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In today's world many things are known, Villains roman the streets with heroes to face them… people go on about their lives not knowing what's going to happen… and science is progressing. One of the unfortunate things that have developed over the years because of that last fact is a new disease.
Hanahaki.
At first no one knew what was going on, one day you thought it was fine, sun shining and birds chirping, and the next thing you knew a pain developed in your chest. First an ache, one that grows stronger when you're by the one you love, then a sharper pain. It was assumed to be some virus or cardiac issue…that was until the petals started. People all over the world started coughing up flower petals.
Panic arose as no one knew the cause and things progressively got worse. Attempts at healing were made, both medically and by quirk, but nothing worked. Things got worse until people started coughing and throwing up whole flowers and blood--some even died. Because of this people took a chance to tell the person they love that they did, they confessed.
And what happened?
The flowers growing in their lungs dissolved. At first there was confusion when this happened, even some mild embarrassment at the seemingly unnecessary confession. This was, until a pattern arose. They grew close to dying, finally aired out their feelings, and healed. It was discovered that these flowers grew due to that unreciprocated or not confessed love, all because of a science experiment gone wrong.
~~~
It was one cold, breezy night. Some girl coming into the lab for an issue: Heartbreak. She knew nothing could be done and that she was supposed to move on… but it hurt. It hurt alot. Things became harder, it was difficult to do what she loved without thinking of her lost partner. She has turned to doctors, who only gave her anti depressants that didn't work, and therapists that just said to accept it and move on, so she turned to science.
At first she had no luck and people were skeptical, but she persisted. Going from scientist to scientist until she finally—finally found someone willing to help.
They had said that something was messed up in her brain's chemical composition, messing with her ability to move on. Increasing the pain. Everything. So they started testing with different chemicals, but it all went wrong very fast.
One of the substances she was injected with has made things worse, fusing with her plant quirk and manifesting her heartbreak into something physically. Because she could only think and breathe the person that she loved, the disease manifested. Flowers of loss growing in her lungs and slowly taking them over until sadly, she died.
The scientists had hoped to keep this under wraps, but apparently something went wrong in the disposal of her body and the virus contaminated things. Maybe their clothes, who knows. No one knows if it's even something that can be passed along in itself or if only the component that makes your body develop it under the proper circumstances does. Maybe its some mutation that alters the human DNA, but either way?
The world's stuck with it as confession, surgery, or death left as the only options.
~~~
That brings us to today at UA high school, class 1-A of the hero course specifically. The room itself was lively, chatter lively and filling the otherwise still air, lots of movement as people good around, it was all exciting. They were highschoolers enjoying their youth and thriving in the environment that was the school for heroes, carefree unless necessary, and making the most of what they had.
The only thing off?
A certain electric blonde is more quiet than usual. Usually a voice heard above most as he jokes around with his friends, Denki now only finds himself occasionally pitching in. Something is bothering him lately.
He had tried to ignore it for a while, but there was a persistent aching in his chest… almost like a burn? He didn't know what to do about it. Attributing it to a cold but for some reason he can just sense that's not it. He doesn't want to bring it up with a recovering girl in case its nothing, but something just feels… off.
As his friends bicker--Katsuki arguing about something he wasn't paying attention to while Sero and Mina are obviously just rage baiting him--Denki finds his mind wandering. Gaze drifts off to a certain greenette just a few seats away, who is notably much calmer than his own comrades. Likely talking about weekend plans or some school projects. Denki had always admired his devotion and smarts and…
His thoughts trail off. Growing into almost adoration—some may even say obsession—before a sharp stabbing sensation snaps him out of his thoughts. Making him groan softly as he grabs his shirt over his chest.
“...Ouch…”
He mumbles softly to himself. Unable to really describe the pain. It's like him ignoring how his heart skipped a beat because of Izuku caused his breathing to falter. Inhaling shakily a moment in hopes the burny, crawling sensation in his lungs will dissipate. Sparing another glance at Izuku before forcing himself to stare out the window instead.
Surely it's nothing
Just allergies…
A cold even…
He keeps telling himself excuses, reasons why his lungs may burn--or why they burn more when they meet those beautiful emerald eyes. He refuses to acknowledge it. He can't like him like that, not when he's just the class clown and Izuku is… perfect. Surely it's not the disease he's been praying not to get ever since he found him taking up more of his attention.
Right?
~~~
Throughout class Denki is even less focused than normal, and it’s not his ADHD for once. His mind is plagued by possibilities and anxiety. If he really is developing Hanahaki he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't want to confess.
He just can't.
He can't confess.
So maybe his feelings will go away. Maybe he's just overthinking this all and he’ll be perfectly fine, nothing will change. He won’t have to ruin his developing friendship with his friend or get surgery that will remove the budding feelings in their entirety.
He doesn't want to get rid of these either.
They are precious to him. Izuku makes Denki feel… warm and fuzzy. He helps keep him motivated when everyone else calls him an idiot. Izuku went through so much struggle with his career, whether that be learning to control his quirk without breaking bones or pushing through the criticism, it's admirable. It makes Denki believe he can be just as good of a hero if he keeps trying. Idiot or not. So he can’t get rid of his feelings. If he has the disease… he’ll deal with it.
And that's a pretty big if.
Class continues as usual. Aizawa droning on about hero ethics and everyone else writing notes.. Or doodling. Even in a classroom of heroes not everyone has that unshakable focus and motivation that Izuku does. They are just teens that easily get bored, and for an understandable reason too, Aizawa just talks and talks. Monotone voice droning on as he explains.
After another grueling 30 minutes they are blessed by the singing bell. Voicing filling the air once more as everyone packs up to leave for lunch. Watching as Izuku and his group leaves, giving his lungs respite so it's only a dull yet constant ache.
Surely allergies
He packs up his own stuff, sliding his relatively empty notebook and supplies in his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. Turning to his friends as he figures he should just take his mind off it all. Managing to give them his usual grin so they don't notice his predicament.
“Alright, let's go!” He chirps, being met with smiles in return (Except Katsuki, who just scoffs in a way they all know by now is secretly him being fond of them)
“You’re too energetic, Dunce face” He scowls as usual but doesn't make a move to scold him further as he just starts to walk.
“He’s just grumpy, as usual, let's go~” Mina replies with a bright smile as she almost skips to follow.
“That's our Bakugo,” Kirishima chuckles, slinging an arm around Denki's shoulders as they all start walking.
He finds this to be nice, as well as rather effective at taking his mind off everything. He knows his friends are great, they always make him feel included and loved. So with an energetic chuckle and grin himself, he walks. Spending the period with the people he cares about and forgetting about his achy lungs. It even eases his nerves because it mentally confirms it's not serious—in his mind at least.
~~~
He is quickly faced with his harsh reality a few days later at dinner. The class collaborated to make the meal, and give Denki a very breathtaking view of Izuku’s smile. It's so bright and warm, carefree even, all as he laughs along to Katuski loudly complaining about how Todorki cut the chives.
Usually Denki would have joined in, laughing along about how the chives are very much still connected and in a zig zag, but he can’t. His chest was growing tight. Initially it was from warmth and butterflies… but it soon morphed into a burn. More persistent than the last few days, even growing to the point he excuses himself to the bathroom. Those “butterflies” starting to turn into moths chewing at his lungs as he practically speed walks out.
No one questions him as he leaves without a word, now almost jogging to the bathroom. Running inside and swiftly shutting the door, breathing heavy as he starts to cough.
It burns and scratches, he starts to grow dizzy and unsteady as it just.. Won't stop. Making him lean heavily on the sink with muscles starting to tremble, feeling something crawling up his throat. Something he initially thought was vomit…
Before it wasn't.
He found himself coughing up flower petals, slick with saliva and speckles of blood, it was just some simple red rose petals… but it felt like everything stopped as their delicate skin landed on the cool porcelain sink. Sure the pain momentarily eased once they were out, but it was terrifying. It confirmed everything he begged not to be true.
Tears start to prick his eyes as he just stares at the petals. Body calming down as his mind starts to spin, skin growing cold and breathing starts to grow shallow and uneven. He was starting to spiral.
Thankfully, before he could a knock was heard at the door. Followed by a seemingly honey rich voice that Denki doesn’t want to hear right now.
“..Kaminari? Are you done there?” Came Izuku's voice, making Denki's breath hitch as he quickly sweeps the petals into the trash. Not his proudest moment.
“Y-yeah! Sorry ‘bout that” He quickly responds, though rather rushed. Using his arms to wipe the welling tears. Not wanting to worry anyone, not wanting them to know what's wrong. After all he was just the class clown, the idiot, he wasn’t supposed to have issues like this. So he brushed his issues to the side and opened the door.
When he did Izuku’s eyebrows were furrowed with concern, but he didn't seem to want to pester Denki about his obviously off demeanor. Merely giving him a mildly suspicious glance as he gives a nod.
“O…kay then” His voice sounds unsure before he forces it back to normal “Well as long as you're fine, I just noticed you seem off.
God he’s so amazing… caring…
Denki really hates worrying Izuku, but he can't exactly tell him what's wrong either. Especially since he's the one that he developed the disease for. If he tells him… Then he won’t be able to talk to him the same way. He won’t be able to see his alluring smile or hear his laugh the same. So instead he gives another nod as assurance.
“Oh! Yeah sorry about that, my stomach's just a bit upset” He chuckles, hoping his grin comes off as energetic as it usually is. Izuku is observant after all, annoyingly so. These thoughts are confirmed when the other boy briefly looks over his expression, but before he can open his mouth to ask about it Denki leaves. Giving a wave.”Well- I have studying to do! Thanks for checking up on me”
It's a bad excuse and both of them know it. Denki’s not fond of studying, he’d never willingly do it. At least not so enthusiastically. He has to be avoiding something, which… Well, he is. He just hopes the disease will go away on its own before anyone notices.
~~~
Throughout the next few days it had indeed gotten worse, and Denki has started to Avoid Izuku since. He just knows he’d realize what's going on… or worse, who it gets worse around. Which all lead to Denki excusing himself a lot.
At first it was just whenever he went for conversation, then it was when he was nearby, but now? Now he finds himself turning down hangouts within his own friend group. The petals have just gotten too bad, his throat constantly scratchy and breathing declining as the days pass. It makes him feel terrible to have to throw up so many, by now it’s like a handful each time (which he promptly throws out).
Slowly the class started to notice. First it was just Todoroki making an off comment asking why he has been eating less. WHich much to his panic made the class start to notice. Then it was Izuku trying to approach him more, obviously knowing Denki was avoiding him. And finally? His own friends started worrying more about how many hangouts he had dropped.
Eventually it came to the point where he had to ask Aizawa to stay home under the guise of being sick. Laying in his dorm room bed most of the day to avoid everyone.
~~~
During another one of those days, he found himself right back at it. Breathing rather shallowly as he stares at his ceiling. Unable to do much, even play the games he used to love.The disease had just progressed too far. Making him dizzy and causing him to throw up more.
It hurt.
So bad.
As he coughs violently into his petal filled garbage, feeling the thorns tearing his skin and flowers blocking his airway, more substance escapes. This time rather than a handful of petals—that were occasionally rather bloody—it was a whole flower.
It was beautiful, yet by now rather unreal as some green has taken over the previously vibrant red of the petals. While he didn’t understand how, he understood why. And as he sits there panting and gasping for air while holding the amazing yet deadly flower, he felt as if he were being taunted. Green was Izuku’s color after all, but how did the plant know? Why is it doing this to him?
He should feel fear, resentment, anger at his body, anything. But he doesn’t. Instead of throwing away the flower this time, he looks at it. Brushing the blood off the soft petal as he gets a soft, bittersweet smile.
“Guess I am whipped… even the stupid flowers know it…” He sighs softly to himself, unable to get rid of the thing that shows his love. Figuring if he can't voice it, and he ends up dying alone in the cold confines of his room… At least people can piece together why. At least Izuku would know. That flower symbolizes how Izuku made his chest warm and achy, his heart flutter. So he cant destroy it. He just can't.
Instead he got up, much to the protest of his muscles, and sneakily left his room to go to the bathroom. Bringing the flower with him. Once he gets there and makes sure no classmates are around, he steps inside. Wandering over to the sink to gently wash off the blood. He had figured he’d be safe because it was late and everyone should be asleep or in their rooms, but he was wrong. Very wrong.
Soon he heard those steps he hated to hear right now. Timid, yet not completely lacking confidence. So before he could get caught in yet another awkward and nerve wracking bathroom encounter, he leaves. Forgetting the flower, or even turning off the sink, and instead rushes back to safety. Unbeknownst to him? That was a mistake.
~~~
It had taken him a while to realize he left the rose in his panic, But when he did? He panicked more. The coughing is getting worse, so bad in fact… He passes out. He barely registers it. At first he felt like his lungs were trying to escape his throat, and then he realized he wasn’t getting enough oxygen, futilely clawing at his throat until darkness consumed his vision. Only vaguely hearing himself hit the ground.
After that he hadn't heard when there was a knock at the door. He wasn't awake enough to hide the petals, or blood, or anything really. Barely breathing when the knocking and what sounds like a jiggling doorknob persists a few seconds, things seeming more frantic until it just stops. Soon someone breaks down the door, and soon? Denki is in a new situation.
~~~
The sight was probably frightening to whoever walked in on him. After all he was passed out on the floor, blood, flowers, and incriminating petals painting a picture of young love. A love he obviously didn't bother mentioning.
When Denki had started to come to consciousness, he initially didn't know what was going on. His head felt heavy, throbbing almost, his eyes felt tired and droopy, and there was a weird weight on his face and arm. Much to his relief though, there was still a burn in his chest, faint now, but still there.
He had almost contemplated going back to sleep while things were still lighter, but an even yet rather hushed voice disrupted that thought.
“He seems to be waking up..”
“Shouldnt we have done the surgery?
“We need the patients consent for that…”
“But he was dying-”
“But we were able to temporarily stabilize him which means we have to wait..”
All this mumbling draws back his senses. Suddenly aware of all the sensations attacking them. A beeping off a monitor, chattering, the sterile scent of a hospital… wait. Hospital? Denki felt panic start to arise at the realization that someone must have found them, he felt guilty. Trying to get up or say something, but as the heart monitor beeped faster and faster, breathing more shallowly, a calmness suddenly washed over him.
He barely had time to think of what it was. A quirk, or maybe even some medication, but either was exhaustion claimed his mind once again, and he drifted off.
~~~
When he opened he could focus on things again, he was notably calmer. groaning softly as he forces his eyes to peel open and adjust to the light. The white nearly feeling blinding, but the headache lessened.
“-child”
“Mm..?” The words he only caught the end of was met with a drowsy groan. Trying to focus his eyes, which soon landed vaguely on Aizawa. That of which is standing there with crossed arms, yet a noticeably softer scowl on his face.
“I said are you awake yet, problem child?” The gruff voice repeated, yet he had the decency to lower the volume in case his head still ached.
“Mm.. yeah sensei, what the nap~ haha…” He tries to joke, even as he winces. It seems to fall off pretty bad though when his teacher just scowls harder, though with annoyance or concern (Maybe even both) he does not know. “..Bad time?”
“Obviosly.” There were a few moments of silence before he continued, taking a seat on some random chair beside his bed. “Were you trying to get yourself killed, Kaminari?”
The use of his name instead of “problem child” makes a shiver run up his spine. Usually he’d joke about it again but… he knows its not the time. Sheepishly looking away as he tries to formulate a response, but before he can he is interrupted by the man.
“They almost did surgery, you know”
This makes Denki's blood run cold, panic filling his veins again. Which Aizawa seems to notice since he sighs. Leaning forward a bit “But they didn't, if nothing's done about it they might though”
“But…” Denki doesn't know what to say. Feeling rather conflicted and uneasy “..they cant…” He mumbles pitifully.
Aizawa seems to understand, or so he hopes since he stands up and leaves without a word. Not even informing Denki of what he’s going to do before he returns. And the sight makes him freeze, in tow behind him was the boy he had been desperately avoiding.
Izuku.
It made his chest grow tighter, more petals threatening to spill within whatever mask seemed to be connected to his face. Those emerald green eyes were filled with worry, and in his hands? That flower he had left in the bathroom.
“Hey Denki…” He says with a nervous smile, tone soft as he approaches.
At first Denki is unsure of why he was the only one brought in but then it clicked. They knew. They know about his feelings, and that they're for Izuku, and that just makes him nervous. Unsure of what to say, or what will happen. The heart monitor gave him away yet again.
“...Hey…” He replies meekly, voice all hoarse as Aizawa watches over the pair.
“So.. uhm… me, huh?” Izuku says weakly in his usual awkward way. Twirling the flower between his fingers, seeming oddly nervous. “You developed Hanahaki… for me?”
Denki can only give a weak nod in response, clearly anxious at the forced confession. But well aware that by now, either way things will be ruined. Either by the disease taking his life or by his friendship with Izuku being ruined. What confuses him, was how for the first time? The burning in his chest started to ease when Izuku grew closer.
And soon he learns why.
“It’s beautiful you know, the flower” Izuku hums softly, taking the seat Aizawa was in briefly and nervously peeking over at Denki “A rose symbolizes passion… and I assume the greens for me.. It's rather, uhm… flattering”
“...Flattering..?” Denki repeats, heart skipping a beat as he tries not to get his hopes up. Anxiously scanning Izuku's face, but he just seemed nervous and maybe.. Fond? He wasn't sure why there was no disgust.
“Mhm…” he hums, taking a deep breath as if preparing himself for something “I… Uhm…Like you too, you know…” It's almost a mumble, quite a habit of Izuku except this time its not from overthinking. Nonetheless it makes Denki's world freeze, chatter of nurses and machines fading into the background as he processes. Chest easing, almost feeling like something's melting.
“You… do?”
“Yeah, I do. You’re nice and funny and well- your quirk is awesome.. Im sure you can use it for more things if you thought about it”
As he goes into his usual mumbling, Denki finds himself smiling, relief and disbelief filling his mind. Yet for once he doesn’t try to deny anything. The person he loved enough to develop the disease liked him back, this amazing person that is Izuku… liked him back. More than a friend.
“So does that mean we are…” He accidentally blurts out in his excitement, causing both boys' faces to dust people as Izuku stammers a response.
“I.. uhm.. Well.. do you… want to?”
“Yes- please” He responded without hesitating… and maybe even without thinking. He couldnt belief this. And there was no way he was denying the chance to date him.
“Okay… Good, great even…”
“Good”
Things then fell into silence. Aizawa silently informed a nurse of his condition as Izuku's warm hand slipped into Denkis, callous from hard work, yet perfect. Now was the start of something new, and neither could wait to see where it leads.