Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was dark and gloomy out, an irritating sort of icy cold clinging to the air along with dreary misty fog. Shigaraki grumbled in irritation under his breath, wrapping his arms tighter around himself. Really if he’d known it’d be this gross out, he wouldn’t have even bothered to go out for a milkshake. Yet the promise of a sweet treat kept him grumpily treading forward to a not too far destination. 

   No one else was out at this time to bother him. At least that’s what he thought until he stopped short, seeing a little figure clinging onto one of the sparse light poles. Bathed in the sickly yellow glow was a small boy. Visibly shivering and miserable.

   Shiggy looked around, seeking out a horrifically neglectful guardian to yell at, but saw no one. Besides this poor little child, he was the only other one on the abandoned streets during this ungodly morning hour. 

   The poor thing shivered hard, sniffling and letting out a distressed little whimper. It tugged at Shiggy’s heart strings, and he found himself making his way over to the child.

  Upon closer inspection, he was clearly abandoned. Hair matted, tangled, and dirty. Clothes filthy, shoes overworn, and not at all dressed for the weather. Shiggy’s heart felt a stab of grief as the boy flinched upon realizing the man was there. His cheeks were bright red from the cold, lips turning blue.

   “Hey,” Shiggy found himself saying softly. Crouching down onto the balls of his feet so he was at the small boy’s level. “Aren’t you cold?”

   The boy blinked dazed emerald green eyes at him. Looking around before pouting at him. “Hi…I’m…I’m loss.”

   “You’re lost?” Shiggy gasped. “Oh no! Do you know where your Mommy is?”

   The boy looked down at his shoes, whining. Before shaking his head. “Don’ member.”

   Shiggy hummed. “You don’t remember? Oh you poor thing you must be so cold, here.”

   Without thinking much of it, he took off his thick hoodie, and draped it around the boy’s tiny figure. The boy wrapped the hoodie eagerly around himself, little hands desperately holding it closer like he’d been starving for a relief from the bitter cold.

   “Why don’t you come with me, yeah? I’ll run you a nice bath, get you some food, and then we can work on finding your mommy. How does that sound?” Shiggy asked softly.

   The boy looked at him, eyes running through his options. Likely remembering past conversations from adults about stranger danger. Though he looked around too, seeing that he didn’t have any other promising options.

   “O-okay.” The boy stuttered.

   Shiggy smiled. “Okay. My name is Shigaraki, but you can call me Shiggy yeah?”

   “Shiggy! I wike dat name i’s really cute!” The boy said, then reached his arms out with grabbing hands. Shiggy about died from the adorableness as he dutifully picked the toddler up, settling him on his hip out of instinct even though he’d never held a child before. He was suddenly glad he’d decided to wear his gloves, not having to worry about his quirk activating. 

   “Thank you, that’s very sweet of you!” Shiggy said as he started back to the bar. He could come back for food after getting the boy out of the cold. “What’s your name?”

   “M’Izuku!” He cheered, looking much happier now that he wasn’t as freezing cold or alone. Those green eyes that had been hazy and dull were now getting their brightness back.

   “Oh Izuku! That’s a really cute name too! Very pretty for a pretty boy.” Shiggy said, finding it effortless to be sweet to this poor little lost boy.

   Izuku giggled, slapping his little pudgy hands to his mouth, eyes closing and crinkling with the force of his smile. “Shiggy you makes me blush! Yous very pwetty too!”

   When they were back to the hideout, Shigaraki felt like he’d known Izuku all his little life. The boy talked his ear off about his love for heroes, his fascination with different quirks, and his favorite cartoons. Shiggy almost forgot how much of a shock it must be for Kurogiri when he walked in holding a toddler.

   He stopped mid wiping down the bar, misty eyes blinking as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. 

   “Kurogiri, this is Izuku.” He said in a deliberate slow tone. Still soft for the little boy, but with enough emphasis that Kurogiri would know to go along with it. “He’s lost, so we’re going to help him find his Mommy.”

   Kurogiri cleared his throat after a moment, straightening up and making himself look as kid friendly as possible. “Well hello little one, you appear to have had a rough night.”

   Izuku hummed as Shigaraki deposited him on a stool, making sure his jacket still kept the boy warm. “Hi, m’sorry.”

   The misty man tilted his head in confusion and Shiggy frowned. “Why are you sorry Izuku?”

   He fiddled with the long sleeves, lips pouting and looking ashamed. “Mommy says I can be a birben.”

   Both men looked at each other, trying to figure out what he was saying. Then Kurogiri’s eyes widened in realization as he leaned against the bar tap to be at Izuku’s height. “Izuku do you mean a ‘burden’?”

   Izuku nodded. “So m’sorry.”

   The two looked at each other again in a quiet fury, that this sweet little boy was probably better off lost than found. Shigaraki rubbed Izuku’s cold little freckled cheeks with his knuckles gently. “Hey no, we’re happy to have you! Look how lonely it is here.”

   Izuku picked his head up, looking around the bar. “Oh, i’s empty.”

   “Yup, so we need all the friends we can get!” Shiggy said with flourish, smiling at Izuku as the boy looked up at him in wonder.

   Kurogiri hummed in agreement. “Exactly, friends are never ever burdens Izuku.”

   His green eyes flickered between the two of them, shimmering with building tears, face shocked. “I’m…your fren?”

   “Of course you are!” Kurogiri cooed.

   A few tears slipped down his flushed chubby cheeks, bottom lip wobbling. “I…I neber had a fren.”

   It was decided right then and there, without either men needing to say anything, that Izuku would be staying with them. To Shiggy, the situation Izuku was in spoke clearly for itself. An abusive household, one that reminded him so painfully of his own past. It sparked a fierce protectiveness for Izuku within him. A promise in his heart that he would make sure Izuku never had a childhood like Shigaraki had.

   Swallowing a lump in his throat, he glanced at Kurogiri just make sure they were on the same page. The man nodded, then grinned with his eyes at Izuku. “Izuku, would you like some juice?”

   Izuku beamed, wiping away his tears. “I wike juice!”

   Shigaraki rubbed his back. “Would you like some chicken nuggets as well?”

   He giggled, jittering excitedly. “I wuv nuggies!”

   “Awesome! I love nuggies too!” Shiggy chuckled. “I’ll go get you some clean clothes, and some nuggies. I’ll be right back okay? Kurogiri will get you some juice.”

   Izuku’s face fell into an expression of fear, but he tried to school it. “Kay…but you comin’ back right?”

   This poor boy was making Shiggy’s heart bleed. “I promise Zuku, I’ll be right back.”

   “Kay, I beev you.” Izuku mumbled, not knowing that Shiggy made a vow to never ever break a promise to Izuku. To never lose his trust.

   So he found himself hurrying back out into the night, stopping at a little thrift store that had a janky lock and would open if the door was lifted up a little. The old couple of the store were incredibly nice, so out of respect Shigaraki never stole more than he actually needed.

   He made his way to the little kid’s section and grabbed clothes that looked like they would fit Izuku. Sets of pajamas, t-shirts, shorts, pants, a few hoodies, and a puffy winter jacket. He saw a pair of bright red sneakers that would replace his worn down shoes. Then as an afterthought he grabbed a soft pastel checker patterned blanket with baby blue linens and a plush pillow.

   With his arms full, he reached over the checkout counter to grab one of the large brown paper bags to put his haul in. Before he walked out, he noticed a stuffed bunny that was All Might themed. As much as the thing made him sneer, he remembered how Izuku had gushed about All Might. So begrudgingly he grabbed it, throwing it in the bag. For Izuku, he told himself.  

   Then he made a rushed trip to the Quick Hero, the only reliable food place that was open twenty-four-seven. He walked in, and ignored all the horribly drunk and high teens.

   He ordered two twenty-counts of nuggets, a Happy Hero with a toy, and drinks. When he got his order, Shiggy didn’t think anything of practically sprinting back to the hideout. Worried that the longer he was out, the more anxious Izuku would be.

   When he walked in Kurogiri wasn’t at the bar, and Izuku wasn’t either. There was however, an empty cup of what appeared to have had orange juice. Walking up the stairs to the living quarters above the bar, he could hear light splashing. 

   The bathroom was on, door open. When he entered, he could see that Izuku was in the tub. Kurogiri had his sleeves rolled up, kneeling down as he scrubbed shampoo into Izuku’s curls. The suds covered his head in a fluff of white.

   Izuku meanwhile appeared perfectly content with a jigger in his hands from the bar. Filling it up and pouring it out, looking it over and analyzing it. 

   When he knocked on the door, they both turned to look up. Izuku’s green eyes lit up with pure delight, a smile spreading across his dimpled little cheeks. “Shiggy! You came back!”

   Shigaraki smiled, already so weak to this precious boy who was heartbreakingly easy to please. “I sure did. I got us some nuggies and some stuff for you.”

   Izuku bounced lightly in place. “Dank you! I was real icky so Kuro says I need a bath!”

   Kurogiri made a noise of agreement. “You were one little dirty bunny for sure.”

   “Little bunny.” Shiggy snickered.

   The man fixed him with a slight glare. “He hops around when he’s excited, like a tiny rabbit.”

   As he said that, he bopped Izuku on the nose with a fluff of soap. Izuku giggled, and tried to blow it off. It wasn’t much longer until Kurogiri deemed Izuku clean, and toweled the boy off after draining the tub. Shiggy handed him a pair of pajamas from the bag, and when he was comfortably dressed, they went back downstairs to sit at a booth. 

   Kurogiri started to pull out the food as Shigaraki showed Izuku everything he’d gotten for him. The boy was deeply fascinated by the red shoes, and quickly tried them on. They were miraculously perfect fit, and Izuku put them up as instructed to be worn later. 

   Once all the food was laid out, Izuku’s eyes widened with awe. “Tha’s a lot of nuggies!”

   As they dug in, Shiggy fished out the toy from the Happy Hero meal. It was a crappily made plastic All Might. Though crappy or not, Izuku gasped in glee when Shiggy handed it to him. “I’s Ah Might!”

   “I remember you saying you liked All Might.” Shiggy said.

   Izuku nodded happily, holding the toy like it was gold. “I wuv Ah Might.”

   Shiggy decided that was as good of a time as any to present his gift. “Well then I’m really glad I got you this.”

   With that, he pulled out the bunny that sported an All Might hoodie. The ears tucked into his famously styled bangs. It wasn’t very big, but compared to Izuku’s tiny body it was a good sized stuffie.

   Izuku’s eyes were as wide as dinner plates as he stared in complete awe at the stuffed animal. He was completely speechless for a moment, before reaching for the toy. “I’s bunny Ah Might.”

   “Mmhm, you like it?”

   Izuku gingerly ran his pudgy little hand over the bunny stuffie’s head, like he was petting a real bunny. Then his lips quivered and his eyes were filled with tears again. “I wuv him.”

   He turned to look up at Shigaraki with such vulnerability and innocence. “You got dis for me?”

   Shiggy nodded, like he actually thoughtfully bought it instead of stealing it. “Sure did, he’s all yours.”

   Izuku sniffled, and leaned into Shiggy’s side. “Dank you Shiggy.”

   Shiggy huffed him, placing a kiss on the top of his head. “Of course Zuku.”

   After laying down the boy for bed in Shiggy’s room, Kurogiri made quick work of finding out who Izuku’s mother was. The full story of it all ended up being more tragic than Shiggy had anticipated. Izuku was raised by a single mother who was a notorious drug addict that had been in and out of police custody due to aggravated assault charges, petty theft, and child endangerment. 

   Despite all this, and being visited multiple times by child protective services, Izuku was never removed from her care. Upon reading the notes stating that Izuku didn’t seem at all distressed by his situation so the child protective services didn’t see a reason to take him, Shigaraki had to step away from the computer. Lest he destroy everything in blinding hot anger. 

   Kurogiri continued to read over the reports as Shiggy tried to calm himself down. “It says here that she was dumped on the doorstep of the local emergency room, but inevitably died of overdose as of…”

   He trailed off, and Shiggy turned to see what was the matter. Kurogiri stared at the screen for a long moment before turning to face him. “As of five days ago.”

   Shiggy balked, stunned absolutely speechless for a second. “F-FIVE DAYS?”

   They both winced and quieted down, listening to hear if Shiggy had accidentally woken Izuku up. When they didn’t hear any noise, Kurogiri kept reading. “There are no living relatives, no listed emergency contact. No one has reported Izuku missing.”

   This was too much heartbreak for such a short amount of time. “Fuck, how on earth did he survive five damn days by himself?”

   Kurogiri hummed, scrolling down further to keep reading. “Her listed address is actually very close. We don’t exactly reside in the…nicest of areas. Izuku more than likely stayed inside his home until whatever food they had ran out. After all, he was probably used to her disappearing for long periods of time.”

   Shigaraki started pacing, scratching at his neck in aggravation. “That means he doesn’t know she’s dead.”

   “Shig, don’t hurt yourself.” Kurogiri chided. 

   They were both quiet for a moment, deep in their own thoughts when they heard a little sniffle. Shiggy turned to the door to see Izuku was there, holding onto his All Might bunny. The boy pouted shyly, shuffling his feet. “Sorry, I need to tinkle.”

   “That’s okay Zuku.” Shiggy put a hand on his shoulder to guide him. 

   “Did you find my Mommy?” He asked sweetly, looking up at him with his beautiful innocent eyes.

   Shigaraki hesitated. Should he tell Izuku the truth? He was only four, but the thought of lying to him made him want to puke. Thankfully Kurogiri stepped in. “We did, and your mother is actually a spy!”

   Izuku’s little jaw dropped, eyes twinkling. “A spy? Wike a hewo?”

   He nodded, eyes creasing with a smile. “Exactly! She’s super sorry, but she’s on a really special mission right now and she doesn’t know when she’ll be back. Top secret, national security. So she asked us to take care of you!”

   Izuku’s little brows furrowed, tilting his head slightly. “W’as natiomal secuwity?”

   Shiggy started to lead him to the restroom. “It’s super important hero stuff. So you’ll stay with us for a bit okay?”

   He giggled and nodded, looking at his bunny. His little whisper broke Shigaraki’s heart as he talked to Bunny Might. “Mommy’s a hewo.”

- - -

Unsurprisingly, Izuku was an extremely easy child to take care of. He was so well behaved that it was a little alarming. Never forgetting his manners, never throwing a tantrum, always obedient, and always an utter sweetheart. It was like Izuku was doing his very best to be as least bothersome as possible.

   Shigaraki and Kurogiri reassured him constantly that he was never a bother, and he could always come to them about anything. Which likely led them to the situations they started finding themselves in. As devilishly smart Izuku was for his age, he was still a bit oblivious and naive. A blessing in disguise for them.

   “Shiggy my Ah Might broke!” Izuku said with a cry as he came trotting into the room with his newest All Might toy. Though when he looked up and saw that there were a lot of faces he didn’t recognize, he froze on the spot. “Oh…m’sorry.”

   They were currently in the middle of negotiations with a powerful Yakuza family about territory and alliances. To Izuku, these stoic men and women must’ve looked very intimidating. 

   As Shiggy motioned for Izuku to come closer, Kurogiri fixed their guests with a fierce glare that dared them to try anything and face the consequences. Izuku scrambled up into his lap with Shiggy’s help then presented the broken toy. The arm was popped out of the socket and detached. 

   “Oh no! Lemme see what I can do.”

   Shiggy went about trying to fix the toy with Izuku cuddled to his chest. The boy looked at the unfamiliar people timidly, before giving a hesitant wave. “Hi.”

   “Hello little one.” The leader said back with a soft gentle voice. “You like All Might?”

   “I wuv Ah Might.” Izuku blushed and whispered like it was an earth shattering secret.

   “Aha!” Shiggy exclaimed after snapping the arm back into the toy without breaking it. “There we go! All Might is saved!”

   Ironic to hear the leader of the League of Villains telling a child he’d saved All Might, even if it was just a toy. 

   Izuku squealed happily, bouncing up and down while clapping. “Dank you!”

   Shigaraki gave him his toy back, and earned a sloppy little kiss to the cheek. Izuku was placed back on the ground, and the boy started to hop away back to wherever he’d been previously. They all watched fondly, then gasped as Izuku tripped over his own feet and flopped hard on his stomach with an ‘oof!’.

   Kurogiri and Shigaraki were on their feet in a flash, ready to console him. Izuku stood up though, using both his hands, before brushing imaginary dust off himself. “M’kay!”

   Then he resumed hopping away, letting All Might soar through the air. Taking a deep breath, Shiggy started to sit back down. “Anyways, where were we—”

   “It’s a deal.” The leader cut him off.

   Shiggy blinked. “Huh?”

   “It’s a deal, we can’t wait to work with you.”

   Izuku continued to walk into various situations as he gained more confidence in his place in Shigaraki and Kurogiri’s lives. He’d started to truly come out of his hesitant shell and learned to rely more on them. They hadn’t really realized how touch starved he was until he’d gotten over his aversion to physical contact.

   They were doing their best to make sure Izuku was living a loving childhood, but that never meant they didn’t mess up. Like the USJ debacle. 

   Kurogiri took extra care in setting Izuku up in a secure hiding spot far away from the action with a pair of sound proof headphones and his tablet—that they stole for him—and his blanket. When he was sure that the little boy would be entertained for the next few hours, he ran his hand through Izuku’s curls and told him they had a very important meeting. 

   All their recruited lackeys were explicitly informed that if they saw Izuku they were to protect him at all costs. If a single hair on his head was out of place, they’d be tortured in the most gruesomely painful way they could imagine.

   Everything was going great, All Might showed up eventually, and engaged into battle with the Nomu. Shiggy was trying to ignore the unease and dread, watching All Might fight something specifically designed to kill him. A part of him that still admired heroes wanted to call it quits. To tell Nomu to back down. 

   But these were the orders from his master, and if Shiggy disobeyed then there was surely a price to pay. Kurogiri too, had a reluctant air to him. Especially after facing off with EraserHead.

   “Kuro!” A horribly familiar tiny voice called. Everyone froze as a little toddler came running towards them out of nowhere. He held the tablet high above his head as he sprinted as fast as he could towards them, eyes on the ground so he wouldn’t fall. 

   Then he hopped the remaining three steps up to Kurogiri, smiling at them without noticing their mortified expressions. He held the tablet out to him. “It died!”

   Fuck! Of all things they checked to make sure Izuku would be occupied and out of harm’s way, they forgot to check the battery life on Izuku’s tablet. It was a horrible oversight on their part.

   Izuku turned, realizing there were others around. Everyone could see the moment he recognized who was there with them, as his jaw dropped and eyes widened the size of dinner plates. All was silent as Izuku inched towards the Number One hero like he was in a daze.

   All Might in turn, looked stunned at the turn of events, just staring down at the little boy. The hero class and the villains were all still as statues, watching this happen.

   “Ah Might?” Izuku gasped.

   He blinked, trying to process what was happening. “Uh, why yes young man…I am here!”

   Izuku gasped wildly again, a blinding smile taking over his face as he did his little happy dance. Squealing and shrieking as he jumped up and down, turning to Shiggy and Kuro. Pointing up at the gigantic hero like they hadn’t realized who they were talking to. “Shiggy! Kuro! I’S AH MIGHT!”

   Shigaraki chuckled nervously, hands itching with the urge to pull his little angel back and take him to safety. “Uh yeah Zuku! It’s All Might!”

   Izuku whipped back to stare up at his favorite hero, jaw still popped on in awe. Then, like he needed more confirmation, he turned to Nomu. “Nomo! I’S AH MIGHT!”

   Nomu clacked and chittered at him, nodding. 

   Izuku giggled and ran up to the hero, jumping and latching onto his leg in a hug. He looked like an itty bitty fairy hugging a massive giant. Pulling back he held up his tablet. “Can you sign? Peas!”

   “It’s ‘please’ bunny.” Kurogiri corrected out of pure parental habit.

   “Peas!” Izuku repeated.

   All Might, still in a stupor reached out for the tablet and turned it over. The case was All Might themed, and covered in All Might stickers. “Um…anyone have…a pen?”

   One of their lackeys tossed him a sharpie, which the hero caught. He signed the tablet in a flourish, and then looked down at the toddler. Seeing those angelic emerald sparkling eyes staring up at him. “Who should I make this out to?”

   “My name is—”

   “Make it out to Zu.” Shigaraki interrupted before smiling reassuringly at Izuku. “So it’s super special!”

   “Yeah Zu!” Izuku cheered, clapping his hands. “Peas!”

   All Might wrote a little note, and then handed the tablet back before tossing the sharpie back to the lackey that gave it to him. Who pocketed it. “Thanks man.”

   “Uh, no problem.” All Might said.

   Izuku held the tablet like it was an unspeakably valuable treasure. “Ah’ways keep a smile on your face! Go beyond, P’us U’tah Zu. Dank you Ah Might!”

   He ran off to Shigaraki to show him his prize. To which he nodded dutifully and ‘wowed’ over his win. Then Shiggy turned to Kuro. “I think it’s time we go home. We’ll charge your tablet okay Zu?”

   Izuku nodded, and walked towards the portal Kurogiri opened. “Kay, can we habe pizza?”

   “Of course sweetie,” Kurogiri cooed. “We’ll get some pizza on the way home.”

   “Yay!” Izuku cheered, completely overjoyed on what had to be the best day of his life. 

   Then in the blink of an eye, they were gone. Leaving the hero students, minor villains, and teachers to stand there in utter bafflement. 

   Kirishima popped his lips in the following silence. “So uh…that happened.”

   Their next scare came when recruiting permanent members to the League. Stain had been on their list for a while, ever since his presence was made known. Even though the fact that the man idolized All Might should’ve peeved Shigaraki off, he found it pulling himself to the man instead. Like it was a good quality to have.

   Izuku was rubbing off on him too much. And he hadn’t forgotten the dread of thinking about helping his master bring the end to All Might. Of the idea that the hero would be no more. Something inside of him felt like it was pleading with him to reconsider. 

   “So you’re the ones who attacked UA.” Stain said with obvious distaste. Looking them up and down, analyzing them for all their worth. “Now you want me to join your little…group? Honestly it’s unclear to me what your end goal is here.”

   Shiggy bit back the reply he wanted to say of: Same here.

   Though Stain’s eyes snapping to the side and about three feet above the ground made Shiggy stop, then look down as well. Izuku was standing just behind him, having crept up silent as a ghost. Bunny Might in hand, and watching Stain with curious eyes.

   “Hewwo.” Izuku said shyly, stepping forward to hold onto Shiggy’s leg with one hand. “Are you Shiggy and Kuro’s fren?”

   Stain glanced up at Shigaraki, then Kurogiri. Watching their reactions for a moment before squatting down on the balls of his feet, resting his arms on his knees. “Hello little one. Is that All Might?”

   Izuku, upon seeing that the man with swords was nice, smiled brightly. “Yeah! I wuv Ah Might!”

   Stain watched in astonishment as Izuku reached up to grab two of Shiggy’s fingers to hold. Unafraid of the man’s devastating quirk. His hard untrusting eyes softened. “I love All Might too, he’s my favorite hero.”

   Izuku giggled. “I wuv your s’ords. W’as your quirk?”

   That’s what led to Stain staying much longer than he planned, talking to Izuku about the intricacies of his quirk. Which the boy wrote down with vigor in his little notebook. Stain had amazing patience with the little boy, and had no issue explaining everything in amazing detail. Izuku even asked things that none of the adults thought a four year old would ask.

   “If you eated your own b’ood, do you freeze too?”

   “How many peoples can you freeze?”

   “How wong can you freeze?”

   They’d sat down together eating dinner as Stain answered every single question without any irritation. When Izuku started yawning and his eyes were barely open, Kurogiri picked up Izuku to take him to bed.

   “Time for bed, little bunny.”

   “Awwww,” he whined cutely. “But m’not s‘eepy.”

   “Don’t worry little hero, I’ll come back whenever you want.” Stain promised, smiling at him tenderly.

   Izuku pouted still, rubbing his tired eyes. “Mmmm’kay. You p’omise?”

   Stain chuckled. “I promise.”

   When the two of them were gone, Stain looked at Shigaraki. “How did you come across him?”

   “Drug addict mother, overdosed and dead. Abused, neglected, not reported missing, no living relatives.” Shigaraki said stiffly, because going back over it was severely unpleasant and never failed to make him furiously angry.

   Stain hummed. “Does he know?”

   Shiggy sighed. “No, we thought it best to…hold off on that for now. To him his mother is a top secret hero on a top secret mission.”

   Stain thought that over for a moment, then stood. “Look, I’m not really interested in your little group. I don’t even think you’re interested in it’s principles either, but I’ll leave that for you to figure out on your own.”

   He accepted the defeat, and walked Stain to the door. “Well, if it means anything to you, I’m really grateful you were so kind to Izuku.”

   Stain looked at him. “You’re different, from what I’ve heard about you. You’re not the immature man child I pictured. No, you seem much more…human.”

    “Jeez you really know how to flatter a guy.” Shiggy deadpanned.

   Stain ignored that. “I may not be joining you, but I will be more than willing to help with Izuku anytime. Say the word, and I’m there for him.”

   They shook hands on it.

   The newest and more permanent members of the League were informed that beyond their mission, there was one thing that took priority over everything. 

   “What’s more important than being gay and doing crime?” Toga Himiko asked, tilting her head.

   “Kuro!” With perfect timing like always, Izuku came running into the room with his tablet. It was sporting a new cover now, as the other one that had been signed by All Might was now in a glass case display. The toddler stopped in his tracks when he saw the two new people, shuffling his Bunny Might and tablet over so he could wave. “Hewwo. I’m Izuku, I wuv Ah Might.”

   Toga squealed, cupping her cheeks with her hands. “Oh he’s so cute! Can I keep him? Please! Please, pretty please, please! I’ll take good care of him, I promise!”

   Izuku stumbled back a step, a little surprised by Toga’s enthusiasm. “W’as your name? Your hair is pwetty.”

   “I’m Toga Himiko! You can call me Himichan!” She cheered. “I love your adorable little stuffie!”

   Izuku giggled. “Dank you! Shiggy gab him to me!”

   Then his eyes trailed over to Dabi, and he gasped. They all saw how the tall man stiffened, looking like a deer in headlights as the boy walked up to him. Likely fully prepared to have the little boy be horrified by his appearance. 

   “They so pretty.” Izuku said in awe.

   Dabi blinked. “Huh?”

   Izuku pointed to his own eyes. “They so blue!”

   “It’s ‘they’re’ Zuku sweetie.” Kurogiri corrected.

   “Dere so blue!”

   Dabi stared at him for a long moment, before looking around at everyone as if this were some sort of prank. Then back down at the little boy. “T-thank you. Uh, your eyes are really pretty too.”

   Izuku’s face went bright pink and he giggled. “Dank you!”

   Toga squealed in delight. “AH! You’re so cute I’m gonna die!”

   Shigaraki felt slightly better about their new members. If they’d been mean to Izuku he would’ve immediately killed them. Though now he’ll likely only have to worry about them trying to steal Izuku.

   The others that came along adored Izuku just as much, and while they didn’t necessarily get along perfectly at first, that one thing bonded them together. Their mutual adoration and protectiveness of the little green haired boy. Who loved them no matter what they looked like or what their quirk was.

   Compress had fun showing Izuku his ‘magic’ tricks, his showman personality coming out in full fantastic flair. Magne had fun tossing Izuku in the air with her magnetism, though the first time Kurogiri saw her do it, he nearly had a heart attack. Spinner also got a confidence boost when Izuku said he looked like a ninja.

   Twice was also a staple member of Izuku’s team if they ever played any competitive games. He was dubbed the ‘king of games’ a title he held proudly.

   It was also a well known fact in the group that Izuku had a little bit of a crush on Dabi. Which he would never admit, did amazing things for his own self image. Because his scars were such a sore spot, even though he pretended not to care.

   When he explained to Izuku how he got them in a very light way, the little boy came running into the room the next day after a ‘shopping’ trip with Toga. He dumped the full plastic bag of face masks on Dabi’s lap. “Himi says dat moissrizer makes your skin soft and not hurt no more!”

   Dabi was so touched, that he let Izuku put the face mask on him, and the two of them had a spa day watching cartoons. 

   Izuku had a true heart of gold, and made a lasting impression on everyone he met. Including his second encounter with the heroes.

   It was another organized attack from his master, and Shiggy had to remind himself that if he didn’t follow through, it was very likely the man would come down and visit Shigaraki in person. That would mean Izuku would be discovered. When he explained this to his group, they reluctantly agreed that it had to be done. Though none of them were too keen on terrorizing a bunch of kids.

   The bombastic loud mouthed blond torpedo wasn’t going to join their side, Shiggy knew this. But for whatever reason, his master wanted the little scared teen there. Told them to try and convince Bakugou into joining their group. He’d try, just to say he did it, then likely dump him somewhere.

   As everyone settled down after getting teleported back to their hideout, Twice looked around. “Uuuuh, dudes and dudettes….where’s Izuku?”

   They all looked around, because Izuku had to come with them since no one would be able to stay behind and watch him. Kurogiri put his hands on the sides of his misty head. “Shit!”

- - -

“Dank you!” Izuku cheered, smiling up at Aizawa as the man set down a warm cup of cocoa. The boy gingerly held the big cup in his hands, leaning forward to blow on it to cool it down.

   Seemingly unaware of how ragged everyone looked. All the hero students crowded the table he was seated at, watching with tired eyes. Izuku swung his legs softly, and tentatively took a sip from the mug.

   Aizawa had a raging migraine, injuries that definitely needed to be tended to, and a student kidnapped. He was, however, happy to see the boy they’d all been thinking about since the USJ incident.

   “Zuku-kun?” Ochako started, her voice soft and sweet. “We’re so happy to see you again, but how did you get here?”

   Izuku put his mug down, a little chocolate mustache on his upper lip. “Oh, it was a boo-boo!”

   Mina tilted her head. “A boo-boo?”

   Izuku nodded. “Sometimes dere is nobody to stay with me when they go on sewious g’wown up meetings. So I come with!”

   Aizawa frowned. “They?”

   The boy took another sip, holding the mug with both of his tiny hands. “Mmhmm! Shiggy, Dabi, Himi, Kuro, an’ all da others. My family!”

   They all looked at each other, struggling on what to do. The little angelic boy so obviously loved these people who took care of him. Though they wondered if he was completely oblivious to the type of people they really were.

   Momo cleared her throat. “Izuku, are they…nice to you?”

   Izuku set the mug down slowly, looking at her with a pensive expression. Too analytical for a boy so young, and a little too calculating. His expression went from tenderly carefree, to cautious. “Yes…why you as’ dat?”

   Aizawa gave them a stern look, telling them silently with his eyes to tread very carefully or surely the boy was going to shut them off. Kirishima though, pushed. “Izuku, do you know what your family does?”

   Izuku’s face pinched, like he was realizing they were trying to pry information out of him. That they were talking about something serious, and he wasn’t comfortable with their tones. It made him think of the child protection people that would ask him about his mommy in that same careful tone. It made him feel defensive. “Yes, I know.”

   “What do they do?” Iida asked.

   Izuku looked between them all, seeing how they were intensely watching him. He pulled his hands away from the mug, face blanking. “I wanna go home now.”

   Aizawa rubbed his back gingerly. “I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to scare you. We’re just curious. Why don’t you tell me where you live? I’ll walk you home.”

   Izuku scooted away from him, giving him a pouty little glare. Though it was more adorable than it was intimidating. “Shiggy an’ Kuro an’ da others says i’s bad to tell stwangers info’mation. Bad peoples take kids!”

   “They’re absolutely right, it is bad to talk to strangers.” Aizawa praised him. “I’d your parents also teach you that?”

   Izuku shook his head. “I don’t had a Daddy, an’ Mommy is a spy. Kuro says she’s on a mission! Natiomal secuwity.”

   Aizawa smiled. “Oh yeah? What’s your Mommy’s name? Maybe I’ve worked with her before.”

   The moment Izuku mentioned her name, Aizawa knew that she was not a spy or hero. At least not one that he’d heard of, and he’d worked with nearly all of them.

   Though right as he was about to ask another question, a small familiar swirling blackish purple portal opened up. Two hands shot out, picking Izuku up under his arms like a cat. The boy giggled, quickly reaching to snag his hot cocoa before he disappeared into the portal and it vanished. 

   The room was silent for a moment before Kirishima burst out. “How old do you have to be to adopt a kid?”

   Iida scoffed. “Kirishima don’t be ridiculous. Izuku would be better off with someone like me, who can financially support his every need. Not to mention with the most renowned health care—”

   “Boys be serious!” Momo cut him off. “He obviously needs a mother figure! Not to mention I can make him any number of toys with my quirk!”

   Shouto looked between the three of them. “I know a good soba place.”

   Aizawa banged his hand on the table to silence their growing arguments, only serving to make his migraine worse. “Enough! We have more pressing matters at hand! If you can bother to remember, one of your classmates has been taken!”

   They hung their heads in shame.

   “Besides, the teachers have already pitched their names in to earn the rights for adoption with Nezu.” Aizawa grumbled, and they whined back that that wasn’t fair.

- - -

Shigaraki felt like he was only just barely coming down from a panic attack when Kurogiri produced a perfectly unharmed Izuku from a quickly made portal. In fact, the boy even appeared with a big cup of hot cocoa. Beaming at them happily, no trace of the hatred Shiggy feared. 

   Every single time they messed up, he was terrified Izuku would start to hate them. That his fear of abandonment and his clinginess to them would turn their misshapes into great betrayal in his young little mind. 

   After making sure the heroes didn’t do anything to him, Shiggy and Kuro settled the boy down in his bed. Though he should’ve known Izuku’s need for closeness would flare up after being left with strangers. Because unbeknownst to them, they had a little stalker as they went to the room Bakugou was held in.

   “Who’s dat?” Izuku asked innocently, and Shiggy whirled around to see the boy right beside him. Dammit he needed to put a bell on the kid, he walked so silently it was kind of creepy.

   “Uuuuh, our…our friend!” Twice answered.

   Compress snapped his fingers. “Yes! A great friend of ours!”

   Izuku blinked, looking up at them before looked back at Bakugou. “Oh…but why he like that?”

   Toga fiddled with her fingers. “We’re playing a game!”

   “Yeah,” Dabi said calmly. “A grown up game.”

   Magne smacked him over the head. “Don’t say it like that! It’s a boring complicated game Izuku baby, you’d be sooooo bored.”

   Izuku pouted, but everyone knew he didn’t like being bored. “Oh, oh okay.”

   Instead of walking back to his room though, he walked closer to the blond. Who seemed out of depth with what to say or how to react. “Hi, I’m Izuku. I wuv Ah Might.”

   Bakugou blinked, glancing at the villains in the room then at Izuku. “Uh, Katsuki. All Might is pretty cool.”

   Izuku hid his face in his hands and ran back to Shiggy. Holding his hands around his mouth like he was going to tell a secret. Though like most kids, Izuku hadn’t quite grasped the skill of an inside voice. “Shiggy, he so pwetty!”

   Dabi gasped in offense, looking betrayed. “Hey! I thought I was the pretty one!”

   There was a knock at the door. “Pizza delivery!”

   Izuku beamed. “I wuv pizza!”

   Shiggy whipped around towards Kurogiri. “GET IZUK—”

   The next series of events happened in the blink of an eye, as everyone ran to protect Izuku as the wall burst inwards in a shower of rubble, brick, and wood. They heard Izuku cry out in alarm, reaching for someone to hold. Kurogiri frantically made a portal, pushing Izuku into it right before he was bound and captured. 

   As the debris settled, they all breathed a sigh of relief when the portal was gone, and Izuku with it. 

   “He’s safe.” Kurogiri gasped out, looking at a manically panicked Shigaraki. “I sent him somewhere safe.”

  - - -

Izuku blinked and looked around, not recognizing where he was. Though he soon spotted a familiar face in the kitchen. “Hi Stain!”

   The man jumped about a foot in the air and shrieked in surprise.

Chapter Text

Izuku’s little legs were swinging back and forth as he watched cartoons on the tv, a sippy cup of apple juice in his hands with Bunny Might posed to sit next to him, like the little stuffie was enjoying the adventures of All Might as well. Seemingly unphased about the fact that he’d just suddenly appeared in Chizome’s small living room in the dead hours of the night.

   After Izuku scared the ever living shit out of him, he’d floundered for a second on what to do. Since he didn’t have anything typically kid friendly in his apartment. When he asked Izuku what happened, the little boy just simply said that their home broke. Which Stain took to mean the League had gone under attack.

   Collecting himself, he went out to the neighbor’s next to him. A young kind lady with two kids that had run away from an abusive boyfriend. After Chizome had heard her story, he’d gone out and killed the bastard that was dead set on finding her and dragging her back. Even though he never told her he’d done so, there was a light in her eyes again that told him she knew.

   She was a lovely little thing that would frequently pop over with a plate of homemade food for him, to show her gratitude. When he sheepishly asked if he could borrow some juice and snacks for a kid he was babysitting, she didn’t think twice about it. Even throwing in a pack of wet wipes, and a spare set of pajamas. 

   When Chizome went back into his apartment, he saw that Izuku was sitting exactly where he’d left him. Sitting patiently, politely, and quietly. No snooping around, or getting into stuff. He’d even positioned his adored stuffie to sit just like him, waiting for something to do. Chizome felt his heart clench in his chest at Izuku’s impeccable adorable manners.

   After setting Izuku up with his juice, cartoons, and the little weird softly crunchy star shaped kiddie cereal, Chizome went to his bedroom to see what was happening on the news. Shocked that he’d been correct, the League was under attack by the heroes. All Might himself was fighting what looked like an abomination come to life. A homunculus of a creation, and was horrifically winning.

   Chizome had never felt so fearful in his life, heart pounding hard enough in his chest he felt like he was having a heart attack. Gripping his hair in anxiety, hands shaking as All Might—his hero—shrunk into a smaller form. He listened as the devil taunted All Might, telling him he must be ashamed to look so pathetic now when so many people were begging for All Might to save them. 

   The news anchor covering the event was pale, shaking and shocked. Then it was one woman trapped in the rumble, that cheered for All Might despite him looking utterly defeated. It sparked a chain reaction as hundreds, probably even all of Japan, started shouting for All Might to win.

   Chizome was crying without realizing it, standing to his feet, fists clenched as All Might gathered the rest of his strength. Hearing him scream out in his victoriously domineering voice: UNITED STATES OF SMASH!

   He was trembling, eyes blurry as All Might stood while the enemy didn’t. Using what he could to take on his iconic form. Holding a fist up high. Chizome slapped a hand over his mouth as he choked back a sob. That was his hero, the man he adored.

   Suddenly Izuku came running into the room. He too looked overwhelmed with emotions. Face flushed, smiling, and crying with joy. “AH MIGHT WON!”

   Dammit, Izuku’s cartoons must’ve gotten interrupted by the news to broadcast this historical, monumental event. Chizome worried about how much Izuku saw. At the beginning of the broadcast, the League were very clearly the bad guys and painted in a bad light. Even though they never attacked directly and only played offense, it was clear they were the League of Villains.

   “Of course he did.” Chizome said shakily, still overwhelmed with adrenaline. “Did you see the whole fight?”

   Izuku pouted, disappointed. “No, on’y a lil bit. But Ah Might won! Ah Might a’ways win!”

   Chizome let out a sigh of relief, knowing Izuku hadn’t seen the coverage of his family. He turned off his bedroom tv and walked out with Izuku back to the living room. The cartoons resumed their program. “You hungry little hero?”

   Izuku nodded, jumping up and down in excitement. “Dere was a pizza man, but the house broke! So he prolly went home.”

   “Probably.” Chizome agreed. “I was thinking of making some katsudon.”

   Izuku tilted his head like a puppy. “W’as kasoodon?”

   Chizome started getting the ingredients out and the proper cooking utensils. “It’s a super yummy dish. With fried pork, onions, sauce, and rice.”

   Izuku beamed. “I wuv rice!”

   He couldn’t help but smile at how adorable Izuku was. “I love rice too! It really brings every dish together.”

   “Hmmhmm! An’ somestimes it makes me real s’eepy.” Izuku giggled like it was a funny little secret. Then he looked up at Chizome. “Do you need help?”

   He reached down and ruffled his hair. “No, but thank you little hero. It won’t take too long, go ahead and watch some cartoons.”

  “M’kay, if you sure.” Izuku said, then skipped over to the couch. If Chizome had to gander a guess, Izuku would be staying overnight. If not a few days. The League would more than likely make sure they had a secured new safe house before even thinking about picking Izuku back up. 

   As he got to frying the pork, he looked up to see Izuku enraptured in some princess movie. “Hey Shigaraki and Kurogiri texted me. You’re gonna stay with me for a little while, so they can get your house fixed.”

   They hadn’t, but he didn’t want Izuku to think he’d been abandoned. Especially given his history Shigaraki described to him.

   Izuku broke his gaze away from the movie and smiled. “Kay! I hope m’not a birben!”

   Chizome frowned. “A birben?”

   Izuku fidgeted with his fingers, looking nervous. “Mommy says I can be a bodder. Maybe cause she a super busy hewo. Shiggy, an’ Kuro an’ da others says m’not a birben. But…m’just a baby. I can’ do tings somestimes.”

   His heart broke. “Izuku, little hero. You are not a burden, never. I promise.”

   He appeared dubious, but nodded, hugging Bunny Might close. Chizome let Izuku think it over, finishing the food and bowling it. He set the both of them up at the counter, and helped Izuku onto a stool.

   “Dank you fo’ da food!” Izuku cheered, and then clumsily used the chopsticks. He managed to pick up a good bit of rice with the pork and onions. Opening his mouth wide and chomping down. He chewed for a good second, before swallowing. “I’s so good! I wuv it!”

   The boy continued to eat his food with as much gusto as his polite manners would allow. Chizome was right in the end, as he got a message an hour later from Kurogiri. They were all alright, having avoided incarceration. Asking him to watch over Izuku for a while as they used their connections to locate another place to live.

   Chizome settled Izuku down on his bed, making sure he had the sippy cup of water on the nightstand in case he woke up thirsty. Looking up a fairy tale to read to Izuku, before leaving once his breaths evened out. Keeping the door open, and turning on the bathroom light on just in case.

   With a deep sigh, Chizome settled on the couch and let himself drift off to sleep. Thinking about what he could do with Izuku to keep the wonderful boy entertained, and keep his mind off of his family. Show him that people outside of the League loved him, and wanted him happy.

   He didn’t know exactly when he’d fallen asleep, but woke up with what felt hours later with a dry mouth. Groaning, he started to sluggishly move to get some water, before realizing there was a weight on his chest. Looking down, he saw that Izuku was curled up against his chest, Bunny Might cuddled in his arms.

   His heart burned for the adorable little boy, who likely was feeling more than he was letting on about being so abruptly ripped away from his family. Izuku trusted them of course, but given his horrific mother, there were always going to be insecurities. Fears, and worries.

   Chizome hummed, securing his arms around Izuku and getting comfortable again. Falling back into a very gentle sleep.

- - -

Shopping with Izuku was a very unique experience. Chizome had a surprisingly wonderful time watching Izuku trot around the shopping district with utter fascination on his face, eyes wide and sparkling at every bright light and fantastic display. 

   It pained him a little, because it was blatantly obvious that Izuku’s world had been so small. What with his terrible mother, and then the League not exactly being free to leisurely go out and about what with being recognizable villains.

   Chizome was wearing a light beige cable-knit sweater with a white button up shirt underneath with light wash jeans paired with comfortable brown loafers. A mask was situated on his face, and his hair was brushed back into a bun. All in all, Chizome was utterly unrecognizable from the Hero Killer, and had no issue with going into stores. 

   Izuku was adorably carrying around Bunny Might over his arm, and holding a giant pretzel. Munching on it and staring with wonder at all the fashionista people walking around. They would stop and listen as Izuku would say sweetly: “You vewy pwetty!”

   The thing though, was that even when Izuku very clearly wanted something, he wouldn’t voice it at all. He’d stare with longing, before moving on. It didn’t take very long for him to notice this, and Chizome decided to say something about it the next time something caught Izuku’s eye.

   Which happened when they passed by a little hero merch store. Izuku stared up with glee at the All Might hoodie displayed in the window. Chizome watched him carefully, waiting for Izuku to finally ask him for something. Only, Izuku spent a few more seconds staring, before starting to walk off again. 

   “Little hero.”

   Izuku turned back, adorable face craned up to look up to him. Chizome crouched down to the balls of his feet. Studying Izuku’s expression, then motioning his head at the hoodie. “You like that?”

   His lips twisted into an uncertain pout, little eyebrows creased in worry. Izuku glanced at the hoodie in the window, then shuffled his feet nervously. Shyly and softly nodding.

   “Then what’s wrong?”

   Izuku took a moment to answer. “When Shiggy an’ da others gets me things…I don’ know. I’s not wike when I as’ed Mommy for things. She got all mad, an’ says dat I as’ for too much.”

   Chizome had to take a deep breath, hands almost balling into fists. Gritting his teeth as he saw red, his blood lust roaring in his veins. If he had his way, Chizome would ruin her image in Izuku’s mind. Encourage the boy to practically spit and stomp on her grave. To think back on her, and hate her.

   Which was a clear indication that Izuku was better off with Shigaraki. While Chizome didn’t necessarily like him, he did what was necessary for Izuku’s peace and not his own. Because if Izuku did know, it would shatter his poor, kind little heart.

   “Maybe i’s cause she’s busy a hewo.” Izuku reasoned, despite not looking like he necessarily believed that was a proper justification for her harsh words. 

   Chizome has never wanted to kill someone so horrifically and mercilessly in his life. Especially someone that was already dead. He hoped to gods he didn’t believe in that she’d died painfully. “Well I have no problem buying you things you like. You will never ever ask for too much Izuku. You could ask for me to buy everything in the store.”

   Izuku giggled, seeing that statement as ridiculous. Though he still looked a little unsure. So Chizome fixed him with an exaggerated knowing look, and stood up. Heading to the door, he beckoned his head before opening it and stepping inside. Waiting and holding it open as Izuku hurried after him, nearly tripping over the tiny incline of the door.

    Chizome went and grabbed the hoodie Izuku had been longingly looking at. “Is that all?”

   Izuku nodded, but his eyes flickered over to something else very briefly. Chizome turned and saw a plushie All Might themed phone case. He wondered if Izuku even had a phone, the boy had an Ipad.

   Chizome tried to think of a clever way to bring it up. “You know what would be really fun?”

   Izuku beamed up at him, already excited. “What?”

   “It’d be so fun to take a picture of you posing as All Might with this super cute hoodie! I don’t have Shigaraki’s number though, do you?”

   Izuku’s face fell as he shook his head. “No, I don’ habe a phone.”

   He gasped. “You don’t have a phone? Then how am I or the others ever going to text you?”

   The boy blinked. “I don’ know.”

   Chizome hummed, then nodded. “Well then I’ll go ahead and get you one. It’s very important we’d be able to contact you! Don’t you want to be able to text us?”

   Izuku’s eyes widened, practically sparkling. “I’d wuv to tes’ Shiggy!”

   “Alrighty then! And you know what, that All Might case is perfect for your new phone!”

   Izuku giggled and jumped around in excitement. Clapping his hands and squealing as Chizome paid for the jacket and phone case. The young adult at the cashier was so enraptured by Izuku’s adorableness, that he handed Izuku a bunch of pins and stickers from the glass case and told them they were free for such a big fan.  

   Izuku all but skipped to the phone store. After a bit of talking, Chizome had another phone service line on his account. It was under a fake identity, and always paid on time. 

   After the person helped turn the child safety on, as well as block some websites and anyone being able to trace the phone, Izuku had the latest IPhone in the All Might plushie case.

   Izuku squeezed it tight to his chest and hugged Chizome’s legs. “Dank you! Dank you! Dank you! I wuv it!”

   His heart melted in his chest, feeling like he’d done something truly amazing. He gave Izuku a firm hug back. “Alright, let’s take that awesome selfie!”

   Izuku posed just like All Might in his new hoodie, smiling like it was the best day of his life. Chizome then took out his own phone. “Okay, let me see if one of my friends have Shiggy’s number.”

   He already had their numbers, so he just transferred them all into Izuku’s contacts. Then added himself, before giving Izuku back the phone.

   “All good to go!”

   Izuku gasped when he saw the contacts, then squealed and hopped around. Hurriedly creating a group chat. Chizome guided them to the park so he could run around and play.

- - - 

Shigaraki was feeling pretty anxious, upset, aggravated, and pissed off as of late. For one, so much went down in such a short amount of time. Their base got destroyed, though in the hustle Twice sent his doubles to grab anything they could before the heroes went in to truly investigate the place. 

   Knowing that Izuku’s things were grabbed gave him some relief in the midst of such a shit show. Though even that relief didn’t last long in the face of what all of this meant. 

   All for One was in custody in Tartarus. Shiggy was fighting with himself on what that meant for him. How he was feeling. Because the immediate feeling when discovering this, was pure joy. Like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, that he was free. That he no longer needed to worry about Izuku’s safety. That they could just finally be a dysfunctional little family together. Living off of being villains for hire for the connections they’d made. 

   The next was fear. Because it was fucking All for One for fucks sake. The most powerful villain in the world, and a little prison wasn’t going to hold him for long. Despite it being the most fortified, heavily armed, heavily guarded prison in the world. AFO would find a way, would make a way to break out. The first person he’d go to, was Shigaraki.

   After that came confusion. That AFO’s goal that he’d drilled into Shigaraki’s head and that he believed in like it was the gospel—wasn’t his goal anymore. In fact, he started to dread it more than anything. Because the world AFO was battling to make a reality, wasn’t a world Shiggy wanted Izuku to live in. A world that other poor children like Izuku didn’t deserve to live in.

   When he discussed this with the others, he was afraid that they would turn on him. They would abandon the ragtag group they’d made with Izuku as the center, and tell the villain world that AFO’s disciple had turned face. 

   Only he was surprised that the others admitted that they had started thinking of their changed ideals for a while. That they didn’t want to follow after AFO anymore. That they wanted to live basic lives as basic criminals. To be there for Izuku, and give him as good of a life as possible. 

   No one ever brought up the fact that they’d all cried about feeling like they finally had a purpose because of Izuku. But they all agreed that their revenge or bloodlust wasn’t a priority anymore. Izuku was. 

   What aggravated him, was being away from Izuku. Not knowing how the little boy was feeling. Not knowing when their Yakuza connection would have a house ready for them. Not knowing if Izuku was scared and hiding it. Not knowing if AFO was going to break out. Not knowing when he was going to break out. Not knowing if he could really believe in the heroes to keep AFO contained.

   He missed Izuku so much, they all did. His presence was like a gunshot wound in their hearts as they hunkered down in one of the Yakuza’s safe houses. Shiggy didn’t know what happened to Bunny Might either, it wasn’t in Izuku’s little haul of belongings that Twice managed to grab. He was terrified that it got lost in the scuffle.

   “Calm Shig.” Kurogiri said softly as Shiggy started scratching at his hands. Sitting at the counter table top of the kitchen as Kurogiri cooked them all dinner. “Izuku is in good hands, you know this.”

    “I just…” Shiggy started, but couldn’t choke out everything he was feeling all at once.

   “I know.” He said gently.

   Suddenly his phone pinged, as well as Kurogiri’s. All of their phones were also on the Yakuza’s line for his men, completely paid for. He looked at it, thinking it was news or a task for them. Only it was from an unknown number.

   (Xxx) xxxx-xxxx: It’s me! Izuku!!!! Unkle Stain gots me a phone! Hi everybudy! I miss you!! Luv you! Are you okay? Hi!

   Toga came running from her room, eyes teary. “IT’S IZUKU! He texted us!”

   Dabi and the others all came flooding into the living room in a hurry. Everyone sporting smiles they couldn’t control.

   “Stain you brilliant man!” Twice cried out with glee.

   [Group chat has been renamed to: Family Chat]

   Shiggy: Izuku! How are you doing sweetheart? We’re fine. Is Stain treating you well?

   Dabi: Hey Zuzu! We’re doing good, hope you’re having fun!

   Toga: ZUKUN!!! I MISS YOU SO MUUUUCH!!!!

   Twice: Little Izuku! You’re here!

   Spinner: Hey!

   Magne: Hello precious baby! We miss you!

   Compress: Izuku darling!

   Kurogiri: Hello bunny, are you doing well?

   Izuku: Hello everybudy!! I luv you so much! Look what Stain gotted me!

   There was a picture sent to the group, and they all collectively nearly passed out from the cuteness overload. Izuku was posing like All Might in a brand new All Might hoodie with the hood up to show off the iconic bangs. Held in the crook of his elbow was Bunny Might, and Shiggy breathed a huge sigh of relief. 

   They all promptly saved the picture to their phones.

   Toga: IZUKU YOU’RE SO ADORABLE I COULD DIE!!!! YOU’RE TOO CUUUUUUTE!!!!

   Izuku: !!! Thank you!!!

   Kurogiri: How nice! Make sure you tell Stain how thankful you are. Is he treating you well?

   Izuku: I did! Unkle Stain is the best! He made me…

   Izuku: One sekon I ask how to spell

   Izuku: Okay Unkle Stain says its spell Katsudon! It was so so yummy! Can I have Katsudon when I come home?

   Dabi: I will personally make you all the Katsudon you want Zuzu

   Compress: Dabi you know well enough you are not allowed in the kitchen

   Dabi: Go to hell!

   Izuku: Oh! Dabi bad word!!!

   Dabi: Sorry Zuku, won’t happen again.

   Magne: He also won’t make you Katsudon. Kurogiri will be more than happy to.

   Izuku: Okay! When can I come home? I miss you.

   Collectively their hearts shattered in their chests. Shiggy wanted nothing more than to have Izuku back in his reach. 

   Toga: Soon Zukun, we promise!

   Twice: We’re looking for the best new home! It’s gonna be super duper awesome! Mega big surprise!

   Spinner: So you have to be patient okay? We miss you so much.

   Izuku: I luv surprise! Okay!!! I be super very patient! Unkle Stain is real nice so I having lots fun! I can text you when I want right? Is that okay?

   Shiggy: Of course Izuku, whenever you want.

- - - 

Chizome could see the visible difference in Izuku’s mood since he was able to text his family. The boy had spent a lot of time on a phone call with them, and he was even able to have Shiggy read him his bedtime stories. It amazed Chizome how well Izuku had hid that he wasn’t very happy. Now though, his utter joy was palpable like sunshine.

   It made the next few weeks go by with ease. 

   They walked into a Quick Hero for lunch, Chizome holding the bags of stuff he’d bought for Izuku. None of which Izuku outright asked for, but once Chizome got a taste of spoiling Izuku, he couldn’t bring himself to stop. They boy deserved the world a million times over, and even that would hardly be enough.

   Izuku hopped up to the counter, letting his little phone All Might plushie soar through the air. The top of his head barely reached the counter, so he stood on his tiptoes and used his little hands to pull himself up partially.

   “Hi! M’Izuku! I wuv Ah Might!” Izuku cheered in greeting to the cashier.

   She promptly cooed and swooned at his sheer cuteness. “Oh hello Izuku! I’m Yuki! I love All Might too!”

   Chizome ordered himself a burger meal, and Izuku the Happy Hero meal. After picking a spot to sit, Izuku sat down and waited patiently. Chizome pulled out his phone and pointed towards the play pin. “You can go play if you’d like.”

   Izuku shook his head, pouting a little. “I’s fine. Kids don’ wike me.”

   He frowned. “Why is that?”

   He flushed in embarrassment, looking down at the table. “M‘Quirkless.”

   His eyes widened. The League had never said anything about Izuku being Quirkless. Not that it mattered or in any way changed Chizome’s view of Izuku, but it did make him feel more worried. Izuku was at a serious disadvantage when it came to protecting himself. Just thinking of how his mother must’ve used that fact to beat him down even more made Chizome want to go back in time and strangle her.

   “Why do you say that like it’s a bad thing?” He asked very softly. He knew exactly why certain people thought it was bad. There were still disgustingly quirkphobic people in their society.

   Izuku’s eyes pinkened and his nose flushed, eyes tearing up. “Mommy says peoples won’ wanna be ‘round a useless nobody.”

   Chizome clenched his jaw so hard it popped. “Well she was wrong Izuku. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being Quirkless, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a bully! A bad, mean, evil person with an ugly heart!”

   Izuku sniffled, smiling a wobbly little smile. “All da others says that too. Dabi ge’s real mad ‘bout what my Mommy says.”

   “Well that was a really ugly and hurtful thing for her to say.” Chizome growls out, trying very hard to tread lightly. Izuku nods, giving him a more sincere smile right as the cashier girl comes up to their table.

   “Here we go you two!” She chirps, setting down their food. Then she sneaks a look around in an over exaggerated manner before crouching down to be level with Izuku. She pulls out six toys from her apron and winks. “Since you love All Might even more than me! I got you all the toys we had for him!”

   Izuku gasps in surprised delight, gently taking the plastic wrapped toys from her. Hands trembling like he’s holding pure gold. “Dank you!”

    He’d whispered it, like they were sharing an amazing secret. It makes her beam at him, before she stands and looks at Chizome. “You sweethearts enjoy, let me know if you need anything else!”

   Izuku giggled and began to open up his nuggets, methodically opening the condiments with patience no normal child had and lining them up in order. Chizome was unwrapping his own burger when he heard Izuku whisper under his breath to himself: “I wuv nuggies.”

   His phone buzzed as he took a bite of his burger, and he pulled it out, seeing it was a text from Shigaraki.

   Shigaraki: Alright, we got a solid update on the living situation. Just one more week and we’ll be ready. Thank you again for getting Izuku a phone. Is he doing okay today?

   Chizome looked up at Izuku who was lining up his new plastic All Might toys and smiling with utter joy. 

   Stain: He’s doing very well. Though he didn’t want to play in the play-in at Quick Hero because he believes the other kids will dislike him for being Quirkless.

   Shigaraki: Dammit, thought we’d helped him out with that. His mother installed this belief in him that Quirkless people were nothing. It’s why we made it a rule to tell him he’s special and amazing.

   Stain: Something like that takes time.

   Shigaraki: Still makes me want to dig up that bitch’s grave and toss her body into a wood chipper.

   Stain: Believe me, the more little information bits I hear about her has really tested my control. But, he’s doing great. 

   Shigaraki: Good, thank you. We’ll keep in touch, not much longer now.

   Chizome felt rather generous as he snapped a sneaky picture of Izuku. In the picture he had a half eaten nugget in one hand, a cheek chubby as he chewed. Looking down at the neatly lined up newly acquired All Might figures. The other arm holding onto the ever present Bunny Might. 

   Stain: Don’t be surprised if I keep him

   Shigaraki: I will literally fucking kill you

- - -

Chizome was having so much fun with Izuku around that when the time came to give him back, he really and truly considered taking off to a different country with the boy. Reasonably though, he knew that Izuku would never like that and would end up hating him. Because more than anything, Izuku wanted his family back.

   Which was further solidified as fact when Izuku laid eyes on Shigaraki for the first time in nearly two months. 

   Instantly those big emerald innocent eyes started to glitter and overflow with tears, and he ran to Shigaraki. The lanky man crouched down to Izuku’s level, right as the toddler barreled into him. Hugging him close and crying his little heart out.

   Chizome tried not to be too disappointed. He had quality time with the boy filled with adorable adventures, and it was time he was returned to those he needed. It was bittersweet in a way. He was happy to see Izuku happy, and a little jealous of the bond Shigaraki had with him.

   “I dout’ dat I’d neber see you ‘gain!” Izuku wailed, shaking with all his repressed fear of being left behind by someone he cared about.

   Shigaraki rocked Izuku back and forth, rubbing his back gingerly. “I’d never leave you behind Izuku. I promise.”

   After a good while, the man finally stood up, hoisting Izuku up onto his hip with a small grunt. The boy clearly wasn’t ready to let go, clinging onto him. Squishing Bunny Might in the process.

   Shigaraki looked at Chizome with sincere gratitude. “Thank you.”

   The way he said it was heavy with emphasis. Thank you for keeping Izuku safe. Thank you for being there for him. Thank you for protecting the most precious thing to the League.

   Chizome nodded. “Having Izuku around was a delight. I’ll be here anytime you need.”

   He sheepishly pulled the wagon he’d bought to carry the mountain of stuff he’d bought Izuku and held out the handle for Shigaraki to take. Ignoring the teasingly knowing look he was given.

   Shigaraki nuzzled his cheek against Izuku’s head. “Alright sweetheart, time to go home. Tell Stain goodbye.”

   Izuku smiled, waving. “Bye bye Stain! I see you nex’ time!”

   He smiled and waved back, watching the two of them disappear into the portal. Feeling both joyful and lonely when it vanished.

Chapter Text

Izuku was not as unaware as his family liked to think. He knew that there was still a lot that he didn’t understand, situations happening that he never saw, and goings on that were way about his level of interpretation. What he did know though, was that his family were not on the right side of the law. 

   It didn’t take a real genius to figure that out. Though he did see them on the news once, so that helped. Under the title of the League of Villains. Izuku found it rather funny, given that the supposed terrifying group of people were the same ones that would play tag with him for hours. Or read him bedtime stories with funny voices or sing in soft tones before he went to sleep.

   The type of people that labeled his family as ‘bad news’ were the type of people that ignored Izuku walking around for hours. When his Mommy never came back, and all the food was gone. He’d wandered around looking for someone to help him find her.

   Maybe she was passed out at the bar again, or at one of her ‘guy’ houses after doing the weird powder. Sometimes he’d have to go get her if she’d been gone too long. Typically those people would just dump her on Izuku, and he’d have to struggle half dragging her back home as she could barely walk two steps without collapsing.

   Each place he went to though, he was sneered at and told to ‘fuck off kid she ain’t here’ and had a door slammed in his face. They’d usually have a daisy chain of information to tell him the last place his Mommy had been seen until he could track down just what ‘guy’ house she was at, never outright dismissing him so coldly.

   So Izuku had a feeling that she wasn’t coming back this time. Ever.

   People avoided him like he was a walking sickness. Shying away from the responsibility and whispering amongst themselves that the heroes would surely help him to make themselves feel better about ignoring him. Izuku lost hope, because he knew heroes didn’t patrol his neighborhood.

   He’d definitely know if they did, but the crime in that area wasn’t anything noteworthy for small time heroes who wanted flashy take downs, and the big time heroes were needed for even more important things than to patrol a dingly low income area.

   No heroes came, but a man in a hoodie with wavy white hair and red eyes did. Izuku was freezing and in shock. Hungry beyond belief, thirsty, and so tired. Not knowing what other options he could possibly have, he went with the man that spoke so kindly to him when others hadn’t.

   So to him, Shiggy wasn’t a villain. Shiggy was the one that stopped to help when Izuku felt helpless.

   Shiggy and Kuro told him that his Mommy was a hero spy, and Izuku knew they were lying to make him feel better. Heroes didn’t do weird powder or stick pointy things in their arms that made them do really weird things. Heroes weren’t supposed to hit or throw things at kids.

   It was nice to pretend though. Especially because there had been moments when his Mommy was loving. Times when she didn’t have the money to get powder or her adult juice. She would run her hands through his curls and hold him for hours. Apologizing and telling him through sobs that she didn’t want to be that way.

   Things were never black and white. Izuku didn’t know a lot of things, but he knew that.

   He also knew that his family loved him. It was in everything they did that his Mommy never did. Protecting him, getting him gifts, laying down with him in his bed when he had nightmares. 

   Of course Izuku still loved heroes. They were just so amazing. How could he not love them? It meant a lot to him that his family indulged him so much with his fascination. He knew there was some sort of weird history between Shiggy and All Might, but he never let it taint Izuku’s view of his favorite hero.

   Uncle Stain loved All Might though, so Izuku figured something must’ve happened to Shiggy, and that thought made him sad. So he pretended that he didn’t really know anything. It made his family feel better. Izuku knew that if he told them all the things his Mommy did or said, it would hurt them. They always got so mad when he mentioned things here and there. 

   Not at him though, never at him. They were furious at her, and in a way that made him feel simultaneously guilty, it made him feel vindicated. As if it was confirmation of something he already knew, and that was that she wasn’t supposed to treat him like that. It did make him feel bad though, because in those vulnerable moments of hers Izuku knew she’d tried.

   When Izuku saw Shiggy again, he couldn’t help the rush of relief that caused him to cry. Shiggy figured Izuku was terrified that he would leave him behind. Izuku was actually terrified they’d been arrested, and he’d never see them again.

   “You ready to see our new home?” Shiggy smiled at him, holding Izuku on his hip as they stepped through the portal.

   Izuku snuggled into his chest, sleepy and finally safe. “Mmhm!”

   He felt the familiar tug of Kuro’s portal and then in the blink of an eye they were in front of a very nice looking house. Izuku’s sleepiness left him as he gazed in awe at the big place that looked like a mansion to him.

   “Wow!” He cheered, heart racing with excitement. In all of his young years he could’ve never hoped to live in such a beautiful home. “Dis is it?”

   Shiggy smiled wide, a proud look on his face. “Sure is! You also have the best room in the whole house!”

   Izuku let out a squeal of joy, and squirmed a bit. Shiggy let him down and Izuku was off running as fast as his little legs could take him. He giggled as he heard the crunch of healthy grass under his feet as he hopped up onto the porch. 

    Turning back he saw Shiggy right behind him, hauling the wagon of things Uncle Stain had gotten him. Shiggy nodded for him to open the door, and Izuku raised his little hand and pushed it open.

   “SURPRISE!” A round of voices cheered, and Izuku jumped back.

   Then he saw that it was his family. They had little confetti party poppers in their hands. A banner that said Happy Birthday had the ‘birthday’ scratched out and written above was Home.

   Izuku’s eyes sparkled in awe and he started to cry happy tears.

~ ~ ~

Shiggy swore his heart melted in his chest when Izuku cried again after everyone shouted surprise. Those sparkling green eyes filled with big tears as he ran forward and started to hug everyone.

   “I wuv you guys so much!” Izuku hiccuped.

   Toga and Dabi fought each other, shoving and slapping to hold Izuku first before Magne snatched him up, peppering kisses to his cheeks. Once everyone got their much needed hugs, Shiggy grabbed Izuku’s attention. “Come on, let’s go see your room.”

   The house was beautiful, more than anything Shigaraki thought they would ever have. Their connections had made it possible to live somewhere so nice and cozy. Or rather, Izuku made it possible. The Yakuza family that was rather taken with the little boy only needed to hear that Izuku needed a new home, and they were quick to set them up in a house in their extremely protected and guarded neighborhood.

   It meant safety for Izuku, as well as the future opportunity to go to school. The nearby small school was also owned by the Yakuza family, and was heavily protected as well. Not to mention there was a very nice playground that Izuku was free to go to whenever he wanted.

   They went up the stairs, and Shiggy showed Izuku to the door that had his name painted in bold yellow letters. All Might’s signature bangs at the top, which Izuku slapped his little hands on his cheeks at the sight of.

   Shiggy was shaking with excitement, and he could see the rest of his group was just as anxious to see Izuku’s reaction. Then he opened the door with a flourish, and the room spilled out the neon blue shine of the LED lights along the rim of the ceiling.

   In one corner of the room was a kiddie bed that had All Might’s bangs standing tall and proud as the headboard. The comforter was All Might’s most recent costume. Next to it was a little white nightstand with an All Might lamp.

   On the walls were different posters of Izuku’s favorite heroes, as well as the framed Ipad with All Might’s signature. In the opposite corner of the room sat a little dark blue toddler sized desk. It had a few tiers on the sides and pockets where they placed Izuku’s hero figures and stuffies. In the middle of the room was a round carpet with UA school’s logo. In the other corner sat a book shelf with all of Izuku’s favorite books.

   A red beanbag sat there as well for a reading time corner. Then there was a large cage that had a very curious fat blond guinea pig that ran to the front of its home to see who had come into the room. Izuku let out a cry as he darted forward, plopping onto his knees as he looked over the curious animal that sniffed the air adorably.

   “I’sa rat!”

   They all burst out laughing. Kurogiri snorted. “It’s actually a guinea pig, Zuzu. Like a really big hamster.”

   He did a small ‘ooooh’ but Shigaraki was sure it went through one ear and out the other as he shoved his little fingers through the bar to pet the guinea pig’s head. “Look out the window, Zuku.”

   Izuku begrudgingly moved away from the little furry creature and hopped over to the window. Where he saw that he had an excellent view of the park. Izuku gasped and started to jump up and down. “A park! Can I go? Can I go? Peas?”

   “In the morning little bunny, it’s late.” Magne promised softly.

   Izuku nodded, eyes wide. He turned to take in his room again and he stood there to bask in it. They watched as his lips quivered and tears once again started to pour down his cheeks.

   Dabi burst forward, hands raised to comfort Izuku. “What is it? Do you not like it? Dammit I knew we shoulda got those damn glow in the dark fish instead!”

   Spinner clicked his tongue. “Fish aren’t cool, they don’t do anything.”

   Compress hummed. “I beg to differ, fish are very elegant creatures.”

   “They swim in the water they shit in.” Spinner hissed under his breath.

   “I wuv it.” Izuku warbled, making them all grow silent. He rubbed his eyes, holding Bunny Might close. “I wuv it so much.”

   Shigaraki felt like he could finally breathe a sigh of relief as everything clicked back into place. Hell, he’d put together a million of the annoying as hell IKEA furniture pieces if it meant Izuku knew he was loved.

   “Now, I think some delicious Katsudon was promised to our very special little boy when he came home.” Kurogiri cheered.

   Izuku beamed, jumping up and down, clapping his hands. “Katsudon! Katsudon! Yaaay!”

   They all went back downstairs, sitting at the dining room table playing a board game of Sorry as Kurogiri and Magne were cooking in the kitchen. Shiggy had Izuku in his lap as he giggled, moving his blue little pawn piece to kick Dabi’s pawn piece back home.

   “NOOOO!” Dabi cried out. “Izuku whyyyy! First you steal my favorite color, now I don’t have any players on the boaaard!”

   They all laughed at Dabi’s dramatics, and Shiggy took a moment to look at his unlikely family. The soft music that was playing from a speaker, the sounds of Kurogiri and Magne chatting together while cooking, everyone’s laughter. He felt full in a way that he’d never felt before. 

   “Teehee! Dere are no frens in Sorry!” Izuku cackled adorably. “Only enemies!”

   Dabi laughed, and caught gazes with Shiggy. He flushed at the sparkle that was in those intense blue eyes, which had been dead and hollow when they first met. The scarred man looked rather attractive with a smile, and the mere thought of that made Shiggy’s heart skip a beat. The other made him flush even more when he winked at Shiggy.

   Shiggy found himself praying to gods he didn’t believe in that this could be his forever. That AFO would stay locked away for all time, and leave them to this peaceful life. 

   ~ ~ ~

“So what was your hero name again?” The annoying as fuck blond asked for the millionth time. Katsuki grit his teeth as they walked side by side, trying not to rip the guy’s stupid mullet off his damn beady eyed head.

   “For the last fuckin’ time, I haven’t chosen one yet.”

   Mirio chuckled like the frat boy douchebag that he was. “Man, it’s just so weird to me! I knew what my hero name was gonna be for the longest!”

   Katsuki reminded himself why he’d decided to intern with Nighteye over and over in his head. Aizawa and Nighteye were two heroes that were actively looking for the little boy Izuku. Any sidekicks or interns that worked with Nighteye were kept in the loop of information, and Katsuki wanted in on it.

   Both times he met Izuku had been such a wild experience. The first time at the USJ, the little boy had come running through the rubble and dust of battle. Calling for the damn villains with cutesy nicknames. He’d seen how terrified they were, trying hard to shield Izuku away.

   The kid that was assuredly raised by villains, had been in awe once he laid eyes on All Might. Jumping around in adorable, heartwarming excitement. Asking for a signature and then being escorted away by the villains. Katsuki remembered wondering how someone so innocent and sweet could be in the hands of the League. Perhaps he didn’t know who they really were?

   That theory was solidified when the assholes kidnapped Katsuki. Bound to a chair and admittedly scared shitless, Katsuki thought he was going to die. Only for Izuku to pop up once again. Trotting behind the lanky beanpole of a man, and asking what they were doing.

   Katsuki saw how they floundered, and made up some crap story about playing a game. Katsuki was too stunned by their actions to say anything. Izuku came up to him, eyes sparkling with curiosity. Introducing himself and stating he loved All MIght. Katsuki was hit with what felt like a ton of bricks of sheer cuteness of Izuku not being able to say the hero’s name properly.

   Then he felt flattered when Izuku whispered loudly to Shigaraki that he thought Katsuki was pretty. He remembered frantically searching for Izuku in the rubble when All Might came bursting in to save him. Though he learned that the boy had been teleported to safety, which brought him immense relief.

   So Katsuki was willing to do anything to find that special little boy with the heart of gold. He wanted to make damn sure that Izuku got the love and home he deserved. A proper education, spectacular mentors, hell—a shot at being a hero.

   Anything, like putting up with Tintin two point fucking o. “Whatever.”

   “Maybe you should go with a cuter name! To make up for your terrible attitude!”

   Katsuki snarled. “Listen here you piece of—”

   Something collided into his side and Katsuki stumbled while reflexively catching whatever it was. When he looked down, his eyes widened as he saw that it was the very boy that he was currently enduring the most annoying company for. Izuku was there in his arms, holding the hand of a little girl.

   He wasn’t wearing any of his All Might merch, and instead was in some sort of hospital gown. The girl he was holding was in a similar outfit, but there were numerous bandages all over her.

   His heart dropped as he took in their terrified expressions. Izuku was openly trembling, and eyes unseeing as he tried to squirm out of Katsuki’s hold. He felt a surge of protective adrenaline. “Izuku? Hey, it’s Katsuki kiddo.”

   Izuku’s eyes searched Katsuki’s, the fog of panic clearing after a moment. “K-Kacchan?”

   Under normal circumstances Katsuki would’ve wheezed and clutched his chest at the adorable nickname. Right now though, he needed to be serious. “What’s wrong? Who is this?”

   Mirio crouched down beside him, smiling at the two children. “Hello! We’re heroes on patrol! Are you in need of help?”

   The little girl clutched at Izuku and hid behind him. Something in Katsuki screamed at him to grab Izuku and run. There was something seriously wrong, and Izuku needed to be taken to safety immediately.

   Before he could say anything more, a man came from the alleyway the two had ran out from. Katsuki almost gasped in surprise, but schooled his expression quickly. Because the man was wearing the mask that Nighteye had warned them about. This was a Yakuza member.

   The man’s aura was radiating pure evil and anger.

   Izuku stiffened, his shoulders hunched nearly to his ears. The little girl froze too as the man approached from behind. Mirio discretely reigned Katsuki in, putting his arm over the other’s shoulder in a companion like manner. 

   Katsuki was thankful for the grounding. Because the moment he saw Izuku flinch when the man laid his gloved hand on his shoulder, Katsuki was ready to see how hot his explosion needed to be to sear the man into pure ash.

   “There you two are.” The man’s voice was like the texture of grease and oil sliding down Katsuki’s spine. Making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. “I told you two not to run off.”

   Katsuki felt Mirio tense more by the second. The older blond knew there was something horribly wrong as well.

   Those evil little eyes looked at the two of them. “I apologize for my son and daughter, they like to play such silly games.”

   Katsuki sneered with as much malice as he could while Mirio hummed as if interest in what the man had to say.

   Where was the League? Katsuki hated their pathetic asses, but he knew that it was undeniable how much they loved and protected Izuku. What happened to them? Was Izuku taken away? Were they dead?

   “Look at that, you bothered the heroes on their patrol.” The man chided. “Heroes I don’t recognize. Who might you be?”

   Mirio laughed, but Katsuki had spent hours subjected to the douchebag and recognized how forced and stiff it was. “We’re students actually! So sorry if we’re a little nervous!”

   Katsuki tilted his head back, looking down his nose at the man. “Your daughter’s a little banged up huh?”

   The man shrugged. “Children are very clumsy. My son too, is so rough on himself. He’s Quirkless you see, so you can understand I’m rather protective.”

   Katsuki’s jaw clenched. Fuck Izuku was Quirkless? That meant he couldn’t protect himself. Didn’t have any sort of advantage against an adult. 

   “Funny, as that boy looks very familiar. Like he’s the son of a friend of mine.” Katsuki challenged. “Izuku right?”

   The man’s eyes widened ever so slightly. “How unique of a situation.”

   Katsuki glowered, and when he glanced down he saw that Izuku was staring straight at him with alarming desperation. The little boy mouthed: Help Kacchan.

   “Hmm,” Katsuki growled. “Yeah, as I don’t know many other Quirkless boys with green curly hair, emerald eyes, and freckles.”

   Mirio made a noise of false curiosity. “Huh is that so? Now that you mention it, I do seem to recall you talking about Izuku! All Might had such nice things to say about him too!”

   The man sighed, put out. “Oh alright, I didn’t want to speak on such a private matter out in the open so freely. Follow me, it’s best we do not have wandering eyes.”

   Katsuki moved forward without hesitation, and grabbed Izuku’s hand while he was at it. Seeing out of the corner of his eye that Mirio did the same with the little girl. They both heard her whisper very quietly. “P-please…”

   His blood was set on fire with anger. Whatever this evil fuck was doing, he was definitely hurting these kids. Hurting Izuku.

   “You see, Izuku’s guardians are rather tied up at the moment. So he is in my care.” The man said as they continued deeper into the alley.

   Izuku was squeezing the life out of Katsuki’s hand with surprising strength for a little boy. Katsuki squeezed back softly. Whatever the fuck was happening, Katsuki was going to get to the bottom of it.

   “As for my daughter, she’s a rather rambunctious child. Always influencing others to play her little games.” The man’s tone got darker. “Izuku likely got caught up in her fun.”

   Katsuki stopped short when he saw the man reaching to remove the glove from one of his hands. Something screamed danger in his mind.

   “Despite knowing her little games are always getting people hurt.”

   Izuku let out a distressed whine and suddenly Katsuki’s hand was cold as the boy ripped away from him. Running forward at the same time the girl did. Both kids sprinted to the man’s side, and he continued forward as if nothing happened. Katsuki started after them, but Mirio stopped him. “Izuku!”

   Izuku didn’t turn around, but his back tensed. “I’s okay Kacchan…we were…were jus’ playin’ a game. I see you later, okay?”

   His lungs burned with the need to scream and yell, hands twitched as he wanted to blast the creepy fuck sky high. Mirio held him back as they disappeared, and Katsuki felt his heart sink with anxiety.

   “We don’t know what his quirk is, we’ll just put the kiddos and ourselves in danger.” Mirio said sternly, a grimace of regret on his face.

   Katsuki grit his teeth, knowing the older blond was right. The Shie Hassaikai clan was supposed to be made up of extremely dangerous quirk users. They couldn’t risk the children getting hurt by making rash decisions. Though it didn’t make it any easier to see Izuku getting taken away from them.

   Shigaraki, Katsuki snarled in his head, where the fuck are you?

   ~~~

“What’s this guy’s name again?” Toga asked for the millionth time, and they all let out sighs of frustration. 

   “Overhaul.” Kurogiri said.

   Shigaraki sighed and reached up to scratch his neck in irritation, but Dabi reached out and stopped him. If he wasn’t so anxious at the moment he would have blushed cherry red. They’d been getting a little more touchy lately, with secret heated glances at each other. 

   No, he was on the edge because he’d heard plenty of whispers about the organization Overhaul ran. There weren't any detailed descriptions of their type of business, but none of vague stories of it sounded good. He’d heard rumors about human trafficking, and that made him sick to his stomach. Definitely not the type of people the League would associate themselves with, especially now that they’d reformed from AFO’s influence and were now just villains for hire.

   Shiggy sighed again. “One of our connections said that he needed a favor and recommended our name. After all, we do owe them. Though even they don’t want to be around this freak so they promised it’s a one time thing.”

   Magne snorted. “It's a bit rude to not ask us first, especially if they don't even like this guy.”

   “We owe them for the resources they have provided us with.” Kurogiri warned. “We need to see this through. Just one little inside job, nothing we won’t be able to handle.”

~~~

“His name is Chisaki Kai.” Nighteye said with a tone of resentment.

   Katsuki was clenching his hands so hard his nails dug into his palms painfully. Next to him, he could hear Mirio taking very deep deliberate breaths. Both of them were filled with the sense of failure despite making the best decision possible when faced with their situation. It burned in a way Katsuki had never experienced before. 

   “This is the man Katsuki and Mirio encountered. Along with his daughter Eri and Izuku.”

   The slide show flipped to show pictures of the two kids. Katsuki bit his lip hard, angry tears threatening to spill as his eyes stung. Looking at Izuku’s face made him want to scream. He couldn’t get the look of utter terror in those innocent kind green eyes out of his head. Especially with the picture of the boy being from the USJ incident, smiling happily up at All Might. That’s how the boy should always look. Not filled with fear.

   “We’ve also been able to find information on Izuku.” The slide show flipped to a very haggard looking woman. “Rumi Yamikumo, Izuku Yamikumo’s mother. A felon with records of drug abuse, prostitution, theft, and assault. Constantly in trouble with the law for petty misdemeanor and child neglect. She died eight months ago from drug overdose after being dumped at an emergency room, presumably by one of her pimps. With no living relatives, or emergency contact, Izuku was never reported missing.”

   Katsuki had never felt so angry in his life that he felt numb. Like a searing hot fire that burned pure white. To think that the little angel of a boy had been left in the care of someone so obviously unfit to be a mother was mind boggling. 

   “Given Katsuki’s rescue from the League of Villain’s hideout it was discovered that his home of residence was in the same area. They must’ve stumbled upon the boy and took him in.”

   A drug addict, absent, abusive mother. To Izuku the League were saints. A saving grace to what had to be a world of lonely darkness and neglect. Katsuki didn’t like it, but if he couldn’t get Izuku to UA then he would make damn sure he at least got back to Shigaraki.

   “As for Eri…”

~~~

“I’m sorry, but we’ll have to decline.” Shigaraki said through gritted teeth. Something about Overhaul was seriously wrong, and he could see that everyone reflected the same thought. Even Izuku, who was normally kind to everyone, had an aversion to the man. Fuck this payback of a favor, they’d tell their connection that they’d do anything else but run errands for the man. They’d already seemed sheepish about asking them to do this, surely they’d understand.

   With a nod to his ragtag family, they all started to get up from their comfortable spots to head out. Dabi crouched down next to Izuku to help pick up his toys.

   “Is that so?” Chisaki mused.

   Suddenly the man darted forward, kicking Dabi hard in the head. Izuku screamed as he was yanked up roughly, dropping his Bunny Might.

   Shigaraki ran forward with everyone else, yanking off one of his gloves. “IZUKU!”

   “Let him go, you piece of shit!” Dabi yelled, trying to get to his feet while holding his head, but stumbling in a daze and falling back down. Obviously concussed. Spinner ran to his side, standing protectively in front of him and checking him for blood.

   Toga snarled in fury, as she sprinted faster than any of them and wielded her knife like a sword. The man was completely unfazed as he ungloved his hand and reached out. Magne jumped in front of Toga, throwing her magnetic weapon in front of both of them protectively, sensing some sort of attack. 

   Chisaki’s hand touched it, and they all stumbled back in horror as it exploded. Magne fell with Toga shielded behind her, eyes wide with terror. Toga too was shaking, horrified that it could’ve been her.

   Izuku was sobbing, but too scared to move. 

   Chisaki motioned his ungloved hand to Izuku. “Still decline?”

Chapter Text

Katsuki was bursting with adrenaline the moment they confirmed the raid on Overhaul’s compound. All through the briefing he’d never felt so laser focused in his entire life. Not only was this his first taste of a serious hero operation, it was guaranteed to be a deadly one. It was stressed to the young heroes that the villains that had been present at the USJ incident as well as the summer camp incident were going to look like middle school bullies in comparison to the villains under Overhaul’s command. Because they weren’t the daily run of the mill theatrical villains, they were part of a serious underground syndicate operation. They wouldn’t think twice about murdering young teens in cold blood. 

   He knew what he was signing up for when he dedicated his life to be a hero, but knowing what the dangers were was entirely different from preparing to face them. Not all the quirk users at Overhaul’s dispense were known, but the ones they did know had incredibly powerful quirks. When waiting to move out in the convoy, the hero students were allowed to have a moment to themselves. Encouraged to really think about what they were getting into, and gently told that if they felt they were not ready, to pull out. No judgment, no repercussions. 

   It wasn’t an option in Katsuki’s mind. Not only because this was a glimpse into his future career, but because this was personal. He’d seen the fear in Izuku’s eyes first hand, and felt the crushing failure of having to let Izuku get taken away. There was no outcome in which Katsuki wouldn’t be filled with overwhelming guilt if he did pull out. Even moreso, beyond being personal, there were two kids who needed a hero. Two kids who were in a dire situation, and Katsuki couldn’t ignore that call for help. It was why he became a hero. 

   They weren’t allowed to tell anyone about the rescue operation, and Katsuki also felt the anxiety of not knowing if he would come back swell in his chest. Not so much for the fear of dying, but the thought that his parents didn’t know what he was heading into. Part of him that was still so young felt the desperate need to tell his parents he loved them, and promise them he’d come home. Yet he wasn’t allowed to do that. He understood why, but it didn’t settle the unease in his heart. 

   It felt like in no time at all they were packing into the convoy trucks, and headed out. Beside him Kirishima was taking deep breaths, eyes far off but focused. Uraraka too was rubbing together her very slightly trembling hands. Katsuki just closed his eyes and let his head rest against the wall, calming his nerves as they headed into their first real taste of a true battle of good versus evil.

~ ~ ~

Shigaraki was pacing back and forth, hands itching to scratch. He couldn’t tell how long they’d been dumped into the room that was their prison, only told they would be pulled out when Chisaki needed them to complete the task they were assigned. Any attempts at an escape or attack was promised to be met with Izuku’s torture. So they were forced to sit around uselessly like pawns twiddling their thumbs. 

   When they demanded updates on Izuku, they were told he was being held with another child that belonged to Chisaki. While he was relieved Izuku was not alone, he could only imagine why the crime lord would have another child captive. The man didn’t exactly give father of the year vibes, and it was clear the man didn’t keep anyone or anything around unless it proved useful.

   “If I can just get a little bit of blood.” Toga said dejectedly for what felt to be the hundredth time. She’d whispered to them her idea of posing as one of Chisaki’s men if just given the chance. Then she’d be able to break them out without alerting anyone until it was too late. Though the first time she’d tried to rush one of the lackeys she’d been electrocuted with a cow prong and told any further attempts would have more serious consequences.

   “If I could just decay Chisaki’s stupid face.” Shiggy growled in agreement. 

   Dabi snorted. “Honestly it’d be an improvement, what with those pointy ass eyebrows.”

   They all chuckled half-heartedly at that and Toga snickered. “I bet his blood tastes so icky.”

   “Probably, dude looks like he drinks fucking bleach.” Spinner huffed. 

   “He looks like he offers free wi-fi to kids in his van.” Magne added.

   “Probably sells his own bathwater.” Twice added. 

   Dabi recoiled. “Dude don’t make me think about that dickhead nake—”

   He was interrupted as the whole room shook, a boom sounding off in the distance. They all jumped to their feet, looking around wildly as alarms started to go off. Shiggy rushed to the bars in the front of the room to one of the lackeys that had been glaring them down. “Hey! What’s happening?”

   The asshole pulled out a radio and started talking to others, hearing snippets of something about heroes, and a breach.

   “Hey I’m fucking talking to you!” Shiggy growled.

   The world shook again, making the lackey teeter on his feet and go stumbling towards the bars. Shiggy reached out lightning fast, grabbing the idiot by his collar and smashing his face into the bars. Knocking the man out with a hard crash, and letting him slump to the ground. “Dumbass.”

   “Awww you didn’t dust him!” Toga whined.

   “I need the keys idiot, and if I dust the bars, I’m destroying everything inside and that includes Izuku.” Shiggy grumbled as he reached for the ring of keys on the man’s belt. Carefully using both hands to unhook it with his pinkies raised to prevent destroying it. He walked over to the lock, growling as the others crowded him and urged him to hurry. “Give me a damn minute there’s like fifty keys on this bitch.”

   Finally he found the right key, and the sound of the lock keeping them inside clicked open. He threw the door wide, and they all took off at a sprint down the halls.

   “Where are we even going?!” Twice yelled out. “This place is a maze!”

   Kurogiri groaned in irritation. “They have Izuku in a quirked room, I can’t teleport him.”

   “At this rate we’ll run into the damn heroes first.” Compress said. 

   They rounded a corner and ran head first into more of Chisaki’s lackeys. They were too distracted with whatever orders they were given about the heroes, and were quickly overwhelmed. Shiggy slammed one against the wall, his hand posed to grip his face. “Where is Izuku?! Tell me or I’ll fucking disintegrate you right here.”

   “H-he’s in the medical wing!” The coward sniveled fearfully.

   “Where is that idiot?” Dabi growled.

   “Go till you reach the s-stairs! Go down two flights, then-then take a right and it’s the first door on the left!” 

   “Cheers.” Shiggy said, and gripped his face. The man’s scream cut off as he turned into a pile of ash.

   They followed the directions given, quickly taking down others they came across. They could hear the sounds of quirks going off getting closer and closer. The heroes were closing in on the kid’s location, and if they didn’t hurry they would reach Izuku before they did. Or worse, Chisaki would get to them first.

   “DIE!” 

   The Bakugou kid they’d kidnapped before let off an impressive explosion as he burst through the wall in a shower of rubble. A masked lackey unconscious below him as they both crashed down. He looked up to see them approaching, and for a moment they all just stood there staring at each other.

   “Shigaraki.” Bakugou growled. 

   “Bakugou.” He said back, tensed and ready for a fight.

   The blond grit his teeth, sneering at them. “Look, I don’t fucking like you all.”

   “Feelings’ mutual.” Shigaraki grumbled. 

   “But I’d rather you take Izuku than that fucking bird faced wannabe human centipede doctor.” He bit out.

   Dabi pushed forward, a wild grin on his face that he got when he was feeling particularly excited. “Ohooo, good boy’s teaming up with the villains? Careful little boy, you might like the dark side a little too much.”

   Bakugou snorted. “As fucking if you damn Frankenstein lookalike. I just want Izuku out of here safe, and you rejects want the same. Chisaki’s got men all over this damn compound and it’d be annoying as fuck fighting you losers while also fighting them.”

   “Think you can keep up squirt?” Dabi teased.

   Bakguou sent him an equally menacing smile. “Choke on my smoke, leather face.”

   “I’m sorry.” Compress said. “Human what?”

~ ~ ~

“Mirio, stay behind for a moment please.” Sir Nighteye asked as everyone left the room after the briefing of the raid. 

   He stopped, walking back to stand in front of his mentor. “What is it Sir?”

   The tall man hesitated, eyes flickering over to the doors as they closed behind the last person out. “I need to stress the importance of rescuing these kids from Chisaki’s hands.”

   Mirio frowned, confused. “I mean, of course Sir. I already knew that.”

   He shook his head. “No, it’s much more than what you think. You know I look for all outcomes for every approach we take, including the circumstances in which we do not succeed.”

   A chill went down his spine, and his face drained of color. “Is there…a big chance we won’t win?”

   “There’s always the possibility of failure, however, it’s the outcome of that failure that frightens me.” NightEye said grimly, eyes haunted. He gathered himself for a moment before speaking again. “If Izuku and Eri remain in Chisaki’s hands, it could be the very end of hero society as we know it.”

   Mirio balked. Of all things that was not what he expected to hear. “But Sir, Izuku is Quirkless.”

   “He is the perfect foundation for creation.” NightEye said lowly, haunted. “The perfect subject to be modeled to the creator’s desire. With Eri’s quirk, Chisaki will eventually figure out how to replicate All For One’s process of creating Nomus, but will be terrifyingly more successful.”

   “He’ll turn Izuku into a Nomu.” Mirio choked out in horror.

   NightEye looked at him with grave seriousness. “No, he’ll turn him into something much, much worse. With regenerative powers that will reconstruct him faster than any hero alive could damage him. There will be no defeating him.”

   The mere thought of such a thing existing gripped Mirio’s heart in fear and grief. 

   “That’s why you cannot let Chisaki win.”

   It was those words that pushed Mirio past his limit, and reach beyond his breaking point. Because failing was not an answer, and exhaustion didn’t exist in a moment like this. It was like he was an unstoppable, unyielding force of protection and fierceness. He felt like the embodiment of the indomitable human spirit as he kept himself moving.

   Even as he took the quirk bullet meant for Eri, he didn’t find it at all difficult to put on a smile for the scared children. Because he knew nothing would stop him from protecting them with everything he had. Quirk or no quirk, Mirio would fight until he physically couldn’t anymore. Not even allowing himself reprieve to adjust to the sudden hollow feeling of missing part of who he was as he lunged for Overhaul. Because an amazing quirk wasn’t his driving factor to save lives. It was his spirit, his heart.

   Jaw clenched, he darted forward with fists and kicks. “You can take my quirk!”

   An underling was taken down, Mirio too fast for them to get in a proper hit. Another was sent flying from a powerful kick. “But you can’t take the hero out of me!”

   Face to face, Overhaul was overwhelmed by the intensity the blond met him with. Not even getting a moment to regain his bearings as Mirio came at him with unrelenting force. 

   “I am still Mirio Togata!” A punch, a duck, Overhaul was left floundering at the onslaught. “I AM LEMILLION!”

   Overhaul howled in frustration, and in a fit of desperation he sent a wall of sharp spikes to the children to distract Mirio. He was there with impossible speed, not even registering the feeling of his legs pumping to drive him faster. Though the sense of invincibility could only last so long, as a spear of concrete tore through his abdomen and leg. The agony of ripped flesh, muscle and shattered bone almost enough to bring him to his knees.

   Yet he fought to stay standing. Using himself as a human shield for the children. Eri cried out, rushing to his side. “Mirio!”

   “Stop it!” Izuku wailed. Looking terrified and infuriated all at once. “Stop it! You’re nothin’ but a big bully!”

   Overhaul chuckled patronizingly. “Aw, having little toddlers fight your battles hero?”

   Mirio groaned in pain, throwing an arm out to protect the two. “I-Izuku…please…get back.”

   Overhaul sighed and raised his hand. “I’ve no real use for two Quirkless boys.”

   “CHISAKI!”

   The earth shook as the wall hurst into pieces with a bellow of fire and smoke. As Overhaul was distracted, Mirio tore himself from the spikes to grab onto the children and get out of Overhaul’s immediate reach. In time for a familiar young blond to shoot forward out of the smoke.

   “Kacchan!” Izuku gasped.

   “Burn in hell you wannabe Scarlet Witch!” Katsuki yelled, using his explosions to turn his body into a speeding bullet. 

   Overhaul sent a wall up in time to shield himself and jumped back out of range as Katsuki pivoted sharply to send another explosion his way. Katsuki landed to the ground, his stance tensed for another attack as he called out without taking his eyes off Overhaul. “You okay Izuku?”

      Izuku’s eyes were positively shining with awe. “Kacchan is so cool!”

   Overhaul lunged for Katsuki, only for two black objects to whistle through the air and strike him across the face. Mirio turned as he realized that it could only be one person, and nearly cried in relief as his mentor elegantly walked through the rubble. “Sir!”

      “Bakugou.” His deep monotone voice was laced with irritation. “I told you not to move ahead of the others.”

   Katsuki smacked his teeth at the man. “I got fucking separated, it aint my fault. Get off my back old man, learn to keep up!”

   NightEye’s lip quirked with a grimace. “Rude young man. It’s a wonder All Might even recommended a rascal like you.”

   Katsuki growled, charging forward to try and catch Overhaul off guard. “Say that to my face you split second wonder.”

   “Enough! Mirio, get Izuku and Eri to safety.” He barked as he joined in the circling dance of attack.

   “Yes Sir.”

   Izuku hesitated as Mirio started to pull them away, looking reluctant to leave the other two heroes behind. “Kacchan?”

   Katsuki turned for a moment to smirk at him, and Izuku blushed. “It’s alright Izuku, we’re heroes remember? Help Mirio okay?”

   Izuku gasped, an expression of determination on his face. “Okay Kacchan! I’ll help him!”

   “That’s my little hero.” He cooed, before dodging a bulk of rubble sent flying his way.

   The trek back through the compound that was still intact become a slow struggle as Mirio fought to keep putting one foot in front of the other. His vision was fading no matter how many times he squeezed his eyes shut and reopened them in hopes they would refocus. Though it became more difficult to open them back up even after he shook his head to clear it.

   He was heavily using the wall as support as his body started to feel cold and weak. Just taking a deep breath didn’t feel like he was getting enough oxygen. It was only a few steps more when his knees buckled despite his best efforts. Panting heavily as the world spun and his head felt heavy.

   Izuku tried to help him back up, but he was much too small for Mirio’s dead weight. Eri was gently tugging on one of his arms, trying to pull him forward. “Come on, please keep going.”

   He desperately tried to get his body to obey him, but no matter how hard he willed himself to get back on his feet, his limbs wouldn’t comply. Mirio let out a distressed noise as his mission to get the kids to safety circled his mind. 

   “Go…” Mirio wheezed. “I’ll catch up.”

   Black dots started to cloud his vision as it tunneled. Izuku’s face pinched in an expression of panic and sorrow. Eyes watering. “No, we can’t leave you here.”

   “We can’t go without you.” Eri begged.

   He urged them again to go on, but he didn’t know if he gathered the energy to speak it out loud before he finally lost consciousness.    

~ ~ ~

“Mirio isn’t going to make it outside, he’s lost too much blood!” Katsuki yelled as he herded Overhaul into NightEye’s range. The man landed a few kicks and dodged the returning blows. Another wall was erected that made NightEye leap back, and Katsuki barely jumped out of the way of spikes in time.

   Once there was distance between them, Overhaul leaned down to grasp at one of his underlings. “You leave me no choice.”

   His frame rippled and shifted as he formed into a different figure, looking more amalgamation than man. A true monster reflecting the evil within.

   “Now your outside matches your inside!” Katsuki taunted, steering away from another launching attack of rubble.

   “Bakugou look out!” NightEye shouted desperately, and Katsuki felt himself get shoved out of the way. Turning his head to look at the hero in confusion, before his heart felt like it dropped to his stomach. The man screamed out in pain as a large spike pierced through his stomach, and Katsuki swore he’d never seen so much blood in his life.

   “Eri, Izuku.” Chisaki’s voice called out in a booming, reverberating tone. Katsuki’s mind was stuttering, as he didn’t know what to do. If he didn’t help NightEye, the man would bleed out in seconds. “You know I’ll have to kill everyone for your disobedience. You don’t want that do you? Come back, and I might spare them.”

   “SHUT UP!” Katsuki yelled, even as his voice shook with fear. The heroes had said during the briefing to prepare themselves for casualties. Yet nothing could’ve prepared him for seeing it up close. NightEye was going to die having protected Katsuki. “I’ll fucking kill you for this!”

   Chisaki looked at him mockingly, smirking like he had already won the fight. “You’ll kill me little boy? A hero is dying because of you. You really think you could take me on, all by yourself?”

   Katsuki put all his bravado and bravery into a smile. “I’m not by myself though am I?”

   Chisaki only had a moment to frown in confusion before the wall beside him burst with a roar of blue flames shooting out. Katsuki felt relief flood his body as Dabi and Shigaraki launched themselves straight at Chisaki. If anyone had the quirk that was the perfect match to take Chisaki down, it was Shigaraki.

   “Took you fucking assholes long enough!” Katsuki barked.

   Toga and Twice came running towards him, seeing NightEye’s condition. “Don’t be a big meanie!”

   Katsuki turned to NightEye to see that the man looked utterly baffled that the League was fighting with them and not against them. Twice opened one of his weird bracelet cuffs to pull out a needle and thread. “Sir NightEye! Huge fan, so cool to meet you, we’re gonna stitch you up nice and snug alright?”

   “W-what?” NightEye choked, looking to Katsuki for answers.

   Toga leaned forward and grabbed his arm. “This might hurt a teenie tiny bit but I need to drink your pretty blood so I can give some back!”

   With that she sunk her teeth into his arm, and started to drink. Katsuki cringed at the visual, but waited for the okay to get NightEye off the spike. When she had enough, Toga morphed into an exact replica of NightEye and took out her needle tube, attaching one to her own arm and holding the other at the ready. “Alrighty! We need to work fast or he’s gonna see Jesus really soon.”

   Katsuki and Toga both held onto NightEye, looking at each other and counting down before they lifted him off. The squelching of his tissues, and blood made Katsuki want to gag, but he carefully laid the man down and got out of the way. Twice was on him instantly, sewing up the damage.

   “So I’m like, so totally not a doctor, be sure they patch you up with actual medical shit later.” Twice said as he sewed NightEye back up to prevent him from completely bleeding out with impressive speed. “Nice organs though, they look very clean.”

   NightEye promptly blacked out from the pain. 

   As soon as Twice was done, Toga connected him to her needle tube, and pressed a button to make her blood flow to him. Katsuki frowned. “Hey, this gonna kill you?”

   “I’ll just give him enough to survive long enough to get to the hospital.”

   Katsuki blinked. “You know, you would’ve made a pretty badass hero.”

   She stared at him in shock. Though it was NightEye’s face looking at him so it was weird. “Wow…that’s…the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

   Twice gasped. “Hey I say nice things to you all the time!”

   “There you are!” Chisaki roared, and they all sharply turned to see that Izuku and Eri had come back. 

   Katsuki felt cold. “No! Get out of here!”

   “We’ll go with you,” Eri whimpered in fear, tears in her eyes. “So please stop hurting everyone!”

   “Don’ hurt my family!” Izuku cried out.

   “Izuku!” The rest of the League called out at the same time, all moving to make a mad dash to him. Only for Chisaki to slam them away with a wall, and race towards the kids. 

   “Go!” Toga said. “We got him.”

   Katsuki didn’t need to be told twice, as he launched himself back into the fight. Chisaki grabbed both Eri and Izuku, raising a platform to elevate them up and away before Katsuki could reach them. Shigaraki slapped both of his hands onto it, and it immediately began to crumble. 

   As they started to fall, Magne launched Spinner up at him, his blades ready to slice Chisaki apart. But the man leapt off the crumbling platform and raised another, shooting into the air and out of the compound. 

   “We can’t let him get away!” Katsuki yelled.

   “Blasty boy!” Dabi called out. “Launch me!”

   Katsuki blasted his way into the air, Dabi following close behind with his flames propelling him forward. He reached out his hand, and Dabi’s grasped his. The moment they connected, Katsuki hurled his body into a spin like he was preparing for a Howitzer. Gritting his teeth as he gained as much momentum as possible, before he let out a yell and threw Dabi with all his might.

   The other shot forward at blinding speed, his blue flames like a streak of a falling star as he gained on Chisaki. The bastard barely saw it coming, as he stumbled back. A large spike formed out of the platform and shot out. Dabi wasn’t fast enough to move himself out of the way, and he cried out in pain as it ripped through his side, narrowly missing completely impaling him. 

   “Stop it!” Eri screamed, squeezing her eyes shut, and Katsuki gasped as the little horn on her head started to glow a golden color. Then it engulfed her body, the light reaching out to grasp Dabi. 

   “Dabi!” Shigaraki yelled, panic in his eyes. Kurogiri created a portal, and took the rest of the League fighting the battle with him.

   Katsuki burst through the surface, the light of the clear blue sky hurting his eyes as he focused on Chisaki. The man had morphed his body into a hulking figure that looked like something out of everyone’s worst nightmare. The League appeared next to him as they launched an attack together, overwhelming the man. 

   “Where did Dabi go?!” Katsuki yelled out as he blasted off a chunk of the rock protecting Chisaki.

   “I don’t know I can see him!” Magne answered back, using her giant magnet to break away at figure. 

   Shigaraki managed to get close enough to grab onto the limbs holding the kids, and Chisaki screamed in frustration as they were momentarily free. Though he reached back out for them, desperate to not lose them.

   “Surprise bitch!” Two Twice’s yelled out, both of them grabbing the kids and running. Though the double that grabbed Eri promptly exploded, as she was still emitting her golden light. Giving Chisaki the chance to snatch her again, and start to ascend to the sky to get away.

   “I won’t let you take her! You have no idea the usefulness of her quirk! You’d never be able to exploit her potential!”

   Katsuki felt like a boiling volcano at those words. Eyes tearing up from the sheer rage that made him shake. To Chisaki, Eri was not a person. She wasn’t a scared little girl. She was property, a tool to be used. 

   The air started to hiss and sizzle, popping as his body heated. His mind was in perfect clarity as an explosion sent him flying after Chisaki. Moving so fast his skin burned as the air whistled like a tornado in his ears. Hands shooting out to grab at Chisaki, searing so hot the morphed barricade started to crack and break off. 

   “I’ve never heard something so disgusting in my life.” Katsuki growled, his voice so filled with hatred it was barely recognizable to himself. “Eri is a fucking person! She deserves to be a child!”

   “I wouldn’t expect an ignorant brat like you to understand the bigger picture.” Chisaki snarled back at him. 

    “You know, you sound a lot like someone I used to know.”

   Chisaki startled, turning to look at the flaming blue figure behind him. Katsuki and Dabi moved with a single mindedness, both burning infernos that closed in on Chisaki. It felt like everything went in slow motion, as Chisaki’s eyes widened at the realization of his defeat. In his distraction, a portal warped and engulfed Eri, taking her out of harm’s way.

   The blast that burst from Katsuki and Dabi combined sounded like a thousand avalanches. A hundred rock slides happening at the same time. Chisaki was caught between them, his entire morphed figure simultaneously exploding and melting into tiny pieces. Leaving behind the body of a scrawny man.

   Then Katsuki and Dabi were both thrown as the opposing forces of their power shifted them into a blow back. He barely had time to orient his body from braining himself on a building. Head throbbing and senses disorganized as he tumbled into a roll on the street.

   Katsuki laid there for a moment, body coated in sweat and muscles throbbing. After a second, Spinner appeared in his line of sight, holding out a hand to him. Taking a deep breath, he reached for it, groaning at the soreness of his body as he stood.

   A little body crashed into his legs. “Kacchan! You were so cool!”

   He felt lighter now, relief flooding him. Running a hand through Izuku’s curls as those sparkling green eyes looked up at him in awe. “Thanks Zuku. I’m glad you’re okay.”

   Then he looked up for Eri, and saw she was nestled in Kurogiri’s arms. Her glowing was gone, and she looked exhausted. His eyes looked to the others, and his jaw dropped when they landed on Dabi.

   Everyone quickly turned their head to see what Katsuki was looking at, and they reacted the same way when they saw him. Dabi was staring at his arms, face vulnerable and expression raw. Where decaying, rotting skin had been now had healthy flesh. 

   His hands trembled as he brought them up to his face, feeling around his jaw. Without the burns and staples holding him together, Dabi looked painfully young. His hair was no longer a rough black, but a shining healthy white.

   “I’m…I’m me again.” His voice quivered.

   Izuku gasped, letting go of Katsuki and running over to Dabi. “Dabi! You not hurt anymore!”

   Dabi looked down at him. “You’re right. I’m…it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

   He turned to look at Eri.

   “You…you healed me.” He choked. “Thank you.”

   Eri shyly ducked her head, fiddling with her hair. “It’s my quirk, I rewinded you.”

   “Bakugou! Come in Bakugou!” Katsuki startled as his little radio at his hip went off. 

   He looked at the others. “Looks like it’s time for you guys to bounce.”

   Shigaraki nodded. “Thank you.”

   Katsuki couldn’t help but to be a little shit, cupping his hand to his ear. “I’m sorry, what was that Dusty?”

   Shigaraki glared at him. “Go to hell.”

   Kurogiri set Eri down, and Izuku went up to her, pulling her into a hug. “Bye Eri.”

   Her eyes watered. “Bye Izuku. Will I see you again?”

   Izuku nodded. “Uhuh! We’re fren’s! We gonna see each o’der ‘gain.”

   She smiled at his reassurance. “Okay, I’ll see you again Izuku.”

   Izuku then turned to Katsuki. “Bye bye Kacchan, I see you later!”

   Katsuki felt a sadness pull at him, but he braved a smile for the little boy. “See you around little hero.” 

   Kurogiri opened a portal, and Katsuki watched as the League ushered Izuku through, before it disappeared and he was alone with Eri. He took a deep breath, telling himself that it wasn’t the last time he’d see Izuku, and his heart shouldn’t feel so heavy. He was safe, and that was all that mattered.