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Mirio Toogata, the number one hero-to-be student in U.A, sat in the middle of the U.A dormitories area park, simply staring into the stars. The third years don't have a specific curfew unlike the other years so he often spends his time alone. He was never one to avoid reaching for the stars, but now, he had his own wings ripped out. He had his quirk destroyed... taken from him... to protect a girl... 'I never regret though.. Saving people is a heroes duty...'
But listening to the wind gushing while his classmates chattered on and on about their internships brought an ache to his heart. His own mentor, Night Eye had died in the battle right before his own eyes where else his own dreams were taken bit by bit. He had spent years trying to perfect its usage but now... Now... 'I wish... at least this would happen to me earlier... T-Than I wouldn't put my hopes too high...'
"At least your still here, senpai," a voice cut his thoughts short and he turned his head to the source.
A younger student, (A first year, perhaps...) Stood before him in a lanky shirt, baggy army slacks and a towel around his neck. His crimson eyes sparkled in the dark night while his dripping ash-blonde hair frazzled with the wind. Looking closely, Toogata realised his eyes had the mature look, meaning he himself went through hell and back, just like Toogata did. Only after moments of staring did he realise the boy's identity.
"Sorry, I was thinking out loud, wasn't I, Bakugou?" He chuckled at himself while leaning back into the wooden bench. The teen continued his silent staring before turning to the nearby vending machine and pulling out his wallet. 'Yeah... I'm a nobody right now, anyway...'
"You're Damn Deku's favourite senpai, so you can't be a nobody," muttered the junior while plopping his arse down beside Toogata, much to his surprise. His eyes looked calculating for a moment before offering a carton of cold milk to him. "And sulking ain't gonna change a thing..."
Toogata continued staring in disbelief before slowly accepting the drink. Katsuki nodded at this and turned to the sky while his fingernails played with the edge of his own carton. They were both silent, simply staring into the stars that glimmered down at them and Toogata took a sip out of his own drink. He smiled at the cool refreshment and gave a thankful nod to the younger teen.
"I don't know what happened exactly," began the younger while keeping his eyes on the sky, "But I know one thing... You're not a quitter, senpai." Before Togata could snap his own retort of reality, he realised the boy himself was crying. "Just like me, we struggle with a quirk we should never be given... Something that could kill us... But we still are here... In U.A, fighting for our own place in the world... So, you aren't a quitter, senpai... as I am... as everyone is in U.A during their third year..."
"But your batch is different, Bakugou," replied the elder. "You were attacked on your first week, kidnapped during a training camp, hell even Mirodiya and his friends were..."
When he met those red eyes, he realised he had a look of understanding even without knowing everything Toogata went through. Toogata could only watch as the teen gave a simple smile, something he had never seen before. It made the world a little lighter, to know someone struggling was still standing tall against the odds. Toogata had heard stories of the League trying to bring this first year to their side. But he was right, they were given a quirk that could kill them but either side hated themselves for it. So Toogata replied the smile with his own.
"I guess my work here is done," Katsuki huffed while standing. He sparked off a bit of sweat that accumulated under the curious eyes of his senpai and smiled. "I sweat nitroglycerin twenty-four hours, senpai... I gotta get it off before I poison someone..."
"I can't breath when I activate my quirk," Toogata simply stated which was answered with a nod. "And... And I could get stuck underground if I couldn't control it..." Another nod was given. but more of an encouragement. "And... I could die every second of the day if I wasn't careful..."
"However, you're the closest student to becoming the future number one hero, Mirio-senpai... So don't let others tell you otherwise..." Stated the ash-blonde while turning to leave. Toogata realised he was using the present tense, meaning... 'He hasn't given up on me... He doesn't think I'll fall... He... He believes in me...'
Only after an hour of pondering, did Toogata realise he had let an underclassman buy him a carton of milk. And Mirio Toogata wouldn't be a real hero if he doesn't repay a debt!
------
"A quirk therapist?" Nedzu questioned the youngster in front of him with a sad smile. "Is that what you truly wish to be, young Mirio?"
"I can be a hero for those kids who have nobody to aid them through the hardships of their unknown quirks, sir." Reasoned the boy while sitting straight. "More than thirty per cent of the population dies of quirk backlash. Hell, there are kids in U.A itself that struggle against the odds of a quirk, such as my former self. Being a quirk therapist can truly help!"
"But U.A doesn't sponsor such a course," he sadly spoke while dropping the paperwork of an infamous medical school in Musutafu.
"Which is why I'm stating my wish to transfer into Musustafu Medicinal Academy for me to graduate with the honours," spoke Toogata without hesitation. he had confirmed his own dreams. Now, it was up to get the help. "Sir, I can't just sit around here and wait for Eri to learn how to return my quirk. Hell, she might not even know how to in the end... So, please... Sir...."
----
Class 1-A was finishing their final class of the day with Cementoss-sensei when a knock startled them out of the soothing support. The cement hero called for the person to enter and they watched as Toogata entered the room ever so casually with a bag and a real smile.
"Sorry for disturbing you, sensei," he quickly said while watching all his juniors give him welcoming smiles. "Can I talk to Bakugou Katsuki? I have something I need to return to him!"
Many blinked owlishly at the statement but Cementoss easily let him meet the younger boy. Katsuki casually sauntered towards his senpai and joined him behind the glass door, trying to act like it was a normal occurrence. Once behind the door, he received a kiss to the lips and a fond look from his senpai.
"What the..."
"I'm not giving up on heroism, Bakugou," he said sternly while keeping his eyes on him. "I'm taking online classes and a few practical's with Recovery Girl. I plan to become a therapist and be a hero for those who have quirks that are tough to overcome! Your words gave me that idea!"
"I totally didn't senpai, but it's good to see you're happy," Katsuki muttered with red cheeks and pursed lips. "Though... why the kiss, if I may ask?"
Toogata flushed in realisation. He was so excited about telling the younger his own plans and was too caught up in his joy, he didn't realise what he did. But thinking back, it just felt right. So, after a moment of considering, he gave an anxious smile with a reply in mind.
"I would like to buy you out for dinner-," he said before spluttering, "I mean, buy dinner for you outside! N-Not b-buying y-you! I-I mean, ask y-you out! Why did I say buy? Oh god... I m-meant-"
He froze when Katsuki pressed his lips onto his own and slowly stepped back with pink dust covering his ears. They shared nervous grins until Toogata couldn't hold back and pulled the younger into a tight hug. Katsuki spluttered at the sudden PDA and began begging softly to be released. Toogata could only grin before finally putting him down with a shit-eating grin.
"So, I'm dropping heroics until Eri can return my quirk," he confessed while tightening his hold on his bag strap. "... I... I'm leaving U.A... Sorry, Bakugou..."
"Use Katsuki, you moron..." Chuckled the younger with a sad look. "You're not a quitter in my books though, senpai... You'll still be a great hero... And maybe one day, you can be my hero..."
"Not before you became mine...." Honestly replied the elder while rubbing a hand over those calloused palms.
------
Nejire, Tamaki, Eri and Aizawa stood against a wall, listening to the ending of the duo's conversation. Eri and Negire began silently cheering while Tamaki and Aizawa shared knowing looks. Toogata and Katsuki were happy... and that was all that mattered...
-----
Class 1-A had sent their spies to peek at the conversation and cheers exploded in 1-A to know their resident bomb was finally happy with someone. Fortunately for them, Cementoss-sensei changed the cement walls into sound-proof walls to avoid the duo finding out and beating the shit out of them. But they were happy and that was all that mattered right now...
-----
Bakugou gulped at the stab in his chest and could feel his guts flowing. His eyes fluttered at the lack of blood and his mind couldn't concentrate on all the noises surrounding him. He could hear Deku screaming and Aizawa calling for help. He could feel paramedics holding him gingerly and placing him on a stretcher, trying to keep him from deaths doorsteps.
Finally, he could hear a voice screaming, "LET ME THROUGH! I NEED TO SEE HIM!" Turning his head to the side, he could see a familiar white and yellow blob approach and his eyes widen while tears began welling.
"T-Too-Toogata?" He coughed weakly while feeling a familiar hand enclosed his own. "W-What are you d-doing here... i-in your hero costume...? You..."
"I got back my quirk and helped a lot of people, Katsuki! I'm a hero again! I'm back in U.A! S-So you can't leave me!" Sobbed the elder with teary eyes while clenching onto his hand, feeling the ring he had offered only a week prior. "Y-You have to come back and b-be my hero!"
"HIS PULSE IS DROPPING!" A paramedic screamed over the voices and many scattered for items. One of the doctors on the scene told Toogata to keep talking and keep Katsuki conscious. Only then did he realise the boy was slipping... and falling...
"Stay with me, Kats," he cried while gently shaking his boyfriend's cheek. "Y-You promised you would be there! You promised you would be with me! Y-You said..."
"I-I'm... s-sorry, senpai..." Coughed Katsuki while feeling his conscience slip further. "I... I'm just so tired..."
"Y-You cant!! You have to stay with me! Stay with me, please!" Toogata begged while the doctors fumbled with the blood bags and the needles. "K-Kats... W-Wanna hear a story?"
This got his attention and the pale blonde forced his eyes to open. Toogata had mentioned frequently he hated talking about himself.. He hated telling anyone how much of a loser he was. How much of a failure he would've turned out to be... But there he was, in the middle of a crowd, holding his beloved in his arms, telling the tale of a weak boy with an insane quirk that could kill him. He told as the boy pushed through many expectations and realities, forcing his way to the top. He talked about a said boy meeting a hero... a beautiful, you brash boy who told him to stand when he lost his gift and showed him ways to be the best even when the world was against him...
And as the Holter monitor began to beep loudly as a string of sound and the grip loosened in his hand... Toogata let out a weak sob as his own hero died once again in his arms...
Beep... Beep... Beep! Beep! Beep Beep!
Or did he...?
-----
"I need to go back!" Yelled the blonde while glaring at the black figure that named itself Death. "Toogata just got his quirk back and he needs someone by his side! I can't leave him!"
"Then go back, young one," Death smiled while offering a hand. "But the next time we meet, you won't be given second chances, Bakugou Katsuki..."
Katsuki stared at the skeleton hand in front of him, offering a key to the mortal realm. And without hesitation, he snatched it to open his eyes once more...
-----
"Toogata?"