Chapter Text
The city stretched out enveloped in an oppressive and gloomy atmosphere. Gray and threatening clouds covered the sky, pouring down a persistent rain that soaked the desolate streets. Each drop of water fell heavily, creating dark puddles and reflecting the sadness that enveloped the place.
The once majestic and vibrant buildings now stood like monuments in ruins. Their stone facades crumbled, revealing the scars of a recent past. Broken windows and shattered glass became open mouths that seemed to whisper stories of pain and despair.
The streets, once full of life and bustle, were now deserted and silent. Weeds emerged from the cracks in the cracked pavement, reclaiming their place in an abandoned world. The lampposts, barely emitting a faint light, flickered weakly, as if struggling to keep hope alive amidst such desolation.
The rainy city was marked by chaos and decay. Torn graffiti adorned the walls, proclaiming messages of discontent and rebellion. The smell of dampness and abandonment permeated the air, mingling with the scent of hopelessness and desolation.
Few were the beings who dared to wander the worn-out streets. Their hunched silhouettes of disappointment and despair reflected the burden of a difficult life. The lack of hope had left its mark on them, their eyes dull and filled with resignation and anguish.
It was a grim reminder of what once was and what had been lost. A place where hope seemed to have been swept away completely, leaving only the shadow of what it used to be.
Izuku wandered through the desolate streets of the rainy city, his figure hunched and his worn-out suit reflecting the weight of his past experiences. Sadness had become his constant companion, a shadow that enveloped him with every step he took.
Having lost so much in his life, Izuku desperately clung to the idea of not wanting to lose anyone else. Anguish and fear of loneliness had driven him to unforeseen extremes. His compassion and desire to save others had turned into a wild obsession.
There were no longer any limits for him. He saved everyone he encountered in his path, regardless of the consequences. His actions, though driven by a noble purpose, began to instill fear in those who crossed his path. His haggard appearance, coupled with his relentless determination, created an intimidating aura that no one could ignore.
The city's inhabitants saw him with fear and distrust. They avoided him, keeping a safe distance. The image of Izuku, tired but determined, had left an indelible mark on their minds. They no longer saw the young hero full of hope he once was but a solitary and desolate being seemingly on the brink of madness.
Resigned to this notion, Izuku had lost faith in himself. He had embraced his fearsome appearance and the burden of his painful past. He no longer sought to be understood or accepted but simply to carry on with his mission to save everyone, even at the cost of his own health and happiness.
Amidst the rainy, gray, and devastated city, Izuku had become a reflection of the sadness and hopelessness that surrounded it.
A villain lurked in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to attack an innocent person who had fallen into their trap. The victim, oblivious to the threat looming over them, walked through the rainy city.
Suddenly, the villain pounced, ready to carry out the attack. However, before they could inflict harm, Izuku burst onto the scene. His haggard appearance and intimidating aura did not diminish his determination to protect the innocent.
Izuku confronted the villain, unleashing his power and abilities in an attempt to save the defenseless person. With each punch and agile move, he demonstrated his bravery and determination. Finally, he managed to neutralize the villain and free the victim from their imminent danger.
However, instead of showing gratitude or relief, the rescued person filled with fear. Their eyes filled with panic, and instead of staying to thank him, they decided to flee, mistakenly believing that the same hero who had saved them could cause them harm.
Izuku, hurt by the reaction of the person he had saved, stood silently as he watched them walk away. His heart sank even deeper into the sadness and loneliness that had accompanied him for so long. Despite his tireless efforts to do good, he found himself once again misunderstood and rejected.
In that moment, Izuku realized that his appearance and extreme dedication to rescue had created a barrier between him and those he wished to protect. Sadness enveloped him once more, but this time with a sense of even deeper helplessness and loneliness.
With a resigned sigh, Izuku walked away from the scene, accepting that, despite his best intentions, his image and his history preceded him.
Izuku tirelessly patrolled the city, jumping from one building to another with agility and determination. The rain continued to fall relentlessly, soaking his worn-out figure as his mantra repeated in his mind over and over again: Save, save, save.
Although he knew he was feared and misunderstood, it didn't diminish his heroic spirit. For him, the safety of others was his top priority, even at the expense of his own peace and happiness. He had learned to accept the loneliness that his appearance and mission imposed.
As he patrolled, his gaze focused on every dark corner and forgotten alley. His sense of responsibility was overwhelming, driving him to protect everyone, no matter who they were or what they thought of him.
It didn't matter if people ran away from him, if their looks were filled with mistrust, or if their hearts beat with fear when they crossed paths with him. Izuku pressed on, convinced that his duty was more important than any rejection or fear.
Fatigue began to weigh on his shoulders, and his legs trembled under the constant physical effort. However, that didn't stop him. With each step, he found a new person in need of help, and with each heroic action, he felt a satisfaction that went beyond his own sadness.
Although the city remained shrouded in darkness and chaos, Izuku found a glimmer of hope in every life he touched. He knew that, despite appearances and adverse reactions, his determination to save others was his true power.
But he couldn't help but cry out of frustration, feeling an ever-growing void.
As long as his heart beat and people were in danger, he would keep jumping from building to building, repeating his mantra of "Save, save, save," knowing that he was fulfilling his purpose in the world.
Izuku hurried through the desolate streets, his mind focused on reaching the person who needed his help in time. Fatigue weighed heavily on his shoulders, but his determination didn't waver. Each step brought him closer to his goal.
Suddenly, a familiar figure caught the corner of Izuku's eye. His heart stopped for a moment, and when he turned his head, he was met with the shocking sight of Bakugo in action, saving the person he had been pursuing.
Izuku was perplexed, his eyes wide open as he witnessed his former classmate displaying his bravery and power. Incredulity mixed with admiration as he watched Bakugo skillfully use his quirk and rescue the person in danger.
Izuku's heart filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, he felt immense relief knowing that the person was safe thanks to Bakugo. But at the same time, a shadow of sadness overcame him, nostalgia enveloping him strongly, the desire to go back to Bakugo but knowing that it was no longer a possible path was breaking his heart.
The rescued person, filled with gratitude, approached Bakugo and expressed their thanks. However, when their eyes landed on Izuku, a flicker of fear and doubt appeared in their gaze. The person instinctively backed away, unsure of how to interpret Izuku's presence.
Izuku felt a pang of pain in his chest. He had longed to be the one providing security and hope, but instead, he found himself being perceived as a threat. Yet, his admiration for Bakugo outweighed any resentment or self-pity he might have felt.
Determined to protect the peace that Bakugo had achieved, Izuku swallowed his bitterness and sought to withdraw.
"Don't let him escape!" the rescued person shouted to Bakugo. "I don't care if they say he saves people! He's a monster! Probably a villain! We can't let them destroy our lives again!"
Those words painfully pierced Izuku, who was so paralyzed by anguish that he couldn't carry out his plan to flee and leave the scene. As much as he wanted to run away and disappear, he couldn't move.
"Go away," Bakugo said. Izuku couldn't tell if he was telling him or the woman he had rescued.
"Aren't you going to do anything!? He's been lurking around the city, and...!"
"What do you want me to do? You're already safe! What else do you want!?" Bakugo yelled impatiently. The person ran away, agitated by Bakugo's attitude and afraid of Izuku.
Izuku didn't watch them, but he could hear the sound of the woman's footsteps on the water puddles. He had memorized how the steps of a person running desperately for safety sounded like.
"Finally, you show up," Bakugo said, breaking the sepulchral silence. Izuku turned around to give Bakugo one last look.
Bakugo couldn't see his face because of the mask he was wearing, but Izuku felt that his eyes could penetrate his suit in a dangerous way.
In a desperate attempt to escape the situation, Izuku took a few steps back, pretending to run away from the reunion with Bakugo. But his attempt was thwarted when his tired legs and a puddle made him slip, losing his balance. Just as it seemed he would fall to the ground, Bakugo quickly lunged and caught him, preventing him from getting hurt.
However, Izuku, with a mix of anguish and anger, pushed Bakugo roughly away from him. "Let me go! Stay away from me!" he shouted with a voice full of despair and frustration, as if all the weight of his suffering and loneliness were being released at that moment.
Bakugo stepped back, surprised by the force of the push, but he didn't back off entirely. His expression showed a combination of astonishment and concern as he saw Izuku in such a fragile and agitated state.
As Izuku stood up and hugged himself, his breathing remained erratic, and his face reflected a heavy emotional burden. Bakugo broke the silence, saying only one word, "Deku..." surprised by the intensity of the situation and by the fact that his nickname came out of his lips with such concern.
In that moment, a sad and broken laughter escaped from Izuku's lips. It was a laughter devoid of joy, rather a laughter that denoted the immense weight he had carried on his shoulders for so long. It was a laughter on the verge of madness, a manifestation of the sadness and loneliness that had consumed him.
Bakugo remained silent, watching Izuku as his laughter gradually faded away. Understanding and empathy were reflected in his eyes, recognizing the suffering and struggle Izuku had faced in his absence.
At that moment, Bakugo understood that there was much more behind Izuku's haggard appearance and evasive attitude. He knew he had been through difficult experiences and that his broken laughter was just a reflection of the burden he carried within.
"I'm okay. That's what I would usually say."
With a softer tone of voice, Bakugo approached Izuku slowly and offered him a hand. "Deku," he said again, this time with a hint of frustration in his voice. "You better believe I won't let you escape again. I-- We... went through a lot to find you."
Izuku, with tears in his eyes and still trembling with conflicting emotions, looked at Bakugo's extended hand.
Izuku took a step back, slowly extending his arms toward Bakugo, and in that precise moment, his mask slipped from his face, revealing a fragile smile and eyes lacking the sparkle and determination they once had. His expression was a mix of hope and fear as he faced the possibility of being rejected once again.
"Are you going to run away from me too, Kacchan?" Izuku whispered with a voice full of emotions. Each word seemed to carry the weight of all the doubts and wounds he had accumulated in his solitary struggle.
Bakugo, for a moment, was left speechless. His gaze fixed on Izuku's vulnerable face. He could see the pain that consumed him but also the desperate need to be accepted and understood.
A tense silence filled the air as Bakugo processed Izuku's impactful words. Then, with determination in his gaze and a flash of compassion in his eyes, he approached Izuku, not breaking eye contact.
"No," Bakugo responded in a soft but firm tone. "I won't run away from you. No matter how you look now, no matter what you've been through, we..."
"It's alright, Kacchan," Izuku laughed gently, further infuriating Bakugo, making him swim in his impotence.
"Very well, cheap All Might copy. You've proven what a great successor you are, now end this charade and come back to us," he stood firmly, ready to fight if necessary to convince Izuku.
Izuku sighs, shaking his head. "The last thing I want is to fight you, Kacchan," his gaze softens, almost with compassion. "You wouldn't win against me."
Bakugo clenches his fists and teeth, preparing to attack Izuku, but he continues speaking.
His voice trembles, reflecting a desperate determination and a mental state that seems to be on the verge of collapse. His eyes, devoid of brightness and filled with unsettling determination, lock onto Bakugo.
"It doesn't matter if they fear me, Kacchan," Izuku says with a trembling voice. "It doesn't matter if I'm a monster. My only mission is to save, save, save... Even if I have to kill Shigaraki Tomura!"
Bakugo falls momentarily silent, processing Izuku's shocking words. The seriousness and darkness in Izuku's words deeply surprise him. He can see that Izuku is no longer himself, that something has drastically changed within him.
Bakugo looks at him with disbelief, unable to grasp the words that just came out of Izuku's mouth. He lets out a challenging laugh.
"Kill? Don't mess with me. The Deku I know would cry before killing a pathetic fly," Bakugo sighs, crossing his arms. "Seriously, put an end to this charade."
Izuku shook his head and muttered unintelligible words as his voice broke with each syllable. Then, he raised his face to Bakugo, and in his eyes, tears blurred his twisted smile.
"I really don't want to kill him," Izuku said with a trembling voice. "I've analyzed countless paths and possibilities. But, Kacchan, I just want you to be safe, all of you to be safe. Even if they fear me, even if they see me as a monster, I'm willing to do anything for the people I love."
With unwavering determination, Izuku approached Bakugo and placed his hands on his face. Tears streamed down his cheeks, but his gaze was filled with an intensity beyond the ordinary and a sincere love.
"This monster they see in me," Izuku continued with a shaky voice, "is capable of facing any adversity, of sacrificing everything for those I protect. No matter how they see me, no matter what happens to me, all that matters is that the people I love are safe."
Bakugo's heart stirred with a mix of intense emotions. Although he still struggled between concern and uncertainty, he could see the genuine love and determination in Izuku's eyes, as well as the pain that transformed his entire nature into something terrible.
The pain in Izuku's heart was deep and palpable. It manifested in every gesture, in every lost gaze, and in the weight he carried on his shoulders. It was a pain that couldn't be expressed in words but was evident in the heaviness of his gaze and in the way his body slouched under the burden of responsibility.
Izuku took a step back, releasing Bakugo, who rushed to hold him firmly by the arm to prevent him from getting away. "You're not running away from me... from us with that speech," Bakugo insisted. "You've been chasing after me for so long; I won't step on your heels."
Bakugo took a deep breath, as if the words were heavier than the humid weather. "There's so much I have to tell you..."
"No..." Izuku interrupted, covering one ear. "I won't listen to you. Let me go."
"You're going to listen to me, whether you like it or not! I...!"
A dark whip struck Bakugo's hand that was holding Izuku and completely covered his mouth. "Kacchan..." Izuku began to say, his gaze darkened. "I appreciate that you insist, but if you want me to listen, you'll have to do more than just yell at me or hit me until I come to my senses. As I said, you wouldn't win."
Bakugo struggled against the force of the dark whips, his muffled scream escaping between them.
Izuku seemed to be barely making an effort. Tired as he was, he was winning against Bakugo's resistance.
"You're still at UA, right? But you're not there; no one is protecting you," Izuku murmured. "If something happens to you again, how would the heroes react?"
Izuku's face filled with anguish. "How would I react?"
Bakugo and Izuku exchanged looks. Both knew what he meant.
Bakugo struggled and managed to free himself by releasing an explosion that made Izuku step back.
But this was Izuku's chance to disappear from Bakugo's sight.
Izuku didn't want to see Bakugo again. He didn't want to be near him. Because...
...Bakugo was capable of awakening the monster within him, the one that would unleash unstoppable anger and sadness.
He only had to lose him for that to happen.