Chapter Text
The war changed everything, especially for Class A. Being on the front lines at such a young age had severely disrupted their development on a deeper biological and mental level than anyone could have predicted. The stress, the injuries, the mental toll, it all stacked upon one another until it became too much. It was that very realization that had persuaded UA and their parents to hold the kids back one year in hopes to aid in their adjustment.
Not a single kid argued. How could they fuss over such an innocent decision after everything They'd gone through? They all knew this was for the best, and hell they were happy about it. Another year to maybe be a teenager and not a child soldier? They'd take it.
It was great. Their second first year was filled with lots of therapy, both group and individual. Most of them had lots of pt and other physical things to work on. Their second year they finally got back into real school work and fighting. Things were all in all looking up. Then march of their final year hit.
Principal Nezu had decided to ban suppressants use for Class A and B.
Roughly a month before the first war, UA had made the difficult decision to force both hero and support studentson suppressants. They were young, and suppressants were the greatest for still developing omegas and alphas, but it was what they had to do. This was war, and they couldn't have a students cycles impeding on their detailed planning. They needed all hands on deck, and they could NOT lose that to a students surprised cycle. So suppressants being required became a thing.
The idea itself turned out to be a top-tier strategy. It allowed everyone to focus on planning and training without their instincts getting in the way. It was for sure part of the reason they came out on top in the war.
However, that hadn't been the problem. The problem came after the war when everyone was sick and injured. These students had been on those drugs for months now and relied on them. They couldn't take them off of the pills in fear of starting a rebound heat or rut while they were injured. A month passed, then three, then five. No one stopped the suppressants use. They didn't see a need to. Now however, three years later, they were putting an end to it.
Aizawa leaned against the podium at the front of the room, giving his real leg a moment of rest from standing. "Read over pages 5 and 6 before tomorrow's homeroom. We're having our obstacle course run tomorrow afternoon so be rested, it will be graded." He paused, eye running over the pages. "On a different note." He cleared his throat. "It has been decided to end suppressants use for your class and Class B." He said bluntly before scooping up his papers.
Immediate disarray.
"Quiet." Aizawa looked up, his eye red. "This should be no surprise to you. You all know by now that suppressants are strong medications that aren't supposed to be used for more than 6 months at a time. None of you should have been allowed on them as long as you have been." Aizawa exhaled sharply. "I understand given the circumstances UA didn't follow that rule, but this being your final year in school you have to."
"But–"
"Quiet." Aizawa growled this time which Immediately got the class to settle. "In a typical situation you would just stop taking them, but since you all have been on them for nearly 3 years, we are going to start weaning you off of them. After classes, recovery Girl anf I will be visiting the dorms to collect all reaming suppressants. At that time if you have any questions, she will be more than happy to answer them. Understood?"
A collective mumbled washed across the room.
"Good." Aizawa crossed his arms over the podium and stared at the class while they waited for the bell to ring.
Kaminari sunk into his chair. His grades had just started to improve, but he knew this would make them instantly decline again.
"I do see why we can't just stay on them." Hagukura pouted, tapping her pencil to her cheek. "We've taken them this long, surely its fine?"
"Yeah, I feel fine!" Mina stretched her arms across her desk and leaned forward. "This will probably have more negative effects then the suppressants themselves." She let her head fall against the desk.
Todoroki turned to Momo. "What about our quirks? They're stronger now." A flame flickered from his eye as a kind of demonstration.
Iida stood among the anxious whispering around him. "Aizawa-Sensei!" He rose his hand. "What about our studies? This will surely cause Academic challenges, and as class rep it is my duty to ensure both the safety and academic success of my peers."
Aizawa looked unbothered by it all. "Stop overthinking it. It's not the end of the world." He assured, taking a step back from his desk. He hobbled around to lean on the outside of the podium and cross his legs. "Recovery Girl can answer all the nitty gritty questions, but i assure you we have plans for your studies. We're implementing a system that will ensure your academics are affected as little as possible due to the changes. That being said however, you guys will still have to do your best to adjust to the changes yourself." His eyes Immediately drifted to look at Bakugo and Izuku who had been eerily quiet together this entire conversation. "Especially you two. Problem kids." He knew by now how unhealthy they both functioned. "Open communication. We're going to require daily updates on symptoms and such, and we expect honest answers."
”Understood!” Izuku announced loudly.
Bakugo scoffed, “Understood.” He mumbled.
"Good." The bell rang, cutting him off. "Okay, I'll be at the dorms tonight when you all arrive. Don't make plans, it'll be a while, and I expect everyone to be there." He gathered his things and limped to the door. "Have a good rest of your day."
With Aizawa gone, chaos was free to ensue, however no one spoke of it. It lingered heavy in the air around them, but they refused to let it slip. It didn't help that their teachers were making sure today not to give them an ounce of spare time.
When the final bell sounded, the tension tore in half and spilled out into a messy anxious cloud. The class scrambled to their feet, gathered up their stuff and fled for the dorms in small groups.
"Man, this is crazy." Kirishima threw his arm around Bakugo’s shoulder. "I totally forget what it's like to be an alpha."
Mina gasped, "me too!" She hopped forward, using small jumps to keep up pace with them. "I forget what it's smelled like too."
"I forgot about scents!" Kaminari exclaimed, practically slamming into Bakugo's free side. "Do you think they will change? Can they do that?"
Bakugo elbowed Kaminari off of him. "Watch it spark plug. You too." He shoved Kirishima’s arm off.
"Someone's grouchy." Sero calmly joined them, picking the spot on the other side of Mina. "Thought we lost the big bad wolf after the war." He teased
"Are you stressing too?" Kirishima asked, leaning in to bump their shoulders against each other.
"Why the hell would I stress over this stupid thing?" Bakugo slithered away from Kirishima to put some room between them. "It's a dumb pill and stupid hormones. I was still the best even before taking them."
Kirishima held a hand to his heart and grinned. “You’re always so manly Bakugo.”
Mina wrapped her arms around Kirishima’s arm. “And an asshole,” she added with a smug smile.
”And you’re about to have my fist meet your face,” Bakugo spat, setting off a few threatening sparks. From the outside, it probably looked like the two were fighting, but the pack knew by now that this was just how they were.
"Aizawa-Sensei wouldn't be happy." Mina teased, testing her luck. She earned a signature Bakugo growl in return that made her laugh.
"Okay, okay." Kaminari slid between the two of them which seemed to calm things back down. They continued walking in silence. "Do you remember what being an omega is like?"
Bakugo's shoulders tensed. "As if." He glared back at Kaminari. "I never knew what it felt like in the first place," Bakugo retorted. And it was true. Bakugo had never truly given into his secondary gender. He avoided anything omega-like (such as nesting, scenting, etc) like the plague. He wasn't a typical omega, and he made sure of that.
"Ugh, that's no help." Kaminari sulked. "You're the only other one in our group." He huffed, eyes trailing over the other three, all alphas. "Who else..." he let his gaze drifted past bakugo to the group in front of them. They all were betas or alphas too. Damn. He turned his neck, his eyes Immediately locking on the group behind them. "Midoriya! Uraraka!" He exclaimed, turning on his heels to wave to the two.
The two omegas looked at each other before nodding in agreement and running forward to join the Bakusquad.
"Hi!" Ochako smiled sweetly, falling in line next to Mina.
"Hi Kacchan, Kaminari." Izuku greeted
"Sour puss over here doesn't remember what it's like to be an omega. Do you?" Kaminari questioned.
Izuku's brows furrowed with thought. "Ah, it's really fuzzy by now, but I know I have lots of stuff written down in my notes somewhere. I started documenting it when I first presented, so I should–" Bakugo stopped him from digging in his book bag for the book.
"We're almost at the dorms, so nerd out some other time." Bakugo huffed, his tone the softest it had been all day.
"Oh!" Izuku's eyes flickered to the large building only a few feet away from them. "Yeah, you're right." He readjusted his bag back on his shoulder. "I don't think it was too different, Kaminari. I was more emotional off suppressants, but that's all." He hummed
”Tch, as if. You're still just as whiny and emotional.” Bakugo scoffed.
”Kacchan.” Izuku rolled his eyes and gently nudged him.
Bakugo nudged him back, challenging him to do it again and see what happens.
Izuku did not take the bait.
"Class!" Iida called out from the top of the dormitory stairs. It immediately got their attention as they approached. "As your class rep I feel the need to discuss what is about to happen when we enter," he threw his hand out in a juttery motion. "Speak one at a time and pay attention, this is important and we are adults." He waved said hand in a quick slicing motion which effectly kept their attention. "We are Class A and we will face this together!"
A few small cheers erupted from them, an odd sound over such a topic, but it helped to lighten the mood. The new sense of power and confidence from Iida's speech bubbled across the class and gave them the extra shove they needed. Things were going to be different, but not the end. They didn't have to live like they were dying all the time. Two at a time they trickled through the doors and into the common room. Aizawa and Recovery Girl sat waiting at a table.
The class situated themselves on the three green couches and ottoman while their Sensei's got ready. It was crowded, but they made it work.
Aizawa did a quick glance over before clearing his throat. "Very well, let us begin." He shifted in place, his eyes slowly locking with each of the students as he spoke. "Before we begin the questionnaire and new medication, I need each of you to head to your rooms and collect all suppressants. That means heat, rut, and scent blockers along with scent patches. Recovery Girl has detailed reports on your blockers, so don't try to hide any. There will be consequences if we discover you are still using them."
The room went quiet.
"Go." Aizawa stated, waving his hand towards the elevators.
Given that they still didn't fully understand what was happening, the threat of consequences still had them bustling to collect every pill, bottle, and patch. One by one they returned and dumped the medicine onto the table in neat piles.
Aizawa and Recovery Girl took inventory of them, going over the dosages and types silently before calling them back up to replace the medications with lower dosages.
"Now that we're done." Aizawa moved away from the table and stood back in front of the crowded couches. "These new suppressants," he gestured to one of the extra bottles in his hand, "are a lower dosage as you might have already noticed. They aren't significantly lower, because we are unsure how some of your bodies will react to this and we do not want to force a drop." He spun the bottle around. "There are seven pills. One for each day. Next Sunday, we will meet here again and repeat this process. You will turn in this empty bottle in exchange for a new even lower dosage. Given the reactions after the second week, we will determine if you need another low dose, or if we can completely stop them." Aizawa looked to Recovery Girl to have her add on.
Recovery Girl took her cue. "As with everything, there are pros and cons to weaning off suppressants." She slowly stepped closer and took the bottle from Aizawa. "There's a lengthy list of side effects for taking and stopping suppressants, but given that your class has been on them so long, we aren't certain the full extent that they will hit at. Expect changes in weight, appetite, and body. There could be cramps, fever, or other ful-like symptoms as well as mood swings, aggression, and depression. If you have any other these and they are becoming problematic, be sure to report them to Aizawa or I at once. We have plans in the books to help combat any and all problems that may occur." She clasped her hands together as she finished. "Questions?"
Todoroki was the first ti raise his hand. "Will this have affects on our quirks?"
Recovery Girl pondered that for a moment. "It very well could. Most studies where suppressants were used for the appropriate 6 months time period had little to no problems with quirks, but there aren't many on the effects of long term usage. We will have to keep a close eye on that as well."
"Why can't we use scent patches?" Shinso asked.
Recovery Girl nodded. "Scent patches aren't directly tied to suppressants, but we are taking the precaution to ban them for the moment. When you are on suppressants your scent glands stop all pheromone production, which is why you all are scentless. Once you stop the medication, the production system will start to work again, giving you your scent and oils back. They won't be nearly as strong as a long-term presented individual, which means it will be the perfect chance to get you adjusted to smelling others in close spaces. We also are doing it to prevent clogged glands."
"So it's to acclimate us?"
"Correct."
"What about long-term effects?" Mina jumped in, asking Momo's earlier question. "Like, for stopping them. Health wise."
"Stopping them, there shouldn't be any long term effects outside of what you will experience for the next month or two. You were much more likely to develop negative side effects and health conditions from being on them so long. Weening off of them should be nothing but withdrawal, and it will ease up once the body returns to it's normal hormonal cycle.
"When can we return to using them?" Ochako asked.
"Beta’s can return to scent blockers after a four-month flush period. Alphas and Omegas may not return to suppressant use of any kind until after graduation. I know that may seem unfair, but Beta’s have far less hormonal problems from those medications. It is important that we manage each secondary gender as it's own."
The room went silent. The one noise being that of breathing and Izuku's quick scribbling. He already had an entire sheet covered in notes from the conversation and his own thoughts.
They waited.
Izuku glanced up, eager to continue only to realize he was being stared at. "Oh! My turn?" He questioned, nervously glancing around. Did he miss something? "Um... what about ruts and heats?" He looked down, his cheeks immediately flushing at the sound of his own question.
Ah, there it was. The tension snapped.
"Mhm. Good question." Recovery Girl moved to sit once more. "They will be treated the same way they were at the beginning of school. You are excused from classes fot a week and will be provided the necessary items such as water and food. The only difference is that we will be requiring you to have someone present during them. I understand that may be uncomfortable, but given what we are predicting it is necessary. These ruts and heats should be comparable to that of a newly presented alpha or omega, and as you all know that its a very important time for secondary genders. It's crucial that they are taken care of and provided for to keep them mentally and physically well while adjusting to a hard situation."
"What the hell?" Bakugo, who had been silent and uninterested the entire conversation, finally spoke up. "I don't need a damn babysitter for a heat."
"This is not up for debate." Aizawa stated firmly. "Everyone will have one. Iida," Aizawa turned his attention. "After this meeting I expect you to document everyone's chosen heat and rut partner and report it to me tomorrow. Everyone will have one."
"Understood!" Iida saluted Aizawa passionately.
The QNA continued for a while longer until the class had effectively run out of dumb-witt questions to ask. It was dark already when Aizawa and Recovery bidded their farewell with the promise to keep and open communication.
"Did you write down the whole conversation?" Todoroki leaned over Izuku’s shoulder to look at the scribbled notes scattered across the two pages.
Izuku jumped at the sudden sound so close to his ear. "Oh, yeah! I think so at least." He tapped the back of his pen to the top of the page. "I missed a few parts at the beginning since I didn't have my notebook ready, but all the important stuff is there. I added a few notes of my own from things I remember learning in middle school about heats and ruts." He slid the pen down to a separate section towards the bottom. "Just general information. I'll do more research afterwards. I want to know more about the effects it will have on quirks like you asked. My guess is that it will have a stronger reaction on some quirks like Kacchan and yours since both of you have quirks that tend to react strongly to emotions." He stated it as though he didn't have a quirk that was literally tied to his own emotions.
"I see. I thought the same. My quirk reacted when I first presented." Todoroki's dual colored eyes brushed over the page a few more times as he digested the information.
"Really?" He perked up, flipping the page and clicking his pen open. "How so?"
Todoroki blinked. "I believe I have different than normal surroundings that may or may not have contributed to my specific experience." He stated, an over complicated way of saying endeavor. "I was very territorial. Angry. I already didn't like using my fire, but when I first presented it came naturally." He remembered the room of fire, the fierceness of it all. He remembered coming down from it and regretting everything. Regretted giving Endeavor such a show of power. Such a presentation. He had hoped to be an omega to be spiteful afterall.
Izuku clicked the pen closed again. "Right, sorry." He gently shut the book and folded his hands over top. "I don't know if Kacchan had any problems with his quirk. I would think so since heats make omegas sweat a lot, but Kacchan has such good control over his quirk and body I'm sure he has it all figured out."
"Mhm." Todoroki's eyes trailed up to meet Izuku’s. "Are you worried?"
Izuku blankly blinked in response. "Worried?"
"Yes."
"Why would I be worried?" Izuku tilted his head.
"About the changes." Todoroki's eyes drifted to the others who had started to move around the common room and kitchen. "I believe the others are worried. I am asking if you are as well."
"Worried? Nah, im not worried." Izuku assured, his gaze following Todoroki's. His stare reflexively fell onto Bakugo who had moved to the kitchen with Kaminari and Kirishima. Okay, maybe just a tad worried.
"I don't believe," Todoroki paused, realizing what was happening. Okay. "Bakugo." He called out, not giving the blonde time to responsed before standing and walking towards the kitchen.
"H-hey! Todoroki-kun!" Izuku scrambled to his feet and after Todoroki.
"What?" Bakugo asked, looking up from the assortment of vegetables he had pulled out of the fridge at some point.
"Are you worried?" He questioned bluntly.
"What?" Bakugo picked up a knife from nearby and a cutting board from the cabinet. "Why the hell would I be worried? Ain't shit I can't handle." He scoffed, blowing off the question.
"I'm worried!" Kaminari interjected, gracelessly throwing himself on the counter next to Bakugo. "I haven't had a heat since November of our first year! I dont even remember what like happens." He dropped his head onto the counter and groaned.
Shinso rolled his eyes at the dramatic reaction. "I already told you, you'll be fine." He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the lump on the floor now. "You were fine before, you'll be fine now."
"What if I'm not though?" Kaminari lifted his head and stared at Shinso. "What if I electrocute the whole school?"
"Don't sweat it, we got you." Kirishima gently pushed his shoulder. "Can't be any worse then when you're sick and turn into a ball of electricity everytime you sneeze."
Shinso cracked a small smile. "You're already a walking death trap, don't worry about something like this. You're whining is annoying."
Bakugo shot Shinso a look, and Shinso grinned like 'try me'. The two started some sort of conversation, but izuku tuned it out. His eyes were fixated on Bakugo's trembling arm. The limb was in a brace right now —which wasn't an everyday sight since Bakugo tended to keep it in a sling due to the extreme muscle fatigue— making it capable of a small range of motion and just enough strength to grip the carrot in his right hand. The doctors have told him numerous times that it would never heal, but Kacchan was stubborn. He worked tirelessly on it, and the insistence paid off in small victories, but his full potential still fell flat from it. It made Izuku sad. He knew how much Bakugo stressed over his health especially after the war.
Wait.
Would stopping the medication hurt Kacchan? Kacchan had only known this medication since his... since the war. Izuku swallowed. Kacchan's body had healed with this medicine rushing though his veins. Would it slow the healing process? That could make Kacchan depressed. He didn't want Kacchan to be depressed or struggle with his arm more than he already did. Then there was his heart. Izuku's eyes moved up to Bakugo's chest. The black tank top he wore did little to hide the top of the explosion shape scar that lay there. Beneath the flesh his heart stayed beating. Irregularly sometimes. The damage had been brutal, they still question how he'd done it. Could it handle a heat?
What if a heat triggered another heart attack? He could die! Izuku inhaled sharply. No. Kacchan couldn't die, not again. He clenched his hands into fists, feeling the ragged scars that littered his palms. He couldn't lose him, not again. Not after being too late the first time. No. No.
He was spiraling. Everything felt shaky. Where was he? What was this? He inhaled shallowly, his breathing coming on too fast. The war... the grass. His eyes moved, Bakugo was there staring at him. He was bloody and bruised. His eyes were empty, cold. A large wound bled from his chest. His mouth moved, but nothing was heard, only blood splattered from his lips.
"Breathe." A soft and cool voice broke through from next to him.
Breathe. He needed Bakugo to breathe. He reached forward, his hand aiming for Bakugo's chest. He needed to stop the blood and get him breathing.
"Midoriya." The cool voice called out again, but it did little to pull Izuku from his moment.
"He's fine." A sharper voice broke through now. Kacchan's voice.
Bakugo grabbed Izuku's wrist that was already reached out, and shoved it up against his chest. "Relax dumbass, stop thinking like that." He huffed, forcing Izuku’s palm flat against the wound to feel his heart beneath his ribs.
Tears stung the corners of Izuku’s eyes and his lips wobbled. He wanted to say thank you, to repeat the same phrase he'd abused for the past two years, but instead, he leaned into the other omega and focused on the steady rhythm against his hand.
”Are you okay Midoriya?” Todoroki asked, making Izuku aware that he had been the cool voice in his panicked state.
Izuku nodded, not feeling up to talking.
"Leave him be, Icyhot." Bakugo stated, before turning his attention back to Kaminari who had moved across the kitchen to give them some privacy. He flawlessly returned back to whatever argument the two had been having before hand. Izuku could tell it was something omega-related, something he could probably join in on, but he was too enticed by the throbbing beneath his palm and the eyes that stared into his side.
"I'm okay." Izuku whispered to Todoroki before reaching out and offering a hand. Todoroki gladly took it, the two sharing a small moment.
”Class meeting!” Iida announced, interrupting the moment. “Everyone gather around, we have much to discuss!”