Curse

A/N Sorry for the delay. I've been a little under the weather, I know a great way to spend my birthday am I right? Anyway I hope you all enjoy the story! 🥰

Deku's POV 

"What about you Midoriya?" I jumped not expecting a question. What were they talking about? I was sitting in the common area with Iida, Uraraka, Tsu and Todoroki and I haven't been paying attention for a while now, which I thought they knew. 

"Huh?" I finally had to ask, looking away from the notebook that I had been drawing my new costume designs in until now. I have been trying to figure out a new look that will stop all of the bunny comments and jokes. Believe it or not but the media have been crazy mean about my hero costume, still acting like they were trying to figure out what the "ears" were for. 

"Midoriya, is there a reason you haven't been paying attention lately? You have been distracted a lot," Asui, I mean Tsu asked and I blinked at them. Didn't they know I was working on my costume? I've been working on it for days now. I flipped my notebook over for them to see what I was doing and between Uraraka and Tsu you would think I was a famous painter or something. 

"I've just been focusing on upgrading my hero suit. With any luck I'll have the new design ready before we graduate next month," I mumbled looking back at the blueprints of my current suit. Thanks to the fact that I'm quirkless there are a lot of features I can't replace but that's okay, Mei already has replacements for me to choose from that are more aesthetically pleasing. Thankfully Mei made me sign a contract that made it to where no matter what company she is working for she will always be able to change or modify my suit as needed. 

"Midoriya, be that as it may, we were doing a group bonding activity, you should really be paying attention," I look around the room but it's only the five of us here. Everyone else was doing their own thing and I don't remember us inviting them. 

"Deku, it was just for us just for the Deku squad," Uraraka said gently and I vaguely remember her and Iida deciding for us to get together to do something but I thought it was just us hanging out together. Not an 'activity.' 

"Sorry everyone, I've just been so tired lately," I sighed, choosing not to argue. I mean they just want to hang out right? "I still have so much to do and so little time." 

"That's alright!" Uraraka jumped in before Iida could say anything more. "We all still have a lot to do but I'm sure it must be harder for you, now more than ever," she averted her eyes and the grip on my pencil tightened. There it is again. The pity. The reaction of how they don't know how to react or even how to address it. 

I mean I did hide it from them that I was quirkless but they all acted like it was all fine. They even talked about how lucky I was to get my quirk from All Might! But then when I lost my quirk and became quirkless again… They act like I've lost my arm or something. Hell, even Monomoa doesn't say anything to me when he is mocking our class. He just looks at me with pity and turns away like I'm not there at all. It's so much worse than the active bullying I went through with Kacchan. 

"Oi De- Izuku?" I looked up to see Kacchan walk into the room looking pissed but my friends froze for half a second hearing my actual name from his mouth. Speak of the angel, I mean devil. It's been more than a year now but they still act like they don't know how to respond, then again, I am the only person in class that he uses my actual name for. And it's my first name. So I guess that's understandable. 

"Yeah Kacchan?" I smiled brightly, relieved that there is still someone I can feel comfortable with. That thought bothers me, why can't I feel comfortable with my friends? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having them in the first place? I shake the thought from my mind though, I must be anxious, that's all. "You know I've told you you can still call me Deku. I did choose it for my hero name," I reminded him and he just rolled his eyes at me. 

"No, you should pick a better hero name," he waved me off and I smiled again. 

"Oh? And are you going to help me again?" I teased him and I swear I saw him blush, his ears were even pink! But as if it were a dream he started nagging me about taking it seriously. 

"This is about the rest of your life, Izuku!" He huffed, irritated with me. I can't help but giggle at him though, he is just so cute when he is flustered. 

"Well I guess that ends today's bonding activity," Iida sighed and I looked at him confused. How? I mean Kacchan only said a few things in passing so why would something that hasn't really started yet, end already? 

"I don't understand?" Todoroki said, finally someone who can explain what's going on to me. "Midoriya still hasn't answered the first question yet?" Now I'm even more confused. First question? Was there more? 

"First question?" Then Tsu explained how they were taking a questionnaire designed to get to know your friends better. 

"You're telling me Izuku doesn't already know every single one of these answers about you?" Kacchan leaned in, taking a piece of paper from Iida who looked flustered but Kacchan just ignored him and quietly read the questions, his smile growing with each one. "Haha, no, he knows all of this about you already. You lame asses were his first friends since he was diagnosed as quirkless, he was probably paranoid that he would mess something up if he didn't know all of this within the first month if not week." 

"Oh come on! I can't be that bad!" I snapped back at him but that just made him grin. 

"What is your favorite smell? The one that makes you the most relaxed?" He asked the first question and I froze. Yes, I already knew what smells that they were the most comfortable around and I made sure not to cross them anytime I smelled like something that made any of them uncomfortable. "Yeah, that look says it all. Go on Izuku, tell them how your favorite smell is nitroglycerin, not just any time either but right after an explosion. The sickly sweet smell of destruction makes you relax," he chuckled and I glared at him. 

"Uncle has never intentionally destroyed anything!" I snapped at him and he just grinned at me, waving me on to continue to explain. "Uncle would set off his explosions and try to wash off his quirk anytime I went over to Kacchan's house growing up. He can't control his sweat like Kacchan can so he was always worried that he might accidentally hurt me so any time I came over the smell would be strong and he was always the first one to open his arms for a hug and it wasn't odd for me to fall asleep while he was holding me," I could feel the redness on my face, it felt like my face was on fire but my friends were just watching me so I continued. "Tsu likes the smell of moss the most. Anytime I'm picking a place to hang out with her I try to pick parks with ponds and a lot of trees in them so she would be more comfortable." 

I couldn't take their stares, so I just kept talking. "Iida feels the most comfortable when around cleaning chemicals so I usually invite him to go with me when I have to see Recovery Girl or go to the hospital for volunteer work. But a close second is fresh cut grass," I saw Iida look flustered but he didn't argue. "Uraraka likes the smell of flowers but not real ones. She prefers perfume or room fresheners so I keep the one here in the common area filled with either roses or sakura blossoms, sometimes if I can't find one of those two I'll use a lily one but she doesn't like it nearly as much," I was fidgeting, my fingers constantly moving before I glanced up at Todoroki. "Todoroki actually loves the smell of marshmallows the best, with the crisp smell of winter as a close second but you can't really bottle that smell so I try to keep marshmallows stocked all the time because of it," I'm looking back down at my notebook but I'm not actually seeing it right now. I feel so embarrassed I could cry. 

"Hmmm, and mine?" Kacchan asked, still grinning and I blinked a few times before relaxing, even smiling a little. Is this Kacchan's way of trying to include himself as my friend? The thought alone warmed my heart. 

"Cedar, you love earthy smells in general because they work the best to cover up your natural sweet smell but if you ask me it just makes you smell even better," I giggled and he rolled his eyes but smiled anyway. 

"You would say something dumb like that," he shook his head but he didn't look irritated. Actually he looks a little relieved. "So do I smell better than Dad?" I looked at him curiously and confused. 

"You don't smell like Uncle though?" I tilted my head. "Sure the smell of nitroglycerin is stronger but you also smell of cedar and nature. You go hiking way more than Uncle so the smell of the woods and mountains cling to you even when you don't go for a couple months." 

"So do I smell better than Dad or not?" He asked but somehow he didn't look angry. If anything he looks relieved by what I said. 

"Yes," I stretched my neck, feeling it pop as the tension slowly left my body. That was an answer that was at least easy. 

"Hmmm, next one is; what is your favorite color? Give an example," he read off the paper and I swear he is grinning but his face is now behind the paper. 

"Well mine is red, the first person to smile at me without pity after the doctor's sentence," I can't even pretend not to notice how my friends flinched at how I worded that but I also don't address it. "Was Aunty. As amazing as Uncle is, he still looked at me with pity until we started at UA and it was announced that I had a quirk," I smiled at the memory. Aunty just kind of shook her head at Mom and smiled at me brightly. The first set of eyes I can remember without pity in them. 

"Well that just shows how amazing you are, you don't even need a quirk," she told me in a whisper as if it were a secret. It was also the first time I laughed after getting the news. I didn't even realize I said all of that out loud until Uraraka awed at me, shaking me from my thoughts. 

"Bakugo's parents are really nice but they seem a lot nicer to you," Tsu had a finger on her chin while she was talking, now that I think about it she does that a lot. Does she like the idea of looking like she is deep in thought?

"Yeah the old hag loves him to pieces. I swear she wishes he were her son instead," Kacchan rolled his eyes and I pouted at him. 

"Aunty loves you more than anyone else. You would see it too if you saw what she was like when you weren't around. All she ever talks about is how amazing you are and how great you're growing up!" I defended the woman and he just rolled his eyes again. 

"My hag isn't winning any mother of the year prizes. And then there's Uncle-," he broke off and he looked away. "Sorry." 

"I'm well aware that the only reason my dad isn't with us is because of me," I let out a sigh, not even bothering to hide it. "It's expensive to raise a quirkless kid," I explained when my friends started looking even more uncomfortable than before. 

"What about your nerdy friends?" Kacchan asked and I took a deep breath, happy to change the subject away from me. 

"Uraraka's favorite color is pink. At first I thought it was because of the flowers but then I realized she really lights up around babies with pink cheeks. Not just human babies either puppies and kittens with pink noses make her squeal. Iida's favorite is actually green but it has to be grass green. Any darker or lighter makes him uncomfortable. I usually try to wear a hat when we hang out outside of class," I motion towards the beanie I'm currently wearing but I don't say anything about the hurt look on Tsu's face when she is looking at him. 

"Tsu's favorite is black, the only time I've seen her around frogs she only really pays attention to the black ones but I think they are also toxic? Maybe? Anyway she just knows she looks great in green and black goes well with it so she keeps doing that. I thought her favorite was yellow for a little while until I heard her saying it hurt her eyes to see a lot of bright things though," I saw Uraraka fidget at that. All the gifts she has ever given Tsu have been as bright as humanly possible without being straight white. 

"Then there is Todoroki, which surprised me because it's blue and not because white and blue are usually associated with ice or winter or whatever. I found out a few months ago that even though he hates his dad so much, the only thing he likes is his blue eyes. Turns out he still has a white teddy bear with big blue eyes that he got from his mom before she got sick," I averted my eyes saying that because we all know what actually happened to his mom. "It's the only thing he keeps that feels personal in his room." 

"What about me?" He grinned as if he had me cornered but I rolled my eyes. 

"You say it's orange but we all know you're lying through your teeth. It's the only lie I think I've ever heard from you," I mused, a little surprised by the thought. "It's actually green like my mom's eyes. You always say my mom was more like a Mom to you than Aunty ever was," I shrugged with that one and he scoffed but didn't argue. We both know I'm right. 

"Then-," Kacchan started looking back at the paper. 

"ENOUGH!" Iida yelled and we all looked at him. "We get it. We are terrible friends. I don't know why you put up with us." I could see all of them looking awkward and uncomfortable but that just makes me more confused.

"What? How does that make you terrible friends?" I asked him sincerely, what did I do to make them uncomfortable? It was me wasn't it? Or wait, were some of those things secrets? Now that I think about it they haven't ever really talked about it before. 

"They are just uncomfortable that you actually know those things and they didn't have a clue about you. Izuku, I'm sorry," I did a double take at Kacchan. 

"What? Why are you sorry? What did I do? I don't understand!" I whined and pulled on my beanie a little frustrated. What just happened? 

"If it weren't for me, you could have at least had some friends growing up," he explained and I couldn't help laughing at just the thought of it. 

"What? Are you crazy?" I asked, laughing harder and harder the more I tried to stop. I mean, how did he ever come to that conclusion? 

"De- Izuku if I didn't bully you then I wouldn't have scared the other kids away," Kacchan tried to speak calmly, I could see that but he was obviously getting more and more upset the more I laughed. 

"Kacchan, the only kids you scared away were the others who would be bullies," I cried. I tried to wipe away the tears but I was laughing too hard. "I mean do you have any idea how often you pulled your so-called friends away when they were ready to do more? The one with wings usually kept a pocket knife in his pocket and when they would chase me down and you weren't with them I actually had to run for my life. At least when you were around I knew I was only going to get a few bruises, probably from tripping over something and made fun of a bit at most," I finally stopped crying but I was still wiping the tears away. I could see the look of horror on not only my friends' faces but his as well. I knew he never knew about any of that, it's the reason I never once held it against him for being so mean to me growing up. 

"Kacchan, you were and have always been my hero," I smiled up at him but his jaw only clenched as rage filled him. The reason I only mentioned his friend with the wings was because, well he can't get into trouble for screaming at a ghost now can he? I won't say what his other friends did and at least right now he wasn't thinking about them. 

"Why is it every time I think you are being normal I turn around and something like this happens?" I jumped at the tired and groggy voice of our teacher not too far behind me. Wait, what? What did I do now? 

"What did I do now?" I groaned when all he did was rub his temples. Seriously! What did I do now! I want to scream but I already know that won't go over well. 

"Just," he didn't say anything else. He didn't even try, instead he pulled out his phone and started typing on it and irritating the hell out of me. Do I really not matter? To this extent? Seriously? He never acted like this before I lost my quirk. 

"I'm here," principle Nezu announced, seeming to appear out of thin air on Aizawa Sensei's shoulder. "Young Midoriya, you will be having mandatory meetings with Hound Dog for the remainder of the year. 

"Why?" I asked and everyone but Kacchan just looked at me. Kacchan just looks livid but he is also trying very hard to control himself. Then he seemed to register what was said and he did such a double take I thought he was going to fall over from how he jerked to look at our principle. Yeah, I can't blame him there. 

"Midoriya, that isn't healthy. The fact that you see Bakugo, who is very much working towards being a real hero and is about to make his efforts a reality, as your personal hero when he tormented you. It's concerning," Sensei spoke slowly as if he didn't understand my confusion. I saw how Kacchan flinched at that but right now I don't have the luxury of thinking about his reaction. My own rage was surfacing and I could practically hear the snap of my self control breaking. 

"And how is that? Hmmm? How am I supposed to react to the fact that since I was four years old, well we'll say five since it was only a little before my birthday that mom took me to the doctor. Since I was five years old I have had other kids pick on me, pinching, punching, kicking, tripping me in the halls and on the way to and from school on a daily basis," I saw Kacchan flinch again but my focus was on Aizawa Sensei and Nezu. I can't believe how pissed I am right now because of them. "Or what about the adults? Cigarette burns and cuts, bruises that made them laugh after all. Who cares about a quirkless kid? No one will take him seriously, they never have before," I quoted and the look of horror on Sensei's face only seemed to grow while Nezu watched calmly, somehow that made me even more mad. 

"Teachers, bus drivers, even the odd police officer, anytime they found out that I'm quirkless they mutter about how it should just be changed to worthless. They're the same after all!" I could hear my voice rising and the fact that now most of our classmates were gathering and hearing what I had to say didn't bother me. No, it was the looks of pity that bothered me, the same as always. 

"Kacchan and Mei are the only two that never looked at me any differently either with or without a quirk. THE ONLY TWO PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT HAVEN'T LOOKED AT ME WITH PITY!" I had to desperately try to bring my voice back down but it was hard, oh so very hard. "Even Aunty, now that I had a quirk for even a little while, now that I'm quirkless again, she," I swallowed. I can't think of the look on her face when she learned I was quirkless again. The look of someone who watched someone walk for the first time only to hear they would never walk again. That was the kind of look she had and I can't delete it from my mind no matter how much I try. 

I looked back at the two "adults" in the room. "Have you ever once actually read the material you teach about the quirkless? Just once? Have you ever put a person's face to that label before? Have you ever thought about how they actually lived? Have you ever thought, just once, about more than what the reports say? About what the reports don't say or worse, what they hide?" I demanded. "Just once, have you ever seen the quirkless as people?" My voice broke and I stood up. Sensei tried to stop me at first but it was Nezu that spoke. 

"Have you ever seen yourself as a person?" 

I sent him a nasty glare, "Why should I? The only person who ever did, you claim, was my personal villain. Normal? Isn't that the word Sensei used? I'm not normal? How about this, the only reason I even had grades at all in either elementary or middle school is because of Kacchan. The only reason they bothered to grade my papers at all was after Kacchan saw a big fat zero on a paper that pretty much matched his and he demanded to know if they were looking down on him. That if they thought giving him perfect scores was going to get them somewhere then they were dead wrong!" I saw Kacchan who looked at me startled. I guess he didn't know that I knew all of that. 

"Or how about the only reason I was included at all for class trips or group assignments was because he wanted to know why the fuck the quirkless kid didn't have to do them?" I snapped, letting the curse word out with barely a thought. 

"The one time I was hospitalized for third degree burns THAT WERE ALL OVER MY BODY, the only person who cared, the only person who went on the hunt to look for the VILLAIN who did it to me was KACCHAN! The only reason I was treated as anything close to human has always been Kacchan and now you're telling me I shouldn't look at him as my hero?" I looked at them with all the scorn and general hate that had built up inside of me over the years and it kind of scared me just how much I felt right now. 

"Are you fucked in the head?" I asked with all the seriousness of a natural disaster because I really don't understand how they are looking at it at all. How am I in the wrong? Why? Shouldn't my viewpoint matter the most in this situation? Aren't I the victim? Then why am I being treated like this? I mean I'm not glorifying Kacchan. I am aware that he didn't do it for my own good and what he did do to help me was only to make himself a better hero but who cares? I know he just hates the idea that anyone could be looking down on him and the very idea that they might be harassing me to somehow make him look better set his pride on fire and his ego was ready for a fight. He has never needed anybody's help. He wasn't a charity case. 

The only reason I was able to study at all was because Kacchan is amazing. That's it. All there was to it. Nothing complicated or hard to understand. Maybe the paranoia that someone, anyone might be better set his rivalry alight but in the larger scheme of things, does that really matter? I mean really? I don't think so. I ignored the outcry from my classmates about me cursing, like somehow I must mentally be a toddler and can never curse no matter what. 

Do any of them actually know me at all? Now that I think about it, the forgotten paper in Kacchan's hand kind of proves that they don't, doesn't it? I mean the questions in general are of no consequence but did they even know the bare minimum? 

I snatched the paper from Kacchan and scanned the list of questions and looked at my 'friends'. "What is my favorite animal?" I asked, I've talked about it before. A lot actually so they should know. It's so easy, so NORMAL. That word, I'm growing to hate it more and more. I'm ignoring half the question and just asking the bare bones of it. What is my favorite animal? The answer is simple. A cat, well I gravitate towards tortoiseshell calicos the most but only because they are the most beautiful. 

The fact that the only time I saw the soft smile on Kacchan's face growing up was while he very carefully interacted with the small felines isn't a detail they need to know or how the only affection I've received outside of mine or Kacchan's parents ever since that blasted doctor's visit. After all, animals don't care about quirks. But cats, the way they purr and rub and love on you isn't as overwhelming as dogs who liked to jump on you. And if I'm honest I've developed a bit more than a little fear of dogs considering how we had so many classmates teach their dogs to chase me whenever they saw me. I have had more than one dog bite me and several visits to the ER thanks to that alone. 

Please let them at LEAST get this one. Please, I'm praying at this point, please just show an ounce of interest in me and I can and will be their friend for life. Just a small amount, it doesn't need to be much. 

"Dogs," it was Iida who finally answered after a long silence but he looked so sure. "They are the most lovable and affectionate pets after all so of course," he smiled and my heart shattered as my 'friends' one by one agreed with him. All except for Todoroki who looked confused. 

"I thought he liked cats and hated dogs?" He asked and Uraraka corrected him about how nice I was to every single animal she had ever met. Saying there was no way I hated any pet let alone dogs. 

"Kacchan?" I asked and he looked both angry and confused. 

"Even I don't know why dogs hated you so much, you're afraid of dogs Izuku," he shook his head but that made everyone snap their heads up to look at him as if he were an alien. As if Kacchan could ever be wrong. The words he said however seemed to echo in my ears. 'You're afraid of dogs,' the words he couldn't take back and it's only now that my 'friends' seemed to understand anything at all. I am heartbroken but I'm also pissed. How much time and effort have I put into friends for none of them to even notice how I flinch anytime I see Hound Dog? Or any dog at all? Did they ever notice how I would flinch if there were any sudden movements? No, if they were kind they probably just thought I had good reflexes and didn't bother to think that I might have a reason to train them. It's not like it's a rare occurrence. 

"Kacchan, the answer?" I asked quietly but everyone in the room was silent and could easily hear me. 

"Your favorite animal is a cat, tortoiseshell calicos in particular are your favorite but you love how animals in general don't care if you have a quirk or not. But," he paused and I just waved for him to continue. "But you love all cats in general, wild or tamed." The only person to know the answer, was of course Kacchan. 

"Go figure, the one you all say should be my nightmare is the only person who knows anything at all about me," I whispered, I picked up my notebook and stood up. I didn't wait for Sensei to step out of the way, I don't think he would have, I just pushed my way past him, not saying another word. Not even when Nezu pretended to almost fall off of him. 

"Deku! No, damnit! Izuku! Wait! They can't all be stupid!" Kacchan yelled out. The only person who tried to actually reason with me was Kacchan. Oh Iida and several others were lecturing me and complaining about my manners and how could I be so rude or even trying to argue about how in the world could they have possibly known any of that? But none of them actually tried to reason with me and Kacchan wasn't even trying to get me to understand their point, only how he couldn't possibly be my hero when there was still All Might. 

I smiled at him but he didn't seem to notice, that or he thought I was only smiling because All Might will always be the greatest idol we ever have but the truth of the matter is, I am smiling because he wants me to see him more harshly, so I could take better care of myself. He is the only person thinking of me. 

"Only Kacchan, wants me to be happy," I whispered and he paused in his rant about how terrible he was to me. He looks so confused and I don't blame him. 

"Kacchan I'm sorry but I'm going to do something that will probably make you mad," I smiled at him and he tilted his head confused but he didn't refuse. So I hugged him. It was so fast I hugged him tight and I know he is tense and very confused but he didn't fight me. I could feel the stress from however long that crap in the common area took, melting away but not the anger. Not the resentment, not the hurt, not the realization that I never mattered all that much to them in the first place. At best I was their classmate and future co-worker. I'm not even sure about that last part now that I'm quirkless again. I will be a hero, I just don't see them as actually seeing me as one anymore. 

"Thank you," I whispered before letting him go and walking away. Kacchan stood there frozen, not even a little sure about what just happened but that's okay. I know and it's about time I started acting like it. 

*** 

"You want me to do what?" Hound Dog asked from his place in front of the classroom. Classes were over and somehow only a few of my classmates were left. Ironically it was the ones that saw themselves as the Baku squad and a few that I didn't think were so close but now that I'm reevaluating my relationships I'm starting to wonder. 

"Nezu says that Midoriya needs help learning how to actually gauge healthy relationships," Sensei repeated but the look on his face looks just as confused as Hound Dog's. 

"Aizawa, you are aware that he has an extreme fear of canines in his file, correct?" He looked at my teacher confused while I just read over my notebook. He looked up when I snorted though, I guess he couldn't ignore me laughing at my own fears. 

"Until yesterday, they all thought dogs were my favorite animal apparently, except for Kacchan of course," I answered before returning to my notes. 

I could feel the hair on my arms standing up but Hound Dog kept his distance. Even when he lectured me in the past he has never ever gotten close, not after he knew. At least there is still one hero who respects me. One that still treats me as a person and not a cripple. Too bad I can't shake this instinct to run from him though. 

"Young Midoriya, could you show me your forearm please?" Hound Dog asked but he still didn't make a move to come any closer and I pushed up my sleeve to show the very visible gooseflesh on my arm before covering it again. "Could you tell me why they thought dogs were your favorite animal?" He asked while still keeping his distance. 

"Something about them being so friendly and lovable," I answered, with a half laugh before looking back at my notebook instead of at him. It made things much easier for me and he understands that. He really is an amazing hero. 

"I don't understand, I've heard you tell your friends numerous times about how several of the dogs your former classmates raised attacked you anytime you came into sight," he left it open but I shrugged. 

"Thank you for letting me know that actually happened. I was starting to think it was a fever dream. Apparently I'm crazy for forgiving Kacchan and I shouldn't see him as my personal hero growing up," I flipped a page in my notebook before closing it and standing up, not able to pretend to look through my things a third time, I prepared myself mentally as I gathered my things, Kacchan standing next to the door, glaring at Hound Dog of all people. 

"Izuku, the hag is asking if you're still coming over for dinner or not?" He was holding his phone and it's only now that I realized he had come back to class and found us all like this. "What the fuck is going on in here?" It was Kirishima that caught Kacchan up and the look of surprise on his face wasn't missed by anyone. 

"Why would our classmates have pets-?" He started to ask but I cut him off. 

"Because they hated me so they trained their pets that way," I shouldered my bag. 

"Midoriya didn't get permission to-," 

"And yes, I'm coming," I smiled and he gave me a quick look before sending the text without listening to Sensei. 

"I think you all lost the right to my respect yesterday," I answered before nodding at Hound Dog who stepped away, giving me room to pass by him. Not half the room kind of space but enough that I could still breathe. He could have easily made it difficult for me, after all I have been right next to him before. I've asked him questions but after my hero fanboying I just couldn't shake it and he at least has been respectful about it all this time. I can't be more grateful to him as a hero. 

"Why are you just letting him through? He wasn't given permission to leave the school grounds!" Sensei snapped trying to keep me here without actually using his capture weapon and I can at least be grateful that he is showing me this much consideration. Then again, since I'm quirkless now it would be considered assault, even with me being in the hero program, since we aren't at the gym doing hero exercises. So maybe I shouldn't read that much into it. On the other hand he usually uses it to catch people, it is a capture type support item after all. 

"Aizawa, I don't make it a habit as a hero to use my quirk on someone who has a very real and deep seated fear of canines as a way to imprison them," he spoke slowly as if Sensei didn't realize what just happened. To his credit he did look confused until understanding hit him like a truck. 

"Don't worry, I won't be using my "quirk" or anything. And my mom is going to be there, it's not like I'm just taking off," I rolled my eyes before showing the note that HE signed yesterday before all of this happened. "Oh and I do have a pass to leave school grounds today. That YOU signed yesterday," I held it up while walking away but I didn't stop. 

It wasn't until we were at the bus stop that Kacchan said anything at all. "Do you-? I mean. What was all that about?" He asked and I saw him looking back towards the school but I don't blame him for being confused. He probably thought everything from yesterday would have blown over by now and I don't blame him for thinking that way. I've been far too forgiving in the past. Not to Kacchan though. I don't regret forgiving him. 

"I'm not putting up with people who pretend to care anymore," I answered before carefully leaning against his arm. I felt him tense up but he didn't pull or push me away. I only stayed for a moment, I don't want to make him uncomfortable but it feels a little bit like that's exactly what I'm doing. 

"Do you want me to stop? If you do, I won't do it again?" I asked him now that I wasn't touching him anymore. 

"Do what you want, I'm fine," he grumbled but his face was turning a little pink, either from frustration or embarrassment I don't know which. 

"I'll take you up on that. Tell me if you change your mind though," I hummed, this time laying my head on his shoulder. He still tensed up but not nearly as much as before. Having permission to do it is already proving to be much better than just surprising him with it. This small act of affection, my deepest desire, my secret, and he is allowing it. 

"It's weird," I almost mumbled to myself but I know I have Kacchan's attention even with my low voice. "After yesterday, I don't feel like crying like I thought I would. You know I was actually praying for even one of them to know what my favorite animal was. Just one answer, I've talked about my love of cats so many times as well as my fear of dogs. So very many times," I whispered. 

I heard Kacchan let out a deep sigh as if he were giving in and then I felt his arm go around my side and a very brief squeeze that I could never mistake for anything but a simple side hug he quickly let me go again. "I'm not going anywhere." 

"Thank you," I barely kept myself from choking on the words. Kacchan was showing ME not only kindness but real consideration and it is taking everything I have not to out right cry. I just want to jump into his arms and bawl my eyes out but I'm sure Kacchan would NOT be okay with that. 

"You know I think I'm willing to let my hopes get up," I whispered and he did look at me then, twice. He did a double take but then the bus arrived and it wasn't long before we arrived at Kacchan's house but I could tell he was thinking pretty hard about something. Past experience tells me to leave him alone though, he will tell me when he is ready to. Besides, for all I know he might not want me to know at all. I left the Bakugo's house and went home with Mom, forever grateful to have such loving and caring parents. I even video chatted with Dad for a while. He'll be coming home soon, he would have come home when I started at UA if it weren't for the contract he signed. But that's okay, even though I'm quirkless again he is very excited to finally come home to stay. 

*** 

"I can't wait, my dad will be coming home soon," I smiled while eating my lunch. I'm sitting at a table with Kacchan and Todoroki, while the rest of the people I used to call friends were trying to sit nearby but I'm kind of giving them the cold shoulder. I'm not out right ignoring them, although sometimes I wish I were but I'm also back to speaking to them formally. Except for Todoroki. He didn't know for sure that my favorite animal was a cat but he did at least know it wasn't a dog. So he's the only one that I've paid much attention to this past week. 

"Which is not All Might?" He asked to be sure. I know he is still skeptical but at this point I find it kind of endearing that the reason he believed that I was All Might's secret love child was because All Might treated me so well. It wasn't even the fact I had his quirk, it was just because All Might truly cared for me. How could I be mad about that? Although I am more confused by his relationship with his own father now than before, at least he can understand what a real father and son relationship is actually like. Kacchan has even let me bring him over for dinner so he could see how he and Uncle interact with each other but now he doesn't say anything about Kacchan being anyone's secret love child. He is definitely Aunty's and Uncle's son, without a doubt. 

"That's right, my dad is a businessman, he's been in the United States pretty much since I was five," I nodded while Kacchan rolled his eyes at Todoroki. He long ago gave up on lecturing him about All Might but then again last time he had turned it around on him saying that he looked more like All Might and if it weren't for Uncle he would swear by it. So now Kacchan keeps quiet but I think he is secretly proud of it. Not that I blame him. Who wouldn't want All Might to dote on them? 

"When is Uncle supposed to get here?" Kacchan asked, for once looking nervous. I must be seeing things. There's no way Kacchan could be nervous about Dad coming home. 

"This weekend! I'm so excited. I've been doing extra patrols and internship hours for the last three weeks to make sure I could spend the whole weekend with him! He mailed most of his things home already, he should only have a suitcase or two left I think," I chatted happily with the only ones that deserved my attention. 

"Midobabe! Is it true that your dad has been away this whole time? But what about your mom? Haven't they at least been able to visit through the years?" Ashido whined and I could already see the overly romanticized scene playing through her mind, making me laugh out loud. 

"Raccoon Eyes?" She looked up at Kacchan and he went on. "You know how much my old Hag loves my dad?" She nodded with stars in her eyes, okay I can't blame her for that one. Aunty and Uncle are exactly the kind of relationship goals I would hope for. "Uncle is about a million times worse." I saw Kacchan shudder but that only made me laugh harder. Dad really does love Mom. He has an employee whose quirk lets him send someone to a fixed point for about a day about every five days. Dad hired him exclusively to send him home to be with Mom and since the dorm systems were in place I could only come home on the weekends. I'm sure Mom and Dad have spent a lot of romantic nights together now. If it wasn't for the fact that he gets brought right back like a slingshot he would just come home and stay home that way. 

"Kacchan, want to share anything with the rest of the class?" I teased him and Kacchan just shuddered again. Okay, maybe my dad acts more like a dog in heat any time he has seen my mom since he left the country, but I mean. Who could blame him? Could anyone leave their spouse for years and still honestly say they were in love? I know he left to provide for us better, especially because of me but I have never felt like Dad hated or blamed me for any of it. 

Kacchan's friends kept asking and it was pretty obvious that he would rather never think about whatever it is that he witnessed for the rest of his life. I don't even know what it is. But things only got quiet after I leaned on Kacchan's arm, still giggling like mad. He doesn't tense up anymore. It's only been a week and now instead of flinching away or seeming to power through it, he leans towards me too. It's not a lot, just enough to make sure I don't fall over or lean over so much that I lose my balance or something crazy like that. I like it though. 

His friends don't say anything in front of him about it but Kaminari and Ashido are always asking me what's going on once he leaves or when he is out of earshot. Times like now are rare. I do try not to put him on the spot. At least not in the spotlight? But then again the tops of his ears still blush a cute pink and if he is irritated or embarrassed at the time he is just too cute to ignore. 

I know what I'm doing to myself though. I know Kacchan hasn't made any kind of advances towards me, no promises of a future together or anything. In fact this is all me. I'm the one in love with him after all. I have no one but myself to blame for my broken heart later and for now I'm fine with that. I grew up knowing that like Dad I would love with every fiber of my soul but I couldn't help who it was that I fell for. There was never anyone at all except for Kacchan after all. 

Once we got up to clean up after ourselves we made our way back to class, I didn't even look at the ones I've called my friends for the last three years. Todoroki stayed behind but he usually leaves after Kacchan and I do anyway. I'm pretty sure he is getting questioned by Iida and Uraraka every day but I'm not actually sure and even if he is I don't mind so long as he doesn't break my trust and so far he hasn't. 

Tsu, no longer sits with us. She apologized to me the day I came back after my outburst but she also said she didn't expect to be forgiven. She said so herself that she didn't deserve to be. She also has no desire to be with people who were like that so she stopped talking to both Uraraka and Iida altogether. Surely the fact that Iida doesn't like the color green unless it's grass green wouldn't have anything to do with that. Right? I tried asking but she just shook her head no and gave me a smile. She told me later that it was a lot of little things that bugged her and what I said just helped her see it all at once. I'm really confused about what happened but she insisted that I was nothing but a good friend to her which seemed to make her feel worse. 

Do I want my friends back? Yes, I would be lying if I said that I didn't but it's not that I want them back as much as the people I thought they were. Which kind of makes it all even worse if you ask me. 

"Midoriya? Did you say your dad had white hair?" Todoroki asked after class, he was standing next to my desk and Kacchan looked confused but I am too. I mean the bell barely rang? How is he already standing here? 

"Yeah, why do you ask?" I smiled as I finished putting my things away. 

"I now see the resemblance," he nodded as if he just had ten complete conversations in his head because I am lost. How did he get from A to B to Z without everything in the middle? 

"What?" But he didn't answer me and instead pointed at the doorway. I looked up and saw him. White curly hair that was unruly to even the heavens, vibrant blue and sharp eyes, but soft freckles dusting his cheeks. Dad. 

"Dad!" I screamed jumping to hug him, I have no idea when I stood up or ran across the room but that didn't stop me. 

"Izuku, my sweet, sweet Izuku," he laughed but then he really looked at me. "Son, what on earth has your mother been feeding you?" I couldn't help blushing at that. I'm a few centimeters taller than him now and unlike my dad who was trim and fit at best or tall and skinny at worst I am tall and built, built with a lot of muscle. My hug practically swallowed him. "Do you think she has enough to give me a helping or two?" He pretended to whisper and I just giggled. I didn't let him go, it must have looked awful the way I was hugging him like a small child while being so large and intimidating compared to him but his laugh filled me and I couldn't help feeling pride at his praise. 

"My son the pro hero," you have no idea how much I've missed you," his hand was on my face smiling. Oh my God, I video chat with him at least once a week but his smile just makes me feel so alive. "My sweet Izuku, are you crying? At least no one can say Inko isn't your real mother," he joked and I heard Kacchan trying to hold back a laugh. 

Dad looked away after a few more seconds and when I followed his eyes saw Kacchan standing next me. "Katsuki," he frowned for a moment and Kacchan's head actually dipped down a moment before looking him in the eyes. "I'm glad you were able to get your act together again. Inko and I have been so worried that you wouldn't make the deadline." 

"Deadline?" Kacchan and I asked at the same time. 

"A conversation for later. For now I'll say this," he put a hand on Kacchan's shoulder who flinched but otherwise stood his ground. "I am proud of you. Good job taking care of Izuku these last few years," he grinned before adding, "we'll talk about the first few years later." I saw Kacchan gulp but nod in agreement. 

"I understand Uncle," his head down again but he squeaked when Dad pulled him in for a hug too. 

"Seriously? You too Katsuki? What are your mother's feeding you for you both to be so freaking huge?" Dad teased us and I couldn't help how I laughed. We look ridiculous, hugging such a small man and it probably looks terrible too, maybe threatening? 

"Katsuki! Quirk!" Dad pushed us away and the next thing I know I'm being spun around and Kacchan is using his body to block me from Dad who sneezed. 

"Dad! I'm not a little kid anymore," I grumbled and Kacchan snickered about me sounding like one still while Dad sneezed again and again. 

"Sorry, I only just got back to Japan and I'm not used to the pollen here anymore," he waved us off before sneezing again, flames from his quirk going off with each one. 

"Dad," now I'm whining but I'm still smiling. Once his sneezing fit was over he opened his arms for me again. The fact I brought Kacchan with me earned me a knowing smile but I didn't say anything and neither did he. I've already confessed the fact that I'm in love with Kacchan to my dad and he is also fully aware that I haven't told Kacchan yet. 

"Son, we are Midoriya's. We are slow to fall in love but once we do there is no turning back. There is no stopping it so you're going to have to tell him but do it on your own time, no one else's," he lectured me just last week. 

But now I get to see him in person for longer than a few minutes! Dad chuckled at my obvious happiness. 

"I'm home," he whispered and I felt him kiss the top of my head. 

"Welcome home," I responded but Kacchan's response surprised me. 

"Welcome back Uncle," Dad and I both looked up but Dad just ended up teasing Kacchan about his manners before messing up his hair. 

"So your mother doesn't know I'm back yet," Dad announced looking a bit shy and my jaw dropped. 

"How did you get here?" I questioned him and he pointed behind him, I looked through the doorway to find Endeavor? Why is he here? 

"Son, did you really have me arrested just so I could come home a few days earlier? I'm not mad but how in the hell did you get the current number one hero to come get me?" He half whispered as if it were a secret, not that it did any good. Everyone in the room easily heard him even if they were pretending to not be here. 

"I DID NOT!" I almost shrieked and Kacchan snickered while Dad chuckled. 

"I said I'm not mad, I was just surprised. I know you said you interned with his agency a year or two ago but still," he tried to reassure me but I could feel my face lighting up in embarrassment. 

"BUT I DIDN'T! I'M INNOCENT!" I couldn't help how my voice rose an octave in my defense but that honestly probably made it worse and no one was listening to me defend myself at all. 

*Cough cough cough* 

We looked up to see Endeavor clearing his throat. "For the record your son didn't know I was in America at the time. My son asked if I would pick you up since they are friends," Endeavor looked at Todoroki who nodded. 

"Thank you," was all Todoroki said but Endeavor nodded as if it were some kind of huge step and I am so very confused. What just happened? 

"So Izuku really didn't have me arrested?" Dad asked before whistling. 

"DAD!" I all but screamed but both Kacchan and Dad were grinning at me. "You're so mean," I whined only for Dad to pat me on the back laughing. 

"Come on Izuku. Where's your sense of adventure? I really wouldn't have been mad if you somehow sent Japan's number one hero to arrest me. All my co-workers have been blowing up my phone asking what happened but none of them believed me when I said you worked with him for a while," he started grumbling. If anyone wondered where my mumbling habit came from they weren't now. Dad was going on a rollercoaster ride that even I couldn't make out. 

"Dad! How is getting arrested an adventure?" I groaned and he looked at me surprised. 

"It's times like these I am reminded that you never wanted to be anything but a hero," he sighed. "Don't worry, I'm too old to get into all the trouble I did when I was your age," he winked and now I'm really concerned. I looked at Kacchan who was now pale. Huh, does Kacchan know more about my dad than I do? There's no way, right? 

"Dad," I groaned again. 

"Ha! Get your things, hurry up. I have so many plans! Since I thought I was under arrest I didn't stop by your mother's favorite stores on the way and I can't go home empty handed!" 

"Dad, stop!" He froze because I am being very serious. "Mom is on a diet right now," now it's his turn to groan. 

"But she is the most beautiful, perfect woman alive. Why would she ever want to change the way she looks?" He rubbed at his forehead and I saw Kacchan step away, shuddering. 

"Dad, Mom wants to be healthier, that's different," I frowned at him and he looked thoughtful for a second before smiling. 

"So she just wants to stay with us for longer?" He smiled brightly and now I'm wondering how he can possibly be so naive but I only nodded. 

"Instead of her usual favorite things," I dug for a notebook in my bag and started writing down all the things to replace Mom's usual favorites with and Dad read over my shoulder. 

"I knew having a baby was a great idea! Look at you! You grew up so well and you're even an amazing wingman," he nudged me with an elbow. "Make sure to tell me when you find your other half, I'll make sure to return the favor." 

"Dad," I think I've just about had enough of my dad for one day. Thankfully since I didn't know he was coming today I have a patrol to do. "I have to go on patrol today. I won't finish until curfew so maybe take Mom out for dinner? It's your first day back in Japan. She would love some time alone." 

"My Izuku! No one can ever say you're anything but a Midoriya! Haha!" Dad laughed so hard and I felt a stab of guilt in my chest. Well maybe guilt is the wrong word? 

"Uncle, you're giving Icyhot ideas and I don't think any of us are prepared for another secret love child theory," Kacchan pointed out and tried to lead him out the classroom door. "I can take you to the store. I don't have a patrol like a certain someone." He mocked me and I glared at him. 

"Oh that's right! With a mother like Mitsuki I'm sure you'll be another heart breaker, Katsuki," and to Kacchan's credit the speed with which he dropped Dad's arm like a hot potato covered in snot should be praised. I mean wow, I think I blinked because he was so far away. 

"Do not bring the hag up like that," he glared but now Dad is excited and HE grabbed Kacchan and I, pulling us out of the classroom so our family drama wouldn't just be on display like it has been. 

"Oh don't be like that. We all know Izuku is a chip off the block, if you know what I mean," he winked and I feel like my face is on fire. "When he finds his other half he will love them with his very soul, forget just his heart," Dad smiled at the thought. I however am getting very uncomfortable. We were still in the doorway so everyone could hear him and I wanted to push him out but I'm worried that I could actually hurt him. 

"But what about you Katsuki? You don't have any of the Midoriya blood running through you. You don't have our 'curse'." Damn it! Dad wouldn't go until he said that and now he is suddenly walking as if it was only now time to go. 

"The fact even you look at it as a curse," Kacchan grumbled but Dad only laughed. "I don't need what I can't have." What does that mean? I've never heard of Kacchan not being able to have anything before in my life. If he didn't already have it then he would get whatever he wanted his own way. End of story. 

"Well for me at least it's a blessing. I have Inko after all but when I was a teenager the fact that I couldn't even look at a woman with interest was the cause of a lot of problems. Like rumors that I was gay or impotent," Dad made a face and Kacchan and I both laughed. We know just how much he basically worships Mom after all. It's the reason that whenever she tries to change anything at all about herself he makes a face even if it's a healthy change. He never loves her any less when she changes. It's only when she is trying to change that he gets uncomfortable. 

The fact that someone that was extremely pissed at some ancestor of ours started all this is still seen as a little crazy. Someone with a loyalty quirk used it on them so that they could never look at another lover for the rest of their lives and well, it turned out to transfer to all of his kids later until now, with me. 

I chatted with Dad not even stopping at the dorms to drop off my things because my suit is already with me. Kacchan and Dad left me at the front lobby before Dad ruffled Kacchan's hair again in front of everyone. 

"Why?" Kacchan groaned, giving up on defending himself from Dad. 

"That's what I would like to know. Why did you two have to grow up so well?" Dad sighed before sneezing again and a small stream of fire came out again. "Ugh, Katsuki, I think I need to pick up some allergy tablets on the way back. It's going to take forever to get used to the different pollen after being out of the country for so long," Dad groaned. 

"Should I come home after my patrol? Or go back to the dorms?" I asked and he just smiled, shaking his head. 

"My son, it's my first night back. Do you really want to be home?" He gave me a knowing look that made both Kacchan and I blush. 

"I'll see you tomorrow after school then," I averted my eyes and he just chuckled agreeing with me, giving me another hug before grabbing Kacchan who yelped and pulling him back towards the door. I couldn't help staying to watch them go. Now I wish I didn't sign up for all these extra patrols. I just want to spend time with Dad. 

*** 

The amount of questions I have avoided was turning into a small mountain. At the hero agency everyone kept asking who it was that could actually make Dynamight do something without fear and others who refused to believe it at all. The very idea that Dynamight of all people let anyone pull him around was unbelievable apparently and after everything that happened with my classmates I just don't trust anyone anymore. 

The fact that I'm not talking like I did just a few weeks ago has gotten everyone's attention. Some have asked but none were able to answer my required question. What is my favorite color? So far everyone has said green. So I just walk away. It's not like I'm being hard on them but it is the fun question they have us answer when we first come to the agency so absolutely everyone should know the answer. It's one of the things I liked about this agency, they do things like this as an ice breaker but I guess it was all for show. 

"Have you heard? The heroes Deku and Dynamight have been acting strange," I overheard someone while sitting down to eat my dinner. It's been a week now since Dad came home and I guess Kacchan and I have both changed a bit. Not on purpose or anything! But it's hard not to see how Dad treats Mom. I just… I'm tired of being alone. 

"Oh! I heard Deku changed his hero name! It's Arsenall now!" I could hear the smile in their voice but I just continued my meal. My break is almost over and it's about time to go home anyway. 

"Makes sense, you know he is the only quirkless hero in history? He probably has to wear an arsenal just to keep up!" The other one laughed but I had finished my meal and stood up. I heard them gasp in shock which told me that they just realized who I was now but still, I ignored them. Walking out to finish my patrol. 

***

"Izuku? Izuku wake up my baby," I groaned at the voice that was forcing me up when I'm still so tired. 

"Hisashi? Is it-?" Mom asked but they didn't need to actually say it. Not in our family. 

"I'm fine, just tired," I groaned before adding. "My patrol went late last night so I didn't get much sleep." I didn't remember going back to bed though. I forced my eyes to open to find myself at my desk in class. Looks like I fell asleep but why is Mom and Dad here? I stretched a little before asking just that. 

"Sweetheart, we just had tea with your principle," I froze at the tone in Mom's voice. 

"What did you do?" I asked, hesitating as all sorts of things came to mind. 

"Relax Izuku, we just needed to have a conversation about professionalism. That's all," Mom giggled and Dad snorted a laugh. 

"We already have a date to arrange another 'conversation' next week," Dad winked and I felt like my heart dropped out of me. I also saw how Kacchan flinched, turning around to show his face had been drained of color. 

"What did you two do?" I asked again but they just refused to answer. 

"What's more important is how the curse is affecting you right now," Dad changed the subject frowning. "I thought you said you haven't told them yet?" I saw Kacchan's eyes widen but I avoided them while I tried to bring them back to the original subject. 

"Izuku," my very blood froze at the way Dad said my name. "We will not be going anywhere until this is settled. The curse is not something that can just be shrugged off." I could die. I already know and so do they. It's a loyalty quirk after all but I really haven't done anything to warrant this. 

"I swear I haven't broken a taboo. I have just been so busy, I haven't even really seen them much," I answered meekly and they let out large sighs of relief. 

"My baby, you know the rules. You have to spend time with them. Even if they reject you, you can just be their friend but you have to spend time with them even platonically," Dad lectured and I can feel the heat coming from my face. 

"I'm in class!" I groaned covering my head to try and hide from them and the stares of my returning classmates. Now I remember, it's lunch time and I choose to skip eating and take a nap instead, Sensei even gave me a jelly pack so I wouldn't neglect myself. His confusion over Nezu ordering me to go to counseling is still stuck in my head. He of course didn't know all the answers to the questions I asked but he was more than surprised that my friends didn't know any. At least he never pretended to know and he has always insisted that he didn't but at the same time he knew several of the answers just not the why's behind them. 

"Curse?" Sensei asked and this time I jumped up. 

"Okay that's enough. It's time for you BOTH to go home now," I smiled as I pulled them towards and out the door. "But Izuku, your teacher is-," 

"That's alright! Sensei will understand when I get a chance to explain later!" I interrupted Mom and before Dad could say anything I added. "Dad, have you even taken Mom on a date yet today? How can you talk about the curse when you are neglecting Mom?" I asked and he froze with his face pale. I know it was underhanded and cheating but still. I can only take so much and no one in this room except for Kacchan deserves to know anything at all about me. 

Thankfully Aizawa Sensei did wait until after class to ask. And he even made sure to kick out our classmates when they tried to listen in, he must have assumed Kacchan already knew everything because he let him stay. 

"So you're saying that this curse is just a quirk that someone used on your ancestor and that it is passed down from father to son?" He asked slowly and I nodded. "What happens if you break one of the taboos you mentioned?" 

"I will die," I answered and he dropped his now empty coffee mug on his desk. At least it didn't break. Kacchan has remained silent this whole time and at that last sentence he just looked away. I know he feels guilty but I can't help him with that. I don't understand why it is that he feels guilty but that doesn't really matter. 

"You… You didn't think I needed to know about any of this?" Aizawa Sensei was starting to get angry and I don't really blame him but I also don't understand him. 

"It was never a problem before, besides why would it matter to you?" I tilted my head and his jaw dropped. 

"That's… If it's never been a problem before, why is it a problem now?" He changed directions. I don't know what he was going to say but it certainly wasn't that. 

"Because I did something I shouldn't have," I admitted and this time Kacchan jerked around to face me. 

"What the fuck did you do Deku?" He demanded but I couldn't meet his eyes. How am I supposed to? 

"Midoriya, what happened?" Sensei asked, it was like he was holding his breath, I don't know if I have ever had his entire focus like this before in my life. 

"I, well I fell in love," Kacchan let me go, the way he jerked away said it all. I disgusted him. "For a Midoriya there is only really one way to love, they would have to love me too. If they don't like my parents said it could be platonic," I started explaining as if I were robotic but my heart hurts so much I can't really express it. "But usually when they aren't romantic then the husband or even wife of the person will eventually accuse them of cheating or even hit them. If a Midoriya causes their person harm, our hearts stop." 

"I think the person who used the quirk really liked samurai and their general lore, they thought their quirk was the perfect honor so that's what they named it," now I'm just trying to distract myself but in the end I give up. "It's why a Midoriya usually only has one child. We feel an overwhelming desire to give our lovers the world itself if we could but once the wife finds out her baby will also have the curse they almost never want to have any more." One is enough, I don't blame any of them for feeling like that either. 

"Bakugo, tell me now, what's your story? Tell me before it blows up like this," Sensei groaned, he looked at Kacchan who flinched but seemed to come to a decision. 

"I'm poisonous or maybe venomous would be the right word? My quirk is my sweat but if too much of it enters the body of a normal person their heart will stop. But I don't need what I can't have. There's no point to having a lover if I will end up killing them," he finally answered and now it was my turn to look at Kacchan shocked. 

"What? Since when? But Uncle doesn't have that problem and I've grown up with both of you! I should have had a lot in my system over the years. So many times I would even fall asleep in Uncle's arms!" I started questioning him but he looked away before answering. 

"My hag had to build an immunity to the drug. Before I was even born she almost died about a dozen times. How can I ask anyone I love to do that? Dad wouldn't have if he knew before," Kacchan shrugged his shoulder, knocking my hand off. When did I grab him? I really don't know. 

"You should probably have your heart looked at," he took a step away as if putting extra space between us. If he doesn't take a lover then even if he turns me down then I'm not likely to die! I wouldn't actually cause him harm! 

"Normal?? What the fuckery is that?" I heard Sensei groan to himself but I didn't even turn to look at him. 

"I have a patrol today, can we go now?" Kacchan asked and Sensei let out another groan before waving us off. I don't really blame him though, he just learned that one of us would probably die from being in love and the other would end up at least making someone sick if they did fall in love. 

"Midoriya, go see Recovery Girl before you leave. Actually both of you go just in case. I'll call your hero agency to let them know you are being held up," he dismissed us and when we got to her office she looked confused as to why we were there. By the end of it it was her turn to groan. 

"Bakugo I need 50 cc of your quirk," she handed him a test tube thing and he groaned but did as he was asked anyway and when she took it back, I now had a bunch of rubber things attached to my chest for some reason she handed it to me. "Drink," she ordered and Kacchan tried to take it back but she whacked him with her cane. 

"His heart is already showing that it is healthy. I know from previous tests. What do you take me for? How many times have I had to do actual surgery on this boy now? The only way to really test it is to give him a dose and see how he reacts to it. Even if he reacts badly it won't kill him with me here and his history of being exposed to so much requires a large dose," she lectured and I was again told to drink. I could feel my face lighting up though. I'm being told to drink Kacchan's sweat… 

I glanced at him real quick to see him just as red as I felt and I tipped the vial up and swallowed, giving her the vial back. I feel so embarrassed, how am I supposed to react right now? I have no idea. 

"Good now if there isn't a reaction within two hours you'll drink another 100cc," she instructed and we both snapped our heads up to look at her. "Bakugo I've already sent a message to your agency and Aizawa that you will not be leaving the school tonight. You need to be here until Midoriya has a reaction or roughly 800 cc and still no effect. So get comfortable," she instructed while not even looking at us. We are just supposed to sit around and do nothing? For how long? 

I looked at Kacchan who hopped up onto a cot and pulled out his phone and when I just stood there he snapped, "get your ass over here already!" He patted the empty space next to him and I jumped. The fact that there were other empty cots went ignored while he put on an All Might movie and streamed it for us. Then again, who knows when we'll be able to charge our phones? Using just one makes sense. After a while of trying to both see and not make him uncomfortable he grew frustrated with me fidgeting and just pulled me closer, almost forcing my head to lay on his chest so I could see his phone but now I have a very different problem. He had wrapped his arm around my back to hold me against him and it felt like my heart was about to explode from the nervousness alone but the more time that went by the more I was able to breathe. I even yawned, hmmm actually when was the last time I had a good night's sleep? 

*** 

"Izuku, it's time for the last dose," Kacchan gently shook me awake again. We've been stuck in the Recovery Girl's office for more than a day now, she didn't mind us falling asleep but leaving her office for anything but a short bathroom break was forbidden. And I got a few bruises for all the effort I put into going on my scheduled patrol. She let us plug our phones in though and it's late now so we won't be allowed to leave for the dorms until morning just to see how I do with the prolonged exposure. Something else was that when I tried to sleep on a different cot she told me to get back on the one with Kacchan if I knew what was good for me. Something about the gradual exposure was helping with her tests so I've spent the last 38 hours cuddling against Kacchan either watching movies or sleeping and I have to say. I feel great. 

No, that's an understatement. I feel amazing. I can't remember the last time I felt so good. Hell even my bones don't hurt and she has taken me to get a couple X-rays now to update my chart or something like that. 

"Boys, something has come up," Recovery Girl said as soon as she came back in the room, holding the glass Kacchan was expected to fill for me. "You will be returning to the dorms tonight but you will keep the sensors on you. You are too remain as you have been laying next to each other. You still need to wait until 6am for a shower but I expect you to sleep comfortably in the same bed. I don't care which one of your rooms is. Pick now." 

"Wait, what-," I started but got hit in the side of my leg. 

"I just told you, I don't have time. Make it quick, which room?" She lectured and Kacchan picked his. She reminded him that I had to stay with him and if possible it would be best if we had at least our shirts off while sleeping. Something about skin to skin from his sweat but then we were kicked out of her office and she was gone. 

"What just happened?" I asked and Kacchan grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the door. 

"Before I woke you up there was an accident that a bunch of heroes were called out for so I'm assuming it's probably that," he shrugged but he didn't let go of my hand as we walked. "Most of the extras in our class should be gone though." 

I started to panic but before I could utter a sound about us helping he was giving my hand a light squeeze that made my mouth snap shut again. It's not that odd for heroes to have a day off now and then anyway and besides we were technically having medical tests done. It could be dangerous for us to try and go now. Wouldn't it? 

By the time we were in bed, a real bed this time, we were just in our boxers and I was curled around Kacchan's body again. I love the feeling of his arms around me but I can't help wondering if he is actually okay with this or not. He hasn't been against it this whole time but it's that really consent? 

"Whatever you're mumbling about, forget it," Kacchan lectured before yawning. "You're fine to do whatever you want. I'm fine." I looked up at him but he had already closed his eyes. If he knew what I really wanted would he actually be okay with it? Would he welcome it? More importantly, would he want it? 

For now I'm just going to enjoy myself a little bit. He did say that I'm fine to do whatever so I cuddled a little closer and let myself snuggle into his neck. I felt him tense a little at the affection but he relaxed again before I was even comfortable and the feeling of his arms around me did exactly that, made me comfortable. 

*** 

"At least you followed instructions," I heard Recovery Girl's voice but when I groggily opened my eyes she just put her hand on my head and pushed me back down. "Go back to sleep. You must have been exhausted." I nodded sleepily at her instructions before getting comfortable again even with my eyes closed. I know exactly how I'm situated. Kacchan's arms supported my back and held me close as I hugged him to me. I heard him hum in his sleep so I snuggled into his neck a little and he relaxed again. This is truly perfection. 

*** 

Graduation came and went but thanks to the ongoing medical exams and tests from Recovery Girl we are still dropping by the school about once a week. It's already been two months since graduation when Recovery Girl called us to come in, she also called our parents. 

We came in our suits thanks to a patrol l have afterwards but I really don't like how our parents were already here or how they were smirking at us. 

"I can't believe I'm asking this as a fully licensed adult but, what did we do now?" I groaned and even Kacchan was smirking at me, earning a glare in the process. Whatever it is we are in this together so I don't know why he is so tickled over it. 

"I've finally finished testing everything I could think of and it's time for the results," Recovery Girl answered before looking at us. "Since Aizawa is the one that sent you for these tests in the first place, would it be alright to share the results with him?" 

"That depends on what the results are," Kacchan answered before I could open my mouth but I agreed. What if I'm slowly dying? I can't let people think Kacchan killed me! He is a hero for crying out loud. 

"Fair enough. So for starters Midoriya does not have any heart problems at all. Actually from all the tests I've run his heart and other parts of his body have been getting stronger and stronger but we can assume that's from him taking care of himself and training well," she turned to the papers in her hand and that's really a lot of paperwork just to say that I'm fine. "However," and here it comes. "Rather than getting sick or weak from over exposure to nitroglycerin he seems to have a bit of dependence on it " 

I looked at the woman confused. I'm dependent on nitroglycerin? What does that mean? I'm not the only person confused though because Kacchan just asked her bluntly. 

"What it means is that he is stronger with nitroglycerin than without. Anytime he has been away from you for a prolonged amount of time his body gets exhausted far more easily and it's actually to the point that his antibodies decrease making him more likely to get sick." She set the paperwork down to look at me. "Point blank if you two go your separate ways now that the tests are done Midoriya will need to be put on medication that would act like a vitamin but it is a controlled substance so he would have to be very strict about taking it at the appropriate time." My jaw dropped. 

"So I'm not putting him in danger?" Kacchan asked but at the same time it was more like he stated the fact. If nothing else he seems to be relieved but still. Does this mean I have to take pills for the rest of my life? A thought my Mom and Dad seemed to think of as well and that didn't stay quiet. 

"If the heroes Dynamight and Arsenall do not have a lot of interactions then yes, he will need to take the medicine. Having said that I did numerous tests on Bakugo's quirk, including his sweat, saliva, blood and semen," Kacchan grumbled about her sharing too much but other than his red face remained quiet. "If Midoriya were to get particularly sick my recommendation would actually be a shot of Bakugo's semen but of course that would be highly inappropriate unless they were in that kind of relationship. 

"My curse-," 

"My poison-," Kacchan and I interrupted each other and she just waved us both off. 

"I don't know much about your so-called curse but as far as poison goes it's a non issue. It's a benefit, now I'm not suggesting anything or even implying it. Take the information I give you and do with it what you want. But I will need to put Midoriya's dependence on nitroglycerin in his medical charts as well as the fact that it will be of no help at all for its standard uses or dosages. Having said that, I do understand why you call that quirk a curse. From what I've been able to gather, it has killed a great many of your relatives but it is still just a quirk. The holder of which just can't be persecuted for their crime any longer." Recovery Girl gave me a long look before taking a deep breath. "Now let me know if you plan to start taking the pills I would recommend taking them within the week considering your most recent tests involved you two avoiding each other." 

"Bakugo, for future reference, any children you have in the future will most likely have an immunity to your quirk so don't let that be the reason you don't have kids, even if they don't it will be something similar to Midoriya here. In fact from what I can see the typical hormonal changes caused by pregnancy would actually be good for you. Yes, I'm aware you are a man but you are one of the ones that could easily carry as well as impregnate so it doesn't really matter," She shut Kacchan down before he could get a word out before continuing, "Of course if you choose to impregnate you obviously will not be getting most of those benefits but that's neither here nor there. It's ultimately your choice." I saw Kacchan's face go pale, bright red and extremely pale again in a very short amount of time. 

"Now, you two aren't students anymore so get out," she frowned as if she didn't call us here in the first place. Our parents went home happy for some reason and Kacchan and I went back to our apartment. We had decided to be roommates for a while so we signed a year lease together. If it doesn't work out, one year isn't too difficult to deal with and if it does work out then we can extend it. Not so hard right? Wrong . It's exhausting, especially while Recovery Girl was having us avoid each other at all cost for her tests. 

Right now however Kacchan seems to be lost in thought. I didn't know he thought love was so off limits before and of the few questions he did ask the one I heard was, "would everyone I grew up with have that kind of tolerance?" I mean I know Aunty met Uncle in college so they didn't grow up together. So is his fear of hurting the person he loved over now? Is he willing to give it a chance? Does this mean he doesn't think of me as even a possibility? 

That thought makes me sad. No, it's heartbreaking. I can't help loving him but I already know that he deserves so much better. Of course I want Kacchan to be happy but I can't help feeling a little let down. It's almost like I've been thrown to the side now that he has the answers to his questions. I never did hear Recovery Girl's answer though, I barely heard the question when he went back inside to talk to her and Dad and Uncle got really chatty all of a sudden. 

Then again Dad knows about my crush on Kacchan and Uncle probably guessed or Dad just gave in and told him. I wouldn't blame him, it's not like Uncle would have told Kacchan or anything so there is that. Not even with my curse. 

I was just finishing up our dishes when I decided I should go to bed. I need to sleep. I'm off tomorrow but it's also my first day off in about a month. Kacchan went to bed a while ago but he was still giving me the silent treatment. I feel like I'm suffocating! 

Wait! Recovery Girl said I would need to start taking pills by this week because I'm lacking in nitroglycerin didn't she? 

I'm standing outside Kacchan's door wearing some pajamas and taking a deep breath and just doing it. I knocked. 

"What?" Kacchan answered the door aggravated but then he paused. 

"It's just. I won't be able to get my medicine for a while and from the way Recovery Girl was talking it will be difficult for me to get enough and," I started stuttering. I can't help it! I'm basically trying to take advantage of him and I don't feel comfortable with that! 

"I'm sorry, I'll leave you alone," I backed back down. I can't do it. I can't! As much as I want him to hold me again, what about when he does take a lover? He doesn't have a lover now but he might one day, one day soon. 

"Tell me," I looked back at him confused. What am I supposed to tell him? He figured out my confusion though. "I've tried to be patient. I've tried telling myself it wasn't my business but for fucks sake I can't take it anymore!" I flinched at his outburst. Did I hurt him somehow? 

"Deku, no Izuku. Who beat me to your heart? Who did I lose to?" He asked but he averted his eyes at the last second. Who beat him to my… Oh. Oh! 

I reached up and let my hand touch his face, pulling his chin so he would have to look at me. 

"No one could ever beat you," I whispered, how did I suddenly get so close? How am I so close to him right now? How did I actually say that out loud? But I can't take the words back. His bright red eyes only widened for a second but in the next second he lunged forward the last few centimeters and I could feel his warm lips on mine. How his hands tangled in my hair so that every time we pulled away for a breath we came back together again after. My arms around his waist I stepped forward and now his arms were over my shoulders pulling me with him as he stepped back into the room. The fact his top was literally ripped off of him went ignored but mostly because I'm not the one that did it. He just didn't want to pull away and I am more than willing to follow his lead. 

Laying on his bed, I left his lips for his neck letting myself enjoy the taste of his skin, his excitement as I made my way down to his chest. His massive chest with the most beautiful pecs I have ever seen and I didn't stop. I couldn't think. I don't want to think. If I think I'll pull away and I don't want that. Never that. 

His thick fleshy mounds of raw muscle were all mine and I threw caution away. 

"Ah! Fuck Deku! I can't! I'm going to-! No, fuck no! I need more than teasing damnit!" Kacchan cursed, his back arched off the bed but his hands didn't let me go. He didn't let me go. My fingers? I should, no I need to help him! I don't want to hurt him. I want him to like it too. 

"Lube," I gasped, pulling away for barely a second. Kacchan told me where some was and I accidentally pulled the drawer out and it crashed to the floor but Kacchan just laughed. 

"Eager are we?" He teased but his eyes only seemed to reflect pure joy in them. Joy. He is happy. He is looking at me with those eyes. By the time I had the lube and was able to push two fingers in, Kacchan had grabbed a handful of my hair to pull me in for another kiss. "Make love to me?" He asked and I just wanted to devour him. His soul reached for me and I'm more than willing to meet him. My fingers were replaced and in the next few moments he was surrounding me. His soft moans of relief filled the air. Part of me wants to just slam into him, fill him with everything but what I really need is to hear him say my name. 

"Kacchan, say my name? Please?" I whispered, my gentle thrusts were starting to shake from me holding back but Kacchan isn't ready for me to go hard yet. Almost. 

"Izuku," he whispered and as nice as my name sounded on his lips it's not what I want to hear. 

"The name only you can call me," I corrected in a whisper, a kiss lingering. He looked surprised but then so very happy. I made him happy. Me! 

"Deku~," he whispered with a smile and I thrusted in so hard that he threw his head back, his back arching with him off of the bed. 

I gave him a few more good thrusts before slowing down again, his pecs and neck mine until he relaxed enough for me to reach his mouth again. 

"Oh you liked that," I whispered grinning when I saw the glazed over look in his eyes. "You liked that a lot. Should I do it again?" I asked between kisses, his legs around my waist trying to pull me in so I gave him a couple more deep, hard thrusts that he wanted so much. 

"Again," I whispered in his ear before devouring his kisses, the air from his lungs filling mine with each deep thrust. "Please?" I asked and he looked confused for a moment when I released him, his arms trying to pull me back in again. 

"What-?" His voice broke when I pushed in a little rougher than I intended leaving him gasping for me. 

"Say my name?" I asked softly, giving him nibble like kisses along his jaw, letting me teeth graze him the way he seemed to like. I want to hear him say it again. Say my name please, I want to beg but at the same time I want to give him everything. How could that even work? 

"Deku," he pulled me in and I slammed into him again. "Fuck, DEKU!" He screamed out my name and I didn't let up. His voice gave me everything I needed until I couldn't pull away anymore. My release hit me hard but Kacchan was still squirming under me, wanting. He still needs me but even while I gave him gentle thrusts I could feel myself getting soft. Maybe I could help him finish another way? 

I pulled out just to hear him groan out my name, asking, no begging for more. "I'll give you anything," I whispered to him, another kiss leading to me losing my breath to him but soon enough I pulled away from that too. Letting my kisses just trail down his neck and to his amazing pecs that have plagued my dreams for so very long. His voice breaking and going up an octave as I teased and loved him.

"I love you," I whispered before he filled my mouth. His body flexed as I took him in until he was screaming out for me. I swallowed and when I was sure he was clean I came back up. The words I uttered still hung between us as I carefully kissed him. My lips lingering anywhere he would let me; his chest and neck, the side of his face until he grabbed me and kissed me himself. 

He looked angry for a moment and then a slow peace came over him. I had gotten hard again while I had been on him. A fact he just found out. 

"Anything?" He asked and even without knowing what he was talking about I knew the answer. 

"Anything," I agreed and he climbed on top of me. 

"Again," he smiled and with another kiss he didn't let me go. 

*** 

"Arsenall! Are the rumors that you got married over the weekend true? Has Japan lost their number one hero and bachelor?" A reporter ran up asking but I just smiled. It's been years and Kacchan and I finally made it official. He finally said yes. 

"I was never really a bachelor, I've been in a long term relationship since graduating highschool," I laughed a little and the reporter relaxed a little thinking that the elusive Arsenall would do an actual interview for once. Sadly I never did get over the betrayal from highschool so I tend to keep people at arms length but it's not like I don't do my job or anything like that. 

"Our viewers and fans at home want to know, who is the woman that stole your heart from the rest of us?" She asked this time and I just chuckled at that. 

"I'm not a fucking woman!" Kacchan snapped, coming back from the counter with our drinks and popcorn. "Leave us the fuck alone we are not on patrol and we are allowed to have personal time," he grumbled before handing me my soda. 

"The movie is about to start, we should go in," he motioned towards the entry and I nodded in agreement. 

"Have a nice day," I called back to the reporter who looked absolutely terrified. I slipped my arm around my husband's waist protectively. Another reason we decided to finally get married. "How are you feeling? Nauseous at all?" I asked nervously. 

"No, our little hell fire is behaving for now," he smirked and I couldn't hold back and gave him a quick kiss. I love how cute he acts when he gets mad and jealous but I never do it on purpose, that might hurt him. 

"You are so amazing," I cooed and he giggled at my ticklish kisses that he loved so much. 

"Not as amazing as you. Come on, I found us a seat far from everyone else," he gave me a sly smirk. For some reason Kacchan has been wanting to get kinky lately and today's mission was sex in a public place, without getting caught of course. I guess cravings aren't just for food but that's okay. I'm more than happy to give him anything and everything he wants. 

"Anything you want," I nuzzled him and it wasn't long before the lights were out and he was cuddled in my lap. A horror film that neither of us cared to watch played while I kissed the back of his neck and slipped inside. "I love you." I whispered to the most perfect man in the world only for him to try and silence his pleasure with a kiss. 

The end.