Hello hello. Thank you for 350 follows and 300 favourites. It really does help me stay motivated.

For anyone who cares, I have a somewhat important rant at the end. It's in relation to this story's potential upload to AO3.

'' = speech

' = thoughts

'' 'quote' '' = one character quoting another previous line

[][][] = little transition

{}{}{}= flashback begins/ends

Enjoy.

Kendo wasn't a very observant person outside of battle.

She wasn't ignorant; she couldn't allow herself to be after being the 'big sister' of Class B for three years. She simply wasn't brilliant at gauging faces and body language.

But wow. Tetsutetsu couldn't be more obvious about his plans if he tried.

His shoulder bobbed. His hands ringed each other nervously and his eyes were as wide open as they could possibly be. He had been nervous at their graduation yesterday but this was so visible that even passers-by in the park were eyeing him with interest.

''Itsuka!'' He began, catching himself off guard with how loud the outburst was.

''Uh, hi, Tetsu. You get my text?'' The orange-haired girl smiled. It was a reassuring, calming smile. She knew what he was planning on asking. He had obviously wanted to ask her the day prior but was afraid of her parents' reactions.

''Y-Yeah! I like this spot!'' He responded with a small chuckle. ''S-Sorry for calling you out so soon after graduation.''

''It's alright.'' Kendo sat on the nearest bench and patted the spot next to her. ''Siddown. You'll look like a living statue if you keep standing like that.'' She joked.

''Thanks.'' He said quickly as he planted himself on the wooden seat.

''So… Do you have something you want to say to me?'' Itsuka didn't need subtlety. Tetsutetsu would likely just glaze over any form of smartass lead-ons anyway.

''I do.'' He took a deep breath. ''I don't really know how you feel about me, Itsuka… but I want you to know how I feel about you.''

Itsuka slowly edged her hand along the surface of the bench, leaving it open for him to reach out and place his own hand upon. He blushed a little as he reciprocated and gently let his palm rest on the back of her hand.

''I think I like you, Itsuka.'' His voice lacked shakiness, his stern expression meeting her overjoyed one.

Tears flowed freely from her eyes as she breathed out a sigh of relief. ''Oh my god! FINALLY!''

''Yeah I- wait. 'Finally'!?'' The Steel Hero narrowed his eyes.

''You dummy!'' Kendo threw her arms around his shoulder and pulled him into a strong hug. ''I was waiting for you to say something!''

''Oh. W-Well I'm g-glad you didn't say something first. I don't think I could live with the shame of not being manly enough to ask you.''

''That's exactly what me and Set said!'' Kendo laughed into his shoulder. ''I'm going to have to break up with her now…''

''W-WHAT!?'' Tetsutetsu exclaimed as he pushed her off to study her face.

''W-Whoops. Oh, heh heh, we were just dating and… messing around this last year or so. We were literally waiting for you to ask me out. God, that sounds so pretentious…''

''It kinda is.'' The boy deadpanned. ''I'm honestly really annoyed with you that I was left in the dark on that one.''

Itsuka bit her lip. ''Sorry, Tetsu. We were just afraid of all the things that would've deterred you.''

''Well then I guess we're both a little dumb, huh?'' Tetsutetsu leaned back against the bench.

The pair sat in content silence, watching the birds in the trees in the low light of the early morning.

''So… are we dating?'' Kendo asked as she prodded him with her index finger.

''You want to?'' Tetsu was dumbfounded.

''You not listening to me!?'' Itsuka giggled. ''I've been waiting for you to do this for 2 years. Of course I want to go out.''

She threw her ponytail over one shoulder and leant into his.

''Wanna go to the gym?''

''Yup.''

[][][]

Izuku rose slowly, popping a few points in his back as he sat up in his bed.

In his old room.

In his mother's apartment.

Huh.

'It feels so weird to be back.' He looked out the window to see a view nowhere near as extravagant as his dorm room. Not that it mattered. There was a sense of familiarity here that leant itself to the feeling of safety and joy. The views just reminded him of when he got home from middle school and looked towards the city, praying he'd be able to leap over the skyscrapers like All Might.

And now he could. He looked at his phone. 8:38am. Late for his standards. Would he be busy today? His mom and All Might would be reeling from yesterday's heavy drinking at the Bakugo's.

Luckily for Kacchan and Camie, they'd gone to the nearest clinic to get the potential pregnancy checked. That meant they had no opportunity to witness Mr and Mrs Bakugo attempting handstands with Fuyumi and Natsuo. Or Mitsuki using her glycerin quirk to make a slip and slide on the vinyl flooring. That poor vase would never be in less than 10 pieces again.

His phone vibrated against his thigh. Katsuki was ringing him?

He accepted the call and raised the phone to his ear.

''H-Hello?''

''I'm glad you're awake. I was afraid my mom had gotten you blackout drunk too.'' The blond boy's gruff voice sounded more hoarse than usual.

''Thankfully I was wary of the adults. They can be worse than us!''

Kacchan didn't respond. That wasn't a bad sign, he was likely considering his words.

''Can you meet me on the rooftop opposite the gas station?'' Dyna-Might asked softly.

''In costume?'' Izuku swung his legs off the bed, prepared to burst across the room and into his closet.

''Nah. I just- I just need to talk to you. It's not important or nothin' if you're busy so-''

''I'll be there. Say 9:15?'' Izuku said confidently.

''Thank you, Izuku. 9:15.'' Bakugo hung up abruptly.

Izuku looked at his now blank phone screen. His mind felt blank too. It had been a long time since someone had asked to see him out of costume that wasn't Nejire or Uraraka.

That was no excuse to not treat this seriously. Bakugo asking to talk of all things was exceedingly rare. The clock was ticking. So was the time bomb that was the upcoming conversation, he imagined.

[][][]

The faint flickers of green lightning from Full Cowling dissipated and flowed under feet as he landed on the roof with a thud. He had decided to dress casually: a black vest and black sweatpants with his red sneakers.

He wasn't alone for long, the soft firecracker sounds of Kacchan's explosion propelling him up the face of the apartment building. Katsuki wore a white buttoned shirt, with blue slacks and black smart shoes.

''Hi.'' Izuku greeted.

''Hey, Izuku.'' He sat on the top of a protruding air vent, the backs of his legs getting a light breeze thrown against them. ''Been here long?''

''Maybe a few seconds, ha ha.'' Midoriya smiled. ''What's wrong?''

Katsuki sighed deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose on one side. ''We got Camie's results. Got back maybe an hour ago.''

''That fast? You only went for the scans and testing yesterday!'' Izuku sat down, cross legged.

''We're heroes, Deku. We get priority for that shit. People working around the clock to keep female heroes informed.'' Bakugo informed him. ''Just wait until the blue-haired girl needs to get some pills. They'll be all over her offering the latest meds and shit she don't need.''

''How were the results?'' Izuku ignored Katsuki forgetting Nejire's name.

''She ain't pregnant.'' Katsuki was very tight-lipped.

''Weren't a whole bunch of tests positive?''

''Yeah. Theory the doc had was that the hormone differences were making Camie create a permanent illusion that affected tests as long as they were near. As soon as they looked over those tests in a confined space they were negative.''

''Wow. Camie's quirk allows for subconscious illusion creation based on chemical manipulation. That's incredible!'' Izuku was geeking out… only to be brought back down to Earth by a stern look from Bakugo.

''Sorry.''

''Don't be.''

Izuku studied his oldest friend's expression.

''How do you feel about not having gotten her pregnant?'' He asked slowly.

Katsuki looked him in the eye. He was clearly considering his words.

''Do you feel glad?'' Izuku pressed further.

The ashen blonde huffed. ''I… Is it bad that I am?''

''I don't think so. You're 19. So's Camie. You aren't ready for the responsibility and burden that having children means.''

''Thank you for saying that.'' Kacchan breathed a sigh of relief. ''I mean... ''

He hopped to his feet and paced back and forth. ''Of course I'm not fucking ready for kids! Eri was bad enough and I only babysat the gremlin like two fucking times!''

Izuku laughed heartily. ''Yeah, she scammed me good the other week. She's a handful.''

''We aren't even pros yet! I could've been a dad before I made my first nemesis!'' He scowled. ''Speaking of; don't take all of the cool fucking villains, you ass. I'm not getting stuck with fucking Dandelion Girl or some shit.''

''I'll, uh, I'll try.''

Katsuki sat back down on the air vent and rested his chin in his hand. He squinted at the floor, mouth moving slightly as he spoke to himself.

''D-Do you think I would be a good dad?'' He asked softly.

''If you let them become you, then no.'' Izuku said bitterly. Katsuki winced.

''I see what you mean. Mom left me unchecked and I abused that.'' He opened his palm and let his quirk create small little crackles and pops as he stared into the small beams of light the combustions made. ''I won't let my kid be a little shit. Especially if they got a quirk like mine.''

''Oh, you're thinking about potential quirk crossovers for your child too?''

''Whaddaya mean 'too', Izuku?''

The greenette laughed nervously.

''What are you thinking about my kid's quirk for, weirdo?''

''It would likely be powerful and cool to look at, knowing Camie's illusions.'' Izuku shrugged. ''I do this for all my friends. Especially if they have a girlfriend or boyfriend who I know.''

''You don't think that's a little bit fuckin' creepy?''

''O-Oh. I guess it is a little weird.''

''Mhmm.''

''Especially when I thought about what Ojiro and Tooru's quirk pairing would make.''

''I'm not listening to this.'' Katsuki stood and walked to the edge of the building.

''W-Wait! I didn't tell you about my Bubble Girl theory!'' Izuku chased him across the rooftops.

[][][]

After 10 minutes of quirk theory, Katsuki simply suggested they head home and reconvene in costume. A joint patrol in the heart of Tokyo from two of Japan's strongest would definitely be a good time.

The route was, understandably, quiet. What criminal would poke their head above ground to immediately be squashed by Dyna-Might and Deku?

The sun was setting now, and Izuku decided to call in a favour from a local Chinese restaurant and get some takeaway food for free. Having saved the restaurant and their patrons just last month, they were happy to oblige.

He threw Katsuki a carton. It was stocked to the very top. Not that this was a bad thing; all the two had eaten today was a hot dog each from a salesman who they rescued from a horse villain.

They zipped into the park. Izuku waved to Kamui Woods and Mount Lady on the way there. It was their turn to patrol that route. He didn't envy them. The central business district was often rife with wannabe looters looking for shop windows to smash.

Izuku found a tree with a long and sturdy branch for both him and his partner to rest on.

His legs dangled from the fairly high spot, though neither of them were close to scared of heights. Float made sure of that.

He prised open his rather hefty to-go carton, eyeing the contents greedily. Spring rolls were piled on top of boxes full to the brim with egg noodles. He was definitely going to stuff himself tonight, though he lacked the energy to care.

He took him chopsticks and dug in, leaving no noodle untouched. No baby prawn spared. He eventually sat back slightly, feeling the swelling in his gut as he processed that he had eaten the entire bag in just a few minutes.

He looked at Katsuki to his right. He realised in that moment that he had chosen his Ground Zero costume today, not Dyna-Might. There were some fairly big differences between the two (other than colour scheme), with one being that Ground Zero lacked both a mask and a pouched utility belt.

He didn't know why or how his childhood friend decided which hero he would be before a patrol. He was grateful that his unmasked persona existed, however. It made him more approachable and seem more friendly.

He wasn't, but hey. It made him seem that way, and that was all that mattered.

''Oi, Deku.'' Bakugo set his empty food containers aside and gazed out towards the cityscape. ''How did you kill Shigaraki?''

''I… wow. I wasn't expecting that question.''

''Sorry. I'm fucking curious. We weren't told by Aizawa and you never brought it up. Must be pretty bad, huh? He was a tough little shit.''

''I'm not proud of what I did.''

''Not expecting you to be. We all killed, Izuku. Even your girlfriends blew people up or floated fuckers into atmosphere.''

''If I tell you… You have to promise me that the class stays in the dark.''

''There's nothing to be ashamed about, Izuku. I'm sure the extras would-''

He met the future Number One's green eyes and stopped dead.

''I promise.''

{}{}{}14 MONTHS AGO{}{}{}

''Think of your family, kid!'' Gran Torino zipped around the ruins of the Osaka General Hospital.

The entire building, if not the 10 mile radius surrounding it, was now a crater full of debris, with Shigaraki preserving one of the observation rooms somewhat to form a small barricade from the elderly hero's attacks. Izuku waded through the rubble towards the pair.

He had been informed over his radio that All for One had been killed by All Might; that Shigaraki was the last of the villains to be apprehended. Despite the overwhelming power Shigaraki held in his two quirks, Izuku couldn't help but feel that the end to the fighting was near.

He had travelled alone. There was a refugee camp some 20 miles behind him, where the rest of his classmates were recuperating and aiding the displaced and wounded. Shoto would be joining him soon along with Miruko. They would be taking Spinner down in Hosu any minute now. That meant that he and Sorahiko would be holding off Shigaraki for at least 30 minutes while the Rabbit Hero and Icy Hot found a teleportation hero.

''This isn't what your grandmother fought for, you damn brat!'' Gran Torino rested against a large chunk of upturned asphalt as Tomura simply waited inside his small scale fortress.

Izuku decided it would be more time efficient to hop on the debris using Full Cowling. Sorahiko looked as tired as he felt and he couldn't risk the man being swept away by the combination of Shigaraki's quirks.

Izuku pondered about the double power for a moment.

Tomura had only two powers now, as opposed to the multiple he held just hours ago. He had leant his quirks to his late master, leaving him a simple amplification quirk to compliment his Decay.

Izuku rushed to Torino's side.

''Kid! Help me talk some sense into this fool!'' The old man pointed towards Shigaraki, who slowly edged forwards and out of his shelter.

''Can it, has-been!'' The villain shouted. ''I never even knew my grandmother!''

''Then take it from a man that knew her; she would be disgusted at the man you became!'' Torino spat back.

''Hah! Of course! My master will kill you both as he killed her! Then I can finally be free from your pathetic attempts to try and 'turn' me! Make me a 'good' guy!''

Izuku laughed. Loudly. Enough to get his nemesis' attention without appearing maniacal.

''I have bad news, Tomura!'' He hopped down from his perch atop the remains of a car. ''All for One is dead!''

Gran Torino gasped. 'Surely the kid is lying. He must be trying to get into his head!'

''Impossible! Who amongst you could stop him?'' Shigaraki slowly raised his hand to his neck.

''All Might! And the forces of U.A High!'' Izuku announced proudly.

''Y-You're LYING!'' Shigaraki turned away from them, placing his index and middle finger to his temple.

''Master, it's your apprentice.''

Silence. His arm and neck strained from the force at which he was pressing his fingers to his head.

''It's… it's Tomura!'' He yelled, voice cracking in fear and doubt.

No response came, it seemed.

''YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME! I NEED YOU!'' The villain screeched in agony.

He spun to face Midoriya. ''YOU! You're cutting our telepathic link, aren't you! You're CHEATING!''

''Tomura. He's dead. All Might turned his body to ash and Class B destroyed his brain. He isn't coming back this time.''

The white-haired man faltered, hand grasping the nearest thing to keep him standing, only for him to render it dust with his quirk.

''Heh. Heheheheheh. No.'' He smiled, though tears still fell down his face. ''You can't do this. He was the only man who loved me.''

''Pah! He was using you, you idiot!'' Torino stood up again, having regained his breath and composure. ''He never loved-''

''SHUT UP! YOU… you 'heroes'... you can't do this! You already failed so many! So you MURDER men in cold blood to cover your tracks!'' Shigaraki's hairs stood on end as he shifted his feet.

''He always said that a heroic society was an unjust one.'' Shigaraki muttered, barely above a whisper. He raised an arm above his head…

And it began.

He dropped his arm, the tidal wave of decay travelling along the ground at mach speed. Izuku and Torino were equal to it, dodging with grace. The two zipped to their immediate left, finding and calculating edges and slanted surfaces of which they could propel themselves.

Izuku landed on the load of an upturned truck and launched off with 10% of One for All, landing a solid kick to Shigaraki's forearm that he could have sworn made a cracking noise.

Aaaaand judging by the hiss through gritted teeth from his foe, he knew it was.

Gran Torino zoomed towards him, narrowly missing. The elderly man cursed under his breath.

Shigaraki's eyes darted for cover. He had none left as Izuku kicked the observation room into specks of glass and concrete. So, yet again, Tomura scanned his surroundings. He made for a small cubby Izuku could see through the raining glass shards.

He squatted, activated Float, tilted forwards and used the air pressure to fire himself towards Shigaraki. The villain stamped his foot. Izuku didn't have the time nor the aerial agility to dodge as a large six-wheeler chassis propped up under foot.

Izuku crashed, head first, into the metal plates and fell to the ground with a thud. Shigaraki laughed and brought the chassis down on his left leg, causing some very awkward bends and breakages that had Izuku screaming in pain.

He lowered his dry, gnarled hand to send a Decay Wave towards the greenette. He struggled against the plate and barely squeezed out from under it when Shigaraki's hand touched down. The Decay travelled fast, but Gran Torino was faster.

Izuku spewed out thanks as Torino carried him to safety. And then further. And then- weren't they moving too far from Shigaraki?

Izuku placed a hand on his mentor's shoulder, only for the pair to plummet and tumble onto a fairly debris-free grassy hill.

''T-Torino?'' Izuku gently pushed the short man off of his chest and took in the sight of his mentor. Half decayed and crumbling. Blood coated what remained of his legs and the lower half of his torso.

''T-TORINO!''

''N-Not so loud, kid…''

''We… We have to get you help! Momo and Todoroki are just over the river; we can-''

Sorahiko laughed dryly. Stopping Midoriya mid thought.

''Kid, I… I'm obviously not surviving this, you dolt.''

''Y- I, We… you can't die like this, Gran Torino. I was cocky; I thought I didn't need Float and-''

''I can, kid. I can die knowing that you will live on in Nana's place. You can smile, kid. It's-''

Torino hacked up blood onto the front of his costume.

''I-It's infectious. I'm proud to say that you even made an old man like me smile. Toshi. Nighteye. All of us old pros.''

Sorahiko gripped Izuku's hand, as if he would be wrenched away any moment.

''You will be the best of us all, Izuku. I know it.'' Tears streamed down Izuku's face as they began to bud in the corner of Torino's. ''So smile. Fight the good fight. And never, never… let them tell you that you can't. Nana didn't…''

Suddenly, Torino lurched forwards and tightly clasped Izuku's shoulder. Izuku could hear Shigaraki's footsteps drawing closer.

''Please…'' Torino's tears finally escaped his eyes, rolling his cheeks and onto Izuku's arms. ''Smile…''

Gran Torino fell limp against him, a last raspy breath escaping his lips. Shigaraki couldn't see Izuku's face behind his matted green locks. Nevertheless, an eerie smile decorated his features.

''You now know my pain, hero. The death of a mentor. Of a-''

Izuku looked up to him.

''Of a fathe- of a father.'' Shigaraki faltered.

''Please, go on with your pathetic pity party, Tomura. I'm sure someone cares somewhere.'' Izuku placed Torino on the hill softly, closing his eyes with his index and middle fingers.

His bright, beaming smile betrayed his feelings, that much was clear.

''Don't lecture me, you stupid brat!'' Tomura screeched. He dashed forwards, though Izuku easily evaded and found himself behind the villain.

Izuku pinned Tomura's arms behind his back, making sure to face the villain's hand towards his own back to ensure he wouldn't be foolish enough to use his quirks.

''Stop this! I'm trying to help you!'' Izuku shouted. His voice carried for miles.

''You don't really think you can save me, do you!?'' Shigaraki responded, voice full of amusement.

''I do! There's still good in you, I know it! Your grandmother knows it too!''

''Argh! Shut up about her! That stupid old man wouldn't stop talking about her!''

''Then do right by her and give in!'' Izuku kicked his enemy's legs out, leaving Tomura on his knees with his arms still pinned.

''FUCK YOU! I'll kill all your friends! All Might! All the fakes! I'll make you watch, you FAKE! YOU CAN'T SAVE ME!''

Izuku sighed. ''Y'know… I was sorta hoping you'd say that. Makes it easier to do this without feeling too guilty.''

''Do wha- AAAAARGGGH!''

Izuku activated One for All at 80% and pulled. Hard. Shigaraki's shoulder joints creaked and popped as they were pulled from their sockets. Blood sprayed from every open point and Izuku tore the villain's arm from his body. He threw the severed arms to the floor on either side.

''Now you really can't kill everyone, hmm?'' He circled around him and crouched in front of the wounded man. ''Now; you up for some rehabilitation?''

''ARGH! FUCK! FUCK YOU!''

''I told you I'd save you, Tomura. I promised your grandmother. I don't intend to break my word. Maiming you is a small price to pay if it means having you both alive and potentially sane.''

''No… No. You can't do this!''

''I can. I will. You can't live a life full of hatred.''

''Well…'' Tomura looked at his severed hand, his fingers still twitching. ''If I can't live like that, then why live at all!'' He twisted his neck, throwing himself face first onto his own hand.

''NO!'' Izuku shouted in protest. But it was too late. Tomura's skin shrivelled and shrunk, blood vessels and sinews bursting and tearing.

''You FAIL, HERO! HAHAHhahaha… ha…''

Within just a few seconds, he was dead.

Despite his death, the effects of Decay kept the ball in motion. His eyes disappeared into his skull, which was then itself reduced to nothing moments later.

Shigaraki's armless, headless corpse lay before him. He had failed Shimura. He had failed the Nine. The previous holders of One for All.

'No, Izuku.' Nana's voice reverberated around his skull. 'You have done us proud. All for One is dead. You live on to carry on our spirit.'

'She's right.' The distinctive voice of All for One's brother now took over. 'The world is safe from a menace that nine generations failed to destroy. You, as Sorahiko suggested, are the best of us.'

''Thank you…'' Izuku said softly into the wind. He could hear enormous footsteps behind him and turned to see Mount Lady marching towards him. Momo, Todoroki and Shinso stood atop her shoulders as Aizawa and Uraraka sat in the palm of her huge hands.

He stood from his crouched position and waved them down. Aizawa jumped from the height, landing on surprisingly soft ground. ''Midoriya!'' He called out to him Problem Child.

''Y-Your leg…'' Izuku stared in wonder.

''Not important.'' He brushed off the comment. ''Are you alright? Where's Shigaraki?''

Izuku moved aside, allowing his teacher to see the remains. Aizawa saw more than that. He could see Torino's body a few metres further ahead.

The shaggy-haired man spun on his heels and held a hand up for Mount Lady to see. The blonde stopped in her tracks, understanding.

''It's alright, Midoriya. I'm sure you did what you had to.''

Izuku's words bubbled in his throat like lava. ''He-'' Sobs found their way out as he stumbled, allowing Eraserhead to catch him and pull him into his chest.

''He killed Gran Torino…''

Aizawa patted his back gently.

''I know, Izuku. I know.''

[][][]

Bakugo snarled.

''I couldn't let Ochako and Momo see that. Even Todoroki.''

''I really don't think you're getting this through your thick fucking skull.'' Katsuki leaned forward on that branch and tilted his head to let Izuku know he needed his full attention. ''No one is gonna judge you for killing him. Or, at least none of the other heroes will.''

''I'm not concerned about killing him.'' Izuku sighed. ''I can't preach safety and retribution for villains and then let them take an easy way out. The Symbol of Peace can't allow failures of that magnitude.''

''You aren't the Symbol of Peace, Izuku.'' Bakugo jabbed Izuku's sternum with his index finger.

''All Might was the Symbol of Peace. You are your own man. Your own hero. You will have to kill. You will have to make some goddamn sacrifices.''

Izuku chewed over his oldest friend's words. He remembered something that All Might had once said to him whilst he was still discovering himself.

''Even at my strongest, I could not save everyone. I could not be everywhere at once. When I said 'I am Here!'... It often meant that I chose my fights. I chose my time to be a hero. I could save hundreds from a burning building… or dozens from a powerful villain… but, somewhere else, maybe known to me, maybe not, someone is in need of saving. And I can't be their hero. Many will die under your 'care', Izuku. Many will say 'why couldn't you save them!' But when those people say that, think not of who you could not save. Think of whom you did.''

Izuku smiled inwardly at the important memory. He turned to face Bakugo. ''You're right. I can't let go of what happened. Well, Izuku can't.''

The ashen blonde looked at him quizzically.

''But maybe Deku can.''

He stood on the branch and took a deep breath. ''Good night, Kacchan. I'll think on this. Text me if you're in need of my help.''

With that parting message, he zipped away. Bakugo only noticed later that Izuku had taken all of their garbage with him. He grimaced. Was his pep talk… kind of counterproductive?

{}{}{} 14 MONTHS AGO {}{}{}

Izuku trudged back to the nearest surviving city. He had no time to rest. Shigaraki may have died yesterday, but there were many people to be saved. Many were buried under rubble. Many were in criminal dens to be used as bargaining chips.

Around 10% of all cities had been attacked to some degree. Around half of that percentage were completely decimated, leaving only rubble and incredibly durable structures standing.

He wasn't sure where exactly he was at this point. He'd been travelling without rest for three days already, simply following the points on his compass and hoping it wouldn't lead him astray. He recognised Sakurajima as he peered off past the bay and knew then that he was in Kagoshima. As for where Sero and Kaminari were…

They had called him out to deal with Toga. She had been apprehended by the pair but refused to negotiate with police or any other heroes. She had requested him specifically.

He searched the streets for the 'Hero Friendly' hotel he'd been informed of. He spotted the sign from the end of the street and hurried along the pavement to reach it before a hoard of grateful citizens swamped him. He had no idea how the news of him defeating Tomura had broken out so fast, but it had.

He knocked gently on the closed doors of the hotel, only for the light taps to push the door ajar. He entered, to see a woman crouched in front of a small memorial shrine.

''H-Hello.'' He said dryly. He hadn't spoken for a full day and yet his throat was so parched.

''Ah, my apologies.'' The woman stood and turned to face him. ''You must be Deku, yes?''

''I am, ma'am. Thank you for allowing me to stay, especially at no expense.''

''Nonsense. How could I refuse the man who saved my husband?''

Izuku raised a brow. ''May I ask who your husband is?''

The dark-haired woman, who he estimated to be in her mid-thirties, motioned to the shrine. Izuku frowned. 'So I saved him, only for him to pass away regardless?'

He walked to the shrine and crouched, to see-

''N-Native?''

Izuku recognised the Native American themed Hero despite the photo's evident lack of said attire.

''I am very sorry for your loss.''

''I understand that it was you that saved him from the Hero Killer last year.'' Native's wife said.

''Y-Yes, it-it was…'' Izuku looked back at the photo. It was flanked by several smaller images of Native with his wife and… children.

''I only wish I could have saved him a second time.'' Izuku closed his eyes.

''He understood the risks of his work. He lived every moment working towards helping others and protecting the public. He was proud to be both a father and a hero. I miss him dearly.'' The older woman walked behind the hotel's front desk and took a key off a hook on the wall.

''I don't understand.'' Izuku stood up straight. ''Do you not regret the time you couldn't spend together?''

''Of course I do. But there's an important thing my husband came to know that you will too.'' The widow circled the desk and offered the key to him.

''There is always someone behind the mask. An alter ego the hero couldn't exist without. Whether they are one and the same is up to who wears the mask.'' She smiled before slinking back behind the desk.

Izuku chewed the inside of his cheek as he strode to his room and unlocked the door. He beelined for the mirror and took time to study himself.

'The man behind the mask…'

Hello again. That's all for this chapter. Apologies, it's a little shorter. I will be starting university in just over a month's time and preparation is most definitely needed considering I'm travelling halfway across the country.

Now, about this rant.

I decided to look at Archive of Our Own and have been browsing the My Hero stories on the site for a few days.

After filtering to view explicit stories (my story has sexual moments and I wanted to see the other stories I'd be next to), I was disgusted.

First of all, I'll prefice that statement by saying I have no issue with the amount of gay ships (and there are A LOT on AO3, maybe 4 times the amount of straight ships). My issue is: why does Midoriya have to be raped so much?

That maybe slightly hypocritical; after all, Midoriya is assaulted in my own story. However, there are consequences for both parties. Emotional exploration of what that can do to a person. I feel as if 90% of these stories are the same on AO3: Midoriya is assaulted by Bakugo or a villain or another male character, 'woah but he actually likes it wowzers', complete forgiveness of sexual assault 'because it feels good' to Izuku, romance ensues, rinse and repeat.

I even saw a story description where Midoriya's father sexually assaults Izuku. Izuku, in said story, is four years old. FOUR.

I didn't read it (because I'm not a disgusting, repulsive human) but I looked to the comments and prayed that people would at least draw the line at something this bad.

No.

"OMG this is so cute" "wow this is so sexy" "really well written, I love this"

Jesus fucking christ, could it get any worse?

I felt like I was somehow in the wrong because I saw nothing but positive responses.

Maybe I'm just too sensitive and I should try to adopt the 'it's only fiction, dude' mindset but I find that very difficult.

So yeah, I won't be uploading onto AO3. I refuse to share a platform with horrific material like that. Sorry to everybody that might've wanted to see it put on the site.

So… yeah. Next chapter will be a bit more romance based, a lot of fluff and a lot more jokes. And Nejire, Izuku and Ochako finally have to share that big ol' bed!

See ya!