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Chapter Text

The butterflies in Izuku's gut were so powerful that he felt like he was floating. It had been the most rapidly alternating day in his life. Heroes, Villain attacks, Kacchan.

Being told that he had a chance at his dream after all .

Izuku clenched tighter at the straps of his bag, his hands shaking. He could do this, he would be being trained by All Might himself . The hero, his idol, had even given him a number that he could be reached at.

It was too good to be true. The number was probably to a secretary, someone important who could contact All Might in his place. His training would also probably not be under All Might personally. That would be asking too much of the hero, spending large amounts of time with Izuku.

Yet, the hero had declared him worthy of inheriting his quirk.

The number he had on his phone didn't match any of the numbers for the Tower or Mighty Agency.

Izuku paused outside the door to his home, taking in the sunset. Had Kacchan gotten home yet, did mom find out about the sludge villain incident? His hands were still shaking and Izuku turned away from the door.

The sun was getting low, painting everything in warm hues as Izuku leaned against the railing breathing deeply. He couldn't go in while trembling like a leaf, it would make his mom worry more about him if she didn't know, and panic if she did.

He had to present himself calmly, maturely, if he wanted to talk his mom into knowing that everything is fine.

It was hunger that finally drove Izuku inside. He had been outside for twenty minutes according to his phone, clearly he wasn't about to get any better.

He opened the door silently, listening for the sound of his mom’s worried sobs. All that met his ears was the sounds of her moving around in the kitchen, and Izuku breathed in relief. Either she hadn't heard, or she'd already cried herself out. The door clicked shut behind him, and Izuku toed off his shoes.

His nose must be burnt out, he could barely smell dinner over the stink of the sludge. In the confined apartment, it was even stronger than what seemed to cling to his clothes outside. “I'm home!”

There was a clatter in the kitchen, it seemed he'd surprised her. There was curiously no rush to greet him, to swoop him up and make sure he was okay. “Welcome home, Izuku! Dinner is ready.” He passed the smiling pictures of his mom and him in the hallway, same as every other day.

For some reason, the stink was stronger here yet his mom didn't mention it. The butterflies started turning to ash as Inko smiled at him, her eyes seeming glassy. Something was off. “I heard from Masaru that Katsuki-kun made it home safely.” She approached him then, with none of her usual anxious speed.

Izuku allowed the strangeness, as even Inko's hug felt different than usual. There wasn't a single tear in her eye, and her eyes didn't move back and forth either. The sludge smell was thick on her breath. The imposter pulled back, placing her hands on his face. “You're the man of the day, my brave little hero.”

It sounded like her, was a very good imitation of her voice. But the tone, the words were all off. A medium size meatsuit . Izuku had to breath, he grabbed those hands, his definitely captive mom's hands. Gently, he guided them off his face and stepped back. A nervous, hysterical laugh bubbled out of his chest. “Yeah, it was a busy day. Sorry, I forgot to pick up the umeboshi.”

The sludge villain made his mom nod, made her keep smiling at him.

His mom had never asked him to pick up umeboshi, never had with her dislike of it. “I'm going to go have a bath first, I stink.” The villain let him go, just watching him.

“Alright dear.”

Izuku hesitated just before his mom and the villain were out of sight. He'd turned her around, back to the counter. Izuku's throat felt thick. “I love you, mom.”

He ran to the bathroom, locked himself in. Alone, with a villain holding his mom hostage in the kitchen. Izuku covered his mouth with a hand to muffle his sobs. If he hadn't dawdled, had invited All Might over to talk about his new training with his mom, then she wouldn't have been trapped so long.

He cursed his hesitance, tugging on his hair as tears streamed down his cheeks. His chest was tight, a lump in his lungs as his heart hammered against his ribs. Izuku couldn't save her on his own, he was still quirkless. There was nothing to grab, no way to avoid hurting his mom unless he could draw the villain out.

The both of them needed a hero. Izuku's bag hung heavy in his hand.

The villain would get suspicious if they didn't hear water running. Izuku turned on the tap in the tub, before fumbling fingers hunted for his phone.

He almost dropped it in the water, just catching it in his bag. Curled up on the floor, safe from dropping the device in the tub, Izuku dialed his newest number.

“Young Midoriya? What is it?”

Izuku sobbed, relieved. All Might had given him his personal number. “All Might, the sludge villain has my mom.”

“What!? Give me your address, I'll be right there.” Izuku could hear two other voices in the background, but couldn't focus on them. He rattled off the address for his hero.

“You need to keep yourself safe. Where are they?”

“I'm locked in the bathroom. He's holding mom hostage in the kitchen, hiding inside her body. I, I don't know how long he's had her. I don't know how well she can breath, or, or see, or hear.” Izuku was losing control of his deep breathing. Anxiety seized him by the throat with every second, and it was getting harder to speak through his tears.

“Young Midoriya, we’re coming. Please, try to breathe, and keep yourself safe. I can't stay on the phone.”

“Okay.” His voice sounded small, quiet past the beating in his ears. The line went dead, and Izuku buried his face in his arms, trying to ride out his panic on his own.

Chapter Text

This never should have happened.

That was the only thought in Toshinori's head as he bounded in the direction of young Midoriya's home, Nedzu and Chiyo each tucked under an arm.

Young Midoriya was supposed to be safe, out of the radar of any villains until after he had his provisional license. His successor was still young, still untrained, still quirkless.

Chiyo had scolded him about hanging up on someone on the edge of a panic attack when threatened by a villain, but he could barely hear her over the buzzing in his ears. If he got there fast enough, it wouldn't matter that he'd hung up on the teen.

Blood splattered the concrete below as Toshinori pushed himself harder, pushed to go faster .

He had to make it in time to save the family. Support was essential to becoming a hero, and if his mother was ripped away from young Midoriya…

No.

They'd reached the apartment, shiny nameplate marking this as the Midoriya home. It was locked, but the door didn't hold up against his strength as he shouldered it open.

Inside it was eerily quiet. The smell of sewage mixed with the smell of food and something burnt, and it turned All Might's non-existing stomach.

"Young Midoriya?" He surged into the home, glancing into the kitchen to find it abandoned. Nedzu and Chiyo were set down, and Toshinori charged deeper in.

Splayed in front of a closed door lay a woman, face down with her hair spread around her. She must be young Midoriya's mother, and Chiyo was at her side with surprising speed for her age. There was no sign of the sludge villain, but the smell of burning and sewage was closer, stronger.

Fearing the worst, Toshi knocked on the door. "Young Midoriya?"

"All Might!" The boy's tearful voice came through the door. Sweet relief flooded through the hero. "Is mom okay? He came under the door, and I haven't heard her since."

"Recovery Girl's taking care of her, young man. Can I come in?"

"No! The, the floor's not safe. I, I flooded the bathroom and elec, electrocuted him." Well, that explained the smell.

"If I may, All Might, Midoriya-kun," Nedzu tugged on his pants. "If you open the door, my shoes are thick enough to prevent issues."

"W-Who are you?"

It was easy enough to pop the lock, pushing open the door. "Young Midoriya, this is principal Nedzu from U.A." Sure enough, the floor was soaked. A variety of electrical hair tools were plugged in, heavily frayed cords sparking in the shallow pool. The sludge villain lay as an extra puddle on the floor, jiggling every now and then.

Yet, Toshinori only had eyes for the boy. His hair a mess, eyes red and puffy as he sat on the edge of the tub with his feet up on the toilet seat. The small scissors he must have used to open and fray the wires were held onto like a lifeline, like a weapon. He sniffled and seemed to perk up slightly at the introduction.

Nedzu strolled in, carefully unplugging the appliances. “I must say, Midoriya-kun, this was very good thinking in the middle of such a crisis. Do you have anything that we could contain this villain in?”

Izuku hesitated, watching the ground as Toshinori approached. Carefully he gathered the boy in deflated arms, carrying him over to where Chiyo was tending to his mother. The look on the old hero’s face brought on a sense of dread. “We have an old fishbowl. I’m not sure if it has a cover, though.”

“We will make it work. All Might, if you would assist me?” Toshinori nodded, leaving the boy safe with Chiyo. It would be nice to meet the older Midoriya, someone who raised a boy as kind and heroic as Izuku would be a joy and a pleasure.

Starting with a closet of what looked to be boxes seemed like a good start. The pair slowly started looking, sorting through the boxes. Toshinori could hear Izuku murmuring about how his mom was cold, called out to Toshinori for a blanket to help her stay warm.

“Midoriya-kun.” Chiyo’s voice had a sad tone, world weary. Izuku’s voice gained a bit of a hysteric note, as he ignored her and kept talking at his mother.

“Toshinori,” Nedzu’s voice was a whisper, the mustelid looking up at him having found the fishbowl. “I’m sorry, but it’s clear that Midoriya-san hasn’t been breathing.”

His gut plummeted, his world zooming past with a sense of vertigo. “Young Midoriya is only fourteen, fifteen.”

“And it’s an absolute tragedy. We’ll do what we can for him.”

“Please, she can’t be dead.” The word echoed in his head, even as he whispered. Izuku was younger than Toshinori had been when he’d lost Nana to a villain. The villain. With All For One dead, Izuku should have been perfectly safe. His mother should have been perfectly safe.

Nedzu turned away from him, sorrow evident in his shoulders, in the lowering of his tail. “You should bring that blanket that Midoriya-kun called for.”

In a daze he did so, carrying a thick blanket over to Chiyo and the Midoriyas. Izuku took it from him, the light in his eyes gone. With great care, the boy laid it over his mom, tucking it around her. He smoothed over the cloth, summoning a shaky, desperate smile.

“See mom? You can warm up now. Please wake up. Please.” He clutched at her still hands, and Toshinori got his first real look at the woman.

She had Izuku’s hair, and his eyes. She was short and plump, but that just spoke to Toshinori of a love of food and feeding her son. The pictures hanging on the walls spoke of a happy, loving mother and son, but the eyes in the photos bore down on Toshinori with the weight of judgement.

He’d failed Izuku twice already. He couldn’t fail the boy a third time.

The system could be brutal and unforgiving, even more so with the boy’s quirkless state. If he allowed the government to place Izuku in a foster home, there was a strong chance that he’d never be able to see him again, not have the chance to train him into the hero he could be. It would take wielding his influence in an unfamiliar way, but he would do it for his successor. For young Midoriya.

Carefully, Toshinori placed a hand on Izuku’s shoulder. The boy twisted at the sudden weight, looking up at him in shock before clinging. “She can’t be gone. I have so much to tell her.”

The blanket was drawn up, covering Midoriya’s face as Toshinori wrapped his arms around the boy. “I’m sorry my boy.”

Izuku shook with sobs, and Chiyo’s voice seemed far away. “Midoriya-san shows signs of being gone for some time. That villain killed her before… his other heinous acts. I’m sorry for your loss, Midoriya-kun.”

Nedzu nodded, a large amount of sludge stuffed into a sealed fishbowl. Toshinori could see one eye swimming in the sludge, open and angry as it watched young Midoriya. He moved to shield the boy. “We will bring this monster to justice, Midoriya-kun.”

Izuku just stared at the covered form of his mother, sobs wracking his body. Kneeling to embrace him better, Toshinori promised to the deceased woman that he would move heaven and earth, to be able to give her son the life he should have had with her.

Chapter Text

If he had stayed on the phone longer, this never would have happened. Izuku was sobbing into his suit as Masaru held him tight, held him close, held him safe. "I'm so sorry, Izuku."

"Not your fault." The words were a murmured, wet lie. It was Masaru's fault. He was the last person to speak to Inko. If he had stayed on the phone until Izuku got home, the boy's mother would still be alive. His friend would still be alive. Both Midoriyas would have found a way to survive that murderer. 

Mitsuki stood beside them, her eyes puffy and mouth trembling, but just as fierce as always. She stared down the officer across from them, though the man didn't seem the least bit intimidated. "What the hell do you mean? Of course we're taking Izuku in!" 

Still, the officer shook his head. "We can respect that your husband was Midoriya Inko's emergency contact Bakugo-san, but it's not safe." 

Mitsuki's hands slammed down on the table. "What Izuku needs is people who care about him! Not strangers , certainly not that fucking deadbeat Hisashi!" 

Masaru could feel Izuku flinch at his wife's volume, held his head with a reassuring hand. "We understand that his actions were reckless, dangerous for someone quirkless. We've known Izuku for years, we can protect him."

Izuku shrunk more at that, murmured something into his chest. "Not…"

Still the officer, a Detective Tsukauchi, watched them, frowning. "Midoriya-kun will have people who care about his wellbeing. But it's far too dangerous to have him with any civilian family. We have hero-connected volunteers willing to take him in." He stands, to stop Mitsuki from looking down on him. "Midoriya-kun had three encounters with this murderer in one day. We don't know his motives yet, but we can't dismiss the possibility that associates of his won't target Midoriya-kun." 

Three encounters? Had the sludge villain attacked him after Izuku challenged the villain? It took All Might's intervention to save the boys, and since Izuku was quirkless… 

The villain must have noticed his lack of quirk, knew he was an easy victim. He didn't hear an attack while on the phone with Inko… But the heroes showed up quick enough to save Izuku, if not his mother. 

Poor boy, Masaru held him tighter. The sludge villain must have followed him home, killed Inko while the heroes were coming to get Izuku's testimony. 

"That's even more reason to stay with us!" his wife snapped, furious and protective. "Izuku's always wanted to be a hero, but he can't. He's quirkless! Staying with heroes will just put more reckless ideas in his head. Do you know how much stress Izuku just chasing hero fights put his mother through?" 

Another sob wracked the boy, and Masaru thought that maybe Mitsuki had gone too far in bringing up Inko so soon. 

"Absolutely no heroes! I can understand, even encourage a police escort. My Katsuki will keep him safe, he's already training to become a hero. But putting such ideas in Izuku's head is asking him to kill himself!"

" Enough ." There was anger that Masaru could see in the detective's eyes, the snap of his voice even making Mitsuki recoil for a moment. "Quirkless does not mean helpless. I understand that you feel you're doing what's best for Midoriya-kun, but that attitude is unhelpful." His voice calmed, but lacked any warmth. The man spoke nonsense, but at least he spoke it professionally. 

"This decision is out of your hands, Midoriya-kun's current guardian is waiting for this interview to finish. A more permanent custody arrangement will be discussed when we establish contact with Midoriya Hisashi." 

Masaru exchanged a look with his wife. He could see that there was fight in her yet over this, and silently agreed. Taking a deep breath, Masaru released Izuku as he could feel the boy pushing himself away from him. "I suppose that we'll have to contact our lawyer then." 

The detective frowned, but nodded. "Do what you believe you have to. We all want Midoriya-kun to be safe and happy." Izuku stepped away from Masaru, his eyes on the floor. Such a fragile, sensitive boy. All this had to be very upsetting. 

Tsukauchi clapped Izuku on the shoulder as he crossed the room, before opening the door. "Thank you for your time and your assistance, Bakugo-san." 

Katsuki was leaning against the wall when they filed out, hands crackling in impatience. "Come on brat, we're going home." 

"Don't boss me around, you old hag!" His son was such a firecracker, Masaru following behind the pair as Mitsuki hauled Katsuki by the ear. 

Katsuki had pulled Izuku aside for a talk earlier, when he and Mitsuki were first introducing themselves to the detective, giving him Hisashi's contact information. He wondered what his son had had to say to Izuku that reduced him to tears, probably wouldn't find out. 

When he looked back to the boy, he saw Izuku in the arms of a positively skeletal blond man, accompanied by two small figures. An old woman, and… some person with an animal form quirk? 

Silently, Masaru promised Izuku that they'd protect him, save him from his own reckless tendencies. 

Chapter Text

The Midoriya situation wasn't a problem Nedzu had ever wished to solve. It was an utmost tragedy, and now Nedzu had to deal with the boy's custody situation. 

With All Might choosing young Izuku as his successor, the best place for him would be UA. There were other candidates sure, but Nedzu knew Toshinori. If forced to choose another, the man would always be stuck in 'what if'. 

Tsukauchi pulled up outside of All Might's home. The car shut down, Nedzu hopping out before the engine quieted. 

My, such a quiet place. Nedzu had never been here before, but it was a surprisingly large home for the isolated number one. All the curtains were drawn, for all it was just before noon. Had the lawn been left to grow out, the stoat would have almost thought the home abandoned. 

Tsukauchi paused outside the door, key in hand. "It's… not pretty. The outside is maintained by the community, but…" He took a deep breath. "Toshi's an absolute mess."

Ear flicking in surprise, Nedzu waited as the detective opened the door. Shuzenji was always scolding Toshinori about his health, but how bad could it really be?

He should have known better than to think those words. 

Past the entry, they came into a large living room. With no natural light, it took Tsukauchi flicking on the lights to illuminate the situation. Dust was thick on the tv, on the bookshelves, on the couch. For all that Yagi Toshinori was hiding his identity, it would be obvious he was All Might to any visitors by the costume thrown over the back of the armchair, boots abandoned on the ground. 

Someone had half heartedly vacuumed at least, Nedzu suspected it was young Midoriya. The shrine to Nana, and the new shrine to Midoriya Inko, were at least well maintained. 

"It's like a tomb in here." Nedzu's disapproval was quiet but clear, as he looked around. 

A sigh answered him, Tsukauchi shaking his head. "Welcome to the Yagi house. It's been like this ever since his big fight." 

Oh dear. Had Sir Nighteye's prophecy stripped his will to live? This couldn't be productive for young Midoriya, not in the slightest. It certainly couldn't be productive for Toshinori, either. 

Nedzu peeked around the island into the kitchen. It didn't seem to be used very often, and Nedzu could smell the grease of leftover takeout. 

Movement at the top of the stairs caught his attention. Tsukauchi stepped forward. "Good morning, Toshi."

"Naomasa?" The number one's rough voice called down. He stumbled down the steps, and Nedzu could see he was still wearing the clothes from yesterday. "Oh, Principal Nedzu."

He paused, looking exhausted as he loomed over the pair. "Right, the visit with the Bakugos at the station." With a sigh, Toshinori ran a hand through lanky locks. "Young Midoriya had a nightmare last night." 

By the looks of it, the hero hadn't had a restful night either. "Just, ah, wait here. I'll take a shower, see if I can wake him up." 

Naomasa nodded, guiding Nedzu over to the dining table as Toshinori drifted back upstairs. As soon as he heard the bathroom close, Nedzu jumped out of his seat. 

"Nedzu," the detective's voice held concern, a warning. 

"Now detective Tsukauchi, you can't think this is a suitable environment for anyone to live in." He rebukes, searching through Toshi's pantry, cupboards and fridge. Some milk, premade meals, plain stale noodles and cereals. The force of the man's frown can be felt, though Nedzu has the feeling that it's not aimed at him.

He rejoins Tsukauchi at the table, folding his arms before him. He listens, hears the hero leave the bathroom for his own room. "Toshinori can't raise Midoriya-kun if things continue as they are." 

"Midoriya's grieving, moving him will just hurt them both." 

Nedzu nods at that, considering as he hears Toshinori knock on Izuku's door. A murmured voice calling out to the boy before he enters the room quietly. "So we see how easy it is to adjust Toshinori first. If he can't snap into proper form quickly enough, it'll be more damaging for both of them." 

When the boy came down, he still looked haunted. Naomasa mustered up a smile for the pair. "Good morning, Midoriya-kun. There's time to grab a quick meal before we get to the precinct." 

The Bakugos were an interesting family. An aggressive mother, a calm father who almost looked meek next to her. The pair had hugged Izuku immediately, the boy clinging willingly while their son stood off to the side. 

Nedzu could see the awkwardness in the young Bakugo, transmitted into pure, silent aggression. Stiff shoulders, hands in pockets, vision stuck on the floor. It made him wonder what kind of person this boy was. 

"Deku," the young teen called, catching Izuku's attention as Naomasa was trying to lead them to the interview room. He could see the green teen tense, almost flinching, before he turned to the other boy. 

"Yes Kacchan?" A simpler, kinder name than Bakugo had called him. It spoke of Izuku's fondness, of time spent together as children like the older Bakugos spoke of in their earlier interviews. 

It shouldn't quake and quaver. Was that from barely contained grief or something else? The blond jerked his head, walking off. Tentatively Izuku started to follow him. 

"Ah, young Midoriya," Toshinori stepped forward, but Bakugo Mitsuki shook her head with a sad smile. 

"Let the kids talk. Katsuki doesn't like showing his soft side to anyone." It was evidently truth enough for Naomasa, who nodded and opened the door for the pair. 

Toshinori hesitated, and Nedzu nodded to him. Whether it was his instincts as a hero, or just not wanting to let Izuku out of his sight, Toshinori was ready for action. "Go on in, Yagi-san." Nedzu says aloud, wary of listening ears. "I'll watch for the boys." 

Nedzu slipped off his shoes once Toshinori entered the observation room. Scurrying on instinct and silent paws, Nedzu drew up close enough to listen to the boys.

"- fucking get it, Deku." The quick shuffle of feet, rustle of cloth. A body hitting against the wall. Nedzu frowned, ready to jump in if needed.

This didn't sound like friendship, certainly. "You keep up with that can-do attitude, always sticking your nose in everyone's business. Quirkless little freak, now look what your obsession with quirks and being a hero has become." 

Familiar sniffles made Nedzu's ears twitch and swivel. "Kacchan, I-" He tensed up, had to press himself against the wall to not interfere. 

"Shut up. It's your fault Auntie Inko died." A broken sob, from a boy that had already gone through too much. It was clear from Tsukauchi's lack of alarm that the adult Bakugos knew nothing of this dynamic. 

"I know! I know that!" Izuku screams at that, and Nedzu can hear someone get shoved. "If I had been stronger, I could have saved her." 

"You'll never be strong. He should have killed you instead." Nedzu was tempted to lash out and teach the blond a lesson, as Bakugo stormed past him. 

But no. The consequences for the boy would be far greater. 

Nedzu noticed drops of liquid on the floor, following Bakugo's trail. His silent feet followed the trail, and he lay a paw on Izuku's shaking shoulder. 

The teen had slid down the wall, hiding his face in his knees as he too sobbed. "It's not your fault, Midoriya-kun." Nedzu kept his voice firm, quiet. 

Izuku flinched at that, "You were listening." 

"Yes." He closed his eyes, thinking. "What Bakugo-san was saying was wrong. It's not your fault. You are a heroic young man, and you'll be able to save so many people." 

"But I couldn't even save my mom." He peeked up out of the shelter of his arms, his knees. Nedzu offered the boy a tissue, having brought a small pack of them. 

"No hero can save everyone, I'm afraid. You'll just have to keep her memory alive, make her proud." 

One tissue to blow his nose, another to blot at his eyes. "Yes sir." His voice was quiet, and shaky. Nedzu knew that the boy didn't believe him just yet. 

That was okay. Nedzu would stay with the kit until he was ready. 

"The Bakugos are not to have custody of young Midoriya." His observation is sharp, as he watches the adults interact with Izuku. Toshinori startles at that, looking over at him. 

"They're people he knows, probably trusts more than me." Even as the man argues it, Nedzu can hear the dislike of the idea, the heartbreak at handing Izuku over. 

"No. Katsuki will create a toxic environment,  and with the Bakugos treating Izuku as being so fragile that might make it worse." He hadn't mentioned the words exchanged by the pair to anyone. The matter needed more research, a proper investigation of Bakugo Katsuki's character. 

Toshi nods his acceptance of that, turns his attention back to the other room. Nedzu lets the silence sit for a moment, turning his plans over for flaws. 

"For that matter, your home could also be a toxic environment." The hero almost falls out of his chair, whirling on him as Nedzu calmly sips his tea. 

Precinct tea was always the cheap sort, a shame. "Excuse me?" 

Nedzu turned to look at Toshinori, the tall man disbelieving and offended. "I was horrified by seeing your home this morning, Toshinori. You've let yourself fall behind on taking care of your home, yourself, your needs." 

He stiffened, his hands clenching as he looked down at the floor. 

"I admit, I thought Chiyo was exaggerating your mental state, but now I'm not so sure." Nedzu frowned, set his cup aside to give Toshinori his full attention. "I know of Sir Nighteye's prediction, Toshinori. But living like you're ready to die is not healthy. It's not good for you or Midoriya-kun." 

The silence was tense, the conversation in the next room the only sound. Then, those broad shoulders slumped, Toshinori sat down. "You're right. So what do we do?" 

Amazing. A few days with Izuku was enough to make Toshinori accept trying to take care of himself? Nedzu wondered what all the man was thinking. "Therapy, for both of you. We'll help get your home in order to make things as easy for you as we can. Chiyo will have a meal plan and schedule for you." 

Those large hands clenched and unclenched several times, before Toshi intertwined his fingers to keep them still. "So I'm to hand over all control of my life." 

Nedzu sighed at this stubborn mind. "Of course not. We just want to help you, so that you can regain control. It will help both you and young Midoriya." He paused, considering how to approach the idea. "Both of you need a lot of assistance to heal, right now. During the harder periods, I can take him so that you don't have to worry about keeping more than yourself healthy." 

Sharp blue eyes met his. "You'd take him away from me?"

"Not at all! More… shared custody. So that when you need to focus on yourself, don't have the energy to take care of a traumatized teenager, you know that there are people who can take care of him." 

Toshinori turned back to the interview room, head down with his elbows braced on his knees. 

Nedzu watched the people in the other room just as much as he watched Toshinori. It was interesting, comparing the Bakugos' words and behavior to that of their son. 

Finally, just before the two of them leave the room, Toshinori finally looks at him again. "It has to be Izuku's decision."

Nedzu nodded, hopping off his chair. "But of course." 

Chapter Text

Izuku leaned wearily against Toshi's side, the man's thin arm supporting him. The black suits were one more discomfort, in a day filled with them. 

At least everyone else had left while his mom was being cremated. His mom's boss had given simple condolences and a small gift, eyeing up Toshi and Nedzu warily. The Bakugos had also come, been so much more affectionate. Mitsuki and Kacchan even allowed themselves to cry, though Izuku's feelings on his old friend were muddled at best.

Footsteps made Izuku look up, and Toshi's hand gave a reassuring squeeze as the two saw that it was just Nedzu. The stoat was carrying three bento, and stopped before them. 

"It's been a long day. You two should eat." Izuku obeyed mechanically, taking the bento wrapped in a bunny cloth. It was hard to focus on the food inside, Izuku's attention drifting to the door down the hall. 

"Midoriya-kun." Nedzu was watching him, his eyes kind. So different from the stoat that had chased off the man wanting to take and sell his mom's things. 

She hadn't drafted up a will. Tears dripped onto the box, and Izuku wiped at his eyes. 

"Okay." He picked absently at the onigiri, tempura shrimp, watching Toshi chew on his peanut butter apple slices. Was this how his hero felt, no real appetite, a lack of desire to eat? 

Noticing the intention, Toshi gave Izuku a squeeze, a half hug. Izuku gave him a weak, shadow of a smile in return. 

Izuku had only managed to eat one of the onigiri, before a woman in a black kimono knocked on the doorframe. "Midoriya family?" 

Izuku stood and Toshi's quick reflexes were the only thing that stopped the bento box from spilling. "Yes." 

She bowed. "Follow me, please." Izuku's heart thundered, his emotions roiling beneath the surface. He cast his eyes back at the two heroes, and the longing in Toshi's eyes almost made Izuku beg him to come. 

But no, kotsuage was for family alone. "We'll be here for you, Young Midoriya." Izuku was shaky, but he nodded. 

When Izuku reached the door to the crematorium, the woman looked behind him in surprise. "Your father didn't come?" 

Another stab of pain, a burst of anger. They'd delayed the wake for five days, only for Tsukauchi and Nedzu to come back and say Midoriya Hisashi wouldn't be coming. "No. It's just me, I'm all mom had." 

Her clear pity just made Izuku angrier. But no, he had to be calm. This was to say goodbye to mom. She would be interred tomorrow.

It finally, fully hit him that Inko was gone, that he'd never see or hear her again. His shoulders shook with his sobs, but he entered the room. 

The attendant guided him gently to stand before the three urns. On a metal table lay his mom's remains. Her kimono, her flowers, her mementos had all burned to ash with her flesh, leaving clean bones in the shape of her body. 

The adults backed away, to give him time to grieve and collect her remains. With shaking hands, Izuku took the metal chopsticks and started collecting her toes for the main urn. 

His mom had done so much for him, worked so hard. So rarely had Izuku seen her off these feet in the early days, always running around cooking and cleaning. Working hard after his father left them to make sure that Izuku would want for nothing. 

He had been so proud when he was big enough to help her, to lighten her load. But when she had needed him the most, had needed him to be her hero, Izuku had failed his mom. 

Izuku flinched, dropping her Tibia. "I'm sorry mom. I'm so sorry." Reaching for a second pair of chopsticks, he recalled his grandfather's funeral. A kind, soft-spoken man that even now Izuku barely remembered. 

He'd fumbled with those bones too, but at least he'd had his mom. 

God, he had so many memories of her. Inko was always there for him, for his triumphs and his failures. Bruises, scrapes, so many shared tears. 

Always so proud of him, always there with a smile, a hug, a dozen boxes of tissues. Katsudon for both bad days and the best days. 

Toshinori and Nedzu were nice, supportive, comforting. But it wasn't the same. 

He just wanted his mom. 

Sobs shook his shoulders, he could barely breathe past the sorrow strangling his heart and lungs. The hyoid bone, and then her skull were dropped in on top of the pile, and the chopsticks dropped with a clatter. 

He hid his face as the attendants moved forward. "Mom. Mom, I'm sorry. I'll be better. I promise." he gasped out, tears dripping on the table, on his suit. His face red and puffy, now that he could finally let out the emotions that had been building up. 

He didn't know how much time had passed, before there was a gentle "Midoriya-san." A touch to his shoulder made the boy look up, into the somber face of an attendant. "The urns are filled. Her grave will be ready at 7:15 tomorrow morning, fifth floor." 

Still shaking, Izuku nodded. "Thank you." His voice was hoarse, but he held the two smaller urns they passed him as steadily as he could. 

One last look was given to the larger urn that held his mother's bones and most of her ashes, before walking silently out of the crematorium. 

Nedzu and Toshi were right outside. Izuku wasn't ready to relinquish the urns, so a large hand just settled on his shoulder. He was tucked silently, protectively, into the space between Toshi's arm and chest. 

No one spoke on the walk, or on the drive to Nedzu's apartment. Izuku's shakes had subsided, as had his numbness, by the time he settled both urns at the shrine in Nedzu's home. 

"All Might. You should pick someone else." The words burned as they came out, Izuku curling in on himself with clenched fists. 

They sent out a wave of shock, both heroes staring at him for the proclamation. "Young Midoriya?" 

He turned to face the two, but his eyes were focused on the floor. "What kind of hero can't even save his own family?" He could tell Toshinori was shifting around, but something stopped him. 

Izuku needed to get this out, let All Might know how unsuited he was. The anger, the self loathing, had been mostly buried under grief and disbelief. Now it was boiling up, ready to swallow him. "I couldn't save the one person I should have protected at all costs. How am I supposed to save others?" 

"I'm weak, useless, Deku . Quirkless, powerless, stupid and reckless. One For All would be wasted on me." 

"How did I ever think I could be a hero." 

Izuku stiffened as large, muscular arms wrapped around him. "Young Midoriya," All Might rumbled, holding Izuku close against his chest. No. No. Izuku didn't want this, he wanted to be left alone. 

He beat against that large chest. "Let go!" The hero didn't budge, and Izuku started to rage. He shouted things he didn't really mean, struck out as he could against the man's chest.

The only reaction he got was a large, warm hand rubbing his back, small grunts whenever he hit the man's scar, and murmured reassurances. 

His burst of anger eventually fizzled into helpless sobs. Fists clenched in Toshinori's suit, and his head was guided to lean against that solid chest. "I know how you feel, young Midoriya." 

His voice was low, soothing. "I couldn't save any of my parents either. My mentor, my adoptive mother, died protecting me from a villain." 

Izuku looked up at Toshi with wide, teary eyes. The man was also crying, holding Izuku like he could protect him from the grief, from the villains, from the world. "Like you, I was quirkless before receiving One For All." 

"You?" 

Toshi nodded, smoke surrounding the two of them as he deflated into his true form. "No hero can save everyone, young Midoriya. The goal is to never stop trying." A hand reached up to ruffle Izuku's hair. 

"You're going to be a fantastic hero. And your mother and I will watch over you every step of the way."  

The tears flowed fresh, flowed harder. Izuku sobbed gratefully into Toshi's thin chest, the hands that had been balled up in the hero's clothes finally circling around the thin body. 

"Thank you. Thank you." He didn't protest when Toshinori guided him over to Nedzu's low couch. The man sat down first, never letting go of him. Izuku curled up against that bony body, clinging.

Things would never be the same. But eventually, maybe that would be okay. 

Chapter Text

Orudera Junior High was really nothing special to look at. A more urban school, and large for one, but the brickwork of its yard wall was worn and cracked. Long in need of maintenance, or new mortar between the stones. The front gate was rusted, creaking on its hinges when Atsushi entered. 

Five stories tall, the school reached above the immediate neighborhood, but apartment complexes weren't too far away. Nedzu had told him that there would be 8 classes per year to check, letting Atsushi know that it was likely to be a long investigation. 

Not that he should have to investigate such young kids. Yet, Nedzu had told him that there was worrying behavior from the students of this school that he'd met, would like to know more. 

At least the grounds and building itself looked clean and tidy, if not in particularly great shape. Perhaps he was getting spoiled, with a school that had as much funding as UA did. 

The amount of blackmail and politicking Nedzu went through was insane. 

The office secretary paid him little attention as he entered. Clearing his throat got him a glance, and she pushed the clipboard towards him with the slightest grimace. "Visitor forms, are you taking out a student?" 

"Actually, I have a meeting with Principal Fujimoto." 

She took a second look at him. "Honenuki Atsushi?" At his nod, she sighed. "He's expecting you, go on ahead." 

The principal was a small man, rounded and smooth. Atsushi towered over him, even after being directed to sit. "Honenuki-san, what can I do for you?" 

There were many ways to go about this, but Atsushi figured that being honest with one person would be the best way to go. "I represent U.A, and am here to scout out your students. We took notice of your school during that awful incident two of your students were caught in." 

It was also an excellent way to gauge the principal's character. Shock, discomfort, then greed flashed across his face before he settled on a wide smile. "Wonderful, Honenuki-san! I'm sure at least one of our fine students will catch your attention. In fact, if I may make a recommendation-" 

Atsushi raised a hand to stop the man. "No, I wish to observe them myself for an extended period of time." 

Fujimoto faltered, before nodding. He settled back in his seat, turned away from the filing cabinet behind him. "Of course. How do you propose to do that?" 

"I will take the place of one of your teachers. A regular substitute, until a verdict has been reached." 

"We're delighted to have you teach here!"

"One more thing. If anyone here learns that I am from UA, we will withdraw our interest." 

The first day, Atsushi noticed 3A missing a student. Access to the school's records revealed it was Midoriya Izuku's empty spot. He thought briefly on the 'Withdrawn' notice, on the quiet young teen in mourning slowly working on homework in Nedzu's office. Atsushi adjusted his focus towards the clones back at UA. 

Lunch Rush was plating up a bowl of ramen, and perked up when he saw the other hero. "Ectoplasm! Midoriya-kun is on a particular diet, and still takes his meals in Nedzu's office or the staff area. Would you mind taking this to him?" 

A perfect excuse to check on the boy, Atsushi nodded. "Of course, Lunch." The ramen was passed to him on a tray, alongside juice and two taiyaki. With experience, Atsushi dodged the rowdy teens that controlled the cafeteria. Really, there was little need for teachers here to supervise the cafeteria. Young, budding heroes tended to keep things from going too far.

His clone in the teacher's lounge told him that Midoriya-kun wasn't there today, so he headed straight for Nedzu's office. 

There was an argument back at Orudera, and Atsushi snapped into attention to split up the second year and batch of first years. He noted that the second year was one of the school's remaining two quirkless students. "Sensei, she stole my lunch!" the leader of the first years declared. The other two snickered slightly, while the second year, Nobemoto Yui, shrank in her seat around the bento. 

"Please Honenuki-sensei, it's mine. My mom always packs a bento, I bring it in every day." Atsushi sighed, and the first year reached again for the bento. 

"Hand it over!" 

Atsushi put himself between Nobemoto and the boys. "That's enough. I saw you approach Nobemoto-san first. If you try and pull this on anyone, it'll be detention." Everyone was staring at him in shock. 

Silence, and his clone knocked on the door to Nedzu's office. "... Yes Sensei." The first years scurried off, and Nobemoto ran off to eat in peace too. 

"Come in, come in!" Nedzu's voice greets him, and he opens the door. Ah, looks like today is a bad day. Midoriya is curled up on the couch, bundled in a comforter that should be too warm for a spring day like this. Atsushi notes distantly that Nedzu has dropped the temperature in here for Midoriya's comfort, but more of his attention is taken up by the figure by the boy's side. 

All Might himself has come to visit, the blanket-wrapped child tucked securely under his arm. Blue eyes burn as he assesses Atsushi, then warm with a small smile. "Good afternoon, All Might, Nedzu, Midoriya-kun." Walking forward, Atsushi rounded the couch and placed the tray in front of the boy. "Lunch Rush asked me to bring this to you." 

The kid looked awful, quite frankly. Deep bags under his bloodshot green eyes. His hair was a mess from the blanket rubbing against it, the blanket that he clutched so hard his knuckles were white. At a nudge from the Number One, Midoriya croaked out a quiet "Thank you." 

Atsushi nodded, but there wasn't really anything he could do to help. Hopefully, the boy would warm up to him and the rest of the staff eventually. All Might's quiet, deep voice was gently coaxing the child to eat when he slipped out of the room. 

"Man, Honenuki-san. You're really harsh, you know?" Atsushi looked up at his temporary coworker. He placed the coffee pot back on its base, stirred in his cream and sugar. 

"What do you mean, Mori-san?" The older teacher stared at him woodenly, wry expression carved onto his face. 

"We prefer to let the kids sort themselves out here." He stated, moving over to the kettle to make himself some tea. "You're there the moment they try, doling out punishments and leaving the situation bubbling for longer." 

"A lot of those third years are going into the workforce, you know. Gotta be tough for adult life, the stresses of highschool." 

Atsushi hid his frown in his coffee cup. He had noticed the very apathetic, hands off approach the teachers here took. But, at the same time they were more predatory. Weaknesses were picked out, announced to the rest of the class. 

"What would you recommend then, Mori-san?" The man's disapproval cracked, and Mori barked out a laugh. 

"It's good that you're willing to listen to your elders, Honenuki-san!" He nodded, and Atsushi was sure that Mori had already decided on the root of the problem. "First thing, lets get rid of that little detention time for Bakugo-kun." 

"Why Bakugo-san so particularly." Shaking his head like Atsushi was a green teacher, Mori smiled. 

"With his drive, quirk, and smarts, Bakugo-kun is going to be a great hero. Can't go tarnishing his record over a small argument." 

A small argument? Bakugo had blasted Minami through a row of lockers. The other boy had been sent to the nurse's office with burns and a concussion! While Atsushi hadn't heard the start of the fight, Bakugo's yells at the other boy implied the subject. 

"And Bakugo-san's anger issues?" Both had been given detention. Bringing up the sludge villain had been entirely inappropriate of Minami, but the response was disproportionate. 

Mori patted his shoulder. "Trust me, Honenuki. When that kid makes it big, he'll remember who got him there." Maybe Midoriya isn't the only victim of that villain who needs therapy. 

He smiled at the shy empath, Suzuki Niko, who set a white lily on Izuku's old desk. She smiled back, shyly, before running out of the classroom. Curious, had the staff not told the students what had happened? There was still some time left before class, so he ducked into the teacher's lounge to ask.

"I noticed there's a student marked 'withdrawn' in the class roster. What happened to him?" 

He received a laugh and a shrug, a few of the others rolling their eyes at him. "Who knows, but good riddance. Quirkless troublemaker, always getting into fights."

"He'd cheat off of our star student too, Bakugo-kun." 

"Cheating and fighting, really?" That didn't sound like someone Nedzu would take to so quickly, be so concerned over. But, perhaps grief had changed him. 

"Yeah. Never figured out how he did it, but there's no way he came by those grades honestly." 

Or maybe it was just good old fashioned bigotry. 

Honenuki-sensei was surprisingly nice. She could feel his bubbling emotions at some of the others' antics, some of the more aggressive behaviors making his attention sharp. Yet for the most part, he was a very tranquil man, no ill-will or impatience in him. 

She'd caught him glancing at Midoriya's old desk sometimes, felt him turn pensive and curious. 

He wasn't in the classroom when she returned to it, after leaving a flower for the deceased, but other students were. Seeing the lily smashed up in the garbage was the last straw for Niko. The snickers of her classmates were sharp, sitting as sour in her ears as their attitudes in her heart. 

Her decision settled like a lump in her throat, bitter and tense. They all knew better than to sabotage Bakugo Katsuki, but he'd already ruined another boy's future. It stayed with her the rest of the day, hard and determined, and she finally knocked on the door of the teacher's lounge. 

Fortunately, the teacher she needed was the one who answered. "Suzuki-san? What is it?" 

She shifted on her feet, looking up at the constant toothy grin of the teacher. Even now he was tranquil, and Niko felt guilty about disrupting that. "Honenuki-sensei, there's a problem you need to know about." She could feel the other teachers, previously apathetic, were growing curious. Nothing got them moving quicker than tasty gossip. "Alone, please." 

She felt the disgust and disappointment from the other teachers, but Honenuki was much more prominent. That peace had sharpened, gained a razor focus and a hint of anticipation. "Of course, Suzuki-san. If you'll follow me?" 

He lead the way down the halls, and Niko took note of his strange gait. Was it part of his quirk, how he walked so stiffly? She pushed such thoughts aside, as the teacher led her to an empty classroom. Locking the door, Honenuki gestured for her to take a seat. 

To her surprise, the man took a seat at another desk, instead of looming over her from the teacher's podium. His sharp, attentive silence was new, but not entirely unwelcome. With a deep breath, Niko began. 

"A month ago, I forgot something in my classroom. When I came back for it, I heard Bakugo Katsuki telling someone that if they wished to be a hero so much, they should jump off a roof and hope for a quirk in the next life." A spike of horror, a sharp intake of breath. Niko nods, hands shaking. 

"Midoriya Izuku was the victim. He, he was weird. And quirkless, always mumbling and writing. But he was kind. Stood up to bullies for people who'd never even look at him, figured out that I can feel the emotions people have when they're making food." Oh, she's crying now. Frustrated, she wipes at her face. Honenuki offers her a box of tissues and she nods her thanks. 

"It's always been bad here, for quirkless kids. News of quirkless people dying, from villains or suicide, get left regularly for the few we have. But no one's told them to jump off a roof before.

"That was Midoriya's last day at school. When he missed a week, no one mentioned him any more. Bakugo got more outwardly aggressive. I looked up Midoriya's address, and. And there was a white lantern outside his home." Finally she broke down sobbing. 

When she'd cried herself out, Honenuki was still waiting patiently. Under his veneer of sympathy and calm, Niko could sense he was furious. Was it at her, for daring accuse the school's star, or aimed at the rightful place? 

"Thank you for coming forward, Suzuki-san." His voice was as calm as ever, his self control must be amazing. "I can grant you a small reassurance, however. Midoriya Izuku is alive, and away from this place that's hurt him." 

Her eyes wide, Niko sniffled. "How do you know?" 

"He's currently in a safe place, as the white lantern is for his late mother. The villain's trial is coming up, but if you're willing to give me your phone number, I can pass it along to Midoriya-san." 

Akaname Ebizou looked out over the courtroom, his large beady eyes focused on the little green brat in a suit. He smiled, able to see the haunted look on the child's face. 

Looked so empty, it was like Ebizou had hollowed the kid out for himself, all without really taking over him. It was a look he had always loved, why he liked to target people's loved ones after choosing his meatsuit. 

"Akaname Ebizou, you have been found guilty of murder, breaking and entering, and villainy. Is there anything you have left to say?" 

The stupid judge's question made Ebizou giggle. Midoriya, no, little Izuku shuddered at the sound. Surging up, Ebizou pressed as much of his body out of the grated top as he could. Being surrounded on five sides by a glass tank was so annoying. It reminded him of the bowl that rat next to Izuku had stuffed him into. 

"Akaname-san, contain yourself or you will be contained!" 

"My only regret is that I couldn't spend more time with you, Izuku-kun. That look on your face…" The boy paled, looking sick, as the heroes around him stood. "A quirkless kid getting the best of me, such a wonder." 

Electricity surged through the wire top and Ebizou hissed. The smell of his sizzling sludge brought back memories, he'd never gotten such a high before Izuku had defended himself. Still, he kept his eyes on Izuku as people pushed his tank out of the courtroom. "Until our next meeting, Izuku-kun!" 

Chapter Text

It was peaceful here, the hum of fluorescent lights above mixing with the quiet murmurs of other people visiting the deceased. 

Rows of plaster alcoves hid mourners from sight, let them feel some sense of privacy in this grave apartment. 

Katsuki thought Inko deserved better than a small spot in a tall building. But she and that deadbeat she had called a husband had never bought a funeral plot. Hell, she had probably used up her savings taking care of Deku. 

How had the loser managed to afford a nice spot like this for her? Was her life insurance that big, or had he gone into debt to afford this? 

A quiet little place, well kept, no wear and tear from the elements. The tablet that cycled through pictures of Inko was a nice touch, showed Inko in her happiest moments through the years. 

Katsuki stepped back from the small grave, leaving his bouquet of daffodils and white chrysanthemums in a vase. Someone else had left more flowers, Katsuki's being the fourth vase left there. 

It was nice to think that Inko had more people to mourn her than just Deku and his own family. 

"See you later, Auntie." Hands in his pockets, Katsuki strolled down the halls towards the stairs. As he descended away from Inko's resting place, thoughts of the outside world were slowly filtering in. 

His dad and the Hag were determined to take Deku in, and having to see his freckled, stupid face every hour of every day would absolutely throw him off. It had already been bad enough being stuck in school with him, at least his foster home, or wherever he was now, seemed far enough away that he'd left Orudera. 

And yet, not far enough. Katsuki ignored the steps echoing up the stairs until he came face to face with Deku. He scowled at the startled nerd, brushing past the smaller teen and the flowers he held. 

Part of him regretted what he said. But Deku needed a harsh wakeup call. His heroic antics were always going to lead to heartbreak for his mom. 

But now she was the one who had dealt with the consequences. 

Once outside, Katsuki decided to sprint home. He could outrun the thoughts that did no good, and increase his endurance, push his limits. 

Katsuki slammed the door behind him, his usual announcement of being home. There was a calm, quiet voice coming from the kitchen as he passed it. 

"What the fuck do you mean 'we won't win?'" He could hear the old hag bellow in response, and paused to listen. Both of his parents were staring at his dad's phone. 

"Exactly what I said, Bakugo-san. Nedzu and All Might's secretary have both filed for custody of Midoriya Izuku. Considering the villain attack-" 

"Heroes! It's a dangerous life for Izuku to get close to. We've known him longer!" With a noise of disgust, Katsuki climbed the stairs to his room. 

Why were people with hero connections taking notice of the damn useless Deku? So many others lost their parents without getting that attention. 

It didn't make sense. 

June 1st, finally. The heat had been steadily building, but now he could ditch the gakuran for a few months. Saved a little bit on the cleaning products that worked for his family.

Still, he could ditch the extras at lunch, now. Talk had finally quieted about Deku, after things exploded post-trial. All these questions and opinions about the quirkless, about the effectiveness of heroes, of the poor orphaned boy didn’t concern him. And his classmates, acting so sympathetic, like they really knew the nerd. 

When days, weeks before, they’d been just as obnoxious as ever. 

With a scowl, Katsuki took to the roof for his lunch. At least up here he could eat in peace, could survey the town. 

Until a knock on the roof door interrupted him. “Fuck off, unless you want your face blown off!” 

Instead of leaving, the annoyance opened the door. “Bakugo-kun, that’s hardly a good way to talk to anyone.” Oh, it was Honenuki-sensei. Scowling, Katsuki looked back to his lunch. 

“What do you want?” It was pretty clear the man wasn’t going to go away until he’d said his peace. This teacher wasn’t one to lick his boots, to have favorites. The man walked over to him, calm and collected. 

“Are you still planning on attending UA?”

The wind ruffled his hair as teen stared at teacher. “Why are you wasting my time? Of course I’m going to UA!” The man simply tilted his head, watching him over his exposed teeth. He was a decent teacher, Katsuki supposed, but between that eternal smile and odd gait, Honenuki was a creepy bastard. 

“Have you considered any other schools?” 

He scoffed at that. UA was the best, and Katsuki would only accept the best. Not dignifying that ridiculous question with an answer, the teen shoved rice in his mouth. Clearly the man ignored the passive-aggressive chewing, because he sat right next to Katsuki. 

“Is it because All Might and Endeavor graduated from UA?”

The boy swallowed and glared at the teacher. “The best get trained by the best!” His declaration brought clear amusement, which made his temper flare. Honenuki is a middle school teacher, a substitute even. What does he know about anything?

“I know some people who’ve gone to UA.” The words were calm, for all they were surprising. It was impossible for the man’s face to change, but his eyes… “The school’s facilities are no better or worse than Shiketsu’s. What’s different is the attitude, UA is all about networking. Friendships. I think looking into Shiketsu or another elite school would fit you better.”

Katsuki wasn’t going to school to make friends. He was going there to be the best . He doesn’t know if the people Honenuki ‘knows’ were just losers, or if they ditched his skullface for stronger friends once joining school. 

Clearly taking his angry silence as an answer, the teacher nodded slowly and rose. “Just think about it, Bakugo-kun. I’ll see you in class.” Stiff footsteps, then the door closed. 

So much for eating in peace. 

Meat sizzled on the barbeque, but Toshinori couldn’t focus on that. Not when Izuku was curled up on the deck chair, napping off his workout. The boy, his boy now. It had been two weeks since Izuku last lived with him, caused by the both of them going into a depression spiral. It had taken therapy and medication, cleaning up the house and buying fresh food before Nedzu was convinced that Toshi was on the mend. 

But, the antidepressants did seem to help. They made it easier to not feel so numb to the world around him. While Toshi was no less inclined to want to just curl up with Izuku, keep him close and protected, there had been a small switch. Now he had the energy to actively protect Izuku, instead of just passively. It no longer felt like such an ordeal to go out on a morning jog. 

Where anything or anyone could attack Izuku, where hero work would inevitably call and separate him from the young man who needed him so much. He shook such thoughts away, they weren’t healthy for either of them.

The spatula scraped against the grill, flipping the burgers. Cheese on top, buns buttered and laid on the metal to toast. Really, if he was still in America these would be considered sliders more than burgers. But, American portions of anything were absolutely too much for his system. 

A noise from the deck chair, Izuku stretching out with a yawn. Would America be far enough to protect him? No, no. The crime rate was much too high. Green eyes met worried blue, and his boy smiled.

“Did you enjoy your nap, my boy?”

A nod, Izuku stretching out arms that still trembled from earlier effort. “Yeah d… and it’s good to be home.” He couldn’t resist walking over to ruffle Izuku’s hair. It was a gorgeous summer evening, just starting to cool off as the sun dipped in the sky. 

“I’m glad to have you home too.” And it was heartwarming, that the teen considered Toshinori’s home his own home too. “How was your time with Nedzu?”

“Exhausting.” He gave a smile, leaning into the affection. “He’s very energetic, always something new to do and test.” Toshi nodded, Nedzu was only patient when he had to be. A person of action, certainly. “We got a little bit behind on my schoolwork, Nedzu was so focused on me though…”

Toshi laughed at that. “Nothing wrong with that, my boy. So long as we’re both feeling better.” It hurt to let Izuku out of arm's reach, but he had to go make the burgers. 

Surprisingly, Izuku followed him. Green eyes had a bit of determination back in them as he looked at the spread. “I want to help.” 

“Well, burgers are pretty simple from here. But of course, my boy.” Toshi would do what he could to keep Izuku by his side, without damaging his growth and recovery. 

“What do you want to do for your birthday?” 

Almost stumbling at the question, Toshi looked down at the boy jogging by his side. The warm sunset cast Izuku in high contrast, their shadows thrown long on the pavement. “What do you mean?”

“Well it is in a few days, right? Unless you gave a fake date, to have some privacy on your actual birthday…” 

Oh, his boy. Toshi laughed and shook his head, clapping Izuku lightly on the shoulder before he could get too far in his mutterings. “No, it is my actual birthday.” He smiled, and they kept moving. “Though, I don’t celebrate it so much. It’s really more for the fans.”

“But Yagi Toshinori deserves just as much celebrating as All Might does.” There’s a fire in his eyes, determination in his voice. Clearly he won’t be swayed, and that one simple, genuine statement sets a lump in Toshi’s throat. 

“I… Izuku…” The boy looks at him. “We can celebrate my birthday together, so long as you let those who care about you celebrate your birthday too.”

He seemed startled at that, silent for a little bit. “July Fifteenth. Mom’s is July Fourth.”