Work Text:
8 Years Earlier
It was a bright summer day, the sun casting long shadows over the playground. A little girl with earbuds hanging from her earlobes was walking ahead, searching for Kia, the girl she usually hung out with. As she approached their meeting spot, she noticed a green-haired boy surrounded by several other boys, including a spiky blonde. The green-haired boy looked utterly miserable.
What’s up with him? He looks way too miserable to be with his friends, she thought to herself.
Before intervening, she needed to understand what was happening. She decided to use her quirk to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“Look, Deku, you’re an idiot. A Deku, a worthless and useless waste of space that’d be better off disappearing from the public eye, so don’t even think about being a hero!” the blonde boy said, his tone a mix of anger and mockery.
Kyoka was shocked to hear this. Sure, the lines he used were pretty stereotypical and cliché, but such verbal abuse? What in the world did the boy in question do to deserve this?
Before Kyoka could react, she heard the blonde boy say, “You’re a quirkless waste of space, Izuku!”
So besides being an asshole, he’s a quirkist? She could no longer just stand by. Her face turned red with anger as she stormed towards the boy and his minions.
Before the two lackeys could even react, they felt a sound wave ripple through their bodies, causing them to scream in pain.
Hearing this, Bakugou turned around and saw the two extras knocked out and a punkish-looking girl standing in front of him. Despite the obvious proof of her abilities, he didn’t feel threatened.
“Go away, extra. I’m already dealing with the trash,” he said venomously, revealing his deep-seated disdain for the green-haired boy.
As Kyoka responded by sending one of her jacks toward him, Bakugou swiftly dodged and used a small explosion to forcefully push her back.
“Stay down when your superiors are doing you and society a favor,” he said in a menacing tone. “Or do you want to take a few blows for him?”
At that, Kyoka froze. She was scared—the boy seemed way out of her league. She couldn’t call for help; no child or adult was nearby.
Seeing her fear, Bakugou began advancing on her like a predator. However, his advance quickly stopped as he felt a hand grab his and pull him back, causing him to stumble and fall into the dirt.
Izuku, limping slightly, approached Kyoka with a smile despite the bruises covering his body.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked, offering her his hand.
Kyoka looked up at him, stunned. She noticed his bruises, his scars.
How could he ask if I’m okay? He’s the one with a billion bruises! she thought as she grabbed his hand. And why did he take the risk of helping me? Why didn’t he just run away when he had the chance?
But Izuku had a different thought process. I’m not that strong… we need to go. As soon as she grabbed his hand, he started limping away with her, but within seconds, she was supporting him, allowing them to escape quickly.
As they ran off, Bakugou slowly got up, his face dirty from the fall, his clothes full of dust. Clenching his fist, he had only one thought:
It’s not over yet, Deku.