A/N: Ah, what's it been a month? Sorry about that folks, I took a small vacay. Mostly because I may or may not have been understandably super tired and passed out sitting up, realizing that I needed to relax. My sleep schedule is all kinds of fucked up.
And I can't believe it's taken me so long to promote this. I've known about it forever. But there's a TV Tropes page about this story.
It won't allow the link on here for some reason, but just go to TV Tropes and check it out.
"You've been sitting there staring for two hours, Stupid Hair. You've gotta say something."
"...What exactly do I say to that?"
Katsuki shrugged and pulled out a water bottle from his mini fridge. He leaned against the wall looking out to his balcony. "Well, De-...Midoriya beat the shit out of me, Ponytail despises me, his mother probably hates me, so I expect you to follow the trend."
"I...I'm confused about a lot of this." Ejirou turned from his position on the edge of the bed to look at Bakugou. "I'm seeing some plot holes. Midoriya was bullied for what exactly?"
"Can't say. It's not my place to tell you."
"What about his quirk? Why didn't he use it to defend himself?"
"Can't say that either."
"What can you tell me then!?"
Katsuki shook his head, "Everything I just told you. I and everyone else bullied Midoriya for years, isolated him, beat him up, all of it. I was the main culprit and I told him to kill himself. Anything from Midoriya's side of the story is his private information. So don't fucking ask me." Ejirou already figured out about him, so there was no hiding what he did. But, Katsuki knew that, if what he thought about All Might and Izuku was true, then he couldn't tell Ejirou that Izuku was quirkless.
He also felt that it would be really bad if he told Kirishima about Izuku's mental state throughout it all.
"You're not exactly giving me much to go on."
"What more do you need, Dumbass!?"
"I don't know! I jus-...I don't know." Kirishima rubbed his bleary eyes and sighed. "I don't know what to think. And honestly I just feel bad that I tried to defend you. Midoriya must think I'm a real idiot for siding with his bully."
"You know he would never do that. He's obnoxiously apologetic...Well, except with me. The real question is, why are you still here?"
The faux red haired teen raised a brow, "Hm?"
"You're still here. I told you all of that, and yet you're still here."
"I'm beginning to question that myself."
"I kinda figured you'd be pissed."
"Oh, blindingly so. But, decking you out of nowhere is unmanly. And with something so private I'd rather not cause a big commotion. What do you do when it turns out your best friend is an assho-...Okay, even more of an asshole? I'm stuck in the middle of a broken bridge between my friends."
"Except the person you go to should be obvious."
"...Yeah, it should."
Katsuki grunted, "And once again, you're still here."
"I think...I think it's because I can see how distraught you are." Ejirou expected to be yelled at for saying Katsuki showed any kind of sadness or guilt, but Katsuki simply continued to look out the screen door. "I've never seen you like this. Granted, I haven't even known you for a full year. But, this is definitely far away from how you usually act...You didn't think you were doing anything wrong, did you?"
Katsuki shrugged, "Sort of. Second guessing myself was never exactly ingrained into my head. The teachers didn't help either, but I can't blame them for everything. I can't even blame them for the majority."
"...And you're trying to fix it, right?"
"More or less."
"The hell does that mean?"
Katsuki chugged his water bottle and tossed it in the trash bin. "I can't apologize to him now. I've already tried, but he wouldn't accept because I was just doing it to do it."
"As most would."
"My Old Hag said I have to forgive myself first. Apologizing is about moving on and shit, and I can't fully do that with guilt in my stomach. I gotta accept it all before we can both move past it. And if he can't move past it, then so be it. I deserve no less." Katsuki turned back to Ejirou to see him wide eyed, surprised that his friend said something a little profound. "...Or something shit like that. Whatever the fuck that hag said."
Kirishima chuckled at Bakugou's attempt to cover up his emotions, and let out another long sigh. "I guess that's all you can do. Me getting angry isn't going to make it any better either."
"It'll feel good."
"Are you trying to make me hit you?"
"Just sayin'. Look, just don't tell Midoriya you know. At least, not now. I really doubt it would make my situation better if they knew I told you. And...Icoulusyurhel…"
"... Excuse me?"
"Icouluseyourhel."
"Use real words!"
Katsuki growled and clenched his fists, "I. Could. Use. Your. Help."
Ejirou raised a brow, "You're…asking for help? You!?"
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up Dickwad. Look, I think it's pretty obvious I don't do well in emotional situations. I just...I've recently come to the realization that it might not be the best idea to push everyone away. As far as I can tell, you're the only one here who really cares anymore. The jury is still out on Midoriya, Ponytail fucking hates my guts, I can't even remember the names of Pikachu and Captain Office Supplies, much less anyone else's name, Aizawa and All Might aren't happy with me either. As far as I know, you're all I got. And trying to handle it alone caused me to blow up a locker at another school."
"...Hold on. What was that last part?"
"Moving on! So...we're still friends?"
"...I probably shouldn't."
"But?"
Kirishima sighed, "But I also believe it's manly to help someone who's trying to redeem themself." He raised a fist to Bakugou, and the blonde connected his fist with Ejirou's. "However, if you make too many slip ups, I can't help you. And Midoriya is all your business. When the time comes to truly apologize, it's all you."
"Deal. Thanks...Stupid Hair."
"Strike one. You gotta learn names, Dude."
...
(The Next Day)
*Bzzt*...*Bzzt*...*Bzzt*
"Mmph…'Zuku, phone."
"Uuughh." Izuku groaned as he rolled away from Momo and grabbed his phone from the bedside table. He squinted his eyes at the light of his phone in the dark room, seeing Sir's name lit up on the screen. He clicked the green button, answering the call. "Mm-'ello?"
"I...have been...trying to call you...for three hours!" Izuku moved his phone away from his face as the voice of Sir Nighteye blared in his ear.
"Why would you call so early? The sun isn't even up."
"It's 2:30 in the afternoon!"
Izuku's eyes widened as he looked back at his phone screen to check the time. "...Oh."
"You're lucky I already called your school to excuse you from class so you can get to this meeting. Why exactly are you still in bed?"
Izuku pursed his lips as he felt Momo's arms wrap around his body and her bare chest pressed against his back, her lips pressing repeatedly on his shoulders. "...You don't want to know."
"...Just get here."
*Click*
"...Momo, we need to go."
Momo sighed, "I assumed so." She unwrapped herself from around Izuku, sitting up to stretch. Izuku sat up as well, blushing as he turned to look at his partner and remembering that they were both still completely naked. The night before had been…
"Exquisitely perfect and magical? Yes. Yes it was." Izuku decided not to even ask if he had muttered all of that, because he knew the answer. Momo wrapped her arms around Izuku and placed her head on his shoulder. "Thank you for the most wonderful birthday, and night, of my life."
"And early morning."
Momo chuckled and kissed his cheek, "Yes, and morning. And, hopefully for more to come."
"So...How are you going to top it for my birthday?"
"I'll have to think on that during the train ride. We should go." Momo stood up from the bed and made her way over to the bathroom. Izuku wasn't exactly an expert on movies outside of superhero films, but he knew where it was going. Or, at least he hoped. If his knowledge on film was correct, Momo was going to ask him to join her in the shower. He watched, with his eyes definitely "not" roaming downwards, as she walked into the bathroom. She turned on the shower…
...And said nothing.
Well, life wasn't always like movies.
Although, the previous night definitely felt like something not a part of reality. Izuku looked back on his life and could only wonder how he got to where he was. 5 years ago...Hell even a few months ago he never would have believed he would not only have a girlfriend, but she would be the most stunning woman in existence. It was like a dream.
It was just a shame that he had to go back to the real world where there was a little girl likely being abused by a Yakuza boss.
Izuku sighed and made his way to the dresser to pick out clothes. "Are you not coming?" Izuku whipped around to see Momo in the bathroom doorway with confusion etched into her features.
"W-What?"
"I asked if you were coming to the shower. I figured you were going to join me."
"Y-...Yeah, I-I'm coming." Momo smiled warmly and walked back into the bathroom, the sound of her footsteps entering the shower echoed into the main room. '...Izuku...You've made it.'
He pumped his fists into the air, and made his way into the bathroom.
…
Bubble Girl furrowed her brow in confusion as Sir put down his phone and continued to gather papers. "I don't understand. If you're going to do what you said, why have him come to the meeting?"
"I'd rather he be mad at me for one thing then for two. He'd be furious if he didn't come to this meeting."
"And you think he won't be furious when you tell him he's off the case?"
"... It's for the best."
"And I'm also assuming you haven't told All Might either?"
Sir turned his glare towards her and motioned to the door, "We have guests, don't we? Go socialize." Kaoruko shook her head and walked out the door. Mirai sighed and leaned against his desk, crossing his arms.
"You know…" Mirai jumped as his protegé's face suddenly phased through the wall to his office. "...for a guy who can see the future, you don't seem to care about just how bad the backlash is going to be."
"Mirio, you don't understand."
"Hmmm, nope. I'm pretty sure I do."
"Really?"
"...Okay, not entirely. Buuuut…" Mirio disappeared from the wall and made his way through the door and over to the desk and leaned next to Sir. "...I do know that Midoriya's a great kid and an even better hero. I know he's got something special inside of him. I know there's something, I don't know what, but something that casts a shadow over his heart. And I also know he's got deep connections and care for others, including All Might. Which those feelings, as far as I can tell, are returned right back. Sound familiar?"
"What are you getting at Togata?"
Mirio simply smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "You know what's strange? You didn't care for Midoriya when he first came here. And yet, now you're trying to protect him?"
Sir scoffed, "If All Might's stories are true, then the boy seems to have that effect on people."
The blonde nodded, "That he does. I barely know him and I already care. He's like a puppy. But, I digress. Can it be, perhaps, that you see a little bit of yourself in him?"
"Really? This cliche? Togata I-"
"Now hold on. Just give me a minute. Ahem…" Mirio took a deep breath, "...A young fanboy with a chip on his shoulder becomes attached to All Might and is taken under his wing."
"...Damn it."
"AHA!"
"That's enough. Togata, this is ridiculous."
"I'm not done, Sir. Now that you have All Might back in your life and you see how happy he is, you don't want to endanger that happiness. And you can see that Midoriya is one of the sources of that happiness. Sir, you're kicking Midoriya off the case because you don't want him to get hurt."
"He's just a student. A first year! Overhaul is more deadly than-"
"Midoriya wasn't the one I was talking about." Sir pressed his lips together as he looked away.
"Sir, what happened the last time you tried to talk All Might out of something?"
"He ignored me and stuck to what he wanted to do."
"So, what exactly do you think is going to happen this time now that you have All Might and miniature All Might? If I'm not the one to convince you, then it's going to be Midoriya "
"It doesn't matter. I'm his boss, and All Might is retired. I have the final say in the matter."
The blonde sucked in through his teeth, "Yeeaah, about that. You see, it's only small rumors, but word around U.A is that Midoriya isn't exactly one to care about the law or the command of his higher ups when someone needs saving. You didn't see the look in his eyes when he realized what was likely happening to Eri. Even when I tried to keep everything under control, he had every intention of saving her."
"It shows just how reckless he is."
"Maybe. But, it also shows just how much spirit he has and how devoted he is not just to what we do, but to helping others. Which, once again, sounds familiar. Perhaps a now retired pro number one hero?" Sir sighed and rubbed his eyes with his index finger and thumb. "He's going on this mission whether you like it or not. He's got a lot to prove, and this may be his chance."
Sir moved his tongue around in his mouth in thought. Mirio wasn't even aware of how true his statement was. Midoriya certainly did have a lot to prove and live up to. "I'll think on it."
"So, yes?"
"I said I'll think on it."
"I heard yes."
Sir chuckled and pointed at the door, "Go." Mirio winked at him and suddenly sunk through the floor. "...He just forgot his clothes don't phase with him" Sir said, looking down at the pile of garments left on the ground. The sound of the padding of feet quickly approached his door.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Can you pass me my clothes?"
"Hmmm, should I?"
"Sir! There are pro heroes here! Don't do this to me!" Nighteye amusedly picked up the clothes and passed them out the door. Mirai sighed as he shifted back to his desk. There was also the problem of One For All. If the results of the testing on the bullet were true, then if Izuku was hit with the final product...
Midoriya seemed to always make everything more complicated.
…
"This wasn't exactly what I had in mind."
Momo raised a brow as she ran her fingers through her hair, removing the remaining suds from the shampoo. "What do you mean?"
"W-Well, honestly I wasn't expecting we were actually going to get clean."
"...It's a shower Izuku. That's the purpose of it."
"...Y-Yeah."
Momo giggled, "Yes, I am also aware that you would rather be "getting dirty" in here than getting clean. Perhaps another time. We do need to go leave, and this saves time and water."
"Well, I could've just showered in my own room."
"I assumed you would rather have a shower with me in it than a shower with me not in it."
"...Very true."
Izuku deadpanned, slightly disappointed. But, he knew she was right. He needed to get to Nighteye's as soon as possible. Every second off duty was another second that Eri was suffering. He quickly began scrubbing himself with soap as fast as he could.
…
"So, this little girl Eri?"
Izuku turned in his train seat towards Momo. "Hm? What about her?"
"How bad do you think the abuse goes?"
Izuku crossed his arms and leaned back, "To be perfectly honest, I don't actually know if she's actually being abused. At least, I never got an admission. Chisaki was avoiding the topic. But...her limbs. Her limbs said it all."
"The bandages, yes. I remember you mentioning them. Perhaps when we save her, we can teach her how to see the scars in a better light like you do."
Izuku shook his head, "I hope so, but I have a bad feeling that how she achieved them is a lot different than how I achieved mine."
…
(45 Minutes Later)
"A quirk that can destroy and then fix anything he desires."
Oh…
It definitely was a lot different.
Far, FAR more different.
Everyone else's voices in the meeting room faded out as Izuku stared down at his lap in horror. The images of Eri's arms flashed through his mind, and the same was happening to Mirio in the seat next to him. 'No...No that...That bastard.'
Momo wanted nothing more than to take Izuku's hand, but she felt that he might accidentally crush it if she tried. She watched as his look of horror transformed into one of rage. His fist was clenched so hard that his knuckles were white and veins popped out of his muscles. She did the best she could, and placed a hand over his own instead of in it, and another hand on the small of his back.
Luckily, her touch got through to him. His look of rage changed to pure determination.
Sir continued his presentation, "Chisaki had a daughter that we can't find in any birth records. Due to her lack of records, we can't figure out what his quirk is. But, if he wants her so well hidden, and her bandages...Well, I think you can all figure out the rest."
Ryuko shook her head slightly as she gazed at the table in disguise, "If what you're implying is true, that's...repulsive."
Gran Torino grimaced, "Anything you can imagine in a super powered society can happen."
Kirishima looked around at the rest of the table, "What are we imagining?"
Rock Lock scoffed, "This is what we get for bringing kids. Use your head."
All Might stood next to Mirai and cut off Rock Lock's rude comments. "Young Kirishima, we believe that Chisaki is destroying his daughters body, turning it into bullets, and then putting her back together. She's essentially his science experiment that he's selling on the Black Market."
As the looks of disgust plastered themselves across the faces of everyone in the room, Sir made a correction. "We're not exactly sure if selling is the right word with how weak the effect is. Apparently, the interrogated drug dealers were getting these samples for free. We believe Chisaki is trying to gain followers, but also test driving his product. From the testing we've done on the bullet we retrieved intact thanks to Ms. Yaoyorozu, the inner materials temporarily shut down the quirk gene."
Kyouka raised her hand, "Wait. Shut down? Like how Mr. Aizawa's quirk erases quirks?"
"In a way, but the process is much different. However, even if Chisaki isn't selling, he's amassing funds for further research and test driving. That can only mean one thing. He's working on making a final product. A bullet that can completely erase a person's quirk. Permanently."
Fatgum shot out of his chair, "This is all terrible! We gotta knock down their doors right now!"
Rock Lock rolled his eyes and scoffed, "So if these kids just saved the girl when they met her, all our problems would be solved."
Izuku whipped around, "Hey! We-"
"Don't blame them," Mirai interrupted. "They couldn't have known the circumstances. And they did take measures to save her. In fact, if it wasn't for Midoriya, we would be weeks behind schedule." He pulled out a remote and changed the projector screen. An overview of the city came up with a blinking dot. "Midoriya carefully placed a tracking device on Eri. We now not only know her exact location, but we recorded the every turn she makes. We have a decent map of the entire basement level. Without Midoriya, we would have been searching for weeks trying to figure out where she was."
All Might gave a smile and nodded to Midoriya, and then continued for Nighteye. "And with Young Yaoyorozu's tracker, we've isolated the signal. A tracking device will be distributed to every single hero and officer on the mission. Now everyone will be able to keep track of and find Eri."
Rock Lock started up again, "If she's even alive." The patrons of the table became speaking out against him. "Hey, I'm just sayin' just because there's a tracker on the body doesn't mean the body is alive."
"She's alive!" All eyes turned to Izuku and Mirio who had both shot out of their seats and spoke simultaneously.
"She's alive, and we'll save her!" Izuku said, his eyes sticking to Rock Lock.
Fatgum slammed his fist on the table, "I like these kids!"
"And once again, my point is proven that the kids shouldn't be here."
"Actually, Rock Lock…" Everyone turned to All Might at the front of the room. "I have to agree with the kids. If you can't find any hope in this mission, or even treat these students with some common courtesy, then I suggest you and your attitude can leave." All eyebrows lifted. No one had heard All Might be so stern with another pro. "Every single one of these kids have played an important role in the takedown of Chisaki and the rescuing of this girl. In fact, Young Uraraka has recently made a development with her quirk that exponentially increases its gravity, effectively keeping anything or anyone she touches in place. So I'm starting to question your usefulness here."
Ken opened his mouth in shock, but closed it and slightly nodded towards Nighteye to continue his presentation. Everyone then realized that if even All Might was taking a mere presentation so seriously, it would be best to just continue to follow orders. Sir Nighteye was once again reaffirmed that All Might truly cared deeply for the boy if he was going to firmly defend him against another pro hero. His decision for Izuku's involvement was getting more difficult to make.
"Ahem." Eraserhead got everyone's attention at the end of his table. "If we can get back to business, I have a question. I'm not exactly sure how your quirk works, but why can't you just look into the future and tell us how the mission is going to go."
All Might and Nighteye looked at each other, and then looked back to Aizawa. "My quirk has limitations. I can only view someone's future for an hour each day with a twenty-four hour cooldown period. It's like a film I watch of someone's life, but only from a close and vague third person perspective."
Gran Torino nodded, "That could still be more than enough to gain info."
"...I can't. If I look into one of your futures, and your death is near...I'm sorry. I can't live with that. The fates I see are not guaranteed to be avoidable. Time is strange. With every different change someone tries to make to avoid fate, everything rearranges so that whatever you're trying to avoid still happens. If I show anyone an unavoidable death...I'm sorry. But I can't." Sir stood up and readjusted his glasses. "That is all. I shall remind you all of the danger each and every member of the Yakuza poses. And Chisaki, if he touches you, you will die. I understand if any of you find the mission too risky. But, you must make your decision soon. The warrants are already being processed. The day after tomorrow, the raid begins. Good day. Midoriya, I wish to speak to you in my office."
He left the room, a somber expression on his face. As everyone began to pile out, Izuku turned to Momo. "I'll be back."
"Any idea what he wants?"
Izuku shook his head and followed Nighteye out the door. When they made it to his office, Nighteye sat down in his chair and motioned for Izuku to take the seat across from him. "I'm sure you're wondering why I asked you here. I'll make this short. I don't want you on this mission. I want you to stay home."
"Wh-...What? Are you serious!?"
"Yes, I am."
"I-...No! No, I'm going!"
"I know."
"Yes, I am! Eri needs help! If I-..." Izuku stopped his rant, and blinked. "...Excuse me?"
"I know you're going. You must watch specific wording. I said, 'I want' you not to go. I never said you weren't going. I want you to stay safe. I want Mirio to stay safe. I want Yaoyorozu off of the case. I want all of you kids off of the case. I want All Might to be happy, and you being alive is a requirement for that. I want so much. However, I know I can't have that. I know you're going to go, even if I kicked you off of the mission. I know I would get the same answer if I tried to keep Mirio off of the case, and Yaoyorozu, and everyone else. Listen, I don't know you very well. But, All Might and Mirio both seem adamant on telling me that you and I are alike in some ways. I, however, see them in you. There's this fire in your eyes, it burns brighter than anyone else's. And that fire can consume you, just as All Might's consumed him and led him to his injuries and retirement. The brighter the star, the faster it burns out. Chisaki is no normal villain. One mistake. One single touch, and you cease to exist. I know the only person that can stop you from going on this mission is yourself. So Midoriya, humor me for a minute. I need you to look at the life you have now."
"Sir-"
"Midoriya, listen to me. Look at your life. Everything. The day after tomorrow, all of that can vanish due to a man's fingertip. I need you to tell me, right now, are you going on this mission? Are you willing to risk it all for a girl you don't even know?"
Izuku furrowed his brow as he thought of his new life. A quirk. Friends. He went to his dream school. He had a mother that believed in him. Someone that he could see as a father. The perfect woman was in love with him, and their future together seemed to have no end in sight.
Izuku looked up at Nighteye, stood, and held his hand out to Sir. "Look into my future."
"What?"
"Sir Nighteye, please. Look into my future."
"Midoriya, you heard me downstairs. I'm not going to-"
"Sir... Please . Just this once. I'm not All Might." Mirai looked at Izuku's hand reluctantly. He pressed his lips together and closed his eyes. After a minute of thought, he grasped Izuku's hand and looked into his eyes. Izuku watched as Mirai's eyes dilated and shifted. He released Sir's hand and took a deep breath.
"Midoriya-"
"Don't tell me," Izuku said, shaking his head. "I don't want you to tell me, and I know you don't want to tell me. I don't want you to tell me, because it doesn't matter what you see. I'm going to save Eri. I'm going to beat Chisaki. Every hero faces risks. That's what I signed up for.
Whatever fate awaits me, I'll smash right through it and forge my own future."
Sir brought his hands together and nodded, "As you wish." Izuku turned around and made his way to the door. "...Midoriya?"
Izuku turned around with his hand on the door knob, "Yes, Sir?"
"...You sound so much like Toshinori. You say you're not All Might? Well...prove to me that you can be better."
Izuku raised his scarred hand to Sir and clenched his fist, "Yes sir...pun intended."
As Midoriya left the room, he did something that he hadn't been able to do since he had met Sir.
He made him laugh.
…
Eri gazed around her room at all of the bright boxes filled with plastic and random colored animals she didn't know what were. Over the years, different scary people would give her them. She never wanted them.
It was funny how with all of the toys surrounding her, the only thing she could find comfort and interest in was an extremely small blinking disk. The kind man from the alley had slipped this under her sleeve and onto her shoulder. She didn't tell Chisaki about it, afraid it would get the green haired man hurt.
"No matter what happens, I'll get you away from him."
Those words. His kind touch when he carried her held her head. She had never experienced something so...nice, so...warm.
Eri slipped her hand under her sleeve and pulled the small disk out. She watched the small red light blink and emanate in her dark room. She didn't know why someone would want to help her. She was cursed, a monster. She gripped the disk to her chest with many questions circling her mind.
All she knew was that she wanted to see him again.
…
(U.A. Hours Later)
Aizawa's words to Izuku and his friends after the meeting still ran through his head. Earning his trust back? Why did he get the feeling that doing that would be even harder than saving Eri?
Izuku walked into Momo's room and found her slipping into a teal button up pajama set. She looked towards him and gave him a small smile, "Sorry, but I already showered."
Izuku chuckled and shook his head, "That's alright. We still have a bed."
Momo patted his cheek and kissed his temple. "I'm going downstairs for something to eat. Would you like to come along?"
Izuku opened his mouth to answer, but froze. "Uh...No thanks. You go on, I'm really not hungry."
"Okay. I'll be back in a bit."
She walked out of the room, and Izuku went back to looking at what had surprised him. Outside on the ledge of the balcony, lit up in the moonlight, was Nana.
Her back was to him as she sat on the edge looking out into the city. Izuku walked to the glass door and carefully slid open the door. He closed the glass door and stood there in silence.
"...Hey, Kid."
Her voice was soft and quiet. The complete opposite side of the spectrum from her usual bold and confident voice. "...Hi, Nana. H-How are you doing?"
"Hehehe. Kid…" She finally turned to face him. Her hair flowed in the breeze and the moonlight gave her an aura. Her wide smile was still adorned, but glistening rivers of tears flowed down her face. "...What do you think?"
Izuku sighed and put one leg over the ledge, hoisting himself up to sit by her side. "I'm so sor-"
"You gotta stop apologizing to me, Kid. You didn't do anything."
"I made you go looking for answers you didn't want."
"I'm alright, Izuku."
Izuku shook his head, "Nana you need to stop."
"What are you talking about?"
"You're doing everything you told me not to do. You're running from your problems. Just look at you. You told me that smiling no matter how much you're hurting is bullshit. What are you doing now?"
"There's a difference between you and me."
"And what's that?"
Nana pointed to her smile, "This is all I've ever known. I don't know how to do anything else."
Izuku looked out onto campus and sighed through his nose. "I used to think that too. Everyday of my life was just trying to smile through everything. But, I think I'm beginning to realize something. It's no way to live. The more you keep inside the more it burns and destroys you. I'm facing the consequences of it. I snapped and let it all out, and now those feelings are still trying to put themselves out inside. Now my feelings are in flux and unstable. I've always thought that heroes can't cry. But now...I see it's not a weakness. It's a reminder of who I am. It's a reminder that I'm Izuku Midoriya. I'm human. I can feel emotions besides determination, fury, and hope. And isn't the fact that I can show weakness, and yet still succeed more impressive than never showing weakness but destroying myself? Nana, you need to let go an-"
He turned to see Nana's smile completely crumble before his eyes. A heaving sob escaped her lips as her arms clutched inward at her chest. Izuku quickly brought his arms around her. He ignored the odd fuzzy feeling of touching somebody that technically wasn't there. He felt the sensation of tears hitting his shoulder, but there was no dampness.
Something that felt so real was fake.
It was ironically fitting.
"My baby is gone...He's gone."
"I know."
Nana's breakdown made Izuku think of his own mother. The pure devastation Nana was feeling was what Izuku would have put his own mom through if he had actually killed himself. It was another moment that made Izuku so happy to be alive.
It took time, but eventually Nana calmed down. She kept a hold on Izuku, not wanting to let go yet. "...Thank you."
Izuku nodded against her shoulder, "I should be thanking you. I wouldn't have figured any of this out if not for you."
"God Damnit, Kid you can't just take a single thank you or compliment, can you?"
"Sorry."
"And apologizi-...You know what? Who cares?"
She pulled away and looked Izuku in the eyes. "Izuku, you have to promise me something."
"What is it?"
"Save that little girl." Izuku could see a blaze return in her eyes. One child was too much. Two children's deaths was an abomination. But, a third child to die?
"I promise."
"And I'm going to help you. Tomorrow morning you're going to Gym Omega. We have one day to work on this."
"Work on what?"
Nana lifted up from the ledge and floated in the air, "You'll see. Be prepared to sweat your ass off."
Izuku's eyes widened, "Oh, u-uh speaking of which. Were you watching me yesterday? Like, around 6 in the evening to 2 in the morning?"
"No, I was there in the gym with you. But, I wasn't ready to talk yet. Why?"
"No reason! No reason at all!"
Nana rolled her eyes and chuckled, "You're such a strange kid, you know that?" She put a hand on his hand and ran it through his hair. "You're also something really special. Thank you...for everything. Let's kick Chisaki's ass."
And once again, she was gone.
Izuku could check that off his list of things to do. It was odd having a broken soul living inside of his body. But, he could feel himself inside being put back together. He felt strangely…
Lighter.
It would take time for Nana to fully heal, but he could help. At least, as much as he could for a mentally unstable teenager. Her heart was crushed, and her spirit was defeated. But, Eri...
If he could save the life of another child, he could save Nana, restore her.
It seemed that Eri became more important by the second. One child was the hope of so much. He needed to rescue her by any means necessary. At that moment, Izuku knew that if given the chance at any moment during the mission, he would save Eri. Even if it meant risking Aizawa's want to trust him again.
Was he scared? Yes. But, now he oddly accepted it. No, he welcomed it. For once it felt like fear didn't control him. It spurred him forth.
Although, some reassurance would be nice.
"Hehehehehehehehe! Oh Muscles~!"
Izuku looked down to the ground to see a completely soot covered Mei on the ground grinning like a maniac. "Hatsume? What are you doing here?"
"... They're ready."
A/N: So, the real reason All Might is here is to 1.) Fix his relationship with Nighteye. 2.) Spur the relationship of Nighteye and Izuku. I also want to give more Mirio and Nighteye screentime together. Because, I actually have a problem with Sir in canon and his relationships. When he died...I kinda...didn't...give a shit. As an audience, we had absolutely zero time to get to know him and care about him and his relationship with Mirio. We see him, see small glimpses of past info we already know, he dies, Bing bang boom and moving on to the "Ya Like Jazz" portion of the season. He just feels lacking. I want to convey closeness with him and Mirio and even him and Izuku. I don't know. I'm trying folks.
Also, I'm going to be adding more chapters to my IzuJirou fic. Just in case anyone was interested.
