Chapter Text
Kid, as much as I want to lie to you, and I really do, this is just sad.
Izuku just grumbled as he got up, ignoring the Narrator's remark as best he could. He heard it most mornings anyway, usual fashion at this point.
His home was empty, as usual. Filled with dusty concrete and an acute lack of air conditioning. He missed the days when he lived in an actual functioning apartment, long gone as they were.
He missed the days where he wasn't alone, where he had a person to spend time with.
His residence was enough to live off of, currently he was actually in the basement of the building. The basement was the only part of the building that was mostly untouched after whatever happened here.
The part of town this building was in wasn't the best, but the place wasn't the worst. He made it into a little safe space, or as close as it could get.
You look around the decrepit walls of your bare sleeping space, set to ruin after what one could guess was a house fire. You are alone.
His eye twitched slightly, “Thanks.” He dryly commented as he got up from the blanketed mattress, back aching in discomfort.
Look, it is literally my duty to do this. I could do without the sarcasm laced into your tone.
“And I could do without the constant reminder that I am alone.” He snapped as he put on his school uniform, “Guess we each have issues.”
The Narrator grumbled slightly as he grabbed his school bag from the floor, filled with singed and torn books, slinging it over his shoulder with a thump . The benefit of constantly having your stuff destroyed was your bag not weighing much.
He opened the door to the basement and went up the stairs.
You exit through the crumbling back door of the building, the once tan wood now a charred black. Honestly, couldn't the government clean this up at the very least?
Izuku sighed as he stepped onto the concrete of the sidewalk, “And what would they do, plant a rose bush?” He sarcastically questioned.
Well, it might've helped a little. Doesn't seem like any natural plant life is growing here. There's not a flower to be seen.
Izuku walked away from the building in silence, not prepared to acknowledge The Narrator anymore than he already had.
Your trek to school is uneventful, the dead streets of the early morning filled by few. An elderly couple here, a painter there, not many are around. Not enough to note.
The stone gates of Aldera High greet your eyes as you turn the corner, dirty red brick inlaid into the wall. It has become a rather displeasing sight over the years.
Izuku steeled his nerves as he stepped through the gates, making sure not to draw attention to himself, ‘Wonder why?’ He asked in his head, a healthy degree of mental sarcasm present.
Yes. One could wonder.
Izuku made it to his first-period class with little difficulty, not being spotted by other students.
You open the door to the room, lucky to find that it is relatively empty.
Izuku took his seat quickly, hunching in on himself as he cleared his desk of graffiti as best he could.
Useless.
Freak.
Trash.
Deku.
Under-Evolved.
Quirkless.
It had lost meaning to him, he's seen it enough times. Just pathetic if you asked him.
There were a few flowers on his desk, the kind you'd lay on a person's grave.
Spider Lilies, that was their name.
A mix between beautiful and horrid. All a matter of perspective really. Kids can be cruel, but one could take the flowers as a sign of loveliness.
If Izuku didn't know the connotation behind them, he'd be overjoyed at their sight and smell, lovely really. Though, he knew what they meant, what they represented.
Death. Mourning. The passing of a loved one.
They were beautiful in one sense, representing the joy people felt for those they had lost. Yet, on the other side, they were sickening. A flower implanted with negativity.
It was the biggest suicide threat the other students could give him without being direct, and they knew that. They knew all right.
He cleared them off with a huff, taking a seat slowly. It was frustrating, to say the least, but there wasn't anything he could do about it.
Maybe it won't get any worse today. Hopefully, if the world offered any reprise, he could have a decent afternoon.
Then the door opened.
You feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Turning your head, you see Bakugou Katsuki taking his seat, staring into your soul with bright red eyes of fury. His expression is not pleasant.
Not pleasant was an understatement, Bakugou was practically staring holes into Izuku’s head. Wasn't atypical behaviour—no, this happened often—but it was still unsettling.
His face was… a bit more malicious(?) than usual, somehow. Izuku couldn't place why, there was no obvious reason. He was just giving off a dangerous vibe, more so than usual anyway.
Izuku quickly avoided eye contact with the blonde-haired boy, making sure to look uneasy. Well, more uneasy.
The day proceeds sluggishly, not without a boorish drone behind your eyes.
Only one incident is of note, that of Bakugou finding out you are applying to UA. He seemed particularly incensed by that detail. Past that, nothing.
Dissociation rears its head again, it would seem. One moment, you are in first period. The next moment, you are in last period, right before the bell rings.
And the bell rang indeed, with a loud clatter that hurt Izuku’s ears. Most of the students instantly left their seats in a hurry to get anywhere but school.
Izuku was no exception. He hurriedly stood, forcing his notebooks into his bag. Only, as he grabbed a book to shove in his bag, someone snatched it back out of his hand.
“Deku still thinks he can be a hero, huh?” The long-fingered boy—Izuku's never actually learned his name, now that he thought about it—said, reading over the title of the notebook.
Bakugou scoffed, “Eh? Yeah, pathetic really.” Bakugou grabbed the book harshly.
“Kacchan, please give me that back—” Izuku was trying to ask before he got cut off.
“You can't be a hero, you'd just get someone else hurt. You're quirkless, or are you too dumb to remember?” Bakugou’s other crony chimed in.
Izuku just sighed, “Please, just give me—”
Bakugou tilts his head slightly, almost an unnoticeable amount.
Bakugo scoffed again, “This creepy shit won't help you be a hero. Only a quirk, like mine, could. You don't have that.” He set off an explosion on the book, a loud pop sounding from his hands.
Bakugou looked him dead in the eyes, “You want it?” He reared his arm back, “Go get it.”
Bakugou tosses the notebook out the open window behind you. You watch as it glides through the threshold of the building, flung outside.
Izuku paused as he looked out the window, until Bakugou spoke again, where he turned his head slowly back.
A malicious grin is set upon Bakugou’s face.
“You really wanna be a hero?” He asked, “Alright, I've got an idea for you.” Bakugou took a breath in as he made eye contact with Izuku.
“See if you get lucky in your next life.” Bakugou laughed slightly, “Knowing your luck though, you won't be useful, even the second time around.”
“If you want a quirk so bad, pray that you'll have one in your next life, and take a swan dive off the roof!”
Izuku felt something inside himself crack.
Bakugou and his henchmen walk off, laughing to themselves along the way. Cruel, if you ask me.
“I didn't.” Izuku angrily muttered as he grabbed his bag.
For a brief second, a moment that passed in nothing but a blink, Izuku considered it. He considered what Bakugou told him to do.
But this isn't the first time, nor will it be the last. Maybe he can hold out for just a bit longer, though he knows he can't.
He can just tune out the world around him and go for a few more years. Hopefully.
His body shuffled out of the school, almost like it was on auto-pilot. He fished his analysis journal out of the koi pond as he went, barely reacting to the way it had been burnt.
He made his way through the decrepit and crime-filled neighbourhoods that led to his burnt-down residence. He entered under a tunnel, not quite hearing a sewer grate being moved.
You feel a cold, slime-like sensation envelop your arm. A similar feeling appears on your leg.
Izuku froze mid-step, snapping his head down to look at the swampy green sludge curling around his forearm and leg, leaving his clothes a murky color.
“Wha—” Izuku didn't get the chance to finish his question before the slime entered his mouth, forcing its way down his throat.
On instinct, he tried to lurch forward and vomit it out, but the force behind the slime was too powerful. He could barely move, and when he did, the sludge just gave way and Izuku’s hands sank deeper into the slime.
You feel sinewy tendrils of the cold and viscous liquid curl around your torso, pulling you deeper into the full collection of slime.
Okay, this is bad, I admit it. But we can think of something. Right, kid?
The slime in his throat is completely blocking his access to the outside air, and the edges of his vision are turning a fuzzy black. His arms and legs feel like steel beams, exhaustion preventing him from moving much anymore.
Come on, kid! You have to resist, This is a filthy way to go, and I would rather not die like this.
He can barely hear the Narrator's remarks at this point, as his vision turns black.
A booming voice echoes through the tunnel, but he can't tell what they are saying, the slime in his ears blocking out most noise.
Izuku blacked out for a second, peacefully drifting for a moment. When he came to, he was violently coughing and heaving up chunks of slime on his hands and knees.
“—I AM HERE!” is all Izuku manages to catch as he gets the sludge out his ears. Lifting his eyes to his apparent saviour, he freezes.
“A-All Might?!” And All Might it was, in all his spandex glory. He legitimately does look like he just came out of a comic book.
“Sorry that you got caught up in all this, my boy!” The pro exclaimed, hands on his hips in a stereotypical hero stance.
“Don't- Don't worry about it…” Izuku responded in a daze, trying to understand everything that just happened in the last few minutes.
“Fantastic! Now, I must be off!” All Might pivoted and crouched down, as if he was about to jump.
“Wait, I just want to ask you one question!” Izuku said, struggling to stand.
Wobbling as he took a step forward, arm stretched out to get the hero's attention, Izuku stumbled. He didn't realize what he had taken hold of for support until it's too late.
All Might is already in the air, basically flying above the rooftops even though he has no flight quirk.
Izuku can't help but scream as he watched the ground grow further and further away. This catches All Might's attention, the hero looking down, seemingly surprised to see a child hanging off his leg.
“Let go, boy!” All Might commanded, shaking his leg to try and knock Izuku off.
Despite the hero’s command, Izuku gripeed tighter, wrapping his legs around him, “If I let go now, I'll die!” He pointed out, yelling to be heard over the wind.
The pro pauseed, apparently just now realizing the situation. Instead, All Might shifted his grip to hold onto the back of Izuku's shirt.
When the pair landed on a rooftop, Izuku collapsed to his knees, sucking in air through his mouth. He is trying to regain his breath as well as he can.
“That was foolish, boy.” All Might scorned, walking to the edge of the roof, preparing to leave again, “Get home safe.”
“Wait! Please, All Might, just the one question!” Izuku can't let the paragon go yet, “I promise it'll be quick!”
All Might paused, “Alright, child. I will answer your question, but make it quick, I have hero duties to attend to. Other people need saving.” He relented, coughing into his fist.
“Of course!” Izuku agreed, though he wished he didn't, “I just, I know it's stupid to ask, but, well, here goes.” He took a deep breath in, “Can I be a hero without a quirk?”
“I want to help people, no matter what they say. Others bully me, demean me, and I can't say they're wrong, just that I want to help regardless. I know it's dumb, but I want to be a hero!”
He knew that it wouldn't be much, a meaningless promise of greatness, but he'd be able to cling to the words of his idol advising him not to give up. He'd be able to ignore the gut feeling inside.
Just as long as he has that, Yes, you can do it! from his hero, he'll be okay.
You look up to the eyes of All Might, your hero, the symbol of peace, and hope for the best. A smile is set upon his face, but something seems off.
It's almost… fake.
"No."
What?
Izuku's whole body fell slack, a small smile slowly dropping off his face, as his limbs slid to the floor. No? Just like that?
"I'm sure you can try your best, but really, you should be more realistic. You need to be strong to be a hero, and quirkless people just… aren't. I'm sorry, my boy," All Might stepped past Izuku, patting him on the shoulder as he does, “Be a medic, a police officer, a lawyer, something more sensible. Help as much as you can.”
And Izuku feels another crack appear inside himself.
It's okay.
It's okay.
He can manage, and things will be fine. He can keep going, he knows it.
You feel the salty liquid of your tears hit your hand before you even realize you've begun to cry.
Izuku let out a laugh, shrill and quiet as it was, “Couldn't just leave me to my pain, huh?”
I'm sorry, kid. I have to.
He wiped his cheek with a dirty sleeve, “Whatever.” Izuku stood up shakily and took a deep breath.
You retreat from the roof, taking the stairs down slowly. The outside air hits you calmly as you leave the building. It is almost peaceful for a second.
Then, suddenly, there was an explosion sounding off in the distance.
Not just any explosion, no. Izuku has heard this explosion many times, understands how it feels even. He looked over in the direction of the blast, just a few streets down.
Following the flow of the crowd, Izuku found himself behind a police barricade. Peering over the crowd, he saw the slime villain, and… Bakugou.
Inside the villain.
He is standing there watching his, at one time, best friend struggle against the same villain that had attacked him earlier, only for the fight to be in vain.
But, hadn't All Might defeated that villain? Surely the number one hero wouldn't let someone as dangerous as them get away—
The realization settled over him fast.
It's Izuku's fault.
Izuku must have made All Might drop the bottles containing the villain when he grabbed him, and now Bakugou is being attacked by that same villain.
Shock made its way into his chest as he looked at the pro heroes standing around, just watching the scuffle. Why is no one helping him?
A plan forms in his mind, and before he even has a chance to second guess himself, Izuku is sprinting forward, right past the police. He has a single goal in mind, one objective.
Don't let Bakugou die.
Izuku thought, eyes darting all over the villain, searching for a weakness. His focus locked in on its eyes. There .
You swing your bag as hard as you can and let it sail through the air. The bag's corner finds its target, jabbing into the villain's eye.
The sludge rears back, seemingly in pain, and pulls away from Bakugou’s for a brief moment. He coughs as his mouth becomes exposed, and gulps down a few breaths of air before the slime wraps around his face again.
A tendril of slime formed as Izuku clawed at the villain, attempting to dig Bakugou out. The tendril lashed toward Izuku, causing him to squeeze his eyes shut in anticipation.
Though, the blow never comes. When Izuku opened his eyes, all he saw was the bright form of All Might, standing in front of him.
“I think that's enough of you, villain.” All Might declared as he reached into the slime and pulled Bakugou out.
He delivered a giant blow to the villain, smashing them into pieces of goop that scattered throughout the alleyway, landing on the walls.
Izuku took a shuddering breath as a hero began to scold him for getting in the way. Alternatively, Bakugou is getting praised for trying to fight back with his quirk. Yeah, that tracks.
You slowly trudge away from the alley, attempting to make your way home to your basement.
A voice interrupted him though as he walked through the streets, “Oi, Deku!”
Izuku turned to face Bakugou, who apparently followed him, "Yes, Kacchan?"
"Just so you know, you did nothing to help today! I didn't need you! You just got in the way and you'll never be a hero! Just give up already!" Bakugou yelled before shoving past him, shouldering him painfully.
And, as his eyes glaze over, Izuku feels something inside of himself shatter.
He can't pretend.
Can't lie to himself.
Kid?
His feet carried him slowly ahead, barely with enough energy to even function. Suddenly, he's exhausted.
He doesn't know how long he walks or really how he got here, but the next time he blinks, he is on the sidewalk of a bridge.
He turned to the edge, and dropped his backpack.
Kid, is this the way you really want to go?
…Alright, it is your body.
You clamber over the edge of the railing, resting your feet on the ledge. Peering over, you see a rocky formation in a rapid stream. The fall is long, the water is fast, and the rocks are… rather dull, actually.
Are you sure about this kid? That will likely hurt quite a bit.
Izuku laughed, painfully and quietly, “What does it matter?”
Okay.
You shift your grip on the pole, your only line of support.
He takes a breath, turns around, and reflects for a moment.
Then, he lets go of the railing.
|—~—Viewpoint—~—|
Katsuki shoved his fists in his pockets as he walked down the street.
He feels his face scrunch in fury. His heart beats in jealousy. His lungs contract in embarrassment. His eyes water with shame.
“Fucking,” Katsuki yelled in anger, kicking a trashcan harshly, “Stupid Deku!”
“You okay Bakugou?” Extra #1 asked mildly.
“Tch, obviously.” Katsuki lied, “Let's just go to the fucking arcade or something.” He turns to leave without making sure they're following him.
"You know," Extra #2 called from somewhere behind him, "I thought you and Deku were friends when y'all were little. Don't you think we went a little hard on him today?"
Katsuki faltered for a brief moment, "Of course I didn't! That useless fuck needs to learn his place. He doesn't know when to–" The rest of Katsuki's words got stuck in his throat.
“Is that… Deku?” Extra #1 asked aloud, virtually whispering.
There, on the ledge of a bridge, is Deku. He's leaning against the railing, almost uncaringly, like it doesn't matter if he falls or not.
“You really wanna be a hero? Alright, I've got an idea for you.”
“See if you get lucky in your next life. Knowing your luck though, you won't be useful, even the second time around.”
“If you want a quirk so bad, pray that you'll have one in your next life, and take a swan dive off the roof!”
His own words ring in his ears for a brief moment.
Deku wouldn't actually… would he?
Just then, Deku turns around. For a few seconds, relief fills Katsuki's veins, spreading throughout his body.
And then, Izuku let go of the railing, falling back.
Katsuki’s eyes glaze over, and he gives a muffled shout into his hand as he hears a crack from the water below. He slowly and painfully makes his way over to the railing and peers over the edge.
Right there, perched on the dull rocks below is a mess of bloody green hair, and a mangled body to accompany it. After a moment, one that feels like an infinity, the water takes the body.
He's not quite sure when the police got here, nor is he sure when his mother appeared before him. Time is drifting in and out, and he's barely even sure where he is.
He glances down, down at the ratty yellow backpack left behind. There's a burnt and water-damaged book sticking out of its zipper.
He just made a mistake.
A big mistake.
-~*~—~*~—X—~*~—~*~-
The darkness was quiet, peaceful in its own sombre way.
He couldn't remember when he got here, couldn't recall how long he’d been here, but this was strangely soothing. He was content to just sit and admire the nothingness.
There was a pair of luminous eyes in the void with him, bright and kaleidoscopic as they gazed around the void, processing the swirling lack of detail. He thinks they were trying to tell him something, but he was too peaceful to care.
It stayed that way for a moment, the near lack of anything being a comforting presence, until the void started to crack before him.
Lines, sharp and unruly, forming into the void like that of cracks on a mirror. They slowly began to form something in the vague shape of a person, though it was too loose and undefined to be clear.
In a single breath, quick and quiet as it was, the cracks shattered into their own being, now separate unto the cosmos of darkness.
The new being started to sob slightly, curling into a sharp ball of sorrow and suffering, eternalized by themselves to themselves.
He should have felt disturbed by another presence in the void, something to steal his peace, but the shattered form felt welcome. They were meant to be here, just like that of the eyes and himself.
Peace for a moment. Not a long one, but enough to be content with, for now.
Then, the darkness faded out.
And the world crept back in.