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Iida did not see himself as pretty. He was chiseled and hard, handsome, and he liked that. Pretty wasn’t a bad thing to be, though. Uraraka was pretty; she was bubbly and energetic and her voice sounded like wind chimes. Iida liked that about her. She was softer than him, not as strict or nervous.
The same went for Midoriya. The smaller boy was definitely muscular, but he still had a bit of curve to his cheeks and waist. His curls were conditioned and fell almost perfectly. Midoriya was pretty in the sense that, like Uraraka, he had a gentler disposition.
However, Uraraka could get away with being pretty. Everyone thought it was okay that she was and appreciated it fully, because the class knew she was a force to be reckoned with, a cute face with a sharp mind and plenty of skill. Midoriya couldn’t. The green haired boy beared his beauty, physical and mental, like a cross. It was awful, seeing Midoriya have to watch his step at every given moment.
“Deku! Did you make this?” Uraraka asked, pointing to the crown of pastel flowers in Midoriya’s hair.
“Oh! Yes! My mom helped me make it with some flowers we found. Would you like me to make you one?” Midoriya asked.
“It would be best if you use red flowers for yourself, Midoriya! Red and green are complimentary!” Iida added.
Midoriya chuckled. “I’ll remember that, Iida, thank you.”
“Oi, Deku! What’s that shit on your head?” Bakugou spat.
“K-Kacchan! It’s a flower crown. My mom helped me make it.”
“Well, don’t you look pretty. Maybe we should get you a dress, too! Since you wanna be a fucking fairy so goddamn bad.”
Midoriya began wringing his shirt in his hands, his face burning with shame. Uraraka wrapped her arms around him. Why did Bakugou have to be so harsh? It was just a flower crown! What an awful way of thinking, assuming that boys couldn’t wear flowers in their hair.
“You shouldn’t use such vulgar insults! It’s rude! We’re heroes; we must be kind!” Iida reprimanded.
“Shove it up your ass, you second rate character!” Bakugou snapped.
“Midoriya-kun has been minding his own business! Apologize!”
Bakugou cackled, plucking the crown from Midoriya’s head. He burned it in his hands as Midoriya’s eyes flooded with tears.
“Oops, Deku, I’m sorry.” Bakugou mocked, walking back to his seat.
****
The next day, there were no flowers in Midoriya’s curls. He had brought a crown for Uraraka and placed it on her head, but his smile had been a bit empty. Iida glared at Bakugou throughout the day. He had never felt so much anger towards a classmate before. What Bakugou had done had been too much. Iida contemplated telling Aizawa or even All Might. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Something told him this was his battle.
****
Midoriya startled as someone knocked on the door, sending his papers flying everywhere. He made a distressed noise. He couldn’t have anyone see this mess! Inko opened the door and Midoriya could hear her inviting whoever was there in. The coffee table was still a mess of flowers and papers and who knew what else. Midoriya resigned himself to his fate.
“Izuku! Your friend Iida-kun is here!” Inko called.
“He can come in the living room, Mama! Thank you!” Midoriya called back.
Iida appeared in the doorway, holding a large box in his hands. Midoriya patted the floor beside him. The raven haired boy awkwardly settled himself on the floor.
“Midoriya-kun! I’ve brought you a gift!” Iida exclaimed.
Midoriya giggled. “There’s no need to shout, Iida-kun. Thank you.”
“I’m sorry. Open it.”
Midoriya allowed Iida to slide the box into his lap. Iida watched with intense eyes as the smaller boy opened the present, his green eyes brightening. The box was filled to the brim with flowers: daisies, roses, orchids, the works. There was wire to make crowns and spray to preserve the flower. Iida blushed as Midoriya jumped at him, his arms wrapping around Iida’s thick waist in a tight hug.
“Thank you, Iida-kun! Thank you, thank you, thank you! They’re beautiful!” Midoriya gushed.
“You can make more crowns! I bought plenty of red flowers to compliment your hair! Will you wear them in your hair tomorrow?” Iida asked.
The room became quiet. Midoriya twirled a peony in his fingers, seemingly lost in thought. It wouldn’t be smart to wear flowers in his hair anymore. It caused trouble for everyone, especially Iida, who had been so kind. Iida didn’t want to disturb his friend, but he also didn’t want to see the miserable expression on his usually happy face. He picked up a blue flower and a wire circle.
“Teach me how to make them, Izuku?” Iida asked.
“H-Huh?” Midoriya asked.
“Teach me to make the crowns!”
The grin that resulted was blinding. It could have powered all of Japan. Suddenly, in a flurry of flowers, the boys were laughing and crafting and smiling. It turned out that Iida was excellent at braiding flower stems. Who knew?
Iida looked down at his creation with pride. Dozens of red petals were arranged perfectly in a loop, ready to rest atop the crown of someone’s head. Carefully, Iida put the band on Midoriya’s head, smiling.
“Please wear it tomorrow.” He said.
“I will. Will you wear this one?” Midoriya asked.
He placed a loop of blue, purple, and black flowers on Iida’s head. Iida touched it gently.
“I will! Thank you, Midoriya-kun!”
****
The next day, Iida and Midoriya walked into class together. Not a soul dared to tease either boy. For the first time, Iida felt gentle, like Uraraka or Midoriya. He felt pretty. And he owed it all to a box of flowers.