Chapter Text
Deku was smart.
He would eventually be able to think and prepare for a million different outcomes. In hindsight, the skill would have come in handy at a much younger age. Yeah… a much younger age; because really who would have guessed that at the fine age of 5, his world would take a curve. It felt like losing control of the steering wheel and skirting, just waiting for the impact of the car crash.
“Hey are you hurt,” worried Izuku had run down to where Bakugou had fallen. Having been concerned that perhaps Bakugou had been injured. The other boys didn’t seem to worry. Bruises and scratches would heal even if they did hurt. Yet a broken bone would be far more serious and so would a blow to the head. His hand extended, he waited for his response just to make sure he was alright.
He had expected Bakugou wouldn’t cry. He knew his Kacchan was brave. However he had not expected him to look at him and sneer. Izuku saw something in his eyes turn cold, hateful even. Not that that was unusual.
“I don’t need your help, stupid Deku! Are you looking down at me?!” Bakugou was angry.
“N-no? I’m just worried you’re hurt.” The question had caught him off guard. Did Izuku step too close into his personal space? He knew Kacchan would get angry easily but worrying about a friend is a very normal thing.
Bakugou quirk started to go off and Izuku panicked. Before he could react Bakugou had shoved him into the cold water.
“Ouch. I-I'm sorry. I d-didn’t mean to m-make you upset.” The shallow water of the river reached up to his cheeks. He could feel the sharp rocks piercing his back. It really hurt. He could feel his eyes starting to water. It didn’t help that Bakugou had his right foot’s heel pressing hard against his stomach. His hands are still giving off small explosions.
“DON’T YOU EVER LOOK DOWN ON ME AGAIN. I’LL TEACH YOU. YOU’RE ONLY A USELESS DEKU. I ALREADY TOLD YOU THIS. EVEN IF YOU GET A QUIRK. YOU WILL NEVER BE BETTER THAN ME.” (a/u: look at him go with his insecurities)
Izuku could only let out a gasp, hardly registering his words. The river water slightly filled his mouth and reached his nose. He wouldn’t drown but boy did he feel he was about to be.
Bakugou huffed at the sight and took his foot off Izuku. “And you better stop following me like a lost puppy.” With one last glare directed towards Izuku, he left with the others who had witnessed and done nothing.
He was left alone.
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Izuku couldn’t avoid his mother.
It would only be more obvious that something is wrong. His mother had been aware of Bakugou’s temper and mannerism but never had he hurt him like he did today.
He had also been left alone in the river. He cried in pain and confusion. His body aching and his mind a mess over what Katsuki had said. He wouldn’t be able to hide or lie about the blood stain behind his shirt. His hair unruly and the dirt on his face would only make the streams of tears more visible.
“What happened Izuku, honey?!” His mother was quick to worry as soon as he opened the front door. She had been setting up the table and the plate, now a plate had been shattered.
His mother rapidly rushed to hug him. Her own eyes started to tear up before she ran for the first aid kit and inspected Izuku.
“I was with Kacchan and some other boys. Kacchan fell and I got hurt. It doesn’t hurt that much anymore. My back aches. ” He left out the other parts, the more upsetting and, perhaps, important. He didn’t want his friend to get in trouble, not that Bakugou would care if his mom scolded him. He had been yelled at many times before. Izuku thought that his outburst might have been out of pain and embarrassment. He could figure that out some other day.
Right now he focused on staying still so his mother could patch him up,
I'll get my quirk soon and I'll become a hero.
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Quirkless.
Part of the 20%.
His heart shattered.
He was part of that group.
His hero dream crumpled.
His mother…
“Can I still be a hero?” He wanted to hope.
“I’m sorry Izuku.”
His mother… couldn’t say what he wanted to hear.
His best friend…
“You’re even more useless than before. Stupid Deku, you could never be a hero.”
His best friend… could he even call him that?
Izuku was left alone.
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The bullying started the moment people found out he was quirkless. What he didn’t expect was that Kacchan would be the leader of it all, and yet he was surprised. He didn’t know why. It could be because the news of his quirklessness had made the past few weeks a blurriness speedrun of numbness. He had no room to feel anything but hopelessness. He wanted to scream and cry but he had already done that for many nights. His voice was still recovering and he grown paler too.
At least he still had All Might.
At least he still had his hero analysis.
There was still hope.
It was a faint seeping feeling, but Izuku wanted to hold on to it for as long as he could. He wanted to be a hero, he wanted to think there was still hope.
And there was, but he couldn’t do it alone.