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Chapter Text

"On the double young Midoriya! move fast!" All Might shouted with his ever-present wide smile from the top of the massive garbage pile. "You're moving awfully slower today!"

"I-I am going fast!" Izuku shouted back, his arms strained under the massive heap of scrap metal he'd gathered like some strange offering. "T-The sands in my eye!" his shoes slapped against the substance, and he found his footing hard to keep.

"I could have had that done within two seconds. Push your legs harder, come on!"

Izuku felt his legs and heel burning under the heavy burden and uneven terrain. His teeth held together, and his mouth was parted as sweat dripped down his face. His heart was throbbing in his head, and his tracksuit was caked in dirt and wet patches filled up his undershirt.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he placed the metal in a neat pile on the designated area. He stared down at it inhaling and exhaling through his mouth for a moment. Six months ago, he couldn't dream of lifting that at all, much less carrying it for so long.

"Good...but not great!" All Might yelled hopping in front of him making Izuku jump in shock, "now then, use the fighting skills I've taught you to try and land a single hit on me!"

Izuku held his hands up to his face after regaining his composure and nodded, "O-Okay!" he went forward, his head bobbing to the left and right. Several combinations were thrown, a hook to the body, a cross to the face, but they all missed as the symbol of peace moved yawning away like he was on a summer stroll. Izuku tried to follow up with a series of roundhouse and side kicks but they were all danced around as All Might seemed to just be too untouchable.

"You're...way...too...fast!" Izuku said when he'd finally burnt himself out. Huffing and hunched over, he looked up at his mentor who looked down at him with a smile and in a cloud of smoke he turned back to the weakened state and coughed something fierce. "A-Are you alright?"

"Fine, fine, I had to move a little faster than expected is all," he wiped the blood away and shook his hand, "you're getting stronger, that's for sure," All Might gave him a small smile.

"Y-You really think so?" he said wide eyed and holding his hands back up and massaging them as he smiled back. Izuku put them down again when All Might spoke once more, however.

"I would hope I haven't wasted my time training you, yes of course you're better. You've even stopped shaking a little whenever I compliment or reprimand you. Your body not only grows, but your confidence."

Izuku rubbed his head and looked away.

"Please don't cry young Midoriya..."

"I-I'm not!" he said quickly turning back to him, "I feel really lucky that you're here with me!"

"Good. Well," he glanced at the setting sun in the distance, his coat flapping in a slight breeze, "I think that'll be it for today, you're practically on your last leg after that. Great work, you've been exceeding my expectations at a rapid pace."

"T-Thank you!" he said bowing, "y-you're kind of right, I don't even feel like wearing this," Izuku unzipped his jacket and fluffed it a bit as they began walking together to the exit, their shoes kicking up sand behind them.

"Fantastic, it means you're starting...what in the world is that?" All Might glowered down.

"H-Huh? oh it's an undershirt," he said looking at the white sleeveless thing on his body.

"No," he touched the side of Izuku's shoulder, a small purple bruise was on it, and he flinched when All Might tapped it, "I meant this."

"O-Oh...um..." he seemed unsure as All Might stared down at him, "I...got into a bit of an argument with...y-you remember Katsuki Bakugo? t-the boy from-"

"From the sludge incident, yes. Why? did he hit you?"

"W-Well-"

"Young Midoriya..."

"Y-Yes, but he...well..." Izuku started sputtering and in that moment All Might saw him looking like the exact same nervous boy he'd met asking if somebody quirkless could ever be a hero. It was not a sight he liked.

"You said he was your childhood friend correct?"

He nodded, "Yes s-sir."

All Might rubbed his diamond like chin, and he thought to himself for a moment, "He did not seem entirely kind when we crossed paths, but...why did you not tell me he was doing that?"

"...I-I r-really wouldn't like to make a scene o-or hurt his future. L-Listen, All Might, I-I barely felt the punch, it's not like-ow!" he jumped away clutching his shoulder as his mentor pressed lightly on it.

"Barely felt it?"

"T-That hurt you know!" he rotated his shoulder, trying to alleviate some of it.

"Sorry, however, it proves my point. What exactly is making you defend this behavior of young Bakugo? is he not trying to apply for UA, same as you?"

"W-Well...um..."

"Young Midoriya."

"Y-Yes...but A-All Might-"

"No buts, the behavior shown here is unacceptable. For him, and for you."

"H-Huh?"

"How long has he been bullying you?"

"...Um-"

"Izuku."

"A-A while...now...a few years...ever since elementary. I-I don't know why...we were friends one day and suddenly we weren't."

"Hm...years...has it been purely physical?"

"For a while...he's been getting worse and worse. Some days he'd leave me a-alone, maybe a f-few threats and stuff but he'd only hit me...monthly? now he's been doing it weekly."

"Do you fight back?"

"N-No, I try and run away and stuff...but he's pretty quick."

"And his quirk?"

"His quirk?"

"Has he used his quirk on you?"

"O-Once...he mainly u-uses it t-to destroy my stuff in middle school. I-I guess he knows he'll leave marks..."

"My goodness..."

"B-But, All Might I-"

"Young Midoriya."

"H-He doesn't deserve to have his future j-jeopardized b-because of a m-mistake-he started hanging around with a group of o-other guys who're like him so maybe...well...h-he does lead them but-"

"Young Midoriya."

"...Please..."

"Young Midoriya," he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder, gently so. "There is no sin in standing up for others, and yourself. For if you are not sound in health, how may you properly function not only as a hero but as a person?"

"B-But I'm fine-"

"No. You are not," All Might thought for a few seconds. He brought his hand away and leveled with him, kneeling. "It is clear to me that you are most certainly not, in fact this explains much."

"H-How?"

"Never fear. Listen to me and listen close. What kind of fighter is young Bakugo?"

"O-Oh, well his quirk allows-"

"Cease the murmuring about quirks, because the question was about the kind of fighter he is without."

"Oh..." Izuku thought, looking down at the ground as he did. "Um, he kind of...swings around a lot. I mean, he's strong, he works out a lot."

"Does he practice any martial arts?"

"N-No...we used to do karate in fourth grade but that's the extent. He stopped doing it after a while. He thought he didn't need it cause of...y'know...quirk."

"And you young Midoriya have been training in boxing and karate for the past few months."

"W-What're...a-are you saying I should fight Kacchan?..."

"In self-defense, yes. I'm not asking that you seek a fight with him, merely when he tries striking to...show him what a supposed quirkless weakling can do."

"But-"

All Might stood up, "Walk with me for a moment," they set out from the beach onto the streets of the city. It was early October, and the sun was fast in its dusk, the rays turning from bright orange to darkest night.

Izuku walked, his eyes on the ground. So many thoughts going through his head. Would All Might make him tell his mom? Auntie Mitsuki? he didn't want to worry either of them and stress out the latter and her husband with the news that her beloved son was a bully.

It'd gotten worse and worse with each passing month. Almost like Kacchan had been offended at being saved. Izuku thought, wanted it to be that his old friend would perhaps see him in a new light after that. Sure, he'd been left alone for a small while, but the guy just came back and started all over again one day like nothing happened.

What was he expecting? for the years of conditioning into a tormentor to vanish into thin air? no, to him he'd always be "useless Deku," and nothing more. A surge of something awful went through his body as he thought about this. Maybe he should have left him to be suffocated then how well would you call him-

He tilted his head up, letting out a soft breath. Izuku placed a hand on his arm and scratched it. Don't think things like that. They crossed several blocks by this point.

The thin man was staring forward, thinking of something. Izuku watched him, those dark eyes glowering ahead like they were pondering the world.

"A-All Might?"

He stopped, and he looked down at the boy. Izuku did the same. "I have given it some thought, there is risk towards fighting back, yes. Every action has a consequence. However, accepting abuse? no. You mustn't stand for that anymore young Midoriya. You must defend yourself."

"B-But-"

"Enough. I'm sure you're thinking about him right now, his future. Think of your own. Do you want to continue being hurt?"

"I-I..." he saw All Mights stare, "...no."

"Remember young Midoriya," All Might said, his gangly form like one of the lampshades on the street beyond the alley they talked in, "you have every right to defend yourself with what I've taught you, but only as a last resort. Do not be abusive or offensive."

"I-I won't but...are you sure hitting him is the right response?" Izuku said nervously rubbing his arm.

"Sometimes, people will not listen to reason. They will hate because of a matter wrong with them, or merely because they can. Consider this your first villain."

Izuku held his arms out, "B-But Kacchan isn't a bad guy. Well, he wasn't such a bad person...he..." he stopped talking.

"Right now, he is committing the acts of a bad person. By what you've told me he fits the description. But do not think of him as some mustache twirling evildoer with a plan to destroy the world. No, a young man like him has never been challenged nor lectured on how his actions harm others. By standing up to him, and using force, if necessary, you will show him that his notion of these things is wrong. How he responds, that is up to him."

"But it's assault-"

"Self-defense is not assault young Midoriya."

Izuku stared at him, then he looked down at his feet, "I...I don't wanna hurt him..."

"I know," he placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder, "but you must not allow yourself to be mocked and beaten anymore. A hero must always take action for those around them but also themselves."

"W-What if he tries using h-his quirk?...then I'll be...t-toast..."

"It's a risk you must take, you never can know what might happen. Everyone has a plan until they are hit in the face. That boy is physically larger and probably stronger, but your newfound skill should be the difference maker."

Midoriya was trembling, his legs felt like jelly and his heart was pounding. "O-Okay...I'll...I'll try...but...can I run if I hit him?"

"Stand your ground unless his lacky's come to defend him, or if he uses his quirk. Though with a leaders fall the followers often...follow."

Izuku held up his arms, and closed his fists, "I-If y-you believe in me...A-All M-Might...okay..."

The next day in the afternoon, he was a block out of school holding his notebook close to his chest. He knew he was coming, Izuku had done things during the day that'd annoyed him. Tripping over himself when he saw Kacchan, openly writing in his notebook about hero's quirks, and mumbling.

He heard him before he saw him, "Oi! Oi! shithead!"

Izuku stopped, but he didn't turn around. He could start running, probably could reach a more populated street where Kacchan would be forced to cease the yelling or face adult attention. But he thought of All Might.

Turning, he saw him with the two others at his side. He was fast approaching, right across a small crosswalk.

"H-Hi Kacchan."

"Who said you could call me that shitty Deku?!" he said going across and getting in his face. Izuku put his right heel up, but nothing else.

"W-What?" he was trembling and jumped as Bakugo pushed into him with his index finger.

"What? What? What?" he said mocking Midoriya's voice, "shut up!"

"C'mon Katsuki beat this clown and let's get outta here," one of his friends said.

"Nah, little quirkless fool needs a long reminder, look he got himself another book to write in. What kinda dumbass creeper shit is that?" the other sneered.

"Exactly! shitty Deku, gimme that damn thing!" he reached his hand out, Midoriya stepped back, "stupid motherfucker, the hell are you doing?!"

"P-Please stop..."

"Give me...that, now!"

"...no..."

"No!?" now he was mad.

"Please stop...a-and leave...m-me alone..."

"Huh!?" that made him push at Izuku who galloped back without being touched. His heel was still up, but his arms were close to his chest. Bakugo noticed. "Aw! did you get some karate classes!? that's fuckin cute!"

"W-What're you talking about?..."

"Give me that damned book!"

Izuku stared at his seething form, and even though his shoulders were twitching he brought them back as he stood tall, his lip quivering, "No."

"Need a reminder!?" he yelled with a spark flittering in his hand as he put it in the air.

"Hey man, you can't use your quirk, UA remember?" one of the friends said, "this idiot ain't worth that."

Izuku breathed, "Leave...me alone...stop being mean to me..."

"You five or some shit!?" Bakugo shouted.

"No."

Bakugo paused for a moment, then yelled, "Gonna burn that thing!" he reached another hand out, a small explosion ready to turn the notebook into a pile of ash.

"No!" he stepped away again and Bakugo nearly tripped over himself as he kept swinging wide.

If he wasn't angry before, now he was because as he turned to face Izuku his face was contorted into fury. "You got...five goddamned seconds to give me that thing, or I'll kill ya!"

"K-Kacchan please!"

"Five!"

One of his friends looked over his shoulder, "Uh, bro maybe we should get outta here."

"Four!"

Izuku was crying, "I-I don't wanna h-hurt-"

Bakugo saw red at that mere saying of that sentence, "One!"

He burst forward with his fist up. Months of muscle memory, months of constant work, it caused Izuku's body to act on his own. Bringing his left leg up and standing on the toes of his right, he felt his shoe smash into Bakugo's chest, and he heard a grunt as the latter fell back as he was suddenly stopped in his tracks. Midoriya's leg came down and he took a step back.

There was a massive silence about the four, each finding the non believe within that moment in time. Bakugo looked up from the ground, a brief second of shock on his face, then he was incensed. Roaring, he got to his feet and in a flash, he was running at Izuku who snapped back to attention and stepped back and swept his shin into the attacker's right calf.

Bakugo didn't fall down this time, but he made an angry grunt and was forced to step away. He was trying not to limp as he raged on, "Fucking, fucking bastard!"

Tears streamed down Izuku's face as he stood in the road, shivering badly. "P-Please..."

"Son of a bitch," one of Bakugo's friends tried to step in.

Bakugo turned his head back, "Don't fucking help me!"

The guy put his hands up backing away, "O-Okay?..."

Turning back, Bakugo stared Izuku down, "The fuck!?"

"S-Stop it, y-you might g-get in trouble. A-Auntie M-Mitsuki w-wouldn't-"

"Don't talk about my mom!" he lunged forward, slowed by his bad leg.

Izuku put his hands up as Bakugo threw a wide swinging right. It hit, and it hurt but not as bad as it would if he'd been unprotected.

Going backward, Izuku saw him coming in and he went forward too. There was another look of shock to Bakugo's eyes before pain, Izuku's knee rammed into the area below the belt. His ultimate move.

Katsuki's breath went out like an open-air bag, he fell back to the ground clutching between his legs as Izuku scurried back.

"I-I didn't..." Izuku could hardly breath from how hard he was crying.

Bakugo got to his knees, the rage returning as he raised his hand and prepared a blast before a commanding voice sent them all freezing, "Hey! what are you two doing!?"

A cop came storming from around the sidewalk, he had his baton out and was staring at the each of them. He stopped right in front of Midoriya and Bakugo the latter of whom turned his head and saw his so-called friends moving in the other direction. "Fucking bastards..."

"H-Hello officer-" Izuku tried saying before stepping back, fear easily seen across his face.

"What the hell are you two doing?!" he was a big man, broad and wearing a cap. He pointed a finger down at each of them, "fighting in the middle of the street?"

"U-Um..."

"Well? you'd better have a-"

"I'm fine!" Bakugo yelled standing up, "we were just playin a game!" he did his best to stand casually but it was clear something was up with his leg. Izuku looked to his right at him and Kacchan side-eyed and narrowed his brow as if telling him to shut up.

"Why are you limping?"

"What's with the twenty questions!? we're just...two law abidin citizens pal!"

The cop didn't like what he was saying. Izuku was watching Kacchan, almost wide-eyed. "I think you're lying, hey," the cop looked at Midoriya, "what happened here? and be honest."

He could feel Kacchan's eyes burning into him. Izuku stammered for a moment, pulling at his shirt collar. "Come on kid."

"N-No...nothings wrong..." he said.

"You aren't lying?"

"What...no."

"Fine then," the cop turned away, "better things to do..." he said walking away. Izuku looked at Bakugo, and he glared back. There was a moment of silence between the two lone boys at the man got out of sight.

Would he attack again? use his quirk? he started to step away before Katsuki sneered and turned away. Sticking his hands in his pockets, he went and grabbed his backpack and started to walk away.

"Wait."

He stopped, tilting his head to the right.

There was a lot of thought he'd put into what he'd say if he won. Still, he managed to only stutter and mutter it out, "Don't...do that again. I won't...stand for it anymore. I'm sorry, but you didn't give me a choice-"

"Tch!" Bakugo moved on, Izuku watched him. For a while, he stayed standing there, watching him leave. He held his fists clutched together, and he let air escape him. Like that, all the anger, all the aggression was away, and now all that was left was the regret.

He lay in his bed for the rest of the day, Izuku told his mom that he was feeling ill. She sat with him, rubbing his back as he held everything in. When she would leave, he would weep softly. It was hard, very hard. To be so silent when he just wanted to let it all go.

Late into the night, when he was finally about to sleep, his phone buzzed. Grabbing it hazily off the All Might stand and beside the All Might lamp, he grasped the device and yawned. Pressing the home screen button, he narrowed his eyes as the light popped up.

The clock read near midnight, and he opened his eyes fully when he saw the text.

'My house, morning.'

Izuku brought his other hand out from where it'd been resting awkwardly and started typing back, 'Kacchan?'

'Who else would it be, just come over shitty Deku!'

"Yep..." he murmured. Bakugo typed no more after that, and Izuku did the same. They hadn't texted in years. He was a bit surprised Kacchan still knew his number if he was being honest. All this time he'd either remembered or he kept him as a contact, but why?

He placed the phone back on the stand and rolled back over rubbing his face. Izuku knew one thing, even if he tried to use Auntie Mitsuki in some kind of way he wouldn't allow him to give that treatment. Not now and not ever. Then again, he wouldn't know Kacchan to use people like that. It's not like he was some master manipulator.

Thinking further, Izuku closed his eyes and rested. His thoughts filled with old memories and the hope that perhaps something new would come of what happened. But there was also a chance that Bakugo would treat him like the useless Deku he'd always treated him as, and there would be no more hope for change.

"Useless, Useless...Deku..." he murmured.

The next day he was stood in front of the house gate, and he stared forward at it for a good while before grasping the small iron thing and opening. It creaked gently behind him as he stepped through and closed. Izuku glanced up once more as he continued walking, wondering if the house had always been this small.

His shoes thudded against the wood of the stoop and there was a small window to his right. He and Kacchan used to look out of it, wondering if they'd see All Might walking by. Izuku stared at the door and drew in a breath as he rubbed his face and nodded his head. Reaching his hand out, he knocked three times unrhythmically.

A few seconds passed, and Izuku looked behind himself at the gate then back to the door before it finally opened.

A tall blonde woman with an eerily similar appearance to Bakugo stood above him, a curious look on her face before she realized who was standing in front of her, "Izuku!?" Mitsuki said looking down and smiling.

"H-Hi...Auntie..." he rubbed his arm and looked over at the small garden neatly treated and planted about the house. Masaru-San would show them it from time to time, though the two were too young to be truly interested.

"It's been so long since you've been over come on in!" she said brightly and opening the door fully for him. "The house is a bit of a mess, I hope you don't mind."

He glanced at the living room, a green couch beside the wall and a few chairs surrounding a table with it. Hanged photos of the family together, one with him and his own mother in it from when they'd all gone to the beach together. Mom looked happier then.

"Katsuki! get your ass down here and greet Izuku!" Mitsuki suddenly shouted making him jump.

"Tell his ass to come up here old hag!"

"That ain't how you do things in this house you little shit!"

"I'll...just...go up, don't worry," Izuku said placing his hands up peacefully.

Mitsuki looked at him turning on a dime and nodding cheerfully, "Alright honey. His room is still second on the left."

"Thank you..." Izuku went to the stairs and walked up them, the floorboards whining as he got the top. A small carpet led to the Bakugo parents room, Katsuki himself, and a bathroom. He went to his old friend's door and opened it.

"Oi! knock before you enter!" was the first thing he heard as he entered. Kacchan's room had posters of metal bands and some of All Might that were years old and without care. He was sitting with his knees on a small pillow, another was on the other side of a small floor table with two cups on it. Tea.

"Sorry, but you did say to come up here."

"I coulda been butt ass naked for all you know!" he said as Izuku took his seat on the pillow and looked down at the cups for a moment.

"Is that why you invited me over?" it came out of his mouth before he realized what he was saying.

Bakugo stared at him for a moment, before realizing, "Oh shut up," he looked away shaking his head, "so you didn't just get some karate lessons, you got a pervy ass mind."

"Karate lessons."

"No shit!" Bakugo slammed his hands on the table, "do you think I'm stupid? since when have you ever been able to fight?"

"...Since...I've been training for UA?"

"Bullshit! where's your goddamned quirk?!"

"Are we just going to skip over the fact we fought each other? like that didn't happen?"

"That ain't the point!"

"Maybe the quirkless aren't as useless as you thought...um..." it came slipping out of his mouth once more.

"I wasn't using my quirk, first of all. Otherwise, you'd be complete toast. Second...ugh!" he glanced to the table and grabbed the cup and drank. Placing it back down he watched Izuku.

"What?"

"Drink it! idiot!"

"Oh...did you make this yourself?"

"Of course I did!"

"Thank you," Izuku smiled at him then he grabbed the cup and drank. Katsuki seemed more annoyed than anything at that, "it tastes nice."

"I know, I made it."

After a while of drinking, he finally finished and wiped his mouth as he asked, "Your mom help?"

"Creep."

"I'm just asking."

"Yeah, old hag thought it was for Tsubasa. Guess that's why she was all excited to see you. Fuck that dude though, him and Haruto. Bastards went running as soon as that cop came."

"She didn't like the two?"

"No."

"The two aren't exactly the nicest guys in the world, can you blame her?"

"Man, who asked for a fuckin lecture? cause I didn't-"

"You're right about one thing."

"Huh?"

"I am taking lessons from somebody, but it's a secret."

"Where the hell is this coming from Deku?! suddenly you're acting all big and bad instead of that jittery ass shivering!"

"Because I'm not afraid anymore."

"Afraid?!"

"Yes, of you and them. Look, Kacchan-"

"Don't-"

"Stop it, please just listen to me for a second, okay?"

Katsuki looked angry for a moment, but he was silent, so Izuku continued, "I'm not sure why you started doing what you did to me. If I wronged you, I'm sorry. But things are different now, what you're doing? it'll get you kicked out of UA day one. Good quirk or not. If we were to fight, we'd both get booted out. It's why I was so scared to do so."

He shook his head, he looked away, and he was very mad. Katsuki was clearly thinking about something, "Where are you goin with this!?"

"Well...before we go further, why did you invite me here?"

"Cause that was the first time you actually grew a damned backbone. Before you'd just sit there and take it and stutter like a bitch!"

"A friend taught me to become stronger-"

"You don't have any friends!"

"According to you."

"Fuck off!"

"Did you ever even consider for a moment that maybe I had a life outside of being your quirkless punching bag?"

No answer, just the gritting of teeth.

"No, you didn't, did you? it wasn't a quirk that beat you Kacchan, just me. I'm getting into UA, and I'm becoming a pro hero. That's final, and no matter how much you yell and scream, it won't change things."

"Whe-"

"You were my best friend once, I always looked up to you as a strong guy, and I still do. But the way you act...it's not like a hero."

Bakugo made a noise.

"Seeing this tea, and the fact you invited me over, I think deep down you know it too. But you've hung around with those guys who put you on a pedestal, and...well...no other way to act, right? all I ever wanted was to be your friend, and I hope one day, you can become that person you used to be...always standing up to the bullies, and not one yourself."

He stared at him, his eyes narrowed. For a while, all was silent. "You'd better get going," Katsuki said softly.

"Okay..." Izuku said standing, he was watching for any sudden flick of the wrist. He walked to the exit, and looked back, an air of something between the two. What it was, he wasn't sure. But he at least thought it was some sort of understanding? maybe. Time would tell. "Text me if you wanna come over to my house. I'll ask my mom to make to make something spicy."

Bakugo listened to this. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened, "...Tell her I said hi."

"Huh?"

"Tell Auntie Inko I said hi, dumbass..." Bakugo wasn't gazing at him, his head glancing down at the table.

Izuku stared for a moment, then he gave him a small smile, "...Alright, goodbye Kacchan."

He walked back downstairs, and Mitsuki was there dusting a table. She looked up from it and saw him. "Oh, are you leaving already?"

"Yeah, I can't...s-stay for too long."

She finished rubbing the table down and said, "Well at least you're here instead of those two tools he usually hangs out with. Come back sometime, okay?" she went over and hugged him. He was surprised a bit, but he hugged her back. It was like he was five all over again.

"I'll try."

"I'm sorry."

"...for what?"

"...you know what."

"...It isn't your fault."

"Yes...yes, it is. But it's good of you to be so forgiving."

Izuku stepped away, and smiled at her, "You're kind Auntie."

He went to the door, and he opened it. Izuku was on the verge of tears as he went to the gate and opened it and stepped out and closed it. When he was down the block, a feeling of something washed over him and he let a breath out. The trash on the beach and All Might awaited him. As he walked to the corner and looked back, he wiped his eyes and smiled.

Chapter Text

"Fucking shitty bastards..." Bakugo groaned as his stomach growled. The room he was in was cast in this constant darkness, and the air was cold giving goosebumps all about his person. There was no sound beyond his own breathing and near constant swearing and insults that had lessened over the past ten hours he was locked in here.

That was right, ten hours, he'd counted. That fucker Shigaraki got all butthurt from his face blast, and he'd thrown him down here. Some sort of factory but Bakugo had been sort of unconscious so he couldn't really get many details beyond that. Dumb fucks knew he was too smart for their tiny brains and they had to stop him from seeing anything.

He wasn't afraid, being scared is for losers after all and he wasn't no weak ass loser. He'd just sit back and relax. No way did these assholes cover their tracks well enough for him to be here more than like what...a day? yeah, a day, then he'd be out of here and home before the next dawn while these freaks rotted away in jail or hell or wherever.

The ropes kept his arms bound to the sides of the chair, and his legs were crossed as if he were sitting back in a rocking chair with tea in hand. He leaned back, thinking of the ass beating these sons of bitches were gonna get from...oh it has to be All Might, right? yeah, totally.

By now, they were probably finding out the location of this crapass place, then a strike team would come in and tear shit up. He'd watched stuff like this all the time on television with...Deku.

He uncrossed his leg, then crossed the other one over. His butt was admittedly kinda numb and he was trying to scoot himself down as much as possible so some pressure could be off his tailbone. Shitty fucking wooden chair.

The steps caused him to sit up straight almost instantly and he looked out and saw from the darkness that crazy yandere bitch skipping inside. Her tied up hair bouncing gently.

"Hiiii Katsy-kyun~" she giggled with this almost babylike voice as she stopped right in front of him giving a small bow, "I'm-"

"Who gives a fuck?!" he interrupted and tried lunging at her, but the chair kept him down, "whatchu want bitch?!"

She looked up at him with that crazed smile, "Ohhh, a feisty piece of work," she said placing her hands up to her face, "a girl could really fall for a boy like you," she reached her hand out and stroked his face. He cringed and bit at her hand, but she quickly brought it away.

"I ain't on the market, especially for crazy bitches like you."

She gasped, "Really? oh, I bet you've got someone already is that it? what's her name Katsy-Kyun? or maybe he, I don't judge. What do they have that I don't?!" she did a small spin, "before you so rudely talked to me...I wanted to say my name is..." she quickly reached out and tapped his nose before he could react, "Toga!"

"Didn't I just say I don't give a fuck?!"

"You're so mean..." she pouted, her lips slightly puckering. Toga thought for a moment, then she smiled and looked down at him, "It's okay though, to be honest I'm much more interested in another boy," she started to blush. "You know him, right? I think his name was Izuku Midoriya..."

"The fuck?!"

"Oh, so you do!" she squeaked, "he looked real beat up, reaaalll beat up. I wish I could've cut him then, but there were too many people."

"...Huh?"

"No swearing? that's a first for you big boy," she started circling around him with her hands behind her back. She was holding something shiny. Toga went around him about three times before she finally stopped in front of him again.

"The hell's the matter with you?!"

Her hand reached out and took him by the throat, not hard enough to prevent him from breathing but he certainly felt the pressure, "S-Stop fuckin touch-"

"Hush...hush hush..." with her other hand she brought out the knife and pressed it to his collarbone, "or I might not be able to control myself~"

The cold steel made him shiver, and he stared daggers at her as she continued, her voice almost whispering and her hot breath on his face, "That forest trip was so fun...all the blood, the sweating, the terror. Especially that boy with his arms cut off and of course...Zu-Zu...that was amazing! I so enjoy the shameful details Katsy-Kyun..."

The knife pressed harder in him, he made a noise as he felt the small cutting, "Shh, it's only a flesh wound. Thought you might like it, what do you think?"

"You're...crazy as...shit..." he said through gritted teeth. He glanced over and saw blood trickling down to his bicep.

"Aw...well, I guess it's my instinct, but you'll have to get used to that now, won't you? Shiggy-Kun said that we tried the nice way, now we get to do it the villain way. If you catch my meaning."

"G-Get the fuck away from me!" he tried moving but that proved fruitless of course. For a split second his face was not that of the strong willed, but as quick as it begone it came back. He hardened his expression, growling like a savage animal at her. Toga just laughed.

"Oh no, he can't move~"

"I'll blast you! crazy bitch!"

"No, you won't~"

"Wanna bet..." he tried, and he tried but he couldn't make any headway in getting the ropes off. "C'mon!" he shouted and started shaking harshly as he went even harder to get himself out.

"Careful, you might pee yourself."

"Shut up!" he pulled harder, a vein on his neck appearing and his muscles tensing harsh. Yet, he couldn't do it. He couldn't muscle his way out of this. Bakugo sat back finally, Toga smirking and him staring death at her.

"Finally done?"

"F-Fucking cunt bitch..." he breathed, "I'm gonna kill you and your whole shitty League."

"Oh, killing? well if it's killing we're talking about..." she brought the knife down again and he closed his mouth to prevent a yell from escaping as it cut across his knee. "That can be arranged~" she held the knife up to her face and looked happily at the little liquid on the weapon.

"You are so dead, all of you are!" he yelled kicking at her. There was a neat laceration tracing from the top of the knee and crossed downward about three inches. It didn't feel nice, but he wasn't about to show that it hurt.

Toga just skipped around the attacks, laughing along the way. "That's right, that's right, no killing yet! but the cutting Katsy-Kyun..." she let out a soft moan that made him cringe. "I can't wait to spend more time together~"

"Fuck you!"

Toga stopped and looked at him, gasping and placing her hands to her face with the knife hanging lazily from the right, "Katsy-Kyun, do you really feel that way?!"

"Slut! you know what I meant!" he was starting the feel the two lacerations and it wasn't nice. But he wouldn't look weak in front of this bitch, not at all.

"Aw...welp, shouldn't have given my hopes up so fast," she swayed around for a moment before stopping and looking at him. Her hands now behind her back, "A word to the wise Katsy-Kyun. I'm fine if you wanna talk like this to me, but the others when they have their special time with you, they-"

"Huh?! special time?! the hell're you talkin about!?"

"Time like we're having, the talking and the cutting. You're going to be so bloody...it'll be like an art piece," she seemed excited at the thought as Toga started trembling.

"Oh...I'm so fuckin scared," he started laughing loudly, "ain't no torture that'll make me come to your side dumbass, it'll only make me madder n' madder. So, bring all of it on!"

Toga let out a shrill laugh, "I'm so happy that you're happy! it'll be a treat, but for now I'll let you rest. Let's do more tomorrow, kay?" she skipped happily out of the room, leaving him bloody and in the dark.

In his dreams, he saw back to the last day of middle school. Riding high, so high, practically guaranteed to get into UA. Where the best of the best oncoming heroes went. Only the best for him, because he was the best. Becoming the strongest was the ultimate goal.

He saw himself and the two others standing at the doorway, and he looked behind himself and he saw that fuckin crybaby mumbling to himself, his back turned. Bakugo said to him, "I forgot, there is a method that can be really effective if you want to become a hero so much. Making the leap of faith from the roof, believing with all your might that you will have an individuality in the other world!"

Deku turned, making a noise that seemed angry. But then he stopped when he saw Bakugo raising a hand, "You got something to say?"

Katsuki felt the crack of the massive villain's fist as her right hook sent stars through his head. "Any complaints?" she sneered down at him and flicked up her shades.

Bakugo breathed, smirking with several bruises now across his face, "Yeah, you should use that big ole magnet, your punches ain't shit!"

She nodded along, smirking herself. He didn't expect that. "True, kids like you should be beaten by a switch. Since we have no sticks...guess my magnet will just have to do!" she lifted it up and he was forced to watch as she brought it down on his head. Black spots were all in his vision. "Got something to say now?"

"Still...not joining..."

"Pfft! joining?! oh, little man, I know."

"Then why is your bitch ass still-"

"Not done talking!" she backhanded him, and he spat blood out. "I don't give a fuck if you say yes to joining or not. Personally, I don't have a clue why Dabi and Shiggy want ya in. A sack of shit like you is the exact type of person I hate. Someone who won the genetic goddamned lottery and thinks they're a golden god because of it. Well, Katsuki the golden explosion god, do you feel strong here?"

"...F-Fuck you! you're just makin an excuse for your shitty-"

She smashed his face with the magnet again, and the whole world spanned, "Yeah, yeah. Hey tough guy, don't fall unconscious on me now you still have much to take. I haven't even gotten to the best part yet! don't cha wanna know where all the heroes are? I mean, you've been here nearly a week at this point after all!"

He spat, "You're...lying."

"If I'm lying, I'm dying, which doesn't seem like a possibility as of now. Anyway, Katsuki. Nobody is coming, not for you. It's better to just accept that. All Might, your little bitch friends? nowhere to be found. The cops don't got any leads is what the news is saying. You know..." She stepped back, slinging the magnet on her shoulder and her smile was gone.

"Y'know, ten million people live in this city. Nearly twenty thousand out of those people go missing every year. But it's funny, as soon as one of the golden gods of UA, ick, go missing, the whole place goes in a tizzy. What about those other nineteen-thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine golden god? will you join them? will you?"

"F-Fuck n-no!" he tugged weakly on the ropes. "They'll find me! and when I get outta here I'll shove that thing so far down your throat it'll push your spine out your ass!"

Magne heard this, her frown slowly turning to a smile, "Aw. You're so cute when you get all indignant like that." She rose the magnet over her head like a great sword, "you got no one comin Katsuki, no one. Time to face facts!" and she cracked it down on his head.

Blackness was all he knew for the next few hours; his head was like a chorus of bombs when he next woke and there were multiple dry gashes on it with his hair matted around them. He sat there in the darkness.

One week? but...he counted only three days. Or was it two, no, no it had to be four because...because...

He stared out at the nothingness, his breaths going heavier. Shouldn't All Might be here by now? shouldn't the police or heroes be finding him? come on, he couldn't honestly be under these freaks' thumbs, could he? could he?

No, he wasn't that weak. Fuck that. Fuck that and throw it out onto the street and blow it up while you're at it. He wasn't weak and he'd never be weak.

Maybe he couldn't move because they'd barely given him any food or water, but he still wasn't weak. Maybe they'd beaten him so bad he couldn't feel one of his knees and a fever was coming on from so many lacerations that'd gone untreated, but he was not weak.

He held his head down, a sort of ringing in his head, "Doesn't...matter time or place...if I hear you call my name..."

"Know that everything will be okay!" the tv played on as he and Midoriya watched the intro of the All Might animated tv show. The latter held one of the action figures in his hand as it played.

"This is my favoritest episode ever!" Midoriya said. He thought that they were around eight then, or maybe nine.

"You say that about every one of them, Deku!" Bakugo said pushing him over and they began fighting for the toy. "Gimme, how much did that cost your mom?! the whole house?!"

"No, Kacchan it's mine!" Midoriya said already starting to cry within five seconds of them wrestling.

"Only people with quirks can use that action figure, now give!" he tried wrenching it away, but the boy was like a monkey as he expertly rolled out of the way when Bakugo tried placing his knee on his chest, sending the boy down as the other rolled away.

"Ow! you shitty-" within the span of the three seconds it'd taken Midoriya had already ran ten feet away behind the approaching figure of Mitsuki who had her arms crossed and looked down at her son as his best friend hid behind her.

"C-Crappy..."

"Not good enough! stop being a little shit!" Mitsuki yelled smacking her son over his head. She then looked back with a loving smile at Midoriya, "He didn't hurt you did he honey?"

"Uh...no..." he said blushing and slinking his head down and starting to mumble.

"He's right, I didn't do nothing old hag! c'mon Deku lets watch All Might kick some ass-"

Mitsuki smacked him once again, "No talking like that or I'll whack you again! now sit down and be a good boy! no explosions or fighting!"

"That hurt old hag!"

The two joined again and watched cross legged as the episode went on, cheering and laughing all throughout.

Darkness swallowed him, and a single tear slid down his blood-stained cheek. Above him, Dabi stood with his arms crossed. "Two and a half weeks my man, two and a half weeks. We've played the long game with you. Hey, now be honest with me. On that last burn, were you calling out for your mom? it's okay, I love my mom too."

Bakugo didn't answer. It hurt. It hurt to even talk. Why was he here? he shouldn't be here, not anymore. It didn't make any sense. He was supposed to be at UA, he was supposed to be training, he was supposed to be strong.

Mom was kneeled down in front of him, using a wipe on his face as he sniffled and cried, "What were you thinking, getting into a fight like that? now you're all busted up Katsuki. Oh, and you loved this shirt. All Mights your favorite, isn't he?" They were stood outside his elementary on the sunny streets as she skillfully nursed him. She had to use that degree for something after all.

"T-They were being jerks. I-I w-wouldn't just stand there and let t-them bully me..." he said quivering. "...I-I wanna be strong like All Might."

"I know sweety, there's nothing wrong with standing up for what's right and don't let anyone tell you different, okay?" she finished wiping his face and went in and wrapped her arms around him.

"M-Mommm, the other kids'll think I'm lame stop it."

"Nope."

He wanted to be strong, that was for sure. He wanted to be strong for mom, strong for dad, strong for...for himself.

"Oi, tilt your head up here," Dabi said as he grabbed Bakugo's chin and forced it. "You haven't permission to die just yet." He was smiling with glee, and holding up his other hand showed the flames, "like I was saying, two and a half weeks. Listen Katsuki and listen close. It is time to get real."

"...fuck...off..."

"You've been...burned, beaten, sliced up, I mean, respect for still going after being in all this dark and that combined. Lesser guys would go crazy." He knelt down at near eye level with him, "maybe you could use a friend even still. What about me? I like having friends. Let's..." he rubbed his scarred face, "share a few secrets, shall we?"

Bakugo blinked, his tongue licking the roof of his mouth. It was cold.

"Let's start with...the big one. Why do you wanna become a hero? hm? don't answer that, I think it's been made perfectly clear by you going on and on about being strong. Where does this stem from? is the real question here. Well, we could say as a result of an...abusive or neglectful upbringing you had to rely on innate strength and thus believed it."

Katsuki tried to speak, but Dabi held his mouth and started heating up to where the former was uncomfortable but not in pain from it, "But that's incorrect, by all accounts your parents seem very normal and gave their little son a good upbringing. Why don't we dig deeper?"

He wanted to bite the man's hand but stopped.

"From your constant praising of heroes such as...All Might...I'd say that's where it comes from. The," he waved his free arm about "never give up attitude? pretty hero like, I'll give you credit for that. Same for the strength you showed, very nice. I'm a man who knows strength Katsuki, and you've certainly got it. But why don't we dig deeper than that?"

Dabi stood up and tilted his head slowly, "Maybe strength isn't only a result of you wanting to be like the heroes you so desperately love, perhaps it's..." he tapped his finger against Bakugo's bloody scalp, "a cover...yeah a cover, but for what?" he then stuck his finger up in eureka, "oh, silly me how didn't I think of this sooner?"

He started smiling as he then looked down to Bakugo once more, "You don't want to ever feel weak, well..." he chuckled, "tell me Katsuki, you feelin strong right now?"

"...K-Kill you..."

"Uh huh, sure pal. Because the alternative is so scary to think about, isn't it? being weak in front of a freak like me? dang. That's sucks so hard, doesn't it? how about this?" he walked behind Bakugo and was there for a moment.

He felt the binds unwound as Dabi used a controlled burn to flame the material off. Bakugo fell forward out of the seat, he tried to stand but fell again as the scarred walked around and stood right in front of him.

"I'll give you this one for free," Dabi said holding out his arms, "come on, give me your strongest blast. Prove the strength you've talked about for so long and kill me. But I'm warning you, make it a good one cause you aren't getting another opper-"

Bakugo with all his speed and strength, the adrenaline coursing through him and his muscles tensing rose up and felt the familiar feeling of the explosive in his hands. Right for the face, a kill shot, he would kill him, kill all of them.

It hit dead on, and the sound went through the room, almost shaking it. Bakugo let out a soft whispery yelp of victory, no way this fucker survived that.

"-tunity."

The smoke cleared, Bakugo's blood running cold as he saw his hand on Dabi's unaffected face. "W-Wha..." Katsuki said. "T-That was..."

Dabi then looked at him puzzled, "Your strongest attack I presume? wow, my man, that was awful. Super terrible, super terrible."

"H-How?..." he walked back and his legs were like jello as he fell back to the ground. "I-I put everything...everything into...into that..."

"O-Oh my god! are you crying?!"

"F-Fuck..o-off!"

Dabi was doubled over as he watched the droplets slide down Katsuki's face, "Holy shit! holy shit! hang on, hang on," he reached into his back pocket and pulled out something. A phone. "Alright hold that exact expression," he tapped the phone over the course of a few seconds. "Perfect..."

Smiling and nodding, Dabi chuckled to himself as he looked through the photos. "These're perfect. Hey pal, you don't mind if I send these to your dad and sexy ass mom, do you?"

Straining, Bakugo pulled himself forward, desperately grasping at Dabi's shoes. Then he took hold of the man's pants and started pulling himself up, "Kill...you!" he drew back a hand but was knee'd off and landed on his back again.

Walking on top of him and kneeling down with his free hand Dabi grasped Katsuki's head and gently tugged him up. He stared into his very soul, the smell of that disgusting flesh, and the grunge of the man's breathing. "Tell me, do you feel like a hero yet?"

He let Bakugo's head go and it fell back hitting the ground, his chest rose and fell rapidly, the tears streaming down his face as Dabi's laugh filled the room.

"W-With a...smile on...on m-my f-face...will...face t-the d-darkest...day..."

"What's that?" Dabi leaned down and put his hand up to his ear and turned his head to the boy, "is the weakling talking?"

"R-Rely on me w-when all n-needs s-saved..." Bakugo's tears continued and he was shaking with a hoarse voice.

"And you're even singing the All Might theme song?! this is priceless," he nodded his head and looked about the room as if somebody was there, "man," he pointed a finger down at him, "I...so wish Shigaraki was here. He'd get such a kick out of this."

Dabi clapped his hands as he stepped on the boy's chest, "The victory was mine breaking you down, Toga owes me a sprite now, thanks man! so, whatcha think now?"

"Y-"

"Huh?..." he did the turning his head and listening thing again, "Brother you have got to speak up."

"Ye..." his voice was a whisper.

"Louder!"

No response, "Louder! c'mon!" he slammed his foot into Bakugo's chest making him nearly hurl up the tiny amount of breakfast he'd had. "Ugh...forget it. You can barely speak, I'll come back tomorrow after Twice is done feeding you. No need to waste time roping you back up; your ass is so weak I bet even Toga could kill ya."

He walked into the darkness, leaving him there. Bakugo saw this, and when he heard the door slam shut, he curled into a ball holding his hands on his knees and putting his face in his stomach. Still mumbling the song, still crying.

He saw back to the last day of middle school. Riding high, so high, practically guaranteed to get into UA. Where the best of the best oncoming heroes went. Only the best for him, because he was the best. Becoming the strongest was the ultimate goal.

He saw himself and the two others standing at the doorway, and he looked behind himself and he saw that fuckin crybaby mumbling, his back turned.

"I'm...sorry..."

Mom was kneeled down in front of him, using a wipe on his face as he sniffled and cried, "What were you thinking, getting into a fight like that? now you're all busted up Katsuki. Oh, and you loved this shirt. All Mights your favorite, isn't he?" They were stood outside his elementary on the sunny streets as she skillfully nursed him. She had to use that degree for something after all.

"I'm...sorry..."

He lay there in the darkness, the cold floor below him. He thought of the photos Dabi had taken, he thought of the faces of mom and dad when they saw them, he thought of the faces of auntie Inko and Izuku, he thought of the face of Eijiro, and he thought of the expression of death on his face as they were all at his funeral. Would he even have a face left?

The lights were still bright in his face as Twice held up chopsticks with noodles, the others sitting about or behind the bar watching, "Come on man, you gottta eat." Bakugo opened his mouth and placed it on the chopsticks then started chewing and swallowed. "See? told you he'd like it Himiko-Chan."

"Like a baby~" Toga said.

"The hell's this melted yellow creamsicle doing out here Twice?" Compress said as he sat on one of the stools. "He isn't pleasing to look at."

"I disagree~" Toga said. "I'm having such a hard time choosing between him and Midoriya...Magne, what do you think?" she leaned over the counter at her. Looking like a giddy schoolgirl.

Magne shrugged, "Go with your heart girl."

"Dabi was really cruel to him yesterday, and he needs the light and the people around him or else he really will go crazy," Twice said looking back at him while the mentioned did the 'okay' sign with a smirk. Then he turned back to Bakugo, "here Kacchan, eat up."

Shigaraki was watching all of this, his expression unknown behind the hand that was the mask on his face. He stood up from his hunched sitting position finally and all turned to watch him.

He took a few steps towards Bakugo, with every single one the boy shook and did so harder and harder before Shigaraki finally stopped in front of him.

"Hey Shiggy, c'mon-"

"Not now Twice, come on and sit down," Magne said. Jin looked unsure for a moment, but then he got up leaving the food bowl at the bar and going over and sitting with her.

Shigaraki didn't say anything for a long while, he just stood there, staring. Bakugo wasn't looking at him, he seemed small and was turned away. The cutting and gravelly voice of the lead villain finally got him to look over somewhat.

"Katsuki Bakugo, how was your boot camp?"

He didn't say anything.

"Oh, come on. Nearly three weeks and you've stopped talking all that good shit? but...I thought you were going to kill us; I thought All Might was coming to save you. Wasn't that correct?" he leaned on the table and smacked Bakugo's head lightly making him cry out. The League all shared a laugh or smile at this.

"Look kid, here's the deal. I'm done trying to convince you to do this, my Sensei is too but he still does have some use for you, but we're nice guys me and my Sensei. So here it is, the final offer, the big question." Shigaraki placed an arm around him, "two things are possibilities. Let's get the bad one outta the way first. You say no, and we kill you. Then, we kill your mother and your father and Izuku Midoriya and his mother."

"N-No!" Bakugo grasped his shirt, but Shigaraki lifted his hand and placed it on his neck.

"Got something to say?" he pushed him back into his seat, his hand still attached to his throat. "That's right, sit there and be a good boy. Now that was option one, but option two works in your favor. That being, join us. Join us and together, we will make a new world where your strength will be recognized. It's all you ever wanted isn't it Bakugo? to be acknowledged?"

He leaned forward and took the hand off his face, his dirty and foul face making itself present, "Me too," he said smiling.

Bakugo stared at him, no longer who he was those few weeks ago. Here he felt his spine run cold at the sight of all of them. Here he wanted to be home at any cost. Here, he was more weak than he ever had been in his life. They'd stripped him of his everything and left him broken like missing puzzle pieces.

"Come on...talk to me," he squeezed his grip on him, "time is wasting and I gotta give the man downstairs an answer."

His heart was beating in his ears, he was sweating, his throat was throbbing, everything hurt all over. Everything hurt, the light in his eyes, the smell of Shigaraki in his nose, the feeling of the air on his burn marks.

"Say it..."

"Y...Ye...Ye-" and then the faces of mom and Izuku went through his head, and he was mad, very mad, "...Never..." Bakugo let out a grunt, "Never!" he screamed as if shouting it to the whole world, stopped when Shigaraki threw him to the ground.

"I...was...hoping you'd say that!" he said walking to him. Bakugo watched the hand reaching for him, knowing what it would do. Would it hurt? please don't let it hurt, he'd gone through so much pain already. 

But death did not come.

"Hello! pizza delivery!"

They came bursting through the wall, the stones scattering among the room, the branches coming out and grabbing them, and an old small man flying in and kicking them in the heads.

All Might. He was kneeled down on the floor before standing up, that same smile on his face. Then he looked over at Bakugo and when he saw his state, he wasn't smiling anymore.

"All...Might..." don't cry, don't you fucking cry.

In a flash he was with him and he helped Bakugo to his feet, the villains making complaints of the tightness of the wood that binded them, Kamui strengthening his grip when he saw the boy, and the old man landing after a succession of kicks to Dabi's head saying gruffly, "good lord..." when he saw his full appearance.

"Can you stand, Young Bakugo?" All Might said holding him up.

"N-Not really."

"Young Bakugo, let's get you out of here and fast. I'll-"

"W-Wait-"

"No time, Kamui, keep these-"

"N-No...you don't understand there's someone else-" and then he saw the blackness again and he thought that he truly had died, and what he saw was a mere hopeful dream of something that would never come to pass.

Then the night sky presented itself, for the first time in three weeks he saw the sky. He saw the buildings around him and there was a sharp spike of hope, of seeing his mom and dad, of seeing Izuku and all the people that he'd..."Oh."

Whatever hope there was, died as he saw the black tuxedo, the massive frame, and the mask. He knew whatever that person, no thing was, it was here. It was here to take him away. The summer air was cold as the shape of a human held out its hands. They stood on a destroyed massive crater, cleared out by this thing no doubt.

Bakugo screamed.

"Enough."

He stopped.

"I'm sorry, Bakugo."

He didn't say anything, he just fell to the ground.

"You've failed again, huh Tomura?" the thing said as the League appeared out of these black pools behind him. No, no, no, no please. Please let him die. The villains all kneeled or bowed, ignoring their torture subject for the time being. "Don't be discouraged, you simply must try again, that is why I brought you, your comrades, and this boy here."

"A-All Might!" Bakugo screamed, please hear him, please hear-

And like a star shooting from the sky, All Might came crashing into the shape like a light fighting against an eternal source of eldritch darkness, with a smile. Everything would be okay.

"All For One!" All Might shouted, his voice sending shivers not of fear, but hope through him. A hope that he hadn't known for what felt like an eternity.

"Going to kill me again, Toshinori?!" the shape shouted locking arms with the symbol of peace.

A clash between the two sent each on that cleared out battlefield flying back, and in that moment, he saw multiple other pro heroes lying about the ground. He recognized them all, Mount Lady, Jeanist, Tiger, had they all fallen to this shape? would All Might?

Then he was on the ground, staring up at the night sky and listening to the clash between the two but not listening. All Might had come, he really came. Bakugo was laughing, he was laughing so hard, and he felt tears and didn't care about them anymore.

"Bakugo! my boy! they're after you!"

All Mights voice sent him springing up, the pain almost sending him back down, but All Might was here so that didn't matter anymore. He saw them when he was risen, the sound of them running on the dirt at him. Toga and Mange were there first and shaking he put up his hands.

Laughing maniacally, Toga rose her knife up and Magne with her magnet bar. He closed his eyes, hoping it would be peaceful after the pain. But death did not come. Would they take him again? save him for later?

When he opened his eyes, he saw Toga looking confused at her hands bound by a...grape? and Magne struggling to keep her magnet in hand as a long tongue wrapped around the thing and pulled it away. Was this a dream?

He looked to his left, as did the league and in that split second, he saw them. Izuku, Iida, and Eijiro seemingly flying down at him with black and green electricity as their aura and yelling to grab on, all wearing the weirdest of clothes, Midoriya with a panicked look in his green eyes. Don't be a dream, don't be a dream.

"Hang on!" Kirishima yelled as he reached down to him. With what little strength there was, he jumped as high as he possibly could and but a death grip on his arm.

"K-Kacchan," Izuku called.

"I-Izuku!" his voice broke.

Downwards, the league saw this and those who were still conscious tried getting at him but were too slow for whatever the three had going on. Meanwhile, Dabi turned, rage in his face at the offenders.

Standing on the battlefield, he saw Todoroki standing tall, ice on the side of his face as he raised his arm. Flanked by Minoru making ape noises at the League while doing a handstand with his large grape braid dragging along the ground. Froppy on the other flank receding her tongue and catching the magnet as her long tongue went back into her wide mouth. Then Momo looking like she'd ripped off a magazine model standing right behind Todoroki and shouting at the three of them as if giving orders and she made a motion with her hand.

A huge ice wall then went across the battlefield as Shoto let loose, cutting off access to them as some of the League threw attacks. But even that was dwarfed by the clashing of All Might and that thing All For One.

Seeing all of this, his vision fuzzy, Bakugo finally allowed himself to rest as he felt the landing incoming. The next few images he saw were of the faces of them moving quickly.

"What did they do to him?!" Iida's voice was loud and clear.

"Bakugo, buddy, buddy can you hear me?" Kirishima said as he held him. Katsuki grabbed his arm, the sounds of helicopters and Eijiro's inquiries, he didn't hear. He saw the screen, the screen with All Might, but not All Might. A thin gangly man who looked like a small breeze could knock him down.

Then he saw Izuku looking up at the screen, a look of hopelessness and defeat spread across his face as the crowd around them murmured about this odd and withering form of the symbol of peace. He looked so weak, he looked like him.

"D-..."

He couldn't even speak at all, fuck. As he faded once more, the words of All Might sent him easy as he heard, "United States of Smash!"

"Where is he? where is my baby?!" Mom called desperately as the hospitals automatic doors shot open. Mom and Dad came running in and nearly threw themselves on him as the doctor watched on. The quack insisted he stay in his bed because of the burns and fever, but Bakugo didn't want to.

"W-We thought, we thought you were...they sent...they sent photos! we thought..." Mom was crying so hard that she couldn't speak.

He hadn't cried in front of All Might, he hadn't cried when the doctors were around telling him that yes he wasn't dead and that his mom and dad were on the way, but when he was here with Mom and Dad, he was their little boy all over again. Bakugo drew a breath in and wept.

They held him, almost swallowing him in their embrace. The others from One A watched on in silence from the halls. Some were turned away like Shoto, others watched happily at the reunion like Tsuyu, some with their arms crossed like Iida, and some unable to keep the tears away themselves such as Mineta who silent tears slid down his cheeks without sound as to not ruin anything.

There was something in the back of his mind as he was hugging his parents, where was Izuku?

He stepped down to the deserted beach, seeing the sun rise and reflect across the waves. Izuku set over the mounds of sand, grabbing the shades off his eyes he flinged them with a grunt, and they flew out and skirted across the water several times before setting out in the high tide. Seeing this, he took hold of and unbuckled the watch and tore it in half, the metal bits flickering out to the sand.

"Useless!" he shouted. He took the blazer off himself, nearly ripping it. Balling the thing up he slammed it to the ground then stepped back and kicked it and the sand with a harsh yell.

He did this over and over without pause until he'd practically buried it like a pirate's treasure. The only sound beyond his cries were that of the waves only now starting to move. Falling to the ground he hammered the thing with shot after shot, thinking of the faces of all the League. He wanted to kill them, to murder them, to beat them until they were scattered into nothingness. This white-hot boiling rage.

It was like something tearing apart in his body, trying to crawl out from his chest. The pain was so horrid, all overwhelming. He didn't even care if he died then and there. He didn't even want to move after a few more moments.

Izuku fell back to the ground, bags under his eyes from the night without sleep. He sat there, tears flying off his face as he tucked himself in a ball, placing his hands over his knees and tucking them close to his chest. He rocked back and forth, coughing and weeping.

Staying that way was his everything in that moment. The image of the still All Might as he stood with his fist raised, his final act of defiance and perseverance, and the broken body of Kacchan who could barely speak after what they'd done to him.

He wanted it all away, but they wouldn't stop flashing in his mind. Like a projector. Mocking him, telling him that he wasn't anything but a speck of dust in the wind. All he is and would ever be, is useless.

"Why can't you do anything right?..." he huffed, shivering horridly as he felt the sand under him and the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was close onto heaving something up at this point. He only didn't because he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast the day previous.

It was like that for perhaps half an hour, in that time all he did was sit there and cry, in his darkest hour. It wasn't fair, it wasn't fair. He couldn't stop them. He couldn't save his mentor or his friend. Why wasn't he able to do anything? because he was powerless. Useless Deku, useless Deku, useless-

"Izuku?"

Ochako's voice, ten feet behind him. He didn't turn to see her. He couldn't bear her to see him like this. "...Hi Ochako..." he whispered muffled through his knees. His back was starting to feel slightly sore from so much leaning.

"Why're you sitting there?" still, he didn't turn to face her. There was this strange grip on the back of his neck preventing him from doing so.

"...W-Watching the s-sun rise..."

Silence on her end for a little while. Izuku felt his fingers pressing hard against his knees and he was trying with every ounce of mental and physical strength he had left to stop himself from quaking nor crying.

His heart skipped a beat at her next simple sentence, and yet it meant everything to him, "Can I join you?"

"...Y-Yes..." he mentally kicked himself for saying it so fast.

He listened to the sound of her sandals hitting the sand before seeing her shape come to form at his left side. Ochako was in casual clothes, sweatpants and a baggy sweater. Her brown hair all frizzled up and tied in a knot.

She'd obviously rushed to see him. Of course she did, because that's what heroes like her do. There was something deep within that snapped at that realization.

She'd thrown everything to the side to come and see him. Here he was feeling sorry for himself. "Iida-San said he'd thought you'd be around here."

"He did?"

"Uh huh."

Ochako was looking at him, her face gentle and like a beacon of light, his beacon of light. "Your eyes are really red," she pointed to her own.

"Yeah..."

"Let me see."

"Huh?"

He felt something take a soft hold on his shoulder, her hand, "Let me see your face, Izuku."

Slowly, painfully, he turned to face her. He saw her staring back at him and thought she was the greatest thing on the planet. Izuku was laying his head down on his knee at first, but when she touched him, he raised it and stared straight to her.

"Are you hurt?"

"N-No..." not physically at least.

They stared in each other's eyes, and she said, "You look exhausted." Ochako moved her hand up and placed it on his head, and he was confused for a moment. Then she hesitated, then scooted up, and went in and held him close. "It's okay...you don't have to be strong right now." The girl began stroking his head, fluffing the strange hairstyle he'd had done back in Kamino into the more suitable style while she was at it.

That was it, there was no way he would stop himself. Izuku started shaking and he was crying harder than he'd ever cried before. Yet, through it all, the grief and the sadness, she was there with him. Crying herself, albeit in silence. "He's gone..."

"I know."

"It hurts so bad..."

"I know."

"It's m-my f-fault-"

"No, it isn't."

"I c-could've-"

"Nobody is an island. He wouldn't want you blaming yourself, and you know it. Izuku, I'm sorry for not coming."

"You have nothing to apologize-"

"I do. We all got the call, and we all should have come. What about the others?"

"T-They're visiting w-with K-Kacchan..."

"Did you leave?"

He shook his head, "I-I didn't w-wanna do it in front of everyone..."

"Did you?"

"But...w-when it's with you...I-I feel like it's o-okay..."

"It's okay with all of us. Do you think Iida and the others aren't hurting either? he called me because...because..." she seemed unsure for a moment then said, "because he could barely contain himself."

"It feels worse..."

"But not when I'm around?"

"Yes..."

"...I didn't mean to...sound mad there."

"It's o-okay."

"Why don't we talk about something else?"

"Okay..." he'd practically cried a pool into her sweater at this point.

"Do you remember...that day back at the entrance exam?"

"W-What about-"

Ochako held him very close, "You saved me. I would've been hurt, and you ran in and saved me without a second thought. You hurt yourself doing it, all for me. You were my hero that day."

"...O-Ochako-"

"I've wanted to say that for so long. Izuku...everything that's happened...you can't put the blame on yourself. You're just one person, so don't go thinking that you're ever alone."

He nodded and sniffed loudly as he spoke, "T-Thank you..."

"It's me who should be saying that...but you mean something else don't you?"

"Y-Yes..."

She held his face up and looked down at him with the best smile in the world at large, "It's going to hurt for a while, my words won't magically make it go away. But I'll be here with you, if you need me. It doesn't matter the time or place. Because...I want to be your hero for once, okay? you deserve that much after everything."

"You are my hero..." he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her again. Ochako seemed surprised, almost taken aback at the desperate action. But she went with it, being the hero that he needed. All she was doing was letting him cry on her and letting him know that the world hadn't ended. Yet she was his hero all the same.

The waves were crashing further onto the beach, and they stayed like that. As the country set into chaos at the loss of its symbol of peace, and the soon to rise villains on the run, they were able to keep themselves away from it all. Just the two of them.

And for the first time in a long time, Izuku let the weight slip away.

They smothered him for the next couple of days, each not even allowing him a foot outside the house, and no visitors. But he did manage to convince Mom to let Izuku come over eventually, "He's the exception," Mitsuki said.

The two met on the doorstep of the household, Bakugo standing from were he was sitting as Izuku opened the gate and closed it and walked in and looked up at him, "Hi K-Kacchan..."

"Hey..."

"I'm sorry, I would've been at the hospital but w-with All Might and...and..." he was crying. "H-He's really...really gone! even after beating..." his eyes were red under, a telling sign of how much he'd been doing it.

"I...I know..."

Then Izuku was hugging him, placing his head against his chest, "M-Momo, she said she's so sorry for not getting a tracker o-on a-"

"W-Why the fuck are any of you apologizin?!" Bakugo yelled grabbing his shoulders. He told himself he wouldn't cry, and it took about five seconds longer than Izuku for that to go out the window.

"W-What?..."

"S-Stupid Deku...you guys saved my life! why would I need you tellin me sorry?! s-shut up! shut up! i-if anything, I should..." he looked away, shaking his head. "Look...just...stop cryin okay?..."

"K-Kacchan..."

"I-I...can't..."

"Try...harder, shit...fuck!" he said as the tears wouldn't stop flowing between them, "y-you...look at me, now I'm an injured cryin baby too!"

"I'm s-sorry."

"Stop sayin sorry! nothings your fault, it...it never was...it never...was," he looked away cursing himself and hoping they wouldn't be heard. Then again, he'd blast anyone who even giggled in their direction.

"H-Huh?" Izuku brushed his watery face, "what're you-"

"Look...w-when...you remember when we were kids...and...and you'd come in and watch the All Might tv show with m-me?..."

"Y-Yeah?"

"Izuku, it was...it was the best time of my life, doin that...with you..."

He stared at him and then he just started crying harder. Bakugo shook him a bit.

"I...ain't done yet! I also wanted...t-to say thank you, not just with you, but...with them...when the old hag lets me off house arrest...I wanna see everyone who got in trouble for gettin me out, and say that to em, and I wanna do it with you by my side, please."

"K-Kacchan..."

"Stop...Kacchanin me, it's makin me cry and I don't like it...I treated you like shit for so goddamned long, and you're just fuckin Kacchanin me like none of that shit matters..."

"I-It doesn't..."

"Yeah, it does! but...look, just come inside, I'll tell Mom to make you somethin."

He sniffed and wiped his face, "Alright...just like old times right?..." he breathed.

Bakugo looked at him as they entered in the door and rubbed his face of any substance as he said, "Nah, this time, this time things'll be different."

Chapter Text

The bright screen of his phone dinged. Bakugo stared up from it at his ceiling, the nearby lamp turned on and flushing light throughout his room. The time was seven in the early evening, but it was brutally hot on this late August night, so he lay there with his shirt off.

One week, one week until he was back in class. They'd given him the rest of term off, and Yaoyorozu was kind enough to offer him the chance of coming to her study group in order to catch up. Something he'd previously been banned from after blasting Denki for slipping caviar into his shoes. But he'd refused. A simple, "Nah," and a shrug. She'd seemed surprised by the attitude. He couldn't blame her. A lot of things seemed rather unimportant these days.

He used to go fishing with Dad, but the last time the two had gone, about two weeks ago, Katsuki instantly asked to go home. Maybe it was the silence, yes that was probably it. He'd gone and started listening to loud music sometimes, using his headphones and turning the volume near max.

Or when Mom asked him to help out in the kitchen. Usually, he'd be more than happy to do so. Sero hadn't started called him Chef Bakugo for nothing. But ever since he'd been home, he'd stayed up in his room. Only ever coming out for the occasional shower or the occasional meal.

With every passing day, he'd watched his mother, and he'd seen her lose nearly twenty pounds. The thinness of her face whenever she smiled at him was ever present. Dad had thrown himself into his work, among other activities that he would try and get Katsuki to go to, but his son was not that interested in them for whatever reason.

Sometimes, in the dead of night, he would hear his door open. A soft hand would touch his shoulder as he lay facing the wall. The first few times, he shifted, even though he knew it was her. Katsuki just couldn't help it. It meant so much to him, but he didn't know how to express it to her or Dad. It was the same way for how they'd all treated him. Inside, he felt weak due to it, but at the same time he wanted it so bad.

His phone. Yes, he'd almost forgotten. Grasping it, he brought it up over his face and he saw the familiar username of redSPiKe3223 in his notifications. He tapped on it and looked at the message Eijiro sent him.

'ready next monday' then a picture of an extremely hairy dog with the name Eduardo captioned under it.

Bakugo stared, then he started typing. Then he stopped. Then he began again, and his finger hovered over the send button for a moment before he finally pressed.

'Yeah.'

'always here if you need a dude to talk with.'

'I know.'

Eijiro was typing, Katsuki watched the three little dots dance up and down like the night stars outside in the clear sky. Then the dots stopped, and he put the phone to his side and stared up at his ceiling.

Silence for a moment. Katsuki then stood and walked around his room past the drum set and the television with a play station all of which had gathered some neat piles of dust in these last two months. A couple minutes of this, then he walked past the All Might poster, one he'd had since he was a mere three years old.

He stopped, then looked up to the poster. Standing there, Katsuki's face was unreadable as he studied the age of it. The small creases and stain from a drink he'd spilt a few years back on it.

"You gave it to him, didn't you?"

No answer. Of course there wasn't, he was talking to a piece of paper.

"Izuku blames me, I know he does. Even if he doesn't think he's doing so."

That smile was still plastered on his face. As All Might stood there over the thing that'd been responsible for Katsuki's taking and suffering, that smile never left him. He'd gone still, a sharp drill quirk wrenched through his ailed body as the United States of Smash hit. Yet, he hadn't allowed himself to pass until he uttered his final words.

"You're next."

Bakugo gritted his teeth. "Why'd you have to go and do that? I was already half footed in the fuckin grave." He sniffed, snorting something back, "f-fuck..." he felt at his eye and wiped the water away.

"'You don't have to do this, what good will fighting do-'

Katsuki slammed his fist against the wall, "Quiet! no more talk," he looked down to his shirtless body, seeing the burns on his triceps, the scars on his thigh and knee, and the gunshot wound in his chest. "I have to. I...can't wait for UA."

"W-Wait up!" Ochako called from behind as he jogged on. The streetlights were on, and they wore shorts and sleeveless or t-shirts as they ran together. His shoe smacked into the pavement as he slowed and let her catch her breath next to him.

Izuku looked over, he saw her ponytail draped beside her head and he smiled a little, his green hair shaggy from the sweat. "S-Sorry," he huffed, "I'm not that used to doing this with someone else..."

"It's okay," she said rising up and returning his smile. "You're pretty quick!" he watched her cheeks puff out. It was always a feature of hers he'd found adorable. Reminded him of a chipmunk, though Izuku would never say that out loud. "Running at night is so fun, it's so hot during the day. Great idea Izuku-Kun."

"I do my best," he said tugging his collar and she giggled softly in response. "We'd better get moving though, Mom doesn't like me out past seven all that much."

"Same here," Ochako shrugged as they started to lightly jog together, "Daddy gets real protective."

"Uh..." he thought of Mr. Uraraka's face sharp face when they'd first met, "you don't say..."

"Aw, don't be afraid. He's a bit rough around the edges, but you can't blame him."

"I'm..." he looked over at her, lowering his head a little, "not...and no I won't blame him at all." He turned his head back, glancing both ways before crossing an empty street.

"Uh..." she let out a soft exhale. Ochako clearly hadn't meant to bring up Kamino and it showed as she sputtered into her next words, "Well...where do you wanna go this Saturday? last one before we're back in school."

"I...picked today," he said feeling the burning in his legs catching up. They'd gone at least ten miles over the last hour or two, "so...you pick."

"Meh, it's fine."

"I'm serious, pick a place."

"Oh...hm..." she looked forward down the sidewalk. "How about...there's this really nice place with the best ice cream ever. I'm trying to remember the name it's been...a minute since I've gone..." Ochako thought for a moment, "Oh! uh...hang on...just a second...aw crap."

Izuku watched her, "That's it! Baskin Robbins!" she finally said fist pumping at her ability to recall.

"That took a while..." he said absentmindedly.

"What?!"

"Uh! nothing! I meant uh, this run's taken a long time!"

"You jerk!"

They both shared a laugh as she reached out and grabbed him by the arms and shook him. "Hey! you'll make me fall!"

"Good! it's your punishment!" Ochako said as she stopped and held her stomach.

Soon, they reached his house, and she blew a kiss at him from the gate before he closed the door.

Mom was sitting on the couch as he took his shoes off and walked inside the living room. The tv was on and he said, "Hey," as he passed by and grasped her shoulder.

"The streetlights were on," she said looking back up at him, a concerned expression on her face, "Izuku."

"Sorry," he rubbed the back of his neck, "Ochako and I were busy talking. Plus there was a ton of traffic when we first started."

"You know I don't like it, even if you're big and strong now."

"I'm...sorry again?..."

"It's..." she looked back to the television, "fine," she paused for a second, "and...you were only talking right?"

"U-Um...mom!?"

"You're getting older sweetie, and Uraraka's a pretty girl!" she reasoned holding her hands up.

"J-Just talking! I pinkie promise!" he said holding the finger up.

"I-I know you're telling the truth," she nodded and smiled. Inko was silent for another second, "Mitsuki called today."

Izuku stopped smiling, "Really?"

Inko nodded.

"What did she talk about?"

"She..." Inko paused yet again. "Katsuki's stopped seeing his therapist."

Izuku didn't answer, but he did walk over and sit next to her. The television couldn't be heard by either of them as they talked. "I thought he was."

"Masaru caught him...sitting on a building. He didn't show to a visit and...the therapist called them and...well yeah."

Izuku looked from her for a moment, "That sounds like him."

Inko shook her head in agreement, "He said he didn't need it, Mitsuki argued about with him the entire last two days before he just went up to his room and slammed the door. He didn't even come down for dinner. Mitsuki's...so stressed out, her and Masaru. She'd been crying I think."

"That...also sounds like him, and...her," he nodded remembering the sweetness of Mitsuki's attitude contrasted with how she talked to her son.

"You..." he saw her leg bouncing up and down through her dress, "Izuku, you do know you don't have to go and see-"

He shook his head, "It's fine. We all have too, everyone in the class. I can't go and back out mom. Maybe it's a little hard to talk about, but...well never mind."

"I know sweetie, but..." she sighed and hugged his arm, "I'm worried."

"We all are, it's fine," he patted her on the back using his free arm, "but I have to do this. You understand that."

"Yes..." she leaned away. A small, tired smile on her face. "I'm so proud of you."

"T-Thanks mom-" his phone buzzed.

He looked down with her and saw the screen lit, "One sec," he said getting up and walking near to the kitchen area. It was Katsuki's number.

"Who is it?"

"Uh..." he paused for a moment, she watched his head tilt a little, "Ochako. She wants to go to Baskin Robbins this Saturday."

"That girl loves her sweets. She's practically like me," Inko fanned her face.

"Mom..."

"What? too creepy?"

"Little bit..." he murmured tapping away on his phone. His head lowering slightly.

"Crane your neck like that and you'll be-"

"Using a cane by thirty, I know."

"I'll keep saying that until you do it," she wagged her finger back and forth with every word, though he didn't see it.

'Beast Forest. Two miles north of the bus stop,' the text simply read. Izuku stared down as he tried every manner of text back. 'Kacchan?' then 'what're you doing?'

'Come to the forest.'

'Why?'

'Because I said so.'

'And?'

'Do it, prick.'

'What if I tell your mom where you are?'

'I wanna talk.'

'Why does it have to be there?'

There were the familiar three periods wiggling up and down. Then Izuku saw something that made his eyes raise, 'Please Izuku.'

"You look so intense honey," Inko said bringing him out of it.

He quickly looked over his shoulder, "O-Oh, sorry. She was just talking about internships...got me thinking..." he was almost whispering. Mom could hear him of course and simply nodded. There was something tearing at him, telling him to tell her that Katsuki was at or heading towards the same place he'd been kidnapped from by a gang of crazed killers only two months ago.

But he didn't. Instead, he went over and hugged her, "I'm going up to my room for the night. Super tired."

"You'd better take a shower before getting your dirty butt all over those blankets I cleaned. Today, mind you," she said as he went towards the stairs.

"I will Mom..." he'd said something similar to her a thousand times practically. But she'd always tell him that anyway. He could never stop her. He reached the top of the stairs, and went into his room.

Closing the door with a snap, he walked first to the window. Then he stopped and looked to his bed. Quickly, he grabbed a pillow, then as he walked to his bed he stopped. Izuku glanced down. All Might was on it, on everything in here. Drawing in a breath, he exhaled slowly. "Gonna go deal with Katsuki."

He slipped the pillow in the blanket and placed the fabric overtop, then he went to his lamp and turned it off before heading to the window and sliding it open. The humid air hit him, but that mattered little as he jumped out.

Flying was something that'd come easy to Katsuki, then again, many things came easy to him. He was a natural talent at many a task. He'd always passed everybody around him by, and they'd showered him with praise. Perfect scores got him praise from teachers, perfection in sports got him admiration from coaches, and he knew he deserved that. He thought he did.

He thought he deserved a lot of things really. Biggest among them is that in every task he needed to be number one or else it would never sit right. For a long time, this'd never been an issue.

Then Izuku beat him at something. A fight. Without quirks sure, yes, he could tell himself that. But it was just padding his ego and that burned at him. He'd been beaten all the same.

Then he'd lost his fight in the very forest below and was taken by a gang of brutal killers who tortured him and sent the tape of that unto his parents and every one of his extended family, friends, classmates, you name somebody they knew, and they had received the images and videos. He was weak. They all saw him weak, broken, picked apart and put back together with something missing.

He passed the abandoned crime scene and lodge. The wild pussycats having moved their agency into the city after the controversy of his kidnapping. It would just be him and Izuku, just the two of them. That was if he hadn't snitched to Mom which was a real possibility, but it was one risk he'd have to take.

Even then, she was already mad at him so what did it matter?

He landed in a small clearing where the tree line circled around him. Katsuki looked at them, watching just in case. For Izuku? for Dabi or Magne? deep down, he knew that was the real reason.

"Come on you shitty nerd..." he murmured. Then he stopped. Shitty nerd. How long had it been since he'd said that? it was a favored line for calling out Izuku. Wait no...Izuku, he was calling him that instead of Deku. Since when though?

You called him Izuku once when he saved your life from that sludge thing, when you got your ass kicked by him it lessened, and ever since you got back home it's stopped. Why?

Because you know what its like to be useless now.

Raising a hand, Katsuki's hand trembled. A blast soared through the air smashing into two trees and sending them down to the earth. "Fuck!" he looked at his smoking palm, his teeth sliding back and forth in his stress. "Why isn't it strong enough!?"

He heard the crackle of electricity, but he didn't turn to meet it at first. Katsuki stared ahead at the fallen trees as Izuku's voice came speaking from behind, "Kacchan. Stop."

At first, he gritted his teeth, his fists clenching, but then he relaxed. Turning back, he saw him standing there with small remnants of full cowl surging through his body. "What's all that for?" Izuku looked oddly at him, as if he were seeing an entirely different person. Katsuki didn't like that.

"It ain't..." he stopped. "It ain't no concern of yours."

"Okay...I'm not going to ask I guess...but will you at least tell me why you called me out here in the middle of nowhere?"

"You know what I called you here for, don't play innocent."

"...Huh? don't be cryptic like that Kacchan, it's...a little scary."

"Shut up."

"No." That shocked both of them, each teen raising their eyes. Izuku was quick to follow up with, "if you stay out any longer, you'll worry your parents. Mom...my mom...is worried too. Can't this be solved by me coming over? why would you even want to return here after what happened?"

"I get it!" Katsuki snarled. "I...get it Izuku. Lets..." he rubbed the back of his neck, "start with that quirk of yours."

"What about-"

"He gave that to you didn't he? All Might?"

"...Huh?"

"Oh don't play that shit with me!" Katsuki took a step forward pointing his finger at him, "you think I ain't seen the signs? all the time you spent with him! the weird creepy speech about how you got your quirk from somebody else! if I remember correctly somebody was training you right before UA! it had to be All Might, teaching you to take on his quirk."

Izuku was silent, staring at him. Then he slowly nodded, "You've got it right. Not much else to say though."

"But-"

"Am I supposed to apologize? Kacchan, I received this power for a reason."

"And what reason is that? why'd he pick you?"

"I..." Izuku for a brief moment shifted his face, but Katsuki couldn't see what the expression was as he'd already gone back to normal. Perhaps it was anger? "Do you want to know the truth?"

"For a long goddamned time," he said, the high grass tickling his shins.

"You won't like it."

"Tell me!"

"Fine. Remember...that day when I tried saving you from that sludge guy?"

Katsuki raised an eyebrow.

"That was it for him. All Might was watching. He saw me do my best, quirkless weak Deku doing what no other hero was trying. If that hadn't happened, I wouldn't be here today."

Bakugo stared at him.

"It's...funny..." Izuku looked down at his arms, seeing the scars of his training, "I wanted to hurt you with this power at first. I was angry, really...angry deep down. It took All Might to help me out of that. When we first fought...I didn't...feel good or happy hurting you. Same at the battle trials."

"So it really ain't yours."

Izuku looked up at him, "Um...no?"

"Don't you fucking get it?!" Katsuki held his arms out, Izuku saw this and shook his head, "in everything I was always the best, and I thought it'd be the same for heroing. But...now...you got All Might's power and...these last couple of months...I ain't been the best at all!"

"Being the best at something won't come quick-"

"It ain't like that!" Katsuki growled, and he started pacing from side to side of Izuku who watched him carefully. "You tried saving me, you beat me in a fight, you beat me at battle trials, hell half n' half didn't even try against me, and then..." he sniffed, his voice cracking and head tilted down at the grass, "and then they took me away and they...they hurt me. Then All Might gave everything savin me..."

Izuku was given pause. He watched his old childhood friend, studying him. "...Katsuki..."

"Don't try and understand!" he said lurching his head up at him, "you didn't see it like I did!"

That was it, "Do you ever think that maybe you're...not the only one who's suffering? I'm sorry for what happened Kacchan and I will never stop trying to take down the League for the things they've done to us, but we have to work together. Not..." he flailed his arm about, "argue about this."

"It's important to me dammit!" he yelled pointing a finger at himself. "I think about it every fucking day! that shrink doesn't do jack shit to help, it's there! festering..." he grabbed the sides of his head as his eyes widened.

Izuku seemed genuinely concerned. "I'm..." he slipped his phone out of his pocket, "I'm going to call your mom and dad, and we'll all-" however his phone slipped out of his hand as Katsuki flew forward and blasted him back. He flew ten yards before landing and was to his feet as Katsuki landed, his hands readying more explosions, "what the hell!?"

"It's time! I won't wait any longer!" he threw several blasts all of which Izuku dodged around.

"F-For what!?"

"To see who's the strongest idiot!"

"Are you crazy!?" Izuku's body surged with the power of One For All, the green electricity sending small bursts of wind out that caused the grass to move from him wherever he stood.

Katsuki flew at him, the air being his domain. The moon revealed his face to be contorted into that same old familiar expression of rage. Izuku dodged back from a frontal explosion causing Bakugo's eyes to go wide, "What!?"

He threw out three strikes all of which had the power of his blasts behind them before finally landing a kick in Izuku's gut who doubled over. "Too easy!"

However, he found himself shocked when Izuku looked right back up, his hands firmly grasped on Katsuki's calf and thigh. The electricity sparkled for a half second, then in the latter half of that second he threw him off.

Katsuki flew back before landing on his feet. "Come on!" he yelled, "stop holding back!"

"Stop it! this solves nothing!" Izuku cried back. A multitude of blasts were thrown his way, and he weaved around or ducked under them. "Katsuki!" finally, he whirled around and launched into the air.

Katsuki put his hand up, but he reached him first. A kick sent him flying to the ground. Landing in front, Izuku looked at him, "I don't wish to fight, but I won't be your punching bag either!"

That made him think back to the first fight, and then all Katsuki saw was red. "Weak asshole!" he yelled and they locked hands pushing at each other.

"FUCK YOU!" Izuku shrieked as he pushed. He was pushing him back, Katsuki couldn't believe it, but he was being overpowered in this contest of strength. Easily. "You made my life a living hell you piece of shit! fuck you!" he said it with so much raw anger and venom, as if it'd bubbled inside him for years on end.

Pressing his feet to Izuku's torso as he fell back, Katsuki launched him off and scrambled to his feet. "Yeah and you didn't work for what you got! you were given a quirk you cheating bastard!"

Izuku landed and stared daggers at him, "Really? how many times did you break bones using your quirk? I can't even use it to the fullest extent, only ten percent. Any more and my limbs would pop off with the attack. But...I never worked for it?!"

Katsuki sputtered, shaking with rage he came at him once more, "I'LL KILL YOU!" he threw down several more blasts lighting up the clearing like fireworks.

His eyes went wide as he saw through the smoke, the familiar green electricity walking right at him. He then burst forward, grabbing Katsuki by the shirt and lifted him up. Letting out a sharp cry made Izuku freeze in hesitation.

Using the opportunity, he brought a hand around to blast Izuku right in the face. But it was grabbed and Midoriya squeezed so hard in the heat of the moment he almost fractured Katsuki's wrist before throwing him back and finally hitting him in the chest.

The wind escaped Bakugo's mouth as he flew back and aimed another blast that Izuku put his guard up against. He flew back then looked up and his expression of anger turned to concern once more, "Y-Your chest," he pointed.

A pool of blood had started staining his shirt from where the gunshot wound had been reopened. Katsuki looked down at it, then up to Izuku and shook his head, "So what!?"

"Dammit Kacchan!" he screamed as the boy ran to him once more.

They fought in the sky, and on the ground, trading blow after blow. The calm green aura of the electricity clashed with the orange rage of the explosives. Izuku pushed, Bakugo pushed, each fought for reasons known only to them. Katsuki had to win, he had to be the best and he wouldn't be any less than that. Midoriya on the other hand would no longer be the punching bag that he once was, and he would show that to his old friend.

It ended with Izuku staring up at him in the air. Sweat pouring out from him, Katsuki combined his hands together putting everything he had into one final blast. "This is it!" he screamed, "I win!"

Izuku watched as the blast flew at him. He didn't have much time to think about anything as he jumped up into the air above it. The explosion landed, leaving a small crater on the ground. He watched it, then looked up and saw Katsuki flying at him.

Blasts rained down on him and he guarded against them, prepared for a huge strike from his opponent. However, Katsuki went past him. Still dazed from the previous explosions, Izuku looked around then behind just in time to see Bakugo flying back with a blast that hit right in his face. Reeling back, he was then kicked down into the dirt.

Stars and hot pain shot through his body and he stood, side-eyeing behind himself and seeing Katsuki flying there. With a hard turn and rotation of his hips he yelled, "Delaware Smash!"

The air exploded around him as Katsuki went flying right back, hitting a tree. It nearly split in half. Izuku took a step forward, then he fell to his knee. Looking over, he saw his arm. His shoulder was in a funny position. So it hadn't broken. Still hurt though, like a lot. Everything hurt actually.

Slowly, he managed to stand up and look forward to see Katsuki doing much the same. Reaching around his back, Izuku let out a soft grunt as he felt something pop into place in his shoulder.

"That's...right...I can...take...anything...you throw at me..." Katsuki wavered and wobbled forward, clearly just as hurt. "Fucking...oh no," he fell to one knee. Seeing this, Izuku allowed himself to do much the same.

The sounds of their heavy pained breathing were the only audible thing there besides the crickets and the small footsteps of the wildlife. Izuku stared at him, and Katsuki stared right back.

"It's your win," Izuku murmured.

"What?..."

"...It's your win...I can't go on any longer, otherwise I'll hurt myself."

"...Are you serious!?"

"Yeah."

"...Shit!" Katsuki shook his head, "motherfuck...fuck!"

Izuku studied him, he didn't look satisfied, nor even slightly accomplished. He knew that face all too well. "Sucks, doesn't it?"

"Huh?..."

"You feel bad, I bet."

"...Y-You...I..." he stood up, the blood from his chest having stopped thankfully, all that remained being a stained t-shirt. "This fucking sucks! we're both on our knees, ain't no win for either of us here."

"Meh," Izuku shrugged, "it was kinda stupid. Um...sorry for screaming at you like that."

"How long you been holding it in?"

"...About ten years or so...I think."

"Makes sense."

They both looked at each other in awkward silence, Izuku finally asking, "So, what now?"

"I...I don't know!"

"...Can we just go back to your house now? auntie will probably kill me, but I'm not leaving you out here."

"You ain't my fucking babysitter."

"Kacchan, just come on. Please."

"...I..."

"Can you still fly? I can jump but...we should probably take the bus."

"Wait..." Katsuki walked to him. "Let me say something."

"...Okay?" Izuku tilted his head a little.

"I'm sorry."

"...Excuse me?"

"I'm fuckin sorry okay? I know it doesn't make it any better, but I'm sorry for what I did to you. You never deserved any of it. Okay?..."

"Kacchan?..."

"F-Fuck..." he went to his knees again and Izuku stepped back, "fuck..." he was crying. Izuku watched him as he did and something deep moved within. Walking to his old friend, he wrapped his arms around his head and held him.

Katsuki didn't say anything, he just held him back and wept. And as the moonlight shone down on them both, the forest around them silent, Izuku was a true hero for the first time. When Bakugo looked to him for some kind of acceptance, he gave the boy just that in the form of a comforting smile.