The ordeals of the sports festival are over but the group returning from there is larger than before.

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Comments:

SonicMax: Thank you. I'm trying to maintain canon aspects even if darker and more serious version.

Animeenjoyer47: I am currently publishing chapters every third Saturday. Used to be every second, but with other writing, work and other things that turned out to be a little too much. This chapter comes out on 25th of March and the next on is 15th of April, usually evening East European time, but excat time depends on my day. By the way. How many MHA fics have you read. Is there an issue with their plots not working for you or are you just starting to read some.

S1XXT035: If you didn't expect it but it worked/works that means I succeeded.

Julian: No, and I get the feeling you might be minority with that view also.

AnimeFan13579: The idea of fixing or tearing down heroes and the current society through exposing their dirty laundry to the public rather than going around killing and tearing down everything is likely going to be the big line between Izuku and Tomura and something he might have to but heads abotu with Stain as well.

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Proofread by 3DPhantom

Chapter 50: Comfort and Safety

The car stopped in front of Izuku's house and he opened the door before the driver could get out and do it for him. Unlike usually he wasn't sitting in the middle as he had given that to and pushed Todoroki into that seat with Eijiro on the other side. Their two-faced classmate had not said a word during the entire drive ever since he had calmed down enough to be quiet in the first place. Izuku stood aside to make way for Todoroki to step out.

"Come on," Eijiro encouraged him, "You got to see Midobro's place. It's amazing."

"Midobro," Hitoshi muttered clearly plotting against Izuku, but withheld any more comments as he turned on his spot on the front seat smiling at Todoroki. "He's not wrong."

Todoroki slid from the middle seat and stepped out making the back seats a little less cramped for Eijiro and Tokoyami all of whom had somehow crammed in the car that technically didn't fit that many. On top of that Dark Shadow seemed to have a little dog in him as he liked to hang out of the car window. As everyone got out, they gathered at the edge of Izuku's driveway. Todoroki wasn't interested in anything staring mostly in the empty air. Dark Shadow on the other hand was staring at the house his equivalent of a mouth hanging open.

"Fumi," he said, "I don't think we can get him a house as a thank you."

Tokoyami sighed.

"Just wait till you see it from the inside," Eijiro said. "The baths are especially great after a good spar outside."

"And no fake heroes welcome," Izuku added talking to Todoroki, "especially number twos."

He put his hand on Todoroki's shoulder and they walked towards the door. Fumikage and Dark Shadow kept looking around.

"Most impressive, I can see why you choose to train here. There is plenty of space though I believe I can see where Ida has changed directions while running," he looked at some foot wide patches of upturned grass, then paused and pointed at a large boulder shattered from the top and split in two. "What happened there?"

"Oh that, eh," Eijiro said.

"Izuku just tested how that rock," Hitoshi pointed at the shattered boulder and then at Eijiro, "would do against this rock. It was a one-sided fight."

"So, you use rocks as punching bags for training?"

"No," Eijiro said, "though now that you mention it."

"Not on my yard," Izuku shouted over his shoulder. "Also, I already ordered a steel cube for that. Just be patient until it gets delivered."

"You did?" Eijiro asked surprised and smirked. "Cool. I can't wait."

"Though after today I'm not sure how long even that will last," Izuku muttered.

"My fists are hurting just from imagining it," Hitoshi said.

"Wanna try with my quirk?" Eijiro asked without hesitation. That even got Todoroki to react and glance back at them. Hitoshi shook his head but not in a refusal.

"You are something else."

"Eh?"

Hitoshi sighed.

"Yes, yes I would like to try that."

"Great, we just need to ask Midobro to transfer my quirk."

"The answer is yes," Izuku said as he unlocked the door, "but not today or Recovery Girl is going to come after me. Even the principal and mister Aizawa seem to fear getting on her bad side and I don't want to find out why."

Inside Izuku escorted Todoroki straight to the large sofa in the living room to sit down in peace. The whole group fit easily with plenty of space left over, but Izuku and Eijiro did not leave any around Todoroki.

"Are you," Izuku started trying to figure out what should be said in such a situation, "feeling any better?"

"A bit," Todoroki said quietly, "but I don't… you shouldn't have gotten involved. It's my problem. Now he is going to hurt you too."

"He might try," Izuku said. His voice was colder than Todoroki's ice. "You need to stop acting like you need to do everything alone. The whole point of heroes is, is supposed to be, to meddle in other people's problems even when there is risk, real heroes can do that even without thinking. One actual hero described it as his body moving before he could think."

Eijiro's head perked up, but he didn't say anything. Hitoshi noticed though and smiled. Izuku turned to face forward instead of them.

"I'm honestly not sure what to do or say next, but Endeavour isn't going to get you here or know anything you do or say, so just do what feels right to you."

Todoroki drew a shaky breath still near the edge of losing control. He leaned forward and brought his hand to cover the burnt half of his face. It was like his usual calm, cold and collected mask didn't exist anymore.

"I… I've never had that, especially since mom…" he fell quiet. "Can we, talk about… do something else, anything else? I… think I need time."

"Of course," Izuku paused, "I think I did promise you a victory party, but… I'm not sure if that is…"

"It is."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't want you to just sit quietly all evening because of me and… it might be nice."

"If you feel that way, then party is what you'll get."

"Oh yeah!" Eijiro shouted suddenly startling Todoroki. We are going to have such a party you forget Endeavour exists."

With those words a miracle happened. It might not have been a quirk technically, but Eijiro certainly had the power to make people smile and Todoroki's lips most definitely just twitched upwards at least a little bit. Then Eijiro went to get some music on while Izuku ordered food. His phone rang soon after finishing the order. Izuku checked the caller information and gulped.

"Hey dad," he responded to the call and moved further away from the others.

"Quite the show you put on Izuku a bit more than I expected even knowing you planned to act against Endeavour."

"I know. Things kind of just happened, but I Endeavour was even worse than I thought. I couldn't just…" he paused.

"I know, and it was wonderful. I wish I could have seen his face before you Brainwashed him."

"So you are not angry?"

"I am concerned whether you have plan or are merely acting impulsively, but in terms of the end results so far why would I be angry. Despite everything he has done, Endeavour is still one of the key pillars for the current hero system. If you take him down on the side just because you like his son I am not going to complain."

"I am glad to hear that."

"Though I am not yet convinced on your apparent plan to kidnap and adopt said son."

"Dad," Izuku whined. It didn't help he could hear Tomura sniggering in the background. People around Izuku looked mostly surprised.

"Izuku," dad said making him quiet down, "how many hero students are currently hanging out at my house."

"Uh four, besides me, and Tenya isn't here."

"I don't remember telling you to start a side branch for UA."

"Dad, I…"

"You don't need to explain, I know what is going on, but don't forget your goals, our goals."

"I won't."

"And try to think before you kidnap and adopt people. I already have you and Tomura to look after and need Kurogiri just to handle the two of you."

"Dad!"

The bastard laughed while on the call.

"Very well. I'll let you pass on today's training since you won and need to keep an eye on your strays. At least try to see if any of them can see reason with how the world is now."

Izuku sighed as he closed the phone. He wasn't the only one on the phone at that point as Hitoshi was typing something. Todoroki looked at Izuku thoughtful with a hint of worry. Izuku smiled back reassuringly. Eventually they ended just back on the sofa but eating pizza this time. Eijiro even got Todoroki to talk, even if he was still sitting stiffly as he discussed their fight.

"You know, your fire stung," Eijiro said, "but I might have been able to take it long enough to get to you. I never stood a chance with your ice. Seems better to capture villains too. Not like you want to burn them alive."

"That's true," Izuku said. "You should still use both of them. Just because half of your parents are bad it doesn't mean half of you is. You need to consider what is best for you."

Todoroki looked down thoughtful, hopefully.

"So, I should just ignore them?"

"Endevour yes, your mother…" Izuku paused. "I guess that isn't too clear cut. I might not be the best person to talk about this."

"It's okay, I haven't even seen her in… years.

Izuku glanced at him but held back from saying anything more that could turn the discussion in a wrong direction.

"That's terrible," Eijiro commented. "I mean she…"

He gestured at Todoroki's face.

"but wasn't that because of, you know…?"

"That, was because of Endeavour. He…" Todoroki choked and shook a little. Without a word Izuku brought his arm over Todoroki's shoulders. Eijiro did the same trapping Todoroki between rock and a hard place, but in a good way. At least the shaking ended.

"But your mother is still around right," Eijiro continued, "so you could visit her? Might be good for the both of you."

Todoroki took a moment to answer seemingly focusing on controlling his breathing before he could do so.

"No," he said. "I've managed fine without her. I don't think…"

"Clearly not," Izuku said squeezing Todoroki's opposite shoulder, "if you really believe you have managed fine or anything of the sort."

"Maybe, but I don't need her. I don't know what, how I would…"

"Either she is going to hurt you like Endeavour and you need to keep your distance or you should see her while you have the chance… That chance won't last forever."

Izuku paused for a longer moment.

"You may be able to live without her, but that doesn't mean you'd want to."

Hitoshi who had been sitting in the opposite end of the sofa got up and walked around it slice of pizza still in hand to settle on the narrow space left on Izuku's other side. Others including Todoroki followed the movement in silence. Izuku eased his hold on Todoroki's shoulder.

"What happened with your mother was because of Endeavour. If you abandon her that will just be another win for him and wrong to her. Don't do anything that you would regret for the rest of your life."

"What…" Todoroki started but stopped seeming to watch past Izuku. Izuku glanced around at Hitoshi, but he was just looking at them with as neutral face as appropriate for the situation. The whole group sat in silence for a long time, except for the music still playing in the background.

"Maybe we should watch a movie or something," Izuku muttered.

"Sounds good," Todoroki responded. No one else argued against the idea and Eijiro turned down the music, but Izuku never even got the remote before the doorbell rang. Izuku's head perked up, who could it be…

He bounced up and with a single push flipped full 360 degrees over the sofa's backrest without even grazing anyone in the narrow gap they had left for him. By the time anyone else had gotten up he was already on his way to the front door. He opened it to encounter just what he expected and feared.

Tenya was standing outside, which was good, but the look in his eyes was tired and empty like Izuku didn't remember ever seeing. He stepped aside to let Tenya in, and he did wordlessly. As they got into the living room space suddenly appeared on the sofa so Tenya could sit next to Hitoshi followed by Izuku, Todoroki, Eijiro and Tokoyami. Izuku struggled to resist the urge to bury Tenya in questions accepting that for now, the only thing he could do for Tenya, for both of the people next to him, was to be there and wait. Tenya squeezing his hands was the first warning that the wait was coming to an end.

"Have you read about the hero killer?" he asked with a shaky voice. Izuku's guts felt like Tomura had touched them.

"Stain?" Hitoshi asked quietly like he was afraid once again that his voice could cause harm. Izuku gasped.

"Ingenium," he blurted out only regretting it once the last letter came out of his mouth. Tenya's head dropping showed he was correct, at least partially.

"He's not dead," Tenya said. A weight dropped from Izuku's shoulder. "He said Stain spared his life to spread the word of what he is doing, but… He still injured Tensei, badly. The doctors, they aren't confident if he can ever walk again, or run, or be a hero. They've already asked help from some quirk healers, even Recovery Girl, but they don't think it is going to be enough."

Tenya's head dropped onto his hands and he wailed for the first time. Izuku closed his eyes. He couldn't exactly act high and mighty towards someone for attacking a pro hero, though Ingenium seemed to be one of the better ones. Not that any of that mattered. Izuku was self-conscious enough to understand he really only cared because Ingenium was Tenya's brother. That didn't ease the pain of having Tenya grief next to him. It took a moment before he could talk more.

"Tensei never wanted anything but help people, help them quickly before they had to suffer, and that monster just chose to cripple him for no reason… something about fake heroes."

As he spoke Izuku's gaze travelled down to see Tenya squeezed his hands into fists. No one else noticed being focused on his face. Tenya spoke relatively calmly for the situation, but there was a dark tone in the background of his voice that made Izuku concerned. It simply ran contrary to everything the by the book good guy Tenya represented in his eyes. It was like if Hitoshi couldn't think of anything to say because of some bad reason.

Then again Hitoshi wasn't saying anything and gave Izuku a sad look past Tenya that told he didn't know what to say. Things had been going so well, or at least in the right direction, but now Izuku would not have been surprised if the world decided to end.

"That's so messed up," Eijiro muttered. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No," Tenya said, perhaps a little hesitantly. "I would not have come here if I didn't want… interruptions. Sorry, I shouldn't involve you with my family issues."

Izuku and Hitoshi stared at each other, glanced at Todoroki and then at each other again. Hitoshi was the first one to speak.

"You are talking next to someone who basically declared war on the number two hero in the country to get involved in a classmate's family issues. Not that you stayed out either."

"You must have gotten hit in the head during the festival if you think you could deal with this alone, whether you want it or not," Izuku added in a low tone. Part of him was disappointed in that Tenya would even worry about that, but mostly he was thinking about what to do about Stain. Considering the attention he was getting Tomura might want to go after him anyway and Izuku might have to tag along.

"Yeah," Eijiro added his carefully worded encouragement. Todoroki was mostly looking around confused. Izuku put his hands on Todoroki's and Tenya's backs.

"Neither of you should stay alone tonight. We'll start our weekend sleepover a day early. Well, Todoroki has to stay anyway. Actually," he glanced at Eijiro and Tokoyami, "everyone can stay."

"I am honoured by your invitation," Tokoyami said, "but are you sure it is no trouble?"

"It is more trouble not having anyone around," Izuku responded, "It's a big house to be in alone."

Tokoyami looked at Izuku for a long time, Dark Shadow even popped out to do the same.

"We will stay to walk in the same shadows as you."

If he had only known all of them. Izuku turned back towards his oldest friend in the group, his hand still on Tenya's back.

"If the injury only happened today, there is still uncertainty if his injuries are as bad as they seem. You said the doctors aren't confident, not that they are certain."

"Yes, but…"

"No buts. Sounds like his life isn't in immediate danger so you can check on him tomorrow after a good night's sleep of not thinking about it."

Tenya sighed.

"You're not going to give me a choice, are you?"

Izuku shook his head.

"Did you ever expect one? Don't even try to avoid it. I still have Toshi's quirks."

"I think I'll welcome that when it's time to go to sleep."

"What are you talking about?" Todoroki asked.

"My quirk can make people sleep," Hitoshi said, "that's why Izuku borrowed it the first time. Don't worry about staying up thinking about things. It's not permitted in this house."

Except when Izuku was there alone. He didn't say that out loud and maintained a soft smile.

"I see," Todoroki said. "That sounds good. Your quirk is a good one."

"Good enough to beat you," Izuku said and blinked. "Did I say that out loud?"

"Yes," Todoroki said, "didn't you hear yourself?"

Izuku shook his head.

"It is probably best to get you two something else to focus on. I'll put a movie on."

"Are we finally going to start that sequel trilogy?" Hitoshi asked.

"No, some of us have already endured enough for one day. No need to torture anyone anymore. I was thinking a bit of 1980s comedy. There's this movie about a police academy. It's not quite the same as a hero school, but…"

"Sounds good. Your movie picks tend to be ancient, but I haven't been disappointed yet."

To Izuku's credit the movie worked out to be a decent distraction. Especially Todoroki's appearance changed over the evening, losing most of his stiffness and as tension disappeared from him he slumped against the backrest and partially against Eijiro. Izuku took that as a sign that he was at least feeling secure there. He'd never seen Todoroki relaxed like that or okay with people around him like that. He even handed Kirishima a can of soda with his right hand when Eijiro just reached toward it.

"Oh, that's cold," Eijiro said after taking a sip. "Thanks."

If Tenya just could have relaxed the same way. Not that Izuku could have done that in Tenya's position. He would have been either flooding the room or plotting bloody murder, possibly both at the same time and quite literally at that. Despite that he wished Tenya would be better than him. Surely that wasn't a too high bar to cross.

Eventually the movie ended and they were left in an awkward silence. Normally Izuku would have loved to just sit there with his chosen company, but the tension of the day weighted on all of them, and Todoroki was already dozing off completely drained by the day's events, only stopped from falling on his side by Eijiro's shoulder. Izuku looked around the group much larger than before.

"How about we'll go to sleep early. I think everyone could use the rest and Eijiro might have to carry Todoroki if we wait any longer."

Todoroki glanced up having heard his name, but his look was unfocused. Eijiro smirked.

"That's fine. He doesn't look that heavy."

"I lifted and threw Honenuki with one hand, while using your quirk," Izuku said. "You wouldn't consider any one of us heavy."

"More than one," Hitoshi added and turned towards Izuku. "The bigger question is where you are going to fit us all. The room only has three beds, so at least some have to stay down here and try to fit on the sofa beds."

"Eh," Izuku reacted in a very Eijiro way before bringing his hand up for Hitoshi style back of the neck scratch. "I'd rather have everyone together and… well it's better we go take a look and sort things out."

He got up looking at the three newest visitors.

"Come with us."

Izuku led them all to the sleepover room and pushed the door open in front of Hitoshi who took one look inside.

"I should have known."

Izuku scratched the back of his neck again.

"I didn't expect all this, but I thought about inviting Eijiro to stay overnight this weekend."

Where there had previously been three beds arranged around a low triangular desk there were now four around a square one. The room was just large enough to fit that. The rest of the group peeked inside.

"Welcome to the sleepover room."

"Cool," Eijiro said. "Todoroki can have my spot if you want to keep him with the group."

"No," Izuku said. "I said I want to keep everyone together. If we push stuff closer to each other, we can carry in my bed and one of the sofa beds. I can go get the bed with Eijiro and Toshi if the rest of you bring the sofa. With Dark Shadow's help it shouldn't be too hard.

"I'll toss it up no problem," the quirk popped out to declare. "I'm a really useful quirk."

"Yes, you are," Izuku confirmed, and they got to work. With six strong hero students and couple suitable quirks some rearranging of heavy furniture took no time at all though even in this house five beds and a sofa bed in one room got a little cramped taking up all the space in the middle with just enough for narrow walking paths on both sides.

"See, no problem," Izuku declared.

"Until you decide to bring more strays home," Hitoshi said. It made Izuku chuckle, and he wasn't the only one.

"Well then, I just have to have Eijiro punch the wall. The room on that side is empty."

"Hey, don't forget me," Dark Shadow shouted. "I can make even bigger hole than him."

"I'll keep that in mind. For now this is enough."

"Hey," Eijiro interrupted, "I just remembered, I never prepared to stay overnight. Didn't even bring my toothbrush."

Izuku raised his hand to point at a cabinet in the corner. He'd taken the time to make sure any guests would have all they need from toothbrushes and dry towels to pyjamas in sizes that just happened to roughly fit the people currently present even Tenya had two in his size. A side effect was that everyone ended up looking the same in identical pyjamas green like Izuku's childhood hair. Eijiro threw a couple of punches and kicks at air after changing to pyjama pants. To absolutely no one's surprise he didn't bother with the top half.

"It's not bad, a bit too warm."

"You are supposed to sleep in it, not train in it," Hitoshi pointed out.

"Maybe, but I can't think of better way to try how clothes feel than test if they get in the way during training, and I can't sleep if it's too hot."

"Whatever floats your boat."

"I wish. I usually sink like a rock."

They all went to brush their teeth smiling, even Todoroki. He stopped to stare at himself and rest of the group in the mirror confused. Izuku thought back to the first times he had Tenya and Hitoshi over able to relax with people around without feeling judged or threatened by everyone around. As Izuku put away his toothbrush he leaned closer to Todoroki.

"How are you feeling?"

"I… not sure, good."

"Safe?" Izuku asked. The group around them realized to fall quiet at that point.

"I think… yes."

Todoroki's eyes widened a bit in realization as he said the word.

"Good."

Then it was time to go to bed. Without even saying a word to each other, Izuku and Hitoshi ushered Tenya and Todoroki to the centremost beds. With everyone settled on their spots Izuku sat on the edge of his bed.

"Ready to sleep?"

"Yes," Hitoshi responded enthusiastically. His eyes glazed over as the brainwashing took effect. Soon the only ones awake besides Izuku were Tokoyami and Todoroki.

"So, you okay with this?"

"It seems quite efficient," Tokoyami said looking at the three people already in deep calm sleep despite all that had happened. Izuku turned towards Todoroki who seemed more hesitant and didn't meet his eyes.

"I… I trust you."

That was all that needed to be said though it made Izuku choke up a bit. A moment later he was the only one in the building left awake. Rather than lay down he sat on his bed for a long time letting his eyes wander from one face to the next while only hearing calm breathing from each person, each person who trusted him enough to leave him in this position as a lone guardian over their sleeping forms. Something squeezed his insides, but he drew a deep breath and pushed that away, not tonight. Whatever happened in the future he'd be damned if he failed that trust tonight.

He probably was anyway.