Chapter Text
Izuku slipped away from the scene before anyone could stop him. Of course no one was happy he stepped in; not Bakugo, not those useless heroes, and not All Might. Izuku wasn’t going to stand around to be torn down again. All Might did enough crushing earlier on the roof and honestly, he was just tired of people talking to him. He just wanted to be left alone already.
He stopped for a moment in the alley he was in. Huh. He’d never really acknowledged it but that feeling had been building for a while hadn’t it? The need to be left alone, completely alone, had been slowly piling up over the years and today it just boiled over. He doesn’t want to be around anyone or talk to anyone or have anyone talk to him. He doesn’t want to be looked at or acknowledged or to have his mother smother him. He wants to be, needs to be, alone. Maybe not forever but for much longer than he can achieve if he stays around here.
One potential solution would be to call dad. He could isolate himself easily enough if he moved onto I-Island like Hisashi had. Except that wouldn’t work. As amicable as the divorce was and as good of coparents as they are, Izuku moving to I-Island with Hisashi, even temporarily, was never something Inko allowed. Even when Izuku asked for it the answer was always a no and a guilt trip.
There have been many nasty court battles over it, especially since Izuku was vocal about wanting to spend more time with his dad. Hisashi never really gave up on at least partial custody but, since he lives so far away, what he ended up getting was that he gets Izuku on all holidays and breaks no exceptions and that when Izuku is 15 he gets to choose his own custody arrangement. If he wanted to spend any or all of his time with dad he’d be allowed that when he turned 15 and Inko couldn’t do shit about it.
The problem is Izuku is currently 14 and there’s no breaks or holidays any time soon so he can’t just go visit his dad and refuse to come back. He won’t be 15 for months and he knows for a fact he can’t wait that long to get the peace he needs, not now that he’s acknowledged it. He doesn’t think he can even go another day living in his current reality, really. Just thinking about having to go back to Aldera, being around Bakugo, and just dealing with the people in his life in general. He doesn’t even want to be around his mother right now; he loves her but she wouldn’t understand.
Izuku looked up to see he was in front of his Parkour Gym. Oh yeah, he was supposed to have parkour class today. It’s at least half way through practice by now, everything that happened today more or less ruined his chance to make it on time. Maybe they’ll let him use the showers anyway. It’d give him some more time to think at least. Plus, dad pays a premium to get him a permanent locker in all his gyms to keep him from having to drag his stuff to school so he’s got clean clothes here. As soon as he walked in the receptionist noticed him. He must have looked like shit if her reaction said anything.
“Oh my- Midoriya!” The receptionist scrambled up from her desk. “I’m going to get your instructor- Stay right there!”
Izuku didn’t really say anything and just stood in the lobby while the receptionist ran out of the room to one of the training gyms. Pretty soon she was back out, trailing behind his coach, Miko-sensei, who was coming towards him at as close to a run as you can get without actually running. She was also clearly concerned about his state but was doing a lot better job of hiding it than the receptionist.
“Midoriya, I was worried when you didn’t show on time.” Miko-sensei said as she stopped in front of him. “Clearly you had a good excuse if you’re in this state.”
Izuku didn’t say anything, instead just nodding slightly.
Miko-sensei frowned a little bit, not used to him being so quiet. “You’re in no state to be doing any training today. Why don’t you go use the showers and we’ll throw your clothes in the washers after. You can hang out until they’re done.”
“Um, Miko,” the receptionist piped up hesitantly, “we aren’t supposed to use the washers for-”
“For god’s sake Nami, the poor kid’s clearly been through a villain attack; just let him wash his damn clothes!” Miko-sensei snapped at her. “Instead of wining make yourself useful and get the kid a snack from the breakroom, there should be an extra bento in there, lord knows he needs it more than any of us.”
The receptionist, Nami, squeaked and ran off to do as she was told and Miko-sensei turned back to him.
“Don’t mind her, she’s new.” Miko-sensei assured. “Go take a shower, kid.”
Izuku first stopped at his locker for some clean clothes; his clean gym clothes were better than nothing even if he wasn’t doing any training that day. The shower was much appreciated and he was very thorough to make sure he got rid of both the leftover sludge and the gross feeling it left behind. He’s very happy he had some soap in his locker so he could really get clean and wash his hair a couple times. He certainly felt more like a person after his lengthy shower though it otherwise didn’t really change how he felt about things.
He didn’t really want to touch his dirty school clothes for longer than he needed to so he went and asked for some plastic bags to put them in. It took more effort to get the words out than expected but he managed to murmur it loud enough for Miko-sensei to hear him and she got him a few plastic bags to use. He made quick work of transferring his dirty clothes into one of them and the contents of his backpack into the others before stuffing the backpack in with the clothes. Luckily none of the sludge got inside his bag so his school supplies were safe.
After that he went back out and traded the bag of dirty laundry for the previously mentioned bento and was directed to a secluded bench to sit on while his clothes washed. Miko-sensei clearly could tell he wasn’t interested in talking to anyone but she still left him wipes so he could clean off his shoes too. Once his shoes were as clean as they were going to get, Izuku spent his time picking through his gifted bento while thinking about what to do.
It’s safe to say he’s going to run away from home for a while, that much is a given at this point. Staying around here just isn’t an option. Money isn’t an issue, all the child support his dad paid went into an account only Izuku can withdraw from. It’s only ever been used to pay for his extra curriculars so there’s a lot of money in there, more than enough to support him while he’s on his own. Plus, with the way it’s set up, his spending can’t be used to track him which will help keep him from being found while still letting his parent know he’s still alive. Budgeting will for sure need to happen but he knows his parents will deposit more in if needed. Dad makes the kind of salary that would make an average person weep after all.
Now, as much as he wants to be on his own, he didn’t want to disappear without anyone knowing what’s up so he should probably call his dad at some point. I-Island is far enough away that Hisashi can be a safe point of contact and dealing with mom can be his problem because Izuku’s done with her smothering and anxiety. He loves his mom, he does, but he just can’t deal with her right now. If it was up to her nothing would change, she’s always dug her heels in with these things, and he can’t handle any more of it. He’s not a baby that can’t make decisions; he’s a teenager with agency and if this is what it takes for her to realize that then so be it.
He should still stop by home and gather some things to take with him, like clothes and such. He’ll pack light but a few changes of clothes and other necessities couldn’t hurt, maybe he’ll even leave a note for his mom. Actually a better strategy would be to just go home as usual and endure until nightfall. He can leave before mom wakes up and with any luck she won’t realize he’s missing until he doesn’t come home from his combat training. Or until his trainer calls her asking why he didn’t show. Or dad tells her he’s run away. On that note he should probably be a ways out before he calls his dad just in case he can’t give him a head start; dad does have a responsibility as a parent after all. He won’t be able to just not report him missing or not tell his mom.
It’ll suck going home for any amount of time but it’s his best option. He’ll just shut himself in his room so he won’t have to talk to or be around his mom at all. She’ll know something is wrong but not enough to think she has to monitor him all night. Worst comes to worst he just get on the train instead of going to school and leave that way but he doesn’t think it’ll come to that. He can’t handle longer than that though, he needs out and just this much is already going to be testing his limits.
He doesn’t know where he’ll live but he knows there are places that will look the other way as long as you have the cash and he has the cash so he won’t worry too much about it. There’s a bunch of unused warehouses that can be broken into with the right tool too so that’s also an option. If he can afford his own warehouse that would probably be ideal actually. No neighbors, no breaking and entering, he could be completely alone without anyone to bother him. Plus, since they’re intended to be used as work sites they’re required to have electricity and bathrooms with running water. He’ll see what he can get.
Miko sensei sat down next to him. “Hey kid, your clothes are done.”
Izuku gave an acknowledging nod.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you right now, but I can tell you’re planning something.” Miko sensei said. “I want you remember you can come here for anything, even just a shower or to use the washer or even the gym, alright?”
Izuku paused then nodded and spoke quietly. “Thank you, sensei.”
“I’ll bring you your clothes. Stay on the bench as long as you like ok?” Miko sensei said as she got up.
Izuku finished up the little bento and threw out the old packaging. It was just a corner store bento but it did make him feel, well, not better per say but a bit more like a human being he supposes. He put his now clean clothes in his bag when Miko sensei brought them to him, giving her a nod of thanks. While she’s clearly concerned about him she’s not hovering or butting in and he really appreciates that. He needs more people who will offer support while still leaving him alone like that.
He leaves the parkour gym a bit later than he usually would but no later than he would have if he did extended training. He walks home as he continues to formulate his plans. Inko doesn’t get up until around 8am so he should be safe if he leaves home at about 4:30am. That gives him some wiggle room while still allowing for some decent sleep. From there he’ll catch the first early train and get a decent way from home. They’ll look for him, they’ll have to, his dad is too important for them not to.
When he gets to his apartment Inko greets him at the door and immediately starts fretting, something about Mitsuki telling her about what happened to Katsuki and her knowing Izuku goes the same way. He doesn’t go that way normally but she apparently doesn’t know that. Izuku doesn’t reply to her, she’s too close, she won’t stop talking, won’t get out of his space, won’t leave him alone. The world feels like it’s closing in on him with her god damn hovering!
Finally he just… can’t take it anymore and physically yanks himself away from his mother.
“Izuku, baby, what’s wrong?” Inko asked, already visibly starting to fret and worry even more.
Izuku just shook his head and went to his room, closing and locking the door behind him.
--
Inko knocked on her son’s door for a while and kept trying to talk to him, fretting more and more the longer he went without answering. Eventually she had to give up; the door was locked and Izuku had already turned on loud angsty music to block her out even more effectively. She hates when he’s like this, he didn’t even react to Katsuki having been in a villain attack. How is she supposed to make sure he’s ok if he’s ignoring her? Unable to get any kind of response or reaction from Izuku, Inko does the only thing she can and goes off to call Hisashi.
“Hello?” Hisashi’s voice came through when the call connected.
“Hisashi, I need your help.” Inko responded anxiously.
“Is there something wrong with Izuku? Is he hurt? What happened?” Hisashi asked urgently.
Hisashi and Inko may not be exactly friends anymore, but their mutual love for their son over-rides any lingering bitterness from the divorce. Izuku always comes first for them.
“He’s locked himself in his room and won’t talk to me.” Inko fretted. “What should I do, Hisashi?”
Hisashi sighed. “Inko, he’s 14. He’s not a baby who needs his mommy for everything anymore, he’s a teenager who needs his own life. I know it’s against your nature but you need to give him space.”
“But-“
“No, Inko,” Hisashi interrupted, “teenagers are going to have moods, sometimes they’re going to want to be alone, sometimes they won’t want to talk to you or be talked at by you. You need to accept Izuku isn’t a little kid anymore who needs you all the time and just let him have his space and agency. Don’t not bother him when he wants to be left alone and stop clinging so much or he will do something far more drastic to get what he needs.”
“I’m just worried.” Inko grumbled, not fully accepting her ex-husband’s words. “He didn’t even seem to care when I was telling him about Katsuki getting caught in a villain attack today.”
Hisashi scoffed. “Why would he care about that brat? They aren’t friends, Inko. They haven’t been friends since they were toddlers. Katsuki is just a bully.”
“Hisashi!” Inko gasped.
“Now, unless there’s something actually needing my attention I have actual work to do.” Hisashi continued. “I call Izuku every day so I’ll give him tonight to himself and I’ll talk to him about it tomorrow. So just give him some peace for tonight alright? Continuing to pester him won’t help; if he’s anything like me it’ll only drive him away. Literally.”
Inko sighed as the phone disconnected. They may both love Izuku more than anything but their parenting styles are very different. Sometimes she worries that Izuku will choose to move in with Hisashi when he turns 15 but then she shakes her head and reassures herself Izuku would never leave her like that. Plus, UA and all those schools he wants to go to are here and he can’t go to any of them if he’s on I-Island.
She could do nothing about Izuku right now so she might as well make herself busy. Maybe Katsudon would help.
-
Izuku ignored his mom as she tried to bother him and was relieved when she eventually gave up. She no doubt called dad who no doubt told her to just leave him alone which she will only listen to until tomorrow before being overbearing again like always. Luckily, he doesn’t need her to leave him alone for longer than usual because he’ll be gone by tomorrow. He’ll be out before she wakes up then he’s free and can finally have his space, peace, and quiet.
He busies himself getting everything ready. Packing his duffle bag comes first, it’s all he’s taking so everything he brings has to fit inside it. A couple changes of clothes go in first, his MP3 player next, and a few blank notebooks are shoved in too. He spends a bit of time planning his routs on his laptop, wanting to avoid obvious hero patrols, locating laundromats and such before that goes in the bag as well along with all his cords. His laptop was a gift from his dad and is pretty much as untraceable as it can get plus it has hero grade durability and security so it’s safe to take with him.
Next, he takes out and unboxes the phone his dad made him. Dad always said if he wanted to use the money in his account to use this phone because of the security. It requires a code plus an eye and finger print scan to access the money. The code refreshes every month and is sent to his laptop only so the likelihood of anyone other than Izuku having access to the money is slim to none. Plus, like the laptop the phone is also untraceable, un-trackable by anyone not in possession of his laptop, and designed to be virtually unusable by anyone but him. He generally hasn’t used it before now because he already had a phone and didn’t want it stolen by his bullies but now he needs it.
Dad’s job being Head of Technology and Security on I-Island has a lot more benefits than just the stupidly massive paychecks.
He plugs the phone in so it will be fully charged and goes about writing down whatever information he needs to transfer to it from his current phone. There’s a lot to do and not a lot of time so he needs to work fast. It ended up taking more time than he’d like to get everything done than he’d have liked and he had to listen to his mom pace around the whole time but he got it all done. Mom only bothered him again when it was dinner time which was awkward and draining since she wouldn’t let him eat in his room and he wouldn’t talk. After that mess he locked himself up in his room again to finish prepping.
When he finally got everything done he set an alarm that wouldn’t wake his mother and went to sleep. He’ll need the rest if he plans on leaving that night. That alarm went off at 4:30am and he silenced it quickly. It was time to go. He shoved his high security phone and it’s cord into his duffle then changed into dark jeans, a t-shirt that said pants in English, and a dark green zip-up hoodie. It’ll work for now and he can buy more clothes later. With that he grabbed his bag and slipped out of his room. After quietly putting his shoes on in the dark, he was out the door unnoticed and on his way.
The journey was quiet in the early hours. He bought a breakfast bento from a 24 hour conbini manned by a cashier too sleepy and not paid nearly enough to question why a 14 year old was buying breakfast and an orange Poweraid at 4:30 in the morning. Once at the station, eating the bento passed the time until his train arrived. It was nearly empty at this time, being the first train and all, with only a few sleepy nigh workers traveling home around for company.
Izuku sequestered himself in a far corner mostly away from everyone else and waited a stop before getting his phone out. He plans towards the other side of UA so he has bit of time to kill based on this train’s rout. While something faster would have been nice this is the only train running at this hour. The point is he had plenty of time for a call and not enough people around to be disturbed by said call, especially if he’s quiet. The closest person too him is still pretty far away and seems to be asleep anyway.
So, he calls his dad.
“Hello?”
“Hi dad.” He says after a second.
“Izuku? Hey buddy, isn’t it a bit early for you to be up?” Hisashi asks a bit sleepily.
“I left.” Izuku stated.
There was silence for a second. “You left?”
“Home. I left home.” Izuku clarified. “I’m gonna be on my own for a bit, ok? I just want you to know I wasn’t kidnapped or anything.”
Hisashi hummed, seeming more awake now. “I suppose telling you to go home won’t work?”
“No.” Izuku replied. “I need this. It’ll only be for a few months.”
“Until you decide you like it too much and extend it. Don’t worry I get it. I did the same thing.” Hisashi said, resigned. “I was wondering when the Midoriya rebellion phase would hit.”
Izuku blinked. “You also did this?”
“Yes, not runaway fully but I was gone most of the time. Midoriya’s tend to hit the rebel phase like a semi-truck on ice. Hard and fast. Your grandfather tried to start a cult, I was a vigilante for a while, you’re aunt had a noise band. It’s a trend in our family.” Hisashi explained. “I warned Inko it was going to get drastic at some point but she clearly didn’t listen.”
“So you’ll let me do this then?” Izuku asked, a little disbelievingly.
“Let is a strong word. I can’t stop you but I will be telling your mother and we will be calling the police to start a missing person’s case. If you can’t avoid people looking for you, then you wouldn’t make it on your own out there anyway.” Hisashi elaborated. “I will, however give you resources and contacts. I may not be able to stop you but I can sure as hell do my best to keep you safe.”
Izuku quickly got out one of his fresh notebooks and a pen. “Ok. I’m ready.”
“First, I want you to go down way past UA to near low end district. Find an alley bar called Gatekeep and ask for around woman with a magpie mutation named Chi-Chi. I know she still operates there. Say Dragonfly sent you if they give you trouble. Chi-Chi will set you up with cheep housing for at least two weeks; it’s temporary so don’t get comfortable.” Hisashi instructed. “Ask her for the Cheese Gange, don’t laugh at their name they’re the best counterfeiters you can get. Quality for a good price without dealing with villains. Get a new identity. They’ll give you all the papers you’ll need just make sure they don’t say you’re 14, make it at least 17.”
Izuku scribbled all of this down.
“Next you want to get in contact with Artificer. Ask around at Gatekeep. When you call ignore the answering machine message and just leave a voice mail that Dragonfly sent you and you’re looking for property. They’ll call you back from a different number. Use your new identity only. Tell them where and what you’re looking for, including what you need in the interior.” Hisashi continued. “Don’t go crazy but don’t leave out anything you need. Artificer will handle the purchase and renovation of whatever space you request for you. They’re fast and specialize in hideouts for the morally grey. All off record, all anonymous, all completely hands off.”
“Mm-hm. Got it.” Izuku hummed.
“I’m going to sell off one of my properties and transfer the funds from the sale to your account so you can afford a nice, secure, place. If you’re going to be out there I’m not having you live on the street or somewhere dangerous.” Hisashi said. “If you need anything, ask around at Gatekeep. It’s a neutral ground place that mostly serves vigilantes. Throw my name around as much as you need too. They still know the name Dragonfly well enough it’ll get you places. If you need weapons go to Fly, for costumes Plume will take care of you. Remember, information is the most valuable currency there is so use that big brain of yours. And please, remember to call me regularly so I know your still alive. You don’t have to tell me information about where you are but talk to me regularly, alright?”
“Ok, dad, I’ll call.” Izuku agreed. “And you won’t tell anyone where I am if I go to Chi-Chi?”
“I’m not going to sell out my contacts. Plus, that would put you in danger.” Hisashi assured. “So no, I won’t be telling anyone where Chi-Chi’s halfway house is. She’s probably moved it anyway.”
Izuku smiled just a little bit. “Thanks dad, love you.”
“Love you too, bud. Remember to call me.” Hisashi reminded.
“I will, bye.”
“Bye, kiddo.”
They both hung up and Izuku settled back in. Looks like he’s riding for longer than he planned.