe and starts down the hall.

He leaves the door open, but I figure I won’t stay back for too long so I leave it. I open the fridge to see how much space I’ll have, hopefully I’ll be able to stay on top of my diet, and I check the drawers to see how much storage space I'll have, I can probably use the space to store notebooks and other things like that. Man, I miss my notebooks, it would be so handy to write down all my theories about the quirk I was hit by. A shopping list would help too, but I guess I can just use my phone for that.

I unfold the futon, careful not to touch it too much because I’m still all dirty and sweaty from earlier, but I can’t shower or anything until I buy a towel and some soaps. And I’ll need to get some basic bedding, a tooth brush, and clean clothes. I am not living in my sweaty hero costume in the summer, no thank you. 

Speaking of my hero costume, I should probably consider getting in touch with UA and see if I can continue as a transfer student or something. That shouldn’t be unreasonable to try right? I have my UA ID, my valid licenses, and my phone with a bunch of evidence that I’m a student there (All stuff I used to prove my case to the police earlier). Plus, I’m pretty sure Nedzu is still the principal. 

Still the principal? 

Now the principal. Already the principle. 

Whatever.

Anyway, he would love something like this, he could probably help me figure out how to prepare for my return to my own time. 

I’ll ask Dai if he can help me get in touch.

Satisfied that there are no bugs in the futon (I would have screamed) I decide to head downstairs. Locking my door behind me feels both so familiar in the way that I’m leaving home but so new in the way that this space is mine. Well, It’s the government, but still.  

Downstairs, Dai is talking with the guard. 

“Yeah from the future this time. I swear these quirks are getting out of control.”

“I’m calling bullshit, Taichi. You’re all getting scammed.” The guard huffs, rolling his eyes.

“Talking about me?” I butt in, amused.

“Midoriya! Ready to head out?” Dai exclaims, turning to me and clasping his hands together. I really appreciate his enthusiasm, smiling more fondly as I nod.

The guard heckles us as we leave: "Scammed, I say!!” 

Dai laughs as the door closes behind us and we step into the afternoon sun. It’s been such a long day, from the battle this morning to now. And the steady lowering sun bathes us in a yellowy warmth, and I can’t decide if it’s making me feel better or gross.

“So, where too first?” he asks as he turns to walk to his car parked a bit down the road. 

“My main priorities right now are being able to shower and change. Today I think all I need are toiletries, a change of clothes and something for dinner. We can get anything else I might need if we see it on the way, right?” I ask, hopping into the front seat next to him. 

As he puts his hand on the wheel and turns his keys, the ignition rumbles and he immediately goes to turn on the radio, and My Way by Limp Biskit’s chorus washes over us. We both grin. 

“Sounds like a plan.”

~

“Do you think you could help me get in contact with Principle Nedzu at UA?” I ask, as we walk down the dental care Isle, looking for the cheapest toothbrush.

“You want me to do what now?” He deadpans. “This brush is 340 Yen.” He offers after.

“I’m a student there back in my time, right? I have my ID card and my licences and everything. I could be here for a while, but I don't want to fall behind!” I explain, glancing over to look at the toothbrush he has in his hand, it’s really basic, just wood and plastic bristles. “I think that’s the cheapest we’re gonna get, huh?”

“Pretty much.” He agrees, and puts in the basket with the 244 Yen three in one soap that we found on sale. I can hear Mina condemning me from the distant future for how far I’ve fallen, but on this budget? Sacrifices must be made.

“If you're a student there, don’t you have his email? Just email him and explain the situation, see what he can do, what you need to do to get in, etc. No harm in trying.” he shrugs as we venture over to where the towels are. 

I stop in my tracks a little abruptly. “... You are so right.” I reply. Feeling a little silly for not thinking of doing that myself, I start scanning the prices for the towels. They're a lot more expensive than the toothbrushes, but I guess that's to be expected. My eyes land on a tag that's only 1500 Yen, and- I’m so blessed- the cheapest towel is AllMight themed. 

“I’m getting this.” I say, my mind is already made up. “If anything is gonna make my place here feel like home, It’s AllMight  merch.”

“You a fan of the new number one? I got pretty high hopes for the guy, he’s been doing some really amazing stuff the past 2 years.” 

Oh my AllMight, He’s in his Bronze Era. I'm gonna throw up. This is the best day of my life.

“Kid, are you all right?” He asks, face pulling into a cheerful concern. I can’t respond. If I try to move all I will do is scream and jump up and down in this supermarket and I need to control myself. 

“Ok you're turning red. Are you breathing?” He sounds genuinely concerned now, putting his hand on my shoulder gently. I don’t wanna worry him, but feel so overwhelmed with shock and excitement. I force myself to take a deep breath in. 

Dai sighs in relief. “Geez, don’t freak me out like that. Was it something I said?”

I release my breath, and the adrenaline from the sudden excitement fades a bit, leaving me feeling tingly and a little tired, and I know I’ll feel embarrassed in a bit but I crouch and grin into my knees, trying to keep taking deep breaths. Dai crouches with me, hand still on my shoulder.

“Hey,” he starts gently, “Hey, what's wrong? Is it the quirk? Did I say something?” And his voice is so ridden with concern and care and it’s so sweet but so ridiculous cause nothing is wrong this is awesome and I can't help but let out a little giggle. 

I feel him physically relax at the sound.

“ᵀʰᶦˢ ᶦˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵈᵃʸ ᵒᶠ ᵐʸ ˡᶦᶠᵉ.” I squeak out, peaking up over my knees and staring into the towels and pressing my red face forward, causing my cheeks to squish.

Dai bursts out laughing, and everyone in the supermarket aisle looks at him like he’s mad.

~

It’s 9pm now, and the moonlight that might be drizzling into the room is canceled out by the light on above me as I sit criss-cross-apple-sauce, clean and full bellied on my futon, hunched over my phone. 

We passed an electronics shop in between stores and realised it would be a good idea to get a charger, which is plugged into the wall behind me, so I'm not worried about my phone dying as I mull over what I’m going to write in my email to Principle Nedzu.

I’ve typed his email address in the "addressed to:” line, but after that I'm stumped. I’m about to call it a night when my phone pings with an email, and I go to check it instinctually. Not like I was getting any writing done.

“Izuku Midoriya! 

I heard from the police department that you're a future student at my school. The quirk you claim to be hit by sounds incredibly interesting, and I’m sure you’re eager to continue with your studies. I know my students, and they don’t like to fall behind! Would you like to meet for tea at some point tomorrow?

Sincerely,

Principle Nedzu

UA”

I can’t help but grin. 

Of course he already knows. 

I start typing my reply instantly.

“Principle Nedzu!

I was just about to reach out! Tea sounds great, does 10:30 work for you?

Izuku Midoriya

UA”

Chapter Text

I wonder if my UA student card works, I think as I wait outside the grand UA gates for principal Nedzu and receive my visitor's pass. 

I swipe the card through the log in doc, cause I’m bored, early and what's the worst that could happen?

The doors go into lockdown. Thick metal dividers rise from the ground, red lights spin, and an alarm starts blaring ‘attempted intruder’ on repeat. The cameras at the gate post zero in on me and squint as a red spotlight eyes me from above. 

Shucks. 

Why does it feel like things aren’t going to go right today? 

I hide behind my hands as heat tingles beneath the skin of my cheeks, and the muscles under my eyes start to hurt from continuously wincing. 

Big firm hands grab my shoulders, and I jump at the contact. They spin me around and push me against the wall somewhat harshly and, ok, I set off the alarm and that was stupid but I haven't done anything offensive, there is no need to be rude.

“What are you trying to pull, kid?!” The man fumes with a low rumbly voice. He’s tall and bulking, wearing a green and black hero costume, but not one I recognise. I’m about to try and explain myself -would not have been very effective- when the alarms disable and the divider goes down.

Principle Nedzu steps around the corner to see me pinned against the wall by the guard which is maybe not the best first impression.

“Principle Nedzu!” Me and the guard both exclaim in unison, myself in partially joyous relief. The guard? He’s more ready to get permission to beat my face in.

“I surely hope you haven’t brought any harm to our guest, Parakeet. That would be a horrible impression to make. Especially as a school aiming to protect the general public and youth, such as Young Midoriya here!” Nedzu scolds, shaking his head and tutting. 

Parakeet releases me, still glaring with suspicion.

“I too was curious as to whether your student ID would work! What a dramatic outcome, don't you think?” He asks, and I nod sheepishly. Before I can offer an apology, he continues. “Why don’t you come in! We have much to discuss. Parakeet, can you get his visitor card?”

The hero nods, reluctant and confused. When he returns from the guard box with my visitor card he doesn’t let it go easily, leveling me with a frankly unnecessary glare, and I have to yank it from his fingertips with a petty amount of force. Honestly, he reminds me of Kacchan. Once I have my visitor card, Nedzu leads me up the courtyard and through the halls of the school while we make pleasant small talk about the school layout and how the exams have changed. Apparently, the standards have gotten progressively higher over the years! The end of the first year exam now is what the entrance exam was for me when I applied for UA in the future (damn those tenses are weird), so while I do need to take the exam to ensure my place as a ‘transfer student’, principal Nedzu and I are both confident enough that I’ll pass that we’ve already started to speculate how I’ll get a uniform and the accommodations they might provide to me as courtesy of my ‘quirk induced misplacement’ victim status. 

I used to be pretty intimidated by the UA Head, but earlier this year (15 years into the future?) We had an extensive, engaging, and deeply intellectually stimulating discussion about quirks we found interesting, and ever since then I deeply look forward to my interactions with him. 

“Oh! It’s my classroom!” I comment as we start walking past the familiar section of hallway. I peek in through the window as we pass to get a look at my future classmates, and make eye contact with a guy with long black hair. I wave at him, offering a smile that feels a little too round on my face before turning back to Nedzu to comment on how pristine the school still is in the future. He seems quite proud of that.

When we get to Nedzu's office, he immediately starts fussing over making tea. Once we’re both settled comfortably into our seats with warm teacups in hand, he gives me that glint in his eye that tells me we’re getting down to business.

~

“TIME IS UP. STUDENT SCORE: 2311 POINTS. PASS.” Booms an automated voice over the various hidden speakers in Ground Beta.

“YES!” I cheer, face flushed and panting, squinting in the early afternoon sun while raising my fist into the air, my back on the warm, uneven pavement. 

We redid the robot point exam towards the end of my first year as a checkpoint exercise, and based on my new results I’ve already upped my score by 21 points! It could be attributed to the lack of classmates being there to fight the robots for me, or maybe the robot difficulty setting potentially being lower. But I feel like I’ve been improving a lot ever since the doctors deemed my full recovery.  I revamped my training schedule after the war.

As I push myself up onto my feet, class 2A comes into Ground Beta filled with enthusiasm that I was not expecting.

“BRO THAT WAS INSANE” - “WHERE DO YOU BUY A QUIRK LIKE THAT BECAUSE I WANT ONE” - “Bro fights like he’s seen Armageddon” - "I’ve NEVER seen such a fierce approach to a sim, dude. Right on.”

I laugh sheepishly, as they talk over each other to compliment me and my ability. I haven’t had an opportunity to really go all out without worry of hurting others (or myself) in a long time. But all alone in ground beta? With 5000 robot villains to fight? I couldn’t help myself, and in the 20 minutes I managed to work myself up to 15 percent with One For All and find a way to work in all the other quirks too. 

Some of the guys come and clap my shoulder, and it startles some memories into me.

Tired, dirty and beat up at the UA gate after the retrieval mission, knees weak, and feeling about a second away from falling over, the cries of the refugees' taking shelter at UA ring in my ears.

“He’s a Nomu!” - “We can’t let that monster stay here!” - “They’ll come after us!” - “He’s a freak of nature!” - “He’s working with the villains!” - “He’s putting us at risk just being here!” -

I guess these guys wouldn’t have the comparison to make to be scared of me. 

The thought causes a soft smile to return to my face as that thought develops.

Maybe it’ll be nice to have a moment away from my reputation. From my past, and all the things that have haunted me. They haven’t happened yet. The world that built me is yet to exist.

That final thought feels more bitter, and a comment from a new voice pulls me back to the present.

“We totally dig your vibe, yo!” 

The speaker stands in the middle of a gang of four, hand bent into a Rock-N-Roll gesture. The black haired guy from earlier is on his right. He isn’t looking at me, pink dusting his cheeks and- ok wow, he’s actually really cute now that I have a chance to look at him. 

Izuku, now is NOT the time for your gayness.

On his left is a man with floaty blue hair, and a girl with long dark purple hair. The speaker himself has his mid length blond hair gelled back almost a bit like…

I look back between them and it clicks.

“Present Mic?” I ask hesitantly, face dropping as I re-examine the others in his group.

Long dark hair, those tired eyes- I did not just think Aizawa Sensei is cute. Which means that the girl on his left is-

Mrs Midnight.

My eyes prick with the familiar sensation of tears as Present Mic is freaking out at Aizawa because I know who he is -‘dude I’m famous’- and Aizawa is looking right at me with both his eyes now, and Mrs Midnight is laughing and she’s alive and young and beautiful and she’s - 

“Hey, are you alright?” Aizawa asks me, shoving the excited blond teen off and reaching a hand out toward me gently, concern replacing the annoyed look he was giving Mic Sensei. The class has stopped cheering now, and they're all looking at me and I’m hyperventilating and the teacher starts to get the class to give me some space but I can’t tear my eyes off of- off of-

My eyes are really stinging now.

“Excuse me” I squeak, sight blurring as I push past the teacher, stumbling into a panicked sprint before I’m lost in my head, sinking into that dark mushy pit of memories once again.

That first fight with Shigaraki- Kacchan taking the blow for me- getting impaled- Aizawa cutting his leg off to stay in the fight- the blood pouring out of them- both of them- Kacchan askew across the dirty floor and he’s not going to make it- Kacchans’ s heart out on the battle field as Shigaraki laughs and he is not going to make it- it should have been me- the sobs that wrack through me so hard my ribcage aches- desperately trying to continue fighting Shigaraki as they escape and I can do nothing- the coffin in the sky falling and Aizawa and Mic and Monoma falling- heading to the hospital, looking over from my ambulance bed to see Mina and Jirou sobbing, bloody, and bruised and shaking, eyes wide and manic while they hold shock blankets tight around them- seeing Midnight's destroyed body as they rush her into the hospital past me and no one comes back from injuries like that- the funeral- Aizawa and Present Mic speaking with tears streaming down their face of memories from highschool, from parties and heartbreaks- everything Mrs Midnight cared about, fought for, believed in- I- 

Next thing I know I’m splashing my face with water in the bathroom, hands shaking, breath seething through my teeth as the sink gushes water down the drain with a rumble from the pipes and a fshhh from the tap. 

I hold myself there for a while, legs barely supporting me as I brace my forearms on the sink counter, face dripping while I pant and cry and shake. 

This is not the first time this has happened. It probably won’t be the last. Hound Dog says they’re normal, and not to be hard on myself about them. 

First time no one else knew what was happening, though. 

That's right. I’m alone again.

My breathing’s still ragged and another cry rips out of me while I hunch over the sink, nose snotty as I rest my forehead painfully on the still running tap, neck strained as my back arches over painfully to accommodate my position.

“Young midoriya?” Calls a voice, startling me out of my illusioned solitude. 

Glaringly reminded of my current environment, I sniffle and wipe my eyes with my dirty sleeve and- not the best choice that stings- I whip my head around to see principal Nedzu, standing in front of a concerned student. At my visible response, principal Nedzu dismisses him, leaving us alone in the bathroom. 

The student must have been in here when I came in- or heard me from outside and gone to get a teacher. 

Drive a nail through my foot and drop me in the woods, that is so embarrassing. I splash water into my face again, fighting off the new wave of tears because there’s no need to start that again. Sucking in a few final breaths, I speak to Nedzu, knowing we’re now alone in the bathroom.

“We can’t let anyone else know I’m from the future.” I state, voice hoarse and sore from gasping and dehydration. Turning my head back to the sink, I drag my hand down my face to wipe off the remaining droplets, the touch feeling coarse and uncaring. The paper towel I use after feels just as offensive.

Principal Nedzu sighs, and looks a little unsure of how to proceed. “I have to agree…and considering your emotional state right now, we certainly don’t need anymore dramas. However, there’s an update I do think you deserve to know as soon as possible, part of our new fragile subject. Let’s get you some nice hot tea in my office, hm? Come on.” He supplies, tone taking on a more comforting lilt as he finishes.

After properly cleaning my face and nose with the rough and stiff paper hand towels, I follow as he leads the way through the corridor with my hands still shaking.

~

Oolong has always been my favourite tea. I like that it’s quite versatile. I can have it hot, with milk, cold, with boba, with other flavourings. It can be a calming evening drink or a sweet treat. 

Right now it tastes like cardboard.

“I understand this will be difficult for you, Young Izuku. Please know my door is always open for you if you want to talk- about anything.” 

Principal Nedzu reaches over the desk to put his paw over my scarred and aching fingers where they rest, burning against the porcelain of the teacup.

“If you think it's right, we can inform the school psychologist of your situation. She can have a session with you if you want, and only if you want.” He adds. 

I can’t even nod. 

It's going to be 15 years before I can see my Mom again. My friends. Kacchan-

Deep breath.

Pull it together.

One thing at a time. 

I can take my time to process the fact that I’m stuck here. I only have until tomorrow to prepare to be in the same class as- as-

My eyes sting again. 

“Mrs Midnight…” I start, the ball growing in my throat like a damn I need to break. I can’t meet Nedzu’s eyes. I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle seeing his face, I don’t know if I should be telling him this but I have nowhere else to go. “She-” and the tears spill- “She died really horribly.” 

It’s high pitched and strangled, I barely get it out around that painful knot in my throat, and maybe it’s barely coherent, maybe he didn’t catch it, maybe I can pretend I didn't say that, that it didn't happen. It hasn’t happened right? Maybe I can just ignore-

Nedzu’s paw tightens on my hand. I look to his eyes instinctively, and I’ve never seen that look on his face. Drawn and leaky eyed and sympathetic and sorry. I don’t think he’s ever looked more full of human emotion, and it hits me right in the chest just how much Nedzu really cares about his students.

And I've just told him that one of them dies horribly- I’m horrible. How could I tell him that?

The sobs shake me so hard I almost knock over my tea. I hear Nedzu sniff across from me. 

Meeting his eyes again I can’t stop myself- 

I know it’s not my fault. All the therapy with Hound Dog and the late night conversations with classmates, comforting them, consoling each other, I’m a hypocrite for saying it, but what else can I say?

“I- I’m so so-sorry-” I cry, and my nose is almost in my tea, but Nedzu cuts me off before I even finish, squeezing my hand tighter and it feels like such an undeserved comfort, but I clutch onto his forearm with my other hand anyway.

“No I’m sorry, Young Izuku. I can’t imagine the position this is putting you in. I would cry the same as you in your situation. You are so brave, and you’ve done everything right. Thank you for telling me-” I hold his arm tighter. 

I don’t want to be brave right now.

“oh, you’re just a child, Izuku.” He continues after a moment, bringing his other hand to rest on the one that grips his forearm like a vice. His gentle paw meets my shaking and straining hand like a vine growing on an old wall, and it makes me crumble.

“Now- now I’m going to get to know her and the others, grow up with them, become heroes with them instead. I could barely handle it, their injuries and their sufferings- when they were my teachers. How am I supposed to go through all that again? How am I supposed to act around them knowing what's coming and knowing that I won't be able to stop it?” 

The vent turns into a mad and desperate yell, and I’m distantly grateful that Nedzu’s office is soundproof. Oh my god what if it’s not soundproof yet?

“The room is soundproof right?” I ask, tilting my head back up to look at him a little panicked and distracted by my new worry. The sudden change in topic makes him chuckle wetly as a tear spills out of his eyes.

“Oh, you dear child, it’s all right. No one can hear you, it’s just you and me.”

He smiles with that torn expression of fondness and care and sympathy and ache, the one I see in my mother all the time, and he holds my hands tighter. 

I take a deep breath. “Well. That’s- That’s good then.” I say, breathless and resolute.

Nedzu starts laughing properly at that. A moment later my diaphragm shakes and I join him in a fit of silent laughs and sniffles.

Chapter Text

I left principal Nedzu’s office 40 minutes later. We had a lot left to discuss, and we had to wait for my social worker to get to the school so he could make a recording of the conversation. Most of the time before he got to UA was spent blowing my nose, wiping my tears, and finishing my tea.

Not going back home means there are certain precautions we have to take, and certain things we need to get legal recognition for. 

I don’t have a birth certificate that would make sense cause I was born last year- that could be the butt of so many jokes. It’s a comedic crime that this needs to be kept secret. Anyway, we need legal documentation of my time travel added to a copy of my birth certificate that I will keep, and use that to get a new ID card, a passport (apparently we’re going abroad later in the year for a work study, which is super exciting), and insurance that Principal Nedzu said he would help cover ‘as a courtesy of the school, because this is where you’ll be getting hurt most of the time until your 18 anyway.’ he explained. 

I need to move apartments. The one I’m staying in is for temps. It’s too small to be lived in for an extended period of time, too minimal to provide a basic quality of life, so I'm being moved upstairs where the long term residents stay. The rooms, as Dai tells us, are slightly bigger, with a safe for things like legal documents and other valuables, and a better kitchen, with a nicer counter top and an oven and freezer. 

We also need to make sure that Izuku Midoriya: Hero Deku doesn’t appear in the news. ‘Deku’ can’t exist yet, because he doesn’t exist yet, and him existing before he existed would probably mess up his chance of existing. The impact that ‘Deku’ will make on the world and his reputation will have to wait.

I won’t be able to be a daylight hero. The risk of revealing my identity would be too high, and my quirk is really distinct in appearance, so it can’t be publicly recognised. 

I’ve never considered being underground, but they do a lot of good work. Aizawa Sensei has become such a big influence and inspiration to me as a hero that the more I think about it, the more I see myself fitting into the scene. 

“Deku! Man, I’ve always wanted to tell you this, but that look you get when you're getting intense in battle is really intimidating, and combined with blackwhip? Totally manly!” 

We’ve just finished sparring together, me and Kirishima sit beside each other as we stretch out our legs. 

“Really?” I ask. I’ve never been told I look intimidating before, usually when people comment on my appearance it’s to tell me I look stupid, or cute (which hurts my pride a little, but I’ll take what I can get) so being called intimidating feels kind of out of place. 

“Yeah, dude! I’ve been thinking about it even more ever since that edit of you went viral the other day. It’s pretty neat, getting recognised and having fans and stuff. My fanbase isn’t super big yet, but it’s so awesome when I see people's videos and comments on me and stuff.”

“Theres an edit of me?” 

“Bro, you haven't seen it? It’s totally manly! Let me show you.” 

He reaches over to his phone and fiddles with it for a moment before turning it to me, shuffling up so his arm supporting his weight is behind me and his side is pressed against my arm. It’s comfortable and friendly, and I lean into the touch. We’ve all gotten a lot closer after everything we’ve gone through. 

The video shows a series of short clips of me during some recent patrols and hero works, mid and post fight, and even some footage of me from my ‘vigilante era’ is shown in quick succession with flashing and filters, finishing with my quote from the sports festival: "You haven't put a scratch on me yet!” as I clutch my broken fingers into a fist, and I see it. 

I’ve never watched footage of myself in battle, so I didn’t know how I looked. Seeing this? I really do look intimidating, if not a little crazy.

In some of the shots I’m smiling, and it's nothing like AllMight. 

Me and Dai are walking out of the school, headed to the car so we can head back to my new home, when I spot Aizawa and Mic hovering around the sidewalk. When Mic sees me he gives Aizawa an enthusiastic thumbs up and starts to walk away, to which Aizawa responds by glaring at him, before glancing over to me briefly. 

Ok…? 

Dai turns to me, having seen the exchange. “New friends?”

“New classmates, I’ll tell you more later.” I tell him offhandedly, right before we close in on Aizawa, he’s looking at me with that familiar expectant grouch. It looks different on his young face. No stubble framing his mouth, and a little acne. In my memories of Aizawa I can see the person in front of me within him. And my heart aches with the memories of battle flashing behind my eyes. Of all the injuries this man will get trying to protect my classmates. To protect the civilians of Japan. To protect me.

“Hey,” Aizawa calls subtly. He clearly wants to talk, though I have no clue what about.

I chuckle awkwardly, unsure in this strange situation. Even after all we’ve been through together, talking with my homeroom teacher always makes me nervous. “Hi…?” I reply tentatively, turning my head and shrugging slightly, glancing over at Dai.

“I’ll meet you at the car?” He offers, seeming to think we need privacy. Apparently he has more clue than me as to what's going on.

“Sure,” I nod, and he continues the walk to the car in solitude.

“What’s up?” I ask hesitantly, still confused as I turn back to Aizawa. 

He thinks for a moment, leaning against the wall that lines the sidewalk, and nodding at the space next to him as an invitation. I take him up on the offer, and he looks down as we settle gently into each other's presence.

“When do you start?” He asks absently.

“Oh!” I’m glad that it's a simple question. I copy his pose and look ahead, watching the trees sway in the afternoon wind. It’s not a bad spot for a conversation. In the shade, quiet, not too private. “Uhm, tomorrow actually! Pretty exciting, I’m looking forward to learning beside all of you.” I answer. Once again, he doesn’t respond immediately.

“That’s pretty soon.” He says frankly. I nod silently. 

“You miss your friends.” It's not a question, and I’m startled slightly at the blunt observation, turning my head to look at him. He only shrugs. “Missing your friends is only logical when moving. No one judges you for running off like that. I know better than anyone that they can be-” He sucks a breath in past a tired expression, “overwhelming.” He concludes. His hair blows slightly in the wind as I laugh.

“Yeah, my old classmates could get pretty intense too. It was a boarding school, so you rarely had a moment of real privacy.” I reply, turning to look back ahead. It’s ok to tell him that right? I can let them know vague things about me, as long as I don't let up that I’m from the future. He nods, agreeing with the sentiment.

“Well, you can sit with us during recess tomorrow. Mic really likes you already.” He mumbles in response.

I look back over to him while he speaks, fondness filling my chest at the offer. It’s weird for Aizawa to treat me like a peer rather than a student, but his immediate kindness is endearing. It warms me that I’m being accepted so easily, especially remembering all the times I was so violently rejected. He tilts his head away from me, so I can't see his face anymore as he shrugs. Before I can thank him, he pushes off the wall to his feet.

“I better get going.”  He starts, “Do you…”  and his voice cracks in a way that is not cute and does not have me smiling like an idiot because he really is just an awkward, shy teenager, and that's something I can relate to. His face goes a little red as he faces me, but he doesn’t meet my eyes, hands shoved into his pockets with his shoulders raised as he finishes. “Walk to the gate with me?” He retries. He glances up at me through his lashes after he asks, and he’s trying to look nonchalant and it’s really not working. 

In a round about way his nervousness makes me relax.

“I’d love the company.” I respond, pushing off the wall. We walk together side by side. 

“Your dad?” He asks after a while, using his chin to point down the path and looking my way out the corner of his eyes, waiting calmly for a response.

“Oh! Uhm, no he’s my, uh…” I stutter, looking at him nervously, waving my hands in front of myself. So much for relaxing. I don't think I can tell him that he’s my social worker because I traveled through time, but I really don't want to lie about it. I always get nervous and clammy and my voice gets all high and then I feel really guilty after and usually they can tell and that just makes them more suspicious and I just cannot lie. “He’s helping me move and get settled in and stuff.” I stumble out. It’s true enough.

He glances at me and I quickly avert my eyes. He doesn’t ask more questions, and I let my shoulders sag in relief from where they had unconsciously risen. I keep my gaze ahead after that until we reach the front gate and say our ‘see you tomorrows’. 

“Overall a successful interaction if I do say so myself.” I inform Dai as I get in the Passenger seat.

“Well, that's good. Now fill me in on all the less boring stuff that happened today.” He asks as he pulls onto the street and we head back to the apartment.

I excitedly launched into a retelling of my day, starting from how I managed not to burn the kitchen down with my phenomenal cooking skills.

In the back of my mind, I’m still thinking about Aizawa and our brief little interaction.