The Big Three Visits The Crowley

Three friends in their Hero costumes were walking down the street, the late-night air cool, and the smell of rain fresh.

"Are you sure we won't be a bother?" One of them, a dark-haired man, asked.

"We won't be. Nothing's wrong with seeing him work. If he's busy, we could just hang out with the three of us," a girl with periwinkle hair reassured.

"Nejire-Chan's right! Who knows? Maybe we could all do a standup comedy and have fun!" the other man, a blond, said enthusiastically.

"Mirio, are you sure about this? What if he gets angry or-"

"Why would he get angry, Tamaki?" Nejire wondered. "Wait. Why are you shaking?"

"H-He beat Mirio. Who wouldn't get scared of that? And he barely fought himself. I'm sure he could beat all of us at once."

Nejire tilted her head and shrugged. "For me, it just meant he'll be a good boyfriend. He helps others, a natural leader, protective, smart, AND strong. Plus, he's super handsome too! Hey hey! Did I tell you how we met?"

"During the donation drive, right?" Mirio answered for his friend.

Nejire had been talking about Izuku since that fight. While Mirio was happy his best friend seemed to have caught the love-bug, he couldn't help but worry. Her previous relationships went quite disastrous and she was never this enthusiastic talking about her exes. He feared how low the fall would be if this ended in another heartbreak.

They opened the door to the building before hearing a loud booming sound, the shockwave sent them sliding back, almost pushed them back out the building and triggered the alarm of a cars across the street. Looking at it, they found Izuku engaged with what seemed to be a arm-wrestling contest with a couple of green-skinned men with large tusks.

"Welp, better luck next time," Izuku told them before standing up, his eyes landing on the trio. He smiled and welcomed them before guiding them to their seat.

"What was that, just now?" Mirio asked.

"Just something I thought up. Basically, the drink will be free if they manage to win," he explained. "Spends some of their energy not to be too rowdy and improves the numbers."

"That's cool! Who were they? Would it really be free? Did anyone ever won against you?" Nejire bombarded him with questions.

"Just some regulars," he vaguely answered, unsure if Mirio and Tamaki were aware of the magical side of things before answering the rest, "Yeah, it's legit. And yes, I lost once or twice at the beginning of the school year. My wallet cried during those times. Not really nowadays, though."

"Can we try?" Mirio asked.

"Of course. Just don't turn on your Quirk in the middle of it and claim you won," Izuku joked.

"Drats! I mean, hahaha. Of course, man," he said, going with the flow.

"Hey, Tamaki. How about you?"

"S-Sorry. I can't," he mumbled.

"Hey, Tamaki! Cheer up. This is a fun night, not a funeral," Nejire chided, poking his cheeks.

Tamaki's shoulders slumped.

"He doesn't seem to like crowds," Mirio tried to explain.

"You're gonna have to get used to them eventually. You can't hide away forever, you know," she scolded him.

Izuku chuckled. "No worries. You're serious about the competition?"

"I know I don't have a chance against your strength, but there's nothing to lose and we're just having fun anyway," Mirio smirked, positioning his hand on the table.

"Sure," Izuku placed his arm over the blond's, but not before casting Shield on the table. He didn't want the shattered table taken from his wages, after all. Midnight was strict when it came to damages.

They started, Mirio using his whole body weight on it. Even then, the green-haired teen easily push his hand to the table.

"D-damn, you're strong!"

"Thanks," Izuku replied before turning his attention to Tamaki. "You okay there, senpai?"

"No thanks. I'm good," the shy boy answered.

"Okay. Anything I could have for you three?" he offered, deciding not to push Tamaki.

"Anything you'd recommend, actually. You know the menu best," Nejire responded.

"We got a nice selection of craft beer," he said, giving her a menu.

"Ooooh!" she cooed, her eyes shining at the list. "I'll take the one called 'Amber Dawn'. What about you, Tamaki?"

"S-sorry," he mumbled.

"How about this one? It's the closest to soda pop on the list," Mirio suggested.

"O-okay."

"I'll have a Guinness Stout, please," Mirio asked.

"Coming right up."

They all watched as Izuku worked. Nejire was appreciatively looking at his thick arms as he expertly handled the beer taps.

"Hah! Look at dis gitz! Took da Evoka'z deal wit' arms skinnier den squig legs!" A voice called out and laughed. They turned back and saw the same orc that was challenging Izuku earlier.

"Oooh! What dialect was that? What are you saying? Are you speaking a different language?" Nejire interrogated.

The orc looked at Nejire from head to toe. "Ya a twiggy bird, but twiggy means bendy, eh? Gonna test dat while ya screamin' me name!" He was about to reach out, Nejire readied her Quirk by instinct. Yet before anything happened, Izuku instantly appeared, wrapping his arms around the orc's neck. Tight.

The orc was struggling to breathe as he looked at Izuku. His gaze was colder than the arctic.

"Apologize," his voice was calm. Too calm.

The air itself seemed to stall as cold sweat ran down the Orc's body, but his pride refused to bow down. He was about to refuse when the other orcs profusely apologized to Izuku on his behalf.

"We'z sorry,Bouze! Didn't mean ta get da Evoka mad! Dis git's just a right stupid lump, dat's all!"

Izuku glared at him for a moment before letting him go. He was gasping for breath, holding his chest as if to confirm he was still alive.

"Izuku, are you okay?" Nejire asked.

"Yeah. Don't worry about it. Some patrons can still get pretty rowdy," he told her. 'Still quite dumb to make a scene in Nemuri's bar, though. I know orcs aren't known for their intelligence, but...'

He looked around and saw both Mirio and Tamaki were already standing up, ready to engage if it came down to it. The rest of the patrons were holding their breath, unsure if he'd set the orcs on fire, and so they were trying not to get noticed by him. Even the Nue at the corner wanted to avoid getting involved.

Izuku's voice both firm and just enough for the trio not to hear. "First and final warning. Mind your friend or we're having BBQ. Understood?"

The orcs frantically nodded, smacking the offending foolish orc behind his head.

"Sorry about this, you three," Izuku said, his demeanor warming back to normal.

"You sure you're okay?" Nejire asked quickly. The tension dissipated as they settled back into their seats. "You sure you're okay, though?"

"Yeah, they normally won't do this, but I think that one's new here. Here are your orders," Izuku announced.

"T-Thanks," Tamaki thanked, even more shaken up after the display.

He was about to go back before he felt Nejire tugging his sleeve. "Hey hey! Why don't you sit with us?" Nejire offered, slightly pulling him as she made space beside her.

"Oh! That's a good idea!" Mirio seconded. "It'll also make Nejire-Chan happy, right?" he winked conspiratorially at her.

"Sure," he accepted the offer and sat beside her.

"This is the first time you came here, isn't it? How did you three find it?"

"Well, it's cozy, the atmosphere's relaxing, and the beer tastes amazing!"

"The drinks are really good here, and I can't even taste the alcohol!" Nejire praised, unconsciously adjusting her seat to be closer to Izuku. He noticed it, and wrapped his hand around her waist. Her ears turned red upon feeling it, but she leaned in further.

"I-It's pretty good, too..." Tamaki seconded, his eyes darting to the two, "but I don't think I'm cut out for places like this. Too many people."

"If you wanna be a Hero, you're gonna need to work on that, Tamaki. You can't let something like crowds bother you."

"Yeah, you're right. It's just that, sometimes, my confidence just crumbles..."

"I'm sure you're capable of handling more than a crowd, senpai. Maybe the way to start is small. Just talk to me," Izuku offered. "What sort of things do you like talking about?"

"I like eating and cooking, I guess..."

"I'm not too good at cooking, just simple homemade stuff..." Izuku and Tamaki talked back-and-forth, discovering more things in common than the latter realized.

Mirio and Nejire watched them, glad to see Tamaki slowly opening up. When they started becoming more comfortable with each other, Mirio started adding in jokes in the conversation. Nejire started asking more and more about Izuku's work-life, occasionally flirting and leaning into him.

They had a great time together.

After a few hours, the group decided they had to go.

"Thank you. How much was it?" Mirio asked.

"On the house. Don't worry about it," he responded. When a customer called for help, he said, "I gotta go. Take care, everyone." He gave Nejire a quick hug and kiss. It wasn't just as a sign of affection, the other patrons would also understand that they were his and never bother them. As he walked away, he heard Nejire's response.

"He's so dreamy."

Mirio stared at him. He always knew Izuku's presence was something else. He was used to being around intimidating people before, from Nighteye to various criminals they investigated. 'But he still took the cake.'

"H-Hey. Are y-you really okay with him? I know it's not my place, but..." Tamaki stammered.

"Tamaki. I know you and Mirio are worried about me," she told them with a smile. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."

He stared at the ground as he was deep in thought before looking at Nejire in the eye. "Okay. I'll wish you happiness with him."

Mirio thought for a moment, understanding that it wasn't just about the match that was the reason why Tamaki's anxious about meeting Izuku.

"Thank you~! You two are the best of friends I could ask for!" Nejire happily exclaimed.

Sétanta, but not for Christmas

Another evening in The Crowley, Izuku was tending to the store when a familiar face. His hair color was different, but without a doubt the same man he saw during the Sports Festival, Sétanta. Though unlike before, there was a new intensity to him, a casual dismissal of the soft mores of society that hints that Fae traveling through human cities at least pretended to be human. That, and his chainmail outfit contrasted with his initial outfit Izuku knew.

He looked at the bar, and let out a sigh, "And of course Nemuri's missing."

"Izuku! So nice to see you. I hear you serve excellent beer here."

"Well, this is a pub, so I'd hope so. The owner's also a connoisseur for drinks from each side. What can I get you?"

"We are not short of esoteric at Court, Izuku. Any ales brewed by our short-lived cousins you'd recommend?"

"My boss brought in a fresh keg of Traquair House Ale; I haven't popped the seal on it, but that's probably the nicest Normie ale we got."

"Excellent! Here, pour me one, and another for yourself," he said, handing over ¥10,000 to Izuku.

"Thanks."

Izuku grabbed a hogshead cask and casually swung its one ton weight as if it was light as a feather underneath the tap, carefully placing it without disturbing the ale inside.

"Two pints of Traquiar, coming right up!"

"So...what is an Evoker doing pouring pints in a human establishment?"

"Extra source of income, a room I could use, and getting some answers," he replied.

A scowl appeared on his face as he looked around the building, "One of the Spears of Mankind...of your bloodline, especially, reduced to this, forced to serve the rabble."

"I wouldn't say forced and many of them are particularly interesting," Izuku said as he handed Sétanta a pint. "Besides, I don't think I'm reduced to anything. I enjoy hard work."

"Hah! A noble sentiment, indeed," he said, before raising the pint in salute. "If our paths ever cross in Elsewhere, I might treat you to a drink or two there. See how interesting our folks in comparison to here."

"I'll take you up on that offer someday. Though I have never been to Tír na nÓg."

The scowl returned a second time. "And if you did, you would not find me there. I find the decadence of their Court...cloying. Camelot at least had the excuse of not being ran by our kind," he said before taking a drink again. "The ale is excellent, by the way...thank you for the recommendation."

"No worries. Thanks for the tip. Can I get you another one?" Izuku offered.

"Not today, Izuku. Perhaps we will meet another day..."

"I am looking forward to that," Izuku said as he watched the man walk out of the bar as another walked in.

A Talking Bird

"Hello, again, Izuku," Valery Reine greeted upon entering The Crowley, her eyes darting outside before dismissing the thought.

"Hi, Val. Shall I get you an ale?"

"No. Today's most definitely a Whisky day," she sighed before roughly sitting at the bar. "You wouldn't happen to have a Laphroaig, would you?"

"We've got one of pretty much every single malt still being produced," he told her from behind the bar. "Let's see...the Triple Wood okay?"

"Sounds good. Give me double. No ice."

Izuku nodded, taking a glass and pouring the drink for her.

"So, rough day?"

"Yes. Damn all stubborn Evokers. Present company excluded, of course."

"Wanna talk about it?"

She handed him a crisp bill. "Sure. Pour yourself another one of those, and keep the change."

"Thanks," he poured the drink and leaned across her. "I take it your legal matters are still unresolved?"

"Very much so. Do you know a professor named Booker? W Booker?"

"Yeah, he's my Evocation teacher."

"You...did mention that you were a student before. Strange. You seem older than that."

"I'm gonna take that as me having the charm of an experienced man, and not that I look like a 50 year old in disguise," he laughed.

"I meant that in a good way, don't worry," she smiled. "Anyway, back to Booker. It's peculiar that he's here. But then again...it wouldn't be strange having him teaching the one or two Evokers in this age. One of the few Evokers that can tolerate young'uns without setting them on fire," she joked. "You are aware of Paladins, right? He's one of those."

"Evokers who dedicate themselves in service of Humanity? Hard to be an Evoker and not to be. Actually tried to considered being one."

"You could also join Einhenjar, like I offered before."

"And what does joining 'Einhenjar' entail? What is it, exactly?"

"Can't tell you much, but let's say it's the private security force of my...employers."

"The Norse?"

"Close enough."

Izuku looked at her. His senses remained terrible but he was hoping to tap into whatever Sorcery he got from his mother. 'Nothing,' he thought. "So what exactly are you? I don't sense a Spark, but you're definitely not human. Not currently, anyway," he bluffed.

"Kind of you to say. I'm mostly human. I simply have a...bond. To one of the Gods. It allows me to be more than merely human when I need to be?"

"So you're a Chosen? Of what god?"

She looked quite uncomfortable by the question, shifting from her seat across him. "My mistress is...not really important for this conversation. Suffice to say, I served her for a long time, both as a legal representative and in a more...direct...capacity."

He noticed both her candid response but saw there were still guards in place so he changed the subject, "So, Booker's a Paladin, huh?"

She laughed. "Booker is one giant pain in the ass, is what he is. But I kind of get why he's angry in this case."

"This is about Thor, isn't it?"

Her head shifted to Izuku, looking at him the eyes before leaning forward. "I guess it makes sense that you know that. A few months ago, one of our Seers foresaw something. They think it's link to Ragnarök."

"The 'Yaoyorozu Doom'?"

"I doubt they would appreciate that term, but yes. The same thing the Yaoyorozu Seers have Seen. It was tied to this city and UA."

"And Thor was sent to investigate?"

"Of course not," she scoffed, leaning back. "The only thing that crazy bastard is suited for is electrocuting things or beating them to death. One of my Sisters should have gone, but Thor found out and stole a march on her. He has...issues...regarding Ragnarök"

"And why did he attack Booker?"

"Because he wasn't supposed to? It's like catnips for Gods: the idea that anyone would dare deny them something."

"Then why leave him alive?"

"Because he's stupid, that's why. You never leave an enemy as lethal as W Booker behind you."

"Eindridi didn't strike me as stupid."

"Thor's smart enough but not particularly wise. In this case I assume he was just counting coup. The act of tweaking the nose of someone as dangerous as Booker was likely irresistible."

"He didn't seem dangerous."

"Trust me, he is. Most Evokers are reasonably simple; give them a problem and they'll hit it headfirst like a battering ram."

"Well..."

"You guys are physically dangerous but quite predictable."

"Thanks. And Booker?"

"Booker's patient, cunning, and crooked as a corkscrew. He's also uninterested in glory and honour, which makes him far more flexible for my personal liking."

"You say that as if glory and honour are bad things?"

"Izuku, I'm no Evoker. I can borrow energy from my Mistress, but even if I do, I'd have no intention of meeting a force of nature head on."

"I guess," he shrugged.

"Anyway, most Evokers you can outplot and outplan. Booker's different; his mind works in odd angles, and if pushed he's capable of quite extreme amounts of violence."

"One assumes a Valkyrie would know about extreme violence," Izuku pointed out.

He made a guess about the nature of Valkyries. The 'Mistress' and the fact of her being a Chosen were factors. There were few considerable military units in the Norse myth. And considering he was being recruited of Einhenjar by her, a classic duty of Valkyries. He also doubted it consisted of a bunch of Chosen, as those with Sparks of their own cannot become one. Which left Valkyries, under the rule of either Frigg, or Freya, depending on which story passed down was accurate.

Shocked, her jaw dropped. "You're really not as clueless as you look, are you, Izuku? And yes, babysitting Viking berserkers does teach you a thing or two about violence. Trust me, Booker's still a class by himself."

"And that brings you, here, to try to keep peace?"

"To try smooth things over, if possible. Nobody wants to be checking under their bed for the next five decades just in case Booker's hiding there with a magic sword."

"And the Prophecies your Seer saw?"

"Thor claims he's resolved it. I'm not certain of it myself. There have been a few odd things happening these past few weeks. But once I sort out Booker, that's my next task. To find out what he's solved, how he solved it, and just how much trouble he's borrowed for the Æsir down the road."

"So he's averted Ragnarök?"

"You don't avert something like that. You might delay it, or change its nature, but...some things are meant to happen. They're driven by Destiny or Fate. All you can do is meet it as best you could."

"So it's still happening?"

"Oh most certainly. Though I doubt it'll happen quite as described by the Sagas. That it will happen, I have no doubts about. And soon."

'Interesting,' Izuku thought. He was able to learn quite a few things while posing as an unimportant Evoker bouncer...well, it was futile to try to be unimportant as an Evoker, so he settled for that. "Another whisky?" he offered.

She stood up. "No, I don't have your Evoker tolerance for alcohol, and I'm far too maudlin to sit around drinking the night away. It was good seeing you again, Izuku. I'll make a point of stopping by next time I'm around."

"You too, Val. Don't be a stranger."

Izuku saw a faint smile on her lips before waving him goodbye and leaving the establishment.

Winter Girl

The distinctive sound of bell crickets filled the cool, autumn night as Fuyumi walked down the street. She just finished her work. The school day was always busy, but nearing winter meant the kids had even less interest in studying but more work. She was walking along, tired enough to make her feel like her bag weighed a ton on her shoulders, but happy. She enjoyed her job, even when the kids were difficult.

She turned a corner, and was pleasantly surprised to see Izuku standing by the road rail. She noticed he was wearing sunglasses, which she found strange considering the day, but the distinct green hair and the tall strature of his figure made it obvious who it was.

"Midoriya-kun," she called out.

He turned, and a smile formed on his lips. "Fuyumi-san. What a surprise. Are you alone?"

"Yes. I've just finished with work. You?"

"Same. Do you mind if I walk with you?"

"Not at all," she smiled. "Are those sunglasses a fashion statement or something?"

"Nah, it's just...a side effect of fighting a dragon," he said, rubbing the back of his head.

"A dragon?" she wondered. "That was quite wild, even for you," she giggled.

But Izuku's expression was serious. Too serious.

She felt nervous all of a sudden, "Wait, what happened? And by 'dragon,' do you mean Ryukyu?"

"Ryukyu? Who's that?" Izuku wondered.

Her expression turned confused, "Ryukyu's the Dragon Hero. She's a Pro Hero."

"Huh, is that so," he flatly said.

"Shoto-kun told me you were quite a Hero fan, so it's surprising to know you didn't hear about a top hero before."

"Who's Shoto? Your boyfriend?"

"Now, you're just joking," Fuyumi laughed. "He's my brother."

"Ah, so that's who. Enough about the reptile, why don't we hang out?"

She thought about it for a moment. She wanted nothing more than to plop to bed and sleep, but didn't want to ruin her chances when he invited her. "Sure. I don't mind."

Fuyumi may have caught on if she was a tiny bit less tired, but as it was, her mind was a little dulled by fatigue.

He offered his arm. She blushed as she hooked hers on it, feeling his arms. She leaned into him, thinking he was unusually cold to the touch, unlike last time. 'He must be cold,' she thought before looking up at him, seeing as he wasn't even a jacket. "Where should we go?"

He grinned, "I know just the place."

Meanwhile, in The Crowley, several patrons were around a table where a rock troll, seventeen feet tall was sitting. In front of him, was Izuku, his palm was pressed against his hand, as the patrons were cheering and placing bets.

"Ready to start yet?" Izuku grinned. The rock troll was using both its hands against him, but his palm was not budging.

The rock troll roared before pressing further. But despite the amount of force the rock troll was showing, his hand remained firm.

"Alright, time to finish this," he said as he immediately beat the rock troll, the force of the impact causing cracks to appear on the Shield spell and the shockwave even temporarily ringing the patrons' ears.

When they saw the result, the crowd was filled with both excitement at the display and disappointment their drinks won't be on the house.

Suddenly, the door burst open as dust filled the entrance. As it cleared up, they saw Endeavor, huffing and puffing as he was burning hot.

Endeavor's eyes scanned the bar, only to stop at Izuku. He glared with enough ferocity that a kappa let out a shriek. "YOU!" His steps echoed throughout the bar as he stomped toward him, his flames licking the air around him.

"Hello, Endeavor," Izuku greeted calmly, his arms crossed.

"Don't 'hello' me!" he bellowed. "You keep everyone around you in danger. And instead of distancing yourself, you kept crawling into people's lives like a cockroach! Because of you..."

Izuku tuned out his ramblings. 'It's all bark, no bite,' he thought.

"You listen to me, boy! You keep my daughter and family out of whatever business you have!"

"I'd rather not, if that's alright with you," Izuku replied, a faint smile on his face.

The Pro Hero's face contorted into anger, his flames burning hotter and higher. He stepped forward and grabbed Izuku's collar. "I won't repeat myself, brat. I'll be forced to act if you keep-"

"How about you keep your hands off of me?" Izuku replied, his tone icy.

Angered, Endeavor's flames flared up, but he quickly dropped to his knees, vomiting his dinner onto the ground. He was unsure of what had happened; he felt no pain but couldn't stop himself from throwing up. Izuku walked over and tossed him a towel, usually used for patrons who had drunk too much, saying, "Go clean that up."

The Flame Hero glared at him, not saying anything.

"Look, Endeavor, I tolerate you because, despite your personal life, you're a pretty great Hero. But you don't get to dictate how I interact with your family. Also, you don't get to disrespect me in my Place."

Izuku's words hung heavily in the air, making it hard for anyone to breathe.

Endeavor coughed, spitting out some liquid that Izuku guessed was soup before he began cleaning the floor. "So, why are you really here?"

The man replied, "Fuyumi's with a shapeshifter."

This got the Evoker's attention. "Are you sure? Where is she?" he asked, seeing the man standing up.

"Of course I'm sure. It's wearing glasses in the middle of the night, looking like you. And you're here. I saw her in the middle of the city, near the train station. She's with him now."

Izuku sighed. He would have preferred if the hero started with that. And he found himself glaring at him, knowing he abandoned his daughter. While it may be smarter, Izuku couldn't imagine himself in Endeavor's shoes leaving Eri to get reinforcements. But his priority right now was rescuing Fuyumi.

He grabbed Endeavor by the scruff of his costumeand pulled him out of the bar, turning to the patrons. "You all behave while I'm gone."

"Aight, Bouze," the orcs responded.

Suddenly, the distance around him compressed as thin as a sheet of paper, and time slowed to a near standstill as the colors shifted to blue with red edges. In an instant, he arrived at the Tatooine train station. He scanned the area but found no sign of Fuyumi before stopping.

"Whuh?"

Izuku didn't respond as he dragged Endeavor through the crowd, ignoring the curious looks directed at them. He clicked his tongue, anxious about the possibility that they might have already left.

"Where did you see them? How long ago?" he asked, hoping it wasn't too late. 'Maybe I can catch up to the train.'

"About ten minutes ago, near the ticket booth," Endeavor replied, trying to regain some composure but flinching under Izuku's glare.

'That's too long. They could be anywhere!' His mind raced through options, from searching blindly to reviewing CCTV footage with Endeavor's authority.

He decided to call Mina for help but realized he didn't have his phone. 'Damn!'

Then a voice called out, "Seems like Juliet is in trouble, huh, little Romeo? Though I guess not so little," a man chuckled, nudging Izuku with his elbows.

He looked at the man, yet he couldn't quite describe him. It was as if the memory of his form escaped him every time he looked at him.

Izuku wanted to confront him but held back. "Do you know where Fuyumi is?"

"In a tomb she waits for her Romeo. Go rescue your Juliet—or at least one of them—before the clock strikes twelve. Let's see if you can resist corruption this time, 'The End of All,'" he said with a bow before vanishing.

Izuku considered the man's cryptic hints and whether he was just messing with him. But it was the only lead he had. He took Endeavor by the shoulders, ignoring his protests.

He arrived near a tomb as he heard whispers. A man and a woman. His instincts went into overdrive, realizing the situation. Izuku pulled out X, its blade glowing like a supernova within the darkness as it channeled his Rage.

He moved, his action swift and decisive. One movement, one slice. The shifter's arm wrapped around Fuyumi's shoulders was flying in the air, the cut so clean it made no sound as it separated.

He cast a Shield spell around Fuyumi and Endeavor.

Before anyone could act, his fist collided with the creature. The air got superheated, the carbons around his fist turned to countless diamond droplets for a brief moment before melting. The impact created a shockwave that rippled through the tectonic plates, causing tremors across continents. Mountains in the distance shuddered, and for a brief moment, the clouds in the hemisphere parted from the force. The raw power should have split the country apart, if not the planet, yet his Sorcery unconsciously reshaped reality to contain the devastation. The crater where the shapeshifter landed only bore a crater.

The shapeshifter's true form emerged: its iris golden instead of Izuku's green and its face distorted. "Human..." it hissed.

"Eh? Midoriya-kun?" Fuyumi's eyes widened.

"That's not me, Fuyumi-san," Izuku answered before looking at the monster.

It tried to move, but it seemed its bones were broken.

"W-who are you?" Endeavor demanded, his Quirk activating, its light barely making a difference from Izuku's sword.

It glared at the trio, and used its magic to disappear. But Izuku was not letting it. Holding the blade by the hand, he swung at a seemingly empty air in a murder stroke. Then a loud impact of broken bone was heard. The creature reappeared, its jaw hanging as the sword's light faded. It was on its knees, holding the cut-off stump.

"You..." it whispered. "Damned pests. Always-Ghrk" it gurgled, as Izuku's foot stomped on its throat.

"Púca. What did you want with Fuyumi?" he demanded. More than the pressure of the foot, his sheer presence was shaking everything around them.

It giggled like a lunatic. "What is there not to want, eh? Beautiful innocent face. Unsullied body. Its shaped like a perfect playth-" It didn't finish its sentence before Izuku played a Two Pairs of Force and stomped on its head, splattering blood and brain matter around the place, silencing it forever.

He turned around, Fuyumi, cupping her hands on her mouth. Her eyes were wide. She was shaking.

"Fuyumi-san," he gently called. He didn't touch her, fearing it might make her more nervous.

"Midoriya-kun," she walked towards him, cautiously at first, before jumping and hugging him. Her whole body was shaking. Unlike the Púca, his body was warm. She needed this warmth. His warmth. And his scent. "Thank you." She buried her head on his chest.

He gently wrapped his arms around her, letting her relax.

Endeavor, despite his pride, found himself speechless.

"Fuyumi-san," Izuku spoke, his voice soothing and calm. "Want me to walk you home?"

Hearing this, Endeavor couldn't help but glare. 'After everything you put her through, you expect her to let her guard down?' he thought, ready to step in. "Are you kidding right now?! I'll take her home."

"Dad," she softly reprimanded, not looking at him. "Please." She tightened her hold on him.

Looking at the scene, he couldn't help but walk back. He didn't know why. He should have had just dragged her by the arm regardless of her protests. Fuyumi shouldn't mean much to him. But something within him believed he needed to think about a lot of things.

A while later, Izuku looked at Fuyumi, seeing the exhaustion from her eyes as well as the first signs of bags under it. "Haven't slept much lately?"

Her face turned red in embarrassment, "Sorry, it's just been quite rough this past few days. Nothing major, though. Just the usual stress and such. Work and home are always a hassle."

"Alright then," he broke the hug and turn his back to her before bending his knee, "Hop on."

It took her a while to realize he was offering to carry her home. Her blush worsened, and she quickly refused. "I'm fine. I can walk."

"Fuyumi-san. You're obviously tired and it'll help me rest easy if I take you home. It's late, and you shouldn't be out at this hour. You should sleep."

She stared at him.

"C'mon. I insist," he smiled.

"Alright," she said, climbing on his back. "Thank you. Again. I don't know what would've happened if you're not here."

"No problem," he replied, standing up, and taking his first steps. "The important thing is you're safe. Told you, didn't I? You and your brothers are important."

'Whoa!' her mind went blank, her heart skipped a beat. "Yeah. Thanks."

They were both silent, Fuyumi wrapping her hands on his neck, feeling the muscles, as she leaned against him. She felt his arms on her thighs, keeping her secure.

'His scent's really nice...' she thought. Her heart was beating loudly. She couldn't deny how comfortable she felt. How protected and safe she felt in his arms.

Izuku started walking, his steps were light as if Fuyumi wasn't on his back. She couldn't help but feel even more attracted to him. His strength. His protectiveness. His kindness.

He continued to walk for several minutes. The streets were empty. There were no pedestrians around. It's like the world was only the two of them.

There was silence, but the air was peaceful.

"I thought you'd hate me for needing to be rescued," she laughed, albeit humorlessly.

"Like I'd hate you for that. It's not your fault."

"Thanks," she said before leaning her head on his neck. "I'm also glad," she sighed in relief. "I thought I would be too scared to get close to you after that, but...I feel safe. Your arms, your scent, and the way you protect me. I take it you could explain what happened to me?"

"Well...you see..." he started his explanation. The conversation was long, punctuated by Fuyumi's various questions. Her grip on his shoulders would tighten occasionally as he revealed particularly shocking details, but she never pulled away. He tried not to overwhelm her so he only explained the basics of the supernatural world, not touching his destiny. He could tell her about it later.

Thanks for reading this chapter!

As always, if you have questions or feedback, do let me know!