Chapter Text
The pattering of summer rains fell gentle on rusted sheet metal, flooding the hulking shell that had once been a warehouse. The smell of old industrial equipment, the stink of drywall left out to rot for too many seasons permeated the space, slightly masked by a string of car air fresheners strung up like Christmas lights. The light was a soft grey and filtered in through the few dust-streaked windows that remained intact as the whole structure creaked like the bellowing of a great beast on its last breaths. A small section in the furthest corner from the door stood out, tarps of blue, interlaid with a mix of cloth, patches, tape and more than a few stickers stood strung about a few still standing shelves that lined the interior, cordoning off a rough rectangular space. It was behind these tarps that stood what someone of a generous disposition might even have called a home. A few chairs, tattered but sturdy, sat around an overturned electric-cable spool acting as a table. A pair of abandoned mattresses sat in the corner pushed together with two sheets haphazardly tangled on top of them, with a person on each. On one of the mattresses, the sheet covering it barely showed the heroic smile of All Might, obscured as it was by the person sitting cross legged on it, Izuku Midoryia. On the other mattress, a hot pink sheet, covered in images of bats, hearts and medical syringes, resting on her knees was Himiko Toga.
“Himi, you don’t need to do anything else! Today’s been great!” Izuku waved his hands as if to ward off any further gifts. The bright emerald eyes stood in contrast to the sunken bags etched just beneath them. The newly thirteen-year-old awkwardly scratched at the back of his head, dark green hair a tangled mass, and dirt streaks all along his face, but as he let his eyes flick to the small All Might figurine Himiko had gotten for him, he smiled brightly.
Himiko smiled back, wicked points of fangs and she could only think how lucky it was she got to see the cutest face on the planet, her little brother Izu. She just shook her head and scoffed at Izuku’s (frankly ridiculous, in her opinion) claim, eyes glowing with mirth. When she spoke, it was with fondness and a fair helping of mischief.
“Pfha! It’s your birthday, Izu! If we didn’t do anything special, that totally wouldn’t be cute! Now! Wait there!” The grinning girl hopped to her feet in a single motion, ratty leggings and bright painted flat tops still visible as she pushed aside a small section of tarp. The rustling knocked loose a few lingering bits of dust that fell like ashen snow to the cracked concrete below.
Izuku did his best to stay still as he bounced a little on the aged springs of the mattress, wondering what Himiko had planned. He didn’t need wait long, turning around with a sly grin, arms hidden from view by the oversized hoodie she wore was Himiko Toga, his sister. A few loose drips of rain falling from the holes in the tarp strung over the top of their space, their home fell on his hair. He didn’t give it more than a moment, with a grin and a sniffle, Izuku wiped the small bit of water away before turning his best puppy dog eyes on Himiko. She only grinned wider as she pulled a box from behind her back, bright pink with an image of a smiling chef on its side twirling a moustache.
“Happy Birthday Izu! I made it juuuussstt the way you like!” With that declaration Himiko, lifted the cover of the flimsy box, revealing the singular oversized mochi donut, a small tea candle wedged into the hole in the middle. It was lovely, but lovelier still was the scent. Izuku, felt himself tear up as he saw the red drizzle that covered the bright powdered sugar that sat like a snowfall on top of the confectionary delight. He could smell it, the hint of copper and spice that had his mouth watering just looking at it. Blood. Fresh too, he thought with excitement, mouth already starting to water, a subtle feeling of his fangs sliding out all but twitching with anticipation!
“Himi, this, we don’t have enough! I can’t, you need some to!” Izuku could feel his eyes drifting to the treat, a familiar hunger starting to rise. They were on the last of the bagged blood, she wouldn’t waste it on him, would she? He needed to resist, needed to! He knew they didn’t have much left, they had been making do on rat blood for almost a month now, cutting it with what little human blood they had from the last heist. It wasn’t ideal, but it had worked! They’d managed to stretch this haul to last almost four whole months. Himiko just kept smiling with a roll of her eyes.
“Come on Izu, give me a teensy bit of credit. I got more yesterday! We have at least another day or two left of the old stuff anyways! And no sharing! It’s your birthday, big sis executive privilege activated!” She crossed her arms in an x, the big smile on her face golden eyes alight with mischief. Izuku smiled, he couldn’t believe she had got blood just for him! He could smell it. Wait….
“Himi, where’d you get fresh blood? This doesn’t smell like rat? I thought we were going out tomorrow to get more?” Izuku gripped the edges of the box a little tighter as he looked into the eyes of the person he trusted most in the world. The smile she answered back with was bright, wide, and he felt the first whisps of worry blow away as she answered, finger wagging back and forth.
“Ah ah ah! That’s a Himiko secret!”
“What!? No fair, what if I wanted to get you some?” Izuku shot back, worries already fading, it was Himiko after all, she was the kindest person he’d ever met. She wouldn’t do anything crazy, wouldn’t hurt anyone, not like him an unpleasant part of his mind supplied. Himiko had flopped down next to him and draped her arms over his shoulders resting her cheek on top of his head. Izuku giggled as he looked up at her sticking her tongue at him, and quickly copied back, earning an overly exaggerated gasp from the girl.
“My own little Izu! Mocking me, blasphemy! A million years grounding young man!” She said with her best attempt at a straight face. A terrible attempt judging by the snickers coming from the young boy. She let out an oof at the quick tackle from him as he pressed a powerful hug into her, face buried in her hoodie, a muffled “thanks Miko” mumbled to her. Her smile grew smaller, but a warmth filled her eyes as she ran a comforting hand through his tangled rats nest of hair. They sat in silence for a moment before Himiko gave Izuku a light push before taking up the dessert box and taking from it the mochi donut. She passed it to him with a smile, the blood had sadly congealed a little, she noted, but it would do for now.
“Go on Izu, dig in!” With a gleam in his green eyes, he bit into it, the moment it hit his tongue was a moment of pure blissful rapture as he felt his quirk activate. The shiver as a tenseness in his muscles smoothed into place, a familiar hunger accompanied by a buzzing deep in his skin. Colors only grew more vibrant and suddenly the cold interior of the warehouse was alight in bright gold, as if the midday sun was just a few feet from the windows. The bright red haze that he could recognize as Himiko slowly rubbed circles into his back. It had been too long since he’d had uncut blood, he thought idly as he tore through the small confection in what seemed to be no time at all. He wanted more. Needed more. He could smell it from her. She had more, just a quick bite and…NO. He was stronger!
“Boop” Himiko smiled as she jabbed her finger onto his nose, snickering at the bewildered look from her brother. The thick black veins that had erupted all over his face, framing his red eyes were just. So. Cute! She couldn’t help but tease him. As if a curtain was lifted, flecks of green entered his eyes and the guilt descended. He had almost done it again, even all these years later and he still felt like tearing into her. He was a monster. He was saved from his spiral by Himiko pushing her finger into his nose again, a firm look in her eyes.
“Izu, what did we talk about?” Himiko prodded. Izuku looked away and mumbled something quietly, Himiko just rolled her eyes. “Come on Izu, say it. Please. For me.” It was a low blow and they both knew it. With a sigh Izuku repeated himself, just the smallest bit louder.
“Not a monster…”
“Good try, but a liiitttllleee louder.” Himiko cheered on. Izuku looked at her, and like always, she wasn’t afraid. Not of how he looked when his quirk was active, not of how dangerous he could be. He was still just Izuku, her little brother.
“I’m not a monster” Izuku, gave it a halfhearted attempt, but a shake of her head and a raised eyebrow was all she needed to do to show it wasn’t enough. He took a deep breath; he had gotten better. He knew it. But it was still so hard to hold back, like twig holding back a raging river. What happened when it broke? He swallowed, the phantom tang of blood long gone on his tongue, he already knew the answer to that after all. People got hurt. But when Himiko looked at him it was like the thought of him failing was impossible. Like he could hold back the river without even trying. Like she really believed he could do anything he tried to.
“I’m not a monster!” The words burst from him and the happy squeal from Himiko was almost enough to make him believe it.
“And whyyyyy, aren’t you a monster?” She sing songed, a firm confidence in her eyes. A smile on her lips.
“Because I didn’t attack you. Because…uhm because I’m getting better?”
“Well duh! Your waaaayyyyy better than last year. I didn’t have to hit you! Plus, you stopped before even growling at me this time! This calls for a celebration photo!” Himiko leapt up and shuffled around inside a cardboard box pushed out of the way before, with a triumphant cheer she pulled the old polaroid camera from the box. Grabbing an arm, she centered a frazzled Izuku before the bright flash seared his eyes. The hiss he aimed at Himiko was completely ignored as she went about frantically waving the photo, willing it to develop faster. Izuku just clawed at his eyes willing it the phantom burn of the light to vanish.
“Oooo look! Look how cute you are!” Himiko held up the photo with the brightest smile, the same smile she did everything with. Izuku levelled a glare at her, she knew how much bright lights hurt him when his quirk was active. His gaze was drawn to the slowly lightening square she practically waved in his face. He swallowed his wariness as the image came into focus. The black veins that covered his face, the nearly luminous red eyes flecked with green. He looked like something out of a nightmare, at least if he ignored the wide-eyed expression of goofy surprise. The fanged nubs just barely visible in the image. It didn’t make sense the way Himiko cooed at the image. Couldn’t help the blush and embarrassment as she just kept going on about how he was the cutest little brother in the world. It was how she had always been, ever since she found him. Izuku just took the barrage of comments as she continued on, a small smile tugging at his lips. It had been a good birthday he decided.
Izuku had fallen asleep nearly a half hour ago. Himiko ran a gentle hand along his hair as he seemed to curl further into his blankets, murmuring in his sleep. She allowed herself a small smile as she watched him rest, the All Might pajamas having been a big hit as a gift she decided. She wanted nothing more than to curl up next to him, to bask in the warmth that was Izuku. Restraining herself was a necessary evil. She had responsibilities after all, she thought begrudgingly as she silently lifted herself from the mattress. She stretched out her muscles as she took a deep breath, held it for a moment before quietly exhaling. With a clear mind and quiet step, she disappeared from the warehouse as silent as a spirit.
She’d noticed more and more how much he had been slowing down the last few days. He had barely been able to run after grabbing the bread rolls the other day! His cough kept getting worse and he’d been sleeping more and more. She shouldn’t have let him talk her into stretching the supply this far. He was always worrying about them getting caught, rationing supplies, but never for himself. He never wanted to take up space or ask when he needed something, and it was. So. Un-cute! He’d gotten better, Himiko could admit that, but better wasn’t good. She needed to do more for him, be more for him. He was her hero, why couldn’t he understand that? He had been ever since he saw her, the real her and wasn’t afraid or disgusted. He always went on about how she’d saved him, but he clearly had it backwards. He saved her every day just by being him.
The stars hung above, painting a brilliant canvas, only slightly marred by the lights of the city. The air was still damp, but warm as she started walking, a quick circle to the side of the warehouse. Clambering up a small crate, wood still wet, and reaching into the loose panel on the wall she pried out her knife. She missed keeping it on her all the time. Missed the little welts of blood she’d raise on her arms when she got bored sometimes. Izuku didn’t like it when she did that though. Which, fair enough, she had decided after his first suggestion was that she could use him for that! She hated that thought, hadn’t understood that he was worried about her hurting herself, of all things and thought it would be better if it was him. She’d stopped soon after that, well mostly, and kept the knife out of sight. It had taken her so long to realize that as much as she loved, Izuku loved back just as fiercely. Which was why she wouldn’t let him down.
Momo Yaoyarozu started her day in the exact same way as she had the day before. Her think curtains of deepest blue were drawn wide for her by one of the house staff, today was Mei. She walked from the room without a word, leaving the tea on her dresser, and then she was left to get herself in order for the day before breakfast was served. The sheets were of the finest silk, the room immaculate, and the house far too quiet. Like a mausoleum inhabited only by ghosts of half remembered parties. A trip to the bathroom soon had her needs taken care of, a fresh sheen of water on her skin as she combed her hair with all the meticulous attention of a surgeon. With a satisfied smile she walked from her room, socked feet casting quiet echoes in the cavernous halls. She was excited, today was the day mother was slated to return from her latest business trip.
She strode through the halls, reciting a few chemical compositions to keep them fresh in her mind. Napalm was a fascinating, if decidedly un-ladylike compound she decided. Thermite would be better if she needed to melt though fortifications if she went the hero route. Which it was looking more and more like the direction she wanted to go. The family business just wasn’t for her. Sitting behind a desk, wasn’t what she wanted. Finally expressing it to her mother was nerve wracking but also exciting, and it was a conversation that needed to be had. She’d put it off for the last three visits, and, if she was honest with herself, it was exciting! She pushed the doors to the kitchen open with more enthusiasm than may have been warranted as her eyes scanned the dining hall. One beat, then two as her excitement died as soon as she took in the room and found a setting for one.
“Your mother sends her regrets, but her business in Kyushu has been extended by another week.” Mei spoke with sympathy as Momo corrected her expression, putting on a smile.
“Thank you for informing me Mei, but it’s no trouble at all. The chefs did an excellent job as always, it would be rude to let it go cold.” The spread was extensive, glorious golden flaked pastries, plates of rice and finely grilled fish. A hot cup of miso found its way into her hands and Momo felt her muscles relax as she slowly took it in. All around the room wafted delicious scents and the only sound was the movement of bowls and plates as she stocked up for her quirk. Mei stood off to the side, as someone always was. She had long ago given up on asking her to join. It wouldn’t be proper after all. So, eating alone it would be, no different than yesterday or the day before really. It was unreasonable to be upset by it, if she kept repeating that, maybe she could finally convince herself.
Breakfast passed slowly, the third and fourth courses a lovely display of desserts, confectionaries and Momo took the time to appreciate each. Each plate was moved away in near silence by the house staff, each wishing her a good morning, she replied to with a smile.
The morning passed into afternoon as it usually did, study, practice, lessons. The world beyond the windows only seeming to grow more enticing with the rising of the sun. What were other people doing. What were they seeing. She took her break from her chemistry lessons by reading, letting the words of the encyclopedia fill the space in her mind with images, wonderful images. The words for all the things in the world. The end of a shoelace, an aglet. The group of tiny muscles that flexed when you raised a pinkie finger, the hypothenar eminence. There was a word for everything, a formula for every object. So their had to be a word for every feeling as well. She just needed to find them and maybe if she found the right word she could understand it. Maybe, she could understand why every day blended. Why she spent nights staring at the ceiling, mind quiet as a still lake and sleep never reaching her. Why she wished to be somewhere else, someone else.
Momo Yayarozu closed her book, took a deep calming breath and schooled her expression. She had another few lessons today and couldn’t put them off anymore. As she walked down the halls, she turned over the word longing. What did she have to long for any way? A request, and she could have anything she wanted. Anything to study, anything to wear. Anything except a reason to get up in the morning any more complicated than, she’d done it yesterday.
The first light had started to come through the windows and cracks of their home, these were, of course, ignored by Himiko. Izuku suppressed a snicker at the bizarre pretzel she had twisted herself into in her sleep and the line of drool running down her face. His whole body was sore, it was most days lately and nothing sounded better than staying in bed. With a bone weary sigh, he shifted out from under his blankets and slipped to his feet, muscles protesting all the time. He took a steadying breath as the blood rushed to his head, luckily managing to keep his balance. One foot in front of the other brought him to his briefcase where he kept his clothes, a red faux leather, and bright threadbare cloth design covered by stickers. Slipping into his sweatpants and a plain t-shirt he made to head out when he spotted it.
Mister Wuggins, the plush elephant sat on their table, a note tucked just a bit under its neon pink fur. He quickly scanned through the note, eyebrow raising as at the single line and little heart that marked the top of the “i”.
“To get you ready for the day, check the fridge! -Love Himi” He couldn’t help whipping his head around to face her, but she hadn’t moved, not in the slightest still sound asleep, snoring like a chainsaw. He hadn’t, actually checked to see how much blood she’d got yesterday. It couldn’t have been a full bag, right? He carefully moved over to the dented mini fridge and slowly cracked it open, wincing and casting another glance at Himiko at the sound of the seal breaking. Five new, full bags of blood sat plainly on the middle shelf, sitting where the nearly empty bag had been last night, with it being pushed over to the side. She’d gone out without him. Again. Where did she even get these? Why didn’t she need him. She was always doing this, risking herself. Because she knew you weren’t strong enough that voice at the back of his mind struck like a knife. He couldn’t be as strong as her, he knew that. But he could still help in his own way. It wasn’t much running errands, but he needed to do something, anything to help.
He hesitated over the bags, the light bouncing off the smooth surface, he licked his lips as he debated not having any. With a sigh, he knew she would just give him the disappointed look and he wasn’t sure he could face that. Carefully pushing the new bags to the side, he grabbed the old one, took a deep breath to steady himself as he raised it to his lips and drank deeply. He felt that familiar buzz, the brightness of the room becoming just shy of unbearable. But it was worth it as his muscles relaxed and aches and pains he’d been ignoring faded into the background like a half remembered song. The taste wasn’t nearly as good as the fresh stuff. Did they even need to go out tonight to get more? Regardless he’d need to wait a little before leaving the warehouse now, he was liable to lose control in a crowd. He practiced the breathing exercises as he started into his yoga routine. Little by little his heart rate returned to something approaching normal as he finally finished and pulled on a hoodie over his t-shirt and placed a thick pair of sunglasses over his eyes. He could do this, it wasn’t enough, but he wouldn’t let her down!
Izuku ran through the mental tally in his head, the sun now a little bit shy of its zenith signaling midday. Some canned goods, some clothing, a few haircare products for Himiko, a couple rats all stuffed into his backpack (The rats on top, and he’d taped down the Tupperware lid this time! Not making that mistake again, he thought with regret). Nothing complicated, it wasn’t much but he liked to think it helped. Himiko always acted like he wasn’t some Deku, that he’d actually done something useful. That he wasn’t a monster. It still confused him how she could be so good to a monster. No, not a monster his inner Himiko berated. A flicker of a smile coming across his lips as he navigated the alleyways. The weave of alleys and back roads had been complicated when they first moved to the warehouse, but by now he knew them like the back of his hand and so found himself back at the warehouse quickly.
Slipping inside he found Himiko exactly where he’d left her, in a sprawled heap after having starfished and claimed both mattresses. Izuku could only roll his eyes as he tucked the haircare product next to the small washbasin Himiko had claimed for her own. Moving across he slipped the rats into the terrarium with the others and debated mixing the blood with what Himiko had brought back. With a few seconds humming it over he thought better of it, they had real blood, for the first time in weeks. He didn’t want to ruin that for Himiko before she got some of the unmixed stuff. It could wait, not to mention he’d already had enough today. (He couldn’t help snacking when he did the mixing). So wasting any more on himself would be a, well waste. He moved over to the shelf that held a few cans and quietly as he could started placing them with the others, mind turning over tonight.
The hospital was out, they’d already hit it too many times not to mention it was nearly an hour away on foot, but that wasn’t where they would be going this time. Taking a train would open them up to way too much scrutiny with that many people, so sadly it would have to be a long walk. He was under no illusion about how he looked, and the more eyes on them the worse it would be. So, back alleys it would need to be. He’d been the distraction while Himiko snuck into the hospital last time, so it was really just reusing the same strategy with the roles reversed. How to separate the staff was the real question, plus the open nature of the street so maybe if…
“Izuuuuu, keep it down.” Izuku froze, blush coloring his cheeks as he realized he’d been blabbing out loud again. Himiko was sending a soft glare at him as she sighed deeply before rolling the blankets around her like a burrito and lurching to her feet, blanket shroud wrapped around her shoulders, only her face peeking out of her mobile bedding cocoon. She let out a powerful yawn, fangs plainly displayed as she flopped down next to Izuku.
“So, what’s the plan then?” she groggily asked, gaze unfocused as she blinked to try and clear her eyes.
Izuku waited, as he turned the question over, in his head. She usually let him make the plans, and he would NOT, screw this up. He’d prove that she could rely on him. Dozens of scenarios raced through his head before finally, pieces started to click into place.
“Ok, I think I have a plan. The first thing we’ll need is a mannequin. I know there was one at the old tailor shop last time I passed by so…” Himiko half listened as Izuku ran through the bones of his plan. It really wasn’t a complicated plan. Her eyes scanned all over the room, and she felt a tug on her heart when she noticed the groceries that had been stocked around the place. He’d gone and run out without her again. Because she was too stupid to think to get essentials! Uggghhh, how could she keep failing at being a good sister to Izuku! He shouldn’t need to worry about running out and getting supplies while she was passed out because she was tired. She couldn’t even properly pay attention as Izuku explained his plan! She needed to focus, needed to show Izuku that she could help. That she was a good sister. Grinding her fangs she tuned back in and asked Izuku to start over his explanation.
The moon hung high, bound in starry splendor as the pair reached the point where they would need to split up. A pair of dark hoodies covered the two of them, matched with cheap black face masks (Himiko having made a point of them both having matching cat faces on them). Himiko took a steadying breath, muffled by the cloth covering. If she wanted to talk Izuku out of this, it was now or never.
“Come on Izu, I already got us a bunch. We can put off this run for at least a month!” She pleaded, Izuku looked like he wanted to say something, but instead just shook his head at the last moment as he looked at his shoes not responding for a moment. A beat passed, then another. Himiko swallowed, did she do something wrong. Did he know? The panic was building and her easy smile was showing cracks, she was sure of it. Finally he responded, false cheer covering his voice with all the sweetness of medical syrup.
“Well yeah, but we already did all the scouting work. We’d have to do all that again if we put it off. Come on, let me help. Please.” The look Izuku gave her was a hit right in the heart, desperate to prove himself. Desperate to show he wasn’t some mistake; it was a look she painfully recognized from the mirror. She swallowed back shouting that he shouldn’t risk himself like this. She couldn’t lose him, but she couldn't tell him no either. Some sister she was, she thought ruefully. She was screwing everything up. Again.
“Okay. Just, be careful, alright?” Izuku gained some light in his eyes as he nodded hard enough, she had the funny thought of his head flying off his shoulders, leaving a pretty crimson trail as it flew. No, time to be serious she told herself as she took off across the street and slipped easily into the shadows. Already Izuku was scrambling up a nearby fire escape on the opposite side of the street. Izuku had been right, the security of the hospital got better every time they went there. It would be better if they gave it a break and hit up somewhere different, something different. She busied herself counting bricks as she waited and tried not to think of all the ways Izu could get hurt, time passing way too slowly. The rumbling engine drawing nearer was all the queue she needed to know they’d gotten ready just in the nick of time. Himiko smiled, because it was what she knew how to do best, after all. It was show time.
On the rooftop across the way, Izuku took a steadying breath as the lights of the van grew closer and closer. Every other time he’d been the distraction, but this time it was up to him. The plan was relatively simple. The mannequin sat in the middle of the road, blanket covering it except for the lone arm they’d left peeking out, the whole thing covered in ketchup packets contents. Another few moments and the van would stop, and they could get started. Izuku adjusted his hoody, moving it up to hide his face as completely as it could manage.
Quiet as a pin drop a sound reached his ears, he tilted his head towards it, unsure if it had been just a trick of the brain. Not the rev of engines or the squeal of tires but a muffled sob. Izuku moved his eyes away from the road and looked around, trying to pinpoint the sound.
“Heh, found you.” The words were all but sneered out and the sound of a scream was abruptly silenced as the rattling’s of trash cans and sound of a scuffle filled up the night. A beat passed and then another as Izuku froze. What should he do? What even could he do? Someone was in trouble. Someone he didn’t know. It was only after a moment that Izuku realized, his legs were moving on their own.
Yukari Ito was not having a good day. She threw a hand over her mouth, resting her back on the alley’s dirty wall, trying to silence her panting from having run as soon as she’d seen him. This was bad, really bad. She needed to keep moving, needed to, her thought was cut off by his raspy voice that she knew all to well.
“Heh, found you” She tried to dart past him, any where’s that wasn’t here. The sharp thwack of his fist driving into her ribs seemed to fill up her eardrums as she crumpled into a collection of trash cans. The scream dying out as he gripped her mouth shut, cold blue eyes drilling into her. The first hit after that left her breathless. The second had her vision blurring as she fell to the ground, that bastard standing over her sneering. She could practically feel the alcohol hit her like a wave as she tried to choke down air into her battered chest. As he grabbed her by the shirt collar, she threw the best right hook she could manage, struggling to get back to her feet. The sharp spines erupted from his head in a crest as her fist made contact and that’s when he really started hitting. The blood rolling down her arm as she struggled to scream through the vicious beating. The darkness was gathering at the edges of her vision, when she heard a new voice scream out.
“Hey! Get away from her!” Izuku ran, his heart beating fast as he moved, not even slowing as he approached. He needed to get him away from her, needed to think. Time seemed to slow as he took in everything he’d seen. Large, spiked crest on head, wait it was going back in. Bone emitter type quirk, or was it some other type of material? It likely acted as both offense and defense in that case. The alley was thick with the scent of blood, he’d seen her throw the punch. Combat training unknown. Conclusion, ranged attacks to the body, keep distance and try to keep something between them in case he could fling them. He let his eyes wander the alley, sighting a few odds and ends, before spotting an old, rusted hubcap. He couldn’t throw it all that far without his quirk. So, he fumbled quickly for the vial of blood he'd packed for the mission.
“Piss off kid or I’ll do a lot…THE FUCK!” Izuku downed the blood, the ecstasy of the copper taste lighting his veins with the familiar rush of energy, muscles tensing and heart rate skyrocketing. He needed to stay calm, his mission was to get the woman to safety. He picked up the hubcap, the metal disk barely weighing a thing to him as he threw it like a Frisbee. The man threw himself to the floor, but it was an awkward leap, his foot having been left in the air a moment too long. The disk met his leg just above the ankle with a sickening crack, the scream of the large man and the sweet scent of blood filling the alley even further. Izuku moved on top of the large man quick, flipping him over onto his back baring his fangs and slamming his head into the concrete, voice a growl. He needed to stay calm. Needed to knock him out. The spikes that erupted under his hands, piercing his flesh only made him growl deeper as he all but roared at the man.
“DON’T! MOVE!” He kept slamming his head into the rough concrete, not waiting for a reply, the flow of blood from his hands only becoming harder to ignore. The man’s eyes grew distant and the sharp protrusions withdrew back into him, an impact crater where his head had met concrete.
Izuku shook his head to get the errant thoughts out, screaming to bite. To kill and drink his fill. He stopped and looked at the attacker, eyes glazed over, clearly unconscious. If not worse. Quickly putting a clawed finger on his pulse point, blood dripping from his hands as Izuku let out a sigh of relief. Yeah, just unconscious. He stood up and quickly approached the downed woman. Breathing evening out, yeah, the quick drink was only good for a few seconds of his quirk. He could already feel himself calming down as he knelt at the women’s side, now checking her pulse. She mumbled something as she forced her eyes open and Izuku swallowed expecting her to scream. She just looked at him, confused.
“Ummm, are you ok? I mean, oh geez. Uhm, do you have a cell phone, I can try and call for help. Or I could carry you! Wait, I probably shouldn’t move you since you’re injured. Oh, crap oh crap what if he dies? Uhhmmm just don’t panic ok! Everything’s going to be alright, cause….I’m here?” Izuku did not think this through as he reached into the woman’s purse and quickly found her phone. He curses when the lock screen comes up and he angles the woman’s face so the camera can see it and unlocks. He wastes no time in calling the police, a quick address on where they are before hanging up.
“Who are you?” The woman looks dazed as she tries to focus in on his face, he just adjusts his hoodie. If she hasn’t seen his face yet, no reason to scare her. Izuku doesn’t answer as he sits next to her, the sounds of sirens slowly coming into focus. He exhales, unsure what he should have done about the attacker.
“It’s gonna be alright ok. I…need to go.” He makes to stand but the woman’s hand grips his and he stills as she looks at him in the eyes. He knows his appearance is still pretty bad, but she doesn’t flinch as she stares back into his eyes. Her voice is feather light as she speaks.
“Thank you” Izuku just nods, his smile is full of fangs hidden behind a mask, but she just smiles back. Like she’s looking at a hero. The sirens are close now, he can hear foot falls, so he rests her head onto her purse and scurries up onto the rooftop. He sits and watches, quiet as he can be as the paramedics arrive and start to move her onto the stretcher. It’s followed a moment later by the police moving in to arrest the man who seems to be slowly regaining consciousness. He waits until they move away before turning to climb down the building on the opposite side, and making his way to where Himiko is waiting. It’s like he’s walking on air, the look she had given him. It was the same look Kaachan had when he watched All Might on tv, the same look he used to have. He’d saved someone.
Himiko adjusted her grip on the pile of blood bags in her arms, a totally uncute scowl on her face. Where was Izu? He was supposed to signal her when he’d grabbed the bags from the back of the van. Instead, she’d needed to knock out the medics, bust into the back of the van, grab and run on her own. She. Was. Not. Happy! Not to mention that he still wasn’t here! He had to be alright. Had to be. The thought of heading home without him opened a chasm in the pit of her stomach. Did she run around screaming his name? What was she supposed to do. Izuku would have a plan, but he wasn’t. Here! The creaking of the nearby fire escape told her someone had just gotten onto it. She swallowed down the fear as she waited. As soon as she saw the green hair she dropped the bags and ran to crush him in a hug, or smack him into the next life, she’d decide when she got there.
“Izuku! You. Big. Jerk!” Himiko pounded her fists onto Izuku’s chest as soon as he stepped onto the rooftop, tears forming in her eyes. Before wrapping her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I was worried.”
“I’m sorry. It…there was this girl and she was getting attacked. So, I needed to…” She cut him off putting a hand over his mouth and looking straight into his eyes, before her eyes went down to the profusely bleeding wounds in his hands. Tear streaks ran through the dirt and sweat, a small shaky smile on her face as she started ripping pieces off her hoodie and wrapping his hands without a word. Izuku stood there awkwardly, the last vestiges of his quirk fading like mist in the morning, only a few flecks of red left in his eyes and the veins around his eyes unnoticeable in the night.
“Let’s just go home. We’ll, we can talk once were there. Don’t want the blood spoiling, heh.” Himiko joked out, worry very clear in her voice. Izuku just swallowed as he looked at her and nodded, reaching down to take some of the bags when Himiko grabbed him by the upper arm and focused a glare on him. He put his hands up in surrender as she took all the bags herself, tucking what she could in her hoodie pocket. As the pair walked away into the night, Izuku couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He’d resisted all the blood and saved someone. He saved someone. For just a moment, he’d been what he thought was impossible. First with the false quirkless diagnosis. Then again when his quirk had first activated. For just a moment, he felt like a hero.