Archive of Our Own ^beta

Shouto woke up abruptly. What the heck happened?

"H-Hey, T-Todoroki-kun!" Midoriya greets

"Midoriya?" He asks confused, "Where are we?"

"The n-nurse's office. You hit your hard pretty h-hard there." Midoriya smiled, "Feeling better? E-Explosions are harsh on your head."

"DIE!" 

"I think I have a headache." He admitted

"Yeah, K-Kacchan hit you pretty hard. Congratulations b-by the way. You did great!" Midoriya beams

He groaned while sitting upright, "Oh. Thank you, Midoriya." 

"You s-should lie down for a bit. R-Recovery Girl needed to do something before she could do one more h-healing session for you." 

"I'll be fine."

"Nope. Sit down and accompany m-me here on this miserable occasion." Midoriya pouted

He huffed out a laugh, "Fine, why are you here anyways?"

"My hand's kinda broken, remember?" Midoriya laughed

"Oh. Sorry."

"D-Don't apologize! I'll be fine. I'm just glad you found y-your peace." Midoriya beamed

"You're crazy." He shook his head

"W-Who knows? Maybe I am." 

"What are you doing?" Recovery Girl entered the room, "I told you to not move around, Midoriya."

"Ah.. sorry, R-Recovery Girl!" Midoriya says sheepishly, "T-Todoroki-kun wanted to leave so I had to make him stay."

"At least you have some common sense." She sighed and turned around to him, "Deary, I'll heal the last of your injuries, okay? Then you can head to the award's ceremony." 

"Okay."

And before he left the room, he hugged Midoriya thanks and Midoriya turned cherry red while assuring him that it's no problem.

His eyes opened suddenly and he groaned from the light blaring in his eyes.

"T-Todoroki-kun!" Midoriya exclaimed relieved

"Midoriya? What happened? Where's Iida?" He blinked tiredly

"I'm very sorry," Iida bowed, "that you both got caught up on my personal mission of being misguided."

Oh, he must have fallen asleep.

"W-We forgive you, Iida-kun." He just nodded along, "J-Just, please don't do it again."

"Of course! I wouldn't dream of it after your help. Thank you very much for the assistance and the wake up call." Iida didn't move his hand around like usual..

"Are your hands okay?" He furrowed his brows

"My hand is scarred and numb, but an operation would fix it just fine. I'm going to keep it as a reminder to be a true hero."

"Is it my curse? That everyone I talk to gets their hands injured?" He asks with faux confusion, looking at his own hands

Midoriya laughed with Iida giggling along. He himself looked amused.

"Please don't injure your hands again, okay ?" He begs dramatically to Iida and Midoriya

Midoriya had to grip the bed sheet tightly while bawling in laughter and Iida sputtered in laughter.

"I-I didn't think you were the d-dramatic type." Midoriya heaved out

He made the most flat face ever, "And nobody would ever believe you." 

Midoriya laughed again and almost fell off the bed.

"Kami. Todoroki-kun please!" He said in between laughs

"That is very good acting, Todoroki-kun." Iida agreed smiling

"What can I say except I'm the hand crusher?" He deadpans before laughing

Midoriya and Iida laughed along at his antics. He was content.

After the interview, they were told to rest their injuries off.

Midoriya had asked him if he could sleep next to him and Shouto agreed. So, now Midoriya just slept there, leaning a bit to Shouto. He felt the itch to pull Midoriya into another hug, but resisted and just leaned back.

Shouto was in the middle of a sleepover with everyone from 1-A in their newly moved into dorms.

(They needed reassurance that everyone was okay.)

Right now they were doing Truth or Dare and it was very entertaining. Shouto even managed to make them laugh several times from sass.

"T-Truth!" Midoriya answered

"Why do you call Bakubro, Kacchan?" Kirishima asks

"Kacchan?" He asks confused, "Oh! We've known each other since we were toddlers because our moms are best friends."

"The old hag brags about Auntie a lot too." Bakugou snorted

"Really?" Ashido asks amused

"Yeah! We u-used to come over to each others' a lot." Midoriya smiled

They seem to have settled down after their fight after curfew, even after Aizawa-sensei gave them detention. If anything they might've had time to recuperate. In their own special way.

"What did you do together?" Kaminari snickered

"Kacchan made me eat a whole chilli once!" Midoriya huffed, "When his mom was taking a call, he shoved it into my mouth."

"Well, the stupid fucking wimp said that chilli was bad!" Bakugou huffed back with surprisingly little heat

"You could have just told me to eat it normally. I choked on it!" Midoriya whined

Tsuyu snorted.

"Yeah and it was fucking glorious, Deku." Bakugou gloated

Midoriya looked offended as he held in his snort.

"My mom banned cookies from us for a week for that." Midoriya puffed, "Was it really?"

Shouto couldn't help the grin forming on his face.

"Nope, but it was entertaining as fuck." Bakugou laughed

"Sure, you weren't confused and dying." He pouted, "I thought I was hallucinating or something!"

They all laughed at the two offenders.

"H-How did you come to that conclusion, Midoriya?" Yaomomo asks, politely reducing her laughter

"Well, Kacchan shoved a ghost pepper into my throat while I was talking about his quirk."

Typical.

"My vision was blurry so I thought Kacchan turned off the lights for a prank!" He whined, "Besides, he was laughing. I thought he would be more helpful!"

"Like I said nerd, it was fucking entertaining." 

"I'm telling mom." Midoriya huffed

Bakugou made an exaggerated gasp, "You wouldn't!"

"She'll tell your mom to make sweet curry!" Midoriya challenged

"Oh, you won't dare!" He shouted readying his stance

"Bring it on, bitch!" Midoriya yelped while avoiding the right hook

"He swore!" Uraraka gasped, "Bakugou, what did you teach him?!"

"He came like that! Don't believe his lies!" Bakugou chased

"Fuck!" Midoriya gave a shit eating grin while taking Bakugou's pillow and throwing it at Bakugou's face, "Shit! Bitch!"

Everyone else gasped.

"Oh, you motherfucker!" Bakugou striked

"K-Kacchan!" Midoriya giggled from the tickles, "Ahhh! S-Stoppp!"

"Fucking stupid Deku." Bakugou laughed, "That's what you get!"

After the exciting chase the rest were calm but entertaining chats nonetheless, as after all nobody else can combat the chaotic duo.

When they slept, he and Midoriya were situated next to each other. He sleepily pulled Midoriya into a cuddle and Midoriya just leaned happily onto his cold side as easily.

And if when the others woke up and took photos, they didn't have an idea.

After the Shie-Hassakai Raid happened, Midoriya was pretty down. Since the raid wasn't clean cut and a lot was lost.

He kept his distance and smiled less brightly everyday. It felt really gloomy and really Shouto wished to his older self to have passed the Provisional Exam just so he could've helped Midoriya, but alas.

So, Shouto decided to do the next best thing.

He invited Midoriya to his dorm room to have a sleepover and just relax. The light in Midoriya's eyes made his heart flutter, it was worth everything in the entire world.

He picked up the snacks Uraraka and Tsuyu suggested and asked Bakugou for things Midoriya likes to watch.

When Midoriya knocked on his dorm room, he welcomed him in and they comfortably sat in the mass of blankets, that he requested from Yaomomo.

As they played Uno (apparently Midoriya had the best luck in that), Midoriya talked about Eri, the girl he rescued with the others, fondly. He had been spending time with her to get her comfortable in her new living space. Then, he rambled about Shouto's quirk and how it improved so much from the beginning of the year and how he also improved in other aspects too! 

Suffice to say, his face was tinged with pink from the compliments Midoriya threw so easily. To combat that, Shouto managed to squeeze in compliments back to Midoriya that made him smile and blush.

Shouto also convinced Midoriya to talk about what bothered him. Midoriya admitted that he should've been stronger and maybe, just maybe- 

He managed to set it straight to Midoriya that it was not his fault, never. It was the villain's fault.

After a lot of tears from the green haired boy, they both went to sleep. Shouto had pulled Midoriya into his futon as Midoriya squeaked, but still complied with a red face. Shouto scooped him into a hug and they snuggled while Midoriya relaxed before falling asleep, faces squished against each other.

Shouto even got a few minutes of admiration before Midoriya woke up and blushed at the attention, looking like a strawberry.

When Midoriya woke up after the Paranormal Liberation War, everyone scrambled to greet him.

He smiled timidly at the attention with melancholy. But before they could talk to him any longer, the teachers intercepted and asked them to leave them. They left after Midoriya reassured them.

After a day and the sun was on its way again, Midoriya was allowed to go back. Everyone was ecstatic when he arrived at the dorms and Shouto tackle hugged him. They all had a big dinner together that night together, still with a melancholy undertone. 

After they chatted and decompressed from the stress, they all wished each other goodnight. That night, Shouto dropped dead when he laid down at his futon, but a knock woke him up and alert.

"Yes?" Shouto rubbed his eyes and opened the door and saw the green haired boy, "Midoriya?"

"T-Todoroki, can we talk?" He blurted out

"Sure." 

"I-I was just going to give this to you." He handed a letter to Shouto, "But I think you deserve me telling you in person, a-after all you told me about yourself first."

"Oh." Shouto pulled him towards his futon and slipped a hand around his waist

"Whatever happens, what I tell you can't be shared to the media, okay?" Midoriya looked sharply at his eyes

"Of course.. but what about our friends?"

"I already gave them the l-letter." He smiled sadly

"Tell me then."

".. Once upon a time, there were two brothers-"

.

.

.

"..Nowadays, the predecessors' quirks are manifesting within me, they aren't facets." He showed a lick of Black Whip

"Your quirk is One for All? The one All for One is after?" He remembered Endeavor avoiding that question at the press

"Yeah." He smiled sadly, "Shigaraki was after it since All for One wants it. The league's after me."

"Midoriya.."

"I'm leaving tomorrow morning, Todoroki." Midoriya bluntly said

"What..?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow. If I stay in my own lane, they won't attack Yueii. I-It'll be safer for the others too." 

"You're insane. Midoriya, you can't fight them alone!" He was distressed now

"I'm not going to fight them. I'll be preparing myself." He looked serious, "My estimation is that they'll keep recruiting and do another big attack soon and we can't handle another one right now, Todoroki. Everything in shambles! I can disrupt the recruiting process so the defence can be rebuilt."

"How?"

"I can't tell you. I'm sorry." He looked to the ceiling longingly

"You can't go."

"I have to. I took on this responsibility when I accepted the quirk." He smiled, "I'm sorry."

"Please."

"I can't stay." Midoriya stared into his soul with dull eyes and smiled hollowly, "But, I wish it didn't have to be this way."

"Then, please come back when it's over, Izuku."

"You know I can't promise that, Shouto." He looked miserable

Shouto pulled him closer and pressed their lips together.

"Please come back, Izuku."

He looked more sorrowful, "I can't say it, Shouto. I'm sorry."

"Please, I love you. Don't go like that."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry you do." He whispered, "I love you too, but I'm sorry you do."

"Don't you dare say sorry for it. I'm never stopping. So, come back, Izuku. We'll go on a date at the cat cafe."

Izuku looked at him with tears and shook his head violently, "You know I can't, Shouto! I don't want to break another promise."

"Then don't break it." He smiled sadly, "Nobody would be happy if you don't come back. Bakugou said he would kill you if you didn't come back."

"Shouto." His tears streamed out, "I-I.."

.

"I'll come back, I promise."

"Thank you." He pressed their lips together again and pushed Izuku down to his futon 

He kissed Izuku passionately and only stopped because he needed to take a breath. Izuku's cheeks were crimson and he was out of breath too, staring at Shouto with wide eyes. There was a string of saliva connecting their lips. Shouto kissed Izuku a few more times, each time more passionately. He had to remember how it felt. 

"S-Shouto.." Izuku shifted when he pulled the sheet over them

"Go to sleep, Izuku. You'll need it." He brushed Izuku's cheek gently, "Kiss me before you leave tomorrow morning."

"..m'kay…"

Then, they snuggled in their sleep until Izuku kissed Shouto in the morning and tried to leave, but couldn't since he was tangled with Shouto tightly. Shouto woke up, kissed him back, and hugged him desperately before pulling away.

"I'll come back, Shouto." Izuku smiled sadly

"You better." He smiled sadly back, "We'll all be waiting, so you better be okay. Or we'll sick Bakugou on you."

"I will." Izuku kissed him, "See you later, Shouto."

"See you later, Izuku." He said before Izuku jumped out the window silently

And when the others woke up and asked where Izuku was, Shouto could only smile weakly and said that there was a letter on their respective tables.

After they read the letter, Uraraka hugged him tightly and said sorry since she knew his crush on Izuku. He could only smile weakly back at her.

After all, he got the better end of the stick.

It was seven months after the last moment. Shouto was in 2-A with the others, but it really didn't feel the same without the class sunshine.

"-And that is what vigilantism is. Any questions, hellspawn?" Aizawa-sensei drawls during Hero Ethics

Shouto was about to raise his hand, but Aizawa-sensei's phone rang loudly. Aizawa-sensei picked up the phone quickly while the others quieted down to eavesdrop. 

"What? He's back? I thought.. what ? I'm coming down there. Thank you."

There was silence for a moment. 

"Brats, I've got an emergency meeting. Stay in this classroom or I will expel you." Aizawa-sensei's capture weapon shot out and he swung out the room immediately

"Who was he talking to?" Mina wondered

"Sensei said he came back. Who came back though?" Momo wondered

"Is it.." Eijirou wistfully says

"Don't fucking get your hopes up, Shitty Hair." Katsuki growls

"Don't say it like he won't come back." Shouto huffed

"He hasn't sent any words, IcyHot!" He smacked the table harshly

"Stop! We mustn't be like this! He would've wanted us to get along with or without him!" Tenya exclaims with melancholy

A few others wanted to interfere before-

"1-A, come to the meeting room immediately." The speaker, Aizawa-sensei, sounded out from the speaker

"Come on." Denki says, "Let's get it over with."

.

.

.

"-they will though. They're ruthless, sensei! You can't say that!"

The door opened and it felt like everything was frozen in place.

"..Izuku?" Shouto broke the silence first

The green haired boy turned around with big hardened round emerald orbs, "Shouto?"

"Midoriya!" The others' exclaimed

A glare from Aizawa-sensei stopped them from tackling Izuku.

"Uhmm.." Izuku awkwardly smiled, "Hi?"

"What the fuck, Izuku?" Shouto blurted out

Izuku straightened out and schooled his expression, "I didn't come back for a visit, sorry. I came back because the villains are done organizing the attack."

"What?!"

"They finished recruiting the villains that I didn't have a chance to talk to."

"Young Midoriya?" All Might called, but Izuku didn't make any indication that he heard it

"Izuku?" Shouto called out

"Huh?" Izuku turned around confused

"All Might called you." Shouto pointed out

"Oh.."

"Young Midoriya?"

"Oh, sorry!" Izuku bowed embarrassedly, "I haven't been called that for a while. Just call me Izuku."

"Young Izuku, are you sure about this?" All Might asks warily

"I'm sure." He breathed out, rubbing his gloves before taking it off and showing some fresh scratches, "A few of their lackeys intercepted me when I ran here. They were in position, All Might. It's happening this week."

"We'll call Tsukauchi." Aizawa-sensei intercepted blankly

Izuku looked offended for flicker before schooling his expression again, "Please hurry, sensei."

.

Izuku looked so exhausted and on edge so Shouto sat down next to him and pulled him into a hug. Izuku flinched before he hugged Shouto back, melting into the hug and releasing a breath of relief.

"Sorry it took so long." He breathed out

"I'm just glad you're in one piece." Shouto brushed Izuku's hair gently 

(Izuku's hair was in an undercut, but his curls were still as wild as ever. Though it was a dusty green.)

The others that already sat down sent smiles of greeting to Izuku and Izuku sent them a bittersweet smile.

He hasn't smiled fully yet and that's very concerning.

Detective Tsukauchi entered the silent room, "Good morning, Midoriya-kun."

Izuku looked around before realizing, "I'm sorry Tsukauchi-san! Good morning and please just call me Izuku, I haven't been called that in so long."

"True. Of course, Izuku-kun." Tsukauchi sat down, "What did you say earlier that Eraser wanted me to confirm?"

"The League of Villains will be attacking by next week, Tsukauchi-san. My prediction is that they'll be ready in two days by the earliest and four by the latest." 

Tsukauchi paled before coughing, "True... Izuku-kun, where did you find this information?"

"I infiltrated the league." He bluntly said

"True." Everyone stared at Izuku

He balled up his fists, "I didn't give any of your weaknesses away, just strengths. That's why they've been able to dodge your attacks."

"True."

"But, wouldn't they want the weaknesses more?" Ochako asks confused

"I didn't want to tell them." He smiled melancholically

"What?"

"They did want it. They did force me to. I just didn't tell them."

"True."

"Isn't there a truth forcing quirk in All for One's possession?" Aizawa-sensei bluntly asked

"Yes, but it has so many loopholes, sensei." Izuku answered flatly

"True." 

"But, it made them pretty angry." Izuku huffed out an amused laugh, "Shigaraki was so furious that he used his quirk."

"...True." He paled, "What do you mean by that?"

"Shigaraki used his disintegration quirk on me multiple times." He bluntly answered, "It was compensation for keeping silent, but still having connections there."

"True."

Everyone paled at Izuku's blunt answers. Yagi-sensei coughed out some blood too.

"They trusted me enough to let me talk and pass by. Nothing more nothing less. Shigaraki occasionally answers my greeting though." 

"True."

"So, I managed to use my quirk, Stealth, to sneak into their briefing every so often." 

"True... wait.. Izuku-kun, are there a list of your quirks?" Tsukauchi asks, looking up from his notes

"No. It's too dangerous to write down." Izuku tapped his hands a few times before continuing, "Sorry, I needed to check none of them tailed me."

"True... What do you mean by that, Izuku-kun?"

"It's one of my quirks, Danger Sense." Katsuki's eyes flickered around, "I know it's not like the previous user's. I just managed to use it differently. I can make my brain notify me of anyone following me for more than 5 minutes that aren't any of you or my trusted allies."

"True."

"That's why you're so on edge." Shouto muttered, there are hundreds of people here..

"Sorry, better safe than sorry." Izuku huffed out a laugh, "I've got One for All for my main offense, of course."

"True." 

"Then, Float and Black Whip, the two that are straight forward. For mobility and defence. The new ones are Stealth, Energize, and Regenerate." 

"True."

He turned red at everyone's judgmental looks, "Don't look at me like that! I didn't know what to call them!" 

Shouto nudged him before he got too flustered.

"Oh uh, Stealth makes me vanish like a ghost, but in return I can't touch or talk and it requires really high concentration. Energize makes my stamina really really high. I can fight and move around constantly for 7 hours by now. And Regenerate makes me able to accelerate my healing."

"True." Everyone looked at him suspiciously

Izuku huffed out offended, "Don't look at me like that! I haven't broken any bones, okay!?" 

"Lie." Everyone glared at him

"Tsukauchi-san!" Izuku flushed red, "It wasn't that bad! And it was only once when I found out about the quirk!"

"Lie."

"Okay, I might've broken my ribs twice after that." Izuku admitted reluctantly

"True." 

"Izuku." He stared at him disappointedly

"It was an accident I promise! A little girl was getting ambushed to be transformed into Nomu! I couldn't let Shigaraki take her, okay?" He softened his expression

"What was her quirk anyways?" Mina asks

"She's Quirkless." He said easily, "Her father was so worried when she didn't come back on time. She would've been captured if she wasn't slick though. She's really smart too-"

Everyone's looks softened at that.

"True. Izuku-kun.." Tsukauchi reminds before Izuku got too far into his rambling

"Sorry.. Yeah, those are my quirks." Izuku smiled sheepishly, "And my techniques and movements have differed by now... um.. Can we get back to the attack? I've thought of 4 plans with a few back ups.. if that's okay?"

"True. We'll take note of them, Izuku-kun." Tsukauchi nodded

As Izuku explained the plans from his notebook, it became increasingly clear that Izuku was prepared. Everyone was really baffled by how intense and viable the plans that Izuku made were. Nedzu had even come when Izuku started and now he was debating plans with Izuku and losing arguments.

"Stay safe, Deku!" Shouto shouted while they were evacuating

Izuku had run off, after assuring none of the debris were too heavy for everyone else, to regroup with the Pro Heroes on the scene. 

They were their front lines and Shouto didn't like that Izuku had to fight Shigaraki head on since only he can.

He wished they could all help him, but their quirks were useful for rescue, not direct combat with Shigaraki.

When even more Pro Heroes fled the front lines, he knew what happened. Their quirks were near overuse.

It's been five days since it all went into chaos. Eight days after Izuku returned with hard eyes and blunt words.

Izuku was the one keeping patrol during the times everyone rested. He was one of the key strategists along with Nedzu. He was on the lookout. He only needed three hours of rest for Energize to not overuse.

Without him everything would go to chaos.

Everything has gone as well as it could.

Evacuating wasn't as difficult since Katsuki and Eijirou kept the villains busy.

(Their provisional licenses were upgraded to temporarily professional ones.)

Since the villains were held out, Shouto could use his right side to make ice tunnels for safer transportation. His own body was shivering from hypothermia, damn quirk exhaustion.

"Creati! I'm going on the offense again!" He shouted to his dear friend

"Okay, Entropy!" Momo shouted back, backing up, "Over here and ahead everyone!"

After the reassurance, he ran out towards the fray of the fight.

"Look out!" He whistled

The two fighters jumped back as Shouto unleashed a big fire flower, diminishing any leftover frost.

"About fucking time, Entropy!" Katsuki smirked, messaging his wrists discreetly

"Go on. I still have time." He nodded, "Come on, Red Riot!"

Eijirou smirked alongside him as Katsuki sent off one last explosion before heading off to evacuate the rest.

The villains put up a fight, but nobody could match the teamwork 1-A could muster up.

(Especially since everyone's quirk had been put to overdrive and mutations have happened. Shouto's ice glaciers now made icicles and his fire can turn white. More noticeably Eijirou's rock hardening abilities can make him sharpen the hardened parts too.)

His shift was almost done now as he stretched his stiff hands. They've finished tying up the villains. 

Now, they were waiting for Uraraka to come and float all of the villains to bring them towards the holding area supervised by Eraserhead and Detective Tsukauchi in two shifts since only them two can be accounted for at all times.

Nedzu was listing off duties on the comms made by Hatsume.

(Support items were as important as ever with Power Loader and Hatsume as the head repairmen.)

Sero was on watch duty right now, listing off areas that are clear completely while swinging on buildings.

Yuuga, Kouji, Rikido, and Mashirao were resting their exhaustions.

Izuku was consistent in his offense and defense so the evacuated citizens felt safe enough to sit down and sleep in the base, being in duty for long shifts.

All Might was the keeper of the evacuation base. Keeping everyone calm and collected was in the man's nature.

(Toshinori had been grateful for his successor's consideration of him being the keeper. He knew Toshinori would feel guilty if he just stood around idly. Even if he still did when Izuku announced he would be in the front lines.)

Shinsou was the person herding the survivors inside after checking them, in case one of them was a villain in disguise. 

(He had offered to help too even when the others were worried since he only just got his provisional license just during the first term of second year. Izuku asked him for a spar to see if he was capable or not. Izuku won of course, but he shook Shinsou's hand and made him the keepsake person because he can apprehend villains with surprise, but not in immediate danger. Aizawa-sensei had never looked so proud before.)

He himself was on rest duty to heal the quirk exhaustion with Katsuki right now.

A lot of Pro Heroes on duty were guarding the large expanse of the Yueii land from Nomus.

The Nomus have been unleashed on different times of day, but never near the evacuation because Izuku planned ahead and changed the place's layout every three hours. Since the base of operation switched places often enough with unpredictability that the villains never know where to strike.

Other than that, Nedzu was discussing resources. They really have to conserve their resources since they're really exhausting them. Food and the sorts were covered long since Izuku warned them of the attack. The things they needed most were healing. Recovery Girl was really vital with Eri for very desperate important figures (she had to use it on a few Pros that went against Shigaraki) along with nurses on the deck.

But, he's really worried about Izuku. He's very capable though, even being on par or more advanced than Eraserhead and Present Mic.2

(When the word that Izuku would be in the front lines got out, Aizawa-sensei immediately asked for a spar. 

It was a one side beatdown. From Aizawa-sensei's point of view. Izuku didn't even try using his quirk, but his combat and dirty tactics were impeccable. Aizawa-sensei looked impressed and the other teacher's looked enamoured. 

"How did you do that!?" Ochako looked awestruck

"Pretty impressive, Problem Child." Aizawa-sensei nodded with approval

"Thanks." He still blushed out of instinct, "I learned from an ally I made."

"Who?"

"Sorry, I made a promise I wouldn't tell." He smiled sheepishly

"Awe…"

.

Present Mic stepped up as the quirk tester, but he didn't stand a chance so Izuku took the chance to show them what he could do. From floating away from blasts and a cage of black whips for defense followed by Stealth to hide to Full Cowl for offense while bouncing around and not breaking a sweat. Present Mic yielded because he felt light headed.

Then, Izuku showed Regenerate by healing the minimal bruises that he had.

"Woah dude!" Eijirou exclaimed, "So manly!"

"Thanks." He blushed, "I practised combination moves a lot after I mastered One for All."

"Very fluid, kero."

He smiled wider, not the full sunshine yet, but better than the melancholic smiles he gave before.

They let him be on the front lines with a full license after those performances.)

.

Suddenly, Izuku's comm flared to life and connected to everyone on the job.

"De-engage Shigaraki. I've got his attention right now. Move the survivors to building code Blue Three."

"Roger, Team Strawberry Four, engage evacuation immediately." Nedzu answered

"Roger, Froppy."

"Roger, Ingenium." Tenya reported formally

"Roger, Commander, in position." Shinsou confirmed

"Evacuate immediately. Ideal motive is sneak." Izuku's end was rumbling

"Deku status check?" Shouto asks worriedly

"No injuries, minimal destruction." He reported back, "Engaging code Teal Tentacle. Do not interrupt."

Click-

It usually meant he disconnected the call, but it seemed like he accidentally pressed the wrong button. It changed the server to the teachers and 2-A and anything coming into the mic was broadcasted.

"Shigaraki Tomura." Izuku greeted through gritted teeth, "How's the weather today?"

"Ah, Midoriya Izuku. How nice to see you again! Wouldn't you love to join the League officially, instead of the small time alliance? Join my party!"

Smash-

"I told you my conditions! I stay in my lane, you do your own business!"

"Really? This is your lane?"

"Yes! Of course it is! Did you forget I went here?"

Boom-

"Why help them? I can see that they're only still standing because of you."

"That's not true."

It is.

"It is. If you're gone, they're gone too. After all, our ambush didn't work because we didn't manage to catch you in time."

Whirl-

"Fuck, I knew someone was following me. I was lucky." He muttered into the comm

"Come on! Destroy them, their system is corrupted!" Shigaraki smashed something again

"I know that! That's the reason I didn't leave a letter on the president's doorstep. I know how to fix their image problem in a week flat, but I know it's broken. To the root."

Smash-

"Wow, wow, wow. A hero that declines the law."

"I thought you knew that? I spent the last year basically being a vigilante! Even if I got the go ahead to use my quirk since the provisional license. And hell it was a lot more effective than a lot of limelight heroes!" 

"So then, Deku, why not join us?"

"I stand my ground in helping people."

"Why?" Shigaraki growled

Smash-

"Because I still see the good in people even after I was rock bottom. I was lucky All Might took me under his wing. You were rock bottom too, but you were unlucky with the wrong influence."

Smack-

"We both started the same, Shigaraki! Quirkless, 'Useless' into two of the biggest forces of nature! Why do you want to destroy? For the sake of it? Or because deep down you want to make a difference in the system?"

(Toshinori was shaking so hard at revelation.)

"Stop! Sensei-"

"Stop saying 'Sensei' wants it! What do you want?! You! Nobody else in the world, not me, just you! What do you want, Shimura Tenko?!"

.

.

.

"Fucking...I want to be loved." He growled out with hesitance

"I do too. But you don't have to do it like this! You're likeable, more likeable than most of my old classmates." A huff of hollow laugh, "But, you're misguided. Hell, everything that has ever happened up until this point is luck! I was lucky All Might came back, you were unlucky that you were used for an element of surprise. If I was unlucky and All Might never came back, I wouldn't be here, Shimura." 

Katsuki froze and paled.

"What?"

"I would've jumped. I was lucky, the universe liked me that day. You were unlucky, your heritage made you a target. If you were lucky, Gran Torino would've intercepted the foster system like he said he would but couldn't do in time. If you were lucky, the heroes patrolling there rescued you before he got his hands on you."

Smash- 

"I want to make it so nobody has to take it up on chance! Lucky or unlucky is fickle! But, a good foundation makes chances more likely. I want to make that happen. Nobody has to go through what we went through. Nobody."

(Everyone was in awe of his hard words.)

"That's impossible."

"I know it is." Izuku says with drive

.

.

.

".. Then why?"

"'I would change the system entirely or I'll die making someone suffering the same happy again.' I made it my life motto when All Might offered his quirk to me. Nobody deserved what happened to us, Shimura."

...

"So, why are you making it happen to others? Disintegrating small time villains into ash. What about their relatives? What about their friends? What about them? You're looking for vengeance, but it's never worth it. What are you going to do when the world is yours? What are you going to do when everyone not so secretly despises you? What are you going to do when that happens? Because your sensei won't help you figure it out. Your sensei will be using you for his own benefit. So what are you going to do now, Shimura?"

"But it's too late, isn't it?" Shigaraki was frustrated now

"It's never too late. Even if it's now, you can do what you want. What you want. Shimura Nana-san, your grandmother, said that she was sorry. She was sorry that she couldn't be there to guide you, to love you. She was sorry that she wasn't there when you grieved. She was sorry that she couldn't be here to show you the world. But she said something else."

He could hear a sniffle from All Might.

"What is it?"

"She was thankful you survived. She was thankful you are here today, right now. She was thankful that you are alive and healthy. And she told me that she wanted to say that she was proud of you even after everything you've done."

.

.

"...what am I doing?"

"Don't worry about it too much. I don't know what I'm doing either and isn't that fun?"

"..Fun?"

"Because we can do whatever we want! If you know what you're doing all the time, you won't see what you can do instead. We can do anything. Anything we want."

"..Anything?"

"Anything." 

"...if I come with you, what'll happen?"

"I'll help you. It's a promise!"

"A promise?"

"Yeah. A promise. I never make a promise I can't do." 

"Really?"

"I've only made seven promises and when I broke my first promise, I promised I'd never break another one."

"What was it?"

"I promised I'd develop my own quirk. It never happened."

(Everyone grimaced.)

"Oh.. AAAAH--"

"Shimura--"

Click- Click- Click-

.

.

.

"Deku?"

"DEKU?!"

"Team Parsley Six, please follow their last signal. Stay calm." Nedzu cut in

Shouto was having a panic attack now, no no no no please don't you promised you fucking promised don't you dare please don't please don't i can't-

"IcyHot, what can you see!?" Katsuki screamed

"O-Ora-Orange.." He gasped, "....Bla-Black? Yo-Y-You..? Ch-Chair…W-Wall…."

"What can you feel!?"

"Y-You... Costume… H-Hair… Hand.."

"What can you hear?!"

"Y-you. The comms. Anxious tapping."

"What can you smell?"

"Nitroglycerin and sweat.. ew."

"Shut the fuck up! What can you taste?!"

"Umm.. my own spit?"

"You done panicking IcyHot?" Katsuki huffed

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize, IcyHot! What the fuck is it with people apologizing for something they can't control!?" He growled

"We found them!" Ochako exclaims, "Oh, um, Roger Uravity!"

"Not really!" Hanta countered, "Roger Cellophane."

"Report status!" Present Mic rang out

"Roger Tentacole." Mezou reported, "Deku and Shigaraki are enveloped by a dome of black whip and light blue electricity."

"Roger that. Keep distance and keep watch. We can not predict what All for One and One for All in direct contact would do other than destruction." Nedzu answered

"Roger that, Invisible Girl!" Tooru gave the affirmative

Shouto nudged Katsuki.

"What is it IcyHot?"

"Do you think Izuku's going to be okay?"

"De-Izuku, the stupid nerd will be fine. And if he isn't, I'm curbing his brain." He huffed before softening his expression, "...one of his promises was to never give up. He better keep it."

"He better." He laughed, "He really better keep it since he promised me he'd come back too."

"You got the nerd to promise you that? Goddamn IcyHot." Katsuki whistled, "Didn't think the nerd was that smitten."

"What!?" His hair was burning up and he had to put it out

"You heard the nerd. He never makes a promise he can't keep. He fucking bawled for a straight week when his dad went abroad after his diagnosis, sounds like a fucking disease and it fucking isn't, and broke his first promise."

"... has he made a promise to you?"

"The nerd promised that we'll be the best of friends forever. He never broke that, huh?" Katsuki's smile was bittersweet

"Yeah." He smiled to Katsuki, "Show him how far you've grown, okay?"

Katsuki huffed, "Of course, IcyHot!" 

They let out a couple bouts of laughter.

"Roger Invisible Girl, the dome seems to be expanding-"

Bzzt- Bzzt-

"It exploded!" Another voice crackled

"Status update?!" Katsuki screamed

"Uh.. everything's fine?" Mezou's voice reports with confusion

"Explain." Aizawa-sensei's long suffering sigh rung out

"Uh, the dome kinda expanded then it exploded into a wave of light like woosh. Then yeah, everything's fine. Like I feel energized." Hanta explained

"What about Deku?" Shouto blurted out

"He and Shiga-Shimura are okay, if not really exhausted."

Click-

"Deku, everyone wanted to hear you." Ochako exclaimed

"Huh? Oh.. sorry! My earpiece was destroyed earlier! I'm fine by the way!" Izuku's chirpy exhausted voice rung out

Everyone let out a big sigh of relief and Shouto almost slid off the chair.

"Gee really?" Shiga-Shimura's voice sasses

"Shut up, Tenko-nii." Izuku huffed

"Sorry, but can the sass wait until you all come back here?" Momo asks

"Shoot!" Hanta exclaimed, "C'mon! Thankfully this area's already clear."

"Yeah.. sorry about the destruction." Shimura apologized 

"C'mon apologize later, we've gotta recuperate before finding the bastard." Izuku snickered

"I still can't believe you swear." Shimura huffed

"Shut up, you haven't talked to Kacchan before." 

"WHAT DID YOU SAY SHITTY NERD?!" Katsuki growled

Izuku laughed awkwardly, "Forgot you can hear that."

"Well, technically we heard your conversation earlier." Ochako admitted

"Oh… well thankfully you didn't hear those, haha." Izuku laughed awkwardly again

"Damn, I wish they could hear you. You destroyed him, Izu." 

"I was running on pure spite at that point, okay?" 

"'You fucker, you faceless motherfucker.'" Shimura said in a high pitch

"Shut up!" Izuku's voice went up a couple octaves

"Damn, Deku. What did he say?" Shouto whistled

"Bullshit." He deadpans

"Deku!" Ochako gasped, "Why are you swearing so much?!"

"You haven't been in my brain before." He deadpans again, "I swear a lot there."

"My sweet ray of sunshine!" Tooru whined

There was a yelp from Izuku.

"Stop squishing me!" Izuku squealed

"Accept it, Deku, you are the purest out of all us, if you know what I mean." Hanta joked

A few snorts rung out.

"Huh?" 

"My innocent sweet ray of sunshine!" Tooru exclaimed as squeaks happened

"Here yet?" Shinsou drawls, amused

"Yeah! We're here." Uravity exclaimed

The door opened and Shouto immediately enveloped Izuku in a hug.

"Damn, you didn't tell me you have a boyfriend." Shimura whistled

Izuku just buried his face deeper in Shouto's neck and sighed.

"Damn, you don't want to go on a date at a cat cafe with me?" Shouto teases

He made a high pitched whining noise and everyone laughed.

Shouto pulled away and Izuku coughed with a flushed face. He motioned to his ear and Shimura.

Katsuki tossed two earpieces to them.

Izuku schooled his expression and used the comm, "We need to find All for One quickly. Me and Tenko-nii neutralized All for One so we can apprehend him." 

It was to the general server.

"Any precautions?" Nedzu asks

"All for One can't steal quirks anymore. Iz-Deku and I neutralized the quirks he has on hand, I think I have all of it, but he still has a lot of lackeys." Shimura informed

"True." Tsukauchi confirmed

"Oh, a precaution, I don't know if All for One can connect to me or Tenko-nii again." Izuku added

"What do you mean, Young Iz-Deku?" All Might asks

"All for One tried possessing Tenko-nii again like he did during the Paranormal Liberation War." Izuku explained, "I intercepted the process before All for One disintegrated me."

Everyone paled.

"Since I forced myself there I had more control than I did during the war." He explained

Tenya pipes up, "So.. you don't know what'll happen if he comes in contact with either of you.." 

"Yes." Izuku confirms, "Better safe than sorry. Don't let your guards down though. I'm sure All for One is good at Quirkless combat."

"Roger that." The Pro Heroes on duty reports

Izuku relaxed as Shouto muted both of their mics and pulled Izuku to sit on the resting area. Shimura sat with the others and reintroduced himself.

"You good?" Shouto smiled

"Y-Yeah.." Izuku breathed out before leaning on Shouto, "m' tired..."

"Izuku?" He asks worriedly

Izuku passed out cold on his shoulder and he panicked, checking his pulse. Thankfully it was there.

"Is he okay?" The newly arrived Momo asked worriedly at his panicked face 

"He passed out." Shouto blurted out adjusting Izuku's position, "I think it's quirk exhaustion."

"Bring him to Recovery Girl." Hanta smiled

"Yeah, he deserves a lot of rest." 

"Shimura-san, you should see Recovery Girl too." Ochako suggests

"Yeah, I will. Take care of him." Shimura nodded

Shouto nodded and carried Izuku's limp body bridal style. He couldn't help but feel at least a bit relieved to hear the constant heartbeat and breathing coming from Izuku.

"Quirk exhaustion?" Momo inquires as she stepped beside him

"Probably. He fought All for One, Momo." He huffed

"Yeah, probably." Momo laughed

Shouto stayed by Izuku's side ever since the adults assured them that they weren't needed so they could rest.

Good thing since it turned out that Izuku did have extreme quirk exhaustion. All seven quirk in exhaustion, goddamn Izu.

As he waited, Shouto sat at the bed, next to Izuku, and played with his hair. Izuku suddenly stirred awake and groaned after he was unconscious for two days.

"..Sh-Shouto?" He asks sorely

He gave Izuku a glass of water with a smile.

"Thanks." He nuzzled Shouto's arm and gave Shouto a heart attack

"Y-Yeah. Feeling better from the exhaustion?" He ruffled Izuku's hair

"I still have a headache." Izuku groaned, "Screw quirk exhaustion."

"I feel sorry for you. I have a dual quirk and the exhaustion is a bitch. You have seven quirks, Izu, goddamn." He whistled

"Shush. I'll have you know that I've only ever exhausted One for All before." Izuku pouted, "And yes, it's a pain."

"Wow, suddenly you don't swear anymore." 

"I only really swear when I'm really stressed, okay?" Izuku huffed

"Awe." He cooed

"Stop doing that!" Izuku flushed violently

"Awe, someone's embarrassed."

Shouto pressed the call button and Recovery Girl immediately busted in, "What happene- oh, are you feeling better, Izuku?"

"Yeah." Izuku nodded, "A headache though."

"I figured. Here eat some energy gummies." 

"Uh.. I think I'll pass on that." 

"Young man-"

"My quirk, remember? I'll get jittery if I eat them." He smiled sheepishly

"Fine. Just take it easy. You're lucky there aren't any major injuries on you " She chides

"Thank you, Recovery Girl." Izuku smiled warmly

Not the full effect yet though.

"Can we visit Tenko-nii?" Izuku asks with pleading eyes

She gave a resigned sigh, "Keep an eye on him, Todoroki."

"Of course." He smirked, picking Izuku up bridal style

"Shouto!" Izuku flushed, wiggling in his hold, "Put me down!"

"Better like this or I'm not letting you go see him." Shouto smirked

"Fine." Izuku buried his face in Shouto's neck again

Recovery Girl looked amused and let him carry Izuku to Shimura's room.

.

When they got there though, Shimura was being chewed by Eri.

"You're so naughty, Deku-nii won't give you any candy apple." Eri pouted adorably

"Eri-chan?" Izuku asks surprised

"Deku-nii!" Eri brightened and hugged them both

"Hi, Eri-chan. How are you doing?" Izuku asks softly

"I'm doing great! Shimura-san is being naughty, Deku-nii! He wanted to leave before the nurse came back!" Eri snitched

"Eri!" Shimura flushed

"Really, Tenko-nii?" Izuku huffed, "At least I got a clear from Recovery Girl."

"You cheeky brat." Shimura huffed back

"Deku-nii, are they pretty new?" Eri asks with curious eyes, peering over some scars

Shimura looked really guilty seeing them again.

"Yeah?" Izuku answers confused

Eri stood on her tippy toes and used her quirk on Izuku's arm, making the scars disappear from his left arm.

"Eri, you didn't have to." Izuku smiled at her softly

"I wanted to help Deku-nii!" Eri exclaimed happily, "You helped so many people! I wanted to return the help!"

Izuku looked stunned then his mouth broke into a smile, that's as bright as the sun.

"Thank you, Eri." His smile grew wider

That's his signature smile.

"So bright." Shimura muttered, covering his eyes slightly

Same.

"You're welcome, Deku-nii!" Eri hugged them again

After chatting and talking with Eri and Shimura, Shouto's phone rang loudly.

"Where are you both?!" Ochako screamed with anticipation

"We're in the left wing, third floor, fifth room." Shouto answered quickly

"Okay!" 

Click-

"Uh.. are they coming then?" Izuku asks

"Yup, get ready. They've been really worried." Shouto laughs

"Uh oh-"

"SHITTY NERD!" Katsuki screamed, slamming the door open

"Kacchan!" He squeaked

"You fucking gave us a heart attack, stupid fucking nerd!" Katsuki came closer and rubbed his knuckles on Izuku's head

"K-Kacchan, stopp!" He whined, pushing Katsuki's fist away

Ochako hugged Izuku and cried happily while everyone else greeted him excitedly and he smiled widely at them back, making them more excited. Aizawa-sensei even trailed behind them and gave him an approving nod, but it made Izuku smile wider so that counts for something.

.

"So, you're staying, right?" Eijirou asks hopeful

"I-uh…" Izuku looked conflicted

"You're staying, aren't you Izuku?" Tenya asks sadly, "We haven't seen you in so long."

"I-I don't know.." Izuku trailed off

"You're welcome to roll back in immediately, Problem Child." Aizawa-sensei helped

"Really?" Izuku looked surprised

"Of course, you'll always have your place in my class." 

"You'll stay, right Deku-nii?" Eri gave Izuku her puppy eyes

"Please stay!" Mina exclaimed

"You better not go again." Shouto pouted

"You promised to help me settle in, right?" Shimura butted in

Izuku looked around and smiled, "I guess I don't have a choice... Fine, I'll stay."

Everyone cheered and Aizawa-sensei even smiled.

"But, I've got a few unfinished deals I've got to fulfill." He smiled, "So, give me a week and I'm not going anywhere after that."

Everyone pouted and Izuku smiled sheepishly.

"I owed them a lot, the least I can do is finish my end of the favor."

"What is it anyways?" Mashirao inquires

Izuku contemplated for a moment, "I made them a deal that if they helped me, I'd get them the proper licenses they needed."

"Who are they?" Rikido asks

"Let's just say Vigilantes and leave it at that."

"Why would they want that?" Denki asks confused, "Aren't they like criminals?"

"Remember this right now, not all Vigilantes are criminals, most of them just want to help areas that don't get patrols because they're less populated." Izuku's eyes hardened, "The statistics are atrocious there, even with the help they've been getting. Imagine what it was like when nobody was there."

"You've been learning a lot, Problem Child." Aizawa-sensei smirked, "He's right, hellspawn, even Underground Heroics rely heavily on Vigilante activities. I've worked with a lot of them before."

"Oh! You were famous for helping Vigilantes in one of the more talented districts!" Izuku brightened, "They were on constant guard with Heroes, but you helped restore their faith. Just enough to help me with the favors!"

"What?" Aizawa-sensei looked back confused

"Yeah, that's the reason I made the plan to surround Yueii with every hero, as the stronghold. I cut them a deal to protect the surrounding area." He explained, "Since we needed to protect every citizen in Musutafu and close proximity here, the other sections would be left unprotected so they've protected those sections, definitely better than most Limelight Heroes have."

"You planned that far ahead?" He raised his eyebrow

"What did you think I was doing for a year?" 

"Training?" Tsuyu guessed

"Of course, but I only got Energize like five months ago and I had to be super careful with Quirk Exhaustion. One for All is the safest to deal with. The others were really difficult to train with and it took a lot so I made so many plans."

"Where did those magnifique plans go?" Yuuga asks

"I left them in my bases." 

"What?!" Kyouka startled 

"Don't worry it's in code." He reassures

"Didn't you bring a bag here?" Shinsou asks confused

"Oh, those are summaries of the plans. I had like thirty books scattered around." Izuku says nonchalantly

"What the fuck?" Katsuki says with feeling  

"Look, I was bored waiting for my body to not strain. And besides, I was going crazy trying to sort through every plan in my head."

"Izu, I thought you said you didn't know anything." Shimura looked so done

"Yeah, I don't!" Izuku smirked, "Well not to the intricate parts. You didn't ask in general."

Everyone was really scared of him now.

"Like I said, these fools would have perished without you." Shimura comments

Izuku flailed and sputtered with a very embarrassed face. I guess some things never change.

.

.

.

"Welcome back, Problem Child."

Izuku grinned.

Everyone cheered when Izuku moved back into the dorm officially the next weekend after All for One was apprehended again.

They threw another sleepover to celebrate the occasion. Katsuki even made sweet curry for him. They all talked about everything that happened, from Aizawa-sensei's accidental marriage reveal to class activities to cafeteria wars. Then, he told them a few of his adventures in return.

When Izuku called Ochako 'Uraraka', she gasped loudly. 

"Izuku! Call me Ochako!" She squealed, "Everyone here calls each other by their first names!"

"What?! No, I can't! I've been gone for so long!" Izuku shook his hands frantically

"And we missed you very much, kero." Tsuyu countered

"I can't!" He sputtered

"We don't mind and besides, we call you Izuku too." Mezou states

"I-uh… I guess I can try.." Izuku muttered with pink cheeks

"You never complain when you call IcyHot using his first name." Katsuki pointed out

Izuku flushed violently, "That's different!"

"Really now?" Mina smirked, "Spill the tea!" 

"Are you both mad banquets of darkness official yet?" Fumikage asks

"We better be." Shouto jokes, pulling Izuku into a kiss

Izuku squeaked, but quickly got shut up by the connecting lip. When he pulled away, the girls all squealed while Izuku was as red as strawberry.

(He really does since his hair is viridian again now after the treatment it deserved.)

They were now chatting and enjoying the safe return of their friend and official class sunshine. And this time they're not letting him out of their sight ever again.

After a fun night of catching up and fun stories, sleeping in a huge blanket fort was also really fun. Shouto hogged Izuku through everything though.

---

When the school started up again after the busy week of cleanup, they were all ecstatic.

"Welcome back, Hellspawn." Aizawa-sensei greeted them when they all entered the classroom, "You all have done very amazing and I'm proud of you all. We all appreciate your help immensely, we wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

"Thank you, sensei!"

"You will all be awarded accordingly, including honors when you graduate next year. But right now, we will continue our term as usual."

Izuku raised his hand, "Uhh, am I joining class like usual, sensei?"

"Yes, but you will be trading practicals with core classes to fill the credits you missed."

"Thank you, Aizawa-sensei!" He smiled

"Now, to continue on with our last material. Vigilante."

.

.

.

"Hey, Izuku?" Denki asks

Izuku hummed, "Can I borrow your notes from Hero Ethics?"

"Oh, sure! Here." Izuku slid over his notebook

"Uh, Izubro.. what is this?" Eijirou looked puzzled

"Huh?"

Everyone crowded the book with interest and confusion.

"What are these, Izuku?" Mashirao flipped the notes confusedly

"They're my notes?" Izuku looked at it for a while, "Oh… I'm so sorry!"

He flushed red when Hitoshi picked up the book, "What the fuck even is this writing?"

"Uh, code?" Izuku scratches his head, "I made it a long while ago."

"Why did you write in code?" Shouto raised his eyebrow

"I haven't written Japanese in almost a year guys! Give me some slack!" He flushed red 

"What did you write here anyways?" Kyouka asks

"Oh.. umm..." 

"What's wrong?" Hanta asks confused

"It's supposed to be a secret, you morons." Katsuki huffed

Everyone laughed after it clicked.

"I see, we're sorry for disturbing you, Izuku. I'm sure you'll be able to get used to writing in kanji again." Tenya swung his hand wildly again

"It's okay, but thank you, Ii-Tenya!"

When the school hours were done, Shouto led Izuku to a cat cafe, just as he promised. For their first date.

Izuku was flushed as he reminded him of the promise and agreed shyly.

Shouto wore a dress shirt and at least sorted through his hair. Ochaco was fretting over him and saying that it should be perfect. In the end, he just added a pink tie attire.

And when Shouto picked Izuku up from the newly inhabited dorm room, that was Izuku's room, he almost set the fire alarms on from sheer fluster. Izuku had grown noticeably taller, he used to be a lot shorter than Shouto, but now Izuku was just a few centimeters below him. The styled curls of Izuku's undercut also made it abundantly clear that Izuku has a strong jaw. The freckles on his face were adorable as the cheeks that were flushed. Even if Izuku's attire wasn't as formal, just sporting a baby blue hoodie.

Shouto was practically bulging his eyes out and checking Izuku out.

"S-Shouto?" Izuku squeaked out, flustered

Shouto snapped out of it and nodded, his throat too dry to answer. Izuku for his part just shyly took his hand as they left the dorm. 

(They passed by the common room and their classmates' wolf whistles were embarrassing, but they still appreciated the sentiment.)

Shouto booked two hours at the cat cafe and after they both ordered some drinks (Izuku got some chamomile tea and Shouto got a cup of green tea), they cuddled with the cats and relaxed with each other after the stress that strained them from being apart.

Shouto knew they wouldn't be this happy forever, but for now he'll cherish it.

He won't waste it.

Never again.

Shouto didn't want to let Izuku go ever again and frankly, he doesn't think Izuku wants to either.