Work Text:
With his face still numb from the high speeds he’d hitched a ride on and his body trembling in anticipation, Izuku takes a deep breath and yells across the roof, “Is it possible for someone without a quirk to become a hero like you?” After a moment of silence, he lifts his head, eyeing the number one through his green fringe. The man stopped on the edge of the roof but still faces the city. Izuku hopes he doesn’t decide to just leap away again. After years of bullying and discouragement from almost everyone around him, he needs this answer.
“This job isn’t easy,” All Might turns to face him, his seemingly ever-present smile nowhere in sight, “pro-heroes are always risking their lives. Some villains just can’t be beaten without powers so no, I honestly don’t think you can become a hero without a quirk.” The cracks in his heart bleed but the hero doesn’t stop. “If you wanna help people there are plenty of other ways to do it. You can become a police officer, they get crap because heroes capture most of the villains but it’s a fine profession.” This man has time and time again claimed that anyone can be a hero, why are the quirkless any different, any less human? “It’s not bad to have a dream young man, just make sure they’re attainable.” He turns away and readies for flight but not without leaving one more mocking word, “Realistic.” Then with a gust of wind Izuku is left alone.
After a few seconds of the harsh, thoughtless words echoing in his head Izuku shakes himself out of his stupor and replaces the numb feeling with anger. Asshole. He clenches his fists and grits his teeth in an attempt to contain his emotions. Of course the job isn’t easy. Of course pro-heroes are always risking their lives. They’re not stupid, they know the facts, the statistics, it’s why they train their asses off every day after school, it’s (partially) why they don’t have any friends. That man knows nothing about him, he doesn’t get to decide if he’ll be a hero or not, no matter his status as number one.
Letting out a trembling breath, Izuku forces himself to move towards the roof access. Releasing his tight grip on his palm Izuku tries the door, the handle of course only moves a few centimeters before stopping. Locked, great. He takes a step back and wills the door handle off. The small piece of metal flies past him and clatters onto the roof, leaving a large hole in the door. He can’t even find it in himself to care about the excessive property damage and instead begins descending the stairs.
After two flights he can feel his phone burning a hole in his pocket. What was he going to tell him? He pulls the old boxy thing out and opens his most recent contact.
Me: hey can we|
Me: i need to|
Sighing, he quickly deletes that too. He could just pretend this never happened, that he’d never met the symbol of peace and been told that quirkist answer but that wouldn’t solve the original issue. After all, there had been a reason behind the question. He allows himself a few more seconds of deliberation and ultimately comes to a decision.
Me: guess who I just met
It’s no surprise that a new text rings in only seconds later.
Kacchan: I’m not guessing
Those three words bring a small smile back to Izuku’s face and his heart mends, if only a little.
Me: party pooper :(
Me: its All Might :))
Kacchan: You’re fucking lying
Me: nope. he stopped a villain trying to kill me :p
Kacchan: What the fuck Deku
Me: anywho… i asked if he thought someone w/out a quirk could be a hero
Kacchan: Why the hell would you do that
…
Kacchan: What did he say
Me: what he always does, anyone can be a hero if they work hard enough
He feels bad for lying, of course he does, but when the blonde doesn’t text back immediately Izuku knows his best friend just doesn’t know what to say about his idol (supposedly) supporting his dream. Knowing this could go on for a while and the longer it does, the more upset he’ll be, Izuku decides to bait his friend into easier territory.
Me: so essentially that im right
Kacchan: Fuck off I’d be a hero no matter what he said
And that’s his favorite thing about the other boy. No matter what their teachers, classmates, parents, and the entire world say, Kacchan will be a hero.
Me: i know you will Kacchan. youll be a great hero
However, no matter how strong and resilient he is, Katsuki still deserves support in his dream and Izuku will gladly give him all he’s owed.
The smile that had been present on his lips since the first response dwindles as he feels the weight of his slightly ruffled analysis notebook in his left hand. It feels hundreds of times heavier with the added burden of the number one hero’s signature resting inside. All Might may not be his hero anymore but he’s still Kacchan’s.
Me: oh not that its important but i also got his autograph
Kacchan: I hate you
Me: and here i was about to offer a trade
Me: my All Might autograph for the Miruko one your parents got from her photoshoot
Me: mines only on notebook paper tho :/
Kacchan: That’s a dumbass trade
Me: fine if you dont want it…
Kacchan: Fuck you it’s mine
Me: bet be at ur house in 10
Kacchan: I’ll beat your ass if you’re lying
Izuku huffs a laugh and pockets his phone. By now he’s long since exited the tainted building and sets course to the Bakugou residence. As he walks Izuku tries not to let the lie weigh too heavily on him but it’s difficult. In their 13 years of friendship he and Kacchan had never lied to each other, never about something so big and now he’s turning the other boy’s life into one. He knows if this ever came out, the blonde might never look at him the same but he can’t keep doing what they’re doing. Despite his fortitude, even Kacchan’s strength is waning with the daily harassment and ostracization that goes on at Aldera, in society. Izuku does what he can but he can’t convince the world of his best friend’s worth so for now he will continue with these little pick-me-ups. Encouragements, affirmations, and pushing each other toward their shared goal. He will drag Kacchan all the way to UA if he has to but he will not let his friend become another statistic.
However, with that said, no matter what Izuku says out loud, the true feelings of the number one hero will forever be etched into the depths of his mind, and with his best friend working to become the hero All Might is so eager to deny Izuku can never look at the man the same.
Izuku will become a hero who fights for the lives and rights of those who can’t do so themselves but for today he’s a middle school student and his only mission is to redecorate his red, blue and yellow room. Lucky for him, he’s already on his way toward his first new addition.