Chapter 1: Sour streets
Chapter Text
Izuku Midoriya, son of Inko and Hisashi Midoriya was only four when he realised men were not created equal. The path of a normal family was instantly cut off before it even started.
“Sorry kid it’s not gonna happen.” The doctor huffs, “Oh dear so you really think there’s something wrong with him then? Most of the other kindergarteners in his class have already begun to show signs.” Inko looked down at the shaking Izuku,
The doctor continued, “My records say that you’re a fourth generation quirk user. What powers do you and the father have?”
Inko ponders for a moment, “Nothing too special, I can float small objects towards me, and my husband breathes fire.They’re useful enough I suppose.”
“Izuku should have already manifested one of these quirks or a combination of both. But after viewing his X-rays I don’t think he’s going to.”
“Quirkless?” Inko repeated mouth agape, her hand absently rubbing circles on her sobbing son’s back, whose head was shoved into his infantile hands.
“Yes I’m afraid, although uncommon we see that your son here has the extra toe joint.” The doctor raised his goggles resting them on his forehead as he used a laser to point to the x-ray image on his computer, “Only one in five are born quirkless in today’s day and age.” The image of Izuku’s foot x-ray was presented on the screen, the extra joint as clear as day.
Izuku knew his life would never remain the same, this idea solidified after he returned home:
“Spit it out honey, you're worrying me.” Hisashi had honey slipping through each word, cupping his wife’s face who hadn’t stopped crying since she returned home, using his thumb to wipe away her tears, “Baby what’s wrong?”. Inko shook her head, her sage bangs falling over her eyes, “‘Sashi he’s…quirkless.” She whispered the last word as if she were a child cursing for the first time. He released her in an instant, “What?” as the word exited his mouth a flame followed suit, “What are you telling me? This is your fault isn't it.” Inko opened her mouth but was swiftly shut off as he began speaking again, “I mean it's been generations since a quirkless was in my family, whereas your grandfather…I can’t, do you know what this will do to my reputation?” Hisashi bellowed, Inko ushered him into their bedroom but he slapped her hand away, “You, you did this to him, so no point protecting him now. Izuku! Guess what?” he said with synthetic enthusiasm. Izuku sat behind his door covering his mouth in an attempt to be quiet, hearing the muffled screams of his mama behind his door, he tucked his knees into his chest, tears falling until it burnt to keep his eyes open anymore.
“Baby please don’t go, look, I can’t afford to stay here any longer, they’ll take Izuku…” Inko pleaded, tears flooding her eyes’ surface. He closes his eyes taking his bags in hand,
“Don’t contact me and I’ll continue paying for your housing.”. She couldn’t do anything but step back, “You're really leaving?” he didn’t bother to face her he left.
Once the door clicked close Izuku made his way towards his mum, the sight of her right eye made him cringe, her eyelashes and eyebrows were singed of entirely, the part of her bangs that covered that area were also burnt off, the area surrounded her eye was blistered and red. “Izuku, baby don’t worry, daddy’s gone overseas for work, that's all.”
Izuku wasn’t dumb not in the slightest, Inko knew that but she couldn’t bear to see her son look at her with those wide emerald eyes. Inko took a glance at her reflection in the sink surface, Izuku was probably disgusted, but he wasn’t. Her little boy ran towards her his little tanned arms wrapping around her, choking out babbled apologies,”Mama M’sorry, please don’ leave!” he hic-ed, shaking her head she shushed him, holding him throughout the night.
The next morning Izuku begged his mum to go to the hospital, to get help. Inko made Izuku swear that he wouldn’t tell a soul about what happened, that she couldn’t go to the hospital cause they’d be homeless and they’d all be so sad. Izuku learnt that night that hospitals meant bad news. Inko did not return to work until she grew out her hair enough to cover the majority of the right side of her face.
Throughout the next few weeks Izuku was taught how to do his laundry, to cook (basic meals) and to tuck himself in when his mum would go through nights of sobbing, and if in the morning he saw her eyes were puffier than normal he didn’t say a word, and vise-versa. Home was one story but school just got worse for Izuku as he grew up, apparently it wasn’t just his father who disliked the fact he was quirkless. Even his childhood best friend grew cold, dubbing him the nickname ‘Deku’, it was no longer Izuku and Kacchan it was Deku and Kacchan, although he would come home scattered in burns and scruffed up his grief stricken mother was unable to notice her son’s spark fading.
One day he realised she wasn’t his same old ‘mama’ anymore:
Izuku and the neighbourhood children were at the park, Bakugo had a shit eating grin on his face lifting one hand onto his hip, as his smile reached his crimson eyes Izuku knew what was going to happen, “Deku, can you stop following us around? You're like a lost puppy.” One of the others with a gargoyle quirk butted in,
”More like a mutt!”
The rest snickered, Izuku spoke up,”Kacchan, please don't.” Bakugo snarled, grabbing the smaller green haired boy by the collar, “Or what?” Izuku remained quiet. “Exacally, guys check out this cool trick I learnt.” He proudly announced little sparks exited his palm spiking Izuku’s freckled cheeks.
Izuku sobbed out, “Everyone, look, not so cool now are you? Skipped three grades now you think you’re the shit? Well you're not.” A boy with a brown bowl cut spoke his fingers elongated as they prodded Izuku.
Izuku couldn’t fight back, he couldn’t he was both smaller and weaker not to mention out numbered. Luckily Katuski’s little gang disbursed when they saw the scrawny boy collapse.
A boy with fluffy lavender-like hair approached his fallen body that was slipping in and out of consciousness, the tall boy scooped up Izuku into his arms, Izuku through his blurred vision stared at him, his eyes battling to stay open, “Hero…?”
The purple haired boy’s face went bright pink and his voice turned to a screech, “M-me! Hero?” he said, placing the smaller body on the oak bench closest to them. After Izuku found consciousness again he finally saw the older boy, they both stiffened,
“Uhm…hi? You uhm…”
The purple haired boy stammered, “My name's Hitoshi Shinsou.” Izuku nodded,
“I’m Izuku Midoriya, thank you…” he bowed, clenching his eyes shut, Shinsou looked away rubbing the back of his neck, “I mean I couldn’t just leave you in the dirt. What happened anyways, why were those jerks so mean to you?” Izuku bit back tears, he had just met this boy and he was going to make him angry, and he’d hurt him and-... Images of flames appeared in his head, it was like he could hear his mother’s blood curling screeches once more.
“-idoria Midoriya!” Shinsou frantically shouted as he grabbed his shoulders, confused by the sudden water works. Izuku shot up at the sudden contact, part of him wanted to lie, tell them that he was just a late bloomer, the internal debate finally came to an end. Izuku spoke up, scooting away slightly as if in preparation to flee:
“I’m quirk…I’m quirkless.”
Shinsou tilted his head, “So?”
“I’m quirkless,” Izuku repeated.
“I heard you the first time.”
Shinsou held the smaller boy as he suddenly began sobbing, he knew a lot about quirkism, luckily his mums would never stand for it, as soon as he even mentioned getting picked on for his ‘villainous’ quirk, his mothers went to his school single handedly making the school fear for their future. Although his school threw together an anti-quirkism assembly he had still struggled when it came to forming bonds with his classmates.
Shinsou finally broke the silence, “Uhm, I mean I uh have a villain quirk if it makes you feel any better.” Izuku’s sniffles broke out into giggles only further confusing Shinsou, “Don’t believe me or something?” Izuku nodded, “My quirk lets me control others, it’s called mind control, I’m not too good at using it yet .”
The younger broke out in insanely speedy muttering,
”That’s so cool, there’s no such thing as a villains quirk silly, so how do you use it, is it touch activated or voice or is it mind activated, imagine what a cool hero you’d be- you’d deal with hostage cases so well an- oh my gosh you would have such a cool hero name like head hacker, no that’s silly, more like, mind wander-er!” Izuku quickly freezes up again, “I’m so so sorry. If I talk too much just tell me to shut up, I don’t mind.” the boy's little hands frantically wave around.
Shinsou on the other hand looked at him this time he was the teary-eyed one, sure his mums complemented his quirk plenty of times but that's cause that was their job, this was different Izuku never had to do anything.
“I’m sorry, please don’t cry.” he outstretched his hand to Shinsou, Izuku’s eyes were soft and genuine, no pity, just concern. Shinsou gingerly took his hand into his own, “You think I could be a hero? For real?”
“Uh huh!”
Shinsou wipes away his tears with his dark cat themed graphic-T, “Midoriya, do you want to uhm,come to my house?”
Izuku’s eyes widen Shinsou swore he saw stars glisten in his pupils,
“Like how friends go to each other's houses? You want to be friends?!”
Shinsou nods as his eyes remain glued to the floor, Izuku’s grip on his hand tightened,
“If you’re okay with it then yeah!”
Shinsou nods, the corners of his lips slightly raised, “Okay then you can call me Hitoshi.”
“Then you can call me Izuku!”
Swinging the door open Shinsou called out, “Ma! I’ve brought a friend home!” Izuku stood sheepishly behind him taking in the scent of the new environment, it smelt like citrus and pine, he was staring down at the scruffed up ‘welcome’ mat he was standing on, Shinsou dragged him in still holding his hand. The living room was large, there was a massive tv connected to a wii-u parallel to a coffee coloured velvet couch where two taller figures sat, one had long brown hair with dark sharp features, she had her arm wrapped around the slightly shorter of the two, she had pale skin similar to shinsou, her hair and eyes were the same lavender colour as her son’s although her eyes were larger and she seemed a lot more extroverted, “Hey baby, aw well look at that, hello ‘toshi’s friend what’s your name?”
Izuku bowed, “H-hello Mrs Shinsou, my name is Izuku Midoriya.”
The other mother chuckled, “None of that, no need for the formalities, just call me Makoto and my wife Touyuki.”
Izuku stood back up, “Yes ma’am.” Shinsou rolled his eyes yet there was no real malice behind the action,
“Anyways me and Izu are gonna play some Wii sports, can you believe he’s never played a video game?”
Makoto smiled broadly, “Wow no way. Don’t let us hold you kids back, but before you go can I ask how old you are, Izuku? You look far too small to be Hitoshi’s age.”
Izuku began shaking slightly as he answered, “I’m uhm f-five but, I’ve skipped three years in school so I’m basically eight!” Shinsou shrugs,
“Well I’m eight too. I turned it a few weeks ago.”
“No way! My birthday was last week.” The excitement left Izuku’s voice as he remembered that his mama forgot about it. He felt too guilty to remind her but shouldn’t matter right now, after all he just made a new friend.
The pair played for hours until the clock reached three and he was offered to stay for dinner but he assured them that his mama would want him home soon. They agreed after convincing Hitoshi to let go of Izuku, but how could he? They just began hanging out and he had to leave already, unfair! But after some convincing and then being physically torn off Izuku he let him go.
Izuku carefully opened the door of his house the familiar emptiness tore his heart in two, he missed Hitoshi and Makoto and Touyuki, they were nice and sweet and they patched up his boo-boos from the kids at the park, mama never did that anymore, she was always tired, always in her room, but he was still excited to tell her he made a new friend. Izuku found her lying on the couch with her clothes on from three days ago still on her but now dirty and stained. “Mama!”
Inko grimaced at the high pitched voice, “Oh Izuku your home already?”
Izuku furrowed his brow, “I was gone for like six hours…”
“Oh, well did you have fun?” She replied, her voice monotone, not bothering to look back from the tv to even face her son.
“I made a new friend, his name is Hitoshi. He has two moms that are really nice!”
“I’m glad hon.” she gave him a weak smile before turning back to the tv.
“Uhm we played wii sports.”
“That’s great.”
“I got beat up.”
“Aw sorry baby.”
Izuku teared up, he opened his mouth to say something else but he noticed the dull look in his mother’s eye, he returned to his room, it’s his fault she’s like this now so the least he could do was leave her alone. Since that night he noticed his mom was away from home more. She’d pick up more shifts at work or she’d be out at the pub coming back home and eating whatever Izuku could conjure up with the small variety of food they had.
When Izuku reached seven he’d learnt that adults could be just as cruel as kids: Izuku and Hitoshi have been friends for two years, only getting closer as time passed, whenever he wasn't studying or doing housework he’d be with Shinsou and on the occasion that Shinsou was busy he’d analyze heroes and classmates quirks.
But things at school just kept getting worse.
The young boy tossed his scruffy yellow bag under his graffitied desk, using his burnt sleeve to try and rub off the messages and various penises scribbled on his desk,
‘Quit muttering idiot.’,
‘Sub-human’,
‘Wanker’
‘Batty boy’
Izuku’s throat tightened as he read the messages. He felt tears well up in his eyes but he quickly wiped them away, that's what they wanted. They wanted him to cry but he wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. He dug his nails into his wrists until he felt his finger tips go damp, the blood camouflaged in his sleeve and when it dried he was able to play it off as dirt. He didn’t know when he began doing it, he just remembered starting to pinch himself whenever he began muttering, it kept getting worse and worse as he continued pinches went to scratches, scratches went to picking and picking went to cutting, by seven his arms and thighs were covered in a variety of light scars.
He felt something whack his head , he looked up to see the teacher hovering above him with a sadistic snarl escaping him, a stack of papers in hand,
“Midoriya, you’re muttering again, you're distracting everyone.” He spoke coldly, sending the hairs on the back of Izuku’s neck up. He shook the feeling off, “Right! S-sorry sir.” He kept his head down resting his hand over his head.
Who cares if school sucked, he could go home, and maybe if he was lucky they’d have some left over instant noodles, he remembered Shinsou giving him one to try when he got home, saying that it was his absolute favorite. As he reached his door he noticed a cop car and a taxi parked outside his home, as he entered he was greeted by his father and two cops,
his father had a disgustingly fake frown on his face whereas the cops looked at him with pity ridden eyes.
“Izuku right? We know this is a lot to take in, how about you sit next to your dad.” one of the cops spoke up, Hisashi smiled, his teeth gritted together roughly, “Yeah squirt, c’mere.” His voice carried this sick synthetic sweetness
Izuku gingerly walked towards Hisashi, taking a seat a safe distance away from him,
Hisashi wrapped an arm around his shoulder as the other cop spoke up,
“So kid…this evening at the hospital your mother works at, there was a villain break in… in which your mother unfortunately passed. The villains associated are now in custody of the police. We’re so sorry, kid.”
“How did she die?”
“In a villain attack.”
“No. How did she die?”
The police shared a glance before one nodded to the other, “She was attacked by someone with an air bending quirk.”
Izuku gave them a look that told them to continue
“They found her body in critical condition, by the time the heroes had arrived to the scene it was far too late.”
Izuku nodded, “Thank you.”
Once Hisashi walked the police out he broke the silence, “Listen kid, I know you don’t want me here and I don’t want to be here, so look I’ll pay for your rent like I’ve been doing these past three years, you’re a smart kid you can take care of the rest.” He said, placing a lit cigarette in between his teeth, “‘Course you’ll have to keep the act up that I’m living with you still. Can’t have child services up my ass now.”
“Okay.” The boy’s voice wavered slightly but he managed to keep his tears at bay.
“Kid I’m being serious, they find out I’m not here and your ass will be straight in foster care, do you have any fucking idea what they’d do to your kind in there?” Seeing that Izuku was visibly shaking was enough for Him to trust that he’d keep his mouth shut.
“Right, you have my number but that’s only for emergencies, don’t ring me for shit you can deal with on your own or I will block you with no hesitation.” Izuku watches as he walks out the door, for the second time.
Izuku made his way to his room waiting until he closed his door before he sobbed his eyes out. He held the blanket his mum had crocheted for him when he was a baby, when he was loved, when mama and dad and him lived happily.
For the next few days he refused to eat, food seemed meaningless when he was cooking for just himself. The scars on his body began increasing, going from a form of punishment to a form of self-soothing, something familiar in this world of unknowns. He went to the park less and less, instead he passed time by analysing fights more often, thinking of what he would have done if he was in the hospital with his mum, what he would give to be her little boy for one more day.
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A month into adult life Izuku realised something major, food required money, for money you needed a job and to get a job you needed to be older than seven. After saving his leftover lunch from school for a week he realised that surviving on stale scraps wasn’t going to do much for him. Walking home one night he found that he could always find loose change on the floors of the city streets, he’d only go out searching during the night so that other kids wouldn’t see him. During his night time explorations he found that the place he found the most loose change was a nearby red light district, he carried around a small kitchen knife in his hoodie as a safety precaution, although for the few weeks he went there he was sneaky enough to never need to use it.
“Don’t make me repeat myself, give me the fucking bag.” A raspy voice barked,`
He heard a woman fumble on her words as she apprehensively pleaded with him, “Please leave me alone! I-I don’t I don’t… I don’t have anything but this.” Izuku paused hiding behind a bin as he eavesdropped, “Do I look like I give a fuck, give me the bag bitch.” Izuku hated the way the taller figure spoke to her, it reminded him of the way his father spoke.
The man kept steeping closer to the woman, his demands turning more and more aggressive as he approached. Looking around Izuku managed to find an empty beer bottle beside him. Izuku paused for a moment, not only was he smaller and severely malnourished but also completely inexperienced. What's the point of intervening?
As the man went to swing at the woman, Izuku had already acted, tossing the glass bottle at the back of the tall figure’s head. The man tumbled on his side: was he unconscious? Izuku stepped forward taking a glance at the figure, the male's eyes were closed, his chest was moving up and down at a slow pace so at the very least Izuku could tell he wasn’t dead.
Izuku looked for something – anything to capture him, he pulled off his hoodie using the sleeve to tie his hands together, hoping it would restrain him until the police arrived. He turned his attention to the woman beside him, “Hey are you okay…well obviously not, sorry…But you will be, don't worry, I just need you to uhm, call the police.” Izuku spoke softly, his adolescent voice as clear as day. The lady broke down in tears nodding, as Izuku turned to walk away she quickly grabbed him, pulling him into a hug, “Thank you, thank you so much. You're my hero.” He held her close rubbing circles on her back in an attempt to comfort her like his mother once did for him,
“A hero…” Izuku muttered under his breath tears forming in his own eyes. No heroes didn’t cry, Izuku thought as he blinked away the tears, after she let go Izuku scavenged in his pocket pulling out a half mushed granola bar, he found that he often got peckish on these late night adventures, he looked up handing it to her, his mama used to tell him that sweet things calmed her down. “Thank you.” She spoke more clearly now.
She stepped back pulling out her phone to ring the police: when she looked up from her phone she realised that the boy had vanished.
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Once Izuku closed the door he allowed his body to collapse against the shoe case, “Oh my freaking god, I just threw a glass bottle at a man. I just assaulted a man! I’m a criminal.” After his adrenaline wore out he emptied his pockets of change in his cash jar, “I saved someone…” He looked down at his small shaken hands, “I saved someone!”
Chapter 2: What’s a vigilante I’m just a concerned citizen.
Summary:
Baby's first patrol say cheese!
Notes:
Don't get attached to Bat. ANYWAYYYYYS-
Chapter Text
Since that night Izuku had watched countless self defense videos, martial arts and basic parkour tutorials. Not that he was planning to fight crime…No that would be bad, but it was never bad to be prepared right? Okay so what if he wore a black mask, his nose just got cold easily, okay so maybe he dyed his All Might hoodie to a dark green and he used a darker emerald coloured fabric to patch up holes and maybe make it look slightly cooler. So? The All Might hoodie was too flashy. He didn't want to stand out in the middle of the night and it had the biggest pockets so it could hold the most change, plus he already had two of the exact same hoodie so it’s not like he needed this one.
Izuku spent the next few weeks using every second of free time to practice self defence and main areas to attack only in case of emergencies of course. He also found being bullied has its pros,Izuku was fast, like really fast, and sneaky, I mean he had to be if he wanted to survive school. He found parkour and acrobatics came to him easily. He always had the highest score for the long jump back in school to Bakugo’s much distaste.
Izuku had only one thing he found himself struggling with, on the clips he watched he saw all these people wall jumping and dashing wall to wall and here he was, knees absolutely fucked, on all fours like a dumb dog. Izuku stood there all night trying to jump onto this apartment building, it wasn’t too tall but it was perfect, two buildings parallel forming an alleyway and if he fell he would fall on a black bin bag that was filled with stale sourdough to form a beanbag: It wasn’t the softest but it was softer than bare concrete. Hopping left to right and right to left, wall to wall was so difficult for him, the cold sharp bricks kept cutting his skin, he felt dizzy, nauseous but no matter how many times he fell his determination never seemed to die down.
After what seemed like eighty failed attempts Izuku collapsed on the floor panting, his breath hitching slightly as he regained his stamina.
“Meow.”
His eyes darted everywhere but nothing,
“Me-ow!”
He stood up frantically looking around till two amber eyes found their way to him.
Soon the large black maine coon crawled towards him, the cat was almost as tall as Izuku even on all fours like a furry pony, “Meow.” The feline cried out, stretching their dark paw out towards the young boy, a long cut present through their pelt. Izuku cooed,”Awh baby, what happened?” Izuku runs his fingers through their fur, “Okay wait a second I can check it out for you kitty.” The cat flopped onto its back, stomach towards him.
Scurrying through his bag he finds a roll of bandages and his phone. Using the flash on his phone he can clearly see the injury, inside the large cut came poking out a claw. Izuku pulled out some blunt safety scissors he had pinched from school, he began snipping away like an unqualified barber at the surrounding fur. Izuku scratches under their chin being rewarded by their raspy purrs that perfectly tickled Izuku’s brain. “Okay you're gonna have to be brave for me cause this is gonna hurt.” the boy scooped up the cat (that was surprisingly light for its large body), placing them on his lap. “Okay three…” Izuku grabs the claw attached to their arm, “Two…” he braces for impact, “One!” Izuku winces as he quickly tugs out the claw. The cat seemingly unimpressed began grooming itself, “What a good…” Izuku sheepishly tilts his head “I’d say girl but I’m not too sure, um, names, let’s see…” Izuku pondered as he took her (?) paw into his hand, wrapping its wounded arm with a bandaid, making sure it wasn’t too tight before cutting the excess off. The cat began rubbing their head into Izuku’s chest, “How about…Baby cat…Bat! I hereby dub you Bat.” Izuku lifts his nose up into the air, smiling earnestly as he hands half of his tuna onigiri to Bat. After all, Izuku was stunted for his age; he and the extremely oversized cat were practically the same size.
Once he finished his half Izuku decided to give the wall jump another try. He leapt up again and again, each time he got close to the top he could hear a scream, a pleading voice begging for help, he kept thinking back to that night, if he hadn’t made it in time that woman would have died. He had to make it, he just had too! Left right, left right, left, Izuku grabbed onto the ledge of the roof pulling himself up,tears began uncontrollably streaming down his cheeks,
“I made it! I really did it!” Izuku exclaimed into the starry sky, Bat decided to show him up, easily joining him at the rooftop, “Bat you stayed?” Izuku spoke with glee, wiping away his tears, “Yeah every hero needs a sidekick after all. So what if I'm quirkless, I can be a hero right?”
“Meow.”
“I’ll take that as a yes, so hero names, I’m thinking Mini Might, oh oh I could be Mighty boy or…”
Izuku kept blabbing about future hero names as they walked back to the house together. Bat would give their two cents every so often, giving him a purr or an oddly sassy, “Me-ow!”
He spent months every night going out practicing martial arts or parkour, although he sucked at wall jumping by the time he was eight he had a pretty good 8:1 success to fail ratio. He had also watched a handful of safe knife usage videos, although he had only practiced by himself he had a good hold on the basics of knife usage, he wasn’t too keen on using it though, he wanted to mainly rely on hitting the opponent's pressure points. Studying for hours on end in his earlier years meant he had time to spare as he was already far ahead in class and was challenging Bakugou for his place as number one student, but he knew that he would be taught that he was never going to surpass him, if not verbally than physically. But regardless he had two mouths to feed now and to do that he would need to go back to the red district.
Throwing on his re-branded All Might hoodie and mask he made his way out the house not forgetting his trusty knife and new roll of rope he had splurged on (who knows if there’ll always be a cable around.)
Running around the red district wasn’t too bad, he managed to gather a good load of change but (sadly) no thugs. He made his way up onto one of the office rooftops, it was hidden in the shadows so he could freely gather his breath but it wasn’t the best vantage point. He looked down, an eerie sight, various men gathered sharing a singular blanket, its colour long gone now covered in soot and dirt. He never knew why people had been so against giving the homeless money, he’d been scolded by his mother once, saying that it’s better to give them food or water cause otherwise they’d spend it on alcohol and cigarettes, but if that's what helps them fall asleep at night or make it to next friday then what’s the harm?
A head splitting screech caught of his train of thought, he followed the direction of the sound jumping rooftop to rooftop until he made it close to the attack, it seemed as if nobody else bothered to intervene, peaking from afar Izuku spotted a little boy standing there quacking like a lamb, crow bar in hand as someone with what seemed to be an owl mutant quirk pulled out a knife on him. He had to act quickly, Owls – owls are nocturnal, nocturnal - dark, he slides his way off the roof rolling his way to safety as he creeps behind the owl, pulling out his phone with his flash on. “What are you looking at brat- Aha!” The owl says moving his head a full 180, Izuku catches him off guard by flashing the light directly in his eyes, “Get behind me!” Izuku demands, he didn't feel like Izuku when he was in his hoodie, he wasn’t the same kid who got abandoned, or got bullied by kids at school, no he wasn’t Deku he was someone entirely new.
The kid didn’t budge, his eyes widened further, tears forming as his shaking intensified. Izuku quickly ran towards him, snatching the crowbar out of his hands, hitting the owl-like-figure on the top of his head with as much momentum as possible. He fell down with a blood curdling scream.
The kid finally spoke up,
“Did- did ya kill ‘im?”
Izuku bent over using his rope to tie his wrists together, Izuku couldn’t help but panic, “N-no…”
He lifts two fingers to the pulse of his wrist, “No, he’s alive, but don’t worry the police will take care of him okay?” Izuku stands up, outstretching his hand towards the younger boy, “What are you doing out this time of night?”
“Mommy told me to pop to the corner shop quickly and get some milk, but then he came and he said- he- and I-” He began crying babbling incoherently, Izuku panicked shushing him,
“Hey it’s okay, you're alright now, you were so brave, can you tell me what happened?”
He nods “He told me to give him everything I had, but Mommy needed milk so I couldn’ give him the money and so I told him I can’t and he got mad and he had a knife so I screamed then you came.” Izuku nodded.
“Any injuries?”
The boy shook his head.
“You were so brave today but next time just give him the money, I think your mommy would be more upset if her kid came back home all hurt alright?”
He nodded.
He took the kid’s hand going to the closest telephone, Izuku quickly called the police giving them nothing but a location leaving a sticky note on his body telling them a quick overview of the story.
Izuku took him to the store, allowing him to buy some cat treats as the boy bought the milk he had been sent out for. Hand in hand Izuku brought him back home, sending him off with a granola bar.
It went better than he thought but he decided to cut the pat- ‘loose change hunt’ short as it was nearing three am and it was a school night, what would mama say if she was here.
Chapter 3: Who needs Kacchan when I have ‘Toshi'?
Summary:
Izuku + Hitoshi = best friends I LOVE THEM THEYRE SO CUTE THEY'RE BROTHERS YOUR HONOR.
Notes:
posted first three I hope you enjoy. I'm sorry if I don't post too often I do have exams.
Chapter Text
Ever since that night Izuku had been going out almost daily, on google when he searched up if fighting crime as a citizen was wrong, apparently it’s called vigilantism but the definition was ’
‘people who voluntarily carry out duties usually done by pro heroes without paying attention to the law.’ But was it really that bad? Okay so he might not have a hero licence but what's the harm on itching the scratch in areas that are always forgotten about. I mean is that really vigilantism, two negatives make a positive in maths and maths is full of rules so if they attack first it’s fine to attack back, he’s just following the rules of maths.
By the time Izuku was ten Izuku knew the red district better than the back of his hand, although the majority of the time he didn’t run into anything more dangerous than the odd knife threat there were few occasions he was met with more violent citizens.
Although Izuku had been attacking he hadn’t ever been attacked, well until one day: Izuku found himself out matched, he found a thug aggressively hitting on a woman, whenever she declined he kept getting more aggressive:
his chin stuck outwards as he scowled, “Look woman, I know your kind, let me wine and dine you, and then y’know, you can pay me back when we get home. Whatcha say darlin’?”
The woman had blond 80’s styled hair, with a fashionable leopard print body con dress. Her brows furrowed, her voice deepening in pitch as she spoke again, “Oh darlin’ I told you already, I’m goin’ home tonight.” This time he slammed her against the wall,
“Don’t fuck with me! I wasn’t askin’ I was telling ya’!” He barked, the tips of his fingers turned into sharp crystalised spikes, “Now you can either play hard to get or you can come with me and make it snappy.” Izuku snarls at the sight, bouncing down hitting him from behind with his crow bar.
“Who told you to get involved, you damn rabbit?” He slashed against Izuku’s face leaving a deep cut on Izuku’s cheek, not only tearing his mask but also his skin, Izuku stayed quiet for the most part, he hissed at the burning sensation on his cheek, he focused on the man, from what he could conjure he had some sort of crystallization quirk that formed rigid spikes along the tips of his fingers, he couldn’t do much with that information but stay in the clear from his hands.
The tufts of his hoodie remained in the air happily waving around as if begging for the criminal to grab them , “Not so brave now huh? Trying to play hero little bo-” Izuku used the opportunity to kick him in the center of his face, the thug bounced back his nose gushed with blood, Izuku used his built up adrenaline to kick him right in his dick that got him into this mess, “Oh someone won’t be having kids any time soon~” Izuku taunted as the criminal fell down squirming like a turtle placed on its back. The smaller took his rope and restrained him down in a nearby pole.
“Any injuries?” Izuku spoke sweetly, contrasting with the jeering tone he used earlier with the thug. The woman shook her head, Izuku smiled and nodded, handing her a granola bar, “Could you please call the police and inform them on what you need too?” The lady thanked him, assuring him that she can handle the rest.
Izuku made it back home stitching up his mask before dealing with the injury at hand. He peaked at it, the deep cut inhabited his cheek and he was sure it would scar. He cleaned it using some most likely decade old disinfectant before clothing it with a sheet of gauze.
The next day at school Izuku ran into Bakugou as he got older the colder he grew, “Why the fuck are you looking at me like that Deku?” Izuku looked up, Katsuki's features were disgust ridden. His hand’s ran through his sandy spiked hair as he scoffed, “What’s with the fucking thing-” he said pointing the the white sheet on Izuku’s cheek, Izuku looked away picking at his fingers, “I uh-...” Think Izuku! “I was scratched by a street cat.” Bakugou snarls, his brows furrowed, “Do you think I’m stupid? That you’re better than me?” He grabs Izuku by his scruffy mop of green curls,
“N-no Kacchan I’m telling the truth!”
“Don’t fuckin’ lie to me ever since you came back with that thing on your cheek you’ve been acting even more like a freak than usual.”
“Kacchan it’s gauze-” Katsuki’s grip on Izuku’s hair only tightens,
“You think I don’t know that?” He lets go of his hair, tossing him back on the locker behind him.
Izuku scowls as he fixes his hair, why was Kacchan so angry?
After school he ran straight to his best friend’s house, it was his favorite place in the world, he had grown accustomed to the scent, now finding the lavender soothing to him by its familiarities.
“Hitoshi, ‘Zuku’s here!” Touyuki sing-songed as she rested her hand in Izuku’s hair, “Your hairs getting so long Izuku you could probably tie it up!”
Izuku’s shoulders slump , “Oh.”
Noticing the shift in mood she continues playing with his hair, “Do you not like having long hair?”
Izuku nods, “I-I liked my hair when it was like here,” he said as he pointed mid way through his neck, “And it’s hard to see.” He said, blowing at his overgrown bangs. The older Shinsou spoke up, “Well if you’d like I can cut it, I do ‘Toshi’s hair, I can’t promise that it’ll be professional but it would get it out your eyes.” Izuku’s eyes widened as he felt tears bubble at the surface of his eyes,
“Really?” Izuku quired
She pulled him into a side hug, ruffling the boy’s long hair,
“Of course.” She couldn’t help the concerned feeling that arose to her chest,
Taking Izuku to the kitchen she pulled out a pair of kitchen scissors and began snipping away at his hair, making sure she had Izuku’s opinion before each major snip. By the end of it Izuku was grinning cheek to cheek.
Hitoshi came down, he wore his baggy jeans and plain white shirt over it he wore a dark zip up hoodie that was slightly loose on him. “So Toshi, where are you planning on taking ‘Zuku?” Makoto asked, smiling sweetly at them as her wife was busy braiding her hair, her tongue half way out her mouth as she focused deeply into each and every braid.
Hitoshi shrugs, “Izu said that it was a surprise.”
“Okay well you boys have fun and be home before dark, Izuku are you staying for dinner, we're making some homemade sugar cookies, your favorite.” Touyuki bribed,
“C’mon Izu, you promised me a game of mario kart.” Hitoshi took his hand in his.
“Okay, thank you Touyuki-san.” Izuku’s shoulders loosen.
“You cut your hair?”
“N-no your mum did it.”
“It looks good.”
Hitoshi ran his hand through Izuku’s now shorter hair, it was still incredibly fluffy to the point the young Shinsou’s hand drowned in it. Whilst doing so he noticed the cut on Izuku’s cheek covered by the thin dirted gauze, “Izu, what happened? Was it that stupid Cat-chan guy again cause if it was I swear to god i'll kick his ass.” The older boy let out a sigh as Izuku frantically shook his head, “No no, it wasn't Kacchan, a street cat scratched me."
Hitoshi lifted a brow, continuing to walk alongside him “really a cat?"
“A big one?”
Hitoshi let out an exasperated huff," You don't have to tell me but are you… I dunno… Safe? “
The green eyed boy looked up, he saw the concern as clear as day in his friend’s eyes,
“I'm safe.”
They halted suddenly to Izuku's request, he pointed at a nearby field, it was beautiful, fifty shades of green covered the field, dozens of berry bushes rested in rows, as Izuku dragged him closer he noticed how the sun danced across Izuku's freckles, brightening his smile.
“You said you like strawberries and I saw these bushes and I thought I could take you here and we could bring your ma and mam some strawberries too!"
Shinsou's eyes sparkled, “You remembered?"
Izuku picked up a large juicy berry off the bush and placed it in Shinsou's mouth, “Of course I did. “
Hitoshi chuckled, biting down on the strawberry, the red juice trickling down his chin,
"It's perfect thanks Izu.”
Chapter 4
Summary:
Izuku goes face to face with his first casualty, fear and guilt seem to be building in him, on the other hand our favourite detective is slowly gathering evidence on this little shit.
Notes:
This chapter is lowkey ass but I don't know how to improve it :,( ANYWAYS I HOPE U ENJOY
Chapter Text
The night was long, the two sat in Hitoshi’s room playing Mario kart ‘till the two fell asleep cuddled into each other on the floor. If anyone asks, Touyuki did not take a dozen different photos of the two. Once Izuku left for home he re-applied gauze and disinfected his wound, knowing full well that there would be a deep scar under his eye, on his upper cheek, Bat glared at his cheek viewing the blank patch as if it were their mortal enemy. About Bat, Izuku had been spending a bit of time researching the differences between a female and male cat, and with Shinsou’s professional opinion they assumed that Bat was a female.
“Me-ow!”
Bat exclaimed as she got on her hind legs hugging Izuku from behind, “Hey kitty, you hungry baby?” Izuku cooed, you could hear a slight lisp as he recently lost his front tooth, after Touyuki reassured him that it was a baby tooth he managed to calm down slightly.
The green haired child plated the cat's portion of food onto the table next to his, he felt bad that Bat suffered from their financial status so he sacrificed a quarter of his food for her (he’d give more but he needed some sustenance for his change hunts). The two sat and demolished their food together, Izuku inhaled his instant miso and rice whilst Bat chowed down on the can of wet cat food and handful of kibble.
“Alright Bat, I’m gonna go out on a…change hunt, be a good girl and keep out of danger okay?” Izuku gave Bat a small smooch on the forehead which the feline nuzzled into.
Izuku tossed on his signature hoodie and mask followed by his new belt he thrifted from a nearby unknown charity shop;it allowed him to carry his rope and crowbar with ease. The red district was practically a second home to Izuku he knew all the hot spots like the back of his hands, he was well known by the citizens around the area, often they would mistake him for a girl because of his small stature and soft voice, some dubbed him the nocturnal nymph but that quickly died off being replaced by ‘Bunny’ it was simplistic and it fit: He was swift and small, and most of all the little tufts on his hood looked like bunny ears whilst he leaped around town.
The night was long, fog filled the streets, the clouds were black ready to drench the young vigilante to the core when at the corner of his eye he spotted this large lard ridden blob, her body was gelatinous like a loaf of jelly free to be molded as it wished. Wobbling through the street she bellowed out demands to this group of boys, the taller of the three boys stood up grabbing the semi-deflated basketball and tossing it to the woman’s face, the gelatinous woman absorbed the ball, they could see the basketball through her opaque skin. Izuku ran straight towards them, looking at his surroundings for anything that would be able to help. Heat. He needed heat, if his theory was correct her body was practically jelly so physical attacks wouldn’t do anything for her.
Izuku rushed into an alleyway surrounded by several motorcycles and middle aged men.
“I will give any of you this whole bag of change for a lighter and a plastic bag.” Izuku pleaded, to his luck one of the men took his bait , “You’re that one kid right…baby rabbit or whatever. How much do you have, kid?”
Izuku swiftly counted the change, “1370 yen, please I’ll return the lighter.” The man took the bag
another man snatched the change off him tossing the lighter and small plastic bag at Izuku,
the raspy voice spoke softly, returning the money back to Izuku,”Nah no need. Go work your magic kid. If you need anything just ask for Bruce down at the saloon, I normally work weekdays.” He ruffled his hair. Izuku nodded and with a quick bow he sprinted off.
As Izuku made his way back to the gelatinous creature she had already managed to swallow one of the boys, he was floating around in her stomach, his hair sticking up his face frozen in a look of pure agony and fear, Izuku bit his lip at the sight, not wanting to waste anymore time Izuku lit the end of his rope on fire, tossing it at the villain. As soon as it reached the blob she began sizzling down to a liquid form, the boy’s unconscious body fell out of her as she began screeching in agony.
As Izuku scraped up the remains of her sludge into the plastic bag the other two boys gathered around their friend. Sobbing broke the silence, the two held him close, one stood up and grabbed Izuku by the collar of his hoodie, “Why did you let him die! Damn it.” The boy gritted his teeth as tears rolled freely down his face, Izuku paused, “Die..?” The boy saw red as he shook Izuku slightly more aggressively, “Are you stupid look at him!”. Izuku hopped out his grasp walking towards the unconscious boy. He rested his fingers onto his pulse but he received no response. “I…killed him…”
The other boy spoke up,
“No, you saved us, ignore Luke, it's not your fault.” He said between sniffles. The more aggressive of the two marched up to Izuku, “Why the fuck are you defending him, If he did something sooner Ko would still be here.” Luke spat, angry tears fell to the floor, the boy wandered up towards him pulling him into a hug, rubbing circles onto his back, “I know, but that’s not his fault, you have no right talking to him like that.”
As the two boys spoke Izuku sat by the cold body. His tears steadily getting soaked into his mask, he muttered an apology.
He was too late, if only he was quicker, if only he had arrived sooner, if only he was smarter. Izuku clenched his chest, staring as the corpse slowly got paler. He clenched his fists frustration built in his teary eyes, ‘being a cry baby won’t bring him back…’ The green eyed boy thought to himself as he sloppily rubbed away the stray tears.
Izuku tilted his head before placing a granola bar on their unmoving chest. “I’m so…sorry f-for your loss…” Izuku stammered, his eyes burning as he attempted not to cry again, “Do you think that you can call the poli-…actually you probably don’t want to right now.”
The two eventually headed home, giving Izuku the chance to call the police. Not wanting to be tracked, he found a telephone machine attached to the corner of the street. Once the phone was answered a voice spoke with urgency, "How can we help?”
it was followed by a soft sigh, the man's voice more frustrated now as he looks at the location of the call:
“From the red district huh, is it another Bunny situation?”
Izuku sounded slightly offended, his natural voice escaping slightly as he spoke,
“Why is everybody calling me that?”
Tsukauchi’s eyes widened,
“You must be kidding me...Is this Bunny?”
“Who’s Bunny?”
“Bunny, a code name, small vigilante. Fast, short. A regular at the red district”
Izuku paused, he wouldn’t call himself a vigilante, and if he was he would never dub himself as Bunny, it’s not as strong and heroic as he would like, but he did meet the description,
“No…Okay yes, it’s- uh Bunny, by the time I got there one of the boys I was trying to rescue had passed, the villain was secure in a plastic bag hidden under the black bin in Duriok Avenue, by the car repair garage.”
Before Tsukauchi could open his mouth to response he was met with the ding of being hung up on. He was frightened, more so now, the vigilante sounded so young, if the lisp didn't give it away his soft childlike voice did although he could tell that he attempted to hide it by forcefully trying to deepen his voice.
Tsukauchi was so close to the answer he couldn’t give up yet, he needed to find out who Bunny really was and he knew exactly who to ask.
Chapter 5: (mini chapter):Erasorhead.
Summary:
erasermic fluff + shindeku friendship
Chapter Text
Just as Aizawa Shota got home from his patrol he stripped himself of his sweat ridden clothes, he threw on some pajamas before tossing himself onto his couch next to his blond beautiful husband. Yamada’s lips curled upwards as his husband snatched the coffee mug from his hand, “Tired?” Yamada asked Aizawa, resting his chin on top of the other’s head,
“Mhm.”
Shota plants a kiss onto Yamada’s Adam's apple, his stubble brushed against Hizashi’s face which made him laugh, before Aizawa could finally unwind his phone began buzzing against the couch cushions.
“Oh for fucksake.” Shota picks up his phone, “Tsukauchi? What happened?”
“Erasor, hey, uh, okay I’ll just get to the point, there’s a vigilante down by the red district code name: Bunny.”
“So? There’s vigilantes everywhere.”
“No listen, I’m suspicious, I think that it’s a child vigilante, police have attempted to track him down and find him, if my gut feeling is right there is a child out there, who knows what life or death scenarios he is in or what homelife he has? We’re asking you for help.”
Aizawa always hated these bratty children, those who thought heroics was simple and that all they needed was a good quirk, he was greeted by them year after year and ever year he expelled dozens of spoiled children, he was used to giving reality checks to entitled brats, what would one more kid be.
“I’ll do what I can.”
“Keep me updated, I can’t thank you enough Erasorhead.”
Shota hangs up, Yamada cocks his head,”What happened love?”
With a sigh he explained the situation, “I’ve been given the task of chasing after a child vigilante, I think they expect me to watch over the area whilst they send someone else over to my regular patrol area.” Aizawa’s brows furrowed, “Someone needs to put their foot down, and for some reason Tsukauchi thinks that I should do it.”
Yamada cups his face, bringing their faces closer together barely inches away before he planted several smooches onto Aizawa’s stubbled cheeks,
“Just try not to spook the kid, remember how reckless you used to be? Clearly this kid has a lot on his plate.”
Shota nodded, “I know.”
Hizashi raises a brow, “Trust me you don’t, I’ve seen how ruthless you can be babe-”
He was swiftly cut off by his dark haired husband, “No, what’s ruthless is the villains in the real world. I would rather hurt their feelings than let them die by a collapsing building or whatever else is in store.” Yamada looked into his black eyes, sorrow filled, hurt,
Yamada pulled his husband closer as he tied his own hair up in a bun, making sure his hair wouldn’t bother his partner.
“It’s not your fault.”
Shota stayed silent.
“You didn’t kill Oboro.”
Shota stayed silent.
Hizashi let out another sigh ignoring the tight feeling growing in his own chest as he pulled Shota closer. He let his hand slide through the other's hair, whispering sweet nothings in his ear until he fell asleep allowing his warm embrace to comfort him through the night.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a small park in Musutafu Izuku and Shinso found themself wobbling around on the swing set.
.“Zuku Zuku look at this.” The purple haired boy looked at the younger with pride as he prodded his cat shaped pebble into his face, “It’s like Bat, cool right?”
Izuku’s eyes sparked, “Oh my gosh! It is!”
The two sat under the slide, their bottoms soaking the scuff of the floor into their trousers, Izuku leaned his head onto the taller’s shoulder, “‘Toshi…?”
“Yeah what’s up?”
“Do you ever wish you weren’t friends with me?” Izuku’s voice was soft, as fragile as porcelain.
Shinsou felt a mix of anger boil inside him, as he spat with more venom than intended, “Of course I don't, are you saying that I’m faking being friends with you?”
Izuku backed away slightly, “No-no! Not at all I mean, don’t you think that you’ll get picked on if people find out your best friend is 10 whilst you’re 13? Let alone a quirkless kid.”
Hitoshi took a deep breath as he looked at the freckled boy, “Izuku, I would never be embarrassed of being your friend dude, who cares if you're younger than me, you’re both more emotionally and what's the word… like school smart…”
“Academically?”
“Yeah! Academically smarter than anyone I know. Plus if anyone bugs you about your quirk you’d know I’d beat them up. Probably get my ass kicked but I’d beat them regardless.”
Izuku’s lips curved into a small smile, scooting closer to the other. The older of the two pulled out a safety pin from his shirt, as he pricked his finger, he passed the other towards Izuku.
Izuku catches on and pricks his finger too,
“Let’s make a blood pact, that we’ll stay together forever no matter what anyone else says okay? Just cause people are stupid doesn’t mean we have to be.”
The two press their pricked fingers together.
A year passed and the pact was stronger than ever, Izuku seemed to be the only person Shinsou could be himself around, he always seemed cold and distant to his classmates, he had one or two that he had deemed as alright enough to spend break times and lunch periods with but apart from that he never truly bonded with anyone like he had with Izuku.
On the other hand, for Izuku school hadn’t been bearable, he began reading ahead of his class so he wouldn’t feel guilty about missing days or weeks of school. The scars on his body only increased, the one below his eye didn’t heal properly so the scar was as prominent as ever, he gained scars around his torso from patrols alongside his legs, back and arms which were a mix of self inflicted and bully related injuries. Izuku only had three things that were keeping him alive, Shinsou, Bat and patrolling, during these years there were so many various attempts to take his own life but as he tried he could never fully commit, the thought of these three things forced him into facing reality, whether it was a gift or a curse, Izuku would never find out.
At least when Izuku went home at night he had his favourite cuddle buddy, Bat: They’d stay awake till midnight, Izuku told her all the gossip he picked up in the streets whilst she squeezed in a meow or two whenever came up for air.
Chapter 6: So that’s how he got his name.
Summary:
First meeting with the lil guy
Chapter Text
During the following weeks Shota Aizawa has been ripping his hair trying to find this ‘vigilante’, no matter how hard he looked he could never find this ‘Bunny’ kid, Yamada didn’t know it was possible for his husband’s eyebags to get worse but here it was right in front of him, the poor man was lying awake at four in the morning plotting out areas or time periods that he might spot Bunny in.
“Shota, darling, my love, how long do you plan on staying on the dining table?”
The man grunted in response, one of his fingers got caught in his hair as he tugged at it.
“Are you even listening to me Sho?” Hizashi groaned as he snuck up behind his lover, cupping his face and pressing his lips to his stubbly face,
Shota’s cheeks grew blood rushed, “‘Zashi what are you doing awake? You need to be up early for your radio show.”
“Ah there’s my husband, what’s the matter with you?”
“It’s been a month.” Aizawa pushes himself away from the table. Yamada stops him from standing up,
“Sho. This sort of thing takes time.”
“The longer it takes the longer a possible child could be running around recklessly getting hurt.”
The room went quiet for a moment.
“You’ll find him.”
“I have too.”
Bunny however was in the kitchen with Bat curled over his lap as he worked on a new pair of goggles, so far it passed most his tests, it was shatterproof and he created a layer on top of the thick glass to work as filth-proof layer, not even a speck of dust would stay on there, the bands were a brown leather, it fit well on his face though it was slightly oversized on him so on the occasion it would slip. Izuku found a technique on YouTube that he used to give his goggles a suction-like feature that made sure the goggles wouldn’t so much as budge during his patrols.
Throwing on his signature hoodie and stitched up cargo pants he headed towards the district, half way there he decided to take a U-turn and check up on something first.
He jumps from building to building cautiously but still swiftly. When Izuku arrives at the alleyways it often seems abandoned. Most people are afraid of the area, calling it “a crime scene in the making” or “the perfect place to get caught in a villain attack”. Izuku sits down on the tattered cobblestone, his back grazing against the moss-ridden brick walls.
“Pss pss pss''
Izuku softly mutters under his breath, a white Persian cat comes over and colonizes his lap
“Aren’t you quite the princess?”
He lets out a small giggle as her whiskers brush against his nose, obliging as her raspy purrs beg him to pamper her. The vigilante spoils her in cuddles and kisses. A litter soon follows out from behind her a few white kittens but one with a calico kind of pattern
“Awh you're a momma now huh?”
Izuku’s eyes practically shimmers, a burning sensation comes over him and soon tears follow
“I’m so happy for you.”
He congratulates the cat, his voice stammering between each vowel. The cat seemed to get a little weirded out since it decided to leave his lap, but the calico took its position.
“You're coming off too strong.” A deep and charismatic voice came from the shadows
“Eep!” Izuku’s pupils widened and his ears perked.
“Woah calm down kid. I’m just here to see macaroni's litter.” he responds softly
“I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to, I thought they were strays- I will leave-I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to tread on your toes-” Midoriya takes precautions steps back.
“No, you’re fine little listener. It’s nice to see someone give them company whilst me and my husband are busy.” He tries to say it in the least intimidating way possible.
Izuku sat back down and for a good half an hour, he had an average conversation with the man of the shadows (mostly about the cats.). After they sent each other their condolences Izuku made his way further down the alleyway.
The man rushed into his house, it was only a few streets down so he managed to get there almost instantly. His voice shot through every crevice, “Sho! I think I found Bunny.” His voice was panicked. Shota threw his scruffy scarf around his neck, rushing down to his husband, “What?! Where?”
Yamada began listing places he might have run off towards judging from the direction he last saw him heading.
“Did you catch what they looked like?”
“They had some niche goggles on, dark hair, a black mask and a dark hoodie, maybe green or navy, I couldn’t tell, the area we were in was dark. They had tufts coming out the hood of his hoodie that kinda looked like floppy Bunny ears, they were tiny, no taller than 4 '11, their voice was pretty high, they had a tactical belt with a few pockets and a crowbar hanging off one side.”
Shota barely caught what the Blond was talking about, he spoke so fast his words mushed together making it hard for Shota to understand.
He dashed out of the house, he could hear his heartbeat through his ears, he felt as if the world was crumbling beneath his feet, he wouldn’t let anyone else die because of him, not after he failed Oboro.
Izuku ran through the streets.A large goblin-like creature swooshed past, its eyes flickered with pure adrenaline as a dinky green haired boy was shoved towards him, the boy’s legs shook like a lamb fresh from the womb as he stood their face to face with death. He took into account the fact that the creature had light irises, It had thick scaled violet skin with pointed elf-like ears, in comparison to the little boy he seemed like the eiffel tower in both height and width. If the human reaction time is 250 milliseconds this goblin’s must have been 249 as before Izuku could even blink the goblin had already tossed him into the ground. The emerald hair went from green to red as a crimson liquid trickled down his head. The last thing he remembered before completely blacking out was the blurred image of the creature’s eyes.
Shota’s short-lived journey down the streets of Musutafu was filled with paranoia, what if Bunny bumped into a thug? What if he got lost? The possibilities were endless. Shota’s eyes clung onto a crime scene in the distance. Without a second thought he sprinted towards it strictly on the belief that the crime scene could have belonged to Bunny. He arrived with his head twisting and turning every angle he was able to in his search for Bunny. His frantic scrambling came to a halt once his eyes finally met with Bunny’s. Shota glanced at the goblin who hovered above the young vigilante. He cringed at the sight of the blood oozing from Bunny’s scalp. Examining the area it should have been easy enough to handle, it was a sparse area as any alleyway would be, in that moment, in his mind, it was him, Bunny and the Filthy purple goblin.
Izuku winced as he tried opening his eyes, it was hard to see but he managed to take a quick peak around, it was blurred but he could make out three variables: Erasorhead, Goblin and the capture weapon tightening around the purple scaled creature’s thick neck. Shota was practically fighting fully quirkless as to his best assumption it must be a mutant quirk user, one of the only quirks his eraser quirk would not work on. He had the upper hand agility wise but the Goblin outsized him in every way, he had the ability to squash Aizawa in the palm of his hand so to refrain from being smushed in this giant's hand he just kept moving. He bounced wall to wall, bin to bin all whilst avoiding Izuku’s half conscious body. Izuku managed to scoot himself up so he was leaning against the black brick wall, he could hear his blood smudge the wall but he refrained from whining. He raised his hand with the support of his other arm, this gained Aizawa’s attention. Izuku took out his phone from his inside pocket, he disconnected it from his portable charger before turning on the flashlight. He pointed to the goblin and his eyes before tossing over his phone to Aizawa.
Shota tried to comprehend what he meant before it finally clicked, He took his capture scarf and attached it to a nearby lamppost to swing of it, after he got some height on the creature he used Izuku’s phone and shone the flashlight into the gray eyes of the creature. Suddenly it wailed out a cry of terror before falling onto his back rolling around in absolute agony. This gave Shota the chance to secure the goblin to a pole and call the police chief. Whilst Aizawa contacted Naomasa Tsukauchi, the victim of the attack was busy muttering away to himself as he jotted down notes in his little notebook.
Around A quarter of an hour of waiting a herd of police cars arrived, Tsukauchi was the first to exit the passenger seat of the vehicle,
“We can take it from here, thank you Eraser.”
Aizawa shifts his field of vision from Izuku towards the detective,
“No problem, if he starts misbehaving just use a flashlight.”
As the last clause comes out of Aizawa’s mouth the villain instantly starts shivering. Shota gives a satisfied grunt before heading back to Izuku who was still scribbling away at the speed of Usain Bolt, Shota interrupts,
“I’d try testing you to make sure you don’t have a concussion or anything but I’m pretty sure your mind is all fine.”
The ends of Izuku’s lips slightly curl up at his sly remark, he enjoyed the banter, he hated the pitiful looks after a pro would rescue him, he felt patronized whenever they’d ask if he was okay,
“Don’t worry I’m all okay, just have a tiny head ache.”
Aizawa shut his eyes for a moment to think of what to do and that was all the time Izuku needed to escape his grasp.
Fuck.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once Izuku reached his home he threw of his gear in a fit of panic, he crumpled to the floor, his vision blurring as tears rushed out his eyes like a furious river, his breath felt sharp exiting his mouth, he was horrified, if Eraserhead was late by even a minute Izuku could have died there in the alleyway, he felt disgusted by himself for wishing that he did, he felt so selfish for wishing that Eraserhead never showed up.
“Me-ow.”
Huh?
“Meow.” Bat sat by Izuku purring under his chin, In front of Izuku lay a protein bar and a roll of semi-chewed up bandages.
Izuku began slowing his breathing, His sobs shifted to sniffles and his sniffles turned into muffled chuckles, “Bat? You brought these for me?”
“Meow prra!”
His sage eyes connected with her amber eyes. Bat stood by him the entire time watching over him protectively as he bandaged his wounds. As Izuku preoccupied himself with his wounds Bat began prying open the protein bar for him, her teeth desperately piercing through the thick plastic sheets, once the opening was formed she leaped onto the counter placing the bare bar directly in front of him.
The freckled boy ripped his teeth into the bar, “Thank you.” He murmured slightly above a whisper, tears began forming in his eyes once more.
“Thank you.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Awh man! you still didn’t catch ‘em?” Yamada sighs at his husband who currently looks like he’s escaped the trenches.
“No. if I caught them I wouldn’t be in my costume out of patrol time.” Aizawa tosses back an empty glare at Yamada.
“How about you go take a shower? I miss your silky black hair 'and your more groomed face. And I miss seeing you in something not baggy and black…and I’m not on about that white scarf of yours.” Yamada holds his husband from the back planting little kisses on his shoulder until he reaches his neck,
“You're right.” Aizawa begrudgingly admits.
“Aren’t I always?”
“Definitely not ‘Zashi.”
Chapter Text
Izuku had paused his patrols for a few weeks courtesy of his head wound but Izuku swiftly recovered, at least enough recovery in his books to continue patrolling. The night before Izuku found himself buried in the kitchen sink with every cleaning product available as he deep cleaned his gear, he patched up his hoodie and cargos with old fabrics formed from his clothes that were now teared beyond repair. Luckily he managed to cover the blood stains pretty well to the point that they just became slightly darker patches on his clothes.
The now fresh and ready for anything Midoriya prepared for his patrol but as he left he saw a picture of his mother dangling from the shoe case, he felt a pang in his stomach, a feeling of longing, a longing for his mother, a longing for a normal childhood, one where he could have grew up at a normal pace, worrying about his upcoming maths test not about how he would afford dinner for him and Bat.
He stepped into his mother’s room, everything was left untouched, a picture was left on her windowsill a framed A5 picture of her holding a new-born baby, one with a freckled face and stubby thin emerald hair similar to her own, the woman looked exhausted, but fulfilled, like it didn’t matter that she was tired, that it was all okay now, looking at the picture Izuku didn’t feel any of that, he felt exhausted and guilty and longing for touch, a hug, something, he yearned for a connection for care once more. Someone to hold him like his mother once did with such pride and glee.
But he knew that was a fantasy long gone, one that he would never live long enough to see.
Wiping at his tear stained cheeks Izuku stood strong, throwing his mask over his nose, Bat came strutting behind him, one of Izuku’s pocket knives dangling out her mouth, she purred proudly, as if anointing herself as his sidekick, the boy let out a snort, he snatched the knife from her mouth, softly itching her behind her dark ears.
“I’m gonna need you to stay here okay Bat? Someone's gotta defend the base!”
Izuku hummed, a serious expression on his face as if he 100% expected the overgrown cat to single handedly defend their home.
Bat on the other hand remained tall, an unimpressed expression on her face,
“Oh c’mon Bat, fine you can come with me.”
When the cat proudly puffed her chest Izuku quickly added:
“Only for today though!”
Bat shot him a deceitful glare but continued forward.
Marching out the door Bat followed behind, Izuku’s shortcut made the journey half in length, they hopped together rooftop from rooftop, Izuku was glad he wasn’t alone, he hated the dark but he hated it a bit less when he had someone to share it with.
As they made it to The red district Izuku realised Bat was no longer behind him, In a fit of panic Izuku made his way to the tallest building in his range, he looked everywhere but he couldn’t spot her dark pelt in the night.
Izuku knew that Bat had a bad habit of wandering off, especially when they went out, Izuku and Shinso had gotten used to it by now but in the Red district you never know what's around the corner.
The vigilante sprinted to the saloon, the building had a cosy atmosphere, dark oak floors and 1990s American diner type of aesthetics with the red leather seats. Izuku wasn't too fond of the smell of alcohol but the more he came here he got more used to the stench of the liquor.
When he arrived he was greeted by his new high energy buddy: Bruce, He escaped from America with his wife and two daughters from his brother. Izuku had learned a lot from Bruce, he’d visit often, listening to Bruce’s issues or asking for advice, after Bruce’s wife had passed he was shattered, Izuku was always his hero, listening when he needed a shoulder to lean on.
“Bruce! Bruce!” Izuku proclaimed practically leaping on him,
“Kid! What’s up lil guy?” The raspy voiced male wrapped an arm around Bunny.
“Bat! Bat went missing, could you call me if you spot him?” Izuku desperately pleads,
Bruce’s brows furrow, “Of course kid, I’ll even send my girls a message to keep their eye out for ‘er.”
Izuku nods, “Thank you, you’re the best!”
The man sighs as the kid bounces back up and scurries away,
“Be safe son.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Izuku’s pockets now filled with change and a few loose notes began to sag, at this point the boy assumed there wouldn’t be any thugs out tonight. That was until the sassy feline made her way between his legs,
“Bat!”
Before Izuku could process her return she began sprinting off towards the north, not wanting to lose her he began sprinting after her with the little energy he had remaining.
The scene had a man holding a bag filled with stolen goods and a man behind screaming for someone to stop him. Izuku wasted no time jumping in front of the man. The thief pulled out a small soot covered glock.
“Step any closer and I’ll shoot.”
Izuku began walking closer, standing so the gun was directly touching the center of his forehead,
“Go on. ”
The man faltered moving the gun towards the shadowed figure behind the short vigilante’s legs, Before Izuku could reply the gun went off, a pained screech shot through his head.
“Bat!” Izuku cried, his legs collapsing completely, “Bat, hey come on, get up-.”
He sobbed, his voice broke, no longer forcing himself to sound grown.
“Bat please, I’m sorry, please…” His breath hitched as he spoke again, “Just hold on, I’ll get you home and patch you up and-”
The thief took his chance to run off but before he was able to a silky grey scarf wrapped around him,
“Good grief.”
Shota huffed in a bored tone before his eyes spotted Bunny holding a limp cat in his arms.
In the background Izuku could hear sirens and whines. Izuku couldn’t care, he was completely numb, tears streamed ruthlessly down his face. He ran his fingers through her matted fur, “Stay with me, I’ve got you.” The cat’s large limb body found itself intertwined into Izuku’s smaller.
Bat’s eyes fluttered, with the little energy she had left she nuzzled her head further into his chest.
Izuku felt two strong arms lift both him and his feline sidekick into their arms. Sprinting further into the distance, Izuku looked up seeing Eraserhead’s panicked expression.
“What- what are you doing?!” Izuku shrieked.
Shota didn’t have a valid response, his legs just moved on his own,
“You really want to deal with the police right now?”
“N-no!”
“Thought so. Plus we are no longer needed.”
Eraser placed him down in an empty alleyway, Izuku sat there in silence repetitively running his fingers through Bat’s fur. His tears soaked into his mask but his sobs remained audible.
Shota wished Yamada was here, he was so much more comforting, all he could do was sit beside the kid, “Kid c’mere.”
Izuku sobs increased in volume, he buried his head into Eraser’s shoulder,
“Bunny, I know it’s hard but it’s not your fault.”
Izuku grew angry, without noticing venom filled his voice,
“But it is! What do you know?! Huh? That’s right, nothing!”
Izuku swiftly covered his mouth, but to his surprise the hero wasn't mad, or aggressive, he had nothing but genuine empathy in his voice,
“Did you shoot them?”
“Well of course not but-!”
“Did you go out of your way to get them shot?”
“No…”
It went silent, Eraser wrapped his arm around the boy, his skinny and stunted stature concerned him.
“How about we make her a grave?”
Izuku didn’t take his eyes of the feline,
“But what about your patrol?”
“What about it? I think you know better than me that tonight's been relatively quiet.”
Izuku nods quietly, lifting Bat’s limp body into his embrace.
A flowery hill was chosen, rows of daffodils and Allium and Hyacinths shone in the moonlight, the two sat beside a makeshift tomb, The overgrown grass covered their lower halves:
“Bunny.” Shota’s voice remained soft but it held an edge of sternness
“Mhm..?”
“You don’t need me to tell you how reckless this is. So what on earth are you doing kid?”
Izuku brought his knees into his chest,
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Vigilantism.”
A petty smirk forms on Izuku’s face, hidden by his mask,
“I can’t be a vigilante, at most I’m just a concerned citizen.”
“Kid, you're fighting crime without a hero licence, I call that vigilantism.”
“It’s not like I’m using my quirk against them.”
Suddenly it was as if the bulb switched on in Eraser’s head,
“You’re quirkless aren’t you?”
“See this is why I like you, you’re smart.”
Eraser huffs,
“Look I wouldn’t have handed you in anyways.”
Izuku sceptically stares at him,
“Why?”
“I’m not one to meddle with Vigilantes, but I’m willing to make a deal with you kid.”
“A deal?”
“If you’re going to continue patrolling I’m coming with you, and If I tell you to leave the scene you leave.”
Izuku pauses,
“...”
“Kid, I need a verbal response.”
“Why?”
Shota stopped, he knew this kid couldn’t be any older than his own students, watching that determination and exhaustion in his eyes lit something in Aizawa: It was like looking in a mirror seeing his younger self.
“My patrols have been moved to this area, having someone who’s familiar with the area would be to my benefit.”
“Deal…”
Aizawa let out a sigh as he ruffled the boy’s hair, relieved he accepted his excuse.
Shota’s phone rang, “I gotta take this kid.” He stood up and walked a few steps away, greeted by the voice of his concerned husband.
Izuku sat by the grave, “I’m sorry Bat.” His voice broke as he whispered, “I promise I'll be better, I promise, I’m sorry, please forgive me, you're all I had.” his vision blurred he bit back his tears not knowing what to do.
His phone gave a notification, he opened his phone, the picture of his home screen just made him tear up more, It was Bat licking his cheek. He opened his messages app:
‘Bruce: Hey kiddo, did ya find Bat?’
Chapter 8: Drunken calls.
Summary:
Izuku's hungry, a shame that there's nothing at home. That was until he found an old collection of his mother. Curiosity got the better of him, now he has to deal with the consequences.
Notes:
Tw- underaged drinking (only for this chapter) yes I know it's corny leave me alone :,(
BIG BROTHER SHINSOU TO THE RESCUE!!!
Chapter Text
It had been a week since Bat’s passing, the house had been so quiet, Izuku hadn’t left other than his few patrols, In which Shota had attempted to comfort him, but Izuku only heard him, his brain wasn’t able to truly listen. Izuku found himself visiting Bat’s grave often, giving her life updates, patrols were rough when you returned home to an empty cold house. Izuku hated that feeling more than anything, there is nothing Izuku wouldn’t give to go back to being a carefree child.
Scavenging through the draws to find anything to eat, (in avoidance of going shopping) Izuku spotted his mothers expensive alcohol collection, she wasn’t someone who would drink much or at all but she was consistently gifted them from her work friends.
Now Izuku knew drinking wasn’t very heroic, there was a whole All Might anti drinking advertisement on TV from before he had to retire (post defeating all for one). Izuku still side eyed the various bottles, the young boy with an empty stomach and lack of impulse control finally gave in, opening a 12 year old bottle of aged whiskey and taking a big sip, “Eugh!” Izuku instantly gagged, closing the bottle straight away, moving to a sake instead, now that he knew how bitter it was Izuku poured himself a cup of water to wash the beverage down.
The now drunken Izuku was sitting his head over the toilet seat, he’d noticed the alcohol had masked the burning hunger building in him, what he hadn’t noticed was that mixing various spirits and whiskeys was horrific for his stomach, that was until his stomach couldn’t physically handle it.
On his phone was Shinsou who he’d just now dialled, “‘Toshii!” Izuku’s voice bellowed
“Zu? Hey dude, you good?”
“I know why Eraser is your favourite hero?”
“He’s my uncle of course he is.”
“Well yeah he’s so cool, an’ kin’ and kind of scary.” Izuku hic-ed
Shinsou pinched the brink of his nose,
“Izuku are you alright? You seem…out of it.”
Izuku began laughing, “When don’t I?”
On the other line you could hear Shinsou fidgeting, fabric scratching and a door opening and closing,
“Ma I’m heading out!”
Izuku snapped out of it for a second,
“Wait-! Toshi I’m fine.” He slurred
“Clearly not. I’m almost outside.”
Izuku began to argue but before he had the chance the line had been ended,
“Oh fuck.”
Izuku doused himself in his mother’s old perfume, Sakura and roses, not a bad smell, but you could barely smell it through the stench of whiskey that stuck to him.
Ding!
Ding!
Di- di- di- ding-!
“Hitoshi I’m coming!”
Izuku wobbled towards the door, it took him a second longer than he would have liked it to take to open it. As soon as Shinsou saw the state he was in he brought him into a hug,
“Zu, what are you doing?”
Izuku began sniffling as he pointed to the various bottles on the kitchen counter,
“Pl-please don’ tell.” He sobbed, his words merging together as he spoke.
The taller of the two tugged him into his embrace slightly tighter,
“Relax Izu, take a breath, I’m going to stay over tonight, we’ll work it out, When is your dad coming home?”
Izuku instantly threw up on the floor, even the thought of his father didn’t sit well with him,
“H-he’s staying with his sister tonight.” The guilt of lying to Hitoshi made him want to throw up once more but he managed to keep it in his stomach.
Izuku began cleaning the barf from the floor, Shinsou attempted to help him but Izuku swiftly stopped him. Whilst Izuku was cleaning Shinso began hiding the various bottles of spirits and whiskeys away.
Once the vomit was cleaned up the two sat side by side on the dark velvet couch.
“Toshi, M’sorry.”
“Why are you sorry Zu?”
“Cause, hic, I was drinkin’ an’ I shouldn’t have.”
“I know Izu, but I’m not mad at you, at all.”
Izuku sniffled, “At all?”
“Well just a little, you did get a bit of vomit on my shoes.”
The two began laughing, Izuku rested his head on Shinsou’s lap as the taller began playing with his sage fluffy hair,
“Have you eaten anything?”
Izuku begrudgingly shook his head, “Not yet?”
Hitoshi internally groaned, “You drank…on an empty stomach?”
Izuku sheepishly gave a nervous grin, “Maybe…?”
Shinsou scooped the drunken boy up, “Let’s go.”
Shinsou trudged forward to the nearest corner store, trying his best not to react to the odd looks that they were given on the street. Izuku quickly leaped behind Shinsou when he saw a familiar boy with spiky blond hair, “I-it’s ka-a-chan.” Izuku slurred as he tugged on his sleeve,
“Okay okay you hide here and I’ll come fetch you when I buy the instant noodles.” A drop of sweat dripped from Shinsou’s forehead as he went to the checkout right beside the young Bakugo.
“Fuck are you looking at dibshit.”
“Uh who do you think you’re talking to?” Shinsou stepped back clenching his fists, God he hated spoiled brats.
“Don’t talk like you're better than me, you stupid extra.”
Katsuki barked,
“I am.” Shisou spoke as if it was the fact of the matter, Katsuki clenched his jaw lifting his hand, the caramel like scent began diffusing as sparks shot off the palm of his hand.
Izuku watching from a distance began quivering, his body rushed in front of Shinsou, a starburst burn now scattered on his left shoulder. He bit his lip trying not to cry,
“Kacchan, leave him alone.” His voice was low, he began shaking with anger, “Get away from him!” His voice filled with a spite neither of them had heard before, Izuku wasn’t known for his anger, but seeing someone else get hurt made Izuku’s blood boil, especially if it was someone he loved and cared for.
Katsuki clicked his tongue, swiftly paying for his things and stomping off. Izuku turned to Shinsou, a guilty glisten remained in his wide eyes, “Toshi are you okay, are you hurt?!” Izuku cried, “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry.”
Shinsou briskly paid for the instant noodles before dragging Izuku out the store.
“What the hell were you thinking Izuku?! I could have handled it, I’m twice your size and if I was worried he would have hurt me I would’ve used my quirk on him, that was reckless and stupid of you. Seriously, do you have an ounce of self preservation in your body?!” Frustration ran through Shinsou’s voice before he took a deep breath, “Izuku how’s your arm?”
Izuku looked away sheepishly, his voice timid, he looked like a turtle trying to fit back into its shell, “Fine…just a little blistered.”
“C’mon Izuku let’s go back home before you get hurt in another way.” Shinsou spoke with sass but something told Izuku that he genuinely believed what he was saying. As they walked back in silence Izuku began to speak,
“M’sorry.”
“I know.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Shinsou stopped in his tracks, turning around to face him. He had to squat slightly so he could talk eye to eye, “Izuku I’m not upset at you I’m worried, you know how scary it is to see you with a new scar everyday, even ma and mom are starting to get worried.”
Izuku teared up, “Tell ‘em I’m fine!”
Hitoshi scoffed, “Trust me it’s not that easy.”
He sighs rubbing his hand by the back of his head, “Look, I’m here for you, and I’ll never not be, till the day I die I promise.”
The two arrived back at Izuku's home, Shinsou was in the kitchen preparing the two cup noodles for them as Izuku sat on the couch, flicking through several different channels before deciding on this channel that streams pre-quirk movies: The movie playing was Stand by me.
By the time the sun awoke them they’d been found in a cuddle pile with several blankets shared between the two boys. There was work that needed to be done, talks that needed to be had, they could set that aside for now, enjoy the night ahead of them and let the conversations follow.
Chapter 9
Summary:
past memories, food and some training! (a lot of fluff in this chapter) <3
Notes:
AAAA THANK U ALL SM I NEVER THOUGHT ID GET 250 HITS LET ALONE 16 KUDOS ILY ALL SOSOSOSO MUCH THANK YOU FOR READING!! IM TRYING MY BEST IM STILL A BEGGINNER BUT THE SUPPORT IS WILD IM GENUINLY SO HAPPY <333
Chapter Text
“Bunny watch it!” Aizawa roared as a knife flung towards Izuku’s face. He managed to pounce out of the way of any fatal damage but the knife still took a bit of skin from his nose bridge. Whilst the villain was preoccupied with the boy Eraserhead leaped from behind knocking the villain out with a heavy swing of his hand.
“Kid! Are you okay?” He dashed towards the green haired boy, his hand ran through the child’s hair, “Let me see the cut.”
Izuku dropped his mask just enough so the bridge of his nose was visible, “It’s fine, just a scratch, I probably have a plaster in my utility belt anyways.” Izuku stammered slightly, getting his breath back from the recent attack. The vigilante scavenged through his belt until he pulled out a white Band-Aid, “You have a mirror?”
Shota sighed, “Give it here kid, I'll do it.” The boy debated it for a second before passing the plaster to him. Aizawa cupped his face to get the kid to look at him. He peeled the plaster placing it on his nose. Seeing the familiar placement of the white band-aid made his throat close up.
Watching the older’s face go pale concerned Izuku, “Hey Eraser? Are you okay?”
He remained unresponsive. Izuku took Shota’s hand into his own, pulling him aside for a moment, “Hey it’s okay, did- uhm what happened? Did I do something?” Shota quickly regains control of his breathing patterns, he hasn’t lost himself like that for so long let alone in front of some young vigilante he barely knew.
“No you didn’t do anything kid, sorry.”
Izuku shook his head, “Don’t worry about it, really, are you okay?”
Shota took a seat on a nearby curb, he sighed, “You just reminded me of an old friend.”
The boy took a seat next to him tilting his head slightly, “Are you not friends anymore?”
Aizawa tilted his head back, he exhaled, breath slightly shaky, “I wish. He passed whilst we were young, he was a great guy, way too energetic. He was extra loud but his heart was in the right place.” He turned to Izuku pulling down his hood and ruffling his hair, “And just as reckless as you.” He scolded with a smirk.
The two continued their patrol, Shota began answering questions Izuku had about his time at UA, which led to Shota telling him old stories of Oboro.
“Loud Cloud?” Izuku holds back a giggle
“Fitting right? Especially after that night where he snuck onto the UA grounds after hours, if it weren’t for his constant shouting he wouldn’t have been caught within the first five minutes.”
The night passed swiftly from there, the discussion remained consistent through their patrol apart from a thug or two the area seemed quiet tonight. Since the two had begun patrolling the crime rate in the red district had dropped ever so slightly. It helped that Izuku was accepted by the community easily whereas Aizawa hadn’t been as trusted. He hoped the more he patrolled the more people would get used to him. It was a bit annoying but he held a respect for people where you had to earn their trust, areas where a status like hero or villain were empty labels that didn’t mean anything until proven.
Aizawa turned to Izuku, “C’mon kid let's go.”
“Where?”
“Just trust me.”
They wandered for a little longer before they spotted a hidden ramen shop, the LED lights that spelt ‘open’ flickered in a neon red, the E was burnt out and the O was a completely different shade of red. Shota dragged Izuku in, “Beef or katsu chicken?”
“I don’t think I have enough money on me.” Izuku began pulling at his pockets, scrounging for some cash,
“Did I ask if you had money? Chicken or Beef, or are you a vegetarian?”
Izuku sheepishly replied, “C-chicken, please.”
Aizawa ruffled his hair, “Okay, Kenji, could I get one beef, one katsu ramen?” He said leaning against the counter,
“Ay! ‘Course pal, any drinks?” The elder spoke with a large grin
“A beer and….” for a moment he paused, turning to Izuku waiting for a response.
“Any…anything is fine!” The boy bashfully bows his head,
“Alright, a beer and an apple juice, thank you.”
Once Shota paid he sat next to Izuku.
Izuku began fidgeting under the table, avoiding the gunk underneath as he did so,
“Kid I’m not expecting you to pay me back, trust me, I have two decently paying jobs.”
Izuku didn’t seem any less guilty.
Fifteen minutes passed and two bowls of ramen were placed parallel to them. The bowls were filled to the brim, the steam coming from them was enough to make Izuku start salivating. Before Izuku pulled the bowl towards him he let out a meek:
“Thank you.”
Aizawa said with a nod as he cracked into the can of beer, as he began eating he noticed the boy next to him staring at his untouched food whilst fidgeting with his mask.
“Kid? If you are uncomfortable with me seeing your face I won’t look.”
Izuku nods, “Uhm If you don’t mind…”
Aizawa turned his attention to his own food, not looking up to ensure he wouldn’t startle the boy. He couldn’t help but smirk at the imagery of a skittish street cat that appeared when thinking of the puny vigilante.
Izuku didn’t waste any time as he scoffed down the noodles, not a drop of broth remained in his bowl,
“Done! Thank you for the meal!” Izuku gushed with a fulfilled puff resting his hand onto his stomach.
“Like it?”
“Mhm! It was delicious, almost as good as my mama’s katsudon.”
“You like katsudon?”
“It’s my favourite in the whole wide world!”
The two sat and spoke for a while, Shota realized how clever the boy was, asking some questions Aizawa had learnt that his mother passed whilst he was young, diverting the conversation from the topic he asked the kid about his hobbies. Izuku had timidly admitted that he liked analysing heroes, and just like that the conversation started flowing. Eraser was just happy that the kid seemed less wary with him, he could feel the passion through his rapid ranting. The boy’s favourite hero was All Might much to Aizawa’s distaste, although All Might was retired after he lost his quirk to All For One, It wasn’t uncommon for teens to admire All Might after all he did defeat the world's strongest villain.
“Bunny?”
“Hm?”
“Since we’ve got some time on our hands, want me to teach you some things? You may have the advantage of speed but relying on that solely is essentially a death wish.”
“For real? You’d train me?!” Izuku’s eyes glistened, He looked like he was two seconds away from combusting like a firework, Aizawa couldn’t help but find his reaction endearing,
“For real.”
The two found an unoccupied area where they began sparing. Shota attempted to teach Izuku how to disarm an opponent without physically harming them. Izuku got close a couple of times but each time Shota swept his foot and sent him rolling.
“Dude!” The vigilante whines,
“Ah ah, none of that, c’mere.” Shota began setting Izuku into a better stance, “You’ve got to widen your stance, you stand as if you’re trying to shrink. This way you have more stability, see?”
Izuku began noting it down in his notebook, “Got it!”
“From the top?”
“Yes sir!”
If Aizawa would have let him, Izuku would have been out until the morning attempting different fighting styles, unluckily for him Aizawa was stern and wasn’t about to let the kid burn himself out.
“Can we do this again?”
“Sure kid. But for now go get some sleep.”
For a moment Izuku felt less alone, ever since Bat had passed he felt so numb, so empty, but now he had something to look forward to.
But as soon as he stepped back into that empty house he felt dread rush through his veins. Sitting down by Bat’s bowl he allowed his tears to finally come out, for a moment he could allow himself to be vulnerable.
Tucking his knees into his chest he closed his eyes allowing the darkness to take his body into a deep slumber.
Chapter 10: Problem Child (size: extra small)
Summary:
Izuku gets hit by a quirk. Super cool sleepover with the gang!
Notes:
I HOPE U ENJOY :3 <333
Chapter Text
The two had been going on patrols for about a year now, with the help of Aizawa, Izuku got a bit of muscle on his bones, he was still stunted and slim but Aizawa didn’t have to fear him getting blown away if a strong draft passed them. . Even though Izuku was eleven now he barely grew in height, maybe an inch or two since the year prior. On the bright side through the year the two had formed an unbreakable bond.
The red district had gotten used to the pair, Izuku followed Aizawa around like a baby duckling, That was until he saw any sign of danger, to Aizawa’s dismay he would escape from right under Shota’s nose instantly finding himself at the source of the violence. Luckily Eraserhead always had his back and Izuku would always have his.
“Eraser watch out!” Izuku exclaims dashing towards him, Shota ducked thinking that Izuku dodged the beam that had been shot at them. Not letting the thug get any further, Shota did a swift U-turn back towards the criminal, wrapping his scarf around the target like a lasso. The scruffy man snatched the rope from the floor, assuming it fell out of the younger’s belt during the battle. Shota securely tied him to a pole and began calling a cop, leaving the support of the victim to Izuku, like they normally did.
“Uhm sir.” The victim's nimble voice whined as she prodded at the hero’s shoulder,
“Hm-?” Shota turns to face the lady, in her arms laid a shrunken Izuku, his clothes sagged of his body, “‘E’aserhead!”
“Bunny!?”
Izuku’s eyes squinted as he raised a brow, “Who’s Bunny? I’m Izuku!” He repeated his name once more, putting emphasis on each syllable “Iz-u-ku.”
Shota kneels beside him sending of the victim with a whispered ‘thank you’
“Ah I’m sorry, Izuku, how old are you?”
He tried not to show the utter panic that rushed through his veins as he spoke to Izuku.
Izuku raised five fingers, “Five!”
Shota grimaces, oh God, he was stuck with a five year old Bunny. Izuku on the other hand was jumping for joy, “I have a friend! His name's Hitoshi! You're his favorite hero, you know!”
“Hitoshi ? Huh, I also know a Hitoshi.”
Izuku nods “Really? Is he also a Shinsou!”
A smirk grew on the Eraser hero’s face, “In fact he is, good to know that my nephew doesn’t hate me.”
“Nephew!?” Izuku slurs slightly
“Yeah that assholes my nephew.” Shota spoke with no actual menace,
Izuku gasps, his face was that of pure offense, “Toshi’s not an asshole! He’s the best-est in the world!”
Shota scoops the boy up, his pure adoration for the cute brat makes him want to gag, “My bad kid. Can you forgive me?”
Izuku ponders for a moment before shooting him a thumbs up, “Okay just be nice to Toshi he’s the best! Well him and his mamas cause they made me katsudon for my birthday!”
The normally cold and apathetic hero began melting (not that he’d admit it), “They did?”
Izuku nods proudly, “Uhuh! Uhuh They’re so cool!” His baby fat filled cheeks were rosy and plump, Shota notes how Izuku and Shinsou are of a similar age, so Izuku must be around 14. This thought began sending Shota spiralling.
“Hey kid, how about you spend the night with me tonight?” Shota asked with as much synthetic enthusiasm as possible his hand running through his soft curls,
Izuku began vibrating with joy, “Me? Having a sleepover with Eraserhead! Eeek!” the colour ran out of Izuku’s face as he made a sudden realisation “Oh uhm…I’d have to ask mama…”
Oh shit. Shota didn’t think about that, he couldn’t break it to a little Izuku that his mother had passed, he needed to think, and quickly, he didn’t know how to deal with a five year old, let alone a grieving five year old. “I already asked her, she said it was completely fine with her!” Shota preyed that he would be forgiven for lying to the little vigilante.
“Really?! Hooray!” Izuku cheered once more, smiling ear to ear. The two made their way to Aizawa’s apartment. It was warm, it had a cinnamon and light cacao scent that pleased Izuku’s senses. It was relatively dark but nicely decorated with vines and picture frames.
Yamada ran up to the door, “Sho? You’re back earl- Is that?” Yamada began to coo at the nervous looking child, “Hiya! You probably don't recognize me with my hair in a bun, I’m Present mic.” Izuku instantly let go of Shota’s shirt, he leaped out his arms to greet the loud hero,
“Mr Present Mic! You know how you can change your voice's pitch, can you make it go really low too?”
“Sure can, buddy.”
“Do you use it more to nullify people or for the various vibrations that come with the pitch?”
“Mostly to scare Eraser when he’s busy marking papers.”
Izuku let out a giggle, “You're silly.”
Yamada ruffled his hair, scooping him up into his own arms,
“I love him, let’s keep him, pretty please!” Hizashi joked
Shota groans, “Zashi, our apartment isn’t baby proofed in the slightest. Also, can you watch him while I set up the guest room?”
“Of course I can, what do you think about some cartoons, little listener?” Yamada says with his on stage charisma.
As Aizawa tended to the guest room Yamada had Izuku settle onto his lap, they sat on the couch together watching some cartoon with an Australian blue dog. Izuku loved it, giggling at the silly jokes with his full chest. Izuku noticed that Yamada wasn’t laughing at the puns as much as he was so he thought that he just didn’t understand the jokes so Izuku sat there explaining each joke to him as Yamada pretended not to understand them letting Izuku enlighten him on what he thought was the pinnacle of comedy.
“I’m done, want to take a small nap? I’ll wake you up for dinner.” The taller dark haired male left the guest room, he took a seat next to his husband leaning onto his shoulder.
“Nooo! I’m not sleepy.” Izuku whines, Yamada tucked his green curls behind his ears, “Mhm, but if you go take a little nap now, we can play later.”
Izuku debates it for a moment, “Mh… promise?”
“Pinkie promise.” Hizashi extends his pinkie, Izuku takes it and intertwines it with his own before waddling out to the guest room. Just as he goes to open the door he turns around and runs towards the two heroes, trapping them in a tight hug, “You're my new friends!” The two share a glance before hugging him back, Yamada a hundred times less awkward than Aizawa.
Yamada scoops Izuku up, when he makes his way to the guest room he places Izuku into the bed and tucks him in, “Night night kiddo, get some rest ya dig.”
Once he’s back in the living room he decided that it was time for his questions, “Okay so why is there a random little boy in our house?” Aizawa lays down on the couch resting his head on his arms, “Bunny was hit by a quirk that must have de-aged him, I don’t know what to do other than bring him home until he reverts, if he does.”
Yamada stares at him in utter disbelief, “That’s the vigilante kid?”
Shota nods clearly exhausted, “‘Zashi, if I knew what was going on I’d tell you. For now I just need a nap.”
The blond began cleaning his glasses, “I’ll work on dinner, anything you’d want?” He waits for a response but all that remains are sleep deprived snores,
“Takoyaki it is.” He sing-songs.
He began cleaning the marble kitchen floors and counter before starting on the dishes, once his fingers were thoroughly wrinkled he began preparing the takoyakis. Behind him snuck a sniffling Izuku, “Hey hey hey little listener what’s wrong bub?” Hizashi hummed as he picked Izuku up and placed him onto the counter unable to help the pet name that slipped out,
Izuku began sheepishly stuttering a response, “I-I uhm, I saw daddy again, an’ he was hurtin’ mama, cause of me again.”
“Oh baby. It wasn’t your fault.”
“It is though! If I wasn’ quirkless mama wouldn’ of got 'hurt.”
Yamada’s heart shattered right there and then.
“C’mere,” Hizashi hums, squatting by the child, Izuku crawled into his arms, “Listen here, if he can’t love you because you're quirkless then he doesn't deserve such a sweet, intelligent and loving little boy. Now how about you come make some takoyakis with me?”
Izuku rubbed his eyes as he nodded, “...Okay.”
Yamada helped Izuku mix the batter, putting his hand over his, Izuku began cackling sweetly as the batter sploshed all over his shirt. “Aw look at that mess, let’s clean you up lil guy.” He soaks a microfiber cloth and begins wiping off the batter and flower of Izuku, “There! All better.”
Once the takoyakis were done and the table was set Yamada sent Izuku the rigorous challenge of waking Aizawa up. The boy tip-toed to the sleeping figure on the couch, he then clambered beside him, “‘Raser! ‘Raser! Wake up, or the food will get cold and’ won’t be yummy anymore.” He spoke with complete and utter seriousness, he was a man on a mission and he would do nothing less than complete it with roaring colours.
The older (and several times) grouchier man began tossing and turning, his eyes fluttered open still remaining narrow, “Mhh.” He whined pulling the blanket over himself, Izuku wasn’t having this,
“I’ll give you ‘till the count of three mister.”
Shota snorted a chuckle,
“One,” Izuku elongated the vowels,
“Two,”
Shota sat up, “I’m coming kid.” Ruffling his hair he stood up taking the younger Izuku in his arms, “You up Sho?” The blond spoke with an audible grin, “Good boy Izuku, I couldn’t have gotten him up by myself, who knows what I would have done without you.” He praised as he took the little boy out of his husband’s arms and plopped him in a chair. The two noticed his green curls bobbing over the table, the pair held back a chuckle at the fact that Izuku wasn’t tall enough by himself to sit on the table; they placed a few thick books underneath to help him.
Izuku attempted to finish his plate but it was way too much for his shrunken stomach, he could only swallow three of the takoyakis before ‘discreetly’ placing them on Shota’s plate. Although the two felt concerned for his small appetite they decided not to bring it up to the boy since he was already overwhelmed enough.
The three cleared their plates, Izuku exclaimed “It was so yummy! Thanks Mr Present Mic!”
Yamada began washing the dishes, Izuku sat on the counter beside him, “No problem, I couldn't have done it without my awesome little helper!”
Shota never saw himself as a family guy, not in a million years, hell he wouldn’t have even accepted his job at UA in Nemuri didn’t push him to take it, but something about how naturally Izuku fit with him and his husband made him feel a certain way, some would call it a fatherly attachment but not him of course, nor him or his husband have the time to watch over a five year old, with the five jobs between the two of them how could they take care of such a small fragile thing.
“‘Raser.”
“Izuku?”
“Look at what Mr Present Mic taught me!” Izuku pleaded with such desperation that Shota had no other option but to oblige, instantly walking over to the kitchen:
“What’s up kid?”
Izuku placed his hands in the sink, using his hand as a makeshift water gun, he began squirting water from his fist, “Isn’t that awesome? I wish Toshi was here, I bet he’d think it’s cool.”
Shota softened, “How’d you do that kid?” He pulled his sleeves up joining Izuku’s hands in the sink, the boy wasted no time giving Aizawa the step by step demonstration on how to shoot water from his fist.
When Izuku got bored of the sink they went back to the couch, Yamada had his hands full marking low effort English papers so until bedtime Izuku was Shota’s responsibility,
“We have a few hours till it’s time for you to go to sleep, anything you want to do?”
“Park?”
“‘Zuku, it’s pitch black outside.”
“Street lights.”
“Izuku it’s far too dark and you don’t have proper clothes.”
Izuku whines, “But, but pretty please? I’ll be good.” He began tearing up,
Shota was in no mood to deal with a tantrum but between that and the child getting hurt or sick he thinks he could take a few screams from the kid.
“No, and that’s that.”
Izuku pauses, a few silent tears follow, but when he wipes them not another whine comes out,
“Okay. Sorry Mr Eraser.”
Seriously? No screams, no shouting, It’s not like Shota wanted a tantrum but for a five year old he was a lot less bratty than Aizawa would have thought,
“Kid, is there anything else we can do, inside the apartment?”
As he spoke he saw a Persian cat followed by the small litter,
“Kitty!” Izuku half whispered and half shouted, “Can I pet them? How old are they? Are they a girl or a boy? Do they prefer sleeping in higher places or lower places?”
Shota opened his mouth to respond but before he could the kid began rambling further questions, he didn’t say anything he just picked up Macaroni and placed her on Izuku’s lap, she quickly got adjusted and began contently purring at him.
The night continued forward, the two of them sat on the couch with the cat and the squad of kittens watching some cheap ratatouille spin off that was on tv. “Izuku it’s time for bed.” Shota placed him onto his hip,
“Noo, I don’t wanna.” Izuku pouted wrapping his arms around Aizawa’s neck,
“C’mon Bunny, you can barely keep your eyes open,” Shota said with an amused tone,
“But I don’t want the sleepover to end, I wanna stay with you and Mr present mic!”
Shota ran his fingers through his loose curls, “I know bunny, I know.” He tucked him in under the plain duvet, leaving a soft peck to his forehead as he left, “Goodnight kid.”
Izuku murmured still half asleep ,”Nigh’ nigh’”
During the night, Izuku’s slumber greeted him with a memory that he thought he would never have to relive again:
Little five year old Izuku was sitting there on the bench with a dead look in his eyes like a fish that was just about to be flushed down a toilet. He was fidgeting with the spiky bits on his sun costume. It felt wrong to be the main character when no one was there to watch you, especially with the dirty glares that katsuki would give him throughout the rehearsals; Kacchan was the other main character, he was the Magic moon whilst Izuku on the other hand was the smiling sun. Katsuki was ecstatic to be the main character, that was until Izuku also became one.
"Deku. It's not fair! How come we're both the main characters, no way I'm at the same level as a quirkless loser." Katsuki said hovering over Izuku with a sadistic scowl plated onto his face. Izuku on the other hand stood staring out the ground squirming slightly in his seat as he spoke, "But- uhm it’s…it’s not my fault th-they chose me Kacchan…"
"Whatever, my mom said that you're mum was sick again so she can't even make it. Does she even love you at this point." Katsuki snickers soon were joined by countless other children.
"Well... S'not my mama's fault... She needed to... She said she really wanted to go." Izuku stammered out, tears started rolling down his cheeks at an incredible speed.
"Calm down Deku, we were just kidding. Don't be a cry baby. Let's go before the teachers come."
It reached 3:20pm at this point the majority of parents arrived. A small spark remained in Izuku's eyes. He hoped he pleaded that there was still a possibility that his mum would arrive. Once it reached 3:30 the play had officially begun, as for the smiling sun he wasn't too smiley.
Izuku stared off into the abyss checking every nook and cranny for just a sign that she was there. Nothing. His eyes stung, he couldn't cry, not here.
But in his dream there was a small change, a boy, no older than eighteen at max, he was wearing a polo shirt and a loose red tie, he had a grey blazer with various areas of teal that was wrapped around his waist. His hair was floating upwards, like a baby blue cloud with a matching pair of eyes.
Izuku didn’t think anything of it until he saw the figure gesture to his lips, mouthing the words, ‘Smile’ to the boy, with such a dopey grin on his own face that it was contagious.
The clock hit three am and Izuku was rudely awakened, instead of being greeted by his 5 year old self’s body he was now reverted back with embarrassing memories of the night prior,
“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Izuku groaned, finding a post it note and pen in his belt, he left a note, stuck to the pillow case it read’
‘Thanks for yesterday, I’m back to normal now , see you around! -Bunny. (Ps I really liked your husband’s takoyakis, that’s my second favourite dish now. >:) )’
The morning greeted the pair with an empty bedroom, an open window and a post it note.
Yamada sighed, “They grow up so fast.”
Shota gave him a deadpan expression, “It’s as if a quirk was used on him.”
Chapter 11: Don’t try suicide nobody's worth it!
Summary:
Basically the first episode + a tad bit of angst and a small twist. Enjoy!
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
It was another regular day at Aldera Junior high, Izuku was resting his head on his ink stained desk, busy thinking about new routes for patrols that would increase efficiency, scribbling different tactics in his new notebook he decided to treat himself too, he had extra money now that he’d went on patrols more often
“So, as third year students it’s time to start seriously thinking about your futures and what you want to do with your lives.” The blond teacher with frizzy hair began to announce,
“I could pass out some career aptitude tests, but…Why bother.” He said with a devious grin picking up the stack of papers and tossing them in the air, as students began to smirk, activating their spectrum of quirks,
The teacher continued, “I know you all want to go to the hero track!” The class erupted in cheers, elements floating around the room, fire and elongated limbs shot out, and all Izuku could do in the moment was keep his head down.
The man emptied his throat, “Mh yes yes! You’ve got some very impressive quirks. But no power usage is allowed in school. Get a hold of yourselves.”
The class didn’t seem to care until one raging blond began to jeer, “Hey teach!” Katsuki crossed his legs over the table, leaning back with his hands behind his head, “Don’t lump me in with this bunch of losers! I’m the real deal, but these guys will be lucky to end up as sidekicks to some busted D lister. Ha!”
The class broke out in roars of ‘boos!’ and complaints. One especially mouthy kid began to argue, “You think you’re better than us Katsuki?”
Bakugo shot up with a prideful grin, “Let’s go, I'll take you all on!”
The teacher broke them up, “Enough!” He then took a look at his clipboard, “Let’s see, you’ve got impressive test results . Maybe you will get into UA high!” Izuku groaned, letting out a weak whine, as the rest of the class began gossiping, “I heard they only had a two point two acceptance rate.”
Katsuki leaped on top of his desk shooting a thumb towards himself, "That's exactly why it’s the only place worthy of me. I ace all the mock tests. I’m the only one at this school who stands a chance of getting in. All end up more popular than All Might himself and be the richest hero of all time! People all across the world will know who I am. And it all starts with UA high!”
The teacher interrupted his rant with a bored tone, “Oh yeah Midoriya, don’t you want to go to Ua too? I don’t think you’ll get in, because of your age and all.”
Izuku winced as the class all turned to face him, they broke out in laughter, “There’s no way you’ll get into the hero course without a quirk!”
Izuku averted his gaze sheepishly, “Well actually, they got rid of that rule. I co-could be the first one-!”
Katsuki looked enraged, storming towards Izuku’s desk and promptly exploding it, the impact shooting Izuku to the floor, “Listen up, Deku. You’re even worse than these damn rejects! You quirkless wannabe. You really think they’d let someone like you in when they could have someone like me?”
Izuku began crawling backwards, whimpering an apology, “Ah! N-no way you’ve got it all wrong really! I’m not trying to compete against you! You gotta believe me!” Izuku pauses, his cheeks going red in an instant, “It’s just that…I’ve wanted to be a hero ever since I was little. I may not have a quirk but I can still try my hardest. Can’t I…?”
Katsuki began sparking up his palms, “You’d never be able to hang out with the best of the best. You’d die in the exams defenceless, Izuku! The school’s already crappy. Do you really want to embarrass it more by failing so hard?”
As the class began exiting the room Izuku was busy staring at his phone, the sludge villain was all over the news, it looked similar to that gelatinous creature he had fought himself once, as he opened his notebook to quickly jot down some notes a familiar blond had snatched his notebook right out his nimble hands, “I don’t know what you think you’re doing Deku, but we’re not done.”
Another boy joined from behind, with shoulder length brown hair, “Whatcha got there? His diary? Huh? Don’t tell me you're taking notes on how to be a hero? That’s so pathetic! Ha!”
Another joined, “He’s delusional! Hahaha!”
Izuku stood up, reaching for his notebook, “Ha real funny guys. Just give it back-” Before he could get it Katsuki had already combusted it leaving Izuku whimpering, "That's so mean.” Katsuki snarled as he threw it out the window, “Most first string heroes show potential early on. People look at them and just know they’re destined for greatness. When I’m the only student from this garbage junior high to get into UA, people will start talking to me like that, they’ll realise that I’m legit the next big thing. That’s not ego talking. I just know I’m good.”
Katsuki placed his hand on Izuku’s shoulder, disgust covering his face by the mere action of touching him, the black ink uniform started sizzling, “Here’s a little word of advice, nerd. Don’t even think of applying, or else.” Izuku stood there shaking in anger, tears began forming in his eyes. He really wishes he was Bunny right now, Bunny didn’t take shit from anyone, he would have shown Kacchan what a nerd truly was. But right now this was Izuku, weak, defenceless and quirkless Deku.
As Katsuki began leaving the classroom his friends began pitifully teasing the boy, “That’s just sad .I thought you at least had some fight in you.”
The other joined, “He finally gets it. He’ll never be a hero. Better to find out now instead of later I guess.” The boy shrugged, following Katsuki like a leach.
Before Katsuki leaves the classroom he pauses for a brief moment, "You know, If you really want to be a hero that badly, there actually might be another way.”
He paused before continuing,
“Just pray that you’ll be born with a quirk in your next life. And take a swan dive off the roof of the building.”
Izuku waited until they were out of sight, he wiped his tears, and left the classroom swinging his beat up yellow bag over his shoulder, he wandered towards the bond angrily grumbling, “That idiot! You can’t go around telling people to kill themselves, what if I really jumped what would he do then.” Izuku’s eyes teared up with frustrated tears as he saw the koi fish in the mossy pond nibble away at his soaked and burnt now additionally torn notebook, “My dreams have turned into fish food, That’s enough give it back damn it. Stupid jerk.” Izuku wiped his tears flopping his notebook in the air trying to get it to dry.
Izuku glanced at the rooftop, pleading that one day he’d be free, maybe Kacchan was right maybe if he’d jump off that rooftop he’d be reincarnated with a quirk, maybe he’d be a carefree fish eating at someone else's dreams or maybe he’d be a boy with two loving parents wish an amazing quirk everyone praised. It wasn’t the first time he’d thought of ending his life and the boy knew it wouldn’t be the last.
As Izuku left a part of his journey home he travelled under a bridge, Various bottles, and tabs were left here, when he was younger the kids would pick these tabs up and begin tossing them at Izuku making his hair stink of tobacco. As Izuku began marching through the tunnel he heard something splodge and swire behind him, because of his year of training with Aizawa his senses were more heightened, the figure began wrapping itself around Izuku, “Don’t worry I’m just tak-” Izuku began scrounging through his bag for anything to help, he gets a reminder back to the gelatinous thug he had fought before, he needed a lighter, did he even have a lighter?
No! But he did have a box of shitty matches from when he and Hitoshi were forced to go camping. Before the villain could finish the sentence Izuku lit the match and set his notebook on fire, the fire melted the villain who was wailing in agony. Izuku bent down to collect it in one of the plastic bottles he found beside them, “Shut up will you? Fucking pig.” Izuku’s voice was so harsh he barely recognised himself. He quickly composed himself as he picked up the bottle and began sprinting to the nearest police office,
“H-hello, sorry, I was attacked by this villain, I managed to contain him in this bottle, I’m sorry abou-” Izuku’s eyes quickly latched onto All Might who was swiftly making his way across the street. Not wasting any time Izuku threw the bottle at the police and tried to catch up to All Might, The shrunken figure was holding a ham sandwich contently munching away as he made his way up onto a rooftop.
Izuku found that his wall jumping skills came in use more than just his regular patrols, “All Might!”
Yagi (AKA the one and only All Might) turned around, with a sigh, “When did you get up here?”
Izuku frailed around “Uhm…just now, I swear I’m not a stalker I just saw you and I thought…I needed…Uhm I just…Is it possible for me to be a hero even if I don't have a quirk? I’m a normal kid without any powers, even so, could I ever hope to be someone like you?”
“Without a quirk…” Yagi ran his hand through his hair.
Izuku began again “People don’t think I have a chance. That not having any powers makes me some kind of weakling, My classmates like to make fun of me. But you know what? That makes me want to prove them wrong.” He began fumbling around with his thumbs.
Yagi stops him as he sees his mouth open again, “Kid this job isn’t easy. Pro heroes are always having to risk their lives. Some villains just can’t be beaten without powers. So no, I honestly don’t think you could become a hero without a quirk.”
“I see..” Izuku said trying his best not to burst out sobbing,
“If you want to help people there are plenty of other ways to do it. You could become a police officer to get crap because the heroes capture most of the villains. But it’s a fine profession.” Before he leaves he finishes with: “It’s not bad to have a dream young man, just make sure your dreams are attainable,realistic, Understand.” He doesn’t bother to face him as he begins to leave.
As Izuku stood there alone on the rooftop, he felt less upset that he had to sell all his All Might, hell he felt pissed, pissed and hopeless and useless. Was this all he was ever going to be, some Deku that couldn’t be anything but a loser and some vigilante sidekick.
He glanced off the rooftop, the fall was long. One that had little to no chance of survival. He removed his shoes, clambering onto the fence. If this was all life had in stock for him, why bother. He removed his black button by tossing it to the floor beside him, his phone falling on the floor beside it.
The breeze brushed against his scars, he felt the more recent ones had more sensation to them yet the burning felt numb compared to the tightness building in his chest. Tears had gotten entrapped in his eyes as he looked down at the drop. The buildings below him were blurred and slightly shaky.
Ding
He got a message.
‘Yoshi Toshi: Zu, ma got me super smash bros, come over and try it with me. She also asked if you wanted to stay for lunch so you better get here soon cause I already told her yes. >:)’
Izuku closed his eyes, hopping down from the fence, taking in a deep breath before putting his shoes back on, after all, Hitoshi needed a player two so he couldn’t do that to him today.
Before he could make his way out of the building he heard screeching, Shit. looking down from the rooftop he saw the very same sludge villain from before. “I-I swore I handed it to the police right?!” Izuku clenches his fists recalling the moment in his head, “Fuck I must of gave them the wrong bottle- Idiot, I’m such an idiot.”
Izuku wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole but he didn’t give up just yet. Rushing over to the crime scene almost tripping over himself countless times. When he got closer he found that the person being engulfed by the blob this time was none other than his old childhood friend, “K-kacchan?”
Panicked he basically emptied his bag looking for the matches, shakily he lit one of his textbooks on fire rushing straight towards the aggravated Katsuki, “The fuck are you doing De-!?” His words swiftly cut off as the slime filled his mouth,
“Kacchan don’t squirm; it only stiffens the slime further, the quirks similar to quick sand in that sense.” Izuku felt the fire burn the tips of his fingers but he couldn’t bring himself to let go of the notebook yet.
The Blond seemed to begrudgingly obey, his body loosening slightly, Izuku took his chance, tossing the flaming book at the eye of the sludge. Izuku did his best to catch Katsuki as he fell from the grasp of the melting figure.
Heroes swarmed the scene, instead of thanking Izuku for saving his classmate's life they all got frustrated, shouting at him for meddling when it wasn’t needed. On the other hand Bakugo was praised for remaining calm and for how strong he was during the whole thing.
It was getting late and Izuku’s phone was blasted with messages from both Hitoshi and his mothers asking if he was okay. He assured them that he was and that he’d be at their house as soon as possible. On his way to the house he felt a hand firmly grasp on his shoulder, “Deku.”
Izuku instantly knew who’s mouth that snarl had escaped from, sheepishly turning around he replied,
“Kacchan…”
“I could have gotten out by myself.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Just don’t think you’re better than me now.”
Izuku looked up noticing something other than anger in Katsuki’s eyes, gratitude? Shame? Fear? As the green haired boy opened his mouth to respond, Katsuki had already stormed away.
“Kacchan…” He muttered once more, watching as the other had walked off.
Notes:
OKAAAY SO WERE GETTING INTO THE TRUE STORY SOON...
Chapter 12: Halloween
Summary:
Happy halloween
(ignore how late I am...)
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Izuku threw himself off his bed, lazily rubbing the sleep from the corner of his eyes. He went to clean the house a bit, he stopped himself mid way past Bat’s bowl, a reminder that she was no longer there with him. Izuku sighed, blinking away the waterworks that threateningly brimmed the corners of his eyes.
The morning greeted him with a cold wave, he threw on a half chewed up and teared jacket and his filthy crimson sneakers before making his way out the house. He was in desperate need of groceries and he couldn’t stand scrounging the cabinets for loose protein bars any longer.
At the store he spotted none other than his lanky purple haired friend, Izuku crept up behind him jumping onto his back, “Boo!” Shinsou stiffened for a moment before turning around and spotting his childhood friend behind him, “Ah so scary a rat with a baby face.” He mocked as Izuku looked up at him with fake offence, “Wow ‘Toshi you wound me.”
Shinsou rolled his eyes before leaning on the freezer behind him, “So, any ideas for halloween this year?”
Izuku knew that Shinsou wasn’t too big on holidays but halloween was his everything, he was big on costumes and horror movies and even though he wasn’t too big on sweets he would eat them until he felt like he was going to throw up.
Izuku pondered for a moment, “Hm, well I liked the angel and the devil one we did last year, that was fun!”
“No way! It’s boring to use the same costume year after year, but maybe I could bring out the killer clown costume from retirement-"
Izuku quickly cut him off, “No, never in a million years dude. That was the most horrific shit in the world.”
Shinsou scrounged through his pockets and found a hefty amount of cash, Izuku felt guilty making him pay so he parted some of the money that would have been used for his groceries, “Maybe we can look in the clearance aisle right?”
Shinsou nodded.
The racks were filled to the brim, returned items and face paints with broken covers alongside some near expired pies and bread. Izuku held up a witch hat in which Shinsou instantly put away, Shinsou held up a skeleton and ghost costume, where as Izuku held up a dog and cat costume, Shinsou butted in, “I’m not wearing cat ears I’ll look like a femboy.”
Izuku quickly retorted, “How does a ghost and a skeleton even remotely match.”
The two bickered before coming to a compromise.
Halloween was quick to come, considering it was the day after, “Oh hello Izuku, nice ghost…– dog costume?” Shinsou’s Ma snorted, brushing her hand against Izuku’s hair.” Izuku had a ghost like robe on with a little smiley face drawn on the hood, under the hood he wore green dog ears that blended in with his hair. Going upstairs he found Shinsou in his room using the face paint and drawing a little nose and some whiskers on. Izuku giggled at the sight of the older, he wore a hoodie with a skeleton decal, alongside a lavender set of ears that didn’t blend as easily into his hair like Izuku’s had. Noticing Izuku’s laughter Shinsou instantly went red wiping the whiskers off, “Izuku I’m going to strangle you so help me I’ll-”
Izuku cut him off once more, pulling him into a hug, “C’mon take a picture, we need one to compare with last year’s.”
Shinsou swiftly took the photo, snorting at the face Izuku made, “You’re so stupid.”
Izuku grinned ear to ear, “Who cares! Pick a movie and if I don’t piss myself out of fear then you’ve failed.”
Shinsou pulled his laptop onto his lap, loading up a piracy website, “Oh you won't be disappointed.”
The first one Shinsou put on was called ‘Sinister’ The movie left both him and Izuku scared shitless, Izuku clung onto Shinsou like he was a lifeline, after they refiled their popcorn bowl they moved onto ‘Slenderman’ The two got distracted as Izuku pulled out wattpad and begun ominously reading Slenderman x Reader fanfics into Shinsou’s ear until they were both on the floor giggling at ‘Slenderman’s possessive growl’ being described.
“Hey Izuku?”
“Hm?”
“I think I’m gonna apply for UA.”
Izuku leaped up, “For real?! That’s awesome.” Izuku exclaimed wrapping Hitoshi in his embrace,
“I’ve been taking up boxing, my uncle told me that it was stupid for anyone to rely fully on their quirk.” Shinsou said sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck as he continued speaking, “I’m telling you this cause…God, this sounds cheesy but Izuku you’re my best friend and If I’m going to UA I’d want to do it with you. So uhm please don’t step down from trying. I mean nobody knows if we’ll get in or not, but if we don’t apply at all then we’ll never get in.”
Izuku teared up, “Do you really think I can be a hero…?”
Shinsou tightly squished Izuku’s cheeks between the palms of his hands, “Izuku if anyone could be a hero it would be you.”
Tears quickly arose in Izuku’s eyes, smudging his eyeliner, “I wanna be a hero… So b-bad.” Izuku stammers between shaky breaths “I wanna be a hero, I really wanna be a hero with you." The younger mutters once more. The lavender haired boy gave a smirk as he placed a hand into the younger's matted hair,
“Yeah yeah, I do too bro, don't get all sappy on me, it's making the toffee not slap as hard."
“Toshi- you have braces it's probably not slapping as hard because it knows its three chews away from you getting your ass whooped."
Suddenly Izuku heard a stern voice echo into Shinsou’s room, “Hitoshi! Izuku! It's three am, you two better go to sleep!" The voice was stern but it had a softness to it still, just a concerned mother worrying over her son and her son’s friend’s health.
“Yeah ma don't worry we're gonna sleep now!”
Hitoshi groaned as he lazily hovered his thumb on the side of his phone in an attempt to turn it off.
“Night ‘Zuku.” Shinsou spoke, the words barely audible over his yawn.
“Night Toshi.” The younger replied flopping back staring at the ceiling, “UA.” he murmurs under his breath, as he turns to face the other he notices a peaceful expression on his face, one that Izuku couldn’t bring himself to disrupt.
Turning off the lamp on the bedside table, Izuku joins his friend in slumber.
Notes:
I tried drawing them in my style IK ITS LOWKEY ASS BUT LIKE SHHHH I THINK ITS CUTE :,)
Chapter 13: The talk before...
Summary:
The crossover chapter
Notes:
Hey sorry for the long wait, I've been busy with exams and writers block but I managed to get out another chapter. Thank you for the support I'm genuinely so proud that I have over 600 hits like WHAAAT I love you all.
Also if you want to see some art and head cannons etc find me on tiktok! : shittyasswriting
Chapter Text
Light shone through Shinsou’s curtains: the light danced across Izuku’s freckled cheeks making its way into his eyes, irritating them until Izuku managed to pry them open. As the boy pulled himself up he spotted a fluffy lavender mane standing by the door frame.
“Mornin’” Shinsou huffed cutting himself off with a yawn,
Izuku snorted, “Gosh you look horrible.”
The taller’s ears ran pink, “You would too if you had to deal with your obnoxious snoring all night.” The pout that resigned on the boys face left Izuku giggling (as discreetly as he could)
“Anyways Ma made pancakes, she offered to drop you off after so you don’t have to walk back in the rain.”
Izuku was grateful that the Shinsou’s were always so thoughtful, they always made him food, cut his hair and washed his clothes whenever they got scruffy. Throwing himself off the bed he messily wiped off the left over makeup from the night prior.
“Zuku hurry up!”
The sweet smell of melted chocolate had filled the room, Izuku couldn’t help but follow it down the stairs. He adored Shinsou’s mother’s cooking, it had love carried in each bite: the same kind he could vaguely recall from his infancy.
“Morning love I’ve set your pancakes on the table right next to Hitoshi’s, strawberries and chocolate just like you like them.” Touyuki greeted him with an infectious smile, “Go on then, eat them whilst they’re still hot.”
The boy obeyed swiftly: a warm sensation grew in his chest as he stared at the pancakes laid neatly in front of them, the thought that they remembered how he liked them was enough for Izuku to want to burst out crying. He noticed Shinsou glancing in his direction but he managed to hide his glossy eyes under a simulated yawn.
Once the boys’ plates were empty they were prompted to the car where they were tucked away in the backseats.
“Thank you.” Izuku sheepishly bowed his head,
“Don’t worry about it kid. I couldn’t let you catch a cold under my watch.” She tossed him a friendly grin that melted half of the tension that rested in Izuku’s shoulders.
The drive was relatively short much to the kids’ distaste yet the exhaustion from the night before was slowly creeping in on them like an internal warning to let each other go for now. As they reached the young vigilante’s house Izuku yawned his goodbyes before waddling to his door like a drunken sailor.
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unluckily for the young boy he still had to go for his patrol, the one he had been dreading for days, it was the first patrol he had went on since the whole de-aging incident, even the thought embarrassed Izuku to the extent he just wanted the floor to open up and swallow him.
He tossed on his usual patrol attire before tossing himself on the couch where he briefly got some rest.
The clock hit 7:02 PM he got his usual vague text:
—
Aizawa: ‘Alleyway.’
Izuku: ‘OK’
—
Adjusting his goggles and pulling his fingers through his gloves he dubbed himself as prepared. Dashing through the alleys he finally found the one with his scruffy hero,
“Eraser!” He waved with both arms in the air, Shota didn’t quite smile but his posture softened ever so slightly, the unspoken ‘I’m glad you’re safe.’ written in his body language.
“That was quicker than usual, good job kid.” Eraserhead let out a grunt ruffling the stunted vigilante’s hair.
Izuku couldn’t help but nuzzle into the touch, he was like a sponge, taking in any form of contact he could.
Since Aizawa decided not to mention the event from prior Izuku decided not to either, it helped Izuku ease back into his usual Bunny persona,
“Eraser before the patrol can you show me the uh- what was it again…” The boy muttered softly the sound muffled from his mask.
“Inward block.” The older bluntly spoke up ending Izuku’s rambling almost instantly,
“Yeah that one!”
Izuku’s eyes lit up in such a determined manner that Aizawa had no choice other than agreeing. He excused his adoration for the boy as his teacher’s need to teach his pupil.
Izuku was a quick learner yet because of his limited body mass he struggled with a lot of the basic martial art moves Shota attempted to teach him,
“You got to get some more meat on those bones, you’re lucky that you’re agile otherwise you’d be dead by now.” Eraser sighed, wrapping his scarf tightly around his neck, “We’ll talk more after the patrol.”
Aizawa began weaving effortlessly across the rooftops as Izuku followed half a beat behind. Area’s where Izuku had even slightly hesitated Aizawa instantly pointed it out nudging him in the right direction.
Glancing around Aizawa felt a knot growing in his stomach. Something felt off. Izuku was swift to catch onto Aizawa’s apprehension, the consistent glances he shot between jumps, the unsettled look in his eye, the way his stubble grew messier than usual.
Dropping beside him Izuku spoke up, “Eraser… What’s going on?” His voice wavered slightly as if he could feel the anxiety waving off the Hero sitting beside him.
The silence grew loud.
Suddenly the older man spoke up, tilting his head upwards to allow the wind to brush against his bare face, “The district has been getting quiet, abnormally quiet. Yet rumours of movement have been spreading, they’re pushing our bounds, we need to keep our eyes out.”
Izuku clenched his fists, looking down he felt his body stiffen,
“Izuku.”
The word came out unintentionally soft.
“Izuku, it’s not your fault.” Aizawa pulled himself up before stretching out a hand towards Izuku yet there was a pause before he took it.
“If I was stronger… If I was better I could have done more to help.” The boy’s breath hitches before using Aizawa’s hand to pull himself up.
“Kid.”
Eraser begun before softening his voice further,
“It’s not your fault bad people do bad things. You can’t save everyone by yourself.”
The words went through one ear and out the other, he didn’t want Aizawa to worry so he gave him a weak nod.
“Regardless tonight you must stay close, no wandering, no running off.” Izuku opens his mouth to make a retort but Shota cuts him off, “Yes even if you see a villain, especially if you see a villain.”
Izuku begrudgingly nodded as he continued to follow Aizawa.
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The night remained quiet apart from a thug or two that they quickly shut away.
They decided to pause above the red-light district upon a rooftop, looking down at the neon reflection of the bar’s sign on the puddle beneath them. The smell of tobacco and steam came from the vents below them yet the warmth tempted Izuku closer.
The two sat side by side on the ledge, Izuku allowed his feet to dangle from the edge, leaning his head up to view the stars that rested above them,
“Eraser, look it’s Hydra!”
“Hm?”
Aizawa glances up towards the sky in confusion before turning his attention to the boy beside him.
“Hydra a constellation, it’s the biggest out of the eighty eight isn’t that cool?”
Aizawa glances up towards the various stars above them allowing Izuku to continue,
“Do you know how the Greeks named it? Well out of the twelve challenges Hercules faced the Hydra was the biggest.”
Hearing the boy ramble in such a carefree manner made Aizawa’s chest burn with something warm yet painful. He turned his attention to Izuku once more, “How do you know which constellation it is?”
“Oh a few years back I borrowed a book from the school library about the stars from the science between them to the constellations. For some reason the pictures got stuck in my long term memory.”
Shota flicks Izuku on the side of his head,
“Hey! What’s that for?” Izuku’s eyes darted to Aizawa's.
“For someone so smart you sure are reckless.” Eraser sighs running a hand through his hair as he watches his breath form a cloud of condensation in the air.
If they had paid attention to the opposite rooftop they might have seen the silhouette watching him. If they had listened harder they might have heard the echo of metal scrapping against the concrete.
But they didn’t.
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As they do another lap around the district Izuku feels his shoulders tense up unconsciously, an icy sensation crawling down his spine.
“You okay?” Aizawa asks glancing towards the boy next to him,
“Yeah…Just cold.”
Shota hums before continuing,
“Let’s go, tomorrow we can patrol again, make sure to wear another layer beneath your hoodie.”
Izuku dramatically groans but internally agrees.
In the distance, besides the abandoned brothel, something retreats into the darkness.
Aizawa swore he heard something but he brushed it off as the heavy winds.
Yet he’ll soon stand corrected.
Chapter 14: stay close
Summary:
Izuku gets hurt, Katsuki isn't a complete asshole.
Notes:
TW: mentions of blood.
Chapter Text
As the two began returning they felt the air around them turn sharp, Izuku apprehensively pivoted his body around slightly tripping over the cracks in the concrete, Aizawa attempted to keep his guard up yet half of his attention remained strictly on Izuku as he watched the young vigilante frantically dart their eyes around.
“Bunny.”
He spoke quietly yet his voice stern no room for argument:
“Stay close.”
Izuku scooted closer, tugging his goggles back over his eyes, He snatched his blade from his belt,
“Come out whoever you are!”
Shota let out a sharp hiss, placing his hand firmly over the vigilante’s mouth, “Izuku, what the hell are you thinking?”
However his words seemed to fall on dead ears, fog began covering the pair, the hiss of metal scrapping amplified to a headsplitting frequency.
Close.
He had to stay close.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eraserhead saw a glint through the mist, he looked behind him, a warning to Izuku:
stay right here.
In the matter of seconds Aizawa had managed to climb on top of a street light, his ashy grey scarf clung onto the curve of the lamp, supporting his body weight as he scouted above the dark fog that covered the ground.
“Eraserhead.”
The figure slowly raised himself, a duct forming in their forearm shooting sturdy metal skewers that he used to push himself up on.
The voice escaped slightly muffled by the hair that flowed down like overgrown vines from his scalp,
“I can’t believe it- Ha!” The figure tossed their hair behind them, their pupils retracting like a wild animal about to pounce, “I found you…Finally!” The somber voice declared, tossing himself directly towards the sleep deprived hero, “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this?”.
Noticing Aizawa’s scarf shooting towards them they decided to toss themself back into the fog yet they remained at a distance where they were still audible, “Do you even remember me?”
Izuku watched from a distance slowly creeping closer, waiting for a good time to strike.
“No, I don’t remember you.” The Erasure hero spoke up, his eyes narrowing, clearly losing patience.
“Oh, you don't? No, heroes never do.” They extended the metal rods using them like stilts to gain height over Aizawa, “Don’t you remember expelling me? My first year of UA.” Their breath hitched as they continued speaking, “It was my last hope damn it! I could have been a hero.”
Shota grimaced, tossing himself back down into the abyss of fog, “And this is how a hero acts in the face of failure?”
He watched as the other throws themselves down alongside him,
“You don’t understand Eraser. You ruined me. I would have been great, they’d see me in the news standing tall besides Endeavor and Hawks.” The figure tugged desperately at their shirt, “God damn it! I would have been a hero if it weren’t for you!”
The obnoxious figure suddenly shot a thick tendril of metal towards the hero, the skewer flew directly towards Eraserhead camouflaging itself in the lightless fog surrounding the area.
Izuku’s vision blurred as he watched the scene. His goggles assisted him through the fog, calculating the speed of the tendril Izuku rushed towards the hero, “Eraser!” His voice broke as he shoved the older out of the way.
Blood.
The sleeve of his hoodie stained with crimson, watching the metal rod snap as it dug further into him, “Fuck..” Izuku released a jagged exhale. The skewer had submerged into his arm, a thick ruby liquid ran down his forearm. He clenched his fist firmly using his free arm to keep a firm grasp over his wound.
Shota pushed himself towards Izuku cupping his face with his shaky hands, “Kid-” a million thoughts raced through his head as he watched the kid begin to wobble like a newborn lamb, without thinking he scooped the vigilante up using the fog to his advantage, escaping into a nearby alleyway, “Izuku what were you thinking…” Aizawa clenched his fists, releasing Izuku slowly allowing the young vigilante to catch his breath. Izuku’s chest rose up and down frantically, “It’s okay- I can still fight. ” Aizawa heard his old student slowly creeping closer, his gaze darted between the two, “Stay here don’t touch-” His words were cut off by a swiftly moving skewer,
Outside the foggy field Shota finally managed to spot them directly, his eyes shone a luminescent red, the villain adjacent to him found their metal tendrils disappearing instantly, before they could continue blabbering Shota wrapped them into his scarf, leaving a white cocoon of his prior student beneath him.
“I don’t regret expelling you, you weren’t ready for UA and only an idiot would allow a brat like you to continue with the course.”
Shota turned around faced with a blood stained empty alley,
“Shit.”
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Izuku sprinted into the distance, his vision straining as he pushed himself further. Exhaustion crept up on him but he managed to keep throwing himself further until finally he reached an all too familiar area to him. The park beside his house, yet for some reason it wasn’t empty like usual.
“Deku?”
The voice was rough and raspy like he had been out for a while,
“Ka-kacchan?” His voice was a faint hiss.
The blond approached closer, pulling down Izuku’s mask, the pale freckles covering his scarred cheeks confirmed it, his eyes locked onto the skewer digging further into Izuku, He wanted to yell, to shout, demand an explanation but for once he found that nothing escaped. He took his hand into his own, dragging him towards his own house. Izuku’s body was close to collapsing. Instead of arguing he followed obediently, allowing his old friend to sneak him up into his room.
Being guided through the Bakugo household brought dozens of memories back to Izuku, back to his infancy when they’d sneak paper towels from the kitchen back upstairs to clean the paint stains from the carpet. The familiar earthy musk filled Izuku’s lungs as he was transported into Katsuki’s room.
“Sit.” The blond commanded huffing as he scavenged through his draws for a first aid kit, “Hoodie off.”
“The…uhm…”
Izuku pointed towards the skewer in his arm, Katsuki realised he wouldn’t be able to remove it without removing the skewer, “Fuck wait, let me get the hag to take you to the hosp-” Izuku instantly jerked his head up aggressively shaking his head as he rips out the rod of metal,
“Don’t!” Katsuki hissed quickly snatching a t-shirt from his floor and wrapping it firmly around the injury applying pressure, Izuku removed his hoodie, placing it beside him as he tears open the first aid kit, he found a few disinfectant wipes and a thick roll of bandages.
Katsuki snatched the various objects from his hands, trying his best not to grimace at the plethora of scars covering the younger’s arms ranging from burns to self-inflicted keloids.
He spoke up, his voice softer than intended, “How did this happen…? What’s with the goggles and mask?”
Izuku winced as he felt the wipes dab around his wound, “I wasn’t looking and I ran into a place I shouldn’t have been…As for the mask and goggles I get cold quickly so my uh dad bought me these to help..”
“What place?”
“I don’t remember?”
“Bullshit.”
Katsuki’s grip on his arm got firm, Izuku noticed Katsuki’s usual aggressive demeanour wavering,
“Kacchan, why did you help me?”
Silence.
“Kacchan”
“Shut up.” He huffed wrapping the bandage around his forearm. Izuku decided against asking anything more yet before he could stand back up he heard Katsuki speak up again:
“For the whole sludge villain ordeal. Now we’re even.”
Izuku smiled softly. He swore he saw the blond pout for a moment but he collapsed unconscious before he could confirm his conjecture.
“Nerd?”
“Deku?”
Katsuki lets out a grunt, watching the mop of green curl up on his carpet, without another word he picks up the stunted boy placing him on his bed. He felt so confused, so frustrated, he didn’t know what was happening he didn’t even know why he bothered patching the idiot up. Yet everytime the blond glanced towards his childhood friend the image of him bleeding out in the freezing cold all alone replaying in his head.
He huffed pulling out a spare pillow and blanket making himself an area to sleep on the floor,
“Night nerd.”
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The morning followed swiftly, a sharp pang shot through Izuku’s arm forcing him back to consciousness. Luckily the Blond beside him was out cold, soft snores filled the room. Izuku took the chance to escape, but he couldn’t leave without a word. Izuku shakes his head to himself for even thinking about it.
He searched the boy’s bedside table he ripped a page from his empty note book using the closest pen by him to scribble down a note:
‘Thanks for patching me up Kacchan, I appreciate it but I’ve got to head home before my dad panics. Thanks again! :D Sorry for everything.’
The words were barely legible - courtesy of his injured arm. As the blond began to squirm, Izuku decided to get out of his hair, snatching his hoodie from the floor and opening his window as wide as possible as he leaped from his window sill to the garden fence. He managed to climb down getting to his house in one piece.
Ding !
Ding !!
Ding !!!
The sound drove the already exhausted kid crazy, he pulled out his phone his screen glowing with the bold text, ‘47 missed calls’ He opened his messages app to over sixty texts from one dark haired scruffy hero:
Aizawa: Bunny, where are you?
Aizawa: I gave you one instruction, kid.
Aizawa: I swear to god if you don’t reply
Aizawa: Izuku, do you need me to pick you up?
Aizawa: Izuku please pick up.
Aizawa: When you see this, tell me if you're okay?
Aizawa: Did you go to the hospital?
Aizawa: Did you get patched up yet? Are you at least home?
Aizawa: Please tell me if you're safe.
Aizawa: Problem child, where are you?
Izuku cringed at the sight, slowly drowning in guilt the further he scrolled down their direct messages.
Izuku: Sorry I did get home, I was asleep xD! See you tonight Raser!!!
Without another word Izuku turned off his phone avoiding further questions, tossing himself on the couch as he allowed himself to melt into the firm and heavily stained cushions. All he wished for was a short nap before classes started. Almost instantly he fell into a deep trance heavy snores escaping from his still portrait body.
Chapter 15: You just got impaled
Summary:
Izuku gets a good whack from reality.
Notes:
We're almost at 1000 hits I'm so happy, thank you again and I hope you enjoy this chapter <3
Chapter Text
“Deku-!” Katsuki had found Izuku groveling to class by the gates of Aledera Junior High.
“Kacchan, you shouldn’t talk to me here, people might see you!” The boy frantically waved his arms in the air, scooting himself further back into the wall as he saw the blond’s face twist into something grim,
“Shut up nerd. Why the fuck are you in did you forget about last night already?”
“No! But they threatened to expel me if my attendance gets any lower.” Izuku sighs before continuing, “Plus I’m fine, you’re really good at first aid.”
Katsuki snarls, shoving past the emerald eyed boy, “Don’t think we’re all buddy buddy now. I just did that so we’d be even.”
Izuku’s heart sunk slightly, he didn’t know why he’d expected something to change: maybe it was the way Katsuki’s crimson eyes softened ever so slightly when he tended to Izuku’s injury or the way he allowed Izuku to grip onto his sleeve whilst disinfecting his wound. Either way Izuku had to push it back down, he had a class to attend.
The day passed at a sluggish pace, after what felt like forever Izuku managed to reach lunch where he sat alone on the rooftop routinely. He tugged past the wrapper on his protein bar using his teeth. He began slowly gnawing at the nutty bland meal.
“God is that Midoriya?” One kid snickers,
“Fuck’s wrong with him?” Another joins as they walk past
Izuku tries to keep his head down yet something compels him to look up, a third classmate appears one with familiar blond spiked up hair,
“Fix your fucking face.”
His eyes appear dull, his voice dry showing no true emotion yet beneath that Izuku saw small sparks flying off his hands.
‘Was Kacchan nervous?’
The other two quickly joined Katsuki at his side, grinning dumbly as they puffed up their chest.
The scrawny boy pushed himself up off the floor bushing the filth of his pants, He felt anger bubble in his chest as he spoke:
“Do you ever shut up-”
Without thinking Katsuki bashed a fist into Izuku’s nose. Izuku knew it was coming, Izuku knew he could dodge with ease yet he stood still allowing the blood to freely stream down his face, a punishment for speaking up.
“You are nothing next to me. Nothing.” The blond huffed under his breath, the words coming out strained, frustrated, wavering ever so slightly.
“Bakugo you took it too far c’mon let’s go dude.” One of the boys spoke from beside him the other quickly chimed in too, “Yeah it’s not worth it dude let him go.”
Once the three had left to head to class Izuku stayed on the rooftop glancing up at the dull cloudy sky, “This is why you don’t fucking speak Izuku.” He scolded himself digging his nails into his other hand watching as the red liquid dripped from his nose down onto his uniform creating a dark stain.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He waited up on the roof until the bell had rung dismissing the students promptly, Izuku scruffily wiped the dried blood crusts from under his nose before escaping the hellish environment.
Opening his phone his screen flashed with warnings from Eraserhead not to join him on tonight's patrol, Izuku wanted to let him but the thought of sitting in his silent hollow home alone made his chest feel heavy. Izuku quickly types back a response keeping his head down as he scurries back home.
“Bunny, are you allergic to listening?” The dark haired male sighs rubbing his temples with his fingers, Izuku leans back into the bricked wall beside him, “Calm down Eraser it’s not even that bad.” Izuku attempts to wave of his concern yet when he lifted his arm he felt a pang of pain shoot through his entire body, “Fuck!” Izuku hissed before clearing his throat, “I mean fuck I’m so greatfully my body has fully healed overnight.”
Aizawa raises an eyebrow before picking up the young vigilante from his hood, Izuku let out a soft squeak at the action, he wanted to escape but squirming hurt too much. He decided to succumb to reality and let nature take its course of action.
“What are you doing ‘Raser?” He stubbornly huffs,
“Taking you to get your arm properly checked.”
Izuku’s pupils swiftly retracted frantically waving his arms around in order to escape his grasp, “Let me go! I’m not going, I’m not! No hospitals-”
The two came to a halt, Shota kneeled down to his level softly brushing the hair away from the child’s teary eyes, “Bunny take a deep breath for me okay?”
Izuku shook his head repeatedly each time more aggressively,
“Izuku, please take a deep breath, it's okay.”
“I don’t wanna- I don’t want to!” Izuku chokes out his voice higher than usual.
“Izuku, it’s okay we won’t go to the hospital okay? We can go back to my flat, I can ring Hizashi and he won't mind at all.” Aizawa’s voice remained unstartled, not stern nor pitiful but the voice of someone who genuinely wanted the best for the vigilante.
Izuku finally regained his breath, his breath remained slightly shaky but the tears had finally stopped streaming and he was able to stop shivering. “Can we go to yours…please?” His voice was meek yet Shota heard him clearly,
“Okay, but promise to stay by my side this time?”
“Promise.”
The walk was relatively awkward until Aizawa rang Hizashi, when he was about to hang up he was scolded loudly for not reciprocating his love: Izuku watched as the stoic hero turned red, finding the whole situation amusing.
“Tsk tsk tsk Eraser, what kind of husband are you? Appalling, absolutely diabolical.”
“Bunny I swear to god-”
“Eraser and Mic sitting in a tree K-I-S-S…”
Once they reached the flat (to Aizawa’s relief) Izuku went silent again. He fidgeted apprehensive behind Aizawa, flicking the elastics on his mask onto his ear.
Creek.
The door crept open and through the small crack came a familiar white cat strutting out like she was in the midst of a cat walk. Izuku leaped to her like a stray magnet,
“Why hello sassy pants.”
He cooed running his hands through her soft fur, trying to push down the memories of Bat that rushed through his mind,
Shota smiled ruffling Izuku’s hair as he walked past him into the house,
“‘Zashi, I brought him.”
Yamada comes at the speed of light to the front door, ecstatic to see his husband,
“Sho!” Yamada exclaimed, going to his husband leaving a peck on his cheek, he then turned his attention to the sheepish tween standing beside him,
“Hi there lil guy, do you still remember me?” He leaned down beside the boy, still leaving space between them so Izuku wouldn’t get overstimulated.
“I do…”
“Awesome! Alright I made us some Katsudon, Sho told me you really like it, I’ll call when it’s ready.”
He leans back up, shifting his view to his lover,
“Go patch up the little guy and then come for dinner.”
“That's the plan.”
Shota replied faintly before ushering Izuku into the bathroom.
Chapter 16: A boy
Summary:
Izuku gets patched up pt2 and Aizawa finally gets an age reveal.
Notes:
I'm not too happy with this chapter but I feel like it gives me a nice Segway into the next few chapters.
Yes it get's worse from here. Yes Izuku is going to suffer and YES we will get some Dadzawa + Papa mic comfort after.
Chapter Text
Entering the bathroom Shota pulled out some spare clothes that he originally bought for Shinsou but never got to give him.
“Okay kid, go take a shower and change into these, It’s probably too big but it’ll fit better than anything else we have.”
Izuku promptly nodded patiently waiting for Aizawa to leave the room. Once he left the scruffy boy swiftly got stripped of his filthy clothes. He played with the different switches and handles until the shower function decided to work. He took one step in letting his first leg adjust to the temperature before allowing the steamy water to spread throughout his body. It's been a while since he had a shower with hot water. He looked through the steamed glass of the shower, after trying to see the blurred image and failing he wiped a small window for himself.
Their bathroom was surprisingly minimalist if you ignore the A3 sized barbie poster that was pinned towards the door courtesy of Mic, the walls were a polished black stone whereas the floors had a white marbled pattern. He turned around to face the shower shelves, he washed himself off with some dove soap which only took him a few minutes at best, the shower floors were covered in bubbly suds that fell over the bleached white colour that originally inhabited the floor. Izuku had to stick around a bit longer for his hair, it took him twenty odd minutes to get it all de-matted, after that he applied some shampoo which made his hair stink of strawberries which he didn't mind in the slightest, He sneakily dabbed some conditioner in there too. Once he managed to rinse off the excess product and the gunk of the shower floor. Tossing on the severely oversized clothes he made his way towards the living room. He made the conclusion that he’d leave his other clothes in the corner of the bathroom and ask Aizawa what to do with it later on.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whilst he was in the shower Aizawa was busy fidgeting with the kid’s shoes, He found a craft knife slicing the heel with a surgeon's precision:
“Sho, aren’t you going too far?”
Shota shrugs and continues to rotate the shoes around, “If it means making sure he stays alive then no.”
In the small cut he had made he cautiously inserted a small tracker in. He finally covered his trail with a dash of superglue to close the hole.
Yamada let out a soft exhale running his hand through his hand through his hair,
“Shota.”
“Hizashi, you weren’t there, he didn’t get impaled because of you, you didn’t see that kid run off into the night with a skewer buried into his arm.”
Yamada moves forward brushing his husband’s hair out of his face, “Love, that isn’t your fault. I know you're worried but you can’t blame yourself.”
Shota glances up at his husband the look on his face melting his hard exterior completely,
“I’ll only use it in emergencies.”
Moving onto the velvet coffee couch the two sat side by side Shota’s arm slumped around his lover’s shoulder, “Did you finish marking your papers yet?”
“Oh! Right, I’ll do that after dinner.”
Shota nuzzled into his husband’s neck his breath soft in pace, just as he felt his eyes grow heavy the other spoke up,
“I think I hear him coming out, go change your clothes and bring the first aid kit.”
With a nod Aizawa pushed himself up dodging the cat towers and toys that were messily tossed around the floor he arrived at his room, changing himself into a cheesy graphic t-shirt and some dark joggers. As he came out he saw a young boy standing by the bathroom door timidly, his shoulders raised and eyes slightly red from the condensation in the bathroom.
“Bunny?”
Izuku swiftly jerked his head towards the hero, “Eras-Eraser…” It was the first time Shota had seen Izuku without his mask, his face was a lot smaller than he thought it was, his cheeks were sunken yet still slightly round with baby fat that stubbornly clung to his face. His cheek had a healed scar drawn along it, another rested on the bridge of his nose, his eyes shone brightly in the light compared to the dull ones he’d see during their patrols in the night although those deep eyebags remained. His usually scruffy hair now curled and bouncy resting over the splatters of freckles that covered his face entirely. Shota didn’t know what to think, how old was this kid?
“It’s okay kid c’mon let me quickly fetch the first aid kit and then I’ll patch you up okay?”
Joining Hizashi on the couch Izuku tossed a few glances at the blond hero scooting away to give him space. Yamada however turned his attention to Aizawa, a scowl resting on his face silently scolding his husband for taking what looked to be a nine year old out in the red district.
“Izuku, can you roll up the sleeves?” Shota unzipped the first aid kit.
“Okay…”
The greenette apprehensively tugged his sleeve up, he watched as the two heroes cringed at the scar filled sight,
“Alright kid, can you rest your arm here?”
Izuku followed the other’s hand, placing his arm onto his lap, he timidly glanced towards the dark eyed hero as he watched his sturdy hands gently removing the damp bandage from his forearm.
Yamada watched as Izuku winced, without thinking he shuffled himself forward grabbing the vigilante’s free hand, running his thumb over the back of Izuku’s knuckles he spoke up, “Sho told me you liked heroes, what’s your favourite?”
Izuku hummed for a moment, but as he opened his mouth to say All Might he found that the words didn’t feel right.
“I uh don’t know…” He pondered for a moment, “Eraser?”
Yamada instantly broke out in coos, “Awe Sho did you hear that? Seems like you’ve got a fanboy!”
Izuku instantly puffs up his chest, “W-well no, I just admire how he uh- he didn’t rat me out earlier”
Aizawa on the other hand remained silent other than a faint chuckle at his husband. Pushing past the vast array of injuries covering the boy, Shota managed to re-wrap the recent wound.
“Look at that little guy, all done!”
Izuku squints his eyes in Yamada’s direction, “I’m not a child.”
Aizawa raises a brow clearly unimpressed, “And yet you look like you’re no older than ten.”
The boy instantly gawks, his mouth forming an ‘o’ shape, Yamada’s eyes sharpen digging into Aizawa’s, “Shota Aizawa, you’re telling me you don’t even know how old he is?”
Shota swiftly retorts, “I asked, he just wouldn’t tell me!”
Izuku watched the back and forth for a while before slowly creeping away, before he could even move a meter he was tugged back towards the couch.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Question.”
“Answer.”
Izuku grunts at Shota’s response,
“How long are you just going to stare at me…?” The boy sheepishly rubs the back of his neck.
The couple shared a glance before Hizashi began to speak, “Okay, okay we just have a few questions. And I completely get that you’d prefer not to do this but until you do we won’t be able to let you go.”
Izuku pushes himself up clenching his fists, “You can’t- that's-... That’s not fair!” He stomps his foot firmly on the carpet that successfully muted his action.
“Izuku.” The voice was stern yet ridden with concern, “Please sit down.” Aizawa leaned forward, his eyes locked onto the boy preparing for any hints of an attempted escape. Izuku slowly lowered himself, scooting himself onto the edge of the couch, “Fine. Ask but I can’t promise I’ll answer."
“Izuku.”
“Okay, okay just ask…”
“Does your dad know about all of this?”
“...”
“Izuku?”
“...”
Shota lets out an exasperated exhale as he looks at the unresponsive vigilante:
“Okay next question, how old are you? Fourteen? Fifteen? Sixteen?”
Izuku remains silent.
“Lower?” Shota’s voice slightly softens as Izuku gives him a nod.
“Thirteen?”
“Lower.” Izuku replied meekly.
“Twelve?”
“I mean…I will be in a few months?”
Eraser's face went pale as he tugged at his hair, “Eleven…” The words fell under his breath. Yamada watched as the pair grew more wary. He pulled himself up, “Well I think the katsudon’s ready, how about we leave the rest of the questions for the morning, yeah?”
Hizashi glances at Izuku’s motionless body,
“Are…Are you mad?” The boy’s breath hitched as he glanced up at the pair teary eyed. Shota was the first to speak, “Kid I’m not mad at you. If I was mad at anyone it’d be myself, not you, I’m not mad at you, just worried about you.”
Yamada swiftly nodded as he added, “We’re a little shocked for sure, but just like Sho said, we’re worried little listener.”
The three sat around the large oak table once more this time without a quirk affected Izuku. For the majority of the meal the stunted boy had let himself zone out, completely unaware of how fast he had been shoveling the Katsudon in his mouth.
“Woah you must really like katsudon, don’t fret I made tons!” Yamada tosses him a cheesy grin, passing him a tissue to wipe the crumbs of his upper lip.
Izuku thanked him bashfully, wiping his face.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An hour or so passed and Yamada decided to call it a night after all he had a 6am spot at the radio. Shota remained on the couch marking some late papers that his husband didn’t have the time to mark. The ever so awkward Izuku lingered by the door fidgeting with his backpack. Shota patted a seat near him which Izuku gingerly accepted.
The scruffy male passes Izuku the remote for the tv as he grabs a pile of essays and balances them on his lap. Izuku lazily hovers through the different channels before he spots a hero interview on MT Lady his mouth instantly starts moving as he pulls out his notebook he writes each word in sync with what he's muttering,
“Her large size makes her extremely vulnerable to attacks. She essentially becomes a massive target, making it easy for villains to aim for her. Plus, as she becomes bigger, her movements also become slower and less precise, making it hard for her to dodge attacks.”
The edges of Aizawa’s lips curl upwards making a warm smirk of his mouth. Izuku looks at him whilst cocking his head slightly to the right thinking of possibilities to overcome this weakness.
“So you still mutter outside of patrols.” Shota lets out an endearing sigh before turning to Izuku, “Can I take a look at that?”
Izuku squirms slightly, seemingly debating the outcomes in his head before finally handing over the notebook to the other. Scanning through the pages the hero finds himself impressed with the skill that the kid holds, the analysis is at an outstanding standard for his age, for any age. Pages are filled with sketches and scribbled notes ranging from weaknesses and strengths to equipment proes could use to help them during patrols.
“You did all of this?”
“I promise I’m not some creepy stalker I just-”
Shota quickly cuts the kid off before he begins rambling, “I didn’t think of half of these.” He ruffles his curls before handing back the note book.
“You’re a bright kid Izuku. There’s a bright future ahead of you if you just take care of yourself.”
Izuku wipes at his teary eyes, “Thanks Eraser.”
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The two went back to their own tasks yet every so often Aizawa glances towards the vigilante he notices his eyes fluttering every few seconds but Izuku was reluctant to sleep. He seemed far too intrigued in the Mirko segment that was coming up next.
“Izuku the guest room’s still ready from last time.”
“It’s okay I’m not tired.”
As he said that a yawn escaped his mouth, Aizawa shook his head, a small smile stuck to his face as he saw the kid resist. Shota took it into his own hands. He scooped up the semi unconscious Izuku and brought him to the guest room. Izuku would have tried to argue if he wasn’t already half asleep. Shota smiled at the look of betrayal that was imprinted into Izuku’s face.
“Oh don’t give me that look.”
Izuku snickered in response with the little energy he had remaining.
“Goodnight Izuku.”
Shota tucked Izuku into the bed pulling up the duvet to his chin.
“G’night…” Izuku muttered before he finally hit the sack.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yamada stirs from his sleep slowly pulling his eyelids open, “Sho is that-”
The dark haired hero firmly shut the door, the sound making Yamada jump ever so slightly,
“He’s a child, Hizashi.”
Yamada fidgets with his nightstand until he finds the switch for his lamp, “You couldn’t have known-”
“I’ve been patrolling with him for over a year, I should be able to realise when I’m working with a literal child. I mean I assumed he was around Hitoshi’s age or older, that he was just stunted for his age.” He buries his face into his hands, “I barely noticed how little he sounded with how his mask muffled his voice.”
Yamada stared at his husband helplessly, unable to find anything to comfort him. The blond shuffles closer,
“We won’t get anywhere by pointing fingers and wallowing in our past. I know it’s hard baby, I do but it didn’t help with Oboro and it won’t help now.” Shota perches his head on his husband's shoulder as he listens to the blond continue, “Now let’s get some shut eye and we can start sorting this mess out tomorrow.”
The two remained intertwined for a while, Shota ran his fingers through his husband’s silky hair soothingly until they both fell asleep. Unprepared for what awaited them the next morning.
Chapter 17: Run run run away
Summary:
Izuku goes into hiding.
Notes:
I'm sorry about how shitty these chapters are I don't want to lose the readers by adding each chapter with a large gap between each post. I've been in a really shitty place mentally and this is really all I have so I hope you enjoy. ANYWAYS YEAH HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER :3
Chapter Text
“Fuck fuck fuck…” Izuku mutters under his breath as he slowly pushes the duvet off. Did he really let his guard down? Now Aizawa was never going to let him go on patrol. He felt sweat bubbling down his forehead, his head heating up as a million thoughts raced through his head.
Staring down at his phone he saw that it was still early, ‘3 Am’ as he skimmed the digits he instantly knew what he needed to do.
Creeping through the dark he reached the door, tossing on his shoes and tugging his bag and scruffy clothes into his arms he returned to the guest bathroom.
Part of him pleaded with himself to stay, to let them help. No, Izuku couldn’t do that, he was cursed only to hurt those around him.
Izuku finds his way towards the window, it was left locked courtesy of Izuku’s last visit, Izuku sighed at this. Did he really think that would stop him? During his ventures up and down the red district he had collected a few tips and tricks one of these being to pick a lock. From the looks of it Izuku could easily slide right past the window and straight through. He pulled out a rusty pin that was engulfed into the seams of his bag before sliding it into the lock. Without looking back Izuku slid his body through the frame tumbling down.
Because of this he sustained an injury or two but with absolutely no doubt in mind he kept running towards his house. Was his home safe? Surely they’d come looking for him, to take him away from all that he has ever known. Izuku had grown up listening to the horror stories of what happens to the quirkless in foster care, and worse than that Izuku feared the chance that they’d ship him off to his father, far from Hitoshi, even further from his district. All that he had worked so hard to maintain would be taken away and he couldn’t let that happen under his watch.
He had to leave.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as he entered his home he scavenged each room for supplies of necessities he would need, luckily the boy didn’t have much, his vigilante gear, some spare clothes and underwear. A first aid kit and a few protein bars.The rest was already in his bag. The only room he needed to search was his mother’s yet he couldn’t seem to find the strength to twist the knob.
“Mama, I’ll be back when it’s safe. Please stay here for now.”
His voice quivered ever so slightly yet he managed to refrain from crying,
“Mama, I’m sorry, I promise I’ll fix it okay? I won’t let them take me from you.”
He clenched his fists at the words, why did they make his chest feel so tight?
He heard a short ping from his phone, “Shit! That’s the first thing they track…” Izuku ignored the several messages from Aizawa, holding down the power button he deactivated his phone, With that he set off.
He sprinted past the Shinsou’s house, for a moment stopping as if he was going to say goodbye yet he couldn't. He knew that Hitoshi wouldn’t just let him run off, especially not from his uncle. Continuing forward he found himself going deeper into the city, he could see UA in the distance yet he didn’t spend too much time aweing at it, forcing one foot in front of the other he found himself into the sketchier part of town that most people avoided, exhausted and in need of a break he allowed himself to take a break for a moment.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Hizashi, get in the car.” Aizawa says trying to pinpoint Izuku through the tracker. As the two raced through every nook and cranny that they could they still couldn’t find the boy,
“The tracker must have a delay.” Yamada clenches his fist around the steering wheel glancing up in the rear view mirror just in case he spotted the green haired boy.
The scruffier of the two slammed his phone down breaking his aloof exterior, “This is no use, the kid’s too fast and the tracker isn’t doing anything for us right now.” Running his hand over the window brushing away any dust he spoke up,
“Ring Tsukauchi.”
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Izuku on the other hand showed no remorse for the heroes, he managed to keep fairly regular movement and any rest he needed would be in the form of ten minute naps in secluded alleyways. Although not ideal Izuku managed to continue this cycle forward for the next three days, the exhaustion was creeping up on him but he feared that any more rest would leave him vulnerable to thugs and thieves. The real issue came from His boredom, once the adrenaline wore off Izuku found himself wandering around aimlessly looking for anything to keep himself busy. The area was a lot less densely populated compared to the red district and in the state he was in he doubted he’d be much help in small feuds between those around him.
During one of his strolls he decided to pay a quick visit back to his district just for a quick check in, plus it was still hours away from the time Shota usually started his patrols because of this Izuku found his decision reasonable. Just as he expected not much had changed, the streets were still covered by a familiar assortment of cracks and pot holes.
“Ex-cuse me! Young man!”
Izuku pivoted to find the source of the slithery voice, “Sorry?”
In front of him stood what seemed to be an anthropomorphic reptile of sorts. The body of large grey scales towered over the boy, his serpent-like tongue resting out its mouth like a vine on a cobblestone wall.
“S-sorry to bother you sir, am I right in saying you’re Bunny?” The figure spoke frantically pointing towards a turn in the road, “Please my friend, she needs your help! Quick!” Without a second thought Izuku sprinted forward, turning the corner to see…Nothing? Before he could turn he felt a long icy moist limb wrap around his body,
“Night night Bunny.” The voice swiftly shifted to something sinister. Pulling Izuku around using his tail he shoved the boy into the back of his car, his unconscious body being bounced around the walls of the vehicle bruising at each bump.
“I’ve got him boss.”
(Previous comment deleted.)
Writing_Rabbit on Chapter 1 Mon 03 Nov 2025 07:58PM UTC
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Roisin𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋ (Guest) on Chapter 1 Sat 13 Dec 2025 05:17PM UTC
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wr1t3rs_l1ght1ng on Chapter 2 Sun 14 Dec 2025 01:47AM UTC
Last Edited Sun 14 Dec 2025 01:47AM UTC
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