BANG

BANG BANG

Pulling himself away from his reflection in the mirror, Izuku walked toward the front door of his apartment, wondering if a neighbor fell or needed assistance. As he briskly walked his hands busied themselves on the long black tie around his neck, trying to remember exactly how it worked.

Approaching the door he stopped for a moment, listening for another bang or sign of distress. Debating on if he should go upstairs, the young man opened the heavy metal door and peaked around. In the distance there was conversation but he could not make out the voices or what they were saying. Peering further down the hallway he saw boxes stacked by one of the doorways. Seemed rather early to be moving.

Shrugging to himself with a hum, Deku closed the door quietly, turning back to the issue of making himself presentable.

It only took a couple minutes for the green haired youth to decide that a dark green dress coat and pants, grey button up shirt, and a black tie were the best combination for his "nice outfit" that All Might requested.

Gulping down the rest of his protein shake before heading out the door, Deku pulled out his cell phone and looked at the time. Perfect timing, leaving now would get him there early enough to help set up even if there was a train delay.

Izuku locked up his apartment door, looking back down the hall to where the boxes were earlier that morning, he thought "If I get home at a decent time I'll say "Hello" to my new neighbor. Wonder who it is."

"Midoriya, my boy, you look great!"

A warm but firm hand clapped his shoulder as he approached his destination, the owner was a tall lanky man, a man who used to be the symbol of peace, the man who Deku looked up to the most.

"Thanks, All Might, I was afraid it would look too tacky." Laughing out Deku couldn't help but blush at his own bashfulness, trying not to admit his lack of confidence in wardrobe choices.

They had met up at a massive hotel, it was a beautiful modern looking building, obviously made to hold large formal events. Most of hard labor had been done the day before, like setting up table and chairs, all that was left was working out the kinks and details that might have been missed.

"You know, it seems a lot for your former classmates will be here," All Might said in his deep insightful voice as they both made their way through the event hall, "But I'm sure you already knew that."

"It will still be nice to see everyone in person. Everyone is so busy we lose track of time." These comments were made by Deku with a sad expression, but determination and confidence danced in his eyes "We all have so much to work toward."

While Izuku and Toshinori made their rounds the topic had changed to the subject of the charity.

The event that All Might was hosting was to help raise money and awareness for children who lost their parents to Villain attacks, whether these parents were Heroes in the line of duty or just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Though the League of Villains had all but vanished with the appearance of a new generation of heroes, there were still attacks and there were still people getting over the attacks of several years ago.

All Might was able to fund an orphanage for these children, but obviously it was a costly business, and it needed constant support. The orphanage not only offered a home for these young ones but also therapy and education.

With taking this on, All Might had switched his profession to running the orphanage full time and it had become his life project and passion.

Deku thought it suited the former symbol of peace, who remained a hero even after stepping down from duty.

It wasn't until thirty minutes before the business started that people began to fill into the event hall. Guests were greeted and escorted to assigned tables, which had name tags for each guest to wear and plates with silverware to be used for food later in the afternoon.

Most of the guests were those involved in the hero business, from inventors to the pros themselves.

Everyone was dressed in the finest garments, long dresses and tailored suits, any onlookers would be gawking at the elegance of the atmosphere.

Izuku remained by All Might's side most of the time prior to the event, but once he saw familiar faces the retired pro hero nodded his approval for Deku to greet his peers.

Though Deku was not formally All Might's side kick, it had become evident he was some sort of apprentice and was often seen alongside the tall man. Most people didn't even bat an eyelash anymore if Deku appeared at public events with All Might or even personal affairs like drinking with old pro heroes.

Toshi had decided the best way for his pupil to learn was through experience (obviously having worked thus far) and it was hard to teach networking and social skills without setting an example.

"We've both been working really hard on this project," The woman saying this spoke clear and poised, "Shoto and I feel like in the next year or so we will be able to debut what it is."

Yaoyorozu had always been a great public speaker, she seemed to be the one in control of the conversation, Todoroki standing silently at her side, nodding when the times seemed right.

They both looked breathtaking, Momo in a long red gown that hugged her hourglass frame, Shoto in a black suit with his hair combed back and out of his face. It was no surprise the two not only made a good business pair but also a great couple, having been together romantically for only a couple months. If you had asked anyone in class A-1 Momo had always been fond of the half-and-half hero.

"I'm really happy to hear everything is going so well," Deku responded, his face shone with pride for his two friends, hands motioning toward them in excitement "I would be happy to help your project if you ever need it."

"Thank you, Midoriya." This time Todoroki spoke, a smile drew upon his lips, the two friends shared a nod.

"The family business has been absolutely booming! I'm up to my neck in customers but I wouldn't have it any other way!" Iida was rather animated as he spoke, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "I feel like it has been forever since we've spoken, Izuku."

Business was only a couple minutes from starting but before sitting down Deku had managed to catch up with the young entrepreneur who was always very supportive at All Might's charity events.

"You know, I'm almost positive I saw Bakugo not too long ago. He was with Endeavor. Guess the gossip was right for once." Iida jerked his head to one side, the direction he last saw their former classmate, "Never thought Endeavor would choose Bakugo as his current sidekick but I guess it make sense."

When the name Bakugo was spoken there was an expression on Izuku's face that Iida couldn't read, it seemed to be a combination of emotions but there was no time to press the issue further as news of the event starting became known to the guests.

"Three years ago this project started as off as nothing but a dream. . . "

As most charity events started with a speech this one was no different.

All Might stood on a small stage in front of no more than two hundred sets of eyes, all of them drinking up the heartfelt story, no one spoke.

Standing next to the charismatic speaker Deku had found his spot, hands resting behind him crossed and his bright green eyes looked forward in a respectful manner as to not draw any attention away from All Might.

The speech wasn't too long, but once it hit the ten minute mark Deku had allowed himself to look over the crowd of people who all remained considerate and silent.

Most of the U.A. alumni sat close together: Iida, Todoroki, and Yaoyorozu. There was also several pro heroes that immediately stood out to Deku, who still was very much obsessed with hero culture: Best Jeanist, Edgeshot, Kamui Woods, and Mount Lady, who all remained active in the local community.

Finally, his eyes rested on a large, literally on fire, figure sitting close to the front: Endeavor, whose sat with his arms crossed and chest puffed out.

Right next to the large man was a shorter but muscular male, spiky blond hair, fire red eyes, scowl painted on his face, on arms resting on the back of the chair. The suit he was wearing was maroon and just tight enough to exhibit the toned body underneath.

Deku quickly brought his eyes back to All Might, biting his bottom lip for a moment at the sudden feeling of tightness in his chest.

Graduating U.A. the top of their class, both Izuku and Katsuki has earned a name for themselves. From fighting the League of Villains to taking their Hero certification courses, both boys had displayed to the world the potential they held, the determination to become number one hero.

The rivalry between the two had never faded, pushing one another from a distance despite their rocky "friendship". If Izuku improved in one area of training, Katsuki would push himself to do better. If Katsuki demonstrated advancements to his combat, Izuku would adjust his own regiment.

They were never close, not though high school, not into adulthood, but they were always somehow attached somehow they still influenced one another from afar.

As adults they never spoke, they never saw one another, they didn't even try to seek out information about the other. But no matter how hard they tried, the red string of fate always kept them connected.

Naturally this event was no different in proving how much their lives remained intertwine.


(( Support for Friends with (Training) Benefits has been overwhelming, as it as almost broke 100 favorites! Thank you again for showing your support and being just as excited as I am about these two!))