: implied/referenced abuse; violence; character death

***

"Bye kids," Izuku says gently when his mum's shift comes to an end at eight. The children in the hospital room waddle over to hug Izuku's legs, burning their face into his knees. Izuku smiles and crouches to hug them all properly.

"Bye Mr Izuku," the kids say, bowing.

It's fucking adorable.

"I take it you enjoyed spending time with the kids again," his mum says, a knowing tilt to her eyebrow.

"They're lovely, mum," he says with finality, "for children in hospitals, they're incredibly bright."

His mum smiles. Her son may not want to be a hero, but he surely is hers.

He turns his phone off silent as they make their way to the train, and is a little surprised to see quite a few missed calls and text messages. Shinso, Denki mainly, but there was also a text from Aizawa.

- x -

Izuku where are you

Pops is worried

so r Denki and i

zu?

Izuku ur not at the dorm

text me back

zu istg if u don't answer soon i'll leave to look for you

sorry about that. Went to visit my mum, kind of an impromptu meeting

i'll be back tonight

i have something important i need to tell you and Denks

- x -

He clicked out of Instagram to open messages. He's only entrusted Shinso with his account. While he used to love is friends, the bond of trust he felt with them was shallow in comparison to the one he felt with Shinso.

---

Izuku's messages -

hey midobro where r u

aizawa is asking

hito is worried too

ur not at the dorm

mido?

txt me when u this

toshi looks like he's ready to leave to look for u

hey denks!

i told hito but i went to visit my mum

i have something i need to tell u n him

- x -

Izuku's messages

Problem child, where are you?

Please inform me or your other teachers when you leave school, you require permission

Hello Aizawa Sensei

Sorry about that, I needed to visit my mum

I have important news I need to share with you tomorrow

I'm on my way back at the moment

- x -

"Hey mom, I think I'll be heading to school. Some people are worried."

Inko smiled, "of course, dear. I'll file for your transfer as soon as I get home and then it's the first flight to the US!"

Izuku hugged his mum lightly when they reached her stop.

"See you soon, mum."

***

People are still in the common room when he arrives. Izuku's always been quiet, a habit he hadn't been able to break since living with his father. So it comes as no surprise when no one hears his arrival. He planned on booking it straight to Hitoshi's dorm when the conversation piques his interest. It was about him, but then again, when wasn't it? He usually ignored such conversations, he didn't care to know.

But I'm leaving soon anyone, he thinks, why the fuck not?

Izuku stills, hovering just before the turn of the hallway to not be seen.

"Deku's still trying," he hears Mina exclaim, irritated, "it's like he didn't get the hint."

"You guys are being rude for absolutely no fucking reason," Denki interrupts, and Izuku's cheeks tug into a smile, "he's literally done nothing."

"What do you mean? He literally only got here because of All Might. I've worked so hard to get where I am and practically flaunted in because of his relation to the former number one," Momo replies crudely. Izuku's smile slips. The fuck do they mean he didn't work hard to get here?

"Do y'all forget he used to shatter his fucking bones every time he used his quirk? Of course, he's working hard."

"But how can someone so inexperienced get into such a prestigious academy in the first place?" Todoroki interjects, his tone sounding apathetic to untrained ears. Izuku heard it though, the inkling of jealousy laced into his words.

"Besides, he treats Bakugo like shit," Izuku nearly loses his footing, "he's constantly complaining about how Deku doesn't even acknowledge that their together. He's even said he gets aggressive whenever they're alone.," Sero says a-matter-of-fact-ly.

Izuku lifts his sleeve, glaring at the bruise shaped handprint on the skin. What the fuck is Katsuki on about?

"Why the hell would I believe Bakugo?! I was shocked when he asked Midobro out in the first place, he's always hated him."

"C'mon man, Bakugo is our friend," Kirishima says, sounding strained.

"And Midoriya isn't?"

"Well, he hasn't really been the best to Bakugo," Kirishima defends, his tone more convicting. Izuku holds back a snort.

"Midoriya-chan has never really talked to us about his relationship," Asui croaks.

"It is like he does not care in the slightest," Iida adds, and Izuku can practically picture the ridiculous movement of his hands chopping the air.

"He's too emotional too," Jirou quips, "he's like, always crying. It's kind of annoying."

Amongst the murmurs of agreement and voice of protest, Izuku picks up on the lack of two voices. Ochaco and Katsuki.

Ignoring the dull ache of hurt beating in his chest, he takes quiet steps back to the door, this time slamming it open to alert everyone of his presence. He makes sure his footsteps are loud, and rolls his eyes as the voices quiet down immediately.

"Midoriya," Iida gets up immediately, "why are you so late? Do you understand how irresponsible it is to just leave without any explanation?!"

One day someone is going to take that foot you have shoved so far up your ass and pull it right out; and the world will thank them for their good deed.

"Sorry Iida-kun, I had to visit my mum, family matters," he smiles small, before continuing his way down the dorm. He freezes when he remembers he owes Kaminari an explanation.

"Oh, Denks!" Izuku calls out just before he's out of sight. Dark blond shoots up, sending him a smile.

"Yeah?"

"I'm not sure you received the text I sent, but I have something important I need to tell you."

Denki pulls out his phone, eyes widening slightly. He nods, standing up and making his way over.

"Come on, Deku," Mina raises her eyebrows, "I'm sure whatever you have to say to him you can say to us."

"Sorry Ashido-kun, it's something between him and me. Besides, it's not like any of you texted me regarding my whereabouts. Surely you understand that, right?" His voice is like honey, his smile sugary sweet.

"Of course," she bites, expression hard.

"Come on, Denks," Izuku skips over and links their arm, dragging him down the hall and away from everyone's eyes.

When he's sure they're out of earshot, he sighs, body deflating. Being positive was so damn tiring.

"Yo, what's up, Midobro?" Kaminari unlinks their arms to wrap his arm around Izuku's waist, steadying him.

"I have something I'd like to tell you and Hito," he looks up, "it's important."

"What about Bakugo? Aren't you dating?" Denki sounds genuine rather than accusatory.

"I want to break up with him," his tone is steely, "in all honesty I don't even remember saying yes. I've only told Hito and a few of my friends from America about this."

"Woah, woah, friends from America?" Denki asks as they begin their way to the 1-C dorms.

"Yeah, I used to live there before my mum and I moved when I was eight. We still visit almost every summer to see them."

"Cool," he lets go of Izuku, who seems a lot more steady, "now backtrack. What do you mean you don't remember?"

Izuku looks down, "you've heard of dissociating, Denki?"

"Yeah. Hito would sometimes disassociate whenever we went out. It was always really scary to see."

"I knew Kacchan, " the nickname sounded wrong, so he corrects himself, "I knew Bakugo since I first moved," Denki's eyes widen at the use of his last name, but he says nothing and Izuku continues.

"He was my neighbour. Long story short, he did some fucked up shit and it had lasting effects. Whenever he sets off his explosions near me I sometimes dissociate. It's god awful," he sounds cold, "it's like drowning but I can still fucking breathe. I'm there, but at the same time, I'm not. It's just...," he trails off, "it feels like nothing."

Denki's gaze softens, and he mumbles a quiet, "what type of fucked up shit did Bakugo do to get you like that?"

Izuku pretends he doesn't hear, "when he asked me out, the only thing I could focus on was the sound of explosions. I must have disassociated because when I came to people were high-fiving me for getting into a relationship."

"Why didn't you leave him, then?"

"I was afraid. I still am afraid. He," his voice goes quiet, "he hurt me a lot Denks. He still does. I'm afraid of what'll happen if I blatantly disobey."

His face contorts into a weird blend of angry and concern before it drops to one of curiosity.

"What's different now?"

"Well, that's actually what I wan to tell you and Hito. Basically, I'm-"

The sound of high-pitched moaning cuts him off. Both boys stare at each other in momentary confusing before it starts again. Izuku looks around and has to bite his tongue to keep from guffawing at the fucking irony. It's coming from Katsuki's room.

He nudges Denki's shoulder and points, bringing a hand to his lips as a signal to keep quiet.

'Is that Bakugo's room?' He mouths and Izuku nods his head.

"Ah∼," the voice says again, "go harder, Bakugo∼."

"Holy fucking shit," Denki whispers, glaring at the door like it killed Hitoshi, "and that bastard was complaining about you."

Izuku shrugs, "wanna place bets on who he's with?"

"You're not upset?"

Izuku furrows his eyebrows in contemplation, "I am, I guess. I don't like Bakugo, so I don't feel," he pauses, searching for the right word.

"Heartbroken?" Denki supplies and Izuku nods.

"Yeah, I don't feel heartbroken. I feel upset because it's, it's gross," he grimaces, "I can't imagine promising yourself to someone, not in marriage, but even something as simple as a relationship, and then breaking it. I'm more hurt about who he's with, though."

"Who?"

"Uraraka."

And as if the universe is proving his point, they hear the low grunt of her name echoing through the door.

"I'm going to throw up," Denki says, wrinkling his nose in disgust, "seriously what the actual fuck is wrong with our classmates," he pauses when another moan is heard, "let's go, the last thing I want to do is hear these two go at it like fucking rabbits."

Izuku nods but pauses mid-step as if to remember something.

"What?" Denki asks.

Izuku pulls out his phone and rings Katsuki's number, ignoring Denki's curious eyes. They here the loud ringtone through the wooden door and the moaning stops (thank fucking god). Uraraka groans loudly.

He drags Denki silently to they're right by his door, listening in on the conversation.

"When are you going to break up with him?" Uraraka complains, voice nasally.

"I told you, soon. Just need to figure out how to get his sorry ass out of the school. It's not like people will question his expulsion with how badly they shit talk him now."

Izuku has to put a hand on Denki's shoulder to keep him from breaking the door open.

"Are you going to answer?"

"Probably best if I do. He hasn't been in the dorms all day, people will be suspicious if I know nothing about it."

Izuku nearly bolts away from the door when he hears that, all the way down the end of the hall. Kaminari follows, not as quick but just as quiet. They continue their way to Hitosh's dorm and Izuku puts Katsuki on speaker so Denki can hear the conversation.

"What do you want, you damn nerd?"

"I'm breaking up with you," Izuku's voice holds no room for argument, and before he can hear the yelling and threats on the other end, he hangs up. He distantly hears the sound of explosions going off, but it's far enough that it doesn't warrant a reaction past a violent flinch. Denki notices and speeds up their pace.

They let themselves into Hitoshi's dorm without knocking, and Izuku slumps onto his bed like the room is his.

"Welcome," he says dryly, rolling Izuku off his legs. He signals Denki over, and the blonde happily climbs his way onto his lap, back pressed against his chest.

"So what is it you wanted to tell us, Zu?"

"There's no easy way to say this," he starts, bracing himself, "I'm moving to America with my mum."

Before he can breathe, strong arms are wrapped around his middle, faces buried into his back and chest.

"We'll miss you, Mido," Denki says, but Izuku is too stunned to say anything back.

"You aren't going to question it?" He voices his confusion, "or at least ask why?"

"With the way everyone has been treating you, I don't think we need to question it," Shinso replies, pulling away from Izuku. Denki follows so they're both in front of him, looking at him with sad smiles.

"I still want to explain," Izuku looks at them sadly, "is that alright?"

They both nod, Denki a little vigorously, and Izuku stats to talk. About everything. From his 'quirkless' status to what All Might told him on the rooftop. He talks about the bullying, mentions his father (briefly) and his disliking for hero society. He talks about the fresh bruises on his arms and having his quirk taken away. He talks until his bones feel like sludge and the pain in his chest dulls.

"I want to say sorry," Denki says after he finishes, "but I doubt that's what you'd want to hear."

Izuku shoots him a grateful look.

"No, it's not. I'm just...I'm fucking exhausted. I always thought being a hero was so amazing. That smiling all the time was the way to go. Y'know? Always be respectful, always show kindness even to those who don't deserve it. Earlier I had to exercise every muscle in my body not to storm into the common room and bash everyone's face in. Or to castrate Bakugo and hang Uraraka by her fucking legs to the ceiling."

"You heard them?"

Izuku nods.

Shinso looks angry, "and they're supposed to be the world's future heroes. God give us a fucking break."

Izuku chuckles dryly, "it's fine. My friends back in the U.S never liked heroes either, told me they were walking shit trains with big, white smiles. I was with them for a while, but when Hisashi was arrested and we moved away, the propaganda was overwhelming. Especially for an eight-year-old kid who wanted nothing more than to help people."

Denki hums, "your friends sound pretty cool."

Izuku nods, his eyes brightening, "they are! We all bonded over our shitty lives and became inseparable."

"Nothing building friendships like shared trauma," Shinso muses, running a finger over his jaw. Denki leans forward to kiss it. Izuku bites his tongue to keep from squealing because cute.

"When are you leaving, anyway?"

"Not sure, my mum said that the hospital already approved of her transfer so all that's left is pulling me out of this school and enrolling me in Waterfall High. Then it's the first flight out of here."

The rest of the night is spent talking, with the two boys accidentally bunking over at Shinso's dorm. Izuku's happy.

***

"You're leaving, problem child?" Is the first thing Aizawa says when Izuku walks into class the next day, earlier than everyone so he can talk to Aizawa in private.

"Mum called?" He questions and Aizawa nods in response.

"Not that it's my business, but why are you leaving?"

"Personal reasons mainly. You can ask Hito later on, I don't feel like re-explaining, but I trust you enough to tell you."

Aizawa looks contemplative for a split second before shrugging as if to say 'fuck it' and walking over to Izuku. The boy flinches when stiff arms wrap around him before hesitantly returning the embrace. It's warm and paternal, and Izuku's heart sighs at the foreign feeling.

"Go pack your things," he says after a few minutes, "your mum informed us that you leave in two weeks but you've already been pulled from the school. If you'd like, we can pull your classmates out for the last week to spend time with you."

Izuku tenses and lets go of Aizawa to meet his eyes. Izuku's always felt startled whenever meeting someone with onyx eyes, but Aizawa's eyes were oddly comforting to look at.

"Actually, do you mind not telling them? If they ask say it's none of their concern. I would like to pull out Denki and Hito though. If that's alright with you?"

Aizawa nods, and though he looks like he wants to ask 'why', he doesn't. Izuku leaves after a final hug. It was official, and as excited as he was to see his old friends, he was going to miss his friends here.

***

"Mum," Izuku's breath is shaky, his lungs burning. This can't be happening, god this can't be happening, "mum, mum please stay with me."

He pulls off the debris and nearly throws up at the blood pooling beneath his mother and at his knees. He applies pressure, he squeezes hard, but he's shaking so bad. He doesn't realise he's crying until cold hands are brushing away the tears on his cheeks. He reaches to clutch them with bloodied fingers, viridian eyes meeting that of emerald, dimming by the second.

"Izuku," she croaks, "Izuku please promise me you'll move on."

Izuku laughs humourlessly, "you're not going to die, mum. You're not, you fucking can't. We were just about to start anew. In America, you and me. Just us."

"It's fine Izuku," she smiles and Izuku body shakes violently, "but promise me you're going to go. Live your own fucking life, okay?"

Izuku shakes his head, "it's always been just us, Mama. I can't go without you. I don't want to go without you."

"I'm not going to be gone, honey," her drops her hand like it's made of led, "I'm watch over you, always," a tear slips down her cheek, "Just please, please promise me you'll live like a normal teenager. You'll be stupid, you'll be happy. You'll live for yourself. Please promise me that," she reaches blindly for his hand and Izuku intertwines their fingers.