Hello again. I really don't have much to say this time.
I wrote a one-shot between Itsuka and Izuku a few days ago. Check it out if you think you'd like it.
'' = speech
' = thoughts
'' 'quote' '' = one character quoting another previous line
[][][] = little transition
{}{}{}= flashback begins/ends
Enjoy.
"I feel like I shouldn't enjoy moving out." Izuku held a large box in his hands as he jogged down the steps to All Might's car.
''Of course you should, my boy!'' Toshinori grinned as he popped the trunk open. ''Moving out of your childhood home is an important step in any young man or woman's life!''
''Toshi's right, Izuku.'' Inko came down the stairs at a far slower pace, and with a far smaller box. ''I moved out at 16! Think of how lucky you are to have those extra 3 years!''
''You think? I basically moved out during first year!'' He planted the box in the back of All Might's convertible.
''And yet-'' Inko placed the small box (which he realised contained his posters and figurines) atop the larger one. ''-Who ended up with your laundry?''
''...Okay so maybe I wasn't completely independent.'' Izuku rubbed the back of his head and rushed back up the steps to grab the large bags containing his clothes.
He made extra sure to grab the suitcase containing his hero costume and gear too. He could easily fight crime without it; after all, he was not going to be a hero with a secret identity. If he was seen in street clothes, he would be as recognisable as if he had his gear on.
Nevertheless, going all out at 100% One for All without the arm bracers Mei made him would be foolish.
He ran back down the steps and put the bags and case on the back seats.
''Is that all you'll be needing?'' Yagi shut the car door behind Izuku as he moved away.
''Uhhh, hmm.'' Izuku cupped his chin. ''Well the apartment is fully furnished so I won't need any appliances. Oh! Phone charger!'' He activated Shoot Style and zipped up the stairs.
Inko sighed. ''At least I won't be alone. Thank you for that, Toshi.'' She leaned into him.
''As if I could leave you when he's going to stay with his significant other.'' The blonde man laughed.
Silence fell over them as they heard the faint rustling Izuku was making in his room.
''When are you going to tell him?'' All Might squeezed her shoulder.
''Soon. He probably won't be able to calm down for a while after I tell him, that's for sure.'' She smiled and rested a hand over her stomach.
''Well… moving into my house is probably better for both of us. Izuku is strong enough to get over his remaining belongings being boxed up in my attic.''
''I said he'd take a while to calm down. He's leaving his posters here. He'll scream if they get dusty.'' Inko giggled.
Izuku's head poked around the front door's frame. He leapt the flight in one bound and landed gracefully a few feet away from them.
''Found it!'' He placed it into his shirt pocket.
''Right… so you're off?'' Inko smiled wobbly.
''Yeah.'' Izuku smiled sadly. Inko couldn't hold it anymore. She broke down into sobs and jumped forwards to hug him tightly. Izuku wasn't much of a cryer anymore.
'So that was a fucking lie.' All Might smirked as Izuku broke down too. The mother and son would have flooded the street if All Might hadn't wrapped his arms around them both.
''What have I gotten myself into?'' He said jokingly. ''We're literally meeting you, Nejire and Ochako for dinner next week, you two. No need for all the waterworks!''
The two greenettes slowly unfurled themselves from him and each other.
''O-Oh yeah, heheheh…'' Izuku laughed sheepishly.
''Good lord. Let's get moving, eh Young Midoriya?'' Toshinori leant down and kissed Inko's cheek before moving to get the car started.
''Bye, mom. I'll text you everyday.''
''You better. Otherwise Nejire and Ochako are seeing every single baby picture I have.''
Izuku gulped. ''Noted.''
He ran around the car and hopped into the passenger seat. He reached over the roof of the car and waved to his mother as the car sped away.
[][][]
''You sure you're okay to carry all of that, you two?'' Yagi asked as Nejire and Izuku cradled the boxes and bags in their arms.
''Yes, thank you, sir!'' Nejire flashed All Might her trademark smile. Izuku offered his own as part of the plea to let them go about it on their own.
''Alright. Don't strain yourselves. I'll see you next week.'' He made to turn back to his car but stopped. He turned his head back to them. ''If I don't see you saving people on the news first.''
''I'll make you proud.'' Izuku said with a stern expression.
All Might laughed heartily, buffing up as well as he could. ''My boy, you have already made me the proudest father I could be.''
He let his macho form dissipate before getting in the driver's seat. He turned the keys and sped off.
''Right!'' Nejire shifted the box and bags in her hands. ''Let's get you unpacked!''
She hovered as she led him in the front door of the apartment block and into the elevator.
''You bring much, Izu?'' Nejire asked as she tried to peek into the box.
''Not really? I brought some nice figurines and merch. Other than that, just a few basics and some clothes.''
''Ooooh!~ You have to model some of it for me! I need to see how you look in every outfit!'' Hado twisted and bobbed in anticipation of the doors opening.
''Hey, Nejire-chan.'' Kamui Woods greeted as he entered the metal box. ''O-Oh! Deku!'' He offered a handshake to the teen. Izuku shifted the boxes into his left arm and shook with his right.
''What brings you here? Moving in?'' The Wooden Hero smoothed out his shirt as he studied the plethora of bags and boxes.
''Yup! With… Nejire actually…'' Midoriya blushed.
''We're dating!'' The bluenette said proudly.
''Congratulations!'' Woods gave them a double thumbs-up.
The elevator dinged and held on the same floor just after shutting.
''Hey, Kamui. Hey, Nejire-chan.'' Miruko greeted as she entered the metal box. ''Woah, Deku!?'' She held out her prosthetic arm and punched her shoulder playfully. Izuku smiled at her.
''Whatcha doing here? Movin' in, runt?'' Usagiyama rolled her shoulders.
''Yup. With Nejire.'' He fought off the blush better this time.
''We're dating!'' The bluenette said proudly.
''Oh shit! Congrats! Knock 'em dead in the field, you two!'' Miruko hissed slightly. Jealousy, perhaps?
The elevator dinged and held again. Izuku groaned.
''Hey, Miruko. Kamui. Nejire-chan.'' Mount Lady snuggled against Kamui and the doors closed behind them.
'Oh thank god.' Izuku sighed in relief. He couldn't keep having that sense of deja vu.
''So, runt.'' Miruko began.
Mount Lady spun to face the 3 people behind her. ''Woah, Deku?''
'GOD DAMN IT.'
[][][]
''Well, that was fun.'' Nejire said happily. ''Who'd have thought all six of them would be visiting Death Arms next door, huh?''
''Y-Yeah, haha…'' Izuku already felt so tired. Miruko, Kamui Woods, Mount Lady, Backdraft, Fourth Kind and Godzillo all in an elevator sounded like there would be a punchline right after. And of course they all had to be so interested in his move.
He shook those thoughts away. They were just being nice. They all respected him highly after the defeat of Shigaraki. Or at least Present Mic had told him as much.
Izuku placed the boxes on the floor in Nejire's hall and straightened his back. She opened her bedroom door and threw the bags of clothes onto her bed. She spun in her slippers and leapt into his arms.
''I missed you.'' She said as she rested her chin on his shoulder.
''It's only been about a week.'' Izuku said despite his pleased smile.
''Exactly! I already went 2 weeks without my Izu! I couldn't handle another one!'' She said sarcastically.
''Well-'' Izuku placed his hands under her thighs and lifted her legs. ''I missed you too.''
Nejire giggled and allowed herself to go limp against him. ''I can't wait for tonight.''
''You gonna try and pull on the moves on me?'' His eyes darted around.
''Pfft! I don't need to pull them on you!'' She shifted her butt and and let her feet drop back to the vinyl floor. ''I need to romance Ochako! Give me tips!''
''She cringes at dirty talk, like me. So don't bother trying it if you were planning on it.'' He looked at her face. She seemed so empty-headed and innocent. 'Seemed' being the key word.
''Never mind. I don't think you know how to dirty talk.''
''Oh and you do?'' Hado put her hands on her hips.
''No. In case you didn't notice, it took me 2 years of U.A to talk normally without stuttering.'' He deadpanned.
''Sorry.'' Nejire mumbled guiltily.
''Don't be.'' He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. ''You're one of the reasons I'm more confident now.'' He beamed down at her.
Nejire suddenly became teary-eyed. ''Awww! That really means a lot to hear you say that.'' She said quietly.
He rubbed her back gently. ''Let's get to unpacking, yeah? Ochako will be here in an hour.''
Nejire perked up. ''Yes! I can look at all your underwear!''
''W-Wait! I-I don't think- gah!'' He said in vain as Nejire sprinted towards his bags.
[][][]
Ochako took a very deep breath. The taxi driver had been kind enough to help her get her belongings into the lobby safely. She'd tipped him an extra 700 yen for the trouble.
She sat on one of the benches and waited for her two lovers to come to her. Sure, she could make her bags weightless, but then she'd have to have them all on ropes and-blegh. That was even more complicated than just carrying them normally.
'''Chako!''
She looked up from her phone just in time for Nejire to grab her cheeks and give them a squeeze.
''Hi!'' The brunette said excitedly.
''Hey.'' Izuku waved and took a suitcase in each hand. ''Let's save the festivities for when we're indoors, hm?''
Ochako and Nejire nodded and each took some luggage.
''Oof! Whatcha got in here?'' Nejire struggled with the weight of the case in her left hand.
''O-Oh, hold on!'' Ochako placed all 5 fingers on the case and made it weightless to ease the load on Nejire. ''I brought my special weight set. The one that negates my quirk.''
''Then how did you make them weightless?'' Nejire asked.
''Oh they're only negated in direct contact. I just float the case!'' Uraraka laughed.
''Oooooh! So smart!'' Nejire swung her arm like a madwoman to prove that it was truly light to her now.
''Hopefully we aren't met with a half dozen pros again.'' Izuku said with a huff.
''It might be difficult to explain I have a boyfriend and a girlfriend but I will not be embarrassed!'' Nejire dropped the cases and wrapped an arm around each of them.
''I love you guys! I'm too happy about us living together to let my mood drop!'' She kissed Izuku on his cheek before leaning across the other way and kissing Ochako's.
''I'm happy too.'' Ochako said sheepishly. ''I'm scared it'll feel like a vacation and not a permanent home!''
''We just have to do some hero work and I'm sure it won't.'' Izuku said dryly, though there was plenty of humour in his tone.
The doors opened on Nejire's floor and they practically snuck past Death Arms' apartment with Ochako's bags in tow and entered Nejire's stylish studio apartment.
''Whew!'' Ochako kicked off her shoes and sat on the step. ''Deku, you already packed away?'' She asked as she looked into Nejire's bedroom to see his cases entirely empty.
''Yeah. We made sure that we had everything organised for you to throw your stuff somewhere.'' He strode into the bedroom, grabbed his bags and folded-up boxes before tucking them into Nejire's under-bed storage.
''Thanks. I really don't have much except clothes and some kitchen stuff like waffle makers.'' Ochako got back to her feet and carried one of her cases through the hall and into the kitchen.
''Waffle makers?'' Nejire whispered to Izuku.
''Yup.'' Izuku took Uravity's weight case and carried it towards Nejire's treadmill in the open-plan living room. ''Little lady loves waffles and syrup.''
''Hey! I don't have the syrup anymore!'' She called out from the kitchen. ''It was making me feel bloated!''
''I remember. Mineta said you could be 'bloated and floated' and you gave him two black eyes.'' Izuku grimaced. Even Minoru, despite his rough personality, didn't deserve that.
''Remind me to never serve you syrup!'' Nejire shouted as she walked into the laundry room.
''That's okay!'' Ochako sighed as she placed the waffle maker into a fairly empty cupboard.
''Nervous?'' Izuku said as he sidled up next to her.
''Mhmm.''
''Sleeping in the same bed?''
''Nah. But now that you say that, yes.'' She closed the cupboard door and faced him. ''I'm worried about how our schedules will line up. We all work for different agencies, after all.''
''It can't be too bad.'' He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle pat. ''You and Nejire are still under Ryukyu in theory. I'm freelance for now, although I ultimately answer to Endeavor. It'll work.''
A lightbulb went off above his head. ''Hey, Nejire!''
''Yeah!?'' Nejire ran back into the living room.
''Your costume clean?'' He asked as he relaxed his grip on Ochako's shoulder.
''Yup.'' Hado gasped. ''You wanna go on patrol!?''
''I do.'' He turned to face Ochako. ''You up for that?''
Her pink cheeks flared out like a chipmunk as she stared pensively out of the window behind him. Suddenly, her gaze hardened.
''Yes. It's been a while since I kicked some villain ass.''
The three all briefly flashed smiles at each other.
''Let's suit up!'' Izuku said joyously. Nejire bolted for her closet. Izuku picked up the largest case in the hall and held it to his ear as he shook it.
'Yep. That's definitely a grappling hook.'
He threw it to Ochako as she ran past him into the bedroom. He ducked into the laundry room and unlocked his costume case.
He and Nejire had decided that it was best for them all if they got into gear in separate rooms. It wasn't a case of not controlling their sexual impulses if their eyes found each other; it was simply to stop any meaningless chit chat that could harm their response time for an emergency.
He threw off his shirt and jeans. He could keep his vest and boxers on; it wouldn't impede his range of movement. The bodysuit, with fresh padding thanks to Mei's shipment, was first on. Then he kicked his sneakers back and reached for his gauntlets. They were soft and glove-like on the inside and around the fingers, but they were lined with several layers of carbon fiber weaves and conductive plates.
He didn't need his hood or his breather for now, they were only going on a patrol. He could save the extreme predictive measures for a full scale operation.
He pushed the door open and made for the living room. He turned the news on… and waited.
''The Morikawa Mitts take the win in-''
''Could your child be doing drugs in school? We'll be taking to-''
''Large scale storms expected in the coming week, we'll be giving you the advice you need to-''
''The well-known criminals known as 'The Gator Gang' seen in Musutafu! Could they be after-''
Izuku perked up. ''Guys! We're needed downtown!''
The bedroom door trickled open. Ochako jogged out, helmet in hand. ''Who? Known perps?''
''The guys we put away last October?'' Izuku asked, hoping she'd remember.
She did, her eyes lighting up as she peered through the enormous windows of the apartment. ''We trounced those guys last time! This should be fun!''
A knock at the door drew them away from their conversation. Nejire ran to the door and slowly dragged it open.
''Hiya, Nejire.'' Death Arms stood on the other side. ''You and Deku got the situation downtown? Rumi and Yuu got real drunk and aren't really up for that.''
''We got it! Just wait 'til you see us three rocking it!'' She flashed the grey-haired hero a bright smile. ''Later! Don't worry!''
As the door shut, Izuku and Ochako heard Death Arms say 'Three?' softly under his breath. Welp. That secret was out there now.
Nejire waltzed into the living room and ran to her quirk panel. She used Wave Motion and the glass slowly retracted into the walls.
''What are you two waiting for!? Let's go!'' She dived out and swooped down into the street. Izuku activated Shoot Style and rushed after her. Ochako burst into life and dived head-first out of the hatch just before it slammed shut and activated her quirk, suspending her above the streets. She used her grappling hooks to drag her weightless form above the streets as Izuku zipped between buildings and Nejire flew with her Waves.
After 3 minutes of travel, the Gator Gang came into view… outside the zoo.
Unconscious civilians were strewn about the place, cars were upturned and in wrecked heaps and the gates of the zoo had been raised by the staff to protect both themselves and the animals.
Izuku reared back and swung a leg with a significant percentage of One for All. He sped at light speed towards one of the Gators and slammed, boot first, into his chest.
From previous experience with the alligator themed brothers, they could take a lot of powerful hits due to their natural scaly protection. Snappy and Razorjaw (honestly their parents must've hated them to give them these names) shouted to their fallen brother.
''Surrender!'' Ochako shouted as she dropped from a huge height, reactivating her quirk just before she would've hit the ground. Nejire slowly hovered down next to her.
The two standing brothers looked at each other pensively.
''We… We've come too far to allow these oppressors to keep our animal brethren locked away!'' Razorjaw, who Izuku recalled being the brains of the trio, bellowed back.
''Yeah! Zoos are an insult to every mutant with an animal quirk!'' Snappy screeched, his voice noticeably higher pitched.
Egg Tooth, the youngest of the three who Izuku had knocked on his ass, whipped his tail around to ensure a safe distance from Deku as he scrambled towards his brothers.
''Y'know, they have a small point.'' Nejire shrugged.
''SEE!?'' Razorjaw stomped the car he stood on angrily. ''You must see the cruelty! Your own classmate is a frog, for god's sake!''
''You may have a point!'' The three gators looked at Izuku in awe for a moment.
''But!'' Their expressions dropped.
''This is not the way to enact change! You'll turn people against the cause!'' The greenette yelled to the villains.
''Violence is all people understand!'' Snappy pulled a shotgun from his back and fired towards the three heroes. Nejire fired a wave that sent the shell off course.
''Hard and fast, guys!'' Izuku said sharply as he zipped between bullet fire and snapping jaws to land a 45% Smash on the gang's leader, who recoiled enough to allow Ochako an oppurtunity to plant 5 fingers on him.
He used his tail to anchor himself as he was slowly pulled upwards by the distinct lack of gravity. He was no longer mobile, meaning Nejire, who was using enormous waves from the bottom of her boots to keep deflecting the bullets from the other two of the trio, could act.
She intertwined her fingers and launched an enormous wave that sent Razorjaw through the gates of the zoo, through the reptile house and into the pool of cold water in the penguins exhibit.
Izuku didn't need to check if he was unconscious; Nejire packed more of a punch than he did when she was fully concentrated.
Ochako used one of her hooks to wrench Snappy's shotgun from his hands. She cocked the barrel and began unloading the contents into him. Their hide made them bulletproof, but not resistant to the pain.
Ochako was essentially pumping very painful rubber bullets into his chest and back. Egg Tooth, on sight of this, threw his gun to the wayside and raised his hands.
''P-Please! We give! Stop hurting us!'' Tears trickled from his eyes.
Izuku's battle face softened. ''Ochako. Stop.''
The brunette, who's equally sad face showed her lack of enthusiasm for dishing out pain, let her gun drop to the ground.
''Thank you… I'm sorry for all of this.'' The youngest brother whimpered. ''W-We really do believe what we're saying… you have to believe me!''
Izuku approached, though not into range where he could be in the young miscreant's clutches if this turned out to be a bluff.
''I do believe you.'' He smiled towards Egg Tooth, who looked at him in child-like wonder. ''If you three can promise me that this is the last time, I'll help you guys out. We can resolve your problems with zoos… and I'm guessing safaris-'' He added very quickly. ''-Together. I'm sure my classmates would love to help too!'' He beamed even brighter than he had the moment before.
''Y-Yes! Please help us! We'll change, I swear!'' Came the excited, if not petrified, response.
''For what- it's worth…'' Snappy wheezed through bruised ribs. ''I'd be okay with that.''
Nejire laughed. ''Well, isn't that nice!''
[][][]
The police arrived quickly. The entire thing was broadcast, after all. They knew the perfect time to close their barricade down the street and detain the reptilian rascals.
''Good work, Mr Midoriya. Ms Uraraka. Ms Hado. Woof.'' Kenji Tsuragamae, the dog-headed police chief who'd scolded Izuku, Tenya and Shoto over the Hero Killer incident, commented dryly. ''I hear you wish to help these lads?''
''Yes, sir. I do.'' Izuku shook his head in a double take. ''Chief Tsuragamae!? Who are you all the way out here?''
''Ah, woof. I was stationed here in Detective Tsukauchi's absence.''
''Absence?'' Izuku raised a brow.
''Yeah.'' A youthful looking officer to the Chief's right barked. ''No one's seen Tsukauchi in weeks!''
''What!?'' Izuku placed both his hands behind his head.
''Deku, is something wrong?'' Ochako placed a hand on his forearm.
''Yeah! I saw Tsukauchi at Tartarus not too long ago!'' He pointed at the dog man, who's eyes opened in shock.
''You're sure, woof?'' Kenji asked as he furrowed his brow.
''Positive. Ground Zero was with me. As was Mandalay and Miruko.''
''Mandalay?'' Nejire pondered aloud. ''Ragdoll told me she was abroad on a secret mission. So secret that not even the other Wild Wild Pussycats could know.''
Tsugaramae and Midoriya met eyes.
''I think we may have a situation.'' Midoriya said solemnly.
''Indeed.'' The Police Chief frowned. ''We need a strike team. Something is going on at Tartarus.''
[][][]
Mandalay stumbled back into the large cell. The walk down the secret, pitch-black staircase to the holding room under the 'warden's' office was never a pleasant one.
The two goons on either side of her didn't dare touch her as they escorted her. It wasn't purely because of the fact that their guns were sufficient at keeping her in check. She was certain they wouldn't want to touch her after the last 30 minutes.
Tsukauchi sat up on the rough mattress. ''Are you alright?''
Shino felt teary-eyed at the question alone. ''Is the water running…?''
''Yes. I just had a shave. Good-for-nothing single blades nearly cut me to ribbons.'' He laughed, though he had nothing to find humour in.
They were in a dimly lit concrete room. They had a bed each, though the frame was low and crooked and the mattress was a size too small.
The shower was a simple shower head on the wall with a drain underneath. Water would coat half the room's floor if it ran for too long. They had bars of soap to match it.
They were given food; if anything, the food was good. Lunch Rush sent meals to Tartarus from U.A. It couldn't be bad if he prepared it.
They had no books or forms of entertainment. They were alone with their thoughts and, for a handful of hours a day, each other.
Shino Sosaki was dragged upstairs more often than the detective was. She had more value to The Dictator as a plaything and form of amusement.
Tsukauchi noticed that her costume and, more importantly, her skin appeared a lot filthier today than usual. Since Deku had overseen the movement of the prisoners last week, the hunched villain had become more cruel. More depraved. More sick.
Shino stripped off her costume and threw it close to, but not covering, the drain. She was aware of her roommates eyes upon her. She didn't care as she may have 5 weeks ago.
Tsukauchi was a quiet man. A welcome change. He never looked at her body lecherously. Or even pitifully. He was full of compassion, yes, but never pity. They couldn't afford themselves pity.
That would break them faster, as the Dictator wanted.
She was completely nude in front of him as she washed and washed and washed-
''What did they do today?'' Naomasa questioned softly.
''He… He had them piss on me.'' She seethed. Hot tears leaked out of her eyes. It was the only warm liquid on her; the shower was ice cold today.
''I see.'' The weak response was music to her ears. She didn't want him to be sad for her.
She washed further in silence, the squeaking of the pipes occasionally breaking it.
''We'll be free soon.'' He stood and walked to her side. Mandalay looked at the ground around her bare feet. The water was lapping at her heels. It was time to turn the water off.
''How can you be so sure?'' She whimpered as Tsukauchi wrapped his jacket around her shoulders. They were given no towels.
''I have faith in our new 'Symbol of Peace.''' His face was stern. Serious. He believed in himself and his words.
''Izuku!'' Shino whisper-shouted. ''H-He saw us here, didn't he?''
Tsukauchi nodded.
''Do you think he finally figured it out? We've both been 'busy' or 'missing' for weeks now…''
''He's smart. He's surrounded by equally smart people. Like Toshi. And Tomoko.'' He smiled briefly as he mentioned her teammate.
He dragged her covered form towards her bed and they took a seat next to each other.
''We have to stay strong.'' Naomasa began.
''Go beyond.'' Shino finally smiled.
''Plus Ultra.'' They both said in unison.
And we're all wrapped up. Thank you for reading.
Next chapter we'll have the resolution to the whole Dictator/Tartarus storyline. And that may or may not spiral into a big snowball effect of… yes. Cannot spoil.
Oh, and Totem-Mimikyu. I'm based AS FUCK. (I'm kidding) (hopefully)
I'll see you all next time. Prepare yourselves. It'll be an enormous chapter; I'm aiming for the biggest I've ever written.
See ya!