Chapter 47
Living without fear
Yellow eyes flickered around filled with desperation and anger; the omega tried to find an escape route despite the quirk canceling cuffs holding her hostage and the large hands holding her arm. A hero had pulled her out of the back of a police van and was yanking her toward the jail that would no doubt only be the first stop towards her impending demise.
Toga snapped her teeth in one last attempt at the hero before she was forced into a small room that only had two chairs and a camera on the ceiling. She huffed in irritation as she settled herself in, preparing for the long wait ahead of her. She knew what came next and the hours it could possibly take before someone came to interrogate. The police loved to waste a villain's precious time. During her last visit she had sat alone for probably two hours, the one before that had felt like half a day.
Either way, Toga knew this game very well. She just had to be patient, it was only a matter of time before Kurigui would rescue her like every time before. If he didn’t rescue her within the hour, then hopefully it would take him less than three weeks. Shigaraki never left his team to rot. She would be rescued in no time.
The omega happily hummed to herself as she shifted the best she could in one of the chairs. It was difficult with her hands restrained behind her back, but she made due.
The door opened shortly after Toga had finally relaxed, a familiar brunette entering along with a green haired woman that was a few inches shorter- and a bet from the lack of pheromones.
Uraraka smiled, her eyes soft as she took the open chair. “Himiko.” She whispered.
”Don't call me that.” Toga snapped her fangs. Her happiness had instantly been zapped away at the sight of the alpha. “I can't believe I thought you were actually on our side. We were all idiots for falling for your act.”
The green haired woman shifted uncomfortably behind the brunette alpha. Toga sneered at that, her irritation turning to anger as she tracked the hero’s movement. “What wrong, hero?” Toga taunted. “Do I make you uncomfortable? Get used to it, cause when I get out of here, you will be on my list to target.”
Uraraka lifted a brow. “And when would that be? Kuriguri is currently in his own holding cell. He was the first of the League we captured, then it was you. We also have Chronostasis, Mimic, Twice, Dabi, Spinner and Compress in custody. While Shigaraki is currently being transported to Tartarus.”
The omega’s mouth fell into a disbelieving frown as she squeezed her eyes closed. “We will get out. One of us will.” She promised, ignoring the feeling of loss.
Brown eyes saddened. “The Commission is going to take extra precaution to stop that from happening. I don’t agree with the decisions that they have made. That is why I came to talk with you.”
Toga opened her eyes into a glare as she laughed. “What? You think I can’t handle a bit of torture and isolation. Please.” She scoffed, turning her body a bit to show the quirk canceling cuffs around her wrists. “I’ve endured far worse than a hero could ever do to me.”
Uraraka nodded, though it was mostly placating as she shifted in her seat before sighing. “It’s a permanent tracker, Himiko.” The alpha whispered. “They will drill it into your hip bone so there is no way for you to cut it out. That is only one of the precautions that will be taken. A quirk erasing drug was uncovered in Overhaul’s lab when it was searched.”
Yellow eyes widen, fear clear as day taking form. “That is barbaric. You are supposed to be heroes.”
The female alpha nodded, her scent turning mournful. “I know. That is why I want to give you an alternative to all of that. I can’t stop the tracker, but I could be able to sway them from taking your quirk.” Uraraka said, her gaze heavy as she looked at the woman she loved. “If you are helpful and willing to give us information I can get you into a program that Froppy and I founded a few years ago. It’s rehabilitation for villains."
Toga only stared at the alpha, her scent closed off as her gaze became hollow with every word Uraraka said.
The alpha continued, shifting forward in her seat. “It’s an opportunity to prove you are more than what has happened. It’s a chance for a restart, and eventually to have a normal life. It won’t be easy, and you will still be under surveillance-“
”Why would I take it?” Toga’s voice was monotone as she spoke. Her gaze drifted to the corner of the room, not caring to look at either hero anymore. “I am a villain. I have hurt people.”
Uraraka watched the omega for a moment before sighing. “Yes, you have hurt people, but you haven’t directly killed anyone by what the Commission knows. We found the nurse that you were using, Himiko. You told me she was being kept in a closet; duck taped and gagged. Yet, she was in a bedroom like your own. She’s talking to us right now, and from what I was able to hear before coming to talk to you, she was being well taken care of… by you.”
Toga snorted before she shook her head. “She was a prisoner. I took her blood and used it for my own gains-“
The alpha interrupted her, tone turning contradictory. ”She told us that you were paying her in exchange for her blood. Even though you were imprisoning her, Himiko, she wasn’t malnourished and didn’t have any signs of wounds besides where you drew blood. You gave her books and puzzles, an old iPod for entertainment. From what it seems like, you didn’t want to hurt her.” Uraraka said, a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth.
“Of course I didn’t.” Toga snapped, a hiss leaving her lips. “There was no reason to hurt her when she had been complying to my demands. I may be a villain, but I’m not evil.”
The alpha’s smile grew. “Then enter the program, Himiko.” Uraraka urged, her eyes pleading as she looked at the woman she loved. “Prove to the heroes, the Commission and the world that you aren’t evil.”
Toga stared at the alpha for a long moment before glancing to the hero that was still standing by the door. “And what do you think, huh? Do you actually believe that someone like me should be allowed a chance?”
Froppy looked the omega over for a moment, before straightening her stance. “I believe that if someone has even an ounce of good in them then they can find healing in the program. You may never walk as a free woman, but you have the chance to choose how you want to live. Right now you have two options before you. Do you want to be defined by your past or have an opportunity for a better future?”
The room fell quiet as Toga looked back at the female alpha for a long moment before releasing a heavy breath. “Tell me about this program.”
The first thing Izuku became aware of was a weight on his chest, then it was the spiced scent that he was vaguely familiar with filling his lungs. Both slowly drew him from the dark recesses of sleep, his heavy eyes struggling to blink as white hair under his chin came into focus.
Eri was curled up against him, her fingers twirling a stray string from the white blanket that was pulled up and over Izuku’s torso. Her scent was mostly content, but it had a bit of worry lacing through it. She was humming that nursery tune that Izuku taught her years ago, the sound beautiful as it eased Izuku into consciousness. The omega’s instincts had him moving before he could fully think to do so, his arms wrapping around the young alpha and pulling her close.
“Izuku?” Eri asked, her head tilting up to see his eyes barely open. “You're awake.” Her lip wobbled as she embraced the omega tightly, her nose drifting under Izuku’s chin in a tender greeting. “I’m so glad you are awake.”
Izuku hummed, his throat aching a bit as he returned the gesture with a swipe of his own nose against Eri's forehead. He breathed in her scent more, using the young girl's presence to ground himself as he thought of what had happened. “Chisaki.” He whispered, his body tightening instinctively around the young alpha.
”He’s gone, Izuku.” Eri whispered, her voice soft but firm as she looked at him. “I- I killed him.”
That had the omega pushing the young alpha away slightly so he could look at her better. He was completely confused by her statement. “What?”
A deeper voice dragged his attention away from the young girl. They weren’t alone in the room, the couple that had been in charge of Eri’s safety were sitting by the door; their fingers tangled together as they held hands. “She followed me to the warehouse.” Aizawa said, his voice full of exhaustion. “I didn’t know she was in the trunk when I left, but she was there when the heroes arrived.”
Green eyes flickered back to Eri- the small alpha had a smile on her face, no doubt proud of herself- before looking back over to the couple.
“She was the one to step in after you were injured.” Aizawa paused as if he was trying to figure out how to word something.
His mate jumped in, his smile bright as his gaze was focused on Eri alone. “Eri jumped in and used her quirk. Overhaul was gone within a couple seconds. She saved you and Shinsou, and is the reason why the heroes were able to arrest so many members of Overhaul’s group. His sudden death caused quite a bit of chaos amongst them, it was really the best case scenario.”
Eri nodded her head as she sat up. She took Izuku’s arm into her own, squeezing it gently before she spoke. “I don’t know if you remember, but I’m sure it was Chisaki that destroyed your arm.”
Izuku’s eyes widened, his attention now on his right arm. He remembered the searing pain when Chisaki had grabbed him, remembered the alpha throwing him to the ground, but he didn’t remember anything else. Had he really lost his arm?
Eri continued, her voice soft as tears filled her eyes. “I couldn’t let him hurt you any more than he already had, Izuku. You were covered in so much blood. I thought you were going to die, and I just couldn’t stand by and let him get away with it. I had to stop him, I couldn’t let Chisaki cause any more harm.”
She swallowed hard, her fingers tightening. “I was able to rewind your arm better than the time I did your leg.” Eri whispered, her gaze now meeting Izuku’s. The red glinted with something like pride. “I was able to control it, Izuku. Like you said I would be able to do. I decided to rewind only five minutes and it worked, my quirk listened. Your arm came back and the gash on your head disappeared."
Izuku blinked, his mind swirling with so many emotions as he tried to fully understand what Eri was saying. For a second, Izuku wanted to yell at her. To scold Eri for being stupid in her thinking it was okay to follow a hero into a villain fight. He wanted to be mad at the fact that she put herself in front of Chisaki; a man that had harmed them over and over again for years. He wanted to rage at her for gambling her life when she had been safe and far away from Chisaki’s reach. Izuku wanted to remind her that she was a child and she should have stayed away, that she had no right to think she could do anything.
But her explanation was far too familiar to the things that he had once said to her back in the ring. Izuku himself had used the same reasoning for years to direct Chisaki’s anger towards him and not Eri. All the anger and fight left Izuku within a single breath, overwhelmed with gratitude for the young alpha that had come and saved him like she had always promised she would one day do.
The omega nodded, his own eyes clouding as he grabbed the young girl and pulled her back into his chest. “Thank you, Eri. I’m so proud of you.” Izuku whispered, a sob catching in his throat. “Thank you.”
He wasn’t thanking Eri for intervening and putting herself in the middle of a fight, nor was he thanking her for saving him. It was more for the sudden calm that encompassed them in the hospital room, for removing the weight that had been bearing down on his shoulders for so long.
And despite everything Izuku had done to guard and protect, it was her- the little alpha that had been by his side for half his life- who had freed them. They could finally live without fear, they could finally be more than just two people trapped in a small room hoping for a better life. They could finally have a normal life.
Time slipped by in painfully slow beats. Eri left hours after Izuku had awoken, her new guardian’s ushering her away for a timely bedtime routine at home. Izuku had laughed at the young alpha’s pout, his heart melting as she took the blonde beta’s hand and walked with them out the door. The smile he saw Eri make at the alpha hero through the window easing any concern he had about her leaving.
He wished he could follow them, but Izuku wasn’t allowed any kind of discharge with the state he was in. The doctors were exasperated and beyond concerned that the omega had somehow fought against a villain while still recovering from being hit by a car. Their first exam had been filled with pointed statements about Izuku’s once fractured wrist; now broken in two places, his blood loss, and dehydration. Before they began prepping him for the small surgery they had to preform to remove the tracker that didn’t show up on any scans.
Izuku had pouted at them, it wasn’t like he had any choice in regards to chasing after Chisaki or not, and apparently running away was never an option.
Though, Izuku came to realize how correct the doctors had been in their worry over the situation. He was overwhelmingly exhausted. The first week in the hospital Izuku could barely keep his eyes open for more than a few hours at a time. Just getting up to use the bathroom caused every inch of his body to ache and scream with resistance. Those short minutes resulted in him desperate for a nap.
It seemed like just his luck when at the beginning of the second week a nurse tutted and pointed out that a portion of the road rash on Izuku’s face had become infected. Apparently Eri’s quirk hadn’t done anything to prevent bacteria from contaminating the bandages, nor did it help his immune system in protecting a compromised wound.
So that was another reason for his exhaustion. Izuku’s body was struggling to heal a broken bone, an open wound and cope with the new trauma Chisaki had given him.
Because even in death, Chisaki still found a way to make his life hell. He spent every waking hour in the hospital glancing at the corner of the room in fear. Rationally, Izuku knew that Chisaki wouldn’t suddenly appear. Yet, every time he roused from sleep, his eyes would immediately look at the barren corner to make sure there weren't golden eyes watching him.
Katsuki and Hitoshi did their best to fill that corner with random things in hopes of easing the panic. At first it worked, the chair filled the spot nicely enough that Izuku was able to rationalize that no one was there. That was until Izuku woke up in a panic thinking that the dark shapes of bags and jackets in the low lit room was a portal forming. They quickly threw their stuff across the room and changed their plan to having one of them constantly sitting there instead.
Izuku hated it at first. He felt guilty, especially after watching Hitoshi try to scrunch himself up in the chair for a nap. Though, Izuku had to admit that his anxiety lessened when he was able to see one of his boyfriends over there and not an imaginary Chisaki.
The third week was easier in many ways but harder in others. Izuku’s body seemed to finally be able to handle the stress and injuries better. He was awake for longer periods of time, he didn’t need help in the bathroom, and his face was cleared of infection and was healing considerably well.
His doctors were happy with the progress and estimated that his stay could be cut short if he could eat three full meals for two days. Izuku made sure he didn’t miss a single meal, and refused to give Katuski his jello like he had been doing prior to the doctor’s visit. The two bickered a bit about it, though it was mostly the blonde wanting to feed Izuku the jello if he wasn’t able to eat it anymore.
Izuku, after the third pout of the day from his boyfriend, finally gave in and let both his alpha’s feed him because saying no felt like denying them pure happiness. The two looked way too proud of themselves, and Izuku didn’t like the way Hitoshi had poked the blonde and muttered something in his ear. Nor did he like not knowing why Katsuki had a sudden blush on his cheeks.
The difficult part of his hospital stay was when Toshi and Katuski returned to work. Both of them had been assigned nights together since the blonde alpha was still on light duty. That would leave most nights for Izuku to spend alone. Izuku tried not to worry them as they left for their first shift back as heroes. He forced his scent to stay neutral and gave his best smile when they kissed goodbye.
Because if they knew the reality, there was no way either one would leave his side. It wasn’t their fault that as the evening turned to night Izuku could feel himself slipping in the silence. The hospital staff would slow down their rounds, visitors would leave and the lights would dim in the hallways. The beeping of machines, the soft voices of nurses and the infomercials on the tv did little to elevate how quiet the omega’s hospital room became.
Izuku found himself getting lost in his head, trapped in a sweltering hold of memories. Because if it was Chisaki who haunted him when he was awake, then it was his mother that haunted his sleep. Every night was filled with the same moment on repeat; his mother turning red and then vanishing. It was never enough to bolt him out of bed, but rather it would strangle him until there was no choice but to open his eyes with paralyzed limbs and a shaky breath. Izuku always woke up with his heart aching and his omega yearning for her.
Masaru was the first to notice the under eye bags when he and Mitsuki visited halfway through the third week. The older omega’s scent tinged with concern when he began to ask Izuku how he was doing. The words had died before they could be voiced completely while he examined Izuku’s face for a moment longer than usual. The omega clicked his jaw shut and climbed into bed before Izuku could ask why.
Masaru just wrapped his arms around Izuku and held him tight, his scent swirling around them as Izuku felt his walls crumble within moments.
Izuku wasn’t left alone after that. Masaru and Mistuki spent every night in his room when his alphas couldn’t. They never talked about why they were there, nor did they complain about the awful sleeping arrangements. The brunette would merely kiss his mate goodnight and then climb under the covers beside Izuku. He would hum and sometimes sing, his fingers playing with green strands until Izuku fell asleep against his chest. And when Izuku would wake during the night, the older omega was there to cradle him close; every night.
The fourth week was when the doctors announced Izuku’s discharge. They were happy with the final scans and the progress Izuku had made in his physical progress. Mitsuki had praised Izuku heavily, her scent coating his skin as she gave him a happy kiss on the top of his head. The omega relished in it far longer than was reasonably expected.
It was now week five, and Izuku sat on the edge of a window seal. His breath stuttered in his lungs as he looked out the window from his new home. When he had arrived earlier in the day, the Halfway house employees greeted him with smiles and deep bows as they handed Izuku the key to his own studio apartment.
It had been overwhelming, but Izuku had been reassured by both of his alphas' imposing presences, along with Mitsuki and Masaru trailing by his side the whole day. Katsuki and Hitoshi had been borderline obnoxious with their continual questions to the employees and Izuku’s rehabilitation Sponsor, Dr. Tonisho. The beta man had been kind and more than willing to humor the two alphas. He explained that the Halfway house had security 24/7 with an on rotation nursing staff and therapists to assist in any matter that the residence would have.
“And Mr. Midoriya has a personalized health plan and weekly course schedule.” Dr. Tonisho said, sliding a folder over to the group that sat on the other side of his desk. “With your background Mr. Midoriya, we have selected a collection of classes and workshops for you to try. Of course this can be changed and adapted to whatever feel is best for you. I simply selected the basics to gain understanding of where your needs lie in specifics. Some of these may seem unimportant, but I suggest attending at least one session before we change anything.”
Izuku nodded, flipping through the schedule and reading through the selection. Monday, Wednesday and Friday were designated toward school curriculum classes based on a generalized test for each subject that Izuku had taken the day before. Tuesday and Thursday, however, had classes dedicated toward more rudimentary subjects such as Home Basics, Personal Health and Grooming, Culinary for Beginners and chaperoned ‘field trips’ for residents to experience the real world. Saturday and Sundays were designated free days that Izuku had full control over.
Mitsuki and Masaru were impressed by the tour, the female alpha nodding in satisfaction at the in-house classes while her mate gushed about the upcoming ‘field trip’ to a farm and the next being a visit to an animal shelter.
The last thing Dr. Tonasho impressed upon with the group before taking his leave was that this place was to be Izuku’s home and he should live like it was. The man encouraged the omega to invite friends and family over for social gatherings; though impressed that the quiet hours rule shouldn’t be ignored. Katsuki had snorted at that, joking that he would get Izuku a noise complaint within the first week as his house warming gift. Hitoshi had elbowed the alpha at that, telling his boyfriend he would be barred from visiting if such a happened.
The two had continued their bickering once they entered Izuku’s apartment. Though it had shifted mostly to the blonde complaining about how bland the paint colors were and Hitoshi saying the couch was too small to fit all three of them for movie nights. Izuku had laughed them both off as he explored further, happy to see a large bathtub and a recessed area for a nest by the closet. Everything about the space was perfect for what he needed.
Izuku had also met his neighbors, both omegas- as was designated for this floor- who had been at the Halfway house for over a year. The first was an older woman recovering from drug addiction that caused homelessness. The second, a middle aged man who lived with severe PTSD from a villain attack a few years back. They both were kind, bringing baked goods and packages of teas as house warming gifts.
Izuku was excited for this new phase of his life. He only had a few belongings to unpack and fill the apartment with. He happily puttered around; unboxing kitchen ware that Mitsuki swore was already going to a thrift store, organized the bathroom with personal supplies Masaru and he had shopped for the day before, and then began scenting the bags of blankets and pillows that his boyfriends had gifted him for his nest.
The time slipped by easily as Izuku listened to the music Toshi had added to his phone while the scents of Ginger and Allspice clung to the jacket that Katsuki ‘accidentally’ left behind. Izuku wasn’t stupid enough to believe that, but he wasn’t going to leave the article of clothing sitting on his couch when it would be worn instead.
It wasn’t until later into the evening- everyone having left hours before to let Izuku adjust to his new home- that all the lingering emotions came flowing back. It was probably silly of him, but Izuku had thought by now he would have adjusted to this new world he had woken up to.
Of course he knew it would take longer to move on from his mother’s murder, but the sudden absence of his father made the loss seem harsher now that Izuku was officially on his own. Izuku hadn’t received a single word from the alpha; he had been told by Mitsuki that his father had left for America a few days after the attack. The man didn’t say goodbye or leave any kind of expectation that he would ever return.
It hurt every time Izuku’s mind drifted for too long. His body yearning for the people he had once hoped would be a part of his happily ever after. Because, despite being trapped in that ring for years, Izuku had dreamed of one day being freed. Of one day living with his mom again.
That would never be an option now.
Izuku blinked, tears dripping from his eyes as he looked down at his hands. Yes, his hands. That was the other thing that Izuku couldn’t wrap his head around. Eri had not only killed Chisaki, but had also saved his arm. He didn’t know how she did it, her quirk had been unpredictable in strength- hence the muscle damage in his leg. Yet, Eri had rewound his arm just enough. She had saved him.
He smiled, his lip wobbling as he shifted his thoughts. Not everything about this new world was bad. Overhaul was dead, the League arrested and Eri was safely living with two heroes. It was obvious the couple had grown very fond of the young alpha if the submitted paperwork for Eri to become their ward was anything to go by.
All of that meant that Izuku could finally move on, right? He was free to be his own person…
But as Izuku sat in the window of his new home, watching the sun’s final rays fade into the darkness of the night, he didn’t know how he was going to do that. How was he supposed to know who he was when everything he had been before no longer mattered?
A knock on his front door drew his attention and he moved slowly though his apartment. His first guess was that it was an employee checking on him since this was his first night, but his heart skipped when he saw two alphas through his peephole.
Izuku couldn’t stop the smile that grew on his face as he watched Katsuki tug on his boyfriend's shirt, his voice barely audible through the door.
“You have cat hair all over you. Didn’t you shower?” Katsuki’s voice was low, almost like he was trying to whisper.
Toshi pouted with a sigh, “Of course I did, but Nyan fell asleep on my clean pile of clothes.” He whisper-shouted back while trying to bat the blonde’s hand away from him.
”That damn cat has no manners.” The blonde groaned, his frown heavy. “He needs to stay out of our room. Fucking animal thinks he can do anything he wants.”
That was a new and exciting development as well. Katsuki and Hitoshi had moved in together. They had been nervous to tell Izuku- obviously worried that the omega would take it as negative- but Izuku didn’t see it that way, he was so happy for them and was excited to visit their home when he was allowed off campus visitations.
Izuku opened the door quickly, his scent light and inviting as red and purple eyes looked at him. “What are you doing here?”
Katuski rolled his eyes as he shrugged the dufflebag hanging on his shoulder. “Did you expect to spend your first night alone?”
Hitoshi immediately pulled Izuku into a hug, his nose burrowing in Izuku’s hair. “We thought we could spend the night, but only if you want.”
Izuku giggled at the two, nodding his head before leaning up to kiss Hitoshi. The alpha smiled, his scent falling in waves around them. The omega trilled happily as he pulled them in and closed the door. “I haven’t fully made my nest yet.” He hummed, watching the two as they took off their shoes and moved into the apartment. “Maybe we can make it together.”
Both alphas nodded at the idea, their scents filling the small space with pleased pheromones.
“Thank god you offered.” Hitoshi said, a smirk on his face as he leaned down to whisper in Izuku’s ear. “Katsuki only packed his dirty hamper.”
Katsuki, who was already yanking some clothes out of his duffle bag, paused midmotion. “The fuck! I did not.” Izuku giggled as two shirts and a pair of gym shorts fell onto the floor- the smell of musk heavy on them- as the blonde pointed a finger at Toshi. “Don’t you make shit up.”
Hitoshi nodded, though his smirk didn’t get any smaller. “You’re right. I should tell Izuku about the three sets of clean clothes you were going to leave in the closet as well.”
Katuski's cheeks turned red as he stuttered over words that didn’t make much sense together before flipping the alpha off. Izuku giggled at the two’s antics as he walked over to the blonde and tucked himself against the man’s chest.
“I don’t mind, Kacchan. You can leave the dirty ones for my nest, and I’ll wash the others so you have clean clothes for when you spend the night.” Izuku reassured while rubbing his scent into the Katsuki’s shirt. His omega was ecstatic over the idea of one of his alphas wanting to keep clothes here. It was like a reward and proposition all in one.
Izuku jumped happily further into his apartment, pheromones swirling with contentment and renewed energy as his alphas followed close behind. The turmoil from before is quickly forgotten.
Word Count: 5248
We did it, we finally made it through to the end. There is only one or two more chapters left. Thank you so much for reading my story!!
