The entire Pro Hero and Support Course was on hold for at least a month due to the legal battle between Principle Nezu, HPSC, All Might, and the Pro Heroes vs the parents of the students who were being led by none other than Mitsuki, the Bakugou matriarch. It was obvious hell had descended with proof that the No. 1 Hero purposely assaulted her son, and apparently, Nezu could not terminate him because the HPSC threatened his license to manage UA. Well now that a restraining order was made with All Might's name, the HPSC can't do shit until the trial ends and his name is exonerated, if he is exonerated. Until then, the Pro Hero teachers will have to be on trial and be witnesses and provide their side of the story, and the students involved will also approach the stand, but not until the final week of the trial.
In the meantime, they can do what they want to relax or stay home and study. They all agreed to have at least a day to just unwind. Several people, like Mina, Eevee, and the Kirishima Twins, wanted to enjoy a little freedom to help relax the body and mind, and they needed it badly after what they had to deal with. Victoria made a reservation at the spa for her friends who wanted to relax, including Izuku and Katsuki who just left the hospital after Izuku's recovery.
The class found out that he was not fully 100% recovered, and there was a high chance that it would stay that way once the doctors noted no changes with his healing the last 3 days, and the flames on his back is a sign that it recovered as much as it could. Izuku can still walk with support but his feet and calves will deal with a numbing, cramping, or needle-stinging combo occasionally. It is manageable with medication, but there would be days he would be in so much pain that he could not relax. Right now, with long travels, he will be wheelchair-bound, but that will not stop him from becoming a Pro Hero, thanks to the support of his family, friends, and teachers.
"C'mon everyone! Let's have fun and go shopping!" Mina yelled, holding Momo's hand as she was dragging the poor girl to every shop. "I just want to relax and not think about anything, so I am going to be a fashionista!"
Everyone was laughing at her enthusiasm before Kairi joined the fray. "Good thinking, I would like some bedazzled jeans as well as look for a Wicca store to get some more sage and charms. Hekate knows that we need some good juju before the real torture begins."
"It is shocking and disturbing that our…former teacher did something so unheroic." Iida said, his mind warring on trying to defend the hero but his heart could not find any kind of justice. "He overstepped his boundaries as a teacher, surely he could have thought of something less…lethal."
"Don't remind me, I still want to blast his balls into oblivion." Katsuki growled, massaging a migraine due to the large crowd in the mall and ignoring the robo-teen berating him. He didn't want to be here, but his brother wanted to be out and about, and he couldn't blame him for being in the hospital for a month. "Shut up, where is Silks, didn't she say she will be here?"
"She will be at Hachi's Spa," Aurora replied and pointed to a sign with octopus arms holding different grooming items. "She called me earlier that is where she will be due to an incident earlier this morning. A shopkeeper at that shoe place over there threw a metal item at her, told her to keep her threads and legs away from his merchandise. She wasn't even near his shop, so it is obvious the guy was an anthropomorphist."
"Great…another asshole I want to blast into oblivion." Katsuki moaned, the right eye now feeling like it was being stabbed continuously with an ice pick. He just did not want to deal with anyone today apparently, but how could he say no to Izuku and Eevee, both were pretty much restless from being in the hospital. He sighed in defeat before feeling something jump on his shoulder to get to the top of his head, kneading his hair and making a nest out of it. "You just love my hair, don't you, Honey?" He growled but smiled as he felt the bunny purr, effectively working the migraine away.
"Well, you do have that rare soft hair, Kacchan. So of course Honey loves it." Izuku giggled, causing his brother to blush a little before looking back at the dragoness. "So are we heading there now or are we waiting for some more to join us?"
"Yep, we are waiting for two or three more people. Shouto will be at the spa with me, you, Blasty, Victoria, and Eevee, and Denki will meet us later as he is busy this morning. He and his aunts will be here later this afternoon. Dokusei will also be here later this afternoon." Aurora replied, wagging her tail in happiness before her stomach growled in protest. "Victoria did explain that Hachi makes the best takoyaki and a variety of flavors. They even have the mango habanero takoyaki Blasty, I hear you are a fan of spicy foods."
Katsuki smirked and licked his lips. "As long as it is flavorful and not that bland metallic taste of the capsaicin, then it will be perfect." He then looked at Eijirou who was texting on his phone. "You got anything planned, Shitty Hair?"
"Yes, I am meeting Tetsutetsu to go to a fitness store to get some new dumbbells, my last sets got destroyed after my mental breakdown so I will need them replaced." Eijirou sighed. "I hate going into a frenzy, but after everything that had happened, I just blew up."
Kairi looked at him with a worried expression. "Well, we do have our father's whale genes where going into a frenzy is part of our mechanic. Yours just trigger under a lot of stress and with the nightmares you kept having, it was too much." She said and her twin growled, refusing to acknowledge what she had said. "We need to find a hobby for you, or something to put you at ease. Last time you couldn't move for three days without being in pain."
"Like what? I don't have any hobbies other than weightlifting, which I had destroyed. Not sure I will keep a hobby without shredding it to pieces!"
Eevee came over and rubbed her cheek next to his. "We understand, it was just one thing after another, dealing with villains trying to kill us, our teachers and friends getting hurt, being hospitalized…Eevee doesn't remember much myself, but Eevee felt when she woke up, Eevee wasn't herself…" She stared into the distance as she remembered the feral feeling and shuddered before smiling again. "How about after your weight lifting and Eevee's pampering, Eevee can take you to the Cuddle-Ewes Cottage? What you may need since you have some anthropomorphic quirk dna you may need a nest to make you feel safe and secure."
Eijirou looked at the eevette with a perplexed look. "N-nesting? I am not sure that would work. No offense but wouldn't that apply to those with animalistic instincts and/or features?"
Eevee just shook her head. "Not really, have you ever felt calm or good when you have someone you trust, hug or even be near you? Or when you want to be alone your place of solace is your go-to? Humans still have the primordial instinct, just anthropomorphic and handed down quirk dna just taps into it more often."
"I-" Eijirou was still hesitant but Eevee was looking at him demurely, melting his stubbornness. He then thought that there had been places where he felt calmer, like near water or the beach. Maybe they have something that would remind him of that. "Ok, we can go."
"Yay! We can go and find the perfect nest for you. You can sleep there, relax, or maybe have some people you trust or like to join and have cuddles!"
Eijirou blushed and Kairi giggled. "C-cuddles? I-I would like that."
"Just don't get overly handsy or I'll blast those arms off."
Eijirou chuckled. "Good luck, don't forget my hardening can handle your blasts."
"Fuck you, Shitty Hair."
Everyone laughed before going their separate ways while the spa gang went to Hachi's Spa where they met their spider friend in the waiting room. She smiled and waved them over. "Over here! Everyone ready to be pampered?"
Tsu chirped. "That sounds nice but as a frog mutant my skin is just too sensitive, and I don't like anyone touching my feet. As a frog my skin must stay hydrated and coated in a special mucous that I make, if it is removed it can cause health problems for me."
Eevee understood what her friend was saying. "How about this, after my spa grooming, you, Sharky, and Eevee can go to Cuddle-Ewe's Cottage for nesting and other supplies we need for our nest. Eevee needs some new blankets for PomPom to scent on for my heat."
Katsuki choked and burned red at his girlfriend's filterless mouth. "Why do you have to tell everyone our business, Fennec?"
Eevee tilted her head in confusion. "Vee? I just mentioned scenting for my nest, I wasn't talking about us doing foreplay."
Izuku laughed as his brother's face turned neon red, and pulled his phone out to create a selfie with Katsuki in the background before sending it to Mitsuki and Ophelia with the caption: Eevee is at it again, new color in record time.
"...Delete…that….now…"
"Even if I did, Kacchan, I already sent them to momma and Ophi-san."
Katsuki grumbled about the injustice as everyone else laughed at his predicament, having a filterless girlfriend who was just an open book. It was a good chance to show his vulnerable side that was not the angry bomberanian.
"W-well, you are one of the most active in 1-A, and your yandere attitude does make things entertaining." Iida coughed behind his hands, hiding a slight chuckle as Katsuki told him to fuck a cactus. Now that he was off campus, he was free to be himself and not monitor everyone. "I-I would like to go to the bookstore and look for books regarding engine-type quirks. I want to see if there is a nutrition guide for my engine quirk, turns out my brothers and mine, even though they are labeled the same, use different energy."
Izuku looked at the male class rep in interest. "Oh? Like what, Iida-kun?"
Iida huffed in amusement as Izuku suddenly brought out an analysis book. "Well, for starters, my brother Ingenium's Quirk is on his shoulders and he uses it for punches and clotheslining enemies and villains. Mine are located on my calves and they are used for high speed running and martial arts. However-"
"However, his engine is used in short and powerful bursts, which would mean he would need energy and nutrients that give a quick rush like sugar, carbohydrates, and vitamin B to keep that energy going. While you, your engines require warm-ups to get into 2nd and 3rd gear but that requires slow-burning energy like fats and of course, Vitamin B to keep the energy and power steady. Both require protein for muscle build and electrolytes to prevent cramping or other issues. That would also explain why you have cravings for fish every 2-3 weeks, it is high in Omega-3 fatty acid and rich in protein to help with leg muscle and store the healthy fats for you to use. B-12 would also be a good suggestion as it turns food into glucose, which is vital in the body."
Everyone looked at the green bean in shock, amusement, and/or fear. They knew he loved to analyze things, but no one, except for Katsuki and Eevee, knew how much or how accurate it was. Iida stood still, trying to figure out how the hell he did that. "Uhh, are you sure you don't have an analytical quirk? That was very accurate."
Izuku shook his head and put the notebook away now that he was finished. "No, I don't. Ophi-san and Recovery Girl did a secondary test 2 years ago to verify if I had a secondary quirk but nope, just flames and healing."
"Kero, you should use that brain of yours for interrogation. Imagine you studying the villain's quirk and you would know everything, including their weakness. That is something to bring anyone to their knees, kero."
"Ummm, bunny?" Momo said suddenly, looking at the three books in Izuku's seat. "Are you sure they are safe where they are? With that much detail, villains and crooks could grab them and use them for evil purposes."
Izuku slammed a hand into his face. "I totally forgot about that, I didn't really think anyone would grab a teen's book. I guess I need to secure them or code them when we get home."
"I would, nerd, or your brain would be used for their purposes."
Aurora just chuckled. "If you like I can put them in my bag for now. Besides, it is almost time for our spa day!"
"Just as long as they don't use cold water."
"Kacchan, I swear if you go OCD on me again, I'm flinging you across the damn mall!"
"..."
"Welcome to Hacchan's Takoyaki and Spa! Here you can eat many varieties of takoyaki while we massage your woe's away and make you feel and look beautiful!"
"Good morning, Uncle Hacchan! We are here for the full treatment today, spa, pedi and mani, and of course your delicious takoyaki." Victoria giggled and pointed to her friends, who were looking at everything in awe. "I hope we won't cause so much trouble."
"I am an Octopus, I, as well as my employees, can handle anything!" Hachi said and emphasized the point by waving his 6 arms like he was doing the wave. "You should never underestimate us!"
"Perfecto, I have a special request." The spiderette said and pointed to Izuku, who was squirming in nervousness, yet he was eyeing Hachi to figure out his quirk. "I would like you to personally take care of Izuku, he was in the hospital for 3 weeks so I want you to give a more personal touch. I can get pampered by another person so you can focus on him."
"Nonsense! I am an Octopus, I can pamper both of ya!" Hachi replied and walked toward Izuku and Katsuki. "If there is anything you would like me to know, don't hesitate to tell me, as well as accommodations. I see you have fire wings behind you, am I correct that you tolerate higher temperatures?"
Izuku nodded. "Y-yes, Mr. Hachi. I can tolerate water above 37.7C, and anything lower than 35C can increase the chance of hypothermia. Also…I am dealing with radiculopathy due to a spinal cord injury. Victoria told me you may be gentle regarding the situation."
Hachi nodded, "Of course I can, I am a cuddly Octopus, heehee!"
"Can you handle 40C-43 degree temp?" Katsuki growled before flinching as Eevee elbowed him hard in the ribs. "What? I want to make sure everything is perfect."
"Don't forget the conversation you and Eevee had about being overbearing." Eevee growled, seeing her mate blush in embarrassment. "Bunbun is not a baby."
"Thanks, Eevee…" Izuku sighed. Eevee was right in scolding his brother, ever since his second injury and potential death he had been eyeing Izuku like a hawk and his OCD was worse than before. He would make sure nothing was in front of Izuku, whether walking or using the wheelchair and made sure he stayed hydrated, fluffing his pillow, it was so annoying to the point he too yelled at Katsuki to give him some space.
He knew Katsuki was petrified after what happened, but he hopes he gets that rectified before the cPTSD takes hold and hinders his dream of becoming a Pro Hero. It is very tricky to work through that, Izuku still struggles with it himself at times when certain triggers are activated.
Katsuki growled and cursed his overbearing behavior. He knows it was causing tension between him and Izuku but seeing his brother get slammed into a boulder and break his spine, hearing that the No. 1 Pedophile was the one who burned the mark on his back and potentially had fun with him, and then Katsuki freezing himself when another boulder went right at him, nearly crushing the blonde. The psychiatrists had now diagnosed him with cPTSD, but since it has been developed within two years, they are providing medications and therapy to nip it in the ass.
"No worries, why don't you all take a seat? Victoria and…Izuku was it? Both of you are with me, we will be in another section for more room. Would you like the usual?" He asked as the two followed him, leaving the others with several of Hachi's employees.
"Excuse me, Miss Murdock?" One female said, having gorgeous red fur and being built like a red fox. "I had received word that you would like the full grooming, is that correct?"
"Vee, yep!" The fennec replied, nodding and bouncing in excitement. "Eevee would like the Full Grooming Course. Eevee wants to look and smell nice for Pompom to ravage."
"Eevee I swear you are going to kill me one of these days." Katsuki grumbled as he eyed the door his brother entered before it closed. He knows Silks will make sure Izuku would be safe, but that did not ease the nervousness inside him. He then smelled something sweet and spicy as one of the chefs handed him a plate of mango habanero takoyaki. "Thanks. These smell great."
"How is everything, Cuttlefish? Usually, you are in school today." Hachi asked, preparing the water for Izuku and the brushing kit for his niece. "What have you been learning?"
"That Ass Might is a dumbass and would willingly hurt or even murder anyone who would stand in his way." Izuku said suddenly, catching Hachi off guard and staring at the boy who was giving off malice. "The bastard is fucking lucky to not be in prison due to a fatal injury that has started his Death Clock."
"Now hey now-"
"Tio, the reason why Izuku was injured was All Might." Victoria replied, rubbing Izuku's back to calm him down. "I can't say more but it is the reason behind the lawsuit UA, the HPSC, and that pendejo is currently dealing with."
Hachi hummed but looked disturbed. "Why was he teaching when he has no regards in cuttlefish safety? It doesn't make sense. If anything happens, Victoria, or if you need help, give Uncle Hachi a call, I know a few people."
Victoria giggled as Izuku looked at him in confusion, wondering what Hachi had meant. "I know you do, Tio. You have your own type of gang."
"Friends, Victoria, friends." Hachi reprimanded with one of his hands before turning on the water and adding scented Epsom salts. "So, Izuku-kin, you told me you suffer with nerve pain occasionally, correct? I'll be gentle but you will also need to let me know if you have any discomfort."
"Of course, I take medication to reduce the pain, but I do flare every once in a while. I'll let you know if I do." Izuku looked at the water that was filling the basin below his feet. The basin itself was covered with a bag to hold water but keep it clean for each customer. It was a soft green and when he took a breath it held a fresh scent of pine. "That smells nice, what temp do you have it as?"
"I currently have it at 40.5C but I can heat it up to 42.2C, that is the most I can safely do for me while I tend to you." Hachi said and smiled. "Would you like some help getting into the seat?"
"N-no, I can manage, just need some support." Izuku said, pulling out his retractable cane and locking the wheelchair before thanking Victoria for offering her leg as a stabilizer. He could feel the tingling of his ankles as the pressure made itself known before he took a few steps and turned to sit in the chair. He immediately felt that the center of the back had an indent. "Massage chair?"
Hachi nodded and pointed to the buttons on Izuku's right side. "Yep, you can change the level and intensity of the massage and it is done in 30-minute intervals. You can also heat up the chair to what you feel comfortable with."
Izuku eyed the buttons and pressed the power, flinching a bit when the massage suddenly hit his lower back. "W-which ones prevent it from massaging the lower area."
"That will be this one." Hachi said before pressing the button himself. He saw the immediate discomfort when it hit. "You will have to adjust it every 30 minutes, but when you want it to stop, just press power again."
"Thanks." Izuku sighed and felt the massaging move up and down, from his neck to the middle spine before feeling the heat as his feet entered the water. It felt nice and the heat was allowing him to feel the bubbling tickle his heels, something he rarely feels even on a good day.
Hachi smiled as Izuku started to relax. "Camie will be here with takoyaki, she is tending to your friends first."
"That is fine, I know you and Camie are the only ones who know how to make them." Victoria replied, walking to the right side of Izuku's chair and lying down on a large towel, with 7 water basins bubbling and ready to go for her leg tips. "Ahhhh, these feel nice…" She said and laid on a large pillow in front of her so her body can relax as well. It was designed for people like her, with multiple sections to her body. Even her mother uses this to relax all her segments, she was built more like a wasp.
Izuku did take notice of the 7 water basins, and he had suspicions but he did not want to be rude and just plain ask if Victoria's leg was removed. He did know like him, she too was a survivor of the Crimson Goats, but she never told him what they had done. He would rather not pry into that.
"I know you noticed my prosthetic leg, Izuku. You, like that analysis thing you do, are observant." Victoria said suddenly, seeing him look at her with guilt. "It was a result of my escape, I somehow escaped the trafficking ring and one of them was able to catch up to me, severely broke my leg at the base where it was excruciating to the point it incapacitated me."
Izuku stared at her in shock as she told her story, and he balled his fists in anger that these bastards had no regard for human life. She continued her story, "They were dragging me back to their hideout, fear growing in me as visions of torture and abuse filled my mind for my failed escape, and I wished for death before I was saved by Tio Hachi and his friends."
Hachi harrumphed and blew out steam from his nose. He looked livid. "They deserved what they got. My friends were able to free other slaves and bring them home, others joined us or went to foster homes. I was glad to find you and bring you back to Honey, she was just in her words, a lost bee. She wasn't herself not knowing where you were or if you were alive. We are j-just both h-happy you are h-here with u-us agaaaaaaiinn!" Hachi then wailed in happiness, tears flowing out of his eyes like no tomorrow. Izuku was staring at him in fascination, he didn't think anyone would be such a crybaby as he used to be. The verdanette may still have been if he had a better life.
"Calmate, Tio! You are getting your octopus tears in the basins!" Victoria yelled suddenly, yet giggling as she towel-whipped her uncle. "You are so dramatic."
"Yes, but I am an overdramatic octopus!"
Izuku and Victoria both laughed at the sudden change, the mood immediately changed to something lighter as he tended to both of them. Not long after, Camie came in and handed out the takoyaki, and they enjoyed the food in bliss. Now the next issue was after the pampering, what color should we have our nails and claws?
While they were contemplating, one of their classmates was walking away to the other side of the mall to meet a friend of theirs and provide them with the scoop of what was going on in 1-A. They had so much juicy info, they could not wait to see the gleeful look on their partner's face.
They had reached the food court where they saw a short-haired brunette, looking around and eating sweets like no tomorrow, hiding in a corner so no prying eyes could see her. "You need to slow down, Ochako, you aren't going to starve."
"Shut up," She said while glaring at the outfit of her friend, looking like a chipmunk. "You are late, Hagakure. You got any info on that twink and fox slut?"
"Midoriya suffered a massive back injury and his flames recovered most of it. He can walk but he's wheelchair-bound and can use a cane to support his walking short distances." Toru said, looking around to ensure her class is not near any of them. The last she needs is to be demoted or kicked out for quirkism. "As for the fox, she is still retarded speaking in third person and everyone just coos at her, stating how cute she is. Bah, she is just a human fox that is living everyone's furry dreams and fucking the class heartthrob."
"We need to find a way to get Bakugou away from her, he is obviously in her control and can't think for himself." Uraraka exclaimed and slammed her drink down before flinching suddenly and moaning in discomfort.
"You ok, Ochako? You look uncomfortable."
"Y-yeah, I'm fine. I told you who I work for now, and he is not happy with my…current training. He gave me a few sizes bigger and they pump for thirty minutes every hour. Stupid Midoriya causing me to lose my job and forcing me as a prostitute, I will ruin him, him and Eevee. At least it gives me satisfaction that faggot is handicapped."
Toru hummed but did not press further. Uraraka did tell her that she became an escort but asked not to tell anyone as this Yagi threatened to kill her and her entire family if she tried to expose him and his prostitution ring. "Oh, that's right, Midoriya and the Blind Dumbass are dating, and Bird Brain is dating the Quirkless Dragonbitch."
"Bah, I don't care about those freaks unless they breed, we don't need mutants and quirkless brats to repopulate the area." Uchako spat then glared at a family with reptilian features. "Freaks, so unnatural, it is like evolution reversed them back into the dinosaur age. Twinks and Lesbians are even more disgusting, fucking each other with dicks up their asses and scissoring with no possibility to bear any hellspawns, sure that is fine but ewwwww, marriage should be between a man and a woman. How the hell are same sex couples a thing?"
"Somewhere along the line the chromosome faded or mutated I guess." Toru said, letting her friend rant. "I can see what else I can find, but I need to lay low until All Might's trial ends. I don't want to start trouble now that there is tension."
"That is what I heard, that all Support and Hero courses are postponed until further notice. You guys are lucky to have a month off, now that I am fucking demoted to General Ed life is just fucking boring. Not to mention I am still being reminded of my 'treachery'. Yagi said there was a way for me to get back into the hero course, but he has yet to tell me. I may have to ask him if I can join the Sports Festival when he gets back."
Toru hummed. "Well, you can still ask him, the Sports Festival is in June so you have a month to train. I thought Principle Nezu banned you from all Hero courses, why do you want to be in the Sports Festival?"
"Because I want revenge!" Uraraka hissed, dripping malice with every word. "I want them to suffer after months of humiliation. Especially that fox bitch, she thinks she is so cute, having no filter and hogging Bakugou all to herself. She doesn't care that he is uncomfortable being with her, you can see it in his face that he wants out of their 'relationship'. Then that twink's disgusting pet rodent, that thing hopping around freely in UA, it should be put down."
"I don't know, Ochako. Honey is very cute and fluffy." Her friend said before cringing at her friend's glare.
"She kicked me in the fucking face! That rat needs to die, including the principal!" She screamed before looking at her phone. "I better go, you should too so there aren't any suspicions."
"Right, see you in a month, Ochako." Toru said, before running back to the front of the mall, looking at clothes and shoes before going to a bookstore, her mind thinking about something that could be beneficial to her friend.
"Haaaaaa! Eevee feels so fluffy and refreshed. Eevee won't have to take a dust bath for a while!" Eevee said, her fur soft and silky-looking with her fur collar trimmed a little and softened with coconut oil. As a finishing touch, her right ear had a large red bow with yellow trimming, matching the red and yellow sundress and skirt she had brought for after the grooming.
"Did you really have to go with the Cinnamon Apple Pie?" Katsuki grumbled a light dusting of pink along his cheeks as the scent stimulated his senses. He loved that scent, whenever he is around bakeries with fresh Pies and they happen to make them, it just intoxicates him to the point that as a kid he would beg his parents to at least get a slice to satisfy his cravings It was like she meant what she said on ravage.
"Awww, but Eevee hadn't felt this fresh in a long time. Eevee do bathe normally like a fox but with so much fur even Eevee needs help deshedding." She replied, rubbing her collar and smelling the slight coconut scent that Fran, the red fox female that was helping to groom her, massaged into deep condition and shine. "Us Anthropomorphic Quirk users tend to avoid specialized grooming because of how expensive it is. Kind of not fair when the person has to have both a Cosmetology License and Pet Grooming License to do so and the pay doubles. Eevee is glad Victoria suggested this place, they were fantastic in 1/3rd the price."
"Tio Hachi knows that those with fur and scales need more delicate care than a normal human. Hence he makes it his responsibility for his employees to have at least one license, and grooming only for Anthropomorphic needs. Everything else is just basics." Victoria replied, relishing the tingly sensation the peppermint oil had on her legs and body. She loved the sensation after the loose trichobothria was brushed off of her she could walk much more easily without her nerves firing. "He makes sure everyone is treated equally."
Eevee nodded and looked around for the next rendezvous. "Tsu-kin and Ei-kin should be here soon. Eevee wants Ei-kin to have a calming nest to ease his frenzy. Kai-kin looked worried about her brother and when he mentioned it, come to think of it, does Kai-kin need a nest too? Eevee thinks they both need some self love."
"You know more about nesting than most of us, besides Bird Brain you will know what we need and what we don't. Besides, you have amazing skill as a nest designer, Fennec." Katsuki said, then looked at Izuku's nails as they shone from one of the sun's rays. "That is a nice color on you, does it change color? I see some red."
Izuku giggled and raised one of his hands, showing a base green with hints of red near the cuticle. "Yes, it is a triple-thermal changer. It is made of powdered green dragon scales with thermal pigments of red when my fingers are 35C or higher, but will turn pale green starting at 31.6C. Hachi remembered me saying that below a certain temp can cause complications so he had suggested this. It is an awesome color, plus it matches my two-tone hair."
"Gorgeous and useful, I like him." Katsuki smirked, eyeing the gloss and color matching perfectly with his skin tone. "We should get you some outfits as well, Aunt Retsuko's Fashion is across the mall, she has a variety."
Izuku shook his head and looked distressed. "K-kacchan, no. They are expensive, I can't let you buy them for me. Besides, I don't think Aunt Retsuko likes me much…"
"There they are!" Eevee said suddenly, waving to Tsu, the Kirishima Twins, and Tetsutetsu. They waved back and waited for the Fennec to rush over. "Eevee will be back in an hour or two, Eevee needs to make sure they get perfect nests."
"See you later, Eevee!" Izuku said, waving goodbye followed by the others still around. "So…what are we going to do now?"
Victoria tapped a hand on Shouto's shoulder. "I will need to look for certain thermal regulators to help control his flame better. The outfit is perfect, but he is still causing damage to himself when the flames go out of control."
"I do train my flames with Eevee but recently I have been getting temperamental, which is needed for my flame. However, I cannot control it effectively in bouts of rage or more recently…fear. I discovered that during USJ and it was disturbing, to say the least." Shouto sighed, picking his fingers a bit in thought. He flinched when Victoria smacked his hands. "Don't touch them, you just got your nails done."
"It's a habit I develop when I am uncertain. I am also concerned how my siblings would think of me doing my nails. I don't care what the old man thinks, but I still want validation with Fuyumi and Natsuo. Though, Fuyumi has been harsher on me lately…not sure why."
That got Izuku's and Katsuki's attention. "Everything all right, Todoroki-kun? You aren't living in a hostile or toxic environment are you?"
Shouto shook his head. "Just disappointment jabs here and there, but none physical or emotional. Neither of them can harm me due to the court order my mother had requested. I can still live under their roof as long as no physical or emotional trauma affects me."
"Why didn't she ask for a possible guardian or Pro Hero to take you in?"
"I was planning to move in with Eevee, but then you had to be immediately removed from your situation. My mother and I agreed you were first priority. So Ophelia, mother, and Endeavor made a compromise for me to stay under their roof."
Izuku suddenly had a pit of guilt in his stomach, and he began to tear up. Shouto walked forward and hugged him. "Don't, you were important, you needed to be saved from that monster, do not apologize for my decision."
"Still doesn't mean I don't feel guilty." Izuku said and hugged Shouto back. "But I appreciate you giving your spot to me."
"Yeah, IcyHot, you did more than both of us can know. Things may have run differently if it wasn't." Bakugou said, giving a soft smile and showing gratitude before waving his hands at him and Victoria. "Now SCRAM! You need to get that uniform perfect and your quirk stabilized. Don't make me yell at you if you burn your arm again!"
The two of them chuckled and went their way leaving Katsuki and Izuku alone in the middle of the open court. Katsuki clicked his tongue trying to figure out what to do next before Izuku's stomach left a huge growl. "I guess it is past lunchtime," He looked around and saw the food court on the second floor. "I will be bringing two trays for you, me and Eevee. You think you can handle being alone a bit in the courtyard?"
"You're actually leaving me alone?" Izuku teased, causing his brother to blush in frustration. "Yeah, I will be under the tree, staying in your line of sight."
"Gotcha, see you in a few minutes." He said and weaved around the people before going up two steps at a time to the second floor, briefly losing sight of each other for a few minutes until the tuft of spiky blonde was seen in the food court windows.
Izuku was resting underneath the tree once he got there, Honey purring on his lap and both taking a deep breath of the fresh floral scent the willow was providing and easing his mind. It was refreshing, getting some time to himself without Katsuki, Eevee, Big Sis Momo, and the rest of his friends hovering over him and willing to help him with every little thing. He had asked them to give him independence and he would ask if he did need anything.
They had already done so much for him already, other than yelling at Mina once again to be mindful of her hugs, this time it jarred his spine even with the brace causing him to lay on one of Aries' Cumulus Cloud Bean Bag to ease it. Aries, the psychologist that took care of Eevee during her forced Awakening, her wool has a type of calming and relaxing quality whether by having someone hug her or shearing the wool and she makes items with the said wool for other people. She is famous for wool swaddles which they would immediately soothe the babes once born.
He also found out once 1-A reunited that Mineta Minoru stepped down from the Hero Course altogether, stating that fighting so many villains at once was too much and he felt like a failure when everyone else in the class fought and pushed the bastards back. Mineta, even if the verdanette felt bad for him, agreed that he was never ready for the course.
"...You seem to be recovering nicely." Someone said, suddenly putting Izuku on guard as he heard that familiar voice right next to him. Honey felt her master tense and began to send warning bubbles. "You don't have to worry about me, I know you are wary, but I am not the enemy. Our enemy is the same person who needs to die."
"How do you know I have the same enemy?" Izuku said calmly, looking around the area and petting Honey to calm her down to avoid any suspicion. "What makes you think I would believe you when you attacked us at USJ, harming our teachers and students."
The man sighed, he deserved that one. "We were told not to harm the students and only lightly injure the teachers. Have you noticed the crooks we brought were only D and C-Class villains? However," He said, sounding remorseful. "We had no choice but to injure your Sensei to bring All Might to us, after all, we knew his secrets."
That got Izuku's attention. "What kind of secrets?"
"The Crimson Goats is one of them," Shigaraki replied and he heard Izuku gasp and began to breathe deeply. "We took in some survivors of that illegal ring, and we are gathering information to bring him down. The principal should get the final details the same week your class testify."
He sighed again and looked up. "If things were different I would love to take in the sunlight, but due to him calling me and his victims Villains, we are forced underground. Only one is able to but that is also because she is protected by Nezu and the Takoyaki Gang."
Izuku listened to his story, removing his hand from his phone when he determined that the sky-blue-haired guy was not an enemy. Even Honey lowered her guard, especially when she smelled a familiar scent on him. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because your battle isn't over, not until he is either in Tartarus or dead. I am here with a warning, he will-"
Shigaraki stopped as he heard crackling from behind him, followed by something sharp poking close to his jugular. "I am sure you weren't planning to attack him in a crowd, but I would highly appreciate it if you end your talk. If you don't soon, the next person seeing you will not be so kind." Denki growled, releasing more to emphasize his point. One of his Aunts was a few yards away calling the police when he notified them of the situation.
"Last we need is his brother destroying the mall and trying to kill you. Though I am sure that will give him great satisfaction." Dokusei replied and barely pressed the quill in to give his point, but it felt like he just got pierced. "I wouldn't mind too much though after the shit you caused."
Shigaraki put his hands up in surrender. "My, my, I would definitely want to encounter the powerhouse. He is protective over his brother after all." He got up and began to walk away before looking back at the electric blonde. "You keep him and his family close, now that one of Ass Might's secrets are revealed, he would stop at nothing to destroy the green bean, friends and family."
Izuku paled at that information, his mind suddenly sending images of Katsuki, his parents, and his friends being crushed by the hands of that monster. The Phantom Might then chuckled at him evilly, pointing at him and berating him for his betrayal.
They will die because of me.
"You aren't alone, Izuku. Don't let this information cause you to withdraw. After all, you have friends to support you. Even those in the shadows are your allies. If you need us, you will know where to find us." After that, Shigaraki slinked into the crowd, effectively disappearing within a blink of an eye. However, one fiery blonde caught a glimpse of him a second before he ran toward his brother.
"Izuku! Are you hurt? Why was that handsy bastard here?"
"I'm fine, Kacchan. He just wanted to talk." Izuku said, waving a hand to calm his brother down. He didn't like the look he was showing. "The guy wasn't showing any hostility from what I sensed and I already had my phone on standby if anything went south."
"You should have pressed the button the moment he showed up!" Katsuki yelled, now drawing more of a crowd. "He could have killed you-"
Izuku growled and his eyes burned red. "Could have killed me, would've, should've! Do you know how many times I hear you say that shit!? I AM GETTING SICK AND TIRED OF YOU WORRYING THAT I MIGHT DIE TOMORROW?"
"B-bakubro, he wasn't hurt. We got him to leave Izuku alone and issued a warning shot." Denki said, raising his hands to get the blonde's attention. "Nothing hap-"
"Don't get me started on you, Dunce Face! Why didn't you or Quills send a signal to us? You could have also incapacitated him!"
"H-he wasn't showing any aggression and his magnetic field showed no d-deception or ill will. He e-even left w-when we sent a warning shot."
"He was also wanted, dipshit! You could have–"
"KACCHAN, DON'T TALK TO RAI LIKE THAT! THEY WERE THERE AS MY BACKUP! WE ARE ONLY PRO-HEROES-IN-TRAINING! WE CAN'T DO SHIT WITHOUT BEING ARRESTED FOR VIGILANTISM! YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT!"
"DOESN'T STOP THE FACT THEY COULD HAVE MESSAGED AIZAWA OR HAWKS! WHY ARE YOU BEING DIFFICULT!"
"Me being difficult? You are the one becoming irrational ever since I became paralyzed! What caused you to snap, huh? What caused you to keep an eye on me like a guard dog? I ain't that useless, Kacchan!"
"Being useless has nothing to do with it, Izuku! Ever since you started the Hero course Fuck Might not only critically injured you once, but twice, and this time your career is being questioned!"
"What are you saying?" Izuku said quietly, not liking what could be said next. "Are you saying that being in the course puts a target on me?"
"At this point yes! You should have chosen something else, obviously being a hero puts a target on your ass and you need to heal or survive. You should have abandoned it!"
Izuku blanched and his eyes shrunk at the words Katsuki had said, and the area around them seemed to have slowed down as he tried to process the information. He wanted me to abandon being a hero? Why would he say that!?
The blonde's scowl immediately disappeared when he saw the hurt-no…betrayed look his brother had given him and instantly regretted what he just said. "No…I didn't mean…Izu-"
"You never believed that I should be a hero…do you?"
Katsuki flinched like he had been hit by a crowbar, his chest tightening as the accusation hurt like a motherfucker. He had triggered something deep inside Izuku, and something tells him it will not be pretty.
"You think it is easy for me to get back on my feet? Trying to catch up to the rest of y'all with study and training, while you all get much farther in becoming Heroes!? I am already behind due to my injuries and limitations and mental blocks, do you even understand how hard it is to fucking move forward!? I am still haunted by my past and I don't need salt on my wounds, Kacchan!"
Katsuki cringed and refused to look at Izuku, nearly dodging the verdanette's store items being thrown at him while the civilians and his friends were staring at the altercation, not sure how to relieve the tension. Eevee was standing to the side once she came back from the store, shaking and crying as she stared at them arguing, knowing full well that it was a long time coming. Shouto arrived once he heard them both yelling through the mall and sensed her distress. He brought her close to him, tilting her head to his chest as he used his ice to soothe her nerves.
"All this time, when we were in middle school, you told me repeatedly to stop becoming a hero. It was because I was Quirkless at the time so I thought you were saying it to protect me, but now I have a Quirk your dumb ass seems to think I am still a useless Deku. IS THAT REALLY WHAT YOU THINK!?"
Katsuki's stomach lurched creating a queasy feeling as Izuku accused him of calling him useless. "N-no, Izuku, I didn't mean to upset you. I just…you have been hurt twice now in two months-I can't see you like this again."
"Were you pretending to support me? Trying to get on my good side after all the shit I have been through and you were part of the problem? I forgave you for all that a long time ago, how in the living hell can I move on now that I know you were playing Kiss Up!?" Izuku continued to glare at his brother with crimson eyes, rage building like no other and his wings burning crimson, heating the mall to the point Eevee and Shouto were trying to prevent anything from igniting. Katsuki was sure his brother wasn't finished with him until something worse happened, Izuku blanked out and a fucking mask was set in place.
Fuck, he just dissociated. Katsuki thought, trying to figure out how to get his brother out of it but Izuku just looked away and whispered. "Stay the hell away from me...Katsuki…"
Before anyone was able to stop him he Fire Warped out of the court, leaving his items and chair behind while everyone looked at the blonde, who screamed apologies to the skies as his mind replayed the shit show he had caused.
