Aizawa Adopts a Kitten

by PurplePainedInsomniac

Summary:

Roof tops have excellent views, skylines, crime, kids being bullied. When Aizawa drops in on something he knew to be an ongoing but simple enough issue to solve he felt like it would be a job easy done. Until he learns that things are worse and now he has another stray, usually he just adopts kittens. This time it looks like he's adopting a kid.

Notes:

Okay so this, came to me. I love Aizawa, he may be my favourite. But I always wondered what if Aizawa found Izuku long, long before the sludge villain and All Might ever took place.

Chapter 1: A Roof Top View

Shouta sat on the roof eyes cast down to the kids below, a kid with curls that in the wanning light looked almost black trembled as he backed away hands up shoulders hunched from a blonde kid. His hands sparking as he clearly lost control of his quirk to whatever emotion had swept him up. Illogical, to let your emotions rule. Bomberanian is going to get himself a one way ticket to a record. Shouta sucked down the last of the jelly pouch, placing the empty packet away into a pocket to no doubt be forgotten about by the end of his patrol.

 

Sighing heavily, he lowered himself down to the ground with his capture weapon. One scarred hand twisted through the metal alloy and fabric that made it respond to the minutest of movements. “Fucking Deku, who the fuck do you think you are? Looking down on me trying to show me the fuck up. You don’t belong in Yuuei, when’s that gunna compute in that thick useless fucking skull of yours?” The blonde kid was growling his face twisted with anger as wisps of smoke came from his quirked explosions. Shouta activated his quirk eyes glinting red and long black hair floating about his head like he’d plummeted into water and it had been snatched up in eddies.

 

“Think real careful kid, you’re only saving grace is I haven’t seen you attack this kid with your quirk. I suggest you back off and go home before this escalates into a case that I’d rather not have to deal with tonight.” Shouta’s voice was low, rough with exhaustion and an anger that came from quirkism at its best. He glared at the kid quirk still active eyes burning and dry.

 

“Tch, he’s just a quirkless, useless, Deku. No school will take him. Hell, he’s living in another reality if he thinks he could ever be a fucking hero.” The kid spat his eyes narrowed as they flipped from me to the kid who stood trembling hands still held up and placating wide green eyes switching from me to the kid and back again.

 

“I’ve saw you two for months kid. I’ve watched you chase this string bean from this school through back alleys and side streets. Shouting, cursing and hurling all sorts of threats. The only reason I don’t have you in quirk cancelling cuffs is because I’ve never fucking caught you acting on it. That’s the only reason you aren’t in the back of a cop car.” He growled, Shouta had enough, something about the terrified kid who had endured this arrogant little ass holes threats tugged at him. It whispered in the back of his head. This kid, he needs someone. A person to believe, guide him through. Someone who will teach him what it means to be a real hero. A true pro.

 

“What’s some hobo like you gunna do huh old man. You can’t do shit.” The cocky kid growled and those sparks went flying again. Causing the string bean to flinch and Shouta grunted quirk flaring again. The explosions stopped and the string bean suddenly seemed to put things together, jaw going slack as a small gasp and muttered “Oh Kami, he’s Eraserhead.” Shouta grinned, just a little the string bean knew who he was and wasn’t that an odd little development that he hadn’t been anticipating at all.

 

“Not many people recognise me string bean, you’re sharp as a tack. Get your ass over here and we can get you home. You Bomberanian need to think about your priorities, you want to be accepted to Yuuei, you’d better wise up quirkism isn’t tolerated within its walls and I think a quirkless kid who can evade and dodge you has far more potential for a class there than you at the moment.” The kid who had been staring at Shouta with a mixture of  awe and excitement slowly edged around the other kid who was still glaring teeth bared.

 

“Eraserhead. It’s fine I can make my own way home. Kacchan and I were just messing around. You really didn’t have to stop and take time out of your patrol to scold us.” The string bean was staring up at the man round eyes wide and maybe a little pleading. Shouta scoffed, he couldn’t really help it the kid clearly didn’t have a lying bone in his body. But Shouta had been watching him, the kid and potential, he just wasn’t sure how much potential he had yet. He needed to find out.

 

“Kid, I patrol this area three to four times a week. I’ve watched him chase you, threaten you as well as a multitude of his cronies. Those I did catch using their quirks on you and I made sure a good friend of mine down at the Musutafu precinct. They’ve already been rounded up. Only a matter of time before others make mistakes I can pin down.” Shouta smiled, it was lazy and kind of soft. The string bean didn’t seem to relax even with that soft look aimed at him.

 

“B-but, they would have been amazing heroes, they have such strong quirks. Don’t they deserve another chance?” His voice had cracked the words barely loud enough to hear and Shouta grimaced, they’d clearly done a number on this kid if he thought all there was to heroics was a strong flashy quirk.

 

“No kid, I don’t. I wouldn’t trust kids like that to become heroes and be at my back or take over when I hang up my goggles and scarf.  Being a hero is more than just a good quirk. Hell you know how I am pretty sure you must know that I fight quirkless and I have a better success rate than most limelights.”  The kid nodded his head brow kind of furrowed as his lips moved silently  eyes down cast and fingers winding together.

 

“Yeah but, you do have a quirk and its pretty useful for a hero who works in the shadows like you do. That makes a big difference.” The kid finally perked up which caused the blond to scoff.  I narrowed my eyes at him but he simply sneered.

 

“You know Deku, this is why everyone thinks you’re creepy as fuck. You don’t even know the washed up hobo and you’re talking at him like you’ve known him your whole life. Fucking weirdo.” The blond lunged towards the string bean who flinched hands flying up in an act that screamed protect to Shouta. So the scarf lashed out. Muscle memory moving his hands and arms before he’d even really processed the movements and what he intended to do.

 

“You are going to leave, and I don’t want to catch you near the string bean again. Is that clear kid?” Shouta pulled the capture weapon tight his eyes flaring red and the muffled pops from beneath the scarf that had wound around the boy and bound him tight had stopped.

 

The kid grunted and nodding his head he’d turned as Shouta had released him and finally walked away.  The string bean was stood arms still half raised as Shouta turned to look at him. He sighed softly rearranging the scraf back around his neck and shoulder with a twitch of a motion. A calloused had reached out slow and within sight before fingers carded through curls that were windswept and tangled together.

 

“You don’t have to put up with little shits like him string bean. Like I’ve said you have more potential to me a hero in your little finger than he does in his showy quirk. Lets get you home and off the streets then I can make sure Tsukauchi has rounded up those other brats.” Shouta smiled to himself. Patrolling the area had brought the string bean and what was happening to him into Shouta’s line of sight. Like a competent teacher and a former victim of a system that heavily favoured flashy quirks even when they were held by shit people he’d decided he was going to help the kid.

 

“Kacchan, he isn’t all bad. Sure he’s a little angry and he can be harsh sometimes but he’s been my friend since we were tiny. I know he doesn’t really mean the things he does.” The kid had started walking probably without really realising and Shouta followed. Without really thinking to much about it Shouta wrapped a hand around the kids shoulder and grinned, again with too many teeth and a feral edge that probably would have had any one else running. But the string bean had grinned back with an openness that Shouta really thought he didn’t deserve to have directed at himself.

 

“Kid, just because you were friends when you were knee high to a grasshopper doesn’t make him a friend now. If he was really your friend he wouldn’t be throwing your quirk status in your face. He wouldn’t call you Deku. And speaking of that delightful nickname. I don’t know what to call you and I don’t really feel comfortable to keep calling you string bean.” The kid looked up at him head tilted to the side and curls falling into large green eyes.

 

“Midoriya Izuku. But you can call me Izu. I don’t think Kacchan isn’t all that bad and he certainly is still my friend me and mama go over to his house anytime she has time off work to have dinner with him and his parent’s. That wouldn’t happen if we weren’t friends.” Izu said, Shouta fought down the pride that the kid trusted him with his given name he really did.

 

“Well Izu-kun. I don’t think your Mom dragging you to someones house to have dinner whenever she had the chance constitutes a friendship. That’s just her obligating you to be nice and a good guest. Obligating the Bomberanian, which might I say suits the kid better than Kacchan, into behaving like a good host.” Shouta still had the kid wrapped under his arm though he was following in his wake letting him lead while oozing a protective aura that made Izu, the sting bean, a kicked kitten if Shouta had ever seen one feel safe.

 

“I mean I suppose but just because he doesn’t act out when Mama and Auntie and Uncle are around doesn’t mean he’s only behaving because we are with them. I mean aren’t people normally more relaxed in their own home?”  Izu turned ducking out from under the arm flung around him and looked at the pro hero who stood before him. Shouta tried to tamp down the disappointment that he really shouldn’t be feeling that the kid had ducked away.

 

“I mean well yeah people are more relaxed in their homes usually but I suppose a kid like the Bomberanian is more likely to show their colours when there isn’t a adult figure whom they respect or fear to hold them in check. So his behaviour at home in front of his parents and your Mom means very little. What’s more telling is the fact he didn’t even flinch at me telling him if he kept up his ways I’d put him in cuffs and in a cop car. He thinks that he is above it all and consequences are made for people less than him. Which is simply not true. Now tell me kid why have we stopped?” Shouta was staring down at the kid a mixture of confusion and worry on his face as he began to shift from foot to foot trying his best not to meet the eyes that were trained on him.

 

“Oh, uhm this is my building. Thanks for stepping in even if it was pointless and also for walking me home. I’m sorry for taking up so much time during your patrol. You could have been doing something far more important than looking out for me,”  The kid shrugged and Shouta sighed, looking down on the kid who really was like a kicked kitten. Soft, skitty and distrustful. And it wasn’t without reason not from all the things Shouta had seen over the weeks before finally stepping in. Nor from the things he had heard when he had questioned locals who didn’t mind talking to him.

 

“Not so fast kid, I need to talk to your Mom make her aware of the situation. Someone should be sticking up for you, and it really shouldn’t take a hero sticking their oar in to make it happen. So come on lead the way I believe me and Midoriya-san need to have a talk.” Shouta nudged the kid who stared up at him wide eyed and afraid which had Shouta narrowing his own eyes.

 

“That’s…there’s really no need to do that. Mom knows she talked to the school, they just won’t do anything because I’m quirkless.” Izuku started to shake and Shouta could feel warning bells that had been built up over the years of hero work begin to ring in a cacophony that made him wince.

 

“Kid, why do you really not want me coming up there? If there’s something wrong at home I can help I promise nothing bad will happen to you.” Shouta was sure there was something amiss, the look on the kids face was too panicked for it to simply be not waning his mother to know.

 

“Mom might not be home yet, sometimes she works late. If you want you could leave your number and she could call you when she gets a chance?” Izuku stood eyes cast down to fingers that were gripping and twisting themselves to the point it looked painful. Shouta grunted and nudged the kid towards the building.

 

“Let’s check in see if she’s home, if not we can figure something out okay string bean?” Shouta edged around the kid and pushed open the door gesturing for him to lead the way. Izuku gulped in a deep breath as he stepped past Shouta, shoulders hunched and hands trembling.

 

“It’s really no big deal, Mama…she has to work a lot. My dad left when I was diagnosed quirkless, it hit her hard and we had to move after he left we couldn’t afford where we had been living she’d work aby job she could find to support me. Sometimes she cant be home with me but she does try to give me the best life.” Izuku rambled eyes staring ahead as he led Shouta up several flights of stairs before opening a door with a key pulled out of a back pocket.

 

“I know kid, being a parent has to be a hard and I imagine being a single Mom is even harder still. But you’re pretty young and shouldn’t be left on your own for long periods of time. Come on lets get you inside and we can sort all of this out.” Shouta followed the kid in side and carefully looked around. It was dark, not a single light on. The kid sighed removing his shoes and Shouta followed suit.

 

“You know I’m perfectly fine, I can take care of myself. It’s not like I’m not used to it things are hard and my Mom can’t be in two places at once.” Izuku was grumbling as he walked further into the apartment. Shouta looked around, the walls were bare and there was little in decoration at all. It was like no one lived here at all. Even his own apartment had more personality than this. Though it had been forced upon him by Nemuri and Hizashi. If he’d had his way it would be nothing but monochromatic.

 

“You’re a kid and while I get it’s hard surely there’s a family friend or neighbour available who could check in on you?” Shouta stepped into the kitchen where the kid was rifling through cupboards that were so bare they might as well have been full of cobwebs.

 

“Not really, no one really wanted anything to do with us once I was diagnosed quirkless. It’s fine I get by just fine until Mama comes home. You don’t need to be concerned just go back to your patrol.” Izuku was thumping around the kitchen his mood darkening as he went and Shouta was growing increasingly worried about the kid. Reaching out he grabbed his wrist and pulled him away before he could slam another door.

 

“Hey kid, I’m sorry if this is getting to you but I have to make sure you are safe and taken care of. People suck and I’m sorry there’s no one to help out. But I won’t just be leaving you alone. I wouldn’t really be doing my job if I did. You’re a minor and you’ve been left alone. Regardless of circumstances that is a big deal. I’ll wait until your Mom gets home. But it looks like theres no food here at all which is concerning so I’m going to order some food to be delivered so that you are fed and then you can get me a contact number so I can find out where your Mom is so we can sort this whole thing out. Okay?” Shouta was staring the kid down who had seemed to pull a back bone from somewhere and was now glaring harshly at him. He grunted and pushed the kid towards the living room.

 

“Can we get Katsudon then if you’re gunna be this much of a pain might as well get my favourite meal out of it.” He flopped down onto a thread bare couch and Shouta followed suit socked feet ghosting silently over the floor.

 

“Katsudon is fine kid. I’ll order through an app. Why don’t you find your Mom’s phone number and I can give her a call afterwards?” Shouta raised an eyebrow as the kid gave him a grievous sigh.

 

“Sure, let me go grab my phone from my bad and then you can call her. I don’t know why you’re bothering though I already told you I’m fine.” Shouta reached out and ruffled the kids hair. He was so adamant that there was no need but given the sheer lack of items and food the pro hero felt increasingly worried about the kids safety.

 

“Okay kid, I know you feel a little mad about all this but I’m concerned about you and I don’t want to leave you alone for something bad to happen. I’ll leave once I know you will be safe and not a moment sooner okay?” Shouta tilted his head and the kid gave him a confused look back. String bean, there’s more going on here than I’m seeing but don’t worry kid I’ll make it okay. You don’t have to worry anymore.

 

“Here’s her number…” Right as Izuku went to place his phone in the hand of the hero the front door swung open with a loud bang. His mother stood in the doorway teetering slightly on low heels her hair tousled and eyes glassy. “Mama, what…are you okay?” The kid had tensed shoulders drawing up and shifting his weight slightly like he was ready to run. Before Shouta had really thought about it he was reaching for his capture scarf. Who he planned on restraining yet was still up in the air.

 

“Who the fuck is that you useless brat?” The woman slurred and Shouta now understood why the kid hadn’t wanted him here. Yeah the house was bare and it seemed like it was just a case of money woes but this…this could never be misconstrued or explained away.

 

“I’m a pro hero Ma’am, I came upon your son being attacked by a peer of his. I made sure to bring him home safely and I decided to stay until I could be sure he had appropriate supervision.” Shouta stood moving as subtly as he could between the kid and the woman he could now see was clearly intoxicated.

 

“Brat fuck off to your room I’ll deal with you later. You can fucking leave you have no business here.” The woman spat as she stumbled forward. Izuku went to move but Shouta reached back to take his wrist in his hand.

“Kid go pack a bag, clothes anything else important. Like fuck am I leaving you here. Midoriya-san I understand this must come as a shock but your son was very nearly assaulted and I brought him home to an empty apartment with no food. I need to discuss this with you. We can either do that here or I can call a Detective friend of mine and he can do it down at the station. Your call?” Shouta saw several objects begin to teeter and rise from surfaces and he activated his own quirk staring the woman down. His capture weapon snaked out a flick of his wrist, twitch of his fingers and the woman was bound.

 

“Stupid fuck, let me go the kid isn’t worth a heroes breath never mind their effort. Now fucking leave.” She squirmed trying to free herself which only caused Shouta to sigh. The small whimper behind him and Shouta tensing a little.

 

“Kid go pack, I knew something was off but this is beyond what I’m willing to let you deal with I’ll keep you safe but I need you to go pack.” He ordered eyes flaring red still on the drunk and probably abusive woman before him. He reached with his other hand into a pocket where his phone was hidden. Bringing it into his line of sight he found the contact he needed and hit call. “Tsuka, yeah I need you to come to the location I’m going to send you. I have a child neglect, possible abuse case. Kid’s quirkless, Mom is quirked. I found the kid being assaulted by a peer and brought him home. Conditions had my instincts up so I stuck around. Get here soon.” Shouta hung up before sending the location. He could hear movement somewhere off in the apartment and he felt glad the kid had listened to him.

 

“Now, I don’t care if he’s quirkless or a quirk to rival fucking All Might. It doesn’t give you a free fucking pass to neglect your kid. Your going to stand there and be-fucking-have or I’m gunna put you in quirk cancelling cuffs before knocking you out. Got it?” Shouta grunted as the kid came out of his room. Shouta felt bad he had tear tracks running down his face. He felt awful he couldn’t tell if it was his meddling or his mothers words that had caused the tears.

 

“Izuku, you need to tell this man that everything is fine so he can leave. We have to be at Auntie Mitsuki’s house tomorrow for lunch. That can’t happen if you fuck everything up.” She growled at the boy and he tensed coming to stand near Shouta who pulled him into his side and ruffled his curls.

 

“Mama, why are you so mad at me I didn’t do anything wrong?” Izuku trembled and Shouta hoped that Tsukauchi would hurry his damn ass up so he could get the kid away from this hell. The woman snarled baring her teeth at the kid.

 

“Because you’re worthless, useless. Why couldn’t you be a good boy, a good son. Like Katsuki. He’s perfect with his powerful quirk and his amazing grades. You are nothing. I should have left you at an orphanage when your father left us both.” His mother snapped and Shouta, if he didn’t think he’d loose his hero license as a result would have punched the woman in the face.

 

The door which hadn’t been fully closed swung open and there in his stupid trench coat and hat like some pre quirk PI stood Tsuka and Shouta felt his anger melt away. He could focus on the kid now. “Hey Eraser, I heard most of that. I’ll take it from here. Child Services have been called I let them know you’d be using your emergency foster license for the time being.” He walked over and Shouta loosened his weapon while Tsuka placed the cuffs on the volatile woman. “Sansa is outside some guy said there was food meant to be delivered here. I’m assuming that was for you and the kid?” Shouta nodded taking the backpack from the kid and guiding him out. Sansa indeed stood out side a takeout bag in hand.

 

“Thanks Sansa, Tsuka has the Mom in custody. Do you think you could give me and the string bean here a ride to my apartment?” Souta took the bag of food out of his hand and Sansa grinned yellow feline eyes glinting with mischief.

 

“Sure thing Eraser, I see you’ve adopted another kitten? How very unlike you.” Sansa chuckled and Shouta grimaced at the man. “Hey Kid, I’m Sansa, Detective Tsukauchi’s partner. I’ll be taking you and Mr Doom and Gloom here back to his apartment. Unless of course you’re good at parkour and running across the rooftops?” He’d continued on and the kid chuckled a little nervously.

 

“Nope no parkour skills here a ride would be great. Could I ask you a question? It’s okay if you don’t want to answer of course but I’m a little curious…” The kid trailed off biting his lip and Shouta smiled while Sansa cocked his head to the side.

 

“Sure kid shoot,” He said and the three of them began to walk away towards and unmarked car.

 

“Is your quirk just a mutation or do you have a secondary quirk factor?” The kid asked his head tilted upward and Shouta did everything to bite down the laugh that wanted to bubble up and escape.

 

“Mutation, nothing more special to it unfortunately. Now come on lets get you settled in so you can eat some food and rest.” Sansa smiled at the kid and led them both to the car. Nothing more was said and Shouta was glad. The night had been far more tiring than he had expected. He took out his phone and texted a couple of underground heroes to see if they could finish his patrol for the night. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if not. But Shouta didn’t want to leave the kid on his own again in an unfamiliar place.

Chapter 2: Feeding the Stray

Summary:

Aizawa and Izuku arrive home they eat and talk.

Sansa spent the drive in quiet, yellow eyes reflecting light as he peered to the grump of a hero in his passenger seat to the sullen kid sitting in the back. He knew Eraser, had known him for years. The man was obsessed with strays had a veritable army of them both in his home and on the streets. But Sansa had never seen him take in a stray human kitten before. Though he supposed the kid wasn’t a stray, he had a Mom sure, though she would be scraping the bottom of the barrel if Sansa’s opinion mattered.

 

He'd had texts from Naomasa since they had left, the woman was so out of her head she had no filter at all. She’d degraded the kid, even demanded Naomasa bring him back so she could teach the ‘worthless little shit for calling the heroes on her’. Sansa liked the kid, he hadn’t batted an eye about him simply being a mutant quirk, kid had even said he liked cats and thought Sansa was cool. Which even after all his years on the force, Sansa had never heard that and it surprised him in a way he wasn’t expecting. It was pleasant.

 

“So, you know about me now Kit, fancy telling me a little about yourself.” Sansa flicked an ear eyes flitting to the rear view mirror where he could see the kid and then back to the road.

 

“I’m quirkless, but I’m pretty sure you knew that already.” The kid glared at Eraser and Sansa fought down the laugh as best as he could. “I’m in middle school. I wanted to apply to Yuuei, come time for the entrance exam. But Mom, Kacchan and everyone else are right. There’s no way I could ever become a hero,” The kid sounded crestfallen, and Sansa knew it was getting on the heroes last nerve as he glared at the kid and out of the window.

 

“A quirk isn’t a deciding factor for that. Hell it shouldn’t be a deciding factor for anything. If you think you have what it takes you should suck it up and try.” Sansa hissed out, and okay maybe he was letting the kids situation get to him. Which never really happened, he was usually cool, aloof, level headed. Apparently around this little kit that seemed to not be the case.

 

“It’s fine, I know my place. I know I’m worthless, useless. You don’t have to pretend just because I’m here to hear what you say.” The kid, this stray little kitten glares out of the window and Sansa wants to growl. Theres a thump and yellow eyes dart to the mirror to see the clenched scared hands of Eraser indenting the leather seats.

 

“No one gets to define what your worth except you kid. You want to try to be a hero? Then you fucking try. You put in the work, blood, sweat and tears. That’s how you become worthy of being a hero. Like Sansa said, it’s not the quirk that makes a hero it’s the person.” The words are pushed past clenched teeth and a tense jaw.

 

“Thank you but I don’t agree with that. I haven’t since I was about ten years old and I’m not about to start again because you two think that I should.” Izuku spat and Sansa and Shouta both knew that if the kid was actually a cat those damn curls would be standing on end.

 

“Kid no one is telling you  that you should be a hero we’re just saying that you could be if you wanted to. Its up to you and the effort you want to put in.” Shouta sighed as the car finally came to a complete stop. He got out and held the door open for the kid. “Sansa, thanks again. Tell Tsuka he an call by in the morning at a respectable hour to talk to use and take statements.” The police officer chuffed, and Shouta glared before slamming the door and leading the kid towards his apartment.

 

“So this is where the pro hero Eraserhead lives. Hard to believe you’d live somewhere so….normal.”  Izuku stared up at the building, it looked a lot like the one where he and his Mama lived. Except it was nicer, more well kept. But Izuku supposed that was to be suspected. Hero’s made a decent amount of money and Eraser hadn’t mentioned a family so he supposed he only had to support himself.

 

“Come on lets get inside and eat and then we can get you settled in. Tonight has been…something else and I want to go to sleep.” Shouta nudged the kid towards the door his head throbbing, there was to much to do and he needed to get the kid settled.

 

“Okay, so I have a question, am I just supposed to keep calling you Eraserhead?” Izuku looked over at the man and grinned. Shouta sighed and ran a hand over his face before laughing softly.

 

“No String Bean, that’s when I’m on duty. You can call me Aizawa, okay?” He reached over and ruffled the kids hair. “Lets reheat this Katsudon so we can eat and then you can have a shower.” Shouta smiled at the kid who walked into the apartment, kicking off his shoes and placing his yellow backpack down by the couch.

 

“Okay Aizawa, how long do you think I’ll be stuck here?” Izuku unpacked containers of food while Shouta dished it up onto plates and started to reheat the food. He hummed turning to give the kid an assessing look.

 

“Well that depends on what happens with your Mom and the clear neglect and abuse. Not to mention what you want, I mean you can stay here with me for as long as you want to. I have emergency foster status because of my jobs as a teacher and a pro hero. But we can decide more on that when we know what Tsukauchi finds out okay?” He placed food down on the table and nodded his head towards the chair in front of the plate indicating for the kid to  sit down.

 

His face had screwed up a little as he took some chop sticks and began to pick up a slice of pork. “What do you mean what happens with my Mom. Surely they’re just going to question her and then let her go right?” Izuku tried to keep the panic out of his voice. He knew his Mom wasn’t perfect, he knew she resented him for all the things she lost due to his quirk status. But there were worse people in the world, worse places for him to live.

 

“Kid, no one, no self respecting cop or hero would let you go back into that woman’s care. Hell I wont and neither will Tsuka Or Sansa. We won’t let people write you off because you don’t have a quirk. Hell my own quirk is only useful so long as I can keep my eyes open. Ninety nine percent of the time in a fight I’m essentially quirkless. You can do what ever you set your mind to as long as you’re willing to work for it.”  Shouta fell into his own seat katsudon on the table in front of his grey eyes still trained on the stray string bean he had taken in.

 

“Then the three of you must be a nearly extinct type of person because nobody else has ever given a damn and I long gave up hope that anyone ever would.” The string bean, Izuku growled, his voice full of venom as his green eyes lit up to resemble poison as he glared at Shouta.

 

“If I was as bad as all that kid, I’d have let that yappy little shit of a blond do it. I didn’t know your quirk status before I stepped in, and I’d have still acted the same way if I knew. I get you don’t trust me; I don’t expect you to. But I hope eventually I will earn that trust.” Shouta promised and he knew his lips were pressed into a non-existent line before he ate more Katsudon the kid still staring at him a clump of rice halfway to his mouth.

 

“You’re serious?” The kid gasped out and Shouta forced his breath past his teeth and nodded. The kid regarded him before swallowing. “I don’t have to go back to her?” He asked, eyes wide and jaw clenched like he was biting his tongue to stop any sound coming past his lips.

 

“You won’t leave this house, leave to go anywhere else unless you decide otherwise kid. I won’t let anyone dictate that for you. I know how hard the system can be and I will fight for you okay?” Shouta sighed his head slumping forward and the kid hummed and ahhed before Shouta looked up.

 

“You talk like you know how this feels. How would a pro, the number one underground hero know how it feels to be ostracised and hated for something he can’t control? I mean yeah I get the whole Mental/Emitter quirk thing. But that’s nothing compared to being quirkless and everyone…even your own parent blaming you for it.” Izuku snarled, or at least he meant to snarl but it came out more like a petulant whine and that just felt unfair to him. So many things had gone sideways so quickly he couldn’t even have the little dignity he held an iron clad grasp on.

 

“Kid, I have a quirk that renders anyone elses quirk that isn’t just a simple mutation inaffective. Now given what you know about how scummy the world can be how do you think I was treated well over a decade ago when my quirk came in?”  Shouta tamped down the edge that wanted to bleed into his voice. The kid didn’t deserve his ire he didn’t know what he had gone through to get where he was. So he couldn’t blame the kid for thinking he a pro hero had had it easy.

 

“I mean probably not well, people with mental quirks like yours aren’t treated well its why so many people are forced to turn to villainy. They grow to used to being told their quirk is only negative that it can only be used for bad things.” The kid let out on a sigh as he looked up at Shouta, eyes blood shot and more than a little weary. “I’m sorry I really shouldn’t assume what life was like for you. I don’t know you and I don’t know your past. But you clearly made it through, so someone had to have supported you, believed in you at some point.” Shouta hummed eating some more of his own Katsudon and watching the kid cautiously.

 

“No need to apologise kid you don’t know me and I don’t know you. But I’ve seen kids from all walks of life and what I stopped with that blonde brat and what happened in your home shouldn’t be a normal everyday occurrence especially at your age kid,” Shouta places down his chop sticks and stares at the kid who is now completely focused on his food.

 

“So you’re what may guardian now? How the hell is that going to work you have two damn jobs and I’d bet most nights of the week you are out patrolling? Isn’t that just as bad as my Mom?” Izuku placed down his own chopsticks and stared incredulously at the man across from him.

 

“I patrol a few times a week so as not to push myself to far into sleep deprivations. 3 nights on and four nights off. Those shifts are usually start from about 9 o’clock and last till about 1 o’clock in the morning. One of my friends can be here at night to watch you should it be necessary, Naomasa maybe or even Hizashi or Nemuri once you have met them. You won’t be left completely unsupervised.” Shouta nodded towards the still mostly untouched food in front of the kid. “You done eating?” When Izuku nodded in agreement he picked up the plate and grinned. “Okay then grab your gear and I’ll show you your room kid. It’s pretty plain but if you decide you want to stay long term we can go pick up some stuff to make it a little more your style yeah?” He led Izuku back towards where he had dumped his bag.

 

“I mean it’s fine I’m sure it will be nice just how it is you don’t have to buy things for me just to make me comfortable.” The kid mumbled and Shouta made a mental note that getting the kid to allow him to provide things he wanted simply to make him comfortable was going to be an up hill battle.

 

“Well, we can talk about that when we see how things are playing out. For now make yourself at home kid. Help yourself to snacks and drinks if you need them. Bathroom is right through here, feel free to get cleaned up. This is your room now. Make yourself comfortable. The army of stays are probably hiding in my room right now. If you need me and I’m not floating around I’ll probably be in there. Just knock before you come in okay. I startle awake and I wouldn’t want to react while half asleep okay?”  Shouta grins at the kid as he points out the room Izuku can now call his own. It’s similar in size the one in his home he shared with his Mom. The walls are bare and painted white with a black bedframe and desk. The bed is made up with two toned black and grey striped bedding.

 

“Thank’s I think I’ll take a shower and then head to bed. After everything that’s happened today  I think I just want to sleep.” Izuku supplies taking some sleep clothes out of the backpack and turning back around to face Shouta.

 

“Sure thing kid, there should be clean towels in the cupboard in the bathroom. I’m going to go make a few calls see if anything has came up yet. Try to get some sleep and we can talk in the morning okay?” Shouta nods as the kid grins and hums in agreement before he walks away and to the living room to sit on the sofa and take his phone out.

 

“Tsuka,  how are things going down there? I think I have the kid settled in for the night, a little bit of arguing about how he’d just have to go back that no one would really care. I assured him that was the case that we wouldn’t send him back to be neglected again.” Shouta started off as soon as his favourite detective had picked up. He sighed into the phone but Shouta could hear the fondness underneath all the exasperation.

 

“The Mom has basically admitted to Quirk Discrimination, Child Neglect, Child Endangerment and a whole host of other charges…” The detective breathed into the phone what he had heard from the woman made his hairs stand on end.

 

“Where’s the but? I can feel a but coming my way Tsuka and I don’t like it.” Shouta groaned head thrown back to rest on the back of the sofa his eyes pinching closed.

 

“Because she called some fancy lawyer and someone paid for her bail release. I couldn’t detain her for long. She’s petitioning to have the kid brought home. I don’t think I need to impress upon you how bad that could be.” Tsuka sounded madder about anything else the two men had encountered together and they had encountered some unspeakable things together over the years.

 

“Family friend maybe? I’ll ask the kid in the morning once he’s settled in I need to find out his school and pull him out for a couple days give him some time to settle in. Considering the kid I found him interacting with I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s having issues at school. I’ll have to ask him about it and investigate that.” Shouta ran a hand through his hair and grunted softly at the considering sounds Tsuka made on the other end.

 

“Possibly but either way she’s not in custody any more. I think I’m going to have to question the kid to get any charges to stick. I’ll try to pop in tomorrow lunch time to speak to him if that’s okay with you?” Tsuka sounded less than pleased about having to put the kid through questioning but if we wanted to save him it would have to be done.

 

“Sure thing Tsuka, I was gunna take him into Yuuei with me tomorrow I still have to go teach the hellions and I can’t really leave him unsupervised. He’ll be able to go some work in my office or even just sit off to one side in the class room and observe.” Shouta grinned; the kid seemed to be the type that would like getting to see a heroics class in action.

 

“Your demon class is going to freak at your taking in a kid. They don’t know about your secret soft side Eraser. You’re going to loose intimidation points for this.” Tsuka was laughing and Shouta was fine with that there were plenty ways for the kids to learn how harsh he could be. His rep wouldn’t take to much of a hit for looking after a kid who was clearly in need.

 

“I have my ways Tsuka, I have my ways. I’m going to go. I’ll let The Rat know to expect your arrival. You remember where my office is located yeah?” Shouta asked, it had been a while since the other man had needed to come into school to see Shouta about something but he’d had the same office since he had been assigned the heroics homeroom when he had gained his teachers licence.

 

“Still that absolute closet of a room right next to your home room yeah? I’ll see you tomorrow.” The man teased genuine mirth in his voice while Shouta just scoffed at him and they both hung up the call/ The light padding of socked feet caught Shouta’s attention and he turned to see the kid creeping his way back out of the kitchen a glass of water in his hand ears and cheeks lightely tinged with pink.

 

“Hey kid, I’m guessing you heard some of that yeah? Come sit down and we can have a quick chat before you sleep.” Shouta waved the kid over and he hunched a little before walking over his eyes trained on the ground.

 

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to over hear I just wanted to get some water before I went to sleep.” The kid rushed out an apology and Shouta sighed waving away the apology.

 

“It’s fine kid I would have came and spoke to you before I had my own shower anyway. So someone bailed out your mom and got her a lawyer. Any idea who would have the money to make things she admitted to go away?” Shouta grimaced as the kid rubbed at a sunburst scar still fairly new the skin pink and a little raw before looking up to meet Shouta’s eyes.

 

“Auntie Mitsuki and Uncle Masaru, they have a design company that works on a lot of hero costumes. As well as quirk resistant and specialised fashion for mutation quirks. They’d help Mom no doubt if she called. They’ve been close since they were in high school. Does this mean I’ll have to go back?” The kid swallowed his eyes wide and a little fearful and Shouta shook his head and pulled the kid gently down onto the couch before turning to face him.

 

“No kid, I told you we won’t make you go back. We’ll fight this. But it does mean Tsukauchi is going to need to question you. He can come by the school tomorrow for lunch and talk to you. Would that be okay?” Shouta narrowed his eyes as the kid froze up at the mention of school.

 

“My school?” The kid whispered green eyes peeking out from behind emerald curls and Shouta shook his head.

 

“Nah kid, I’ll be taking you to Yuuei tomorrow with me. I planned on pulling you out until I understood what was happening there a little better. That reaction you just had only solidifies that. You’re in middle school yeah, Which year and what school? I’ll need to contact them to say you’ve been pulled out due to an active investigation.” The kid winched at that and Shouta had to stop himself from letting anger at what ever made the kid afraid of school seep to the surface.

 

“I go to Aldera Middle School I’m in my final year, really need to start thinking about applying to highschools.” The kid shrugged though he didn’t sound too sure about that.

 

“We can look up schools any idea what you want to do? You seem pretty interested in Quirk Science and Heroics.” Shouta tried to ease a little into the subject, knowing the kids interests may help him a little with finding where the kid might like to go.

 

“I like quirk analysis, quirk science and heroics are pretty cool. But being a hero without a quirk is really difficult not many heroics courses would take people on.” The kid shrugged and Shouta sighed before reaching out to ruffle the kids hair.

 

“Quirks aren’t the be all and end all of heroics okay. We can work on that if you want find a way for you to follow that dream. But for now how would you feel about finishing your studies on the Yuuei campus either in my office or the homeroom I teach in?” Shouta asked and the kids head snapped up to look towards Shouta with a mixture of hope and awe.

 

“I could do that? I wouldn’t have to go back to Aldera?” Izuku whispered his eyes going glassy with a distant far of look. Shouta huffed and ruffled his hair bringing him back out of his thoughts.

 

“Exactly how bad is it at school kid? I know I’ve seen a few brats chasing you around after school hours but I’m never in the area during the day because I’m normally still at work teaching.” Shouta asked softly knowing from what he has seen he isn’t going to like the answers he receives.

 

“I get bad grades, like really bad. And not because my work is bad but because teachers don’t like me. They think I’m cheating because there is no way I could be smart because I don’t have a quirk. I tried submitting nonsense papers once and I still got the same grade on work I actually put effort in than on actual nonsense assignments where I just wrote any random crap that came to mind. The kids bully me, push me around take my lunch or use their quirks on me. The teachers know about it and they encourage it. They say it’s good practice for them for when they all become heroes.” The kid whispered eyes downcast and his voice cracking.

 

Shouta snarled his quirk activating and eyes flaring red. “Kid they won’t make good heroes and those teachers aren’t good teachers. They are falsifying your grades, encouraging children into abuse and breaking the law. They aren’t teaching them to be heroes they are teaching them to be villains. I have a friend who can deal with the school we’ll talk to him and Tsukauchi can ask you about this stuff tomorrow so we can file it as evidence to open a case okay?” Shouta stood up and pulled the kid up with him. “Now come on sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day and I don’t want you falling asleep in my lessons.” Shouta nudged the kid towards their room before going to the shower to clean himself off.

 

Shouta sighed as he felt his muscles relax under the spray of how water. When he had decided he’d help the kid he hadn’t realised how bad the situation was and he knew that he wouldn’t change his decision now if anything it only made him glad that he had decided to help. So once he was clean he went to be knowing how difficult the next day would be.                                                       

Chapter 3: Aizawa Knows He's Not Getting a Catnap Today

Summary:

Izuku gets his first look at Yuuei and there is so much to take in. Until Quirkism rears it's head, Aizawa shoots that down quick and Yamada is enlisted to help.

Shouta woke early, far earlier than he ever would to make the simple trek to U.A. He picked up his phone as he shuffled out of bed still in his hot pink sweat pants and black tank top. He searched the number for Aldera Middle School and dialed.

 

“Hello, this is Aldera Middle School. How may I help you this morning?”  Syrupy sweet voice practically purred in Shouta’s ear and he shuddered involuntarily.

 

“Yes, hello I need to call a student out of school for the foreseeable future while arrangements are made.” Shouta bit out his tone sharp and gruff. He hated most people, mainly strange adults. He liked kids he wouldn’t teach if he didn’t and the friends he had were more family than anything else.

 

“Yes, sir that is not a problem. If I could just have the student name, the reason for absence and the expected time frame?” The woman asked the purr was gone but the sickly sweet tone remained and Shouta pinched the bridge of his nose.

 

“Midoriya Izuku, it is due to an ongoing investigation due to allegations brought to the attention of the police by a pro hero. There is no expected time frame at the current time due to the early stages of the investigation.” Shouta tried not to let the exasperation at having to deal with all this leak into his voice.

 

“I’m sorry but we were under strict orders from Deku’s mothers legal team to  report any and all calls regarding him to her. It appears that a man claiming to be the pro hero Eraserhead and two other men claiming to be a detective and an officer of the police force kidnapped Deku from his home while threatening her.” The woman sounded so acidic, the tone of her voice changing in an instant to the point it sounded like she was spitting acid down the phone.

 

“Have you requested a case number from the police then regarding any active investigation that Midoriya is involved in? Because I know as the pro hero Eraserhead that the boy was not taken by an imposter and that there is currently and active investigation into his home and schooling situation. Please know this call was recorded for evidence.” Shouta spat before hanging up, he had never in his life thought he would thank Nedzu and his paranoid bull shit for bugging the staff in case they were ever held captive.

 

“Eraserhead? Is everything okay?” The kid asked voice trembling and Shouta really had to hold in an exasperated sigh.

 

“Someone is trying to make it out like you were kidnapped, by me, Tsukauchi and Sansa. I think it’s the lawyer your Mom hired. No one is going to blame you kid and you don’t have to leave. Tsuka did reports on what happened last night anything that was filed after that won’t be admissible okay? Sansa and Tsuka wear recording devices for this reason they’ll have picked up everything. I do to. We have everything we need to get what she said thrown out okay. I promised you would be safe and I will keep you safe okay?” Shouta stood and walked towards the kid still with sleep mussed hair and bleary eyes.

 

“Mom, she’s trying to make out like you guys were in the wrong. Eraser…” Izuku sighed hands in viridian curls and Shouta disentangled curls from hands gripped so tight that the kids knuckles were turning white.

 

“Kid, you don’t need to worry about us okay. We’re grown men, professionals in our fields. We can and will protect you. For now go get washed up and ready and I’ll make you breakfast. What do you want to eat today kid?” Shouta with one hand still loosely wrapped arounds the kids wrist to guide him into the kitchen.

 

“Toast, I don’t think I feel so up to eating now.” Izuku yawned slumping down in the same seat he had the night before to eat dinner, He slumped over face pressed into the cool wood of the table top. “Am I still okay to go to Yuuei today with you? They won’t say no because of everything that has been happening since you took me in?” The words were muffled and if Shouta wasn’t so fluent in zombie talk he probably wouldn’t have even caught half of the words.

 

“Kid, no one is going to stop you coming with me. Yuuei won’t turn you away, I took you in kid that makes you family and I know a few pro heroes who are gunna want to meet the kid that melted that glacier that has been encasing my heart,” Shouta felt his lips quirk up in a smile as he turned to face the kid after placing bread in the toaster and brewing coffee for himself. While he waited for the coffee to brew and toast to cook Shouta kept his eyes trained on the kid.

 

“I mean I know Yuuei is safe, it’s the top hero school in the country. But if they aren’t afraid to say that someone like you would kidnap a teenager then do you really think they would stop at dragging Yuuei through the mud.” Izuku sighed and tried to straighten up get rid of the despondent thoughts that had been swiring through his mind since he had heard Shouta on the phone.

 

“The school can roll with a few punches kid, we’ll get through this. Now come on toast is ready what do you want on it?” Shouta smiled as he placed the plate and a butter knife down in front of the kid before grabbing the various things he had for on toast.

 

Izuku shrugged putting some butter on his toast and taking a bite chewing thoughtfully. “What if people turn on you because of this. I mean aren’t underground heroes supposed to not draw attention to themselves?” Taking another bite of toast he eyed Shouta curiously while he sipped at his coffee.

 

“Sure kid, but she doesn’t have proof I kidnapped you. Tsuka and I however both have proof that she doesn’t treat you well and that I removed you from a potentially abusive situation. The school, me and you will all be fine. Now eat and get dressed. I have a hell class to go teach,” Shouta grinned at him before turning and retreating to his own room with his coffee.

 

Izuku finished his toast and padded back off to the room he had been given to put on some clothes, his eyes straying over the few belongings he had packed. Picking out a T-shirt with the kanji for shirt  printed in black and a pain or jeans that were a little worse for wear. The shirt was a little large hanging limply from his shoulders drowning him in  fabric. The jeans thread bare at the knees, thin worn and soft. The darkness of the denim lightning with e wear and tear.

 

He ran a hand haphazardly through curls, nails snarling in tangled knots and he sighed. Pulling socks onto feet and leaving the room. Shouta stood in the hall toeing off slippers to slide on th combat boots that went with the jumpsuit of his hero uniform. Capture scarf already twined around his shoulders.

 

“You ready to go string bean?” Shouta grinned as Izuku slipped on his primordial shoes and flung his back pack full of school gear over his shoulder.

 

“Yeah as ready as I’ll ever be, will I bee in your class with you or your office?” Izuku asked green eyes staring up and into Shouta’s own grey eyes imploringly. Shouta shook his head before shrugging and turning towards the door.

 

“That’s up to you kid, if you want to stick close you can hang out in the home room. I emailed Nedzu, he wants you to take some exams. The Rat is curious about your academic abilities. The papers will be on my desk by the time we arrive. Once you’ve completed that you can help me with foundational heroics. You like studying quirks yeah? I want you to watch the hellions and tell me what you think. They need to step up their own games as their provision license exams are soon.”  Shouta shrugged, the kid had analysed his quirk pretty well the day before. He’s seen the way he watched his movements. The kid could help him whip the hellions into shape before they developed to many bad habits.

 

“I don’t mind trying, but I dunno how much help I’d actually be.” Izuku shrugged his eyes down cast as Shouta nudged him towards the door.

 

“That’s fine kid, now these kids can be nosey, you don’t have to tell them anything okay. If anyone gives you any trouble, I need you to tell me.” Shouta led him out of the building and down towards his car. Riding the train to Yuuei would draw way to much attention to him and the kid.

 

“I can handle a bunch of idiots who think they have a right to every little piece of information.” Izuku grumbled as he climbed into the car. Shouta turning the station to Put Your Hands Up Radio. The voice of present mic filled the car.

 

“Breaking News, This morning traffic has come to a stand still in central Musutafu. Trains are at a standstill while Pro Hero’s on the scene deal with a villain with a gigantification quirk. Death Arms, Kamui Woods, and Mt Lady are on the scene. So folks prepare for delays to your morning commute.” Present Mic said in his usual chipper tone through the air waves. Izuku sat fiditing the urge to be there and taking notes almost an unbearable itch.

 

“Hmmm, Kamui, Death and Lady. They all patrol near your school. Good job you aren’t gunna get caught up in that kid. Hopefully Mic isn’t late I do not want to have to cover English today.” Shouta sighed pushing a hand though his tousled black hair. Grey eyes narrowing as he paid attention to the road.

 

“I hope no one gets hurt, gigantification quirk in that area is going to cause a lot of damage.” Izuku muttered, continuing on in a mutter storm. “I mean Kamui is probably the best chance, if the guy isn’t huge right now Death Arms would be good to assist. But Mt Lady is the last person you want in a close quarters fight. One wrong move and buildings could come down.” The kid was fiddling with his fingers as he thought it through.

 

“Yeah, but you don’t have to worry about it kid, the pros at the scene will have it handled. Nothing we can do about it we’re too far away and if Mic is right and the traffic is bad then I can’t even get close to the scene.” The streets started to become busier people walking and driving to work. Shouta humming softly to the song that played on the radio.

 

The rest of the drive was passed in relative silence with nothing but the radio playing in the background. Shouta trying to account for everything that could go wrong today, asinine comments made my his collegues and kids that would make Izuku uncomfortable. Things that could go awry and end up with the kid injured or traumatised while he was in his care. Izuku stared out the window wondering what the reactions at school today would be. Would Kacchan know his mom had bailed his mom out. Would he have heard the lies she was spinning? How much more would they hate him now?

 

“Hey kid, what’s on your mind?” Shouta asked as he pulled up to the security gates to the school. Fishing out his hero license he flashed it to the camera and the gates slowly opened.

 

“I was thinking about school, what everyone would have been told if they’d hate me more than they already do because of the lies my mom must be spinning. I don’t think I ever want to go back to that school.” Izuku murmured face tinging pink as he tried to rid himself on the inane instinct to care about the opinions of people who had made it clear they thought him lesser than themselves.

 

“Kid, you don’t have to go back there. I know those kids don’t give you an easy time and that is putting it mildly. I can’t imagine the so-called teachers they employ are much better if they allow it to happen. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen to you again. You can attend Yuuei until we find a competent school, if that doesn’t work we can do online learning and we’ll set up a work station within my homeroom or office for you okay?”  Shouta suggested as he parked the car unbuckling and beckoning for Izuku to do the same.  Izukiu followed motions jerky as he stooped to pick up his bag from the footwell once he was out of the car.

 

“You can’t pull me out of school not long term, you aren’t my parent. You don’t have custody of me, not permanently anyway.” Izuku pointed out his voice cold and unforgiving if a little resigned. Shouta found himself humming, the kid had been through to much for his liking. But for all he shouldn’t have went through those things they made him strong which was admirable. He spoke his mind and didn’t flinch away from the thought of confrontation with Shouta. It did make him wonder for a brief moment why the kid never defended himself from attackers before but felt sure enough to confront him.

 

“Kid, I told you they can’t fight this there are recordings of the shit your mother said to you. You are safe and if you want to stay with me you can. I’m a pro I have the clearance and correct documents to take in foster kids. I’ve done it before on a temporary basis, but I know the system would be hell for you. I’m not going to let you go into a void of paperwork where shit will get overlooked just because of a genetic blip that makes you different from a vast percentage of the populace.”  Shouta ground his teeth together as he led the kid through the parking lot and towards the staff entrance to the school. Izuku followed a step behind the man as the words flowed over him.

 

“You don’t have to keep me around out of obligation, I’m not worth the time to worry about. Not really. It’s fine if you put me into the system can’t be any worse than the rest of my life has been so far.” Izuku choked out, the fear of actually going into the system, that unknown tightening like a steel band around his chest and squeezing the very breath out of him. The

 

“Kid, I’m not doing this or saying any of this out of some stupid sense of obligation. I want you to feel safe. I want to know you are okay and make sure you have a say in the damn matter of your safety to a certain extent because I really get the feeling you’ve had very little control of that up to now.” Shouta reassured his eyes flicking to look at the kid in his peripheral vision. He walked head down shoulders slumped, back pack slung carelessly over his shoulder. The colour reminiscent of the goggles around his neck and the sleeping bag that was tucked under the podium in his class room.  It was pock marked with black singes tiny sunbursts that look to reminiscent of sparks flying from palms intent on causing damage.

 

“I get that, at least I think I do. Its just an adjustment to have someone worrying about what happens to me. I mean mom would act like she cared but I think as long as the damage was never visible or noticeable to others she would pretend it away. And I know everything that has happened  to me isn’t right but, it’s a bit hard not to think it’s normal when it’s all I have known.”  Izuku murmured as they made their way through the school. His eyes still cast to his red primordial shoes that were scuffed and worn almost to the point they were falling apart.

 

“I know kid, we’ll get you to the point where you begin to believe your worth all the care in the world. Lets go let Nedzu know that Tsukauchi will be stopping by before we head out to get you set up for the day in my class room.” Shouta tugged the kid in another direction who gave a grumble of assent before following after him.

 

“Nedzu, the principle he really doesn’t mind that you’re bringing me into the school? Visitors aren’t usually allowed on Yuuei campus. At least as far as I have knew before.” Izuku asked as the sound of their footfalls echoed through corridors. Students milled about quietly. Some looking at Shouta with confusion as he walked beside Izuku. Others avoided looking at them entirely.

 

“That’s because normally he doesn’t but you’re a protected person in my active case. So I have to keep you safe, nowhere is safer than Yuuei. So here we are. I’ll be up to my goggles in debt with the Rat no doubt for it but it’s a small price to pay kid.” Shouta shrugged as they finally stopped infront of a large door. Izuku raised an eyebrow at Shouta when he made no move to enter or knock. But before he could say anything the door swung open of it’s own accord.

 

“What the fuck?” Izuku whispered causing Shouta to snort softly before cuffing the kid over his head while hiding the lower half of his face in his capture weapon.

 

“Language kid, the principle likes to add a little intimidation to his meetings. The Rat likes to keep everyone a little off kilter for the fun of it. Something about people showing who they are when they are off balance.” Shouta reached out to ruffle the kids hair a little. The kid pushing that head full of green curls into his palm before he let his hand move to the kids back guiding him into the room.

 

“I’m sorry, you try controlling your vocal responses when a door opens on its damn own with no warning. That is a freaky thing to happen thank you very much. You didn’t think to warn me that your boss is unhinged?” Izuku spluttered stopping and turning to look into Shouta’s grey eyes that briefly flashed red with his quirk.

 

“It would be harmless to you. He won’t harm you after all he knows…”

 

“Enough Shouta-kun. I am sure  the boy is well aware about the conditions of my life. It is after all fairly well known.” Nedzu smiled softly as he dropped from the sofa he had been sat on in the office with a soft thump of feet on a plush rug. Izuku looked down to the man, mammal. Eyes narrowing as he looked at Nedzu and then back at Shouta.

 

“Your wrong.” Izuku grinned maniacally.

 

“Kid what do you mean, I…”

 

“He is not a Rat, or a dog mouse or bear or what ever it is his catch phrase is.” Izuku turned back to Nedzu his eyes glowing as he the quirked animal let a pleased but feral grin take over his face.

 

“Oh really my boy. You think you have figured out exactly what I am then?” Nedzu hummed as he walked over to a unit and began to prepare tea. “Well sit, sit down both of you. Why don’t you tell me your hypothesis boy while I prepare tea?” Nedzu sounded so amused and Shouta grinned, what ever the kid thought he knew was wrong. Nedzu had head everything in the book at this point.

 

“You’re a stoat right?” Izuku said softly smug pride lacing his voice and Shouta had to bite back a groan. He and Hizashi had both made this idiotic blunder during their time as his personal students. Shouta bit back the groan when he noticed the amused flick of his former sensei’s tail. The kid had piqued his interest, much as he had Shouta’s. But Piquing Nedzu’s interest was a whole other order of magnitude then Shouta. Nedzu had taught him how to be the feral Eldritch Demon he had become. And Shouta wasn’t conceited enough to believe that Nedzu had taught him everything he knew.

 

“Oh Kid,” Shouta sighed under his breath at a volume he knew that if the kid had been paying attention he would have heard him. But his giddy, practically vibrating out of his own skin energy was completely focused on the principle. “Nedzu, I know what you are thinking but this is not the time. I have classes. Izuku needs to be given his visitors pass. You can plot and plan and scheme later okay?”  Shouta stared down at the mammal, the rat. He knew of course he wasn’t a rat but it was the closest damn approximation to whatever he truly was.

 

“Shouta-Kun, must you always spoil my fun. Fine the pass is on the desk. Midoriya-kun I regret to inform you that I am not a stoat. Sorry to disappoint you, though uif you do ever come up with another hypothesis I would be glad to hear it.” Nedzu reached up with a furred paw and patted the young boys hand gently. He stiffened rooting himself to the spot in an attempt to stop himself from backing away. Shouta could feel the icy calm that washed over his boss, his sensei and knew he would be receiving some interesting emails soon. Nedzu hated abuse in any form and like Shouta he recognised another abused soul when he saw one.

 

Shouta huffed, and to Izuku it wouldn’t register as amusement but the rat would hear it just fine. He was fluent in just about every micro vocalisation and micro expression that Shouta had cultivated over the years. “Sure thing Nedzu. Come on Izu, pin this,” Shouta swiped up the badge and handed it to the kid. “To your shirt and then we can get moving, I need coffee and like five minutes of peace with you before the hell spawn start to arrive.” Shouta made to leave the room hearing the kid and Nedzu saying quiet goodbyes. He waved a hand beckoning the kid to hurry up. He let out a startled little meep causing the rat to laugh and Shouta to huff again in amusement.

 

“So he isn’t a stoat, weird I was so sure. Guess I can research a little more something has to fit.” Izuku was mumbling, he knew he was. But he couldn’t stop, he knew it would annoy the pro beside him knew he would find it creepy andget rid of him. But his thoughts were zipping around faster than a hummingbirds wings and he had to get them out. “Rodent genus most likely. But he also uses bear and dog in his catch phrase. But he doesn’t look like he has any of those traits so that can’t be right. Library, I should hit the library. But mom hates it when I get like this can’t annoy her. It hurts  when she gets annoyed.” Shouta felt his heart and stomach plummet straight out of his ass at the damn words. The kid was scared to what be intrigued and interested in something because that bitch clearly did something heinous to stomp it out of him.

 

“Kid, when the kids have study hall I’ll gtake you to the library you can get what ever books you need to figure it out. Your mind runs like a mile a minute kid I had to boot up parts of my brain I thought Present Mic had turned to mush when we were kids at school just to follow what you were saying.”  Shouta offered a small less feral smile gracing his lips, he was so thankful there were no students milling around. Them thinking he had a soft spot would be incredibly bad for his reputation.

 

“It’s fine wouldn’t you have to do grading or lesson plans while they studied?” Izuku asked, the sudden offer from the man having jolted him out of his dissociative muttering. Shouta grinned, raising an eyebrow at the kid in front of him.

 

“Kid, I have my lessons planned and I usually grade the day the assignments are handed in after hours at home. I don’t need to do anything during study hall. I usually catch a quick nap if the hellions are being quiet enough. But encouraging that noodle of yours and possibly having an answer to the elusive question is a far better way to spend that time.” Shouta lazily wrapped an arm around the kid who didn’t tense up so much but took a while to relax in to the easy affection and touch.

 

“If you’re sure you don’t mind I’d really like that. Nedzu is kind of fascinating and his quirk is really cool. High Spec is really versatile and good for heroics despite not being a combative quirk. The way he could analyse a situation and use all the data he compiles in real time is astounding. He’d be an asset in almost all settings really. The fact that he’s also an animal with a quirk rather than a person with an animal mutation is amazing. I mean it’s so rare to start with but the fact that he broke so many glass ceilings is amazing. First Quirked Animal Hero, First Quirked Animal Teacher and then Principle. It’s a lot of amazing accomplishments.” Izuku rambled his words slurring into one another as he practically tripped over his own tongue to get them out.

 

“Kid I told you already I don’t offer to do things I don’t want to do. We’ll get you the books you want to read and we can see about doing a few little tests to see where you are academically. Then we can maybe start thinking about what we need to do school wise. I know you’ve had it rough in schools so I wont force you to go to one. But you do need to continue your education either online or Through whatever we can drum up for you between the teachers here okay?”  Shouta grunted as he steered the kid into more populated hallways. He thought about removing the guiding arm from the kids shoulder. But reputation be damned he really didn’t want the kid to get lost.

 

“If you’re sure, I don’t want to be a bother I know you probably have a lot to do.” Izuku agreed softly as Shouta finally steered them into his class room which was still blissfully empty.

 

“You can sit at my desk over there for now kid, maybe observe for a little while I give a quick text to Nedzu see if we can’t get those tests for you set up today. Hopefully they will be done by lunch and you can complete them in the afternoon. Until then observe the hellions I’ve seen that mind of yours at work see if you can figure out their quirks before their hero training this afternoon.” Shouta directed Izuku over. He placed down his bag and pulled out one of the note books he had packed from his mom’s apartment. He flipped to a page and began to slowly read through the pages.

 

Kids slowly started to file into t he classroom, Izuku sitting completely absorbed in what he was focusing on. A lot of the kids looked towards the kid quietly mumbling to himself and then to Shouta before deciding not to ask and keeping their mouths shut. Shouta knew it had more to do with his glare than their lack of curiosity or their respect to not pry without the invitation to ask questions. Once all of his class, which admittedly was far less than it had been at the start of the year had arrived he signalled for quiet and a hush fell over them finally drawing Izuku’s attention.

 

“Okay I know you all noticed the kid in the corner of the room. He is currently my ward. A child removed from a situation regarding an active case. Until things have been sorted he will be joining us. I expect you to behave like true hero hopefuls, be compassionate, do not pry into his circumstances or pressure for information or answers. Take this time in homeroom to complete any outstanding work you may have.” Shouta deadpanned his eyes scanning the room as eyes snapped away from Izuku and back to him.

 

“Does this have anything to do what was on the news this morning sensei?” Mawata asked her eyes flitting away from the kid and back to himself he scowled a little. Admittedly he hadn’t checked the news this morning except what he and the kid had heard Zashi saying about the villain attack on the radio.

 

“I didn’t really catch the news this morning Mawata, I was making calls to do with the kids guardianship and getting the okay to bring him onto campus for the mean time. Care to enlighten me?” Shouta gave the girl his attention her light hair falling into her eyes as she ducked her head slightly.

 

“It just said that Pro Hero Eraserhead had forcibly removed a child from their parents care against their will.” Mawata had the decency to look embarrassed about the clear insinuation while her gaze flitted between him and Izuku whom had tensed visibly.

 

“Izuku was not removed against his will. I learnt about him on my patrols, he was being harassed by his peers for his quirk status. Some of them illegally used their quirks on him. I separated him and a child who was fixing to do the same. I took him to his home where I learned that his mother was often not around and he was left as a 13 year old to fend for himself. His mother arrived home and proceeded to verbally abuse him with quirkest remarks and even made to physically harm him. I stepped in called a detective I know on the police force and made sure that Izuku here would be safe. The accusations against me a baseless and a angry womans attempt to cover up her own neglect and abuse. There is sufficient audio evidence to back up my claims. Do you think Nedzu would have allowed me to step onto the campus grounds today and teach if any of these accusations had base in fact?” Shouta sighed pinching the bridge of his nose as he stared down each of his students some looking perturbed as they took in the child sitting at his desk. The others looked relieved and some just simply looked confused.

 

“I apologise sensei for even considering that the accusations could even be a possibility. It was illogical of me to assume that you would simply kidnap a child.” Mawata bowed softly before she turned back to Izuku. “Sensei said you were being discriminated against because of your Quirk, would you mind sharing what it is?” The question seemed innocent enough but a few eyes in the room seemed a little too composed and guarded for Shouta’s liking.

 

“No Mawata you may not ask that question it is incredibly personal and something you should not ask a person, a Kouhai you have never met before.” Shouta glared at the girl who shrank back down into her seat eyes downcast. “I thought I had beaten it into all of your heads by this point I know we haven’t long started the school year. But I thought at least that much would have sunk in by now.” Shouta sighed when Izuku started to cough softly. Shouta turned to look at the kid staring at him before he stood from the desk.

 

“It’s okay Aizawa-san. I get why they would want to know, it’s really not such a big deal. If you must know Mawata-senpai I’m quirkless. I was bullied at school for my lack of a quirk hated by my own family for my lack of one. I understand if none of you are comfortable with my presence here because of this.” Izuku bowed softly before keeping his eyes held down staring at the floor. Small whispers broke out through the room. Shouta sighed and went to guide the kid back to his seat.

 

“You aren’t going anywhere kid, if any of them have a problem with you being here then they are the ones who will leave. You have to stay where I can make sure you are safe and okay.” Shouta ruffled his hair before turning to the class quirk activated which caused them all to quit their whispering.

 

“Thank you Mawata for forcing your Kouhai to out his quirk status by making him feel uncomfortable and pressured. I’ll see you after classes to discuss extra sensitivity training. Izuku it is not okay for someone to question the validity of what happened to you. Regardless of your quirk or lack thereof that doesn’t negate that you were harassed, assaulted, neglected and abused because of it. My word on that should have been enough on the matter.” Shouta leaned up against the desk facing the class effectively blocking their view of Izuku who started shuffling back through his notebook.

 

“Understood Sensei,” The class said in  unison all of them staring at Shouta with determination. Shouta nodded his head briefly before turning to look down at the kid who had his eyes resolutely down on his notebook. Shouta saw pages of analysis with a pretty accurate drawing of his own hero costume and identifiers that his quirk was active. He was the neat Kanji that the words were written down in. Small and cramped to fit as much information on the page as possible. Shouta inwardly groaned the kid was sitting on valuable data that wasn’t even in a cipher that would keep it from falling into the wrong hands. He mentally slapped himself upside the head, knowing he was probably going to have to let the Rat get his hands on him just to  teach him how to better encode his analysis.

 

“Come on kid, period is almost over Yamada-Sensei will be here soon to teach these hellions English we need to head back to the staff room so I can get coffee and then we need to see nedzu about setting up some private lessons for you.” Shouta said softly. Izuku simply packed up his things while keeping his eyes downcast, like Shouta he could most likely feel the eyes of the majority of the class on them. Right as they were about to leave the door swung open and in walked Hizashi Yamada, Shouta had never been so happy to see the man.

 

“Hey listeners you ready to rock out and learn some English?” Hizashi called out his hands threw up in the air. His goffy expression dropping when he followed the line of sight from the students to Shouta and possibly the cutest little listener he had ever seen. “Hey Aizawa, that the green bean Nedzu mentioned in this mornings meeting? I was surprised you hadn’t shown up.” Hizashi grinned at him softly before coming over and stooping down to meet Izuku’s eyes.

 

“Yeah Yamada, This here is Izuku. We already saw Nedzu this morning but I wanted to take something up with him real quick. I already asked him about doing some testing to see what level of schooling Izuku is at could you whip up a little English test? Just something to get a base line.” Shouta reached out taking the kids bag from his hand while he placed the chair back under the desk.

 

“Sure thing, I can do that once I have set this lot off. Why was it like a graveyard in here when I walked in you threaten to expel another student?” Hizashi grinned a little awkwardly. He could feel the eyes directed at the kid now stood between him and Shouta.

 

“No but if people keep being insensitive towards others private business I may have to rethink my stance on that. I’d appreciate if you nipped any talk about quirk status in the bud today and informed me if it happens yeah?”  Hizashi nodded his head softly brow furrowing as he looked from the suddenly stricken class down to the now sullen looking boy standing between them.

 

Shouta threw an arm around the kid after handing him back his bag to guide him from the room. Hizashi stood front and centre as the atmosphere calmed in the room when Mawata suddenly looked up. “Sensei why would Aizawa-Sensei take in a quirkless kid?” She asked her face screwed up somewhere between indignation and confusion and Hizashi felt coldness seeped into his bones. So that was what had gotten Shouta’s back up and made the kid looked like he had been kicked. He knew it had been discrimination but they hadn’t been told the kid  had no quirk at all.

 

“Because quirk or no quirk every kid deserves the right to be safe and cared for. I know the full details of what happened to that boy and he is better off in the care of your sensei. I suggest you don’t let the blatant prejudice I can see you all leaning towards show. Aizawa-sensei won’t stand for it and neither will the rest of the staff. Let this be your only warning.” Hizashi let the cold steel of being told he was dangerous that his quirk was too much of a danger for him to be a hero leak into his voice. He wouldn’t let Shouta’s new little kitten feel like he didn’t belong.

Chapter 4: Aizawa Protects His Kitten

Summary:

Aizawa looses his shit when it's clear the kids he teaches are too freaking dumb to mind their own.

Shouta heard the question, he heard the warning his friend, his very best friend give and he grinned. Mawata-kun would be doing more the sensitivity training. Izuku was shaking at his side and Shouta groaned bemoaning all the parkour and jumping from buildings as he crouched to get his eye level below the kids.

 

“They don’t matter, not their opinions and certainly not any shit they may think about you from a little bit of time spent in your company. Kid they don’t know you and you shouldn’t let them effect you.”  He looked into green eyes and laughed when the kids nose twitched as his eyes narrowed. A slow blink and the kid seemed to relax.

 

“Anyone who could put me on my ass in five seconds flat matters more than me. That would include any of my Senpai’s from your home room.” Izuku growled pulling away and walking in a direction he vaguely remembered. “No one should care about me, I’m useless, quirkless. I’m nothing but a deku. The sooner you wise up and see that the better.” Shouta stood wincing at the pain in his knee’s his job was not kind to his body. But the proof of that sacrifice stood in front of him. A kid who was underfed and  underappreciated. The mind that Izuku had shown just from his observations of Shouta alone should have been encouraged and nurtured.

 

“I watched you evade multiple quirked kids like a shadow demon multiple times kid. If you wanted to fight back and win you could have. I think I know why you didn’t and I’m pretty sure its that name you spat at me with more acid than a pissed off cobra.” Shouta groaned as he stood up and ushering the kid away from the halls. “So tell me why didn’t you ever fight back?” The tension in the air hung ominously.

 

“Because I got hurt more if I did. Teachers would punish me, detentions and in school suspensions. I’ve been muzzled because my muttering was distracting. That was fine it was school, it wasn’t supposed to be safe. But then Mom would hurt me, she’d forget to buy food, stay out for days on end working. She would use her quirk sometimes. But it’s fine, I deserve it because I wasn’t the kid I was supposed to be.” Izuku went from sniffling to wailing the words and Shouta felt the ice that had thawed around him crack a little more.

 

“Kid. Fuck. None of that should be the normal day to day for a child. But we can work through it all, process everything you have gone through so you can heal. Does that sound okay?” Shouta asked as he continued  to guide Izuku through the halls.

 

“I mean in theory, yeah. But what if they make me go back to my mom, or into the system. You realistically can’t be in my life forever. Eventually things are going to go back how they were.” Izuku sighed pulling away from the embrace. Completely devoid of hope.

 

“I told you no one if taking you from my care without a fight kid. You’ll be an Aizawa Kami knows I wont rest until you are. I won’t let you go in the system, I won’t let you go back to your mom. Hell if I actually have to resort to kidnapping I will. There’s a reason the hell spawn didn’t question the validity of the press. I may be a hard ass, but I don’t mess around when vulnerable kids are involved.” Shouta slowed his steps all his senses focused on the kid beside him.

 

“Until some cop, or social worker makes you give me back. It’s happened before. She says I lie about it all that it’s nothing more than rebellion or if it’s the abuse at school, a kid acting out or kids being kids. Teacher or another kid acting on their frustrations depending.” Deadpan, Izuku said this like it was a matter of fact, nothing that could be helped or changed. As universal as gravitational pull or the planets circling the sun.

 

“You met Tsuki last night. Tell me did he seem like the type of cop to let something like that slide?” Shouta huffed, realising the kid would be hard to convince. But then he never really backed down from a challenge.

 

“I’d rather assume everyone is going to stab me in the back eventually than ever dare to hope.” Shouta felt the sting in his eyes and nose, the cotton stuffing his airways at that admission. He had more work to do with this kid than he thought.

 

“You, are like a feral street kitten.” Shouta mused and he had to surpress the huff of a laugh and the amused smile at the kid’s indignant squawk. He knew Hizashi would like the kid, sunshine recognises sunshine. But there was shadows lurking around the kid that called to Shouta. Shadows he knew while he couldn’t mellow or obliterate, he could dapple them by proxy with the sunshine that had forced it’s way into his own life. Then maybe, eventually, someday Izuku could be that sunshine for someone else. The kid was an extroverted introvert if ever he’d met one. But he knew, knew beyond a doubt eventually Izuku would be a very curly, green Hizashi.

 

“Feral…Kitten. You think I’m a feral kitten?” Izuku sounded unsure, and maybe a little angry at the likeness. Shouta imagined if he was a little kitten all curly green fur standing up on end, hissing and spitting.

 

“Yes, you don’t trust easily. You’ve been left alone for so long and had very little kindness. You don’t believe someone would be nice to you, kind to you for no reason at all other than the fact they should be. So yes, you are a feral kitten.” Shouta smiled not really looking at the kid but he could feel the semi focused gaze on his face. Izuku would be watching him from his peripheral not focusing on

 

Before the Izuku could reply Nedzu dropped down out of the vent and landed before the  smiling and unnatural smile. Izuku didn’t even react while Shouta even with all his years dealing with his hellion boss and sensei reached for his capture weapon out of instinct.

 

“Nedzu-san, we were just coming to see you,” Izuku spoke softly, like someone popping up infront of him was normal, the thought sent icicles down Shouta’s spine.

 

“I took the liberty of watching security footage. I was curious how Aizawa-kun would handle introducing you. I was not impressed with how my students responded. I know we mentioned testing and I heard Aizawa-kun mention it to Yamada-kun. I thought I would head you both off. I have the standard Middle School tests prepared, Kayama-sensei will proctor for you.” Shouta glared at the Rat, Stoat, amalgamation of animals. “Did you think I would let you over see these tests? I know you Aizawa-kun, you are invested and thus you cannot be a judge of the boys performance.” Nedzu nodded, and while Shouta knew it was illogical to expect another outcome he thought he could trust the rat to believe he would be impartial despite his connection to Izuku.

 

“Why Kayama?” Shouta tried to keep his voice under control but he still managed to growl.

 

“Because she is the least impartial teacher here who does not know about your connection to the boy,” Nedzu nodded before turning away from the both of them and walking in a direction that Izuku was pretty sure they had not followed that morning. He tried to breath deeply, clear his mind of any negative thoughts. Aizawa had said he cared, Izuku would have to try to believe in those words.

 

“Kayama-sensei?” Izuku let the words slip past his lips and when they both turned to him faced flushed and looking nervous they grinned ruefully.

 

“Sorry kid, in school she is Kayama-sensei, outside of school she is Midnight. I hate to agree with the rat but after me and Hizashi, she is the next best of the list not to judge you for everything. Nedzu here would be top of the list but due to his quirk he mark’s every exam so he cannot Procter by default.”  Shouta explained before following the rat reaching out and pulling the kid along behind him.

 

“Midnight, the R rated hero? Jeez her quirk is amazing, I mean she can knock people out, It’s said to work better on men. But I have wondered if that’s a person to person-based thing. Would her quirk work as well on a hetero man as good as it would a lesbian woman or a bi woman? Or what about someone who is demi or pan, or even someone who is asexual? Is it based on romantic connection or sexual? Not to mention can she control the gas, or does it diffuse normally? Could she if she wanted to alter the potency of it or the density? Would quirks that effect the way a gas is made up affect her somnambulist?” Izuku had devolved into a mutter storm that left Aizawa cringing at the fate of the world while Nedzu was left making plans. Plans for how he could encourage the child his student had found. To nurture his hidden talents and turn him into a hero that could not be reckoned with.

 

“Yeah kid, Midnight. If you want we could meet up with her and you could pick her brain about her quirk. Those were some deep thoughts, her and the other pros on staff would enjoy your thoughts on their quirks to I would wager.” Shouta grinned down at the kid who was suddenly stalled eyes vacant and staring out a little.

 

“No, I don’t think they would. My analysis isn’t anything to write home about it’s just a hobby to pass the time.” The kid was keeping his eyes carefully downcast. Nedzu stopped outside of one of the group study or conference rooms. Nemuri leaned up against the wall rher eyes flitting from one of them to other but she smiled at Izuku.

 

“Hey Kid, so I hear you’re looking to test out of middle school? Lets get you all set up and get this examination on the road shall we?” Nemuri gives a wink to Shouta and he rolls his eyes.

 

“Behave yourself Midnight, the kid has been through a lot. We don’t need you making him uncomfortable got it?” Shouta stares at her and she grins before giving him a quick salute.

 

“I’ll be on my best behaviour Eraser, I know how to do my job.” She grins before gesturing for the kid to go ahead of her into the room. Shouta watches as the kid gives him a quick unsure look.

 

“You’ll be fine kid, I’ll be in the teachers lounge. Midnight will bring you around when you’re done with the exams. Once that’s done we can go grab some lunch from the canteen.” Shouta stepped forward and ruffled Izukus hair before walking away.

 

“Come on then Kiddo, lets get this done so the grumpy cat can have you back where he can see you.” Midnight, he’s standing in front of The Midnight and just gawping. She chuckles taking his wrist in delicate fingers and pulling him into the room to guide him to a table where several exam packets are laid out. “You can start on which ever packet. We have till lunch, if you aren’t finished by then we can come back and you can sit the others. Get yourself comfortable kid, it’s going to be a long couple of hours.”  Izuku sat down and lay the packets out before himself looking at each subject briefly. Izuku picked up the English packet and opened it up before taking out a pen and beginning. He gnawed on his lip thoughtlessly as his hand flew against the page as he wrote down answer after answer

 

Midnight sat watching him curiously as he worked through the exams quietly. She knew of course that Shouta had brought some stray kitten home  and that he had grown attached. She could see why, the kid was sweet. The way he thoughtlessly scribbled out his thoughts tongue poking out the side of his mouth as his brow knit in concentration.

 

Izuku closed his first exam packet as time flew by and he picked up the neck packet without really looking to closely and began to start. He worked through the packet with the same determination as he had before. Pulling memories of information from the depths of his mind. It had been a while since he had studied basic middle school concepts. His teachers trying to trip him up with high school level work had been going on for a while now and so he had studied. If they were going to test him, even if they would fail him regardless, he would know the material. He liked to learn and he wouldn’t let assholes in power take it from him.

 

The morning went on in much the same way, Izuku flying through the exam packet after exam packet just as lunch time was rollying around he was finishing up a third as a knock came to the door and Shouta stuck his head into the room.

 

“Hey Kayama, Izu, it’s lunch time you done with that packet kid?” Shouta smiled as Izu turned around closing the packet before turning to look at Kayama.

 

“I just have one packet left to do, is it still okay to come back here after lunch to finish it?” Izuku gathered the finished packets and handed them over to Kayama happily who took them with a nod. “Where are we going to eat?” Izuku tacked on as he finally turned to look at Shouta a little unease in his eyes.

 

“I was figuring we could go and grab something from the cafeteria and then eat in my office. That sound okay?” Shouta smiled at the kid but the unease didn’t seem to waver. It set Shouta on edge, what could the kid possibly be  worrying about.

 

“Do I have to come to the cafeteria with you?”  Izuku ducked his head down so Shouta couldn’t meet his eyes or tell how he was feeling. He stepped further into the room reaching out and ruffled the kids hair softly.

 

“Well, I only know one dish you like kid and you aren’t having Katsudon two days in a row. We’ll be in and out and I won’t let anything happen to you if it’s the other students you are worried about?” Shouta crouched down a little so they were at eye level causing Nemuri to coo which irritated him, but he really didn’t want to let that show when the kid was clearly feeling vulnerable.

 

“Just, lunches at Aldera. They never went well, the days I could eat I’d eat on the roof to avoid everyone. Plus your class, a lot of them didn’t seem to like me so much as soon as they found out about well, it. If everyone else knows by now it will be more of the same. I don’t want you to have to deal with all that.” Izuku mumbled eyes still down cast and away from Shouta. The man sighed hand moving to cup the boys cheek gently moving his face so they could look at each other.

 

“Kid, kit, green bean. Fuck, I hate that you’re scared to go get food, I hate it even more that you don’t want to inconvenience me with the behaviours of a bunch of snot nosed brats who would probably piss their pants if I so much as looked at them. You aren’t in any danger from anyone here, and if any of them so much as tried to harm you they’d be out on their asses. That bull won’t fly here.” Shouta smiled before standing back up straight his knees giving a soft pop which made him wince a little.

 

“Okay, I guess I can come with you. Is there coffee? I could really use some coffee my head kind of hurts a little.” Izuku said softly causing Nemuri to snow indelicately causing the two to turn and look at her.

 

“Sho, trust you to find a kid who is like a mini version of you. Yeah kid, Lunch Rush will have coffee, Sho here would have killed everyone in the building by now if he didn’t. See you back here after lunch for that final packet yeah?” Nemuri grinned reaching out and ruffling the kids hair before skirting around the two of them and leaving the room.

 

“Come on then, lets go get you fed. You weigh next to nothing and if you want to be a hero we need to get some meat on your bones kid. One stiff breeze could knock you on your ass as you are now.” Shouta put a hand on Izuku’s shoulder and led him slowly through the crowded class rooms.

 

“Why did you stop the kids in your class asking questions? I mean surely its normal for them to want to know about the kid their sensei is just dragging into their lessons without any warning.” Izuku was speaking softly, Shouta figured the kids voice probably wouldn’t carry father than the two of them. It made his chest ache. Why would a kid need to speak so softly. Most kid his age were loud, obnoxious and rowdy.

 

“Kid, they were pushing a boundary and then they were bordering on quirk discrimination. I told them to lay off and they didn’t. If they aren’t going to stop when they are making someone who is clearly going through it uncomfortable. How are they going to behave out in the field as heros? If I can correct that behaviour now great. If it carries on then maybe they don’t have the sensitivity to become a hero.” Shouta led them to the now dwindling line for lunch. He noticed the eyes of hero course students, both his own class and Vlad’s tracking the two of them through the room. The kid did too if his tensing was anything to go by.

 

“I mean I suppose not, but this is different. No body likes the quirkless, it’s not really surprising they don’t want me around.” He sighs freckled hand reaching up to bury into messed up green curls. Shouta grunted untangling the hand before giving it a squeeze and lowering it.

 

“Not everyone thinks like they do. I mean what about me, Mic, Midnight and Nezu? We all like you just fine kid.” Shouta let his shoulders slouch hair falling into his face as he tilted his head a little both to look at the kid and look past him to the few kids still thinking it was a good idea to openly stare and talk about his little feral stray.

 

“You four are…odd. I’ve never met anyone like you guys.” The kid mumbled before turning a little to see where Shouta was looking. He flinched when he saw the eyes aimed at him. Some curious some openly disgusted. Shouta sighed as they got up to Lunch Rush who nodded in greeting.

 

“Omurice for me Lunch. Hey kid what do you want to eat?” Shouta nudged the kitten to get his attention on the food rather than the idiots who didn’t know when to quit while they were ahead. The kid seemed to be lost in his own head so Shouta nudged him with a little huff again. The kid snapped out of it and turned to look at him.

 

“Oh, uh. Sorry what did you say Aizawa?” The kid blinked at him a little owlishly and Shouta grit his teeth. He knew that look the kid had completely checked out. He was really starting to get pissed at his students now.

 

“Food kid, what do you want to eat? And do not say you aren’t hungry. You need food and you will eat, you got that?” Shouta prodded when he could see the kid trying to get out of eating.

 

“Pork onigiri? I don’t think I can stomach much right now…” The kid whispered. Shouta looked up at Lunch who gave a thumbs up and a nod before preparing their food as easy as anything. He handed over the plates which Shouta put on their tray.

 

“Can we get two coffee’s as well Lunch, kids testing out of middle school so we need the fuel.” Shouta grinned at the other hero as he gave a chuckle and handed two thermos cups over. “Do you want anything in your coffee kid? I normally have mine black but we can get the other fixed up for you.” Shouta grinned down at the kid as he took one of the cups and added it to their tray.

 

“Black is fine Aizawa, though maybe an IV of the stuff would be better than a cup?” The kid groaned, Shouta snorted taking the other cup from Lunch Rush while he shook his head looking from the kid to Shouta and back again.

 

“Mic wasn’t kidding, you managed to take in the meekest looking kid ever. You going soft old man?” Lunch Rush laughed causing the kid to smile so Shouta took that as a win.

 

“Watch it Lunch, we’ll see you later alright? Gotta get this one to eat before I ship him back of to Kayama for his final exam packet.” Shouta guided the kid away from the serving area and Shouta now realised that more than just the damn kids from the hero track were staring at them he sighed before turning to the kid. “Here take the tray, time to put the fear of Kami into these damn brats.” As Izuku took the tray he put four fingers into his mouth and gave a shrill whistle causing several in the room, most in his near vicinity to flinch at the sound.

 

“Alright you little twirps I’m only going to say this once so you better listen. The kid with me does not need you morons gawping at him. I don’t give a damn what my idiot hellions have told you about him, I don’t even care about your opinions about what I know they will have made known. If I catch another one of you looking at him as disdainfully as I have noticed while he was getting his food I will throw you out on your ass quicker than you can say ‘plus ultra’.  Am I clear?” Shouta yelled, quirk activated eyes glowing a ruby red as black hair floated in inky locks around his neck. The room was deathly quiet for a moment.

 

“Yes Sensei,” there was a hushed chorus of voice and Izuku winced as most looked away before a few sent glares his way. Shouta stared each one of them down.

 

“Come on kid lets go get you fed before your final exam. After that I have a class to teach and then we can head home yeah?” Shouta gently took the tray in one hand before slinging an arm around Izuku and guiding him from the room and back to the teachers lounge where they would eat there food.

 

“You really didn’t have to do that, they’re going to be even worse now.” Izuku mumbled softly his eyes downcast his fingers twisting together in front of his stomach.

 

“Kid, if they don’t stop after that I’ll make damn good on my threat and if they don’t know that, well then I don’t know how they passed the entrance exams. Come on lets go sit and eat.” Shouta held open the door before pointing to his small office off to one side where the kid wandered over to sit. They ate together in silence the kid slowly relaxing. Shouta silently prayed for the day to end without further incident. The kid needed a break, kami only knew Shouta could do with a break himself.

Chapter 5: Tsuki Needs Some Answers

Summary:

Aizawa forgets completely about Tsuki coming by. They learn a little more about Izuku.

Notes:

Hey all, so I just wanted to apologise for being gone for nearly two months with no update! I've had a really bad Arthritis flare up which left typing nearly impossible. This chapter is quite a bit shorter than previous updates but I needed to get something out there for all you amazing patient people. So Enjoy and hopefully the next update won't take as damn long as this one did.

Aizawa groaned, Tsukauchi stood in the doorway of the office staring at him with an unimpressed look. “Kid I forgot we had that chat with Tsuki, I’ll text Kayama let her know we won’t be back in the room you were doing your exams for a bit yet.” He reached out ruffling the kids hair before smiling at him and walking out the room to find Kayama.

 

“Hey there Izuku, how you holding up kid?” Tsukauchi asked as he sat down in a chair. His eyes were on the kid who had refused to look up his eyes focused on the onigiri in his hands.

 

“I’m okay every one has been really nice to me,” The kid murmured and the sharp lance of a lie made Tsukauchi flinch. He hummed giving the kid a considering look.

 

“Want to try that one again kid, you do remember what my quirk is right?” Tsukauchi smiled at the kid as his head snapped up eyes wide face flushed red. Tsukauchi chuckled. “Don’t worry kid, I don’t care you lied about everyone being nice to you. But just remember I’ll know if your lying to me kid, even little white ones. So who hasn’t been so great, I hope it isn’t any of the teachers I don’t want to have to arrest Aizawa for murder today.” Tsukauchi grinned as the kid set down his food and started to fidget with his fingers.

 

“Just some students, staring. Some in Aizawa’s class said a few things. He took care of it. None of the adults have been mean so far so I don’t think you have to worry about Aizawa snapping but I get the feeling that’s always just on the horizon?” Izuku mumbled looking at Tskuauchi out the corner of his eye before picking back up his onigiri and continuing to eat.

 

“True kid he’s always about one cup of bad coffee away from snapping. But that’s standard for just about every underground hero, and none of the others also work with reckless teenagers during daylight hours. So when Aizawa gets back we’ll go over the paper work to keep you in his care. And discuss the case against your mother.” Tsukauchi grinned at Izuku who smiled softly as he finished eating his food.

 

“Okay, I know you did not just imply the only reason I have never snapped is because of coffee Tsuki, I thought you knew me better than that?” Aizawa grumbled causing the two of them to startle. Izuku stifled a small giggle at the raised eyebrow and unimpressed look Tsuki sent to Aizawa.

 

“Aizawa, you can’t tell me that your tolerance level for bullshit doesn’t heighten or lower depending on the amount of coffee you have drank? But now that you are here and I can clearly see you have had coffee can we get on with my job?” Tsuki grinned at the man who groaned before collapsing into the chair he had vacated and nodding his head at the detective in front of him and the kid.

 

“What is it that you need from the kid?” Aizawa asked before placing a bite of Omurice in his mouth and chewing thoughtfully. Looking at the now half eaten onigiri the kid had placed down. His fingers were wringing together in a way that almost looked painful. “Kid you’re gunna end up hurting yourself. Once we’re done with school we are going to get you something to fidget with so you stop abusing your fingers and hair okay?” Izuku turned to meet his eyes and nodded confusion clear in his eyes.

 

“I just need Izuku here to tell me what life was like at home honestly, how he was treated at school would also be helpful. Just his story really, if I need anything clarifying I will ask a few questions. Izuku do you mind me recording this? It would be helpful because if this does go to court we can use it instead of you being placed on the stand.” Tsuki kept his attention on Izuku who was looking down at his hands that had now stilled completely.

 

“I don’t mind but why bother, she will get me back. No one is going to believe a quirkless kid. Even with a Pro Hero and a Detective with a Lie Detection quirk vouching for him.” Izuku sighed but he looked up at Tsuki a small frown on his lips as he took a deep breath.

 

Tsuki placed the recording device down on the table before pressing record and turning to face Izuku. “I am Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa of the Mustafu police department, here to interview one Midoriya Izuku, aged 14 on April 24th 2XXX. For the record my quirk is Lie Detection. I can differentiate information spoken to me as being truth or a lie. Izuku could you please tell me about your home and school life before you were removed from your mothers care yesterday evening?” 

 

“I’m Quirkless, ever since my quirk didn’t come in when I was four my life has been different. Mom cried, she kept apologising at first. She’d hug me and apologise. But then the school would call say I was acting out, picking fights with the quirked kids. So then the tears turned to anger, she’d spank me and take away toys as punishment back then. I never acted out though, teachers they encouraged the other kids to practice their quirk control on me. Small bursts nothing to cause damage. If they did cause damage well then I must have antagonised them enough for them to loose control.” Izuku spoke so softly, Tsuki pushed the recorder closer to make sure it picked up the kids voice.

 

“True,” He said loud enough to be recorded as his stomach roiled with anger for this meek kid.

 

“Eventually they would just hurt me, people stopped calling me Izuku, stopped calling me Midoriya. I became Deku. Useless, worthless. I still loved quirks and I would try to help the other kids with their control. But I was told it was creepy, they would hurt me more for it. So eventually I stopped talking about it, thinking they would stop if I stopped they didn’t. At home as more calls from school came the worse things got. As I got older spanking and taking things away stopped. But if they school called, I wouldn’t get dinner that night. Most days I wouldn’t have had lunch either because some kid or another would have knocked my bento or my school lunch out of my hands. I’d go to bed hungry. If I cried or complained about it she’d hit me. Slap my face, or pull me around by the hair. She’d call me useless, she’d complain about how she regretted ever keeping me. If she’d just given me up like dad had suggested she wouldn’t have lost him. They could have tried for another kid, a quirked kid.”  The kids eyes well up with tears and Aizawa and Tsuki meet eyes both of them burning with rage. This kid had been failed Tsuki knows he needs to confirm a few things before he lets Izuku carry on.

 

“True. Izuku, you said she would withhold meals if the school had called to say you were acting out. How often did that happen in a week?” Tsuki felt a pit grow in his stomach, he knew that he wasn’t going to like this at all. But he had to know the extent to which the kid had been starved.

 

“Almost every day on a good week maybe only three times that week. More often than not though it was every day. She’d spend a lot of time out of the house either with Auntie Mitsuki and Uncle Masaru or with what ever girl she’d managed to dupe into thinking she didn’t have a kid for the week. She’d get mad whenever they found out about me either through her own slip up or some friend of hers letting it slip. I’d get slapped around for that too, if this happened on a weekend she’d lock me in my room and leave for the weekend. She’d almost always remember to come back on Monday though and let me out for school. When she would forget she’d blame me for missing school. I’d get hit for that, sometimes she’d loose control of her quirk then and any small objects in her radius would come flying at me. I have a few small scars on my face, hands and arms from shattered glass.” He trailed off again his fingers beginning to wring together again causing Aizawa to reach out blindly and separate them which caused the kid to flinch back a little.

 

“True, okay Izuku thank you for that. I think this should be enough for today. I wouldn’t want to overwhelm you on what I’m sure has already been a pretty draining day.”  Tsuki turned off the recording device and stood before making eye contact with Aizawa and inclining his head towards the door.

 

“Hey kid, I’m gunna go see Tsuki out of the building. I’ll be back in a bit. You finish up eating your lunch and then we can see how you feel about taking that final exam packet okay?” Aizawa asked softly reaching to ruffle the kids hair frowning a little when the kids flinched away from the movement before stopping himself and holding stock still. Aizawa gently ruffled the curls frown deepening a little as the kid tensed even more before finally relaxing when it was clear he wasn’t going to be hurt.

 

“Mhmmm, I’ll wait. Though I don’t think I can eat anymore.” Izuku said softly pushing the food away from himself the two men nodded and left the room. Finally when they deemed themselves far enough away both men stopped.

 

“Aizawa, jesus that kid has been through hell. I don’t think any judge in their right mind would let him go back to her. But she is going to put up a fight I’ve been screening calls all day about when I am going to rescue her child from the ‘fraud of a hero’ as she put it. He’s finally safe but he has a long road to go do you really think you’re up to this?” Tsuki sighed pinching his nose slightly before looking back to the man that was stood beside him.

 

“He dissociated in the canteen, he questioned why I shut down kids who were fixing to gang up on him. I didn’t get why at first, now I do. Every damn adult in his life has failed him. I won’t be another in a long line. He deserves to have someone believe in him and to make sure he’s happy and cared for. I will be that for him. Email me over any paperwork I need to make the foster situation official. Once that is sorted I can get him in therapy and the correct schooling he needs. Once that’s done and he’s settled. Well then we can go from there.” Aizawa sighed not noticing the fond smile that was taking over his own face. Tsuki snorted softly before patting the man on the shoulder.

 

“You really have gone soft. Okay I’ll email you everything you need and keep you and the kid up to date on the case. If he dissociated once maybe hold off on that last test packet and take him home for the day, or let him camp out in your office.” Tsuki clapped him on the shoulder before turning and making the rest of his way out of the building on his own. Aizawa sighed and turned around and started making his way back to his own office. He walked back into the office to see the kid sat in the chair with his knees up to his chest and chin resting on them.

 

“Hey kid, why don’t you go lie on the couch over there and take a nap. We can do the last test packet at the end of the school day before we head home. You’ve had a rough day and I think you need to take a little break.” Aizawa smiled down at the kid who gave a distracted nod and did exactly as he was asked before taking out his phone and Dialing Kayama who he knew was waiting for them to arrive. “Hey Nem, the kid had to relive some pretty intense memories when telling Tsuki about his home life. We’re gunna leave that final test til the end of the day and let him rest up a little. Sorry to keep messing you around like this.” 

 

“Sho, it’s fine the kid is going through a lot and the way he whizzed through the other papers he could probably even just leave it and take the exam tomorrow.” Nemuri spoke softly like she was also affraid of waking the kid who now seemed to be drifting off to sleep.

 

“I know but I don’t think that would go down well. He can take it when he wakes up from his nap and then I can take him home. I have no classes left for the day so I’m going to stay here in my office with him to do some marking. Could you let Nedzu know what is going on?” Aizawa asked as he went to sit down at his desk and pulling a stack of marking towards himself while picking up the coffee from lunch and taking a tentative sip. It wasn’t hot but it wasn’t stone cold either. He’d take it if it got him through the marking.

 

“Sure thing Sho, I’ll let him know you look after the green bean and I’ll see you later,” with that the two of them hung up and Aizawa turned with a grimace towards the marking. But this less he had to do once he took the kid home tonight the better. They’d have paper work to deal with then and to start talking about how he wanted to set up his room. Aizawa sighed, before smiling at the sleeping kid. Sure this isn’t what he had expected, but he couldn’t say it wasn’t unwanted either.

Chapter 6: Izuku Finally Has A Home

Summary:

Aizawa decides he really is as soft as everyone believes him to be so of course he's taking his usual MO and upping it to 100.

Notes:

So this is the final chapter of Aizawa Adopts A Kitten. It's been a ride. I've enjoyed sharing this with you all.

Izu, Aizawa and the gang will be back. There will be a part two. I couldn't leave them where we are but it will be with a bit of a time skip.

See you all real Soon.

Purple<3

Shouta sighed as he slumped down at his desk to stare at the pile of marking, his eyes scanning over the same sentence of the essay one of his students had handed in over and over again. His eyes flicked back up to look at the sleeping kid. He’d been through way more than Shouta would have cared to guess. His reactions to the kids staring openly at him in the cafeteria now made a lot more sense. 

 

“How am I gunna get you through this huh? I thought you were some feral little kit, but you’ve been kicked and beaten down too.” Shouta rested his head in his hand as he watched the kid shift a little in his sleep. Shouta grimaced as there was a soft knock at the door his eyes still trained on the sleeping kid. “Come in,” he called softly letting his attention swing towards the door as it opened. Nemuri and Hizashi came wandering in. He glared at them both briefly his eyes lingering longer on Hizashi before they darted back to the sleeping kid in explanation.

 

“We saw Tsuki leaving, everything okay?” Nem asked softly as she shut the door behind the two of them and leaned up against the wall. Hizashi walked slowly over and went to sit down in the chair the kid had vacated after he’d eaten his lunch.

 

“Kids been through more than either of us imagined when we met him and his mother last night. He can’t go back there and with no quirk he can’t go into the system either. He wouldn’t survive either eventuality.” Shouta barely spoke the words voice barely moving above a whisper. The others heard him fine in the quiet of the room the only other sound the soft breathing of a child.

 

“So what are you gunna do about it?” Hizashi asked head cocked to one side green eyes peering at him from over the top of orange tinted glasses. Shouta groaned running a large hand over his face before looking straight at his best friend.

 

“You know exactly what I’m about to do. The same thing I do every time I find a stray with too big eyes and way more beaten and broken than they should be.” He was resigned to the teasing of course. He knew he had a reputation of taking in strays but this would be the first stray kid.

 

“You know for all your glares and bluster, you’re a big old softie underneath it all Shou. Though your little speech in the cafeteria has been all any of the kids have been talking about all afternoon.” Nemuri grinned down at the man who huffed in annoyance though the fond grin he tucked behind his capture weapon just made her grin wider.

 

“They were staring at the damn kid like he was some kind of exhibit. He wouldn’t look up almost completely checked out. Given some of the stuff he told me and Tsuki, I now know not to take him into the cafeteria when it’s full again.” Shouta growled softly lingering anger over the behaviour of the students creeping back through his veins.

 

“Nedzu knows about it I think he wanted to see you and the sprout here after he sits his final exam to discuss what needs to be done about it. You’re kids were something else this morning Shou, they wouldn’t shut up about the kid, they kept it just on the right side of tolerance though not to get reprimanded.”  Hizashi sounded ticked about it and Shouta turned to stare him down his eyes flickering red as he lost a little control.

 

“I told you to nip that shit in the bud if they carried on. Names, and if you can what the snot nosed little wannabe’s said. Damn it why are kids so fucking impossible?” Shouta yelled, causing the kit, his kit to startle and fall clean of the sofa eyes wide flying around the room. Fear etched plainly onto his face.

 

“Hey, kiddo it’s okay Shouta just lost control of his volume dial for a hot second. I told him something he didn’t want to hear.” Hizashi sank out of the chair onto his knees so he was more at the kids level.

 

“Y-y-you asked why are kids so fucking impossible? Did I do something wrong? I didn’t mean to be a bother, if you tell me what I did I can make sure I don’t do it again.” The kd let the words tumble out as he pushed himself back and away from them. Shouta sighed before getting up and crossing the room. The kid flinched away when he reached out so he simply sighed and folded himself to sit cross legged on the floor a few feet away from the kid.

 

“Kit, Kid. I’m not mad at you. You’ve done nothing wrong. You don’t have to change and you sure as shit aren’t a bother. I’m mad at those dingbats I call Hero Students not heeding a warning. And this overgrown cockatoo for not nipping their bullshit in the bud. You aren’t to blame for other peoples failures.” Shouta felt a twinge when the kid looked up silent tear snaking down his face. The kid reached up and scrubbed at his face with a small sniffle.

 

“But why, me being here is making them uncomfortable and angry. I could just stay away. I don’t have to come into the school. They wouldn’t be acting like this at all if I wasn’t here. I’m nothing but a useless, worthless, Deku.” Izuku curled up knees pulled tight against his chest. Shouta shuffled forward pulling the damn kid in for a hug. He tensed a little before finally reacting.

 

“That not true, no one is worthless, or useless and who ever started calling you Deku, I’d like to have words…no really I just wanna talk.” Shouta smiled at the wet chuckle that got out of the kid. “I don’t care if you merely existing makes people uncomfortable kid. I can’t leave you home alone. One its negligible at best. Two pretty sure you’d manage to find trouble even just sat on your ass at home with the cats. Better you can get in trouble where I’m around to pull you back from the brink before you cause chaos.” Shouta ruffled calloused hands through thick green curls.

 

“Please like you wouldn’t willingly be acting like a feral chaos gremlin right along side him if you didn’t have to because like a responsible damn adult.” Nemuri chuckled before coming over and crouching down beside the two of them. “How about we take the green bean to do his last exam and then you two can get home and relax. It’s been a pretty long day for him?” Nemuri gestured to the kid before Hizaashi let out an indignant shout as Aizawa nodded his agreement.

 

“He’s just gave a statement to the police and then had a full blown melt down and you to want him to continue with exams. Are you even fucking human? I mean I don’t know why I’m asking that I’ve known since we were sixteen that Shou is some eldritch horror while you Nem are some demon from the pits of hell.” Zashi threw his head back eyes cast to the ceiling causing Izuku to let out a wet chuckle.

 

“It’s okay I want to finish the exam. It’s only one more paper. Plus it means I won’t have to disrupt any more teachers days tomorrow. I can just hang out with Aizawa and lay low.” Izuku pulled gently away from Aizawa who let go of the kid while glaring at Hizashi.

 

“You sure Listener? You can take it tomorrow you won’t be disrupting anybody. There’s no rush.” Hizashi said sofly quirking a brow and looking at the kid over his glasses.

 

“It’s fine I’ll feel more anxious is I don’t get it done. Then I won’t sleep because I’ll spend all night worrying about tomorrow so…easier to get it over with now.” Izuku murmured as he pushed up from the floor and dusted himself off. Aizawa, Hizashi and Nemuri all followed clambering to their feet with all the grace that highly trained pro heroes possessed. Which In Aizawa’s case was very little at all. 

 

“You know I’ve seen you roof hop and balance on telegraph poles better than any damn alley cat. Yet when you get up off the floor you look like a toddler finding their feet for the first time.” Nemuri chuckled causing Hizashi to belly laugh while Izuku made an attempt to stifle his own giggles.

 

“You know I could still put you on your ass Nem I did it when we were at school and I can still do it now.” Aizawa grumbled reaching out to ruffle the kids hair noticing the slight flinch before he aborted and allowed the physical affection. “Kid if you don’t like your hair being touched just say so and I’ll stop okay?” The kid looked up a small frown on his face as his fingers began to twist together in a way he knew made Mic wince. He’d been an anxious fidget too when they were kids.

 

“It’s not that I don’t like it. I want to like it…I do like it. It’s, it’s just that my mom would pull me around by my hair when she was mad. I don’t think I really remember what it’s like for touches like that to not hurt.” The kid whined shoulders hunched and self conscious side glance flung Shouta’s way.

 

“That’s fine we’ll take it slow, if you like it I’ll continue to do it but if it gets to much then please tell me okay kid? I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Aizawa smiled down at the kid. “Now come on lets get you starting this final exam so we can go home, eat and ungodly amount of food and snuggle with the cats before I have to hit a patrol.” Aizawa put an arm around the kid, he couldn’t help thinking of the kid as his kid, his kit. It’d only been less than twenty four hours and he would go to hell and back for this kid. Maybe his friends were right maybe he had a soft spot for strays.

 

They all four of them made their way back to the room where Izuku had been taking his exams. Aizawa ruffled his hair while Hizashi pat the kid on the shoulder as he followed Nemuri into the room.

 

“So….” Hizashi dragged out that one little word and Shouta had to remind himself that murdering his best friend and the husband of his other best friend would not be a wise thing. “You going to adopt him once Tsuki sorts everything out because you know me and Nem have been thinking about adopting a kid for a while now?” The shit eatting grin on his face had Shouta groaning before glaring quirk activated at his best friend.

 

“Don’t even. You know fine well once I take a stray in they don’t bloody leave me. It’s my toxic trait and it’s staying. Now how about you go do some marking or some shit? I have to go see a rat about the next steps if the kit does indeed test out of middle school.” Aizawa  grumbled while Hizashi laughed, the two of them splitting off in their separate directions. 

 

Aizawa didn’t even get the chance to knock on the rats door, it swung open as his hand was poised to knock. “Aizawa-kun, I assume you are here about how Midoriya-kun has done so far on his exams yes?” The Rat got straight to the point at least and for that he could always be thankful, there was never any dancing around social niceties.

 

“Yeah, kid finished most of the tests relatively quick according to the updates Nem was sending me while he worked. I was wondering if you had started marking them yet?”Shouta huffed when the rat gave him a knowing look. “Look I wanna know if I need to get him in a new school or let him just be a bundle of chaos until the entrance exams.” Shouta grinned as Nedzu cackled to himself.

 

“So far it looks like he’s going to pass straight out of his final year of middle school. If I hadn’t of known I would have thought he had an intelligence quirk. But there’s no signs of one at play. No headaches/migraines not even the usual tics that are caused by the rapid fire between synapses. It’s really quite remarkable how clever he is. When he attends Yuuei naturally….”

 

“Nope, no, uh-uh. You are not getting your grimy little world dominating paws on the innocent, brilliant mind of my kit. You hear me Rat?” Shouta stared the Rat down, and well he knew that wasn’t the best possible thing he could do but…the rat teach his kid. It was an opportunity sure, an amazing one. But the kid was already stupid intelligent. If Nedzu go his paws on him their wouldn’t be anyone in the world who could stop Izuku, except well maybe Nedzu. Maybe that was the point?

 

“Shouta, do you really think so low of me? World domination isn’t until after he graduates hero school and has his licence. For now simple, coding, hacking, espionage skills, detective work. All things which will go amazingly well with hand in hand with the underground skills I’m sure you are planning on teaching the boy?” Nedzu sipped on a steaming cup of tea and Shouta groaned softly.

 

“Only if he’s wanting to head into Underground Nedzu. You know I don’t push the kids to know exactly where they’re going to go before their second maybe even third year for some of them. The way the legacy families push their kids into predetermined roles is to much pressure for fourteen year olds.” He sighed finally walking further into the room and flopping down into a plush armchair.

 

“Of course, the skills I plan on teaching him can apply to any of the heroic tracks he may wish to take. I believe he is almost finished with his exam now though. Though, I think much like yourself Izuku may have to get into the heroics department through the festival at the beginning of the year. Sad state of affairs when the board and the HPSC were happy to allow me to include the quirkless withing our inclusivity and ranks but making it next to impossible for them to get into any other course except the general education course.” Nedzu’s lip curled up and away from tiny sharp teeth sending a shiver down Shouta’s spine. “Midnight-sensei, could you and Midoriya-kun please report to my office once the exam is complete. Thank you.” Nedzu had said into an intercom and Shouta shuddered at the tinny echo of the principles voice out in the halls.

 

“It won’t just be Izuku who gets let down by the exam, anyone with a mental quirk that can’t be used in combat will be at a massive disadvantage. We have spoken about it at length. I’ve advocated to you, the board and the HPSC that it be changed to be more inclusive at least to allow those with those quirks or even lack of quirks basic support equipment like a weapon they are well versed in.”

 

“That would be beneficial but then they wouldn’t get to indulge in any more nepotism than their 4 recommended student spots allow them. We both know any that don’t get in on recommendation will head for the normal entrance exam if they are truly serious about attending Yuuei.” Nedzu said his lip curling a little, there was a knock at the door causing them both to divert their attentions away from the conversation.

 

“Okay Green Bean. I’ll see you around make sure you give Shou hell for me. Kami knowsthe man could use a little more chaos in his life.” Nem chuckled softly as she held the door open for the Kit and Shouta smiled as he shot forward and have the exam paper to Nedzu.

 

“Here Nedzu-sensei my final exam paper. I really hope I did well enough to pass, I really don’t want to go back to Aldera.” The kid shuddered looking up at Shouta with a worried expression. He reached out and ruffled the kids curls, hiding a smile in his capture weapon when the kid immediately butted his head up into the gesture.

 

“Thank you Midoriya-kun. You completed the tests very quickly. I cannot wait to mark them and see what brilliance lies in that brain of yours.” Nedzu complimented causing the kid to turn red all the way up to his hair, making him look like a strawberry.

 

“Sure Nedzu-sensei I finished quick but  I had to teach myself a lot last year because teachers would make it hard for me to access resources so I had to do a lot of self study. Because I got through it so quick last year I started on this years curriculum pretty early. I dunno if I passed but I hope I have.” Izuku rambled on his fingers knotting together again causing Shouta to tak his hands between his own.

 

“Come on kid we need to get you that fidget toy, a cube maybe a tangle and then it’s home for dinner and so much awaited sleep before I patrol.” Shouta nods to the rat and pulls Izuku into his side before the both of them leaving the room. They walked to the car together silently. 

 

“So what’s going to happen if I test out of my final year of middle school?” Izuku asked tentatively as they finally buckled up in the car and Shouta started the engine. He hummed under his breath softly his focus on reversing out of the parking space. Once they were under way he gave the question his undivided attention.

 

“That depends on you kid, if you test out theres a few options though they’re kinda limited since the school year has already begun. So getting you into your first year of an actual high school is out. Entrance exams are over and all places have been filled. So that leaves with self study, either online courses while I work or I can set you up with the Yuuei first year course load. It’d just be basic general education. Again to do the heroics track it would mean exams.

 

If you wanted you could take a year out do some independent study that isn’t usually offered. Nedzu expressed an interest in wanting to teach you a few skills that could be beneficial should you wish to go into heroics. Also once we get a little meat on your bones we need to start training you for the entrance exam for Yuuei. Of course that is all if you want to go down the heroics path? If you want to do support, business or even just stick to general education that’s fine too.” Shouta explained calmly his voice soothing in a way Izuku had forgotten adults could be.

 

“Nedzu-sensei wants to teach me? You want to teach me?” The kid asked tentatively and Shouta shot the kid a quick smile before nodding his head.

 

“Yeah I told the rat no lessons on world domination until you graduate high school though. Your scary smart as it is if he taught you how to topple governments before you even had a provisional licence the world would probably get it’s shit rocked.” Shouta laughed at the indignant expression on the kids face.

 

“I’m not that smart…like really I barely got passing grades in my first and second years of middle school. I’d like to learn from both of you though if the opportunity is there?” The kid said a little excitement creeping into his voice towards the end.

 

“Sure kid once Nedzu has your results we can meet with him and work out a timetable to teach you everything before the entrance exams. But I was wondering what you wanted for dinner tonight and for the love of god if you pick Katsudon I will dangle you from the roof of the school.” Shouta snorted at the affronted look on the kids face.

 

“Could we have Yakitori and rice please?” The kit turned big lamp like green eyes on him and Shouta knew he was going to cave.

 

“Sure we’ll hit the mall and get you your fidgets and then we can get the groceries we need for dinner and head home.” Shouta changed lanes to take them to the closest mall and smiled at the kid as he bounced a little in his seat.

 

“Why do you think I need something to fidget with?” The kid was knotting his fingers together again and when one gave an audible pop causing the kid to wince Shouta simply raised an eyebrow at the kid. “Okay point taken.” 

 

They pull up to the mall as they get out of the car the kid looks crestfallen and stares up at Shouta. “Most of the stores here will refuse to let me in. Most of them know me and well that I’m… y’know.” Izuku was staring down at the floor instead of looking at Shouta and that just wouldn’t do so the man crouched down to meet his eyes.

 

“Kid, look I get people are dick heads but I won’t let them turn you away. If I have to pull the pro hero card I fucking will. You need some healthier ways to cope with your anxiety. So come on sooner we get done sooner we can eat.” So he nudged Izuku forward and together they walked into the mall together and began to shop. It didn’t take them long to find a few fidgets the kid thought may help and though many people gave the kid withering looks no one said anything once they realised he was with Shouta. The man had never been more thankful for his ‘Fuck around and find out’ aura. 

 

Soon they were on their way back to the apartment and Izuku helped carry the few bags of groceries up into the house. As Shouta was setting away the things they didn’t need for dinner his phone began to buzz. He picked it up seeing Tsuki’s name across the screen. He answered with a small scowl.

 

“Hey, whats up Tsuki? My patrol isn’t due to start for another few hours…” Shouta stopped as Tsukauchi cut him off.

 

“It’s about the kids case Eraser. She’s been charged and had custody of the kid removed from her. Because of her connections and lawyer she’s still on bail. A family friend wanted to take custody of the kid but a judge but a stop to that stating there was a risk of the mom making contact. So you have custody if you want to invoke your foster license?” The smug tone to his voice told Shouta he already had the paperwork printed.

 

“You already know, I know you have the paperwork printed already. If you want to drop by with it you can. I’m just making me and the Kit dinner. I can do you a plate too if you want?” Shouta sighed as the kid gave him  a curious look. He raised an eyebrow causing the kid to blush a little as he went back to chopping up the chicken for the skewers.

 

“Dinner sounds good we can get it all filled out then file it tonight. Who’s looking after the kid while you’re on patrol. I know he’s technically old enough to stay alone for like four hours but I get the feeling you aren’t gunna test those waters just yet?” Tsuki chuckles softly when he said that and Shouta growled into the phone clearly unimpressed.

 

“I was going to ask Zashi or Nem to come and sit with him for the first few weeks until we got a routine going. Hopefully if no trouble finds the kid I can trust him alone in the house on his own after that.” At this the kid looked up at Shouta with an offended scoff.

 

“Whats the worst that could happen?” Izuku was scowling as Tsuki laughed in Shouta’s ear. Shouta groaned raising an eyebrow at the kid.

 

“Kid I watched you for a while trying to figure out how you evaded your bullies. More trouble always found you. Even alone in the apartment I have no doubt you could find a way to cause chaos.” Shouta snorted at the indignant look on the kids face before turning his attention to the laughing detective on the other end of the phone. “Tsuki, dinner will be ready in about an hour so I suggest you hurry your ass up.” With that Shouta hung up the phone.

 

“You really don’t trust me to stay home on my own?” The kid asked a twinge of hurt in his voice. Shouta frowned and shook his head. Taking the skewers the kid had prepped to start cooking them.

 

“That’s not it kid. You’re officially going to be in my custody and until your mom is locked up and I know anyone associated to her has no clue where you are I don’t want to leave you unguarded. It’s for your safety and my peace of mind. You a little more okay with it now?” Shouta asked turning to give the kit his full attention.

 

“I mean I get it, so eventually I’ll be able to just chill at home no baby sitters?” Izuku asked hopefully his eyes wide and pleading. Shouta snorted and reached out to ruffle the kids hair.

 

“Sure kid as long as you don’t burn the building down and no threat is ever made against me or you. There will be freedom in the form of no pro heroes as baby sitters. Or cops because on occasions where Zashi and Nem are busy I was planning on asking Tsuki or Tamakawa.” He chuckled as he saw the kids face light up at the mention of the cat headed officer.

 

“I suppose there could be worse choices. So Tsukauchi is coming over? Why is he coming over you said something about paperwork?” Izuku had his head tilter to the side eyes wide and curious as he watched Shouta slowly smirk down at him.

 

“Foster papers kid, I just told you your in my custody now. You get to stay here with me for as long as you want to.” Shouta started as the kid went from curiosity to fighting back tears and flinging himself into his arms. Staggering a little Shouta wrapped his arms around the kit and pulled him close. “Don’t worry Kit your safe you have a home and I won’t let anyone harm you ever again.”  The kid started sobbing into his chest murmuring quiet thank yous over and over and Shouta knew there would be very few things he could do as a hero that could be more significant than this very moment.

 

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Adoption is the Solution