Chapter 79: Moving Day
That was the best sleep of Izuku's life.
And it's hard to figure out why exactly. There are so many possibilities! Maybe it's because he spent most of the previous day fighting for his life and trying to save his friend. Maybe because between the training camp and the hospital after, it's been a while since he's been in his own bed. Or maybe it's because he got to see his dad last night!
There's a deep breath next to him.
Or maybe, just maybe, for the teenage boy, it's the really pretty girl currently sleeping on his chest.
It really is a mystery.
Izuku snickers at his own joke, causing Ochako to stir a little.
"If you wake her up, I will kill you." Clone Thirteen's whispered threat doesn't help Izuku's snickers.
"But then you'd die too?" Izuku retorts with a grin, repositioning his arm around his sleeping girlfriend.
"You say that as if I totally wouldn't kill myself just to let Ochako have a little more sleep."
There's a flash and Nine appears. "I'll die for you!"
Clone Thirteen raises his arms in a 'see?' gesture. "Finally, someone reasonable. And everyone wins- ow!"
He rubs his head where Two had slapped him. "Don't encourage him." Nine groans in defeat when Eleven hooks his arm around his neck and drags him back into Izuku's consciousness. "And I know this is your thing, clone Thirteen, but leave them alone until Ochako's awake at least."
"Buzzkill." Clone Thirteen crosses his arms. "First, I can't cheer them on while they're making out in the hospital. Second, I can't make sure Ochako sleeps well. What's next? I won't be allowed to attend the wedding?"
Izuku goes a bit red on the bed. He hadn't realized how far his mind had gone.
"Knowing you, you'd probably find a way to officiate it." Two grabs his arm and begins to tug him away. "C'mon. We need your help. Four pranked Ten into believing Mom was caught up in the attack last night, and he is mad mad."
"Okay, okay! Just hold on!" Clone Thirteen fishes his phone out of his jacket pocket and manages to snap a picture of Izuku and Ochako together before being yanked away.
With his clones gone, Izuku exhales, letting his head fall back onto his pillow. Safe to say, with how active his mind is, he's wide awake now and not going back to sleep.
"Do you talk to yourself every morning?"
And apparently, he's not alone. Izuku blushes even more when Ochako opens one eye and looks up at him. She doesn't seem upset at least. On the contrary, she looks like she's trying to stop herself from smiling. "If I said yes?…"
Ochako snuggles back into his chest. "It sounds like I should give you someone to talk to from now on." Did she just… "Oh, and one more thing." She raises her gloved hand, still using the gloves he gave her the first time she came over to his house, and feels around for his face. When she finds his cheek, she gives it a light tap. "No killing yourself. You're way too comfortable."
Izuku snorts. "I hope that's not the only reason."
"No, but it's the most relevant one." She sighs against her body. "I think your only competition was one of my friend's dogs growing up. He used to cuddle me all night when I slept over. It was the cutest thing!"
"Is that so?"
Ochako can't ask what he means before, in a flash, her boyfriend is gone, replaced by a small fluffy puppy that curls up in her arms. "Izuku! I didn't mean it! It's not actually a competition-!" She laughs when the dog barks in disagreement and climbs on top of her, licking her face repeatedly.
"Wait, no, stop-" Ochako manages to say in between her laughter, but the dog is relentless in its attack of affection, managing to get to her face no matter how she tries to cover herself with her hands.
Eventually, she gives in, petting the dog. Ochako rubs the same place on his head that he likes when he's in human form, guessing he'd like the same as a dog. She's right as Izuku rubs against her, begging for more pets. "Awww, you're so cute!" She can't resist doing puppy talk. "Yes, you are. You're so fluffy and adorable, aren't you? Yes."
There's another flash. "Hey!" Ochako giggles as Izuku turns back into himself, pouting. Her hand is still in his hair. "I'm still a person, Ochako, you don't need to talk to me like I'm an actual dog," he whines.
She picks up where she left off, rubbing his head. "Awww, who's a good boy? Are you? Yeah, are you?" Izuku hums, annoyed, and tries to nip her hand but Ochako reels it back in time and bops him on the nose. "Bad Izuku! Very bad! We don't bite!"
Ochako grins cheekily while he continues to glare at her. "I could always turn into something you couldn't cuddle."
He shapeshifts again, and Ochako has to move to the edge of the bed as a small alligator is now taking up most of it. The gator growls as the modern day dinosaur turns its eye on its prey. The predator slowly opens its mouth, exposing rows of sharp teeth and moving ever so slowly to-
"Awwww!" The gator is unprepared for Ochako to make the first move, hugging it fiercely and wrapping her arms around its neck. "Swamp puppy!" She applies her quirk onto the reptile and yanks him toward her.
Until that moment, no one had ever heard an alligator yelp before, but Ochako is the first as she swings it around. "You're such a cute swamp puppy! Yes, you are!"
Izuku shifts back into himself. Ochako doesn't stop swinging him around. "I- okay! You proved your point! You win! I swear!"
He yells when his girlfriend abruptly throws him back onto the bed and climbs on top of him. "Good." Ochako asserts her victory by kissing him deeply, keeping her hand rubbing through his hair.
When they separate, Izuku has to gasp for air. Something else Ochako seems pleased with. He gives her a mock-glare. "What? Gonna complain?" she mocks.
"…No."
"Thought so." Ochako leans down again, kissing him passionately. Being ready for it this time, Izuku put his hand on her side, pulling her closer to him as he kisses her back. He elicits a small gasp from her when his other hand finds its way to cheek but Ochako quickly recovers, deepening the kiss and-
"Uraraka."
If there had been any water in the room, Izuku would've accidentally frozen it with how fast he jumped and his eyes snapped open. He can't go anywhere however as Ochako, her face rapidly heating up, slowly lifts away from him. Their expressions mirror one another.
They both want to die. Because in the excitement of waking up together and playing around they had forgotten a few key things. The first was that Izuku's door was open. The second was that Loki hadn't left last night like he usually does and was standing in his doorway, smirking deviously.
Being the master of mentally tormenting people, the God of Mischief doesn't do anything after calling out to Ochako. He just stands there, enjoying watching the two of them slowly die from embarrassment while he waits for her to respond.
Eventually, through her shaking and beet red face, Ochako is able to squeak out a, "yes?"
"I'm happy to see you kids doing better." Somehow, someway, the teens get redder. "Inko wanted me to check on you kids and let you know that breakfast is nearly ready. So Uraraka, when you feel like getting off my son, you're more than welcome to join us."
Again, he waits. "O-okay!" she stutters.
"Are the kids awake?!" Inko calls out from the kitchen.
The kids' eyes bulge as Loki's smirk grows. They all realize what's happening. Izuku pleads with his father with his eyes. His life is in the god's hands.
After a few seconds of agonizing silence, Loki winks and says, "I'd certainly say they're awake."
Izuku's life has been saved. As he and Ochako untangle themselves and move to get up, Loki leaves with some parting words. "Don't be too long and try not to build up too much of an appetite." Izuku and Ochako don't look at each other again until they get to the breakfast table.
Thankfully, his father grants them mercy and the four of them have a relatively normal meal. Sure, Izuku tried for the millionth time to catch his father by surprise and stab him in the back. And sure, he failed for the millionth time, but those are just normal father and son moments, right?
It's only after the meal when things get weird. Like All Might and Aizawa showing up to his house weird. His mom is so surprised to see the number one hero, she drops a stack of plates and sets her quirk off, turning a mug into a wine glass. Thankfully, Loki is able to save the plates with his telekinesis.
"H-hello!" Inko greets after straightening her clothes. "What can we help you both with?"
"Thank you for allowing us into your home." All Might bows and Inko waves her arms in the air, saying over and over he didn't need to do that. Izuku promptly ignores the sly look of 'I see where you get it' from Ochako. "We were hoping to talk to you about something concerning the kid's education today."
"What's that?"
There's pain in Aizawa's voice. "A new project Principal Nezu is very excited about."
Less than a week later, they'd see it for themselves.
"Woooooah." Midoriya peers up at the tall building casting a shadow over him and the rest of his class. "These are our dorms?"
"Yes." Shota stands both in front of Heights Alliance and class 1-A feeling like he's about to begin his prison sentence. At least getting all of the kid's parents to sign their forms had only been a little painful. Although for some of the parents, a little extra convincing was needed.
Inko stares at the permission form on her table. "Izuku living away from home full time? I'm not sure…"
"That's alright. We perfectly understand your decision." Shota rips the paper off the table and stuffs it back into its folder. "Good luck on your future schooling, Midoriya." Shota is almost to the door. "And if you ever need any advice, don't hesitate to call All Might."
"Aizawa! We can't leave this quickly! We've barely pleaded our case!" Toshinori cries.
Extra convincing indeed.
He sighs. He had been so close.
Class 1-A whisper excitedly amongst themselves. They all carry luggage and bags while the rest of their belongings had already been taken to their assigned rooms by some grumbling robots. He expected Yaoyorozu or Todoroki to have the most things but surprisingly, it's Tenko. He has a cascading number of bags filled with electronics and a bulky PC case he insists on carrying himself.
"Listen up." The class quiets immediately at their teacher's words. They're off to a good start at least. "Welcome to Height's Alliance. Your new home. I'll explain the dorm's structure once we get inside but first, despite the chaos, we haven't forgotten about those who broke the rules to save Tenko and those who didn't stop them."
A hush somehow falls over the silent class. "However, because of that chaos, and All Might's imminent retirement, you all will be receiving what I'm calling a stay of expelling. You're not expelled, but you're expected to follow every rule and behave like model students. See me later for extra chores you'll be assigned as well. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Sensei!"
With these new rules in place, he imagines Midoriya won't last the day. Luckily for his class trickster, he's busy after this. "C'mon. Let's get this over with." He steps up and opens the front door to the dorms. "So, there are no surprises, first we have-"
"Mido!"
Eri bursts through the door and jumps into Midoriya's arms, embracing him tightly. "Is it true?! Are you really going to live at the school now?!" Several members of the class coo at the little girl.
Midoriya hugs her back. "Yeah, I am. We all are!"
"You all are?…" She looks up at the whole class as her green-haired savior puts her down. "YAY!! This is going to be so much fun!!" More people melt at her smile. "We can all play hide-and-go-stab together!" Eri cheers.
Aaaand the good feeling is gone.
"…What?"
No one's sure who in the class said it.
"Yeah!" Eri nods, still smiling and oblivious to what's going on around her. "Laura and me love playing it together!"
"Laura and I," Yaoyorozu corrects.
"Is that really what you're most worried about right now?!" Toru questions in hushed disbelief.
"Sorry! Force of habit. But Eri," Yaoyorozu shoots Midoriya a suspicious look. "What is that game?"
"It's exactly as it sounds." Laura walks out of the dorm building next, stopping by Eri. "It's hide and seek but the seeker has to stab the people they find to win."
"Yup! We play with Doug all the time! He's really good at hiding for being so big!" Eri adds. "But we have a secret weapon." She lowers her voice to a whisper, giggling. She points at Laura. "She has a great nose."
"You stab each other?" Yaoyorozu gasps. "That's incredibly dangerous! Who would teach you such a game-" she whirls on Midoriya. "Why would you teach them such a game?!"
"What? You want them to learn how not to get stabbed from a stranger?!" Izuku counters.
Dark Shadow manifests next to Tokoyami. "I love this class so much," she laughs. "You tell her, Midoriya!"
Tokoyami faceplams. "The worst part is that that's far from the worst logic he has used to defend himself…"
"It's not something they should be learning at this age at all!" Yaoyorozu yells back at her frustrating demigod friend.
"I don't stab Eri," Laura decides to clear up for them. "She doesn't heal like me or Doug."
"Eri!" Iida zooms to the front of the group of students. "While it is always wonderful to see you doing well, I'm afraid that I must speak for the entire class when I say we can't condone-" Midoriya clears his throat- "I speak for most of the class when I say we cannot condone this game!" he lectures.
For her part, Eri doesn't stop smiling. She's seemingly unaffected by his words. Iida coughs. "On a much less serious note, using your friend's enhanced senses is cheating!"
"Why is everyone so worried about the strangest things things right now?!" Toru laments.
Eri shrugs. "The hide and seek rules don't say I can't use her nose." Many pairs of eyes find their way to Midoriya. He whistles innocently.
"I…" Iida decides to switch gears, only metaphorically this time, and turns to the other girl. "I must say, your Japanese is sounding much more fluent since the last time we saw you. Have you been receiving lessons?" he asks Laura.
"Wait, you can understand her?" Midoriya looks around. "You can all understand her?"
"Oh, right!" Denki slaps his forehead. "I forgot not everyone can just, you know, understand every language." His head shoots up. "Wait, you could always understand her even when everyone else couldn't!" He points to Yaoyorozu.
The heiress shrugs. "I have always been strong in learning new languages. But that doesn't explain what's happening." She turns back to Laura. "You are speaking Spanish right now?"
"Nah." Third time's a charm as Snipe saunters out of the dorm. "While they're still here, Nezu figured we could borrow one awf'em universal translators the Guardians use." He points to his head. "One smawl prick to the back of her neck an' boom, no more language barrier for the kids."
"Kids you were supposed to keep away from the dorms for at least the day," Shota grumbles, checking his phone to see how much longer he can let the nonsense go on.
"Ya'll should know by now that when those girls want something, I can't stop them," Snipe replies matter-of-factly.
"You are an adult."
"And yer Eri's papa. You tellin' me she always listens to you?"
"…Shut up."
"We've been talking nonstop for days!" Eri cheers as she excitedly tells the class. "Like, like did you know she's better at healing than her dad!"
Laura nods, confirming it. "Adamantium is only on my claws, not my whole skeleton so it doesn't hinder my healing factor as much."
"Yeah, that! And she's super cool! I already knew that but she told me this one time, she was out with her dad and she saw a- a-" Eri thinks for a moment. "What'd you call that guy you told me about?" she asks Laura.
"Pimp."
"Pimp! Right!" Eri confirms. Denki and Sero hang onto each other laughing. Shota and Yaoyorozu share similar looks of pain. "Laura said she saw that pimp guy being really mean to this girl and after he hit her, she cut off his head!"
Several of the kids take a step away from Laura. Most of them look like they can't decide if they believe the story or not. Or rather, if they even want to believe it. Iida's about to faint. Shota decides enough is enough.
"Enough, we're wasting time." He gestures to Snipe, who beckons the girls to him as Shota leads the class into the dorm entryway.
"Behind me is the common area of the dorms," Shota narrates. "It expands the first floor and houses your living room, study areas, kitchen, baths, and etcetera. On the dining table, you'll find a rule book. Most of it is obvious stuff I shouldn't have to put down, but certain pains in my ass who shall remain nameless, Midoriya, forced my hand. That being said, do not feel those rules are targeted toward that one nameless student, Midoriya, as you all are expected to abide by them. Midoriya. Again, do I make myself clear, Midoriya?"
Although Shota was clearly trying to be as discreet as possible, the whole class responds. "Yes, Sensei!"
"Who do you think the one student was?" Midoriya whispers so loudly to Denki that they can all hear him.
"I don't know, man. Could be any of us," Denki whispers just as loud back.
"My bet's on Koda." The boy in question jumps when Izuku mentions him, but when the demigod gives him a silly grin to know he's joking, he relaxes and gives back a shaky thumbs up.
"Sensei!" Iida raises his hand, holding the rule book.
Shota looks around. "When did he-"
"He went for the book as soon as you mentioned there were rules in it," Yaoyorozu informs her teacher.
Only in class 1-A can the teacher's pet be just as strange as the rest of the class. Shota sighs. He's lost count of how many times he's done that. Iida marches back over with the book. "Sensei! Why is there a specific rule against watching heist movies?!"
"You don't want to know."
"Which movie did Deku watch and try to imitate?" Uraraka almost immediately asks. Shota would be more impressed with her deduction skills if they were talking about anything else.
"Again, we are not discussing this," Shota stresses. "Just know that the problem child saw a certain heist film and convinced a certain rat to help him recreate it. Now heist movies are banned. End of discussion."
"I object!" Izuku proclaims. "This is a clear abuse of power!" He turns to the class, his school clothes changing into a nineteenth century French military uniform. "Too long have the wealthy and powerful walked all over us-!"
"Trust me, I am not paid nearly enough for this job-"
"Too long have they walked all over us!" Izuku shouts. "It's time for a change! For a transfer of power to someone who cares about the people!" Denki and Ochako cheer along, prompting others like Tenko, Sero, Mina, Toru, and Dark Shadow to join in as well. "Yes! Do you hear the people sing, Aizawa-sensei?! I call for revolution! I call for anarchy! I call for-!"
"Despite them kidnapping a princess in the first act, no, the Princess Bride does not count as a heist film," Shota cuts in dryly.
Izuku shifts back to normal. "I withdraw my objection."
"Sensei!" Iida calls the attention back onto him. "Why is there a rule that we aren't allowed to feed stray animals?" Koda seems the most disheartened at the news.
"Eri tries to adopt every animal she sees. We don't need to make it easy for her."
Snipe chuckles, tapping Laura. "Every animal indeed." It takes a second for the little wolverine in the making to understand he means her before punching the teacher in the side. He and Eri laugh.
Yaoyorozu grabs the book from Iida, looking over the rules. "Sensei, what are the 'Eri amendments'?"
"As you all can probably already see, I imagine Eri will be spending a lot of time with you in the dorms." His eyes burn into his adopted daughter, who just smiles and waves innocently. "So I felt it necessary to include provisions that involved her."
"Wait wait, you're telling me that someone else was the reason for specific rules?…" He runs to Eri, picking her up in a big hug. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Wait, did Midoriya or someone else get a hold of this book?" Yaoyorozu asks, unsure. "Under the Eri amendments, it's stated that if any individual attempts to hurt her, we are all to respond with lethal force?"
Shota stares directly into her eyes. "No, that one's right."
"…I knew you'd make a great dad."
"Shut up, problem child."
"I'm surprised you are so excited to be sharing the spotlight of troublemaker with someone else," Yaoyorozu looks up from the rule book at Midoriya. "Even if that someone is Eri."
"Sometimes it's not about winning or losing. But about how many pages you can add to the rules."
Iida seems conflicted. "My need to follow the rules wants me to lecture you on what a poor attitude that is to have…. However, my drive for myself and others to run past their limits makes me curious on just how many rules you could add."
"Well, that explains why over half the book is blank." Yaoyorozu flips through the pages.
"So, when are you gonna add a new rule to the book?" Mina asks Midoriya.
"Pfft, I'd give it two months max," Sero answers for him.
"Two months? I was going to say one," Shoto speaks up.
"I'll go even lower and say three weeks," Ojiro says.
"Two weeks." Jiro holds up two fingers.
Denki holds up one. "A single week."
"Six days!" Dark Shadow plays along.
"Five!" Tenko raises his hand.
"Four," Tsu rebuffs his guess instantly. If Shota didn't know any better, he'd say she looks pretty smug over Tenko's look of betrayal.
"Three!" Mina cheers.
"Two!" Toru laughs.
"Before dinner tonight," Yaoyorozu sighs.
"You're all just making it seem like a challenge for him," Uraraka states. "I bet he does it in the next twenty minutes."
"Wow… I'm kinda feeling attacked here guys." Midoriya places a hand on his chest as if he's actually hurt. "I can't believe that all of you have so little faith in me. Fine! I'll prove you all wrong! I bet I'm not the first person to add a rule to the book-"
There's a crashing sound from inside the common area and a damaged robot rolls out. "A-apologies… one minute the stairs appeared one way, and the next, they were gone."
Shota glares at Midoriya as he snatches the book from Yaoyorozu's hands and writes 'No using illusions on the stairs.'
"Um…" Midoriya chuckles sheepishly. "Starting now, I bet I'm not the first person to add a rule!"
"Accepted." Yaoyorozu responds.
"What are the terms of this deal?" Iida asks him.
"…You guys answered that fast." Midoriya narrows his eyes. "That wasn't planned, was it?"
"Of course not," Yaoyorozu denies. "Shoji?" The student in question uses several arms to raise numerous notepads and pens.
"…Uh huh."
"First, for this to be a fair wager, you cannot coerce, impersonate, bribe, manipulate, mind control, that part pertaining to you or Shinso, or in any way trick anyone into breaking rules," Yaoyorozu dictates.
"This seems awfully prepared for something that wasn't planned."
"What would you like the stakes to be?" Iida ignores the gremlin's statement. No, Shota is not enjoying watching Midoriya get ganged up on by the class. And anyone who would imply such a thing is mistaken.
"Hero autographs?" Tokoyami offers.
"I've seen his collection. It would be hard for you to find a hero he doesn't have," Uraraka tickles a slightly embraced Midoriya in the side, making him laugh.
"Ooh, I know!" Denki jumps in the air. "What if Iida steals his brother's motorcycle and lets Midoriya take a joyride?"
"Kaminari!! I would never!!"
"I actually like that one."
"Midoriya, no!"
"No… I know exactly what to bet!" Yaoyorozu grabs Midoriya and tugs him to her, whispering something in his ear.
His eyes go wide as red appears on his cheeks. The trickster not so subtlety peers back at Uraraka, looking her up and down. "You've got a deal."
"Wow!" Toga runs around the common room of Kraven's safe house, grabbing every piece of sleek tech she can get her hands on. The area is large, and although it's built to look like the inside of a cabin, no amenities are spared. A large bear rug lays across the hardwood floor below a coffee table. Several couches and chairs are spread throughout facing a gaping fireplace.
Weapons from several time periods hang on the walls, as do cameras. In the back lies a kitchen with the biggest island table any of them had ever seen. Nagant swipes her hand across, causing a holographic display to appear that controls several aspects of the safe house, from the cameras and weapons system hiding inside the walls, to the temperature in all of the rooms.
Twice gasps when he pushes a button on the thick coffee table and a mini bar pops up from inside. "I think I'm going to like it here!" For once, his personalities don't seem to disagree.
"Best moving day ever! This place is amazing!" Toga hits a button on the wall above a fireplace and a large panel slides away, making way for a very wide television. "Why did we have to stay at the bar again?"
Hirona slowly lifts her head to Kraven for an explanation. She hadn't been sure the safe house would even have electricity, but they come to find all of this? The Hunter shrugs. "While I am perfectly comfortable living in a hut built by my own hands in the jungle, my safe houses are constructed just in case I need to stay in one location for an extended period of time. So they are retrofitted with bountiful rations, cutting edge security, and material comforts."
"I'd say!" Twice runs into the kitchen. "His microwave has a screen on it! It can download apps! Why can it do that?!"
"Oh, what's in the fridge?!" Toga jumps over the island table, messing up what Nagant had been doing, much to her chagrin. Compress gives chase to the vampire.
"You are not required to touch everything you see! Because- Himiko! The refrigerator has a screen that allows you to see inside, you do not need to open the door!"
"It just doesn't feel the same!"
Twice runs through the room to another area of the safe house. "Guys. Guys! Come to the bathroom! The floors are heated!"
"As is the toilet seat," Kraven calls out to him.
There's the sound of rustling. "He's right! The seat is even cushioned! My butt's never been this comfortable while sitting! Hey, wait, what do all these buttons by the toilet do? This one has a picture of spraying water-" there's a click, "Ah! I don't think water is supposed to go in there!"
Compress sighs, making his way to the bathroom. "It's actually more sanitary and provides a much better clean than regular toilet paper!"
Kurogiri blinks, turning towards Kraven. "Yes, I think these accommodations will-" there's a crash from the bathroom, "will be just fine. And I apologize for any damage that could occur," another crash, "and has probably already occurred."
Kraven waves him off. "Money has not been an issue for me in a long time."
"Speaking of issues." Nagant watches as Stain studies the various spears that hang on the wall. "One last time, you're sure about him joining us, kid?"
Hirona inhales deeply, before slowly exhaling. "You heard what he said."
"I betrayed everything I stood for." Stain has Hirona and her companion's full attention. "When I started my mission to cleanse hero society, I did it knowing it wouldn't be easy. Probably impossible. But I didn't do it because I thought it would be easy, but because no one else would. So, I would carry the burden.
"But then I met the God Butcher. And I saw there could be an end to my mission I didn't think was possible. All for the small price of making a deal with the devil. It was the easy way out and I took it, with no concern of the consequences. All I could think about were my own selfish desires, just like the heroes I was supposed to purge!"
His voice is laced with self-loathing and regret at the end, but the Hero Killer calms himself. He unsheathes one of his swords and looks at his own reflection. "By the end, I didn't recognize who I had become." He looks back up, gripping the sword by its blade. "I became the very thing I hate, and because of that, innocence died because of me."
Blood drips down from his hand. "You ask why I'm here? You ask why I did what I did tonight? It is because my new mission has begun. And it will only end when I feel I am done or I am killed by someone worthy. But until then, I will strive to complete it."
Hirona leans forward. "And what is your new mission?"
"Redemption."
"I don't care how much conviction you think he has, I still don't trust him." Nagant doesn't bother keeping her voice low, not caring if Stain hears her or not.
"It's not just that," Hirona shakes her head. "Stain's not the only one here who wants to show he's better after some of the stupid decisions he's made." Nagant softens a little. "And to make up for some of the things he's done. I'm sure you can relate to that."
Nagant glares at Hirona with no real heat. The teen giggles and yawns. "Whatever. I'm still not taking my eyes off of him."
"You gotta sleep."
"I don't require sleep," Kurogiri states. "I can keep track of our newest member at night if you'd like."
Nagant nods, a small smile on her face. "I'd appreciate that." She stretches her arms. "But speaking of sleep, you desperately need it, young lady. C'mon." She tugs on Hirona. "We've been constantly on the move for almost a week now. It's time for bed."
"I'm fine-"
"Hirona." It's clear that Kurogiri will allow no argument. "Listen to Nagant."
"Aren't you supposed to do what I say- hey!" Hirona angrily rubs her ear where Nagant had flicked her.
"No talking back to him."
"Wait!" Himiko runs back in with Compress and Twice, who is fixing the bottom half of his bodysuit. "What's the plan now?!" Stain looks up, curious as well.
"Rest. Recover. Enjoy what this place has," Hirona checks with Kraven again to make sure that's okay before asking him, "you have a computer or something I can use for a second?" He nods, getting her a laptop. She opens it and begins typing. "Wow, you even have some nice WiFi." She types some more.
"Do we have a plan for after we are recovered?" Compress asks.
Hirona nods. "You guys remember how we were joking about how we'd do a jailbreak before attacking the station?" The others look at each other, the gears starting to turn. "Well, we're down a few members, so we should start by building our numbers back up. And I know just where to start."
She flips the laptop around to reveal the public mugshots of Spinner and Mustard.
"I hope the kids are settling in nicely, Aizawa?"
One exhausted look from Shota tells Nezu all he needs to know, and the rat chuckles at his misfortune. He had always assumed Recovery Girl was exaggerating when she talked about Nezu getting a kick from torturing humans. This past year has opened his eyes.
The underground hero zips himself into his sleeping bag and slumps down next to Mic at the conference table, which included most of UA's staff, plus Star-Lord and Rocket. "I miss anything important?" he asks the man who proclaimed himself Shota's best friend one day and wouldn't take no for an answer.
Hizashi leans back. "Nah. The HPSC said-"
"Nothing important. Got it."
He snickers. "Alright man, I feel what you're putting down. This might be more up your alley. Most of the League escaped, or whatever they're callin' themselves these days since their major breakup during the fight."
Shota frowns. "Who left?"
"Nezu said Magne, Dabi, Taskmaster, and Daken." Mic counts on his fingers. Logan clenches his fist harder across the table. "Police got Magne but the others are in the wind."
Shota supposes with that news that the dorms aren't a completely terrible idea then. "The escaped prisoners?"
Mic grins. "We're batting a much better average with those guys. All recaptured in the days after the attack except one. Commish is keeping that one hush hush for the time being."
Shota can already feel the dread. "It's exactly who I think it is, isn't it?" Mic's grin falls and he nods. Dammit. Stain.
"And lastly, as we move to adjourn this meeting," only Mic catches Shota's sigh of relief, "I'd like to thank our visitors," Nezu gestures to Peter and Rocket, "for not only helping us stave off this catastrophe, but staying to help with the cleanup." Heroes around the table speak up in agreement.
"It was no prob," Peter waves them off. "We're always happy to lend a hand."
"Gamora made him do it."
"Heh. Don't you just love these little guys." Peter laughs, a little nervous while petting Rocket roughly. His fellow Guardian tries to bite him, but it's apparently not Star-Lord's first rodeo at this because he dodges it. "Hey, just out of curiosity, any chance you guys wanna trade? You take this little guy and I find a raccoon that doesn't talk or spends eight million years in the bathroom every morning."
"I've told you eight million and one times Quill that fur takes a long time to dry after the shower!"
"And I've told you it can't possibly take that long! You're like the size of a G.I. Joe figure, how much fur can there be?!"
Rocket sighs, leaning forward on the table. "Since one of us has to be the adult here, I suppose it's gotta be me." Peter rolls his eyes. "Anyway, cleanup wasn't bad. But now that it's done, the team's gotta get back to where we came from."
"And after you made so many new friends with the locals." Peter pokes fun at Rocket.
"Since when do you think you can tell me what to do, short stuff?!" Miruko snarls.
"Since I figured out a way you could be more useful than aimlessly hopping around!" Rocket shouts back.
"You're not gonna think it's so aimless when my foot squishes that head of yours!"
Rocket cocks his gun. "Give me your best shot, Ears!"
"The fuck you just call me-?!"
"My friends please!" Thor lands next to the fighting pair. "I know that you are both proud warriors, and have every right to be, but this squabbling does not help complete our task. Or restore the people's faith in heroes. So, perhaps, we table this discussion for now?"
It's silent for a few seconds, with Miruko and Rocket continuing to bare their teeth at each other, before they finally take a step away. "Fine. Whatever," Miruko concedes. "I'll kick his ass later when no one's watching."
"Humans. All the same no matter what they look like," Rocket sighs, walking away.
"A wise move, turning the other cheek," Thor praises Rocket. "I always knew you were wise, Rabbit." Miruko opens her mouth, confused, but Thor speaks before she can. "And if battle cannot be avoided, it is best to have it in a place where the innocent cannot be hurt. A wise move by you as well, Raccoon hero." And with a spin of his hammer, Thor flies back into the air.
It takes a second for Miruko to process what he just said. "Did he just call me a-!"
"Wait!" She whirls around to see Rocket staring at her. "Are you really a- a-" He rips his communicator out of his belt, marching away. "Quill!! What the flark have you been calling me all these years?!"
"Not a word," Rocket growls to a snickering Peter before turning back to the rest of the table. "Like I said, the team's gotta leave today before things go to too much shit without us. But we talked about it, and your very smart principal agrees so we're gonna leave you a present." The raccoon smirks. "Me."
The teachers murmur to one another and Nezu raises a paw for their attention. "Yes, it is obvious now more than ever that the threats to both heroes and our students are growing at a rate we are simply not keeping pace with. With Mr. Rocket's expertise and access to more advanced technology from his homeland, I believe we can strengthen UA's defenses exponentially as well as revamp our entire support department!"
Nezu is practically vibrating at the possibilities. They are all terrified. Almost all of them. Power Loader leans forward. "Did you say advanced tech?"
"That's what you took away?" Shota slithers underneath the table to lay down. Why the hell is he not alone down here? "All I heard was that Nezu got a best friend to torture us with."
The mouse chuckles. "I will not deny that having another of non-human origins to converse with was a factor in my decision." Everyone notices that he didn't deny the torturing them part.
"Ditto," Rocket agrees. "You see what I gotta work with?" He points a thumb at Peter. He straightens to argue, but Rocket throws him a small device with a screen. "Save it. You guys should get going soon. Cosmo called earlier. She said sensors have been going off all morning. High-Evo's on the move. I put the data in that."
Nezu nods along, letting them take care of any last minute business before doing the same himself. "Logan?" The mutant looks up. "What of my request of the X-men?"
He clears his throat, but it doesn't do much to help his rough voice. He was probably drinking last night. No surprise, the last few days had left them all pretty worn out. "Yeah, they're good. They can help with the kids."
Tensei perks up from his phone. He had been texting Iida. "Wait, what's happening with the kids?"
Nezu answers for Logan. "It seems you will have some assistance with helping to prepare the hero classes for their provisional license exam."
Logan hums. "Yeah, some of the team will come over and help the kids train when they have free time."
"Which ones?" Nemuri inquires.
"Whichever one's feel like it on any given day." Wolverine shrugs. "Some are more enthusiastic about it than others. If Kamala has her way, she'll probably be here every day. Oh, and that reminds me." He looks around the table. "Be ready. Girl is crazy about heroes and will probably want all of your autographs."
Shota stands back up in a hurry, slamming his hands on the table. "Keep her away from Midoriya!"
"Well now that everything else has been settled," Nezu laughs quietly into his paw. Shota disagrees but whatever. "I believe we only have one more issue to deal with." He folds his paws together, looking at everyone expectantly. "Where is Mr. Wilson?"
Logan sighs. "He's been here the whole time." He scoots back and looks down underneath his chair, seeing Deadpool staring up at him. "Wade, what the hell are you doing?"
"Enjoying the view."
"Get up here!"
Deadpool yelps when Logan pulls him roughly to his feet and drags him to the front of the room. "Ow- okay! Hey! I get it!" Wolverine shoves him up to Nezu. "Alright, phew! Thank you, that was…" Deadpool shivers. "So much aggression and testosterone. Can you do that again?"
Mic laughs while the caterpillar next to him shoots him a glare. "What? It was funny, Shota." He grins at his best friend. "It's okay to laugh you know."
"Thank you! Finally, someone who understands!" Deadpool gestures to Mic. "Wolvie never laughs at anything either! Sometimes, I'm not sure he's ever laughed at anything in his life."
"Dude!" Mic screams as Shota cringes. "That's exactly the vibe I get from Shota too! He's just so moody all the time, I have to bring enough enthusiasm for the both of us!"
"I know right?! Wolvie prefers to go brood in the corner, so I have to pick up his slack." Deadpool sighs dreamily. "But then I remember that without me, he'd probably be even more depressed…"
Logan's face grows more sour by the second. Mic replies, "I couldn't imagine where Shota would be without me, the light of his life…" Shota debates on snuffing that light out permanently.
"We really are the best thing to happen to them, aren't we?"
"No doubt, man!" Mic thinks for a moment. "You know what? You wanna help teach the little listeners, you got my vote!"
"Hell yeah!" Deadpool and Mic fistbump. Logan and Shota take out a flask and juice pouch respectively and drink.
"Mr. Wilson." The merc stands at attention when Nezu calls him, the rat casually mixing some sugar into his tea. "I believe we were trying to decide if you would stay to help the children or return to the United States?"
"Yeah, it only took me seventy-six chapters and over two fucking years to get here, I definitely believe I'm leaving already," Deadpool mumbles.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
Nezu either didn't hear him or didn't think anything of it. "Our main issue, Mr. Wilson, is that a school environment, among many other things, is one of empathy. And after having read over your history, I have my concerns."
He flips over his tablet to an old video of Deadpool fighting a criminal in America and kicking him off a building. The man hits the street with an audible crunch! and cries out in pain, begging for help.
Deadpool bends over laughing at him. " Ha! The only thing harder than that concrete was your dick when your dad molested you!"
Mic and Tensei snort into their hands as Shota shakes his head at them in disappointment.
"What?" Deadpool raises his hands. "I reserve my empathy for people who deserve it! He was a serial predator who had it coming!… Just like when did used to make him come, yeah! Years later and I got him again!"
Nezu hums. "Perhaps a character witness would help us?…"
He looks to Logan, who sighs, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, you all wanna know what I really think about Wade?"
"Do it, Logan," Deadpool encourages. "Like Scout Master Kevin, don't be gentle."
"Fine, but I don't like to mince words, bub." Logan sits up. "He's fucking psychotic. An attention-starved lunatic who has to fill every little piece of quiet with one of his bad jokes because if he doesn't, he's going to hear those little voices in his head tell him what a piece of shit he is until he wants to die before remembering that, like every other thing in his life, he fails at that too."
It's quiet. Despite what he just said, not even Deadpool speaks. Logan exhales. "But…'cause he's fucking crazy, you won't find many assholes who will go as far for the team as he will. Who can help someone laugh through the pain of a hellish mission. Who can relate to anything anyone's been through because if you can think of it, that prick has probably died from it." He rubs a hand through his hair. "I've seen Wade at the mansion for centuries so with all that being said, I'd trust him more around kids than adults."
Deadpool places a hand on his chest. "You do think about me…" He shakes his head before turning to Nezu. "I swear that as long as I'm here, I'll protect them. No villain, reporter, or HeroTuber will get anywhere near those children!"
Logan rolls his eyes. "And we're back."
Nezu chuckles. "Well then. Maybe I will consider letting you stay… granted, you can pass a few tests of mine."
"THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!!"
Izuku snickers as Bakugo's yells attract the attention of everyone in the common area. It's nearly dark out and after a tiring day of unpacking, most of the class had been happy to just lounge around the first floor and relax, with only a few stragglers left up in their rooms.
UA had been nice enough to leave food for them to cook for the first week, before they'd have to start shopping for themselves. But when it was asked who would cook the first night, no one had rushed to volunteer, so Izuku offered to order everyone food. Being the class representatives, he and Yaomomo would work out a schedule for cooking and cleaning later.
So with food being delivered, all that was left was how they would divide the bill. Izuku had none of it and offered to pay for the whole thing. And although he and Denki had argued fiercely for the honor for a few minutes, they were ultimately defeated when Yaomomo had announced she went ahead and paid for it while they were distracted.
Already thinking of ways to prank her for it, Izuku turns his attention back to his game of Uno with Bakugo, Sero, and Kirishima. Izuku is close to winning with two cards in his hand, but Sero is right on his tail with three while Kirishima has five.
And Bakugo? He has about half the deck.
"NO FUCKING WAY!!" Bakugo yells again, drawing yet another card from the deck.
"What's going on?!" Mina asks from her spot on the couch, waiting for her turn to play video games with Denki, Tenko, Toru, and Dark Shadow.
Another draw of the deck. "YOU'RE KIDDING ME!!"
Izuku and Sero are laughing too hard to answer so Kirishima does. "Bakubro needs a green card but uh-" another draw accompanied by a ferocious scream "-he hasn't had any luck yet."
"I SWEAR TO- FINALLY!" Bakugo slaps the green card down on the pile and falls back into his seat, glaring at the cards in his hand as if they had personally insulted him. "Go, Deku."
Izuku waits until Bakugo looks up at him and, while staring the explosive boy in the eye, he drops a green reverse card onto the pile, switching the turn order back to Bakugo.
The deadly quiet lasts only seconds before, with reflexes honed by months of hanging out with him, Kirishima hardens himself and jumps between Bakugo and Izuku as the former leaps at the green-haired boy. "It's not worth it, bro!"
"Move so I can reduce him to ash!!"
"It's just a game!!"
"That's not the point! It's the principle! That little shit is doing this on purpose!!"
Izuku gasps, placing a hand to his mouth. "Kacchan! Are you suggesting that I'd use my illusions to change the cards and make it seem like you don't have any green cards, thereby annoying you more and more just for fun? Do you really think that's something I'd do?"
Everyone is quiet, staring at him flatly. Even those playing video games have paused just to stare at him.
He swears when Bakugo exhales, smoke comes out. He whips his head to Kirishima, who looks back and forth between them. "Um… if I let you go, are you going to kill Midoriya for pranking you?"
"Yes."
"The honesty is manly at least."
"OW!" Bakugo howls, grabbing his ankle. "Something fucking bit me!!" he roars while trying to shake the thing off his leg.
"What is that?" Tsu inquires, coming down the stairs.
Izuku peers down. "Oh! That's my birthday present from my Uncle Wade!" He bends over, missing Ochako subtly leaning over to get a better look as he does, and pry's the creature off Bakugo. "Everyone, meet Jeff!"
People come closer to take a look at the strange animal. "Midoriya…" Yaomomo starts, unsure. "Is that a shark that's also a quadruped?"
He hums. "Yup! He's a Land Shark!" The demigod places the animal on a table to show off that Jeff looks like a miniature shark in every way except for one obvious difference. He has four legs and stands on them like a dog. "Uncle Wade's friend Gwen didn't have the time to take care of him anymore, so she gave Jeff to him and now he's mine. Isn't he adorable?!" He scratches Jeff under the chin and the shark hums in approval, wagging his back fin.
"Awwww!" Several of his classmates instantly swarm Jeff, giving him affection as he soaks it all up, no pun intended, as well as other teens who are just curious to pet a shark.
"Weren't there rules in place to prevent us from adopting animals?…" Iida flips through the rule book.
"Those rules were specifically for Eri," Yaomomo remembers.
"Good! Because how could we get rid of such an adorable little guy?!" Mina coos the shark.
"He knows tricks too! Watch!" Izuku says excitedly, conjuring a knife. "Jeff!" He tosses the knife in the air and Jeff tracks it instantly, hopping in the air and catching the blade in between his teeth.
"Woo!" Jeff waddles in exhilaration as kids cheer and applaud him. "Great job!" Izuku praises him while petting his dorsal fin. Jeff nuzzles into his hand before climbing up his new owner's arm and settling on his shoulder curling up while he makes a few sounds.
"He says thank you." Many of the class look around shocked when Koda whispers behind the group. He cowers momentarily at all of the attention but keeps his composure, barely. "A-and that he's happy to be here and meet you all…" That's all he can muster before retreating back to one of the corners of the room as people thank him.
"We should see how many knives he can catch at once… and how fast." Denki cups his chin. "Dude, how many knives do you have?"
"I don't think anyone wants to know the actual answer to that question," Izuku responds with a snicker.
"Okay, okay! So what if…" Denki pauses for dramatic effect. "You conjure a bunch of knives and we start throwing them in the air to see how many Jeff can catch at once! We start with two people, then three, then four, until he fails! What do you say?"
"Denki…" Izuku grabs his cousin's arms. "I don't care what anyone says, you're a genius!"
"Yeah-! Wait, what do people say-"
"Nevermind that!" Izuku begins to conjure up a dozen knives. "Everyone grab one!" Jeff jumps down, looking determined at the challenge as most of the teens make their way over and start grabbing blades.
Iida and Yaomomo let out a very long and deep sigh. "We haven't even been here for a single night…" Iida dreads.
"And they are already throwing knives over their heads…" Yaomomo finishes wearily. "At least Eri isn't here."
"Nah," Izuku replies to her while handing knives out. "Uncle Wade brought her a present too and she's busy playing with it."
Yaomomo looks almost too afraid to ask. "What did he-"
"Hi!" The black-haired girl jumps, not realizing Eri had been behind her. She doesn't see anything in the little girl's hands.
"Hello there, Eri. What do you have-" Yaomomo can't finish again because when she blinks, Eri is gone.
"We should introduce him to Doug!" Yaomomo whirls around to find Eri in the middle of the group of students, petting Jeff. "I bet they'd be great friends!"
"Iida, did you see how she did that?"
"I can't say I did- ah!!" Iida screams when Eri suddenly appears behind him as well.
"Do you know when the food is supposed to get here?" Before he can answer, the little unicorn seemingly vanishes into thin air again, reappearing next to Sato who's baking in the kitchen. "That smells sooooo good! Can I have one?! Pleeeeease?"
"How is she accomplishing this?!" Iida exclaims. "Is she moving so fast that even I cannot track her?!"
"Not exactly!" Izuku answers, having finished handing out knives. "Eri! Show them your present!" She smiles, happy to do so as she faces the bewildered pair, pointing to a red belt around her waist. "Uncle Wade had been looking to get rid of his teleportation belt for a while. He said it made things too easy."
Iida and Yaomomo look at one another in abject horror. "Teleportation belt?!" They yell at each other as Eri bounces around the room, teleporting from one side to the other.
Izuku thinks he's gonna enjoy his time at the dorms.