Chapter Text
Once upon a time-
Why did all the fairytales begin with that? It always sounded a bit pretentious to Rody, wordy and clunky.
Before he could get past the first page, Lala tugged his arm obnoxiously. “You gotta do the voices too!” she demanded.
Rody smiled and gave an exaggerated sigh before going into a falsetto for the soon-to-be princess. Then fell into a posh, lower voice for the evil queen, then a confident, booming one for the prince. Lala and Roro laughed at each one, watching him and the faces he made more than the book and its pictures with wide grins that made Rody’s chest feel lighter after a long day.
“And they lived happily, ever after,” Rody read aloud, holding back a roll of his eyes at the repeated ending of a repeated story with a repeated beginning. “Now it's time to go to bed, you two.”
A quick chirp came from Pino before the pink parakeet flew a circle around their heads and swooped down to nuzzle their cheeks with her beak, pecking them lightly before chirping out a croaky, “Love you! Love you!”
Lala giggled in delight as if Pino didn’t do the same thing every night and planted a kiss on her head. “We love you too, Pino!”
“Goodnight, Rody!” Roro said, throwing his arms around Rody’s neck before he settled into the bed he shared with Lala, stroking Pino’s feathers as he went.
Pino settled on Rody’s shoulder as he walked over to their bed. Once Lala clambered up, Rody tucked them in and ruffled their messy hair. “Goodnight, sleep tight.”
“See you at morning light,” they both said back to him. Rody grinned and planted a kiss on both their foreheads before he went to pull out the day bed.
He stared out the trailer window at the stars for a long time, recalling the little nursery rhyme for wishes on stars. Seemed about as useless as once upon a time’s and happily ever afters. He let out a scoff, rolled onto his side, and closed his eyes.
---
The next morning, Rody started getting ready for work and went over the usual rules for his siblings.
Even as they promised not to open the door to anyone, not to talk to any strangers, and insisted they could make food if he got home late, guilt weighed him down. He hated having to leave them. He hated having to teach them to fend for themselves at such a young age.
They should’ve been able to run around at a park or playground, able to go on playdates and birthday parties, not secluded to their little trailer and going over the safety of staying home alone.
It wasn’t like Rody had a choice though. He was just glad the neighbors preferred to look the other way rather than call child services on them.
Rody shook the thought out of his head and smiled at his siblings as he walked out the door with Pino fluttering around near his head. “Be good, okay? I’ll be home before dark.”
“Have a good day!” Roro called out after him before dutifully ushering Lala back inside and locking the door. The two of them peeked out of the window to watch Rody walk down the worn path.
Rody waited to get to the city streets before looking at Pino, letting her perch on his forearm. “Ready to get to work?” he asked her.
She let out a trill and puffed out her chest. He grinned and nodded at her.
Being a pickpocket was an art Rody had to perfect to survive. There were odd jobs he could pick up from the shady bar in his neighborhood, but if he didn’t want to deal with that kind of threat over his head, this was what he had to do.
The busy, upper class people bustling around in the city were always in such a rush, they never noticed a missing item in the moment. They never bothered to remember Rody’s face. They were too anxious to get away from the strange, underdressed guy with a wild bird. Or fascinated with the wild, exotic bird who would sing on command.
Rody had tried a more honest approach before. He would sit along a busy street with Pino, getting her to do all kinds of tricks to fascinate the simple minded, but it wasn’t long before that stopped bringing in enough money to feed his siblings and keep the lights on at home. Pickpocketing brought in a better haul and had him on the streets for less time.
With Pino’s help it was all too easy. She distracted them and Rody filled his pockets with watches and wallets and phones. On really good days, Rody could manage to snatch laptops and clutch bags without raising an ounce of suspicion as he walked through the crowds of rapidly walking people, hiding them with his trenchcoat until he got somewhere safe.
He’d pawn or resell the items and when things went really well, he’d have enough to treat Roro and Lala to one of those fancy cakes at the bakery in the next neighborhood.
Rody sat at a cafe, watching from his peripheral as a man counted the cash from an ATM and folded it up into a wallet he placed into the inside pocket of his blazer. Rody let out a sharp whistle, getting Pino’s attention from where she pecked at a piece of muffin.
“Target,” Rody whispered before standing. As the man walked closer, Rody let out two low notes. Pino flew ahead until Rody let out a high pitched, chirp-like whistle. The command had her soiling the man’s blazer at the shoulder, making the man look up in disgust and frustration.
“Damn bird-”
“Oh, man, I’m so sorry!” Rody said, moving forward. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. “I can pay for it to get cleaned, sir, I’m so sorry, she never does that,” he continued as he wiped at the stain. “Crap that’s making it worse, you mind?”
“Don’t worry about it, kid-”
“Nonsense! My bird, my mess and whatever.” Rody flashed a smile as he helped the man shrug off the blazer. “I’m pretty used to getting these kinds of stains out. Pino! Say you’re sorry!” he said.
As Pino swooped in front of the man, Rody reached for the inside pocket, shoving the wallet far up his coat sleeve. Pino chirped and cried out, “Sorry! Sorry!”
The man scoffed. “Yeah, smart bird,” he muttered.
“There you go, all better,” Rody said, holding out the blazer with one hand while the other was shoved deep in his coat pocket so the wallet could be tucked away safely. He gave a two finger salute then clicked his tongue to bring Pino back to his shoulder. “And you’re staying right here, young lady, no more flying for you! We’ll rack up a dry cleaning charge!” Pino chirped in response.
The man stared at them with disdain before rolling his eyes and continuing on his way. Rody turned on the next street then into an empty alleyway before checking the wallet.
His eyes widened at the wad of cash inside. Guilt gnawed at his stomach, but once he finished counting, he looked at Pino. “I think we might be able to do cake, pizza, and gifts for Roro’s birthday with this much!” He scratched Pino’s head. “That’s a good girl. You did real good, Pino. Let’s go get you some fruit. I think we can go home already.”
Rody walked along a new path to get home. He tried to switch it up now and then just in case there was anyone who might notice what a regular he was, though of course no one ever did. He was too invisible for everyone else- and it worked in his favor.
As he skirted past the bar, the owner stepped out and let out a sharp whistle to get his attention.
"Not taking jobs today, Stanley," Rody called back.
"You're gonna want this one kid. And you're my best guy."
Rody hesitated, not wanting to lose the rep he had by now with Stanley, and frankly a bit curious. He put his hands into his coat pockets and walked over warily. "Lala's sick,” he lied. “I gotta get home to her-"
"Then you'll want this damn job." Stanley smirked. "You get a thousand for the delivery."
Rody stopped himself from reacting, though Pino began to tug on the collar of his coat. But every job with a good reward had an equal punishment. "And if I can't?"
"You're the best pickpocket I know, kid." Despite the flattery, Rody stared Stanley down until he huffed. "Pretty nasty beating, I'm guessing. Something broken." Stanley shrugged. "A thousand for delivery. And I'm pretty sure you could get another five hundred if you haggle and charm your way through."
Rody bit the inside of his cheek. With that much plus what he had in his pockets, he could stay home with his siblings for the next two weeks. He could take them to play at the park, maybe even take them to the kids museum. Give Roro a real birthday party even if it was just the three of them. He could even get Lala a set of good quality colors for her art.
"What's the job?"
Stanley grinned. "Guy with a brown briefcase down by the town square. He always shows up to eat his lunch around two in the afternoon. Take it from him and get it back here to the alleyway on Fifth. Leave it behind a dumpster and get back here for the pay."
Rody groaned. "A whole briefcase, Stanley?"
The bar owner tilted his head. "You saying you can't do it?"
With a scoff and a roll of his eyes, Rody shook his head. "'Course I can. It's just more work. Got a picture?"
Stanley pulled a picture from his shirt pocket and gave it to Rody. It seemed pretty easy to find the guy- a bald man with beady eyes and a handlebar mustache. Without another word, Rody took the photo and started walking back where he came from. He stopped behind the bar to hide his first haul, making sure to tuck everything out of sight, however gross the hiding spot might be. He didn’t need someone robbing what he’d already stolen.
Once he got to the town square, Rody sat on a bench and took off his coat, folding it over his arm. He couldn’t get Pino’s help this time. She was too recognizable. He clicked his tongue to signal to her that she was to stay on his shoulder this time. He walked the perimeter of the square at two, scanning the benches and the fountains. He sat back down at his original bench and walked the perimeter again five minutes later. Then again another five minutes later.
Finally he saw the familiar handlebar mustache and the shiny head gleaming in the sunlight as he tore into a sandwich. Rody glanced at the photo he’d tucked into his pants pocket.
“What’d’you think, Pino?”
Pino let out a trill and Rody’s eyes fell to the suitcase at the man’s feet. Rody frowned and looked around. The man was sitting alone, so there was no way to distract him. But on the other side of a fountain, a man had left his own blue briefcase on a bench while throwing something away.
Adrenaline coursed through Rody’s veins as he walked toward the fountain as quickly as he could while looking casual, timing himself with the man’s steps toward the trash. Without pausing, Rody gripped the blue suitcase in his hand, hiding it mostly from view under his coat. He walked all the way around the fountain, glancing out of the corner of his eyes as the man returned and began to look frantically for his suitcase.
Rody choked down the familiar, bitter taste of guilt and swiped a pretzel from a stand while the man running the stand argued with a lady about stale hot dog buns.
He looped back around to the handlebar mustache man, walking with a heavy limp once he was in the man’s line of sight. He sat down beside the man, both their briefcases between them with their coats on top. Rody didn’t look at the man, but he bit into the pretzel, wincing at how salty it was before discreetly throwing some to some birds.
Then he started coughing, softly at first before it became a hacking sound.
“You alright, kid?” the bald man asked.
Rody shook his head. “I forgot to get a drink,” he wheezed. “My leg hurts too much to walk all the way over there, though.” He waved distractedly at the food cart. “Would it be a lot to ask if you could bring me a bottle of water from there?” Rody dug in his coat pocket for a single large bill he kept in case he needed to bribe someone.
The man huffed. “What’s wrong with your leg?”
“I was in an accident. Still not used to it.” Rody looked away as if he was too embarrassed. “Nevermind, I’ll do it-”
“Relax, boy,” the man said, taking the money. “Be careful waving this kinda cash around. You could get mugged.”
Rody nodded and grimaced as the man walked away. Once the water of the fountain blocked him enough, Rody switched out the briefcases, keeping the blue one covered with the man’s jacket. He took the brown one, shielded it with his coat, and stood up to walk away in the opposite direction, curving around the fountain so the man wouldn’t be able to see him by the time he thought to look.
He made it out of the town square and his muscles relaxed.
Then Pino chirped and called out, “Zigzag! Zigzag!”
Rody’s heart dropped to his stomach. He looked over his shoulder, trying to find the bald man or even the man who had the blue briefcase, but he didn’t see either of them. No cops either.
“No one’s following, Pino-”
“Zigzag!” she demanded. “Zigzag!”
Pino was a well-trained bird. She wouldn’t call out the warning without reason. So Rody started to zigzag between the crowds, taking different streets and looping around to lose the tail he couldn’t seem to find. Pino seemed as restless as him, nipping at his ear and tugging his shirt collar and fluttering around him with incessant chirps.
Finally, Rody stopped at an old gas station that had long since been abandoned and grabbed Pino in his hand.
“Okay, enough,” he said sternly. “You need to relax-”
“Zigzag!”
“I can’t zigzag anymore!” Rody answered.
“No, you can’t.”
Rody froze at the sound of a new voice, ice water filling his veins. He gripped the suitcase handle tightly and looked over his shoulder, fully prepared to come face to face with a cop or a mugger.
Instead he found the largest pair of unreal, round green eyes staring at him, a head of wild, greener tufts of wavy hair, and a face full of more freckles than there were stars in the sky when Rody looked out his window at night. He was dressed up in some weird hippie traveler type of get up. All these soft, doe-like features made it near impossible to take the narrowed eyes and angry tone seriously.
“Give the case back, rogue, and I won’t hand you over to authorities.”
Rody tilted his head lazily and smirked. Rogue? “And who are you?”
“Zigzag!” Pino shrieked, flitting forward to attack the guy with pecks and scratches.
The way the guy yelped and shielded himself almost made Rody feel bad for him. But if this was the tail Pino had noticed- and frankly, how had Rody not?- then now was a good time to lose him for real.
“Good girl!” he called to Pino before he ran for a busier street. Once he reached a space with enough people, he slowed down, looking over his shoulder for Pino.
Except when she appeared, she appeared with the same green haired guy, though he looked pretty scraped up with all of Pino’s attacks.
“Stop that thief!” he shouted. Rody’s eyes widened as he walked faster. “Stop!”
Geez, who was this guy?
Rody felt his body get more and more tense as the guy’s yelling as well as Pino’s trills and attacks on him got big enough to cause a scene and have people stopping to stare and figure out what was going on. Cursing under his breath, Rody doubled back before they garnered even more attention and collided against the strange guy with an obnoxious laugh and a too-tight embrace.
“Alright, enough games, you’re scaring everyone!” Rody said, waving people away. He clicked his tongue to bring Pino back to his shoulder before leaning down to the guy’s ear. “Keep it down or I swear-”
“Hey! You two, with the briefcase!” Rody looked up at the brief sound of a warning siren. This time it was a cop.
Shit.
Leaving this guy behind meant he’d spill whatever he knew to the cops, whatever he saw, including Rody’s description. With a quick mental curse for Stanley for this stupid job, Rody made a quick decision.
“Okay. We’re running.”
“What- whoa!”
Rody yanked the weirdo as he ran through the streets, deftly avoiding people and finding just the right crevices to slip through even if his companion stumbled.
It wasn’t until he got a stitch in his side and he stopped hearing concerned muttering and the sirens had drifted far away that he bothered to take a moment to breathe. Even then, he shoved the guy against the wall of the nearest building and towered over him.
“Alright, what gives? Who are you, and why were you following me?”
“You’re a thief!” he said, just as breathless. “I know too many people like you, and it’s my job to stop you. Because I’m gonna be a hero, and that means stopping people who think they can do anything they want even if it hurts others.”
Rody managed to go from frustrated rage to disbelief to surprised amusement in the span of the indignant speech. “A hero?” he repeated.
“Yes!”
“Uh-huh.” Rody looked the guy up and down, taking in just how bizarre his whole look was. From the unnaturally green eyes and hair to the texture and style of his clothes and especially his manner of speaking. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
“No,” he answered, narrowing his eyes in a way that made Rody stifle a grin. “But it’s part of my hero’s journey to find my way back. I can’t keep my friends or my fiance waiting.”
“F-fiance?” Rody repeated. “You- how old are you?”
The guy’s pout deepened, somehow making him look even younger. “Why?”
“Because if you’re talking about illegal things, I’m pretty sure it’s illegal for you to marry anyone.”
“Illegal?” Rody nodded. The guy paused, hesitating. “What do you mean?”
“Hm,” Rody mused, pursing his lips. He was pretty sure this guy was just messing with him at this point. “How long have you been following me anyway?”
“Since you looped the water fountain three times in a row,” he said. “I saw everything. The two suitcases you stole and the twisted bread!”
“Twisted bread,” Rody repeated, unable to tell if he just really didn’t know the word for a pretzel. “And you just decided to follow me that whole time?”
“If I confronted you in that space, it could’ve put civilians in danger. But you didn’t want to listen so I had to take drastic measures.” He grabbed Rody by the wrist. “Now I’m taking you to the authorities for proper punishment-”
“You’re insane!” Rody said, snatching back. “That’s not at all how- wait.” Rody looked around, feeling his stomach fill with lead. “The…. Shit. Shit! Where-?” Fear coursed through his veins as Stanley’s words came back to him. He took a deep breath then yanked the green haired guy by the elbow. “You’re staying with me. I don’t need you blabbing to the cops, and you need to explain why I don’t have a very important suitcase to turn in!”
“I’m not-”
“Considering the danger you just put me in, hero, you really don’t wanna test my patience right now,” Rody said, enunciating each word carefully.
Those big, round eyes somehow became wider. “Danger?”
“Yep.” He started walking, keeping the guy in a tight grip. “That suitcase wasn’t for me. It was for someone else. Someone who’s willing to hurt me because I lost it, thanks to the scene you caused.”
As Rody pulled him along, the guy continued to stammer his own explanations. “Well you shouldn’t have been stealing! It makes you a villain, and-”
“Villain? Geez, who even are you, man?”
“Midoriya Izuku,” he answered earnestly. “A hero- or I will be after I prove myself with a hero’s journey. And then I’ll be able to marry the prince-”
Rody stopped abruptly and turned Midoriya around so he could face him properly. “What are you talking about? Hero journey? Prince?”
“Well, yes.” He blinked and tilted his head like a little lost puppy. “His father won’t let us marry unless I prove myself worthy, and I’ve been working really hard to earn my title as a hero since before I even met Prince Shoto-”
“Oh my God, you’re actually insane,” Rody muttered.
“I am not!” Midoriya shook his head. “Anyway, what about this person who wants to hurt you? Why do they want the suitcase?”
“I don’t know, I didn’t ask,” Rody said, still eyeing the hero warily. He started walking again. “I was just doing the job to get paid.”
“So you’re a mercenary.”
“Alright, listen up,” Rody snapped, pulling him to a stop again. “You clearly don’t know a damn thing about how things work around these parts. Because of you, not only am I a target, but I might even put my siblings in danger if I get followed. On top of that, I probably won’t get any more jobs which means our electricity and water might get cut off, my siblings won’t eat, and now- to prepare for that whole mess- my brother won’t be getting his birthday party. I don’t know about you, but none of that sounds like something to be proud of causing, hero.”
Midoriya only looked more confused, like Rody was speaking a different language. Taking advantage of the silence, Rody dragged him along. He let out a whistle for Pino to fly ahead and keep watch in case any cops happened to pass by.
“How old are they? Your siblings,” Midoriya asked as they reached Rody’s neighborhood.
“What do you care?”
“You look about my age,” he said. “And you’re taking care of them. They must be young.”
“They are.” Rody went into the bar with Midoriya still in his grip. “Sit down and don’t talk.”
"I haven't gotten your payment," Stanley said, coming out to wipe the bar counter. "And based on the look on your face, I'm about to kick you outta here."
"I lost the briefcase," Rody confirmed.
Stanley's expression went from its usual, bored and stoic expression to a red-faced, angry one almost instantly. "Kid, you know I can only cover your ass so much. You don't mess with these guys, the hell am I supposed to tell them? I sent you 'cause you were my best guy!"
"I know! It's just." Rody looked over his shoulder at Midoriya who was watching them uncertainly while Pino watched him with a curious, wary gleam in her eye. "It got complicated when I was gonna drop it off."
"I don't give a shit," Stanley spat. "Get the hell outta here. Hide like your life depends on it, 'cause I'm pretty sure it does now."
Rody grit his teeth, but refused to let the frustration show on his face. He grabbed Midoriya by his sleeve and pulled him along. The fear gripping Rody wasn't necessarily for his own well being. He could take a hit and he could avoid them too, often slipping out of grasp and dodging punches before slinking through streets with relative ease. But if people were after him that meant they were also after his siblings. And if his siblings were in danger because he couldn't do a job….
"I can help," Midoriya said suddenly. He eyed Pino where she perched on Rody's shoulder, nipping at his hair and ear.
"You've helped plenty," Rody said. "What you need to do is get back wherever you came from."
“I don’t know how to,” Midoriya said with a determined- albeit very ineffective- glare. “What I do know is how to keep people safe by fighting bad guys off.”
“Bad guys like me?” Rody shot back, towering over him.
Again, that confused and uncertain expression coated his face as he stared back at Rody. Then he took a breath and crossed his arms. “Back in Musutafu-”
“Masu-what-oh?”
“I fought ogres and winged demons and cyclopes-”
“Sure you did-”
“I rode on dragonback alongside the strongest warriors and mages! I can help!”
Rody stared at him, scanning his face for the tiniest giveaway. He was lying through his teeth, but everything about him was absolutely genuine. He had to be absolutely batshit. Completely unhinged. Insane. It was the only way to explain the hero talk, the ogres, princes, dragons. Rody was suddenly very uncertain about being around Midoriya.
“What? Why are you staring at me?”
“I just…. Is this from a D&D campaign or something?”
“A- what?” he questioned, leaving Rody even more uncertain.
There was no way he could deal with the thugs and someone so clearly detached from reality.
He nodded slowly, keeping his hands busy by holding and petting Pino. “Fine. Stay here, I need to go get some stuff I left.” Either stupid or naive, Midoriya nodded with a smile and stayed put as Rody turned away to go around the bar. “The universe hates me,” Rody muttered as Pino cooed reassuringly.
He rearranged all of his previous haul into his jacket before putting it on as he thought of various escape routes. Which way could he go home without being traced? And where the hell could he take his siblings to keep them safe from the mess he’d just dragged them into?
Suddenly, Pino squawked out another, “Zigzag!”
Before Rody could look at her, he felt something go over his head as he lost his balance and collided against a very firm chest. Next thing he knew, something hit his knees hard, sending him to the ground with a scream he forced himself to cut off. He tried to breathe through the pain, a part of him still frantically wondering if Pino got away and that same part feeling grateful he hadn’t gone back home yet. The last thing he needed was to scar Roro and Lala with whatever was about to happen to him.
He heard footsteps in front of him while the first person kept his hands behind his back at a very painful angle. There was a sigh and then a low, croaky voice asked, “Where’s my shit, kid?”
“Dunno, probably somewhere in the sewers off to the oce- augh!” He cut off when something hard and blunt hit him square in the gut, making him double over, groaning and coughing, only to be followed by more kicks from both the first and second person and even a third Rody hadn’t even known was there.
Then, as quickly and brutally as it had started, it stopped. The sounds of ruthless hits and kicks continued, with interspersed grunts of exertion and howls of pain. But nothing came from Rody except frantic, panting breaths of confusion.
The thing over his head slipped off and Rody’s vision cleared to see a head of wild, tousled, evergreen hair.
“You.”
“Can you move?” Midoriya asked quietly, his big round eyes full of concern as his eyebrows narrowed.
“I-” Rody looked around and froze at the sight of three huge guys splayed out on the ground in different parts of the alley. “Y- you did that?”
Midoriya looked at the torn piece of splintered wood in his hand, hesitant as he left it on the ground. “I’m better with a sword, but I didn’t have it on me when I got sent here.” He crouched down to help Rody up by slinging an arm over his shoulder before holding out his other hand to Rody. “I think it’s okay, but the wing is hurt.”
Pino was perched in Midoriya’s palm, warbling as she tried to inspect her wing only to leave it as it was. Rody took her gently and kissed her forehead, wincing when he began to walk.
Despite the nausea that rolled through him, Rody kept himself composed and let this bizarre guy help him get away from his unconscious assailants. It wasn’t until they’d walked at least six blocks, once Rody knew they weren’t still being followed that he took the time to stop and rest.
"What did you do to those guys?"
Midoriya tilted his head, hair bouncing with the movement. "I fought them off," he said matter-of-factly.
Which, yes, obviously Midoriya had fought them off, Rody had heard and seen the aftermath of those three grown ass, bulky men unconscious and sprawled out while this tiny, round faced guy with Bambi eyes remained unscathed and unaffected.
"How?" Rody asked.
Finally, Midoriya smiled, bright and hopelessly naive and playful. "Those guys were nothing compared to what I've fought. Though it is a lot harder without my sword." He shrugged. "All part of the hero's journey I'm sure. I told you- I can help. I can help keep your siblings safe."
Despite the fact that all this talk about swords and monsters was absolutely nuts, Rody hesitated. It would ease his mind to know someone else could help keep a lookout, help keep Roro and Lala safe from guys like the ones who had left Rody feeling swollen and sensitive all over.
At the same time, though, how could Rody just bring this total stranger into his home and trust him around his very young, very impressionable brother and sister?
"Please let me help. I don't understand this place at all, and I don't really know how I feel about how you make money for them. But I know that I want to help people, and if someone is in danger I want to keep them safe. Especially if it's my fault like you said," Midoriya insisted. "And maybe this whole thing will even help me get home and out of your hair! Then I can get back to my friends and you can keep… doing whatever you do with no interference."
Rody let out a scoff, then winced when it made his whole midsection ache.
And he supposed that made his answer inevitable. He was clearly useless when it came to physically fighting back, and in the condition he was in, he wouldn't be able to protect his siblings. Midoriya, strange as he was, seemed honest enough and not only willing but very capable of fending off threats.
He took a deep breath through his nose. "Fine. You can come home with me. But if you do anything creepy, I swear to-"
"Creepy?" Midoriya tilted his head again, confusion clear in his eyes.
Rody sighed. There was no way this was an act. "Never mind. Come on, it's a ways away."
He had hoped that the walk back would be quiet and peaceful. He at least had his first haul, so the day wasn't lost.
It seemed, however, that Midoriya had other plans.
"How old are you? I feel like you might be older than me, but you could just be tall. I'm eighteen! What about your siblings? How old are they? I don't have any siblings, but I have a friend who feels a lot like an older brother. What are their names? What's your name?"
"You talk a lot."
Midoriya promptly closed his mouth and looked at the ground. Pino chirped, like she was amused with him. His eyes flitted to her before nervously looking to Rody. "What about your bird? What's his name?"
Instead of getting frustrated, Rody let out an amused huff. It reminded him of Roro's neverending questions about anything and everything.
"I'm Rody. I'm nineteen. This is Pino, and she's a parakeet. I'll let the kids introduce themselves. They're bound to have a million questions for you too."
He could only imagine how fascinating Midoriya would be for them, seemingly a fantasy fairytale come to life. While Rody found it crazy, he figured there was no harm in letting his siblings be entertained with the stories.
As they neared the trailer, Midoriya looked around curiously, staying close to Rody as they waited for Pino to chirp out a warning.
“Rody!” His siblings raced out of the trailer to greet him, only to stumble and hesitate at the sight of a new person. They looked at Rody, and Lala was the first to gasp. “Rody, what happened?” she cried out. She walked forward with Roro trailing behind her, her tiny hands reaching up to him until he crouched so she could touch his face. Tears welled up in her eyes before she looked at Roro.
“You got hurt today,” Roro said, his brows furrowed together before they drifted warily to Midoriya.
“Ah, I’m alright,” Rody assured them. “Just a little bruised up, but I’m strong. You two behave while I was gone?”
“Of course,” Roro said. “Who’s that?”
“This is Midoriya. He’s lost and needs a place to stay, so we’re gonna help him out a bit,” Rody said. Then, despite himself, he said, “He’s a hero.”
Both kids looked doubtfully at Midoriya, who flashed a sweet, bashful smile at them as he waved with the hand that wasn’t helping Rody up. “Hello.”
“Mind your manners, introduce yourselves,” Rody said, getting back to his feet.
The kids introduced themselves and led the two into the trailer, immediately offering Midoriya a glass of water.
“How did you get lost?” Roro asked.
Midoriya, who had been staring at the drawing taped up on the wall, turned his gaze to the kids. “Oh! I’m not sure, actually. I was on my way to meet with Prince Shoto-” Lala’s eyes brightened and she tugged Rody’s arm, “-but the advisor asked me for some help with a gift he was planning. We’re going to get married, you see, me and the prince. His advisor wanted to do something special since he can do magic.” Midoriya frowned. “Something must have gone wrong, though, because the next thing I know, there was this big darkness, and this feeling of spinning really fast and then… I was here. Everyone here is… very different from everyone back home.”
“Magic?” Roro asked, his face twisted up like he didn’t believe it. “But magic’s not real.”
Midoriya’s head tilted as he furrowed his eyebrows. “Yes it is. My closest friend, Uraraka, she’s a very gifted mage. I’ve seen her go from only being able to make herself levitate to bringing down a whole storm of boulders!”
“Whoa,” Lala whispered, making Rody smile. While she focused wholly on Midoriya as he spoke, Roro glanced at Rody questioningly, but Rody only shrugged.
As Midoriya spoke, Rody inspected his injuries discreetly, icing what he could to prevent swelling and doing his best not to show the discomfort he felt in front of the kids.
After a few more stories about quests and knights and barbarians and dragons, Lala said, “But if you don’t know how you got here, how are you supposed to get home?”
The question had Midoriya hesitating, his cheeks coloring slightly as a tinge of fear and doubt filled his expression. “Well… I don’t know. I think it’s just part of my journey. To prove myself. A-and if not, then I know that Prince Shoto will come looking for me too.”
“Are you really gonna get married?” Roro asked.
“To a real life prince?” Lala added.
Rody held back a scoff and a roll of his eyes when Midoriya nodded enthusiastically. “But first we’ll have to find our way back to each other.” Midoriya narrowed his eyes and looked at Rody. “Maybe that’s what this is. Maybe his father is giving me a final test to know whether our love is resilient enough.”
It took everything for Rody not to burst into laughter as he nodded seriously. “Maybe….” He cleared his throat and stood up. “Well, it’s about time for dinner. Midoriya, do you wanna help?”
Midoriya grinned and nodded. “Sure! Where do you go to hunt?”
Again, Rody hesitated, biting back the immediate sarcastic remark that desperately wanted to slip out. “We, uh… don’t have to. Come on.” He tousled his siblings’ hair and told them to be careful with Pino, who had managed to start flying short distances, thankfully.
He took Midoriya to the small kitchen and began pulling out what he needed to make simple grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. He busied himself briefly with washing the tomatoes, and by the time he looked back an uncharacteristically quiet Midoriya, he found him crouched by the fridge, opening and closing the fridge slowly, one eye squinting into the crevice.
“Uh…. What are you doing?” Rody asked.
“How does it do that?” Midoriya asked frantically. “I thought you didn’t have magic here.”
Rody grinned and opened the fridge to show Midoriya the light switch inside. “It’s not magic.” Midoriya still looked at the fridge, wide-eyed as Rody made the light go on and off. “Okay, enough opening and closing it, you’re gonna break it.”
Midoriya stood up and followed Rody to the stove. “And how are you going to make a fire? It’d burn everything do-”
Rody cut him off by igniting the burner with a few clicks, watching with an amused smile as Midoriya’s jaw dropped in fascination. “You’re easy to impress,” he said.
He watched Rody cook, asking non-stop questions. Where did you get the recipe? Who taught you to cook? What spice is that?
Rody didn’t really mind, considering he was used to the questions from his siblings, albeit about different things. He even started to believe that Midoriya might not be from this reality with the things he asked, but he quickly shook that idea from his head.
He served Roro and Lala first, calling them to the table to eat. Then he served Midoriya. There wasn’t a lot of bread left over, and he knew Roro would ask for a second one, so Rody settled for a simple bowl of tomato soup. Once the kids finished eating, they went to wash the dishes and each thanked Rody for dinner before they went to brush their teeth. Rody went to supervise them and get them tucked in, trusting that Midoriya would busy himself with the fridge or the drawings on the wall.
Once the kids were in bed, Rody went back to the main area to show Midoriya how to work the shower if he wanted to wash up. He found Midoriya in the kitchen with a perfectly made half grilled cheese sandwich.
“I’ll wash the pan,” he assured. “But I noticed you didn’t eat much. There was a slice of bread left, and I saw how you cut it for the kids, so….” He slid the plate over. “I hope it’s good.”
“Oh.” Rody took the plate, unable to deny the way his mouth watered. The tomato soup had been good, and it had settled his stomach, but he was still a little hungry. “Thank you.”
While Rody ate the sandwich, Midoriya washed the pan he used, humming a strange song that Rody had never heard.
“Uh, did you wanna wash up? I can lend you some clothes. And you can take the day bed.”
He expected the confused head tilt that had his green hair bouncing like a shampoo commercial. “Day bed?”
Rody moved to pull out the day bed he usually slept in, and Midoriya’s expression lit up. It was kind of refreshing to see. “Come on,” Rody said with a smile. “I’ll show you how the shower works. It needs a bit of a nudge to come out.”
He took Midoriya to the bathroom and explained the handles, and how if he took too long the water would run cold. He showed him which shampoo to use and gave him a towel before shutting the door and leaving him to it.
Alone, Rody pulled out all the items in his coat and began to separate it into the things to pawn, things to sell, and then split up the cash to know how much he’d be spending on bills and food. Pino had taken to walking back and forth along the countertop letting out a conversational chirp now and then.
“Well, it’s enough for the next few days,” Rody whispered. If no one came after him during that time, then maybe it would all be fine and he could go back to his usual routines. He didn’t need the jobs Stanley gave him, they were just… good for times when he was in a pinch.
“Hey, Rody?”
“Yea- whoa what the fuck?” Rody yelped, covering his mouth immediately.
Midoriya had stepped out with the towel draped over his head, and nothing else. His skin was slightly pink, freckled all over, and as Rody’s eyes darted away, he felt his entire body blush. “What?”
“What do you mean what?” Rody yelped. “Cover yourself up!” He risked looking back at him, only to see Midoriya covering his chest with the towel in confusion. “Oh for crying out loud,” Rody mumbled. He walked over and yanked the towel down to his waist, awkwardly wrapping it around him while trying to minimize contact.
Midoriya looked down at himself. “Oh. Is that how you do this?”
“Yes,” Rody hissed. “What were you thinking coming out like that?”
“Well, you didn’t give me any clothes,” Midoriya said. “I didn’t know it was a big deal.” He looked up at Rody with his round, innocent, apple green eyes. “You’re very red.”
“I-” Rody let out a scoff and shook his head. Then he went to grab some clothes and shoved Midoriya back into the bathroom.
He put Pino in her cage to sleep then waited on the day bed, nervously combing through his loose hair with his fingers.
He really hadn’t meant to look, but…. Well, it took a bit for his brain to catch up to what was happening. Small as Midoriya was, his body was covered in lithe, toned muscle. And freckles. More freckles than Rody thought were even possible. And… scars. Long, jagged ones everywhere. Rody might have believed they were battle scars.
He’d never really met a lot of people his age, much less seen them… in that state. Rody considered himself quick on his feet and hard to faze, but he was sufficiently rattled by seeing Midoriya naked. He felt embarrassed, even if it didn’t seem to be a big deal to Midoriya.
When Midoriya came back, he had Rody’s shirt which fit too long, down his torso, but a bit tight along the shoulders and a pair of loose sleeping shorts.
He sat beside Rody, thanking him for the clothes before he reached out to touch his hair. “It looks nice when it’s down,” he said with a kind smile.
“Thanks,” Rody said, unable to look over at him. “So,” he continued, clearing his throat. “That really is your natural hair color, huh?”
“Uh, yeah? Why wouldn’t it be?”
Rody almost laughed at how innocent and confused Midoriya sounded. “Never mind,” he said with a nervous laugh. “Okay. Uh… here’s the pillow and blankets. I’ll be with Roro and Lala if you need anything, yeah? Goodnight, Midoriya.”
Midoriya wished him a good night as he settled in, sighing happily as he burrowed into the blankets. Rody went to Roro and Lala’s room before laying on the edge of the bed.
As he drifted to bed, he wondered if Midoriya was enjoying the stars through the window.
---
The scarlet scaled dragon reared its head as it let out a deafening roar. Its rider sneered from the riding saddle and looked at the prince.
The young prince set his eyes on the advisor, who looked unperturbed with the giant beast in front of him. "Where is he?"
"I don't know," the advisor said coolly.
"You were the last person seen with him."
"That doesn't mean I was the last to see him."
Prince Shoto scowled, a sentiment which was echoed by the aggravated dragon now pawing at the ground restlessly, shaking his head like he was waiting on the command to breathe fire. The advisor cocked his head, his masked face turning from the dragon and its rider to the prince.
"Perhaps your little traveler found the pressure to be too much. Must have scurried home with cold feet."
Fury washed over Shoto, but he refused to act on it. He gripped the hilt of his sword as the dragon screeched, the sound drowning out the rider's furious, crude insults.
"If I find out that any harm has come to him because of you…."
The advisor blinked past the cloths covering his face, blank and unimpressed. "My duty is to the King. Not to you, little Prince." And with that, the magician turned away, walking a few paces before his form dissolved in violet smoke.
"Your kingdom is too lenient," Bakugo snarled as he slid off his dragon and thundered over to the prince. "What's the point of being a damn prince if you let these guys walk all over you?" Prince Shoto eyed him wearily. "Could've at least fed Ei a leg of his or something."
"I already told you I'm not gonna eat people, Katsu," another voice said. Once Bakugo had dismounted, the dragon had reverted to his human form, though he still had a few crimson scales, small horns, and jagged teeth.
"I can't go around maiming anyone who upsets me," Prince Shoto said with a frown. Then, after a moment, he added, "Do you think it's possible? That Izuku might have gone home?"
"Without telling someone?" Bakugo said with a scoff. "No. And I don't think it would've been cold feet either. Nah, Deku never backs down, no matter the stakes. Your old man is a walk in a meadow compared to what he's faced. And you know it."
Shoto did. He'd faced monsters of all sizes and strengths, he'd faced imminent death countless times alongside his Izuku and their friends. No matter how dire, Izuku always kept fighting. He would bend and break, but he would be triumphant. It terrified and exhilarated him.
"Then where is he?"
"We could ask Uraraka to do some scrying," Kirishima said, scratching his arms with a taloned hand which he then held out to show a series of shimmering scales. "She always said dragon scales held powerful magic."
With a grim nod, the prince, the dragon, and the barbarian set off to find Uraraka.
Upon discovering that no one had seen or heard from Izuku in almost a whole day, her eyes had gone wide with worry before her expression steeled itself into one of determination.
"Deku can be impulsive, but he would have left some way to find him," she said quietly as she unrolled a parchment map.
"Ever since that new advisor came in, all kinds of weird shit has been happening at the castle," Bakugo muttered. "Dunno how the king trusts him."
"Not to mention, Iida is pretty sure what happened to the last advisor was no ailment or accident," Uraraka said with a grim expression. "He's very attentive, and he's one of the top knights in the castle- he would've known if there was a threat or sickness that could hurt the last advisor."
Left with the insinuation, the others remained quiet as Uraraka wrapped a thread around one of Kirishima's scales and held it in the center of her palm. "You first, my prince," she said. "Call for him."
The prince let out a breath. "Izuku."
Uraraka turned to Bakugo. He rolled his eyes then said, "Deku."
She turned to Kirishima who puffed out his chest before rumbling out, "Midoriya."
She began to whisper under her breath, and as she did, a resplendent light made the dragon scale shimmer. She let it fall from her hand, the string pulling taut where it wrapped around one of her fingers. The scale oscillated back and forth across the map, with Uraraka whispering a chant determinedly.
Suddenly the scale stuck to a point on the map- the castle. Instead of staying still, the shimmering scale began to spin impossibly fast until a cloud of red dust burst up and sprinkled all over the map.
"What in the demon realm was that?" Bakugo snarled, holding back a sneeze.
"I don't- wait." Uraraka stepped back, her eyes scanning the stained map. "Kirishima, could I use another scale?"
Kirishima held out another, and Uraraka immediately wrapped it up, urging the other to call for Izuku again. This time, the scale swung across the parchment once before it stopped and clung to a spot.
"It's not possible…."
"What? What is it, Uraraka?" Prince Shoto insisted, feeling more and more anxious.
"It's…. He's in an entirely different world," she said. "Look. The first scale created a new map over ours. I don't even know any lands with these shapes, but they overlap in places where we have the strongest points of magic here. If my spell is right, this is where Deku is. But I have no idea how he could've gotten there or where 'there' is."
The four of them crowded around the map.
"Leave it to Deku to figure out a way to wander into a whole different fucking reality," Bakugo said with a growl.
"How do we get him back?" Prince Shoto asked.
Uraraka frowned and ducked her head. "That kind of magic is more advanced than what I can do. I'm surprised I was even able to conjure a new map." She bit her lip, and narrowed her eyes. "I think… if there's someone who can get you there, it would be the King's advisor. This is more along his level of sorcery, and that’s being optimistic. This… this is dark magic."
For a moment, no one spoke, absorbing the information. The idea of Izuku being lost to another world entirely…. It just wasn't possible.
"Well, something tells me the king's advisor isn't necessarily against dark magic," Bakugo said. "I'd bet my life that he had something to do with this."
"Bakugo! You can't just say things like that!" Uraraka chided. "You could be imprisoned for treason with that loose tongue of yours."
Bakugo crossed his arms and sneered. "I don't belong to this land. I have no king to commit treason against. Your prince is right here, and I'll say it again because he won't." Bakugo turned to Shoto. "That new advisor had to have something to do with this. I don't know why they would want to send Deku of all people to some different world, but you can't ask that bastard for any help."
"So how do we get him back?" Shoto asked, staring back at Bakugo’s fierce, fiery eyes.
Uraraka took a deep breath. "My prince…. If I could receive some sort of amnesty, maybe I could learn just enough of the dark magic to make the portals you need." Shoto, Bakugo, and Kirishima all turned to her with wide eyes. "It'll take me some time, but I think I could do it. With your permission."
"Uraraka, dark magic carries a great risk-"
"I know. But it's Deku. He would do anything to get one of us back. We have to do the same for him."
They shared uncertain looks before Bakugo shrugged. "It's a better bet than turning to that creepy advisor."
Shoto sighed and nodded. "Uraraka, you have my permission to do what you must. You will be absolved of all guilt and under my protection." She bowed and thanked him. "Take your time. Only do what is absolutely necessary."
She nodded. Kirishima left behind a handful of scales in case she needed them and the three young men began to return to the castle.
Despite his rougher nature and tendencies, Bakugo placed a heavy hand on Shoto’s shoulder. "We'll get him back. He can't get rid of us that easily."
The prince nodded. The ground rumbled slightly as Kirishima took on his dragon form once more, letting out a low, sad bellow. He gently nudged the prince with his snout, letting out a slow waft of hot air with a huff.
"Thank you, Kirishima," Shoto said.
Bakugo climbed onto the dragon and Shoto watched them take flight, leaving birds to take flight frantically and nearly bending the trees around them with the strength of the winds Kirishima's wings created.
Exhausted, Shoto began to make his way to his room, prepared to pace until it was time for dinner.
Before he could even reach his room, he felt a cold chill before a violet mist took the form of a man. The advisor appeared, completely covered, except for those empty, piercing yellow eyes.
"What do you want?" Shoto asked with a barely concealed distaste lining every word.
"I found him, your Grace," he said calmly. "You were distressed, so I did not take your accusations to heart, I assure you. And to prove my goodwill, I began to search for him." He lifted his hand, palm up as a dark cloud appeared, the edges glowing a deep purple. The dark mist cleared, allowing a clear image to form.
Shoto watched as Izuku was shoved against a wall by a taller young man with long stringy hair tied into a ponytail. Rage coursed through Shoto at the sight. The image dissipated, and he met those unnerving yellow eyes.
"Where is he, and how did you conjure that?"
The advisor bowed slightly. "I regret to say, my prince, that I had to dip into the Dark Magic for this. Though I found a way to take you to him, if you so wish. I can send you to the city he is in, though you would have to find him yourself as he seems to be in constant movement."
Shoto took a deep breath as Bakugo’s warning echoed in his head. “I’ll need to prepare,” he said quietly. “I’ll send for you.”
The advisor bowed again, slowly dissipating as he came back up. As Shoto reached his room, he found Ser Iida at his post. Pulling him aside, the Prince tasked him with riding off to the mountain Kirishima and Bakugo resided in while they stayed within the kingdom. They were to meet at the shore before nightfall. He sent a handmaiden to Uraraka with the same message.
Then he went to his room to gather some clothes and healing ointments should he need them. With every movement, the image of the thin boy looming over his Izuku churned his stomach. It flashed behind his lids with every blink, filling Shoto with worry and longing and fury. He knew Izuku had faced far worse than a hunger-panged faced boy, but Shoto knew nothing of the world he’d been sent to. Did Izuku even have his sword? Was he frightened and confused? Was he safe?
Restless, Shoto went to the shore, pacing the sand until he heard Kirishima’s roar overhead, which was quickly followed by Uraraka’s shouted greeting. Bakugo and Kirishima were accompanied by Ser Iida, and Uraraka was accompanied by Tsu, the handmaiden who had called for her.
Shoto wasted no time in explaining what the advisor had told him and showed him to all of them.
“You can’t possibly be thinking of agreeing,” Bakugo said. “I don’t know what that bastard’s plan is, but you’re playing right into it!”
“He could be in danger! They might have more powerful magic where he is, or they might not have magic at all,” Shoto said. “I’m not an idiot. I know there has to be more to this. That’s why I need to trust that you all will watch over things while I’m gone. Uraraka, I’m counting on you as my way back home. Tsu, provide anything she might ask for. Ser Iida, Bakugo, Kirishima-”
“Oh absolutely fuckin’ not,” Bakugo snarled. “You’re not leaving on your own, you damn idiot. I’m going too.”
“Kats!”
“No, I need to know the realm is protected-”
“Eiji and Metal Man here can take care of that. No one is going to hurt your precious kingdom while a dragon protects it. I’m coming with. And I’m gonna hit the little brat for disappearing like he did then drag him back with us.” Bakugo crossed his arms, daring Shoto to tell him otherwise.
But Shoto knew Bakugo would do as he pleased. Like he’d said earlier, he didn’t belong to this land. He was only there for the wedding. Shoto was not his prince, and he could not command him. Frankly, Shoto was grateful for the aid. He nodded.
“Very well. Then we have to go now. I don’t want to miss the opportunity, and I don’t want Izuku alone there any longer.”
Bakugo nodded before Kirishima pulled him aside. Meanwhile, Shoto reiterated the trust he was putting in the others.
“I don’t know if there’s a way to communicate once you’re there, but just in case, try to reach one of the magic cores by the next full moon. If I can’t open a portal or if you don’t reach it in time, then we’ll try again at the next full moon,” Uraraka said. She whispered something under her breath before a scroll appeared in her hand. “Here. This is the map Kirishima’s scale made. Go to the closest core when the time comes.”
Shoto nodded and thanked her. Kirishima walked over and offered a sad smile. “Let me give you a ride back.” The ground rumbled as Kirishima transformed and bent down to allow Ser Iida, the prince, and Bakugo to climb to his back.
“Hold on if you don’t wanna die,” Bakugo said. “Let’s go, Ei!”
Kirishima roared before he shot into the air, each beat of his large, powerful wings propelling them higher and farther into cold, biting winds. The return to the castle was quick, for which Shoto was grateful. As they dismounted, Bakugo lingered to touch his forehead to Kirishima’s snout and ran his hand along the side of his long face. Kirishima let out a low rumble, waiting for them to go inside the castle walls before he took flight again.
Prince Shoto sent Ser Iida to call for the advisor and have him go to his room. Bakugo waited with him, looking through the window, and Shoto wondered if he was searching for Kirishima.
The heavy door to his room opened. “He’s here, your Grace,” Ser Iida announced.
The advisor stepped in, eyeing Bakugo as he did. He bowed. “Are you prepared, my prince?”
“Yes. We are.”
The advisor was smart enough not to question or comment on Bakugo’s presence. Without any preamble, he spread his arms, palms up, and a cloud of black smoke that took up almost an entire wall began to swirl in front of them.
“Do be careful, your Grace,” the advisor called. “I hope you find your beloved.”
Bakugo and Shoto shared a look before they both stepped forward into the black smoke which promptly stole the air from the prince’s lungs. He felt the sensation of being spun around drunkenly before he collapsed against something hard. He lifted his head with a groan to find people walking in strange clothes, staring at him- and Bakugo who was condemning everything to the deepest ring of the demon realm. He gripped something made of stone and pulled himself up to find water spilling into the stone basin and several small coins glimmering at the bottom of it. A strange glow came from the bottom, as if there were fire beneath the water.
“Oi, where the hell did that bastard drop us?” Bakugo asked through clenched teeth.
“I don’t know. But everyone is looking at us.”
Bakugo brought himself to his feet, and the people who were nearest all scrambled away with panicked voices. Shoto grabbed Bakugo’s wrist and pulled him back.
“I do believe you’re… underdressed.”
Bakugo looked down at his bare chest before looking at everyone else. “Well, you’re overdressed,” he muttered.
Frankly he was correct. His clothing was far more extravagant than anything the people around them were wearing. Some held up little rectangles that burst with pops of white flames before scurrying on.
“You guys from the Ren Fair or something?” a voice asked. The two of them turned to find someone tall and lanky, a lazy posture as he practically laid across the stone of the fire lined basin of water. He gave them a wide, lopsided smile, waiting for them to answer.
“Um. No?” Shoto said. “We’re from Musutafu.”
The person hummed and nodded. “Cosplayers, that’s cool,” he said. “Pretty awesome fits, man. Shit looks authentic.”
Bakugo and Shoto shared a look. Bakugo stepped forward. “You seen a wimpy guy with green hair around here?”
The guy laughed and sat up, his movement languid like water. “Lots of guys with green hair in this city. Got anything more specific?”
“I don’t know if we should trust him,” Shoto said, leaning into Bakugo’s ear.
The guy smiled. “Hey, fair enough. Name’s Hanta.” He held out his hand, and when neither Bakugo nor Shoto moved, he dropped it. “Does your friend not have a phone?”
“Phone?”
Hanta cleared his throat. “Okay….” He stood up and got closer, apparently unfazed by Bakugo’s sneer as he regarded them. “Well, hope you find your friend. Cool meeting you guys.” He put two fingers to his temple and flicked them out before he turned away swiftly and started to walk.
“Maybe we should stay with him. He could show us how this place works. And no one else bothered getting near us,” Shoto whispered.
“You said not to trust him.”
“We don’t have to trust him.”
Bakugo let out a sigh before he bellowed out an, “Oi, Plain Face!”
“Bakugo!”
The guy stopped and turned around, arching an eyebrow. “Seriously?” he said.
“We could use a guide,” Bakugo said gruffly.
Shoto held up a pouch. “We have gold.”
Hanta smirked and walked back to them. “You can keep your, uh, gold,” he said. “Yeah, I don’t mind helping out some tourists.” His dark eyes flickered to Shoto. “Might wanna pocket that and keep a grip on your fancy suitcase, though. This town square is pretty bad about pickpockets.” He gestured with his head for them to follow, unfazed by the other strange people looking at them as they walked.
Shoto looked up at the sky, severely lacking in stars, and hoped that he would find Izuku soon.