Chapter Text
The next day when Izuku gets to the gate there are reporters everywhere. He debates breaking into the school to avoid them, then remembers he goes to UA and has class in thirty minutes. So no go. He makes himself as small as possible though once he makes it to the gate he's found, “you! How is it being taught by All Might? Is he a good teacher?” Izuku snorts but stops himself from making a snarky joke about the number one hero to a bunch of journalists, instead turning around and promptly ignoring all the questions sent his way. He lets out a sigh, All Might lasted three days as a teacher before the media found out, figures.
He swipes his I.D and quickly walks through; Even with UA’s gate security system he wouldn't put it past one of them to try and outrun it. He makes his way to the classroom and into his seat, Iida pulling up his desk chair from across the room to sit with him until class starts. “The media out there is crazy! Have they no respect?!” Izuku shrugs, “yeah, it's rude but it's also their job, we can't fault them too much.” Iida scoffs, “there are respectful ways to gather information! Book a meeting or interview! Team up with other companies so they can all get their questions answered! Not disrupt students days by making us fight our way to our own school gate!”
“Ok, yeah, you got a point.” Katsuki codes, seriously though, when they asked about All Might it took everything in me not to tell them he’s as fit to be a teacher as much as his buff form is natural. Izuku covers his laugh with a small coughing fit, Kacchan! But you're right, seriously, why is Nedzu letting him teach here? I get he needs a successor but really? He doesn't even have the schooling to properly be one! Katsuki subtly shakes his head, anything's possible for that man, I think if he sacrificed a mother's baby she’d thank him. And weirdly enough Izuku can see that happening. Not that he thinks the number one hero would actually do that.
Once every student is there, somehow, the bell rings. Everyone rushes to get into their seats as Shouta walks to the front, taking roll call and then getting started. “Right, today homeroom will be spent with a task that will help decide your future. You will be picking who you want your class representatives to be. There will be a president and vice president, though I could care less who it is or how you all decide. Just do it quietly and wake me when you have made a choice.” Shouta finishes his speech by curling into his sleeping bag, slumping into the corner of the room.
Instantly almost every student starts yelling over one another, trying to get everyone to agree that they should be class president until Iida yells, “enough! Everyone control yourselves! Nobody will listen if we're all yelling over each other! We will hold a democratic vote! It will make things fair and efficient!” The class quiets and silently agrees to the option, “alright, thank you for your cooperation. Yaoyorozu, would you do the honor of making us a hat to draw from? I will cut pieces of paper to write names, then we will tally up the votes to see who got the most.”
Izuku wasn't going to intervene in all of this, but decides to help his friend out, “and no voting for yourselves! It’s no use taking tallies to see who others would think to be the best representative when everyone just votes for themselves.” Iida nods, “good thinking Midoriya!” Within fifteen minutes Iida has passed out small pieces of paper, everyone has written their answers, submitted, and now Iida and Yaoyorozu are working together to tally up the votes. When looking at the chalkboard Izuku gawks, “why the fuck did I get votes?!” “Language.” Shouta says while seemingly asleep. Somehow, he had managed to be voted president, with Yaoyorozu only a vote behind him. Iida sighs, “Izuku you are an efficient leader, we all were able to see that during the lot battles yesterday and your creativity when doing the quirk assessment the day prior. It’s really not a shock people would want you to be our president.”
Izuku deadpans, “Sorry Iida, but I’m not being president, period. I voted for you, and by the power vested in my presidency I name you the new one.” Didn't vote for your own boyfriend? Izuku suppresses a scoff, there is no way in hell you're being president Kacchan. You'd explode the vice president if she didn't agree to something, and likely anyone else as well. He gets the response of fuck you. Though doesn't argue further, he knows Izuku's right. There's a reason why when they managed to get themselves caught during their early villain days the boy was put in muzzles and pumped with quirk suppressants so often. He's an excellent leader in combat. A class representative? Never happening.
Izuku's statement gets a few snickers from the class and an exclamation from Iida, “but you cannot do that! Our classmates voted for you so you will be our representative!” Izuku shakes his head, “nope, not happening.” Iida opens his mouth to argue again when Yaoyorozu steps in, “well, I suppose you could be president Iida. You didn't get many votes, but if our current class president deems you worthy, shouldn't we listen to our representative?” Izuku blinks, he hadn't expected that to actually work.
Iida pauses, and everyone can practically see the gears turning in his head before he sighs, “is everyone ok with that? Or would you rather Yaoyorozu be president and we have the next person who got the greatest number of votes, Todoroki, to be vice president.” Said boy speaks up, “I forfeit the position.” Iida huffs, “Oh you are kidding me?! Who here on the board actually wants the position?!” The only people with unraised hands are Izuku, Hitoshi, Todoroki, Koda, and Jiro. “Alright, that leaves Kirishima the next one with the highest number of votes. He will be vice president!”
And then Kirishima opens his mouth, “hey man, I’m honored, really, and do want to be a representative, but the way you're running the election is so manly! I agree with Midoriya, you would make a great president!” Iida looks like he’s about to rip his own hair out. For a moment Izuku feels bad for his friend, but then he remembers he’s the one who caused the chaos and revels in it, even if it makes Iida gain a few gray hairs. Katsuki must sense his delight, enjoying yourself? Izuku doesn't attempt to hide his grin, very much, thank you. Yaoyorozu takes pity on Iida and takes over, “ok, then how about a small recount! Who here would like Iida as a class president after his displays of leadership?”
More hands raise than Kirishima and Yaoyorozu had votes, and Iida sighs, “very well, I will honor my role as president!” See, now look what you've done, fucking four eyes is president! Izuku replies, oh, poor Kacchan. “So you're done?” Shouta asks from his sleeping bag, and Iida responds, “yes sir!” Without getting up the hero nods, “very well. I have nothing else planned for the period, use it as a study hall. You can work together, just be quiet.” And the hero goes back into his cocoon, leaving the students to talk and study amongst themselves.
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Regardless of the news frenzy outside the rest of the day goes on normally, until lunch that is when an alarm goes off. Students start evacuating from the cafeteria, though most first years are confused. Iida's the one to ask, “what’s going on?!” Izuku leads the way, “it means someone's bypassed UA’s security.” Iida gawks but he, Uraraka and Asui follow him. Izuku manages to squeeze through to look out the window, and sees what he had suspected, the media got through somehow. And while he doubts they were able to do it alone, they need to get everyone to stop stampeding over each other first. “Uraraka! It’s just the media! Can you float Iida so he can deliver the message?!”
He hears Uraraka scream back “right!” And a moment later sees an Iida flying through the air to the entrance, landing on the exit sign, “everyone remain calm! It is just the media! Everything is fine!” Or at least Izuku hopes it is. But whether it actually is or not the students start exiting calmly and efficiently, stopping everyone from being trampled further. Iida stays up front, floating, helping direct the front of the line while Uraraka and Izuku do crowd control from the back. Once everyone's through the doors the three release a sigh of relief, Uraraka dropping Iida and they follow the rest of the students out as well.
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After lunch, instead of All Might strutting through the door to teach heroics, a tired Shouta walks in and stands in front of the class, “today there will be three instructors. Me, All Might, and one other hero. We will be doing basic rescue training.” The class erupts into mutters and Shoua flashes his quirk to reel them all back in, “I’m not finished. The training is off campus so we will be taking a bus. You can wear your costumes or not, up to you. But whatever you decide the bus will be here in fifteen minutes, I expect all of you ready by then and starting to board.” The class responds with a chorus of “yes sir!” Shouta walks out of the classroom, leaving the rest of them to gather their hero suits and head off to change, because who doesn't want to wear their costumes?
Everyone rushes to change and manages to begin boarding within ten minutes. “Ok! Everybody! Make two single file lines to board with the highest amount of efficiency!" They follow Iida’s command, though once on the bus his entire plan is ruined with the different bus layout. Once everybody’s on and seated Izuku comforts his friend, “it’s never a mistake to be prepared!” Iida gives him a tired look though straightens up nonetheless, “I suppose you are right. At least we are all moving and organized!" Izuku nods, “that's the spirit!” Uraraka yells “yeah!” Izuku feels eyes on him and looks away from Iida to the left where Asui sits next to him.
When he notices her she doesn't even flinch but continues to stare, tilting her head, “Midoriya, I say what’s on my mind, so forgive me if this sounds rude.” “Dont worry about it! What is it Asui?” “I told you to call me Tsu.” “Right! Sorry, what is it Tsu?” “I’ve been wondering, you have lots of scars for our age, how did you get them?” Izuku resist sighing, he’s been worrying about it for the past three days, it’s not like he didn't know this question would be asked in front of people eventually. “Oh yeah! I’ve been wondering that too! They look super manly!” He sees Iida go to respond, and appreciates his friend's willingness to tell them to leave it alone, but beats him to it, “oh! Yeah, I guess. I don't mind them. And I’ve just got them over the years, you know how life is!” He gives a nervous laugh, and that seems to appease Asui’s curiosity but not everyone else’s.
“Oh come on man! Give us the details!” Kirishima says and after Kaminari exclaims “yeah!” Then Mina adds “We need the deets!” Well, maybe I can make up a story or something-” “Leave the nerd alone. It's obvious he doesn't want to talk about it.” Izuku subtly raises a brow to Katsuki. He appreciates his boyfriend saying what he wants to, but they're also not supposed to be interacting. “Oh yeah, Bakubro, you have scars too! What are yours from?” He watches Katsuki roll his eyes, “none of your damn business shitty hair.” Kirishima raises his hands in defeat, “alright, we’ll stop asking, just know both of you look manly with them!” There are a couple agreements and finally the topic drops and everyone resumes their past conversations.
Iida sends him an apologetic looks, but Izuku just gives him a smile and shakes his head. Too bad not everyone can just mind their business, or ask out of concern like Iida. You ok? He gets from Katsuki, Izuku codes back yeah. We knew it would happen at some point. Katsuki subtly rolls his eyes, it really shouldn't have, fuck this class and their gossip trains. Izuku resist a laugh, Oh come on Kacchan, their all nice! They just like to…Know things. Ok, yeah, it’s only been three days and its very prominent that this class likes knowing other peoples business, minus a unique few, though he catches even them eavesdropping.
It’s not long until the bus pulls up to a white paneled dome. They file out and Izuku immediately sees the rescue hero, and it seems the others follow shortly after by their shouts. “Hello! As it seems you all know I am Thirteen, the rescue hero!” He hears Uraraka whisper shout “she’s my favorite Hero!” “I look forward to working with you all! Let’s head inside!” And thirteen turns around, allowing the rest of the class to follow. Theres a distinct absence of All Might, but while Shouta and the rescue hero walk ahead, he sees three fingers being held up, which just so happens to be the hero's time limit right now. Someone needs to put a leash on that man. They flood into the building and gawk: the place is massive. Every area has a new environment besides an open space in the middle, giving an easy in and out to each section. “This is the Unforeseen Simulation Joint! Or USJ for short!” A small murmur goes up about it being like Universal Studios Japan, and the hero continues.
“As you can see different parts of the building represent different environments, and you will be learning how to rescue efficiently in different situations throughout each of them! The USJ…” The hero continues, but suddenly Izuku can't pay attention. He feels something he’s felt for far too many years to mistake, and is automatically rushing past the hero to the balcony, Katsuki mirroring him step for step, both taking fighting stances as they come to a halt at the railing. “Eraser! Evacuate the students!” He doesn't realize he’s fallen into vigilante mode, but he can't help it, a fight's about to happen and everyone needs to get out now. Shouta orders without hesitation, “Thirteen, escort the students back out onto the bus.” There are footfalls and then an exclamation, “it's locked!” He hears the door jiggling and students asking what's going on when he sees the purple portal. He unsheathes a knife and takes aim until he sees who exactly is walking out and drops it while he does everything he can not to follow it.
“Tenko?” He whispers, then screams “Tenko!” And he's on the stairs running down faster than his boyfriend could have reacted. He can't think, only focused on seeing his brother again. “Izuku?” He hears him say as he throws himself onto him, Tenko immediately catching and holding him, a hand around his back and one in his hair, careful when placing his fingers. Izuku can't stop the tears that start once he’s in his brother's arms and can hear Kurogiri sigh, “everyone, back into the portals. Now.” There's complaining from numerous voices, he hadn't even noticed other people arriving. Though suddenly all the fighting is gone and it's silent again, until Izuku speaks that is, “I’m so sorry- we’ve been trying- Tenko.” He chokes on the sobs wracking his body in between words, and he can feel Tenko lower them to the ground.
Katsuki watches his boyfriend and debates what to do, though comes to his senses once he sees them on the floor. “Make sure the students stay up here, we’ll see what's going on.” And he’s off down the stairs. Shouta’s now on his own with a confused hero still trying the door and students who are stunned, finally starting to ask what’s going on. “Is this part of the training exercise?” “Yeah! What do we do?” “I’ve never seen that hero before though.” He looks to Hitoshi who is staring at him intensely, “it’s complicated, but no this is not part of training. Everyone will stay up here until we manage to get the door open, understood? Thirteen, can you contact anybody?” She stops fiddling with the handle, “no, connections have been cut!”
Shouta nods, “alright, is there any way to get the door open without using black hole?” It would be illogical too, at least right now. “Yes, I can shut down the secondary security system and the doors will open, though with the first down I'm afraid we won't be able to shut them again.” Dammit. “Do it, it’s better to have a shot than none, we need to get back up now. We’ll send a student so we can both be here if this goes downhill, Iida, you would be preferred.” Iida gawks before finally speaking up, “but sir, why are Midoriya and Bakugou down there then with whoever they are?! It is unsafe and irresponsible to let students-” The teacher interrupts, “as I’ve mentioned this is a complicated situation. They are more than capable, and shouldn't be in any danger as of now. Though if that changes we need backup and for everyone to be out of the building, clear?” Iida hesitates before giving a firm nod, and the plan goes into motion.
Katsuki makes it down the steps and stops a few feet from the two sitting down, though when Tenko looks up and opens an arm for him to join he doesn't hesitate. They sit there, Izuku crying and apologizing while Katsuki now has his own stream of silent tears running. After so long it feels so good to be in each other's arms again, even if it’s the last time for another long while. Though Izuku isn’t on that train of thought, he won't let Tenko be left behind again. “You're here, you can come with us this time! We have heroes helping, we can face father if necessary- please- just don't resist again, we need you here.” The last part comes out as a pained sob, and he can’t see it, but the pain reflects on the other two's faces, knowing well that won't be happening.
“Izuku, you know I can’t-” “But you can!” He screeches. He won't give up, not this time. He feels the other sigh, “I can’t. It's…I miss you two brats, I do, but stay safe and stay out of this. It’s not worth it, you're free, let me take care of this.”
Izuku cant, he wont. He know’s his brother will fight, but for their safety will give in eventually- he has to come with them now or who knows when they’ll get another shot. “No! You can't! You're coming with us!” Izuku makes way to stand, pulling Tenko but the latter holds firm, “Izuku-” He goes to say but changes his train of thought, “Katsuki, this isn't- leave. Both of you. Katsuki, take care of him for me again, please. Make sure he isn’t reckless.” “No!” Even with his boyfriend's protests Katsuki doesn't refuse. And with the guilt of having to do this a second time, he grabs Izuku from his brother and holds him to his chest while he fights.
Kurogiri comes up and pats the both of them on their head, “I’ll take care of him, young masters.” And Izuku can't do anything but kick and scream, watching as his brother walks back through the portal.
Shouta watches from the balcony, making sure nothing gets out of hand but when he sees Katsuki restraining Izuku, and Shigaraki walk back through the portal he has to stop himself from running down there to comfort his son. Especially when he curls up into his boyfriend, crying while all the other can do is hold him, but then he feels his other son's hand on his shoulder. “I’ll watch the class. Go.” Iida did get out of the building and Thirteen managed to re-shut the doors in time to lock them, though the rest of the students refused to go. Being the stubborn bunch they are, they kept saying their heroes in training and should act like it. Which Shouta can hardly blame them, he’d do the same. He doesn't think twice of trusting Hitoshi and rushes down the steps to collapse in front of the boys, pulling them in and holding them, “It’s ok, we’ll get him back, we just can't now, we will, ok?”
Shouta continues his chants even though he’s sure Izuku isn’t hearing him and Katsuki doesn't believe it. They've both been through so much, and had to watch a loved one walk away again. He completely understands why they would doubt what he says, but they will get him back and will defeat All For One, they have to. After a few minutes, which surprises both Shouta and Katsuki, Izuku calms down.
Though he’s not calmed down because of the words or having newfound determination that this isn't the last time he’ll see his brother, it’s out of sheer numbness. He left him. Again. He left him. All the emotions he’s been suppressing for a year slam into him like a semi. The guilt. The anger. The sadness. The regret. The guilt. Kami, how could he leave him back there again when he himself doesn't deserve to be where he is? He got adopted, he and Katsuki got together, he has a new brother, got into his dream school, and Tenko’s been, what? Doing exactly what Izuku was but not a year ago with him? So instead of crying through all the emotion everything stops.
He’s barely aware as Katsuki picks him up, unconsciously burying into his neck and hugging himself. How could this happen again? He can hear his classmates asking if he’s alright and what just happened, and can hear Shouta and Katsuki responding to them, though can't register what exactly is being said. But then he feels it again, he feels the portal. He turns his head around towards the edge of the balcony where it would show up, and Katsuki does the same in sync, causing Shouta to tense and ready for a fight.
All Izuku can think is that he came back- he changed his mind. And as the portal opens, he says just above a whisper, “Tenko?” But it’s not his voice that responds. “No, I’m afraid not son. Though we are in a very interesting predicament…A hero school? You don't truly believe I wouldn't find you here?” And that hope he felt is taken over by the suppressed rage. He hops out of his boyfriend's arms, unsheathing a knife and starts stalking towards the portal before Katsuki loops an arm around his waist, pulling him in and holding tight. “Let go.” He’s not recognizable to his classmates, but Katsuki’s all too familiar with the voice and Shouta as well as Hitoshi immediately register it from the few times they've heard it. And Shouta has to make the debate whether he should continue aiming for the portal or his kid, not knowing where his mind exactly is.
Katsuki curses, “no, Izuku.” He hopes the name will remind him where he is, but the boy doesn't even flinch. All For One continues, “see? You can’t help but react the way you were raised. To hurt. To kill. It’s who you were meant to be, Izuku.” And this time the emphasized name comes out as a taunt, infuriating Izuku further, “you know, Tomura has been picking up your slack quite nicely. It’d be a shame if he couldn't anymore, no? Come home, Izuku, come back to papa.” Izuku goes to throw his knife in response though Katsuki’s quicker, grabbing his hand, “don’t” he says in warning. Izuku seethes and grits out “we won’t. Never again.” He hears his father give an amused laugh, “we’ll see about that.” And then the two boys feel pain shoot up their necks.
They both stiffen. It hurts but it’s nothing neither have never experienced. Shock ‘therapy’ wasn't uncommon when living with him, Izuku’s main concern is how the fuck he’s making them feel it now. His father gives another laugh, “My my, how strong you two are.” He ups the level, and now the boys grit their teeth, “I bet you're wondering if this is a quirk? No, it isn't. I’ve had these installed in both of you for years, though never had an excuse to use them until now. Being hands on is always more fun, yes?” The levels upped once again and holy fuck. Izuku can practically feel his neck begin to cook. He doesn't dare check on his or his boyfriend’s wounds, nor does he dare use his healing factor. He won't give his father the satisfaction.
He can hear All For One sigh, “it really is my fault for making you two have such endurance, isn't it? Oh well.” And the voltage has to jump more than a few levels because Katsuki’s sent to the floor and Izuku goes with him. He hears his boyfriend give a small wine that fades into a grunt, holding Izuku tighter as they share the same thoughts, he won't win. Though it’s agony. Once again, they’ve experienced this and worse, but even with the tolerance they’ve built up this feels like someone cut open his neck and poured boiling oil into it, the liquid spreading throughout his upper back to his head, getting into all the creases and veins, charring his muscles and melting his bones. It’s white-hot pain that he has to do his best to push aside, focusing back on his father.
He hears a pair of footsteps approaching closer, “let them go, now.” Shouta growls, and both boys want to tell him to let them take care of this, but can hardly open their mouths to speak when it feels like they just swallowed hot lava. Izuku hears his father give a sinister chuckle, “hero, you think you can stop me? I don’t think you understand the predicament you are in with my two in your class, you will never ‘save them’. And that’s simply because they don't need it, they need to come back home and tear apart people like you, as they were born to. Hm…Must I demonstrate to remind them?” And at the threat Izuku buries the blinding agony spreading throughout his body away and shoves his way out of his boyfriend's arms, stands, and throws his knife in the blink of an eye. He hears a grunt, “my, this wasn't as you were taught to do at all. You learned years ago that stabbing eyes out isn't efficient, scooping or carving is much more-” But now Izuku knows where his strike landed, and if he’s in his normal chair, hooked up to machines, he knows exactly where to aim.
And he does so, unsheathing a second knife and releasing it, and by the gargling he hears he struck true, right into the tube that gives him oxygen. The pain stops, and when the portal closes he can't stop himself from collapsing back onto the ground with his boyfriend, catching his breath. Katsuki does the same, leaning against each other. Though Izuku straightens only seconds later, carefully lowering the blonde's head into his lap with his burn facing up to Izuku, and cringes. It looks exactly how it felt, their flesh being burnt. The space the device must be is charred black, with the surrounding skin red and hot, closest to the burn blisterd. He can only imagine his looks the same.
He sees Shouta in his peripherals crouching next to them, “are you both alri-” But the boys hairs stick up once more and another portal opens, “I am sorry, young masters.” And a nomu steps out.