Chapter Text
**
Midoriya Izuku picked up his yellow backpack off the ground, grunting as he got up as well. At least he was finally alone, all of his classmates fleeted out the school the moment the teacher returned in the classroom to fetch some papers they had forgot. Not that they would have been punished if the adult saw anything, or everything. Adults didn't mind that Izuku was rough out by other students. No matter how harsh they could be, Izuku was more often the one being punished. The direction needed a scapegoat, even if it meant hanging- suspending the victim.
Izuku felt the back of his leg with the palm of his hand, his teeth grinding as the swelling ached. A heavy bruise was forming under his skin, bubbling up to the surface in all kind of colors he couldn't see yet. Just like the feelings he kept on harshly swallowing, hoping one day they would magically dissolves in his stomach. His red shoes squeaked on the floor, steeling his attention, and, when he dropped his eyes, he found a small pool of blood smudged under his feet. He sighed and, resigned, clean the classroom's mess he was left in. He wiped his nose first, not wishing to bloody up the space any more than this, then he scrubbed the floor, his desk and tried to clean his uniform as much as possible. He then went to the bathroom, finding a way to fix himself with what he had in his backpack. After years of school, he never left without a small aid kit and a basic makeup pack. Always useful, even to go to the supermarket.
When he finally left the school, discreetly patched up head to toes, he walked towards home; always staying alert and close to the walls on the sidewalk. What mattered was to leave the less openings there could be.
Be small. Be discreet. Be invisible. Stop being such a fluorescent target.
It wasn't easy, not when everyone already knew him and choose to continue this way. They kept on creating rumors, picking on him when they could, treating him like a disease as well as a punching bag. They wouldn't get close to him, unless it was to land a punch or a quick. It would have been easier to have a quirk, any quirks at all ; even the most stupid one was better than being a "fucking quirkless loser". Hell, having the capacity to stretching out his eyes was perceived as being good compare at being in his position. Breathing small bubbles, tears coming out in weird shapes, having smoke coming out of his ear, seeing 0.1 millimeters farther then others, laughing rainbows, having a death cold skin, having armpits that could produce his own deodorant solution, whatever. Izuku had a lifetime to think about the multitude of quirks he could of had, if he ignored the genetic factor that would restrain those possibilities. Yet again, he also made out a list of genetic mutations that he could of had develop from his mother and father side, like making thing he levitates catching in flames, controlling existing fire, being fire resistant, having the ability to float, ... Quirks were a passion of him, so when he putted his mind to it, he could really go on forever, without ever needing to take a break. It freaked out most people. In better case, like with his mother, she would only gently tried to get him to eat, drink water, reminding him to go to sleep somewhere in the night, even to go to the bathroom when she didn't heard from him in a long time. She was freaked out in a way that made him worry for his well being. In worst case, he received a another beating from his classmates. He tried to keep it inside, the problem with him was that he had the bad habit of muttering when he was lost in thoughts. He wasn't even really aware when he was talking out loud, pestering everyone around. With time, it got better, the anxiety taking over his whole body, instinctively shutting him down. He didn't meant to, not the muttering, not the shutting down, not the creeping feeling of dread and death. It just happened and he lived through it. At least, he really tried to.
- Mom, I am home ! he announced, relieved to be safe home with his family.
Midoriya Inko stepped out of the kitchen, wearing a stained white apron decorated with fading flowers. She smiled so wildly that it took all the space on her face, squashing her eyes shut. Izuku took of his outside shoes and dropped his school stuff at the door to go hug his mother. He didn't mind being alone with her. Of course, he missed his father from time to time, regretting that this one never reached out to contact him. It's not like Hisashi wasn't aware about the existence of his son, he called Inko monthly to take some news of his wife and to make sure that the money he sent was enough (it never was, but Inko didn't said anything, knowing that his allocation willingly didn't include Izuku), but he just consciously chose to stay away, leaving both of them to go abroad. Izuku tried to catch him on the phone a couple time, but the most he had was "Well, good to know you're still alive", "Is Inko available right now ?" or "I accidentally call, I need to go, I'm busy" before Hisashi coldly ended up the communication. He didn't want to hear about his son, not even from Inko. He like to pretend he only had left his wife in Japan, locking away the memories about the small boy completely. Izuku haven't tried to talk to him again in the last five years. But his mother tried to so hard to fill the gap of an absent parental figure that he barely noticed the absence anymore.
What was really scarring him what that his mother was the one regretting being alone with him. He knew his mother loved him so much, no matter what, but he wished he could be a better son. A strong, smart and charismatic son. The kind of son that would bring some good friends home to reassure her, that could obtain a job to be able to pay her cute things (like a new apron that wasn't busting at the seams or a new pair of shoes instead of those hand me downs that she always bought for herself), that wouldn't make his own father living across the world, that could bring something other than shame to the family. Shame. Shame. Shame.
- How was your day at school dear ? Inko asked while gently rubbing his back, taking out of his spiraling thoughts.
He was ashamed to lie, but truth was far more embarrassing. His skin crawled just thinking about it. His eyes were filled with tears that he didn't want her to see. He didn't hugged her hard like he wished to, because it would give her the signal that something was wrong. Something that he couldn't voice, that he didn't want to hint her about again. She couldn't help him anyway, if is she could wished to. He swallowed harshly again, without a sound.
- It was great, we learned more about the Pythagoras theorem. Do you remember the exercise I showed you the other day ? It was that, but we reviewed the concept in more dept with the proof Einstein developed. Truly interesting, but I just hoped we could advance to more on statistic instead. You know, this morning I read on the "sample standard deviation" formula, and I think I grasped the main concept of it, but it would be much better if a teacher just showed me everything.
Izuku started to ramble on how statistic played a big part of the quirks creation and how it impacted the society in his whole, because of how it could determinate the type of kids it would create. Inko chuckled, of course he would bring back quirks in the discussion. She grabbed him into the kitchen, keeping on listening to him while she finished cooking katsudon. Eventually, Izuku set the table and Inko served them both.
- And you mom, how was your day ? he asked, interrupting himself.
- Nothing much, we had regulars checking in, like miss Nayamu*, who was worrying about her heartbeats. We checked her up just to be sure, but we had to returned her home again, since she's in perfect form, like always. The poor woman is constantly looking out for what could be going wrong, said Inko as she shook her head left and right. Other then that, we had a surprisingly smooth day at the clinic.
- Don't jinx yourself here mom, said Izuku laughing.
- Ha. Ha, said Inko on a deadpan tone, even though she was smiling again.
They talked even after they finished eating, until Inko yawn. Since she was getting up earlier in the morning and helped around the house afterwards, it wasn't surprising.
- Well, I am better go do my homework before it gets to late, he said as he pushed his chair under the table.
- Izuku, she said in a soft voice.
- Yeah ?
- I am so proud of you, I hope you know that.
Izuku wasn't facing her as she said that, yet he kept his head low, not allowing his tear to fall. He nodded slowly and left to his room, no answer given. His mother and him were always a bit cryptic when they talked about school or outsiders, never clearly enunciating how mean people were or what legal action they wish they could use against them to put an end to this nightmare. He never really complained about it, and she never confess that she knew everything, but they repeatedly talked by letting some hints. Not enough to have a serious conversation about it, but just enough so that the doubts of the other knowing could be confirmed at a certain level. Sometimes it was intentional, like when his mother would comfort him by giving him specific compliments or when he said that friends at school weren't interested at hanging out in his room (she knew that he just didn't want to admit he didn't have anyone to ask for it). While other times it was even more subtle, unintentionally giving it away, like when he accidentally jumped and blurted out that he was sorry for talking, when Inko never minded it. They both knew that.
He was immensely grateful that she wasn't forcing his hand to admit all the special treatment he was getting for being quirkless, but he knew that the day would come where it would be to serious for him to hide it. It was getting worse by the time ; words got meaner, bruises got bigger, unfair education was also creating a bigger cap in his grades. He was smart, incredibly smart. He knew that, not because of ego, but because he saw how quickly he learned and could acknowledge he had a passion for it that most didn't. Yet, his grades were on the verge of failures. He had the same grades as the students who haven't study for a day in their life and asked him to fill their homework. At first he was shocked, doubting himself, then he realized it was only discrimination. Some teachers had admitted their sins, though they had no intentions of changing their behaviors. Late at nights or when he was feeling lower, he still doubted himself.
Maybe they're right. I am a stupid loser. What do I know about anything?
But when he came back to his senses, he felt sorry at himself to believed any part of it.
They don't know what they're saying.
It was a constant fight in his head ; hope and despair both trying to win the upper hand. But for now, he could ignore it. He finished his homework, talking alone in his bedroom and often chewing the cap of his pencil do help him think more clearly. When he was done with it, he slip out the yoga mat that he kept hidden under his bed and did a couple type of different push-up. He started training three months prior, thinking it might help boosting the overall quality of his life. It wasn't revolutionary, but he could tank more hits, he slept better when nightmares weren't to strong, he felt more happy with his body though he kept on resenting it, and he felt like he finally had a concrete goal in his life, apart from finish school. The problem with school was that after receiving his diploma, he would be forced to find another one and graduate again. He didn't want to think about was he was supposed to do of his entire life, not when he knew so many jobs were condemn because he didn't have a quirk and that people were to discriminatory to leave him the place he had the right to take (he couldn't even find himself a job at the supermarket, because the boss told him it would give a bad image to his store, how could he trust bigger corporate that already treated badly those with a quirk), or when he didn't felt like he would be alive by the end of the year. Living day to day was enough of a challenge for him at the moment, so he wasn't ready to look that far as to next year. Adult life scarred him at a point where he couldn't even describe it.
After working for about an hour, he took a shower, putted on his pajamas and went to sleep, tired of his long day. He dreamed, woke up a few times and by the morning he woke up like he haven't slept at all. His body ached all over and he suddenly regretted doing physical activity while he was hurt. As long as nobody touched him today, he would be fine.
*
He was not fine. It was like people new he wanted to avoid them. It was only half of day in, and he felt like they focused on him more than the rest of the week. Thursday were often rocky, because students were getting bored of the week, but it wasn't Friday so the tension build up and their way of decompressing just got more violent with time. The main problem was that the first trio to hit him saw that he abnormally flinched, so they told friends, who then wanted to see for themselves, who then took their turn, found it funny and repeated this circle. People messed with him in the middle of class too, by throwing things at him and chuckling. The only break he had was right now, while everyone was eating in the cafeteria, but he wasn't fool enough to believe that he would have a long time alone. Usually, twenty minutes was the maximum, then someone would look for him and hunt the whole school area. Izuku tried eating outside campus a few times, but they would immediately notice and propagate the news, which lead the students that where also eating out to find him. Home was just far enough that he didn't have time to go there in on lunch break, so he didn't have a choice to endure it.
- So Deku, a low voice said behind him. Can't handle a little play anymore?
He didn't needed to turn around to recognize this voice, after all, Kachan and him knew each other since birth. Their parents were friends, on the contrary of those two boys. Izuku thought of a reply, but knew that none of them would be good. They were never here to hear them, what he said didn't matter : his fate would stay the same.
- You're ignoring me loser? You think you're better than me?
See, if Izuku said yes, he would get beaten, because Katsuki Bakugou would perceived it as an attack. If Izuku said no, he would get beaten, because Katsuki would think he's being mocked. If Izuku didn't answer, he would get beaten, because Katsuki would see it as defiance. If Izuku didn't answer and tried to run away, he would get beaten, because Katsuki would see it as a challenge. The poor boy had explore all possibilities and saw the only result. So he just abandoned and always gave the same answer to that very question :
- You know that's not true Kachan, you just don't want to listen to me.
- I'll mess you up Deku !
- Hit me if it makes you feel better Kachan.
The blond boy made his hands crackle with smalls explosion as he scoffed. Izuku could see it in his face every time, though he was the only one seeing it : at this moment, Katsuki didn't want to punch him, because it would make Izuku right, but he didn't want to back down, because there was witnesses around them. So he pushed the boy on the ground, looked down on him and spat on his face. Izuku twitched, but he stayed putted, waiting at his feet.
- I fucking hate you with all my guts.
Then he left, while his mignons took photos and insulted Izuku a bit more. He felt dirty, completely defiled. He felt humiliated. He felt angry, and sad, and weak. He wished he could stand up for himself, but he didn't want to act brashly and he knew he didn't have the force it needed. Which was stupid, because he had dreamt all is life to be a hero, but he couldn't even save himself on a daily basis. He wanted to crawl into his room, roll in his bed and never come out again. Apart from his mom, nothing really blocked him from doing it. But he just stayed there, enduring.
*
When the last bell rang across the building, most students left like their shoes caught on fire. Apparently, an arcade cafe opened close by today and many wanted to go try the boxer machine it had. Izuku had heard something about a competition they hold between them. So it was only him, his childhood friend and his two acolytes, Takumi and Subaru, left inside. Izuku kept his head low and organized the things in his bag, not willing to passe in between them to get out. He felt like a bird in a cage, three cats roaming around it. Katsuki moved towards him, his backpack lazily throwed over one of his shoulder. Izuku stayed sited at his desk, breathing slowly to steady his heartbeats. It felt vain. He mentally crossed his fingers that they wouldn't notice the way his hands trembled. He hid them underneath, but he felt so... scrutinized.
- The teacher read our school applications earlier, but what is strange is that I haven't heard your name once, started Katsuki.
- Y-yeah, that is weird Kachan, Izuku replied by stuttering.
He lied. It was not a weird coincidence whatsoever. The green hair boy knew why it had happened : he simply didn't gave any forms yet. The teachers weren't happy about it, but they gave him a week extension to fill it. After all, Izuku had a lot to think about because of is condition and they knew he had a very limited choices.
- Do you want to know what I believe Deku?
Izuku opened is mouth, but nothing came out. On one side, he was curious, per usual, on the other, his sense tingled and he knew that something cruel was about to be said. Katsuki interrupted him anyways, ready to give him a piece of his mind.
- I think it's because you don't have a future Deku. You're useless to society.
- Yeah Deku, added the black hair boy, you take a lot of space for someone so dumb and incompetent. Who would want to pay you if you can't do anything?
Izuku cringed while hearing that. Why did it sounded so stupid? Yet it hurt him still. It was deeper than the meaningless why the addressed him, speaking like some movies bullies, more about the struggles he held into his heart that they could resonate with. It was like hitting a gong and hearing the echoes ripples to the end of a cave. The default was within him at the beginning, people just played with him to torture him further.
- Maybe we should help him find a job guys, declared Subaru. I though of some for you Deku, like a trashman, a janitor or sewer maintenance worker.
Izuku didn't find that funny, people with those job were in fact useful to society, as they assured that everything functioned as it was supposed to. Still, the two lackeys laughed together. Katsuki remained compose, but he never honestly laughed with people, so it wasn't a surprise. Most of the time, he just observed Izuku from afar, jugging him while people played with him, but for the rest of it, he was plainly brutal, more physical. He didn't tag along to mockeries or jokes. He wasn't known to be a funny person. He was always so serious and angry, it was like the only thing that was keeping him alive was that flaming rage. It was a hard fuel, for sure. People still admire him though, Izuku included. He wasn't proud of it, he knew he should be hating him or at least despise him, but Katsuki was shinning so brightly : he was smart, physically strong, had a charismatic face (though his action weren't as charming), an amazing quirk. In resume, he was all that Izuku really wanted to be. Personality set apart.
- Have you ever thought of being a sex worker Izuku? asked Takumi. I'm not sure people would want to touch you, but I am sure they would like to trash you. Don't you already like being a slut anyway Deku?
Izuku trembled in a silent rage. He kept his hand closed into clenched fists. The black hair boy, approached him with his phone in hand.
- See, I took a photo of you this afternoon, and I think you were blushing when Bakugou spit on you. Are you a bitch Deku?
Izuku denied it, shaking his head from left to right.
- N-no!
- He's stuttering like a fucking dog in heat, countered Subaru. Are you excited Izuku? Is that why you're trembling?
The brown hair boy grabbed him by the hair with his elastic hands, harshly tugging on it. Izuku stepped up to follow it.
- Awn, so that's what he needed, a bit of training.
- You're gonna start to bark Deku?
Izuku wasn't proud of it, but his eyes were full of tears and he knew that soon he would start to cry. He just wanted to go home. He was tired, truly tired.
- Come on Deku, bark and I'll let you go.
- Yeah Deku, bark like the bitch you truly are inside.
To say that he didn't thought of doing it just to be set free would be a lie. But he wouldn't. He had limits, he wasn't going to humiliate himself farther. The two boys didn't seemed to be please by silence. Subaru tugged harder, until Izuku finally started to trip under his own feet. Clenched fists became looses hands, because Izuku was afraid of truly letting himself go and punch someone. Anyone, just to release the emotion that turmoiled inside his belly. But if he did that, was he really better then them? Not that he was as of right now, Katsuki would kick him to death if he heard that. Ho. Was that what the boy meant when he said Izuku was looking down on him? Was he constantly looking down on people without even realize it? Was he a bad person?
- Do you know what we do with disobedient dog Deku? asked Takumi. We punish them so that they can understand what were expecting of them.
Did he deserved to be beaten to a pulp just because he was an evil being? Wasn't that what heroes where doing on the daily? Was it fair? But what other choice did they have? Maybe that's what the dilemma every students around him where facing? At the same time, that would only cause an infinite loop : the good beat the bad so that it becomes good, becoming the bad that would need a beating from the good. Did it even make sense? Izuku mumbled, lost into his own world of theories and self pitying.
- Maybe we should ask Bakugou if he could land a hand on you to train you.
When he heard his name, Katsuki detached his eyes of the screen he was watching. While his two lackeys played with Izuku, the blond tried to distract himself of boredom by texting on his phone.
- We should leave, actually. People are waiting for us at the arcades.
- Wooooh, were you texting a girl from the class? wondered Subaru as he wiggled his eyebrows.
Katsuki frowned.
- I am not interested by any extras in here.
Subaru loosened his grip and Izuku took the occasion to back away from him. He tripped in his own shoe and fell over, knocking down a desk in a loud bang. His bag wasn't closed, so all his stuff spilled onto the floor. A white Campos notebook caught Katsuki attention. On it was written "No. 13. Hero analyses for the future" on the cover. However, the second part was smudged, covered in correction liquid that didn't stick very well and pencils scratches. It was barely readable.
- Fucking loser, grumbled Katsuki as he pick it.
He smocked the notebook and threw it out the window without a doubt.
- If you understood what was good for you Deku, you'd forget all about heroes once and for all.
The trio went to step out of the classroom, but before exiting through the door, Katsuki paused and added something.
- Actually, if you really want to be a hero that badly, there might be another way. Just pray that you'll be born with a quirk in your next life and take a swan off the roof of the building.
When Izuku was finally alone, he gave himself permission to cry the emotions bubbling up to the surface. He left school, still crying. Found his notebook in the fountain, kept it in hand to protect what was left in is backpack. It was mainly ruined, but he hoped that he could transcribe what he could decipher and remember into another Campos.
- Everything will be alright Izuku, he muttered to himself.
He sighed.
- What if I really jumped. What would he do then?
He entered the tunnel as always, a foul humid smell floating in the air. He grimaced, but he knew the detour was better than facing classmates on the way to home, no matter how bad smells could be. As he went to get out on the other side, Izuku heard a grumble and the ground shook slightly. Goosebumps raised on his arms, his instinct screaming him to run away. He accelerated, but something caught him before he could get far. He tried kicking and punching the person in question, but it was all slimy and it absorbed chock like it was nothing.
- Common kid, stop moving so much, it said. I just need a good vessel for a while.
Izuku went to scream, but the instant he opened his mouth, slime entered in it. He attempt to fight back, gripping what he could, moving his head father to escape the villain, but eventually, he went limp, giving up. Would it make a difference anyway? His lungs burned from the lack of oxygen, he was gasping, but the only thing he breathed was more slime. He started convulsing, his body was trying to puke to unknown substance, then he lost consciousness and just hoped death wouldn't hurt all the way.
*
When he opened his eyes again, he looked around him quickly and was fairly disappointed. Was this purgatory? Because he refuse to believe that this could be heaven. It was so much alike to the real world. After this, his eyes met All Might and this triggered something so strong in him that he got up like he had springs glued to his feet.
- All Might!? he said.
His throat hurt so badly, but he pushed himself to talk, not wanting to miss this opportunity.
- Ha, young boy, you're finally waking up, I was about to call paramedics.
- Would you please sign my notebook!? he promptly asked in a shaky voice.
Izuku searched around him to grab it, but All Might calmly told him that he already signed it as he was unconscious. Izuku beamed a smile at him and putting the notebook into his bag, until he saw the villain bottled up in a used bottle of soda. He was lying on the ground, menacingly glaring at Izuku. The small boy wanted to tell All Might, but was interrupted.
- Now, if you excuse me, I need to go.
- But-
- Goodbye now young boy!
The hero took a pose and went to proposed himself in the air, but Izuku reflexes pushed him to grab the bottle and grip the leg of All Might. To say he was embarrassed of his behavior was an euphemist.
- What are you doing!? All Might screamed at him.
Izuku wanted to give him some explanations, but he couldn't. The hero took a sharp turn and surprised by it, he grabbed harder unto the leg and the bottle slipped from his hand. They eventually landed on a roof nearby, All Might looking at him expectingly. Izuku was still looking afar, where to the bottle could've fallen. His face was pale, overfilled with guilt.
- Wanted to help, but I failed.
- What are you talking about boy?
Izuku told him what happened and All Might was taken aback.
- Shit.
- Can't you just go back? inquired Izuku.
Then a flash blinded him and the hero became a frail figure.
- Huh?
-Shit, said All Might for a second time. Look, I can't tell you everything, but you need to promise me that you will keep this as a secret.
Izuku eagerly nodded.
- Years ago, there was an accident.
He lifted his t-shirt, showing a bad scar to prove what he was saying.
- It affected my body capacity, and as a result, my quirk as a strict time limit, so no, I can't go back. I'll page the heroes in duty though.
Izuku stayed silent as All Might wiped out is phone and make a call.
- Can I ask a question while you're here All Might?
- What it is young boy?
Izuku thought about how to approach the question, then asked :
- Do you believe that a quirkless person as any chances at all to one day become a hero?
Hi voice was becoming more and more rasp, a mix of sadness, apprehension and lesion.
- No.
Izuku nodded again, more weakly. His heart shattered, but he truth was that he already knew the answer. Did it changed anything from who it came?
- Hero work is dangerous, and having an important quirk is what gives you the advantage in a fight. I hope you can find a path that fits you best.
All Might patted him, but strangely enough, it did not comforted him.
- Thank you for hearing me out.
At least, All Might hadn't like, throwed him over the fence of the roof. It was good knowing his idol didn't hated quirkless people such as him. Or if he did, he hid it well. They awkwardly got into the building and tried to get out without being question as to why or how they got inside the facility. Then Izuku bowed to his hero and thanked him for saving his life. All Might shook him off, saving life wasn't something abnormal to him. Thank he thank the boy as well, for promising to keep his secret safe. They both went into different ways, Izuku unknowingly directing himself to the next danger zone. He was starting to recognize the shops, coming closer to his home, when he heard explosions and people screaming. He spotted a large crow and tried his best to get a sport where he could see what was happening.
- What going on, asked Izuku to some strangers.
- There's a student being attacked. A blond boy with spiky hair. I hope some hero can come save this student before he does a carnage.
- It's the first time a see a sludge that big.
It didn't took long for Izuku to put the pieces together without needing to see anything. He hearth jumped, pushing into his ribcage. This was all his fault. Or that's what he told himself. He was the one who lost hold of the villain All Might captured. If he had just go to the police with the bottle, all of this mess could have been avoided.
- Isn't there any hero on the area?
- Yes, but none of them are made for this type of rescues case. They'll need a fire resistant one.
Izuku thanked them for the information and moved forward, pushing people lightly to make his way up to the front. He locked eyes with Katsuki for a second before he jumped in between fire pits and debris. His body moved without he really thought about any of this. He didn't have a clear plan of action, but he trusted himself to wing it.
- Hey, I believe we have unfinished business mister! he screamed at the slimy man.
He hope that no one heard what he said, because this definitely sounded suspicious. Who had unfinished business with a villain apart from other shady personalities? At least, he did caught the eyes of the villain.
- Don't tell me you're going to take him as a vessel, Izuku commented as if it was a stupid idea.
- Why not? He has a flashy quirk.
As to prove it's point, Katsuki made bigger explosions in hope to dislodge himself, Izuku dodged what he could. He burned his arm and grimaced but continued.
- Compared to mine, it's nothing.
- And what do you have?
- It' so rare that you probably haven't heard about it.
Katsuki angrily glared at him. Izuku shivered, but he did not moved away. He tried to yell at him, probably "I don't need your help Deku!", but the boy couldn't really decipher the message. In the dept of his eyes, Izuku could see how much he was scared. Did he looked this way when he was the one stuck and suffocating?
- And why would you suddenly want to be my vessel?
- Because I'd rather you take me than my friend.
The sludge went to take on the offer, liberating the blond who aggressively gasped and cough, falling to his knees, but All Might appeared and hit the villain for the second time of the day. Since it was a public case, Izuku couldn't escape the interrogations. The police reprimed him. The heroes reprimed him. Katsuki yelled at him too.
- What were you thinking young man? they said.
- That was our responsibility, not yours. We could've help better if you hadn't been into our paws.
They all acted like they did better then him. Izuku knew that he shouldn't have dangerously headed into the fiery zone like this, for this, they were right. But to blame him for their lack of actions, it was purely insulting. The scapegoat.
You're always the one they'd rather sacrifice Izuku.
It wasn't fair. They congratulated Katsuki for resisting that long. They yelled at Izuku for helping. They didn't even knew all he went through, they didn't even cared.
- Don't you go thinking you were useful Deku! You didn't saved me!
- Okay Kachan.
Katsuki looked at him as if he was waiting for more.
- Are you mocking me Deku?
Izuku suppressed a sigh.
- No Kachan.
- You don't even have quirk you nerd, don't forget it.
- I won't Kachan.
- Don't pretend to even have one again in your life!
- Okay Kachan.
Katsuki left in a rage barely contained. Izuku wondered what went so wrong in between them that his childhood friend believe so hard that the green boy constantly had bad intentions. Katsuki was accusing him daily to be so condescending, so full of self imbued, so arrogant. Izuku couldn't remember a time he acted like this. Yet, the blond seemed so convinced by this image of him that he could only question himself.
- Young boy!
He stopped walking. He turned and glanced curiously at All Might who lost his muscular form.
- I was surprised to see you there All Might.
All Might hushed him, explaining to the Izuku that they should be more discrete in public as to who he truly was. The boy wanted to clap himself in the face for what he said. Why had he sound so judgmental towards his idol? He pinched his wrist.
- You probably have a lot of question, if you give me your phone number, I'll find a time for you young boy and I'll answer them.
Izuku looked up to him with shiny eyes. How could he refuse this opportunity? This was the dream of so many kids across the whole wild world. Then he frowned.
- I don't think you should be wasting your time with a quirkless nobody mister. But thank you very much for your offer.
The hero placed his palm on his shoulder and told him that it was his pleasure to do so.
- You are not a nobody young boy, you were a hero today.
All Might search into his pocket, then handed him his own phone number scrabbled on a small piece of paper, ignoring Izuku wet eyes. All Might might have been the only one who showed him trust concerning the path he wished to pursue since his birth.
- Call me whenever you'll be ready, he added before disappearing into a street nearby.
Izuku stared at the note he was holding. He quickly putted the number into the repertory of his phone, to be sure he wouldn't lose it. He had a hard time believing any of this day was real. So much had happened. He did not have conscious of it for now, this was the day he became a hero, the number one. A new path, freshly opened just for him. Once again, he wondered if it only had been a nightmare mixed with a dream.