"You need to come to the mall with us tomorrow Deku! We're going to get what we're missing for the training camp!" The soft yet excited voice of Uraraka resounds through the classroom. Aizawa hears his ward mumble something under his breath but doesn't really hear the answer he gives his friends.

The teacher watches silently as the expression on Uraraka's face falters and she walks away disappointedly, a sad smile adorning her features.

That night he decides to ask the problem child about it. Because why would he decline a day out with his friends. They are only teenagers after all, and as much as Aizawa likes for them to stay at home and watch a movie together. Izuku deserved some kind of a break. A chance to have fun and hang out with his friends and for once, to be a kid again.

So, as they sit quietly around the dining table, he decides to bring up the subject.

"So, are you going to go with your friends to the mall tomorrow?" He asks carefully, making sure to keep his features into his usual blank look.

"A-ah, did you hear about that?" The kid answers nervously, his stuttering sending warning bells in Shouta's mind. It's been so long since the kid actually stuttered while talking to him. They were making progress. Izuku was finally getting comfortable around him. So, why was he nervous now?

"Your classmates aren't the quietest bunch..." Aizawa replied, a hint of amusement in his tone as he recalled the way everyone was practically yelling in excitement about it. It was the first time they were going out as a class. "Well, are you going to go?" He couldn't help but ask.

"I- uh- no I don't think so. I'm kind of tired and I don't really need to buy anything..." The kid squeaked out, a hand coming to rub the back of his neck. A motion that Aizawa recognized as a nervous gesture. The boy was lying... But why?

"Last time I checked, we didn't have sunscreen here or an extra sleeping bag." He offered, hoping it was a good enough of a push to get the kid talking about what was wrong.

"Oh- uh no it's okay, you don't have to worry about it." Izuku was avoiding eye contact now, he seemed particularly interested in the floor tiles.

"Seriously kid, what's going on? Why don't you want to go?"

"I-uh..." It didn't look like Izuku was going to say anything, so he tried to guess.

"Did something happen with your friends?" It would explain why he was avoiding going with them.

A shake to the head was his only answer.

"Okay, so, is it the mall? Are you nervous about going to such a public place?"

Another shake.

Aizawa was getting worried now. More than he already was. If it wasn't for these reasons. What was wrong?

"Is it the money?"

A flinch.

Ah, it made sense. They still hadn't discussed anything about their new arrangement. Izuku was his kid now. The boy needed to learn to rely on him for these things.

"Look Izuku, we're family now. I'm responsible for you. That means that anything you need, I need to provide for you. I need you to know that whenever you need anything, you can come to me okay?" He asked tentatively.

The boy seemed shocked. His expression varying from confused to plain awe. Did the kid really think it was such a big deal?

"Izuku, didn't your mom let you buy yourself the things you needed?" He was walking on a thin line and he knew it. The kid was still recovering, he didn't want to send him into some kind of panic attack.

Izuku took a deep breath and met his eyes head on. In his eyes, some sort of sadness no kid should ever have.

"M-mom was- She didn't let me ask for- for anything really. She- uhm- she used to buy herself stuff and she'd bring me what she thought I deserved. Honestly, it depended on whatever mood she was in. If she was particularly in a good mood, she'd bring me some take out, or the appliance that I needed. Whether it was school books or clothes or whatever. She just, was never in a good mood I guess."

Anger and unadulterated fury welled up in Aizawa's guts. Who would do that to their own child? Yet, he tried his best to remain calm. He needed to stay composed for his kid. Izuku deserves so much better.

"What did you do then? When you needed something and she didn't give it to you?" He knew he was being blunt, but he needed to know.

"I- I used to help around the neighborhood, help people with their chores in exchange for pocket money. I didn't know what else to do really..." Izuku's voice was solemn, a sad smile adorning his features as he remembered his childhood.

Every time he learned something new about the kid, his respect amplified. This kid has been through so much, yet, he kept going on and working hard, to survive and to move forward.

"Well, those days are over kid. You're my son now. Whatever you need you can always come to me. You've worked so hard. Now, let me take over for you. You deserve it." Let no one say that Aizawa was cold. He may seem like an unemotional person on the surface but when he cares about someone he will do anything for them.

__________________________

The next day, Izuku noticed the small enveloped that was left on his bedside. On further inspection, he realized that Aizawa had left him some money for him to go to the mall. A small note was left beside it.

Take it, problem child. Families take care of each other. I'll be giving you a weekly allowance from now on anyway. Be safe.

- Aizawa

If the cashier at the camping store noticed the wet stains on the money, he didn't comment on it. Izuku was known to be an emotional crier after all.

_____________________

The shopping trip started out being the most fun Izuku has had in a long time. It was the first time he went to a mall. He gasped as he looked around the massive building.

It baffled him how so many people could be in the same place and still be able to go out and about without disturbing each other. The stores were huge, each attracting numerous customer with their impressive display of products and merchandise.

"Midoriya! you came!" Shouted an excited voice from behind him. He turned around only to be slammed by someone's body. His whole body stilled for a moment, fear overtaking him. However, he relaxed as soon as his eyes caught on the familiar locks of red hair.

Kirishima let go of him after a moment, jumping up and down excitedly as he called the rest of their classmates over.

"H- hey Kirishima." Izuku greeted in a low voice. Praying that the redhead didn't notice his moment of fear.

He greeted the rest of his friends, explaining that he changed his mind at the last second and that he decided to come.

They seemed satisfied with his explanation, as they soon moved on to planning what they were going to do for the day.

They quickly decided that they will be splitting up in groups. They will separate depending on what they needed to buy and where.

In the end, Izuku found himself alone with Uraraka. Yet, the girl soon left too. Worrying him slightly with the way she suddenly ran away screaming something about bug spray. He decided not to question it. He was used to being alone, after all.

It seemed that life wasn't going to give him a break anytime soon though. Did he upset some kind of goddess in his past life or something? Because as soon as Uraraka left, he felt someone's hand settle on his shoulder. Shivers ran down his spine as the person whispered something in his ear.

"Hey there, aren't you that kid that almost won the sports festival?" The man said in a painfully fake cheerful tone. His voice rang in Izuku's ears even after he was quiet. Because that voice... It wasn't a voice he could easily forget. It was the voice that constantly plagued his dreams after all. He'd wake up at night with flashes of that day. The day his classmates and his life were put on the line. The USJ attack.

"Shigaraki." He mentally congratulated himself for the lack of stutter.

"Oh, so you remember me. This makes it easier. So, here's the deal Izuku Midoriya." The man's arm moved away from his shoulder. Yet, the relief he felt was short-lived as four calloused fingers wrapped around his throat. Squeezing menacingly, reminding him that one more finger and he'd be dead. Turned to ashes in an instant. "Let's have a little chat." The man grinned from under his hoodie. The anomaly making the hair on his back stand on end.

Shigaraki ushered him towards one of the benches that out-looked the center of the mall. People were passing by them, none of them realizing the danger that they were in, nor the evil that walked among them.

As soon as they sat down, Shigaraki resumed talking. His hand never leaving Izuku's throat.

The teen's mind raised as he tried to come up with any plan to escape. To get help or call the police.

"Easy now, you're going to stay calm and act like this is just some hanging out between old pals. I just want to talk so don't try anything funny okay?" Shigaraki's hand tightened around his throat "You already know what my quirk can do..." He drummed his fingers around Izuku's trembling skin. Making the threat to his life painfully clear. "Now, giving the way you acted at the USJ, I'm not going to mention the danger this poses on your own life." The man scuffed in irritation. "But, look around brat. One wrong move and they're dead. In the time it will take for a hero to show up and catch me, I could take twenty- no thirty of these people out. All it'll take is one touch of a hand, and they'll crumble to the ground, turning to dust in seconds." Shigaraki laughed manically as he resumed the drumming of his fingers.

He was right. Izuku admitted bitterly to himself. If he wanted to save these people, the only option here for him was to comply and play along with the villain. It wasn't just his life that was on the line. All these people... He needed to be strong, he needed to face this, head on.

"Talk about what?" He asked, applauding himself internally for the way his voice didn't waver.

Shigaraki smirked as he saw the determination blazing in the hero brat's eyes. "Smart move. Now, I want your opinion. The hero killer, he makes me mad."

"Wasn't he working with you?" Izuku asks, His voice a damn good impression of Aizawa's bored tone. His teacher would be proud.

"I never really agreed to that, even though everyone thinks so..." The villain spat out bitterly. "That's the problem. Everyone has their eye on the damnedHero killer, the attack on U.A, the Nomu I released in Hosu... it's all being overshadowed by him.No one's noticing me. Why? He can grandstand all he wants but in the end, all he's doing is destroying what he hates. So, what makes us any different?" Shigaraki's hand was tightening more and more around his throat the more he talked. His frustration was painfully evident.

"I think" Izuku paused for a moment, pondering on what he was about to say. He had to trod lightly if he wanted to survive this. He didn't want to anger the man any further. "I think that while I can't accept what Stain does, I can at least understand him. For both of us, it all started with All Might. Back at Hosu, he saved me from the Nomu. So, at the very least, he's destructive but he's doing it for a reason. It's not just for fun, not at all. His methods may be wrong... But I think he's at least, trying to live by his ideals." He feels Shigaraki's finger hover dangerously close to the other four. But as soon as it closes in, the man releases his hand.

Izuku's whole body shudders as he tries to regain his regular breathing. He can't help the coughing fit he goes into as his lungs finally get the amount of air they need.

"Ahh! It all makes so much sense now." The villain crackles, his demeanor changing to something different. Unsettling and unstable. "It's all so clear now! Feels like I've connected the dots. About why the Hero killer pisses me off so much, and why you're so damned irritating." Shigaraki's laugh is unnatural. Strained. The grin etched on his face makes shivers run down Izuku's spine. "It's all because of All Might."

Izuku doesn't even know why he tried to make sense of this. He just wants to get up and scream at the man sitting next to him. Yet, he doesn't feel like turning to dust anytime soon. So, he thinks better of it.

Shigaraki abruptly stands up. Lifting Izuku up with him, making the boy freeze all over again. Was he going to kill him now?

"It's been fun, Izuku Midoriya." The man coos darkly, singing his name in childish glee. "The next time we'll meet I won't be so kind. See you soon, HERO." His tone takes on a serious tone and just like that, a dark warp gate turns up from out of nowhere. Engulfing the villain and swallowing him into the void.

As soon as he's gone. Izuku drops to his knees. He can feel his breath catching in his throat as the panic attack he's been holding off finally burst to the surface. Not able to contain it anymore.

He thinks he hears a familiar voice next to him. Asking him what happened and if he's alright. But he can't breathe, he can't- he's trapped. His vision is getting darker and he claws at his chest to cooperate. Pleading his body to do anything. To breathe.

Arms wrap around his shoulder and his body stiffens under them. Yet, it's not the death grip that Shigaraki held him in, mere moments ago. This one's different. He looks up and suddenly all he sees are hazel brown eyes, staring intently at him. Whispering reassuring words as she calms him down.

Uraraka acts like an anchor, she grounds him and helps him take a hold of the reality around him again. With stuttering, shaky words, he explains what happened and soon enough he's being ushered to the police station by a couple of officers.

He expects to be interrogated and questioned for a long time. However, it all goes smoothly and unnaturally fast. The officers lead him into an office in the corner of the station. As soon as he walks in, Detective Tsukauchi and All Might are there. They ask him about the day's events, making sure he feels comfortable and at ease.

He tells them everything, taking in some peace at having his mentor next to him as he recalls the conversation he had with the villain.

"My boy, I'm glad you're okay." All Might says as soon as he finished repeating his story.

"I-I'm sorry I couldn't catch him All Might." He mumbles, head bowed in shame and guilt.

Strangely it's Tsukauchi who speaks up next. "On the contrary kid. You did good kid. You acted calmly and rationally under pressure. Managed to keep a level head and prevent the worst outcome from happening. You saved lives today, Midoriya! Those people have you to thank for their safety."

His shoulder slump in relief. At least he did something right.

Izuku opens his mouth to answer but just as he's about to speak, the door to the office burst open. In walks in a disheveled looking Aizawa. The man's eyes scan the room and as soon as his eyes land on Izuku. He rushes forward.

Arms wrap around him and this time the contact is welcomed. Aizawa has always managed to calm him down and make him feel safe.

"I told you to be safe, problem child." The man mumbles into his hair. Adamant on keeping the contact.

"I'm sorry." Izuku can feel the tension seeping out of his limps as he finally relaxes after today's stressful events.

They break away and Izuku tells Shouta a fast version of the story. Both of them oblivious to the soft smiles that are directed at them by the Detective and the symbol of peace.

That night, Izuku found himself unable to sleep. He twists and turns, his head unable to shut off the thoughts that are plaguing his mind.

Shigaraki's voice plays in his thoughts in an endless loop.

'The next time we'll meet, I won't be so kind. See you soon Hero.'

The next time... See you soon.

Dread fills his guts and he hopes that whatever Shigaraki is planning, that it will work out okay for them in the end. Sleep overtakes him finally that night. He dreamt of the USJ, of calloused fingers squeezing and squeezing until he can't even take his final breath.

Izuku dreamt and in his dreams, he drowns.