Chapter Text
“I wonder if maybe we can redirect all the power from his electricity into one main power source, so he doesn’t get fried like usual. And with that, he can pull from that source at certain voltage and capacity so he can effectively fight without becoming incapacitated so quickly! And maybe, we can even cerate these disks he can use as weapons that can also release his electric power onto others or even certain spaces and trap them in a certain amount of space!”
“You talk too much!”
Midoriya Izuku felt all the gravity leave his body as a hard and swift hand padded his back and he stumbled forward, his train of thought completely being obliterated by the loud and shrill voice of his companion.
“Can’t you see I’m trying to concentrate on my babies!? And your whacky muttering is disrupting my concentration!”
Hatsume Mei, with her greased stained face and pink hair, eyes yellow with a twinkle of mischief, looked down at him. Izuku could see her eyes zoom in on him, and he immediately shrunk in fear.
“Ah! Sorry Hatsume! I was just trying to figure out the best way to help Kaminari from Class 1-A from becoming short circuited with his quirk and I think I may have figured it out!” Izuku could feel the enthusiasm rising in his chest as his mind began to throttle again, a grin spreading on his face at the possibility of this new invention that would support the heroes.
Hatsume leered at him one more time before she stood up tall in a huff. And then she smirked.
“Well of course! Because that’s what we do here in the support department! People think the heroes are the most important characters! But who are they without us? The support department that makes it possible for the heroes to be successful!?”
And Hatsume broke out into sheer laughter, Izuku sweat dropping and awkwardly chuckling.
“Right…” He scratched the back of his head and looked back down at the designs he had spread on his workspace.
“Hatsume! Midoriya! Enough chatting over there! We have a deadline to meet!” Power Loader shouted from nearby the workshop, his voice modified with his large, yellow helmet.
“Ah, yes sir! Sorry! Back to work!” Izuku stood straight up, saluting his teacher and mentor who gave him this opportunity.
Digging back to his work, Izuku began to design what his latest invention would look like, biting his lip, his head dug deep into his work.
Unlike 90% of the world, Midoriya Izuku was grouped with the other 10% of the world that had no quirks. When his quirk didn’t appear by the age of 4, his mother had taken him to the doctor and was given the worst news of his life.
Midoriya Izuku was quirkless.
No matter how hard he tried to breath fire like his father or levitate things like his mother, he remained ordinary. And because of his defectiveness, it ensued years of bullying. Ridiculed by his classmates, Izuku never thought he would amount to anything. Despite how badly he wanted to be a hero, there was no way for someone so ordinary to amount to any greatness.
Despite his quirklessness, Izuku loved heroes.
He watched the news every night, watching the heroes’ triumphs in battle, their victories celebrated and cheered on by the people on the streets. He quickly began to take notes of all heroes, his mind itching to write down everything he could about them. And in those analysis, his mind began developing ideas for improvement, creating equipment or costume upgrades that could help them be more successful.
But in all that, there was one hero who stood out to Midoriya Izuku.
All Might.
All Might was the number 1 hero in Japan who captivated the eyes of all around him. With his large stature, brute strength, and ever famous smile, it was easy for Midoriya Izuku to believe in heroism. Whenever All Might was on his screen, he felt hope and peace.
The Symbol of Peace.
Despite not being able to be a hero himself, Izuku had dreams of being able to aid All Might in all his grand adventures.
Shortly before Izuku was set to apply for high school, it was announced that All Might would be teaching at his Alma Matter, U.A. High School.
He knew exactly where he was going to apply.
Of course, he was laughed at and ridiculed for even trying.
His once childhood friend, Bakugo Katsuki, laughed in his face and burned his hero analysis books.
“You think a fucking quirkless nerd like you will get into U.A.? You’re really fucked in the head if you think that, Deku!”
Kaachan’s comment ensured he be ridiculed and teased the rest of the day, even by the teaching staff. Having always been bullied by him, it wasn’t anything that Izuku wasn’t used too. But, still, his confidence was severely lacking.
And he almost didn’t apply.
But Izuku swallowed his fear and applied anyway.
Of course, the test went horribly, and he most definitely didn’t get into the school’s hero course.
But his knowledge and quick hero analysis caught the eyes of the school administration, and he was placed into the support class.
And even if it was far from where Midoriya Izuku had envisioned himself, he found that he was home here. And despite his quirklessness, people here didn’t care. They didn’t care that he didn’t have a quirk. Power Loader didn’t ridicule him or throw it back in his face.
In fact, he was greeted by nothing but enthusiasm.
“We do all the heavy lifting here, kid. We’re here to be the backbone of the hero world. We don’t get a lot of credit or the lime light, but our work is important nonetheless! Without us, those heroes out there would be nothing!”
And so, in the last few months, Midoriya Izuku found a family with the support kids and with Power Loader. And yes, even Hatsume Mei, who’s eccentric, assertive, and over-confident zealous sometimes exploded the lab, became a good friend to him.
But even as a support student, Izuku still fanboyed terribly at the sight of All Might.
Sometimes, he would see him on the training field when the green-haired teen would sneak to catch images of the number one hero. Other times, it would be in the hallway and Izuku would be so starstruck, he would never work the nerve to ask him for a photograph or autograph.
“Earth to Midoriya! Earth to Midoriya!”
Broken into his own thoughts again, Izuku looked up and came eye to eye with one of his classmates.
“Geez, talk about a one-track mind! Power Loader asked me to grab you! Said something about needing your brain for an invention he was working on.”
Izuku blinked and then smiled.
“Got it!”
He scurried to his teacher, ignoring the growing chatter of the workshop, and missing the way the doors opened.
“Well! If it isn’t Mr. Speedster and the space girl! I can’t thank you enough for showing off my BABIES at the Sport’s Festival! Truly! If it wasn’t for that, my babies wouldn’t have seen the light of day!”
“Hatsume! I would please ask you to refrain from calling me by ‘Mr. Speedster,’ and call me by my name, Iida Tenya!!”
“Yeah, yeah, sure, Mr. Seepdster!”
“While you’re at it, mind calling me Ochako, or at least Uraraka?”
“No chance! ANYWAY! What can we do for you aspiring heroes?! Are you wanting to try out one of my new babies!? I have plenty in development!!”
Izuku looked up almost instantly as he heard her voice.
He felt his cheeks immediately pink at the sight of her, his heart squeezing at her bright grin.
Uraraka Ochako.
Izuku remembered her from their first day of the exam. In his haste, he almost tripped and his face was heading straight to the floor. That was, until he felt himself floating.
“Oops! Sorry! Didn’t mean to make ya float! But, well, it’s a bad omen to trip and fall on your first day, right?”
“Anyway, good luck!”
From then, Midoriya Izuku was enamored by the Zero-Gravity hero.
She most definitely didn’t remember him.
But he certainly remembered her.
He had watched her during the Sport’s Festival against Kaachan, and even though she lost, she was incredible against him. Her grit, her guts, her determination, it inspired him. He had collected lots of data on her – not as creepy as it sounded – and had hoped to create something to aid her in her quest to become a hero.
Lately here, she had been popping in with the speed hero, Iida Tenya, aka Ingenium.
The two seemed to be really good friends as he often saw them together outside of classes and in the cafeteria.
When she came by the shop, Izuku was always too cowardly to properly approach her. And he was pretty sure she didn’t remember him, nevertheless, know he existed. She would smile at him while passing by the shop, though he had seen her do the same to others.
And of course, Hatsume being Hatsume, her visits were short as his companion would be sure to do a great job in forcing them out whether it was with a big blast or her overzealousness.
Uraraka was wearing her hero costume today, which complimented her body figure nicely. His face heated almost immediately at that thought. Izuku looked away and back to the machine on Power Loader’s work desk.
Gosh, she would think he was such a pervert thinking that.
Sparing another look, he cocked his head at her boots and gauntlets.
He knew that with her Zero Gravity, the boots were designed to help absorb the shock of her fall when her zero gravity was released. And the extra weight was to help ground her better. He never knew the use of her gauntlets but last time she was in, she had said something about upgrading the device around her neck to help control her nausea better.
Izuku may or may not have designs tucked away under his work desk for just that.
“So! You’re wanting something to cool off your engines huh!? I think I have just the baby for you!!!”
“Hatsume! What is the meaning of this!”
“Iida!”
Hatsume attacked the Ingenium hero and on his feet were braces that attached to his engines, looking like they were constricting his legs.
“What is the meaning of this!? This isn’t going to help my engines!”
“Absolutely not! Instead, this will make your lighter on your feet!”
“I didn’t ask for that!”
“Hatsume… “
Uraraka spoke with worry and Izuku sighed. Her voice was always soothing to him – not too sound creepy or anything.
“Hey, Midoriya.”
Her chestnut brown hair always had a bounce to it, and her grin was always so bright and full of energy. And she was always so kind. The few times he did get to be near her, she seemed to genuine and asked questions to the support students of the things they were working on.
“Midoriya, cut the switch there.”
And her laugh was absolutely adorable too. Sometimes, in the cafeteria, he would see her sitting with her friends. And she always seemed so jolly, and her laugh carried into the room.
“Midoriya! Cut the switch!”
He had heard Kaachan call her Round Cheeks, and even though he knew it was just his typical behavior, it irked him because he thought her facial structure really suited her.
“MIDORIYA! WATCH OUT!”
Power Loader’s voice broke his thoughts and Izuku scrambled the tools in his hands and looked down to see her had accidentally clipped a cable… the wrong cable. And now the machine was making a terrifying noise and he felt Power Loader grab the collar of his shirt and tug him harshly.
“FIRE IN THE HOLE!”
Izuku felt an immense heat as Power Loader yanked him, throwing him behind a mess of work desks. His ears began to ring as the explosion went off so close to him. He felt the front of his hairs singe and smoke immediately engulfed his nostrils that he went into a coughing fit. His shoulder ached from being thrown into a metal table.
“Wow! Look at that explosion go!” Hatsume’s shrill voice cut through the chaos as she waved the black smoke away. “And here I thought I was the only one who caused huge explosions like that!”
“Is everyone okay!?” Izuku grabbed at his head as Iida asked the room, arms stretched out.
“You shouldn’t be encouraging that type of behavior, Hatsume!” Power Loader walked over to the group of students huddled behind the turned workstations. “And Midoriya! Don’t take after Hatsume please. It’s already bad enough to have one student constantly destroying my workshop. I don’t need two.”
Izuku went beat red, looking down at the floor in shame. “I’m so sorry! It won’t happen again!”
Power Loader sighed, shaking his covered head. “Somehow, I really doubt that.” And he walked off, muttering “look at this mess,” under his breath.
Izuku threw his head back and sighed.
Geez, Izuku. Good job goofing that up.
“You okay?”
Looking up, Uraraka Ochako was looking down at him with concern. Her hands were on her knees, and she was crouching down, her eyes surveying him to make sure he was okay.
Izuku immediately went red as he looked into her brilliant, brown eyes.
“I – I – I – ”
“Oh no! Did you hurt your voice in that explosion?” She asked an octave higher and Izuku felt his mind short circuit.
“Uh – I – Urgh – ”
“Nope! That’s just Midoriya for you! Can’t talk to a girl if his life depended on it!” Hatsume came from out of nowhere and grabbed Izuku by the collar of his shirt. His eyes went wide as she haughtily laughed, making him stand wobbly on his feet.
“Hatsume! Th – That’s not true!!” He defended himself, but it was most definitely true.
Izuku already had a difficult time talking to girls. But when one Uraraka Ochako was standing in front of you, it was hard for him to even breathe.
“Oh! So ya can talk!” Ochako giggled and Izuku immediately turned to stone and turned towards the girl. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t get hurt in that explosion!”
“Uh! Ye – Yeah!” He squeaked and Uraraka smiled again.
“Uraraka! It is time we go! Aizawa-sensei asked us to report at 1pm and time is of the essence!” Iida Tenya called out and she turned to him. Her cheeks puffed and she shook her head.
“Such a dad he is.” She muttered and then she smiled once more.
“Coming!” Uraraka bellowed and turned back to him. “See ya! Try not blowin’ up the workshop again, okay?” She giggled and trotted off. Her and the speed hero exited the room and Izuku was left staring dumbly at where she stood.
“What are you doing just standing there!? We got stuff to do! Come on, Midoriya!”
Another heavy pat on his back and Izuku sighed.
.
The next time Midoriya Izuku saw Uraraka Ochako, he was covered in grease and grime from the latest robot they had been working on. At the request of All Might himself, the support students, specifically Power Loader’s class, was instructed to design new sentries that adapted better in battle against the hero course students.
He had heard that Kaachan and Endeavor’s son, Todoroki Shouto, had absolutely demolished the last group of sentries. It didn’t leave nearly enough for the rest of the hero students. In order to better prepare the future heroes, All Might and Aizawa-sensei had requested for upgraded sentries.
The day All Might sauntered into Power Loader’s workshop, Izuku thought that he ascended heaven.
“Power Loader! Sorry to drop in so suddenly like this! But I have a request from an old friend, if you don’t mind!”
The room crowded around All Might almost immediately as he entered with his enthusiastic voice and hopeful smile. Izuku, being small in stature, could barely see over his classmate’s heads.
“How can I say no to the number 1 hero?” Power Loader responded with a shrug of his shoulders.
Fast forward, Izuku and Hatsume were chosen by Power Loader himself to help develop the new sentries. As Power Loader had stated, with Izuku’s mind and Hatsume’s engineering abilities, the two were the best pair to fulfill the Number One’s request.
When Izuku was introduced to All Might, he about fainted.
“Here we have my two most promising students, as destructive as they are. Hatsume Mei and Midoriya Izuku. They are going to help me develop your new sentries, All Might.” Power Loaded introduced them and Izuku couldn’t find the words to say.
His idol was standing right in front of him, and the words were lost on him.
“It’s about damn time you heroes recognize me! My babies are going to be the best damn thing you ever work with! And you will always be asking for me, Hatsume Mei!”
“Mei…” Power Loader warned.
“I – I – I’m Midoriya Izuku! It’s great to meet you Mr. All Might sir!” He bowed over and over, the words stuttering from his mouth. “Wow! I can’t believe you’re standing here in front of me! This is awesome! Amazing! I never thought in my wildest dreams I would get to meet you!”
All Might laughed loudly.
“I thank you support students for everything you do for the heroes! Without you, we would be lost! Young Hatsume, Young Midoriya! I thank you for your valuable service!”
After that, Izuku was determined to make these sentries the best dummy villains that U.A. High School had ever seen.
So now, he was elbow deep into the sentry, attempting to insert the chip he developed. The sentry was much bigger than him, and his legs were most definitely hanging in the air as he bit his lip and reached to insert the chip in its spot.
And he really had it all under control until he leaned too far in and felt himself fall forward.
“Oh no!” He yelped and squeezed his eyes shut, expecting pain to encompass his body almost immediately.
But the pain never came, and it felt like his gravity was… removed?
Izuku opened his eyes, and he went wide eyed as he was now floating above the sentry.
“Whaaaaa!?”
“Hey! Hey! Relax! Relax!”
Uraraka Ochako was standing below him, her hands stretched out, the pads of her fingers highlighted in a bright pink.
“Sorry for using ma quirk on ya! But just relax and hover over here, and I’ll let ya down!” She instructed and Izuku nodded slowly.
“Uh, ho - how exactly do – do I hover to you?” He asked meekly and her eyes went wide, as if she just realized it wasn’t a natural thing to do.
“Oh! Uh, I guess like you’re swimming? Honestly, not really sure! It’s always been natural ta me.” She giggled as she rubbed the back of her head and Izuku felt his heart nearly explode.
How was she just so cute?
“Umm, okay.” He muttered and like the idiot he was, did a swimming motion and slowly but surely floated towards Uraraka. Her eyes brightened as he successfully moved towards her.
“Ya did it!” She put a fist in the air, and he laughed meekly.
“Umm, if you don’t mind… could you please put me down?”
Her eyes went wide, and she made this adorable squeaking sound that made his heart race. Placing the pads of her fingers together, the pink highlight returned as she muttered a soft “release!”
Izuku felt himself fall to the ground.
“Oh!” Falling to his butt, he rubbed his head.
“Oh shoot. I probably shoulda got ya closer to ta ground. I’m sorry!”
It was the combination of her worried face and the cute accent that was really doing him in. Izuku never realized she had such an accent, but it tied in perfectly with her. Oh gosh, he felt like such a creep again.
Muttering on about a girl he barely knew.
“No, no. it’s okay. If anything, you saved me. I was about to take a very painful fall into that sentry, and it would been more difficult, not to say humiliating, trying to get me out.” Izuku sighed, thinking of the teasing Hatsume would have given him.
For as well as they work together, Hatsume Mei really loved to get under his skin in the most endearing way possible.
“Well, as a future rescue hero, that’s kinda ma specialty! So, you’re welcome!” She fist pumped and he smiled.
“Lemme help ya up!” With a pinky tucked away, Uraraka Ochako lent him a hand and Izuku was almost too nervous to take it. His cheeks pinked and with a small gulp, took it.
For a girl her size, she was very strong.
She almost flung him as she pulled him up. Izuku didn’t know whether to be impressed or absolutely terrified.
“By the way, I’m Uraraka Ochako! I’ve been in here a few times with Iida and some other of my classmates, but never introduced ma self.” He sunk his head and looked away. Playing with his fingers, he ducked his head.
“Yeah, I know who you are. You’re the rescue hero, Uravity! And your quirk is Zero Gravity! You make everything you touch float.” He muttered and immediately slapped himself. Sweat conjured behind his neck and the nerves started. “Oh! Sorry! That was kind of creepy huh? Geez, way to go Izuku.”
But instead of a look of aghast, Uraraka was staring at him with awe.
Her cheeks then went red, and she shyly looked away as she laughed with embarrassment. “Oh wow! I didn’t know anybody knew anything about me! That was actually really cool! Not creepy at all! Actually, I’m sort of flattered!”
Izuku’s face went tomato red.
“We – well, I’m not really sure how people don’t know who you are! Your battle against Kaachan at the Sport’s Festival was amazing!” Immediately, he clamped his mouth shut and Uraraka tilted her head.
“Oh, now you’re really flattering me!” Her own face followed suit with a darker redness, and she awkwardly laughed. “I wasn’t that great. I lost pretty bad to that Bakugo.”
Izuku frowned, not appreciating her self-deprecating tone.
“What? That’s not what I saw! You put up a great fight against someone who’s power is completely destructible. You had Kaachan on the ropes and played smart against him! Using your own jacket as a decoy and then showering him in all the rubble of the arena to crush him? That was brilliant! It may have not looked like it to others, but you really had Kaachan thinking with every move. And even though you were going up against someone like him, you were so determined to win! And that itself was completely admirable!”
But then Izuku realized he was rambling again and immediately clamped his mouth with his hands, realizing how creepy fan boy he was being.
Uraraka Ochako on the other hand was staring at him wide eyed, mouth hanging open. The air between them was stiff and Izuku could only think that he ruined this interaction in all ways.
“I mean – it was just a really good fight.” He tried to save face and when she wasn’t reacting, he sighed.
“Wow!” Uraraka smiled, her voice cheerful. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you.”
Midoriya Izuku didn’t think Uraraka Ochako could get any prettier. But when she smiled softly at him like that, she truly shined so bright. And he could get lost in her eyes and smile forever. He gulped loudly, the heat rising from his neck to face.
“I just – I take really good notes…” He muttered, looking away. “Anyway… is there something I can help you with?”
“Well, first, you can tell me your name, so I don’t keep referrin’ to ya as the plain looking kid with freckles.” She giggled and Izuku felt his mouth go dry.
“Oh! I – Um! I’m Midor – ”
“DEKU! YOU DAMN NERD!”
Kaachan’s loud and angry voice filled the workshop, and he immediately froze. If Izuku had paid more attention, he would have noticed the frustrated sigh from Uraraka Ochako.
“Ka – Kaachan?” Turning away from Uraraka, the dark, green haired boy turned towards his longtime childhood friend and gulped.
“Bakubro! Relax! No need to come in here yelling!”
Next to him stood a red-headed spikey hair boy with sharp teeth, dressed in his hero costume which included straps around his shoulders and some pants and sturdy looking boots. He was shirtless and grabbing at the fabric of Kaachan’s shirt.
Izuku recognized him as the Hardening Hero, Red Riot. Also known as Kirishima Eiji. He remembered his match against the other steel hardening hero in class 1-B at the Sport’s Festival. His quirk was definitely impressive and his ability to harden his body and take damage at an excessive rate was an amazing ability.
But that didn’t explain why he and Kaachan were in his workshop.
“Why the fuck am I still seeing your god damn face, Deku!?” He marched up to him, huffing, his red eyes glaring sharply at him. Izuku gulped and put his hands up.
“Chill, Bakugo! Don’t fry my support designer! Midoriya here is putting together something for me and I’d like him alive, duh!”
Kaminari Denki, aka Charge Bolt, sauntered behind Kaachan and Kirishima. He grabbed Kaachan by the shoulder and pulled him back.
“Don’t fucking touch me, Sparky!”
“Oh! Hey Uraraka! You here for some upgrades too?” Kirishima asked and she smiled.
“I was until someone rudely interrupted.” Her voice seemed irritated as she narrowed her eyes at Kaachan.
“Shut the hell up, Round Face!” He shouted at her and then turned towards Kaminari. “And what the fuck is this useless, quirkless nerd going to do for you, Sparky? He’s got nothing to offer!”
Izuku flinched at that and sighed.
Did he really have to say that out loud?
“Dude. That’s harsh.” Kirishima said, frowning slightly.
“Freckles here is actually really smart. He’s helping me out here, Bakugo. So, why don’t you just chill?” Kaminari defended.
“What is da matter with ya, huh? He wasn’t doing anythin’ but minding his own business and ya think ya can just come in her’ and talk to him like that?” Uraraka stepped up to Kaachan and Izuku went wide eyed.
Kaachan’s right eye twitched and a snarl formed at his lips.
“I dunno what kind of history the two of you, and from the looks of it, not a great one. And it’s not nice to insult someone like that! And who cares if he’s quirkless? It’s not your business to share! And having a quirk doesn’t make ya any better than anyone else! Especially you, Bakugo Katsuki!” She jabbed a finger in his chest and Kaachan had smoke coming out of his nostrils.
But as she stood tall and fierce against his childhood friend and bully, Midoriya Izuku could only stare at Uraraka Ochako in complete admiration.
Kaachan began to breathe deeply, his glare etching deeper and deeper. Smoke was rising steadily but Uraraka never seemed frightened. Izuku on the other was scared out of his mind.
“Okay! This is our sign to get out of here!” Kirishima stated, grabbing Bakugo by the shoulders.
“Wait! Hold on! I never got what I came here for!” Kaminari nagged but Kirishima shook his head.
“Come back later!”
Pulling at Kaachan’s shoulders, both the hardening and electricity heroes struggled to pull him out of the workshop. But right before they exited the workshop, Kaachan lost his cool.
“THIS ISN’T OVER ROUND FACE. JUST YOU FUCKING WAIT TILL TRAINING. I’M GOING TO KILL YOU.”
“Why don’t you just shut your trap, huh Bakubro?” Kirishima said, shaking his head.
“See ya back at class, Uraraka!” Kirishima said as he dragged away a rabid Kaachan.
“Midoriya dude! I’ll be back!” Kaminari said and Izuku waved awkwardly.
Izuku stood, his feet planted at his feet, unsure of what just occurred.
“… huh?” Eyes small and he filled with confusion, Izuku’s mind couldn’t process what just happened.
“That damn Bakugo is such a tyrant! I swear, he thinks he’s above All Might! And acts like he’s so damn better than everyone! He’s nothin’ but a freakin’ jerk!” Uraraka ranted as she shook her head.
“And you!” She looked at him harshly and Izuku stood to immediate attention.
“You shouldn’t let him talk to ya like that! Put your foot down! And teach him a lesson!”
Izuku sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “Oh, I’ve stood up to Kaachan plenty of times before. It’s never ended up well for me.”
He could still remember all the burns and bruises he acquired from him.
Uraraka looked at him in genuine concern and he immediately shook his heads in front of him. “But it’s fine! Really! I’ve been dealing with Kaachan my whole life. What’s a few more years, huh?”
He laughed awkwardly, but Uraraka didn’t seem amused.
“But thanks for standing up to him. That was really cool of you. Especially for someone like me.” Izuku smiled at the floor sadly, voices of his previous bullies ringing in his head.
“Someone like you…?” Uraraka asked, head tilted.
“Yeah, you know… quirkless.”
She glared at him.
“Well, you know what I think about that!” Her arms went to her sides, hands fisted. Izuku went wide eyed at her sudden change in body language. “I think that’s ridiculous! And discriminatin’! Just because your quirkless, it doesn’t mean a dang thing!”
“Uraraka…”
“Having a quirk doesn’t determine who you are! It’s the things you do in your life! And the people you help! Or inspire! Bakugo Katsuki may have a quirk, but you’re cooler than he will ever be!”
Izuku stood dumbfounded, completely enamored in Uraraka Ochako.
She was definitely not a force to be reckoned with. He saw her courage and bravery in her fight with Kaachan. He had seen her had at work in the alpha training area at times. He had seen her determination in the library where they would sometimes cross paths unbeknownst to her.
So really, this confrontation with Kaachan should have never come as a surprise.
But still, to see someone stand up so confidentially to someone who had only ever caused him pain brought tears to his eyes.
“Ah, you’re crying!” She reached to him and Izuku started laughing.
“Er, yeah. I’m sort of a cry baby.” Izuku wiped at his eyes as the crocodile tears he inherited from his mother continued to stream down his cheeks. “But I’ll be okay.”
His lightheartedness seemed to erase some of her worry because Uraraka was now smiling at him.
“I’m Midoriya Izuku, by the way.” He finally introduced himself and Uraraka tilted her head.
“He called you Deku though?” She asked.
The freckled boy sighed. “Yeah… as an insult. Deku the useless…”
Uraraka Ochako put a finger to her bottom lip and looked like she was suddenly in deep thought.
It was her “ah ha!” and fist bumped into the palm of her other hand that scared Izuku. Her eyes were suddenly shining, and she had the biggest grin he had seen on her face just yet.
“No! Not Deku the useless!” She stated and now it was Izuku’s turn to be confused as he cocked his head.
“I – I’m sorry? I don’t think I’m following…”
“Deku to me sounds like the Dekiru… like the Deku who can do anything!”
It took him a minute to register her words in his mind, but as the idea planted in his head, he felt something begin to sprout in him. It was a feeling that was unknown to him. This acceptance of who he was as a person, a concept so foreign to him left him aching in ways he had never known before.
His heart always raced around her or squeezed tightly to where he couldn’t breathe.
But now, it seriously felt like his heart strings were being pulled, puppeteered.
Izuku wasn’t quite sure what this feeling was, and frankly, it was entirely frightening, but he found that he liked this blossoming thing.
“De -Deku it is!” He agreed wholeheartedly, never thinking twice.
And Izuku really would have loved to stay in that moment with her.
But one Hatsume Mei was great at interruptions, and of course lived for embarrassing him.
“Ooo Midoriya! Stop smooching face with ol’ space girl over there and lend me a hand will you!? This baby has to be perfect. And I won’t let you ruin that!”
Both he and Uraraka went red faced immediately and Izuku looked back at the pink haired girl with a scowl.
“We – We weren’t! I mean – How could you – I mean! No! We definitely weren’t doing that, Hatsume!!” Izuku felt like his heart was about to burst from his chest and he couldn’t catch his breathe.
“Whatever! I don’t care! But hurry it up!” She shouted back at him, her own body disappearing into the sentry.
“Quite the girl you work with, huh Deku?”
Izuku quickly realized that he really liked his name on her lips.
The boy also quickly slapped his forehead for having such thoughts.
“Deku?”
“Er – it’s nothing!” He jumped, shaking his hands in defense.
She giggled. “Ya sure are skittish, aren’t ya?”
The green-eyed boy sagged his shoulders and in a defeating tone replied “I may have been told that once or twice… Anyway, was there something you needed Uraraka? Before you know… all that.”
It was now Uraraka’s turn to turn red, and he was perplexed at her sudden shyness.
“Oh! Umm, I was going to ask about some upgrades, but it looks like you two are busy, so I’ll come back another time?”
Come back? Another time? As in, she’d be returning?
Izuku didn’t think he could handle anymore of this today.
“You sure? I don’t mi - ”
And that was when he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head as a wrench was thrown at him. He immediately crouched to the floor and grabbed the back of his head.
“Hatsume!!!” Uraraka shrieked and said girl popped her head out of the sentry and removed the goggles from her eyes.
“Look, Space Girl! We’re on a schedule! You guys can finish sucking face another time! I won’t let my own success be dependent on a slobbering, stuttering boy who just learned how to talk to a girl! Midoriya! Get off the floor and come finish helping me!”
And with that, Hatsume sunk back into the sentry and Izuku glared over at the girl harshly.
“Damn it! She could have just said my name again…” He muttered but then sighed.
Looking back up at Uraraka, he gave a shy smile.
“Another time?”
The Zero Gravity hero smiled back.
“Another time.”
Even though Hatsume was relentless with her chastising and lecturing, Midoriya Izuku couldn’t help the goofy smile on his face as the image of one Uraraka Ochako appeared in his mind.