Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

11. A Seven Ten Split

It was as if the gods hated them, or maybe it was just him in particular, thought Tomura. 

As he and Izuku were being led to the front of the station the quirk canceling cuffs finally ran out of juice. 

They pinged twice loudly before powering down and falling open.

The pair watched the wrist bands, glinting in the lighting overhead as they tumbled to the ground as if in slow motion.

Every Officer in this precinct knew what that sound meant.

The villain felt a sudden bolt of energy surge through his nerves, up his spine, down his arms to his fingertips. He had his quirk back, but it was at the absolutely worst possible time. Everyone here thought he wanted to kill them. It was highly likely he had caused the deaths of some of their colleagues and friends. 

Tomura couldn't even try to escape. He was extremely outnumbered and out-quirked. He didn’t even know where he would go if he made it out of the building. And his Alpha bristled at the idea of leaving his mate behind. 

The Officers all around them had readied their weapons and any quirks they could use to at the very least incapacitate, or worse, issue fatal blows. One wrong move and Tomura would be nothing more than a red smear on the wall. Shit.

Carmine eyes met viridian.

He didn’t know who twitched, but they all moved at once.

Izuku powered up OFA so fast he got light headed after not having used it for weeks. Grabbing Tomura he tossed the man to the floor and covered as much of him as he could with his own body as throwing stars, spikes, heavy metal balls(?), spines, fucking bullets and who knows what else thudded into the wall where they had both been standing moments ago.

The heroes tried to get things under control but for several long moments it was chaos in the hallway. Izuku wrapped his arms around Tomura. He knew a command shouldn’t be possible, not outside of his Heat but he'd done it once before and felt like he had no choice but to try. Turning his head to the side the Omega roared, “ STOP! ”

His voice barreled down the hallway and was powerful enough to stun everyone in that corridor. He knew using a command against Police was normally a criminal offense but this was an emergency! 

Several Officers yelped and Izuku was pretty sure he smelled piss. Oops, he hadn’t meant to…

“That is enough! I expect better restraint from Japan’s finest!” yelled Shouta, taking advantage of the pause. He’d negated as many quirks as he could but still it had been a close one. 

Looking up, both men saw there wasn't much left of the wall behind them.

If Midoriya hadn’t moved when he did they would be rushing both young men to the hospital, or morgue, thought Hizashi.

“He was gonna kill us!” yelled a still shaken Beta Officer. Several others agreed, the scent of fear and aggression began to permeate the air as emotions ran high and used up the suppressants in their patches.

At the other end of the hall an Alpha and Beta Officer were helping Midnight up from the floor. In the middle of the panic she’d been struck in the shoulder and was holding her arm, it looked to be dislocated. Thank god it wasn’t bleeding. That only made Shouta’s Omega more upset. Nemuri was part of his Pack and had been hurt!

“He did no such thing,” Shouta snarled, standing in front of the row of heroes, “He was standing still and made no move to harm anyone! All I saw was an attack on a newly mated pair, both victims, who have been completely cooperative this entire time!” 

It had been a long goddamn day and he was struggling to remain calm. Thank god Hizashi was there to scent him.

—

Someone tapped the UA student on his shoulder to get his attention, turning Izuku saw Detective Tsukauchi wearing a scent blocking mask. He looked them over and gave a thumbs up which Izuku reciprocated. Then the Detective stood and hit the emergency neutralizer button on the wall to clear the air.

The sudden release of the neutralizer seemed to startle most everyone back to their senses. Pulling off his mask, the Detective took something from his pockets and turned to Izuku.

“Midoriya, I apologize for their behavior, here,” he said, handing the Omega familiar metallic rings, “Just put them on Shigaraki and you both can go. We'll deal with this.”

Looking around it was clear Mr. Aizawa had stopped more than a couple of the officers from using their quirks. But the wall behind them was still nearly obliterated.

Midoriya used a command, outside of Heat. Shouta would need to speak with Recovery Girl and his student about that. The teacher wondered if it was a side effect of holding OFA, a secret he’d only recently been made privy to due to ‘national security’. Or if maybe… it was because of something else?

Izuku helped his mate up and the Alpha readily held out his wrists. 

Tomura fought to keep his arms steady, even though they had nearly been killed he refused to show any fear. Assholes all of them. Keeping his head down in a submissive posture he allowed himself to be cuffed by his mate. 

The Alpha felt his quirk slip back into hibernation. Dropping his arms slowly to his sides Tomura could feel the tension around them start to dissipate.

Shouta took note. Despite being handled by Alpha officers, Shigaraki never cowed or lowered his head in submission to any of them. Yet he’ll do so for Midoriya.

If the Underground Hero’s hunch was right there was another reason they had paired. He wondered what the odds were? 

After putting the wristbands on Tomura the Omega reached out to his mate. 

Two hands on the villain’s shoulders made him look up. 

Izuku.

“Come on, we’re leaving.”

—

Shouta really had to stop collecting problems. 

Looking back to make sure the pair was keeping up, the erasure hero turned around and thought at least it seemed the troubled Alpha really was bonded to Midoriya and able to see reason. He had been concerned about the villain’s sanity in general.

They walked up to a sleek black Toyota Land Cruiser, Hizashi was already in the driver's seat and aware who Shouta was bringing with him. Bakugo and Todoroki, who were waiting for them next to the SUV, were not.

“Are you fucking serious?” exclaimed the explosive blond, hands starting to smoke. 

Shouto grabbed his arm and held the Alpha back, but he was also staring wide eyed at the notorious supervillain who was… holding his friend’s hand?

“Bakugo, it's been a while. Sorry about the whole kidnapping thing,” said Tomura. 

Eraserhead’s eye twitched.

Izuku stood there and wondered if knowing just what to say to agitate people was the other man’s real quirk?

“Fuck you Crusty.”

Tomura grinned. It was tempting to reply, but he wouldn't for the sake of them all having to get in the same car together. Being so close to not sleeping in a jail cell, he wasn’t letting the aggressive little shit goad him into screwing that up now.

Katsuki watched the bastard smile like a fucking psycho and let his eyes shift over to his friend and back to the villain. Really Deku?

Mr. Aizawa reached out and slapped the taller Alpha sharply on the back of the head.

“Ow, what the hell?” exclaimed the villain, bringing his hand up to rub when he’d been hit. 

Katsuki, Izuku and Shouto just watched slack jawed as their teacher batted the Symbol of Fear like he was some misbehaving student and the villain just, let him. 

“Let’s try not to make this situation any more difficult than it needs to be,” said the teacher clearly.

Tomura just huffed, while the green haired Omega nodded, keeping his eyes on Kacchan.

Saying the blond was tense was an understatement. 

Katsuki had changed a lot since starting UA. After presenting as an Alpha and his and Izuku’s fight on Ground Beta, he had finally gotten some much needed therapy and while it was helping this situation was putting all his hard earned progress to the test.

Izuku thought for sure his childhood friend was going to kill him when he came out of the station with Tomura. UA would be sending flowers to his mother. 

Oh my god, his mom!

She has to be so worried about him! What was she going to say when… Kacchan interrupted his thoughts,

“You can’t expect us to just be fucking ok with this?” shouted Katsuki, hands sparking as he marched over to them. 

Well, Izuku sighs to himself, at least he wasn’t going to die a virgin.

Shigaraki had moved between him and Deku, good. That makes this easier. Katsuki raised his arms and prepared to fire on the fucking villian when suddenly it was quiet. Too quiet. Looking down at his hands the blond realized his quirk had been neutralized. Katsuki stopped in his tracks, too stunned to speak. 

All of them looked over at Eraserhead, his eyes glowing like embers beneath a cauldron, hair moving in that strange way it did when he used his quirk.

Shouta held up his own hand to stop further colorful language from spilling out of his infuriated student, “This is hardly the time or place. I understand how you’re feeling, Bakugo, believe me.”

“The fuck you do!” 

Their teacher ignored the outburst, “I do not expect any of you to be ‘ok’ with this. However, it is a highly delicate situation. Both of them are victims of kidnapping and medical experimentation. Separating them would do even more harm. Due to them being a mated pair, Shigaraki Tomura is now temporarily in UA’s custody and will be returning to the school with us.”

The heterochromatic Omega came up next to his Alpha and quietly scented Bakugo. 

Tomura stood his ground and waited. It was still an active challenge. The younger Alpha giving off a hostile aura turned his head to the side with a ‘Tsk’ and stepped back listening to his teacher. Challenge withdrawn. The dual quirk user just stared at him. Creepy.

“I expect you to be able to behave, regardless of how you feel about the situation,” added their teacher.

Izuku watched as Kacchan clenched his jaw and held his arms at his sides, opening and closing his fists tightly. Then he walked over to Izuku, grabbed his arm and scented his friend and pack-mate’s wrist before pulling him into a hug to whisper, “Missed you nerd. Are you really ok?”

Izuku smelled the familiar honey cinnamon of his friend as he whispered back, “Missed you too Kacchan. And yes, I’m ok. I promise.”

Letting go and stepping back Katsuki took several deep breaths, taking in the familiar and long missed cedar combined with something more earthy. Must be the freak next to him, he thought. Didn’t most villains like him reek? 

Stepping away he turned and pointed at Shigaraki, “Fine, but we're sitting in the back so I can keep my eyes on you, fucker!”

Izuku felt Tomura stiffen next to him, but he didn’t react any more than that. He watched Kacchan climb into the vehicle.

“Izuku?” Shouto asked, finally turning from Tomura to look at his friend.

He gave his fellow Omega a small smile, “Want to scent too?”

His friend nodded.

They shared a quick hug and cursory wrist scenting. The dual quirk user was particularly skilled at dissecting scents, most Omegas were naturally better at it then Alphas. He noted the change to Izuku’s. He'd always smelled very piney before, now there was a warm musk, and of course he was a little bitter from stress, but deep beneath that his friend was happy and content. Curious.

After they were done Izuku could tell Shouto had questions, but shook his head, “We'll talk more at the Dorm, with everyone.”

He nodded and joined Katsuki in the back seat.

Young adults, Mr. Aizawa grunted and got into the front passenger seat. Hizashi shared a look with him before reaching over and taking his hand, speaking through their bond:

“Sometimes I think you’re too good a person Sho.”

Shouta replied, 

“I just hope this works.”

Tomura and Izuku took the middle where the Alpha was happy to see a blanket. He was still freezing after sitting in that god damn suspect room for hours.

Pulling the cotton fabric around the two of them he let Izuku, overwhelmed by everything that had happened, lean against his mate for support.

Hizashi looked up at the rear view mirror, taking in the four in the back seats, Bakguo keeping his eyes on Shigaraki, Todoroki nodding off on his shoulder. Then Shigaraki, looking out the window and holding Midoriya safely wrapped up in the blanket with him.

The older Alpha shifted the car into gear and pulled out of the police parking lot. The blanket had been his idea. Thanks to his own somewhat troubled youth he knows how cold those interrogation rooms are. He reached out to his mate,

“There’s something going on with them, I’ll give you that much.”

—

“This is fucking bull shit!” Katsuki raged quietly through the bond with his Omega. He and Shouto had become mates earlier that year. He couldn’t explain it at first. They just worked. Something about the calm and collected man didn't piss him off like his overly talkative friends often did. That, and he didn’t back down just because Katsuki yelled. 

The heterochromatic Omega thought back to when Kats had started courting him. It was so subtle at first. He always made sure there was something for him to eat after a long day, started studying with him, and training. He almost thought he was imagining things, until they were out one night alone to see a movie and Shouto had realized what had been going on.

He’d been so dumbstruck by his own oblivity he'd said out loud mid opening credits, “We are on a date.”

Thankfully Katsuki had just chuckled and said that he thought he was being too subtle and that this was the easiest way he could think of to get them away from their nosy friends and officially ask to court him. He’d learned a lot about his Alpha since then. 

One of things being Katsuki responded with anger when he was forced to deal with complicated feelings on short notice. It was simple, and expected of him. On brand, as Mina would call it. He could always shield himself with his fury. That didn’t help him with the real issue, Katsuki had to deal with those feelings. So the Omega helped. 

Shouto fearlessly held his Alpha’s hand and answered, “They seem pretty comfortable together.”

“Please, no way would Izuku mate with that fucker if he had a choice. It only happened because they were stuck there with each other.”

Katsuki feels nauseous at the thought Izuku may have been taken advantage of. 

“If they really weren’t compatible don’t you think Izuku would have fought against him?”

“No shit he would, but…”

“They don’t have any bad injuries.”

“No, but…”

“Or broken bones.” 

“I know but…:”

“The bites aren't torn.”

“Ok, but…”

“They agreed, Kat.”

“He’s a fucking criminal!” 

“He’s also Izuku’s mate.”

“You can’t just ignore the villain part!”

“I’m not, I’m simply pointing out he is more than just a villain Kat. Like you are more than just your anger.”

Katsuki turns and looks into heterochromatic eyes.

“Shigaraki Tomura is a criminal, our friend’s mate, a victim… and I think really, a lot more.”

“What the fuck do you want from me here?”

“Talk to him?”

“Are you fucking serious?”

“Yes.”

The Alpha sighed. 

One of the things that had changed when he started courting Shouto was he found that talking out a lot of the things that he reacted to with anger really helped him understand better why people did what they did. It helped to see things from a different point of view. Empathy or some shit.

Deku must have a good reason for mating with Shigaraki. The Omega wasn’t stupid. He just hoped it wasn’t a naive one. Well, they were all going to be stuck in the Dorms at UA anyway. He huffed,

“Fine.”

The tired Omega hummed approvingly.

“Do you think that he will stay?”

“No fuckin’ idea.”

“When I hugged Izuku, he smelled different, but happy.”

Izuku was happy? Katsuki felt Shouto drift off to sleep and mulled over that last statement. He put an arm around his mate and pulled him against his side. Eyes still on the other Alpha, who instead of hogging the blanket as he’d expected, had taken the time and effort to wrap Izuku and himself up together so they’d both be warm. 

Shigaraki Tomura was holding Deku as if he were something precious, the way the Omega deserved to be treated, but was it for real?

He could be faking it, thought Katsuki, except the older Alpha was looking at his best friend in an awfully familiar way…

Fuck, he knew that look. 

It was the same one he had on his own face in pictures that Mina had caught of him when he was looking at Shouto. God damnit Deku, what did you get yourself into?

Izuku was aware Kacchan and Shouto were behind him, and his teachers in front. And most importantly he was being held by his mate. Soon he was warm, his Omega chuffed, 

“Safe, rest.”

He felt himself nodding off so he let go.

The pale haired Alpha wanted to purr as he felt his mate fall asleep in his arms, he didn’t because Tomura refused to give anyone but Izuku the satisfaction of hearing him do that.

Instead he watched through the window as they drove down all too familiar streets on the way to the school. 

As a kid he’d always wanted to go to UA and become a hero, just like his grandmother. That was before his father beat it out of him. Before his quirk manifested. Before he met Sensei. 

Tomura sat holding Izuku and wondered what was going to happen next?

—

Shouta tapped on his phone screen. 

He had sent All Might and Midnight back ahead of them to bring Principal Nedzu up to speed about the situation. And also so Nemuri could be seen by Recovery Girl. After that the two of them had gone to give Class A a head’s up about what happened. 

Nemuri texted she was fine and to stop worrying about her. She added discussion had gone well with the Principle. He had made the call to the school’s legal team and they would be on the case first thing tomorrow morning.

The class was a different story. He asked why, but all she would do was send him a gif of bowling pins in a 7-10 split. 

Took him way too long to figure out what the hell she meant. God he was getting old.

It was after eight when they got to UA. The students should be relaxing after a week of training and classes. Normally some would be out, maybe on dates or at the mall, or in the dorm playing video games or watching their favorite shows, but he already knew with news like this they were sure to all be gathered in the dorm common room, waiting.

Looking back he saw two pairs of red eyes watching him. The tired Omegas had fallen asleep but their Alphas remained alert. Both of them. Interesting.

When Hizashi pulled up to the dorm the young men were gently woken up and disembarked. 

They waited awkwardly for the Voice Hero to return from parking the car so they could all go in at once.

“What the fuck is the plan?” asked Katsuki, maintaining his glare at Shigaraki.

Shouta turned to the group, “We go inside and explain to your classmates what's going on.”

“They are going to have so many questions,” Izuku pointed out nervously. These were hero students. They were supposed to fight villains. They had seen Izuku injured more than once fighting against Tomura. They were supposed to be on opposite sides, except the more Izuku had interacted with villains the less he saw them as a simple two dimensional caricature. And now Tomura and he are mates… no regrets! Just, this was so complicated.

“You don't need to answer anything you're not comfortable with,” said Eraser, interrupting his thoughts.

Tomura shrugged, “After the Police Station, how bad can a bunch of students be?” 

“You have no idea,” said Shouto. 

The villain crossed his arms, weren’t these hero students? Weren’t they supposed to try to help people not give them headaches? 

Then again Tomura thought bitterly, villains didn’t count. They never did. Once you were branded a villain you weren’t worth saving, right?

“Ready?” asked Hizashi as he walked up to join them.

Shouta turned to Izuku who nodded, then up the steps to the Dorm they all went.

—

Many sets of eyes watched as the group entered.

Izuku had never seen his class stunned into silence before.

Then Iida stood up in front of them and bowed stiffly.

“Mr. Aizawa, All Might and Midnight informed us you were returning with Midoriya and his mate, we didn’t believe her when she said who it was, but see now it’s true,” said the Class President with a look on his face that made Izuku uncomfortable. Several of his other classmates also looked at them that way. Some combination of disgust, confusion and animosity?

“Yes,” started Shouta, then Minetta interrupted,

“Holy shit, Midoriya! You really fucked the enemy? What was…” 

Izuku flinched and Tomura couldn’t help himself, he snarled at the rotten purple grape cutting him off. Most of the class took a step back or if they had been sitting, turned away.

Nemuri and Mic moved to intervene but Shouta held them back. That was a warning if anything. A totally fair level of protectiveness after what Minetta had said. And the class had reacted appropriately.

To their credit none of them ran or tried to counter the sudden burst of, in Tomura's opinion, justifiable aggression in his mate’s defense. No one would speak badly of Izuku when he was around.

“Everyone stay calm,” said Eraserhead, releasing pheromones to help. Izuku and Shouto did the same, helping Class A stay calm.

Tape wrapped around that slimy little creep before he could say anything else and Hanta looked at them apologetically, releasing a calm sweet orange scent, “Sorry, we wanted to give him a chance but I guess we should have just tied him up to begin with.”

This was the final straw, thought Shouta, taking the mummified student from Sero. Minetta had been on thin ice for a while. He should be able to expel the purple brat this time no matter which politician was his father.

“Shigaraki Tomura was also kidnapped,” said the Underground Hero, “He and Midoriya Izuku are a newly bonded pair. Some of you are mated and know what that’s like, the rest of you have been through secondary gender classes.”

A few students moved like they were going to ask him another question but Shouta stopped them, “Due to the bond for now Shigaraki is staying here with Midoriya and is under UA custody. He is wearing active quirk canceling cuffs, all of you are trained in hand to hand and quirk combat. You are more than capable of being able to handle a single villain who’s quirk is suppressed. However, this does not mean you bully your fellow student or his mate. Again, they are victims of kidnapping and who knows what else.”

Tomura felt one part awkward and two parts indifferent. At least, that’s what he told himself as he stood between Izuku and Eraserhead in front of a class of proto-heros that he’s tried to murder on several occasions. 

The first person to make any real move after that was Todoroki Shouto. He came up to the two, bowed at Shigaraki and said simply, “Thank you for not killing my friend.”

Tomura’s reply was an eloquent, “Uh, you’re welcome?” 

Izuku next to him snorted, and then the Bakugo brat barked out a laugh, wrapping his arm possessively around the dual quirk user. That’s when it clicked with Tomura, they were one of the mated pairs Eraserhead was talking about.

“Well fuckin’ said Icy-hot. Now, we’re fucking starving, there better be some edible leftovers.”

—

“Yo Bakubro, I'm impressed!” said Eijiro as they headed to the kitchen.

“What the fuck does that mean shitty hair?”

“Never thought we'd see you standing next to Shigaraki and not ripping his head off man,” said Hanta, throwing an arm over his shoulder.

Katsuki shrugged to get the Beta to let go and continued to pull food out of the fridge. 

“Let me be very clear,” he turns and grins manically at his friends, “If he does anything to hurt Deku or you guys or anyone, I'll Howitzer him into a thousand pieces.”

Having overheard Tomura just rolled his eyes and sat at the counter next to Izuku. Threats he was used to. 

It turned out there was leftover beef, rice and roasted green beans. Tomura didn’t care what it was, it was delicious since the last meal they’d had was before noon and it was now almost nine in the evening.

The class kept the conversation around them light as they waited for them to finish eating. 

Izuku listened to his friends catch him up on what he’s missed. Most of his classmates had work studies, and he found out he was six chapters behind in history, and had like, so many worksheets due for maths.

Tomura could feel his Omega starting to get overwhelmed so he reached over and pressed their wrists together. 

He turned and smiled at Tomura. Izuku knew things were going to be awkward and weird for a while but he was hopeful, they'd gotten this far right?

The mood in the room seemed to lighten as time passed and the former enemy sitting among them remained peaceful. 

At one of the large study tables the teachers sat to talk quietly while keeping an eye on the villain’s behavior and their students’ interactions.

—

“Hi! I’m Ashido Mina! Is this as weird for you as it is for us? Also, you look way different without the, you know,” said a young woman with bright pink skin and curly hair with yellow horns (?), making her hand into a clawed shape and mimicking putting it over her face, “Like, different but better?”

How does seeing his scared up face look ‘better’? He wondered to himself. 

“You’re really going to be staying here with Izuku?” asked another one of them with bright blond hair and a black lightning bolt in it. He'd bet on an electric based quirk probably? 

Tomura nodded.

“How long?”

Of course it couldn't be permanent, right? He went to shrug but his mate interrupted. 

Izuku could tell his friends were getting ready to launch into a million and one questions, so he suggested, “Why don’t we go sit down and get comfortable in the common room, then you guys can ask us stuff.” 

Before he knew it Tomura was surrounded by a whole group of UA brats who ushered them over to the living room area where there were a couple couches and a pile of bean bags and made them sit down.

They were positively buzzing with energy. After the long day they’d had it made Tomura more aware of how tired he was himself. Thankfully Izuku was there too,  still holding his hand. 

The pink girl, Mina (he should probably try to remember some of their names.) pointed at that and used her elbow to nudge the large man with red spiky hair making him raise his eyebrows.

“Why don’t you guys start by introducing yourselves?” said Izuku.

“Oh sure! My name’s Kaminari Denki!” said the blond with the lightning bolt in his hair.

The big guy with spiky red hair said, “Kirishima Eijiro.”

“Sero Hanta,” said the tall lanky man with the tape elbows.

Two others came a little closer, one was a girl who had long dangly things where her earlobes would be, were they earphone jacks?

“I’m Kyoka Jirou.”

“Tokoyami Fumikage,” said the young man with a head that looked like a crow, “And this is Dark Shadow.”

What looked like a living shadow with bright yellow eyes reminiscent of Kurogiri's perched over the man’s shoulder looking curiously at Tomura. Oh, that’s an interesting quirk he thought. 

Keeping his eye on the bird, he said tiredly, “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, you all already know who I am.”

“What I wanna know is how the fuck you were kidnapped?” said the brash explosive Alpha. 

“Pretty much the same way I was,” said Izuku, who dived into what happened to him. 

— 

“It’s so weird right?” said Nemuri, chin resting on her hand with her elbows on the table watching as the student’s worked to acclimate the villain.

“What?” asked Yagi, gaze also trained on the villain among the students.

She waved a hand at the scene, “Watching him, watching them. So many similarities." 

“He is only a couple years older. Shigaraki Tomura needed our help and a villain got to him before a hero. We failed him. And now we have a second chance,” said Shouta, not taking his eyes off of the group.

Shigaraki reminded him a lot of the boy's grandmother, thought Yagi. His expressions and mannerisms. The birthmark on his chin. And his hair, even though it’s pale, looks a lot like hers did, down to the lock of bangs in the middle of his forehead.

He shifted to face the Underground Hero, “Shouta, you knew I wanted to drag young Midoriya away from Shigaraki when you walked out with them. You asked me to withhold judgment until I had seen more. So I trusted you.”

The Omega raised his eyebrows but made no comment. 

Yagi scratched his chin and continued, “You know, Shigaraki Tomura is made up of many qualities that would be admirable if not applied to villany. He’s a natural born leader, charismatic, intelligent and decisive. I feel foolish for thinking that he could only be a villain. For being so surprised at seeing a young Alpha paying attention to his mate’s signals and meeting their needs.”

Hizashi spoke up, “Someone taught him the politics of dancing. I wish we knew who so we could thank them. I see so many young Alphas in my special after school Gender Respect and Dynamic Re-education classes. If he can do it they really have no excuse.”

Murmurs of agreement all around. 

“If things work out,” he added, “Maybe I could bring him to one of my classes! I wonder how that would go...”

Nemuri pulled out a nail file. From where, thought Hizashi, your guess is as good as his. She spoke while working over a fingernail, “It was probably an older well educated Alpha. I think it's cute. Good to see someone who knows how to spoil their Omega.”

“This is why I insisted we bring him with us,” grumbled Shouta.

“What do you mean?” asked the former number one.

“I believe what Sho is trying to say is that it appears by taking the villain out of his former toxic environment, introducing him to someone who’s a qualifying match, has taken much of the bite out of his bark,” spoke the voice hero, “And allowed us to see things we wouldn’t have guessed were there.”

Yagi gave a slow nod.

The Underground hero sat back with his tea, “I’m not sure what’s going to happen next, but no doubt if it involves those two it will always surprise us.”

“They haven’t let go of each other since they walked in,” cooed Midnight.

Hizashi leaned back in his chair, feet crossed on the table, also keeping an eye on their students. He was being watchful of those that seemed wary and others that looked borderline hostile. He reached out to Shouta through their bond, “The class is divided.”

“I know,” Shouta watched as the self-proclaimed Bakusquad was unsurprisingly the most readily accepting of Shigaraki, “Give them some time .”

“I’m going to make some tea, does anyone else want some?” asked the retired hero. When the others nodded the older Alpha stood.

— 

“Young Midoriya, will you join me in the kitchen to make some tea for everyone?” Yagi asked his protege from outside the circle of students. 

“Oh, that’s a good idea!” 

“I’ll take a cup.”

“Me too!”

Looking around Izuku saw there were a couple other groups of students who hadn’t come over to talk, they were sitting together on the other side of the room chatting quietly and just watching. 

“Izuku, you are welcome to use the Passionflower Chamomile tea on my shelf,” offered Yaomomo from where she was chatting with Iida, Ochaco and Aoyama, “It’s good for helping you sleep.” 

Some of his friends were keeping their distance, others looked ready to start a fight, but he could understand, the situation was very unusual.

“Thank you!” turning to his mate (wow that still felt weird to think) he said, “I’ll be back soon, ok?”

“Ok,” said Tomura, he was a bit uncertain but relaxed his hand so his Omega could slip away. 

You know what? Now was the perfect time to excuse himself to use the bathroom, thought the Alpha, before remembering he didn’t know where it was…

Chapter Text

12. Common Room to Den

“I'll show him where the bathroom is,” said Bakugo, rolling his eyes when the villain stood up and looked around. It was almost funny, here off the battlefield he was just an awkward dude. God, the crusty creeper. What the hell was Mr. Aizawa thinking?

He got up and headed to the restrooms before anyone could say anything to stop him. The rest of the class shared a few looks but didn't say anything.

Tomura followed, feeling the air grow more ominous as they got further from the others.

As they headed down the hall Katsuki recalled his experience being kidnapped. 

How the League had looked to Shigaraki as a leader, despite his decrepit appearance. He didn’t understand why at first. 

Then he saw that through all their petty bickering and teasing and mocking they were a Pack. How despite knowing the UA student’s quirk and that he was also an Alpha he had ordered Katsuki to be released from his bindings after seeing how they were cutting into his wrists. 

How he'd listened to him rant and rave about taking them all down. How he hadn’t laughed at him and taken Katsuki's anger point blank seriously. How in listening to them talk he'd learned the League members each had reason to be just as angry with the world.

One thing he does understand is anger.

Katsuki slammed the bathroom door open. 

He can't believe he's actually doing this. Giving The Talk (™) to a villain, to fucking Shigaraki of all fucking people. The man had bonded with Deku and as the one between them with a fully functional brain (obviously) he needed to say something.

“Look…” Tomura started, holding both of his hands up, wanting to diffuse the situation before things turned violent.

Bakugo interrupted him, “I don’t fucking know what happened between you. Don’t you dare fuck up.”

Huh? Tomura tilted his head. He'd been expecting the guy to try to throw a blast at his face again…

“Quit looking so fuckin surprised you crusty fuck! I’ve grown up a lot since you kidnapped me. If he really means so fucking much to you now then you'll take whatever they offer you seriously cuz you fucking mean something to him. Dek…” he took a deep breath and corrected himself, “Izuku has wanted to be a hero his whole damn life and you better not screw that up for him.”

Was this The Shovel Talk (™)? Coming from Bakugo of all people? What could he even say to that? Tomura dropped his hands to his sides, “I won’t.”

Bakugo walked right up into his personal space. It took a lot of willpower to let another Alpha do that without making a move to defend himself. Tomura held as still as he could as the shorter man stood so close he could feel the heat radiating from his body, similar to Dabi.

The proto-hero scowled, “Prove it.”

Then the blond turned and stormed out of the bathroom.

—

Izuku got up and walked beside All Might to the kitchen. 

The taller man went to the cabinets and got down several large insulated pitchers while Izuku pulled out the cream, sugar and honey. He set up a tray for the Teachers and All Might, then one for the Bakusquad.

They had a couple of those electric kettles that boiled water in minutes so they could make enough tea for class at meal times, the pitchers let them steep and serve it all at once. Yagi added tea to several tea steepers and hung them in the pitchers adding the boiled water as it was ready.

Tired as Izuku was, he knew it’d be better to just get this conversation over with. 

“Young Midoriya, I can’t tell you how happy I am that we found you alive,” started Yagi. This was going to be difficult…

“I just think it’s best if you say what you want to say to me,” Izuku said calmly as he got things set up on the tray. Secretly he'd prepared himself for the worst. After all, his first conversation with All Might had been devastating.

“Very well. I want you to know that I am proud of you.”

Izuku paused what he was doing to look up at his mentor. What?

The older man chuckled at the look on his face, “Let me keep this simple. You managed to survive a difficult situation. What happens next depends on both of you."

Oh, thought Izuku. That's not where he thought the former number one was going to go with this…

“I'm just worried, like a mentor always is for their protege. No, that's wrong. You mean more to me than just that,” he turned to look at the short green haired Omega. The young man who always carried hope with him, no matter how dier or bleak the situation seemed.

Midoriya stared back.

“It's just strange, seeing a villain like him just going about doing ordinary things. What was it like rooming with him all that time?” tried Yagi.

Izuku finally shook himself from his stupor, “I know it is hard for everyone to understand. He uses his hatred to fuel him when he fights, but outside of that he's... well, he likes video games, and makes references to them all the time. He’s worried about the League because they are his Pack. While we’ve fought on opposite sides after a lot of talking it turns out we are fighting for a lot of the same things. It’s our methods that differ.”

“Being trapped together did not turn out the way anyone expected,” said the former number one, “I just don’t want you to end up regretting your decision. I want you to have a long happy life.”

“Even you know that's rare for a hero.”

“It is, but it's not impossible.”

Izuku’s heart softened. All Might had always remained unmated. He was sure there had been a few people in his life that were interested. He was always so focused on being there for the public that now in retirement, if it wasn't for UA, he'd be alone.

“Well, you know me, always taking on the impossible,” he said with a smile as he lifted the tray and took a pitcher of tea.

“That you do, young man. Just know I am here for you if you need anything.”

“Thank you All Might.”

—

“Do you think we should go in and check on them?” the redhead Omega asked. He and Hanta were standing outside the bathroom.

The Beta shook his head, “Not unless we hear screaming or explosions man, let them work this out on their own.”

Eijiro fidgeted, shifting from one foot to the other as they waited. He knew Hanta was right, didn’t make him any less worried, “What do you think?”

“About what?”

“About Shigaraki?”

The other man shrugged, “I dunno, whenever we fought, the stuff he said. It always seemed like someone else was yanking his chain. I guess I don’t think a person can really just, not care about everything out there.”

“So what you’re saying is you are willing to listen to his side of the story?” asked EJ.

“Everyone has one, it feels like the least we can do is hear him out?” 

Eijiro thought about it. Ok, yeah, that was something he could do. Then he smiled and said, “Denki said he's giving off ‘I hope my boyfriend's friends like me vibes.”

Hanta snorted.

Suddenly the door slammed open making both young men jump. By the time they recovered from their surprise, Bakugo was already several yards away from them stalking back to the common room.

Of fucking course Shitty hair and tape-arms were waiting for Katsuki as he left the bathroom.

He knew they were worried from their scents.

“Do we need to call the nurse?” asked EJ as he caught up to the blond.

Katsuki scowled, “I didn't fucking touch his crusty ass.”

Hanta said, “With your quirk you don't have to man.”

“Did you hear any fucking explosions soy sauce for brains?”

Both men shook their heads no.

“Well there you fuckin go.”

With that he was so done with this conversation and went to sit with his mate.

Eijiro and Hanta shared a look.

“Do you think we should…”

“Nope. I'm going to go sit back down with Mina and wait for Izuku to come back. If Shigaraki isn't back by then he can go check,” with that Hanta left the other standing where he was.

Eijiro heard the faucet turn on in the bathroom, he shrugged to himself and went to join the others in the common room.

—

Washing his hands after taking care of business the villain frowned at himself in the mirror muttering, “Prove it.”

How the fuck do you prove someting to someone if they don’t want to believe you? The same way you climb a mountain he guessed, one step at a time.

Rolling his shoulders and standing a little straighter, Tomura walked out of the bathroom and headed back to the common area. 

Coming around the corner he plopped back down on the couch. He ignored all the eyes staring at him, thankful his bangs were long enough to partially block his view. What the hell was he supposed to find in common to talk about with a bunch of herolings? 

He jerked to the side when someone suddenly tapped on his shoulder. Turning he came face to face with Mr. Electric Blond again. 

Did this guy just have zero situational awareness?

The girl with the Aux ears gave him a small smile, “They used to make me jump too, you’ll get used to it.”

“Sooooo, what happened to you?” asked Denki, getting his attention. Noticing how uncomfortable the villain looked he backed away, “Sorry, I forgot. I’m very, uh, cuddly? Mina say’s my love language is touch. Let me know if you want space back ok? Or like, if you’re having a no touch kinda day.”

Oh, like Himiko. That was awful self aware of him.

“Um, ok,” said Tomura, “And uh, yes on the space thing.”

The blond gave him a genuine smile and two thumbs up as he backed away. 

Mina clapped her hands together interrupting his thoughts, “You should totally tell us what happened when you were taken! We can compare both of your experiences!”

Well, guess he could talk about that. 

So while Izuku was in the kitchen Tomura told his side of the story. 

— Fast Forward —

“I mean, I guess it’s both good and bad that what happened to him and Izuku is practically the same once they decided to go down the alleyways right?” said Kirishima who was laying in a large blue bean bag chair with his arms crossed behind his head.

“Is there anything else you remember at all, like, about the weather? Did it seem too hot or cold, or bright or dark? Anything unusual?” asked Hanta.

“I can barely remember what I had for dinner yesterday,” groaned the Alpha. Someone near him snorted. He’s got one arm over the back of the couch, his other draped over his eyes and was feeling alarmingly comfortable around the current proto heroes who were still casually interrogating him about the day he was kidnapped.

From what he could gather from his observations these few were the trouble makers. The moody, hormonal, antidepressant taking, ADHD miss diagnosed and undiagnosed spectrum students. How did these ones end up in the top hero school of the country while he and his were tossed through hell in a hamster ball? He thought bitterly. 

“Things like that could give us a clue about their quirk,” said Jirou.

“Whatever helps you figure out who kidnapped us so I can make them miserable for the rest of their life,” he said, sitting up with a scowl.

“How, uh, h-how would you do that exactly?” asked Eijiro.

Tomura leans back on the couch and shrugs, “I don’t know? Tie them to a chair and make them listen to Baby Shark non-stop?”

This time he got laughs from half the group. Huh. Wonder if he can get them to do a ring around, like go off one after the other?

“Hey guys, I’m back,” said Izuku, placing the tray on the coffee table for everyone to help themselves. He took the seat next to his mate and asked, “What were you talking about?”

“Thank you Izuku,” said Mina.

“Hey Midobro,” said Eijiro, “We were trying to figure out if there was anything else Shigaraki remembered.”

The green haired man asked quietly, “How are things going?”

“No one’s dead and I still have all my vital organs so I’m going to say pretty good,” Tomura mock whispered, making Izuku blush in embarrassment before he shoved his villain back over the couch. Tomura let himself fall so he lay there like a corpse. It didn’t feel so great on his neck but for the sake of drama he endured.  

“Dude, why are you actually funny?” asked Hanta who was sitting across from the Alpha with a grin on his face.

Tomura was way too tired for this. He looked up, gave the younger man finger guns and said deadpan, “Trauma and unhealthy coping mechanisms.”

And that did it, that one broke them.

The entire circle went off one after the other, first Denki and Mina, then Hanta was laughing, and it got to Kirishima too. Even Bakugo Katsuki hid a laugh behind his arm while Shouto just smiled. He’d count that, clearly the guy didn’t emote much. He even caught a few outside the group smiling. And of course Izuku was giggling right next to him.

“God that is so relatable,” sighed Mina wiping tears from her eyes after they all calmed down.

Tomura sat there among people he was sure were going to hate his guts, that he was supposed to despise, and wondered. If Sensei was wrong about the UA Students, what else was he wrong about? 

No. 

What else had he lied about?

—

“Damnit, well, the heroes and authorities still need to go through the evidence collected on the other people too,” grumbled Bakugo.

The villain frowned, “What do you mean?”

“You and Midoriya were part of a group that were rescued,” said Shouto.

He and Izuku sat up, there were others? 

His Alpha growled at the idea more people had been forced to suffer through the same situation. The thought made him sick with rage. Tomura’s fangs threatened to drop so he ground his teeth together while balling up his fists out of habit.

“The police have to have more clues when they finish logging everything,” said Hanta.

“Shigaraki,” asked Mina softly, ”Are you ok?”

Izuku could feel his mate getting more upset and angry by the second. He couldn’t blame him. Remembering their first day, and all the blankets in scent bags… were all those people there too? What happened if they didn't match anyone?

His body reacted before he even thought to try to calm his mate. Izuku’s neck and wrist glands being the most exposed started pumping out his calming cedar. He could see it affecting his nearby classmates too, but it would help if everyone kept calm. There were several Alpha’s around them right now.

He reached over and brushed his own wrist over his mate’s in a cursory scenting just to be sure. Nothing too personal, but with clear social intent to offer support to one’s partner.

The other man froze and felt the pheromones do their job quickly. A few deep breaths later and Tomura wiped his hand down his face and took a deep breath, letting himself take in more of Izuku’s calming scent, “Just really pissed they victimized someone else.” 

“Why should you even fucking care?” said Katsuki curtly. The, ‘You’ve made enough of your own.’ hanging unsaid.

Tomura glowered at the other Alpha.

“Shigaraki man, we all are upset about what they did to you and the others,” offered Denki to nods and murmurs of agreement. They didn’t want to see the two Alpha’s fight, not on Midoriya’s first night back. 

The temperamental blond seemed to get the picture, standing up he said, “Whatever, it’s late and we should all get to sleep. We can talk more tomorrow after training and schoolwork.”

“Why must you bring up training?” grumbled Shouto as the blond Alpha gathered up his mate.

“Come with us you two, we need to show you to your new Den.”

“Our what?” blurted Izuku, confused.

“You’re mated now. Mr. Aizawa asked us to move your things. You’ve been upgraded to the couples wing,” joked Hanta as Mina got up hanging off his arm.

That was right. 

You were considered an adult and free to take a Mate while attending UA so long as you completed the forms for consent as early as seventeen. If you lived in the dorms that meant you were permitted to heat/rut share and mate with your partner. 

Regardless of your age, after mating you needed to maintain a certain GPA, complete even more forms and you could live in the dorm efficiency style apartments. 

“Welp I don’t know about you guys but I feel safe going to bed,” the large red haired Omega stood up and swung the much smaller Alpha over his shoulder. The blond gave a soft, “Wee!”

“Goodnight guys,” waved Denki to the rest of the room. Only about half the students from before were left. Most of them gave the blond a wave. Of their teachers, only Mr. Aizawa and Mr. Yamada remained. Izuku waked over to speak with them.

“Are you two going home?” asked Izuku.

“Since some of your classmates voiced concerns, we will be sleeping on a spare futon here tonight,” said Mr. Aizawa.

That was disappointing, thought Izuku.

Mr. Aizawa rested a hand on his shoulder, “This is going to take some time. Try not to let it bother you.”

“He’s right, tomorrow is a new day,” Mr. Yamada gave him a kind smile from where he was unrolling the mattress, “Get some rest, listener.”

Izuku nodded and turned to run after the group, grabbing Tomura’s hand on the way.

—

Opening the door to their new shared Den, the Alpha was relieved to see that All Might’s presence, while noticeable, wasn’t as overwhelming as he expected. 

Izuku sighed, he was ready to get to bed, except he knew he needed to rebuild his nest first. His Omega wouldn’t tolerate sleeping without one now with a mate and it wasn’t very happy his nest had been moved without his consent. It made him anxious. He wanted to get something soft and fluffy in his hands right away. 

You'd think his nest would also be heavily All Might themed, and it may have been, back when he was younger. As he grew however, it took on a more mature theme of friends and family. It usually had pops of color, with base tones of dark browns and greens.

He heard footsteps approaching and looked over to see Eijiro and Shouto with arm’s full of blankets and other soft things.

“Izuku, we came back to help,” said the dual quirk user.

Kacchan and Denki were following them close behind, the explosive man saying loudly, “They fucking insisted.”

The green haired Omega smiled, his friends had come back to help him group build a new nest. 

Group nest building was usually done when an Omega needed a nest in a rush for comfort or to replace it with one that was no longer usable. As you may have guessed, group nest building could also be used to help prevent a drop. 

It isn’t always done for such serious reasons. You can group build a nest for someone who’s tired, like Izuku. It wouldn't take long with Eijiro and Shouto there.

—

Tomura was stuck with the other two Alphas. They showed him around the place which took all of ten minutes and mostly consisted of explanations and tips on how to maximize the space and make it more comfortable. It had a small kitchen with a large microwave and two burner stove, no oven, an apartment sized refrigerator, sink and dish rack. 

The living room was all that clunky stocky dorm room furniture. Bakugo said a few bean bags, throw blankets and a pile of pillows helped make it more livable and Denki agreed.

Their bathroom was in the hallway. Across from that was a closet with a small stacked washer and dryer. At the end of the hall was the bedroom, knocking on the door he heard Izuku say they could peek in. 

Tomura looked into the room to see the three Omegas working to put the nest together. The other two Alphas were giving off stressed uncomfortable vibes so the three of them returned to the living room to wait for them to be done.

They had left the door to the apartment open, so Hanta knocked on the frame, “Hey, Eijiro texted us so we brought over a few things.”

“Uhh,” the Alphas shared a look.

“Let me tell him we’re here and he can come get them,” said the pink haired Beta, taking out her cell.

The large Omega made his way down the hallway to retrieve the nesting materials.

“Thanks Mina!” said Eijiro, taking the soft items and bringing them back to the bedroom.

—

The three of them layered several padded blankets down first, then Izuku got in the middle so the other two Omegas could pass him items and weave larger things together to form and build the walls of his nest. 

“So,” said Eijiro, fumbling to find the right words, “About you two, um… you really weren’t forced to… I mean, uh, is he a good Alpha to you Izuku?”

“Yes,” he tucked a pillow that smelled of Kacchan in near where he would sleep so his best friend’s scent was close, “And yes, we made informed decisions. We talked about the possibility of having to heat/rut share before our cycles fully hit.”

Shouto passed him a pillow as he continued, “And he’s a very competent Alpha, he took good care of me. Made sure I was comfortable the entire time.”

“You mean when you had sex?” said Shouto bluntly.

Izuku turned red, “Ah, we-well, yes.”

“Wow,” said the redhead.

“What?”

“I didn’t think you’d just admit to that.”

“We are mates, and both consenting adults,” Izuku managed to pull himself back together, “I asked him to mark me and I bit him first.”

Eijiro’s eyes widened, “No kidding? Why?”

“It’s hard to explain, you’ll think I’m crazy.”

“Try us,” said Eijiro, weaving a long red  throw blanket into the side of the nest. 

Putting down the plushy he was working with, Izuku sat back on his knees and said, “It started after I realized my secondary gender was interested in him as an Alpha. After that I tried to figure out why my Omega wanted Tomura.”

“Wait wait wait, when did that start?” said the redhead.

“When did what start?”

“When did you realize your Omega had pointed to the Alpha that is Shigaraki Tomura and went, ‘That one!’?” Eijiro said with the dual quirk user nodding next to him.

“Oh, uh, well, it was actually after our last fight…” Izuku trailed off, his face growing warm. He really didn’t want to talk about what he’d done when he got back to the Dorms that night. 

Eijiro and Shouto looked at eachother, and the smaller man said, “That makes a lot of sense.”

The green haired Omega wanted to know why but Shouto asked, “What did you two do while trapped there?”

“We, uh, we mostly hung out and...,” seeing their eyes widen he shook his head, “Not like that! That was only much, much later. First we talked, had lunches and dinners together, we drew art, played board games, and trivia cards. Oh, we did a really fun round of Would You Rather. We also played video games and watched movies.”

“Kinda sounds like dates when you put it that way,” said the redhead.  

—

Izuku sat back on his haunches. Huh, guess it did. 

“You ok Midobro?”

Shaking his head the tired Omega said, “I feel like, even if others were there we would have been pulled together.”

“Well you are a True pair,” said Shouto, “My mother used to say that a partner's secondary gender can tell but I did not know it was true.”

“I’m not sure I would say that’s what happened,” said Izuku.

Shouto tilted his head, “Are you worried you made a mistake?” 

“No, it doesn’t feel like that either. Actually, I uh, got angry when he didn't um, you know… at first. So I kinda took things into my own hands and got very clear about what I wanted.”

“What do you want?” asked Eijiro.

“I want to give Tomura the chance to make real connections with people and to see there's things worth fighting to keep rather than just obliterate.”

“I think he wants more too,” the other two Omegas looked at Shouto, “Otherwise he wouldn’t even be here right?”

Eijiro looked back at Izuku, “So you really weren't taken advantage of or coerced?”

“I expect I’ll be getting that question a lot. No. I didn’t want to take advantage of him either, or have him feel like he was taking advantage of me in the, well, heat of the moment and so I was very clear about …ha, um, you know, consenting.”

Eijiro failed to stifle a chuckle, looking up the other two were staring at him so he said, “I’m sorry, just, listening to you try to describe being intimate as if the two other mated Omegas in the room haven’t had sex before. It’s just funny and endearing and very Izuku.” 

The larger Omega suddenly sat back and frowned. 

Izuku stopped what he was working on and looked up, “Eijiro?”

“I was really worried about you man, all of us were,” he sniffled.

Izuku shuffled over to the edge of the nest to wrap his arms around his friend saying, “Shouto you too!”

The isolation his parents raised him in meant the dual quirk user hadn’t really hugged anyone so openly before coming to UA. He was also very respectful of people’s personal space and always waited to be invited to hugs. He smiled as he scooted over into the embrace.

After pulling away from each other and scenting to help calm themselves got back to the job at hand. They didn’t want to sour Izuku’s new nest.

“I've watched him,” Shouto said quietly.

Eijiro tilted his head, “Sho?” 

“I watched him care for you Izuku. He stayed by your side, and when you got in the van he wrapped you up in the blanket Mr. Yamada left for you and he held you while you slept on him,” Shouto shifted to look at his friend, “I think he’s a good Alpha.”

“When you got back we all tried to see you were ok at once. His instincts must have been screaming to protect his mate but he let anyone in the class approach you and him and ask questions,” added the red head, “It didn’t feel like I was talking to the same Shigaraki Tomura that we’ve fought against at USJ or summer camp. I think Shouto is right.”

Izuku bit his lip, his teachers had been testing Tomura. Izuku hadn’t even noticed. 

“Now what?” asked the dual quirk user.

“All I ask is you give him a chance, give me a chance to find out if we can make this work.”

Just then Eijiro’s phone buzzed, “Mina and Hanta are here with some more nesting stuff, I'll go get it!”

—

Tomura sat on one end of the couch, “I don’t get it, you should hate me. Why are you helping?” 

“Well for starters," said Denki, "We may have good reason to hate you, but we sure as shit don’t fucking hate Deku.”

He narrowed his eyes at Bakugo, “So you say.”

Katsuki gave him the finger.

“Izuku has a huge heart, he always wants to believe in the best of everyone,” added Hanta.

“So?”

“Well, when he says it's worth giving someone a chance,” Denki shrugged, “We listen.”

“And I’m still keeping my eye on you creep,” said the bombastic Alpha pointedly.

Tomura sat up and leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hands peaked under his chin, “What do you expect from me?”

“Not fucking much,” scoffed Bakugo.

“I’m expecting you to give us a chance too,” said Mina thoughtfully. God he was intimidating, he looked like… well he looked kinda like Izuku did when he was figuring out a way to get them out of deep shit. That was a freaky comparison.

Hanta rolled his eyes, “I don’t know. You need to figure it out for yourself.”

Great. Super helpful thought Tomura.

“Look,” said Mina, “It’s late, we’ll all feel better after a restful night’s sleep.”

Eijiro and Shouto came down the hallway, the larger man said, “All set! Goodnight guys!”

With that everyone left, Tomura closed the door after them. 

He went down the short hallway and knocked at the bedroom, but there was no answer. Guess he was technically allowed to go in since he was the Omega’s mate but he hadn’t gotten to scent the new nest yet himself so...

Slowly opening the door he saw Izuku already passed out in the middle of the bed. 

After changing into some pajama bottoms he managed to locate (they were a bit short on him oh well) he walked over and reached down, brushing green curls off his Omega’s forehead. 

His Omega.

Tomura’s Alpha begged to purr and this time he let it. Izuku rubbed his eyes and blinked them open, “Tomura, murrrrrp, need you to scent some stuff too. Common, get in.”

Climbing in next to Izuku he obediently scented wherever his Omega directed him to. A variety of blankets and pillows, and the base of the nest until he could smell how it was now mostly them but also the growing familiarity of Izuku’s other packmates here and there, surrounding them both.

Izuku let out a tired sigh and lay back.

“You look pretty wiped out there, Freckles,” he draped his arm around the shorter man and pulled them together. Why was this so fucking satisfying?

“I am… Tomura?”

“Hmm?”

He was already half asleep, but he could have sworn he heard the heroling say he was glad Tomura was here. Heh, imagine that?

—

The next morning Izuku woke up to the feeling of a warm body pressed against his and a large hand on his hip. He rolled over and pushed his Alpha’s bangs out of the way to place a soft kiss on his forehead. 

To his delight Tomura started purring again. It was a husky rough sound but he secretly loved it and hearing that only made Izuku’s own higher pitched vibrations join in. 

“Mmm,” two deceptively strong arms wrapped around him and pulled Izuku into the other’s chest so his face was smushed there to the side, “You’re cute.”

Izuku chirped out, “Hey!”

“And you’re warm,” Tomura mumbled into his hair. He adored Izuku’s scent even more mixed with his own. Taking a deep breath he could feel how it reached down into his bones.

“Ours. Our Omega,” his Alpha rumbled.

He couldn’t help but agree. God, the longer he was here with him the harder it was going to be to leave wasn’t it?

Izuku giggled. He enjoyed how cuddly his Alpha was when he was still sleepy. 

If they could, he would stay in bed like this all day, but Mr. Aizawa had already texted him that he'd be waiting downstairs and it was urgent.

“Tomu, we need to get up.”

Tomura liked that, he liked being called that by Izuku. He mumbled out, “I don’t wanna.”

“Well I want breakfast so I am getting up.”

Breakfast. The UA dorms surely had to have fully stocked kitchens. His own stomach grumbled. Ok, he’d get up for breakfast.

They took turns using the bathroom and then played a fun game of ‘find something appropriate Tomura could wear’.  

After giving the villain a coincidentally black T-shirt that was too long on Izuku and digging out a pair of equally black sweatpants the Omega said he was pretty sure weren’t his but had no idea where they'd come from (the pitfalls of having to use the shared laundry room) and a spare pair of black sneakers he was now dressed as if going to a casual funeral.

It was good enough to go downstairs for breakfast and to meet up with Izuku’s teacher for something Izuku had said he’d texted was, “important”.

Chapter Text

13. Heard About That

As they walked into the common room downstairs it was oddly vacant. His classmates must have been told to remain clear, but why? 

Tomura turned to the front door as it opened and Eraserhead entered, followed by a short plump green haired older woman.

“Izuku!”

Izuku stopped where he was. Oh my god his mother! 

Oh shit, yeah, that was Izuku’s mom all right. Tomura looked at Eraserhead and could have sworn he caught a quick smirk. It was gone by the time the former number one hero stepped into the room behind him, face pinched more than usual in concern.

Of course his mom would be here? thought the UA Student. Why wouldn't she? She hadn't seen him since before he was kidnapped. She's probably been sick with worry.  What had Mr. Aizawa told her already? What was she going to think about Tomura? Oh god his mother was going to know he'd had sex , not that it was unexpected for someone at his age but oh god this was going to go so badly…

And then he was surrounded by his mother’s arms and her familiar scent, almost always tinged with worry, it overwhelmed them both now. She was a very emotional Omega. 

What?

Oh shut up, he already knows he cries a lot.

He wasn't sure what to do next, it was only a matter of time before she noticed…

“Izuku? Why do you smell different?” she said in a knowing tone. He stiffened in her arms and she let go, leaning back to get a better look at him. Seeing her eyes search his face, then slid down to his neck where Tomura’s bite was clearly visible. 

He swallowed and found his voice before she did, “I’m mated.”

“You what?” she exclaimed, looking around, “With whom?” 

“Ah hah,” said Izuku gesturing next to himself, “With Shigaraki Tomura.”

—

The next thing Izuku knew, his mother had stepped past him and was beating on Tomura with her purse and arms as he tried to escape her wrath while she yelled,

“How dare you! You monster!"

"You fought him!"

"Broke his bones! Made him bleed!"

"Ruffian! Criminal!"

"Tried to kill him!"

"And now you bonded with him! Humph!"

"You devient! I'm going to …”

Shit shit shit! 

Tomura tried to get away from Izuku’s mom by going around him but she just followed, still swinging with her purse as she yelled.

What the hell was in that bag, bricks? 

Fuck, he just had to protect his head and take the beating, she’d tire out eventually. No way in hell was he raising a hand against Ms. Midoriya. God this was a new low for him.

Izuku looked over to see Mr. Aizawa had sat down on one of the large plush chairs in the living room area, watching this all play out without betraying any hint of emotion. 

The message was clear. 

Want to be treated like an adult? Then deal with this yourself.

Fine, he could handel this. 

Maybe?

Turning he got a hold of his Mother’s arm and Tomura’s holding them apart with 3% of OFA rippling around him, “Mom please, you need to calm down and talk to me. Look! I’m fine alright? I’m not hurt, no broken bones or anything!

This made the older Omega stop and step back to look at her son again. 

He was… right? Aside from being a bit pale, he was held indoors from what Mr. Aizawa told her, he did look fine, “Then why…?”

“I bit him first. I agreed to this. Please stop beating up my Mate!”

“Wh-what? Izuku honey, what are you saying?”

He sighed, “Tomura, why don’t you make us all some tea and I’ll help Mom calm down.”

The Alpha slowly straightened himself up and backed away, “That’s an excellent idea. I'll be back in a few.”

Inko watched the other young man go to the kitchen to start the kettle. Then she let Izuku guide her through the common room where she was sat in a loveseat with All Might next to her.

Izuku figured she’d feel safest next to the former number one hero.

Inko was very confused. Why were Izuku’s teachers so calm with the Symbol of Fear here in U.A.?

“Honey, are you sure you’re really ok? He didn’t force you? Threaten you? Did you have no choice?”

“Mom, you’re an Omega. You know as well as I do that if I really didn’t want to I would have fought against him to the point of causing serious bodily harm before mating with an Alpha I or my secondary gender refused to accept,” he ran a hand through his curls.

“Then why?”

“When I figured out what they were planning I realized they were right about some things. It wasn’t just my Omega who was interested in him as a mate. I was too,” he admitted bashfully, this was the first time he'd said this in front of any of his teachers.

It was at this moment that the drug’s they’d been dosed with had been out of their system for over twenty four hours and another aspect of them being bonded became active…

“It’s pointless. This is never gonna work. She’s never going to believe him. All people know is what I’ve done and they are scared. Making people fear me is all I’m good at.”

Izuku blinked, those were… Tomura’s thoughts?

“That’s not true! She’ll come around, you’ll see.”

There was a crackle of surprise.

“Izuku?”

“T-telepathy! I forgot about this. Um, we can talk about it later?”

“No shit! Wait, what kind of tea does your Mom like?”

“Oh, Just a nice green tea with honey and milk.”

“And where the fuck is everything?”

“Ah! The instapot should be on the counter. You can find tea in the pantry to the right of the fridge, just use the general green tea on the shelf without a name, that’s shared by everyone. Honey and sugar should be there too, and milk…”

“Got it.”

—

“I don’t understand Izuku,” Inko said, shaking her head, “He’s a villain, from what I’ve seen on the news he’s committed some awful crimes. They call him the Symbol of Fear! Why would you choose him for a Mate?”

“You can’t believe everything you see on TV. Yes, Tomura has done some terrible things. I am not excusing that. We spent almost two months exclusivly together. You can’t help but get to know the only other person you’re trapped with. I saw sides of Tomura I don’t think anyone was aware of, including himself.”

His mother tilted her head.

“As an Alpha he treats me well and there is something my Omega sees in him. I have to wonder if heroes had helped him that day years ago instead of AFO…” he paused and bit his lip, “I made a complicated choice, I know that.”

She pressed her hands together and looked at her little boy. Well, he wasn’t a boy anymore was he? He was a young man. Omega, Mated to someone she thought was supposed to be his enemy. 

Pinching her lips into a thin line she waved her hand at him to come closer. Izuku stood up and walked over to let his Mother inspect Tomura’s mark. Leaning in she pulled her son's shirt collar to the side and took a good look. It was a clean, deep bite, not jagged or rushed. No sign it was forced. A good bonding claim.

Midoriya Inko leaned back in her seat and looked at her son as he went back to the couch across from her. No bruises, stab wounds, or broken bones. If this man was meant to be her son's enemy he wasn't acting like one.

Turning to his teachers she said, “Mr. Aizawa?”

“Ms. Midoriya.”

“What are your thoughts on this?” she asks, gesturing to her son and the kitchen where the other… man was preparing tea.

“I will say it won’t be easy, but if Shigaraki Tomura is willing to enter the proposed program put together by UA I know it would be worth it.”

The UA student made a mental note to ask about that later…

“How is this going to effect his career as a hero?” his Mother asked.

Izuku fidgeted, she had a good point.

His teacher was honest, “That depends on the both of them. Logically, if Shigaraki really does care about his Mate then he'll need to make some unselfish decisions moving forward.”

“I see,” said Inko looking at her son, “And I want to ask you as a third party, how does he treat Izuku?”

Izuku made a move to protest but All Might held up his large hand stopping Shouta from answering just as Tomura returned from the kitchen with a tray of cups with a daisy pattern, teabags, cream, honey, sugar and the instant boil pot filled with hot water. After Inko fixed herself a cup he poured two and passed one to Izuku with cream and honey the way he liked it. 

Mr. Aizawa made a cup for himself and then Yagi made his own. He gave the retired hero a nod.

“Ms. Midoriya," said Yagi, "I can say in the past twenty four hours, Shigaraki Tomura has shown himself to be a very competent Alpha.” 

Now it was the villain’s turn to fidget, cheeks growing warm. He wasn’t used to being told he'd done something right, only when he'd done something wrong and was a disappointment.

The former number one hero continued, “Even when Izuku was surrounded by classmates he remained calm only really getting upset when one person, who is being disciplined, said something crude and obscene. His Alpha understandably reacted to defend his Mate and did so at an appropriate level, I must add. We have also seen him be attentive to your son’s needs. Self care like food, sleep, comfort. 

He paused to take a sip of tea.

“If we are being honest here Izuku could use someone like that.”

“You’re saying a villain makes a good Mate,” she said with a hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth.

“Ms. Midoriya,” said Mr. Aizawa, “An example just happened right in front of you. Shigaraki made tea for himself and your son, and knew the way he takes it.”

The two looked over at him and Tomura felt like he was the bug under the microscope. All he did was make a cup of tea, was it really a big deal that he remembered how Izuku likes his?

His Omega reached over and pat his thigh.

Yagi chuckled, “Eraserhead is right Ms. Midoriya. These behaviors have been consistent.”

“Izuku and… Tomura was it?” his head snapped up and the villain nodded, not sure what was coming.

Inko finished her tea and set down her cup, “I can’t say I understand. You are young adults. You've both been through so much, but you'll still have to live with your choices.”

She shook her head, “I think I need to take some time…”

Izuku felt a little sad as her voice faded out uncertainly, “It’s ok Mom. We can talk more later.”

The older Omega stood and let her son walk with her to the front door. Sharing a hug, she left quietly.

Izuku came back to the couch and crashed onto it next to Tomura, then he lay over into the man’s lap with a groan, “That was a lot.”

Poor Omega, thought Tomura, at least that was the only parent meeting they had to deal with. He splayed his hand over the younger man’s shoulder and released more of his own scent doing his best to  imbue it with warmth and comfort, his Alpha feeling better as Izuku relaxed.

“At least it’s done,” commented Mr. Aizawa, observing them.

Yagi leaned over and stage whispered, “You could have given the young men a heads up Shouta.”

“They just would have been kept up with worry when both of them needed a good night's rest. Logically this was much better. Like ripping off a band-aid.”

Izuku sat up and shared an incredulous look with his mentor while Tomura poured himself a second cup of tea before standing and asking who wanted some pancakes, because they were easy and quick and after all of that they were still hungry.

—

The first thing Mr. Aizawa did after breakfast was take them both down to see Recovery Girl so they could each be given a proper physical and go over the reports on their bloodwork and other testing completed at the police’s lab.

Tomura was not dealing with this part well, at all. 

He was fine when they were in the weird experiment, he could act pissed even though he was trapped. And when Dr. Ujiko ran tests on him he responded with similar vitriol because again, it wasn't like he had a choice.

Now given the option, he’d rather be chewing on glass than voluntarily getting undressed and pulling on a hospital gown so he could lay down on yet another exam table to be poked and prodded at.

“Your blood pressure is a little high dear,” said Recovery Girl, removing the cuff and making a note on the chart. She was a Beta and smelled of Honeysuckle and Eucalyptus. Rather fitting given her profession.

“S-sorry.”

Her eyebrows went up at that. Observing his drawn in posture, wide eyes and twitching hands. Chiyo had been taking care of patients for a long time, she knew a trauma response when she saw one. Whatever he’d been through, Shigaraki clearly associated doctors with something to fear which saddened her greatly.

“Please put on the smock, and I’ll be right back.”

After he changed, Tomura started to tremble and no matter what he couldn’t get himself to stop. He kept remembering being tied down to the cold metal table, the bright lights, being alone, the water, and… and…

“Izuku”

“Oh dear.”

He nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of the woman’s voice. He must have spaced out there. 

“Would it be ok if I went and got young Midoriya?” asked Recovery Girl. 

Tomura couldn’t stop glancing around the room, though he didn't see any needles or scalpels he was taking in all the shiny metal surfaces. Silver knobs on the cabinet, metal rods on the bed, silver lid on the long swabs and tongue depressors. 

He managed to whisper out, “Yes please.”

—

Shouta watched as Izuku stood up and walked across the room. He must sense something.

The young Omega was already standing outside the door when it opened, Recovery Girl didn’t seem at all surprised to find him waiting there.

“Mr. Midoriya, would you please come with me.”

Izuku followed the older woman down the hallway. Tomura had reached out for him, he knew the Alpha wasn’t doing well.

Recovery Girl spoke as they walked, “He’s extremely nervous, so I was hoping you wouldn’t mind coming in and scenting him to see if that will help?”

“Yes, of course I can do that.”

“Do you have any idea why he would be so stressed out over a standard medical exam?”

“I believe AFO may have experimented on him," she gave him a look, "He said a few things."

The woman nodded so he continued.

"And while we were in there they did things to us too. Gave us several exams. It was cold and clinical though it did go to some very personal places non-voluntary…” Izuku trailed off.

She hummed, “I see, that combined with potential other trauma and his reaction makes more sense now. He's in this room.”

Izuku followed Recovery Girl into the examination room where Tomura was still sitting on the table in the scrubs with his legs crossed and hands in his lap. 

“Hey sweetheart,” he said to the Alpha, getting his attention right away.

“H-hey Freckles. I, uh. I c-can't stop shaking.”

“It’s ok, no one will do anything to you if you don’t want them to,” Izuku wrapped his arms around his mate and let the man lean down to press their neck glands together. After a few moments Recovery Girl cleared her throat and they separated, cheeks flushed but no more trembling.

Izuku held his hands and said, “You can trust Recovery Girl. She’s been healing me and all my friends for years. She will always make sure you’re making well informed decisions. And won’t ever do something if you say not to, ok?”

Tomura looked into forest green eyes and nodded, his breathing and pulse finally settled back to normal.

“Well now Mr. Shigaraki, are you feeling a little better?”

“Ah, yes mam.”

“Would you like it if Mr. Midoriya stayed throughout the rest of your exam?”

He answered quickly, “Yes please.”

So Izuku pulled up a stool with wheels and held hands with Tomura, threading their fingers and making sure their wrist glands were pressed together to help keep his mate calm. 

Chiyo went about completing the exam as quickly and gently as she could in order to minimize stress to her patient. 

“There, all done. You are a bit on the thin side but otherwise in good health young man. Here, take a lolly pop,” she chose not to make any mention of the many scars from knives and bullets, and held out the bowl for him to pick from. 

“Uh, thanks,” Tomura picked out a bright green one, it was lime flavored. He changed back into his borrowed clothes and went out to the waiting room to sit with Mr. Aizawa. 

The older Omega raised his eyebrows but Tomura refused to acknowledge him.

—

Next it was Izuku’s turn. He peed in a cup first and then got up on the table so he could put his feet in the stirrups and let Recovery Girl do an annual exam. 

“Well, good news is everything looks fine,” she said as she peeled off her gloves, “Let me know if anything changes though. You tested negative for any STIs and you aren’t pregnant. You said he has the BC implant as well, correct?”

“What! Oh, uh, y-yes,” said Izuku as he sat up and reached over to pull on his pants.

“That’s good, they worked as intended. You are free to continue to Heat and Rut share. No forms are necessary since you are both over eighteen.”

Thank god, thought Izuku.

“Now, we do have the blood work, hair, skin and other analysis back from the police, did you want to go over that alone or with the other’s present?” 

“I think it’s better if we all know what it says.” 

“Very good. Let's go out to them then, this room is too small for more than three.”

Back in the waiting room, Chiyo looked serious, which had them all paying close attention.

“First I need to ask you both if you are ok with sharing this information with each other and Mr. Aizawa?”

“Yes.”

“Yes of course.”

“Then I’ll continue. It appears they had you each on a cocktail of medications some of which we still aren’t sure why.” 

Turning the page she explained, “Mr. Midoriya, you were put on an antidepressant, a support medication to help with that as well as a sleep aid. Mr. Shigaraki here was put on the same as well as a pretty strong mood stabilizer. It must be said that it is not recommended to suddenly stop any of these medications, doing so can cause depression, extreme mood swings, as well as suicidal thoughts and actions.”

“I knew we both felt different, didn’t have a clue what they put us on though,” said Tomura. Izuku agreed.

“Different, better or worse?” asked Recovery Girl.

"Better in that the sleep aid helped, and I bet the antidepressant did too," Izuku reasoned, "but something was messing with my emotional stability, I hated that."

Chiyo made a few notes and then turned to Tomura, "And you?"

"I felt more...balanced. Wasn't always getting angry in response to things that most people could just, cope with. Like Izuku though, my emotions got really weird right before our Cycles though. Did not like that at all," he replied. 

“I'll explain why you had emotional issues shortly. As for the psychiatric medications, from the records recovered we do know the dosage and would recommend you continue to take the medications in order to avoid withdrawal, which includes things like severe bouts of depression, paranoia, anxiety and suicidal ideations. You will both need to see a licensed therapist to help determine if they are necessary or detrimental and have them adjusted if need be.”

Chiyo passed both of them a cup of pills and a bottle of water. Once they’d taken the medicines, she gave each of them a small bag with a month’s supply.

Tomura rolled his shoulders. He didn’t want to see a shrink, but he didn’t want to take medications if he didn’t need them or risk any of those mentioned side effects. 

“Fine.”

“Ok.”

—

“Now, on to what else was found in your systems…”

Tomura’s brain wanted to glaze over like a doughnut at all the technical medical terminology. Izuku kept interrupting, asking for clarification when he didn’t understand something, and scribbled in a notebook he’d taken from his backpack.

Essentially, they had been given a hormonal concoction to keep their scent’s more pronounced to encourage bonding and another two drugs to sync up their cycles. The final injection suppressed their consciousness and brought their secondary genders to the forefront to encourage mating. Hence the shifts in their emotional states.

“Any questions?” she asked them, looking up from her reports.

“Is the bond they formed real even though it was drug induced?” asked Mr. Aizawa.

Recovery Girl shrugged, passing copies of all the bloodwork and testing to Izuku as he’d requested, “All bonds are at a base level formed chemically. If you are asking me if this one will last? Only time will tell. You are correct however, that separating them right away would not be advisable, considering it is fresh and they are on psychiatric medications.”

“How long until we know for sure?” asked Izuku.

“I would say you should gradually be ok with being separated over the next week or so, the more time passes the longer you’ll feel ok with being apart. A month to determine if the bond itself is set and no longer influenced by the drugs.”

She paused to let that sink in.

While Izuku wrote it down Tomura held an internal debate. Recovery Girl (what was she, ninety?) was a medical professional. The only real one he’d seen in decades. It was worth a try.

“Um, they gave me some kind of lotion too. It uh, it really helped with my dry skin. I was wondering if you maybe knew what it may have been and if I could get something like it?” he asked.

Recovery Girl motioned for him to bend over so she could take a closer look at his face and neck.

“I had noticed this, but didn't want to push you. It is most likely Eczema. Just a moment,” and she tottled off, returning with a swab snap test, “This will confirm it in just a few minutes.”

Tomura let her administer the test, no surprise it came back positive for the skin condition.

“Yes, just as I thought. I have a couple medicated lotions on hand that could help.”

When she came back, she handed him several tubes, “This one is over the counter, and works ok for mild symptoms, these two are prescription. The one in the blue tube is commonly used and very effective, but the other is also hypoallergenic.”

Izuku and Tomura looked at the tubes and both pointed to the second, Izuku confirming, “This was the one!”

“Ah very good! You may as well take two tubes of that since you already know it was helping. And I’ll be sure to note the diagnosis in your chart,” she said, taking back the one and handing him another of the hypoallergenic version.

“Thank you,” he said to the older woman. 

She looked up at him and smiled, “Considering your reputation, I must say you have been an awfully cooperative patient.”

Mr. Aizawa harrumphed, “We have one more issue to discuss.”

“And what is that?” asked Chiyo.

“Mr. Midoriya here can use commands, effectively, outside of his Heat,” stated Shouta.

“Really? That is interesting,” turning to Shigaraki she asked, “And what about you? Anything odd like that related to your secondary gender?”

Tomura shrugged, “I don’t think so?”

“Hmm, well, if anything does come up please let Mr. Aizawa and I know. It may be important,” she nodded to the Erasure Hero. Teacher signal for ‘talk more later.’

Izuku looked between Mr. Aizawa and Recovery Girl, important how?

Before he could ask a question though the Eraserhead was opening the door for them to leave.

Getting up Izuku and Tomura went to follow the teacher when she added, “You two take care of each other. Being mated is more than just hormones.”

They nodded and left with the Underground Hero.

—

“Mr. Aizawa, where are we going now?” asked Izuku as they made their way down the empty hallways. Everyone was in class.

“To the school’s lost and found.”

“Uh, why?” asked the Alpha.

“You’ll see.”

The lost and found was kept in the security office, since it often included lost electronics like phones and laptops. They were met there by none other than Ectoplasm.

“Oh my god, I am so sorry!” Izuku exclaimed, this being the first time he’d seen the Hero in person after unknowingly attacking him.

The UA teacher laughed, “You have a mean kick Midoriya. Knocked me out cold.”

“Why are we here?” asked Tomura, still unsure of what was going on.

“Shigaraki,” said the Alpha pro hero growing serious, “Heard you may be sticking around.”

“We’ll see…” 

“Well, just in case, here are the lost and found bins with clothes in your size. All the shirts, pants and shoes have been cleaned and de-scented. We keep the like new stuff cuz it comes in handy. You are free to dig through them and take whatever you like. And here is a gym bag for you to fill, there’s a pack of new boxers and socks in there for you, as well as a set of fresh toiletries,” explained Ectoplasm, then he and Mr. Aizawa stepped to the side to talk about classes.

As is the nature of high school students, UA ended up with a lot of lost clothing. Stuff was left behind all the time in classrooms, gyms, common areas, outside. They kept some for students who needed it, and periodically donated the rest to shelters. They cycled the bins so that they never gave out items from students that may still be there. Teenagers were funny creatures and that would be ‘embarrassing’.

Great, thought Tomura, he was a fucking charity case.

Izuku shrugged, “At least you can pick out stuff you like?” 

The pair stepped forward and got to work digging through the bins. They pulled out a few more pairs of sweatpants, some pajama pants that would fit him properly, a few pairs of jeans (Izuku insisted on several that didn't have a bunch of rips and tears in them), and a good pile of shirts and Ts, even a couple jumpers. Izuku grabbed an eraserhead themed one without Tomura noticing, and shoved it into the bottom of the bag for later. He distracted the other man by pointing out a nice looking messenger bag. 

Tomura even scored a pair of black boots which he was pretty happy about. It was enough to fill his drawers in the dresser and his side of the closet in their Den. It was also more clothes than he’d had in a long time, and in better condition too. He kept that observation to himself. 

“And the other items that were requested?” Mr. Aizawa asked Ectoplasm while the boys were busy folding things up and putting them into the bag.

“Those will take some more time but I should have them for you in a week, pending a signed agreement of course,” said the larger man with a nod towards the pair still sorting through clothing. 

—

Tomura’s stomach let out an embarrassing rumble as they were making their way down the hallway.

“I suppose we may as well take a break for lunch,” sighed the Underground Hero. He took out his cell and arranged for something to be sent up for them from Lunch Rush.

They continued walking. Shouta stopped at their destination and swiped his ID, holding open the door.

“The teacher’s lounge?” asked Izuku.

“Neither of you are ready to go into the main population yet. And I need to give you both an update on your and Shigaraki’s situation.”

Tomura swallowed thickly, that was ominous.

In the lounge they found Power Loader and Vlad King finishing up their lunches. Hound Dog was grabbing a cup of tea. They had all looked up to see who walked in and the school counselor gave Mr. Aizawa a nod as he left the room.

They took a seat at one of the empty tables, Mr. Aizawa opting to make an obscenely large cup of coffee. Moments later Hizashi burst into the room and loudly announced, “I HAVE BROUGHT LUNCH!”

“How does he not give you a headache every day?” asked Tomura as the Erasure hero sat down.

Shouta huffed.

“Can we just cut to the chase here, am I going to jail or what?” asked the villain, trying to act like the idea of prison didn’t bother him. Honestly, he was scared for the first time that he was about to be sent to Tartarus to rot for the rest of his life. And just after he found out there were things worth living for and that a lot of his inner turmoil was treatable. It figured.

Present Mic passed out the food and sat next to his mate to eat.

“Considering your situation, an offer has been tailored to your situation for you both to review,” Shouta took out the folder Nedzu had given him that morning and slid it across the table for the two of them to go through.

Tomura’s brow furrowed as he read the title page. Looking up at Mr. Aizawa he asked, “Rehabilitation? Are you serious? 

“We are.”

Yeah, right.

“Politicians all love to talk about reform, but when it comes down to doing something the good intentions disappear as fast as the funding. What makes UA any different?” the LOV leader asked, leaning back and crossing his arms.

Izuku was already flipping through the booklet, scanning the pages quickly. 

“Well first, UA isn't run by politicians,” said Hizashi, “We’re scholars, educators, teachers. We actually want to see our charges be successful, and in your case, re-ha-bil-i-tat-ed.”

Shouta spoke, “I encourage you to read this in its entirety. After that we will meet and you can raise any questions, concerns or requests. This is a draft Nedzu has had in the works, your input and participation would be appreciated.”

I bet it would, thought Tomura derisively.

“As I am sure you are capable of figuring out, it’s not some get out of jail free card. You will be expected to strictly comply with and meet the program's goals,” said Shouta between bites of lunch.

“What’s the point?” Tomura asked.

The voice hero answered, “I for one see this as a much better way to take a villain off the streets. Imagine an effective and successful reform program for the truly hardened criminal.”

Ok sure…

“And it’d be great to add you to our rescue and recovery heroes.”

He’d be good at what now?

The villain’s eyes widened and he turned to Izuku who was positively beaming like sunlight, “That would be amazing! Your quirk would be so helpful in removing large and dangerous debris quickly! You could save so many people!” 

Save people? 

He turned back to Eraserhead, question on his face. 

The older man nodded and said, “Ideally you will be returning to society gainfully employed. You may think hero is pushing it, but completing this program successfully and becoming a hero would be the most beneficial all around solution when you think logically.”

Tomura rolled his eyes and was about to say something sarcastic when Mr. Aizawa put his finger down on the paperwork in front of him, “Read the packet.” 

Chapter Text

14. Reading the Instructions

The group ate their lunches quietly for a few moments.

“What if I say no?” asked Tomura, narrowing his eyes at Eraserhead.

“Then you go to trial,” said Mr. Yamada far too cheerfully between bites of chicken teriyaki, “You against the HPSC and the Japanese Government.”

A trial. 

Him versus those in power who wanted him dead, with his head on a pike if they could. Well, that was a hard nope. 

“When do I need to tell you my decision?”

“Monday,” said Shouta, “Principal Nedzu, myself and the lawyers will meet with you in the dorm after the students head to class.”

Izuku guessed they'd be getting a sub while Mr. Aizawa worked on this.

Picking up the packet with a frown, the villain supposed it couldn’t hurt to read and at least understand what he was going to have to play along with until he could make his escape. Once the bond had calmed down. He chewed his lip, that was still tough to consider right now. 

“Now for you, problem young adult,” Izuku winced, and his teacher continued, “The Principal has approved a lesson plan that will get you back up to speed in four weeks.” 

“How?” asked the younger Omega. 

“You’ll come into class an hour early, take only a half hour for lunch, and stay after school an extra hour as well. Your papers will be cut down to a third, but will count for three times the normal amount, as well as any quizzes and tests. It was also agreed to allow you to choose between papers or exams for evaluation," a second, larger binder was passed to Izuku.

Shit, thought Tomura, that was a lot. He turned and watched his Omega listen with intense focus as Mr. Aizawa continued.

“This includes a 1 week internship in place of your senior work study. The agency you work with will agree to put you in a set of situations that are the most likely a recent graduate working as a sidekick would be to experience, as well as some Public Relations work and community support.”

Hah! Izuku fought back a smile. He did well enough on tests but papers were where he really excelled. He was a prolific note taker and often worked on his own theories which he’d learned could be adjusted to fit paper topics for school. Still, the next four weeks were going to be a lot of work.

“So, it’s really three months of the most important work crammed into one?” he’d need to manage his time carefully. At least after this regular class will seem like a breeze, Izuku thought to himself. 

Mr. Aizawa bobbed his head in agreement, “Essentially. Everyone is offering their personal time to help you outside of normal school hours. We expect you to take this seriously in order to be able to graduate with your class.”

Izuku looked back at the binder, took a deep breath and accepted it from Mr. Aizawa, “Of course I will Sensei. Thank you. I’ll go over this today, work hard, and do my best to catch up.”

Tomura found his partner's eagerness to overwork himself nauseating.

“I’m sure you will. Since today is Friday, please take your time to get settled in. Mr. Shigaraki,” Tomura looked up at the older Omega, “You will owe me an answer Monday morning.”

—

As the couple made their way back to the dorm together Tomura felt even more lost than he did the day before. 

First, he really was mated to Midoriya Izuku. Of all people. How was he supposed to know they had so much in common? Or that he was tooth rottingly adorable? Bigger question, was it real? Or was it just the meds? 

Second, he was at UA. They were literally letting him just walk around the place. Granted he was in quirk suppressing cuffs. He also knew there were undoubtedly out of sight Heroes watching him right now. So it wasn’t like he could get away at the moment but still… 

Third, he was on medications? And they seemed to be helping? Which also meant he had to see a doctor (shutter) about them. He wasn’t sure how he felt about having someone make him dig through his own head, it was dangerous in there. 

Fourth, and this was the craziest part, they wanted to put him through a reform program and possibly have him come out the other side as a hero? I mean, what the fuck? 

He looked down at the man next to him.

Izuku. 

He was mumbling something about color coding a spreadsheet to help manage his schedule. The setting sun made his hair look darker than he knew it was. Hand held under his chin in thought as they walked. He was so focused on not letting his friends and teachers down. On achieving his goal of becoming a hero. How did being mated to a villain not ruin that?

And what did Tomura want?

Right now he would do anything to stay by his Omega’s side. Would he still feel the same two days from now? Two weeks from now? Longer? Part of him didn’t want to know, didn’t want to have to live through the gut wrenching rejection. He didn't want to go back to feeling like a puppet on strings either. Making decisions was difficult and yet… he preferred it far more compared to how he used to live..

Izuku didn't talk to Tomura as they walked. His mates' feelings were tumultuous. One month, Recovery Girl had said. One month and they should know if their bond was just caused by some mad scientist drug cocktail or if they really were a good match for each other. Did he want the bond to dissolve? No. Not right now at least, the thought of doing so felt like unexpectedly taking a punch to the gut from Eijiro while Unbreakable.

The dorm was quiet, all his friends still in class. He and Tomura headed up to their Den, they both had reading to do.

The villain sat at what could be his own desk reading through the proposed Reform Program. Izuku had given him a few pens and pencils, and a notebook to write in. His bulletin board had nothing on it yet. What the fuck was he even supposed to put there?

They could hear when Izuku’s classmates got back for the day but the Omega decided to stay with Tomura to keep him company. The young man was taking this seriously. Izuku wanted to encourage that, so he texted the Class group chat to let them know they were busy going over important paperwork.

Later he got a text from Shouto that he and Bakugo had dropped off dinner for them, for which Izuku was overly grateful in Tomura’s opinion. They had yet to stock their own small kitchen and pantry.

When he was told the Bakugo brat had made it Tomura hoped his wasn’t poisoned. 

—

That evening Chiyo joined Shouta, Hizashi, Nemuri and Yagi for dinner at a local cafe. They served very good broccoli and beef stir fry that she enjoyed once a week.

As she took her seat a waitress rushed over to pour a fresh hot mug of green tea for the elder also taking her usual order.

Now that everyone was there she turned to Shouta and said, “I don’t have time to pussy foot around, since when have you known Midoriya can use commands outside of his Heat?”

“Midoriya can do what‽” said Nemuri.

His mate shook his shoulder, “Sho!”

“How many times have you witnessed this?” asked Yagi.

Shouta held up a hand to calm everyone down and answered, “At least twice, once during the battle that resulted in the capture of AFO, and once in the Police Station.”

“Oh that’s interesting,” said Nemuri, “Shigaraki was present both times, I wonder if it has anything to do with his Alpha?”

Chiyo turned to Nemuri with a smile, she’d always liked the woman, “What do you mean by that dear?”

“You noticed it too then?” asked Shouta.

The dominatrix nodded, “And you Hizashi?”

“I think so? I’d know for sure with more exposure but…”

“Can someone please tell me what you are all blabbering about?” the older woman asked as she put her teacup down with a loud *clink*

Shouta pursed his lips, then said, “Shigaraki doesn’t seem the least bit phased by any Alpha’s posturing. Acts as if he is totally unaffected by them. Like he’s the strongest in the room. As if…”

“I see,” interjected Chiyo, “Being a villain Mr. Shigaraki was never officially tested and registered. And Mr. Midoriya just reached maturity as an Omega. We can test them both to find out the particulars of their status as Alpha and Omega.” 

Yagi was looking back and forth between the two, “I’m sorry, can someone please be clear about what we are testing them for?”

“Welllll, it’s about the scale, Yagi,” Hizashi said leaning over to bump shoulders with the former number one, “Some Omegas lean more to beta, others may have an Alpha quality or two. And the same is for Alphas. More Beta ones or ones exhibiting Omega traits also tend to be less aggressive, submissive and more susceptible to Alpha commands, particularly from Alphas who are dominant.” 

“Except for one kind of pair,” he finished with a waggle of his eyebrows as he leaned back and Yagi could focus on the other conversation again.

“Bear in mind, when they come back as positive as I am sure they will, then you must know their pairing is also the real deal. Primes may be rare, but bonding as mates isn’t. They usually find each other one way or another.”

“Primes?” said the former number one, stunned, “You think young Midoriya and Shigaraki are Primes?”

“From what I’ve observed I have strong suspicion they are,” said Shouta, taking a sip of his own tea.

Hizashi wiped his mouth and asked, “When can the testing be done?” 

“I'll schedule Class A for the bloodwork, and include Shigaraki in the group,” said Chiyo, “I can draw the blood myself, but the testing is completed at the National Registry Lab and takes some time.”

—

When Izuku and Tomura were finished eating dinner the pair took turns showering and then put the Alpha’s clothes away after getting into pajamas. The Omega managed to squirrel away the Eraserhead jumper. He wanted to hold on to it for a day when he felt maybe his mate would need it?

The UA student sat at his desk afterwards, he still had work to do. Izuku had printed out some things for Tomura too. There was a photo of his class pasted on a larger sheet of paper with arrows to comments including their names, quirks and things they liked or didn’t like. A copy of Izuku's own schedule for reference. He also gave the Alpha a few more notebooks, and a pencil holder full of pens and pencils, and small boxes of thumb tacks and paperclips. 

Izuku was planning in detail how to manage his temporary new school schedule and training, marking off due dates and exams. He’d need to go through his papers and see what he could re-tune and submit without having to write entirely new ones.  

He found himself looking over at Tomura now and then, wondering if the villain would stay. He knew his Omega wanted him to stay and honestly so did he. Tomura had so much potential, despite everything he’d been through. At least Izuku wasn’t alone in this, he had All Might and Mr. Aizawa and Principal Nedzu. Even some of his class were trying to understand.

Sometime later he sighed and leaned back to stretch.

The older male looked over, “Tired?” 

“I think now that I really feel safe, a lot of the tension’s left and I didn’t realize how much energy I’d been spending trying to be ‘ok’,” he said, then yawned.

Checking the time it was nearly eleven thirty. The villain was used to staying up later but the bond made him aware his mate needed rest. He’d have thought that kind of thing would irritate him, whether it was the medications or something else Tomura found he didn’t really mind. 

He should get some sleep too. Being at UA meant a shift in his sleep schedule, which in the past had been much more erratic. 

Closing his own notebook he stood and walked over, “Time for bed.”

Scooping up the Omega out of his chair with a smirk at the small startled yelp, “Tomu!”

“I like that,” he admitted out loud, taking them down the hallway to their nest.

“Wh-what? Tomu?”

Tomura put Izuku down, “Uh hum.”

The Alpha went and turned off the lights. Izuku rolled over and plugged in his phone to charge, then turned back around to face the other man.

“What do you like about it?” he asked, deep emerald eyes shining up at him in the near darkness.

“You’re the only person who's ever called me that,” he stated, getting in next to his mate, “I wanna keep it that way.”

Izuku pulled a fluffy soft blanket over them both as they snuggled closer together.

I want to keep you, Tomura thought to himself as they both fell into a restful slumber.

—

- - - Class A Chat - - - 

Sat 7:02AM

AntiGravity: “Good morning Class A!” 

Sat 7:02AM

GottaGoFast: "Good morning everyone." 

Sat 7:03AM

KatyPerry: “Good Morning. What is good about it?” 

Sat 7:03AM

SparkPlug: “Again, Shouto, it’s just a saying man.” 

Sat 7:03AM

KatyPerry: “But I want to know the good part?”

Sat 7:04AM

AntiGravity: “Hey, uh, do you guys think Izuku is… ok?” 

Sat 7:04AM

DiscountSpiderman: “I mean, he has his quirk and Shigaraki’s is suppressed…” 

Sat 7:05AM

Music2MyEars: “He seemed pretty chill yesterday.” 

Sat 7:05AM

KatyPerry: “He did not say that he was cold?” 

Sat 7:05AM

Blasty: “Babe, no.” 

Sat 7:06AM

TheRock: “I had a thought.” 

Sat 7:06AM

AlienQueen: “Oh no, what?” 

Sat 7:07AM

TheRock: “What if Shigaraki is awake while Izuku is sleeping?” 

Sat 7:07AM

SparkPlug: “Um.” 

Sat 7:07AM

AlienQueen: “Huh, didn’t think of that.” 

Sat 7:08AM

SparkPlug: “Maybe we should check on them?” 

Sat 7:08AM

AlienQueen: “Somebody should ping him!” 

Sat 7:08AM

TheRock: “I’m not gonna do it, you do it!” 

Sat 7:08AM

Blasty: “Oh ffs, @BroccoliBoy, you alive nerd?” 

Sat 7:08AM

AntiGravity: “*waits anxiously*” 

Sat 7:09AM

AlienQueen: “Same” 

Sat 7:10AM

SparkPlug: “Same” 

Sat 7:11AM

BroccoliBoy: “Good Morning! Of course I’m alive.” 

Sat 7:11AM

TheRock: “Yay!” 

Sat 7:11AM

AlienQueen: “Just checking.” 

Sat 7:12AM

BroccoliBoy: “Why wouldn’t I be alive?” 

Sat 7:12AM

Blasty: “None of us are sleeping with the literal enemy dumbass.” 

Sat 7:13AM

BroccoliBoy: “Hey!”

Sat 7:13AM

BroccoliBoy: “He’s trying.” 

Sat 7:14AM

GottaGoFast: “Your intentions are admirable Izuku but I and others are still doubtful.”

Sat 7:14AM

Music2MyEars: “I think he was more surprised by us being…not stuck up?”

Sat 7:15AM

Blasty: “Word.” 

Sat 7:15AM

AntiGravity: “He does keep glaring at us like he thinks he has laser eyes and can make us melt.”

Sat 7:16AM

SparkPlug: “He can’t melt us right Izuku?” 

Sat 7:16AM

BroccoliBoy: “No!” 

Sat 7:16AM

BroccoliBoy: “He just has resting bitch face, like Kacchan.”

Sat 7:16AM

Blasty: “Oi!"  

Sat 7:17AM

Blasty: “Fuck you!” 

- Blasty has muted the chat -

Sat 7:17AM

TheRock: “Blasty boi nooo.”

Sat 7:17AM

AntiGravity: "He'll get over it." 

Sat 7:18AM

BroccoliBoy: “Just give him a chance, that is literally all I am asking.”

Sat 7:18AM

AntiGravity: “Hey Izuku, can we meet up later to talk?” 

Sat 7:18AM

BroccoliBoy: “I think that’d be good.” 

Sat 7:19AM

KatyPerry: “Sato and Koda are making breakfast.” 

Sat 7:19AM

BroccoliBoy: “Thank you! We’ll be down soon!”

- - - - -

—

Tomura was reading over Izuku’s shoulder. 

“Your friends are just hilarious,” he said deadpan, not commenting on the resting bitch face statement but rolling his eyes as he got up. Not as if he expected everyone to welcome him with confetti and party hats. He and the League had caused UA and Izuku’s class in particular a lot of turmoil.

It was Saturday, which meant no classes. Which also meant after their morning routine, which now included taking their pills, upon coming downstairs for breakfast Tomura and Izuku were again bombarded by his classmates. 

Holy shit, it was like walking into the room after Jin had cloned himself a dozen times to help clean up the new hideout. 

Tomura needed coffee. Now. 

The crow, Tokoyami, without a word handed him a full mug. The Alpha nodded in gratitude. 

From what he could tell Eijiro, Denki, Mina, Hanta, Jirou, Tokoyami, Shouto and even Bakugo were ok with him (look at him, learning names.). 

Shouto walked past and asked, “Have you scented anyone else in the Pack yet?”

Tomura blinked at him, “What?”

“You are Izuku’s mate, you should smell like Pack.”

“No one’s asked…” he trailed off. This was awkward. Tomura had a feeling some of them would rather set him on fire than be this close to him let alone scent him.

The dual quirk user held out his wrist, “You can scent me first, I don’t mind.”

He blinked, startled by the open offer. The good thing was, since he regularly scented Dabi, then Shouto should be ok to scent as well. Tomrua could feel eyes on him, watching to see how he’d react. This was going to get old fast wasn’t it? 

“Ok.”

They passed their wrists over each other politely and let their scents mingle together. Shouto’s was familiar as expected, like sub zero ice and dry burning wood.

After that Mina wanted to scent him too, she smelled of Dianthus flowers and grapefruit, very zingy and sorta effervescent. Eijiro, Ginger and dry earth and Denki, Frankincense and pepper. 

Even the Bakugo brat at his mate’s insistence came over to scent him, he smelled of cinnamon and honey. Which was awfully soft for someone so brash. 

The look the blond Alpha gave him said he knew it and practically dared him to say something. Tomura had to bite his tongue to keep from kicking the bear. He wasn’t repelled by anyone, which was good. And weird.

They weren’t the League though. 

It wasn’t like they could afford the luxury of using scent patches, so the group of villains usually went without unless a member was getting close to their cycle. 

This was one of the reasons Tomura himself was so good around others who used their pheromones to try to manipulate or influence him. Living with the volatile group of people filled with all those strong emotions, had inadvertently trained him to sense it was coming and resist.

Still, he missed the foggy air and fennel scent of Kurogiri, the old beat up armchair in their last hideout had taken on the man’s scent since he sat there so often to read or rest. He knew from gaming with them that Jin smelled like spearmint and menthol and Iguchi damp wood and hibiscus. 

And when he scratched too violently at his skin it was Himiko who would treat him and bandage him up. She had a very unique scent of smokey paprika and molasses. 

Kenji, who would kindly comb out his hair when he got too distracted to take care of it or was in one of his moods, was a combination of rose and peach and he thought that suited her well. 

Atishuro smelled of newspaper and tobacco, Dabi called it his ‘old man smell’.

And the arsonist, from long nights of planning together, Tomura knew the scarred man smelled of frost and ash. He wondered if the fire user knew his younger brother had a similar scent and puzzled over the combination of heat and cold.

The group also scented Izuku, who perked up at that. He and his Omega felt much better being home with their pack, but the disjointedness among them was still noticeable. He knew this was going to take time and well… he may lose a few people he thought were his friends.

—

Breakfast was Tamago Kake Gohan, a variety of add-ons available.

God, thought Tomura, it was almost worth it to stay just for the food. 

He took a second helping after asking if that was ok. At this rate he wouldn’t be underweight for long… he should ask for access to the gyms. After using the one in the experiment he kind of wanted to pick it back up again. He felt like with the medications it helped clear his head.

“Of course, most of us eat a big breakfast. It’s good for you!” explained the large man whose name was…Tomura thought back to the photo on his bulletin board. The tall broad young man was Sato, he has a strength quirk dependent on his sugar intake. 

The villain gladly took his second serving and went to sit next to Izuku.

“What did you want to do today?” asked the Omega as he ate. 

Tomura shrugged, “I have no idea, this is all new for me.”

That sounded so sad to Izuku. It made him remember that Tomura had basically missed out on all the things most kids got to do. Stuff like going to the park, or the beach, or playing hide and seek, collecting bugs in a bottle.  And then there was stuff school provided, all the different sports, music programs, art classes, he wondered if Tomura would be interested in trying some?

Izuku knew he himself was on borrowed kid time. Once he graduated UA at the end of this year he was basically expected to follow in All Might’s footsteps. Except…

“What did you do when you had free time before, well, you know, before?” asked Jirou, sitting down across from them. Hmm, she was being a little bolder than she’d been yesterday.

“If I didn’t have… er... work to do, I mostly played video games. If I couldn’t do that Atishuro always had a deck of cards on hand. Himiko would drag me to play any board games she got a hold of. Basketball, soccer, whatever we could when we had the means to,” well that didn’t sound kinda depressing, he thought sarcastically.

An uncomfortable silence followed. Ugg.

Eijiro trotted over to save the day, “Hey you guys, want to play a game of extreme frisbee?” 

The large Omega was already dressed in shorts and a tank top, bright orange disk in his hand.

Izuku looked all hopeful at Tomura. May as well, trying to gain their trust yadda yadda, “Yeah, sure.”

—

Tomura had to admit he’d never thrown a frisbee before. That was fine since neither had Shouto. 

The group was patient with both of them. Someone produced another frisbee, this one bright yellow, and they took turns tossing it around.

Izuku’s classmates taught them the best way to hold and throw the disc. They spent some time passing back and forth to work on accuracy.  After that they broke up into two teams for a game of four on four.

Izuku, Tomura, Eijiro and Denki vs Bakugo, Shouto, Mina and Hanta. The teams seemed pretty balanced since Shouto was just as new to this as Tomura. This shouldn’t be too bad then, right?

When Bakugo called start, the Alpha quickly changed his mind. Hero students were stupid competitive. And he really needed to hit the gym to catch up to them, he was out of breath way too soon. 

Putting Izuku and the Bakugo brat on separate teams was not good, by the end Tomura wanted to strangle whoever’s idea THAT was. 

“You fucking idiot! I said throw to the left! None of us were on your fucking right!”

“When I say run, run you duck waddling dingle fuck!”

“Yo Soy Sauce, did you forget which way we were fucking going? If I was dating you I’d dump your ass, you probably get lost on your way to…”

Yeah, Tomura wasn’t going to repeat that one. 

The man was nothing if not colorfully creative about his insults. He had a feeling Denki was the reason the two rivals had been pit against each other. He caught the electric blond giggling with his beefy mate more than once at the explosive Alpha’s frustrated outbursts. 

Izuku was happy that Tomura was willing to both try something new and socialize a little with his friends. He wanted to show the villain more of what was good in the world, as opposed to how he’d been raised by AFO. If Izuku could do that, then maybe Tomura would stay? Maybe he’d give the reform program a chance?

When they were finished they were all sweaty and more than a little thirsty so he followed the group around the corner where there was a shed and water hook up to a garden hose. Everyone got a drink, Katsuki acting oddly patient and waiting to go last. 

Suspicious. 

The group was too tired to care, they were chatting about classes and weekend plans and had all laid out on the grass to cool off in the shade of a tree when it started to rain. It was a sunny day though, where was the water coming from…the Bakugo brat cackled as he sprayed them with the garden hose. 

They all jumped up and frantically tried to get the hose from Bakugo, eventually drenching him with water but not before everyone had rolled around in the mud.

Tomura laughed, he grabbed onto Izuku so they slipped and fell to the ground. Sitting up he wiped some mud on the tip of his nose. The green haired man’s eyes crossed to try to track what he’d done, which made the Alpha fall back giggling. Izuku could feel the joy that Tomura was experiencing right now. Living in the moment and just letting himself have fun.

Izuku wanted to show him so much more of this.

Noticing the other’s watching he gave them a wave so they’d stop staring before the Alpha could notice. The last thing the Omega wanted to do was make his Mate self conscious.

Katsuki felt arms around his waist, and a head on his shoulder.

“See?”

“What the fuck am I supposed to be seeing Roki?”

“A happy mated pair,” Shouto purred.

Katsuki sighed, and rumbled back. This was going to turn into such a shit show when they went public.

The dual quirk user gave his mate a kiss on the cheek and suggested they all go get cleaned up and relax in the hot tubs.

Using the hose they rinsed off most of the mud and dirt then dried off with a few towels thanks to Momo who delivered them to the back doors of the dorms.

—

Next the group had to go up to get their shower caddies, towels and a change of clothes, then come back down and walk over to Gym Gamma. 

The older Alpha hadn’t been in a hot tub in a long time. He’d been a little hesitant to disrobe but the fact the other’s didn’t even pause and seeing they were also sporting their own scars made him feel a lot less self conscious.

Someone had added a rosewood and lavender scented bubble bath. After showering he got in with Denki, Hanta and Bakugo.

God damn, Tomura had forgotten how good a hot tub could feel. His muscles relaxed and his arms and legs felt like gummy worms as he slouched down so the heated jets could massage his shoulders. 

The young men settled in and got comfortable, Hanta was quietly chatting with Denki about some movie he’d seen recently. Even the blond brat seemed to relax, though he did keep an eye on the villain as promised.

Tomura had a sudden thought, and it just came tumbling out of him uncensored, “You know what? Screw AFO.”

The chatter stopped, only the sound of the jets could be heard. 

“What?” said Hanta in surprise.

Denki turned to look at him, “Huh?”

“I said screw AFO,” he said louder, with a bit more confidence this time, “Rotten, narcissistic shit head with serious brother issues.”

“Well then…” said Denki.

“How’d it feel to say all that out loud?” asked Bakugo with a sharp smirk on his face. Normally that look would piss him off but Tomura thinks, maybe, the explosive blond gets it. Anger and hate are similar feelings, they often bleed together. 

“Good,” he admitted, “Kind of liberating.”

Hanta smiled, “I bet.”

The young men settled back, just listening to the hum of the water being pushed through the pipes. 

“Hey Kacchan, you going shopping tomorrow?” asked Denki out of the blue.

“Yeah.”

“I need to do that,” said Tomura, “We don’t have any food in our apartment.”

“You and Bakugo should go,” suggested Hanta.

The blond looked like he wanted to drown the other man. 

“I’ll need to check with Eraserhead. If I go I'm sure it needs to be with a hero who can supervise,” he said, wiggling his feet under the water. He'd rather have a buffer around the angry untrusting heroling too.

“Yeah, and to make sure you don't just buy doritos and fucking energy drinks,” scoffed Katsuki.

Tomura glowered at him, “I can cook.”

“Yeah?” asked Denki, “Like, microwave or real stuff?”

His look softened a bit as he turned to Denki, “No, I can really cook. Kurogiri taught me, after the League started I learned more from Atishuro and Kenji. I helped them make our meals, I enjoy cooking…” 

He stopped talking, the other three were staring at him.

“What?”

“Nothing, it's just weird to meet another Alpha who likes cooking,” offered Hanta, looking at Bakugo.

“Fuck you I don't just like cooking, I’m the fucking best at it!” 

Tomura shrugged.

“That's it mop head! We are going shopping tomorrow and we're gonna both cook and have the class judge who's best! I'm gonna kick your ass!”

“You can try.” 

Denki and Hanta grinned.

What had Tomura gotten himself into? 

—

Izuku sank into the rose scented bubbles in the hot tub. He was with Eijiro and Shouto. Mina had invited Ochaco, Tsu and Momo to go with her.

He was playing around with some of the bubbles, thinking about how happy Tomura had been that afternoon. He'd never seen the Alpha laugh and smile so much before. It looked good on him. 

Shouto was still outside the tub, checking his phone.

“Common Sho! Get in and relax!” called Eijiro.

Putting his cell in a locker the Omega walked over and got into the steamy bath.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, the class chat was talking about doing pizza and a movie night.”

That sounded fun but Izuku didn't know if Tomura was up for dealing with his classmates more.

“I'll leave that up to Tomura. I don't know how much more socializing he can take today.”

“That's cool, we get it right Sho?” said Eijiro.

“Yes, our class can be very overwhelming. I still think he did well.”

Izuku smiled, “Thank you both.”

Eijiro gave him a friendly splash.

“No really! I'm grateful you guys are giving him a chance,” he got serious, “I just wish… Well, I haven't gotten to speak with Ochaco, Iida or Tsu yet…”

“It’s gonna be tough for some people. I think the Bakusquad, and Shouto here, know better than others that the world isn't just good and evil, man. There's all kinds of in betweens, and people go through changes. Remember Stain?” said the large Omega.

Izuku bobbed his head in agreement. That was true…

—

After the hot tub the green haired UA student found Tomura sitting at the common room table with a pen and paper writing a… grocery list?

“What's this?” he asked as he sat down next to his Alpha.

“My doom.” 

Izuku felt the emotional dip, uh oh, “Tomura?”

“Blasty challenged me to a cook off. Before I knew it we’re going grocery shopping tomorrow with Midnight and are supposed to come back and cook a five course meal for the class dinner.”

Oh boy. Ok, that was a lot. How on earth did Tomura get dragged into this?

Sato, with Ochaco, came over and sat down. She had promised to try, so she agreed to go over with the other student to see if she could help as well as try to see some of what Izuku did in the Alpha. In the past, in battle, the man had been cruel, brutal and savage. Then again, what did they look like to villains when they fought against them with everything they had? 

“Bakugo is flashy, you don't have to be to cook good food though,” offered the sugarman.

“Sato's right,” said Ochaco, “Simple home cooking, presented well, is just as satisfying.”

Hmm, satisfying but not flashy was definitely more his style. A lot of the time the League had to make due with what they could steal, scrape up or hand outs. They never wasted a thing. 

“What are the rules?” asked Izuku, knowing Kacchan would have laid some down.

“Oh they posted them in the group chat. Shigaraki doesn't have a phone so I'll read them outloud,” said the brunette.

“Chefs will have 3 hours to cook in the community kitchen beginning at 2pm.”

“You can use whatever spices, sauces, and dry grains are stocked in the community kitchen.”

“You will need to purchase any protein and fresh vegetables to use.”

“It is a five course meal, soup or salad, 2 sides, main and a dessert are expected.”

Tomura gestured at Izuku as if to say, see?

Chapter Text

15. Let’s Get Cooking

“Ok, well,” said Izuku, “What are your thoughts so far?

Tomura held up the page he'd been working on, it started out as a list but quickly devolved into a drawing of who Izuku had come to recognise as his stick figure self falling off a waterfall into a lake and being attacked by piranhas.

Ochaco giggled but stopped herself when they both gave her a look. She came over here to make things better, not worse.

“Ok ok, look, how about start with something you like to make, and work around that?” she suggested. 

What he liked?

That was right. Tomura could make whatever he liked. That was something wasn't it? 

Then he got an even better idea. He leaned over and whispered to Izuku, who’s face lit up.

“Let me text Eijiro! He’d be able to tell us what Kacchan is planning to make, so you’ll know what you would have left to work with!”

“Wait, what’s he want to do?” asked Ochaco.

The two explained the plan and she grinned, it would be really impressive if Shigaraki could pull this off. And she could help, having grown up in a family that was less than well off, she knew what it was like to need to make every bite of food count.

Once Eijiro sent them the list, the three of them got to work planning out how to use everything they could.     

At some point Tomura excused himself to get something to drink, asking if the others wanted anything. They declined and so he headed into the kitchen. Sato had excused himself a while ago, citing he did have a paper to complete but wishing them good luck in their planning. 

Izuku turned to Ochaco, who was looking awfully serious for someone who wore so much pink.

“He’s really a lot like us, isn’t he?” she said.

“Why wouldn't he be?" said Izuku with a small sad smile, "Not making an excuse, but it’s important to remember he’s been through a lot psychologically. The fact that there is even anything left after that is a testament to his mental fortitude alone.”

Ochaco gave a gentle but knowing nod of her head, “Admiring someone for their brain is so very you.”

“God I sound so freaking whipped,” he said, letting his head fall to the table with a thud.

Did Izuku really not know how Shigaraki looked at him? These boys. The young woman chuckled and said, “Look, he has his moments and I want to help. How about I get Iida and Tsu to meet with us tomorrow morning while the two Alphas are out shopping?”

Izuku turned to his friend, “Really? You’d do that?”

“What can I say? You’ve convinced me there may be more to Shigaraki Tomura than just being a villain,” Ochaco offered with a smile. 

—

The next morning the Alpha gave his Mate a kiss, then rolled out of their nest, got dressed and headed downstairs. Tomura had some oatmeal with sliced strawberries and a cup of coffee for breakfast.

Bakugo was already there waiting in the common room for their hero escort.

Midnight picked them up in civilian clothes, her hair pulled up in a ponytail. She wore a long navy sweater, over that a thick leather belt high on her waist, and leggings with lightbulbs on them with comfortable flats. 

“Ready to go you two?” she asked with a grin.

Izuku had said he would pay for the food, he had some money saved up. So now here the villain was in the grocery store shopping like a normal person. He had a plan, this was his first chance to make an important point to these herolings without using violence. 

Bakugo huffed as he picked out fresh produce next to the former villain. The man had selected a few potatoes and a turnip. He hadn't expected the other to even know what vegetables were, let alone turnips.

Once they were done they checked out and Midnight brought the school's minivan around to pick them up. Bakugo had the same amount of bags as Tomura, which didn’t make sense to him because the Alpha had said he wanted to stock his Den as well as was buying what they needed to cook. 

It made him wonder what the gremlin was even going to be making? Whatever, it didn’t matter, he was just going to focus on winning with his meal.

—

Izuku woke up to his weekend alarm. He checked for messages and then remembered he was supposed to meet with his friends today. Now the Omega was pacing in his room. He was understandably nervous. His phone beeping had him jumping a mile, it was a text from Ochaco letting him know they were ready.

He pulled on his ‘Conversation T-Shirt’ and headed downstairs.

Iida knit his hands together on the table in front of himself. He’d agreed to this meeting at Ochaco’s insistence but he didn’t see how it wasn’t going to be a total disaster. 

This was a sensitive subject on multiple levels, social, political, etcetera. Any association with Izuku once word got out could make a person look like a villain sympathizer. Iida had to think about what that would mean for the Ingenium name. And now that he was courting Momo, her family reputation as well.

Iida would say that unlike himself who saw people more in terms of good or bad, Izuku had always been a morally righteous person. That was what Stain had seen in him and not Iida, the ability Izuku had to help those who really needed him. Even though a moment ago they may have been trying to stab them with a samurai sword. Though Iida reminded himself, Izuku did have a tendency to offer more leniency to those who had been wronged.

Tsu sat there silently beside him. Izuku was a good friend and she felt that because of that she would hear him out. She still had nightmares of how Shigaraki had nearly decayed her face. The amphibian mutant was doing this for herself too.

The Omega in question slid into the seat across from them, Ochaco taking the seat next to her friend.

“Izuku,” Iida tried, then faltered, “I’m sorry, I don’t really know where to start?”

The green haired Omega tilted his head, “How about with scenting?”

“That seems reasonable,” said Tsu, holding her wrist out towards Izuku. It wasn’t a skill Izuku had meant to develop. It’s just he’d always paid attention to details, it’s why his notebooks were so thorough. This led to him being good at picking apart a person’s scent, the more he scented them the better he got at it. He had even been scented enough by Aizawa-sensei to be able to tell if he really was as tired as he looked (often) or as irritated as he appeared (also often).

Tsu was doubtful, but still felt Izuku was her friend. Izuku thought that was fair. He already knew Ochaco had basically accepted Izuku and Shigaraki had made some kind of connection. 

Iida though, the Alpha didn’t want anything to do with him and Izuku had to struggle to keep a straight face while scenting him. It was like rubbing his nose against a freshly painted wall. Not pleasant. Iida coughed in order to hide the face he made as he pulled away.  

Their scents no longer blended. He had tried to prepare himself for that, but coming face to face with it for the first time was… harsh. It didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends or co-workers, but it did mean that at least Iida did not want to be packmates anymore.

More than that, it meant an end to the Class A Pack.

—

“You have to understand many of us feared the worst when we were told who you had been, ah, held captive with,” said the turbo speed hero student in an effort to shoo away the awkward silence.

“I am willing to show you,” he rolled up his sleeves and even his pant legs, and then lifted his shirt to show his abs, “As you can see, I am not terribly injured in any way.”

Izuku pulled his shirt collar over so his bite was fully visible, “This is a clean mark.”

The three students had to agree, it was.

“I know I am going to be asked this a lot, so I’ll clear it up now. No one was forced, quirked, or blackmailed into doing anything.”

“How do you know that, Kero?” asked Tsu, who was paying very close attention. 

Izuku continued, “It has been confirmed the drugs we’d been given were to push our Heat and Rut to begin at the same time. What happened after that was basically nature taking its course with two unexpectedly compatible people.” 

He looked across the table at his friends. How was he to explain this? Hmm. Oh! 

“Imagine you are trapped in a space with only one person for weeks, and this person, despite how you felt about them on the surface initially, had been judged by your own secondary gender to be a good match. And then, their actions and conversations prove them to be a much different individual than you had observed from afar.” 

Iida sat back and his shoulders slumped, “This sounds like one of the Social Experiments we learned about in our Psychology class.” 

“It very much was,” agreed Izuku. 

Tsu tapped her finger on her chin and asked, “So, he never once tried to hurt you while you were there?”

“No,” the Omega answered with a shake of his head, “Early on we both agreed that the experiment seemed to hinge on pairing up compatible Alphas and Omegas. And that if one of us were dead the other may also be killed, so we agreed to a truce for the time being, per say.”

Ochaco tilted her head a small smile on her face, “What was he like, you know, when not being a terror to Japan?”

“You mean after he dropped his guard?” asked Izuku.

Tsu and Iida nodded.

“Typical gamer,” said Izuku with a smile and a shrug, “I had to convince him to try other things, otherwise he’d just game every day for hours, all hunched over on the couch like a gremlin.” 

The girls gave a laugh and even Iida’s lip twitched up. Progress, thought the green haired young hero student.

—

“Izuku,” said Iida, having realized something, “From our Secondary Gender course we were taught a person normally needs to be exposed to a potential mate’s scent several times before deciding, but you were only given a blanket to smell. Can you explain that?”

The Omega blushed, and the girls leaned in. Awkward confession time, he guessed.

“I um, actually was attracted to Tomura before this. Particularly after our last fight ending in the capture of AFO… Anyway, it was really a good thing since I dropped during my Pre-Heat.” 

Ochaco gasped, “You dropped!”  

“During pre-Heat?” asked Tsu, concern filling her voice.

Izuku mentally pat himself on the back, way to change the subject.

“It was mostly due to the medications and something else I’m not comfortable sharing right now, but it was bad enough that I needed help. And he helped me.” 

Iida sat stunned, “He could have left you to die!” 

“He didn’t,” Izuku said smugly, resting his head on his hand as he leaned on the table. 

“Well, like you said,” the class President backpedaled, “You both believed if one of you died the other may be disposed of so…” 

Izuku shook his head, “At that point, we’d basically been courting and meant more to each other, or him being there wouldn’t have done anything at all. You know that from the Secondary Gender course too Iida.” 

“How did you come to that realization?” asked Tsu. 

“We were doing things that couples do,” he said, feeling his cheeks heat up again. 

Oh, thought the brunette, she was totally getting him to share some of this tea. Ochaco batted her eyes at him and prodded further, “Oh really? Like what?” 

“Well, we’d eat our meals together, even though we didn’t have to, and talk about our friends and hobbies and all kinds of things. We even watched movies and fell asleep on the couch together.”

The girls nodded sagely, yes, the getting to know you better phase.

Then Izuku stopped talking.

Sensing he was holding back Ochaco asked sweetly, “And?”

The green haired young man covered his face with his hands, but they could still hear him when he mumbled out, “And flirting.”

The girls broke into giggles as Iida looked confusedly between the two, “What?”

“Oh for the sake of,” Izuku stopped himself and looked up, “Iida, there is a reason I usually hide in my dorm during my pre-heat. I get… well, extra cuddly and seek attention.”

Tsu asked, “What did you do?”

The UA student looked away, he did not want to answer this. Ochaco poked him in his side.

“Ah! Ok ok! We danced, had a pillow fight…”

“Oh that’s not so bad…” started the brunet.

“I may have made a suggestive comment and he might have sucked on my toes…”

Silence.

The shocked look on Iida’s face, then the girls burst out into laughter.

“Wow, Shigaraki has moves, who would have guessed?” said Ochaco, mock-fanning her face. 

The stiff man’s cheeks turned pink, “Well, Ah hah. I did not need to know that.”

“That's nothing kero. You really need to loosen up a little. At least for Momo's sake,” said Tsu between giggles.

“Oh my god please, just shove me into a hole and bury me now,” the shorter man groaned as his head thunked on the table.

“There there, Izuku,” offered Iida fighting his own smile as he pat the shorter man’s shoulder.

Things felt a little lighter after that, though Izuku wouldn’t be asking for another scenting from Iida. 

He knew Class A was large enough that it was likely to form two or three Packs. This wasn’t entirely unexpected. Still, even knowing it was a natural part of life for people to grow apart, the Omega still felt somewhat unbalanced at losing his juvenile Pack.

Izuku also told his friends they would both be attending therapy regularly, since the medications for anxiety and sleeping were helpful but needed to be prescribed by a licensed Doctor.

“What can we do to help?” asked Iida before they wrapped up their meeting.

“Just, treat him like a person who is recovering. That’s what he’s trying to do,” he added quietly as they all got up.

“You going to stick around to watch them cook?” asked Ochaco.

Izuku grinned, “You bet!”

—

At 2pm the Alphas met in the kitchen to begin cooking as agreed. 

It seemed like most of the class was downstairs, the kitchen was open to everyone in the common area so they were being watched, the explosive Alpha flaunting his knife skills as he dismembered the chicken and filletted the fish.

Bakugo cooked and so did Tomura, putting his plan into action.

When Katsuki was done cutting up his vegetables, Tomura took all of the ends and cuttings he’d tossed to the side, much to the blond’s confusion. 

He saw the man do the same when he had filletted the fish and scowled, just what was the villain up to?

Even when he made his sauces, the damn man took the peels from his lemons, limes and the orange, still he was too busy working on his meal prep to concern himself more than asking, “What the fuck are you doing mop head?”

“Just using what you’ve discarded.”

“For what?”

“For cooking,” hummed Tomura, taking the ends of the onion and trimming it down a bit further, getting himself enough to use for his own recipe.

The villain ended up with the head’s, tails and bones of the red snappers, the chicken carcasses which still had some meat on the bones, a variety of vegetable scraps and the citrus peels. 

To the blond Alpha that was all garbage, so he didn’t give a fuck what the pale creeper did with it. He was going to focus on making his meal.

—

Katsuki’s Meal Made of Premium Ingredients:

The first thing he decided to make was inspired by his own Omega, a Cold Soba Noodle Salad with a Honey Sesame Dressing. He sliced up some red cabbage, green onions, and then carrots which he cut to matchstick size. He knew it was one of Shouto’s favorites and could already see the eager look in his eye from across the room. It made his Alpha puff out its chest with pride. 

For his next dish he broke down two whole chickens. They were told to get enough to feed half the class, and everyone would take a half portion of each dish to try and then cast their vote using some scrap paper and a box Mina had set up.

He removed the breasts and thighs. With those ready he diced them up and then took out a set of skewers and made both white meat and dark meat Chicken yakitori with sweet peppers and a pair of sauces, a mild ponzu and a spicy yuzu kosho sauce.

Katsuki’s main dish was Kung Pow Fish served in a spicy brown sauce with Broccoli and a side of white rice. He expertly filet a half dozen whole red snapper himself. Again, because he was a perfectionist. He checked each one to make sure there were no remaining pin bones and chopped them up into same sized pieces so they cooked evenly in the wok.

As another vegetable he made Roasted Cauliflower steaks seasoned with lemon and sesame seeds. No real trick to these, just remove the leaves and steam from the vegetable and slice into nice thick steak pieces. He pulled out the gill plate and put it on the oven to cook them and get a perfect sear. 

For dessert he finished off his meal with a Cream filled matcha roll cake. Bakugo made a light airy whipped filling and carefully rolled the cake up, cutting off the uneven ends and sprinkling the top with powdered sugar. It looked lovely. 

About half way through cooking he’d looked up and noticed that Midnight, Mr. Aizawa, Mr. Yamada and All Might had shown up. It wasn’t fair that only he had to deal with the added stress of them watching, so he made sure to bump into Shigaraki and point them out. 

—

Tomura’s Meal made of Discarded Scraps:

Tomura just gave a nod and kept going. He wasn’t letting anyone be a distraction. He had decided to only purchase a few items at the grocery store, he was only able to do this thanks to the Bakusquad giving him a heads up on everything the blond planned to make as well as seeing what he bought when they went shopping. It was the shopping trip that really let him know what he’d have to work with.

He decided to make a basic Miso Soup, using the bones, cut up onion ends and some carrot peel scraps to make his chicken stock from scratch. He added salt and some fresh herbs he’d purchased. He could use this as a base for other sauces too.

While that was cooking down he pressed the Tofu he'd gotten and used the green onion scraps from Bakugo, dicing them up so they were ready to go in with some dried chopped up seaweed. 

Next the older Alpha took the scraps of Cauliflower leaves and steams, as well as the scraps of sweet pepper and shallots, and added several of his potatoes, he mixed them in a pot with dashi, soy sauce, mirin and rice vinegar and let them simmer, it was just a simple vegetable dish named after whatever you had on hand, in this case Dashi-Simmered Cauliflower Leaves with Potatoes and Sweet Pepper.

The fish parts became his main dish, he battered and fried the heads, tails, and chopped the spines which still had some meat on them, into even sized chunks. To go with that he made a potato and turnip medley including the remainder of the onion in a slightly sweet and savory sauce served with rice.

Next Tomura made a simple dough and used it to make some dumplings, for the stuffing he stripped the remainder of the chicken carcasses of any meat bits, including the skin. He tossed the skin in a pan with hot oil first with the last of the scallion to let it get crispy, then added the diced up cabbage ends and some breadcrumbs. To go with it he made a quick and easy gyoza sauce with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and a touch of chili powder (he wasn’t Bakugo, not everything has to be painfully spicy)

And finally, for his dessert he made vanilla ice cream, and then took the Orange, Lemon and Lime peels and candied them with sugar in a pan, when they were done he let them cool and shook them together with more sugar and put them in a bowl with a spoon to top the ice cream with. 

When they were done it was time to eat, and vote.

—

After everyone else had taken a plate Tomura and Katsuki took theirs and then sat down at the dining room tables surrounded by Class A.

“I was really surprised with how you used his food scraps to make, well, even more,” admitted a tall young woman with long black hair. Momo, he thinks, remembering the picture Izuku gave him. According to his own research on the class, she came from money. It was good his efforts had made an impression on her but he felt he could say something to drive the point home. 

“You would also be surprised to know how many honest hard working people have to eat that way,” he said flatly, “because they just don’t have access to or can’t afford food. Something you take for granted I'm sure.” 

She fiddled with her hands awkwardly, and Ochaco spoke up, “He’s right, my family has to do this a lot. We keep vegetable scraps, make our own broth and freeze it for later. We sometimes even keep vegetable cuttings to grow in the windows, and grow our own fresh herbs. Basically whatever we can do to help keep food costs down. There were nights we only had rice with vegetables to eat.”

Momo shifted uncomfortably, “I’m so sorry to hear that Ochaco. You’re right Shigaraki, there should be more done to help those who are hungry.”

He just grunted in reply and went back to his meal, Bakugo did know how to cook. The chicken was tender and the sauces delicious. His fish was white and flaky as well. Tomura felt like he had no chance of winning this, which made his inner Alpha upset, but he could deal. That wasn’t the point.

When Nemuri had come back from the grocery store with the boys she had texted Shouta to let him know what his students were up to. 

He knew the villain could make pancakes, but it wasn’t like that was terribly complicated. So when he was told Tomura could really cook, the erasure hero decided he had to see it for himself. He also figured he better be there to supervise, just in case the two temperamental Alpha’s got confrontational in a kitchen, with knives. 

Shouta came into the Class A dorm with his Mate, Nemuri and Yagi at his heels to find the villain keeping up with Bakugo on every front. And after some observation it was clear he had an interesting strategy. Shigaraki was purposefully using as many of the students' scraps as he could to cook with. 

In the end there was enough food for the teachers to try some. As Shouta retrieved a plate he stopped next to Shigaraki and said, “I saw what you did, this is impressive.”

“You didn’t even taste it yet,” said the Alpha, turning away, his body betraying him again with a flush of embarrassment. 

Shouta cleared his throat to get the young man to look back at him and pointed to the other students who were eagerly talking and eating the food, “I’m quite confident it’s as good as it looks.”

Tomura watched as Eraserhead went back to sit with Midnight and the former number one. God he wished he could just sink through the floor to the center of the earth and burn up in a fiery inferno of…

“These dumplings are delicious!” gushed Izuku from next to him, his thoughts of self immolation being doused by his mate’s words.

The chefs and their mates weren’t allowed to vote, obviously, but Izuku could still give compliments! 

“I really like Kacchan’s Chicken Yakitori too!”

Even Tsu had to agree Shigaraki’s cooking was better than she expected. And he had made it for everyone. That was very different from the destructive villain at the USJ. She may not feel comfortable being in a room alone with the Alpha, but the man could cook.

“I appreciate having some more savory and sweet options as opposed to only spicy, kero,” she admitted bashfully.

In the end they tied and Katsuki was furious. He immediately wanted a rematch, which Tomura declined. 

He was exhausted and needed some time away from everyone after the last couple days. The other’s offered to clean up so he nodded and headed up to lay down in their nest, planning to stay there for the rest of the evening playing with a deck of cards. He really missed video games. Besides, he had to make a decision tomorrow and still had a few more things to go over in the proposed reform packet. 

The explosive blond yelled about him being a coward and proceeded to call him all kinds of names but Tomura didn’t care. Bakugo, he’d decided, was about ninety percent hot air. If he didn’t vent he’d float away in a fugue state or something. The class had enjoyed his food and he’d made an important point. That felt like victory enough.

—

Izuku came up a couple hours later looking pretty tired. He knew it was dumb to stay up late but he really needed to get some social time in with the rest of his classmates. He was trying to pin-point which way they were splitting. He knew Kacchan would have the Bakusquad, and Shouto would be with them as the Alpha’s mate. 

What about the others? What about himself and Tomura?

As he got ready for bed the Omega was aware of the pair of crimson eyes watching his every move. It made him feel giddy in a good way. When had the look from those eyes changed from something he feared to this? Izuku wondered. 

His Omega crawled into their nest next to Tomura and chirruped sleeply. 

It was fucking adorable.

He gave a gentle rumble in reply and allowed his Omega to crawl up onto his chest and settle into what was his favorite spot. Tomura would feel so lonely without him there. God, he was already in too deep. How the hell did this happen?

“Tomura?”

“Yes?”

“I hope you stay. I know it’s your decision but… I really care about you. I know that’s not easy for you to believe.”

He carded his hand through green curls. He leaned in to take a deep breath of cedar and vetiver and whispered, “You don’t even know if that’s real.”

“I think it is.”

“Go to sleep, little hero.”

*yawn*

“Kay.”

—

In the middle of the night, Tomura gets up. 

He sneaks out out of their nest, out of their den, down the stairs and out the front door. No one is there to stop him, but like during the day, he’s sure he’s being watched.

He walks down the main path, sensing multiple sets of eyes on the back of his neck. It makes his skin creep, he wants to scratch. It wouldn’t help though, he thinks to himself. He does his best to ignore the feeling.

Eventually he reaches the front of the school and stands just inside of the ceremonial front gate. It’s wide open, he could walk through it and leave. Never look back. 

Could he really just go?

“If you want to leave we won’t stop you.”

Tomura jumps, the damn man gets him every time. He’s so fucking quiet its eery. 

Eraserhead swings down from the top of the arch over the school’s exit using his scarf. He lands near silently next to Tomura, both of them standing there staring outside at the city.

“Thought the only other option was going to trial and letting them crucify me?”

“That's one option.”

Silence.

“I thought you wanted me to do the rehab program,” the Alpha tries again.

Shouta shrugs, “That’s another option. Can’t force you to do it though.”

Another pause. 

“What would you do?”

The older man shakes his head, “This isn’t about me. This is your choice, but… I’d ask myself what I really want. And do I have a better chance of getting it if I stay or if I go?”

The Alpha huffed. 

Yeah. 

Right. 

Tomura knew his Sensei had his own motivations and reasons to raising him, calling himself the Demon Lord and all. God that was dramatic as hell.

As he built the League Tomura found their individual aspirations became important to him. He wanted to help mutants like Iguchi and Keigo. He wanted to stop qurikism, to put an end to arranged marriages to breed for certain quirks. He wanted to save people like himself, Dabi, Toga, Jin, Magne, Iguchi and others…but Sensei would never let him do that, would he?

The young Alpha closed his eyes and leaned his head back. Feeling the soft breeze ruffle his hair as he looked up into the sky and watched the clouds slowly laze their way past. There wouldn’t be anything like this in Tartarus. 

Could he do all that from where he was now? 

He takes a breath.

Maybe not where he was standing at this moment, but what if he could convince the League to join him in the reform program? What if he didn’t want to just destroy shit? What if he wanted to build something instead? 

Emerald eyes shine up at him from his subconscious.

Tomura felt his lip twitch, threatening to break out into a smile. God he was such a sap. He turned around and gave a wave to the Underground Hero before he walked back to Heights Alliance.

“Where are you going?”

“Back to sleep,” he said over his shoulder. Hope you’re ready for all my questions later, Tomura thought to himself. 

Shouta watched as the young Alpha shoved his hands into his pockets, and headed back to the dorms.

One step forward, he thought.

—

Keigo almost never got sick. He would often joke that maybe he was an Ox and not a Hawk since he was so healthy.

He'd rolled into his apartment early that morning. He hadn’t even eaten, he'd just flopped into his bed and fell asleep. That wasn’t anything new with his schedule the way it was lately. 

Then he'd woken up, taken a shower, made some eggs over rice, eaten it all and promptly thrown up. 

That was new.

Did the food make him sick? Holding his still upset stomach with one hand he double checked the dates on the containers, nothing he’d used was past its best by date. Keigo was sure his maid would have cleared it out if it was. He’d gotten food sickness once from eating old rice and from then on the Commission had his maid regularly check his fridge.

Could it be stress? 

Granted with Shiggy missing and the League uneasy about their leader's location and health he could understand that maybe he was just feeling extra anxiety through their bond though he hadn’t gotten to spend much time with his new mate since they didn't want to risk drawing any attention to themselves while low key searching for Shigaraki.

Still, he wished they could just get an answer as to what happened to the LOV Leader. He and Dabi couldn’t risk moving ahead with their own plans until he was found. 

You see, Keigo had decided to leave the HSPC. 

He and Dabi had mated just before the LOV leader went missing. Everyone in the League had seemed happy for them. Even their Leader, though even as a Beta Keigo could smell the hints of jealousy and loneliness from the other Alpha.

Then Shiggy went missing and Dabi said they couldn’t risk being seen together or having him accidentally lead some heroes or the HPSC to their hideout while they tried to locate their leader, alive or dead. 

He knew the Alpha was right, but it still ached, to be newly bonded and only able to talk or video chat on their phones. Keigo had no idea that bonding felt like this.

He let out a small chirp of distress, he wanted his mate.

Chapter Text

16. Getting With the Program

Izuku woke before his alarm with a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach, he’d had a nightmare. Tomura left. The idea of his Mate leaving him so soon made his chest hurt and stomach twist into knots. His Omega whined,

“Are we not good enough?” 

He lay very still not sure yet if it was just a dream. 

Then someone snored near his left ear and wrapped their arm around his middle.

Izuku gasped.

Ok.

He wouldn’t cry.

His alarm went off.

He wouldn’t. 

Reaching over he silenced it.

Ok he was cry, but he honestly wasn’t sure if he would wake up with Tomura or not. He’d excused the weekend as the villain just using the time to rest up before escaping. The fact that the Alpha stayed…please, he thought to himself, please... 

Tomura was woken up feeling Izuku’s distress across their bond. 

“Hey Freckles, Izuku. Shhh, hey, calm down. What’s the matter?”

Izuku let out a little sob, “Y-you’re still here.”

“Yeah. Yes. Hey listen, could you turn around and look at me?”

His Omega did as he asked, slowly rolling over in their nest. Tomura wanted to say this to his face. Correction, he had to say this to his face. Izuku deserved that much.

He tried to stay calm as Tomura placed a hand on each of his cheeks and made him look up into those ruby eyes.

“I’m going to try the program, but I want my Pack to have the same chance so I need to negotiate with Eraserhead and your man-bear-pig principle,” he barely finished talking before Izuku was kissing him like a man who’d spent weeks parched in a desert.

—

The Alpha hummed as he kissed his Mate back. At least Tomura knew he had one person who thought he could do this.

Pulling away with a smile on his face he pressed their foreheads together and said, “Now, you need to get up and get ready for class.”

“Oh, I do,” Izuku looked at the time. He really needed to get moving, there were a lot of people who were putting in extra time and effort to help him too and he couldn’t let them down! 

They both got up and got ready for the day. Izuku put on his school uniform, and Tomura decided to dress in a pair of jeans with a dark red Polo shirt, one of the nicer ones they’d picked out in case he needed to dress up a little. He also brushed his hair and pulled it up into a partial pony tail to keep his bangs out of his face. Maybe he should cut it? Naw, he liked it longer like this. They headed downstairs. 

He did notice as he was making his and Izuku’s breakfast that the brunette girl (Ochaco, her name was Ochaco) and another young man were at the counter, he couldn’t remember his name though.

“Izuku, who’s the blond skinny guy speaking with a French accent?”

“That’s Aoyama! He has a laser in his belly button!” 

“That's…something.”

“Still here Mop Head?” asked the explosive student from where he was eating with Shouto.

“Yup.”

Aoyama and Ochaco giggled. 

Jirou came in and got a coffee, she paused when she saw the villain in the dining room, but shrugged and went about her business. No reason to get all worked up if nothing was going wrong.

There was a round of good mornings, and she took her seat at the table with a bowl of cereal.

It seemed a few more of them had grown spines overnight. Guess after no one died the first few days the aura of fear around the villain had tempered back to one more akin to curiosity. To be honest, though Tomura couldn’t leave UA without supervision he still felt far less trapped at the school then he had when under AFO’s thumb. 

So this morning he just let them approach him. Sato was kind and didn’t seem to hold a grudge against Tomura, he even spoke to a very shy Koda. The student could talk to animals and told him about his pet rabbit. That sounded like a pretty useful quirk to him, particularly for recon. 

Izuku gave him a kiss on the cheek which earned him a couple awws from the girls, then he ran off to his early classes. Tomura decided to head back upstairs to spend his time waiting for his meeting by adding to his list of questions and requests. He figured some of them would be refused but he’d never know if he didn’t ask right?

Katsuki dragged Shouto off to get a morning jog in before classes. 

Ochaco was about to get going herself when Iida, Momo and Tsu came into the kitchen. 

Her amphibian girlfriend ran over to give her a good morning kiss and the brunet blushed. She and Tsu had only just made their courting official a month ago and she was still getting used to the sudden bursts of affection. She wasn’t ever going to complain though.

“Ah, since all of you are here. There is something I’d like to discuss,” said Iida after pouring himself a cup of coffee. Jirou stayed quiet where she sat alone at the table in the background. 

Ochaco tilted her head, “Oh?”

“I would like to propose we form a Pack for after we graduate.”

—

Eraserhead showed up right around ten with Principal Nedzu and several lawyers in tow. 

The Underground Hero stood in front of Tomura down in the common room, “Well?”

Truly a man of few words, thought the villain.

“I am willing to try this,” Tomura began, keeping his voice steady, “but I have some questions and requests.”

Shouta nodded, “Let’s sit down and go over everything.”

Considering what he'd done the rehabilitation program didn’t sound half bad. He would never be forcibly restricted from being with Izuku as his mate since those old laws the Omega had cited were still in place.

However he wanted his Pack, the League, to be given the same opportunity. He didn’t feel the need yet to point out his Pack was technically now also Izuku’s and reform was the best option for the young man’s hero career if they remained a pair. He held off on that detail, just in case. 

“They are damaged, disadvantaged, and jaded for sure, but they believe I can help them and it'd be shitty of me not to fight to at least give them the same… option I’m being given,” he says.

The lawyers next to the two mostly kept their heads down and were typing on laptops and jotting down notes over their own copies of the agreement. 

“Agreed,” said Nedzu, sipping on a cup of tea he had procured from… somewhere?, "We can draw up agreements for each of them. How do you propose this be presented?”

Tomura had expected to have to argue more. Then again, getting a group of villains off the streets would be good for society at large from their point of view, so, ok, fine. He had to be there to speak with them though. That was non negotiable.

The lawyers stopped typing, “If you can get them all to join it will be far more effective in convincing the HPSC and the Government.”

“You want an all or nothing deal?” said Tomura, peaking his hands on the table, the motion drawing attention to them. His crimson eyes narrowed. 

He watched both lawyers share a tense look before continuing, “A-all we are saying is it would be helpful in streamlining approvals.”

He thought for a moment and said, “Himiko and Jin would be the most receptive. I don’t see Kenji, Iguchi or Kurogiri being too much of an issue. Atshiruo is a natural skeptic and will take some convincing.”

The lawyers nodded and wrote it all down, then Tomura took a deep breath and said, “Dabi for sure will be the most difficult, for several reasons. He’s an Alpha and he came to me with his own goals in mind. I think the others are more likely to go with the program as long as you allow Izuku and I to be present as a proven point. Being here isn't like being imprisoned in Tartarus, but Dabi, he’s going to make this difficult.”

Nedzu sipped his tea, “Is there anything you think would help to convince him?”

“Well, he’s mated with Hawks,” and if that fails Tomura could always tell them who Dabi’s dear old Daddy was, but he’d rather avoid that. It really was not his secret to tell. 

The arsonist had shared that information with him in confidence one evening when they were terribly drunk. It was his first time really getting drunk and Tomura had woken up with the most god awful hangover and a whole new opinion on Endawhore. 

Personally he hasn’t touched alcohol since. 

—

The lawyer across from him gasped and the other snapped the led off his pencil in alarm. From the grin on his face Shouta could tell the villain enjoyed that little shock.

“The number two hero is in a romantic bonded relationship with your second in command?” questioned the wisdom rodent.

“He’s a two faced spy for the Commission. Initially I really thought Dabi was going to fry the chicken, until after a series of unfortunate incidents we found out he’s just as screwed up as we are,” he took a drink and put down his cup, “The truth is the Commission really has abused the fuck out of him and a whole slew of other heroes working under their thumb. If we can help Hawks too, we will be able to use him as leverage to push Dabi to accept.”

“You as leader approved of their mating?” asked Eraser.

“Better that than them going behind my back and doing it anyway,” the villain rubbed his neck, he and the League had never really discussed being a Pack so using the terms for one felt strange, “Was impressed Dabi had the balls to even ask me.”

“Why did you approve?” Nedzu questioned.

“Honestly I was hoping being bonded would temper back some of... the arsonist’s more self destructive tendencies,” Tomura had almost screwed up and there, he'd almost said friend. Hah.

The rodent flicked his beady eyes to Shouta, he was aware of the youngest Todoroki's theory. 

“What do you know about Hawks?” said Eraserhead, narrowing his eyes at Shigaraki. The Omega was upset, but Tomura could tell it wasn’t directed at him.

So the villain told them about Hawks, who’s real name was Takami Keigo. How he’s a Beta with an avian mutation quirk which the Commission dumbs down for the sake of popularity. How his father was a jewelry thief, and his mother sold him to the HPSC as a child. How he was forced to hide his more bird-like traits, was put on a strict regimented diet, experimental suppressants to increase his resistance to commands, and was pranced out in front of the public at selected public appearances. How under the cover of night does Hawks did the dirty work for the HPSC, things like assassinations, bribery and intel gathering.

How when he was with the League he could eat raw meat and no one batted an eye if he chirped or cooed or twittered. He could take off his gloves and his painfully cramped shoes, because his hands and feet were more birdlike than the public knew. How Dabi would preen his feathers and until recently he was jealous of watching them hold each other on the beat up couch in the hideout at night. 

“And how have you come to know so much about his history?” asked one of the lawyers.

“I do thorough background checks on everyone I’ve worked with, some of it he confirm himself,” explained Tomura, giving them both a pointed look. 

The tapping on the keyboards stopped for a moment, then to their credit, picked right back up again. 

The chimera sipped his tea and said, “Quite judicious. I am no fan of the HPSC and have long suspected them of being guilty of a number of illicit activities. This however, seems like just the thing we can use to hang them with. I say we add poor Takami Keigo to our list.”

When they had finished discussing every point he had issue or questions on Tomura leaned back exhausted, “Now what?”

One of the lawyers spoke up nervously, “Now we draft the agreements, then present them to the HPSC and Government. They can suggest adjustments, which will be reviewed with you before agreeing. Once the plans are approved you sign and are under legal obligation to complete the Reformatory program as formally agreed upon.”

Eraserhead spoke up, “This will be expedited?”

“Yes.”

“How long until we see you here for the review on any items changed or challenged?” Nedzu questioned.

“Give us three days.”

“I guess we’ll see you then,” said Tomura.

—

“You’re fucking staying?” 

Tomrua had come back downstairs after resting to find Bakugo in the kitchen baking something that smelled delicious.

A few other students were in the common room, Izuku wasn’t back from his extended classes yet. It seemed word had somehow gotten around already that he was in fact staying. Most likely that was Eraserhead’s doing. Meddlesome underground hero.

“Yes.”

The other Alpha was aggressively flipping cookies off the tray and onto a plate, “Un-Fucking-Believeable!”

Jirou had come over to see what was going on. She leaned over and whispered so only Tomura could hear, “It’s not what he says you know, it’s what he does that matters.”

“Huh?”

A plate of freshly made chocolate chip cookies was put down on the kitchen counter in front of him, “Don’t you fucking dare ruin your appetite for dinner!”

Then the angry blond stormed off.

Jirou smiled and took a warm cookie, “See what I mean?”

Tomura turned back to the plate. He picked one up and took a bite and wanted to melt just like the chocolate. Man, nothing beats the comfort of fresh made chocolate chip cookies. Like a warm hug.

A little while later Tomura found himself in the kitchen with Sato and a couple others putting dinner together. It helped calm him down after spending most of the day negotiating for his and his Pack’s future. 

He tried to openly answer any questions they had, while asking things about them too to make it a fair exchange. Today he learned about the schools curfew and a bit about what parts of their security system was automated vs actual patroles done by heroes, and just how often they snuck out undetected. Izuku was working on school work at one of the tables in the common room, he reached out mentally to add,

“Even Kacchan’s done it.”

“Secret criminals, the lot of you.” 

“Some rules are stupid.” 

“Agreed, Freckles.”

Later Koda showed up with his actual rabbit, which he dropped into Tomura’s lap the moment he agreed he wouldn’t mind holding the fuzz ball.

—

“Shouldn’t you hate me?” Tomura asked. He was compelled to keep asking that. He should definitely talk to his Therapist about it when he gets around to speaking with one.

The UA student watched him quietly. The villain was holding the small animal in his lap, petting it carefully with his pinky’s tucked away despite having the cuffs on. He wasn’t going to risk hurting the innocent bunny. 

Jirou and Mina giggled together at how adorable it was and he felt his cheeks get warm.

“Do you hate us?” asked the rabbit’s owner.

“No,” huh, you learn something new about yourself every day, thought the villain. He kept petting the small angora bunny. Its hair was soft and wavy and reminded him of Izuku’s. 

Kirishima, lying on the big bean bag with Kaminari said, “We don’t hate you either.”

“Why not?”

“The way I see it, hate takes a lot more work. It’s like a bad for you kind of obsession. No bueno man,” said Hanta who was lying on the couch with Mina next to him. 

He scowled, still not understanding, “So what, you’re just not built for it?”

“Sort of,” Jirou thought for a second, “It’s more like, we were taught it wasn’t good for us, and had people who loved us growing up. Things like that make a big difference.”

“Oh,” he said, feeling bitter. His scent must have given him away because Mina and Denki offered their wrists and passed them over his own after he nodded it was ok. Then an arm appeared in front of him that he hadn't been offered to scent before. 

Tomura looked up to see it was one of the taller students, the one who could produce many arms and legs and eyes and mouths. An uncommon heromorph trait. What was his name again?

“It’s ok he won’t bite,” grinned the shark toothed redhead. Which of them he was speaking to Tomura wasn’t sure, though without his mask he could fully read the other’s doubtful expression.

He held out his own wrist face up in the submissive position and allowed the other to gently scent him. Tomura managed to remember who he was at least, Shoji Mezou. 

Izuku said he used to wear a mask all the time, but now he only wears it when he’s out in public or doing hero work. Said his face scared a little girl once, he didn’t want to scare people as a hero. Tomura was reminded of Iguchi.

“Shoji was it? I think you look better without the mask,” he said as they finished scenting. He smelled of chocolate and hazelnuts. 

“I didn’t think you knew my name…” said the multi-armed man, looking down at his wrist. It was true what others had said, Shigaraki had a warm earthy scent. Not at all what you'd expect of a villain.

Waving his hand dismissively the pale Alpha said, “Whatever, trust me, I get it. You look better without it.”

“Thanks,” said Shoji sincerely. Shigaraki Tomura outside of battle was not who he expected him to be at all. The student had to wonder, just how much of the fear and hate for him was also derived from prejudice?

—

“What did you do today?” asked Izuku, taking off his shoes and dumping his school bag on the couch. 

They had headed up to bed after he’d eaten dinner. Izuku was thankful no one fought them on it. He wanted and needed to spend some time with just his Mate.

“Spent most of it talking to UA’s lawyers with that creepy rodent and Eraserhead,” said Tomura.

“How did that go?”

“I asked UA to give the same chance they offered me to the rest of the League.”

“And what did they say?” Izuku headed to the bathroom but left the door open so he could listen but also brush his teeth.

The villain paused to lean on the wall in the hallway outside the bathroom so they could keep talking, “They said yes.”

Izuku spit out the toothpaste foam, “Really? That’s great!”

“The League has been loyal to me. Believed I could help change the system, fix the flaws that wronged them. And I still want to,” hearing Izuku was almost done he turned and walked to their Den, "Guess we are going to have to do it the hard way." 

“Mmm,” hummed the Omega. Reasonable, thought Izuku. He washed his face and headed to their bedroom.

Walking into the room Izuku came face to face with Tomura pulling off his shirt and pants to get into pajamas.

He turned away, blushing. Yeah he knows he’s seen the guy naked before, but that was a very… different situation. A part of his brain was still in shock that he’d had sex with Shigaraki Tomura. That they were mated and that meant the body he’d fantasized about in connection to who’s it was, was now right here with him and he could touch…

Moments later he heard footsteps approaching, then warm arms were wrapped around his shoulders and Tomura leaned in to whisper, “You going to be shy like this around me now? After what we’ve been through?”

To someone else it would sound all too teasing, but Izuku could feel the doubt and insecurity. Even without the bond, he’d know from the intonations of the man’s voice.

“I’m working on it,” he said, turning around and pulling his Alpha down for a kiss. Then he asked, “Now, what are your plans for getting the League from out there on that side to in here on this side?”

Tomura blinked down at him, he uh, he hadn’t gotten that far yet.

—

Reading his partner’s face Izuku twisted out of his arms and grabbed a new notebook from his desk. Sitting on the couch they brainstormed for a few hours. At some point Izuku changed into his own pajamas, and not long after that he was once again yawing and Tomura put them both to bed.

As they lay in their nest together, Izuku cuddled up on Tomura’s chest, the Alpha pet a hand through his hair watching the curls bob as he thought. Reluctantly he broke the silence. 

“You’re sure about this?”

“About what?” said Izuku, looking over their plan.

“Staying together.”

Oh, that.

“Yes.”

“I really don’t understand?”

Izuku smiled and propped himself up with his chin on his forearms and asked, “What don’t you understand?”

“You’re the one with everything to lose. It’s gotta be easier to lose everything if you had nothing most of your life. I don’t see how being mated to me doesn’t screw up your dreams? I mean, it’s already caused friction in your school Pack, when the public finds out…” he trailed off sounding so forlorn. As if Izuku would ever give up just because something was difficult.

“Tomura, you are my partner. People are going to need to learn to deal with that,” then Izuku scoffed, “As for my friends, if they can’t accept you then they aren’t the friends I thought they were.”

“What about your career?”

Izuku shrugged and lay back down, “You know one thing I learned in my internships is that people will always find reasons to not like you, no matter how much good you do for them. For some it’s never enough, for others it’s not the right thing, or the right time. Sometimes they just don’t like your face, or scent. It’s just not possible to please everyone all the time.”

“Ouch, that realization had to hurt.”

The Omega gave him a playful shove, “Shut up! Oh, I finally got to talk to Iida, Ochaco and Tsu.”

“How did that go?”

“It went a lot better than I expected. I think Ochaco gets it, and Tsu is willing to try…” his Omega looked away and his fingers twitched.

“And?”

“It's just, Iida rejected me when we scented. He doesn't want to be in a Pack with me at all anymore.”

Tomura hugged him close.

Izuku let out a sigh and said, “I came back knowing things were going to change.”

Still, thought the Alpha, that change was because of him…it was his fault.

“We should get to sleep,” Izuku snuggled against his chest, “What are you doing tomorrow?”

Tomura yawned and pulled the blanket up over himself and Izuku saying, “I dunno, something with Eraserhead. He said I needed to get more blood work done? Something about a National Registry?”

Izuku yawned, “Ah, yeah, my class is doing that too. Senior year after we mature we get blood work that lets us know the breakdown of our Secondary Gender in terms of traits.”

“Oh?”

“So, like, Alphas can lean more towards being a Beta, and Omegas can even have Alpha traits.”

“Hmm.”

They settled in for the night and fell into a comfortable slumber.

—

Tuesday morning Izuku headed off to class and Tomura met with Eraserhead to go over how he would be spending the rest of the week as they waited for the HPSC and Government's response to the drafted reform program. 

They sat in his office after a quick visit to the nurse for the blood draw (which Tomura would very much like to forget about, he fucking hates needles), the Underground Hero was behind his computer typing as the Alpha answered questions.

“I’m almost afraid to ask but what has your education been like? Do you have a high school equivalency? Any college?” asked Shouta.

Tomura smiled in a way that he was sure looked creepy.

“I was mostly homeschooled, obviously. I skipped two grades. Not sure if that was because I deserved to or because as Sensei said, there was ‘unnecessary material’ in the curriculum,” he said with air quotes, “I did all the official testing under my old name, Shimura Tenko under the ________ prefecture.”

“I see,” said Shouta, typing at his computer. 

“I really need to stop calling him that,” Shiaraki mumbled to himself.

Interesting, thought Shouta.

Looking up at the erasure hero, Tomura continued, “Like all parents he felt grades were important. I was expected to get high scores, and was punished for anything less than top. It was weirdly the most domestic thing about our relationship.”

Shouta didn’t know how to respond to something so miserably melancholy.  

“I presume you can look me up under that name and location in the system?”

“Yes, I’m doing so now. Anything else?”

“I did an accelerated program for a Bachelor's degree in Business Analytics and Information Technology online through _______________ University.”

Shouta pulled up the education records for Shimura Tenko, and found that everything Shigaraki had told him was accurate. He had a relatively high GPA as well. No surprise there.

“Why that degree?”

Tomura shrugged, “I like technology and it seemed like something that’d be useful if I was supposed to be able to lead a criminal organization. That and AFO liked to say school was good for keeping me out of trouble while keeping my mind exercised.”

Shouta hated to say the villain was right, “Just to be sure about your GED, we need to ask you to take the test again to confirm your aptitude. We can have a teacher proctor the testing this afternoon.”

“That sounds like a waste of time.”

Shouta rolled his eyes, “I know, but I promise it will make more sense after.”

“Fine,” he huffed, crossing his arms, “What’s next?”

—

“Well I do have some good news." said Shouta, leaning back in his chair, "The reform program, sans the portion regarding Takami Keigo aka Hawks, is being presented to the HPSC as we speak. Once they agree, it will go to the Japanese Government for approval.”

“That could take forever,” said Tomura, leaning back and spinning in the chair again. He’d already been out of contact with the League for over two months. With their Pack bond faded and without access to anything more electronic than a TV remote or microwave he had no idea if they were dead or alive or worse!

Smelling the stress coming from Shigaraki, Shouta produced his own calming scent and said, “We are doing everything we can to accelerate the process. Trust me, I do not think Japan will pass up this opportunity either. Just try to be patient.”

Once the Alpha had calmed down Eraser continued, “In the meantime, we can get you started in therapy, since it was recommended by Recovery Girl. Do you think you would prefer a female or male doctor?”

Tomura shivered and looked away, “Female.”

Shouta nodded and noted that in his file. Then he asked, “Do you have any questions or reasonable requests at the moment?”

“I’d like to be able to exercise,” he said, admitting, “Using the gym helped keep my Alpha calm, and while everyone is in class there isn’t much for me to do in the Dorm.”

Shouta nodded, he knew a lot of Alphas who said the same thing. And idle hands were the Devil’s playthings, so, “In that case, we can also start on your quirk training. It appears to me you could use it since you still can’t control your ‘always on’ quirk.”

“What part of ‘always on’ do you not understand?” scoffed the villain, spinning the other direction in his chair.

“The part where every student I’ve ever taught with one has managed to master such so-called quirk.”

The Alpha abruptly stopped spinning around in the chair. 

That… 

Tomura had been told that was impossible. 

Shouta smirked behind his capture weapon, he had gotten the younger man’s attention. 

Sensei the asshole had lied to him about a lot of things, why had it never occurred to him that he had lied about this as well? Shit.

Feeling quite small, Tomura asked quietly, “You think you can teach me not to decay everything I touch?”

“You won’t have those bracelets on forever,” Shouta made eye contact with him, “You have a proven history that you’re teachable. Principal Nedzu will run you through initial testing first to get baseline data to work with and then we can go from there.”

Tomura fidgeted with his hands in his lap and looked up at the Underground hero, “I still can't believe I'm here.” 

“Well you are,” said Shouta, shuffling some papers, “AFO's in prison and you have a second chance.”

Was that enough? No one’s ever gotten away from Sensei, thought Tomura. Not even his younger brother, really. The Alpha scoffed, turning his crimson eyes on the Omega, “And what if he gets out? What if he comes for me in the night? What if he tries to take me again?”

“Then you fight, and we'll fight with you. You aren't alone in this Shigaraki.”

—

Shouta just wanted to go home and relax. 

Today had been both intense and a lot of progress. Shigaraki had spent two hours in therapy with his new doctor. When he got out he said she was fine, a lot better than any other doctor he’s ever had which he said was probably due to her actually having her license. 

Shouta would take that as a win. 

As he walked through the door he was greeted gently by his mate.

“Shou? Honey bear?”

“Good evening my love.”

He and Hizashi scented and embraced. The Omega let himself go boneless in his mate’s arms. It really had been a long day.

“I’d ask how your day went but from your current position I’d guess not well?”

He shook his head.

“It’s not that. Meeting went surprisingly well. Decided to start training Shigaraki to be able to control his quirk.”

The Alpha guided them both over to sit on the couch, “You think he can do it? He’s kind of old to be learning that now.”

“He wants to. You should have seen him. It was like no one ever told him he could.”

“Shouta.”

“I promised him I would help Hizashi.”

“I know you did, and you are.”

“He's intelligent too, and I don't just mean when fighting.”

“You really think you can help with his control issues?”

“I think therapy and training will have a two pronged effect. And some confidence.”

“You have a lot of faith in the next generation my love,” the blond man murmured aloud as he tucked his mate into bed.

Turning off the light, Hizashi returned to his Omega, getting into their nest and curling around him as the big spoon. 

Shouta rolled over in his mate's embrace, “Someone has to.” 

—

Izuku really hoped he wasn’t making a mistake. 

He agreed with Tomura though, the sooner he could reach out to the League and let them know he was alright the better.

And it felt unfair that Izuku was able to socialize with his friends but Tomura couldn't see or scent anyone from his Pack.

Still. What was he thinking?

He’d agreed to help Tomura get back in touch with his Pack. In order to do that the Alpha said he needed to borrow Izuku’s switch, connect with Spinner or Toga and order a couple burner phones. One for each of them.

“Wait, why do I need one?” asked Izuku, halting his pacing of their den.

The LOV leader gave the green haired man a sly grin from where he lay on his back in their nest. Do not get distracted, the UA student chided himself. 

Uh oh, thought Izuku, he’d missed something. Walking up to the edge of their bed he asked again, “Tomura, why do I need a phone?” 

“You’re my mate, they are my Pack,” he said, sitting up so he could reach out and hold the heroling’s chin up with a single graceful finger, “Technically that puts you in command of a whole group of Villains.”

O-ooooh. 

Shit. 

Izuku hadn’t thought of that. Convincing the League to join the reform program suddenly became even more important. He watched Tomura’s calculating gaze, felt the uncertainty in their bond as he leaned away. His Alpha was waiting to see what he’d do.

Chapter Text

17. Sharing is Caring

Izuku passed Tomura the Switch with a silent nod. 

Feeling the tension leave his shoulders the villain in reform logged in under his gamer tag (Duster_901), found Spinner was currently online (WeezerStan42) and sent him a discrete coded message. Then they waited. 

A response came just twenty minutes later, after some back and forth using the same simple code Tomura would jot down, decipher and reply, they had coordinates and a time.

That was smart, thought Izuku, “I see. The code isn’t meant to be difficult, it’s just meant to be complex enough to slow any investigators down so you can get ahead of them.”

Tomura knew Izuku could feel his giddiness, so close to being able to talk with his Pack again, “Right you are, Freckles.”

Normally he’d just dust his notes, but since that wasn’t an option at the moment, he tore it up and flushed it.

“I asked for Compress to drop them off at a small local library. He should be the most… reasonable. Think you can get out there to grab em today?” 

Izuku was biting his thumbnail. Why was everything he did adorable? Wondered the Alpha.

“I can.”

Tomura nodded and sent the confirmation, “When he sees you and not me, he’s going to wonder what the fuck is going on. He’ll try to stop you.” 

“It’s not like he’ll believe me if I say I’m trying to help,” Izuku thought for a moment, then held out his wrists, “We'll use scent. If he tries to stop me I’ll scent him. He won’t be able to deny that.”

Tomura’s eyes widened. That was a ballsy thing to do to someone you barely knew in public, but it just may work. It would at least cause Atsuhiro to pause long enough for Izuku to escape. He nodded, “Ok, just in case is there anyone you can bring with you without telling them what’s going on?”

Izuku watched as his mate scented his wrists heavily, his eyes growing droopy as he felt the comfort of the bergamot and earthy patchouli scents wrap around him.

“Earth to Izuku?”

The Omega shook his head, “Ah, I’ll take Shouto. He’s powerful and has great quirk control, but won’t ask me many questions.”

That works, thought Tomura. Oh yeah, “One more thing, and you gotta promise not to tell anyone else. This stays between Mates?”

Oh no, what’s next? Wondered Izuku, “Tomura.”

“Swear it.”

His Omega crossed the room and sat on the desk, “I swear, what is it this time?”

“Dabi is Todoroki Toya.”

Izuku nearly fell off the desk, “What‽”

—

Tomura grabbed his Mate's shoulder to steady him while using his other hand to rub his own neck, “You know how Shouto has that big conspiracy theory about Dabi being his not actually dead older brother Toya since he hates and wants to kill Endeavor so badly? Yeah, turns out that’s actual daddy issues.”

“Oh my God.”

“I figured you should know…”

Izuku gets up and starts pacing, “No kidding? What am I supposed to do now? Dabi is Toya! Tomu! I’m going to hang out with Shouto right now, Jesus!”

“I know! I've been trying to come up with a good time to tell you...!”

Izuku rolled his eyes as he paced, so he chose now?

“Since I came back with you he has not wasted a single opportunity to bring up his Dabi is Toya theory.”

“So…”

“Not. Once.”

“I know but…”

“He is going to bring it up on our walk, for sure. And what am I supposed to say to him? Huh?”

“Look. Izuku. Calm down,” he stood up and leaned in to press their neck glands together to scent him as well. As Izuku tried to calm down his mate said, “So his theory is correct? So what? That doesn't change anything right? Just don’t tell him.”

“Gahh,” huffled Izuku, “I hate this. Fine! Fine.”

He let the smaller man go so he could grab his jacket and run out the door to meet up with his friend, pausing before it shut behind himself. Iuzku called back, “You owe me a foot massage for this you asshole!”

“Ok!” Tomura called back grinning. 

He couldn’t wait to get those two brothers back together. And then the rest of the siblings. And then get Endeawhore put in prison. Like taking one of their goals and adding a twist. One where he didn't lose his best friend to a fiery death.

—

Izuku found Shouto in the common room working on a paper. He said it was nice out and asked if he'd like to go for a walk with him. Shouto, needing a break anyway, agreed. Step one complete. 

Izuku brought his hip bag to stash the phones discreetly. 

They headed out together, the dual quirk user none the wiser to his ulterior motives. Izuku felt bad about deceiving his friend, but he didn’t really have any other options on such short notice.

“So Izuku, since you are mated to Shigaraki perhaps you can help me with my theory.”

Oh no, stay strong Izuku. 

Shouto in his collection of conspiracy theories, had one he worked on the most. And that was the one where he believed his oldest brother wasn’t dead (Why did they find only a jaw bone? It doesn’t make sense) He also believed that Dabi, of the infamous League of Villains, was his thought to be long dead brother Todoroki Toya. Why? The man had issues with Endeavor over a mile long. Clearly sought him out in fights and taunted the hero about how he treated his family, knowing intimate details about the Todoroki household (read: abuse) that occured only behind closed doors. 

You expect Shouto to believe that kind of targeted hatred isn’t personal? 

There’s more. 

Fire quirks aren’t super common. For Dabi to have a blue flame fire quirk stronger than Endeavor means he is likely ___ generation. Dabi isn’t old, despite his scarring making his age somewhat hard to tell. His flesh looks burned, Shouto was able to obtain several high resolution photos that show no makeup or prosthetics. And no wrinkles on his unmarred flesh. 

Shouto and his siblings had great skin thanks to their mother. So the arsonist was young enough to be Toya. Even the scarred up skin makes sense if his then young brother had lost control on Sekoto Peak. Something had happened on that mountain, the photos of the damage done by the fire were extensive.

Shouto could never forget his brother’s scent, so similar to his own and yet he only welded fire like their Father. And then it started to harm him, and of course their Father started training Shouto more. And poor Toya, he wasn’t just forgotten, like Natsuo and Fuyumi, no. He was still trying to earn his Father’s love. 

Instead he became a target for a lot of Enji’s fear and self loathing. Short of sending some childhood photos of Toya to be aged up (which he was increasingly tempted to do) Shouto was convinced that his brother was in fact, still alive and masquerading as someone else.

God, this was killing Izuku. He already swore to keep this secret, but god damn was he being tested. The words were so tempting, dancing just on the tip of his tongue.

Dragging his hands down his face the shorter Omega looked around for anything that would work as a way to stop the other student from talking about his brother. 

Ohhh! There!

—

A couple thousand yen less and two cups of ice cream later, mint chocolate chip for Izuku, Vanilla strawberry twist for Shouto, both with sprinkles, and he finally caught a break. Wonder what other problems ice cream could solve? the OFA holder thought, licking his spoon clean.

Twenty minutes later they reached the building and Izuku said, “Oh, Shouto, would you mind if we went into this Library to look around a bit, I’ve never been inside before?” 

The heterochromatic man turned to see a small brick building, “Sure, I’d like to see their Manga collection.”

Once inside Izuku and Shouto split up. Izukufound the nonfiction section and went down the aisle looking for the shelf that held 793.8.

Right where he was told he’d find it was a large book that was missing the library barcoding and usual stickers. Pulling it from the shelf he opened it to find the tome was hollow and inside were two burner phones.

Just as he was about to take them a hand grabbed his wrist and he looked up to see a man in a black facemask and tophat had stepped around the corner of the book shelf.

“And they say I have sticky fingers,” said the familiar voice of Mr. Compress tightening his grip, “Those don’t belong to you.”

Izuku met his cold gaze with his own calculating one, “I’m not here alone, and I am here for these.”

The man’s other hand twitched. A blue marble dropped from his palm, rolling between his fingers. Izuku had to stop this before it got out of hand.

“Tomura really did ask me to pick these up, I’ll prove it,” before the older man could react the UA student grabbed his arm, yanked up his sleeve and scented his wrist. 

Atsuhiro sorted through the new scent that had been so rudely thrust upon him. He first smelled Midoriya, the cedar and warm vetiver and fainter what must be the scents of packmates. Beside his known scent was another that for some reason ranked nearly as strong as the heroling’s own. It was well integrated, entwined like a pair of vines. Herbal and earthy, with a sweet musky smoothness to it. It was Shigaraki, but not him under duress, his scent was calm. Why did Midoriya carry his scent like this? 

Mr. Compress tilts his head at the younger man, “I don’t understand…”

“That’s why we need these. I’ll get him one and he will give you a call. He’s alive, he’s fine, and he’s with me at UA,” the student heard the magician suck in a breath of air. Izuku let him go at the same time as Mr Compress released him. Neither made a move, as if they were frozen on the spot.

“Izuku, are you ready to head back?” 

Jerking to life he shoved the phones into his bag and turned around to face Shouto, “Yeah, I’m good.”

By the time he looked up the villain who had been beside him a second ago had vanished. 

—

All Might and Hizashi walked across the parking lot towards the Police station. Yagi was able to use his reputation to pull some weight in keeping them involved in the investigation. They were meeting with the detectives about some of the evidence they had gone through. 

“Were you able to verify what young Midoriya and Shigaraki Tomura told you?” asked the former number one hero.

Detective Tanuma Eizo was not what you expected when speaking with someone of his rank. He dressed casually, almost kind of sloppy. When Yagi had asked him why the man had said he’d rather be underestimated and go unnoticed than draw unwanted attention to himself. 

The Detective confirmed they had, “We are also putting together a PG version for you to view. Honestly, if I didn’t know who they were I’d just think they were a couple of happily dating young lovers. It’s bizarre to watch.”

“We should have the video ready for you in a day or two,” said Naomasa, struggling to keep from laughing at the looks on the UA teacher’s faces. 

Eizo glanced casually around the room, “So, have there been any issues with the new reformee?”

“He’s nervous, unsure, but hasn’t been violent or overly aggressive if that’s what you’re concerned about,” offered Hizashi.

“That is good to hear,” said Detective Tsukauchi.

“What about the case,” asked Yagi, “How are you moving forward?”

“There aren't a lot of organizations able to pull something like this off so well while remaining under the radar,” said Naomasa, “They would need all kinds of resources, funding, people, technology and the right quirks to speed things up, as well as extensive medical know-how.”

“We will be looking at all possible angles, from cults, to criminal organizations, businesses with questionable histories, to followers of AFO. It has only been a few days, we still have mountains of evidence to get through.”

Yagi and Hizashi shared a look, what was he getting at?

“That’s why I asked you to come in today,” admitted Detective Tanuma, “If there was a way to divide this work up between the top hero agencies for processing, that would certainly speed things up.”

“Yes it would,” Yagi agreed, "Let me reach out to the top heroes and see if they can put some manpower into helping you sift through all of this.” 

Detective Tsukauchi sighed as he leaned back in his chair, “That would be great All Might, we would have a detective and several officers assist and make sure protocols are followed when piecing things together.”

“Will you please let us know when the PG video footage is ready? I know Eraserhead is curious to see how things between a known hero and villain changed so dramatically.”

Eizo nodded, “Of course.”

—

Dabi was pacing in the hideout. 

Nothing Atshiruo had told them when he got back from dropping off the burners made any fucking sense. So when Duster finally called Dabi’s cell, he loudly voiced his frustration, “Where the fuck have you been loser?”

“Hello to you too, Crispy. The rest of the League around? I’d rather just do this once.”

The fire user got up off the stack of mats he'd been using as a bed and strode down the hallway to the main living area of their current hideout and said after looking around, “Hold on, let me put you on speaker. Everyone’s here.” 

Good, thought Tomura. 

Izuku shifted nervously where he sat on the floor next to him. He realized he's never been privy to their casual conversations before. They'd only ever yelled a few things back and forth in battle.

“Compress, tell Hands what you told me,” Dabi said, flopping down on the couch next to the man in question.

The familiar dry voice came over the speaker clearly, he must have passed the phone over to the magician, “I allowed Midoriya Izuku to pick up the burner phones.” 

“Good, obviously,” replied Tomura.

Dabi growled and grabbed for his phone back but Atshiruo stood and walked around the couch out of his reach.

“Good, he says. How about telling us where the fuck you’ve been and what the hell is going on?” yelled Dabi from the background.

Izuku looked at Tomura. Seems like he was right about the arsonist. The Alpha was extremely suspicious and overprotective. Then again, that was the main role of the secondary Alpha in a pack. Protector, defender. 

Tomura had Izuku send a photo to the burner, and then sent that to the League. It was a candid one taken at the dinner he’d cooked Sunday. He was surrounded by UA students and it had been a long day so he was leaning on Izuku’s shoulder as people chatted around him. He’d been told it was ‘cute’. Bleh.

The phone went silent for a moment as the league drank that in. 

“What the fuck?” muttered Iguchi. Has the boss lost his mind? Was he quirked into switching sides? What was going on?

“If it was this or Tartarus, which would you choose?” the Alpha said deadpan into their silence.

“Compress says he smelled like you. Said you stunk like rotten eggs and sweaty feet. You buddy buddies now with the heroes? Fuck you, I don’t need you as a Pack anymore either! ” called Jin.

The LOV leader says, “Switch to video.”  

Atsuhiro, still in possession of the arsonist’s cell obliged, as the rest of the League gathered around the small phone screen to see him as he pulled his shirt to the side to reveal Izuku’s bite.

Kenji lowered her sunglasses to get a better look as she whistled and said, “True Mates.”

“Young master, what led to this development?” asked the misty villain.

“It’s a long story…"

— Time skip… *wiggles across the floor like a worm*... —

“Let me know if I’ve got this right,” said Dabi, “You got your dumb ass kidnapped, ended up in a zoo exhibit with your nemesis, who you then voluntarily bonded with. And now you got yourself a ‘get out of jail if I’m a good boy’ deal? What the fuck?” 

The fire user threw up his hands as he stalked away in the background without waiting for an answer. The other’s just watched him go, they knew better than to try and stop him. The burns weren’t worth the trouble.

“Real mature,” mumbled Iguchi.

“It’s not just a deal for me,” said Tomura.

Atshiruo turned back to the screen, “What do you mean?”

The pale man opened his mouth to speak when he was rudely interrupted. 

“I still can’t believe someone actually agreed to have sex with you?” Dabi barked out, grabbing the phone from the startled magician. When had he snuck back into the room?

“Fuck you.”

“You apparently got someone to do that for you now.”

“It’s like talking to another Kacchan,” sighed Izuku from where he was sitting just off camera.

“Ahh! Zuku! Come on camera! Pretty please?” cooed Himiko excitedly. She almost never got to spend time with people her age. Tomura and Iguchi were the closest but they weren’t girls! Well, neither was Izuku but still, he was her age and she missed him so much!

Tomura shared a look with his mate.

“You ok with this?”

“If they agree to try, I’m ok with all of them, Tomu. It’s not just about you, I get that.”

Big Sis managed to take the phone back from the arsonist, and Himiko sat right next to her waiting.

“Hello Toga, and everyone else,” he said with a wave as he scooched into view next to Tomura. Would they hate him? Would they even care?

“Call me Himiko! We’re packmates now! I can’t wait to scent you. Oh my god you two look so cute together. Izu I bet you smell wonderful!” she gushed at the camera. Izuku could feel the irritation prickling along the bond at the interruption and released his calming cedar scent.

“Like the magician asked, what did you mean by saying it’s not just a good deal for you? It’s not like they’d actually offer something like that to any of us,” said Iguchi bitterly. The mutant was used to getting the shortest end of the stick, so to say.

“They would if I made it a condition of my willingness to participate,” said Tomura, watching the reptilian and others look up at him.

Silence.

“Participate in what?” asked Himiko, curious.

—

“Rehabilitation program. I argued if this was really an opportunity then it ought to be extended to the entire League Pack,” Izuku saw several of the villains move as if they were about to say something, but Tomura held up his hand, “I know, I know, we never discussed it officially.”

The group settled back down.

Tomura continued, “You deserve the same opportunity. So it’s being offered to you. You need to understand though, it’s an all or nothing deal. They want the entire League. And I get it, this will make fighting for our goals more difficult having to follow the rules, but it doesn’t mean I’m giving up. That’s not what I want. We make more allies and do things the right way moving forward…”

“Bullshit,” interrupted Dabi.

“Dabi,” started Kurogiri, “I think we should consider…”

Dabi got up and grabbed the phone, “Did you tell them?”

“I’ve said nothing about your secret to the heroes Dabi,” said Tomura with a steady voice. The fire user narrowed his eyes at the other Alpha and cursed under his breath. 

“You better fucking keep your mouth shut Duster. I told you that shit in a moment of weakness. You know what my real goal is. I am going to ruin that burning trash heap with or without any of your help.”

Dabi flung the cell phone over his shoulder, making Himiko and Iguchi scramble to catch the device before it hit the floor. The blond was victorious and looked up in time to see the angry Alpha storm out of the base.

“Don’t worry, I will deal with that dramatic shit later. Right now I want to hear from you and answer questions. If you ask something we don’t have an answer to, we will get you one,” explained Tomura, watching his group’s behaviors carefully. 

“So what, AFO gets captured and you just give up?” asked Iguchi.

“Yeah,” says Jin, “Thought you empathized with us? I just wanna cause chaos! ”

Tomura looked to Kurogiri but the advanced Nomu remained unreadable. Fine, he’d be honest. 

“When Sensei found me I was young and stupid and very, very angry. He used me, and he was using you too. I’m very sorry about that,” the Alpha stopped talking, this wasn’t easy to put out there. 

Izuku slid his hand over Tomura’s and gave it a squeeze.

Tomura continued, “What’s the point in dying for a cause? How can you be sure it doesn’t die with you? I know I sure as hell don’t want to kill myself for that nutjob. I want to make changes while living, and I want you to be able to live your lives beside me.”

“Shiggy,” cooed Himiko, wide gold eyes all watery. 

Iguchi mumbled, “Damn.”

“Besides,” the Alpha says with a shrug, “If it doesn't work out we can always go back to being villains and running around with limited resources, slumming it on a daily basis, never knowing where or when our next meal or hot shower will be, always sleeping with one eye open…” 

Izuku hears a couple of the League members snort at the look on his face. Then he wacks his mate on his arm, “Oh no you will not!”

“Kidding, I was kidding!” he cackles as he holds his Omega off. 

The misty Nomu watched all of these interactions with a feeling of pride. The young master looks much better, thought Kurogiri. How much of that is due in large part to the young man sitting next to him? 

Izuku sits back in a mock huff. Tomura know’s that’s a fear of his, he’ll have to make it up to his partner later, for now he turned back to the camera and said, “I swear, the food alone is almost worth it.”

“Zuku, you’d really help someone like me? Like all of us?” asked Himiko around herself.

“I’m very sorry for the stigma you’ve each faced. UA helps people with all kinds of dietary needs, even blood. In fact one of my classmates has a frog mutation quirk so insects are a regular part of her meals,” he notices he gets Iguchi’s attention with that comment.

“This is all so very heartwarming,” leaning over Atsuhiro touched the rug beneath him and marbled it in less than a blink of an eye. Bringing his hand back up the magician weaved the bright blue orb between his fingers, and looking at the camera asked, “but how do we know you aren’t just going to pull the rug out from under us?” 

—

Izuku leaned over and said, “We’ll arrange to meet you all in person, and give each of you a copy of the program for you to read through and note any questions or requests you have.”

The blond girl squealed at the idea of seeing the other Omega in person, making Jin and Iguchi closest to her wince and cover their ears.

“What about heroes?” asked Kurogiri.

Izuku knew that was going to be an issue, he wasn’t sure how he’d be able to…

“I’d be ok with Eraserhead and Present Mic being there. They have both been nothing but helpful since they found us,” said Tomura.

“That’s true,” said Izuku, “We’ll bring it up with them and Principal Nedzu.”  

Big Sis spoke up, “Are you really sure about that my dear? We’re villains after all.” 

The Omega looked up at the camera, and even through the lens Izuku’s words were near palpable, “You’re people too, you found a safe space with each other and I want to help you do that for others…”

He let himself trail off, now was not the time to get emotional. Long fingers wrapped around his own and squeezed.  

“You haven’t seen each other in months and,” he bit his bottom lip before continuing, “I know things haven’t been easy.”

Tomura could see the other’s resolve begin to melt. How the hell did the other man do that to people?  

Izuku continued, “I don’t expect us to sing kumbaya and be best friends, but I don’t think any of you deserve to be tossed into Tartarus or killed. This program is a chance for you to change your trajectory, get people to hear your story and have lasting positive effects.”  

“You mean like teaching the next generation to accept differences rather than fear them,” offered Big Sis. 

“And replacing apathy with positive actions,” said Iguchi, “Bringing people's attention to how the way they behave can set things back.”

Tomura left the conversation open and continue with members asking questions. He was relieved to see them engage, and not just dismissive of the idea. This was good. 

Atsuhiro pointed out the quirk canceling cuffs on his wrists. And Tomura admitted it was for everyone’s safety. He didn’t want to hurt anyone by mistake, including the angora rabbit Koda let him hold. He and Izuku opted not to tell them what happened in the Police station, it’d only discourage them.

Hearing about the bunny made the blond Omega girl chirrup, garnering a responding chee-reep from Izuku. Her smile was near blinding, and it hurt Izuku’s heart. Being the only Omega in their Pack he was sure she was as well cared for as she could be, but exposure to more Omega’s was a must.

Himiko was so animated. She wasn’t as apprehensive as the stuffy old magician. The young Omega wanted to hang out with people her age so badly and make friends! Don’t get her wrong, she loved her Pack, but it wasn’t the same as spending time with your peers. 

Tomura talked about starting therapy, and the medications he was on. How it was helping. Jin seemed the most eager about that aspect and asked if therapy would be available for all of them to which Izuku confirmed it was actually a requirement of the proposed program. And yes, he was participating as well. 

“I suppose they want to keep tabs on you as Shiggy’s mate huh,” chimed in Iguchi.

“Partly that, and I also feel like the medications and therapy are helpful,” Izuku stated, with Tomura nodding in agreement. That gave credence to the program's efficacy. 

They discussed things for another hour. The talk was going well and Izuku could almost see that light at the end of the tunnel. It was only blocked by one person now… 

—

“What about Dabi? That fired up idiot!” asked Jin. 

“I’ll talk to him later, once he has his phone back,” Tomrua said, looking pointedly at Kurogiri who nodded, “Now, give me an update on your situation. I want to know if there is anything you need.”

Atsuhiro was able to give a good rundown of what happened after Shigaraki vanished. They had moved the hideout when he didn’t come back in a couple days, just in case he was captured and had gathered what they needed to stay comfortable.

The UA student could tell the masked magician hesitated to say where they were but Tomura quickly overrode that saying it was better not to, plausible deniability.

Izuku could sense the relief coming off his mate as the group spoke. Tomura had been way more tense when they started this call, but now that he’d at least seen everyone, talked to them and knew they were ok it was like watching a tightly wound spring uncoil. Through their bond he could sense a little bit of affection the Alpha had for his Pack. 

Since he wasn’t present at the moment Himiko gave an update on Dabi.

She said that when they had to move Dabi went dark on Keigo for two weeks, without knowing what happened to Shiggy he didn’t want to risk anyone else in the League getting ‘lost’. He’d been the one to decide on their new base and divide up resource gathering.

It sounded to Tomura like the Alpha was trying to keep the Pack safe as best as he could with what he had. 

Izuku mentally reached out to Tomura,

“You went missing, strike one. Then Dabi had been under pressure to move someplace safe, that was strike two. Strike three, he had to deny himself the comfort of his new Mate for the safety of them all.”

Tomura ran his thumb over the back of Izuku’s hand,

“What would you suggest Freckles?” 

“I'd say we reach out to Hawks next.”

“Fixing love affairs is not what I thought I signed up for as Leader.”

Izuku smirked while leaning against his shoulder, hearing Himiko coo at the gesture. 

“We aren’t fixing anything. That’s up to them. We are merely going to be… facilitating their discourse.”

“Izuku, please take good care of Tomura while he is with you,” requested Kurogiri, interrupting their internal discussion.

“We take care of each other,” said the green haired man with a real smile. He saw something cross a few of their faces that looked a little like hope. The Omega didn’t care if everyone thought his heart was too big, he wanted to help, even Dabi, and he wasn’t going to give up easily.

Then the phone in Atshiruo's hand beeped, indicating it needed charging, “I’d say this is a good place to stop for today. What’s next?”

“Keep your heads down for now,” said the LOV leader, “Rat King and the Legal team are doing what they can to move this through the bureaucratic bull shit quickly. Once the reform program gets approval from the government things will move quickly. We’ll need to organize an official meet up between you and the heroes and get you copies of the agreement to review. Until then you can reach out via either of these burner numbers if you need any help. Got it?”   

They all nodded and mumbled agreements. The supervillain finished with, “And someone get Dabi his phone back so I can call that idiot.”

—

Dabi’s world was off kilter and he fucking hated it.

He spent half the evening just walking around town, then a few hours drinking in some dark dive bar, and ended the night smoking the last half of a pack of cigs on a fire escape before cooling off enough it was safe to head back to the hideout. 

He kept running Shiggy and his Omega’s, uh, Midoriya’s, Izuku’s? Fuck! He kept running their story through his head. He always knew there was a chance the group would fall apart or he and them may reach a splitting point in reaching his goal. He took a final drag from his last cigarette. 

Shit, he should have stuck around to listen in. Maybe he'd missed something important? Now he only had questions with no answers. 

He was going to have to go back, get his cell, and talk to Duster.

Dabi slid down the fire escape and started walking. It was a long walk, so he had some time to think. He wished he had his phone, he could call Kei. If he’d known Shiggy was going to go and get himself kidnapped right after he’d bonded with the bird brain he could have saved himself a load of hurt. That’s just the fucking theme of his life wasn’t it? 

Hurt. 

Dabi went down a small side alley and used a stack of old crates to jump the plywood fence. 

They were staying in the back of a small abandoned school. It used to be a nice happy place, you could still see remnants of student’s projects pinned up in the classrooms.

The neighborhood had gone to hell and now it was just another left behind skeleton of what once was. 

What was weird was coming upon things that were unexpectedly small. You'd walk down a normal hallway, turn normal door handles on normal doors, but the bathroom toilets, the desks, and shoe cubbies. Small. Tiny. It was all for kids.

They used the teachers’ lounge to make their meals and hang out together since it was the one room with enough seating for them all besides the gym. Big Sis and Jin had managed to get a TV set up and working. Once they rigged some electricity the fridge and some lighting still worked too, amazingly. They had to cook using a couple hot plates though.

Next to that there were plenty of empty classrooms to sleep in. Jin had found a bunch of gym mats and they were using them as beds.

He sulked into the building and headed right to the lounge where he found Mr. Compress and Kurogiri still awake and likely waiting for him to come back, though they’d never say that out loud.

“Dabi, I wanted to return your phone,” came the ghostly man’s deep treble.

He held out his hand, taking the device back. Someone had plugged it in to charge. Well that just made him feel worse.

The two men watched him silently. Ugg, Dabi rolled his shoulders and said, “I’ll give him a call later.”

Then he headed to bed himself. He was going to need a good night’s sleep if he was going to speak to the creeper about any of this shit.

Chapter Text

18. Don't Poke Bears

Shouta was back at the Police Station with Yagi. This time they were meeting in a small comfortable conference room meant for speaking with victims. The retired hero sat at the large mahogany desk while the Omega perused the book shelf. He turned to face the door when he heard it open.

“Ah, gentleman, welcome. So glad you could make it,” said the Detective taking a seat at the table, Shouta joining them.

“Good afternoon Eizo.”

“We have a lead, and you'll never guess what it is.”

“Try me,” says Shouta.

“It’s soap.”

Yagi tilted his head at the Detective, “Soap?”

“Yes. The soap bars, hand soap and shampoo provided to the captives as well as used by the employees were all made by the same company. And from the same line of products too actually.”

“And why is that strange?” questioned Yagi.

Shouta sat back and gave it some consideration, “If the soaps were stolen, it’d be highly unlikely and extra effort to only rob a matching line of goods from a retail store.”

“What if they just robbed a truck,” bated Eizo with a smile, leaning on the table with his elbow and chin in hand. 

“I was getting to that,” said the Erasure Hero with a shake of his head, “A truck from production is likely to only be loaded with a single item, to be shipped to a distribution warehouse and from there to be loaded onto another truck will all kinds of goods to be shipped to a single store.”

“So depending on which truck they robbed, they'd either get only one product or a mix of all kinds,” finished the retired hero.

Eizo nodded his head, “That’s exactly right. Most trucks wouldn’t be carrying a small line of products for light use and a generalized audience.” 

"So," began Yagi, "The most logical way for the same line of soaps to be there is they were provided by someone working with the kidnappers?"

"That's correct," said the erasure hero.

“I am forever grateful to,” the detective checked his notes, “Young Todoroki Shouto interning at the Edgeshot Agency for being the one to pick up on this. Correct me if I'm wrong Eraserhead, but he's one of your students is he not?”

"Yes, he is."

Shouta nearly facepalmed. Looks like his problem conspiracy theorist had gotten another one right. He reached out to let his Mate know then tuned back into the conversation.

The detective was passing both men a packet of information, “The company's named Evoc. You will see they are involved in cosmetics specializing in products for secondary genders. They employ a lot of scientists, lots of doctors.”

“As do many such companies. What else makes them a point of interest in this case?” asked Yagi, flipping open the folder along with Eraser.

The Detective turned the page, and the others followed suit.

“They’ve been accused of some shady business practices in the past. The most glaring being illegal testing on humans. With an expensive team of lawyers they managed to weasel their way out of that one.” 

“That’s a red flag.” 

“No kidding. Our next goal is to compile a purchase and sales list for the products used in the facility, as well as trucks that may have carried that combination. From there we’ll profile the top companies involved.”

“You’ll keep us in the loop,” asked the former number one.

“Of course.”

Shouta and Yagi got up to leave but the Detective cleared his throat making them pause.

“Forgetting something are we?”

Turning around, the undergound hero saw a simple thumb drive being held out to him, “What’s this?”

“Your boys,” said Eizo, “It’s their Rom-Com. Enjoy the PG13 shenanigans. We cut out before anything got x rated. True to his word though, Midoriya did bite first. I don’t think anyone could argue SA in this case. Until your boy insisted, Shigaraki Tomura was a perfect gentleman, the kind mothers only dream their kids will Mate.”

Yagi eyed the thumb drive apprehensively. He wasn’t sure he really wanted to see the young man he’d trained grow romantic feelings for his nemesis. Not to mention it felt like a serious invasion of privacy.

“Thank you,” said Shouta as he took the drive and left with the former number one.

— 

The erasure hero got home before his partner for once. 

He debated on waiting for the other man to watch the footage but the device was burning a hole in his pocket. 

Settling at his desk he flipped open his laptop and plugged in the drive. It opened and there were a number of folders listed, with dates, times, and video lengths. He took a deep breath and navigated to the first file and double clicked, a padded white room came up on the screen.

He was still seated at his desk when Hizashi came home with some takeout for dinner.

“Babe, where are you?” called his Alpha.

“In the office Zashi.”

He could hear the footsteps padding down the hallway.

“Have you been watching these since you got back?” asked the blond Alpha as he crossed the room to hug his partner from behind.

Before leaving work Hizashi had changed out of his hero costume and showered. His hair was down and he was dressed in sweats and a t-shirt with a unicorn farting a glittery rainbow on it that said he wasn’t just Gay, he was Super Gay. It had been a gift from his Mate and he wore it proudly, "Will you come have dinner with me love?"

Shouta leaned back and stretched. Smelling the takeout his stomach reminded him he did need to eat. Getting up he followed Hizashi down the hall, the man smelled of Rosemary and dry leaves. Rosemary was more predominant right now, meaning his Mate was in caretaker mode.

The ravenet felt a little bad for that. He was a grown man and should be able to care for himself. Sitting at their table he accepting the meal graciously, “Thank you. I didn’t get to eat lunch and came right here after leaving the station.”

“I figured you might not have. Don’t you feel a little weird watching them? More so Midoriya than anything else really. He has been our student for over two years.”

“I’m not some pervert Zashi,” his Omega scowled, “I’m not watching them like some creepy stalker internet fan. It’s not much different than the drama we see in the hallways at UA between young couples.”

“If you say so.”

“I’m looking at this scientifically,” he continued, “Paying attention to their mannerisms, expressions, and tone of voice. I’m watching to understand.”

Hizashi knew his Mate was doing this because he worried and sometimes feared for Midoriya Izuku. This was his way of coping. That didn't mean it was a good way to go about it though.

“Fine. You’ve watched them. And?” asked the blond as he sat down to eat his meal.

“It was very much like watching two people realize they have a lot in common. They are both highly intelligent, and don’t feel pressured by social norms the same way most people are. Yes I’m convinced their bond is real. I’m interested in seeing what they do next.”

—

The Bakusquad was in Kiri and Denki’s den studying.

Mina sat in the corner of the couch, legs curled up under herself and tapping her pencil on the same page she’d been trying to read for the last ten minutes. Hanta and Eijiro were sitting on the other couch doing flash cards. Katsuki was at the table explaining something to Denki and Shouto was watching too.

Ugg, they had to talk about this before the end of the year or they wouldn’t have any time to look for housing! Clearing her throat loudly so they all looked up she said, “So, with Izuku inheriting a mature Pack by bonding with Shigaraki, it made me want to ask if we should form one? You know, our first adult Pack?”

“Class A is already a Pack,” said Eijiro, sounding confused.

“Be real EJ, that was just kid stuff when it started. We didn’t have a choice, you're stuck with the class your're in. And our class hasn’t felt like a Pack since… well, since Izuku came back,” Mina said, getting serious, “Honestly, it was becoming apparent before that but Izuku returning with Shigaraki as his Mate really divided us further.” 

The large Omega tilted his head, “I don’t get what you mean?”

“She’s right, after Hakagure and Ojiro decided to leave and that skeevy little perv Minetta was finally given the boot for his repeatedly obscene behavior I’ve noticed separation in who scents whom," added Hanta, "I haven’t scented Tsu or Iida for almost a week now. I still talk with them and I’d say we’re friends, but I wouldn’t count us as Packmates anymore."

“Same,” mumbled Shouto, to everyone’s surprise. In all honesty, after mating with Katsuki he spent far more time with the Squad than his first group of friends at UA.

Denki could tell his mate was somewhat upset by this, so he came over to scent him and reminded him, “It’s normal E, Pack dynamics shift as people grow and change.”

“I know. It’s just, it was really great while it lasted,” Eijro said sadly. He never liked losing friends, but you can’t force people to like you or want to hang out with you and stuff.

“We’ll always have the good memories man,” offered Hanta with a warm smile and pat on the larger man’s shoulder.

The heterochromatic Omega leaned on his mate, “We’ll graduate before we know it. We need to think about what’s coming after school.”

A few looks were shared around the room, then Denki spoke up, “I’d really like to be in a Pack with all of you.”

Words of agreement spread throughout the friend group, some even scenting wrists in support. 

As things settled back down their eyes fell on the explosive blond who had listened to the entire conversation. 

His friends, yes these idiots were his friends, had come to the same conclusion he and Shouto had during one of their evening discussions in their nest together. 

They were both part of the Big Three, with Izuku being the third. The Bakusquad, as they called it, had formed early on and stayed a strong stable group. It made sense for him and his Mate to become Pack leaders. Katsuki had wondered what would happen to Deku. The Omega had dated but nothing serious had ever come of it, it semed he was lacking a suitable match here at UA. 

The blond had even brought it up with Izuku once, and he’d agreed. He and his Omega just hadn’t really found someone they saw as a good match yet. Turns out there was someone out there, just they were way more of a pain in the ass. 

“You all mean it?” he asked, glowering at the group. 

“Yes Bakubro.”

Mina nodded, “I do.”

“Yeah Kacchan!”

The dual quirk user said, "Ok."

All eyes turned to the young man who stated, “Katsuki and I have talked about it and we are willing to accept the position as pack Alpha and Omega if you all really want to make this official."

“Yay!” cheered Denki and Mina, “The Bakusquad lives on!”

Hanta smiled and Eijiro gave him a toothy grin as he got up to slap him on the back, “This is great, dude!”

“Yeah well, I’m making you and Sparky seconds.”

The red head’s eyes widened, “Really? Woah man, that's a lot of responsibility!”

“Don’t fuck it up shitty hair. If you aren’t able for whatever reason, Mina and Hanta are thirds.”

The raven haired beta nodded, “That’s cool.”

“We won’t let you down sir!” said Denki as he and Eijiro saluted him.

“Oh for fuck sake none of that, just sit down and study for your history test.”

—

In record time after starting the process, the Government approved the reform program for the League, with the caveat that it included everyone. 

After they agreed there would be a revision period, like Shigaraki had, to make sure things like dietary needs, environmental requirements, medication and therapy were properly accounted for for everyone. Then each individually augmented program would be put into practice and everyone would hold their breath and see how it goes.

Since Tomura was already with Izuku at UA and had been cooperative in following the rules, as far as the HPSC and Government knew, he’d was sort of the guinea pig. He knew it was for a good cause but it still made him uncomfortable. It reminded Tomura of how Sensei would hand him over to the Doctor. He knows logically this is not the same thing. Still, the gnawing fear settles in the back of his mind. He takes out his small pocket notebook and jots that down for later.

~~~ Flashback ~~~

The school had presented Tomura with several Doctor profiles and asked him to choose the one he wanted to see. For example, one of the doctors specialized in abused children, which, yeah, he had been but wasn’t anymore. He wouldn’t deny that wasn’t part of his issues, but there was more than just that. 

The one he ended up going with was an older woman, kinda grandmotherly looking, who had a long history of working with people using psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy. She focused on changing problematic behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. She did this by working with patients to understand their subconscious meanings and motivations.

To Tomura this seemed like what he needed the most help with, and that was how he ended up sitting on a couch across from Dr. Nebuka. 

The first session had been mostly one sided, with the Doctor explaining some things to him. All he'd done then was nodded. 

Dr. Nebuka's quirk let her produce paper from her skin at will, she used it to take notes, but also wore it as clothing. She smelled like books.

“You know, you could always try a different career if you want to,” she said, “And if you try one and don’t like it you can change. You aren’t being forced into one of these, they are just trying to show you some options that are out there. Their job is to continue to guide you towards success, you make all the important choices.” 

“I know, it’s just, I never had to think about this kind of shi…stuff before,” he corrected. 

“And that’s ok. You don’t have to make a decision right now, but you could take a few pages in your journal to write down the pros and cons of what’s been offered, as well as other potential careers you feel would be of interest to you.”

He tapped his foot rapidly on the floor. 

“Fine,” he conceded, “I’ll try that.”

“All right. I can see you fill out your clothing better. Are you still working out in the UA gyms?”

“It helps.”

His therapist nods and writes something else down. 

Then their session is over and he thinks this may be the most he’s said in one since they started. It used to be all her talking and mostly him listening. Now they had more of an even exchange. And he didn’t hate it. He wasn’t sure how it was helping, but he knew the meds she prescribed were so he'd keep going. 

~~~ End Flashback ~~~

There are no windows in this office, thought Tomura from where he sat slowly spinning around on the chair, only fluorescent bulbs in the ceiling and even one of those was broken. As a result the office had this dim cool lighting.

“So,” drawled the Erasure hero, “You passed the High School Equivalency Exam with flying colors.”

*Tomura spins*

“Woopie.”

*spins the other direction*

Gold eyes flashed red at him in irritation.

“Yes. You may start assisting Teachers with class work, grading assignments, monitoring discussions, even proctoring exams. Here is your ID card."

That made Tomura pause. Reaching over he picked up the plastic card with his picture on it next to the UA logo. Imagine taking your history test and looking up to see the Symbol of Fear was your exam proctor. Fuck that’s funny. The Alpha let out a laugh he had to disguise as a cough. 

In order to be able to do these things he was assigned a UA issued Smartphone and Laptop. Tomura’s hands twitched. A computer! Games! Yes yes yes, gimme!

Eraserhead just casually passed them over without pausing, Tomura kind of tuned him out…

He had officially become a glorified Teachers Aide. Oh Joy. He’d be paid a fair stipend while working at UA while Izuku finished up his senior year. After that they could discuss him coming on as a staff member if he performed well and was interested.

“What about training with Izuku and his class?”

The erasure hero had been waiting for this question.

“You want to train with the hero course students?” said Shouta, eyebrows raised in mock-surprise. 

Tomura stopped spinning and sat up to face the desk, “You know Bakugo wants a shot at my head. And yeah, I’d like to be able to train with them. I thought…”

“You’d need to take another test for that. Two actually.”

“What?” growled the reformee.

“We don’t let just anyone train with upcoming heroes. If they were injured it’d be terrible for everyone involved. Anyone who works with them has to be of a certain caliber. They have to be able to stand their ground against years of physical and mental conditioning.”

Tomura narrows his eyes at the Underground Hero, “What the fuck are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying the testing is to ensure you can stand up to all of that.”

“What? Of fucking course I can! I’ve fought them before!”

“Right, and retreated a few times too…”

Tomura leaned forward in his chair, “Excuse me?”

“Just calling it like I see it. I wonder if you could even pass…”

“Pass what?”

“You’d just need to pass the same testing they had to.”

“Fine, sign me up then!” he growled. 

Shouta grinned behind his capture weapon as he registered Shigaraki Tomura for the written license exam and the practical. Izuku and his class had recently taken and passed these exams themselves, their official hero licenses held until they graduated. He may as well get the older man caught up right?

One step forward. 

—

Fine, thought Tomura, if he had to prove to the Underground Hero he was good enough to train with the Hero classes he would. He sat back in a huff. 

The teacher droned on, “The phone’s call function is limited, you can only reach the numbers pre-programed into it as well as emergency services. You have all the teachers numbers who you will be assisting as well as all of Class A. If you want to add another contact you must first text a teacher to make the request. You have access to the internet on both the phone and laptop but please be mindful we will be tracking every keystroke, text sent and website you visit.”

“No sexting, got it,” he said with a nod, enjoying the way Eraserheads’ eye twitched irritably, “Can I play games on them?”

Shouta paused his typing, a bit startled by the question, “Yes - as long as you get your work done.”

“Cool.”

The erasure hero rolled his eyes and leaned on the desk with one elbow, the hand supporting his forehead with several long scarred fingers, “Moving on. In the mornings you will be assisting several instructors in the classroom. After lunch you will head to one of the gyms to be supervised by Nedzu in gathering data about your quirk, then I will work with you on control.”

That piqued Tomura’s interest.

“Also, as of today you and Izuku are to have lunch with the rest of the students in the main cafeteria. You may even check in with him during study period if you have the time. You are free to scent as is socially appropriate as your bond is both new and abnormally sensitive. Do not abuse these privileges or they may be revoked.”

Ruby eyes looked at him curiously, “Ooooh, so no more supervised luncheons?”

“Izuku should be able to socialize with his friends including those outside his Pack, and as his Mate, so should you.”

“You're just going to have me waltz into the lunch room full of quirked students in a hero school and expect me not to be brutally attacked by a bunch of random NPCs?”

The Underground Hero sat back and ticked off the fingers on one hand, “General, Business, Support, and Hero. There’s more than one lunch hall and period at UA.” 

The Alpha tilted his head.

“Teachers and students in the same department typically take lunch at the same time of the day. So you’ll be having lunch with ALL of the hero students, specifically,” Shouta smiled evilly.

Um, what the fuck? thought Tomura, “So I’ll be walking into all three grades worth of heroics students?”

“You will be doing so after successfully integrating with Class-3A and all of the Big Three,” Shouta paused and let the villain in front of him sweat.

Just as Shigaraki opened his mouth to protest, he added, “Of course Principal Nedzu, Hound Dog and the Department Heads already made an announcement in the lunchroom the day before. And there will be an added presence of heroes in the lunch hall for the first week, as a precaution.”

Tomura wheezed, oh thank fuck. He was genuinely scared for a moment that he might actually need to maim high schoolers. That wouldn't be very 'reformatory' of him.

Shouta snorted and held out the folder.

The Alpha sat up, narrowing his eyes at the man across from him as he snatched the paperwork, flipping it open to take a look. God this was so fucking weird. I mean, it wasn’t like he was working some boring ass 9-5 at an office.

He was an ex-villain, former villain, reformee at a heroics school, but it was still a ‘job’. With things like ‘responsibilities’. Which, ick, he already figured out those were fucking annoying. 

Looking over the edge of the folder he asked, “Once the students see me in the lunchroom, hallways and such they are going to freak out, and call their parents who are going to further freak out.”

“Notifications have gone to every student’s guardians. We know there’s going to be some backlash, expect some to transfer to other schools. UA will survive. We plan to have a full press conference once we have the participation of the entire group.”

Hmm, guess that would have to do for now thought Tomura. Something felt off though, he couldn't put his finger on it. Steepling his hands on the desk in front of him Tomura asked, “Well then, what are we going to do about getting the rest of the League on board?”

—

Shouta stopped typing and leaned back in his chair and casually crossed his arms, “Why don’t you tell me? You and Izuku have been in contact with them somehow, correct?”

Shigaraki squinted at him in suspicion, so Shouta said, “You haven’t been pestering me nearly as much about getting in touch with them. Only one reason I can think of for that.”

Tomura looked at the scruffy hero from behind his bangs and didn’t bother to try to deny what the Underground Hero already knew, “You really are a utilitarian pain in the ass.” 

Shouta just waves the comment away with his hand.

“Why didn’t you stop us?”

The older Omega hummed before answering, “I do trust my students to a certain extent. Midoriya has a high level of empathy but doesn’t put innocent people at risk. I was curious to see what you would do. When the League didn’t storm UA to rescue you I figured you told them about the program.” 

“Eraserhead,” said Tomura, focusing his crimson eyes on the hero. Using a nudge of power, nothing near as strong as a real command he asked, “What is your stance on rules?”

A chill ran down the hero’s back. Tomura was letting his Alpha peek through. Some of that power laced like daggers through his words. 

Shouta knew what he wanted to say, but seeing how his audience was a very serious villain he was trying to make a good impression on he maintained eye contact and went with, “Some are meant to be bent.”

Tomura calmed and grunted in agreement. 

“How did your discussion go?” asked the eraser hero, sensing the danger had passed.

“Some are more eager to try than others,” he shifted in his seat.

“How about this,” said Shouta, “If you asked them to, would they do it?”

After some consideration Tomura answered, “If I ask them to, they will follow me.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Tomura looked up, was that almost a complement?

“What? You are their Leader. They respect you. If you tell them this is a legitimate offer they should take it seriously. You know that is impressive, yes?”

The young Alpha tried not to turn red as he shook his head in disagreement, “There is one holdout.”

“Dabi?”

“Idiot, as expected,” said Tomura, sitting up and pulling one of his legs up onto the chair to hug.

“Hmm, and you still believe Keigo is the key to winning him over?”

“I do.”

“Very well, let’s arrange to meet with the whole group someplace away from innocent civilians in a neutral space and see how that goes,” says Shouta, “I’ll call in Hawks so he has plausible deniability.”

“What about me?”

“If I’m not mistaken, you should go catch your Mate at lunch. Afterwards you’ll be meeting with Nedzu in Gym Gamma.”

Tomura looks down at the page on the front of the folder, oh yeah he’s right. When he looked up the underground hero was wrapped up in a bright yellow sleeping bag and laying behind his desk.

“Now, shoo,” mumbled a voice from the yellow cocoon, “I want to take my afternoon nap.” 

—

Izuku reached out as soon as he got out of his morning classes and was eagerly headed to the dining hall. He’d get to have lunch with Tomura in the cafeteria! It was both exciting and stressful. Gah! When he got there it was full of people roughly jostling for food. Rather than risking dropping his phone and having it kicked to the other end of the room Izuku reached out to his Mate through the bond,

“Where are you?” 

“That’s right, you would know I’m here since your Principal made an announcement yesterday. An announcement you neglected to tell me about.”

“I’m sorry! I had so much work to get done I totally forgot!”

Izuku could hear the mental ‘Tsk’ from his partner, then…

“I’m over in the corner where you said the Bakubrat and his group usually sit. Figured it’s less likely to cause a ruckus.”

“Ruckus? Really?”

“Better than saying this is going to cause all hell to break loose.”

“Oh I don’t think we are going to be avoiding that today.”

“Color me surprised.”

Tomura’s school ID included lunch swipes (Jesus he had a valid UA ID card.) So he'd gotten there early and picked up a water and bento with fluffy looking rice topped with black sesame seeds, a corn croquet, steamed boc choi and several pieces of fake crab and shrimp. Then he went to sit where he knew his presence would at least be tolerated.

“Hey! It’s Shiggy!” exclaimed the young man with the electric quirk and personal space issues.

“Hey man, welcome to the lunchroom.”

“What the fuck?”

“Hello,” the villain said, opening his bento.

“It’s bad enough I gotta see your ugly mug first thing in the morning, now you're here in front of me while I’m trying to eat lunch too?” the blond openly mocked sitting across from Tomura. Though his words didn't have any real bite to them.

“Good afternoon Shigaraki,” said Shouto, taking a seat.

The older man had his mouth full so he just gave the dual quirk user a two finger salute.

The rest of the group followed, making sure to leave a seat open for Izuku by Shigaraki. Eating and casual conversation followed, but no one bothered the older Alpha, which he appreciated. 

“Thank you for saving me a seat,” said the green haired Omega when he arrived.

“Sit down and eat your lunch nerd, you’re going to need it when I kick your ass later in training!”

“We’ll see about that,” said Izuku, eyes filled with a spark of competitiveness.

Tomura felt a spike of envy. He wanted to be able to train with them too. They made it sound fun. And he wanted more of that. Craved it like you crave eating shredded cheese from the bag at two in the morning by refrigerator light. As soon as he passed yet more tests, he would be able to. It was more than just training with the hero students, his Alpha wanted to fight his Omega. Wanted to pin him down and make him whine...

The LOV leader shook his head and suppressed his own scent immediately. He didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable or, er, draw attention to himself. He didn't even know where that thought had come from... it had been happening more frequently lately.

"You ok?" asked Mina.

Shit. He needed an excuse, quick!

"Just something spicy, that's all," he took a big sip of his water. The young woman shrugged and went back to talking with Denki about something. Ok. Crisis averted. Mostly, Isuku was making a funny face, then he turned to look across the cafeteria when movement caught his eye.

Across the lunch room Ochaco waved from where she sat with Tsu, Iida, Momo, Aoyama and the rest of Class A. Izuku waved back.

—

They were already getting looks, students had picked up on Shigaraki’s presence and a murmur had begun to spread around the room.  

Izuku also noticed Ectoplasm and Midnight were in the lunchroom, both were experts at crowd control if needed. 

If the scent blockers weren’t circulating through the air, Katsuki was sure they’d be drowning in defensive pheromones. Taking his lead, the Bakusquad ignored it. 

At least until some numbnuts walked up to their table. 

Sensing a person was standing next to him, Katsuki looked up to see a snide face with messy blond bangs and blue eyes. Monoma Nieto. Fucking great.

“Well what do we have here? The Class A troublemakers really have sunk to a new low, dining with a villain!” 

“Fuck off copycat,” hissed Bakugo.

Who was this? wondered Tomura. He looks like a pompous prick. Izuku next to him snorted hard. Oops, he may have thought that loud enough for him to hear.

Ignoring him, the obnoxious student pushed his luck, “And Midoriya!”

“Yes Monoma?” said the green haired Omega, smile still on his face and rolling his eyes hard at Tomura. Oh, this was normal then?

Izuku just waited. He was ready to grab his Alpha the moment whatever horrible offensive garbage fell out of the Class B student’s mouth.

“You have to be the lowest of them all, sleeping with the actual enemy!”

Tomura's body stiffened as a snarl threatened to rise out of him. It was only stopped because Izuku was quick to wrap a scarred hand over his own, skillfully flipping his hand face up so their scent glands met. And then he held the Alpha's arm in place using his quirk. Sexy bastard.

“Monoma, normally we can take what you say with a grain of salt and appreciate your delusional competitive banter. However, in this case you’ve gone too far. Tomura is my Mate and right now you are very, very fortunate that I am holding not only him back, but also myself,” green lightning arced around and down Izuku’s arm, punctuating his statement. 

His hormones never did a 180 faster. Tomura went from wanting to Decay this Monoma asshole's eyes to wanting to pin his Mate to the wall. Tomura likey assertive Izuku.

The obnoxious blond with no sense of decency opened his mouth to speak again, which is when Kendo showed up to thwap Monoma on the back of his head, knocking him for a tizzy.

Izuku had to struggle to remain in control, the desire that was coming at him across their bond right now was. He felt like he could drown in it.

Sensing his Omega's discomfort, Tomura switched to producing calming pheromones. He saw Izuku's face relax. Good. Better. 

“I'm so sorry about that!” she bowed and dragged the other student away.

“Ok, listen the fuck up everyone,” Katsuki says, slamming his palms down on the table, letting off small explosions for emphasis, smoke billowing up around him, “Shigaraki Tomura is here under a Reform Program , this isn’t fucking poke the bear. Leave him the fuck alone or you’ll be answering not only to him, but also Izuku AND me, got it?”

“Me too,” said Shouto, standing up next to Katsuki.

Eijiro stood up, “And me.”

“And me,” said Denki, joining his mate. 

The rest of the Bakusquad stood and it was made clear that no one would be fucking with Tomura without suffering not only Izuku’s but also the Bombastic blond and his Pack’s fury.

Tomura was left speechless. 

No one in the lunchroom moved to counter the claim. Katsuki huffed then sat back down. The Bakusquad took their seats and the rest of the lunch passed in a tense truce.

Except for Izuku, who needed more napkins, because he was crying again.

—

“Broccoli Boi! Welcome back!” cheered Mei, she put down the welding tool and came around her work bench to give the Omega a hug. 

“It’s good to be back,” Izuku said with a smile, as he made sure to wave at Power Loader who was helping another student across the lab. He liked to let the teacher know he was with the inventive Beta, for his own safety.

One time before, Izuku had gotten locked inside one of Mei's 'babies' for most of the night. He'd had his phone but couldn't get any signal and no one could hear him from the outside. Mei had showed up with Power Loader to let him out around one in the morning. Power Loader was not thrilled. Mei had been happy to see the isolation cube worked though, she was sorry it had gotten buried under some material and she forgot he was in there.

“There’s been all kinds of crazy rumors going around about you. People saying you were kidnapped, dead, ended up mated to a villain. Just nutty stuff man,” she said, leading them back to her work table and clearing off some space for them. 

Izuku ran a hand through his curls, “Hah, about that…” 

“Midoriya Izuku, are you telling me that the rumors are true? Well, I mean, except for the one about you being dead…”

In response he held up the two sets of plans he’d brought. Mei was easily distractible, “I’ve got some new ideas.”

“Ooh," grabby hands, “Lemme see!”

This was actually part of his school work. He’d been given an assignment to create a suit for a new hero, and to strategically update his own. 

He knew just who he was going to make a new suit for. The same person who just took the Licensing exam. 

Tomura had been so pissed when he found out he’d been tricked. He’d gotten over it when he’d been allowed to train with Class A the first time though. He had kicked Kacchan’s ass in non-quirk combat. It had made the Blond yell at him to show him how he'd done it. Tomura made no promises.

He didn’t receive a full hero license though, since he was still in the reform program he’d been given a Preliminary License, meaning he could only perform Hero work with a fully licensed hero of five years present. Meaning it couldn’t be Izuku himself, but it could be someone like Mr. Aizawa. 

While Mei was working the green haired Omega had to think about how to present it.

They poured over the changes and upgrades he wanted for his own costume first. Then they moved on to the new suit plans he’d drafted up.

After reading over the requirements, which included retractable gloves utilizing a snapping motion, Mei asked, “Izuku, who is this for?”

“My Mate.”

She gave him bump with her shoulder, “Who iiisssss?”

He gave her an incredulous look. Had she really not heard?

“Shigaraki Tomura."

She blinked at him.

He blinked at her.

She blinked at him.

How long was this going to go on? Izuku wondered, then finally,

"Nice! Of course knew about you two," she went on, draping fabric on a dummy, "I just wanted to hear you say it."

"Why?"

He went to speak, then closed his mouth. What did he even have to say to that? Was it true? Was he proud of Tomura?"

"It matters, how you say things. You sound like you're daring someone to say something bad about him." Mei said, grabbing a rivet gun and heading to another area of the workshop, "That tells me you care about him a lot. You're happy?"

Izuku smiled warmly, "I am."

"Then good! Now, why does he need a costume?"

"He got his Prelim license!” the Omega said.

Mei looked up from what she was working on.

“No.”

“Way.”

“Way,” Izuku confirmed.

She grabbed Izuku and shook him violently, “NO FREAKING WAY!”

“Mei, Mei calm down, Mei!”

The support student finally settled back down and let go of a very rattled Omega. He forgets how strong she is sometimes.

"Leave it to me 'Zuku! This is going to rock!"

Izuku thanked the inventor profusely and turned to leave, wait, there was one more thing, "Oh, and it's going to be a surprise, so don’t tell anyone, ok?”

“Your secret is safe with me!”

Chapter Text

19. Put Your Mouth On Me

After what she saw happen at lunch Jirou was even more certain which Class A Pack she wanted to join. The only others who hadn't chosen a Pack were Shinsou and Tokoyami. She wanted to talk with them about it, see if either of them felt the same way.

Asking to join a Pack was a normal thing for Adults. This was the first time she'd be asking and not just going with whatever class she’d been assigned to. 

Initially Hitoshi had mixed with Class A about as well as Oil and Water. They co-existed. He’d gone out of his way to avoid making friends but friends had a way of happening to you.

Out of the blue Denki had said he liked him and it was clear he wasn't bothered by his quirk. They'd hang out and then Hanta had shared his weed with him one night when he’d had a rough day training and was sore all over. Even Bakugo had mellowed out around him from that first encounter a couple years ago. 

So when Jirou brought up choosing their first Adult Pack and if he felt the same about their options, Hitoshi agreed.  

Tokoyami hadn’t really given Pack life much thought. Having a Pack would satisfy both his secondary gender as well as his need for a flock as an avian mutant. He knew the class had split when the Bakugo group had openly accepted and befriended Izuku’s new Mate. He'd just always flown solo.

Then Jirou had approached him with Shinsou and proposed they ask to join the Bakusquad. She confirmed Iida and Momo were forming their own Pack with Ochaco, Tsu, Sato, Shoji, Aoyama and Koda. 

She said while she got along with them well enough, the Beta felt Bakugo and Shouto's Pack would be a better fit.

“I want to ask them,” Tokoyami informed Jirou a few days later, “Dark Shadow and I feel more akin to the nature of their chaotic good.”

“Then let’s ask them together,” she suggested. 

Katsuki was not at all shocked when the insomniac and two alt-goths asked to join the Bakusquad. Shouto had kindly scented each of them after Katsuki had welcomed them with, “Fuck yeah, of course you can join. You gotta be sure to keep up though, I don’t tolerate losers.”

“Plus Ultra!” Jirou had said, giving him a fist bump and then wrist scenting. 

Tokoyami had just nodded, accepted the scenting saying, “I will do my best.”

“Sure,” Hitoshi had said, just to irritate the blond, even if it meant he got an extra rough scenting. 

After that they were promptly added to the squad chat and invited to the next pizza and movie night. Denki asked Shinsou if he wanted to come hang out on the roof with him and Sero, and he took them up on the offer.

At the end of the night Jirou was so relieved she'd held Tokoyami’s hand the whole way back to her dorm room. She blushed when she had to let go. She hadn’t even realized…, “S-sorry!”

“It’s alright. I didn’t mind, it was nice. Goodnight,” he said with a small bow. The crow headed student turned and walked away.

Oh, the butterflies in her stomach. 

“Goodnight,” she whispered.

—

Tomura walked down the hallways of UA with a stack of papers from the administrative office. Grading multiple choice scantrons wasn’t terribly difficult. 

Mostly it was just running the students sheets through the machine after sliding in the master sheet and letting it auto grade them, learning how to unjam said ancient technology, and then putting encouraging little stickers on the ones who scored a 90% or above. 

Sure it was monotonous busy work, but it still had to be done. Afterwards he just had to drop them in the mailbox for each instructor to pick up back in the administrative office. 

It’s when the Alpha had to start reading student’s papers that he felt his eyes cross involuntarily.

“How do you go through all of these without getting a headache?” he groaned.

“You get used to it, and you swear it gets worse every year,” mumbled the voice hero. They were sitting in the teachers’ lounge going through Hizashi’s first year student’s latest attempts at a short essay history assignment. As in, five quick paragraphs. Nothing terribly long or in depth.

“This student used fucking emojis!” Tomura griped, waving the paper in the air to get the other man’s attention, “Can I at least write snarky comments?”

“Like what?” 

“Hmm, oh I don't know, like, ‘Although the battle involved explosions, please note the crossed out emoji is not an acceptable substitute for the actual fucking word?”

Hizashi made a cringeworthy face, then sighed, “No curse words.”

“Fair enough.”

A short while later an alarm on Tomura’s phone went off. 

That meant he was supposed to switch to assisting the R-Rated hero, Midnight, who seemed far too delighted to be working with him in his opinion.

Tomura neatly put the papers away to finish when he got back to the dorms, he only had two more to go, and pulled out his laptop to log into the discussion thread the Alpha was supposed to be monitoring for a second year class on Public Relations. Instructions were simple, keep the students on topic and the topic moving forward. Easy for someone like Tomura who liked to antagonize. It was like being paid to troll highschool kids into thinking outside the box. 

Hizashi watched the younger man out of the corner of his eye. He was surprised at Shigaraki’s work ethic, or that he even had one at all. The voice hero reached through the bond to his partner…

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Why?”

“He’s actually working. I don’t know what I expected.”

"People like having a purpose Zashi."

"I suppose."

“Is that all?”

“It came with plenty of colorful creative commentary.”

Shouta laughed.

—

Izuku has made it over halfway through his catch-up course work. It was exhausting but he was begining to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And then he was thrown a proverbial wrench. 

His Mom wanted him and Tomura to come to her place for dinner.

It wasn’t like they had been avoiding each other. They would chat on the phone, they just hadn’t seen each other again in person and they still needed to talk about the 800 pound gorilla in the room that was the fact Izuku had mated his nemeses.  

When she called and invited them both over for dinner, Izuku had taken it to mean his Mom had come to some level of acceptance. They still needed to talk about it and granted he didn’t expect this to be an easy discussion and they would do it. Just not yet. This was progress though. 

He just had to tell Tomura.

The Alpha was sitting on the floor across from him catching number two pencils while trying not to activate his quirk. Izuku had typed the code he'd been given to release the quirk suppressing bracelets so the older man could practice. 

The Omega thought back to how he'd been given that code, the first time he saw Tomura in the gym...

~~~ Flashback ~~~ 

Izuku had not expected to enter Gym Gamma with the rest of his class only to see his mate racing through an obstacle course set up by Cementos and PowerLoader.

Nore did he expect Tomura to be doing so unimpeded by the quirk suppressing wrist bands, freely wielding Decay... shirtless.

Thank god he wasn’t near his Heat, was the first thought that crossed Izuku’s mind, followed quickly by images of being taken to pound town by the larger muscular Alpha… Izuku shook his head hard. He didn't know why but he'd been more...um, easily excitable lately.

Ochaco got his attention and raised her eyebrows. Mina giggled next to her and said, “Well he sure looks more impressive when he's not trying to kill you.”

Yeah, Izuku knows. He remembers being beneath him, those hips slamming into his, those hands. God, he shivered, those hands all over him…

“Calm down nerd,” Kacchan had hissed into his ear, bringing him back to reality. 

Izuku snapped his mouth shut and wiped away the drool as the blond Alpha yelled about how he was going to kick Shigaraki’s ass. 

Right, thought Izuku. He was surrounded by his classmates in a gym, with scent patches on (thank god no one could smell his horny, jesus christ)

The bond sparked to life…

“I can feel your eyes on me, little hero.”

“No fair, you could have warned me!”

“Like you warned me about lunch?”

Shit, Tomura was right. Izuku kinda had this coming then. Tomura finished his run.

“Very good! Shigaraki, please clear the field for Class A’s sparring session,” called Principal Nedzu from the elevated podium he was standing on to observe.

The Alpha nodded and placed his palm on the side of the remaining interlocked concrete obstacles, decaying them to a fine dust while leaving PowerLoader’s equipment, a series of harmless disc launchers, untouched.

Paybacks, Tomura thought, grinning at the looks from the hero students and most importantly, his Omega. 

Walking over to a bench he made a deliberate show of snapping the quirk suppressing bracelets back on. Then he slung his shirt over his shoulder and took a long drink of water. Feeling those emerald eyes watching the sweat drip down his back.

The damn rodent creature really had made Tomura push himself. At first it had felt great to get moving again, then it quickly devolved into how much further could he go? If pushing himself to his limits would help Tomura gain control of the quirk that had started the downward spiral of his entire fucking life, he’d do it.

“Hit the showers. Tomorrow you will be training with Class A with Mr. Aizawa supervising,” announced the genius rodent as he pitter pattered across the gym floor.

“Kick some ass, Freckles,” the villain in reform said as he passed by his partner, ruffling Izuku's hair on his way to the locker rooms. 

It took way more self-control than the Omega was willing to admit to keep himself from grabbing Tomura, flinging him across the gym and… 

“Midoriya, would you come here?” called the chimera, sounding pleased.

The heroling pinched himself as a distraction then jogged over as requested. At least he’s in a good mood, thought Izuku ignoring the snickers from his class, “Y-yes Principal Nedzu!”

“I want you to practice with Shigaraki tomorrow on controlling his quirk. Please take notes and share with me any observations you make as you do so in terms of what helps or hinders his control, understand?” he turned to leave, then paused, “Oh, you’ll need the code to his cuffs for that won’t you?”

“Ah, y-yes?” 

Was he serious?

“Where did I put that note?” said the suit wearing rodent, patting his pockets, “I trust you will use this appropriately?”

At first Izuku wondered why the Principal would be willing to give Tomura that much freedom. Then it hit him, this was just as much about himself as it was Tomura. Principal Nedzu was trusting Izuku to make the right call if needed. Nodding seriously he said, “Of course!”

“Ah, here it is!” he said, holding up a piece of paper.

Izuku never memorized a number faster.

“Got it?”

“Yes sir!”

With his confirmation, the Principal gave a nod and left Gym Gamma.

Around them Izuku’s classmates were pairing together in two vs one teams and trying not to look too obvious as they eavesdropped.

He noticed Iida was waiting with his teacher, along with Shinsou Hitoshi. 

Since he was also aiming for Underground Heroics, his costume had similarities to Mr. Aizawa’s including the capture weapon. Hitoshi still managed to give it his own flair with the vocal modulator Mei had constructed for him. Izuku gave the Beta a wave as he jogged back over.

“You three, spar,” Shouta explained, having done this training many times before the students already knew the routine. Ten minutes to fight, count how many times you are pinned and pin someone else. When he blows his whistle twice one of them needs to switch, it was up to them who.

It was an advantage knowing Hitoshi’s quirk well. Even though he’d been gone almost two months Izuku was able to come in second overall, with Kacchan first of course.

“Hah! I knew I'd kick you ass nerd!” said Katsuki, but the words weren't said with any hostility.

Izuku grinned, “I'll get better for next time Kacchan!”

~~~ End Flashback ~~~

Anyway, number two pencils were a cheap easy to replace resource. At the moment Tomura was averaging 50%.

Which meant half the number two pencils he tossed ended up dusted on their first catch. 

They usually kept going until he’d used up the whole box. The Alpha had been stuck there for a while. Izuku could see Tomura was having trouble getting past this hump. He believed it was fear of success holding his mate back now. He needs some kind of push. What to do, Izuku wondered as he continued tossing pencils at his mate. 

“So, going to tell me what’s bothering you?” asked Tomura as he managed to successfully catch his third pencil in a row without dusting it (sweet), “And don’t try to deny it, I can smell and feel the stress coming off you like a miasma.”

Izuku sighed, “My Mom invited us to have dinner at home this weekend.”

No surprise Tomura dusted the next pencil he caught after that bombshell. 

Dinner at Mama Midoriya’s. 

He had done his best to box away and not think about his first encounter with the older Omega woman. Tomura remembered how sore his shoulder was after being pummeled by her purse. Still, this was his mate’s Mother. If she was willing to reach out he should be willing to try, he thought, reminded of his conversation with Eraserhead. For Izuku’s sake they should at least be able to eat a meal together, right?

“Ok,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Really?”

Tomura shrugged, “She’s your Mother, you only get one Mom.”

Izuku had him wrapped up in a hug before all the pencils he’d been holding had clattered to the floor. He mumbled into his partner’s shoulder, “Thank you.”

The Alpha wrapped his arms around his emotionally violital mate giving him a good supportive squeeze. He had no idea how he was going to survive this. 

—

“You know my friend’s family pulled her from UA because of those two.” 

“He's only here because he mated with Midoriya.”

“I’ve got a thing for bad boys.”

“I heard his first night here he got one of the hero students kicked out.”

“A powerful Alpha like that should have a beautiful female Omega for a mate.”

“My parents almost didn't let me come back to school because of this.”

“I wonder if villains give good dick?”

“Had to if he ended up here and not jail right?”

Gossip sucks.

Tomura could deal with it. He didn’t give a fuck about these pathetic NPCs, but he could tell it was wearing on Izuku. And that was starting to irritate his Alpha. He thought their bond was supposed to be getting more stable, not worse! Why did he feel so tense, especially whenever any other Alphas approached Izuku?

Walking in the school with his Mate Izuku was seriously getting fed up with the chatter. He’d gotten used to being the topic of gossip since his first year at UA, but for some reason this was grating on his nerves. He knows most of the students are younger than him now and less mature but seriously if one more person made a comment about…

“Hey Villain.”

Izuku glanced at his Mate, but he just kept walking. Good, he thought, better not to respond to…

“HEY YOU FUCKING PSYCHO SHIGARAKI!”

THAT made them put on the brakes. 

Izuku pinched the bridge of his nose. Three days, it had taken 3 days for someone to grow the balls to openly challenge Tomura. A quick look around revealed no teachers were in sight. Of course. How were they going to keep this from escalating to violence? 

Turning around Izuku looked up at an Alpha student from Class B, Rin Hiryu. He was flanked by Awase Yosetsu and Kaibara Sen, both Betas. Most of the hostility was emanating from the Alpha in question.

Tomura’s eyes narrowed as the students approached them, “Excuse me?”

“You heard him, get the fuck out of our school,” accused Rin with a vicious scowl.

Awase added, “You don’t fucking belong here.”

The older Alpha frowned and reached out to his mate, 

“Who are these losers?”

“Hero students in Class B, the one with the braid is an Alpha, the other two are Betas.”

Tomura said flatly, “Threatening people? How heroic of you.”

Izuku looked left and right, they were attracting a crowd.

“What would you know about heroics?” scoffed Kaibara.

Rin stepped forward into the taller Alpha’s space. 

A challenge.  

“You shouldn’t be here, you’re nothing like us. You took the easy way out becoming a villain. You’ve killed innocent people and heroes!” he growled at the older Alpha, jabbing his finger into the other man’s chest with each accusation. 

Tomura grinned with a flash of fang and saw the younger Alpha flinch, “You have no idea who I am.”

With that he turned away, a blatant rebuff. A way for an Alpha to refuse a challenge and say the other wasn’t viewed as a threat.

Rin reeled his arm back, readying a punch. That was low.

Tomura’s Alpha sensed the incoming attack. It also sensed unexpected movement on his left. 

As Tomura ducked away and turned around he saw Shinsou grab Rin’s arm mid swing at Shigaraki.

“You purple haired freak, let me go!”

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” asked Hitoshi.

“I’m going to…” and then Rin’s eyes glazed over and his body went lax as the mind control quirk went into effect. His two accomplices froze in their tracks. 

“I think it’s time you three went back to your dorm, don’t you?” asked the purple haired Beta. Rin nodded obediently and walked away. With the Alpha leaving, the other two students were at a bit of a loss on what to do and chased after him. 

That’s a handy quirk, thought Tomura. He walked over to the water fountain to take a drink and calm down. 

“Oh good grief, thank you Hitoshi,” praised Izuku, taking a few deep calming breaths. 

“No problem,” said the Beta, “I hate to say it but heads up, looks like it’s your turn to shine.”

“Huh?”

Hitoshi pointed down the hallway where just yards away a few young girls, female Omegas, had surrounded his very confused looking mate. They began posturing and trying to touch him.

Izuku’s Omega had an issue with that . Hell Izuku has an issue with that too. Who do they think they are?

“Excuse me,” said the shorter man as he brushed past his helpful friend.

Hitoshi leaned on the wall to watch what was about to go down, the rest of the students having moved on when nothing came of the Alpha challenge.

Oooh, I feel bad for them, the Beta thought to himself with a shake of his head.

—

Tomura wasn’t sure how he ended up cornered by these three young ladies. They smelled of candy and flowers and he hated how they kept pawing at him. And the things they were saying…

“Don’t you want a nice pretty Omega?” said the brunette with pigtails, “Someone to cook your favorite foods for you? Or be there when…”

The Alpha straightened up as he saw Izuku approaching. And boy did he look pissed. Tomura found that way hotter than he should.

Tapping the most aggressive acting of the three on her shoulder, Izuku cleared his throat and said, “Pardon me.”

Turning around, the woman looked down at him and laughed. 

“Aw, look at you!”

“It’s the cute little male Omega!”

“Why don’t you let one of us take this Alpha off your paws huh? No shame in not being able to handle him.”

“He hardly even smells of you, are you sure you’re a pair?”

Rolling up his uniform sleeves, Izuku chuckled darkly as he staked forward, forcing the woman to back up, “Let me be very clear…”

In a flash he’d trapped the cocky Omega between his muscular arms, slamming them against the lockers on either side of her head. Tomura watched the metal dent from the impact. 

Izuku glared up at her.

“Get away. From my Mate,” he growled, right into the young woman’s face, as he pumped out aggressive sharp cedar. Scent so strong it must be burning her nose.

The other two women acted as if they were going to move, Izuku snarled at them so they stayed put.

Pigtails whimpered and tilted her head to the side in a show of submission, so Izuku stepped back and let her scramble away, tripping and falling on her ass with a thunk. Her friends helped her back to her feet and they quickly ran off.

Before the green haired Omega knew what was going on there was a hand on his wrist and Izuku was being dragged away down the hall and then around a corner…

“Tomura! Tomura, where are we going?”

Izuku was his. And he was Izuku’s. Tomura felt a visceral need to reiterate that, right now.

Pulling open a door marked Janitor, he stepped inside and yanked his Omega in with him. Then he slammed the door shut and they were in the dark.

“Alpha?”

That word alone made Tomura want to do unspeakable things. His hand felt along the wall until he found what he’d been looking for. 

Flipping the switch, a dull yellow glow from the singular incandescent bulb dangling above them dimly lit the room they were in with its orange glow.

There was a mop and sink in the back, an old green chair, a wall of shelves full of cleaning products… 

“T-tomura! This is a closet!” Izuku whispered aggressively. 

And look at that, the doorknob has a latch. How convenient, thought the Alpha, locking it.

—

Tomura was dousing the room with his scent, a citrus earthy musk. It quickly filled the small space blending with Izuku's cedar and vetiver. The Omega would gladly drown in it. His inner Omega crooned.

Izuku didn’t protest as his Alpha pushed him backwards against the other wall, grabbing his leg and hiking it up on his hip. He was about to say something... when his mouth was captured by a kiss. 

This wasn’t like those quick pecks they’d been giving each other for the last few weeks in the morning or before bed. 

Neither of them had pushed for more since they’d shared their Cycle. Sure they had been busy, but he knows that’s not it. No. If Izuku lets himself think about it it’s because of doubt. 

Doubt the other really wanted them. Doubt they were still physically attracted to the other, now that the drugs were waning…

Izuku leaned back to break the kiss and get some air, gasping out, “Tomur-ah!”

“Iz-u-ku,” the Alpha growled, pressing their growing hardon’s against each other through their pants. 

Oh god. They should not be doing this. They could get in so much trouble! 

“Tomu we're going to smell like we fucked eachother!” the Omega whined as his mate’s leg pushed up between his thighs against his aching dick, making Izuku slick. It wasn’t as much as during his Heat, but it was enough to soak through his boxers and add to the pheromones in the room.

“Good,” he growled into Izuku’s neck, “You should reek of me, always. And I of you. You’re mine bunny. I want you. I need you.”

Izuku bit his lip as his hips involuntarily canted down against the villain’s thigh, desperate for some friction.

“You sure you don’t want one of those girls? The ones who smell of flowers and tooth rotting candy?” the Omega knew it was dangerous, teasing the devil.

His Alpha growled low and possessive, reaching down he undid Izuku’s belt and pulled his zipper, “To hell with those floozies, none of them even compare.”

“Wh-why?” 

Carmine eyes met his, “You challenge me like no other, always have, always will. Now…”

The younger man whined as one of those large deadly hands reached into his underwear and wrapped around his leaking member, thumb swiping across the sensitive tip.

“Tell me, do you really think I’m worth the trouble, hmm?”

Izuku reached forward, pulled Tomura’s belt apart and undid his jeans, “I like trouble. Safe is boring.”

He pulled the villain’s cock out and gave it a few good strokes before glancing up and catching those molten eyes looking at him, “You Ahh! You could never be boring, Tomura.”

This time they met in the middle, lips brushing against one another in a well choreographed dance that grew in intensity.

At some point the Alpha pulled Izuku higher in his lap. His Omega twisted both legs around him and Tomura manuverd one hand to wrap around them both, rocking his hips.

“Yes, yes yes,” his Omega panted arms gipping his shoulders, giving in to chasing that high. There was nothing more exciting than being wanted like this.

The semi-public risk of where they were only spurned them both on. Before long Izuku felt that familiar tightening tingling sensation on the rise, “Tomu, ah ah, Tomu, I'm gonna cum.”

“Me too. Open your mouth.”

His Omega did as was asked and his shirt was pulled up and shoved in, Tomura doing the same to himself. This way their moans were muffled and hopefully their shirts wouldn't be covered in jizz afterwards. 

Pulling his Mate into his shoulder so their neck glands met helped push Izuku over, he bit down on his shirt feeling his fangs descend and puncture the fabric as he painted their abbs with his climax.

Tomura followed shortly after, letting out a low groan as he stroked them through it, his cum coated hand easing the slide.

*Pant*

*Pant*

As their breathing slowed back to normal the Omega pulled his shirt out of his mouth and Tomura let him slip off his lap to stand on his own shaky feet, hands holding him in support, “That was…”

There was a brisk crack of knuckles against the door. The Alpha and Omega look over and then back at each other. So much for their post nut high.

A tired sounding voice said, “You have two minutes to get decent and step out before I unlock this door myself.”

The two men used some paper towels and the sink to clean themselves off and rushed to get re-dressed. There was nothing they could do about the smell though. Izuku reached out mentally to keep their conversation private,

“We are so dead.”

“We’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know him when he’s angry. He is going to hang us for this. OMG we are sooo dead.”

“Hey! Calm down. If you’re that worried just say it was my fault.”  

“What? No!”

When they were ready Tomura opened the door and was promptly sprayed in the face with Neutralizer.

After his coughing stopped and vision cleared, he saw a very disgruntled Eraserhead.

Shit.

Izuku stepped out beside him and got the same treatment.

They heard Hitoshi’s muffled laughter. Looking over Izuku saw the Beta was spraying neutralizer down the now deserted hallway, using his shirt to cover the lower half of his face. 

Shouta’s nose wrinkled, “You’ve managed to fill the entire closet and hallway with your scent. May I remind you both that you have a Den in the Dorms for these activities.”

Oh god, thought Izuku, covering his blushing face with both hands. Tomura shoved his own in his pockets and shrugged as he pretended to be very interested in the hallway tile. It looked to be a late twentieth century laminate flooring in pewter pattern...

The older Omega sighed, “Look, I know you have both been kept very busy, but there is a time and a place for intimacy. This isn’t it.”

Both young men mumbled in agreement and shuffled their feet.

“Regardless, you are very lucky it was me who found you, and not some other instructor who may not be so understanding.”

Izuku bowed and Tomura followed his actions as his partner stammered out, “We are v-very sorry Sensei!”

“Next time, take care of these urges in your Den, not our poor janitor’s closet,” said Shouta, motioning for Hitoshi to go inside and thoroughly spray down the space.

The older man pinched his nose and said, “When you get back to the Dorms, after dinner Shigaraki will clean the common area and Midoriya the kitchen. Shinsou will notify me when your discipline has been satisfactorily completed.”

Ok. That wasn’t too bad thought Izuku, slumping in relief. Sensei was right though, this wouldn’t have happened if they’d been meeting these urges appropriately and properly smelled of each other to discourage that kind of flirting.

Pain in the ass, thought Tomura. Also, he already wanted more. It was stupid denying themselves contact. Why had they both pulled back? He and Izuku needed to have a talk.

“Get out of my sight!” snapped Shouta, making the guilty parties jump. Izuku grabbed Tomura and dragged him away.

—

“Still cleaning, kero?”

“I was going to ask, why do you also smell like industrial strength neutralizer?” said Ochaco as she came into the kitchen with Tsu to grab a snack.

Tomura grinned from where he was vacuuming between the couch cushions.

“Not a word!” yelled Izuku from the kitchen.

“Yeah, no. That reaction says I do not want to know, never mind," said the brunette with a wave of her hand.

Tsu grabbed a couple oranges and took Ochaco’s hand to lead the two of them outside. They were going to enjoy the mild weather that evening on a walk.

Katsuki and Shouto were reading some Manga together on a loveseat watching the two clean, the Alpha laying in his Omega’s lap. When they’d told the others they had cleaning duty everyone knew that meant they were being punished for something and most of the class had vacated the area so they could work without people getting in the way. 

Izuku knew Kacchan remained because he got a kick out of watching this, recalling the time they’d been similarly punished for fighting after hours on the training grounds, and of course Hitoshi was still there to supervise. 

The Beta obediently lifted his feet out of the way when Tomura vacuumed the floor around the coffee table and couches. He was watching something on the TV, so Izuku was sure Tomura was using the vacuum to try to irritate the sleep deprived student. 

By the time they were finished they were covered in dust and dirt and just wanted to shower, but not before talking about what caused this

Back in their Den Izuku went down the hall, grabbed pajamas for the both of them and headed to the bathroom.

“What are you doing?” asked Tomura, following Izuku inside as he turned on the shower.

The Omega paused for a moment, then started stripping before he lost his nerve, “This whole thing happened because we haven’t been meeting our physical needs together. So as a step in the right direction we are going to talk about that while taking a shower and helping each other wash.”

“Allright,” Tomura agreed, also removing his dirty clothes and dropping them in the hamper. He never had an issue being nude in front of Izuku. He’d just been more prudent about it for the Omega’s sake. He didn’t want to make the younger man uncomfortable. 

— 

Both got in and took turns dousing themselves under the hot shower. Since it was built for two they had plenty of room, and in addition to a traditional shower, there was a wand that could be used at the same time, so both had access to clean water for rinsing. 

“I know we got busy, but why didn’t you say something if you were feeling a bit pent up?” asked his Alpha as he washed Izuku’s hair.

“I guess, some of it is low self esteem?”

“Explain?”

“I mean, I thought since we got together during our Cycle that you wouldn't care to be with me any other time? It was easy to blame it all on the hormones and meds. I know people can have…sex… anytime, but you have to remember I’ve never been in a relationship before. I don’t know what’s really normal or not? Why didn’t you say something?”

“Hold your breath, gonna rinse your hair first.”

Izuku did as he asked and leaned back so the warm water cascaded around his face, down his hair and back, then he wiped a hand down his face and asked again, “Well?”

“My therapist says I have a fear of getting what I ask for.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I don’t ask for things I want, like you,” the Alpha says, punctuating it by wrapping his arms around the shorter man in a comforting hug, leaning his head on Izuku’s shoulder, “Then there’s much less of a chance I’ll get it. Which, my mind twists into thinking thatI'm right to think that I don’t deserve good things to happen to me. That I don’t deserve you.”

“Tomura,” the Omega said sadly.

They stayed like that, skin touching skin in reassurance.

“We can both work on this,” said Izuku as he got out of the shower to dry off with a towel, “First, more casual touches in public are fine.”

Tomura pretended to be aghast, pressing a hand to his own chest in mock worry, “You don’t mean to say you want to engage in Public Displays of Affection? Won’t your Class Prez have a cardiac event?”

Izuku rolled his eyes as he pulled his pajama bottoms on, “At this point he really needs to let that go, we’re all legal adults.”

“So things like short kisses, hand holding, wrist scenting, leaning on each other, arms around the other, that simple stuff right?” asked Tomura.

“Feet in each other's lap on the couch, cuddled under the same blanket on movie nights. Yeah, stuff like that,” his Omega hung up both their towels and Tomura opened the door to head to their nest.

"Right."

“And what about privately?” 

"That's a different matter," said Izuku, pursing his lips. Things were about to get... even more embarrassing.

Chapter Text

20. Being Good

Izuku climbed into their nest first, grabbing a blanket and spinning around with it before sitting so he was cocooned. He picked at the fabric to keep his hands busy. Looking up at a very patient Tomura he said, “Privately I know we’ve already done plenty. It’s just there’s a line in my head that Cycle sex is different from… other sex.” 

"I mean," offered Tomura, "That’s not wrong."

“And I want to be clear that it's not a trust thing. I trust you and whatever you want to do so long as we are both ok with it. Even with your quirk being what it is…” Izuku shifted his gaze away, face red as a strawberry as he said, “I… I dream about you touching me without needing those stupid cuffs. I just didn’t think you felt the same way because you never…”

The other man’s voice faded into the background as Tomura took that comment in. His hands? His little hero had a thing for his hands? As in, wasn’t afraid of them? Wanted to be touched by Tomura? His Alpha rumbled as he forced his fists open, fingers tingling from the lack of circulation.

“Zuku,” the Alpha groaned as if he was in pain. Rolling his shoulders the reformee said, “How can you just sit in our nest and say that kind of shit?”

Izuku jerked his head up, “What?”

“Listen to me carefully, Omega,” said Tomura, punctuating each word by moving closer as he slowly crawled into their nest, eyes focused on Izuku, “How dare you think I don’t want my Mate?”

“S-sorry!” Izuku squeaked, tucking himself back so he disappeared underneath the blanket.

Oh he wasn’t getting away that easy. 

Tomura reached over, pulling the fabric away to reveal his Omeg’s face who chirruped at him in interest. God Izuku loved being the focus of his Alpha’s attention. 

Tomura's slow grin unfurled across his face. They were both interested in him weren’t they? Izuku and his Omega. It made his Alpha want to strut.

“No no no,” purred the older man rubbing his cheek against Izuku’s, “No hiding, we are getting through this. Wants, needs, and desires.”

Tomura gripped his Omega’s chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted his head up to ask, “So tell me, just how kinky are you, little hero?”

“Kinky? Oh I don’t know about…” a single large strong hand wrapped around the back of the Omega’s neck and tightened just shy of closing off his breathing. Like back in the mall, thought Izuku. The encounter just before he’d presented… had Tomura triggered his secondary gender?

The younger man's pulse quickened and pheromones turned heady with Tomura's, "I think you like danger, little hero. It gets your blood pumping doesn't it?"

Izuku's adam's apple bobbed in his throat. 

His Alpha loomed over him and purred, “I knew I’d seen that flash of ‘what if’ in your eyes before. Safe to presume we've both been horny and searched the internet before right?"

His Omega nodded.

"You wanted to talk? So let's talk. I’ll go first.”

Izuku tried to swallow but it was made difficult by the hand gripping his neck. It wasn't hurting him however. Even now, the Alpha was being mindful of the position he held his Omega in. So Izuku remained pliant.

Tomura hummed, released his neck in favor of pressing them closer so his mouth was whispering just over Izuku's sensitive ear to summarize, “Don’t have to be some kind of sexpert to know what I do and don’t like. No Scat, Vore or baby play. No bestiality or necro. Don’t trap me in anything cage like, but you are more than welcome to pin me to the floor or a wall. I do not like surprises, too dangerous to risk with my quirk. If you want to try something, best to talk with me about it first.”

Well that was revealing, thought Izuku. It was a different kind of vulnerability.

“Umm, ok, uh, th-those are all a no for me too,” Izuku began, reaching up to scritch the back of his Alpha's head and feeling Tomura relax against him, “You left out crush and snuff, which being who you are…”

Tomura shuttered, “Eww, no. No to those as well. Didn’t realize how well educated you were, freaky little hero.”

He paused.

“Sorry, please continue,” said his partner.

“Oh, ok," said Izuku, gaining a little confidence, "I don’t like the idea of not being able to see or hear what's going on around me."

Tomura motioned for him to keep going, so... he did.

"As exciting as it is, exhibitionism doesn’t seem worth the trouble it can cause. Guess that’s a, depends on the situation for me,” he finished, giving his partner a pointed look. 

“Allright, what about some things you do like?” asked Tomura, as he moved to sit behind Izuku and pulled him up into his lap, “For example, I really enjoy the feeling of your hips in my hands, and when you ride me. Or any time you tearfully beg me to get you off. I like putting my mouth and tongue all over you, inside of you.”

Tomura stopped speaking and let out a deep raspy purr.

Izuku rumbled in response to his Mate. They started up a steady thrumming vibration for several moments.

It was much easier to talk about what he liked while seated where he was now, that was for sure. Izuku said, “I like when you tell me how pretty I am, feels really nice, like you mean it? I like to curse when fucking, it just feels right. I also have some t-toys we could try? Is that a good enough start?

“Of course I mean it when I say you are beautiful. I will kiss every freckle on your body over and over again until you have to believe me."

It was Izuku's turn to shiver, the air in their den was thick with their intermingled scents. Izuku could feel his Mate was getting hard and his own body reacting as slick leaked out of him.

"Toys humm?"

Izuku nodded, that was a story for another day. He hummed, "We could have a lot of fun."

"If we are going to be getting into using toys, maybe restraints, things like that, we need to agree on safe words," said Tomura, hands running up and down his Mates thighs.

Izuku knew what those were. Important to make sure neither of them got hurt, it was about feeling good after all. He considered, leaning back into his Alpha so their purring oscillated against each other.

“How about the easy to remember Red, Yellow and Green streetlight system?” asked Izuku.

The Alpha kissed his Omega behind his ear and teased the skin down his neck to his shoulder, whispering, “See, you do know more then you let on.”

“I may have done, Ah! A little research at some point…” said Izuku. That wasn’t a total lie. He was a healthy young male, and last year he'd ended up going down a rabbit hole on the internet that made him feel very, very confused but admittedly not entirely disinterested in some ideas while he masturbated. Which eventually led to him going to a toy shop with Mina and Ochaco, but again, that wasn't important right now...

“So, stop light system is good. And if you or I can’t speak, we can use pinches and finger snaps. Two quickly for ok and one for stop?” asked Tomura.

“Yes, that works,” what the hell was he getting himself into? thought Izuku. He felt his pulse speeding up. Was the older man right about him and danger?

Tomura knew they had the right foundation, he just had no idea how this was supposed to really go between partners. His knowledge came from kitschy scripted pornography and some late night chatting on kink discords. Izuku wiggled in his lap and his cock twitched. Screw it, they'd learn as they went...

—

The heroling was aware he must reek of need right now. At least this time it was only for his Alpha. That made Izuku's Omega want to bounce off the walls. There was something poking his back right now that he knew would be far more fun to bounce on...

“Izuku, want to be good for me?” Tomura whispered, licking the shell of his ear making goosebumps trail down his neck.

The Omega caught his breath sharply, “So good Tomura.”

His Alpha rumbled low and deep, and Izuku felt his Omega slip more in control, but he didn’t care. They were safe in their nest, in their Den. And he'd missed this, he needed to be closer to his Mate.

“Please, more.”

The older man laid Izuku back in the nest and crawled over him, kissing and nipping down his chest to his abs, pausing to suck a dark mark on his hip. God more, Izuku needed more! He felt like his veins were on fire. Then finally a large deadly hand wrapped around his hard on and a wet hot tongue laved across the tip. Izuku fought to keep his hips from bucking up.

Tomura groaned as he licked up and down both sides of Izuku’s hard on, then he took him in his mouth as hands reached up and spread the Alpha’s ass so his pink ring was exposed to the cool air.

Izuku removed a hand just to bring fingers to his own mouth and wet them before reaching behind his partner to slip between his ass cheeks.

Tomura went all the way down at the feeling of Izuku’s fingers dip into his ass. The younger man's hips tried to buck up as the Alpha worked his shaft, bobbing at a brutal pace.

Fuck that felt heavenly, but Izuku wasn’t going to stop prodding until he found…

Tomura popped off his dick and cried out as his body jerked involuntarily.

His prostate, thought Izuku with a grin.

“Ah, hah! Ok, enough! On your knees little hero,” hissed the former villain as he rolled off his Omega.

Izuku did as he was asked and slid himself back so he was presenting. He heard something that sounded like a choked chicken and almost turned around but then a warm textured tongue swept around his puckered entrance.

“Oh fuck, Tomura!”

He could feel the smile against his ass as his Alpha continued to loosen him up.

“God your fucking tongue,” Izuku shifted so his head was resting on his own forearm, his other hand squeezed the base of his cock to hold off his own climax.

The Alpha was thoroughly enjoying himself. Izuku wasn't as slick as during his Heat but he still tasted sweet. Stopping to give his Omega a break Tomura reached up and wrapped his hand around the back of the man's neck.

Slowly Izuku was pulled up off the nest in a show of strength, another arm wrapping over his torso as his Alpha sat him up in his lap, pressing the two of them together.

Izuku felt his partner's throbbing erection settle right between his cheeks.

“Tomura, Tomu please,” he begged shamelessly, wiggling to try to force some progress.

The hand around his neck tightened and darkness clouded the edge of his vision. That low haunting raspy voice in his ear, “Not yet little hero.”

Tomura reached down, finding his Omega was already holding himself off he hummed and said, “Good boy. Stay just like that for me, ok?”

Izuku could barely whine, finding he couldn’t speak he snapped his fingers twice.

Humming in approval the older man switched to the other side and licked over Izuku's shoulder and scent gland there, then he peppered his Mate's neck with kisses.

He continued, making his Omega kneel in front of him so he could give the same gentle teasing treatment to his back.

Izuku was going to lose his mind. His Omega was shrieking about being filled. The younger man whimpered and fat wet tears were streaming down his face. Only then did his Alpha finally give him what he so desperately craved.

Tomura loosened his grip as he lined himself up and pressed achingly slowly into his Mate. He wanted to hear all the lovely sounds his Omega made and Izuku did not disappoint.

“Muhhh, Haahhh Ahhhn oh Fuck, yes yes yes! Tomu fuck me, please fuck me!”

Drawing back out just as slowly Tomura marveled at the way the Omega's muscles rippled, then he gripped his hips bruisingly hard and rode his Mate into the mattress. 

Izuku screamed and quickly matched his rhythm. 

They were both thrusting against each other in a race to the edge, sweaty skin loudly smacking as the Alpha pounded his Omega, the other driving down onto his cock. He could feel when his Omega clenched around him, making his hips stutter, “Fuck Zuku, gonna cum.”

“God yes please!”

Pressing their necks together so their scent glands met, Tomura reached around and stroked Izuku as he plowed deep into his ass, grinding his cock against his prostate making his Omega quiver as he filled him with thick ropes of cum.

A few short thrusts later and Izuku came all over his hand singing Tomura’s name like a gospel hymn. He hadn't knotted but he didn't want to pull out yet either so Tomura rolled them both onto their sides to be more comfortable.

Fuck that was good. 

Izuku sighed and snuggled back into his Alpha enjoying their shared afterglow.

—

Tomura was sitting on a bench outside the cafeteria, lunch wasn’t for another hour. 

He was supposed to be monitoring a chat for Midnight again, so he’d set up the UA laptop and occasionally typed out a comment or two. Normally he’d sit in the staff room to do his work since he didn’t have an office. It was too easy for the heroes to keep an eye on him there, today he was expecting a call and he didn’t need them to overhear.

He felt the burner phone vibrate, five minutes late, how typical. Pulling it out he answered, “Hey.”

“Hey Handjob.”

“For the love of... stop calling me that.”

A laugh on the other end, “Only when it stops being funny.”

Tomura sighed. At least Dabi seemed to be in a better mood. 

“Look, I know this wasn’t part of the plan.”

“No shit.”

“I understand you’re angry.”

“The fuck I am.”

“And you have every right to be, but can we please discuss this?”

Dabi takes a deep breath. He said he’d talk. He had been upset, but now he just felt…

“I’m confused. I don’t understand what happened? I thought you were going to help each of us reach our goals. I thought you were supposed to be different than those fucking heroes, not hanging out with them at their school bangin’ the wonder boy?”

“Ew, please, Izuku is eighteen, let’s be clear on that.”

“My bad, ok, fine. Robbing the cradle aside, what happened to helping me take out that flaming pile of shit? Or Big Sis and her hormone therapy? Or Toga and Spinner and the social stigma of them just eating?”

Tomura let that comment slide, instead he said, “Had you stuck around you would know I haven’t forgotten any of that. The point of inviting you all into the reform program is to give you the chance to live and get justice. For you each to get the help you need and the opportunity to make those changes you are so passionate about."

“Fairytales aren’t real, Duster.”

“You don’t need to tell me that,” replied Tomura, “I’m not saying doing things by the book is going to be easy.”

“Then why?”

—

“I want you to stick around Dabi. I want you to be my second. Part of you has to want to be here too, you mated with Keigo. Why do that if you only intended to kill yourself in some grandios self-sacrificial battle to the death?”

Dabi took a seat in a booth at the bar he was in. He glanced around, spotted Giran in one corner speaking to some pale man he recognized as an IP theif. The both of them were laughing and huffing on big fat cigars.

Why did he Mate with Keigo? It was more than one thing. It was waking up and seeing his early morning smile, not the one he gave the news reporters or in photos for modeling gigs. No, he loved seeing Keigo’s real smile and hearing the silly little bird noises. And how helping him preen was something Dabi wanted to do, not something he had to do. How Keigo looked at him like he hung the moon and the stars and didn’t just see a scarred fuck up. And it was how he moaned Alpha when he was buried deep in the bird's heat. How sweet it was to fuck his dove slow and rough and hear him beg to cum on his cock.  

It was all of those things and so many others Dabi knew he’d never be able to count them all. 

“Ok, fine. I’ll show up for the official offer meeting. Will he be there?”

Tomura leaned back and relaxed his shoulders. He’d been pretty tense about this call, “Yes. Eraserhead will be the one to invite him.”

“Good, I haven’t seen him in weeks.”

Tomura winced, that had to hurt even if Keigo was a Beta.

“Anything else I need to know?” the arsonist asked.

“Well, guess you could wish me luck.”

“What for?” asked Dabi, stepping outside. The air was crisp tonight, but it didn’t bother him. He took out a cigarette and lit it with his thumb, the flash of light briefly illuminating his face in the darkness.

“I have to go to dinner at the inlaws.”

Dabi took a long drag from his cig and barked out a laugh, “Holy fuck Crusty, good luck with that!”

“The first time we met wasn’t exactly a great experience.”

“You met her once already? What happened?”

“She yelled a lot and pummeled me with her purse.”

The phone went silent. Tomura took the cell away from his ear to check they were still connected. Yup. He was pretty sure Dabi had muted the phone…

Dabi had muted the phone. 

He’d be killed if the other heard how loud he was laughing. When he’d calmed down though, Dabi had to admit it was pretty impressive Midoryia Izuku’s mother invited the Symbol of Fear over for dinner. He pressed the button and put the cell phone back up to his ear,

“You actually like the guy don’t you?” asked the fire user.

“Yes.”

“Bring flowers and a small dessert she enjoys.”

Pause.

“Thanks.”

“Later Shig, and good luck.”

—

Shouta looked over at the young Alpha next to him.  

He was dressed in clean dark jeans, an all-black belt including the buckle and black boots. His shirt was a dark blue button up with pearl buttons, it complimented his pale blue hair which was brushed and pulled back into a neat bun with a few strands framing his face. Shouta wondered if he had done that himself or had help. He was sitting in a chair, leg bobbing incessantly. 

“Nervous?”

Carmine eyes slid over to look at him, “No shit.” 

“You may want to dial back the cursing.”

“I know.” 

Tomura was sitting in the Heights Alliance common room waiting for Izuku to finish getting ready. A boot kicked against his own and he looked up at Eraserhead. 

“What’s bothering you?”

“It’s stupid.”

“Try me,” offered Shouta, saying knowingly, “You’re not the only guy who’s had to meet their boyfriend’s parents.” 

Tomura chuckled, yeah, guess that was true, but not everyone's parents had to meet... him.

“I don’t want to tear a rift between Izuku and his Mother, he shouldn’t have to choose. I can’t make people feel the way I want, but I can show her how important Izuku is to me and that I’m taking this seriously.”

Shouta leaned back in his seat, “True, I suppose what you really need to convince her of is that you won’t just go back to the way you two were, with the repeated deadly fights and all. 

“I was never fighting him to the death, just trying to cause destruction. It’s all I thought I was good for. Izuku was always reaching out to me. He got so close a few times, just wouldn’t give up,” Tomura paused, biting his lip, “I thought about that a lot, even before we were taken.”

The Alpha fiddled with his hands. Today he was wearing a set of thin black leather artist gloves that covered his ring and pinky fingers, as an added layer of security for others to see, “I think… that’s when things started to change.” 

Shouta raised his eyebrows but said nothing. Did Shigaraki always have this level of introspection or was it a result of his recent treatment?

—

Izuku decided on a soft dark brown and tan argyle shirt, with his usual shoes and a pair of jeans that fit him well and weren’t just baggy gym pants he usually wore around. He was going to wear his All Might jacket, but had borrowed a brown leather bomber from Kacchan last minute instead. 

He looked at himself in the mirror and then went to the bathroom to get his hair brush to try again to tame his messy mane of curls. Someone banged on their door while he was in there so he yelled, “Come in!”

“Hey Nerd,” called a familiar voice, “Just came by to check you didn’t put your shirt on inside out.”

“I haven’t done that since I was little Kacchan,” he said coming out of the bathroom with a smile, pulling on the jacket and adjusting his sleeves.

Katsuki walked over and fixed the collar before stepping back and giving him a once over with a nod, “You look good, not as good as me of course, but the jacket helps. You ready for this?”

“Hur hur, and no.”

“What do you mean no?”

“I mean, this isn’t like a villain fight Kacchan,” he sighs, running a hand through his freshly brushed curls, “As much as I may analyze my Mom, she will always know what buttons to push to get to me you know?" 

“Yeah, family is fuckin’ like that. She’s a smart woman though,” said the blond, leaning on Izuku’s desk and crossing his arms over his ancient skull shirt. 

“What do you mean by that?” 

“Exactly what I said. She’s not stupid. Regularly kicks my Mom’s ass in Mahjong. If you are going to talk with her about this, then talk to her. Tell her some of what you’re planning to do, your long-term goals,” said Katsuki, “Try to make her see how he fits into your life.” 

Izuku muddled over that for a minute, “That’s really mature Kacchan.” 

“Ha?” 

“I mean that in a good way, I’m glad to see you have made a lot of progress since UA made Therapy available to us all.”

“Tsk, no shit,” the Alpha uncrossed his arms and grabbed the edge of the desk he was leaning against, “You and him are the real deal, aren’t you?” 

“That’s what I’ve been saying from the beginning,” started Izuku, before Katsuki interrupted him.

“Yeah, no. I saw you guys when you first got out. You were still drugged, and a bit off. Now though. You’re still you and he’s still him, just, I didn’t understand how much of his hate came from being angry at the world for, like...” Katsuki huffed and growled in frustration, “I can’t find the right words now.”

“I think I get what you’re trying to say. Tomura and the League are angry because we all started the race of life in a different place. Imagine a huge field, with a starting line at one point and the ending at the other side of the field. Some of us,” he gestured to Katsuki, “Had more of a head start, yards in front of the line, while others like me were back on the line with very few resources. And then people like them, were way, way behind the starting line. Granted some of that was consequences of their own actions, but a lot wasn't. How could they ever hope to even catch up let alone ever win?”

Katsuki nodded in agreement, “Yeah, like, why bother playing fair if the race isn’t anyway right?”

“Yeah,” Izuku got up and headed out his door, locking it behind him.

Katsuki walked by his side, “He wouldn’t do this for anyone else. He’s a total sap for you, you know.” 

“It goes both ways.”

“Say Hi to Aunty for me.”

“Of course!” with that Izuku left Kacchan behind and jogged to the front of the Dorm.

—

Shouta turned on some classic rock and drove them to Midoriya’s apartment.

On the way he stopped so the younger Omega could get out and purchase a bouquet that was a mix of Daisys, Peonies and Lupines, and a small box of chocolate dipped tea cookies he knew she liked. The shop was kind enough to wrap the box with a bow and he passed them to Tomura as he got back into the SUV. 

“This was a good idea,” said Izuku, holding the light aromatic floral arrangement. 

Tomura caught Eraserhead looking at him in the rearview mirror and his hand flew up to his neck, but he stopped himself before admitting, “Dabi suggested it.”

“Oh?” said his Omega, “He’s a good friend.”

Tomura made a funny noise in the back of his throat. Friend? More like troublesome argumentative pain in the ass. 

Shouta grunted and focused back on the road. 

Before long they were walking up the stairs. No one was around to see them, they were all thankful for that. 

When the group got to the door Izuku reached up and knocked. 

They heard footsteps approaching from the other side, locks sliding apart, and then the door was pulled open to reveal Midoriya Inko.

The short, roundish woman with long neat straight green hair and green eyes that were very much like Izuku’s only more tired, from life or age, Tomura wasn’t sure.

She smiled, but her son noticed it didn’t quite reach her eyes as she welcomed them inside. You can do this, he thinks.

“Hi Mom,” said Izuku, handing her the flowers, “We picked these up for you.”

Tomura bowed politely and passed the box of cookies to their host, “Thank you for inviting me into your home.”

She looked so genuinely surprised by the villain’s ability to be polite she struggled to find her words. Shaking her head she said, “Please, hang up your coats, put on some slippers and come sit in the living room while I finish up dinner.”

Tomura did as she said, already feeling his stress ratchet up a few notches forcing him to struggle to control his scent. Maybe he should have worn patches…

“Calm down, you’re doing fine,” mumbled the erasure hero next to him, before turning to head to the other room.

—

Shouta took a seat on the first comfortable looking chair he saw.

Tomura looked around first. The room wasn’t too large or small, especially for the two of them, but more than a few guests and it’d feel crowded. The furniture was a mixture of old and new, worn and well used but cared for. 

He found himself gravitating to the family photos on the walls. Most of them featured only two green haired people. Izuku had said his father was rarely ever home, even when he was a little kid. Remembering his own made Tomura think he was lucky for it. There were a few pictures of them with the Bakugos, the younger Alpha really did look just like his Mother. 

Izuku followed his Mom to the kitchen. He found her getting out a vase for the flowers. 

“I hope you enjoy dinner. I made one of your favorites, Karei no Nitsuke,” Inko said, voice steady. As far as second impressions go, Shigaraki Tomura had managed to at least make up for their first encounter.

He looked a lot better than he had the morning she’d first met him. The woman had to remind herself that she wasn’t seeing either of them at their best, he and her son had just been rescued after enduring god knows what. Despite her atrocious behavior he hadn’t tried to harm her or Izuku.  

Her reaction that day had been so terribly out of character for her after not only finding out her baby was ok but now mated to… well, he was mated to a villain. After calming down she’d had a long conversation with Toshinori. The older man had told her about the boy’s history, his family, his quirk, his corruption under AFO’s thumb. That was why she’d invited them to dinner. She wanted them both to give this another try for Izuku’s sake. 

“Thank you.”

Inko stopped arranging flower stems and looked up at her son, “Whatever for?” 

“For this. I know it's not easy, but thank you.”

“I’m trying dear,” she said, walking over holding the vase, she paused to give Izuku a kiss on his cheek. When she leaned away a small smile was on her face, “Just like he is.”

—

“So, what do you say we start over shall we?” Inko said, after placing the bouquet on the coffee table in front of Shouta, “Our first meeting went a bit awry, and right after you two had gotten out of that dreadful situation.”

“Ok. How old was he in this picture?” asked Tomura. He was standing in front of a photo of Izuku in a bubble bath.

Inko’s smile widened and she walked over to a cabinet. Pulling out a large leather photo album she said, “That one? About six. Would you like to see some more?”

Tomura turned around and grinned when he saw the large book, “Oh absolutely!”

Izuku just dropped into the seat next to Shouta and groaned. The older Omega pat his student on his knee and settled in for some baby picture show and tell.

When the food was ready they moved to the dining room where Izuku helped his Mom serve dinner. Which everyone complimented. And rightfully so, there was nothing like a home cooked meal after all. 

In some back and forth over dinner Inko was overjoyed to learn that Tomura cooked. She always worried about her son eating right. Knowing the Alpha could keep them both well fed was a positive in her mind. 

Inko opened up the cookies they had brought over for dessert, making a fresh pot of green tea to serve them with.

“So Tomura was it? You look so much different than before. Healthier and happier.” 

“Um, thank you.” 

“What do you plan on doing after the reform program?” Inko asked, curious.

“I’m not really sure yet? I just started. That doesn't mean I’m sitting around doing nothing though!” he quickly added, “I’m taking time to try new things that interest me. Hopefully I’ll be able to find something… productive that I enjoy.”

Inko nodded and dipped a cookie in her tea, “That’s good to hear. Izuku did tell me you missed out on a lot of life while ah, influenced by that horrible…person.”

After that she turned to her next victim and Tomura could breathe a small sigh of relief. 

“Izuku, we haven’t talked in a week. How is school going?” she asked, taking a bite of the now soft cookie, letting it melt away in her mouth. 

“Ahh, it’s been a lot of work. I am very grateful to be able to catch up! Mr. Aizawa and my classmates have really helped,” Izuku went on to talk about how happy he was to get back to training, and how he was looking forward to his internship. And that Tomura usually made him something for lunch, and he helps the class cook dinner too. 

Tomura just existed there for most of the conversation. It was good the two of them were getting along so well and he was…tolerated. Eventually though he had to excuse himself to use the bathroom.

“It’s just down the hall, first door on the right. The next one after that is my old room,” Izuku added as an afterthought.

—

The Alpha got up and walked down the hallway.

The bathroom was ordinary, peach and tan colors with a shell motif. He did what he needed to, then washed his hands. There was a real sea shell being used to hold the soap. How charming.

Looking up in the mirror Tomura paused. 

Blinking under the lights he got closer. A gloved hand came up to touch his face. Had he really changed that much in just a few weeks and not noticed? Sure he’d gotten dressed this morning. The check in the mirror then had been nothing more than to make sure he didn’t look like a slob. 

After Miss Midoriya’s comment he found himself trying to see the difference. He was wearing a neat outfit he’d bought with his own earned money, his scars were lessened as was his irritatingly itchy skin thanks to the ointment he used.

Were those differences an outward expression of internal changes? He didn’t have any way of knowing… 

Upon leaving the bathroom he glanced at the door next to it. It was painted blue with yellow accents (of fucking course) and had a white plaque on it with red wooden letters that spelled ‘Izuku’.  

And the door was cracked open just enough that he could see inside. 

The temptation proved too great to ignore.

— 

Watching the young Alpha leave the room, Inko turned back and said, “Izuku, I took time to speak with others who've been around Tomura. I’ve talked to your teachers, and All Might. I also spoke to Mitsuki and Masaru, I didn't tell them who your Mate was, just asked for their opinions on some things.”

Izuku nodded. He appreciated his Mom not telling Aunty, but he knew she'd find out sooner or later.

“While I agree with them that reform takes time and isn’t an easy process, there will be setbacks, there will be bad days,” Inko leans back and takes a deep breath before continuing, “It’s as I said before. I am trying. As long as he keeps trying then so will I.”

“I know Mom,” he said blushing, “I knew this wasn’t something one dinner could fix.”

“Or one bouquet of flowers,” added the sleepy older man on the couch. Izuku groans but Inko turns her attention to the older man.

“Mr. Aizawa. You’ve been so quiet I’d nearly forgotten you were here! (Shouta mentally cursed at himself for opening his mouth) “Let me ask you, is this him or some act?”

“As an Underground Hero I’ve seen my fair share of Villains and Vigilantes during their off time, as you may say,” said Shouta, sipping his tea, “They put on a show to get the attention they desire. Off camera they are just like you and me most of the time. People trying to make their way through life.” 

Izuku stood up, Tomura had been MIA for a while now…

“Where are you going dear?”

“Just to make sure he didn’t fall in, be right back.”

“Izuku!”

He chuckled as he walked away.

—

"Figured I’d find you here,” said the green haired Omega, leaning on the open door jam and crossing his arms casually.

Tomura turned from the window where he’d found himself looking out over the neighborhood. 

“Your room is disgusting,” his Alpha said, gesturing to the walls covered in a certain former number one hero's face. 

Izuku mock grimaced, then grinned, “Yeah, I was a bit of a fanboy for a while.”

“What happened?”

Izuku walked over and sat on the edge of his desk facing Tomura so their knees bumped, the window was open with a screen down, letting in the cool night air. 

“I met this guy who showed me even villains have souls and all kinds of ridiculous things like people being way too over dependent on heroes, and not wanting to take accountability for their own mistakes. And how entire groups of people were still being villainized due to lack of understanding. You know, the usual,” he concluded, with a tilt of his head.

Tomura turned from the window to look down into dark castleton eyes, the streetlights outside adding a sparkle. He took Izuku’s chin in his hand and drew it forward until their lips met in a long slow kiss. 

Dark garnet eyes pulled the Omega into the kiss, when Tomura’s lips brushed against his he wanted to make time stand still. He did what he could to slow it down, lips moving in tandem and god it was like an epicurean dessert. 

Izuku leaned back to take a breath, then moved to continue but a cool finger met his lips making him halt his advances. 

“What?”

“I am not pissing off your Mother by getting caught making out with her son in her house in his childhood bedroom.”

Izuku’s grin was wicked, so Tomura changed the subject by again looking out the window. 

“So, you grew up here?” asked the former villain, looking outside.

The Omega conceded, Tomura was probably right to stop. 

“Mostly, we moved a couple times, but always apartments like this, if you look over there, you can almost see the park I played at as a little kid,” he said, pointing to the left. 

“We should come back and visit during the day sometime.”

“I’d like that, but for now, we need to head out,” Izuku scooched off his desk and taking his hand led Tomura with him out the door.

—

“Speaking from experience Mr. Aizawa, people don’t usually change. I wonder though, if our perception of the man was incorrect,” said Inko as she put the remaining cookies away.  

“I know you have doubts, we all do. I promise, we are keeping a very close eye on Shigaraki,” Shouta assured her.

“He is not who I thought he was going to be.”

“Therapy and medicine have helped, but he’s also been experiencing a lot of new things he’s never gotten to before.”

Inko hummed, “I’m impressed by his adaptability.”

Shouta grunted as he pulled on his shoes.

“Does nothing impress you anymore Mr. Aizawa?”

“I can assure you my students leave all kinds of new impressions on me every day,” he said as he stood and pulled on his jacket. 

“Well, thank you for bringing those two for dinner,” said the woman as the young men came back down the hallway to grab their own jackets and shoes.

“Anytime Miss Midoriya.”

Inko gave her son a hug and a wave to both Tomura and Mr. Aizawa. She shut the door and went to the window, watching them load into the SUV and drive back to UA. As much as she wanted her son to be happy, she knew those two young men would be facing serious challenges in their future.