Hey! Welcome to my first My Hero Academia Fanfic!

Set before the first season, by about five years or so.

If you've read my stuff before you'll already know my habits on canon, but if not, allow me to explain! I love the characters, world, and story of My Hero Academia. But this is a Fanfiction. I'm having some fun and felt like sharing it with you guys, so whilst GENERALLY things are gonna go along with canon, there will likely be variations. To story. To characters. The kinds of things that would definitely be slightly (and I do only mean SLIGHTLY, I keep all canon characters as IN character as possible!) changed with the introduction of a new character, which I am doing! My OC Alex! So all that is to say, stick around and have a read, but don't assume everything will follow exactly as it does in the Anime. Hope you enjoy!

Full disclosure, I have not thus far read the manga, so whilst I intend to stick to as much canon detail as possible, aspects not covered in the anime may well be sketched in by my own little head-cannons.

Disclaimer (which I will only put in once because it's a massive "duh"): I do not own My Hero Academia.

The first time he cancelled my quirk, I turned tail and ran, skidding into a couple bins and scaring an alley cat. I'd never known anything like it. My power was gone, poof, just like that. Nothing around me moved to my will, not even an empty beer can rattled. Maybe it was cowardly to run, but give me a god damned break, I'm a kid! The second time, I stayed put, waited till he was close enough and then punched him in the dick. Then I ran. The third time he only cancelled it for a moment before holding up his hands in surrender and giving me that damn smirk. I lowered my hands from their sparring position and straightened up. He didn't approach, he didn't move, he just watched. One of his brows slowly raised and so did mine. This guy was weird. Long dark hair, gold goggles to hide his freaky red eyes, and all black from head to toe otherwise. Except his white scarf. Never seen him except in these back alleys, and rarely during the day either. Is he a hero or a villain? I can't tell. I think that bothers me most of all. I can't get a read on him, and he seems to be able to turn off my quirk like you'd turn off a damn tap. He makes no sense. But he doesn't seem to work for Shigaraki, if he did he'd have dragged me back to that place the first time. But so far, it seemed like he was fine. And that I confused him as much as he confused me. At least, that's my assumption from the way he keeps finding me and watching me. Unless he's just another creep.

So here we are. Time number three. I smooth myself down and draw myself up. He doesn't scare me. I keep my hands behind my back just in case though. No point in him noticing I'm… cold. Yeah. Just cold.

I grit my teeth. "What you wanting, Mister?"

"To talk, unless you're planning on running off again?"

"Can you blame me?"

He huffs. "Guess not. Should I stay up here? Let you keep your distance and avoid me getting punched?"

I tilt my head. "Loner dude comes towards a helpless little girl in a back-alley. What else am I meant to do?"

His brows disappear under his shaggy fringe. "Helpless? Hardly."

"Well that'd be how I sell it to the cops, so spit it out Mister." I glare, angling myself just a little in case I do need to run. He speaks nice enough, and he is actually keeping his distance, but I won't chance it. Not again. "Why you following me?"

"I keep getting reports of petty thefts in this area. Thought I'd come see what was going on."

I look him up and down. "So you're a pro?"

"Why so unsure?"

I shrug. "Don't look like either that I've met."

"Either?"

"You're not shiny, and you're not an asshole. Well… So far." I add when that smirk reappears. He hops down from the fire-escape, perching on one of the larger bins. I edge backwards. "What's your hero name?"

He rolls his eyes. "Eraserhead."

"Like on top of a pencil?" I snort and he nods. I roll it round my mind and it rings a couple vague bells, but very vague ones. "You're not on the news much, are you?"

"I tend to work at night where there's less reporters. Can't say I get along with the media."

"Because you're not shiny?"

"Because they want me to be." He shrugs and sits down, one leg hanging as he props himself up. Very casual. Very easily trusted. Nope, not falling for that. I edge back further. "Look kid, I'm just wondering a couple things. Stick around long enough for me to ask?"

"What's in it for me?"

"Not being immediately arrested."

I glare, taking a couple more steps in retreat. "You'd have to catch me first."

"You've only gotten away the past couple times because I let you. Trust me."

He was probably right. I'm hardly the fastest runner, can't say I've eaten well enough to be a strong kid. The guy is a pro hero, takes down big baddies every day. I was nothing. If he wanted me captured, he'd have already done it. I sigh. No point in running then, if he wants to catch me, he can. So if he was working for Shigaraki or the guy behind the screen then I'd already be back there. I rub my wrists as I shake the thought from my mind. Find out what this weirdo wants, then leave town.

I fold my arms. "C'mon then, what're the questions?"

"How old are you?"

"Ten-ish."

He nods and notes things down in a small pad of paper. My palms sweat.

He pauses. "What's your quirk?"

I raise the bin beside him and drop it. He raises a brow and I lift a couple more things before letting them settle against the damp concrete.

His pencil taps against his notepad. "Telekinesis?"

"Sure." I shrug. "I can move shit without touching it. Whatever that's called."

He writes. "Telekinesis."

"Good to know." I look at my hands, wondering if there were other people with the same quirk. Probably. And probably better at it too.

"Finally, what's your name?"

"Alex."

"Last name?"

I tilt my head. "Not got one. Don't know who my parents are or were."

He frowns, mouth doing that pout thing everyone's did. "Kid I'm–"

"Don't tell me you're sorry because you ain't, and I'm doing just fine thanks."

His pencil stops. "So you're not a runaway?"

I flinch. "Not from a family, no."

He frowns harder and I hold my hands tight behind my back. "Take my picture, run it through your fancy systems, you won't find anything. They've done it before at the stations, they've all tried it."

"Why've you never been placed–"

"You said 'finally'." I jab a finger at him. He snaps the book shut and hops down from the bin. I lean back. "You changed your mind, Mister? Taking me in anyway?"

"No, I keep to my word. I'm just concerned about a kid being left alone on the streets." He sighs, scraping his hair back and fixing his goggles back into place.

Usually I'd be laughing at the forced sincerity, but at that moment I can't conjure even a giggle. He means it. Most would probably call the guy cold, perhaps a little mean. He's not smiling or using a soft voice, he's talking normal, like I'm an adult. But he's not cold, and definitely not mean. I've seen mean, I've felt cold, this is just… quiet. He works at night, doesn't like the noisy reporters and genuinely gives a crap. He's not shiny, but he's definitely not dull.

I scuff my shoe off the ground. "No need to be worried about me Mister, I do just fine."

"You're a kid, you're not meant to just make do."

I snort. "You're a pro hero, you're not meant to care unless there's a camera watching."

His body goes kinda rigid and I feel his eyes raking over me. I said too much. The line was crossed and I'd pised him off, right? I always end up pissing people off.

I dip my head and start to back away. "Maybe see you around, Mister."

"Yeah… Sure thing, kid."

SHOUTA POV

"Didn't know you were in the market for a side-kick." Nemuri laughs before downing her drink and waving for another from the barman, throwing in a wink to earn a couple extra measures.

Shouta had been telling her and Hizashi for the past few weeks about his patrols and the recurring meetings with the little girl. Dark hair cropped short, probably cut with some kind of knife. Skin like milk, big dark eyes that seemed to stare right through him, and a scowl that could scare any cop. Slight but strong, about average height or a little less. Scars already littered her hands and a couple on her face too. Minor ones, but obviously she had already seen too much. Already survived too much. He guessed Alex was twelve or more from her demeanour on his patrols, and hearing her talk with the other homeless, but it turned out she was only ten. He hadn't sensed a lie. So either she was very good, or he had been wrong. So young.

Shouta leans back in his chair, nursing the last of his beer. "All jokes aside, I dunno what to do. The kid has a record for petty thefts already, and an encounter with a thug that never went beyond her being patched up at the station. But when I tried to ask about her being placed she shut me down. I reckon she'd run from anywhere she got placed."

"So you've no idea what happened to her parents?" Nemuri accepted the fresh drinks and leaned forward on the table. "Nothing?"

"No. She has no idea what her last name is supposedly. And she was right, her picture isn't associated with any runaway kids or missing reports. If she has runaway, she's done a damn good job of changing her appearance."

"Or she's been gone a long time."

"True." He drained the bottle. "She seemed strong, no denying that. And her quirk is already pretty powerful. Just sucks that a bright kid like that is gonna spend more time scraping by than anything else."

"You've seen plenty homeless kids before, what's so different about this one?"

"I dunno…" He traced a pattern in the bottle's condensation, smirking as he recalled her comment about him nt being 'shiny'. Weird kid. "Maybe I just like her? She's kinda funny."

"I thought you said she punched you in the dick?"

He snorted. "She did. Not a bad shot either."

Hizashi finally sat up, having been leaning his head on his arms for the past ten minutes. Amazingly enough he was perfectly awake. "Man, she sounds like a mini-you. All hard up against the world and sassing everyone in sight. Y'sure you not got a secret love child no one told ya about?"

Shouta smirked. "Not likely to be the case."

Nemuri drummed her fingers against the table. "You sure she's not a trap?"

"Trap?"

"That crime family you've been tracking, you sure they're not trying to play on your softer side and get you all hung up on this kid?"

Shouta chuckled and shook his head. He was hardly known for being soft, especially on kids since he started working on UA. No. This girl was something, but not a trap. Something special. He frowned into his beer and wondered why he couldn't get his mind off her. Maybe it was her lack of apology. Maybe it was the refusal to let him see her shaking hands. Maybe it was just that she refused to give into a world hell-bent on breaking her. Whatever it was, she stuck in his mind.

She was definitely shiny.

ALEX POV

The money floats seamlessly, pulled from the man's wallet without his notice. Just as planned. No mess. No fuss. No big chase through the streets for a couple notes. I let it drop into my palm, only slightly dampened by the rain. If a guy keeps a fifty in his wallet, then he could definitely afford to lose it. The guy likely wouldn't even notice meanwhile it'll buy me food for a couple weeks. I slink back into the shadows and wait for the next suit with a poorly hidden wallet. It wouldn't take long. Within five minutes another saunters into view. Damn, he needs to rethink the size of his side-burns. Those are nasty. I concentrate and a note gives way, floating towards me bit by bit. Closer. That's it. I might even be able to rent a room in a crappy hotel for a night when it's cold. Get myself a shower and some extra blankets. How much is it to get a room with soap–

The note flutters to the ground.

What the hell? I try to lift it but nothing happens. Maybe I'm tired. I hop down from my perch to get the money by hand, old fashioned but it would do. Once safely back in the shadows I try shifting some rubbish from one bin to another. Nothing. I swallow hard. I look around, but I can't see that Eraserhead guy. Usually he just appears, no hiding. So what's going on? I try again but get nowhere. Okay. Deep breath. No need to panic. Maybe it's part of growing up, my quirk just acting up. Sure. Growing pains, that kinda crap.

"Why not take the whole wallet?" A rough voice asks from above.

I dive out the way, blade drawn as soon as I'm on my feet. Red eyes watch from the fire escape, a mess of long black hair floating up from the pale face.

He holds his hands up. "No need to brutally attack me. It's a simple question, kid."

"Why the hiding? You had me freaking out you asshole." I try not to let the angry and confused tears fall. It's been a week of patchy sleep and random encounters. I'm thin in patience. I grip the blade tighter, body aching for my quirk. It's been a while since I felt helpless. "Why you watchin' me again?"

"I saw money floating out of people's wallets. Only logical explanation was a thief. But then it occurred to me that a proper thief would take the whole wallet. More efficient." The eyes dulled and I felt a part of myself return.

His hair deflates and he hops down from his perch, landing deftly on the bin where I had been previously. It still surprises me how nimble he is. Clearly he's good in a fight, I can't be too careful. He's only talking for now, but the weirdest ones do.

I try the rubbish again. It floats easily. "So you fuck with quirks?"

"I cancel them, yes. Now then, why not take the whole wallet?"

"Maybe I'm just a shit thief." I glare at his smirk.

He scratches his unkempt stubble. "Nah. If you're good enough to remove a single note, you're good enough to be smart and take more for less effort. So answer me properly before I get bored, kid. Got better things to do than banter with a child."

"Doesn't seem like it." I tap my foot. He grins. He waits. I sigh and lean against the wall opposite–he wasn't gonna go anywhere without an answer. "No need to totally ruin their day, right? Most of those suit guys won't notice a single note gone. The whole wallet… I dunno, there could be photos of their kids in there. I can't sell that, so why steal it?"

"Interesting."

Little did I know that in that measured smirk, my life had changed.

"Yeah real fascinating." I step away from the wall. "We done?"

"I did just catch you red-handed kid. I wanna talk to you, so join me at the station for a chat."

I click my tongue. "Right. So you are handing me in. Great. Well it was meant to rain tonight, so I guess a spell in a cell won't be a total waste."

I start walking in the right direction and he follows, coming alongside me. At least he's got the decency to not cuff me or grab me. I'm going along with it, because like I say, it's meant to rain tonight. And I'm tired. And I'm hungry. And sometimes the nice desk sergeant gives me sandwiches. But they better not take my cash. The guys I took from won't even notice. So all the cops are gonna do with it is use it for doughnuts. Plus, if need be, at the station I could always get out once Eraserhead had left, not like I had trouble picking a set of cuffs.

"So whaddya want to talk to me about?"

"As you're willing to come along to the station anyway, I thought we could talk there? Warmer and less likely to suddenly be soaked."

I nod. "Wouldn't wanna ruin your hair now would we?"

He snorted. "Of course, I spend hours on this unkempt look."

"I can tell."

The desk sergeant seems to recall my prior attacks on her cuffs, advising that they be left out of the situation entirely–she had already lost three sets to me. She was always nice about it though.

As I wait for whatever this weird red-eyed, floaty black haired hero intends, the sergeant gives me tea and a sandwich. I was just glad it wasn't a lollipop. Sweet sentiment but not great for a belly growling louder than the malfunctioning coffee machine in the back. They still hadn't fixed it. I eat, I drink, I wait so long I fall asleep in the seating area. Sure, I could have ran, but it was the comfiest I had been in two weeks. I could get some decent sleep in the lobby, no need to worry about creeps trying to get hold of me. Unless Eraserhead counted as a creep. Oh well, I can crush his throat if need be.

"Hey Sleeping Beauty, wake up."

I respond eloquently with a loud grumble.

A weight appears next to me on the bench, and Eraserhead hands me a fresh tea. "Get some rest?"

"Yeah, you took freakin' forever." I sit up and take the tea. "What's going on? Am I being booked or what?"

"Or what." He sips his coffee. The golden goggles are slung round his neck now, partially covered by his strange white scarf. I shuffle closer on the bench and prod his arm. He looks spindly, but the guy is pretty built. He'd be hard to hold back with my power. I have to keep that in mind when needing to make a break for it.

He raises a brow.

I shrug. "Just trying to get a read on you."

"What're you finding?"

"You're weird."

"How so?"

I sip my tea. "You're shiny in a different way, y'know?"

He chuckles under his breath. I hadn't meant to say that. My cheeks warm and I stare at my tea, it ripples as I shiver. Don't be nice to them dammit, then they think they can take advantage. Rookie mistake.

"Hey kid, you're free to go any time, I just have a few things I wanted to sort out and talk to you about. But the door's there. Free world." He gestures and even as I stand, he just sips his coffee. Casual, like before. No stress, like before. If this guy is trying to trick me into something, he's damn good at his job.

I look to the desk sergeant as I take another step.

She nods. "Free to go honey. Record's cleaned up too so no need to run next time you see us."

I'd already stopped, but then I look over my shoulder to the Hero. "Why clean my record? You expecting me to owe you a favour or something?"

"No, I just–"

"I didn't ask for nothing so I don't owe you–"

"Firstly, that would mean you had asked me for something. Double negative. Secondly, no, you owe me nothing. Thirdly, you wanna know what the 'or what' is, before you split?"

His dark hair covered his eyes, and he softly blew on the coffee. It rippled like mine, but the way he wants it to. Control. At all times with this guy, he had complete control. Except with me leaving. But even then, he doesn't panic, he doesn't get tense. My power fluctuates like mad when I get tired, when I'm scared, when I'm lonely. It's how Shigaraki and the man behind the screen wanted me. No control, so I could be controlled. How does Eraserhead do it?

I step closer to him. "What's the 'or what'?"

"You've got potential, and already a damn good grasp on a tricky power. I'm impressed, and it isn't often I get to feel that. Or to be genuinely intrigued by something, let alone someone."

"Fucking super, Mister. Mind getting to the point?" I sip the tea, but can't deny my hands are shaking. That tricky word 'hope' enters my mind. I have no idea why, or what for, but his tone is like being led down a corridor towards warm light. Like an unsaid promise is in his voice.

He smirks again. "Potential like that shouldn't be wasted, and on the streets you're wasted. I want to rectify that."

My nose wrinkles. "I'm not a stray you can just pick up and–"

"Not suggesting you are. I'm offering you a home, not a collar." He finished the coffee and stood, cracking his back and pulling his hair out of his face. He tied it back. Instantly, he looked more 'normal'. He then knelt down and looked up at me, narrowing his eyes for a moment before shrugging. "It's probably the least logical thing I've ever done. But fuck it, you've got potential, and I don't fancy having to bust you a few years once some slimey villain's got to you, or–"

"Suggesting I'm some kinda chump, waiting to be victimised?" I jutted my chin out. The guy clearly didn't know a lot about me, though it was good to have that clarified. My past remained my own. He didn't know my silly story. This was just him taking me as he saw me.

He purses his lips. "Conversations work better when you don't interrupt."

"Guess so."

"Can I finish?"

"Sure." I look to the side and note the fascination in the desk sergeant face. Is it me or him she's surprised at? Maybe both. I dunno.

"I don't fancy busting you later on after some villain's got to you, or worse, you simply stop giving a crap about those photos of loved ones in wallets. You're not a victim, you're strong, but you've got a good heart and this world tends to stomp on people like that. Unless they get proper training and a decent chance. I wanna offer you that. And yes, you can leave at any time. Like I said. Home, not a collar."

I look for a smirk, a grin, a flicker of real meaning bubbling under that dark gaze. But I find nothing. I see only the truth. It's kinda scary to be honest. Someone could genuinely be that kind? The past laughs in my face.

I scuff the floor. "You mean… Stay with you?"

"Uh, no."

"Oh."

He clears his throat. "I'm completely unsuited to be a parent. Not to mention I wouldn't want to risk your safety. I may not be shiny, but I am a pro. No point putting you in the firing line."

"Like bad guys comin' for me to piss you off?"

His smile flickers. "Something like that. Alone, I'll not ruin anyone else's life with my work."

"Sounds lonely, Mister."

Again the smile appears for a second. He has a nice smile. "I'll visit the home if you want? It's a nice place, I've had a couple friends from there." He stands and holds out his hand. "Sound good? It's a roof over your head, a chance to go to school and learn the things you're meant to, and even a chance at becoming a pro yourself. If you want. All sorts of scholarships and crap going around these days. Fancy giving yourself a real chance?"

I stare at his hand. It hadn't been my imagination; there really had been a warm light in his voice. I hadn't imagined it. Any second, I expect to wake in a bin and be reminded that this kinda thing doesn't happen to me. But I'm blinking, and his hand is still there. Is this fizzing in my belly fear? Or excitement?

The hand flexes. "Well?"

I curl my hands into fists. "The hell are you getting out of this, Mister?" I meant to be harsh, to be biting in my words, but they thickened with my throat. "I don't get it. Why be so nice, to me?"

"Dunno, maybe the chance to feel like I finally made a difference in this town? Or maybe I'm just scared of your power and wanna sleep better at night knowing I ain't gonna have to face you in a fight one day."

I laugh and look at my shoes. "Can't lie Mister, you're pretty weird."

"I've been called worse." He chuckles and I take his hand. We shake. "Seems as I know your given name, thought I'd even the playing field. The name's Shouta Aizawa, pleased to meet you."

I didn't want to let go of his hand. What if this home doesn't have adults as nice as him? Nah, he didn't seem the type to dump me some place awful. He said he had friends who grew up there, right? I could always run away if need be.

"Thanks, Mister."

"Call me Shouta." He lets go of my hand and I manage to not be awkward and let go as well. "Now then, you wanna give this a shot?"

"I can leave any time?"

"Any time. The people that run the place understand the fear of becoming prisoners. They don't wanna scare you kids, they just wanna help. Plus, what kind of lock could possibly keep a powerful squirt like you contained?" We laugh together.

"Th-Thanks." My heart tightens, my tears spill over and I kinda fall apart. Not my finest hour.

A hand gently pats my hair and somehow I don't mind. "And here was me thinking you were a cold badass."

"I-I am M-Mister… Don't go f-forgetting that."

"Wouldn't dream of it. So Charlie, we good to go?"

The desk sergeant beams. "Yeah Erasurehead, we're gonna sort it out with the proper authorities and get back to you. How old are you again, Alex?"

"Ten." I wipe my eyes and my nose once a tissue's been shoved in my face by Shouta.

A hand rests on my shoulder. "Fancy heading uh… Well 'home' I guess. Gonna have to grab a taxi in this crap weather."

"Sure thing. Not like I have any belongings to go collect."

He snorts and we head out into the evening. The sun must have set a while ago and as predicted, rain fills the gutters. It would have been a crap night to try and sleep on the streets. I shiver as the police doors slide shut behind us. What a day. I wonder what my room will be like at the home he mentioned. I bite my lip, trying not to assume damp walls, rusted bed frame and mouldy mattress. It will be different than that. It won't be like that. This isn't a cage. This isn't that place. What will the adults be like? I keep my eyes open, refusing to see that chapped lip smile. It's not there. It's not him. Hang on, I snort at myself, did I even get my own room? Nah. Too much to expect. It would be a couple kids to a room at least, I guess. But anything's better than there or the gutter. By a long shot. I assume there'll be other kids, at least. I could ignore them if they got annoying.

"Typical, never a damn taxi when it's raining." Shouta searches for a taxi whilst my mind wanders. I hold the rain off me as usual, but reach to do it for him as well. He looks up and then back at me. "Impressive. I appreciate the cover, but don't go showing that power off too much. It'll be well sought after."

"Sure."

He did a double take and started to wave. Taxi found. Time to go start a new life I guess.

I'm about to head to his side when he looks the other way again and jolts. "Shit."

The world goes silent.

He runs to me, yelling. I look at him dumbly before the flashing headlights catch and dazzle me. Headlights. Heading right for us. What? The car slams into the police station doors after Shouta hauls me away. With his arm tight around me, all the air knocked out of me as we roll. Bits of wall and pavement or car, I couldn't be sure, fly everywhere. Something sharp catches along my head. Ow. I blink and try to focus.

What's happening?

Shouta lies me down. "Damn thugs don't know when to quit. Stay there, Alex. Just some stubborn assholes."

The car door opens. "Hey Eraserhead! This is for ma cousin Frank!"

Shouta straightens, his hair floats and he jumps into action. But I doubt his quirk works on guns. The thug points the barrel right at Shouta, a look of mania in his eyes. That look always ended messily. I'd had enough mess. Before thinking my power reaches out. Shots fire. Thunder fills my mind.

Bullets hang in the air, slowly spinning an inch from Shouta's chest. Smoke rises from the barrel and I give a small gasp. I did it. I helped. My forehead feels warm where something hit it before, and shapes blur as I stand up, but I keep going. This isn't a game, this is real. Shigaraki wouldn't believe it. I get to my feet and grin at them both. They look amazed. I guess I am a badass.

Then the gun faces me.

I flinch, but the bang was Shouta having kicked the guy in the chest and the body hitting the car. The gun falls to the pavement and slides under the wheels. It won't get in the way there. I wanna tell Shouta, but he's too busy scuffling with the shooter.

The back of the car opens. Two more guys, a blonde and a baldie. I look through the police glass door and see them scrambling around inside. They'd have to come round the back, the door's jammed by the car hitting it. For now, I have to keep helping. Gotta get rid of the guns. One soars over the street thanks to the bald guy having a crappy grip on it. The blondie starts to fire. No. I halt most of the bullets, some just go wide as I struggle to focus on them all. Gimme a break. I can't see great thanks to the rain and hit my head, so my aim is a bit crap. But I can't let Shouta get hurt. He's been so nice. He's a pro hero. He's saving me.

Warmth runs down my chin. Damn, my nose has started bleeding. Too much power use too close, but I don't care. This is worth the strain. As soon as I've slowed the bullets, I let them drop. They ring like dropped pennies. Another gun appears from the bald guy's jacket. They're not messing around.

"Alex get round the corner!" Shouta yells as the first shooter falls unconscious to the pavement, and then he tackles the blondie.

I stay put.

He's trying to protect me, but I'm doing that to him. More bullets hover an inch from his back before singing against the pavement. I can't leave yet. More blood runs down my chin.

I lean against the wall as the bald guy marches towards me. "He's got a kid? Lucky day, huh!"

"Just fuckin' deal with her! Argh!" Shouta breaks some kind of bone in the blondie's arm.

Another car appears.

My eyes follow the headlights. A gun points out the front window, a machine gun. No. Stop it. Leave Shouta alone. I block the bunch of automatic bullets and shove the car window back up. The world swims. Ow my head.

"Little freak's got a quirk too." The bald guy growls. "Hey, he's got a kid!"

Something pinches my side. Something hot. My knees hit the pavement as I pull the bald guy to the ground, enjoying the crack of his head against the stone. I'd used that move on a couple thugs over the tears. He'd be dazed at least. Guy was too noisy. The other car screeched down the road, giving up as Shouta knocks the blonde guy out.

Silence returns.

I brace against the pavement and pant. My heart races, and I can still see double. What a rush. It's been a long time since I was that scared. Damn. I try to wipe my nose but my arm shakes so instead I just hold myself up. It's so cold. Why is it suddenly so cold?

"Damn scumbags." Shouta kicks the blonde in the head.

I smile, about to get up, to give him a congrats, but I can't move. I can't even speak. My body trembles and the double vision triples. Ow. What's happening to me?

Shouta's boots head towards me. "Great job there kid, saved my skin. But now we gotta… Alex?"

My side pinches. I slump to the ground with a strange whimper. It's like I'm viewing my body from the outside. I can't control it. There's running feet as the police finally get out of the building.

"Alex!" The rain's cold on my face and the ground's hard as my head bumps against it. Breathing's pretty difficult too. Like when I fell off that fire-escape. Why? I swallow hard, and taste metal. Nosebleed was pretty bad I guess. Then I cough and a whole lot of blood comes out. Uh oh. My shivers get worse. My breathing quickens. I start to understand; the noise, the hot pinch at my side. Guns are such a pain.

Shouta kneels and presses a hand to my stomach. Ow. Guess I missed a bullet.

"Eraserhead, what the hell happened?"

"Call a damn ambulance. They hit the kid." The warmth wasn't in Shouta's voice anymore. The promise of warm light gone. His face gets blurry as he hovers, blocking the rain. "Alex, look at me. Hey! Hey kid c'mon, look at me."

I try. I really do. But my eyes refuse to stay open. Shigaraki would laugh. I finally escaped him, and for what? To die on the street saving some pro hero. I smile. At least I was free.

"Sorry… Mister."

"Alex!"

I must have fallen asleep in a bin that got knocked over by some drunken asshole. Everything aches; especially my head and side. I blink. White. Glaring, blinding white. That can't be good. Or right. I try again, but the white is still there. Still glaring. I smell chemicals–I doubt Heaven has to clean that thoroughly. So where the hell am I? I test slowly, but can freely move my arms and legs. Not restrained. Not cuffed or tied down. Ugh. What the heck happened?

A door opens.

I close my eyes and pretend to still be asleep. People lie to your face, but tend to talk the truth when they think you can't hear or don't understand.

A couple adult voices rumble into the room.

The first I recognise as Shouta. "Look Nemuri, I'm fully fucking aware that I'm not parent material."

"That's not what I'm saying. I'm asking if you're sure." There's a clicking, she must be wearing heels.

"I'm sure those thugs are going to spread the word I have a kid, and so like it or not, I've screwed up her life. Exactly how I didn't want to."

The lady sighs. "That might be a little dramatic, Shouta."

A heavy sigh heaved right back at her. I smell coffee. A chair creaks and blinds flutter. Guess one of them sat on the window sill. I stay still. Who the heck is Nemuri? She sounds nice, got a real warm voice. I wonder if she's Shouta's wife. Nah, he said he was alone, right? Then again, he might've lied. I'm just a street kid, don't need to be honest with trash.

Shouta grumbles. "Dramatics aside… They're going to be looking for her. I can't let the home take that risk on, not with all those other kids there. And I don't want her looking over her shoulder her whole life."

"Careful Shouta, you'll make me think you've got a soft spot for the girl." Nemuri chuckles, but that warmth makes my heart clench.

Maybe he does? Maybe I don't have to be alone anymore? I tense. That was weird. Why am I so desperate to belong somewhere suddenly? I can handle myself. No one needs to look after me. I am okay on my own. Right? I think back to his lingering gaze, to the strength in his voice when he spoke of my future. Damn it. I'd felt hope. That stupid word had got in my head. Dabi would laugh in my face for being so naive.

Shouta continues. "I'll ask and see what she thinks of the idea. She likely won't want anything to do with me anyway, I'm just the weird guy that got her shot."

"You taking on a kid..." Nemuri hums. "Funnily enough, saying it and picturing it… I don't think you'll do half bad."

"I'm waiting for the punchline, Nem."

"Then keep waiting. I'm serious. Clearly the girl likes you, she defended you and took a damn bullet rather than running away. You told her to run. You didn't get her shot. She did. Seems like the kinda kid any of us could get along with." The blinds flutter again and the smell of coffee gets stronger. Warmth hovers near me, I smell a nice perfume too, and a soft hand with long nails pushes my hair back. "Trust you to find a cute kid to adopt."

"I'm not adopting her. I already said she wasn't getting a collar. I'm not saddling her with my name."

He sounds so guilty. So weird. Like this Nemuri woman had said, he didn't do this to me. The guy with the gun did. Whichever one it had been. The bald one? Maybe. Kinda lost track.

Beyond that, my heart begins to race. I went from alone on the streets to a roof over my head, to having a sort of guardian. I might get to stay with Shouta. The beeping monitors give my game away.

I blink and wriggle. Just to play it up that I've just woken–

"Kid, you're shit at acting."

Busted. I open my eyes properly and smile at him, hoping this 'cute kid' can get away with no telling off. He's not wearing his costume this time. Normal clothes. Jumper, jeans. Weird.

He shuffles his seat forward. "How much did you hear?"

"All of it…?"

"All right. So…" Shouta struggles.

Nemuri struts into view. Wow, she's so pretty. Long dark hair, a pair of dark framed glasses over bright eyes, her smile is kind and her nails are bright red. Like one of those ladies on the magazines.

She lays a hand on my shoulder. "First things first, how're you feeling?"

"Like I slept in a bin that got kicked over."

She blinks. "Uh… Does that mean you need more painkillers?"

"Probably. Where'd I get hit?" I couldn't see exactly, due to all the bandaging.

Nemuri laughs. "You two are gonna get along famously. I'll get the nurse."

"Thanks Lady."

"Oh and Alex?"

"Mm?" I look at her outstretched hand like an idiot for a full three seconds before taking it and accepting the shake.

"Thank you for saving this stubborn ass." The smile becomes less movie star, but just as warm. She means it.

I swallow hard. "You uh… You're welcome."

Her heels click down the corridor and the door closes behind her. I try to sit up, but just flop back immediately. The bed whirs and I'm helped upright, Shouta held a button and kept his eyes there instead of on me. He then holds out a cup of water. I take a few sips. This is awkward. Maybe he regrets saying anything at all, wants to take it back, send me to a home, take a chance of the thugs not finding me. Makes sense.

I'm about to speak when he beats me to it. "I'm sorry I got you mixed up in all of this."

"Uh… What?" I keep drinking the water as I realise I'm gasping for a drink. He refills it when I hold it out, though he's almost glaring.

"If I'd been more careful about being followed they wouldn't have seen you."

"We were in that station for ages Mister, how could you have known?" I bite my lip as pain flares in my side, hoping that Nurse got there quick. Stopping Shouta's guilt wouldn't be easier if I started to make those stupid whimper noises again. "You didn't get me shot. I messed up."

I do my best not to flinch as he glares properly. "Messed up? Kid you blocked about twenty bullets for me. With the terrain and weather I was really cornered, those guys knew what they were doing. If you hadn't been there, I'd be dead."

"Then I'm glad I was th-there." I cough and wince.

"You're the kid, I'm the one who should be in that bed."

"Mister, that's st-stupid." I curl into myself, gritting my teeth.

In the next second the nurse comes in and does something to the tubes in my arms, adding something. In the next couple seconds the pain dulls, replaced by a warmth. I relax into the bed. Shouta paces. It's never good when adults pace, it leads to a lecture or a big bellowing blow out. My eyes feel heavy again.

Nemuri sits on the end of my bed where my legs don't reach. She pats my leg and wears that friendly smile, though her eyes keep flicking to Shouta. Soon, he'd wear out the floor.

I blink slow. "So what's gonna happen now?"

"Thought you heard everything earlier?" He grumbles, still pacing.

I grin. "I did but ya never know, adults change their minds. Could always just set me back into that alley you found me in and just carry on." The soft pats on my leg turned to a gentle grip. Nemuri looks kinda pissed at my words, but I don't think she's actually mad at me. "Wouldn't blame you, Mister."

He stops pacing. "I thought we agreed on Shouta?"

"Sure thing, Shouta." My monitor gives my happiness away again. I sigh. "I can handle myself."

"I'm sure you can. You just shouldn't have to." He approaches and looms. "It's not what we originally planned, but… You could come live with me?"

At first, because duh, I guess he's feeling forced into this. But then I see that sneaky hope in his eyes. Am I imagining that? Or does he like what he's suggesting? Maybe he even wants it?

I frown. "I can't go to the home because of those bad guys, right?"

"Right." His hands clench. "They'll be spreading the word that you're the kid of a pro Hero. Makes you a target."

I smile and hold out my hand, though it wavered due to the oncoming sleepiness. "Guess we're stuck with each other then, Shouta."

He looks at my hand like it's a gun.

I nearly take it back. "I-I'll be a good kid for you, p-promise."

He takes my hand gently. "And I'll do my best to be a good guardian. But like I said, you can leave at–"

"Like you co-could stop... me." I chuckle and his grip gets a little tighter. "Can I… Can I sleep some more first?"

"Sure. I'll get back in touch with that desk sergeant. I've no idea how these things work."

"Mhm…" He lays my hand back down and I nuzzled into the pillow. Someone pulls the blanket higher and lowers the bed. Noises continued to softly burble around me, and the smell of chemicals continues to be masked by coffee. Someone's stroking my hair.

Guess I'll wake up to a whole new life.

Not a bad way to drift off.

So there you have it! The first chapter in Quirked Connections! I have quite a lot of this already written up and intend to upload every 2 weeks (within a day or so), so Chpt 2 shall be delivered on the 27th of Feb or within a couple days of that!

Hope you enjoyed, please leave a fav, follow and or review! I love to hear from readers and always like to respond in the following update.

Thanks! Red x