"Are you real?"
Izuku trembled as the inmates around him poked his head and his body repeatedly. Even though these people were surprisingly nice and caring, he was confused about why they were so concerned about his wellbeing.
"U-Um, guys, I appreciate you all acting like this... B-But can someone tell me why? I-I mean thanks but I-I'm just confused!"
Their big fingers and black tattoos were intimidating close up and Midoriya couldn't help but stutter and almost wet his pants. Even though it had been over twelve hours, he was still scared by these strangely nice criminals.
"We're just surprised that you're alive, bro!"
Right after the buff redhead said that, a black haired man slapped him on the back of his head. Sensing a fight was about to break out, Midoriya's small frame tensed up immediately. However, the redhead laughed merrily at the man's exasperated face.
"Kirishima, we can't just outright say that. But yeah, we're glad you're alive."
Because of his short height, Midoriya could only stare at their chests in confusion, not daring to look up at their pierced faces.
"Yeah, Stain is notorious for killing his roommates!" Electric yellow hair appeared in his vision, "How did you survive the night?"
"Not you too, Kaminari!"
"What's your secret, monsieur?" A blond asked.
"K-Killing?" Izuku's face turned white with horror, "Stain-san would never do that! He's too nice!"
The cafeteria turned quiet. Ten identical blank faces turned to his direction and Izuku's face flushed red again. Katsuki, who had been half listening to their conversation, had half-eaten bacon fall out of his mouth. Even Tokoyami stopped reading his poetry.
"Nice? Did you just call Stain nice?"
"What kind of world are you living in?"
"Well, Stain-san even offered me his extra pillows and blankets and played a round of chess! Even though it was a bit creepy in the beginning and he kept asking me my opinion on morals and murderers, he was really nice after I answered his questions... So yeah, I think Stain-san is nice."
It was as if a switch had been flipped on. Izuku, who had been cowering moments ago, became angry and his voice gradually grew louder and louder in volume. The guard who had been snoozing disinterestedly, now had both eyes opened as he listened to Izuku rant.
The redhead had been the first person to break the tension.
"Defending Stain's honor! How manly!"
Izuku blushed as others clapped his back in congratulations and awe. He could feel Katsuki's impressed red gaze on the back of his neck and he turned around to give a small smile. He was rewarded with middle fingers and a raised, pierced eyebrow.
"How brave!"
"What a mad banquet of darkness..."
"Izuku! We're going to give you a tour since you're a permanent member of Holding Block A! Congratulations!"
"Thanks...?"
The green haired man was immediately dragged into a group of three, hyperactive men. Even though their gang tattoos and piercings threw him off, he couldn't help but feel grateful and welcome.
"Alright, so you know where this is- Cells A through D are in this Block area. We generally have Holding Block A through C who live here, but we generally have some other intense dudes," Kaminari suddenly frowned, "Those are the people you don't want to cross. They live in Holding Block C-9 through C-16. They all have at least five serious charges like arson and murder."
"I live next door..." Midoriya's voice was small.
They froze.
"They're probably not that bad-"
"Speak of the devil," Sero hissed.
A man with combed blond hair strode in with a sneer. His prisoner uniform was somehow ironed, and he stopped in front of Izuku and licked his lips.
"What do we have here? A Holding Block A member? You think you're so badass don't you-"
He suddenly collapsed and a metallic man behind him appeared in sight. He rubbed his hand sheepishly on the back of his neck and Izuku stared, fascinated, at the metallic gray tattoos that seemed to cover his whole body.
"Testutestu bro!"
"Kirishima bro!"
Kirishima hugged the gray man and shook hands with him. Izuku could only stare in surprise as the gray man lugged the unconscious blond over his shoulder and gave them a small wave.
"That was Monoma who was being a dick just now, and Testutestu is Kirishima's twin. They're both from Holding Block B, and most of them in that Block are generally people with less serious charges like attempted murder or bank robbing," Kaminari explained, "In case you're wondering, Monoma tried to poison his nanny because she wouldn't let him spend his weekly allowance to buy Yeezys."
Izuku let out a surprised squeak.
"Anyways, here is the cafeteria. Lunch Rush is the only employed cook, and four of us take turns every week to help him out. Be careful not to make anyone on lunch duty mad that day though, they'll do some serious shit to your food," Kirishima warned.
"Yeah, Sero insulted Monoma's fashion sense and Monoma ended up giving him mashed potatoes stuffed in a nasty sock," Kaminari shuddered, "It smelled and looked disgusting."
"I can never look at mashed potatoes the same way again..."
As they walked past the warden's office, Izuku had to resist trying to peep inside.
"Warden's office, blah blah, the Warden looks like an oversized mouse but don't tell him that because he gets offended easily. Oh, and this is the common room. We have parties like basically like every other Friday, and everyone is welcome to join. We usually get to watch National Geographic and we get board games, which is way better than the weather channel."
On the common room tables were picture books and lego blocks. As Izuku passed by, he could see some inmates piecing together giant puzzle pieces like children.
"Oh, and this is the shower room."
The mood suddenly changed in the group and their grins turned into solemn frowns. Izuku couldn't see anything wrong with the showers and he could only stare at his new friends in confusion.
"You don't want to shower here without anyone you trust. There have been multiple drownings last year, beatings, and rape in this room because security is pretty 'lax in this area. You'd definitely want to avoid this general area at night and never, ever come in here with anyone that have crimes that revolve around sexual activities or multiple murders."