#got a bit lazy with this because y'know. headache

[nvrcmplt]

“I’m certain that you’re my safe space." It's almost whispered in the small shared space of theirs. Darius is facing Lance, though not looking at him, not looking at anything really, given that it is already dark. "That I can be exactly who I am with you, and you won’t judge me for it... You... you’ll actually love me for it...." His fingers curl tighter into the fabric of Lance's shirt. "And I---- I want to be that safe space for you, too. I want you to think of me...." Darius presses his forehead against his roommate, "--and my arms as your place of comfort....”

He didn't need to hold his breath this time, watching in the darkness and listening to his best friend and something more in the works, speak so easily. Holding onto his shirt like many times before, prior to this situation, prior to the juvie thing, prior to them almost starting to share beds like this. Just the memory of always having Darcy cling onto his clothing when they hung out was just something Lance could and would never forget. To feel it now, his shirt pulled forward bit from his skin, allowing the heat to escape and warm under the covers all the more, only made his cheeks redder. Though thanking the heavens that it was indeed nighttime right this moment.

Watching them, but not their face, just in case he had this ability to know his eyes were open and wide awake. Lance felt his heart throb and gut churn, though not with the need to run to the bathroom. It was a warmth he didn't really know what to call or understand himself but he did roll his lips. Holding his words in, the reply to this was a little heavy - a little out of his usual mannerisms but he knew that it struck deep. Darcy was a weird one, he wasn't going to deny that, they had a connection like no other.

Here, Juvie, before that, in the gang - on the streets, they held something special and it was one of the many things that Lance couldn't say he'd ever-ever want to get rid of just because. Darcy was a headache, he was a slouch when he was lazy, he was a crazy dog when he was angered, but honestly - he'd rather have a time bomb at his side than be alone for the rest of it. Struggling didn't hurt as bad when it was the both of them together. The coldness that struck his guts when he thought about the possibility of ever being alone or abandoned…? Yeah no, that made Lance shift.

His hand rose to snag onto Darcy's hand that held onto his shirt. Squeezing with a subtle tremble, but his forehead remained warm, firmer even against theirs. "You…" Yeah, he was awake - but the idea that Darcy was here with him, and confessing like this? It meant something more than anything in Lance's life. "I… " It was hard, to think of the words that expressed his … love? Was it love? Was this love? How did he know what love was when he's never really received it himself? Did he have the right to claim it? Instead, he found himself grunting and nudging his head against Darcy's.

"I ain't good with words so, shut up… but… yeah, me too. I can't… see myself being without ya at any time." He confessed in his own manner. "I don't think I could… be with anyone else but ya this close, y'know? Over time, it got harder 'nd harder to think of Me, Myself and I, without picturing you besides me no matter what. Every choice I make, it's not just about me, it's about Us. Together. Always." He closed his lashes for a moment, taking the moment to breath and sigh soon enough.

At peace.

It was a strange niceness here right now.

"Dunno 'bout the arms for comfort but I do feel safest at ya side or when you've got my back. Don't think I could like, share a bed or a livin' space with anyone else. Couldn't trust 'em, y'know? With you thou', I don't even gotta think about ya betraying me or doin' somethin' I don't like…" He smiled a bit at that, Darcy did a lot of things that annoyed him but honestly - Lance loved every moment he did. Gave them banter, gave them stories, gave them something to bond over and become closer through.

"So yeah… same here. Ya my safe space too."

[rebelscaped]

Kael finally threw back a mouthful of his drink, the contents burning their way down his throat. He thought he had known what he was signing up for when he came here and he'd lived a hectic enough life to handle most of what was thrown at him but he hadn't been expected quite so much to happen quite so soon. It was as though he'd walked into a storm or marched headfirst into a riot. The threat of a great splitting headache seemed to loom over him. But, all the same, he was just the new guy. Sure, his timing had been bad and he'd barely had time to adjust to his new surroundings before shit hit the fan but there was no way in Hell he was having a harder time than this than the rest of them, the ones who had put years of their life into this gang. Kael could practically see the weight of it all pressing down on Cyrek's shoulders. He took a long sip of his drink and sighed. "Stella did great," he said, "But I don't feel good taking too much credit. I've probably got my work cut out getting the rest of 'em on my good side. Who in their right mind likes the guy who shows up out of the blue and starts acting like he's in charge?" The words were spoken with humour and without any hint of self-depreciation. He didn't fancy himself much of a leader either but it wasn't for lack of confidence; it was an entirely neutral conclusion, he just wasn't that kind of person. "You're a lot better at this shit than me."

Kael knew how to at least try and comfort a friend in need, a friend who was in distress and a friend who was grieving. And, Evren was one of his own kind; they'd come from the same place, hadn't they? Their kids were friends with Hana. Even without the Bastards, the Fawn family mattered to Kael. He wasn't exactly the most tactful nor was he that good at navigating emotions, his or anybody else's, but he cared about the people around him enough to do and say whatever he could. It was a natural reaction. Cyrek's other questions, however, were a lot trickier. "As for who framed us, I ain't got a clue" Kael shrugged. It was a perfectly useless response but he hadn't been around quite long enough to assess the situation all that well. This used to be what he was good at, hanging in the back and watching. They'd always taught him that he smart, quick to think and to move, but he was impulsive. He could clutter together a plan in moments but whether or not he'd keep to it was another question altogether. But he'd barely been in Anchorage long enough to know who was a friend and who was a foe. "I don't think it matters right now, not as much as why we were framed," he went on. "Reckon we're just a lazy scapegoat? Or is that wishful thinking?" This was punctuated with a shit-eating grin. Make no mistake, he took the situation seriously but, God, it was ridiculous enough to make him laugh. It felt like the only way to get through it without losing his wits

Which one was Sky again? Oh yeah, the rich kid. Kael hadn't asked about the guy's background nor had he been in the States long enough to start recognising the son's of millionaires but he'd figured it out for himself. It was a conclusion to which he'd quickly jumped, mostly because he'd never been a big fan of the wealthy. (Y'know, if the fact he'd joined a punk band wasn't its own giveaway.) He wasn't particular sorry about being judgemental. Kael was half-slumped over the edge of the table, so that he could hear every last word without looking too conspiratorial. If there really were eyes and ears all over the place, it wouldn't do to be obvious. "You smell a rat, huh?" he mused. "Not a problem; I already need to get on everyone's good side, yeah? That's an easy excuse for checking up on him." Another long sip of his drink. He stretched his arms over his head as though working out a crick in his neck. "I might be a bit rusty now, but keeping watch should be easy enough."

Cyrek chose the hierarchy of bikers meticulously for one borne of fecklessness, the kind where the steam rolled off of the asphalt and wounds weren't so quick to heal. A straight-laced reminiscence of a blade jutting up from the right side of his jaw was credence enough to the vitriol he was inclined to soak in, the reflection of his countenance distorted in the colored liquid of old-fashioned whiskey. Kael had a point — and one that the vocalist could agree with whole-heartedly on the front of anarchy, and perhaps, on a clandestine rung of intimacy and trust that only two of the closest friends could share. He'd bestowed the positions with a potential for leading only to those who were close enough to be deserving, albeit he was calling into question Fallon at the fourth-in-line of that list, should something spring a leak. "Yeah, well, what do you think of it? I don't got a damn clue who might be the framer." Benny had it out for the gang, as an ex-affiliate... however, he didn't believe the dealer to be that precocious. Smarminess negated for critical thinking so intimate.

In truth, it should be the last subjectivity on his mind. He couldn't help the paranoia that began to arise superficially, though. Craning his head over his shoulder, he peered around their secluded corner of the bar in Scaredy Cat Club. Business was unusually dragging, that evening. Vigilant alertness laxed, his shoulders slacking as he turned back, lifting his own glass to caress heart-shaped tiers, muttering, "I dunno how to not give myself a hard time." Evren's incident still felt like... his fault, as the motorcycle accident years ago had — he was helpless to assuage the situation that had unfolded between the two Bastards members with the law, but maybe if he hadn't saddled Fallon with so much responsibility... His head started to spin, knocking the glass back and chugging it. A rough cough escaped when the glass hit the table, his hands withdrawing beneath the counter to pull down the hem of his Playboy hoodie ( graciously gifted by aforementioned spouse. ) "There's a whole shitstorm goin' on with Fallon now," he spoke grimly, pinching the bridge of his nose and grimacing, "You and Stella did a good job makin' sure shite didn't just... fuckin' explode, but —" It was different than when they were ludicrous teenagers that thought they owned the world. He leaned on his elbows, a palm propping his chin as he outstretched the other for the bottle between them, pouring out a glass. "Thanks... I think."

Setting the bottle down and flicking it to slide it back in the tail gunner's direction, he paused. "There's somethin' that bothers me 'bout all this..." Ginger curls curtained his countenance as he cradled the glass to imbibe the alcohol, the pleasant buzz dulling the nausea steadfast to grind through his stomach acid. "The girl. Sky hired us to investigate into her, 'cause I guess he thinks she had somethin' to do with the shit that went down earlier this year..." Squinting, heterochromatic eyes slid back to Kael's gaze, leaning closer should anyone walk by. "I don't know him that well. You keep an eye on him, yeah? Try to find out if he's settin' us up. Somethin' isn't right." Hooking his fingers together, one arm now draped over the back of the chair, he arched his slit brow. "S'weird that when we're on her trail, she gets the axe."

[skullzy20]

@hellmods-domain

hey so like- your designs have absolutely NO right to be this nice, so I have NO choice but to draw them

[toutallyahoe]

I get the whole Heisenberg thing in game, cause y'know... gotta have gameplay. But like...

*cracks fingers*

time to rewrite canon. AKA operation Ethan listens to Heisenberg's ramblings for 5 seconds longer and decides that .... well, they're never gonna be friends but also like... you help me get my baby back.... I help you put a knife in Miranda's skull.... also I don't want to be thrown into a pit with a sentient lawn mower, it's all gonna be great. And then Chris comes along and explains everything. Heisenberg explains some more lore about Miranda cause he knows things. They have a very tense stare-down before coming to a truce. And basically, everything goes down the same except for Heisenberg gets a good shot in on Miranda and escapes with everyone. The whole people weapon factory gets solved by the village being exploded. Also like Ethan doesn't sacrifice himself, Heisenberg is just like "lmao, you weak ass fungus" and picks him up like he's a ragdoll while Chris carries the baby. And everything is fine.

Also yes pls more RE8 fluff, bb. I need it. I may not have screamed at you like when Sean died, but like.... I still need the fluff for my poor poor heart. And also just in general I'm thinking a lot about semi-fluffy platonic lords x [Name]. ... I have many thoughts.

Sorry to hear you can't sleep, bb. Hope you can fall asleep soon. Go make yourself some warm milk and become a blanket burrito. Even if you can't sleep, being comfy will give you a bit of rest. Love you my sweet handsome bean, be good to yourself.

i know for a fact that heisenberg was stronger than the other lords (he was almost perfect vessel and mother miranda's favorite after all) but his whole boss battle really was... lacking. i mean, he could easily control the bullets and rockets aimed at him... although one could say he was too busy focusing on his scrappy transformers form than focus on ethan's bullet— but still

and i love that operation. i think the re fandom collectively agrees with that operation very much afshsjfjsjfjsjfagahdjjdhd and i like the small detail of chris and heisenberg having a very tense stare down since both of them dont like the other very much (heisenberg still calling chris "boulder punching asshole" too lmao) since chris has been snooping and messing around in the village for awhile and heisenberg definitely knows about chris and his team but then they ultimately have a truce because they all want the same thing, kill mother miranda and also rescue rose

and got it bean, more re village fluff for my daeling! its the least i could on dragging you to another rabbits hole akdbajfbkabdjajdkajdjajdjajd and i love how you are thinking about some semi platonic lords x [name] fluff when my idea on that is just angst angst angst ajsvsjdbsjdbsjdbjwhe but we will talk about it more tomorrow if you want? i would say now but i feel like you want me to go to sleep since its late 😅😅

and thank you daeling. im too lazy too get up and drink milk so ill just be a lil burrito blanket bean. ngl the headache is getting worse so i might try to pass out after this because ajsbdjsjdnsndnmsndjsndjd 😔😔

but i adore you and nyan daeling, to the moon and back 💙💙💙

[imaginejamesandsirius]

Hi, I love your work! Can you do a fic where everyone thinks James and Sirius are dating? They aren't, but they've got massive crushes on each other. Of course, they get together by the end. Please make it fluffy! Bonus points if the teachers think they're together, too!

Remus saw James and Sirius cuddling on the common room couch and rolled his eyes. Could it even be called cuddling if James was just laying on top of Sirius? That seemed to be crossing a line. It was one thing to do it in their beds-- aka worse-- but at least then the only other people that could see it were Remus and Peter which was better the entirety of the Gryffindor House. "Oh my god, get a room." 

"We have a room," James mumbled, not opening his eyes. 

"A private room," he corrected. "One where a whole bunch of impressionable children can't see you groping on the sofa." 

"We're not groping," Sirius denied, a tell-tale blush dusting his cheeks. Remus didn't even want to think about how much he blushed when they were actually fooling around instead of laying down being (arguably) innocent. 

"Yeah, if we were, we would actually have our own room." James paused, then added, "You know what, that's a good point, let's go up to the dorm. Your bed's more comfortable than this anyways." He wiggled around, putting his hand on the cushion and pushing himself up. He did a weird half-roll to get off the sofa without poking Sirius somewhere squishy and landed in a heap on the ground. It sounded painful, but he bounced up right after, so maybe it hadn't been that bad after all. 

"My bed? What about yours?" 

"Yours is comfier." 

"It is not," Sirius said, frowning as he followed James to the stairs up. 

"Great," Peter muttered as they disappeared, still bickering about who had the better bed, "now we have to wait until they're done shagging to go up there. What if I need something?" 

"Maybe you'll actually finish that essay for Flitwick." 

"I wouldn't count on it." 

Sirius wished he could turn his head just a little and press his lips to James's. It would be so easy. Barely a second, and... Sirius sighed, turning his face into the pillow. A stupid dream that's what it was. If something was going to happen between him and James, it would have happened by now. All the teasing in the world from Remus and Peter wasn't going to change that. 

*

McGonagall was too good to roll her eyes at them, but she was pretty sure they could sense it all the same-- they had that talent, but it's a pity that they didn't act on it and save her a bit of a headache. She understood; they're teenagers, they're in love, they'd rather be snogging than sit through her class on spells they already knew how to cast. 

It was still annoying. "Potter, Black," she snapped. 

They straightened, looking towards her with expressions affecting innocence automatically. "Yes Professor?" James asked. He'd always been better about talking them out of scrapes, in large part because none of the other professors were willing to let go of their bias to the Black Family. 

"Do your classwork, and then you can flirt to your heart's content. You don't want to fail your final year of Transfiguration because you were too lazy to pick up your wand." 

"Yes Professor," they both said. 

A minute later, the finished product sat on their desks and they were back to what they'd been doing before: looking at each other like the world began and ended with them. 

Internally, she gave a sigh. She had no idea how Euphemia could handle it, especially with them living under the same roof. For now, she was just going to be thankful that it wasn't her problem, and that in a few months, she would have zero responsibility for them. 

*

James knew that it was the exact opposite of Gryffindor courage to do what he'd been doing. But he'd thought about it, and it was nice to have everyone think he and Sirius were dating. Even nicer was the fact that Sirius didn't seem to mind. He didn't trick himself into thinking that that meant Sirius felt the same, but it was fun to pretend that when Sirius only rolled his eyes at Moony and Wormtail's exclamations of disgust of how schmoopsy they were, it was because Sirius thought they were overreacting instead of the truth that they weren't together at all so there was no snogging or shagging for their mates to be worried about. 

He didn't have anyone to talk to about it since his friends were Sirius, Remus, and Peter. Remus and Peter already thought they were together, and he definitely couldn't ask Sirius himself if he thought James had a chance with him. Well alright, he could but that would sort of defeat the purpose, wouldn't it. 

"We should do something stupid," Sirius declared, just him and James in the dormitory. They were sitting on the floor, newly finished homework in haphazard piles off to the side. 

When all the Marauders were around, it would be stupid; when it was just him and Sirius, it was going to be positively awful. "I'm in." 

"Great!" 

"Anything in mind?" James asked. 

"Gimme a minute." They sat in silence for a while, and James organised the piles so that they'd know whose homework was whose and they wouldn't have to mess with it later. 

All the warning James got when Sirius made up his mind was a quick glance, and then Sirius was on top of him, hands at his face and leaning in as he kissed him. "I- huh?" 

Sirius licked his lips as he leaned back slightly. That didn't change the fact that he was straddling James, and when did he put his hands on Sirius's hips? "We said we'd do something stupid. Right?" 

There was nothing more stupid than snogging his best mate that he was secretly in love with. It was probably too stupid even for him, but when would he ever get a chance like this again? Sirius wanted to try it, and he had that little glimmer in his eye that James could never resist. "Right." He tilted his head up a little so they'd be better aligned, and then they were kissing again. 

They didn't get very much time alone before the door opened and Peter exclaimed, "Oh gods, my eyes!" because he was an over dramatic bastard. 

"Get out!" Sirius yelled, grabbing the nearest textbook and throwing it at him. 

Peter made a little 'eep' and ducked out of the way even though it wasn't necessary and the book hit the wall next to where he'd been standing with a loud thump. "Fine, I'm going! But FYI, other people have to live in this room too, you know." 

The door closed again, and Sirius glared at it with more vitriol than James thought was strictly necessary. "You okay?" 

"Fine," he muttered. 

"Yeah, you seem fine." 

Sirius huffed, his anger turning to annoyance easily and making like he was going to climb off of James which was just unacceptable. James tightened his grip on Sirius's waist and frowned. 

"Where are you going?" 

"Well I was trying to put my homework away," he said, raising an eyebrow. 

"Does that- I mean, are we... done?" 

"Yeah mate," Sirius said, giving his chest a condescending pat. 

James let go of him and let him get to his feet to busy himself in putting his rolls of parchment in his bag for safekeeping. His immediate reaction was hurt, but Sirius was acting too blase about it. If this was them fooling around because they wanted to do something stupid, he would've laughed, given James another kiss or made a joke, and then climbed off him to go back to normal world. Acting like this meant... something. He didn't know what, but Sirius wasn't as cool with this as he was pretending. 

He leaned back so he was laying on the floor. He couldn't see Sirius anymore, but he heard him moving around. "Why did you suggest that?" 

"Why did you say yes?" Sirius shot back. 

Same answer. That was what people meant when they asked like that, right? "People always think we're together," he said. 

"I noticed." 

"You think they're onto something? Kissing you wasn't exactly gross." 

"'Not exactly gross'. Glowing review there, James." 

"You know what I mean. It was," he said, propping himself up on his elbows to look at Sirius, "it was good. And I like you better than everyone else anyways. We should try, shouldn't we?" 

Sirius was quiet for a moment, then he blew out a breath and sat down next to him. "And when it doesn't work?" 

"If I can't make it work with you, I can't make it work with anyone." Then what he said sunk in, and James elbowed him. "Why wouldn't it work? I'm a bloody catch, and your best mate, you should like me." 

"Course I like you." 

"I meant fancy." 

"I do that too." 

"Yeah?" 

Sirius started to blush, and in general he looked ridiculously embarrassed, but he still said, "Yeah." 

"Well that's, er, good, yeah? Cause me too." Oh gods James was such a moron. Every time he imagined confessing to Sirius, he was a lot smoother than this. 

"Yeah," Sirius said again. "Good." He leaned a little into James, and James leaned a little into him. They shouldn't be this shy considering they'd been snogging a minute ago, but it was better than what James had imagined they could have when he rolled out of bed this morning. 

James couldn't help but chuckle, running a hand through his hair. 

"What?" 

"It's nothing," he said, laughing a little more. 

"C'mon, what is it," Sirius said, turning his head to look at him. 

"It's just so stupid that we're acting like we don't know how to talk to each other." 

Sirius snorted, then started laughing too. They both relaxed as the mood lightened, and Sirius mumbled, "Sorry I was being an arse about it. Got nervous, y'know?" 

"Believe me, I know. Are we gonna have to apologise to Pete?" 

"Fuck no." 

"Are we gonna tell anyone that we haven't been together before now?" 

"Also no," Sirius said with an infectious grin. 

[redrobin-detective]

The Long Way Around 9 (real)

Distracted by the Vikings/Eagles game I nearly forgot to post (Come on Vikings! You can come back!). We get a look at some of the other departments here and also a certain big canon event that Izuku missed by being in Gen Ed. How ever will it end? I know but you all need to come back. Also I miss-labeled the last chapter (8) as 9, my bad! 

AO3/Fanfiction

Chapter Nine: Game On

As the first week at Yuuei came to a close, Midoriya Izuku's mornings fall into a predictable pattern. Every morning his alarm goes off at 4:30 am. Now most teenagers wouldn't even think of voluntarily setting an alarm so early, much less get up when it rang, but Izuku wasn't most people.

Sure he grumbles sometimes but he's always up and out of bed soon after. He can't slack in his training even though school had started. So he dutifully begins his normal morning exercise, a 25 minute run through his city to the nearby park where he could watch the sunrise while he ran through his stances and flexibility and even improvise some fighting moves before making the 25 minute journey home.

But of course there wasn't time to relax as he needs to quickly shower to make himself presentable. Usually by the time he's done, his mother is finishing up breakfast. He'd tried to tell her that she didn't need to bother getting up so early for him but it was a useless one as she would still be up every morning cooking.

That done, he'd have enough time to grab his bag, wave his mother goodbye and run down to the station to catch his train. The ride can be long or short depending on traffic or villain attacks so he always tries to catch the early train. He usually entertains himself by reading up on the latest hero reports as he no longer had the time to chase attacks all over the city. Izuku likes to keep his mind sharp by imagining how he would have fought in any given attack.

If there were no delays, he can get to Yuuei about 30 minutes before classes started. Izuku spends some time wandering the picturesque grounds or tries to spot any pro heroes (specifically All Might who he'd still yet to see). He then sits in his classroom and do a bit of study work until everyone else arrives. Izuku always makes sure there's time to chat his friends before homeroom.

Other times, if the train is late, he'd have to run to school, sprinting past the gate, through the halls and into his classroom, hopefully before Chiura-sensei gets there. He sits down heavily in his chair, panting over his run and still finds some time to make a few comments to his friends before homeroom begins.

Most days ended up like this, began before the sun rose and continued long after the sun had set as he trained, studied and read up on the latest heroes and quirks.

It was an exhausting schedule, one that catches up with him every once in a while and forces him to take a break but overall he charges on with determination everyday with that 4:30 am alarm. Because he isn't going to reach his goal by sleeping in, by spending his free time goofing off. He's going to get there because of all the hard work and heart he puts into everything he did.

XxX

"Penny for your thoughts?" Taketsu says Monday morning, pulling Izuku out of his head. Patrick, Korudo and now Shinsou are off to the side debating something or other. "Don't mind them, they're just mad cause the hero kids get to go on some fancy field trip today while we're stuck in class. I personally don't care, so what's got you up in the clouds?" She asks, propping her elbows up on her desk.

"I'm thinking about weapons," Izuku says quietly before his brain reasserts itself and he realizes how bad that sounds. "For training! If I'm going to be a quirkless hero, I'm going to need some tools to make up for my lack of quirk. My master spent a lot of time training me with a bō but those are made of wood and won't stand up to the combative quirks."

He leans back in his chair and sighs. "Besides all that, I need to think about how I'm going to sell myself in the first place. The Sports Festival is three weeks away and I need to make an impression if I'm going to transfer."

"Heavy stuff for a Monday," Taketsu says with a smile before her face scrunches up in concentration. "Sounds like you need to talk to people in Business and Support. I hear the support kids are always eager for projects to test their mettle and people in business pretty much spends all day thinking about how to market heroes. Our first student council session was Friday and there were kids from all departments there, I can probably see what connections I can pull for you. Find anyone who's interested."

"You're the nicest, most amazing person I have ever met," Izuku says, near tears as he grins at Taketsu. "That would be so helpful, you have no idea. I can pay you back this afternoon when we train; I have some moves I think will work well for you."

"Oh, right, is that today?" Takestu winces.

"Yeah, we talked about it on Saturday, remember? You were all for it then," Izuku reminds her.

"Yeah but that was Saturday and this is today and, well, exercise just isn't my thing," she whines.

"That's why we've got to get better," Izuku answers with a smile. "Come on, you were talking about how you wanted to be a hero, a hero needs to be more than just their quirk. Besides, working out together is a fun way to keep in shape."

"Alright, alright, I'll be there," Taketsu says, holding her hands up in defeat. "I'll get you in touch with some business and support people and you teach me how to do some sick ninja moves."

"It'll take time to build up strength and technique but I'm sure you'll- uh can I help you?" Izuku begins to explain before one of their classmates, Fukuyo? Fuyono? Appears beside them. He's a little taller than Izuku with slate grey eyes and hair pulled back into a small tail with a feminine looking face and a bored expression.

"Hey sorry, I couldn't help overhear you needed someone in Business. My twin sister is in that department and, believe me, she'd have a field day making you into a hero. I could introduce you to her if you're interested. Aneko could probably hook you up with someone in Support," the boy answers with a lazy droll.

"Oh that'd be real helpful uh," Izuku winces and trails off awkwardly. He can recite interviews with All Might by heart but he doesn't know his own classmate's name?

"Fukuyo Kyoudai, I usually pal around with Kamoto, Izumo and Inukai so we haven't had a lot of opportunity to talk. I uh," Fukuyo looks away. "I think it's great you're going for Heroics. My uncle is quirkless too and it sucks how people treat you guys. If me or Aneko can help, let me know." Fukuyo says before quickly glancing around and rushing back to his seat before anyone noticed he'd been talking to the kid without a quirk.

"Psst Midoriya!" Patrick whispers from behind him. "What was that all about?"

"Networking, you wouldn't understand," Taketsu responds and Patrick starts giggling despite the lack of a joke. Korudo looks annoyed at being interrupted mid-rant and Shinsou just looks vaguely confused.

"Are you guys always like this?" the purple haired boy asks.

"Ug, welcome to my world, pass Go and get your free headache," Korudo mutters and Patrick is still laughing by the time Chiura-sensei enters the classroom.

XxX

"Aneko says you can meet her for lunch," Fukuyo says, creeping up behind them in the hallway after morning classes let out. He seems nervous, looking around again to make sure none of his friends can see him. "She says she'll be sitting near the back, by the windows. Don't worry about finding her, she'll find you," He adds quickly. "I hope she's able to help. She said she's got someone in mind from Support who can get you whatever you need."

"Thanks Fukuyo, I really appreciate it," Izuku grins. "Why don't you sit with us, it would give us a chance to get to know you."

"Yeah, I'm going to have to pass," Fuyuko says with a wince. "Kamoto is expecting me and, besides, I never eat lunch with Aneko. Her thoughts drive me crazy, bad enough I have to live with her." He waves his hand when Patrick opens his mouth to ask, "I don't have time to explain, ask Aneko."

"I don't understand why you hang out with Kamoto," Taketsu pouts. "He's such a jerk."

"Yeah but he's funny y'know and he's got this sort of magnetism about him. I don't know, he's not so bad when you get to know him." Fuyuko shrugs but even he doesn't look very convinced. His phone buzzes and he checks it with a slight grimace. "I gotta go, good luck with Aneko. Don't let her push you around too much."

"So did he tell us how to find this girl or did I miss out on that?" Shinsou asks, coming up from behind with a bored expression. "What? You're not the only one who needs to think about marketing appeal."

"Yeah, and I know next to nothing about the business kids, it could be interesting," Korudo adds.

"Where you go, we go; we're with you 100% man!" Patrick grins, leaning over Korudo and Shinsou. So the five of them enter the cafeteria, searching for their mysterious contact in Business. Patrick, taller than all of them by far, stands on his toes to try and look around. "Fuyuko does know the entire school has lunch in here at once, right? There's no way we'll be able to find this girl in this crowd."

"Hey there, you must be Kyoudai's friends!" A chipper girl says skipping up to them. Izuku blinks in surprise as the girl before them looks to be the spitting image of Fuyuko except with longer hair. If he didn't know any better, he'd say the boy had simply changed clothes. His eyes look down briefly before rushing back up to her face with a blush; she didn't even have a girl's figure. If it weren't for the hair and skirt, he'd swear she was a boy.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Fuyuko Aneko but you can call me Aneko since you're my little brother's friends and that practically makes you my friends! Come on, I've got a table and I am so ready to pick your brains. I've been needing a project to sink my teeth into," she smiles as she flips her shoulder length hair and gestures for them to follow.

"It's like someone gave Fuyuko a wig and a semblance of a personality," Korudo mumbles.

"That's not very nice, Korudo. I think Fuyuko would make a pretty girl," Patrick murmurs back even as he has to repress a smile. Shinsou, however, makes no attempts to hide his grin. Taketsu hums angrily at the three of them.

"Find a seat anywhere there's room!" Aneko says as she guides them to a table piled high with books and magazines.

"So the floor?" Shinsou responds dryly, moving aside a few books to make room. Aneko throws back her head and laughs.

"I like you, you remind me of Kyoudai. Little bro still won't sit with me, huh? Well it's probably for the best. His thoughts are so dull and slow they wear me down sometimes." She examines their blank looks.

"Our quirk is sibling telepathy. Whenever we're within 30 meters of each other, we're able to hear each other's thoughts. Convenient when playing pictionary, not so much when you're trying to study and your brother has a stupid pop song stuck in his head. Anyway," she claps her hands together.

"Back to business. I need a project to impress my teachers for the Sports Festival and it sounds like you need some advice. Which one of you is the quirkess kid who wants to be a hero?" They all look at Izuku, "You? Really? Hmm not a lot to work with but if anyone can make you a star, it'll be me. Did Kyoudai tell you our Uncle Nashi is quirkless too? I have a soft spot for your plight."

"I'm not disabled you know," Izuku says sharply because this is starting to get old. "I'm not fragile or helpless or someone to be pitied. I'm just me and just because I happen to be quirkless doesn't make me any less capable or mean I need to be treated differently." Korudo and Patrick look a little sheepish but Aneko doesn't seem bothered.

"I was wondering if you had any steel in your spine, good, you're going to need it. Other kids in Class 1-J are analyzing the hero kids and you've got some stiff competition. Acid, Steel, Half Hot Half Cold; those kids have some impressive quirks. You'll need everything you've got just to keep up."

She folds her fingers together and gives him a predatory gaze. "So tell me what you've got going for you. Please don't be shy; modesty only works for clothing sizes and feminine products."

"O-oh, okay," Izuku stammers out.

So Izuku describes his greatest strengths: his martial arts, his analytical skills and his adaptability even as his friends chimed in with a few others he hadn't considered: his drive, his compassion, his resilience and his tendency to be underestimated by just about everyone. Aneko hums, alternating between talking, taking notes and typing furiously on her phone, appearing to have multiple conversations at once. It was dizzying just watching her, no wonder Fuyuko needed a break.

"Hmm, ok, I can make this work. Everyone likes a good underdog story, I'll put together a profile but here's my main advice for you, quirkless boy." She puts down her phone and leans forward with a serious expression.

"The number of transfers to Heroics is astronomically low and Yuuei just let quirkless students into the school a few years ago so if you're going to do this, you need to go all the way. You seem kind of shy which is cute and has its own appeal but it's not going to win you any medals, not when you're up against people with downright terrifying quirks. You need to make yourself stand out as much as possible and, more importantly, you need to win. Got it?"

"I got it, thanks," Izuku says thoughtfully. He'd thought as much but having it laid out so plainly really put things into focus. He's not really a flashy kind of person but he's sure he can come up with something.

"What do you need from Support?" Aneko asks, picking her phone back up and going right back to texting. "I'm assuming some equipment. Since the General, Support and Business aren't held to the same standards as Heroics, they're allowed to use their gear during the Sports Festival. That's less than a month away so you'll need to get your things together now."

"Y-yeah," Izuku nods, reaching into his bag and pulling out his notes. "I need a couple of things. I need a bō staff, like in martial arts but I need it to be durable enough to stand up against whatever quirks people can throw at me. Also I'll need some lightweight, flexible protection, mostly gloves and boots. At some point later, I'd love a belt of sorts to keep things like smoke bombs and other things in but I don't think I'll really need that right now. Maybe if I get into Heroics," he explains as he flips his notebook around and shows Aneko.

"Uh huh, I see," she says, briefly glancing at the page before looking back at her phone. "Ok, I know a girl in Support who might be able to help you out. She usually likes things with a little more flourish but she owes me 'cause I didn't rat on her when I caught her trying to uh improve the school's ventilation system," Aneko continues, still typing quickly. "I'm sending her your info to see if she's interested. Anyone else here want to be a hero? Don't be shy now."

"Uh," Korudo begins.

"I'm going to transfer to one of the hero classes," Shinsou begins. "I have a brainwashing quirk and I'm not afraid to do whatever is necessary to get there."

"Oh you're spunky, I like it, you and me are going to talk some more," Aneko grins at Shinsou. "And you, my dear," she adds, pointing to Izuku. "Are going to meet Hatsume Mei. I hope you got your fill of lunch 'cause you're going to be spending the rest of the period in the student workshop going over your blueprints. Try not to die."

"I'm sorry, what?" Izuku asks.

"Business Girl! Where's my victim? You said he was plain but they all look plain to me!" A busty pink haired girl says popping behind Aneko, pushing up some enormous goggles off her dirt stained face. She smells vaguely of smoke and it'ss similar enough to Kacchan that it puts Izuku a bit on edge. "I have a couple of projects going on now but I have 20 minutes with nothing to do so I might as take this on. It sounds a bit boring but, who knows, it might end up being interesting!" Izuku is beginning to wonder if this was a good idea.

"It's him," Taketsu says, gesturing to him and completely throwing him under the bus. "Have fun; bring him back in one piece. He's kind of the glue holding our little group together."

"Oh, you are so going to get it when we train this afternoon," Izuku whispers as he's bodily hauled out of his chair and dragged away.

"That's only if you come back," Taketsu says with a cheekily little wave. Patrick and Korudo give him a solemn look as if he were going off to a firing squad instead of a consult.

Working with Hatsume doesn't end up being as awful as he'd initially feared. Her workshop was chaotic and cluttered but she navigated around all the bits of junk and scrap with ease. It was clear she was very dedicated; someone who put everything she had into her work. Izuku found himself liking that about her and her natural enthusiasm for her craft made him more excited discussing his ideas.

He told her what he was looking for her, what kind of measurements and material, and she chimed in with some good points for improvement. Well, some of them were good. He doesn't care how cool they looked, he was not adding rocket thrusters to his boots. When the warning bell rang for afternoon classes, he was almost surprised at how fast the time had gone by. He leaves her with his phone number and the assurance that he'd get in contact with her if he had any other ideas.

Izuku jogs back to class feeling happy and light; this was just another step forward towards his goal. He slides into his desk just before the final bell rings. Talking to the others while their teacher got things ready, it seems the rest of lunch had gone well with Aneko. She was going to put together a profile for both him and Shinsou on how to improve their image for the Festival. The teacher clears their throat and class begins.

The majority of fifth period is spent having conversations via eyebrow with his friends. He feels a little bit bad for not paying attention but on the other hand, friends are still something of a novelty so he feels he's allowed to enjoy it. Besides, he's doing pretty well in history. Patrick, completely through facial expressions, manages to convey what he thinks about Korudo's latest comment when a cell phone rings loudly near the end of class.

"Excuse me class, I'm sorry, I should take this. Please be quiet, we'll resume in just a moment." The teacher flushes as she answers the phone. As soon as she turns, the entire class is laughing and talking with each other, Izuku and his friends included.

"Dude I am so pumped for this afternoon," Patrick says, throwing a few punches. "You were so awesome the other day in gym; I can't wait until I can do things like that."

"Things like that take time," Shinsou adds softly. "But I am interested in-"

"Will you be quiet," Their teacher hisses suddenly with startling severity that leaves everyone silent. "This is serious, I need to hear this." She turns her back again to the now silent classroom. "No, I can't believe that, on our campus? That's terrible, was anyone hurt? Oh my, okay. Yes, I'll take care of the students. Keep me informed."

She hangs up and spends an extra few seconds staring at her phone, as if she needs to insert the new information into her world view. "Class, I'm afraid something terrible has happened. I don't have all the details but it seems that villains have attacked the USJ facility where one of the hero classes and their teachers were training this afternoon. It looks like it was a deliberate attack. Your homeroom teacher is going to come back in to dismiss you all, the school is being evacuated."

Izuku feels like the floor has dropped out underneath him. Villains openly attacking Yuuei? It was unheard of but the implications are terrifying. Had anyone been hurt? He freezes, wait which hero class was at USJ today? Which class was Kacchan in?

He dives for his phone in his bag and quickly shoots off a message to Kacchan. He's had the same phone since they were in middle school so he's sure it's the same number. He'd do anything, anything, to get an angry text telling him to fuck off. Instead the lonely text sits there, with no indication of being read or responded to.

Chiura-sensei swiftly enters the classroom a few moments later, his face as grim and menacing as Izuku has ever seen it while their history professor rushes out.

"So you've all heard the news; USJ, one of our training facilities, was attacked this afternoon by a large group of villains. Most of the school's heroes are now on site processing the captured villains. As of right now, the situation is being contained. No word yet on who did this or if the leaders were able to be taken or not. As a measure of caution, we will be waiting until we have more some heroes back on campus before sending you all home."

"What class was attacked? Was anyone hurt?" Izuku demands, not even bothering to raise his hand.

"It was 1-A, the other hero class was scheduled to be there tomorrow but that's obviously not going to happen now. Right now, the only confirmed injuries are the pros who were there during the incident. They were injured severely enough to require care in a hospital." Sensei pauses, "as I said, we don't know a lot right now but it seems there were minor injuries among the students too." Izuku thinks he's going to be sick, he's pretty sure Kacchan was in 1-A.

"We have to do something, we can't just sit here," Izuku blurts out again. There's static under his skin and can feel himself begin to hyperventilate. He thinks of Kacchan being buried in sludge, of how afraid he'd looked as he suffocated. He thinks of his friend suffering like that again and, maybe this time, someone didn't get to him in time.

"Calm down, Midoriya," Sensei says so forcefully that Izuku's vision comes back into focus. "I respect your feelings but you are a student and it is our job to protect you, right here and right now. I understand this is very distressing for all of you but I need you to conduct yourself in a manner befitting Yuuei students."

Izuku's fists are shaking on his desk but he forces himself to keep quiet. "We're waiting for the heroes to come back and give us the all clear, then we'll be letting you go. All of you will go straight home and stay there. Please walk in pairs if you can," Sensei continues.

"What about tomorrow? Will there be class?" Motome asks.

"There's no official word yet but I'm betting school will be closed tomorrow, but don't use that as an excuse to slack off. Now more than ever, Japan needs to see Yuuei as a symbol of strength and resilience. It's up to all of you to represent the values of this institution." Chiura-sensei checks his phone. "Alright, grab your things and line up quietly. Looks like they're beginning evacuation procedures. We may run into some of the pros and hero students but please control your curiosity, they've been through hell today."

The walk through the hallways is silent and painfully tense. A couple of the other classes are making their own precession, just as sullen and silent. Yuuei is usually so loud and now it feels like a tomb. Izuku thinks he's going to explode with all the anxiety building up inside of him; he has his phone in one hand in the hopes that Kacchan will get back to him.

If the inside of Yuuei was like a tomb, the outside looked like a warzone. There are police and heroes everywhere. Izuku can't even keep track of them all as they bustle back and forth, dragging off villains and investigating the grounds. Above them, he can hear a helicopter or two circling the premises. If his mom is watching this on TV, she's got to be scared to death. Izuku needs to check in with her once he finds out about Kacchan.

He notes a few battered but ultimately unharmed hero kids sitting on the front lawn being looked over by Blood King. Kacchan isn't among them. Izuku checks his phone again, shoots off another message before shoving the device in his pocket.

"Keep back everyone, we're bringing in the injured," Present Mic screeches loudly. Izuku's heartrate picks up as he catches sight of a couple of stretchers being pulled out of an ambulance. "Take the kid to recovery room A, we also need someone to contact his parents. The other guy goes straight to Recovery Girl's office, he's uh a special patient." The Voice Hero continues on in a quieter tone.

The next few seconds seem to slow down to a crawl for Izuku. He's distracted, for a moment, by the hustle around him that he almost misses the boy being carried away on the stretcher. His breath catches in his throat as he catches sight of the prone figure. He may be bloodied and wearing a costume, but Izuku would recognize that spikey blond hair anywhere.

"Kacchan!" He shouts and, just like before, he runs toward his childhood friend without a second thought.

"Midoriya, back in line right now!" Sensei shouts in the background but Izuku's entire world has narrowed down to Kacchan's bruised and bloodied face, his expression almost soft in unconsciousness. There's a couple of hands trying to pull him back but Izuku struggles in the hold.

"Please sir, I know him!" Izuku shouts back, "He's a- we live near each other. I know his parents, I can contact them to let them know what happened, I can keep watch over him. Please, you can't make me leave him. I won't leave him!" Izuku says as he gives his teacher a look that says he'd need to be dragged back into line.

It's a dangerous game he's playing and yet he can't bring himself to care. "I don't care if I get punished but you can't let him be alone at a time like this," Izuku pleads.

"It's okay, Yamada, you can let him go," Chiura-sensei says quietly and Present Mic releases him, letting Izuku get closer to Kacchan's stretcher. He grabs the sides in case they tried to pull him away again.

"Be quiet and stay out of the way," Sensei hisses back in a way that promises there will be a reckoning later. "If I hear that you so much as breathed wrong, you are out of there and out of this school. Do you understand me, Midoriya?" The threat hangs heavy in the air but Izuku has no time to be concerned for himself when Kacchan could be dying right now.

"Yes Sensei," he nods back as he jogs to keep up with the medics, searching Kacchan's face for some sign that he'll be okay.

"You're a brave kid but I admire your spirit," Present Mic says. "Don't worry, your friend is going to be just fine. He's pretty banged up now but Recovery Girl is one of the best docs around." Izuku swallows the lump in his throat, his hand lightly gripping the side of the stretcher near his friend's face.

He's not sure what the world is coming to, where Yuuei of all places would be openly attacked in such a manner and Kacchan of all people could be hurt. Izuku closes his eyes and fights back tears, all he knows is whatever is coming in the future, he's going to face it head on and try to be prepared for whatever storm is coming.