because i could not stop for death

Chapter 1: Prologue

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

I was Cleopatra, I was young and an actress,

He can hear them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You don't know where he came from?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He can feel their judgement.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The bypasser said they found him alone in an alley."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He can see their eyes wander over his body.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Are those... Are those scars from chains...?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He can remember everything they did to him.

"Where are you going?" -̵̛͇͖͉̥́̓̚-̷͔̝͔̃́̌̃͜-̸̛͚͚͉̫͛̏̍-̵̬̜͙̣̐͛̓̕ askes with a dark look in his eye.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Get away from me.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You can't leave, you aren't well!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Get away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"But it's okay... I can fix you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Get away. Please get away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You're so pretty... Just wait a little longer, I'll have the real you back soon enough."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Get away from me, get away, please GET AWAY.

"He won't talk."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tsukauchi nodded, writing down his report of the mysterious John Doe that arrived in Musutafu Hospital yesterday. "How old did you say he was, again?" He asked, looking up at the nurse.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'd say maybe... fourteen or fifteen? He can't be older than sixteen, that's for sure."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Alright, I'll head back down to the station and try to find an ID for him, fair warning though this could take a while."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"There's... There's something else you should know..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tsukauchi hummed, raising an eyebrow.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The boy... He's... Well, one of the other nurses was changing his clothes and... She found cuff scars on his ankles."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Suddenly, Tsukauchi realized with a cold sweat, this case just got a lot more complicated.

He's trapped. Trapped in the body of a person he hasn't been in four years, the body of a boy who still had his innocence. In the hospital he's silent, spending most of his time staring out the window and tuning out the voices of people who try to talk to him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wonders how cruel the universe has to be to punish him in such a way. All he wants is to sleep, and still, he can't even get that.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His sleep cycle is practically none; waking up in the middle of the night to scream into nothing until his voice collapses, and he can no longer speak--not that he would anyways.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wakes up every morning knowing that the man who did this to him is dead, and yet still alive.

John Doe's hospital door is wide open.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hello?" Tsukauchi knocks on the doorway. John Doe ignores him as he sits down on the chair beside the bed. "Do you want to tell me your name?" He asks softly. Once again, he was ignored.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Alright," He sat back, crossing his legs. "If you don't want to say, that's fine, but you have to tell me something."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

More silence.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Do you know where you are?" He asks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The silence drifted on for what felt like hours, when John Doe finally slowly shook his head.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Something I can work with.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"How about I make you a deal?" He leaned closer, locking his fingers. "If you answer one of my questions, I'll answer one of yours. Does that sound alright?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A slow nod.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Can you tell me your name?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Silence, and then a slow raspy voice spoke.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"My name... My name is..."

"My dear, sweet Lori..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"That's not my name..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His heart is pounding too hard and too loud. He just wants it all to stop.

"[M/N]. My name is... [M/N]."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Truth--His quirk tells him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"That's a start, now I'll fulfill my end of the deal. You're in Musutafu General Hospital."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tsukauchi watches [M/N] slowly look back towards the window, watching the cars as they move on the street.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Do you want to tell me about the scars on your ankles?" He tries to ask as gently as he could.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]?"

"Lori... My Lori..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Arms wrap around his waist, feet tangle with his shackled ones.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Lori... You're so beautiful..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Lori is not me; I am not Lori.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He's clothed in a yellow summer dress, her yellow summer dress.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The boy in you is still there... But I'll have my Lori back..."

He comes back to hands on him, and his body twisting desperately to get away. Panic rises through his body, and he struggles against the weight holding his body against the bed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's okay!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Shh... It'll all be okay..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Hands press him down as he desperately wrenches away from the grip, fingers curling against the fabric of the person who holds him trying to shove them away, half-sobbing and half yelling.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He needs to leave.

Tsukauchi wants to scream at the nurses to stop holding the boy down, anyone with eyes can see that the boys panic attack is growing worse by the second.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Eventually, the doctor forced him to leave. To be honest, he wasn't sure how much of the young boys cries he could take.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wonders how far the trauma the boy has suffered extends.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Cuff scars around his ankles...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

What monster does something like that? To a child no less.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The weight of the day suddenly hits him, and he has the urge to get something strong to drink.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

But first, to the station so he can ID [M/N] and find out what exactly happened to him.

"No elementary records, no birth certificate, not even a social security." Tsukauchi rubs his face tiredly. Aizawa watches him in contemplation.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's like he doesn't exist, I even checked outside the country, and nothing." Tsukauchi sighed. "No missing kids with his name or description have been reported, there's absolutely no record of him anywhere."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Aizawa hummed, setting down his coffee. "It's possible for him to have been trafficked at birth, kids who were sold on the black market tend to have no record."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That scenario just makes him more depressed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Aizawa, the boy had scars on his ankles from shackles. Some psychopath kept him chained up."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Those words made Aizawa pause. "...How old is he?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I... Maybe fourteen or fifteen? He won't talk to anyone, the only way I could get him to talk was by making a deal with him, and even then, all he would tell me was his name."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The next time you see this kid, I'm coming with you." Aizawa's tone left no room for argument, not like he'd try anyways.

"He's gone."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"He's gone, ran away in the middle of the night." The nurse says, exhaustion evident in her voice. "He locked his room door and went out the window before security could get to him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The situation has officially gone from bad, to worse.

when you knelt by my mattress and asked for my hand.

Notes:

My Discord
https://discord.gg/kqFZVdAy

Chapter 2: Chapter One

Notes:

yall this chapter has an extra dose of sadness to it, be warned ;(

Chapter Text

But I was sad, you asked it as I laid in a black dress

His sister had always been a diamond, an angel among humans. She had been so smart, and so beautiful. It had hurt him deep inside when he found out she had died in a car accident, two days before his eighteenth birthday.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Police had told him that it had been an accident, but he knew better.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It had been no accident, her car brakes were cut deliberately by her own boyfriend. Her boyfriend was charming, he knew how to talk his way out of a bad situation, that was probably why she trusted him so much. But he could never fool [M/N], he saw through the act her boyfriend had put on, had warned her not to trust him, and now she's dead...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

But when her boyfriend realized he couldn't live without her, then...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He came for the closest thing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] died two days before his nineteenth birthday.

He broke out of his haze two days after his escape from the hospital. For those two days he had been living on auto pilot, what's worse is that he hardly remembers what he happened, or what he did for those two days he was gone. All he knew was that he was living in an abandoned apartment room, and that he somehow found different clothes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He laid down on the old couch, hugging his knees to his chest.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wants to cry, and yet at the same time all he wants is to sleep. How does one go from dying chained on a bed to waking up in a world where superpowers were real? He's been wondering that ever since he arrived.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Fate hath be in your hands; but this is not what he had wanted. All he wanted was the end.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He spends most of his time cleaning up the apartment, trying to distract his mind from his thoughts. Eventually, hunger catches up to him and he realizes that he doesn't want to die of starvation, or die for a second time, so he decides to head out for the first time in four days.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He hates the outside, he hates the stares. He hates that he has to cover himself in thick layers of clothing just so he feels safe.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The feeling of hands on his body engraved into his mind.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The ringing of chains still echoes through him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sound of a voice telling him how beautiful he is whisper through his ears.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Not for the first time, he wonders if there's something wrong with him. Normal people don't flinch at the bump of a shoulder, nor do they wake up in the middle of the night screaming. He wants to forget everything that happened.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He finds himself gripping onto a 'HELP WANTED' sign on the door of a bar. The bar itself was located in a shady alleyway that didn't look all too friendly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Hello?" He calls out, walking into the bar with the sign in hand. He has to remind himself to breathe when a man made of mist instead of flesh turns to look at him. He felt his heart rate speed up when those golden eyes, ~~grazing over his skin with morbid curiosity~~ look at him. The mist man stared at him for only a second, pausing his clean on the glass cup he was holding. "I, uh..." [M/N] holds up the help wanted sign, "Are you... Hiring?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The man nods, continuing his cleaning. "Yes, we are." He says, "Are you looking for a job?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yeah- uh, yes I am." [M/N] nods back slowly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Alright," Mist man sets down the cup, gesturing for [M/N] to follow him. "You will address me as Kurogiri. Let me get a uniform for you and I'll show you where to start."

He looks down at the pristine uniform in his hands, a simple white shirt and black waistcoat, but...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Um, Kurogiri?" Kurogiri turns back to him, "Do you have this in a bigger size?" He asks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He watches as Kurogiri's mist rises slightly in what he assumed was a raised eyebrow, "My apologies, I had assumed a medium would fit you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It- it does, but... I prefer larger clothing..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He flinches and looks away from Kurogiri's narrowed eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm sorry, but that's the largest size we have."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Alright."

It wasn't a hard job, but it wasn't easy either. He wasn't a bartender like Kurogiri, but more of a custodian. He did basic things like cleaning tables, taking orders, and making sure the patrons stumbled drunkenly out the door and not into a wall. For the first time in a while, [M/N] felt content doing something. Kurogiri had told him his shift was over at 11:30 PM, and he expected [M/N] to come in and work from 5 PM to 11 PM, from Saturday to Monday nights for the next few days.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He got his first job in this world at fifteen.

"Your hair is so soft..." Lori giggled as she brushed his hair, "Are you sure you don't want me to cut it? It's almost to your waist!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"No!" Little [M/N] vehemently shook my head, "I want my hair to be as long as yours." Lori chuckled at his flushed face. "Alright, you're so pretty..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You're so pretty... Just like Lori."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He was in a broken down and baren bedroom, a dark figure with no face except for glaring blue eyes stood before him. "Lori... Why did you leave?" The dark figure gripped his shoulders, pulling him closer, "Lori... My Lori, mine..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He was held down onto a bed as his arms and legs were chained to the posts. "Stop!" He cried, "Let me go!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"NO! You're going to leave me again, I can't let you! You're sick, you're sick and you need help!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Then, he was standing in dark nothingness. The dark stretched on for miles as he looked around. "Hello?" He called out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[̷̝͙͇͔͑̃͝͝M̴̪̹̠̝̈̍̈̇/̷̨̲̦̒̋͑͘͜Ӥ̶̤̜̮̦́̐̽͆]̵̨̰̱͎̊̓͋̊."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He whipped around behind him, but nobody was there. "Hello!?" He yelled.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[̷̝͙͇͔͑̃͝͝M̴̪̹̠̝̈̍̈̇/̷̨̲̦̒̋͑͘͜Ӥ̶̤̜̮̦́̐̽͆]̵̨̰̱͎̊̓͋̊..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He turned, flinching at the golden eyes staring at him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"C̷̱̲͐̋ò̵̬̚m̸͔͗e̴̗̻͒̑ ̷͓̼͘b̸̰̀͂ą̵͙͝c̶̫̈́k̴̢̙̈ ̴̯̉͝t̸̞͇͑ỏ̴̢̙ ̶̝̣̇m̴̟̱̒̚e̸̯̝͑͋..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He awoke with a shrill cry, shooting out of his sleeping bag. He rubbed his face, sobbing, and scratched anxiously at the scars on his legs.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Leave me alone..." He sobbed. "Leave me alone, leave me alone..."

This was the first piece of actual evidence of the boy. A small photograph. The photograph in question was of a blurry [M/N], taken outside a window.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"This is it?" Tsukauchi sighed. "You can hardly even tell it's him."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's evidence." Aizawa scowled.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hardly."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tsukauchi sighed; he needed a strong drink of coffee after this.

With my father in a casket, I had no plans

Chapter 3: Chapter Two

Notes:

i listened to holding out for a hero while writing this and i am not ashamed

Chapter Text

TW: Mentioned rape (only in one sentence)

And I left the footprints, the mud stained on the carpet

"[M/N]..."

ㅤ

"[M/N]... Wake up..."

ㅤ

He blearily opened his eyes, groaning softly at the sunlight peeking in from the window and shining on his face. Standing in front of him was K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ who caressed his face gently with gloved hands. He slowly wriggled his legs, feeling his bones and muscle protest at the movement.

ㅤ

He likes the pain.

ㅤ

The pain keeps him alive. Reminding him where he was. Why he couldn't leave. Yet, he couldn't help but hope that it was all a dream, and he would wake up soon.

ㅤ

Sometimes, [M/N] wanted a reminder of what he lost.

ㅤ

"Good morning..." A soft yet rugged voice whispered. He tilted his head tiredly towards K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚, who was staring at him with amusement. Beside his bed was a tray of food, a glass of water, and most importantly an orange bottle of pills. He eyes the bottle with disdain and K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ gives him a sympathetic smile.

ㅤ

"Bosses orders." He shrugs, "Don't make this like last time."

ㅤ

Last time, when he had to hold [M/N] down. Last time, when he forced him to swallow the pills.

ㅤ

[M/N] sat up, picking up the bottle and pouring out two different pills. One white, one blue. One for the physical pain, one for the mental pain. Both make him forget.

ㅤ

He rolled the pills around in his hand, mesmerized, and then popped them into his mouth and taking a big gulp of water. [M/N] watched as K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ tense shoulders relaxed. It wasn't uncommon for him to throw the pills or yell at the person giving him the medication. Today was one of his better days.

ㅤ

"Good," K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ rubbed his shoulder. "Once you're finished, I'll draw you a bath and then we'll go down to the room."

ㅤ

It wasn't fair. Why was this happening to him? Why did he have to go through this? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? WHy? WhY? WHY?

ㅤ

Why did he wake up?

The first time he met his boss's son, it didn't go quite like you'd think.

ㅤ

"We're not open yet," he called out upon hearing the door chime. He paused his mopping and turned to face the man who had just walked in. "Can I help you... sir?"

ㅤ

"I live here," the lanky man with light blue hair replied in a low, raspy voice, holding a white plastic bag. That was a little... Strange.

ㅤ

"Hey, Kurogiri?" he called towards the back room, "There's, uh, someone here who says he lives here."

ㅤ

"Says?" The man hissed, "I do live here. Who the hell are you?"

ㅤ

"I'm... I'm [M/N]." He replied back, trying to smile. "I work here now... It's nice to meet you..."

ㅤ

The man rolled his eyes and sat his bag down on the bar table, a videogame cover falling out. [M/N] hummed to himself as he caught sight of what was in the bag.

ㅤ

'Huh', he thought, 'Well... If there's one thing that's going to stay the same in a different universe... It's video games...'

ㅤ

"Bioshock? That's an old one. I bet you harvest the little sisters; you seem like the type."

ㅤ

"You get more ADAM that way," The man scoffed, "Idiot."

ㅤ

"Yeah..." He mumbled, looking down at the game. "The true ending was cool though..."

ㅤ

...

ㅤ

He looked up at the man, only to see a blank face. "...What?" The man's entire demeanor changed from annoyed to confused. "What are you talking about?"

ㅤ

"...The true ending to Bioshock? The one where you leave the Rapture that gives you a different cutscene?" [M/N] wanted to tell the man that he was very, very dumb for not knowing there were three different endings.

ㅤ

The man hesitated, "...How do I get the true ending...?"

ㅤ

[M/N] indulged him, even though it was something he probably could've just googled or watched a video on. "You need to rescue all 21 little sisters." Well, some people probably weren't born with enough brain cells to figure that out.

ㅤ

He watched as the man looked like he was rethinking his entire life, then snatch the bag and run towards the employee's room. His eyes landed on Kurogiri's golden ones.

ㅤ

~~Ignore it. Ignore it. Ignore it. Ignore it.~~

ㅤ

He wondered just how much Kurogiri heard. "I'm..." He nervously looked away, "I'm sorry... I haven't finished cleaning up yet..."

ㅤ

"...It's fine." Kurogiri looked shocked. "Good work... Good work."

ㅤ

After that, [M/N] immediately got right back to work.

ㅤ

"So..." He hesitated to bring the subject up, "Was that guy... Does he live in the floor above, or something? A tenant?"

ㅤ

"Shigaraki Tomura? No. He is a special case, being the Sensei's son."

ㅤ

"...Sensei...?"

ㅤ

"Yes. I suppose in other terms you could say he's my boss's son."

ㅤ

"Oh... What-."

Kurogiri had enough humanity left to know that something was wrong with the new part-timer.

ㅤ

Let him rephrase that. The new part-timer had been through something that made him wrong. Kurogiri sees the signs clear as day when the young boy looks at him with eyes too old for his age.

ㅤ

Sometimes he catches the part-timer looking at him. Sometimes he knows the boy mistakes him for someone he fears.

ㅤ

And when the boy thinks himself alone, Kurogiri watches from the shadows of the employee room as he curls up into a ball and cries.

ㅤ

He had enough humanity left to know that this boy was a victim of something horrible and violent and that he was closer and closer to breaking every day that passes. The boy was the epitome of being failed by hero society.

ㅤ

He feels sympathy for [M/N].

ㅤ

But it is not his problem.

ㅤ

As long as he did his job well, Kurogiri had no complaints about ignoring his... quirks. [M/N] was surprisingly an unexpectedly good worker. It was refreshing to have someone who's cleaning standards were up to par with Kurogiri's and deliver drinks just as efficiently. It was a plus that people also tipped more when supposedly 'pretty' people served them as well.

ㅤ

So, when he heard Shigaraki's voice, he found himself begging and hoping desperately; please, please not the new recruit. Not the one promising recruit he's found since he put up the 'FOR HIRE' signs.

ㅤ

"You get more ADAM that way, idiot."

ㅤ

"Yeah... The true ending was cool though."

ㅤ

It takes Kurogiri a second to realize that's the part-timer's voice. The part-timer was talking. The part-timer wasn't disintegrated into nothing.

ㅤ

There was a short silence before Shigaraki finally spoke.

ㅤ

"What...? What are you talking about?"

ㅤ

"...The true ending to Bioshock? The one where you leave the Rapture that gives you a different cutscene??"

ㅤ

Another considerable silence.

ㅤ

"...How do I get the true ending?"

ㅤ

When he finally approached the bar, he was astonished to find the boy still there, engaged in a genuine conversation with Shigaraki. They spoke for another minute before Shigaraki snatched the bag—presumably the source of the commotion—and stormed off to his room. Kurogiri paused, taking a moment to absorb the scene: the bar, the intact cups, and the still-breathing new recruit.

ㅤ

The new recruit was still breathing.

ㅤ

The boy turned to look at him, Kurogiri recognized the haze that overtook him when he looked at Kurogiri sometimes. "I'm..." The boy looked away, "I'm sorry... I haven't finished cleaning up yet..."

ㅤ

Kurogiri was just happy to see that his only other help was still alive.

ㅤ

"It's fine..." He felt breathless, "Good work... Good work."

And it hardened like my heart did when you left town.

Chapter 4: Chapter Three

Notes:

fic recommendation! shadow dance by embracethevoid on ao3, its a vigilante deku fic, ngl there are some parts where it drags on but its really good, id give it a 8/10

Chapter Text

But I must admit it, that I would marry you in an instant,

Four Months Ago

He wakes in a dirty alleyway, blood caked onto his skin. The first thing he does when he realizes he's outside, is to roll onto his side and cry, then promptly vomit on the ground.

ㅤ

Coughing up the foul taste of vomit, [M/N] gagged as he tried to stand up, his broken legs trembled before collapsing under him. He could do nothing as his vision faded.

ㅤ

Before he passed out, he watched as a pair of boots stalked towards him.

The second time he wakes up is on a cold table. Standing over him is a man with golden eyes and short black hair, wearing a black doctors mask. Someone was softly petting his hair as the man looked over his body, the touch made him want to vomit once again.

ㅤ

The man in the mask locked eyes with him and asked, "Do you know how you got here?" He felt the person petting his hair pause. [M/N] slowly shook his head as the man lightly pressed down on his legs.

ㅤ

"You appeared," He softly lifted up [M/N]'s ankle, grazing over the scars, "In an alleyway after a bright flash of light. Do you know why?"

ㅤ

He shook his head 'no' once again. "...Perhaps it was a quirk..." A different voice mumbled; this voice was higher than the other one. Was this the one petting him?

ㅤ

"...Quirk?" He rasped, voice laced with confusion. "Your power." The masked man raised an eyebrow.

ㅤ

"I don't-..." He coughed, "I don't... Understand..."

ㅤ

The man looked to the side, presumably looking at the other person in the room. He turned back to [M/N], looking at him with a look [M/N] didn't quite understand.

ㅤ

"K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ ..." The man spoke up, "Bring me a needle..."

ㅤ

He wanted to leave.

One Year Ago

"I don't know why you like him."

ㅤ

[M/N] sat on the couch with his sister, watching Thelma & Louise. "Who?" Lori asked, feigning ignorance. "You know who." [M/N] huffed, turning the TV down. "He's a snake."

ㅤ

Lori rolled her eyes, scoffing. "He has his problems, that doesn't make him a snake!"

ㅤ

[M/N] let out a frustrated yell, standing up. "He's manipulating you! I can see it, everyone can see it, everyone except you!"

ㅤ

"I don't have to hear this." Lori got up, walking towards her room. "Christ, Lori!" [M/N] shouted, "We found a camera hidden in the bathroom shelf, you need to wake the fuck up!"

ㅤ

"Wake. The fuck. Up!" He yelled.

Present Day

Kurogiri wondered if Shigaraki was sick.

ㅤ

A few days after his encounter with the trainee, Shigaraki asked him when the next time [M/N] was going to be coming in. When he said Saturday, the young master huffed in annoyance and asked Kurogiri to make him come in earlier.

ㅤ

What.

ㅤ

When Monday arrived, Shigaraki proceeded to mope around the bar even though Kurogiri had told him ten times (ten times, Shigaraki asked ten times) that [M/N] was going to come in when his shift started at 5:00 PM. As soon as the young man did come in, Shigaraki had bolted over to him and began ranting about how the "true ending sucked and killing the little girls was more fun".

ㅤ

Which... Which was a lot of information to process...

ㅤ

Was that really why Shigaraki had been lingering around the bar for four hours, waiting for [M/N].

ㅤ

But then what surprised him the most was that the trainee didn't shy away, and went on a detailed report about how Shigaraki probably enjoys the "harvesting cutscene". Kurogiri wondered if [M/N] knew what Shigaraki's quirk was. If he did, he was foolishly courageous, if he didn't... He was still foolish.

ㅤ

Did [M/N] have a quirk? They never talked about it, keeping most conversations short and professional. If his quirk was useful, perhaps Kurogiri could introduce him to sensei, but that would be in the far, far future.

ㅤ

Shigaraki had finally gone back to his room after fifteen minutes. Shigaraki had talked to the boy for fifteen minutes. He almost couldn't believe it if he hadn't witnessed it. Perhaps this would be good for Shigaraki...

ㅤ

"Alright," Kurogiri said when [M/N] walked over, "I have your pay for the hours you put in." He reached under the counter and pulled out a white envelope, handing it to [M/N]. "I hope you don't mind that it's in cash, that's just how we operate here."

ㅤ

[M/N] shook his head, putting the envelope in his jacket. "I don't mind, that's much better for me anyways."

ㅤ

Kurogiri made a mental note of that small, but interesting detail.

ㅤ

"I do hope that working here hasn't gotten in the way of your education..? I'd hope not, attending University is quite important, wouldn't you agree?" Good for future blackmail, just in case. Perhaps he would be of use to sensei.

ㅤ

[M/N] paused. "Uh... Yeah, mhm..." He wasn't a very good liar, given how his eyes widened and his voice went up slightly. Not a university student then, perhaps even younger.

ㅤ

Well, hiring a high schooler at a bar wouldn't even be on a list of the top worst things Kurogiri had done. Judging by the fact that the young boy preferred being paid in cash and was lying about his age, he clearly had things he wanted to hide. This was working out well for Kurogiri.

The first thing he did with his money was buy proper cleaning supplies. The makeshift rag he had was fine, but he wasn't sure if he was going to be able to stand the conditions any longer. The smell of mold just reminded him of... That place.

ㅤ

With the left-over money, he had just enough to buy a cheap foldable cot. It wasn't high on the comfort scale, but it would have to do. While he didn't consider the abandoned apartment a home, he still wanted to live in relatively nice place.

ㅤ

He spends the rest of the day taking down ~~smashing~~ all the mirrors in the apartment. He can't stand the mirrors.

ㅤ

It's only when he lays down on the cot for the night, does he realize it may as well have been a useless buy. He can't sleep. He doesn't want to sleep.

ㅤ

When he sleeps, he sees them.

ㅤ

He wonders where J̶̷̴̷̵̶̸̡͕̮͈̺̼̻̻͂̑̎̍̀͘̕͝ó̸̴̴̸̵͇͈͔̪͋̌͐̉ͅn̷̷̴̵̸̸̨̨͍̤̮̠̲̋̔̌̂̅͠ą̸̶̵̴̸̺̝̩̯̊͐̒̈́̓h̶̵̸̴̸̶̥̯̻͈͚̣̍̇̉̓̌͝͝ is right now. Wonders what he did after he realized [M/N] died.

ㅤ

[M/N] hopes he rots in his despair.

"Why... Why do you stay with him? You know as well as I do that he's mentally deranged..."

ㅤ

Lori turned to him, looking at him with eyes older than she was and full of sadness.

ㅤ

"To survive... [M/N]..."

ㅤ

He never understood what she meant, until he was in her place.

ㅤ

"Lori... You love me, right?"

ㅤ

"Yes..."

ㅤ

"You know I do all this because I love you, I'm helping you..."

ㅤ

"I know..."

ㅤ

"You're so beautiul... Just wait a little while longer, you'll be back to yourself in no time..."

ㅤ

To survive... Longer than anyone else.

Damn your wife, I'd be your mistress just to have you around.

Chapter 5: Chapter Four

Notes:

ngl when it comes to writing stuttering, i really hate when th-th-th-ey wr-wri-write li-li-ke th-th-this. its gotta be one of my biggest pet peeves.

slight religious mention in a flashback, nothing huge.

Chapter Text

TW: bloooooood

But I was late for this, late for that,

[M/N] stared solemnly at his fallen ice cream melting on the sidewalk, then to the green haired boy stuttering an apology. Ice cream was like frozen serotonin, and it was the only thing that cooled him down in his bundled clothes.

ㅤ

"I-I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where- where I was going!"

ㅤ

"It's fine..." [M/N] looked at his melted ice cream forlornly.

ㅤ

Unfortunately, the boy didn't hear him. "I-I should have been paying more attention! Please, let me make it up to you!" [M/N] watched awkwardly as the boy repeatedly bowed. "Uhhh..." He looked around nervously, "You... Don't have to do that..."

ㅤ

"Please, let me!"

ㅤ

Now they were drawing a crowd... [M/N] hated crowds...

ㅤ

"Fine, fine... I guess you can..." He looked back down at his ice cream. "...Buy me a new ice cream...?" The green haired boy nodded vigorously.

ㅤ

[M/N] really wanted to leave.

"What's that?" [M/N] looked at the notebook the boy was holding. 'Hero Analysis for the Future', was he studying on how to be a hero? That's weird... Said the guy currently licking a sherbet ice cream.

ㅤ

"Oh, um, it's my notebook..." The broccoli pulled out the book from his bag, showing it to [M/N]. "I'm studying heroes and stuff... It's stupid." He chuckled in a downcasted tone. "Why's it stupid?" [M/N] was probably going to regret asking.

ㅤ

"Well, you see... I'm uh... I'm quirkless, so I can't really... Be a real hero."

ㅤ

[M/N] narrowed his eyes at the depressed boy, then promptly hit the ice cream out of the broccoli's hands, ignoring his cry. "That's stupid..." [M/N] mumbled, licking his ice cream. "Having no... Quirk... doesn't automatically make you weak and defenseless, just a bit... Plain, I guess."

ㅤ

The boy looked at [M/N] like he was a godsend. Sparkles, shining skin, everything.

ㅤ

"I'm not saying people without powers are equal to those with powers, but... Hey, are you okay?" [M/N] felt nervous at the twinkle in the boy's eye. "You think... You think a quirkless can become a hero?" He asked, eyes sparkling.

ㅤ

"Uh..." [M/N] really, really wanted to leave. "I mean... I think so, yeah."

ㅤ

He wasn't prepared for the boy to start crying. "Please don't cry!" [M/N] begged, rubbing the boys shoulder. "I don't- I don't know what to do when someone... cries!" Was his throat closing up? It was getting harder to breathe, goddammit... He just wants to leave! He wants to go back to that stupid apartment room and hole himself up in his blanket.

ㅤ

[M/N] turned his gaze to anywhere else and spotted a sight that made his eyes widen.

"...Do you want to tell me about the scars on your ankles?"

Fuck.

ㅤ

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

ㅤ

The detective from the hospital was staring straight at him. [M/N] whipped around to the boy, grabbing his shoulder. "Scratch what I said before, you want to repay me? Pretend you never saw me." The boy gave him a confused look before watching as [M/N] bolted away.

ㅤ

"Hey! Wait!" The voice of the detective only made [M/N] run faster. He darted down an alley in hopes of escaping his pursuer, "Stop!" The detective yelled, "I want to help you!"

ㅤ

"I just want to help you, Lori!"

ㅤ

I don't need help!

ㅤ

[M/N] hissed as his leg scraped by a fallen piece of metal and gave out, he crashed into the side of a building further scraping his arm and leg. “Agh…” He groaned, the smell of his blood made him want to vomit and freeze up at the same time. He slowly raised himself back up and was prepared to start running again when he found himself unceremoniously pulled into a small nook in the alleyway.

ㅤ

His leg gives out and he falls to the ground, the last thing he remembers is his head smacking harshly onto the concrete.

Consciousness came back to [M/N] slowly with slight pain. His head pounded and he groaned, holding his head as he slowly sat up. Looking around, he knew he definitely wasn't outside anymore but instead sitting on a couch in a small room.

ㅤ

”Hey.” A deep voice rumbled. He whipped around, looking at a man with dark hair and scars with staples through them around his body standing at a doorway. The man tossed him a gauze wrap and said, "For your arm."

ㅤ

"..."

ㅤ

[M/N] finally realized how much his arm hurt, and slowly wrapped the gauze around his scratched-up arm. He took note of the bandaid on his head, did that man do that?

ㅤ

"...Thank you..." He muttered, to which the man gave a short wave of dismissal. "Yeah, whatever, just hurry up and get outta' here." [M/N] watched him strut away to another room. He finished wrapping up his arm and took a quick peek at his leg, grimacing at how swollen and purple it was, blood dripping out of a scratch. The sight of blood made him sick, vertigo flooding his head.

"I don't understand... How is that possible? His blood... How is it... Pure?"

ㅤ

"His blood entirely lacks the quirk mutation, even the blood of your average quirkless has been mutated after years of evolution and yet... There's no trace of it anywhere."

ㅤ

"That's impossible, what... What is he...?"

ㅤ

"...He is Adam, his blood is the forbidden fruit..."

ㅤ

"What are you saying?"

ㅤ

"He is the key! His blood will help make our goal a reality!"

After wrapping his leg, [M/N] ran away from the scar man's place as soon as he could. He was going to be late for work, if he wasn't already. He ran like he was in a marathon, no matter how much his leg hurt, and no matter how much his vision dotted with dark spots.

ㅤ

He made it to the bar's alleyway in twenty minutes, a record time from his usual forty-five minute walk.

ㅤ

"Sorry I'm late." He leaned on the doorway to the bar, out of breath and face flushed red from running. [M/N] could only imagine what the sight of him looked like, face red, jacket dirty with scratches and blood smeared on the edge of his pants leg.

ㅤ

He felt and probably looked like shit.

ㅤ

Kurogiri stood behind the bar holding a newspaper while Shigaraki sat on one of the stools with a Nintendo in hand. "You look awful." Shigaraki pointed out.

ㅤ

'Yeah... I know...'

ㅤ

He didn't even notice when Shigaraki came next to him, and was suddenly aware of just how tall the man was, [M/N] wondered if he had stayed healthy, and didn't die, if he would have been that tall. Looking at Shigaraki right now, dark red eyes and a big frown, it made [M/N] feel so small.

ㅤ

Shigaraki stared intently at the bandage on his head, his gaze dark and gleaming.

ㅤ

"You don't... You don't have to look so worried." He turned his gaze away.

ㅤ

'Stop looking at me... I'm not worth worrying over...'

ㅤ

"It was- y'know, it was my fault." [M/N] sighed, crushing the urge to scratch at his wrists and ankles. "...You can tell me." Shigaraki said, "You'll never have to worry about them again."

ㅤ

[M/N] wanted to outright laugh at that. The man he feared most was already dead, and yet was still alive. But, what a sweet notion. Upon noticing the dead serious look in Shigaraki's eyes, he let out a shaky chuckle and turned to Kurogiri. "I'm sorry for being late... Sir."

ㅤ

"It's fine," His boss replied back, "It looks like you've gone through quite a scuffle... Why don't you go home for the day?" He said. [M/N] immediately felt suspicious, and his suspicion only increased at Kurogiri's next words, "I'll give you a ride."

ㅤ

His heart raced for different reasons this time.

ㅤ

"No, no it's fine. I don't want to both your, I'm fine..." He said softly, trying his best to give a small smile. "But, uh... I would like to take a minute to freshen up, I guess..."

ㅤ

"Be my guest. The minutes you missed is still coming out of your pay."

ㅤ

Yeah... He should've expected that...

He swept the floor, waiting for his shift to end in the next two minutes. Shigaraki had been watching him intently since he had arrived, hiding behind his Nintendo. Looking at the clock, he internally smiled at his shift being over and quickly set the broom and dustbin in the employee room.

ㅤ

Throwing on his heavy jacket, he was prepared the leave when he paused at the sound of a storm outside and sighed, resigned to just walking back to apartment in the rain.

ㅤ

"...Do you want to stay?"

ㅤ

[M/N] turned to Shigaraki, but the man was already facing away from him and hiding his face behind the Nintendo.

ㅤ

"..."

ㅤ

His chest hurt.

ㅤ

"...Yeah," He smiled for the first time in... Forever, "I think I'll wait out the storm for a bit..."

[M/N] stared at the one intact mirror in the apartment. His palms felt clammy, his stomach churned, he couldn't slow his heart rate and his breathing was shallow. All of this was caused just by looking at his own reflection...

ㅤ

He slowly lifted up the scissors in his hands and began chopping his hair. Long strands of hair fell to the floor and his eyes filled with tears.

ㅤ

He hiccupped, looking at his short hair with teary eyes.

ㅤ

"I'm sorry, Lori..." He mumbled, setting the scissors down before he did something else.

ㅤ

You can take my dignity, my trust, and my innocence... But this... This is entirely mine.

Late for the love of my life.

Chapter 6: Chapter Five

Notes:

while i was writing this chapter i was listening to all you wanna do by six, great song 10/10 luv it (not as good as dont lose ur head but still good)

in this chapter theres a small part where the mc is thinking about shigaraki, and feelings deeper than friendship are implied but honestly its how you look at it. my friend pointed that out to me :>

Chapter Text

And while the church discouraged any lust that burned within me,

[M/N] looked out the window, watching the trees from inside the walls sway in the wind. He could barely catch a glimpse of some of the lights from the buildings outside the walls turning on, people getting ready for the day. He wondered what his life could have been. Living on his own, cooking his own food, making his own decisions. All of which though required for him to be able to be independent.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The way he was now, he would never be able to become independent.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Are you ready?" K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ held out his hand, patiently waiting for [M/N] to grab. [M/N] softly placed his hand on K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ 's palm, noticing how deathly sick his skin looked. "...Can I walk, please?" He asked. K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ paused, but hesitantly nodded at the request, grasping [M/N]'s small hand within his own large one. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, [M/N] took a deep breathe, mentally bracing himself, and slowly stood up with the help of K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ .

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The oversized white sweater he was wearing, courtesy of his golden eyed captor, hung off his small body almost like a dress. Another deep breath and tightening his grip on K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ 's hand, [M/N] took slow and small steps forward, clenching his teeth at every step.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It could be compared to a freshly born baby deer. Thin legs and unstable footfalls. K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ walked with him patiently, not at all minding that they took a long time just to get out of the room. [M/N]'s steps were more like shuffling, his feet barely leaving the ground.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] knew he looked pitiful.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He gasped in pain, tears pricking his eyes, when his knee gave out. Thankfully, K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ quickly picked him up, wrapping one arm around his back and another under his knees, before he could land on the hardwood floor. His legs and feet ached from the phantom pain. "Just let me help you." K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ said, gently carrying him as he walked the rest of the way.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Help...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Everyone keeps trying to 'help' him. Is something wrong with him?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] didn't answer, preferring to just go limp in his hands as to not cause any more problems. "Good morning, [M/N]." He tiredly turned his gaze to the man standing in front of the bathroom. Ç̶̷̵̟͋͂ḧ̶̶̶͉̘́͝i̶̶̸̲̬̇̊s̵̷̴̼͓̐̂ä̷̴̷̺̲͝k̷̸̸͍̀̔ͅi̸̶̵̼͎̇͊.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"He almost made it to the end of the hallway this time." K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ sat [M/N] down on the edge of the bathtub. "Did your legs give out again?" Ç̶̷̵̟͋͂ḧ̶̶̶͉̘́͝i̶̶̸̲̬̇̊s̵̷̴̼͓̐̂ä̷̴̷̺̲͝k̷̸̸͍̀̔ͅi̸̶̵̼͎̇͊ asked in mock pity. [M/N] flinched before nodding, tears leaving his eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He felt someone pat his head before Ç̶̷̵̟͋͂ḧ̶̶̶͉̘́͝i̶̶̸̲̬̇̊s̵̷̴̼͓̐̂ä̷̴̷̺̲͝k̷̸̸͍̀̔ͅi̸̶̵̼͎̇͊ spoke up again, "You have one hour." [M/N] nodded, watching as Ç̶̷̵̟͋͂ḧ̶̶̶͉̘́͝i̶̶̸̲̬̇̊s̵̷̴̼͓̐̂ä̷̴̷̺̲͝k̷̸̸͍̀̔ͅi̸̶̵̼͎̇͊ and K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚ left the bathroom. He slid into the warm water in the tub, quietly listening to the conversation outside the bathroom.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...I thought the medication was supposed to make it impossible to walk?" K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"No. It only makes it harder for him to feel his legs." Ç̶̷̵̟͋͂ḧ̶̶̶͉̘́͝i̶̶̸̲̬̇̊s̵̷̴̼͓̐̂ä̷̴̷̺̲͝k̷̸̸͍̀̔ͅi̸̶̵̼͎̇͊,

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Then... Why not just cut his legs off...? He hardly uses them anyways, and it's not like he can leave."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s heart pounded at the silence, his arms shaking and breath quicking. His ears rang, head pounding, and he slowly slid under the water.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He just wants to end it all.

"You cut your hair." Shigaraki's voice startled him, and he pulled away from the hand that gripped the tip of his hair. "Yeah..." [M/N] felt his stomach churning. "It was... Something I had been meaning to do for a while..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki slowly nodded his head. "I like it..." He muttered.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Huh?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The short hair... I like it..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Oh..." His lips twitched, "...Thank you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki slowly shuffled away, heading to the back of the bar to hide behind his video screen and watch [M/N] when he thinks said male doesn't notice. He had always noticed the tiny details, the small stuff most people would overlook. He noticed how Shigaraki would never use his pinky finger when using his hands, he noticed how the man would scratch his neck whenever he felt nervous or flustered, he noticed how Shigaraki looked at him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The loneliness, the desperation, the want.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] felt his chest tighten and his palms began to sweat. The world feels disconnected from him. He takes a step backward and for a second he's not sure what he's looking at.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Where Shigaraki once was, stood a man who [M/N] only saw in his nightmares.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, covered in blood - his blood - standing with a terrifying frown. The man steps closer, holding his hand out. In his bloodied palm was a lock of [M/N]'s once long hair.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He was back in that room, broken legs chained to the bedposts with a man who would whisper in his ear about how much he loved him, and dress him in the clothes of a dead woman.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] gags, running to the employee room before he actually vomits onto the floor. He crashes onto the ground, huddling up against a corner in the room, scratching his ankles. The ankles with scars that remind him every day of what that man did to him...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Don't." He gasps, pale hand clenching onto the wrist of an equally pale (if not paler) hand.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Sweat drips from his body and his chest is heaving for breath as panic sweeps through his body.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]..." Shigaraki rests his free hand on [M/N]'s shoulder, only adding to his panic, "I'm trying to help you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Help... I see now... That's what you want... That's all anyone ever wants to do to me...

It was supposed to be a small grocery trip. Just grab the bare necessities and get out of there. It was supposed to be. Unfortunately, [M/N] is starting to learn that things never go his way.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His eyes are drawn to the large crowd gathered down one of the marketplace's sidestreets. Curiosity gets the better of him, and he finds himself straining to look over the crowd of people.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The whole street is covered in debris, shops practically destroyed from the flames, he could even spot a few people cowering on two story floors and more. An explosion goes off, the flashbang ringing through his ears as heroes push people back, setting up a barrier. He can slightly see the shape of a young man, or boy, hidden in a mop of green sludge.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"GET AWAY FROM ME, OR I'LL KILL THIS BRAT!" The sludge yelled- wait... Oh. It's a mutant quirk...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Another explosion, another round of screams from the crowd.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That's when he realizes something strange... 'The heroes aren't doing anything...', his eyes widen. 'They're just... Standing there...' He feels himself unconsciously moving closer to the front of the crowd, now he can see it all clearly. A blonde boy is trapped within the body of the sludge villain, hands setting off all those loud explosions, and the heroes... They're waiting for someone more 'suitable' to come.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...Pathetic.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A flash of green runs past him. With wide eyes, he watches a familiar, small green haired kid run into the heat of the fight. The boy threw his bag at the villain, by sheer luck hitting the sludge straight in the eye with his book. [M/N] watched as the boy heroically clawed at the sludge, trying to free the other boy trapped inside. A weird feeling arose in his chest, but he quickly stamped it out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The heroes just stood by as the green haired boy did their job for them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That was when a huge macho hero arrived, [M/N] felt like he had seen him in a magazine once or twice, and punched the sludge villain out cold while yelling; "DETROIT.... SSMAAASHH!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He held out his hand, blinking with confusion as rain dripped onto his palm. Looking up at the sky, the clear blue was gone and replaced with grey clouds.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Wow..."

He watched with disdain as two heroes lectured the green haired boy. He couldn't understand... Why are they lecturing him if he just saved a life?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] was torn between defending the boy or just walking away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You had no reason to put yourself in danger! You think you're a hero?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Okay, defense won.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"He was more heroic than you." [M/N] hissed, walking up to the two heroes scolding the boy. The buff hero turned to him, annoyance clear on his face. "What was that!?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I said..." [M/N] stepped closer to the intimidating man, no matter how hard his heart pounded. "...He was more heroic than you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hey now," The wood hero said, getting between [M/N] and the buff hero, "Let's all just calm down. Kid, you don't seem to understand that we were at a huge disadvantage-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"So what?!" He snapped, "I thought heroes were supposed to save people, despite the... 'Disadvantages'... As far as I'm concerned, he was the only hero in that moment..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] gripped the boy's sleeve, tugging him up and dragging him away from the scene.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He failed to notice the cameras on him.

"Thanks... For what you did back there..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] looked at the greenbean, raising an eyebrow at his red face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Huh?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I mean-... Thanks for... Standing up to me..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Oh. It was no problem." He shrugged, stuffing his hands in his jacket. "What's your name?" [M/N] asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's, um- It's Midoriya Izuku... But everyone just calls me Deku..." [M/N] paused, turning back to the boy. "Izuku, huh? I like it... It sounds cute."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Izuku's face turned impossibly redder, and he bowed down vigorously.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"T-THANK YOU!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Wow... You're loud..."

My flesh it was my currency, but I held true.

Chapter 7: Chapter Six

Notes:

so like i just wanna remind yall the mc is an UNRELIABLE narrator, sometimes he’ll make things out to be entirely different than what they actually are.

a good example of this is whenever the mc hears someone say they want to help him, he immediately thinks help = hurt.

that's all i wanted to say, enjoy the chapter!!

Chapter Text

So I drive a taxi, and the traffic distracts me

Tsukauchi sighed, staring down at the barren case file. He couldn't believe the [M/N] case was already declared cold, and it had only been a month and a half, despite the fact that Tsukauchi saw him three days ago. The department had gone as far as to take Aizawa off the case.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"-Attacked by a sludge villain, who then took a hostage and terrorized local shops-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was strange. Cases like this aren't declared cold so early, it was almost like... Like someone was trying to hide something... What if-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"-Rescued by All Might. While the other heroes were doing damage control, a young teen-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tsukauchi turned to the TV, ready to turn it off when the sight of the screen made him freeze. On the screen stood the same young boy he had been chasing after for a month and a half, his hair was cut shorter but his face was unmistakable.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"-Who then proceeded to ridicule the heroes for doing their jobs-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His chair flipped over from how fast he stood up, running out the door and immediately pulling out his phone.

[M/N] wiped down the bar, cleaning off spilled drinks whatever else people left behind. Shigaraki sat on his usual bar stool, watching [M/N] carefully.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N?" Shigaraki spoke up, habitually scratching at his neck.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yes?" [M/N] paused, looking up at Shigaraki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Are we... Are we... Friends?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] hummed, tilting his head in thought.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Do you want to be friends?" He asked, leaning on his elbows.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki's scratching deepened, [M/N] could see tiny specks of blood forming on his neck. "I don't- I'm not-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] softly gripped Shigaraki's sleeve, avoiding his skin and pulling his hand away from his neck. "Do you want to be friends?" [M/N] repeated.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Yes..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Then I guess that means we're friends."

Something was off. The whole walk home [M/N] felt something was wrong, he just couldn't figure out what. It's been itching at him ever since he started nearing the apartment.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The closer he got to the apartment, the more his skin crawled and heart pounded. A cold sweat trickled down his back and he ignored his gut instinct to run away. The walk through the hallway to the apartment door felt like miles, the whole walk he had to force himself not to turn around.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hey."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] froze.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He slowly turned around, coming face to face with the detective he met in the hospital. The detective was wearing a stereotypical trench coat and holding a hat in his hands. "You're one tough kid to find." The detective chuckled, walking closer to [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wanted to cry.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"H-How... How did you find me?" [M/N] asked, slightly stuttering and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "Camera's." The detective shrugged, "You didn't take into account traffic cameras, they track your every move. From where you walked from your... Apartment... To where you arrived at the sludge villain incident."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He froze as the detective gripped his arm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

I'm sorry I'm sorry please let me go I'm sorry-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's time to go down to the station, we still have some unanswered questions." The detective's grip tightened, tugging [M/N] outside.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The rest was a blur, a familiar haze taking over [M/N]. He couldn't remember what happened after.

When he broke out of the haze, he was sitting in a chair in an office at a police station. Mr. Tsukauchi was across from him, looking at a file. It was freezing in here... He missed his blankets.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Tsukauchi came back, sitting down across from him and holding a notepad.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He knew this wasn't the same as last time, this is a real interrogation, and his entire future most likely rested on just how well this interrogation went.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...No pressure...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Where are you from?" The detective asked. [M/N] didn't answer, instead asking a question of his own. "...Am I... In trouble?" The nerves made him want to scratch his ankles. He should find a way to stop that bad habit...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Tsukauchi hummed, leaning backwards slightly. "That really depends on how you answer my questions." [M/N] watched as he set a case file on the table. "You have no records. You don't exist, why?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] didn't have an explanation, it's not like he could just explain how he died and then woke up here.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

'Lie.'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...I don't know."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

'I'm not very good at lying.'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Tsukauchi sighed, rubbing his neck in exasperation. "[M/N], my quirk tells me when you lie. The sooner you tell the truth, the sooner we can solve this case."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

'Okay. Maybe I don't have to tell the whole truth... Just half?'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] nodded, slightly curling himself inward out of habit. "I was... Protected. Like... A bird kept in a cage... I never went to school in this... World. I never... Got an ID, or a passport..." He recalled how he was immediately locked up in a compound the moment he woke up from death. Ironic, isn't it? Different world... And yet the situation didn't change.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The detective wrote in his notepad before looking back at [M/N]. "Do you know why you were... 'Protected'?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

'My blood. My blood is different from the others of this universe.'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I was- am, different. My blood, it's... I don't know... But something about my blood is different from everyone else, he..." Him. He didn't want to remember him. "He kept telling me... I was the Adam, I was the key to... Salvation."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Who? Who told you these things?" Mr. Tsukauchi asked with narrowed eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I-I don't..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I can't- I can't..." His throat felt like it was closing up.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]... Your chains are mine, you belong to me, don't ever forget that."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I can't tell you!" Tears pricked his eyes, a cold sweat dripping down his body, "I can't- I can't tell you..." his nails dug into his skin, leaving painful marks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"That's fine." Mr. Tsukauchi said softly, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Please STOP TOUCHING ME.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We can continue questions later, for now though..." Mr. Tsukauchi sighed, looking like he was dreading something, "We need to discuss what exactly we're going to do with you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Huh?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Well..." The detective sweat dropped, "You have two options... Go into government custody, or... Well... You've received an offer from a... Local school principal that's taken a special interest in you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Government custody? What do you mean...?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"As far as the government's concerned, you are by technicality an illegal alien, considering you have absolutely no records of belonging to any country. If you go into government, you'll stay there and be under the custody of the Public Safety Commission until they make a decision."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That didn't sound particularly pleasant.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...And the other choice?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Tsukauchi grimaced.

He blinked, looking down at the strange white creature in a suit at his feet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...What was it? Some kind of hybrid polar bear?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Greetings!" The creature held out a ~~hand~~ paw. "It's nice to finally meet my new potential student!", [M/N] really wasn't sure what to think of the... Rat...? Dog...? Thing. He definitely wasn't sure if he wanted to go through another four years of a depressive high school experience.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Uh... Hello...?" [M/N] awkwardly stared at the furry outstretched paw. "Would you like to come into my office and have some tea?" The creature didn't wait for an answer, pulling [M/N] into the office with Mr. Tsukauchi trailing behind them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The office was unbearably silent, other than the whine of a tea kettle boiling. "...Can I ask a question?" [M/N] spoke up, sitting down beside Tsukauchi on the couch. Nezu hummed, nodding while setting three cups of tea down on the coffee table. "Why did you offer me a position at a hero school despite me lacking a... Quirk?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu crossed his paws, leaning forward slightly. "I've been working on a small... Experiment, shall we say? And I think you're the perfect person to partake in this social experiment."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What kind of... 'Experiment'?" [M/N] asked warily, raising an eyebrow.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu grinned, almost manically, and stared him dead in the eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I want to see if it's possible for a quirkless person to become a hero. What do you say? It is either you partake in my project, or you give yourself over to the government.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Quite literally the definition of caught between a rock and a hard place. No matter how [M/N] looked at the situation, there were no favorable solutions.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...I see..." He sighed, nerves making his wrists burn with phantom pain. "I think... I think I'm going to accept your offer to join the school..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu's eyes gleamed with devilry.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I had a feeling you'd say that. Now, we can talk about your schedule."

from the strangers in my backseat, they remind me of you.

Chapter 8: Chapter Seven

Notes:

i know that some of yall were asking about LOVE INTERESTSSSS, and i think its time to clarify some things. so while there are going to be interests, aka people having an interest in [m/n], [m/n] is most likely NOT going to reciprocate their feelings and if he does then its likely not going to be in a romantic or sexual way, and its going to take a lot of bonding and emotion-sharing for that to happen. i tried to make him more of an aro and kind of a demisexual.

tbh i was planning on have zero interests, but im weak for hot men.

enjoy the chapter!!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

You hit me once,

"You can't leave." Tsukauchi shook his head.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Somewhere, a record scratched.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...What." [M/N] said, disbelief evident in his voice. Tsukauchi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, kid. Part of the deal is that we can't let you out of our sight."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He felt frustrated. "I have a job! At least let me quit."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"How about this? Let me know the name of your work and I'll go over and let them know why you can't come in for the time being."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

An itch in the back of his head told him that that was a bad idea. Kurogiri was a kind boss, and Shigaraki was... Is a good friend. What ever illegal thing they were doing behind the scenes, it wasn't [M/N]'s business, and he certainly wasn't going to tell Tsukauchi anything.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Nevermind, I'll just... Email my boss, or something." [M/N] shook his head, fiddling with his jacket sleeves. Tsukauchi paused, eyes flickering, but gave a hesitant wave and dismissed him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He had been staying in a guest room within the school, courtesy of Nezu, with mandatory check-ups by Tsukauchi.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He knew Tsukauchi was trying, but he couldn't blame the man for being judgmental. When he had moved all his pillows and blankets onto the floor, Tsukauchi had asked him why he did it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] wasn't sure how to put it into words.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The bed was just too... He couldn't describe it. Before, he would have loved to have a real bed, but now... He missed his futon. When he had tried to explain it to Tsukauchi, the man had just given him a look. [M/N] couldn't explain the look, but it made his skin crawl.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He hated how he didn't have anything to occupy his time. Tsukauchi had gifted him a punching bag, but it may as well have been collecting dust in the corner.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] missed... He missed his friend. His friend who didn't even know they were friends until [M/N] encouraged him to say it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

All he wanted was just a chance to say 'hey, I gotta quit because I'm under the protection of a hero high school, how have you been?', was that too much to ask?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Yes, apparently.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Carefully sitting down on his floor mattress, he wrapped himself up in his blankets. He wondered what Shigaraki and Kurogiri were doing right now. Were they worried? He hoped not, they should worry about bigger things.

"...Where is he?" Kurogiri watched as Shigaraki anxiously paced around the bar, asking the question both of them were wondering.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Where was [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Master Shigaraki, If you would just be patient I'm sure-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You said that an hour ago." Shigaraki hissed, scratching at his neck. "He was supposed to be here two hours ago."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Kurogiri couldn't deny, that was true. Kurogiri wouldn't admit it, but the young boy had actually grown on him. The weeks that [M/N] had worked with him, not once had he shown up late (aside from that one time, but he had only been five minutes late), something was rubbing Kurogiri the wrong way and he couldn't help but wonder if something had gone wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Perhaps... Master Shigaraki was right to be worried...

[M/N] looked at his makeshift rope made from the blankets and sheets in the room. It wasn't the... sturdiest of things, but it'd have to do.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Please don't let him fall to death...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He'd only be gone for five minutes... Just long enough for a nice walk and to clear his head... Yeah. Quickly tossing the rope out of his only window, he slightly (but firmly) pulled on where the rope was tied to the bedpost, waiting for any give. Once he was sure it was relatively safe, he slowly climbed down the makeshift rope, jumping down onto the grass surrounding the school.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Just... Five minutes. That's all he wanted.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Five... Minutes...

[M/N wouldn't call himself one of the bravest of people. His courage had mostly been broken down and taken away from him, beaten by hands that took and took and took till he had nothing left to give.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

~~And they still continued to take.~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Which is why he was going to ignore the bleeding man lying down in the alley. And yet...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The man groaned in pain, clearly hurt, and [M/N] was reminded that he too was once in the same situation a long time ago. From experience, he knew that being tossed into an alleyway was painful. To see someone lying down in pain as everyone else walked on, like he wasn't even there, made his stomach twist.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Shit," The man looked up at him and wheezed, his laugh having a sliver of pain to the tone, "Are you an angel, dollface?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Scars stapled to his skin...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] recognized him. This was the same man who had helped him when he was running away from Tsukauchi. "The fuck-." Scar man coughed, "The fuck... You lookin' at?" He looks where the man is holding his shoulder, blood seeping through the cracks of his fingers.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

All he sees is red, and he has to hold himself back from gagging.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Do you... Want me to find a phone and call an ambulance?" He asked. "No- no goddamn ambulance..." The man hissed. He nods, not saying anything as he kneels beside the man, pulling out a small wad of cash that he had accidentally left in his pocket. "It's not much, but... It'll at least buy you some gauze..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The man looked at him with a bewildered expression, but then grinned manically and gripped his wrist tightly, pulling [M/N] closer to his face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What if... I don't want your stupid fucking pity? You're stupid for helping a villain, I could kill you right here... Right now..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A villain...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

That was just his luck...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N]'s heart pounded and his wrist burned, but he refused to allow his voice to waver. "It's not pity... And you wouldn't." The man couldn't believe the solid look in [M/N]'s eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What, scared? Don't think I can do it?" The man asked, the grin on his dark and, for a moment, familiar.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"No, it's not that... You're not a hero..." [M/N] replied back, eyes clouded over, "You're a villain, remember? You wouldn't..." He paused, a small smile coming to his lips. "You wouldn't save me..." He dropped the money in the mans lap, standing up.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The man stared at him for another, uncomfortably long period of time, and then he started to laugh, a real laugh unlike the one from before. "Alright, I’ll let you go, dollface. Need to keep you in agony a bit more."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Those morbid words almost brought a smile to his face.

I hit you back.

Notes:

man, this one was a doozie. it took me so long to finish this lol, i kept rewriting the dabi scene over and over and im still not entirely happy.

skewl is back in session, i hope yall are suffering just as much as i am.

see you next timeeeee!!!

Chapter 9: Chapter Eight

Notes:

THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS HAVENT BEEN ANGSTY ENOUGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!
on another note, ive always imagined lori as a redhead. so now shes a red head. :>

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

You gave a kick,

Sometimes [M/N] dreams of him. He's warm and clothed on top of [M/N]'s nude form, one hand tangled in his hair and bending him till he breaks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Jonah..." He gasps.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There's a weight on his chest. his hair changes from its normal color to a deep red, ~~just like hers~~, and it falls across over his shoulder and across his body like blood. Dark, red blood dripping down his nude body like water, pulling him down into a sea of golden eyes, a stark contrast to the blue eyes attached to a man standing across from [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You love me, don't you?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] draws his fist back and slams it full force into those paralyzing blue eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Except, his fist never reaches, its drawn back silver chains wrapping around his body and pulling him under into the sea of gold. Above him, the sky is red. An endless stretch of red.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You can't escape." He mockingly chides in a sweet tone, [M/N] can feel hands gripping his scarred ankles and yanking him down even as he twists and claws, drawing in a last desperate breath.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Not while you still think yourself as mine."

[M/N] help up his school shirt to his chest, looking at it with furrowed eyebrows. "It's... Uh... Nice?" He awkwardly said. "Is it not to your liking?" Nezu asked, tilting his head. "It's, well... It's fine, but am I allowed to wear something over it?" [M/N] replied.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I suppose so, there's no rule forbidding sweaters or jackets."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] nodded, feeling his tense shoulders slightly relax. "I don't suppose I need to remind you of the rule?" [M/N] shook his head at Nezu, he knew everything.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wasn't allowed to intentionally fail, it didn't really matter much anyway because if he did fail at anything he'd be sent over to the government. A lose-lose situation. "Yeah, I know." He sighed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked at the mirror in front of him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He didn't like it.

When Nezu had told Aizawa that he'd be gaining an extra student this year, on top of that the extra student was quirkless. He wasn't that impressed. Not to mention that Nezu was hiding something about the kid.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Now, looking at the young boy in front of him?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...He was a little less impressed. Actually, scratch that, from the start he hadn't been impressed at all.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The kid had short hair, choppy at the ends most likely from being self cut, and was scrawnier than average, he was wearing a thick oversized jacket that hung off him like a dress. Something was nagging in the back of Aizawa's mind that this kid looked familiar, he just couldn't quite remember where.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wondered how long the boy would last. A week? A day? Perhaps Aizawa could stand to be less judgmental towards his new student, but the teacher part of him couldn't help but internally point out all the flaws that needed to be fixed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Aizawa sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose tiredly. "What's your name, kid?" He asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The kid averted his eyes, fiddling with the sleeves of his jacket before finally answering.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...[M/N]."

"Aizawa, the boy had scars on his ankles from shackles. Some psychopath kept him chained up."

...Shit.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Aizawa can feel his headache worsen every second he spends with the boy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Nezu. Nezu knew, of course that goddamn rat had to know. Aizawa wouldn't put it past the principal to have intentionally put the kid in his class knowing just had hard Aizawa had struggled on that case, a twisted sort of "I found your missing kid, you're welcome". But then Aizawa realized that Nezu knew the boy was quirkless, most likely had years' worth of trauma, and still put the kid into the hero course. He could feel anger creeping up his neck.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Right..." Aizawa furrowed his eyebrows, "My name is Aizawa Shouta.", and held out his hand for the young boy to shake. Except, [M/N] wasn't remotely interested in shaking hands, instead preferring to back away slightly. "What class will I be in?" [M/N] asked in a monotone voice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You'll be in my class, It's only the second day so you don't have to worry about being behind. Follow me."

"Who are you truly, [M/N]?" A soft voice whispers to him, lips grazing across his ankle. "I look at you and I wonder... Who had the honor of clipping your wings?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Gold engulfs his vision, swallowing him whole.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

What is the point of life, he asks. The world is twisted. Ugly. What's the point in living?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Perhaps, there is no point." Ç̶̷̵̟͋͂ḧ̶̶̶͉̘́͝i̶̶̸̲̬̇̊s̵̷̴̼͓̐̂ä̷̴̷̺̲͝k̷̸̸͍̀̔ͅi̸̶̵̼͎̇͊ answers, his arms crossed and eyes watching [M/N] from where he sat, the beeping of the machine [M/N] was hooked up to being the only sound in the room, "But if you linger long enough, you might discover something of value in it."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It's ridiculous, but sometimes it's the only thing that keeps him around. Ç̶̷̵̟͋͂ḧ̶̶̶͉̘́͝i̶̶̸̲̬̇̊s̵̷̴̼͓̐̂ä̷̴̷̺̲͝k̷̸̸͍̀̔ͅi̸̶̵̼͎̇͊ had been a terrifying man, but he had also been insanely smart with intelligence that would have brought him far.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A part of him admires the man, ~~he hates himself for it.~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"There is something broken in you," K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚. had mused as he stroked [M/N]'s hair. "But you're still here."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His will was broken a long, long time ago. Why is he still here? What kind of twisted deity had given a second chance to a person you never wanted it?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What do you think happens to you when you die?" Lori had once asked a young, seven year old him. She held up a butterfly perched on her finger, "When I die... I hope I come back as one of these." Lori turned to him with a sweet smile. "And when I become a beautiful butterfly... I'll take you flying all over the world!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Okay." He grinned, gripping her free hand, "Let's be butterflies!"

I gave a slap

Notes:

ngl i dont like the ending to this chapter all that much. i was trying to be philosophical and like idk use metaphors but im not sure i succeeded in all that oop.

also its like 12:16 AM rn and ima go to bed and post this tmr. byeeee!!!

Chapter 10: Chapter Nine

Notes:

i... have...

...

FANART!!! its from the last chapter during the beginning, where his hair is turning red created by yours truly >:))

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

You smashed a plate over my head,

[M/N] stood beside Mr. Aizawa, peering up at the giant door with 1-A written on it in front of him. It was... Rather large, for a door. He wondered if there were actually students here that large.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Class, it's time to settle down." Mr. Aizawa sighed, walking into the classroom with [M/N] trailing behind him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He could feel the curious stares on him, it made him want to curl up into his sweater. "Before we begin todays lesson, I have an announcement to make." Mr. Aizawa gestured to [M/N], "We have a late transfer this year, he's going to be joining your class, so I expect you all to treat him with respect." He turned to [M/N], "You can take the empty seat in the back."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] quietly nodded, silently walking towards the empty seat beside a boy with spiky blonde hair. He reminded [M/N] of a porcupine... Or one of those hairy pomeranians. [M/N] wondered if the blonde came out with a snarl graced on his features, that was a funny thought.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Now that that's over... Today's lesson is going to be on the Hero Constitution."

[M/N] hated being in a classroom. He felt so... Crowded? Just the thought of accidentally brushing up against someone was enough to make him inwardly cringe. Not to mention...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He looked up, watching as several eyes turned away from him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

So many people watching him... It made his stomach turn and his palms sweaty. School wasn't exactly the kind of thing he wanted to go through again. The bell rang and he was ready to just bolt out the classroom and-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He turned to his right and flinched back, nearly yelping. In front of him stood a familiar fluff of green hair. 'Shit', he thought, watching the boy bounce on the heels on his shoes. "[M/N]!" The boy exclaimed, eyes sparkling.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Oh." [M/N] sighed, "Izuku... I can't believe we ended up in the same school..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Izuku nodded, voice slightly stuttering. "I-I had no idea you were going to come to U.A."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah..." [M/N]'s palms felt clammy. "It was a... Last minute thing."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Izuku 'oh'ed, gesturing towards the door. "I can walk you to your next class..." His face grew red, "I-I mean- only if you don't know your way! Haha! What am I doing..." [M/N] ignored that last mumbled part. Should he just humor Izuku? It would be better for him if he had someone to use as an excuse, just in case one of his... Classmates... tries to be around him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah," [M/N] nods, "I'd like that."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He doesn't like how Izuku's face grows even redder.

His wake is slow. Vaguely, he can tell that he's lying on something firm, yet soft. Something is petting him, calloused hands contrasting the gentle strokes on his head. The blurriness in his vision fades and he realizes that he's laying on K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚'s chest. Oh.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Wasn't Chisaki sitting in his usual chair beside [M/N], watching him fall asleep last night?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚'s chest vibrates, "That was two nights ago.", and he realizes he accidentally said that out loud. [M/N] hums, letting his head fall back onto K̵̸̸̴̷̶̷̲͛͆̀ŭ̶̷̷̴̵̶̷̷̷͙͚̌̚̕r̸̵̴̷̸̶̸̷̴̹̜̞̪͌͆ȏ̷̷̷̴̶̶̵̘͕̜n̷̵̶̵̵̗͘ơ̴̴̸̴̵̷̶̵̷̸̝̜̟̓̍̚. Part of him wants to know what day it is, and another knows he'll never get an answer.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Why does he want the date again? So he can remember how long it's been since he... Since he... Why can't he remember?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Kurono?" He looks up with a frown, locking eyes with blue ones. ~~Blue eyes... Blue eyes. Where does he know those blue eyes from?~~ Kurono raises an eyebrow, nodding. "...Nevermind, I... I can't remember what I was going to ask."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Kurono sighed and patted his head. The touch made him feel sick.

[M/N] wasn't exactly fond of Izuku, but that didn't mean he hated the boy either. Izuku was... Well, sometimes [M/N] tolerated him, sometimes he wanted him to go away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya had made his feelings for [M/N] quite known. He knew Izuku didn't like him. It was infatuation, not affection. [M/N] wasn't really sure what caused the infatuation though, he hadn't done anything that would've made him noticable.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"S-Since it's lunch time, do you want to-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Hey!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya was quickly cut off by a girl with... Pink skin. [M/N] doubted he'd ever get used to the physical mutations.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The girl with pink skin bounced towards him with a grin. "My names Ashido Mina! It's so cool that we're getting a new student!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He flinched when she gripped his hands, shaking them. "Do you want to come sit with me and Kirishima for lunch? It'd be so awesome to be friends!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Ah- Ashido, he was actually going to sit with me-." Midoriya quietly piped up. Ashido turned to him, eyes twinkling. "Really? Don't you think he should make more friends, unless... You two are..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya's face turned blood red, he was stuttering something that [M/N] didn't really care to hear.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He doesn't think they noticed him walking away.

Standing in line for food was horrible. So many people were bumping into him, touching him. It made him feel sick to his stomach, so much that he almost lost his appetite.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"That guy in front looks so weird, ha."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah, look at those gross eye bags. Are we even allowed to wear jackets? That's gotta be breaking a rule."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He just wanted to get his lunch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Is that the new kid? Look at how pale he is... I bet he's one of those really creepy guys."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Fuck. It feels like everyone is watching him. Like he can feel their stares penetrating his body, he doesn't like it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Was it getting hot in here? He feels so sweaty and his throat is closing up and he can feel their stares and their hands on him and he wants it to stop please stop stop stop.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Here's your food!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He looks up at the lunch robot, quickly grabbing his tray and hurrying over to the first free table he sees. [M/N] looked down at his tray and... There are no utensils. He forgot to grab utensils...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Who's that weird guy?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked over at three girls who were staring at him, holding their hands to their mouths and giggling, one of them had even stuck their tongue out at him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He sighed, turning around and walking back towards the kiosk. Utensils... How did he forget utensils?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Don't cut in line." A gruff voice called, shoving him away when he reached for the plastic forks. "I- I just need... Fork..." He mumbled, heart pounding in his chest. The boy rolled his eyes, gesturing to the back of the line.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

By the time he had reached the front of the line and grabbed his utensils, his stomach was growling and he was sure his food was cold by now. Walking back to the table, he looked down at his food that was spilt and covered in bunched up napkins and straws.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh, sorry!" One of the girls from earlier piped up, laughing. "Were you still eating that?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He looked down hopelessly at the now unedible food, "No... I was finished." He picked up the tray, walking over to the trash and throwing it away. Tears pricked his eyes and he hurriedly rubbed them away, walking into the hallway and throwing himself into the nearest bathroom before he broke down crying.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He didn't want this.

Chisaki looked at the TV, watching a young boy on the screen intently. Kurono stood beside him with clenched fists.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"My angel..." Chisaki said almost breathlessly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He stood up, walking over the screen and placing his hand on it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I've found you."

And I set fire to our bed.

Notes:

just in case yall werent in the know, i do in fact have a discord. a whopping 29 ppl from my other writing site, heres the link in case any of you want to join.
https://discord.gg/cbPWHvps

Chapter 11: Chapter Ten

Notes:

OH MY GOD. WHATS THAT? A PICTURE OF LORI AND M/N??? WOW!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! ANYWHO...

TODAY I AM GOING TO TRY SOMETHING... DIFFERENT.

ikr, 'different' is such a scary word. ANYWAYS, this whole book i have never tried to write in first person, so now this whole chapter (with some exceptions) is going to be all m/n's 1st person pov. think of it as a kewl lil social experiment and lemme know ur thoughts

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

My black eye casts no shadow,

I found myself hunched over the toilet, crying and gagging but nothing except tears were coming up, and refusing to leave the bathroom until lunch was over. Part of me just wants to stay in the bathroom until school is over, but the other part knows what's on the line if I do that, but I just couldn't bring myself to go back out there. I rubbed my puffy eyes and splashed some cold water on my face. What class was next? Math? I really had no clue, and I couldn't bother to remember.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Looking up at the mirror in front of me, I couldn't help but stare at the dark eyebags under my eyes and the... The...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

sharp, electrifying blue eyes stare back and a terrifying grin.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I yelled, my body moving on its own and throwing my fist towards the mirror. The glass shattered with a loud 'CRACK!' and I backed away, throat feeling tight and gasping for breath. My hand was covered in scratches, glass and blood but I couldn't feel it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I couldn't feel anything, other than overwhelming fear.

Nezu looked up from his paperwork at the sleep deprived man who bursted into the office. "What... Is wrong with you?" Aizawa said in a low voice, walking up to the desk in what Nezu thought was supposed to be an intimidating stride.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Whatever do you mean?" He asked, tilting his head.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You know exactly what I mean. What made you think it was a good idea to bring that child into a school like this?" The glare Aizawa was giving him was quite impressive. "Is it some kind of messed up morbid curiosity, or a sick joke? Either way, I don't find it amusing."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Nezu nodded his head, pulling out a piece of paper.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I actually find it quite fascinating, really. Did you know he shows 16% morality than 98% of the hero population? I wonder if that is due to growing up quirkless or a home condition... The average teens empathy is normally 30-42%, and yet his is below average at 3%. His growth rate is nothing like I've ever seen before!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Nezu... He has trauma, and a possible case of borderline personality." Aizawa sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This... Social experiment is completely thoughtless!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Nezu looked up from his file to Aizawa's dark gaze.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...You disapprove of what I'm doing?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You know I would have disapproved from the start. An unstable child like him has no business in this kind of profession."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"But he's succeeding where others have failed. I believe that he has the talent for this."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Talent? You think that makes this okay? Did you even stop to think about the everlasting effects this could have on him?" Aizawa was close to shouting now.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Unfortunately, their delightful conversation was interrupted by his office door once again being slammed open.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Aizawa!" Yamada called out, "There's been a- uh- situation with one of your students!"

I couldn't remember going to the nurse's office. Come to think of it, I couldn't remember anything after I had punched the mirror.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Who brought me here?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The nurse lady was asking me something, but I didn't bother to listen. After she picked out all the glass, she kissed my hand and I watched with amazement as the cuts disappeared and faded into thin scars.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The door opened and Mr. Aizawa stepped in, Nezu trailing behind him. Mr. Aizawa gazed down at the light scarring on my hand with dark eyes. "How did this happen?" He demanded, turning to the nurse who only sighed, "I'm afraid the young boy won't tell me, he hasn't talked since that other one brought him here."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Other one?" Nezu piped up. The nurse shrugged, "I didn't catch his name, he was a shy thing with blue hair."

"Hey... Your hand... Are you okay?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Oh, I understand... I'll take you down to the nurse."

...I didn't remember that. Somebody brought me here? Who...?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mr. Aizawa sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "[M/N]." I turned to him, looking up with tired eyes. "What happened?" He asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I punched a mirror because I saw... His face in it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't... I don't know, I don't remember..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N], I want to help you but I-." Mr. Aizawa was cut off by Nezu's voice. "If you're feeling up to it, would you like to head back to class?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Class... That didn't sound particularly good, but neither did staying here.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Yeah... Sure."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I went out of the room, standing beside the closed door as they talked inside. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but obviously it wasn't good from the raised voices. Mr. Aizawa's deep voice was the loudest of them all, he sounded very angry. Was he angry... At me?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I didn't blame him, I'd be angry at myself too.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mr. Aizawa came out of the office somehow looking more tired than before. "They're in the Hero Basic Training class right now, I'll take you there." His slumped form was immediately walking away. I followed after him, it took us five minutes to reach the classroom. When I entered, everyone turned to look at me, it made me want to shrink up into my sweater and hide for the rest of the period.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya in particular perked up when his eyes landed on me, of course he'd be happy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Looks like the teacher hasn't arrive yet." Aizawa sighed, he must not like the other teacher. "Go ahead and sit down, your teacher will hopefully be here soon."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

After Aizawa left I quickly took a seat behind Midoriya. The boy in question turned around in his seat to look at me with a shining smile, "Where were you for lunch?" He asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

God, I really just didn't want to talk to someone right now...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I shrugged in reply, "Just... Decided to sit by myself."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh." Midoriya slightly deflated, but immediately perked back up. "Then do you want to walk home with me, Iida and Urara-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...I... AM... HERE...!!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A big, muscly man in a red costume burst through the door and into the classroom. He was giant, taller than almost anyone I'd ever seen. Was that the same man... Who changed the weather?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Wow...!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Almost everyone in class gasped in amazement, looking at the hero. I had to admit, even I was slightly impressed. "I can't believe it's really All Might!" A boy with blonde hair and a black lightning bolt exclaimed. All Might? That's a really... Weird name.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Welcome to the most important class at U.A. High!" All Might stood in front of everyone with his hands on his hips. "Think of it as Hero-ing 101! You'll learn the basics of being a pro and what it means to be a hero! LETS GET INTO IT!" All Might whipped out a card that said... Combat.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I internally yelled with dread, unlike the other students shouting out their excitement.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

All Might pointed at the wall, and I watched as numbered boxes came out of said wall. "Hero costumes made based on your quirk registrations and requests you sent in before school started!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...I was supposed to make a costume?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The other students rushed towards the boxes with their numbers on it, while All Might approached me. "Young [M/N]..." He bent down, speaking in a slightly softer tone. "Unfortunately, your hero costume has yet to arrive."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...I was supposed to make a costume!? Wait- yet to arrive-?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"So until then, you can wear the standard U.A. gym uniform!"

"[M/N]? Why are you just standing out here...?" Midoriya walked up to me and asked, he was holding one of the boxes with a costume inside. "I'm waiting..." I mumbled, slowly inching away from him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Waiting? You know you can just head on in-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't think I have to explain anything to you." My reply came out sharper than intended, but honestly I couldn't really bother with an apology. I didn't have to explain my fear of... Touch... To Midoriya.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya's eyes slightly widened at my sharp reply, but slowly and awkwardly nodded, and headed into the locker room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I didn't go in until everyone was out.

It was no surprise, at least to me, that I was the last one to arrive. All Might took everyone to the training grounds, talking about something but I was too busy looking at the costumes everyone was wearing, meanwhile I was just in a gym uniform.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...This uniform is too revealing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I felt exposed to the world, like everyone could see my scars and judge me. Midoriya happily walked over to me with another girl following him, I guess he forgot about our small talk outside the locker room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]!" Midoriya looked me up and down, it made me feel uncomfortable. "Where's your costume?" He blinked in confusion. I shrugged, "All Might said it hadn't arrived yet..." Apparently. I don't remember making a costume, so someone had to have done that for me... But who?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The girl stepped in front of Midoriya, holding out her hand. "Hello! I'm Uraraka Ochaco, it's so nice to meet you!" She had short brown hair and a more comforting smile... She smelled like lavender...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

~~Lori always smelled like lavender...~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I softly grasped her hand, shaking it no matter how much my instincts screamed at me. "[M/N]... It's nice to meet you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Uraraka had a nice smile... It was almost comforting.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"SHALL WE BEGIN, YOU ZYGOTES?!" All Might yelled out, grinning toothily and standing proudly. "It's time for... COMBAT TRAINING!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Sir!" A boy in front wearing an armored suit spoke out, raising his hand. "This is the battle center from the entrance exam,"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Entrance exam...?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"So will we be conducting urban battles again?" The armored boy asked. All Might shook his head, "No, we're going to move ahead two steps!" he replied and held up two fingers. "Most of the time, fighting villains takes place outside, but the most atrocious villains are indoors! Imprisonment, backroom deals-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Imprisonment.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"For this class, you'll be split into villains and heroes and fight 2-on-2 indoor battles! We'll start by drawing lots!" In his hand he was holding out a small box, "On whether you'll be heroes or villains!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

My stomach felt queasy, what if I froze up? What if something triggered me? What if... What if I get hurt? Maybe I should have just stayed in the nurses office after all, no matter the anticipated interrogation they were going to put me through.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

When it was my turn, I reached into the small box and pulled out a thin piece of paper, looking at the small letter, Team D.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Who else was on Team D?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I looked around, trying to spot anyone who would be on my team, but everyone else was already with their teammates. Was I all alone?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"HEY!" A loud booming voice shouted, causing me to flinch and whip around to the voice. An angry, blonde spiky-haired boy was stomping towards me while holding a... Team D card.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Are you the fucking extra I'm paired with!?" He yelled out, footsteps echoing annoyance as he walked towards me. "I- I- ah..." I couldn't speak, it was like my voice along with my body had just frozen.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"WELL?" He was getting impatient. Quickly holding up my card in front of my face, "Y-Yes!" I frantically forced my voice to squeak out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Was it so goddamn hard to say that?" The spiky haired boy huffed, "Fuck. Looks like I got paired with a coward."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wasn't wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Whats your useless quirk?" The boy growled out impatiently. "It better not be something stupid!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Quirk.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shit.

Your red eye sees no blame.

Notes:

My Discord.
discord.gg/cbPWHvps

Chapter 12: Chapter Eleven

Notes:

ngl i hate writing combat sobs. mostly bc i have almost no experience with it, but i hope yall enjoy the chapter!

did yall know shin nemoto (one of the bird dudes in the hassaikai) was hot? cuz i didnt know that. not until i looked him up LMAO, but fr hes like actually hot and he wears glasses which makes him a 20/10 for me :>

Chapter Text

Your slaps don't stick, your kicks don't hit

"What's your useless quirk?" Bakugo growled, "It better not be something stupid!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Quirk.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He didn't have a... Quirk. What would the blonde boy do if [M/N] told him he didn't have a special power? He was already terrifying enough.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”I-.” He was ready to mentally prepare himself for the expected onslaught of aggression from the blonde but was quickly cut off by All Might’s booming voice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"The first ones to fight will be... THESE GUYS!" He yelled out, pulling a D ball and an A ball from two different boxes. "Team A will be the heroes, and Team D will be the villains!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked at Bakugo, who was glaring at Midoriya, and wondered how All Might expected them to work together.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Everyone else, head to the monitor room!"

"Young [M/N], young Bakugo!" [M/N] huffed, nearly running into Bakugo who stopped at the sound of All Might calling their names.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Remember! Learn to think from the perspective of the villains!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] paused, thinking about what All Might said. The perspective of a villain...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He had to... Encompass the personality of a villain, of somebody who wanted to genuinely hurt people. So...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He had to act like... Them?

[M/N] looked up at the fake bomb planted in the middle of the room. It wasn't very impressive, to say the least.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Actually, he wasn't impressed with this exercise either. He didn't feel very confident about his teammate or his own ability to protect the mock weapon, he felt... Like he was going to be disappointed after everything was over with.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Hey." [M/N] turned to his angry teammate. "Use whatever shitty quirk you have to protect the weapon, I'm-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't have one." [M/N] interrupted Bakugo's growling voice. "Hah?" Said boy whipped around to face [M/N], disbelief and annoyance coloring his expression. "What did you just say?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't have one. A quirk, that is..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He turned back to the room, looking around. He wasn't sure about Midoriya or Uraraka's quirks, perhaps he should remove every scrap in the room just to be safe... Or-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He gasped, falling limp as his collar was manhandled and he was thrown against one of the pillars.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"There's no way a quirkless little shit was able to get into U.A!" Bakugo growled, hands crackling and popping, [M/N] could feel a slight heat radiating from his palms. "Tell me how you got here!" But [M/N] couldn't reply, he had already blanked out the moment Bakugo grabbed him. His mind was filled with fog, as if he disconnected from the world completely.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I-I..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Words refused to string themselves together, all he could do was internally plead for Bakugo to please let go let go let go please please don't hurt me please LET GO.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugo huffed, glaring at [M/N] with narrowed eyes. "Fuck if I care." He muttered, releasing [M/N]'s collar. "Just guard the shitty bomb." He said, anger clear in his tone as he walked away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] came back to the world a minute or two after Bakugo had left. He blinked, looking around the room in confusion before realizing the angry boy was gone, and nearly collapsed onto the floor with relief (tears were pricking his eyes, but nobody had to know).

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...What should he do?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked around room, spotting the clutter and boards everywhere and decided to just move everything out of the way.

"...He reminds me of a porcelain doll..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

An older man is standing in front of him. He has blonde hair, glasses that frame his face perfectly and blue eyes that seem almost unreal. The man's clothes are fine and pristine, probably costing more than [M/N]'s life.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Eventually, his hand shoots out to grasp [M/N]'s jaw and turn his head gently from side to side. "Very pretty..." The man mumbled, looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze. The action made [M/N] want to smack him away, but the last time he had pushed Kurono away he... He...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...What did he do, again?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Nemoto." Chisaki says in a stern tone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Forgive me." The man releases [M/N]'s face, stepping back slightly. "Shall we begin?" He asks, smiling in a way that was supposed to be comforting, but felt entirely sinister.

Uraraka was standing behind a pillar, hoping [M/N] didn't notice her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He had heard her long before she even got there based on the sound of her feet, Uraraka is louder than she thinks. The way she's trying to hide herself... She's not very good.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

She doesn't know. Hasn't trained her ears to listen for even the slightest sound of somebody coming towards her, hasn't perfected the way to perfectly blend in with an object and make sure you're hidden. None of them have. None of them know.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He sighs, turning towards the pillar Uraraka was hiding behind and watching as she flinched at being caught. She slowly walked out of her hiding spot, standing in the middle of the room

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

What will she do now? Try to attack [M/N] head on?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

What would he do? What if she grabbed him, and he froze up? Scratch that, he was going to freeze up. He always does.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He can't do this, he can't, he made a mistake, he should have just quit and let the stupid government control his life-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The ground shakes as if a massive earthquake just him them, chips of concrete and dusts falling onto the floor as Uraraka cries out in surprise. What just happened!?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He can hear a loud blast from downstairs, and the sound of concrete breaking apart echoes throughout the entire building.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Uraraka is breathing heavily, trying to steady herself before she accidentally falls over and-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Think like a villain.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] takes advantage of her temporarily distracted form and rushes towards her, gripping her shoulders and shoving her to the ground. She gasps, not expecting the sudden attack as the breath leaves her body.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He stood back, watching Uraraka as she quickly retaliated and... Floated herself off the ground and up into the air, her arms were stretched out as if she was going to hug the bomb. Quickly, he jumped up and grabbed onto her ankle.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The extra weight caused Uraraka to be dragged back down to the ground and the both of them tumbled to the ground.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Dammit..." He mumbled, standing up and looking at the scrape on his knee. Uraraka quickly got up, and ran towards him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

With a raised fist, she reeled her arm back and threw it at him and-

Kurono caught his fist in a crushing grip as he cried out, feeling his bones creak with protest. Sobs heaved through his body as his captor threw him onto the ground and pulled his arm into a lock.

He turned his body slightly and dodged the fist, grabbing her arm and throwing Uraraka to the ground. He stood over her, one knee on her back and a hard grip on her wrist pulling her arm into a lock.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

All those months in captivity had, at the very least, taught him something useful. How to efficiently take someone down...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

~~Never again would he be put in that position again.~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"O-Ow!" Uraraka cried out, struggling in his grip.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It was futile. He would know.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...It felt euphoric.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Why? Why did it feel good to be the one in control?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wanted... He didn't understand. Hurting Uraraka... There wasn't even a semblance of regret in his heart. He wanted... He wanted this feeling to last. He wanted to keep hurting.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] gasped, grip loosening significantly as he shoved those awful, disgusting thoughts away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Uraraka, noticing his moment of distracting, thrust her head upwards hitting [M/N]'s face and pushing him off of her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He let out a slight yell, quickly standing up and running towards her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There were loud explosions downstairs. He could feel a puff of air and-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The floor beneath him erupted in cracks, before breaking apart as a huge shockwave echoed through his ears and the huge rushing air forced him backwards as a giant hole appeared beneath him. He landed arm first against a concrete pillar with a sickening crack.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The last thing he remembered was Uraraka touching the bomb, and All Might yelling.

He wakes to his hands on him and his body twisting desperately to get away. Panic heaves his chest up and down as he struggles against the arm that presses against his stomach and ribcage.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It's okay!" Someone shouts, "It's okay!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hands press against his chest and hold him down as he desperately tries to get away half screaming, half sobbing and pleading as his legs kick out and someone grips the inside of his thigh-

[M/N] groans, cracking his eyes open. He's in the nurse's office, and yet she is nowhere to be seen. A school uniform in his size is sitting beside him in a chair, he sits up to reach for it-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The pain in his entire body registers as soon as he sits up and [M/N] realizes someone had patched up nearly the entirety of his torso and left arm, the white bandages start at his stomach, going up and around his neck before ending at his hand.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Then he realizes he hadn't expected to wake up again.

[M/N] hoped most of his classmates had left, so he wouldn't be bombarded with questions. That hope quickly died the moment he opened the door.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Hey!" A pink skinned girl who looked slightly familiar hopped up to him. "You were so totally awesome out there!" She grinned, "The way you dodged Uraraka was so cool!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Uh..." He sweatdropped, "Thank you...?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

After her, more classmates walked over to him and introduced themselves.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"The names Kirishima Eijiro!" A boy with spiked red hair held out his hand, [M/N] didn't even have a chance to shake it (not that he was going to anyways) before another boy shoved himself in front of Kirishima, "I'm Sero Hanta, you should come spar with us sometime!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I- um..." He was getting disoriented and could feel a cold sweat trickle down his back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N]'s shoulder was shoved and he was pushed against the doorframe as Bakugo left the room. His other classmates whispering about how rude he was and [M/N] took that moment to quickly grab his bag and leave the classroom.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He was so close to freedom when a voice suddenly shouted at him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He turned around, looking at a grinning mop of green hair walking towards him. "We- we didn't get to really talk any all day." Midoriya rubbed the back of his neck nervously with his free arm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] really didn't notice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Well- I kind of wanted to- to invite you to walk home with me... I mean! If- If you take the train station!" Midoriya had a giant blush across his face, and [M/N] felt dread course through him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Oh no.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't." He said bluntly, ready to walk away until Midoriya's voice piped up again.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Wait! I- I wanted to tell you..." He gripped [M/N]'s sleeve, face turned almost as red as a tomato, "I.. I kind of-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Stop.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Midoriya." Said boy looked up, staring into [M/N]'s eyes. "I have to go..." He gently tugged his sleeve out of Midoriya's grip, turning around briskly walking away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But... For whatever reason, he stopped.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Turning back and looking at Midoriya, who's solemn gaze immediately brightened again when [M/N] looked at him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He should say something.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Anything.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

'I can't do this...'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He walked away.

Aizawa sighed, rubbing his tired eyes as he opened his computer to look over the footage of the battle trials. It was the end of the day, most of the students had already left or were waiting to be picked up, so it gave him a good moment of reprieve to take a quick look at the footage.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It wasn't pretty.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Aizawa watched with narrowed eyes as Bakugo grabbed the back of [M/N]'s neck and slams him against a pillar, and [M/N]- [M/N] freezes up. He stops moving, stops talking, doesn't resist or even try to get away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He just... Stops. As if the moment Bakugo grabbed him, he had disconnected from the world. Even after Bakugo released him and walked away, it takes him a moment to move again.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It's not a good sign. Aizawa knows this. Aizawa has seen this before.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He has a lot to think about. He should- no, he needs to talk to [M/N] about this.

So we remain the same

Chapter 13: Special Chapter: Midoriya's POV

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Flowers bloomed when he walked,

Izuku looked up at the amazing, beautiful boy in front of him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”I think quirkless people can be heroes.”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I think you can be a hero.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Izuku couldn’t stop the happy tears flowing out. This was somebody who believed in him! Who understood. Rubbing his puffy, teary eyes he looked up at the smiling, shining boy in front of him and wondered if he was a godsend or an angel.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”Please don’t cry.”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The beautiful boy said soothingly, gently placing a hand on Izuku’s shoulder. Why was his heart pounding so much? His chest hurts.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It hurts so much.

Angels sang when he talked.

Izuku had met the beautiful boy again.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He had come to Izuku’s rescue like a knight in shining armor, defending him from the people berating him for saving Kacchan…

He looked so perfect, the sun shining just right on his face as he stood in front of Izuku.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The pretty boy grabbed his hand, pulling him away from the crowd.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

’He’s holding onto my hand…’ Izuku thought numbly, face growing redder by the minute.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

They didn’t stop walking until they reached a secluded little park, far enough away from the crowd and heroes. ‘I need to thank him,’ Izuku thought with a blush across his freckled cheeks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”Thanks… For what you did back there.” He mumbled nervously, looking down at his red shoes. Ever since people had found out he was quirkless, nobody ever tried to stand up for or help him… Nobody except the pretty boy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Nobody except him…

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He looked up at the boy and was startled a little to see he was staring back at Izuku. “I mean-! Thanks for… Standing up for me…” He cursed his awkward speech.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”Oh. It was no problem.” His voice was sweet sounding, it reminded Izuku of the birds he’d hear singing in the morning. “What’s your name?” He asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wants to know my name…

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wants to know my name!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”It’s- um, it’s Midoriya Izuku!” He nearly fumbled over the words, “But everyone just calls me Deku…”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”Izuku, huh?” The boy mumbled, turning around to face him. Izuku, not Deku. His name sounded so beautiful coming from the boys mouth. “I like it,” Pretty boy smiled, “It sounds cute.”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His face turned impossibly redder and he sure he was about to explode as he bowed down. “T-THANK YOU!!”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”Whats your name!?” He asked, face red and eyes sparkling.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”[M/N]…”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N]… the name fit an angel like him.

And he is perfect… Cause he’s supposed to be.

Izuku nearly had whiplash from how hard he turned around to face All Might.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”…Huh?” He was at a loss for words, he couldn’t believe what All Might just told him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”Yeah,” All Might nodded, “Principal Nezu just informed the teachers yesterday, I’m still having trouble believing it myself.” He chuckled, placing his hand on the back of his neck.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A quirkless student… Here?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

”He’ll actually be in your class starting tomorrow, getting a late start I suppose. Hopefully he won’t fall too far behind the other classmates.”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

…Huh?

Smile at him in your math class,

Izuku couldn’t believe his eyes when [M/N] walked through the classroom door. It was like the universe was singing! Perhaps it was? He felt like it! [M/N] was the quirkless student? And he was in U.A? That was amazing!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He couldn’t help the grin that came onto his mouth, he was almost in awe. It didn’t matter that Izuku hadn’t seen [M/N] in a couple of weeks, he was here now! And right in front of him too!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Izuku watched the boy sit down in front of the chair beside him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He smiled, “[M/N].” He quietly called out.

Strive for him to do the same!

Considering that [M/N] didn’t look at him, he obviously didn’t hear Izuku.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

That was okay!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He’ll just have to talk to [M/N] after class! Izuku couldn’t wait, he was buzzing with excitement.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Part of him couldn’t believe that the boy who gave him butterflies in his stomach was right here.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

….Maybe he could invite him to lunch! Or- or offer to walk him home!

Open your eyes and realize he does not know your name, and he does not care to.

He was ready to storm over there and tell Kacchan to leave [M/N] alone. Couldn’t he tell [M/N] was scared of him?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Izuku was prepared to be a knight in shining armor, just like [M/N] was when he came to Izuku’s defense. He looked so perfect back then… He still looks so amazingly perfect.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But how would he do in a fight? His physique is so frail… Not to mention, he’s quirkless! Izuku couldn’t help but worry for him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Would he really be alright…?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Izuku slapped his cheeks, face flushed. He shouldn’t be worried! If [M/N] made it into the hero course, he had to be amazing!

And he was perfect… He was supposed to be…

Please… Izuku internally begged.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Please just tell me anything… Give me a sign!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And his prayers were answered. [M/N] paused, slowly turning around to Izuku. He gave a wide grin, sparkles dancing in his eyes as he looked at [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N], who was amazing. [M/N], who made it into the hero course despite being quirkless. [M/N], perfect [M/N], who was everything Izuku wanted to be.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N], who looked at Izuku and opened his mouth and Izuku was prepared and he was ready and willing and he just wanted to show [M/N] that he wanted to be with him and that he liked him too! [M/N]…

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N], who turned around, and walked away and…

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It hurts.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It really hurts.

I made him perfect… Cause I wanted him to be.

Notes:

This is significantly shorter than most of my chapters lol, mostly because these are just snippets of his POV and not an entire chapter full.

SO. THERES SOME STUFF IN HERE THAT DIDNT ACTUALLY HAPPEN!

can y’all catch all the stuff that was just Izuku’s imagination? >:))

id like to see if y’all can in the comments.

Chapter 14: Chapter Twelve

Notes:

I hope yall enjoy this chapter, it involves dadzawa and a talk thats been needing to happen for a while now huehuehue.

m/n is putting on his big girl panties and finally getting a good healthy talk about his issues.

TW: the word rape is used.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Love sticks, sweat drips

He wondered if they worried about him. Kurogiri was most likely angry that his only other help had disappeared, Shigaraki... Shigaraki probably felt lost, if [M/N] was right about his child-like personality. Perhaps one day, he might actually work up the courage to go see them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Perhaps one day he would work up the courage to tell Shigaraki that he was glad the man was his friend.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But for now... He was content with accidentally running into a certain someone every once in a while.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"We gotta stop meeting like this, doll."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Scars had blood caked onto his hands and clothes, but he looked significantly better than the last time [M/N] had seen him. "It's not very surprising..." He sighed, "It's actually on track with my luck."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The man doesn't speak, doesn't respond or do anything for a solid minute or two, until a small laugh rises from his throat. "Yeah," He chuckled, "Looks like we both have shit luck, ain't nothin' we can do about it."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

That's not true, [M/N] thinks. Some people are strong enough to change, strong enough to overcome their trauma and turn their lives around. Those people are stronger than him, and stronger than the man with blood on his fists. Said man wraps his arm across [M/N]'s shoulder (don't think about it, don't think about the touch) and steers him down the sidewalk.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

To everyone else, they looked like old friends.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Last time wasn't the first time we met." The scarred man pointed out. [M/N] was a tad shocked that he actually remembered him, if only slightly. "You were that dumbass kid runnin' from that cop. So, I guess since I rescued you, and you rescued me, that makes us even." He wasn't looking for favors, if that was what the man was implying.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Why did you help me, back then?" He couldn't help but ask, the thought had been nagging at him, and the man just shrugged. "Dunno, maybe I just felt like helpin' out another fellow runaway."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Was it possible to run away from a place you never belonged?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Ever since he woke up here, there was no place he had ever truly felt at home, nobody had ever wanted him. Nobody had ever wanted the true him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Jonah wanted… Lori… And he would have done anything to have her, anything.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Chisaki had an obsession, but never a true want for [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shigaraki craved someone who would give him attention, and only him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There was nobody out there who wanted [M/N]... For [M/N]. Such a tragic life, but perhaps it was planned out for him from the start. Everyone wanted that perfect happy ending, but not everyone deserved it. Did he deserve that... Perfect... Happy ending? There was no place he could return to, his beautiful sister, his home, was gone and she... She wasn't coming back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Sometimes he hated this new world, with all it's bullshit.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Sucks, doesn't it?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He flinched, looking up at the scarred man. He wasn't looking at [M/N], instead his eyes were focused on looking straight ahead. "It feels freeing after a while, nobody around to tell you stupid shit, but then when the high is gone... And the weight hits you, the loneliness, it fucking sucks."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It fucking sucks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah..." He laughed, a small but genuine laugh, "It fucking sucks."

"You there!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N]'s tired eyes looked up at a tall boy with blue hair and glasses. He had a stocky build and moved his arms around like a robot. "Why are you not in school uniform!?" The boy waved his arms robotically, point at his beige sweater.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya and... Uraraka(?) were both trailing behind him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"We are exemplary students of the prestigious school U.A!" The robot boy exclaimed. "We must show everyone that we have made it into such a school by wearing the proper uniforms!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Was he being serious, or pulling an unfunny joke?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Mr. Nezu said I was allowed to wear my sweater." He mumbled, sweatdropping slightly. All he wanted to do was peacefully walk to class without anybody bothering him, then this happens... He really did have shit luck.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The boy paused, arms stopping their robotic movement. "I see." He frowned, "But still, next time I must implore that you wear the proper uniform!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya and Uraraka had finally caught up to them, Uraraka looking at him with a smile while Midoriya stayed back slightly. "Hey [M/N]! Hi Iida!" She grinned, skipping up to them. "You left early yesterday so I missed the chance to talk to you!" She had such a bubbly personality, it almost reminded him of a younger, innocent him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You were a real challenge, y'know!" Uraraka looked up at him, hands clasped behind her back. "What's your quirk? You didn't use it during our fight, right?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Quirk... The concept still confused him sometimes. It defied all natural laws of physics and went against everything he had learned back in his old world.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't have one." He sighed, legs twitching slightly in the urge to leave.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Uraraka and Iida froze, while Midoriya looked at him with those same adoring eyes. "As in... Quirkless?" Iida mumbled, slight shock evident in his tone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Mhm." [M/N] nodded, "Nothing special or flashy." He shrugged. Iida looked conflicted, while Uraraka was even bouncier than before. "Wow!" She gasped, eyes shining, "That's amazing! You've gotta be pretty cool if you made it into U.A. with no powers!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

You're wrong, he wants to tell her. The only reason he was here was because the principal took a 'special' interest in him, he didn't work for anything.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Why was he still here?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Why was he not kicked out yet for being weak?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"That's what I told him." Midoriya stood beside Uraraka with red cheeks, "...He's pretty amazing!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

They're wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

They're all wrong.

In homeroom today, Mr. Aizawa had certain instructions written on the board. He wanted the students to write down their greatest fears to build confidence, help them achieve their own goals and help them believe in themselves.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Which, unfortunately, put [M/N] at an impass.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His greatest fear...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Jonah made him want to die. Because of Jonah, he couldn't stand the feeling of another person's touch. Jonah violated him in ways you should never do to somebody. Jonah had broken his will to live Because of Jonah, he had died. Jonah neglected him. Jonah caused his death. He was a stranger in a strange world because of Jonah.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But Jonah had never been his greatest fear.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hi greatest fear was to die knowing that man was going to outlive him. To know that he wasn't going to be the last victim.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There was nothing he could do. His greatest fear had happened, and now... There was nothing left.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But that wasn't something he could write down, was it?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

'Men' was too vague and untrue, he wasn't afraid of Shigaraki, or the scarred man. But, the touch of another person... Just the thought made him shudder.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

To be forcefully grabbed. To have someone touch you in places they were never supposed to. To be held down, unable to move, unable to do anything as another person had their way with you...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Nobody else here understood what that was like, did they? The paralyzing fear that a brush of the hand can cause you.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

No one understood.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

So, he wrote down 'touch'.

Mr. Aizawa had taken up everyone's papers, setting them on his desk and proceeded to stand behind the podium in front of the class. "We'll discuss those papers later. Sorry to spring this on you all so suddenly, but..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Looking around the room, everyone was stiff with bated breaths. [M/N] didn't understand why they were acting so terrified, did something happen from the first day he missed?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You must choose... A class representative."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The tense atmosphere of the class immediately flutters away as everyone relaxes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A class representative... [M/N] wasn't sure who would make a good choice, so far he only knew Midoriya and Uraraka... Neither seemed like a very good choice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But... What about him?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The boy with glasses who stopped him in the hallway... He seemed professional, clearly loved school, and he had glasses. Hm... [M/N] supposed he would do quite nicely as a class representative, probably better than the exploding boy he was paired with during the battle trails ~~(he still doesn't remember what happened)~~.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

What was his name...? Iida?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

With the name written down on his small sheet of paper, he placed it with the others who had already written their choices down.

"H-HOW DID I GET THREE VOTES...?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked at a startled Midoriya, who couldn't believe he had gotten the role of class president. To be honest, [M/N] wasn't sure how he had gotten three votes either. Midoriya wasn't exactly leadership material, he was too... Meek, and lacked the confidence needed to lead an entire class.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But, he supposed, that friends are most likely to vote for eachother.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Looking at his own paper, he wasn't surprised by the results. Zero votes. Nobody was going to vote for him, it made sense. Nobody here knows him well enough to decide if he would have been a good option, [M/N] doesn't particularly find himself to be a good option.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Perhaps Midoriya would surprise [M/N] and prove himself to actually be a good class president, alongside that young girl with the black hair... What was her name? Yaoyorozu?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Iida looked to be particularly saddened that he wasn't chosen, but loudly exclaimed to the whole class that he thanks the person who 'thought him worthy of such respect'.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] really didn't think it was that deep, but... Iida seemed like the eccentric type.

It's Mr. Aizawa who stops him from leaving the classroom.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]." He calls out, stopping said boy from walking out the door to lunch. He turns around, looking at Mr. Aizawa who was sitting at his desk and gesturing the boy over. "...Yes?" He pauses, standing just far enough to be a safe distance from the man.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mr. Aizawa looked like he wanted to be here even less than [M/N]. "What you wrote down on your paper..." The man starts, but immediately stops as if to think for a moment.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What happened to you." [M/N] tenses, he doesn't want to talk about it. "Did you talk to anyone about it afterwards?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He doesn't want to.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He doesn't want to say it. He can't.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wants to forget it all.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His brow furrows and his voice is caught in his throat, fingers digging into his flesh from clenched fists.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You panicked when Recovery Girl tried to heal you," Mr. Aizawa continues, but he's not unaware to [M/N]'s inner turmoil, this is something that needs to happen. "Sobbing and pleading for us to stop touching you." Something cold slithers down his spine. "You wear oversized clothes to avoid accidental skin contact-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Don't." He nearly cries out, voice choked up and eyes wet. "Don't make me say it." His voice quivers, he wants to stop crying. Make it stop. Please. Make it stop.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Why can't he stop crying?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Please." His eyes squeeze shut.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There's a moment of silence, broken by the sound of something moving. There's a sudden weight on him, arms wrapped around his body but he doesn't feel constricted.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He reaches up automatically, hands grabbing at his teacher's shirt in a deathly tight grip.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It wasn't your fault," Aizawa tells him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But it was.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He had let him into his life, into their life, had hugged him, had let him comfort [M/N] when Lori died, had ignored all the signs, had let him... Rape [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It wasn't your fault." He repeats the words, firmer, and he buries his head into Aizawa's shirt as wet tears fall from his eyes as he chokes a sob and shakes his head desperately in denial.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It wasn't your fault."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It was.

[M/N] gasps, the breath of life coming back to him. He wasn't supposed to be awake. It was impossible.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

How.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

How could he wake up?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Why did he wake up?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He... He had made sure... He planned it all out so carefully...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

How...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Gave us quite the scare. You're lucky we found you in time..." Somebody is touching him, caressing his cheek softly. Cracking an eye open he looks up at those dreadful, golden eyes. Those golden eyes... He wanted to claw them out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Any longer and I wouldn't have been able to bring you back." Chisaki sighed, as if he was dealing with a child.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Brought him back...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Brought him back...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Chisaki had brought him back to life, after he killed himself.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Looking down at his chest, where there should have been a very large and gruesome gash there was pale skin with no scar insight. Tears prick his eyes, but Chisaki gently rubs them away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You cannot die, my angel..." He says in a sickly sweet tone, as if trying to comfort [M/N]. But then he grips his jaw tightly, turning his face towards Chisaki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You cannot die. Not while you are mine."

Break the lock if it don't fit.

Notes:

i try not to use the word 'rape', instead substituting it with 'violate' but i really wanted to not sugarcoat such a heavy topic, and for y’all yall to be HURT. FEEL THE PAIN.

Chapter 15: Chapter Thirteen

Notes:

so since yall are already this deep into the story which probably means you like it, i feel its fair to tell you guys that im not doing different endings for each characters. there will be no todoroki ending or midoriya ending or etc, there is only going to ONE true ending in this story.

whether that ending is good or bad, i aint decided yet :).

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

A kick in the teeth is good for some,

It was only after he had calmed down and wiped his red, tear stricken eyes that a loud alarm began ringing through the halls and classrooms.

"Stay here." Mr. Aizawa had ordered, gently unwrapping his arms from around [M/N] and careful to avoid touching any skin, but he pauses, looking back at [M/N] who was rubbing away the tears pricking his eyes. "Will you be alright?" He softly asked.

[M/N] draws his trembling hands around his arms. His wrists and ankles burn.

"I'm fine."

He lies.

According to Iida, it was just a bunch of reporters who had broken into the school grounds. That didn't seem very plausible, at least to [M/N]. A high-security school like this one, with patrols by professional heroes and somehow the news reporters and bloggers managed to break in?

It was only because of luck and Nezu's small sliver of trust in [M/N] that he hadn't been caught sneaking out so far, he highly doubted that untrained civilians had somehow managed to get onto school grounds, something about the whole situation didn't sit right with him.

But, it was a pleasant surprise watching Midoriya give up his position as Class President, a position that no doubt would have looked good on any application, to Iida. Perhaps there was more to Midoriya than meets the eye...

Perhaps...

Not for the first time, [M/N] wondered if his death in this world would cause him to wake up in his previous universe, or would he just be... Dead, like he had wished for oh so long ago. Was he in a coma and this all a figment of a wild imagination? Was there even a way back to his original world?

He didn't know, couldn't bring himself to test any theories, and so all [M/N] could do was wait, wait and wonder.

Memento Mori, everything has to die.

He had defied that law, and sooner or later the repercussions will come back to him. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. He wasn't supposed to be here. He was an accidental extra, who wasn't supposed to exist. Chisaki himself had told [M/N] that, it was impossible for somebody like [M/N] to be here. He isn’t sure if he wants to die again, but he doesn’t want to live either.

This world was uneven, and the only way to correct it was to… Cut off the extra piece.

"For today's hero basic training, we'll be doing..." Mr. Aizawa held up a card, causing the whole class to burst into excitement, "...Rescue training. You'll tackle natural disasters, shipwrecks, and everything in between."

The class was alive with chatter, everyone talking about how excited they were for rescue training. [M/N] was preoccupied wondering if he was going to get injured again like he did during the battle trials.

"I'm not finished." Aizawa scowled, quickly shutting the class up. "You can decide if you want to wear your costume or not this time." He clicked a button on a remote, and [M/N] watched as numbered boxes came out from inside the wall in a neat row.

"[M/N]." He looked up at Aizawa, tilting his head in confusion.

"Your costume has finally arrived." Was all the man said, which caused another wave of confusion to come over [M/N]. All Might had told him his costume hadn't arrive yet, but... He had never made a costume.

It was a dark blue, loose-fitting bodysuit attached to a black, white fur lined kimono. [M/N] noted how the costume barely showed any skin aside from his head. Whoever designed it knew about his dislike of skin contact. The first person to come to mind was Principal Nezu... Did he design this costume for [M/N]?

He wasn't sure if he should be alarmed or not.

"Why do you wait until everyone from the changing room leaves?"

Midoriya, just like during the combat training, didn't seem to understand [M/N] had no reason to explain anything to him.

"Because I want to."

Because he was scared.

Midoriya furrowed his eyebrows, he wanted to understand [M/N], and opened his mouth to protest; "But-."

"Midoriya."

[M/N] looked at the red and white haired boy who cut Midoriya off. Said boy turned around, staring at the candycane haired male in bewilderment. "I think it's best if you leave him alone." His tone left no room for protest.

...Who was this?

Midoriya didn't look to happy, but followed the boys words and went into the changing room, leaving [M/N] alone with the other boy.

"I-."

He couldn't even get a word out before the boy walked away.

For some reason... He felt... What was this?

He felt... A connection...

"[M/N]!"

Uraraka came bounding up to him with a grinning face. "Your costume looks so cool!" She gushed, "Kind of a dark and mysterious vibe, huh?" Uraraka giggled. Midoriya followed behind her, equally complimenting his plain costume. "Your costume reminds of the pro hero Edgeshot!" Midoriya's eyes twinkled, "Was that who you based your costume off?"

Midoriya was... Irritating.

Before he could answer, Iida came running in front of everyone blowing a loud, distracting whistle. "Class 1-A!" He shouted, "Gather round!" Iida stood in front of the bus, blowing his whistle once again. "Form two lines by your student numbers in order to make the bus go smoothly!"

He ended up standing next to Midoriya.

By means unknown, [M/N] had found himself sitting next to... Bakugo, on the bus ride. How that happened, he wasn't sure since it was Midoriya he was standing beside. Midoriya in question seemed particularly downcasted at not sitting beside [M/N].

At least Bakugo, [M/N] supposed, wouldn't stare at him the whole ride.

He had hesitated to sit by the male, worried that Bakugo would make another outburst about [M/N] lacking a power, but he didn't spare [M/N] a glance and seemed more interested in staring out the window than anything else.

"Oi." Bakugo muttered quietly, eyes flickering to [M/N] as he finally decided to talk. "How did you get into U.A?"

The question made [M/N] pause. Midoriya and Uraraka had just immediately assumed him to be some great person who overcame impossible odds while lacking a quirk, but Bakugo... He actually looked curious... Or slightly curious at best.

What could he say?

He didn't take the so-called entrance exam, he didn't work for his spot here, he didn't want his spot in U.A. nor did he care about being a hero.

The truth?

"I don't know..."

Bakugo looked less than satisfied by that answer but scoffed and turned back towards the window. "Whatever..." He growled under his breathe, "I'll still pummel your ass into the ground, quirk or no quirk."

At the very least, Bakugo was the only one so far to treat him like he was normal...

...It makes his chest hurt...

The USJ was, in the simplest of terms, stunning.

It was breathtaking, he could see the mountain zone, the landslide zone, and the aquatic zone all from where he stood with his classmates. It reminded him of a theme park, he missed theme parks... He missed a lot of things.

A pro-hero in a bulky white outfit comes out, and his classmates eyes immediately widen in amazement. Uraraka particularly is absolutely star-struck, bouncing up and down with giddiness in a typical fan fashion. Midoriya is also radiating excitement, his eyes sparkling with admiration coming across his face, a look [M/N] knows all too well. That look has been directed at him the majority of his stay at U.A.

Thirteen, or at least that was what his classmates were calling them, immediately started their talk with discussing about the dangers of quirks, which [M/N] found himself agreeing with. All quirks had the potential to be dangerous, it just mattered on how you used... Your... Power...

The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, a disgusting tingling sensation spreading throughout his body. He feels like he's being watched.

No... He knows he's being watched.

Something is wrong.

For a moment, everything fades into the background, blurring together in a haze of static. Nobody else seems to notice, nobody can feel the danger.

His eyes widen, head whipping around to the center of the plaza where a dark, ominous shadow is forming.

And from that shadow, hundreds of menacing figures emerged one by one.

"Everyone, go to the exit! Those are villains!"

Aizawa's voice rings out across the USJ, and [M/N] can't find it in himself to do anything but stand still in fear.

Midoriya's eyes immediately dart to [M/N]'s. He looks petrified, looking down at the villains as if it's a nightmare come to life. A surge of the need to protect swells in his heart and runs to [M/N], ready to keep him safe however he could, he reaches out to grab his hand and-

It's Bakugo who reaches [M/N] first.

"What the fuck are you doing, you quirkless shit!?" He shouts, holding onto [M/N]'s wrist and dragging him away towards the exit. "Are you gonna freeze up everytime you see a villain? Are you that fucking stupid!?"

Bakugo whips around, but his angry expression falls upon seeing the look on [M/N]'s face.

He's whispering. Terrified, voice trembling, and all Bakugo could hear was the quiet, repeated string of; "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please let go, I'm sorry."

And then he fell through the ground.

He's drowning. Water invades his lungs and clogs his airways, he can't breathe. He can't see. It's just inky darkness for miles. Something is holding onto his ankles, pulling him deeper into the water no matter how much he kicks, the last little bit of air escaping him as he's dragged deeper and deeper into the abyss.

"Let go of him!"

A feminine voice shouts from across the water. There's a strong, powerful ripple and whatever was holding onto him releases. Something wraps around his torso, dragging him upwards as they finally breach the surface of the water.

[M/N] lets out a big gasp, coughing up water out of his lungs and carefully lifted out of the water and onto the boat beside Midoriya.

"[M/N]!" He yells in relief, wrapping his arms around [M/N] and pulling him into a hug. The feeling of being entrapped in that watery abyss rushes back to him and he shoves Izuku away, taking in deep breaths of air as if he was drowning once again. "Stop- don't- don't touch me!"

Midoriya fell backwards with an 'omf', looking at [M/N] with wide eyes. The girl who rescued them jumped up onto the boat with a short boy who couldn't be taller than 5 feet. "Asui!" Midoriya called out, "Thanks for rescuing me back there!"

"Call me Tsu." She shrugged. She reminded [M/N] of a frog, her tongue poking out the side of her mouth in an adorable way. "This has turned into a bad situation thought..." Asui said, Midoriya nodding in agreement. "Yeah. What that mist villain said earlier..."

Mist villain?

[M/N] had been too terrified to even notice, that mist villain was most likely the reason he was teleported into the water zone. Standing up shakily, he looked across from where he was standing on the boat the stairs where he could see the small figures of his classmates who hadn't been teleported. In front of his classmates stood a large, dark purple could of mist. It almost reminded [M/N] of...

It... It looked like...

A pit of dread settled in his stomach. He wasn't going to entertain the thought that the mist villain was- no. It couldn't be. He refused to believe it.

Turning back to Midoriya, Asui and the short boy, they were discussing why the villains were attacking the USJ. "It's not like they can kill All Might!" The short boy shouted, punching his fists in the air. "Once All Might comes, he'll pound those guys!"

It doesn't make sense.

Why would a bunch of grunts come together and attack the USJ, despite the fact that All Might could easily defeat them with one punch. It was a bold move, and it doesn't make sense. But... Perhaps they had so much confidence... Because they had a way to defeat him. It was the only explanation.

It seems Asui had the same idea. "Don't you think they are trying so hard because they have a way to kill him? The guys below said they would torture and kill us. I wonder if we'll be able to hold out until All Might arrives... Even if All Might comes, I wonder if we will all make it out in one piece..."

The short boy was sweating through his costume, visibly frightened. "M-M-Midoriya!" He yelled, tears pricking his eyes. "T-Tell frog boobs she's wrong!"

He sighed, turning away from the conversation and scanned his eyes across the water. His eyes widened at the sight of villains hurrying towards the boat. "Hey!" [M/N] yelled out, gaining his classmates attention. "The- the villains are coming this way!" He pointed down towards the water, Asui coming beside him to look.

"Ribbit." Asui sweatdropped, looking down at the villains who surrounded them. But that was all they were doing, [M/N] didn't understand why they weren't attacking...

He turned Asui. She had frog-like features, and was clearly adept in water, so why would they send her to a water zone? The fire zone and the cold zone would have been where she was weakest, so why...

It dawned on him.

They didn't know their superpowers. That's why they weren't attacking.

"They don't know..." He muttered, Asui turning towards him with a tilted head in confusion. "They don't know your quirks." He whipped around to face his classmates, "That's why they're staying in the water."

Asui hummed, nodding her head. "That's true, if they knew I was a frog, they would have sent me to that fire zone."

"They plan to overpower us with numbers..." Midoriya said, looking down at the villains who kept their distance. "Our only hope... Lies in the fact that our opponents don't know what our quirks are."

The ship was sinking fast, [M/N] could only hope Midoriya's plan would truly work and save them from a slow and painful death. Midoriya stood on the boat's ledge, shouting his lungs out.

"DIE...!"

For once, [M/N] watched in awe as Midoriya bravely jumped off the boat, fear was evident in his eyes and yet there was also a flash of courage. He held out his hand, shouting; "DELAWARE... SMASH...!!"

He watched Midoriya strike the pool of water with a giant, powerful rush of air creating a whirlpool effect and sucking the villains down. [M/N] never thought he'd say this, but Midoriya...

Was amazing..

Asui held onto [M/N] and the boy, who he now knew as Mineta, and jumped into the air, flying across the water while picking up Midoriya with her tongue. Mineta pulled the sticky purple balls from his head, crying out as he threw them into the water and entrapped the villains in the whirlpool.

Looking down at Midoriya who despite being scared just like [M/N], overcame his fear and defeated those men with a sufficient plan.

There was definitely more to Midoriya than [M/N] once thought.

"Midoriya."

Midoriya's head snapped towards [M/N] at an almost break-neck speed. "That plan of yours..." He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously. Midoriya looked at him with hopeful eyes. "It was... It was a good plan. Good job." His lips twitched upwards, giving Midoriya the faintest of smiles.

Midoriya's face turned an impossible shade of red, quickly looking away before he further embarrassed himself.

He stood beside Asui as they walked towards the edge of the pool. "We were lucky that was all of them..." Midoriya mumbled, looking down at his broken fingers with a pained expression. "I took a huge gamble. Normally, they would've kept some people underwater in reserve..." Midoriya, [Y/N] noticed, had a mumbling problem.

"Rather than reflecting back, shouldn't you think about what to do next?" Asui suggested, putting a stop to Midoriya's mumbles.

That was true. Now that they had defeated those villains, what were they going to do now? Their classmates were scattered across the USJ, and it didn't seem like All Might was going to show up anytime soon.

"It would be best to follow the shore and avoid the central plaza as we head toward the exit." Midoriya pointed towards the stairs that led to the USJ entrance. Looking towards the large number of villains gathered in the center of the plaza, avoiding it was probably their best bet of safety.

"I think... Mr. Aizawa overexerted himself by jumping into that crowd of villains to protect us."

What?

[M/N] looked back towards the center plaza. Mr. Aizawa was out there? Fighting all those villains by himself? What if... What if he got hurt?

What if he died?

"Wait, Midoriya, don't tell me you..." Mineta mumbled. "Are you suggesting we help Mr. Aizawa?" [M/N] asked with narrowed eyes. "I'm not thinking of doing anything that'll get in his way." Midoriya clarified, "But if we can just find and opening and lessen Mr. Aizawa's load, even a little..."

[M/N] and his classmates turned towards the plaza, watching as Aizawa beat down every villain that came his way. [M/N] was in awe of just how powerful Aizawa was, he was out there taking on hundreds of villains with no help all to protect his students... Perhaps... Perhaps [M/N] could... Trust him.

A flash of black ran across his vision and he looked at the next villain running towards Aizawa and-.

Oh god.

It all makes sense now.

The mist villain... Kurogiri...

Shigaraki...

You're here.

A kiss with a fist is better than none...

Notes:

BAM. ITS 6:22 PM. BEEN WORKIN ON THIS CHAPTER ALL WEEK. 3,216 WORDS EXACTLY. FUCK YOU LUDWIG, YOU BETTER NOT SAY SHIT ABOUT THE CHAPTER LENGTH THIS TIME. YALL SEE ANY MISTAKES, NO YOU DIDNT. #GASLIGHTING

SEE YA NEXT TIME.

Chapter 16: Chapter Fourteen

Notes:

i dont care what yall say shigaraki is a complex character and TOUGH AS SHIT TO WRITE. tad disappointed with this chapter, wanted to make the fighting scenes more detailed but then they became repetitive and boring and THEN they became too short and now it's just this.

i dont know what the fuck im doing im just a kid SOBS.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Yeah, a kiss with a fist...

He watched morbidly as the skin on Aizawa's arm peeled off from where Shigaraki touched it until you could see the muscle appear. Aizawa jumped back, away from Shigaraki and despite losing mobility of his arm he continued to defend himself against villains who tried to attack him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And then...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Aizawa's face was repeatedly slammed into the ground by a gigantic, bird-like beast man. The beast was nearly eight feet tall, almost as tall as All Might himself, with strength unlike anything [M/N] had ever seen. It held onto Aizawa's arm which was twisted in the wrong direction and practically no use at this point, holding the man down as blood splattered around him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Watching his teacher be brutalized nearly brought [M/N] to his knees, heart wrenching in fear. But... If he was scared for Aizawa... Then why was his first thought... I'm glad that's not me?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Meet... The Anti-Symbol of Peace." He could hear Shigaraki say, pride evident in his voice. "The bio-engineered... Nomu. You can cancel out quirks, but up against pure strength? You might as well be quirkless."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Aizawa let out another painful shout as the Nomu snapped his arm like a twig. His face was once again slammed into the concrete, the force made ripples form in the water despite the fight (if you could call it that) being far away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...I can stop this..." He mumbled, looking at Shigaraki with wide eyes. Asui looked over at him, attentiveness shining in her eyes. [M/N] hurriedly pulled himself up and out of the pool, ready to run towards Shigaraki when he was forcefully pulled back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wretched his hand away, turning around and staring at Midoriya who looked at him with wide eyes. "[M/N]! What are you doing!?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I can stop him!" [M/N] tells him, he was the only one who could save their teacher. "What?" Midoriya's voice was laced with confusion, "We should wait for All Might! He's the only one strong enough to defeat that... Beast!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"No, no!" [M/N] practically shouted, shaking his head. "You don't understand! I am the only one who can stop Shigaraki!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya doesn't quite process his words, but Asui catches on immediately.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You know him." She says. It's not a question, it's a fact. "What..?" Midoriya mumbles in confusion, still not understanding. [M/N] looks down at Izuku with pleading eyes, he didn't want to play with the boys feelings but this was a desperate situation. "Izuku." He gripped said boys hand, "You have to trust me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya looked down at their interlocked hands and back up to [M/N]'s face, conflict clear in his expression. "I... I..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Dammit, Midoriya!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] couldn't wait any longer. Pulling his hand away from Midoriya, he climbed out of the pool of water and made a break towards Shigaraki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I couldn't face you before.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Shigaraki!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But now... I can make things right.

Shigaraki hadn't felt... Normal.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He hadn't felt normal ever since [M/N] left him. Why did he leave? What made him run away? The male hadn't even stopped by the bar to turn in his unform. Why did he abandon Shigaraki?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Was Shigaraki the problem?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Was he the reason [M/N] left?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wanted to scream, he wanted to disintegrate everything in his path, he wanted to cry, he wanted to know what made him lose his first friend.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Tomura Shigaraki."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Kurogiri. Kurogiri was no help. He had been attached to [M/N] just as much as Shigaraki was, so why did he act like everything was fine? Nothing was fucking fine. [M/N] abandoned them, and Kurogiri hadn't even tried to look betrayed. He didn't understand what Shigaraki was feeling.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Nobody understood.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Not like [M/N] understood him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Kurogiri." He turned to the shadowy nomu. "Did you kill thirteen?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N]. Why did you never come back?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I put Thirteen out of action, but there were students that I was unable to disperse, and one of them was able to run away."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

What...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Their plan was ruined, thanks to Kurogiri. All that NPC could do right was teleport and clean glass cups, he should have never trusted him! If [M/N] was here, he would have done everything correctly, he wouldn't have been a failure!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Scratching his neck agitatedly, he nearly disintegrated Kurogiri in anger.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Why did sensei give him such a USELESS PAWN.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Shigaraki!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...That voice...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...It sounds familiar...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He looked down, staring dead into the eyes of someone he had been waiting to see for so long.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You..." He mumbled, voice dripping with betrayal.

Shigaraki's eyes were laced with anger and sadness. [M/N] knew that look, he had shared that look on his face for so many years.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Shigaraki..." He mumbled, looking up at the man. "I..." The words caught tightly in his dry throat.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You..." Shigaraki stared down at [M/N] with contempt. "Nomu. Bring him to me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"NO!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] cringed as Aizawa's yell was followed by a gut-wrenching scream of pain. "Wait-!" He pleads, looking at Shigaraki with desperate eyes. "Let me explain, Shigaraki! Let me- let me talk to you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shigaraki pauses, scratching his neck in thought before hesitantly nodding. "Talk." He rasps. "Tell me why you betrayed us."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He walks up, standing so that he just a step below Shigaraki. "I didn't want to leave you, understand that..." He's grasping at straws, saying anything that will please Shigaraki and hopefully spare his life.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"..." Shigaraki's eyes are laced with disbelief and confusion.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

'I'm sorry, Aizawa... But please understand, I'm doing this to save you...'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"They forced me..." [M/N] mumbles, voice so low you could barely hear him. "They told me to either come here or I would be given to the government... They didn't let me say goodbye."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His eyes feel wet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His chest hurts.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"The heroes..." Shigaraki mutters in a haze of anger. "They took you from me..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shigaraki is angry.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shigaraki understands now.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"They stole you from me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shigaraki has to take [M/N] back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There's a loud explosion and the sound of a wall being smashed open, [M/N] whips around to look at the entrance of the USJ but Shigaraki grabs [M/N]'s clothes with a killing grip and pulls him close, so close that their cheeks are brushing together and Shigaraki is hugging him why is he hugging him he doesn't deserve it why why why-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He can feel something wrap around his body before he's quickly pulled away from Shigaraki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I... AM HERE..."

[M/N] crashes into somebody with a loud yelp, both of them falling to the ground. He looks into Midoriya's green eyes, watching as said boy immediately blushes and scrambles to get off of [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Everyone!" [M/N] whips around to All Might. He must have been the one to take [M/N] away from Shigaraki... Just as he was making progress. "Go towards the entrance!" All Might said as he handed Mr. Aizawa off to Midoriya, "I'm leaving Aizawa to you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"W-Wait, All Might, you can't!" Izuku called out with a serious tone. "That brain villain took One Fo-!" [M/N] raised an eyebrow at Izuku's nervous glance back towards them, "He took a punch that didn't break my arm, but he didn't even twitch! He's gotta be-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Young Midoriya!" All Might raised a hand up, stopping Midoriya's speech. He turned around, looking at them with a smile, "Everything's fine!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It's a lie.

Looking back at All Might, most would assume he was capable of this fight, that he could take down that beast easily. But [M/N] could see the trembles on the mans muscles, the sweat beading his forehead, and the grimace All Might gave when the beast gave a particularly good punch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

All Might was having trouble.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He turned to Midoriya who was holding Aizawa with Mineta holding the mans legs while Asui walked beside them. They could handle him, [M/N] had to- he needed to go back to Shigaraki. "Midoriya," He called out, said boy turning around to face with curiously. "I'm going back towards the fight." He didn't wait for an answer, spinning around on his heel and breaking out into a run.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya's eyes widened and he quickly handed Aizawa off to Asui before chasing after him. "Wait, [M/N]!" He paused, turning around to Midoriya's determined gaze. "I'm coming with you!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] sighed at Midoriya's irritating courage but nodded anyways.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya is much faster than [M/N], already three feet ahead of him despite [M/N] being the one to leave first. He can only watch in horror as Midoriya jumps up into the air, almost flying, with a fist in the air ready to protect All Might, right into the mist of... Kurogiri.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Only for an explosion to cut him off.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"YOU SHITTY DEKU, YOU'RE IN THE WAY--!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugo holds Kurogiri down, the sight makes his heart clench but he cannot afford to get distracted. Another boy freezes the Nomu enough so that All Might can loosen its grip and get away. Shigaraki scratches and scratches at his neck in annoyance until the skin breaks and pellets of blood drip from the scars.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shigaraki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Shigaraki-!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The nomu charges at them. [M/N] is flung backwards by a giant gust of wind. He lands head first on the concrete floor, screaming out in pain as his shoulder produces an unnatural popping sound.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Everything is dark.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He's scared.

When All Might punched the Nomu through the roof, Shigaraki knew it was game over. He sighed, scratching at his neck. He supposed it was only natural, they shouldn't have gotten so cocky at possibly defeating the Symbol of Peace...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Kurogi-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His shoulder erupted in pain as a gunshot rang throughout the building. He fell to the ground as more gunshots rang out, his other shoulder and legs bleeding violently with bullet holes through them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Where was [M/N]?!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Craning his head as far as it could go, he couldn't spot the familiar warmth anywhere. As Kurogiri covered him with the warp gate, he started screaming and attracting the horrified eyes of everyone in the building.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"NO!" He shouted, "WHERE IS [M/N]!? I CANT LEAVE HIM WITH THE WANNEBE'S! NO! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Kurogiri warps them away, leaving the USJ in terrified silence.

[M/N] wakes to Midoriya's red, tear striped face. Conclusion? He's in a nightmare.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh, god..." He mumbles, throat dry and eyes teary. "I'm in hell..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya lets out a choked laugh, leaning backwards tiredly as if the weight of the world just dropped off his shoulders. They're outside... So does that mean...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He turns to Midoriya, rasping slightly. "Did... Did we win?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya nods, looking down at [M/N] with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes and a gaze that rings with faithlessness.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"We did... But, [M/N]... Who-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]." It's Mr. Tsukauchi. The man smiles but gazes at him with serious eyes. "Do you mind coming with me?" They're going to interrogate him. Probe him. Find out what he knows about Shigaraki and Kurogiri. They're going to be disappointed...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] ignores Midoriya who tries to help him stand up, slowly getting on his knees before pushing himself up and off the ground. Mr. Tsukauchi nods, turning around and gesturing for [M/N] to follow him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looks at his classmates as they walk past them, most of them are clutching their parents for dear life, some of them even crying.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wonders what that feels like.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Sighing, he turns away, putting his hands in his pockets and trailing behind Mr. Tsukauchi as they walk towards the school and-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Huh.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Slowly pulling his hand out, he stares at the small black device in his pocket. That wasn't there before, how...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shigaraki.

Is better than none...

Notes:

Writing this chapter made me want to cut my balls off. Yall have a good night, its 9:06 PM so i bet most of yall are already asleep since its a school night, but i hope you enjoyed the chapter lmao.

we can finally get to the interlude and start the sports festival arc, woohoo!

Chapter 17: Chapter Fifteen

Notes:

Eventually all these songs are going to be a playlist at the beginning of the book. The song for this arc is Broken by Anson Seabra

TW: Poorly written drug use.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

If you see the boy I used to be, could you tell him that I’d like to find him?

It never gets any easier to be in Mr. Nezu's office.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The creature in question is sitting at his desk, paws clasped with a cup of tea beside him. He gives [M/N] a chipper smile as the boy sits down, Mr. Tsukauchi standing behind him. The smile just makes him more nauseous instead of reassured. "Hello, [M/N]. Would you like a cup of tea?" Nezu asks, tilting his head with a smile.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] shakes his head, he wants to throw up.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I see." Nezu nods, "I hope you understand why we requested your presence immediately after such a traumatizing experience, yes?" Request. It wasn't a request. He had no other option than to come here, if he refused they would have forced him. If anything, this is all just a formality.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"As you're probably aware, the attack today was orchestrated by a man named Shigaraki Tomura." Nezu's smile is serious and his gaze is dangerous. [M/N] doesn't feel safe. "Would you like to tell us about your relationship with him?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He doesn't want to.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I... Worked in a bar he frequented." It's not a lie. Shigaraki went down to the bar from his room quite a lot to watch [M/N]. Mr. Tsukauchi blanched though, "A bar?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Can you tell us which bar it was, if you remember?" Nezu asks, althought it wasn't really a question. He opens his mouth to speak, but the words catch in his throat. "I..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He doesn't want to say.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I..." His palms are sweaty, a cold shiver racking through his body. "I... Don't remember..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The temperature in the room drops as the tension rises. "[M/N]..." Mr. Tsukauchi starts gently, he doesn't want to hear it. "We just want to help you. But we can't do that if you don't-." Help? What a joke. They've never helped him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Help?" He quietly mumbles, cutting Mr. Tsukauchi off. "You're wrong... You haven't helped me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wants to scream, to shout out all his feelings.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You haven't done anything for me... All you do is hurt, and hurt. I was fine, and then you showed up and fucked it all up!" Something wet drops onto the back of his hand. He's crying. Why? Why is he crying...?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Can I-." His voice chokes, "Can I be excused?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Tsukauchi looks like he wants to protest, but Nezu gently nods. [M/N] doesn't even take a second to think before he's running out of that god forsaken office. He wants to leave. He has to get out of here.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It'll all be okay..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Stop it. Go away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"My Lori..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Go away please go away please please.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Leave me alone.." He sobs, tears freely falling down his face. "Leave me alone, leave me alone..."

Why does he keep ending up here? Standing in front of a strangers door, a stranger who he's only met a handful of times and yet feels like so much more. Dabi wasn't a kind man, but he wasn't malicious either.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A malicious man wouldn't take one look at [M/N]'s red eyes, pale face and immediately open his door for him without question.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Dabi looked down at the young boy laying on his mattress on the floor staring up at the molded ceiling. "...Hey Dabi, you've been... hurt before, right?" [M/N] sighed, shaking his head, what a stupid question. "What am I saying... Of course you have, look at yourself."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Dabi dryly scoffed, flicking a small piece of ice cream onto [M/N] from where he sat eating. "Watch it, kid. I'll throw something harder than ice cream next time."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] rolled onto his side, looking down at the floor this time. "Then... Can I ask..." Dabi would most likely have more pain to say than hope, but he wasn't looking for anything else other than an answer. "...How do you stop hurting?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There was a long pause. Too long.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N], still looking at the ground, nodded numbly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I see." He said, it was answer enough.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Dabi knelt down beside him, and a hand hot enough to burn him grabbed his shoulder gently. Slowly turning him till he faced the scarred man, electric blue eyes staring back at him. "Dabi?" He held out a hand, [M/N] stared at the two pink pills laying on the mans scarred palm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"There's a way." Dabi murmured, and [M/N] felt his eyes fixate on his lips. "To make it more bearable. It never completely goes away, but..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...What is that..." He mumbled, watching Dabi plop the two pink pills in his own hand. "A happy pill, doll." Dabi grinned but it never reached his eyes, "Just take one of these and the world'll be much brighter."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He stared at the pills rolling around in his palm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Fuck it, he thought and popped the pill in his mouth.

It's red.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Somehow, they had made their way to the roof. [M/N] laying on Dabi's chest as they stared up at the clouds. He felt... Red. Dabi's hair was a vibrant blue, it reminded him of winter, a stark contrast to all the red. Reaching up to touch the mans hair, he was surprised by how soft it was. It made him... Smile.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The clouds were falling.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He looked up at the sky, reaching a hand up and watching mesmerized as his hand passed through the clouds. "Hey, Dabi?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...What color is the sky?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Dabi raised an eyebrow, looking up at the falling clouds. "Blue..." He says, after a moment of hesitation. Dabi's eyes slowly drift over to [M/N]. "What color is your sky?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Red..." He grins, laughter bubbling out of his mouth. "It's all just red..."

Everything hurts. [M/N] groaned as he rolled himself out the bed, head pounding and a sheen of sweat coating his body. He supposed this was why everyone always told him to never do drugs.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Dragging himself up, he reached the bathroom and hurled into the toilet, draining all the sickness from his body. Never again was he going to take something from Dabi. From the start he should have suspected this would happen.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Wiping off his mouth and exiting the bathroom, it took nearly all of his energy to just get dressed in his school uniform.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] was the last person to arrive in class that day. As soon as he opened the door, the whispering began and followed him all the way to his chair. Even Bakugo, who always had something to say, was quiet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

They didn't trust him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He understood. They had no reason to, especially after watching him talk to a villain as if they were best friends.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Despite the words being true, their whispers and hushed voices still hurt.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"EVERYONE!" Iida shouted, doing his usual routine of standing in front of the classroom. "MORNING HOMEROOM IS ABOUT TO START! STOP TALKING AND TAKE YOUR SEATS!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Iida was the only one standing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Watching Iida begrudgingly walk over to his seat upon realizing he was the only one still standing was amusing to [M/N]. Perhaps he would have laughed if he didn't feel so many eyes on him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

At that some moment, a mummified Aizawa opened the door to the classroom. The sight of him brought back memories that made [M/N] want to hurl. Ignoring his students' comments asking about his health, Mr. Aizawa walked over to his podium and addressed the whole class.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"My well-being doesn't matter." He said, despite the fact his whole body was covered in bandages. "More importantly, the fight is not yet over."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

What did that mean? Were they expected to fight once again?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"The U.A. Sports festival is drawing near." Mr. Aizawa finally said after a moments pause, causing excitement to erupt across the classroom.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...The what?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah!" Kirishima shouted, fist thrown in the air. "A chance to finally show off our many powers-!" A hand was promptly smacked over his mouth. "Is it okay to have a sports festival so soon after villains snuck inside?" A girl, with what he assumed were headphone jacks for ears, asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"The school administrators think of it as U.A. showing that our crisis management system is solid as a rock by holding the event." Mr. Aizawa explained, "Security will also be strengthened to five times that of previous years."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

So... They didn't care that students went through a traumatizing experience, how U.A. looks is more important? [M/N] supposed that makes sense, public appearance is everything nowadays.

[M/N] was packing up his things, mentally preparing himself for the cafeteria when a voice piped up behind him. "[M/N]."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

'Midoriya...'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He sighed, turning around and looking at Midoriya who, for once, didn't have a starstruck gaze in his eyes. It was almost strange for him to not be looking at [M/N] in awe.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Not now, Midoriya." [M/N] said tiredly, headache worsening by the minute as he stepped around Midoriya and headed towards the entrance of the classroom. Midoriya, no matter how much he wished the boy would go away, trailed after him. "But I need to talk to you!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Midoriya." They're out in the hallway now, [M/N] turning around and looking at Midoriya's green eyes in exhaustion. "I don't- I don't feel like talking, please?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"But I just wanted to ask-!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] turns around, ignoring the boys' calls as he walks closer and closer to the source of his anxiety, the cafeteria.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]!" Midoriya yells out, voice louder and firmer than before. [M/N] turns on his heel, ready to tell Midoriya to leave him alone but said boy quickly cuts him off. "How do you know that villain from the USJ?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It's like everything stops. His voice shaking, eyes unfocused as he looks at Midoriya's determined gaze. "I-.." He can't find the words. Palms sweaty. A cold shiver raking through his body. "I don't- I don't know... What your talking about."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He spins around, walking faster this time, almost running away from Midoriya.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Wait-!" He calls out, trying to catch up to [M/N]. "Just- Just talk to me! What's wrong!? Why won't you tell me anything! Did he hurt you? Is he- Is he threatening you!? [M/N]!" Midoriya grabs onto [M/N]'s hand, pulling him backwards.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Don't touch me!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] cries out, feeling his panicked heart racing as he shoves Midoriya away. But the boy is stubborn, reaching up and grabbing [M/N]'s arm in a crushing grip.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I just want to help you!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He doesn't know why he does it, but he reels his fist back and punches Midoriya.

Plans never seemed to work out the way Shouta intended them to. He wanted to just finish the school day peacefully, then go back to his apartment and sleep. But no, he couldn't have one good thing happen to him lately.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Uraraka just had to run into the faculty lounge with a terrified face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Mr- Mr. Aizawa!" She cried out, and Shouta was out of his chair in a record time. "[M/N]- He punched Deku!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Aizawa's first thought?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Oh. Oh God. It's finally happened. The boy finally snapped.

The walk to the principal's office was silent. For once, [M/N] didn't want silence. He wanted Mr. Aizawa to yell at him. To tell [M/N] he was a horrible person for punching his classmate. To tell [M/N] that he knew [M/N] was going to make a horrible hero, that he should just leave.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Anything.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Anything would be better than this cold silence.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Am I in trouble?" He asks, voice raspy and quiet. He knows the answer. They're going to make him leave. Nezu was going to hand him over to the government to be experimented on like some lab rodent. He deserved it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Aizawa doesn't answer, silently sliding the door to Nezu's office open. Principal Nezu was already sitting on his couch, holding a cup of tea. Nezu looked up, a smile on his face as he gestured to the seat across from him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...I'd rather stand..." [M/N] said with a grimace as he looked down at the couch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu hummed, nodding thoughtfully but his smile never dropped. Principal Nezu was... Creepy. "I've heard about what happened." Nezu stated, pushing a cup of tea towards [M/N]. "I'd like to know why it happened."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Why?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Because [M/N] is a traumatized child who doesn't want to be here.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]." Aizawa said in a firm but gentle tone. "We want to help you, but we need to understand why you assaulted a fellow classmate."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He can feel all his emotions bubbling over, trying to force themselves out of him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"This is the second time you've refused to comply with us." Nezu says, despite his smile his voice is serious and frightening. "Please understand, all we want to do is help you-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Nobody here has ever tried to help me." [M/N] spits out, voice angry and shaking. "I don't regret punching Midoriya." His tone is like fire, all the things he kept bottled up pouring out like lava. "He deserved it."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

”[M/N].” Aizawa sounds tired, “You assaulted a classmate.”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

“I told him to go away, and he didn’t.” His voice was raising, he wants to scream. He wants to cry. “I told him to stop touching me, and he didn’t.”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya never listened to him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Jonah never listened to him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

”I told him to leave me the FUCK ALONE! And you know what he did? He just kept… Pushing! And he kept pushing and asking me, ‘What’s wrong, [M/N]? What’s wrong? Why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?’, EVERYTHING IS WRONG!” He shouted, tears pooling in his eyes. His throat hurts. He can’t remember the last time he yelled before.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

”I don’t want to be here! Everyone makes me so uncomfortable and scared and nobody fucking bothers. People keep trying to help me, I don’t want to be helped!” Everyone who’s ever helped him has hurt him. “I can’t leave because I’ll be arrested. I cant look at my own goddamn reflection, because I’ll have a panic attack. I cant fucking sleep! Because I’ll see the face of a man I know is gone and yet I can still SEE HIM!”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu and Aizawa were silent, the only noise in the room was the sound of a tea pot whistling.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

“You want to know… What’s wrong?” He mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “That’s what’s wrong. I was treated better when I worked for the League of Villains…”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

”[M/N].” He whips around to Aizawa, the man’s gaze is hard and… He’s disappointed. “…Oh.” [M/N] mumbles, looking at Nezu who’s eyes also ring with disappointment.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

”I see…” He goes still, head pounding but thoughts more clear than ever. [M/N] knows why they’re so disappointed in him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

”I’m in the wrong here…”

And if you see the shell that's left of me, could you spare him a little kindness?

Notes:

Ngl. I love this chapter. [M/N] has finally snapped, and for those of you who wanted this to happen YOUR WELCOME LMAO.

Sooooo… About Jonah. For those of you who are glad that he’s gone… Uhhhh…

I still have plans for him… 👀

My Discord.
https://discord.gg/qT5Jn2G4

Chapter 18: Chapter Sixteen

Notes:

I HAVE FANART!!! Below is an absolutely lovely piece by Boommerfly. I love it so FRICKIN much!! I always appreciate fanart, if you have any fanart you want to send i would be so happy to recieve it and share it on the book!

UPDATE: I just got back from a 9 hour bus ride from salem to home. I was unfortunately unable to work on this book during the weekend. it's monday, so hopefully ill have it out today or tomorrow.

Chapter Text

'Cause I've been high and I've been low, I've spent a thousand nights alone trying to hold on tight.

“You’re not listening to me.” He felt like they’ve been having the same conversation for hours. “I defended myself, are you saying that I should have just… Let him hurt me?”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He had let Jonah hurt him. He can still feel the hands around his wrists as Jonah pushed his face into the bed and brutalized him. Jonah's laughter ringing loud in his ears as he tears [M/N] apart from the inside and he let it happen.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"My Lori. Mine." He'd told [M/N], over and over and over again. "Mine mine mine." And he wouldn't stop until [M/N] was sobbing in agreement as he left him in a pool of his own blood and filth dripping off his body until he couldn't take it anymore-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Never again.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

“Nobody is trying to hurt you.” Nezu says gently, it's a lie. “You may not see it now, but I’m the future you’ll thank us-.”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

”Fuck!” He shouted, “You just proved my point of not listening!”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

”[M/N], violence isn’t the answer or solution to anything.”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]’s head whipped around and stared dead into Aizawa’s eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

”Yeah. I know that.” He knows more than they’ll ever. “I was a VICTIM of violence! And none of you are listening to me! I didn’t punch Midoriya because I wanted to, but you all keep making it out as if I’m the one who started everything!”

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Nobody is trying to make out anything, we're just trying to get both sides of the story-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I don't see Midoriya in here being interrogated. If you want both sides of the story, where is he?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu placed his paw up into the air, silencing the office. "Everyone, lets calm down." He said, a cheerful smile on his face. "[M/N], why don't you start from the beginning and-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Oh, fuck this.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] doesn't care anymore, he grabs his stuff and leaves the room despite the protest of Nezu and his teacher. [M/N] was wrong about Aizawa, he couldn't trust him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He couldn't trust anyone.

To Aizawa, watching [M/N] leave felt like he was giving up on the boy. Aizawa is never going to leave a student behind but he can't- he isn't sure-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He doesn't know how to help [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He doesn't know how deep the boys trauma runs. Doesn't know the first thing about trying to fix it, or if it can even be fixed. His mental state is... Bad. The kind of bad that would have landed him right into the office of a therapist, but by the boys own admission he hasn't received any help. He had nobody to talk to about what happened to him save for the interrogation his first night in the hospital.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta doesn't know how bad of a situation [M/N] was in before, doesn't know the details of what sent his student spiraling into such a messy mental state that the boy hardly knows up from down.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta at least had Nemuri and Hizashi after Shirakumo, but [M/N] has nobody.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta should have done more.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Done anything.

"You."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] quickly wipes his eyes, hoping that he looks presentable before turning around and coming face to face with Bakugo's glare.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You're-." The boy reaches for his collar, [M/N] is ready for it this time but is surprised when the boy pauses and slowly puts his arm down. "You're sitting with us at lunch today." The boy says gruffly, spinning on his heel and walking down the hallway.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It takes him a moment to recover from the shock before he finds himself following Bakugo.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Kirishima and Ashido were already sitting at a table talking when Bakugo strolled up with [M/N] trailing behind him. Kirishima has a confused and surprised look as Bakugo sits beside him, but Mina... She gives [M/N] a smile, patting the spot beside her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N], right? It's cool that we're finally getting to talk! You're kind of the loner type, huh?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

She was blunt and honest. [M/N] found himself appreciating that.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Sitting down beside her, he can't help but feel a type of comforting warmth blossoming in his stomach. Mina was pretty, she smelled like peaches. Her nails were painted a lime green with black tiger stripes across them, they were pretty...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina must have noticed him looking. "Do you like it?" She asked, holding up her hand and showing off the lime green nails.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] nods subconsciously. He does like it. He wonders what they would look like... On him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

I'm not a girl.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

I̶̩̿'̸̰̋m̵̜̅ ̴͈̃n̴̤̄ȯ̷̘Ɉ̶͈̈́ ̴̘͊Lõ̶̠ri̶͇̎.̷̧̔

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You should come over to my house some time!" The smile Mina gives him is contagious. "I have some more nail designs I want to try, we can, like, make it a thing or something."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He feels... Happy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yeah..." He smiles softly, "I think I'd like that."

Mina was a welcome change. [M/N] found himself sticking by her side, Mina didn't mind. She never touched him but instead would gently gesture. She blocked out all the whispers with kind words and nice chattering.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]... Liked Mina. She was kind.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

After School ended, Mina had asked him if he wanted to come over for the weekend. He didn't know what to say. Would he even be allowed? Would they put some kind of ankle monitor on him to make sure he doesn't run away? That would be awkward to explain.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He shuffled his feet nervously, wondering how to break the news that he couldn't to Mina. "Well, uh-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Wh-What's going on!?" Uraraka's nervous shout attracted the attention of his classmates and himself as she, Iida and Midoriya stood in discomfort by the opened door of the classroom. "What business do you have with Class A?" Iida asked sternly, arm moving upwards robotically. "We can't get out!" Mineta yelled, stating that very obvious fact.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A familiar, brash voice spoke up. "They're scouting out the enemy, dumbass." Bakugo strode up to the door with his usual swagger. "We're the ones who made it out of a villains' attack." He stopped at the door's archway with a confident grin, "They probably wanna check out what true heroes look like before the sports festival."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugo kept things real, he didn't sugarcoat. [M/N] appreciated that about the boy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Out of my way, extras!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...Sometimes [M/N] wondered if he said stuff like that just to piss people off.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Well." A different voice spoke up, a new one. He had a deep, almost hypnotizing voice. "I came to see what the famous Class 1-A was all about. But you just seem like an asshole... Are all the students in the hero course like this?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] moved to the front slightly, catching a glimpse of indigo hair and eye bags that could rival his own. He could also see the vein in Bakugo's head practically popping out as his hackles raised along with the tension in the room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Seeing something like this makes me disillusioned." The indigo haired boy sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "There are quite a few people who enrolled in the general studies or other courses because they didn't make it into the hero course. Did you know that?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] didn't know that. So many people much better than him had tried their hardest to get into the course they so desperately wanted... And he got in on a free pass. It was pathetic. He was pathetic.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It once again made him wonder why he was here when he didn't deserve, or want, it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugo's glare somehow deepened at the boys words. "So..." The boy grinned, voice in a slightly mocking tone. "Consider this... A declaration of war."

"Sooooo... Are ya?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] paused in packing up his school supplies, turning to look at Mina who gave him what he thought was the warmest smile. The smile, the warm smile, made him falter in his thoughts. It wouldn't hurt to... Ask. Right?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'll..." He wants to. Is he allowed to want? It's been so long since he's wanted something. There's an unfamiliar feeling in his chest. Or is it a familiar feeling he's forgotten? "I'll... I'll have to ask."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina clasped her hands with a smile. "Great! I'll be waiting outside the school gates, let me know if you can, yeah?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wanted to.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He desperately wanted to.

There's a weight on his back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

On his way to Nezu's office. [M/N] paused in his steps, before entering the nearest bathroom. He reached into his bag, pulling out a black device. It was small, the size of a regular iPhone, but the screen was dark. He could never figure out how to turn it on, or if it even came on.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki... Why did you give him this?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His question was answered, as he nearly dropped the device when the screen lit up, only showing two words.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

I'm watching.

And feelings come but they won't go, please won't someone take me home before I lose my mind

Chapter 19: Chapter Seventeen

Notes:

sometimes its hard to write what i want to write and tell the story i want to tell while also trying to please the people reading the story. this isnt me trying to be an asshole, just stating my feelings. :>.

ATTENTION.

yes. m/n will have romances, but its a slow burn because what kind of traumatized rape victim jumps right into a relationship like that?

m/n is a morally grey character who is also an unreliable narrator. he doesnt know right from wrong and if he thinks that if somebody is trying to help him, theyre trying to hurt him. im warning yall, take everything he says with a grain of salt, cuz some stuff just aint right in his head lol.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Am I broken? Am I flawed?

"...I can go?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu nodded, looking up from his papers. "I believe that it's healthy for a student such as yourself to have a positive relationship. Ashido seems like a good student, perhaps she'll be a good influence on your mental state."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

So, that was all he cared about. Improving [M/N]'s mental state so he could be normal, and not a freak.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I do, however, expect you to be back before Monday arrives. You understand why that is, correct?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He understands. He understands that Nezu is reminding him that while the leash is loose for now, it'll tighten back up soon.

Mina's room is pink. He doesn't think he's ever seen anything so pink before. Lori, despite being a girl, had never owned a pink thing in her life. Mina was... Very pink.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...You own a lot of ninja movies..." He says, looking at her collection of movies on her TV stand. He's almost impressed by her VHS collection. "Haha, yeah, I went through a huge ninja phase as a child. We don't have to watch any of those, I have plenty of romcoms, or drama's if that's what you're into!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...I like ninjas."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina, with [M/N]'s approval, picks out a movie with a ninja holding a woman in his arms on the cover. He sits on the middle of the bed, back pressed against the wall with a pillow in his arms. Mina, holding a bottle of dark blue nail polish, asks if she can paint his nails. He's silent for a long time before nodding his head.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

She settles beside him with a soft smile as the movie begins with a ninja holds a sword in front of him. [M/N] very carefully stretches out and puts his right foot into Mina's lap, tensing as unfamiliar fingers touch him. But Mina is gentle. She's so gentle with everything she does towards [M/N] and he finds himself relaxing as he gets swept up into the film.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina looks down at the scars on [M/N]'s ankles and wonders how her classmates could be so ignorant.

"Why do you run?" The wolf asks one day.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Because, I was born to run." A little fawn tells him. "Running is a part of me, it is not my choice."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The wolf lowers himself down until he's eye-level with the fawn. "Does staying not suite you then, my fawn? Do I not suite you?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It is not a question of what suits me." The fawn replies, looking into the eyes of a wolf he does not see as a predator. "I love to run; it is all I have. Besides, dear wolf, you can have whatever you want."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"And if all I want is you?" The wolf asks, slowly stalking towards the fawn. The fawn is not scared, he has no reason to be afraid of the wolf. "But so long as you run, you will never be mine."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I visit you often." Fawn says as he smiled calmly at the wolf before him. "Does that not suite you?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I wish for you to remain at my side." The wolfs eyes flashed, and with an almighty lunge he pinned the fawn down with his paws. The fawn was no match for his strength after all. "You are mine."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Do you love me?" Fawn inquires, curiosity lacing his voice. The wolf looked down at the nimble legs of the fawn, so strong and yet with a simple bite of his jaws, he could break them so easily. That was the price of his love, it must be. "What do you love about me, wolf?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I love you." Wolf answered, holding the fawn captive with his eyes. "I love your voice. I love your beauty and your faults. I love you, my fawn."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He loved the fawn. He loved the fawn as he opened his jaws and bent his head down towards the beautiful legs that allowed the fawn to run. He loved him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He loved him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He did not love him enough to let him go.

Ashido was sleeping across from him, feet tangled with his own as they share a fluffy green blanket with duck patterns across it. The sight makes him feel warm and fuzzy, heat rising to his cheeks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Carefully untangling himself, he slowly sat up, feet gently touching the floor as to not make a sound. Ashido was still asleep, snoring softly as she clutched a plush animal. It was... Cute.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Suddenly, Ashido yawned, smacking her lips as she sat up and stretched. "G'morning..." She mumbled, voice raspy and tired. "Good morning..." He mumbled back, standing up from the bed and stretching. Ashido followed suit, standing up and throwing on some slippers before exiting the room, [M/N] trailing after her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Where are your parents?" He asked, noticing the vacant living room and kitchen. Her parents were nowhere to be seen yesterday either. "My dads in Kawasaki for a martial arts competition, mom decided to go with him." She shrugged.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Your fathers a martial artist?" He asked, curiosity clear in his voice. Ashido grinned, nodding. "Yup! Been a Karate master since he was sixteen." She sounded proud, [M/N] didn't blame her. Karate was cool.

"Do you like eggs rolls? Or, I have some fish waffles if that's more your taste!" Ashido was rummaging through the fridge, pulling out different foods. "I've... Never had any of those." He grimaced as Ashido gasped, banging her head on the top of the fridge as she looked at him aghast.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Oh. My. God. Hold on!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was amusing to watch her cook while also ranting about how his tastebuds were going to melt with happiness. "Trust me, I make the best egg rolls!" When she was finished, she placed the egg roll and fish waffle on a plate, sliding it over to [M/N] and watching intently as he slowly took a bite of the roll.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"..." He paused, before taking another bite. It... It reminded him of...

Lori smiled, watching a thirteen-year-old [M/N] scarf down an omelet she had made.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Wow!" She laughed, "Do you love my cooking that much?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] nodded vigorously, happily taking another bite. "You make the best foods!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Lori giggled, petting the top of his head with a grin. "Oh yeah? I'll cook for you every day if you give me compliments like that!"

He doesn't even realize he's crying until Ashido gently takes the plate from his hands.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Do you love my cooking that much?" She chuckles, handing him a napkin. He nods, quickly wiping his eyes before taking another bite of the egg. "Do you... I- Would you want to..." He doesn't know how to say it. He doesn't want to chase her off. Mina is so kind. [M/N] wants to be around her more, but... But would she want to be around him?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Ashido smiles, her gentle smile. "I would totally love to cook for you some more. How about I bring you something on Monday, yeah?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Yeah."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He'd like that.

The moment he left Ashido's house, he felt cold. That warmth in his chest had dissipated and that familiar loneliness took place once again.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] sighed, burying his face into his jacket as he kicked a rock on the sidewalk. Ashido reminded him so much of Lori... It was almost frightening.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Looking up at the crosswalk, he was surprised to see a familiar head of purple hair standing that. It was that boy who had declared war on his class... What was his name?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The boy, feeling [M/N]'s stare, turned around and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "I remember you..." [M/N] mumbled, an idea popping into his head. "What?" The boy asked, confusion clear in his tone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was a low chance the boy would accept, but... [M/N] wasn't above subtle manipulation.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I saw you declare war on class 1-A. That was... Kind of cool." He smiled, standing beside the boy and looking up at him. "It... Was?" The boys expression twisted into shock, [M/N] nodded. "Yeah. I thought it was very cool... What's your name?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Shinso... Shinso Hitoshi."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"That's a nice name." [M/N] walked alongside Shinso, "What's your... Quirk?" Shinso paused, gaze darkening in a way [M/N] didn't understand, "Mind control." He said, voice wavering slightly. "Oh..." [M/N] hummed, "That's amazing."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shinso couldn't believe his ears. "You don't think that's... Villainous?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "All powers could be villainous." He shrugged, "It's not any of my business how you use your quirk."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Oh, yeah? What's your quirk then." Shinso didn't know why this... Weird, unattractive boy was talking to him, but he was going to find out. "I don't have one." [M/N] said, oblivious to the shock on the boy's face. "Actually... That's why I wanted to talk to you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] turned around, looking at Shinso. "Since we're both at a big disadvantage against the more... Heroic... Students, do you want to try and... Spar sometime?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Someone actually wanted to hang out with Shinso? He couldn't believe it. Nothing like this had ever happened before.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I..." He was at a loss for words. "You... What class are you even in?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm in class 1-." [M/N] paused. "Class... 1-H."

Do I deserve a shred of worth or am I Just another fake, fucked up lost cause?

Notes:

My Discord
https://discord.gg/uUPeGgEc

Chapter 20: Chapter Eighteen

Notes:

not really much to say lol. friday is homecoming, im very excited for that. i decided to go back to my roots for a bit and make this chapter some snippets like i did with the first few chapters of the book.

TW: Blood, Death [do with that information as you will ;)]

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

And am I human? Or am I something else?

[M/N] sat on his bed, looking down at the black device. Aside from that one time in the bathroom, it never lit up again. So many unanswered questions, and the answers lie within a device that won't answer him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He squeezes the phone, feeling helpless and hating it.

"He shouldn't be here."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"He doesn't have anything else." Nezu says, filing his paperwork in apathy. "If we take this away from him and leave him alone to suffer there will be nothing left. Aizawa, [M/N] will fade into nothingness if he is pulled from the program." The mouse looked up, dark and soulless eyes connecting with Aizawas. "We have an obligation to not let that happen."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Aizawa sighs, dragging a hand through his hair.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu is right, he doesn't want to admit it but the rat is right. If Aizawa pulls [M/N] from the hero course, what will happen to the boy? He doesn't want to think about it. Would he lock himself in his room and waste away? Would he go back to the League of Villains? Aizawa doesn't know, doesn't want to think of the endless dark possibilities plaguing this thoughts.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He doesn't know what to do anymore.

Mina wasn't always the brightest bulb in the room. She wasn't a genius nor was she a prodigy at anything. But, she was observant.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

She had always been able to connect with people, no matter who they were, on close levels because she was observant.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugo's eyes always darkened whenever Midoriya was brought up, Mina supposes theres a deep anger between them most likely stemming from a significant childhood argument.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Iida always strove to be the best in the classroom, the leader type student who made honor roll all throughout middle school. She thinks it's because he has a "second place, first loser" mindset. Hearing that his older brother was Pro Hero Ingenium only solidified her theory.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And then there was the new kid.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

She had made a mistake with him, trying to rush into a friendship without finding out anything about him. The moment he had flinched, a spark of fear in his eyes when Mina grabbed his hands was when she knew she had messed up.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

So, she tried to fix it by drawing back and instead bringing Midoriya, who she had foolishly thought was his friend, into the conversation. That hadn't worked. As it turns out, [M/N] didn't really like Midoriya even though the boy clearly had a deep infatuation with him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

She was back to square one. This time though, she was going to do it the correct way.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina watched, and she watched and watched.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] had a fear of touch. That was... Concerning.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] had deep eye bags, an obvious sign of insomnia.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] knew that villain who attacked the USJ on a very personal level. So personal that it wouldn't be a surprise to Mina if there were feelings deeper than your typical friendship.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He had scars. Scars that told a dark and tragic story and Mina wanted to know everything. She wanted to know him.

"So... What exactly does your quirk do?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Hitoshi sat down the weights, looking over his shoulder at [M/N]. "Pretty much how it sounds," He said, "The only way to activate it is if someone responds to me, then I can make them do whatever I want."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] paused, breath hitching. This is it, Hitoshi thought. He's going to go back on his word to train. It always ends like this.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Could you... Make someone forget certain... Things?" [M/N] asked, voice strangely low. Hitoshi raised an eyebrow questioningly, shaking his head. "No. It's only temporary, the person will snap out of it when they make contact with someone or something."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Oh..." He sighed, staring at the floor before looking back up at Hitoshi. "What about sleep? Could you make someone... Fall asleep?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That was an odd and specific question.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I... Suppose." Hitoshi hesitated, because this was a weird question to ask. "I've never really tried that before. Why?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It wouldn't hurt to tell Hitoshi, [M/N] thought. "Well... I mean." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking down. "I have trouble sleeping, like... A lot of trouble." [M/N] pointed to his eyebags before sighing with a shrug, "Nevermind, just ignore me, I was just wondering..." He was so deep into his thoughts he didn't even notice when Hitoshi knelt down in front of him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We still have a few minutes to waste." [M/N] head swiveled to look at Hitoshi in surprise. "I could... I mean, If you wanted, I..." Hitoshi fumbled over his words, it was almost adorable. "I could make you sleep, at least for a couple minutes."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

To others, it may have been creepy. To [M/N], it was a gift.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Please..." He mumbled. "Make me sleep."

Training with Hitoshi was, in the simplest terms, a pain in the ass.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Despite the boys scrawny frame, he was strong. Meanwhile, [M/N] felt like a twig with noodle arms. But Hitoshi didn't make fun of [M/N] when he messed up a punch, just like [M/N] didn't tell Hitoshi how horrible his takedowns were.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Yawning, he took a drink of his water and looked over at Hitoshi who had sweat beading down his forehead. Hitoshi gasped, flinching backwards when something cool was pressed against his forehead. Looking up, he gazed into [M/N]'s cool eyes. Despite the cold, he felt so warm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Are you..." Hitoshi's throat was dry. "Are you doing anything later?" He asked. [M/N] hummed, thinking, "I was going to go back to my... Home. Why?" Hitoshi sighed, shaking his head. This was stupid. He was being stupid. "Nevermind, I'll see you later."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Watching Hitoshi walk away made a cold rift form in his heart.

The walk home was lonely and dark. Years ago, the dark used to scare him... He'd hide under his covers with a lamp on, pretending it would keep him safe. But, there are scarier things than the dark, he'd come to realize that far sooner than anyone should have.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You're such a little whore."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] froze, feeling something cold slither across his body as he looked down a darkened alley. There, stood a girl dressed in a school uniform with an older man holding her against the wall. He feels... Not scared. No, he feels anything but scared. He feels... Angry.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"H-Hey!" He internally curses himself for the stutter as the man whips around to look at him with a glare. "The fuck do you want?" The man says gruffly, still holding the girl by her neck against the wall. "Get outta' here before I fuck you up too." The words are followed by eyes trailing up and down his body, it leaves [M/N] with a disgusting slimy feeling.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Without thinking, he reels his fist back and throws a punch towards the man's face, hitting him right between the eyes. The man stumbles backwards from the blow with loud yell before looking back up at [M/N], anger shining in his eyes. "You son of a bitch!" He cried, pulling out a knife from his pocket and running towards [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He's too late to stop the knife from embedding itself in his hand. It hurts, the sight of his own blood makes him want to hurl and he's almost unable to think straight. Almost.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] pulls the knife from his hand with a loud cry, tears falling from his eyes but he doesn't stop. He doesn't stop as he grips the knife in his hand and drives it into the mans shoulder.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He's so angry. The knife stays in the mans shoulder as [M/N] steps back, watching the blood pool from the wound. There's an awful squelching sound, his eyes lower and he stares horrified as a different knife plunges into the man and sticks out from his stomach.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As the man falls to the ground, taking his last dying breath, [M/N] looks down at the blonde girl from earlier who watches the man with a smile before turning his gaze to [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Her eyes change from excitement to fascination as she stares at him, pulling the knife from the mans back. [M/N] can't move, paralyzed as the girl walks towards him with a gentle smile.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It terrifies you, doesn't it."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] can feel his heart beating out of his chest, he can't hear anything other than the overwhelming pounding in his brain. The girl grips his hand, licking the blood off with a grin.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Don't be terrified of it." She says, voice sickeningly sweet. "Blood is such a beautiful thing, it can be so pretty!" Her golden eyes shine through his soul, a sick feeling settling in his stomach.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You're just like me, aren't you?" Her eyes sparkle with awe and a sense of familiarity. "Blood is so beautiful."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He had died in a pool of his own blood.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Jonah had cut his name into [M/N]'s backside, shoving a gag into his broken jaw to keep him from screaming--not that he could and licked across the bloody scar, all the while whispering to [M/N] about how beautiful he was.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Was the scar still there? He doesn't want to know, doesn't want to make the thought of Jonah still having a hold on him a reality.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

When he comes back, the girl is gone. All that's left is a body and blood stained on his hands.

"Fuck, [M/N]."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi looks down at the broken boy standing in front of his doorway, blood caked onto his skin and a just-as-bloody knife in his hand. Quickly pulling the boy inside, Dabi takes the knife from his hands and throws it into the sink.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Nobody saw you, right?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi wants to yell when the boy doesn't answer, wide eyes just staring at his floor in dissociation. "[M/N]!" He yells, gripping the boys shoulders. "Nobody fucking saw you, right!?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His words finally seem to get through as the boy stutters out a soft; "I-I don't think so."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi groans, hand running through his hair in stress. "Give me your clothes and get that shit off your skin, the showers in the hallway to the right." [M/N] nods, slowly walking towards the bathroom and shutting the door behind him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Watching the boy leave the living room, Dabi glances at the knife hazardly thrown into the sink and wonders; what the hell does he do now?

'Cause I'm so scared and there's no one there to save me from the nightmare that I call myself

Notes:

i love when a main character goes off the rails and kills someone. see yall next time!

Chapter 21: Chapter Nineteen

Notes:

i think i have a kink for being kept captive. i didnt think i had a huge problem till my friend pointed out to me that i have an unhealthy obsession with mafia fanfics.

oh well. :>

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

I've tried everything and anything

[M/N] sits on the floor of the shower, knees pulled to his chest as hot water beats down across his back. He doesn't acknowledge the bloody water pooling around him, it all feels numb.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wants to feel something, anything. Anything but the overwhelming numbness overtaking his senses.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Looking over at the side of the tub, he picks up a shaving razor laying there innocently; and slashes a cut across his hand, watching the blood drip down his palm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It hurts, but [M/N] feels something.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He makes another cut across his palm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sky is blue.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sky is red. An endless stretch of red, red, red, red.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

~~Her name is Lori.~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His name is [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"My beautiful, beautiful Lori. The boy in you is still there, but I can help you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Lori's hair is a flaming red, it spills across his naked body like blood.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I killed her." Jonah is there, standing over her body. Beautiful red hair draped across her skin. "I killed her."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] closes his eyes and makes another cut across his hand, tears spilling down his cheeks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Inside of him an eighteen-year-old boy weeps.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"My Lori, my sweet, sweet Lori."

Dabi picks up the bloody knife from the sink, watching it cremate before his eyes in blue flames. Walking over to the bathroom door, he picks up the folded clothes left out in the hallway and takes them over to the washing machine, leaving a pair of his own clothes beside the door.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

If the blood doesn't come out, he'll have to cremate them. [M/N] might not appreciate that, but it's what Dabi has to do. First, he tries stain remover. It doesn't do much aside from take some of the color off the shirt. Then he tries bleach, which worked much better than the stain remover, but remnants of speckled blood could still be seen across clothes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi groans, flicking the sweat off his forehead and leaning backwards.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sound of the shower cuts off and [M/N] comes out of the bathroom, water dripping off his hair and dressed in clothes too large for him. Dabi almost would have thought it was cute, except for the fact that he was busy cleaning blood from said boy's clothes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He so desperately wanted to ask; What happened? Who did you kill?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

But it wasn't the right time, not yet, not while [M/N] was still in shock.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm afraid," He grunted, scrubbing at the shirt. "This shit isn't comin' out." [M/N]'s eyes trailed over to him, looking at the bloodstained clothes. "Just... I don't know, get rid of them." [M/N] mumbled, rubbing his bloodshot eyes tiredly. "You sure?" Dabi replied, "I could probably-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm sure." [M/N] snapped, "I'm- I'm sure. Just... Get rid of the fucking clothes."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The attitude was unappreciated, but Dabi obliged anyways and burned the clothes in flames of blue. "You could..." He paused, unsure. "If you wanted to stay... Just for the night..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] shouldn't. He shouldn't do this to Dabi, it's better to not let this go on the way it is.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I..." He should stop this now, before it gets too personal. "I... Can't." Can't let him get too close, Dabi doesn't deserve that.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi's shoulders deflate, but he shrugs nonchalantly. "What? Worried I'm going to take advantage of defenseless little ol' you?" He laughed, but his tone was sharp. "Babe, you know I'm better than that."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] doesn't know. He doesn't know Dabi and Dabi doesn't know [M/N] as much as he thinks he does. Is he better? Worse? Will he leave once he gets what he wants?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] doesn't know Dabi and Dabi doesn't know him.

Izuku hissed, rubbing numbing cream on the bruise under his eye. The bruise that [M/N] had given him days earlier. His mom had certainly made a giant deal out of it, despite Izuku's protests that it wasn't [M/N]'s fault.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] was always so gentle and kind, this wasn't like the boy at all. What had happened to make him freak out? Especially on Izuku of all people.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He had thought they were friends. They're still friends, right? Did [M/N] want to be friends with him? Were they even friends in the first place...?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Izuku sighed, replacing the bandage on the bruise. Uraraka and Iida had been adamant that Izuku didn't cause what had happened, that [M/N] clearly had issues, but he couldn't help but wonder if he was the reason [M/N] punched him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Was it his fault? Did he cause it?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He should talk to [M/N], ask the boy his side of the story.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Izuku! Dinners ready!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Coming!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...Perhaps he could bring some food to [M/N] tomorrow, as an apology. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

It's around midnight when he arrives back to the school and into his room. The black device is still hidden underneath his mattress, Shigaraki hasn't sent him any more messages.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wants to throw it at the wall, wants to scream at it until it tells him why. Why did you give this to me? Why won't you answer? Why? Why? Why? Why?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Why did I not die?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He has a dream that night that feels so real it leaves him shaking and terrified.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

In the dream he's half asleep on the bed when there's a sudden dip beside his stomach and fingers run through his hair. He feels cold and warm at the same time, shivering but feeling like he's running a fever as he twists away from the touch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The person hums, as if they're smiling and he's forcefully maneuvered into their lap. A hand pets gently against his head, trailing down, smothering their warm palm against his neck in a caress.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

There's the sound of a zipper, too loud and frightening as his eyes flicker and he whimpers softly in his sleep.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His arms are lifted, and he's gently shook out of the protectiveness of his jacket until he's bare and naked in a white shirt and loose pants.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The petting continues, over his neck and down down down his stomach as they hum a soft tune.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You've been bad." A rough yet gentle voice says above him as he trembles. "Not quite the sheep I thought you were, you surprised me." His voice is warm and something deep, deep inside of [M/N] curls in pleasure at the approval in his voice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Not today," the man says. "But soon, very soon... I promise."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

When he woke up, he let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Class was, to say the least, quiet. They never said it, but he could feel the judgemental stares, especially from Iida and Uraraka.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

At least Mina was there to occupy the silence with her soothing voice. "This would be a pretty color on you!" She says, holding a dark purple nail polish to his skin. "What do you think?" She asks, fluttering her eyes while smiling at him. "It's pretty. I like it." He replies, chest warm and face hot.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He feels...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Hm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Class, settle down." Mr. Aizawa calls out, hobbling into the classroom, but there's not much to settle down about. "Today, we'll be going over..." Mr. Aizawa pauses, looking at [M/N] with keen yet tired eyes. It makes him curious. He watches Aizawa look down at the sheet on his podium; and put it away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Today... We'll be going over how to recognize and deal with trauma."

He's walking with Mina to their cafeteria table when he spots Shinsou, sitting all alone. "Um..." He turns to Mina who tilts her head curiously. "Can I... There's a friend I want to sit with today... Can I do that?" [M/N] doesn't want to offend Mina, or drive her away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

She pauses, frozen before her eyes light up. "Oh! You made another friend!" She gasps, a grin coming to her face. "That makes me so proud! Of course, you can go and sit them anytime, just..." Mina pauses, fiddling with his sleeve. "Y'know, be careful, yeah?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It makes his heart warm and his stomach fill with butterflies to know she was worried about him. "I'll be fine." [M/N] promises, looking at her with a determined gaze. Mina nodded, watching the boy walk away with a worried heart.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shinsou was all alone, nobody near him, why?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The answer comes to his mind easily. Nobody wants to be near Shinsou; because he's too weird. He's too awkward. He looks like a freak. He's like [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hello, Shinsou." Said boy looks up from his food to [M/N] who was standing in front of him. "...Hello, [M/N]." He replies, almost in a daze as the boy sits down across from him. "...You're sitting with me?" Nobody has ever tried to sit with him before.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] blinks in confusion, tilting his head. "Yes." He frowns, "Is that... Not okay? I can go-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"No-!" Shinsou nearly shouts, "I mean- I mean, yes. It's... It's fine." They talk, mostly about the upcoming sports festival and different ways they can train when a thought suddenly hits [M/N]. "Hey, Shinsou?" He speaks up, stealing a piece of bread from Shinsou's plate. "Yeah?" The boy replies, looking up at [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Do you ever have weird dreams that leave you feeling... Odd?" [M/N] asked. Shinsou raised an eyebrow, taking another bite of his lunch. "I have nightmares sometimes, I guess... Why?" It wasn't typically the kind of question someone would ask Shinsou. "I don't know..." [M/N] sighed, rubbing his tired eyes. "I had a weird dream last night."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What kind of dream?" Hitoshi asked, feeling genuinely curious.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm not sure..." [M/N] mumbled, thinking back to last night. "I dreamt... I was in my room, and there was another man in there with me. He felt so... Familiar." Hitoshi paused, looking at [M/N] with concern. "That's... Definitely a weird dream."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Perhaps it wasn't a dream at all, maybe it was a nightmare.

Mina hummed happily as she sat down beside Kirishima who looked at her incredulously. "Wow, you seem happy." He grinned, sweatdropping.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm happy for [M/N]." She explained with a smile, "He's finally made another friend."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Uh... Speaking of [M/N]..." Kirishima began but quickly cut himself off at Mina's icy glare and terrifying smile. "What about him?" She said, eyes piercing into Kirishima's soul, daring him to choose his next words carefully.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I- I mean!" He waved his hands around, "It's just... You know he punched Midoriya, right?" Kirishima whispered. "I'm just not sure if he's really the... Best person to hang around with-." Mina's cold voice quickly cut off Kirishima. "Kirishima." Her tone was tense but she smiled at him, that made it even more terrifying. "I think it might do you some good to think back to Mr. Aizawa's lesson this morning." Kirishima sweatdropped, mouth agape in confusion.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's bad to judge someone so quickly." She hummed, "Especially when you don't know what triggered that punch in the first place."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What are you two fuckers talkin' about?" Bakugo growled, throwing his plate onto the table and sitting down. "Oh, nothing!" Mina smiled, eyes shining. "Just the weather!" She looked at Kirishima, eyes rimmed with a cold and icy glare, staring deep into his own eyes. He feels threatened.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Right." Kirishima nodded, a cold shiver racking through his body. "The weather..."

But nothing seems to work quite like it should.

Notes:

My Discord
https://discord.gg/kqFZVdAy

Chapter 22: Chapter Twenty

Notes:

some fanart from the very amazing Mio (who unfortunately does not have an account for me to link yet). i literally cannot express how much i friggin love this so much. on another note, literally a couple days ago i got a message telling me it was gross to fetishize rape and SA and that im a horrible person.

to the person who sent me that message (you know who you are) i only have a couple things to say to you.

suck my dick.

enjoy this chapter!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Between the madness and the apathy

Izuku looked down at his barely eaten food tray, picking at it. "Are you alright, Midoriya?" Iida asked, staring at him with concern. "Huh? Oh. Yeah, I'm fine." He replied halfheartedly, still poking at his food.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Are you sure?" Uraraka laughed, sweatdropping. "You look distracted."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He was. For some reason, his mind wouldn't stop drifting back to Aizawa's lesson this morning.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

This new lesson didn't coalign with what Mr. Aizawa had been teaching them. To Izuku, it almost sounded as if Mr. Aizawa had made it up on the spot. "As a hero, it's inevitable that you'll come across a victim of trauma and PTSD. It's your duty to recognize it and know what exactly to do in such a situation."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina, who was sitting across from Izuku, raised her hand up quickly; startling almost everyone around her. "How do you avoid triggering someone with PTSD?" Her gaze drifted over to Izuku for only a moment, but it made him confused.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"There are many different types of reactions a trauma victim could have to certain triggers. Sometimes... Touch or skin-contact could trigger an episode. They might have an outburst of anger or fright."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Izuku paused his note-writing, feeling something cold slither down his spine.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He sighed, looking down at the packaged bento he had brought with him. He never did end up giving it to [M/N].

[M/N] laid back in the office chair, looking at Nezu who was occupied writing something. "...Why am I here?" He finally asked after ten minutes of insufferable silence.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu hummed, looking up from his paper to [M/N]. "I thought you might enjoy the break." He smiled, "You have certainly seemed very stressed lately."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The conversation quickly died down after that, [M/N] didn't have anything to say and he supposed neither did Nezu. The endless silence went on for a long time, until Nezu sat down his pencil with a small 'clack' and turned to [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Do you play any board games?" He asked with a smile and a tilted head. It was such a strange question that it caused [M/N] to gape slightly with a raised eyebrow. "I can... I can play chess, I guess."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Chisaki liked to play chess.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hm, then would you like to play chess with me?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

There was something going on here. "...Sure." And with that, Nezu proceeded to retrieve the board and heat up some tea on his kettle. Once the board was placed on his desk, along with two teacups, [M/N] arranged his pieces as Nezu did the same. He had ended up with the white pieces and Nezu with the black.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's nice to see the youth still partake in board games like this." Nezu commented cheerily before moving his Pawn to E5. [M/N] didn't bother to reply, moving his Pawn to E4.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm sure Mr. Aizawa has informed you of the Sports Festival coming up soon," Nezu began. "As principal, I'm not supposed to offer internships to students. But, I make certain exceptions to those who perform beyond expectations."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] moved his King to F3

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Why are you telling this to me? I don't think I'm going to be one of those students who... Perform beyond expectations."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu moved another pawn to A6.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Because, I want to offer you an internship!" He wasn't prepared for such a straightforward reply. "I've been watching both Hero Course classes, and while they're all exceptionally wonderful, you are the only one to truly interest me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] moved his Bishop to C4.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I expect you to do well in the Sports Festival, I'm certain you'll outmatch most of the students here."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu moved his Knight to H6.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"..Please don't expect much from me. My classmates have been training and preparing for this event. I'm also at a huge disadvantage as the only... Quirkless student in the Hero Course..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] moved another Pawn to D4.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"That's true!" Nezu chirped. "However, you have also been training for this event. That friend of yours in the General Studies Course was certainly a good choice, you were right to get close to him." [M/N] didn't like what Nezu was implying, he also didn't like how the rat knew about Shinso. "Your... Disadvantage, as you put it, may someday become your advantage."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu moved his E5 pawn to D4, capturing [M/N]'s pawn.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I wouldn't want to waste your time on such a special internship." [M/N] could feel himself losing his cool. "I'm afraid I may disappoint you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] moved his C4 Bishop to H6, capturing Nezu's knight.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You wouldn't, as long as you do your best!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That was a disguised threat.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu moved his G2 Pawn to H6, capturing his Bishop.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] moved his F3 King to F7, Checkmate.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Well!" Nezu clapped, "This has certainly been an interesting conversation, and a very interesting game!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] paused, looking down at the chess board in shock.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He had won, and Nezu looked too excited for someone who had lost.

Shinsou gasped, breath leaving his body as [M/N] slammed him to the ground.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You seem..." He coughed, rubbing the back of his head sorely. "Angry?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Was he angry? Probably. His blood felt like it was boiling and there had been a constant pressure in his head after he left Nezu's office.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] huffed, helping Shinsou up off the ground. "Yeah... I guess I'm just..." He paused, thinking back to the game he played with Nezu and his blood was boiling once again. "...I hate that fucking rat."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shinsou raised an eyebrow, not understanding why a rat had anything to do with their conversation. "Uh, right. Anyways, we should probably run to the store and buy some water." He gestured to the empty plastic bottles off to the side.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yeah," [M/N] nodded, he needed something to cool down. "That's a good idea."

[M/N] looked at the pale hand holding onto the water bottle he grabbed, before turning to the boy that the hand belonged to. He had red and white split hair, and was staring intently at [M/N]'s wrist-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He pulled his hand back, taking the bottle with him and tugging the sleeve down. [M/N] spins on his heel, walking away and ready to drag Shinsou out of the store if he had to when the boys voice suddenly calls out to him; "Wait!" He yells, tone in desperation.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He doesn't want to, but [M/N] stops and turns around and waits.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You..." The boy mumbles, looking down at the ground, face flushed and brows furrowed. "Are... Are you like me?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The water bottle suddenly slips out of his hand and he doesn't know what to say.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The boy looks up and [M/N] can see the scar on his face and can feel his heart beating out of his chest-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He could be like me.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He doesn't wait for Shinsou and runs out of that store, hand on the wall keeping him up as he bends over and vomits on the ground.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He could be like me.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tears fall from his eyes as he dryheaves, spit pooling out of his mouth and trailing down his chin. His eyes hurt but he can't stop crying and his mouth tastes of ash and copper.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He could be...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Like me..." [M/N] mumbles.

He was walking back to the school at night once again. Shinsou had easily accepted his excuse to leave, saying he wasn't feeling well.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was always at night that he met someone he hadn't planned on meeting.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hello again~!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He shouldn't have jinxed himself.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Two blonde buns bounce on her head as she skips up to [M/N], face blushing and a happy grin on her face with a knife adoringly held to her cheek. "I can't believe we've run into each other again~!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I didn't know your name," She pouted, but a grin quickly appeared on her face once again as she wrapped her arm around his. "But in my head I called you Itaidōshin! Do you know what that means? It means mind of two persons~!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A cold sweat came across [M/N] as she skipped alongside him, holding onto his arm. "I called you that because you're two people, right~? Yes... I remember! It's like you're you... And then you're not you~! It happened with that gross pervert, right? Your scent changed from melancholy, to predatory. You really wanted to kill him, didn't you~?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] did. He really wanted to kill that disgusting waste of oxygen. If he could save at least one person from going through the pain he had went through, was spilling a little blood so bad?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Y'know..." The girl hummed, releasing his arm and skipping up ahead in front of him, looking directly up at the bright full moon. "I used to have a little brother. You really remind me a lot of him~!" She giggled, turning around and looking at [M/N] with those mesmerizing golden eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hey!" She gasped, eyes sparkling. "I have an idea! How about I be your big sister, and you'll be my little brother~! What do you think, Itaidōshin~?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nobody could ever replace his big sister. This girl was so different from his sister, and yet... In some ways, she was exactly the same. The offer was tempting, god it was so tempting. But... It was wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"No, I... I'd just be using you... That's wrong. Nobody deserves that..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Then lets use eachother~!" The girl grins, a blush spreading across her face while she grips his hands. "I'll be your big sister Toga, and you'll be my little brother! And..." She looked down, smiling. "We can both pretend we're normal."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

But he was a weak boy, with a weak heart.

Seems there's nothing left inside of me that's good...

Notes:

I've run out of song to use for this arc... I'll be honest, this was supposed to end AT chapter twenty, but it's going on longer than i expected. oops, LOL.
that also brings me to another thing. uh. im changed my schedule. instead of weekly updates, updates will be every two weeks or so. see you guys next time!

My Discord
discord.gg/d545CSnk

Chapter 23: Chapter Twenty One

Notes:

honestly? id like to see a story of a character working for the shie hassaikai. if nobody makes one, i'll do it myself. THIS IS A THREAT.

killing m/n isnt the worst thing i could do to yall, i could keep writing and on the second to last chapter i could just stop and yall would never know the ending.

smh, i stayed up until One A.M. writing this for you guys.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Happiness hit her like a train on a track

Today was the day it all came together. It was time for the Sports Festival.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It wasn't his alarm that woke him up that morning, but the sounds of hundreds of people waiting outside the school. Part of him wondered if he could just skip this entire thing and go back to sleep.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

On his way to his classroom's waiting room, [M/N] had seen Shinsou standing by the vending machine with a nervous expression on his face. "Hey," He called out, waving slightly. Shinsou flinched, looking up at [M/N] but he didn't look particularly happy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Good luck during the Festival-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What class are you in?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shinsou looked at him with steely and cold eyes. "...What?" [M/N] mumbled, a cold sweat trickling down his forehead. "I stopped by 1-H's waiting room to talk to you, nobody there even knew you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s heart dropped and there was a heavy pressure in his chest.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What class are you in?" Shinsou asked again, this time with more force. [M/N] knew the boy was going to find out one day, but he hadn't hoped it would be this soon. "I'm... In class-1A. Hero Course." He sighed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You..." Shinsou gritted his teeth. "You lied to me... I thought... I thought you wanted to be my friend!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] huffed, feeling anger boiling in his veins. "If I had told you the truth, that I was in the class you declared war on, would you have helped me? It wasn't personal, that little lie benefitted both of us."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Benefitted both of us." He laughed, but it was pained. "Do you even see the big issue here? If you had just told me the truth, maybe I would have agreed anyways! Instead our entire friendship, I don't know if I can still even call it that, was built on a lie! Why did you even ask me to help you in the first place and not one of your shiny hero friends?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Tell me the truth."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was like a fog overtaking his mind, he couldn't think at all. Everything was just blank and fuzzy. [M/N]'s mouth opens, and his voice is robotic and empty. "My classmates hate me and you looked like you would listen."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The moment the quirk is released [M/N] begins to gag and can feel bile rising up in his throat but forces it down. He can't breathe his wrists hurt and someone is holding him down-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His hands are red, holding onto a bloody knife.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

There's the sound of shuffling movement before he finds himself shoved behind someone, hands strongly gripping the back of their shirt. "Who the fuck are you?" It's Bakugou. Bakugou. Not Jonah. Not Chisaki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm his friend." Hitoshi says, voice tense and eyes glaring at Bakugou. "You don't look like friends." He growled, blocking Shinsou's view of [M/N]. "We had a small fight, why don't you just mind your business." Shinsou hissed. Bakugou looked down at Shinsou with dark eyes and gripped [M/N]'s collar, dragging him away from Shinsou.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hey-!" Shinsou called out, but they were already gone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Bakugou... I-." [M/N] began but was quickly interrupted. "Shut up." Bakugou growled, "We're not friends."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As soon as they entered the waiting room with Bakugou kicking the door in, the stares were immediate; because who wouldn't stare at [M/N]? Especially since he was with Bakugou.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He bolts over to Mina as soon as he sees her because Mina is safesafesafe and rests his head on her shoulder. She doesn't ask and rubs his arm comfortingly. "It's time for the Sports Festival." She whispered to him, "Are you going to be ready for it?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Head still resting on her shoulder, he nods. He has to be ready, Nezu's threatening words from the other day still ring in his ears.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Midoriya."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That familiar voice makes his entire body freeze. Looking over Mina's shoulder, he stares at the same half-red half-white haired boy from the convenience store. He watches, part of him tense and part of him curious as the boy addresses Midoriya.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Looking at things objectively, I think I'm stronger than you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was a bold statement. He wonders if Midoriya will rebut that not-very-well disguised insult. The boy in question looks down with clenched fists.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"But... All Might has his eye on you, doesn't he? I'm not going to pry about that, but, I'm going to beat you." He ends, causing almost all of their classmates to look at the boy as he'd just grown two head.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hey, hey, hey! We're all friends here!" Kirishima sweatdropped, gripping the boys shoulder. "Let's not fight. Not now, we're about to start!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Weirdly enough, the boy pauses and his gaze slides over to [M/N]. He recognizes that look. Want. And yet, his words contradict what his eyes say. "...I'm not here to make friends."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Todoroki," Midoriya beings (So that's his name. [M/N] files that information away for later), "I don't know what you're thinking when you say you'll beat me, but of course you're better than me... I think you're the most capable people of all, so..." Midoriya was... An enigma, [M/N] was coming to realize. "I can't afford to fall behind. I will fight you with everything I have."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And then, a loud booming voice yells out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"THE U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! EVERYONE, ARE YOU READY?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

When they all walk out together, with [M/N] holding Mina's hand, the roaring scream of the crowd is the only thing heard.

It's nerve-wracking to be so close to so many people. Mina stood on his right protectively holding his hand while Midoriya (he wasn't sure how to feel about Midoriya) stood at his left. Everyone crowded around them, it was almost impossible for [M/N] to avoid touching anyone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The other first year classes are introduced. Hero course, 1-B. General studies, C,D, and E. Support course, F,G, and H.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Once all the classes are lined up with people watching them from the bleachers, a scantily clad woman walks up onto the podium, raising her hand and-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I do this because I love you, Lori." Jonah tells him, tracing his spine with the leather strands of the flog. "I love you so much, but you just don't listen." His scream echoes through the room as Jonah strikes his back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s grip on Mina's hand tightens as he shakes his head.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Time for the player pledge!" The woman shouts, "Representing the students is..." The flog makes a cracking sound as she points it towards Bakugou. "Bakugou Katsuki from Class 1-A!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou's blank expression makes [M/N] wonder if this was going to go well or not.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

There was an unbearable silence, and then...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I pledge... That I'll be number one."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That went about how [M/N] expected it to go and the uproar was immediate. After he very helpfully made the other classes hate his more than they already did, Midnight began her speech once again.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Now, let's get started right away! The first game is what you'd call a qualifier. Now, here is the fateful first game!" She pointed her flog towards a giant screen flashing different words until finally it landed on 'Obstacle Race'.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina glances over at him and smiles, giving him a look that says; 'You'll be fine'.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Take your places, everyone!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He can do this.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Three!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He can do this.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Two!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He can do this.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"One!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Fuck.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Someone shoves him forward and he loses Mina in the crowd. Students step over each other, pushing and elbowing to get to the front. He falls on top of someone as ice surrounds everybody and scrambles forward mumbling a small 'sorry', foot slipping every once and a while on the ice as he exits the tunnel with a few other students.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The ice was everywhere, and other students were having just as much trouble as he was. He looked over to his right and blanched at Shinsou who was being carried over the ice by four other students.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Hopping past him was a short boy, throwing grapes down at the ground. Mineta, his mind supplied. If [M/N] remembered correctly, the boy said he could grow sticky grapes out of his head.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The boy jumped up into the air, pulling a grape out of his head and aiming for Todoroki-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

SLAM!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The boy was knocked out of the air by a metal appendage. [M/N] skidded to a stop, looking up at the giant robots before him as did everyone else.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Those are the robots from the entrance exam!" Someone shouted. They had to fight these to get accepted into the school? Now [M/N] knows why Nezu didn't have him take the entrance exam, he surely would have died.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Someone screams in shock as deadly ice springs from the ground, freezing the robots in their place. The unbalanced robots fall apart, ice and metal flying everywhere in a gust of wind, [M/N]'s hair flies into his eyes as he raises his arms up and blocks the cold wind from his face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Todoroki from Class 1-A! He attacked and defended in one hit!" The man in the speakers yelled. "Amazing! He's the first one through! It's, you know, practically unfair!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Looking down at the fallen robot, only one thing crossed his mind.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

I'm going to die.

Coming towards her, stuck still, no turning back.

Notes:

i cannot express how much I hate the sports festival arc. i hope everyone enjoyed their thanksgiving!

My Discord.
discord.gg/QCcyj9zd

Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty Two

Notes:

a lot of people sleep on kamui woods which i think is absolutely bonkers because that dude be FINE AF. he dont even need to take his helmet off for me to know that there is a sexy ass dude under there.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

She hid around corners, and she hid under beds

The fall.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was a bunch of different sized rock pillars all connected by ropes. Some students had decided to try and rush through the ropes and, well, had ultimately fell down and had to lifted out of by drones and were disqualified.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"W-When did they build this stage..?" Uraraka mumbled, looking down at the dark abyss.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...Maybe [M/N] could just pay someone to take him across the ravine...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He grit his teeth, looking for the closest pillar to the edge. Todoroki was making quick work of the ropes, sliding across them with his ice. [M/N] took a deep breath, sending a silent prayer...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And jumped.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His feet connected to the platform roughly, but [M/N] couldn't stop his momentum or else he'd fall. He leaped from platform to platform with all his might, making his way without even touching the ropes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"LOOK AT THAT! [M/N] FROM CLASS 1-A IS SOARING THROUGH THOSE PLATFORMS...!!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Beside him, a girl with pink dreadlocks jumped across the pillars using a wire attached to her backpack.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

On the last jump, his foot slid out from under him and he barely made it across, gripping onto the edge of the cliff and pulling himself up. He can feel his skinned knee bleeding but fights through the pain, running towards the next obstacle.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A minefield.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A goddamn minefield.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It took him a minute to remember this was a school and not a place where you send your children to be executed. [M/N] watched in horror as a student stepped on one of the mines sending him blasted backwards to the beginning of the minefield, letting out a shocked laugh.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He carefully makes his way across the field, looking down at the spots of dirt that have clearly been dug up and reburied. In the corner of his eye, [M/N] can see Midoriya digging a hole with the metal plate off one of the robots. Strange.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sound of explosions rings in his ear, along with the pain his knee is causing him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

BOOM...!!!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] gasped, looking up as Midoriya soared through the air on the metal plate leaving behind a bright cloud of pink dust.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"CLASS A'S MIDORIYA IS IN HOT PURSUIT WITH THAT BLAST! ACTUALLY, HE'S TAKEN THE LEAD!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

While everyone was distracted watching Midoriya, [M/N] hopped through the rest of the mines. Bakugou, Todoroki and a few others were still a ways ahead of him but he could do this.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He could do this.

[M/N] took a long drink of water, wiping the sweat off his forehead. Mina sat beside him, arriving just a few minutes after he did. "What place do you think you got?" She asked, waiting for the leaderboard to show the rankings.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm not sure..." He hummed, leaning on her shoulder. "I wasn't really the best out there."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The first game of the first year stage is finally over!" The woman from earlier, Midnight, tells them from her podium. "Now, take a look at the results!" His eyes trailed back to the board, waiting for his name to appear.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

MIDORIYA IZUKU - 1st.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

TODOROKI SHOUTO - 2nd.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

BAKUGOU KATSUKI - 3rd.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] - 15th.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina shrieked, hugging him. "I'm so proud of you!" She laughed, rocking them back and forth. Mina's own rank appeared, she arrived in 19th place. "You did pretty good." He replied, patting her on the back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The top 42 made it to the next round. It's unfortunate, but don't worry even if you didn't make it, we've prepared other chances for you to shine! The real competition begins next, give it your all!" She pointed to the board. "Here is the second game!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Cavalry Battle.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"A cavalry battle?" Was whispered among the crowd as they stared up at the board. "The participants can form teams of two to four people as they wish!" Midnight explained. "It's the same as a regular cavalry battle, but one thing that's different..." She hummed, turning around to look at them with a wicked gaze. "Based on the results of the last game, each person has been assigned a point value!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Point based?" The crowd speculated.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Point based... So did that mean their points are based on their ranking during the last game?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"That's right!" Midnight grinned. "The points assigned go up by five starting from the bottom! And the point value assigned to first place is... TEN MILLION POINTS!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Gasps of shock and exclamations of surprise echoed throughout the arena. Everyone turned to look at Midoriya with hungry eyes, and [M/N] was suddenly glad he wasn't in his position.

Students were running around, all searching for a team or students searching for people to join their team.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N], just like everyone else, was particularly avoiding Midoriya. But, taking a glance over at the boy, it seemed as though he had found a team with Uraraka.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Remember, you have fifteen minutes to find or build your team! Begin!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou was being swarmed by lots of other students, including Mina, so that wasn't a good idea. Perhaps he would have more luck teaming up with someone outside of Class 1-A...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Shinsou..." He muttered, looking around for that familiar fluff of purple hair. Would Shinsou even want to team up with [M/N] after their fight from earlier? He didn't know, but Shinsou was his best chance at winning the cavalry battle.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He turned around, finally spotting that purple head of hair. "Shinsou!" He called out, stopping in front of him. Said boy turned around, raising an eyebrow. "I-..." [M/N] paused, looking beside Shinsou. There, stood a student he recognized from his class. Oji-something.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] shook his head, turning back to Shinsou. "Do... Do you want to team up?" He asked. Shinsou hummed, looking down at [M/N]. "I have one condition."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"..What?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shinsou looked him dead in the eyes, gaze serious. "You tell me everything."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] paused, feeling a cold sweat drip down his forehead. "What do you mean."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I mean, when this is over I want to have a discussion about why you decided to talk to me that day, why you lied to me, and..." Shinsou suddenly looked unsure. "Why you started crying after I used my quirk."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] was crying? He hadn't even noticed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Swallowing the lump in his throat, [M/N] nodded, looking up at Shinsou.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Alright."

Things had gone fairly smoothly during the cavalry battle. Thanks to Shinsou's quirk, they had been quietly making their way to the top of the board.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Their main goal was to avoid Midoriya at almost all costs and take headbands from the people too distracted trying to get him to notice their headbands were gone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

After a few more minutes, the time was finally up. Todoroki's team had placed first, Bakugou in second, Shinsou and [M/N] in third while Midoriya had placed in fourth. Shinsou must have released his quirk since their teammates seemed to fall out of their trance.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We need to talk." Shinsou told him. [M/N] hummed in response and followed him into the crowd of students.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We'll take an hours break for lunch before we start an afternoon festivities! SEE YA! Eraserhead, let's grab some food."

She killed it with kisses and from it she fled

Notes:

kind of short. I cut it off halfway because I realized if i continued the chapter woulda been too long lmfao. hawks needs 7 feathers to carry someone, but 1000 to carry himself so that means he's fat :>

on another note, id like to hear what you guys think m/n's hero name should be! i already have a few names in mind, but id like to hear your opinions.

My Discord
discord.gg/CZ72Es3H

Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty Three

Notes:

consider this a christmas present lol. merry christmas!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

With every bubble, she sank with her drink

Shinsou and [M/N] sat down on the hallway floor with Shinsou watching [M/N] eat a piece of chocolate with glossy eyes. "Is it that good?" He asked with a chuckle. [M/N] swallowed the chocolate, rubbing his eyes. "Sorry... It's been a long time since I've had chocolate..." He laughed, but it didn't sound very happy to Shinsou.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"So..." Shinsou began, unsure of how to word things. "What do you want to know?" [M/N] decided to help him out. "I'll... try to be as honest as possible."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

How would he start?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What..." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "What happened to you?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] paused, fiddling with the hem of his sleeve as he looked down at the floor. "That's a loaded question." He chuckled, feeling his throat dry up. "I was with a man." There's the phantom feeling of a hand gripping his thigh. "He... He was older than me." [M/N]'s hand reached down to scratch at his ankles. He remembers how Jonah kept him tied to that bed for months. he said he was helping [M/N]. He was helping [M/N]. He was helping he was helping he was just trying to-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...He hurt me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Saying those words, it's almost as if something in [M/N] shattered.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...He was... He was trying to help."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Something clatters on the ground and strong arms wrap around him, pulling [M/N] into someones chest. "He hurt me... He wanted to help me." He mumbled, hand reaching up to grip the shirt of the person. His wrists hurt. He can't remember. He can't remember. He can't remember. "It was my fault-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It wasn't your fault."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shinsou. Shinsou is kind. Shinsou wouldn't hurt him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It wasn't your fault."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It wasn't his fault. It wasn't his fault it wasn't his faultitwasn'thisfaultitwasn'thisfault.

Shinsou was kind enough to hold [M/N]'s hair back as he vomited in the toilet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Sorry." He coughed, wiping his mouth. Shinsou grimaced, looking down at the back of [M/N]'s head as he held his hair back. "...Sorry for asking-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Don't be sorry." [M/N] immediately replied, sitting up and looking up at Shinsou. "It was... I liked having someone to talk to."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He smiled at Shinsou, who gladly returned it.

They parted ways when the classes were called out once again to reveal the last game of the Sports Festival.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Looking around the crowd, he spotted a familiar head of pink hair and gasped at the sight, feeling his face heating up. There, stood the girls of his class dressed in cheerleader uniforms.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] looked at one of the girls from his class, she had raven hair in a neat ponytail, fall to the ground. She looked close to crying.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] fiddled with the sleeves of his jacket.

Momo paused, feeling a light weight hit her head.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Lifting the article up, she stared at the piece of clothing in her hand. It was a familiar thin, beige jacket.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

She whipped her head up, eyes locking onto the owner of the jacket who was walking away. [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Momo felt her cheeks heat up with warmth.

"All right, everyone! Let's have fun competing in the recreational games! When that's over, the sixteen from the four teams that made it to the final round will duke it out tournament style, one-on-one!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] knew he was at a huge disadvantage being quirkless among his powerful classmates. And now, he was expected to fight them. This day couldn't get any worse.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Now, let's draw lots to determine the bracket." Midnight held up a yellow box. "Once the bracket is determined, we'll have the recreational games and then start! The sixteen finalists can choose whether or not they want to participate in the recreation. I'm sure some of you want to rest or save your strength! Now, from the first place team--."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Um... Excuse me!" The blonde boy from his class held up his hand, "I'm withdrawing." he said, looking down at the ground glumly. Those two words certainly surprised everyone, especially [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

'...We can do that?' He wondered.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Ojiro?! Why?" Midoriya asked in confusion. "This is a rare chance for pros to see you!" Iida nodded along. "I barely remember anything from the cavalry battle until almost the end." Ojiro sighed. "I think..." He looked over at Shinsou, causing [M/N] to raise an eyebrow. "It was that guy's quirk."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Well, he wasn't wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I know that this is a great chance, and that it's foolish to waste it... But, everyone here competed by giving their all! I can't... I can't be up there with everyone without knowing what really happened..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It's a bit disappointing though to see the boy leave. [M/N] had wondered during the cavalry battle if the blonde boy's tail was just for show or if he could actually fight with it. Oh well, he supposed. Another boy followed suit with his classmate and withdrew, giving up their spots to two students from Class 1-B.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"This is the bracket based on the results of the drawing!" Midnight shouted cheerfully, pointing at the screen.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] looked towards the board, quickly finding his name and who he was fighting.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] VS. Uraraka Ochaco.

He looked down at Mina, trying to avoid staring at any... noncovered parts. "It's cute." He blushed. "Isn't it?" She laughed, face red. "Momo made it for us!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Momo. That was the girl he gave his jacket to.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"By the way," Mina hummed. "I was looking for you earlier, but I couldn't find you!" She pouted. "Oh. Uh...." [M/N] thought back to his conversation with Shinsou. "I was... In the bathroom." He sweatdropped. "Anyway, what's the first fight?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He looked down at the stadium and was surprised to see two familiar faces down there. Shinsou was going to fight Midoriya. Part of him was worried for Shinsou, because [M/N] has seen the absolute power Midoriya could unleash.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You seem awfully tense." Mina half-joked, nudging [M/N] with her elbow. "Are you worried for him?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] huffed, rolling his eyes. "Midoriya is-." Mina shook her head, cutting him off. "I mean, are you worried for your friend down there?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He grimaced, thinking back to how hard Shinsou had worked and trained for this. It was a shame he had failed the entrance exam, all because he had the wrong quirk. Shinsou didn't deserve to lose. But then, he thinks about Midoriya and his unyielding determination, how he had faced those villains back at the USJ and brought them to safety with his plan, and realized Midoriya didn't deserve to lose either.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I am, Shinsou has worked hard to get where he is... He's been training for this for so long..." There's a lump in his throat as he says his next words. "But... He's going to lose." Perhaps that was the harshest lesson of all. The eyes are useless when the mind is blind, and Shinsou's mind is too far gone into a fog of 'you're either born lucky or you're not'.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina looked at [M/N] with an understanding in her eyes before turning her gaze to the two people below. "We'll just have to cheer him on," She smiled. "I think he'll appreciate that, especially if it's coming from you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The fight ended exactly how [M/N] thought it would, with Shinsou being too blinded by his hatred of those with ideal quirks. He had to admit though, something in his sparked with amazement at Midoriya using his own quirk to snap out of Shinsou's control.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Discreetly telling Mina he'll be right back, [M/N] walks away and heads down the corridors.

He initiates the hug between himself and Shinsou, wrapping his arms around the boy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You did good." He tells him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] doesn't stop Shinsou when he buries his head into [M/N]'s shoulder and cries. Even when the roof vibrates with the sound of the next battle happening, they stay like that.

When [M/N] came back to join everyone in the stands, it was when Mina's fight was about to begin. "Good luck." He had told her as she went down to the arena. She winked at him and replied, "I don't need luck. This'll be a piece of cake!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And it was. Ashido had easily dodged Aoyama's lasers, waiting for him to tire out and knocking him out with a quick uppercut.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina came back to sit beside [M/N], offering him a piece of her chocolate bar. "Y'know, after this whole festival stuff is over with," She popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth. "We should totally go and have a girls day."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] hummed, nodding his head as he watched the match below. Yaoyorozu was fighting against Tokoyami. "That... Sounds fun." He agreed. Mina giggled, holding onto his arm. "We should go to the movies!" She said excitedly. "I know you like the older films, there's going to be a rerun of Shadow Hunters at the movies next week!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Perhaps... Maybe, he could invite Shinsou.

Before [M/N] knew it. Kirishima and Tetsutetsu's fight was over and it was time for his.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina had followed him down to the corridor where he would enter the arena, gently rubbing his arm. "You'll do fine." She comforted. "Trust me, you're better than half the people here and you don't even have a quirk."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

She was just saying that to make him feel better, but [M/N] appreciated it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And so, his match began.

And washed it away down the kitchen sink

Notes:

Mina is a platonic love interest, i absolutely love the bond she has with m/n and its so adorable.
My Discord
https://discord.gg/CZ72Es3H

Chapter 26: Chapter Twenty Four

Notes:

i hate this fucking arc. like yall cant even fully comprehend how much i hate the sports festival. character growth is great and all but god damn i do not enjoy this lmao. wasnt sure id be able to update lmao, lots of power outages today. this winter is really taking a shit on my internet.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The dog days are over, the dog days are done

"FROM THE HERO COURSE, ERASERHEAD'S FAVORITE STUDENT--!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"IT'S [M/N]! YOU WONT BELIEVE THIS, BUT THAT LITTLE LISTENER IS ACTUALLY THE HERO COURSE'S FIRST QUIRKLESS STUDENT!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The roar of the crowd increased as they all watched [M/N] step up onto the platform. He couldn't tell if they were cheering for him or against him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"ALSO FROM THE HERO COURSE, IT'S URARAKA OCHAKO!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Uraraka, stumbling backwards as [M/N] held a bloodied knife in his red hands, a deep gouge in her shoulder. "Don't be terrified of it." She says. "Blood is such a beautiful thing."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Y̷̡̩̗͙͚̫̽̾̽̃́͆ö̵͈͚̬̭͍͕̞̠̻́̂̒̽̎̋̐̀̈̓̈́̊͠ȕ̷͙̟̣͓͙̜͍͖̥͛͒͗̀ ̴̭͔̳͊̄̅̉͛͛̈̀̃̀͛̈́̃͋̕̕l̸̮̻̞͙̺͉̾͛̒̃̓͑̾̍̈o̵̰̳̺̲̒̑ơ̷̡̡̞̦͉̾̔̆̔̋̓͗͆̍̊̍k̴̡̛̖̲̖͕̠̪̊̌̃͒̌̂̇͋͑̔̅̚e̶̡̱̖͚̪̙̟̻̣͉͉͓̓̿̈́̏̓̊̏͊̀̊̽̚͘͝ͅd̸͖̹̳̪͚͕̪̰͚̀̅̾̄͂́͂̎̕̚ ̵̛̯͔̲̦̜͐̓̈̄̆͘s̸̨̙͕̘͈͍͈̖͉̏͊͌̒̊̍̾́̍̅o̴̮̗͉̼͇̩̹̼̺͉͍̹̟̘̱͖͊̿̈̆̎͂̋̉̍̾͆̅̔̕͜ ̵̧͍̠̜͉̟̣̼̦̹̔̈́̃͗b̸̢̢̢̻͓̼̗̹̜̝̙̩̻̔́̆̓͊̏̒̕ͅĕ̸̛̜̫͍͈̞̹̠̥͈̰̠͊̈́͌͊̽̚ͅḁ̷̧͙̜͇͇͍̀͑́͆̔̃̊̀͛̈̑͆͠ư̶̛̯̺̺̝̘̑́̔̈́͜ͅt̶̨̻̺͇̻̪͖̹̩͙̲̬̤͚̬̣̪̓͊͌͂̕į̴̛̣̻̰̪̗̜̘̐͂̉͐͋̇̉̽̔̋̄̌͐͝͝͝f̴̢̢̻͚̖̤͚͔͒̇̌͂̉̀̓̈́͆́̍͝͠͝ͅu̷̡̻̪̟͎̞̲̰͚̰̲͆̌͋̑͆̀͒͊̕͝͝ͅl̷̢̡̧̛̥̺͔̞͔͖̯̱̳̳̒̂̒̓͋͌̇͑̽̊͗̾̊̕͝ͅ,̷̢̞̠͔͔̈̃͑̃ ̸̨̛̺̠͚̫̰̼̙͙̙͖̣͉̭̥͈̦̄̃̓͆̓̏̄̽̈́̏̒̃̓̅̊b̴̧̛̝̬̳̟̬͍̗̰̹͈̩̗̉̍͌͋̃̒̚̚̚̕͝͝ö̷̧̧̮̠͔͉̰̣́͊̍̽̾̀̔͑͒̑̋̏̇͋̾͝u̵̢̠̜̞͍̟͛̆̌̆̅̓̋͋̏̃̉̈̋̽͜n̸̰̖̯̿̍͋̑̈̍̽̍̇̔̒̆̀̎͗͝ḑ̸̻̳̪̲͍̜̜̞̝̜̭̞̐̆̀̓̃̌͂̔̂̄̑́́̂͝ ̵̢̩̱͈̜̳͙͍̤̝̹͈̪͕̩͔̠̉̅̅͋̌̈̏ẩ̸̧̨̧̛̘̯̖̟̬̠̻͑̉̾̎̍͋̊̌̾̀̚͝ň̴̻̀̓d̴̡̟̱͕̠͇̥̼͆̌̍̄̃̓̂̕͝͝ͅͅ ̷̛̲̻̭͚̠͇̯̣͎̼̭̝̟̳̝̪́́̓̔̈͊̓̕͘ͅd̷̡̘͎̗̜̅̉̃̀̋̇͐͂̿̋̕y̸̢̛̺̜̼͉̗̾̆͑̑̉͒̓͜i̵̡̢̡̛̥̩͚̜̳͎̫̬͉̤͔̊͗̃̂̓͊͒̇̚̚͠͠ͅñ̶̛̪͈̝͐̇̍̃͝g̵̡̢̜̹̬̑̀̉̅̋͆̇̈́͌̈̊̽̔̄͘͠ ̵̡͉̹̭̟͇̬͖͎̘̫͉̼̣̈̃ỉ̴̧̢̗͚̜̥̬̺̑̀͑͂̅͛̾͋̃̓̕͜͠ͅn̸͙̆̽̅̃̐̈͂̌͗̌͘͝ ̴͇̠̻̭̱̤̯̬͉́͆̆̏͌̀̑̌͊̃̈̓̃̀̈̇̚y̸̛̱͗̈́̌̅͆̇̓̈̓̀̈́̾̂̚͝o̵̢̙͉̲̥͍̟̜̯͇̹̖̤̜͆̔̄́͆̾̐͌̿̆̕̕ͅư̶̢̙͎͓̐͛͆̀̈́́͌͑̒͐̃̕r̷͙͎̟̋̆͛͊̐̔̽͂̀̚̕ ̷̭̞̾̉̄̿o̷̪͍̲͔̼̮̠̩͉̪̪͚̺͙̓͗͑͂͌̾͌̉̚w̵̡̢͍̲̦͎͕̮͍͕̦͇̩̮̬̙̐̔̇͑͑͛̊͆̌̇̿͊̂̾͘͝n̶̖̮͖͈̓̊̄ ̶̡̢͔͚͕͖̭̼̘̘̭̪͓̙͕̂̀͆̈́̽͊̈́͊b̷̺̜͓̪͇̪͇̦͕̙̼́̉͌͗̒͠l̵̡͚̠͔͇͚̇̃̏̿̿̍̀̋̽͂̒̎ò̴̹̅̀͑͌̓͘ǫ̷̡̛̬̯̤͓͈̗͉͈̖̘̟̱̺̲̎̽̚d̵̛̗̼͔̠̞̙̭̳̑̚͠.̶͍͓͚̬̖̟̹̃̄̈́̃̉̈́̊̇͒̀̀̀͛̔͝"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] looks at Uraraka with a wavered gaze, unlike her own determined one. He looks over at Midnight and is startled to see her already looking at him, [M/N] wondered if she saw his moment of panic.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I..." He looks over at Uraraka. The intensity in her face almost shakes him to his core. "I..." He mumbles, looking at Midnight. He never has the chance to get the words out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...START..!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] isn't prepared for it as Uraraka charges at him, hand outstretched. Surprised, he turned to the side, her hand missed him by barely an inch as he gripped her arm and shoved her backwards.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Uraraka strikes first but [M/N] manages to evade her! How will he handle this with no superpower!?"

"You're a fool." Kurono tells him, holding [M/N] down with his neck in an armlock. "Did you really think you could escape so easily?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Kurono bent his arm back into his shoulder blade as he cried out.

[M/N] waits for Uraraka to get in close once again, her hand outstretched to use her quirk on him. He grips her wrist right before she touches him and grabs her shoulder, bending her arm into her shoulder blade as she cries out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] looks down at Uraraka and suddenly it isn't her that he's holding down but himself-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He stops, pulling away from Uraraka as if touching her burned him. Perhaps it did. Before she can do anything, he turns to Midnight who was watching him with a scrutinizing gaze and says two words;

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I forfeit."

[M/N] looks into the blue eyes gazing back at him in the bathroom mirror. In another world, he would have just turned twenty. In another world, Lori would have been twenty-three. Instead, she's gone and he's most likely a decomposed and rotting corpse in the ground or scattered in the wind to be feasted on by animals.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Jonah had kept him for a year without anyone noticing, he doubts covering up a body is any harder than mutilating an alive one bit by bit until there was nothing left but a broken shell.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I did it out of love." The man in the mirror tells him. "And I loved you, so, so much."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He doesn't even hesitate to punch the mirror.

"I get tired of seeing you in here, young man." The old nurse tsked, wrapping his bloodied hand in a bandage. "This injury wasn't even from your match!" She scowled, hitting the top of his head with her cane.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Sorry." Is all [M/N] can say.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The old lady hmphs, shooing him away. "Yes yes, being a hero is all about the tough work, but that doesn't mean you can let self-care go!" She scolds, writing something down on her clipboard.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He doesn't catch the look she gives him as he leaves.

Chiyo had been in the hero work for almost fifty years. She's seen heroes come and go, villains rise and fall, and has had to deal with her fair share of HPSC conflict. Especially that last part.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

For years, she had been pushing for the HPSC to require heroes to take courses on PTSD and how to correspond to trauma. But, despite all her years of fighting and watching generations of heroes go by, her efforts have had little effect. The HPSC has blocked almost every route she's tried to take, making up every excuse as they went along.

And now, in her early 70's, Chiyo is staring at the exact problem she wanted to prevent.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

She rubs her forehead tiredly, reading off her notes to Nezu. "PTSD, depression, panic attacks triggered by his own reflection, self-harm to a certain degree based on the injuries he's had me treat before." She remembers looking through the camera footage, watching [M/N] attack a fellow classmate. "I suspect he also has haphephobia, along with slight hemophobia and androphobia."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was a case most psychiatrists would dread receiving. Chiyo had to admit, it's something she also hoped to never see in somebody so young.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The corresponding trauma is mostly seen in victims of torture, violence or... Rape." She swallows the lump in her throat. "He's had outbursts of rage at skin contact, especially when being grabbed. A few weeks back, a student had brought him into the office. The boy failed to register the world around him, as if his mind was in a sort of shut-down mode." She looks up from her notes, waiting for Nezu's reaction. Just as she suspected, the mouse never gives any hints as to what he's thinking.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu leaned forward, clasping his paws together. "I see." He says, and sends Chiyo back to her office.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It's the first and last time they ever discuss the boy's problems. It was only after she had left that she realized they never discussed ways of helping him.

Mina wraps his arms around [M/N]. "You didn't do anything wrong." She tells him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We... We weren't even thirty seconds into the match and I..." He feels ashamed. "I just... Gave up." Mina places her hands on his shoulders, looking into his eyes with a serious expression. "There's nothing bad about giving up. Sometimes it what we need to do."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] nods his head. "I think... It's what I needed to do." He agrees.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina smiles, gripping his hand as she leads them back up to the stands where everyone is watching the next match.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya VS. Todoroki.

Midoriya broke his arm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] wasn't sure what he was expecting from the match, but it certainly wasn't... That. But, the fight had been magnificent. Despite being a good distance away from it all, [M/N] can still feel the heat of Todoroki's power tingling on his skin.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His classmates, including Mina, had gone to see how Midoriya was doing. [M/N] wasn't one of them. He decided to wait out in the hall until Mina was done.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was only a coincidence that Todoroki happened to be walking down that same hallway he was waiting in. The red and white haired boy stopped in his tracks, staring at [M/N] with a gaze he wasn't quite sure what to call.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hello..." The boy said.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Hello." He replied.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Todoroki seemed to be looking for something in [M/N], he wasn't sure what but part of him didn't want to let the boy down. He thought back to the match, how Todoroki's flame surrounded the arena in colors of orange and red, he thought of how amazing it was.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Your flames..." He began, watching Todoroki's head shoot up and look at [M/N] with an unclear gaze. "I think... They're beautiful."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The silence felt like it stretched on for hours until Todoroki finally replied.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Thank you."

The rest of the matches didn't pique his interest much.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Iida had ended his quickly by pushing Shiozaki out of bounds with his superspeed. Tokoyami used Dark Shadow against Mina and also shoved her out of bounds. Bakugou won against Kirishima by overpowing him with his explosion quirk. All the matches were ended quickly, and [M/N] was beginning to realize perhaps he was right to forfeit his match with Uraraka.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Then, finally, it was time for Bakugou's match against Todoroki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou had been conserving his energy for most of his matches, but Todoroki had gone all out. Bakugou would most likely be the obvious choice for a winner, but perhaps... Perhaps Todoroki could pull through.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] watched Todoroki avoid fighting Bakugou head on with his ice with calculating eyes. Bakugou, however, was continuing to throw head-on explosions against Todoroki. Todoroki raises his hand, fire igniting in his palm before...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] holds his breath, watching Todoroki extinguish the flame.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He... He could have won, so... Why?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And it seemed Bakugou had similar thoughts from the way he was shouting at a passed out Todoroki to get up and finish things, until Midnight used her power to pacify them both.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou was the winner of the sports festival.

He had to be tied down to the podium and muzzled. [M/N] didn't stay long after that, returning to the class waiting room and packing up his things. The sight of Bakugou had made him feel... Gross.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wasn't prepared for Midoriya to suddenly enter the waiting room. "[M/N]!" He gasped, running over to him. "Hello, Midoriya." He sighed, pulling on his tan jacket. "I, ah..." Midoriya rubbed the back of his neck, face red. "I just wanted to, um... Say sorry..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Huh.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Sorry?" He blinked, looking at Midoriya with confusion. "Yeah, I... I know me grabbing you like that so suddenly the other day wasn't really... The best thing to do, so... Sorry."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That was... Surprising.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I also wanted to talk to you about... Something else!" Midoriya's face blushed furiously. "I... I want to confess to you!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...What.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]..." Midoriya looked down with a red face, gripping the end of his shirt tightly. "I've... Really had these strong feelings about you since we met, since... Since you told me I could be a hero."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] doesn't remember that. What is he saying...?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"So... I kind of..." Midoriya looked up, cheeks blushing and connecting eyes with [M/N]. "I want... I want us to try!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

This wasn't what he wanted.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]... What- what do you think?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Yes...?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That was not what he wanted to say.

The horses are coming, so you better run

Notes:

ah, young love. too bad this one was formed on a miscommunication :). anyways, i would like to share some information about Lori, Jonah and [M/N] so that i can watch you all die inside;

Lori was twenty-two when she died.
[M/N] was eighteen.
Jonah was thirty.

That makes Jonah eight years older than Lori, and thirteen years older than [M/N]. Have a nice day!

My Discord
https://discord.gg/ZAPteKG8

Chapter 27: Chapter Twenty Five

Notes:

i regret everything. please, lay all your anger on me in the comments cuz i deserve it. im an absolutely horrible person for writing this and enjoying it.
i should also probably make it clear i dont intend to make anyone a "yandere". this isnt a yandere book and it will never be a yandere book. obsessive, definitely. but never yandere.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"I don't love you anymore," a pretty line that I adore

"It's a gift." Nezu smiled, gesturing to the box on his desk. Just the rodents smile put [M/N] on edge. He reached over, picking up the box and inspecting it. "Since you've been talking to so many people, I assumed you wanted to keep in contact with them."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He knows he knows he knows-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Thanks." [M/N] opened the box, pulling out the cellphone. It's been a long time since he's owned a cellphone. The last time had been before he died, and even then his only contact was Lori and one or two friends from school.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's almost time for the school day to start," Nezu took the empty box, putting it in the trashcan beside his desk. "Why don't you head on to class? Today is a special day after all."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] didn't know what Nezu meant by that, but gladly used the excuse to get out of there.

[M/N] bent over, the air kicked out of him as he was tackled from behind. "I'm so proud of you!" A feminine voice shouted.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He looked over his shoulder at Mina who was practically hanging off him like a vine.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You did awesome in the Sports Festival." She grinned. "I bet you're gonna have heroes lined up to get you as an intern."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I... Didn't really do that good." He blushed as Mina came around to stand in front of him. "Besides, I didn't even make it to the finals..." Mina just waved her hand, rolling her eyes. "Statistics. Trust me, you did amazing. You're not gonna believe how many people talked to me on my way here, did anyone talk to you?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Uhhh..." It would be hard to explain his living situation. "...Yeah..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Mina?" A quiet, meek voice piped up. They both turned, looking at the voice. It was Midoriya. "Do you think I could speak to [M/N]?" He blushed, coming to stand beside [M/N] and gripping his hand. Mina looked at their interlocked hands, then to Midoriya, and back to their hands; and proceeded to let out the most dramatic gasp ever.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Oh my God!" She shouted, causing both Midoriya and [M/N] to sweatdrop. "You!" She pointed at [M/N], then at Midoriya. "And Him?!" She covered her mouth with her hand. "This is too shocking, I need to sit down..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] took that moment to take Midoriya's hand and bring him to a more private part of the hallway, and away from Mina who was far too embarrassing for him to handle right now. Midoriya blushed, looking down at their locked hands. His mind was about to explode. "Sorry about Mina..." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with a sweatdrop. "What did you want to talk about?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya looked down with a red face, fiddling with his fingers. "I mean- You, ah... Me... Date..." He mumbled, so quietly [M/N] couldn't make out what he was saying. "What?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Date!" Midoriya suddenly shouted. His eyes went wide immediately, covering his mouth. "I-I mean!" His voice went quieter. "You... Date?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A date... [M/N] had never been on a date before. He remembers the girls in his middle school always talking about going on dates, and how fun they were. But... He wasn't sure if he wanted to go on a date with Midoriya. Their... "Relationship" was practically built on a miscommunication that [M/N] was too terrified to correct.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

~~He had rejected a man before. It didn't end well.~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Ah..." [M/N] didn't like to deal with Midoriya already. A heartbroken Midoriya? [M/N] knew he wouldn't be able to handle that. ~~He wouldnt be able to handle another Jonah.~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Sure..." He agreed awkwardly, but Midoriya was too excited to notice. "Great!" He smiled, blushing. "Let me just-." He pulled out a notebook from his bag. "Give you my number, and- and we can plan it sometime!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] couldn't refuse. Couldn't bring himself to refuse.

"Good morning." Mr. Aizawa said as he stepped into the classroom. He was finally out of the cast, which [M/N] supposed was a great relief. "Good morning!" The class replied.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr Aizawa came up to his podium. "We're having a special hero informatics class today." The man sighs. Tension immediately rised in the class as everyone wondered what they would be doing today. It was almost as if Mr. Aizawa wanted a dramatic pause before finally saying what the class would do.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You'll be coming up with... Code names."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The class immediately jumped for joy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"SOMETHING COOL!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] stayed in his seat, mulling over the words. Code names. So they would be picking out their hero names, what civilians would know them by... He had never given it much thought, since being a hero wasn't something he had in mind.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"This is related to the Pro Hero draft picks." Mr. Aizawa immediately silenced everyone. "The drafts begin in earnest in the second and third years, after students have gained experience and can become immediate assets to the pros. In other words, for them to extend offers to first years like you shows that they're interested in your future potential as a Pro Hero."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa moves aside, pulling up a screen. "These offers are often cancelled if the interest dies down by graduation. Here are the totals for those offers."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

CLASS A NO. OF OFFERS.

TODOROKI - 4123

BAKUGO - 3556

TOKOYAMI - 360

IIDA - 301

KAMINARI - 272

YAOYOROZU - 108

KIRISHIMA - 68

URARAKA - 20

SERO - 14

[M/N] - 2

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He was surprised to even find his name up there at all. The amount was small, only two people, but it made him curious as to who would offer somebody without a superpower an internship. He looked down at his list, at the only two names on there.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A person called 'Hawks' and...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Nezu.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"In other years, it's been more spread out, but all eyes were on these two this year." Mr. Aizawa pointed to Bakugou and Todoroki's names. It was honestly not surprising how many offers they had. Both Todoroki and Bakugou had amazingly strong powers. "Keeping these results in mind, whether or not anyone asked for you, you will all be participating in internships with pros. At the USJ, you already got to experience combat with real villains," [M/N] wondered if he imagined it, but he thought Mr. Aizawa's eyes flickered towards him. "But it will still be meaningful training for you to see pros at work firsthand."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s... Expectations are probably lower than his classmates. Thinking back to the way he had been dragged to the police station, forced to attend a hero school, and now being pressured into becoming a hero... It made him wonder if there was actually anybody out there who actually had [M/N]'s best intentions in mind.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"These hero names are still temporary, but if you're not serious about it-..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The classroom door slams open.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...You'll have hell to pay later!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was the woman from the Sports Festival. Midnight. She walks into the classroom, radiating confidence with her hands on her hips.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Because a lot of hero names used by students become recognized by society, and they end up becoming professional hero names!" She stood in front of the class as Mr. Aizawa pulled on his sleeping bag, laying down. "So, be sure to pick something catchy but also something you wont regret later down the line!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He gripped the small whiteboard, passing the rest down.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A name... A name...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

But did he really need one?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] looked down at his whiteboard, unsure.

"Now that everyone's decided on their names, aside from Bakugou and [M/N], we'll get back to talking about internships. They will last for a week. As for where you'll have them, those who had offers from pros have been given their own lists, so you can choose from those yourself..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] tuned Mr. Aizawa out, holding the list in his hand tightly as he stared at it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Principal Nezu, the rat who's been a thorn in his side, and the one he's been terrified of the most, since he got here, or... Hawks, someone he knows nothing about...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The way Nezu had been acting around [M/N] as of late was rubbing him the wrong way. If he accepted Hawks's internship, it would mean an escape from Nezu for at least a little while... And he was curious about this persons reasoning behind offering him an internship...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] wrote down Hawks's name.

"Mrs. Midnight?" He called out quietly, coming up to her desk in the teachers' lounge. She was there only one in there so far, as it was nearing the middle of the day. "What can I do for you?" She smiled, turning towards him. "Have you decided on a hero name?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His grip on the whiteboard tightened. "Yeah, I think so..." And turned it around, showing her what he wrote.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midnight paused. "Mono?" She hummed. "Are you sure? 'Person' isn't exactly the kind of hero name I would suggest. It's very broad, not many people would remember it..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He smiled. "That's the point. I don't... Really want to be remembered." He turned towards the window, the sun was shining down on his face. He wonders how many people have taken that for granted. To feel the sun shine down on your face, the fresh air blowing on your hair in the wind...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"To be honest? My only goal right now... Is just to survive."

"[M/N]!" Midoriya grinned, coming up to him and gripping his hand. Midoriya seemed to love holding [M/N]s hand. "Have you picked which hero agency you're going to?" He asked with a closed eye smile, scratching his cheek awkwardly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] thought back to the paper he laid on Mr. Aizawa's desk. "...I think so. Have you?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Ah... Not yet. I'm still having trouble deciding." Midoriya sweatdropped. Their conversation was almost kind of nice, [M/N] wondered if Midoriya acted this way from the moment they met if they would have gotten along better.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Deku?" A feminine voice piped up across from them. They turned to Uraraka, who was staring intently at their hands. "You two are... Holding hands?" Her voice faltered slightly. "O-Oh!" Midoriya quickly pulled away. "Right, uh..." His face was red as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Me and [M/N] are... Aha, going out?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I KNEW IT!" Was suddenly shouted across the room. Mina came barrelling towards them, lightly smacking [M/N]'s arm. "How could you not tell me!?" She pouted. Kaminari also came up to them, slinging his arm around Midoriya. "Woah, Midoriya!" He laughed, "I had no idea you swung that way!" Uraraka however, was silent the whole time. "Midoriya, you better swear to me you wont ever break [M/N]'s heart!" Mina joined in on Kaminari's teasing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] took that moment to leave the classroom. After all, he had somewhere to be.

"Hey, babe." [M/N] flinched forward, spinning around and staring dead into Dabi's blue eyes. "Babe?" He sweatdropped, "When did that happen?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi shrugged with a chuckle. "When you decided to become a freeloader in my apartment." And swung his arm around [M/N]'s shoulder, steering him towards a less busy part of town. "I should start chargin' you rent." The man chuckled. How did their relationship come to this? What even was 'this'? "No thanks. I like the freeloader lifestyle." He's never been so... What was it? Playful? Like this with anyone before.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi scoffed. "When you die, I hope it's painful." He replied dryly. [M/N] chuckled. "I think... If i was going to die, I would have died by now?" He had already died once, what would happen this time?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

What he wasn't prepared for though, was for his teacher and Midnight and a blonde man to come out of the convenience store they were about to pass by, or for the blonde man to turn their way. "Oh!" He shouted, pointing towards them and drawing the attention of Mr. Aizawa and Midnight. "You're Shouta's favorite student! SHOUTA, LOOK WHO I FOUND!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] glanced towards Dabi who looked anxious. [M/N] didn't blame him, his heart was pounding too.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa came towards them, his eyes immediately darting to Dabi and narrowing. "[M/N]." He acknowledged while still keeping his gaze on Dabi. Midnight was standing back slightly, her attitude far different from when she was in class, almost like she was on guard and [M/N] could only guess why.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

They needed to get out of there. Quickly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He gripped Dabi's hand, pulling him back slightly. "It's nice to see you Mr. Aizawa..." He glanced towards the empty alley and back to the man who already seemed to know what [M/N] was thinking. "But we have to go!" His grip on Dabi's hand tightened as he pulled him towards the dark alleyway.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Wait!" Was shouted behind them, but he didn't stop.

Nemuri stopped Shouta from chasing after [M/N]. "Shouta just let it go." She sighed, "You'll see him for when they leave for their internships anyways..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta almost didn't want to listen to her but the logical part of his brain took over and he sighed, nodding. "...Hey, Shouta?" Hizashi spoke up, unsure. "Yeah?" He grunted in acknowledgment.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"How old do you think that guy was?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta paused. He didn't want to imagine the million of horrific scenarios of why [M/N] was with that man, or why his arm was slung around [M/N] in an intimate way.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Too old to be hanging around a kid like [M/N]..."

"I should definitely start chargin' you rent." Dabi chuckled, watching the boy flop down on his couch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi sat down beside him, [M/N] stretching his legs out and across Dabi. His fingers softly traced [M/N]'s leg, said boy going rigid for a few moments before relaxing into the touch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His touch was like fleeting feathers, never lingering somewhere for too long.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Good job," The man spoke up, his voice breaking the peaceful silence. [M/N] sat up slightly, blinking. "In the sports festival." Dabi shrugged. "I watched it." Yeah. He remembers choking on his drink when seeing [M/N]'s lithe and familiar form running for dear life during the race. "You did good. For someone withoutta' quirk, 6th place is nothin' to be ashamed about."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] hadn't even realized he placed 6th, leaving before seeing the final rankings.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I suppose..." He sighed, leaning his head onto the arm of the couch. Dabi watches [M/N] stretch his arms out, watches how his shirt rides up slightly and exposes his stomach. He can't help himself as his hand trails over [M/N]'s stomach, grazing it. Dabi felt [M/N] tense up. "Dabi...?" He leaned up, looking at the man with wide eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi pauses, gauging the boys reaction. "...What are you doing." [M/N] spoke in a hushed town, almost afraid to speak up. "What does it look like I'm doing?" He replies, leaning closer to the boy until their noses almost touch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] can feel the mans breath on his skin and doesn't stop him as he plants his lips on [M/N]'s. Dabi was gentle, reaching his hand up and cupping the back of [M/N]'s neck, the other one reaching down and gripping his thigh-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Stop." He gasped, hand shooting up and grabbing Dabi's wrist, stopping him from going further. "I can't- I can't-." His gaze was frantic, voice wavering as a cold sweat dripped down his back. "Don't- please please stop-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi reaches his hands down, cupping [M/N]'s face so his eyes were only focused on him. Dabi's blue eyes. They reminded [M/N] of an ocean, not the electric blue he sees in the mirror. They were beautiful.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I can... I can help you forget... Just for a little while." The man mumbles, tangling his hand in [M/N]'s hair.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

This isn't what he needs.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Please..." His voice trembles. "Make me forget..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It's not what he wants.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi peels his shirt off, leaning down and embracing [M/N] into a kiss. A kiss of passion for one, and a kiss of regret for the other.

[M/N] pulls on his jacket and puts on his shoes. He pauses at the door, looking back at Dabi's sleeping form.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He still remembers.

The next day, he stops by Dabi's apartment, knocking on the door. [M/N] wait's there for ten minutes. Nobody answers.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He tries again the next day. Nobody answers.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He goes back the day after. Dabi doesn't come to the door. [M/N] makes the decision to open the door himself, peering into the apartment. The place looks like it hasn't been touched since that day and his clothes are gone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi is gone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] wonders why he feels disappointed. Because Dabi is like a fleeting feather, never lingering in one place for too long after he gets what he wants. And [M/N] gave it so easily.

Five words that I've heard before

Notes:

i do what i want.
My Discord
https://discord.gg/DhFfTkTf

Chapter 28: Chapter Twenty Six

Notes:

theres a small surprise at the end! i hope everyone enjoys it, since im actually being cool this time lmao

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

'Cause you keep me on a rope, and tied a noose around my throat

"Aw, is little brother sad~?" [M/N] looks up, rubbing his red eyes. There, standing under one of the lightpoles, was a familiar girl with blonde buns in her hair. "Toga..." He mumbles, staring down at her with wide eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

She grins, skipping up to him and latching onto his arm. "Why are you so sad?" She asks with a pout, blush across her cheeks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Everything felt like a feverish mess with no end in sight.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] thought he'd learned his lesson from the first time. "I..." He begins, but the words refuse to leave his lips. Toga hummed, gripping his hand and dragging him away. "Come on!" She giggled. "Let's go to my favorite place!"

[M/N] looked up at the night sky and wonders if he's ever taken a moment to study the stars in this world. Would they be the same as his last one? Or would they be entirely different, proving just how out of place he truly was.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"This is my favorite spot in the wholeeee city!" Toga grins, spinning around on her heel with her arms out as she dances across the rooftop. She had led him to the top of an abandoned apartment building, leading him up to the roof where they currently were.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

She hopped up over the ledge of the building, sitting on it. Toga turned back to him with a grin, patting the spot beside her. [M/N] sighed, coming up to the spot and sitting down beside her. "I used to take my little brother up here all the time." She hummed, gripping his hand. "He used to tell me all about how he'd become this super awesome hero, and rescue me from danger..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He looked over at Toga, watching as she paused and suddenly shook her head. "Y'know!" She turned to him, wide eyes and speaking in a tone higher than the one from before. "You and me, we're alot alike!" She giggled, leaning against his shoulder. "...How?" He couldn't help but ask. "...We both have dead siblings?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Toga huffed, smiling. "I mean... We've both accepted our fates."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Huh?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"We both know we're not normal. We'll never be normal, no matter how many of those dumb people down there," She pointed to the people walking on the sidewalk below, "Tell us all about how we can be rescued, or we can... change! It's impossible... What do they know!?" She suddenly screamed, standing up and twirling around until she faced [M/N], with him looking up at her with wide eyes. "This isn't a nightmare you can wake up from..." She mumbled, coming back down to sit beside him. "It's who we are..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He turned his gaze up towards the twinkling night sky; it felt so peaceful.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"We're... Both prisoners, aren't we." He mumbled, eyes locked onto the stars.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Toga didn't say anything, she didn't have to. He knew what her answer was from the tightening of her grip.

"You all have your costumes, right?" [M/N] looked down at the box he was holding, then back up to Mr. Aizawa. "Yessir!" Mina grinned, jumping up slightly from beside him. "Speak clearly! It's 'yes, sir', Ashido." Aizawa scolded. "Yes, sir..." She pouted, clutching her costume box. "Make sure you mind your manners with the heroes at your internships. Now, go find which trains you'll be taking."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] bid Mina goodbye, with her giving him a quick hug, and went to board the train to Kyushu when a voice suddenly called out to him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N], can you hang back a minute?" It was Mr. Aizawa. As much as he didn't want to, he stopped in his tracks and turned around to face the teacher. "Yes?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mr. Aizawa rubbed the back of his neck, also looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. "That man from the day before..." [M/N]'s gaze wavered. He didn't want to talk about Dabi. As far as he was concerned, Dabi wasn't a part of his life anymore. He just wanted to forget. "Just... You know if you're in some kind of trouble... You can come to me or any other teacher." It wasn't as comforting as Mr. Aizawa probably thought it was, because he couldnt.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] would never trust another adult in his life.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yes. I know."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He spun on his heel, quickly leaving Mr. Aizawa behind. The last words he heard from the man were; "...Be safe..."

[M/N] boarded the train, looking around at the many people on board with him and tried to make himself as small as possible, hugging his jacket to him. He turned his gaze to the seats, trying to find an empty one when he spotted a familiar uniform; U.A.'s school uniform.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Attached to the uniform was the head of one of his classmates, Toko...Yami?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The boy seemed to notice his staring as he turned his head towards [M/N]. "...Hello." He said, coming up to the bird boy. "Hello." He replied, just as awkwardly. The silence seemed to stretch on until Tokoyami finally broke it. "You are... [M/N], right?" He nodded his head. "Tokoyami?" The bird-headed boy nodded back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It's... Nice to meet you. Are you also interning with Hawks?" [M/N] asked, feeling genuinely curious. "Yes. He's one of the top five heroes in the world, I believe we will learn a lot from him." Tokoyami replied, a shadow version of himself appearing beside his head with a thumbs up... What-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] must have stared at it for an uncomfortable amount of time because Tokoyami was starting to sweat nervously. "Sorry..." He turned his gaze away, looking down at the floor. "I... Haven't seen many quirks like yours before."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It's fine." He replied.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

They didn't talk much after that, only small comments here and there.

Hawks' agency is, well, if [M/N] could describe it in one word it would be; tall.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wasn't sure what exactly he would be expecting, maybe a small office building, but a skyscraper that was just as tall as - if not taller - the Empire State Building definitely wasn't on the list. "Hey!" A voice shouts. Both [M/N] and Tokoyami turn to the voice, sweatdropping as a man with red wings waved at them. Was that... Hawks? He comes walking up to them, red wings swaying slightly. "Are you the kids I'm supposed to intern?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] locked eyes with Tokoyami. "Uh... Yes?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Great!" He spun on his heel, walking towards the entrance of the building. "Follow me, kiddies."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Maybe he would have been better off interning with Nezu...

"Tokoyami-!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It's... Tsukuyomi."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah, sure, you can sit over there for a few minutes." Hawks pointed towards a red couch where some other people dressed in hero costumes were sitting. "And I'm..." An arm was slung around his shoulder, "Going to talk to Mono here!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Tokoyami sweatdropped, looking at them questioningly as Hawks steered him into another room. [M/N] supposed it was his office, considering there was a desk with a computer and a pile of paperwork. "So," Hawks went behind the desk, sitting down and pulling out a white bag, opening it and pulling out a container. "Do you like chicken?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Sure." [M/N] took the seat in front of Hawks' desk, watching him set out two pairs of chopsticks and open the container of chicken. "...Can I ask why you brought me in here...?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"To talk." Hawks hummed, breaking apart his chopsticks and putting a piece of chicken in his mouth. "That was mostly why I picked you and Tokoyami to intern. I'm not really all the interested in training you guys, y'know?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh." Was all he said. Hawks raised an eyebrow at the simple response. "Wow kid, you really are the definition of melancholic." He laughed. "I was expecting a tantrum, 'oh Hawks nooooo please intern me'!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] cracked his chopsticks apart, picking up a small piece of chicken. "...Well, I'm not exactly... Interested in becoming a hero. Toko- Tsukuyomi is the one who might really be disappointed..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Hm... So then, why go to a hero school?" To [M/N], Hawks didn't actually seem all the interested, but appearances could be deceiving. "It wasn't really a choice." He replied, giving the bare minimum. "I see. My next question, what happened at the USJ incident?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] paused, looking up from the chicken to Hawks in surprise. "I tried asking the school, but they haven't exactly been lenient." Hawks shrugged with a chuckle. "And what can I say, I'm curious about this... League of villains."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Perhaps Nezu was the better choice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Sorry, uh... I'm... Not exactly sure what I'm allowed to say."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Anything you can helps!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] wasn't sure what his goal was for finding out about the League of Villains. He could have gone to any news website and found out plenty of information from there, but then again, a first-hand eyewitness... He'll only tell Hawks the strict bare-minimum, only let him know enough to be satisfied.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] went on to explain Kurogiri and Shigaraki, a rough-draft of their superpowers and motive for targetting the USJ, leaving out the details about how exactly he knew them and giving a small rundown of the Nomu from what he remembered. "Well!" Hawks grinned, "This has really been an interesting conversation." Despite the fact he hardly looked interested at all.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Now... For my last question." He set the chopsticks down, the atmosphere in the room suddenly turning serious.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"For the life of me, I can't figure out why the Hero Commission is so interested in you!"

You're gone, then back at my door

Notes:

i love hawks so much even tho he's fat huehue. anyways, you guys like lori right? yall wanna see her grow as a character right? yall wanna see that dumbass whore fall in love with another toxic man right?

WELL. HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU. LORI NOW HAS HER OWN NONCANON (very noncanonical) SIDE STORY EXCLUSIVELY ON AO3! WANNA READ IT? WELL ITS ONLY A CLICK AWAY, SINCE ITS LITERALLY IN THE SAME SERIES AS THIS ONE. GO READ IT!

My Discord
https://discord.gg/YwzFNrck

Chapter 29: Chapter Twenty Seven

Notes:

i have no idea how to write tokoyami, bro is just so angsty and poetic (and hot but like im not a furry or anything-)

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

'Cause if you're gonna leave, better leave, better do it fast

[M/N] paused, looking at Hawks incredulously. "I... What?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hawks tilted his head back, chuckling and shrugging his shoulders. "Well, I was hoping you would know, but from the looks of things I suppose not. Man, imagine if you had actually gone with the Commission instead of that rat Nezu, we could have met a lot sooner." He laughed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] was still confused. What was the... Hero Commission? In the back of his head there was a voice whispering that he knew that word from somewhere but just couldn't remember. "Um... Could I ask a question?" Hawks shrugged, "Go ahead, kid. We're talking for a reason."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What- uh," He swallowed the lump in his throat. "What's... The Hero Commission?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hawks paused mid-bite, giving [M/N] an incredulous look as if he couldn't believe him. "You're kidding, right?" Hawks chuckled but was immediately silenced when [M/N] shook his head. "You really don't know?" He raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"The Hero Commission is the part of the Government that controls the Hero laws and ranking system, in short they're the people you answer to for when you mess up and they need to sweep something under the rug." Hawks laughed slightly at the end of his sentence. "Wait- why don't you know that? You go to a Hero school."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Because he's not from this world and doesn't know the laws or anything.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Sorry..." He mumbled, "I guess I don't pay very much attention..." Hawks thought didn't look satisfied with that answer. "Kid, that doesn't make any sense. You learn about the Hero Commission from the start of Kindergarten." [M/N] looks up from the table, locking eyes with Hawks; Hawks golden eyes that stare into his soul until he can't breathe and he's forcing out his next words.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I... Didn't go to Kindergarten."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Okay- Elementary."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He didn't go to that in this world either. Nothing made sense anymore, it was as if left was right and up was down and he didn't understand anything and God why were his eyes so hard to ignore-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hawks must have noticed his silence because his next words came in the most disbelieving words ever. "...Kid, did you have any previous education before Highschool?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] shrugged his shoulders. His previous education didn't matter anymore, nothing else mattered other than just trying to live another day; which he was finding was becoming exceedingly difficult. "Does it matter?" He asked, because in his mind, this conversation was pointless.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Mm... I suppose not." Hawks was giving [M/N] a look he didn't like, as if he knew more about [M/N] than he himself. "Anyways, we've been talking for quite a bit, you should head back to your friend and get settled in."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Right..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a knot forming in their stomach as they stood up from the table. The conversation with Hawks left them feeling even more out of place and disconnected from this world. As they walked away, they could feel Hawks' eyes on them, and it made them uneasy.

The next day was spent with Tokoyami and [M/N] chasing after Hawks through the crowded streets of the city, watching as he swiftly took down villains and saved innocent lives. Although [M/N] was content with just observing, Tokoyami was growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of hands-on experience.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"We are learning nothing." Tokoyami hissed to him as they ran after Hawks, both out of breath and tired from the constant running. "He doesn't want to teach us." [M/N] replied, skidding to a halt as Hawks stopped flying and descended upon another villain.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Unlike Tokoyami who was trying to do everything he possibly could, [M/N stayed back from the fight and the crowds.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Just the thought of being caught in that, the shoving and the grabbing and the touching, made him shiver.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Surprisingly, when Hawks was finished tying up the villain he came over to [M/N] instead of just flying away. "You alright, kid?" He asks with a hand on the back of his neck. "You look a bit sick."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looks into those golden eyes and pretends he's seeing Hawks and not somebody else.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm fine." He smiles.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

I'm fine, he lies.

That night, when the rest of the world had fallen asleep, [M/N] found himself standing atop the rooftop of the agency building. The temptation to take that last step off the edge was there, but he resisted. So many questions plagued his mind. Why was he still alive? Why did he suffer alone while everyone he cared for was taken from him? Why couldn't he move on?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Why..." he whispered into the empty night, but there was no reply. "Why did you kill her...but let me live?" In his darkest moments, [M/N] would dream of a reality where everything was just a figment of his imagination or a long-lasting coma. He would imagine himself waking up in a hospital room with a machine keeping him alive or in that room with the ghost of a man he wishes he could forget.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Why...why do you take everything from me and leave me with nothing?" he screamed, his fists shaking with rage. "What did I ever do to you?" His knees buckled, and his nails dug into the palm of his hand.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"All I ever wanted was to die, and you took even that away from me. You just keep taking and taking, and I have nothing left to give." Blood dripped through his fingers as his nails dug deeper. "You took everything that was mine. You locked me up, held me down, and forced me to give you everything I had. And you still want more?" His voice broke as he let out a wet sob. "I don't have anything left to give you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Jonah.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Chisaki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Lori.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He kept asking why, but the only response was silence. No one ever answered.

"Wow." Hawks whistles when he catches sight of [M/N]'s red eyes and dark bags. "Maybe you should stay here for today, kid. You're definitely not lookin' too hot right now."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And those golden eyes destroy any objection he could have given.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Yeah. Okay."

Except, he doesn't stay at the agency. [M/N] tried to sleep the day away, falling in and out of conciousness until he just couldn't close his eyes. It was almost seven P.M. when he decided to leave, Hawks and Tokoyami still hadn't arrived back yet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He found himself on a train, heading somewhere he wasn't sure but all [M/N] knew was that he needed a long walk; to anywhere, just not here.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As he stepped off the platform into some random city, there was a vibration in his pocket that he hadn't felt since that day in the bathroom. Shigaraki. Quickly pulling out the phone, fumbling slightly, he stared at the text written on it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Stay away from Hosu City.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Above him, there was the crackle of the train intercom, an automated voice speaking out; "Welcome to Hosu City Train Station, please make your way to the top of the stairs and-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] didn't find himself surprised, because that was exactly in line with his luck lately.

Hawks wasn't sure what exactly to think about his new little intern. He learned a lot about the boy just from their small talk. A lot of concerning things.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

So he did what any sane person would do, and looked him up in the public records database. What did he find, you may be asking?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Absolutely nothing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

No birth records, no place of residents, no social security, nothing. It's like he doesn't exist and the only way to knew he was real was if [M/N] was standing right in front of you. Perhaps that was why the Commission was so interested in him, a kid who doesn't exist in any network would be easy pickings.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And on to another point, the Commission asked Hawks to gather any information he could on the boy; which wasn't easy mind you, but, wow, talk about the embodiment of traumatized. How he wasn't in some kind of psych ward was beyond Hawks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He'd watched [M/N] that night, had followed him up to the roof and was fully prepared to watch the boy fall to his death (not that he'd actually let that happen). But then, he came to a shocking realization.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You locked me up, held me down and forced me to give you everything that was mine, and you still want more... I don't- I don't have anything else to give you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There was somebody else like him; and suddenly everything was different.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wonders when he does manage to bring [M/N] over to the HPSC, maybe they could be together more often. He contemplates over the boy all throughout the night, restlessly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It's been so long since he saw someone who understood.

Can't live a little longer sitting on your lap

Notes:

wow, this so could have been better. man, ive really been struggling these couple of weeks. im in the process of moving into a new house. also! i have some fun news! i'm currently working on my first professional novel (im growing up, sobs)! the story centers around a teenage boy who’s recovering from an attempted suicide that failed to kill him but did kill his girl friend, and his mom makes him go to a small town for a fresh start where he eventually finds better (bxb) relationships. to put many words shortly, its a novel about trust and heartbreak.

which also brings me to my next thing, i'm looking for beta-readers for my novel! if your interested then dm me or say so in the comments, so far i only have like two and a half chapters.
see you guys next time!
My Discord
https://discord.gg/7yhjXcX4

Chapter 30: Chapter Twenty Eight

Notes:

its my birthday *blushes*. well, technically my birthday was on wednesday, march 1st, but it still counts lmao. anyways, i have a fic recommendation! Overhaul the System by Bumbleblues on AO3. it's about a man being reborn into Overhaul's body, very interesting! 10/10 would definitely recommend.

enjoy this chapter!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

'Cause you know what you're doin' when you're comin' back

When he exits the train station, the sky is dark with little speckles of stars and the people are walking around without a care in the world, it looks normal. But, according to Shigaraki's message, it soon won't be.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] should have just stayed at the agency. This wasn't worth his life.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Just as he was about to turn around, go back to the station and take the next train back to Kyushu; it happened.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A terrifying screech that echoed throughout the entire city as people screamed; watching horrified at the numerous Nomus spreading into Hosu. [M/N] covers his ears, barely able to think as his ears ring and falling debris almost pushes him over.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He stands, looking up towards the crashing buildings and the Nomus and only one thought runs through his head at the sight; fuck.

It's all so loud, he can't hear anything above the screams of terror and the dying breaths of people around him. Ahead, there's a crying woman knelt over the body of a man; a man who's been sliced in half with only his upper torso remaining.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] nearly vomits at the sight, staggering backwards and running in the opposite direction; except he can't escape for right behind him was a little girl, blood pouring out of her missing arm as she stares right into his eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"H-Help... Me..." She cries, reaching out towards him. He wants to, god, he wants to. But he can't. He can't help anyone, not even himself. So, [M/N] does the only thing he knows how to do. He runs away, runs away and doesn't look back even as the words of that little girl calling out for help echo in his mind; for he is a horrible person.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Could he even be described as a person anymore?

He happens upon a sight that chills him to his core. Midoriya sprawled across the concrete ground, a man pressed against the side of the wall as blood seeps out of him, Iida's injured body lying still on the pavement as Todoroki stands over them all; engaged in a battle with a man with a katana in each hand.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M-[M/N]!" Midoriya shouts, struggling to stand up. "G-Get out of here!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But his legs refuse to move, almost as if [M/N] is frozen in place. The man with the katanas turns to [M/N] and looks at him with wide eyes. "You..." He rasps. "You were the one Shigaraki wanted..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shigaraki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Y-You know... Shigaraki?" He stammers out in confusion. Before [M/N] can understand anything, a giant flame was thrown towards him. "Stand back!" Todoroki shouted, moving closer to the man as [M/N] stumbled away, a knife flying past his head with a loud WOOSH!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Don't let him scratch you!" Todoroki yells out, still firing flames at the man. "If he ingests your blood, he can immobilize you!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] watched Todoroki blasts flames towards the man who dodged them at every turn. The dread in his body turned ice cold as the man got closer and closer to Todoroki. "Ice and flame..." He rasped. "I'd like to see you dodge..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A sword, pointed at Todoroki's abdomen.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...THIS...!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"NO!" He screamed, legs finally moving as he darted in front of Todoroki; gripping the katana in his hand. [M/N] cried out, eye twitching as the sword dug into his palm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The man grinned, sliding the sword out of [M/N]'s palm. Just as he was about to lick the blood off the sword, the blade was suddenly sliced in half and the man shoved away by Iida's armored leg; with a loud shout of, "RECIPRIAL... BURST...!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] hadn't even realized he stopped breathing until he released a sigh of relief. "Iida!" Midoriya shouts, "You got free?" Todoroki asked, a question [M/N] himself had been wondering; what was even going on? "Todoroki, Midoriya... [M/N], this has nothing to do with you three, and I apologize..." Despite being bent over in exhaustion, Iida managed to give all three of them a serious look.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I... I can't allow you three to bleed more than this!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It's no use trying to be reformed for appearance's sake." The man hissed, holding up the blade on the katana that was still attached. "A person's essence does not change so easily... You will never be anything but a fake who prioritizes his own selfish desires... You are a cancer to society that warps the idea of 'heroes', someone must set you straight!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You're an anachronistic fundamentalist..." Todoroki intervenes, glaring at the man. "Iida, don't listen to the logic of a murderer."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"No, he's right." Iida replies, looking like he's just a few seconds away from crying. "I have no right to call myself a hero..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"That's not true!" [M/N] says, surprising Iida and himself, but he doesn't let his eyes waver; staring deep into Iida's own. "I-It's not true... You were the one who got out of the USJ... And told All Might what was happening, you rescued all of us!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Iida doesn't reply, [M/N] doesn't think he can. The fighting resumes with [M/N] guarding the downed hero (he later found out his name was Native). The man rushes towards them, swords pointed out but Todoroki quickly shoves Iida behinda him; blasting his fire power and the villain jumps backwards.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I-Idiot!" Native grunts painfully, rolling onto his side so he can face them. "The Hero Killer is after me and that kid in the white armor, right? Don't fight back, it'd be better if you just ran away!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It doesn't look like he'll give me an opening to do that." Todoroki snaps back, still using his fire quirk on the Hero Killer. "Something clearly changed just now. He's flustered." The Hero Killer dashes to the right of Todoroki, who uses his ice power to force the man to dodge and keep away slightly. "There's an uncertain element of blood type, and he needs to get in close for it to work!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

That meant... If Iida hadn't destroyed his katana, [M/N] would have ended up like Midoriya and Native. It makes him wonder why Iida thought he didn't deserve to be called a hero.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Todoroki!" Iida shouts, "Can you regulate temperature?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm not used to it with my left yet. Why?!" Todoroki replies, still focused on keeping the Hero killer away. "Freeze my legs! Without plugging up the exhausts!" Todoroki turns to Iida, looking at him with confusion. The Hero Killer takes advantage of his distraction, throwing a knife towards Todoroki; but Iida quickly blocks it with his arm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Iida!" [M/N] and Midoriya shout at the same time. Todoroki kneels down protectively over Iida, using his ice on the boys legs while simultaneously using his fire to block the Hero Killer. While he's focused on Todoroki, Iida speeds towards him; using his legs to throw himself up towards the air and at the Hero Killer.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

At the same time, Midoriya's paralysis finally wears off; jumping towards the Hero Killer just as Iida had, both striking the Hero Killer in his face and back towards the concrete ground. But it's not enough...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Moments before losing unconciousness, the Hero Killer looks at [M/N] guarding Native, and pulls out his last knife; throwing it towards them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It's like time slows. [M/N] watches the knife sore towards them, and turns his gaze to Native. He doesn't even think twice, and jumps between them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]!" Someone screams.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He doesn't even feel it as the knife penetrates his shoulder blade.

He regains conciousness only a couple minutes later, and wakes to see he's been piggybacked on Todoroki. "Hello..." He mumbles, slightly delirious from the pain and possibly the blood loss. "[M/N]." Todoroki shifts his weight slightly to make him more comfortable. "Are you alright?" He asks.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looks over his shoulder slightly and at the gaping hole in it, then turns back to Todoroki. "Fine." He sighs, and rests his head on Todoroki's shoulder. "Can-." He coughs. "Can we... Go to a hospital...?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Of course."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looks ahead, and is slightly shocked to see Midoriya also piggybacking on someone; it's the hero he had protected earlier. Native. They seemed to be talking when Midoriya suddenly cries out as an old man kicks him in the face. That's something he'd never thought he'd see before.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"G-GRAN TORINO...!!" He shouts, groaning in pain. "I thought I told you to stay seated on the bullet train!" The old man, Gran Torino, scolds. "Who is that?" Todoroki asks. "The hero I'm interning with, Gran Torino. But... Why are you here..?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I was told to come here all of a sudden." Gran Torino replies, still fuming. "Well, I don't really know what's going on, but I'm glad you're okay."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"They're over here!" A feminine voice from a street down shouts. It was a couple of other heroes, coming towards them. "Endeavor told us there was a request for help here, but..." One of the heroes looks down at the bound Hero Killer and gasps. "H-Hey... Is that...?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Don't tell me... It's the hero killer?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Call the police, and an ambulance too!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] closes his eyes, desperately wanting to rest, at least for a couple minutes; when a sudden and loud screech halts everyone in their tracks. Before they even realized it, a winged Nomu had appeared, flying down in a split second-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And picks up [M/N] in it's claws.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Fuck..." He moans as they pick up speed, his legs dangling in the air and blood gushing out of his wounded shoulder. This is going to ruin my whole day he thinks, looking down at the horrified eyes back on the ground. Todoroki, Iida and Midoriya reaching out towards him even though he's too far gone. The other heroes yelling out for backup.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And the Hero Killer, who had used this moment of distraction to escape his bindings, eyes wide and angry as he licks the blood off of the cheek of the hero woman, using his quirk to descend the the winged Nomu, jumping up and raising his sword and stabbing the beast; bringing it crashing down.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You..." The Hero Killer stares down at [M/N], it's so intimidating and terrifying he can't even breath. "You don't even have a quirk... And risked your life to save that fake hero, even if it meant your death..." There's respect in his eyes, it's a respect [M/N] doesn't want nor does he deserve.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"This society overgrown with fake heroes... And the criminals who wave their power around idly..." He spins on his heel, facing the heroes. "...Should all be PURGED!" The sight is so magnificent he can't bring himself to look away, gaze locked onto the Hero Killer as he delivers his speech. "This is all..." He pulls his sword out of the Nomu, blood spraying everywhere, including onto [M/N]. "...To create a more just society."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] lets his head fall back, tired. He's so tired. It's all over, isn't it? That woman, crying over that man, she was probably dead. That little girl who begged him for help, she was most likely dead too. Was [M/N] next?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Was it horrible for him to hope he was?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The thought lingers in his mind, as he loses consciousness once again.

The third time he wakes up, he's in a hospital bed. Midoriya, Iida and Todoroki are in hospital beds beside him. They haven't woken up yet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Standing over him is Mr. Tsukauchi.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He takes one look at the man.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And rolls over on his side, falling back asleep.

And I don't wanna have another heart attack

Notes:

writing a voltron fanfic because i have no self control, *bites lip*

anyways, i hope yall enjoyed this chapter! the hero killer is such a complex guy, i wish we had more information about him :<. prom is around the corner! im out shopping for the glitteriest suit i can find, that shit needs to make me sparkle like a disco ball. i hope everyone enjoys their prom (if you have one lmao)

My Discord
https://discord.gg/yuzRnC24

Chapter 31: Chapter Twenty Nine

Notes:

above is some traditional art by yours truly. btw the words on his shoulder blade say "mine", in case you cant see it because of some SHITTY RESOLUTION

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Oh, I can't be your lover on a leash

[M/N] grimaced, moving his arm around slowly. "Good." The nurse said as she finished tying up his bandage. "Looks like motor control hasn't been affected, as long as you don't lift too many heavy things for a while, you'll be fine."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He nodded absentmindedly as the nurse walked away, tending to the other three boys with him. [M/N] locked eyes with Midoriya who gave him a nervous smile. He sighed, looking away and back to staring outside the window.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It was cold in the room they shared, and the hospital had taken his jacket (a jacket he had just bought, mind you). [M/N] would probably never see it again, that sucked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

After the nurse leaves, conversation finally begins in the quiet hospital room. "Were you able to sleep, Midoriya?" Iida asked. "No... Not really." Midoriya replied forlornly, before looking up at the ceiling in thought, "Thinking about it now, we did something amazing, huh?", Todoroki nodded, "Yeah..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He turned his attention towards [M/N], tilting his head. "[M/N]..." Todoroki began, "What were you doing in Hosu? You were dressed in casual clothes, so you couldn't have been patrolling..." [M/N] turned his gaze away from the window and locked eyes with Todoroki. Midoriya and Iida were also staring at him curiously.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I..." Needed to get away. "...Took the wrong train, I guess, and ended up in Hosu by accident." Todoroki hummed thoughtfully before turning back to Midoriya. "With my leg like this..." Midoriya grazed his bandaged calf, "He probably could've killed us if he'd wanted to..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] reached behind his back subconsciously, touching his bandaged shoulder. "Yeah..." Todoroki agreed, looking at his bruised arm. "We were obviously left alive on purpose." He turned to Iida. "You were amazing to have been able to face him after all the murderous intent directed at you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Iida grimaced, shaking his head. "No, that's not it. I..." He was promptly interrupted by the door sliding open.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh, are you wounded kids awake?" Gran Torino, the old man from the incident, came into the room alongside a hero he didn't recognize. "Gran Torino!" Midoriya exclaimed, smiling. "Kid, I've got a lot of complaints for you." Gran Torino scolded, coming up to the boy. "But before that, you've got a visitor."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A man dressed in a business suit with the head of a dog came into the room. "Hosu's chief of police, Kenji Tsuragamae." Gran Torino explained. Chief of police, [M/N] thought, looking at the man with tired eyes, this won't be good.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You must be the U.A. students who brought down the hero killer, woof."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Woof. [M/N] blushed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yes." Todoroki replied, standing up from his bed along with Iida. The dog-man looked over them all with an intense gaze. "Regarding the hero killer we arrested... He had fairly serious injuries, with burns and broken bones, and is retrieving treatment under strict guard. Woof."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked over at Midoriya, Todoroki and Iida. They had caused all that? [M/N] had arrived just when the fight was about to end, he hadn't been there see any of what the chief had told them...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

~~He tried to stamp down the part of him that was saying they could do that to him if they wanted to.~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Since you are U.A. students, I'm sure you already know that when superpowers were still becoming the norm, the police attached high importance to leadership and standards, and made sure quirks were not used as weapons. And then, the profession of "hero" emerged to fill that gap, woof."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] didn't like where this was leading. It was almost as if the man was saying they shouldn't have saved Native, and let the Hero Killer... He didn't want to think about it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"For an individual's use of force and power that can easily kill others--actions that normally would be appropriate to denounce--to be accepted officially is thanks to early heroes who followed the ethics and rules of the profession, woof."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

That didn't make any sense. Midoriya, Todoroki and Iida didn't do anything wrong. They were defending [M/N] and Native from the Hero Killer. Put in that position again... Would they be forced to just... Let someone die? All because of a law that prohibits quirk use for self defense?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"For uncertified individuals to cause injury with their quirks without specific instruction from their guardians or supervisors is a clear violation of the rules. The three of you, and the pro heroes Endeavor, Manual, and Gran Torino must receive strict punishment."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It seems Todoroki was just as confused as [M/N] from the way he stormed over to the chief. "Wait a minute." He scowled. "If Iida hadn't done anything, Native would have been killed. If Midoriya hadn't come, the two of them would have been killed. [M/N] took a knife in his shoulderblade, to save Native. Was it all for nothing? No one realized that the Hero Killer had appeared! Are you saying we should've followed the rules and watched people get murdered?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"W-Wait, Todoroki!" Midoriya fruitlessly tried to stop him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Are you saying that as long as it turns out all right, it's okay to bend the rules?" The chief calmly replied, expression unchanging. Todoroki however, did not take this very well. "Isn't it a heroes job to save people?" He glared at the chief. "That, is why you are not a full-fledged hero yet." The chief says monotonously. "Goodness, what are you being taught by U.A. and Endeavor, woof?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Todoroki bares his teeth, walking towards the man with clenched fists. "You dog-!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Stop it. He is absolutely right!" Iida yells, standing up. "Hang on a minute." Gran Torino stands in front of Todoroki, stopping the boy. "Hear him out until the end."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...That was the official opinion of the police." The dog continues, "And the punishment and such would only happen if this were all made public, woof. If this were made public, you would probably be applauded and praised by the people, but you would not be able to escape punishment."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He watched as understanding formed on the faces of his classmates, but... Something still didn't sit right with [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"On the other hand, this is a bit underhanded, but if it is not made public, the burn scars would support Endeavor being the hero who saved the day, and it would end there, woof. Thankfully, there were very few witnesses. Unfortunately, this would also mean no one would know about your good judgement or achievements. Which do you prefer?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looks over at his classmates. If they agreed, they would get neither the approval nor disproval of the citizens, making it as if the whole ordeal never happened. That was the safest option, but it still didn't sit right with [M/N]. They were saying that [M/N] took a knife in his shoulderblade for nothing. Iida injured both his arms for nothing. Midoriya's injuries, nothing. Todoroki, nothing. But, upholding the law? That's above everything.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Personally, I don't want to be the one to find fault with promising young ones because of one big mistake, woof." The chief smiled, giving a thumbs up despite his threatening demeanor just moments ago.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Iida walks over beside Todoroki, bowing deeply. "I am truly sorry..." He says. "Yeah, I-I'm... Sorry." Midoriya bows, alongside Todoroki. [M/N] sighs, disregarding the pain in his shoulder and stands up, bowing halfheartedly. "Sorry." He says curtly before sitting back down. The chief nods, happy with the arrangement.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Now that that's over with," Gran Torino turns to [M/N]. "Kid, you've got some people here to see you, follow me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] tilts his head in confusion, curious as to who would be here to see him.

"[M/N]!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hawks along with Tokoyami are standing in the hallway. Hawks grins, coming up to [M/N] swagger-like with his arms over his head before coming to a stop in front of him. Then promptly gripping his shoulders and shaking him. "What is wrong with you!?" He shouts, Tokoyami watching with a sweatdrop from the sidelines.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Do you know what it was like to come back to the agency and find you gone, only to get a phone call about how you encountered the Hero Killer and were in the HOSPITAL-!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hawks was shouting at him. [M/N] took deep breaths to try and calm himself but nothing was working. The panic was rising in his chest, making it hard to breath. He felt like he was going to be sick. "I-I'm sorry." He mumbled quietly, forcing the words out of his dry throat.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hawks paused, looking at the sheer terror in [M/N]'s eyes. "Shit." He muttered, stopping his shaking and pulling [M/N] into a hug. "Nevermind, kid. Just... I'm glad your okay."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] locked eyes with Tokoyami over Hawks shoulder. Tokoyami gave him a soft wave. Mustering the will, [M/N] give him a small fake smile, quickly dropping it once Tokoyami looked away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Gran Torino watched the exchange between Hawks and [M/N] curiously, making a mental note to talk to Toshinori later.

He has a dream that night.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

In front of him are three mirrors. Above him, the sky is red. Below him, the sky is blue.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

In the left, there's [M/N]; chained to a bed and clothed in a yellow summer dress, his legs are bruised and broken, a gag shoved grotesquely in his jaw.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

In the right, there's [M/N]; six years old as he sobs miserably, knees tucked into his legs with Lori beside him as their parents are laid and buried six feet into the ground.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

In the middle, there's [M/N]; as he is now. Weak and afraid.

Every other week, when you please

Notes:

some of you may have noticed, but theres been a theme going on with m/n and certain characters :>. those characters seem to think m/n is "exactly like them"... hmmmmmmmm...

MY DISCORD
discord.gg/nn3FGdrW

Chapter 32: Chapter Thirty

Notes:

I would like all you Dragon Age lovers out there to know that I have written a dragon age fic on my AO3 account hehe.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Oh, I can't be the kiss that you don't need

Toshinori couldn't stop the fear wracking through his body as he shakily took a bite of taiyaki. It was so terrifying to be sitting here, almost freezing him to his core.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Stop it. You're stronger than this.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He willed his hands to stop shaking. Toshinori would not show weakness.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"So..." The voice. The terrifying, terrifying voice spoke up. "How is U.A? Still the same as it was when I worked there?" Toshinori ignored the instinct to run away. Run far, far away. "Y-Yes, sir! It certainly hasn't changed much." He chuckled, covering his nervous stumble by taking another bite of taiyaki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Hm..." Gran Torino hummed, watching Toshinori... Menacingly. "What about the students?" He asked, voice strangely low. "O-Oh, uh..." Toshinori thought for a moment. "I... Suppose the students are doing okay. They're certainly... Powerful?" Toshinori ignored the fact he had trouble remembering, other than Midoriya, their names.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Toshinori." He flinched at Gran Torino's scolding tone. "You're a teacher now." The man took a sip of his drink. "Midoriya isn't your only student." Toshinori wanted to crumble under Gran Torino's intense gaze. "If you focus too much on him, you'll miss the children who really need you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

What's... That supposed to mean?

"[M/N]?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] turned his gaze away from the window to Iida, who stood beside his bed fidgeting with his fingers. "Can... Can I talk to you?" He asked, looking at [M/N] with eyes holding so much emotion for one boy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Sure."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Ignoring the curious glances from the other boys in the room, [M/N] followed Iida out and into the hallway. "I..." The boy began, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I think... I owe you an apology, [M/N]."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He paused, tilting his head in confusion as Iida stopped, standing a little ways away from him. "An... Apology?" Iida turned around, looking down at [M/N] with clenched fists. "I believe I may have misjudged you when we first met."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Huh.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"When you told me you were quirkless... I must admit, I thought it wasn't right for you to be in the hero course." Iida turned his gaze from the ground to [M/N]'s eyes. "But now..." He smiled. "I see I was wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Huh, he can't help but think. More like, he can't possibly fathom why Iida is having this conversation with him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Iida gave [M/N] a gentle smile. "Thank you... For what you did during the battle, I mean. I... I would be honored to be your friend." Iida must have taken his silence for something else. "Of course!" His face flushed, moving his body around in a robotic way. "I understand if you need some time to think about it! I'll leave you to your business!" There was so much wrong with that one sentence.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He watched as Iida left [M/N] alone in the hall, befuddled, confused and with a definite loss for words.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Huh."

"That sounds terrifying!" Mina cooed. [M/N] held the phone embarrassingly close to him, for fear someone would hear hear adoring words. "I'm so sorry that happened to you!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah... But, I'm fine now." He flexed his bandaged shoulder. "Midoriya, Iida and Todoroki were far worse off." [M/N] heard Mina gasp through the phone. "Which hospital are you in?" She asked. "Maybe I'll stop by for a visit! Would that make you happy?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Yes." He blushed. "B-But you don't have to do that... I'm fine."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There was a slight pause in the phone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Are you saying you're fine because you don't want to worry me, or are you actually fine fine." Mina's worried tone made [M/N] want to freeze and tell her how sorry he is for scaring her. "I-I'm... I'm fine... Sorry."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Why are you apologizing?" She laughed. "Tell you what, after you get out of the hospital, we can go and have that girls day we talked about during the sports festival! My treat, and you can invite whoever you want."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] sniffled, rubbing his eyes. God, he really was such a crybaby. "That sounds nice..." He smiled. "Great! I'll talk to you soon, yeah?" He hummed in acknowledgement, setting the phone back into its booth.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]!" He flinched, turning around as ~~Jonah~~ Midoriya walked towards him with a smile. "How have you been? I-I mean, with everything that has happened..." ~~Jonah~~ Midoriya nervously laughed, softly gripping [M/N]'s hand. "I'm fine..." It felt like he was repeating that a lot lately.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"That's good..." ~~Jonah~~ Midoriya let out a breath of relief. "So, um..." He blushed, "What, uh... What do you think about going on a d-date, after all this is over with?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Oh.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Uh..." [M/N] softly pulled his hand away from ~~Jonah~~ Midoriya. "Me and Mina, we kind of..." Jonah Midoriya's crestfallen expression made him stop in his tracks. He's not happy. He's angry. He's angry at [M/N]. [M/N] needs to fixitfixitfixit.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I-I mean," His hands shake slightly as his voice wavers. "I can just cancel my plans, we... We can have that date, if you really want it..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] truly is a horrible person.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

~~Jonah~~ Midoriya perks up. "Really? Thank you!" And wraps his arms around [M/N]s waist. "I'm... I'm really glad you decided to give this relationship a shot..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Was it really a relationship when [M/N] imagined Midoriya as someone else?

He entered back into the room with Midoriya, attracting the eyes of the other boys. "Oh, Iida!" Midoriya called. "Just a few minutes ago, Uraraka said-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Midoriya." Todoroki cut him off. "Iida just finished getting examined." Iida sat on his bed, silent for just a moment. "My... My left hand might have long-term damage..." He quietly told them. Long-term damage..? So Iida... He might never be able to use his hand again... Despite not knowing Iida very well, [M/N] felt pity for him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Both of my arms were pretty beat up, but it looks like the damage to my left arm was especially severe." Iida used his slightly-free hand to rub the cast of his other hand. "There was damage to my brachial plexus. But it just means that I'll have trouble moving my hand and fingers and experience some numbness." He looked at Midoriya with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Apparently there's a possibility that it can be healed with nerve transplant surgery."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Iida turned his eyes down to the floor, gaze darkening. "When I found the hero killer, I stopped being able to think... The first thing I should've done was tell Manual." Which probably would have saved [M/N] from getting a knife in his back. He quickly shoved that thought to the back of his head, it wasn't Iida's fault. "But I forgot in my anger... I hate him, but he spoke the truth..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya looked at his scarred fist, before turning his gaze to everyone in the room; especially [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Let's become stronger... Together."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Together.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

What does that even mean anymore?

The lie between your teeth, the cut that always bleeds

Notes:

Happy easter everyone! I for one know I certainly did. this is the one of the few days im allowed to get fat without anyone complaining. yknow, unlike most people who eat good food and pray to jesus for easter, i for one DRAW PEOPLE IN BONDAGE... WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON MY TUMBLR... WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN MY BIO.... anyway happy easter!
MY DISCORD
discord.gg/dQMwySFY

Chapter 33: Chapter Thirty One

Notes:

Remember that one chapter when Dabi and [m/n] did the naughty? Haha, yeah…. Good times... WELL NOW IT HAS AN ILLUSTRATION PROVIDED BY YOURS TRULY HUEHUE.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Pull the plug in September, I don't wanna die in June

[M/N] is the first to leave the hospital. His shoulder blade had healed quite quickly due to one of the nurses quirks and the doctor released him soon after. He gave his fellow classmates a small goodbye, resulting in a hug from Midoriya, and a small nod from Todoroki and Iida.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hawks was... Well, [M/N] supposed he was trying to be accommodating by giving [M/N] less work than Tokoyami. The thought was somewhat appreciated, but the more he worked the more he was distracted from recent events.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He spends most of his nights in Hawks' training room, pushing himself beyond his limits until his body forces him to into unconsciousness. It's the only way he manages to fall asleep.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Sleep is the last thing he wants, though. Right now, his worst enemy is what his mind conjures while [M/N] is unconscious.

Below [M/N], the sky is blue. Above him, the sky is red. In front of him are four mirrors.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Chisaki is standing in one of the mirrors.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Below [M/N], the sky is blue. Above him, the sky is red. In front of him are four mirrors.

Dabi is standing in one of the mirrors.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Below [M/N], the sky is blue. Above him, the sky is red. In front of him are four mirrors.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya is standing in one of the mirrors.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Below [M/N], the sky is blue. Above him, the sky is red. In front of him are four mirrors.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Jonah is standing in one of the mirrors.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It takes a moment for [M/N] to realize that there is only one mirror before him, and the figures within it are but mere reflections.

He stumbles to his feet, practically almost falling off the bed and slamming the bathroom door open before he sinked to the floor and threw up into the toilet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He retches, drool sliding out of his mouth as his stomach pushes out its contents, fingers flexing against the porcelain bowl with a deathly grip, shaking and gagging. A hand rests against his shoulder and he jerks, nausea immediately overtaking his mind and [M/N] rushes forward, vomiting once again as gloved hands bury into his hair, pulling it away from his face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...You can't keep it down, can you?" It's a shocking surprise to hear Hawks' voice. "You have the nightmares too, don't you..." There's pity in his voice, but also understanding. "You see them... The people who hurt you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] rubs his mouth, leaning back slightly and turning his head to stare at Hawks' with dead, emotionless eyes. The man gives him a smile with dead, emotionless eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Just like me."

Lori was... There were no words to describe her. She was beautiful. A force of nature. Kind. Smart. Always willing to lend a shoulder. She was just... Amazing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It had left a lot to be desired for her younger brother. He was small. Antisocial. Not as beautiful. Never as smart. Always just in second place.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He remembers their parents fighting, their hurtful words echoing in the walls. They should have just stuck with one child. Their money was stretched too thin. They made a mistake. And then Lori would always be there, holding him as she repeated her kind words. I love you. You'll always be my little brother. It'll all be okay.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] would be the first one to admit he always had a bit of envy for her, but those moments... [M/N]'s biggest flaw was how much he loved. He loved Lori too much.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

She was there when their parents died, lowered six feet into the ground never to be seen again, trying to understand why [M/N] loved them so much but failing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He was there when she started dating a man much too old for her, much too insane, trying to understand her reasons but failing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But it's fine, they had all the time in the world to understand each other.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Except, as it turns out, they don't have any time at all.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Because they're dead.

Bakugou wasn't one to be easily confused. After all, he excelled in most things, from academics to physical tests, and was even the top of his class in Middle School when it came to quirks. However, the one thing that did puzzle him was the language of human beings.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He was too prideful to ever admit it, but he never was good at determining thoughts and intentions. Bakugou was straightforward with everyone he met, and if he was straightforward with people; they should be straightforward back, right?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But that's not how it works. People spoke in hidden ways, ways that did not involve words.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He at least knew what it was to speak with action. When Bakugou yells at Deku, the little shit knows to stay away. When you ball your fists, you're angry. You laugh, you're happy. You cry, you're sad. People could lie of course, but unlike with words, he was great when it came to sniffing out liars. But when it comes to having a panic attack after being touched by someone; it leaves a person wondering what to do.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The first time Bakugou saw [M/N] break down into a panic attack after being touched by someone, he didn't even realize what had happened until later. But the signs became easier to recognize as time went on, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and guilt as he watched [M/N] sob and plead with Recovery Girl to stop touching him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

During the battle trials, in his anger after hearing how useless his teammate was going to be; he gripped the boys collar and threw him against one of the pillar. [M/N] just... Stopped moving, like he wasn't even aware of Bakugou anymore. He didn't dwell on it much in the moment, but afterwards...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And it wasn't the last time that happened.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou doesn't know what compelled him to stay back that day. Curiosity? Guilt? But he was there when [M/N] was talking to Mr. Aizawa. "You panicked when Recovery Girl tried to heal you." He shouldn't have been there, "Sobbing and pleading for us to stop touching you." Shouldn't have listened in on such a personal conversation, so why couldn't Bakugou leave.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He listens to [M/N] cry, and feels a heavy weight in his chest because; Oh, God. What kind of monster would do that to someone?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It wasn't your fault." He hears Aizawa tell him. "It wasn't your fault."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou had to force himself to leave after that, but it didn't matter. He had heard everything.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

At the USJ, he had kept a close eye on [M/N]. Something about the boy bothered him enough to watch him closely, but it wasn't a bad something, just... Fuck, it was something! And just like he guessed, as soon [M/N] saw something even remotely threatening (those D-rank villains weren’t even that much of a threat) he froze up, and just stopped.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His first thought was, what a fucking idiot, and his second was, he’s going to get himself killed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It didn’t make sense for Bakugou to be worried, that was the scary part. "What the fuck are you doing, you quirkless shit!?" He shouts, because that's all he seems to be good for, and drags him towards the exit. But the whispering, the quiet-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please let go, I'm sorry."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Is so distracting, he turns around ready to tell the boy to shut the fuck up; when he catches the sheer terrifying look on his face. And he can't even question [M/N] about it because he's fallen through the floor.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] was just... confusing. Everything about him, really.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Why did Bakugou ~~drag~~ invite him to lunch that day... Even he still doesn't know, except that his chest felt heavy after watching him punch Midoriya.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou wanted to know the truth about [M/N]. But what if the truth was actually horrifying and better left untouched? He didn't know.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And maybe it was better that way.

I'd like to start planning my funeral, I've got work to do

Notes:

MY DISCORD
https://discord.gg/dQMwySFY

Chapter 34: Chapter Thirty Two

Notes:

haha feelings go brrr. enjoy the chapter and be sure to look at the author notes!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Pull the plug, make it painless, I don't want a violent end, don't say that you'll always love me

"How are you feeling?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked up at Mr. Tsukauchi. "I'm..." He wasn't sure, to be honest. Mr. Tsukauchi had come to pick him up from Hawks' building; telling [M/N] that they had somewhere to go. "I'm fine..." He sighed. "Where are we going?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Well, we need to stop by the Psychiatric Hospital real quick for a case I'm working on. Then, I'll be dropping you off at U.A. Mr. Nezu has some things to discuss with you." The thing [M/N] had been trying to avoid. Nezu. "Oh..." He sighed. "Um, did- did he say what he wanted to talk about?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Afraid' not." Mr. Tsukauchi shook his head as they pulled up to a big Psychiatric hospital. Mr. Tsukauchi turned to him, looking at [M/N] with sincere eyes. "I know he can be tough to deal with... But I promise, we all have your well-being in mind."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

No matter how much he wanted to believe that, recent events have shown its just not true. Dabi didn't care. Chisaki didn't care. Nezu didn't care.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Lori didn't even take his feelings into account when she started dating that man.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Nobody seemed to care about him anymore. Not even himself.

"Wait here," Mr. Tsukauchi gestured to the waiting room. "This will only take a couple of minutes, promise."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The waiting room was white and almost barren of sound and people; the only noise coming from the vending machine and the clicking of the desk people's computers. The inside of the room smelled like bleach and medicine, it brought back memories of... That place.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

In hindsight, [M/N] probably should have just waited in the car, or at least brought something to entertain himself with.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Fishing out a quarter from his pocket, he put it into the vending machine and grabbed a water, taking it and sitting down in one of the less-than-comfortable chairs. Leaning against his fist, [M/N] resigned to waiting for Mr. Tsukauchi to get finished in boredom.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Just when he was about to fall asleep, someone rested their hand on his shoulder. Flinching forwards, he spun around; staring into heterochromatic eyes. "Oh..." He mumbled. "Hello... Todoroki." Said boys' melancholy face twitched slightly. "Hello, [M/N]... What are you doing here?" He asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh, uh... I'm here with my guardian, he's on a job, I think." Todoroki hummed, coming around to sit beside [M/N]. In his hands was a small bouquet of three flowers, somehow the flowers managed to look sad. "Are you here to see someone?" [M/N] softly asked, staring at the red flowers. "...Yes." Todoroki's lips twitched downwards.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The silence was almost excruciating, especially with Todoroki's intense posture. [M/N] looked up towards the clock, not even five minutes had passed by. "Um..." He began, voice wavering slightly. "Do you want to get out of here?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Todoroki turned to [M/N], confused. "Huh?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You just- you look like you need to get away." [M/N] flushed, fidgeting with his hands. "And um- I don't really want to be here either, so..." There was an unfamiliar heat in Todoroki's chest. It wasn't a scorching heat he was familiar with, but gentle... Almost like the warmth he used to feel from his mother's hugs.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Sure."

[M/N] picked up a magazine with a flaming hero on the cover. He looked so familiar, but [M/N] couldn't quite put his finger on it...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What are you doing?" [M/N] flinched slightly when a hand was placed on his shoulder, putting the magazine back in its place. "Nothing." He turned around, locking eyes with Todoroki. "Uh... What do you have there...?" He asked, looking at a white bag in the boys hand. "Snacks." Todoroki replied, lifting the bag to show [M/N]. "O-Oh." He couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of his mouth.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

They left the store, walking side by side; [M/N] would even dare to say their shoulders were touching. He couldn't help but think about the white-and-red haired boy, especially about his eyes. It was almost like looking into a mirror; because just like [M/N], Todoroki's eyes rimmed with loneliness.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Todoroki was... Weird, if a bit strange. He was the definition of a blank slate, which made it hard for [M/N] to figure out if he was enjoying himself or not.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Is everything okay?" Todoroki asks, raising an eyebrow when [M/N] flinches. He calms his beating heart, giving Todoroki a small smile. "Yeah. Are... Are you okay too?" He nods, heterochromatic eyes looking down at his milk candy. "Can I..." Todoroki licked his lips, looking nervous. "Can I ask... About your scars?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Oh.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Oh.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked at his wrists--his wrists that would never be the same again--and to Todoroki's scar across his eye. He didn't know Todoroki, but... Maybe he could get to, maybe they'd understand eachother, maybe they're the same. "...Alright." He mumbles softly, so softly that Todoroki had barely been able to pick it up. "Who... I... How did it happen?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] leaned backwards slightly, looking up towards the blue sky. Blue. Not red. Blue.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I... A man I trusted did this to me... He wouldn't let me leave, kept me in captivity... All because I resembled somebody else..." He turned his gaze towards Todoroki, locking eyes with him. "He said he loved me, that he was helping me, but..." His eyes drifted towards Todoroki's scar. "You don't do things like that... When you love someone."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Todoroki's hand reached up, grazing the scar across his eye. "I was supposed to be the one... His last bastion of hope to have the perfect child..." But something in his voice told [M/N] there was a missing piece in this story. "He said... He said it was better this way, he was helping me... He... He got rid of her..." Todoroki's gaze darkened significantly, hands visibly shaking as a cold sweat dripped down his back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"The things people will do..." [M/N] sighed, looking down at the concrete ground sorrily. "When they think they're helping..." He felt Todoroki move closer slightly, until their knees were barely grazing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I want..." His lips quivered. "I want- I want to be..." But the words wouldn't come out of his mouth. Fortunately, [M/N] understood. "Friends." He pitifully smiled.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Todoroki is...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A fingertip slowly pokes his own.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Kind of awkward...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He can feel a finger cross over his own.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...And a little lonely...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] pulls his hand away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...But I get the feeling...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He reaches back, gripping Todoroki's hand.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...He understands me...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And if he and Shouto shared a small (yet so, so big) bonding moment that day, it was nobody else's business.

"HOW DO YOU LOSE A CHILD?!" Sansa yelled into Naomasa's ear through the phone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I DON'T KNOW! I LEFT HIM IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR FIVE MINUTES AND NOW HE'S GONE!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"WAS HE A FLIGHT RISK!?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Shit." Naomasa cursed.

'Cause you know I'd bleed myself dry for you over and over again

Notes:

i have some AWESOME news for you guys. i actually made an animation of lori on youtube, which you guys can watch at this (link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTCH8E_I-y0, be sure to like it and to subscribe because i just might make more animations like this one! i defo recommend watching it in 1080p for the best experience.

there is also some even better news! i have a tiktok account dedicated to promoting my novel which will be coming out in a few months. you can check it out right (here) https://www.tiktok.com/@notoliverlewis
MY DISCORD
https://discord.gg/2qpG3Sdnhh

Chapter 35: Chapter Thirty Three

Notes:

i thought you guys deserved a treat since my last chapter for a while is next week. dont worry, yall will survive without me lmao. i also have an update on my novel! it has officially reached 18,000 words, and my goal is at least 40,000, so we're gettin there!

enjoy the chapter :>

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Doomsday is close at hand

"...Sorry." [M/N] mumbled, head down so he wouldn't have to look at Mina. "Are you sure?" She sounded sad. "I mean, it's no problem, we can go another day! It's just... You seemed really excited on the phone, so..." [M/N] shook his head, fiddling with his sleeves. "Well, ah... Midoriya wanted to go on a date... So, um, I told him I would reschedule my plans with you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Oh." Her voice was strangely low. "Midoriya, right, you two are dating..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He pushed open the door to the classroom, "Yeah... Dating." [M/N] sighed. Just as he was about to apologize once more, a bundle of green energy in the form of Midoriya came walking (more like running) towards him. "[M/N]!" Midoriya grinned with that lovestruck smile of his.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Uraraka was trailing behind him, except she didn't look happy like Midoriya, in fact... She almost looked angry; except, she didn't show it on her face. No. Her anger was evident by how she glared at [M/N] with her eyes. "I wanted to-." Midoriya was quickly cut off by a softspoken female voice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Um..." He turned his gaze towards a tall girl with her black hair tied up in a ponytail. What was her name... Yaoyorozu? "You... Um..." She blushed, holding out a jacket; his jacket. "You gave this to me... During the sports festival... I washed it, and sewed up the hole that was in it! So, um, here!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] tilted his head, taking the jacket from her. "Thanks..." He mumbled, heat rising to his cheeks as he put the jacket on, a familiar sense of comfort coming over him. Midoriya opened his mouth to speak when he was once again interrupted. "Everyone." The door slid open, revealing Mr. Aizawa's disheveled form. "In your seats, class is about to begin."

"Okay, I am here!" All Might began, standing in front of an area with various different pipes and machinery. "Anyway, we'll start now. Right. It's Hero Basic Training! Long time no see, boys and girls! How've you been?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] rubbed the back of his neck, standing beside Todoroki. There was something different about All Might, he just couldn't quite figure it out. Was it the way he carried himself? The tone of his voice? "For this time's hero basic training, since you've all just gotten back from your internships, we'll have some fun with a rescue training race!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Iida immediately raised his hand. "If we are doing rescue training, then shouldn't we do it at the USJ?" He asked. "That place is for training for disasters." All Might explained. "Do you remember what I said?" The man grinned. "That's right! I said 'race'!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Oh... Oh. The words finally click in [M/N]'s head.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"A dense area filled with factories laid out like an intricate labyrinth. You'll break up into four 5-person groups and go through the training one group at a time. When I send out a distress signal from somewhere inside, you'll start at once from the outskirts of the city! It's a race to see who will rescue me first!" All Might bellowed, but then quited his voice slightly; "Remember, try to keep the damage to a minimum, BUT OTHER THAN THAT! LETS BEGIN!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya, Iida, Ojiro and Mina were the first group to go. Though he wouldn't say it out loud, [M/N] hoped Mina would win. "Iida hasn't completely recovered yet, right?" One student said to their friend. "This group has everyone in the class with good mobility." Another replied.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hmm..." Yaoyorozu hummed. "Perhaps Midoriya is at a slight disadvantage..." Which wasn't entirely wrong, being the only one in the group who wasn't very agile. "That's true. Honestly, I'm still not sure how good he is."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] knew that Midoriya tended to injure himself when doing hero-work, which was a concern. If he kept up his bad habits, the long-term effects could be drastic. It was something Midoriya hadn't really taken into account.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Who do you think would win?" Kirishima asked his classmates. "I think Sero'll be first!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Kaminari shrugged his shoulders. "But Ojiro's there, too." He pointed out. "I think it'll be Ashido. She's really athletic. Those thighs could crush someone!" Mineta added, causing some of the students to groan or roll their eyes. "Deku will be last." Bakugou growled. "Even if he's injured, I still think it'll be Iida..." Uraraka smiled, Asui ribbiting in agreement.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s eyes never left the screen, not even for a moment. This exercise... Seemed fun.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Young [M/N]." He turned his head away from the screen to All Might, who gestured for [M/N] to follow him. "Would... You prefer to sit this exercise out?" All Might asked, resting a hand on [M/N]'s shoulder. "...Huh." He mumbled, confused.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm just thinking for your safety!" All Might assured. "Especially with your... Condition. The last exercise ended with you going to the infirmary for severe burns." All Might rubbed the back of his neck, sweatdropping. "I'd hate for you to get hurt again, young [M/N]."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Oh..." [M/N] looked down, feeling the excitement he felt earlier drain from his body. "Um... I guess?" Part of him wanted to say no, to tell All Might he was fine and he could handle this. And another part of him was terrified of what would happen if he went against such an imposing man. "Alright!" All Might patted his back, heading back towards the crowd of students.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Everyone, it's time to begin!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

With a pit in his chest, [M/N] clenched his fists and almost felt like throwing something at the man. He was frustrated and disappointed that he wouldn't be able to participate in the training with the rest of his classmates.

"...You havent gone yet." Todoroki pointed out, sitting down beside [M/N]. "Oh. You noticed." He answered dryly, burying his head in his arms. "Why?" Todoroki asked, to which [M/N] softly shook his head. "All Might thinks this exercise would be too dangerous for me, considering I'm quirkless."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

There was silence. [M/N] lifted his head slightly, peeking at Todoroki only to flinch back at the furious expression on the boys face. "That's stupid." Todoroki hissed, furrowing his eyebrows. "Who does he think he is to decide whether or not you can handle this exercise?" The words made the pit in his chest feel strange.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Todoroki looked back at [M/N], gaze softening slightly. "I... I think you would have done great." It brought a smile to his face, knowing Todoroki thought that.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

You're so kind, Todoroki.

Elsewhere, a man with staples was walking down an alley, having just got done at a certain bar. Touya couldn't help but wonder if he had done the wrong thing; leaving [M/N]. He deserved someone better than Touya, who would love him the way he deserved to be loved.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

One day, he hopes [M/N] will forgive him, and realize he was better off without Touya. Touya, who would only bring pain. Touya, who would hurt [M/N] far worse than he deserved.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Touya, who regrets the fact that he left without even saying goodbye.

I'll book the marching band to play as you speak

Notes:

aw, poor touya. bro is just hurtin all over again. thanks for reading!

My Discord
https://discord.gg/2qpG3Sdnhh

Chapter 36: Chapter Thirty Four

Notes:

Here is some AMAZING art that was sent by kp_blue on Discord!! Everyone, give them a round of applause for this bombass piece of art, i love it so much.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

I'll feel like throwing up

"It's nearly summer vacation," Mr. Aizawa announced to the class. "However, it wouldn't be wise to rest for the entire month." The room grew quiet as they all waited to hear what he had planned. "We will be holding a training camp in the woods during the break." The students erupted in cheers, raising their hands excitedly. "Let's test our courage!" Ashido exclaimed. "I want to see fireworks, ribbit," added Asui.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] couldn't remember the last time he had gone camping, maybe it was when his parents and Lori were still alive... And they were still a family. His heart felt heavy at the thought, but he tried to push it out of his mind and focus on the upcoming training camp.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"If we're going to be out in nature, we'll have to work under different conditions," Yaoyorozu mused, considering the challenges they might face. "But I'm looking forward to it!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I can't wait to see what kind of training we'll be doing!" Hagakure giggled, imagining the exciting possibilities.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"However," Mr. Aizawa interjected, activating his quirk and causing his eyes to turn a menacing red, "those who do not pass the final exam before the training camp... Will be in for a summer school hell."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The class erupted into chaos, some students cheering at the challenge while others groaned in despair.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Kirishima was one of the first to rally his classmates. "Come on, guys! We can do this if we work together! Let's give it our all!" He clenched his fist, and others in the class joined in, determined to pass the exam and take on the training camp.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou, on the other hand, grumbled under his breath. "This is ridiculous..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Classes started late that day as everyone strategized and planned different training regimes. [M/N] wondered if he should talk to Hitoshi about sparring again to prepare for the upcoming challenge. He knew that the training camp would be tough, and he wanted to make sure he was ready for anything that might come his way.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As the bell rang, [M/N] gathered up his things, ready to leave when Mr. Aizawa called out to him. "Wait a minute, [M/N]." Internally, he groaned at the thought of Mr. Aizawa trying to have another one of his conversations with him. Deep down, there was a sliver of [M/N] that appreciated it, but the other half... The other half was reminding him what happened the last times he had trusted adults.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You were marked down as excused during All Might's class," Mr. Aizawa said, holding a sheet of paper. "Did something happen?" [M/N] shifted nervously, his fingers fidgeting with the ends of his coat. "All Might, he... he thought it would be better for me to sit out the exercise since I don't have a quirk to help me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mr. Aizawa's silence was heavy, and [M/N] wondered if he had even heard him until he heard his teacher's voice again, laced with anger. "What." The cold tone made [M/N] flinch, and he couldn't bring himself to meet his teacher's gaze. "He thought it would be safer for me," [M/N] said, his voice small.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mr. Aizawa's anger boiled to the surface, and he swore under his breath, making [M/N] jump in surprise. "That son of a bitch," he muttered, clenching his fists.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mr. Aizawa's eyes turned a dark red, his quirk activated, and his arms crossed over his chest. [M/N] couldn't help but be a bit frightened, that was the first time he had ever seen his usually collected teacher swear. "He had no right to make that decision for you," Mr. Aizawa continued, his voice low and dangerous. "That's not how we do things at this school. You have just as much potential as any of the other students, quirk or no quirk."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a small weight in his chest at his teacher's words. It was warm, and welcoming.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'll talk to All Might about this," Mr. Aizawa said, his eyes returning to their usual color. "In the meantime, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something just because you don't have a quirk. You're just as capable as anyone else, and don't let anyone make you think otherwise."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] nodded, feeling his emotions tip over. He needed to get out of there, before he started crying again, he's been crying too much lately. "...Thank you..." He mumbled, walking out of the classroom with a lightness in his heart and a slight newfound confidence.

As soon as he caught sight of Midoriya, his rush of confidence dissipated. "[M/N]." Midoriya beamed, embracing him. "Hello, Midoriya." He sighed, extracting himself from the green-haired boy's arms. "You know you can call me Izuku, right?" Midoriya's expression fell. "We're dating, so there's no need for you to be so formal." He blushed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He felt the words "We need to break up" teetering on the edge of his tongue, but they just wouldn't come out. [M/N] tried to smile, but it felt fake and strained. "Yeah, sorry about that." He forced out. "I'll try to remember to call you Izuku from now on." [M/N] promised, though it was a half-hearted one.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"So, uh..." Midoriya felt his face heat up. "Do you... Um, do you want to come over?" He mumbled, face red. "To my place, I mean..." [M/N] really didn't want to, wasn't sure what he would do if he was trapped in a room with a boy so much like Jonah.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Sure."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But he truly was a weak person, wasn't he?

Midoriya led the way to his apartment, nervously fidgeting with the key in the lock. The apartment was small, but cozy, with a small living area, kitchen, and bedroom. Midoriya shuffled around the room, offering [M/N] a seat on the couch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"So, uh, do you want anything to drink?" Midoriya asked, rubbing the back of his neck. "I have water, juice, soda..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Water's fine, thanks," [M/N] replied quietly, taking a seat on the couch. He tried to calm his racing thoughts, but being in Midoriya's apartment made him uneasy. Memories of Jonah flooded his mind, making it hard to concentrate on the present moment.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya returned with a glass of water, handing it to [M/N] before taking a seat on the opposite end of the couch. There was an awkward silence between them, neither of them knowing what to say.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Do you want to see my room?" Midoriya asked, blushing. [M/N] shrugged his shoulders, nodding as Midoriya led him down the hallway into his room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya was practically the definition of a fanboy. His room was covered wall-to-wall with All Might posters and merchandise, even his bedsheet was All Might themed. "This is... Embarrassing." Midoriya muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Midoriya's room. "It's... Not that bad," he said, lips twitching upwards. "I mean, you're a big fan of All Might, right?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya nodded, looking down at his feet. "Yeah, he's my hero. He's the reason I became a hero in the first place." He smiled softly, looking up at [M/N]. "What about you? Who's your hero?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. He didn't really have a hero, not anymore. But he couldn't tell Midoriya that, not when the other boy was so passionate about All Might. "I don't really... I don't know," he said finally, shrugging his shoulders.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya's face fell a little, and [M/N] felt a twinge of guilt. "I mean, there are heroes I respect and admire," he quickly added. "But there's no one like All Might for me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya nodded, looking relieved. "Yeah, I get it. All Might's pretty special." He smiled, and the two of them sat down on his bed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...So..." Midoriya seemed to be looking everywhere aside from [M/N]. "Can I... Do- do you think I could..." He fidgeted with his fingers. "[M/N], can I kiss you?" Midoriya asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] froze. The question caught him off guard, and he didn't know how to respond. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts and emotions as flashes of his moment with Dabi replayed in his mind.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Um, Midoriya," he began, his voice shaking slightly. "I... Appreciate your feelings, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for that yet. I hope you understand."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya's face immediately fell. "Right... Right, s-sorry for asking..." [M/N] sighed, feeling a mix of relief and regret at the disappointment in Midoriya's eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The silence was back, but this time it was unbearable.

You'll sit and stare like a goddamn machine

Notes:

i gotta say, midoriya, ur really harshin my vibe ngl. welp, this is the last chapter until the 31st or some time around that. goodbye everyone! if you want to stay in contact or see updates about my trip, join my discord!
warning: me say bad words in discord. 13+

MY DISCORD
discord.gg/2qpG3Sdnhh

Chapter 37: Chapter Thirty Five

Notes:

hello everyone!!! man, it feels so good to be back. how have you guys been? ive been awesome. the tour of europe was amazing except that the people in paris were kinda dicks but aside from that it was all good lmao.

Chapter Text

I'd like to plan out my part in this, but you're such a narcissist

"Okay, that's it for class." Mr. Aizawa sighed, filing his papers. "There's only one week left until the final exams. You all are studying properly, right?" He asked. [M/N] made a point to ignore the mans stare, considering he had only placed eighth on the midterm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Keep in mind, the assessment won't be limited to a written examination. The practical portion carries just as much weight, so ensure that you're honing both your mental and physical abilities." Mr. Aizawa strode towards the door. "That's all for now." With a click, the door shut behind him, concluding the lesson.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I haven't studied at all..." Ashido sweatdropped, grinning nervously at [M/N]. "With the sports festival and the internship, there was no time to study!" Kaminari groaned, holding his head in his hands. "It's true that we had one event after another, but..." Tokoyami looked down at his midterm paper in shame, having placed at fourteen.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] wondered if the practical exam would be tough. Who would they be fighting? There had been rumours about robots, but since he had never taken the entrance exam, there was only a vague assumption to what the robots would be like.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I can understand how busy things have been, but we really need to start studying now," [M/N] spoke up, placing his hand softly on Mina's. "Yeah, your right." She sighed, gripping his hand, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Just imagine it! Roasting smores by the fire, telling stories, this training camp is going to be so fun!" Mina grinned. Her joy was infectuous, and [M/N] couldn't help the smile that came to his face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Hey, um..." Yaoyoruzu blushed, speaking up. "I may be able to be of assistance with the class lectures." She offered, to which Mina and Kaminari immediately shot up. "Yao-momo!" Mina smiled, "You're so sweet!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I... I can't be help at all with the practical, though..." Yaoyorozu glowered. [M/N] wondered what was causing her to be in such a mood.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]," Todoroki said, his voice low and measured. The boy turned his head, meeting Todoroki's heterochromatic gaze. "Would you... like to come over to my house to study?" he asked, his words slow and hesitant.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] was taken aback by the sudden invitation. "I..." He paused, feeling a heat rise in his chest. "Sure, that sounds great." [M/N] replied, a small smile forming on his lips.

[M/N] sat beside Hitoshi during lunch. "What do you think?" He asked. "Well..." Hitoshi hummed, taking a bite of his lunch. "I don't think I'll be much help with studying, and for the practical..." He paused, suddenly looking nervous. "Uh... I'm actually, um, busy during that time..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] raised an eyebrow at Hitoshi's sudden nervousness. "Right..." He sighed. "Mm, well, if you ever need help, just let me know," [M/N] said, giving Hitoshi a reassuring smile. "And don't worry about the practical, I'm sure we'll all do our best."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Hitoshi nodded, seeming to relax a bit. "Thanks, [M/N]," he said, returning the smile.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As they ate their lunch, [M/N] couldn't help but wonder what Hitoshi could possibly be busy with during the practical exam. He made a mental note to ask him about it later, but for now, he focused on enjoying his meal with his friend.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] couldn't help but smile at the thought. Hitoshi had become a close friend to him over the past few months, ever since that day he approached Hitoshi for help during the Sports Festival. He truly found himself caring for the purple-haired boy, in a way he hoped Hitoshi cared for [M/N] too.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Yes... [M/N] could say without a shadow of a doubt, he cared for Hitoshi...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There was an ache in the back of his mind, wondering if Hitoshi felt the same way.

Back in class, Mina seemed to be beaming with excitement. "What's got you in such a good mood?" [M/N] inquired curiously. Mina's grin grew wider as she bounced in her seat. "We're going to be battling robots for the practical exam! It's going to be a piece of cake, we can really let loose on them!" she exclaimed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Robots?" [M/N] furrowed his brow. "What kind of robots?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mina's eyes widened in surprise. "You don't remember? The ones from the entrance exam that were chasing us through the mock city! They were huge, and really fast!" she exclaimed, clearly taken aback by [M/N]'s lack of recollection.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] nodded, trying to play it off as if he remembered. "Oh, right. Those robots." He shrugged his shoulders, sighing. "Well, that doesn't sound too bad, I guess..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It doesn't matter if they're people or robots. They're the same if you beat 'em up, right?" Bakugou's gruff voice spoke up. "What're you idiots talking about it being a cinch for?" He glowered at Mina and [M/N]. "You're so mean, Bakugou!" Mina pouted. "If you need to control your quirk, then control it! Idiot!" Bakugou snapped.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It's not that simple, Bakugou," [M/N] interjected, trying to diffuse the tension.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou huffed, looking away. "Whatever. I'll just blast my way through them, like always." He crossed his arms, a smug look on his face. [M/N] couldn't help but feel a hint of admiration for Bakugou's confidence. Despite his abrasive personality, the boy was undeniably strong and capable.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Much stronger than [M/N], who couldn't stand the sight of blood.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oi, Deku." Bakugou suddenly growled, his words cut through the room like a knife. The tension in the room was palpable, and everyone held their breath. "I don't know if you've figured out how to use your quirk a little or what, but you seriously keep rubbing me the wrong way..." The explosive boy said with anger.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It was obvious to anyone in the room that Bakugou was talking about the training yesterday, how Midoriya moved around like Bakugou.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] observed the tense exchange between Bakugou and Midoriya with tense concern.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't need another half-assed result like at the Sports Festival." Bakugou's glare intensified. "At the upcoming finals, we'll get the individual scores, so we'll see who's better, whether you like it or not." He turned to Todoroki. "The same goes for you too!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou walked out of the classroom, slamming the door.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mina sighed, resting her cheek on the back of her hand. "Ignore him." She scoffed. "He's just angry because he thinks he's better than everyone else, but really I think he's just insec-." She paused, looking around the room. "[M/N]?" She called out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But the boy was nowhere to be found.

"What the fuck do you want?" Bakugou hissed, staring down at [M/N]. "I, um..." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I just... I wanted to see if you were okay..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou's eyes narrowed at [M/N], but he didn't immediately dismiss him. "Why wouldn't I be okay?" he growled. "Because, well...you seemed really angry earlier," [M/N] explained, trying to keep his voice steady. "I just... I wanted to check on you." He mumbled.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou's expression softened slightly, but only for a moment before his scowl returned. "I don't need anyone checking up on me, especially not a quirkless loser like you!" he snapped. "We're not friends, so just go away."

Not friends.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Wait, I-!" [M/N] reached his hand out, but Bakugou was quicker. He gripped [M/N]'s wrist, shoving him against the wall with his other hand around [M/N]'s neck as he went limp in Bakugou's arms; his head filled with cotton. The world around him just... Stopped, and [M/N] himself wasn't even aware.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Tch." Bakugou tsked. "You fold like a wet blanket any time someone touches you..." He growled. "People like you make me sick."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] struggled to meet Bakugou's eyes, his own wide with fear. "Let me go," he choked out. "Please, Jonah, let me go." [M/N]'s voice was no more than a whisper.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou hesitated for a moment before finally releasing [M/N]. He stepped back, his expression dark and unreadable. [M/N] stumbled back against the wall, gasping for air.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Who's Jonah?"

You'll probably do it next week

Chapter 38: Chapter Thirty Six

Notes:

whaddup guys. So this week has been really uneventful, i start my job again on monday so uhhhhh haha thats fun. anyways, yall play roblox? theres this game called Anime Highschool and i absolutely ADORE it. roleplay games are the best, its so fun.

enjoy this chapter!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

I don't get a choice in the matter

"Who's Jonah?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] struggled to meet Bakugou's eyes, his own wide with fear. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," he stuttered, trying to push past the explosive boy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou's frustration was palpable, his hands clenching into fists. "Don't bullshit me, [M/N]," he growled. "I saw the way you reacted when you said that name. Who the hell is Jonah?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I told you, I don't know," [M/N] insisted, taking a step back. He didn't want to talk about Jonah, didn't want to relive those memories.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Bakugou stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't lie to me," he spat. "Would you just forget about it!?" [M/N] snapped. Time seemed to freeze the moment Bakugou tightly grabbed [M/N]'s arm in a deathly strong grip, his expression twisting into an angry scowl. "You think I'm stupid? You're obviously hiding something and I'm getting sick of it!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Bakugou."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked over Bakugou's shoulder with teary eyes, staring dead into Todoroki's dark gaze. "Let him go." Todoroki's voice was cold with hostility. Bakugou snapped his head in Todoroki's direction. "...Whatever." He scoffed, letting go of [M/N]'s arm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He stormed away as Todoroki came up to [M/N], growling out curses along the way. "...Thank you." [M/N] mumbled, holding his arm tightly to his chest. Todoroki ignored his appreciation and addressed [M/N] directly. "Who is Jonah?" he asked firmly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] flinched, looking down at the ground. He didn't want to talk about it, didn't want to relive those memories. But the intensity in Todoroki's eyes made it clear that he wouldn't let it go.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I... I can't. I can't talk about it," [M/N] mumbled, his voice barely audible. "Please..." He reached his hand up, rubbing the tears from his eyes. "Please don't make me..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Todoroki's expression softened, and to [M/N]'s surprise; he reached his arms out and pulled the boy into a gentle hug. That was all it took for [M/N] to break.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm sorry." He whispered, voice choked and wet. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm sorry..."

The Todoroki estate was nothing short of magnificent, with its sprawling gardens, grandiose fountain, and immaculately manicured lawns. The traditional Japanese-style house stood tall and proud, its wooden architecture adorned with intricate carvings and paintings.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Wow." [M/N] stared wide-eyed at the traditional house in front of him. "My room is this way," Todoroki said, gesturing towards a set of sliding doors at the end of the hall. "Nobody should be home right now," he added, as if to reassure [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As they made their way to Todoroki's room, [M/N] couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the thought of living in such luxury. It was a far cry from the cramped, dingy apartment he'd grown up in. But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside, reminding himself how happy he was during those simpler times.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"This... Ah, this is my room..." Todoroki slid open the door to his room. [M/N] followed Todoroki inside, looking around at the simple yet elegant furnishings. The room was spacious, with tatami mats covering the floor and a low wooden table in the center. A futon was neatly folded in the corner of the room, and there was a closet along one of the walls.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It's nice," [M/N] said, looking around. "Very traditional."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Thank you..." Todoroki nodded, unrolling the futon and setting his bag down. "What subject would you like to study first?" He asked. "Uh, how about math?" [M/N] suggested, sitting down on the floor beside the futon. "I struggle with some of the formulas and equations."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Sure," Todoroki replied, taking out his notebook and flipping to a page on math. He began explaining a few concepts, and [M/N] listened intently, occasionally asking questions for clarification.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As they studied, [M/N] couldn't help but feel a sense of calmness wash over him. He was grateful for Todoroki's kindness and willingness to help him, despite everything that had happened between their classmates.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

After a few hours of studying, Todoroki checked the time. "It's getting late," he said, closing his notebook. "Would... Would you..." Todoroki gazed down at the floor. [M/N] could see his face turning red. "Would you like to stay?" He asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It was like a sense of Deja vu hit him.

"...Do you want to stay?"

It felt like a lifetime ago that Shigaraki had asked that same question.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"M/N?" Todoroki's voice brought him back to reality. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" [M/N] asked, snapping out of his thoughts.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I asked if you would like to stay here tonight," Todoroki repeated, his face still flushed red.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] hesitated for a moment, his mind going back to his time with Shigaraki. But then he looked back at Todoroki, who was watching him with a soft expression.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Okay," [M/N] said, offering a small smile. "I'd like that."

As [M/N] gazed upon Todoroki's sleeping form, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The way Todoroki's chest rose and fell with each breath was like the gentle ebb and flow of the ocean. It was as if he was in a trance, completely entranced by Todoroki's peaceful state.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The heat emanating from Todoroki's body was palpable, as if his very being was a source of warmth and comfort.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] couldn't resist reaching out to touch Todoroki's arm, the sensation of warmth spreading throughout his own body. Todoroki remained lost in slumber, completely unaware of [M/N]'s touch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The quiet ticking of the clock seemed to echo in the stillness of the room, punctuated only by the soft sound of Todoroki's breathing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

For a brief moment, [M/N] forgot about everything else. The world outside of this room, the problems that plagued him, all faded away. All that mattered was this moment, the two of them existing in this quiet, peaceful space.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...[M/N]." Todoroki's quiet solemn voice spoke up, startling said boy as he retracted his hand. Todoroki turned onto his side, heterochromatic eyes gazing into [M/N]'s own.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He could see the intensity of the other boy's eyes, the passion and the fire, all simmering just beneath the surface.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Todoroki," [M/N] replied softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The two boys stayed there in silence for a moment, just gazing into each other's eyes. The ticking of the clock and the soft sound of Todoroki's breathing filled the quiet space between them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Finally, Todoroki spoke again. "I like you," he said, his voice still quiet and solemn. Maybe it was hours, maybe it was minutes, before [M/N] could form a response.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...I'm sorry." Is the only thing he can say.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It didn't matter that Todoroki didn't mean those words in a romantic way; [M/N] couldn't handle it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Chisaki. Dabi. Midoriya. Shigaraki. Todoroki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Lori.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Maybe he really was following in her shoes...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shoes, grave, same thing; really.

Why would I? It's only the death of me

Notes:

MY DISCORD
https://discord.gg/2qpG3Sdnhh

Chapter 39: Chapter Thirty Seven

Notes:

i am so not ready for work tomorrowwwwwww sobs. anyways, i was playing anime high school a few days ago lmao. i was dressed as a banana trolling for a few hours then switched it up a bit and became a macaroni with a doodled face. man, roblox has gotten so stale lately, any of yall feel that way?

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Pull the plug but be careful, I don't wanna die too soon

"With the connection between the Hero Killer; Stain and the League of Villains, there is the possibility that the villains will be reinvigorated, huh?" Principal Nezu sighed, clasping his paws. "Of course, it would be better to prevent that before it begins, but as a school, it would be best to be completely certain." Snipe reasoned. "If we consider how fights against villains will continue to intensify in today's society, then combat training against robots is not practical. But, if we discontinue using them... The public may not agree with our reasons..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Aizawa hated meetings. He hated how people danced around the subject instead of outright saying it, and he hated how sensitive everyone was trying to be. It was time for action, not empty words and vague promises.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"The League of Villains is a threat, we all know that," Aizawa cut in, his voice sharp and to the point. "And we need to be prepared for them. Combat training against robots is not enough to prepare our students for real-life situations. We need to be more proactive in teaching them how to handle real villains. Let the people think what they want."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"We can't exactly do that now, can we?" Midnight sighed. "I understand why you want to change the exam, but having the students fight us in teams of two..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It was unfair, that Aizawa knew, which is exactly why is was perfect.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"The villains don't play fair, so neither can we," Aizawa replied, his tone unyielding. "This is a school for heroes, not daycare. The students need to be challenged and pushed to their limits if they're going to survive out there in the real world." His gaze turned to Nezu. "Principal Nezu, what do you think?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The rat hummed, crossing his arms. "Of course, I also agree with changing the practical exam. What should we do to keep the students from being in even more danger? The answer is simple... We must have the students themselves become stronger."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"That's true."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I have no objections."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Aizawa held up his sheet of paper, eyes scanning over the research he had compiled on the students. "Then, we need to determine the teams..." he trailed off, brow furrowing. "That... Also brings me to my next question. There's an extra student in my class, [M/N]." He glanced at Principal Nezu, who's eyes were gleaming far too much for Aizawa's liking. "If we put him in a team, it would have to be a team of three. Which, while there would normally be no issue with that, it might hold [M/N] back from finding out his full potential.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midnight let out a light sigh, her slender form slouching in her chair. "We've never had a quirkless student before," she mused, her voice low and contemplative. "There's not much of a protocol for this situation, is there?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The room was silent for a moment, until Nezu suddenly perked up, clapping his paws. "I have just the idea!" he exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across his face.

[M/N] suddenly sneezed, eliciting a concerned look from Todoroki. "Are you feeling well?" He asked. "Maybe I'm coming down with a cold..." [M/N] replied, shivering slightly. Todoroki hummed, looking down towards the floor. "Are you prepared for the pactical exam?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I think so." He smiled. Inwardly, [M/N] was shaking at the thought of battling robots, robots that he hasn't even seen before. Would they be like the ones during the Sports Festival? Giant and terrifying? He didn't know, because someone thought it would be a good idea for him to not take the entrance exam.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Todoroki could sense [M/N]'s anxiety and reached out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry too much about it. You've been training hard and I have faith in you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked up at Todoroki, grateful for his words of encouragement. "Thanks, Todoroki. It means a lot."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Todoroki nodded, a small smile gracing his lips. "Of course.

[M/N] was sure that if Midoriya wasn't there, Uraraka would have thrown that dumbbell right at him. "It's nice that the school has a gym open for students." Midoriya smiled. "...Right..." [M/N] sweatdropped, feeling Uraraka's glare penetrating his skin. He just couldn't figure out why. Why was she suddenly so angry at him? What did he do?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] mulled over that thought as he waited for Midoriya to exit the locker room so he could change. Her attitude just didn't make sense anymore, and to be honest, [M/N] was getting fed up with it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As soon as Midoriya left, he entered the room, quickly changing into the gym uniform. It was still far too revealing for his comfort. Never would he have willingly gone to a place such as this, with so many people, so many stares... not to mention he felt like unwelcome company, but as it shouldn't be a surprise; [M/N] has trouble saying 'no', especially to his 'partners.'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] sighed as he left the locker room, looking around the gym. He didn't know where to start, but he figured he could at least try to warm up. He walked towards the weights, picking up a set of dumbbells.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As he began to lift them, he couldn't help but feel self-conscious. He could feel the stares of the other students on him, and it made him want to hide. Uraraka was still on his mind, though. Maybe it was because he was quirkless, or maybe she just disliked his presence. But then, why would she have been so kind when they first met?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He needed to focus on the task at hand. He continued with his workout, feeling his muscles strain and burn. It was a good feeling, he thought. Pain reminded him that he was still...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Anyways. [M/N] distracted himself with the exercise, at least until Midoriya came over and ruined his concentration. "[M/N]." He grinned. "Hello, Midoriya." [M/N] tried to smile back. "I thought we agreed that you were going to call me Izuku from now on?" Midoriya sighed, reaching for [M/N]'s hand. "R-Right." He pulled his hand back, ignoring the hurt look on Midoriya's face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Suddenly, Uraraka came over to join them, a tense smile on her face. "Hey guys!" she exclaimed, trying to act casual. [M/N] could sense the tension in the air and it made him even more uncomfortable. He couldn't understand why Uraraka was so angry with him, and her fake niceness only made things worse.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He tried to focus on the exercise, pushing himself harder to take his mind off the awkwardness. As he lifted the weights, he felt a sudden pain in his arm and he winced, brow furrowing slightly. "Are you okay?" Midoriya asked, his eyes filled with concern. [M/N] forced a smile, trying to hide the pain. "Yeah, it's nothing," he said, even though he knew it wasn't true.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As the three of them continued with their exercise, [M/N] couldn't help but feel like an outsider. He didn't fit in with the other students, and he didn't have the same abilities as them. It was frustrating, and right now? He felt more alone than ever.

"You..." [M/N] paused, turning around only to come face to face with Uraraka. "Why... Why are you dating Midoriya?" She asked quietly, gaze staring hard into the floor.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

M/N] was taken aback by Uraraka's sudden question, and he stumbled over his words for a moment. "I- um... what do you mean?" he asked, trying to buy himself some time to think.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Please, don't play dumb," Uraraka said, her voice still quiet but with an edge to it. "I've seen the way he looks at you, and the way you look at him. He... He really likes you. Really, really likes you." [M/N] could feel his cheeks flushing red, and a knot of guilt form in his stomach. "I... we..." He stumbled over his words, not sure how to respond.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "Why... do you care?" He asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Uraraka's gaze flicked up to meet [M/N]'s, and he could see the hurt and frustration in her eyes. "Because I like him too," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've liked him for so long, and I thought... I thought maybe he felt the same way, but then you came along and... and I just don't understand."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt his heart sink at Uraraka's words. He also felt angry, at what? He didn't know. Himself..? Uraraka..?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I-I don't... I don't ignore him, and I don't yell at him, or hurt him, so why... Why does he want you?" Uraraka finally locked eyes with [M/N], those brown eyes sparkling with unshed tears, they almost reminded him of crystals. "Why does he want you... And not me?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He opened his mouth to say something, anything, to comfort her, but the words caught in his throat. How could he explain something he didn't fully understand himself?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't know," he finally managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know."

I think there's good in you somewhere, I'll hang on 'til the chaos is through

Notes:

oh, ochako, you poor soul. men are trash (except m/n hes baby).
anyways, how have you guys been? im havin fun. ill let you guys in on a little secret... once this book is finished im going to rewrite all of it :D. have you ever gone back on your chapters and realized how cringe they were? or how some of them had a lot more effort than recent ones? yeah, goin through that rn lmao. anywho see you guys next time!
ALSO I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT TACO SENSEI IS MY FAVORITE PERSON IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD AND I LOVE THEM. im in my simp phase
MY DISCORD
https://discord.gg/2qpG3Sdnhh

Chapter 40: Chapter Thirty Eight

Notes:

ALR YALL WE GOT FANART!!! THIS AMAZING ART BY THE FANTASTIC AND ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE CAL X CONS WHOS ACCOUNT YOU CAN CHECK OUT RIGHT HERE archiveofourown.org/users/Serf/profile. fuck. i love fanart so much, the people who do this are literally my favorite.
anyways, i have a story. so you know how i mentioned i was going to cincinnati pride since im gay? well my mom was talking to my brother about how i was going and he said it was "disgusting to watch those old men with their dicks hanging out" and then my mom said that he better be careful not to piss me off WELL TASK SUCCESSFULLY FAILED IM PISSED OFF LMAOOO.
can you believe some people? like damn. mind ur own business, little shit. im getting sidetracked lol i never wanted to be one of those authors who did long ass authors notes but man i just have a lot to say. i have so many projects that im working on, my YA novel, my other fantasy novel i havent shared the details about yet, the prequel to my YA novel, AND ON TOP OF ALL THOSE making a rewrite for this story that has yet to be finished.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

(that fanart is going on the top of the fridge i love you cal)

The death of me was so quiet

"You need to eat."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] slowly turned his attention from the window to the bowl and tray held in Kurono's hand, disgust and nausea curling in his stomach. He had been barely conscious when they had dragged him back to this white, sterile room and handcuffed him to the bed. And now Kurono was here, trying to force him to eat.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm not hungry," [M/N] replied weakly, his voice hoarse from the screams he had let out earlier during the day. He just wanted to curl up and die, to escape the constant pain and suffering. He didn't care about his body anymore. What was the point when he was already dead?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't care," Kurono replied, holding out the bowl. "If you don't eat, it will be harmful to your body."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I said no!" He shouted, smacking the bowl away. It clattered onto the floor, food spilling out and covering the once clean tiles. Kurono looked unsurprised, slowly standing up to pick up the bowl and placing it back on the tray, only to grab a small, white peach. He sat back down across from [M/N], quietly cutting into the peach. "I said... I'm not hungry." [M/N] hissed, feeling a lump form in his throat.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Kurono ignored him, opting to continue cutting the peach. "You are safe here," He finally spoke up. "And you have nowhere to go. We've given you clothes, food, anything you could want." Kurono held out a peach slice, and [M/N] stared at it with disdain. "All you have to do in return... Is be alive."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The anger that had been simmering beneath his skin for months suddenly came back full force.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I SAID NO!" He shouted, smacking the peach out of Kurono's hand. "WHO WANTS TO LIVE LIKE THIS?!" He yelled, tugging on his handcuffed wrist. "CHAINED UP LIKE A DOG, STUCK HERE WITH YOU!" The pain and anguish he had been feeling for so long came pouring out, and he couldn't stop it. "I WOULD RATHER BE DEAD!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] slumped back against the pillows, tears welling up in his eyes. He had lost everything that had ever mattered to him, his family, his freedom, his life.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Kurono's expression remained calm, almost bored, as he listened to [M/N]'s outburst. "I understand that this is not the life you wanted, but it is the life you have," he said, his voice low and steady.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] snorted, feeling bitter laughter bubble up in his throat. "Life... You call this a life? You're keeping me locked up like some kind of lab experiment! How am I supposed to live like this?" he spat, his eyes burning with anger. "Why... Why can't you just... Let me go?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Kurono's expression turned dark. "I'm sorry, but that's not possible," he said. "You're too valuable to us. And besides, you're already in too deep. You know too much."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The worst part; was that Kurono was right. He was trapped, chained to a life he didn't want, with no way out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Ironic.

"Who is that?" [M/N] stared down at a little girl with white hair, bandages covering her body. "Why- Why is she here?" He asked, eyeing Kurono frantically as he deposited the little girl into his arms. "Watch her." Was all Kurono said.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"W-Wait- Kurono I-I don't know what to do with children." [M/N] held the child awkwardly as Kurono left, ignoring [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked down at the little girl in his arms, feeling a mixture of confusion and anxiety. He had never been good with kids, let alone one who was injured and clearly in need of medical attention. As he studied her, he noticed the bandages covering her entire body, and wondered what had happened to her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He shifted awkwardly, trying to find a comfortable way to hold her. The girl looked up at him with wide, frightened eyes, and [M/N] couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. He knew what it was like to be scared and alone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He walked around the room, trying to think of what to do with her. He was no doctor, but he couldn't just leave her here. As he held her, he could feel her small body trembling with fear and pain, and it broke his heart.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Hey," he whispered softly, trying to soothe her. "It's okay. You're safe now." The girl didn't respond, but she seemed to relax a little in his arms. [M/N] continued to walk around the room, looking for anything that could help the little girl. But there was nothing. He was alone with her, and he didn't know what to do.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He sat down on the bed, holding the little girl close to him. He could feel her breathing, shallow and rapid. He didn't know how long he sat there, but eventually, he felt her body go limp in his arms. He panicked for a moment, thinking the worst, but then he saw that she had fallen asleep.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] sat there, holding the little girl, feeling her small body rise and fall with each breath. He didn't know what would happen to her, or to him, but for the moment, he didn't feel quite so alone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Until Chisaki entered the room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Give me the girl." He stated, holding out his arms. "W-What?" [M/N] stumbled over his words, holding the little girl tighter to his chest. "Give me the girl. I don't know why Kurono allowed her to touch you, but she shouldn't be."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"A-Allowed? What-?" [M/N] tried to make sense of it, but it seems as though Chisaki was only getting angrier by the second. "You are too pure to be touching her, now give her to me!" He raised his voice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with fear and confusion. He didn't want to let go of the little girl, but he also didn't want to anger Chisaki any further.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

With trembling hands, [M/N] reluctantly handed the little girl over to Chisaki. He watched in silence as Chisaki cradled her in his arms, muttering something under his breath that [M/N] couldn't quite make out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As Chisaki turned to leave, he shot a dark look back at [M/N]. "Don't touch her again," he warned, his voice low and menacing. Then he was gone, leaving [M/N] alone in the room once more.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

That was the last time he had seen that little girl.

Chisaki held [M/N] gently, as if one would hold a wounded animal. His hands moved over [M/N]'s body, tracing each scar with a tenderness that was unexpected. It was as if he were admiring a work of art, running his fingers over the contours and edges with a reverence that made [M/N] feel uncomfortable. He could feel Chisaki's breath on his skin, warm and moist, as the man leaned in closer.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"So lovely," Chisaki whispered, his voice barely audible. "So pure... It's a shame what they did to you." His fingers lingered on a particularly deep scar, and [M/N] winced at the touch. Chisaki seemed to take this as a sign of pleasure, and he leaned in even closer, his lips brushing against [M/N]'s neck.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N]'s heart raced as he felt Chisaki's hot breath on his skin. He tried to pull away, but Chisaki's grip on him was too strong. "Stop," [M/N] pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Please, just stop."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Chisaki seemed to ignore his plea, his hands now moving over [M/N]'s chest, caressing him in a way that made his skin crawl. [M/N] felt a sense of dread creeping over him as he realized what was happening. He was trapped, helpless, at the mercy of this man who seemed to take pleasure in his pain.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Finally, Chisaki pulled away, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You're beautiful," he said softly, his hand still resting on [M/N]'s chest. "Absolutely beautiful." [M/N] shuddered at the words, feeling violated and disgusted. He wanted nothing more than to be far away from Chisaki, to be free of his touch forever.

[M/N] stood next to Mina, their eyes fixed on the teachers gathered outside the building where they were supposed to take their Practical Exam. Mr. Aizawa let out a heavy sigh. "It's time to begin the Practical Exam. Of course, it's possible to fail this exam. If you want to go to the training camp, then don't make any stupid mistakes."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Do we really need this many teachers here..?" Mina mumbled, lightly bumping [M/N]'s elbow. "It's a bit... Much." He replied, nodding agreeingly. It did seem like overkill to have so many teachers present for this exam.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I expect that you all have gathered information ahead of time, and have some idea of what you will be doing-." Mr. Aizawa said before he was interrupted by Kaminari's excited voice. "We're fighting robot warriors like at the entrance exam, right!" He grinned, clearly excited at the prospect of fighting robots again. Mina clapped her hands, enthusiastically jumping up and down. "Fireworks! Curry! Test of Courage!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But their enthusiasm was short-lived as a familiar, grating voice piped up, making [M/N] shudder involuntarily. Principal Nezu popped out of Mr. Aizawa's scarf, grinning widely, "Too Bad! For various reasons, the exam will be different starting this time!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The rat climbed down Mr. Aizawa, dusting off his clothes. "From now on, we want to focus on person-to-person combat and hero work, and stress teaching that is closer to actual fighting." Nezu explained, his tone serious now that the students' attention was on him. The class exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what to expect.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"So..." The rat's smile grew wider, pointing a finger towards them. "We'll have you form teams of two to fight against one teacher!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a knot form in his stomach as he heard Principal Nezu's words. The idea of facing off against their own teachers in a combat scenario was daunting, to say the least. He could see the same worry etched on the faces of his classmates, as they nervously looked at each other, trying to silently convey their fears.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Against... the teachers?" [M/N] whispered, his voice barely above a breath. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his thoughts racing as he tried to comprehend the situation.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"In additon, the pairs and who each pair will be up against have already been decided." Mr. Aizawa explained. "These were determined at my discretion based on various factors, including fighting style, grades, and interpersonal relationships, so here they are; first, Todoroki and Yaoyorozu are one team, and you'll be fighting me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] tightly gripped Mina's hand for comfort, feeling the sweat dripping down his back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Midoriya and Bakugou are a team, and their opponent..." There was a loud booming sound as All Might landed in front of everyone. "The one you'll be facing... Is me!" All Might grinned, slowly standing up with his intimidating posture.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"And [M/N]..." Said boy jerked his head towards Mr. Aizawa, waiting for his next words with a heavy heart.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You... Will be fighting Ashido and Kaminari... On the villains side."

No friends and family allowed

Notes:

i had lots of fun at the pride festival, theres plent of pictures of it in my discord group lmao. i hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend, i know im very disappointed thats its already over. time sure flies by doesnt it?
kind of reminds me of the fact we're getting closer and closer to the ending of this book... ANYWAYS! have fun everyone, be gay, be happy, go cry about how im such an asshole for tormenting you guys, love ya!

MY DISCORD
https://discord.gg/2qpG3Sdnhh

Chapter 41: Chapter Thirty Nine

Notes:

IM BACK HOES. some of you may be wondering why my fic disappeared off the face of the earth for two weeks, wELL ALLOW ME TO ENLIGHTEN YOU. someone reported the book for harrassment, so it was hidden and was just recently unhidden.
yup. thats the whole story... *cough*

Chapter Text

Only my murderer, you, and the priest

[M/N]'s heart sank as he heard his assigned opponents.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He felt a pang of guilt as he looked at Mina's regretful expression. He really, really didn't want to fight her, and it must have shown on his face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Are you okay?" Mina whispered, noticing his tense body language. [M/N] forced a small smile, trying to appear confident. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's do our best."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But inside, his heart was breaking.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

How was he supposed to do this? How was he supposed to even think about hurting her?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] turned his gaze back to the teachers, and locked eyes with Principal Nezu, who was smiling as if today was the happiest day on earth.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Deep down, he knew the rat had something to do with this.

The thought of fighting against Mina made [M/N]'s chest hurt. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat, but it seemed to have lodged itself there. His mind raced as he tried to come up with a plan that wouldn't involve hurting her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He felt Mina give his hand a squeeze, and he looked at her. Her bright smile was still there, but her eyes held a hint of worry. "We can do this, [M/N]," she said softly, "Don't worry about it." Her words were meant to reassure him, but they only made him feel more anxious.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As the pairs and their opponents were announced, [M/N] could feel the sweat dripping down his back. He wanted to protest, to beg for a different opponent, but he knew it was no use. Mr. Aizawa had already made his decision, and it seems Nezu had a hand in it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

That fucking rat.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He turned to face Mina once more, taking a deep breath before speaking. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I don't want to hurt you." Mina's smile faltered for a moment before she gave him another squeeze. "We'll figure something out," she said, determination in her voice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] hoped she was right.

[M/N] stood next to Midoriya and Recovery Girl in the monitor room, his eyes fixed on the screens displaying the ongoing battles between students and teachers. The tension in the room was palpable, and [M/N] couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he watched his fellow classmates push themselves to their limits.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Recovery Girl let out a deep sigh. "Well, it looks like I'll have a lot of work today." Her frown deepened, and [M/N] couldn't help but feel sorry for her. He knew that many of his peers would be badly injured after their fights with the teachers.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Behind them, the sound of the door sliding open echoed in the room. "Oh!" It was Uraraka. "You're watching, too, Deku?" She asked, coming up to the green-haired boy. "Yeah," The boy smiled. "And so is [M/N]." Midoriya gestured to [M/N]; who was still staring intently at the monitor.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"We don't have many chances to see other students and the teachers fight. Besides, even if I wanted to talk about strategies..." Midoriya sweatdropped, clearly thinking back to when his teammate, Bakugou, brushed him off. "Right..." Uraraka nodded. "Well... For me... It's like there's no point trying to talk to Aoyama..." She grimaced.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a pang of sympathy for Uraraka and Midoriya. He knew how frustrating it could be to deal with someone who wasn't interested in listening or cooperating, considering he had also been paired up with Bakugou. But his thoughts quickly turned back to the upcoming fights. He couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had settled in his stomach because; oh, God. He was fighting his best friend.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

And Kaminari, but [M/N] didn't really care for him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"That's why I thought I'd try to use everyone else's fights for reference..." Uraraka stared up at the monitor with a frown. They were supposed to pass this exam with any means possible... It almost seemed like Nezu wanted [M/N] to hurt his classmates... But why?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

On the monitor, Sato and Kirishima's exam was finally beginning. It seems they were fighting against Cementoss.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"By the way," Midoriya turned to [M/N]. "[M/N], I wonder why you're on the villains team and not on the heroes..." He mused, tilting his head. "There is an odd number of students... But I would have thought they would have put you on a three person team..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] shrugged his shoulders. "Something tells me... This was purposeful."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Mmm, that could be it," Recovery Girl chimed in, her eyes still fixed on the monitors. "Principal Nezu is a tricky one, after all. He could have his own reasons for putting [M/N] on the villains team."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A knot formed in [M/N]'s stomach as he thought about facing off against Mina. Dammit. He couldn't shake off the feeling that Principal Nezu had intentionally put him in a difficult position, and the thought made him uneasy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya flinched when he heard the sound of a door slamming closed. "[M/N?" He mumbled.

"Hey..." Mina softly smiled, sitting beside [M/N] on the floor; who had his knees tucked up to his chest. "Are you doing alright?" She asked, trying to be sympathetic, but [M/N] had a feeling he knew the answer. "I..." His voice cracked slightly as he lifted his head, staring down at Mina. "I don't want to fight you..." [M/N]'s voice was quiet, barely even heard.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mina's expression softened as she reached out to place a hand on [M/N]'s shoulder. "I know," she said gently, "but we have to do our best, even if it means fighting each other."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the situation on his shoulders. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off about the whole exam, and the fact that he was pitted against his friend made it all the more difficult.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I just wish it didn't have to be like this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mina leaned in closer, her hand still resting on [M/N]'s shoulder. "I know," she said, "but we're both heroes-in-training. We have to be prepared for anything."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] nodded, taking comfort in Mina's words. He knew she was right, but it didn't make the situation any easier.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N], I..." Said boy turned back towards Mina, who shifted slightly so she was sitting on her knees and eye-level to [M/N]. "J-Just... Let me know if I make you uncomfortable..." He watched as Mina reached her hand out, caressing his cheek and leaning closer; and then, planting a gentle kiss on his lips.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt his heart skip a beat as Mina's lips pressed against his own. He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth and softness of her touch. It left him breathless. That kiss was different from Jonah's and Chisaki's, it came from someone he actually loved. That made all the difference in the world.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

When Mina pulled away, she looked at him with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked, her hand still resting on his cheek. "I-I'm sorry..." She suddenly laughed, resting her forehead against his shoulder. "That was a bit weird... Wasn't it..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] nodded, unable to find his voice. He felt a mix of emotions swirling inside him – fear, excitement, and a deep longing for Mina. He wanted to tell her everything, to confess his feelings and beg her not to fight him, but the words stuck in his throat.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm sorry," he finally managed to say. "I don't know what's going on with me."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mina smiled gently. "It's okay," she said. "We're in this together, remember? Whatever happens, I've got your back."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a surge of gratitude and love for Mina. He knew he could trust her completely, and that gave him the courage to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

[M/N] walked around the mock factory, trying to think of a strategy for the upcoming battle. His mind kept going back to the fact that he was facing off against his friends, especially Mina. He couldn't bear the thought of hurting her or making her hate him, she was one of his few real friends.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As he walked, he saw a large crane machine in the corner of the factory. A sudden idea struck him, and he walked over to it, his heart pounding with excitement and nerves.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He climbed into the cab of the crane and peered out at the factory floor. His fingers trembled as he started the machine, knowing that his plan to take out his friends was necessary but unsettling. Down below, he spotted Mina and Kaminari entering the area, searching for him. He had to act fast.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He activated the crane's controls and began swinging the large metal arm around, smashing into walls and machinery, causing debris to rain down on the two unsuspecting heroes. Mina and Kaminari quickly realized they were under attack and dodged as best they could, but the debris kept coming, forcing them to take cover.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a sense of guilt wash over him as he saw the fear and confusion on their faces. He knew what he was doing was wrong, but he couldn't bear the thought of hurting Mina with his own hands. But, maybe a crane was even worse.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He continued to wreak havoc on the factory, smashing walls and machinery, all the while trying to keep his focus on his plan. He knew that if he could just cause enough destruction, he could distract Mina and Kaminari long enough until the time ran out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As he swung the crane arm around, he felt a sudden jolt as it collided with a large piece of machinery. The force of the impact caused the crane to sway, and [M/N] struggled to regain control.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The crane arm slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave through the factory. Mina and Kaminari were thrown off their feet, and [M/N] felt a wave of horror wash over him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Finally, the timer of the exam sounded off, and everything went quiet. Mina and Kaminari were lying on the ground, battered and bruised. He had won...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The silence that followed the end of the exam was deafening, and [M/N] couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Oh, God. Was Mina Hurt?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He climbed down from the crane, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. But he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that was gnawing at his heart. He knew that he had hurt Mina, and he didn't know if he could live with that.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As he walked towards her, he felt a sense of dread creeping up on him. He didn't know how she would react, but he knew that it wouldn't be good.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]!" Ashido grinned as he came up to them, there were bruises littering her arms and a small cut across her cheek. "You did awesome." She smiled, and wrapped her arms around him in a loose hug.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

She's bleeding.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

She was lying.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He couldn't bring himself to look at her, afraid of the disappointment and anger that he would see in her eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Kaminari appeared next to Ashido, looking surprisingly somber. "You really surprised us with that crane. I didn't think you had it in you." He said, his voice quiet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] just shrugged, not really caring about what Kaminari thought of him. All he could think about was the fact that he had hurt Mina, and that she might never forgive him for it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It was just an exam, a small voice inside his head said. She understands.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

That voice was a liar too. Everyone he comes into contact with always ends up being a liar.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Including himself.

Who told you to go to hell

Chapter 42: Chapter Fourty

Chapter Text

And the funny thing is I would've married you

"[M/N]!" That annoying bundle of energy called Midoriya came bounding up to him, and before he could react, wrapped his arms tightly around [M/N]. "You did great in the exams." The boy smiled, his green eyes staring up into [M/N]'s own. "I knew you would... You had the perfect plan."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shut up, he wanted to yell. I don't care about you or your feelings, you're fucking chaos and I just can't seem to get rid of you.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Thanks," he muttered, hoping Midoriya would take the hint and leave him alone. As Midoriya chattered on, [M/N] could feel his resolve breaking little by little. Midoriya's words seemed to be closing in on him, and he felt like he was suffocating. He tried to tune out the chatter, but the noise was starting to become overwhelming.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"It's just..." Midoriya stuttered, his face red. "Even though you have no quirk, and you still managed to win the exam... I think you're amazing-!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Will you shut up?!" [M/N] snapped, watching as Midoriya recoiled in shock hurt and confusion etched on his face. There was a gasp from the other side of the room. Uraraka was standing there with her hand over her mouth, as well as Yaoyorozu, Asui and Iida who all looked shocked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I-I'm sorry," Midoriya stammered, his eyes downcast. "I didn't mean to-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Every time I am with you I. Am. Suffocating! Will you please just leave me alone for one goddamn second..." [M/N] scowled, turning away from the group and storming out of the room.

He just wanted to be back home, with Lori. Not in this stupid school, with stupid classmates.

Or stupid teachers...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Apparently," Mr. Aizawa slides down the wall to sit beside [M/N], who was staring blankly at the floor with his knees tucked up to his chin. "You made Midoriya cry, according to your classmates."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Home feels so far away now.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"If your relationship with Midoriya is built on lies and guilt instead of trust and care," Aizawa says, his voice low and serious, "then at some point, both of you are going to break." He looks at [M/N] with an expression of deep concern.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The only thing [M/N] can do is hunch deeper into his body.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You're broken, Lori... But I can fix you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm not saying that you have to be friends with Midoriya," Aizawa continues, "but you need to find a way to address your feelings towards him. Ignoring it won't make it go away. It will only fester and create more problems."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] nods slowly, but he still doesn't know what to do. He just wants to go home and forget about all of this. But, as everyone loves to remind him, he can't keep running away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Theres a hand rubbing his shoulder comfortingly, but it feels gross and perverse. "And... It wasn't my idea to put you against Ashido." Aizawa suddenly says, his tone apologetic. "But sometimes, in order to become a better hero, we have to face challenges that are beyond our control."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...If it wasn't your idea... then whose was it?" [M/N] rasped, furrowing his eyebrows in anger. "Who do you think?" Aizawa scowled. "Principal Nezu's always has his paws in everything. It's... I don't know why he has an obsession with you, but he does..." Mr. Aizawa squeezed his shoulder.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N]'s anger grew at the mention of Principal Nezu's involvement. "That rat," he muttered under his breath. Of, fucking, course. He nodded, feeling a sense of unease settling in his stomach. "Thanks for letting me know..." [M/N] muttered.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Aizawa gave him another gentle squeeze on the shoulder before leaving, letting [M/N] know he was free to join back with the class whenever.

The next person who came to visit [M/N]'s little club of loneliness was, surprisingly, Yaoyorozu who approached him hesitantly. "Hello..." She mumbled. "W-Would... Um, would you like to come join Todoroki and I?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] looked up at her, surprised by the offer. He had never really talked to Yaoyorozu before, but he knew her reputation as one of the top students in the class, and she had been kind enough to give him his jacket back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Y-You don't have to!" She quickly clarified, waving her hands around. "But, I-I just thought, you would like a distraction... From recent events..." Yaoyorozu grimaced.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] was taken aback by the unexpected invitation. He... appreciated the gesture, but at the same time, [M/N] wasn't sure if he was really in the mood to deal with anymore drama, especially if that drama involved Midoriya.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

~~(...He needs to apologize, it wasn't Midoriya's fault...)~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I... I appreciate the offer," [M/N] replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't want to intrude."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Yaoyorozu smiled softly. "You wouldn't be intruding. We would be happy to have you join us."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] hesitated for a moment longer, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. "...Sure..." He finally relented, standing up. "T-Thats great!" Yaoyorozu blushed, "Todoroki and I are watching the other exams and taking notes!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He followed Yaoyorozu down the hallway towards the exam room. She had a warmth about her that was comforting, almost like Mina... He wondered how Mina was doing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The moment they entered the room, [M/N] immediately noticed the stares. Uraraka and Tsuyu were whispering something to each other, Iida kept glancing at [M/N] with a conflicted look, and Midoriya was standing off to the side, deep in thought with his arms wrapped around his body. Mina and Kaminari were nowhere to be found, most likely in the infirmary.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a pang of loneliness and sadness, wishing he could just disappear from their sight. He missed Mina's cheerful presence, and her jokes, and her warm comforting words...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He would have given anything for one of her hugs right now...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Something tall stepped in his way, blocking [M/N]'s view of his classmates. Looking up, it turned out to be Todoroki. "Don't worry about what they're saying..." He said quietly, gently turning [M/N] towards the screen. "Just focus on the matches..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] slowly nodded, feeling a heat rise to his face. Despite what anyone said or thought, Todoroki was kind.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I agree." Yaoyorozu nodded, standing beside Todoroki to block his classmates. "Whatever is happening between you and Midoriya... It's not our business." She furrowed his eyebrows.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I... Thank you..." [M/N] replied, feeling a small sense of gratitude wash over him. He wasn't ready to face the judgment and whispers of his classmates, not when he was still trying to figure things out himself.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Todoroki gave him a small smile before turning back to the screen, and [M/N] felt a strange sense of gratitude towards the two of them. It was a small gesture, but it made all the difference in the world to him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

On the screen, Jirou and Kouda were facing off against Mr. Hizashi. Kouda used his quirk to draw the bugs from the ground and in the air to Mr. Hizashi, covering him in them. That was... A bit gross, to be honest.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] couldn't help but feel a little uneasy as he watched the bugs crawl all over Mr. Hizashi's body. He glanced over at Yaoyorozu and noticed a slight grimace on her face. He couldn't blame her, it wasn't exactly a pleasant sight to watch.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He wondered who's match was going to be next.

Bakugou watched [M/N] storm out of the room, slamming the door behind him. And, if he was being honest (which he always is, don't even say what you're thinking you dumb fuck), Bakugou wasn't surprised.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't... I don't understand why he would yell at me like that." Midoriya was looking down at ground all pitiful and weak-like while Pink Cheeks rubbed his shoulder. It was fucking pathetic.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Tch." Bakugou scoffed, loud enough for Midoriya to turn his head towards him. "Maybe he was tired of you putting him on that fucking pedestal all the damn time." He growled, turning back towards the door and watching as Ponytail followed [M/N] out of the room.

If you'd have stuck around

Chapter 43: Chapter Fourty One

Notes:

THREE CHAPTERS, YALL BETTER ENJOY THESE LMAO.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

I feel more free than I have in years

[M/N] watched on the giant screen as Hagakure and Shoji faced against Snipe, who was firing bullets and them rapidly. They were hiding behind one of the giant pillars, talking to each other. It was unfortunate that the screen couldn't play sound, [M/N] was curious as to how they were planning to escape the situation.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He was surprised when Snipe threw a smoke bomb towards them, filling the entire arena with smoke. But they had used it to their advantage with Shoji acting as a distraction and Hagakure launching herself towards Snipe, putting the handcuffs on him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Are you doing alright?" Yaoyorozu asked, turning towards [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] turned to look at Yaoyorozu and gave her a small smile. "Yeah, I'm doing okay," he replied. "Thanks for inviting me to watch the matches with you guys."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Yaoyorozu nodded, her expression softening. "Of course, we're all classmates here," she said. "We should support each other."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a pang of guilt at her words. He... Didn't really know his classmates. Of course there was Mina, and Shinsou, but those were really the only two he knew personally. Todoroki was... Complicated. Yaoyorozu was kind, but he had only had so few interactions with her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Maybe he should try to be around them more...

It was a bit of a surprise for [M/N] to watch Mineta win against Midnight, he was sure that the roles would have been reversed and Sero would be the one to win. But, [M/N] supposes he should expect the unexpected.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"That was... Surprising." Yaoyorozu hummed. Todoroki nodded, staring up at the large screen.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As they continued to watch the matches, [M/N] found himself slowly forgetting about his earlier troubles. He still didn't know how to deal with his feelings towards Midoriya, but for now, he was content with just enjoying the company of his classmates and watching the exciting matches unfold.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Speaking of Midoriya, [M/N] turned in his direction, only to find the boy gone. "He's with Bakugou, it's their turn for the exam now." Todoroki said, as if he was reading [M/N]'s thoughts.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Oh.

He's as still as a statue, staring up at the screen. Bakugou is relentless, or at least as relentless as a sixteen year old boy could be against All Might. The giant man tosses Bakugou onto the ground with a slam, and he can hear it echoing in his ears despite there being no audio.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

When All Might hits him again, he vomits.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Where are you going?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] froze, an icy chill slithering down his back, cutting deep into his core. Though his back was turned, he knew all too well who that disgusting melancholic voice belonged to. Without even thinking, he darted down the hallway; his shoeless feet clacking against the floor loudly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He could hear the footsteps of his pursuer getting closer and closer, the sound of the man's labored breathing making him feel sick to his stomach. He needed to find somewhere to hide, somewhere where he wouldn't be found.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As he ran, he tried to think of a plan, but his mind was clouded with fear and panic. He turned a corner and saw an open door, with a dim light coming from inside. Without hesitation, he ducked into the room and closed the door softly behind him, hoping that his pursuer hadn't seen him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The room was small and cluttered, with boxes and various objects piled up against the walls. There was a single mattress on the floor with a thin blanket on top, and a small lamp on a rickety table. [M/N] didn't have time to look around, he needed to stay quiet and hidden.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He pressed his back against the wall and tried to regulate his breathing, but his heart was pounding so hard he was sure the man outside could hear it. Suddenly, he heard the doorknob turn and the door creaked open.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What's wrong, [M/N]?" That sickly sweet voice cooed. "Did I scare you? Is that why you ran off so quickly?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His stomach felt nauseous, like any moment [M/N] was going to throw up. To lie would only mean digging his grave further, to tell the truth would actually bury him there. "N-No..." He stuttered out, thin legs slowly bringing him to stand up as the white hospital-like gown fluttered around his sides. "I'm not scared of you, Kurono."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Those dark goggles on that plague-doctor mask stared deep into his soul, choking him. Kurono sighed, holding out his hand. "Good... Now come here."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

His lungs were tight and constricting as he slowly walked forward. It was like a lamb being led to slaughter.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] would not be a lamb.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He darted forward, slipping under Kurono's arms. The man let out a surprised grunt as [M/N] broke free from his grasp. [M/N] sprinted down the hallway, heart pounding in his chest as he heard Kurono's footsteps trailing closely behind him. He had to find a way out, had to escape.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But before he could do anything, Kurono's hand shot out and grabbed him by the arm, pulling him close. He struggled and tried to break free, but Kurono's grip was like iron. In a swift movement, Kurono lifted [M/N] off the ground and threw him down.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The breath was knocked out of his body, and his stomach churned. Before [M/N] could stop himself, he vomited onto the pristine white floor tiles.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He had been so close.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You've caused quite the mess." Kurono scowled. [M/N] could feel those gloved hands reach into his hair and tug. He let out a pained grunt as his head was forced upwards. "Were you going to kill yourself again?" Kurono's voice was quiet. [M/N] almost would have preferred Kurono to be yelling him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"This is why we can't let you leave, because you do insane things like this. You need our help."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M/N]?" Yaoyorozu's voice startled him out of his thoughts. She had a worried expression, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?" She asked. [M/N] gazed into her dark eyes, lips opening.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm going to throw up."

He did, in fact, not throw up. But Yaoyorozu and Todoroki were so worried they insisted on walking him to the infirmary.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Recovery girl was sweet, as always, and did a routine check-up just to ensure everything was alright with him. Just as she determined everything was fine with him, was the moment Midoriya was rolled into the infirmary along with an unconscious Bakugou.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Recovery Girl sprang into action, rushing over to check on Midoriya and Bakugou while the others stood back, watching anxiously. [M/N] felt a knot form in his stomach as he watched the scene unfold, wondering what could have happened to cause such injuries.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"[M-M/N]..?" Midoriya deliriously mumbled. His voice wasn't filled with awe, instead, he almost sounded a bit humiliated. "Midoriya." [M/N] acknowledged him with a small nod. He stood up, heading towards the door until Midoriya stopped him with a slight raise of his voice. "W-Wait!" He called out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] paused in his step, turning to the green-haired boy. "C-Can we talk..? Later, I mean..." Midoriya's request was hesitant, and [M/N] could sense the nervousness in his voice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

...Dammit.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Fine..." [M/N] nodded, following Yaoyorozu and Todoroki out of the infirmary.

It was almost sunset when Midoriya got out of the infirmary. "So what do you want?" It came out more harshly than [M/N] intended, but he really couldn't find it in himself to care.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I-I just..." Midoriya looked down at the ground with clenched fists. "Please, be honest... At any point, did you actually like being with me?" Midoriya's voice was almost pitiful.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt his heart clench in his chest, guilt washing over him. He had always known that this conversation was coming, but he had hoped to avoid it for as long as possible. [M/N] took a deep breath, trying to choose his words carefully. "Midoriya, it's not that simple," he said, avoiding eye contact. "It's just... Things are... Complicated."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What do you mean?" Midoriya pressed on, looking up at [M/N]. "Please, I just want to understand."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. He couldn't bring himself to tell Midoriya that being with him reminded him of Jonah. ~~That horrible man who made sure [M/N] would never forget his touch~~. "It's just that... I don't think we're really... Compatible," he finally said, hoping it would suffice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Midoriya's expression fell, and [M/N] could see the hurt and confusion in his eyes. "I-I see," Midoriya said softly, looking away. "I'm sorry... If I did something wrong, I mean..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It had gone better than [M/N] had expected, so why did his chest feel heavy?

[M/N] was getting quite good at sneaking out with nobody noticing, it was almost becoming uncanny.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"How has my adorable little brother been~?" Toga cooed with a blush, wrapping her arms around his waist and bringing him into a gentle hug. Tonight they were meeting in a dimly lit park instead of the usual alleyway. She gripped his hand, leading him to a park bench.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As he sat down, [M/N] looked towards the sky and the stars. They shined so brightly and clear. He wondered for a moment if Lori was up there, before quickly reminding himself that was impossible.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Toga has some bad news~..." She drawled, looping her arm around his and leaning into his shoulder. "I won't be able to see my little brother for a while..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

At those words, he almost froze.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...Why?" He asked, clenching the fabric of his jeans in his hands. "Because~! I met a really nice man who knew Mr. Stainy and he let me into his group! But I'm not allowed to tell you anything." She pouted. "How... How long are you going to be in this group?" [M/N] fiddled with the sleeves of his shirt, he felt like a child; being sad over such a ridiculous thing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Forever~! Well, I hope so at least. But there's this really big plan thing coming up soon, and Toga promises she'll see her little brother again~!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

A... Big plan?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] couldn't help but feel like something was wrong with this new group Toga had joined.

Six feet in the ground...

Notes:

does anyone here own a farm or pigs? thats a weird question lol but im looking for a piglet. the breed im pretty interested in is a kunekune or a potbelly. anything i should be aware of or know before i buy the piggy? (those things are fat as fuck and i LOVE THEM)

My Discord
https://discord.gg/9WCEHKmP

Chapter 44: INTERLUDE (the last one)

Notes:

SO YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED SOME CHAPTERS MISSING.... well I decided the interludes were taking up space and moved them to a BCNSFD short stories book. anywho.
so this is going to be the last of the interludes! i only had a few short stories written for this book, and this was quite literally the last one, sooooo...
interpret this how you will!
(the end is nigh)

Chapter Text

Shindo had been feeling... Strange, lately. Not strange in a bad way, but strange as in... He couldn't stop thinking about someone. It was a peculiar sensation, a mixture of excitement and anticipation that coursed through his veins. He found himself constantly daydreaming, their image ingrained in his mind.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Their beautiful hair, the way their skin glistened when they ran... His eyes couldn't turn away from them as he watched the Sports Festival with his class. They were so... Beautiful.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As the days went by, Shindo found himself more and more captivated by their presence. He started to notice the little details—the way their eyes sparkled when they were excited, the genuine warmth of their smile, and the way their voice resonated in his ears. It was as if they were a magnet, pulling him closer with each passing moment.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

In the dark of his bedroom, Shindo reached his hand out, caressing their face through his computer screen. His fingertips traced the contours of their face, imagining the softness of their skin beneath his touch. The glow of the screen illuminated his face, casting a warm and intimate glow in the otherwise dim room. It felt as though an invisible thread connected him to them, drawing him deeper into the depths of his infatuation.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He was going to have them, and the perfect chance to get closer to them was coming soon...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shindo was a patient boy. He would wait for however long it took...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Ḥ̷̼̾O̷̺̠͎̙̤̩͚͙̹̬̮͈͛́͗̔̿͐͑͋̂̐̚͝W̶̢̧͖͓͖̟̱̥̻͕̻̭̦̖̦̱͋̂̾̏͊͠Ȅ̷̳̘̭͉̙̬͒̓̅͝V̴̛̪̬͓͔̜̹̤̫̙̬̣͉̙̽͗͋̔̓̇̽̒̌͂͐͘͜͝͠E̵̡͍̼̰̰̮̠͕͔͍͕̯͔͔̜̓͐͋̆̏̊̎͠͠͝͝͝Ȑ̶̡̛̛͈̣͇̭͎̹͖̻̯̘̟̜̞̟̩͒̑̔̈̾̾̎̒͑̀͂̄͝ ̵̩̄̊̿͆̊̈̆͛̆̄̎̆͛̕͝͝Ļ̶̤̓͜O̴̡̧̝̬̭̫̲͔̰̬̭͙̟͚̫̘̒̃̆͐͆̿́͂͛̽̕͠N̸̨̠͇͕̪̲̣̥̙̳͕̩͇̯͂̾̆̌́͝G̵̨̖̩͍̓̈̈ ̵̡̻͇̦̘͉̞̰̋͂̏̂́̽̎̎͗̀͂͋͘ͅĮ̸͖͉̠͙̿͒͌̋͆̓̆̌͜͝T̸͚̉̅͒̓̈́̂̈́ ̴̝̝̞̠͚̖̬͉̙̰̙̘̍́̓͘̕T̴̩͕͔͕̬̏͆̄͋̕O̵̧͎̮̥̪̬̱͇̽̂̈͘Ö̵͓̬̠̯̘̻͉͉̺̟̱̺́̒̆̉͐̌̋̽̈́̀̌̄̏͌̕͝K̸̢̢͎̣̤̫̘͈̳̳̥̟̋̈̔͛͆̈̋̈͠͠ͅͅ

Chapter 45: Chapter Fourty Two

Notes:

we're in the training camp arc!!! yall have been waitin for this for quite a while lmao... i hope you enjoy it while it lasts!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

I could go off the deep end

"[M/N]..." Mina cried as she clung to him. "I'm looking forward to... Sob... Hearing your stories about training camp!" She sniffled. "You'll be fine..." He sighed, patting the top of her head. "B-But I wont be with you!" Her grip tightened around his chest, squeezing him. [M/N] winced slightly at the pressure but tried not to let it show. He knew Mina was just worried about him, but he couldn't help feeling a little suffocated. Lord, she had strength.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Don't worry, Mina," he said softly, running his fingers through her pink hair. "I'll be back before you know it."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"B-Besides, we don't know for sure yet! There might be a last minute twist!" Midoriya piped up, trying to comfort Kaminari, who was also sobbing. "Midoriya, if you say it out loud, it'll probably jinx it..." Sero sighed, placing a hand on Midoriya's shoulder.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"If we failed the exam, then we'd have to skip training camp and be in summer school hell. And since we didn't pass the practical exam... If you guys still don't get it, then you're dumber than monkeys!" Kaminari yelled in a worried tone. "Calm down." Sero rolled his eyes. "I don't know either," He said, pointing to himself. "Our team passed thanks to Mineta, but I was just sleeping the whole time." Sero sweatdropped. "Anyway, since we don't know how they're scoring it..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"If you feel bad for us, then I dunno, just bring me back lots of stuff!" Kaminari cried.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] turned back to Mina, who was still clinging to him for dear life. Just as he was about to say something, the door to the classroom slammed open. "Once the bell rings, get in your seats." Mr. Aizawa deadpanned, walking into the classroom. Everyone rushed to their seats, silence filling the classroom.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Morning." The dark haired man stood at the front of the classroom. "Unfortunately, there are those who did not pass the final exams." [M/N] glanced at Mina, who was staring at Aizawa with despair. "Accordingly, for the training camp in the woods... Everyone's going."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Honestly, he should have expected that.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mina let out a giant squeal, jumping out of her seat. "W-Wait, so we can go too?!" Kirishima asked excitedly. "Really?!" Mina yelled. "Some failed," Mr. Aizawa interrupted. "But no one failed the written exam. In the practical, Kirishima, Kaminari, Ashido, Sato and Sero unfortunately didn't make the cut."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

From behind [M/N], he could hear Sero groan.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"For this time's exam, those of us on the villain side made sure to leave a way for the students to win while watching to see how you all would take on the task at hand." Mr. Aizawa explained. "If we hadn't, most of you would've gotten stuck before you started.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"So, when you said you were really out to crush us..." Ojiro began, sweatdropping at Aizawa's glinting eyes. "That was to make you feel cornered." The man nodded. "In the first place, the training camp in the woods is one to increase strength. So those who failed need it the most. They have to get stronger."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] couldn't help but feel a little unnerved by the way Mr. Aizawa's grin stretched across his face. "It was a rational falsehood!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Of course it was, [M/N] sighed. Across from him, he could hear Iida mumbling something about being deceived again, before standing up out of his chair. "However!" Iida yelled, raising his hand. "Since you lied to us twice, our faith in you will waver!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

What a wet blanket.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"That's true." Mr. Aizawa agreed, surprisingly. "I'll consider that, but I wasn't lying about everything." He turned his sharp gaze towards all of the students. "Failure is failure."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

At his next words, the excitement the failed students were feeling immediately died. "We have prepared a separate time for extra lessons for you all. Frankly, it'll be tougher than the extra lessons you'd get if you stayed at school."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

It was like watching their souls leave their bodies.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Which also reminded [M/N] he had an appointment to have a talk with a certain animal, and mentally prepared for his own soul to leave his body.

As soon as [M/N] stepped into Principal Nezu's office, he was struck by the rat's eerily calm demeanor. "Hello, [M/N]." The rat smiled. "...Principal Nezu." He gave a polite nod of acknowledgement, taking a seat in front of the desk. "Would I be right to assume you're here because you have questions about the decision to make you a villain during the practical exam?" Nezu clasped his paws.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah..." [M/N] nodded. "I-I don't really... Understand the decision behind that."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Well, It's simple!" Principal Nezu smiled. "I was curious on your decision-making when it came to fighting against those you're close to. You exceeded my expectations, I was sure you would have backed out the moment you found out that it was Ashido you would have to fight against. Well done." He clapped.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah, well, forgive me if I'm not exactly thrilled with the decision," [M/N] replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "Putting me in a position to fight against Mina like that... it was cruel."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Principal Nezu's smile faltered slightly. "I understand your concern, [M/N], but it was a necessary part of the exam. We need to prepare our students for the harsh realities of being a hero or a villain, and that means being able to fight against those you care about if necessary."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"But Mina is more than just a friend to me," [M/N] said, his tone growing more heated. "She's someone I care about deeply, and you put me in a position to hurt her. And for what? To see how I react? That's not fair."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I'm sorry that you feel that way," Principal Nezu's expression remained unfazed, but there was a glint in his eyes that [M/N] couldn't quite decipher. "But please understand that we have to make difficult decisions sometimes for the greater good. I hope that you can see the value in what we're trying to do here."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I don't." He snapped. "I never saw it from the moment you forced me to join this school! I don't belong here, how can you not see that?!" [M/N] was nearly yelling now.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh, but you do." Nezu stood up, now eye-level with [M/N]. "In fact, I've never seen anyone as manipulative as you. Heroes, villains, you were able to trick both of them into trusting you, I would even go as far as to say you are the perfect specimen."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a chill run down his spine at Nezu's words. He had always felt a certain unease around the rat, but now he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more going on. "What do you mean, perfect specimen?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Simply put, you have all the qualities I look for in a potential successor." Nezu's smile was unnerving. "Intelligence, charisma, and most importantly, adaptability. You're able to blend in with any situation and come out on top. That's what makes a great leader."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt a sense of dread settle in his stomach.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You were grooming me..." He mumbled, feeling a cold sweat drip down his forehead. "Groomed is a very strong word." Nezu shrugged. "But I suppose it's not inaccurate. You do indeed have a very bright future ahead of you," He smiled, that eerie smile [M/N] was growing to dread. "Whether or not that future is down the path of a hero, is up to you. I look forward to seeing what decisions you will make."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] shook his head, feeling sick to his stomach. "I need to go." He turned to leave, but Nezu's voice stopped him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh, and [M/N]?" The rat's voice was almost a whisper. "Don't forget, there's always a place for you here. You'll always have a home at U.A."

"Are you alright?" [M/N] flinched away from Todoroki's hand. "I-I'm fine." He stuttered out. Todoroki didn't look very convinced though. "You've been out of it since you got back from the Principal's office." He pointed out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Actually, he had just got back from throwing up his lunch in the bathroom.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Sorry, I just had a lot to think about." [M/N] forced a smile, hoping Todoroki wouldn't press the matter any further. He couldn't afford to let anyone know what Principal Nezu had just revealed to him. "I'm good now, thanks for asking."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Todoroki nodded, still eyeing [M/N] skeptically before turning to leave. "Okay, just let me know if you need anything."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] watched him go, feeling a pang of guilt in his chest. He didn't have time to dwell on it though, as Mina tackled him from behind. "Aren't you excited!" She squealed. "Smore's, campfires, testing our courage! It's going to be so fun!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Right..." [M/N] nodded as Mina climbed off, gathering his things. "To be honest, it's been a long time since I went camping..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh, yeah?" Mina raised an eyebrow. "How long ago?" She asked. [M/N] had to think for a moment. Years, probably. "Well... The last time I went camping was with my sister, and that was years ago, so..." [M/N] mumbled absentmindedly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"You have a sister?" Mina gasped. "I didn't know that!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shit.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] cursed himself inwardly. He quickly tried to change the subject. "Uh, yeah, but that's not important right now. We should focus on the training camp..." Mina seemed to sense his discomfort and dropped the topic. "Yeah," She nodded. "Oh, right! We're all going shopping tomorrow to look for some things. Are you coming with?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He really hated crowds... But [M/N] also had absolutely nothing to take on the camping trip.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I guess so." [M/N] nodded, before awkwardly scratching his cheek. "Um... Mina..?" He slowly spoke up, looking down at the ground. "Yes?" She gently gripped his hand, rubbing it comfortingly. "When we were in the hallway... Why did you kiss me?" He asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mina's grip on his hand suddenly changed, tensing. "I, uh... I don't think I really want to talk about it." She grimaced, trying to hide it with a smile. "Right... Yeah, okay." [M/N] nodded.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Nobody ever wanted to talk about it.

I could kill all my best friends

Notes:

MY DISCORD
https://discord.gg/2qpG3Sdnhh

Chapter 46: Chapter Fourty Three

Notes:

im tired. if you've been on my discord server, you know why.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

I could follow stylish trends

It had been a while since [M/N] had gone shopping in an actual mall. Most of his clothes had either been stolen or given to him by someone else. Mina, however, seemed to be very excited.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As they walked through the crowded mall, [M/N] couldn't help but feel uneasy. He had always disliked large crowds, and the noise and bustle of the shopping center were starting to get to him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Mina, on the other hand, was practically bouncing with excitement. "I can't wait to find some cute camping gear!" she exclaimed. "Oh, we're going to buy so many things!" Mina bounced, her hands gripping his shoulders and clinging to him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The mall was packed full with different things. Clothing, gear, bug spray. Everything he needed. It was almost a bit overwhelming. The sheer number of people around him was suffocating, and he couldn't help but feel like he was being crushed under the weight of their presence.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Everywhere he looked, there were people, all bustling about their day. It was all so loud, and [M/N] couldn't hear himself think over the sound of chattering voices and the hum of fluorescent lights overhead. His head was starting to ache, and he rubbed his temples, trying to ease the tension building there.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Oh, aren't those U.A. students?!" Someone shouted, pointing towards them. "First years?" Someone else questioned. "I saw them on TV! Congrats on the Sports festival!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Looks like people still remember that, even thought it was months ago. But, [M/N] supposed it was a pretty big event, even if he spent most of it crying into Shinsou's shoulder; and him doing the same. [M/N] really should message Shinsou, it's been some time since he had last seen the boy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Anyway, I need to buy a big carry on bag..." Jirou sighed, talking to Yaoyorozu. "Oh my, so do I. Why don't we go around together?" She tilted her head, blushing before turning to [M/N]. "[M/N]!" Yaoyorozu smiled. "Would you like to come with us?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Sure, I could use some help finding a few things." He smiled weakly, hoping they wouldn't notice his discomfort. Mina gave him a quick pat on the shoulder before running over to Kirishima.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Mina's always so energetic, isn't she?" Jirou remarked, watching Mina's retreating figure.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Yeah, she is." [M/N] nodded, rubbing his temples. "I'm not really used to all of this... noise and people."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"I understand." Yaoyorozu's expression softened. "It can be overwhelming sometimes. But don't worry, we'll help you find what you need and get out of here as soon as possible."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Thanks, I appreciate it." [M/N] smiled gratefully at her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"That's what friends are for," Yaoyorozu said kindly. "Now, let's see... you mentioned needing some camping gear, right?" She began leading him towards a nearby outdoor gear store. "What exactly do you need?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] followed her, feeling a bit more at ease now that he had someone to help him navigate the crowded mall. "Well, I don't really have anything for camping," he admitted. "So, I need pretty much everything. Tent, sleeping bag, cooking supplies, all that stuff."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Ah, I see." Yaoyorozu nodded thoughtfully. "Well, let's start with the basics then. A good quality tent is essential for any camping trip. Do you have a preference for size or brand?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] shook his head. "Not really. I don't know much about camping gear."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"No problem, I'll help you choose." Yaoyorozu smiled reassuringly. "Let's take a look at these options here." She led him over to a display of tents and began pointing out the different features and sizes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As they browsed the store, [M/N] felt grateful to have such kind and helpful friends. Maybe this camping trip wouldn't be so bad after all.

He was wrong, so wrong. Just as [M/N] was getting comfortable around Jirou and Yaoyorozu, the police had shown up and rounded up almost all of his classmates.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What's going on?" He asked Mina as soon as she came into view. "No idea." She shrugged. "I was looking at some super cute pink slippers when those guys came in and got Kirishima and I."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] felt his stomach drop. "This can't be good." He muttered under his breath.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

He followed Mina as she led him towards where the rest of their classmates were gathered. The scene was chaotic, with people shouting and officers barking orders. [M/N] couldn't see what was going on, but he could hear snippets of conversation from the people around him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...villain attack..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...UA students..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"...dangerous criminals..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N]'s heart raced. Were they in danger? Were they being targeted because they were students at UA? He looked around, trying to see if there was any immediate threat. What was going on?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Come on," Mina tugged on his sleeve. "They're directing everyone to go outside."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] followed Mina out of the mall, feeling a sense of unease wash over him. He could see a large crowd gathering outside, and police officers were stationed at various points, directing people to safety.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

As they made their way outside, [M/N] spotted his classmates huddled together near the entrance. He hurried over to join them, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as he saw that everyone seemed to be unharmed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"What's going on?" [M/N] asked, looking around at Jirou. "We're not sure," She replied, her expression tense. "But Uraraka said that Midoriya was confronted by that weird hand guy from the USJ."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Shigaraki...?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Fuck.

When [M/N] finally arrived back in his room, he slammed the door shut and leaned against it, panting heavily. It had been a long, exhausting day, and he couldn't wait to collapse onto his bed and forget about everything that had happened.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But as soon as he saw the black device Shigaraki had given him, a surge of anger bubbled up inside him. He snatched it off the dresser and hurled it against the wall with all his might, letting out a gut-wrenching yell that echoed through the empty room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

"Why won't you tell me anything!?" [M/N] screamed, his voice hoarse with anger. He paced back and forth, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

The device, fortunately or unfortunately, didn't shatter upon impact; and instead clattered onto the ground as if it was taunting him with its silence.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

[M/N] paced back and forth across the room, running his hands through his hair in a frenzy. He couldn't believe how powerless he felt, how clueless he was about what was happening around him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Finally, after what felt like hours of pacing, [M/N] collapsed onto his bed, exhausted and defeated. He knew he couldn't keep going like this, always on edge, always afraid of what might happen next. He needed answers, and he needed them now.

To say Dabi was impressed would be an absolute lie. Hand job over there was a man-child at best, and a psychopath at worst. Dabi wonders why Stain ever thought getting involved with Shigaraki was a good idea. But, it's not like he can talk; considering there is a prick of an old man out there with Dabi's name written right on him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

There was also that deranged, probably STD ridden, blood-sucking bitch. Bitch is a strong word, but she did try to stab him. What was her name again? Himiko something. Actually, he might just stick with bitch. What was a high school girl even doing here? This wasn't a babysitting job, right? Right?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Despite his doubts, Dabi held on to a sliver of hope (that's quickly dying) that this scheme might actually help him achieve his goals. Maybe he was wrong about Shigaraki. Maybe he was wrong about everything. It wouldn't be the first time he'd been mistaken.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

But as he thought about his goals, his mind inevitably drifted back to [M/N]. He couldn't wait to return to him, a new and better man, someone who deserved him. Dabi couldn't help but feel a sense of longing as he thought about [M/N], and he pushed the feeling down, deep down where it will stay out of his way.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

~~Fuck he misses him.~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ

Dammit. Where the fuck was handfreak?

And God knows I could make amends

Notes:

fuck KOSA >:(
MY DISCORD
https://discord.gg/2qpG3Sdnhh

Chapter 47: Chapter Fourty Four

Notes:

yes. i did in fact skip the pool episode. why, you may be asking? well tbh it didnt add anything to the plot and i really cant imagine m/n going to a pool ngl.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

But I've got an angry heart, filled with cancers and poppy tarts

"U.A. High has finished its first semester and started summer vacation." Mr. Aizawa stood in front of them all. "However... Those of you trying to be heroes will not receive days of rest. At this summer training camp, we'll have you aiming for even greater heights--for 'Plus Ultra.'"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Despite the motivational words, [M/N] couldn't help but feel the speech was pointless. He wasn't planning on sticking around to be a hero if things went his way. Meanwhile, Mina, Kaminari, and Uraraka were excitedly clapping, anticipating the upcoming training camp. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and even [M/N] couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What?!" Suddenly, an annoying voice interrupted the atmosphere. "There are people in Class A taking extra classes?!" Turning around, [M/N] looked at a familiar blonde haired boy with blue eyes. Was that the guy from... The Sports Festival? "Does that mean you had people who failed the finals? What? Isn't that weird? Isn't it? Even thought they're supposed to be way better than Class B?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

God. He really was annoying.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The blonde boy was grating on [M/N]'s nerves, but his irritation dissipated as one of the Class B students, an orange-haired girl, punched him in the back of the neck, causing him to double over. "Sorry about that!" she apologized.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Class A's bus is this way!" Iida shouted, flailing his arms as he pointed towards the bus. "Line up in seat order!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The students started to gather in a line, shuffling into their designated seats. [M/N] could hear the excited chatter of his classmates as they discussed their plans for the upcoming training camp.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Maneuvering his way past his classmates, [M/N] found his way to his assigned seat. But, it was a bit of a surprise to who was going to be sitting beside him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou sat there, cheek resting against his palm and his eyes downturned in a scowl. "Are you going to sit down or what? Fuckin' nerd..." He grumbled. [M/N] felt that familiar flutter in his chest as he took his seat beside Bakugou.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

This was going to be a long bus ride.

He's awoken from his nap by gentle hands, shaking him. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, [M/N] tiredly turns his head and realizes that it's Yaoyorozu who woke him up. "It's time to get off the bus..." She said softly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] nodded slowly, feeling a bit disoriented as he reached up and stretched his arms out. As he stepped off the bus, he looked around to get his bearings and saw that they had arrived at what he supposed was some kind of Rest Stop.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I gotta pee!" Mineta shouted, running past all the students. That certainly wasn't what [M/N] had wanted to hear when he first woke up. "I despise him..." Yaoyorozu mumbled, shifting closer towards [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] couldn't help but feel a small sense of agreement with her. They both seemed to have a low tolerance for Mineta's antics.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Trying to shake off the unpleasant start to the morning, [M/N] focused on taking in the sight before him. The lush greenery of the forest was a welcome contrast to the dull, gray buildings of the city. The air was fresher too, and he found himself breathing it in deeply.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's beautiful here," he commented to Yaoyorozu, offering her a small smile. Despite the early disturbance, he was starting to feel more awake and alive.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"There's no point stopping without a reason." Mr. Aizawa piped up, much to everyone's confusion. As they all turned to look at him, there was the sound of a car door opening, and [M/N] finally took notice of the black vehicle parked across from them. "Hey, Eraser!" A feminine voice called out.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Long time no see..." The tired man muttered. Almost in a flash, two figures jumped out of the car, both dressed in similar cat-like costumes... And introducing themselves with cat-like poses...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We're the Wild Wild Pussycats, and we'll be your pro hero supervisors for this training camp!" They cheered. [M/N] couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed to have witnessed their over-the-top introduction.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"These are pro heroes who will be working with us during the camp, the Pussycats." Mr. Aizawa explained. "They're a four-person hero team who set up a joint agency!" Midoriya gushed, his face blushing. "They're a veteran team that specializes in mountain rescues! This year will be their twelfth workin-!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Suddenly, the blonde Pussycat grabbed Midoriya's face with her paw. "I may be older, but I'm still eighteen at heart!" she yelled, clearly offended.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

While the blonde one was busy trying to murder Midoriya, the other woman with short brown hair began to explain things more clearly. "We own this whole stretch of land here." She said, holding out her hand and gesturing towards it. "You all will be staying at the foot of the mountain."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

That's... Very far.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Huh? Then why did we stop here...?" Uraraka questioned. [M/N] was starting to get a pretty good idea of why. "...Why don't we get back to the bus, yeah?" Sero suggested nervously, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. "Fast."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yeah... Let's do that." Kaminari agreed, absolutely petrified.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's currently 9:30 A.M.," Mandalay said with a mischievous grin, her tail swishing back and forth. "If you're quick, maybe you'll make it to the campsite around noon?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Sorry..." Mr. Aizawa mumbles, "But the Training camp has already begun..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Suddenly, the ground beneath [M/N]'s feet began to shake violently. He stumbled and tried to steady himself, but it was too late. The earth crumbled beneath him, and he and his classmates were sent hurtling off the cliff. [M/N] tumbled down the rocky slope, feeling his arm slam painfully against one of the boulders.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As [M/N] lands at the bottom, he looks around in confusion, trying to orient himself. His classmates are scattered around him, some groaning in pain while others are scrambling to their feet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He tries to get up, but winces as pain shoots up his arm. Looking down, he sees a large bruise forming on his forearm. He grunts in discomfort and slowly stands up, taking stock of his surroundings. Looking up, Mandalay is there at the top of the cliff, grinning down at them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Since it's private land," She shouts down to them. "You can use your quirks as you wish! You have three hours! Come to the facility on your own two feet! That is, after getting through... The Beast's Forest!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The Beast's Forest...?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"U.A. does stuff like this way too much..." Jirou grumbled, Uraraka and Tsuyu nodding in agreement. "It's no use complaining." Kirishima sighed, wiping dust off his shirt. "We just have to go."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Speaking of going, something short and purple flies straight past [M/N] in a blur; it takes him a second to realize its Mineta, zooming into the forest. "I HAVE TO GO...!!" He shouts, heading deeper into the forest.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"That's probably not a good idea..." [M/N] mumbled, turning away from Mineta and inspecting at his scratched up hands. Todoroki hummed in agreement. "We need to be careful and stick together."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Suddenly, Sero and Kaminari let out a blood-curdling scream, shattering the silence of the forest. His heart thunders in his chest as he whips his head around to see a monstrous creature looming behind the dense trees. It's massive, easily towering over the tallest of them, with long, razor-sharp claws and gleaming eyes that seem to pierce through their souls.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A cold sweat breaks out on [M/N]'s forehead as the creature takes a slow, deliberate step towards them. He can hear his classmates gasping and whimpering in fear, and he can feel his own legs shaking uncontrollably. It's like all his training and preparations have been erased in an instant, and he's left helpless and vulnerable before this unknown beast.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

In that moment, [M/N] realizes that it's only the second time he's ever felt a fear like this.

If this is how you folks make art it's fucking depressing

Notes:

sometimes i wonder if i should get admit myself into a psych ward for a few days, just to get a break from everything. one of the people on my server told me im weak physically, mentally and emotionally. i was pretty hurt by that ngl, ive been getting hurt by a lot of things lately. one of the people i made an admin on the server changed a lot of things without telling me, then left the server also without telling me.
thats probably tmi lmao. has anyone on here ever been to a pysch ward? the only experience ive had is talking to my therapist and the bullshit they show you on tv. i hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! i finally start school on wednesday, my schedule still hasnt been emailed too me and we have a new director (director is what we call the principal), soooo heres to hoping.
I really love you guys.

MY DISCORD
discord.gg/2qpG3Sdnhh

Chapter 48: Chapter Fourty Five

Notes:

hehehheHEHEHEhHAHEHH its the arc yall have been dying for. the one. the only. the FANTASTIC TRAINING CAMP ARC.
seriously im dying writing this arc.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

And it's sad to know that we are not alone

Koda desperately tried to calm the beast down with his animal-controlling quirk. "Please calm yourself, my giant friend!" He called out, running towards it with outstretched arms. "You don't want to hurt them!" Unfortunately, despite his efforts, the beast either didn't hear Koda or didn't care; as he raised his right paw, swiping it down towards Mineta.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Just as the beast's paw was about to make contact, Midoriya sprang into action, leaping in front of Mineta and grabbing him in a tight grip. With a burst of power, he propelled them both out of harm's way, narrowly avoiding the beast's deadly strike. The ground shook as the monster's paw slammed into the earth, sending a cloud of dirt and debris flying into the air.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Then suddenly, the beast turned and lunged towards [M/N], its massive body moving with incredible speed. His heart skipped a beat as he froze up and watched it come closer and closer. But just as it was about to pounce, a burst of ice shot out from Todoroki's hands, creating a wall of ice that encased the creature's feet, effectively halting its advance.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The beast roared in anger and struggled against the ice, but it was no use. Todoroki stepped forward, his face stern and dark as he stared down the monstrous creature. He turned back towards [M/N], who was shaking like a terrified leaf, his mind racing with fear.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The memories of that place came flooding back, and he felt like he was trapped all over again. Unable to think, unable to move, unable to scream for help... Just, waiting to die.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Todoroki's gaze softened as he saw the fear in [M/N]'s eyes. He took a step closer and placed a reassuring hand on their shoulder. "It's okay," he said, his voice calm and steady. "We'll handle this together."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] nodded, feeling a sense of comfort and security in Todoroki's words. They took a deep breath and tried to steady their nerves. Looking around, they saw that their classmates had all gathered together, taking down the beast quickly as a team.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Without him...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

They didn't need his help, did they? Above them, the sound of another beast roared, and with a few words of encouragement from Iida, they all quickly sprang into action; while [M/N] stood there, like some kind of idiotic bystander. 'They don't need me,' he thought to himself. 'I'm useless.'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

They all fought with such ease and coordination, as if they were perfectly in sync with each other. Meanwhile, [M/N] stood there, feeling useless and insignificant.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As he watched them work together, a wave of depression washed over him. It was a familiar feeling - the same one he had felt in the past. Trapped in that tiny room, waiting to die. Trapped in Chisaki's compound. Trapped in that fucking school.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It seems that no matter where he goes, the situation never changes...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] stands on the sidelines, watching Kirishima and Bakugou take down a beast, then Midoriya and Todoroki taking down the flying beast; all with the knowledge that [M/N] could do something, but is refusing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The battle was over soon enough, and as their classmates celebrated their victory, [M/N] felt a deep sense of shame.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Truly, what a horrible person he was.

The sun was setting by the time he and his classmates reached the facility, where Mr. Aizawa and the Pussycats were waiting for him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] thought it was fair to say that if he didn't sit down in the next few minutes, he was probably going to pass out. They had walked in that forest for almost eight hours. Was that considered a death march? Because it should be.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As Mr. Aizawa began to debrief them on their performance, [M/N] struggled to focus on anything other than his own shortcomings. The words just seemed to blur together in his mind, leaving him feeling numb and defeated.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] barely even took notice of Midoriya getting punched in his family jewels.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I like that kid, he's got spunk." Bakugou laughed, and [M/N] did give a small reaction of a half-smile.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Todoroki chimed in, "He's like a mini version of you," but that just made Bakugou's anger start to boil over. "What are you talking about?!" he barked, rounding on Todoroki. "You can just shut your damn mouth before I blast you all the way to hell, Icy Hot!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Enough playing around." Mr. Aizawa said sternly. "Get your stuff off the bus. Once your bags are in your rooms, we'll have dinner in the cafeteria. After that, you can bathe and sleep." He sighed, as if he was just as tired as the students who just got done hiking up a mountain. "Tomorrow, your training starts in earnest. You'd better get a move on."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

There was a lot of protests and groans coming from everyone, but they begrudgingly went over to the bus, grabbing their things. [M/N] was about to do the same, until Mr. Aizawa quietly called him over.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I wanted to talk to you about something," Mr. Aizawa said, his tone serious. "I noticed that you didn't participate in taking down the beasts earlier today. Is there something wrong?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] felt a lump form in his throat, and he looked down at the ground, avoiding Mr. Aizawa's gaze. "I...I don't know," he said softly. "I just froze up, I guess."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa raised an eyebrow, studying [M/N] intently. "That's not like you," he said. "Is something bothering you?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Yes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"No, no... Everything's fine..." [M/N] replied, rubbing his tired and baggy eyes. "Just... Tired, I guess. I'm just... I'm so tired."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa's expression softened, and he placed a gentle hand on [M/N]'s shoulder. "You know you're not holding anyone back, right?" he said. "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. It's important to work with what you have and improve upon it. And don't forget, there are many ways to be a hero. It's not all about brute strength and flashy quirks."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] nodded slowly, taking in Mr. Aizawa's words. Maybe he had been too hard on himself. Maybe he just needed to find his own way of being a hero.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Thank you, Mr. Aizawa," he said, feeling a sense of relief. "I'll try my best."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa nodded in approval. "That's all I ask," he said. "I also wanted to let you know, I discussed things with the Pussycats, and they agreed to grant you your own room. You'll also be allowed to bathe at a separate time than your classmates, if that will make you more comfortable... I... Understand that you've have previous trouble, due to your... Situation..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] felt his throat tighten at the mention of his 'situation.' Th-thank you, Mr. Aizawa," he managed to say, before quickly grabbing his bag and hurrying away to his own room.

He sat beside Mina in the cafeteria, eating like there was no tomorrow. Mina was talking cheerfully to him, while also continuing to put more food on [M/N]'s plate. "I think that hike might have made you skinnier than you already were!" She pointed out playfully, poking his side.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] tried to force a smile, but despite Mina's joyful efforts, he couldn't shake off the feeling of anxiety and fear that gnawed at him from the inside. He was grateful for Mr. Aizawa's consideration, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel like an outcast. It was always a struggle opening up to others about his past, and being granted a separate room and bath time only emphasized the fact that he was different from everyone else.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina seemed to take notice of his disheartened expression and quickly grabbed her bag, pulling out a silver nail polish. "Look what I got!" She grinned. "I saw it at the store when we went to the mall, and I thought it would go great with your complexion. Can I go ahead and put it on you?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] felt his face heat up, a blush rising to his cheeks as he nodded, holding out his hand. "Thank you..." He mumbled, licking his dry lips.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What are you, a girl?" Bakugou scoffed, rolling his eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina shot Bakugou a glare. "It's called being a good friend and showing kindness," she retorted, before turning back to [M/N]. "Don't listen to him. You're going to look amazing!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] tried to ignore Bakugou's comment, but the words stung. He wasn't a girl.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Ḩ̶̡̹̙̰͉̙͔̬̗̰͔͎̳̖̝͇̱̞͎̙͑̉̓͛̄̇̕̕͠E̵̤͖̳̱͍͓͔̲͎͎̳̞͕̝̭̒͋̄͒͂̚͝͝ ̷̢̥̰̼͚͙̺̱̥̣͚̰̱̀͂̒͂̽̒̎̑̍͛̒͘ͅW̵̧̘͂̈́̄̓̏̈̀͗̋̚̕Ā̵̢̘̰̲̲̺̞̺̬̮͉̹̖̗͂̂̑͊́͋̈̊͂̊̒̄̄̔͘͝͠͝S̷̡̨̼̫̜͔̓͛̀̂̎̄̓̾̌͛̉͒̇̑̈́̈̽͋͘͝N̷̝̯͎͙͓͍̥̈́̃͐̓̎̂̍̽̅̔͘͝'̷̧̥͍͕̖͓̃͗̋T̵̨̧̧̧̡̛͚̩͎̟̟̥̮̹̫̪͙̗̿͋̂̐̾͋͐̕͘ ̵̨̧̛̛̝̣̭̦͈͍̂͗̈́̅̀̽́͋̊͊͜͝Ļ̶̨̹̼̫̯͙̟̩͓̗͚̣̲̞̼̥͊̾͛̄̅̅̈̂̔̄̌̽̚̚͜͜͠Ò̵̼̼̮̗̥̻̯̼̜͚̤̞̥ͅR̵̢̛͍̜̼̜͍͚̮̯̖̙͔͕͕̅̽̐́̈̒̈́̿̅̾̽̈̚̚I̵̠̺͖̯͎̱̱̼͉̖̯̪͙͒̈̌̋̌̂̄͐̊̅̈̈́̿.̴̛̞͇̙̠̩̏͂̆̎͑͌͑̍̎̓̅̈͒̆̇͝ ̷̢̨̖̙̗͉͕̩̗͕͍̯̻̱͇̠́̒͘͜ͅW̷͎̜͕̬̓̅͛̍̑̈͒̀́̋͜Ḧ̵̛̟̩̫̲̩̳͎͖̳͖̹́̈́͛̉͌͊͌̑̒͌͑͑͌̓͠͠Y̴̲͔̬̣̞̭̜͚͊̈́̍̎̓̊̌͑͌̈́̏̆ ̶̢͇͓̘̮̗̥͙̼̞̪̈̿̈́̓̋̆̕͠D̴̨͕̝͙̠̭̙̫̫͚͑ͅÖ̴̖́́̋E̸̜̱͘S̸̬̤̤̤̖̼̺̩͍̭̫̞̯̩̳͉͂̌̈́̀͑̀̐͂͐̋̍͛̎ ̶̨̧̬͙̰̘̝͇̖̬̽̇̔̀̄̂̌̑̀̈́̿̕̚̚̚͜͝͝Ń̴̛̰͓̯̞̼̙͍͖̞̯͕̝̽̓́͒̔̈̎̋͌̊͆͗̔̌͑́̔̄̏ͅÓ̸͕̰̺̟͕͔̱̞̅̌͋̏̌̀͑̽ͅͅB̵̨̨͉̦̣̙͚̭͍̭̝͇̩͕̩̳̲̖͈̩̥̄͝O̴͚̼͑̓̾̐̾͆̕Ḑ̸̨̨͚͙̬̟̥̜̬̺̣̜̫͍̥̪̬̅́̈́͐̅͊̇̑̿͘͠Y̷̱̘̥͎̤̻̩͍̳̬̹̐ ̶̢͖͍̭͇͚̤́̂̍͒͛ͅŲ̴̨̛͚̥̥͉͕͓͈̞͙̐̽͘͠ͅͅN̴̢̠̪͕̲̼̓̾̐̋͛̐̾́̃̉̏͑̔͘̚D̶̩͍̼͕̮̰͔̱̳̋́͐̉̃͌̊̈́̈͂̀̋̔͗͊̉̊̅̌̈́̍Ë̵̡̞̝͔̳̥̀͑̄̈̏͂͌̍R̵̢̨̢̡̨͚̳̠̹̲͙̘͕͎̘̆͆̈͝Ś̴̥̣̞̱͍̻̥̯̠̑̑̐̉̀̄̇͒͑͐͘̕͜͜͝ͅT̵̫̮̾͐̎̃̈͋̆͋̓̚A̴̧̡͖̻̫̭̭̝̻̜̳̠̖̳̼͓͇̹͍̳̓͗̋̍̋̾̽̔͒̀̀̕N̴̖̞̊͐͑̄͑̽͊̌̓̀͘̕D̷̡͖̓̍̀̂͛̂͑̓̈̔͛̓͆̕ ̷̢̛̹̣͉̹͔̆́̓̀̓͛̀͋̇͘͠͝͝T̶̡̥̞̳̭̹̲͓̼͈̮͍̈́́̂̌̓̈́̾̿̅́̇̐̂͌͛̚͜͜͝H̵͕̖͐̐̈́͊͊̒͐̑͐͌̅̓Ḁ̴̩̪̜͕̼͆̎͘T̶̛̳̞̭̉͗̀̈̈̆͂̋̂͋͂̃́̍͜͠?̸̣̫̪̭̹͖̘̝̱̘͖̘̊̎̿̄͐͠͝͠

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Do you like to paint your nails?" Yaoyorozu asked, watching Mina apply the silver polish to his nails.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] shook his head. "I've never really done it before. Mina just thought it would look nice on me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I think it suits you," Yaoyorozu said with a smile. "It's important to try new things!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou snorted. "Who cares about that kind of stuff? We're here to become heroes, not fashion models," he said, stuffing his face with food.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] didn't say anything, feeling a bit self-conscious about the attention his nails were getting. He bit his lip, quietly eating his food before he yelled something he would regret.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

~~WHY WASNT HE ALLOWED TO BE JUST [M/N]?~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

~~WHY DID EVERYONE WANT HIM TO BE SOMEBODY ELSE?~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

W̷̢͍̭͓̞͕̭̩͎̰̼̱̺͇͎̰̘̜̙̠͎̼̼͉̙̃͌͆̒̅̓͗͝Ḥ̸̨̛̻̹͚̺̱͈͓̖̗̤͙͍͇̲̤̜̥̜͍́͑͂̏̈́̄̋̍̃̈́͂̑̉͌͂͆̓̂͜ͅͅA̷̡͉̭̝̪̻͙͈̽̓̈̈́͑͋͐̂́̓̈́̔̂̒̊̄̿͐̀͘͝͠͠͠ͅŢ̷̧͈͈̣̙̮̳̩̱̹̩̟̗͚̰̟̺͍͔͓̦̬̻̞͖̦̓͗̅̿̌͗̇́̈́̉̐̒̈̈́̉͋̚͜S̴̢̲͈͔̻͔̳̝̣̫̰̜̗̳̭̙̘̝̖̰͉͕̝̞̠̹̐̔̈́̃͗̾̉̑̓̿͆̒̍͑͗̎͂̈́̅͜͝ ̵̢̡̨̧̘͙̖͖͔̖̲̫͕̼̼͎̰̳̜͇͎̣̲̭̫̬̋̋W̷̨̧͕̺̩̣̗̪̦̝͖̭̆͑̄̉̃͜Ṛ̸̡̡̡̨̛̛̲͔̣̝̼̬̘̘̳̤̮̺̜̲̻͕͕̹͈̳̬̼̹̹͛̒͆͋̔̿̎̋̇̂̈́̊̂̿͊̅́͊̚̚͘͘͜͜͜͝ͅO̵̱̯̳̮̘̘̒̔̉̀̃̂̇̆̀Ṋ̷̡̩̟̩̥̰̱͕̹̙̞̬̺̬̗̤͎͙̓̽̈̃͜͜͠G̶̢̢̟̙̳̲̫̖̤͓̖͔̼͚͖͉͇̬͈͙̀̾̅ͅ ̴̰̓́̅͋̂̈́̓͗͒̆̒̊̀̊̊̌̽̀͜͝͝W̸̧̡̛͇͕̝̙͈͎͈͙̬̱̺͓̭̺̮͖̪̣̫̺̮͕̹͎̗̮̜̙͍̠̿̋̌̾̑̉͒̒̍̔̆̂̀̄̍̇̕I̸̗̜̠̰͎̦̊̑̐̔̔͆̐̍̇̾̈̾͗͛̒̓̈́̍̍́́̈̓̎̎͌̊́̕͘͝T̴̡̨͙̻̗̳̩̣̭̯̫͚̫̝̪̱̤̭̺͙̦͍͇͙̹̤̯̱͙̱̒̋͒͑͂̀̈͒̈́́̊́̎͌̊̚̚͜͠Ḧ̴̡̧͖̬͔̞̺̣̪̦̙̱͖̹̗̥̳̹́́͜ͅͅ ̶̧̗͙͍͉͌̍̈́̎̃̓̓̔̄̌͊͆̿́͛͂́̒̌̑̾̍̈́̄͘̕͘͝͝͝͝Ḩ̵̡̲͇̦͖̝̪͔͔̬̦̥͕̣̺̣̥̠̙̗̞͉͈͍̬͖̯̖̙̫̯̏̋̃̔̓̀̆̿ͅͅI̸̧̢̨̧̠̲͎͎͇͔͖̮͓̘͙̱͇̘̗͔̣̝͕̠͉͍̟͋͒͛̑͊͛̎̆̐̊̀͋̎̒͆̈́̏̉͌̅̐̊̀͑͑̒͜͜͝͝͠ͅM̴̡̢̡̛̛̠̮̘̤̩̖̭̩̫̩̜̜̝͓͔̖̙̼̬̦͉͂̿͋̏͐̀̾͑̀̈́͒̒̅̇̏̕ͅ?̶̡̡̰̙̦̹̮͚͇͉͕̺͕̪̼̗͉͍̄͆̓͌̄̓̈́͂͌̈̉͗͂̄̕͘͝

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And it's sad to know there's no honest way out

Notes:

hey guys. so, uhhhhhhhhh.... I can't link the discord anymore :>. it doesn't exist.
yeahhh... so, things happened, very dramatic. people got hurt, i got hurt, the best thing for me especially was to just delete the server. it was time, the server lived a long life, almost two years. i don't know if i'll ever make another server, maybe sometime in the future, but not for this fanfic. i love you guys, i loved that server, seeing all of you heart the announcement i made about the server's eventual deletion just brought tears to my eyes. literally i cried pressing that delete button LMAO.
(btw if yall on discord every come across a guy named Ludwig/Ludwiig don't associate with him he's an awful person and i have receipts for that)
anyways, update on my novel! I'm excited to say its 50% complete. I'd be happy to say that around summer of 2024, my novel will be finished and hopefully ready to sell. im so excited, i cant wait for you guys to read it! there's going to be a free demo on AO3 showing the first five chapters once it's finished.
love yall, i hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Chapter 49: Chapter Fourty Six

Notes:

evening yall. hope ur having a good day lol. sorry for the missed update, personal thing happened yknow.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

I'm afraid to leave the house

The hot water cascaded over [M/N]'s body, soothing his tired muscles as he leaned against the spring's wall. The solitude offered a momentary respite from the chaos and expectations that surrounded him. The sound of the water drowned out the noise in his mind, granting him a brief escape from his own thoughts.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Closing his eyes, [M/N] couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He knew his circumstances were different, that his need for privacy and space stemmed from something deeply personal. But the jealousy and resentment from his classmates were understandable too. It wasn't fair for them to bear the weight of his struggles.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Kaminari in particular seemed to be very upset. He kept muttering under his breath, wondering how it was fair. It wasn't.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

But, [M/N] found himself thankful. Social interaction tended to be so draining after a while. Especially social interactions that involved a certain half-half quirked person, a string bean with green hair, and an angry blonde ticking timebomb.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

We're not friends!

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It... Still hurt... It was a feeling he tried to push aside, to bury deep within himself. But the ache remained, even as [M/N] attempted to ignore it. In the water, it's easy for him to feel as if someone was watching him. Naked, bare and vulnerable to wandering eyes. He'd rather not be seen, be unseen by everyone around him and just be there. An entity that you couldn't interact with or see. Being invisible, free from the prying eyes and expectations, held an allure that was hard to resist.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

I've never seen anyone as manipulative as you.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The words Nezu had spoken echoed back to [M/N]. Manipulative. The perfect specimen. The perfect successor... Was anything he did even his own choices? The thought that he was being molded and maneuvered to fit someone else's desires cast a shadow of doubt over his every action. The phone Nezu had given him, specifically so he could keep in contact with Dabi and Toga. [M/N] almost never used it, too worried, too afraid to even touch it.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Why... why me?" [M/N] whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible over the sound of the running water. Doubt consumed him, twisting his thoughts and distorting his self-perception. He questioned his own worth, grappling with the idea that he was merely a pawn in a manipulative game.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His breathing grew shallow and erratic, his body trembling uncontrollably. The walls of the shower seemed to close in around him, trapping him in a suffocating confinement. Tears welled up in his eyes, mixing with the cascading water, as he struggled to regain control over his spiraling emotions. [M/N] takes a deep breath of air...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And allows himself to sink to the bottom of the water, and... It's peaceful. Quiet, like the water is embracing him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

For a moment, he thinks; if this is what death feels like, then I would gladly die. That's what he wanted, right? To die? That was his only goal. But, every chance he had, death just seemed to evade him, or was he the one evading death? Ironic.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Because I could not stop for death, he wouldn't stop for me.

Lost in his thoughts, [M/N] stared blankly through the window of his empty and isolated room. The world outside seemed distant and disconnected, as if he were observing it from behind a thick veil of fog. The weight of his internal turmoil drowned out any external sounds, rendering them mere whispers in the background.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The creak of the door opening barely registered in [M/N]'s consciousness. It was as if the world around him had faded into a muted backdrop, overshadowed by the relentless noise within his mind.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Manipulative.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

You lie to everyone you see.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

You're no better than THEM.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]... Are you okay?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He banged his head against the window in shock, stumbling around to see who had come into his room. Looking up, [M/N] stared into piercing dark yellow eyes. "Mina..." He mumbled, his voice cracking as a rush of everything tumbled onto his body.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina stepped closer, her eyes filled with genuine concern. She reached out and gently grasped [M/N]'s trembling hand, a gesture of comfort and support. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to," she whispered softly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A tear trickled down [M/N]'s cheek, blending with the dampness on his face. The weight of just weak he was became more palpable in that moment, but Mina's presence offered a glimmer of solace amidst the chaos. He squeezed her hand tightly, pressing the cool palm against his cheek.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I... I don't know what's happening to me," [M/N] managed to choke out, "I cant- I can't keep doing this!" He was finally breaking and it was coming out like a waterfall. Mina knelt down beside him, hugging his thin and crying form. "I can't. I can't, don't make me, please-."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The room hadn't been large. Too small. If [M/N] had been able to stand at the time, he would have been able lean side to side and touch both walls without moving his feet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It had a bathroom. He had never seen it. There was a door to the left of the bed, chained, bolted shut. He used to spread his fingers, the ones he had left, and look at the outline of his hand in the dark room to remind himself he was still alive.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Was it a kindness to spare a child from a death he wanted, or was it cruelty?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You're all mine. Mine..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] looks at his scarred hands that are his and also that of a dead boy; and then he vomits all over himself. He doesn't even have time to prepare himself before it's all forced up his throat as he gags. Someone swears, probably Mina, and he's throwing up a second time. He tries to cover his mouth, but it's futile and [M/N] continues to retch, the sour and sticky mess staining his clothes as he screams.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The boy is still inside you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Someone larger than Mina kneels down beside him, hesitant, before finally sliding an arm around [M/N] and under his legs, lifting him up and pressing him against a broad chest. "Turn on the sink." a deep voice rumbles, urgency lacing every word. "And get him out of this goddamn shirt!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

~~"BUT I CAN FIX YOU."~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] closes his eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Breathes in. Breathes out.

In front of him is a single mirror.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Above him, the sky is red.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Below him, the sky is blue.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] stands in front of the mirror; but there's nobody there.

A towel presses themselves gently against his mouth, wiping away the bile with gentle strokes. The blurriness and haze in his vision fades, and [M/N] can finally see where he is.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina is standing to the side, looking down at him with a worried expression; her hands clenching and fiddling with the fabric of her pajama pants. But, in front of him, is someone he hadn't expected to see. "Bakugou..?" [M/N] mumbles, reaching his hand out, fingers desperately tangling themselves into his shirt, as if he wasn't sure if Bakugou was real or not.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Stop it..." The boy grumbles. "I'm-... I'm not going anywhere..." he reassures, his words resonating with a newfound tenderness. Mina lowers herself gently against him, her warm body pressed against his. [M/N] leans his head onto her shoulder, a few stray tears leaving his eyes as Mina rubs her thumb softly against his shoulder.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm tired..." he finally admits, voice cracking and slumped miserably against her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I know..." She says, and [M/N] wonders why she looks so sad.

Mina kneels on [M/N]s futon, helping Bakugou slowly lower the boy to it. Once he's lying down, Mina's nurturing instincts take over as she reaches out, her delicate fingers brushing against his forehead, gently pushing the stray strands of hair away from his face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"He'll be okay... right?" She asks with all the hope of a wrecked child desperately clinging to the last shred of faith they have left. Her gaze shifts between [M/N]'s face and Bakugou, searching for reassurance in his expression.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou's gaze meets Mina's, a shared understanding passing between them. "Yeah, he will be," he responds. "We'll make sure of it."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Neither of them truly believes that, but there's hope; no matter how thin it may be.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As Bakugou stands to leave, [M/N] suddenly shoots his hand out, grasping his shirt sleeve. "Don't." He whines. It's quiet, and pitiful, and Mina feels her heart breaking. "Don't- don't leave..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou's eyes flicker with a mix of surprise and uncertainty as he looks down at [M/N]'s trembling hand holding onto him. There's a brief pause, as if he's contemplating his next move, before he slowly sinks back down to his knees beside [M/N]. His voice is gruff, but there's a gentleness beneath it as he speaks. "I'm not leaving," he reassures, his words carrying a sense of quiet determination. "I'll stay."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina watches the exchange, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She knows that in that fragile moment, the simple act of Bakugou staying could mean the world to [M/N]. With a mixture of sadness and affection, she lays down beside him, tucking her head against his shoulder. After a heartbeat, Bakugou also lays down; his arm outstretched like a blanket covering [M/N] and Mina.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It's warm, and Mina loves them. She loves [M/N], even if she hasn't been treating him the best lately ~~(it was wrong. it was wrong wrong wrong to kiss him and never explain why)~~ and she cares for Bakugou, for all his flaws and his gentle, gentle heart. She loves them so much.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A triangle is the perfect shape, and they are complete.

I'm as timid as a mouse

Notes:

ive been thinking of changing my schedule back to two weeks again since school has started but idk. ive been getting back into Total Drama lmao, man i love alejandro.

OH, SO. my theatre group is doing beauty and the beast, idk if already mentioned that, and the tryouts were on thursday. i was really hoping for lumiere, i did a french accent and everything. BUT, i didnt get the role lmao. the two roles i did get tho are a townsperson and some guy named Monsieur D'Arque.

hope yall enjoyed the chapter!

Chapter 50: Chapter Fourty Seven

Notes:

beastars has plot and im surprised, i was totally prepared for some furry fanservice but its actually really good lmao.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

I'm afraid if I go out, I'll outwear my welcome

Katsuki was the first one to wake up. It was probably a miracle he had even been able to fall asleep at all. He glanced over at [M/N], who was still peacefully asleep, and at Ashido-.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Wait. Where's Ashido.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Good morning, handsome."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What the fuck!" Bakugou shouted, jumping backwards and landing on [M/N]. His sudden movement caused him to inadvertently elbow [M/N] in the side, eliciting a sharp yelp of pain from the boy, who quickly woke up. Meanwhile, Mina stood before Bakugou, her laughter tinged with tears.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Katsuki's face turned a crimson red. He quickly scrambled off [M/N], his voice laced with embarrassment and irritation. "Tch! Watch where you're fucking laying, damn it!" He snapped.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] winced, clutching his side where Bakugou's elbow had hit. The pain radiated through his body, momentarily overpowering the haze of sleep. He blinked, trying to focus on the situation unfolding before him. Mina's tearful laughter mixed with his confusion, leaving him feeling disoriented and on edge.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What's going on?" [M/N] managed to ask, his voice still groggy from sleep as he rubbed his eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina wiped away her tears, her laughter subsiding to a few lingering giggles. "Oh, sorry! It's just... Bakugou!" She pointed at Bakugou, suddenly bursting out in another fit of laughter. "Do you want to try that again and scream like a man this time?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Katsuki's embarrassment turned into a scowl as he crossed his arms, trying to regain his composure. "Shut up, Pinky! You're so damn annoying!" he snapped once again, trying to stand up but ending up tumbling off the futon. "DO YOU WANT TO DIE?" Katsuki yelled when Mina burst into another fit of laughter.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] rubbed his temple, trying to process the situation as his drowsiness gradually wore off. The throbbing pain in his side reminded him of Bakugou's accidental elbow strike, and he winced again. He glanced between Mina's lingering laughter and Bakugou's defensive posture, feeling a tad amused.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His pain slowly subsided. Despite the awkward awakening, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of comfort in their banter.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It almost reminded him of home, he and Lori used to banter like that all the time.

"So... Did you hear that Paulina's daughter was pregnant?" A thirteen-year-old [M/N] casually brought up, poking his waffle.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Lori looked up from her dinosaur grilled cheese, shrugging her shoulders. "I knew she was going to be a whore just like her mom. La manzana no cae lejos del prostíbulo."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Lori!" A thirteen-year-old [M/N] gasped, covering his mouth. "That's a bad word!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What do you want from me?!" She yelled in exaggerated offense, a piece of food falling from her mouth as she held up her hands. "You're the one who brought it up! Claire can kiss my ass, or at least give me some credit for that demon spawn in her belly since I set her up with the dick that got her pregnant!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"She wanted to be a nun!" [M/N] stood up, pointing his finger accusingly at Lori. "A stripper nun!" Lori shouted, flinging her grilled cheese at [M/N] in retaliation.

[M/N] held onto the edge of Bakugou's sleeve, yawning into his arm as he stared blearily at Mr. Aizawa. "Good morning, class." The man said, obviously much more awake than everyone else. "Today we begin a training camp that will increase your strength."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] leaned against Bakugou's shoulder, feeling the exhaustion in his bones. The words Mr. Aizawa seemed to be saying were just going in one ear and out the other. "Our goal is to increase your skills exponentially, so that each of you earns a provisional license." The man continued.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He stifled another yawn, his mind drifting in and out of consciousness. He found himself daydreaming, his thoughts wandering to a place of comfort and rest. The idea of training and pushing himself seemed like an insurmountable task in his current state of exhaustion.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou nudged him slightly, bringing [M/N] back to reality. "Stay awake," he grumbled under his breath, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "I-I'm awake," [M/N] mumbled, struggling to maintain his focus on Mr. Aizawa. He felt an inexplicable fatigue, likely a consequence of the previous night's ordeal of vomiting and crying.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The memory of the previous night stirred curiosity in [M/N], prompting him to ponder why Mina and Bakugou had been there in the first place. However, with his energy waning and the class proceeding, he decided to save his questions for a later moment.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Bakugou." [M/N] finally tuned back into Mr. Aizawa's words, feeling said boy stiffen beside him. "Try throwing that." The man tossed him a ball, and Bakugou caught it, his gaze fixed upon the object in his hand. "This is from the fitness test..." Bakugou mumbled, staring down at it. "Your previous record, from right after you started school, was 705.2 meters. Let's see how much you've improved..." Mr. Aizawa announced, setting the stage for Bakugou's challenge.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] let go of his sleeve, watching Bakugou walk to the middle of the training area. "Ooh, we're checking our progress?" Mina gasped, excited. "Makes sense. A lot has happened these past three months, huh? Maybe he can throw it a kilometer or something now!" Sero chimed in, sharing in the anticipation. "Go for it, Bakugou!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Here I go," Bakugou growled with a vicious grin. The air crackled with energy, and everyone held their breath in anticipation of his throw.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"GO TO HELL...!" Bakugou's voice boomed, his intense declaration punctuated by the ball in his hand erupting into explosions. The dazzling display of power and determination sent the ball hurtling through the air with tremendous force. It soared, leaving a trail of fiery brilliance in its wake, capturing the attention and awe of everyone present.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s eyes widened, his drowsiness momentarily forgotten as he witnessed Bakugou's incredible display of strength and determination. Bakugou spun around on his heel, giving [M/N] a smug and ferocious look.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"709.6 meters," Mr. Aizawa stated plainly with his usual deadpan expression, his voice carrying an undertone of unimpressed detachment.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The resounding number hung in the air, shattering the initial excitement that had filled the training area. It fell short of the expectations and hopes placed upon Bakugou's explosive throw. It was... Less than [M/N] thought it would be...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's been about three months since you started high school." He said sternly. "Through various experiences, you all have definitely improved. But that improvement has mainly been at the mental and technical levels, with some increase in stamina." His gaze swept across the class, conveying a silent challenge. "As you can see, your quirks themselves haven't improved that much. That's why we will work on enhancing your quirks starting today..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A mischievous grin crept across Mr. Aizawa's face, sending a collective shudder through the class. The combination of his ominous warning and sly smile hinted at the grueling trials that awaited them. It was a stark reminder that their path to becoming heroes would be paved with relentless training and relentless demands. The notion of pushing themselves to the brink of exhaustion, teetering on the edge of their limits, left a mixture of trepidation and determination in their hearts.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Get ready," Mr. Aizawa's voice echoed with a touch of sadistic amusement. "It'll be so hard you'll feel like dying, but try not to actually die..."

[M/N] paused in his running, out of breath and panting. He let out a groan, feeling his side where Bakugou had accidentally elbowed. It hurt more than he had expected, but then again, Bakugou was very strong. Another sharp pain came and [M/N] doubled over, clutching his side and wincing in pain. Each breath felt like a struggle as the sharp ache radiated through his body. He cursed under his breath, regretting the impact of Bakugou's elbow. "Damn it, Bakugou," he muttered, his voice strained.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You're slow today."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He turned his gaze to find Mr. Aizawa standing before him, his presence looming over him. The unreadable expression on the teacher's face sent a chill down [M/N]'s spine. "What's wrong." He asked, but it didn't feel like a question.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] straightened himself as best as he could, trying to hide the pain and regain his composure in front of Mr. Aizawa. He mustered a weak smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just a little side stitch, sir," he replied, his voice strained. "I'll push through it."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa's gaze remained fixed on [M/N], his eyes narrowing slightly. "Lift up your shirt," He commanded, his voice firm and insistent.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Surprise and apprehension flashed across [M/N]'s face, momentarily causing his smile to falter. He fought to maintain his composure, but a hint of hesitation crept into his voice. "I'd rather not..." he murmured, his words trailing off uncertainly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Show me," Mr. Aizawa demanded, his voice firm and unyielding, his eyes piercing through [M/N] with an intense coldness that sent a shiver down his spine. "Someone is hurting you, aren't they?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s heart skipped a beat, the color draining from his face as Mr. Aizawa's words hit him like a chilling gust of wind. The accusation hung heavily in the air, enveloping him in a cloud of fear and vulnerability. He instinctively took a step back, his mind racing with a mixture of shock and apprehension.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"No, sir," [M/N] stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "No one is hurting me. It was just... an accident!" He struggled to find the right words, his gaze shifting uneasily under the weight of Mr. Aizawa's unwavering scrutiny. [M/N] continued to back up, but his attempt to retreat was abruptly halted as Mr. Aizawa swiftly seized his wrist in a strong grip, preventing his escape.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Accident or not, I need to see for myself," Mr. Aizawa stated firmly, his grip on [M/N]'s wrist tightening, preventing any further retreat. His stern demeanor brooked no argument as he maintained a relentless hold.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Fear and confusion swirled within [M/N], his heart pounding in his chest. Loud. It's too fucking loud and he wants everyone to just SHUT UP.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Let me go," [M/N] trembled, his voice stronger this time, laced with a mix of defiance and desperation. His breaths came in short gasps as he awaited Mr. Aizawa's response, unsure of what would come next.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"No."

I am not a courageous man, I don't have any big lasting plans

Notes:

SORRY NOT SORRY
my caribbean spanish is abysmal, so i hope i got it right LOL. the spanish in this chapter should (and i use that loosely) be "the apple does not fall far from the whore tree." but i dont know a specific word for whore tree, so the exact translation is brothel. eheh.
WANT SOME LORE?
im working on a side story that is an alternate universe where lori was reincarnated instead of m/n. since shes my oc and not a 'reader', i have a lot more creative freedom. in my canon, lori and m/n are hispanic, cuz im half hispanic ;), so it makes me super excited that i get to show that.

Chapter 51: Chapter Fourty Eight

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

I'm too cowardly to take a stand

The weight of Mr. Aizawa's refusal bore down on [M/N], leaving him feeling exposed and vulnerable. His heartbeat quickened, the sound of it now loud in his ears as if echoing the rising panic within him. His mind raced, searching for a way to break free from the unyielding grip, both physical and emotional.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I said, let me go!" [M/N] pleaded, his voice trembling now, the defiance giving way to fear and desperation. His eyes were wide, searching Mr. Aizawa's face for any sign of understanding or leniency, but the pro hero's expression remained impassive.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Why won't you trust me?" [M/N]'s voice cracked, the words coming out as a broken whisper. "I'm fine, I promise. It was just an accident... Please believe me..." He wished Toga was here to help him. He misses her, her calming voice, the way she would hug him and cradle him when he had his episodes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The grip on his wrist felt like an unbreakable chain, anchoring him to the reality of his vulnerability. Mr. Aizawa's unyielding gaze bore into him, the weight of suspicion and concern mingling in his eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I can't simply take your word for it," Mr. Aizawa finally responded, his voice firm but tinged with a hint of empathy. "As your teacher and someone responsible for your well-being, it's my duty to ensure your safety. [M/N], you have to understand why I'm doing this... You haven't been the most reliable student as of late..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s shoulders slumped; his desperate plea ignored. A mix of frustration and resignation coursed through his veins, his eyes momentarily dropping to the ground. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he knew was always inevitable.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Fine," [M/N] murmured, his voice resigned, a stray tear from the wetness pooling in his eyes sliding down his cheek. "But please... be gentle."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

With a sigh, Mr. Aizawa released his grip on [M/N]'s wrist, his expression softening slightly. "I'll be as gentle as I can," he assured, his voice carrying a hint of compassion. "But I need to make sure you're not hiding anything."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] nodded, his throat constricting as he fought to control his emotions. He slowly lifted his shirt, revealing the tender skin beneath. The area around his side was marked by a blossoming bruise, its vibrant hues contrasting sharply with the paleness of his complexion. It was a visible testament to the unintentional harm caused by Bakugou's elbow.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As Mr. Aizawa examined the bruise, his gaze became more focused, scrutinizing every detail. [M/N] couldn't help but feel a pang of ~~DISGUST~~, his ~~VIOLATED~~ body shivering under the weight of the ~~LIAR~~ pro hero's scrutiny. He felt exposed, like his ~~SCARRED MANGLED CORPSE~~ was now laid bare for the world to see.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What the fuck is going on here?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His wrist was suddenly grabbed, shirt falling down as [M/N] was pulled harshly to the side. Looking up, he stared into Bakugou's bright red eyes, which were glaring at Mr. Aizawa. "Is this some kind of interrogation?" He growled in a low voice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa's expression remained unchanged, his gaze meeting Bakugou's with an unwavering resolve. "This is not an interrogation, Bakugou," he replied calmly, his voice betraying none of the tension surrounding them. "I was merely ensuring well-being of my student."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou's grip tightened further, his anger barely contained. "Sure as hell didn't look like it," he seethed through gritted teeth, his voice laced with a mixture of protectiveness and rage.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] could feel the conflicting emotions swirling within him, torn between gratitude for Bakugou's intervention and concern over the escalating confrontation. His voice trembled as he tried to diffuse the situation. "Bakugou, it's okay," he pleaded softly, his eyes pleading with him. "Mr. Aizawa was just making sure I'm alright..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou stood there, body tense and shaking with anger. He let out a loud sound that was a mix between a yell and a growl, startling [M/N]. Bakugou tugged on his wrist, resulting in a yelp from him as Bakugou began walking away from Mr. Aizawa with [M/N] in tow.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As they distanced themselves from Mr. Aizawa, the atmosphere remained charged with unspoken tension. Bakugou's grip on [M/N]'s wrist remained firm, yet there was an underlying sense of protectiveness in his actions, albeit veiled by his fiery demeanor.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"W-Where are we going?" [M/N] finally managed to ask.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Far away from there." He growled out, simultaneously hissing; "Fucking shitty idiots... As if they know anything about you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Oh...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou, [M/N] blushed, was adorable.

"You..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] paused, slowly turning around. Bakugou was still screaming profanities in the background, so that gruff voice couldn't have been him. In front of him was a familiar looking man, dressed in a brown maid-like outfit and wearing a cute little tail. He was one of the Pussycats... What was his name?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tiger, his mind supplied. The scary one.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You don't want to be here, do you?" Tiger growled, but it wasn't like one of Bakugou's, it was... Gentle wasn't the right word, but it wasn't aggressive either.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What's it to you?" [M/N] muttered, still feeling on guard after Mr. Aizawa.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

~~THERE WAS NEVER AN ADULT HE COULD TRUST. NEVER AGAIN.~~

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tiger's feline eyes narrowed as he studied [M/N], his tail swaying lazily behind him. There was a flicker of understanding in his gaze, as if he could sense the turmoil that [M/N] carried within. "I can see it in your eyes," he replied, his voice low but not threatening. "Whatever happened to you..." [M/N] prepares himself. He knows whats coming. It's what everyone wants to know, it's what everyone wants him to confess. His sin. His guilt. What happened to him, why is he so FUCKING MESSED UP?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's none of my business."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He's startled by that statement so much that he nearly falls down in shock. [M/N] stood there, momentarily speechless, as he struggled to process Tiger's unexpected response. The man's gloved hand softly touched his shoulder, offering a gentle reassurance that sent a tremor through [M/N]'s body.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Don't blame yourself for it," Tiger said, his rough voice filled with a quiet compassion. "It's not your fault. You're trying to overcome it, so don't let anyone get in the way of that."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The weight of those words sank deep into [M/N]'s being, stirring up a mix of emotions he had long suppressed. It was a simple gesture, a few words of understanding, so why did it hurt so much?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tears welled up in [M/N]'s eyes as he nodded, his voice choked with gratitude. "Thank you..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tiger's hand remained on his shoulder only for a moment longer, leaving with a gentle squeeze. "KEEP BUILDING THOSE MUSCLES!" He barked before walking back over to Midoriya, yelling at him to straighten his back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What the hell are you doing just standing there?!" Bakugou snapped, startling [M/N]. "Get back to punching that tree!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"R-Right!" He blushed.

"Now, remember what I said yesterday? 'Today's the only day we'll be doing stuff for you'," Pixie Bob grinned. "At least make your own food!" Ragdoll chimed in, nodding her head excitedly. "How about some... CURRY!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A collective groan of fatigue echoed through the forest; the exhaustion evident on everyone's faces.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Wow, you all look absolutely drained!" Ragdoll laughed cheerfully, seemingly undeterred by their lack of energy. "But that doesn't mean you can make any old sloppy cat food!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

In front of [M/N], Iida suddenly perked up, his eyes gleaming with determination. "It's true that part of rescuing someone is not only saving them physically but also nourishing their stomachs and spirits during a disaster..." He clenched his fist, his resolve determined. "That's the spirit of U.A.! We never waste an opportunity! Let's come together and create the most delicious curry in the world, everyone!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As Iida rallied the tired students with his peptalk, [M/N] couldn't help but be impressed. Wow, Iida, he thought, a small smile forming on his lips, you really know how to lift everyone's spirits.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]!" Mina called, "Come over here!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] turned towards Mina's voice, spotting her waving him over to join her group. He wearily made his way toward her. As he approached, he noticed a spread of ingredients laid out on a table, ready to be used for cooking.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What's up, Mina?" [M/N] asked, trying to summon some energy into his voice.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We need your help with the curry!" Mina replied enthusiastically, gesturing towards the ingredients. "We're counting on your amazing taste buds to make sure the flavor is just right!" She winked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Don't we need a fire to make the curry first?" Uraraka smiled, sweat dropping. "Oh, right..." Mina pouted, looking over [M/N]'s shoulder. "Todoroki!" She called, "Can we get fire over here, too?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Todoroki, who was lighting anothers' fire, nodded in response to Mina's request. He calmly walked over to the group, his signature half-cold and half-hot quirk at the ready. With a focused look in his eyes, he directed his flames towards a stove, igniting it with ease.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Thanks, Todoroki!" Mina grinned, giving him a thumbs-up. "Thank you, Todoroki..." He smiled softly. "...You're welcome," he replied simply, his voice carrying a hint of softness that [M/N] found endearing. Staring into Todoroki's eyes... Were they always that nice to look at?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Beside him, an explosion went off, startling [M/N] and eliciting a loud yelp from Mina. "Shit!" Bakugou scowled, looking at his now-destroyed grill. "You were only supposed to use a little!" Sero gasped, his eyes wide with surprise.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hmph, if you only rely on others, then you will not learn how to light a fire yourself." Yaoyorozu sighed, trying to hide a smile.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sight of all his classmates having fun almost brought a smile to [M/N]'s face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Almost.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Once all the food was cooked, he sat beside Todoroki, taking small bites of the curry. "This... is kind of good," [M/N] chuckled, unable to hide his surprise.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He glanced at Todoroki, a smile playing on his lips. "You know, Todoroki, you're pretty good at cooking... It's a bit of a shock."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Todoroki, his usual stoic expression softening, nodded in acknowledgment. "Cooking has its similarities with controlling fire," he replied, taking another bite of the curry. "Precision, balance, and understanding the right amount of heat."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He glanced at [M/N]'s plate, noticing how full his bowl was compared to everyone else. "You're not eating very much..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] paused, his grip on the spoon tightening, hovering over the bowl. "I... try not to eat a lot." He admitted. "Most of the time I can't keep anything down..." [M/N] grimaced, remembering how he threw up on Mina.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

I see," Todoroki replied gently, his voice laced with empathy. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before continuing, "Is it... a health issue?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He ate his rotted skin. Cloth torn from the pillows he was repeatedly violated against. The finger that was cut from his hand and placed in a dog bowl, all the while the man he sees in the mirror laughed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yeah... Sure."

[M/N] exhaled heavily, sweat dripping down his brow as he hauled yet another giant rock up the steep hill. The strain on his muscles was becoming increasingly evident, causing his arms and legs to tremble with exhaustion. He paused, taking a moment to rest and catch his breath. "Why... Am I doing this again?" He panted, catching his breath.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"BECAUSE YOU NEED TO PUSH YOUR LIMITS!" Tiger's voice boomed from below, his words echoing through the training grounds. "IF YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE PLUS ULTRA, YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME YOUR WEAKNESS! THERE BETTER BE A MOUNTAIN THERE WHEN YOU'RE DONE! WORK, WORK, WORK!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] really liked Tiger. His outfit was so cute...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Everyone!" Pixie Bob called out, capturing [M/N]'s attention. "Tonight, we'll be having a thrilling test of courage, pitting the classes against each other! It's a chance for some fun after all the hard training. Consider it a reward for your efforts!" She grinned mischievously.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] furrowed his brow, curiosity piqued. "What's a test of courage?" He mumbled.

"Now we've filled our bellies and washed the dishes!" Pixie Bob's cheerful voice echoed through the clearing, drawing everyone's attention. The sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the trees. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Next..." Pixie Bob continued, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mina couldn't contain her excitement as she jumped up and down, her energy contagious. "It's time for the test of courage!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We're gonna test it!" Kirishima and his ensemble of Kaminari, Sero, and Sato cheered.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Before that, it pains me to say this, but the extra lessons group will be having class with me now." Mr. Aizawa interrupted. Mina's expression turned from excitement to disbelief as Mr. Aizawa's capture scarf shot out, swiftly grabbing her and the rest of the group. Panic and protest filled the air as they were forcefully pulled away from the others.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" She screamed, her voice echoing in the clearing. "You're training during the day wasn't good enough, so I have to use this time." Mr. Aizawa glared at them darkly, dragging the group away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Sorry, Mina, [M/N] thought sadly. After the explanation of how Class B would be the first scarers and Class A would leave in pairs every three minutes, it was time for the test of courage to begin.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"The class that makes the most people piss their pants wins..." Tiger's low growl pierced everyone's ears, most of his classmates shivering away from him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] blushed, looking at Tiger's excited swaying tail.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Holding up his card, [M/N] stared at the number eight, wondering who his partner would be.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Um..." A nervous voice squeaked, and a gentle tap on his shoulder startled him. [M/N] slowly turned around, his gaze meeting Midoriya's anxious eyes. The contrast between Midoriya's timid demeanor and [M/N]'s cold steely stare was palpable, creating an instant tension between them. "...I guess we're partners." Midoriya nervously smiled.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] maintained his steely gaze, his expression unyielding. He didn't respond immediately, allowing the silence to stretch between them. "...Great..." He finally responded; voice just as cold.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"This... Might be a good thing!" A bead of nervous sweat dripped down Midoriya's face. "I've been wanting to talk to you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"And if I don't want to talk to you?" [M/N] deadpanned. Midoriya swallowed hard. "Then... Can I ask that you at least listen?" he replied, his voice trembling slightly. [M/N] hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

There was something in Midoriya's plea that tugged at a faint curiosity within him. Reluctantly, he nodded, allowing a sliver of possibility to seep into his guarded heart.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Fine," [M/N] responded curtly, his tone still guarded but with a faint hint of relenting. "But make it quick."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya nodded, looking down at his fingers, twisting them nervously. "I understand now... Why we broke up, I mean. A-And I don't blame you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] blinked, taken aback by Midoriya's unexpected confession. His guard began to waver as he listened to the trembling vulnerability in Midoriya's voice. The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Why... Why are you saying this now?" [M/N] questioned, his voice softer, a touch of confusion coloring his words.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya took a deep breath, his gaze lifting to meet [M/N]'s eyes. "Because... I've had time to reflect on everything, on our relationship, and I realized that I wasn't being fair to you," he admitted, his voice laced with regret. "I put so much pressure on both of us, on myself to be the hero I thought I had to be, and on you to understand and support me no matter what. But... I feel like such an idiot now, because I don't even know you!" He chuckled, wiping a stray tear from his cheek.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] felt a knot forming in his chest.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I made you carry a burden that wasn't yours to bear, because I thought you wanted me the same way that I... That I want you..." Midoriya continued, his voice trembling with sincerity. "And I see now that it was unfair. I didn't communicate properly, and I didn't give you the support you needed in return. I'm sorry."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Silence settled between them, punctuated only by the sounds of nature around them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Thank you for saying that," he whispered, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. [M/N] quickly wiped them away, turning his face away from Midoriya so he wouldn't see his loss of composure. Midoriya's smile, though tinged with lingering apprehension, held a genuine warmth. "Maybe... Maybe we can start over, as friends..." He suggested, a flicker of hope stirring within him. "But this time, let's both be honest with ourselves and each other."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Honest. He... Didn't know how to do that...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I, um... I'd like that," [M/N] replied, his grip on Midoriya's hand tightening ever so slightly. Honest. Honest...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He stares at the black cellular device, nearly crushing it with his grip. 'Its time,' the thing says.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]?" He startles, straying from his thoughts as he tilts his head to Midoriya. "Are you alright? You look a bit sick..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] draws his trembling hands deeper into the sleeves of his jacket, a shudder leaving his cold body.

I've never seen anyone as manipulative as you.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm fine," He lies.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The perfect successor...

I wanna keep my nose clean

Notes:

aha. ahahaha. AHAHAHAH.
someone better stop me before i do somethin yall will regret HEHEHEHE.

Chapter 52: Chapter Fourty Nine

Notes:

HOMECOMINGGGGG IS NEXT WEEEK!!! yall as excited as i am? originally my suit was gonna be pink but now that the theme was announced i sent it back in exchange for a red suit lmao. the themes "haunted halloween" and i just thought red went better than pink
anywho, enjoy this chapter!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

And it's sad to know that we're not alone in this

The anticipation was suffocating, enveloping [M/N] in a cloud of anxiety and fear. His body quivered with tension, each nerve on edge, as if waiting for the impending strike of a guillotine.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His stomach churned in protest, a sickening sensation swirling within him. Nausea clawed at his throat, reminding him of the torment he had endured before. The taste of bile lingered on his tongue, a bitter reminder of his vulnerability. He clutched his abdomen, his knuckles turning white, desperately trying to suppress the rising tide of sickness.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The smell of smoke suddenly drifted through his nostrils.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Oh, God. It's happening. It's actually happening.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What's this burnt smell?" Pixie Bob mumbled, sniffing the air. "Is something on fire?" Midoriya asked, his voice laced with concern. The tension in the air was palpable as the group exchanged worried glances.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As the smoke grew thicker, a flicker of blue caught [M/N]'s eye. His breath caught in his throat as he turned his head towards the direction of the flames. A wave of fear washed over him as he witnessed the sight unfolding before him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"W-What's this?!" Pixie Bob suddenly yelped, her body being lifted into the air by a red forcefield, dragged away. "Pixie Bob!" Mandalay yelled.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Pixie Bob was smacked with a concrete bar, knocked unconscious instantly. Standing over her stood a man with red hair, and a humanoid lizard. "Those pet cats are in the way." The man laughed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Pixie Bob!" Midoriya yelled in shock, racing towards her. But before he could reach her, Tiger swiftly intercepted him, blocking his path with a firm yet protective stance. "Oh no..." Mandalay grimaced, her expression tight. She swiftly assumed a fighting stance, her body poised and ready to defend against any further threats.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It's happening.

"Awwe, we wanted our courage tested too..." Ashido whined, disappointed. "Didn't she say there was a carrot and a stick? Where's the carrot?" Kirishima pouted.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta considered himself a very patient person, but these children were really pushing it. "For tonight's lesson, I will drill into you how to behave during an emergency." he stated firmly, guiding them into the building. "If you don't become more self-aware that you're falling behind the others, then the difference between you will grow larger..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Opening the sliding door to the classroom, Shouta tuned out the other student, coming to stand beside his coworker. "Vlad, I wanted to add some practice maneuvers this time..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Don't make me teach them alone again, he inwardly threatened.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I was thinking about that, too. You don't have to tell me that--." Vlad was cut off. A tingling, electric sensation coursed through Shouta's body, almost startling him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

'Everyone!' Mandalay's telepathic message echoed, her power reaching out to the entire group. "Woah, it's Mandalay's telepath abilities..." Kirishima said in awe. "I like this. It makes me jump." Mina grinned.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Stop talking. All of you." Shouta ordered, his eyes narrowing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

'We're being attacked by two villains!' Mandalay reported. 'It's possible that there are more; everyone who can move, get back to camp immediately! Even if you encounter the enemy, do not engage, prioritize your safety!'

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The room fell into silence as the gravity of the situation settled upon them. Shouta's mind raced with thoughts of how to ensure the students' safety and coordinate an effective response.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Vlad," Shouta swiftly addressed his coworker, his voice filled with urgency. "I'm leaving this place to you. I'll go protect the other students!" He didn't even wait for a response before he was racing out of the classroom, his footsteps echoing down the hall. His priority was clear—to protect the other students from the imminent danger that loomed outside.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

I don't want to think about what could happen...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The moment he reached the outside, the sight before him sent a jolt of shock through Shouta's body. Thick plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, intertwining with the ominous glow of blue flames. This is bad, he thought.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Is your worry taking precedence, Eraser...?"

"How are you this evening, U.A. High school? We are the Vanguard Action Squad of the League of Villains!" The lizardman held out his arms, smug.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

I'm gonna throw up.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] covered his mouth, sweat dripping down his entire body, desperately fighting off the urge to vomit. Stay strong, he silently told himself, willing his body to cooperate and maintain control.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Shall I crush this girl's head?" The man holding the cement bar over Pixie Bob's head grinned menacingly, his voice dripping with sadistic delight. "What d'you think? Well?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Like I'd let you--." Tiger was interrupted by the Lizardman holding his hand out. "Wait up, Big Sis Mag," [M/N] paused. "Don't be hasty. It all depends on whether having power over life and death follows Stain's tenents or not..." Lizardman yielded.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Stain.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The mention of the infamous Hero Killer brought forth a rush of bad memories within him, memories he'd much rather forget.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"So you're the ones his ideology brought?!" Iida's voice rang out, filled with a mix of anger and fear. "That's right!" Lizardman's grin widened. "Im-- Oh, wait, you, with the glasses! You were the one who brought about the end of Stain at Hosu City. I apologize for the late introduction..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Lizardman pulled out a giant... Pole. With different swords strapped to it with belts.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm Spinner, the one who will spin his dreams into reality!" His laughter reverberated through the air.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I don't care about your twisted ideologies, but you bastards..." Tiger's voice growled with a deep intensity. "That woman lying there, Pixie Bob, has started worry about getting married. She was doing her best to find happiness as a woman, despite her age..." His anger seethed as he stood tall, his gaze fixed on the villains before him. The claws on his gloves gleamed menacingly, a stark reminder of the fury brewing within him. "You can't damage that woman's face... AND THEN JUST STAND THERE LAUGHING ABOUT IT!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Tiger! I've broadcasted instructions." Mandalay reported. "Leave the safety of the other students to Ragdoll. The two of us will hold them back here!" She turned to the class, tone authoritative. "Listen carefully. Do not fight. Class rep, you're in charge!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Understood!" Iida nodded, herding the class back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As the class retreated under Iida's guidance, [M/N]'s mind was focused on one thing alone.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Finding Shigaraki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Mandalay!" Midoriya's voice echoed with urgency, drawing [M/N]'s attention. "I know... I know where Kota is!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mandalay's brows furrowed momentarily in confusion only for a second before she gave a fierce nod. "Go!" She commanded, her voice firm. "Go, find him! And take another classmate with you. Remember, do not engage under any circumstances!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] felt a surge of adrenaline course through his veins, his focus sharpening. "Midoriya!" He yelled. "I'll go with you!"

He sprinted after Midoriya, his heart pounding in his chest as he closed the distance between them. With a burst of speed, Midoriya used his Quirk to grab Kota away from the menacing giant man, gently cradling him in his arms. [M/N] skidded to a halt beside them, kneeling down.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Kota, are you okay?" he asked urgently, his eyes scanning the young boy for any signs of injury. Kota nodded, his eyes wide with fear and shock. "Y-Yeah... I'm fine," he stammered, clutching onto Midoriya's arm tightly. "Th-Thank you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The giant man loomed above them, his gaze fixed on Midoriya. "Hm...? You were on the list," he mumbled.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya's determination burned brightly in his eyes as he turned his attention to [M/N] and Kota. "Kota... [M/N]..." His voice quivered with a mixture of fear and resolve. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to either of you." Green sparks of electricity crackled around Midoriya's body, his Quirk charging up. "I'll protect you both!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"That sounds just like what someone who want to be a hero would say." the giant man chuckled, his voice laced with malice as he taunted Midoriya. His smug grin sent shivers down [M/N]'s spine. "Your kind, always prattling on about justice... You're Midoriya, right? Perfect. We were given orders to take the initiative and eliminate you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s eyes widened as the muscle around the man grew, enlarging until it was hulking and his arms were covered in protective muscle. "I'll make sure to torment you thoroughly, so show me your blood!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

With a terrifying burst of speed, the man lunged towards them, his massive form hurtling through the air. Midoriya reacted quickly, raising his arm to block the man's punch. The impact was bone-chilling, accompanied by a sickening crack that reverberated through the air. Midoriya was sent flying backward, crashing into the rock wall with a resounding thud.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It sickened [M/N] to his core, his heart wrenching at the sight of Midoriya being thrown around and brutally beaten by the hulking man. Helplessness consumed him as he stood on the sidelines, his hands trembling as he held Kota tightly against his chest.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I almost forgot..." The man chuckled, his voice dripping with sinister amusement. "If you know... Tell me... Where's the kid called Bakugou?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A chord of fear struck [M/N]'s heart.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I still have to do my job!" "I still have to do my job!" The man knelt, launching himself at Midoriya once again. Luckily, Midoriya dodged just in time, moving to the side right as the man struck his fist where his head would have been.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A surge of relief washed over [M/N] as Midoriya narrowly avoided the man's devastating blow. Bakugou, they were looking for Bakgou. Why, though? Why were they specifically targeting Bakugou? What did they want with him? Questions swirled in [M/N]'s mind, but he had no answers.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Before he could react, Kota was wriggling out of his arms; breaking free from [M/N]'s protective hold. "Kota, wait!" [M/N] shouted, reaching his hand out in a desperate attempt to stop him. But it was too late. The young boy picked up a stray rock and hurled it at the man, his trembling voice filled with anger and sorrow.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Water Hose..." His trembling voice was barely above a whisper. "Papa... Mama... Did you torment them like that, too, before you killed them?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Seriously...?" The man mumbled, turning around. "Your parents were heroes? This must be fate!" He laughed, raising his arms nonchalantly. "Water Hose... It's thanks to them that my left eye is an artificial eye now."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's your fault..." Kota's fists clenched tightly as he stared at the man, his voice choked with anger and grief. "It's because of guys like you... that it always, always turns out like this!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As [M/N] watched the young boy confront his tormentor, a pang of envy surged through him. To know that there was a child braver than him... It was pathetic.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Kids are always shifting the blame like that." The man sighed. "That's no good. It's not like I have a grudge about this eye or anything, you know. I just wanted to kill, and those two wanted to stop me. It was the result of all of us doing what we wanted, what's wrong is wanting to do something you are unable to do, like your mommy and daddy!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] watched as Midoriya suddenly came up from behind the man, hurtling towards him. He lodged his hand into the mans muscle, trapping himself. "You're wrong! A hero's job... IS TO RISK HIS LIFE TO MAKE THE DREAM INTO REALITY!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] stood there, breathless and wide-eyed in awe as Midoriya used his super strength, his clothes tearing from his skin from the force of it. The strength of his punch was immense. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet. The force was so immense that [M/N] himself was almost knocked off balance, teetering precariously at the edge of the cliff.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Kota landed right beside him, rolling against the ground; and right off the cliff. Before anyone could even scream, [M/N] lunged forward, his hands shooting out to grab the boy by the collar of his shirt. The fabric strained under the weight, but [M/N] held on tightly, his grip unwavering.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Midoriya!" He shouted. Said boy came darting towards them, collapsing to the ground and using his unbroken left arm to grab Kota. With Midoriya's help, they both managed to pull him back onto the cliff.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Th-Thank you!" Kota gasped, collapsing onto his knees. "Let's get back to camp..." Midoriya panted, clearly drained. "It's not far from here..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Before they could take another step, the ground beneath them erupted, and the man burst from out of the rock pile; leaving everyone in shock.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

'No way...' [M/N] took a step back, his heart beating erratically.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"That punch was too obvious." The man grinned, his voice laced with dark amusement, as he stood upright, seemingly unfazed. "But that wasn't bad, Midoriya!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"G-Get away from us!" Midoriya yelled as the man advanced on them. "Naw," the giant man shook his head, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "I feel like attacking now, all of a sudden."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"W-What are you trying to do?!" It didn't take [M/N] long to realize Midoriya was trying to distract him. "What's the League of Villains after?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"How should I know?" The giant shrugged. "I just want to fight. As long as I can stretch my wings and unleash my quirk, I don't care." He continued to walk towards them, unscathed. "Do you remember? Up until just now, we were just playing. I said so, didn't I? 'Let's play'? Right?! Well, I'm done... Playtime's over."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya's urgency escalated as he called out to [M/N] and Kota. "Kota, [M/N], grab on! Quickly!" He shouted. [M/N] didn't hesitate, quickly grabbing onto Kota as Midoriya propelled them away with the power of his quirk. The ground trembled behind them as the giant man's fist crashed into the spot they had just occupied.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Another punch was thrown their way, the impact of it sent [M/N] and Kota tumbling through the air, crashing onto the ground with a thud. Pain radiated through [M/N]'s body as he groaned, struggling to regain his bearings. He could hear Kota whimpering beside him, the young boy clearly frightened and disoriented.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Stay down, Kota," [M/N] whispered, his voice strained. "I won't let him hurt you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sound of Midoriya's yells echoed in the distance. Just as [M/N] turned around, he watched as Midoriya reeled his broken arm back, tears collected in his eyes, and threw another smash at the giant man. [M/N] raised his arm up, blocking the wind of the hit, and watched in awe.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"RUN!" Midoriya screamed. "[M/N], KOTA, RUN!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was at that moment [M/N] realized; Midoriya was prepared to die.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sight of his friend, battered and determined, ready to lay down his life for their sake, struck him. All those feelings he had felt, anger, sadness, disgust for Midoriya; he regretted it all. How could he have harbored such negative feelings towards someone who was willing to sacrifice everything for others?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Was that... Water?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] whipped his head around, staring at Kota. The young boy had stood up, his hands outstretching and soaking. "St... Stop it!" He yelled.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Later!" The man grinned, "Kay? Kay? I'll kill you later, so just wait--!" Before the man could finish his sentence, he was being lifted up; Midoriya's nearly-crushed body regaining strength as he used his quirk to push the man. "As if... ID LET YOU KILL HIM!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sheer force of his quirk propelled the giant man backward, surprising everyone, including [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Delaware... SMASH..!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The force of his blows resonated with the pain and anger he had harbored, channeled into each strike. The air crackled with energy as Midoriya fought with every fiber of his being, refusing to back down.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] watched in awe as Midoriya unleashed his quirk with an intensity that seemed almost otherworldly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya... You're really... Amazing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...I'm sorry things have to end this way...

And it's sad to know there's no honest way out

Notes:

real talk for a moment. some of yall may or may not have already guessed from my previous not-so-subtle hints; this story is going to be ending soon. ive never been a fan of prolonged stories that follow an anime entirely through, i think its always better to end it right at the peak instead of going on and losing motivation until eventually you burn out and leave a fic on indefinite hiatus.
BUT OF COURSE THE ENDING ISNT FOR LIKE ANOTHER TWENTY OR SO (literally im just guessing that number will change every day) CHAPTERS SO YALL GOT NOTHIN TO WORRY ABOUT HEHEHE.
see yall in two weeks!!

Chapter 53: Chapter Fifty

Notes:

that 69 is just a placeholder cuz haha 69 funny

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

In this life we lead, we can conquer everything.

"Well... I guess you are a pro, after all..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta's body moved on instinct, barely evading the blistering flames that engulfed the area. He used his capture scarf to swiftly ascend the nearest wall, gaining a vantage point over the chaotic scene below.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The man in front of him is young, blue eyes and black hair, scars of burnt flesh marring his skin. Shouta's gaze locked onto him, his red eyes narrowing with intensity. "You..." he muttered, his voice laced with a mix of caution and recognition. "You were the one with [M/N]..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A sly grin spread across the young man's face, a chilling display of amusement. "Ah, so you remember," he taunted, his voice dripping with twisted delight. "Quite impressive for a washed-up hero like you..!" He raised his hands, but to the mans dismay, nothing happened.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Nothing's gonna come out." Aizawa growled, throwing his capture scarf and wrapping it around the young man. With a swift motion, he pulled him forward, delivering a devastating knee strike to his head. The man was sent crashing to the ground, and Shouta wasted no time in restraining him, firmly asserting his control over the situation.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Tell me your purpose, number, and positions." He demanded, voice firm. "Let's approach this logically... If you make me break your legs, it'll be annoying to transport you..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Purpose...?" Shouta's question was met with a sharp, unsettling laughter from the man. "Sure, I'll tell you... I'm here to collect something cute for the big boss... Something he's been eyeing for quite a while..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta felt a surge of anger and unease. The man's words were unsettling, to say the least. "Enough joking," Shouta growled, his grip on the restraints tightening. "You will give me a straight answer, or I'll make sure you regret it."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The man's smirk only widened; his eyes gleaming with a sick pleasure. "Oh, sure," he drawled, "He wants that other boy too, but this one... Ah, the boss is utterly obsessed with him... Course' I don't blame him, the kid is just so sweet..." A sick feeling rose in Shouta's stomach. "So cute, and fragile... It almost makes you want grab that thin little throat of his, and take him apart piece by piece..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

His hands have gone white from how hard he was gripping his capture scarf; the blood no longer circulating. Shouta knew who the man was talking about, the only kid in his class uncomfortably close to Shigaraki, but confirming it... that would make it real...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Wow, you look incredibly angry, Eraserhead." The villain grinned, chuckling. A mix of rage, disgust, and concern surged through him. He was going to keep [M/N] far, far away from this sick man. "Is that angelic image you had of him shattering...? Not the boy you thought he was?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You know nothing about him," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "I will protect [M/N] with everything I have. Your sick fantasies and delusions won't touch him."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The villain's grin widened, relishing in Shouta's anger. "Oh, but I know more than you think," he taunted. "It's a delightful sight, watching that facade crumble... All it takes is pushing the right buttons..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

For a moment, Aizawa can't see anything but a murderous red. He can't listen anymore, or else he'll do something he would regret.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It was also at that moment his students burst into the clearing. The sight of them momentarily pulled him back from the edge of his rage. But it was enough of a distraction for the villain to break free from his restraints.

[M/N] trailed behind Midoriya as they ran through the dense forest. "Almost there..." Midoriya mumbled. "H-Hey, look!" Kota pointed. Mr. Aizawa was there, running.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Mr. Aizawa!" Midoriya's voice echoed through the trees, filled with a mixture of urgency and desperation. The man halted in his tracks, his eyes widening with a combination of worry and horror as he took in the sight of his students.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's terrible!" Midoriya gasped for breath as Kota climbed off his back, the urgency evident in his voice. "There are a ton of things I need to tell you. First, there's something I need to tell Mandalay-- please take care of Kota! He has a water quirk. You have to protect him!" Before Midoriya could dash off again, Mr. Aizawa halted him, his voice unwavering. "Midoriya!" he called out, his tone demanding attention. "Just... Stay there for a minute."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa turned his attention to [M/N], that horrified expression coming back. "It's important that you listen to me carefully," Mr. Aizawa spoke firmly, his gaze fixed on him. [M/N] felt a cold sweat drip down his back, worried. "There's a man with a fire quirk looking for you." He had only averted his gaze for a moment when Mr. Aizawa grabbed him by the shoulders. "Look at me! You need to stay away from him, got it?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] nodded, his heart pounding with fear. "I-I understand," he replied, his voice quivering slightly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa's grip on their shoulders tightened for a moment before he released them. His expression softened, but a hint of worry still lingered in his eyes. "Good. Your safety is our top priority. We'll do everything we can to protect you, I promise."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] had no intention of staying long enough to see that promise through.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Midoriya," Mr. Aizawa turned to the green-haired boy. "When you reach Mandalay, I need you to tell her this... I give the students permission to use their quirks."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya's eyes widened in surprise, his mind racing to comprehend the significance of Mr. Aizawa's words. "Permission to use our quirks...?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Mr. Aizawa's gaze turned determined, his voice steady. "The situation has escalated, and we need every advantage we can get. Use your quirks to protect yourselves and the others. I believe in your abilities."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Midoriya nodded, a mix of gratitude and determination filling his eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Aizawa. We won't let you down."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta picked Kota up into his arms, watching Midoriya dash off into the forest. He turned his gaze back to [M/N], ready to tell the boy to come with him; but to his surprise, [M/N] was nowhere to be found.

[M/N] had, obviously, run in the opposite direction of Midoriya. Back with Mandalay wasn't where he needed to be right now.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi was here, and looking for him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He honestly couldn't decide whether to hit the man when he found him, or hug him. The pain Dabi had made him feel was still a fresh wound in his mind... but on the other hand, the memories of their shared moments, the bittersweet emotions that accompanied them, tugged at [M/N]'s heart.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wondered if Dabi had changed, would [M/N] still recognize him? Would Dabi recognize [M/N]?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Flesh... Piece of meat... FLESH...!!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] froze, his heart pounding in his chest as he beheld the disturbing sight before him. Suspended in the air, a man in a black asylum uniform levitated with metal poles protruding from his mouth, keeping him aloft.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"GOD DAMMIT!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He whipped his head downward. M/N] noticed Katsuki and Todoroki nearby. Todoroki had someone injured on his back. ""The only way forward is to unleash the full force of my explosions..!" Katsuki declared, his voice filled with determination.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You can't!" Todoroki snapped. "If the trees burn, just cover them with ice right after!" Bakugou yelled back.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Todoroki, Katsuki!" [M/N] finally decided to gain their attention. "M/N!" Todoroki exclaimed, relief evident in his voice as he turned towards [M/N]. Katsuki also looked in their direction, concern etched on his face. "What are you doing here? You should stay away from the danger!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I got lost and saw you guys..." [M/N] replied, licking his lips as his eyes darting between the injured person on Todoroki's back and the airborne man in the asylum uniform. "Is everyone okay?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Todoroki nodded, his gaze shifting to the injured person. "They got caught in the crossfire. We need to get them to safety."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"THE ONLY WAY TO SAFETY IS USING EVERYTHING I HAVE AGAINST HIM..!" Katsuki interjected, yelling. "I'm telling you, you can't!" Todoroki's frustration was palpable "If you unleash a blast, it could impair my vision, too! What happens if I can't control the extent of the explosion? Our opponent has the advantage in both number of moves and distance!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

In the distance, a deafening explosion shattered the air, capturing the attention of everyone in the clearing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Over there! I can see ice!" Midoriya's voice rang out from afar. "They're caught in the middle of a battle!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou, Todoroki!" Shouji's voice boomed through the chaos. Midoriya was safely sheltered on Shouji's back, shielded by his multipurpose arms. "One of you, please--! Make some light!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Suddenly, a massive claw shot out, descending upon the airborne asylum man, crushing him with brute force. "Midoriya, Shouji..." Todoroki murmured, his eyes widening in recognition. "Is that... Tokoyami?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Hurry up and make some light!" Shoji yelled once again, urgency lacing his voice. "Tokoyami's out of control!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Tokoyami continued his relentless assault on the asylum man, delivering powerful blows that shattered teeth and sent the villain hurtling into a tree, rendering him unconscious. However, Tokoyami's Dark Shadow quirk seemed to be getting out of control, and the situation was becoming dangerous.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Just in the nick of time, Bakugou and Todoroki rushed forward, each using their respective quirks to create a blazing burst of light that illuminated the area. Bakugou's explosions erupted, and Todoroki conjured scorching flames, casting a bright glow that tamed the menacing shadows.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The sudden burst of light illuminated the area, revealing Tokoyami's Dark Shadow quirk writhing and retracting under the exposure to the combined flames and explosions. The dark bird-like creature slowly returned to its usual form as Tokoyami regained control.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Tokoyami, are you okay?" Todoroki asked, concern etched on his face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I... I am now," Tokoyami replied, his breaths heavy as he kneeled against the ground. "Sorry... Thanks for saving me..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Oh, right!" Midoriya spoke up, his voice filled with urgency. "We confirmed that one of the villains' targets is Kacchan, a-and [M/N]..." [M/N] glanced at Kacchan, who was looking at him with a bewildered expression. "Bakugou?" Tokoyami questioned, his face masked with concern. "Are they trying to kill him? Why?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I don't know..." Midoriya sighed, his brow furrowing with worry. "I think the camp is the safest place since there are two pros, Vlad King and Mr. Aizawa, there."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I see. So now our mission is to escort Bakugou there, huh?" Tokoyami replied.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] tuned them out, gripping Bakugou's sleeve tightly. It wasn't fair, how he was lying right to their faces, especially when they were trying to make a plan on how to protect [M/N]. He didn't want to lie to them, but he also couldn't reveal the truth and put them at risk. He had to find a way to handle this situation on his own, even if it meant distancing himself from his friends...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

...Permanently...

[M/N] paused in his steps, his heart pounding loudly in his ears as he felt a chilling sensation creeping up his spine. Looking forward, it seemed the group hadn't noticed he had fallen behind. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Completely stopping, [M/N] gazed into the darkness of the forest, trying to make out the figure coming closer and closer.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Little brother~..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Stepping out of the shadows was a familiar face. "Toga..." He mumbled, feeling his muscles tense. "Aw~." She cooed. "Aren't you going to give me a hug?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] didn't even hesitate, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as if he had been longing for this moment. Toga wrapped her arms around him as he pressed his cheek against her blonde hair, taking in her scent. "I missed you..." He sighed; his voice filled with relief. "I missed you so much."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"How have you been~?" Toga leaned back, softly placing her palms on his cheeks. "Have you been lonely~? That's alright, it'll all be over soon~."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I... I've been okay," he replied, trying to maintain a semblance of composure. Toga tilted her head, her gaze piercing through him. "Toga, what are you doing here?" he finally managed to ask, trying to divert the conversation. She chuckled softly, her fingers trailing down his cheeks. "I wouldn't be a good big sister if I didn't check on my little brother!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] stared into her golden eyes, a pang of sadness running through him. "Toga," He whispered, gently removing her hands from his cheeks. "I know... I know why you're here."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Toga tilted her head, eyes softening.

"[M/N]!" Midoriya shouted, smiling. "We thought you had been taken by the magician-." Todoroki reached out to place a reassuring hand on [M/N]'s shoulder, but [M/N] promptly pulled away, walking past him without saying a word.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N], stay back, we have to-!" Midoriya's words faltered as [M/N] continued to ignore them, walking closer and closer to those villains willingly. "...[M/N]... What are you doing..." Midoriya mumbled in shock, his heart sinking with worry and confusion.

"...[M/N]?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi stared down at [M/N], a faint smile crossing his lips. "Hey, kid." He breathed a sigh of relief, rubbing the back of his neck. "You ready to go?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] glanced back at Midoriya, Todoroki, and the others, each of their gazes filled with betrayal and hurt. The weight of their disappointment bore heavily on him, but he composed himself and turned back to Dabi.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yeah..." He was ready.

If we could just get the braves to get out of bed in the morning

Notes:

AHAHAHAHAHAHA
i do what i want. ANYWAYS!!! Homecoming was last night, had the most fun of my life, ate a lot, may or may not have made out with a plastic clown, who knows. i hope yall are havin fun, halloween is on tuesday so ig thats something to look forward to lmao.
hope you enjoyed the chapter!!!

Chapter 54: Chapter Fifty One

Notes:

SHIGARAKI!!!!!!!!
excuse me while i go vomit up last nights angst

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

I've been trying for so long to sing you the right song

"It appears the principal offenders of the U.A. High training camp attack called themselves the League of Villains Vanguard Action Squad. For U.A. High, in both the USJ incident and the Hosu Incident, THE NAME 'League of Villains'--."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Click.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Among the victims of the training camp attack was the only child of the pro heroes, Water Hose, who were killed by Muscular--."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Click.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We must conclude that there is some sort of problem with the management of U.A. High. Even if my child wanted to become a hero, I could not possibly enroll them into such a school--."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Click.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm really grateful for all the publicity we've been getting." Shigaraki gloated, his eyes filled with malice. "Hey, don't you agree..?" He turned toward Bakugou, who was bound in a chair with metal quirk suppressants on his hands. "Katsuki Bakugou..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou's expression was one of defiance, despite being restrained. "Tell me..." He growled, "Where the FUCK did you take [M/N]?!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki's grin widened at Bakugou's fiery response. "Oh, Bakugou, Bakugou, always the explosive one," he taunted. "Don't worry, your little friend is safe for now. I just wanted to have a little chat with him, that's all."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You sick bastard!" Bakugou spat, struggling against the restraints. "Let him go!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Now, now, there's no need for that," Shigaraki said nonchalantly, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm not interested in harming him... yet. But if you don't cooperate, who knows what accident might happen..?"

[M/N]'s head laid in Toga's lap, her fingers brushing soothingly through his hair as he clutched a pillow tightly to his chest.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Are you feeling better now, [M/N]?" Toga asked softly, her voice filled with a strange tenderness that didn't match the situation.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He nodded slightly, not trusting himself to speak. If [M/N] did, he was probably going to breakdown again. Toga smiled down at him, a smile that made his heart race for reasons he couldn't fully understand. "You're safe with me, you know?" she whispered, her fingers still caressing his hair.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I... I know," he finally managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. He wondered what Shigaraki was doing right now. After being shoved through the portal, he had barely even caught a glimpse of he man before being tugged into this room by Toga. "I should go back," he murmured, trying to sit up. Toga's hand gently pressed him back down, her smile unwavering.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Just a little longer," she insisted. "You need to rest, [M/N]. You've been through so much."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He wanted to resist, to reject her offer, but something in Toga's demeanor made him hesitate. "Just a little longer," she repeated, her voice soft and persuasive. Reluctantly, he lay back down, his body feeling heavy with exhaustion and emotions. "Okay..." he whispered, giving in to her request.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Toga's smile widened, and she continued to stroke his hair gently. He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind, but the events of the day kept replaying in his head. The fear, the pain, the betrayal he had made against his classmates...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The door behind them slammed open, startling both [M/N] and Toga. He slowly opened his eyes, locking gazes with Dabi. "Jesus," The man groaned. "You're like a fucking parasite..." He glared at Toga, "Always clinging to the nearest person that'll accept your demented and twisted version of love..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s heart sank at the sudden intrusion of Dabi, breaking the fragile peace that had settled in the room. He almost wanted to get up and punch him, or hug him, but punching sounded to tempting...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Toga, however, didn't seem fazed by Dabi's harsh words. She simply smiled, her fingers still playing gently with [M/N]'s hair. "But you see, Dabi, I think that's what makes us perfect for each other," she replied, her voice steady and unyielding. "[M/N] and I understand eachother, we have something special that nobody else will be able to have!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi's scowl somehow deepened more than it already was. His eyes flickered between Toga and [M/N], and for a moment, [M/N] thought he detected a hint of something else in Dabi's expression—perhaps jealousy or even envy. "[M/N]... come with me," Dabi eventually spoke, his voice holding an unexpected softness that clashed with his cold and stern demeanor.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Toga tightened her hold on [M/N]'s hand, a clear sign of resistance. "He doesn't want to go with you, Dabi. Can't you see that he's safe and happy with me?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi's retort was laced with a suppressed edge of frustration. "Wouldn't he be happier finally getting something to eat?" He snapped lowly.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Toga's grip on [M/N]'s arm tightened further, her fingernails digging into his skin almost painfully. "What makes you think you know what's good for him?" Her frown deepened, and her eyes bore into Dabi with a piercing intensity. "What makes you think you do?" Dabi fired back with a sneer. He turned his eyes to [M/N], those ocean blue eyes gazing into his.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi's gaze bore into [M/N] with an intensity that felt almost invasive, as if he was trying to unravel the thoughts racing through [M/N]'s mind. The young man's heart raced, his chest tight with conflicting emotions. Each word spoken, each movement made, seemed to echo like a thunderous drumbeat in the silence of the room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Toga..." [M/N] mumbled. He gently placed his free hand on Toga's tense fingers, trying to ease her grip on his arm. "It's fine... You can let me go..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Toga's eyes flickered between [M/N] and Dabi, as if she wanted to protest; but, Toga's grip on [M/N]'s arm relaxed slightly, her eyes never leaving Dabi's challenging stare. There was a mix of emotions swirling in her gaze—reluctance, concern, and a touch of anger. Slowly, she released her hold on him, her fingers sliding away.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As Toga released her hold on his arm, a sense of both relief and guilt washed over [M/N]. [M/N] stood up from the bed, his movements careful and deliberate. He slowly walked towards Dabi until he stood in front of the tall man.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi's lips quirked into a half-smile, a playfully dangerous glint in his eyes. "Ready to go?" he asked, the same words he had said before.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yeah," [M/N] softly replied. "I'm ready..."

As they stepped into the main room of the familiar bar, [M/N] wasn't ready for the scene that unfolded before them—Bakugou was bound against a chair, thrashing in his chains. "You FUCKS!" He shouted.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi's grip on [M/N]'s shoulder tightened, almost possessively, as he led him further into the room. "Well, well, look who decided to join us," Dabi taunted, a smirk playing on his lips. "Your little friend here was quite eager to see you."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Get your damn hands off him!" Bakugou's voice roared, reverberating through the room like a thunderous explosion. His bound form strained against the chains, the metal links clinking and shaking with the force of his furious resistance. Veins pulsed in his forehead, his crimson eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and concern for [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

There was a whisp of purple shadows in front of [M/N]. He stared at them solemnly until looking up, gazing into Kurogiri's golden eyes. It was ironic, he used to be afraid of them. Now? He struggled to feel anything. "[M/N]," Kurogiri addressed, his tone measured and composed, "It is good to see you have arrived safely." The words were polite, almost fatherly, but [M/N] couldn't shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The familiar voice cut through the tense air, causing [M/N] to turn his attention to the man who had been haunting his thoughts. The man he had been looking for. The one [M/N] had been wanting to see again for ages. Shigaraki.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]." The name rolled off Shigaraki's tongue, his lips curled into a faint smile, and his red eyes bore into [M/N], almost as if assessing the changes that had happened to [M/N] in the months they hadn't seen each other. Shigaraki's hair was longer, his form less scrawny and more fit. [M/N] probably looked horrible compared to him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Shigaraki..." He mumbled. [M/N] hesitated, the words pausing in his throat. "I... I missed you." His gaze turned to the floor, his confession bared to Shigaraki like an open wound. As he stared at the floor, his fingers gripping his shirt, he could almost feel Shigaraki's gaze on him, dissecting every word, every nuance.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki's smile, though faint, seemed genuine, almost as if the sentiment was unexpected yet welcomed. "...Welcome back," he replied, his voice holding a touch of warmth that [M/N] hadn't anticipated. Shigaraki's strides were confident as he approached [M/N], his arms wrapped softly around his body, hugging [M/N] with a possessiveness he hadn't felt in forever.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What the fuck..." Bakugou mumbled, staring at them with wide eyes. [M/N] could only take so much as a glance at him before Shigaraki pulled him away. "Magne," He ordered, "Take [M/N] upstairs."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You got it, Mr. Boss." The large woman from before, the one who had fought Tiger, nodded and gestured to [M/N]. He followed Magne upstairs, the woman leading the way with a brisk pace. The surroundings seemed eerily familiar, yet different in this context.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Looking at Magne, he firstly noticed how great her hair was. It was shiny, healthy, and looked to be greatly taken care of. Her attire also reflected a sense of meticulous care, each piece perfectly pressed and well-coordinated. [M/N] couldn't help but notice the pride she took in her appearance. "Um..." [M/N] softly mumbled, fiddling with his fingers. "Your hair..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Magne glanced at [M/N] with a surprised yet amused expression, her lips curling into a small smile. "You like it?" She chuckled, underneath those sunglasses he could see her eyes crinkling at the corner. "I don't blame you, honey. Just because I'm a villain doesn't mean I can't look fabulous."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth at Magne's response. Her genuine smile and playful tone seemed to momentarily lift the heavy atmosphere that had been pressing down on him. He managed a shy nod, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Do... Do you think you could..." [M/N]'s fingers timidly lifted, gripping the ends of his own hair. The realization struck him suddenly that his hair had grown considerably longer since he had last cut it. "C-Can you, um, cut my hair?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Oh, of course!" Magne seemed to be excited. "Darling, I used to be a hairdresser before all this mess, you won't find a better one than me." She stepped closer, her eyes sparkling behind her sunglasses as she led him into a room. "Take a seat, let me work my magic."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] hadn't felt at home for a while, but, if he was being honest, this came pretty damn close.

To show you something different every day, so you hear what I have to say,

Notes:

okay yall, i dunno if you KNOW THIS, but i have another BNHA fanfic im working on. the main character is kinda loosely based on Rogue from X-Men cuz haha hot goth but also very morally grey and they can like steal peoples quirks and personalities and yknow the whole shebang
you can check it out here if your interested! theres already like six chapters so yall just go wild lmao
https://www.quotev.com/story/16080862/The-Oxygen-Thief-BNHA-Various-x-Reader/1

Chapter 55: Chapter Fifty Two

Notes:

SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO 'UR LOCAL POOKIE WOOKIE' SINCE THEY MADE ME LAUGH HAHAHA

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Like puzzle pieces, and now we're here at a standstill,

[M/N] stared at himself in the mirror. His hair was cut back to just below his ears, curling around his face. It was... Cute. "I like it," He mumbled, fiddling with his hair. A small smile unwillingly etched its way onto his face.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Turning to Magne, he gave her a genuine smile. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "You really are amazing at this."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Magne's grin widened, and she playfully flipped her own hair. "Well, I knew I still had it in me!" She laughed. "You look fantastic, darling."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]'s cheeks warmed with a blush at Magne's compliment. "Thanks, Magne," he replied, still feeling a bit self-conscious but appreciative. "I... I really needed this." She gave him a wink. "Anytime, sweetie."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"What are you doing?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Caught off guard, [M/N] felt his heart skip a beat as he met Shigaraki's intense gaze. "I, uh..." [M/N] stumbled over his words for a moment, the weight of Shigaraki's attention making him feel uneasy. "I... just got my hair cut," he finally managed to explain, gesturing to his freshly trimmed hair.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki's gaze lingered on [M/N]'s hair for a moment before he shifted his attention back to [M/N]'s eyes. There was something unreadable in his expression. "Huh," Shigaraki mumbled, his tone neutral. "It... Looks good."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"...Thank you," [M/N] replied, his voice slightly wavering. There was the sound of a door closing, and it was at that moment that [M/N] realized Magne has exited the room.

Midoriya stared blankly out the window of his hospital room, not a single thing in his brain. He laid there, both arms wrapped in casts, and might have well as been a vegetable.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He should have been stronger, he should have been able to protect them all. Instead, he had ended up in this hospital bed, unable to move, unable to even think coherently.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He could have done more to protect them, to keep them safe from harm. Maybe then, those villains wouldn't have kidnapped [M/N]. A soft knock on the door roused Midoriya from his thoughts. He turned his gaze toward the entrance, watching as the door slowly slid open, revealing a familiar face. "Oh, hey Midoriya! You're finally awake," Kaminari exclaimed with a bright smile, stepping into the room. Shortly after, nearly the entire class had gathered in Midoriya's room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Did you see the news?" Kaminari asked. "The media is going wild outside the school. It's even more chaotic than during the USJ incident."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We brought you a melon!" Mineta chimed in, a wide grin on his face as he proudly displayed the fruit. "A giant one we all pitched in for!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I caused you trouble, Midoriya..." Tokoyami expressed, his tone heavy with remorse. "N-No, I feel the same way," Midoriya reassured him softly, his gaze sincere as he looked at Tokoyami "Did... everyone from Class-A come?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"No," Iida replied solemnly. "Jiro and Hagakure are still recovering from the effects of the villains' gas. It's been a difficult situation for them. And Yaoyorozu sustained a serious blow to the head during the attack, and she's also here in the hospital. She woke up yesterday, though, which is a relief. So, aside from those three, everyone else is here..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Fifteen of us..." Uraraka looked to the ground, fiddling with her fingers. "...Because [M/N] and Bakugou aren't here." Todoroki finished.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N]...

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Bakugou...

If there was ever a time where Katsuki wanted to kill himself, it would be now. Creepy knife bitch is yelling at that burnt bastard about, of all things, [M/N], who is currently nowhere to be seen after that hand freak took him. Don't get him wrong, Katsuki's almost glad the creep isn't obsessed with him, but what the fuck?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He clenched his teeth, anger and frustration coursing through his veins. He wanted to be out of these chains, wanted to show these villains just what he was capable of. But he couldn't. He was stuck, powerless, and it was eating him alive.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Katsuki can't count on [M/N], who's been in kahoots with villains for who knows how long. He trusts them. He's been with them long enough to actually trust them.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It's making him sick.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

The times they had spent together, the moments that felt genuine. And that was what made this situation even more agonizing.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] was probably never his ally. Now it might not even matter. It might be too late. It might have been too late before Katsuki even met him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Katsuki sits there, and he grits his teeth, and he wonders.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He sees [M/N] walk out of a room with hand freak, walking beside him like an equal, instead of attacking him like a hero would, and he doesn't know what to do.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] was comfortable.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And Katsuki has never felt more alone.

"...I understand." [M/N] sighed, gripping Shigaraki's hand softly. "Yeah, I... I get it."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We'll make it right," Shigaraki said suddenly, his voice firm as he squeezed [M/N]'s hand. "[M/N], I promise you that we're going to change this society. We're going to break it down and rebuild it..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki gives him a reassuring nod, but it doesn't make [M/N] feel better. When they enter back into the bar, Toga clambers into his arms, squealing. He returns the hug, albeit a bit awkwardly, patting her back gently. "[M/N], you're back!" Toga's voice is filled with genuine excitement. "Did you and Shiggy have a nice chat?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] glances at Shigaraki, his expression unreadable. "Yeah, we talked."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Toga pulls away, her eyes shining with curiosity. "About what?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] hesitates, trying to find the right words. "About... Things. I guess."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Toga pouts but seems to accept the answer, at least for the moment. "Fine, be that way." But then she grins, her narrowed eyes filled with cold playfulness. "But you're gonna tell me later!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] dares to glance at Bakugou, who's staring at him with a glare filled with so many feelings.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

How could you?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Why?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

You betrayed us.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yeah," He agrees. "Yeah, I will. Promise."

That night, [M/N] can't sleep. He can't sleep and he's thinking and it's killing him. The moonlight filters through the curtains, casting faint patterns on the walls of the room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He can't take it anymore.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] slowly gets out of bed, careful not to disturb Toga who's sleeping peacefully beside him. He slips out of the room and makes his way through the darkened corridors of the hideout. The faint glow of the moonlight guides his steps as he navigates his way to the room at the far end of the hallway.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He hesitates for a moment outside the door, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. This is crazy, he thinks, what am I even doing?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Taking a deep breath, [M/N] pushes open the door and steps inside.

I wonder if you feel the kind of pain that rips your insides out,

Notes:

yall, i think it's time for me to graduate up to the big kids table.
idk if ill write any more x-readers after this one, ive just sort of been growing out of it. obviously im still going to try to finish this one, and jesus christ has it been a long journey. two years yall. two. years. can you even imagine it??? i definitely cant lol. ive tried getting my groove back but idk, i think its time to move on.
ive been working on a small pet project, its not going to be a full blown fanfic since im just testing out the waters, at most this will only be 15 or so chapters, but i am writing an izuku midoriya fanfiction called CHAOS THEORY, so if you guys wanna take a look at it, feel free.
See yall next time!!

Chapter 56: Chapter Fifty Three

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

That's something I know all about...

Dabi is awake when he steps inside. He looks up as [M/N] enters, his eyes meeting [M/N]'s gaze. "Couldn't sleep either?" Dabi's voice is quiet, almost as if he's been waiting for [M/N] to come.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] closes the door behind him, the soft click echoing in the room. He walks further into the dimly lit space, the moonlight casting a pale glow on Dabi's face. "Yeah," [M/N] admits, his voice barely above a whisper. Dabi shifts over, making room, and [M/N] joins him in the bed, resting his head against Dabi's arm.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi watches him in silence for a moment, his eyes tracing the contours of [M/N]'s face. There's something in his gaze, something that [M/N] can't quite decipher, but it draws him in like a moth to a flame.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You cut your hair," Dabi observes, his voice still hushed. His fingers twitch slightly, as if he's resisting the urge to reach out and touch [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Yeah," [M/N] replies, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Magne helped me with it. It was getting too long."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Dabi's eyes narrow slightly, a hint of something in his expression that [M/N] can't quite place. "You look different," he murmurs.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

A faint smile danced on [M/N]'s lips. "I could say the same to you," he chuckled, his fingers curling slightly around Dabi's shirt as he leaned closer. He really missed this. "Y'know," [M/N] began softly, "I really want to punch you..." he confessed. "Yup. Yeah. I deserve that." Dabi replied with a grimace.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

There was an awkward pause as [M/N] shifted slightly. "...So..." He began, "How do we break the ice..?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We could have sex," Dabi shrugged casually.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] stammered, his face flushing a deep crimson as he hastily punched Dabi's shoulder. "That is not what I meant!" he hissed. "Ow..." Dabi mumbled. "You are so..." [M/N] groaned, burying his face into Dabi's shirt.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He missed this.

[M/N] shifted slightly to a more comfortable position.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"UhHh..." Spinner stared at him with a raised eyebrow, "Is that... normal?" He asked.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] glanced at Toga, who was wrapped around him like a snake. "...Yes."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Spinner's expression remained dubious, but he didn't press further. Toga, on the other hand, tightened her hold on [M/N], nuzzling her face into his neck with a contented sigh. "Don't mind Spinner, [M/N]~," she mumbled, her voice muffled against his skin. "He's just a big grump."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"How do you even meet a gal' like Toga?" Magne laughed. “[M/N] killed a disgusting man to rescue me~!” Toga blushed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He… He did do that, didn’t he? [M/N] didn’t remember it clearly, but… it happened.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] glanced at his palm. There was a small scar there, already pink from being fully healed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He never noticed it before.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He traced the scar on his palm with his fingers, the reality sinking in. He had taken a life to save another. It was a sobering thought, one that made his chest feel heavy.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Toga noticed the change in [M/N]'s demeanor and shifted closer, concern etching her features. "Hey, are you alright?" she asked, her usually playful tone softening with worry.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] managed a small smile, trying to push aside the weight of his thoughts. "Yeah, I'm okay."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"Everyone, shut up..." Shigaraki rasped, sitting at the bar. He turned his head back to Bakugou, who was staring at them with unbridled anger. "I'll ask you one more time, aspiring hero, Katsuki Bakugo... Will you join me?

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"If you're gonna talk in your sleep, you should just go to sleep and die." Katsuki spat.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki's hand twitched, fingers crackling with the urge to decay, but he held back. The situation was tense, and [M/N] could feel the building pressure in the room.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shigaraki's lips curled into a twisted grin.

"And now, please watch a clip from U.A. High School's apology press conference that just occured."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Shouta stood up from his bow. "We deeply apologize for the incident that allowed harm to come to twenty seven first years of the hero course because of our unpreparedness." For all he preaches of responsibility and being practical, he was a failure. "We apologize for causing unease in society due to our negligence in properly defending ourselves as a place of learning."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

He bowed once again. The camera shifted to a close-up of Shouta, showing the weariness in his eyes.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We are truly sorry."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

And then came the questions.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I'm from Yomiuri TV. Since the beginning of the year, U.A. High School students have had four encounters with villains. This time, there were even students injured. How did you explain to their families, and what specific countermeasures are you taking?"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"We have been in contact with the families of the affected students, providing them with all necessary support and information. We assure them that we are taking this matter very seriously. As for countermeasures, we are reevaluating and strengthening our security protocols, as well as working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of our students and staff." The Principal answered.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Truly, what a load of bullshit.

[M/N] stares at the TV, watching the press conference, and hating himself all the while.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Doubt is an easy seed to plant, he knows this, and God, it's growing steadily within him.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"How amusing," Shigaraki laughed.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT]

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"I don't like him." He tells her. It's a conversation they've had many times. "Well, that's too bad." Lori replies, scrubbing her plate with a dishrag. "I happen to think he's quite charming." She chuckles, flicking some water onto [M/N].

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"It's nice to know you think our safety is a joke." He scowls, unamused. Lori rolls her eyes, "Safety." she laughs. "Have you seen him? He's too much of a coward to even hurt a fly."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] can't stop himself from slamming his hand onto the table. "Stop acting so blind!" He shouts. "How can you ignore all- all of those red flags?! The obsession, the controlling, the-!"

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"[M/N]!" Lori shouts, and the kitchen becomes dead quiet.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

It's a conversation they've had many times.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

-

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"How do you know you're in love?" He asks her one day. She hums, placing a finger on her lip as she looks up at the clouds, the wind causing her red hair to fly behind her.

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

"You'll think they're beautiful." She smiled, poking his heart. "Inside and out. Once you notice that, you won't think that anything else could be called beautiful anymore. It's like... One day you just realize that nothing else matters except them..."

ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

[M/N] looked up at the clouds, closing his eyes. When he thought of love, he thought of flaming red hair, and beautiful, piercing grey eyes.

Shocking, ain't it?

Notes:

HEHEHEHEHEHE
its been four weeks yall- thats my bad tbh, i got really sick last week with the flu (literally vomiting and shitting and crying) so i couldnt update, and this week i actually have no excuse LMAO i just forgot

Actions

Work Header

Rotten_Mangos

Summary:

Chapter 1: Prologue

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 2: Chapter One

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: Chapter Two

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: Chapter Three

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter 5: Chapter Four

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: Chapter Five

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter 7: Chapter Six

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter 8: Chapter Seven

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 9: Chapter Eight

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 10: Chapter Nine

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 11: Chapter Ten

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 12: Chapter Eleven

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter 13: Special Chapter: Midoriya's POV

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 14: Chapter Twelve

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 15: Chapter Thirteen

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 16: Chapter Fourteen

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 17: Chapter Fifteen

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 18: Chapter Sixteen

Notes:

Chapter Text

Chapter 19: Chapter Seventeen

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 20: Chapter Eighteen

Notes:

Chapter Text

Notes:

Chapter 21: Chapter Nineteen

Notes:

Chapter Text