(The Next Day)

Izuku sat on the couch in his living room, mindlessly flipping through channels without even paying attention to what was on. His eyes would occasionally drift towards the clock; what felt like hours were actually just minutes. Dread filled his stomach as he took a final glance at the time: 11:58 a.m. He sighed, shutting off the TV and placing the remote onto the table before rubbing his face with his hands, trying to calm himself. He was nervous, and why wouldn't he be with the guests that would soon be arriving?

After Jiro had left him the previous day, Izuku was forced to stay another several hours in the hospital to allow the doctors to double, triple, and even quadruple check to make sure he was at 100% and ready to be released. He was finally let out around 7:00 p.m at night and into the care of his mother. He was scolded, a lot. And the mother and son duo cried a lot. His mother went on and on about how much she was worried and scared to death after receiving the phone call that the USJ and class 1A had been attacked, and how her son was one of the victims injured and placed into critical condition. Broken arm, leg, and several ribs, he had been lucky none of them punctured any internal organs. Seeing and hearing about what his mother had gone through, what she was still going through, tore at his heart. She begged him to promise her that he'd never do such a thing again. Izuku said he'd try his best. The rest of the night consisted of them making dinner before he finally went to bed, too tired from the day's events. He had texted a few people to let them know he was alright, and planned on texting the rest sometime today.

The people he had texted were his source of fear and nervousness: Mei, Kacchan, Kendo, and Ibara. They had exploded with questions, concerns, and death threats (thanks Kacchan) about what had happened. Izuku explained he was very tired from what had happened and promised to tell them today. They had agreed on the four coming to Izuku's place at 12:00 in the afternoon, and here Izuku sat, waiting for them. He already had a solid idea on what would happen: crying, yelling, cursing, probably a shoulder punch or two, and after everyone finally calmed down they'd ask their questions and he'd tell them everything he knew. While simple, it still made him nervous, seeing as how he made everyone worry sick about him.

Loud and excessive knocking came from his front door, dragging Izuku out of his thoughts. He sighed, standing on only slightly shaking legs before heading towards what separated him and his closest friends. He breathed in and out before grabbing the doorknob and opening it.

"Hey guys, come on—ugh!"

Izuku was cut off as something hard made contact with his stomach. He gasped, pain spreading through him as he fell to his knees, finding it hard to breath after he had been punched in the gut. As he stared at the ground, he wondered who on earth had hit him, until a pair of white sneakers entered his line of sight: Kacchan.

"Get up," the blond growled, fists clenching and unclenching in anger.

"W-wa-wait, j-just g-give me a-a sec—" Izuku tried to stutter out, only to be lifted up by his shirt and slammed against a wall. He stared down at his friend, seeing the unbridled rage and seething anger hidden within in red eyes.

Well...not hidden, more like on full blown display, like anytime new All Might merchandise was released.

"Do you have any idea how worried we were?" Bakugo asked, his voice was quiet and low, trying his best not to scream bloody murder like he was oh so tempted to do. Right now, he was a volcano ready to erupt.

"Kacchan, I—"

"Stop. Talking." Bakugo hissed at him, grip tightening on his friend's shirt. "You are a goddamn fucking idiot for pulling that shit! That thing, that fucking thing, was literally built to kill goddamn All Might! And you made us leave you so you could fight it alone, knowing full well that what little One For All you can currently use and your shield wouldn't be able to beat it! You're a fucking idiot! The fact you've always scored just as high, if not even higher than me, blows my goddamn fucking mind!"

"Kacc—"

"Do you have any idea how worried we all were?! Me, Mei, auntie, and everyone else?! You nearly died because you just had to play the fucking hero and make sure we all got out okay! But what about you, dumbass?! You can't just sacrifice yourself when things turn ugly! How the fuck are you going to become the second greatest hero of all time and spend your days chasing after my number one spot when you're dead?" Bakugo roared, and Izuku had to hold back a snort of laughter from his friend's words. Of course he'd say something like that now.

"Can I talk now?" Izuku asked, causing the blond to grunt and nod. "Did hitting me make you feel better?"

"Hell fucking yeah it did."

"Then do it again," Izuku requested, watching as the anger and rage in Bakugo's eyes was replaced with confusion. "You heard me right. If it makes you feel better, and if you think I deserve it, hit me. No holding back, and anywhere is allowed. Let me have it," Izuku said, knowing he sounded insane. But if it'd make Kacchan feel better and make him calm down quicker, then so be it.

He stared into his friend's eyes, trying to read them and see what was going through his mind. He watched Bakugo nod, accepting the offer, before reeling his fist back. Izuku closed his eyes, not wanting to see it coming and accepting it. He waited in silence when he felt a gust of air fly past his face and heard a loud smacking sound to the left of his head. Opening his eyes, he turned to the left, seeing that Bakugo had punched the space of the wall right next to his head. He looked back, eyes widening in surprise when he saw a small tear building up in the corner of his friend's eye.

"You fucking nerd," Bakugo growled before doing one of the least Bakugo-type things he could do: He wrapped his arm around Izuku's shoulders and brought him into a hug.

Izuku was startled, to say the least. He knew the boy had never been too keen on physical affection, besides the 'love taps,' as he called them, when hitting Izuku. Sure occasionally he'd wrap an arm around Izuku's shoulder as they walked, but most of the time it was just to get him into a headlock before giving him a noogie. So for the explosive blond to openly hug him...it felt strange. Nice, of course, but strange nonetheless. He returned it, bringing his friend close.

"I almost lost my goddamn brother. Do you have any idea how I fucking feel? The hell your self-righteous, sacrificial ass put me through? Put us all through?"

"I know, I know, and I'm sorry. I'm truthfully sorry. But...we both knew this came with the territory, that something like this would happen."

"Still, doesn't mean any of us gotta like it," Bakugo said, pulling back from the hug and wiping his eyes clean from any tears. It was nice seeing his softer side...which was quickly ruined as he reeled back and punched Izuku in the shoulder, hard.

"Ow! What the fuck was that for? I thought we were having a moment!"

"You thought wrong, dipshit! Pull something like that again and I'll chop your dick off and feed it to you!"

"Okay, okay, geez," Izuku said while rubbing his shoulder. "Wait, where are the others anyway? I thought all four of you were coming at the same time?"

"I may have used my quirk to get here faster."

The sounds of huffing and light cursing coming from Kendo could be heard outside. The three girls appeared in the doorway, gasping for air and sweating after having run for god knows how long.

"N-Now girls, Kacchan just punched me; let's take it easy and—gah!" Izuku started to say before all three of them tackled him to the ground, crushing him and bringing him into a group hug. "K-Kacchan, h-help!" Izuku begged, reaching up for his friend.

"No. Suffer!"

(20 minutes later)

It took some time, but Izuku managed to finally calm Mei, Ibara, and Kendo down. After plenty of hugs, and letting Kendo abuse his arm like Bakugo had done, the five friends found themselves sitting on the couch or chairs in the living room. Izuku, Mei, and Kendo took the couch as Bakugo and Ibara took the chairs. Izuku was sweating from the glare Bakugo was giving him, which only made the tense atmosphere only worse.

"So, who has a ques—"

"ANOTHER QUIRK?" Bakugo shouted from his seat, but since everyone was so used to his random bursts of anger and yelling, no one jumped or flinched. "How long have you had it? Why have you been keeping it a secret? I swear to God, I will shove my foot so far up your ass if you lie to us again!"

"If you calm down, I'll answer," Izuku said, staring his friend down. Bakugo's hands twitched in anger, but he breathed in and out before leaning back in his chair, arms crossed against his chest. "Okay, good. Well first off, I didn't even know about that power until very recently."

"How recently?" Ibara asked.

"Since yesterday, when I was recovering in the hospital," Izuku answered, causing his friends to raise their eyebrows.

"Deku, explain," Bakugo ordered, causing Izuku to sigh.

"While I was asleep, I had a dream. Or, vision? It's...hard to explain, but that's not what's important. It was dark, and almost my whole body was wrapped around in blackish-green smoke, everything except for my eyes. Before I knew what was happening, I heard yelling, turned, and saw this bald man stepping out of black smoke."

"A bald guy?" Kendo asked.

"Yeah, said his name was Daigoro Banjo, and he...he claimed to be one of the previous users of One For All. The fifth user, to be exact," he said, drawing more confused (and some slightly concerned) looks from his friends.

"Izuku? Are you sure you didn't suffer another concussion between then and now?" Mei asked, reaching up and checking on his head. "I mean, this 'Banjo' couldn't be alive or talking to you or anything else. I mean, if he was the fifth user, he would be long dead by now."

"That's exactly what I thought, until he explained it to me. He told me that the vestiges of the eight previous users, himself included, are mixed into the 'core' of One For All. They're the memories and knowledge of their past selves, and have molded themselves to take the shape of their original human bodies. Apparently they've been living inside the power this whole time, and the 'core' of One For All holds the powers of every previous user. They are cultivated into the core, which is the source of this unbelievable strength I now wield. Even their quirks have been mixed in with One For All," Izuku explained, trying to repeat what Banjo had told him, word for word. He stared at his friends, who were latching onto his every word.

"So, that black rope shit you used at the USJ. Was that one of the quirks this dude told you about?"

"Yes, he claimed it was his quirk, and said it was called Black Whip. Banjo said his quirk has gotten stronger and has evolved, since it has the power of One For All swirling around inside it," Izuku said, staring down at his hand that had used the power. He resisted the urge to shudder upon remembering the sickening sound of the power snapping the Nomu's neck.

"So why now? Why did this quirk just appear outta nowhere?" Bakugo asked.

"Banjo explained that too. Originally he said I shouldn't have 'unlocked' any of the other quirks yet, but through my determination, want, and desire to stop and capture Nomu and the other villains, I unlocked the 'perfect quirk for the job,' as he put it."

"His quirk," Ibara said, and Izuku nodded.

"Yup. It's still hard to believe, trust me."

"Wait, there's something I don't understand. Didn't All Might ever talk to you about this?" Kendo asked, causing Izuku to shake his head.

"No, never. He never mentioned this, or hinted, or anything else."

"Is it possible not even he knows? I mean, you would think he would tell you about this stuff before it happens. It's only logical," Ibara said, furrowing her brow in confusion.

"I mean, it's entirely possible he didn't know about any of this. We've all watched him for years and as a kid I did a lot of research on him. Never once was it mentioned that he used Black Whip, or any other power."

"Could be possible it was all erased, like a cover up or something." Bakugo shrugged with his suggestion.

"That's a bit of a reach Katsu, and is entering crazy conspiracy theorist territory," Mei said, causing the blond to grunt in annoyance.

"I could call him now and tell him to come over so we can all talk about it, but at the same time I was hoping to spend today with you guys, to rest and relax after everything that's happened," Izuku admitted with a bashful smile, causing the others to smile as well. It would be nice having some 'them' time before school started again. "Plus, I'm sure he'll be wanting to talk about this tomorrow. We can just talk then."

"Sounds good to me. I'll cook us lunch. Deku, you're buying us dinner as an apology to all of us," Bakugo said, standing from his seat and making his way towards the kitchen area. Ibara followed, intending to help.

"Uh, I never agreed to that!"

"Don't care. Either you buy us dinner, or I'll beat you worse than bird brain did," Bakugo threatened, causing some of the others to flinch. "What? Too soon?" the blond asked, feeling something slap him on the back of the head. "Ow! What the hell, Vines?" he shouted, only to be slapped again.

"Do not make such horrid comments towards our friend after everything he went through! And don't use the H-word in my presence!" Ibara exclaimed, slapping Bakugo yet again. The rest of the crew laughed, cherishing the return to normalcy.

(Several Hours Later)

The sun had finally gone down long ago, letting the sky blacken and leaving it only illuminated by the moon and the stars. Izuku yawned, grabbing a blanket and pillow from his room. He and the others had spent the whole day indoors, watching TV and movies, playing video and board games, and eating the delicious food Bakugo and Ibara had made, and the food Izuku had 'willingly' bought them. Now, it was time for bed. Ibara and Kendo were sharing the guest room, Bakugo was sleeping on the couch, and Izuku would take one of the chairs so Mei could sleep in his room.

There was a gentle knock at his door, startling him for just a second.

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing a very tired-looking Mei, wearing a pair of his shorts and a t-shirt that showed it was just a bit too big for her by revealing one of her shoulders and bra straps, making the greenet flush pink.

"Uh, h-hi Mei. S-sorry, I was just finishing up! I'll get out of your hair so you can rest," Izuku said, moving to walk past her, but was stopped as a hand grabbed onto his wrist.

"Can you…stay for a minute?" she asked, sounding tired, exhausted even, but also desperate. The usual shine in her eyes was dim.

Izuku swallowed thickly and nodded. "Anything for you," he said, causing her to form a small smile. He closed the door, knowing she'd want to talk privately.

"You know, you really scared me," she told him, reaching out to hold both of his hands. "When Baku told me what happened, I thought…I thought I was going to lose you, too," she said solemnly, her voice cracking.

The young hero in training felt awful for making Mei, and the others, worry about him so much. "I know, and I'm sorry for worrying you. I just—You know how I get. Always rushing in without thinking. Maybe Mom was right; maybe I am hard-headed," he said, causing his old friend to giggle softly.

"Just… Can you try to be more careful? For me? I-I can't lose you, Izuku," her voice cracked again as tears started to flow freely down her cheeks. "I can't lose you like dad!"

"Oh Mei," Izuku whispered, angry and disappointed at himself for making Mei worry so much. Taking his hands back from her grasp, he wrapped his arms around the pinkette and brought her close against him. "I promise you, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. You're stuck with me, I'm afraid," he said, causing her to chuckle into his shoulder. "Now c'mon, you need to sleep. I'll be in the living room if you need me."

"A-actually—" She stuttered, feeling the blood rushing to her cheeks, "c-could you stay with me? Just for tonight?" She asked, shyly looking up with bright eyes, clearly trying to give him puppy-dog eyes.

'Wait what?' He asked himself, not sure he had heard the request right, but really hoping he had. "Uh, w-what?"

"I-I've had nightmares the past few days, about you—you know. I just figured, maybe if we shared a bed, they would stop?" she theorized. "I-if you don't want t-to, that's fine. I-I just figured I w-would ask," she said, causing him to gulp.

"N-no, i-it's fine. I-I mean, we used to do it a-all the time, r-right? This is…just like the good old days," he said, nodding and agreeing to her request. 'Yup, just like the old days. Except, you know, we're both hormonal teenagers and puberty has hit us both like trucks being hurled by All Might. Yup, like the old times indeed,' he thought to himself as Mei led him to the bed. He got under the covers first with her following close behind. He had assumed this was good enough for her, but nope; the successor to All Might froze and went rigid as she backed up into him, her back meeting his chest, her rear end meeting and accidentally grinding against his front end.

"G-good night, Izuku."

"G-good n-night, Mei," Izuku replied, instinctively wrapping his arm around her torso, letting him feel her wild and crazed heartbeat. It would take a while, but the pair would fall asleep, dreaming of a bright future, the nightmares finally coming to an end.

(Yet another chapter updated, and drastically different from the original.

I have a feeling some people will have a problem with me making Bakugo more, idk, intune with his feelings? But I like it. Adds to his character imo.

Don't know what else to say, other than to apologize because this chapter has been ready to post for a while and I totally forgot about it, lmao. Sorry, my bad.

See ya next time in chapter 19!)