Chapter Text
Izuku was walking down the halls of UA, dread seeping into him with every step he took. He knew there was no way this meeting could mean good things. At the very least, it would be a heavy lecture that Izuku knew he could barely stomach. Worst-case scenario, his mom couldn't handle it anymore, and he was being pulled out of the hero course.
He didn't want to think about leaving. It was the last thing he wanted, especially now. With the prison break and Shigaraki's increase in power, Izuku was desperate for more training with his quirk. He needed the help, and the class needed him too. Maybe it was a little arrogant, but slowly he started to recognize his worth. They had just lost Midnight, and the war had taken a heavy toll. He couldn't abandon them. Plus, he just got his best friend back. He couldn't leave Kacchan now.
These thoughts plagued Izuku as he was nibbling at his lips. He wrapped his arms around himself in a small attempt to shield himself from the negativity. Izuku knew he had to keep it together, and the fear and doubt weren't helping.
Once he stopped in front of Nezu's door, he hesitated. For some reason, he felt the need to run away and put as much distance as he could between himself and whatever was lying in wait in that office. Izuku didn't know where this was coming from, but his gut instinct told him he wouldn't like whatever was behind that door. Despite that, he fought back his fears and tried to straighten up and face them.
He reached out and slowly knocked on the door. The principal's voice responded, sounding suspiciously cheerful. "Come in!"
Izuku opened the door and looked inside. He felt the smallest bit of his fear ebb away when he saw his mother wasn't around. That probably meant she wasn't pulling him out of UA.
When he turned to look at All Might, the older man smiled at him. It was a proud smile, and it filled Izuku's chest with hope. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, after all.
"Young Midoriya, thank you for coming! I know you're preparing for the start of your second year, so I'm sorry to pull you away from that."
"It's alright, All Might! I don't mind."
"Wonderful, then come in and make yourself comfortable!"
Izuku took the cue and stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. Even though the dread was gone, the nervousness remained. Both All Might and Nezu seemed pleased, so it couldn't be anything too terrible, right?
But what was so important to call a meeting with him at 9 pm on a weekday?
Izuku took his seat on the couch across from All Might, trying to sit back and relax. The man told him to make himself comfortable, but Izuku didn't think that was possible. His hands were sweating with his anxiety as he rubbed them up and down his pant leg. He looked up and tried to smile, but it came out strained.
"So, what's up?" Izuku asked.
Nezu took the opportunity to jump on top of his desk and smile widely at Izuku. "What is up, indeed! We have wonderful news for you, Midoriya! We're very excited about it."
Some of the knots in Izuku's stomach started to unwind, relieved that it was good news. "Oh! What is it?"
"Well, you know the Winged Hero: Hawks?"
"Of course! He was the youngest to ever make the top 10! His popularity numbers have always polled very high, and even after the war, he's one of the more beloved heroes. He's also known for being one of the quickest! Honestly, I think-"
Izuku was cut off when Nezu chuckled. "Ah, yes. I seemed to have forgotten about your tendency to ramble about heroes. Your passion is quite inspirational."
"Uhm, thank you, sir," Izuku said with a blush.
"It's my pleasure! But back to the issue at hand. A little known fact about the hero is that most of his training was done by the Hero Public Safety Commission. Did you know that?"
"No, sir. That's very interesting!"
"Indeed! They recognized his potential when he was young and took him under their wing."
"That's cool! I should add that to my notebook."
"Yes, well, it seems they have recognized the same potential in another young hero."
"Oh? Are they going to come to UA?"
All Might let out a boisterous laugh. "No, my boy. It's you! The HPSC has reached out to us with an interest in recruiting and training you."
Izuku cocked his head, and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Me? Why?"
"Much of the country has seen how hard you have fought for others. You've already made a name for yourself! They see your heroic nature and your skill, and they want to foster it."
Izuku took a second to wrap his head around being trained by the commission, but far too many questions arose. "So, what does that mean for school? Would it be like the extra classes Kacchan and Todoroki took?"
"No, not quite."
"So like our work studies? I haven't taken another one, so I think that would work!"
Nezu raised his hand to stop Izuku from speaking. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but please let us speak."
Izuku wilted in his seat a little. "Sorry, sir."
"It's quite alright! But to answer your question, it's not like either of those things. It means you would have to leave UA completely. They would homeschool you, train you, and give you more opportunities than you would have even here."
Izuku sat there, stupefied, not processing any words after Nezu said he would have to leave UA. This was quickly sounding like a nightmare scenario. Even if it sounded like some good idea, it wasn't at all what Izuku wanted. He wanted to stay with his friends. He couldn't even think about leaving Eri alone. Izuku didn't want to leave any of his teachers either, especially Aizawa. The man had literally given up his leg for his students. Izuku couldn't snub that by just dropping out of UA.
But when he was looking at the two men in the room, he saw immediately that they wouldn't understand. They really and truly believed this was the right thing to do.
Izuku turned to All Might. "Do you think this is best? What about One-for-All? Will I still get to see you?"
"Yes, my boy. I made sure that they would include me in your training, and they easily agreed. Of course, we can't tell them the truth about your quirk, but it should be fine."
"But what about my friends? And my other teachers?"
Nezu spoke up, jumping off his desk and approaching Izuku. "You wouldn't get to see much of anyone until you finished your training. But in the end, you could be the best hero there has ever been."
"With all due respect, sir, I think I could be the best hero if I stayed here too."
Nezu laughed. "That's very kind, child, but even UA cannot compare to the Commission."
"I don't really want to leave everyone here, though."
"It wouldn't be forever! You would see them again, in time. And by then, you would be able to save so many people," Nezu said.
Izuku felt something twist in his gut. He looked over to Nezu, who was perfectly masking any ill-intent. But Izuku wasn't a moron. He could tell when someone was trying to manipulate him. He hated when people played on his kindness and desire to save. So far, it had only been bullies and villains who did that.
It made him feel sick that Nezu was trying to do it.
Izuku tried to come up with something to say to dissuade them, and luckily he knew precisely what would shut this down. His mother barely let him move to the dorms, so he was sure she would say no to this. She would never let him be taken away, right?
"I know this is a good opportunity, and really I'm very grateful! But I don't think my mom would ever let me leave her like that."
Nezu somehow managed to perk up further. "That's not a problem at all! In fact, we already got your mother's signature on all the paperwork."
Izuku's eyes widened in fear. "What?"
"Yes! I had a conversation about it with her yesterday, and she came in and signed the paperwork this morning! She seemed very excited for you."
Izuku was so confused. Why would his mother agree to send him away? She's always been an active parent, if not a little overprotective. He couldn't possibly imagine that his mother would actually be alright with this. He was worried maybe she didn't understand, or maybe Nezu tried to manipulate her as well?
"Do you mind if I step out and call her real quick? This is just a big decision, and I want to talk with her!"
All Might smiled. "Of course, my boy!"
Nezu, on the other hand, looked skeptical. His eyes narrowed the slightest bit, but Izuku noticed. After years of reading the moods of the bullies around him, he had gotten pretty good at reading body language.
Izuku didn't like it at all that Nezu was suspicious. Did it matter that much that he do this? Did that mean Nezu wanted to send him away? All Might seemed perfectly happy and understanding, but Izuku didn't know if that meant anything either.
But despite all of that, he needed to call his mother.
"I'll be right back," Izuku said as he entered the hallway and pulled out his cellphone.
It only rang a few times before she answered.
"Izuku? It's awfully late for a phone call."
"Sorry, mom. I hope I didn't wake you up."
"No, honey. I was just getting ready for bed. What do you need, son?"
Izuku took a deep breath, steadying himself before relaying the information from the meeting.
Izuku could hear the smile in Inko's voice. "Isn't it just wonderful? Finally, you'll be somewhere safe and still get training. I won't have to fret over you there. I just don't want to worry anymore."
"Mom, I don't think you understand. They want to take me away. The commission isn't a joke, and I'm a little scared."
His mom didn't say anything, and again he felt that same feeling of dread. It felt like this conversation was just going to make everything worse, and suddenly Izuku thought he might throw up. His throat felt like it was closing up on him, and his eyes started to tear up.
"I don't want to leave everyone," Izuku said, suppressing a sob.
When Inko spoke, it broke Izuku's heart. He couldn't remember a time she ever sounded this condescending and cruel.
"Oh, Izuku. I don't care what you want. I can't keep worrying about you anymore. It's killing me, and I'm so tired of everything you want and need being more important. I know it makes me a poor mother, but I need them to take you away."
It took a moment for Izuku to understand. But once he realized what she was saying, he felt like he was drowning. Waves of emotion crashed into him all at once, and he thought they might sweep him away into the ocean. It almost felt like he was going through the stages of grief all at once.
"No, mom. You can't mean that. I know I have been selfish, and I'm sorry you've been so worried, but I know you love me."
"I do love you! I just can't handle you anymore."
"So you're just going to let them take me away? Like I don't even matter?"
"I don't know what else to do, Izuku. Please, you must understand."
Her plea for understanding ripped a sob out of his throat. "I don't. I don't understand, and I don't want to go. Mom, don't make me. I'll call you and text you every day. I'll stop fighting with my arms completely! I promise I'll stop being so reckless, but please don't do this."
Inko was crying on the other end of the line. Izuku thought maybe he had gotten through to her, but his heart shattered when he noticed they were cries of relief. "I am sorry, sweetie. But I have to do this, and I've never felt so free because of it. I hope someday you can understand."
Izuku didn't say anything. He stumbled in the hallway, and his back hit the wall as he slid down. He quickly hung up the phone and pulled his knees into his chest. Izuku got as small as he could as he cried, images flashing through his head of everything he would miss.
He felt utterly alone and completely useless. He had been such a horrible son that his mother was throwing him away. He was going to be taken by the commission and put through god knows what kind of training. Izuku didn't even know what they wanted from him. But the commission was rife with corruption and secrecy, and Izuku wanted no part in that.
He knew this wasn't going to just be some typical training program. They wanted him for a reason, and Izuku had a horrifying feeling in his gut that told him they just wanted to use him. But fuck, Izuku couldn't live like that. What was he supposed to do?
How could he stop his world from collapsing?
He tried to come up with a plan. That was his only option. He had to try to convince All Might, or maybe he could just tell them no? But he had a feeling that wasn't an option. Nezu terrified him, and the commission wasn't something to mess around with.
Izuku felt utterly trapped. He needed time to figure this out, but they were expecting him to return any minute.
So, he took a few deep breaths and tried to calm his racing heart. After wiping away the tears from his eyes, he stood up to face them. He felt his determination grow with every step he took. Izuku knew it might be false hope, but maybe if they gave him till morning, he could develop a plan.
Izuku knocked on the door and was met with the same cheery tone from Nezu. When he walked in, both men looked entirely relaxed, as though they were clueless to Izuku's turmoil. They were contentedly sipping at tea, while Izuku felt like he was walking towards his doom.
"So, did talking to your mother ease your concerns?"
Izuku gave them a wobbly smile, suppressing the tears that reared their ugly head. "I did speak with her. She seemed very happy with the plan."
All Might smiled, still wholly clueless to everything Izuku was going through. "That's fantastic, my boy! Let's grab the paperwork then, and we can get everything done! I'm sure the commission will be thrilled."
Izuku tried to interject, but All Might kept speaking.
"I know this is scary, but I'm very proud that my protege has been recognized. You have truly come farther than I ever expected, and I could not be luckier that I saved you from that villain all those years ago."
With each of his words, Izuku felt his will drain away. He was never going to be able to reject him. His mentor had given him everything. How was Izuku supposed to turn down this opportunity when it clearly meant so much to All Might?
But fear still swirled in his heart as he looked down at his hands. They were sweating again as he fiddled with his fingers. He was feeling so completely overwhelmed with all of this that he couldn't even speak.
The pain in his heart from his mother's rejection was so intense it felt like it burned a permanent mark into his soul. Anger at his feelings being dismissed raged through him so much Izuku had a hard time not punching something. Worse, however, was the resignation, telling him that maybe he should just give in.
But then he thought of the people he cared about. He could practically make out Kacchan's voice in his head telling him never to give up. He could hear Aizawa's affectionate nickname of problem child rattle around his brain. Izuku could see every smile he would miss from Eri if he left.
Izuku couldn't bear it, and eventually, his voice came back to him. He stood up and moved towards the door, trying to escape. His voice wavered, and his legs felt like jelly, but he had to do this.
"Actually, I know this is rude, but would you mind if we do it in the morning? It's very late, and this is such a big decision, you know?"
"Sure! I don't see a problem with that. Go rest, young Midoriya. We will see you in the morning," All Might said.
The second he was done speaking, Izuku left the room before Nezu could object. He practically sprinted down the hallway, making sure he was out of earshot so they couldn't call him back.
Izuku ignored where he was going, just running through the school building to get away. The hallways started to look less and less familiar until Izuku realized he was lost.
But at least he had gotten away from them. He could easily wander around until he found a staircase that would lead him back down to the building's main floor.
Izuku felt the relief course through his veins that he had escaped, but along with that relief came the loss of his adrenaline. His legs gave out on him, and he came crashing to the floor.
It was 9:30 pm at this point, and the halls were dark and empty. There weren't any lights on, and there was no sound. The hallway was only lit up because of the moonlight that streamed in from the windows. It was hauntingly peaceful, but it made Izuku feel totally alone.
He still hadn't gotten up yet. Panting from the stress and sprinting down the halls out of desperation as he laid on the ground. Izuku barely managed to crawl over to a wall, as he plopped onto his butt and leaned against it.
He sat there trying to catch his breath, but it was so hard when everything was still swirling through his mind. Izuku thought some distance would help, but he had nothing to distract him.
With every passing moment, his panic only increased. Izuku just wanted to calm down, but it seemed the more he tried to force it, the harder it was to breathe. He just wanted to be okay, to stop panicking so that he could figure out what to do. But he needed a plan to even have any notion of being alright, and in this state, he couldn't think clearly. It was this never-ending circle that just made Izuku feel like more and more of a failure.
He had taken a stand against so many villains, saved so many lives already. He went from a quirkless nobody to the face of a new generation of heroes. So why couldn't he just calm the fuck down? He was starting to feel dizzy with lack of oxygen. He needed to take a deep breath, but Izuku was beginning to feel like he was going to pass out.
Then, through all the panic, he heard a voice. It was deep and soothing and one of the best sounds he could have imagined hearing at that moment.
"Problem child, you need to breathe."
"I - can't," Izuku said between rasping breaths.
"You can. You're panicking, but I promise you can," Aizawa said.
Izuku felt his teacher take his hand and put it on his chest. "Breathe with me."
Izuku could barely make out his words, but then he heard Aizawa take a deep, loud breath. Izuku tried to match his breathing, and it took a few minutes, but eventually, the pounding in his head stopped, and the tears started to clear out of his eyes.
Once he blinked them away, he looked up at Aizawa. His hair was pulled back in a hair tie, and he was clearly wearing workout clothes. Izuku then realized they must be on one of the training floors of the school.
His eyes flickered to the ground in shame, and his shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your workout."
"Nah, kid. I was done."
Izuku just nodded, still avoiding eye contact with his teacher.
"Midoriya?" Aizawa said, trying to get his attention. Izuku eventually looked up and saw his teacher's eyebrow cocked in suspicion.
"Yes?"
"What the hell happened, and who do I have to kill?"