Chapter Text
Worthless.
Quirkless.
Deku.
Even though he was only six, Izuku had firsthand experience with just how unfair the world could be. In a world where most people had some kind of special power, having to come to terms with never being extraordinary was hard for a kid. It was strange, Izuku thought, just how different someone could be from having a Quirk, without the actual Quirk having anything to do with it.
His best friend changed almost overnight after realizing his Quirk. While boastful, Kacchan had been a good friend to Izuku. They'd hang out together, go on adventures, and sometimes just talk. He was smart, strong, brave: things Izuku wished he could be himself. When Kacchan showed up one day, sparks flying off his fingers, Izuku thought he was even more amazing than before, but for some reason, Kacchan quickly changed his opinion of Izuku. His kindness and respect was met with scorn and bullying, and it just didn't make any sense. It lead to Izuku often trying to find some safety by isolating himself, like he had in the playground today.
Gravel dug into Izuku's palms, but it would hurt worse if the others saw him. "S-Stupid Kacchan," Izuku sobbed, wiping away tears. He hugged his knees to his chest to try and make himself look small, hiding under the slide. It was pretty hot today, so the shade was welcome. Kacchan and the small gang of kids that followed him were marching in line by the swings. Izuku just hoped he'd be left alone for the rest of the day.
An approaching noise suddenly caught Izuku's attention. It was quiet and muffled, but getting louder, causing Izuku to lock up and close his eyes in desperation. The sound got louder and louder until Izuku could feel someone right next to him. After a couple seconds of not being teased or hit, Izuku slowly opened his eyes, only to see another kid around his age with his head in his own lap, sobbing as well. The other boy must have been so distraught that he hadn't noticed he wasn't alone.
Plucking up some courage, Izuku carefully asked, "H-Hey...what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Startled, the unknown boy wiped his nose on his sleeve and muttered out, "My dad's really mean. Ever since I got my Quirk, I have to train all the time. It's...I wish I never got my Quirk if this is how it is now."
Izuku noticed the bruises and burns all over the others body. Realizing the other boy may be hurting worse than he was, Izuku tried to put a small smile on.
"Your Quirk came in? I bet it's really awesome! My name's Midoriya Izuku! What's yours?"
Izuku extended his hand out to the other boy. Cautiously, the other extended his hand and returned the handshake, still unsure what to think of the boy in front of him.
"I'm Todoroki Shouto. And my Quirk isn't awesome, it's horrible." Shouto released Izuku's hand and wrapped his arms around his knees, eyes drawn to the ground, no longer crying, but still feeling defeated.
Forgetting his earlier sadness, Izuku's curiosity welled up and got the better of him. "So, what is your Quirk, " he blurted out.
Shouto flinched slightly, still not wanting to meet Izuku's eyes. Head turned away, he quietly said, "It's called Hot and Cold. I can create ice with one half of my body and fire with the other half."
It suddenly dawned on Izuku that Shouto had two different colors of hair, with the division right down the middle of his head: half red and half white. Shouto also had two different colored eyes. I bet that’s related to his Quirk...
"WOW! That's AMAZING!" Izuku gushed. "You must be super strong! Why did you say your Quirk is horrible? I bet you could get into U.A. and become a really cool hero when you're older!"
"I...I don't know if I want to be a hero. My fire side reminds me of my dad, and I...I don't want to be anything like him. Even though he's a pro hero...he's not like the other heroes on TV." Shouto shuffles uncomfortably, sniffling. "I actually ran away from one of our training sessions just now, so when I return I'll probably be....punished." Shouto grimaced as he said the last word and started visibly shaking.
Izuku, forgetting his own problems, realized he needed to help. He grabbed Shouto's hands and looked him straight in the eyes. "I think your Quirk sounds awesome . It’s not his power, it’s yours. If it reminds you of your dad, then use it in a way that reminds you more of yourself. I don't know what it's like being afraid to go home-” Izuku subconsciously cast a glance at the boys at the other end of the playground. “-but I know what it's like being afraid of someone tougher than you. I don't know how much I can help, but we should be friends! I wanna be a great hero some day, so I'm gonna save you Todoroki! Let me know if there's anything you need me to do!"
Shouto was stunned, eyes widening and mouth slightly opening. He felt the sincerity coming from Izuku. The sincerity and kindness he wished he felt from the teachers at school who looked away when he came in bruised and tired. The bravery he wished his siblings showed as they watched from their rooms when Shouto got dragged to the dojo day after day. For a couple seconds, the noise of other kids playing at the playground around them faded into the background and Shouto fully returned eye contact. And then he started crying again.
“Thank you Midoriya. I would very much like for us to become friends,” Shouto said quietly, mouth forming a small smile. Slowly, Shouto rose from his slumped sitting position back to his feet. "Thank you for the kind words. I'd best be heading back now before I make things worse for myself, but I'll come back here as often as I can and see you again"
Izuku beamed. "Thanks Shouchan, I'd like that."
After a second, Izuku realized what he'd said and blanched. Both his and Shouto's eyes grew wide.
"I-I-I'm sorry Todoroki. I had another friend who I abbreviated like that, and I must have done it again without thinking, but I'm-" Izuku sputtered.
"I like it. You can call me that if you want, Izukun." Shouto smiled, cutting Izuku off before he could take it back. "We'll see each other again." Shouto looked at Izuku for a few more seconds, before finally turning around and heading home.
Izuku was ecstatic. What had started off as just another horrible day as a Quirkless outcast had yielded him a new friend, his only friend. Izuku smiled, looking forward to seeing Shouto again. Maybe he'd get to see his Quirk in action.
"DEKU!!" Bakugou shouted from across the park, having spotted Izuku in his hiding spot under the slide.
Izuku flinched, jerking towards the source of the yell, seeing Bakugou charging at him. Izuku picked himself up and tried running away, but not only was Bakugou stronger than Izuku, he was faster too.
That evening, both Izuku and Shouto burned.