Chapter 11: Epilogue: All Fired Up

Eighteen months later…

—

Izuku was at his desk in Endeavor's Agency. He had just finished his current batch of paperwork, so he could take some time to rest and relax before the next batch came in. Taking a breath, he smiled and looked at his left hand, admiring the ring that sat on his third finger. It was a simple gold band, but the promise it held was more precious than anything else he owned. It was still another couple of months before they'd actually do the ceremony, but with everything they'd done, he and Kamiji Moe were pretty much married already. She'd even earned the approval of his mother, Inko.

That night also served as a reminder to her apartment complex to offer Flood Insurance to new residents.

Izuku smiled at his friend's reactions, too. Mineta just gave a thumbs up. Hatsume almost immediately asked to make her gear. His other two friends (the heroine Setsuna Tokage and a peerless businessman named Byakuya Togami) both expressed approval in their own ways, and all of them promised to come to the wedding. It was really looking to be a-

"Oi, Midoriya!"

Izuku was snapped from his trance by a call from Onima. The sidekick was pointing over his shoulder as he hollered, "Boss wants to see ya!" Izuku hopped to his feet and jogged to Endeavor's office. Maybe it was another special assignment. Ever since the Korusa Affair, Izuku had been sent on those periodically. After that Affair, though, Endeavor also made sure Izuku had a hero companion. If it was an assignment, he hoped it was with Burnin' again. The last one was pretty fun, even excluding their…nightly exercises.

Izuku stepped into the office, taking note of the slight chill. Considering how Endeavor was The Flaming Hero, this meant he had to be in a good mood. And indeed, the huge hero had a slight grin as Izuku approached his desk.

"Take a seat, Midoriya," The hero gestured to the chair across from him. When Izuku was sitting, he continued, "I'd like to talk to you about your upcoming contract renewal. I am aware it is a bit early, but I figured we'd want to get this sorted out sooner rather than later."

"Sir," the quirkless man laughed, "I'm not sure-"

"Allow me to explain," Endeavor continued while pulling some files over. I know you're getting married in a few months (my wife is ecstatic to attend), but I was wondering if you two had your honeymoon planned."

"Err, not yet?" Izuku shook his head. "I mean, we've we have ideas, but-"

"I believe I can assist," Enji smirked as he opened the folders. "You see, my Agency has a budget set aside for situations like this, kept separate from the usual Paid Vacation days. There are several places this budget can cover trips to, and for up to two weeks. While your current contract-"

"Sir," Izuku raised his hand. "Sorry to interrupt, but…are you trying to use a paid honeymoon to bribe me into staying?"

"Absolutely," Todoroki Enji admitted without a hint of shame.

…Midoriya had no idea why he didn't see this coming. With everything he'd accomplished, it only made sense Endeavor would bend over backwards to keep him. Simultaneously, though, the hero should have known Izuku had no plans to actually leave the agency. Not after everything that happened. Not when his future wife was second-in-command, and likely to take over the Agency upon Endeavor's retirement if he didn't give it to Shouto. Endeavor really didn't need to bribe Izuku like this to keep him onboard.

…But if he was offering…

Izuku stood up and leaned over the desk to look at the folders. Each held a brochure for a prime vacation resort, along with a list of pros and cons of staying at each one. The man had clearly done his research. However, Izuku couldn't help but give his input.

"For this one," Izuku pointed at the middle folder, "think you could add a tour of Rainbow Bridge to the list? I remember Moe saying she always wanted to visit that place."

"Of course," Endeavor nodded, grabbing a pen and writing in that destination. "Now, as for your contract…"

What followed was a 'contract negotiation' that almost amounted to a word game between the Flame Hero and his Quirkless Analyst. The sort of back-n-forth that would make a particular principal laugh. After a half-hour of talking, Izuku agreed to stay for another decade as Senior Analyst in exchange for more perks, including a clause specifically preventing any other employee from trying to push their work onto him. That was a clause Endeavor would be adding to everyone's contracts later.

"I gotta admit," Izuku sighed after signing the new contract, "this was a lot less scarier than the last contract negotiation."

"Yes," Endeavor nodded, "I believe I was, as my son once called me, 'a flaming git' last time around." Izuku snorted at the admission. "Also, something else I must bring up."

"Is this the assignment?" Izuku joked.

"No," Enji shook his head as he leaned forward on his desk. "Remember close to two years back, after you saved my wife from those villains in the hospital? How I said I would find the perfect way to repay you for what you did?"

"...Yeah?"

"I figured it out. It's not ready yet, due to the mountain of paperwork and discussions, but by the time you come back from your honeymoon, it will be. I won't spoil what it is, but it is something you more than deserve. Until it is ready, however, you get this. I hope you don't mind I took some…creative liberties with it. Didn't really have a way to ask your input without revealing the surprise."

Endeavor reached into his desk and pulled out some small object. He held his hand out, waiting for Izuku to extend his own hand before handing it over. When Izuku saw it, his eyes widened. His hands began to shake, tears formed in his eyes. He looked up at Endeavor, who only nodded, then looked back down at what he was given. It was a simple thing, but the promise it held was something Izuku, even now, never thought he'd obtain.

In his hands…was a Provisional Hero License.

Name: Midoriya Izuku

Hero Alias: The Analysis Hero, Balefire

—

Post-series canon comedy scene

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Four days after the Korusa Affair

—

Endeavor walked down the street, newspaper in hand. He wasn't in uniform, but most people recognized who he was instantly. His was not a figure that one could easily miss, after all. That, among many other reasons and mistakes, was why he never tried for Underground heroics. He ignored all the fawning fans and random people wanting to ask questions. He was a man on a mission.

Without word nor warning, the large hero turned and walked into a tall building. No one could follow, as this was a Hero Agency. It wasn't his own, but he got word the person he was looking for was here. It was rare for this man to be outside his residence this days, and Enji needed to get this done.

Working his way past the receptionist and sudden swarm of sidekicks, the Flame Hero walked to the Agency's gym. Several other heroes and sidekicks were present, but he ignored them. He saw who he was looking for. Sitting at a table at the far end of the gym, talking with one of the other heroes, was the man he once sought to surpass.

Yagi Toshinori, formerly known as All Might.

The skeletal man noticed Enji when he was mere steps away. He moved to stand, only for Endeavor to gesture for him to stay sitting. Confused, the former Number One sat back down as Endeavor dropped the newspaper on the table in front of him. The headline was clear for everyone to see.

MONSTERS IN THE BASEMENT!

Quirkless man uncovers villainous plot under Korusa Memorial Hospital!

"And you thought quirkless can't be heroes?" Endeavor asked. All Might turned to reply, only for the Flame Hero to bat him upside the head. It wasn't a hard hit, more like the sort of slap one would give a bad dog. Then, without another word, Endeavor turned and walked away. Yagi and all the other heroes in the room were just confused.

"...I may have deserved that," Toshinori admitted.

*End*