The Emerald Prince

Chapter 33: The Art of Winning

Inspite of the blond's objections, Izuku bounced over to the podium arm in arm with him, determined to heal his damaged image.
They arrived and the greenette congratulated Tokoyami with a hug...which the introvert was completely unprepared for, but realised afterward he really wanted more often.
Once he detached himself from the edge lord, Izuku eyed the podium reluctantly. He really hated this superiority thing.
He knew Bakugou was watching him, even Tokoyami was waiting to see what the hurricane that was Aizawa Izuku was going to do this time.

He smirked slightly and instead of climbing onto the podium, he sat on the edge of the number one pillar and patted the area either side of him, glancing at the pair with raised eyebrows.
Join me?

They did.

Tokoyami had no idea where his open rebelliousness was coming from. Izuku's defiance was infectious.
Bakugou wanted to cry again. Almost.
He'd lost all his dignity to try to get that damned podium and here was Izuku sharing his hard earned place like it meant nothing to him...which Bakugou was beginning to understand, it did.

"Can't you do anything fucking normally nerd?"
"Nope!" Replied the greenette cheerfully as All Might took the medals from Midnight and approached them.

"I was planning to converse with you each in relative privacy..." He began, but when none of the three made any move, his shoulders slumped a little.

"Young Tokoyami, well fought. Perhaps in future you might do well to do a little physical training to prepare you for different quirk types."
"Yes sir." Replied the teen stoically, tilting his head and receiving the medal then the hug. However this wasn't a hug he wanted more of.

"Young Bakugou, you battle incredibly well and should be proud of your silver medal. You might do well to control your emotions a little better in matches, but I am sure you do not need me to tell you that."
Bakugou gritted his teeth, and tilted his head with a muttered "yes sir."
Izuku's hand found his and his anger drained a little at the touch.

All Might turned to look at the greenette.
"Young... Aizawa, congratulations. You are almost as skilled in combat as your father. Your defeat of the best of UA, in this tournament without the use of your quirk will be much talked of. I... only hope that is for the best."

Izuku's eyes became gleaming green slits.
"Giving the quarter of quirkless kids that don't commit suicide before they reach their teens even the slightest bit of hope... What world do you live in, number one hero where that might not be for the best?"
All Might opened and closed his mouth but nothing came out.
Izuku's threatening aura dissipated though his gaze remained cold.
"That was what I thought. Now go do whatever pretentious and naive speech you were about to make and leave my personal space."
The greenette raised his arms to side hug his companions as All Might - completely shocked - backed away and did his pretentious speech.

To be honest, Izuku thought he'd done an excellent job. He couldn't help thinking of all the quirkless out there watching. He hoped they found his actions encouraging and rallying. Kami knows they needed something.

All Might can go fuck himself.

———

Shigiraki gazed avidly at the screen.
"You said he'd told you, he'd bring other heroes to his level?" Prompted Kurogiri.
"This new toy of yours has quite the sense of humour, hands." Added Dabi.
Toga was out for the night doing god knows.

The blue haired male took out his phone and typed on it furiously.
The greenette on their screen jumped slightly, and took out his own phone.
They all saw the smile on his face as he read the message, hastily typing a reply before returning his attention to the boys either side of him.

Kurogiri and Dabi glanced back at their leader. He was grinning.

Dabi over at the portal user.
"I'm meeting him."
It wasn't a request.

———

Izuku and Todoroki had finally finished shopping and were just about to head back when Todoroki stopped and spoke up.
"Izuku..."
The greenette tilted his head, "forgotten something Shoto?"
"I...I was wondering if we could go somewhere else first. I was wondering if I could visit my mother?"
Izuku's eyes went round as saucers. "Shoto...Of- of course!"

———

As Todoroki approached the room, he noticed the greenette hanging back.
"Izuku? Are you coming?"
His companion glanced up, surprised.
"This is the first time you're visiting...in years, right? I won't intrude on that."
"I want you to come."
"Really?" Asked the greenette, shifting from foot to foot.
Todoroki didn't even blink.  "You're the reason I'm here."
Izuku flushed and shook his head. "You're the reason you're here! You're the one over coming all this. It's your strength."
Todoroki shook his head firmly, took Izuku's hand and pulled him into the room; forgetting, in his determination, the woman, he was here to meet.

Rei was sat at her desk, gazing out the window when the pair almost tumbled into the room.
She had grey eyes, and beautiful white hair, and her face must have been incredibly beautiful, though worn with age and stress, it still was. She had an aura of grace and elegance about her, that would stop anyone short.

Todoroki froze up at the sight of her, and Izuku squeezed his hand slightly in support before moving back a little.
"Oka-san."
"Shoto?" A beautiful smile bloom on her face at the sight of her son, she rose to stroke his cheek. "You've grown...so much. And who is this?"

Izuku jumped slightly and bowed low. His experience of mothers was restricted to his own and Bakugou's so he was a little scared.
Before he could introduce himself, Todoroki did.

"This is Aizawa Izuku, my... friend. And the one who gave me the strength to come see you."
"Ah!" Those intelligent grey eyes roved over her son's face, noting his slight flush. She smiled knowingly and turned her attention to the cautious figure by the door.
"Come here, Izuku."

The greentte approached slowly pausing a few paces away before she beckoned him closer.
Her frail hand rose to stroke his cheek before bringing Izuku into her embrace and whispering to him, "thank you for bringing my son back to me."
He recovered from his fear and held her close. "He came back on his own, and he missed you so very much."

He then pulled away.
She watched him closely, as he turned to leave the pair to their reunion.

"You remind me of a young woman I used to know, she had green hair just like the highlights of yours, and the same beautiful green eyes."

Izuku froze, and Todoroki turned to watch him closely.

"Are you...do you know of Midoriya Inko?"

Izuku turned very slowly, and smiled slightly at the fragile woman, "I'm afraid I don't, sorry. It was an honour to meet you ma'am."
And with that, he left the room.

Todoroki gazed after him.
"A fine boy."
Heterochromic eyes met overcast grey.
"I owe him a lot, Oka-san."

"I'm so sorry for leaving you alone, Shoto."
He fell into her arms, and enjoyed the warmth of it, surprised when the memory of Izuku stroking his hair returned to him at such a moment.
He told her everything, from the first day of UA, to how he was going to live with Izuku.

"He'll need you." She said, when he'd finished.
Todoroki looked surprised, his mother's eyes shifted to the closed door. "He's known a lot of pain. Perhaps more than even you have, my sweet son."
"What do you mean, Oka-san?"
She gently released him and gestured to the floor.
"Look."

He glanced down and saw a few droplets of red.

"When I mentioned my classmate, Midoriya Inko, he clenched his fists so tight to hide his distress from us, his nails cut into his palms. Does your father's name cause you that level of emotion?"