So on tumblr, I saw some posts about Iida and Bakugou fighting over who Deku's best friend is. And me, only being halfway through season 5 and having absolutely no context, went "You're both wrong. Uraraka and Todoroki are his best friends." This fic was born from that, but the ending turned out to be very different from what I'd intended.
Hope you all enjoy!
It was a quiet day, his students working by themselves on some worksheets, the volume in the classroom no higher than a murmur. Yes, it was a very quiet day indeed. Shouta had missed such days, where he could sip at his coffee and nap in peace.
Midoriya was at a work study with Gran Torino, but the rest of the brats were being easy for once. And with his class that was a very rare phenomenon.
In fact, ever since he'd begun teaching Class 1-A, days like these had nearly all but disappeared from his life. But today? Today, Shouta could happily declare that those days were finally coming back to him.
"Yes!" Iida's voice boomed throughout the classroom. "I found this handmade All Might figurine in my grandfather's attic! It's from the Bronze Age so I am certain that there is no way Midoriya-kun already has this figurine already!"
The sudden increase in volume made Shouta wince but it was fine. Nothing could ruin this peaceful day.
"It's really nice of you to give your grandfather's doll to Midoriya," Todoroki commented. "I am surprised he was alright with you giving it away though, it looks like your grandfather really cherished that doll."
It was true. The doll was in pristine condition for being nearly fifty years old.
"Yes, Grandfather was very reluctant to part with this figurine," Iida admitted, before reaching up to straighten his glasses. "However! When he heard that I wished to give the figurine to my best friend, he was significantly moved and gave me his permission wholeheartedly!"
Shouta froze.
"I'm sorry, Iida-kun! I don't think I heard you right!" Uraraka said cheerfully, after a few moments had passed. Her smile looked a little too big.
"I agree, we must have misheard," Todoroki agreed, the usual blank look on his face disappearing for a small curious frown.
Shouta wasn't fooled. Any change in Todoroki's expression always screamed danger with a neon sign. This wasn't looking good. Silently he lowered his head and mourned the loss of his quiet, stress-free day.
Iida, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to the change in his friend's attitudes, nodded sagely. "I understand your surprise! But Grandfather understood my sentiments and even related to them! He is the one who told me there is nothing more important in this world than caring for your friends, and with Midoriya-kun being my best friend, giving him a token of our friendship had become an absolute must!"
There was a moment of silence as the entire classroom digested Iida's words. Shouta looked up at the ceiling in that one moment, wondering what he had done for the universe to punish him like this.
And then chaos ensued.
"Huh!? Who said you were the shitty nerd's best friend?" Bakugou spat, light explosions erupting from his palms.
Iida blinked at Bakugou in surprise. "Bakugou-kun! It is completely inappropriate to be using your quirk inside of the classroom! Proper classroom etiquette demands that you stop making those explosions, this instant! At this rate, you will cause something to be burnt!"
"Stop avoiding the question!" Bakugou screamed back.
Iida blinked. "Question?"
Shinsou looked over, sharply snapping the book he was reading closed. "To declare yourself Midoriya's best friend…you must have some proof right?"
Shouta stared in disbelief. Even his protege was getting involved in this useless debate now? He knew Shinsou was close to the Problem Child, but he'd also been hoping for one of these kids to maintain sanity. Clearly, that had been asking too much.
Iida furrowed his brow, "proof of friendship? I hadn't realized that was necessary, but as you wish. Midoriya-kun and I first became friends on our second day of UA. We got off to a rocky start but–,"
Uraraka broke in before Iida could continue to narrate the entire history of their friendship. "No, we know you and Deku-kun are friends. We just want to know what makes you his best friend," she clarified.
Despite himself, Shouta felt himself leaning forward. He hated to admit it, but he wanted the answer to that question just as much as his kids did. Shouta was always the first to pick up on new developments in his class' lives, so he was surprised he missed Midoriya getting so close to Iida.
Iida crossed his arms. "Very well then, if you all must know. Midoriya-kun and I share a very close bond! He and I are always willing to listen to each other's problems, instinctively knowing when the other is in a bad mood! In fact, no one helps me de-stress like Midoriya-kun can. He understands my need to keep order but still includes me in all sorts of fun activities!"
"It sounds more like Midoriya-kun is your best friend, rather than you are his best friend, ribbit," Asui pondered, one finger on her chin.
"Is there a difference?" Iida looked around, clearly hoping someone would tell him Asui was being ridiculous.
As one, the entire class nodded.
"Huge difference!" Kaminari put in. "It's like how Aizawa-sensei loves coffee but that doesn't mean coffee loves Aizawa-sensei back!"
Shouta gave a vicious glare towards Kaminari at that. Kaminari turned towards him, obviously feeling the heat of Shouta's gaze on him. When he did, Shouta hissed at him while pulling a cup of his beloved coffee closer to him.
Kaminari paled. Shouta took a sip of his coffee, appeased at his reaction. That'll teach the kid to talk about Shouta's coffee like that.
"Declaring yourself to be Midobro's best friend without any proof is so unmanly," Kirishima shook his head.
"Clearly, Iida was mistaken," Todoroki sighed. "I suppose we can all move on from this topic then."
Shinsou nodded in agreement.
Shouta could have cried. His hopes of a peaceful day were once again restored. There would be no fighting, arguing, or crying! Iida sulking in the corner wasn't ideal but Shouta would take it, so long as he could continue napping through the day.
Unfortunately, for Shouta, any remaining chance of a quiet day completely vanished when Yayorozu murmured a simple question.
"If Iida-kun isn't Midoriya-san's best friend, then who is?"
Normally, no one would have heard her make such a query, but the quiet in the room made Yayorozu's soft voice seem like a yell.
And just like that, the fire was ignited.
Shouta silently sobbed into his coffee cup; he couldn't even blame Yayorozu! She was nothing but kind and intelligent, it wasn't her fault that even the mention of the Problem Child got the rest of these brats all riled up.
Uraraka let out an extremely fake laugh. "Oh well, there's really no question about it!" she said, flashing them all a bright smile. "Obviously, no one could be Deku-kun's best friend other than me! After all, Deku-kun and I were each other's first friend here, our bond is a special one."
"It's special all right," Ashido snickered, making Uraraka turn a bright red and rapidly shake her head in denial.
"Hah?! What's that about first friend, Round Cheeks?" Bakugou demanded to know.
"First friend here," Uraraka emphasized. "You don't count."
"I'M NOT THE SHITTY NERD'S FRIEND!"
"Good, then you aren't part of this discussion," Shinsou deadpanned. Bakugou swerved to attack Shinsou, but Todoroki abruptly stood up, distracting Bakugou from his violent tendencies.
"I apologize, but clearly I am Midoriya's best friend," Todoroki declared.
Shouta smacked his head against his desk. This was all he had been afraid of and somehow more.
"Please, Todoroki-san! You are a worthy competitor but your friendship with Midoriya-san can hardly compare to the way he and I sparkle together," Aoyama posed. "There are no boundaries between us and Midoriya-san is deeply appreciative of my delightful cheese! That is what I call a true friendship!"
"Yeah, there are no boundaries because you went full stalker and peeped through his window," Jirou muttered.
"I was only offering him some cheese!" Aoyama squawked.
Shouta squinted at that. Midoriya hadn't expressed any feelings of discomfort, but perhaps it would be best if he had another chat with the kids about respecting each other's privacy. It wouldn't do for any of the others to start getting ideas.
"Clearly, Midoriya's best friend is someone who understands him," Shinsou began.
Shouta eyed his protege, wondering where this was going.
"I was going to say it has to be someone he trusts completely," Todoroki countered.
"You're both right!" Uraraka beamed, "I'm so glad we can all agree on this."
At that, the two boys scowled in tandem. Shouta was almost impressed, that was quite the show of emotion from Todoroki.
"Ahem, it is nice to see you all believing in yourself, but where is your proof?" Iida demanded to know.
The trio turned to stare at him rather blankly. "After all, you all were the ones who said proof was necessary to declare best friendship," he elaborated after a moment.
"The truth enslaves us all to the darkness," Tokoyami shook his head at them, Dark Shadow cackling at them above his head.
"Wouldn't his real best friend be the person he asks help from rather than who he gives his help to?" Dark Shadow snarked at them, resting on Tokoyami's head.
Thankfully, someone clearing their throat interrupted Uraraka getting ready to pounce at Tokoyami. Shouta turned towards the door to see Togata standing at the door with Eri.
The little girl immediately ran towards him to give him a hug. Shouta could feel his own body relax seeing Eri here; she always made him smile, though he couldn't stop his eyes from snapping up at Togata in suspicion.
"Eri really wanted to see Izuku and since I heard you weren't doing anything today," he shrugged in explanation.
"Well, you should have asked. Midoriya isn't here today," Shouta sighed, knowing Eri was going to be disappointed. Sure enough, a small frown pulled at the corners of her mouth.
"It's okay, Eri-chan! We can go to the 1-A dorms later to see Izuku when he gets back!" Togata cheered.
"Really?" Eri gasped. "Oh, good! I really wanted to talk to Deku-kun, he's been so busy lately!" Shouta's heart was melting, Eri really was too cute for her own good. Stroking her head gently, he put her down expecting Togata to leave his classroom.
Instead, a smirk grew on the blond's face as he turned to face Shouta's kids. "I heard a pretty interesting discussion happening when we walked in here."
Shouta's eyes narrowed at Togata. Their arrival had stunned the kids into silence, but he knew them well enough to know that they'd start right up again as soon as Togata and Eri left. The last thing they needed was someone to contribute to this discussion.
"Oh! It was about someone's best friend!" Eri blinked up at Togata.
"Yes, I wonder who such an intense discussion is for!"
"We're trying to decide who Midoriya-san's best friend is," Hakagure offered after a moment of silence.
"Deku-kun's best friend?" Eri echoes. She turns to look up at Togata, whose eyes are twinkling with mischief. "Isn't that you, Lemillion-san?"
Togata practically beamed, even as Shouta watched his kids bristle indignantly at Eri's statement. It was only his piercing gaze that kept them from blowing up furiously at his precious little girl.
Togata bent down to gently pat Eri on the head. "That's a very sweet thought, Eri-chan, but I'm not Izuku's best friend."
"Are you sure?" Eri pouted. "He always tells you everything, asks for your advice, and we all hang out all the time!"
Togata laughed. "Izuku and I share a very special bond, yes."
Shouta could practically feel the death glares his class directed at Togata at that...if looks could kill indeed. Togata paid no mind to the change in atmosphere, easily keeping Eri engaged from noticing as well.
"However, our bond is one of sempai and kohai! A lifelong bond in our shared career of heroing. Someone else can have the position of Izuku's best friend, I don't mind."
Eri opened her mouth to argue further before suddenly pausing and looking at Togata with sparkly eyes. Shouta had a bad feeling about this. "If you're not Deku-kun's best friend, can I be his best friend?"
"Izuku would want no one else," Togata confirmed.
The sheer joy that radiated from Eri at Togata's words was impossible to describe. Shouta felt like he was staring straight into the sun. His class, on the other hand, definitely did not feel the same way.
They were all stunned, unable to say a word. Each one of them knew how important Eri was to both himself and Midoriya. Upsetting her was a sure-shot way of most definitely not being his friend, let alone being his best friend. And yet, Shouta could tell that giving Eri the title of Midoriya's best friend was killing them all inside.
"But Eri-chan?"
Eri stopped smiling at the ground and looked up at Togata, one hand nervously playing with her dress. "Is there someone else who should be Deku-kun's best friend instead?"
Eri sounded heartbroken. Hearing her soft voice filled with sadness, Shouta didn't really care how the kids felt about having Eri be Midoriya's best friend. He was just about to declare her the unanimous winner for the position when Togata continued.
"Oh, I don't know about that. What I do know is that there's one position in Izuku's life that you'd fit even better than his best friend."
Eri peered up at him, her eyes already looking a little watery. "Izuku would love it if you were to be his little sister instead," Togata said and Eri's jaw dropped. She flushed a bright pink, nervously tapping her index fingers together.
"H-he won't mind?" she stuttered.
"Izuku would be over the moon," Togata promised.
If Shouta had thought Eri was happy before, it was nothing compared to the look on her face now.
"H-he'd really want someone like me to be his sister?" She checked again. Togata shook his head at that. Shouta had never seen the smile slip off of Eri's face quicker. He was getting ready to punch the kid in the face; Nedzu wouldn't be impressed but no one hurt Eri in front of him, but luckily that was when Togata started talking.
"He wouldn't want someone like you, it has to be exactly you," Togata clarified.
Eri seemed to be searching Togata's face to make absolutely sure he was telling the truth. Finally, she beamed (a few tears gathering at the corners of her eyes) and flung herself at Togata.
"I'm going to be the best sister Deku-kun could ever ask for!" she vowed, snuggling into Togata's arms.
Togata stroked Eri's hair gently, "I have absolutely no doubt about it."
If Shouta had thought Eri was happy about this recent development, it was nothing compared to how his kids were feeling. The sigh of relief was clearly audible once the strongest competitor had been removed from the competition.
Shouta side-eyed Togata to see a shit-eating smirk on his face. The blond hero knew exactly what he was doing to his class. A part of Shouta wanted to disapprove of his actions, the other part (the vindictive part mourning the loss of his peaceful day) was more than happy to let Togata continue riling them all up.
"Now, I think the only thing left to do is actually determine who is Izuku's best friend," Togata said. Eri nodded, taking a step back. She looked for a seat but not seeing one, turned towards Shouta, silently asking him to pick her up.
Shouta was more than happy to oblige. Together, father and daughter, snuggled into his warm yellow sleeping bag, happy to let Togata take the lead.
"So, how many of you are competing to be Izuku's best friend?"
Shouta would be impressed by how Togata wasn't beating around the bush, if he hadn't already caused his kids to have near heart attacks in the last five minutes.
At his question, several hands shot up. Bakugou glanced around before sneering, shoving his own hands deep into his pockets. Shouta wasn't fooled but he'd let the boy pretend if it made him happy.
"Kirishima? Aren't you Bakugou's best friend?"
Kirishima put his hand down before shrugging. "It's manly to be everyone's best friend!"
Togata let out a laugh. "I can see why Tamaki likes you so much!" Kirishima beamed at getting confirmation that his sempai did like him after all. "But, I think there are plenty of contenders for Izuku's best friend so you don't have to worry."
Kirishima's face fell at that, disappointment clouding his features.
"In fact, I think if anyone feels the same as Kirishima, they should put their hands down," he continued with a cheery smile, as if he weren't crushing the hearts of half of Shouta's class.
Slowly, a few hands went down.
Togata waited.
Another few hands went down.
"So our only serious contenders are Shinsou, Todoroki, Iida, and Uraraka huh?"
Aoyama's hand finally dropped and Shouta swore that some of the glitter constantly surrounding the boy had vanished. Asui was much more graceful in accepting her defeat, nodding as if she'd expected to be rejected.
"Hah?! Only them?" Bakugou growled out. The boy looked ready to let loose a few of his explosions at the other boy. Eri tugged on his sleeve suddenly looking a little worried for Togata.
Togata simply smiled sharply. "Oh, I'm sorry. I just figured anyone who couldn't raise their hand couldn't possibly be Izuku's best friend. Not when the others are willing to go so above and beyond for the position. Am I wrong?"
Bakugou scowled. "Tch," he let out, stubbornly crossing his arms and looking away from Togata's knowing eyes.
"Such a shame," Togata remarked when Bakugou made no move to raise his hand. "So, you four!"
They all straightened in their seats. "Hmm, this is hard. It could be any of you." Togata tapped his chin trying to come up with a way to figure out which of them would be the victor.
"Oh, I know! We'll have to see who knows Izuku best!"
"Is that really the best way to judge a bond?" Iida protested.
"I would think Izuku's best friend would know everything about Izuku," Togata hummed.
Iida became very stiff. "You're right! I will prove I am Midoriya-kun's best friend by knowing everything about him," he emphasized his words with a few air chops. Shouta rested his chin on Eri's head, biting back the urge to sigh. They were all so loud.
Eri giggled, gently reaching up to pat Shouta's head.
Well, things could be worse, Shouta decided.
"Question one! What is Izuku's favourite food?"
"Katsudon!" All four replied simultaneously.
"Correct!" Togata cheered. "Well, that was an easy one. Next! Who is Izuku's favourite hero after All Might?"
"Aizawa-sensei!" Once again came the instant reply.
Shouta waited for Togata to declare they were all wrong, but the moment never came. Instead, Togata let out another "correct!" leaving Shouta dumbfounded. He was the kid's second favourite hero? Really?
An unfamiliar mixture of feelings was welling up inside of him. Eri patted his knee. "We love you," she said earnestly.
Oh.
Oh.
He was never anyone's favourite, nor did he try to be anyone's favourite. To him, the only thing that mattered was teaching these kids how to stay alive. Knowing he was his the kid's favourite almost had him smiling.
He was happy. Happy and proud.
He could never let Hizashi find out about this.
"Okay, that's two for two! Who can tell me….what Izuku's favourite colour is?"
Shouta expected the answer to come just as easily as the first two but they actually looked a little confused.
"Green?" Uraraka guessed.
"Blue," Todoroki declared and Iida nodded in agreement,
"I too will be going with blue," he said, straightening his glasses.
"Yellow," Shinsou said.
"Bzzz," Togata shook his head. "You're all wrong, the correct answer is–,"
"Red," Eri and Bakugou said simultaneously.
"Correct!" Togata nodded.
"I know! Deku-kun told me he's always liked the colour red! Even when he was a little kid!" Eri said, fists raised in the air showing how proud she was of knowing the answer.
"Oh? Is that so?" Togata smiled, eyeing Bakugou.
Bakugou flushed. "As if there's any other reason for the shitty nerd wearing those ugly shitty shoes all the time," he grumbled, desperately trying to pretend he didn't actually know anything about Midoriya.
Shouta could only roll his eyes. Who was this kid trying to fool?
"Mirio-sempai? What are you doing here?" Came a surprised voice. They all turned to see the boy in question standing in the doorway, looking extremely confused.
"Deku-kun!" Eri exclaimed, jumping out of Shouta's arms to race over to Midoriya.
He instinctively knelt down to talk to her. "Eri-chan!" He greeted, "How are you?"
"Really really good! I'm so happy today!" She told him, throwing her arms around his neck.
"That's great! Do I get to know why?" Midoriya pulled back a little to give Eri a big smile.
Eri ducked her head, hands twisting her dress. "Ahh, it's okay! You don't have to tell me if you don't want to!" Midoriya backtracked quickly.
"No!" Eri exclaimed, one hand reaching out to grab Midoriya's shirt. "I want to tell you, I'm just…nervous." Her cheeks flushed pink as she stared up at him.
Midoriya gently patted her head. "Take all the time you need," he said.
"L-lemillion-san said….he said you might want a little sister?" Eri asked.
Midoriya frowned, looking a little confused. His eyes flicked up to meet Togata's. Togata pointed at Eri, mouthing 'little sister,' at him. Immediately, Midoriya's expression cleared and he turned to look at Eri, already misty-eyed.
"Um, depends on who it would be," He managed to get out.
Eri scuffed her shoe and tightened her grip on her dress. "Me?" she squeaked out.
Midoriya swallowed and he glanced at Shouta. Of course, Shouta nodded. Anything that makes Eri happy goes. A bright smile appeared on the kid's face and he scooped Eri up.
She let out a squeak of surprise as she stared into Midoriya's eyes. "I couldn't ask for a better little sister," he swore. Eri's face lit up.
"Really, Deku-kun?"
"Yep! Just one thing though, you can't call me Deku-kun anymore."
Eri's eyes grew wide. "I can't?"
Midoriya shook his head. "I'm your brother right?" She nodded slowly. "Then you have to call me Izuku-nii or Deku-nii at the very least."
Eri fidgeted with her hands. "O-okay, Iz–Deku-nii!"
Midoriya smiled one more time before….and there they were. Midoriya was crying. Shouta glanced at Eri to see she was starting to cry too.
"You're definitely a Midoriya now," the kid joked. "Crying's our family tradition."
"Maybe it can be an Aizawa thing too!" Eri said back.
"No," Shouta deadpanned. Strangely, it only made the two start laughing.
"So, what made you come up with the idea of…" Midoriya trailed off, wiping his face, eyes on Togata.
"Oh! Your friends were wondering who your best friend was and when Eri said she wanted to be your best friend, I couldn't help but think being your little sister was a much better position for her!"
Shouta could hear the sound of crickets chirping as the rest of his class turned to stone. Midoriya flushed a bright red, as he turned to face them.
"I….you…what?" was all he managed to get out.
Swallowing down her embarrassment first, Uraraka shot up. "We care about you, Deku-kun! And we're super happy to be your friends! We just wanted to know who your closest friend is!"
"We feel closest to you and we want you to feel closest to us too," Todoroki said, without even blinking.
Midoriya, who had begun to calm down a little, flushed an even brighter red at his words. "T-Todoroki-kun! You can't just say that!" he flailed.
"Why not?" Todoroki frowned, looking around as if he expected an answer. Shinsou shook his head at him before turning towards Midoriya.
"Well?"
"Well?" Midoriya parroted.
"Who's your best friend?" Shinsou asked.
"Uhh," Midoriya's jaw fell open.
"I'd like to apologize but we would like an answer, Midoriya-kun!" Iida insisted.
"We narrowed it down to these four for you," Togata put in helpfully. "Bakugou would've been on the list but he's too scared to admit it."
"Hey!" Bakugou snapped. "I'm not scared of anything! There's nothing to admit!" His eyes caught Midoriya's and the two stared at each other for a long moment. Bakugou broke eye contact first, face red and a scowl on his lips.
Midoriya let out a laugh. "I see," a fond look on his face as he looked at Bakugou.
"So who's your best friend," the four asked again.
Midoriya froze as he turned to look at them.
"C-can I say you're all my best friends?" Midoriya tried.
Collectively, they all shook their heads. "Pick. One."
"Guys, I really can't," Midoriya said looking into each one of their eyes.
They had no mercy.
"Who. Is. Your. Best Friend?"
Midoriya put his hands up and took a step back. It was clear to Shouta that the kid was about to bolt. Unfortunately, Shouta had trained Shinsou too well for that to happen.
Now bound in Shinsou's capture scarf, Midoriya was sweating bullets.
"WHO'S YOUR BEST FRIEND?" they all screamed at him.
"Okay! Okay, let me think!" Midoriya shouted back. Shinsou released him and Midoriya paused, taking the time to look at each one of them. His eyes kept darting between Uraraka and Todoroki. Shouta wasn't surprised, if anyone was his best friend it was one of those two.
Midoriya clearly refused to choose either one of them as well, unable to commit with Iida and Shinsou also waiting for an answer.
Problem Child was too nice for his own good, not that Shouta didn't pity the kid. Having to pick one friend over another was an awful situation to be in.
"Stop stalling and say who it fucking is already, you shitty nerd!" Bakugou snapped. Shouta raised an eyebrow, watching him stomp over to stand with the other four. For someone who didn't want to be an option, Bakugou was awfully invested in the answer.
Realy, who was this kid trying to fool?
"I can't! You're all special to me in different ways! Uraraka-san was my first friend, the reason behind my hero name, the one who always helps me out when I need it the most."
He earnestly stared into Uraraka's eyes. "I really care about you." Uraraka turned a bright pink, looking like she wanted to float away after hearing everything Midoriya had to say about her.
"Then there's Todoroki-kun who was the first person to take me seriously. The one who always manages to make me laugh. Someone who I can count on no matter what the situation is."
Twin spots of pink appeared on Todoroki's cheeks.
"Iida-kun's always ready to remind us about the rules but he's the first one to support us no matter what we might have to do. He teaches me how to be a better person."
Iida was sniffling. "I promise to continue doing so, Midoriya-kun!" he vowed, emphatically chopping the air to show his dedication to him.
"Shinsou-kun gets me in a completely different way, in a way nobody else really can, and I'm proud of how close we've managed to become."
Shinsou's eyes had gone wide and he opened his mouth before closing it again. "Whatever," he mumbled, staring at the ground.
"Aoyama-kun supports me in his own way and I'm glad I could be the one to inspire him. Asui…ah Tsuyu-chan always tells me what's on her mind and I appreciate that more than she knows."
Aoyama's sparkle returned and Asui gave Midoriya a bright smile.
"I'm glad you feel that way, ribbit," was all she could say.
"I never really had friends before, so having all of you want to be my friend and fight over who's closest? It makes me so happy, I don't even have the words to say it properly." Midoriya told the rest of the class. "I just love you guys so much."
Shouta's kids melted. Half of them were sniffling, while the others were hiding their faces, unable to form any sort of response to Midoriya's genuine words.
"And Kacchan is Kacchan," the kid finally finished as if that were some great revelation. And judging from the look on Bakugou's face, it might as well have been.
"S-shut up, you shitty nerd!" Bakugou snapped, but the fond look in his eyes gave him away.
No really, who was this kid trying to fool?
"This is why Midorin's the best!" Ashido exclaimed. "Group hug!"
The entire class gathered around Midoriya (Kirishima tackling Bakugou and forcing him to join in) in a big huddle.
"Midoriya-san is right! We are more than a group of classmates or friends. We're a family," Yayorozu declared. Everyone else roared in approval.
"Me too!" Eri chimed in.
Midoriya scooped her up, having her sit up on his shoulders. "Wouldn't be complete without you," he agreed.
"I'm so glad everything worked out!" Togata said with a smile. Shouta rolled his eyes at him. He knew perfectly well that that wasn't what Togata was trying to do but he'd let the kid pretend it was.
Either way, the classroom didn't explode and no one left in tears. Shouta was taking it as a win. And if he allowed himself to be included in the group hug…well, Hizashi never had to know.
OMAKE
"WHO'S YOUR BEST FRIEND?" they all screamed at him.
"Okay! Okay, let me think!" Midoriya shouted back. Shinsou released him and Midoriya paused, taking the time to look at each one of them. His eyes kept darting between Uraraka and Todoroki. Shouta wasn't surprised, if anyone was his best friend it was one of those two.
Midoriya clearly refused to choose either one of them as well, unable to commit with Iida and Shinsou also waiting for an answer.
Problem Child was too nice for his own good, not that Shouta didn't pity the kid. Having to pick one friend over another was an awful situation to be in.
Midoriya gulped, looking over his shoulder at the empty doorway longingly.
"I…my best friend!" He finally spluttered out. The class had gone dead silent, everyone (especially the five in front of the kid) desperately wanting to know the answer.
"I'm very sorry to everyone else, but my best friend…it's….it's…"
"Spit it out, shitty nerd!" Bakugou growled.
"It's All Might! Okay, gotta go!" With those words, Midoriya fled the scene.
There was a moment of silence as everyone digested those words. Then instead of the blowup Shouta had feared, they all let out a large sigh.
"All Might is his dad, we can't really compete," Todoroki shook his head.
"All Might or Dad Might?" Togata frowned.
Shouta felt his eye twitch. What was this about All Might being the Problem Child's dad?
"All Might is Deku-nii's dad?" Eri, his lovely daughter, asked for him.
Todoroki nodded. "I've checked all the facts there's no one else it could be," he said with a straight face.
(Somewhere deep in Tartarus, All for One felt the sudden urge to commit murder. Specifically, All Might's murder. Considering the man had lost One for All and was a non-threat, All for One didn't understand his need to commit murder but he knew he was going to do it.
Preferably soon.)
Back in Class 1-A, Shouta was having a hard time digesting what Todoroki was saying. All Might was his the kid's father? Sure, they were close but…
"Can you have more than one dad?" Eri asked worriedly. Shouta frowned at her, wondering why she was asking the question.
Uraraka giggled. "Absolutely, Eri-chan!"
Eri relaxed immediately. "Okay, then it's fine!"
Shouta was very very confused.
OMAKE
"So….Midoriya is Eri-chan's big brother now?" Hizashi asked slowly.
Shouta nodded.
"So….Midoriya is your son now?"
Shouta nodded.
Wait. What?
"No, of course not," Shouta scowled.
"But you're Eri's dad," Hizashi countered.
"So?"
"So you're also Midoriya's dad! That's how it works!"
"No, it isn't," Shouta denied.
Hizashi pouted. "You're just too scared to admit it, Dadzawa."
"Dadzawa," Shouta said slowly.
"You heard me!"
Shouta nodded before flinging his capture scarf in Hizashi's direction. After about five minutes, Shouta got nothing but peace and quiet from the other man for the rest of the day.
Just how Shouta liked it.
Does it show that I absolutely adore Eri? Because I do. I love her so so much, it's actually ridiculous. Also if Aizawa thinks Yamada Hizashi is going to stop...he's very mistaken. Peace cannot last for our poor class 1-a teacher, no. no. There is only pain and suffering. (also yes, afo is totally deku's dad, i accept no other theory).
Haha anyways, thank you all for reading!
