It wasn't as much of a revelation as one would think it would be. Izuku had already been aware of his developing feelings-he was certainly self aware enough to acknowledge the fact that his feelings were changing from infatuation to something deeper-but it was something different to admit it out loud. Huffing, Izuku rubbed his face in exasperation. It wasn't anything new, and he had to get ready to leave for work. He hadn't planned to watch the press conference since they typically didn't have any relevance to him anymore, so he hadn't gotten up early like he would have if he'd been expecting to.
Still, he had things to do today that didn't include sitting around thinking about the fact he was in love or about the fact that UA was specifically changing the Entrance Exam to account for Quirkless people. Nedzu had said to account for less physical Quirks too, and Izuku was certain that was true, but he also knew that Nedzu had been displeased at how thoroughly Izuku's dream to be a Hero had been crushed. He had been right there with Hitoshi trying to encourage Izuku to transfer to the Hero course through the Sports Festival, but that had been one of the few things Izuku had refused his mentor. Eventually Nedzu had agreed to refrain from pushing about it any more, but only if Izuku had promised that once Nedzu managed to change the Entrance Exam that he would come back to teach an analysis course.
Smiling faintly as he picked up his bag by the door, Izuku murmured, "Guess I'll be teaching that course after all." He had never expected to actually end up teaching that course, but he should have known Nedzu would eventually get his way one way or another.
His phone buzzed, and Izuku's brow furrowed as he fumbled in his pocket for it. Pulling it out, he laughed in disbelief.
Nedzu-Sensei: I would appreciate it if you could make your way to my office! I have already informed Hideo and he is fine with you missing work today!
"Of course he is," Izuku murmured, shaking his head in amusement. Only a fool refused Nedzu, and Hideo was a lot of things, but a fool was not one of them.
Izuku: That's fine, when would you like me to come?
Nedzu: If you could make your way there now, Shouta and I will meet you at the UA gates!
Izuku couldn't help the small smile that pulled at his lips as he texted an affirmative back. The funny thing? Izuku had gotten a new phone shortly after graduation, and he hadn't gotten around to putting Nedzu's number back into it. But there it was, programmed in with his name proudly displayed. "If Toshi thinks I can be a little creepy sometimes, I really need to introduce him to you one day Sensei," he muttered to his phone before shoving it into his pocket and shouldering his
bag.
Even if he wasn't going to work immediately, he may still be able to work a partial shift after Nedzu was done with him. It was unlikely, but he would like to avoid anyone saying anything about favoritism at work if possible. Admittedly, Izuku would be the first to admit that he did, in fact, get some favoritism due to the fact he had a reference from Nedzu himself, but he had worked hard to make sure that it was the last thing people thought about when they looked at him. He had tried hard to make sure his work spoke for itself-and he'd mostly succeeded, beyond a few hold outs.
Izuku considered taking the train as he locked his door, but decided after a moment to walk. It was a nice day out, and he could probably use the sunshine. Working at night and sleeping during the day made it so he very rarely got any direct sunlight at this point. Besides that, sitting at a desk all night meant that the only exercise he tended to get was sparring with Hitoshi or going on a run, so walking to UA was some good, more low key exercise as well.
Of course, as with everything good in Izuku's life, Bakugou had to involve himself and ruin it. He wished he could be surprised when Bakugou-in his Hero costume, so obviously on patrol-stepped up to his side and matched his pace, walking beside him. Izuku eyed his face, a hint of vicious satisfaction welling up in him at the bruising and swelling still obvious from when Shouta had punched him in the face.
"Deku," Bakugou greeted roughly. "Heading to work?"
Izuku fought down a grimace. "No, Nedzu-Sensei asked to speak with me."
"I can just fucking imagine why," the blonde sneered. "With the fucking changes he's making to the Entrance Exam."
"I really couldn't say," Izuku said blandly, wishing that he had just taken the damned train. Or that he could bring himself to cause a scene in public, because an ugly sort of fear was clawing its way up his throat as he remembered Bakugou's snarl as he'd grabbed his arm the other night, and the way he'd talked about how he made Izuku cry like he'd enjoyed it. If he tried to make even a small scene at this point he suspected he might break down into hysterics, which was unacceptable.
"Come on Deku," Bakugou scoffed, "We both know you fucking pouted to Nedzu until he got fucking tired of it and changed the traditional Exam just to shut you up."
Arching an eyebrow, Izuku picked up his pace. "I can honestly say that I never said anything to Nedzu about the Entrance Exam before he brought the subject up to me. But, more to the point, if Nedzu didn't believe it was best for UA, he wouldn't have done it, no matter how much pouting I did." He couldn't help the faint sneer he gave on the word 'pouting', because Izuku had never pouted to Nedzu about anything. He couldn't even imagine the reaction Nedzu would have had to him pouting about something.
Nedu had expected him to be mature about things-at least in regards to speaking about things that bothered him. Izuku crawling through the vents and terrifying students and teachers alike for his own amusement had left Nedzu cackling gleefully in his office and pretending ignorance when he was asked about it.
"Yeah?" Bakugou looked contemplative. "You were always a whiny fuck when we were kids, I didn't expect that to change."
Izuku frowned at him, picking up the pace just a little bit more. He was just shy of actually
sprinting at this point, and Bakugou was still keeping up easily. It was expected, he supposed, but incredibly irritating at the same time. "People change, Bakugou. I don't know what to tell you." He saw UA's gates coming up, and saw Shouta leaning against the wall by the gate. He could only assume Nedzu was perched on Shouta's shoulder or huddled in his capture scarf, something he'd seen many times during his time at UA. "Look, I have to go. Just..." Izuku sighed, stopping for a moment. "Bakugou, please. Just leave me alone. You and I, we have an ugly past that I'm not willing to look past. It is what it is, and we both just have to accept it."
He offered a small shrug at Bakugou's furious look and took off at a quick pace towards the gates again, hoping against hope he got it through his head this time. Izuku slowed to a more reasonable pace once he reached speaking distance with Shouta.
"Bakugou again?" Shouta asked, sounding exhausted by the mere thought of the blonde. Izuku could sympathize.
"Yeah," he sighed. "I hope I got through to him this time, but who knows?" He shrugged, before offering a smile to Nedzu when he popped up out of Shouta's capture weapon. "Nedzu-Sensei, how are you?" Izuku asked.
"Quite well," Nedzu chirped back, a smile stretching across his muzzle. "I hear you're having issues with Bakugou-Kun?" He waved his small paws when Izuku tried to answer. "Ah, more a conversation for my office, I believe. Are you ready?"
Izuku huffed a small laugh. "Yes, I'm ready." He and Shouta exchanged fondly exasperated looks, both well used to Nedzu's antics. It was nice to know that someone else really understood about Nedzu. He would talk to Hitoshi about him sometimes during school, but he hadn't really understood the sheer chaos Nedzu could generate when he wanted.
Izuku enjoyed the quiet walk through the campus to Nedzu's office, amused at himself. He felt incredibly nostalgic, even though he hadn't even graduated that long ago. It also helped to settle him some, the fear that had crept up on him slowly dissipating as they walked. They got settled, Nedzu supplying tea and a small plate of cookies as was his norm, and Izuku curled his hands around the delicate tea cup and inhaled the soft scent of the tea.
He had never cared much for tea, but after three years the tea Nedzu provided was a comfort in itself just by the scent. Every single event in school, every high and low, Nedzu had been there providing tea and comfort, or tea and praise. In a very real sense, Nedzu had become a replacement parental figure for a lost teenaged Izuku whose mother was busy and father was gone.
"So," Nedzu began, paws wrapped around his own teacup, "Bakugou is giving you trouble? I was under the impression that he had apologized when you had graduated."
Izuku grimaced. "He apologized. But according to Toshi he only did that because he realized that he was attracted to me. And he's...not really taking 'I'm not interested' as an answer right now," Izuku admitted with a frown.
Nedzu's smile had faded, one paw tapping slowly on his desk as Izuku explained the situation. "Well, that is unfortunate," he murmured. "I had high hopes that Shouta had managed to create a decent man out of him-no," he waved Shouta's protesting noise away, "It was unfair of me to put that on you. I was hoping for a miracle-you've provided me with a few during your time here, after all, but your job is to make them good heroes. And you more than succeeded with that."
Izuku brushed his hand against Shouta's gently, hoping it provided at least a bit of comfort. "Bakugou is a problem, but I'm assuming he's not why you wanted to see me today," Izuku said
drily. He knew all too well the real reason for this meeting, and he was curious if Shouta knew. Based on the muted curiosity in his face, Izuku was guessing no.
"True," Nedzu said mildly. "But I think Bakugou is the more pressing matter, and the one we should begin with." That slightly terrifying smile stretched across his muzzle again. "After all, I have you all day!"
Izuku promptly let go of any hope he'd had of making a partial day at work. Nedzu had obviously been aware that he'd wanted to try to make it into work, and had decided that it was a solid 'no' from him on that. "You do," he agreed with a resigned little smile. "So if you'd like we can talk about Bakugou, although I think I've said pretty much everything relevant about it." He shot a quick glance at Shouta for confirmation, and the other man nodded slightly, agreeing that everything necessary had been covered.
"Oh?" Nedzu's smiled widened. "You don't think the fact that you and Shouta dating came about from this unfortunate business with Bakugou is relevant? Especially since it started out as 'fake dating?'"
Izuku felt more than saw Shouta twitch beside him, so he knew the other man hadn't said anything to Nedzu about it. Neither had Izuku. Yet somehow he wasn't surprised. "I don't consider that relevant, no." Might as well admit it and get it over with. He should have known better than to try and slip something past Nedzu. "We are dating, of course, but ultimately it probably would have happened with or without Bakugou making a nuisance of himself."
"To be fair," Shouta began drily, "It probably would have taken longer for me to ask you out if Hitoshi hadn't put the opportunity right in front of us."
Laughing, Izuku agreed. "True enough. It probably would have taken even longer for me to actually agree to a date too."
Nedzu hummed, something mischievous sparking in his eyes. "I find that curious, considering the crush you've been harboring for...goodness, I believe it has been years at this point!"
Izuku gave him a flat stare. " Thanks , Sensei," he deadpanned, refusing to look at Shouta despite feeling him shift to look at him.
"I have to ask, did literally everybody know about it except me?" Shouta asked, amusement coloring his tone.
Huffing, Izuku gave in and glanced at him. "I mean, you and I didn't really interact before graduation or after, and I extracted a stringent promise from Toshi to not mention it to you at all." He paused. "I'm pretty sure Nedzu-Sensei just enjoyed watching me blush whenever you were mentioned."
Nedzu smiled brightly at the glances thrown at him. "It was quite amusing!" He agreed. "But I also had faith that at some point the two of you would interact, and Shouta has never been shy about reaching out and grabbing onto something that he wants!" The implied, 'and why wouldn't he want you?' made Izuku want to tear up, but he managed to bite the tears back and instead offer a small, appreciative smile.
"That is very true," Shouta agreed. "And I found you very interesting from the moment I saw you interact with Hitoshi."
Nedzu clapped his paws together. "Excellent! I'm so pleased the two of you have found each
other! Now, how do you want to deal with Bakugou? Do you feel like he will see reason?" Nedzu asked seriously.
Izuku grimaced, but Shouta answered first. "I don't, no. He has never taken being told 'no' well, and I don't feel like this is any different. Bakugou hasn't given me any impression that he will actually listen at any point."
"I...actually agree with that," Izuku admitted, smiling wryly at the startled look Nedzu gave him. He had encouraged Nedzu time and time again to give Bakugou chance after chance to improve. But he was just tired now. "He actually came into my apartment the other night, and what he said and did concerned me deeply," he said quietly.
Nedzu narrowed his eyes. "Explain exactly what he did," he requested.
Thankful he'd already hashed the situation out with Abe-San, Izuku explained what had occurred that evening, and then added in what Bakugou had said during the walk to UA today as well. "The way he seemed so pleased about making me cry was just...disturbing," he said finally, mouth twisting in displeasure.
"It is," Shouta agreed quietly, bouncing between pleased that Izuku was offering the details about what had occurred and furious over those same details.
Nedzu hummed, his paws steepled in front of him. "I am concerned about this as well," he said after a moment. "But I believe you are still invested in working with Underground Heroes, correct?" He asked Izuku.
"Yes," Izuku said with a sigh. "And I am aware that means I can't go the Media route and ruin his life that way-at least, I can't be the one to do it." He'd considered it, after the way the police had reacted so dismissively, but he enjoyed what he did. It would be nearly impossible to work with an Underground Agency if his face was plastered over the news for giving an interview about harassment from a Limelight Hero.
A brief, proud smile passed over Nedzu's muzzle before he sobered. "That is correct. So we either deal with it for the moment, or we implement a plan that makes it so he has to leave the area, and thus leave you alone, without doing anything that would put your face on it."
Izuku was suddenly hit with a wave of affection, because that was a generous offer that he knew was because of his previous refusals to hurt Bakugou in any way. "Or," he said quietly, "We implement a plan to completely ruin his life and career.'' It was something he struggled with still, but the surprised pleasure on Nedzu's face when he had offered that as an option made it worth it.
Shouta added his opinion. "I don't think he's going to get better-and I worry about the thought that he may turn his attention to someone who doesn't have the kind of support system you do."
Izuku stopped. He...hadn't considered that. He suddenly felt incredibly selfish, because all he had considered was how it affected him, not what would happen if he did manage to get Bakugou to leave him alone.
"Well," he murmured after a long moment of silence. "That's certainly another problem that I hadn't thought of." Izuku leaned back in the chair and tapped his fingers on his thigh
thoughtfully. "Hm. Let's start with making him so miserable that he can't stand himself, and if he continues on the way he is we can move up to completely ruining his life." Izuku wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't give Bakugou one final chance to prove he could move past his own pride to see he was getting in his own way.
Nedzu clapped his paws together. "Excellent!" He said cheerily. "Izuku, you and I will make plans later regarding that." His eyes darted to Shouta. "And Shouta, be prepared for one of us to ask for your assistance as well!"
Shouta shrugged slightly and nodded. "That's fine, just let me know." He was more than happy to leave the majority of the plotting to the other two. He had been Nedzu's student as well, but he and Nedzu had focused far more on intimidating other people without being outright threatening and thinking out of the box. Izuku had obviously focused more on the plotting and planning and having plots within your plans aspect, which Shouta respected. It had just frustrated the hell out of him when Nedzu had tried to teach him that-Shouta was far more direct.
"Now." Nedzu's smile turned slightly menacing, and Izuku sighed. He knew what was coming, and he suspected that Shouta was about to be thrilled. "I believe you have a promise to keep."
Izuku offered a resigned smile. "Yes Sensei. I made you a promise, and I do plan on keeping it." His smile turned wry. "I have to admit, I didn't expect you to make the changes to the Entrance Exam so soon after graduation."
"No time like the present to get things done!" Nedzu chirped, his feet swinging cheerfully. "Now, Shouta, since I don't believe I've mentioned this to you before, this is what's going on. Izuku promised me that if I managed to change the Entrance Exam, he would begin teaching a few classes on analysis!"
The wide smile that stretched Shouta's face looked slightly unhinged. The fact that Izuku found it a little bit endearing was something he should probably be concerned about. "I look forward to working with you," Shotua said, eyes glittering with mirth.
"And I with you," Izuku said, shaking his head in amusement. "My shifts are all in the evening and through the night, Nedzu-Sensei, so just let me know when the classes will be. I'd prefer closer to the end of the day if possible, that way I don't have to pull a Shouta and nap between classes," he added teasingly.
"Rude, but true," Shouta said drily. "I'm also willing to share my sleeping bag if it comes down to it."
"True love!" Izuku said cheerily, before mentally screaming when he saw Shouta's eyes widen slightly and hurriedly turning back to Nedzu. "Nedzu-Sensei, when are you thinking about the classes starting? I was presuming next school year so I would have some time to make some lesson plans." He tipped his head in consideration. "Actually, am I going to be teaching or am I going to be considered a guest lecturer? I'd like to know if I should look into teaching certification." He flushed when Shouta suddenly leaned over to press a warm kiss to his cheek. "What was that for?" He laughed.
"I appreciate the fact that you want to do it properly," Shouta murmured. It had been a constant source of irritation for him that All Might had never gotten a certification to teach.
Nedzu looked quietly pleased as he smiled at the two of them. "You are correct, you wouldn't be starting until next year. As for your role...hm. I believe for the first year we'll have you do lectures as a guest-perhaps during Foundational Heroics?" Nedzu shot a quick, amused look at a pleased Shouta. He taught Foundational Heroics at the moment, after all, so having Izuku there- even only occasionally-would be excellent.
Izuku smiled. "That sounds good," he agreed. "I'm assuming that if the lectures go well I may be slotted into an elective class?"
"I would suggest leaving the class for the third years," Shouta murmured after a moment of thought. "The first two years they're really trying to get a handle on Heroics. I think the occasional guest lecture to give them a foundation would be ideal during those years, and then if they would like to learn more they could enroll in your class as third years."
"Excellent!" Nedzu clapped in delight. "Ah, having my two favorite students brainstorming together is making me nostalgic," he said with a sigh, settling back in his chair with his tea.
Izuku snorted. "I'm a little more settled now, and I have a bit more time on my hands," he said, eyes bright with mirth. "I can always stop by and have tea with you whenever we have some time."
Nedzu smiled and sipped from his tea primly. "Lovely. And you, Shouta?" "I already have tea with you," he said drily. "Do I really need to have more?"
"Ah, playing dumb doesn't suit you," Nedzu said in amusement. "I believe that we could all have tea together, perhaps one a week?"
"Of course," Izuku said cheerfully, biting back a laugh at the look Shouta shot him.
Sighing, Shouta agreed. "Yes, that's fine." More time to spend with Izuku, even if Nedzu would spend it staring at them looking satisfied, was not something he would say no to.
Izuku laughed and leaned over to bump his shoulder with Shouta's affectionately. "It'll be fun," he encouraged with a smile. "You'll get to see the chaos in the planning stage instead of just laughing at the aftermath."
Shouta smothered a smile. He had been Nedzu's student too, after all. He enjoyed a little chaos.