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The grass was never greener

Summary:

"The world is not black and white Izu, our world is grey and the thing about grey is that it has varying shades. Some shades are darker while others are lighter and unfortunately our grey is darker, sensei's grey is darker. The world is not kind to those who are on the darker side of the grey spectrum, so consider yourself lucky that you are so pure Zuzu, because others didn't have the chance to be. "

"Then I will become a hero for everybody, no matter what shade of grey they are. I will save everyone even those whose shade is dark just like yours and dad's."

OR
Dad for one, brotherly Tomura and Katsuki/consequences. What more do you need

A/N to those who have read this b4 this major edit, the plot didn't change or anything like that. I just filled the gaps so the story can flow better. The first version (3.5k words) was more of a draft that I posted because I kept deleting and rewriting this story so I felt I needed the extra motivation to not delete this draft. If you liked the story before this edit, I suggest you re-read again. The plot may have not changed but the feel of the story did

Notes:

Non-native English speakers, do you ever feel fustrated when you forget the meaning of some words, and now you have to change a whole paragraph because of it. I often forget idioms and expressions and I have to delete paragraphs just to rephrase them and change them again because I'm still not sure about I uses the correct expressions.

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

Work Text:

Tomura, why did All might hurt dad

Izuku was eight when he asked this question, that was back when he was naive and didn't realise how dark the world he was born into was, back when he was all  pure and sunshine, before he was enlightened to his father's shadier dealings. Back when he thought Hisashi's was just some business men who earned big money. 

heroes are like that Izuku, they will use violence to get whatever they want but when others do the same they are considered villains. The world is not black and white Zuzu, our world is grey and the thing about grey is that it has varying shades. Some shades are darker while others are lighter and unfortunately our grey is darker, sensei's grey is darker. The world is not kind to those who are on the darker side of the grey spectrum, so consider yourself lucky that you are so pure Zuzu, because others didn't have the chance to be. Others never had the chance to be as white as you, they were grey from the moment they were born and this made them targets for heroes.

He didn't understand his brothers speech back. He committed it to memory but never actually understood, his mind filled with visions of his two heroes battling it out and trying(and nearly succeeding) to kill each other as Izuku watched from the sidelines. Tomura holding him close as they prayed their dad make it out alive. Their dad knew they were there and maybe thats why he held back a little, unfortunately All Might didn't know about the little kids whose love for him he was destroying because maybe then he would have tried to not show them this side of heroics. Izuku held his breath and watched it all go down, his little hand crushing his brothers. His hope in heroes never diminished even now as he was crying for his dad and knowing a hero took him away from them. He heard his brothers words but he never understood them. The world to him was still black and white, heroes and villains 

But villains do bad things, that's why All Might fights them, that's what the TV says. Dad is the best, I don't get why All Might would do that to him.

Zuzu, titles like villains and heroes are superficial. The title villian is given at a whim to innocent people who are just trying to survive. Do you think I'm a villain Izu?

No, Tomuchan is not a villain.

Yes, but others will see my quirk and think I am one, same with Sensei. His quirk is seen as dangerous and since the government can't control him they labelled him a villain. The nature of his quirk is also villainous and this makes him a threat and a villain to some people. And as you said All Might fights everyone labelled and seen as a villain and that includes sensei. As i said heroes don't care about the people, they just want to get famous by doing what appeases the public. I admit sensei has his flaws but to beat him up like that clearly tells of All Might's intent to kill.Some heroes are villains in disguise. You want to know why the quirkless statistics are not getting better despite heroes preaching equality, it's  because heroes are not helping. No one cares for the quirkless, so heroes don't help the quirkless since they know no fame will come from that.

Izuku looks deep in thought for a few seconds before looking up at Tomura and smiling.

Then I will become a hero for everybody, no matter what shade of grey they are. I will save everyone whose shade is dark just like yours and dad's. 

Tomura doesn't say anything, just looks at his little brother whose head is on his lap and smiles because although Izuku doesn't understand the magnitude of the promise or what was said today, Tomura knew he will keep his promise, he always does.


'7 years from now Izuku would understand why Tomura used some instead of All. He would be on a cliff facing a monster who was beyond any dark shade of grey, a monster whose shade was blacker than knight. He would also understand life in the lighter shade of grey as a little boy tried to save him from said monster. Izuku through it all remained pure, his soul that of an Angel who even guilt could not corrupt.'


Izuku learned the truth behind his father's dealings four years after that. A year after his father's injury, Kurogiri came. He was a babysitter, butler, chef, an uber, basically everything Tomura and Izuku needed. Their father had to be hooked to machines in order to keep him alive. Hisashi did everything and anything to bond and watch the boys grow. He touched Tomura's and Izuku's faces everytime they visited which was every two days. At the time Izuku was dyeing his hair green in remembrance of his deceased  mom.

It was on one on their visits when izuku was twelve when he discovered the truth. Tomura had wanted to speak to his father privately and asked Izuku to stand outside. Izuku decided to explore while waiting, that was his first time seeing a nomu. Ugly creatures with exposed brains, and were kept in a water tank. There was a small one on an operating table and it's body was cut open.  When Izuku got closer her saw what looked like a file beside the creature and just like every curious 12 year old, he read it. Some of the words were too big for him to understand but he crammed them hoping to look them up on the internet later. He went back to looking at the ugly monsters, stopped at one and tapped the glass three times, it seemed unresponsive. Izuku went to tap the glass again this time time louder. Just when his knuckles were about to touch glass, the creature opened it's eyes, and God did he scream. It was loud and frightened enough for his father to leave his support machines and run to him.

That day he learned the truth about his father and the creatures in the tanks. That day was also the first time in 7 years that he slept at his late Mother's apartment.  He stayed for a week with Kurogiri bringing him food. He cried for dreams lost because he knew what this meant, he couldn't be a hero. He never had the nerve to look up those words as he was not ready for the true horror behind his father. He didn't want to kill his brother like All Might nearly did his dad. On the 6th day when Kurogiri delivered his dinner, there was a note inside written in messy scribbles, an indicator of the writers inability to hold a pen.

I miss you Zuzu, I command you to come back right now. Please 

He knew how hard it was for Tomura to beg for anything so it meant so much to him. He went back home the next day and the first thing he did was talk to his father and make it clear he had no desire to join the family business and still wanted to be a hero. His father had no problem with that.

     And maybe that's why he felt so guilty, because despite All Might being a douchebag, his heart was in the right place. He felt guilty that he needed his father's approval to help people, guilty because his family's opinion meant more to him than society itself. Izuku never viewed himself as part of the white,saintly side of humanity but his brother did. Reminding Izuku everyday that Izuku was sunshine, bringing happiness and laughter wherever he goes. That Izuku was kind and gentle and never wished harm to anyone, not even his bullies who made his life hell. Izuku wondered if deceiving All Might made him part of the grey side that Tomura was convinced Izuku did not belong in, but he never brought it up with Tomura.

One for all was an interesting quirk especially the history behind it. All Might felt no need to mention said history to Izuku but his father did. A story of two brothers, one clouded by his greed and the other making it his mission to stop him. At first all for one wanted one for all as one last gift from his brother but then he discovered he could see his brother one last time if he had one for all. He began mercilessly torturing and killing the holders, that was until he met Inko. And although Inko loved him, he could never return those feelings. He stayed with her because he yearned for the feeling of being loved. The feeling of being prioritised and treated like normal, something he had not experienced in two centuries. after two years together Izuku was born and that's when he decided to accept and make peace with his brother's passing. He said Izuku reminded him of his brother, white hair, green eyes, a heart of gold and as such he took Izuku as one last gift from his brother. Izuku was the reason his father let go of one for all, he didn't need it anymore. He didn't need to see the remnants of his brother through one for all if he could now see his brothers face everyday. Make no mistake, Hisashi knew Izuku was not Yoichi.

His guilt now doubled everytime All Might coughed blood now that he knew the history behind the quirk and injury, but he hoped that him possessing one for all would put the two centuries old war between the brothers to rest. So he smiled through the guilt and continued to clean the beach like nobody's business. He smiled through the guilt when All Might switched from addressing him as young man to my boy. He smiled through the guilt when the same All Might declared that Izuku would be a great hero but then his smile dimmed as All Might said that Izuku would make a great successor to him. Izuku for a moment felt that All Might didn't see him but through him. He wanted Izuku to be him, All Might 2.0

One for All was excruciatingly painful to have. Having to bite his lips to stop himself from crying everytime he broke his bones. Cold nights when his arms would be extra painful as the chill penetrated his bones, those were the nights when he thought about asking his father for a regeneration quirk but the thought more like guilt of how his father got the quirk stopped him. Two blessings came with one for all, one was the discovery of soul contract , the power to contract and borrow quirks from the dead. A quirk that would have been overpowered only if the shitty quirk came with the ability to see said spirits, but then again when has fate ever been nice to him. How can I borrow quirks from something I can't see? One for all was a blessing in that it came with its own set of spirits. The second blessing was his uncle Yoichi, the other holders had beef with him but not his uncle. He kept cooing and saying how cute Izuku was, especially since in the realm of one for all Izuku's hair was it's natural white, he looked a lot like his uncle. They had a discussion once, about Hizashi, where Yoichi confessed he did not hate his brother even after everything he's done. His brother was misguided but instead of admitting fault he let himself spiral until Yoichi could no longer recognise him. He confessed how he wished he was stronger back then, that he wasn't so sickly because maybe this would have never happened. His brother began spiralling because he was looking for a cure for him, a cure Yoichi didn't want. Hisashi felt he was losing him and he did not want to be alone, especially after their parents death. Izuku told Yoichi if his dad's wish of seeing his brother one last time. His desperate search for his brothers last gift to the world, to him. He told of how much his father loved them, the three of them; Yoichi, Tomura and Izuku. How he saw Izuku as a gift from god to remember Yoichi by. How he wanted to name Izuku after Yoichi but he decided to let his brother's soul get rest from him. It was a tear filled session.
_________________________________

Katsuki sat watching Deku laugh with his little clique. A group of six personalities, each bringing a different aspect to the group. He remembers back in Aldera, when Deku still knew his place, he would eat lunch all by himself while Katsuki and the others made fun of him, sometimes tripping or pouring things on him by 'accident'. He remembers their first training session when Deku seemed awkward with his quirk breaking bones for a victory that meant nothing. Round cheeks plays with her eyebrows while saying something, eyebags laughs.

how did Deku manage to get into the hero course. His quirk makes no sense, first it was the super strength but now he keeps spawning quirks like a fucking virus reproducing. First it was the black whips then floating but now it's danger sense and the smoke thing. What the fuck is his quirk.

hey Bakubro, why are you looking at Midobro like that.

WHO SAID I'M LOOKING AT THE FUCKING NERD!!!

Kirishma just hummed and went back to talking to the other extras. The clad has divided themselves since the start of the school but the most prominent groups were the so called bakusquad and dekusquad. Katsuki didn't know they were named that but apparently it's because it sounded manly

His attention was drawn back to Deku as he was stuttering and blushing while Iida looked to be reprimanding Eye bags. Half and half just continued eating not paying attention to the table but occasionally chiming in, Deku would blush everytime Candycane said something. The whole table looked to be having fun, and for one slight second Katsuki almost felt guilty for making sure Deku had no friends in Aldera. But then again what Deku went through in Aldera built his character and Katsuki didn't regret a thing. But looking at Deku now, he wonders...

how did the nerd go from the weakest person Katsuki knew to this fucking beast. He was still weaker than Katsuki(No one would ever be stronger than Katsuki especially in his class) but that didn't mean Katsuki was happy with this sudden power up. He misses the Deku that used to flinch at the sight of him, not this one who always had this sadistic smile everytime he looked at him

Hey shitty hair, what the nerd say his quirk was again?

Soul contract, apparently he can contract and borrow quirks from the dead but it has special conditions to activate. I thought you guys were childhood friends, you should know this.

He doesn't have the heart to tell Kirishima that they were never friends because Kirishima is pure and he doesn't want him to know his history. Kirishima is like the suns rays, warm. He is an Angel brought down to earth just for him, someone who seems to not mind Katsuki rough edges and is willing to be there for him. Someone who lights up at the sight of Katsuki, the biggest smile on his face ready to give warmth to Katsuki. He doesn't want to think about how if Kirishima is the suns ray then Deku is the sun itself. He doesn't want to think about how Deku was there for him, the first to not mind Katsuki rough edges , always giving and giving to Katsuki without complaining. Lighting up at Katsuki presence and always wanting the best for Katsuki. He doesn't want to think about how Deku would have done anything for him back then, even as kids he was always to take the blame for Katsuki's actions. He doesn't want to think about that because Deku isn't good enough for him like how Kirishima is. Katsuki is willing to try to be friends with him because  Kirishima is deserving of it. He is brash when he responds but he knows Kirishima is his people and will always read between the lines.

well the nerd didn't always have a quirk, so sue me for not knowing 

Are you okay Bakugo, you've been off ever since Midoriya showed off danger sense.

Shitty hair was right, he has been in a mood for the last few days. Ever since Deku showed off his quirks true nature, Katsuki felt his win in the sports festival was threatened. Instead of answering Shitty hair, he stood up and left the lunch table wanting the day to be over already.


The sports festival was a nightmare for Katsuki, yes he won but he felt he didn't deserve that win. Deku was taken out by Icyhot and that was because he spent 75% of the match yapping and motivating Icyhot instead of giving it his all, and then fucking Icyhot for some reason refused to use his fire against Katsuki. He was so livid he felt like reaping both Icyhot's and Deku's heads. Apparently his violent behavior got him in trouble and he had to be chained up just so he could attend the awards ceremony. It was so humiliating and he felt like a dog with rabies. Katsuki was claustrophobic, a little fact only shitty Deku knew, so the chains were freaking him out and he was having an internal panic attack and he wanted the event over as soon as possible so he can feel the sun's rays again. He had nightmares about the sports festival now, and the forums discussing his behavior and calling him villainous and how he deserved to be chained up did not help the faux panic attacks.

The final exam was even worse as he had to depend on Deku to win. Deku was the only one strong enough to cause some damage to All might, not to mention the useless nerd used Katsuki as fucking bait. And thanks to that stupid danger sense Deku got out of the exam with only a few bruises while Katsuki had to go to fucking recovery girl. At this point he should just be happy he contributed enough for him to pass. And here they were now at the long awaited camp fighting mud monsters. This was all shitty Deku's fault, it was always Deku's fault.

__________flashback________

The day started normally, as normal as 1A can be. They boarded the school buses with the luggage,and as usual the resident hobo was sleeping in the front of the bus. The bus was noisy which seemed to annoy the hobo until he flashed his quirk and the noise was reduced to whispers. Katsuki was looking outside while listening to his extras discuss the camp. The bus stopped of a little cliff where they met the wild, wild pussycats. While the hero team introduced themselves, he looked at Deku. 

At this point people might think I have a crush on Deku with how much I look at him.

Deku looked happy, with his eyes wide and sparkling and his smile so wide. His notebook was out and he seemed to be waiting until the heroes were done talking to ask his questions. He knew something was wrong the moment Deku tensed and activated float, but by then it was too late. He was already tumbling down the cliff with the rest of his classmates (except Deku). The wild, wild pussycats then explained that they were to walk through the forest and get to the other side in time for lunch. Deku was exempt from the test and that.....made Katsuki mad

DEKU!!!!!!! YOU CHEATER!!!

I know he is so mainly right? He acted as soon as the ground started shaking. I wish I also had some danger sense and maybe float. His quirk is so cool.

Katsuki turned and headed towards the forest where they had to suffer for the next so and so hours. When they arrived at the camp they found Izuku chatting with a little black haired boy. As soon as he saw them he ran over to his little friend group and started apologising for not warning them and to Katsuki displeasure they just waved off his apologies with glasses saying something about heroes always being prepared for anything. Did nobody care that they had to suffer while the nerd got an easy ride and was able to eat both lunch and supper. He went to bed a little less sore thanks to the hot springs. 

The next day was even worse, they had to wake up early, listen to 1B (Monoma) patronising them and calling them favourites as if they didn't arrive in a fucking bus while 1A walked and to top it off Katsuki had to train by putting his hands in boiling water. The next few days were the same, wake up early, train and go to bed with a sore body. They also had to cook their own food and Katsuki watched in delight as Deku fumbled and embrassed himself - small victories. 

Two days before they were supposed to leave the two classes had a joined exercise, 1B was to hide in the woods and scare 1A. Katsuki was paired up with Icyhot because fate was ass and it hated him. As the walked the noticed the smoke up ahead and the forest was cast a beautiful blue as the trees burned. 

"Villians are attacking the camp all students are permitted use of their quirks to defend themselves."  Mandalay's voice rang in their ears and minutes after that message from Mandalay another came in, and Katsuki will defend this to the grave, but he felt fear. "The villains are targeting Katsuki Bakugo. Bakugo please return to base"

Bakugo let's go, we need to get you to camp

I heard Icyhot, I don't need you to tell me. And stop walking so close to me, I can defend myself.

Icyhot just ignored him and continued to look around as if a villain will come out of nowhere, which is exactly what happened. Moonfish, a crazy wanted villian who was also a cannibal. They spends the next few minutes fighting moonfish until Deku came running and asked Shoutu to produce fire to stop dark shadow. Dark shadow knocked moonfish out in his rampage before he fwas calmed down by half and half's fire. They had nothing to tie him up with so they just left him and continued to camp.

"Shouto , have you seen Hitoshi. I'm worried about him." Deku whispered to Icyhot along the way. Icyhot shook his head no. He was about to yell about eyebags being grown enough to take care of himself when he felt a tap on his shoulders and all he saw was blue. The next time he came to, he was being held by villains, purple mist quickly surronding him as Deku was calling his name and another strange name, Tomuchan. He passed out.

_____________________

wakey, wakey 

He felt something cold being dragged along his arm and by the feel of it, it was sharp, probably a knife. He shivered and that made his kidnapper giggle.

Toga stop harassing the new recruit.

The new voice sounded scratchy and dry. Who are they and why are they calling me new recruit.

Dabi, take the blindfold off, he must see his new teammates.

The blindfold came off along with the tape on his mouth.

I'M GOING TO KILL EVERYONE ONE OF YOU ONCE I GET OUT OF HERE. AND STOP CALLING ME RECRUIT, IM NOT JOINING YOUR SHITTY GROUP

I told you that he would fit right in, his personality makes him the perfect villian and throw in that destructive quirk and he is unstoppable. You used to bully kids before right, this is like that but on a bigger scale.

WHAT

Wow, you started early, usually kids with powerful quirks like you decide to be heroes and act holier than thou but you, you decided otherwise. Tell me, are you in UA so you can get a hero license and commit villainous deed without the label of villain 

What!!

His voiced sounded so weak and Katsuki hated that. He wonders where they heard about the bullying because his teachers made sure to keep his record clean.

Oh, don't sound so shocked. We reward good behavior and what you've been doing up until now is considered good villain behavior

I'm not a villain you fuckers, im going to be the number one hero and beat up on scam like you

Are we still in denial, because to us it sounds like you are a villian. Thought you might get into trouble beating up people without a licence so now you are working towards one. I got to admit, that was clever.

What no, you are lying. That's not it at all. I'm not a villian, I'M Not a viLliAiN, IM NOT A VILLIAN

Another mild panic attack. How many times has he been called a villian since the sports festival. He wonders if the forum posts would get worse if they knew about Aldera. He wants to move his arms, to reassure himself that he is fine and not back at the festival and when his chained arms refuse to cooperate his panic rises.

Toga, get compress. He is having a panic attack and we need to knock him out.

Through his panic he sees blue and he finally relaxes knowing he will get rest from the world for a few hours 

____________

When he wakes up he is still tied to the chair, this time he looks around and sees the villains are just relaxing and having drinks. The girl he remembers as Toga is playing cards with another villain with a mask. Dabi is sitting by himself and nursing a glass filled with a clear liquid. 'Probably water, his quirk from the scars looks like fire and that won't mix well with vodka.' The blue-haired villain is by the bar talking with a man made of mist. 

shiggy, sleeping beauty is awake.

The blue-haired villain turned and looked at Katsuki.

I hope you thought about what we talked about. Will you join us Bakugo Katsuki, you are one of us. We see it, the people see it, so why won't you see it too. We saw how you tried to attack you classmate and how to had to be chained, that was a great display of your brutality. And let's not forget the pretty girl with the bangs, you really were going for the killer shots and I'm so proud.

Is that really how the world saw him, just another Endeavour, someone who earned the title of hero through quirk alone.

And I said, I'M NOT A FUCKING VILLIAIN and nothing you say will convince me otherwise.

Such a shame that you refuse to join us, I would normally kill you but someone special to me said not to harm you. How about I break every bone in your body so when the heroes arrive they'll  find only a broken shell of you former self.

Now now Tomura, I want to have a talk with Bakugo before you break him. Kurogiri send him to me.

The voice came from the TV and before Katsuki can respond the purple mist surrounds him and he finds himself sitting in a front if a faceless man hooked to machines. Even though the man looks disabled he still executed so much power just from presence alone. He looks around trying to commit the place to memory for when he is rescued.

Don't bother with that Bakugo Katsuki, we already received word that the heroes are coming and as such this will be the last time we use this place.

Who are you.

Katsuki can feel the power radiating off this man. Scratchy looks like a fluffy pup next to this man. His presence as powerful as All Mights. 

I'm the boogeyman, the king of the underworld. Now, I believe my son asked you a question, are you joining his league or not

And I said I'm not a fucking villain. Are you freaking deaf along with being blind.

Young Bakugo, please do reconsider. I would love to have a quirk as powerful as yours on my team

And I said No you freaking potato head.

he growled for good measure. He refused to prove haters right, he will be number 1 and make them eat their words.

And to think I was so polite but atleast now he can't say I didn't try. He asked me to be all nice and friendly to you and i did, how you respond to that is not my business . There is a reason I focused on your quirk and not you young Bakugo. With my quirk I have no use for you, because even if you refuse to join us, I will make sure your quirk will. I hear it's your pride and joy and the reason for your villainous behaviour. As you said you are not a villain but it looks like your quirk is, so I'm giving you my help like a good Samaritan.

Katsuki is pulled towards the man, some form of telekinesis. He is about to shout ant attempt to blow the man away when potato head put his hand on katsuki's head. He freezes and feels unexplained pain in his head and hands. After that he starts to feel dizzy, the man looking down at him with a creepy smile

My quirk is special in that it allows me to give and take quirks.

What!!! that's impossible. The man lifts his hand and like magic an explosion come out. Katsuki tries to feel inside him for the familiar feel of his quirk, trying to ignite his palms. He feels nothing, no familiar rush of heat to his hands, no pull and for the first time since he was four, his hands are not sweating. He tries to sort through his thoughts but his head begins to feel heavy, he feels like he is about to pass out when the man raises Katsuki's head by pulling at his blonde hair. Creepy Deku smiles

Welcome to your future as part of the quirkless 1% in Japan and please remember, if quirkless life ever feels hard, you can always take a swan dive off the roof and hope for another quirk in your next life 

Katsuki loses conscious.

Notes:

●The second part is all in katsuki's pov I did it this way so I can cut down the length of the fic. The things that are not mentioned in the second part still happened he just doesn't know about them. He doesn't know Todoroki's story cause Izuku never gave him a chance to (he was detected by danger sense and Izuku changed locations for the talk). He doesn't know about the stain saga bcus the dekusquad trio never told anyone. He doesn't know about Kota or what happened on the cliff simply because he never had the chance to be told

●USJ never happened in this AU for obvious reasons. Training camp saga only happened because Tomura wanted to traumatize Katsuki and the others said why not, sounds fun. The are moving locations bcus Izuku warned them about the tracker, he chose his family over society.