02 – And then there were two

Pouring from bottle to glass, Kurogiri placed the non-alcoholic beverage down in front of Izuku, the boy giving an automatic 'thanks' at the gesture without looking up from the notebook he was so engrossed in, too focused on what he was writing down really take notice of the Soda that he had been given.

The boy's lack of observation didn't surprise Kurogiri, in the few weeks since having moved in the boy had shown somewhat of a pattern to his lifestyle. Nearly every day Izuku would stop by the almost empty bar in the late evening after having come back from who-knows-where, whether just to sit in silence and study or to hang around Tomura should the man-child be present.

Those two seemed to have formed some kind of inseparable bond –something that still baffled Kurogiri and caused him to continue to question the power of his Quirk; it definitely wasn't Dimensional Travel rather than Warp, right? RIGHT!?–, spending most of their time together whenever they would either be playing video games on the computer that was usually used for communication purposes or just talking about different, non-villainous, subjects.

Well. Mostly non-villainous subjects. It was a miracle Tomura hadn't said or done anything that just outright screamed 'LOOK AT ME I'M A DANGEROUS VILLAIN', although he had come pretty close quite a few times. It was a wonder Izuku wasn't all that suspicious.

Thinking about the man-child reminded Kurogiri of his current predicament. Tomura wasn't there at the moment, out doing. . . things. . . and thus leaving Kurogiri alone with Izuku- the boy studying in silence. It was nice. The kid had seemed to pick up on his more listener-like nature, meaning that being an active participant in a lengthy conversation wasn't that much of a concern at the moment.

The silence and the comforting feeling that came with it was a welcoming thing.

But. . .

Kurogiri spared a quick glance at the notebook Izuku was pouring so much attention and effort into, even though it was obvious that the boy needed rest.

What was the kid doing? What was pushing him so far- causing him to come home after the sun had set in the state he was in –sweaty and exhausted–? From what Kurogiri could gather, Izuku also left in the early morning, waking up much earlier than what would be required to simply get to school on time.

It wasn't friends, Kurogiri was able to gather that much after Izuku had told Tomura and himself about his 'social troubles'. –After that specific conversation it took both Izuku and Kurogiri to convince Tomura that no. You cannot go and 'teach 'Kacchan' a lesson'! (Although admittedly Kurogiri would have joined the man-child had Izuku not been so against the whole thing.)–

. . . He was unable to deny that he was curious. Just what was it that the kid was so determined to do?

"I want to be a hero, so I'm getting ready for the U.A entrance exam."

Having not realised that he had voiced his curiosity, Kurogiri startled as Izuku answered the questions which had plagued his thoughts with worry for the kid, mind taking a moment to process what had been said-

Wait.

Hero. . .?

U.A. . .?

Crap.

If Kurogiri could pale, he would have had no doubt in his mind that he'd be as transparent as a ghost. But he couldn't pale. Or panic. Nor could he completely freak out. He needed to process this new revelation slowly, analyse it.

Izuku. A hero. Shigaraki was going to have one hell of a fit. Fuuuuuuck.

"I thought so. . ." Izuku continued, eyes downcast and snapping Kurogiri out of his thoughts, "everyone tells me I should just give up –well, almost everyone– but," the boy gave a strained yet determined smile, "I'm going to become a hero who saves people with a smile just like All Might!"

Kurogiri stiffened. Uh-oh, Izuku had thought that his silence was because he disapproved –although to some extent he did, but most likely not for the reason Izuku thought–, he didn't know what type of Quirk the boy had, just that people discouraged him because of it and that it tended to attract bullies.

(Bullies that would surely meet horrifying ends should they ever be unfortunate enough to meet Tomura. Or him.)

"That isn't it, Izuku." Kurogiri spoke with as much encouragement he could in the current situation. He placed a hand on the boy's head, "I'm sure you can become a great hero."

Kurogiri knew he shouldn't encourage the boy, especially given the circumstances of his and Tomura's own career. But seeing Izuku's eyes widen with a bright smile as he was hugged over the bar counter, Kurogiri knew that he wouldn't be able to discourage the boy.

Patting Izuku on the back awkwardly, Kurogiri couldn't help but wonder if this was how a father felt.

Izuku hadn't- couldn't stop grinning, even as he bellyflopped onto his bed, mind and body prepared for some well-deserved rest.

Two people!

First All Might and now Kurogiri. Both telling him that he could become a hero –although admittedly the later was unaware of his current Quirkless predicament–, it was a nice feeling. There were people out there who believe he could be a hero!

He idly wondered if Tomura would encourage him as Kurogiri had, but doubted that his older friend would be as accepting of his goal. One thing Izuku had discovered about Tomura was that his opinion on heroes greatly differed from his own –something he still couldn't figure out about the man–. Even if Izuku didn't know why, he was sure that Tomura had his reasons and that it wasn't something he should pry into.

No matter how much it worried him.

"A little brother?" Came a voice from the speakers.

Tomura nodded at the computer, knowing full well that the person on the other end of the call could see him even though the screen displayed 'Voice Call'.

"I see. I think I'd like to meet him then."

02 – And then there were two: End

Bonus:

Tomura observed with frighteningly determined eyes and ears from his place crouched down in the bushes just outside of the place he knew to be Izuku's school, staying hidden and clad in cheap camouflage clothing as he searched for the one called 'Kacchan'.

No one picked on his 'lil bro.

No.

One.

Various methods of painful, mind breaking torture ran through his mind. Hmm. . . Was ripping out nails still in style? He'd have to buy a copy of Villains Weekly for once and check. Or maybe he could think of something new and creative. . . Oooh! What if he-

"What are you doing?" Came an easily recognisable voice.

Startled out of his violent thoughts and plotting Tomura shot up, turning around to the source of the familiar voice. Izuku was standing behind his –rather obvious– hiding spot, clearly unimpressed if the crossed arms were any sign.

Shit. If he was going to torture and then kill someone he couldn't let Izuku know about it- especially given that the boy was such a hero-lover. Knowing that his big brother had killed someone who had bullied him would crush the poor boy. Shit. Say something Tomura. Think! I got nothing. . . Shit- oh!

"I came to pick you up, 'lil bro." Tomura grinned 'casually' at his cover-up in hopes that Izuku would buy the excuse. He was totally not there to find 'Kacchan', kidnap and torture said 'Kacchan' and then kill 'Kacchan' in the most painful was possible because no one gets away with hurting Izuku damn it!

Izuku stared blankly at him.

Shit. He'd said that aloud, hadn't he? Whoops.

Tomura mentally prepared himself for the worst case scenario- either an angry or upset Izuku. He couldn't deal with either of those.

Instead of shouting or crying like Tomura had expected, Izuku just sighed and grabbed his arm.

"Let's go home."

(Inwardly, Izuku was praying that Tomura and Bakugou would never meet.)

Bonus: End

Note: Alright! So, for this story I have a lot of the major stuff planned out- more-so than usual. However! I would like to know if there are any specific scenarios you readers would like to see happen before things get to the U.A entrance exam. Experimenting with things like that is fun, after all.

Anyways, thank you to everyone who followed/favourited/reviewed. I honestly don't think I would have had this chapter up so soon without the motivation you guys have given me! I hope this chapter was enjoyable to read.

'Till next time - ef07