Chapter Text
"DEKU!"
The shout echoed throughout the park, startling birds and park-goers alike. Little Bakugou Katsuki ran in circles attempting to find his wayward neighbour while struggling to manage the gaggle of school children trailing behind him. It wasn’t unusual for Midoriya Izuku to wander off and typically Bakugou just allowed his classmate to roam free. Izuku wasn’t particularly fast or good at hiding; or skilled in anything besides the art of rilling up Bakugou. For this reason and many others, most of the children did not protest when Izuku opted to avoid their games, instead choosing to whisper to one another about the strangeness of the green-haired child.
But with the sun beginning to dip beyond the horizon, anxiety coiled inside Bakugou like a snake preparing to strike at the next person who asked him a stupid question. By now, Izuku should have wandered his way back to the group so they could all make their way home together. Bakugou, being the bestest and all, was in charge of making sure all the kids made it home safe. Especially clumsy, crybaby Izuku.
He didn’t particularly care for Izuku. No, he was far too weird and quiet for Bakugou’s liking. Instead, what Bakugou cared for was Midoriya Inko’s special Katsudon and he would much like to keep his privilege of having first dibs.
“Ne, Bakugou? Can we go already? I’m bored.” Tsubasa whined from the back of the group, wings flapping impatiently.
“Shut it, loser! We gotta find Deku or Mom’s gonna skin you.” Bakugou snapped back, raising his fist up threateningly.
“Eh? Why me!?”
“‘Cause your fat ass deserves it! NOW SHUT UP!”
“Bakugou-kun swore!” One of the girls gasped, followed by a gaggle of laughter from the others.
Bakugou scowled, crossing his arms over his chest as he turned back to look at the park. By now most of the playground had cleared out, with only Bakugou and his group of friends remaining behind.
“Just hurry up.” He grunted, a little softer.
This time, he was met with no protest.
“SUCK ON THAT, LOSERS!”
The distant comment flew right over the head of one Midoriya Izuku. Far off from his classmates, the boy tucked himself away under a dark canopy of trees. He sat, crouched down with his knees in the dirt, unbothered by the fresh puddle of mud left over from the earlier sun shower. He had made a mess of himself, with a thin layer of dirt clinging to his skin and scratches all up his arms and legs. His tattered old Best Jeanist hoody was completely ruined by the mud but Izuku couldn’t find himself to care.
Large green eyes blinked with slow curiosity as he leaned closer to the line of ants scurrying alone the fallen branch. They seemed to be attempting to find a way around the dangerously deep puddle that had formed around them. Izuku was tempted to offer them a small stick to aid their struggles, but he also wanted to wait it out to discover what they would do on their own.
Izuku shifted to lean on his elbows so he wasn’t lying face down; completely given up on salvaging his clothes. In the corner of his eye, he spotted movement but didn’t dare turn to look, afraid of startling it. Once it crawled onto the branch, Izuku could make out a type of insect with brilliantly golden skin.
The newcomer made a beeline straight for the ants and Izuku could not allow that. He was briefly taken aback by the colouring of the creature, as the reflecting lights seemed to give the illusion of a thousand rainbows bouncing off its back. It was shaped oddly, but it seemed to be a beetle of some sorts with six little legs scurrying with such heart that made Izuku smile. If it weren’t for its ill intentions for Izuku’s new friends, he likely would have stayed back.
Reaching out, Izuku placed his hand in front of the beetle to block its path forward. But ever determined, the beetle began to crawl up Izuku’s hand. He stifled a few giggles at the strange sensation, lifting up his hand slowly to get a closer look.
The harder he looked the more Izuku realised he didn’t recognise this particular species of insect, and Izuku knew every species. Still, eager to learn more about the little guy, he carefully reached over to his discarded backpack with his other hand. Izuku pulled out his notebook and pencil, beginning to sketch out a rough outline of the beetle’s appearance.
He made sure to include its strong pincers at its head and the way its golden skin seemed to change colours in the sunlight. The little guy was no bigger than Izuku’s thumb, but he had a strange feeling that it had a mighty heart. The beetle seemed to click happily away in his palm, studying Izuku just as much as he was studying it.
Izuku leaned over the previous page containing the laundry caterpillar that terrified his mother, careful not to smudge the pencil lead.
“NOW SHUT UP!”
Izuku jolted back in surprise at the familiar voice, he had been so caught up in his musings that he forgot about Kacchan. His green eyes blinked slowly as he regained his focus on the outside world, tilting his head up to the sky to find the setting sun.
He sighed softly and snapped his book shut. Glancing at the beetle in his hand, it almost seemed to tilt its head in understanding. He smiled.
“I have to go now.” Izuku explains to the creature, “It’s getting late and Mum will worry if I don’t get back soon.”
Izuku began to lower his hand when the world seemed to spin out of control. A strong sense of relaxation washed over him as if his body was whispering “its alright, sleep now”. The thought made him sick to his stomach but his body refused to react, eyes beginning to slowly close.
He couldn’t hear the birds chirping or the wind rustling through the trees. His muscles gave out and his arms fell limp at his side, uncaring of the beetle he had cradled so lovingly. The logical part of his mind was screaming at him to stop; to fight back. That this was wrong.
But whatever it was, it was too strong. Everything clicked into place and as if a switch had been flicked; everything felt right.
Cool satisfaction rolled over him in waves, calming his anxieties and silencing the protests in his head. There was no pain, no sound nor sign of recognition. It wasn’t pretty; it wasn’t pleasant. It was unnatural, and yet it was the most natural thing he had ever done.
If Izuku blinked he would have missed it, but he didn’t. He never would.
The sound that followed; the squelching of fluids should have made him sick. He remembers seeing the little beetle open up its pincers wide, then bite into the delicate skin of Izuku’s freckled arm. It tore open his skin and crawled inside of him—
His skin was untouched, not a single trace left behind but the small bump hidden in his skin. Sound seemed to return to him; the trees howling; the birds screaming. It was deafening but he didn’t dare move. Izuku watches as the lump slowly travelled up his arm, gliding towards his neck and crawling up his throat—
The sensation was foreign, yet it seemed etched into his bones as if it were some primal instinct. He couldn’t stop it, he couldn’t even slow it down. The lump disappeared inside of him, and the world started to move again.
Izuku let out a breath. Slowly lifting up his arm, he found no trace of what had just occurred. The sense of dread gave way to his overwhelming curiosity as he stared down his skin, gently tracing the spot it had entered with the lightest of touches.
Gently, a smile broke on his face. His whole body began to vibrate with excitement. Laughter bubbled up inside of him.
He has a quirk.
A beautiful, wonderfully weird quirk. And it was all his.
“I’m not lying.”
Midoriya Inko smiled sadly, lifting up a hand to run her fingers through her son’s hair. “I know you’re not, sweetie.” She tried to soothe him. “The doctors just have to be thorough.”
Izuku didn’t like this feeling. The ugly sensation of anger bubbling up inside of him, threatening to boil over as he grit his teeth. He hadn’t expected such a strong reaction when he discovered his Quirk, but it shouldn’t bother him as much as it does. Izuku wasn’t immune to the teasing of his peers, nor was he ignorant to them.
He knew his interests could be considered odd and his mannerisms weren’t exactly like any other kid his age. Izuku preferred to keep to himself and the creatures around him, avoiding other children like they carried some type of disease. It wasn’t that he didn’t like them; they just didn’t understand him. Not like his mom did.
His mom was always so kind. Even if she squealed when he presented her with a handful of worms, she never scorned him for his interests. She only asked him to keep his creatures outside and to help remove the occasional spider from the house.
The doctors considered his experience in the forest to be a fluke or a simple cry for attention. But Izuku knew it was real. It was the most real thing he had ever experienced. Izuku was certain he was simply a late bloomer and his Quirk had finally come, but not everyone seemed to agree with him.
Doctor Umi pinched the bride of his nose, seemingly withholding a sigh. His mother shot him a sharp glare and the doctor spluttered.
“Ah, yes.” Sitting up straighter, he cleared his throat. “How about we start from the beginning again.”
When Izuku came bouncing out of the forest screaming to Kacchan and the others about his new quirk, he wasn’t exactly met with enthusiasm. But the more he explained, the more excited the children grew. Then came the most important part; a demonstration.
The problem was that Izuku didn’t know how to replicate it.
When he told his mother about it she was overjoyed. She thought the quirk was perfect for little budding entomologist. The two spent hours researching the history of such an ability to no avail. Inko attempted to find the insect Izuku had described, but it seemed such a thing didn’t exist.
Despite all their dead ends, his mother took him straight to their local Quirk Specialist for answers. The man had previously seen Izuku when the boy turned four but hadn’t evaluated him since. Like anyone who studies Quirks, Doctor Umi was fascinated by Izuku’s description of his newfound power and immediately demanded a demonstration.
It went downhill from there quickly.
Tears burned little Izuku’s eyes. He was embarrassed and upset. He had been waiting for this moment for years and they claim he imagined it? Izuku had been so genuinely offended when Doctor Umi suggested it that the boy almost stormed out right then and there. But his mother held his hand a little tighter and begged the doctor to see reason.
“I already told you everything,” Izuku muttered bitterly, eyes downcast. “I’m not lying.”
Inko laid a comforting hand on his back, rubbing circles to reassure him. The doctor looked exasperated, but Izuku didn’t care. He had been looking forward to this day since before he could walk and he was not letting some doctor take it away from him.
His mother kissed his forward gently, then stood up to follow the doctor as the two stepped out to speak in private. Izuku swayed his legs back and forth, trying his best to ignore the tears rolling down his cheeks. Discarded on the floor was his All Might limited edition Platinum action figure; the same one he had thrown down in a fight of rage.
Carefully, Izuku picked it up off the ground and dusted it off. Sniffling, he clutched it close to his chest with an iron grip. The voices outside grew louder and it sounded as if his mother was tearing up.
Izuku chest hurt.
‘What if I really did imagine it?’
His bottom lip began to wobble as he brought his knees down to his chest. After a few more seconds of sitting in silence; the door opened. His mother stormed in and Izuku lifted up his head, catching the thunderous look on Midoriya Inko’s face.
Her tears weren’t of sadness but anger; white-knuckled fists clenching tightly at her side. The look faded once she laid eyes on her son, with something softer taking its place. Her eyes briefly fell on the action figure clutched in his arms and she offered him a weak smile.
His mother held out her hand, but Izuku leapt to his feet and tackled her waist. Face muffled into her skirt, Izuku shook violently as he began to sob. Inko scooped up her only child and pressed him close to her breast, squeezing him so tight it was as if she feared he’d disappear.
“You are welcome to return if your son shows any more signs.” The doctor’s words were cold and not at all comforting. “Unfortunately this is all I can do for you and your son.”
With her arms full, all Inko could offer was a polite nod. “Thank you.”
Before his mother could leave, the doctor reached out. He didn’t dare touch her, but the movement caused her to cease. Izuku couldn’t see her face but he certainly didn’t pity the doctor right now.
“Please consider, Ms Midoriya.” Doctor Umi’s voice was weak, but there was a hidden conviction lacing his words. “It is in the best interests of your son.”
His mother shook her head slowly, her soft green hair tickling Izuku’s face as he looked up. Her face was pure stone, dark eyes sharp. “Have a nice day.” With a final nod, Inko gathered up her things and storms out of the office.
“Mom.” Izuku buries his face into the crook of her neck. “Is there something wrong with me?”
“No, baby.” Inko peppers his face with kisses, tears filling her eyes. “You’re my perfect little Izuku, nothing could ever be wrong with you.“
Izuku wonders if he can believe her.
“Alright, quiet down class!”
Katsuki scowls, burying his chin in his hand. To his teacher’s dismay, his classmates do little to control their volume. Katsuki himself is busy scribbling in his notebook, frustration bubbles up inside of him. He glares down at the drawing in front of him, scrutinising it heavily as he attempts to get the proportions correct.
“HEY, THAT’S NOT FAIR!”
Katsuki flinches at the sudden scream and his pencil slips. He lets out a roar of outrage and what has become his masterpiece. He was halfway through drawing All Might’s Second Generation suit but now there was a thick line running through All Might’s face. Katsuki picks up his pencil and hurls it across the room.
“SHUT UP!” He snaps at the nearest person, who happens to be Izuku.
Izuku doesn’t even look up at his words, which startles the violent boy to silence. Katsuki lowers himself back down, befuddled. Suddenly the bell for Lunch rings out and the students begin to gather up their things. Several of his classmates are already out the door, including Izuku who simply picks up his lunchbox and stalks out quietly.
Katsuki watches him go, silent. He wonders if he should say something, then decides it's not worth it. Gathering up his own lunch, Katsuki makes his way outside to his signature spot under the tree.
“Ah, YOU!” Katsuki gapes at Izuku sitting under his tree, pointing his finger at him accusingly.
Izuku, again, doesn’t react. He simply pokes at his rice, sulking and completely oblivious to the world around him. Katsuki scowls and saunters right up to his neighbour.
“Hey, Nerd! What are you doing in my spot?” Katsuki places his hands on his hips and puts on his best impression of his mother.
Finally, Izuku looks up. His face is impassive, and nothing like Katsuki has come to know. Izuku was always a quiet kid who kept to himself, but he was never like this.
“What’s up with you?” Katsuki asks, wondering what brought on the sudden change.
Usually, the nerd was bouncing in his seat with answers to the teachers question or buried in some book at the back of the class. Izuku tended to sit alone by the gates as it gave him access to the fire ant hill there; a fact Katsuki knew thanks to Izuku’s obsessive muttering. Something that even he hasn’t been doing lately.
“What do you mean?” Izuku mutters, softly. “‘Mm fine.” He stuffs a piece of chicken into his mouth.
“No, you’re not. You’re acting all… not weird.” Katsuki can’t quite word it. “And that’s weird!”
Izuku says nothing, scoffing down his food. Katsuki tilts his head, trying to recall what could have caused his classmate’s sudden mood change. Then it clicked.
“This about your weird Quirk?”
Izuku perked right up. “You remember that?!”
“Nah shit.” Katsuki scoffed, “I was there. Remember?”
His words seem to cheer him up, but Izuku quickly deflates. “Yeah, well the doctor says it was a fluke… Probably imagined it or something.” He grumbles, shovelling more rice into his mouth.
“Ha!?” Katsuki howled, annoyed. “He said that?”
Rice crumbles out of Izuku gaping mouth. “You… you believe me?”
“Obviously.” He shrugged his shoulders, scoffing like he thought Izuku was some sort of idiot. “I mean, who would lie about such a creepy quirk anyway?”
“Kacchan…” Izuku mutters, genuinely touched. Tears filled his eyes quickly and Katsuki has to take a step back. “You… I-“
“Ew, get off me!”
The two boys went tumbling to the ground. Izuku let out a loud wail, crying uncontrollably into Katsuki’s chest. Snot dribble down his face and Katsuki wriggled violently, struggling to get the boy off of him.
“You stupid crybaby, don’t slobber all over me!” He pushed the boy back.
Izuku let out a whine, arms desperately reaching out to hug his friend. “But Kacchan!“
Katsuki rolled his eyes, giving the other boy a swift kick and sending him rolling in the grass. He sat up, dusting himself off while eyeing Izuku in disgust. The green-haired boy didn’t even bother sitting up, grinning so widely that Katsuki thought his cheeks might split.
“I don’t know what the big deal is,” Katsuki placed his chin in the palm of his hand. “Not like you can be a Hero with that weird ass Quirk.”
Katsuki expects Izuku to continue on wailing, but the boy surprises him again by leaping to his feet.
Wiping away his tears, Izuku smiles wickedly. “I’ll show you Kacchan! Just you watch, I’m gonna be the best Hero!”
Katsuki let out a snort, rolling his eyes. “Whatever you say, crybaby. I’m gonna enjoy kicking your ass to the dust.”
“You shouldn’t swear ‘cause I’ll tell Auntie.”
“HAAA?!” Katsuki leapt to his feet with a roar. “YOU LITTLE SNITCH!”
Izuku elapsed into a fit of giggles at Katsuki’s reaction, something he quickly regrets. He breaks out into a sprint; his childhood friend hot on his heels.
“GET BACK HERE YOU NERD!”