Chapter Text
Izuku Midoriya sat at the police station, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders and a warm cup of tea nestled in between the palms of his hands. Today had been like any other day. Well, until he came back to his apartment ransacked and a threatening message painted in red on his wall.
S T O P
Criticism was something Izuku was familiar with. He was a journalist after all and not everyone shared the same opinions as him. However, this was the first time someone had gone so far as to break into his home. A strongly worded letter, hell; even a threatening letter weren’t out of his realm of possibilities. Destroying his apartment was an extreme Izuku never expected.
“Midoriya,” the police detective, Tsukauchi said, an edge to his voice. He was a tall, plain looking man, with black hair and matching eyes. Izuku would probably be unable to find the detective in a crowd, his appearance was ideal for undercover work. “I apologize for the wait. We’ve decided to place you in a hotel for the night and will have an officer stationed outside your door.”
Izuku blinked, trying to process the news. “I-Is that really necessary? It seems a bit extreme.”
Tsukauchi pulled a chair around from an empty desk to sit in front of Izuku. “It’s for your safety. This person could be dangerous. They could very well be a villain for all we know.”
“A villain?” Izuku’s head shot up, his eyes wide with panic. “Why would a villain show any interest in me? I write about heroes!”
“Precisely,” Tsukauchi replied. “You write about the villains’ enemy. You are a trusted voice the public looks to when wanting to know about the people who protect them. You instill hope, Midoriya. That’s reason enough to silence you.”
Izuku felt dizzy. Growing up he had always dreamed of being a hero. Unfortunately, he was part of the twenty percent in the entire world that didn’t have a quirk. As a child if someone had told him a villain would be after him, Izuku would’ve been downright giddy over the idea. Now all he could feel was a cold dread seeping through his entire body, as if he were being lowered into a tub of ice.
“And tomorrow?” Izuku managed to rasp out.
“We’re working on it,” Tsukauchi answered. “For now, why don’t you go rest.”
While phrased as a suggestion, Izuku knew an order when he heard it. A police officer with feline features escorted him to a patrol car before taking Izuku to a nearby hotel. Izuku felt as if he were having an outer body experience the entire time. He trailed along through the check-in process and mumbled a quick thank you before hearing the door to his took click shut.
For a moment he stood, staring at nothing as he continued to process what had happened. Izuku muttered theories to himself as he unpacked the meager belonging he had on his person. He had his backpack that continued his laptop, and a few other non-essential items. He hadn’t even been allowed back into his apartment due to it still being considered an active crime scene. Thankfully the hotel had provided him with a pair of pajamas and toiletries.
This had to be a prank.
A prank that went horribly wrong. He’d go into the office tomorrow and someone would apologize for the misunderstanding. That had to be it.
Izuku flopped down onto the bed. He should text his mother and let her know he was okay. Digging his phone from his pocket, Izuku noticed a recent text from one of the heroes he had recently interviewed.
Kirishima:
Thxs again man! I jumped in the popularity polls bc of U! My agency is stoked. Let’s grab food together soon! On me!
Izuku smiled softly. It was his job to write about heroes, but it wasn’t the first time he had accidentally ended up befriending one post-interview. He was close with Ochako Uraraka, better known as Uravity and Tenya Iida who took on the family mantle of Ingenium. The three of them could often be spotted out having drinks to de-stress after a long day of work.
Eijirou Kirishima had been Izuku’s most recently featured hero. He went by Red Riot and was inspired by the hero Crimson Riot. As his marker claimed, he had flashy red hair and was an easy-going guy that was hard not to like.
Izuku:
I’m glad! Your hard work really paid off. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get together. Maybe next week? You don’t have to treat me! I enjoyed writing your story. Thank you for allowing me to share it.
Izuku could see Kirishima was typing and let his fingers hover over the keyboard.
Kirishima:
U R the best Midoriya! C U later dude!
A grin spread across Izuku’s face, causing his freckles to crinkle. Growing up he didn’t have too many friends. Due to being quirkless he was often the target of bullies and he had been shy and soft-spoken growing up. Now that he was in his twenties it seemed like he had more friends than he had time to hang out with. Quickly, he texted his mom he was okay but that she shouldn’t come to his apartment for awhile. She was notorious for stopping by with food and the last thing Izuku wanted was for her to see what had happened. Staring at his phone screen, his eyes grew heavy and Izuku fell into a restless sleep.
. . .
A knock on the door jolted Izuku awake. He scattered from his bed and became entangled in the sheets. For a moment Izuku forgets where is is, his mind still trying to catch up with his body. Then last night comes flooding back. Coming home to his apartment destroyed and defaced and spending hours at the police station only to be moved to a hotel.
“Yes?” Izuku asked, doing his best to smooth down his curly green hair so it appeared somewhat presentable.
Tsukauchi stood in the doorway with a grim aura radiating from him, his lip pressed into a thin line. “I’m sorry to wake you like this Midoriya, but I’m afraid there’s been a development.”
Izuku stepped aside to give the detective room to pass. He wrung his hands and took a seat on the edge of the bed. It was clear whatever news Tsukauchi was about to deliver was not good.
“I’m sorry to say that sometime between your apartment being targeted and early this morning, your office was also vandalized.” said Tsukauchi while he stood across from Izuku. “Midoriya, your work has been notified that you will need to take a leave of absence and go into our hero protection program.”
Izuku was at a loss for words. This couldn’t be happening. Why was this happening. “Was anyone hurt?” He asked as soon as he found his voice.
“No. Besides some property damage no one was harmed, but you have to understand that I’m concerned about you, as is your employer. These are credible threats against you and it is clear someone means to do you harm,” Tsukauchi continued, his voice even. “We will be having heroes guard you while my department progresses with the investigation. Your boss has assured me that you are welcome to paid time off, or you can work remote if you truly desire.”
Izuku could only nod his head as Tsukauchi explained the situation. The numbness from last night was creeping back and Izuku again felt as if he were watching this misfortune unfold upon someone else rather than himself.
“W-What is this hero program you mentioned?” Izuku had never heard of heroes and the police working on such a project together before.
Tsukauchi’s face seemed to lighten, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. “Glad you asked! It’s a newer program to help the working relationship between heroes and the police. Hero agencies are loaning their newer heroes to help the police with cases. Since you’ll require constant surveillance the heroes will rotate, but I believe they’ll all benefit greatly from the experience. Speaking of, the first hero should be arriving shortly. They’ll escort you to recover any personal items from your residence.”
Izuku’s mind began to race. There were so many possibilities of who could be showing up in the days to come, let alone this morning. He quickly reached for his phone that was on the nightstand. No texts from Ochako or Iida, so that eliminated them for today. Unknowingly, Izuku was muttering under his breath the entire time and was so lost in his thoughts he didn’t hear the knocking or the door open.
“Where’s the loser I’m suppose to babysit?” A voice barked.
Izuku’s head shot up, the voice sounded familiar yet different. Green eyes met red and Izuku fell off the bed. “K-Kacchan?!”
“The fuck? Deku?” The blonde growled his spiky locks practically bristling.
Tsukauchi’s eyes darted between the two. “It seems as if you know one another. Ground Zero, another hero will arrive later before your shift ends. Please take care of Midoriya today and remember your actions reflect upon the police department as well as your agency. Have a good day.”
The door clicked shut, the silence in the room deafening.
Ground Zero clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed. “What the hell did you do now useless, Deku? Good to know some things haven’t changed. Once a nerd always a nerd.”
Izuku bit his tongue. No one had called him Deku in years. He hadn’t seen Katsuki Bakugou since middle school. The last time they had spoke the boy had cruelly told Izuku to jump off the roof and pray he be reborn with a quirk. He’d followed Bakugou’s career and knew everything about the hero. Yet, Izuku had never once reached to interview Ground Zero, despite the hero quickly climbing the ranks.
“Hey, are you deaf or just stupid?” Bakugou snapped as he stomped his foot. The blonde was fully-suited in his hero uniform. Izuku knew the design was popular with Ground Zero fans, but he thought there could be improvement. Usually Izuku would gladly share his ideas with agencies and many were thankful for the suggestions, but he had yet to comment regarding Ground Zero.
“I heard you,” Izuku replied tersely. “Like Detective Tsukauchi said, please remember that you’re here to represent not only yourself, but the police. I just need you to take me to my apartment so I can get my things.”
Bakugou advanced upon Izuku again, towering over the green haired man who had managed to pull himself off the floor and back onto the bed. “Figures you got yourself in over your head. Whatever, let’s hurry up and get this over with.”
Izuku doesn’t say anything, but finds himself agreeing with Bakugou. This day could not come to an end soon enough.