Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Izuku sprinted dowm the street, shoving people out of his way, and throwing things behind him to block his path. 

“Izuku, come back here!” 

“Sweetheart, just come back, we promise everything will be okay!” 

“It’s too dangerous out there for you. Izuku, you’re going to get hurt! We’re trying to keep you safe.” 

Stupid Quirkless Commission. Izuku was so tempted to stop and give them the finger, but every second he was free was precious and could not be wasted. He dodged around corners and tore through crowds, doing his best to stay away from subways or train stations. Those had cameras and guards and it would be all too easy for the Quirkless Commission to find him if he went there. 

Instead, he stuck to streets that were jam-packed with crowds and traffic, making his pursuers either stop their chase in their cars or follow him on foot. He snagged a newspaper from a nearby vendor as he ran, before ducking into a large crowd and forcing himself to walk slowly to integrate himself within it. 

Not that it would do much if they saw the damning collar around his neck, signifying the curse he was born with. Quirkless. 

He walked about two blocks before ducking into a coffee shop, slipping out the back into the grimy alley, using the newspaper to avoid cameras, and finally found a nice hiding place in the dumpster with day-old pastries and foam cups that smelled stale and sweet at the same time. 

The smell should keep him safe from anyone using a smell-based quirk, the trash bags were kind of soft, and there was plenty of room to hide before the next employee took out the trash. The only one keeping him company was a curious little rat who was currently nibbling his way through a stale muffin. 

Izuku nodded in greeting to his companion and held his finger up to his lips. Neither of them would be in a good place if they were found. Luckily, the rat didn’t seem to care, as he continued to eat away at his late lunch. 

Izuku waited inside the dumpster for the sounds of his pursuers to fade. Experience taught him to wait a good hour or so before emerging from his stinking hiding place because they would take a while to move on to the next area.

In the meantime, he pulled out the newspaper he had grabbed while he ran, and quickly scanned the editorials. Normally he would have used the internet, but since he was on the run and they would probably be keeping eyes on libraries and internet cafes, he was much safer using the smaller, lesser-known messages in the paper.

He smiled sadly as he remembered that this was one of the last things Mom had taught him before he was taken. 

“These are called ‘North Stars,’” Inko explained, showing Izuku the seemingly innocent blog post comparing different Heroes and their quirks. “You can always recognize them because the characters when read horizontally will make a name of a constellation. These are people who support Quirkless Rights, but cannot be public about their opinions. So they leave messages with addresses coded into these posts or in the newspapers, where they’ve left packages with clothes, backpacks, food, and money. If you are on the run, these are what you need to find to keep going.”

The North Stars had been life savers every time Izuku had escaped. They kept him out of the Quirkless Commission’s hands for sometimes weeks, giving him a source of money and food he could use to stay off the radar. 

He just had to be more careful about using them. The last time he got one from the blogs he usually visited looking for North Stars, it had been a trap by him. Izuku thanked his mother for teaching him to scope out the area before he grabbed the packages, so he knew when he saw the too-familiar crusty teenager playing his handheld game that he needed to run like hell. 

Okay, he found one where the characters made out Mighty Hunter. That had to be Orion. He worked on decoding the message and writing down the address. It was near the sewers and not too far from where he was hiding. 

Perfect. 

Izuku climbed out of the dumpster and slipped into the crowd, knowing not to run or look around too obviously as he made his way to the sewer tunnel. 

Quietly to himself, he muttered through the list of supplies he needed. “Clothes, preferably a scarf to better cover my neck area. And sunglasses or a hat. I'll probably need a backpack too. Food as well." He tried to keep his voice low and inconspicuous and tried to not feel paranoid about the people around him. But every person whose gaze rested on him left him itching to run. 

They didn’t know he was quirkless. They couldn’t. Izuku had only managed to escape 2 hours prior after ripping the tracker earring out of his ear, forcing the commission staff to take him to the infirmary. It had taken faking yet another medical emergency to create a panic in which Izuku could sneak out one of the emergency exits and escape. 

His ripped ear lobe was still stinging and he could feel the blood trickling down the side of his neck. He’d have to add bandages to the list of needed supplies. 

An overpass lay ahead, painted a bright cheerful blue that was framed with cherry blossom trees blooming above it. The road overhead was empty and the underpass showed no signs of other people. 

Perfect, he thought, before ducking into the tunnel. He would be able to access the tunnels and hopefully the supplies through this. He pulled the sweatshirt’s hood farther over his head and carefully started scouring the area.

Sometimes the anonymous benefactors would leave markings shaped like the constellation clue. Orion had more of an hourglass look, and so Izuku walked up and down the tunnel, looking for some sort of groove or etching into the concrete. 

By the third double back, Izuku was getting frustrated. He couldn’t afford to stay here any longer. It was possible that other quirkless had already taken the supplies or that there were none to begin with. 

“Dang it,” he muttered to himself. “This was worthless.”

A gurgling sound echoed behind him, like a drain noisily slurping down water. A voice chortled, “I wouldn’t say that. For me, this has been quite profitable.”

With growing dread, Izuku turned around to see a dark mass rising up and through a drainage pipe. The mass contorted and squelched, releasing the foul smell of stagnant water and molding food. It grew bigger until it loomed over Izuku, and two greedy locked onto Izuku. The mass began to smile, wide and gleeful. 

“I was beginning to think no quirkless would show up here. And right as I was about to leave, you came right to me. A good thing too, I didn’t know he was in town. Best to collect and leave.”

Izuku didn’t offer a response. He spun on his heels and sprinted towards the end of the tunnel. It was useless, he knew it. But it didn’t stop him from lunging for the light. 

There was a deep squelching noise, and then the impact, as the villain’s wet, stinking mass absorbed Izuku. It was like being tossed suddenly in a pool, the darkness, the disorientation, the helpless flailing. 

The slime surrounded his head, forcing itself in his nose, his mouth. Izuku choked on the thick sludge, gagging as it invaded him. He clawed at the villain, trying to force himself free. But the villain laughed louder, the gelatinous body swirling thicker around him. 

“Don’t worry, it’ll be easier for the both of us if you don’t fight back, it will only take a minute. You’ll feel better soon. The quirkless are in high demand. I can earn a lot of money selling someone like you.”

Izuku fought harder. If he was captured and sold, he would likely end up back with him, not the Quirkless Commission. He couldn’t let that happen. 

“Stop struggling, there’s no chance of escape, my body is made of fluid.”

Izuku didn’t stop. He scraped at the sludge and kicked his dangling legs in an attempt to find purchase. 

His efforts didn’t matter. His tear-filled eyes began to flutter, and black spots gathered in his vision. I don’t want to go back, he thought. 

As his consciousness slipped away, he thought he heard a loud thump and voice bellowing, “Have no fear! For I am here!”

All Might? Izuku wondered as the darkness overcame him. 

Izuku woke up to someone lightly tapping his face repeatedly, encouraging him to wake up. For a split second Izuku thought he was back in the facility once more, but the hand that was patting him was far too rough and calloused (smooth hands or padded gloves were the only kinds of hands allowed to touch Quirkless), the surface he was lying on was far too hard and hot (temperate padding was everywhere in the facility), and the sun was far too bright (no bright lights at the facility–couldn’t risk overstimulating the poor, helpless Quirkless). 

“Hey, you okay?” 

Izuku stirred awake and slowly opened his eyes to see a towering, smiling figure standing over him, clearly relieved that Izuku had opened his eyes. No way… this was… no way! 

“Thought we lost you there for a moment,” All Might said. “But it seems you’re alright.” 

Izuku gasped and his hands quickly went to the sweatshirt he wore to hide the collar around his throat. However if All Might saw the collar, he didn’t make any mention of it. Instead, he helped Izuku to his feet, and dusted him off. 

“What are you doing out here, my boy?” All Might asked. “Shouldn’t you be in school right now?” 

Oh right, it was early afternoon and school wouldn't be out for another hour. Usually, kids his age were in school, learning about math and science, and a bunch of things Izuku would love to learn about, but couldn’t because the facility refused to give anyone beyond a fifth-grade education. 

“Um, I’m homeschooled,” he answered quickly. 

Izuku immediately felt a stab of guilt that he was lying to All Might. He hadn’t been able to completely trust heroes after remembering that Black Cat had been at the auction All For One had bought him at, along with someone from the Hero Public Safety Commission. However, this was All Might. The Symbol of Hope. 

All Might would never be a part of society’s treatment of the quirkless Izuku had to have hope. He had to trust that if there was still one true hero out there, it was All Might. 

Yet all Izuku could think of was that if he showed All Might his collar, the hero would begin treating him with soft words, and gentle touches, and hug him until the Quirkless Commission showed up to take him back to the facility. Because everyone thought that Quirkless were pathetic, weak, and needed someone to take care of them. 

However, All Might appeared to readily buy the lie as he flashed his signature smile and a thumbs-up. “Good to hear it! And I’m sorry my heroing interrupted your day, usually I try to be more careful about these things. However, you should be perfectly safe as you head home.”

Izuku’s lips twisted bitterly. Home was not an option for him, but he quickly said “Of course, and thank you!” when he noticed All Might’s brows furrow. It wouldn’t do well to get caught so soon after escaping. 

All Might nodded before bursting into a loud laugh. “Of course indeed young man. Although I should really be thanking you. You were a big help in capturing the villain.” The number one hero posed dramatically, holding two soda containers trapping the sludge villain. 

A far more genuine smile crept across Izuku’s face. He always wondered if All Might hammed it up for the cameras, but it appeared he was just as spontaneous and enthusiastic in person. Was it possible? Could he ask All Might the secret, burning fear inside him? Or would All Might be like all the rest. When would Izuku ever again get a chance like this? He had to take advantage. 

“All Might, sir?” Izuku asked, hating how his voice went timid and unsure. 

“Sorry, kid!” All Might said, raising a hand. “Heroes are always pressed for time and I’ve got to get this villain to the police.”

All Might bent into a crouch, body tensing as he prepared to jump and Izuku’s body moved. With a speed Izuku didn’t know he had, he lunged forward, grabbing onto All Might’s leg. The next moment he was airborne, clinging to All Might, as the two soared through the clear, blue sky. 

For a brief second, Izuku wondered if this was what it felt like to have a quirk. To have wind brushing past your ears, while the world felt small under your feet. To know you were above it all. He basked in the sensation until All Might interrupted. “Hey! Kid! What are you doing?! You need to let go!”

“I’d die!” Izuku yelled over the wind pressure. 

All Might paused awkwardly. “Ah, that’s true. Alright then hold tight while I find a place to land.”

A few minutes later, All Might landed on the roof of a building and brushed Izuku off as he caught his breath. 

“That was very dangerous, young man!” he scolded. “If you hadn’t held on so tight, you could have gotten hurt.” 

Izuku knew that All Might meant well. He knew his hero would have said the same thing to any other kid. Izuku had literally said something similar not minute before. However, Izuku couldn’t help but be sick at his choice of words. 

“You can’t live on your own, Izuku. What if you get hurt?” 

“Don’t try to fight me, Ducky. You could get hurt.” 

“You are quirkless, Izuku. Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of you in our facilities. But if you stay with your mother, you could get hurt.”

“I would have been fine,” he snapped. 

All Might looked somewhat taken aback by Izuku’s venom, but Izuku pressed onward as he fiddled with his collar. He couldn’t let him see the damning evidence locked around his neck.

He saw All Might open his mouth to ask what he meant, but Izuku pressed on. Pressure built up tight in his chest as if telling him it would be better to keep his mouth shut and continue to run. Telling him to surrender, the way he had surrendered when he first woke up in the vault and was terrified by All For One. 

No, he couldn’t surrender. Not now, not in front of the Number One Hero. He had a question that he needed to ask and this might be his only chance to ask it. 

“I need to know,” Izuku started. “I’ve seen… so many people, taken away from their parents. Locked up and treated like children. And everyone tells us it’s okay, but I don’t think it can possibly be okay to take kids away from their moms. So, I need to know, All Might: can someone without a quirk become a hero?” 

All Might hesitated, visibly shocked by the question. 

“That is… quite the question, young man.” He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Of course, heroics is a dangerous field even for those with the most powerful of quirks, and I would be loathed to recommend anyone who is less than truly dedicated.” 

“But what about the quirkless? Is someone without a quirk truly useless!?” 

All Might coughed into his hand, “Of course not, everyone has a worth and purpose but understandably there are limits to what someone can do or even should do.”

“I understand that!” Izuku said. “But could someone quirkless be a hero—”

“I’m sorry, young man!” All Might said, cutting Izuku off. Thick steam surrounded him, and All Might coughed again into his hand. When he spoke, his voice was strained. “But those are all the questions I have time for. You should be able to let in the apartment and get down that way, and of course, stay out of trouble.”

“Wait! All Might! My question?!” Izuku lunged forward, stretching out his hand. However, he was too slow as All Might launched himself into the air, leaving Izuku alone on the rooftop.

Izuku’s hand fell numbly to his side as he watched All Might’s dissipating trail of smoke. He stared out in the distance as the figure vanished, and let out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His eyes were stinging, and he felt the weight of the collar around his neck like an itch.

All Might had all but told him ‘no.’ Admittedly, he had been nicer about it than All For One had been when he said Izuku could not be a hero, but the answer had been the same. 

He did have a point. The heroics field was dangerous and required true dedication. But then so was being a firefighter, or a police officer, or even a construction worker. There was no occupation where Izuku wouldn’t be in danger, and wouldn’t require dedication. 

But he was capable of it. 

That was what everyone seemed to ignore. That just because he was quirkless, he was capable of doing what he dreamed of, with or without a quirk. Even be a hero. 

All For One had said he was a precious treasure who needed to be spoiled and protected. However he also said that All Might was a fool and that as a villain, he was invincible. And yet one of Izuku's last memories of the monster had been his face scarred and torn apart, breathing through a tube, and only able to see with his hands, all because of All Might. 

All Might had been capable of severely hurting All For One. 

It wasn’t that All Might was a hateful man, like All For One. It was only that he was just like everyone else. He assumed that quirkless meant helpless, but when he saw what Izuku could do… Izuku would prove them wrong. He would show them that he could be a hero. He would prove that quirkless were capable of being whatever they wanted. The rest of the world thought otherwise because they didn’t know better. 

Once Izuku proved them wrong, they would realize they should not lock up the quirkless or take them from their parents or treat them like they were fragile. They would see the quirkless as people. 

So Izuku wasn’t going to let All Might’s words tear him down. He would use it as more motivation to become a hero and prove himself to the world. 

And then maybe one day, he could see his mother again. 

Izuku used the fire escape from the roof to get down and made his way back to the streets. He couldn’t stay in one place too long for a while. The Quirkless Commission would be on the lookout for him. 

He wandered through the streets, trying to avoid cameras and any open areas. Signs promoted a nearby mall, and Izuku decided to try that area where there would be easy pickings for stealing clothes and food until he could find a place to rest. 

On the way, he idly noted shouts and a large crowd gathering.Izuku hurried towards the crowd. Crowds were good. They were easy to get lost in and harder for the Quirkless Commission to find Izuku in. 

Muttering quiet apologies, he pushed himself through the crowd, only stopping when he saw the fluttering, yellow police tape. Eyes widening, he whipped his head up, finally noticing the heroes standing by and the fire raging down the street. 

Internally, Izuku cursed at himself. How had he let his conversation with All Might distract him so much as to take him to the middle of a hero fight? However, all self-irritation dissolved into fear when he heard a gurgling voice yell, “Relax kid, stop fighting and it will be over soon.”

Down the street, in the middle of a blazing fire and rubble, was the slime villain who had almost taken Izuku. The sludge contorted and swelled, wrapped around a new body, a boy with blond hair and a type of fire quirk. 

Bile burned in the back of his throat, a remembrance of the sludge that had been choking him less than an hour earlier. Was this his fault? All Might had captured the villain? Did Izuku do something that helped it escape?

He whipped his head around, looking for a hero to step in and do something, but they all stood idle, watching the burning buildings and thrashing captive with concerned faces. 

Izuku lunged forward, grabbing one of the heroes by his stupid yellow cuffs. “What are you doing?!” Izuku yelled. “Why aren’t you trying to save him?!”

The hero shrugged Izuku off. “There’s nothing we can do, kid. None of us have quirks suited for this type of villain.”

Quirks. Why was it always quirks!?

Izuku's head swiveled back to the slime villain grunting as he wrapped himself around his captive. The boy thrashed, jerking his head away, his eyes landing on the heroes and crowd standing by. All because they didn’t have the “right” quirk. 

The boy’s eyes were large and panicked, searching for someone who would do something. It was the same look Izuku had when he was first taken by the Quirkless Commission and later dragged away to be auctioned off. 

All Might’s words from less than an hour earlier buzzed in Izuku’s head. There are limits to what someone can do or even should do. 

Why were quirks the limit? Who said quirks had to be the limit of what Izuku could do? Izuku was tired of his quirklessness defining him. And he couldn’t standby when there was someone in need and he could do something to help. If Izuku didn’t, he would be no better than the rest of the people who belittled him and ignored his pain. 

For the second time that day, Izuku's body moved. Launching himself past the yellow police tape, he ignored the cries of the heroes, his focus solely on the boy in need. The boy that Izuku would help. 

His legs churned, leaping over the debris and dodging bursts of sparks. The fire raged, singing the back of his hair and leaving Izuku suffocated in his slime-incrusted sweatshirt. 

He couldn’t stop, wouldn’t stop, not when there was someone out there feeling as helpless as Izuku did on a daily basis. Someone who was begging for help while the world stood idly by. 

Against the burning concrete, Izuku’s shoes melted, every racing footstep becoming sticky and difficult. 

Less than a few feet away the villain turned, eyes swirling with confusion. It flung out a slimy tendril, but Izuku dodged underneath it and threw his arms into the slime, feeling for something firm to hold onto. 

When his hand brushed against firm muscle, he grabbed onto it and braced his feet against the concrete, dragging the body through the thick muck. His arms trembled, unused to the physical exertion the facility tried to avoid, but he struggled on, inch by inch pulling the boy out. 

“Hey, what are you doing!?” The villain gurgled, its gelatinous mass swirling tighter around its captive. “Don’t think you can defeat me so–” It stopped mid-sentence, its eyes rolling inside itself. “It’s you again.” The villain laughed throatily, “I’m more than happy to take you as my prize.”

It swelled, cresting like a wave of sewage preparing to crash down on innocent bystanders. Taking in what might be his last breath, he gave a final pull, managing to pull the boy out with a loud pop. 

“You idiot!” The boy coughed.

“I know.” Izuku smiled and then closed his eyes as the wave slammed down. His body tensed, preparing for the sensation of slime swirling around him and clogging his nostrils—but it didn’t fall. 

Glancing up, Izuku saw a body looming over him. Muscles strained against the onslaught that had almost crashed into Izuku, but All Might remained standing smiling, his teeth reflecting the fire burning around them. 

“Hello again, my boy!” The hero declared. “I see you set out to remind me of the most important lesson I’ve forgotten! All people have limits, but true heroes smash past them plus ultra style when there’s someone in need of help!”

With a mighty grunt, the hero ripped free of the slime villain’s strands, and in another motion grabbed onto Izuku's sweatshirt and the other boy’s arm. 

“Thank you for reminding me of my true ideals!” All Might yelled, rearing back a fist. 

The villain pulled back from the oncoming blow with an angry scream. “Curse you, All Might!” 

He was too slow, and All Might’s fist fell down with an avenging force. “Detrooooit SMAAAAASH!” 

Hurricane-force wind howled down the street, dislodging the slime villain and splattering him against the far wall where he fell to the ground with a nauseating squelch. The force of the wind continued to swirl around the alleyway, putting out the fires before it swirled up into the sky and dissipated. 

The crowd burst into excited cheers and applause, chanting out All Might’s name, and Izuku collapsed onto his knees, his stolen sweatshirt still held in All Might’s grasp. 

That was stupid, he thought, so stupid. But he couldn’t bring himself to regret it as the boy leaned against Izuku’s side, hacking out globs of slime. 

“You shouldn’t have done that, idiot,” The boy snapped between breaths. “Stupid idiot wanting to die. I didn’t need your help and next time you should just—” He looked up to glare at Izuku and his words dropped off. His eyes narrowed like he couldn’t understand what he was seeing. 

“Wait, Deku?” He started to say, but the other pro heroes descended on them, pulling them away from the smoldering fire and wreckage. 

“Wait!” Izuku cried, trying to squirm out of their grips. “I’m fine, nothing is wrong with me.”

One of the heroes frowned, his wooden arm tightening around Izuku. “I recognize that you wanted to help kid, but that was incredibly foolish. Leave the rescuing to heroes like me.”

“It was All Might who saved them!” A member of the crowd heckled. 

The hero spluttered, and Izuku took the opportunity to slip away, seeking safety in the crowd. He noted the reporters with their cameras pointed at him and cursed internally. With his luck, they had gotten a good image of his face and the quirkless commission would be there in minutes. 

Muttering apologies, he shoved his way through, ignoring the heroes and paramedics that were now calling for him. 

A soft chime sounded, echoing throughout the crowd as every phone received a message at the same time. The noise was bright and happy but left Izuku’s stomach rolling in anxiety. 

The Quirkless Alert. A simple text message informing the entire populace about an “endangered” quirkless that needed to be located. The message always contained a description and last known location, as well as a decent reward for any pertinent information. It had been Izuku’s downfall two of the four times he had escaped in the past. 

He cursed and picked up his pace through the crowd. Usually, the commission waited at least a couple of hours before sending out the alert, but he had only been missing for half that time. 

They were probably getting tired of him running away. 

A woman, distracted by her phone, wandered into his path and Izuku collided into her, falling to the ground with a pained oof. 

“Oh, goodness, forgive me, dear.” The woman said, reaching down a hand to help Izuku up. He accepted it and stood up, brushing himself off. The woman’s apologetic smile faded as she watched him, her eyes narrowing and darting from her phone to his face. 

Izuku laughed nervously, holding his hands up. “What are you looking at me for?”

The woman lunged forward, grabbing the back of Izuku’s oversized sweatshirt. He shrieked, instinctively pulling his arms out of the sleeves, tucking them to his chest, and ducking out of the sweatshirt, allowing the woman to loft it up in the air. 

Big mistake. 

With that thin layer of cloth protection gone, the piece of metal locked around his neck became visible to everyone. He flinched, wrapping his arms around it to block it from view, but it was too late. 

“Is that a collar?” Someone murmured. 

“Holy crap, that’s a quirkless collar,” another person cried. 

“Wait, is that the missing quirkless?” 

“Quirkless, quirkless, quirkless,” echoed around him, as peoples’ faces shifted into that of pity and worry. 

“Oh, baby,” one of them said, reaching for him. “What are you doing out? Where’s your owner?”

“He’s got to be the one in the alert! Someone contact the Quirkless Commission!”

This was bad! This was very, very bad! Izuku snatched up the sweatshirt from the woman and tried to take off sprinting. But with the crowd starting to form around him, too many bodies were trying to pull him back. Izuku cried out as he was grabbed by the scruff of the neck, and pulled back. 

“Are you okay, child?” the man asked, bending down so he was eye level with Izuku. “Don’t worry, we’re going to call the Quirkless Commission right now, they’ll keep you safe–” 

“No!” Izuku shrieked, twisting out of his grip and trying to escape the cooing voices, the reaching hands, the soft smiles. “No, I’m not going back! Leave me alone! I’m not going back!” 

He forced himself through the crowd, meters away from breaking free when a giant hand reached down and plucked him out. For a second, he hovered in the air, pinched gently between two fingers, when he landed on a gloved palm. He looked up in horror at Mt. Lady, who was smiling reassuringly at him. 

“Oh you poor thing,” she gushed, as one of her fingers stroked and petted his hair. “To think you were in danger of that villain, and we didn’t even realize!”

Izuku glanced down at the height he stood at in the hero’s palm and decided it was worth risking a broken leg if it meant getting out. He jumped out of her hand, only to be caught by her free hand with a laugh. 

“Feisty, aren’t you?” she teased, cupping her hands over Izuku so that he was in a dark dome, shielded from light, with no way to escape. “You are absolutely precious, little one.” 

Izuku screamed and kicked at her hands, even tried biting her fingers. None of that worked. All she did was laugh while the other heroes promised the bystanders that “there’s nothing to see here, folks” and “we’ve got this covered, just leave it to us.” Each time Izuku tried to slip out, Mt Lady adjusted her grip so that his potential exit was closed, and another opposite of him opened. He would lunge for that one, only for it to close again.

Izuku snarled, wishing he could break one of this woman’s fingernails through the glove. He could hear her laughing and teasing like she was playing with a puppy or kitten instead of a human being. His protests were either unheard or ignored, as the sound of sirens got closer and closer… 

“No!” he yelled, trying to get the heroes to understand. “No, I don’t want to go back! Please don’t let them take me back!”

“It will be alright, sweetheart,” Mt Lady cooed, thumb brushing Izuku’s hair and back. “Don’t worry, you’re almost home.”

He could hear the sirens, the sound of approaching vehicles, and the sound of a gurney being wheeled out. He cried out in fear and frustration as he felt Mt Lady bend down, and open her fingers like a child displaying a caught butterfly to their parents.

“Here he is,” she said, presenting him to the familiar figures waiting for him. 

Dressed in all white, with thick gloves and extra padding around their elbows, knees, and chest, the Quirkless Retrival Squad smiled softly at Izuku. . 

“No!” Izuku hissed. “No, no, no. Go away! I’m not coming with you. I don’t need to go with you. I’m fine on my own.”

The Quirkless Commission personnel spread out in a semi-circl with space in between them, but not enough to run. Izuku was trapped. The Quirkless Commission stood blocking his access to the road, but at his back, the crowd of viewers and heroes, tightly packed together and watching his pacing. 

“Izuku,” one of them cooed, “It’s alright, little one. We know you must have been so scared, but you’re okay now.” 

Komori-uta. A caretaker whose voice could soothe and sedate any target she spoke to. Already, Izuku could feel his defenses falter just at the sound of her words. 

Izuku shook his head, pressing his hands against his ears. “NO! NO! NO! I’M NOT LISTENING! THAT WON’T WORK ON ME!”

They closed in on him, stepping closer and closer until a set of hands gently took him by the arms, another by the legs, and they hoisted him from Mt Lady’s hands to the gurney. He thrashed against their hold, trying to bite, scratch, hit, kick anyone and anything within range. 

“It’s okay, you’re safe now.”

“NOO!” he screamed, as they lifted him into the air, his limbs flailing before being pressed down on the gurney. 

Held his shoulders down, stopping him from sitting up. Other hands grabbed his wrists, forcing them to lay flat against the gurney and then strapping them into place. 

“NO! LET ME GO! LET ME GO!” he screamed. 

“Oh, shhh, shhhh, you’re okay, Izuku. You know you’re alright.” Soft and sweet, they reassured him as they bound him against the table. 

He strained to look at the crowd. Trying to make contact with any of them. A civilian, a hero, someone who would do something. But they stood there. Watching him scream. Some were wiping away tears while others had pulled their phones out, filming his personal hell. 

“All Might!” he yelled in desperation. “All Might, please! Help me!”

“You’re perfectly safe, Izuku.” Another strap wrapped around his forehead, forcing him to look up at the blue sky. How long before he got to see it again?

“ALL MIGHT!” he screamed again. “PLEASE, ALL MIGHT!” Tears dripped down his face. The symbol of peace had saved him earlier that day. He would save him again, wouldn’t he?

It didn’t matter that most heroes supported how the quirkless were treated. All Might had to understand. 

“ALL MIGghrhp-” Izuku choked as a thick, rubber gag was forced into his mouth. It sat between his teeth, forcing his mouth open as he gagged on the material. 

“Shhh,” they soothed him as he screamed through the rubber. “You need to calm down, we can’t have you hurting yourself.”

“Get the blindfold. He’s had too much stimulation. We need to calm him down before he hurts himself.”

Izuku’s last sight before the silky blindfold was slipped over his eyes was the blue sky, with the sun shining down on him. Then the world turned into darkness and the soothing touches and whispers of the Quirkless Commission.

Chapter Text

After subduing the sludge villain for the second time that day, Toshinori walked back to his apartment on autopilot. His feet carried him through the streets back to his home where he climbed the stairs to his penthouse apartment, not even noticing how his chest ached from the exertion and his muscles trembled from pushing his time limit. Closing the door behind him and slipping on his house slippers, he stumbled over to his couch and collapsed onto it. 

Apparently, that was the point his lagging mind finally caught up to him as Toshinori let out a string of swears that would have made Nighteye blush like a maiden and Nana smack his head. 

What had he just seen?!?!

He hadn’t expected to see the kid again after leaving him on the rooftop. Which, yes, that wasn’t his best move as a hero, and Nana certainly was scolding him from the grave, but then the boy appeared again. The sludge villain had escaped and Toshinori was out of time as All Might and the heroes weren’t doing anything. And then this same kid who latched onto him like a limpet went in and got out that boy without hesitation, and showed such a heroic ideal, courage, and spirit that Toshinori forced himself to action and did something. 

All Might might have defeated the villain, but the kid was more of a hero than anyone else there (All Might included). 

He had wanted to talk to the kid, apologize, beg for forgiveness, maybe even ask him to be his successor, but the kid had disappeared. And Toshinori had been so close to his time limit and needing to power down that he had let the kid slip away. He had planned on powering down and then finding the kid again, but in that brief period of time, everything had changed. 

The kid was being held and cooed over by Mt. Lady while the crowd looked on, snapping pictures and cooing. Toshinori hadn’t understood what had happened until he heard “quirkless.”

Because apparently, the heroic, foolish, incredible child that had inspired All Might himself, was quirkless. 

Even worse, the kid was scared out of his mind: his body trembling, chest heaving up and down, and eyes blown wide. 

The crowd had cheered and cooed as the Quirkless Commission stepped in, retrieving the child from Mt. Lady as if this were some heartwarming scene. However, the officials had dragged the kicking boy away, bound him against a gurney, and carted him away. As if he was a criminal. 

Blood filled Toshinori’s throat as he watched this take place, and then worse of all, the boy started screaming. 

Even now, Toshinori could hear that scream. “ALL MIGHT!”  

It was like the boy was being tortured in the worst way imaginable. Like how Toshinori had felt when All for One carved a hole in his side. It was terror and fear and desperation like you were falling from a tall height and desperately reaching for something to hold onto. 

Toshinori had almost stepped in then. He had gotten so close. 

However, heroes had no power or authority over the containment and care of Quirkless. Unless the Quirkless was their own, heroes were required by law to assist the commission in their duties. Even as All Might, Toshinori doubted he would have been able to do anything. 

That scream though. 

Toshinori shuddered, rubbing at the goosebumps appearing on his arm. He had vowed early on in his hero career to never let a scream for help go unanswered, and until today, he had never failed in that promise. 

He groaned, and got to his feet, plodding over to the kitchen to brew a cup of tea. He watched as steam began to rise from the kettle and drifted up to the ceiling, and tried to ignore the guilt and disgust gnawing at him. 

“There’s nothing I could have done,” Toshinori told the kettle. “I can’t get involved in Quirkless matters, and I’m sure the commission takes good care of the Quirkless. There’s nothing I could have done.”

The kettle continued to steam but began to faintly whistle. 

“Look, I know the kid was upset. I would have been upset being treated like that. I don’t know where they get off thinking that it's okay to bind children like that. Gag them even! But what could I have done?!”

The kettle screamed out, and Toshinori flinched, instinctively reaching for his quirk and preparing to smash the kettle before remembering himself, and remembering that it was a kettle screaming and not that boy. 

The guilt wasn’t going to leave him.

He sighed and poured the hot water into a mug, dumping in some tea blend that Nezu had sent as a type of bribe to teach at UA. With his spoon, he prodded at the tea bag, watching the flavor diffuse. 

What could he do? The boy wasn’t in his care or the police, but maybe Toshinori could check in on him? He’d have to set up an appointment with the agency, fill out pages of paperwork, and find some spare time in his schedule, but if Toshinori could see that the boy was alright, his mind would rest well. 

He sipped at his tea, trying to let the calming flavor soothe his nerves. Yes, that’s what he would do. He would see the boy, make sure he was alright, and then everything would be fine. Toshinori wouldn’t have to worry about it again. 

After the car had begun to move, Izuku’s nightmare continued. They switched on peaceful instrumental music that would be better at a spa than in this prison to keep him calm. Someone was standing at the head of the gurney, combing their fingers through his hair.

“He’s covered in sludge and trash,” someone observed. “Poor baby, what did you get yourself into?”

Had it not been for the gag, Izuku would have shouted that he went diving into a dumpster at the first chance he got. Just to get them angry. He couldn’t help but feel like a dog who had slipped out of his leash and went rolling in the dirt. He even had a collar to match. 

“Not even a day out, and he got caught in a villain attack,” another one sighed. “Izuku, sweetheart, you can’t go running out like that. I’m so glad we were able to find you and that the heroes kept you safe until we could come to get you.” 

That’s right. Mt. Lady had picked him up and gushed over him like a baby until his jailers retrieved him. As he feared, the heroes still refused to help him after all these years. Just as All For One said they would. Nobody would help Izuku. Not even All Might. Nobody cared, but his mother. And they arrested her. 

The gag did not muffle his sobs, and tears began to escape the blindfold. 

“Oh no, no, it’s okay, baby!” one of the workers murmured, and suddenly Izuku felt pairs of hands running along his limbs. 

He hated this. They always did this when he got caught, and he absolutely hated it . If he didn’t have the gag, he would have screamed at them to stop. He screamed regardless, but none of them listened as they began to stroke each one of his limbs and his head as if soothing an animal. 

No matter how much he protested or tried to struggle, he couldn’t escape their hands, whispers that he was alright, or their soothing music. But he knew the worst was still to come. 

Eventually, the vehicle stopped, and the gurney was rolled out. 

“We need to get him cleaned up and checked by the doctor first,” a new voice announced, walking beside Izuku as two doors creaked open. “Then the director wants to see him. Poor thing, look at him. So beat up. Out a few hours, and this happens…” 

The doors clanged shut behind him, condemning Izuku to his fate. 

As he had thought, the next hours were hell. 

He had his restraints removed, but he also had everything else removed so he could get in the warm bath with bubbles and toys while two people with big, cheery smiles scrubbed him down in thick vanilla scented soap, and washed his hair at least three times in order to get the gunk out from the sludge villain attack. 

“Izuku always loves bath time,” one of the attendants laughed as Izuku tried to slip out of his grasp and swim to the edge of the bathtub and climb out. “Always splashing and playing, so much energy!” 

“I’m right here, you prick!” Izuku shouted as his partner caught Izuku’s slippery body and dragged him back. “And I can do it myself, you–argh!” 

“There, see now, that’s what happens when you don’t listen to us and let us wash you, Izuku! Now you’ve got shampoo in your eyes. Come on, let’s wipe out with a towel. There we go, that’s it, isn’t that better?”

Izuku would have told them where to stick their soap and towel if he hadn’t gotten shampoo in his mouth. He was pulled out of the tub and dried off with a fluffy towel. One of the attendants dressed him in yoga pants and a soft pajama shirt, while the other used their quirk to dry Izuku’s hair and comb it out. His knees and elbows were rubbed down in sweet-smelling lotion and then his whole body with 50 SPF sunscreen (even though they never went outside!). All the while showered with kisses and praises.

He gritted his teeth, reminding himself it was going to get worse, and he needed to save his energy. He allowed himself to be walked to the doctor’s office, and was sat down on the examination table. 

Dr. Arai was a smiling woman who only had to click a button for Izuku to be pinned down to the table with velvet soft restraints while she took vital signs, listened to his chest, heart, and abdomen, looked in his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, tested his reflexes, and drew up blood samples for him. 

“We are very lucky, Izuku!” she concluded. “It looks like your ripped ear lobe will heal nicely and  you only got some bruises out of this, poor darling. We’re going to have Rin come in to brush your teeth and wash your mouth out, and I’m going to give you a little something to make sure your lungs don’t get infected. After you meet with the director, you can have a meal.” 

She ruffled his hair and put a sticker on his shirt that said: “I’m a Star Patient” with a happy little star laughing. Rin, another attendant, soon arrived with a cup, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Dr. Arai had worked with Izuku too long to foolishly let him out of his restraints just yet, so he had no way of resisting Rin brushing and flossing his teeth aside from trying to jerk his head around defiantly. 

As usual, both women found this more amusing than annoying. By the time they were done, Izuku had clean teeth, but he also had practically taken another bath with how much water he had spilled all over himself, and his mouth still tasted like toothpaste (he swallowed some by accident). 

An orderly arrived when they were done, and Izuku’s restraints were removed. He sat up, ready to get up and face the queen of this nightmare, only to be scooped up by the orderly, balanced on his hip like a child. 

“Put me down!” Izuku demanded, trying to twist out of the man’s grip like an eel. “I can walk on my own.” 

“Izuku, you know the rules,” Dr. Arai scolded. “No more than one hour of strenuous exercise. Especially without an instructor. And you certainly had more than that today. Your tired little body needs rest.” 

“Yeah, because getting strapped into that gurney on the ride over didn’t count,” Izuku snapped. 

“Izuku, don’t talk back,” Rin scolded with a frown. “You are already in a lot of trouble, young man.”

Izuku scowled but said nothing back. He knew that he would have to save his energy. He still hadn’t even spoken to the director yet, and he was already in so much trouble. He didn’t need more people angry at him and ready to punish him further for acting out. 

Seeing he was settled, the orderly carried him out of Dr. Arai’s office because even walking 15 feet on padded floors was strenuous exercise. Izuku had more strenuous exercise trying to escape All For One and Tomura’s cuddles. 

The orderly knocked politely on the door, bouncing Izuku in his arms like someone trying to soothe a fussy infant. 

“Come in,” a familiar, sickly sweet voice purred. 

The director’s office was the same as always. Neat and tidy, with not a speck of dust on the floor, comfortable but expensive-looking chairs in front of a darkwood desk that housed several pictures, a pot of purple orchids, a bottles of scented lotion and hand sanitizer, and a bunch of different stuffed animals and action figures on the shelves behind the desk. Everything gave off the impression of a well-put-together but homey environment.

After years of visiting this office on a daily basis, Izuku recognized that the office only gave the image of a homey environment, but was not close to the real thing at all. 

The pictures were impersonal, similar to class pictures in elementary school, except it was the collared Quirkless. They got their picture taken with their age group at the end of every year. There was one on her desk for every generation that had outgrown the facility and had been moved into new homes. 

The flowers were fake and had slightly faded but the director hadn’t bothered to replace them. 

The toys were locked behind a glass case and could not be retrieved except by the lady of the desk herself. A reminder that if you wanted anything, even a toy, you had to play nice with the queen of the castle. 

“Oh, Izuku! Thank goodness you are alright, baby!”

Izuku flinched as a pair of arms wrapped tightly around him, pulling him into a crushing hug. For some, it might look like a relieved, joyful embrace, but he could feel the woman’s claws digging into his ribs. He knew she would not let go and those claws would only keep pressing into his side until he hugged her back. He rolled his eyes and half-heartedly wrapped his arms around her, bracing himself for the impact. 

Sure enough, she had only been touching him for ten seconds, and he could feel his brain fogging with a pleasant, warm feeling as if he was about to nod off and go to sleep. 

“Won’t you sit down, sweetie?” 

Yeah, sitting down sounded good. It came from such a nice voice, such a nice person, full of kindness and compassion. He should listen to that voice. It was the right thing to do. It was just sitting down, surely nothing could- 

Izuku fought through the fog that clouded his mind and bit his lip. It pierced through the cloud and gave him something to focus on, an anchor from her touch. 

“Director Usotsuki,” he greeted coldly. “Stop touching me.” 

The painted, manicured nails retreated as he was set down by the orderly in one of the chairs. There were no restraints in these chairs. Most people wouldn’t even be able to get more than five steps away from the director unless they wanted to be tackled to the floor and held down until they passed out from exhaustion. He knew, he had tried it at least a dozen times now. 

“What’s wrong, Izuku?” she asked as if hurt. “I’m only giving you a hug.” 

“I said ‘don’t touch me!’” he hissed as she sat down on the opposite side of the desk. 

Director Usotsuki Bisho was a shorter, stockier woman with a streak of silver in her dark hair, red, bird’s eye-rimmed glasses, who wore sharp business suits and just a little too much makeup in Izuku’s opinion. As usual, her professional, sleek suit was decorated with a small trinket to promote the appearance of the sweet, loving leader of the facility. Today it was a lapel of a smiling bunch of purple grapes, but he had seen everything from stickers to friendship bracelets, to mood rings, to macaroni necklaces made by the quirkless kids in the facility. 

She was smiling at Izuku right now, which meant Izuku was in a lot of trouble. But he knew that already. 

“Izuku, Izuku, Izuku,” she sighed, shaking her head. “What are we going to do with you, baby? You ran away again, made everyone here worried sick, got caught in a villain attack of all things. What do you have to say for yourself?” 

Izuku knew exactly what she wanted, but he refused to give it to her. He stayed defiantly silent, glaring at her from his seat, arms folded across his chest like a shield. She rubbed a bit of lotion on her hands as she waited for him to answer. She never lost her sympathetic smile but it did not meet her eyes as she leaned forward to take his hand. Izuku yanked it back. 

“Stop trying to get me under your quirk,” he told her. “It isn’t going to work.” 

Director Usotsuki’s quirk had taken Izuku a while to figure out: Obedience . When she touched someone, she could ask them to do anything and they would do what she said without question. They would not even stop to think if it was wrong or that other people might get hurt or think at all really. They just did it. 

It was perfect for corralling disobedient little pets who did not want to be tamed, but after his first five months in the facility, Izuku had worked out the weaknesses of her ability. 

First and most obvious: she had to be touching the person for it to activate. 

Second: asking for impossible and harmful tasks like moving a mountain or hurting oneself were ineffectual.

Third: It only worked if there was some level of trust with the victim. And Izuku didn’t trust Director Usotsuski farther than he could throw her. 

“I hope,” she said sharply, eyes narrowing and watching him closely. “That this serves as a lesson for you, baby. How many times have I told you the world is too dangerous for a sweet little Quirkless like you?” 

“I was doing fine!” Izuku snapped. “I wasn’t in any danger.” 

“No?” Usotsuki asked. “So you weren’t caught in a villain attack?” 

“That wasn’t-” 

“And you didn’t need the Number One Hero himself to show up for your rescue?” she pressed, before letting him answer. 

“I had it handled–” 

“And you had no supplies, no money, no shelter, no medical care, and no resources to speak of from the moment you ran away,” she concluded. “Yes, Izuku, I can see you were doing quite fine.” 

Izuku would not let himself cry in front of this woman. He would not let her make him feel weak or stupid. He had known what he was doing, he would have made it work out. Just because Usotsuki was interpreting the events out of context did not mean she got a say in whether Izuku was really in danger. After all, he had managed to hold onto All Might and save the boy caught in the sludge villain’s attack. 

“No matter what anyone says, Izuku, you are strong, clever, and brave. Remember that, Izuku. Don’t ever let anyone make you believe you are too weak to be free.”

Satisfied that he wasn’t protesting anymore, Usotsuki rubbed her hands with her lavender lotion, and came around her desk, gently stroking Izuku’s hair and hand. Izuku’s skin crawled at the woman being so close. . 

“You have had a long, rough day, Izuku,” she sympathized. “Poor child. And I think being attacked by that villain is more than enough punishment, don’t you?” 

Wait… she wasn’t going to punish him for running? She was just going to let this go? But that never happened. 

“Yes, I think we can forget all about this,” Usotsuki decided. “So long as you apologize sincerely for running away and promise me never to do it again.” 

Izuku clenched his teeth and yanked his hand away from her. He knew what she was really after. The apology and promise. Because even that was a form of surrender. Giving her what she wanted, conceding to her designs, just to avoid punishment. 

It was every other prisoner in this place did. Obey the director to avoid punishment. 

But Izuku did not yield to All For One. And he would not yield to her. 

“I’m sorry.” 

She smiled a shark’s smile. 

“Very good, Izuku–” 

“I’m sorry I got caught that fast,” Izuku interrupted. “I’m sorry that your quirk doesn’t work on me because I don’t trust a manipulative bully like you. I’m sorry that your makeup looks like a clown, and I’m sorry that you clearly are battling some sort of imposter syndrome because your image is everything. And I’m sorry for your mother, but I think that one speaks for itself.” 

Usostuki paused and withdrew her hands. Her smile dropped and she crossed her arms, lifting an eyebrow. 

“Still playing the little hero, Izuku?” she asked sardonically. 

It always came back to this with her. The fact that Izuku wanted to be a hero was not just brushed aside as fantasy as it was for most. For some reason or another, it irked the director of the facility. 

“I will become a hero someday!” he insisted. 

She rolled her eyes and went behind her desk, pumping clear hand sanitizer on her hands. 

“The outside world is far too dangerous for such a sweet little Quirkless,” she dismissed. “You would know that if your criminal mother hadn’t raised you to be a feral little beast-” 

“Don’t you dare talk about my mother!” 

“But it seems we still need to let that lesson sink in if we want to find you a good home. After all, Izuku, my Quirkless are often taken in by the best of the best. How do you hope to find your ‘Forever Home’ until you are safe and housebroken?” 

“You are just worried I’ll ruin your perfect record,” Izuku grumbled. 

“Worried?” she asked as she finished rubbing her hands, scenting the room with the sterile, acidic smell of the alcohol. “Not at all, Izuku. Not at all.” 

She leaned back in her chair, and her sharkie smile returned. 

“Let’s see… running away means a lack of all activities for at least a week,” she mused. “No hanging out with friends because you resisted returning home. No desserts for talking back and general rudeness. Baths with assistance instead of independent showers for disrespect. Anything else I’m missing?” 

Izuku knew he should stop now. Just let her have her taunts and her punishments, if he could keep his head low and endure he could get another escape opportunity soon. But after her talk about his mother, and calling him ‘house broken’ like a pet, Izuku refused to let her have the last word. 

“Your decency as a human being?” he suggested. 

“And a time out as the cherry on top,” she concluded. 

She stood up, and made her way over to Izuku and pinched his cheeks between her fingers so he was forced to look up at her. 

“If I were you, baby,” she crooned. “I would think long and hard about who you want to trust. The villains? Your absent mother? Your heroes? Or me?”

Director Usotuki by 2000DragonArmy

Chapter Text

The building was tall, blank, and seemingly unremarkable. Most outsiders would walk past the building and assume it was yet another office building where people wasted their lives away typing on computers and sitting in meetings. However, thanks to Toshinori’s years of experience as a hero, he was able to notice things civilians wouldn’t, such as the obscene amount of cameras or the armed personnel, standing hidden in key strategic places. The building seemed more like the location of an intelligence agency than a facility for quirkless.

Fumbling through his pocket, Toshinori retrieved his phone and pulled up the email detailing the location of the quirkless facility. He glanced up, and sure enough, printed across the main entrance was the correct address.

A little hesitant, Toshinori crossed the street and headed towards the black tinted doors. He raised his hand to knock, but the door swung open before he could. 

“Yagi Toshinori?” A male voice asked from inside. 

Toshinori coughed into his fist. “Ah, yes. That’s me.”

“We thought so. Come on inside, sir.”

The door swung farther open, and Toshinori stepped in, the door closing behind him with a click.

The inside waiting room was nice enough if a bit generic. Elegant seating lined the room along with large potted plants. There were pictures of different staff members and a large case with various awards and trophies for care of Quirkless, for contributions to the Quirkless communities, and several other things to indicate that the people who ran this place did their job well. 

So far so good. It was just like he told himself. Everything was fine. The boy was fine. 

“Mr. Yagi, I presume?” 

Toshinori looked up to see a woman in a black, pinstripe suit with a pink kitten lapel, red, pointy rimmed glasses, a gray streak in her hair, and a mole under her lip. She looked maybe five to ten years older than him, but her handshake was firm and strong as he greeted her. Her identification card told him she was Director Usotsuki Bisho. 

“It’s a pleasure to get the secretary of All Might himself here!” she exclaimed. “I’m sure little Izuku will be thrilled to hear from his hero. He does love All Might so much.” 

Toshinori was aware. When the kid was getting taken away… screaming for help, screaming for him to rescue the boy and take him somewhere safe, he knew right away. He looked up to All Might. Trusted him in spite of the vague answers he had left him, believed that he could and would save him if he begged. 

But who did he want All Might to save him from? 

“Right this way,” Director Usotsuki said, breaking him out of his thoughts. “Please, wash your hands thoroughly before we go past, we must be as careful as possible with our Quirkless.” 

Toshinori did as was instructed, and followed her to the elevator. To his surprise, the elevator went down instead of up. 

“Do the quirkless live underground?” he asked in confusion. 

“That is the way the facility was designed,” Director Usotsuki explained. “Built to withstand any attack, any natural disaster, all while keeping our treasures safe, warm, and dry. We run on generators and recycle the water and ventilate the air. We have the capabilities to be self-sufficient if we ever have something happen above the ground.” 

The elevator doors opened to reveal a balcony running around the whole room, allowing him and Director Usotsuki to observe the residents down below. Toshinori looked over a large room easily twice the size of his penthouse apartment. It was tastefully decorated with greenery and shallow ponds of crystalline water scattering pretty patterns on the ceiling. 

There were several tables and comfy chairs, where the residents– mostly children and teenagers, but Toshinori did see a gentleman who looked like he was Gran Torino’s age– were talking, enjoying snacks, and playing board games. In the center, around the pools of water, an instructor was guiding a few through what looked like meditation exercises as they sat with their eyes closed and legs crossed, peaceful smiles on their faces. 

“This is our recreational center,” Director Usotsuki explained. “It is where our quirkless tend to spend most of their time when they are not participating in their activities.” 

“What sort of activities do you offer?” Toshinori asked curiously as she led him around the balcony and to a gate which she waved her badge over. A light on the gate went from red to green, and there was a small chirp as it flung open, allowing them access to walk down a hardwood staircase with padded corners. There was another gate at the bottom that the director had to use her badge on. 

These people, especially children, spent their time being locked away and sheltered from the world. What sort of things occupied their time?

"All sorts,” the woman answered enthusiastically. “Arts, learning, exercise, meditation, gardening… if you’ll just follow me, I can show you.” 

The children there looked up at the duo curiously, and he could almost see some hopeful gazes in the older teenagers. All of them had collars around their necks. 

Some of the collars were like young Izuku’s, plain, sleek, and some sort of metallic colors. But others were decorated with gemstones forming patterns, or painted a variety of colors, or even had little spikes, reminding Toshinori of rebellious punk rock teens. 

However, all of the collars had their names, dates of birth, and health information stamped into the metal. 

“We raise our quirkless until they turn 18,” Director Usotsuki explained cheerfully. “After that, they are handed over to homes and families who will take care of them.” 

“What about the older gentleman back there?” Toshinori asked, nodding his head to the man who was playing solitaire at a table and watching him and the director curiously. 

“Ah, Rojin,” she sighed. “Yes, he’s had a harder time adjusting than most. Since the Quirkless Care Laws weren’t established until about thirty years ago, he was an adult when he joined us, and so has been rather feral. Many facilities and families have passed him on, saying he is too much to handle, but I’m confident he will settle in here with us.” 

She continued to lead him through the building to different areas. There was a swimming pool where someone was leading a water aerobics class, while across the hall several quirkless children were learning yoga, and in another room, several (mostly girls) were learning some sort of dance routine. 

“We strive to keep our residents healthy and make sure they have plenty of stimulation and exercise,” Director Usotsuki explained as they walked by. “Mainly aerobics, nothing too strenuous that can cause harm. We like to teach them simple dances and such, so that they may entertain themselves and their families when they find their forever homes.” 

Toshinori was sure it made sense in the woman’s head, but he couldn’t help but feel like she was talking about pets who were taught a couple of tricks prior to adoption. 

Before he could voice his thoughts, she led him past a spa area, where he saw a couple of quirkless teenagers getting massages, while a smaller child played in a nearby hot tub. They passed one room with several smaller children that contained a wall-to-ceiling aquarium that stretched over the three remaining walls. 

“We use this room for entertainment,” Director Usotsuki explained. “And to harvest the fish we use in our dishes. We only use the finest livestock and produce to feed our charges, and give them delicious, healthy meals. You must stop by our kitchen before you go; our gourmet chefs have won awards but have decided to come to feed our quirkless instead of work in restaurants.” 

Toshinori was pretty sure that was because they were paid hand over fist to come in and cook five-star dishes, but he distracted himself with a cough. The more he saw of this place, the more it felt like a luxurious zoo. 

‘Here are the quirkless in their natural habitats…’ 

“Miss Director! Miss Director!” a young voice cried. 

Toshinori stopped, turning back to find the source of the calls. A little boy, no older than three hurried towards them from the aquarium room, his gate less of a run and more of the awkward trot of little children. The awkwardness was likely due to the large deer stuffie he held clenched in his arms.

Seeing that All Might’s secretary had stopped, Director Usotsuki paused as well. 

“Miss Director!” The little boy skidded to a stop in front of them. 

Irritation flashed in Director Usotsuki’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a saccharine smile. “Kojika, remember, we have taught you manners. What do you say when you need something?”

“Excuse me.”

“That’s right. You say excuse me. People want a well-mannered little boy, not a naughty one. Don’t they?”

“Yes, Miss Director.”

“Good.” Director Usotsuki turned as if to leave, but the little boy, Kojika, let out a gasp and reached for her with a loud, “Excuse me!” 

Usotsuki stopped and turned back. Her smile now was decidedly less genuine. “Yes, Kojika? What is it that you want? I’m sure the other caregivers would be happy to help you.”

“I want Zuku!” Kojika cried. His large brown eyes turned glossy, and tears slipped down his face. “When is he going to come back? I miss him.”

Director Usotsuki bent down and rested her hand against Kojika’s face. His eyes glazed over ever so slightly as he nuzzled into her touch with a dreamy smile. “Little one, we’ve had this conversation before. Izuku has been very naughty lately and is having a time out for his behavior. Once he decides that he wants to be a good little boy, he can come out.”

“Promise?”

“Of course.” Standing back to her feet, Director Usotsuki retrieved a small bottle of hand sanitizer and squirted some into her hands. The director appeared done with the conversation, but Kojika stayed standing there, the dreamy smile slowly fading into a wobbling lip. Toshinori could tell the little boy was still upset, and as a hero, he couldn’t allow it. 

Crouching down, he gave his friendliest smile, hoping that the boy wouldn’t be too put-off by his skeletal appearance. “Your name is Kojika, right?” he asked. 

Kojika nodded shyly, ducking his head so his brown bangs fell in his face. 

Toshinori smiled, “That’s a lovely name. My name is Yagi Toshinori. I’m actually going to go see your friend Izuku in just a little bit. Do you want me to tell him that you miss him?”

Kojika’s head shot up. “You can do that?!” he yelled.

“Inside voices,” Usotsuki reminded, sounding strained. 

However, Toshinori ignored her. “Yes, I can do that. I’ll tell Izuku that Kojika misses him.”

“Mr. Deer too!” Kojika cried, thrusting his deer stuffie towards Toshinori’s face. 

Toshinori coughed in surprise but smiled all the same. “Ah yes, I’ll tell him Mr. Deer misses him as well.”

Director Usotsuki cleared her throat and adjusted her red glasses. “Say goodbye now, Kojika. Mr. Yagi and I have errands to attend to.”

Kojika nodded frantically, and with a final wave, trotted back off from where he came. He was like a little deer, Yagi realized with a smile. Similar to his stuffed friend. 

He stood back up and smiled sheepishly at Director Usotsuki. “My apologies for delaying us. He is a sweet child.”

“Yes, he is,” Director Usotsuki agreed, positively preening as if he had given her the compliment. “He will be a delightful addition to any family one day.”

They continued the tour, and Toshinori was given a look into the bathing areas, the wardrobe room ( “each of our residents’ outfits is custom made here for maximum comfort” ), classrooms for activities, a garden with simulated sunlight similar a greenhouse, the dining area, the dormitories. He was introduced to the chief of medicine of the building and her assistant and given a sticker. 

Everyone here was smiling, cheerful, and overall seemed happy to be there. 

Everyone… except some of the quirkless who looked tired. Empty. Heartbroken. Resigned. 

As if they felt they could never be happy but had accepted that this was their place now. As if this paradise was more of a prison than a home. 

No child should have that look. 

Anxiety gnawed at him. He had noticed the somewhat condescending way the quirkless were treated, but they were all healthy, fed, and taken care of. Certainly, there was no neglect going on. However, unease continued to prickle the back of his neck. He had spent too many years in heroics to ignore such feelings when they arose. 

He needed to see Izuku and put his anxieties to rest once and for all. 

"This really has a lovely tour,” he said, and the director beamed. “However, I’m afraid my time is running short and All Might was quite insistent that I see young Izuku.”

“Of course,” Director Usotsuki agreed. “We’ve seen most of the key features at this point, so we can go straight to Izuku.”

Walking briskly down the hallway, she led Toshinori to another elevator, this time swiping an identification card. A button glowed a warm red, and she pressed it, causing the doors to close. 

“Is Izuku not with the others?” Toshinori asked as the elevator began to take them farther down. 

Director Usotsuki sighed. “Unfortunately, no. Izuku truly is an incredible little boy, but he has required more guidance and care than most. Currently, he is separated from the others in the ‘time out’ section until he is ready to follow rules.”

“But I can still see him, yes? All Might was very insistent,” Toshinori stressed. 

“Of course. A request from the number one hero is never to be ignored, especially when made with such a generous donation.”

Ah yes, Toshinori had included (what he thought) was a respectful donation along with his request. It wasn’t a bribe per se. However, he had spent too many years working with the hero commission to not be aware of money’s ability to make things happen. Apparently, it worked.

The doors swung open and instantly Toshinori could tell this area was different. Gone were the potted plants, pastel walls, and gentle music. A long hallway opened in front of them, sterile, cold, and smelling sharply of disinfectant. 

His unease swelled and Toshinori coughed into his handkerchief. “What’s this area?”

Director Usotsuki adjusted the lapel of her business suit. “It serves many purposes. Too many to go over with the time you have, but it does contain several of our time-out rooms.”

"Time-out rooms?” 

Director Usotsuki began walking down the hallway. “I don’t know how up to date you are on the recent research and studies conducted on the quirkless, but most people understand that the quirkless are not as evolved as the rest of modern quirked society. The quirkless are also unable to cope with extreme stimulation, and such exposure leaves them…struggling. The time-out rooms serve as a sensory soothing experience that both keeps the quirkless safe while helping them readjust.”

She paused outside a thick metal door, not unlike those in prisons. Grabbing her key card, she once again swiped it through a scanner and entered a rapid-fire series of numbers into a pin pad. Director Usotsuki smiled winningly and pressed the door open. “Welcome to the time-out room.”

First impression: it was white. 

White wall, white floors, white door. It was hard to see where corners met and the ceiling started. And although he couldn’t see speakers, soft instrumental music filled the air. 

Taking a step in, he stumbled, his feet sinking in a thick padded surface, and looking closer, Toshinori noticed how every surface was covered in it. It was ironic, how similar the unsteady footing was to his emotions. 

“Izuku,” Director Usotsuki called in a sing-song voice, “you have a visitor.”

Toshinori’s head flew up, searching for that head of green curls and eyes. However, no boy camen. Istead, Director Usotsuki continued walking back towards a previously unnoticed chair. 

When Toshinor’s eyes landed on it and the boy sitting there, he couldn’t stop himself from spewing blood in shock. He coughed violently into his stained handkerchief; his remaining lung spasming from the force. However, despite his eyes watering and his body trying to expel a lung, he was unable to tear his eyes away from the boy. 

Izuku sat in a large padded chair with each of his limbs strapped down against it so that he was unable to wiggle his arm or twitch his leg. Further straps wrapped around the boy’s chest, midsection, and forehead. Worst though was the wide rubber gag forced into the boy’s mouth and the thick blindfold covering his eyes. 

He had thought the boy was fine. He wanted the boy to be fine. Even after seeing the facilities, Toshinori had held onto the assumption that Izuku was okay. Sure, the facility was condescending in nature, but the quirkless were well treated. They were safe. 

Toshinori’s stomach churned, and he could feel more blood building at the back of his throat. As a hero, Toshinori had seen many awful things. However, he had never seen a child restrained in such a matter. Even villains were granted more mobility! Had he somehow taken a wrong turn? Was this Tartarus?!

His shock must have been apparent because Usotsuki hummed sympathetically. “It's a pity, isn’t it. He really is a precious thing, but unfortunately, he has forced us to play the role of disciplinarian. It’s not something I like, but in such situations, it is required.”

Toshinori clenched his handkerchief, coughing into it over and over. “Is this common?” he asked, once his fit had subsided. 

“Only occasionally, and I assure you, this is in his best interests and protection. Would you like a closer look?” Without waiting for his answer, she guided Toshinori nearer until he stood by the boy’s side, and she behind him. 

Under his bindings, Izuku stiffened, his head straining against the straps. He made a garbled noise, his jaw spasming around the inserted gag. Usotsuki placed her hand on Izuku’s head and the boy flinched, but she continued to twist her fingers around his green curls. 

Toshinori coughed, “You said this was common? That it was in his best interests?”

Behind her red glasses, Usotsuki’s eyes twinkled, “Oh yes, I’m afraid. Little Izuku here is a rather unfortunate case.” Her voice dropped low and dripped with pity. “You see, he was an undocumented quirkless for several years. His mother, that abusive woman,” Izuku twitched at the words, “horrifically kept Izuku hidden from the government and stopped him from receiving the care he so desperately needed.”

“I see,” Toshinori said. It was all he could say. 

"Thankfully, the woman’s actions were discovered, and Izuku was brought to one of the quirkless facilities. However, he was only there a week before the facility was raided and Izuku was lost. We don’t know where he was during that time. Izuku himself has been rather mute on the subject. Regardless, years later, he was found once again, this time as a feral, living all alone on the streets.” 

She caressed Izuku’s head, “He, of course, is back where he belongs, but those years of abuse and improper treatment have left their impact. Izuku struggles to accept the love and attention of those around him. He fears that he will be abandoned or that if he gives in he will be proved unloved.” 

Here she stepped around, coming back to the front of the chair and cupping Izuku’s face in her hands. The boy trembled, but Director Usotsuki whispered sweetly, “He’ll come to understand eventually.”

Those were the first words she had spoken to Izuku during the speech, Toshinori realized. Everything else had been directed at Toshinori, even while she related the child’s backstory. It was as if Izuku wasn’t there.

“I believe, Mr. Yagi,” Toshinori startled there, his gaze flying up towards her, “that you had something you wanted to say to little Izuku? I believe you said a message from the number one hero himself?”

Toshinori forced a smile, despite feeling ill inside. “Ah yes, of course. All Might was very clear about that.”

“Wonderful,” Usotosuki said. “I’m afraid due to policy I must stay in the room, but you are free to say whatever you wish.”

“I understand.” 

Toshinori knelt before the chair, watching the boy’s muscles tense as if preparing for an unwanted blow. The sight nearly brought him to tears, but with the director standing so close by, he forced himself to smile and shoved his screaming hero deeper inside. 

Now wasn’t the time to cause a commotion. Toshinori would say what he had wanted to say to Izuku, and then afterward…Toshinori would deal with this mess he had walked into. 

He cleared his throat. “Hello, Izuku.” 

The boy flinched, but Toshinori forced himself to stay composed. “My name is Yagi Toshinori, and I’m the secretary for All Might.”

The boy froze, and if the blindfold wasn’t on, Toshinori knew he would see sharp eyes staring at him. 

Taking a deep breath, Toshinori continued. “All Might asked me to come and check in on you. He was very concerned after the villain attack, and you were…taken away so quickly he was unable to see if you were okay.”

Izuku gave no reaction, but he could see how tense the boy was still. He still had no idea if he was being punished by his hero. The man he had asked… and Toshinori hadn’t even given him a proper answer. 

“He also, uh, wanted to pass on a message from himself to you through me.” Toshinori cringed at his awkwardness and fumbling words. He felt flustered, and Director Usotsuki’s sharp gaze wasn’t helping. “First off, he wanted to apologize. The reaction from the heroes on the scene was completely inappropriate, All Might included. You should not have had to put yourself in danger to save a child. That’s a hero's job.”

He could see the bound fists clench, and Izuku turned away from the direction of Toshinori. As if he wanted to say he was frustrated and didn’t want to hear more about not being put into danger. 

Toshinori suddenly realized that he probably thought it was because he was quirkless. He probably thought he was being told off for throwing himself in danger when everyone else was telling him he should be kept safe and sound. 

But something told him the boy didn’t want that. He had asked Toshinori if he could be a hero. 

Toshinori cleared his throat. “However, he also wanted to say thank you.”

The boy visibly started and shifted his head back to Toshinori. If he could see his eyes, he would probably see surprise on his face, but so much of it was obscured by the blindfold and gag. 

“You did what no one else was willing to. You demonstrated a truly heroic, selfless, courageous nature that inspired All Might to act. You reminded him what it meant to be a hero.”

There was a small sniffle, and he choked back blood when he saw a couple of tears trickling past the blindfold. Director Usotsuki wiped them away gingerly before rubbing down her hands with more sanitizer. Izuku let out another sniffle and was mumbling something incomprehensible through the gag. Toshinori realized he was trying to smile around the rubber inserted between his jaws. 

Hesitantly, Toshinori placed his hand on top of Izuku’s. The boy shuddered before entangling his fingers in Toshinori’s and giving him a squeeze. Thank you, the squeeze said. Thank you so much. 

Breath caught in Toshinori's throat, but he squeezed back. “Thank you, young Izuku.” 

For a moment, they stood there, just holding hands and communicating what they could not with words. And then Director Usotsuki cleared her throat, and the moment passed. 

“I’m afraid we can’t stay too long,” she said sweetly, her smile not reaching her eyes. “Too much stimulation isn’t good for little Izuku right now.” 

Toshinori nodded and stood up, patting Izuku’s hand. 

“Thank you, my boy. Oh, and your friend, young Kojika, asked me to say hello and that he and Mr. Deer miss you.” 

Izuku made another incomprehensible mumble through the gag and tried to nod but his head was strapped down as well. His hand was still clenched around Toshinori’s, tightly. Pleadingly. 

Help me, he seemed to be trying to say. Don’t leave me here.

It took all of his willpower not to summon One For All, rip off his bonds, pick him up and carry him out of this place. He felt guilt tearing at him, like a raging storm. He had already let down this boy too many times. 

He didn’t tell him that he could be a hero. He didn’t save him when young Izuku screamed at All Might to help him. And now he was supposed to leave him behind again? 

There is nothing you can do right now, he told himself. You’ll figure out some way to fix this, but for now, you have to leave him here. You’ve seen this place, it’s safe, it’s warm, it’s good. He’ll be okay until you figure out what to do next. 

“Aw, he seems to like you,” Usotsuki crooned as she gently pried Izuku’s hand from Toshinori’s. She ruffled Izuku’s hair and kissed the top of his head. “Be good, sweetheart. I’ll be back soon to check on you.” 

“Goodbye, my boy.” 

Toshinori somehow forced himself to walk out of the room and follow the director as she led him back to the elevator. 

“That went rather well!” she exclaimed cheerfully. “You should come back another time, Mr. Yagi. I have never seen Izuku connect so well with a visitor. I would love to see how he would be when he’s better behaved and the two of you interact.” 

“Of course, Director.”

He would not fail this child again. 

Chapter Text

Toshinori’s mind was still spinning when he made it home. His body moved mechanically as he changed from his business suit, intending to put on something he could use to work out and exercise. But instead, he almost wanted to shower. That place felt dirty . 

Ironic, since it was probably one the cleanest places in Japan, but people like Usotsuki… Toshinori could almost smell the corruption on her and felt it clinging to him like a germ. He changed to a pair of shorts and his white t-shirt and wrapped his hands. He felt disgusting, and Nana had always taught him that taking those feelings out on a sandbag was both therapeutic and healthy. 

He began some basic jabs and punches, falling into a familiar routine while he thought about what he saw. 

Kids kept in underground bunkers… kept from sunlight, unable to even see the sky… dressed in what looked like pajamas, with collars at their throats… 

Why had the Quirkless Commission even bothered tying young Izuku down to a gurney? Why not just attach a leash to his collar and make it clear how they saw him and the other people like him? 

Was that who Toshinori would be if Nana hadn’t given him One For All when she did? Trapped like that older man, Mr. Rojin, buried alive in secret, spoken about like a small child and having his whole life decided for? 

For goodness sake, little Kojika was already there, and he surely had parents and family somewhere! 

One For All surged through him, and without thinking, he threw a single punch that broke the chain the sandbag dangled from. Toshinori broke from his thoughts and crunched as it hit the wall and slid down with a thud.

Oops. 

Just to add insult to injury, the sandbag split open, and about half the sand poured out all over the gym’s floor. Oh, that was going to be a joy to clean up. 

Toshinori sighed, unwrapping his fingers and taking a drink of water. He wasn’t sure how long he had taken his anger out on that poor sandbag, but he still didn’t feel any better than before. 

“A Video Call Is Here! A Video Call Is Here! A Video Call Is Here! ” 

Oh crap, that was right, Dave was going to call about some new designs for his costume! 

Toshinori answered his phone and tried to force his signature smile at the sight of one of his oldest friends. 

“Dave, you have no idea how badly I needed to talk to someone,” he said in way of greeting. 

Oh yeah, THAT was a great way of starting the conversation… 

Dave’s face shifted with concern, and Toshinori sat down against the wall of the gym. He didn’t even want to sit in one of his chairs, he felt like he would just get up and start pacing like a caged animal. Ironic since he wasn’t the one locked up in a gilded cage. 

“What happened, Toshi?” Dave asked. 

Wait, there was still Melissa. How could Toshinori be so stupid? David probably didn’t want to hear about any of his mess, not when he was knee-deep in designs, projects, deadlines, grants, research, and who knew what else trying to support himself and Toshinori’s goddaughter. 

“Nothing,” he deflected, waving his hand. “Rough day. So, what did you have in mind for–” 

“Toshi, come on,” Dave interrupted with a stern frown that almost reminded him of Nana when she scolded him. “What’s going on? Talk to me.” 

Toshinori bit his tongue, but he could no more hold it back than he could hold back the blood he had to cough up at times. He could feel it building up, congealing in the back of his throat, and if he didn’t let it out, it was going to choke the life out of him. 

“The other day, I rescued this boy from a villain,” he explained, the words slipping out almost involuntarily. “And… he just seemed a little off. A little skittish. But he clung to me and begged me to tell him if someone without a quirk could become a hero. My time in my muscled form was almost up, so I gave him something noncommittal and ran off. Sometime later, the villain I caught has escaped, has taken another boy hostage, and the heroes there are doing nothing.” 

“What were they doing?” David asked curiously. 

“Just standing there, giving excuses about why they couldn’t fight him,” Toshinori answered angrily. “And then from the crowd runs the same boy I rescued earlier, and he saves the other boy from the villain. I had never seen anything like it, Dave. He showed so much heroic spirit—didn’t even stop to consider the danger or the consequences. He just wanted to save this kid he didn’t even know.” 

“Recklessly running into danger to save someone without thinking of the consequences for himself so long as he saves someone,” Dave reflected with a knowing smile. “Now where have I seen that before? I don’t know, it’s a mystery. It will elude me all my life.” 

“Ha ha,” Toshinori laughed sarcastically. “Anyway, I was able to summon my muscled form just long enough to take down the villain again, and I was going to find the boy. I was ready to offer to train him, to see if he would take me as a mentor to become a hero… but by the time I was able to drop my muscled form and get back, I couldn’t find him. One of the other heroes had him and there was a big crowd, and next thing I know the Quirkless Commission shows up, and they drag this poor kid away kicking and screaming.” 

He stood up and ran a hand over his face, still trying to comprehend the horror of what he saw. A boy screaming for help, being strapped down like a wild animal, blindfolded and gagged like a common criminal… he had just shown that he had more courage than most there, and the way they treated him was worse than a villain. 

“They gagged this kid, Dave! He can’t have been older than fourteen, and they gagged him and tied him down. It was sickening. And everyone was just recording it and treating it like he was cute. Just a kid, and they– they–” 

He was cut off with another bloody cough, and he quickly wiped his mouth after spewing blood all over. Oh great, it mixed with the spilled sand. Lovely. 

“I couldn’t get it out of my head,” he continued. “So I figured out which facility he was at and stopped by to make sure he was okay. This kid was incredible, and I had to let him know I was grateful.” 

He trailed off, mind reeling with what he saw today. Thank goodness he was able to temper One For All; he might have accidentally crushed his phone just thinking about it. 

“What did you see?” Dave pressed, his voice even and calm. 

“It was awful!” Toshinori shouted. “The way they treat these kids… you would think they were pets, not people ! Kids barely three years old, taken away from their families, and casually spoken about how they’ll be given to someone else when they’re older. They aren’t learning anything, not really. Nothing close to what kids their ages are learning in school. They don’t even get to go outside.” 

Dave said nothing but only waited patiently as Toshinori paced the gym, still ranting and feeling relief that he was able to tell someone about what he saw. 

“And then the boy, the one I wanted to see… strapped down, tied up like an animal. Kept isolated ‘for his own good,’ but how could that possibly be for anyone’s good? And apparently, it’s a common occurrence for this poor boy. He’s treated like a prisoner, and they act like it’s necessary. But how can that be true? Dave, it’s… it’s disgusting, and nobody will do anything because everyone says this is how Quirkless should be treated! ” 

He finally stopped, almost panting at the relief of spilling out everything to his friend. He hadn’t meant to rant that much or to dump that much on him, but it felt good to finally come out and say something. Especially because he was sure he would be the laughing stock of Japan if he told anyone else. 

David waited for a moment, a knowing smile on his face. 

“I understand.” 

“David, that’s nice of you to say, but–”

“No, Toshi,” David interrupted. “I understand . Why do you think I left the States to come to I-Island?” 

That made Toshinori stop. He looked at his friend, confusion taking over. 

“I thought it was for your projects,” he said. 

“That’s what I told a lot of people,” Dave said with a shrug. “And it is part of the reason. But mainly it was because Congress was about to pass Quirkless Care Laws just like Japan. I had to get Melissa out of there before that happened.” 

“Would they have taken her away?” Toshinori asked, eyes wide. 

“They would,” Dave answered gravely. “And no way was I subjecting my little girl to those bastards.”

“What do you mean?” 

“Toshi… do you know what happens to the girls in these programs?” 

Toshinori felt his heart sink. He had heard stories… rumors… but usually those who actually did those things were caught and severely punished. They were few and far between. 

“It’s a lot more common than most want to admit,” Dave sighed, reading his friend’s expression. “I was not risking Melissa like that. So I went to I-Island, became an official resident, and moved here. I don’t get to ever set foot off of it, but that’s okay. I’d much rather be the one trapped than my baby.” 

“I didn’t… Dave, I didn’t realize…” 

“I know. I’m not mad,” his friend reassured him. 

There was a moment of silence between the two, and finally, Toshinori found the strength to speak again. 

“What do I do, Dave?” 

“You do what you always do, Toshi,” Dave answered. “You be a hero. And right now… there are a bunch of helpless people who need one.” 

He was right. They did need a hero. 

And Toshinori already knew one boy who had the potential to be an even greater hero than him, but he wasn’t going to get there, locked up and alone with his jailers. 

Unfortunately, being a hero in this situation quickly became more difficult than Toshinori was expecting. 

He had a somewhat embarrassing reputation for punching his way through problems. Nighteye, Gran Torino, Recovery Girl, Nezu, and even Nana had teased him about it before. A little hurtful sometimes, but he could recognize their point. However, in most situations, he could solve his problems by punching things. 

Bank Robbery? Detroit Smash. (Knock the villain out in one blow.)

Wildfire? Detroit Smash. (His punches were strong enough to put out fires..)

All for One. DETROIT SMASH! (Ideally many of them in his ugly, smug, bastard of a face.)

Toshinori had a method and his method worked. However, this wasn’t a problem he could punch his way through. Destroying a hole in the quirkless facility wouldn’t solve anything. 

So, somewhat reluctantly, Toshinori pulled out his laptop, opened his search platform, and began researching. He very quickly learned the whole quirkless thing was a mess. Most of the current news information was pictures and videos of quirkless doing “cute” things, and the scientific studies he found were so full of medical jargon, technobabble, and academic posturing that his eyes glazed over a page in. 

Toshinori didn’t give up though. When the medical research made little sense, he immersed himself in social media platforms where he dug past the layers of fluff to find heartbreaking tweets.

Doe @DoeEyeIchika

Gave up my little one today to the QC. Was told I would be denied visitation or even repurchase rights. Cant help but feel I lost my child forever. #Quirkless #ParentofaQuirkless #Imissmybaby

17.8k retweets 1065 quote retweets 38k likes

Many of the responses offered meaningless reassurance or scathing remarks, but buried underneath those was a simple response. 

LeonLion @LeoRoar

You’re not alone. I lost my brother to the QC when I was 7. Haven’t seen him since. We can help. #NorthStar #FriendoftheQuirkless #NeverGiveUp

11.7k retweets 863 quote retweets 33k likes

Toshinori latched onto this message. It was the only one within the chain that seemed to have something more. He read it over again. North Star, he thought to himself. It was a new avenue of research. 

Clicking open a new tab, he typed in North Star but was interrupted before he could press search. 

“A Phone Call Is Here! A Phone Call Is Here! A Phone Call Is Here! ”

Biting back a curse, Toshinori picked up the phone and blanched when he saw the caller: Nezu, principal of UA. 

He answered. “Hello, sir.”

“All Might, lovely to hear that you are well. I was afraid an unexpected illness had kept you from attending our meeting.”

At that moment, Toshinori swore he felt his heart stop and all blood drain from his face. His meeting with Nezu had completely escaped his mind. They had planned on going over his paperwork for UA and potential successors, and Toshinori had forgotten all about it. 

Looking at the time, he immediately wished he hadn’t. He was already an hour late. Biting his tongue to stop himself from swearing, he said. “Ah, no I’m quite well. I was distracted by other matters but I’ll be over shortly!”

Nezu sighed, and Toshinori hoped it was with fondness and not irritation. “Very well, All Might. I’ll see you in my office in about an hour. That is, as long as you don’t get distracted…”

“No, of course not, sir. I’ll be there shortly!” And with shaking fingers, he ended the call. 

Despite the hour Toshinori had to get ready, he could barely stop himself from sprinting down the hallways of UA to Nezu’s office. One did not keep the Education Hero, Mr. Principal, waiting. 

Adjusting his suit, and checking to make sure that—yes, he did have his suitcase, he raised his hand to knock on Nezu’s door, only for it to swing open. 

“Come in, All Might,” Nezu’s cheery voice called. 

Nezu was seated at his desk, a stack of paperwork and books surrounding him, along with a saucer and a steaming cup of tea. Another tea cup sat already waiting by the seat across from Nezu. 

Nezu smiled, “Come in, come in, All Might. There’s no need to stand there like a scared student.” The principal took a sip from his cup. “Scared employee would be more appropriate.”

“Yes, sorry, sir,” Toshinori said, closing the door behind him and making his way over to the desk. He folded himself onto the chair, and after a nod from Nezu, took a sip from the tea. 

Nezu continued at his paperwork for several more minutes, jotting down notes, marking out things, and giving Toshinori enough time to finish his tea and pull out his laptop and paperwork. 

“I’m glad, All Might,” Nezu said as he shuffled some papers to the side, “that we were able to make this meeting happen.”

“Me too,” Toshinori admitted. He had been distracted by his research into the quirkless, but he did trust and enjoy Nezu’s company. Nezu was one of the few people who knew Toshinori from behind the mask of All Might. It was a relief to take it off sometimes. However, he also didn’t want to accidentally offend one of the most powerful leaders in the hero world, and one of the few people he would consider a friend. 

“Hmm, that’s what I thought too,” Nezu admitted. “I was rather surprised when you didn’t show up and even more surprised when I didn’t see you leaping across the city, fighting crime.” Nezu steepled his paws in front of his face. “In fact, you haven’t been out for your full time the past couple of days. Almost as if the symbol of peace is distracted? But what could have caught your attention, All Might?”

Toshinori chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “A project, that’s all.”

Nezu’s ears twitched. “A project.” He turned towards his computer screen, typing in several commands. “Would this project happen to be on the Quirkless?” Nezu’s voice was bright, but there was a dark undercurrent that told Toshinori he should tread carefully. “Care to explain?”

“I met a boy who was quirkless, and then…I realized that I might have been failing in my duty as a hero.” The rest of Toshinori’s story spilled out as he described his encounter with Izuku, the slime villain attack, his tour of the facility, and everything that had been on his mind since. All the while, Nezu listened, his dark, beady eyes never turning away. 

When Toshinori finished, Nezu calmly poured himself and Toshinori another cup of tea. “You know,” Nezu said, stirring his cup of tea, “I was prepared for several different conversations today depending on your answer. I already knew you were spending quite a bit of time researching the quirkless—you really do need to be more careful about your internet searches—but I was curious to hear your answer.”

“Why so?”

“Because the treatment of the Quirkless has been a concern of mine for years.” At Toshinori’s surprised face, Nezu chuckled. “Don’t look so surprised.”

Toshinori struggled for an appropriate response. The principal was a hero and yet had always been rather particular about how he spent his time. Finally, he gave up searching for the right words and asked, “Why the Quirkless?”

“I’ve always had a…soft spot for those who have experienced a caged life.”

And, ohhh that made painful sense. Nezu always had been fiercely antagonistic against abusers and those who experimented on others. Thinking back on the Quirkless, collared, and trapped underground, Nezu’s concern became instantly clear. 

“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t even consider that.”

“We live to learn. But yes, the Quirkless have been a concern of mine for a long time. The current laws and restrictions have consigned them to a role less than human. It systematically dehumanizes the Quirkless and presents them as helpless things to be coddled and played with.”

“Why?” Toshinori asked, leaning forward, his arms resting on his knees. “I’ve been looking into it, but all the information is so muddled. It wasn’t always like this!? I don’t remember it being like this when I was a child. How did our society get to his point?”

“Books have been written on that topic, and I could list reasons for days. However, the simplest answer would be that it is a system born out of fear, greed, and sometimes deliberate misunderstandings.”

“How though?” Toshinori cried. He got to his feet, pacing back and forth. “When I met that boy, I did not see anything about him that made him inferior to others! I wouldn’t have even known he was quirkless! Why is there separation?”

“Toshinori,” Nezu scolded. “I know you’ve taken history classes before, and the curriculum at UA covers this topic. There has always been a separation and even tension between the Quirked and Quirkless. When meta abilities first appeared, those without abilities were incredibly fearful. These fears were slowly resolved due to the appearance of heroes, but it was always there.”

“When did it change!? These laws weren’t in place in the beginning!?”

Nezu chuckled and took a sip from his tea. “I never thought I would see the day when All Might asked me for a lecture. Ah, then I suppose I should take advantage of this moment.” He waved his paws towards the empty seat. “Sit back down, and I’ll give you a brief overview.”

Grimacing, Toshinori sat back in his seat. The principal did have an incredible ability to lecture for hours, but he did need to know. He could survive a lecture if it helped him know how to help that boy Izuku. 

Seeing that Toshinori was seated, Nezu clasped his paws together. “You asked how the Quirkless Care Laws came to be? Well, let’s see…The first sign of a gap in understanding about the Quirkless occurred during a lawsuit about a century after the emergence of quirks. A 3rd-grade student, Ren Nakamura, suddenly died in the middle of the school day. Nakamura had been reporting severe stomach pain, nausea, bloating, chills and around noon, he collapsed to the ground, and later died. The diagnosis was a ruptured appendix, something that the school nurse and faculty were unaware of as it was a pre-quirk disease. 

When the family of the deceased child sued, the school district countered by arguing that they had not received the proper information to deal with such a student. They had not been properly informed of the student’s precondition. The school lost the case, but it created a new movement of research into the condition of “quirklessness” and led to some schools barring the entrance of the Quirkless due to a lack of ability to cater to their needs. 

From there, things continued to spiral. Biased medical research, lawsuits, a growing social media presence of Quirkless as “cute” and “helpless,” the creation of legislation aimed to “protect” the Quirkless, I could go on, but I will spare you the details.”

Toshinori slumped back in his seat, unsure of what he could even say. He was certain there were details Nezu was leaving out, but there was something about how the situation had been twisted and then spiraled. Nezu sat patiently at his seat, waiting for Toshinori to respond. 

“I…I didn’t know,” Toshinori admitted. “I mean I vaguely remember being sometimes babied by strangers as a child. And yes, there was an underlying sense of the Quirkless being weak, but I didn’t really pay it much attention. I was too focused on—”

“Being a hero,” Nezu finished. “It’s always been one of your greatest strengths and weaknesses. You narrow in on a single issue or problem and you throw your entire being into it. The downside is that you sometimes ignore the other issues around you.”

“So what can I do?” Toshinori gestured. “I’ve tried researching it. I want to get involved, but I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Are you sure you want to?” At Toshinori’s offended reaction, Nezu sighed and held up his paws. “I mean no disrespect, but you have dedicated your entire career to being a hero. Your focus has been on creating a stable society. By becoming involved in this issue, it could destroy what you have dedicated your life to building. Many would become enraged with you. You might even lose your position as the number one hero. Is that something you are willing to sacrifice?”

Toshinori was ashamed to admit that he paused. His goal had always been to be a symbol. To create a safe society. It was what he had told Nana. 

I wanna make a world where everyone smiles together happily and for that to happen, I want to be a symbol of peace for people to rely on. 

However, what was the point of being a symbol when there was an entire population (a group he would have been part of were it not for One for All) that was suffering? 

He couldn’t accept it. 

Toshinori clenched his fist. “I’m not All Might to the Quirkless only, but to everyone, quirkless included. If there’s something I can do to help, I will.”

Nezu grinned, “Wonderful. Now… tell me more about this boy of yours. Izuku, was it?”

Chapter Text

Izuku was relieved when he finally was let out of the damn chair and restraints, and back into the common area. Not that he dared show it to the staff at the Care Facility. He knew they were all under Utotsuki’s thumb and would not hesitate to tell her that she was getting to him. 

He had been able to pretend to be good while under All For One’s “care.” He had been able to act like his words hadn’t gotten to him. Usotsuki was a small fish in comparison to one of the greatest villains in Japan. Izuku should be able to keep up a front, even if she was able to get under his skin like a needle. 

“Zuku!” 

Izuku was pulled from his thoughts and grinned at the familiar child rushing over to him, deer plushie in hand. The child hardly reached Izuku’s waist, and when he hugged Izuku, he hugged Izuku’s knees.

“I missed you so much, Zuku!” Kojika exclaimed. “They said you were bad, but I knew that wasn’t true because you’re a good friend and you didn’t deserve to be in timeout.” 

“Thanks, Kojika,” Izuku laughed ruffling his hair. “I’m okay, and I missed you too. How is Mr. Deer?”

Kojika responded by making slurping sounds, rubbing the plushie’s snout along Izuku’s hand. He did this whenever he pretended Mr. Deer was licking him. Izuku played along and patted the plushie’s head. 

“Good to see you too, Mr. Deer!” 

“Come on, let’s go play!” Kojika shouted, grabbing Izuku’s hand and running over to the recreational area. 

Izuku followed, taking a quick glance at his surroundings. There were not any new faces, so they hadn’t picked up any new arrivals while he was in the Timeout Room. At least there was that. Some of the children waved to Izuku, but a lot were watching him carefully, a mixture of sadness and fear on their faces. He grinned and waved to them happily, which got several sighs of relief. 

It was like this every time he tried to escape. A lot of the other kids in the facility would wonder if he had finally broken under Usotsuki’s punishments and isolation, and would watch him like a hawk once he was free to walk about. Always the question: did Izuku, the future hero, finally crack under Usotsuki, or was he still going strong?

Izuku refused to ever let the answer be the former. He was going to get out of here, he was going to be a Hero, and he was going to free the other Quirkless in the facility. As long as there were people in here who looked up to him, he was going to stay strong. Not even Usotsuki could break him. 

He and Kojika went to the recreational area, where a bunch of pillows and blankets were thrown around over a table, making a plush fort with the blankets acting as curtains and veils from the Care providers. Sitting in front of the fort was a man with grey hair, liver spots, and wrinkled eyes that said he had spent a lot of years smiling, nibbling on brightly colored dango. 

This wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary if the dango here wasn’t specifically restricted for mealtimes. 

“Ah, so the little jailbreak is free,” Rojin noted as he saw the two approaching children. “How was the warden this time?” 

“No different than usual,” Izuku answered with a shrug. “Had a visitor though.” 

Rojin frowned. Visitors usually meant potential caretakers, which meant adoption. And with adoption, Quirkless were on their own, completely in the hands of people who would treat them about the same way All For One treated Izuku for two years. Which meant another person who Izuku and Rojin couldn’t protect, because they never saw them again. 

“Not like that,” Izuku reassured him. “He just wanted to thank me for helping All Might while I was free.” 

Rojin’s eyes widened in surprise, while Kojika stared at Izuku in awe. 

“You met All Might?” the toddler gasped. “And you helped him?!” 

Izuku flushed, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. 

“Everyone told me I got in the way more than anything, but the man came and told me All Might was glad I helped. That I even inspired him.” 

“You did what no one else was willing to. You demonstrated a truly heroic, selfless, courageous nature that inspired All Might to act. You reminded him what it meant to be a hero.”

Those words had meant the world to Izuku in his weeks of being blindfolded, bound, and left with only Usotsuki coming in to gloat or another care worker to watch over him. It showed Izuku that he was on the right track. That he could become a hero. 

He had inspired All Might and shown a true heroic spirit. Now he would become a hero and save everyone, especially here. 

“Well done, kid!” Rojin complimented, clapping Izuku on the shoulder. “Showed the Number One that we aren’t so fragile after all. I’m proud of you.” 

With that, he offered Izuku a stick of dango. Izuku accepted the sweet eagerly, and Kojika looked up at the old man pleadingly.

 Rojin frowned. “Now that’s just unfair.” 

“Please, Grandpa Rojin?” Kojika begged as if he were on the brink of starvation and Rojin’s dango was his only hope of survival. 

“Fine, tricky brat,” Rojin grumbled, handing him a stick of dango as well. Kojika grinned and happily began to devour the dango. With that, the two boys crawled under the blankets and into the fortress beneath the table. 

Hunched beneath the table was a girl dressed in a soft, almost fairy-tale princess-like dress. She had a pink bow in her long purple hair, and she was writing something on the underside of the table. At the sight of Izuku and Kojika, she grinned and capped her marker, before giving Izuku a hug. 

“Why did you have to run again?” she asked in a scolding tone. “We were all so worried about you! We thought Usotsuki was going to be extra hard on you.” 

“I’m fine, Kimiko,” Izuku promised. “I can handle Usotsuki.” 

Kimiko frowned, putting her hands on her hips and reminding Izuku of his mom for a brief second. 

“I heard you got caught up in a villain attack.”

“That’s so cool, Zuku!” Kojika exclaimed. 

“No, it is not!” Kimiko insisted. “You could have gotten really hurt! You could have gotten caught by your Dad! Izuku, it isn’t safe for us out there, especially you.” 

“I know, Kimiko. But I still had to try. And I probably would have done fine if it hadn’t been for the villain. I don’t know, my feet just seemed to move, and the next thing I knew I had to save the other person. I couldn’t leave him alone, especially when I know what it’s like to be scared and helpless.” 

Kimiko sighed, fiddling with the bow in her hair. Izuku knew she hated to wear it, but Usotsuki insisted that ‘she was too precious not to decorate her pretty hair.’ 

“Just please be careful next time,” she begged. “I don’t want Usotsuki to get after you again.” 

Izuku nodded and then turned his attention to the underside of the table, where Kimiko had finished writing a name. 

‘Hina Mori’ 

“So Hina got adopted, then?” he asked. 

Kimiko nodded sadly. “They took her away two days ago. Some CEO of an insurance company and his family. They have a couple of children, and they seemed really nice.” 

“They always seem really nice,” Izuku sighed, laying down on the pillow floor to look up at the table. “They wouldn’t be able to take us away if they didn’t.” 

“But maybe they will be kind to Hina-chan,” Kimiko hoped. “You never know. She seemed really happy to be leaving here. She was scared of Usotsuki.” 

Everyone was scared of Usotsuki. That’s why everyone was so well behaved, and why she could sell off her charges like purebred puppies. Nobody ever wanted to deal with the consequences of crossing the Director of the facility, and as a result, she got the reputation of having the best behaved, most loveable quirkless in Japan. 

Izuku looked at the underside of the wooden table where dozens upon dozens of names remained in permanent ink. People who had been there when Izuku was first brought to his prison, now given away. Younger kids who had just been too cute for really powerful families to wait until they turned eighteen. Feral kids who only stayed a few weeks before being adopted out. 

Izuku looked up at the names and committed them to memory. For all he knew, they were trapped in a vault like he was, or worse… 

He would get out of here. He would become a Hero. He would free his mother, and then he would free all of the names listed on this table. 

A loud cough sounded, a warning from Rojin signaling that there was an approaching enemy. Izuku dared to peek out through a crack in the blankets to see an orderly along Usotsuki, approaching their hiding place. 

Kimiko quickly placed Kojika behind her as the orderly bent down and picked up one of the blankets.

“Knock knock!” Usotsuki said sweetly. “Someone in here has a visitor waiting for them!” 

Kojika scrambled up, clutching Mr. Deer close to his chest. 

“Mommy and Daddy?” he asked eagerly. 

“Now, Kojika, what did we say about asking a question or when we have something to say?” Usotsuki asked. 

Kojika faltered, and he held Mr. Deer tighter. Izuku bit his tongue to stop himself from pointing out that she had stated something, so obviously he was fine to respond. 

“Excuse me,” Kojika said politely. “But is it Mommy and Daddy?” 

“Oh, you precious baby boy,” Usotsuki crooned, patting his cheek. “I’m sorry, but your Mommy and Daddy aren’t coming today. It’s little Izuku who has a visitor.” 

Izuku? But who… 

Izuku’s thoughts immediately flashed back to that night at the auction house. Red eyes smiling down at him, curious and amused. And slowly that amusement became twisted adoration, as he was forced to cuddle in that monster’s hands, his words and appearance and name stripped from him, his only reality the Vault, and Tomura, and him and— 

No, it could not be him. He was a known villain, he would not be able to waltz right into a Quirkless Care Facility and demand to see Izuku. 

But he had been at the auction with Heroes and HPSC members alike. With just the right words, the right strings, and the right amount on a check, he could do anything . 

No. No, that wasn’t right. It wasn’t All For One. He wouldn’t have bothered waving money in front of someone like Usotsuki if she was standing between him and Izuku. He would render her a grease splat, then trample the others here, and walk out with Izuku cradled in his arms like a baby. 

It was not him. It was not him . 

Kojika’s face fell, unaware of the turmoil rattling in Izuku’s head. His lip was trembling as he clutched Mr. Deer tightly to his chest. 

“But they promised,” he sniffled. “They promised they would visit me again.” 

“I know, dear,” Usotsuki said sympathetically, pinching his cheek. “But your Mommy and Daddy had a bit of an issue with their paperwork, and until they can get it sorted, I’m afraid you just can’t see them.” 

“Paperwork indeed,” Rojin scoffed from his chair. “Don’t lie to the boy, lady. You probably arranged for that mistake, and when they get it resolved, you’ll come up with ten more. Get the boy focused on staying with a new family with deeper pockets.” 

“Rojin,” Usotsuki said, turning to the senior and smiling stiffly, fingers still running through Kojika’s hair. “Are you suggesting that I would deliberately keep this poor boy from his parents?” 

“Lady, I have survived far too much to deal with the lies you try to sell,” Rojin grumbled. “Don’t try it, little girl.” 

Usotsuki blanched at his words, and Kojika ran over to Kimiko, giving her a big hug. 

“I want Mommy!” he cried, tears starting to fall down his face. “I want Mommy!” 

“Kojika,” Usotsuki growled, stepping to the boy. “You need to calm down. You are much too stimulated.” 

She reached for him, but Izuku knocked her hand away. He refused to let her use her quirk on a small boy like Kojika. 

“Izuku, don’t,” Kimiko warned, watching the exchange as she hugged Kojika. 

The Director’s eyes flashed in warning, as she turned to the orderly. 

“Take little Izuku to see his visitor,” she said in a falsely sweet voice. “I’ll deal with baby Kojika.” 

“I don’t care who it is,” Izuku snarled. “I’m not—” 

“It’s okay, Izu-baby,” the orderly crooned as he picked up Izuku under his armpits and lifted him onto his hip. “The Director’s got it, and you have a special friend waiting for you. Come on, let’s go.” 

“NO! GIVE ME BACK MR. DEER!” 

Izuku turned at Kojika’s cry in time to see Director Usotsuki pocketing the stuffed deer in her suit pocket. How dare she?! Kojika’s parents gave him that deer, it was the last thing they gave him before they had to send him to this nightmare. 

“Hey, leave him alone!” 

He tried to twist out of his grip, but the orderly was used to Izuku struggling and anticipated his move. He kept Izuku in a tight, but not painful grip, as he carried him off, Kojika’s cries still echoing in the hallways. 

Izuku wanted to scream and rage. To throw himself out of the orderly’s arms and beat up 

Usotsuki until she gave back Mr. Deer, let Kojika go back to his family, and let all of the quirkless go! He hated it! He hated how they made him feel useless, but Izuku hadn’t been out of the timeout room for only a day and as much as he didn’t want to admit it, Izuku couldn’t handle another day in timeout, unable to speak, see, or move. It wasn’t that Usotsuki was winning, cause she wasn’t. Izuku just knew what battles to pick. 

However, Izuku allowed that anger to fester inside him like his very own fire quirk waiting to spew out. He would save it and wield it against whoever wanted to see him which would not be Izuku’s dad. 

The orderly continued to hurry down the hallways, occasionally giving Izuku a light pat. They were going to the “play areas” where potential owners would interact with chosen quirkless to decide if they were a “good” fit. 

For all the bullcrap Usotsuki spewed about prepping quirkless for the auction at 18, she was more than happy to sell off quirkless earlier. Izuku was never truly considered for adoption. He was too “rebellious” or feral and needed additional love and attention before making such a step. Which was how he liked it. 

Usotsuki had actually banned Izuku from attending the general show-off tours after he had stolen several wads of mud from the gardening area, hidden them in his pocket, and thrown them at the wealthy client and the director. That stunt had sent him to the timeout room for three days, but it had been worth seeing Usotsuki’s suit ruined and her hair disheveled.

However, the point remained that no potential buyers should even be aware of his existence. There shouldn’t be anyone who wanted to see Izuku. He had made sure of that. So who was this visitor!

The orderly stopped outside a door with a brightly marked sign announcing “play area” and “busy.” Unlocking it, the orderly pushed the door open and set Izuku inside before giving a final ruffle of his hair and a reminder to “behave.”

Izuku scowled as the door closed and promised himself that he would do the opposite. However, that didn’t stop the thrill of fear from prickling underneath his collar as he heard the door lock. 

Rubbing at his collar, he turned around. The room was standard for the facility: padded walls and floors, soft pastel colors, a collection of toys better suited for someone Kojika’s age, and gentle ambient music in the background. Everything was as Izuku expected, except for the gaunt man sitting on one of the plush bean bags in the corner. 

He didn’t look like the typical wealthy client Usotsuki brought in. The man looked like a corpse. His skin was tight against his cheekbones and his eyes were dark from exhaustion. He had to be decades younger than Rojin, but he didn’t look like it. 

Noticing Izuku’s attention, the man smiled and waved, but Izuku scowled back, resisting the urge to stick out his tongue.

The man’s smile faltered for a moment, before coming back even brighter. “Hello, Izuku.” 

“Who are you,” Izuku snapped. “What do you want?”

Now the man’s smile did slip away, and his brows furrowed together. “Do you not remember me?” He sounded sad, and Izuku hated how it made him feel guilty. 

Izuku stared back over the stranger, with his bushy hair and ill-fitting suit. Honestly, he was surprised Director Usotsuki even let him in. 

“I met you several weeks ago, although, I suppose you wouldn’t have been able to see me at the time. My name is Yagi Toshinori, and I am All Might’s personal secretary.”

Now Izuku knew exactly who was speaking to him. Although the face was unfamiliar, the tone was recognizable, deep and soothing while also carrying a weight. Izuku had replayed that voice over and over again while in timeout. 

You did what no one else was willing to. You demonstrated a truly heroic, selfless, courageous nature that inspired All Might to act. You reminded him what it meant to be a hero.

It had been so shocking. To finally hear someone validate Izuku’s dreams in a way that only his mom ever had. 

“Do you remember me now?” 

“I do now. I only heard your voice last time.” Because I was blindfolded went unsaid. 

Yagi ducked his head and rubbed at his neck. “Ah, yes. Are you… better now?”

“I’m fine.”

An awkward silence fell over the room which was further emphasized by the soft instrumental music floating in the background. The two of them regarded each other carefully, neither one moving and waiting for the other to start the conversation. But it wasn’t going to be Izuku. He had no intention of going along with the charade. He wanted to get out of this room and get Usotsuki to give Mr. Deer back. 

Finally, Yagi spoke up, “Do you want to take a seat?” He gestured to one of the bean bags next to him. 

“No. I’m fine where I am.” Izuku knew he was being rude, but he didn’t want to step away from the door. Izuku knew he wasn’t able to escape, but having the illusion that he could by being closer to the door brought him some comfort. 

Thankfully, Yagi nodded and said, “That’s alright then.”

They went back into an awkward silence, and it became more and more obvious that the man would not say anything until Izuku did. 

“Why are you here?” Izuku asked, deciding to jump the gun and get on with it. “Was there something else All Might wanted to say?” 

The unspoken question was on the tip of his tongue, but the look on Yagi’s face told him that he didn’t need to say it. 

Is All Might going to help me?

“Actually no,” Yagi admitted, scratching the back of his head. “I came here by myself. We didn’t get to really talk last time, and I also wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Izuku crossed his arms, shielding himself and showing he was only going to participate begrudgingly. The faster the man learned he wasn’t interested in adoption, the better. 

“Talk about what?” he asked. 

Yagi tilted his head to the side, clearly put off by Izuku’s attitude. Izuku guessed he was expecting a cute little simpering boy, like the videos of quirkless that were all over the internet, who acted more like he was four than fourteen. Izuku was not sorry that he was ruining that view. Not one bit.  

“Why did you save that boy?” 

“What?” 

That had not been the question he had expected. He had expected something maybe about why he had been running from the facility when he met All Might or why he was in the time-out room when they met or why the attitude. But not that. 

“That boy, the one trapped by the villain,” Yagi explained. “You had been attacked by that slime villain less than an hour earlier. I mean, that’s what All Might told me. Yet, despite being attacked and the fire and your lack of quirk—”

“What does quirk have to do with this?” Izuku snapped. 

Yagi paused, taken aback by Izuku’s loud answer. 

“I, well…”

“No quirk is perfect you know. Just because you have one doesn’t mean that it's some magical failsafe that will help you in any situation. The other heroes didn’t have ‘suitable’ quirks for saving the boy.” 

“Yes!” Yagi agreed with a nod, leaning forward in his seat. “Exactly. They didn’t, and so they decided to wait for another hero with a suitable quirk to show up, but you didn’t. Why?”

That was the question. Why did Izuku rush in to save him? The boy had been his age, he knew the villain to be dangerous, there were heroes all around, and it had only wound up getting him caught and brought back to the facility. If he had just let him be and watched from the crowd, he might still be free and on his way to be a hero. But he didn’t. 

“He was scared and no one was doing anything.I knew I could do something to help.”

“Even without a quirk?” Yagi asked, sounding stunned. 

“Quirks don’t matter! Were you not listening to what I said earlier? This stupid society acts like quirks are some magic ticket or key to success if you can just have the right one. Well, it's stupid! No quirk is perfect. They all have downsides. And even then, it's ultimately up to the user to hone and use their quirk appropriately.” 

“You’re absolutely right, my boy, but–”

“BUT does anyone remember that?! NO!” Izuku continued to rant, completely ignoring Yagi. “They use it as an excuse to not help people who need help and who they can reach out to. I refuse to be like that. I don’t care if I don’t have a quirk. I am going to be a hero and help people.” 

“That’s an admirable goal, my boy,” 

Izuku stopped and glared at the visitor. Of all the placating things to say… 

Yeah, it was an admirable goal. But it was like telling a little girl she would grow up to be a fairy tale princess or a kindergartner that he would grow up to be President. There were some things you tell kids (and apparently quirkless) to pat them on the head and shut them up. 

“Don’t condescend to me,” he growled. “And I’m not your boy. I’m not anyone’s.” 

To emphasize his point, he tugged on the collar around his throat. The same one that got him caught the day he met All Might. 

“ This doesn’t matter. I’m not a pet or some prize to show off.”  

“I understand,” Yagi protested. “I’m not trying to be rude.” 

Izuku was sick of this. He could hear pounding; was it his heart or was someone opening the door to drag him off again? Was Kojika still crying about his parents, or had Usotsuki done something to him to shut him up? Every second he spent in here would be one for the Director to think he was tamed and could be sent out with a nice, kind billionaire who wanted a cute Quirkless. 

“I know why you’re here!” he shouted. “But I won’t be adopted. I won’t. I refuse to go back with another person. I already went through that with Daddy , I refuse to go back."

He felt tears sting his eyes as the word came out involuntarily. So many years and that quirk still hadn’t changed. No matter how many times he tried to say it, no matter how often he tried different variants of the villain and his title, it always came out the same way. 

Even though Izuku had escaped, All For One still had a hold on him, twisting his words to live out his fantasy. It had been five years, but Izuku was still not free of him. He would never be free of that villain who locked him in the vault. 

He would never be free– he would never–

“Izuku? You’re getting worked up, young Izuku, you need to calm down.”  

His breathing was starting to become shallow and rapid. He felt like a weight was crushing his chest. The same fear that gripped him his first day in the vault, when All For One stood over him, smug and amused as Izuku wept and cried, and thought he would die. 

“Is that the best you can do, little hero?” 

Someone was standing up and getting close. His skinny frame stretched higher towards the ceiling until he towered over Izuku. He’s as tall as All For One, Izuku thought.

And then it was the villain, reaching for Izuku with that wide mocking smile, his eyes sharp and greedy as he watched Izuku fail because Izuku always failed and All for One always won and Izuku was back in that plush room, trapped from the outside. 

Toshinori hadn’t expected the conversation to go amazing and for the boy to be thrilled to see him. Who wanted to see a washed-out, skeleton-of-a-man? However, he hadn’t expected such open hostility and fear from the boy. 

The way Izuku stayed close to the door and how his eyes flickered around the room testified to how anxious the child was feeling. Nezu had warned Toshinori that type of reaction was likely, but Toshinori had stupidly held onto hope that it would be different. 

Toshinori also hadn’t expected the boy to spiral into a panic attack. Izuku’s eyes had glazed over in terror and his entire body shook. Sweat dripped from the boy’s brow, but he seemed unaware of it as he clutched his heart. 

Toshinori swore to himself. He had recognized the boy spiraling, but he hadn’t been able to stop it. Izuku curled in on himself, slipping down the wall into a tight ball on the ground. 

Toshinori crouched down as well but tried to broadcast his movements. Something Toshinori had said or done had set the boy off, and he didn’t want to make the situation worse. 

Slowly he moved closer while trying not to crowd the boy. “Hey,” he said, keeping his voice calm, “you seem a bit upset there. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Izuku’s eyes remained glazed over and his shaking intensified as tears now slipped down his cheeks. 

Toshinori continued to talk but wracked his mind for anything the boy seemed to like. Unfortunately, his knowledge was limited mostly to things the boy didn’t like; however, Izuku had reacted positively to All Might in the past. 

“You like All Might, right, Izuku? Do you know his theme song? The one they used to play on his television show?” Toshinori hummed a few bars. The cheery, upbeat tune felt out of place, but Izuku’s trembling slowed. 

“Ah, you do know it. I’ll keep humming it then.” He resumed the tune and reached out to rest his hand on Izuku’s hand. The boy shuddered, but Toshinori didn’t grip it. Instead, he began a soft taboo, tapping his fingers in rhythm with the theme song. When Izuku didn’t flinch away, Toshinori continued repeating the melody and rhythm over and over as the boy’s shaking slowed. 

The door to the side swung open, startling both Toshinori and the boy. Director Usotsuki appeared, her pocket strangely bulging as she and a woman in scrubs looked over the display. Her eyes went wide at seeing Izuku’s state and Toshinori’s position. 

“Mr. Yagi, I am so sorry!” Director Usotsuki cried, joining him and Izuku– and visibly ignoring how Izuku whimpered and moved away from her. “Our monitors told us little Izuku was in distress. Allow us. Rin, if you will…” 

The woman nodded and knelt beside Izuku, rolling up his sleeve. She rubbed his shoulder with an alcohol wipe and then injected a syringe of some clear liquid. Izuku cried out at the needle and tried to move away as Rin put a bandaid over the needle prick. 

“There we go,” she consoled. “All done, baby boy. You were so brave.” 

“What is that?” Toshinori demanded. 

“Just a sedative,” Usotsuki said dismissively. “Necessary to calm him down and give him a break.” 

Toshinori caught the boy as he began to go limp, tears freely flowing from his eyes. 

“The boy was having a panic attack and your solution is to shoot him full of drugs?” he repeated in disbelief. 

Usotsuki’s smile faltered as Yagi helped the boy lay down, his eyes glazing over in a drugged haze. Her expression became more of a scowl as she drew herself up to her full height as if that made any difference. 

“We only use the methods tested and scientifically proven by the best medical personnel,” she replied defensively. “We would never consider doing something that could harm our poor quirkless charges!” 

She stopped herself and took a deep breath, as if visibly calming herself. When she opened her eyes, her stiff smile had returned, but it did not reach her eyes. 

“I’m sorry your visit did not go as planned,” she apologized. “Perhaps, Mr. Yagi, you would like to play with a couple of our better-behaved Quirkless–” 

“No need,” Toshinori said sharply, cutting the woman off. “I’ve made my choice.” 

“Oh, but Mr. Yagi, you shouldn’t–” 

“I will adopt young Izuku,” he said firmly. 

The change in Director Usotsuki’s visage was almost as drastic as Toshinori’s transformation into All Might. Her smile widened, and from behind her red-rimmed glasses, her eyes shined. “Oh.” She glanced between Toshinori and Izuku and her smile grew wider. “Oh, this is wonderful to hear. I must admit I’m surprised. Our dear little Izuku is a sweetheart but often a handful.”

“That’s what I like about him,” Toshinori said. 

Director Usotsuki nodded her head, not truly understanding what Toshinori meant. “I see, yes, there is a degree of pleasure from helping break in your quirkless instead of relying on others.” She paused, eyes scanning Toshinori. “Of course, we aren’t supposed to adopt out our quirkless before the age of 18…”

Toshinori forced himself not to growl and adopted the pleasant voice he used with annoying reporters. “I understand, and I am thoroughly prepared to do and pay whatever is necessary to bring young Izuku home with me.”

Director Usosuki clasped her hands together, the macaroni necklace she was wearing bouncing at the movement. “How lovely. It’s always heartwarming to hear that there are generous souls like yours around.” 

She motioned towards the nurse Rin. “Would you please take little Izuku to the infirmary area and make sure that he is okay? Mr. Yagi and I have things to discuss.”

Reluctantly, Toshinori released his hold on Izuku, allowing Rin to heft Izuku into her arms and carry him away. 

It’ll be alright, Izuku, Toshinori silently promised. I will get you out of this terrible, toxic place. 

Author's Note:

Last chapter Nezu shared a brief history of the Quirkless movement. Like Nezu said, there was a lot more that could have been shared but wasn't. Since there was some interest in Nezu's history we've included this brief timeline detailing how the Quirkless Care Laws came to be. Hope you find it interesting. 

2XXX - A 3rd-grade quirkless student dies due to a ruptured appendix. The family sues the school is countered by the school district arguing that they were capable of taking care of the student’s condition. Schools begin to bar the entrance of quirkless. 

2XXX - New research that becomes sensationalized outlining the “biologically inferior” bodies of the quirkless, and the extra care they need. 

2XXX - Twin brother and inheritor of a large fortune claims that his brother is not capable of managing money due to his quirkless status. He asks to become a proprietor for the brother. The following lawsuit is granted in the quirked brother’s favor. 

2XXX - Scientists declare that Quirkless are at risk of going extinct.

2XXX - Videos of quirkless being “cute” begin to go viral online.

2XXX - Laws go into place affording rights for “at-risk populations.” The quirkless are included within it. These laws, in many respects, are similar to the laws first passed, but these are fueled by the concept that the quirkless needed protection. The laws allow funding for the first quirkless facility. 

2XXX - Growing pressure from new scientific studies promotes the weak state of quirkless and the need for specialized facilities. 

2XXX - Three new quirkless facilities are created. 

2XXX - A father sues a mother for guardianship of quirkless child, claiming that the mother did not have the capabilities to protect and aid a quirkless child. The mother barely wins the lawsuit and is required to implement more protective measures

2XXX - Five new quirkless facilities are created. 

2XXX - A law passes requiring quirkless be sent to quirkless facilities or be in a household with specific care capabilities

2XXX - Quirkless facilities begin allowing the adoption of quirkless over the age of 18

2XXX - There is a growing market for “quirkless care” products

2XXX - The first Quirkless Adoption Auction is implemented

2XXX - New research comes out detailing the extreme vulnerability of the quirkless

2XXX - The Quirkless Care Laws are passed. (All quirkless are required to go to the facilities)

Chapter Text

The last month had felt both like a day and a year. Less than an hour after informing Director Usotsuki that he planned to adopt Izuku, Nezu had called. 

“Well, All Might,” Nezu had said. “I heard that you made another trip to the quirkless facility. Did you come to a decision?” 

Toshinori had glanced down at the picture of Izuku that Director Usotsuki had given him. “I did. I can’t in good conscience leave Izuku there. I plan to adopt the boy, and create somewhere safe for him. Then, after he’s settled, if he wants to be a hero, we’ll go from there.”

“Very admirable indeed. But do you truly know what you’re getting yourself into? He’s not a pet. He’s a child with needs that include time and attention. Can you manage that with your career as All Might? Are you prepared to help him through the trauma he carries?

“I…” Toshinori had gripped his phone. “I hadn’t considered that. But I don’t see another alternative. I won’t leave that boy there. I won’t.”

Nezu had sighed fondly. “You always have been the type to jump in without always thinking things through. If you truly are set on this path, I will help.”

“Really, sir?!”

“Of course. I simply ask that when the time is right, I can meet this Izuku.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good.”

From that point on, Toshinori had been thrown into a whirlwind of preparations. The Quirkless Commission had set expectations and requirements to adopt a quirkless before the age of 18. 

Toshinori had to go through a background check which was standard procedure for most adoptions, quirkless or otherwise. But because it was a quirkless teenager younger than 18, it had to be more thorough. Everything from family history, academic, medical history, anything to make sure he was qualified to be a guardian for Izuku. 

He had been worried they would realize Toshinori Yagi was All Might, but Nezu was one step ahead. He had a full fake background prepared with just enough truth to match Toshinori’s records and redirect all attention away from the Symbol of Peace. 

He also had to meet with several different professionals, such as a Quirkless Care doctor (to know what to do in the case of a medical emergency), a Quirkless Care building inspector and designer (to have his place looked over and refurbished to suit a quirkless), along with several other professionals in specialists in quirkless diet, clothing, exercise, and discipline. 

By the end of all the meetings, Toshinori had a stack of informative documents a foot high, three-quarters of which (according to Nezu) were completely false or propaganda. His apartment had been changed to have any corners or edges padded, hard surfaces relocated, and sharp and breakable objects placed out of reach. Even his power sockets had been childproofed. It looked like he was getting ready for a clumsy, curious toddler and not a teenage boy. 

Worst of all was the mountain of paperwork Toshinori had to sift through and sign. Nezu had stayed with Toshinori throughout the process, pointing out clauses that would need to be amended or provisions to add. The legal jargon made no sense to Toshinori, but Nezu assured him that it would block the Quirkless Commission from interfering in Toshinori’s “care” of Izuku. 

By the end of the month, Toshinori was exhausted, his home was completely redone, and if he saw another legal document, he was putting it in the shredder. However, with all that work considered, a month was shockingly fast. Typically there was far more red tape that adopters had to struggle through. 

Toshinori researched more and found parents of quirkless kids especially struggled with the adoption process to get their children back. There would be setbacks of paperwork, mistakes in the legal affairs, and the next thing they knew, the parents had lost the right even to see their child. Toshinori was horrified at the number of times he saw this occur and how on social media, these parents were met with backlash from the public. There were only a few sympathetic ears and always a message from people who had “North Star” somewhere in their messages. 

In his case, however, Toshinori had the world’s smartest rodent on his side and a mountain of cash. There had been many “minor hiccups” that had been miraculously solved by another wad of cash. 

It had made Toshinori grit his teeth in frustration. Doubtlessly the money was going into the pockets of people like Director Usotsuki, but if it allowed him to save Izuku, Toshinori would put up with the cost. 

Toshinori paced back and forth in his living room, anxiously watching the clock. Today was the day. The day he adopted Izuku and got him out of that awful place. 

Despite Toshinori’s wishes, he was not allowed to pick the boy up from the facility. Instead, Izuku would be delivered to Toshinori’s apartment. He looked up at the clock; 1 hour until the boy arrived. 

“Alright," Toshinori said to himself, trying to talk through the nervous jitters. “The kid is coming today. I’ve gone over everything several times. It should be good. I’ve got both rooms set up. The fridge is stocked for once, and everything dangerous has been put away.”

Would it be enough, though? Toshinori gripped his injured side and coughed into his fist. 

He didn’t interact much with children outside of signing autographs or rescuing them. With his time limit, every second had to be devoted to fighting crime. 

How was it he had faced villains, faced All For One, dealt with the underhanded tactics of the Hero Public Safety Commission, and endured Gran Torino’s training, and somehow this was what made him afraid? 

Toshinori tugged at his bangs, trying to ignore the clenching sensation in his lungs. The top priority would be helping the boy settle in. Toshinori wanted Izuku to feel safe. He would help the boy realize he was trying to help him and that he wasn’t like Usotsuki and her kind. After that, they could discuss Izuku being a hero or whatever else the boy wanted to do. 

The moment Toshinori watched Izuku run through the flames to rescue the trapped boy, Toshinori knew Izuku was a born hero. However, Toshinori didn’t want Izuku to feel forced or think that Toshinori had adopted Izuku merely because Izuku wanted to be a hero. No, Toshinori would build a foundation of trust and security first and then go from there. If Izuku changed his mind about being a hero, that was okay too. However, Toshinori refused to let him go back to that awful place. 

Toshinori checked his watch again. 58 minutes. 

And then… everything would change. 

Master, guide me, he thought. Help me help this child the way you helped me. 

Something was up. Izuku could tell. 

Usotsuki was too smug and looked too much like a pleased cat whenever he was nearby, and even was willing to give Mr. Deer back to Kojika when he demanded it. That seldom happened. Usually, he had to try breaking into her office to get the stuffed deer back. 

However, for the past month, she had been more affectionate and indulgent, looking like she had a great secret she was just dying to share. She was planning something, but Izuku didn’t have a clue about what was going to happen. And he didn’t want to find out.

“I need to escape soon,” he told Rojin and Kimiko about a month after Yagi’s visit. 

Kimiko looked at him with worry, while Rojin just grunted. 

“Think that her majesty has something up her sleeve for you?” he asked. “I’ve seen it too.” 

Izuku nodded. “I don’t know what it is, but I’ve got to get out of here before she goes through with it.” 

“Smart choice, kid,” Rojin agreed. “I’ll see what I can do to find you to give you a window.” 

Kimiko frowned, tugging at the bow in her hair with frustration. 

“If you go, you’ll get in so much trouble,” she warned. “They’ll catch you again, or worse, you’ll be found by traffickers.” 

“I can handle traffickers, but I need to get out of here fast. The more I disrupt Usotsuki’s plans, the better. What’s she going to do if I get caught? Put me in timeout?” 

“Don’t joke about that!” Kimiko snapped, taking his hand. A single tear trickled down her face. “Izuku, Usotsuki can do so much worse to you if you don’t listen to her! Please, I don’t want to see you get hurt again.” 

Izuku felt a stab of guilt that he made Kimiko cry, but he patted her hand. 

“I’ll be fine,” he promised her. “But I need to get out of here.” 

He glanced at the fort beside them, where Kojika was playing with Mr. Deer, humming some made-up song about heroes who save the day. Rojin put a hand on his shoulder and sighed. 

“Don’t think about it, son.” 

“I can’t leave him here,” Izuku protested. 

Izuku barely could keep his head above the water in this place sometimes. For a little kid, especially one as sweet as Kojika? Usotsuki and her staff would eat him alive. He couldn’t leave the little boy here to have that hopeful spark snuffed out as it had been for Kimiko and the other Quirkless here. 

“It’s hard enough to keep yourself alive on the streets,” Rojin reminded him. “Let alone a four-year-old. If you take him with you, you run the risk of being caught more easily. A teenage kid on the streets? Sad, but not unheard of. A four-year-old is going to raise some eyebrows.” 

Izuku knew this. He knew it would be all too easy for him and Kojika to get caught by the commission, or by some hero who was trying to “help,” or by traffickers who would pay hand over fist for someone like Kojika. Or even worse, All For One could find them, and if he treated Kojika anything like he had Izuku… 

“I could bring him back to his family. Then go out on my own.” 

“Then they would arrest his whole family the same way they did your mom,” Rojin said grimly. “And they lose any chance of seeing their boy ever again. Think you can live with that?” 

It was harsh, but it was true. If Izuku were the reason another innocent parent was arrested, he would not be able to stand it. It already kept him awake that his mother was in prison because of him. He couldn’t be the reason Kojika’s parents never saw their son. He would not be the reason that the light died in Kojika’s eyes. 

“We’ll watch over him,” Kimiko promised. “Just focus on keeping yourself safe.” 

Izuku only had time to nod when Usotsuki approached the common area, a proud smile on her face. Behind her were Dr. Arai and Kumori-Uta, the doctor holding back tears of joy. Kumori-Uta was wheeling in a wheelchair, the straps hanging off. 

“Attention all!” Usotsuki called, clapping her hands together. “We have a wonderful surprise for you, my dears! Such special news, we’ve been so excited to share it, we could barely stand it!” 

Oh no…

Izuku had seen this before. The wheelchair, Arai and Kumori-Uta, the announcement. 

Someone had gotten adopted. 

“Today, one of our sweet little friends has found a home and a new family to take care of him,” Usotsuki continued. “I know we are going to miss him, but let’s all give a round of applause and say goodbye to him as he gets ready to go to his new home.”

Izuku glanced around the common area, trying to find who it could be. Most of the kids here were younger than 18, but there were a couple plus Rojin. Izuku personally would love to see them try to drag Rojin somewhere he didn’t want to go. The staff couldn’t move him when he insisted on sitting at his table in the common area, let alone try to transport him to a new home. 

“Drum roll, please!” 

Dr. Arai and Kumori-uta patted their legs, imitating a drum beat, smiling at those there to join. A few sincerely did, but most were half-hearted and wary like Kimiko. Rojin sat on his hands. If Usotsuki was upset by this, she did not show it. If anything, she looked ecstatic. 

“Congratulations… Izuku!” 

What?!

Izuku’s heart plummeted even as the gasps and murmurs echoed throughout the facility. Kimiko, Kojika, and Rojin were staring at him with stunned expressions. 

No. No, this was impossible. It had to be some sort of mistake, some sort of sick joke. He wasn’t eighteen yet. He was as feral as they came. He had a record of running and being a troublemaker. No one in their right mind would adopt him. He made sure of it. The only one who might would be… 

Oh no. Ohnoohnoohnoohno … 

It was him, wasn’t it? 

Who else would look past all his actions and still want to adopt him? Someone who already knew him and was determined to have him. 

He was going back to the vault. He was going back to the vault!

Izuku jumped to his feet and ran as fast as possible. He wasn’t sure where he was running; he just knew he had to get away. He couldn’t let them grab him, he couldn’t let them take him. 

He couldn’t go back to those soft blankets, the childish outfits, the cuddles and embraces, Tomura, Kurogiri and… and… 

He only made it halfway across the room before two orderlies grabbed him and held him until Kumori-Uta wheeled the chair over. 

“No!” he screamed, frantically thrashing. “No, I’m not going! I’m not! You can’t do this, Usotsuki!” 

“Aww, so excited to go, I see,” Kumori-Uta crooned when he was placed in the chair. “Don’t worry, baby, we’ll get you there.” 

“Usotsuki, stop!” Rojin ordered, standing up as the orderlies began strapping Izuku down. “He isn’t eighteen yet, he can’t be adopted yet.” 

“Actually, he can!” Usotsuki replied cheerfully. “You see, someone with a lot of money and a loving heart took a shine to our precious Izuku and went through all the proper paperwork to have him. I couldn’t deny him our Izuku after he worked so hard to get him.” 

Rojin spat at Usotsuki’s feet. Kimiko was in tears, trying to hold back Kojika while Izuku was secured by his legs, arms, chest, and shoulders. 

“I’M NOT GOING!”

“Oral guard,” Dr. Arai ordered, and a gag was inserted in Izuku’s mouth. He howled and screamed, thrashing and twisting, even though his voice and words were garbled. He could feel tears running down his face as Usotsuki made a rehearsed speech about saying goodbye, wishing well, and a bunch of other crap spun to make this all sound acceptable. 

All Izuku could do was look at the orderlies pleadingly. He didn’t want to be adopted like he was a pet. He wanted to get out of here. He wanted to go back to his mom. 

“‘Zuku! ‘Zuku!” 

Oh no, Kojika! 

The four-year-old slipped free of Kimiko’s hold and ran up to Usotsuki. 

“Please don’t take him!” he sobbed as he clung to Usotsuki’s knees. “Please don’t take ‘Zuku! I love ‘Zuku, don’t take him away!” 

Usotsuki frowned as she touched Kojika, and he let go of her as he fell under her quirk. 

“We are sending him to a forever home, Kojika,” she explained. “This is what’s best for him.” 

Kojika’s eyes glazed over momentarily as Usotsuki’s quirk did its dirty work, but then Kojika burst into tears and ran to Izuku. Usotsuki looked like she was ready to stop him, but Rojin stood in her way, glaring her down. Kojika dodged past the orderlies and Kumori-Uta and Dr. Arai, running until he was right next to Izuku. His brown eyes were heartbroken as he hugged Izuku around the middle. 

“Take Mr. Deer with you,” he said, stuffing the toy between Izuku’s body and one of the straps. “He’ll keep you safe for me.” 

Izuku protested as best as he could through the gag, but it was too late. Usotsuki took the boy by the shoulder, and his sobs immediately ceased as a dazed look came across his face. He was under her power once more. 

“What a nice gift!”

Dr. Arai came forward with a needle and jabbed it into his neck. Izuku grunted as the sedative was injected into his body. It was their favorite type of injection, already, he could feel a tingling sensation running up his arms.

Usotsuki leaned forward and patted Izuku on the cheek. 

“This truly is an occasion to celebrate,” she whispered in his ear. “All these years of fighting and rebellion, of throwing tantrums over such silly things. You did try my patience at times, it’s true. But ultimately, it did nothing for you.”

Izuku could no longer feel the tips of his fingers, and his eyelids drooped, but he could still see Usotsuki’s lipstick-coated lips twisted in a smug smile. 

“Goodbye, Izuku. Be a good boy for your new owner.”

Who is it!? Izuku wanted to cry. Is it him?

However, the sedation gripped his mind, dragging him down into hazy darkness. 

Movement… he could feel movement. His body jostled. 

But his arms wouldn’t move, and he didn’t know why. He couldn’t remember why. 

Was it him ? Was Izuku back in blankets, swaddled so tightly that breathing was hard? Was he back there, with Daddy standing over him, a smug smile on his face?

Another jostle and Izuku slipped back somewhere in the dark, where he was alone. 

Voices.

He heard voices.

They were blurred and soft and sweet, but the too-sweet kind. Like when Izuku and Kacchan once stole Mom’s coffee jellies and ate so many that their teeth buzzed. It was a bad sweet. 

Bad sweet voices, talking about him. Saying Izuku’s name. 

He tried to speak, but coffee jellies were in his mouth again. So many that his tongue couldn’t move, and the words got stuck behind his teeth. 

Izuku didn’t want any more coffee jellies. He didn’t want any more sweets. He didn’t want the man to feed him more sweets. Was that what was going on?

The sweetness fogged his head, and he slipped under again. 

Izuku was back in that room. The one that was a vault but was plush and soft and awful. 

The man was there. His sharp red eyes were gone and replaced by bloody holes that oozed. “Come here, ducky.” His dad cooed, stretching out his arms. The blood coated his arms now, but Izuku knew the blood wasn’t the man’s… it was Izuku’s mom.

His mom was there, dead on the ground, and the man was holding Izuku, laughing while Izuku cried and screamed and reached for his mom who was gone, and it was Izuku’s fault—

And Izuku was moving again. Jostled by something. But it was the man, it had to be. The voice didn’t belong to Dad, but it was someone else that was bringing Izuku back. 

Something touched Izuku’s arm, and he screamed, the horror garbled by the sweets still in his mouth. Izuku could feel the blood. His mom’s blood clung to his skin, and even as the darkness turned into painful light, he sobbed. 

“I don’t want to go back. Please. No daddy. ” He cried, not sure if anyone was listening. Someone had to be because the hands tightened and wrapped around Izuku, lifting him, taking him somewhere. Back to him.

“Please, don’t take me back. Please. ”

Izuku couldn’t see or understand through the blinding light and the blurriness of his dripping eyes but felt himself readjusted, his head pressed against something firm and warm. 

A low thump sounded in his ear, over and over, and something underneath Izuku rumbled pleasantly as he cried. 

“Please,” he mumbled, as warmth encircled him and his eyes drooped again, “please, no.”

When the private elevator to his apartment dinged, signaling the arrival of Izuku and the facility officials, Toshinori almost activated One for All in shock. Instead, he spewed out a bloody cough into his fist.

“I– I’m coming!” Toshinori coughed again, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe off the bloody residue. 

He ran to the elevator door, almost unable to contain himself as the doors slid open, and he saw two people dressed in the same padded gear of quirkless facility officials. The two stepped out of the elevator and into the room, pushing along a wheelchair. To Toshinori’s horror, Izuku was sitting in a wheelchair, strapped down and gagged as he had been in the timeout room but not blindfolded. Izuku’s eyes were open, but they were glazed over with tears falling freely down his cheeks as he sobbed. 

How could these people do this to a child? 

“Here he is! Poor baby had a hard time coming over,” one of the Quirkless Caregivers explained, running fingers through the boy’s green hair. “We gave him a sedative before he came. He’ll likely fall asleep in a little while, and he’ll be pretty thirsty when he wakes up.” 

Yagi clenched his teeth to keep himself from cursing them as he crouched by Izuku and put his hand over the boy’s just as he had in the time-out room and during the visit. The boy didn’t stop sobbing and pleading broken words through the gag, and it tore Yagi’s heart out. 

What sick mind ever thought this would be okay? How could people like Usotsuki do this to anyone, let alone a child like Izuku? 

He signed their documents, confirmed he was indeed Toshinori Yagi, and watched in silence as they swapped out the collar around Izuku’s throat with another, now with Yagi’s contact information and address. 

“We already re-calibrated the tracker earring, so you now have access to it,” the caregiver reported happily. “Would you like us to take him to his room?” 

Yagi had a room prepared. Two, in fact. One that looked more suitable to a very young child, with a bed with safety bars, a padded floor, and soft lighting, designed and approved by the interior designer who wanted a space perfectly safe for a quirkless. However, Yagi had no intention of putting young Izuku in that room. 

Instead, he had another bedroom, one that was plain for now but would be decorated as the boy desired, with a desk, a regular bed without restraints, a bookshelf, a computer, and a bunch of other things that better suited a boy Izuku’s age. But he couldn’t let these people know which one he intended his new charge to live in. 

“No need,” he answered tightly. “I can take him from here.” 

“Wonderful!” 

One of the workers ruffled Izuku’s hair and kissed his cheek. 

“Bye, baby boy! It was a pleasure taking care of you!” 

Izuku whimpered and moaned, the kiss clearly distressing him more. Without a single care, the other caregiver hugged him and kissed him multiple times. 

“You be good, sweet boy. Have a wonderful life!” 

For goodness sake, were they actually crying? Did they actually think they had a right to be fond of this boy after everything they had done to him? 

Yagi escorted them out as politely and quickly as he could and not relaxing until he saw the elevator signaling their descent. He did not want those animals coming back in and hurting this child. 

Izuku was breathing hard and crying and saying muffled words when Yagi returned. 

“Easy, my boy, easy,” he murmured as he began to remove the restraints. “I’ve got you, it’s okay.” 

As much as he wanted to rip these things off and burn them in a furnace, he did not want to scare the drugged teenager, so he explained everything he was doing out loud as he slowly removed the gag and the straps.

Izuku immediately began to cry and babble slurred, broken words as soon as the gag was out of his mouth, and his tears seemed to come back with a vengeance. 

“I don’t want to go back. Please. No Daddy. ”

Who was daddy? Izuku mentioned him before. Maybe someone who had him in those years that he had disappeared? Or maybe his actual father who acted as an accomplice to his mother’s abuse? 

“I know, it’s okay,” Yagi consoled, maneuvering the boy out of the chair so that he was curled up against Yagi’s chest.  “It’s okay, my boy. I am here, it’s alright.” 

“Please, don’t take me back. Please. ”

“I won’t,” Yagi promised. “I am never taking you back to that awful place. I swear, young Izuku, you are not going back there.” 

Izuku curled up against him, and Yagi helped press him against his chest, encouraging the boy to breathe and to follow his breathing, to listen to the sounds of his heartbeat. 

“Please,” Izuku mumbled, eyes drooping close. “please, no.”

Yagi bit his lip, restraining tears as he held the boy close. The poor boy was so broken. So terrified. Yagi wanted to do everything possible to help him and protect him. He would figure out how to help this boy, no matter what. 

“You’ll be okay. I promise. It’s alright. I am here. I am here.”

Chapter Text

Izuku slowly forced his eyes open, only to close them and curl up under the warm comforter. The soothing music that usually played through speakers was off, and he could hear the sounds of pans sizzling and water boiling and a voice humming down the hall. When there was no music, it was usually silent since the halls were soundproofed so as not to disturb the sleeping quirkless. 

It was…nice. 

It was almost like when he woke up at home with Mom. 

Wait, Mom!

Memories flooded back as he sat bolt upright. 

Mom, the auction, All For One, the facilities, the escapes, Usotsuki, the quirkless people. He had…he had been adopted. 

Izuku whirled around and felt a surge of relief when he saw the open door and an unfamiliar room. This wasn't the vault or the dormitory at the facility. All For One didn't find him, and Usotsuki hadn't been playing with him. But that also meant he was with some new, unknown owner, who no doubt couldn't wait to dote on their new quirkless pet. 

But the room wasn't like any room he had seen for a quirkless. Sheets, a comforter, a regular bed, a computer on a desk, a reading nook and bookshelf… no bed rails, no padded floors, no ultrasoft furniture or blankets. Izuku's hand went to his neck, and he cursed when he felt the smooth collar under his fingertips. 

He couldn't forget what had happened. Even if All For One hadn't adopted him, someone else had. Izuku had to get out of here before they changed their mind and sent him back to the facilities. Usotsuki clearly had been over the moon that he had been adopted. He did not want to face her when he was brought back, inevitably ruining her perfect record. He had a feeling that he would still feel the consequences a year later. 

His hand brushed against something soft, and he looked down to see Mr. Deer tucked beside him. 

Oh…oh, Kojika… 

He trusted Izuku so much to give him his beloved toy. He wanted him to remember the people in the facility. To become a hero, save them from that gilded cage, and allow them to live their lives free. And he wasn't going to do that tucked into bed, with someone waiting to dote on him the way All For One did. 

Old instincts from the vault took over. Izuku carefully climbed out of bed, tucking Mr. Deer under his arm, and began to use the rug and other soft surfaces to muffle his steps when he reached the bedroom door. He poked his head out of the room and felt his jaw drop. 

This place was huge . 

It was near the size of the common room in the Quirkless Facility but obviously crafted for a very different person. The floors were hardwood, but key places, such as the living room, had tatami mats. The furniture was modern, with lamps next to couches and coffee tables. There were padded barriers wrapped around sharp edges, but that would do little to stop Izuku from ripping them off or even grabbing a lamp and using it as a bludgeon. 

The layout was open, but some key hallways and rooms were tucked out of sight. For now, Izuku wouldn't be seen, but if he ventured too far out into the living area, he was a sitting duck—a sitting Ducky (like All for One liked to call him). 

Large windows were situated behind the couches, but even from a distance, Izuku could tell how durable they were. They wouldn't break easily, and unfortunately, judging by the skyline, Izuku wouldn't want to go out that way unless he wanted to go splat. Across the living area was what looked like a door to a staircase and…a private elevator? 

Sure, why not? 

Izuku began to tiptoe away from the sounds of the food cooking and voice humming. He had a rare opportunity to escape before he was noticed, and he had to take advantage of that. He turned the corner and found another room with an open door. His heart plunged when he saw it. 

This was the sort of room he expected to wake up in. The walls were a soft pastel, and the room was filled with soft furniture, mounds of blankets, a cabinet, plushie outfits, and decorations better suited for a kid Kojika's age than Izuku. The door was reinforced, and had a lock that required a key code and a fingerprint scanner. Escape was impossible through the windows since they were clearly bolted shut. Worst of all, tucked in the corner, there was a padded wheelchair. 

A room for a quirkless. 

Izuku had no idea what this person was planning. Maybe they wanted to see his adorable surprise when he saw his new room. Maybe they wanted to give it to him as a reward for good behavior. Izuku didn't know. But he was not going into that room. 

He crept away from the room as quickly and quietly as possible, searching for another exit besides the elevator and staircase. Going over there would mean possibly getting caught by the person in the kitchen. He would need some sort of distraction. He moved along the wall, scanning for somewhere else he could run before the man realized he was awake and out of bed. If he got caught, he had no doubt that he would be locked up in that plush little room for being naughty. 

Not happening. 

Izuku finally caught a glimpse of the man in the kitchen, and he had to hold back a squeak of surprise. 

That was Yagi! 

There was no mistaking that wild mess of blond hair or the oversized clothing hanging off his skeletal frame. His back was to Izuku as he worked in the kitchen, stirring at something on the stove. 

Izuku hadn't seen or heard anything from Yagi since their last unpleasant meeting. Izuku was mortified that Yagi had seen him spiral into a panic attack, but he had been grateful since it seemed like it had turned the man away. Izuku thought Yagi was no longer interested. He hadn't expected Yagi to adopt him!

Izuku's stomach churned as he watched Yagi hum and flit about the kitchen. Izuku had been terrified that All for One had found him again or some other rich bastard who wanted some quirkless trophy to break into submission, not Yagi. 

Izuku unconsciously squeezed Mr. Deer closer. Yagi had been nice to Izuku both times he came to visit. He would probably be a decent owner, even if he had prepared that disgusting room. But Izuku didn't want to be a pet! He didn't want anyone to own him, even if they were nicer than most. 

A loud chime rang out, and Izuku jumped in surprise, almost slamming into the wall. From the kitchen, Yagi sighed and reached for his phone to shut off an alarm. Then, turning away from the stove, he reached towards a cabinet. 

Bottles rattled as the man pulled things out. It sounded like pills, but Yagi kept grabbing more bottles. Izuku counted at least eight different bottles of varying sizes and shapes. However, Yagi stopped at the last bottle, shaking it around but hearing nothing. After popping off the lid and looking inside, the man sighed, his shoulders slumping downward. 

He walked away, turning around the corner and out of sight. 

Now! 

Izuku shot out from his hiding place so fast that someone might have thought he had a speed quirk. He sprinted across the apartment to the side-by-side exits he had seen when he woke up. He had no idea how high up he was, how many flights of stairs he would have to take to get down, or if there was an alarm Yagi could sound when he realized Izuku was gone. Bottom line was that the elevator was the faster option. He slammed his hand against the button, wincing at the light and the pleasant ding that rang through the apartment. 

Well, so much for escaping without a trace…

The doors slid open, and he heard the sound of a plastic bottle and probably more pills lettering to the ground as someone tried to rush over to him. Izuku dove through the doors, whirled around, and pressed the 'close doors' button frantically. 

"Izu-" 

The doors slid shut. Success! 

Izuku scanned the list of buttons and pressed the one that read Ground Floor. The blue screen above the buttons flashed, and white letters appeared with the sound of a buzzer. 

Identification Card Required. Fingerprint required. 

What? Identification card? Fingerprints? 

Izuku punched the Ground Floor button again. 

Buzzer . Identification Card Required. Fingerprint required . 

Izuku now saw a glowing fingerprint scanner and a card reader beside the list of floors. He also noticed that he was on the 'penthouse' floor, which was about forty floors from the ground floor. He tried the button, hoping he maybe could get a different answer. 

Buzzer . Identification Card Required. Fingerprint required . 

"Oh, come on!" he pleaded, frantically pressing the button again and again. "Come on!" 

Finally, there was another ding , but the elevator did not move. Instead, Izuku felt his heart sink when the traitor doors opened and revealed Yagi's exasperated expression. Izuku did the first thing he could think of: he swung his fist as hard as he could at the bony figure of Yagi. 

Yagi easily deflected the blow. Izuku grunted and tried again, only for Yagi to block the blow with the same practiced skill. He must have been trained in some sort of martial arts or self-defense. It made sense; being All Might's secretary probably came with many risks. But that made it all the more frustrating as Izuku tried to throw punch after punch, jab after jab at Yagi, only for every blow to be patiently blocked by Yagi. 

Yagi never moved aggressively against him, never hit him back, never did anything to hurt him when he deflected his blows. Izuku almost wished he would look like All For One. Wear a smug, cheerful smile that told him he was being toyed with and that the villain could do this all day. But the skeletal face only had earnest concern. 

As if he cared about Izuku as a person. 

"What do you want?" Izuku demanded.

What did he want with him? Why had he adopted him? Why had he treated Izuku like a person, only to adopt him and claim ownership, reducing him back to nothing but a quirkless pet?

"First, I want you to stop hitting me," Yagi replied with a dry laugh. "Then I want to finish making breakfast before the toast burns." 

Did he think this was funny? This was Izuku's life he had now taken control of! And he wanted to laugh around and joke about breakfast. 

Izuku tried to kick, only for his foot to be caught. Yagi gave him a look before letting him go, allowing Izuku to stumble and regain his footing. 

"Do you want some?" he offered. "We can eat in the elevator if you like, but the table is far more comfortable. We can go outside later if you want." 

Izuku shuffled, entirely put off by this entire exchange. Was this some kind of trap or device to lure Izuku into a false sense of security? He didn't want to trust Yagi, but he also didn't have an option, did he?

Yagi smiled, "Look, kid, I can see your brain racing around in there. There's no catch, I promise. I really do just want to eat something, and I'm pretty certain you do too."

Izuku's stomach took that opportunity to grumble, and Izuku blushed in embarrassment.

Yagi tilted his head, "Come on," and then started walking away as if expecting Izuku to simply obey and follow. 

The stubborn side of Izuku wanted to plop down on the ground and refuse to move, but he was hungry and probably shouldn't push his luck with Yagi so soon. Better to lure the man into a false sense of security and then make his escape. 

Reluctantly, Izuku followed after, trudging his way over to the kitchen. Yagi, back at his position at the stove, gave Izuku a bright smile. "Feel free to take a seat at the counter, my boy. I'll have food out in a minute."

Izuku approached the wooden island, and the tall seats pressed up against it. There were bumpers against the corners, but other than that, it was a normal table. Pulling a chair out, Izuku climbed up into it, half waiting for a lecture to get off and go somewhere safer. However, when Yagi turned his head back briefly, he simply smiled at Izuku. 

"Thankfully, the toast isn't burnt, but the rice might be a bit mushy," Yagi apologized. "I'm not always accustomed to cooking for more than me. Hopefully, this should be alright."

Turning from the stove, he approached Izuku with several small bowls and plates: miso soup, steamed veggies, eggs, toast, and natto. One by one, he placed them in front of Izuku. "There's rice in the rice cooker," Yagi said, pointing at the shiny machine positioned to the side. "Feel free to serve yourself up as much as you want." 

Yagi scooped out a small portion of rice and placed it next to another bowl of soup, Yagi's food, Izuku assumed. Then, he turned back, grabbed the many pill bottles sitting on the counter, and began dumping pills into his hand until there was a zoo of different pills in varying shapes and sizes. 

Izuku had never seen so many different types of pills before outside of a doctor's office. And yet Yagi was counting them out as though to take them all. 

"I've got an excuse for not eating since I don't have a stomach," Yagi said with a wry smile, "but I don't think that is the case for you."

Izuku started, having not realized that he had been staring at Yagi. However, Yagi didn't appear upset at Izuku's lingering gaze. With a wave towards Izuku's plates, he said, "Go ahead and start eating. I'm going to choke these down first, and then I'll join you."

Picking up his chopsticks, Izuku began to start eating. The food was simple but also delicious, and as Izuku ate, he realized how hungry he had been. He hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday, back in the facility. 

Izuku's hand tightened around Mr. Deer, who was sitting on Izuku's lap. He wondered what Rojin, Kimiko, and Kojika were doing back at the facility. Was Rojin giving Usotsuki hell for what she had done? Was Kojika alright without his stuffed friend? Had Kimiko already written Izuku's name underneath the table with the other adopted quirkless? 

He didn't realize he was crying until a tissue appeared in front of his nose. "Here," Yagi said, shoving a tissue box towards Izuku. "In case you need more."

Izuku accepted the tissue and blew his nose, and wiped his face. It was harder to eat after crying, but he at least sipped some coffee. The warmth soothed him, and he finally got the courage to look at his jailer. 

"Why did you do it?" he asked, breaking the silence. 

"What?" Yagi asked, looking up from his own small bowl. 

"Why did you…." Izuku paused, struggling to say it. It felt like saying it would mean admitting that he was nothing but a pet to be locked away. "...adopt me?" 

Yagi tilted his head thoughtfully.  

"Oh. That's a good question," Yagi said, wiping his skeletal face with a napkin. "I wasn't lying when I said that you impressed me, which I suppose is part of the reason. However, honestly, I didn't like how they were treating you. What they were doing was wrong. Their actions didn't line up with their words. They claimed to care about you and the other quirkless, but they had you tied up like you were a criminal. It was wrong, and I didn't feel safe leaving you there." 

Izuku was angry at himself for feeling grateful at his answer. On the one hand, he was glad that someone finally realized how he and the others were being treated was wrong. They were abusing Izuku and the other quirkless but disguising it as kindness. On the other hand, part of him wanted to just scream why he hadn't done away with all of it? 

Yagi knew All Might. Why hadn't he asked him to save all of them? What made Izuku so special that he had to be adopted while Kojika, Kimiko, and so many others stayed inside to be abused at Usotsuki's whims? 

"I didn't ask you to adopt me!" he snapped. "I didn't want to be adopted!"

"I know," Yagi replied evenly as if he expected the outburst. "I'm sorry." 

"I didn't even know I was getting adopted!"

This at least seemed to startle Yagi. He looked up, blue eyes wide with surprise as he dropped his utensils. Finally, it seemed Izuku's words had an effect on him. 

"What?" he asked, taken aback. "You didn't? They were supposed to tell you! Usotsuki told me that she told you!"

Had he met Usotsuki? Of course, the woman wouldn't tell Izuku anything. She wouldn't have missed the moment of seeing Izuku try to run and be overwhelmed by shock for the crown jewels. If there was an opportunity to twist her knife and prove her power over her helpless charges, she was taking it. 

"She knew that I would try to run if she told me," Izuku pointed out. It was true, but not the complete truth. He knew that Usotsuki refused to tell him just to catch him off guard. 

But now, at least Yagi knew Izuku was unhappy that he was here. And every good owner knew the first rule to a happy ownership was keeping their quirkless pet happy. Lots of treats and cuddles, no harm, just treat them like precious treasures. If Yagi thought he was miserable, he would send Izuku back, and Izuku could enjoy the look on Usotsuki's face when she realized her perfect record was gone.  

"She still gave her word," Yagi pointed out. "You should have been told. I'm sorry. I'd imagine that it was shocking. But what is done is done. I have no intention of sending you back to that two-faced woman. You're stuck with me." 

So much for that attempt. Izuku decided not to push the issue (for now at least) and returned to his breakfast. Yagi watched him eat and cleared his throat when Izuku was almost done. 

"So about staying here. There are a couple of rules that I do need to go over." 

Izuku made a face of disgust to hide his nerves. What sort of rules did Yagi want his new charge to follow? Act cute and cuddle whenever he was told? Wear whatever Yagi told him? Never leave that room, or even worse, never leave his bed? 

"Hey now, no need to make that face," Yagi scolded. "There's not that many, but we've got to have some so that we're on the same page. I'll explain the rules, but if you feel like any of them are unfair, I am willing to hear why."

Izuku thought that was unlikely, but he schooled his face into a neutral expression. 

"Rule number one, no purposeful destruction of yourself, others, or things. If you need to get aggression out, let me know, and we'll find something."

Okay, that was fair. He had done that a lot with All For One, trying to show his care was unwanted. He was willing to hold off destroying Yagi's stuff unless it was used to try to contain him. 

"Rule number two, let me know when you need space. I'll do my best to oblige; if I can't, I'll explain why. Also, if you want to go out, let me know so I can come with you." 

Surprisingly reasonable. Far more than All For One, Tomura, or anyone at the facility ever gave him. Whether or not Yagi would respect his requests not to be touched remained to be seen. 

"Rule number three, communication is important. My quirk is not mind reading, so I won't always know what you're thinking or why. If I've done something that's upset you or something is going on that you don't like, let me know so that we can work together to find a solution. I know that you didn't want to be adopted, but I do want to make this transition process as painless as possible." 

He wasn't particularly fond of being adopted. Did that count? Besides, what did he mean the transition process would be painless? Wasn't that the point? Poor quirkless Izuku couldn't take the pain. That's why he had to be locked up and kept safe. 

"Rule number 4: if I tell you to do something, do it."

And here it was. All this talk about treating Izuku nicely was a ploy to hide the power Yagi was waiting to rule over Izuku with. What would he make Izuku do? Wear certain clothes? Cuddle with Yagi when he demands it? Sit, eat, sleep, stay, and play games. All to be a cute, innocent, perfect quirkless pet. 

"Because, when I am telling you to do something instead of asking, then there is an emergency or some other situation that requires you to listen for your own safety. I don't want you to get hurt."

Yeah, right. Yagi might "ask" Izuku to do something, but they both knew it was an order. It would be an ugly surprise for Yagi when he realized how contrary and stubborn Izuku could be. 

Yagi continued, unaware of Izuku's plotting. "Rule number five, which I guess is maybe less of a rule and more of a comment, but I reserve the right to make new rules as things happen. However, understand that you will not be punished for something that there was not previously a rule for. Alright?"

Izuku shrugged. The rules weren't awful (they actually seemed reasonable), but Izuku had received lip service before. The test was if Yagi's words would match up with his actions. 

"I know this will be a bit rough at first as we try to figure things out, but I am glad you're here, young Izuku."

"I'm not."

"And that's fair enough," Yagi replied, not at all put off by Izuku's attitude. "Now, are you done eating?" 

Izuku nodded, and Yagi smiled, "Good, then come with me."

Izuku slid off the chair, grabbing Mr. Deer and tucking him close as he followed after Yagi. Yagi's gaze landed on the stuffed animal deer. "That's yours? Does it have a name?"

"His name is Mr. Deer, and he belongs to a friend. I'm keeping him until I can return him."

"I'm sure your friend will appreciate that," Yagi said with a nod. 

Izuku shifted Mr. Deer protectively. Yagi couldn't understand how important Mr. Deer was to Kojika and why Izuku had to give him back. Anything he said to Izuku was just a mock attempt to get on his good side. 

Yagi walked through the living room and stopped outside the bedroom Izuku had seen earlier, the one obviously meant for a quirkless. A chill swept up Izuku's back, and he clutched Mr. Deer closer as Izuku prepared to run, hit, bite, and kick the moment Yagi tried to put Izuku in that room. 

Deeper inside Izuku, disgust and disappointment warred. Yagi had acted like what the commission did was wrong, but he still planned on treating Izuku like a useless baby. Was Izuku naive for secretly hoping that maybe, Yagi might be different?

"Izuku?" Yagi asked, his brows furrowed together. "You with me?"

Izuku shook his panic off, not realizing that his dread made him completely unaware. "Yeah, sure. I'm fine."

Yagi's brows furrowed even more, but he didn't press the issue. "I was asking if there was anything you wanted out of here."

"No," Izuku said tersely. 

"Alright, then." Yagi pulled the door closed. "I figured as much, so that's fine. I just didn't know if you wanted to move any of these things into your room."

"My room?" Izuku asked, his voice embarrassingly quiet and unsure. "I thought this was my room?"

"Oh, it's not. You woke up in your room earlier." Now Yagi looked awkward, rubbing at his neck. "Did you not like it? I kept it pretty simple so that we could change it."

The room he had woken up in? He had figured that was some sort of guest room. Because why else would a quirkless wake up in a room with so few regulations? But… Yagi had this room set up, yet he put Izuku in the other. 

What was this man's game? 

"That's my room?" Izuku asked. He gestured to the closed door. "Not this?"

"No, unless you want this to be your room?"

"NO!" Izuku yelled. 

Yagi chuckled, "Good then." He turned away from the door and started towards the room Izuku woke up in. Izuku scurried to catch up. 

"Why do you have that room then?"

"To adopt you, I had to meet certain requirements by the commission. One of them was living arrangements. I had to provide a safe, nurturing, soft environment for my quirkless charge." The sarcasm tinging Yagi's voice shocked Izuku, but Yagi wasn't finished. "I didn't feel like you would particularly enjoy that room, but I wanted to ask since I figured you were never given a choice."

Yagi pressed the door open to the room Izuku had woken up again. It was a normal bedroom for a teenage boy, which made how off-put Izuku felt even weirder. He shouldn't feel so hesitant and unsure walking into a room like this.

"The door over there leads to your bathroom, and the closet has changes of clothes. I'm not sure if you'll like any of them, so if you don't, we can always replace them with things you like."

Izuku stood numb in the room, blankly looking around his surroundings. 

"I'll give you a moment to get cleaned up and settled," Yagi said. He paused in the doorframe, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to determine what to say. "I know this wasn't what you were expecting or even wanting, but I'm happy to have you here, Izuku." Yagi's blue eyes shone, and he smiled hesitantly. 

Izuku smiled weakly, but it looked more like a grimace. 

"I'll let you get settled then," Yagi said and closed the door behind him. 

Izuku hurried over to the door and checked that, yes, he could open it. There weren't any locks, nothing that could stop Izuku from escaping or Yagi trapping Izuku in here. 

Naturally, he thought bitterly. He knows I can't use the elevator, and security will probably be on guard if I try to run down the stairs. I'm still in a cage, just locked up in this building. 

Tears trickled down Izuku's face, and he stumbled back to the bed. It had been years since he had slept in a bed with no bars on it to keep him from falling off or slept under a real comforter and not a mountain of soft blankets. Or since someone besides Rojin and Kimiko talked to him like he was a real person. 

It was nice and a true relief after dealing with All For One's smug grin, Tomura's bratty behavior, and Usotsuki's condescending tone. 

But he couldn't let himself be drawn in. Even if Yagi seemed different now, Izuku knew better than to trust him. He would pretend, and then he would ask too much from Izuku, and Izuku would refuse. And then all pretenses would drop, and Izuku would be tossed into that damn room, locked away, and never to see Kojika, Rojin, Kimiko, or Mom again. 

Izuku was quirkless. He was going to be a hero to free the quirkless. But in a world full of Tomuras, Usotsuki's, and All For Ones, Izuku had learned that he was the only one to believe in that dream. Yagi was kind now, but it would run out in the end. 

Izuku would not be here when it happened.

Chapter Text

It had been three days since Izuku had entered Toshinori's household, and already the boy had attempted to run away eight different times. 

Toshinori couldn't entirely blame the kid. If Usotsuki was to be believed, Izuku had faced abuse his entire life from his mother and later on in the facility. It was a smidgeon hurtful, but Toshinori tried to remind himself that trust wasn't built in a day. Eventually, Toshinori's actions would convince the kid that he was safe. However, it felt like Toshinori couldn't take his eyes off of Izuku for an instant without the kid attempting to make a break for it. 

For example, the other day, Izuku had attempted to take the stairs, which were, as the kid quickly figured out, typically locked and guarded on the lower levels. Then another time, the kid managed to swipe Toshionri's wallet and grab the key card inside. Izuku hadn't been able to get down, he still needed Toshionri's fingerprint, but Toshionri hadn't even realized his keycard was missing until the kid had dashed into the elevator. 

So when Toshinori saw Izuku staring at the windows as if plotting to escape through them, Toshinori clapped his hands together and loudly announced, "Tonight is a movie night!"

"I'm not interested," Izuku said, his back facing Toshinori. "I don't want to watch any baby shows."

"Then you don't have to!" Toshinori exclaimed, walking over to Izuku. The boy stiffened at Toshinori's approach but relaxed minutely when Toshinori stopped a foot away.

Night had fallen over the city, and the sky and buildings were lit up with light. "It's rather pretty, isn't it?" Toshinori asked. 

Izuku didn't respond for a moment but then said. "I like windows."

And, ohh, if Toshinori's heart didn't break a little at that moment. He coughed into his fist, trying to focus on the burning in his throat rather than the ache in his heart. "I like windows too. I'll have to bring you to Might Tower at some point. My office–well, All Might's office–has an amazing view of Tokyo. I think you'd rather like it."

"Might Tower?" Izuku squeaks. His face was suddenly very red. 

"Of course, it's where I work, after all. I took a two-week break for your, umm, arrival, but I'll have to go back to work soon. I'll try to bring you some time."

Izuku visibly swallowed. 

"That would be really cool."

The tension Toshinori had been unknowingly holding in his shoulders relaxed. "You, umm, like All Might then?"

Izuku nodded eagerly, eyes shining. Toshinori couldn't help but remember the same star-struck look when he woke up to realize he had been saved by All Might by the sludge villain. He had to wonder just how much his message to the boy had meant that even after he failed to answer his critical question, he still had such faith and admiration for Toshinori's alter ego. 

"I have some movies," Toshinori turned away, walking over to the TV and grabbing the remote. Scrolling through the different apps, he managed to locate the right area. "Working at Might Tower has some perks. I've got access to every All Might movie ever made."

Izuku's eyes bulged. "Is that All Might Takes Manhattan?!"

"Yes!" Toshinori laughed. "Came out six or seven years ago. Not my favorite, personally, the acting is a little off, and the special effects are a bit ridiculous at times, but it's an enjoyable watch. Haven't seen it in a long time now. Have you?"

"No, we weren't allowed to watch it. It wasn't considered appropriate." The boy then flinched as if he hadn't meant to let that information slip out. 

Toshinori's smile faltered at Izuku's tone of voice, but Toshinori forced his smile back and said cheerily, "Then we'll have to watch it."

The boy's bog-eyed expression made Toshinori's smile far more genuine, and he laughed lightly. "Take a seat on the couch, my boy, get comfy." 

Hesitantly, Izuku slipped over to the couch, eyes darting between Toshinori and the TV as if still in disbelief. With a wink, Toshinori started the movie. Izuku's eyes were instantly glued to the screen, his mouth hanging open slightly as the cheerful string instruments and then horns began playing All Might's theme song. 

As the movie progressed, Toshinori found it increasingly difficult to focus. He was supposed to be catching up on paperwork and other forms he often fell behind on as All Might, but he kept getting distracted. It wasn't the movie. That was like any other All Might movie, bright, loud, and ever so slightly obnoxious. The acting was also worse than Toshinori remembered. 

No, it was the kid, his eyes wide and shining, his mouth torn between disbelief and excitement. The look de-aged Izuku by 5 or so years, looking less like a jaded, angry teenager and more like an excited little kid. 

Toshinori itched to take a picture, but he worried that he would mess something up and distract the kid, so he stayed quiet. 

As it went along, the kid grew more and more animated, his eyes sparkling, his mouth curved in a smile, letting out excited gasps during critical fights. However, Toshinori noticed how the kid was curling into himself, and it looked like goosebumps were forming on Izuku's arms.

"Hey, Izuku," Toshinori asked, "You look a little cold there. Do you want a blanket?"

In a heartbeat, the open, friendly expression on Izuku's face was gone. The kid grimaced. "No. I don't want one."

Toshinori frowned. "You sure, kid? It looks like you've got goosebumps." 

"I'm fine." Izuku snapped, burrowing deeper into himself. 

Toshinori examined Izuku. Was there something about blankets that the kid disliked? Toshionri had noticed that the sheets and blankets were always kicked off on Izuku's bed. Toshinori hadn't asked before, but maybe there was something about blankets that upset the kid. If that was the case…

"I'm sorry," Toshinori apologized, and Izuku's head whipped towards him. "I didn't mean to upset you. Do you not like blankets?"

"No."

"Alright, then," Toshinori said. "Do you like sweatshirts?"

Izuku seemed reluctant to answer, but he finally said, "Yeah, they're nice."

Toshinori beamed. "Alright," and then got to his feet, trying to ignore how his back popped from the movement. 

He walked to the hall closet, trying to ignore the kid's eyes tracking him. 

Humming to himself, Toshinori flipped through his collection of jackets and sweatshirts. All of the sweatshirts Toshinori owned would be massive on Izuku, but he had forgotten to buy any for Izuku. He would need to if they made the boy feel more comfortable. 

His fingers landed on a sweatshirt near the back, the bright red, blue, and yellow making it easy to find even in the dark. 

Slipping it off the hanger, Toshinori walked back over and gently tossed it towards the couch where Izuku was sitting. 

The kid eyed the material. "What is this?"

"Sweatshirt," Toshinori said, sitting back in his chair. "I don't have any in your size, but these things are better when they're too big."

Izuku grabbed the fabric, examining it. "This is All Might themed."

"Of course. I do work for him after all. Now put it on," Toshinori gestured, "it's an All Might sweatshirt for an All Might movie night. Totally appropriate."

Izuku eyed Toshinori and then the sweatshirt before giving in and slipping the enormous article of clothing over his head. 

Toshinori chuckled as the boy's head popped out. The kid was drowning in fabric, and yet, as Izuku struggled to roll up the sleeves and get comfy again, he seemed surprisingly happy. Izuku's eyes crinkled, and his mouth twitched as he ran his hands across the thick fabric. 

With the kid now bundled in the thick fabric, his eyes began to droop and his head sank towards his chest. By the time the end credits rolled across the screen, Izuku was fast asleep, snoring softly as he slumped against the couch. 

With a fond sigh, Toshinori walked over and carefully, so as not to wake the kid, lifted Izuku up into his arms and carried Izuku to his room. 

Placing Izuku in bed, Toshinori resisted the instinct to tuck the kid in and instead pulled the blankets and sheets farther away so they wouldn't disturb Izuku. 

"Good night," he whispered, and Izuku sleepily hummed in response, burrowing deeper into the thick sweatshirt. 

Chuckling to himself, Toshinori left the kid to sleep and went to his laptop to order some more sweatshirts. 

Izuku was getting antsy. It had been over a week since he first arrived at Yagi's, and he was starting to get cabin fever. 

Yagi had mentioned going outside, but Izuku had yet to breathe any fresh air. Yagi was probably waiting to break him and make sure he wouldn't run away before he took his pet on walks. Izuku tried at least twice a day, but Yagi was good . He seemed to be able to pick up when Izuku was feeling particularly trapped and gave him some sort of distraction. Movie nights, making meals, even going so far as to enroll Izuku into online learning classes. 

Izuku expected beginner-level stuff in the classes, just like in the facility, but he was astounded to see that the classes were closer to his grade level and advanced at a fast pace. Izuku felt like he had learned more in the last week than he had learned in years. He was already close to junior school level, and with luck, he would be high school level by the time he escaped. 

He would need a good education to get into the Hero Program.

But there were times like today when Izuku couldn't be settled with movies, classes, or the books in the apartment. He felt like a caged animal, pacing back and forth through his kennel, itching to move but unable to get out and walk around as he should. Because excessive exercise was too much for a poor quirkless to handle. 

He tried to contain himself, pacing around without Yagi noticing, but as always, the man had eyes like a hawk. Yagi looked up from his laptop and smiled knowingly. He stood up and stretched. 

"I'm all stiff," he muttered. "I'm getting old. I need a walk. Want to join me, my boy?" 

Izuku flushed at the blatant excuse, but he needed to get out of here. When he got this anxious in the facilities, they sedated him or had him strapped down for massages to try to calm his pent-up energy. Yagi had yet to try either of those, but Izuku wouldn't put it past him to try if he refused. 

"Sure." 

Yagi walked over to his room, and for a moment, Izuku was terrified he was going to get some sort of leash or restraint to keep him from running away. When he escaped for a long time, he had even seen some bigger owners carrying their quirkless in modified carriers on their backs. It looked humiliating, and Izuku was ready to bite, claw, and put up one hell of a fight before Yagi strapped him in one of those. 

Instead, Yagi reemerged with a shoebox. 

"I hope these fit," he said shyly, offering the box to Izuku. "They didn't give me your shoe size since they didn't let you outside. But hopefully, they'll do the trick for now until we can get you a size that fits." 

 Izuku opened the box, and his eyes went wide at the red, white, and blue shoes with golden laces that looked like a pair of bangs sticking up like horns. 

"These… these are 2XXX edition All Might sneakers!" he gasped. "They only make a thousand pairs a year, and all the proceeds go to charity! How did you get these?" 

"Being All Might's secretary has its perks," Yagi chuckled. "Do you like them? We can find new ones if you want." 

"No, no!" Izuku replied immediately. "Thank you! I love them." 

The shoes fit perfectly. Izuku knotted the shoes and paced around the room, enjoying the feel of his covered feet and a firm cushion at his soles. Part of him felt a pang of guilt when he realized these probably cost Yagi a fortune, just for Izuku. But when he ran, he would probably have to trade them out for nothing because these shoes were far too eye-catching. Yagi's gift was going to be meaningless when Izuku ran away. 

No, no, Izuku would not feel guilty. He was the one trapped and reduced to a pet without a voice. He wasn't going to feel bad because Yagi had given him a pair of nice shoes. Izuku had more willpower than that. 

"Let's go." 

They went down the elevator and down to the lobby. The doorman cheerfully greeted them and opened the door. Izuku had to wonder if the man knew that the boy his tenant was taking care of was a quirkless. He treated Izuku like a regular kid, even when he caught Izuku escaping down the stairs, and didn't use a baby voice or anything when bringing him back to Yagi. 

He wondered if that would change when the man saw his collar. 

The day was bright and sunny, and Izuku shifted his sweatshirt to hide his collar. But very few people were looking at him. With his sweatshirt and shoes, just walking by Yagi's side, nobody stared, pointed, cooed, or tried to touch him. Izuku briefly considered running, but he saw Yagi watching him from the corner of his eye. If Izuku ran and got caught, he wouldn't be allowed out at all. 

Or worse, thrown into that quirkless room. 

So he stayed with Yagi as they walked to a nice-looking park, and Yagi even bought them some ice cream. They sat down on a bench near a fountain. The metal was shaped to look like the first official heroes, and a plaque at the base of the fountain said all coins in the water would be donated to Tokyo Children's Hospital. 

There was some sort of performer standing by the fountain where the light passed through the spraying water, making a rainbow. They would reach into the rainbow and trace their hand on a blank canvas with their other hand. Whatever color they touched would appear on the canvas, and the artist made a sketch out of the colors of the rainbow. 

Izuku leaned forward as they did their routine, watching intensely. 

"Their quirk must be something that converts different waves of light into pigment," he muttered. "Maybe one hand can absorb the lightwave, the other converts it? But is it only with visible light, and do they need the rainbow to use it? Or is that all part of the performance? If they use more than visible light, they might be able to convert infrared or ultraviolet light into images. Just think of the applications! And if they need just visible light, then they don't even need the rainbow, and it's just easier for them to focus, or it's just for the show. Or maybe if they had a prism with them, they could use their quirk regularly. Imagine what they could do for a colorblind person. Maybe they could help them see the different colors. Or maybe they-" 

He cut off when he realized Yagi was watching him with wide eyes. Izuku blushed and looked away, returning to his ice cream. 

"You got all that just by watching that artist for a few minutes?" Yagi asked in awe. 

Izuku shrugged, trying to just forget it and move on. He didn't want any more embarrassment. 

"I've always been good at studying quirks," he admitted. "They fascinate me. And all their applications… They are amazing, and each one is unique. I love exploring them." 

"Izuku, that's incredible! " Yagi praised. "You have an extraordinary talent for quirk analysis!" 

Izuku looked up, stunned at the sincerity on Yagi's gaunt face. 

"Thanks, but-" 

"Kid, I've worked with the best quirk experts, and none of them have shown that much insight in a quirk and the applications that fast. You truly have a gift, my boy. And more people need to tell you that. Not just anybody can do what you just did, just how not just anyone could have faced that villain to save the boy." 

Izuku's heart skipped a beat. Nobody praised him like that. Nobody. 

It was always 'be good, Izuku,' 'behave yourself, Izuku,' 'such a good ducky.' 

Never praising him for his talents and passions, or telling him he was special because he was something besides quirkless. Nobody had done that since… since… 

"My Mom once said that the word 'quirk' doesn't just mean a power," he whispered. "She said it also means something interesting about one person that makes them special and unique. So she told me if anyone asked me my quirk to say it was 'quirk analysis' because it was true." 

Yagi looked somewhat taken aback but nodded. Izuku, however, cursed at how easily he let that information slip. He rarely talked about Mom, and he learned with All For One that he was the only one who cared about her. But for some reason, he felt okay with telling Yagi. Maybe he thought for a moment like he could trust him. 

"Oh, is that a quirkless?" a college student squealed, moving to Izuku with her hand outstretched. "How precious! Oh, hello, cutie!" 

Izuku involuntarily dropped his ice cream and dodged her hand before she could touch him, bracing himself for the unwanted pets and coddling that always followed. He did not expect Yagi's hand to shoot out and catch the student's wrist as he gave her a disapproving look. 

"Do you always touch people without their permission?" Yagi asked. 

The student looked surprised and then ashamed. 

"Well, no…" she admitted. "But he's a quirkless, and he's just so cute! I'm sorry, I should have asked. Can I pet him?" 

Izuku's jaw dropped. She wasn't asking him. She was asking Yagi. In just a few words, Izuku had gone from an amazing quirk analyst to a puppy on a leash out on a walk. How could he let himself forget what he was to this world? Just a little treasure to be cuddled, spoiled, and locked away. 

He waited for Yagi to let go and say yes. He waited for the girl to come over and pet Izuku, and probably call some friends over who would fight to pet him and squeeze his cheeks and give him hugs. No, no, Izuku wasn't doing that. He had to get out of here. He had to run. Why did he ever think he could trust Yagi? 

"Are you serious?" Yagi asked in disgust. "How about asking him instead?" 

The college student faltered as Yagi let her go and turned to Izuku. 

"My boy, do you want her to touch you?" 

Izuku shook his head, unable to find his voice. 

"Then she will not," he promised. "Come on, let's go get you another ice cream." 

The student looked downright crestfallen as Yagi led Izuku away and back to the ice cream cart. Izuku couldn't help it. He inched closer to Yagi, and pulled up his sweatshirt to hide his face. 

"Thank you," he muttered. 

"Of course," Yagi answered. "And if you ever feel uncomfortable out here, my boy, just tell me. I don't want you hiding inside because you don't want to face what's outside." 

Izuku stared at him. Just who was Yagi Toshinori, and how was it that he saw Izuku as more than a pet when everyone else did? What did he see in Izuku that made him special? 

It was nice. And it made Izuku even more anxious for the day it would change, and Yagi would reveal his true colors. 

Standing outside the massive skyscraper, Izuku could hardly believe he was actually at Might Tower. With its sleek, clean surface and iconic double-ringed planet resting on top, Izuku felt less like he was visiting a hero agency and not an iconic landmark. 

Standing next to Izuku, Yagi chuckled. "Pretty impressive, right? Every day I can't help but marvel at the fact I get to work here."

"I always wanted to come and visit it," Izuku admitted. 

"Really?" Yagi asked, "well, that makes me feel a bit better about dragging you along with me. Come on, my boy, let's get going."

Yagi strode towards the front doors, leaving Izuku to scurry after. Yagi had mentioned that he only got two weeks off of work before he had to go back. Secretly, Izuku had been dreading it since he figured Yagi would finally open back open that quirkless room and lock Izuku in there while Yagi was at work. Izuku hadn't expected to come with Yagi to Might Tower!

Yagi walked through the tiled halls with ease, greeting every employee by name. Several asked about Izuku, causing Izuku to anxiously adjust the scarf he had wrapped around his neck to hide his collar, but Yagi would simply smile and introduce Izuku as his ward. There was no additional explanation about Izuku being quirkless, and Izuku was relieved when he was treated normally. 

He was also pleasantly surprised that when he received his identification badge (which, according to Yagi, was necessary for the upper levels), the badge had Izuku's name written as Midoriya Izuku. Not Yagi Izuku or Shigaraki Izuku. 

Taking the elevator up to the top floor, Izuku tried to force himself to stand still. However, his hands didn't seem to get the message as they twisted themselves in knots. 

"It'll be alright," Yagi said, glancing at Izuku's entwined fingers.

"I'm not nervous!" Izuku snapped. 

"I never said you were," Yagi replied evenly, "but even if you were, there's nothing wrong with that."

Unfortunately, the elevator chimed, and the doors pulled open before Izuku could give his retort. The top floor bustled with people, employees in uniforms sitting at a marble desk, tourists crowding around a large All Might statue, and hoards of reporters. 

Izuku touched the All Might scarf wrapped around his neck. Yagi had given it to Izuku before they left the apartment. Although Izuku loved the sweatshirts Yagi had given him, they occasionally revealed Izuku's collar. Scarves did a far better job hiding Izuku's status as a quirkless. 

Yagi calmly moved through the crowds, ignoring the massive Might Gate most people were taking pictures next to. Instead, he led Izuku over to a discrete door to the side of the Might Gate marked "Staff." 

Once he entered, he led Izuku through a series of rooms with desks and meeting tables before stopping outside yet another door. This one required a key card and complex code, but Yagi punched it in with ease. 

"Come along, my boy," Yagi said, pushing the door open. "This is where you'll be staying."

Izuku grit his teeth, preparing for some embarrassing care center but instead entered a surprisingly large, well-furnished office. A thick oak desk was placed by a wall of windows. Pictures of All Might sat on filing cabinets and bookshelves, and a comfortable sectional and entertainment center was positioned in the corner. 

Izuku gaped at the surroundings. "Is this where you work?"

Yagi rubbed his neck awkwardly and coughed into his fist. "Yes. Although I suppose now that I haven't told you much about my job, have I?

"No," Izuku said, suddenly realizing how little he knew about Yagi. He knew the man had a plethora of health problems, more money than Izuku had expected, shocking self-defense skills, an annoying degree of perception, and a fondness for cheesy movies. Yet Izuku knew very little about what Yagi did for work. It couldn't only be carrying messages from All Might to quirkless kids. 

"So you already know I'm a secretary for All Might, but specifically, I work for the second secretarial office, which means I handle all of All Might's personal affairs."

Izuku's eyes went wide. He had no idea Yagi worked so closely with the Number One hero. He had figured Yagi was somewhat close if he had been sent to deliver a message from All Might to Izuku in the facility, but he never imagined it would be to that degree. 

Yagi continued. "But even for the second secretarial office, my job is unique, and it requires me to regularly follow All Might around or to move around Might Tower. I'll try not to be gone for more than three hours at a time, but if I appear scarce, that's why."

Izuku didn't appreciate the brief pang of panic he felt when Yagi said he wouldn't be around. Izuku didn't need Yagi, and Izuku definitely wasn't going to feel anxious over Yagi leaving. 

"I'm assuming I have to stay here?" Izuku asked sourly. 

"I'm afraid so." Yagi held up a hand to ward off Izuku's inevitable complaints. "This isn't a reflection on you. It's simply a rule for the upper levels of Might Tower. These upper floors tend to discuss confidential topics or store dangerous things, so unless you are an employee of Might Tower, you are required to have an escort. As it is, I'm somewhat breaking the rules to allow you to stay here while I'm working."

True, but Izuku had a feeling all Yagi would have to say is "let the quirkless stay," and nobody would have a problem. Heck, Izuku could tear up the office, mess up all the documents, and break the equipment, and people would probably think it was so cute the way he ran when unsupervised. Not that Izuku was planning to do so, but the point still stood. 

Yagi guided Izuku over to the large couch. "I'd ask that you finish your schoolwork first, but there is the TV which should have access to the same shows we have at home and several gaming systems. I don't know if they work since I've never used them, but you're an intelligent boy, and I have no doubt you're capable of figuring it out."

Yagi turned to leave but stopped abruptly. "Oh, I almost forgot," he muttered to himself. He opened his briefcase and dug through the contents before pulling out a wrapped package. "In case I'm not here in time for lunch," Yagi said, handing Izuku, "I made you this bento to eat."

Hesitantly, Izuku took the wrapped box, noting the silky All Might pattern the fabric was wrapped in. Undoing to knot, he opened the lid. The box was full of steamed rice topped with seasonings, little hot dogs shaped like octopuses, steamed veggies, and apples cut to look like bunnies. Yagi had obviously spent quite a bit of time that morning preparing it while Izuku was sleeping. 

Mom used to make me lunches like this, Izuku realized. 

A lump built in his throat, but Izuku swallowed it down. "Thank you," he said.

Yagi beamed as if it was the greatest compliment he had ever received. "Of course, my boy. I'm not an amazing cook, but I hope you enjoy it! I'll be off now, but I'll be back shortly."

Izuku got comfortable and pulled out his laptop, logging in to do his classes and homework. He also kept an eye out for North Star posts, anything that told him how Kimiko and Kojika's families were, and any news on the facility. Unfortunately, it seemed Usotsuki had yet to be fired, but Izuku put what he hoped was a subtle enough message to a North Star about her. Maybe now they would keep an eye out for her activities, build enough of a case to get her fired. 

Eventually, he finished his classes and ate the bento box Yagi had left him. It was delicious. Izuku was licking his fingers by the end and made a mental note to thank him when he returned. He checked the clock on the wall and realized it had been several hours since Yagi left.

Could he… could he try to escape? Try the stairs or the elevator and sneak out before Yagi came back? Yagi couldn't get in trouble or the tower. He could slip away, and nobody would find him—

A large part of the wall was taken up by an enormous metal gate, decorated in All Might's signature colors and patterns. With a woosh, the metal doors slid open, allowing enough space for a certain hero to rush in before the metal doors slammed shut again. 

All Might struck a pose, grinning broadly as he declared, "I am home!"

Izuku choked on his spit. "All Might?" 

The hero turned to face Izuku. "Ah, young Izuku, Yagi mentioned that you were staying here while he worked. I hope it's been pleasant!"

"Am I not supposed to be here?" Izuku squeaked.

All Might laughed heartily, "Not at all. You are more than welcome to stay here. This is simply my private office, and I don't typically entertain visitors. 

Oh. Oh, that was clever . 

Of course, Yagi left him in All Might's private office. He knew Izuku was a fan and wouldn't run away from his icon. He had cut off Izuku's escape attempt before he could even try to run and let him see the Number One Hero, perhaps more than once. 

Izuku felt both grateful and in awe of Yagi's sneakiness. 

"Have you finished your schoolwork?" All Might asked, either not noticing or not bothering to comment on Izuku's inability to form entire sentences. 

"More or less," Izuku said. 

"Good, good," All Might said. He braced his hands on his hips, "Then, if everything is alright, I will be off again."

He turned to leave, but Izuku called after him in a fit of desperate bravery. "All Might?" 

The number one hero paused. "Yes?"

Izuku bit his lips as he tried to find the most diplomatic way of expressing his thoughts. "Why didn't you help me back then?"

All Might turned back to face Izuku. When All Might spoke his voice was quieter, more similar to how Yagi sounded than All Might's typical booming voice. "You mean back at the sludge villain attack?"

"Yes." 

Izuku felt he didn't need to say what he really meant. All Might had fought the sludge villain, sure, but there was another villain there he hadn't taken down. One he had been willing to turn a blind eye to while Izuku was taken away, screaming for help. And he had done nothing. 

"You could have done something," Izuku pointed out, trying not to sound accusing. "You could have helped me, saved me. You're the number one hero!"

"So why didn't I?" All Might murmured. The Symbol of Peace sighed and crouched down so he was eye-level with Izuku instead of towering over him. He seemed to be struggling for the right words, but his expression was sincere. 

"Young man, one of the most difficult lessons I have had to learn is that I cannot save everyone. I am a hero, yes, but I am bound by the laws of our land. If I could, I would break into every quirkless care center, save every child and adult, and then tear those disgusting structures down into dust. But I cannot." 

"But why not!?"

"Well, I could," All Might admitted, "it's not a matter of strength. But if I destroy those facilities, it wouldn't change anything. The quirkless would be gathered up again, I would be put in prison, and nothing would change. Sometimes there are no clear bad guys to defeat. Sometimes the villains are the laws society has put in place. Believe me when I say this, young Izuku. I am aware of this situation, and I am acting on it. I will not neglect you or the other quirkless any longer."

Izuku's eyes burned, and he blinked rapidly to avoid any unwanted tears. He had always wanted to hear that someone besides his mother understood what the quirkless were going through, but it was frustrating to hear that All Might wouldn't act. Of course, the hero had his reasons, and Izuku understood them, but it was so frustrating! 

All Might's voice softened. "I know, my boy, that is not the answer you wanted to hear, and for that, I'm sorry. But I give you my word that I have a plan to help the quirkless. You will not be in this situation forever."

Izuku's face flushed. The word of the Symbol of Peace. If Izuku couldn't trust that, he didn't think he could trust anyone. Of course, Izuku wouldn't stop trying to be a hero simply because All Might said he had a plan. Izuku learned at an early age to rely on himself, All Might or no All Might. 

But Izuku would be lying if he said All Might's words didn't touch him. He bowed his head, "Thank you."

All Might's perma-smile widened. "Of course. And like I said, I'm glad to see you again, my boy. And I'm even happier to see that Yagi is serving as your ward."

Izuku must have made a face of annoyance because All Might's brows furrowed together. 

"Oh? Is something wrong? Something that I should be aware of?" All Might asked. "I know that Yagi was very concerned about your well-being. He told me so after he visited you at the facility. If there's something he's doing that's upsetting you, he would want to know."

How did Izuku explain? Yagi was nice. He hadn't treated Izuku like a pet. He'd provided Izuku with entertainment, clothes, shoes, a functioning bed, a laptop…all luxuries to a quirkless. But he was still Izuku's owner. Izuku was Yagi's property, and the collar around Izuku's neck proved it. However, Izuku doubted that All Might wanted to hear Izuku complain about a secretary All Might clearly trusted, nor did Izuku want to make Yagi lose his job. 

"He's fine," Izuku said.  

All Might humed like Yagi did when he knew Izuku was lying. "Well, if he makes you feel uncomfortable or not safe, let me know." All Might said. "I know Yagi thinks very highly of you. He's mentioned your brave heart, determined nature, and prowess at quirk analysis. In fact, if you have time, I would very much value hearing your thoughts and analysis on some of my fights."

Izuku's face burned, and he was sure he resembled a bright strawberry with his red cheeks and green hair. “Oh-oh,” Izuku stuttered. "Of course, All Might."

"Thank you, young man." He patted Izuku on the head. The motion made Izuku flinch, but he regretted it when All Might withdrew his hand and stepped away. "I'll leave you to your work, young Izuku."

Chapter Text

Izuku added another tally mark to the cover of his journal. It had been thirty days since he had woken up in Yagi's apartment and learned that All Might's secretary had adopted him. Thirty days. 

It had also been about a week since his last escape attempt. And it hadn't even been a good escape attempt. It had been half-hearted at best, more out of habit than anything else. Izuku hadn't thought about it, but the rows of tally marks looked back at him as a stark reminder of the truth he knew but never said. 

He was getting comfortable here. He was letting Yagi get to him. He was starting to enjoy the visits to Might Tower and the walks and getting to help with dinner and doing the online classes and quirk analysis in his free time. 

Tears stung his eyes as he glared down at the page. He was stupid, so stupid! 

How could he forget his goal? How could he put his dream of becoming a hero on hold just because Yagi was nice to him? It wasn't just his life at stake; it was also Kimiko's, Kojika's, and Rojin's lives. Izuku might have gotten lucky with his adoption, but he knew none of them would get the same treatment. How could he be happy with Yagi when so many quirkless still needed Izuku to become a hero? 

Izuku knew when the chips were down, Yagi wasn't going to let him be a hero. Yagi wasn't going to let Izuku risk himself because a person without a quirk couldn't be a hero. Yagi would say it so kindly and in a way that made perfect sense, and soon Izuku would believe it.

Yagi was dangerous. Anyone who could convince Izuku to believe in them and believe there were actually kind people in this world, was just as dangerous as All For One. 

The realization hit Izuku like a truck, and he stood up, the chair clattering to the floor, tears in his eyes. 

Of course! How could he be this stupid? Yagi was trapping him, just like All For One and Usotsuki had. But instead of a vault or a facility, Yagi was building a prison for Izuku's mind. Trapping him into being compliant and behaving by making him like Yagi, and making sure Izuku wouldn't want to leave. 

It was genius and insidious, and Izuku felt tears sting his eyes, hating how he almost felt hurt at the realization. He knew it was coming. He knew Yagi was trying to trap him like everyone else and lock him away, but he thought he would push Yagi too far and cause the man to snap and throw him into the quirkless room. Instead, Yagi had been locking him up since day one. Somehow it still felt like a betrayal. 

No, Izuku couldn't let this happen. He had to get out. He had to get out before Yagi got under his skin even more. He couldn't let anyone get in his way of being a hero. Even someone as kind as Yagi. 

Resolve filled Izuku, and he crept outside of his room. It was well past midnight, so Yagi should be asleep by now. He tiptoed silently through the apartment and into the open door, where he could hear Yagi snoring. Yagi always kept the door open in case Izuku needed him. Izuku savagely squashed down any guilt as he reached for the nightstand and snatched his wallet off. Creeping back out, Izuku pulled out a wad of cash and the ID card to get down the elevator. He would need the money to support himself when he was back on the streets again. 

"Izuku? What are you doing my boy?" 

Izuku almost jumped ten feet in the air when the voice rang through the apartment, and he whirled around to see Yagi at the doorway, looking tired, confused, worried, and even hurt. His eyes landed on the items in Izuku's hands, and the two stared at each other in silence for one solid, terrifying second. 

Then Izuku sprinted for the elevator, only for Yagi's hand to grab the hood of his sweatshirt and pull him back. 

"No!" he shouted, and without thinking, he pulled his arms through the sleeves and slipped through the oversized sweatshirt. He took off running again, but Yagi quickly threw aside the sweatshirt and took Izuku gently but firmly by the forearm. Instinct and anger flooded through Izuku, and he allowed himself to be reeled in, only to turn and begin to kick and jab at what he hoped would be more vulnerable areas on Yagi's body. 

It was like hitting a brick wall for all the good it did him. 

"Let me go!" he screamed. 

"Izuku, what's wrong?" Yagi asked, somehow still calm, albeit visibly concerned. "What brought this up?" 

"Shut up!" Izuku cried, not sure if he was begging or ordering. "Just stop it. Stop stringing me along, pretending like you care or that you see me as an equal. I can't keep doing this! I can't keep waiting for the day you snap and throw me in that room and treat me like a baby. I can't keep walking on eggshells, hoping what I say or do won't make you decide I'm fragile. I can't keep fighting sleep because I'm afraid I'll wake up a prisoner again." 

"Do you think that I will do that?" 

"I don't know!" Izuku howled. "Everyone else has. Why are you pretending to be different? Just stop, alright? Stop trying to wear me down mentally and emotionally, and make me your submissive little pet! If you're going to lock me up, just do it. Stop playing these games with me, Dad! " 

Yagi paused, stunned. 

"What was that?" 

Izuku's hand flew to his mouth, and tears stung his eyes. It was still there. Even though it had been years since he had been with All For One, the quirk was still in place, changing his words, turning his hatred into words of affection. 

He howled in rage, jerking away from Yagi. This scuffle was wearing him out, and he needed to have the energy to run again if he got the opening. He backed up against the wall and sunk to the floor, his nails digging into his skin, tears running down his face. 

"I wasn't calling you that, don't get ideas!" he yelled. "His quirk is still on me. I can't do anything to change it. He still isn't letting me go. He's still here, changing my words and locking me up." 

"Who is, my boy?" Yagi asked. "Someone at the facility? 'Dad?'" 

"It doesn't matter!" Izuku retorted. "None of it matters. It doesn't ever change. Just stop pretending to be different and if you're going to lock me up, just do it. But don't play these games with me. Please! " 

Yagi crouched down so that he was at eye level with Izuku. Izuku hated how hurt he looked. As if Izuku's words and accusations got to him more than any punch or hit could. Like he had expected Izuku to fight back physically but not accuse him of such things because those things never crossed his mind. 

"Izuku, look at me, my boy." 

Izuku didn't want to. He didn't want to see the hurt in his eyes and feel guilt. He shouldn't feel this way for fighting back against his owner. Even if Yagi was kind, he was still the man who adopted and owned him now. 

Yagi sighed and lifted a hand to touch Izuku but then seemed to think better of it and retracted his hand. 

"My boy, I promise you, I am not playing games with you," he said. "And I'm sorry for whatever I did to give you that impression. I do not intend to trick you or put you in that room or abuse or hurt you in any way. I'm not like Usotsuki or your mother, or-" 

Izuku's head snapped up, and Yagi seemed taken aback by his rage. 

"DO NOT TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HER!"

Yagi's hands flew up, and he stuttered, "I-I'm sorry. I-"

"NO! NO, YOU DON'T GET TO SAY THAT YOU DON'T GET TO ACT ALL HIGH AND MIGHTY WHEN YOU BOUGHT ME!" Spittle flew from Izuku's mouth, and he felt like his head was about to explode, but he couldn't stop the storm of vitriol he had kept built in for years and years. "YOU BOUGHT ME! YOU BOUGHT ME, YOU BOUGHT ME, YOU BOUGHT ME, AND I HATE YOU, DAD! "

A tear trickled down Yagi's gaunt face. The man looked like he had aged 30 years over the course of Izuku's rant, but Izuku didn't care. He felt like he was going to fly apart. Like his body couldn't contain the rage bubbling inside him. Izuku raked his fingernails down his face, the stinging pain and trickle of blood the only way of articulating how mad he was. 

With a final, furious sob, Izuku threw himself away from the wall to his bedroom, where he slammed his door with enough force to rattle the walls. He collapsed against the door, sliding down to the ground. 

Mr. Deer sat abandoned on the bed, and Izuku realized, in his haste to escape, he had almost left Mr. Deer behind. Izuku had almost abandoned Kojika's gift. 

Izuku crawled across the ground to snatch Mr. Deer off the bed before curling into a heap on the ground. Clutching the stuffed animal close to his chest, the rage that had been burning him into a crisp, melted into wails. His chest clenched, and tears poured down his face as he hugged Mr. Deer close to him. 

"I'm sorry," Izuku cried. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." His words turned into a blubbery mess. Izuku didn't even know who he was apologizing to: Kojika, Mr. Deer, Kimiko, Rojin, his mother, Mr. Yagi. All he knew was that he hurt, and he was sorry. 

If Toshinori had a stomach, he knew he would have thrown the contents of it up. 

He had messed up. 

It had been over an hour since the confrontation, but Toshinori hadn't moved a muscle. He stood there in the dark, dressed in his pajamas, arms limp at his side, feeling utterly helpless. 

He had messed up so bad. 

Toshinori thought Izuku was beginning to adjust despite the tough beginning. Heck, he thought he understood Izuku, so when he saw the kid, cash, and ID badge in hand, Toshinori had felt a bit hurt. He had thought they were past the stage of running away, but this wasn't like the previous attempts.

Izuku had seemed unhinged, yelling about how Toshinori was manipulating Izuku, trying to break Izuku down, misinterpreting everything Toshinori had done out of care as something sinister. 

Izuku's words hurt worse than most villains' blows, and in Toshinori's haste and need to explain otherwise, he made things worse. 

"DO NOT TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HER!"

Izuku had never focussed so much raw rage at Toshinori before. Sure, he had seen the kid upset, irritated even, but never this consuming anger. The kid's eyes had bulged, his face turned red, and Izuku didn't even notice the lines of blood formed from raking his fingernails across his skin. 

However, Toshinori, the number one hero All Might and the Symbol of Peace, had frozen. He hadn't known what to say or how to react, other than stand there and take the kid's anger. Oh, and there was so much of it. It was years of anger and fear and frustration bubbling up and out. 

Izuku had been a danger to himself—he shouldn't be alone, but at this point, Toshinori was afraid that his interference would make things worse. Izuku had made his feelings for Yagi plenty clear. 

YOU BOUGHT ME, AND I HATE YOU, DAD!

Had Izuku viewed Toshinori as Izuku's owner? Did Izuku really think Toshinori considered Izuku as a pet or some toy? Even worse, Izuku seemed to view Toshinori like that mysterious "Dad" who scared Izuku so badly. "Dad" had been the cause of Izuku's panic attack at the facility and his meltdown when he was brought to Toshinori's home. Did Izuku see Toshinori as a threat and someone to be feared? 

From the hallway, Toshinori could hear Izuku bawling in his bedroom, loud, heaving cries that Toshinori knew the kid was trying and failing to muffle. 

Toshinori covered his face with his hand and sunk to the ground with a groan. His cheeks were wet, and his injured side was aching again, but the pain didn't compare to the shattering sensation in his heart. 

"I'm so sorry, my boy," Toshinori whispered. "I'm so sorry that I've failed you so bad."

Toshinori had tried and failed and hurt this precious boy. He didn't even know what to do. How would he go about fixing this? 

A tear rolled down his cheek and plopped onto the ground. 

He needed to do something. He couldn't keep sitting here on the ground in the middle of the night as his boy sobbed in pain. 

Trembling, Toshinori got to his feet and staggered back to his bedroom, where his phone sat on his bedside table. Straining through blurry eyes he pulled up his list of contacts and hit call. A distant part of his mind knew that calling this late at night was rude, but his aching heart didn't care for such formalities. 

When the other side picked up, Toshinori wanted to cry in relief. 

"Hello? It's the middle of the night, All Might. What's wrong?" Nezu asked. 

"I've messed up," Toshinori said, "and I'm not sure how to fix it."

Hours had passed, but Izuku was curled up on the floor, his entire body hurting, his head pounding, and his face caked with dry tears and snot. He hadn't moved from his place on the floor and clung to Mr. Deer for comfort as the first bits of daylight began to appear from his window. 

There was a knock on the door, and Izuku couldn't bring himself to answer. He didn't want to face Yagi right now. He hadn't deserved that. Izuku saw the look on his face. Every word he had said had been a hot knife to the man who had shown him nothing but kindness. For all his accusations that Yagi was manipulating him, the truth was Izuku had hurt him first because he was scared of what it meant that he was growing happy and comfortable here. 

He didn't want to face him right now. He didn't want the inevitable talk that Yagi was going to send him back to the facility since Izuku had made it clear he wasn't happy here. But the doorknob turned, so Izuku braced himself for the goodbye. Yagi said nothing as he sat beside him and put a gentle hand on Izuku's shoulder. When Izuku didn't move away, he took it as permission to pat his back. 

"Is it alright if I hug you, Izuku?" 

A hug… yeah, a hug sounded nice right now. Izuku really could use a real hug, not one involving him being swaddled and cuddled against his will. He nodded, and Yagi wrapped his arms around Izuku. 

"Tell me when you want me to stop, and I will." 

Izuku said nothing but threw his arms around Yagi's middle, trying to stop the fresh wave of tears as he buried his face in Yagi's shirt. 

"I'm sorry," he sobbed. "I didn't– I shouldn't have said– I just–" 

"I know, my boy," Yagia assured him. "You don't have to apologize. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I should have realized there was more going on with your mother than I was told. I had… I had assumed Usotsuki had told me everything, but it is clear now that was just another thing she lied about." 

Izuku sniffled and nodded. 

"Do you want to talk about her?" 

Izuku hesitated. Nobody wanted to talk about his mother. Not All For One, who told him he'd have her killed if he spoke of her. Not the people at the facility, who just saw her as an abusive parent who scarred and traumatized Izuku. Nobody ever wanted to hear his protests that his mother was the most wonderful person in the world, who didn't deserve to be locked away. 

But Yagi did. And Izuku, for better or worse, needed to tell someone else about his mother. 

He wiped his nose with the back of his sleeve and nodded. 

"She's the kindest woman I know," he told Yagi. "She'd… she'd always listen, and give good advice, and she smelled like vanilla. She didn't want me to be taken away, so she and I told everyone I had 'quirk analysis' for a quirk. She made sure I learned how to defend myself and how to look for people who would help me. She always made sure I knew I was not weak or helpless, but I had every right to live free." 

"She sounds like a remarkable woman," Yagi noted. "And an amazing mother." 

Izuku could only agree with that. His mother was the best person he knew. And it was his fault that they were both locked away. 

"Mom did nothing wrong," he asserted. "She just wanted me to be free. She didn't want me to be taken away and collared and… and…" 

And locked away by people like Usotsuki or All For One. Which was exactly where he had ended up. 

"But I was stupid. I wanted to watch a Hero fight, and my friend Kacchan and I got too close. They thought we were injured, so they looked us over. One of the paramedics had an x-ray quirk. They found an extra joint in my little toe, and realized I was an unregistered quirkless. They arrested Mom for child abuse and unlawful possession of a quirkless. Like I was some sort of drug or contraband, and she was hurting me. But she was my mom. We just wanted to stay together, and they… they…" 

He trailed off, unable to finish. Mom was in prison because of him. All because he couldn't be careful and was stupid enough to get found. His mother was suffering, locked away, and it was all Izuku's fault. 

"It's okay, my boy," Yagi assured him. "It wasn't your fault. They should never have separated you two. I'm disgusted that they separate children from their families in this manner and I promise you I'm looking into ways to get around that law. Your mother did nothing wrong by wanting to stay with you, and you did nothing wrong. You were a child. It isn't your fault, and never let anyone make you believe otherwise." 

"You don't know that," Izuku cried. "You can't say that. It's my fault of this is my fault."

"Even if it is your fault, you can't think that way. She wouldn't want you to think that way. You have to be strong and try to be the kind of hero she dreamed you could be."

Yagi's voice was choked, and his thin arms trembled against Izuku.

"I haven't ever told you about my mother, have I?"

Izuku shook his head against Yagi's chest. 

"Well, she wasn't my biological mother, but that was what I thought of her as…and I hope she thought of me the same way. She was brave and kind and believed in me and my dreams when no one else did. Oh, and she had the nicest laugh that made you feel light and bubbly inside. She always told me that the strong in life smile, despite what challenges they're facing. Even now on bad days I can hear her voice, reminding me to keep smiling."

"She sounds nice," Izuku sniffled. 

"She was, my boy, she was. I wish you could have met her." Yagi's breath wheezed out and he gave a bloody cough. Wetness dripped onto Izuku's hair, and when he glanced up, he saw tears dripping from Yagi's eyes. "I'm sorry, my boy," Yagi said. "I forget sometimes how much I miss her."

"What happened," Izuku asked. 

"She died saving me from a villain. She was bloodied and injured, but she smiled, called my name, and told me she was counting on me." Yagi squeezed Izuku tighter against his chest and buried his face in Izuku's curls. "The explosion was so bad we never even found her body."

"I'm… I'm sorry," Izuku murmured. 

"Don't apologize," Yagi replied. "You didn't know. If anything, I should apologize. I should have known better than to trust Usotsuki's words and I should have looked into your mother on my own." 

They remained in that position for a few more minutes, and Yagi finally coaxed Izuku to look up at him. 

"My boy, I promise you, I am not trying to lock you up, or play mind games, or do anything of the sort. I am sorry for anything that gave you that impression, and I'm sorry for everything that has come before it. Life should never have been this hard on you, young Izuku." 

"That wasn't your fault," Izuku pointed out. The truth was, none of this had been Yagi's fault. Izuku had jumped to the conclusion that Yagi was manipulating him, when he had known better deep down. He knew Yagi was a kind man. He had lashed out nonetheless because it was easier to push away before he got hurt instead of waiting for the hurt that would come no matter what. 

"Nevertheless, I'm sorry," Yagi continued. "And I promise, young Izuku, I will do everything I can to live up to the standards our mothers have set. I will try to help you be as independent as a boy your age can, like your mother, and I'm going to try to show you the same kindness my mother showed me." 

Izuku felt new tears sting his eyes as he hugged Yagi tighter, Mr. Deer sandwiched between them. The first rays of sunlight landed over them by the time they parted. Dawn had finally come. 

"So where are we going?" 

Yagi chuckled as they drove. It was a weekend, which was usually their time to go on outings together if Yagi wasn't overwhelmed with paperwork. Izuku had been wary when Yagi had suggested this routine, but Yagi took him to see movies Izuku wanted to see, or to conventions where heroes were signing autographs, and even once to an amusement park. Usually, however, Yagi told Izuku where they were going, but not this time. 

This time they were driving further into the city than they had before, and Izuku was curious about what his guardian was planning. 

"After our late-night talk, I did some thinking and made some calls," Yagi answered. "And I realized there was somewhere we needed to go. Somewhere you should have visited a long time ago." 

Izuku watched as they pulled into a gated facility with a guard and a barrier. Yagi pulled out some ID, filled out some sort of paper, and put some sort of parking pass on his dashboard. A stern-faced guard looked it over, spoke into his radio, and then waved the car forward. 

"Who are we visiting?" Izuku asked. He knew what he wanted the answer to be, but the thought of being told otherwise made his palms clammy. 

Yagi followed the guards guiding the car to a small parking lot and then turned the ignition off. "We are here to see your mother," Yagi said, turning to face Izuku. "If you don't feel comfortable, we can turn around right now, but you deserve at least the chance to see her."

"My mom?" Izuku asked, his voice strangled and eyes wet. "But prisons don't allow visitors, and I can't see them allowing me, a quirkless, to go see my supposed abuser, and I can't almost see her and then not—" his voice caught in this throat.

Yagi rested a hand on Izuku's head. "It's true. Typically a visit like this would never be allowed. But I pulled some strings, talked to some people, and threw out a frankly ridiculous amount of money. We'll probably only get five minutes, but I figured it was something."

Tears flowed down Izuku's cheeks, and he pressed his fist against his mouth to hold back sobs. He tried to speak, but all that came out were desperate, pathetic wheezes. Yagi wrapped his arm around Izuku's shoulder in a sort of awkward half-hug. 

"Thank you," Izuku managed to gasp out. 

"Don't thank me yet, we still have to go through several checkpoints."

Yagi got out of the car and held the door open for Izuku. "Because something like this is so unusual, they're going to put us under extra scrutiny, and they are not going to like that you're quirkless. I know it's frustrating, but I'll need you to act the part."

Izuku could read between the lines. Be a helpless, sweet, good, little quirkless pet to tag along. The collar on his neck felt hot and uncomfortable, but Izuku forced himself to not mess with it. He could play the part if it let him see his mother.

Chapter Text

Izuku bit back a flinch as the guards ran hands up and down his body, checking him for potential threats. To the side, the guards subjected Yagi to the same treatment, ruffling through pockets and feeling along arms and legs. Yagi flashed him a soft smile, his eyes silently asking, are you alright?

Izuku nodded curtly, unwilling to show how uncomfortable he felt. He felt like he was back at the facility or with All For One, silently enduring the touching and attention. 

When the guard reached the scarf around his neck, Izuku stiffened. However, he forced himself not to move as they peeled the scarf away, then paused as Izuku's collar was revealed. 

"Were we aware of this?" Izuku's guard asked, prodding at Izuku's collar. 

The prison warden, who had met Yagi and Izuku outside the prison gates, rolled his eyes, "It's been cleared by the higher-ups. It's to accompany Mr. Yagi throughout the scheduled meeting."

It —the designation burned. Izuku wasn't some object or pet, and he wanted to scream at them as much, but the thought of his mom kept him strong. He was doing this for her. He couldn't let his temper stop him from seeing her after so many years. 

The guard grunted and carelessly rewrapped Izuku's scarf. "Fine then. This one is all clear."

The guards patting Yagi down stepped away as well. "Same here," they said. 

The warden nodded, checking his watch. "Good," he said. "We don't have all day." He motioned for Yagi and Izuku to follow as he led them farther into the prison. 

Yagi silently beckoned Izuku closer and rested his hand on Izuku's shoulder with a squeeze. It's okay, the contact said. I'm here. 

The warden led the two down hallways, past metal gates and stern-faced guards. Izuku didn't see any prisoners, and he knew he wouldn't. Yagi and Izuku weren't allowed in those prison sections, but Izuku couldn't stop his eyes from flitting about the hallways, looking for a glimpse of green hair and loving eyes. 

He hadn't seen his mom since he was seven. Upon realizing his secret had been found out, Izuku had sprinted home, clinging to the hope that everything would be okay if he could reach his mom. Mom had always made everything alright in the past. When Kacchan played too rough, or school was bad, or they had gotten that fateful x-ray from a backstreet doctor, Izuku's mom had always been there for him with a smile and a hug. 

Izuku was why his wonderful mother was locked up in a place like this. 

Would she even want to see him? 

"We're here," the warden grunted, unlocking a steel door. Yagi stepped inside, and Izuku followed suit. The room was uncomfortably small, with thick concrete walls, mounted cameras, and divided in half by a window and desk. 

"The guards will bring the prisoner by in a minute. She'll be on the other side of the glass, but you'll be able to talk and hear each other through the speakers." The warden said. "Guards will be posted outside, and if anything happens, we'll come in. You'll have five minutes and no more."

"We understand," Yagi said with a bow of his head. "Thank you."

The warden grunted and left the room, closing the door behind him with a click. 

As the door closed, an unrealized pressure slammed onto Izuku's chest, and he gasped for air. He could feel the walls pressing in on him, ready to swallow him whole. Tears gathered in his eyes. His mother had lived here for years now. How could he see her after subjecting her to this? He was a horrible son. He didn't deserve her or her love. Izuku couldn't bear the thought of his mother's caring eyes looking at him with disgust, anger, or indifference. 

"Hey," Yagi's words cut through Izuku's spiral, and he distantly realized that he was hyperventilating. A warm, calloused hand rested against Izuku's cheek, and he clung to it like a lifeline. Yagi's blue eyes crinkled in sympathy. "It's okay, my boy. You're okay, but I need you to talk to me. What's wrong?"

"My mom," Izuku gasped. "My mom. I put her here. It's my fault. I–I don't. She'll hate me. And I can't, I can't," Izuku sobbed, futilely trying to wipe away tears. "I don't want that. I don't want her to hate me."

"My boy," Yagi murmured, his thumb brushing away Izuku's tears. "If she's who you say she is, I can't see that happening, but regardless, it wouldn't change who you are. You are a wonderful boy that any mother would be proud of."

"But–" Izuku started to say when the door creaked open. Spinning around, Izuku watched as a short, green-haired woman dressed in a prison jumpsuit stepped into the other side of the room. She seemed smaller than he remembered, and there were lines around her eyes and brow that hadn't been there before. 

She looked around the room warily as if preparing for a fight when her eyes met Izuku's through the window. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell into a perfect "o."

"Izuku," she whispered, stepping closer to the mirror. "Baby, is that you?" It had been almost seven years since he had last heard his mother's voice, but her voice was as sweet as he remembered, like being embraced in a warm hug. 

Izuku let out a sob, and whatever control the two had been maintaining vanished in that instance as they raced towards the window. 

"Mom," Izuku wailed as he slammed his hand against the glass. His mother did likewise so that their palms and fingers matched up like they used to do when Izuku was a child. Her hands had appeared so big then, but now, they matched together perfectly. 

"Izuku, baby," his mom cried, pressing against the glass. "I've missed you so much. My baby, my precious son."

Izuku cried harder, struggling to form words with the cascade of emotions crashing into him. "I'm so sorry, mom. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," he blubbered. "I'm sorry I went to the hero fight. It's my fault. This is all my fault."

“No, no, Izuku, it’s not.” Fat tears rolled down his mother's face. "This is not your fault. It never was or will be. I should have protected you better."

"But—but, I," Izuku stumbled over his words, unable to breathe properly with how he was crying. 

A hand landed on his shoulder. "I need you to breathe, Izuku." Yagi leaned over him and began rubbing Izuku's back. "Come on, deep breathe now." Yagi mimicked the motion, and Izuku tried to follow along until he felt less like he was about to fall over. "That's it, good."

Izuku sniffled and wiped at his eyes. "I'm sorry," he croaked. 

"You have nothing to apologize for."

"It's okay."

Both Yagi and Izuku's mom spoke simultaneously before startling and looking at each other.

Yagi cleared his throat and rubbed awkwardly at his neck. "Hello, Ms. Midoriya," he said. "My name is Yagi Toshinori. I believe you were informed that we would be visiting today?"

"I did," Izuku's mom replied in a guarded tone. 

Yagi appeared painfully nervous. Sweat beaded at his brow, and he coughed into his fist. "Good. Well, Izuku had mentioned how much he missed you, and I thought it only right that you two be allowed to see each other."

"Allowed?" Inko said, her mouth thinning.

Yagi coughed violently into his fist, crimson appearing between his fingers. "Ah, no. Not allowed, but umm, reunited? I am uh, Izuku's current… guardian."

"Guardian?" Inko snapped. 

Yagi's face drained of blood. "I, uhh."

"It's okay, Mom," Izuku spoke up. His voice was nasally from crying, but he had calmed down enough to speak. "Yagi is good." At Inko's unbelieving look, Izuku continued. "Yagi got me out of the facility I was in. We can trust him."

The confession rendered Inko, Yagi, and Izuku speechless. Yagi's brilliant blue eyes glistened in shock, and Izuku realized, to his surprise, that Izuku did trust Yagi. Yagi smiled, and Izuku smiled back before turning to his mother. Her eyes softened at Izuku's words as she looked back to Yagi. 

"You got him out of the facilities?" 

"I wasn't going to leave him there," Yagi stated firmly. "Your son is one of the strongest people I know." 

"Thank you," Inko said sincerely. "Thank you for protecting my son." 

Yagi nodded, and Izuku turned back to his Mom. It had been seven whole years since he saw her. Seven years, wondering if she was okay, what had happened, and if he would ever see her again. But here she was, smiling at him, tears in her eyes as she kept her hand pressed against the glass. 

"What all happened, baby?" she asked. "It's been years. Did they… what…" 

Izuku swallowed. He didn't want to worry her. He didn't want to scare her with the stories of how he was taken and sold at an auction and then spent nearly a year and a half inside a vault , held captive by a villain who claimed he was Izuku's father, and then he was able to escape, only to be taken in and out of the facility under Usotsuki's thumb. However, Izuku also couldn't lie to her, and he had to know. 

He had to know the truth. He had to know if All For One was everything he said. He had to know if All For One was indeed his father. 

Because if he was… Izuku was sure that the villain would never stop coming after him. He would do everything in his power to recapture Izuku and trap him back in the vault. Forever. 

"Mom… who was my father?" 

The question caught Inko off guard. Izuku had never asked her before. He knew that she worked hard to provide for him, and he had never wanted her to feel like she wasn't enough for him when she was all he ever needed. But now he had to know. He could see the confusion in her eyes, and he quickly scrambled to explain as best as he could. 

"I was with a man who… he made me call him 'Dad' or 'Daddy,'" he said. "And he insisted I was his son. I don't… I don't know if it was true or not." 

Inko bit her lip. 

"I don't know, baby," she admitted. "Your father… he was a charming man that I encountered a few times in college. I was young, new to love, and foolish. We went on a date one day, and when I woke up, he was gone, with no way to contact him or reach him. I never saw him again. I tried to find him when I learned I was pregnant, but I never found him. And I never regretted it because I gained the greatest gift in the world: you." 

Izuku smiled. He could see Yagi watching him carefully out of the corner of his eye, and knew Yagi was likely putting together the pieces. That 'Dad' was a villain who had kidnapped him and claimed he was Izuku's father. That he had some kind of quirk that forced Izuku to call him by the titles he wanted, not by his actual name. 

He wasn't sure he could tell Yagi about All For One just yet. He still didn't… he never liked talking about what he went through with All For One on principle. Even if he trusted Yagi, he couldn't tell him about the villain at the auction just yet. Yagi had done so much for him. Izuku didn't want to put another burden on Yagi's shoulders. Especially since he worked for All Might. 

"I can't say if he was your father or not," Inko continued. "But if he was… then he was not the man I thought he was. I'm so sorry, Izuku." 

"It's okay," Izuku assured her. "You've always been the only parent who mattered to me." 

Inko gave a watery smile as she took in all of Izuku's features. 

"You've grown so much," she murmured. "I feel like I've missed so much." 

"I've missed you too, Mom," he sobbed. "I… they always said horrible things about you, but I kept telling them it was lies. You've always been a good mom. You always looked after me. And I… I…" 

Inko smiled and pressed her hand as hard as she could against the glass. 

"I love you so much, baby," she promised. "And I'm so proud of the person you have become." 

"I got it all from you." 

There was a buzz, and Inko turned to see a guard coming on her side, nodding to signal her it was time. Izuku could feel his breathing pick up as he realized his limited time was already coming to an end. It was the first time he had seen his mother in seven years, and already she was being taken away from him again. 

"Mom… Mommy–" 

"It's going to be okay, baby," she promised him as the guard approached. "I love you so much. I'm proud of you, and I love you so much. I love you, Izuku. No matter what anyone says, Izuku, you are strong, clever, and brave. Remember that, Izuku. Don't ever let anyone make you believe you are too weak to be free." 

Izuku nodded, the words he kept close to his heart suddenly renewing a fire in him as he heard them again.

"I'm going to get you out of here, Mom," he swore. "Someday, they're going to realize you are amazing and that all you did is love me, and we'll get to see each other again. I love you so much, Mom." 

She was smiling through her tears, and Izuku could tell she knew. She knew he still planned to be a Hero, one who would free her, the Quirkless, and show the world that people like him were capable of living in this world. And she was so proud that even after all these years, after everything he had been through with the facilities and the villain, he still held fast to his dream. He had never once believed their lies. 

She never stopped looking at him, not until the guard shut the door behind her, cutting off Izuku's view of her entirely. Izuku immediately collapsed into tears, and Yagi pulled him into a hug. The two remained there for a few minutes as Yagi patted his back and helped him regain control of his breathing. 

"Thank you," Izuku whispered, smiling through his tears. "Thank you for bringing me to see her again." 

"You're very welcome, my boy," Yagi answered. "We'll figure something out so we can see her more. I can tell she truly loves you." 

Those words were what finally broke Izuku as he collapsed against Yagi in a puddle of tears. He felt raw, exposed, and painfully vulnerable. He was so happy to see his mom, but guilt swirled in his chest for what happened to her and how Izuku had treated Yagi, and anger too that the laws had taken Izuku away from his mother. He sobbed, the conflicting emotions overwhelming all thought and capability.

Yagi wrapped his arm around Izuku and tucked him next to his skinny chest as he guided Izuku out of prison. The man radiated heat, and with his arms wrapped around Izuku, Yagi felt like a walking blanket, but the good kind that kept you comfy and not constricted. Izuku's tears soaked into Yagi's shirt, but the man said nothing, entirely focused on guiding Izuku and pushing away any nosy guards. 

Within minutes, they were outside the prison. Yagi unlocked the car door and tucked Izuku inside the passenger seat before walking to the driver's side. Taking off his long tan overcoat, Yagi draped it over Izuku. "You okay there, kiddo?" Yagi asked. 

Izuku nodded. There wasn't anything else he could say. As they left the prison compound and Izuku watched its gates disappear in the side mirror, Izuku felt a wild urge to throw the car door open, race back to the prison, and bang on the doors until his mom was released. 

"Here," Yagi said, pushing a water bottle into Izuku's hands. "I need you to drink this all, okay? You've been doing a lot of crying, and I can't have you getting dehydrated now."

Izuku nodded numbly and twisted the lid off. The cool water helped wash away the lump in his throat and steady his breathing. 

"I'm proud of you," Yagi said. 

Izuku twisted to look at Yagi, and Yagi chuckled at Izuku's confused face. 

"That must have been hard. I don't know how I would have reacted in your place. You showed real bravery, and I'm proud of you for that."

"Thank you," Izuku whispered, then took another sip of his water in lieu of responding. It was moments like that where Izuku thought Yagi must be a little crazy because why else would he say that. However, Izuku couldn't brush off the warm feeling of Yagi's pride. 

As they drove farther into town, the two sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts. So Izuku was surprised when Yagi made a sudden turn, pulling into a parking lot and stopping the car. 

"You up to some food?" Yagi asked. "You don't have to, but a belly full of food can do a lot of good after something as challenging as that. There's an excellent stand less than a block away. We can grab some food and take it back home." 

Izuku shifted in his seat. While food sounded good, he didn't want to move. All he wanted was to go home and sleep. 

Yagi smiled softly. "If you want, I can go grab it while you rest here. Would that work?"

"Yes, thank you." 

"I'll be back in a minute." 

Yagi got out of the car while Izuku settled back in his seat, tugging his sweatshirt and scarf around him for warmth. He watched the people pass by, not sparing him a glance. Izuku wanted to think of his mom and what had happened, but he was all out of energy. Now he just wanted to sleep. He glanced out the window, eyes involuntarily meeting crimson eyes staring at him from the sidewalk. 

Izuku's heart froze. 

Red eyes. Long, scraggly pale hair. Dry, crusty skin, a small scar over the lip, a black, wrinkled hoodie. 

No… no way…

Tomura stared at Izuku for one full second, the stunned surprise marking every inch of his face. He had not been expecting this any more than Izuku. 

Adrenaline suddenly shot through Izuku, and he unbuckled his seatbelt and threw open the car door. The movement jolted Tomura into action as he sprinted to Izuku, just as Izuku broke out into a run. 

Yagi. He had to find Yagi. 

No, he couldn't find Yagi! Yagi was decent at deflecting Izuku's punches and stuff, but this was Tomura. He was on a completely different level than Izuku, and he would not hesitate to kill if he thought Yagi was going to get in the way. 

Instead, Izuku took off in the opposite direction, familiar instincts about running taking over as he dodged around a corner and through an alleyway. He glanced behind and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Tomura wasn't following him. 

That changed instantly when he nearly rounded the next corner, only for Tomura to appear and slam Izuku against the wall, pressing his full body weight against Izuku. 

"Izuku?" he rasped. "It really is you! I can't believe I found you. Sensei is going to be so pleased to have you home."

Panic filled Izuku as he attempted to thrash and buck Tomura off of him, mind flashing already with what was about to happen. The villain would hold him and take him back to All For One. He would take him back to the vault. Izuku would go back to being cuddled, babied, and not treated like a human, and this time they wouldn't let him get away.  

Izuku had to call for help. If he yelled out that he was a quirkless and in danger, someone would help him for sure. But if he did… would that be admitting he really was a useless, helpless creature who needed protection? 

If they saved him, they would take him away, and he would return to the facility with Usotsuki, and he'd never see his mother again. Izuku refused to go back to the facility, and he couldn't put Yagi in danger, either. He was on his own, just like always. He escaped Tomura once. He could do it again. 

Tomura leaned forward, burying his head in Izuku's fluffy curls. 

"I missed you, Ducky," he gushed, ignoring how Izuku froze at the old pet name. "Sensei has a new vault set up for you, nice and cute. I'm going to call Kurogiri, and then–" 

Izuku threw his head back and felt a sickening crack as he crashed into Tomura's nose. Tomura let go instinctively, hands flying to his nose, while Izuku broke into a run. He dodged into the crowd, scanning for Yagi, when he found the skinny man with two take-out bags, staring in fear and confusion at the open car door.

At the sight of Izuku, he broke into a relieved grin. Izuku wished he could feel the same, with how his heart was pounding, and he looked behind, hoping Tomura wasn't there. He didn't see him, but that didn't mean the villain wasn't there, waiting. 

"Izuku? Is everything alright, my boy?" 

All For One was still looking for him. He had a vault prepared for Izuku. He wasn't going to let Izuku go, and now he knew Izuku was still in Japan, able to wander the streets and not trapped in the facilities. 

He would be coming for Izuku. 

"Can we go?" he asked Yagi urgently. "Please?" 

Anything to get Yagi safe. 

Yagi was taken aback but nodded, climbing into the car. Izuku buckled in, trying to act nonchalant as he glanced about for Tomura. Izuku found him right as they drove away, grinning maniacally and watching Izuku and Yagi fade into the distance. He wasn't even mad. He was glad he got to chase Izuku down. 

Tomura was excited. Which meant it was more likely that Yagi was going to be killed. 

The entire ride, Izuku said nothing, but he could feel his hands shaking. His appetite was gone, as was his desire to sleep. Seeing Tomura had shaken him to the core, and he had no idea how to fix this. Yagi was watching him with concern but didn't say anything. 

Izuku's mind raced. Tomura had seen him. He knew Izuku was outside and probably adopted since he saw Izuku in a car. He had seen Yagi's car. It wouldn't be long before All For One tracked him down and dragged him back to the vault. And when that happened, Yagi would fight him because Yagi was a good man, and Yagi would be killed. 

Izuku wouldn't allow that to happen. He already had his mother's arrest on his conscience; he couldn't bear it if Yagi also got hurt because of him. 

He couldn't go back to the vault. And he couldn't let Yagi get hurt. And he couldn't go back to the facility. All For One wasn't just anyone; he wouldn't stop. He'd either go through the proper channels to get Izuku to himself or tear down the facility brick by brick and kill all inside until he had Izuku. People like Kojika, Kimiko, and Rojin. Or even worse, All For One wouldn't come for him, and Izuku would be back in Usotsuki's power again. 

The terrible truth sunk in as Izuku lay on his bed hours later, staring up at the ceiling, cuddling Mr. Deer to his chest. 

He had to run away. He had to get away this time and never come back. 

He didn't expect the realization to hurt him so much. He trusted Yagi. He treated Izuku like he was a person, not a treasure to protect. He never hurt Izuku, he only encouraged Izuku and was patient with him despite the walls Izuku had in place. He even listened to Izuku and allowed him to see his mother again after so many years of people calling her an abusive parent. 

He had started to see this place as home. Despite everything, he was starting to trust and love Yagi. And Yagi was even beginning to trust Izuku. For the first time, Izuku noticed that Yagi had left the stairwell door unlocked tonight. Maybe it was an accident, but it showed that Yagi trusted Izuku to not run.

A tear trickled down his cheek. He didn't want to run and betray Yagi's trust. He didn't want to leave this place, leave Yagi behind, but he had no choice. He couldn't let the kind man who took him under his wing get hurt. The irony that he had no choice but to run away when he didn't want to leave after countless escape attempts hit him like a punch to the gut. 

He saw how hurt Yagi was after his last attempt to run. This time would probably break his heart. But a broken heart was better than a broken neck. Maybe without Izuku, he could take care of one of the other kids at the facility. He could help Kojika be reunited with his family. He could make sure Kimiko was safe with him, so she wouldn't have to cry anymore. He could make the world better for them without Izuku, happy and alive because Izuku made sure he was safe. 

He could be a hero. He could be Yagi's hero by making the hardest decision to leave him behind. Even if it hurt Izuku in the process. 

The moment Toshinori's alarm clock went off, he knew something was wrong. The apartment felt too empty, as if something important was missing. No, not something, someone. 

Biting back a swear, Toshinori stumbled out of bed and ran towards Izuku's bedroom. Although yesterday's trip to visit Inko had gone well, Yagi knew something had happened when he had left to get food. 

It had taken maybe 5 or 10 minutes, not even that long, but Izuku had seemed frantic when Toshinori returned, and when Toshinori had asked what had happened, Izuku wouldn't say. 

Toshinori hadn't pressed. It had been a long, emotionally taxing day for Izuku, and he hadn't wanted to push the trust that was growing between them.

Now, he cursed himself. 

Izuku's door was wide open, but his bed was made perfectly, with Mr. Deer sitting on the pillow underneath a note. 

With frantic steps, Toshionri hurried over to the bed and snatched the notes up in trembling hands. 

Dear Yagi, 

I'm really, really sorry to do this. But I can't stay. I'm in too much danger from the people who held me before Usotsuki and the facility found me. If I stay, I'm putting your life in so much danger, and I can't do that. Not after everything you have done for me. 

Thank you for everything. I'll never forget your kindness. 

Love, 

Izuku Midoriya 

The pain and hurt that stabbed Toshinori's heart surprised him. Izuku was gone! Missing! Run away right when Toshinori thought things were going well! However, this letter implied that Izuku had been keeping secrets and had run away to protect Toshinori. 

A hysterical laugh bubbled out of Toshinori's chest. Izuku had wanted to protect him. Of course, he thought Toshinori needed protection. Toshinori still hadn't told Izuku who he was, and because of Toshinori's stupidity, Izuku was now in danger. 

Panic rose in Toshinori, but his year of heroics clicked in, channeling the fear into something productive. 

His hand flew to his phone, and he speed-dialed Nezu. 

"All Might? Was there something else you needed to talk about?" 

"He's gone!" Toshinonri gasped, suppressing the blood building in the back of his throat. "Izuku is gone."

Chapter Text

Izuku sat hunched at the uncomfortable wooden table, alternating his attention from his view out the window and the restaurant's surroundings. 

He hadn't left the Musutafu area yet, which was stupid when he should be racing to put as much distance between himself, Yagi, and Tomura. Izuku tried to tell himself that he wasn't sticking around because he felt guilty; he was looking for North Star messages and planning his next steps. 

The last time Izuku escaped the facility, he had made no plan, and look how far that got him. He wound up back in the facility, even if he did meet Yagi because of it. 

Izuku shifted in his seat. He could feel the cashier watching him, but he fought the urge to fiddle with his lacking disguise. His more distinctive green curls were tucked underneath a baseball cap, and a pair of tinted glasses helped mask his green eyes. It wasn't much, but it would help hide his tracks. Izuku doubted that Yagi would reach out to the commission and issue a quirkless alert, but even so, it was good to have some disguise. 

Izuku did feel guilty swiping the two items from a corner drug store. He knew stealing was unheroic, but he had seen a "we love quirkless" sign on the storefront. So in a way, the owners were helping the quirkless, not by calling the commission and throwing Izuku back in that plush prison but by unknowingly giving Izuku the supplies to stay out of it. 

The cashier was still watching him, probably wondering if Izuku was going to purchase anything. Izuku had been sitting there for over an hour, and while the restaurant wasn't busy, they probably didn't want someone sitting there with no purpose. 

The bell jingled, telling him someone else had entered, but Izuku kept staring at his hands, not wanting to focus on who was coming and look suspicious. So he was surprised when a white mammal at least two feet shorter than him (and Izuku was short compared to most kids his age), dressed in a neat three-piece suit, ordered a green tea and a Boba tea, then climbed into the booth across from him. 

"Ah, hello, Izuku." 

Izuku started, and his eyes frantically darted from the mammal (was he a dog? A bear? A rat? He couldn't tell) to the door. Was the building surrounded? Was it All For One or the Quirkless Commission? How many were waiting for him? How many would he have to fight to stay free? 

If It's All For One, then just be glad you left Yagi already,  Izuku told himself.  This way, Yagi can't get hurt.

"Now, now there's no need to jump," his visitor assured him. "I promise, I came on my own, and I have no intention of trying to take you against your will." 

Izuku wasn't sure he trusted the mammal, but as his immediate fight or flight instincts began to calm, he realized he recognized the creature. He had seen several interviews, videos, and even chess matches of this gentleman, the Education Hero. 

"Y-you're Nezu," he stammered quietly. "The principal of UA and the only quirked animal pro hero." 

Nezu's tail twitched happily, and he gave a proud, pleased smile. Izuku expected the smile to be animalistic, baring sharp teeth and meaning to frighten, but to his surprise, it was warm and friendly. 

"That I am!" Nezu confirmed. "And you are Midoriya Izuku, correct?"

Izuku's eyes went wide at the mention of his name. How did he know? Missing Quirkless alert? Did he work for the commission? Why had this hero come, if not to drag him back to Usotsuki or Yagi, kicking and screaming? 

"No, no, there's no need to get antsy," Nezu assured him as the waiter came, setting down a steaming mug of tea and a Boba Tea. Izuku didn't reach for the glass, in case it was drugged, but Nezu happily sipped his tea while waiting for the waiter to leave them behind. "I'm merely here in favor for a friend of mine. Yagi was quite worried when you ran off last night. I suppose a type of congratulations is in order. It has been some time since I've seen him so besides himself." 

He chuckled as he glanced up at Izuku, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "You've really got him wrapped around your finger. I mean that as a compliment."

So he was working with Yagi. That explained why he had not talked down to Izuku or tried to soothe him into compliance before whisking him off. On the one hand, Izuku was impressed with Yagi's connections; on the other hand, he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. Yagi was worried about him. He was scared. 

But Izuku had done what he had to. It was the only way to protect Yagi. Yagi might not understand now, but one day he would realize Izuku had done the right thing. 

"I'm not going back," he warned Nezu. "You can't force me!"

"Oh, I would think not," Nezu agreed cheerfully. "I have no intention of forcing you to go anywhere. However, I would like to  invite  you to accompany me to UA."

"UA?" Izuku repeated hesitantly. 

"Yes," Nezu replied. "It is only a short distance away from this delightful little restaurant, and while I am enjoying this tea, I would not be remiss in saying that my personal tea collection is better." 

Izuku paused before forcing himself to sip the Boba tea Nezu bought for him. He had to agree he had better, but after several hours on the run, it felt good to have something in his belly. His hands had stopped shaking at any rate. 

"Why?" he finally asked after a period of silence. 

"I suppose I have spent more time on collecting unique blends, and I have developed a talent for combining and creating unique brews-"

"What!? No, I'm not talking about your tea!" Izuku exclaimed. "Why UA?"

Nezu's eyes glinted playfully, telling Izuku he had known precisely what he had been asking but said otherwise just to make the moment a little lighter. 

"That would be to have a certain conversation that by necessity requires a more private place," he answered. 

He glanced around the area and caught Izuku's eye meaningfully. His message couldn't have been more unmistakable.  We need to leave before someone like Usotsuki or worse comes along and snatches you. Even I may not be able to defend you if you are physically pulled away and if there are too many.

The restaurant clerk  was  starting to look suspicious. But Izuku also knew it would be way too easy for him to be ambushed at UA. It might be the perfect place for the Quirkless Commission to spring a trap and capture him without catching the public's eye. Nezu read Izuku's distrusting expression and sighed.  

"Yagi wishes to speak with you," he explained. "He's very concerned. Your letter claimed that you were in danger from your previous owners and wished to protect Yagi. While your intentions are noble, you only resolved one problem. Yagi might be safe, but you are not." 

So that's what it was. A misguided attempt to help a weak, defenseless quirkless. Well, Izuku didn't need any help before when he was on the streets, and he certainly didn't need it now, especially when it came from someone's poorly placed pity. 

"I'm fine," he said stiffly. 

"Are you now?" Nezu asked curiously. 

"I can take care of myself!" Izuku snapped. "I don't need help. I'm not weak." 

Nezu smiled patiently, clapping his front paws together. His tail was twitching, but he showed no sign that he was agitated, on edge, or even frustrated. If anything, he looked almost like Yagi in the early days, when Izuku had been particularly resistant to his care. 

"And therein lies the crux of the problem," Nezu pointed out. "Being in danger or needing help does not mean weak. Heroes like All Might do not look down on others when they ask for help. When one needs help, they should ask for help."

Izuku closed his jaw, looking down at his drink. He wanted to object that Nezu was wrong. That he didn't need help. That he was just fine, he could make it on his own. But he also knew he would be lying to himself, and he and the principal of UA would know it. But what could he do? Go back to Yagi? 

Doing so would be putting such a kind, loving man in danger. And Izuku couldn't bear it if he did that.  

"Please understand, Izuku," Nezu continued sincerely. "While we have not been acquainted for long, I can confidently say that you are a strong individual. However, even the strong need help sometimes. Neither myself nor Yagi would think any less if you asked for help. In fact, I would think quite the opposite." 

But doing so would put Yagi in danger. Tomura would know that Yagi stood between Izuku and All For One, and he and All For One would kill Yagi without hesitation. Izuku would be a sitting target amongst the innocent students of UA, using them as human shields until All For One scooped him up and whisked him back to the Vault. Back to the blankets, soothing touches, cuddles, golden collars, white hair… No, Izuku couldn't do it. He would not endure that hell again. He'd rather die than go back. 

"You don't understand," he murmured softly. "You  can't  understand. I will not go back to him."

"Your past owner?" Nezu guessed. "No, tormentor would be more accurate."

Izuku's flinch confirmed everything for Nezu. The animal hero's look was so compassionate, so understanding, that Izuku couldn't tell if he wanted to run from the hero or cuddle him close and beg for a hug from someone who might have an iota of knowledge of what he had gone through with All For One and Tomura.  

"I suppose your previous statements are partly correct," Nezu sighed, loosening his tie. "I do not have all the information about your past experiences, nor am I known for my empathy." 

Soft paws unloosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt collar. 

"However, you are not the first to suffer at the hands of others." 

Pulling the shirt down, he revealed a strip of pink scar tissue encircling his neck. As if something had been wrapped tightly around his neck and refused to come off. Izuku could even see deep scratch marks from where he had attempted to pry whatever was around his neck off. Just as Izuku had over the years, whether what he wore was black, velveted, or gold. 

"I will admit, rather shamefully, that despite the many years, I still struggle to reveal this particular scar," Nezu muttered wistfully. 

Izuku tentatively reached across the table but paused. Nezu smiled and leaned forward, allowing him to touch the scar. They felt like the scars Izuku had on his neck, albeit they faded far more quickly than Nezu's. 

"A collar," he breathed. 

"Yes, a collar," Nezu said grimly. "One of the most humiliating, degrading things I have ever experienced. No longer a sentient, thinking being, but a pet or creature to be treated as others want. Utterly galling. I was able to escape my tormentors eventually, on my own, no less. However, it took the help of others to stop the ones who had harmed me." 

He leaned back and buttoned his collar up again, straightening his tie, and hiding all evidence of the leash and collar from the world. Izuku suddenly realized he was looking at him with new respect, the same way he looked at Kimiko and Rojin. People who knew what it was like to be collared and hated what it reduced them to. 

"What I am requesting is simple," Nezu explained. "Come back to UA with me, speak with Yagi. There are things about him that he hasn't shared and matters I wish to discuss with you. Then after receiving all the information, you may make your decision. You can walk back out the UA gates, or I will personally buy you a plane ticket to anywhere in the world, far away from those who have hurt you." 

That… didn't sound bad. After seeing Nezu's scar, he knew Nezu wouldn't hand him back to the Quirkless Commission if he didn't like what Izuku decided. But still… after all these years, Izuku didn't trust easily. 

"And if I decide to stay?" he asked softly. 

"Come speak with Yagi, and you'll see." 

Toshinori paced back and forth in Nezu's office. Located on the top floor of UA and with a floor-to-ceiling window, Toshinori had a perfect view of the grounds below and the long road leading down to the city. Which meant that he knew Izuku was not coming up the main pathway. 

Toshinori resisted the urge to pull out the letter Izuku had left. The words lingered in his mind, even with the note tucked away. Something had happened while Toshionri had gone to pick up food. Something had spooked Izuku, making him believe that Toshinori was in danger. 

Laughable when you knew who Toshinori was, but Izuku didn't. It wasn't that Toshinori hadn't planned on revealing his identity, but he had wanted Izuku to become more comfortable with his new surroundings and guardian. 

Tucked inside him, One for All, swirled uncomfortably as if the quirk was urging Toshinori to transform that instance and hurtle across the city looking for his boy. 

However, Toshinori knew the futility of that. Izuku had proven himself resourceful and remarkably clever. Finding one small boy within such a large city would be a challenge, but Toshinori refused to reach out to the Quirkless Commission. He didn't want to drag Izuku back. That wasn't the goal. He wanted Izuku to trust him. 

In the end, the only option was to rely on Nezu with his terrifying intelligence, vast array of monitoring programs, and persuasion abilities. Thankfully, Nezu was invested in Izuku's development and had been more than willing to assist in tracking down Izukuk. 

There was a soft knock at the door, and Toshinori spun around to watch Nezu, followed by Izuku, walk into the office. 

The whole experience felt disturbingly similar to when Izuku first came home, the anxious waiting, the reveal, and now, Toshinori's last chance to convince Izuku. 

“Izuku,” Toshinori murmured.

The boy flinched, unwilling to look at Toshinori or even move closer. Toshinori's mouth opened and closed. He didn't have the words to convey how scared or hurt he'd been. He wanted to take Izuku in his arms, shake him, and demand that the boy never scare him like that again. 

Instead, he walked closer, choosing to ignore how Izuku huddled in on himself. Dropping to a knee, Toshinori lifted Izuku's chin to look him in the eyes. Izuku's green eyes swam with tears and misery, and he bit his lip to stop it from wobbling. 

"You're okay," Toshinori said, unsure if he was reassuring himself or Izuku; then, with slow, careful movements, he wrapped his arms around Izuku and pulled him into a tight hug. 

Whatever self-control Izuku had been holding onto broke in that instance, and he collapsed bonelessly against Toshinori, wailing, gasping apologies. Toshinori cradled him close, rocking back and forth. Even a few of his tears slipped free, plopping onto Izuku's curly hair. 

When Izuku's tears finally stopped, Toshinori gave Izuku a final, tight squeeze. "Don't you ever scare me like that again," he ordered, a bit of All Might's gruff voice slipping in. Izuku nodded against Toshinori's tear-soaked shirt and then pulled away.

"Well, now that that's taken care of," Nezu chirped from his seat at the table. "Why don't you two join me. I have some lovely tea to share, and I believe you had some things you wanted to share, Toshinori."

Izuku sat beside Toshinori, nibbling on the cookies and tea Nezu had provided them. It occurred to him that he hadn't eaten in several hours and that these snacks were delicious when mixed with the provided tea. He was mature enough to admit: Nezu was right. He knew his tea.

Nezu sat across from them, stirring his mug and taking a sip. He sighed in enjoyment before putting down the cup on a saucer and turning his attention to the two of them. 

"Now, I feel it is a grim understatement to say that you have gone through a lot, Izuku," Nezu stated. "And it was part of your past that compelled you to run?" 

Izuku nodded, keeping his eyes in the dark swirling tea, too ashamed to look at Yagi. He had made Yagi worried. He had made him scared. Even if that had been part of the risk of running away, he still wished he hadn't hurt the first person to show him genuine kindness in a long time. 

"I will not ask you to divulge who it was or the exact nature of their abuse," Nezu assured him. "All I have are guesses based on what Yagi has told me and the records the Quirkless Care Facility have, as well as the security footage of your time there." 

Izuku looked up in surprise. 

"You have that?" 

The information was usually sealed tight, only ever given to owners, medical personnel, or law enforcement when needed. Nobody had access to those records, so it lessened the risk of a quirkless getting kidnapped. And from getting help if they ever escaped. 

Nezu smiled, and Izuku could tell the principal was quite pleased with himself. 

"My dear boy, I have the record of every subject in that horrendous facility," he explained. "As well as the banking information, health information, and other valid background information for every employee there. I also have been chatting with Ms. Usotsuki quite frequently on the online dating site she uses to try to meet a compatible partner, and I have her believing she is part of a passionate romance with 'Mr.LoveMuffinTop8:7D.' I am waiting for the proper day to break her heart." 

And just like that, Izuku had a whole new level of respect for the mammal. Even Yagi doubled over, hacking up a mouthful of blood as he tried to contain his laughter. 

"That all being said, I have a hypothesis," Nezu continued. "You may confirm what is correct if you will and do not have to divulge any more than that I am wrong. And if it gets too upsetting, you may tell us to stop anytime. Is that alright?" 

Izuku nodded, and Yagi squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. Nezu thanked Izuku and sipped his tea again. 

"I believe that only a few days after you were discovered as quirkless, you were taken by quirkless traffickers. I do not know how long they had you or what they did to you. But knowing how traffickers move, you were sold to someone with a lot of power and money." 

Yeah… Izuku remembered that. The auction, the bidding, how there were heroes and people from the HPSC, the yakuza… 

"Black Cat was there," he murmured. "She… she bid on me." 

Yagi looked up in alarm. 

"The Feline Hero? She participated in the auction?" 

Izuku nodded, still unable to forget that horrified feeling when he learned a hero was there. And that instead of trying to save him, she wanted to take him home and lock him up, just like All For One, Usotsuki, and everyone else in the world but his mother and Yagi. 

Yagi looked at Nezu, who frowned. 

"That is very troubling indeed," Nezu sighed. "Especially because my sources say she adopted a young quirkless girl about three years ago." 

Izuku had seen that. He saw the pictures online and on tv since Yagi let him watch the news. It was a pretty girl about a year older than Izuku. Black Cat always called her 'her kitten' on social media and had pictures of her forcing the girl to wear cat ears, a fake tail, stenciled whiskers, and even a bell on her collar. It was sick. 

"I'll look into this at once," Nezu promised. "See what I can do to ensure the girl is taken to safety with the North Stars, and Black Cat gets her just rewards. I am one rodent that wins the game of Cat and Mouse." 

Izuku looked up in surprise. Nezu knew about the North Stars? Then he wasn't just proposing getting this girl to a Quirkless facility to be treated like a pet until she was eighteen. He intended to truly get her to safety. 

He really could trust Nezu. 

"Now, continuing," Nezu said. "Again, I don't have any evidence, only hypotheses. You were adopted by someone who treated you as bad as, perhaps even worse, by the facility. After approximately two years, you were able to escape, but then you were found by the Care Facility. And since the person made no effort to claim you through the facilities, I can only guess they were a villain and could not risk exposing themselves. And today, while Yagi was getting you food, you saw the same villain who held you. This scared you so much that you ran away in the hopes of protecting Yagi. Am I right?" 

Izuku nodded. It was scary how much Nezu had figured out, but he supposed the clues were there. Admittedly, it did feel better to have it all on the table. Now Yagi understood why he had to leave. He knew why Izuku had been so scared. That was good… right? 

"I think," Nezu said, folding his paws. "That this can be solved with honesty from all involved parties. Therefore… Yagi, I believe you have something to tell your ward?" 

Yagi coughed into his fist, looking paler and sweatier than he had moments before. His eyes darted back from Nezu and Izuku, and he looked almost guilty. 

Giving one last bloody cough, he nodded. "Right, sir." Turning on the couch, Yagi faced Izuku. "What I'm about to tell you, I'm asking that you don't share with anyone. I fully planned on telling you after you got more settled, but I wasn't sure how to broach it, and it is a matter of utmost secrecy. However, I was wrong in thinking any relationship could survive on falsehoods."

Izuku shifted in his seat. What could Yagi have been hiding? Izuku had literally lived with the man, been around him 24/7 except for those few hours every day when he ran errands for All Might. Was that the clue, or was it something else? Nezu was affiliated with the North Stars; maybe Yagi had a connection too? Or was it some secret hidden past? 

Yagi rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and took a step away from the couch. Clenching his fists, he flexed his arms, and a cloud of steam exploded outward. 

Coughing, Izuku tried to fan the steam away from his face. "Yagi?" he called. 

"It's alright, young Izuku. I am here!" A booming voice announced.  All Might's  voice announced. As the steam dissipated, it wasn't simply All Might's voice, but All Might himself stood there in all of his muscled, heroic glory. 

"All-all Mi-might?!" Izuku stuttered. 

"Yes! It is I!" The number one hero responded as if he hadn't simply appeared in Nezu's office. 

"I don't; I don't understand. Where's Yagi? Where did he go!" Izuku lept up from the couch, looking around the office. "Did he leave? Is this some type of trick?" Izuku pointed at Nezu. "You said I would get answers!"

"Izuku," a hand rested on Izuku's shoulder, so large that it encompassed it. All Might crouched down next to Izuku, his permanent smile replaced with a concerned frown. "Kid, it's me."

Tears trickled down Izuku's cheeks. "Yagi?"

All Might–no, Yagi, smiled for real, his familiar, blue eyes sparkling. "Yeah, that's me. Most know me only by my hero name, but my real name is Yagi Toshinori."

Chapter Text

"So you're Yagi and All Might," Izuku said, looking at the massive number one hero standing before him. "This isn't some shape-shifting quirk. You're actually All Might? I always thought your quirk was an enhancement type but is it actually a transformation type? What are the limits on it, and how does it work? How many people know about this?"

"Besides you, only four others."

Izuku staggered, falling back onto the couch. "Only four others?"

"Yes. It should go without saying that this is a very important secret and that I am trusting you not to say anything. 

"Of course!" Izuku cried, nodding his head frantically. "I won't say anything."

All Might (or should he say Yagi?) smiled, "Thank you, my boy."

A warm feeling spread in Izuku's chest, but a burning embarrassment quickly replaced it. What had he said around Yagi about All Might? Or even worse, around All Might about Yagi? The relationship he had built with both men suddenly felt flipped and awkward. How was Izuku supposed to act knowing that Yagi was All Might, the symbol of peace and Izuku's favorite hero? Izuku's mom had  threatened  Yagi. Izuku had hit, kicked, and fought against All Might. Izuku had been awful. Should Izuku feel bad? But then, Yagi also hadn't told him the truth.

All Might (screw it, he was going to call him All Might when he was like this) abruptly knelt down, bending until his head rested upon the floor. "I apologize for doing things out of order, young Izuku. I wanted you to feel safer before I revealed the truth behind my identity, but now I see I was going about things wrong. The truth is, from the day I met you, I knew there was something about you. I do not know the exact circumstances behind your past, but please, allow me to help guide and lift you up."

Tears streamed down Izuku's face, but he didn't know what to say or how to react. All Might looked up from his bowed position, and Izuku had to avert his gaze from the vulnerability and trust.

"Do you see why I wanted to invite you back here," Nezu said, interrupting Izuku's thoughts. 

"Yeah, I understand now," Izuku whispered. 

All Might stood back up and, with a poof of steam, deflated back into Mr. Yagi. Looking at him now, it was apparent that Yagi was All Might. His hair was the same color, and his eyes were that piercing blue that terrified villains. 

"Have you always looked like this?" Izuku asked. 

Yagi ducked his head, "No. For a long time, there was a little difference between how I looked when my quirk was activated and when it was not. However, several years back, I got into a fight, a bad one." Yagi gripped the end of his baggy white shirt and rolled it up to reveal a massive, mangled scar. "Left me down several organs, and because of it, I'm only able to maintain my hero form for three hours at a time."

"So, I'll those times you left me in All Mi– I mean, your office, you were actually out doing hero work." Izuku's brow furrowed. "Wait, you're both All Might and All Might's secretary? How does that work?"

Nezu chuckled, "It was actually one of his better ideas."

"I'll be honest, that idea came from pre-quirk comics. A lot of superheroes back then had secret identities. Masking myself as All Might's secretary works rather well as I'm able to receive sensitive information but also go places where All Might's presence isn't the best, like the Quirkless Commission. The number one hero visiting a quirkless child brings lots of unwanted attention, but All Might's secretary, that's a lot easier."

Izuku nodded, thinking back to Yagi's first visit. Then the realization hit him like a truck, as the pieces fell into place. He had called out to All Might to save him, begged him to help him when the Quirkless Commission took him. He had assumed the hero had left him behind but in reality… 

Yagi was taken aback when he saw new tears spring into Izuku's eyes. 

"My boy?" he asked. 

"You rescued me again," Izuku murmured, wiping his eyes. "You… you didn't abandon me. You didn't leave me. I thought you had assumed I would be fine, like everyone else. But you still saved me." 

"Of course, my boy," Yagi said, bending down to meet Izuku's eyes. "I will  never  abandon you." 

"Even after everything?" Izuku asked. "Even after I was horrible to you? And- and all those times I said horrible stuff to you? And then when I– I just– I shouldn't have– but– I ran away–" 

Yagi pulled Izuku into a tight hug, and Izuku reflexively curled into his guardian's skinny form. 

"Nothing you do or say will make me stop caring about you, young Midoriya," he promised. "I know the world hasn't been kind to you. And I know that you have been through far more than anyone should have to endure, let alone a child. You have every right to be angry about what has happened to you. But I hope you know I will always be on your side, no matter what." 

Izuku found himself hugging Yagi back, tears staining the hero's shirt. Yagi had saved him. He hadn't realized it at the time, but it was true. All Might, Yagi, both of them had seen he needed help when nobody else had and gave him what he needed, even if Izuku hadn't realized it or even wanted it at the time. 

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I was so horrible to you, but you–" 

"You do not have to apologize," Yagi assured him. "You do not have to apologize for anything, my boy." 

Izuku didn't know how long they remained in that position before he was finally ready to let go of Yagi. He pulled back and dried his eyes. Nezu appeared at his knee and offered him a handkerchief. Izuku quickly accepted and wiped his face, feeling like a mess. Yagi guided Izuku to sit back down, but neither adult spoke until Izuku nodded to tell them he was ready. 

Nezu helpfully pushed another plate of cookies and a fresh cup of tea to Izuku, patting his hand with his frankly soft paws. 

"So what now?" Izuku finally asked.

"That is the question," Nezu said, putting his paws together. "I suppose the better question is what you would like to do, Mr. Midoriya? If you still wish to leave, I will certainly help you and provide you with whatever you need to live a happy life well away from your past tormentors and Quirkless Commission." 

Izuku noticed Yagi visibly tense, but the man said nothing. He could see then and there how badly Yagi wanted to plead with Izuku not to leave, but he wasn't going to. He knew that this had to be Izuku's choice, his decision. For the first time in too long, someone else was letting Izuku make a choice about how he wanted to live his life. And the fact that Yagi was willing to do so spoke volumes about him. 

He had run to keep Yagi safe from Tomura and All For One. But now… now that he knew the whole story… 

"I'm staying." 

Yagi sagged with visible relief. He squeezed Izuku's shoulder, and Izuku could see tears in the Number One Hero's eyes. 

"Thank you, young Midoriya. Thank you for trusting me." 

Nezu smiled warmly, and his tail twitched happily. 

"Then what would you like to do now that you have made that decision?" the principal asked patiently. 

Izuku hesitated, thinking his answer over carefully. It was the first time he realized he had options about what he wanted to do. He could help All Might, continue living as he was with Yagi, and probably even help out the North Stars or go to school again. 

But while all of those were good things, they all paled in comparison to his true dream. The dream that was still in front of him, perhaps more tangible than ever, if he had the will to pursue it. 

"I want to be the first Quirkless Hero," he answered. "I want to show the world that quirkless people are not helpless, and we have a right to live in this world. And then I want to end the so-called Quirkless Care laws and get my mother released from prison." 

Nezu's smile grew, and Izuku saw a gleam in the mammal's eyes. 

"That is a good answer, young man." 

Izuku's eyes went as wide as moons. The principal of the greatest Hero school in Japan… wasn't saying 'no.' He wasn't telling Izuku it was a silly ambition, impossible, or anything. He agreed that Izuku had a good ambition. 

"Then you're going to help me?" he asked, trying not to sound too eager. 

"Of course I am," Nezu replied happily. "It will take a lot of work, as well as skirting around a few laws, but if this is your ambition, then I will gladly help you obtain it." 

His face grew a touch more serious but no less eager. 

"Besides, I myself have been looking for a way to end the oppression of the quirkless community. And I believe a hero who is willing to speak and act on their behalf is one giant leap in the right direction." 

"I'm going to help you, too," Yagi promised. "You once asked me if a quirkless person could become a hero. I avoided answering, but the truth is that I believe you can. You, especially, my boy. If anyone could become a hero, quirk or no quirk, it is you." 

Emotion clogged Izuku's throat. He couldn't even find the words to express how he was feeling. Nothing felt adequate enough to express the relief and gratitude he felt simply to hear that someone believed in him and his dream for once. All he could manage was a fervent "Thank you."

"Of course."

"Absolutely, young Izuku."

Nezu smiled softly, "We will do everything in our power to help you. However," Nezu's face grew serious, "I need you to understand the magnitude of what you are attempting to undertake. There will be many who will try to stop you."

Izuku's face hardened. "I know." 

There were plenty of people out there, like Director Usotsuki or Izuku's father, who derived pleasure from his misfortune and helpless state. There were heroes like Black Cat or Mount Lady who thought they did good in imprisoning the quirkless. Crowds watched on as Izuku was taken away, belittled, and his freedom was denied. All of these people would need to be convinced or overcome. 

Nezu leaned forward, his face becoming serious. "I will do my best to handle the politics of this whole thing. For the time, we will have to keep your aspirations under wrap. We must help you gain enough momentum so that when the public realizes what is happening, they can do nothing but be swept in by your oncoming tide or drown in it."

Yagi coughed awkwardly, and Nezu's tail swished. "Ah, I suppose that was a bit much. Regardless, though, the point stands."

"I'm assuming we'll need to get Izuku started training rather immediately, yes?" Yagi asked. 

"Leave that to me," Nezu said with a wave of his paw. "I shall reach out to some trusted associates and begin creating plans. If possible, I'd like for Izuku to come back to UA to go through some basic fitness tests and figure out the best way of helping him become a hero."

"That's fine with me," Yagi said with a nod. "Let us know when and if there are any other things we need to bring."

"Of course," Nezu said. Getting up from his seat, he walked over to Izuku and placed a paw on Izuku's knee. "Thank you for trusting us, Izuku."

Izuku smiled and shakily stood up. Yagi put his arm around Izuku's shoulder, and Izuku leaned against the skinny man/Number One Hero– his mind was still spinning with that revelation–for support as exhaustion hit him like a ton of bricks. 

"Can we go home?" he requested sleepily. 

He almost missed the tears in Yagi's eyes and the way Nezu smiled at Izuku's question. 

"Sure, my boy," Yagi answered. "Let's go home." 

He guided Izuku out of the office and down to the parking lot. Izuku felt like he was sleepwalking by the time they reached the car, but he snapped awake when he saw who was sitting in the passenger seat, waiting for him. 

Mr. Deer. 

"He missed you," Yagi explained as Izuku picked up the plush deer, fingers taking in the softness. "I just… even if you made a different decision, I knew you would want to hold onto him." 

Izuku was too tired and out of water for any more tears. Still, he sobbed dryly as he cuddled the toy and turned back to Yagi. 

"I want to give him back to Kojika," he said. "When he's back with his family and not in the facility, I'm going to give him back his toy." 

"Sounds like a worthy goal, my boy," Yagi agreed. "But first, let's get you home. You need food and a long sleep." 

Izuku couldn't agree more. He was fast asleep before Yagi had even pulled out of the parking lot. 

Nezu watched through the various cameras planted throughout the school as Yagi and Izuku, side-by-side, walked through the halls of UA and out the gates. It wasn't until their figures were beyond the reach of the school cameras, although not the other monitoring devices Nezu had hacked into around the city, that he finally leaned back with a sigh. 

Humans were such messy, emotional creatures and quite unpleasant to be around, especially adults. However, humans like Yagi and Izuku were some of the refreshing exceptions. 

Nezu allowed himself one moment of basking in triumph that his plan had gone so well before pressing a button on his computer. 

Within minutes, Aizawa's slouched form came down the hallway, not even bothering to knock on the door to Nezu's office as it automatically swung open. 

"You called for me, sir?" Aizawa asked, standing at attention in front of Nezu's desk. The UA teacher looked particularly unkempt today, his hair tangled and hanging in his face, and Nezu resisted the urge to comment about grooming habits. 

"Yes, I did, Aizawa. I will be requiring your assistance tomorrow afternoon during your break period. There's a matter come up that I believe your insight will be valuable in."

"It's my break."

"Yes, I do understand. However, you did expel your entire class this year."

"And I re-enlisted most of them," Aizawa countered. 

"True, but it is not a full class which means you should have some time to spare for this endeavor of mine," Nezu responded cheerily. "Besides, this  isn't  UA business."

Aizawa straightened, all disinterest and exhaustion gone. Amazing how pressing the right levers could cause such a reaction. "North stars?"

Nezu simply smiled. "A friend of mine has recently adopted a quirkless child."

"And you need me to sneak him out?" 

Nezu laughed. "And undo all my hard work today? No, thank you, but I appreciate the enthusiasm."

Aizawa scowled and crossed his arms. "Then what is it."

Paws trembling with excitement and tail twitching, Nezu said, "We are going to train the first quirkless hero."

"Say it again, Tomura." 

From the video screen, his apprentice inhaled deeply, sounding appropriately ashamed. Good, it meant the boy knew that he had failed. And while All For One was willing to forgive and let his student grow, this was the one area where failure was not tolerated. 

"He was sitting in a car, Sensei," Tomura explained for the fifth time in less than twenty-four hours. "He saw me and ran. I caught up to him, but he got away and ran off. I lost him in the crowd. By the time I went back to where the car had been parked, he was gone." 

All For One's fist clenched tight, the only sign to anyone that he was angry. Not that there was anyone around to see it, but still… 

It had been too long since his baby boy, his ducky, escaped the safety of the vault and ran away from him. So much like his uncle had nearly two hundred years ago. But unlike his beloved little brother, Izuku hadn't been abducted by upstart heroes. Instead, he had gotten out thanks to Tomura's carelessness. 

All For One had had to remind himself he still needed Tomura that day. That the boy was still an essential part of his plan to bring down All Might and the heroes as a whole. It was the only reason Tomura had escaped unharmed when All For One heard that his precious ducky was out in the streets, alone and helpless in an unforgiving world. All For One himself had tried to go out and find his ducky, but his injuries were still too grave from his battle with All Might. He had barely been able to stand, let alone search the streets for his child. 

Izuku had removed his tracker and his collar, and there had been no chance of finding him. Even Kurogiri had turned the city upside down trying to find Izuku and bring him home, but he had found nothing. It was as if his ducky had vanished into thin air. 

The Doctor had recommended getting a new Quirkless to take care of, but All For One and Tomura would have none of it. Izuku was theirs. He was their family; he was theirs to protect, cherish, and love. He was not replaceable, even with a helpless Quirkless who they could dote on. 

It gave him untold relief when Izuku's name appeared on the Quirkless Registry. His ducky was safe and sound. It had taken all of the villain's self-control to not allow Tomura to run rampant on the facility, scoop up his son, and lock him back in the vault. No, if he did, his stubborn, willful baby would simply try to look for another opportunity to run away, and All For One couldn't let that happen. 

Instead, he arranged for his son to go with arguably the most aggressive, effective facility to break his spirit. Let his son either be tamed or let him see how nice he had it inside the vault. Either way, he could monitor ducky's progress, and he had everything ready to adopt his son the day he turned eighteen. 

Then nothing would keep his son from him. 

But then, one day… the status of Izuku changed. He was gone. Adopted. 

It shouldn't have been possible. His son was only fourteen. He shouldn't have been adopted yet! 

Worse, the privacy policies made it impossible for him to find out who did it. What rich, greedy scum was doting on his ducky when he should be with his loving father, safe and sound in the vault. 

For weeks, he tried to find something,  anything  to tell him where his son had gone, but it seemed as if Izuku had vanished into thin air. 

Now Tomura, by mere chance, had found him, and  he let Izuku get away . 

Sensing his master's mood, Tomura bowed his head in apology. "I'm sorry, Sensei." Tomura's fingers twitched and trembled, seeking something to decay, and All for One forced his simmering rage below the surface, turning it into something sharp to be wielded. 

"I see," he said, carefully pronouncing each syllable. "This is unfortunate. It appears once again you have failed." Tomura flinched but didn't look up. All for One paused before speaking, allowing the silence weigh heavy on the air. "This will not happen again, Tomura."

"Yes, Sensei."

"Go then," All for One said with a flick of his hand, dismissing Tomura to go sulk back to his video games. 

Losing Izuku again was unfortunate but not the end of the world. There were only so many places his ducky could hide, and Izuku would see soon enough that there was no room in the world for his delusional dreams of heroics. 

No, he would allow whoever had stolen All for One's son to keep Izuku for the time being. Izuku would continue to learn his place, and once hero society had crumpled to its knees before him, All for One would step in and take his son back. 

With a smile, All for One leaned back. He could wait. Soon enough, Izuku would be back within his hold again. 

Chapter Text

Izuku had butterflies the entire morning since he woke up. He said very little to Yagi aside from thanking him for breakfast and asking for details like what he should bring and when they were leaving. Yagi seemed to sense that something was up, but he didn’t say anything. 

It wasn’t until an hour later, when Izuku and Yagi got in the car, with Izuku staring at his fists and refusing to mumble because he didn’t want to frighten his guardian or let him overhear that he was thinking, that Yagi finally spoke up. 

“Hey,” Yagi said, reaching a free hand across to lightly squeeze Izuku’s arm. “You okay?”

Izuku clenched his fingers and avoided Yagi’s gaze. “I’m fine.”

Yagi sighed and turned the car off. “Kid, that’s not going to work with me. I need you to speak to me. My quirk isn’t mind reading.”

“What is your quirk then?” Izuku asked, trying to change the subject. 

Yagi coughed, sending a familiar spray of blood into his fist. “That’s not what we were discussing.” Now Yagi appeared to be avoiding the topic, “I mean we can talk about that another time, but this is about you. Are you not wanting to go through with this? We can back out. You don’t have to be a hero, or if you want, we can always come back another day.”

“No!” Izuku cried, his head shooting up. 

Yagi’s brows furrowed. “Then what, kid?”

“I just- it doesn’t...it doesn’t feel real? I guess. And what if I fail? I’ve been wanting to be a hero for so long! My earliest memory was watching a video of you saving people and thinking to myself, that is who I want to be. Someone who saves and helps other people. This is all I’ve ever wanted, and now—” Izuku gestured, trying to find the words. 

“I get it. Your dream is within reach and you keep second-guessing, wondering if this is actually happening if you can be this lucky.” Yagi rubbed at the back of his neck and smiled bashfully. “That was me with my master too. I couldn’t believe that she saw something in me, this skinny, foolish, dreamer of a middle schooler, but she did. I couldn’t understand it at the time, but I do now.”

Tears welled in Izuku’s eyes despite frantic attempts to blink them back. “I–” he choked on the words. 

Yagi laughed, “Cool it with the waterworks, kid. After yesterday I’m not sure how you’re not a shriveled-up version of yourself.” He thrust a steel, All Might-themed water bottle toward Izuku. “Take a drink and let’s get going. You’ve got training.”

Yesterday, Izuku had been consumed with guilt and worry about Yagi, so that when Nezu had led him through the hallways of UA, the magnitude of that moment hadn’t really sunk in. Now though, Izuku gaped at every pathway, tree, and building, marveling that this was real. 

“I’m actually at UA,” Izuku whispered to himself. 

Thankfully Yagi only rolled his eyes fondly as he guided Izuku through the campus. They had parked in the faculty lot, which was tucked out of the way of nosy students, and now followed a paved pathway winding through a grove of trees.

School was still in session, and Izuku didn’t want anyone to see him. Yes, the scarf around his neck hid his government-mandated collar, but there was always the chance of someone seeing it, and right now, Izuku didn’t want to have to deal with that commotion. 

Sensing that Izuku’s nerves weren’t entirely gone, Yagi began gesturing to buildings along the pathway. 

“These were here when I was a student,” Yagi explained. “People normally think of the iconic “H” shaped building when they think of UA, but the campus itself has over 20,000 thousand acres of land.”

“A lot of those are taken up by fake training facilities for hero students,” Izuku mumbled (partially to himself), “but they also have bomb testing sites for the support department, housing for teachers if needed, and designated training zones where any student can practice their quirk or test products.”

Yagi laughed, “I should be taking the tour from you, my boy. You’re absolutely right!” As they approached a crossroad, he gestured to the left path that led towards a two-story building. “I think Nezu said to meet here,” Yagi said, checking his phone. “Gym Omega at 3:00 pm.”

The building wasn’t grand in the way you expected of UA, instead, it looked somewhat old with its crumbling concrete facade and dusty upper windows. 

“I know it doesn’t look like much,” Nezu’s cheery voice called, “but like with all things, looks can be deceiving!” 

From around the corner, Nezu appeared, riding on someone's shoulder. The principal was immaculately dressed in his typical three-piece suit, a shocking contrast to the person whose shoulder he was riding on. 

The man slouched towards them, dressed in a baggy black jumpsuit with his face tucked in a thick black scarf. Tangled black hair hung in front of exhausted eyes, and stubbled graced his scowling face. He gave the air of a slovenly, tired person who was seconds away from falling asleep, and yet, Izuku didn’t trust that interpretation. The man’s eyes were exhausted but also sharp, and baggy clothes could easily hide strong muscles. 

Izuku stepped closer to Yagi, and the man's eyes narrowed in thought. 

“We’re so happy you were able to make it!” Nezu said. 

Yagi nodded his head. “Of course, sir. We appreciate your willingness to help.”

Nezu clapped his paws together. “Of course. As well, today, I’ve invited Aizawa here to join us. He is one of our best hero instructors, and I have no doubt that his input will be valuable.”

“Is this the kid?” Aizawa asked, nodding his head towards Izuku. 

The words snapped at Izuku, and he straightened. “Yeah, I’m the kid. My name is Izuku.”

Aizawa’s eyes drifted down to the scarf covering Izuku’s collar. “Let’s get started then. Contrary to what Nezu thinks, I do have students.”

“Of course, of course,” Nezu agreed. “Let’s head on in then, shall we?”

Although the outside was underwhelming, the inside of the gym was far closer to what Izuku expected from a school like UA. Tall concrete walls that led up to a glass ceiling that illuminated the climbing walls, fitness equipment, gym mats, and foam pit. A long running track circled the perimeter along with idents in the wall to push out obstacles. 

Izuku stood, soaking it all in. He was in a UA gym. He was at UA training to be a hero. 

His legs felt suddenly wobbly, and the rice porridge he ate for breakfast churned in his stomach. Sensing the reemergence of Izuku’s nerves, Yagi rested his hand on Izuku’s shoulder. “Impressive, huh? I remember the chills it gave me the first time I entered the school.” He laughed deprecatingly. “It’s been many years now, but I still remember that excitement.”

Aizawa cleared his throat, getting the duo’s attention, and Izuku saw he had stepped onto one of the mats. Izuku quickly set down his stuff and ran over to join him. Aizawa looked him over with a critical eye. Izuku shifted uncomfortably, remembering when people at the facility would look over him like that. Except then, it was to admire him. Aizawa seemed to be assessing him, taking in Izuku’s size, weight, and muscle into account.

“Well, you’ve got a healthy amount of muscle,” he concluded. “But we still have some work to do. We’ll start with basic warm-ups; the last thing I need is for you to pull something on me. After that, let’s see how much you know.” 

Izuku nodded, surprised Aizawa made no comment about his collar or… well, anything. He just seemed to want to jump right into training. It was rather refreshing, and Izuku couldn’t help but grin as he started on the basic stretches and a few laps around the gym. Yagi and Nezu had taken a seat on the bleachers, and Izuku couldn’t help but blush whenever Yagi began cheering. They had only started on warm-ups. He hadn’t done anything big yet. 

Once they were done with warm-ups, Aizawa began tackling basic self-defense moves. Izuku demonstrated his punches, kicks, and blocks, deflecting his instructor’s basic jabs, and making a few attacks of his own. Aizawa had him practice by punching pads on his hands and then had him move on to a punching bag to get used to hitting a heavier opponent. 

Izuku felt sweat trickling down his neck and nearly jumped ten feet in the air when he glanced at Aizawa. What appeared to be a gigantic yellow caterpillar was lying on the gym mat, with Aizawa’s face watching him. 

“I didn’t tell you to stop, kid.” 

“Ah, right! Sorry!” 

He just kept punching the bag. Felt simpler than asking questions. 

Aizawa had him run through several other exercises, mostly working on his endurance and the skills he already knew. He mostly reviewed the things Izuku had learned years ago in the self-defense class his mom had him take, but it was nice to have a refresher and have someone help him improve his technique. Despite Izuku's best efforts to remember what he had been taught, he had forgotten parts. 

After a couple of hours, as he was taking a water break, Aizawa discussed what he gathered. 

“You seem to be a bit rusty on the basics, but you definitely still know it,” he explained to Izuku, Nezu, and Yagi. “But that’s going to be for when you are the one being attacked, and even then more to make sure you don’t get hurt until you get away. Ideally, as a hero, you never are the one to throw the first blows, but if there is a villain that’s an outright danger to the bystanders and you have no choice, you will want to be able to take them down and take them down fast without causing permanent damage. Your endurance is decent, but your strength is going to need some work. I’ll start to put together a plan to get those up and we’ll figure out which form of hand-to-hand combat fits you best.” 

Izuku nodded eagerly while Yagi squeezed his shoulder proudly. It felt like he was back in his self-defense classes all those years ago. 

“That isn’t all we’re going to need to get you ready to take the entrance exam, but it’s a start,” Aizawa groaned. “We have a long way to go.” 

Nezu nodded and produced a clear plastic binder from thin air, as far as Izuku could tell. 

“I have compiled a list of the necessary core curriculum and hero-studies-focused subjects you will need to be ready for,” the principal said cheerfully. “I have already arranged for the books to be sent to Yagi’s home, and when you get home, you should find my carefully crafted online courses prepared and uploaded to your computer.” 

“What– when did you get access to my computer? ” Izuku sputtered. 

He should have figured the Education Hero could easily hack his computer; he already said how he hacked the Quirkless Care Facility’s computers. But still, there were private things on there! Things he didn’t want anyone seeing! 

If Nezu found out how many fan sites he had visited for All Might alone prior to Yagi’s revelation the other night… 

“Just this morning, and just to upload the programs,” Nezu promised him. “Although I would advise that you stop visiting the Quirk Analysis forums so late at night. As admirable and impressive as your thoughts are, a healthy sleep cycle is important.” 

Izuku went beet red and buried his face in his hands. He was never going to live this down was he? 

“We can put together a plan as far as eating, exercising, studying, and sleeping when we get home, my boy,” Yagi told him, saving him from embarrassment. “And, of course, we’ll still go out on weekends. The last thing we need for you is to get overwhelmed. Breaks are important.” 

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Izuku agreed, trying to keep his head from spinning with all the new information. 

Aizawa sat across from Izuku, looking him straight in the eye. 

“I’m not going to lie to you, kid,” he warned. “You’ve got a rough journey ahead of you. Getting you into UA alone is going to be like trying to clean up that junkyard of a beach they call Dagobah with your bare hands. Pretty much impossible for most people. You’re going to have days where you feel like just tapping out, where you’re wondering why the hell you’re doing this, and days where you won’t even want to get up, let alone put in the work. If you try to go at it alone, you’re going to burn out. If you reach out and ask for help, give more than a hundred percent…” 

The tired, unkempt man broke out into a Cheshire cat grin. 

“We might just be able to pull off a miracle.” 

Izuku understood the gravity of what his teacher was saying and sat up straight. 

“I promise,” he swore solemnly. “I’m going to give it everything I have and more.”

Yagi clapped his shoulder with a proud smile. 

“That’s what we all wanted to hear, my boy.” 

Aizawa sighed and stood up. 

“Alright, I’ve got to run,” he said, sending Nezu an accusing look. “Someone seems to have forgotten that I have papers to grade.” 

“Wait! Mr. Aizawa?” Izuku called. 

The man paused but didn’t turn around. He didn’t say anything, so Izuku took that as permission to continue. 

“Um… why did you agree to teach me?” Izuku asked. 

He knew why Yagi and Nezu were helping him, but Aizawa was someone completely new. Izuku had no idea why he had decided to teach Izuku, even knowing Izuku was quirkless. He was grateful, no doubt, but still, he couldn’t deny he was curious. 

“Why, huh?” Aizawa considered. “I guess it would be hypocritical of me to say you couldn’t be a hero. I pretty much fight without a quirk as well when I’m in the field.” 

Before Izuku had time to grasp his meaning, his teacher turned around, wearing a pair of yellow goggles over his eyes. 

Wait… the goggles… the scarf… the- NO WAY!

“You’re Eraserhead?!” Izuku shrieked. 

Whatever reaction Aizawa was expecting, it clearly wasn’t that. He was very quickly taken aback as Izuku was on his feet, rushing to his teacher for a closer look. 

“I had heard you mainly use martial arts as a combat technique, but I never thought I’d see it in action. It never occurred to me that when you fight someone one on one, it is a fight with no quirks, so of course, you would need some other method of holding your opponent off. The scarf is great for capturing, so whatever technique you use must usually require to have free hands so you can use the scarf as needed. I wonder how this can help you with mobility in the field, or maybe if you can–” 

Aizawa glanced at Yagi as his new student began muttering a storm of incomprehensible thoughts as he looked over Aizawa like a kid on Christmas. 

“Does he do this a lot?” 

“Yes he does,” Yagi replied with a fond smile. “Yes, he does.” 

Hours later, Aizawa slumped into his desk chair and resisted the urge to grab his sleeping bag and pass out for the next several hours. He pulled a bottle of eye drops out of his bag and with a groan of relief, administered them. 

“Long day, Eraser?” Mic called from his desk. The blonde DJ swiveled in his chair, “Haven’t seen you this tired in a while.”

“New student,” Aizawa grunted.

“Oooooh, what’s going on here then? Care to share?”

“Not really. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Present Mic lowered in his tinted glasses. “Are you telling me that they have potential?” His voice was practically a yell by the end of the sentence, and Aizawa shot Mic a glare. 

“We’ll see.”

Izuku woke up the next morning to a unique experience. An odd, dull pain burned along his legs and arms, flaring as he rolled up and out of bed. 

“I’m sore,” he announced to Yagi as the man prepared breakfast. Yagi turned around, clad in his All Might apron, “Hi, sore,” he said with a wry smile. 

When Izuku groaned, Yagi laughed, “Bad jokes are part of All Might’s persona, you know. Although yes, I’m not surprised you’re sore, that was quite the workout Aizawa put you through. You’re not in too much pain, are you?”

“No,” Izuku said, taking a seat at the counter. “It’s nice, actually.”

Yagi burst into laughter. Now that Izuku knew his secret, he could see hints of All Might’s loudness and tone within Yagi’s laugh. It was less performed and more genuine, and Izuku felt a thrill of excitement realizing he had made All Might laugh. 

When Yagi had revealed the truth, there had been so much going on that Izuku hadn’t fully understood that he was living in All Might’s house. The amount of All Might merchandise suddenly made so much more sense and everything else took on almost a mystical quality. So far, though, his relationship with Yagi hadn’t changed, something Izuku was grateful for. 

Pulling open the medicine cabinet, Yagi pulled out a bottle of pain relievers. “Here,” he said, sliding the bottle across the counter. “You should take one.” Yagi reached back into the cabinet and began pulling out the bottles containing his daily pills. 

Izuku took the pill reluctantly, having enjoyed the sensation of well-worn-out muscles too much. 

However, over the next days and then weeks, being sore quickly lost its original appeal. Although Izuku never complained, he did occasionally miss the days when he could bend over and tie his shoes without wanting to rip off body parts. Thankfully, Izuku had Yagi to help show Izuku tricks like icing, warm baths, and massages. 

Seeing muscle begin to develop also made the pain manageable. In what was now one of the most mortifying moments of Izuku’s life, Yagi had caught Izuku flexing in the bathroom mirror. Yagi hadn’t said anything, but Izuku hadn’t been able to speak to him for the rest of the day. 

Aizawa’s training never did get easier since the moment Izuku mastered one move or hit a new PR, the difficulty increased. No longer was it running laps around the gym, now it was running laps while jumping over hurdles or crawling under a barrier. Aizawa hadn’t lied when he said it wouldn’t be easy, but Izuku was grateful to be taken seriously for once. 

However, as the months crept on, Izuku found himself getting antsy. Sure, he was faster and stronger than he was before, but it wouldn’t be enough. He needed a weapon, support equipment, something!?

“Okay, today,” Aizawa announced as Izuku stretched out on the mat, "We’re going to be doing something a little bit differently. Izuku looked up in time for a wad of cloth to hit him in the face. 

“What’s this?!” he asked, struggling to extricate himself. 

“My spare capture weapon.”

Izuku’s jaw almost fell to the floor. 

“Really?!” he squeaked, picking up the scarf. It was a lot heavier than he had anticipated, but the months of sparring and building up muscle had paid off. 

“The principal in his wisdom–” 

“Why thank you, Aizawa. I’m glad you have come to appreciate my ideas,” Nezu called from the bleachers, where he was pouring Yagi a cup of tea. 

“–Decided it would be best to get you started on using support gear,” Aizawa continued as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “You’re progressing well enough that you should do well in classes, but the entrance exam is a whole other matter. You will be competing against every kind of quirk in the book, which will give the other potential students a serious advantage.” 

Izuku nodded as he began to roll up the scarf around his neck the way Aizawa had his. He had discussed it with Nezu and Yagi, and they agreed it would be best if he took the exam. He wanted to prove he and every one of the kids in the facility could stand equal to those with quirks if they wanted to. 

“Will it be your scarf?” he asked. 

“Not necessarily, but this is a good start,” Aizawa answered. “Let’s see how you do, and if it doesn’t work, we will try something else.” 

“It’s okay, my boy,” Yagi assured him as they drove home that day. “It’s difficult to get on the first day. Don’t let it get you down.” 

“I’ll try not to,” Izuku replied, trying to hide his frustration. “But I ended up tangled on the floor more times than I wanted, and it felt like… like…” 

He shuddered, remembering the feelings of being strapped to a gurney or a wheelchair or cocooned in a weighted blanket, hands touching him, voices cooing over him, reminding him of what he was. 

“Quirkless.” 

“Pathetic.” 

“Helpless.” 

“Adorable.” 

“Hey,” Yagi said, placing a hand on his shoulder and snapping him out of his daze. “You’re getting worked up again. Breathing exercises, remember?” 

Izuku nodded and quickly went through the calming exercises he and Yagi practiced together whenever he became frantic and panicked, thinking of nothing but All For One and Usotsuki and the Facility. Slowly his fists unclenched, he felt his body relax, and he slumped against his seat, feeling more drained than he had in two weeks. 

“If the scarf is causing you this much distress, we won’t use it,” Yagi promised. “I’ll talk to Nezu, see what other equipment we can use.” 

He glanced at his boy and saw Izuku’s nod, but the frustration and exhaustion were still plain on his freckled face. 

“But first, fear not!” he declared, using his catchphrase as he suddenly turned into the drive-thru nearby. “For ice cream is here!” 

Getting Izuku to laugh was worth almost getting pulled over for the turn to the restaurant. 

Chapter Text

“I AM HERE!” Toshinori cried as he threw the door to the gym open. Although Aizawa did not know about Toshinori’s alternate identity, Izuku did, and Toshinori hoped the use of his catchphrase would make Izuku smile. 

Instead, he received a pained grimace from Aizawa.

“Do you have to shout that every time you enter the gym?” Aizawa asked. “It’s bad enough hearing that buffoon yell it every night on the television.”

Toshinori smiled sheepishly. “Sorry.” He glanced around the gym. Nezu was missing, which meant the principal was probably doing work at his office. Today’s practice must have been only Aizawa and Izuku. 

“How was the over-muscled hero today?” Aizawa asked. “I’m not going to get on the news and want to face-palm?”

Toshinori flashed back to the day’s patrol where he defeated a safari-themed villain and declared (to the amusement of the crowd and press), ‘ Lion here!’”

Aizawa groaned. “He made one of those stupid puns, didn’t he?”

Toshinori chuckled, “Perhaps.” 

Shaking his head, Aizawa turned back to the mats, folding them up and tucking them back against the gym wall. Toshinori didn’t think Aizawa hated All Might (although the keyword was think). They simply had different fighting styles and approaches to hero work.

Nezu had been pushing for Toshinori to join UA’s staff the following year, and Toshinori hoped that when it came time to reveal his identity to the members of staff, Aizawa would not be too upset with him. 

“How was it today?” Toshinori asked. 

“Not good.”

“Really? I thought the whips would work.”

Aizawa scratched his stubble. “He wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t clicking. Regardless, he knows more or less how to use them, and there’s no harm in being diversified in fighting styles.”

“But it wasn’t quite right for him.” Toshinori finished with a sigh.

That was the eighth weapon that Izuku had tried ranging from capture weapon, spear, sword, paint gun, club, axe, knives, and now whips. 

The issue was finding the right kind of weapon for the kid. Izuku was short and small, so he needed something with reach but also something that could pack a punch. In this area, Toshinori was unhelpful. With One for All, his fists had always been weapon enough, but Izuku would need something more. 

As Izuku stomped out from the changing room, his eyes stormy and mouth pursued, Toshinori knew his boy was at a breaking point. 

They had been living together for several months now, and Toshinori could say that he was starting to read the currents of Izuku’s mood. When the boy got like this, quietly bubbling in anger, it was best to leave him be for a bit. 

When they got home, Izuku stomped to his room and slammed the door shut. 

Toshinori winced. The training must have gone really poorly. He itched to go in there and talk to Izuku, but Hound Dog had been clear in the last joint therapy session that it was important to allow space. Izuku wasn’t always going to be a cheerful kid, and trying to magically force Izuku to feel one way wouldn’t help. The kid had spent most of his life having people tell him to smile and be good. It wasn’t healthy, and that meant that sometimes Toshinori had to allow Izuku to be upset. 

However, two hours later, when stifled sobs began to creep past the door, Toshinori knew it was time to intervene. 

Knocking lightly on the door, he asked, “Can I come in?”

A croaky “Sure,” and Toshinori pushed the door open. 

Izuku sat curled up in the corner, dressed in one of Toshinori’s oversized sweatshirts and clutching Mr. Deer to his chest. Tears streamed down Izuku’s face, and he scrubbed furiously at them. 

Nana, Toshinori thought, what do I do?  

Be with him, his master’s voice echoed in his memory. Sometimes that was all you could do. 

“Can I sit down next to you?”

Izuku sat there for a moment but then slowly made room for Toshinori. 

His back popped, and his joints groaned as he sat down next to Izuku. “Ignore my complaining body, my boy. I’m simply getting old.”

Normally Izuku would respond with a, “you’re not that old,”’ But today, he said nothing. 

“You, umm, wanna talk?” Toshinori asked, then instantly began dying internally. That was so awkward–he was so awkward. However, he felt like he had to try. 

Izuku gave a jerky shrug, “I’m fine,” he said. His brow was furrowed, and his fists clenched; he looked moments from bursting into tears or punching a wall.

“It’s okay to not be fine, you know.”

“I’M FINE!” Izuku snapped. He ran his hands through his hair with a frustrated huff. “It’s fine! I’m fine! I just couldn’t get the stupid whips to work, just like I couldn’t with the gun or swords or knives or everything else. It doesn’t matter, except it does because I don’t have a quirk, so I need something, and nothing is working!”

Izuku squeezed Mr. Deer so hard that Toshinori thought the head might pop off. Choosing to step in before the stuffed animal died, Toshinori said, “we’re going to keep trying, you know that. We’ll find something that works for you eventually.”

“But what if we don’t!” Izuku looked up at Toshinori. Izuku’s eyes watered with tears, “what if everyone has been right all along, and I can’t be a hero, and I’m just the useless, pathetic little pet they want me to be, and I have to go back, and I can’t–”

“Izuku, breathe,” Toshinori murmured, resting a hand on Izuku’s shoulder. Izuku took in a shuddering breath. “Can I give you a hug?”

Sniffling, Izuku shuffled closer, allowing Toshinori to wrap his arms around him. 

“First off,” Toshinori said once Izuku was comfortable. “You don’t ever have to go back unless you want to. Next, remember what Hound Dog said about positive self-talk. You don’t call yourself useless or pathetic. Why…?”

“Because it’s not true,” Izuku mumbled. 

“Right, it’s not true. You’re an amazing kid, and none of us are giving up on you. Sometimes being a hero is a long process.” 

At Izuku’s disbelieving face, Toshinori scoured his memory for something to convince Izuku. “Oh, I know. Did you know before I met David, I designed my own costume? Well, I was super proud of it at the time.”

“And now?”

“Now it is buried where no one will ever find even a thread of it,” Toshinori said with a laugh. “But that’s beside the point. My point is that my favorite part of the costume was these boots. They were bright red and lace-ups with heels, and I thought they were the coolest things ever. Anyways, on one of my first patrols, the shoelace got tangled up right as I was apprehending a villain, and I tripped over myself into a lamp post. Had the ugliest shiner on my eye for weeks!”

Izuku gave a wet laugh which sent Toshinori off. “Imagine me! I was so excited and eager, and then I took myself out with the villain throwing a single punch.” He mimicked the motion, and Izuku laughed for real. 

“My point is,” Toshinori said once the laughter had stopped, “is that mistakes happen. Being a hero isn’t as natural as people think.”

“You have a quirk, though.”

“And ultimately, what helped me become a hero was the help I got. My master, my teacher, David, they all made a difference, and now,” he said, giving Izuku a tighter squeeze, “you’ve got us.”

Izuku didn’t reply, and Toshinori could tell he hadn’t quite convinced Izuku, but the boy did snuggle closer, and for the next little bit, they sat together, side-by-side. Toshinori should have been doing paperwork, but he considered this a far better use of his time. 

“So,” David said through the video call, “how’s the kid doing?” His lips twitched in a smile, “Judging by the number of pictures you’ve sent my way, things are going better?”

Toshinori laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes,” he said with relief, “it has. Turns out being honest with him helped clear up a lot of misunderstandings.”

“Wow, who would’ve guessed?”

“I know. It’s just not what I’m used to.”

“Neither is having a kid.”

A rare splotch of red colored Toshinori’s cheeks. “I-uh. I mean, he’s got a mother. I’m not- I’m just looking after him. His legal guardian.”

“That doesn’t mean that you can’t care about him or that he doesn’t care about you.”

Toshinori coughed up another mouthful of blood at his friend’s insight. He did care about young Midoriya. He cared about him from the start, or he wouldn’t have adopted him. But he never had thought he would become something similar to a parent with the boy. Truthfully, he never thought young Izuku would ever trust him that much. 

But ever since he revealed the truth about All Might and set down his path of becoming a hero, Izuku seemed to be doing so much better. While on outings, he clearly was wary and on edge of being reduced to a cute object or animal. Inside the penthouse, he seemed completely different from the untrusting, scared child that Usotsuki practically served on a platter. He was soaking in his classes and learning material like a sponge, he went to his training sessions with a determined glint in his eyes, and some days (especially the days when Inko’s letters were delivered from prison), he seemed to be walking on air. 

His boy was happy. And to Toshinori, that was worth the weeks of hardships it took to get there. 

“He’s an incredible boy,” was all he could say. Because if he said more, he and David would be here for another two hours gushing over their amazing kids. Same as last week.

David chuckled at seeing Toshinori stammer over his words, giving his friend a knowing look. 

“Rare to see you this flustered,” he teased. “You’re lucky that there isn’t any press here. But everything has been going well? Even therapy?”

Toshinori nodded, thinking back to the last session with Hound Dog and Izuku’s slow but steady opening up to the counselor. 

“Therapy is a slow process,” he admitted. “He’s very guarded when discussing the past.” 

“His owner before being put in the facility?” David guessed. He had heard enough from Toshinori that he could put together that there was someone before Usotsuki that Izuku was afraid of and had scared him enough to run away. Izuku seemed to feel comfortable now that he knew about All Might, but he still had said next to nothing about the time that he had been kidnapped.

“Yes,” Toshinori answered. “He’ll talk about life after escaping. Apparently, he lived in the streets for several years before someone in a homeless shelter brought him to the hospital when he got sick, and the Quirkless Care Facilities found him. The moment that Hound Dog or I try to bring up before that, though, he gets very defensive. We know he lived with a man he refers to as ‘Dad’ but that whenever he tries to share more like his name or things about him, he gets choked up.” At first, he had thought Izuku was just reluctant to talk about Dad but after one particularly hard session where he broke down after not being able to say more about the villain than his name for the kidnapper, Nezu and Hound Dog had another theory about why it was harder for Izuku to tell them more. 

“A quirk?” David wondered. 

“I’m afraid so,” Toshinori sighed. “And a powerful one at that. It seems to know his intent and change his words or prevent him from speaking. On top of that, I think there’s a lingering fear of the man. I know that’s who wakes him up when he has nightmares.”

The nightmares used to keep his poor boy up almost every night when he adopted him. He refused to force him to take the recommended sleeping aids that the facility had given him, knowing how they tended to drug and tie down Izuku when he got too difficult to handle. That would have been a major blow in building trust between them. 

But with counseling and Recovery Girl prescribing some anti-anxiety medications, Izuku had been able to sleep more soundly lately. But there were still nights when the memories would get too much, and Toshinori would wake up to his boy sobbing or screaming for Dad to leave him alone and let him go. 

The words “Ducky,” “Name,” and “Collar” also came up a lot, but Toshinori did not want to force Izuku to tell him what those words meant until he was ready.  

“The whole thing is very frustrating,” he admitted. “Sometimes I want to shake him and make him tell me what happened so that I can do something. So that I can help! However, Hound  Dog says that we have to be patient. Izuku has already told us about the man’s protege Tomura, and that was information we didn’t have before. I don’t know, David. I feel limited in how much I can help. I can’t be All Might and swoop in and fix everything, and it’s frustrating.”

“Welcome to parenthood,” David sympathized. “I’ve felt the same with Melissa.” 

“Doesn’t it get easier?” Toshinori asked, trying his best not to sound like a whiny child. 

David winced. “Not exactly. You always worry about them, and sometimes you have to let them make their own mistakes. However, you try always to be there and support them in the best ways that you can.”

Toshinori’s head flopped against the couch cushion. “I’ve got a lot to learn, don’t I?”

“This field is one where you’re always learning,” David warned. “The moment you think you have things figured out, it gets flipped on its head. I mean, just the other day, Melissa was showing me this new gear she had developed based on this old anime we had been watching. I was absolutely floored!”

“We knew she took after you,” Toshinori said with a grin. It never stopped warming his heart to hear how Melissa was doing, being her father’s pride and joy. Now that he had Izuku, he could start to understand it.

“Yes, but her genius surprises even me sometimes,” David admitted, cleaning his glasses. 

“What was it, anyways, that she invented?” 

His old friend straightened, and Toshinori recognized the gleam in his eye. The one that Dave and Melissa both had, that came whenever they talked about their inventions, potential applications of new discoveries, or even costumes from David’s side. Izuku had a similar gleam in his eye whenever he talked about quirk analysis. 

“It’s a type of mobility device, piston-powered with grappling hooks that allow the user to latch onto nearby surfaces and then jet themselves to it. We’ve been messing with it a bit as a father-daughter project. We’ve changed the grappling hooks to be suction-based so it can connect to any surface.”

Toshinori understood the father-daughter project, mobility device, and something about grappling hooks, but he was lost for the most part.  

“Interesting,” was all he said.  

“It’s a fascinating challenge,” David chuckled. “I’m actually going to be sad when it’s finished.” 

“What’s it called?” 

“We don’t know yet! But if you’ve ideas, we’re all ears. The engineering comes naturally…the naming, not so much.” 

Yes, Toshinori was familiar. That was how they had the Ultra-mobile for the first two years of college. They thought it was a cool name at the time, but looking back on it, both of them couldn’t help but cringe. Luckily the Might car was a much better name and model. 

“That’s more than what I can do,” he reminded his friend. “Izuku is attempting to find support gear for heroics, and I’m clueless. I’ve had the Might car you made and my suits, of course, but not much else. He’s been feeling rather frustrated lately since nothing has been clicking.” 

“Well, what is he looking for?” David asked. “Maybe I could whip something up for him.” 

“He needs a weapon that has some more power behind it as well as something that can compensate for his…smaller stature. We had hoped Aizawa’s capture weapon would work, but the weapon sparked some of Izuku’s trauma.”

“He doesn’t like being restrained,” David guessed with an understanding nod. 

“How did you know!” It had taken Toshinori several days and the incident with the blanket to realize that Izuku didn’t like anything that felt constricting. 

“It’s common practice in most quirkless facilities.”

Once again, Toshinori was ashamed that he was surprised by the inhumanity the quirkless experienced. He had rather naively assumed that Director Usotsuki’s facility was the outside the status quo, not adhering to it. 

“It’s alright that you didn’t know,” David comforted, “I think most are oblivious because it doesn’t affect them or their children. However, when you have to send your daughter to one…your child, the situation becomes much more real.” He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Going back to the original point, I can understand why you might be facing some difficulties finding a support weapon that works for him.”

“Do you have any suggestions?” Toshinori asked hopefully. 

David laughed. “Melissa and I need to finish it first, but I think this gear we’ve been working on might work for him.” 

“Really?”

“Yeah, let me work on this.” David picked up a pen and tapped it against a notebook, lost in his thoughts and planning. “I’ll need his measurements and other preferences, but I should be able to design something that would work.”

“You don’t understand how happy that makes me to hear.” Toshinori bowed his head, his bangs flopping in front of his face. “Thank you so much, old friend. Izuku will be thrilled.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Wait until it works.”

“You want to introduce acrobatics?” Aizawa asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aizawa, Nezu, and Toshinori were gathered for their weekly meeting to discuss Izuku’s progress. Izuku’s therapy appointments with Hound Dog had created an ideal time for the three of them to report and plan their next steps. 

“Is that a problem?” Toshinori asked, waiting for Aizawa to complain that Izuku couldn’t do such a thing. He was ready. He had the PowerPoint presentation prepared and everything. 

“No, it’s not,” Aizawa answered. “It’s something that’s covered with upper-level hero students, but we’re still trying to increase his endurance, strength, and fighting abilities.” 

Darn, Toshinori really wanted to show that PowerPoint. 

“I was talking with my friend David Shield–” 

“David Shield? As in the inventor?” Aizawa interrupted, looking somewhere between skeptical and impressed. Ah, maybe that was rather odd for an ordinary man to know such a renowned scientist. 

“He’s, uh, a friend of mine,” he explained. “I met him through All Might. Perks of being a secretary. Anyways, I mentioned our support gear problem with Izuku, and he mentioned that he might have a solution. However, to use it, Izuku would have to increase his acrobatic and agility skills.” 

Aizawa leaned back, thinking it over. He looked intrigued, but it was hard to tell. Maybe he just needed a nap.  “What’s the gear?” the Underground Hero asked. 

“Some sort of mobility device with grappling hooks and pistons, I think?”

That sounded weak, even to Toshinori. He didn’t have David or Melissa’s brain for engineering. All he knew was he hit something with One For All, and the thing went down. Simple enough. No need to get complicated physics involved. 

“You don’t even know what it is?” Aizawa asked accusingly. 

“David hasn’t let me down yet!” Toshinori protested. 

“Easy, you two,”  Nezu interrupted. “Considering the difficulties Izuku has had finding a device, I don’t see anything wrong with trying this new gear. David Shield is considered a genius in his field. And he also has a quirkless daughter.” 

Aizawa sighed, but it was clear he was losing any battle. Not that he put up much of one to begin with. 

“Fine. When is the gear getting here?” he asked. 

“I think two or three weeks,” Toshinori replied. David said they still needed to work out some kinks, and then getting it shipped from I-Island (which was currently floating somewhere in the Atlantic) to Japan would be somewhat of a hassle. 

“That’s not much time,” Aizawa pointed out warily. “I’ll get the Problem Child started on balance and flips. Should be a nice break from trying to find himself a weapon.” 

Toshinori hoped that Izuku would see it that way instead of assuming that it was an insult, or even worse, them giving up on him. Izuku had many wonderful attributes, but one weakness that Toshinori had noticed was Izuku’s lack of self-confidence and trust in others. Understandable considering what he had been through, but it did create some tricky conversation landmines. Toshinori would need to sit down with Izuku to break the news carefully. Maybe back at home after food from Izuku’s favorite takeout place and with Mr. Deer. 

Nezu looked up from his tea, “Is there anything else that needs to be discussed.”

The question brought a previous concern to Toshinori’s mind, one that he had been meaning to ask. “Nezu, sir, I have a question.” 

Nezu’s mouth spread into a smile. “Questioning is the foundation of learning. Ask away.” 

Toshinori talked slowly, trying to gather his thoughts and express what he had been thinking. “The laws and practices surrounding the quirkless seem very strict, and I know next to nothing about them. I can’t help but worry that we will experience interference. I haven’t asked you before, and that is on me, but how do you intend to stop the commission from interfering with Izuku’s goal?”

Nezu cackled and then took a long drink from his china glass. “Excellent question! Thankfully, this is a topic that I am well-researched in. Like any laws, there are loopholes; however, due to the corrupt nature of this industry, there are even more than you would expect.” 

Nezu leaned back in his seat, an obvious lecture coming Toshinori’s way. Toshinori only hoped that he could understand at least half of it. 

“One example of such loopholes is in the education of quirkless. The law requires that the quirkless receive up to a 5th-grade education. However, the law does not prevent the quirkless from receiving a higher level. This was to allow those who wanted to stop quirkless from getting more education the ability to do so, but also to enable other owners to give their quirkless a higher level of education.”

“But why?”

“A population is easier to control if they aren’t educated; however, the raising and selling of quirkless is a profitable market, and for some, a well-educated quirkless is seen as a unique feature.”

“That’s disgusting,” Toshinori growled. 

Aizawa, who had been quiet during this exchange, popped in with a sarcastic, “Welcome to the world of the quirkless.”

“Oh, or another example,” Nezu said. “The quirkless are not allowed to own money, but they can have a job.”

“What? That doesn’t even make sense?” 

“Some use the quirkless as a way of making money. They use them in commercials or on social media. Legally it’s easier to classify these as jobs, so they are; however, they don’t want to the quirkless earning money and then gaining more power–”

Realization dawned on Toshinori, and he slumped forward as the case connected. “—So it goes to the owners. That’s why they can have a job but not money. 

Nezu clapped his paws. “Exactly! Usually, these laws are to the quirkless’ determinant, but in our case, they serve in our favor. Izuku is not forbidden from attending school or gaining a higher level of education; it’s simply frowned upon in society. Same for working as a hero or before that, an intern. Legally, he can work as long as he earns no money.” 

A hint of teeth showed in Nezu’s smile, reminding Toshiniori of a predator. In this case, the predator was Nezu slowly weaving a trap from the laws intended to ensnare the quirkless and instead turning it against itself. 

“That’s genius,” he breathed. Sure, All Might could hold up a building, but Nezu’s type of heroism was on a whole other level.

Nezu nodded his head. “I’m well aware. Besides those, there are many other loopholes to exploit. Doubtless, we will be sued at some point for allowing this, but I have countersuits and legal plans already prepared. If they wish to dispute Izuku becoming a hero, we will drag thousands of other cases to court and reveal the monstrosity of this system, and if they choose not to, we will help turn Izuku into a beacon to change the world for the other quirkless.”

“I,” Toshinori coughed into his fist. “I don’t even know what to say.” 

Nezu’s black eyes shined in sympathy. “That’s quite alright. We each have a role in this upcoming fight. Yours, in many respects, to be the guardian and person Izuku needs. So far, it appears that you’re doing a good job.”

Toshinori coughed again, now in embarrassment. He had the feeling Nezu had said that partially to embarrass him, and unfortunately, it worked. 

Seeking to change the discussion, Toshinori grasped another avenue of conversation. “Can these plans work for other people? Like those in the facilities?”

Nezu tilted his head. “Is there someone you have in mind?”

“Izuku has mentioned several friends that he had to leave in the facility, two of them who are younger like him. I know we can’t risk the plan, but is there a way to potentially save them?”

“Has Izuku asked you about this?”

“Not directly,” Toshinori admitted, “but he’s asked questions tip-toeing around it.”

Nezu hummed, “I believe I know the children you’re referring to.” He tapped his paws on the desk. “Considering who the director of the facility is, this could be tricky, so give me time to look it over and see if we can get them out.”

“Thank you,” Toshinori said, bowing his head.

Chapter Text

“So… what is this?”

Aizawa scratched his chin as Toshinori eagerly opened the box that he got early that morning. Izuku had gotten pretty good at telling when his guardian was excited, but he was pretty sure that a blind man could see Toshinori was visibly shaking with anticipation as he revealed the contents of the delivery.

“I wish I knew,” Aizawa admitted as Toshinori waved Izuku over. The contents were spread out, but it was pretty easy to see what fit where. The only problem was determining what exactly it was supposed to be. A backpack? A belt? A… for now, Izuku was just calling it a thing-a-ma-jig. 

“My friend and his daughter designed this,” Toshinori explained as he pulled out a piece. It looked almost like the tanks of oxygen Izuku had seen elderly patients at hospitals use, with tubes going into their noses or masks over their mouths. 

He pulled out several more pieces, some that looked like handles with little switches, two sticks about half the length of Izuku’s arm, two sheathes, more belts and cables… Izuku was sure he was going to wind up in a tangled mess before he even got it on. 

“This… contraption,” Aizawa said slowly. “Is designed to apply those acrobatic skills we have been working on. If it works as well as we hope, it might wind up being your support gear.” 

“I’ve never seen any gear like it….” Izuku said dubiously as Toshinori took out the final pieces. 

“That’s because my friend’s daughter was inspired by some media from the pre-quirk era,” Toshinori explained. “There isn’t anything like it out on the field. You’ll be the first to have it, my boy.” 

Wait… a friend, support gear, All Might…

“Wait, David Shield designed this?!” Izuku asked, suddenly very excited. “The same man behind the costumes and the Ultramobile?” 

“You remember that piece of junk?” Toshinori asked after coughing up a mouthful of blood. 

No! No, he did not just call All Might’s first car, the frontrunner for all Hero automobiles everywhere, a piece of junk! It was like calling the Millenium Hawk, or whatever that spaceship was in those old movies they watched junk! 

“The Ultramobile was cool!” he argued. “First vehicle of its kind, combining pre-quirk technology with the combustion engines but also streamlined to prevent wind resistance, and the tires made to decrease friction–” 

“Focus, Midoriya,” Aizawa called, curling up in his sleeping bag. 

Izuku blushed, but Toshinori only chuckled and ruffled his hair. His cheeks were bright red as if he remembered his early days and the car he drove around America fighting crime instead of going to class. And his story about tripping over his own shoelaces. Regardless, if David Shield designed this gear, then Izuku was definitely going to try it, no matter how tricky it looked. 

It took them about fifteen minutes to assemble everything. There were so many belts, straps, and harnesses. Around his waist, shoulders, legs, and arms, everything was tight and fitted. A weird contraption was strapped just above his rear, while the canisters he had seen were strapped to his back. His hands held the two handholds, which had a switch and a button where his thumbs would be, and two triggers to squeeze, one for his index finger, one for his ring and middle finger. Strapped to his legs were the two batons he saw earlier. 

Izuku caught a look at himself in the mirror, and even he had to stand up a little straighter. He looked pretty cool in this support gear, whatever it was. 

Yagi was holding the instruction manual and trying to decipher it. 

“I think it says if you squeeze the trigger, you release?” 

“No, that’s for the batons,” Aizawa said, joining him to look it over. “And the one under it sends some sort of pulse through the batons. Maybe the switch?” 

Hm... the switch, he said? Izuku looked down at his handholds, and his right thumb flicked the switch out. Instantly, a cup lined with electromagnets shot out and sealed against the wall about fifteen feet up, a strong steel cable attached back to the device over his butt.

“But something with the switch is going to fire the cable. How does–” 

While the two adults were discussing, Izuku flicked the switch back to its original position and held the button. 

“WHOA!” 

Izuku took off like a shot, hiss of gas coming as he was lifted into the air, and the cable reeled in to bring him where the cup had lodged. For a split second, Izuku was airborne, and then he realized he was about to crash into the wall. He yanked back with his right hand, and the cup became detached. 

He found himself freefalling, and immediately his training with acrobatics caught up to him. He twisted in the air, adjusting the way cats did to land on their feet, and flipped the switch with his left hand. Another cup shot out at the left side, and he pushed the button to remain airborne and pulled back, reeling the cable back in. 

This was incredible! He was flying! He was doing it! He was- 

Crash! 

He had fallen straight on his face. Because, of course, he did. 

“My boy!” 

“Midoriya!” 

Izuku sat up, his aching nose bleeding as he tried to get his head to stop spinning. The two heroes ran up to check on him and scanned him for injuries, but Izuku couldn’t help but grin. 

“Dat. Was. Awesob!” he shouted through his bloody nose. 

Two ice packs and a packet of tissues later, the bleeding stopped, leaving the beginnings of a mottled bruise on Izuku’s nose. 

Izuku wanted to try the gear again, but Yagi and Aizawa shut him down, claiming that Yagi needed to speak with David Shield first. Now he sat on the gym floor, fiddling with the gear strapped to him (but not the triggers) as Yagi called David. 

David Shield was more…normal than Izuku expected. With his eye bags, glasses, and chin scruff, he looked more like a tired Dad than the brilliant engineer behind All Might’s success and winner of the Nobel Quirk Prize. However, Izuku still had to bite his lip to stop the mumbled stream of praise and questions from slipping out. 

Over the phone, David gave an amused sigh. “Did you not see the card I posted on the shipping container?” he asked Yagi. “It said to call me before opening it.”

Yagi rubbed the back of his neck and glanced at the shipping container and its remains strewn across the gym floor. “I can’t say I found it, but it’s possible that I missed it in my eagerness.”

“I think you forgot it, Dad.” A girl with blonde hair and square glasses framing her face popped into the range of the camera screen. “You haven’t gotten much sleep lately, I’m sure it slipped your mind.” 

David laughed sheepishly, “You’re probably right.”

The girl shook her head, her wavy blonde hair moving away to reveal a thin metal collar encircling her neck. From far away, it could easily be mistaken as a necklace, but Izuku knew better. 

“You’re quirkless,” Izuku whispered. He thought his words were quiet enough that no one would have heard, but both David and the girl stiffened. 

Her eyes flew around the room and then to the camera screen as her hands guarded the metal encircling her neck.

“Ah! I’m sorry!” Izuku cried, feeling unsteady, like he was walking on the quirkless facility’s padded, uneven ground. He didn’t know what to say. “Sorry!” he blurted out, then winced. What was apologizing for, that she was quirkless? For speaking without thinking?

Anxiously, he rubbed at his metal collar. At the action, the panicked look in the girl’s eyes softened into understanding. “You’re quirkless too,” she said. Her eyes focussed in on the harness Izuku was wearing. “The support equipment was for you?!” She turned to her father, “Why didn’t you tell me it was for someone quirkless like me?! I could have made appropriate changes to it!” 

“Did I not tell you?”

The girl huffed in good-natured exasperation. “No, you did not. I think I would have remembered something like that.”

Yagi shifted closer to Izuku. “Did I not ever introduce you two?” he asked Izuku. 

“No, you didn’t.”

“My bad then,” Yagi said. “This is my friend David’s daughter, Melissa. I’m her godfather and have known her since she could fit in the palm of my hand. She’s studying engineering and support systems at the I-island School of Engineering and Technology. A very prestigious school.” 

Yagi’s voice rose with pride, and Izuku’s chest curdled with an ugly feeling as he heard the praise. Was Izuku jealous? Shaking his head, he squashed the feeling down. 

Yagi continued, now addressing the girl on the screen. “And Melissa, this is my young ward, Midoriya Izuku.” Yagi rested a hand on Izuku’s head, tossling his curls. “Due to circumstances, he’s staying with me while he’s training to be a hero.”

“A hero?” Melissa asked in surprise. 

“Yes,” Izuku said firmly. “I’m going to be a quirkless hero. The first one.” 

He watched for her reaction. Even among the quirkless, such a statement was usually met with ridicule or incredulity. However, Melissa clapped her hands together in excitement, smiling broadly. 

“Oh, this makes this so much better! A quirkless hero. The first quirkelss hero getting to use my support equipment!” She squealed in delight, “Oh, you’re going to need a costume and so many other updates! You’ll have to tell me what you need!”

David chuckled. “Slow down there. We don’t even know if they’re interested.”

“I’d love it!” Izuku cried. 

Melissa’s eyes twinkled. “Then it’s settled.”

“I’ll send along any information you need,” Yagi interjected, “But we did call for information about the support gear. Izuku nearly broke his nose during his first attempt using it.”

“Yes, I would recommend using the gear in places where any falls or crashed can be broken by padding,” David said. “Although, before I explain more, Izuku, what were your impressions of the gear and its purpose when you first used it?”

Izuku straightened, “It reminded me a lot of grappling hooks, but the mechanism works much faster in shooting out and reeling in. Yagi mentioned that the gear is mobility-focused, so I assume it’s to allow me greater speed and mobility that I wouldn’t otherwise have while defending or attacking villains.”

“That’s a very good initial analysis.” David smiled at Yagi. “You’ve got a smart one on your hands,” and both Yagi and Izuku reddened in embarrassment. 

Melissa chimed in. “The gear is made up of several parts. There’s the main housing with the winch, which rests on your lower back and contains the winch and wires. The compressed gas cylinder is also right above it. Most important our your controller grips which are part of the batons. 

“Right,” Izuku said, thinking about his first failed flight. “Flicking the switch sends out the suction cup while flicking the switch back and holding the button should jettison you towards the anchor.” He grinned, “You just have to make sure that you don’t crash into it. 

“Right again.” Melissa nodded. “The batons, however, are also your weapon. We’ve reinforced them to be super lightweight but incredibly strong, maximizing the user’s strength. We didn’t have as much time to enhance those, but the baton on the left does have an electricity setting so that you can shock your enemies.”

When Izuku picked the baton up and started looking for the trigger, Yagi delicately took it away. “Let’s maybe hold off on that setting for now, my boy.” Yagi smiled broadly. “I must say that you two have gone above and beyond yet again. This gear is perfect.”

“Thank you,” they both chimed. 

“Also!” Izuku piped up. “What’s it called?”

Melissa giggled. “We decided to call it the 3DS.”

“3DS?” Izuku asked. “What does that stand for?”

“Well, the original inspiration for the support equipment came from a pre-quirk anime, right? Its original inspiration was omni-directional mobility equipment, but that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. So we used inspiration from another old, pre-quirk TV that we liked and called it the Three Dimensions in Space! Or 3DS for short!”

David grinned. “Which coincidentally is the name for another pre-quirk gaming system.”

Melissa shrugged. “Maybe not the most original, but 3DS does sound better than X-Box or Switch.”

Things had gotten worse at the facility since Izuku was adopted. Kimiko could tell. 

More punishments were being handed out, making the Quirkless be on their best behavior all the time, treats were given to Usotsuki’s favorite residents, and it felt like every week there was a new rule about how to eat, how to talk, how to play, how to dress… 

Kimiko sighed as she straightened out her sparkly pink dress. The Director wasn’t letting her cut her hair anymore. Short hair, like Kimiko liked, was no longer considered appropriate. Her hair was now hanging past her shoulders, a pink hair ribbon holding it out of her face. They were also having her wear makeup, but not to make her look more grown-up or to hide blemishes. It was to make her look younger. Kimiko was nearly sixteen, but she felt like a little girl. 

Just another thing taken away from her since Izuku left. Her best friend in the facility had been dragged out kicking and screaming, and Kimiko could do nothing. 

No, she could have done something. She could have shouted that it was wrong to take Izuku away because he didn’t want to go, that they couldn’t take him. She could have put up a fight, punched and kicked, and tried to pull Izuku away. 

But it just would have ended with her in a time-out and Izuku gone regardless. She was supposed to behave. It was wiser to behave. Behaving kept her safe. And yet she felt like a coward. Because even though she behaved, the people still took away her friend. 

Kimiko sat beside the dollhouse they had given her for her twelfth birthday. The doll inside was laying in bed. She couldn’t get up unless Kimiko moved her, and she could only go where Kimiko brought her. She wore what Kimiko picked out for her, she lifted her hands when Kimiko wanted, she was laid back in bed when no one wanted to play with her. All she ever knew was her dollhouse. 

Kimiko was her doll. 

She was born in the facilities, a product of the breeding programs. She never knew her parents. Quirkless were too fragile, they couldn’t raise babies when they were practically babies themselves. Sometimes she wondered if her parents would have kept her or if they had handed her off to Usotsuki without hesitation because they believed they were incapable of caring for her. 

All she had known was the facility. She had never gone outside, she had never spoken to anyone besides the other Quirkless and the facility staff. All she had ever been taught was to obey and to behave. If she stepped out of line, something was taken away from her. Being good meant she was left alone. 

But they still took things from her nonetheless. She never picked her clothes, never got to choose her meals, her lessons, her life. She was there to be cute, make people feel good, and attempt to do stuff that would be ‘precious’ and ‘sweet.’ She only went where they moved her, they dressed her. Such a perfect little doll. 

Izuku was different. He had come in with a smile that seemed to be the closest thing to sunlight Kimiko would ever see. He told her about so many things. He had told her about living on his own, scraping for food, escaping the facility workers, fighting people with his own two hands, and running from villains. Such things should have made her grateful she had spent her life in this facility, pampered and protected. She had scolded him all the time that he should feel the same, but in all honesty it was more to convince herself than him. 

Because every detail Izuku had described of freedom sounded wonderful to her. Even if she had no clue how she would survive on her own, the idea of being able to decide where she went, who she spoke to, what she did, and what she wore were dreams she knew she could never have. 

But instead of helping Izuku escape, instead of running away, instead of fighting back, she stayed where she was. Obeying the Director, writing her names under the table, and remembering everyone who passed through the facility. Because Kimiko was too afraid of what would happen if she went outside and found out that everyone had been telling her the truth since the day she was born: she truly was helpless and useless. 

The only thing she was good for was to stay where she was, and look pretty, and let people dote on her. She was just a doll. 

But Izuku fought back. He refused to break and surrender, while Kimiko had never had a choice to fight. And now that he was gone, the Director wanted to be sure that it never happened again. That all of the Quirkless in the facility were perfect little pets, groomed and trained for the day their owners would take them away. 

And then someone else would make her decisions for her, and she would be at the mercy of their whims until the day she died. 

Kimiko screamed in frustration and threw the doll across the room. She jumped to her feet, and without thinking, she kicked and stamped on the doll house, crushing the thing into painted plastic pieces. She was sick of the walls, she was sick of the costumes, she was sick of being helpless. 

Izuku fought back. He refused to break. And they took him away anyway. 

Kimiko was good. She was sweet. She was perfect. And they still had taken everything from her. 

Mr. Rojin held on. He remained stubborn and unyielding, despite everything he had lost. But they still wanted to take away what little he had left. 

And Kojika… he was only three, but they were already taking everything from him. 

For what? So they could be locked up forever? 

Kimiko couldn’t fight like Izuku. She couldn’t sass Director Usotsuki, or sneak in sweets like Mr. Rojin, or hold out hope of seeing her parents like Kojika. But just for once, she wanted to do something that was  her choice  and in  her control.

She ran out of her room to the art classroom, where the ten-year-olds were having their class. The teacher looked up in surprise. 

“Kimiko? Is something the matter, honey?” 

Kimiko didn’t reply. Instead, she made her way to the supplies, to the safety scissors that were too dull to make any cuts on skin. But that was fine. It cut through paper fine, and it would work. 

“Kimiko!” the teacher shouted in alarm. “Put those down now!” 

Kimiko didn’t listen. She took a fistful of her too-long hair and held the blades to the purple locks. She knew that if she did this, this would be her first act of defiance. Usotsuki was just dying to make an example of someone. But Kimiko watched all her life, and she knew when the kids here lost hope. She could tell they were losing it now without Izuku to look up to. 

So Kimiko would do this. For herself, for Izuku, for the other Quirkless. She would show that they were capable of making their own decisions. They weren’t dolls. 

“DON’T, KIMIKO!” 

Snick 

Kimiko grinned with manic energy as she cut her hair. The purple locks fell to the floor, and she couldn’t have felt prouder. Another snip, another sheer, and the long hair fell away. And it felt so good because it was her own choice to cut her hair. 

Security rushed in to grab her, but it was too late. She had already cut her hair, and she had ripped the sparkly dress up to her thigh. The damage was done. She wasn’t their perfect princess doll anymore, and she had rebelled against her captors. 

Did you see that, Izuku? Did I make you proud? I’m fighting back like you wanted. I’m going to get out of here too, and we’re going to free the Quirkless. We are going to get out of here. 

Kimiko wanted to be free. 

“So, this is the kid, huh?”

The attack had come out of nowhere. One moment Izuku was discussing training plans with Aizawa and Yagi; the next moment, the old man’s feet were on Izuku’s chest, pinning Izuku to the ground and pressing all air out of his chest.

The gym was empty except for them, and thankfully, Izuku had landed on one of the training mats, but this was UA. Strangers, even old men with grey hair and lines winkles, couldn’t simply waltz in.

Izuku struggled to escape, but the man ignored him, choosing to scratch at his white beard. “The kid is about ferocious as a puppy snapping its teeth.”

Izuku growled and tried to bite the man in retaliation, but the old man laughed.

“Sir, please get off of him,” Yagi said, his hands hovering nervously by the man but not touching him.

The man snorted, “Why should I?”

It was at that moment that Izuku had gotten enough air back in his lungs to buck the man off and swing his fists at the man’s smug face.

However, Izuku’s fist met air as the man launched himself away. “Huh, that’s more like it.”

Yagi’s hand wrapped around Izuku’s bicep, lifting Izuku to his feet. “Are you alright, my boy?”

“Fine,” Izuku huffed, glaring at the man.

“Yagi,” Aizawa interrupted. “Who is this?” Aizawa’s posture was slouched, and his fists stuffed in his pockets, but Izuku saw how Aizawa’s biceps were tight and ready to attack. The hint of protectiveness from the typically apathetic underground hero warmed Izuku’s cheeks.

“What!” The man barked, wheeling on Yagi. “You didn’t bother telling them I was coming?!”

In a rare fit of nervousness, Yagi ducked his head. “You didn’t tell me when you were coming, sir.”

“And I’d imagine you were too chicken to say anything.”

Indignation burned in Izuku’s chest as the man smirked. Yagi had done everything for Izuku, and this man couldn’t treat the kindest person Izuku had ever met as garbage. 

“Hey!” Izuku snapped. “You don’t get to talk to him that way! You don’t have that right!” 

The old man raised an eyebrow as if to say, ‘what are you going to do about it?’

That look was the push over the edge, and Izuku lunged forward, fists raised, ready to tackle, punch, or kick if it got that man to shut up. 

“Enough!” Heavy cloth wrapped around Izuku, pinning his arms, stopping his movement, and at that moment, he was back in the facility, bound, trapped, Director Usotsuki smiling smugly, but then the cloth was gone (Aizawa’s capture weapon Izuku realized), and Izuku was deposited into Yagi’s arms. 

Aizawa stood in the middle of the three, hair on edge, eyes glowing. “I will not tolerate fighting,” he growled. “Yagi, explain who this is.”

With Izuku still tucked in Yagi’s arms, Izuku could feel Yagi’s wince. “This is my old teacher who helped train me. He’s an expert in agile fighting styles. I reached out to him a week ago about helping train Izuku.”

“That’s right,” the man smirked. “You can call me Gran Torino.” 

Chapter Text

Despite Gran Torino tackling Izuku and Izuku almost punching him during their first meeting, Izuku had reluctantly come to like the man. 

Torino was caustic, sarcastic, and an excellent fighter. Every bi-weekly training session was met with a torrent of bruising attacks and verbal abuse. 

“Is that really the best you can do?”

“I thought they said you were smart?”

“That punch is pitiful!”

At first, it made Izuku shake in frustration or burst out in tears. In some ways, Torino reminded Izuku of Usotsuki when she would do things to rile Izuku up. However, while Usotsuki liked seeing Izuku bite his tongue and act subservient, Torino welcomed the challenge. He liked when Izuku’s gaze hardened and his attacks focused. 

“I’ve had a… difficult history with Torino,” Yagi had explained. “His teaching style values breaking you down and sharpening your edges. You can’t take his insults or words to heart, much like you’ll have to ignore what the world tells you.”

After that, Izuku’s relationship with the older hero improved. 

Torino did not just teach combat training though (he insisted he assist with that, saying Izuku would need to get used to multiple fighting styles from different opponents, not just Mr. Aizawa). Once he revealed his quirk Jet , Izuku realized why Yagi had asked him to come. His advice to Izuku when it came to using the 3DS gear was invaluable. 

Izuku had the basics down when it came to shifting his body weight and direction, but the retired hero had a lot more to teach him when it came to altering his momentum, reaching different heights, and adapting to all directions. 

“You can’t just use the same move every time!” Torino would bark. “Be unpredictable, don’t let them be able to guess your next move.”

When first using the 3DS, Izuku’s tended to latch onto far away targets, swinging around them in long arcs which worked fine until Torino slammed a boot into his face. Bigger jumps were easier for enemies to predict and not always made possible by the terrain.

After one training session, Torino had grabbed Izuku’s hand that was holding his control sticks and aimed it at a section of the floor two meters away.

“Short jumps,” he barked. “You have a close-range weapon. You have to be able to stay close enough to engage with your opponents while having maneuverability.”

When Izuku had given Torino an unconvinced look, Torino rolled his eyes, muttered something insulting about youth, and then gestured at Yagi. “You’re obsessed with him, right? Everyone is. Think about his fights. He’s got the strength and speed, but you don’t see him bounding all over the place.”

Aizawa had eyed Yagi, and Yagi had coughed awkwardly into his fist. “He’s right, my boy. Knowing where to position yourself is an essential part of the fight. Sometimes you have to get close and dirty but keeping your distance can be preferable.”

“See a lot of brawls as a secretary?” Aizawa had remarked dryly. Thankfully, Yagi spitting up a fountain of blood had distracted from the question. 

Over weeks, the 3DS began to feel more natural. Izuku didn’t have to always look at his hands before shooting, and he started to understand what speed and angles would result in certain trajectories.

However, he had a sinking suspicion that it would take months, if not years, before using the 3DS became instinctual. 

His favorite by far was using the 3DS to swing himself across UA’s obstacle courses. With the wind tousling his curls and the whooshing of his stomach as he swung between platforms, Izuku felt invincible. He hadn’t “graduated” to using the gear in an actual cityscape, but Izuku’s palms itched for that moment. 

“Not bad, puppy,” Torino grumbled as Izuku managed to stick a pretty good landing after practice. “I think we can promote you from ‘flightless bird’ to ‘baby-bird-without-his-feathers-or-anything-close-to-flying.’” 

“Does that make you ‘wilted old bird’?” Izuku asked, then quickly slapped his hand over his mouth. He was taken aback when Gran Torino burst out laughing and slapped him on the shoulder. 

“Probably,” he chortled. “I remember when my good friend said something similar. You remind me of her in some ways, puppy.” 

“I do?” Izuku asked in surprise, as he took a sip from his waterbottle. He hadn’t heard too much about Gran Torino’s hero-ing days, and there were not nearly as many records today of his exploits, unlike heroes like All Might and Kamui Woods who had everything they did recorded and documented. 

Gran Torino hummed as he stretched, his bones and joints cracking (Izuku had to resist a wince). 

“Her name was Nana Shimura,” he explained. “She had a flying quirk like me, so we worked together a lot. She also liked to crack jokes and make people laugh. She was the one who taught Toshinori to have that stupid smile he always has on now. But that smile and laugh came when she was flying. She told me she loved the freedom of it. I think she’d like you, puppy.” 

A woman who had taught Yagi… was this the woman he had talked about all those weeks ago when Izuku had broken down and told him what happened to his mother? Izuku tried to figure out how to ask, but Gran Torino distracted him with another question.

“So, when’s Toshi going to give you One for All anyway?”

“What’s One for All?” 

The question came suddenly and abruptly, like a punch to the stomach. Toshinori wheezed, spraying blood on the piles of paperwork he had been plodding his way through for the last two hours. Izuku sat innocently on the office couch, having been completing his assigned homework. 

Toshinori wiped his fist across his mouth, leaving a smear of crimson before searching for a tissue to wipe it off. “I, umm–” he grabbed a handful of tissues and began mopping up the blood. “Where did you hear that?”

“Gran Torino mentioned something about it today.”

Toshinori cursed his former mentor from the confines of his head. He swore that man always had it out from him. Torino had even given Toshinori an odd look at the end of training today, a kind of smirk that made Toshinori’s non-existent stomach churn. He should have known something was coming. How many sneak attacks did it take?!

“Yagi?” Izuku asked, “Is something wrong?” Izuku’s mouth was turned down, his eyes wide, his brow furrowed. 

Seeing the concern on Izuku’s face made some of Toshinori’s anxiety dissipate. He sighed, “No, nothing is wrong.” At Izuku’s unconvinced expression he tacked on, “you simply surprised me, that’s all.”

Throwing the bloody tissues in the trash can, Toshinori stood up, walked over to the couch, and sat next to Izuku. His young charge stared unblinking, his eyes looking like they were staring into Toshinori’s soul and exposing him in a way that no paparazzi had ever succeeded in doing. 

They sat in silence for a moment, Izuku waiting, and Toshinori trying to find the right words. “I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while, but I thought it might upset you, and I didn’t know if it was the right thing to do. I didn’t want to be selfish and hurt you,” he laughed dryly here, “but I suppose that was selfish of me too.”

“I don’t understand.”

“What if there was a quirk,” Toshinori began, “that could be passed on.”

Izuku stiffened and his mouth thinned into a line. “That’s impossible,” he said, his voice hoarse.

“Well, suppose it’s not.” It was easier to talk in hypotheticals, even though they both knew the described situation was not hypothetical. “Suppose there was a quirk that could be passed down from generation to generation, growing in strength as it did.”

The words were coming easier now, but Toshinori couldn’t look at Izuku, instead, watching a small piece of lint floating in the air. 

“Suppose the holders of this quirk were heroes or people who wanted to make an impact and change the world for the better. They would fulfill their duty before passing the torch on to the next person to then light the way.” 

Emotion clogged Toshinori’s throat but he pushed through it. “Seven generations pass and the latest holder is trying to find a new successor to the quirk. She happens upon a teenage boy confronting some muggers in an alley.” 

Toshinori chuckled dryly, time having only dimmed the memory slightly. Closing his eyes, he could see her. That bemused smile as she watched him bloody and bruised. She was beautiful and powerful and when she looked at him, Toshinori felt like he could do anything. 

Izuku shifted next to him and Toshinori returned to the present. He continued the story without acknowledging the pause. “He tells her that he wants to be a hero, a symbol of peace. She laughs a bit, calls him crazy, but she believes in him and his goal. She gives him her quirk.” 

Talking about Nana hurt in a way that he wanted to cling to and throw away at the same time. “That person was my master, the seventh holder of One for All, Nana Shimura.”

He stopped, realizing that he has far moved past the hypotheticals, and dared a glance at Izuku. 

Izuku’s mouth trembled and there’s a look in his eye that Toshinori could not decipher. His boy’s fingernails were pressed into his palm, creating white indents. Toshinori would have to step in and stop him from hurting himself if Izuku dug in any harder. 

“Why are you telling me this?” Izuku whispered. “Why now?”

“Well you asked and because it’s the right time.” He faced Izuku, looking straight into the boy’s wide, green eyes. “Like I said, I’ve wanted to ask you before but didn’t want to hurt your feelings. When I was your age, I wanted to become a symbol of peace, but I know you have a different goal in mind. However, I have been looking for a successor to my power—” Izuku stiffened, but Toshinori pressed on, “—and I can think of no more person worthy of inheriting it than you.”

The tension in the room felt like glass, one touch away from shattering. One for All clamored under Toshinori’s skin as an instinctive response to the fear swirling inside. Had he stepped over some line? A desperate, impossible hope craved that Izuku would say yes, but that was secondary to his concern for the boy. 

Finally, Izuku spoke, “What if my answer is no?” He was so quiet. Painfully uncomfortable and unsure. This fear would not do. 

Toshinori opened his arms, “Then we will continue as we have, and you will become the hero you dream of.” The tension shattered, and with a sob, Izuku flung himself into Toshinori’s arms. 

Ursa Major: Shoot for the moon… 

Serpens: You do realize that nobody sees these messages but me right? 

Ursa Major: How do I know that this is not someone who has somehow found this chatroom and is pretending to be my eyes and ears? 

Serpens: Like you aren’t accessing the cameras already and can see me plain as day. 

Ursa Major: I can and that is quite the rude sign you are showing the camera! But you could be someone with a transformation quirk. Shoot for the moon… 

Serpens: Unbelievable… fine! Because if you miss, you’ll still hit the stars. 

Ursa Major: Thank you, Serpens! 

Serpens: Eat me, you white rodent! How is the kid doing? 

Ursa Major: Phoenix is doing extremely well! I am quite pleased with his progress. He has almost completely mastered the 3-Ds gear, and his quirk analysis abilities continue to shine. I have no doubt he’ll master the entrance exam with flying colors. 

Serpens: … I want that tea set in solid gold. 

Ursa Major: I never agreed to the bet, Serpens.

Serpens: Solid. Gold.

Ursa Major: I’m sure I can deliver such an item in due time. And how are the birds? 

Serpens: The Dove and the Baby Bird? Hanging in there. But not going to be long before the warden tries to break them. Dove has been rebelling. I’m proud of her, but the warden is singling her out. And Baby Bird is just missing his family. 

Ursa Major: I understand. The preparations are in place. But I would like to bring the Phoenix into the constellations before we spring the caged birds. 

Serpens: You trust him that much? Him and Taurus? 

Ursa Major: I think it is time. If this boy is going to accomplish what he hopes for, he needs to know he has our support. All of us. Do you agree? 

Serpens: About time you brought him in, you old rat. About damn time. 

Despite having visited UA for the past five months for training, he hadn’t visited the main, iconic “H”-shaped building since that revealing conversation with Yagi in Nezu’s office.

For secrecy’s sake, he had always trained in one of the outer gyms, farther away from all the hustle of UA and any prying eyes. Izuku hadn’t even met any of the other teachers outside of Aizawa, but suddenly, that was changing. 

“Do you know who Nezu wants us to meet?” Izuku whispered up to Yagi.

“I don’t,” Yagi admitted. 

The text message instructing them to come to UA for a special meeting had come right after Yagi’s shift as All Might. Izuku and Yagi had immediately left Might Tower and drove over to UA, but no other information had come. 

Had Izuku done something wrong? Was Nezu not wanting to support Izuku’s endeavors in becoming a hero? Or was there another issue, something maybe about the quirkless facility and Kimiko, Kojika, and Rojin? The worries itched at him, making the skin under his collar feel raw and uncomfortable. 

A hand rested on Izuku’s own hand, pulling it away from his neck. “None of that, my boy,” Yagi said, and then with his other hand he lightly bopped Izuku on the head, “and none of that either. I can see your head steaming from so many thoughts. I’m not sure what Nezu has asked us here for, but either way, I am here.” Yagi smiled at Izuku, making Izuku’s insides turn soft and gooey. 

Yagi stopped outside an unassuming door, the label to the right pronouncing the room, Meeting Room 1.

Yagi checked his texts again. “I think this is the right one,” he murmured and pressed the door open. Their entrance was not noticed immediately, allowing Yagi and Izuku to hear the conversation happening in the room. 

 “Anyone else want to guess who these new recruits are?” said a voice with an accent that reminded Izuku of the cowboy movies he and Yagi watched every so often. 

“Pretty sure Eraser knows, but he’s not saying,” another grumbled.  

“Have you adopted another vigilante child?”

“For the last time, Vlad, I have not–” 

Izuku stepped into the room. It was some sort of conference room with some refreshments off to the side, and a large table in the center that many were launching around. His eyes immediately found his hero and trainer over the last several months, standing amongst a group of individuals in a variety of uniforms. 

Eyes were starting to turn towards them and Izuku impulsively blurted out, “Hi, Mr. Aizawa!” 

Anyone who hadn’t been looking at them before now were and Izuku quickly flushed. But that embarrassment was quickly forgotten when he realized he recognized some of these people. These were… these were UA teachers! Lunch Rush, Snipe, Midnight, Present Mic, Vlad King. All of these people were here, along with some other people Izuku didn’t recognize. 

Vlad King grinned and burst out laughing, while Aizawa seemed to try to disappear behind his scarf.

“I called it!” the Blood Hero shouted. 

“I knew you had adopted another, you old softie!” Midnight added playfully nudging Aizawa. 

“I think it’s sweet, bud,” Present Mic added.

From behind Izuku, Yagi coughed up a spray of blood and looked away, an odd, sullen look on his face. 

Aizawa was turning about as red as Vlad King’s uniform, and only his forehead could be seen from underneath the scarf. 

“Problem child…” he muttered as his greeting to Izuku. 

Izuku was about to ask what the meeting was for, when another familiar face popped out of Aizawa’s scarf. Principal Nezu looked around the room happily, and gestured for everyone to sit, including Izuku and Yagi. 

“I’m glad that everyone is here,” the Educational Hero said happily. “We have been looking forward to this meeting for quite some time. First of all, some introductions are in order. Everyone, this is Izuku Midoriya, and his guardian, Toshinori Yagi. I’m sure we are all happy to extend them a warm welcome.” 

There was some polite applause and greetings, but now that Izuku was the center of attention, he could feel some more discerning gazes eying his collar distrustfully, while others looked rather bemused or stunned. 

“Nezu, he’s just a kid,” Cementoss noted. 

“I am aware,” Nezu replied calmly. “But this child has already endured more than most of what our committee here can claim. He has an ambition and dream, and one that I believe all of us shall support.”

His tail twitched with excitement before he turned back to Izuku. 

“But before that, an introduction for you, Mr. Midoriya. I’m sure you’ve recognized many of these heroes. Most of them are staff at UA, but Wash and Ryukyu are also here as well. This is Haru Suzuki, the distinguished Secretary of the Hero Public Safety Commission, Yui Tanaka, a well known social media influencer, and of course our beloved Dr. Aoi Matou, a great surgeon at Musastafu General Hospital.”

The mentioned people nodded in greeting, and Nezu stepped down from Aizawa’s shoulder and onto the table. Izuku sat down in front of him, and Yagi sat beside him. 

“This is nice,” Yagi said. “But why have you called us here, Principal Nezu?” 

Nezu’s eyes gleamed in a way that said he had been just waiting for Izuku or Yagi to ask. 

“This is the committee. The organizers and officers of the North Stars, dedicated to freeing Quirkless from their collars and leashes, and campaigning for their rights to live as people.” 

Yagi looked somewhat confused, but Izuku’s eyes went wide. He almost stood up then and there. The people who had supported Quirkless rights, who had provided food and resources when Izuku was on his own, who had been secretly helping people like him all along… they were here in this room. This was them. 

Aizawa actually smiled warmly at Izuku’s awed expression and moved to stand beside him and Yagi. 

“Nobody gets to see this, Problem Child,” he explained. “Only the initiated. This meeting is to welcome our two newest members to the North Stars.” 

Izuku examined the group with new eyes. Heroes, administrators, civilians–all people who thought Izuku was worth something, could do something. Water swelled in his eyes and Izuku dropped into a steep, sudden bow. 

“Thank you!” he cried from his bowed formation. Tears dripped onto the table and his throat clogged with emotion. “From myself and every other quirkless you’ve helped, thank you for believing in us.” He glanced up from his bow and gave the group a wobbly smile. “You’ve saved my life many times over.”

“Eraser,” Present Mic mock whispered to Aizawa, “Can I adopt him instead?”

The room burst into chuckles, and Izuku blushed before straightening back up and sitting down. Yagi placed a hand on Izuku’s shoulder and gave him a squeeze. 

Nezu smiled, “I know Izuku is well informed about the North Stars, but I believe I’m not mistaken in saying that you don’t know as much, Yagi?” 

“Just what I’ve seen online.”

“As much as I would love to lecture you about it, I’m sure our colleagues here would love me to save it for another day,” Nezu chuckled (and many members nodded enthusiastically). “I will simply summarize. I founded the North Stars with several good friends of mine just when the public opinion of Quirkless began to shift. We had hoped to act as a group who could advocate for the aggressive discrimination against the Quirkless, but we never could have predicted it would turn out as it did. We changed our focus when we realized the Quirkless were no longer seen as targets for practice, but pets to be spoiled. As more of the Quirkless Care Laws came in place, the busier we got. Helping hide those who wished to remain free of the facilities, reuniting families, and most importantly, working together with the overall goal of ending those disgusting laws once and for all.” 

“That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” Present Mic cheered, only to flush when he realized nobody was cheering with him. 

 Nezu clasped his paws behind his back. “For years we have tried to help the quirkless, but we have been unable to make significant progress in changing public opinion or the laws.”

“Not for a lack of trying,” Suzuki argued and adjusted the glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. “However, even venturing something like that within a government facility can lead to job termination.”

“When there’s money to be made, people will do anything,” Midnight remarked. She gave a slow, seductive smile, “I know I’ve seen that.” The group, thankfully, ignored her. 

“The issue, I believe,” interjected Nezu, “is that we speak only as outsiders. None of us here are quirkless and so there will always be those who can use that against us, claiming that the quirkless are content in their position.” 

The faces around the table were grim and nodding in agreement. 

“However! This will no longer be a problem.” Nezu smiled, his tail flicking in pleasure. 

At this, all eyes went to Izuku once more, no doubt putting the pieces together that Izuku was the one Nezu was referring to. Izuku swallowed. Usually when so many eyes were on him, it was because he was at an auction, or they were waiting for him to do something ‘cute.’

Yagi squeezed his shoulder, as if to tell him he was here, and Izuku found himself sitting up straighter. Yagi believed in him, so did his mom. They would believe in him too. 

“My name is Izuku Midoriya,” he announced. “And I’m going to be the first Quirkless Hero.” 

For a second there was stunned silence. And then Tanaka began to clap and stood up enthusiastically. 

“Good for you,” she said. “Good for you, Midoriya. Goodness knows we need someone to speak up for Quirkless like that and show the world you aren’t helpless. We’ll be with you every step of the way. Thank you, Izuku.” 

There were some nods of agreement and even a few applauding like Tanaka. Aizawa clapped Izuku’s shoulder and Izuku almost thought the hero looked proud. 

“So then who’s this other gentleman,” Snipe drawled from across the table. “Is he going to be able to take the heat from his quirkless charge becoming a hero?” 

“Yagi will be fine,” Aizawa said, and Yagi’s head jerked up in surprise. “I’m more worried about his boss.” Aizawa asked, leaning forward. “Is All Might going to make things difficult for us?”

“All Might!?” Present Mic screeched. “You work for All Might!?”

Yagi coughed awkwardly into his hand, “I merely work as a secretary over All Might’s personal needs.” 

“Now, now,” Nezu said, his black eyes twinkling, “Don’t be modest, Yagi. You hold a far higher role within the administration of Might Tower than you let on.”

The group of North stars exchanged surprised glances, some like Tanaka and Blood King sizing up the skinny, unassuming Yagi with new eyes. Yagi didn’t look like a threat, and Izuku remembered his first day with Yagi and Izuku’s pathetic attempt to punch Yagi. Izuku had been surprised by the strength hidden in Yagi’s skinny arms. Izuku would have never expected Yagi to be All Might, but even without Yagi using his quirk, he wasn’t someone to underestimate. 

Ryuku tapped her clawed fingers on the table, “Are you claiming, Nezu, that All Might won’t stand in opposition over our goals?”

“Even better,” Nezu replied. “All Might is standing behind our mission.” 

Excited murmuring erupted among the group, however, some shared incredulous glances. 

“How do you know this?” Blood King asked. 

Nezu’s nose and tail twitched in barely contained amusement. He raised his brow towards Yagi, and Yagi sighed before pushing back his chair and standing up. Slipping off his jacket, he rested it on the chair. “Are you positive that this information will stay with the group?” Yagi asked Nezu.

“I promise,” Nezu said solemnly. “What is discussed and revealed within this room will not be shared outside it. Everyone here accepts that.” The group looked confused, and Aizawa’s eyes narrowed, but everyone voiced their consent. 

Yagi rubbed the back of his neck. “Alright then.” He took a deep breath, flexed his skinny muscles, and POOF! Steam burst out from around him, obscuring his transformation into the symbol of peace. 

Izuku waved the steam away from his face and watched the group’s reaction as the smoke drifted away, revealing first All Might’s brilliant white smile, then his piercing blue eyes, and finally all 7 feet 2 inches of bulging muscles under straining clothes. 

No one spoke for a moment, but mouths hung wide open and bubbles began leaking from underneath’s Wash’s lid. Nezu’s eyes sparkled as if holding back laughter as he reveled in the chaos.

All Might coughed into his fist, and that small noise broke the modicum of restraint the group had. 

“WHAAAAAAATTTTTT THE HHEEEEEEEEEE—” Present Mic shrieked before Aizawa’s quirk activated, hair rising in the air. 

“Language!” Aizawa barked, shooting a glance at Izuku.

“Right,” Present Mic coughed, “Not in front of your kid.”

“He’s my kid,” All Might grumbled under his breath, and Izuku’s cheeks pinked. 

Aizawa shot All Might a glance. “Secretary, huh?” he asked, sarcasm dripping from his tone.

“Technically I am my own secretary.”

“Right.” Aizawa crossed his arms, “and I’m just a teacher. I hate how much this explains things.”

“I knew he was hiding something!” Midnight cheered, before turning to Snipe, hand outstretched. “Pay up!”

“We never bet that he was All Might,” Snipe protested. “None of us could have guessed that he was All Might!” 

“I bet that he had a secret–” 

“We’re part of the North Stars! Everyone here has some sort of secret lifestyle they’re hiding!” 

Izuku couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing at the Heroes’ antics. Yagi was smiling warmly, and turned solemnly to the rest of the group. Izuku didn’t see the agreement pass through all of their eyes. They would do everything in their power to help this boy laugh and smile, free from the collar around his neck. 

Chapter Text

Izuku used to hate his reflection. His  father used to like to pose with Izuku in front of a mirror, pointing out the similarities in how they looked from their nose to jawline. In the quirkless facility, Izuku didn’t see his reflection much, but he always hated when he did. His face was too soft and rounded. His freckles faded from lack of sun. Izuku always felt like he looked as useless as everyone said he was. 

Now, though, it was different. Izuku stared at himself in front of the mirror, having just gotten out of the shower. Water pulled his curly green hair into wet clumps before dripping down and rolling over planes of hard muscle. His soft stomach flab had been replaced by clear abs, and his arms were defined. He wasn’t a bodybuilder, but his build was leaner and trimmer, fine-tuned for the agility and flexibility the 3DS required. 

Izuku had only been able to see his mom that one time in the prison (arranging visits was frustratingly difficult), but he knew she would be proud of the change in him. She had mentioned as much in their monthly letters. 

“Izuku,” Yagi called, “hurry up getting ready. We need to go in 10 minutes.”

“Got it! I’ll hurry!” And making sure that his towel was securely wrapped around him, Izuku hurried from the bathroom to his bedroom. 

Over the months, Izuku’s wardrobe had expanded since apparently, Yagi had a mild online shopping addiction when involved with Izuku. Flipping through the drawers of clothes, Izuku grabbed his softest All Might t-shirt and slipped it on. 

Yagi had been good to Izuku. The beginning was rocky, and they still fought occasionally, but Yagi respected Izuku and believed in his dreams. Even after Izuku rejected Yagi’s offer of One for All, Yagi still supported Izuku.

In another life, Izuku would have accepted One for All in a heartbeat. To have All Might’s quirk? To be his successor? Why wouldn’t he accept? But a quirkless hero was needed to show that even without a quirk, someone could reach out and help others. That meant Izuku couldn’t accept All Might’s offer. 

Yagi accepting that and supporting Izuku meant more than the man would ever know. 

“Kiddo, come on!” Yagi called. 

“Sorry! Sorry! I’m coming!” Izuku yelled back. He shoved his All Might shoes on his feet, squirted a few pumps of his curl detangler in his damp hair, making sure to work it in, and hurried out of his bedroom. 

Yagi stood impatiently at the elevator. “About time, my boy,” He said, shaking his head. “We’re going to be late if we don't hurry.”

“Sorry,” Izuku smiled sheepishly. 

Yagi raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you missing something?”

Izuku blinked, “Oh!” he cried as he remembered, then raced back to his bedroom to snatch up Mr. Deer and then hurry back. “Now I’m ready!” 

“Good,” Yagi smiled, then pressed the elevator button. “Then let’s go.”

Something was up. Kimiko could tell.

Ever since she was put in a timeout for cutting her hair, she had kept her head down. Despite the thrill of freedom in cutting her hair short and taking control of something in her life, she didn’t want to go back to being confined, being unable to move, speak or see. She wasn’t like Izuku. She couldn’t go through it again. 

But it wasn’t just the timeout that had made Kimiko back down. It was what happened afterward. She had gone to the hairstylist’s suite, where she had been strapped down to a chair, and her hair was “cleaned up.” Normally she liked going to the stylist because it meant her hair would be at least a little shorter than the long lengths Usotsuki insisted she wear, but not this time. 

This time Usotsuki had been standing there with a smug grin as the stylist began using their quirk ( Izuku had called it ‘style maker’ since it changed any hair into whatever hairdo the stylist wanted ). 

“If you wanted to keep your hair short, little Miss Kimiko, you should have just said so! We’re going to finish the job you started.” 

Kimiko had thrashed, pleaded, and cried, but in the end, it did nothing. They had shaved her hair so that it was closer to fuzz than it was to the shoulder-length bob she had gotten. The stylist and Usotsuki instantly declared that the look was precious, and she looked even more like a baby than before. 

So now Kimiko was continuing her punishment. Wearing lacy dresses and nightgowns that were better suited for a two-year-old, being forced to wear makeup to make her eyes look wider and more innocent, Usotsuki even had the audacity to clip a damn pacifier to her collar the first day! 

Grandpa Rojin had taken one look at the offending piece of plastic and took it off, promising her he would get rid of it. Rumor had it that the pacifier had somehow ended up in Usotsuki’s bottle of lotion. Kimiko had no idea how he had done it either. 

Still, the message had been clear to both her and everyone else in the facility: Usotsuki wasn’t playing nice any longer. Crossing her did not just mean standard punishments, now it also meant humiliation and changing your appearance to suit her desires until you felt crushed. 

Now the kids were getting all sorts of makeovers and dressed up as dolls for offenses that seemed to appear out of thin air. Kojika was now wearing antlers and a little tie with deer around his collar for refusing to take a bath. Kimiko had never felt so angry than when she saw Kojika’s tears, and she suddenly began to understand why Izuku almost took the little boy with him when he ran away. Some of the other kids thought it was because Usotsuki’s online boyfriend had not returned her messages in a couple of weeks, but Kimiko knew better. 

This was about Izuku. Usotsuki was still angry that she had never truly broken him, and now she was making sure that no other Quirkless followed in his footsteps. 

It seemed that she believed she had won, based on how she was practically strutting through the halls overseeing everything, clipboard in hand, fake smile on her face, rubbing her hands with lotion and hand sanitizer whenever she got the chance. 

But not today. 

Something was wrong today. Her smile was tight, there was a furious glint in her eye that she tried to disguise as determination, and she was punishing the other kids left and right today, snapping at them for the smallest things. Kimiko had decided it was best to lay low with Kojika and hide in their little fort under the table out of her way. 

Kojika didn’t mind as he happily colored, humming the All Might Theme song as best as he could. He was missing some of the words and was really off key, and only really only humming the chorus, but it was still nice to see him happy. Meanwhile, Kimiko looked up at the names written underneath the table. Izuku’s was the last one they had added. Nobody else had been adopted since. That wasn’t unusual, most of the older kids had already been adopted before Izuku, and only a couple would be turning eighteen soon. 

Kimiko had been worried that Izuku getting adopted when he wasn’t eighteen would start a new pattern of kids younger than eighteen getting adopted, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. Evidently, Usotsuki had been hoping for the same thing, and the fact that she hadn’t accomplished that new trend was just the icing on the cake. 

The universe apparently had a sense of irony because just as she was thinking of adoptions, she heard Dr. Arai and Kumori-Uta calling for everyone’s attention. Kimiko poked her head outside the blankets, and she saw Rin and Dr. Arai looking elated as they had the transport wheelchairs prepared, and Kumori-Uta was clearly ready to soothe anyone who tried to run away. 

Another adoption. Two of them. 

Kimiko should have felt her heart sink as the doctor began giving the routine speech about two of their friends being adopted into a forever home when she caught a glimpse of the Director’s face. Director Usotsuki was clearly fighting it, but she didn’t look proud or like a satisfied cat today like she usually did with adoptions. She looked like she had swallowed lemons and was trying to put on a good face. 

Two adoptions… Usotsuki’s bad moods… 

“Congratulations… Kimiko and Kojika!” 

This sent a wave of stunned shouts and gasps throughout the residents in the facility. Kojika was far too young to be adopted. They knew that. Everyone knew that. The only reason anyone would have a Quirkless as young as Kojika would be if traffickers sold him off, and Usotsuki was not the type of person to get involved in Quirkless Trafficking. 

Some of the older kids were protesting this was illegal, the other little kids looked scared that they would be called next, and Kojika was clinging on tightly to Kimiko and Grandpa Rojin. But Rojin wasn’t looking at Kojika; he was looking at Usotsuki. 

Kimiko followed his gaze and realized why things weren’t adding up. For a little kid like Kojika, to cut through so much red tape would cost millions if not billions of dollars. Usotsuki should have looked like she was ready to go swimming in money. But instead, she looked angry, like she wanted to snap someone into two. The pieces came together and Kimiko couldn’t help but grin. 

It was no coincidence Kimiko and Kojika were chosen, and she and Usotsuki both knew it. This had nothing to do with money. Kimiko and Kojika were getting ‘adopted’ because they were Izuku’s friends. 

This wasn’t an adoption; it was a jailbreak.

The knowledge became courage, and Kimiko found herself grinning proudly as she led Kojika over to the orderlies. 

“It’s going to be okay,” she promised him as she let them strap her down. “We’re going to be fine.” 

We’re getting out of here. 

There was no knock at the hotel door, and there hadn’t been one for the 20 minutes Izuku had been waiting there. 

“When are they supposed to get here again?” he asked Yagi, unable to keep the impatience and worry from his voice. Mr. Deer was tucked against his chest, and Izuku squeezed it in anxiety. “You said Nezu said they had gotten them over an hour ago!” 

“Yes, but they’re having to take a long route to shake off any tails, and I know they also stop at one safe house to get looked over by Dr. Matou to make sure they were okay and that there were no trackers.”

“Would they really use trackers?” Ichika Wakai, Kojika’s mother, asked worriedly. 

“Absolutely," Izuku said, crossing his arms. “And especially with Director Usotsuki. She’s a piece of work.”

Mrs. Wakai’s eyes hardened. “Yes, she is,” she said in a steely voice. Izuku was reminded of how many times Kojika had thought his family was coming to visit him, only to be turned away due to a wrong signature on paperwork or an increase in payment for visitation rights. 

One would think that with Mrs.Wakai’s soft deer ears, tail, and coating of almond-colored fur, she wouldn’t appear threatening, but at that moment, Izuku almost expected to see pointed teeth appearing from behind her angry grimace. Usotuski was lucky that Mrs.Wakai hadn’t come to retrieve her son. 

“It’ll be fine,” Yagi interjected, flashing a softer, kinder version of his All Might smile. “Aizawa and Midnight are escorting them here, and they won’t let anything happen to them.”

The rest of the Wakai family relaxed slightly but didn’t stop watching the door. It was odd seeing them and knowing they were Kojika’s family. They all had some type of deer mutation. Mr. Wakai had hooves, a tail, and thick antlers appearing from his forehead, while the two older siblings, Ricu and Emika, had white spots on their cheeks, tiny nubs of horns, perky ears, and fuzzy tails. However, despite the physical mutations, they looked so much like Kojika it hurt. 

Izuku wanted to talk to them, but the anxiety and suspense thrumming in his chest had kept him mostly mute. 

A knock sounded at the door, and Izuku sucked in a tight breath as it swung open. Aizawa stepped in, one hand resting on his capture weapon, the other hand guiding in Kojika and Kimiko.

“ZUKU!” Kojika wailed as his tiny legs sprinted toward Izuku. 

With a wet laugh, Izuku dropped to his knees in time to catch Kojika and wrap his arms around him. Kimiko joined the hug seconds later as the three held each other tightly.

“I’ve missed you guys so much!” Izuku cried. Tears poured down his face getting Kojika and Kimiko wet, but Izuku couldn’t stop. “I’ve been so worried about you!”

“You’ve been worried!” Kimiko pulled out of the hug to give Izuku a withering look and a light punch on the arm. “Do you know how scared we were for you when you got taken away?” Her breath hitched, and then Izuku wasn’t the only one crying. 

He pulled them close again. “I’m so sorry, but I’m so happy you’re here.”

Hooves clicked nervously behind them. “Kojika, sweetie?” Mrs. Wakai called, her deer ears flicking nervously. 

Kojika froze, his mouth opening and brown eyes widening. “Mommy?” 

Relief flooded Mrs. Wakai’s face. “Yes, sweetie, it’s me and Daddy and Ricu and Emica.”

Kojika’s face scrunched up, and with a wail and streaming tears, he rushed towards his family. “Mommy!” he cried, crashing into his mother’s legs. 

Mrs. Wakai scooped him up in her arms and hugged him tight. “My little deerling.” 

“Miss Director said you couldn’t come, but I missed you! She was mean to me, and I didn’t like it! I missed you!”

“I know. I know. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t go again, please?”

Mrs. Wakai’s eyes watered with tears, but when she spoke, conviction filled every word. “Never again, my little deerling.” And then the family surrounded Kojika, hugging him, crying, and calling his name over and over. 

“He’s missed you so much,” Kimiko said. “We’ve both missed you so much.” Makeup was smeared under her eyes from crying and she rubbed at it, leaving a streak of black.

Izuku helped her to her feet so that once again, she towered over him. “I’ve missed you too,” he confessed. 

“Not to cut this reunion short,” Aizawa called out, “but we need to get moving. Midnight is holding the perimeter in the hotel lobby, but Nezu’s confirmed that we’re still being tracked, so it’s time to split up. Wakai family, you’re with me. Yagi, you’ve got Izuku and Kimiko.” 

Izuku nodded and quickly grabbed the item that had stayed with him over the past six months. He knew he would see Kojika and his family again, especially with the North Stars watching over them to make sure nobody took Kojika away again, but he had promised he would give Mr. Deer back to the boy when he was reunited with his family. 

“Kojika! Here! I’ve kept him safe for you!” he shouted, handing the stuffed deer out to the little boy. 

“Mr. Deer!” 

Kojika reached out and hugged the toy, and Izuku felt his heart melt. Kojika looked at him with wide eyes, then glanced at his family. Izuku could see resolve hardening on the little boy’s face as he gave the toy one final pet and then handed him back to Izuku. 

“Mr. Deer stays with ‘Zuku.”

“What?” Izuku gasped. “Kojika, he’s your favorite–” 

“I had Mr. Deer when Mommy and Daddy were gone,” Kojika said firmly. “But I have them now. Now you need him to watch over you until you get your Mommy back.” 

Izuku felt tears spring as he nodded, accepted the stuffed animal, and hugged Kojika close. 

“Thank you, Kojika.” 

“Thank you, ‘Zuku,” Kojika replied with a toothy smile. “You are my hero!” 

How was it that a four-year-old’s words had rendered him completely speechless? Izuku could only stare at the boy, jaw dropped as Mr. Aizawa ushered the family out and gave Izuku what almost looked like a proud smile. 

“Good job, problem child,” Aizawa said. “See you in two days for training. Don’t be late.” 

Aizawa’s words were almost enough to send Izuku into another round of tears, but he fought them back with a sniffle and followed Yagi out of the hotel. 

They slipped through side halls and maintenance stairs, keeping their heads down past security cameras even though Nezu had set them in a loop. Kimiko and Kojika had been adopted, so Director Usotsuki’s power was limited even if she did know the truth, but there was no benefit to making their escape obvious. 

A nondescript, black sedan sat idling outside the fire exit, and Yagi quickly ushered Izuku and Kimiko into the backseats before taking a seat at the wheel. 

It wasn’t until the car began to pull away from the hotel and onto the road leading back home (and wasn’t that a wonderful thought) that Izuku finally relaxed.

Letting out a breath, he turned toward Kimiko.  

It was odd, Izuku had only been gone six months, but it felt like so much had changed. Kimiko’s purple hair was buzzed nearly to her scalp, and the lacy pink dress she was wearing was even more ostentatious than they normally were. She held herself stiffly, and there was a guarded edge to her face that she hadn’t had before. 

“What?” Kimiko asked, raising a brow. 

“Things have been bad, haven’t they?” 

Kimiko stiffened, her hand unconsciously trailing toward her missing hair. “It’s been…rough,” she admitted, not meeting Izuku in the eyes. “I’m not sure how you did it.”

“Honestly, I don’t know if I would have lasted much longer.”

The confession lingered in the car, weighing on both of them as they considered what might have been. 

However, with a visible shake, Kimiko flung the thought away and changed the subject. “So what happened to you when you were gone? You obviously made some connections; this is the North Stars, right? How’d you meet them?” She leaned over and poked Izuku’s arm. “And how’d you get so big.”

Izuku’s cheeks burned, and h e rubbed at his bicep, unable to stop the pleased flush rising into his cheeks. From the driver’s seat, Yagi chuckled, and Izuku ducked his head. “It’s a long story,” he told Kimiko. “Honestly, I’m not really sure where to start.”

“Then start with the most important.”

“Well…I suppose that would be that I’m training to be a hero!”

Kimiko’s mouth dropped open. “Wait, what? How?”

“I’m training at UA right now! I’ve been meeting with Aizawa almost every day, and Nezu is helping me study for the entrance exams, and I’m going to do it. I’m going to be a hero.”

From the driver’s seat, Yagi spoke up, glancing at them through the rearview mirror. “Izuku has one of the strongest wills I’ve ever seen. He wants to help people in a way that I and others can’t. It’s a privilege to help him on this journey.”

“And you are?”

“This is my guardian, Mr. Yagi. He’s been looking after me for the last several months.”

Yagi’s gaunt face pulled a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kimiko. Izuku has talked about you a lot.”

“He’s the guy that came to meet you in the facility. All Might’s secretary?”

“Yep!” 

“And you’re okay with this?”

Her tone was light, but Izuku heard the underlying messages.  Is he hurting you? Why haven’t you tried to run when you always did? Can we trust him? 

“Not at the beginning when I didn’t understand,” Izuku admitted, “but now I know better. He’s helping me be a hero, and he helped me see my mom.”

“Your mom? I thought she was in prison?” 

“Yeah, she is. I got to see her, though, and I hadn’t been able to in years.” Izuku’s voice quieted so that only Kimiko could hear. “He’s not like everyone else. He cares. He doesn’t see me as a pet or a thing to be coddled. I feel…seen around him.”

“That sounds nice,” her eyes flicked back to Yagi, considering him. “Does he know? About your dad?”

Izuku’s throat tightened. “No.”

“Izuku, are you being reckless again?” Kimiko’s voice took on her lecturing tone, the one she’d use when he was planning another stunt back at the facility. “You said he was a threat and would do anything to find you. Why haven’t you warned them?”

“I just haven’t, alright?! The quirk makes it hard to.”

“That’s a stupid excuse, and you know it. You’re smart, Zuku, you can find a way around it. Is he just not a threat anymore? Is that why?”

“I mean, he was really injured when I last saw him, and I haven’t heard anything on the news about him. He might be? I don’t know. I saw Tomura a couple of months ago, and he talked about taking me back, but I don’t think they know where I am or what I’m doing.”

“But what are you going to do when they do find you? I don’t want to lose you again. I will stand by you, but I need to understand why.” Her voice, which had been kept at a whisper while discussing his father, grew louder in exasperation. 

Yagi turned his head from the front seat. “ Is everything alright back there?”

“Fine,” Kimiko said flatly.  

“Catching up, that’s all,” Izuku said while plastering on his best fake smile.  

Yagi didn’t look convinced but thankfully didn’t press. “Alright then.” 

Once Yagi’s attention shifted back to the road, Izuku resumed their whispered conversation. “Look, it’s been mentioned during therapy and I know Nezu and Yagi have talked about it, I just don't want to talk about it. All Might stopped him before; he’s not around. It’s fine.”

“Until it’s not.” 

Frustration bubbled in Izuku. He was happy to see Kimiko and wanted to celebrate the moment, not talk about his father. It wasn’t that he wasn’t going to tell them, but working past the quirk was hard, and he’d been busy training to be a hero. He didn’t need his relation to All for One to stop Izuku from achieving his goal. 

He opened his mouth to tell her off, but Kimiko beat him to it. Her face was softened in understanding and worry. “He really scares you, doesn’t he?”

Fear clogged Izuku’s throat, and for a moment, he was back in the vault, the gold collar around his neck while his father wrapped him in blankets and steadily stole away his identity. He  couldn’t  go back. 

“I’ll tell them eventually, just not right now.” 

“Please don’t wait too long to do it.” 

Izuku shifted in his seat, uncomfortable by the worried and knowing tone of her voice. He was supposed to be the strong one in the facility, but in a single conversation she had stripped away all his feeble excuses and revealed his secret fears. 

Something in his eyes or body language must have shown how uncomfortable he felt because she suddenly asked, “What’s training like?” and the conversation veered into safer territory for the rest of the car ride. He had almost forgotten his unease when they pulled up to Might Tower, and Yagi announced, “Alright, kiddos! We’re here!”

Izuku looked out the window to Might Tower, and Kimiko stared at the building in awe. He couldn’t help but smile as she walked out into the sunlight, back arching as she tried to gauge how tall the skyscraper was. It was the first time Kimiko had ever been… outside. Her eyes whipped back and forth as she took in everything around her. 

“Izuku… it’s so warm,” she murmured. “And bright…” 

Izuku smiled and squeezed her hand. He fought tears as she inhaled deeply and looked all around her. 

“Are you okay?” he asked her, knowing how overwhelming being outside could be after so long. But Kimiko was tough, far tougher than most people Izuku knew. She nodded, grinning from ear to ear. 

“I’m  great!”  she exclaimed. “We’re going in for five minutes, and then I’m coming back out here, got it?” 

Yagi laughed as he ushered the two teenagers inside. 

“Aye, aye, Captain,” he joked. 

Kimiko held tight onto Izuku’s hand as they walked inside, instinctively shifting to look smaller. It was no wonder why. Her pink dress was covered with lace and bows and looked more appropriate for a doll than a teenager. Not to mention her collar was in plain view for all to see. 

He could see her pale at the stares and the whispers, but she kept her head held high. Even as her hand was shaking in his grip, Izuku could tell she was putting on a brave face. She had seen nothing of the world before; she was not wasting her chance. Izuku stepped protectively in front of her while Yagi took off his jacket and wordlessly put it around her shoulders.   

They made it to the elevators, and once inside, Kimiko deflated. Izuku pulled her into a hug as she took deep breaths, fighting to calm herself. 

“How do you do it?” she asked. “They were just staring at me like I’m an animal….” 

Yagi cleared his throat, and Izuku stepped away as his guardian began to guide Kimiko through the breathing exercises they had learned when Izuku had an anxiety attack. Slowly but surely, Kimiko’s breathing went back to normal as she wiped her eyes. She caught a look at herself in the mirror and noticed how her makeup had smeared everywhere. Izuku and Yagi watched as she bit her lip, then took one of her puffy sleeves and ripped it off with all her might. She dabbed the material across her face, wiping off the mascara and eyeliner before the elevator doors opened. 

“So what happens now?” she asked, her voice calm after everything that had happened. 

“We’re going to leave you with a new initiate of the North Stars,” Izuku explained. “He’s a police detective, and he’ll be able to look after you for a few weeks while you learn how to adapt to being outside. Once we’ve got that figured out, the leader is going to set you up with a fake ID if you want, and send you to I-Island. Mr. Yagi has a friend there with a Quirkless daughter, and they’ll keep you safe. They don’t discriminate against Quirkless there, so you can make your own life there. Or you can stay with your guardian if you choose.” 

Kimiko nodded, though Izuku could tell she was still wrapping her head around everything. 

“I thought I was going to stay with you,” she admitted. 

“You can-” Yagi quickly spoke up, but Kimiko cut him off. 

“But we’re going to be playing this pretty dangerously already,” she continued. “If you get caught training Izuku and harboring me, they will massacre you. Izuku is more important. If you say I can trust this detective, I trust you, Izuku.” 

Izuku’s eyes went wide. Never once did he consider her words or reasoning. He had insisted if she wanted, she could stay with them, but he had wanted that to be her choice. But he never considered the reason might be because she thought their mission was too dangerous. 

“I’m not more important, Kimiko,” he insisted. 

“Yes, you are,” she said seriously. “You’re going to be the first Quirkless Hero. The kids at the facility were rebelling already because of you. You can inspire so much more if you keep going. We need  you to become a Hero, Izuku. If I can help like this, I’m going to do it.” 

“But you are important too!” he argued. “You’re my friend! You’re-” 

Kimiko smiled ruefully as she shook her head. 

“No, I’m nobody,” she said. “I was born a nobody, and I can only do so much. You got me free. You taught me I was more than a China doll. Let me handle my life. You keep on going until you free everyone else.” 

Izuku looked at her doubtfully, but he saw the resolve in his friend’s eyes. The same eyes that worried after everyone in the facility but still trusted him and listened to him no matter how many times he tried to run and no matter how much he refused to break. It occurred to him that in doing this, he was letting Kimiko have the first real control of her life. He would not be the one to take that from her. 

“Okay.”

The elevator dinged, and Yagi coughed a spurt of blood into his handkerchief as a dark-haired man in a trench coat and a fedora stepped into the office. 

“Right on time,” he said. “Miss Kimiko, this is my trusted friend Detective Naomasa Tsukauichi. I believe the two of you will get along just fine.” 

Kimiko looked at the man warily, but Tsukauichi smiled, removed his hat, and stuck out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.” 

The hand hovered in mid-air. The quirkless weren't used to handshakes or being treated like human beings, especially not Kimiko, who had spent her entire life in a facility. She regarded the hand and then only somewhat hesitantly, shook it. 

“Kimiko,” she said.

“I look forward to getting to know you better.”

Kimiko sounded almost surprised as she said, “Me too.” 

Chapter Text

The month before the entrance exams went faster than Izuku ever could have imagined. Every day was packed full: cramming for the written exams, training on the 3DS with Torino, practicing fighting with Aizawa, and staying up later than he should either watching movies with Yagi or talking to Kimiko on the phone. 

The busyness was probably for the best. Whenever he had a moment to stop and think he could feel anxiety’s fingers pressing on his shoulders and neck. What if he messed up? What if they were wrong in trusting that he could be a hero? No one else had ever believed in him, and what if they were right? He would let everyone down. 

These worries festered inside of him, but it wasn’t until his therapy meeting with Hound Dog that they finally slipped out. 

“Izuku, is something wrong?” Hound Dog asked. “You haven’t touched the treats.”

Izuku glanced at the plate of dango sitting sad and neglected on his lap. 

“M’ fine,” Izuku mumbled. 

Hound Dog tilted his head to the side, considering Izuku’s words. Although the hero looked somewhat frightening outside of therapy with his muzzle and sharp teeth, inside therapy he felt softer and almost fluffy, a sort of sweetness that the villains never saw. And now, he was looking at Izuku in a way that made him want to either bury his head or cry. 

“What if I fail?!” Izuku blurted out, unable to take the silence and Hound Dog’s questioning look.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Izuku gripped his pants. “What if I mess up? What if I don’t pass? What if everyone is right? I don’t think you have to have a quirk to be a hero, but what if I’m not hero material?! I’ll let everyone down!”

“Stop!” Hound Dog barked, but not unkindly. “Deep breaths, remembering. We stay grounded as we work through our problems.” 

Grumbling under his breath, Izuku did as he was instructed, breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth until his chest unclenched and he released his hold on his pants. 

“Now,” Hound Dog said once Izuku was more stable, “where are these thoughts coming from?”

“I just… everyone had always said I’m useless.”

“And who is everyone? I don’t think you’re useless and I know Yagi and Aizawa don’t think you’re useless.”

“I mean, not them, but everyone else. People like Usotsuki and Mount Lady and the Quirkless Commission and that one girl who wanted to pet me when I went to the park with Yagi. Those people. Most people.”

“Do you care about these people and what they think?” Hound Dog asked.

“I mean, I guess a little?”

“But are they whose opinion you truly value?”

Izuku shook his head. “No, they aren’t.”

Hound Dog banged his palm against the table and Izuku jumped. “Then don’t let the opinions of people you don’t care about get to you. Remember what you’ve done and what you’ve accomplished. In fact, that’s your homework. I want you to write a list of what you’ve done. Something to remind you of how far you’re come. Can you do that?”

“I can do that,” Izuku nodded. 

Hound Dog usually assigned therapy homework, so the list wasn’t all that unusual, but it was surprising how much it made him feel better. As he wrote down his list, the weight of each accomplishment didn’t pull him down, but lifted him up.

I helped fight the Sludge Villain

I saved someone 

I mastered the 3DS gear

I learned self defense with Eraserhead

I helped All Might

It was that list and Hound Dog’s encouraging words that helped Izuku not completely panic at the next North Stars meeting. 

“You’ll be taking the normal entrance exams without any gear,” Nezu explained calmly while sipping his tea. 

Izuku nearly fell out of his seat in shock, and many of the other North Stars shared similar expressions of surprise and concern. 

“What?!” Izuku cried. “Why?! I’ve improved with the 3DS. Gran Torino said so himself this morning that I was as good as I was going to be without real-world experiences. He said I had improved!”

Torino had actually said that Izuku wasn’t a total failure, which Izuku had learned in Gran Torino’s language that he was actually really proud of Izuku. 

“I’m sorry, Nezu,” Ryuuku said, tapping her clawed fingers against the table. “I’m not as familiar with UA’s entrance exam system. I know there’s the general admissions and the recommend. Why doesn’t Izuku take the recommend exam? He only needs a hero to vouch for him and there would be many here who would do so.”

“For the same reason, Izuku will not be using his gear.”

At everyone’s confused looks Nezu sighed and turned to Yui Tanaka who was distractedly tapping away at a sparkly cellphone. “Yui, you are our social media expert, would you care to explain?”

Yui glanced up and brushed her blue and pink bangs out of her face. “It’s about controlling the narrative,” she explained. “While Izuku’s identity and quirk status will stay concealed for the time being, at some point, it will need to be revealed. At that point, all eyes will be on his every move and every past move. They will critique what he’s done and if he’s worthy of being a hero.”

Yagi made an outraged noise, but Yui held up a hand. “The public will look for things to criticize. If he takes the recommend exam or uses gear, people will use that as an excuse for why he shouldn’t be a hero. Izuku cannot stand out in that way. He must appear like every other student who has succeeded based on his own merit.” She ended by blowing a large pink bubblegum bubble and popping it with a loud snap. 

“Will he be able to pass the entrance exams without his gear?” Vlad asked.

“He’ll be fine.” Aizawa’s bored tone comforted Izuku in a way he couldn’t explain. As if Aizawa found the notion that Izuku would fail so stupid that he couldn’t be bothered to care or pay attention. “He’s been training nonstop for months now with both me and Torino. He’s better prepared than most of the applicants who try the exams.”

Izuku’s cheeks warmed at the unexpected praise. Aizawa was always so neutral during training, yet he appeared so confident in Izuku’s abilities. 

“I firmly agree with Aizawa’s assessment,” Nezu said. “And we will not be sending Izuku in weaponless, after all, knowledge is its own type of power.”

Picking up a remote, Nezu turned on a screen behind him and pulled up a slide depicting large metal robots. 

“While UA is not run by the government, we are required to follow specific requirements, one of which happens to be in how we conduct our entrance exams.”

“They’re totally irrational,” Aizawa grumbled, crossing his arms. “Focussed solely on physical quirks and ignoring everything else.”

Panic flashed through Izuku. He didn’t have a quirk, let alone a physical one. What if his months of training wasn’t enough? But no, he forced the thought away. Failing wasn’t an option when he had so many people counting on his success. 

“Aizawa is correct, although perhaps somewhat biased. For the practical portion of the exam, students are tasked with hunting down and destroying these metal robots. Each robot is worth a set amount of points and students earn points by incapacitating them.”

Izuku glanced towards the screen with the robots. Each were double his size with durable segments for attacking or fleeing. Izuku forced himself to move past the thrill of panic and focus on analyzing them. There had to be a way of defeating them, otherwise Nezu wouldn’t have shown them to him.

There were three different types of robots, the first with four legs and small head section, the second vaguely scorpion with a long tail, and the third with thick treads and an upwards body. Each looked intimidating, with glowing red sensors and thick green armor, but there was something odd about them. 

“They’re poorly constructed,” Izuku said with narrowed eyes. 

“What do you mean, my boy?”

“Each of them has a section that structurally doesn’t make sense. Like a large computing head low to the ground that could be destroyed or thin legs that are easily sabotaged.” Izuku glanced at Nezu. “You designed them to be easier to destroy.”

Nezu’s twitching tail was the only sign of how pleased he was. “Right you are. We are required by the commission to design a more physical exam, but each student, if analytical enough, should be capable of incapacitating the robots.”

Something about what Nezu said struck Izuku. “Incapacitated. You’ve said that twice now. The robots don’t need to be destroyed, do they? Only incapacitated?”

“We are in the line of heroing, our goal isn’t to destroy but to prevent further harm.”

Izuku grinned, sharp and eager. “I can do this,” he said. 

Dear Mom, 

So much has gone on since our last visit. I’ve mastered 3DS gear! I know you were a little worried about me using it, but once I’ve gotten the hang of it, it’s so cool! I feel like a trapeze artist or something. I can fly around all the different gyms, I can handle obstacles, and it’s amazing, Mom. 

Also, Kimiko and Kojika have come home. Kojika is sending me letters as well. I’m not sure where they are, but it’s somewhere with a lot of snow. He likes playing in the snow with his family, and in his last letter he told me about how he was building a snowman. He had put a cape on it so it would be a hero. He had said in the letter that his mom suggested they name the snow-hero ‘Izuku.’ 

… on an unrelated note, Yagi had to call in maintenance for water damage to the floor from tears. Completely unrelated! 

Kimiko is staying with a friend of Yagi’s. He’s a police detective, and he’s been having her come with him to the precinct. He’s getting her used to being around people while she catches up for the General Program for UA. Apparently, she even got to assist him on a case, and she loves it. 

The Entrance Exam is in a few days, and I’m so nervous. Aizawa has been helping me study and go over everything, but Yagi’s been helping me stay rooted. Not get too anxious and scared. I’m so glad for his help. I wouldn’t be able to do this without him. 

They say I’m ready, and I hope I am. I know it’s going to work. I’m going to become a hero, Mom. And I'm going to free you. I will make you proud. 

Love,

Izuku

Katsuki woke up exactly at 6:00, slamming his hand against his alarm clock ( die!) and getting up. He ate a quick breakfast ( die lucky marshmallows, die! ), yelled a good morning to his mother, who yelled back a good morning and loudly offered to pack him lunch ( “yes, I’d like that, old hag! Thanks a bunch!” ), and was showered ( die germs!) and had his teeth brushed ( die plaque!) all within fifteen minutes. 

His old man was waiting for him as he came back downstairs, smiling proudly as he offered him his backpack and bento box. 

“You’ve got this, Katsuki!” he cheered Katsuki on as he accepted the items. “You are going to do great.” 

“Kick their butts and dance on their graves!” his old hag called. 

Katsuki only laughed as he walked out the door and made his way to his first real step in becoming the Number One Hero. His goal now was simple: crush every extra in his way, rise to the top among the extras in the Hero Courses, and surpass people like Hawks, Endeavor, and All Might. Especially All Might. 

Despite repeating the familiar mantra in his head, the last part of the goal seemed to ring hollow for him. They had been doing that for months now. Ever since the sludge villain. Ever since… since he saw Deku. 

Every hero, police officer, journalist, and shitty passerby went above and beyond to praise him for how brave he was when the sludge monster came out, sending out explosion after explosion and holding on long enough for All Might to come in to save him. It was pretty clear that none of them had no idea what it was like to suffocate. To frantically fight for air to fill their lungs, and using their quirk indiscriminately on the off chance that maybe, just maybe, they would survive. 

Katsuki wasn’t fighting to be a hero. He wasn’t trying to subdue a villain, or prove he was stronger than the living sewage. He had been fighting to save himself from being drowned before everyone. He should have been able to fight off the villain, and yet it had taken everything in his power just to stay alive. He was supposed to be Number One, and he couldn’t even take on the second-rate villain. 

And then he appeared. 

“Your quirk is so cool, Kacchan! You’re definitely going to be the next Number One Hero!” 

“Kacchan, I’m going to be a hero too! I’m going to analyze quirks, and we’re going to save people, and we’re going to become heroes together!” 

“Kacchan! Tell them they’re wrong! I’m not quirkless! I have a quirk! Kacchan, help me!” 

The last person who should have been there was grabbing at him, pulling him into light and air, doing nothing to defeat the villain and yet somehow doing more than any useless hero who had been ready to watch Katsuki suffocate in front of them. Green hair, wide eyes, freckles…

Deku hadn’t changed. Still ready to charge headfirst into danger, even though he would get himself killed. Stupid, stupid Deku had come after all this time to help him, without a second thought for himself. 

And yet Katsuki hadn’t even been able to think about what it meant that Deku was there, or that he hadn’t seen the idiot in years. All he could think of was how stupid it was that he had to be saved by someone as powerless and helpless as the nerd. 

Katsuki hadn’t been able to even call after him, or follow him like he wanted. He had nearly collapsed trying to get air back in his lungs, it had taken everything in him to stay conscious. By the time he had been able to string two thoughts together, he realized someone was screaming. Someone had been calling out for help. 

“Kacchan! Tell them they’re wrong! I’m not quirkless! I have a quirk! Kacchan, help me!” 

He had lunged forward, but he was told to sit back down, and let the medics treat him. By the time he had shaken off those stupid extras, Deku had already been taken again. Slipped through his fingers because Katsuki had been too weak and stupid and lost him again. 

So he had stopped fooling around. He stopped kidding himself and hanging around with extras who would never sit in the same room as him. He focused on his training, his practice, everything. 

He was going to be the Number One Hero. He would never be helpless again. 

And he would see Deku again and boy when he found that nerd, he was going to teach him the lesson of a lifetime! 

It was weird being at UA with so many people. Izuku had spent a lot of time at UA, but always in secluded areas or after the students had left. Now, UA applicants streamed through the front gates and milled on the lawns, some excitedly chatting, others frantically reviewing notes, while some looked ready to hurl. 

Izuku was closer to the last category. Yagi had dropped Izuku off at one of the side entrances with a tight hug and whispered, “You’ll do great; just give it your all, plus ultra.”

Izuku wished Yagi was back with him, an arm around his shoulders, his thumb rubbing reassuring circles against Izuku’s back. However, the entrance exams were a hurdle that Izuku would have to pass on his own. 

He once again adjusted the scarf wrapped around his neck, the fabric light so as not to overheat but capable of obscuring his collar. Unfortunately, per quirkless laws, Izuku was not allowed to remove the collar around his throat nor the tracker earring in his ear, but that didn’t mean he would reveal his status to the world. 

However, Nezu was already working on finding the loopholes. His tracker was reset to read he was still happily at Yagi’s apartment, and not taking his first major step to become a hero. His first step to changing the world for quirkless, to become like All Might. 

Fate had a terribly ironic sense of timing, because it was just then that Izuku tripped on his red shoelaces, just like Yagi had in that story he told him weeks ago. 

Or I can just crawl in a hole and die. That could work too. 

Thankfully, Izuku’s months of training kicked in as he ducked his head and brought his legs in so that he would roll when he hit the ground. However, instead of hitting the pavement, his body began spinning, tweightlessly drifting above ground. Instinctively, Izuku reached for his 3DS gear handles, fumbling when his hand met air. 

“Are you okay?” 

Pulling his legs towards his chest and twisting his torso, Izuku rotated mid air to face a girl dressed in a maroon jacket and a pink scarf. 

“Oh, sorry! I didn’t think you would want to fall.” Reaching out, she grabbed Izuku by the shoulders, helping settle him on the ground. 

As she clapped her hands together, Izuku felt the weightlessness disapear. “Is that your quirk? Weightlessness? And it’s deactivated by thought or touch?”

“Zero gravity, actually. Whenever I press my fingertips together the effect goes away. I’m hoping it will be enough for the practical exam. It isn’t the flashiest looking quirk”

“Who cares about your quirk–” the girl’s smile faltered, but Izuk continued— “it isn’t really about quirks, it’s about how you act. You acted pretty heroic in trying to help me”

The girl's cheeks flushed a bright shade of pink, and she beamed. “Thank you! My name is Uraraka, by the way.”

“Izuku.”

The girl’s cheeks grew even brighter. “Oh, um, your first name?”

It was Izuku’s turn to blush. He had forgotten that it was custom to refer to people by their last name. In the facility, the quirkless were called by their first names. It served to both demean them and cut off ties to their past lives. Izuku had fought in the beginning to be called by his last name, but Director Usotsuki refused to do so and punished everyone who did. 

Should Izuku go by his last name? Did he go by Midoriya even though he was currently under Yagi’s guardianship.

Yagi Izuku. 

The thought thoroughly excited and distressed him to the point that he could hardly speak and mumbled out an embarrassed, “Thank you,” to the girl and then run away. 

She called after him, but Izuku was well into the crowd of applicants, using his training to dodge through them and vault over obstacles.

People yelled at him, and one boy with pipes coming out of his legs chased after Izuku as if to scold him, but Izuku ducked into the building for the written portion and down a hall where he could find some privacy. 

With a sigh he slumped again the wall and slid to the ground, cradling his head in his hands. 

“This is my hallway. Get another one,” Aizawa grumbled. 

Turning, Izuku saw his teacher laying on the ground, tucked in a bright yellow sleeping bag. As if his mortification wasn’t bad enough. 

“Ah! Sorry! I just needed a moment. I can go.” Izuku got up to leave, but Aizawa rolled his eyes.

“You’re fine. The written doesn’t start for another 30 minutes. You can spare a couple more before you go in and need to take a seat.”

Taking that as permission to stay, Izuku sat back down, trying to get his breathing back under control while ignoring his teacher laying several feet away. At some point he felt his teacher approach him and guided him through the breathing exercises. 

“Are you alright?” 

Izuku nodded, trying to smile shakily.

“I just… I realized I don’t know if I need to use All Might’s name or my Mom’s,” he admitted. “And… and I know legally it should be All Might’s. And I would be honored if he let me use his name. But at the same time, I… I… it’s stupid, I’m sorry.”

“Not at all,” Aizawa promised him. “You feel like you are betraying your mother if you use Yagi’s name as your own, and all she sacrificed for you.”

Izuku held back tears as he agreed. It was stupid. He was about to take the exam that awould change his life, and he was worried about a name? It seemed so silly, but right now, he felt like he couldn’t breathe. Like the butterflies in his stomach were fluttering up and into his throat and cutting off oxygen.

“I don’t know what to do about the name thing,” Aizawa said slowly. “That’s going to be your call. But what I can tell you is that you are making her proud by being here.”

He walked back over to his sleeping bag, and came back with what looked like a pilot’s jacket. The leather was brown and dark, with white fur lining the inside. It looked very comfy, if old, and Izuku noticed there was a faded patch over the right breast. It was almost worn out, but he could see it read “Loud Cloud.” 

“I was going to give this to you after you nailed the exam,” he said, passing the jacket to Izuku. “But you seem to need it now. It belonged to a good friend of mine, who was a lot like you. I still carry a few of his old hero costume stuff, just as a reminder that he’s still with me, even though he’s gone. We can find something for your mom to use later in your costume, but for now… just carry this for both of them. And know even though they aren’t here right now, we make them proud.” 

Izuku grinned, now holding back tears of joy as he slipped the jacket over his arms. It might have been too large for him once, but with the muscle he had put on with training, it fit him perfectly. The fur was soft, and comforting as he rubbed against his cheek.

“Thanks, Sensei.”

“No problem, problem child. Now go kick some metal ass.” 

“Sensei?!”

“School year hasn’t started yet, I can say what I want.” 

Katsuki was starting to believe that at some point last night he must have eaten something bad or somehow overdosed on Nitroglycerin (which made no sense cause he wasn’t drinking it off his palms) because he swore he kept seeing signs of Deku. 

When entering UA, Katsuki had heard a high pitch squeak just like the nerd used to do when startled, and then while glaring at the ground while walking to the entrance exam, a flash of red shoes like Deku used to wear. 

Even now while taking his written exam, he kept seeing a bushy head of green hair bob up and down. The owner of the ugly hair was sitting far towards the front and at an angle so that Katsuki couldn’t see their face, but he knew it wasn’t the nerd. 

The shade of hair was slightly off, and this extra appeared to have semi-decent fashion taste, as they were wearing an old school bomber jacket. Deku always wore tear-your-eyes-out ugly clothes that made Katsuki wonder if the nerd had gotten his clothes from a dumpster and then dressed in the dark. 

Besides, Quirkless wouldn’t be allowed. 

Gritting his teeth and flexing his palms, Katsuki forced himself to look back at his test. He just needed to pass this pathetic exam and then destroy the extras in the praticals. 

If Deku wanted Katsuki to save his sorry ass, reminders of him would have to stop popping up and let Katsuki get on with dominating these entrance exams. 

Chapter Text

"HEEEEELLLLLO THERE, LISTENERS!" Present Mic yelled from his prominent position on the stage. Half the audience covered their ears at the deafening sound, but Izuku simply smiled. Outside of Nezu and Aizawa, Izuku had yet to interact with the other North Stars as much, but whenever he saw Present Mic, the hero was always nice to him. 

The hero spread his arms wide and smiled broadly. "Welcome to this year's UA practical exams! Are you reaaaaady?!"

Izuku whooped but immediately ducked his head in embarrassment when no one responded. 

“Thaaaank you, listener! Glad to hear that someone is ready!"

At that, the audience erupted in cheers and applause as each applicant seemed determined to outcheer the other. 

Izuku had a seat farther up by the stage, and it looked like Present Mic gave him a wink from beneath the orange shades. 

"With that settled, let's get into the rule, ya dig!"

As Present Mic went through the slideshow and exam rules, Izuku only half listened, choosing instead to jot mumbled notes on a scrap piece of paper. Thanks to Nezu's not-quite cheating but kinda cheating, Izuku knew what to expect, so he spent the explanation time doing what he had been doing for the last week, frantically trying to devise plans and ideas for how to deal with any possible scenario that came up. 

He was so engrossed in his mumbled thoughts and planning that he didn't notice the student standing up and lecturing him until one of Izuku's seatmates elbowed him. 

"Ow!" Izuku cried, rubbing his side and looking up. The seatmate, a girl with three spiraling horns gave Izuku an irritated glare and nodded toward the back. 

Izuku turned around in his seat. Several rows back, a stern-looking boy with shining glasses and dark hair glared down at Izuku. He pointed angrily at Izuku. "You with the unkempt hair. Have you been listening to a word I've said?"

Izuku gaped at the rudeness, “what?”

"You've been muttering this entire time and ignoring Present Mic. If you can't bother to listen and keep quiet, then leave. You're ruining the chances of others."

"I'm sorry?" Izuku said in a voice that wasn't quite apologetic as it was more annoyed. He was about to say something he probably shouldn't when another voice interrupted.

"DEKU!?"

Izuku turned in confusion to face a boy with spiky blonde hair who looked ready to combust. He looked familiar, but the outburst was so unexpected that Izuku couldn't think how he possibly knew the boy.

"DEKU, YOU IDIOT!" The boy seethed, his hands popping aggressively and his face turning into a snarl. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

"I'm sorry?"

The boy screeched unintelligibly and, with a crack and flash of light, launched himself from a row at the top of the auditorium and down towards Izuku. Izuku's seatmates screamed and dodged to the side, leaving Izuku alone as the boy fell towards Izuku like a meteor. 

Izuku stood still for only a moment, and then the months of brutal training with Aizawa and surprise attacks with Gran Torino hit him. 

Before the boy crashed into Izuku, Izuku dodged to the side, relishing the boy's shock and confusion, and then grabbed his attacker by his bicep and flipped him onto the ground with a loud crack. The boy released a gasp of pain on impact, his lungs releasing all air from the force.

There was a blissful moment of shocked silence, and the screams erupted. The same stern-faced boy from earlier was yelling, and all around Izuku, students fled him. Present Mic tried to calm everyone down, and Izuku knew he should be listening, but his attention was on the boy. 

His red eyes were far too similar to Izuku's dad and former lackey, but the angry curl of his lip and set of his brow was oddly familiar. As the boy lay gasping on the ground, Izuku realized he might have reacted too strongly and, in a flash of embarrassment and worry, reached out a hand to help lift the boy up.

The boy stared at Izuku's proffered hand in shock, and Izuku felt a wave of deja vu slam into him, so strong that it felt like he was breathless. 

"Deku."

Even that name was familiar. A relic of a time long ago. 

The boy batted Izuku's hand away and stumbled to his feet, wiping at his mouth. "You have a lot to explain. How the hell are you here?"

"I have a lot to explain?! You were the one who attacked me!" Izuku wanted to say it angrily, but it came out more confused. He felt like he had just spent hours mid-flight using the 3DS and now the ground was unsteady underneath him. He knew this boy? Didn't he?

"EEEVVVVERRRYYYYOOOONNNEEE SEEETTTTTTLLLLEEEE DDDDOOOWWWNNN!"

The scream echoed through the auditorium, causing everyone to cover their ears to avoid losing hearing. Present Mic was taking back charge, but before Izuku could say or do anything, the familiar texture of Aizawa's capture weapon tightened around both Izuku and the boy, yanking them out of the aisle and towards the exit. 

The boy screeched and flexed his hands, creating crackling sparks, but a single, angry red glare silenced them. Aizawa dragged them out towards the exit right as Present Mic got things under control. 

The auditorium door slammed behind them, and Aizawa released his hold, letting the weapon settle back around his neck. 

Except he didn't release his hold on the blonde boy, instead fixing his angriest glare on him. Venom seemed to drip from his lips as he said, "What. Was. That."

"What is this stupid stuff!?" The boy snarled, trying to rip at it and only getting more tangled. "Let me out. This isn't any of your business!"

"You attacked a student in front of thousands of other people. Pretty sure that makes it my business."

"You don't know what you're talking about! He's not supposed to be here!"

Aizawa looked angrier than Izuku had ever seen. His glare could have melted bones, and he looked seconds from putting the boy in handcuffs. 

"Do you know him?" he asked Izuku. 

Izuku wanted to say no, but the word couldn't move past his lips. He didn't know this boy, right?

"Of course, Deku knows me. The little shit always followed me around as kids. He was a stupid nerd!"

Deku!

You stupid nerd!

I'm going to be the next number-one hero!

In Izuku's memory, a determined red-eyed boy led the way proudly through the woods, chanting a song. 

One! Two! Three! Four! Members of Agency Bakugou!

"The old hag has been visiting Auntie Inko in prison for years, but she couldn't tell us where her stupid son had wandered off to" His hands clenched. "We looked everywhere, but he wasn't in the facilities."

Memory slammed into Izuku, and he staggered back, having to reach out to the wall for support. 

Aizawa's brow creased in concern, "Izuku, are you–" but Izuku interrupted. 

"Kacchan?"

A vicious grin spread across the boy—no,  Kacchan's  face. "Bout time, Deku."

Aizawa felt his hand twitch when he realized the angry kid knew Midoriya. Instinct from the Underground Heroes and the North Stars told him to act like he did whenever someone caught him smuggling a quirkless kid or person to safety: attack, mummify them with his capture weapon, and make sure that they didn't remember their whole week, much less what he just saw. 

But then he had to remind himself that this was a kid and a potential student. If he did any of that, there would be consequences. 

But if he knew Midoriya from before, he  had  to know that he was quirkless, and if he revealed that, then Izuku would be in danger of being dragged back to the facilities. No way was Aizawa about to let that happen to his student. 

Maybe he could scare the kid into backing down? Yeah, Aizawa could do scary. He had perfected his scariness over years of being a teacher. Had the voice and expression down and everything. He pinned the boy down with a glare, his eyes flashing red and his scarf unraveling, ready to bind him–

"Kacchan!" 

Problem Child ran past Aizawa faster than the speed of light and threw his arms around the explosive kid. Aizawa had no idea who looked more shocked: him or this 'Kacchan.' The blond wore a purely stunned expression, and then he tensed and tried to twist out of Izuku's grip. 

"Damn, nerd! Who gave you permission to hug me?" 

Izuku quickly let go, turning bright red, and Aizawa could have sworn he saw 'Kacchan's' lips twitch before he hid them behind an angry mask. The boy glanced at Aizawa and then focused back on Izuku. He got in Midoriya's face, backing him against the wall, and yet Aizawa couldn't help but notice he was putting himself directly between Izuku and Aizawa. As if he could act as a shield. 

"S-Sorry, Kacchan!" Izuku replied. "I'm just… it's been so long." 

"You're damn right it was too long, you stupid nerd!" the boy shouted, mini explosions going off from his fingertips. "Do you know how long me and the old hag searched for you?! How scared we-  she  was?! And then you show up out of nowhere to fight some second-rate villain?" 

Midoriya's eyes went wide with realization, and Aizawa recalled the event that led Yagi to find Izuku and got him started on his path. How he had seen Izuku save a young boy from a slime villain and wound up getting himself caught just to rescue someone in need. The North Stars had all been moved by the story, and Nezu began the paperwork to admit Izuku into UA on principle after that, but now he was seeing something else click in Izuku's mind. 

"That was you? Kacchan, I didn't– I just saw you needed help, so my feet moved on my own, and–" 

"Well, I didn't need your help!" the boy shouted (Aizawa was starting to wonder if the boy ever said anything at a lower volume). "So don't you dare look down on me, Deku! I didn't need your help then, and I'm not letting you stand in my way now. I don't know what you've been doing the past eight years to stay out of my sight, but I suggest you get back to it before someone else tries to drag you off!" 

He shoved Midoriya to the door and glared at Aizawa as if daring him to contradict him. Was he… did he think they didn't know Midoriya was quirkless? Was he trying to get him out before he got caught?

Midoriya stumbled a few steps, his shoulders sagging. Aizawa had never seen the boy look so nervous, not even when they met the North Stars or even prepared for the exam. Izuku always had a fire in him, a determination to prove he was going to be a hero and save the Quirkless. But this was different. It was the kind of nerves only a good friend could bring out. 

"B-But the exam," he protested. "I have to take the exam. I'm going to become a hero, Kacchan." 

If Aizawa thought the boy was angry before, he had a conniption now. Shota had never seen anyone so angry; he half expected fireballs to shoot out of the boy's eyes, along with horns on his head and a tail. 

"What do you mean you are taking the exam?" the boy exploded, lunging for Midoriya. "Don't give me that crap! A useless Deku like you is just going to get yourself hurt or caught! So get-" 

Aizawa moved with his scarf, but his student beat him to it. He easily caught Kacchan's arm, and instead of sending him flying to the floor, he wound up using the boy's momentum to redirect him into the wall and pin him down with his wrist twisted behind him. Just pulling it a little, he could dislocate his friend's arm. 

Aizawa might have been worried if he didn't see the familiar look of absolutely feral determination on Midoriya's face. It was the same expression he had repeatedly seen when Izuku heard about some new Quirkless being adopted or taken from their parents. It was a red hot iron, and Aizawa knew better than to be in his way when that look appeared. 

"I am  not  useless," Izuku whispered. "I don't care what everyone says, but I am not useless or weak because I don't have a quirk like you. I will be a hero, Kacchan, and I will show the world that I won't be locked up. So either help me or get out of my way." 

The blond growled and twisted out of Izuku's grip. His fingers sparked as if he wanted to make another explosion, but his eyes gleamed with newfound respect and the concern he had before. He glanced at Aizawa worriedly as if expecting him to react at Izuku's statement that he was quirkless. But when he saw the teacher standing patiently, he stood down and shrugged. 

"Fine. But you are explaining  everything  after the exam!" he shouted. "And so help me, nerd, if you fall behind on the practical, I'm leaving you in the dust, got it?" 

"Yeah, Kacchan," Izuku said with a winning smile. "Don't worry. I won't let you down." 

Toshinori felt like he was going to throw up from nerves which was stupid because 1) he didn't really have a functioning stomach to throw things up, and 2) he wasn't even the one taking the exam.

He fought the urge to ask Nezu for the fourth time when the exam started. Midnight had already made a comment about nervous mother hens, and Toshinori really didn't want to get thrown out of the observation room. 

"I'm sure he's fine," Kimiko said as if to herself but clearly directing it to Toshinori.

Kimiko had taken the UA general exams earlier that day but had chosen to stay and watch the practical with Toshinori. Considering the amount of education she had received and the vigor of the UA exams, she hadn't passed. Nezu was overlooking this and admitting her to a special personalized course load. The principal was allowed to do this with one or two students every year, and this time around, Kimiko was the lucky recipient. 

It would be a lot of work, and Toshinori doubted that he could have done it, but Kimiko had a certain drive. Within the brief time she had been liberated from the facility, she had blossomed. 

Thanks to a quirked stylist, her hair had been regrown into a sharp purple bob, and the flouncy dress had been replaced by tight jeans and a purple trench coat somewhat similar to a particular detective friend. She looked like a teenager instead of a small child. 

There was more to it, though; it wasn't just the clothes or hair; it was how she stood tall with her shoulders rolled back and chin up. 

"What?" she asked, and to Toshinori's embarrassment, he realized he had been caught staring. 

He floundered for something to say and then pointed to the flower tucked in her hair. "I was just admiring your pretty flower. What type is it?" 

"It's a gardenia. They represent peace and protection. It reminded me of Izuku, and I wanted to wear it to support him today."

Warmth bloomed in Yagi's chest, and he admired the flower again with its creamy white petals spreading outward. 

"It is rather like him, isn't it? I rather wish I had one as well."

"I can bring you one next time?"

"I'd like that, thank you."

The conversation turned to lighter topics, such as the weather and their plans for after the exams, each using the other as a distraction from worrying about Izuku. 

The nervous knot in Toshinori's chest was finally loosening when the door to the observation room slammed open, and Aizawa stormed. 

"We have a possible pulsar."

Every head in the room jerked towards Aizawa, and Nezu's fur began to rise. "A pulsar?" Nezu asked, sounding unordinarily worried. 

"A what?" Toshinori asked. 

"A possible breach in information. Someone figuring out something they shouldn't." Cementoss explained.

"Some kid recognized Izuku. Attacked him in front of the entire auditorium. I pulled them both out, but the kid wouldn't shut up. He recognized Izuku, and Izuku recognized him. I think we're fine for right now; no need to stop the practicum. But the kid is demanding information, wants to know where Izuku had been."

"Where was this exactly?" Nezu asked, paws already tapping away. 

"Floor 1A, hallway X4, and cameras 7 through 9."

The recorded confrontation wasn't long, maybe 5 minutes at most, but everyone watched with increasing worry and confusion. 

Toshinori watched as Aizawa dragged the two boys into the hallway, subtly releasing Izuku from the capture weapon while tightening his hold on the other. Thank the stars that Aizawa did because the boy seemed almost rabid as he lunged toward Izuku, snarling about being ignored and stupid nerds. 

Izuku had looked so confused, and then as the boy spoke on, understanding had begun to rise on Izuku's face like the creeping light of dawn. 

"Kacchan?"

The confused delight in Izuku's voice was unmistakable, but Toshinori still hadn't expected Izuku to lunge for the boy and wrap him in a hug. Judging by yelling, the boy hadn't either. 

The following conversation wasn't necessarily bad. The boy appeared too aggressive but lacking in conviction to hurt, like one of those villains that would wave around a gun while screaming but ultimately didn't attack. 

That didn't mean that Toshionri didn't bristle when "Kacchan" tried to drag Izuku away and then have the nerve to tell Izuku he couldn't be a hero. Toshinori's fingers curled, and he wanted nothing more than to cuff the boy upside the head and put the fear of All Might into him. 

However, Toshionri didn't have to. Izuku did an excellent job pinning the boy against the wall and firmly declaring that he  would  be a hero. Despite the dire situation, Toshionri couldn't prevent the smile on his face. 

When Toshionri was first named the number one hero, he didn't think he could be any more satisfied or proud; however, that moment paled in comparison to Izuku declaring that he would be a hero. He wondered for a moment if he could get the video. There had to be some way he could get a copy. 

Thirteen's voice interrupted Toshionri's thoughts. "This is a quandary. This boy will not be easily pushed away or dissuaded."

"He's a hot head," drawled Snipe, "no question 'bout that." 

"He looked ready to take Izuku's head off."

"But the kid held his own pretty well."

Nezu had rewound the feed to the beginning and paused it, and now, Toshinori stared at the screen and the paused image of the blonde-haired boy thrashing in Aizawa's capture weapon while lunging toward Izuku. His face was feral, and his eyes were slits of anger. Much like his quirk, Kacchan appeared ready to combust.

"I've found his records," Nezu announced, pulling up said records on another screen for the room to see. A tidy list of personal information, grades, and teacher recommendations, complete with another picture of the scowling boy and, most importantly, a name. 

Bakugou Katsuki. 

"Is there any way we get him to forget about Izuku or make him think it was a mistake?"

"I doubt it. Izuku literally admitted to knowing Bakugou. Not sure how we're going to handle this."

"Blackmail? Threats? He doesn't get a spot at UA unless he shuts up?"

"And what if that backfires?"

Kimiko, who had been standing silently beside Toshinori while watching the video, cleared her throat. "I don't think that's going to be a problem. Did you not see it in the video? He was worried about Izuku. He kept putting himself between Izuku like a shield. And he mentioned getting caught. He obviously knew about the quirkless commission and didn't want Izuku to be taken away again. Wouldn't that make him more of an ally?"

"That's an interesting point, lil' lady," remarked Snipe.

"I noticed the same," Aizawa said. He had been quiet during the video, keeping his eyes narrowed and arms crossed. "I wanted to see if anyone else noticed."

"I've been looking over his records," said Nezu, "and what was said in the video appears correct. Midoriya Izuku and Bakugou Katsuki were childhood friends before Izuku was taken. Although we don't know Bakugou's current goals, it does appear that he could be an ally if leveraged correctly. I propose we allow the exams to continue but intercept Bakugou and Izuku afterward for a talk. We'll learn then what the boy's intentions are and how to proceed." 

"DEEEEEKKKKKU!" Bakugou screeched from behind as Izuku sprinted through the fake entrance exam city. Although Izuku was pleased to reunite with his childhood friend, the constant screaming was annoying. 

"Can you shut up?! I'm trying to destroy robots here!" Izuku yelled back right as he dodged to the side, barely avoiding a swinging attack from a 1-point robot. 

"You call this destroying robots?!"

Izuku gritted his teeth and prepared to launch himself at the robot's head, the clear weak spot, but Bakugou was already propelling himself through the air, his palms sparking. 

BOOM! The explosion detonated against the robot's chest, allowing the machine to make one last pitiful whine before collapsing against the ground. 

"HAH! One point! Take that!"

But Izuku wasn't listening. Sure, Bakugou had clearly taken his point, but the real prize was still there, flopped against the ground. With greedy eyes, Izuku examined the robot's metal arms. The robots had been made flimsy on purpose, but not all of it, as the machines needed to function. 

Bakugou's attack had already damaged the attachments, so bracing himself against the ground, Izuku pulled at the arms.

"What are you doing, you dumb nerd!?"

"Arming myself," and with a final pull, the robot arms came off, leaving Izuku with two metal rods. They weren't perfect, but they were a similar size to the batons in his 3DS gear. Giving a testing swipe through the air, Izuku's face spread in a smile. 

"Kacchan."

"What?"

"Do you want to go destroy some robots?" 

Chapter Text

Kimiko fidgeted in the car seat, picking up her phone to check for text messages from Izuku or Kojika and then putting it back down again. She hadn't spent much time in a car before, although, in fairness, she hadn't spent much time outside the facilities either. She was grateful for her freedom, but sometimes all the newness made her stomach churn. 

"We're almost there," Tsukauchi said, smiling at Kimiko from the driver's seat. He had taken the day off of work but hadn't explained why, only to ask her to accompany him somewhere. He had exchanged his typical beige overcoat for a short sleeve green button-up. It was one of the most casual outfits she'd seen him wear, leaving her nervous. 

Kimiko fiddled with her phone again, fighting the urge to text Izuku and ask what he thought. He'd probably tell her she was being paranoid and remind her that Tsukauchi had treated her well so far. 

She'd only been living with Tsukauchi for two months, and while the change had been good overall, it was drastic. She wasn't like Izuku; he'd spent a part of his life disguised as a quirked member of society. All she'd ever known was the facility. 

Her fingers brushed against her collar, hidden underneath a pastel pink scarf. Sometimes, even though she was free, she still felt like she was back there, under Director Usotuki's power. 

"Little Kimiko, darling girl, you're too helpless for the real world."

Kimiko wasn't like Izuku, who was brave, determined, and capable. He was the hero. She was a quirkless girl who was only free because of other people's help. 

"We're here!" Tsukauchi announced, breaking Kimiko out of her swirling thoughts.

She nervously stepped outside, blinking in the sunlight. It was a gorgeous day out, with no clouds in the sky. But what caught her eye were the flowers. Hundreds of red, orange, and yellow tulips were arranged around a fountain swaying gently in the wind. 

"Where are we?" she gaped. 

Tsukauchi smiled nervously as he pointed to the domed buildings past the tulips. 

"This is the Kamino Botanical Gardens," he explained. "I... I thought you might like them. With how much you like flowers." 

Kimiko's eyes grew wide. She knew what gardens were, the facility had a vegetable garden inside it, but she had never seen a flower garden before. Usotsuki had once talked about installing one but decided it would be too much stimulation to construct for the Quirkless.

The sting of that disappointment had stayed with her for years. To now get to explore one sounded thrilling. 

"How do they work?"

"Well, you pay to enter, which I already did," he said, holding up two small tickets. "And then, you get to explore."

"Do you have to start at a specific place, or are there rules you must follow?" Looking at all the beautiful flowers and the buildings beyond with more, Kimiko was sure there was some caveat to be allowed to enjoy them. 

But Tsukauchi shook his head. "Nothing unusual. Most rules boil down to 'don't hurt the flowers.' Besides that, we can explore wherever we like. There are eight main exhibits, including a butterfly pavilion that I thought sounded intriguing."

Kimiko gasped. A butterfly pavilion sounded wonderful. She wanted to rush, but... 

"There are so many people," she muttered. 'They won't—they won't take me back, right?" 

It still haunted her. She had so many day-nightmares of the Quirkless facility swarming Tsukuachi's home and dragging her back. Bringing her back to soft dresses and quiet voices and turning her into a doll. She shuddered as she remembered her nightmare the other day of Usotsuki turning her into china and putting her on a shelf where she 'wouldn't be hurt.' 

Tsukuachi caught her look and bent down to look her in the eye. 

"No," he said firmly. "They will have to get through me first."

Her eyes watered, and an uncomfortable lump grew in her throat. "Promise?" she asked, hating how her voice wobbled. 

Tsukauchi reached out his pinky finger, letting Kimiko hook hers around his. "I pinky promise."

"Okay." Kimiko sniffled and tried to wipe her eyes discreetly. 

Tsukauchi didn't say anything, which was one of the things she appreciated about him; he knew when to push and when to let it go. 

"Alright then, where do you want to go first, Miss Kimiko? Lead the way."

Hesitantly, then with more confidence, Kimiko moved forward. Grabbing a map off a stand offering them, Kimiko looked through the exhibits, her heart pounding excitedly. 

Tropical climate? Desert? Rose garden and hedge maze? Sensory garden? 

She picked the closest one, Tropical Climate, and they went from there. Stepping into the building, she gasped at how hot and humid it was. A large jungle of plants that she had never seen before greeted her. Ferns growing in the humid environment, trees, bushes with leaves as larger as her head... 

She began racing from plant to plant, finding her favorites and looking closely at the labels to learn more. Tsukauchi kept up without any trouble, and she could tell he had done some research prior to arranging this trip. He would tell her interesting facts about the different plants, even though she knew it probably bored him to tears to read and learn all of that.

"Oh, those are bluebells. People used to believe their bell shape could actually ring and would ring about every morning to call the fae back to the woods." He would say when Kimiko stopped to take a picture. 

"What about these?" Kimiko asked, pointing at a red flower with a long stem.

"Ah, that is a hibiscus. They're often valued for how big and showy they are, but they've also been used for medicine and drinks like tea."

"Tea?! Really?" Kimiko asked, looking at the flower again. With its beautiful colors and sweet scent, it had to create one of the most delicious drinks ever. 

Tsukauchi laughed. "Yes. I'm sure we can buy some at the store later. I'm not usually a tea drinker, but I'm willing to try it."

Kimiko grinned and nodded. They continued traveling through to the other exhibits; Desert, Piney Woods, the hedge maze, the statues, and the rose garden... as they reached the butterfly Pavilion, Tsukauichi brought her to a small bush planted next to the artificial river running through the Gardens. 

"Hold on," he said. "I think you'll like this. These are Japanese Primroses." 

Kimiko leaned forward and saw a beautiful bush with bright purple flowers stretching up toward the sky. She smiled in admiration, then frowned when she noticed something unusual. Underneath the flowers was the typical sign announcing the flower type, 'Japanese Primroses,' but the sign had an additional engraving. 

"For Kimiko, wishing her a happy birthday..."

Heat rose to Kimiko's cheeks as she stared at the sign, reading it over and over but not truly comprehending it. "My birthday?"

Tsukauchi rubbed his neck sheepishly. "It was in the files we got when you were adopted. You hadn't said anything about it coming up, so I didn't know if I should make a big deal about it, but a birthday is a birthday. And everyone deserves a day to celebrate them."

"I...I didn't know. In the facility, we didn't celebrate. Not really. There was an announcement and maybe an extra treat if you were good, but that was all."

She looked at the sign again, tucked under the beautiful purple flowers, and felt an unusual heat rise in her chest.

"Japanese Primroses," she read. They were beautiful, purple-pink blossoms that winked at her from the soil. "They're really pretty." 

"Izuku helped me find them," Tsukauchi admitted. "We wanted to find a flower that would suit you." 

"Because of my hair?" she asked, half joking. 

"A bit," Tsukauchi chuckled. "But mainly a couple of other things. These flowers grow where there's a lot of water in the soil. Normally flowers overwhelmed by water drown, but not these. These stand tall. They can grow in the wild. They don't need to be specially raised or kept in the right conditions. Um, they also are resistant to deer coming in and eating them, and they attract butterflies. We thought that it would be perfect for you." 

Kimiko stared at him, a warm feeling growing in her chest. 

"You think I'm like them?" she asked. 

The detective nodded. 

"You stood tall when overwhelmed with people doubting you," he explained. "You can grow in the wild and stand strong, not in the facilities they intended. You resisted those who would break and devour you and attracted the good in others. I thought... I thought it would be good."

The warmth in Kimiko's face spread up to her face, leaving her cheeks burning. "I-" she fumbled for something to express just how much this meant. "Thank you."

"Of course. Happy birthday, Kimiko."

"So you liked them?" A familiar voice asked as a bushy head of green poked out from behind a similar-looking shrub.

"You!" Kimiko cried as Izuku, followed by Yagi, walked over to them. She hadn't noticed them behind the bush, but now she was embarrassed that she hadn't. Yagi was carrying a beautifully decorated cake, and Izuku had a bouquet of primrose flowers. 

Izuku's face was spread in a massive grin. "Tsukauchi was worried you wouldn't like it, but I told him you would."

"You helped him pick them out!" she asked, giving him a big hug. "Thank you!" 

She ran back over to Tsukauchi and gave him a hug as well. 

"Thank you. I didn't even realize it was my birthday!" 

"You're a special girl, Kimiko," Tsukauchi told her. "You deserve to feel special on your birthday."

Happy tears spilled out, making Kimiko laugh as she wiped at them. She still didn't feel totally comfortable outside the facilities, and she knew her safety was precarious, but if this was what life had to offer...

Then she wanted it all.

Chapter Text

“Deku? Ten already, nerd!” 

“I’m on thirteen!” 

Kacchan cursed and let off a series of explosions, all to take down a one-pointer. Izuku couldn’t help but grin as he went for the long neck of the two-pointer. His newly discovered childhood friend had stuck to him like glue the entire time, and Izuku wasn’t complaining. Just having a familiar face nearby as he did the practical exam made him feel a little less lonely. Especially because if it had been anyone else, he would be worried that they were leaving the robots as easy targets for him to take down. 

Not Kacchan. If anything, he was trying to steal Izuku’s points. 

“Watch yourself, idiot!” Kacchan yelled as a two-pointer came too close to Izuku’s head. 

Izuku grinned and easily ducked under its swiping arms and cleanly disabled it with two swift strokes of his makeshift batons. His training with Gran Torino had been way harder than this. 

“When did you learn to move like that?” Kacchan demanded as Izuku stepped aside and jogged onto the next robot. 

“Long story,” Izuku replied. “But I’ve had a lot of time to—hey, look out!” 

He skidded to a stop and yanked back a thin blond boy who had doubled over, looking ready to heave, who was in the direct path of getting run over by another boy with– were those jets on his legs? No, not important. 

“Merci, mon ami,” the boy mumbled. 

“Don’t mention it,” Izuku replied. “What’s your quirk?” 

The boy looked at him, confusion was written across his face as a one-pointer came in their path, and a purple laser shot out of his abdomen, sending the heavy hunk of metal collapsing in the street, smoke rising from the ensuing explosion. 

“Oh, cool!” Izuku exclaimed. “Where does it come from exactly? Is there a particular energy source you use, or does it just appear? Does nausea have anything to do with it?” 

“Deku!” Kacchan shouted, snapping him from his thoughts. 

“Oh, right! Okay, for your quirk, you’re going to work better as a sniper. Find a higher place to target these robots and place yourself so you don’t get in their path, and you can pace yourself with nausea.” 

The boy looked at him with a dazed expression as if Izuku had given him some baffling bit of advice. It was a little uncomfortable, actually, and Izuku discreetly checked that his scarf was still wrapped over his collar. 

“Scram! Get out of here, you extra. He saved your skin, so go do what he said and stay out of our way!” Kacchan yelled. 

The noise startled the boy, and he shook his head as if clearing his mind. “Oui, merci.” Then he turned and ran away towards the nearest building. 

Kacchan grabbed Izuku by the back of his collar. “Come on, idiot, we’re running out of time, and I’m not failing this exam because I had your weak ass holding me back!” 

“Are you sure it’s not the other way around?”

At Kacchan’s scream of rage, Izuku laughed and ran towards the nearest robot, with Kacchan swearing behind him the entire time. 

With Kacchan by his side, Izuku’s nerves faded away. He had someone there to watch his back, who cared about him. When they were younger, they had dreamed about being a hero duo, and as they participated in UA’s entrance together, it felt like that dream was coming true. 

“Coming through! Excuse me! Might wanna duck!” 

Izuku pulled Kacchan to the side as several metal robots came crashing down around them, and the girl of his dreams, the girl who kept him from tripping earlier, rushed by, biting her lip anxiously when a few bots started to get up and move again. 

“If they are still getting up, send them crashing down again,” Izuku advised. “You can disable them, and they should be fine.” 

Kacchan was shouting at him to stop giving their points away to others, but Izuku felt like he owed the girl. She had stopped him from falling on his face and making him look like an idiot, and she had such pretty eyes. She considered him and Kacchan for a moment before glancing at the robots that were starting to get up, not quite taken down or disabled yet. 

“Do we still get points if we destroy the robots that are already subdued?” she asked. 

Izuku opened his mouth to say the rules Nezu gave him, but one look from Kacchan reminded him he shouldn’t spill his secrets just yet. He didn’t want them to know he had an advantage in the playing field. But then he caught the look in her eyes, and he realized she had the same idea as him. 

“Kacchan, we’re teaming up!” he announced. 

“What?!” 

“You and I will take out the robots we come across and disable them,” Izuku explained. “She’ll follow behind us, and crash them, to ensure they won’t get up. Any that we miss, the points are your’s.” 

The girl nodded and offered each boy her hand. 

“I’m Uraraka.” 

“Bakugou. And this idiot is Deku.” 

“What? I mean, sure. Let’s go.” 

The three of them ran out, taking out Ones, Twos, and Threes in duos. Kacchan kept trying to interfere and steal points from Izuku and Uraraka, but the three of them were able to stay pretty neck and neck as they fought. 

And no, Izuku was not red from Uraraka complimenting his fighting style, thank you very much. He was just exhausted. 

“Five Minutes to go! Can I hear a cheer for five minutes?” 

Kacchan cursed at the warning– or maybe at the sniper shot that took out one of his targets. Looks like the blond kid took Izuku’s advice– when the ground started to shake. The whole arena began to rumble. Izuku’s first thought was an earthquake, but he remembered UA had been built specifically to have countermeasures against such natural disasters. Then what… 

The answer came as the ground exploded, and a huge robot the size of one of the buildings emerged in a familiar shape that no one had seen in the arena yet. 

Izuku stared, his heart pounding as the Zero Pointer began to move, advancing on the participants of the exam. His jaw nearly fell to the ground as every instinct told him to run, duck and cover, call help- something! 

How were they supposed to bring that thing down? It was massive! Maybe All Might could, but as they were right now… 

Just a simple barrier bot? Just a simple barrier bot to clear? 

If Izuku survived this, he was going to kill Nezu. 

Toshinori’s jaw dropped as he watched Nezu gleefully press a glowing red button and release a monstrosity of steel and machinery. 

Beside him, Kimiko’s mouth dropped open, “How is this part of the entrance exam?!” She turned angrily towards the other teachers. “How are they supposed to deal with that?!”

“They’re not,” Snipe said. “Most won’t be able to do more than dent its big toe.”

“Really, it’s about how they respond to it,” Thirteen chimed in. “What will they do when faced with a foe they can’t defeat or a dangerous situation where someone is in trouble.”

Toshionri’s head swiveled back to the screen. Terrifyingly, it made sense. Heroes weren’t always in control, and in those terrifying situations, you needed to know if those heroes could rise to the challenge and go plus ultra. 

Still, he looked doubtfully at the robot. This seemed extreme, even for UA. 

“Nezu,” Aizawa said, sharp and warning. The underground hero pointed to a corner screen where a student lay trapped under the rubble and in the direct path of the zero-pointer. 

“Who is it? Can they escape?”

Nezu’s paws flew over the keyboard. “Hmm, let me see. Ah, Aoyama Yuga. Applicant number 1453. His quirk is naval laser, and he’s able to produce a brief laser beam from his navel, but it appears he has trouble with it at times and requires support equipment.”

Toshinori’s eyes flicked back to the screen where the trapped Aoyama lay trapped on his stomach, support gear crushed and thoroughly unable to fire. 

“How did he end up trapped?”

“It appears that he was sniping robots from the rooftops but got spooked by the zero pointer and got trapped by the rubble while attempting to escape.”

“Shut it down!” Kimiko demanded. “You can do that, can’t you?”

Several other teachers murmured their agreement, but Nezu held up a paw. “Let us wait just a minute more. I’m curious….” 

As if signaled, Toshionri watched as his boy, Izuku, paused and turned back to look at the zero-pointer and Aoyama trapped beneath the rubble. The moment Izuku saw the trapped applicant, he moved, sprinting toward the oncoming zero-pointer.

“Problem child,” Aizawa grumbled, and for once, Toshionri found himself agreeing. 

Izuku sprinted forward, doing his best to ignore the massive robot lumbering closer and the voice in his head screaming at him. 

“DEEKKKKU!” 

“Sorry, Kacchan!” Izuku yelled while not bothering to look back. 

Izuku skidded to a stop next to the boy, who was moaning and looking disturbingly queasy. 

“Are you okay?” Izuku demanded. “Can you move? What’s trapped? Is anything broken?”

“Je vais bein. I’m not injured, but my support equipment is broken, and I can’t move.”

“Right.” Izuku began working at the rubble, throwing the smaller pieces off and using his makeshift batons as a lever for the larger ones. 

“It’s no use.”

“That’s not true! You’ll be okay, I promise!” 

“Deku!”

“DEEKKU!”

Uraraka and Kacchan appeared by Izuku’s side, the latter practically foaming at the mouth in rage. 

However, Izuku burst in before Kacchan could scream at him. “Help me get him out! Some of the rocks are too big for me!”

The ground rattled as the zero-pointer moved closer, but the three of them made a good team. Uraraka used her quirk to lift the larger boulders off, and Kacchan blasted them away while Izuku tried to slide the boy out. However, they weren’t moving fast enough, and at their current rate, they were going to be crushed. 

Kacchan seemed to be thinking the same since he was gritting his teeth and flexing his hands in preparation to unleash a massive explosion. 

Izuku glanced between Kacchan, Uraraka, and Izuku’s makeshift batons. Leaning forward, Izuku grabbed Kacchan’s arm. 

“Do you trust me, Kacchan?” 

“Not in the slightest.”

Izuku nodded grimly. “That will have to do.”

The observation room exploded into cheers and laughter. 

“That was incredible!” Thirteen laughed. 

“Well done, Aizawa, All Might!” Midnight added. “I think your student made Nezu forget his words.” 

They all turned to the principal, who was staring at the screen; his jaw dropped slightly as he looked at the smoking wreckage that had been the zero-pointer. Not even a tail twitch. Izuku and his friends had truly surprised the Education Hero. 

“That was… unexpected.” 

“It was brilliant!” Snipe cheered. “Okay, I want those three in my class.” 

“No way, I’m taking them!” Vlad King protested. 

“Are we forgetting that I’ve been teaching the problem child for the past several months and already have a rapport with him?” 

Their playful arguments were quickly squashed by the sound of a teenage girl and a fully grown man screaming their heads off and hugging. 

“HE DID IT!” Kimiko cheered. “DID YOU SEE THAT?! HE DID IT!” 

“That’s my boy!” Toshinori shouted. “That’s my kid! He took down that bot like a true hero! Couldn’t make a dent in it, my a- ah, foot!” 

The other teachers watched in amusement as the students caught their breath as the end of the exam was announced, and Uraraka helped the Aoyama boy to his feet. Izuku, on the other hand, was darting around through the students as Kacchan did everything in his power to send his old friend to kingdom come. 

“Shall we vote on the rescue points?” Nezu chuckled. “Recovery Girl, you better go treat any injuries while we tally up the scores. And All Might and Miss Kimiko, perhaps you should-” 

“IZ-U-KU! IZ-U-KU! IZ-U-KU!” 

“Well, we’ll let them go down and celebrate when they're ready.” 

“DEKU! GET BACK HERE! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU, CLONE YOU, AND KILL ALL YOUR CLONES! GET BACK HERE SO I CAN KILL YOU, NERD!” 

Izuku was currently too busy running around the remains of the other robots to file out with the other students, climbing over them and trying to dodge around other barriers as Kacchan continued to pursue him like a devil coming to collect their due. He had to hand it to Eraserhead; he really had helped Izuku’s endurance. He wouldn’t be able to go this far before without all the extra training he was put through. Now, if only Kacchan could show that he was at all winded by this as he chased after them. 

To be fair, he should have expected this, given the… suddenness of the plan to take down the Zero Pointer. 

Izuku glanced between Kacchan, Uraraka, and Izuku’s makeshift batons. Leaning forward, Izuku grabbed Kacchan’s arm. 

“Do you trust me, Kacchan?” 

“Not in the slightest.”

Izuku nodded grimly. “That will have to do.”

“Wha-” 

Izuku turned to Uraraka, who was looking pale as she realized they would not be able to move Aoyama in time. 

“Use your quirk on Kacchan!” he ordered. 

She turned to him, stunned, but obeyed without hesitation- she trusted him that much! Instantly, Kacchan began to float a few feet in the air as he yelped with surprise and looked back at Izuku. 

“Deku… what are you doing?” 

Izuku wound back one of his batons, figuring out the right angle and amount of power he’d need to send Kacchan to the weak spot on the Zero Pointer: the neck. 

“Sorry, Kacchan! Use your explosions on its neck.” 

He swung the baton like a bat and sent Kacchan flying to the robot at breakneck speed. 

“DEEEEEEEEKUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!”

“It was the only thing I could think of, Kacchan!” he shouted, hoping his childhood friend would forgive him. 

“The only thing- the only thing?! YOU TURNED ME INTO A HUMAN BASEBALL, YOU GREEN-HAIRED BROCCOLI HEAD!” 

The only thing that saved Izuku from Kacchan’s wrath was the auspicious appearance of Yagi and Kimiko. 

Izuku had flung himself behind Yagi’s tall, skinny form, and Izuku’s familiarity with the man had seemed to surprise Kacchan enough that he stopped chasing Izuku and started staring at Yagi.

“You are the one who’s going to tell me what’s going on.” While Kacchan had worded it like a question, he had spoken it like it was a demand. 

“Yes, I am. I believe Nezu has a room set apart for us if you’ll come along?”

Kacchan had agreed, however reluctantly, and now Kacchan, Yagi, Kimiko, Nezu, and Aizawa all sat awkwardly around a table, none of them speaking. Yagi kept looking at Nezu, but the principal was obliviously making a pot of tea and ignoring Yagi’s silent requests.

Kacchan was the one to break the silence. 

“Alright,” he declared, slamming his hands down on the table. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m tired of you sitting around like useless lumps. Deku, what’s going on? Who are these people?”

Kacchan glared at everyone as if daring them to even think about crossing him and hurting Izuku. Kacchan’s angry, protective glare made Izuku’s chest warm with happiness. He didn’t want Kacchan to think he was weak (Izuku wasn’t!), but his concern reminded Izuku of happier days before he realized what the world thought of the quirkless. 

Besides, if Kacchan couldn’t figure it out, then Izuku didn’t need him around, even if that did make him a bit sad. 

At another irritated look from Kacchan, Izuku jerked into speaking. “Oh, uh sorry! I totally forgot to introduce everyone.” Turning to his left, he gestured to Yagi. “This is Yagi. He’s my current guardian.”

Yagi smiled softly, “Hello, young man.” 

“Guardian, huh?” 

“Mom…she can’t look after me right now, so Yagi is.”

Kacchan leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Yeah, I know about Auntie being in prison. I just didn’t think you would go ahead and replace her.”

The accusation stung. Izuku knew that he was not replacing his mother with Yagi. If anything, Yagi had made it possible for him to see his mother again. But with Kacchan’s harsh words, all he could think about was how it was his fault. The hero fight, the x-ray, none of it would have happened if he had just listened to his mother and stayed with her. 

His mom would not be in prison if he had just been more careful. Smarter. Better. 

“How dare you!” Kimiko yelled, startling everyone in the room. Yagi had taken the seat on Izuku’s left and Kacchan on Izuku’s right, so she was facing them across the table, and her cheeks were flushed with anger. “You don’t know what Izuku has been through and what’s happened to him! If he could, he would have his mom back right now, but as it is, we’re both lucky to be out of the quirkless facilities. So don’t you dare blame him for something that’s not his fault?”

Kacchan didn’t speak for a moment, his jaw falling a little before it snapped shut. Izuku couldn’t read his expression, but if he were to hazard a guess, he’d say Kacchan looked reluctantly impressed. 

“Who the hell are you?” 

“Kimiko.” 

She was standing proud, and tall, the flower in her hair and long coat somehow making her seem more fierce than Kacchan. She reminded Izuku of the protagonist of a detective novel, who was ready to kick butt and take names. She glared down at Kacchan, and he seemed to take her glare as a challenge because his mouth twitched into a smile, and he opened his mouth to yell back. 

As much as Kacchan’s words hurt, Izuku still cared about him, and Izuku didn’t want Kimiko and Kacchan to fight. “She’s one of my best friends! We met in the quirkless facility.”

At his words, Kacchan shot Izuku a warning look, then looked to everyone else in the room. When nobody so much as blinked, he seemed to realize that the entire room was not the least surprised or nervous about the statement. He leaned back, his body relaxing just a tiny bit. 

“So you all know that he’s….”

“Quirkless, yes,” Aizawa finished dryly.

“Alright, then, who are you, eyebags?” Kacchan barked. 

“At this rate, the one who’s going to expel you on the first day of school.”

Aizawa’s words were quiet, but it looked like Kacchan still heard them, his face twisting in confused consternation. 

Again, Izuku intervened to stop any fight. “Ah, this is Aizawa. Although you might know him better as the underground hero Eraserhead. He’s been helping me train for the entrance exam for the last several months.” 

“And I believe Bakugou already knows who I am,” Nezu said as he stirred his cup of tea. The principal looked like he was enjoying a particularly fun moment from his favorite soap opera. Kacchan regarded the mammal with some more respect than Aizawa, but he was still watching the whole room carefully. 

“Yeah, you’re the principal of this place,” Kacchan agreed. “So, how do you know Deku?”

At least was politer in his words to the principal than he had been to anyone else, but the protective, angry edge remained if muted. Izuku had the distinct impression that if he smelled a rat– not too like Nezu, but a metaphorical rat– Kacchan would blow up the room and dash off with Izuku (and probably Kimiko now) before anyone had the chance to say “Psyche!”

However, Nezu didn’t appear to notice or mind. “All in time, Kacchan. First, though, I believe some congratulations are in order. Izuku, your performance today–”

“Was awesome!” Kimiko cheered.

“Very impressive, my boy,” Yagi said with a smile. 

“The entire observation room was freaking out,” Aizawa grumbled, but Izuku could hear the fondness in the man’s tone. 

“Yes, it was an excellent performance. One certainly for UA’s history.”

“Eh?! I was there too! He used me like I was a baseball!”

Nezu’s ears twitched in amusement. “While your strategy was…unusual, your team did manage to stop the zero-pointer and protect a fellow applicant in the meantime.” 

Yagi rested a hand on Izuku’s head and ruffled it. “Very heroic, my boy. I’m very proud of you.”

Warmth bloomed across Izuku’s cheeks. Although Izuku’s relationship with Yagi had had a rocky start, the man had shown that he really cared about and believed in Izuku even though Izuku was quirkless. And Yagi was All Might! 

“So I passed?” he asked, his heart pounding with excitement. 

“Legally, I am not allowed to reveal that information, but….” Nezu smiled, his eyes twinkling in approval. “Now, I believe that Mr. Kacchan has some questions for us that he would like answered, and I don’t believe that he would appreciate being ignored much longer.”

“Damn right!” Kacchan exclaimed. “I want to know what’s going on. Where have you been since-” 

Kacchan trailed off, glancing at Izuku and then at Kimiko, and back to Izuku. Izuku wondered if he was thinking about the day as well. How they had come and taken Izuku, how he had been dragged away, begging his best friend to tell them he had a quirk, while Kacchan only stared in horror. 

“Since the quirkless commission learned that I was quirkless and took me away?” Izuku guessed, remembering the day his nightmare began.

“Yeah,” Kacchan said quietly. “That.”

“It’s a long story and not a happy one,” Izuku warned him. 

“Tell me what the hell happened, Deku.” 

As Izuku had expected, Kacchan hadn’t been happy, and more unexpectedly, he hadn’t said a single word during Izuku’s story. Instead, Kacchan had sat there, stone-faced, his gaze getting increasingly darker as Izuku continued but never said a word. 

It had rather unnerved Iuzku. All of his childhood memories of Kacchan had the boy yelling or exploding things, a constant stream of noise coming from him. So this quiet Kacchan had scared Izuku. 

As Izuku had talked, briefly explaining the auction and his first owner (and ignoring Kimiko’s pointed looks), then continuing with his time under Director Usotsuki and leading Yagi to adopt him, he had worried that Kacchan hated him. That his childhood friend was silently judging Izuku for his weakness. 

However, once Izuku had finished his story, Kacchan stood up and roughly pulled Izuku into a hug before shoving Izuku away and yelling, “If any of those jerks ever show up again, you tell me, and I’ll blast them into the next life.”

Relief had crashed over Izuku. Kacchan didn’t hate him. The thought had brought tears to Izuku’s eyes and led to Kacchan yelling, “Quit crying, Deku! We’re going to go to UA and be heroes.” Kacchan paused there and glared at everyone, “And if I don’t see him on the first day of school, I’m hunting each of you down.”

Now, after the meeting with Kacchan, Izuku collapsed bonelessly into the front seat of Yagi’s car. 

Yagi huffed a laugh. “Tired, my boy?”

Izuku groaned in response but couldn’t hide the pleased smile on his face. 

“It has been a big day for you, hasn’t it? One of those days that feels like it’s been going on for a week.”

“Yeah, but it’s been good too.”

“I’m glad.” Yagi, hands on the keys, ready to start the car, paused. “I know I already told you, but I really am so proud of you. This was the result of your hard work.”

“You and Aizawa and Torino and everyone else helped too!”

“I know, but you were the one who did the work.” Yagi leaned across the seat and tucked Izuku against him in a side hug. “I’m proud of you, my boy.”

Izuku wasn’t going to cry; he wasn’t. “Thanks,” Izuku managed to say through a clogged throat. 

Yagi let go and turned the car on. “Alright then, let’s get going. We’ve got that victory dinner with everyone, and I know they can’t wait to hear how it went.”

Dear Izuku, 

You have no idea how proud I am to hear that you were accepted into UA! They would be fools not to accept you after all of your hard work and effort. I am so glad that Yagi and your teachers all believe in you, as I have for years. Even all the other women here are excited to hear about your success. You should have heard the cheering when I read your letter to them. I think the Warden was scared we were going to riot! 

What a great coincidence that you found Katsuki! 

I’m glad that you’ll already have a familiar face at UA. He and Mitsuki have visited me over the years, and he is still the loud-mouthed boy we know and love. I’m sure the both of you are going to take care of each other both in school and in your new careers as heroes– oh, it feels so good to write this: my son, my Izuku, the Hero Student at UA. 

And this Uraraka girl sounds lovely! I’m so glad you are already making friends. She sounds like a sweet girl, and I’m sure you’ll tell me all about her in your next letter (maybe even two paragraphs about her eyes instead of one this time!). 

When I was reading your letter about what happened during the entrance exam and how you and your friends teamed up to save that one boy, I couldn’t help but remember an old saying from the pre-quirk eras. 

“Whoever saves one life saves the world.” 

When you saved that boy, Izuku, you saved the world. Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t pursue your dream or that you can’t be a hero. If they do, look them in the eye and say, ‘Why not? I’ve already saved the world.’

I can’t wait to hear about your first day and your classes. I look forward to your next visit and letter! 

I love you so much, Izuku. And I am so, so proud! 

Love, 

Mom

Chapter Text

Dear Mom, 

Well, it’s finally the day! I can’t believe it came so fast, but tomorrow is my first day at UA! I’m so excited, I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am. Yagi and Detective Tsukauichi took Kimiko and me out to get our uniforms last week. I think Kimiko is super excited too, if a little nervous. It’s going to be her first time going to school. 

Kacchan and Aunt Mitsuki came by to see me the other day. I thought I was going to break a rib with how hard Auntie was squeezing me, but it was still great to see her. Apparently, she and Uncle Masaru actually have helped Nezu with his Astronomy Project, long before I even met Yagi. She said she and Uncle felt upset when you were arrested, and reached out to find out what they could do to help.

So some of the packages that they use are made by Aunt Mitsuki and Uncle Masaru. Now I know why some of the food was so spicy. 

This is also the first time I’ve seen Yagi backed up against a corner. Aunt Mitsuki yelled at him that he better look after me and then shook his hand and introduced herself. I think Kacchan was cheering her on, but he didn’t say it. 

Anyway, I should probably get to bed, because I have my first day tomorrow. Although I’m not sure how I can sleep. 

I’m going to be a Hero, Mom! I’m going to make you proud! 

Love, 

Izuku

Yagi hummed to himself as he flipped another pancake onto the plate. He hadn’t made these since his time in America, but Dave had insisted that it was a breakfast of good luck for the first days of school. They had eaten it on the first day of classes in college, and Yagi was not about to break a well-beloved tradition. 

He secretly slipped the runnier ones onto his plate, got out the syrup, put the eggs on the two plates, poured the glasses of orange juice, and the alarm went off, signaling it was time to take his medications. He went to the brightly colored pill box and took the handful of morning pills, shuddering at the bitterness. 

He glanced at the clock and was surprised that Izuku was not up yet. He could have sworn the boy would be up by now, bouncing with eagerness to go and finally take his next step in achieving his dream. 

Instead, his area of the apartment was strangely quiet. Not even a mumble. Surely an alarm would have gone off by now. 

Yagi distinctly remembered getting Izuku an All Might alarm clock that said “I am here!” when it was time to get up. So why hadn’t he heard anything yet? 

He knocked on the door, tentatively opening it and looking in. He found a curled-up bundle of blankets on the mattress, muffling the anxious mutters and masking the shaky jitters of the center.  

“Izuku?” he asked, sitting beside the mass on the bed. “Are you alright, my boy?” 

“I don’t know,” Izuku answered, not even jumping at Yagi putting a hand on the blankets. “I- uh- um- I feel really nauseous. Like I’m going to throw up. But I can’t miss my first day. And I feel really shaky. Maybe I’m sick?” 

Yagi chuckled and tried to pull back the blankets, only for his boy to clutch them around him, hiding him from view. 

“Sounds like first-day nerves,” he assured him. “You should be okay. Do you want to talk about it?” 

“No,” Izuku mumbled. “I’m being silly.” 

“Being nervous isn’t silly. I remember my first day at UA. I was so nervous that I couldn’t eat and ended up almost passing out during our first training period.” Toshinori chuckled at the memory, and the mortification dulled by the passage of time. 

“Wait, seriously?”

Toshinori grinned at the curiosity in Izuku’s voice. He had the boy. “Yeah. I definitely learned my lesson on that one.”

“I guess I’m really excited but also nervous? I kept laying in bed last night thinking about everything that could go wrong, but also everything that could go right.”

“Like what?”

Izuku’s voice dropped in quiet embarrassment. “Oh, my classmates finding out that I was quirkless and then kicking me out of the school, but then also doing such a good job at hero training that everyone wanted to be my friend.”

Toshinori rested a hand on the bundle of blankets and squeezed Izuku’s shoulder. “You know Nezu will never kick you out of school, and I’m sure no matter what people will want to be your friends. You’ve already got Kimiko and Bakugou, and even that girl you mentioned from the entrance exams who will be looking for you.”

“I know.”

“So, are you ready to come out now?” 

Slowly, hesitantly, Izuku crawled out, already in his school uniform. 

“I couldn’t sleep last night, so I got dressed three hours ago,” he admitted sheepishly.

Yagi simply laughed and hugged his boy. 

Izuku was having the best day ever. He got to class and found Kacchan and Uraraka in the room, and the French boy they had helped during the exam. There was also the loud kid who was scolding Bakugou for putting his feet on the desk and a host of other kids. 

None of them looked at him strangely. None of them tried to pet him or coo at him, or say anything to imply he was cute. He was just another classmate to them. 

Aizawa had appeared in his sleeping bag and scared most of the class- with the exceptions of Izuku and Kacchan since they already knew him- and after properly intimidating them, ordered them to change into their gym uniforms and assemble outside. Izuku’s had been specially designed to make the collar of the uniform higher to hide the collar around his neck. 

Out on the field, Izuku bounced on his toes, excitement and worry warring inside of him. His classmates were filtering out from the changing room, dressed in their blue gym uniforms with UA printed on it. They pointed out landmarks and giggled with each other, obviously in slight shock that they were actually here at UA. 

And Izuku could relate because although he had already spent months at UA in training for the entrance exams, being here as an actual student had a mystical shining feeling to it. 

However, he found himself standing away from his classmates and positioning himself so that he was facing them. Izuku looked at them, many of who were showing off their quirks, and felt wary. He had only known them for less than an hour, and none of them seemed mean, but many didn’t when it came to the quirkless. 

Without thinking, Izuku touched the scarf that he had pinned around his neck to hide his collar. While Izuku could legally attend school due to loopholes in the law, there was no loophole for removing his collar. 

Izuku would have liked to rip the offending object off and burn it to ash, but Nezu had very politely asked him not to. The North Stars were playing a dangerous game with Izuku. If Izuku’s status and position at UA became public today, technically, he would be fine since neither he nor his guardians had broken any rules. 

Unfortunately, that meant they had to walk a fine line between obeying and disregarding the law, and the law was very particular about all quirkless wearing identification collars. 

So Izuku would be stuck wearing a scarf at all times. 

At least the scarf was really nice. Powerloader had made it for him after overhearing Izuku complaining about his heavy, cotton scarf. His new scarf was lightweight and breathable while not being see-through. It didn’t feel like Izuku was even wearing a scarf. Izuku had requested that it be integrated into his hero costume as well. 

Izuku flexed his toes in his shoes and straightened up on his tiptoes before coming back down. It was a simple exercise, but it often helped steady him when he was feeling nervous. 

“Oi!” Kacchan barked, punching Izuku in the shoulder. “Stop bouncing around.”

“Hey!” Uraraka busted in. “That’s not cool. There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of nerves.” She smiled at Izuku, and he felt his stomach do that odd fluttery thing. “I could hardly sleep last night I was so excited.”

Izuku wanted to tell her that he had been the same, but then Aizawa stepped up in front of the class, and everyone hushed. 

Izuku had to admit that despite Aizawa’s generally disheveled appearance when he spoke, his words carried a certain weight. Even with a group of noisy, excited teenagers, the entire class came to complete silence when he spoke.

“Before someone complains about not going to the assembly, know this. One, I’m allowed to run my class how I see fit, which means instead of standing around today, we’re going to see how much potential you have.”

One student, the boy with blue hair and glasses who had called Izuku out during the entrance exam, opened his mouth as if to ask a question but, at Aizawa’s glare, seemed to think better of it.

“You have three years to become a hero, and we’re going to use every second of it to make sure you’re prepared for it. Today you’ll take the normal fitness exams you take every year at school, except—” Aizawa held up a finger, “—you are allowed to use your quirks and surroundings in order to get the best score possible.”

Excited whispering started up, each student obviously thinking of how they could use their quirks to their advantage. A pit formed in Izuku’s stomach. He didn’t have a quirk. He would perform his very best on the assessment, but this seemed like Aizawa was setting Izuku up to fail. It left Izuku feeling oddly betrayed. 

“Yes, as I said, you are allowed to use your quirks and surroundings to get the best score possible.”

Surroundings. 

Izuku’s eyes widened, and he thought from beneath the folds of his scarf Aizawa gave him an amused smile. 

Oh, oh, this…this Izuku could do. A similar smile began to spread across his own face. From his side, Kacchan gave him an odd look. 

“What’re you smiling about?”

Izuku could hardly keep the glee out of his voice. “Oh, just excited to take the assessment.”

The first exam was a 100-meter dash, with the students going in groups of five. One of the students, a boy with red and white hair, had made a trail of ice and slid around with the practiced ease of an Olympic skater. Aizawa conveniently let the ice remain, and Izuku spotted a length of jump rope from another class’s recreational periods lying around.

“What are you doing, Deku?!” Kacchan snarled as Izuku tied the jump rope around his wrist right before their turn. “Are you stupid?”

Izuku was saved the chance from answering when Aizawa blew the whistle. Kacchan cursed and took off, his arms cackling with explosions behind him. Izuku held onto his end of the rope likes his life depended on it, and allowed Bakugou to carry him down the track while he slid across the ice trail. 

The boy with glasses had protested that Izuku hadn’t used his quirk, but Aizawa ignored this to give Izuku a secret smirk. 

And to keep Kacchan from killing Izuku for turning him into a “kite.” 

He noticed that one of the girls seemed to have a quirk that allowed her to produce objects from her body (she made herself a pair of ice skates to get across the icy track), and he ran over to her when he saw her pale at the grip strength test. 

“Can you make a bungee cord?” he asked her.

She looked at him in alarm.

“A what?”

“A bungee cord,” he explained. “These things measure how hard you can push against the handle that’s meant to resist. If you attach a bungee cord to the handle and the other end to a hook and pull, it should be a much stronger push against the handle than a normal hand.”

The girl stared at him with wide eyes and looked at a couple of the other students (a green haired girl, a girl with earphones for ear lobes, and a boy with a lightning streak in his hair), who all looked worried, then back at Izuku. 

“Would that be allowed?” she asked.

“He said to use quirks and surroundings,” Izuku said. “Technically, another person’s quirk is part of our surroundings.”

That seemed to satisfy her, and a moment later, about half a dozen students were engaged in tug-of-wars against the walls as the bungee cords held down the handles that would measure the strength. Some of the other students saw and got similar ideas and soon had fellow students try to pull away the devices while they held on with all their mind, increasing their results. 

The toe-touch and sit-up tests were pieces of cake, thanks to his training with Aizawa. During the distance run, he held out for as long as he could before he caught the boy with engines on his legs and rode piggyback. Standing long jump was trickier, but thanks to Uraraka, he was able to make himself weightless for a brief period before he launched himself horizontally instead of vertically and landed several feet past the line. He and Uraraka deliberately had stood in the back of the line so she could do the same thing herself and not make herself sick. 

And finally, for the ball test, he used a bungee cord, one of the rods from the toe touch to make a slingshot and launch the ball over the school wall. 

When Aizawa finally revealed the class scores on the monitor, Izuku was pleased to see that he had managed to secure a spot in the middle of the class. 

Kacchan scoffed, “You should have been higher up there, idiot. You kept giving your ideas away and helping out the competition.”

Izuku shrugged but was unable to keep the stupidly pleased grin off his face. He had done that well without a quirk. Director Usotsuki would be foaming mad if she could see him now. 

“For the most part, these are acceptable scores,” Aizawa said, “although only because this is your first day. I expect much better of you in the future. Am I understood?”

The class nodded in fervent agreement. 

“Good. Now there is one last test that must be completed.”

“What?” Uraraka whispered by Izuku’s side. “That doesn’t make sense. We’ve already done the standard tests. What else is there to do?”

“Some of you may be wondering what else there is to test on,” Aizawa paused, a let a slow, evil grin spread across his face. The class shuddered. “So far, you’ve been tested on how you can use your quirks and surroundings. Now, I want to see how well you can do without your quirk.”

“What!?”

“What do you mean without a quirk?”

“We’re trying to be heroes the whole purpose is to train our quirks!”

Aizawa’s eyes flashed red as his quirk activated. “Quiet,” he ordered. Wisely, Izuku’s classmates stopped complaining. 

“It’s true that a significant portion of being a hero is using your quirk, but there are plenty of circumstances when your quirk won’t be an option or may even be a hindrance. When that happens, the heroes who can’t adapt die .”

That had been a lesson Aizawa had grilled into Izuku during their first week’s of training. Because Izuku didn’t have a quirk, he lost an advantage that other people had, so he had to be twice as smart, strong, and careful. Learning how to fight and be a hero without a quirk was what he had to do. However, he hadn’t ever considered that students with quirks would need to learn that as well. 

Aizawa lifted up a belt with bright red flags tied onto it. “As heroes, one of your top priorities is to capture and restrain villains. To do so, you have to get close.” Aizawa clipped the belt on, leaving the flags dangling on both hips and his back. 

Three flags. Three targets. 

“You have five minutes,” he said, holding up a timer, “To try and get one of these flags without using your quirks. Using your quirk automatically disqualifies you.” 

Kacchan scoffed, “That’ll be easy.” He looked over at Izuku who was trying to hold back a smile. “What are you laughing about nerd!?”

“There’s no way we’re getting one of those.”

“Speak for yourself!” Kacchan barked.

Around them, several students who had not so subtly been listening in, nodded their heads.

“It’s one guy,” a boy with spiky red hair said. “And there’s 20 of us. How would he be able to stop us?”

Memories of training with Aizawa flashed in Izuku’s mind. Times they grappled together with Izuku almost winning before being thrown over his teacher’s shoulder. They were all judging Aizawa on appearances, which admittedly, weren’t much, but that was one of the things that made Aizawa so dangerous. He didn’t look like a threat, until you were trussed up in his capture weapon dangling a story above the ground. 

Aizawa’s smile looked particularly demented as he held up the timer. “Your five minutes start now.”

As Izuku expected, it was absolute madness. For the first three minutes, students ran desperately after Aizawa, taking diving leaps after the flags only to faceplant in the ground. There was no plan and no thought. Students regularly got in each other's way. 

When Kacchan lunged screaming for Aizawa, the pro simply twisted and pushed Kacchan, sending the howling boy into a clump of students trying to sneak up behind. 

For Izuku’s part, he stayed on the periphery, always close enough to track Aizawa and the flags, but far enough away from the chaos. However, he wasn’t seeing any openings because his fellow classmates kept getting in the way.

Once when there was a tiny opening between the crush of students, Izuku dived forward, only to get accidentally stepped on by his classmate with the knobbly tape elbow. 

“Sorry, dude!” his classmate yelled, already sprinting away after Aizawa

Grumbling, Izuku got to his feet. This wasn’t working, and judging by the smirk on Aizawa’s face, their teacher knew that too. 

If Izuku had his 3DS gear, things might be different, so what did he have that he could use to his advantage…?

Uraraka skidded to a stop beside him, her cheeks flushed a bright pink that made Izuku’s own cheeks darken. 

“I can’t get close!” she complained, “and he’s too fast.”

“There are too many of us and we aren’t working together,” Izuku said. An idea began forming in his head. 

“Kacchan!” he yelled. “Get over here!”

“What!?” Kacchan snarled as he ran over, his eyes never leaving Aizawa. “I’ve almost got that bastard.”

“No you don’t, and you won’t with everyone tripping over themselves. But if you and Uraraka help me we might have a chance.” 

Kacchan loudly complained, but with some pointed remarks from Uraraka, he agreed. It took a minute to quickly share the plan, but with roles decided, they snapped into action. 

They raced towards Aizawa, staying on the side opposite of their clambering classmate, thus carefully keeping them at his back so he couldn’t easily slip away. With their classmates lunging for him, Aizawa also couldn’t pay too much attention to them.

With a roar, Kacchan sprinted towards Uraraka who was kneeling on the ground, and with a grunt of effort, she launched him into the air and towards Aizawa. 

Kacchan howled in victory, his hands outstretched for the flag, but Aizawa had seen his descent and quickly spun out of the way, and into’s Izuku path. 

Tucked close to the ground, so he wouldn’t be observed, Izuku watched as Aizawa spun out of the way. Izuku leaped for the flag hanging from Aizawa’s right hip, intent on victory. But with narrowing eyes, AIzawa grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him into the dirt, the flag slipping through Izuku’s fingers. 

Choking on dirt, Izuku scrambled to get up when the timer’s shrill bell went off signaling the end. 

Defeated, Izuku slumped in the dirt, while the rest of the students groaned. 

“That was five minutes,” Aizawa announced. “And I still have all three belts. Why did you fail to get any?”

“You’re too fast! You kept dodging out of the way!”

“All these extras kept getting in my way and tripping over themselves.”

“Speak for yourself. You were the one who got thrown into us.”

“What! Who do you think you are?!”

Aizawa cleared his throat. “Most of you failed to understand the objective of this activity. Yes, you didn’t use your quirks, but most of you didn’t try to find any other alternative solutions.”

Class 1A slumped in disappointment, the euphoria from succeeding at the quirked assessment brought low by their failure in this. 

“That said, three of you did try a different strategy.” Aizawa pointed at Izuku, Uraraka, and Kacchan. “You three were the only ones that I saw who came up with an actually coordinated strategy to try to get one of the flags. It failed, but you got far closer to getting one than anyone else. Fighting quirkless means learning to use your surroundings to your advantage, in this case, it was working together with your classmates to create a scenario where you could succeed.”

Izuku beamed at the rare compliment from Aizawa, but Kacchan glowered, obviously still upset at the failure. Aizawa must have sensed this frustration from the rest of the class. 

“If you’re here for any easy time, leave now. Here at UA, we push the boundaries to create the best heroes we can which means going beyond what makes you comfortable, plus ultra style. Welcome to your hero academia.”

Chapter Text

Toshinori drummed his fingers on the smooth wood of the side table and resisted the urge to check his phone again. 

Nezu, in his furry wisdom, had secured a quiet room at UA where his meeting could take place in secrecy. Toshinori would be able to discuss the transfer of One for All in perfect privacy. Finally, Toshinori would have his successor.

Yet the thought did not bring the relief Toshinori had hoped it would. He was sure that this Togata Mirio was a wonderful young man, but…

He wasn't Izuku. 

Deep down, that was who Toshinori wished he could give his power to. Izuku could do great things with One for All, yet Toshinori could blame the boy for refusing it. Izuku aimed to become a quirkless hero, and a surprise quirk would only hinder that. 

A brisk rap came from the door, startling Toshinori from his thoughts. After a polite couple of seconds, the door swung open, and Mirai Sasaki, followed by a muscular, blonde boy, entered. The door shut behind them, but there was a moment of silence as the group considered each other. 

"All Might," Mirai said with a stiff nod. 

Toshinori forced back a smile at his friend's typical demeanor. Despite them knowing each for years, by Mirai's actions, one would think they were barely acquaintances. 

That said, Toshinori hadn't seen Mirai ever since their argument. Despite attempts to reach out, Mirai had completely blocked him. It had hurt Toshinori more than he cared to admit.

"It's good to see you, Mirai." 

Uncertainty flashed in Mirari's eyes, but he nodded again. "Of course. I've brought my protege along as promised. All Might, this is the rising star of the hero world, Lemillion, or Mirio Toga."

An odd flash of irritation spiked in Toshinori. His boy, Izuku, was the true, new star of the hero world. The thought was so sudden and intense that it left him temporarily shocked; thankfully, this Mirio did not share Toshinori's befuddlement. 

"Hello, All Might, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you in person. Sir Nighteye has talked a lot about you!" With the eagerness of a young puppy, Mirio bounded forward and shook All Might's hand. 

The contact startled him, but Toshinori quickly stepped into hero mode, responding with an "Of course. It's my pleasure to meet you as well, young man."

"Right," Mirai said, adjusting his glasses, "Let's talk business."

"How are you not out of breath after this morning? I'm barely able to hold up my tray?" 

Izuku blushed at the praise and grinned as he offered to take the tray for the girl who made the bungee cords earlier in the day- Momo Yaoyorozu. Yagi had packed him a bento box earlier, so he could easily balance the two while they all sat down.

"I guess I've been training a lot," he admitted. "My guardian and I have been working hard, so my endurance level is pretty good." 

"It's admirable that you already started working ahead to make sure your mind and body were prepared for the task we were going to undertake," Iida commented, his arm making slicing motions while still somehow holding his lunch tray without spilling a drop. "As students of this prestigious program, we should endeavor to follow your example." 

"Well, it's more for fun than anything else," Izuku said quickly, not wanting anyone to feel bad. "Don't feel like you have to" 

"Oi! Extras!" Kacchan shouted, cutting off Izuku's explanation. "Are we going to eat or chatter? My food's getting cold! And YOU!" 

Izuku looked to where Kacchan was pointing and found Kimiko across the cafeteria, tray in her hand and a yellow rose in her hair. She had told Izuku that yellow roses meant friendship, and she wanted to wear one for the luck of getting along with her new classmates. Everyone in the Gen-Ed class (sans a purple-haired boy with bags under his eyes) looked shocked at seeing the hero student yell at their classmate, who, by all accounts, had done nothing wrong. 

"That's not really polite, Bakugou!" Uraraka scolded, but Izuku saw his friend grin at the challenge. 

"WHAT?" Kimiko shouted back. 

"YOU SIT WITH US AND NOT THESE EXTRAS! YOU GOT THAT, FLOWER GIRL?!" 

"FINE BY ME, KING EXPLOSION MURDER!" 

"FINE!" 

"FINE!" 

Kimiko made her way over to the group, dragging the purple-haired kid along. It was a sign of her newfound confidence that she could walk through the cafeteria with her head held high, ignoring the stares of everyone around her. So different from when the North Stars got her out of the facilities. 

"Hey, Izuku!" she greeted cheerfully as if she hadn't just had a shouting match with Bakugou. "This your class?" 

"Yeah, let me introduce you to everyone. Is this your classmate?" 

Kimiko grinned as the boy sighed and sat down, rolling his eyes with disdain at the hero students. 

"This is Shinsou," she introduced. "He's going to join the Hero Course someday, so I figured I'd bring him over since this will be his table someday." 

The newly named Shinsou turned beet red at Kimiko's introduction but still sat down with the class while Izuku turned to the rest of the class. 

"This is Kimiko; she's my friend," he explained. "She's in the Gen Ed course here. Kimiko this is Uraraka, Iida, Yaoyorozu, Jiro, Aoyama and Kirishima. And, of course, you already know Kacchan." 

"A fact I regret to this very day," Kimiko muttered jokingly. 

"Hey! Watch it, you!" 

Uraraka laughed at the scene before turning to Izuku. 

"Yagi, I have a question," she said. "Is your first name Izuku or Deku? You introduced yourself as Izuku during the entrance exam, but Bakugou keeps calling you Deku." 

It took Izuku a second to remember that he was going by 'Yagi' for now and not 'Midoriya,' but once the question caught up to him, he was distracted by something else. 

Oh great! One of his first friends in school,  the girl of his dreams , was asking him about his embarrassing nickname, and it was only the first day of school before he could come up with some cool reason that he had the name. 

"Ah, my real name is Izuku," he explained, awkwardly pressing his fingers together. "But 'Deku' is what Kacchan called me when we were little to make fun of me." 

"How unsportsmanlike!" Iida noted, causing Kacchan to growl. 

"Shut it, four eyes!" 

Kimiko looked game to join in the argument, while poor Shinshou looked like he would rather be anywhere but there. Luckily, Uraraka cut them off by saying the nicest thing anyone had ever said to Izuku. 

"I like 'Deku!'" she exclaimed. "It would make a great hero name! Instead of looking at it as 'useless,' you could look at it as 'I can do it.' Plus, I think it sounds kind of cute!" 

"Deku it is!" Izuku declared instantly. 

"Just like that?" Iida asked. "But didn't you say-" 

"Nope, Deku sounds great," he insisted, his face burning so much he was probably reheating everyone's lunches. 

He tried to ignore Kimiko's knowing look. He knew she and his mom had been exchanging letters about him, even if he hadn't found the proof yet. Kimiko probably couldn't wait to tell her all about this new development. 

"Ha! You see? I pick out great nicknames!" Kacchan declared. 

"Aren't most of your nicknames meant as insults?" Yaoyorozu asked. 

"Yeah? What's your point?" 

"It's just not very nice," Yaoyorozu tried to explain gently. 

"What are you talking about? I'm the nicest, smartest guy at this table!" 

"Absolutely!" Kimiko agreed. "Nothing goes over his head." 

"Exactly." 

"His reflexes are too fast. He would catch it." 

"That's ri- HEY!" 

"I'll do my best to make you proud and be the hero who saves a million people!"

Toshinori stared at the door swinging shut, his successor having just left. 

It was done. He had found a successor and passed on One for All. Mirio was a bright boy with big dreams and an impressive quirk. With One for All, he would be able to do truly incredible things. And yet… Toshinori felt oddly disappointed. 

Despite Mirio's smiling face, Toshinori couldn't stop thinking of Izuku's soft smile and felt that One for All had always been supposed to go to him. But Izuku wished to be a quirkless hero and help others, so who was Toshinori to deny him that? 

"Well, I think that went very well," Mirai said, standing up. "I know you have your duties as a new teacher at UA, so I'll handle the majority of Mirio's training. Of course, I'll keep you updated on his progress, and we can have regular meetings between the three of us too."

"Of course," Toshinori cut in. "Whatever you think best."

Mirari nodded, "I have no doubt that Mirio will be prepared to take over as the symbol of peace in no time." His eyes softened. "You can take some time now to properly rest."

"Oh, I'll rest when I'm dead," Toshinori joked, then winced as the room became painfully tense. 

Mirai coughed uncomfortably, no doubt thinking of the prophecy he had given Toshinori several years ago. "Please remember to take care of yourself. I should be getting back to my agency. You have my phone number; feel free to contact me anytime."

"Of course," Toshinori said. He watched as Mirai crossed to the door and then, with a final odd look, left. 

Tension rippled down Toshinori's back as he gave a sigh of relief. It was done. One for All had been passed on. He wished he felt more jubilant about the moment, but that was fine. He had other things to look forward to, such as continuing to mentor his boy and preparing his lessons for the battle trials and the USJ. 

Things would be good going forward. 

A knock came at the door. "Yagi?"

Toshinori's face broke into a smile. "Come on in."

A head of bushy green hair poked in, and Toshinori felt a wave of pleasure. Izuku smiled brightly at him, almost bouncing as he came inside and closed the door. 

"Nezu said you would be in here."

"He did?" Toshinori looked at his watch and had to hold off a swear. He'd apparently been talking with Mirai for hours, and school was now over.

"Yep. He also wanted me to remind you that you're teaching tomorrow. Is that true? Nezu said you were supposed to teach our heroics class." Izuku's eyes sparkled with delight. 

"I would think you wouldn't be very excited after all these months with me, my boy." Toshinori teased. Although he had found himself touched and somewhat relieved. If Izuku still wanted him to teach, maybe class tomorrow would be alright.

Izuku gave a squawk of disbelief, and Toshinori laughed, crossing the room to ruffle his boy's hair. 

"Enough about me. How was your day? I heard that you almost got Aizawa during your first assessment."

Izuku began talking excitedly as Toshinori led him to the door. This boy, he thought to himself. He was so proud of him. 

Knowing that Yagi was going to teach today was its own kind of anticipatory torture for Izuku. He did his best to take notes, focus on the material, and make an effort to talk to some of his classmates, but he always found his gaze drifting back to the clock, wondering, waiting, until finally… 

"I AM HERE!" All Might declared dramatically, throwing open the doors to the classroom. 

Class 1A burst into excited cheering, and Izuku couldn't help but applaud. Sure, he did live with Yagi (or All Might), but his classmates didn't know that, and there was still something so cool about seeing his guardian dressed in his hero costume, ready for action. 

All Might laughed loudly but gave a discreet wink in Izuku's direction.

"Hello, class 1A! So good to finally meet you in person. Aizawa gave quite the glowing review of your performance yesterday."

Izuku's classmates looked befuddled at that statement, and Izuku had to hide a snicker. Aizawa wouldn't be pleased to have been outed like that. 

"OH! Oh! All Might, sir," cried a pink-skinned girl. Izuku thought her name was Ashido. "Are you going to be teaching us today?"

"Right, you are! Today we will be having battle trials! Where you can practice your hero skills and even more exciting–" he paused dramatically, then gestured toward the side of the classroom. "Your hero costumes!"

As on cue, previously unseen cabinets slid out, revealing row after row of shiny cases. The types of cases heroes used to hold their costumes. 

A giddy smile spread across Izuku's face. His hero costume. It was finally here!

Whenever he had trained with Yagi, Aizawa, or later on, Torino, Izuku had always worn comfy exercise clothes. They had gotten the job done, and considering that he came back from training drenched in sweat, it was probably best that he had used them. 

However, now, he finally got to use his hero costume. 

Reverently, Izuku stared at the shiny silver case that held his costume. His heart thumped wildly in his chest, but he forced himself to wait until he had gotten to the dressing room and found an empty stall to open it. 

Izuku's hands shook as he carefully took the costume out. His mouth was spread in a painfully wide smile, but he couldn't stop. It was just so perfect. 

They had decided on a simple, fitted, dark green jumpsuit with black highlights along the side. That was then paired with a more durable version of the jacket Aizawa had gifted him, except in black and fitted to allow more room for his 3DS gear. Lastly were the elbow-long black gloves and knee pads. Altogether it looked fierce but also functional. 

Izuku went to pull off his scarf and then paused. An anxiety he hadn't known in months washed over him, and he furtively glanced around to ensure no one was near his stall. The scarf hid his collar, and the hero costume had a high neck that hid it from view, but there was that brief moment in changing where it could be seen. 

His hands shook slightly as he removed the scarf, but he forced himself to change fast. Soon enough, he was zipping up his costume, hiding his collar from view. 

Izuku's heart beat uncomfortably fast, and he looked around furtively to check if anyone had seen him. It didn't seem like it, but Izuku decided not to return to his classmates and instead headed out to the training field, using the walk to calm his heart. 

Apparently, his frantic changing made him the first out there. All Might looked up from where he was reviewing the lesson on note cards. 

"My boy," All Might paused, almost sounding choked up. "My boy, you look incredible!"

Izuku beamed at the praise. "Thank you."

All Might walked around Izuku, observing him from all sides. Then he dashed forward, grabbed Izuku, and hugged him tightly. "I am so proud of you!"

He let Izuku go and fumbled for his phone. "We need a picture. The old and the new generation of heroes."

"You're not old!" Izuku protested, but All Might laughed and bent down so the two of them could fit into the photo. 

"I need to send this off," All Might muttered to himself, feverishly tapping at his phone. 

Izuku wanted to ask who, but a loud, "Why did you run off, nerd!" startled him. 

He turned to see Kacchan stride into the meeting area, followed by a gaggle of their classmates. Izuku couldn't stop his mouth from dropping open. 

"Kacchan! Your costume looks amazing!"

"Damn right, it does. I designed it myself," Kacchan boasted. 

"I think yours looks awesome too!" Uraraka said. 

Izuku blushed, "Thank you. You too."

Now it was Uraraka's turn to redden. "Ah, well, I don't know. It's a bit tighter than I was expecting, and I didn't think I would get heels…."

"You can always put in a request to change it. But I think it looks good on you. I mean, uh, it looks very heroic." 

Kacchan cut in, "What are those things hanging from your hips?" 

"Oh, that's my support equipment. It's called the 3DS."

"And what does it do?"

A sly grin spread across Izuku's face. "You'll have to see."

Text Chat: Izuku and Kimiko

Kimiko: Did you… blow up a building???

Izuku: Um… no? 

Kimiko: Because the news, even in gen ed, is that someone in 1A blew up a building during class, and you're the resident problem causer

Izuku: Rude!

Kimiko: Did a building explode or not?

Izuku: I mean, yes???

Kimiko: Let me guess…Bakugou?

Izuku: …

Kimiko: Your silence all but confirms

Izuku: Well, technically, he did… 

Kimiko: How do you "technically" blow up a building?! 

Izuku: It's Kacchan. 

Kimiko: Ah, right. Got it. So what DID happen? 

Izuku: Soooo… our Hero Training Exercise, we were paired up in teams. Uraraka and I were on the same team. Kacchan and Iida were the "villains" who had to stop us from getting the bomb. 

Kimiko: Please, please, please tell me his solution was not to blow up the bomb.

Izuku: No… although that actually would have been brilliant. Anyway, nah, he realized I was in my gear and began giving chase outside all around the building while Uraraka snuck in and got ahold of the 'bomb.'

Kimiko: And she touched the bomb, made it float, and you won? 

Izuku: Pretty much. 

Kimiko: And how much of the building did Bakugou destroy? 

Izuku: Um… maybe 75%? It was still standing when we were done! 

Kimiko: Sure… ¬_¬ 

Izuku: I promise, it was still standing! 

Kimiko: So when the gen ed felt that quake that shook some dust off the ceiling lights? And when Mr. Snipe was muttering about those 'darn 1-A kids'? 

Izuku: Wait, really?! 

Kimiko: You sure that the building is still standing? 

Izuku: Hold on, let me ask Yagi! 

… 

Kimiko: So??? 

Izuku: Okay, first of all, it was NOT my fault! 

Kimiko: Ha! Called it. 

After the intense quirk assessment on the first day of school and the battle trials on the second, Izuku had entered the third day prepared for the unexpected. Ironically, he hadn't been prepared for one of the more normal aspects of school—picking a class president. 

It was one of those things he had always heard about but he'd never participated in. The Quirkless Facilities only taught basic subjects, and the instructors would have prevented something like class presidents. That implied the quirkless were capable and could make decisions.

So it was with great pleasure that Izuku participated in the vote, and to him at least, the two picked seemed capable of the task. He was glad to hear at lunch that his classmates agreed as well.

"Congrats, you two!" Uraraka cheered as she set her lunch down at the table. "Ms. President and Mr. Vice President."

Yaoyorozu blushed and cupped her cheek as if embarrassed by the praise, but Izuku could tell by the shine in her eyes that she was really pleased. "Thank you. I promise to do my best as class president."

Iida chopped his hand through the air as if in exclamation to what Yaoyorozu said. "I wholeheartedly agree, and as vice president, I will do my best to assist in whatever matters are needed."

"I'm sure you guys will do great," Kimiko said as she slid an extra snack to Shinsou, who began munching without protesting. Izuku did feel a twinge of jealousy that she had already made a close friend from her class, but mostly he was happy for her. Kimiko picked up a carrot stick and crunched on it. "You two have shown good analysis and organization in the past, especially with what Izuku told me about the hero vs. villain activity." 

Kacchan scoffed at this, drawing Kimiko's glare. 

"Oh, and you think you would be that much better as president?" she asked, as everyone quickly began eating before the next shouting match could begin. "Did you really think anyone would vote for you?!" 

"Shut it, Flower Girl!" Kacchan shouted. "I didn't even want to be President! It's a stupid role anyway!" 

Kimiko flushed red and looked away.

"Actually," Shinsou spoke up, wrapping a protective arm around her. "you should be calling her Ms. President." 

"WHAT?!" Kacchan bellowed, now turning equally red. 

“Wait, really, Kimiko?” Uraraka asked. "Congrats!" 

Instantly, Kimiko's demeanor changed as she sat up and looked more confident at the praise. Izuku felt a rush of pride for his friend as well. Instead of getting praised for following the rules, acting "cute," or refusing to fight, people were starting to acknowledge Kimiko's qualities as a student, friend, and leader. She was probably the first Quirkless Student President in Japan in years! 

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting it," Kimiko admitted. "But I was voted class president. To be honest, I'm not sure why; I don't have much experience with stuff like this." 

"If you need any advice, I'm more than willing to help," Iida promised her, hand still chopping the air. "I've held similar roles in the past. I consider it my honor to help my fellow students here at this prestigious school." 

"Thanks; I'm going to need all the help I can get." 

The conversation mainly became ruled by the three newly named Presidents and Vice President. At the same time, Izuku was content to sit back, enjoy his bento (courtesy of Yagi, as always), and bask in the simple joy of eating lunch, in a cafeteria, with his friends without the worry of being sent back to the facility or to the vault. Kimiko flashed him a smile, and he knew she felt the same.

A shrill sound pierced through the cafeteria chatter, and instinctively, Izuku leaped to his feet. Throughout the cafeteria, students began screaming and yelling for help, obviously confused by the sound they now recognized as UA's alarm. 

"What's going on?!" Uraraka tried to yell, but the alarm was too loud. 

Iuzku's heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel sweat building on his brow. The alarm grated on his ears, overpowering every other conversation or yell. Izuku clutched his ears, trying to block the noise, but it kept going. 

It sounded like the alarm at the quirkless facility, the one that went off every time Izuku tried to escape or whenever the quirkless living there were misbehaving, and Director Usotsuki wanted to punish them all. 

Director Ustosuki—Izuku swore he could see her through the churning students. Her too-red lips were curved in a smug smile as she laughed at him.

"Poor little Izuku. You thought you were safe, but we're always coming for you."

Izuku's breathing was getting faster. He couldn't get enough into his lungs, and his body was shaking. 

He needed it to stop, to just shut up. He wouldn't let them take him back. He refused to go back to Director Usotsuki or his villainous father.

Stumbling back, he shrieked as he hit the wall. He couldn't see or hear his classmates asking if he was okay or see Kimiko collapse on the ground. The alarm just kept screaming in his ears, and he began screaming along with it. Trying to get it to shut up, to stop, to just. Leave. Him. ALONE!

Katsuki had been startled by alarms more times than anyone would ever get him to admit. He'd once blown up a desk, starting a real fire during a fire drill during Kindergarten. He'd seen his fair share of shocked reactions to alarms and drills and the surprised shouts or yelps that came with it. 

But nothing could have prepared him for Deku or Flower Girl's reactions. 

They went from smiling and cheerful to deathly white, with wide eyes, and Deku had fallen out of his seat. Katsuki almost made a snide comment about it when he saw the pure, unadulterated fear in Deku's eyes. 

"Yagi?" Kirishima asked. "You alright, man? It's just an alarm." 

The announcement on the PA system told the students to evacuate in an orderly manner due to some sort of unauthorized intruder stepping foot on campus. So naturally, the students were stampeding like a bunch of raiding bulls. Best of this new generation of heroes, Katsuki's ass! 

"Come on, we should probably go-" Iida said, offering his hand to Deku, but the green-haired boy flinched away, and Katsuki wound up yanking him back. 

"Give them space!" he ordered. "Something's wrong!" 

Deku looked feral. His eyes were dilated, and he was crouched against the wall, his hands clawed like he was waiting for an opportunity to claw out someone's eyes. He was panting as if he couldn't breathe and almost didn't seem aware of the world around him. 

"Go away. I won't go back. I won't. I swear, you bastards, I won't ever let you!'

All the extras in the class hovered around nervously, unwilling to leave but unable to do anything useful. At the very least, they were keeping everyone else away, but since the gathering of people had set Deku off, Katsuki didn't think it was much better for Izuku. 

"Should we do something? I've never seen a panic attack that bad."

"Iida already left to go find someone. They've got to be here soon."

Katsuki wanted to do something to help; he needed to do something, but the second he or any of the other extras tried to get close, Deku would snarl like a feral animal. Deku looked ready to scratch someone's face off, and after his performances in class the last two days, no one wanted to get too close.

The alarm kept blaring out, and Katsuki wished he could explode it to smithereens just to make it stop. Thankfully, someone must have figured out that the noise wasn't helping anything because, finally, it shut off. 

The class turned towards Deku, but he didn't relax. He remained crouched by the wall, his breathing frantic, looking seconds from attacking someone.

Kimiko wasn't doing fantastic either, but somehow that purple-hair, eye bags general ed student was calming her down. 

Katsuki couldn't do anything. 

"I have returned with help!" Four-Eyes announced, pushing through the crowd with arm chops. 

Katsuki turned around, ready to snarl at whatever idiot they had brought back, but paused when he saw Yagi's tall form hurrying behind Iida. With Yagi's long legs, a single step kept him pace with several of Iida's.

Katsuki didn't know how he felt about the man yet. Sure, Deku trusted him and the teachers of UA, but there was something that the man had to be hiding. How else could he have such close ties with UA and the resources to get Deku out of the facilities. 

"You can go back to your class now," Yagi said, giving the class a smile, "I'll handle things from here."

When the class didn't immediately move, Yagi raised an eyebrow. Somehow, despite looking like a washed-up skeleton, his blue eyes seemed to glow and conveyed a degree of intensity, like don't you dare think about disobeying me. 

The group scattered like a flock of birds who saw a cat, with Round Cheeks looking back nervously. 

"Let's go, everyone. Let's get back to class," Momo called. "Iida, go run ahead and let Mr. Aizawa know the situation. If he believes it's necessary, also let Recovery Girl know." 

"Understood!" Four Eyes exclaimed and took off running. 

Katsuki didn't bother to join them. He wasn't going anywhere until Deku was okay. Then he was going to steal the security tape, find out which of the blockheads set off the alarms, and blow up their offices. 

Okay, getting ahead of himself, had to focus on Deku and Flower Girl. 

Flower Girl looked okay, albeit still pale and shaky, as the purple-haired extra muttered guides about where she was and what to focus on while tracing circles on her hand. Meanwhile, Yagi had taken Izuku's hand and was doing something similar, but instead of using calming phrases to get Deku grounded, he began humming. 

Katsuki instantly recognized the upbeat melody as All Might's theme song. He'd never let any of the extras at school know, but he had a large collection of All Might merch. Part of that was because he had been obsessed with being just like All Might. He even had hazy memories of watching the All Might anime with Izuku before everything happened. 

"You're alright, my boy," Yagi murmured between hums. 

Part of Katsuki's pride was bruised, seeing how easily Yagi calmed Deku down when he wasn't able to, but mostly he was glad to see that frantic look leave Deku's eyes. 

Yagi must have seen it, too, because he slowly moved closer until he had brought Deku into a hug. Deku cried as he clutched Yagi, and Katsukihad to look away. It wasn't fair to Deku to see him like that when he was vulnerable. 

It was funny when Katsuki first saw that dumb nerd sitting there in the UA; he had been furious to see him out in public where he could be taken away. Without even realizing Katsuki, he had thought he needed to protect Deku and keep him somewhere hidden away where he would be safe. 

Chapter Text

Izuku had almost asked Yagi to stay home the next day. The incident with the alarm system and the panic attacks made him go red with shame every time he thought of them. 

He was a Hero student. He was supposed to be better than this. But instead, he acted weak, pathetic, and useless. Just as the quirkless were always perceived. If it had been an actual emergency, he would have caused problems for the Heroes because instead of evacuating as instructed, he had frozen and panicked. In front of everyone. 

When he finally returned to class after Yagi calmed him down, he could feel his classmates observing him. Some looked as if they wanted to ask, but a quick, stern threat of a pop quiz from Mr. Aizawa shut down anyone from making a scene. Although he still felt like Todoroki was watching him from the side as if he was a puzzle to try to solve. He had spent the rest of the day with nervous fidgets and uncomfortable shifting before the bell finally rang, and he had all but sprinted off. 

As promised, Yagi had been waiting for him to take him home early. He had reassured Izuku there had been no shame in his panic attack. That it was a natural response to what he had gone through, horrible as it was. But Izuku still felt ashamed that he had broken down. One alarm, because of one stupid paparazzi, and he was reduced to a blubbering mess. 

Kacchan was right. He was a crybaby. 

Nevertheless, he was going to be a hero. And a hero could not give up. All Might never did. Neither would Izuku. Not when so many were counting on him. But Yagi could tell Izuku needed time to work through his anxiety. So they wound up walking to school UA today instead of taking the car like they usually did.

Izuku found that he liked it. They had to leave a bit earlier that morning, but there was something relaxing about simply being with Yagi. The streets were already filled with commuters and street vendors hawking their wares. Yagi had even caved at Izuku's puppy eyes and bought a crepe bursting with fruit and whipped cream shaped like a fluffy sheep. It had been almost too cute to eat. Almost. 

It was a relaxing day, but that didn't mean Izuku couldn't stop touching his neck, nervously double-checking that his scarf was still there. Yagi didn't say anything about it, only ruffled Izuku's hair. 

"I'll be hanging out with your class a bit today," Yagi said randomly. "I won't be leading the class, which will be nice, but I will get to be there and help out."

Izuku frowned, the sweetness of the crepe in his mouth tasting suddenly bitter. Yagi's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh, no, my boy, it's not about you. I was asked several days ago. But I am glad it means spending time with my favorite student." 

"You're not…worried about yesterday?"

"I was worried about you, but I'm not doubting your capabilities. You've been through things that no child, no…no adult, should ever have to go through. However, if having me there makes you uncomfortable…."

"No!" Izuku yelled, shaking his head. "I'm happy to have you there, promise! And I'm sure my classmates will be super excited to see you too."

"Ah, well—"

A shrill scream cut Yagi off, and both of them stilled. The scream came again, followed by an angry roar. 

"That was a villain attack, wasn't it?"

Yagi didn't answer, but his mouth thinned as he stared at his phone. "The hero network is requesting backup. There aren't any high-rated heroes nearby."

Izuku knew what Yagi was asking without saying a word. "You should go. We're close enough to UA that I can make it there, no problem, and you can go help out. You'll have enough time."

Yagi looked hesitant, but at Izuku's encouraging smile, he nodded his head. "Alright, but I expect you to text me when you get there." With a final thumbs up, Yagi disappeared in a blur of speed. 

Text Chat Between Kimiko and Izuku

Kimiko: Hey Zuku heard I'm not going to see you at lunch, you've got some fancy hero training. Try not to beat them too badly ;)

Izuku: heh, thanks. I'm just excited to use my 3DS gear!

Kimiko: I bet

Kimiko: Oh! Also I was thinking we could work on our English hmwrk after school at your place? Mic's hmwrk are haarrrd and you have a fluent English speaker…

Kimiko: Plus we can facetime Kojika together. 

Izuku: that sounds fun! 

Izuku: Also i got to put my phone away, Aizawa giving me evil eye

Kimiko: Gotcha

Sitting on the bus to the USJ, Izuku stared glumly at his phone. Yagi still hadn't arrived at school and wouldn't for a while, judging by the parade of news articles reporting his movements. It had been hard for Yagi to juggle hero work and look after Izuku; adding teaching responsibilities only made things harder. 

Sighing, Izuku pocketed his phone. Yagi would try his best to make it on time, but even if he couldn't make it, Aizawa would still be there. It was childish for him to feel disappointed. 

"Hey, Deku," Uraraka said, interrupting Izuku's pity party, "Can I sit next to you?"

Izuku's face felt uncomfortably hot at the thought of her sharing a bench with him, but he squeaked out, "Yes," and she sat down next to him. 

"Thanks! I was hoping to get to talk to you on the way over if that's alright." 

Izuku braced himself. He knew what she wanted to talk about, and unfortunately, it would not be if they wanted to study for the next English test together. 

"About what?" he asked, playing the clueless card. Uraraka caught his look, and her eyes softened. 

"Well, if you don't feel too uncomfortable talking about it," she said slowly. "I was worried about you yesterday. It seemed like the alarm really upset you–and that's okay– but as your friend, I wanted you to know that I'm here for you." 

Izuku's heart was pounding. She… said it was okay? She didn't think he was weak because of the panic attack yesterday? She wasn't going running and screaming? 

"Oh, thank you." 

That was it. That was it?! He was such an idiot…

Uraraka nodded, looking at her hands. It almost looked as if she felt as awkward as him, but she was determined to get her message across. 

"Annnnd well, I also wanted to know how I could help going forward. Like with triggers." 

Izuku's jaw nearly dropped, but he quickly closed it as he sat up. 

"Ah, well, I'm still trying to figure them out myself, and I don't like talking about it," he admitted quickly. "Um, I guess I don't respond well to loud alarms or people touching me without my permission. Or being restrained." 

"Okay, good to know," Uraraka replied. 

She didn't… she wasn't asking him why he feared getting touched or being restrained or alarms. She just accepted that he did not like it, and she wanted to help him.

"You don't have to worry about it that much," he assured her. "I usually don't break down like that. It just caught me by surprise, was all." 

"I know," Uraraka said sincerely. "I just felt useless yesterday, seeing you so upset, and I hated being unable to do anything." 

"That wasn't your fault, though!" Izuku promised her. "You couldn't have known. It isn't like I told anyone." 

"I know," she sighed. "But I want to be able to help you because you're my friend. Like how that man did for you." 

Izuku felt himself blushing, so he was almost relieved when others began to speak up. 

Kaminari, sitting in the seat ahead and not so subtly listening, joined in. "Yeah. Who was that yesterday? The tall dude with freaky eyes. They were so blue I thought he was going to shoot lasers out of them."

"Lasers, really?" Jiro said, rolling her eyes. 

Kirishima scratched his head. "I don't know, man. They were intense."

"He seemed nice to me, kero."

Iida adjusted his glasses. "He had a confident yet calm demeanor, fitting of a pro hero, but I didn't recognize him. He, however, immediately knew who you were when I came looking for help."

"So who is he then!?"

Izuku knew the cover story he was supposed to say. It had been drilled into him over and over. Yagi was his guardian who was looking after him after an unfortunate accident involving his mother. He was to keep it short, sweet, and to the point. Yet what came out of his mouth was stuttering, "Ah, I, umm, he's my dad."

The moment the words left, Izuku's mouth slammed shut. His cheeks burned in mortification, and he could feel both Kacchan and Aizawa's gazes boring into him. 

"WHAT?!"

"Dude, you guys look nothing alike!?" Kaminari yelled. 

Izuku laughed nervously. What had he been thinking? What had he even said? Of course, in the privacy of his mind, he might have thought of Yagi as his dad, and he was already going by Yagi's last name as if they were family and not two strangers brought together because of Yagi's selflessness. However, saying it felt very different. His classmates even saw it. Izuku should speak up right now and clear everything up. 

Yaoyorzu hummed thoughtfully. Their class president carried a reserved, proper demeanor, so her soft noise of thought caught everyone's attention. "I don't know, Kaminari," she said, startling the boy. "Just because they don't look similar doesn't mean he's not his dad." 

The class murmured in agreement, but Mina blurted out, "But how is his dad at UA anyways?"

"SHUT IT!" Kacchan roared, jumping to his feet and letting off a string of popping explosions. "Blasted noisy extras! Skeletor is All Might's secretary. He helps out with stuff Mr. Number One can't be bothered with. Which means he has permission to lurk around UA."

"Really?"

"Oohhh, that's so cool."

Kirishima turned to face Izuku. "Wait! Does that mean you met All Might before class yesterday?"

Izuku thought back on the first time he had met All Might, when the sludge villain had attacked, and Izuku had been dragged back by the Quirkless Commission. Not a typical happy meeting. However, he nodded in agreement. 

The class exploded into a flurry of questions. However, before Izuku could try to answer the onslaught of questions, the bus screeched to a halt. With a groan, Aizawa got to his feet. "Alright, class, we're here. Thirteen is already waiting for us inside, so follow me and don't dawdle." He ended his instructions with a glare, and the class obediently followed. 

Izuku had had some experience with UA's facilities. He had spent months training in them. However, even he would have to admit that the USJ was incredible. From his view on the opening landing, he could see six distinct biomes. Each was massive and dedicated to a unique disaster like flood, landslide, or ruins. 

Izuku touched the 3DS gear hanging at his hips. He had gotten to show off a glimpse of what they could do during the Battle Trials, but he looked forward to demonstrating his skills in these environments. The flood zone would be tricky, but the ruins zone would be perfect for his support equipment. 

Thirteen strode forward, dressed in her puffy, white costume. "Welcome class 1A to the USJ, otherwise known as the Unforeseen Simulation Joint."

"So cool!" Uraraka squealed. 

"It's fine, I guess," Kacchan grumbled, but Izuku could see the begrudging respect in his friend's eyes. 

As Thirteen continued her instructions, Izuku's thoughts drifted back to Yagi. Izuku had noticed Aizawa's annoyed expression and his whispered conversation with Thirteen. Since he wasn't there on the bus ride over, Yagi was supposed to meet them at the USJ. It had been several hours since school started, so he should have had enough time to make it. The only reason he wouldn't was if he had run out of time. 

Izuku let out a disappointed sigh, earning him a confused glance from Uraraka. With his classmates so excited about the field trip, it didn't make sense for him to feel glum because they only knew about Izuku's connection to Yagi, not All Might. 

"–And that's everything, kids!" Thirteen said as she wrapped up her speech. Izuku winced and forced his attention back. He had missed the entire lecture; hopefully, that wouldn't cause him too many issues. 

Aizawa stepped forward to speak, but then he paused, his eyes narrowing and body tensing as he turned to face the plaza. 

Izuku felt it before he saw it. A crackle of electricity in the air, like the world behind lightning strikes, leaving only charred ruins in its wake. Izuku's mouth dried, and the hairs on his neck rose. 

Judging by how Aizawa gripped his capture weapon, he felt it too. Something was wrong. Very, very wrong. 

A deep feeling of dread pooled in his stomach as a clawed hand emerged out of the swirling, purple mists, then a glaring, red eye, and finally, Tomura Shigaraki stepped out of the portal. 

Izuku’s heart plunged. 

Tomura was here. Why was he here? Why, of all people, was Tomura here? 

It was him. They were here for him. They were here for him, and Izuku was going back to the vault. Back to collars, back to gentle, soothing hands– not a ducky, not helpless, not yours– he couldn't go back– would not go back to him . 

"Deku! Snap out of it!" 

Izuku started at Kacchan's voice and saw his friend standing by him, red eyes flying from him to Tomura Shigaraki and the other villains emerging from Kurogiri's portal. There were so many… just how much recruitment had Tomura done? How long had he been planning this? From the moment he saw Izuku that day in Yagi's car? 

"The only professional heroes I see here are Thirteen and Eraserhead," Kurogiri noted. "Perplexing, since the schedule from UA said that All Might would be here as well." 

Wait… All Might? 

"Where is he?" Tomura asked. "I went through the trouble of bringing so many friends who were eager to meet the Symbol of Peace. And he's not here… but maybe if I kill a few kids, he'll come out and play." 

He wasn't even looking at Izuku. Not even glancing in his direction. Izuku put the pieces together, and suddenly he was grateful Yagi had run out of time this morning on his All Might form. They were here to kill All Might. 

This wasn't about Izuku. They didn't even know he was here. They were here to kill Yagi. 

All Might had hurt All For One… this meant that All For One was finally striking back against All Might for his injuries. 

"Thirteen, why aren't the alarms going off?" Yaoyorozu asked. 

Thirteen looked up at the facility walls. 

"I'm not sure," the hero admitted. 

"Either just this place or the whole campus is under attack," Todoroki spoke up, watching the villains' every move as if deducing where their feet would land in the following steps. "But one of them has to have a quirk that is masking their presence here. They chose an isolated part of campus and struck when it would be used. It was stupid of them to come here, but they planned for this." 

Izuku nodded. Already he could see over fifty villains walking out and scattering around. Some had physical mutations, and some were starting to use their quirks already. There had to be one in the bunch who was jamming the distress signal to UA. 

"Whatever their plan, they must have a concrete objective in mind," Todoroki continued. "But what is it?" 

"They're here for All Might," Izuku said. "They wanted to take out All Might and use the students here as hostages."

He would have continued when he saw something out of a nightmare emerge from Kurogiri's portal. It was at least as tall as All Might, if not taller, and just as strong. With its muscles, it could easily snap any of the students in half. Its eyes were like a shark's- dead and empty with no purpose aside from 'hunt.' A long, birdlike snout looked outward, covered with razor sharp teeth. And… part of its brain was showing? 

What the hell was that? 

"Get back!" Aizawa snapped. Gone was the stern but caring heroics teacher. As Aizawa unwound his scarf and put on his yellow goggles, only Eraserhead remained. 

Thirteen was also shifting into a fighting position, even though she did rescue work, not combat. Looking at the villains spread across the plaza, Izuku knew that it wouldn't be enough. Even if the two pros outclasses all the other villains, numbers still made a difference. 

Aizawa readied himself to jump—he was going to engage the villains and fight Tomura. 

"You can't!" Izuku cried, reaching out a hand. "There's too many of them. It's too dangerous."

"I'm a pro, kid; this is what we do. Now get yourself and all your classmates to safety."

Then he was gone, leaping down the long flight of stairs, his scarf trailing behind him. 

"Come on, Deku!" Kacchan barked, yanking on Izuku again. "Pull yourself together."

The rest of their classmates were already running towards the large doors leading outside, with Thirteen leading the way. 

Reluctance at leaving Aizawa behind made Izuku's stomach churn, and yet, the thought of running away from Tomura and Father made Izuku lightheaded with relief. He forced himself to turn and run with the rest of the class, but he couldn't resist glancing over his shoulder. 

Aizawa was… kicking their butts. 

Izuku hadn't realized just how much he held back on Izuku during all their training. Every move Aizawa made was calculated, every throw and punch thought out, with the instincts that only came after years of working as a pro hero. He was easily taking down the attacking villains with a single punch, making them collide into one another with his scarf and sending them flying with just a few quick moves. 

It was so cool! Now Izuku felt bad for underestimating his teacher. 

"Yagi, this isn't the time to analyze!" Iida shouted. "Come on. We have to go!" 

Izuku turned and followed his friend as they sprinted for the exit. Kaminari was fiddling with the antenna on his headset, trying to burst through whatever was jamming the signal so they could get an alarm out. 

But before they even got halfway to the door, a familiar void of purple smoke appeared, and a pair of yellow eyes looked down. 

Izuku froze, remembering those years of being strapped down and watched over. How this villain had gone along with Father's demands and treated Izuku like a doll. They didn't know he was here yet, but if Kurogiri saw him…it was a one-way trip back to his father's arms. 

"There is no escape," Kurogiri intoned as he rose like the demon of a nightmare. "We are the League of Villains. It may have been presumptuous  of us to invite ourselves here to the prestigious UA campus, home of the heroes, but we have a mission to fulfill, and unfortunately, you escaping is not allowed."

"I'll be the one that decides that!" Kacchan roared. "You're nothing but a walking ball of purple gas, and I'll blow you up myself if that's what it takes, stupid villain!"

Kacchan posed dramatically, setting off explosions in the palms of his hands. It was as if he was trying to draw attention to himself…and away from Izuku. 

At that moment, Izuku had never felt such gratitude nor fear for his friend. 

"I don't fear the tiny sparks of a fledgling hero."

Rage rolled over Kacchan's body. "Yeah?! Well, you should!" he yelled and launched himself forward. 

"No, don't!" Thirteen yelled, but it was too late. Kacchan was already mid-air, set to intercept. However, Kurogiri's golden eyes narrowed, and his entire body expanded, swallowing Kacchan. 

The class screamed in terror, but Kurogiri wasn't done yet. The tendrils of purple mists shot out, swirling around the group, wrapping around anyone that got too close. 

Izuku tried to run away, but the cool mists swirled around him, taking the floor out from underneath and sending him plummeting into the warp. 

The wind whistled in Izuku's ear. 

He gasped from the sudden teleportation and noticed the ground was suddenly the ceiling. And it was getting closer. Much closer. 

For a single moment, Izuku was paralyzed with indecision, and then his training with Gran and Aizawa kicked in. All those times, he had been knocked off ledges or tripped, and his destination was a one-way ticket to eating dirt—Izuku had trained for this. 

As the ground raced up to meet him, Izuku's hands instinctively grabbed his 3DS gear, and shot off an anchor. 

In an instance of luck for this awful day, the gear latched onto a crumbled building, sending Izuku's course abruptly careening toward a brick wall. 

He fumbled to shoot off another shot, barely clipping another wrecked building, allowing him to adjust his speed and trajectory. 

It took three more shots for Izuku to slow his descent, but finally, he swung to the ground and promptly dropped to his knees. 

"That," Izuku gasped, "was so much scarier than any practice."

His hands shook as he unlatched the gear, bringing the metal coils back to him and neatly rewinding them into position. However, he still didn't stand up. Kneeling in the dirt, he took deep breaths, trying to slow his frantically beating heart. 

"It's okay. It's okay," he told himself, choosing not to think about the fact that he had stumbled into a trap Tomura made for All Might. "I can figure things out. I'll be alright."

A loud, barking laugh came from behind him, "Yeah, I seriously doubt that, kid."

Izuku spun to his feet, drawing his batons out and flicking off the safety for the taser function. He turned to face the speaker, a man in a ripped leather jacket with a shark's head. 

The shark villain laughed again, revealing his rows of sharp teeth. "Oh, so scary." 

"They're not so scary when they're small, are they?" Another person said as two more people emerged from behind building debris. "Puppy with no teeth trying to act tough. Best time to crush them, I say."

The batons felt slick in Izuku's grasp as his attention flicked between the three villains. They thought he was weak. Panic bubbled beneath the surface. Had his hero costume torn? Did they see his collar and know who he was? 

The shark villain leered at him, trying to appear intimidating and calm slowly trickled back. They wouldn't be trying to intimidate him if they knew, and Izuku further grounded himself through the sensation of his costume rubbing against his neck. 

These were simply three low-level thugs trying to scare him. But Izuku would. Take. Them. Down. 

One of the villains stopped as he raised his head and looked unsure momentarily when he saw the look in Izuku's eyes. The same determination that had sent the Quirkless Commission and people like Usotsuki running around in circles for years. The same hardened resolution Tomura Shigaraki saw the day he broke out of the vault. 

Izuku Midoriya would not be beaten or broken. 

Then he snorted and broke out into a chuckle. The other two stopped, and the first one even looked a little freaked out as he got ready to move. 

"What is it, punk?" Sharkhead snarled. "What are you laughing at?" 

"Your fly is down." 

Sharkhead looked down in alarm, and Izuku charged forward. None of the villains saw him coming. His first target was the biggest one with some sort of exoskeleton that reminded him of an insect. If this guy had an offensive quirk, he would have used it or displayed it to intimidate Izuku. This meant this one looked scary but didn't have the means to beat him to the pulp. 

And if there was any doubt, it disappeared when Izuku lunged, and the guy's reflexes would have made Aizawa groan in despair. Izuku's leg flew out and met the guy's kneecap with as much force as he could muster. There was a sickening crunch as the man dropped to the floor, cracks appearing from where Izuku had hit. One swing of the nearest baton, and the guy spasmed, his screams swallowed by gasps of pain. 

"Hey! What the-”

Izuku fired an anchor past the second guy and against the crumbling wall behind him. With the simple push of a button, he reeled the cinch back in- only he did not disconnect the suction cup, which meant that Izuku went flying at top speed towards the thug. 

The guy had the wind knocked out of him as he slammed against the building, gasping for breath as Izuku flipped at the last minute and dislodged from the wall. 

He turned to sharkhead, who was beginning to realize he had chosen the wrong target. And the look in Izuku's eye seemed to make him realize that he was not the biggest or scariest thing that Izuku had ever faced. He wasn't even in the top twenty. 

"Whoa- hey, let's not get crazy! We didn't mean nothing! We just thought- hey!"

Izuku had already lunged forward and grabbed him using a shoulder throw to get the guy down on the ground. The guy didn't even have time to recover when Izuku pulled out the set of handcuffs on his costume that were to be kept on hand for villain attacks. 

"You didn't think," he growled. "If you did, you would have run while you had the chance." 

Chapter Text

Izuku realized a few things after those first thugs. 

1. Tomura and Kurogiri didn’t know that Izuku was here, or that he was even a Hero Student at all. If they had, they would have coordinated sending him into a nice vault, not dumping him in the one place where his gear would be the most useful.

2. For all the army of villains that Tomura brought with him, they had little to no skills in fighting. More likely they were either small-time criminals or people who Tomura reached out to on the internet who didn’t agree with Hero Society and their ideals and tried to fight. But they had severely overestimated their skills. 

3. For all a brat Tomura was, he was not stupid. He had to have realized that his “friends” were not going to do much in a fight. Which meant he had an ace up his sleeve to target All Might, while his minions took out the students and other heroes. 

Which meant that Izuku had to find out that ace up his sleeve was before Yagi wound up in danger. He had used up all his time as All Might to save people today. If Tomura knew Yagi only had a limited time as All Might, or that he was any weaker than before, he would not hesitate to try to kill him. 

Izuku was doing very little good on the ground like that, so he used his gear to latch onto the nearest building. He began flying up through the artificial alleys and streets, scanning for villains and other thugs of Tomura. His old instincts from running from the Quirkless Facilities came in handy as he noted hiding places where one could easily be looked over, before he found a group of maybe four or five more villains. 

And this time, he was ready. 

Izuku swooped down like an avenging angel, and knocked one of his legs with his batons. He didn’t even need to tase the man to get him down. He used another cup to pull him up again before the other minions even realized he was down there, and then descended again, this time kicking his target in the face. He was pretty sure he heard something crunch as the guy doubled over and then spun in the air. One touch of his batons, and the next guy joined his buddies, twitching.

One of the last villains got his wits about him and tried to grab Izuku around the middle. Izuku simply flicked the switch and pressed the button on his gear, and went flying to the nearest building. The guy was dragged along for the ride, and instantly let go with a curse when his feet left the ground. 

He fell flat on his face. Four down, one to go. He turned from his spot on the wall in time to see the man getting paler, and turning to run. Izuku’s gear anchored onto his back. The guy cried out in alarm as Izuku’s full weight slammed into him, and he was brought to the ground. Izuku hopped to his feet, standing triumphant over all of them. 

“Umm, Yagi?” Izuku spun around, batons ready to shock whoever had snuck up on him (he should have been paying more attention). 

The tall female gasped and lifted up her hands, the blue haired boy doing likewise. “It’s us! We landed here as well, but we heard fighting and didn’t know if you needed help.” 

Adrenaline was great in a fight, but not great for rational thinking, and to Izuku’s shame, he recognized Yaoyorozu and Iida, his classmates, looking faintly alarmed. 

Cheeks reddening, Izuku lowered his batons. “Sorry, I thought you were villains.’

Yaoyorozu laughed nervously, “No, but it does look like you’ve handled them well.”

“Yes, it is truly admirable to see your ability to take down professional criminals, but I would encourage you to be gentler with them in the future.”

Izuku snorted. “They were trying to kill me, and the would have killed you if given the chance. We can’t afford to go easy on them.”

At Iida’s look of indignation, Izuku continued. “I don’t want any of us to get hurt, which means, we can’t go easy on them.”

“He’s right,” Yaoyorozu said. She looked conflicted, but slowly her voice gained more conviction. “We are in a dangerous situation right now as brand new hero students with limitted training, that means we might have to take measures we otherwise wouldn’t. However, if we stick together, will be even better off.”

Iida nodded, somewhat mollified. 

“Iida and I had been surveying the area and it looks like we’re in the ruins section,” Yaoyorozu spoke up. “We have been able to hide and outrun some of the villains. We estimate there must be at least two dozen we’ve seen so far. We haven’t seen the rest of our classmates.”

Izuku nodded. 

“They divided us up, hoping that between the lack of training and greater numbers that we would be easy pickings,” he guessed. “Most likely Thirteen is fighting Kuro- the teleporter right now while Mr. Aizawa handles the rest.” 

“Do you think everyone is alright?” Yaoyorozu asked worriedly. “Or do you think they got attacked too?”

“Mr. Aizawa made sure to train us to adapt to our locations,” Iida reminded her. “I have faith in our classmates as hero students of Yuei.” 

“We still need to get help though,” Izuku said. “All it takes is one bad matchup or to get cornered or outnumbered and then we’ll have people down. We need to get back to the entrance. Hopefully someone has already been able to escape or at least get word out, but if not, Iida you’re our best bet.”

“He’s right,” Yaoyorozu said, “Kaminari is the best because of his headset, but if whatever is blocking it extends to outside, or he isn’t able to escape, you’re the one who would be able to run back to UA and get assistance the quickest.”

“Which means we need to get back to the entrance,” Izuku realized. 

Yaoyoruzu nodded, and began to scan the buildings and ceiling, as if trying to decipher where they were and how close to the entrance they were. 

“Yagi, could you use your gear to swing to the top of one of the buildings?” she asked. “If I make you a pair of binoculars and you go up there, we could figure out the best route while also avoiding trouble.” 

“Sure, I can do that.” 

Yaoyorozu quickly created a pair of binoculars, and he used his gear to get up the large building behind them. He was quick to scan the area, not just around them but the other disaster stations as well. He could see someone at the hurricane section throwing out a bunch of villains with Dark Shadow. Another figure was hopping through the mountain area, while another person froze the villains beneath. And by the looks of it, Kacchan and Kirishima were fighting off villains in the shipwreck area. 

Kacchan had an insane grin like he was enjoying every second. Two more minutes, and he would be using an eyepatch, a parrot, and going around as Captain Bakugou. 

Still, everyone seemed alive, and that was all Izuku could hope for. 

He climbed down and landed on his feet. 

“It looks like the buildings create a bit of a maze,” he reported. “And the only way out will pop us out right by the plaza. There are several villains in the way, but we should be able to sneak through. Aizawa has actually taken most of them out.”

Yaoyorozu and Iida smiled in relief, and Izuku’s stomach churned “in ruining it. “But the leader is still there too, along with some other massive villain. If they catch us….” Iida and Yaoyorozu would be dead, and Izuku would be trapped back in the vault. 

“Do you think we can sneak by?”

“I hope so because I’m not sure we otherwise have a choice.”

Kimiko: Hey UA’s on lockdown. You know what’s going on? Did they lock down your section too? I know it’s off campus…

Sneaking through the rest of the ruins was laughably easy. As Izuku had noted, the villains seemed woefully underprepared and trained. There was no communication or instruction besides “kill hero students,” and Izuku found, with Yaoyorozu and Iida’s help, defeating them was child’s play. 

Even near the exit, when a group of five tried to take them out, they had seen them coming thanks to Izuku going on the buildings every so often to survey their directions. Yaoyorozu started out by making smoke bombs and a pair of heat detection goggles. The villains were surrounded by foul smelling smoke that blinded them. Iida easily dispatched them, knocking them off their feet, and Izuku’s batons made sure they didn’t get up again. 

Then, just in case anyone got any ideas of following them to give them trouble as they went for the exit, Yaoyorozu had Iida string about 30 feet of woven steel coil through the entrance, ensuring that they were caged in and would trip easily trying to get out. 

“Good work, my fellow classmates!” Iida exclaimed. “Let’s head for the exit and assist our fellow students in evacuating!” 

Yaoyorozu nodded, glancing to the center where Aizawa had been fighting. 

“If we stick to the sides and try to remain unnoticed, we can hopefully get through,” she pointed out. “The villains seem focused on Mr. Aizawa, so we shouldn’t have too much trouble-” 

They snuck closer to the plaza, staying partially hidden behind the rubble. Villains scattered the ground in varying stages of unconsciousness.  

Izuku’s stomach churned. He hoped it would be that easy, but between Tomura, Kurogiri, and that thing standing behind Tomura like a robot waiting for instructions… something was wrong. Then, as if in tune with Izuku’s thoughts, Tomura lunged.

“First it was 23 seconds.” 

Mr. Aizawa took care of three villains who tried to rush him at once, and sent one flying into the shipwreck station. Seeing Tomura rushing towards him, he moved forward as well, scarf lifting as he prepared to fight. 

“Final boss!” their teacher exclaimed. 

“Then it was 24 seconds.” 

Aizawa’s scarf lashed out, but Tomura caught it in his hand and yanked it, slowing Mr. Aizawa’s momentum ever so slightly. 

“Then 20, then 17.”

The two raced towards each other, Aizawa ducked low and elbows out, ready to jam it into the Tomura’s vulnerable belly. Iida and Yaoyorozu quietly cheered, sure that victory was sure. But they still believed that heroes always won, and Izuku…he knew better.

With rising terror, he watched as Aizawa barreled into Tomura, hitting him square in the stomach, the force of the attack knocking both of them back. However, Tomura had seen it coming and strategically grabbed Aizawa’s other elbow, pressing down with all five fingers. 

Izuku had never experienced Tomura’s quirk, although he had seen it in action several times. Once, when Izuku had been trying to run away, he had hid in the plastic playground in the vault. When Tomura got tired of chasing Izuku around when he wanted to cuddle, he disintegrated half of the playset, and threatened to do the same to the stuffed animals if Izuku didn’t start getting ready for bed. 

But there was a terrible, visceral difference between seeing a plastic toy be destroyed, and someone’s flesh and muscle. Izuku stared in horror as Eraser’s skin began to flake away, revealing the tissue beneath. 

Aizawa immediately launched himself back, injured elbow dangling by his side, but the other villains were quick to take advantage, throwing themselves at him. Aizawa dodged each attack, but his breath was labored, and his injured arm swung loosely at his side.

“You’re not suited for drawn out fights with big groups, are you, Eraserhead?” Tomura said with delight. “You do fine at first, but slowly they start to wear you down. Besides, you can only erase so many quirks at once. You should have stayed with the kids, yet you threw yourself into the fight regardless. It’s only going to get you and your kids killed.”

Aizawa pulled back, his arm dangling at his side, almost down to the bone. It had to be agony, but all he did was pant and turn to Tomura. His scarf unraveled, as he prepared to make his next move, but Tomura wasn’t even daunted.

“And look at you! You’re still standing!” he teased. “You really are so cool, Eraserhead!” 

That’s when Izuku saw it. He was so focused on Tomura, he had looked away and didn’t realize it had moved. The great, black, sharklike thing was standing over Aizawa. 

“Oh by the way, Eraser? The final boss?” Tomura reminded him. “It’s not me.”

Aizawa looked up just in time to see a gigantic hand swinging down to attack him. He didn’t even have time to dodge. He didn’t have time to do anything. None of them did. 

Izuku could only watch as the goggles flew away, along with strands of hair and blood. Mr. Aizawa was pinned to the floor, the concrete denting under the force of the blow. Something cracked, and Izuku was certain it was bones. Then the creature sat down on him, and with a simple movement, twisted his arm until it snapped. 

Yaoyorozu cried, Iida’s mouth hung open, and Izuku stood frozen as they watched the creature beat down their teacher. To see Aizawa, who was such an accomplished hero, easily beaten to a pulp was terrifying. That feeling of utter helplessness, the knowledge that nothing you did mattered. 

In Izuku’s mind, the creature’s face slowly overlapped with that of his father, and the first day in the vault. 

He had allowed Izuku to challenge him, then without making a move, brought Izuku to knees under the oppressive weight of his aura. 

Is this all you can do, little hero? His father’s mocking voice rang in his ears. 

The creature raised its hand and slammed it down on Aizawa’s arm, making the hero yell out in agony. 

Red clouded Izuku’s vision. The oppressive aura… his father looming over him. Unable to fight. Clawing at his chest. Weak, pathetic, useless, helpless- 

“You can erase quirks, which is annoying, but overall not impressive,” Tomura noted. “When faced with true destructive power, you might as well be a little quirkless child.” 

The creature lashed out and broke Aizawa’s other arm, even as he tried to use Erasure on him. He cried out in agony. And Izuku’s ears rang with those words and cries all at once. One terrible, disgusting, harmony that rang perfectly in his ears. 

A little quirkless child. 

“Yaoyorozu… smoke bomb.” 

She gasped, turning to him.

“But Yagi, we can’t-”

“I can,” he snarled. “He doesn’t know I’m here. He won’t want to fight me. He’s going to kill Aizawa.”

“But Yagi,” Iida said, taking his shoulder. “That is a villain, and Mr. Aizawa was not able to defeat him. Surely you can’t think–”

Izuku shoved the boy away, a terrible look in his eyes. 

“Do it. Now.” 

Whether it was the tone in his voice, the look in his eyes, or seeing what he did before, Yaoyorozu paled as she made one more smoke bomb. She threw it at the plaza, and smoke flew everywhere, even obscuring Aizawa’s ability. 

Not that it mattered. It caught Tomura off guard, and that was all he needed. 

Izuku launched his gear at the monster, and flew. But as soon as he got close, he disconnected, and turned on the real villain. 

“TOMURA!” 

Tomura’s eyes went wide beneath the hand over his face as a familiar boy appeared seemingly out of nowhere, eyes blazing with the fires of hell. 

“Izu-” 

Izuku’s kick landed straight on the villain’s ribcage, shoving him back into the steps, as he landed on his feet. His batons were practically vibrating, waiting to be used, as Tomura stood, eyes wide as moons as he took in what was before him. 

“Izuku? Is that really you?” 

Izuku did not answer. He lunged instead, moving to the part that Mr. Aizawa had elbowed earlier. Tomura avoided him, hands flying back. Unlike Aizawa, Izuku was different. For once, being quirkless was a tactical advantage. 

The last thing he wanted to do was lay a finger on Izuku.

“What the hell are you doing here? You can’t- what-”

Izuku was already on the move, kicking and punching as he remembered everything that All Might, Aizawa, and Gran Torino had taught him. Tomura was here to kill All Might. He had hurt Aizawa. 

They went out of their way to teach Izuku. They believed in him. He would not let them down. 

“You disappeared that day! Sensei was so angry-”

His words were cut off when Izuku threw him down to the ground, sending two of the creepy hands that held onto him flying off. Tomura’s eyes went wide as he saw them, and anger and frustration filled what little Izuku could see of his face. 

“No, it doesn’t matter! I’m not failing again! NOMU! KUROGIRI!” 

In an instant, the creature was no longer attacking Aizawa or pinning him down. Instead, in the blink of an eye, it was on Izuku, easily grabbing both of his wrists in its massive hand and dangling him from the ground. Panic filled Izuku as he flailed and kicked.

His batons- his gear. He had to use them to fly out. He needed to get his hands free so he could fly away- 

As he squirmed, the creature squeezed his hands in warning, threatening to crush them without breaking a sweat. 

“Nomu, bring him here,” Tomura ordered, and the creature–this nomu–lurched forward, carrying Izuku dangling in the air. 

Izuku twisted in its hold, kicking out at its stomach, chest, neck, all of the sensitive areas he could reach. 

Purple mist swirled into existence by Tomura as Kurogiri’s ghostly form solidified. “Young master Tomura, what is it that you require? I was in the middle of apprehending an escapee. At this rate, he will have slipped passed the communication barrier.”

“What!? You let him escape!?” Tomura aggressively scratched his neck. “Whatever, never mind. This entire mission has gone sideways. All Might isn’t here, and I’ve found something more important.” 

“Something more important than our mission?” Kurogiri asked, only to turn his attention on Izuku as he tried to force his way out of Nomu’s grip. Yellow eyes widened, and the mist seemed to spread to indicate Kurogiri’s surprise. 

“Is that- young Izuku! It is a relief to see you alive and well!” 

Izuku’s eyes landed on the portal-making villain, and his heart plunged as he realized the plan.

“Let’s get him back to the vault before he can get hurt,” Tomura decided before glancing at the fallen form of Aizawa. “I have a feeling we will need some questions answered before we leave.”

“Yes, Tomura Shigaraki.”

Izuku frantically began to thrash as Kurogiri’s warp gate appeared below him. He knew exactly what lay on the other side.

The vault. They were going to just drop him back into the vault. 

He was going back to the vault! 

“Nomu. Drop him.”

Nomu released him, and Izuku screamed- only to land on solid ground and not in the middle of the warpgate. 

What?

“Midoriya!” Aizawa shouted, while coughing up a mouthful of blood. “RUN!” 

Izuku didn’t have to be told twice. His hands went to his gear, and he immediately launched himself away, closer to where Iida and Yaoyorozu were. 

“Yagi!” Yaoyorozu cried. 

“What were you thinking that was very reckless!”

Izuku’s heart thundered. He couldn’t go back to the vault again. He couldn’t. 

But he couldn’t abandon Aizawa either. As long as Tomura knew that Izuku was here, all his attention would be focused on retrieving him and not on attacking anyone else. 

“I’ll distract them!” he shouted, already lining up the pistons for his next shot. “All their attention should be on me, so get Aizawa and get out of here!”

“Yagi, wait–” Iida shouted, but Nomu was already barreling towards them, and with a flick of the trigger, Izuku shot away. 

The plaza wasn’t ideal for Izuku’s gear, although he was happy he had spent so many hours with Aizawa and Torino practicing short-range jumps. He needed to get out of here and to another section where he couldn’t be followed as easily. 

A hand reached for his back, and Izuku ducked, rolling across the cement and up into a crouch. He fired off another shot, this time aiming for the ruins section of the USJ. Since Yaoyorozu, Iida, and he were the only ones who had warped there, there wouldn’t be any other UA students who would get caught in the crossfire. 

He began swinging over, only to see Kurogiri appear right in front of him. In a split second, he changed directions, only to see Nomu moving towards him. Not seeing what else to do, he pulled in both winches of the gear, and plunged like a stone, using what Aizawa and Gran Torino had taught him to land on his feet like a cat.

“Hey! That gear is pretty neat, ducky!” Tomura said. “I’m going to have to learn how to use it when we get back!”

“DON’T CALL ME THAT!” Izuku snarled. “My name is Izuku! I’m not your pet, and I’m not going back!”

He didn’t get a chance to say more when the very ground shook as a cloud of dust appeared at the entrance. Izuku never thought he would believe in miracles, but in that moment he saw one when All Might appeared in his full muscular form, and no smile. 

“It’s alright, my students! There is no need to be afraid any longer, for I am here!” 

Everyone stared for a second, both villains and students in awe of seeing the Symbol of Peace before them. Even Tomura and Kurogiri had paused to take in the new arrival while Nomu waited with no command to point him in a direction. 

All Might face was set in an angry snarl, and in a single movement, he ripped his tie off and threw it into the wind. 

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. However, as soon as UA received young Kaminari’s message of distress, I came here as quickly as I could. And know this, villains, the rest of UA’s might is right behind me.”

All Might’s eyes roved across the battlefield, landing on Yaoyorozu and Iida huddled around Aizawa laying in a puddle of blood, and Izuku, surrounded by villains. His face hardened, and the only warning that the villains got was a slight tensing of his muscles. 

Five were knocked out in the blink of an eye as All Might skidded to a stop besides, Aizawa, Iida, and Yaoyorozu. 

“Get him to the entrance,” All Might ordered. “Help will be here shortly.”

“Wait–” Tomura said, his eyes narrowing. “What do you think you’re doi–”

All Might launched himself forward, the force of his jump sending currents of air that knocked the hand of Tomura’s face, and then he was standing next to Izuku, tucking him up under his arm. 

“Ah, Yagi, wait!” 

All Might did not wait. In an instant, he brought Izuku back beside Iida and Yaoyorozu. 

“Get Eraserhead out of here, and head for the entrance,” he ordered the students. “More are on their way, and I cleared out the villains in your path.” 

“But All Might, sir, these villains are just as fast as you!” Iida protested. 

“And they’ve been trying to capture Yagi!” Yaoyorozu added. “They seem- I don’t know what it is, but they keep trying to take him.”

All Might’s eyes narrowed as he quickly scanned Izuku. 

“Are you alright, my boy?”

Izuku quickly nodded, his heart pounding. Did All Might realize what was going on? Did he realize that Tomura was one of the villains who held him captive when he was a kid? 

“All the more reason to get out of here,” All Might decided. “I will take care of these ones.”

“But Ya- All Might-” Izuku protested.

Yagi turned and gave Izuku a beaming smile. 

“Do not worry, young Izuku. I’ve got this.” 

Izuku bit his lip, but nodded as he and Iida began to carry Aizawa on his shoulders. 

“You should run ahead to the entrance, Iida,” Yaoyorozu said. “You are faster. You can get him to safety quicker. Yagi and I will catch up.”

“That is a logical plan, as I would expect of my fellow leader of Class 1-A!” Iida said, his hand making the chopping motion. “But I will not leave my fellow students in danger, especially when speed might be the key to all of us escaping.” 

“Stop… doing… that!” Aizawa groaned as every hand motion of Iida’s sent spasms through his broken body. 

“My apologies, sir!” Iida said, raising his hand for another chop, then realizing what he was about to do, lowered it. 

Crashes and booms came from behind them, and Izuku couldn’t stop himself from looking back every couple of seconds to see what was happening.

Down in the plaza, Tomura yelled furiously, trying to order the Nomu to go back and get Izuku, but All Might blocked every attempt with an earth-shattering punch. 

“Kurogiri! Nomu! Stop him already!” Tomura yelled. 

“Hah! You really think two villains like you are enough to bring me down?! Even if your friend can take my punches, all I’ve got to do is get him somewhere where he can’t easily slip away. Like so!” Wrapping his arms around the nomu’s waist, All Might flipped himself backward, driving the Nomu into the concrete.

Or it should have. 

Izuku’s heart stuttered as he watched Kurogiri’s portal appear beneath the Nomu, allowing it to pass through safely and dig it’s clawed hands into All Might’s side.

From his vantage point, Izuku could see the blood seeping through All Might’s white shirt, the claws digging into All Might’ injury.

“If this is the best you’ve got, then you should just give up now!” All Might warned even as he released the bottom half of Nomu.

But Tomura’s posture was too confident, too gleeful.

“Kurogiri… let’s finish this and get our precious ducky.”

All Might’s eyes widened, and Izuku knew that he knew. He knew who Tomura was to Izuku.

“Normally, I do not like blood and viscera flooding my warp gates,” Kurogiri noted. “But I’ll make an exception for you. We needed Nomu to restrain you so we could hold you in place.”

The portal shifted, and Izuku watched with horror as it pulled Nomu all the way through and left All Might halfway in before cinching around him. And even then, the portal was beginning to tighten around him. He realized Kurogiri and Tomura’s plan. And with Nomu pulled through the portal and holding All Might in place, he couldn’t slip through and escape. He was going to be cut in half. 

Yagi…one of the first people to ever truly care for him, to believe in him. Who helped Izuku see his mom again, and was supporting him in being a hero…

Izuku would rather go back to the vault than ever see Yagi die. 

“What are you doing?!” Iida cried as Izuku shoved Aizawa’s legs into his arms. “Didn’t you hear what All Might said?”

“Kid, don’t,” Aizawa groaned, but Izuku wasn’t listening. 

Leaping off the stairs, he fired off a shot towards the plaza by Tomura’s feet. Tomura jumped as the suction locked on, and Izuku came soaring, but he was too late to avoid the kick to the sternum. 

With an oof, Tomura was sent flying backward into the fountain with a splash. 

“Young Izuku?” 

“Izuku!”

Kurogiri and All Might yelled, but Izuku detached the suctions and re-aimed them. His target, the Nomu, could do nothing as Izuku came rocketing at him. The creature screeched but didn’t let go of All Might. Izuku didn’t care. 

He could see All Might’s attacks had done nothing. So blows and force were going to do nothing. It had just absorbed all of Izuku’s attacks as well. 

That being said, its brain was left strangely out in the open. And Izuku remembered the biology course Yagi had him take before UA, that said, the brain was the one that fired electric nervous signals to the body. 

And if it made electric signals…

So when Izuku landed, he didn’t try to punch Nomu or kick. Instead, he set his batons to stun and rammed both of them in the creature's brain as hard as he could. 

He watched as the creature spasmed with the shocks of the electricity running through its body and lost all control. All Might pulled free of its weakened grip and slipped through the warp gate before sending it flying backward. 

At the same time, the air exploded into sound as Kacchan appeared out of nowhere and barreled into Kurogiri, his hands landing on the armor plates at his neck. Then, Yaoyorozu followed close behind with Iida, throwing two packs of something that burst into cement that hardened around the Nomu’s arm and leg. 

“Got you, you dumb villain!” 

Izuku used his gear to pull himself away as Kacchan fired two warning explosions into the plates. 

“Don’t even try to move!” he snarled. 

For a moment, the battlefield went still as the situation sank in. They had done it. They had gotten the Nomu down, Kacchan had Kurogiri pinned, and Tomura had no way out and the Heroes were on their way. Somehow, Izuku and his friends had pulled it off. They were able to stop the villains. 

Tomura glanced from Izuku to All Might beneath the disembodied hand, and his red eyes seemed to become pinpricks. His hands went to his neck and he began to scratch so hard that droplets of blood began to appear beneath his fingernails. 

“No! No!” he snarled. “You damn pest! How could you do this? How could you put him in danger?!” 

That… hadn’t been the reaction anyone was expecting. 

Tomura pointed at All Might accusingly, glaring at him with such hatred. 

“He is ours!” he cried. “We look after him, not you! And you steal him away from us and put him on the front lines? What sort of sick bastard are you, you fake hero?” 

All Might’s brow creased. “What are you talking about? You’re the one who came here to attack innocent hero students!?”

“Innocent?! Don’t make me laugh. These brats are no better than you. But he–” Tomura pointed a bloody finger at Izuku. “Is one of your worst crimes yet. Putting a quirkless child on the battlefield? Using him as a meatshield in a fight that has nothing to do with him? Why, you’re more of a villain than me.”

“That’s not true!” Izuku protested. 

But Tomura was beyond reasoning. His eyes dilated, and flecks of spittle flew from his mouth as he yelled, “Sensei was right! Sensei is always right!”

“Your Sensei is not here,” All Might boomed. “And believe me when I say that we will hunt him down and make him pay for his actions.”

“You’ve tried once, All Might, and your weakness today is proof of how well your last battle went.”

All Might paused for one single, solitary split second, completely shocked by what the young villain was saying. 

“Bad enough that you had to hurt him so much he can’t see anymore!” Tomura continued. “But you had to take our Quirkless from us too. You make me sick! Izuku shouldn’t be anywhere near you. He needs to come home with us!” 

“LIKE HELL!” Katsuki roared, but Izuku had frozen. He could feel All Might’s gaze on him, as the hero who had protected him put all the pieces together. Izuku’s heart sank as he realized that All Might had figured it out. 

The Vault, ‘Daddy’, Tomura’s Sensei… he knew who it was. 

And he knew that Izuku had kept it from him. 

But before anything could be said or done, there was a loud crack as Nomu broke free and began to lunge for Katsuki. All Might moved quicker than sight, and the next instant, Katsuki was standing beside Izuku, while Nomu was being held back by All Might. Kurogiri on the other hand, was now free. 

“Enough of this!” All Might growled. “I am not letting this creature hurt anyone else.” 

There was undeniably a new found fury in his eyes as he grabbed the Nomu, throwing it over his shoulder onto the concrete. 

It wasn’t enough to stop the Nomu, but All Might wasn’t done. 

Grabbing the Nomu by its legs, he began to spin in a circle, round and round, building up speed. Their figures blurred into a ring of purple, blue, red, and yellow. The Nomu screeched as it tried to claw at its target, but the many quirks stuffed into were no match for the power of centrifugal force. 

With a roar of “Plus Ultra!” All Might released the Nomu, sending it flying towards the USJ ceiling. The Nomu crashed through the glass panels, leaving a gaping hole that revealed its form to turn into a twinkling star in the distance. 

If the problem couldn’t be defeated; it needed to go far away.

“Now then,” All Might said, his teeth bared in a mockery of his usual smile. “Onto you.”

Chapter Text

Kimiko: Izuku? Are you guys okay? Someone was saying that it's off-site. They said there are villains. You're okay, right? 

Kimiko: Sorry about that voicemail; I'm just freaking out over nothing. Just text me when you get the chance, okay? 

Kimiko: Please be safe

Kimiko: Izuku??? Snipe just rushed out and told us to stay put. What's going on? 

Tsuku-kun: Kimiko? We got alerts of a villain attack at UA. Are you okay?! 

Kimi: Yeah, I'm fine. They've locked down the main campus, but I don't think the attack is here. The teachers all rushed out a few minutes ago. We're all safe, though. 

Tsuku-kun: Thank goodness. Okay, I can breathe a little easier, then. I'm on my way now, but I had to make sure you were okay. 

Kimi: I think Izuku might be in trouble, though. He isn't responding to my texts. 

Tsuku-kun: I see. Well, remember, he has some sort of training right now. He might not be able to look at his phone right now. 

Kimi: I know. I keep telling myself that. But I just feel it in my gut that something's wrong. 

Tsuku-kun: Okay, don’t worry. We're on our way now. Hang in there, okay? 

Kimi: You think something's wrong too, don't you? 

Tsuku-kun: Normally, this is where I say, 'no, everything's fine,' but I promised you I wouldn't do that to you. You say your instincts say something is wrong. In my experience, your gut is right most of the time. 

Kimi: Thanks, Tsuku-kun. Hurry. 

Tsuku-kun: I'll update you when I know more. Hang tight, Kimiko. Everything will be okay. 

Tomura looked at the battlefield before him and began to scratch one more. 

"Damn you!" he snarled. "Damn you, heroes! This wasn't fair! He said you were weak! He said we could beat you! You cheated! You put Izuku on the front where we wouldn't hurt him–used him as a shield! You cheated!" 

"Enough!" All Might said, stepping forward, although Izuku could see his muscles were starting to steam- a warning sign that his time was almost up. "You will come with us, and you will share everything you know about your so-called Sensei." 

Tomura cursed and looked at Izuku. 

"Ducky, come on!" he called. "We have to go home! It isn't safe here for a Quirkless like you. You have to come back to the--" 

But before he could finish, something shot through the air, cutting him off as it went straight through his hand. Izuku whirled around in time to see Snipe standing at the entrance platform and firing another two shots with his revolver. One hit Tomura's thigh, another his shoulder. Tomura fell to the ground, blood pooling around him. 

More heroes and UA staff were arriving, apologizing for being late. Mic was starting to shout, Midnight was tearing off her sleeve, and Nezu was fiddling with a suspicious-looking remote control. 

"KUROGIRI!" 

The warp swirled up around him, pulling Tomura into its depths as he let out a final cry of rage. Similar swirling mists curled around Izuku. Panicked, Izuku reached for his 3DS gear, but a massive hand grabbed his costume collar and yanked him back. 

With an ominous whoosh of air, the portals disappeared, leaving Izuku, All Might, Bakugou, Iida, and Yaoyorozu standing in the plaza surrounded by defeated villains. 

"What was that?" Yaoyorozu asked, looking nervously at Izuku. "He was saying that you were…well—"

"The villains were making baseless accusations!" Iida cried, chopping his hand. "There's no way UA, a prestigious school that upholds the law, would ever allow a quirkless to attend."

"What do you mean?!" Bakugou roared. "Izuku deserves to be here as much as anyone else, regardless of having a quirk!"

Izuku winced as Yaoyorozu and Iida reared back in shock. 

"Wait, so it's true."

"I…" Izuku started to say, but All Might, who was still holding him by his jacket, swung him up over his shoulder. 

"I'm afraid he needs urgent medical aid!" he said. Smoke steamed off of him, and blood bubbled out from clenched teeth. He was getting close on time, and yet he showed no strain as he leaped several stories into the air, all the way to the top of the staircase where Nezu and the other heroes were waiting. 

"All Migh–"

"The villains are either defeated or escaped," All Might interrupted, "but I'm afraid I need to return to UA."

Nezu's eyes tracked the steam rolling off All Might in waves. "Completely understood. We'll handle things from here."

Izuku started to squirm when he realized All Might had no plan of putting him down, "Wait–woah!" All Might pulled Izuku off his shoulders and tucked him securely in his arms, and then launched forward, bursting through the UA doors, past the police who were beginning to arrive. 

The scenery blurred together as All Might bounded over roads, trees, and buildings. Steam continued to pour from him, but All Might didn't release his form until he had reached the infirmary. 

"Chiyo!" All Might shouted, then collapsed with a bloody cough into his smaller form. 

"There's no need to yell." Recovery Girl hobbled over with an annoyed but concerned expression, "Nezu warned me that you would be coming. Sit down on the bed."

Carefully, Yagi swung Izuku off his shoulder and onto his bed before taking a seat on the bed across. 

"Look at him first," Yagi said, wiping blood from his chin. 

"No, no, I'm fine!" Izuku insisted. "Yagi- the creature- they hurt- his stomach-" 

"You are a student, sonny boy," Recovery Girl reminded him. "You take priority." 

"Not over, Yagi!" 

The school nurse sighed but turned to the Number One Hero instead. Yagi protested, but then with a sigh, unzipped his hero suit to reveal the blook wound. She observed the gash from where the Nomu had dug its fingers into All Might and began setting to work bandaging it up. 

"You were lucky it wasn't worse," she told him. "Did this creature know about this spot?" 

"I don't know," All Might answered, and with a puff of steam, he was back to the familiar man that Izuku knew as Yagi. "I wouldn't have thought for if not-" 

He glanced at Izuku, and Izuku's heartbeat picked up. He knew. He knew who 'Daddy' was, who had Izuku in a vault, and who Tomura's Sensei was. He knew that the man was still alive… 

"I- I-" he began to stammer. "I didn't mean-" 

Yagi held up his hand, "Not right now, Izuku. There will be time for this particular conversation. Please, let's just make sure you're not hurt."

Recover Girl spoke up, "For once, something sensible from you, although charging into battle after straining your time limit was not smart. How many times must we go over this?!"

Yagi smiled sheepishly, but it didn't reach his eyes. He stayed reticent as Recovery Girl bustled around him, wrapping his wounds. 

"I don't trust you to have enough energy for my quirk," Recovery Girl warned him. "So it will have to be the old-fashioned way for a few days."  

"That's alright. I'll do without," Yagi assured her, patiently letting her dress his wounds. "I don't think I broke anything…" 

"No, it looks like it hit the gap where your stomach was. No internal bleeding, thankfully, but had it held onto you a moment longer, we'd be rushing you to the hospital right now." 

After several minutes, she seemed satisfied with her work and turned to Izuku. She made sure there were no major injuries before dressing his bleeding hands. He wasn't even aware that they were bleeding. Or that his ankle was twinging in pain. 

"Sprained ankle from a poor landing," Recovery Girl explained. "And bleeding from the hits. You are also lucky." 

Izuku was hesitant to tell her that was only because the only two people who could really have hurt him were going out of their way not to hurt a sweet little quirkless. The other villains he handled, thanks to his training. But Tomura and Kurogiri, they had wanted to do something much worse. 

It was only now starting to hit Izuku just how close he had been to going back to the vault. If it weren't for Aizawa or if it weren't for Yagi… 

He'd be back. Back to the soft blankets, the pet names, the collars… 

Not again. He couldn't go through that again. 

Tsuku-kun: Situation's resolved. I'm on my way to speak to All Might. Do you want me to come get you first? 

Kimi: Yes please. 

Recovery Girl finally finished and turned to the both of them. 

"I am going to the site now to treat any injuries there," she explained. "You two stay here and get some rest. When I am finished, I will come back, check on you, and clear you to go home. It has been a long day for everyone, and I'm afraid that there is still work to do."

With a final reminder to stay still, she grabbed her bag and bustled out, leaving Yagi and Izuku lying there. The AC rattled noisily, and distantly, Izuku could hear sirens from police cars reporting to UA and the USJ. 

There was probably going to be so much paperwork. And class would be canceled for at least a day. Hopefully, no one had gotten hurt. The villains hadn't seemed particularly difficult as Izuku and Iida and Yaoyorozu…and no, he wasn't going to think about them and what they heard. It would be fine. They didn't actually know. Besides, he had other things to worry about, like how they were going to find Tomura or what that Nomu thing was that had been attacking them. Or Aizawa, was Aizawa okay—

"I can hear your brain overthinking. It's sounding alarms to slow down."

Izuku wanted to sink into the bed and disappear. "Ah, I guess just a lot to think about."

"Yes…" Yagi said slowly, an off-tone in his voice. "I suppose there is a lot to think about."

An awkward silence filled the room as Izuku tried to avoid Yagi's gaze. 

"Why didn't you tell me, young Midoriya?" All Might asked. "Why didn't you tell me who he was?" 

"I didn't-" Izuku squeaked. "I couldn't- his quirk-it stops me from revealing information." 

"Young Midoriya, don't you dare go and sell yourself short," All Might warned him gravely. "I know you are smart enough to figure out a way around the quirk that made you unable to name him. You could have told me enough to realize who your father was." 

Izuku faltered and looked down at his hands. Kimiko had said the same several months ago while driving to Might Tower. 

"Look," All Might said, rubbing his eyes. "Just tell me so that we can both be absolutely on the same page. The villain who had held you captive, and the one Shigaraki was referring to, is All for One, isn't it?

"Yeah, somehow he got out during transport and was running around the hallways. All for One found him."

"Sold for one hundred million to the generous All For One. Thank you, sir! You may pick up your new boy and his information with our lovely clerk at my left." 

"So disappointing. Poor, weak, quirkless, ducky. Can't even stand in a real villain's presence. You'd be dead if I meant you any harm. But I don't because you are no hero. You're quirkless, and now, you're mine."

Izuku choked as every memory, every painful moment, every time he was made to feel weak, pathetic, helpless, trapped inside that vault–

"Yes," he whispered. "Yes." 

He wanted so badly to tell him more. Tell him that it was All Might who was able to help him break free. That after the fight, All For One was so badly injured that it finally gave Izuku a chance to run. How he used Tomura to get out because he knew All For One wasn't invincible because All Might had hurt him. 

But one look at Yagi's face- the fear, the hurt, the betrayal… 

Izuku realized he had hurt him more than any attempt to run away ever had. 

"I wanted to tell you," he whimpered instead. "I just– I was–" 

Words failed him as he fought to figure out what to say. Scared? Scared of All For One? Scared of Tomura? Scared of being sent back to the facilities? Scared that Yagi would turn his back on him because of his father? 

"He… he says he's my father," he continued. "He believed he was my– and I thought if you knew that– if you knew I was his son after he hurt you–" 

He faltered, unable to figure out what else to say. Yagi was just watching him, blue eyes scanning him as if looking for similarities to the villain. Izuku's throat seized up. 

"You should have told me, Izuku," Yagi murmured, blue eyes showing how betrayed he felt. "Why didn't you tell me? What did I do wrong? We've asked about this over and over. I tried to give you space. I trusted that you would tell me–" 

"I couldn't!" Izuku spoke up. "I'm– I didn't want you to know." 

"Why?" Yagi pressed. "Why didn't you feel like you could tell me?" 

"Because I didn't want to disappoint you!" Izuku exclaimed. "You had done so much for me, and if you knew that I was- that he–" 

He couldn't go on. All he could think about was the vault. He was almost thrown back in today. Just hours ago, had it not been for Aizawa, he would be back in the vault. 

"I'm not disappointed in you, my boy," Yagi sighed. "I– I thought we had gotten to a point where we could trust one another and… and just…look at this mess we're in now. Two more people know you're quirkless." 

Izuku's heart sank. Yagi had done nothing wrong. He had been so patient and put up with so much from Izuku, but he had never faltered or doubted Izuku. But Izuku… Izuku hadn't wanted that to end. He didn't want Yagi to doubt him, or send him away, so he kept it secret. 

It hadn't even occurred to him that Iida and Yaoyorozu had heard the truth. Now they both knew. Kacchan had known before, but neither of them had. If they thought Izuku was in danger… 

Yagi would be declared an unfit guardian. Or worse, abusive like his mother. Carted off for allowing a Quirkless to be in danger, locked in a cell, while Izuku was dragged back to the facilities to be treated as a helpless child once more. 

"We can do something about that, though, right?" he asked. "Stop Iida and Yaoyorozu from saying anything?" 

There had to be a way. He couldn't go back. He couldn't go back to the facilities any more than he could go back to the vault. 

"I'm not sure how," Yagi admitted, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

That wasn't the answer Izuku wanted. He had wanted Yagi to hug him and assure him everything would be okay. Because Yagi was going to stand by Izuku no matter what. But now Izuku had ruined that. 

"Nezu will have an idea, some sort of plan to fix this," he insisted. "He always does."  

"But it wouldn't have needed fixing if you had trusted me with the truth," Yagi said, his tone becoming more frustrated. "We could have had countermeasures in place; we could have been ready for this Shigaraki guy–"  

"Well, I didn't, okay?!" Izuku snapped. His shoulders rose defensively as if preparing for an attack. Unlike before, when he had shouted or snapped at Yagi, the hero didn't look at him in shock or surprise. Instead, he looked calm, but Izuku could see what he knew upset him. 

He should have known. He should have known that Yagi would never accept All For One's son. 

"Why, though?" Yagi pressed. "That's all I'm asking." 

Izuku turned away, looking down at his sheets. He didn't want to talk about it. He had come so close to being thrown back into the vault today. He didn't want to think about All For One or Tomura or anything like that. He just wanted to go home. But Yagi wasn't having it.

"If you truly want to be a hero, you have to let us help you. Let me know what's actually going on so that I can protect you."

Izuku looked up at Yagi, anger rolling off at that word. He wasn't helpless! He had just fought off a bunch of villains! He was able to hold his own against Tomura for a time. He had led his fellow students out of danger, and they had taken on Tomura and the Nomu head-on. He was anything but helpless. How dare Yagi say otherwise? 

"I don't need protecting!" he cried. 

"Ah, so you weren't almost dragged back to All for One?" Yagi snapped. "You didn't need Aizawa to help you; you had the whole thing sorted?" 

The words stabbed past all of Izuku's defenses and straight into his deepest insecurities. Even after all these months of training, he still hadn't been enough to hold off Tomura, let alone All for One. 

Poor, weak, quirkless, ducky. 

Usotsuki would have said the same thing. Pointed out just how bad the situation was, how he had needed help, and by the end, the safest place for him was back in the facilities, locked away before he could hurt anyone else. 

Embarrassment clogged Izuku's throat, and he frantically blinked back tears. "That's, that's not fair. You sound like Usotsuki!"

He regretted those words as soon as they came out. He saw the hurt in Yagi's eyes at the accusation that the hero could be anything like the Director. 

But Yagi continued on mercilessly. "What's not fair is that you withheld valuable information. What if he had shown up, and I hadn't known about your…relationship. What if I couldn't stop him?" 

Then Izuku would be back in the vault. And there would have been no way for Yagi to find him. Not even Nezu… he would be back in that vault, dressed, cuddled, and played with like a pet. A golden collar and his hair turned white again… 

He would never be free of them. Even after all these years, he still was not free from them, and he never would be.

"You stopped him before," he said quietly. "A-and he's injured now. He- he lost his eyes!" 

He hoped to steer the conversation away. Speak of the weaknesses he saw on All For One. Where he had escaped from after he got out of the vault. Something to prove he was still valuable, still could contribute something, that he  hadn't  screwed up completely. 

"And that's the sort of information I need to know," Yagi explained, clearly fighting to regain his composure. "I don't want you to be in danger. I don't want you to get hurt." 

"I don't need you to worry about me!" Izuku snapped. "I can take care of myself on my own! That's all I did before you-"  

They were cut off by a knock on the door. A second later, Tsukuichi stepped in, followed closely by Kimiko. This time she wore a tiger lily, the orange standing out against the uniform. Tsukuichi grinned with relief when he saw neither Izuku nor Yagi were in critical condition. Kimiko ran over to give Izuku a hug, only to pause when the tension in the room came to their attention. 

"Er- Nezu sent me to get your official report," Tsukuichi spoke up, looking from Yagi to Izuku, even though they both refused to look at the other. "... Is this a bad time?"

Yagi held up his hand, looking far more exhausted than before. Fighting past his normal limit with One For All had clearly pushed him, and the truth about Izuku's father was just the icing on the cake. 

"It's–it's fine, my friend. Stay," he sighed, waving the detective over. "We were having a conversation. We'll finish it another time." 

Izuku didn't bother acknowledging the hero. Instead, he turned to Kimiko and hugged her. He was not going to let Yagi see how hurt he really was. 

"We will now start the meeting of the North Stars," Nezu said, looking solemnly over the assembled group. 

Grim faces looked back, several of which were from computer monitors. It was difficult to arrange a meeting on such short notice, especially when trying to avoid scrutiny. Police and reporters still swarmed UA's campuses and likely would continue to for several weeks. 

"I'm sure all of you have heard of the recent attack on the USJ, as the reporters have been furiously reporting on it. While most students received only minimal injuries, Thirteen and Aizawa were injured while protecting them and are not able to attend this meeting."

"Those bastards," Hizashi muttered, his eyes wet. "Going after kids."

Toshinori grimaced and gripped his injured side. He should have been at the USJ sooner. He had committed too, and because of his actions… Yet if he hadn't, would he have found out the truth from Izuku?

The question made his non-existent stomach churn. 

From one of the computer monitors, Ryuku spoke up, "While we are all horrified to hear about what has happened, I'm assuming there is an additional reason we've all been called together."

"Yes. As I am sure you are aware, class 1A was attending the USJ during the attack, including our young hopeful Izuku." 

The members who were not already staff were on the edge of their seats instantly, some of them turning to Toshinori for clues of how Izuku was doing. He looked away, unable to assure them right now. He just… had too much on his mind right now. 

He had come so close to losing his boy, and… why hadn't Izuku just told him? 

"He wasn't injured, was he?" Dr. Aoi asked urgently.  

"Nothing serious," Nezu reassured them. "And I've been informed that Recovery Girl has already healed him. He is perfectly safe now." 

"Where is he anyways?" Suzuki asked, scanning the faces again as if to be sure Izuku wasn't hiding somewhere. "I'm surprised he's not here." 

Toshinori bit his lip. He had seen the fear in his boy's eyes at the mention of the meeting. The same fear as when he realized that Toshinori knew who his father was. As if he was afraid everything was falling apart around him because of who his father was. 

"Because of the meeting's topic, he asked that he not come," Nezu explained patiently. "I tried to convince him otherwise, but he was quite upset."

The North Stars began glancing at each other, but Toshinori especially, the concern for the boy clear on their faces. To them, the villain's attack must have shaken him, but he knew it was far deeper than that now. 

Tomura Shigaraki was a threat that they needed to know about, and Izuku said nothing. All For One was alive, and  Izuku had said nothing . 

"There were details revealed about his past that Izuku was reluctant to come to light," Nezu told them, careful to avoid specifics.

"Wash?"

"I agree with Wash," Tanaka said, spitting out her gum as she tapped her fingers nervously. "The kid seemed pretty resilient in the past. What's got him so upset?"

That it has come to light that he's the son of the scum of the earth, and he put people in danger because somehow, no matter what, Toshinori could never make him feel safe enough to confide in him-  

"The identity of his previous owner," Nezu answered. "For the time being, for security purposes, the information is being kept confidential, but needless to say, his previous owner  is  linked to the attack of the USJ. It is no wonder our boy was shaken." 

The expressions went from concern to grave. The North Stars had dealt with owners wanting to take back their "pets" before, and they knew how traumatizing it could be for the Quirkless who had gotten away from their owners. Suzuki looked sick to his stomach. 

Toshinori remembered when the man told him how he ended up joining the North Stars. Like Toshinori, he had witnessed a Quirkless being taken away. But instead of Izuku being taken away by the facility, it had been a runaway boy from a politician who had evaded his owner for two years and even gotten a job as an assistant. 

By a chance meeting, the owner came across the boy and revealed his identity. The boy had screamed as if he had seen the monster from his nightmare. Suzuki had admitted gravely that he had never forgotten the young man's screams. Or forgiven himself for standing by while the boy was taken. 

"I've spoken with Izuku and with All Might," Nezu said, snapping Toshinori from his thoughts. "Both agreed that for this meeting, it is best that he take a break. Izuku has been questioned, and we will convey said information today. I believe that in the future, we will be able to coax more out of him, but we have the basics for the time being." 

"Is Izuku okay?" Midnight asked seriously. 

"He's struggling, and understandably so. The new details he shared about his time in captivity are concerning, to say the least. It would seem that… Izuku was kept in a vault for his time in captivity. He endured humiliation and trauma that no child should have to endure. The villains who attacked UA were intent on putting him back." 

The group was surprisingly quiet and solemn as they listened, although he did hear someone swear under their breath at Nezu's description. He didn't go further into his explanation, simply citing that the rest would be for Izuku to divulge when he was ready and to who he was ready to share it with. 

Toshinori replayed his boy's words over and over again. 

"I don't need you to protect me." 

"I didn't want to disappoint you." 

"That sounds just like Usotsuki." 

Why? Why hadn't young Midoriya felt safe to tell him this? 

Was it because he was afraid of All For One? Because he was afraid that Toshinori would abandon him if he knew the truth? 

Had Toshinori done something to make him think being All For One's son would make him love his boy any less? 

Or… or did he fear that Toshinori would coddle him if he knew? That he would treat him how Izuku always feared to be treated. 

Had he been too overbearing? Had he pushed Izuku too far? Did Izuku feel that Toshinori would lock him up if he thought Izuku was in danger? 

"The villains also revealed that he was Quirkless in front of two students who were unaware of the situation," Nezu continued with a sigh. "They have gone home for now, but we are waiting to take action as needed." 

"Well, this is a nightmare," Vlad King muttered. 

That felt like the understatement of the century.  

"What kind of sick bastard treats a child like that?!" Snipe demanded. 

"Nezu, about those students who overheard, I'm sure they were able to connect the dots," Tanaka said while scrolling through her phone. "There's not a hint of anything on the internet, but all it takes is one comment. What are we going to do about a potential leak?"

"Not to worry. I've already spoken with Haru extensively about this and have several plans in the works. I believe that the situation can be resolved without issue, but I ask for a couple days to handle this my way."

The faces around the table were grim, but no one voiced any complaints. However, Toshinori sat there stewing. There was a plan for the fallout of the USJ and the potential security leaks, but what about Izuku?

That problem, Toshinori feared, would take far more effort to solve. 

Chapter Text

Despite being a school day, UA was unusually empty. There were no excited voices or crowds of students hurrying to classes. Izuku was unused to it. Even when he had visited UA for pre-semester training with Aizawa, there had always been the echoing sounds of learning. Now, there was nothing.

Izuku paced the ground, kicking at pebbles across the pavement while Kimiko and Kacchan looked on. Kimiko’s face was drawn with worry, while Kacchan looked ready to explode in irritation. Izuku needed to say something to them. He had invited them to UA to be with him while the North Stars met, but since they had arrived, he could not say a word or look Kacchan or Kimiko in the eye. 

Another three pebbles went skidding down the sidewalk before the explosion went off in front of Izuku’s face. The light blinding him, Izuku flailed and barely managed to stop himself from falling on his butt. 

“What was that about?!” he yelled at Kacchan. 

“What do you think, idiot?! You invite us here after an attack and then don’t say a word?! Start talking, or you’ll get more of what you just got.”

Cheeks burning, Izuku glared at Kacchan, but his friend glared right back. 

“Please, Izuku,” Kimiko pleaded. 

Izuku’s fragile defense crumbled, and he sunk down onto the lawn. When Kimiko and Kacchan followed suit, Izuku hesitantly began to speak. 

Neither of them said a word when he broke down and explained who Tomura was and the Vault. How he had come so close to going back into the Vault. That if it hadn’t been for All Might, he would be collared and locked up, even worse than it was in the facilities. 

Kimiko had known about Izuku’s life before the facilities. He had told her in their first year in that place. Kacchan had heard about the facilities before but not in detail about All For One, Tomura, or the Vault. He had figured out some pieces from what Tomura had said when ranting, but now he had the gaps filled in. 

But now they both knew. They knew everything. And Izuku had been able to tell them so easily… why couldn’t he tell Yagi?

Why hadn’t he done more? Why had he hidden it? 

Now, because of him, Mr. Aizawa was hurt badly. He’d probably be hospitalized for ages because Izuku couldn’t bear to think or say anything about the Vault! 

“Are… are you okay?” Kimiko finally asked, breaking the silence. 

Izuku shrugged. He really wasn’t, but there was no other answer. Yagi’s words had been harsh in their accusations, pointing out everything Izuku had done wrong. That he  should  have said something. That he should have told All Might that All For One was still alive. That he could not make it on his own because he would have been back in the Vault if not for others. 

Despite his training and everything he had done, Yagi still saw him as weak and helpless. Would he think the same thing if Izuku had taken his quirk? 

Oh, probably not! Because then Izuku would have a quirk and no longer be a  helpless, pathetic, quirkless ducky!

“Izuku, it’s okay to not be okay,” Kimiko reminded him. “But if you need to pretend for now, we can do that too. Right now, what do you need?” 

Izuku shrugged again. He had no answers. 

“I know,” he admitted. “Not very helpful. What do we do?” 

“We find the creepy hand guy and blow him to kingdom come! The guy is going to think twice before facing me again!” 

“Points for enthusiasm,” Kimiko sighed. “But not helpful.” 

“Says you,” Kacchan scoffed, getting to his feet. “Come on, Deku. You and me, right now! Put up your fists. Let’s go!” 

Kimiko opened her mouth to protest, but Izuku got to his feet. Right now, he felt so entangled in the fear, hurt, and uncertainty that he needed to let it out somehow. 

“Not here,” Kimiko scolded. “Let’s take it to the gym.” 

The two boys deflated but agreed.

“Thanks guys,” Izuku said along the way. “It’s- it’s not– easy talking about this.” 

“I know it isn’t,” Kimiko sympathized. “But… Izuku, I say this with love: you should have told Yagi sooner.” 

“How?” Izuku snapped. “How was I supposed to tell him that my father- that he’s- that he’s the one who-” 

He couldn’t even bring himself to say it now. And now he was snapping at Kimiko, who didn’t deserve it because he was stupid, weak, pathetic– 

“Izuku,” Kimiko said softly. “I think… Sometimes you act as if  he  still has a hold around you. And… and I think that’s why you avoid talking about it. Because talking about it makes it real, and it makes what happened to you real. So you run away from it. But as long as that happens, you’ll still be in that vault.” 

Izuku stared at her as they entered the gym. How is it that Kimiko had spent her entire life in the facilities and still came out wiser than him? 

“So how do I stop running?” he asked. “That’s all I’ve ever done.” 

“You start by throwing your fists, nerd,” Kacchan told him. “Learn to plant yourself and fight back. Most of the cowards start running off by then. Now, enough of this yammering! Fight me!” 

Izuku couldn’t help but grin and took his stance. He had experienced too many emotions today, and he felt fighting it out with Kacchan was exactly what he needed.

When Yagi arrived to pick Izuku up, the gym was covered with soot marks, and both Izuku and Kacchan were panting heavily. Sweat dripped from their bodies and plastered their hair against their forehead. Only Kimiko remained untouched, although she looked at them in mild disbelief. 

“They wanted to fight,” she said to the confused Yagi. “I stopped it from getting too violent.”

Yagi nodded. “Izuku,” he called. 

Izuku tensed but walked over, maintaining a distance from his guardian. His limbs hung loose from the fight, and his face flushed, but all of the positive endorphins slipped away under Yagi’s gaze. 

Words pressed on Izuku’s tongue. He should say something. He needed to apologize, but the conversation from the infirmary echoed in his mind. 

Ah, so you weren’t almost dragged back to All for One? You didn’t need Aizawa to help you. You had the whole thing sorted?

“Did you have a good time?” Yagi asked. The question landed awkwardly in the air, but Izuku forced himself to answer. 

“Yes, it was good. The meeting went alright?”

Yagi’s brow furrowed. “It was fine.”

The half-formed conversation died with Izuku and Yagi looking at each other. Uncomfortable, Izuku turned to Kimiko and Kacchan. “I’ve got to get going. But I’ll see you at school, right?”

“I’ll hunt you down myself if you try to skip.”

“Of course.”

Izuku turned to leave, but Kimiko caught his arm and whispered in his ear. “It’s okay to be upset, but don’t keep running.”

A lump formed in Izuku’s throat. He nodded wordlessly and followed Yagi as they left. 

Iida was proud to belong to a family of law-abiders and law enforcers that went back centuries. The Iida’s had always been counted on to obey the law and correct others who flaunted them. 

His grandma had always said, “Laws are the backbone of society, and when we Iida’s uphold the law, we serve as a support.”

Tensei claimed grandma was a bit uptight, but her words had always rung true with Iida. Life went better when people followed the rules. When students obeyed teachers, learning was easier. When citizens obeyed their government, society functioned. Iida knew this, and it was one of the reasons he so strongly wished to be a hero. 

Since he was five years old, he had firmly believed that he would stand as a reminder against wrongdoing. As a hero, he would make sure people obeyed the laws. And he had been sure that all his fellow heroes would do the same. 

Or so he had thought. 

“Ducky, come on!” the villain called to Iida’s classmate, Yagi. “We have to go home! It isn’t safe here for a Quirkless like you.” 

A day later, sitting in his room back at home, Iida couldn’t get the words out of his mind. 

Quirkless. 

It was such a baseless accusation of an outstanding hero student that Iida had originally blown it off. There was no world in which a quirkless could become a hero, nor in which UA would allow a quirkless to train to be one. 

To do so would break dozens of the very laws that UA and all heroes promised to uphold. It couldn’t be tried. 

But Yagi’s and Bakugou’s reactions made it clear that the villain’s words were the truth. How ironic was it that a villain, a source of evil, would bring light to a broken law? 

The thought rankled Iida enough that he jumped up from his bed and started pacing the floor. Across the room, the TV was on, although the volume turned down, as the news channels played on repeat the events of the USJ. 

It was all anyone could talk about. Villains attacking the number one hero school in the country? Unheard of. 

In the aftermath, UA had given all students and faculty the weekend off to “cope” and increase security measures. News anchors debated what this might mean for society and how they could move forward. Details were released on the injured (most had survived with only minor injuries, save for Aizawa) and on the captured villains. 

But there was nothing about any quirkless. 

Alone in his bedroom, Iida paced, trying to figure out what to do. Was the situation being handled? Did anyone know? Yaoyorozu and All Might had heard the villain’s confession, too. Did they say anything? If they did, why hadn’t Iida heard anything on the news?

Back and forth across the room, his mind and feet whirled. 

As a hero in training, Iida had a responsibility to the law and the safety of all citizens. If, for some reason, UA didn’t know, then didn’t Iida have a responsibility to report? To say nothing would be negligent. 

Mind made up, Iida pulled on his shoes, quickly sent a text to tell his parents where he was going, and set off.

On the train, he practiced what he would say in his mind. 

“Sir, I’m afraid there’s been a mistake…”

“I am afraid to report that one of my classmates is, in fact, quirkless…”

Over and over, he rehearsed his lines until, standing outside UA’s gates, Iida felt his determination falter. It was crucial that Nezu and UA as a whole were alerted to the information Iida held, but to simply march up to the gates during a designated day off felt extremely rude. 

His finger hovered by the call button for the office.

Should he have called or sent an email? But with this sort of information, that felt unwise. 

Again, Iida hesitated, unable to take the plunge and press the call button. 

“Are you going to ask for me to open the door?” The side speaker suddenly blurted. Iida jumped back, arms instinctively raising to protect his face when he remembered himself and sheepishly lowered them. 

“I would allow you to continue to debate as that is a sign of a working mind, but I’m afraid the tea is beginning to go cold, and there is nothing so sad as cold tea.”

“Nezu, sir!” Iida said, finally recognizing the voice. 

“Yes, it’s me, the principal! Again, I must insist that you enter before the tea becomes too cold.”

“Yes! Of course.”

Iida entered through the gates, already swinging open to greet him, rehearsing the lines in his head over and over. Yagi Izuku was Quirkless. He needed to be sent back to the Facilities for his own good and to avoid scandal in UA. 

Nezu was the principal of UA and a professional hero. If anyone could solve this mess, it was Nezu. 

So why did Iida feel a sense of doubt as he entered the principal’s office and found the Educational Hero sitting in his chair, a steaming pot of tea and cookies waiting for him? 

His anxiety increased when Nezu gestured for him to sit down. Iida did so promptly. The sooner he got this over with, the better. 

“I’m sorry for disturbing you, sir,” Iida said, bowing his head. 

“Not to worry. I’ve been expecting your arrival for some time,” Nezu replied easily. 

Iida gaped at him, but Nezu pushed the teacup forward with a warm smile. 

“Do drink up now; I did warn you that it was beginning to go cold.”

Iida did so in order to not look rude but quickly put it down and asked, “You’ve been expecting me?”

“Yes, I have. I dare say you have something important to tell me, as do I for you, but first, I would like to hear from you.”

“Right, sir!” Iida said. He straightened in his seat. “One of my classmates, a student by the name of Yagi Izuku, is actually quirkless.”

Nezu’s furry features made no discernable change, and he sat there smiling while drinking his tea. 

Iida faltered, then continued. “During the USJ, one of the villains, Shigaraki, confronted Izuku and said that he was quirkless. I was sure the villain was lying, but Izuku said nothing to refute it. I’m not sure how a quirkless student could have entered UA, but—”

“Surely you do,” Nezu interrupted. 

Iida blinked in confusion. “I’m sorry?”

“You were there, weren’t you? I checked the records and confirmed that you were part of the same testing group.”

“We were.”

“So then how did he pass?”

“He fought,” Iida said, wholly befuddled by the turn of the conversation. 

“And during the USJ, how were all those villains we found unconscious? Did you and Yaoyorozu knock them all out yourself?”

“No, Izuku helped too.”

“So why are you concerned about his place here at UA? Surely, he has proven himself.”

“He’s quirkless!” Iida said, punctuating himself with a sharp chop of his arm. 

“So?” Nezu asked. 

Iida gaped at him. Was this a test? “Sir, I’m sure you are aware of the law. All quirkless are to be handed over to the state to be kept in secure facilities where they will not be harmed until it is time for them to be adopted into homes. Izuku attending UA is in blatant violation of this law. We have a duty to correct this.”

Nezu sighed. “I was afraid it would come to this.” He pressed a button on his desk, “Would you please come on in?” 

 Iida turned around as the door opened, only to let out a gasp. 

“B-Big brother Tensei? What is this? What–” 

Tensei smiled at him, ruffling his hair before sitting down beside him. His brother was relaxed and seemed at ease in the presence of the principal of UA. As if this was a friendly meeting, and he wasn’t sitting in front of one of the greatest minds in the country, much less the Education Hero and founder of this incredible institution. 

“Nezu,” Tensei greeted. 

“Ingenium,” Nezu replied cheerfully. “Good to see you. Perhaps you could help me in explaining the importance of Izuku Yagi to our young friend here.” 

What is the importance of him? What did that- surely… 

“You knew!” he gasped, hand chopping in the air. “Principal Nezu, you knew all along that Yagi was quirkless, and you still allowed him into the school!” 

“I did,” Nezu answered. “He had passed with flying colors! Not only did he take on a fair number of the different robots, but he also bonded with his team, focusing on how to maximize their quirks to work together so that everyone gained points. And in the face of danger, he moved to help someone in need instead of running.” 

Iida felt himself flush. He remembered the entrance exam. He had seen the Zero Pointer robot, and he had turned and run. He told himself that he had no other choice, that with his quirk, there was no way for him to do anything except run from the gigantic automaton and hope his points were enough. 

Not Yagi. He had charged forward and used the quirks around him, and… and he stopped the robot. He worked with Bakugou to stop it and save Aoyama. 

“But he’s quirkless!” he protested. “The law clearly states that-” 

“Tenya, what do you know about the quirkless laws?” Tensei asked. “I know that they are in place for the Quirkless’s protection, but what do they actually say?” 

“That- that he should be in a facility or with a guardian. That-” 

“There is no law against him going to UA,” Tensei explained patiently. “Nor is there any law about him becoming a Hero.” 

Iida faltered. That– that was true, he supposed. He had read up on Quirkless Care laws, and there was nothing preventing Quirkless from receiving an education. But even so… 

“But by becoming a student, he places himself in danger that he cannot handle!” Iida argued. “UA opens itself up to scandal and lawsuits if it’s discovered that he was allowed to be in danger and never did anything to return him back to the Facilities.” 

Tensei sighed and turned Tenya to face him, looking him in the eye. 

“Baby brother, I know you respect the law above all else,” he admitted. “And that’s good. That’s honorable. Now… let me give you a scenario. And you tell me what you think. Imagine that you have a child born into a loving home. Their parents both have a recessive gene that this child is born with. It manifests, and  someone else  declares the parents unfit to raise the child. The child isn’t considered human anymore. They are taken away to live ‘among their own kind.’ They are kept apart from other people and treated with kindness, but not the kindness you treat a human with. The kindness you show to a cute animal. The child is going to grow up, live, and die believing they are less than human. Now… is that law just? Fair? Who is really benefiting from that law?” 

Iida opened his mouth… and then closed it again. He recognized who the child was in the metaphor, and he knew it was  wrong  what his brother was saying. He phrased it in a way that made sense. But… there was still something wrong. 

“But it’s different!” he protested. “The Quirkless are in the facilities because its- its-” 

It was too dangerous. 

And yet Izuku Yagi, Quirkless, had proven twice over that he was far from helpless. That he had what it took to be a true hero. He could stand up to villains and monstrous inventions when someone like a Quirk chose to run. 

“And before yesterday, when the word Quirkless came into the picture, did you ever consider Yagi Izuku would become anything less than a hero?” 

“I- no,” Iida admitted. “I didn’t.” 

Yagi had figured out how to take down the different robots and save Aoyama. He had figured out how to stay ahead in Aizawa’s opening tests, all without a Quirk. And during the USJ, he had taken the villains down with the skills of a Pro-Hero. He even was brave enough to face the villain who was able to defeat their teacher. That was how fearless Yagi was. 

And every time he acted like a Hero, he did so to help someone. Aoyama, their classmates, their teacher… 

“So tell me,” Tensei asked. “If he has been able to show that he is capable of being a Hero, of fighting villains and saving people, and passing UA with flying colors… why should he be treated as weak for not having a quirk? As far as I can tell, it isn’t what holds him back. What is?” 

Iida thought it over, shifting uneasily. The truth was… there should be nothing holding Yagi back from being a Hero. Yesterday, he had complete faith that Yagi would become a Hero out of all their classmates. 

So, the only thing that would stop that hero was the law that said he should be locked away and sheltered. 

Tensei smiled softly and squeezed his brother’s arm. 

“I know that you respect the law and want to uphold it,” he said. “But sometimes the law is wrong. Sometimes it needs to be changed. Sometimes, it needs people like Izuku Yagi in order to change it.” 

Iida looked down at his hands. He knew he should bring it to someone’s attention. That he should tell the Quirkless Commission so they could take Yagi to safety. 

But the thought of doing so, especially after… after Yagi had saved him and treated him as a friend… 

If Yagi was outside of the Facilities now and still being a Hero, it meant he did not want to go back to them. And the thought of turning his back on a friend… what sort of hero could do that? 

“I– I–” 

Tensei ruffled his hair and hugged him. 

“I know, it’s hard,” he said. “I felt the same way at first. I couldn’t figure out how I could say I was saving people when people without Quirks were being sent away to live in luxurious prisons. Or how I could accept that I was still fighting for good if I was turning a blind eye.” 

Iida looked at his brother. His brother was the wisest, kindest person he ever met. If anyone had a solution to this, it would be Tensei. 

“So what did you do?” 

Tensei smiled and glanced at Nezu. 

“I found something I could do to make it better,” he replied. “I joined something where I could truly help the Quirkless and not by degrading them or locking them away. And I have a feeling after seeing your friend yesterday… you’ll know what he needs help with.” 

Iida slowly nodded. 

He didn’t need to help the law. He needed to help Izuku Yagi stay on his path to being a Hero. 

Chapter Text

Hi Mom, 

I don't know how much access you have to the news, but I'm guessing by how the TV stations are going on about it, you most likely know. But in case you didn't, UA got attacked by villains. My class was visiting a training site (USJ), but a group of villains had warped in and were waiting for us. 

Before you freak out–I'm safe and not hurt. Everybody got out okay, for the most part, but my teachers got pretty beat up, including Aizawa. For my first fight, though, I did really well! I thought using my 3DS gear would be harder, but I could fight using it with no problem. 

Several villains escaped, but Nezu had tightened security around UA, and Yagi's place is already super secure. So I'm perfectly safe. 

I want to ask for your advice. I got in a fight with Yagi, although a lot of it is my fault. I didn't mention this when we saw each other face to face, but right after the commission caught me the first time, Dad ended up finding me and taking me away. 

If he is who he says he is, then Dad is a villain and a really bad one. He's fought All Might before. All Might thought he was dead, and I didn't tell him otherwise. I didn't even tell Yagi that Dad was my father. 

Yagi is upset at me because it put people in danger, and we got into a big fight about it. However, I feel mad at him. He made me feel weak and incapable. But I also didn't tell him the truth. I know I should apologize, but I still feel hurt and angry. 

I thought joining UA would mean that I was past this. I'm the closest I've ever been to being a hero, but I've never felt so weak.

If you have any advice at all, I need it. 

Love, 

Izuku

As far as Katsuki was concerned, school couldn't come soon enough. He'd known he'd been in for it when he got home. The hag and his old man descended on him, shrieking about how worried they had been and looking him over. Visiting Deku at UA had given him a much-needed break from it, but afterward, the smothering had almost increased. 

"Are you sure you don't want me to take you to school?" his mother had asked him this morning. Katsuki had responded with a slammed door. 

He'd never admit it, but it might have been better to take his mom's offer. The train had been packed like usual, but every eye was on him and his UA uniform this time. He glared at them, and several had the decency to look away, but others were still gawking at him like a zoo animal. Now he knew how Deku felt when people looked at his stupid collar. 

"What are you extras looking at?" he snapped. 

That got most of them to turn away in embarrassment. Good, that should remind them they weren't gawking at a helpless kid. Katsuki would be the Number One Hero someday, and they would do well to remember that. 

Now, he had to figure out how to handle Four Eyes and Ponytail. They had heard that Deku had no quirk, and while those North Star guys probably had some ideas, he couldn't risk those two ruining everything by giving away Deku's secret. 

He figured that with Four Eyes engine quirk, the fuel burned. There had to be a storage source, right? He could threaten to mess with those engines with an explosion if the weirdo spilled the beans. Now, how to handle Ponytail? 

The thought kept him busy right until he stormed into class. 

"Bakugou!" Four Eyes yelled, "I must remind you that this is a learning environment and should be treated with the respect it deserves!"

"Ehhh!?" 

"Let it go, Kacchan." 

Katsuki turned around and snarled, "Why should I?"

"Because you're loud, and he's right, and you're blocking my way to my seat."

Katsuki glared at Deku. He looked normal, dressed in his UA uniform, with his tie looking stupid, but there were dark circles under his eyes, and the corner of his mouth struggled to stay up. 

The idiot must not have made up with Yagi yet. 

"Yeah, you look like crap!"

"Thanks," Izuku said dryly and walked to his seat. 

There was a brief moment of awkwardness when Izuku looked at Iida, but the four-eyed nerd smiled brightly and said, "Good to see you this morning, Yagi!"

Izuku stared at him blankly while Katsuki kept his attention on Four Eyes. He had to be ready to tackle him, make some explosions, and start shouting if the Q-word came up. He could also feel Ponytail watching them and made sure to give her a glare. She better know who she was messing with if she tried to expose Deku. 

"We should sit down and be prepared for our substitute teacher!" Iida exclaimed. "As students, we should hold ourselves to a high standard of behavior while our teacher is away. It is what Aizawa would expect!" 

"Right…" Izuku said slowly, making his way over to his desk.

Bakugou could practically see Four Eyes mapping out what else he wanted to say, but Izuku had already sat down.

"Are you not going to say anything!" Katsuki hissed in Izuku’s ear.

Izuku looked at him blankly. "Nezu called over the weekend and said everything had been resolved. He didn't explain how, and I have no desire to poke a sleeping bear."

"Seriously!" Katsuki growled, but the bell rang, signaling the start of class, and Izuku was already turning back around in his seat. Katsuki was tempted to say something, maybe set off a few small explosions, but then the door slammed open. 

The class jumped as an unfamiliar figure stepped into the classroom. Thick white cloth encircled every part of their body. It looked stupid and inconvenient. What kind of hero would dress so lamely. 

“Mr. Aizawa!” Izuku cried. 

The class erupted into noise, clambering to their feet for a closer look as their teacher limped inside. 

"Sir, what are you doing here?" Ponytail asked. "Surely the hospital did not release you like this?" 

"They did their best not to," Aizawa sighed, eyes barely visible beneath the bandages. "But last I checked, we were already several days behind due to the week getting out early." 

He limped to the podium, and Bakugou noticed he was leaning against the stand to keep himself upright. One glance at Izuku's guilty expression, and he knew the nerd saw it too. 

"I'm only going to say this once," Aizawa stated. "You all did very well. I read the reports and I am impressed with how you handled the villains you encountered. You should all be proud of yourselves. And I want to thank all of you for stepping up in a situation that never should have happened. All of you performed as pros would, and I am grateful." 

He paused and looked over the room with a dark glare that said he was not messing around. 

"However," he continued. "If any of you try to take this as a sign that you are already ready to be a Hero, think again. I am not going to lie; luck saved us in the end. Sheer rotten luck. So if you think about trying to take your skills out for joy rides against villains, think again." 

Katsuki scoffed. He had defeated five villains, and his teacher wanted to tell him that was luck? Yeah right. Next time, Katsuki would blast the bastard villain to pieces who tried to take Izuku.

Aizawa gave Katsuki's corner a pointed look from beneath the bandages. Katsuki was affronted to realize he didn't know if it was directed at him or Izuku. 

"As it is, you have a greater challenge approaching you that will require all your strength and cunning."

The class straightened and listened with a new intensity. 

"UA's sports festival is three weeks."

The class erupted into cheers. 

"Seriously!"

"It's that soon?!"

"A tournament of manliness comin' up!" 

Katsuki braced himself for Izuku's excited declaration of the Sports Festival and the different skills and challenges. He remembered watching the Sports Festival with Izuku when they were tiny brats, fanboying over the events, students, and quirks. They practically counted down the days until the Festival together. 

But instead of seeing any of that old excitement, Izuku kept his head bent, staring intently at the desk surface. He was just… looking at it blankly. He looked so out of it and so discouraged. Why the hell was he looking like that? 

He could see his friend's lips moving, but no words escaped. But Katsuki was pretty sure he had an idea. His friend was probably replaying the battle and his argument with Yagi repeatedly. Going over everything he had done wrong and blaming himself. Seeing his teacher becoming a mummy didn't help things either. 

"Hey," Katsuki hissed, kicking Izuku's chair. "Snap out of it." 

Izuku snapped to attention and whispered a hushed apology. The rest of the class, including the nerd, stared intently at Aizawa as if lost in the lesson. Still, Katsuki noticed how Izuku's fists clenched in the fabric of his pants. 

He hoped the Sports Festival would snap the nerd out of his funk, but it seemed it would take more work than that. Katsuki had his work cut out for him. 

So, if he broke the rules to send a quick text to Flower Girl with an update that they had more work to do, who would blame him? It was for Deku's own good! 

He felt eyes from across the room and glanced over to see that red-white-haired kid watching Izuku with a strange expression. His eyes were narrowed, his lips pursed, like he was trying to figure out the mystery of Izuku Midoriya. 

Huh. Weirdo. 

Katsuki would make sure to crush him at the Sports Festival, along with everyone else. 

"Yagi, could I talk with you for a minute?" 

Izuku had figured that this was coming. Yaoyorozu had been giving him worried glances throughout the third and fourth periods, and now that it was a break, he knew she would go ahead and ask. 

He just prayed that she didn't act like Iida when she confirmed it. The class vice president had become overly cheerful and friendly to him. Izuku could only guess that while Nezu had found some way to keep Iida from saying anything to the Quirkless Commission, Iida decided to treat him as a Quirkless was supposed to be treated to the best of his ability. 

It was condescending, and Izuku had given the boy the cold shoulder all day. 

Now, it seemed Yaoyorozu was ready to say her piece. 

However, Kacchan stomped over, his face pulled in a sneer. His friend had been unusually grumpy today, but Izuku hadn't had the emotional energy to ask why. 

"What do you want, ponytail?!" Kacchan snapped, slamming his palms down on a desk. "You can't take him whenever you want for whatever reason."

Yaoyorozu looked taken aback, but her face steeled, and Izuku knew she wouldn't take no for an answer. 

Sighing, Izuku turned to his friend. "It's fine, Kacchan. Tell Kimiko I'll meet you guys at lunch. This shouldn't take long, right?" he asked Yaoyorozu. 

"I won't keep you from where you need to be."

Izuku gestured at Kacchan, a "see, it's fine" motion that was met with a grumble and then Kacchan stomping off. 

The rest of the class had already left for lunch and Midnight for her next class, so the two of them were alone. 

Yaoyorozu's posture was straight and firm, the picture of elegance and discipline. The facility liked their quirkless to have 

"So?" he prompted. 

She paused for a moment before taking a deep breath, steeling herself. 

"I apologize if I come across as rude, but I couldn't think of any politer ways to ask. And I want to hear it from you instead of someone else. You're quirkless, aren't you?"

There it was. That word that everyone heard first and assumed they knew him. Knew that he was weak, helpless, pathetic, and deserved to be locked away. He folded his arms and leaned against the wall, trying to look unaffected but ready to fight if he had to. 

"And if I say I am?" he challenged. "Are you going to report me, Yaoyorozu?" 

Her eyes went wide at his hard tone, and she quickly stepped forward, nothing but earnest honesty in her eyes. 

"No! Of course not!" she exclaimed. "Not after you did so much to help us in the USJ. You helped save us all. If you don't want me to say anything, I won't." 

"Then why did you ask?" he pointed out bluntly. "Why did you need to confirm it if I didn't want you to say anything?" 

"I-I was confused when I heard you were quirkless," she explained. "It's just that I… I've never seen, but I thought…" 

She trailed off, and Izuku saw the poised, clever leader of class 1-A struggle to find her words. She bit her lip and seemed to come to a decision about what she had to say. Izuku got the distinct impression that it was harder for her to explain than to ask him if he was Quirkless. 

"I have an older sister, Misa. We adopted her when she was 15 and I was 9. I was so excited at the time to get an older sister. I couldn't wait for her to come home. She's been the best big sister I could ask for. She's funny and brave and always there when I need her."

"And?" Izuku asked, ready for her to get to the point. 

Yaoyorozu took a deep breath. "And she's a quirkless."

Izuku paused. He had known Yaoyorozu came from a rich family, so it made sense. He'd be an idiot to think that there wouldn't be at least one family at UA who owned a Quirkless. There were enough wealthy, privileged kids here that there had to be someone. 

He didn't expect it to be Yaoyorozu or anyone in his class. 

"So you stole her from her true family?" he asked coldly. 

"Misa was born in the facilities," Yaoyorozu explained. "She doesn't have anyone except for us." 

So Misa was like Kimiko then. She was born in the facilities, taken from her parents, taught how to spend her life as a helpless little pet, and then given to a family who found her cute. By now, she'd be in her twenties, and Yaoyorozu's family probably didn't let her leave her room, let alone move out into her own place.  

"And you thought, 'Oh, because she's quirkless, you suddenly know everything there is about them?'" he asked, venom dripping from every word. "You thought you know everything you need to know about me? Newsflash, Princess Momo, you don't." 

"Will you shut up long enough for me to reach my point!?!" Yaoyorozu yelled, breaking her calm demeanor. 

Izuku's mouth snapped closed. 

Yaoyorzu took a breath and smoothed her hair back; when she spoke again, her voice was its typical serene cadence. 

"What I was trying to say was that when I went home over the weekend, I talked to her. I asked Misa what she thought about a quirkless hero. She was surprised at first. I don't think either of us had given it much thought."

Izuku wanted to make a sarcastic comment, something like, 'Of course not,' but something in Yaoyorozu's eyes made him not. 

"We have always followed the laws surrounding the quirkless, but Misa is her own person and my sister, and we've always tried to respect that. She's been taking online college courses in fashion design, and we started a website selling some of her clothes. It's been really exciting, and I've been so pleased to see her creations start to sell," Yaoyorozu smiled, face full of sisterly pride. 

Izuku hadn't expected to hear about a business venture. Typically, quirkless were used as a mascot or cute symbol to sell products, not the ones making them. 

Yaoyorozu smiled in satisfaction at Izuku's silence, but then her smile faded. "I'm proud of my sister, but I know it's hard for her. Misa can never leave the house. She can't attend college with her peers or see the people she's selling to. I know she's been sad about that, but we haven't figured out a way around the laws yet."

No one would take a quirkless business, Izuku thought glumly. As Nezu had explained to Izuku and Yagi, getting around the quirkless laws was tricky. Technically, Izuku was bending the laws in his favor, but he had the full support of UA backing him up.

A new energy entered Yaoyorozu's voice. "However, when we were talking, we realized a quirkless hero…that changes everything." Izuku's eyes widened, and Yaoyorozu smiled. "If there's a Quirkless Hero, then it disproves every law that Quirkless should be kept locked away and must be protected. Instead of jumping through hoops just to sell clothes, my sister could actually go out and start a business. She could even hire Quirkless employees; that's  never  been done before." 

She took another breath, and Izuku saw the spark in her eyes. He had never seen Yaoyorozu so passionate about something. 

"So no, Yagi, I won't tell anyone about you being Quirkless," she said. "I know that it will be harder than anything for you to become a hero with all the laws in place to prevent it. So… you have my support. I'm going to help you so my sister can be free to live her own life."  

A lump formed in Izuku's throat, and he found it difficult to swallow. He wanted to be a hero, partially for selfish reasons (it had been his dream for so long), but he was also doing it for the other quirkless out there, like Kojika and Kimiko…and Misa. 

"Thanks, Yaoyorozu," he mumbled. "I'm sorry that I- that I snapped at you." 

She smiled softly at him. 

"I don't know who that villain at the USJ was, but if you ever need my help to fight him or anyone else… you can rely on me."

She offered him her hand, and Izuku paused momentarily before accepting it. She brushed her hair back, a nervous habit, Izuku realized, and said, "You better hurry to lunch. I'm sure Bakugou will be screaming if you don't."

Izuku nodded, then paused, "Do…do you want to join us at our table for lunch?"

A smile spread across her face, "I'd like that."

Toshinori fidgeted on the couch, waiting as the ringing on his laptop sounded over and over. He checked the time, 12:00. It was harder to fit in their chats with the time difference and working at UA, but they had scheduled a call today. 

Thankfully, Toshinori had found a private office to call from, far away from inquisitive students and noisy coworkers. 

Finally, the call connected, revealing a frumpled Dave. His glasses were askew, and his hair a mess, but he smiled when he saw Toshinori. 

Toshinori couldn't help but smile in return. "Hey, Dave," he said, waving to the computer screen. "Nice to see you."

"Toshinori, good to hear from you too, friend." Dave ran a hand through his hair and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry I missed our last chat; Melissa had a robotics tournament I couldn't miss."

"How'd she do?"

"Great! Overall, she placed third. I told her that was fantastic. She was competing against people several years older but was a little disappointed with the results. I've hardly been able to drag her from the lab. She's been determined to perfect her design so she doesn't lose next year."

Toshinori quirked an eyebrow. "Sounds oddly familiar, like someone else I might know."

Dave laughed and sheepishly rubbed at his neck. "I can't say that I'm not proud of her."

"You should be! She's already an amazing inventor. Izuku has loved her 3DS gear. It's worked perfectly."

"I'll have to let her know. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to hear that; she's always asking about Izuku and his training. Speaking of, how is it going? How is he?"

The question, which had been asked lightly, sank awkwardly. Toshinori's smile faltered. "He's fine." 

Dave looked unconvinced. "That doesn't sound fine. What's happened?"

Toshinori sighed, rubbing his forehead. 

"Where to begin, Dave? Things got… gah, things have gotten bad! And I don't know how to fix them. Villains, arguments, and fights, and now my boy won't even look at me, much less talk to me." 

"Slow down and start from the beginning," Dave said. 

"It's too complicated," Yagi protested, cringing at how he sounded. He sounded like he was the teenager, not Izuku. 

"You said that about Chemistry, and I still got you through that course," Dave reminded him. "Let's solve it like we did then. Start at the beginning and break it down for me." 

And so, Toshinori did. And it felt  good  to be able to tell Dave. He was one of the few people Toshinori still talked to who knew about All For One, Izuku, and the secrets he insisted on keeping. All of Toshinori's fears and frustrations finally came out in one long rant that would have made young Bakugou run out of energy and breath. 

At the end of it, Toshinori practically collapsed bonelessly into himself. Dave leaned back in his chair, his eyes wide with disbelief. 

"That's… wow…" he muttered. 

That was one way of putting it. 

"I'd cuss, but I'm at the school," Toshinori admitted. 

"I don't blame you," Dave replied. "What a mess. You weren't lying about things being complicated." 

"What do I do, Dave?" Toshinori asked. "How do I… what do I even do here? Izuku didn't feel like he could trust me enough to tell me his father was my worst enemy who is still alive. And… I don't know  what  I said, but now he feels like he can't talk to me at all! And I have no idea what I did to get him mad at me!" 

"Welcome to parenthood," Dave answered. "We love our kids, but they will get angry at us, and we will have no idea why. And then they'll tell us, and we'll kick ourselves for being stupid." 

Toshinori rubbed his face. "I know I wasn't being kind," he admitted. "But I felt so angry. He had almost been taken, and his classmates could have died. Knowing that my mortal enemy was after him might not have stopped the attack, but it would have made things a lot easier! Even now, I feel bad, but I still feel frustrated."

"Have you guys talked since the attack?"

"Not really. The second we get home, he hides in his room, and I haven't dared to talk to him. I'll plan out what I want to say, but when I do so, all this frustration, hurt, and worry bubbles up, and I suddenly can't trust what I'm about to say."

Dave nodded in understanding. 

"Given what he was holding back, you do have a right to feel hurt and frustrated," he told him. "However, the focus can't be on you right now. When you took him in your care, you gave up that option. It has to be on doing what's best for Izuku." 

"So what do I do?" Toshinori asked. 

"Show him you're there for him," Dave replied. "Even if you can't bring yourself to talk to him, show him in your actions. Show him that even with all this mess, you don't love him any less because of it." 

"Easier said than done," Toshinori muttered. "He's been ignoring me." 

"That can happen," Dave agreed. "He'll come to you when he's ready, okay? And until then, the best thing you can do is show him you'll be there. If you try to push him to reconcile when he's not ready for it, then it's only going to be to make yourself feel better." 

Toshinori sighed and dragged a hand down his face. "Alright, I'll see what I can do."

Chapter Text

Kimiko

So…?

Izuku

So what?

Kimiko

Really? We both know that you know what I'm talking about

Have you made up with Yagi yet?

Sheepishly, Izuku tucked his phone back into his backpack. He'd hear it from Kimiko at lunch for not responding to her text, but technically, the class was about to start, and he wasn't supposed to be on it. 

Yaoyorozu caught his eye from across the classroom and gave a small smile. Izuku waved back. Since she had told him about her sister, they had been getting along a lot more. While Kacchan was still having trouble trusting her, Izuku had assured him it was okay, and he trusted Izuku. They knew Yaoyorozu wouldn't snitch on Izuku.

All that was left was Iida. And while he hadn't said anything, he did seem to be going out of his way to be overly friendly to Izuku. Izuku could only guess it was the compromise the class vice president was able to make. 

"I won't tell that UA is hiding a Quirkless, but I will go out of my way to treat him as Quirkless deserves to be treated in this world, as he is too helpless to survive otherwise." 

The thought left a sour taste in Izuku's mouth. He should be grateful that UA had resolved the situation, but it felt like another reminder that Izuku couldn't handle things. 

His fight with Yagi reared up in his mind. 

"Ah, so you weren't almost dragged back to All for One? You didn't need Aizawa to help you, you had the whole thing sorted?" 

"If you truly want to be a hero, you have to let us help you. Let me know what's actually going on so that I can protect you."

Well, he didn't need Yagi's help! He had handled the villains just fine. He didn't need Yagi to protect him. 

Besides, it wasn't like All Might had protected him when he had needed it. Where was he when Izuku was shouting out for him to save him from the Quirkless Commission? 

No… no, that wasn't fair. Yagi had done his best. He had gotten Izuku out in the end. That was all that mattered, right? 

Izuku fought back a groan. Kimiko was right like she usually was. 

Izuku needed to make up with Yagi. Whenever they were together, it was so awkward, both saying nothing or hesitantly asking polite questions about the day or things that needed to be done. Izuku liked hanging out with Yagi when it didn't feel like they were waiting for a shoe to drop. 

The door to the classroom slammed open, jarring Izuku out of his moping. 

Aizawa slumped in, wrapped in enough bandages to be mistaken for the Mummy Hero Tutankhamun, and limped as he approached the podium. 

Izuku averted his gaze. He didn't want to admit that he needed help, but obviously, people had gotten hurt trying to help him. Maybe if he had come clean to Yagi, Aizawa would not have gotten hurt fighting Tomura. Maybe they would have been prepared for Tomura and All For One making a move. 

The rest of the class instantly hushed, giving Aizawa their full attention. Even bandaged as he was, they could feel their teacher's steely gaze threatening to give extra homework to the first person who spoke out of turn.  

"As you all are aware unless you've been sleeping during school," Aizawa said, glaring at the class through the gaps in his bandages, "the Sport's Festival is quickly approaching."

Several students winced, obviously feeling the pain of extra training. Getting one's name out there during the festival was worth it, but the weeks leading up to it were hell. 

"After the attack on the USJ, UA is choosing to partially change how the Sport's Festival is run. It will still be televised. However, for security purposes, your names are not going to be released to the public. So, in order to help get your names out there-"

"We are choosing our hero names today!" Midnight declared, walking into the classroom.  

In her hand, she had a large pile of dry-erase boards and markers, and she happily began to pass them out. 

"Normally, we have our students choose their Hero Names after the sports festival when they begin their internships with pros," she explained. "However, this year, we are doing things differently to protect our names and privacy after the USJ." 

"Instead of Present Mic announcing your name, he'll announce your hero name. The goal is to protect your privacy better while also allowing you to get your name out there."

Izuku had a gut feeling that it was more than just that. He and Nezu had discussed the risks of the quirk festival being televised. If someone from the Quirkless Facilities saw the Sports Festival and recognized him, there was a risk of the truth being revealed. 

While it wasn't necessarily bad, considering it would have to come out that Izuku was Quirkless eventually, they wanted it on Izuku's terms. They wanted Izuku to at least finish studying at UA, lest someone like Usotsuki use the time before he got his license to push for the Commission to forbid Quirkless from becoming heroes. 

"What about the non-hero classes, ribbit," Asui asked, raising a hand. "They compete, too."

"Not to worry! They'll be making code names, too! It's good practice in marketing for the business students, and several students in general studies want to become heroes too."

Kacchan snorted, "I bet flower girl comes up with something stupid."

Izuku gave his friend a look, "You don't have a great track record with names either."

"What!?! My names are awesome!"

"They all have explosion or murder or king or kill or something equally silly. Honestly, I dare you to come up with something that doesn't have one of those."

Kacchan looked ready to explode, but Midnight had started passing out boards, and he was forced to shut his mouth. 

"While this isn't strictly your hero name for the rest of your career, it is important to pick something good. Short and catchy helps, but regardless, you want it to be memorable."

Izuku looked at his board. While he had dreamed of being a hero for years, embarrassingly, he hadn't even considered what his hero name might be. As a child playing with Mom or Kacchan, it had always been something All Might related. 

Izuku's stomach churned at the thought of All Might. He needed to focus. Kacchan was already scribbling on his board with fervor, and it looked like several other classmates were writing, too. 

"Think about why you want to be a hero," Midnight called as she traversed the room. "What do you want people to remember about you? All Might is known as the Symbol of Peace. Endeavor is known for his firey determination. But other heroes, like Best Jeanist, are also known for their style."

What did Izuku want people to remember him by? 

He wanted them to remember he was a hero who saved people with a smile like All Might. He also wanted them to remember that he was Quirkless and that he did not have to be collared or shut away for his safety. He wanted to protect people with quirks to show them they were wrong about him. He wanted Quirkless kids to remember him and know they could stay with their parents because the laws would be changed with what Izuku would do. 

He could already hear the North Stars giving him advice.

Something memorable

Something bold. 

Something dramatic. 

Something heroic. 

Something with symbolic weight. 

Something people could easily cheer. 

Something that Bakugou didn't choose for you-  okay, so the last one was definitely Aizawa. 

And above all, Izuku didn't want to be considered weak or useless. 

Kacchan glanced over at his empty board and snorted. "For once, you aren't writing all the contents of your head. You gave me crap about my name, Deku, but I finished before you."

Izuku stuck his tongue out at him when he suddenly realized what he had to do. It was so obvious and perfect! 

"Alright, darlings!" Midnight called, "If you're still crafting your names, that's alright, but I want those who have finished to start presenting!" The entire room went completely silent. Absolutely nobody was ready to go up and give their names just yet. 

Finally, Aoyama put his hand up and strutted to the podium. He struck a pose and spun his board around. 

"I've chosen the name 'I-Cannot-Stop-Twinkling!'" he declared. 

Izuku could have facepalmed. 

"What was that you were saying about your friend picking the worst name?" Todoroki whispered to Bakugou. 

"Not bad!" Midnight clapped before taking the board and scribbling. "But let's take out the 'I,' change the 'cannot' to can't, and you get 'Can't-Stop-Twinkling.'" 

"It is absolutely stunning, mademoiselle!" Aoyama declared. 

He went back to his seat, only for Tsu to volunteer to go next. She had a shy smile on her face as she presented her name. 

"I picked this name out when I was little," she admitted. "But I always liked it: Rainy Season Hero, Froppy." 

"That's delightful and endearing!" Midnight praised. "So approachable. The kind of name someone will hear and know they can trust their hero!" 

With two names passed, the class collectively sighed in relief and began to share in earnest.

Invisible Girl.

Sugarman. 

Tentacole. 

Tsukuyomi

Creati. 

Izuku clapped loudly at Yaoyorozu's name, and the class president blushed with pleasure. As she passed by, she muttered under her breath that Misa helped her pick it. Izuku grinned and gave her a thumbs-up as the next person went up. 

Red Riot

Tailman

Earphone Jack

These were pretty good. Izuku had to admit his class was coming up with some clever ones. Midnight was very good at encouraging the class without fully vetoing and helping them workson their ideas. 

Kacchan volunteered, a feral grin on his face as he presented his. 

"King Explosion Murder!" 

"I'm going to have to say a little too violent," Midnight muttered, looking concerned. 

"Huh? What do you mean? It's great!" 

"Why don't you be Explosion Boy?" Kirishima asked. 

"You shut it, weird-" 

"Wait a second!" Kaminari piped up with a wicked smile. "Wasn't that the nickname that Kimiko girl called you in the cafeteria?" 

Kacchan went beet red as several boys teased 'oooohs' at him. He looked ready to prove that King Explosion Murder fit him perfectly by committing explosive homicides in the very room. Midnight seemed to catch on, and quickly patted his arm. 

"Well, it is wonderful you got the name from a friend," she said. "But maybe we could consider something based on the original name that is not too scary." 

Grumbling, Kacchan stomped back to his seat. 

Hesitantly, Izuku stood up and carried his board to the front of the classroom. 

His classmates looked back at him, Yaoyorozu and Uraraka smiling encouragingly while Kacchan seethed. 

"I've chosen the name Deku."

"WHAT!" Kacchan yelled, getting to his feet and slamming his hands on the desk. "THAT'S YOUR NAME?!"

"It is a tad unusual," Midnight noted, tilting her head. "A little negative towards yourself. I suppose some heroes have had that, but usually for irony or comedy." 

"Even if it is what Bakugou calls you," Kirishima added. "Wait, no Explosion Boy." 

"I will end you! And your pointy red hair, too!" 

Aizawa stood up–  had he been lying there in his sleeping bag the whole time?!-  and with a single glare, he brought the class to silence. He turned back to Izuku and nodded. 

"Continue." 

Even from under the bandages, he could see Aizawa had a hint of a smile. As if to tell Izuku he believed in him and his choice. Izuku swallowed and pressed forward. 

"I know it's not a traditional hero name," he explained. "But I don't plan on being a traditional hero." 

The first Quirkless Hero. The first one to prove that he and others like him did not need or deserve to be collared. 

"All my life, I've been told that I'm not strong enough," he admitted, knowing he had to explain further. "That I'm weak compared to everyone else. So, I want a name that reminds me that no matter how weak people say I am, I have to keep trying to be better. So that someday, I can reach out to those that need help and be there for them." 

He looked out to the class. Kacchan was smirking with approval, while Yaoyorozu nodded with a smile. Uraraka even gave him a thumbs-up, making Izuku's cheeks turn oddly hot. 

He hurried to his seat, nodding and smiling at his classmates' praise.

Deku. 

It felt right. 

Izuku looked at the board in his hand, the name 'Deku' scrawled across it. 

Maybe it was time to talk to Yagi. 

Toshinori knew when he called Mirai to tell him he had bad news and needed to speak to him; his friend would take it personally. 

Truthfully, they had needed to have the conversation as soon as certain…revelations from the USJ were made light. But after so many years of tension, it had been difficult to make the necessary phone call to invite Mirai to his apartment for a chat. 

Foolishly, Toshinori had hoped the causal setting would ease the blow. However, it still didn't make him feel any less guilty when he explained to his old friend that something had come up and, for the time being, he would need One For All back. 

He might as well have slapped him in the face by the expression on Mirai's face. Shock, followed by confusion, and then… 

"I've often indulged your lapses in judgment as typically they were of minor consequences, but this?! I do not comprehend how you could make so foolish a mistake." 

Toshinori flinched, preparing himself. He knew how it would go. Mirai would have to have his say before he could be persuaded. But because it was also Mirai, he knew how to make it hurt.  

"You have been negligent in your training of your successor." Mirai continued, pacing furiously back and forth to the apartment living room. "Truthfully, I was overjoyed when you agreed to meet with Mirio. I have always known that he was the best choice to carry on your legacy. He's brave, kind, funny, and wishes to save a million people. He embodies your best traits!"

Toshinori felt another flash of guilt and wished he could sink into the couch. It was true; he  had  been neglecting Mirio. One For All was Nana's legacy. His mentor and teacher's legacy of her fight was held in that quirk, and Toshinori passed it on without much thought whatsoever. He had been so focused on training Izuku.

It was like Izuku had always been the perfect fit for One For All. He was meant to be a hero. And when he refused the quirk, Toshinori decided to focus his efforts on helping him become a hero without a Quirk when he also should have been devoting time to finding another successor or mentoring young Mirio. 

Perhaps a part of him knew that deep down, nobody would suit the quirk more than Izuku, and so he kept his distance so as not unfairly to compare the next inheritor to his boy. 

But even that felt like a cheap excuse. 

"I agree. He is a good boy," he assured Mirai, trying to appease his former sidekick. "I can tell just by speaking to him that he is going to do great things. But the situation has changed, Mirai. I don't think it is safe for him to have One For All, not right now, at least." 

"How can you change your mind about this?" Mirai demanded, stopping his pacing to round on him. "First, you hand your legacy to him, then you neglect him, then you wish to take it back without warning. What has he done wrong, Toshinori? Are you so proud that you think only you can wield it properly?" 

"Of course not!" Toshinori protested. "But- but I was distracted. I'll admit it. My efforts became so focused on my boy that I thoughtlessly gave my Master's Quirk away without considering the consequences. And now, something has come up, and it is not safe for Mirio to have it. Not yet. Maybe after we resolve this-"  

"What!" Mirai snapped. His typically serious face was contorted with anger. "What could be so important that you would rip your quirk away after entrusting it to another?!"

Toshinori winced, "All for One is alive."

The words came out quieter than he intended, but they echoed through his apartment. Mirai stood there, still as a statue, as his eyes grew wide. His friend was always good at figuring out the future, whether by educated guesses, critical thinking, or that amazing power of his. But not even he could have foreseen this. 

"…what?" 

In all their years of friendship, Toshinori had never heard his friend sound so shocked. Nothing could have prepared either of them for this. A traitorous thought in Toshinori's brain said that they  could  have known, but he shoved the thought aside. Izuku hadn't told him, and that was that. 

No changing that. Now, they could only deal with the outcome. 

"All for One, the enemy of all One for All holders, is alive," Toshinori repeated grimly. "And he will be coming after Mirio."

That was why he had to take back One For All. If All For One was alive, he needed to prepare to fight him, prepare to take back the quirk, and with every blessing from every deity, maybe the villain would keep his focus on Toshinori and not Mirio. 

And not Izuku, either. 

"But…but you defeated him at great personal cost," Mirai recalled. "Right? That day–" 

Toshinori's side twinged at the reminder. "I wounded him. Apparently, blinded him and caused many other issues, but I did not kill him."

Mirai didn't say a word. Instead, he removed his glasses, rubbed at his eyes, and then pulled out a polishing cloth. Slowly, methodically, Mirai cleaned the glasses before settling them back onto his nose. Then, with a sigh that sounded almost like a moan, he sat down on a side chair. 

"How do you know this?" Mirari asked, all emotion wiped from his voice. 

"I'm sure you heard about the attack on UA."

"Yes, at the training center, the USJ. That was him?"

"It was one of his followers, funded and partially organized by him. Their goal was to kill me and as many UA students as possible. They didn't succeed, of course," Toshinori said with a grim smile, "but it won't take them long to discover the new holder of One for All."

Mirai nodded, and Toshinori recalled the times when he and his former sidekick would put together critical missions where many lives were at stake. Mirai would be able to focus purely on planning, organization, and gathering the facts before he allowed emotion to come in. 

"I- I see," he muttered before straightening and looking Toshinori in the eye. "I think it is important to focus your attention on Mirio's training then." 

"Mirai–"

"My vision holds true." Mirai insisted firmly. "I will not let you die." 

The vision? That was what this was about? His vision that Toshinori would die a bloody death. And now that he learned that All For One was alive and would no doubt come after the quirk, his answer was to prepare Mirio.

"And let a boy die in my place!?" Toshinori exclaimed. 

"There is no certainty he will die," Mirari said calmly, almost coldly. 

Toshinori reared back like he had been slapped in the face. Mirari had always been logical and clearheaded–not prone to overly emotional actions. However, this was cruel. 

Mirari continued, "The fact that All For One hasn't shown his face yet means that you still injured him severely. There is still time. We can train Mirio and prepare him for the upcoming fight. He is a capable young man. I'm sure he'll be ready in no time."

"No," Toshinori said firmly. "I barely survived my fight with All for One. To ask a boy, no matter how well he is trained, is I won't do it. All For One has been building his resources and empire under our noses. He is too powerful. I will not throw young Mirio into that fight. I've already had one child hurt by him; I will not have another."

"How do you even know it's All For One?" Mirari asked suddenly.  

Toshinori paused, a mistake when he saw Mirai's eyes narrow. "I- it's complicated," Toshinori said, avoiding eye contact. 

Miari lunged forward like a beast on a hunt. "You said that he was not at the attack. Was his name mentioned?" He paused. "No…it would have been in the reports then. I would have heard something. It's the boy, isn't it."

"What do you know about him?" Toshinori asked, desperately trying to keep his voice level. 

"I have been keeping my ears to the ground. I know you took in a young boy and have been training him. To be honest, I thought that… I thought that you intended to give One For All to him. That's why I was so surprised you saw reason and gave it to Mirio. But it all makes sense now. He's involved in this somehow." 

"That's private, Mirai!" 

"Not when my student's life may be on the line! If this boy is related to All For One somehow–" 

Yagi flinched at that, and Mirai's eyes went wide. 

"He's related?" Mirai's eyes narrowed, "No, it's not simply that. He's related. No… he  is  related to All For One. He's… he's All For One's family, isn't he?" 

"Mirai-" Toshinori began, knowing it was futile but needing to try. 

"Drop this. Drop it now. Send him back to whatever orphanage you found him at. This is too dangerous. If All For One was targeting you before, if he learns you have a family member of his, he won't hesitate to come after you." 

"I don't–" 

"You should never have allowed yourself to get close to that boy! I heard you were injured in that fight. Because of him! Of course, it makes sense. He's the blood of that monster." 

Toshinori wanted to protest that was not the case, but he could not deny that the injury was acquired partially due to a lack of information. Nor could he deny that All For One was a monster. 

But even so, the thought of giving up on young Izuku after everything.

"I won't just give him up," he answered slowly. "Izuku is a good boy. He's training to be a hero."

Mirai snorted with laughter, only to see how serious Toshinori truly was. His eyes widened with disbelief. 

"A hero?" he repeated. "The son of that creature, a hero?! What if he's inherited his quirk?"

"He hasn't," Toshinori said firmly. He probably would have viewed a quirk, any quirk, as a blessing when he was younger.

Mirari snorted, "How can you be so sure?"