Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The street is loud with yelling, and shouting, civilians running out of buildings and being directed to safety amidst the fighting. It hurts to see that more damage to the street is being done by hero attacks than by the villain.

One For All simmers in my veins like a familiar friend as Blackwhip's long dark tendrils reach out and grab 2 street posts to propel me forward. But I reacted too late.

The civilian I was aiming for gets hit by the clocks and disappears to god knows where. I can't dwell, immediately surveying the villains behaviour and the civilians still not evacuated to try and prevent another victim.

The attack started 15 minutes ago.

The villain is slippery, evading the heroes with agile ducking, running and jumping, using the environment to his advantage by swinging off of poles and navigating through rubble faster than the heros can. No one has managed to stop him, and those who got too close disappeared; Creati and Uravity. I hope to AllMight that they're alright.

Avoiding hand to hand combat implies that he doesn't have a strength enhancement, so we need to corner him, or overcome his evasion somehow. All I know is that we can't wait until he runs out of ammunition- if that ever happens. Until the hero's focusing on capture figure out a plan, we all try to keep a distance.

He catches sight of an elderly couple, slower to vacate the scene than the others and he throws a clock their way right before evading another attack and running in a new direction.

They're too far away, thinking quickly I switch to my air force attack to change the direction of the clock, causing it to hit the wall instead, and it disapears. The couple is safe and unaware, frantically searching for something in the battle. When I reach them I carry them out of the way, further down the street.

It feels like the only successful thing we've done this fight is contain him to that section of the street. My brows furrow in frustration, but I force them to ease when I place the couple down.

I smile at them briefly, to assure them that despite how it looks and absolutely is we have things under control, but the lady grabs the sleeve of my glove before I can head back.

“Please, we were with our grandson, help us find him!” She pleads. So that's what they were looking for. 

I give a determined nod, facing her and taking her hand in reassurance. “I’ll find him.”

She lets me go, so I head back to the scene.

I’m back quickly, and the fight seems to have slowed. The villain is bleeding out of his calf, and his evading is not as elegant or efficient as it was before, the fight should be over soon. I head back to the front of a building where people are still evacuating and direct able bodied civilians to safety, continuously checking back to the fight so I can prevent any more civilians disappearing. In the villains fatigue his aim is getting worse too, but better safe than sorry.  

To my far left, piercing through the echoing and never-ending chaos of the battle, I hear a young voice cry “Granny, Pappy? Where are you?” 

Another hero comes to help the civilians to safety, I leave them in her hands and accelerate myself slightly in the direction of the cry. 

He’s on the other side of the battle field, clutching his shirt helplessly and standing in the middle of the road as he cries. The villain is facing his way and locks eye contact with me, grinning suddenly as he produces one more clock. 

He's gonna aim for the kid, I realize panicked, but before he can take aim one of the hero's takes his attention with an attack.

I use Fa Jin to push myself into the air and off of a building, but a flyaway rubble hits my ankle and I lose my trajectory, landing a little roughly on the pavement before I can re-orient myself back on my feet. Uravity is at my side asking for an update- and I double take for a moment. 

The disappearance isn't permanent, and Uravity seems unharmed, but we still don’t know what other effects may have taken place.

I’m behind the kid now, and just as I look back over the villain takes an opening in the battle to throw the clock towards him.

I move before I can think, getting that child to safety is all that matters.

“KID, GET OUT OF THE WAY!” 

I’m able to push him clear in time as a flash of green lightning arrives at the scene. Maybe other villains, maybe another hero come to aid, but I don’t get to confirm as the clock hits me in place of the young boy.

~

For a moment I’m completely disoriented, all my senses clouding over, and I almost feel like I don't exist, like I'm just a consciousness, floating in a vast sea of creamy white nothing. It doesn't hurt, and its... scarily peaceful, and a shock to the senses being so abruptly taken from the screams and the hypervigilance to nothing. It doesn't last more than a few seconds, maybe less, but In this state I can hardly tell the difference between a day and a year.

When my senses slowly fade back, I'm still humming in that peaceful calm and as I register my surroundings, I check in with each sense:

1. There's a really loud horn blaring.
2. It smells like street food.
3. my mouth tastes like paint for some reason.
4. There’s traffic on the street with no sign of a fight
5. There’s a truck barreling toward me. 

There's a truck barreling toward me?! I'm immediately torn out of my peaceful daze, eyes widening in surprise as I make eye contact with the driver who is frantically pressing the break. I manage to just jump up out of the way with the aid of One For All and hover in the air with Float, adrenalin soaring through my veins as I watch the aftermath. 

The car behind the truck swerves to the sidewalk to avoid colliding with the rear of the unexpectedly and exponentially slowing vehicle and I fly forward quickly to move 2 teenagers out of the way. 

As I set them down they check themselves over. A quick look over my shoulder shows me that the cars are back on their way and no one else got hurt, so I turn back to the teens, taking a few deep breaths to detox myself of the lingering fear and adrenalin.

“Are you two alright? Are you hurt?” I ask, checking them over for myself, each of my hands still touching their arms in assurance.

“We’re ok. Thank you,” Says the taller one, he has bright blue eyelashes framing his nervous eyes. He looks shaken but overall relieved and unharmed, thank goodness, I bring my hands down and stand up a bit straighter in relief.

“Yeah geez, that came out of nowhere. What happened?” Asks the other. He seems more amused at the near death experience, which is fair. It’s a natural reaction to laugh a bit hysterically once safe after almost getting hit by a car, we're all in the same boat in that regard. He has teeth framing his face, which must be his quirk and looks really cool, I wonder what his quirk does-

Before I can answer I’m dragged back by the hood and pulled off the ground with only the tip of my boots still down. I feel -and probably look- like a bunny caught by the ears and draw into myself sheepishly, thinking that it's probably one of the pros, or maybe even Kacchan, about to scold me for my recklessness. The teens jaws both drop respectively and the one with teeth on his face remarks:

“Holy shit it’s Crimson Riot.” 

“What on earth happened here kid?” The deep voice of the man holding me questions, and immediately I’m gushing out an explanation.

“I’msosorrysiriwasfightingavillainandthiskidwasintroublesoIranforwardtopushhimoutiofthewaybutthenIgothitinsteadandIendeduphereandI'msosorryIshouldhave-” 

Wait.

Crimson Riot?

Crimson Riot retired 7 years ago, he doesn’t even live in Japan anymore. 

“Mr. Crimson Riot sir! I’m such a big fan, oh my god. This guy here helped us- cause this car was about to hit us which was crazy holy shit, anyway- he was just making sure we were ok, you can put him down. Please. Unless you think he’s a threat but he actually seems really nice and he did help us and-” 

“Oh my god, stop talking you’re making us look lame in front of Crimson Riot.” The tooth faced teen groans while lightly shoving him.

Crimson Riot puts me down and steps into view next to me and-

He looks 15 years younger.

“The reports I heard from civilians when I got here pointed at you,” he turns to me and- holy moly I see why Kirishima drew his hero name from this guy he looks so cool- “Said you just -appeared in the middle of the road, and then saved these kids from the fallout. Show me your license.” he asks, and holds his hand out to receive it.

All I can do is stare and blink. What is happening??? Crimson riot is retired, and somehow he’s here, in his hero costume, wherever here is. I mean it looks the same as the street I was on before, but there’s no sign of a fight. I got hit by the clock and somehow turned up here, with Crimson riot, and yeah, actually I remember that this street was one of his patrol roots, but from when he was active, not now. 

“I swear to god kid, you better have a license or something to prove to me you have legal permission to be fighting villains.” He says impatiently. Next to us the teens are filming the interaction on their phones and taking pictures with awe at getting to see one of their idols in person.

“Oh right! Sorry, I’m just… trying to figure out what the quirk did to me.” I reply as I reach into the pocket that I keep cards and documents in, pulling out my provisional license card and handing it to him sheepishly. “I’m really surprised to see you, I thought you were retired in Hawaii, but you're here! So…” I trail off, not knowing how to finish that sentence.

“Retired? I’m far too young for that kid! I know the young'uns are overtaking me, but I'm not that far past my prime.” he laughs, and looks down at my card, then looks up at me, then back at the card. “Birthday?” He asks, furrowing his brows.

“15th July, 2024 sir!” I supply cheerfully. 

The teens stop taking pictures. 

“Bro what are you on???”

“Yeah dude, what?” 

“What do you mean? That's my birthday.” I look back and forth between them. What’s wrong with my birthday?

Crimson riot hands me back the card, and I put it back in my pocket.

“What quirk did you say you were hit by, again?” 

“I’m still trying to figure that out. This villain was producing these clocks from his arms and hands and then throwing them at people, and when the people got hit they would disappear. I think it’s temporary though, because one of my classmates who got hit by it disappeared, but then was back later. And I'm also, you know, back, so I should probably head over to Night-eye's agency to check back in and let them know I'm ok.” 

Crimson Riot looks at the teens for a moment, who have started to shift a little uncomfortably. He waves them off, and they walk past us awkwardly, waving and thanking me again before heading on their way.

Ok, what is going on?

“Is everything alright, sir?” I ask, feeling shy at the sudden loneliness. He doesn’t reply immediately, hesitating, thinking, before putting his hand on my shoulder and looking me in the eyes.

“Look, kid. You're not in trouble, but I need to take you to the station, please come with me.” He says softly, leading me by the shoulder to walk down the street with him.

It gives me a better look at the street, and I’m relatively familiar with this street, I take this route to go to my favorite stationary shop, and some of the stores here now closed a while ago and were replaced by new ones, so why are they still- 

Oh my god. The clocks, the younger Crimson Riot, the wierdness about my birth date.

“Kid, I need you to try and stay calm, we’re gonna figure this out, and everything is going to be ok, ok?” 

He’s being gentle. Oh god no. No, no ,no please tell me I’m wrong. I’m not- this isn’t-

“Hey, hey, take a deep breath, it's ok. It’s gonna be alright. Let's get you to the station, ok? There's probably some protocol or other for this type of thing, don't worry.” He soothes, still guiding me down the street and trying to help me stop hyperventilating because this cannot be happening.

I’m- 

Oh, god-

I’m in the past.

Chapter Text

“So, this is where you’ll be staying.” He says, unlocking the door. The key’s got a blue tassel on it, and a thin metal plate that says ‘government housing’. 

Dai is my social worker. Crimson Riot was right, they do have a protocol in place for things like this. Time Travel falls under ‘quirk induced misplacement’, and within that, there are workers like Dai that help us while we try to get back to where we are supposed to be. This means I get provided accommodation.

“It’s not much,” Dai tells me, and I see as much for myself as he opens the door, and I slowly enter, apprehensive and curious like a deer to a human in the woods. 

It’s one room, one big window with bars over it facing the door, pale off-white curtains framing the view of the street where I can see a small cozy dumpling shop which I decide might be worth checking out if I get the time. I’ve never been much of a cook anyway, so eating out is gonna be regular, even if I do take this opportunity to learn some basic recipes. A futon is folded up in the left corner of the room that really doesn’t look particularly comfortable, and a desk along the wall next to it with 2 slim drawers on the underside. Under the window is a metal kitchen counter that looks like an operating table, with a sink, a minifridge and on top of that, a microwave. On the right wall, there’s a waist height chest of drawers, not that I have anything to put in there at the moment.

“But, it’s got everything you need.” He finishes as he steps inside and flips the light switch, the bright white light in the center of the ceiling flickering to life. “Kitchen, bed, drawer, the works. The bathrooms down the hall. It’s shared, but you get used to it. There are always new faces around here, and neighbors tend to be nosy. This building is only for victims of quirk induced misplacement, so, you know, you're not alone.” He continues, and I suppose that should be comforting, but all I’ve been feeling since the walk to the station is a distant warm numbness. Shock, I guess.

It’s weird to have a place to myself, It’s going to be different than staying in the dorms. For the first time I’m taking almost complete care of myself. I try to ignore how my face pales as I realise that, for the first time since I started at UA, I’m all alone.

I’m stuck for the next who knows how long. The police are doing a search for the person who did this to me, he’s likely a child at the moment, but if we find him we can figure out how his quirk works and see if he can send me home. 

Dai lurks in the doorway, grinning a little. You can see in his eyes that he’s excited for me to have a new independence, so many teens would appreciate that, and I guess he’s grown a deep appreciation for that as he watches me interact with the place. I’m glad that he’s treating my space with respect, not entering uninvited, just leaning against the doorframe, here if I need him.

When I turn to face him again he tosses the keys up and over to me, and I catch them easily, pasting a grin to match his. I guess he’s right. There's plenty to be excited about. This is an opportunity for me to explore my independence and live how I see fit. The thought brings a bit more life into me, less numb and more optimistic.

“As you know you get a budget in cash and a debit card for travel convenience. I have the cash on me now, so when you're ready we’ll head to get you a debit card and shop for some essentials. We can talk through your plan for what you’ll get up to while we're out, give you some direction. Sounds good?”

“Sounds good!” I smile, turning to look out the window again and already making a list of what I need to get, and what I should prioritize with my budget.  

“I’ll be downstairs then,” he calls as he pushes off from the doorframe and starts down the hall.

He leaves the door open, but I figure I won’t stay back for too long so I leave it. I open the fridge to see how much space I’ll have, hopefully I’ll be able to stay on top of my diet, and I check the drawers to see how much storage space I'll have, I can probably use the space to store notebooks and other things like that. Man, I miss my notebooks, it would be so handy to write down all my theories about the quirk I was hit by. A shopping list would help too, but I guess I can just use my phone for that.

I unfold the futon, careful not to touch it too much because I’m still all dirty and sweaty from earlier, but I can’t shower or anything until I buy a towel and some soaps. And I’ll need to get some basic bedding, a tooth brush, and clean clothes. I am not living in my sweaty hero costume in the summer, no thank you. 

Speaking of my hero costume, I should probably consider getting in touch with UA and see if I can continue as a transfer student or something. That shouldn’t be unreasonable to try right? I have my UA ID, my valid licenses, and my phone with a bunch of evidence that I’m a student there (All stuff I used to prove my case to the police earlier). Plus, I’m pretty sure Nedzu is still the principal. 

Still the principal? 

Now the principal. Already the principle. 

Whatever.

Anyway, he would love something like this, he could probably help me figure out how to prepare for my return to my own time. 

I’ll ask Dai if he can help me get in touch.

Satisfied that there are no bugs in the futon (I would have screamed) I decide to head downstairs. Locking my door behind me feels both so familiar in the way that I’m leaving home but so new in the way that this space is mine. Well, It’s the government, but still.  

Downstairs, Dai is talking with the guard. 

“Yeah from the future this time. I swear these quirks are getting out of control.”

“I’m calling bullshit, Taichi. You’re all getting scammed.” The guard huffs, rolling his eyes.

“Talking about me?” I butt in, amused.

“Midoriya! Ready to head out?” Dai exclaims, turning to me and clasping his hands together. I really appreciate his enthusiasm, smiling more fondly as I nod.

The guard heckles us as we leave: "Scammed, I say!!” 

Dai laughs as the door closes behind us and we step into the afternoon sun. It’s been such a long day, from the battle this morning to now. And the steady lowering sun bathes us in a yellowy warmth, and I can’t decide if it’s making me feel better or gross.

“So, where too first?” he asks as he turns to walk to his car parked a bit down the road. 

“My main priorities right now are being able to shower and change. Today I think all I need are toiletries, a change of clothes and something for dinner. We can get anything else I might need if we see it on the way, right?” I ask, hopping into the front seat next to him. 

As he puts his hand on the wheel and turns his keys, the ignition rumbles and he immediately goes to turn on the radio, and My Way by Limp Biskit’s chorus washes over us. We both grin. 

“Sounds like a plan.”

~

“Do you think you could help me get in contact with Principle Nedzu at UA?” I ask, as we walk down the dental care Isle, looking for the cheapest toothbrush.

“You want me to do what now?” He deadpans. “This brush is 340 Yen.” He offers after.

“I’m a student there back in my time, right? I have my ID card and my licences and everything. I could be here for a while, but I don't want to fall behind!” I explain, glancing over to look at the toothbrush he has in his hand, it’s really basic, just wood and plastic bristles. “I think that’s the cheapest we’re gonna get, huh?”

“Pretty much.” He agrees, and puts in the basket with the 244 Yen three in one soap that we found on sale. I can hear Mina condemning me from the distant future for how far I’ve fallen, but on this budget? Sacrifices must be made.

“If you're a student there, don’t you have his email? Just email him and explain the situation, see what he can do, what you need to do to get in, etc. No harm in trying.” he shrugs as we venture over to where the towels are. 

I stop in my tracks a little abruptly. “... You are so right.” I reply. Feeling a little silly for not thinking of doing that myself, I start scanning the prices for the towels. They're a lot more expensive than the toothbrushes, but I guess that's to be expected. My eyes land on a tag that's only 1500 Yen, and- I’m so blessed- the cheapest towel is AllMight themed. 

“I’m getting this.” I say, my mind is already made up. “If anything is gonna make my place here feel like home, It’s AllMight  merch.”

“You a fan of the new number one? I got pretty high hopes for the guy, he’s been doing some really amazing stuff the past 2 years.” 

Oh my AllMight, He’s in his Bronze Era. I'm gonna throw up. This is the best day of my life.

“Kid, are you all right?” He asks, face pulling into a cheerful concern. I can’t respond. If I try to move all I will do is scream and jump up and down in this supermarket and I need to control myself. 

“Ok you're turning red. Are you breathing?” He sounds genuinely concerned now, putting his hand on my shoulder gently. I don’t wanna worry him, but feel so overwhelmed with shock and excitement. I force myself to take a deep breath in. 

Dai sighs in relief. “Geez, don’t freak me out like that. Was it something I said?”

I release my breath, and the adrenaline from the sudden excitement fades a bit, leaving me feeling tingly and a little tired, and I know I’ll feel embarrassed in a bit but I crouch and grin into my knees, trying to keep taking deep breaths. Dai crouches with me, hand still on my shoulder.

“Hey,” he starts gently, “Hey, what's wrong? Is it the quirk? Did I say something?” And his voice is so ridden with concern and care and it’s so sweet but so ridiculous cause nothing is wrong this is awesome and I can't help but let out a little giggle. 

I feel him physically relax at the sound.

“ᵀʰᶦˢ ᶦˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵈᵃʸ ᵒᶠ ᵐʸ ˡᶦᶠᵉ.” I squeak out, peaking up over my knees and staring into the towels and pressing my red face forward, causing my cheeks to squish.

Dai bursts out laughing, and everyone in the supermarket aisle looks at him like he’s mad.

~

It’s 9pm now, and the moonlight that might be drizzling into the room is canceled out by the light on above me as I sit criss-cross-apple-sauce, clean and full bellied on my futon, hunched over my phone. 

We passed an electronics shop in between stores and realised it would be a good idea to get a charger, which is plugged into the wall behind me, so I'm not worried about my phone dying as I mull over what I’m going to write in my email to Principle Nedzu.

I’ve typed his email address in the "addressed to:” line, but after that I'm stumped. I’m about to call it a night when my phone pings with an email, and I go to check it instinctually. Not like I was getting any writing done.

“Izuku Midoriya! 

I heard from the police department that you're a future student at my school. The quirk you claim to be hit by sounds incredibly interesting, and I’m sure you’re eager to continue with your studies. I know my students, and they don’t like to fall behind! Would you like to meet for tea at some point tomorrow?

Sincerely,

Principle Nedzu

UA”

I can’t help but grin. 

Of course he already knows. 

I start typing my reply instantly.

“Principle Nedzu!

I was just about to reach out! Tea sounds great, does 10:30 work for you?

Izuku Midoriya

UA”

Chapter Text

I wonder if my UA student card works, I think as I wait outside the grand UA gates for principal Nedzu and receive my visitor's pass. 

I swipe the card through the log in doc, cause I’m bored, early and what's the worst that could happen?

The doors go into lockdown. Thick metal dividers rise from the ground, red lights spin, and an alarm starts blaring ‘attempted intruder’ on repeat. The cameras at the gate post zero in on me and squint as a red spotlight eyes me from above. 

Shucks. 

Why does it feel like things aren’t going to go right today? 

I hide behind my hands as heat tingles beneath the skin of my cheeks, and the muscles under my eyes start to hurt from continuously wincing. 

Big firm hands grab my shoulders, and I jump at the contact. They spin me around and push me against the wall somewhat harshly and, ok, I set off the alarm and that was stupid but I haven't done anything offensive, there is no need to be rude.

“What are you trying to pull, kid?!” The man fumes with a low rumbly voice. He’s tall and bulking, wearing a green and black hero costume, but not one I recognise. I’m about to try and explain myself -would not have been very effective- when the alarms disable and the divider goes down.

Principle Nedzu steps around the corner to see me pinned against the wall by the guard which is maybe not the best first impression.

“Principle Nedzu!” Me and the guard both exclaim in unison, myself in partially joyous relief. The guard? He’s more ready to get permission to beat my face in.

“I surely hope you haven’t brought any harm to our guest, Parakeet. That would be a horrible impression to make. Especially as a school aiming to protect the general public and youth, such as Young Midoriya here!” Nedzu scolds, shaking his head and tutting. 

Parakeet releases me, still glaring with suspicion.

“I too was curious as to whether your student ID would work! What a dramatic outcome, don't you think?” He asks, and I nod sheepishly. Before I can offer an apology, he continues. “Why don’t you come in! We have much to discuss. Parakeet, can you get his visitor card?”

The hero nods, reluctant and confused. When he returns from the guard box with my visitor card he doesn’t let it go easily, leveling me with a frankly unnecessary glare, and I have to yank it from his fingertips with a petty amount of force. Honestly, he reminds me of Kacchan. Once I have my visitor card, Nedzu leads me up the courtyard and through the halls of the school while we make pleasant small talk about the school layout and how the exams have changed. Apparently, the standards have gotten progressively higher over the years! The end of the first year exam now is what the entrance exam was for me when I applied for UA in the future (damn those tenses are weird), so while I do need to take the exam to ensure my place as a ‘transfer student’, principal Nedzu and I are both confident enough that I’ll pass that we’ve already started to speculate how I’ll get a uniform and the accommodations they might provide to me as courtesy of my ‘quirk induced misplacement’ victim status. 

I used to be pretty intimidated by the UA Head, but earlier this year (15 years into the future?) We had an extensive, engaging, and deeply intellectually stimulating discussion about quirks we found interesting, and ever since then I deeply look forward to my interactions with him. 

“Oh! It’s my classroom!” I comment as we start walking past the familiar section of hallway. I peek in through the window as we pass to get a look at my future classmates, and make eye contact with a guy with long black hair. I wave at him, offering a smile that feels a little too round on my face before turning back to Nedzu to comment on how pristine the school still is in the future. He seems quite proud of that.

When we get to Nedzu's office, he immediately starts fussing over making tea. Once we’re both settled comfortably into our seats with warm teacups in hand, he gives me that glint in his eye that tells me we’re getting down to business.

~

“TIME IS UP. STUDENT SCORE: 2311 POINTS. PASS.” Booms an automated voice over the various hidden speakers in Ground Beta.

“YES!” I cheer, face flushed and panting, squinting in the early afternoon sun while raising my fist into the air, my back on the warm, uneven pavement. 

We redid the robot point exam towards the end of my first year as a checkpoint exercise, and based on my new results I’ve already upped my score by 21 points! It could be attributed to the lack of classmates being there to fight the robots for me, or maybe the robot difficulty setting potentially being lower. But I feel like I’ve been improving a lot ever since the doctors deemed my full recovery.  I revamped my training schedule after the war.

As I push myself up onto my feet, class 2A comes into Ground Beta filled with enthusiasm that I was not expecting.

“BRO THAT WAS INSANE” - “WHERE DO YOU BUY A QUIRK LIKE THAT BECAUSE I WANT ONE” - “Bro fights like he’s seen Armageddon” - "I’ve NEVER seen such a fierce approach to a sim, dude. Right on.”

I laugh sheepishly, as they talk over each other to compliment me and my ability. I haven’t had an opportunity to really go all out without worry of hurting others (or myself) in a long time. But all alone in ground beta? With 5000 robot villains to fight? I couldn’t help myself, and in the 20 minutes I managed to work myself up to 15 percent with One For All and find a way to work in all the other quirks too. 

Some of the guys come and clap my shoulder, and it startles some memories into me.

Tired, dirty and beat up at the UA gate after the retrieval mission, knees weak, and feeling about a second away from falling over, the cries of the refugees' taking shelter at UA ring in my ears.

“He’s a Nomu!” - “We can’t let that monster stay here!” - “They’ll come after us!” - “He’s a freak of nature!” - “He’s working with the villains!” - “He’s putting us at risk just being here!” -

I guess these guys wouldn’t have the comparison to make to be scared of me. 

The thought causes a soft smile to return to my face as that thought develops.

Maybe it’ll be nice to have a moment away from my reputation. From my past, and all the things that have haunted me. They haven’t happened yet. The world that built me is yet to exist.

That final thought feels more bitter, and a comment from a new voice pulls me back to the present.

“We totally dig your vibe, yo!” 

The speaker stands in the middle of a gang of four, hand bent into a Rock-N-Roll gesture. The black haired guy from earlier is on his right. He isn’t looking at me, pink dusting his cheeks and- ok wow, he’s actually really cute now that I have a chance to look at him. 

Izuku, now is NOT the time for your gayness.

On his left is a man with floaty blue hair, and a girl with long dark purple hair. The speaker himself has his mid length blond hair gelled back almost a bit like…

I look back between them and it clicks.

“Present Mic?” I ask hesitantly, face dropping as I re-examine the others in his group.

Long dark hair, those tired eyes- I did not just think Aizawa Sensei is cute. Which means that the girl on his left is-

Mrs Midnight.

My eyes prick with the familiar sensation of tears as Present Mic is freaking out at Aizawa because I know who he is -‘dude I’m famous’- and Aizawa is looking right at me with both his eyes now, and Mrs Midnight is laughing and she’s alive and young and beautiful and she’s - 

“Hey, are you alright?” Aizawa asks me, shoving the excited blond teen off and reaching a hand out toward me gently, concern replacing the annoyed look he was giving Mic Sensei. The class has stopped cheering now, and they're all looking at me and I’m hyperventilating and the teacher starts to get the class to give me some space but I can’t tear my eyes off of- off of-

My eyes are really stinging now.

“Excuse me” I squeak, sight blurring as I push past the teacher, stumbling into a panicked sprint before I’m lost in my head, sinking into that dark mushy pit of memories once again.

That first fight with Shigaraki- Kacchan taking the blow for me- getting impaled- Aizawa cutting his leg off to stay in the fight- the blood pouring out of them- both of them- Kacchan askew across the dirty floor and he’s not going to make it- Kacchans’ s heart out on the battle field as Shigaraki laughs and he is not going to make it- it should have been me- the sobs that wrack through me so hard my ribcage aches- desperately trying to continue fighting Shigaraki as they escape and I can do nothing- the coffin in the sky falling and Aizawa and Mic and Monoma falling- heading to the hospital, looking over from my ambulance bed to see Mina and Jirou sobbing, bloody, and bruised and shaking, eyes wide and manic while they hold shock blankets tight around them- seeing Midnight's destroyed body as they rush her into the hospital past me and no one comes back from injuries like that- the funeral- Aizawa and Present Mic speaking with tears streaming down their face of memories from highschool, from parties and heartbreaks- everything Mrs Midnight cared about, fought for, believed in- I- 

Next thing I know I’m splashing my face with water in the bathroom, hands shaking, breath seething through my teeth as the sink gushes water down the drain with a rumble from the pipes and a fshhh from the tap. 

I hold myself there for a while, legs barely supporting me as I brace my forearms on the sink counter, face dripping while I pant and cry and shake. 

This is not the first time this has happened. It probably won’t be the last. Hound Dog says they’re normal, and not to be hard on myself about them. 

First time no one else knew what was happening, though. 

That's right. I’m alone again.

My breathing’s still ragged and another cry rips out of me while I hunch over the sink, nose snotty as I rest my forehead painfully on the still running tap, neck strained as my back arches over painfully to accommodate my position.

“Young midoriya?” Calls a voice, startling me out of my illusioned solitude. 

Glaringly reminded of my current environment, I sniffle and wipe my eyes with my dirty sleeve and- not the best choice that stings- I whip my head around to see principal Nedzu, standing in front of a concerned student. At my visible response, principal Nedzu dismisses him, leaving us alone in the bathroom. 

The student must have been in here when I came in- or heard me from outside and gone to get a teacher. 

Drive a nail through my foot and drop me in the woods, that is so embarrassing. I splash water into my face again, fighting off the new wave of tears because there’s no need to start that again. Sucking in a few final breaths, I speak to Nedzu, knowing we’re now alone in the bathroom.

“We can’t let anyone else know I’m from the future.” I state, voice hoarse and sore from gasping and dehydration. Turning my head back to the sink, I drag my hand down my face to wipe off the remaining droplets, the touch feeling coarse and uncaring. The paper towel I use after feels just as offensive.

Principal Nedzu sighs, and looks a little unsure of how to proceed. “I have to agree…and considering your emotional state right now, we certainly don’t need anymore dramas. However, there’s an update I do think you deserve to know as soon as possible, part of our new fragile subject. Let’s get you some nice hot tea in my office, hm? Come on.” He supplies, tone taking on a more comforting lilt as he finishes.

After properly cleaning my face and nose with the rough and stiff paper hand towels, I follow as he leads the way through the corridor with my hands still shaking.

~

Oolong has always been my favourite tea. I like that it’s quite versatile. I can have it hot, with milk, cold, with boba, with other flavourings. It can be a calming evening drink or a sweet treat. 

Right now it tastes like cardboard.

“I understand this will be difficult for you, Young Izuku. Please know my door is always open for you if you want to talk- about anything.” 

Principal Nedzu reaches over the desk to put his paw over my scarred and aching fingers where they rest, burning against the porcelain of the teacup.

“If you think it's right, we can inform the school psychologist of your situation. She can have a session with you if you want, and only if you want.” He adds. 

I can’t even nod. 

It's going to be 15 years before I can see my Mom again. My friends. Kacchan-

Deep breath.

Pull it together.

One thing at a time. 

I can take my time to process the fact that I’m stuck here. I only have until tomorrow to prepare to be in the same class as- as-

My eyes sting again. 

“Mrs Midnight…” I start, the ball growing in my throat like a damn I need to break. I can’t meet Nedzu’s eyes. I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle seeing his face, I don’t know if I should be telling him this but I have nowhere else to go. “She-” and the tears spill- “She died really horribly.” 

It’s high pitched and strangled, I barely get it out around that painful knot in my throat, and maybe it’s barely coherent, maybe he didn’t catch it, maybe I can pretend I didn't say that, that it didn't happen. It hasn’t happened right? Maybe I can just ignore-

Nedzu’s paw tightens on my hand. I look to his eyes instinctively, and I’ve never seen that look on his face. Drawn and leaky eyed and sympathetic and sorry. I don’t think he’s ever looked more full of human emotion, and it hits me right in the chest just how much Nedzu really cares about his students.

And I've just told him that one of them dies horribly- I’m horrible. How could I tell him that?

The sobs shake me so hard I almost knock over my tea. I hear Nedzu sniff across from me. 

Meeting his eyes again I can’t stop myself- 

I know it’s not my fault. All the therapy with Hound Dog and the late night conversations with classmates, comforting them, consoling each other, I’m a hypocrite for saying it, but what else can I say?

“I- I’m so so-sorry-” I cry, and my nose is almost in my tea, but Nedzu cuts me off before I even finish, squeezing my hand tighter and it feels like such an undeserved comfort, but I clutch onto his forearm with my other hand anyway.

“No I’m sorry, Young Izuku. I can’t imagine the position this is putting you in. I would cry the same as you in your situation. You are so brave, and you’ve done everything right. Thank you for telling me-” I hold his arm tighter. 

I don’t want to be brave right now.

“oh, you’re just a child, Izuku.” He continues after a moment, bringing his other hand to rest on the one that grips his forearm like a vice. His gentle paw meets my shaking and straining hand like a vine growing on an old wall, and it makes me crumble.

“Now- now I’m going to get to know her and the others, grow up with them, become heroes with them instead. I could barely handle it, their injuries and their sufferings- when they were my teachers. How am I supposed to go through all that again? How am I supposed to act around them knowing what's coming and knowing that I won't be able to stop it?” 

The vent turns into a mad and desperate yell, and I’m distantly grateful that Nedzu’s office is soundproof. Oh my god what if it’s not soundproof yet?

“The room is soundproof right?” I ask, tilting my head back up to look at him a little panicked and distracted by my new worry. The sudden change in topic makes him chuckle wetly as a tear spills out of his eyes.

“Oh, you dear child, it’s all right. No one can hear you, it’s just you and me.”

He smiles with that torn expression of fondness and care and sympathy and ache, the one I see in my mother all the time, and he holds my hands tighter. 

I take a deep breath. “Well. That’s- That’s good then.” I say, breathless and resolute.

Nedzu starts laughing properly at that. A moment later my diaphragm shakes and I join him in a fit of silent laughs and sniffles.

Chapter Text

I left principal Nedzu’s office 40 minutes later. We had a lot left to discuss, and we had to wait for my social worker to get to the school so he could make a recording of the conversation. Most of the time before he got to UA was spent blowing my nose, wiping my tears, and finishing my tea.

Not going back home means there are certain precautions we have to take, and certain things we need to get legal recognition for. 

I don’t have a birth certificate that would make sense cause I was born last year- that could be the butt of so many jokes. It’s a comedic crime that this needs to be kept secret. Anyway, we need legal documentation of my time travel added to a copy of my birth certificate that I will keep, and use that to get a new ID card, a passport (apparently we’re going abroad later in the year for a work study, which is super exciting), and insurance that Principal Nedzu said he would help cover ‘as a courtesy of the school, because this is where you’ll be getting hurt most of the time until your 18 anyway.’ he explained. 

I need to move apartments. The one I’m staying in is for temps. It’s too small to be lived in for an extended period of time, too minimal to provide a basic quality of life, so I'm being moved upstairs where the long term residents stay. The rooms, as Dai tells us, are slightly bigger, with a safe for things like legal documents and other valuables, and a better kitchen, with a nicer counter top and an oven and freezer. 

We also need to make sure that Izuku Midoriya: Hero Deku doesn’t appear in the news. ‘Deku’ can’t exist yet, because he doesn’t exist yet, and him existing before he existed would probably mess up his chance of existing. The impact that ‘Deku’ will make on the world and his reputation will have to wait.

I won’t be able to be a daylight hero. The risk of revealing my identity would be too high, and my quirk is really distinct in appearance, so it can’t be publicly recognised. 

I’ve never considered being underground, but they do a lot of good work. Aizawa Sensei has become such a big influence and inspiration to me as a hero that the more I think about it, the more I see myself fitting into the scene. 

“Deku! Man, I’ve always wanted to tell you this, but that look you get when you're getting intense in battle is really intimidating, and combined with blackwhip? Totally manly!” 

We’ve just finished sparring together, me and Kirishima sit beside each other as we stretch out our legs. 

“Really?” I ask. I’ve never been told I look intimidating before, usually when people comment on my appearance it’s to tell me I look stupid, or cute (which hurts my pride a little, but I’ll take what I can get) so being called intimidating feels kind of out of place. 

“Yeah, dude! I’ve been thinking about it even more ever since that edit of you went viral the other day. It’s pretty neat, getting recognised and having fans and stuff. My fanbase isn’t super big yet, but it’s so awesome when I see people's videos and comments on me and stuff.”

“Theres an edit of me?” 

“Bro, you haven't seen it? It’s totally manly! Let me show you.” 

He reaches over to his phone and fiddles with it for a moment before turning it to me, shuffling up so his arm supporting his weight is behind me and his side is pressed against my arm. It’s comfortable and friendly, and I lean into the touch. We’ve all gotten a lot closer after everything we’ve gone through. 

The video shows a series of short clips of me during some recent patrols and hero works, mid and post fight, and even some footage of me from my ‘vigilante era’ is shown in quick succession with flashing and filters, finishing with my quote from the sports festival: "You haven't put a scratch on me yet!” as I clutch my broken fingers into a fist, and I see it. 

I’ve never watched footage of myself in battle, so I didn’t know how I looked. Seeing this? I really do look intimidating, if not a little crazy.

In some of the shots I’m smiling, and it's nothing like AllMight. 

Me and Dai are walking out of the school, headed to the car so we can head back to my new home, when I spot Aizawa and Mic hovering around the sidewalk. When Mic sees me he gives Aizawa an enthusiastic thumbs up and starts to walk away, to which Aizawa responds by glaring at him, before glancing over to me briefly. 

Ok…? 

Dai turns to me, having seen the exchange. “New friends?”

“New classmates, I’ll tell you more later.” I tell him offhandedly, right before we close in on Aizawa, he’s looking at me with that familiar expectant grouch. It looks different on his young face. No stubble framing his mouth, and a little acne. In my memories of Aizawa I can see the person in front of me within him. And my heart aches with the memories of battle flashing behind my eyes. Of all the injuries this man will get trying to protect my classmates. To protect the civilians of Japan. To protect me.

“Hey,” Aizawa calls subtly. He clearly wants to talk, though I have no clue what about.

I chuckle awkwardly, unsure in this strange situation. Even after all we’ve been through together, talking with my homeroom teacher always makes me nervous. “Hi…?” I reply tentatively, turning my head and shrugging slightly, glancing over at Dai.

“I’ll meet you at the car?” He offers, seeming to think we need privacy. Apparently he has more clue than me as to what's going on.

“Sure,” I nod, and he continues the walk to the car in solitude.

“What’s up?” I ask hesitantly, still confused as I turn back to Aizawa. 

He thinks for a moment, leaning against the wall that lines the sidewalk, and nodding at the space next to him as an invitation. I take him up on the offer, and he looks down as we settle gently into each other's presence.

“When do you start?” He asks absently.

“Oh!” I’m glad that it's a simple question. I copy his pose and look ahead, watching the trees sway in the afternoon wind. It’s not a bad spot for a conversation. In the shade, quiet, not too private. “Uhm, tomorrow actually! Pretty exciting, I’m looking forward to learning beside all of you.” I answer. Once again, he doesn’t respond immediately.

“That’s pretty soon.” He says frankly. I nod silently. 

“You miss your friends.” It's not a question, and I’m startled slightly at the blunt observation, turning my head to look at him. He only shrugs. “Missing your friends is only logical when moving. No one judges you for running off like that. I know better than anyone that they can be-” He sucks a breath in past a tired expression, “overwhelming.” He concludes. His hair blows slightly in the wind as I laugh.

“Yeah, my old classmates could get pretty intense too. It was at boarding school, so you rarely had a moment of real privacy.” I reply, turning to look back ahead. It’s ok to tell him that right? I can let them know vague things about me, as long as I don't let up that I’m from the future. He nods, agreeing with the sentiment.

“Well, you can sit with us during recess and lunch tomorrow. Mic really likes you already.” He mumbles in response.

I look back over to him while he speaks, fondness filling my chest at the offer. It’s weird for Aizawa to treat me like a peer rather than a student, but his immediate kindness is endearing. It warms me that I’m being accepted so easily, especially remembering all the times I was so violently rejected. He tilts his head away from me, so I can't see his face anymore as he shrugs. Before I can thank him, he pushes off the wall to his feet.

“I better get going.”  He starts, “Do you…”  and his voice cracks in a way that is not cute and does not have me smiling like an idiot because he really is just an awkward, shy teenager, and that's something I can relate to. His face goes a little red as he faces me, but he doesn’t meet my eyes, hands shoved into his pockets with his shoulders raised as he finishes. “Walk to the gate with me?” He retries. He glances up at me through his lashes after he asks, and he’s trying to look nonchalant and it’s really not working. 

In a round about way his nervousness makes me relax.

“I’d love the company.” I respond, pushing off the wall. We walk together side by side. 

“Your dad?” He asks after a while, using his chin to point down the path and looking my way out the corner of his eyes, waiting calmly for a response.

“Oh! Uhm, no he’s my, uh…” I stutter, looking at him nervously, waving my hands in front of myself. So much for relaxing. I don't think I can tell him that he’s my social worker because I traveled through time, but I really don't want to lie about it. I always get nervous and clammy and my voice gets all high and then I feel really guilty after and usually they can tell and that just makes them more suspicious and I just cannot lie. “He’s helping me move and get settled in and stuff.” I stumble out. It’s true enough.

He glances at me and I quickly avert my eyes. He doesn’t ask more questions, and I let my shoulders sag in relief from where they had unconsciously risen. I keep my gaze ahead after that until we reach the front gate and say our ‘see you tomorrows’. 

“Overall a successful interaction if I do say so myself.” I inform Dai as I get in the Passenger seat.

“Well, that's good. Now fill me in on all the less boring stuff that happened today.” He asks as he pulls onto the street and we head back to the apartment.

I excitedly launched into a retelling of my day, starting from how I managed not to burn the kitchen down with my phenomenal cooking skills.

In the back of my mind, I’m still thinking about Aizawa and our brief little interaction.

Chapter Text

Of course.

Even in a different timeline I just can't avoid trouble. How do I manage to run into a villain before breakfast?

I use Blackwhip to gently pull someone out of the way of the criminals' attack. He’s shooting glowing green acid blasts from a barrel coming out of his palms, disintegrating the walls and the concrete of the street. 

I've been chasing him for less than a minute. Honestly it was an accident. I was just on my morning run when he bolted out of a store and the cashier came out, pointing at him and yelling “Thief! Where's a hero?!” while frantically looking down the street. 

There wasn’t one, this is usually a pretty safe area and It’s the early morning. 

The criminal shoved someone out of the way, causing them to fall and scrape their knee. I know I don’t have an active license but what was I supposed to do? People were getting hurt.

Using One For All I jump forward with speed, and land in front of the criminal. Immediately after landing I reach out Blackwhip and grab one of his legs, pulling it out from under him as he runs. He falls on his back and I rush over to him, using Blackwhip to bind his arms and immobilize him.

“Please do not resist. This is a civilian arrest, and you will be handed to a hero when one arrives at the scene.” I say, projecting so that witnesses can hear me clearly. 

“Trying to be a hero?” He yells as he struggles against the binds, but he stops once he sees my face, choosing to glare. I level him one back, studying his bright green hair and hollowed out cheeks. He looks tired, and hungry. I’ve seen criminals like this. He just wants to survive, and I understand that. But he’s also bitter, and he has hurt people.

He glances down at the scar on my cheek and scoffs.

“Throw yourself into danger a lot, huh? Stupid hero wannabe’s, getting yourselves hurt for the sake of people who couldn’t give a rat's ass about you!” He snarls, continuing to struggle once again. I hear someone down the street calling out to a hero arriving at the scene. 

“Hey! Thanks so much for helping out. I was a few streets away so it took me a while to get here.” He smiles at me a little out of breath, reaching down to put the handcuffs around the villain. “Police will be here soon, but I'm sure you have other things to do. I’ll take your statement for you, and let you go, yeah?”

“Tch, credit stealing asshole,” the criminal mumbles. We both ignore him

“Yeah, sure! I was just on a morning run, saw him come out of a store and the cashier called for a hero. There wasn’t one on the street, so I engaged him. He’s all yours.” I say, releasing blackwhip. 

“Right, I’ll let the cops know. Can I get your name?” He asks. He’s clearly a rookie, based on his reaction, incredibly dry costume and youthful appearance. I hesitate. Having my name in police files on day 3 here isn’t a good impression and I really want to leave my ‘problem child’ days behind me.

“For legal reasons… no. No, I- I can’t give you my name. Tell them to contact principal Nedzu if they need anything more from me.” I respond, and start to make my leave, continuing my run in a loop back to my apartment.

~

“I like my old style,” I mutter to myself, hunched over my A5 sketch book. I’ve just finished redrawing my favourite version of my hero costume. “But I can’t keep it. I like the points on the hood, I want to keep that tribute to AllMight, and the element of Gran Torino’s cape. Maybe I can incorporate them in a way that wouldn’t be picked up by other people? People always say they look like ears, what if I…” I trail off as I start a new sketch on the next page, outlining ears that look kind of like AllMights hair. I add in the eye shape of my mask, because I like how intimidating it looks, and intimidation is one of my design goals. “I need to guard my face, but I don't wanna do a simple oval shape, maybe if I..” I draw in the cheekbones, and solidify the shape of the mask. “Oh jeez.” I say out loud, thumping my forehead on my desk. 

At school this early, no-ones in the classroom yet. I figured I would take the opportunity to work on my new hero costume.

“It looks like a kangaroo.” I drawl, adding in an angular nose at the base of the mask. “They do have a kick based fighting style,” I mutter, raising my eyebrows briefly in consideration, “maybe add a cape? Like Mirio…”

The door bangs open, and I jolt up to see who's joining me. Aizawa and Mic stand in the doorway.

“You’re early!” Mic calls out to me with an energetic beam, coming into the room and putting his stuff at his desk in front of me.  He comes over, resting his elbows on the edge of my desk. “Whatcha up to?” He asks, grinning.

Meanwhile, Aizawa just silently lurks to the seat on the other side of him and promptly falls asleep. Mood. 

“I’m just redesigning my hero costume,” I reply simply, turning back to my page to finish penciling in the cape.

“What! Why? Your old one looked so cool, yo!”

I freeze up, pencil half way done with the cape collar. “Uhm…” I can't tell the truth. C’mon Izuku, think of something! “My old costume…” I start, not yet knowing how I'll continue until an answer comes out of my mouth. “It was tied to my past, I guess. It was built off of a reputation that followed me from middle school. I- I couldn’t shake it, the name or the identity, so I… I sort of embraced it? But, now I’m really starting fresh, and I’m not the same person I was before, so, I don’t know. It’s time to change, I guess. I’m not some worthless Deku anymore, and I’m…” I pause, feeling my brows furrow and this sudden epiphany. “I’m not the ‘You Can Do It’ kind of Deku, either.” I finish.

Mic doesn’t say anything to that, just looks at me with comprehension. 

“Sorry!” I jolt sheepishly, “That probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to you.” 

“Nah, man. That’s your truth, I really appreciate you telling me.” He smiles gently. 

The next student walks in, and Mic turns to greet them with a cheerful good morning and small talk.

“So-” I sniffle, “That scene just really got to me. I’m sorry, it’s not your problem- I just- I’m probably just being a crybaby again.” I stumble out as I wipe my eyes with the tissue he gave me. His hand is rubbing soothing circles into my back. His palm, warm, steady and slow, comforting in a way no teacher has ever been to me before.

“Hey, little listener, It’s ok! That's your truth, and I really appreciate you telling me, yo. I’ve never heard that scene interpreted like that, and I think that the impact it had on you was really powerful.” He says, and I look over at him with blurry vision, nodding before blowing my nose. He laughs at that, and I find myself giggling wetly with him “You should never have had to go through all of that, Midoriya. You are very brave, and very strong, even when you shouldn't have to be. All the staff here want to support you, ya dig? So try not to feel so bad when you need to reach out, yeah?” 

He passes me another tissue, and I wipe my eyes with it before nodding. 

“Thank you, Mic sensei.” 

He smiles so fondly I think for a second that he’s tearing up too. 

“No problem…little listener.”

~

The hallways are crowded and busy as all the students head to their usual lunch spots. Aizawa holds onto my wrist and walks almost shoulder to shoulder with me in order to not lose me on the way. I can smell his cologne from this close, and his shampoo. I can see the beginnings of his to-be scraggly stubble on the sides of his cheeks. His brows are furrowed in focus and tired irritation as he struggles to navigate us through the crowd as we head to the library. 

I know the way, but I let him take the lead almost helplessly because I can not get over how ridiculously cute he is, and I’m glad he’s too focused looking ahead to look at me because I can feel the way my scar tingles and the way my freckles stand out against my reddening cheeks. 

His grip on my wrist is a little painful, and I wish he would just grab my hand instead because the pressure would alleviate some of the chronic pain and his hands are really warm. It would be logical. 

Oh my AllMight, Izuku. He is your teacher.

We got let out a little early from fourth period to go and get my textbooks, because I'll need them next class. There's usually a rush after students finish eating their lunch, so it’s more convenient to go to the library first and get lunch after.

As we finally arrive he takes a moment to lean against the wall next to the door, sighing heavily and still holding my wrist. I take the moment to try and clear my blush.

Honestly, Izuku, you’re being ridiculous.

“Thank you for bringing me. I know you're my student buddy but, I could have found it on my own.” I say quietly after a moment. 

He just looks at me with a deadpan and lets go of my wrist gently, fingertips brushing across the back of my palm. His grip had loosened once we escaped the hall, but he hadn’t let go. He walks over to the desk and I follow, walking beside him silently. When the librarian greets us, Aizawa looks at me expectantly.

“Uhm… I’m the transfer student?” I say to the librarian, who tilts her head slightly at the introduction, brows lightly furrowed. “Izuku Midoriya.” I offer and she nods. “I’m here to-, well, uhm, I need to collect my textbooks?” I ask, sheepishly. 

“They’re over here. Come with me,” She sighs as she gets up from her desk and starts to walk off. 

“I’ll be here.” Aizawa assures me as I move to follow her. 

I nod at him with a friendly smile before I look back to continue after her.

~

“OMG, you guys took FOREVER.” Mrs Midnight groans as we approach the table and sit down next to Mic, facing Midnight and the blue haired guy I’m yet to know the name of.

“First of all; Hey Midoriya! Welcome to the class, sweetheart, I hope you’re feeling better after yesterday. I’m so sorry that we overwhelmed you, but we’re quite frankly incapable of toning it down, so you're gonna have to get used to it or sit somewhere else.” She says quickly, and I don’t even have time to choke back down the cocktail of emotions rising up my throat before she continues. 

“I’m Kayama Nemuri! This is Shirokumo Oboro.” She puts her hand out to gesture to the blue haired guy, who smiles and squeezes in a ‘hi, how are ya’ as she points across to my side of the table, “And you already know Hizashi Yamada and Shota Aizawa.” Present Mic leans over and smiles at me, has he always had dimples?

I feel like I’m meant to say something back but my brain is still reeling from her friendly and joking introduction. I just reply dumbly with “I’m… Izuku Midoriya?” 

“Are you sure?” Asks Oboro with a lopsided grin. 

I'm quickly coming to realise that aside from Aizawa, I’m surrounded by outgoing and boisterous extraverts and I'm not sure I have the emotional energy for this type of crowd. Especially considering Midnight is dead and I remember hearing about Oboro because he is also dead and he becomes Kurogiri and I don’t know how it happens or if I can stop it but I can't because it's already happened and oh jeez choke back the cocktail, Izuku, keep it down.

I’m quite literally yanked out of my thoughts as I’m pulled down the aisle, tripping over my own feet. I find that I can’t feel my hands but can see that I’m being pulled until I’m settled into the very back corner 2 seat table. Looking into Aizawa’s concerned eyes with my face in his palms and his thumbs stroking my cheeks gently, I realise I’m hyperventilating and having another little panic again, which is fine. 

“Easy, it’s just you and me, ok? Deep breaths.” He assures calmly, and I comply.

My breathing quickly slows down as the panic wears off, closing my eyes, and I can't help the way I lean into his gentle palms. When I calm down with a final deep breath and open my eyes, I jolt out of his hands, which he retracts quickly and sits across from me. 

“I’m so sorry, they usually don’t happen this much-” I start, rubbing at my cheeks and eyes.

“You’re going through a big change” he cuts me off. “You’re feeling more sensitive-” 

“It’s not that!” I interrupt. I don’t want him getting the wrong idea. “Well. It- It’s complicated. I- I just-” I take another deep breath, frustrated, wiping at my eyes. I don't continue. I don’t know how. I just don’t want him pitying me, or- or thinking that I'm delicate and helpless. 

He doesn’t continue either. He just looks at me, studying and observing. I sit under that heavy gaze helplessly as it lowers my defenses layer by layer and I think ‘how much can I tell him without giving myself away’? I don’t come up with an answer before he speaks again, 

“Do you like cats?” He asks me. I look at him confused before realising he’s changing the subject.

I tilt my head a little as I process that he’s giving me an out, an alternative conversation, away from whatever triggered me. “Uhm…yeah!” I reply, brightening up a little with a huff. 

“Nemuri keeps trying to convince me that I should get some cat themed hero gear because I love cats, but Mic keeps telling me not to because it’s stupid. I argue that he’s the one who came up with my hero name, which is also stupid. He argues that it isn’t.”

“I like your hero name.” I say gently, smiling at my lap. 

He pauses and looks at me incredulously for a second, which combines with his everpresent tired expression in a way that makes me laugh. He rolls his eyes with a huff.

“Regardless, if he gets to influence my name then Nem should get to help make decisions about my costume.” He finishes his vent, leaning against the chair back and folding his arms, looking away. He nods at someone, then squints and rolls his eyes before looking back at me. He doesn’t say anything for a long moment, eyes roaming the cafeteria and the wall.

“Lunch is almost over.” He says, finally looking at me again with a carefully level expression.

“Oh! Right, you- we should probably go and eat.” 

“We can eat here and I can grab our trays.”

“No, no it’s fine I can go back,”

“Nem wasn’t kidding. They really are incapable of toning it down.” He reminds me, and his eyes are conveying more to the message. 

His eyes. 

His head smashed into the ground by the force of the Nomu’s fist, fighting to keep his eyes open to save Tsu-

You really have always been so eager to save everyone. We have that in common, Aizawa.

I stand up, and smile at him, holding his gaze. “Wouldn’t make much of a difference.” 

“All right then.” he agrees, getting up and walking back with me to the table.

When we arrive they don’t say anything, looking guilty and sheepish. It’s Nemuri who starts speaking first after Aizawa and I take our seats back and continue eating.

“... Did we do something? What can we do to help make that not happen?” She asks gently.

“Yeah, we’re a lively gang, but we don’t want to make you freak out like that, ya dig?”

I finish chewing before I respond, “Thanks, guys. But it’s really fine!” I say, wringing my hands, feeling the chronic pain acting up again. “I… I went through a lot last year. I can’t really get into it with you guys because of, like, confidentiality stuff, but-” I take a deep breath, massaging the middle phalange of my ring finger on my left hand. “... It was really bad. And those just- They happen sometimes. These- uhm- these circumstances happen to be a bit more triggering for me, but I’ll get used to it! There’s nothing you can- Uhm- ‘toning it down’ wouldn't make much of a difference. It’s fine!” I explain, wincing at the spike of pain in my fingers from making air quotes.

“...Do you need to go to the nurse?” Oboro asks me worriedly, looking at my hands. 

I pause in surprise. Glancing at my hands, then examining their faces. I realise they’re all really concerned.

“...Yes please,” I sigh, deflating a little. “I could use a heat pack or something.” I reply, and he gets up to lead the way.

Chapter Text

Holy Mother of Cats, that is the cutest boy I have ever seen in my life.

I was looking out the window because maths is boring and the teacher went off on a tangent about his pet dog when this boy walked past the class talking excitedly to someone out of view. He makes eye contact with me and waves sheepishly with this awkward little smile and my heart pangs and my cheeks flush and oh my god am I having a heart attack? 

He has shaggy green hair that looks as soft as a Selkirk Rex, peaking past his hairline is the tip of a scar. Another one running up the side of his face, over his cheek and slimming to a jagged point half an inch below his eye. And his eyes- the brightest doe green eyes you could imagine, full of this excitement and wonder and sheepishness.

I snap my attention back to the front. I don’t have time for random cute boys I'll probably never see again. Out of the corner of my eye I see Mic giving me the cheekiest and most mischievous knowing look I have ever seen in my life. I’m already praying to the gods for mercy, but when have they ever favoured me?

~

“Would you shut up, Mic?” I ask, irritated. Sitting at the lunch table with these idiots is usually tolerable. Mic, however, is insisting that I've fallen helplessly in love and roped in Kayama and Shirokumo into planning some elaborate and illogical scheme to get him to notice me. Rumor has it that he’s a transfer student, and that our class will be watching his entrance exam during hero studies this afternoon.

“Oh, but Shota!” He exclaims dramatically, “When will you ever find true love like this again? It can’t be certain! We must seize this opportunity to prevent your eternal loneliness."

“If this is what company looks like I prefer solitude.” I grumble. “He’s probably some spoiled nepo baby if he’s getting to transfer in the middle of second year.” I say, but the claim doesn’t sit right with me.

The image of his awkward smile through the window flashes in my mind, and I sink my head into my crossed forearms on the table. Zoning out of the rest of their stupid conversation and claims of pessimism to take a nap before fifth period.

~

Ok, maybe he is some sort of spoiled nepo baby. There’s no way he isn't with a power like that.

He pushes off a building and takes out 4 robots at once, using a combination of his superstrength and his black tentacle quirk to move precisely and intricately in his attack. He pauses for just a second, panting and searching his surroundings, and for the first time in the exam we get a good look at his expression. 

His mouth is open as he breathes quickly and heavily, upper lip pulled to bare his teeth and nostrils flared, eyes wide and wild and focused, too serious, too panicked and angry. 

My brows furrow in concerned consideration.

From what principal Nedzu said, the exam is really just a formality. He has long exceeded the entry requirement anyway. He continues to get stronger and stronger in his attacks, getting more and more elaborate and creative. At one point someone calls him a showoff. 

“This is an exam.” I interject. “He needs to demonstrate his skill level and ability to give Principal Nedzu and Rework Sensei a foundational understanding of who they’re teaching.” 

“It’s only logical.” One of them mutters mockingly. A few others snicker. I roll my eyes

“He’s defending him because he wants to get in his pants.” comments Shirokumo. The entire class laughs as I whip around and cancel his quirk, face burning with eyes wide and angry. They stop laughing. 

“It is logical, he’s saving time.” 

“Time is up. Let's go greet our newest classmate.” Rework sensei calls, leading us out of the observation room and to the examination grounds. 

When we get there they all get rowdy and loud. I hang at the back, half apprehensive to actually meet him, and half apprehensive to get too close to our classmates. 

When I get there, I feel a blush creep up my cheeks. 

Damnit, why couldn’t he have been a condescending jerk?

Nepo baby or not, he received all the praise with humbleness and genuine gratitude. He’s not a snobbish jerk or a condescending asswipe with a superiority complex, even despite his insane amount of power. He’s shy and receptive, face red from exertion as he looks down to smile with a quiet proudness at himself.

Then, one of the students clasps his shoulder and he goes from sheepish appreciation to being mentally absent, staring off into space with this not all there look. His expression fluctuates between melancholy, optimistic and bitterness before you can say ‘paws’, but it’s over as fast as it started.

Mic’s compliment seems to drag him back into the moment in the blink of an eye. I don’t think anyone even noticed, and if they did they’re too excited to be phased. 

He looks like he’s on high alert all of the sudden, as if wherever in his head he’s just come back from has left him tense. I look away from him quickly in embarrassment, not wanting to get caught staring. His cheeks flush again as he looks over our group quickly, then double takes.

“Present Mic?” He asks, and I snap my head to look at him. He knows Mic?

 His face is dropping slowly, drawing into an unreadable expression before his eyes flick over the rest of us again. Panic colours his face now, and he’s starting to hyperventilate as ‘Zashi starts shaking me yelling about how the cool new kid knows him, but I don't take my eyes away from the panicking boy, quickly shoving Mic off and taking a small step towards him.

“Hey, are you alright?” I ask, trying to be as gentle as possible, hoping to get him out of his head a little, but he just widens his eyes and gasps as his eyes start to well with tears and he takes a clumsy step back.

Rework sensei realises as well as I do what's happening.

“Students, step back, give him some space.” he orders, physically moving some of them back as he starts to shake a little.

“Excuse me,” he squeaks out, before bolting out of the grounds, tiny sparks of green lightning coming off of him.

All of us look after him, shocked still. Something happened. Something related to Mic happened that this guy was so shaken by it launched him into a fully fledged panic attack in less than 30 seconds. What on earth could have happened? A battle from Mics work study? 

“Was it something I said?” asks Mic guiltily. 

Doesn’t help if you're clueless, too.

Rework starts to direct us into our own training, urging us to continue as normal, but the mood is damp with questions of blame and cause.

~

“I think Aizawa should talk to him.” Suggests Shirokumo. 

We’re in the changing rooms, and discussion of what we should do about the new kid has continued. 

“For one, he totally has the hots for him, and for two, Aizawa was the one to notice something was wrong in the first place. He could probably tell what upset him and is keeping it to himself out of logic or something.” He continues, and I feel eyes turn to me.

“Respect.” I reply sharply, then finish pulling my pants on while considering. “... Fine. Only because you're all so hopeless that you would stuff up and make him feel worse somehow.” I grumble as I pull my singlet on.

~

“So what's your plan?” Mic asks as we wait for him to come out of the school.

“The plan is to talk to him, and make sure he feels welcomed and supported in the class. I know what I’m doing. I need you to make sure that none of the others try and pry into what happened first thing when he starts. New schools are like clean slates, as heroes and classmates, it’s best for us to make sure he feels like he starts off on the right foot.”

“Right, right.” Mic nods tactlessly. “So you’re not going to ask for his number?” He asks. Before I can respond he cuts me off, “Oh! Here he comes, good luck!” 

He gives me an obnoxious thumbs up as he makes his leave, and I glare at him before looking over to where the new kid is walking down the path with an older man I've never seen before. They exchange a few words that I don't catch, and then they start slowing to a stop.

“Hey.” I call gently. Keep it casual.

He lets out a short breathy laugh, looking at me in confusion and nervousness “Hi…?” He replies, turning to look at his company and shrugging slightly. 

He doesn’t seem embarrassed. Either he’s not shy about having a sudden supposedly unprompted panic attack or he doesn’t realise how worrying his behaviour earlier was. Either way, I need to let him know we don’t judge him for it.

“I’ll meet you at the car?” The man offers, seeming to think we need privacy. I give him a subtle appreciative nod while the new kid isn't looking.

Midoriya agrees and waits for the other to walk off before turning back to me. “What’s up?” 

I don’t answer immediately, leaning against the wall on the edge of the sidewalk and putting my hands in my pockets with careful relaxation. I let myself watch him for a moment, taking him in. 

Observing the way his eyes flick around nervously, catching the afternoon sun and lightening to a shade of glowing light green. The way his middle finger scrapes at the skin on the side of his scarred thumb, skin fraying from the old habit. The way his weight shifts slightly from side to side in his bright red shoes. The way the wind blows from behind him and ruffles his hair slightly, and the way that the sun brushes his features with its sunflower hue.

Damnit. He really is cute.

I nod at the wall next to me, inviting him to join me. As he settles next to me I cast my eyes away and gently chew the inside of my lower lip as I absently notice his shoe size is bigger than mine.

“When do you start?” I ask. It’s an easy conversation starter, keep it casual.

“Oh!” He stammers in surprise, but immediately relaxes his shoulders, putting his hands in his pockets and looking ahead. His eyebrows pull in and up, a small smile quirks at the corner of his mouth as he responds. “Uhm, tomorrow actually! Pretty exciting, I’m looking forward to learning beside all of you.” 

So genuine. I take a moment to mull that information over in my head. Starting tomorrow feels rushed. Why the hurry for him to continue.

“That’s pretty soon.” I reply, giving him an opening to expand if he wants. He just nods silently, still looking out toward the trees and grass beyond the other side of the street with a look of peaceful contemplation. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. His expression twinges for a moment into a sadness that's gone too quick for me to dissect.

“You miss your friends.” I start. It’s a fair conclusion to come to as an observer, excusable to simplify the clear deep rooted distress and battle-earned panic into something more basic and relatable. It also probably isn’t a wrong conclusion either. He turns to look at me, waiting for an explanation with a look of mild worry and confusion. I refuse to look at him any longer because he looks as cute as a cartoon lamb and I can’t keep it casual if I'm dying internally of cute-ness aggression.

Instead, I shrug. “Missing your friends is only logical when moving. No one judges you for running off like that. I know better than anyone that the they can be-” I cut myself off with a grimace, “overwhelming.” 

He laughs at that. A light and real sound. Natural and earthy, and I feel like the grinch at the end of the movie when his heart grows in size. 

“Yeah, my old classmates could get pretty intense too. I was at boarding school, so you rarely had a moment of real privacy.” He replied. turning to look back ahead. I stare at him, doing my best to conceal the awe flooding my chest. 

It’s honest and unhidden, how easily he’s letting me into a part of his life, and it’s so simple. It’s nothing really. But the gentle and reminiscent air about him as he takes in the view and the breeze and the sun makes my heart fill with something unfamiliar. 

“Well, you can sit with us during recess tomorrow. Mic really likes you already.” I blurt out, almost tripping over my own tongue in an attempt to change the subject.

Glancing at my watch, I realise Mic has been waiting for a while.

“I better get going. Do you…”  I start, but my voice cracks and I pause, clearing my throat a bit before retrying. “Walk to the gate with me?” I ask, trying to keep it casual. 

He smiles at me fondly, and my chest warms again with that new funny feeling. “I’d love the company.” He responds, pushing off the wall. We walk together side by side. 

Ok, you’re doing great so far Shota. Keep it light, what's some easy small talk?

“Your dad?” I ask, nodding my chin forward down the path to make the message clear.

“Oh! Uhm, no he’s my, uh…” He stutters. Your such a fuck up, he was calm for like 2 seconds. “He’s helping me move and get settled in and stuff.”

I don’t respond, I don’t want to cause any more tension for him. After we say our goodbyes I walk up the path to meet Mic.

“So did you get his name?” 

God fucking damnit.

Chapter Text

“You’re both late! The whole class stays an extra 10 minutes to catch up on the lost time. You’ll do well to learn quickly that I treat this class as a team, Young Midoriya. As for you, Oboro. You know better than to be late to class by now.”

Rework Sensei is stern. He reminds me a little of Aizawa Sensei, but the teaching style feels different. Aizawa would have just started without us and if we didn't have a good reason to be late we would be expelled. ‘If you don’t care enough to show up on time, then you don’t deserve to be here.’

As he finishes his scolding, he crosses his arms over his chest and huffs. Oboro doesn't seem disheartened at all, even as the whole class glares daggers from where they hold their planks. 

“Sorry sir! Midoriya needed to go to the nurse and pick up his sports uniform, and you know that they’re on different sides of the school.”

“The nurses office?” He raises a brow and clicks at the beeper in his right hand. The whole class flops over, releasing their plank positions. “How have you already gotten hurt?” He grumbles at me, questioningly.

“It’s not- It’s not a fresh injury, Sir. I have chronic pain in my hands from, uhm, from breaking them quite badly last year. Multiple times. Oboro, uh, he offered to help me get a heat pack-” I start to explain sheepishly. Trying to keep my voice down out of slight embarrassment. However, Rework sensei cuts me off.

“If you’ve already been so reckless as to damage your body in training,” He interrupts loudly, calling the attention of the class. “Then maybe you don’t have a place at this school. I don’t know why the rat favours you, but don’t think his kindness extends through me.” He glares down his nose at me, the whole class letting out ‘ooh’s and snickers at my expense. He turns from me to gather the class to explain today's exercise.

Something about the look in his eyes and his tone lights a flame of anger in me. I take a deep breath in an effort not to scowl at him, and dissect the feeling (gotta love therapy). It’s frustration, and a feeling of hurt and belittlement.

 I hurt my hands helping people. In battle against villains. Protecting people, protecting myself. It’s not fair that he jumped to a wrong conclusion and was brash to me. 

So how do I stop feeling like this? Rationalise. He has no idea what I went through. Considering my close relationship with Nedzu, it’s fair to assume that it was his favour and kindness that got me here, but it wasn’t. 

It was part of our business and legal discussion. He told me that I’m considered a student from a school that is parallel to or an alternate version of UA. Therefore, in face of misplacement, I am welcome to take the entrance exam for any course at a customised level depending on grade, age and experience. I’m here because I already attended UA in the future. Which Rework Sensei doesn’t know. 

I take another deep breath and tune in as he starts describing the mission, feeling better.

“Today, for half of you, will be a patrol simulation. For the rest of you, it will be a mission simulation, except you will be acting as Villains. Heroes will receive patrol routes and depending on your area some information about ‘Villains’ who are often active there. Villains will receive their mission details and, again, depending on the area, information about what heroes will be on patrol. All heroes will be working in pairs, Villains will be working in groups of up to four. Are we clear?”

A chorus of ‘Yes, Sensei’s throughout the class.

“Right then. I will call out the hero pairs. When your name is called, come to me to collect your folder. Head to the ‘Agency’ in Ground Beta to review your assignments.” He starts reading out different Hero names. Not many I recognise, but Present Mic and Midnight are called as a pair. They seem excited to work together, grinning at each other as they collect their folder.

He moves on to the villains, more names I don’t recognise. Oboro gets called to work in a group of three. 

The other guy in the group is tall and muscular, he wears a tight dark blue costume with pale yellow stripes down the front that wrap around his neck and calves. 

The girl with him is short. Leather jacket and denim pants like Kaminari’s costume, with bright yellow hair- you know what, that might actually be Kaminari's mom.

“Aizawa and Midoriya are in a pair.” He calls, and he stresses my name like it tastes bad in his mouth. Despite how this causes my anger to flare a little, I decide that I appreciate him putting me in a group with Aizawa, being the only other person in the class I’ve really interacted with. 

Aizawa and I meet Rework Sensei simultaneously. He takes the folder and we walk off to an unclaimed space to examine our mission.

“So Mic and Nem will probably be the ones we’re going up against. That’s not too bad.” Aizawa tells me as we scour through the folder contents.

“They’ll probably split up so that Midnight can use her quirk without inhibiting her teammate, and same for Mic. It’s a rough pairing, frankly. A quirk that needs air and a quirk that contaminates it.” I mutter, but he nods in agreement at my analysis. Probably not new information to him, but I've never had to fight them. “How long can you hold your breath for?” I ask more pointedly. “While fighting.” I add after a beat

“Uhm, about 30 seconds probably, why?” He asks with a deadpan.

“You should fight Mic then. You can cancel his quirk and engage him in combat. I’m not sure how advanced his fighting ability is, or how good you are with fighting but I assume you're pretty good because you need to rely on combat without an offensive quirk- sorry I’m digressing.” I pause, getting back to the point. “I’ll fight Midnight because I can hold my breath pretty well and fight from a distance if I need to- though that can get pretty destructive. But we’re villains, so who cares?” I finish.

“You’re pretty smart, thinking like that.” He says, and my mood sours a bit at his sarcasm.

“I’m not assuming you don’t know this stuff.” I snap. “I just- I have a muttering problem. I’m working on it.” I say frustratedly. Glaring past him. “I don’t think you’re stupid or that I’m better than you or whatever everyone keeps thinking about me, so don’t-” I look at him and pause. His face is drawn in confusion, offense, and concern. I realise that my voice is raising and cut myself off to take a deep breath. 

“I wasn’t trying to insult you.” He says. “We’re meant to be working together, it would be illogical of me to detriment our relationship and therefore teamwork skills.” He explains gently, keeping a level head. Always so logical. I look at him harder.

“Sorry, I… I thought you were being sarcastic.” I apologize and look back down to the folder. “Anyway, the details here-”

“Is this about what Sensei said earlier?” He interjects, and I flash my head back toward him. 

“I- well, yeah… yeah I guess.” I sigh, and furrow my brows. I find myself venting before I can stop myself. “I’m not here because Nedzu likes me. Because of my situation and my history, the school is obligated to let me take the entrance exam if I want to, and obviously I want to. My life has completely turned on its head, once again, but that’s hardly ever stopped me from pursuing heroics. It was above Nedzu’s authority. Even if he didn’t like me I would still get a chance.” l explain, exasperated. “I worked so hard to get to where I am. I went through so much because of things outside of my control, and to have everything wrong with my body chalked up to injuries from training? It hurts. It’s not- It’s not really fair for him to just assume like that, and then belittle and humiliate me in front of the whole class. Does he think I’m weak because of yesterday?” 

“Hey, it’s ok,” he gently puts his hand on my bicep, over my burn scar from the sports festiva, hidden by the sleeve of the UA sports uniform. The warmth of his palm grounds me, and the little squeeze of comfort shoots little sparks of pink electricity up my arm. My cheeks heat a little at the contact. “Rework Sensei is hard on you because he wants to toughen you up. I’m pretty sure he made that assumption on purpose because everything you do as a Daylight Hero will be taken out of context and twisted if the media gets the opportunity.” He explains.

Somehow Aizawa has found a way to always make me lose control of my tongue. 

“I don’t need to be tough right now. I need to be safe, so that I can learn. That's the whole point of UA!” I reply, my eyes welling up with tears. God, today has been too much. “I’m not even going to be a Daylight Hero. I’m going Underground, I literally can’t let people know my civilian identity as a hero, for like, legal reasons or something.” I say with a breathy, wet laugh. I probably shouldn't have said that last part. I wipe away my unfallen tears and take a deep breath again. 

Aizawa looks surprised at the premise, but decides to focus on a different issue than my future in heroics.

“I genuinely think your analysis was pretty smart. I have no idea how you know so much about our quirks, but your reasoning is logical. I wish some of these idiots had the same sense to think more about what others will do in different pairings, instead of focusing on their weaknesses and strengths as individual opponents.” Aizawa reassures me.

“Mic and Nemuri like to work around the air contamination thing by using the air force from Mic's quirk to project Nemuri's sleep mist directly at their opponents while she stands behind him.” Aizawa continues, bringing us back to strategizing.

“Not very practical or flexible against opponents like us who are pretty mobile.” I reply, feeling better now having talked some of the stuff in my brain out. After everything with Aizawa the past 2 days, it feels like he’s a completely different person.

“Exactly. It is better for us if they split up, but we have no way to ensure that they even do that.” Aizawa starts to explain as our conversation flows back towards the mission at hand. 

He is a different person, I think, because he is not yet the person you used to know.

Chapter Text

We settle on the carpeted grey flooring of the Agency Control Room gently and quietly. After scaling the side of the building, we were able to get in undetected through the ventilation system. 

The blueprints and directions given to us in our folder detailed the layout of the agency and the location of the objective. Our mission is to steal intel files from a desk inside the hero agency and get out of ground beta without being noticed, or at the very least without getting caught.

We also know that the only people still manning the agency and not on patrol throughout the simulated city are Mic and Midnight. 

Aizawa says they're probably thinking that their job is a piece of cake. Good, it means that they won't be paying attention as hard.

“No alarms. Yet.” Aizawa whispers to me. 

I nod at him, but then realise he probably can't see that inside the pitch black room. He turns the  lights on and we blink at the sudden brightness. 

We’ve discussed the plan extensively to minimize communication and work as fluently as possible. Aizawa goes to the desk with the surveillance system and boots up the monitors so we can loop the feed of the cameras that will catch our movement as we sneak to the 5th floor to get our prize.

Meanwhile, I stand at the door, listening for any movement and tuning in to Dangersense. 

After a moment, Aizawa finishes and joins me at the door. We exit the security room quietly, and start making our way down the hall to the staircase. 

After each floor descended we listen in through the doors to try and detect where the Heroes on site are, we don’t hear them by the time we get down to the fifth floor.

“They’re probably doing patrols throughout the building, working their way up and down. We should be careful.” Aizawa whispers lowly to me. 

I give him a sharp, single nod. 

He opens the door, and checks the hallway quickly. There aren’t many hiding places if the Heroes do come up to this floor while we’re here. We don’t know which doors are locked and which aren’t.  

The coast is clear, so we check which rooms we might be able to use as cover on the way, only to find all of them locked except a tall empty supply closet. Just as we go to close it, we hear the elevator ding from around the corner.

Aizawa steps into the closet and I squeeze in after him, closing the door behind me with Blackwhip as quietly and quickly as possible. We have to stand in front of each other to fit in the narrow space, and we’ve ended up facing each other.

It’s a tight fit. 

A really tight fit. 

Because of how much muscle I’ve gained to accommodate One For All, this space is struggling to accommodate me. In order to not push the magnetic clasp holding the door closed open, I have to press my hips forward and into Aizawa so that my cursèd ass doesn’t press the door open. I feel myself flush with embarrassment and I under no possible means can make eye contact with Aizawa.

Scratch that. I can’t even face him, our faces would be inches apart if I did. We just met yesterday, and now I’m- AllMight save me- pinning him to the wall in a freaking supply closet.

I think I’m going to implode. Or pass out. Hopefully both.

My arms have literally no where to go, there isn't enough width for me to keep them by my sides so I have to put them forward and at some point as I was forcing myself into this microscopic space, I put my hands on Aizawa and now I can’t move them pleasekillmenowimreadytodie.

He’s warm, his waist small and lean under my shaking palms, firm, and I can feel his controlled, slow breaths move through him. It reminds me to try and control mine. 

We’re flush and pressed hard against each other from the chest down to our thighs, which slot in between each other slightly. I can barely hear anything over the blood rushing through my ears. How long have we been here? Seconds? Minutes? I can’t tell anymore. 

Focus on the mission.

I tune back into my hearing, forcing my senses past the rushing blood. The footsteps are fading in the opposite direction, so Mic and Midnight are checking down the other end of the hall first, nice and far from this precarious hiding spot.

I turn my head forward and lean in next to Aizawa's face so my mouth is right next to his ear and I whisper as quietly as I can.

 “They went the other way. We should wait until they go to the next floor.” 

Aizawa gasps a little as I speak, chest pressing against mine and waist sucking in under my palms. I flinch at the response, feeling guilty, and then hating myself for the subconscious gentle squeeze I give him as an act of comfort.  

“Sorry.” I whisper, grimacing. 

He takes a raggedy breath in and I feel him press himself into the wall harder to alleviate the pressure between us. 

“It-it’s fine.” He replies, his hot breath warming the skin where my neck meets my shoulders. I do my best to ignore the sensation, nodding gently and leaning forward more to press my head against the cool silver metal of the cabinet wall, gaining balance and trying to clear my mind.

It doesn’t help much. All we can do right now is wait. I find that as much as I’m trying I can't escape the intimacy of the moment. 

The smell of him works itself into my senses. Coffee and wood. It’s nice. Calming. I find I don’t mind breathing it in. Underneath it I can smell a bit of catnip, and I huff a quiet laugh as Midnight and Mic’s footsteps start to echo closer. I wonder if he keeps it on him to lure street cats, or if he has his own cat at home.

The picture of Aizawa playing with a cat and smiling softly passes through my head and I smile gently, letting out another little breath. He totally would. I feel myself relaxing a little, shoulders dropping and arms untensing. Aizawa seems to be relaxing more too, no longer forcing himself against the wall and leaning into my firmly forward pressing form just slightly. My hands slip a little down to Aizawa’s lower hips, but that feels ok, somehow, as we breathe slowly and quietly in gentle pulses. 

The stiff awkwardness from before has faded away, replaced by something more understanding and comfortable. Mic and Midnight wander closer and closer, enough for us to hear their casual conversation.

“Literally, like, he’s crazy cute. Even with the scar, I’m sure he’s gonna be crazy popular. He seems super sweet too. It's a real shame that Sho already dibsed him, otherwise I would totally go after him. He’s more decent than most of the other dimwits in our class, that's already clear.” Midnight rants. 

Is she talking about me? Why does everyone keep saying I’m cute? What does ‘dibsing’ someone even mean? Should I be weirded out that my future teacher just said she would ‘go after me’? 

“He really seems super chill, yo! And I’m really glad that the grump has finally found an interest in someone, even if it’s a Nepo Baby. And even as a Nepo, Midoriya seems super humble, and from the look of him, he clearly went through enough shit last year to deserve some ease in his life, y’know wha’I’m sayin’?” Mic responds as they pass us and reach the end of the hall, turning back around.

Does everyone think I’m a Nepo Baby? Are they right? I’m only here because AllMight gave me a chance. Is that the same thing? Do I deserve the opportunities that have been given to me?

“Oh totally. Those scars on his face look fresh, and the panic attacks he keeps having have me genuinely concerned. I feel so bad, yesterday, It kind of felt like I was the one that set him off. I don’t know what it was, but when he looked at me that second time, it’s like that was the moment shit started going down hill. And then earlier today, it was my fault again. I feel so bad. I know I already apologised, but maybe I should do something to help make him more comfortable around me?” Midnight vents as the elevator dings, and the doors open and close. Leaving us alone on the floor.

I didn’t mean to make you feel like these attacks were your fault. I’m sorry-

“We can get out of the cabinet now.” Aizawa says in a purposefully normal tone, interrupting my thoughts.

“Uh, right.” I respond, pressing back away from him and stumbling out of our hiding space as quietly as I can, despite the loud clang of the door releasing.

Aizawa steps out and closes the door. “Are you ok? That was pretty close.” He asks, not in a whisper but still keeping his voice down.

I just nod, head still swirling with everything that just happened. “Lets focus on the mission.” I say, suppressing all other thoughts.

We start moving down the hall again with light footsteps. Neither of us are surprised to find the door locked when we reach the room where the intel files are being kept. 

I crouch in front of the lock and release Blackwhip. I’ve never done it before, but we agreed earlier that if the door was locked I would try picking it with my quirk. I jam the end of a Blackwhip strand into the keyhole and fiddle it around, trying blindly to activate the mechanism. It’s three minutes until I finally manage to work the door open. 

“Nice work.” Aizawa says to me evenly, and walks in.

I flush a little at the compliment. How is he so casual? “Thanks.” I mumble, and follow after him, closing the door and locking it behind me from the inside. 

“Leave no trace, we’re only fully successful if it's like we were never there.” Aizawa says to me while we interpret the mission brief. I’m inclined to agree.

It doesn’t take long to find the Intel file, and before we know it, we’re unlocking the window and making our way back down the side of the building. Aizawa using his capture weapon to steadily descend himself with leverage from a pipe, and myself using Float and holding the file.

After we land safely on the ground, we delve deeper into the alleyway. The premise of the patrol is that anyone you see that isn’t a hero has to be assumed a civilian, unless you have valid reason to believe they are suspicious. (aside from attire, because everyone is in their hero costume. Except me. I really need to finish my costume design.) That means that me and Aizawa can easily come off as civilians.

I hand Aizawa the file, and he lifts his sweater shirt up, revealing a tight armored singlet clinging to the waist I had my hands on not even 10 minutes ago. He tucks the file into his waist band and lowers the hem of his shirt. Once secure, we make our way through the back door of another building, navigate our way out the other side, and, with little hiccups, exit ground beta. 

~

“So, what the fuck happened to you?” Asks the guy who was in Oboro’s group. He’s at the locker next to me, trying to make small talk as we get undressed.

I’m about to politely say that I'd rather not talk about it and it’s none of his business, but Oboro cuts in before I can.

“Leave him alone, Kaito.” He says in a tired warning. Oboro’s group ended up in a massive battle against 2 of the hero pairs. 4 vs 3, they were out numbered and out matched, and the conflict might have been avoided by a more lowkey plan rather than the boisterous stick up they initiated.

“What?” He says, feigning innocence. I don’t like to be quick to judge or anger, but I’m emotionally drained from another rollercoaster of a day and something in his tone is really pissing me off. “I’m just trying to get to know the guy.” 

“We’re all tired, man. Quit trying to start something.” Mic contributes. 

“Hey, fuck you guys, I didn’t fucking do anything. Dicks.” He grumbles and continues putting his shirt on. 

“Kaito has a point though. We should get to know Midoriya better, as a classmate and a hero. Have you had much experience on the field?” One of the other guys asked me. He’s short and thin, I think he has the ability to turn into a snake? 

A tired and sarcastic remark rises in my throat, but I choke it down. They already think you're a Nepo Baby, you don’t need them thinking you’re a mean person as well.

Deep breath, relax, be friendly. “I really appreciate that you guys want to get to know me, but it’s been a long day and I’m really tired, y’know, with moving and everything. So, uhm, please leave me alone today?” I ask tiredly.

“Oh, do you need help moving? We can help if you want.” Kaito asks.

“No, that’s fine, thank you.” I say, irritation rising a little.

“Are you sure? Many hands make light work, and then we can meet your parents and show them that you're in good hands here! You don’t want your parents to worry do you?” Kaito presses.

“Dude, seriously.” Mic warns.

Suddenly, I can’t move, can’t keep buttoning my shirt. Mom.

When am I going to see my mother again? If she knows that I get sent back in time she’ll never let me go to hero school. Does that mean I can’t see her again until after I get hit by this quirk? Is it going to be 15 years before I can see my mother again?

“Fucking damnit, Kaito.” 

“Hey, I didn’t fucking do anything man, what do you want from me?”

“I don’t know, maybe don’t pester a guy who literally just asked you to leave him alone for the day. What did you do? Completely fucking ignore his fucking boundaries, man. Not cool!” 

“It’s ok!” I yell, breaking myself out of my trance of grief. “I just, uhm. It’s going to be- uhm, I don’t have- I- um, I’m- I’m living alone. Right now.” I explain messily. Nice one, Deku. 

“What? Actually?” Asks the snake guy. “Why?”

“I can’t talk about it.” I reply quickly as I finish buttoning my shirt. 

“Why not?” He presses. 

“Oh my god, dude, drop it!” Mic yells, frustratedly. 

I leave the changing room in a hurry, and almost bump into Aizawa who stayed back to talk with Sensei about something. 

As I speed walk away, I hear him ask the room “What the hell did you idiots do?” In that scolding tone I know a little too well. I can’t bring myself to look, but I'll bet he had his quirk activated as well.

Chapter Text

Ding!

Shit. I get into the cabinet quickly, Midoriya following close behind. We’re out of sight in less than a second, no hesitation, just execution at lightning speed. Now all we can do is pray they didn’t hear us, and that they don’t check the cabinet. 

They won't, right? Logically, they won't think someone is hiding in the cabinet on this specific floor. It's too small and they don’t even think there's a mission to be protected. 

I’ve learned that Rework Sensei has a lesson he tries to teach each of us with every exercise. For me, this exercise is trying to teach me teamwork. It’s not my strong suit. \

Stealth is, however, and Midoriya is actually really nice to work with, despite the misunderstanding earlier. He’s intelligent, quick thinking, fully capable, and open minded, I couldn't ask for a better partner. 

Regardless of whether or not we succeed in our mission, the lesson to Mic and Nem is to always be on guard when acting as a hero. It’s our job to notice when there's sneaky drug deals in alleys, or when another person is threatening someone in the street. They wait for threats to make themselves big and obvious, but often threats are small, timid and polite, walking right next to you, or hiding in a cabinet. 

For Midoriya, it’s probably more a test of his abilities. We know he can fight big and put on a show -still can’t wrap my head around the fact he wants to go underground- but can he be subtle and quiet? Can he work in a team? Will he take missions like this seriously?

So far, yes, yes, and yes, if the way he’s desperately pressing up against me in this tiny as fuck closet to keep us hidden is any indication.

But let's not think about that. Not about the fact that I can tell that his scar is painfully fresh from this close to his face, or about the fact that his hips are pinning me to the wall with a steady and firm strength, or about the fact that his broad shoulders cover me entirely, or about the fact that his chest is almost the same height as my face as it rises and falls- 

We are not thinking about any of it. We are focusing on the mission. 

But then, I can’t really think at all when he leans in close and his warm breath brushes over my ear and his hair that really is as soft as cat fur is brushing over my face and I don’t even catch what he says because I’m too busy hating myself for the almost wanton gasp I let out what is wrong with me and then feeling every single fiber in my body pull taught in response to the squeeze he gives my hips. When did he even put his hands there, what the fuck?

“Sorry.” He grimaces, and this time I catch it, and for a second I’m a fool for the sound of him whispering.

Sorry about what? Are they coming for us? Are Mic and Nemuri about to find us like this? They would never let me live it down. No, their footsteps went the other way. Is that what he said earlier?

“It- It’s fine” I stutter out, managing to keep it a whisper even though the words desperately wanted to be a whine. 

It is fine. This is fine. Deep, slow, quiet breaths, Shota. We can handle this. 

We are going to make this work. 

God, with how tense I am, he probably thinks I’m uncomfortable. I stop pressing so hard against the wall, and even as I lean into him a little, he doesn’t budge an inch, and that does not affect me at all, that would be ridiculous.

We ease into a small intimate little peace as we wait for the Heroes to leave,  hearing their conversation as they patrol this side of the hallway. 

“Literally, like, he’s crazy cute. Even with the scar, I’m sure he’s gonna be crazy popular. He seems super sweet too. It's a real shame that Sho already dibsed him, otherwise I would totally go after him. He’s more decent than most of the other dimwits in our class, that's already clear.” Nemuri gossips. 

Is she seriously talking about Midoriya right now? While we’re in the fucking closet right next to them? Do the gods really hate me that much? 

Also I did not ‘dibs’ him. I didn't do anything to him. 

She’s right though, Midoriya is so much better than the assholes in our class.

Midoriya tenses. 

This is gonna be another trigger, isn’t it? How can I stop this? How can I help?

“He really seems super chill, yo! And I’m really glad that the grump has finally found an interest in someone, even if it’s a Nepo Baby. And even as a Nepo, Midoriya seems super humble, and from the look of him, he clearly went through enough shit last year to deserve some ease in his life, y’know wha’I’m sayin’?” Mic remarks. 

Midoriya clenches my hip hard and I don't think he realises. He pulls his head back and looks at me but not at me. He’s in his head, angry and confused. After what transpired before the exercise with Rework Sensei, hearing that probably doesn’t help with the internal inferiority complex he has going on.

“Oh totally. Those scars on his face look fresh,” are you kidding me? She isn’t bringing that up with him right here. This is a joke. “and the panic attacks he keeps having have me genuinely concerned. I feel so bad, yesterday, It kind of felt like I was the one that set him off. I don’t know what it was, but when he looked at me that second time, it’s like that was the moment shit started going down hill. And then earlier today, it was my fault again. I feel so bad. I know I already apologised, but maybe I should do something to help make him more comfortable around me?” Midnight muses as the elevator dings, and the doors open and close. Leaving us alone on the floor.

Oh, you should definitely try and make this up to him, Nemuri. Yikes.

“We can get out of the cabinet now.” I say after I'm sure the coast is clear. We should keep it professional, and keep moving. And maybe if I get him focused on something else he won't spiral. 

“Uh, right.” He responds, and stumbles out of the cabinet with an impressive amount of noise control. 

“Are you ok? That was pretty close.” I ask as I step out after him, giving him an out, an option to talk about it in a way that doesn’t expose anything. I’m not whispering, because obviously with how loud those idiots were talking this place is pretty soundproof if we couldn't hear them, but I still keep my voice down.

He only nods, looking dazed with the remnants of anger in him. “Lets focus on the mission.”

~

“Sensei, can we talk?” I ask as the class quickly trickles out of the debriefing room to the changing rooms.

He nods and leads me to sit at the desk in the front left of the room. He sits opposite me, sitting up straight. He’s relaxed but present, arms resting on the table in front.

“Whats the matter, is it Midoriya?”

“Yeah. I wanted to confront you about your behavior at the beginning of class today.”

He scoffs. “If he can't handle people being judgmental, then daylight hero work-”

“Would be a challenge, yes. He knows. And I don’t disagree. I think 100% he should be able to take criticism and hate and judgment, I think all heroes need that because villains will always talk down on us. But he shared with me more about his life before this school today, and I think you need to change your approach with him.”

“What do I need to know?” He resigns, leaning back forward in his chair so his diaphragm presses into the table gently.

See that's the great thing about Rework Sensei. He never immediately turns down an idea from students, he hears them out, and helps them with their communication and reasoning, helping improve the idea and accepting it or logically explaining why he refuses it. 

“Those injuries aren’t from training.” I start, because this needs to be addressed first so he can have a better understanding of Midoriya's experience. He tilts his head and his eyes widen slightly in surprise. “He said that much explicitly. He says he went through a lot last year because of ‘things outside his control’. He had another panic attack at lunch today, and he said that last year was ‘really bad’ and that these circumstances are ‘triggering’ for him, which is language used for trauma.” I use the quotation marks to show that I’m not paraphrasing, not to be critical of him. “This is evidence for my theory that those injuries were given to him in fights with threats, in real, life threatening situations where he may have had to protect not only himself but maybe even others.” I explain seriously.

Rework Sensei’s face falls at the idea. “He was still a first year, wasn’t he? It's only the beginning of the second. He wouldn't have even had his provisional license for very long.”

I nod regretfully, and then continue. “Ultimately, he said that he needs a safe learning space. We don’t know what he went through, and he mentioned that it was classified, which only supports my theory further. All we know is that he needs to know that he can trust you and come to you when he needs you, because clearly he needs the support.” 

Rework Sensei considers this for a moment, brows furrowing before responding. “I see. What triggered the attack at lunch? Was he overwhelmed?”

“I thought so at the start, but Nemuri said earlier that she feels like it's her that’s triggering it, and the logic adds up. He also said that us ‘toning it down’ wouldn't help, so it’s not logical that it's crowds or noise that is triggering him.”

“Interesting, I’ll speak with him tomorrow and see if he wants to tell me anything, and I'll apologise for my behaviour today and see if we can figure out the type of teaching he needs, what he wants to focus on, what his weak points are. Is there anything else?”

“You definitely need to apologise. You humiliated and belittled him in front of the whole class on his first day knowing that he is struggling mentally. That wasn’t the right move, despite a lack of genuine ill intention. 

“Also, people keep saying he’s a Nepo Baby, we heard Mic saying it and you implied yourself that Nedzu favours him. While he clearly does, Midoriya also told me that he isn't here because the rat gave him a chance. He’s mentioned that Nedzu was required to let him take the entrance exam.”

Rework sighs and leans back in his chair, scratching at his beard. “... This is probably the type of stuff they’ll tell me more about in the meeting I'm currently running late for.” he laughs lightly. “I’ve messed up a lot today. Thank you, Aizawa, you're a great student and a good friend. Only right thing I've done with that problem child so far is getting you to take care of him, I reckon. See you tomorrow.” He greets and rushes to his meeting.

~

“What the hell did you idiots do?” I scold, letting my hair float as my frustration sets my quirk off instinctively.

“Nothing!” Kaito replies with that mock innocence that makes me want to knock his teeth in and means that it was definitely not nothing. 

“Kaito was pushing him about his personal life.” Rochi replies, pulling his shirt on.

“You were too, Rochi!” Mic snarls from further into the room, obviously furious.

“Fucking snake, you suck!” Kaito swears.

“Enough! Midoriya does not need any shit from any of you dickheads. Leave him alone or I swear you will wake up bald, do you understand?” I threaten, eyes starting to dry.

“Jeez, put your boner away. You realise you just met yesterday, right? I thought it was lesbians that moved too fast.” Kaito teases, and he should know that he’s pushing it.

I wrap him with my capture scarf without warning and pull him out of the changing room. He’s still in his undies with his school pants around his ankles making him stumble and trip, clutching the opposite wall for support. Just in time, the girls exit their changing rooms in a pack, chatting tiredly about whatnot until they see Kaito. I rush into the changing room and lock the door.

“None of us are leaving this room until we are all dressed and ready to go. Got it?” I say, with as much menace and authority as I can muster. Outside we can hear the girls squealing and laughing, Akiko using her mud quirk to make him slip and scramble as he begs to be let back in. 

At least the girls understood the assignment. I smirk as I start to get ready to head home.