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Deku and Shigaraki looked at each other. They quickly left Izuku's room, slamming the door behind them. They hurried to the front door, Deku flinging it open to see Tenko there. He looked worried and out of breath like he had ran all the way there.

"Where's Izuku?" he asked.

"He wasn't here. Honestly... No one has been here much lately," Deku said looking confused.

Tenko glanced at Shigaraki.

"Did you see him?"

The villain stared at him. Deku saw the weird look on his face. He looked downright uncomfortable.

"Did you?!" the young hero snapped getting more upset.

"No. Haven't seen him in a few days."

Tenko pushed his way through, running his hands through his hair.

"He just up and left Recovery Girl's clinic. He's aging fast... like a year every two weeks or something... She said he was already twenty six. He won't even make it to his next birthday at this rate!"

"The math on that suggests he would-

"NO! Because his quirk is going to grow more powerful! He won't be able to handle it! How the hell is he supposed to get a year of training in every two weeks?! He's going to die at that rate!" Tenko yelled, "He isn't here and he didn't tell her where he was going!"

It was clear they were both thinking the same thing.

"Is Katsuki here?"

"No one has been here..." Deku said.

"What?!"

He went into the living room.

"Izuku's rule is at least three of them are to be here at once just in case. No one is seriously here? Shinsou, Neito or Eijiro? Where's Eri?"

Deku looked away. He had no idea where she was.

"She's popped in and out a few times. Are you sure he just didn't tell everyone to desert here?" Shigaraki asked, "Last I talked to him... He wanted to finish someone off."

Tenko blinked.

"That doesn't sound like him? Things must be bad if he would ask you for help with someone like that."

Shigaraki grinded his teeth before chewing on his bottom lip. Deku could see the nasty secret was eating him alive.

"How about you go to bed and come back tomorrow. It's already late."

Tenko stared at them.

"How come you two aren't alarmed by this?" he asked, annoyance in his voice, "What are you hiding?"

Deku rubbed his forehead, "We aren't hiding anything. It's just... We're both tired and honestly it feels like everyone is hiding stuff from us. So we have no idea what's normal and what's not."

The young hero relaxed a little bit.

"I'm sorry. It's my fault... I was pushing him and he clearly can't tell me some stuff and I know that."

"Tomorrow. We will do what we can to help you out but right now... It's late and we won't be able to find anything in the dark... without villains coming after us."

Tenko smiled, "Ok. See you guys later. Be careful."

"You too!" Deku said with a bright smile.

They closed the door and locked it after Tenko left. The two of them stood by the front door unable to move.

"What do we do now?" Shigaraki asked.

"I have no idea."

"I have to say I'm impressed with your lying skills. I almost believed you."

"I'm not proud of it... I just don't know what to say to him."

"We need to go through this whole place. The last two people I saw was Eri and Izuku," Shigaraki said, "I never saw anyone else."

"I think I saw Shinsou last..."

"I haven't seen your mom. Apparently Recovery Girl is fine."

Deku went to his room down the hallway and grabbed a notebook.

"We are going to have to check on everyone. Let me make a phone call."

X

It was close to ten at night when there was a knock at the door. Tomura nearly fell off his chair. They had been at the kitchen table listing everyone and when was the last time they saw anyone. He didn't realize he had dozed off in the middle of talking but he hadn't slept good lately anyways.

"Hey! Thanks for coming!" Deku said excitedly.

Tomura watched as Eraserhead and Present Mic walked through the door. Both of the men stared at him. It was almost like they were studying him.

"So what are we doing here? You were pretty secretive on the phone."

"There's something going to happen soon. I have to explain everything but what I say doesn't leave this room. No one is to know."

Present Mic nodded as he reached into his jacket. He placed an orange and black device on the table.

"It's a scrambler for any bugs that might've been placed here. I had turned it on when we got a mile within this place. We've been in hiding on and off for years since Rei's big appearance."

Tomura made a pot of coffee before staring down at the sink.

How did it come to this for me? Why am I so emotional about all of this?

"Shouto plans on picking up where Rei left off," Deku said tapping his pen against the notebook paper, "He managed to stall Izuku doing anything. He did... something horrible to him which is why we're here. He can't face him to finish him off for good."

The two men stared at him.

"The bigger issue is Rei is alive but she is frozen solid."

Shigaraki poured out four cups and placed them on the table. He didn't want to speak. He wasn't in the right mind to say anything.

"That's downright impossible," Aizawa said becoming upset, "She died that day!"

"All for One told me some stuff I haven't told Tomura."

The villain stared at him.

"I am to kill Rei to help Izuku face off against Shouto. That he would be the one to kill him once and for all to fix this. In order for him to save the world... We cannot do it for him."

"That fucker told you that?!" Shigaraki snapped, slamming down a fists, shaking the coffee cups.

"He never helps anyone- why would he tell you that?" Present Mic asked looking skeptical.

"He can see things," Deku said, "He confirmed One for All belonged with me... for the time being."

"What did he see exactly?"

"He said he saw Izuku finishing him off."

"Was it him or you?"

Deku blinked.

"If he saw a vision he wouldn't know the difference. He wouldn't know if it was you or him," Tomura said, lifting his cup, "If we dressed you like him, it would look like he did it, not you."

"He's right," Eraserhead said, "The issue is keeping Izuku hidden."

"I can't-

"Damnit you stupid fucking moron!" the villain yelled, "He already raped him and Izuku wants him dead because he can't do it! It doesn't matter if it's the face of your friend- that fucking monster is not your friend."

The four of them fell silent.

No matter what could be said, Shigaraki was right and he still couldn't do it. He couldn't. He couldn't.

"I understand," Present Mic said reaching over to take his hand, "This isn't easy. My bigger issue is Izuku is a big deal... but can he fill the shoes if you do the work? We've been in the streets and the impact you have made lately... well, it's phenomenal. Heroes are returning... People are changing. Things are different. UA hasn't changed... There was whispers of Izuku doing these things but none of the fact there are two of you."

"If Todorki has done that... Then he views Izuku as a threat. He knows exactly what he's capable of. What has he done to you?"

"Tried to kill us both."

"Hm."

Present Mic held out his hand with a smile, "Hizashi. Nice to meet you."

Deku shook his hand with a big smile on his face. Shigaraki rolled his eyes.

"So, what do you have written down?" Aizawa asked.

"It's a list of Izuku's people. Or those he trusts. So far for sure... Recovery Girl is ok. Endeavor, Mom- well Inko, Katsuki, Eijiro, Neito, Denki, Shinsou, Eri, Midnight and All Might... No one has heard from them in a while. Tenko is ok. None of us have seen or heard from them. Since we don't much here... we didn't think it was unusual for them to be gone."

"We only went into Izuku's room to see what he was..." Tomura trailed off.

Hizashi nodded, "Why don't you two get some sleep? Shouta can go look for everyone else."

Aizawa gave a nod of agreement.

"Will you be ok?" Deku asked.

"Of course. I would advise sleeping in the same room for now. Just in case someone comes in... You're both together and ready."

Tomura got up and headed for his room. Within a minute he was dragging his mattress into Deku's room.

Present Mic placed both hands on Deku's shoulders.

"I know what it feels like... we both do. You... don't ever think you would have the balls to face off against a friend but in the end... it's you or them. I don't know how your world is and the fact you're struggling like this... You live in a good place. The people you love and who are good and innocent will die. That guy is right... he has the face of a friend but he is a monster. He can't be saved."

His green eyes watered up.

"I just... I want to save everyone. Everyone matters. I shouldn't... shouldn't have to pick and chose who lives."

"No one should."

Present Mic pulled him in for a hug. Deku cried into his chest not caring one bit. Aizawa patted his back as he grabbed the paper off the table.

"Things will get better. We just gotta get through this first."

Once he finished wiping his face, Deku headed for his room. He saw Tomura's mattress was placed against his bed. It made him feel more comfortable but he wasn't sure why. He made sure to lock the door behind him and double checked his window. He could hear Present Mic going through the house but just barely. He settled in, just staring at the ceiling.

"Get some sleep."

"I can't," the freckled hero said softly.

"You won't be able to save anyone unless you get some sleep."

Deku rolled over on his side to look down at the villain. He looked tired. The street light shining in the room made him look older. Perhaps the stress was getting to them both.

"Will you hold my hand?" Deku whispered, his voice shaking.

Tomura's head snapped to the side. For a whole minute of staring at each other, it was awkward.

"Ok," he whispered back.

Deku dropped his hand down and Tomura slipped his gloved fingers between the hero's.

Apparently they both needed the small touch of reassurance... they were out in minutes, snoring lightly together.