Chapter Text
Present Hero
It had been a quiet few weeks at UA. Something those in Izuku Midoriya’s class could appreciate. At one time they would have yearned for the action but now, after their semester had been accompanied by one crisis or another….the peace was welcome. They knew it was the calm before the storm. But if only for now they could enjoy being teenagers.
Izuku stretched before flopping into the grass. Books scattered about them. Their final exams were coming up and he needed to study, but it was hard when a certain someone was in his study group.
“Midoriya, this is hardly the time for a nap.” Iida’s voice cut through the silence. “We have to stay focused if we want to make our teachers and class proud!”
Uraraka stretched and flopped back in solidarity with her friend. “I think he has the right idea, we’ve been studying for hours. A small break would be nice.”
“Uraraka not you too! At least Todoroki agrees with me!” Iida cried out.
“Actually, a nap sounds amazing right now.” The boy leaned back, as he did his arm brushed Izuku’s as he turned his head to smile at his green-haired friend.
Izuku wanted to reply, but the word got stuck in his throat, and his cheeks turned red as his mind scrambled. If the downtime they’d had, had done one thing, it had made Izuku Midoriya extremely aware of his feelings for his best friend.
Thankfully he was saved from his gay panic by Uraraka. “Well Iida it looks like you’ve been outvoted!” she giggled
Iida just sighed closing his book before removing his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Alright, you win. I’ll go and get us some dinner, and you guys take a break.” the boy stood stretching.
“Wait up! I’ll give you a hand.” Uraraka declared standing up herself.
Traitor crossed Izuku’s mind, as he felt his blush deepen.
“I thought you wanted a nap,” Iida asked, completely oblivious to the girl’s intentions.
“I just want a break from all that studying. Besides, I can get some practice with my Quirk floating the food back.” Uraraka offered.
Iida looked like he was going to cry. “Ah I should have known you wouldn't have abandoned the drive to better yourself. Forgive me. I will gladly accept your help.”
Uraraka laughed as she followed Iida away. They’d all gotten used to his attitude. Though they swore he only did it now, to amuse them. It was something nice and familiar.
Izuku took a deep breath and opened his eyes. He had to get over this, so he turned his head to look at Todoroki, only to be met by an intense gaze, as if the other boy had something serious on his mind. The green-headed boy let out a squeak and covered his face in surprise, missing the frown that formed on his friend’s face.
“Midoriya,” Todoroki said a bit morosely as he sat up. “Have I done something to upset you?” he asked searching the other’s face, as Izuku brought his hands down and sat up himself. He had hoped Todoroki hadn’t noticed, but he’d come a long way since his early days of social isolation at UA.
Izuku fought with what he wanted to say, conflicting emotions on his face. If he said nothing, he risked losing Todoroki altogether, if he lied, he risked the same…..and if he told him the truth...
Todoroki took Midoriya’s reluctance to answer as a sign, as his own face fell into sadness and he stood. “You’ve been avoiding me lately, and won’t talk to me directly. I know I’ve done something to offend you. I won’t bother you anymore. Apologize to Iida and Uraraka for bowing out of the rest of the study session for me, won’t you?” He said before turning to leave.
Panic set in as Midoriya sprung to his feet, he was going to lose him, he had to say something, anything. “Wait!” he cried out as he grabbed Todoroki’s wrist. The other turned to look at him in shock, tears having started to form.
“You haven’t upset me Todoroki, at all, quite the opposite actually.” Izuku’s own eyes filled with tears. “I- I don’t know how to say what I need to say, I’m terrified you’ll hate me. “
“Izuku…..” Todoroki spoke softly. It wasn’t often he used the other’s given name. His chest was tight and his heart was racing. He was so certain he’d done something wrong. Even though he’d tried so hard to learn how to be a good friend, he must have missed something….but now he just felt lost and confused. Why had the other man been acting this way if he wasn’t mad? “I don’t think I could possibly hate you. You’ve helped make me who I am, you’ve helped make me happy.” he moved to take the other boy’s trembling hand into his. “Whatever it is, tell me, so I can fix whatever is that causing you to avoid me. I can’t take it anymore.”
“Shouto….I…” his voice was trembling as he closed his eyes and looked away. “I…..I love you.”
He felt Todoroki’s hand fall from his, and he winced. That was it, it was all over, he brought his hands to his face as tears started to stream down his cheeks. The other boy had said nothing, he’d pulled away.
A moment later however he felt himself pulled in close, arms wrapping around him, as Shouto buried his face in Izuku’s green hair. He opened his eyes and he could feel the other’s heart racing as his head was placed on his chest. Todoroki was shaking slightly, but his grip on Midoriya only tightened. Finally, he was able to speak. “You idiot.” he choked out. “How could you possibly think I could hate you when you speak such beautiful words. Anyone would be happy to hear them from you…”
Shouto pulled away so he could look Izuku in the eyes. “I’ve loved you since you helped break down my walls at our first sports festival. But I never….I couldn’t even hope….your friendship was enough.” his voice was emotional as he spoke.
“You…” Izuku looked at him barely believing what he was hearing. Shouto loved him too? He’d loved him all this time? This time he cried again, but out of joy. “Can I kiss you?” he finally asked.
“Please,” Shouto replied softly before leaning in and pressing his lips gently against Izuku’s
Somewhere not too far away. Stood Uraraka with a pair of binoculars. Her plan study session romance had been successful and she smiled.
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Present Villain
The night sky over Tokyo darkened as a swath of black and purple clouds blocked out even the starlight. A crack of thunder accompanied the rain as lighting raced across the sky. The torrent concealed the portal that appeared in the sky, two figures fell, careening toward the cement below. A darkness spread and covered the pair as a blast of fire shot out of the portal enveloping the black bubble before it snapped out of existence.
As the bubble receded, the two figures came to stand unharmed on one of the buildings overlooking the city.
“Backdraft, where are we?” a figure spoke, through a mask covering the lower part of his face. His body was covered in shadows that crawled and convalesced He was dressed completely in tight black clothing that hugged his body, emerald eyes piercing out of the cowl that donned his head.
“Shinjuku it appears” Came the reply from the man who stood to his left. His own outfit consisted of a black bodysuit, red thigh-high armored boots, and matching gloves, and a helmet that seemed to have some kind of display.
“But didn’t we level Shinjuku 3 years ago? Tch what we get for trusting in technology. The GPS must have gotten damaged in the fight with those stupid heroes ” Came the distorted reply, the last word rolling off his tongue as if it was the most disgusting thing he’d ever said.
The one known as backdraft shook his head. “No, I think the GPS is right. We’re standing on top of the Shinjuku Granbell hotel. Unfortunately, I recognize the place. I think those heroes did something with that portal. I can’t contact anyone else. In fact, I can’t get a signal out at all. “
“Hmm, that boy’s quirk. I thought it was like Kurogiri’s so I wasn’t too worried, it seems I was mistaken. “ the distorted voice kneeled placing his gloved hand to the building below him. The shadows twisting around them seemed to meld into those that had naturally fallen on the building.
“Who would have known the great Akumu could make a mistake?” Backdraft laughed before removing his helmet. A mess of long white and red hair cascaded down, covering his eyes a noticeable scar around his left side barely peeking out from the strands that fell there.
Akumu closed his eyes, as heterochromatic eyes studied him. With a start, his acid-green eyes shot open before a hysterical fit of laughter as the shadows gathered back around him, hugging his body like a blanket. “Well, it seems fate has a sense of humor.”
His companion simply looked at him with one eyebrow quizzically raised.
Akumu stood as his gaze fell over Tokyo. “Seems like that brat managed to shove us into some kind of alternate dimension. Sacrificed this world to save his. I don’t know if I should be thankful or really really pissed.”
“You mean….?” Backdraft looked to his partner as the information processed in his mind.
“They’re alive….all of them. Seems here the league of villains are a joke. All Might and Endeavor still plague the streets…..and you’ll really laugh at this.” he brought a hand up clenching his fist as if the words he spoke angered him to his very nonexistent soul. “The names Izuku Midoriya and Shouto Todoroki are those of heroes.”
“You got all that in just a few minutes? Surely it must have been some kind of satire. You and I heroes?” Todoroki allowed himself a chuckle. “What kind of clown world is this?”
“One I’m going to take utter pleasure dismantling, the look on their faces will be better the second time,” Came the distorted reply before covering the two of them in his shadows, when they disburse once more the pair was gone without a trace.
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Present Hero
Izuku Midoriya was on cloud 9. Last night had been amazing, he could still hardly believe it. When Iida and Uraraka had returned she immediately declared the study session over and sent them on the way with their food. “I um...I saw you two, Congratulations!” she giggled truly happy for them. Iida didn’t complain and so he and Todoroki- no it was Shouto now, had taken the opportunity to spend the evening together alone.
Izuku had to admit he’d missed spending time with Shouto, he had been his best friend before all this and it had been enjoyable to be in the other’s company even if they weren’t romantically linked. The fact that he could watch the smile on the other’s face, and the sparkle in his eye and know he put it there made his chest fill with warmth. Now he could steal kisses in between conversations about Quirks and heroes, their classmates, and whatever else they felt like.
He’d honestly been afraid there would be some awkwardness at first, but their newfound romantic feels seemed to integrate into their relationship as if it had always been there….and maybe it had. Shouto had confessed to him he’d felt this way for a long time, and Izuku thought he had too, even if he only recently realized it. This intimacy had already been woven into their relationship as it had formed and Izuku couldn’t be happier.
They’d spent the rest of the night curled up together under a tree, Shouto leaned against it with Izuku in his lap. Everything had felt right with the world. He hadn’t wanted to get up from that spot, for the moment to end, but eventually, Shouto had walked him back to his room, before kissing him goodnight.
Now Shouto was waiting for him to walk to class, the other boy immediately slipped his hand into Izuku’s as he got close, and it filled the green-haired boy with an unbelievable warmth. A few of their classmates looked at them as they walked together, Izuku didn’t care, he knew they’d be happy for them.
In fact, as they walked down the sidewalk, he received a punch to the shoulder. “Bout time you finally said something, you stupid Nerd. Congratulations. Take care of him IcyHot.” Bakugou said as he walked by. Izuku just shot him a smile. “Thank you.” came with a nod from Todoroki. He still wasn’t quite comfortable with Bakugou after finding out the truth of the history between him and his boyfriend, the fact there was a chance he wouldn’t be standing here right now if the younger version had gotten his way….but Izuku had forgiven him and it wasn’t Shouto’s place to get in the way of that.
This was what happiness was supposed to feel like. Shouto was sure of it, as he looked over at Izuku, the boy was beaming and it caused his heart to race. He never wanted that smile to disappear. Little did he know their toughest times were ahead.
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Present Villain
The door to the League of Villian’s opened as two sets of eyes turned towards the door. Kurogiri’s eyes narrowed as Shigarak grinned behind the hand covering his face. “I hope you really know what you’re doing.”
“Tomura Shigaraki I believe we have a lot to talk about.” Came Akumu’s distorted voice as Backdraft followed him into the room, his helmet securely in place as he glanced around as if looking for someone.
“We’re not hiring right now you clowns can see yourselves out.” Shigaraki brushed him off.
“Oh, I think you and your master will want to hear what I have to say.” He replied smoothly as his figure glided gracefully across the bar, and he sat down two seats from Shigaraki. “You see, I think you’re the only one on this god-forsaken rock who hates All Might with the same burning passion I do.”
“Well then, why didn’t you say that first.” Tomra shifted to focus his attention entirely on Akumu as Backdraft took a seat across the room.
The distorted laugh-filled room. “We’ve had this conversation before you know?” he grinned not that Shigaraki could see it.
“Really, I have a feeling I’d remember some shadowy figure declaring his hatred of All Might.” it was clear that the man was at least amused.
“I’ll get to the point.” Akumu knew he’d need Shigaraki and really the League of Villains if his plans were to be successful. It was a husk of the organization he knew in his time, but he’d molded it once, and he could do it again. There wasn’t a way around the truth of the matter, especially when he’d have to tell him who he was. “Less than 24 hours ago, my associate and I were in a battle with a group of heroes trying to oppose us. There was a boy there whose Quirk could ripe portals through time and space, as far as we’ve been able to determine. We were dumped in your version of reality.”
Shigaraki laughed hysterically. Before turning back to Kurogiri. “Can you believe this guy?” he asked.
Kurogiri for his part had remained silent throughout the conversation. “My companion here does have a point. You wish us to believe that you are companions of ours from another plane of existence. That is a hard thing to prove.”
Akumu glanced back at Backdraft for a moment before he shrugged. He pulled his mask free, before slipping the cowl off his head to reveal the head of hidden green hair. “Well, from the bit of research I’ve done. In this world, I bear the name and face of one of your disgusting heroes. “
And once more Shigaraki broke out in laughter, though this time it was full of mirth. “All right, I believe you, if only because of the fact this is too good to not be true. Fucking Izuku Midoriya standing here telling me how much he hates All Might. Let me guess, friend over there is Katsuki Bakugou”
Several glasses behind the counter shattered as Shigaraki spoke that name, Akumu looked like he was about to snap before a hand was placed on his shoulder. He had removed his helmet and locked eyes with Tomura “Shouto Todoroki. I was hoping another of your associates was here this evening. Seems I am out of luck. And I suggest you don’t mention that name again unless you want to end up like those glasses, his anger can be difficult to control. Even among friends.”
Kurogiri smartly continued as nothing had happened, he was used to Shigaraki’s outbursts, this was nothing he couldn’t handle. “Well then, we’ve established why you’re here, and who you are.” it was hard to deny, the two before him were striking images of two of the UA students who had given them so much trouble. “What exactly are you wanting to do? Even if we were associates in whatever world you come from. Your very existence proves the irregularity between the two worlds. There is no guarantee that our objectives align.”
“What do I want?” Akumu stood and gazed intensely up at Kurogiri. “I don’t just want to kill All Might, I want to see him suffer. I want to see him ever regret accepting One for All. I want him to regret his very existence. I want to destroy everyone who’s ever stood in my way, and I want to dismantle this world, reduce it to ash. I want to erase its love of its so-called heroes and rebuild it in my own image. I’ve been given a playground where I can see all my desires unfold a second time and I intend to use it.”
“Well then” Tomura’s face showed a slightly unhinged smile. “It seems like you’ve come to the right place afterall. Welcome to the League of Villains. For the second time, it seems.”
Kurogiri who had decided to roll with their explanation at face value for now, not that he wouldn’t be researching the pair in front of him thoroughly, sat down a drink in front of Akumu. “It might be beneficial for you to give us a rundown of what you know, and how things unfolded in your world, and for us to do the same. How much data have you been able to gather?”
Akumu picked up the glass, swirling the drink around as the ice clinked on the side. “Well then. You might want to get out a notebook and get ready for storytime.”
“I think I’m going to enjoy this one,” Tomura replied leaning back on his stool.