Izuku was too tired to even dream. He just floated in heavy darkness without a thought. All he knew was that he was warm and safe. Then he heard the ringing of a phone. A lifetime of conditioning made him reach out for it before he was even fully awake and answer it.
"… mom?"
A strange voice answered and suddenly Izuku was fully awake. It was deep but ragged like there was something wrong with the speaker's throat. It had a familiar sound to it, but he couldn't say where he'd heard it.
"Who is this? Where's Toga?"
Oh shit, Izuku thought.
Why had Himiko left her phone next to the bed?
"… sorry… I accidentally…"
"Wait, wait, wait. You must be the famous Izuku. Toga has told me everything about you. I'm her boss. It's good to finally speak with you."
Izuku sat up.
"… I'm sorry, but… what kind of work does Toga do to you… sir?" Izuku asked.
"No need to apologize. It's good that a young man worries about his special lady. I had an accident five years ago and it left me a bit messed up. Toga runs the odd errand for me, but she mostly keeps me company. With a face like mine you don't really go out."
"… I see. I'm sorry to hear that happened to you."
"Thank you, my boy. Saw your match by the way. Good show. Pity you lost. I had bet money on you." The man said.
"… sorry."
"Don't be. The odds were against you and you came in third. U.A will make a fine hero out of you yet. So, has Toga settled in yet? I let her live in there as payment."
"… yes. It's lovely."
"Good to hear it. Now, you be good to that lass. Life certainly hasn't. Mess with her and I'll mess you back. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good man."
"Did you… want to talk to Hi… Toga?"
"I did, but it can wait. You two seem to have something more urgent going on. Send her my regards." The man said and hung up.
What a nice guy, Izuku thought.
Himiko flushed the toilet and stepped out of the bathroom wearing a black t-shirt that was big enough to be a dress on her. It had a few cuts in it.
"Ya know it's rude to answer other peoples calls."
"… sorry." Izuku said and then noticed the sun shining outside: "Was I here all night?! Mom is going to…"
"Kill ya? Nah. Called yer mom. Told her ya went out like a log. We didn't have the heart to wake yer bubble-butt up." Himiko said.
Izuku rubbed his face. This was so much worse. Even worse than the time with the magazines. Mom would be throwing knowing smirks at him for years.
"Wanna order a pizza and wait if Stain will come and try to kill us again?" Himiko said.
"… sure."
The sun had started to set when Izuku finally got home. After making sure the coast was clear he stepped inside as quietly as he could.
"Hello, honey." Mom said from the living room.
Izuku flinched and waited to be pelted by knowing looks, hidden grins and barbed jokes masked as small talk. Izuku held his breath and wondered when the bombs would start falling. Nothing came, and he dared to look into the living room. Mom was doing her work-out routine with her exercise video.
"Did you have fun?" Mom said without taking her eyes off the TV.
"… yeah."
Izuku noticed two coffee cups on the living room table.
"… did you have a guest?"
"Yes. One of your teachers dropped by for a chat. He wanted to congratulate you for third place. Mr. Yagi. We've chatted quite a few times over the phone."
Mr. Yagi? He didn't know any Mr. Yagi. So many of the teacher's used their hero names.
"I left some laundry on your bed. Could you put them away?" Mom said.
"Sure." Izuku said.
Mom hadn't said a word about Himiko or his surprise sleepover. Maybe… maybe mom had finally grown out of trolling him. Maybe… just maybe he was free. Izuku noticed the stack of clean clothes folded on his bed and picked up his t-shirts.
A packet of condoms fell on the floor. Izuku's face turned crimson.
There was a knock on the door and mom peeked in with a grin on her wide enough to split her face in two.
"Izuku? Honey? I was thinking about having ice cream. You want some?"
"… no thanks."
"Suit yourself." Mom said.
You evil bitch, Izuku thought after mom closed the door.
Izuku avoided mom as much as he could on Sunday. When they ate dinned he never could look her in the eyes. Going to school on Monday was a relief. When he got to class all the students were huddled around Kirishima's desk and staring at his tablet. When they saw him, all of them started smirking like mom.
"… what?" Izuku said.
"Hey, crazy kid. You've got to see this." Shinsou said.
Kirishima handed Izuku his tablet… and Izuku saw himself. It was a GIF of him from the tournament when he got the hang of One for All. Doing a fist pump. With a shit-eating grin on his face. On an infinite loop. There were almost a million hits.
"No. No. No. No."
He scrolled down and saw that the GIF came with captions.
Himiko finally called him back.
Getting laid tonight.
Came in third. Don't care. Getting laid.
The worst part was how painfully accurate they were. Kirishima took back his tablet and grinned.
"Congratulations on getting famous."
Izuku tensed up. Was U.A going to be the same as his last school? Where every day was misery. Izuku steeled himself for the mockery that never came. There was laughter, but… this wasn't the mocking kind. People weren't laughing at him. They were laughing… with him?
"Those aren't so bad. You should see the ones they made of Katsuki." Kirishima said.
Bakugou pulled Kirishima away into a choke-hold that looked down right obscene. The eye-patch couldn't hide the blushing.
"I told you not to use my first name here, fucker!" Bakugou yelled which made Kirishima's smile even wider.
Oh my God, Izuku thought. Himiko was right. They are fucking.
"Did they make any of Todoroki?" Shinsou asked.
"Let's see." Kirishima said.
Slowly Izuku was able to relax and see the funny side to the situation. Soon he was laughing with everybody else. Was this what it was like? To belong? To be a part of the class instead of its laughing stock. The fear had faded from people's eyes. It was like… the incident with Bakugou had never happened. Kirishima was a Saint.
Aizawa-sensei entered the room, and everyone took their seats. He had gotten rid of the bandages cowering his face, but the scars remained. Izuku wondered if the scars around his eyes affected the use of his Quirk.
"Hopefully everyone had a restful weekend, because it's time to get ready for field training. Some agencies have already expressed interest in you." Aizawa-sensei said.
The overhead projector came to life and showed how many invitations everyone had received. Todoroki stood above everyone else. Bakugou had placed third. After Izuku.
"This is bullshit!" Bakugou complained.
Kirishima patted him on the back.
"Never underestimate the power of memes, honey."
Izuku glanced through the agencies expressing interest in him. Even Endeavor had invited him. Guess he had technically done what Endeavor wanted. The idea made him clench his fist. When the class was over Izuku gathered with Asui, Shinsou, Tokoyami and Todoroki in the hallway.
"Thanks for stealing all the good agencies, crazy kid." Shinsou said.
"You got invitations too." Todoroki said.
"Oh, don't you start. You're part of the problem." Shinsou said.
"We should take this as an opportunity to learn instead of a competition." Tokoyami said.
"And where is the fun in that?" Shinsou asked.
"Winning isn't everything." Asui said.
"You're right. It's the only thing." Shinsou said and grinned: "Don't tell me you all didn't get a kick from seeing the Mad Bomber losing his shit when he got less invitations than Todoroki and the crazy kid."
No one could bring themselves to disagree.
"Only losers like Bakugou are that hung up on winning and losing." Todoroki said.
"Was that a jab at me? Getting hung up worked for me. I won so hard it hurts, lover boy. I got exactly what I wanted." Shinsou said.
"… have you decided which agency you'll pick?" Izuku said.
"Selkie. He specializes in sea rescues." Asui said.
"I'll go to my father's agency." Todoroki said.
A cold hand burst through Izuku's chest and tore out his heart. For a moment Izuku saw Endeavor looming over him and telling him to break Todoroki's hand.
"… why?"
"You made me realize I can't afford to be petty if I want to be a hero. Dad… is the number two hero in Japan. I have a lot to learn from him." Todoroki said.
The others continued talking without Izuku. What had he done? This… he hadn't wanted this. The last thing Endeavor needed was a chance to sink his claws deeper into Todoroki. He felt sick. If Endeavor did something to Todoroki… it would be his fault. Should… should he go to Endeavor's agency just, so Todoroki wouldn't be alone there?
Asui poked his forehead.
"… sorry. What?" Izuku said.
"I said what hero name are you going to pick?" Asui said.
"From this day onward, I shall be known as Tsukuyomi." Tokoyami said.
"Lord Psycho Helmet. What else could I go with?" Shinsou said.
"Good luck getting that past Midnight-sensei." Todoroki said.
"It might come to you as a surprise, lover boy, but I'm one hell of a smooth talker. Just ask the crazy kid. After I was done with him, he almost threw the match."
Todoroki winced.
"… I… what's yours going to be, A… Tsu?" Izuku said.
"Froppy." Asui said.
Izuku forced himself to smile.
"… cute."
It was sometimes hard to read Asui's moods, but now she was practically beaming.
"What about you, crazy kid?" Shinsou said.
Izuku thought back on the names he'd come up with as a kid. Before a doctor's appointment had ruined everything. Might Boy. All Might Junior. Little Might. All Might Boy. They had seemed like strokes of genius to a four-year old. Now they just made him want to disappear in a hole and never come out.
"… nothing usable yet."
"How about Deku? It's cute. Why does Bakugou…" Asui said.
"Never call me that!"
It came out too hard and sharp. Tokoyami's shadow had come out and Shinsou took a step back. Todoroki looked ready for a fight and Asui… looked hurt and scared when she tried to figure out what had she said wrong. The worst part was that it wasn't One for All doing the talking. That was his own anger. Maybe Himiko was right and he was just an angry person by nature.
"I'm… sorry. I just don't like it… when people call me that." Izuku said.
"… I get it. People called me names too." Asui said.
"Me too." Tokoyami confessed.
"Why do you let Bakugou call you that?" Todoroki asked.
"Because some people never learn. Even from broken bones." Shinsou said.
"… I'll try to figure something out. I'm… open for suggestions." Izuku said.
The next lecture was torture with the burning in Izuku's stomach. Following the lecture was impossible. He'd tried to help Todoroki and fucked him over instead. How could he save someone from getting tortured by someone stronger? He hadn't known what to do with Bakugou anymore than he knew with Endeavor. And Endeavor wasn't Bakugou. He was something far worse.
"Don't tell anyone what my father asked from you. Midoriya. Please. Promise me."
How could he keep a promise like that? What would Endeavor do to Todoroki if he broke it? Men like Endeavor always had their defenders and lawyers. Endeavor was a problem that you couldn't solve by punching. Not even when you hit as hard as All Might. But… he had to do something.
When the bell announced the start of lunch-break Izuku got a message from All Might asking to meet him in his office. Izuku apologized to his… friends and headed to All Might's office. Friends. It was so weird. He had friends. And Himiko. And a Quirk. Everything he could ever want, but he still couldn't be happy.
All Might was watering his office plants in his true form when Izuku entered. He was wearing a gaudy yellow suit that had been tailor-made for his muscular form.
"Midoriya, my boy. Good to see you and congratulations for the tournament. Sorry I couldn't see you sooner."
"… I came in third." Izuku said.
All Might started preparing tea.
"You make it sound like something to be ashamed of."
"You… would have won." Izuku said.
"Are you sure? Since you know me so well, tell me, how would have I escaped from young Shinsou's mind control?"
"… you wouldn't have fallen to his trap."
All Might smiled and poured them tea.
"I'm not infallible, Izuku. Believe me. I've done my fair share of mistakes."
Am I one of them, Izuku wondered.
He couldn't imagine All Might having the same problems he had. Or breaking Bakugou's hand in anger. Or lying to everyone about Stain.
"You figured out One for All and caught everyone's attention in an… unusual fashion. I'd say that was a success. You never told me about Himiko."
"… you saw the memes."
All Might laughed.
"Part of the game, Izuku. I've had my share of GIF's. Not all of them flattering." All Might said and sipped his tea: "How did you break the mind control?"
Izuku flinched and All Might noticed. He put down his cup.
"What did One for All do?"
The future flashed before Izuku's eyes. A future where he left All Might's office without a Quirk. A future where All Might decided that One for All was too dangerous to be passed on. A future where he had to live as Deku.
"… Toshinori."
It was All Might's turn to flinch.
"How do you…?"
"… I met Nana. She… was the seventh wielder, right?" Izuku said.
This was a low blow. No hero should use the loved ones of others as weapons. But what choice did he have? The alternative was too terrible to even think about.
All might picked up his cup, but put it down quickly when he noticed how badly his hand was shaking.
"… what did she say?" All Might asked.
"She… asked me to send her regards and tell you… that you found a great heir. She was… proud of us both."
Izuku wondered how proud Nana would be if she saw him now.
All Might was silent. For a long time.
"… All Might?"
All Might hugged him. Even in his true form he was deceptively strong and almost lifted Izuku off the ground.
"Thank you."
When All Might let go he smiled nervously.
"Sorry. That was… not very dignified of me. I… I need to be alone for a moment. I hope you don't mind." All Might said.
"I… yes, but there was one more thing. It's about… Endeavor."
"What about him?"
"… you… Todoroki can't go to his agency. You can't let him. Endeavor tried to bribe me to… break his arm so he'd use his fire Quirk. Todoroki… didn't want me to tell anyone, but…"
"No. You did the right thing coming to me. I… I'll see you later. I need to make a few calls."
Izuku stepped outside… and ran to the bathroom. He made it just in time to throw up in the toilet. He'd lied to All might and used the memory of his dead mentor against him. How low could you sink? He stayed in the bathroom stall until lunch was over. He was afraid to face Todoroki. More afraid than fighting him. Why did everything have to be so complicated? He wanted to see Himiko. Everything felt simpler around her. Even when they were everything but.
When Aizawa-sensei finished the last lecture of the day, he asked Todoroki to stay behind. Izuku left the class with the other students, but when the others went home, Izuku stayed behind. He sat by the main entrance and waited for Todoroki. He had to wait for a long time and the fear of what Todoroki would say made it feel even longer. He didn't want to break Todoroki's trust, but this would be for his own good.
"Hate me if you wish, but this will save your life. Stop fighting! This is for your own good!"
Izuku felt ready to throw up again. Why was doing the right thing so hard?
Todoroki finally stepped out. He looked tired and smaller than Izuku remembered.
"… you told them." Todoroki said.
It wasn't easy, but Izuku was able to meet Todoroki's gaze.
"… I'm sorry."
He prepared for Todoroki to scream at him or even punch him, but he… just stared at him.
"Why? You promised?"
"I… it was bad enough that he hurt you, but I was afraid he'd hurt somebody else too. Or make you hurt someone." Izuku said.
"Dad… he had mom put in a hospital. He's the one who pays for her care." Todoroki said.
A wave of nausea washed over Izuku. How could someone use their own wife as a hostage?
"What… what did Aizawa-sensei say?" Izuku asked.
"Principal Nezu was there too. And All Might. They asked me all the things dad had done and…"
Todoroki couldn't continue and looked past Izuku.
"There will be an investigation. They'll keep it secret, so dad can't hide the evidence. If… when he stops paying for mom's treatment the school will cover it."
Todoroki laughed. It was the kind of laughter that came out, so you wouldn't cry.
"You remind me of Daisuke. He's… my older brother. He was always standing up to dad until… it just got too much for him and he ran away. I haven't heard from him in two years. If… I had spoken up sooner, maybe he'd still be here."
Todoroki sat down next to him.
"I… always thought he was invincible. That if I told anyone, no one would believe me. And he'd hurt mom or sis in revenge. I just… I could have done something all this time and… I didn't. Because I was scared."
Todoroki's eyes started turning misty.
"… I get it. A little at least. I… put up with Bakugou for years because I thought no one would help me… or could help me." Izuku said and suddenly All Might's words started flowing from his tongue: "Asking for help… when you need it, isn't a weakness and talking to someone about your problems doesn't make you unworthy. I mean… a guy with a broken leg isn't a weakling for going to the hospital, right?"
"… right." Todoroki said.
Todoroki was quiet for a moment and then he started to cry. Izuku looked around in panic for help. What was he supposed to do? Or say?
For heaven's sake, Izuku. Hug him already, Nana whispered in his ear.
Izuku did.
