"I must ask that you go easy on me, Zero. You are very skilled, and I'd like to learn from this."

"Uh, yeah, no problem dude, I'll go easy, I guess?"

"Is it annoying, fighting against high school students?" Shoji asked as they walked deeper into the field, both boys ignoring the nosey eyes of their classmates as they walked off.

"I mean, not really? I like what I do, and I'd rather do this than like, be in jail or something."

"Why would you be in jail, Zero?" Zero's breath hitched as he mentally cursed himself. Way to go, Izuku! Wait, Izuku? No, he didn't just think of himself as Izuku! Technically, he was Izuku, but now he was Zero, so it should have been "way to go, Zero", not Izuku, oh my god-

"Sorry, a joke between me and Nedzu, he likes to joke that my brain would get me put in jail if he left me unattended."

This was good, freak out later, make it seem normal and common, kids joke with their dads all the time!

"Oh, I understand now. Do you normally call your father by his name?"

MOTHER FU-

"I mean, it really depends on who I'm talking to, I guess. Sometimes I say dad, sometimes Nedzu, sometimes father. It depends on how I feel. I'm just…weird like that."

"I understand, I am adopted as well." Shoji confided in him, placing his non-mouth limp on his shoulder. "It is different for me sometimes, too."

"Yeah, thanks, Shoji." The boy just nodded, going quiet once more. Inside, Zero was a mess. Shoji was much more perceptive than he originally thought. Although, it was pretty easy to figure out that Zero was adopted and not actually Nedzu's kid, as many students like to believe. But to know he was more highly trained than most other students? It would take a lot of listening and paying attention to pick up on- but of course, silent Shoji would be the one to get it.

As the cool evening wind blew through his hair, Zero felt himself relax slightly, breathing in the scent of nature and freshness that came with being so far away from the city. It was much better than a dirty trash bin, or sweaty classroom. Honestly, Zero could see himself training out here most of the time!

His head snapped to the left.

"Zero?"

"Shh."

Zero was happy his friend went silent, his steps pausing along with his voice. His eyes scanned the forests, waving over each tree and leaf, searching for what he could feel was out there. He quickly slipped on his mask, activating his thermal vision.

He could have sworn he saw a flash of red, indicating something was out there, but when he looked again, it was empty. Damnit, what was this feeling? He couldn't seem to shake it, no matter what he did! It was driving him insane, and he hated it. Someone was out there, but the question was who?

"Sorry, I just keep feeling like something out there, it's throwing me off."

"Would you like to spar at a separate time? I do not mind, especially if you are not feeling well." Shoji's hand spoke for him.

"No, I'll be fine. I just can't shake it."

"It could be another quirk. I don't know all of class 1-B's quirks, but they may have something that is unsettling your senses."

Zero held his tongue, deciding for a quiet nod instead as he began stretching. He had already thought of that, but he had reviewed his files already. Neither of the classes had a student who would set him off like that, quirk or not. There was a chance it could be one of the surrounding heroes, but even then, why did that heat signature disappear? Was there one there?

Was Zero as crazy as Sensei had said?

"Ready, Shoji?" Zero asked, standing up from his seated position, and popping his neck. "How do you want to start?"

Shoji swung, Zero jumping back as quickly as he could, narrowly missing his friend's punch.

"Fighting dirty then, I see how it is." Zero said with a small laugh, elated at the chance to do some non-formal fighting. He didn't know any fancy styles, any steps, any beats to any dances. All he knew was the feel of his fists and arms attached to his shoulders. How to move his legs when his shoulders moved in a certain direction. How to duck and roll when it was appropriate.

Zero knew how to street fight, and Shoji did too.

Switching to the floor, Zero stuck his foot out, trying to trip Shoji as the man jumped back from his kick. Zero followed swiftly, choosing to go for a mix of lunges and sweeps then punches made of power and speed. Shoji was a rare breed, having a good mixture of both of those things, but Zero had been at this a long time.

"You're good at this!" He called out, lunging once more to the side, landing a swift kick in Shoji's stomach as the octo-boy punched empty air. Shoji said nothing, silver hair slick against his face as he turned, an odd emotion crossing his face.

If Zero hadn't been watching for it, Shoji would have taken him down to the ground. Luckily, Zero had been trained to watch for swifts.

As SHoji landed in the dirt, Zero made quick work of spinning behind him, landing on the bigger teen's back with a knee on the tip of his spine. His quirk tried to bend back, but Zero made sure his hands were covering it.

Ten seconds pass, a confused look crossing Zero's face when he hears the silver-haired boy utter the word "ten" from his actual mouth.

"Good fight, Shoji." Zero told him, helping him off the ground. Shoji nodded, flexing his back muscles as his mouth arm reached out again.

"I apologise, I didn't purposefully try to use my quirk against you, it's just connected to my back and reacted instinctively."

"Oh, no, I understood that. You fight well. You're confident, like you've done this before."

Like you've done street fighting before went unsaid, but it was definitely heard, especially when Shoji's eye crinkled softly.

"We all have our secrets, Zero."

"That was a grand fight, Zero!" Nedzu said over the phone.

"How did you even see it?" Zero asked, pushing the phone into his ear. "You have no sway here."

"Oh, you know me, I have my tricks." Nedzu answered. Zero could practically imagine him sitting at his desk chair, stirring his little cup of tea with his manic grin. "What do you need, son. Ahah! It's so fun to say that!"

"Somethings off, I don't know what."

"In a serious way, or in, you want me to retire and take you away to Florida?"

"I- what? Of course in a serious way! Look, Ne- Father,"

"Son!"

"Someone is here that isn't supposed to be. I don't know how to describe it, if it was even from…my area of expertise, but something is wrong here. With my mask, I saw a heat signature only for it to mysteriously disappear."

"Are you certain?" Gone was the playfulness in Nedzu's tone.

"Yes. It through me off, to the point even Shoji noticed it."

"Yes, yes I saw that, I just assumed it was a student doing some private training. Alright, you get back to what you were doing, I will look into things on my end."

"Thank you."

"And, Zero?"

"Yes?"

"Stay safe."

With a sigh, Zero disconnected the call. Did the rat have cameras here too? It wouldn't surprise him, but this place was supposed to be secluded. As secluded as a training field in the middle of a forest could get, Zero supposed.

"Everything alright?" Aizawa asked, leaning against the door. "What did he say?"

"He says he'll look into it, which is as good as we can get so far away from the school." Zero sighed again, pressing his hands into his head.

"Feeling crazy?" Aizawa asked, sliding into the seat opposite of him.

"I always feel fucking crazy." Zero said with a humourless laugh. "I mean, look at me!"

"You look like a student, Zero."

"I- what? I mean, of course, that's what I am now, but I-" Aizawa held up his hand.

"Listen, kid, you've been through tough shit, we all know that."

"I hope not all-"

"But what you don't know," Aizawa interrupted. "Is that you are still a kid. You're just a student, you shouldn't have to worry about this stuff."

"I can't help it. It's all I know." Zero said quietly, looking away from Aizawa's warm black eyes and to the window. The moon was beginning to rise above the tree line, ready to settle into it's place until the sun chased it away again. "I feel like that."

"Like what?" Aizawa questioned.

"Like I'm being chased all the time."

"And maybe you are, but you're safe here, Zero."

Safe? Zero wasn't- Zero had never been safe in all of his life! If it weren't Sensei, it was Tomura. If it wasn't the villains, it was the heroes! What part of Izuku's double life was safe?

There it was again. Izuku. Izuku. Izuku. Izuku. The name haunted him, he wasn't Izuku, he was Zero, damnit! Zero was the name Sensei gave him, his living right, what he was-

"Kid?"

No, no, no, he was here until Sensei could rescue him again, but Sensei hadn't- he knew that Sensei was wrong, Tomura even worse, but they were family! But Nedzu was his family now, Nedzu was someone he could call father! The word didn't feel like tasteless sludge anymore, it actually had a purpose! But- was this right? Was this truly the way he needed to go? Hero or Villain, Zero or Izuku? Zero, Izuku, Zero, Izuku, Zero-

"Zero!" Aizawa called out, leaning over the table to shake his shoulder.

"Izuku!" He called out, panting for air. His body felt like he had just ran a mile, lungs pumping out air as he took a deep breath. "My name, it's Izuku."

"Yeessss?"

"Yeah." Zero breathed in again.

"Would you like to be called that?" Aizawa questioned.

"Ye- I don't know, not by you." He suddenly flinched. "Not in a bad way! Just- not now. Ned- My dad, I want him to do it. I think."

Aizawa smiled softly, hiding it in his scarf. Slowly but surely, Zero the Villain was becoming Izuku the Hero.

"You're a good kid, Zero."

"Thanks." He wasn't a good kid, but he appreciated the compliment. "Can I…?"

"Go ahead." Aizawa said with a nod, getting up from his chair and heading out the door, closing it with a small click.

Izuku stared at his phone, the app instantly opening to the dial message. He knew Kurogiris number, he could call him and get out of here, go back to what he knew, what wasn't as scary as what he was about to do, go back home.

He clicked the favourite tab, pressing on Nedzu's profile.

"Hey, dad?"

Izuku has a new home now.

"Yes, Zero?" Nedzu answered

"Call me Izuku."

"Okay. Yes, Izuku?"

"That's all, bye."

"Bye, Izuku."

Izuku slipped the phone back into his pocket, exiting the room with a small smile on his face. He should go join his class mates, where ever they were. A few students loitered around the cooking area, nodding to Izuku as he passed. Kaminari was whining to Aizawa.

"Aww, why does Zero get to call his dad? I wanna call my dad too!"

"Zero has private business with Nedzu, once you're Nedzu's student you can call him whenever it pleases you."

"Awww no fair! Hey, Zero, put a good word about me, kay?" Zero laughed, the feeling light in his chest.

"Sure, Kaminari. Where is everyone else?"

"Hotsprings," Aizawa answered. "You don't have to join if you don't want to."

"No, I think I will. It could be fun."

Aizawa nodded, Kaminari cheering as he grabbed onto his arm, dragging him to the changing room.

"You know, you're super cool Zero! Me and Kirishima watched your fight and it was just, so fucking cool!"

"Oh, thanks."

"Who knew you two could fight like that? Like, Mina thought it was so cool too, she's probably going to ask you to teach her about it, speaking of teaching, is it awkward having your dad as your teacher? Does he yell at you when you can't do math? Mine does, which isn't fun, but now I have Bakugo teach me math, but he yells too, but its not as mean."

"Is your dad mean to you?" Izuku asked, troubled. "Because if he is-"

"No, it's just super lame when your parents yell at you, you know? Like, I'm trying my best over here, man!"

"I mean, my dad doesn't yell…"

"Lucky! I heard Bakugos mom yells just as much as he does, which makes sense. Bakugos mom is hot though, she could yell at me any time she wanted."

Izuku stayed silent as Kaminari talked, giving small anicdontes of opinions whenever the chance arose. Kaminari reminded him of Mei. They both had constantly moving mouths and personalities. Kaminari jumped topics like Mei switched experiments. It was nice.

"So I just wrap it around my waist?" Izuku asked, watching Kaminari put his towel on.

"Yep, then you sit on it in the water so it stays on, super easy. But uh, dude."

"Yeah?"

"You gotta take your pants off."

"Oh."

After proper hot spring behavoir and clothing was explained to him, Izuku and Kaminari walked into the spring together. A few people waved, and while Izuku enjoyed Kaminari's company, he preferred the quieter side where Todoroki sat.

Settling a few feet away from him, Izuku smiled at his classmates and leaned into the hot water. It really was nice, soothing the aching muscles he had long since forgotten about.

It was relaxing, until six little words made him freeze up.

"Bro, what happened to your back?"

"Shit."

"Looks like barbed wire, my brother has this- WOAH!" Denki was pushed into the water, landing with a big splash. A few people let out awkward laughs while someone behind him growled.

"Fucking loser."

"Yeah, don't pay attention to him, okay Zero?" The boy with tape on his arms told him. Sero, if he remembered correctly. "He's an dumb sometimes."

"While I hate to insult our classmate, I must agree, don't pay attention to him, Zero!" Iida agreed, chopping his hand into the water.

"Bro, you're splashing me." Kaminari told him.

"I apologise!"

"You're still doing it!"

Laughter flooded their spring as tension left everyone. Everyone except Izuku, that is. He didn't want to be in here anymore.

"Good fight." A gruff voice said. Bakugou slotted in on his right, arms crossed and permanent scowl on his face. "Oi, somebody drown the fucker!"

"Bakugo!" Iida yelled out as Denki resurfaced for air after Sero pushed him back under.

"Thank you, how many people saw?"

"Everyone, what else do you expect." Bakugou scoffed.

"Er, right."

"We should spar sometime."

Was bakugou trying to…befriend him? Sure!

"Yeah, okay. Soon, hopefully."

"Yeah."

"I would like to spar too, Nedzu." Todoroki suddenly interrupted. Izuku stared for a moment, floored.

"It's Zero, but yeah, you too."

"Quit copying me, fucking half and half." Bakugou shouted.

"If anything you are copying Shoji, Bakugou." Todoroki shot back, arms twitching like he wanted to throttle the blonde. Sometimes Aizawa looked like that too.

"Whatever."

What had Izuku gotten himself into?