Tonight we have a nasty surprise pressing he buttons of Izuku's new walking air-conditioning unit but also get to know a new pair of good parents, at least if the end result of their work is anything to go by.

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Comments:

GgeorGge: They are certainly interesting to write although the bulk of the story and driving force have been with Izuku's friendships. You might be happy to know that at least near future has them a bit more often tha, wait did I have 25 chapters between proper Shirokuro chapters... I guess that is Sports Festival for you.

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Proofread by 3DPhantom

Chapter 59: Shattered Safety

Loud beeping penetrated the darkness around Izuku. His eyes opened slowly, prepared to encounter whatever tonight's nightmare would bring, but he only saw the dark sleepover room and Shoto who had pushed himself up into a half-sitting position on the other bed. The air around them was already cooling.

"Shoto, temperature," Izuku muttered groggily and reached for his loudly beeping phone. The grogginess disappeared quickly as he saw the symbol for the security system of the house. He got on his feet during the time it took to pull the phone closer. He pulled a security image showing someone on the back porch peeping in through the windows.

Izuku gritted his teeth and held the phone so tightly something bent under his fingers. He really did not need this on top of everything else. He could only hope the fool would be a more satisfying punching bag than Eijiro and started stomping towards the door.

"What is it?" Shoto asked.

"Burglar outside, I hope. Going to handle it."

Izuku made it to the door before rapid steps followed him. In the corridor Izuku walked straight past the stairs, opting for a balcony that opened over the porch. He held his hand up, signalling Shoto to remain quiet as he opened the door just enough to squeeze through the gap and entered the balcony. Now he could hear the person below mumbling, though the words were indistinguishable. Izuku put his phone away and peeked over the railing, waiting for the perfect moment.

He bounced, flinging over the railing. It was just one story up, no big deal. He landed right behind the intruder and swept the man's legs out from under him before the man even had time to realize he was there, let alone turn around. The man fell on his back hard enough to crack the planks of the floor. This quy was much thicker than the paparazzi at the beach both in shoulder- and stomach width. It didn't matter. He was just as easy to take down. Izuku had a knee on his chest and flaming blade over his neck before he finished shouting from the impact.

"You just made the biggest mistake of your life", Izuku seethed. "Please make another and try to fight back."

There was a thud as Shoto dropped behind Izuku. It was preceded by a cold chill.

"So it was true," the man gasped. "You are holding Todoroki here."

Izuku's eyes hardened and the man's widened with fear as they encountered.

"Shoto," Izuku gasped a correction as he moved the hotter than before flaming blade closer to the soon to be roasted intruder. "Who are you and why are you here?"

The man grinned as if he had some power in the situation and wasn't literal centimetres from death.

"I am a reporter. Got a tip from a friend about where the quirk stealer is holding Endeavour's son."

Despite Izuku's death stare the man's eyes glanced at the neighbour's house. His arm flinched. Izuku stomped on it with his free foot. A phone fell out of his grasp, a phone that was recording. It took less than a second to slice it, and some floor planks, in two. The two remaining pieces caught fire. Izuku brought the blade back over the intruder.

"I would ask what you think you are doing here, but you already said enough. Not the first Endeavour fan paparazzi who doesn't understand privacy any more than they care what is actually going on. First one to attempt to break into my house though."

"Look who is talking. Did…"

The Dragon Blade flashed a little hotter, making the man shut up.

"All I want to know is who else knows."

"My colleagues do, so don't get any ideas. I only came alone to get the scoop first. Found the quirk stealer. Returned Endeavour's son to his father. He should know already."

The temperature dropped quick enough that both of them shivered despite the heat radiating from the Dragon Blade. Izuku shut off the blade and quickly got up, not caring about the grunts of the man as Izuku's knee pushed against his chest.

Todoroki was standing still, staring blankly as the air around him cooled. The windows next to him already had frost creeping up them. Izuku stepped closer despite his skin tingling.

"Shoto stop. I told you he won't get you and I'm not about to break that promise," Izuku said with visible vapour coming out with his breath. "Trust me."

The last words stung him more than any ice, but he pushed through it and brought his arms around Shoto, bracing for a painful freeze, but Shoto just flinched and started warming up. It took only a few seconds to stop Izuku from shivering.

"Sorry, I'm sorry," Shoto stuttered and slumped in Izuku's hold.

"It's okay. I know exactly how you are feeling."

There was a moment of silence until it was interrupted by the man behind Izuku scrambling up and running. Izuku could have stopped him before he got on his feet, but was left internally arguing if that was worth letting go already. Shoto flinched. There was a series of clinging noises and then they and the steps ended with a loud gasp from the man.

Izuku pulled out of the hug but kept his arm over Shoto's shoulder as he turned to face the new porch ornament.

"Help!" The man screamed, his legs now encased in ice that would not budge despite his struggles.

"You'll get help when the police arrive," Izuku said, his voice colder than Shoto. "I would recommend shutting up until then."

"My legs are frozen!"

"You are lucky they are all that is. You have no idea."

Izuku started guiding Shoto towards the door, but the man did not shut up.

"Oh, uhm, what was that about?"

"If you stopped worshipping Endeavour and used your brain you would already understand. I already said everything you need to know at the sports festival."

Izuku stopped in front of the door, realizing he had not taken keys with him.

Begrudgingly, he let go of Shoto.

"Hold on a moment," he said and gave the intruder a stare. "Don't do anything stupid. I won't melt you out of there if you do. Might dust off the ash if you get really stupid."

He backed away from the wall and pulled up his shirt to expose the jets in his back. He jumped, clearing the balcony railing easily and headed downstairs. Once the back door was opened from the inside Shoto took a few steps in, but stopped. His breathing was getting faster.

"He is coming."

"Maybe. We need to leave. Go change."

"Where could we go?"

"I'll call Toshi. He got an apartment all to himself just recently, strangers would not know about it."

Izuku's phone rang as they were walking back upstairs. It was Eijiro.

"Hey Midobro. Sorry if I woke you, but someone found your address. I just saw a post online with a picture of your house. I think he is still somewhere there.

"I know," Izuku said. "He's stuck in ice now, but we need a new place for Shoto."

"Shoto, didn't he go with his sister?"

"He was supposed to. He's here. Can't stay now."

"Oh… You can come here. We got space," Eijiro said without hesitation. Izuku smiled.

"Are you sure it's okay? Your parents…"

"I'll talk to them. I've been telling them about what's been happening with the Todorokis."

"Okay, actually I think he might prefer that. We'll try to be there soon to not keep you up."

"Don't worry, I'm just finishing my homework. My evening run took a little longer than usual."

"Run…?" Izuku looked at the time on his phone and shook his head. "Never mind. We'll be there soon."

He ended the call and started selecting the number for his driver.

"Change of plans. We're going to Eijiro's."

They changed and left the house to wait for the car some distance away. It took time to get to them with such a sudden need and Izuku wasn't risking waiting at the house, not with Shoto fidgeting next to him, ready to freeze or burn his house down at the first strange sound. He stayed on the line with the police while they walked.

The drive was quiet, and the driver dropped them off close to Eijiro's house but not right in front of it. Izuku got out after Shoto, leaning briefly towards the driver.

"Sorry about this. It was an emergency."

"It's alright. I might not know everything you are doing but I know enough."

"Good," Izuku hesitated briefly. "Then you know this drive never happened and you have no idea where anyone lives."

The driver held two fingers against his forehead then flicked them in greeting. Izuku joined Shoto outside and they headed to the nearby house. As they approached Shoto's steps got faster and Izuku became the one following. At least the pavement behind Shoto wasn't freezing. That was good.

The Kirishima house was not as fancy as where Izuku was staying, but still nice. Shoto rang the doorbell. The sound hadn't even disappeared when the door got yanked open. The night got a little brighter, and not just because the lights were on inside.

"Hey, you made it!" Eijiro welcomed them and got out of the way to let them inside.

"Thank you," Shoto mumbled.

"Yeah man, anytime! Come on in! Our house isn't as big as Midobro's but you can stay in the living room, we got sofa beds for guests."

Shoto had barely gotten his shoes off before he was dragged further inside by the unbreakable shield turned unstoppable force that was an excited Eijiro. Izuku hung back, taking off his shoes more slowly. Partially it was just to watch the two walking to the next door with a soft smile on his face. Partially it was because of the two adults that had approached from another direction. Izuku was surprised at how different they appeared from Eijiro.

For starters neither of them had anything red on them. Both had hair as black as Tokoyami's feathers. The father was a 'totally normal looking' slightly chubby man about the same height as his son, perhaps a little taller for now, it was hard to say with how Eijiro's hair usually stood up.

Eijiro's mother was notably taller with a mutant-type quirk that made her skin rock-like, much like Eijiro's quirk when he was using it. On a superficial glance Izuku estimated he was still the harder one of the two, which one would expect with the constant evolution of quirks. Both of them were giving Izuku a lot more than a superficial glance.

"Hello," Izuku said and after hesitating for a few seconds gave a polite bow. "I am Izuku Midoriya. We are sorry to disrupt you this late."

He glanced at the next room where Eijiro was telling Shoto something while waving a hand around.

"It was an emergency, and we needed a new safe space for Shoto."

"So you convinced our son we would hide him, from his father," the man said.

"Not exactly. I was planning to take him to another friend's home, but Ei… Eijiro offered help before I could even ask," even with the unwelcoming reception Izuku smiled. "That's just how he is."

"Are you trying to blame our son?" The man asked, but the woman raised her rocky arm.

"Honey, I don't think he meant it like that. Can you really say he would need to do anything to convince Eijiro into helping someone?"

"Yes, he would if it involves crime or villainy or danger."

"Dad," Eijiro said with unusual seriousness. He was standing between the rooms with Shoto peeking out from behind him. "Really. You know that isn't true. Well, maybe the danger part, but I'm trying to be a hero. It is dangerous. It was always going to be, and a lot more dangerous than having friends overnight."

"Son, can you be sure he…" Eijiro's father started pointing at Izuku.

"Yes," Eijiro responded, verbally stabbing Izuku's heart in the process. The father's gaze moved to Shoto.

"So they didn't kidnap you?"

"No," Shoto responded meekly from behind Eijiro. "Please, don't let Endeavour know I'm here."

"No worries," Eijiro said and snaked his arm around Shoto's. "No one but us knows you are here."

Shoto relaxed a bit against Eijiro's support. They were all quiet for a moment until Eijiro's father sighed in surrender. It was a frustrated sigh, but a surrender nonetheless.

"You can stay, tonight, but we will talk about this in the morning."

"Great, thanks dad, mom! You coming Midobro?"

"Yes, in just a moment."

Eijiro looked at Izuku, then his parents, and nodded. He pushed the seriousness on his face away, his lips turning upwards before he spun around, dragging Shoto away with him again.

"You know," Izuku said just quietly enough to be heard by only the parents, "despite everything, you must be some of the best parents I have met."

"How so?" The father asked, still annoyed. His wife's smile revealed she already understood.

"Because I don't know how else he would have happened," Izuku nodded after Eijiro and Shoto, then turned fully towards the parents. "You have issues with me. Whatever you have to say, say it now while they are busy. I doubt you'll come up with anything I wouldn't have already heard."

There was a moment of silence. Then the mother spoke.

"You can really take people's quirks?"

"Take, use, and give," Izuku corrected. "I'm sure you already saw the sports festival."

"We saw you taking our son's quirk," the father said.

"More like getting, on loan. I've been careful when even just asking to try people's quirk, but Ei was almost excited for me to try it. After the festival he even offered our other friend to try it. It is a wonderful quirk by the way, even if he doesn't always want to believe it."

"So, you admit it," the father said.

"Clearly," Izuku's eyes narrowed, "and no, that does not mean I would 'steal' it. If anything, I'd like to get him a second one."

The two adults reacted pretty much as expected, mouths hanging open.

"You can do that?" The father asked.

"You would do that?" The mother asked at the same time.

"Yes, I already told you that," Izuku nodded and turned as if to follow the one and a half redheads.

"Why?" The mother asked. "Even if you can do it, why our son?"

Izuku glanced back at them.

"Because the world is full of people with powerful quirks who don't deserve them. Because Ei isn't one of them and would use one to save more people than most, maybe anyone else. Not that he needs a second or any quirk to help others."

He pointed at Eijiro and Shoto who were opening sofa beds in the next room, Eijiro's smile having already infected the other.

"I hope you get my point. I already explained it to All Might and don't feel like repeating the whole thing."

"All Might," the mother said. "You talked about our Eijiro to All Might?"

"Yes. He wanted to know who I think in our class would be closest to kicking him off his pedestal, or at least would be the best for the job."

Izuku took his backpack he had brought and left Eijiro's parents behind. Izuku leaned on the backrest of the sofa Shoto had sat on.

"You two doing fine?"

"Yes…" Shoto's response was interrupted by a long yawn.

"Heh, time to hit the bed," Eijiro said with as much energy as Izuku had had around noon, assuming the nightmares had been light the previous night. "Hope you don't mind sharing the room. We've only got these sofas to sleep on."

"That's okay," Izuku smiled. "With everything that has happened, Shoto has preferred to share a room anyway even when it was just the two of us. I can kind of understand it, empty rooms don't always feel right."

"Oh." Eijiro hummed. "Hold on a sec." He hopped up from where he was sitting and disappeared out of the room, leaving only his parents to keep an eye on Izuku and Shoto from the entryway. Izuku tilted his head to let them know he hadn't forgotten them, but didn't say anything.

Izuku and Shoto started settling down. A few moments later Eijiro appeared again, dragging big heavy-looking mattress over his head, smirking like he wasn't noticing the weight and put the mattress next to the sofas.

"We can have a full sleepover, and it's not even a weekend!"

"Yeah, even if it feels a bit more awkward," Izuku glanced at Eijiro's parents again.

"Dad," Eijiro called, "they are fine."

"You say so, but your safety is my responsibility. We don't know them."

Looking at the two, and having both punched and been punched by one of them, the statement sounded mostly funny, but Izuku kept that to himself…

"Can you really trust him?"

Eijiro looked at his father and sighed, almost losing his smile. Suddenly he raised his hand closer to Izuku.

"I do. Izuku, take it."

"You mean…?"

"Yeah."

Izuku took his hand and after a few seconds met Eijiro's father's stare.

"As you heard. He asked it, again."

After the last word Izuku flexed his other arm and it hardened. Both parents gasped. Shoto and Eijiro barely blinked. Izuku then reversed the transfer and Eijiro did the same with his arm.

"See dad, all good. Didn't even feel anything."

The father shook his head. "I can't understand it. You better have your quirk in the morning, or you will be grounded."

He left the room. The mother smiled to Eijiro and turned to follow, though even she took another glance at Izuku.

It could have gone worse.

They started laying down. Izuku hadn't paid enough attention to figure out how, but Eijiro had gotten Shoto on his mattress between the sofas. Izuku approved. This was one case where the best place was between the rock and the hard place. Though Shoto was still a bit restless even after laying down.

"Hey Shoto," Izuku said. "What do you think about Ei's parents?"

"I'm not sure. They seem to want the best, at least for him, but they didn't like you. I was a bit surprised."

"Oh, about what?" Eijiro asked.

"About how they look. I could see your quirk comes from your mother, but other than that they don't look anything like you."

"Do you mean the hair?" Izuku asked.

"Oh that, heh," Eijiro said, brushing his hair with his fingers. "Mine is actually coloured."

"It is?" Izuku asked, pushing himself up a little, trying to imagine Eijiro with any other colour scheme. It just didn't fit. "Black?"

"Yeah, and my quirk didn't just come from my mom," Eijiro held up and hardened his arm. "The hardening and strength come from her, but she has a mutant type quirk. She can't stop using it. Dad has the transformation part so I can..."

He unhardened and hardened his arm a couple of times to demonstrate.

"Makes sense. Your quirk might seem like just one quirk, but it can only exist because of the combination of both of your parents' quirks. Still yours though," Izuku made the last addition for Shoto. They laid in silence for a moment after that.

"I hope we can train at Izuku's house again at some point," Shoto said. "The new steel block is perfect for you."

The words had an effect like a time machine as Eijiro suddenly seemed awake like it was 12 hours ago.

"Oh, it came?! You really got one? I wasn't sure at first if you were joking!"

"I wasn't," Izuku said, "but if you break it on the first day, I'm not going to get a second one."

"Heh, I'll try my best."

"That's what I am worried about, especially after the robots at the sports festival."

"Hey, it was Todoroki who broke that. It just fell on me."

"Sorry," Shoto said. Eijiro fell quiet and put his hand on the other's shoulder.

"Hey don't worry. No harm done."

"Because he got lucky on who it fell on," Izuku muttered before realizing to shut up.

"Maybe this isn't a good time…" Eijiro started.

"No," Shoto muttered, silencing the redhead. "I know. I cared more about winning to show Endeavour my strength than the safety of other people. I'm trying to do better, but often I still just think what is good for me, mostly how to avoid Endeavour even if it means taking advantage of you."

Izuku stared at him for a moment.

"Ei, should I slap him or do you want to?"

"Eh?" The two reacted at the same time.

"He is still thinking he should be worried to ask for help."

"Oh," Eijiro realized and tapped Shoto's head. "Is that good enough?"

Izuku huffed but smiled. He laid back down fully.

"I know you say I shouldn't worry about it, but if I'm supposed to care more about other people, where does having others endure something for me become not good?"

Izuku thought for a moment.

"I don't think there is a simple answer on that. If you really want to focus on helping others but are uncertain, you could always ask what would Eijiro do, as long as it doesn't involve blocking attacks with your face."

The redhead tilted upon hearing that. Shoto hummed a bit, uncertain.

"That sounds good, but… why not what would Izuku do?"

"I wouldn't recommend that," Izuku said every word quieter than the previous. "Try to sleep now."

Once they stopped talking, Eijiro fell asleep first in no time at all. Izuku was so jealous wishing he had that ability. Then Shoto's breathing slowed some time later. Izuku remained awake, staring at the dark ceiling and listening to the calming sound of the two breaths next to him. They reminded him that Izuku Midoriya was perhaps more than a walking lie to give the world an innocent-ish face.

Unfortunately, that face didn't feel like sleeping now. Well, he did, even yawned, trying not to make a sound, but that didn't mean he would fall asleep. It was a very unpleasant combination and Izuku started wishing he had already gotten that Sleep Deprived quirk.

Eventually he stood up and went to the nearest window to peek out between the curtains. They might have come here to be safe, but this place didn't have the same kind of security as his house.

There were no signs of movement and now sounds. Well, not outside. Izuku turned to meet the eyes of Eijiro's father at the entryway to the room. He still wasn't trusting enough to have Eijiro sleep with friends in the same room. Izuku held his finger up in front of his mouth, nodding at the two sleeping forms before moving to another window. He walked past the father on his way back to bed.

"Your son still has his quirk," Izuku whispered. "We both prefer things that way."

"Why would I believe that?"

"Because him being unbreakable means I have a little less to worry about," Izuku said, looking at the two. "I don't have much, and those few there are that I do have, have chosen dangerous paths in life."

He laid back down on the bed, checking news and social media for anything about him or Shoto with the sheet to block the light. Eventually he put the phone down, a little more confident no one was about to jump them.

That was until an irritating ringing filled the air around him. Eyes still closed, Izuku's hand sought for the source from its usual place on the bedside table, but it was not there, the table wasn't there and the sound was further away. It disappeared on its own.

"Good morning!"

The words loudly penetrated the darkness around Izuku which was then filled by light. Izuku forced his eyelids open despite them not wanting to move. Eijiro was pulling open curtains, allowing early morning light inside. Had Izuku missed the alarm? He realised he hadn't even delayed the usual early alarm he had for morning workout.

It only started ringing as Izuku was reaching for his phone. Apparently Eijiro had almost the same wake up time. He just had more energy after sleeping properly. Shoto held his right hand on his face and some white frost formed between his fingers. He shuddered visibly but his eyes opened wider and more awake.

"That's one way to wake up," Izuku chuckled. Shoto jolted and his hand dropped fast as his head turned to notice Izuku.

"Morning," Izuku said, keeping his voice low and soft. Shoto calmed and smiled back.

"Morning. Did you get sleep?"

"Yes, slower than you, let alone Ei, but at least I didn't wake up in the middle of the night."

"No nightmares?"

"No."

…

"I heard you having them."

Izuku looked at Shoto for a moment but gave up and chose honestly for once. He shook his head.

"Yeah, not bad enough to wake up, but I had them." He yawned. "Sorry if it woke you up. I didn't do anything worse right?"

Izuku glanced around the sofa-bed. Shoto tilted his head.

"Don't worry about it. I would have put the fire out if it was that bad."

Izuku grimaced as he got up to sit. He froze at the sound of steps behind him.

"And what fire are we talking about?"

"Eh, good morning dad," Eijiro said. "We were just getting ready for our morning workout."

"What," his father emphasised each word, "fire?"

"Uh, well…" Eijiro struggled to come up with something to say. "It really isn't anything important."

"Eijiro?"

"It is something that happened to me," Izuku said quickly but quietly. He hesitated for a long moment after that, but it shouldn't be Eijiro's burden to explain away his problems. "I once had a nightmare bad enough that… when I got suddenly woken up I lit a fire with a quirk I have. I was lucky Shoto was in the room."

…

"I guess it is good I didn't disrupt your sleep then."

Izuku raised his head and turned towards the man for the first time since sunrise.

"I heard you talking in your sleep," the man said even more seriously. "It was like you were fighting, and angry. Then you stopped and started crying, thanking 'Ei' for something."

Izuku said nothing. The over-energetic redhead moved closer. His mother showed up from behind his father. At least she was smiling.

"Midoriya was it," the father said, still serious. "I still feel I should be suspicious of you, but seems, if you want something from our son, it is not his quirk… probably. As much as we worry, we agreed to support him if he got into a hero school so..."

He fell quiet and turned his head away. Eijiro's mother stepped forward.

"He isn't good at admitting he might have been wrong. Basically, we aren't going to get in the way if Eijiro wants to help someone, or two someones. We talked about it, and we won't mind if Todoroki stays here, at least as long as it is… isn't clearly illegal. Also, he must stay inside while he is here, if people really are so interested in where he is."

"That's great, thanks mom, dad!" Eijiro declared. His father soon left for work and his mother disappeared somewhere. Izuku sat on the sofa thinking about what had just happened. Eijiro sat next to him and the relative dullness of his smile revealed he was on to serious business.

"So," he paused, "about that nightmare?"

"I don't remember any details," Izuku sighed, "but it sounds I might have you to thank for that."

"Yeah, I still don't quite understand."

"Ei, do you remember the different types of nightmares I've had?"

"Yeah, was this the second kind?" Eijiro forced a smirk and pointed a thumb at his chest. "Figured Red Riot won't go down even in nightmares right?"

"I don't think so. What your father said, about me fighting and angry and crying. I think this was the third kind of nightmare. I guess you are already keeping your promises."

"What promises?" Shoto asked, just putting on his PE uniform shirt behind them. Izuku pressed his lips together as Eijiro jolted to look back at Shoto. He still had work to do in remaining alert and aware of his surroundings.

"Oh, well, I don't think I can say. It was something Izuku felt was important because of some nightmares."

"The third kind, wasn't that the one about him almost killing people."

"Oh, you know?"

"He was listening outside the room back then. You didn't notice?" Izuku asked.

"Oh, right. Haven't thought about that."

Somehow even in that situation he got Izuku to smile a bit. Izuku put his hand on Eijiro's shoulder, using it as support as he stood up.

"Thank you, and sorry if I woke up you too."

"Ah, don't worry," Eijiro said and brushed his hair as he stood up, "I never even noticed. I can be a bit of a heavy sleeper."

He looked at Izuku in silence for a moment.

"Can we… do something?"

Izuku shook his head.

"Already did," he smirked. "Maybe I should talk about it with doctor Shinso. I think he still owes me a few therapy sessions for helping with his training."

"That might be good," Shoto agreed.

…

"So," Izuku said. "Did I hear someone talking about a morning workout?"

The room experienced a second sunrise as the words reached Eijiro. He led them into a large garage with a small space spared for the car with the opposite wall filled by long racks of weights that must have weighed more combined than the car. Eijiro's mother was already doing deadlifts there with weights that looked like they weighed more than the three teenagers combined. She smirked.

"I was starting to wonder if you were going to skip this morning."

"No way!" Eijiro shouted, holding his fist up as his arm hardened. He went to grab at least as many weights as his mother had.

"Someday I'll beat you, without using my quirk even!"

"Maybe when I turn 70. You should have started training earlier."

She reached for some more weights herself.

"Well, this explains a lot, I think," Izuku muttered.