Standing at the back of the gym, Katsuki wiped the sweat from his face. Kiri hit him on the shoulder and shoved a paper cup full of water in his face. Grunting, he gulped it down as he continued watching Shouto going through the obstacle course. He was fast, faster than any of them, and strong. Katsuki was enjoying the reaction of the testing staff. His sleek body was toned and lean, hiding a strength that was surprising if you hadn't worked alongside him for the last ten years. The whistle blew again, Uraraka started on the course.
"I'm surprised she showed up," Kiri whispered, leaning on his shoulder.
"Why?"
"Well, she looked like shit the other day. I thought she was down for the count."
"Grief does weird things to people." She'd walked into the fitness test with her face set, barely acknowledging anyone. "Maybe she's hit the angry phase."
"The what?"
"According to Todoroki there's all these phases to grief."
"Anger one of 'em?"
"He said I'm stuck there."
"Stuck there? Bakugou, man, I think you were born there!" Eijirou laughed at the scowl on his face. "Seriously though, are any of us not angry? I know I wanna rip someone's head off for what happened."
"Which one of us?" Eijirou went silent. Katsuki glanced at him, "It's okay, I blame myself everyday too."
"I'm sorry, like you said, we all would've stood in his place, but just as much," he clenched his fists. "If I'd been in your place, maybe…" his voice trailed off.
"Yeah, me too Eijirou, I would've gladly traded places with you if he could've been saved. I'd do anything for things to be different."
"Sorry."
"Don't be fucking sorry for wanting your friend alive." Katsuki flexed his muscles against the pain. Todoroki and Uraraka finished the course. The whistle blew again and the sergeant circled his finger over his head asking them to huddle up.
"Okay, you all passed," he nodded to them, "not that I didn't expect that, hit the showers and then we'll go to the gun range."
"Gun range?" Denki's brows shot up.
"Yeah, you've gotta get your license, there's a minimum amount of training that you'll need to complete."
"I can't use my fucking quirk but I can point a gun at someone?" Katsuki quipped sarcastically, glaring at the sergeant.
"Talk to the people in charge if you don't like it. I don't make the fucking rules, so go, don't go," he shrugged. "I just throw your application in the trash and process the next one." He turned and walked out of the gym.
"Fucker," Katsuki grabbed his stuff and headed to the shower room.
"Well, I guess we know now," Shouto picked up his bag.
"Know what?" Momo trailed behind them.
"That they don't give a fuck about us, we're just here to fill some program quota for the government." Walking out of the gym he followed Katsuki into the locker room.
The sound of gunfire echoed in the outer chamber. A fresh-faced police officer escorted them to a counter where he'd laid out six firearms, ear guards and eye protectors. "Congratulations, you all passed the written test." Waving his hand over the weapons he grinned, "now it's time for some shooting." Holding up a clipboard, he glanced at Denki, "Kaminari Denki?" Stepping forward he nodded, collecting the weapon and gear he handed to him. One by one he called them giving them their assigned weapon. "These are your guns, treat them like your babies. Bring them in for cleaning if you need help and remember, you're required to practice the minimum number of hours." Walking to a large double door he pushed open one side, the sound of gun fire grew louder. Slipping on his ear guards, he gestured for them to do the same and follow him.
"Worst target buys beers?" Momo called out as they started pulling the gear over their ears.
"Sounds good to me," Kiri laughed, adjusting the strap over his head. Everyone else nodded in agreement.
"Sounds fine, but I won't be buying them," Ochako slammed her head gear on and stalked into the gun range.
Kiri whistled softly, shaking his head, he hit Todoroki on the shoulder. "That's the anger phase thing you told Bakugou about?"
Glancing at Katsuki trying to put his gear on while smashing the least number of spikes as possible, a smile tugged at his mouth. "Yeah, that's the anger phase and I have a feeling she'll have the best target today."
"Thank you all for coming to this last-minute meeting today," Kezu Kioku folded his hands in his lap waiting as the waiters set down the large trays of fresh fish. Looking around the huge table, his eyes paused briefly on Endeavor, he nodded slightly. "I realize that this meeting was unplanned and I do apologize for the late invite, but I appreciate your commitment to being on our country's ministry advisory committee." Holding out his hand to the display of food, he smiled, "please enjoy lunch."
Enji sat back in the thick leather chair as a server placed a plate in front of him. "We appreciate that you want our opinions, Minister." He was surprised how many had shown up to the meeting today. Most of the people in the room held immense power either politically or privately and taking time from their schedules so quickly was no small feat. "I believe you have your press conference after this meeting?"
"I do Endeavor, I'm excited to be announcing the Pro Hero museum's grand opening, you've all been a tremendous part of this success."
"And the quirk suppression program?" Arisu picked up her chopsticks.
"Is this fugu?" Hawks blurted out, digging into the delicate dish as Arisu gave him a cold look. He winked back, she rolled her eyes and turned back to Kezu.
"Nakama," Kezu bristled. "The new quirk training program," he emphasized the word, "is being designed by none other than Todoroki Enji and my assistant minister, Uchiyama Nana, who couldn't be here today. We believe this will end the imminent threat quirks have had over the general population." Staring hard at her for a long moment, he lifted a piece of sashimi from the tray. "And yes, Takama, it is fugu, my chef specializes in butchering pufferfish," dipping the corner into his sauce, he set it on his plate, "or do you still go by Hawks?"
"Yeah, still going by Hawks, hard to get any other name through this thick skull." He hit his head with his knuckles. The Minister chuckled as he nibbled the delicacy. Pretending to be focused on the fugu, Hawks studied Kezu Kioku as he ate. He knew that they were only invited to these meetings for show, a way of proving to the public that the Pro Heroes were still a part of the system. It was bullshit and everyone in the room knew it but he and the others forced smiles and pretended that they still mattered. Sighing while tapping his chopsticks on his plate, he glanced at Todoroki. They were willing to try anything for a chance at getting back their licenses and agencies. So, they sat like dogs waiting for a scrap from the little man perched at the head of the table. Feeling anger roll through his body, he shook out his shoulders, turning back to Nakama, he placed another piece of fugu on his plate. "How is the police force handling the new Pro Hero openings?"
Arisu thinned her lips, she could tell a jab when it came at her. "As well as can be expected. Integrating regular investigators with former heroes will be challenging but I think I've found a precinct that will be a good fit, along with a person to run the new unit."
"Oh? Who's that?" Hawks lit up. What idiot had they dug up for this job?
"I'm not at liberty to divulge that right now, their transfer is happening as we speak, once it's finished, you'll know." Arisu took a drink of her tea, avoiding looking at him. He definitely came off nonchalant but those piercing gold eyes were anything but uninterested.
"I'm sure our new Commissioner General of the National Police has everything under control, Hawks," Kezu shot him a warning look, Hawks just shrugged and leaned back smiling.
"Why?" Arisu tipped her head at the handsome man sprawled in his chair, she gave him the once over. "Are you interested in the position?"
A slow smile spread on his face, moving closer he closed the gap between them. "Not my kind of job," he drawled huskily. "I don't babysit."
Not wavering, Arisu tilted her head back slightly so she could peer down her long nose at him. "Neither do I," her black eyes glinting challengingly, "which is why I didn't offer you the job, Takama." Suppressing a smile at the look of surprise on his face, she turned back to Todoroki, "what is the quirk training program going to entail?"
Hawks reached in front of her and grabbed another piece of fugu. "Excuse me," he interrupted as he sucked the delicacy off his chopsticks and dropped them on his plate noisily. "Todoroki," he grinned at her annoyed look, "help me remember, didn't they try this once? Quirk suppression or should I say, training." He took a long drink of tea, gold eyes watching Kezu intently.
"Not with much luck though," Tatsuma murmured next to him. She tucked her blonde hair behind her ear. "Todoroki, do you really think it can be done to the extent that the government is asking?" She saw a flicker of hesitation in his red eyes before he looked away.
"Right?" Hawks nudged her, "Dragoon knows."
"My name is Tatsuma," her voice was clipped. She wasn't in the mood for his games today, not with so much at stake. Ignoring him, she turned back to the Minister, pushing away her plate. "I know a lot of resources are being used for this program and there are other, more urgent needs right now."
"Yes, yes, of course Tatsuma," Kezu nodded, "the homeless situation is unbearable. The Prime Minister herself is coming for a visit to discuss a national fund to help those that are ready to get back to work."
"That's good to hear, but I would like to see the details," she tapped her fingers impatiently on the table. "Money has a way of getting moved into other directions at the last minute."
Clasping his hands together, Kezu smiled coolly. "I'm glad you brought this up, this is why we had to call this meeting today so suddenly. In order to move forward we need a majority vote on what I have to present to you today." He motioned to an attendant. "I promise Tatsuma, you will see the beginnings of what we are going to be building to help our less fortunate citizens." The lights dimmed and a beautiful image of buildings popped up on a large screen. "The destroyed ward does need to be rebuilt and we have several companies that have put in bids. Our Minister of Infrastructure, Hatsugu can fill us in on the plans."
"Thank you Kezu," Hatsugu stood and moved to the front of the room. "There are four companies that have put in full bids to rebuild the ward. Since we know that it will take a lot of resources and manpower, we are considering hiring two of the companies and having them work together."
"Interesting," Enji looked at the mock design on the slide. "Who are the two companies you're thinking of hiring?" Another attendant handed out packets to everyone.
"The two that we selected were Obiyashi, clearly one of the largest in the country." The large man at the front flipped to the next screen, "we also wanted to grant a local company a contract as well, we felt that was fitting. Base One is newer on the scene but has grown rapidly to a top construction company in our prefecture."
"And financing for this project will be handled by none other than Todoroki Finances," Kezu opened the packet to the proposal page.
"Endeavor?" Hawks barked out with a loud laugh, "are you serious?"
"Quirk training and financing," Tatsuma mused, opening the packet. "You're a busy man Enji." Fiery red eyes glared at her.
"Now, now, Tatsuma, Enji has been gracious enough to donate his services, he is receiving no payment for his work."
"Very generous," Tatsuma smirked again, looking at the financial plans in the packet, she lifted the detailed plan. "Minister, you had asked me to work with the social director on the encampment, are there plans to include any low-income housing to help these people settle once the ward is completed?"
"This rebuild is going to take at least two years, Tatsuma," Kezu shook his head. "I believe by then we will have the homeless problem under control."
"You will?" She tipped her head, "how?" A dark look flashed in his eyes briefly. A small cough from Hatsugu pulled her gaze back to the slide.
"If you see here, this entire southwest section of the ward is going to be dedicated to low-income family housing."
"Oh," Tatsuma studied her page, "that isn't in my packet."
"It's not?" Handing her paperwork to him, he studied her map darting a quick look at Kezu. "My apologies everyone, this isn't the correct version of the map." Gesturing to the front of the room, he smiled tightly. "Please refer to the one on the screen for now."
"And in answer to your question Tatsuma," Kezu continued. "We are confident that many of those in the encampment can be resettled into the eastern ward."
"The eastern ward?" Hawks glanced up, "isn't that area overpopulated already?"
"It is, Hawks," Tatsuma agreed, "why not the northern ward, or do the rich not like common humans living among them?" The table grew quiet, a red blush bloomed across the Kezu's face.
"As a resident of the northern ward, I am absolutely willing to share my city, but the land value exceeds what we can afford," huffing Kezu punched his finger onto the packet. "We only have enough funds for housing in the eastern ward and still pay for the full rebuild of the southern section."
"Kezu is correct," Todoroki gave Tatsumi a stern look, "between the relief funds from the Prime Minister and the proceeds from the Pro Hero Museum, this is the best we can do for now."
"The museum?" Arisu interrupted. "I know when we first considered the Pro Hero Museum it was meant only to cover the one-year stipend for those heroes that needed assistance. Am I hearing that there's extra money? I think we need to also consider the substantial burden on the police force handling the growing homeless population."
Tatsuma clenched her jaw. "You can use the money to control the homeless or actually help them get out of their situation Nakama." She cocked a brow daringly, "I would assume the head of NPL would be open to a reduction in funds in order to help families."
"I am, Dragoon," Arisu drawled out her hero name. "But running a government agency is a lot different than running a Pro Hero agency," she continued looking down her nose. She hadn't come here for a fight.
"And since you have so much experience, how long have you been Commissioner? Three months now?"
"That's enough," Kezu interrupted, jumping from his chair. "This will get us nowhere." Leaning on his hands, he scowled, "she's right Tatsuma, we do need more police support right now because of the imminent danger to the current homeless and other citizens." Straightening he sat back down, taking a moment to cool his ire. "The good news is that the new museum's soft opening has been such a huge success that we believe it will make triple the money we originally considered possible, clearly able to be used for social welfare programs and expanding Nakama's police force."
"That's amazing," Tatsuma sat back, "I'm glad you have a solid plan, Minister." She ignored the glowering look from Arisu. She knew the arrogant woman was friends with Aizawa and generally supported the heroes but she'd never liked her seemingly unending desire for power.
"Thank you Tatsuma." Kezu motioned to everyone. "Now let's vote on the companies chosen, I move that Base One and Obiyashi are given the contracts to rebuild the ward."
"I second the motion," Todoroki spoke up quickly.
"Any further discussion needed?" Heads shook around the table. "Who supports the motion?" All hands moved into the air. "It appears it is unanimous, wonderful!" Kezu clapped his hands, "I believe we have some administrative work to finish and then we can be dismissed."
Standing slowly Endeavor watched as Dragoon bolted for the door. She nodded at him over her shoulder as she disappeared, several other members following her out the door. A hand clapped him on the back as Hawks stuck his face into his line of sight and grinned at him. Enji gave him a bored look, "what?"
"Nothing, just an odd world we live in now." Grunting, Enji pulled out his phone. Tipping his head, Hawks peeked at the screen, he saw the text from his son. "Is he joining you at your firm?"
"Fuck you, don't look at my private conversations," Enji knocked his arm off his back. Hawks backed up holding his hands in the air defensively. Sighing, Enji shook his head, "he wants to be a detective."
"Hmm, that fits him." Hawk's face grew somber, "how's he doing?"
"How any of us would be doing under the same circumstances," he let out a long breath.
"That bad?"
"Worse."
"At least he's got everyone, he's lucky to have such a tight group of friends."
"The three of them were pretty close, plus the others from UA." Running his hands through his thick red hair, Enji peered over Hawk's shoulder at Kezu. "Do you really think we can change his mind?" Hawks turned to see him talking rapidly with the head of the Shimizu corporation.
"I hope so, at least he loves you," he chuckled and backhanded Endeavor's chest.
"No, he's using me as the former number one hero, he knows he needs popularity on his side to squelch the backlash against disbanding the Pro Heroes."
"You could've said no to him." Enji glared at him for a moment, his chiseled jaw twitched. Hawks shrugged, "I'm not judging, just saying."
"And you? You're here, where's your 'no'? We're in the same fucking boat. I need to be in a position of influence in order to hopefully get back to doing our real jobs."
"Yeah," Hawks frowned. "This singing crap sucks, I want to be a Pro Hero again."
"Me too, sitting at a damn desk all day burns."
Hawks burst out laughing. "That was funny Endeavor, did you mean to make a joke?"
"Fuck you Hawks."
Reaching out, he patted his face lightly, winking, "oh you wish."
Sneering at him Endeavor pulled back quickly, "go flirt with your damn fans, Hawks. Leave me alone."
"Sorry," he smiled, eyes gleaming mischievously. Crossing his arms, he looked back at Kezu. "Any real progress with him?"
"Not much." The Minister looked up from his conversation and pointed at him.
"Endeavor," he called, saying his farewells, Kezu ran over to him. "Do you have a few minutes?" He looked pointedly at Hawks.
"I'm outta here, see you at the next meeting," he waved at both men and headed out of the boardroom.
"First, did you meet with the Base One board committee?"
"I did, my appointment was approved yesterday. I'll be at the next meeting as a full-fledged board member."
"Fantastic!" Kezu squeezed his arm. "Congratulations, this will be an excellent way to stay updated on their progress. I appreciate you stepping up for me on this."
"You're welcome."
"Also, I want an update on the financing numbers. It looks like you were close to getting what we needed, is that true?"
"Yes," Enji rubbed the back of his neck. Another damn favor and a huge one. He'd been using his name to help the government secure private financing for the reconstruction of the ward.
"I know this is hard," Kezu squeezed his arm again. "You know we can't go to the ballot with a public bond, it'll look bad right now with all the economic upheaval."
"I know."
"And the museum has been so much more successful than we expected, it can be the cornerstone of the repayment plan."
"That helps."
"Look, if it's a problem, maybe someone else could do this Todoroki," Kezu licked his lips nervously.
"It's fine, I'll get the perspective over to you tomorrow."
"Thank you and let's catch up on the quirk training program, I saw the prelim from Uchiyama and I loved it, identifying quirks before birth! Such a scientific breakthrough!"
"Where is she?" Arisu moved up from behind them.
"Nakama! You scared me!" Laughing, he grabbed his heart playfully. "She had a meeting she couldn't get out of, so she sent her apologies." Arisu let out an irritated sigh, he looked at her expectantly. "If it's that important, I'll be seeing her tonight at my party-" He spun back to Todoroki, grabbing his elbow. "OH! That reminds me! You must come tonight."
"Sorry Sir," Enji shook his head. "I'm having dinner with someone after this."
"You can bring a date," his dark eyes twinkled. "I know you'd have a wonderful time, I'm going to be displaying some of my most precious Pro Hero memorabilia."
Keeping his face neutral, Enji tried to keep the contempt from his voice. "Not that kind of someone, Sir. I'm having dinner with my son."
"Ah, the younger Todoroki, I was disappointed he didn't take a post at my ministry, bring him too!" Kezu clapped his hands, "maybe I can convince him to come work with me."
Looking back at Nakama, Enji changed the subject. "Arisu, were you looking for Uchiyama?"
"I am," she pulled her bag over her arm, "nothing serious, I was just hoping to talk to her."
"Well, she's in the office, do you want to come to the headquarters with me now?" Kezu signaled to his assistant. "We can talk more about your upcoming budget proposal."
"That would be great Minister."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, Todoroki, I want to see what it will take to set up that program, cost and manpower specifically."
"Minister," Endeavor paused, "what if we also opened UA again? Create a true training program for everyone instead of a selective hero training."
"I'm afraid it would be difficult with the board still in control of the school." Kezu shook his head, "what the government thinks is better for our world now is to identify and control quirks from the beginning."
"Control?" Enji leaned forward, what the hell? "I thought it was training?"
"Yes," Kezu backed up a step, "that's what I mean, control by identifying all quirks," he stared at the former Pro Hero. "Enji, I need you to be on board with this, I feel you're wavering."
"No, I'm not," he snapped, "I just want to make sure you know my opinion."
"Of course," Kezu flashed him a smile. "I'll call you tomorrow." Turning he guided Nakama to the doors.
Walking slowly behind them, he watched the minister head down the long hallway. Hawks was right, somewhere along the line he'd become Kezu's favorite pet Pro Hero and it chafed. The quirkless were always in awe, and in some ways jealous, of those with quirks. Avoiding the group waiting at the elevator, he headed the opposite way to the stairs. He would do whatever he needed to get him to understand that identifying or training quirks wasn't going to eradicate villains using their own powers against innocent people. They had to have Pro Heroes, he needed to keep pushing.
The server placed two pitchers of beer on the table, "need me to pour?" She looked around the table.
"Nah, he's got it," Kiri giggled as he pointed towards Bakugou. The scowl on his face was fierce as he grabbed the first pitcher and began to fill everyone's glasses.
"To the shittiest target of the day," Momo hoisted her beer winking at the group. They clinked glasses laughing.
"If I have a quirk, then I don't need a fucking gun," Katsuki swallowed half his beer in one gulp, slamming the glass down on the table. He muttered something that was drowned out by the song blaring on the speakers.
"What was that Bakugou? Missed what you said with the music," Ochako teased, a satisfied glint sparkled in her eyes. She sipped on her beer, a wide smile on her face. Beating Bakugou at anything was a huge win in her book, considering how many times he'd whipped her ass at UA. She was more than happy to rub it in now. "So how low exactly was your score?" She batted her lashes innocently.
"Get it in while you can," he gruffed, drinking the rest of his beer and pouring another. "That won't fucking happen again." Glaring down at his beer, he felt a kick under the table. He looked up to see a wicked smile on Shouto's face as he turned to talk to Momo. Bakugou huffed again drinking his beer but a coiling tension shot through him, all he wanted to do was kiss that smirk off his face.
"Hey check it out," Momo looked at the TV at the end of the bar. "Isn't that's your hero suit, Bakugou?"
"What?" Swinging his head around, there on the screen was his suit, set up in a glass case on a mannequin that looked eerily like himself. The camera panned back showing a large display of mannequins with different hero suits. "What the fuck?"
"Shit, check it out," Kirishima held up his phone reading a statement from the website. "The Pro Hero Museum is officially opening." Scanning the announcement, he laughed. "Listen to this! An honorarium to the heroes that gave themselves selflessly to protect the world." He snorted, "sounds like we're all dead or something." Scrolling down further his eyebrows shot up. "Shit! They're charging a fortune to get into this place, what a fucking racket."
"Fuck and they make it sound like giving us a stipend is the end of the damn world, how much they gonna make off our stuff?"
"Have they asked you to sign anything yet?" Denki nursed his beer.
"What?" Todoroki stopped mid-drink, "sign what?"
"I got a letter today, asking me to come in and sign some photographs." He shrugged, "it came from the curator of the museum, some lady."
"Fuck them, fucking bastards. The Defense Minster should just lead them all in parade off a fucking cliff."
"There he is," Momo pointed to the television again. Kezu Kioku, the Minister of Defense, stood before reporters, practically dwarfed by the large podium in front of him. They all turned, the music died down enough to listen to his speech for a brief moment.
"It is with heartfelt gratitude that we have created this space to honor the Pro Heroes that have served our country with their lives. To those that still walk among us, we wish them success and happiness as their new future unfolds before them. This world has hope now because of them, hope to start new and better, where we can all be equal under the law. I am personally excited to be bringing forth new legislation to start quirk training at birth," he let the statement hang. "This is of the utmost importance since we know that with the right mental and physical assistance, people can control their quirks and be able to guard themselves against powers such as All for One." Light clapping came from the crowd. "With the proceeds of this new museum we will fund our project, not taking anything from the pockets of our good citizens." The audience clapped harder at those words.
"Quirk training?" Bakugou laughed, shaking his head, "wasn't that the fucking point of UA?"
"I think it's more like quirk suppression," Momo twisted her mouth, "teach them early not to use their quirks."
"Hey check it out, isn't that Lida up there?" Denki half-stood squinting at the TV, "next to that good looking lady." In the group of people huddled around the minister, Lida Tenya stood on the far left.
"Seriously?" Hooking his arm around the back of the chair Kiri turned around and stared hard at the screen. "It sure is him." Lida looked terrified, every now and then his eyes drifted to the camera then snapped back to the Minister, each time he'd adjust his glasses. "I wonder what he's doing there?"
"I think that's one of the different jobs they were offering to us," everyone looked back at Shouto.
"You mean like the detective gig?"
"Yeah, the government offices had some assistant positions too, I got the list of them when I was deciding."
"That makes sense, take away our fucking jobs as heroes," Katsuki glanced back up at the TV, "and turn us into fucking zeros." He grimaced at his own joke, swigging back the rest of his beer. Shifting uncomfortably, the others nodded in agreement.
"I wouldn't work there," Denki sniped, "the place that fucked us all."
"It's probably a decent job," Shouto leaned back, the music started again another generic pop song. "My dad was trying to get me to take it."
"Your dad wanted you in the defense office? Doesn't he hate them?" Kiri groused, "I mean we lost our jobs because of them." He was starting to feel depressed again. Seeing Tenya on the TV with those shitty assholes made him realize everyone was already accepting this crap and it really was his reality now.
Glancing back up at Minister Kezu, Shouto studied the man on the screen. "My dad knows him and wanted me to work with him, after I refused to work with his company."
Momo laughed derisively, "your dad knows everyone."
Shrugging, Shouto drank his beer, "defense and Pro Heroes went hand in hand, not a big surprise there."
"Is that why your dad landed so soft?" Ochako poked. It was no secret that of all the major agencies, Todoroki's had fared the best in the transition.
Katsuki spun back on Uraraka, "shut it-" Shouto slapped his shoulder, cutting off his words, he shook his head. Clamping his mouth shut, he frowned.
"My dad did do well. Politics makes a shitty partner though, we'll see what happens."
"Is that why you split?" Momo was surprised he was sharing so much, usually the guy was silent on all things.
"No, I was getting there before all this, I needed to be out of his shadow." The group fell quiet as the TV flickered to different news, there was a search for a missing mother, her picture now on the screen.
"Still gonna be criminals out there," Katsuki ran his hand through his spiky hair. "Their nuts if they think they're gonna stop using their quirks just because he asked them." He poured himself another glass, "stupid extras think they can change the world with a few words."
"Yeah, that gun isn't gonna do shit if you're facing someone down like All For One," Denki fidgeted in his chair. "I guess we just gotta figure it out when we get there."
"So, uh, when do we get our new assignments?" Kiri could feel the sadness pressing harder, he needed to focus on something else.
"Monday, when we go into the office." Denki frowned, "I hope I don't get a dick for a partner."
"What if you get a woman?" Momo gave him a long look.
"Women can be dicks too," Denki smiled drinking his beer, he winked at her.
Chortling, she winked back. "Yeah, we sure can, can't we?"
"Do you think they'll assign us an experienced detective?" Shouto finished his beer, checking his watch.
Narrowing his eyes at him, Katsuki laughed. "Icy Hot, how long were you a Pro Hero?"
Looking up, Shouto gave him an annoyed glare. "You know that answer."
"Yeah?" Katsuki smirked at him, "what was that? Six years?"
"Sounds about right," he cocked a brow. "Why?"
"That and another four years before that as an intern," he tilted his head, "not to mention all your work at UA."
Smiling, Shouto laughed, "okay, okay, I've got experience but it's not the same."
"Fuck if it isn't, we've been working cases since high school, show me a detective with the same training and expertise as everyone sitting at this damn table."
Holding up his hand, Shouto stopped him. "I hear you, I'm just not sure they think of us that way." Pushing back his stool, he stood. "I gotta go, sorry everyone, speaking of my dad, I'm meeting him for dinner."
"You are?" Katsuki realized they hadn't really talked about plans tonight. He'd been hoping they would get dinner together, he smiled mentally, it was Shouto's turn to pay.
"Yep," he threw some money on the table, "I'll see you at the station bright and early on Monday." Letting his gaze settle a few moments longer on Katsuki, he nodded and worked his way through the bar, disappearing out the door.
"I guess I'll get going too," Kiri drank down the rest of his beer.
"Where are you off to?" Momo tipped her head, he rarely left early from their beer nights anymore. His cheeks turned a soft red, she gasped. "Eijirou! Do you have a date?"
"I do, Momo," he jumped up, tossing some money on the table. "A real date because I actually have time now. Although," he laughed harshly, "I'd rather be so busy that I don't have time."
"Don't fuck them on the first date," Denki teased, Kiri's cheeks turned so red they matched his hair.
"Denki!" Ochako's slapped him on the shoulder, "don't be so vulgar." Gulping her beer she stood as well, "I'm outta here too, stuff to do myself. See you Monday."
There was a soft vibration in his pocket. Katsuki read the text and put his phone away quickly. "Hey I gotta go too," he looked at Momo and Denki, "you cool settling the bill?"
"Yeah, just leave some cash, we're good," Momo waved at him, throwing her arm over Kaminari's shoulders, she squeezed him hard. "Since it's just us, wanna grab some dinner?"
"Sure Momo," Denki beamed at her, turning back to Bakugou, he waved "see you Monday, detective shitty shot." He stopped as piercing red eyes stared menacingly at him. Denki gulped, "uh - oh, um, just popped in my head."
"Dunce Head, do you say everything that pops in your fucking head?"
"Yea -Yeah, pretty much," he stammered.
"Think about that," Katsuki clicked his tongue and dropped some bills on the table. Exiting the bar, he headed out onto the main drag, street lights were starting to glow brighter as the sky turned dark. Pulling out his phone again he copied the address from the text and mapped it out. Walking to the next station he jumped on the train heading towards the southern end of the ward. Emerging there to much darker streets, he noticed there were less lights in this area. Making his way to the shopping district, Katsuki was stunned by the large amounts of homeless milling the sidewalks. Stopping, he handed out the few bills he had left in his pocket to people begging for money. This end of the prefecture had been overrun after the destruction of the ward in the lower district. The place where they'd fought All For One had already been a poor area and now with homes destroyed and businesses collapsed, people had been left without anything. The government had set up temporary shelters but many still had no place to go. Large makeshift shanty towns had sprung up throughout the entire ward. Eventually those towns had linked together and now covered the entire destroyed area.
Crossing the street he followed the map to a dingy section off the main drag, Katsuki slowed as he peered at the addresses. He finally found the store, looking in the window, he stepped back trying to read the faded sign. "What the fuck?" There were several mannequins in the window, most were naked, two had on wedding attire. Pulling the door open he heard a chime go off in the back as he entered the dimly lit interior. Standing just inside the store, the smell hit him first, like oil and rubber with a hint of chemicals in the air. There wasn't much, some shelves of old clothes and shoes. It appeared to be a crappy thrift store, one only the desperate would seek out. Looking again at the address, Katsuki walked to the counter. A bell sat on the counter with a sign next to it, "DO NOT RING." Laughing he slammed his hand on the bell several times, the ringer breaking the silence of the shop.
"COMING!" A voice echoed from behind the antique looking register.
Looking over the counter Katsuki tried to find the source of the noise. "Oi, where the fuck are you?"
"Oh, of course, it's you, gah! My camera was off, sorry, geez, you are so annoying." There was a mechanical noise from behind the wall, a soft hum and whirring. The faded beige paneling began to move, popping out as it slid back on itself, a hand came through guiding it back. Hatsume stepped out of the wall brushing herself off. "Crap, you got here faster than I thought."
Peering at the woman Katsuki almost laughed out loud, she was the epitome of the mad scientist. She had on dark pants and a gray top, covered in a formerly white lab coat that was stained in different colors. Her pink hair pulled back in a pony-tail, frazzled ends sticking out all over her head, those signature goggles on her head. "Did you lock the door?"
"No," he stepped back to the door and flipped the deadbolt. Hatsume walked around the counter and reached into the window display flipping the open sign to closed.
"I only get the homeless with a few bucks now and then, but better to close up now so we won't get interrupted." She walked back through the open wall, gesturing for him to follow. "So, you look okay considering," she glanced back over her shoulder. Bakugou looked the same, just bigger, more muscles and scars. She'd seen him about a year after graduation when she'd been jumping around from agency to agency working on tech gear, but she hated the stuffy rules and had finally drifted away to find more interesting work in the private sector. "Are you keeping busy?"
"Is that a fucking joke?" Katsuki snapped, she looked at him startled.
"It wasn't supposed to be," she reached up, pushing a button on the panel, the wall closed behind them.
"Yeah, keeping busy." He held still as the room became pitch black. There was a flash of green on a number panel as she typed in a code. A bright light began to shine through the wall as another set of panels slid back. This time all he could see was chaos.
"Welcome to my world," Hatsume swept her arm around the messy room. "Looks like a dump but from it comes all kinds of treasures!" She laughed going to a large set of shelves and opened a cabinet, pulling out what appeared to be a small jewelry box
"What's that?" He followed her, picking his way around wires, metal fragments and huge canisters of god knows what inside.
"Your order." Carefully taking the box from her, he turned it around in his hands, he looked skeptical. Breaking out in giggles, Hatsume leaned on the counter. "You think it's a bomb? Open it up already, I can't wait for you to see what I came up with!"
Lifting the lid, he peered inside. Sitting on a blue velvet holder were two large bracelets, both an orange-red bronze color. The metal was etched exquisitely in what appeared to be flames. "These are," Katsuki paused, looking up at her, "what are they?"
"You're such a dope! Bracelets, what do you think?" Picking up one of the pieces of jewelry she opened it and clasped it around his wrist, doing the same with the other. "Okay," she grabbed the box out of his hand, "go get on the treadmill."
Looking around Katsuki saw an old treadmill stashed in the corner. "Why?" He lifted both arms looking at the beautiful bracelets. Thick and wide, they looked really good on his wrists. Moving his arms, he smiled, their weight was comforting. These past months he'd missed the feel of his gauntlets hanging off his wrists.
"Get on it!" She pushed him towards the dilapidated machine. Waiting as he climbed up on the belt to hit the start button, she upped the speed until he was walking at a quick pace. "Okay, now control your sweat around your hands."
"You know I don't have to walk like this to sweat."
"Oh, shit, sorry," Hatsume hit the stop button, laughing self-consciously, "I guess I forgot."
Holding up his arms, he shook the bracelets, "now what?"
"Just like your gauntlets, you can use those to store up sweat and increase the power of your explosions." she spun one of the bracelets with her finger.
"How do they work? My bracers had pins."
"Pfffft!" Hatsume laughed, "that old fashioned crap." She pointed at the intricate design and wiggled her eyebrows. "I created a sensor that detects when you fire your quirk, they'll automatically explode." She pointed to a door, "you can try them out in there. That room is fireproof and I can watch you through the plexi glass viewer."
Testing the movement of the bracelets on his wrists, Katsuki walked through the door into a room no bigger than a small bedroom. The walls were covered in black soot and red dried gel. "Looks like you murdered a few people here."
"Only blondes," she teased and slammed the door shut, her green-yellow eyes glowed in the window pane. He stood glaring at her. "I was kidding," she laughed. "Come on try 'em out!"
Turning his palms out he ignited his quirk, an explosion of fire radiated out of his hands, black smoke curling up towards the ceiling. He laughed loudly, a satisfied grin cutting across his face. Backing up against the wall, he jumped and fired again, slamming himself into the opposite wall. "FUCK YES!" He yelled as he fired off another explosion, this time flames shooting outwards. It had been four months since he'd used his suit, really used his quirk. After a lifetime, it had been like a part of him was missing. There in that room he felt alive again for the first time. Firing another huge explosion, he grinned wide. He heard a knock on the window, he turned to see Hatsume smiling wide with her thumb up. Opening the door, he let out a choked laugh. "You're fucking amazing."
Hands on her hips, she stuck her tongue out playfully, "I know, but," her eyes glinted mischievously, "can you afford them?"
"I thought you were nuts when you sent the price, but yeah, I can make it work." He had savings and hated to dip into that money, it was only for emergencies. Holding up the gleaming bronze bracelets he grinned, "this is one fucking huge emergency."
"Okay, cash only, I trust you, so you can take them now. I'll text you the drop location for the money."
"What are you? A spy?"
"Uh, Bakugou, you do know this stuff is illegal right? I don't need them shutting down my serious work for these play toys."
"Yeah, I know, thanks. Seriously Hatsume, I know you put your butt on the line for me." She flushed red, an interesting color against her pink hair.
"No problem," she handed him the jewelry box. "If you need anything else let me know, that's a burner phone I texted you with, so you gotta go through my corporate connections, same as when you found me last time." She pointed to a far wall, "back door there, go out through the alley and cut past the homeless town, there's a train station on the next block."
"Thanks," moving through the clutter, Katsuki opened the back door slowly, not sure what he'd find, it was a small tiled room in all grays and browns. Looking over his shoulder he could see she had already moved on to her next project. There was a staircase to the left going up, following the stairs he came to a steel door which took him to the alley she had described. For the first time in what felt like ages, he felt good. "Fucking gun," he smiled, loving the cool metal of the bracelets on his wrists.
Shouto followed the hostess to the table by the picture windows overlooking the city. He could see his father staring out at the blanket of lights and thick darkness of the mountains in the distance. He turned as they approached, smiling, he jumped up. Grabbing him, he gave him a quick hug and he gestured for him to sit down.
"Glad you could make it, Shouto, I was worried that you might cancel again."
"Sorry," he grimaced, "I've been a little out of it lately."
"Yeah, I guess everyone has been," Enji looked at his son worriedly. "Losing Midoriya was a major blow." He looked back out the window, "he was a good man."
Tensing, Shouto nodded, it was hard to hear his remorse. From the beginning his father had taken the responsibility for what had happened even though they were no longer interns. Midoriya and Bakugou had opened their own joint agency years ago but his dad had still been the senior hero on the scene and had always considered himself their mentor. "We had a private function for him the other day, it was," he shrugged, "not easy on any of us."
"Always difficult to lose people you've worked with for a long time, let alone a friend, it's difficult." Picking up the bottle of wine he poured a glass for him. He noticed Shouto looked especially upset tonight. "How is the detective work going for you?"
"Just starting," he picked up the glass, taking a sip. It was amazing, probably very expensive, but then it always was with his dad. "We had our weapon training today, then on Monday we'll go down to headquarters and get our assignments."
"That sounds good, anyone that you hope to work with?"
"Not really," he played with his wine glass. "I'm not sure how they're going to pair us up as partners. If they will consider us as rookies or experienced detectives."
The server stepped up to the table taking their orders, her gaze falling appreciatively on Endeavor. "I'll get your order in, right away sir," she smiled as she hustled back towards the kitchen.
Shouto waited as his father watched the woman walk off, laughing softly as he shook his head. "I forget how popular you are with everyone." His father gave him a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, she's quite pretty." He laughed and took a sip of his wine. "Someday Shouto when you're my age, you will appreciate beauty in a different way."
"Different?" Shouto air quoted with his fingers. His dad's face turned bright red.
"That's not what I'm saying." Spinning his wine glass, Enji watched the heavy purple liquid swirl in the glass. "It's nice to be appreciated," he admitted. "Enough about me, you were saying?"
"I'm wondering if they will pair us up with the experienced detectives."
"What do you mean experienced?"
The sharp tone of his father's voice caught him off-guard, Shouto glanced up. Turquoise eyes glinted with a mixture of arrogance and annoyance.
"You're a damn Todoroki, if anything they'll pair you up with a detective that needs your experience." Enji glowered at him. "When are you going to take pride and acknowledge the work you've done, Shouto?" He watched his son quickly squelch the surprise that registered and stare calmly at him, his emotions once again unreadable under his mask. He leaned back, pushing his long legs out under the table. "You're a fool if you accept anything less than a regular detective assignment with a partner that can benefit from your training."
"You sound like Bakugou."
"That's because he knows his worth," Enji raised his brows. Pulling out his phone, he scrolled through his contacts, "I know the new head of the National Police Agency." He waved his phone, "Nakama Arisu, I gave her niece a very nice graduation gift last year, if I let her know about you, I'm sure you'll get a good partner."
"NO!" Shouto lunged forward grabbing his father's wrist, gasping as he let go quickly. "Sorry," he put his hands in his lap looking away. "I want to do this on my own, without-" He paused, taking a deep breath, "without your help."
Staring at his son, Enji juggled the phone in his hand and twisted his lips. Putting it away he let out a quick laugh, "on your own it is then."
Relief washed through him, he'd been trying to explain to his dad about not getting involved in his life. He was worried he'd take it the wrong way and push their relationship back to the estrangement of his UA days. "Thank you," he replied simply. The server approached their table with their dinners, setting their plates in front of them. Shouto searched for something to say to keep the conversation going, "how's the new firm?"
"It's fine, missing a Todoroki," he teased gently. Shouto raised his brows but didn't answer. "Actually," Enji cut his steak, "I was just appointed to the board for one of the construction firms that's been nominated to rebuild the area that was destroyed."
"Oh, that's good they're moving forward on the rebuild. What company is that?"
"Base One, they've made a big splash in commercial construction these past few years."
"I'm glad that the area will finally have some attention. It'll help things get back to normal. Well, as normal as possible." He pushed his fish around the plate. "Did you see the announcement today?"
Chewing thoughtfully, Enji nodded, "It's an interesting concept." He was hesitant to share his involvement in the quirk program with him.
"Concept?" Shouto set down his fork, "how is suppressing quirks a good concept?" He couldn't stop the ire from rising in his voice, his dad continued to eat calmly. Picking up his fork again, he leaned forward. "Are you really happy dad? Not being a Pro Hero? Are you satisfied to sit in an office all day and stare at screens and numbers?" A sense of urgency crept into his voice. "Do you really like to be grounded, feeling your power but having to keep it under wraps each and every day? How do you do it?"
Wiping his mouth with his napkin, Enji struggled with what to say. "It'll never be easy Shouto, I've been a hero for a long time, it's who I am, that will never change." He hardened his expression, "but I'm not going to let my personal desires get in the way with what I need to do to achieve success in this new world. Don't forget who wields the power now, you can let it crush you, or you can use it for your own benefit."
"I - I don't want either," the gleam in his father's eyes set off an icy trickle of fear down his spine. "I want to help people, like I did before." His father's fiery eyes were appraising him, seemingly judging if he should say more. Finally, he sat back, his face expressionless again, he'd clearly decided against telling him whatever was on his mind.
"That's good, Shouto, help people, it's what you do best, help the world like you've always done, with your friends. I'm truly sorry Midoriya couldn't be next to you, the three of you made an incredible team." Enji shut down his desire to have his son next to him in this new world. Painful, but he could see, Shouto's dreams ran in another direction.
"Th-thanks," fear continued to bloom in his mind, was it his face? The dark look that crossed his dad's eyes, or the scowl on his lips? He didn't know what but something was off and it made him restless, a feeling he didn't like. The rest of dinner was quiet, small talk about Enji's company and Shouto's new job, finally, they finished and headed out of the restaurant. "Dinner was really good," he gave his dad a quick pat on his shoulder, "thanks." His father grabbed him roughly and hugged him uncharacteristically, Shouto leaned into his big body for a moment, feeling the heat of his internal fire. "It was nice to see you, I miss working with you," he murmured quietly. His father stayed quiet, his warm hand ruffling his hair, he stepped back.
"Good night Shouto, call me if you want to have dinner again, always good to see you son." Turning down the sidewalk, he shoved his hands into his jacket pockets hunching over as a wave of sadness crashed over him. Glancing behind him, he watched as Shouto crossed the street.
Opening up his apartment, Katsuki checked his phone, no texts from him. He hadn't mentioned his dad this morning. Kicking off his shoes he headed to the fridge, pausing as he reached for a beer. "Damn you Shouto," he grabbed water instead. Slamming the door shut he wandered into his living room and sank down onto his couch, sprawling across the cushions. When was the last time he'd been so relaxed? He leaned back laying an arm over the back of the couch, a smile played across his mouth, last night had been incredible. He'd expected no less, Sho was a thoughtful and demanding lover, his abilities in bed far exceeded even Katsuki's expectations, a wave of desire spread through him. Bottoming had never been a great experience for him but under his exacting care, he'd been left a trembling mess. Reaching down, he smiled, he was hard. Starting to unbutton his pants, he heard his phone vibrate. Sitting up he grabbed it expectantly, frowning at Kaminari's text.
Denki - Wanna meet up Monday for coffee before work?
Tossing the phone back on the table, Katsuki tucked his arm behind his head. Sliding his hand back into his pants he started again. Denki's face flashed in his mind. "Fucking extra," he muttered, sitting back up. Whatever had been happening was gone now. "Why would I meet you for coffee Dunce?" He sat in the dark looking out his sliding door at the apartments across the way, several were already lit up. The blanket of lights from the city stretched out behind them, he tried to identify the different districts in the wards, finally letting his eyes wander to one very dark section. The area that still had no electricity. Dull lights burned in tiny collections but it was still basically uninhabited. He wondered about his nightmare tonight, when would it start? Sometimes it let him sleep blissfully until morning before tearing into his brain, other nights it started as soon as he hit the pillow, giving him hours of nervous sweats. Staring at the blackened area in the distance, he thought of what Shouto had told him, to focus on the memories and try to work through them. "Work through what? The crappy hero I turned out to be?" Maybe the two-toned brat was right. If he could get through the nightmare, would he actually get some sleep? A shivering tremor worked painfully through his body, he also knew that starting now could also mean no sleep at all. "Only one way to find out," he grimaced and settled back, he let his mind return to that day. He'd been with Deku in their agency going over the latest reports of All For One pouring in from the local Kobans, when Shouto had slammed through the door, his dad was down in the south ward in a large shopping area, All For One had been spotted. They'd been there within minutes of heading out.
"Midoriya," Shouto yelled as he shot by him, "take that side street." He motioned with one hand. "Bakugou, there," he pointed to another street. "Let's connect on the other end, I doubt he's alone!"
Katsuki watched as Deku kicked into overdrive and raced away from him, Shouto charging up the main street. Firing his grenades, he launched himself through the side alleys to loop back around and meet them, keeping his eyes peeled for anyone. Todoroki was right, he couldn't be alone considering there had been multiple sightings being filtered into the Police and Defense Ministry of All For One with several of his newer henchmen. Since Tomura's capture and subsequent death, which was rumored to be an execution ordered by none other than Kezu Kioku, All For One had become more chaotic and violent. He'd not lashed out so openly towards citizens in a long time, but his clash with Kezu had been heating up over the past two months and everything was coming to a head. When Kezu had stood safely behind cameras and openly scolded All For One, sneering at him to turn himself in as the weakling he was, Katsuki had almost thrown his fist through the TV screen at the sniveling runt. His outright idiocy had created the full rampage that had culminated in the events of today. A full-scale attack at the open-air food market in one of the poorest wards. All For One's attack on the public this time was unprecedented and he knew that if they didn't stop this today, the next step would be unimaginable. Flying down the last alley, he emerged to a huge central plaza, almost four kilometers long, lined with shops and cafes.
Coming from a side alley, Shouto came out shaking his head. An explosion went off one street ahead of them. "That's my dad!" Turning he took off towards the black smoke curling into the sky. "Wait for Izuku and join us!"
Watching as Todoroki moved towards the explosion, Katsuki waited until Deku ran up alongside him. "Anything?"
"No, this place is deserted now," seeing Shouto ahead of them, Izuku bumped Kacchan on the shoulder. "Should we catch up?"
The hair on Katsuki's neck stood on end, he glanced around. "I don't know," he paused, trying to let his instincts guide him. "Something's wrong." Suddenly several explosions lit up the sky one after the other moving to the right, black smoke ballooning up.
"They're already over there!" Izuku spun on his heel and engaged overdrive, his body blurring as he raced towards the explosions.
"Deku!" Katsuki reached out but his speed was too fast, he grasped at air. Firing his gauntlets, he leapt after him. As the damn nerd flew towards the now black skyline, Katsuki saw him. From around a building All For One stepped into the Izuku's path.
"DEKU!" Katsuki screamed as he propelled himself forward. He slid to a stop just in front of All For One, red vein-like energy twisted around Izuku as he took a defensive stance, the air popping with his power, darkness vibrating off his body.
"Midoriya!" Shouto stopped and backtracking to the plaza, Bakugou closed in on him as he leapt through the air. The power that was radiating off of Deku pulsed as a swirling blackness began to encircle both of them.
"Watch Out!" Katsuki screamed watching as the dark energy began to arc around both their bodies. At first, he thought it was Deku's whips, but the blackness was too thick, moving faster around them until it expanded outwards encasing them completely into a growing ball of dark energy.
"What's going on!?" Shouto yelled back at him.
Katsuki stood watching, trying to understand what was happening as the dark energy expanded, small bits of blackness swarming the outer edges. A strange crackling sound rippled through the plaza as the swirling ball pulsed outward. Shaking himself from his reverie, he blasted himself towards Shouto. "Where's your dad!?" Just as the words left his lips, the air filled with a strange humming, like a swarm of insects on a hot summer day. A weird metallic taste filled his mouth. Landing next to Todoroki, the ball pulsed once again, releasing a wave of shimmering air that moved outwards like an invisible Tsunami. A wall of energy was rushing straight for them. Scrambling backwards, it was too late, it slammed into them.
"Kat-!"
Shouto's scream cut short as Katsuki felt his body flip into the air, twisting like a broken kite caught in the wind. The world blurred as he tried to focus on anything to get his bearings but he was moving too fast. Tucking his body into a tight ball, he knew he was going to hit something hard and soon. Risking everything, he fired his gauntlets trying to stop his uncontrolled movement. The force of the explosion propelled him straight into the side of a building, his head crashed against thick glass, warmth gushed down his forehead. The wave continued pressing into his body like a giant hand, pushing him deeper into the window. Glass cracked as he clawed to find a grip. Managing to slide his palms flat against the broken window, he pushed back hard, gaining a few centimeters, just enough to barely see the sidewalk below him. Aiming his bracers in the air, he fired again, this time his body slammed into the ground. Immediately the energy flowed around him, lifting and spinning him like a rag doll, whipping his body back into the wall face first, pain throbbed mercilessly, he was sure his nose was broken. "Fuck," his cheek dug into the rough stone wall. Gasping for breath, the pressure continued flattening his body, pushing the air out his lungs, the ribs on his left side snapping under the weight of the force one by one. His mouth opened in a silent scream as the last of the air in his lungs escaped in a sharp hiss. Then, just as quickly, it stopped. The pressure crushing him dissipated. Falling back on his heels, barely catching his balance, Katsuki clutched at his side, dragging in a painful breath. Standing up unsteadily, he saw Todoroki stumbling away from a large bus display, a crack visible up the middle.
"BAKUGOU!" Shouto shouted, swiping blood from his cheek, he grabbed the bus sign holding himself upright.
Cocking his head, Katsuki saw him yelling but couldn't hear him. "What?!" He froze, he couldn't hear his own voice. "HEY!" He screamed. Nothing. Something hot and wet began dripping down his mask, rubbing his forehead, he looked at his hand now covered in blood, pain lanced across his head where he'd wiped roughly. "Fuck," he muttered, he wiped his hand on his shirt. Todoroki was pointing to the end of the block.
"Look!"
Again, Katsuki could see his mouth move but no sound. Following where he was pointing, there on the other end of the plaza was the strange black ball, spinning in place. Launching himself towards Todoroki, he kept his eyes on the vibrating black orb. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, a huge crackling purple arc of energy flew off the orb and skidded across the surface, it looked like one of Izuku's whips. He stopped, only a few hundred meters from Todoroki, "Deku?" Was he trying to get out?
Then there was a horrific pop, like a champagne cork releasing from a bottle. The pressure in his head exploded as pain drilled through his ears. The momentum of the force from the black mass reversed. Everything changed direction as pieces of the city began moving towards the growing ball of energy. Katsuki realized he was sliding too, along with chunks of concrete, cars and twisted stoplights being ripped from the ground. The entire plaza was getting sucked back down the street. His body moved faster as he slid across the sidewalk. In front of him he saw a fire hydrant, positioning himself, he braced for impact as he slammed into the metal plug. He clawed at it, screaming at the searing pain in his ribs. Wrapping his body around it, he clung with all his strength.
The tremors started next, rumbling from somewhere deep below as cracks appeared in the ground around the hydrant. Pipes burst through the ground shooting geysers of water in the air. The intense pressure drove like a spike through his brain but he didn't dare let go to cover his ears or he'd be crushed by the massive chunks of debris being dragged down the plaza.
"FUCK!" Katsuki could feel his muscles starting to give as the entire ward folded in on itself being sucked toward the black ball. A piece of concrete clipped his shoulder, slicing open his suit, blood seeped into the black fabric. Glass rained down on him as windows shattered above, small cuts opening on his hands. He tried to focus, tried to hold on, but he could feel his strength ebbing, blackness filling his vision. Then the cold hit him like an icy blanket, snapping him back awake, the water shooting from the ground instantly solidified. Shivering he could barely open his eyes, the blood on his face and shoulder froze into thick red crystals. He needed to warm himself but he couldn't let go, with his last bit of strength he fought to hold on to the freezing metal hydrant. Warmth flooded him next as arms came around him, a hand heating up his body. "Todoroki," he croaked. The pressure had stopped pulling mercilessly on his arms but he still didn't dare let go. Looking up he couldn't see anything but filtered white light. Staring at the light, he realized Shouto had encased them in a cocoon of ice, shivering as his eyes began to close.
"Bakugou!" Shouto screamed shaking him hard. Red eyes opened confused for a moment.
Shouto was screaming in his face but he still couldn't hear anything. His muscles finally gave in, he couldn't hold on anymore. Falling back, Shouto held him as he continued to reinforce the walls. Lifting up on his elbows Katsuki frowned, his fingertips were starting to turn a violent red from the cold. "Todoroki! Stop!"
"I can't," Shouto clenched his jaw, cracks were appearing as the force outside was ripping away blocks of ice as fast as he could make them.
"Your hand!" he yelled hoarsely as he lunged to grab at him but Shouto pushed him back down.
"It's this or die," he glanced down at Katsuki, worry etched on his face. He touched his face warming his skin. Another large chunk began to free itself from their icy fortress. Continuing to spray his ice, he hoped he could outpace the fissures spreading continuously across the entire structure.
Katsuki wasn't sure how long he'd lay there watching as his fingers started to grow black but he stayed quiet, Shouto's face a stony mask of concentration. At some point the cracking stopped, the trembling in the earth below them quieted. Shouto fell back holding his hand against his chest, his eyes squeezed shut. He was clearly in pain. Trying to sit up, Katsuki's muscles shook violently, he'd never used so much strength in his life for anything. He still couldn't hear anything, poking his finger in his ear, he grimaced at the pain, his finger came away covered in blood.
Pulling his sleeve down around his hand, Shouto wiped the clotted blood from Bakugou's ears. "Can you hear now?"
"Barely," Katsuki grunted, enduring the deep aching pain in his eardrums, "what's happening?"
"I think it's done."
"We gotta find him," struggling to his knees, fresh blood poured from the open gash on his forehead. Quickly folding his mask in half, he pushed it up over the cut, stemming the flow to a slow trickle. Igniting his quirk, he blasted a hole through the thick wall of ice and moved to the side waiting for the intense pressure to begin pulling at them. Nothing happened. Poking his head out, he visibly blanched. "Fuck," his voice barely audible. Shouto crawled to the other side of the hole and paled at the sight of the ward, now utterly destroyed. Buildings stood like skeletons, with most of their exterior walls missing, some with just a few steel beams poking up into the air like broken teeth. The street was almost all dirt, pavement and concrete missing from huge sections. Water spouted in the air from broken pipes and fires burned where gas lines had burst.
"It's like an earthquake hit," Shouto carefully stepped out from the icy shelter.
"Look," pointing at the mountain of rubble that was blocking the end of the plaza, Katsuki felt ill. "He's fucking buried," picking their way around the destruction, they heard a shout. Endeavor was making his way to the top of the huge pile of debris waving frantically at them.
It was taking too long. Katsuki paced the area they had reinforced watching them dig out another load of broken concrete. Once the government had arrived and appraised the situation, they had shut down everything within a two-kilometer square area and blocked air traffic. The head of the National Police, Oh Kaede, had shown up himself and brought in two huge cranes to begin the slow process of finding survivors.
"We need more manpower!" Katsuki stalked up to the lean man supervising the rescue. "You've got us three with just six men! That's not enough!" He screamed at him. Every hour that slipped by he could feel the pressure in his chest tighten.
"You need treatment," Kaede eyed the large Pro Hero coming at him.
"Fuck that! We need to get Midoriya outta there."
"We don't know what's under that mound Dynamite," Kaede tried to calm him down, he could see the man was at the end of his stamina. "We have to dig carefully based on what you reported, what if we unleash something that destroys the entire country?"
Turning without a word, Katsuki stormed to the makeshift trauma center that had been set up outside the main ward. He would've skipped it but Shouto had promised to find him if anything happened. He pulled out his phone, it was flattened, the screen completely shattered. The Police Commissioner was right, he closed his eyes, if the debris was blocking the power of that energy and they released it again, who knows what would fucking happen. Someone treated his wounds, but his hearing was pretty much shot for a while according to the medic. Racing back to the work area, he was disappointed to see they'd barely dug in more than another ten meters, men were now poking long probes into the cracks.
"Did anything register?" Katsuki squatted down beside Shouto, his own head wrapped in gauze.
"No, they haven't been getting a reading, it's strange, almost like it's disappeared."
"That could be good," Enji's voice was laced with fatigue. He handed them both cans of coffee.
"Or bad," Katsuki opened the drink, "as destructive as it is, it might also be protecting Izuku."
"We'll find out when they get to the bottom."
A shout sounded, a flood light landed on a man waving his arms frantically. The three of them jumped up running to the edge.
"I got something!"
Sitting up straight on his couch Katsuki grabbed his water, swigging the bottle as sweat poured down his face. He fingered the scar on his forehead. This was always the part he hated the most, he'd seen it a million times. Izuku's body bloody and crushed, twisted grotesquely in the debris, the ball and All For One gone. Why was he doing this to himself again? "Right," he muttered, "gotta get some sleep." Laying back down, he tried to focus back on his memories. The reading had come from just twenty meters below. The harsh flood lights encircled the area as they dug straight down. Shouto had sealed the shaking debris with ice as the three of them had climbed down. He remembered the rough cold stone in his hand as he and Endeavor lifted the last slab. Katsuki dug his fingers into the couch as he readied himself for the sight of the bloody body. As they pulled off the last piece of concrete, he saw him, sprawled out like always, but there wasn't a scratch on him. His skin was shiny with sweat and his hair matted and dirty, but he was fine, not broken or bloody. Suddenly his green eyes opened, his body jerked awkwardly into a sitting position as he stared straight at him, his mouth fell open as he began to scream.
"HELP ME KACCHAN!"
Katsuki leapt off the couch, a lancing pain ripped through his head as he tripped over his coffee table, he fell on the ground. Jumping back up, he gulped in air. "What - What?" He spun around staring at the couch. What had he seen? His heart was tripping so fast the pain in his head slammed with each beat. He couldn't breathe. Throwing open his balcony door he walked out into the dark, pulling the cool air into his lungs, he tried to calm down. Walking to the railing he peered over, Shouto's lights were still off. He gripped the hard metal. What the fuck was that? The hair on his entire body stood on end, everything was wrong. Why? Why did Izuku look fine? And what the fuck was that scream after he'd opened his eyes? He'd looked like a puppet, his mouth had been open, but the voice sounded like it had come from inside his apartment. There was a tickle on his upper lip, swiping, he saw blood on his hand. "Fuck!" He tipped his head back, wiping away the rest of the blood, he squeezed his nose. "Fucking damn shit nerd making me crazy! Stop it already, if you need help, tell me what the fuck to do! GOT IT?" His hoarse voice bounced off the apartments around him. The dog across the way barked, others joining in with a few howls. Growling Katsuki went back inside, his whole body still trembling. He needed to distract himself, picking up his phone he scrolled to the text from Kaminari. His stomach clenched as nerves shot through him. They were all worried, almost as bad as that first day at UA. Going in alone sounded like shit, hell if he didn't have Shouto, would he even want to go in without everyone?
Katsuki - Anyone wanna meet up at Hatsufuji for breakfast on Monday before work?
Sitting on the subway Shouto sighed in frustration, he'd missed the last fast train by a few minutes and had been forced to take the nearly empty local train, every stop was a grind. He wanted to text Katsuki and let him know he'd be late, but he laughed to himself, he wasn't even sure he was waiting on him. Leaning back in the seat he wondered about them. He knew his feelings ran deep for Kat, but considering that they'd ended up having sex without either of them clarifying those feelings, he wasn't sure what he was thinking. He acted like he felt something for him. Shouto bounced his leg nervously, but maybe that was just wishful thinking on his part. A text alert flashed on his phone, it was from him, but it was a group text. Shouto's brows snapped up, since when did he invite all of them anywhere? Biting his lip, he laughed.
Shouto - An invite from Bakugou? I'll be there.
Immediately his phone flashed with a private text.
Katsuki - Are you home?
Shouto - not yet, stuck on the local train.
Katsuki - how long?
Tilting his head Shouto wasn't sure what to think, a group invite? And now this? Katsuki was always direct, but he almost sounded desperate.
Shouto - Was last night so good, you can't wait for me?
Looking at the text Katsuki almost choked, that was where this whole night had started and he sure as hell wished that was where he was now.
Katsuki - I tried that memory thing you told me to do.
Shouto - And?
Katsuki - It didn't go well.
Looking out the window, Shouto watched as the slow train moved into their district. Sure, he wanted him, wanted him in his bed and in his life but he didn't want to be just a substitute for his grief. If that's all it was, then… Then what? "Shit," thumbing his phone he typed a quick text.
Shouto - I'll be home in ten minutes.
