Keith came back to Voltron as this was important for his BOM mission. Lance didn’t bother to arrive as Keith leaving hurt him a lot. Hiding off in training room slashing and screaming, as usual, just to let out all the pain Keith inflicted on him intentionally or not.
“I wish we never had the bonding moment! I wish I never met you at the Garrison! I wish I never followed Pidge onto the roof! I wish you never left! I wish I never loved you-“
Lance heard Coran walk in with a worried face and turned off the simulation, “My boy are you okay?”
Lance shook his head dismissing Coran, “Yes, I’m fine.”
Coran frowned knowing Lance enough to tell easily it was a lie, “No I can sense you are distressed. Maybe along with the fact you didn’t attend Keith’s return.”
Lance bit his lip his gaze immediately falling to some random spot on the wall, “It doesn’t matter-“
Coran hugged him his embrace soft and careful yet solid, “I heard it all Lance you don’t need to lie... I understand you loved him and he left which hurt you deeply — it’s okay you can tell me that my boy.”
Lance wrapping his hands around Coran reciprocating the embrace before he proceeded to continue training allowing Coran to sit and watch. The two held a nice conversation and Lance felt... somewhat better.
Coran sighed alerting Lance before he forgot, “You have a mission in one of your earth hours.”
Lance sighed sitting down wondering why Coran felt the need to tell him right then, “Okay...?”
Coran looked at Lance a flash of concern and remorse, “And it’s with Keith.”
~with Keith~
He was sitting in the kitchen with Hunk obviously distressed about Lance not showing up to his return.
Hunk spoke plainly telling Keith this as if it were as plain as day, “I hope you know he’s pretty pissed at you and hurt.”
Keith slammed his hands on the table frustrated not seeming to understand, “Why I didn’t even do anything!”
Pidge scoffed looking up from her laptop for the first time since entering, “Man what a dickish thing to say. Keith common you just left like that. No formal goodbye and dropped us all! May I say, mainly Lance like trash and it doesn’t help that Shiro’s been a dick to him too.”
Keith sighed resting his head on the table guilt starting to build up, “How do I make this up?”
Hunk chuckled waving Keith off as it wasn’t his job of course as it wasn’t, “Lance can hold a grudge like a god, good luck.”
Pidge fixed her glasses her gaze once again immediately trained into whatever codes she was typing into her laptop, “Well, I guess you could start with the mission you two have in a couple minutes.”
Keith sighed resting his head on the table. I mean hey, Pidge is right it’s worth a shot.
~The mission~
Coran and Lance walked out of the training room and Lance dismissed his Bayard before Keith could see it. Coran patted his back before Lance approached Keith.
“Let’s go.”
He only spoke those two words and they made their way into the red lion and silence overtook the empty lion. Lance didn’t budge but he did feel the burning in his chest of hurt as Keith was close. He sighed attempting to swallow the lump in his throat.
Lance pulled up the mission and looked at his goal speaking to himself, “Okay save a local planet... Allura, I wish you were more descriptive. Yet this mission not even close in difficulty as some missions I’ve done.”
Lance shut off the hologram and threw on locking his helmet expecting this was going to be easy and even if it wasn’t he manages fairly well.
Keith spoke messing with his hands, “Lance?”
Lance didn’t even budge something about Keith having a lack of composure was foreign and made Lance twitch, “Yes?”
Keith bit his lip before speaking words he would normally refuse to say, “I’m sorry?”
Lance scoffed immediately licking eyes with Keith amused, “Was that a question idiot?”
Keith frowned hurt snapping back, “Wow... okay sorry!”
Lance landed and took off his helmet snapping his head to Keith and spat out, “You're sure as hell not forgiven.”
Keith was shocked and watched as Lance walked out as bullets and weapons were flying everywhere.
Lance summoned his Bayard and knew the guys in purple were enemies and with that, his Bayard sprung to life.
Keith stuck in his tracks paused upon seeing the sword Lance wheedled. Lance started taking down any enemy on sight with no hesitation.
Lance muttered curses under his breath exactly like the ones he said in the training room and stopped slicing them in half and decided to punch them.
“This is for being a bitch!”
“This for just being here!”
Lance glared and Drew back his arm, “And this for making me love you!”
Lance slammed his fist into the alien's face killing them from hard impact.
Keith smiled at Lance taken aback by the growth he’s seen in him, “Lance that was amazing.”
Lance rolled his eyes not caring for how hard it seemed Keith was trying, “Yeah we’re in a fucking war so get your head out of your ass it’s not a hat.”
Keith was shocked and enraged with how rude Lance was being and had enough of it, “Oh fuck off!”
Lance shoved Keith away slapping a Keith with reality, “Says the one who keeps talking to me when I don’t want you to!”
Keith growled flailing his arms, “Well I’m sorry I’m trying to reconnect with a friend!”
Lance laughed hard,” Friend. Friend? If you were a friend you wouldn’t have dropped me without a second thought! But guess what... That’s exactly what you did!”
Keith froze with no counter to that, “I had no idea you felt that way...”
Lance was already walking away waving Keith off, “Well then I guess you aren’t as smart as I thought Kogane.”
Keith narrowed his eyes only letting anger do the talking, “Listen to yourself you’re in a war! We don’t have time for relationships!”
Lance gasped his walking stopped and a giant wave of guilt smacked Keith, “So a war means you leave Voltron which could have gotten us all killed for a rebel group that’s been running and surviving for maybe I don’t know 10 fucking thousand years?!?”
Keith paused as he couldn’t fight with that statement as it was true, “Uhm...”
Lance pushed Keith back pissed, “Yeah you were only thinking of yourself fucking jerk!”
Keith grabbed Lance’s hands, “Lance calm down.”
Lance ripped his hands from Keith’s grasp, “I won’t calm down till you leave me again cause I wouldn’t expect anything else.”
Keith not knowing what else so grabbed Lance’s face and hardly kissed him. Lance tried to fight back but Keith wrapped his arms around Lance and didn’t budge. Lance tried his hardest and broke down kissing back tears falling all the anger was gone now only hurt.
Keith realized what he did to Voltron was what his mom did to him.
Keith pulled back from the kiss pulling Lance into a tight hug, “I left you once I’m never leaving you again.”
Lance sobbed pulling Keith close, “You’re such an asshole!”
Keith nodded, “I know I am — and I don’t expect everything to be normal right away... but I’m really never leaving again.”
Lance looked up at him a serious expression displayed on his face, “Promise?”
Keith nodded hand still cupping Lance’s face he rubbed his thumb on a nice soft cheek, “ I Promise.”
Lance this time initiated the kiss and when he felt Keith deeply kiss back he knew that Keith was going to do his best to keep that Promise.
Till the day he dies.
Little Goofy BkDk comic! I felt like drawing for the first time in forever today!
So beautiful
June 9, 2022
Locker rooms
!Caution! contains Sexual Refernces
Voltron was at a planet for some coalition meeting, resorting into the joke of a mission.
In other words the planet needed the sacrifice of a Virgin.
Everyone motioned to Lance amused.
“I’m sure he’d work.”
Lance not paying attention picked at his nails absentmindedly, “I’d never pass up an opportunity to die, but it wouldn’t even work.”
Everyone paused turning to face Lance in an instant, “What?”
Lance shivered rencountering the multiple times he had slept around for extra cash to keep his struggling family on their feet.
Lance shivered at some of the older men from the flashbacks, “What.”
Shiro broke the silence surrounding the Paladins, “Wait you aren’t a Virgin?!?”
Hunk laughed nudging Lance not taking it seriously, “Oh yeah I’m sure your charms really worked.”
“Nah you don’t need charms to get by anymore.”
Pidge holding back a scream of shock pressed, “Were you even dating the person?”
“No? I’ve dated maybe two people but that was back in middle school.”
Keith joined on the questioning, “You knew this person right?”
“Kinda, we talked a bit the night before- you know what, that’s enough questions right now. It’s techno private information. God nosey much.”
Allura spoke assuming she’s realized that it’s normal Earthing customs, “Oh! Is this an Earth tradition?”
Keith shook his head immediately shutting down Allura’s hypothesis, “No.”
Izuku Has An Older Brother
Hisashi Midoriya dead
Mild Manga Spoiler @ end
The Midoriya family was small. It was Izuku, Inko, Hisashi, and his older brother Haru. Haru had stopped going to school halfway through high school, needing to help pay the bills. Hisashi had gotten sick during his business trip in Germany and could no longer work. Inko went from being a stay at home mom, to working 40 hour weeks with paid overtime. Haru would be out working as well, helping to fill in the other expenses of the apartment and everyday necessities.
Izuku grew up taking care of Hisashi. Izuku would give him his baths, make him take his pills, put on his chapstick, and make sure his IV was working properly. When Izuku was in his first year of Junior High, Hisashi passed away. Inko never told anyone, but many people from Hisashi’s work came, both from Japan and from Germany. He had been highly respected and had been an incredible man. Izuku sobbed, missing school for a week. Inko had kept up with work, having to pay off debt. Haru continued working, but lowered the amount of time he was working to keep an eye on Izuku. Izuku spent most of his time wrapped up in Hisashi’s clothing, laying in the bed he spent almost every hour of every day in.
Izuku still cleaned the house, made them dinner for after work, and would even spend his free time teaching Haru the stuff he learned. Izuku would give Inko back massages, fix her tea, and cuddle her to let them mourn and push past their grief and loss. Haru would always watch Midoriya with sad eyes, seeing him wear the same shirts everyday. The shirts were basic and they were all bought from the clearance section in a random clothing store. He watched Midoriya buy the same red shoes every time he needed a new pair. They were the cheapest pair of shoes manufactured for quirkless people.
Izuku would sit there, all alone in the kitchen, finding online coupons for Haru to use since he cut back on work hours. Izuku would do every single free give away for All Might merchandise and would only ask for one poster or figure for his birthday. Inko and Haru would often cry, knowing how this was a lot for Izuku to deal with when he was only 12 years old. Nothing really got better when Izuku started experiencing severe bullying in school. He never told Haru or Inko, but they knew.
Izuku was in his second year of Junior High when Haru decided to surprise him. Haru planned to pick Izuku up from school and take him out to grab something to eat. It would just be Haru and Izuku since Inko switched shifts with someone and was working the night shift instead. Izuku had gotten out of school, phone held in his hand as he read an article about a villain attack. Bakugo and his lackeys weren’t too far behind Midoriya, stalking him like wild predators.
Haru waved at Izuku calling out. “Izuku!”
Izuku’s head snapped up from his phone. Spotting Haru, Izuku beamed at the sight of his brother. “Haru!”
The bullies immediately backed off. They were stunned to see Midoriya with an older guy who was definitely nearing the end of his teen years. Bakugo felt his blood boil, frustrated and confused at the presence of the unknown person. The other bullies were just shocked to see someone greet Midoriya happily.
Haru smiled, looking down at Midoriya fondly. “Mom switched shifts, we going out to eat tonight. I know it’s long overdue, but consider it your birthday dinner.”
Bakugo stilled a bit, confused on how Haru spoke to Izuku. He wasn’t sure if Haru was acting like he was Midoriya’s older brother or if they were actually brothers. Bakugo stalked closer casually, trying not to bring attention to him or his lackeys.
Izuku smiled, head tilting to the side. “Nonsense. I can cook us something a home. I just won a raffle the other day and got us two fresh briskets!” Izuku started rambling, getting excited. “We can have one tonight. I was planning on having some beef stock soup and enoki mushrooms with a garlic and scallion sauce! I could even save some for mom and we can drop it off at her work!”
Bakugo’s eyebrows narrowed with his eyes, growing irritated. Since when did Inko work? There was nothing wrong with her working, but since him and Izuku were in diapers, Inko always took care of Izuku and was a stay at home mom. On top of that, Midoriya was winning food raffles and talking about making a fancy meal? Since when did Izuku want to be a chef or focus on anything other than being a hero. The bullies were shocked by that part as well.
Haru frowned, looking at Midoriya with guilty eyes, ashamed of how Midoriya was so prone to saving money for the others sake. “No I was hoping we could go out and grab something together. I love your cooking and that sound amazing, but mom already took some leftovers yesterday to work and I saved up some money to treat you.”
Bakugo felt his eye twitch, hands growing sweaty.
“Money?”
He couldn’t understand why money was such an issue suddenly? It seemed that everything was perfect for Izuku financially. He always had All Might merchandise and his uniform was always in perfect condition despite the amount of them he personally had ruined. He didn’t know who this mystery guy was or why he wanted to take Izuku out on a late birthday dinner.
Izuku smiled, taking Haru’s hands gently. Most of the students had disappeared at this point, many already in their clubs or heading home or to hang out with friends. Bakugo and his lackeys pretended that they were not paying attention. Midoriya wasn’t facing them so as long as Haru didn’t grow suspicious then everything would’ve been fine.
Izuku had taken Haru’s hands gently and smiled. “Are you sure? I don’t need a birthday dinner… all I needed was to spend the day with you and mom. I don’t need you to go out of your way to do this for me.”
The group of bullies felt guilt creep in, uneasy with how Midoriya spoke.
Haru frowned, eyes whelming up slightly with tears at how gentle his younger brother was. “I’m sorry Izuku. I’m so sorry.”
Midoriya raised a hand to wipe Haru’s tears.
“Don’t apologize brother.”
The group instantly froze, finally noticing the faint freckles Haru must’ve also inherited from his father. They noticed the black hair that matched the black patches in Midoriya’s. Bakugo noticed his hair was similar to Inko’s, thick and straight. The boy was wearing a black dress shirt and some slacks, revealing his probably worked as a server at a restaurant. His eyes were tried, but he looked at Midoriya so adoringly that they would’ve mistaken the exhaustion for relief.
They all watched the older boy, now known as Midoriya’s brother, shiver under the kind touch of the boy they bullied.
“Brother… why are you always apologizing?” inquired Izuku.
“I… I don’t,” denied Haru sheepishly.
“Yes. You do. You and mother stare at me with apologetic eyes all the time. You use actions, not words, to say you are sorry,” stated Izuku firmly.
The brother felt his eyes widen, cheek heating up at the fact he had been caught. He found himself embarrassed, thinking he had tried to appear strong when Izuku saw through it all along.
Bakugo saw the expression of Haru and knew instantly that Izuku saw deeper into Haru than what Haru assumed he was capable of seeing. The other bullies watched, crouching to rest their legs, but listening at the same time. Bakugo wanted to know everything, he didn’t know why he didn’t know. Inko told Mitsuki everything and Mitsuki told everything she talked about to him and his father at dinner. Why did he not know about Haru? Why did he not know about the money? What else didn’t he know?
“Does being poor make us unhappy? If I can’t wear popular clothing or buy a new uniform, should people pity us?” questioned Midoriya, gently rubbing Haru’s cheek with concern.
Haru looked at Midoriya with widened eyes. Desperately wanting to tell Midoriya that yes, he was happy even though he was poor. Nobody had to pity them because of their circumstances. He wanted to let Midoriya know he deserved those things. Not that because of them being poor, they had to be miserable and appear miserable.
Bakugo on the other hand felt his heart stop. Not only was Midoriya struggling with money, but they were classified as poor. Not only that but he and the other bullies were astonished how well kept the uniform was. It looked perfect despite the amount of times they pushed him and made him scratch up the uniform or how they made him get stains on it, or the times where they’ve burnt it or spilled things on him. They couldn’t fathom the work he put in to not get a new one. They felt guilty, not only were the hurting Midoriya, but the entire family when they were financially distressed. They felt like the shit people they truly were.
They couldn’t do anything but look at Midoriya love and console his older brother, finally deciding to talk about the issues they most likely danced around.
“Are you so determined to blame someone that… that you blame our father from dying of illness?” softly persisted Izuku, asking gently in the worry of Haru being so torn up over what happened that his grief turned to anger.
Bakugo and the bullies felt as if their world shattered in the moment. The distraught look on Haru’s face matched the bullies as they felt like they had just recieved the biggest slap in the face.
Bakugo stood there is disbelief. Hisashi was dead, that’s why Inko was working and they were struggling for money. He didn’t know when Hisashi got sick, when he died, how Hisashi died. He didn’t even know if there was a funeral. This side of Midoriya’s life had been hidden so well it never once occurred to him something changed. The other bullies all unanimously agreed they would back off with Midoriya’s uniform.
“While I was taking care of him, bathing him, feeding him… he worked so hard… but it wasn’t enough. Nothing he could’ve done was enough. Even though the medicine was keeping the illness from developing, it weakened his kidneys and liver,” explained Midoriya, taking Haru’s hand again, squeezing them tightly.
Bakugo felt himself join the others crouching down as he was overwhelmed with even more information. They all exchanged a look, realizing how bad this was. Izuku was bullied during the day, taking care of his dying father at night. None of them could even begin to imagine how mentally challenging it must’ve been for him.
“We just have to accept it,” cooed Midoriya, looking down at Haru’s hands.
Haru felt his eyes water, amazed with his little brother’s beautiful maturity and innocence. I made the cold bitterness in his heart turn into a warm and sugary lightness. With Izuku’s words alone, he felt ready to accept how things were.
Midoriya looked up at his brother with tears falling from his eyes, his heart racing. “We’re only humans. We can’t just expect things to go the way we want.”
The group of bullies felt their eyes widen, listening to Midoriya in awe. His ability to push forward with pride and passion to take life head and heart first stunned them. They all knew if they had been put in his shoes, none of them would be handling it how he was. Hell, they weren’t even sure if they’d still be alive. Bakugo’s whole existence was based off of his quirk, without it, he’d have nothing. He never would admit it, but it was true. To hear Midoriya explain that he accepted life for what it is despite the odds being against him, was powerful.
Haru was frowning, beyond upset. It wasn’t toward Izuku, Inko, or Hisashi. It was toward himself. He had wallowed in self-pity and self-deprecating thoughts when he should’ve been pushing forward to smile and laugh. He should’ve been working harder, towards a brighter future that Hisashi would want them to go chase after. Izuku tended to his family because he wanted them to smile again, live comfortably in the comfort of being alive with one another.
“Whether or not you are happy… all of this is up to you. What matters in now. That your alive, you’re healthy, and that I’m here and mom’s here,” rationalized Izuku, trying to speak his heart, his voice, his thoughts and feelings.
One of the bullies nodded to himself, agreeing. Izuku was completely right. Haru had every right to focus on the past and reflect, but the past shouldn’t be controlling everything he does in the future. Haru and Inko were trying to live through the past and it wasn’t helping them or Izuku. From what they heard, Midoriya heart was pure despite the scars is bore. Bakugo felt the protectiveness he once felt as a young child. He felt that longing need to be the stronger one that would protect the meek kid Izuku was. The bullies didn’t feel the need to protect, but rather they felt respect. They all felt the strong vitality Midoriya possessed, and they respected it.
“Let’s push forward together, focus on what’s going to come! Yes, we must work hard and do things that we’d rather not worry or stress over… but we must fight for it!” Midoriya raised his voice as he spoke, finding himself growing emotional.
The life in Midoriya’s voice, the overwhelming emotions that couldn’t be easily defined, shook them to their core. They hadn’t ever heard Midoriya’s raise his voice, let alone sound defensive.
“So please, stop apologizing. You out of everyone I know should understand… I want someone to understand how I feel!” cried Midoriya.
The bullies felt their eyes widen. Out of all of the times they’ve seen Midoriya cry. They’ve never heard it. They’ve never listened to his voice break as he tried to finish his sentence despite his soul howling in despair. Bakugo knew things were going to change, he wouldn’t make it too obvious, but he was going to lay off. The bullies were more than willing to comply, using him being quirkless didn’t seem like justification for their actions after what they heard.
Haru felt his eyes widen, panicking. “Hey, hey, hey. I want to understand how you feel Izu. I can’t imagine what you had to go through taking care of dad alone. I can’t imagine what it felt like watching him die as you waited for someone to come help. I don’t understand your emotional connection… but I want you to have everything and more Izuku.”
Haru pulled Izuku into a tight hug, rubbing his cheek in Izuku’s wild curls and breathing in the wonderful scent of their 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. He clung to Izuku like a lifeline, rocking back and fourth. Midoriya hugged back, his whole body sinking into Haru.
“You deserve everything you want in life Izuku. I’m apologizing because I can’t offer you what you deserve. You don’t deserve anything you’ve been through.”
Izuku grumbled, smacking the back of Haru’s head. “Don’t worry about what I deserve. Focus on what I need. I need you and mom to smile and stop wallowing around. Let me do what I’ve been doing to help without having you two stare at me with sad eyes.”
The bullies all watched the two interact with grins. The sight of Haru being serious and wanting the best for Midoriya, only for him to get disciplined by his younger brother. It was laughable, but they remained quiet, pretending to just be worried about something else. Haru had acknowledged their presence, but didn’t think anything of it because they did appear to be on their phones and casually “talking”.
Midoriya pulled away and quickly dabbed away his tears. “Let’s grab some bubble tea and go home and grill some brisket? I don’t want to eat out… it gives me anxiety.”
Haru looked at Midoriya and his mood immediately lightens up. “Okay, let’s go. Wanna talk about your day at school?”
“School was stupid as always. How about you tell me how work went. I’m sure some crazy person made an interesting story,” deflected Izuku, quickly putting the focus off of him.
The bullies as sank with relief, glad Midoriya didn’t bring them up. They couldn’t help but be surprised nonetheless as he didn’t even show any sign his day was bad, giving a generic response like any teen would normally say. They couldn’t help but wonder if Midoriya never brought them up period.
Midoriya patted his brother on the cheek before Haru turned around to walk with Midoriya to the cheapest place to buy bubble tea.
The following day, Midoriya comes to school and rather being greeted by a punch, he only met with insults. Not once had Bakugo and his lackeys lay a finger on him since the beginning of the day to the moment Midoriya stepped into the comfort of his home. Midoriya noticed the way their words seemed to get caught on their tongue as they made snide comments and their usual stale remarks and insults. He noticed and wondered if they had a change of heart and a change of attitude. Maybe someone said something to them that made them think about their actions. Whatever it was, it made Midoriya smile to himself. All days after that, it was the same. His bullying became strictly verbal and he could live with that.
Time passed and nothing really changed until the fateful day the teacher purposefully told the class Midoriya wanted to go to UA. Bakugo lost his temper and proceeded to be just as awful of a person as he had been the previous yesr. The bullies even called him out for it, pointing out how he was far harsher than usual. Bakugo had burned Midoriya’s shoulder while death gripping it. He chased his physical attack with one of the worst things he could’ve ever said and proceeded to leave as if nothing had happened.
Midoriya got into UA anyways and made Bakugo eat his words. Bakugo didn’t understand how Midoriya magically got a quirk, but that was a confrontation for another time. It wouldn’t be until after the Paranormal Liberation War when Midoriya was in recovery that Bakugo finally met Haru one to one.
The first thing Bakugo did was bow down before Haru and Inko.
“I’m sorry.”
A/N: anyone notice the scene from Demon Slayer I used 😉
ALSO HOW DO YOU UNLIKE YOUR OWN POST???
nvm my shit was glitched
Giggling, kicking my legs, cutely resting my chin in my hands 🥰🫵💕✨
thing i had in my brain, idk i felt like doodling it. just some post-war bakugo deku fluff don't mind me (i can't write them for shit lol.)
//me totally not nervous about showing shipping doodles of these dorks nope.
Everyone in the city was waiting for an update on Poison Frost (Villain Lance)
Hunk was really the only one who knew it was Lance but Pidge and Matt were catching on.
Hunk didn’t agree with Lance being a villain but was there to support Lance anyways. They were hanging out and Lance got a text.
“Gotta go Hunk!” Lance smiled grabbing his weapon.
Hunk chuckled, “Don’t kill yourself, Lance.”
Lance winked and shot a finger gun before jumping from his window turning Altean and dropping to the ground.
He pulled up a picture of he was sent of his target and scoffed when it was Lotor a very important person for some reason but a deadly Galra, of course, no one knew he was other than the people that worked for his and Lance chuckled as Lotor was in a car that was going through a parade celebrating, who knows what, the brats he pretended he cared about.
Lance got on top of a building and summoned a bow and arrow out of ice and aimed Lotor saw it a second too late and the shot went through his arm. Lance urgently summoned another arrow, aimed and shot Lotor again this time in the lower abdomen.
Lance groaned and aimed again shooting a person who was trying to block him from Lotor quickly in between the eyes.
Lance decided to take another fatal approach for one of his guards as he aimed and shot them in the neck and he fell dead Lance aimed before a person slammed open the door not intending to have Lance right beside it slamming him off the edge Lance shot the arrow right through Lotor’s head before falling off the railing but someone caught his hand. Lance felt blood drizzle down his face and muttered fuck.
“Keith?” Lance said forgetting he was in Poison Frost form.
Keith held him there ready to let go, “How do you know my name, you are Poison Frost.”
Sharpshooter smirked, “Gonna pull me up or what sweet-cheeks?”
Keith scoffed, “Sure if you attempt not to kill me.”
Lance put a hand over his heart, “A villain’s promise.”
Keith pulled Lance up who grunted.
Lance pressed where he hit his head, “Thanks I better go before they get me.”
Keith paused for a moment, “You can hide at mine while I patch you up.”
Lance nodded slightly caught off guard by not only hiding but helping a villain who could easily kill him, “Thanks.”
Keith led Lance into his apartment and sat down sending his bow into nothing but a couple of snowflakes.
Keith sat next to Lance, “Your white hairs all bloody.”
Lance shrugged and sighed, “Guess that’s what happens when you're under debt for a villain gang.”
Keith frowned and looked the other way seems to connect some dots, “Well I mean you just killed Narti And Lotor.”
Lance sighed letting the silence isolate him for a minute, “Yep..”
There was a buzz and it was Lance’s phone from Hunk, Keith shocked asked, ”You know Hunk?”
Lance hid his phone, “Yeah... I get around...”
Keith was quiet for a minute, “Who are you?”
Lance sighed before turning human and Keith’s eyes widened, “Lance-“
“Shush! Shush shush!”
Keith’s lips formed a line, “I can’t believe I lost a fight to Lance McClain.”
Lance raised a brow, “What now?”
Keith turned Galra.
Lance gasped, “Akira?”
They sat there for a moment not knowing what to do.
Lance was thinking, “Well I do like your Akira persona a lot and I also like Keith a lot.”
Keith looked at Lance, “Lance?”
Lance looked at Keith, “Yeah.”
Keith immediately shaking his head, “Nevermind.”
Lance bit his lip before blurting out knowing it was now or never, “I like you!”
Keith slowly turned red his head flicking over to Lance, “What?”
Lance closed his eyes and looked down, “I like you when I fought you that’s why I couldn’t kill you. I really like you as a person. That’s why I always butted heads with you, it was nice to know you never took anything I said to heart.”
Keith’s jaw slightly dropped thrilled, “Oh...”
Lance smiled, “Its okay if you don’t like me... I wouldn’t blame you,” he gestured to him wearing his Poison Frost uniform and bloodstains on his gloves
Keith gripped Lance's shoulders as he slammed his lips onto Lance’s and rather than pulling back Lance leaning in having it cut short by Keith pulling back slightly panting.
“Join me.”
Lance was shocked, “What I can’t!”
Keith held out a hand, “Screw our organizations... let’s make one of our own.”
Lance looked at Keith’s hand for a moment, “For Hero’s and Villains? To make the world interesting?”
Keith smiled when he took Lance’s hand, “For heroes And villains.”
- A month Later-
Word got out of the group Voltron.
Shiro: Merciless Jinx - always up to the task, fights efficiently with his cursed arm and never holds back
Keith: The Blade - right hand (doesn’t want to lead), fights with blade gifted from his mother and hand to hand
Lance: Frost Bite - Leader, uses his power of manipulation of liquid to freeze his opponent, but can also fight hand to hand and with any weapon
Hunk: Thunder Damage - backup and covers for everyone while they deal with the big guns, tend to stay behind as he wants to participate but new to the environment. Fights with large blasters.
Pidge: Hi-Tech - Tech genius, normally is hacking or manipulating the base or information to delay or assist in battle, fights with a taser, also including a razor on the edge.
Coran- Rabid Red - assistant or manager of the group - fights from base
Allura- Prominent Princess - fighter and an Altean ally, she uses a laser whip, and is feared by leader Galra for killing her father Alfor.
Matt- Works part-time and mainly does rebellion work to assist team Voltron
They have a whole fan base, and the most trending couple right now is Blast (Blade and Frost)
UA was a dream school that people all around the world tried to get into. Not only was it ranked number one in all of Japan, but the school was undefeated in all categories. Whatever category an individual could think of Dean Nezu did everything in his power to make the school the best in said category.
The 3% acceptance rate showed how picky the admissions team was.
Izuku Midoriya was considered one of the smartest students in the school. There were only two people that ranked higher than him in the entire building across all majors. Izuku was in a medical and pharmaceutical concentration of Biology and Chemistry. The double major was hell on earth, but he topped that off with a physics and psychology minor.
No one in the school, including the teachers, understood how he managed his time juggling countless classes all at once. Still, Izuku loved to learn, and he put his full effort into completing every class to near perfection. He worked very closely with his advisors Toshinori Yagi and Aizawa Shota. They complimented each other and it helped Izuku a lot with moving forward and making decisions based on their advice.
Everyone was always talking about Izuku and every move he made. Still, Izuku had something that he kept to himself. Izuku was a professional athlete.
The only reason no one knew was because he didn’t play for the college, making it significantly easier for him to keep it a secret. Well, to a degree he could hide it. He competed in high level competitions, and many were non-profit to raise awareness for important causes. His high ranking often led him to speaking in interviews about the cause.
Izuku was an angel on earth.
Katsuki Bakugo was average in school. He was naturally smart and put as little effort into his schoolwork as possible. Katsuki was a business major with two minors. One was in marketing and another in accounting. As long as he got an A in the class, he didn’t try to push himself harder. His main focus was on sports. After all, he was the captain of the football team and spent most of his free time training.
The school's meal plan was heavily abused by Katsuki as he was often seen inhaling food with his friends whenever he wasn’t in the gym or on the field. The training and consistent meal plan helped him greatly. Katsuki was well built with muscles that made half of the campus jealous and the other half lovesick.
Despite all the attention Katsuki got, he remained single. He appreciated his fans to a degree, but never engaged with them. He enjoyed the chase and the rush he got from the attention. Still, he loved playing football, and he loved his teammates. He’d never let a relationship, or other outside influences distract him.
That was until his best friend, also the vice-captain of the football team, decided it was time to flip his life upside down.
“Who’s that talking to Coach Toshinori?” asked Kaminari excitedly upon seeing a cute boy appear on the fields.
Katsuki didn’t bother looking, not interested in hearing gossip about some stranger. Kirishima on the other hand perked up when he noticed who Kaminari was talking about. “That’s Midoriya! He’s insane.”
Kirishima’s statement caught the attention of Katsuki and the rest of the team. Sero recognized Izuku as well and commented, “Yeah, isn’t he doing a double major and double minor?”
“That’s him! Mina told me that he’s already been accepted by every high end medical school he’s applied to,” revealed Kirishima, happy to say his girlfriend's name every chance he got.
Kaminari stared at Izuku from afar, letting his mouth catch flies. Once he let a couple of moments pass by, he snapped back into focus and smirked. “So, he’s smart and successful. Wait, how does Mina know him?”
“Mutual friends, apparently Midoriya is super popular. Almost everyone knows him, so I’m surprised you don’t,” responded Kirishima slowly, letting his gaze return to Izuku.
Toshinori flashed a wide smile at Izuku, ruffling the fluffy locks of green hair. The excited voices of the duo faintly reached the group's ears. Tetsutetsu chuckled to himself before jerking a thumb over to where they were standing. “Looks like he just got accepted to another school.”
Katsuki’s gaze was fierce, but he couldn’t stop the foreign rushing of his heart. There was something about this smartass chatting with his coach that irritated Katsuki. No matter how much he wanted to roll his eyes and redirect the conversation, he knew Izuku would be on his mind.
Fate had funny ways of bringing destined lovers together.
Three weeks was all it took for Katsuki cave into obsession. He hadn’t realized just how big of a figure Izuku had been in the school. After that fateful day, it seemed that anytime he’d be in the food hall or was hanging out with his friends, he’d hear chatter about the mysterious genius.
All alone in his room with thirty minutes until his bedtime, Katsuki started digging. He found some online interviews with Izuku talking about the charities he’s worked with. Then Katsuki found his social media account that talked about plans for his future, study tips, and a plethora of random school-related things.
It only took a minute of scrolling for Katsuki to realize this wasn’t Izuku’s personal account. No matter how much he dug, he couldn’t find any pictures of Izuku at these apparent parties or hangouts with his friends that Mina claimed he had.
The following morning came around and like clockwork, Izuku would become a part of his life.
The football team huddled around Coach Toshinori when he clapped his hands together with his usual blinding smile. “Look alive! As you all know, the season is starting to pick up and now more than ever, we need to engage with the public. We are the best school in all of Japan and we need to maintain that status. So, I want you to take to social media and hold mini interviews with people in busy areas!”
Katsuki shrugged, not bothered by the assignment. It wasn’t like he had any intention of being the one doing the interviewing. If he partnered with Kirishima who was more of a people person, then he could just record the interviews.
“Let’s do this Bakugo!” cheered Kirishima loudly, letting his manly persona take over.
Katsuki narrowed his eyes, tightening his grip on his phone. “Shut up Shitty Hair! Do you want to scare away everyone with your screaming?”
Rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, Kirishima turned back to where people were moving in and out of shops. “Oops, you’re right. Sorry man.”
Huffing, Katsuki prepared his phone to record as Kirishima asked individuals if they’d be willing to be interviewed. Most of the time it took one look at Kirishima and Bakugo for people to say yes. It may have been the duo’s good looks, or their UA letter jackets, but people were fast to do an interview.
They had already held short interviews with ten people by the time their interest had fully worn off. Kirishima groaned, crashing on a nearby bench. “Why does Coach want us to interview fifteen people? We are going to have way too much footage,” noted Kirishima as he watched people pass by.
“Stop complaining, we are almost finished,” grumbled Katsuki, scrolling through the countless videos on his phone.
“Easy for you to say! You haven’t talked to one person,” scoffed Kirishima, failing at guilt tripping Katsuki.
Raising a brow with an unimpressed expression, Katsuki shrugged it off. “Not my problem.”
Kirishima spotted a familiar face in the crowd and his face lit up like a little kid on their birthday. “No way! Is that Midoriya? What are the odds we see him here?”
Katsuki was already handing his phone to Kirishima, not bothering to look back or wait for his friend. “Record me.”
The eagerness Katsuki displayed to interview Izuku let Kirishima know everything. Katsuki had a fat crush on Izuku. He’d never pass up a moment to record Katsuki making a fool of himself. Moments like these were rare and Kirishima usually failed to capture the moment in a picture or video.
Once the redhead caught up to where Katsuki had greeted Izuku, he caught the end of their exchange of pleasantries.
Izuku flashed a soft smile at Katsuki. “It’s nice to meet you in person! Toshinori tells me a lot about you.”
Kirishima was already recording with a bright smile. “Hi Midoriya!”
Turning his head to look at Kirishima, Izuku’s eyes lit up when he realized it was Kirishima. “Oh! Kirishima, hi! It’s been so long since we’ve last talked!”
“It really has been! I’ve been so busy with balancing school and football I haven’t been going to the parties lately,” sighed Kirishima defeatedly. He knew Izuku wasn't one to be petty but still, he felt bad about not keeping in touch with someone he enjoyed talking to.
“Nonsense! Anyway, Bakugo, you mentioned something about interviewing me?” inquired Izuku, returning to the initial reason he was approached by the hottest guy on campus.
Katsuki took a step closer to Izuku after letting his eyes trail all over Izuku’s body when the pretty boy had been distracted. Clearing his throat, trying to fight the nerves that flooded his body when he caught sight of muscular legs, Katsuki nodded.
“Yes, the football team is doing interviews with the public so we can post stupid shit to remind everyone why UA is the best.”
Perking up at the explanation of what was happening, Izuku eagerly agreed,” Of course. I’m more than happy to support UA and our football team!”
The three traveled to a more open area of the shopping center. The sun was warm on their skin and there was a gentle breeze. As Izuku and Katsuki waited for Kirishima to give them the go ahead to start the interview, Kirishima swore the scene looked like something out of a romcom movie. The school jock and nerd running into each other and having their worlds collide on a beautiful day with a cinematic breeze twirling their hair around.
Izuku was wearing a white tee shirt with the words “running shirt” on it. He paired the simple tee shirt with some black gym shorts that had white accents on the side seam. Both of his knees were strapped up with yellow kinesiology knee tape, paired with royal blue compression socks. The final addition to the horrifically discolored outfit was a pair of expensive red running sneakers.
Katsuki was in some baggy black pants, expensive white sneakers, and wore his UA football letter jacket.
Their outfits dramatically contrasted each other, but it wasn’t an eyesore like Kirishima thought it would be. Despite all of that, Kirishima cut the two’s ogling short. “Start anytime!”
Without missing a beat, Katsuki went off-script and asked a personal question. “What happened to your leg?”
Both Kirishima and Izuku seemed a bit taken aback by the question, but they quickly recovered. Kirishima knew he was going to use this as blackmail on Katsuki for the foreseeable future. Izuku on the other hand didn’t know what to expect from the interview and was happy to talk to the notorious football captain.
“I do a lot of running. A lot of cardio,” revealed Izuku, smiling shyly at Katsuki as he fiddled with the earbuds he had taken out.
Since he was a person with no filter, Katsuki dove straight into sly flirting. “Were you on your knees by any chance?”
“I actually was,” answered Izuku quickly, a bit surprised Katsuki asked the question. Still, he wasn’t too surprised Katsuki knew what to ask considering he was an athlete too.
Katsuki didn’t falter despite Izuku clearly not understanding what he meant with that question. “Oh. I picked the right guy for the interview,” commented Katsuki charmingly, his eyes looking at Izuku as if he were a meal to devour.
With the single comment, Izuku picked up on what Katsuki was indirectly saying and let his eyes widen and let out a breathless laugh. Katsuki knew he wanted to see that look and hear that laugh every day for the rest of his life. He wasn’t one to believe in love at first sight, but truly Izuku had him captivated. Izuku felt the exact same way.
He got me, hook, line, and sinker.
“How is your day going?” asked Katsuki calmly, reeling back into interviewing Izuku despite him not asking about UA or things about football.
Izuku pouted, looking at the hustle and bustle of the people around. “Pretty slow”
Seeing an opening to be mischievous again, Katsuki leaned closer. “Do you want me to make it faster?”
Perking up at the suggestive question, Izuku was ready to show he was just as interested. Using all the confidence training his teachers have put him through, Izuku tempted, “How would you do that?”
“How do you want me to do that?” fired back Katsuki with pure enjoyment. There was a little voice in the back of his head, wondering if the man before him was being a little shit to mess with him or if he was truly interested.
While Katsuki was overthinking everything, Izuku tilted his head down, looking up at Katsuki through his eyelashes with a shy smile. It was a very pointed look, and Katsuki felt his heart swoon. Katsuki was ready to bite those chubby cheeks peppered with the most beautiful freckles. Still, he was a college student and imagined pinning Izuku against his locker in the vacant locker room, and making those perfect lips spread to let out a scream of pleasure.
“I’m going to have to cut this video short,” half-joked Katsuki, struggling to keep his mind focused on anything but asking Izuku to date him in less than polite words.
The loud, almost manic laughter erupted from Izuku again as the implications of Katsuki’s words sank in. He was infatuated with Katsuki. There was something so thrilling about being the one that caught the attention of the untouchable football captain. In the back of his mind, he was scared this was all some elaborate prank to humiliate him, but he had to trust that Toshinori wasn’t lying about Katsuki being a good person.
It wasn’t uncommon to hear all his friends talking about Katsuki. It was close to impossible not to hear the name when football was such a major sport. Katsuki was the captain and the team's best player. Besides, Izuku often visits the games.
The only problem was he never got a good look at the blonde when their classes had no overlap and Katsuki was nothing more than a small blob down on the field.
Katsuki recalled Kirishima and Izuku’s short exchange. Kirishima mentioned something about not going to as many parties due to his busy schedule. If Kirishima equated not going to parties to a complete loss of communication, he wondered just how often Izuku attended them. “Do you ever go out to parties?”
“Maybe sometimes,” admitted Izuku slowly, raising a brow to gauge just what Katsuki’s aim was. While Izuku enjoyed some dirty talk, he had no intention of being a sex toy. He had standards and he hoped that Katsuki wasn’t just a closeted player.
“Do you ever see frat boys?” questioned Katsuki quickly, feeling anxiety bubble in his gut. He didn’t want Izuku to have his eyes on loser extras. Katsuki knew that some of the frat boys were persistent and relentless when it came to sexual endeavors. Jealousy was an ugly feeling, and Katsuki didn’t like being in a competition where he could easily lose.
Izuku stilled, a bit offended Katsuki was asking about his potential romantic interests in frat boys. How could Katsuki think he had no standards? Sure, Izuku was popular and flirty when it counted, but he didn’t think he gave off the impression he’d settle for a frat boy.
Truth be told, Izuku had a fear of drinking and drugs. He was a control freak after all.
In the end he’d be lying if he said he didn’t notice some of the frat boys at the parties he attended. No matter how many people tried to hide the parties from the frat boys, they managed to find and get into the private parties. “I do see some frat boys. I don’t go for frat boys though.”
Katsuki immediately relaxed and soon realized he had been making a lot of assumptions. Sure, he was gay, but he couldn’t just assume anyone he was interested in was. Yet, he saw Izuku standing across the field on one fateful day and decided the nerd was his. Still, he didn’t have to worry about some horny men getting their hands on Izuku.
With his skin practically itching from anticipation, Katsuki knew he needed to get a better confirmation of Izuku’s sexuality. Their not-so-subtle flirting wasn’t enough. “So, what kind of guys do you go for?”
“Literally any other kind of guy,” chuckled Izuku, feeling his cheeks heat up a bit. It was clear that Katsuki was interested in him no matter what the intentions behind that interest were. Who could blame him for being flattered that Katsuki was giving him attention in a world filled with gorgeous individuals who matched Katsuki’s interests better.
Even if he was a perfect mix of calculated and impulsive, Katsuki was quick to gather the courage and make it clear where he stood. “Like football players?”
The message was direct and Izuku’s face bloomed the most stunning shade of pink Katsuki had ever seen. The shade complimented his hair and made his freckles more apparent. Still, Izuku raised a hand to tuck a stray curl behind his ear. Ignoring the adrenaline pumping in his veins, he smiled confidently. “I’ve never gone for a football player before but…”
All composure was lost, and Katsuki’s buffer vanished. “Do you like dick?”
That was all it took for Izuku to burst out into laughter. Even if Katsuki only wanted him for his body, which meant a hard rejection to an only physical relationship, Izuku had no intention of living a life without Katsuki in it. The vulgarity in Katsuki’s speech and the lack of regret in everything he said was something Izuku quickly admired. “Uh yeah.”
Katsuki couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face, unable to believe that with the dumpster fire their conversation was, Izuku was still laughing and engaged. If his last question wasn’t enough to drive Izuku away, he might as well try to ask, “Can I get your number?”
Not even a second passed when Izuku threw his head back in laughter once more, fully captivated by Katsuki. He enjoyed the directness after all the suggestive language. Waving a hand, Izuku took a deep breath before shrugging and nodding his head. “Yeah, I guess you can get my number.”
Suddenly Katsuki felt like an elementary schooler. He remembered watching all his friends ask girls out and being surprised when they accepted. Now he understood how they felt at that moment. It was a pure, unadulterated sense of belonging and acceptance.
Despite the train wreck he presented himself to be, Izuku wanted to stick around.
“Really?”
“Yeah,” confirmed Izuku as he laughed, raising his hand, messing with his phone to pull up contacts, and offering it to Katsuki.
Kirishima stood behind the camera, wearing a disgusted expression. Izuku and Katsuki were made for each other. He couldn’t imagine any other person in the world still giving their number to Katsuki after being aggressively asked if they liked dick.
Whatever rose-tinted glasses Izuku was wearing, Kirishima wanted a pair too.
Katsuki calmly put in his digits and his name. He knew Izuku knew his name, but still, he liked the feeling of making himself known to Izuku. As soon as Katsuki went to hand Izuku his phone, a calendar notification pinged.
“Sorry, I really must go! I’ll text you, Katsuki. And Kirishima, it was a pleasure seeing you again.”
Kirishima and Katsuki both waved to Izuku and sadly said their goodbyes. They were impressed that Izuku was able to spare them a minute in the first place with how intense his schedule must be.
Izuku walked away with a pep in his step. Kirishima had been busy sending the video to himself when Katsuki’s voice reached his ears against his will.
“I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave,” sighed Katsuki, clearly admiring Izuku’s ass-sets.
Kirishima cringed, staring at Katsuki as if he’d been betrayed. “Bro, I love you… but I’m going to need you to stop talking.”
Katsuki gave Kirishima a swift punch to the arm before snatching his phone back. “Never speak of this to anyone. Let’s grab lunch… fuck interviewing anyone else.”
More than happy to stop where they were, Kirishima started walking to the one restaurant nearby he knew they both enjoyed. Katsuki smiled at his phone when he almost immediately got a text from Izuku.
Katsuki wasn’t planning on letting Izuku go after having a taste.
Izuku Midoriya was familiar with grief. Throughout his life, his precious heart loved too much. So when tragedy struck, the pain oftentimes felt unbearable. His generosity was taken advantage of far too many times. His compassion was abused. He lost people faster than he gained. Izuku Midoriya was very familiar with grief.
His father disappeared for a job across the world. Hisashi was too busy to send a text. He was too busy to say happy birthday. He was never there. All he was, was an idea. Only the thought of him existed to Izuku. The grief he felt from losing someone he never knew hurt the worst.
The people Izuku considered friends left him at the drop of a hat. No one stuck around. No one defended him. They changed faster than Izuku could comprehend. One second they played in the sand and in the next they were throwing sand at him. They were no longer people Izuku knew.
Izuku lost the one person he desired the most. Katsuki Bakugo became a star. Something so far away he’d never dream of being able to touch. Katsuki glowed and shined brilliantly. He was perfect in Izuku’s eyes. Izuku would chase Katsuki, refusing to give up. While the new version of his friend wasn’t tasteful, Izuku still knew how amazing Katsuki was deep down.
As Izuku grew up so did his list of losses. Quirkless people that he would meet on social media died. Once he got into U.A. he gained a lot of friends and strong adult figures, but just like in the past, people still left. His teachers died, many heroes died, villains died, and innocent civilians died. Midoriya at one point ran away, having to lose everyone he cared about to keep them safe. He watched the world crumble around him. Some of the people he held closest almost became memories.
Through all of it, Izuku persevered. He dealt with grief in many different ways. His method always changed and alternated depending on what and how.
Izuku was now in the middle of his third year at U.A. and couldn’t have been happier. His friends were alive, his teachers were alive, and villains were at an all-time low since the rise of quirks decades ago. Heroes were still needed by all means, but the League of Villains no longer existed and no war was about to break out.
Izuku had time to visit Eri and Kota more often as his workload was not nearly as big as it was in his first year attending U.A. The kids grew so much within two years. One day Aizawa informed Izuku he would need a babysitter for Eri. Izuku dropped everything to do so. Izuku took her out to the school’s garden, finding it a beautiful day to go outside.
Katsuki and Shoto got asked by Hatsume to go get Izuku quickly. She needed his opinion on some gear she was making for a first-year. They wanted recommendations and Hatsume knew asking the quirk analyst would help shorten down her list of ideas. The duo tracked him down to the garden with Eri after asking around.
Eri was currently weaving some flowers together, mimicking Izuku’s instructions. Izuku had asked about Aizawa and how she enjoyed living with him. Eri was more than happy to talk about her father, but suddenly she went quiet.
“Eri-chan? Is something wrong?” asked Izuku, worried that the chattering girl suddenly went silent.
Eri seemed to be contemplating something before looking up at Izuku. “Mister Deku, I have a question.”
“Go ahead,” encouraged Izuku, knowing Eri would ask no matter what. She knew she could ask Izuku anything.
Eri sat down the half-weaved flowers on the ground and focused on Izuku. “What is your Dad like? I can’t remember you ever telling me about him.”
“Oh, that’s because I never met him Eri. He went away for work before I got a chance to remember him,” revealed Midoriya, speaking to her in a soft tone.
“Why was he away for work for so long?” questioned Eri, not understanding why Izuku’s dad just wouldn’t be around.
Izuku shrugged, weaving Eri’s flowers for her. “I don’t know. His work was too important I suppose.”
Eri frowned, sad Izuku’s dad wasn’t around. “What about others?”
“Others?” repeated Izuku back to Eri, confused about what she meant.
“Yeah. The grandpas and grandmas and stuff. All of those people!” revealed Eri, a chipper grin on her face.
“Well, when I was young… they seemed to leave,” chuckled Izuku, unable to bring himself to tell her why.
Eri’s eyes widened, shocked Izuku was a lot like her. “Why did they all leave?”
Katsuki and Shoto arrived at the garden, spotting the two. They approached and saw the two talking. The expressions on Eri and Izuku’s faces signaled they were having a serious conversation. Katsuki walked right over, shamelessly snooping. Shoto went right alongside Katsuki. He wanted to know what Izuku was talking about.
Izuku was quick to come up with something, anything to keep Eri from getting too upset. He raised his head to see the sky peek through the leaves of the tree they were under.
“Sometimes special people come into our lives, stay for a bit, and then they have to go.”
Eri frowned, scooting closer to Izuku. “But that’s sad.”
“It is,” agreed Izuku solemnly. Izuku returned his gaze to Eri, resting his hands on the cloth of his slacks, smoothing out the wrinkles. He remembers how it felt to lose Toshinori. The news that Toshinori wouldn’t be around for much longer struck him in the gut so hard he couldn’t move. He couldn’t lie and say that it wasn’t hard. He smiled softly at her, tilting his head to the side. “But the bit where they were here was happy wasn’t it? Like Lemillion. When he was around, those were happy times.”
Eri’s eyes lit up, seeing the point Izuku was making. She giggled, a bright smile appearing as she nodded. “Yes! I brought his quirk back!”
Izuku hummed, nodding his head in acknowledgment. He recalled how monumental of a moment that was for everyone. Still, the thought reminded him of the war where no one walked away a winner. He pushed those feelings down, finding unconditional love for the girl he saw as his little sister.
“Maybe that makes it all worth it,” chuckled Midoriya, looking down at the flowers before putting one in her hair.
Eri smiled, touching the flower happily. She could understand what Izuku was saying. She missed Mirio always being around, but the time when he was around was a happy time. It made the time he was away bearable.
Shoto stood there, gripping the fabric of his shirt. He could feel his heart pound beneath his knuckles. The expression on Izuku’s face gnawed at him. The way Izuku said everything so mindlessly made Shoto realize Izuku thought of loss, a lot. Shoto lost a lot in his life, yet he couldn’t begin to deal with the grief in healthy ways. It took outside help to get to the point he was currently at. Even with the help he got, he couldn’t say there was anything that made it worth it. Not losing Toya, Rei, and the list of others he lost.
Katsuki watched with a blank expression. No matter what Izuku did, he couldn’t hide anything from Katsuki. Katsuki could see the strain in that smile. He could see the exhaustion replace the hope that was once in Izuku’s eyes. It made his palms sweaty. The way he felt was similar to the way a person would get when they had an itch they couldn’t scratch.
Katsuki loved Izuku. Izuku was like a porcelain sculpture, handcrafted by the heavens. Izuku's heart was made out of gold and he had the strength that could rival Gods and Goddesses. Katsuki looked at Izuku and drowned in hills of green. Izuku was the human embodiment of green: symbolic of life. His eyes, his hair, his everything.
Katsuki fell hard and Izuku had no clue. He watched Izuku tend to Eri with the maternal instincts he knew mimicked Inko. He knew deep down what Izuku was thinking the whole time. He knew what Izuku went through and how he dealt with losing people. Katsuki knew he had scared Izuku on numerous occasions when it came to “going away”.
Katsuki was about to step up and ruin the special moment, but Eri stopped him in his tracks. “Mister Deku… I don’t want you to go. You’re special.”
Izuku looked at Eri and his eyes widened. “Eri, I’m not going anywhere.”
“But you’re going to be a hero next year.”
“I am, but that doesn’t mean I’m leaving you,” reassured Izuku, giving her an earnest smile.
“You’re not?” sniffled Eri.
Izuku scooped her into a gentle embrace. “Nope. Never ever.”
Eri cried into Izuku’s shoulder, hugging him tightly. Izuku rubbed circles on her back as tears made their way down his cheeks. His smile cracked as he listened to the relieved cries of Eri. Izuku pulled back and tucked her fly-away hair behind her ear before wiping away her tears. “You won’t be going anywhere either. You’re just as special.”
Eri smiled, patting Izuku’s tears as well. “Never! I’d never leave!”
Izuku laughed, rising to his feet and extending a hand out to her. “Good, because who else would I have tea parties with?”
“Yeah, and you can’t leave because no one else can make me candy apples,” threatened Eri adorably, taking Izuku’s hand and jumping up.
Izuku patted her head, smiling fondly. “Speaking of food, it’s about time we get you some lunch. What are you hungry for today?”
Katsuki revealed himself to Izuku and Eri. Todoroki magically appeared beside Katsuki and waved at the two. “Hi.”
Izuku’s face lit up. “Kacchan! Shoto!”
Katsuki crossed his arms. “Hatsume needs your help when you get the chance. Also, I’m making us lunch today. You’ll burn down the kitchen.”
“I’m completely capable of cooking Kacchan,” sassed Izuku, raising a brow. Izuku had cooked before Katsuki on numerous occasions.
Shoto lowered his head in shame. “I can’t cook.”
Eri smiled up at Shoto. “Me neither! We are the same!”
Shoto perked up, nodding at the small child. “We are.”
Izuku was distracted by the two’s little scene and smirked. “Well, neither of you has to worry about that. It seems that Kacchan has you covered since he won’t let me cook.”
“Ha! Don’t try and do that guilt-tripping bullshit Izuku,” roared Katsuki, all bark no bite.
Izuku smiled, shrugging his shoulders. “Just saying the truth Kacchan. Let’s go then, me and Eri are hungry.”
As the four made their way into the main building, Katsuki wrapped an arm around Izuku’s shoulder and bit his chubby cheek. Izuku, used to the violent forms loving Katsuki showed, lightly bonked his head against Katsuki’s.
“Nothing makes it worth it if I can’t have you by my side,” murmured Katsuki into Izuku’s ear.
Izuku’s heart melted at Katsuki’s voice and his words of affirmation. Izuku leaned his head on Katsuki’s shoulder, using his free hand to wrap around his bicep. “You know I can’t live without you either,” whispered Izuku.
Izuku may be used to grief… but he will never be prepared when the time comes he loses the ones he holds the closest for good. But for now, Izuku has everything he could ever want. Eri, Shoto, and Katsuki had everything they could ever want. As cheesy as it sounded, it was because they had each other. They had love to keep the grief at bay or they made themselves believe so.
The End!
(also ignore the fact I referenced a scene from the kid's show Bluey in the episode “Camping” 😭 and ignore the fact that I thought about making a fan fiction because of it 💔 it was emotional okay?)
“I like you.”
“Huh?”
“I like you!”
“Yeah right, I’m not interested in your games.”
“What?”
“Are you deaf? I don’t care about what you have to say Deku.”
“Ah, okay. I understand.”
It had taken Midoriya months to gather the courage to confess to Bakugo. A part of him always knew he loved Bakugo, but he never had the chance to address how he felt.
They had gotten much closer throughout their time at U.A. High and Midoriya had reason to believe Bakugo felt the same way. Unfortunately, Midoriya was mistaken. Bakugo made it very clear he wasn’t interested in Midoriya and that whatever Midoriya wanted to express wasn’t important.
The wonder duo’s once strong and seemingly unbreakable bond was broken.
In the days following Midoriya’s rejection, he didn’t bother speaking to Bakugo. While he still had an unshakable crush on Bakugo, he couldn’t bring himself to talk or be around him. It hurt too much.
The entire class instantly noticed the shift in Midoriya’s mood and mannerisms. Usually, Midoriya was happily calling out to Bakugo and walking around with him. Mina was the first to rush over and ask Midoriya what was happening on day three.
“Are you okay?” asked Mina worriedly, trying to keep her voice to a hush.
Midoriya took a moment to smile, and the action looked like it hurt. Following his physical reaction, it took a couple more seconds for him to respond. Through gritted teeth, Midoriya answered, “I’ve never been better.”
Mina grabbed Midoriya by the arm and dragged him out of the room. “Cut the shit, let’s talk.”
Uraraka got up and quickly followed the two outside of the classroom. Mina closed the door behind them and grabbed Midoriya’s shoulders.
“Spill.”
“Wait, what’s happening,” questioned Uraraka quickly. She didn’t want to assume what Mina was telling Midoriya to talk about, but she hoped it was about his concerning behavior.
“Midoriya here is acting weird and is avoiding Bakugo. I’m asking what happened,” informed Mina, looking at Uraraka before turning back to Midoriya.
“It’s nothing guys, really,” sighed Midoriya, waving his hands.
Uraraka and Mina gave each other an unimpressed glance before pointing their stare at Midoriya. Midoriya wilted at their expression. Uraraka called her best friend out quickly. “Nothing my butt. You look like a kicked puppy. I’m worried about you.”
“Yeah, we just want to know what’s upsetting you,” agreed Mina, keeping her voice hushed and gentle. She’s been more careful around Midoriya after the war.
Midoriya stared at the ground with such intensity it scared the two. Midoriya felt his lip wobble as the dam of tears behind his eyes was prepared to break. Despite doing his best to compose himself and act like everything was okay, he couldn’t.
He wasn’t okay. He wanted to cry. He felt embarrassed, ashamed, and undesirable. If Bakugo had politely rejected Midoriya, that would have been easier to bounce back from, but that wasn’t the case.
Bakugo spat on Midoriya’s heart. While Midoriya knew Bakugo could be harsh on his bad days, it was still extremely out of character for him.
In the middle of the hallway, Midoriya crumbled. His shoulders trembled as he let out loud sobs he tried to muffle. Uraraka jumped at the suddenness of Midoriya’s breakdown.
Mina swallowed hard as her frown deepened. Guilt started eating her up, worried she overstepped a boundary and hurt Midoriya.
Uraraka pulled Midoriya into a hug, not bothering to waste words when it was clear Midoriya wasn’t going to hear them anyway. Mina on the other hand began to guide Midoriya and Uraraka away from the classroom for more privacy.
Kirishima, who had been on the other side of the door, turned around with a pale face. The rest of the class who were waiting for Kirishima to fill them in all felt their expressions fall when they saw his face. It was clear Midoriya wasn’t doing okay, and Kirishima’s expression confirmed their fears.
“Guys… Midoriya’s crying,” revealed Kirishima slowly with panic laced in his voice.
Todoroki walked over, growing nervous. “What do you think could’ve caused him to be this upset?”
Iida shook his head, crossing his arms. “He was already acting strange yesterday afternoon. He skipped dinner.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard Midoriya cry like that before. Sure, he’s been through hell, but this cry is heartbreaking,” explained Kirishima, looking at the rest of his peers.
“I hope it’s nothing too serious. Midoriya’s been through so much already,” recalled Momo, letting her fingers nervously fidget.
Bakugo on the other hand was trying to keep his cool. It was quickly becoming apparent that Midoriya’s breakdown was because of what went down earlier that week.
He didn’t have a good reason for why he acted the way he did or why he said the things he did. He just assumed Midoriya was messing with him, and Bakugo took it personally because he was genuinely interested.
Too bad he went and fucked it all up.
Deciding to take matters into his own hands, he pushed back his chair and stalked to the doorway. With one strong swing he threw open the door and quickly slammed it shut behind him.
Crying quickly met his ears, and he turned his head to spot Uraraka and Mina failing to console him. Bakugo stalked his way over, feeling his pulse pick up at the sound of Midoriya crying knowing it was his fault.
“Pink cheeks, raccoon eyes, leave,” instructed Bakugo with a seriousness they hadn’t seen or heard in a while.
The duo instantly backed off, making their way back towards the classroom. Meanwhile, Midoriya was struggling to get himself together. He didn’t want Bakugo to see him in such a state. Midoriya didn’t want Bakugo to know he still held so much power over him years later.
“Izuku.”
Midoriya quickly cut him off, raising a hand. “Don’t.”
Bakugo stilled, not expecting Midoriya to respond with such hostility. “I just wanted to apologize.”
“Wow. Really? That’s surprising,” scoffed Midoriya, lowering his hands to show an unimpressed expression accompanied by red puffy eyes.
“Don’t be a smartass,” fired back Bakugo, not one to take disrespect lightly.
“Well, excuse me for not being nice after how you spoke to me yesterday,” replied Midoriya bluntly, crossing his arms.
Bakugo paused, balling his hands up. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Izuku, please. If you will… let me explain.”
Midoriya narrowed his eyes, taking a step forward. “Please, enlighten me as to why you don’t care about anything I have to say and that my feelings aren’t important to you.”
It was quiet for a bit, Midoriya watched as Bakugo’s face turned a rosy shade of pink. The resentment, anger, and hurt that Midoriya had been feeling almost instantly faltered. This wasn’t an expression Midoriya expected to see on Bakugo’s face.
“Kacchan?”
“Shit, this is embarrassing!” admitted Bakugo angrily, rubbing his face.
“What?” questioned Midoriya with concern, a part of him was worried Bakugo was embarrassed about feeling the same way.
Bakugo looked into Midoriya’s beautiful green eyes before revealing, “I thought you were pranking me.”
Midoriya stilled, his worried expression morphing into something resembling irritation. “Excuse me? Why would you ever think I’d fake confessing to you?”
“I saw you with Pink Cheeks yesterday whispering about something like weirdos,” explained Bakugo.
“Hey!” yelled Midoriya, offended by the unnecessary detail.
“Let me finish Freckles! After you guys were done whispering, I overheard Pink Cheeks talking with Dunce Face and Raccoon Eyes. They were laughing about some great prank and your name was mentioned a lot. You approached me less than ten minutes later,” detailed Bakugo, crossing his arms.
Midoriya looked up at Bakugo to see the way his expression softened, and his eyes were filled with remorse. Butterflies filled Midoriya’s gut as he realized he still had a chance. Bakugo may really like him.
“I don’t know about any prank, but I’m about to go find out,” hissed Midoriya, his blood boiling at the realization his friends set him up.
“Hold it right there. You aren’t going anywhere,” countered Bakugo, swiftly grabbing Midoriya’s wrist.
Snapping his gaze up to Bakugo, Midoriya was put back into the present. His head was all over the place as one strong emotion after the next came over him.
“Do you,” started Midoriya before having to stop and swallow a lump in his throat. “Do you like me too?”
Bakugo pulled Midoriya’s arm. Midoriya flew towards Bakugo, yelping before feeling a muscular arm hold his waist. “Fuck that cheesy kid shit. I’m in love with you, Izuku.”
Before Midoriya could get a word out Bakugo captured his lips. Midoriya let out a relieved sigh as he melted into Bakugo’s arms. Bakugo let go of Midoriya to set both hands on his waist and pull him close.
Midoriya swiftly moved his hands to Bakugo’s shoulders before sliding them up the nape of his neck. He felt his legs get weak as Bakugo kissed him like he was the most perfect person in the world.
When the two pulled away for a moment, Bakugo declared, “We are dating.”
“Just kiss me again,” sighed Midoriya and he looked up into Bakugo’s piercing stare.
Bakugo didn’t waste a minute to capture Midoriya in another kiss. They both ignored the fact that class had started, and they were definitely going to get in trouble for kissing in the middle of the hallway.
Meanwhile, Uraraka and Mina were staring at the duo with dropped jaws. Kirishima had opened the door to get an update and was also frozen in surprise at the sight of Midoriya and Bakugo making out in the hallway.
Their teacher took one look at what was going on in the hallway before going right back to the teacher's stand. It was about time the two teens figured out their feelings. The teacher no longer had to deal with the strange air that surrounded the two.
By the time Midoriya and Bakugo returned to the room, everyone knew what had just happened. Todoroki pointed a finger at the duo with a smile. “I’m glad to see you finally figured out the obvious.”
“Ha?” shouted Bakugo, hand ready to blast Todoroki to space.
“Good for you two! I was wondering when you’d finally get together,” cheered Mina, clapping her hands.
Midoriya was bright red, covering his face in embarrassment at the realization all his classmates heard and witnessed their confession and kissing. “Oh god.”
The teacher cleared their throat, grabbing the attention of everyone. “You may all talk about your personal lives after class. Let’s leave both Bakugo and Midoriya alone and continue our lesson.”
Twenty students all sadly shuffled back to their seats. Bakugo sneakily took Midoriya’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Midoriya flashed Bakugo a giddy smile before squeezing his hand back.
Even if the way they started dating came from a less-than-ideal situation, Midoriya couldn’t be more grateful. If it took a misunderstanding and some tears to get the ball rolling, then so be it. Bakugo would spend the rest of his life making up for it.
Midoriya was now dating the boy of his dreams.
Izuku wiped his face, having cleaned off the filth that covered it. Having your face dunked in the toilet was common when you were quirkless. People wanted you to die so they’d make you feel like you were. Having face wash was a necessity, he’d always wash off when the bullies left. They never stuck around because deep down they were cowards.
Izuku huffed, walking out of the bathroom feeling fatigued. Even if the day had dragged on and crushed his spirit he wasn’t going to let his bullies win. He was going to push forward and achieve the great things that he wants. Spite was a leading factor, but Izuku also wanted to do it for his mom. Inko tried so hard every day and he wanted her to no longer worry.
The school was empty, most people headed off to their extracurriculars. Izuku sighed, pushing open the entrance door. Midoriya took a deep breath and relished in the sun. He could smell the grass and feel the breeze. There were no fluorescent lights or body odor to ruin his mood.
Izuku remembered Inko needed a couple of groceries so he headed off to run a quick errand. Inko had forgotten to go to a second store to grab the things she needed, but Izuku offered to get them.
Izuku reached his destination quickly and found what he needed. Izuku happily chatted with the cashier. Casual conversations were easy to get through with young adults.
Izuku left the store with his tote bag of groceries. His backpack always carried a tote bag in case he saw hero merchandise on his way home. The streets were busy, but not overwhelming. The flow of traffic was relaxing, with no villains to be seen.
When Izuku was waiting by the crosswalk, he was approached by two teens around his age, probably first-years in high school.
“Hey, would you be interested in having a deep talk with us really quick for a video?” asked the boy, seeming to already be recording.
Izuku saw no harm in it, he didn’t have anything on him that needed to be refrigerated. Besides, he still had an hour or two until Inko would start dinner. Flashing a shy smile, Izuku nodded. “Yes, I have a couple of minutes to spare.”
“Sweet, come over to the benches and we will talk,” instructed the one boy. He had crazy blue and white hair, pink eyes, and wore a nice outfit. It consisted of some nice dress pants and a loose-fitting, white button-up. He stood a foot taller than Izuku had had a charming smile.
The other person was holding the camera. They remained silent, which Midoriya assumed was because of a quirk judging by the symbols near their mouth. They had long black hair clipped back and grey eyes. They were around Izuku’s height.
They sat in front of a fountain, people could be seen walking past in the background. The scene was serene. The boy bowed quickly and introduced himself. “Thank you for agreeing to this, my name is Tobei Nishioka.”
Izuku quickly bowed back, a smile still on his face. “The pleasure is all mine. It's lovely meeting you Nishioka, I’m Izuku Midoriya.”
Nishioka felt his cheeks heat up, enamored by the powerfully kind boy before him. “Lovely meeting you too. Now let’s jump right into the good stuff.”
Pulling out his phone, there was a microphone attached to the end. Nishioka held it up to his mouth. “Are you an above-average person?”
Midoriya tilted his head, the gears in his head already turning. “In what sense?”
“Overall.”
“I don’t think anyone’s above average. I think everyone’s just different,” answered Midoriya honestly, clearly sure of his opinion. Excited about the deep questions, Midoriya complimented Nishioka chirping, “That’s an interesting question though.”
Smiling back, Nishioka realized this was going to be a good video with a good-hearted individual. Nishioka began asking questions he personally wanted to know the answers to. “You don’t think some people are better than others?”
Izuku bit his lip, raising his head to the sky in thought. “Hmm. Better… depends. I think there are maybe more good—there are people that generally tend to do more good. I would probably define that as a better person if you were to ask me. But uhm, better in any other sense; No, I think everyone’s very different.”
Nishioka looked at Izuku with a bright grin, loving the well-explained answers and the meticulous efforts put into giving an honest answer. There was something about Izuku’s energy that was refreshing. He was happy to do this interview. “What about how they contribute to the world?”
Izuku’s smile faded momentarily, reminded of his quirklessness. He was always told he couldn’t contribute to anything because of his lack of a quirk. Despite the question subtly striking a nerve, he knew his answer.
Nishioka noticed the wave of insecurity that captured Izuku for a split second. Nishioka instantly grew worried he said something insensitive or hurt Izuku’s feelings. He held his tongue when he saw Izuku nod like he was giving a shameful confession.
“Then yeah I would say there are better people than others,” replied Izuku, looking up at Nishioka with a kind look despite the doubt he definitely had felt inside.
Nishioka couldn’t help but smile, strangely moved by Izuku. “Are you one of them?”
Izuku face lit up, practically glowing upon taking a breath to answer. “Uh, not yet. I’m trying to be. I’m getting there. That’s my goal. So, we’ll see,” chuckled Izuku at the end, his voice and laughter so sweet even the boy holding the camera stilled for a moment.
Nishioka laughed himself, never having reacted this way to an interviewee before. “I hope you reach that goal, whatever it may be. Now… what is your favorite color?”
Izuku covered his mouth as he held in a laugh at the sudden shift in the questions. “Well, it use to be red because of my shoes. But recently, my heart rushes to a vibrant fulvous orange.”
“I love it! Green on the outside, orange on the inside,” teased Nishioka, causing Izuku’s eyes to go wide.
Izuku looked down bashfully, never having a conversation with some around his age go so smoothly. Even if they didn’t know he was quirkless, the kindness he received with it hidden was enough.
Nishioka moved on to the next question. “What gives you the motivation to keep going?”
Izuku pondered for a moment, huffing in frustration. “I have more than one answer.”
“Go for it! This is deep talk after all,” reassured Nishioka, shifting himself to face Izuku better.
“Fear of failure. I’ve grown up being told I am a failure so I keep pushing forwards in the hopes that I’m not actually,” confessed Izuku, his smile stiffening as the recalls the dozens upon dozens of people who told him he was worthless.
Nishioka’s eyes widened, stunned anyone could say something remotely mean to the gentle and comforting presence of Izuku. He remained silent, letting Izuku continue.
“Spite as well. Every time anyone has ever said, I can’t do that or I shouldn’t do x,y,z. I think of that every time I wanna do something,” explained Izuku proudly, an accomplished smile on his face as he spoke up about it.
Nishioka could tell that wasn’t it and wanted to push Izuku to speak about it and get out of his head. “It seems like you have another form of motivation.”
“Yes… it’s my mom actually,” revealed Izuku with a reserved smile plastered on his face. The mere thought of Inko gave Izuku strength.
“That’s sweet. Is there any specific reason why?” inquired Nishioka, curious about the deeper meaning.
Izuku smiled, happy to talk about why his mother was amazing and how she brought him motivation. “She’s a beautiful person, and I just want to, like—be like her. I don’t come from a fortunate family. My fathers across the world working with the government so we can’t talk to him. So it’s just me and my mother. So when I think about, y’know… living I just think of my mom. She worries for me a lot, and I just want to support her and make her not worry. I love her.”
“That’s a wonderful answer. It sounds like you are extremely close with her,” complimented Nishioka earnestly, feeling a strong urge to protect Izuku.
“I am really close with her. We are all each other has. She’s a stay-at-home mom, and I am an outcast of society,” joked Izuku, the seemingly self-destructive joke being a habit of Izuku.
Nishioka fired the next question, a flame in his eye. “When was your happiest moment?”
Izuku’s cheeks turned red, seemingly embarrassed. “Last summer, when I went to a beach resort for the first time with my mom. I never felt more at peace than in that moment of solitude alone with my mom.”
“Wow, that’s oddly adorable. Have you never been to the beach before then?” questioned Nishioka, curious as to how he had never been when beaches were all around.
“No, I refused to! I would never to a beach around here,” gasped Izuku, half dying from the fact the beach next to his house was a garbage can for the public.
Nishioka laughed at the dramatic reaching, rocking back as he fixed his grip on the microphone. “That’s interesting, I can understand wanting to travel to do something special like that. When was the last time you cried?”
Without missing a beat, Izuku answered, “Yesterday.”
Getting whiplash from the immediate answer, Nishioka choked on the air, coughing quickly. “Why?”
Izuku shifted on the bench, resting his hands on his lap. “I tend to get overwhelmed easily. School is a nightmare and when I get home is usually the first time I feel safe during the day.”
“Why’s that? Do you feel safe now?” questioned Nishioka, extremely worried for Izuku’s safety.
Izuku shook his head, offering a weak smile that didn’t meet his eyes. “Not really, but you get used to feeling that way. It becomes normal.”
Izuku’s phone started ringing. Izuku froze checking the contact to see that it was his mom. “Oh, it’s my mother.”
Izuku answered the call, shamelessly putting it on speaker. “Hello, Mom!”
“Hi, Sweetheart. I know you got off school not too long ago, but you’re at the shops now right?” The sweet motherly voice came out from the other end of the call.
“I actually was heading back from picking up the groceries. Why? Is everything alright?” asked Izuku, fondness in his eyes and amusement in his tone.
“Yep! I was just checking in, thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver,” cried Inko, so grateful for Izuku.
Izuku beamed at the praise, glad to be helpful and recognized for it. “Please, you’re the lifesaver. Anyways I should be home soon.”
“Okay Sweetie, see you soon. I love you.”
“I love you too Mom, bye.”
The call ended and Izuku sat down his phone. “That short phone call made my day one hundred percent better.”
Nishioka smiled, loving the healthy relationship between Izuku and Inko. There was a strong foundation of love that was clearly unbreakable. “It’s admirable how strong your bond is with her.”
“Thank you. I’m sure she’d appreciate hearing that as well. I’m very sorry, but I must be going,” apologized Izuku, grabbing his tote bag.
Nishioka rose to his feet, preparing to wrap up for the day. “It was an honor to have a deep conversation with you. Do you have any social media we can use to identify you?”
“Oh, I apologize, but my social media is a secret.”
Nishioka nodded, backing off. “That’s perfectly fine! I am curious about why it’s a secret though.”
Izuku stands up as well, fiddling with the straps of the tote bag. “Well, I used to be cyberbullied severely and people tried to doxx me and hack my account.”
Nishioka’s eyes widened, his heart breaking for someone as wonderful as Izuku. “That’s horrible! Why would anyone bully someone as kind and pretty as you?”
“Oh, I’m quirkless. My school is built on a quirk-based hierarchy. Word spreads fast,” laughed Midoriya uncomfortably, clearly knowing he ruined whatever interaction he just had.
“That’s horrible. Well, I’ll keep your social media safe. Is there any way I can get your number? I’d love to have someone as down to earth as you in my life,” admitted Nishioka, blushing as he pulled out his phone.
Izuku’s cheeks turned bright red, resembling strawberries. “Oh! Of course!”
“Sweet, okay! Here,” said Nishioka breathlessly, handing his phone to Izuku with a bright smile.
Izuku held the phone with both hands securely, typing in his number, and name before quickly sending a message to himself. “There.”
Checking his phone, Izuku held it up with a smile. “I got the text. Care to put your name in my phone?”
Nishioka excitedly took the phone, typing in his name. He handed the phone back with sweaty palms. “I’m glad I approached you today. I’ll let you get back to your mother.”
“I’m happy you approached me as well. It was lovely meeting you and your friend, see yah,” bowed Midoriya before walking away.
Nishioka turned to his friend who was still recording and melted to the floor. “He’s so perfect it hurts.”
His friend who recorded all of his videos, a person who never spoke, agreed, “He looks too nice to be bullied. How could anyone be mean to him.”
“Right? Like all because he’s quirkless. Whatever, he has us now right dude?”
“Totally.”
1 day later
The video was uploaded and views were wracking in. Suddenly the video blew up and took the world by storm. Izuku had gained millions of supporters in seconds.
Izuku's sweet personality and soothing voice had charmed many. It was only a matter of time till Aldera Junior High got their hands on the video.
The events were cropped a bit of Izuku being approached and Nishioka and him introducing themselves. Many were surprised to see his open body language and willingness to answer any question asked to him.
When Midoriya answered the first question, many were pleasantly surprised by his answer. He viewed everyone under the same lens and recognized no one could really be put on a scale when no one was the same.
In a way, it was validating to hear that when they were all so obsessed with their quirks. They did laugh when he stated a person's contributions to the world did make one person better than another. They enjoyed seeing him “know his place”.
Their laughter disappeared immediately after they laughed when he claimed he was working to become something more than what he currently is.
When Izuku answered the simple question of what his favorite color was, many were surprised. No one knew anything about him so hearing his favorite color being a vibrant fulvous orange was a big thing for them.
There was something about his answer that was very sophisticated. The very specific type of orange was something that caught their attention. They all looked up what his favorite color looked like. They were curious.
When the following question approached, many’s jaws dropped. There was something about hearing him open up about how he was still going that haunted them. Fear of failure, spite, and his mom. Knowing he was deeply affected by their words managed to surprise them even though they were aware they bullied him all the time every day. To know he wanted to avoid being a failure by the odd chance he wasn’t despite believing he was, stung.
Izuku was running forward blindly, going off of the hope that life was worth living. While they were caught off guard by his first reason, spite shocked them just as hard. All their attempts to get him to give him only encouraged and empowered him to accomplish his goals.
When it came to his last reason, the sadness kicked in. Many had their usual teen vs. parent relationship going on. Even if that was happening at home, they still loved their parents. Hearing Izuku talk so fondly about his loving mother sent guilt kicking their gut. They could only imagine a hard-working woman that looked similar to Izuku being this golden light to him. It was painfully adorable.
Some students could understand Izuku in terms of an absent parent. Divorced parents, dead parent(s), absent parent(s), or neglectful parent(s). Those who could relate understood the pain of feeling unwanted. It was nice to hear him push forward for the sake of his mom.
There was something in Izuku’s voice that made him sound lethargic. They could hear how he was exhausted but he ignored it for the sake of promising his mother a brighter future.
Bakugo understood why. Inko and Izuku were all each other had.
When Izuku was asked about his happiest moment, a grand majority were interested in hearing his response. From what they knew, it definitely wasn’t going to be anything about school.
They didn’t know much about Izuku outside of school so it would be a surprise whatever his answer was. So when Izuku revealed his happiest moment was going to the beach for the first time, it stuck with many. Maybe it was the fact it was such a simple moment that Izuku chose to cherish.
Everyone groaned at the following question. Izuku cried all the time so they all mentally noted it would be “an hour ago” or “today”. So it was obvious that no one was surprised by his answer. What did surprise them was his reason for crying. No one expected him to openly express his issues with school. No one expected him to say something so powerful that it would haunt them for the rest of the day.
It finally clicked that Izuku felt unsafe in school. They knew why, but it was still a slap to the face to hear him admit it. If that wasn’t enough, he cried because he finally relaxed for the first time that day. That statement tore Bakugo up inside.
The phone call was a wholesome moment. Inko’s voice was more sweet than anyone had thought. Bakugo had actually relaxed upon hearing the soothing voice again after so long.
When Izuku was asked for his social media, many were surprised to hear him shut that request down. No one at Aldera knew he had social media. Hell, when they tried to find it they came up with nothing. It made sense though. They had driven him off social media once. They never thought he got back on.
What they also weren’t aware of, was that he had been attacked by people who didn’t even know him because he was quirkless. His safety was at risk and he had to shut it down to keep him and his mother protected.
Bakugo and his lackeys had watched the video in horror. They were unaware this had been happening. None of the three were active on social media enough. They didn’t care about Izuku enough to find his account and bully him outside of school. This was all new news to them.
The thing that caught everyone off guard was that Izuku openly admitted he was quirkless. Izuku not only exposed himself but Aldera as well. The way he phrased it really put things into perspective. He made everyone realize they were contributing to the toxic environment based on a “quirk-based hierarchy”.
When their hearts were already beating hard enough, they nearly went into cardiac arrest when Nishioka asked Izuku for his number. No one could believe what they were watching. Izuku got hit on. Someone genuinely took interest in Izuku, well aware he was quirkless. Many were embarrassed by how shocked they were. Part of their shock was from how Izuku was getting advances while they were still hopelessly single.
When Izuku gave his number to Nishioka, the less uppity of his peers were actually happy. There was something exciting about seeing Izuku have an intimate moment with someone. They were able to see Izuku in a new light and learn some facts about him.
The video had blown up and Izuku was trending. This started an uproar about quirkless/quirk discrimination. The conversation started and it was all because this video was the final push. It was clear Aldera Junior High would be in some hot water soon.
When the next day rolled around and Izuku came to school, he was flipping through his notebook. Many watched him through the day, beyond curious about him. After seeing a side to him no one knew about, they wondered what else they didn’t know. Information they didn’t care about before was suddenly craved.
When lunch rolled around, Izuku finally got on his phone. He scrolled through the popular social media apps to stay in the loop before texting his mom and some other people. Nishioka was clearly one of them.
Students all gossiped with one another, jumping to conclusions and making crazy assumptions about Izuku’s life.
Izuku sat alone, carefree as he scribbled in his notebook. Izuku would pick at his food as he worked, savoring each bite. When lunch was over, Izuku quickly slipped his notebook away and brought out his textbook. People’s eyes were trained on him, but he never paid any mind. He was used to the stares so why would he suddenly meet their gaze?
Throughout classes, people paid close attention to Izuku’s expressions and mannerisms. It was easy to notice that he didn’t hide his emotions well. His face would scrunch up at the teacher numerous times throughout the lesson.
When one of his classmates said something stupid to answer the question, he would thin his lips in an attempt not to laugh. Izuku had been judging everyone all along, but everyone was too self-absorbed to notice.
Izuku rose from his seat, slipping his book bag over his shoulder. Katsuki approached Izuku. Izuku had been anticipating an attack all day and assumed it was finally coming. Unfortunately, Izuku was hit with a:
“We need to talk.”
Izuku was led to a discreet restaurant hidden in the street alley. Katsuki guided him inside and the duo sat down at a table, the dining area was close to empty. Katsuki told Izuku to order anything he wanted and Izuku ordered cold soba and warm dumplings.
Izuku took a sip of his water before starting the conversation. “What did you need to talk to me about Kacchan?”
“I saw the video,” answered Katsuki bluntly, getting straight to the point.
Izuku went ghostly pale, beginning to wave his hands in panic. “I swear none of it was directed at you!”
Katsuki pinched Izuku’s cheek. “Shut it. Let me speak.”
Izuku turned a bright red, nodding shyly.
"Look, I couldn't give less of a shit about what you think of me," lied Katsuki. "I just hope you know those random extras bullying you online are nothing but cowards. They aren't worth your time."
"Oh," whispered Izuku, surprised that was what Katsuki wanted to talk about. "Thank you, Kacchan. It happened our first year at Aldera."
Katsuki raised a brow, leaning back in his seat. "Does Aunty know about any of this?"
Izuku frowned, shaking his head. "No. She doesn't know anything. I cover up my injuries to make sure there is nothing for her to be suspicious of."
"Why?"
"I don't want her to worry. I don't want her to worry about me being stuck at Aldera if she can't afford to transfer me to another school. I don't want her only friendship to be ruined if she finds out you are a part of it. It's easier to just suck it up for another year."
"Makes sense... is that loser treating you well?"
"Huh? Oh—Nishioka! Yes, he's very funny and kind," replied Izuku in a happy tone. It's been so long since someone took an interest in him. That he couldn't help but feel like a little kid thinking about it.
"Good. It seems like he's not the only one in love with you. There are a whole bunch of people in love with you judging by the comments of the video," scoffed Katsuki. The blond pretended to be disinterested, but he was still surprised at the support sent Izuku's way.
"Yeah, I'm really flattered... but I doubt it. No one would willingly risk ruining their future by quirk discrimination. People follow the herd and no one likes to be an outcast," huffed Izuku, grabbing his glass of water.
Katsuki nodded, his scowl deepening. "Yeah, just like everyone at our school follows me like losers."
Izuku couldn't help but laugh, his head bobbing up and down. "No kidding. It's kind of creepy how even the adults have these incredibly high expectations of you."
Katsuki paused, feeling his shoulders tense up. "Well of course they would. I'm a future U.A. student Deku."
"Of course, Kacchan," agreed Izuku, not a single doubt in his mind Katsuki would get in.
"I hope you meant what you said in that video Deku. If you show up at the U.A. entrance exam and fail, I'll kill you nerd!" yelled Katsuki, surprising Izuku.
"I won't fail. Just watch me-."
The server cut them off, placing two plates on the table "Soba, dumplings, and extra spicy curry."
The two decided to just end their conversation there and eat. It was a bit awkward, but Izuku would much rather prefer feeling awkward than uncomfortable. Who would've thought he'd be having dinner with his childhood friend turned bully?