Chapter 8: Changes

Izuku was right. Training with William was torture. He's never been so exhausted. William was ruthless, and he demanded perfection. Yet, at the same time, he's never had so much fun! William had an odd way of training him. Yes, he did certain exercises and katas to learn how to strike, but he would also throw in trivia, pop quizzes, or lecture him while having him do the exercises.

He would also engage in surprise attacks while in the mindscape, randomly ask how he'd proceed in a crisis situation or mission during conversation, and he frequently had him practice situational awareness by counting exits and profiling people on the streets. He would even manipulate their mindscape in the likeness of one of the pizzerias or Fazbear Fright's and make him survive the night. And, while it was terrifying, he was learning a lot.

William even sparred with him. He never knew a man could be so terrifying. While he's far from cuddly on a good day, his normal sarcastic, calculating personality never seemed so dangerous than when he was fighting. He wasn't a one trick pony either. He could take you apart with a glance and he knew how to use his environment against you.

The originals should be grateful his madness and the surprise of them coming to life made him sloppy. He would have dismantled them otherwise.

"And, we're through for the day," William said as he pulled Izuku up to his feet where he was flipped onto his back for the fifth time, and Izuku groaned in relief.

William took a good look at him and gave him one of his rare smiles. Izuku beamed knowing that this meant William was telling him 'good job'.

Izuku had learned that while William was charismatic—when he wanted to be—and prone to tangents, William never expressed his feelings or affection through words. He showed it through his actions.

Izuku thought it was hilarious that William acted like a typical Tsundere.

"How are you holding up, brat," William asked as he created a couch for them to sit on. He's noticed that Izuku was a physical person, and he liked to casually lean against him when they talked. And, although he was usually a prickly person who didn't care much for physical contact, William found that it helped ground the teen.

"I'm doing okay," Izuku said as he leaned against William's shoulder.

William looked at him critically. Izuku had a tendency to overwork himself. Though, William would be a hypocrite if he didn't admit he was the same way when it came to his work. William watched as Izuku's eyes fluttered in exhaustion and took notice of his dark eyebags.

Dang it. He's been going to hard on the kid.

"We're taking tomorrow off," he declared.

"What, no," Izuku cried.

"You can go to see Allmight, but we're not doing anything tomorrow," William said in finality.

Izuku sulked. He knew that when Will used that tone he wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

"Fine," he muttered.

William snorted in amusement at the teen's tone.

"Don't teens usually want to go out to do something fun," the purple haired man asked mockingly.

"I think training's fun," Izuku argued.

William laughed and Izuku pouted.

"You really are a little me," William said, snarky grin in place. "I used to have the same argument with Henry."

Izuku's eyes twinkled with suppressed amusement. He saw one of their arguments in his dreams of when they were in college. William is a dramatic little snot.

"Oh, I don't know," Izuku said in a breezy, teasing tone. "I didn't threaten to move into the workshop yet."

William mock scowled at Izuku, and the teen started to giggle.

"You mentioned 'fun'," Izuku said when he got himself back under some semblance of control. "Did you have something in mind?"

"How would you like to start building your first animatronic," William asked, eyes twinkling.

"Yes," Izuku yelled out in glee. "Do you really think I'm ready?"

"Mhm," William hummed as he ruffled Izuku's hair. "You're far enough in my memories to go for something small. Plus, I'll help of course."

Izuku started to vibrate with repressed excitement. He was going to build an actual animatronic! He had so many ideas! He's already started a new notebook for them.

"Calm down," William said, and Izuku settled once again. "I know it's exciting, but you need actual rest so you can focus."

Izuku nodded, significantly chastised.

"Good," William said in approval. "So, by your comment earlier, you're now experiencing my college days?"

"Yeah," Izuku said tilting his head to look at William. "It's actually making my school life really boring."

William nodded his head and said, "I expected so."

"The rest of the year is going to be hell," Izuku groaned.

William bumped his head against the back of the couch and hummed. He didn't want him to get bored. That would waste his potential. However, how should he go about giving him more difficult assignments without getting him in trouble or giving the game away?

After a little time in thought, a mischievous smirk crossed his face. Izuku caught it, and his blood started to race. William may be insane, but he was a genius. He had a way around everything. Izuku found his insane ideas exhilarating.

"How well do you know Latin," William asked with an evil grin, his eyes glinting with mischief, and Izuku's grin stretched to meet his older self's.

0000000

It has been three months since Izuku started training with Allmight, and he was flourishing. Allmight was amazed with his progress and even questioned if he was adding to his training. Sheepishly, he admitted he showed the schedule to a 'friend' of his that was a genius and he recommended alternate exercises to compliment the plan Allmight had him on.

William was impressed by Izuku's manipulation. He admitted he'd have a hard time seeing through it if he didn't know Izuku.

Allmight, of course, was proud that Izuku decided to get help before changing his routine, but told him to ask him first next time. Izuku hurried to agree, and William laughed in the back of his mind. If only he knew.

Izuku's studies also took a turn for the better. While Izuku learned Latin, William had him write all his 'extracurricular' assignments in English. William had him designing animatronics, games, learning advanced programming, chemistry, and languages. He also had them going over pre-quirk history.

Izuku was becoming proficient with his knives, and he was no longer clumsy. William even praised him by comparing him to a cat on the prowl. No longer was he a new born kitten!

The only disappointment Izuku had was that he wasn't won a single spare. But, Will assured him that it could take years before he gained enough experience and it wasn't because Izuku wasn't good enough.

Or in Will's words, "You're ten years too young to give me a scratch, brat. Give yourself time to learn how to use that brain of yours to take advantage of your surroundings. Fight smart, not hard!"

Izuku snorted at the memory. William was a mood unto himself.

He also started construction on his own animatronic. William had him drawing designs and writing out the program all these months. He also had him use the newer technology to test out how the design would work, and if it would be safe using higher level math. Of course, the only way to be sure was to actually build it, but it did help to find flaws in the programming.

Izuku fidgeted in his seat. He couldn't wait until the bell rung. He was starting to get hooked on building animatronics. He was actually starting to love his days off training.

However, the bad part of all his progress was that people started to notice. Namely, Katsuki. While he stopped his bullying, he's kept a close eye on him. He knew his ex-friend was suspicious. He's changed too much, to quickly, and it wasn't only when William took control. He was more confident, graceful, and his aura darkened slightly. Not to mention, he got snarkier from 'hanging out' with William.

His mom noticed too. And, while he could tell that she was happy to know he was happier, she was also concerned to know where it all came from. She started to ask pointed questions. Asked to meet his new 'friends'. And, Izuku was starting to worry about how he was going to keep dodging her questions.

"Hey, nerd," Bakugou called out.

Izuku held in a groan when he noticed that they were the only two people left in the class.

"Katsuki," he said with a sigh.

He knew this was going to happen sooner or later.

"Come on," he said. "Class is over."

Izuku raised an eyebrow in a resemblance of William. He was sure that the blonde would immediately start questioning him.

"What," the blonde snapped defensively at Izuku's look.

"Nothing," Izuku said breezily, an amused smirk adorning his face as he gathered his belongings. "I suppose you wanted to walk home together?"

The blonde twitched at Izuku's accurate assumption. Izuku noticed and his eyes twinkled.

"Alright then," Izuku said and Bakugou's eyes widened. "Let's go so you can ask your questions."

Bakugou's hand started to fist and release in nerves. Deku changed so much in the last three months.

They were both silent as they made their way through the school. Bakugou kept glancing at Deku as he gathered his thoughts. It surprised him how little the nerd fidgeted now. He still did it, but it wasn't nervous fidgeting now.

"So," the nerd said and Bakugou was jerked out of his thoughts. "You have questions."

And, that was a statement.

"Yeah," he admitted. "What's going on, nerd?"

"Explain what you mean by 'going on'," Izuku threw back.

"That," Bakugou exclaimed, small explosions going off with his frustration. "You've changed, nerd! I barely recognize you! You're more confident! You don't pay attention to the lessons, yet your doing better than me! You're gaining muscles! I've seen oil stains on your clothes. And, don't think I haven't noticed you started writing in Latin!"

"Katsuki," Izuku said, voice calm. "Before I answer your 'question', let me ask you one. Why do you care?"

Izuku gave the blonde a blank look that he mirrored off of William. He could tell that his new confidence had the blonde off his game. He figured if he mirrored William, he could keep the blonde from questioning him.

Finally, the blonde seemed to regain himself and he looked at Izuku.

"Look, nerd," he said as he looked away from the boy he once knew, and for the first time, he felt a hint of regret for their lost friendship. "I know that we're not friends."

Izuku snorted at the comment and Bakugou frowned.

"And, I know that it's my fault," he continued, and Izuku's gaze snapped to the blonde's—and Bakugou felt a pang of regret at the wariness in the nerd's eyes. "I've been thinking about what you said to be those months ago, ya know? Prove myself. How the hell do I do that?! But, dang it, nerd! I've known you sense we were babies. It's disturbing to see you so different! What the hell have you gotten yourself into!"

This caught Izuku by surprise. Was Katsuki actually worried about him?